Bot thir sevyn
yeir bygane, thai statutis and artiklis of the pace are adnullit,
for ther hes been as grit familiarite, and conventions, and makyng of
merchandreis, on the boirdours, this lang tyme betwix Inglis men and
Scottis men, baytht in pace and weir, as Scottismen usis amang theme
selfis witht in the realme of Scotland: and sic familiarite has bene
the cause that the kyng of Ingland gat intelligence witht divers
gentlemen of Scotland."
_Complaynt of Scotland_, _Edin_. 1801, p. 164.]
This humanity and moderation was, on certain occasions, entirely laid
aside by the borderers. In the case of deadly feud, either against an
Englishman, or against any neighbouring tribe, the whole force of the
offended clan was bent to avenge the death of any of their number.
Their vengeance not only vented itself upon the homicide and his
family, but upon all his kindred, on his whole tribe; on every one, in
fine, whose death or ruin could affect him with regret.--_Lesley_, p.
63; _Border Laws_, _passim_; _Scottish Acts_, 1594, c. 231. The
reader will find, in the following collection, many allusions to
this infernal custom, which always overcame the marcher's general
reluctance to shed human, blood, and rendered him remorselessly
savage.
For fidelity to their word, Lesley ascribes high praise to the
inhabitants of the Scottish frontier.
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