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Stories of the Scottish Border
by William PLATT (1867 - )Chapter 15 Fair Helen of Kirkconnell
Nothing seems to be known about Mr and Mrs William Platt, the writers of Stories of the Scottish Border. What they produced is an eccentric guidebook and history, seen partly through the ballads of the region. The book recounts the military stratagems, treachery and courage of those who struggled for control of the Border lands and of the whole country, and tells of the triumphs or tragic fate of those who took part on both sides. It also tells us stories of the Border Reivers, raiders who lived by riding out and stealing their neighbours’ livestock. Their lives were governed for several hundred years by a form of rough justice, and they showed an even rougher wit. While their adventures, though cloaked by the writers in romance and chivalry, were often petty and bloodthirsty, the ballads which distill their experience are, at their best, haunting and intensely moving. The Borders and Northumberland have changed little in aspect over the centuries, and I suggest following the book with a map and images of the places described, to give some idea of the wild remoteness and imaginative power of this Border land. - Summary by Jhiu
Listen next episodes of Stories of the Scottish Border:
Chapter 16 Johnie of Breadislee , Chapter 17 Katharine Janfarie , Chapter 18 By Lauder Bridge , Chapter 19 The Battle of Flodden Field , Chapter 20 After Flodden , Chapter 21 Graeme and Bewick , Chapter 22 The Song of the Outlaw Murray , Chapter 23 Johnie Armstrong , Chapter 24 The Lament of the Border Widow , Chapter 25 The Raid of the Kers , Chapter 26 Merrie Carlisle , Chapter 27 Kinmont Willie , Chapter 28 Dick o' the Cow , Chapter 29 The Lochmaben Harper , Chapter 30 The Rookhope Ride , Chapter 31 Barthram's Dirge , Chapter 32 Queen Mary and the Borders , Chapter 33 The Raid of the Redeswire , Chapter 34 Jock o' the Side , Chapter 35 Hobbie Noble , Chapter 36 The Laird o' Logie , Chapter 37 Jamie Telfer of the Fair Dodhead , Chapter 38 Muckle Mou'd Meg , Chapter 39 The Dowie Dens of Yarrow , Chapter 40 Belted will and the Baronry of Gilsland , Chapter 41 Gilderoy , Chapter 42 Archie Armstrong's Oath , Chapter 43 Christie's Will , Chapter 44 Northumberland at the time of the civil war , Chapter 45 Montrose and Lesley , Chapter 46 The Death of Montrose , Chapter 47 The Borderers and the Jacobites , Chapter 48 The Nine Nicks o' Thirlwall , Chapter 49 In Wild Northumberland today