Source: Public Record Office
Title: Border Papers 1597 596
Date: 1597
Place: Hexham

Ralph lord Eure [signs] to Lord Burghley:

On Saturday the 8th instant, sixty Ellottes of Liddesdale at noonday drove the cattle of those steads in Tindaile nearest the March and furthest from inhabitauncie. On Monday the 11th a like number of Liddesdale made a day foray further in Tindaile, from whom it pleased God the country rescued most of the goods: three or four of my men were wounded, and one slain in the fight, and divers Scots sore wounded. On Saturday the 17th the Laird of Buccleuch in person with fifty horse and 100 foot, burned at noonday three onsets and dwelling houses, barns, stables, ox houses, &c., to the number of twenty, in the head of Tyne, cruelly burning in the houses seven innocent men - and murdered with the swoorde 14 which had been in Scotland and brought away their booty; which act, thoughe it be unlawfull, yet the rodd of justice hath nowe present his course to redresse to her Majesties honor, and not admitt the cruell revenge in such manner as is nowe executed. To defend such like incursions, or rather invasions (the heade officer with trumpett being their in personn), with sorrow, as formerly, I declare to your Lordship the weak estate of Tindale, for there was not six able horse to follow the fray upon the shoute, though in daytime, and where, as reported to me, there were 300 able foot, or better, there was not 100 at this following, and those naked.

This piteous state increases since my coming, and I cannot see how to amend it, leaving this to your wisdom, wishing to God I had never lived to serve where neither her Majesty nor her officer is obeyed; fearing, unless assisted by her Majesty's forces, Tyndale will be laid waste as other parts of the March are. Humbly beseeching your Lordships speedy care for us, for it is not merely the want of horse and furniture, but of hartes, corne and maintenance that makes this March unable for honourable defence.

I held the warden court on Friday the 15th instant, where the 15 Scots were condemned, whose lives were prolonged in the hope of some proferr from their clans with future assurance; though their headsmen, by the untoward disposition of Buccleuch, have not only been hindered in such a peaceable course, but threatened with danger for doing it. I trust you will continue warrant to Mr Skidmore for the pay of my 80 men.

[enclosing:]

Note of those slain, drowned and burned in Tindaile on Sunday 7 April 1597 by Buccleuch, &c.:

William Doodd of Caryteth, Nicholas Pattinsoune, Michael Ridley, Thomas Pigg, Thomas Graye, John Tayler, Thomas Rampshawe, John Lawsoune, Thomas Liddell, Thomas Pattinsoune, Nicholas Pattinsoune, Thomas Pattinsoune, William Oliver, Andrew Coutherde, William Robsoun, Archibald Dodd, Nicholas Crawhawe and Rynian Cowman, 18, slayne violently. Emery Dodd alias Pluck, Michael Dodde of Donkleywood, Michael Dodd of Hurdley, John Dodd of Ryclose and Cuthbert Robsoune, 5, burnte innocente. James Dodd of Donkleywood and Raph Dodd, 2, slayne innocente. William Robsoune and Richard Oliver, taken prisoners.

The houses and steads burned, viz, Thorneburne, Donkeleywood, Stokooe.

"Her Majesty" was Queen Elizabeth the First.