Stories of the Scottish Border

William Platt (1867 - ) and Mrs. William Platt

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

Genre(s): Culture & Heritage Fiction, Historical Fiction, Poetry

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Introduction - The Character of the Borders Jhiu
00:07:08
Play 02 Introduction - A Brief History of the Border Jhiu
00:12:25
Play 03 Introduction - What the Border Names tell us Jhiu
00:05:58
Play 04 Chapter 1 Bamburgh and its Coast Jhiu
00:07:42
Play 05 Chapter 2 Athelstan at Vinheath Jhiu
00:19:32
Play 06 Chapter 3 Monks and Minstrels Jhiu
00:08:49
Play 07 Chapter 4 Sir Patrick Spens Jhiu
00:06:55
Play 08 Chapter 5 Auld Maitland Jhiu
00:11:47
Play 09 Chapter 6 Mystery of the Eildons Jhiu
00:12:45
Play 10 Chapter 7 Black Agnes Jhiu
00:09:35
Play 11 Chapter 8 The Young Tamlane Jhiu
00:09:35
Play 12 Chapter 9 The Gay Goss-Hawk Jhiu
00:08:16
Play 13 Chapter 10 The Corbies Jhiu
00:03:54
Play 14 Chapter 11 Otterburn and Chevy Chase Jhiu
00:17:27
Play 15 Chapter 12 The Douglas Clan Jhiu
00:13:21
Play 16 Chapter 13 Alnwick Castle and the Percies Jhiu
00:08:20
Play 17 Chapter 14 Hexham and Queen Margaret Jhiu
00:09:51
Play 18 Chapter 15 Fair Helen of Kirkconnell Jhiu
00:03:36
Play 19 Chapter 16 Johnie of Breadislee Jhiu
00:05:53
Play 20 Chapter 17 Katharine Janfarie Jhiu
00:07:43
Play 21 Chapter 18 By Lauder Bridge Jhiu
00:05:04
Play 22 Chapter 19 The Battle of Flodden Field Jhiu
00:13:30
Play 23 Chapter 20 After Flodden Jhiu
00:16:27
Play 24 Chapter 21 Graeme and Bewick Jhiu
00:07:59
Play 25 Chapter 22 The Song of the Outlaw Murray Jhiu
00:13:35
Play 26 Chapter 23 Johnie Armstrong Jhiu
00:06:57
Play 27 Chapter 24 The Lament of the Border Widow Jhiu
00:02:51
Play 28 Chapter 25 The Raid of the Kers Jhiu
00:06:05
Play 29 Chapter 26 Merrie Carlisle Jhiu
00:15:22
Play 30 Chapter 27 Kinmont Willie Jhiu
00:09:27
Play 31 Chapter 28 Dick o' the Cow Jhiu
00:11:13
Play 32 Chapter 29 The Lochmaben Harper Jhiu
00:04:51
Play 33 Chapter 30 The Rookhope Ride Jhiu
00:04:47
Play 34 Chapter 31 Barthram's Dirge Jhiu
00:04:10
Play 35 Chapter 32 Queen Mary and the Borders Jhiu
00:08:26
Play 36 Chapter 33 The Raid of the Redeswire Jhiu
00:08:47
Play 37 Chapter 34 Jock o' the Side Jhiu
00:07:19
Play 38 Chapter 35 Hobbie Noble Jhiu
00:07:32
Play 39 Chapter 36 The Laird o' Logie Jhiu
00:03:59
Play 40 Chapter 37 Jamie Telfer of the Fair Dodhead Jhiu
00:09:02
Play 41 Chapter 38 Muckle Mou'd Meg Jhiu
00:05:43
Play 42 Chapter 39 The Dowie Dens of Yarrow Jhiu
00:04:41
Play 43 Chapter 40 Belted will and the Baronry of Gilsland Jhiu
00:08:23
Play 44 Chapter 41 Gilderoy Jhiu
00:08:02
Play 45 Chapter 42 Archie Armstrong's Oath Jhiu
00:05:47
Play 46 Chapter 43 Christie's Will Jhiu
00:05:18
Play 47 Chapter 44 Northumberland at the time of the civil war Jhiu
00:10:20
Play 48 Chapter 45 Montrose and Lesley Jhiu
00:06:23
Play 49 Chapter 46 The Death of Montrose Jhiu
00:09:24
Play 50 Chapter 47 The Borderers and the Jacobites Jhiu
00:14:00
Play 51 Chapter 48 The Nine Nicks o' Thirlwall Jhiu
00:08:42
Play 52 Chapter 49 In Wild Northumberland today Jhiu
00:08:09