Comments on: Johnnie Armstrong and the Border Reivers

By: Gloria Hamilton

Gloria Hamilton — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 04:26:29 +0000

A Mike Armstrong replied to John Coster in 2014. I replied to him in regard to his grandfather, James, brother of General John. I haven’t been able to return and see if he replied. If he’s still out there, I’d still like to speak to him.

By: fiona gibson

fiona gibson — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:53:13 +0000

Thanks for all the information. I am gathering info for my mum (Margaret)whose Mother (Annie) was an Armstrong. My Mum grew up in the Borders and told us stories of her famous Reiver forebear Johnny Armstrong whose castle still stands (well, only sort of from the picture you provided)at Gilnockie. Thanks again, Fiona

By: Snowskeeper

Snowskeeper — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:27:46 +0000

The problem with this statement being that this Johnnie Armstrong was fighting the Scottish, not the English. V_V;

By: Esther Armstrong

Esther Armstrong — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:40:30 +0000

However, after his execution in 1530 by order of James V, Clan Armstrong have been without a chief for over 450 years.
The above statement is not true. The last Chief wss Archibald Armstrong, Died 1610. At the time of Jonnie’s death there were 4 chiefs. The main one being Thomas Armstrong at Mangerton Castle.

By: John Coster

John Coster — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:01:19 +0000

I am descended from General John Armstrong, a member of the American Revolutionary Army whose son, John, was also in the war and became ambassador to France. I still have some papers from them. The elder John emigrated from Ireland as a young man in the early 18th century and worked in Pennsylvania as a surveyor with George Washington on the frontier. He led a daring raid against the French and Indians which earned him considerable renown. Family tradition and some early articles I have found state that he was directly descended from Johnnie Armstrong. I know nothing of the gap between 1530 and John’s arrival in America, but it does seem that fighting the English was a well established family tradition.

By: Trish MacDonnell

Trish MacDonnell — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 06:20:35 +0000

Hi, lovely article, many thanks for publishing it. My granny was an Armstrong and I grew up listening to the story of Johnnie.

By: tom moss

tom moss — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:04:52 +0000

Hello everyone.

Would you all please note that my website has changed from http://www.rosecottagepublications.com to http://www.reivershistory.co.uk

Thanks and regards,

Tom.

By: Tom Moss

Tom Moss — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:04:58 +0000

If you would like to read the ballad about Armstrong of Gilnockie then have a look at the ‘Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border’ by Sir Walter Scott.

The ‘Minstrelsy’ was Scott’s first published work in about 1802.

Many of the ballads are about the Scottish Borders.

Scott spent the last years of the 18th century listening to the tales, folklore and anecdotes of the people of the Scottish Border valleys, hardly any of which were written down. There is no doubt that Scott ‘doctored’ all he heard but the ‘Ballads’ are great, full of image, pace and power. I think all Scots should be proud of this work. It brings to the mind the lives and loves of people now long forgotten.

Another work to look for which tells the story of Gilnockie is by a Liddesdale man called Robert Bruce Armstrong. He set out to write the history of Liddesdale, Eskdale, Ewesdale, Wauchopedale and the Debateable Land in four parts. Unfortunately he never finished it but Part 1 is in print and takes the history up to 1530. The story of Gilnockie is well recorded in the book.

By: Tom Moss

Tom Moss — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:04:39 +0000

Really enjoyed the article on Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie.

There are a number of variations to this story. I think one of the most significant is that Johnnie had twenty-four followers who were, with the exception of one, hanged with him.That reiver was burned at the stake because he was recognised as a man who had previously burned to death a poor widow and her son during a vicious raid.

Apparently, according to the chroniclers of the time, there was much rejoicing in England on the news of Johnnie’s death. He had been the bane of the English from Gilnockie to Newcastle with his blackmail and extortion.

I think it is also significant to remember that Johnnie had held lands under a bond of manrent from Lord Maxwell since 1528 if I remember correctly.

Maxwell and the other Border lords had been warded in Edinburgh by James V before his sojourn to the Border purportedly to hunt.

Within a few days of Johnnie’s death these lands resorted to Maxwell.Co-incidence? I don’t think so!

Johnnie was not the first to suffer on James V coming south to ‘daunton’ the Borders.

Adam Scott, known as the King of Thieves was to die at James’ hands as was Cockburn of Henderland. Scott resided at Tushielaw Tower, the remains of which can still be seen; Henderland is in the vicinity of St.Mary’s Loch.

According to folklore both these men were hanged over their own doorways but the reality is they were packed off to Edinburgh for execution.

The story of Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie is filled with pathos and a feeling of treachery.

James V was to get his come-uppance twelve years later in 1542 when his Scottish army would be defeated by an inferior English one at the Battle of Solway Moss. James died a few days later, some say as a result of the humiliation of the rout near Longtown, Cumbria. He left a daughter who was but a few days old. She would become Mary, Queen of Scots.

By: Charles Armstrong

Charles Armstrong — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:23:49 +0000

I am so very grateful to whomsoever for this peice of news.

It has always bothered me thinking of what became of Johnny Armstrong.

Also, The question as to how his wealth was accumulated is no longer such a speculatrion.

With much appreciation for your research and the efforts put in to publishg this.

Best Regards,

Charles