d a 'pune,' an ancient
Border tearme, intending no other than a reprisall, which albeit of late
years her Majesty's peacable justice hath restrained."

There is much in a name. This invasion of Liddesdale, resulting in the
burning of numerous homesteads, the slaughter of many women and children,
accompanied by barbarities of the most revolting description, is
euphoniously described by the commissioners as "honourable and
neighbourlike assistance." The women and bairns, who were led in leashes
like so many dogs, were no doubt duly grateful to my Lord Scrope and his
minions for their kindly attentions! The absurdity of such a verdict is
surely unique.

It would appear that Buccleuch's enforced absence from the Borders, after
the taking of Carlisle castle, was of brief duration. He was soon back in
his old haunts, and at his old trade. What had happened in the interim was
not likely to enhance his feeling of regard for Scrope, and those who were
aiding and abetting him in this matter. He was determined to avenge the
cruel raid which had been made upon Liddesdale. Along with Sir Robert Ker
of Cessford, another renowned freebooter, he marched into Tynedale with
fifty horse and a hundred foot, burned at noonday three hundred onsteads
and dwelling houses; also barns, stables, ox houses, &c., to the number of
twenty; and murdered "with the sworde" fourteen who had been to Scotland,
and brought away their booty. The English warden was utterly helpless. He
dare not lift a finger to stay the progress of the invaders. He gave vent
to his feelings in a letter to Burghley, in which he says--"To defend such
like incursions, or rather invasions, with sorrow as formerly I declare to
your lordship the weak state of Tindale, for there was not 6 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 a
hundred of 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."[96]

One cannot restrain a certain feeling of commiseration for the English
warden, who was so shamefully neglected by his government, and so
miserably supported in the discharge of his dutie