Ill Week, Reivers and Northumberland history

When Queen Elizabeth 1st died on 24th March 1603 the growing lawlessness in the Borders came to a dramatic conclusion. Believing that the rule of law was effectively suspended the Border Reivers mounted a huge raid into Engalnd. Over 4,000 cattle and 5,000 sheep and goats were stolen during what became known as ILL week.

However as soon as James VI of Scotland became James 1st of England the need for a frontier was done away with. He abolished the "marches", abolished the post of warden of the Borders and change the name of the area to "The Middle Shires".
He then went about pacifying the area.