~F 
us 
general feeling upon the subject. Every now and again, when they 
had grown more unruly than their wont—when there was among 
them some reiver more notorious than the rest, the Scottish 
monarch of the day swept down upon his stronghold, and made 
him an example to his fellows. One of the most signal instances 
is that of the execution of Armstrong, the laird of Gilnockie, by 
James V., in 1530: you have it related in the Ballads. The 
Armstrongs were the most lawless of all the Border depredators ; 
and all along the Liddell stream may still be seen the ruins of 
their strongholds. James V., who long lived in Scottish memory as 
the king, who made the rush bush keep the cow, in his endeavours 
to maintain order, undertook an expedition through the Border 
district. John Armstrong, of Gilnockie, was induced—the ballad 
says, at the invitation of the king himself, 
“The king he writes a luving letter,” 
to appear before him. He came with his followers in all the rude 
pomp of border chivalry. 
The Elliotts and Armstrongs did convene— 
They were a gallant company, 
We'll ride and meet our lawful king, 
And bring him safe to Gilnockie. 
Make rabbits, and capon, ready then, 
And venison in great plentie ; 
We'll welcome here our royal king, 
And bring him safe to Gilnockie. 
When Johnnie came before the king, 
Wi’ a’ his men sae braw to see, 
The king he movit his bonnet to him, 
He weened he was a king as well as he. 
This shows the sort of subjects they were in their own and ordinary 
estimation. But no sooner had Johnnie and his companions 
alighted, than the king ordered the whole party to instant execution. 
The ballad recounts the pleas that were put in for mercy, and they 
give us a good idea of the wealth of a Border laird. First of all 
he offers the king “four and twenty milk white steeds,” all foaled 
in the same year ; then— 
