Kinmont Willies escape from Carlisle Castle
KINMONT WILLIE’S ESCAPE FROM CARLISLE CASTLE
Kinmont Willie’s great escape.
by Jonathan Fraser, Cumbria and the Borders History
William Armstrong of Kinmont, also known as ‘Kinmont Willie’, was a notorious Border Reiver. He was born around 1550 and died of old age in around 1610, different sources record his death anywhere between 1608-11. By the 1580’s, Kinmont Willie was one of the most infamous Reivers.
Days of truce were a common thing during the days of the Reivers. Days of truce were put in place and were held by the wardens at regular intervals on the borders. These were to sort out complaints from both sides of the border. Some wardens from opposite sides of the border got on well and the complaints would get sorted without any major issues. In other cases, the wardens hated each other which often meant the truce days were postponed or cancelled.
On 17th March 1596, Kinmont Willie was attending a day of truce. In a breach of this truce, Sir Thomas Scope (English Warden of The West March) had Kinmont arrested and taken away in chains to Carlisle Castle. It is believed this happened when Kinmont was on his way back home after a 4 mile chase. Naturally this caused outrage on the other side of the border. Walter Scott of Buccleuch, a Scottish March Warden, tried to negotiate with Scope for Kinmont’s release but to no avail.
With Scrope’s refusal to release Kinmont Willie, on the night of 13th April 1596, Buccleuch led a daring raid over the border to Carlisle Castle. It is believed that there was inside help from some English Grahams and Carletons. Some say they overpowered the guards at Carlisle Castle, other accounts suggest they were bribed- either way, Kinmont Willie escaped.
One account, a Scottish narrative, suggests the Scots had scaling ladders and siege tools; the ladders being too short, they broke through the wall near the postern gate. A fight broke out between the Scots and the watchmen. Buccleuch returned all other prisoners except Kinmont and all looted goods, the only damage done was to the gate and prison door.
The escape almost caused open warfare and threatened James VI of Scotland’s succession to the crown of England. James was caught in between allegiance to the Scots, who were adamant Buccleuch had done no wrong in rescuing a man captured illegally, and his desire to pander to Elizabeth who he later succeed. Sir Thomas Scrope led raids into Scotland looking for Kinmont Willie, laying waste to Annan and Dumfries in the process. Scrope reported to a furious Queen Elizabeth I that his castle had been captured by 500 Scots (probably exaggerated to make himself look better).
Elizabeth demanded an explanation from James VI of Scotland. James persuaded Walter Scott of Buccleuch to go and defuse the situation and it is said that his charm and character worked on her. Kinmont Willie was never recaptured and died an old man. James VI became James I of England in 1603 following the death of Elizabeth, which spelt disaster for the Reivers with the Union of the Crowns, they’re days were numbered.
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