button to main menu  Clarke's Survey of the Lakes, 1787

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There is a problem with the pagination about here. The last page was 179; this is numbered 182; the next pages are numbered 183, 182, 183; and then in sequence 184 onwards. The true number of the page is used in this transcription.
Page 180 (numbered 182):-
'Also it is agreed, that proclamation shall be made, that all inhabitants within Tindale and Riddisdale in Northumberland, Bewcastle-dale, Willgavy, the north part of Gilsland, Eskdale, Ewsdale, and Annerdale in Scotland, (saving noblemen and gentlemen unsuspected of felony and theft, and not being of broken clans) and their household servants, dwelling within those several places before recited, shall put away all armour and weapons, as well offensive as defensive, as jacks, spears, lances, swords, daggers, steelcaps, hagbuts, pistols, plate-sleeves, and such like; and shall not keep any horse, gelding, or mare, above the price of fifty shillings Sterling, or thirty pounds Scots, upon like pain of imprisonment.
'Item, That proclamation be made, that none of what calling soever, within the countries lately called the Borders, of either of the kingdoms, shall wear, carry, or bear any pistols, hagbuts, or guns of any sort, but in his Majesty's service.' &c.
Notwithstanding the taking away their weapons, some few Scots continued to infest the county of Cumberland, who were generally men so strong and swift of foot, that they could not be taken by the watches: these Moss-troopers (as they were called) were a terror to all; many schemes were devised to suppress them, till at last an order was made for the keeping of blood-hounds, to pursue them with hot-trod.
  slough dogs
  hot trod

The slough dogs were to pursue with hot-trod fragrant delect with red-hand, (as the Scots term it) by hound, and horn, and voice. The watchers found their great use, and indeed their great use is found to this day; for I read in the General Evening Post, that, in the beginning of March 1786, the Convent of Sion adjoining Switzerland was attacked by 24 villains, who demanded the treasure thereof. The Monk (treasurer) told them, that their rents were ill paid, and that at present they had very little stock, but he would shew them where it was; accordingly he shewed them up stairs, where he pretended it lay, when opening a door where the blood-hounds were, and giving them a word, they fell instantly upon the villains and tore some of them to pieces. The others attempting to fly, were (by hot-trod) pursued and taken accordingly. These dogs are kept therefore for the preservation of the Convent, and to find dead bodies in the snow; for many perish in attempting to cross the Alps, whose bodies are found by these dogs, and receive decent interment.
I shall here set down the warrant sent out by the Justices, being (I think) the shortest way of giving an idea of the matter to the reader.
Warrant for Keeping Slough Dogs.
29th Sept. 1616.
Sir Wilfride Lawson, and Sir William Hutton, Knights, two of his Majesty's commissioners for the government of the middle shires of Great Britain, to John Musgrave the Provost Marshall, and the rest of his Majesty's garrison of Carlisle, send salutations:
Whereas upon due consideration of the increase of stealths, daily growing, both in deed and report among you on the borders, we formerly concluded and agreed, that, for reformation therefor, watches should be set, and slough dogs provided and kept, according to the contents of his Majesty's directions to us in that behalf prescribed; and for that, according to our agreement, Sir William Hutton, at his last being in the country, did appoint how the watches should be kept, when and where they should begin, and how they might best and most fitly continue. And for the bettering of his Majesty's service, and preventing further danger that might ensue by the outlaws in resorting to the houses of Thomas Routledge, alias Balihead, being near and next adjoining to the Marches (he himself having also joined them, as is reported,) order and direction was likewise given, that some of the garrison should keep and reside in his, the said Thomas Routledge's house; and there to remain till further directions be given them, unless he the said Thomas Routledge shall come
in
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button -- "Balihead" -- Baileyhead
button -- "Bewcastle Dale" -- Bewcastle
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