Stories of the Scottish Border


Read by Jhiu

(4.9 stars; 8 reviews)

Nothing seems to be known about Mr and Mrs William Platt, the writers of Stories of the Scottish Border. What they produced is an eccentric guidebook and history, seen partly through the ballads of the region. The book recounts the military stratagems, treachery and courage of those who struggled for control of the Border lands and of the whole country, and tells of the triumphs or tragic fate of those who took part on both sides. It also tells us stories of the Border Reivers, raiders who lived by riding out and stealing their neighbours’ livestock. Their lives were governed for several hundred years by a form of rough justice, and they showed an even rougher wit. While their adventures, though cloaked by the writers in romance and chivalry, were often petty and bloodthirsty, the ballads which distill their experience are, at their best, haunting and intensely moving. The Borders and Northumberland have changed little in aspect over the centuries, and I suggest following the book with a map and images of the places described, to give some idea of the wild remoteness and imaginative power of this Border land. - Summary by Jhiu (7 hr 32 min)

Chapters

Introduction - The Character of the Borders 7:08 Read by Jhiu
Introduction - A Brief History of the Border 12:25 Read by Jhiu
Introduction - What the Border Names tell us 5:58 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 1 Bamburgh and its Coast 7:42 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 2 Athelstan at Vinheath 19:32 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 3 Monks and Minstrels 8:49 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 4 Sir Patrick Spens 6:55 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 5 Auld Maitland 11:47 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 6 Mystery of the Eildons 12:45 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 7 Black Agnes 9:35 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 8 The Young Tamlane 9:35 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 9 The Gay Goss-Hawk 8:16 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 10 The Corbies 3:54 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 11 Otterburn and Chevy Chase 17:27 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 12 The Douglas Clan 13:21 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 13 Alnwick Castle and the Percies 8:20 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 14 Hexham and Queen Margaret 9:51 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 15 Fair Helen of Kirkconnell 3:36 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 16 Johnie of Breadislee 5:53 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 17 Katharine Janfarie 7:43 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 18 By Lauder Bridge 5:04 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 19 The Battle of Flodden Field 13:30 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 20 After Flodden 16:27 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 21 Graeme and Bewick 7:59 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 22 The Song of the Outlaw Murray 13:35 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 23 Johnie Armstrong 6:57 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 24 The Lament of the Border Widow 2:51 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 25 The Raid of the Kers 6:05 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 26 Merrie Carlisle 15:22 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 27 Kinmont Willie 9:27 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 28 Dick o' the Cow 11:13 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 29 The Lochmaben Harper 4:51 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 30 The Rookhope Ride 4:47 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 31 Barthram's Dirge 4:10 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 32 Queen Mary and the Borders 8:26 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 33 The Raid of the Redeswire 8:47 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 34 Jock o' the Side 7:19 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 35 Hobbie Noble 7:32 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 36 The Laird o' Logie 3:59 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 37 Jamie Telfer of the Fair Dodhead 9:02 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 38 Muckle Mou'd Meg 5:43 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 39 The Dowie Dens of Yarrow 4:41 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 40 Belted will and the Baronry of Gilsland 8:23 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 41 Gilderoy 8:02 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 42 Archie Armstrong's Oath 5:47 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 43 Christie's Will 5:18 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 44 Northumberland at the time of the civil war 10:20 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 45 Montrose and Lesley 6:23 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 46 The Death of Montrose 9:24 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 47 The Borderers and the Jacobites 14:00 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 48 The Nine Nicks o' Thirlwall 8:42 Read by Jhiu
Chapter 49 In Wild Northumberland today 8:09 Read by Jhiu

Reviews

Great book well read and paced.


(5 stars)

This is definitely the best Scottish book on LibriVox. Ive listened to it once and I keep going back to listen again