80 AD
The Romans arrive and set up camp
at TRIMONTIUM near Melrose.
120
Emperor Hadrian abandons attempts
to control the ‘wild North’ and HADRIAN’S WALL is constructed to
keep out the unruly Scots.
410
The Romans finally withdraw from
Scotland. This results in 400 years of warring rivalry between tribes of
Celts, Picts, Scots and Saxons. Evidence of this warring remains in the
various camps and hill-forts to be found throughout the Borders area.
c1000
Under the rule of Malcolm Canmore,
first recognised King of Scots, these warring tribes are welded into one
nation.
1124
David I, son of Malcolm Canmore,
becomes King of Scots. During his reign, the four great Border abbeys of
MELROSE, KELSO, JEDBURGH and DRYBURGH emerge and flourish.
1296
The WARS OF INDEPENDENCE break
out when Edward I of England marches north to conquer Scotland and quell
the Scottish Rebels, led by William Wallace and Robert Bruce.
The Border area is once again plunged
into war and turmoil. Berwick is captured by Edward in 1296 and, for the
next 20 years, most of the Borderland remains under English domination.
1314
Victory for the Scots at the
Battle of Bannockburn means the end of the Wars of Independence and
frees the Borders from English control.
1329
Death of King Robert I. In
accordance with his wishes, his heart is buried in Melrose Abbey.
1350 – 1700
The time of the ‘BORDER REIVERS’.
This was a period of lawlessness and feuding between Scottish borderers
and English borderers - almost 400 years of raiding, plundering and
killing by rival groups of Reivers on the Border.
1603
King James VI of Scotland
inherits the throne of England and becomes James I in the Union of the
Crowns. James takes measures to end the turbulence and lawlessness on
the Border. Although it takes almost 100 years, this begins the
pacification of the Border area.
By 1750, peace has been
established on the Border. Towns are growing and beginning to prosper,
farming is well established, and industry is beginning to develop.
c1800
The textile trade is beginning to
grow and flourish within the towns of the Scottish Borders. This is the
start of the rise in the Woollen Industry throughout the Borders,
bringing wealth and prosperity to expanding textile towns like
GALASHIELS, SELKIRK and HAWICK.
1870 – 90
The peak of prosperity for the
textile industry is now the mainstay of Borders’ wealth. The towns of
the Borders have by this time gained a worldwide reputation for the
production of quality TWEED.
Produced by Scottish Borders Tourist
Board, Shepherd’s Mill, Whinfield Road, Selkirk TD7 5DT.
Tel (01750) 20555. Fax (01750) 21886. E-mail: sbtb@scot-borders.co.uk
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