KAREN CHARLTON
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Welcome to the official website of historical novelist KAREN CHARLTON

Who were the 'Border Reivers?'

8/11/2011

69 Comments

 

Who were the 'Border Reivers?'

Since choosing the title 'The Regency Reivers' for my first series of historical novels, I have frequently been asked:  'Who were the Reivers?' 

‘Reive’ is an early English word meaning "to rob",

Border Reivers were raiders along the Anglo–Scottish border from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century.  During this time, England and Scotland were frequently at war and the area was lawless, godless and often decimated by opposing armies. 

A tough area breeds tough people.  The families who lived there – on both sides of the border – grouped together in clans for protection and survival.  Loyalty to a feeble or distant monarch or reliance on the effectiveness of the law, were not good survival strategies for the people of the borders.  Instead, they sought security through their own strength and cunning and set out in large mobs to raid other families.  ‘Reiving’  - raiding for cattle and sheep (and whatever else which could be transported) was the only way to survive and it became an established way of life, a profession, which was regarded with no discredit amongst the Borderers.  The Reivers moved only at night, taking advantage of their intimate knowledge of the remote and rugged terrain, to spirit away their ill-gotten plunder.
Picture
Border Reivers
As George MacDonald Fraser says in The Steel Bonnets, ‘they lived by despoiling each other’…  ‘It was a time when the great border tribes, both English and Scottish, feuded continuously amongst themselves, when robbery and blackmail, were everyday professions, when raiding, arson, kidnapping, murder and extortion were an important part of the social system.’ 

Their heyday was perhaps in the last hundred years of their existence, during the time of the Stuart Kings in Scotland and the Tudor Dynasty in England. 

The attitudes of the English and Scottish governments towards the border clans alternated between indulgence and encouragement.  Secure in their rule in the majority of the two countries, the authorities in England and Scotland were happy to let the Reivers battle it out for supremacy in the narrow hill country between the two nations.   These fierce families served as the first line of defence against invasion and it suited authorities to have gangs of outlaws harassing the enemy on the border.  However, the royalty of both countries would only travel through the region with a large and heavily armed escort.  Even they were afraid of the Reivers.

As soldiers, the Border Reivers were considered among the finest light cavalry in all of Europe; they were outstanding horsemen.  Living on the frontier between two warring nations sharpened their soldiering skills.  Many worked as mercenaries abroad. 

Of course, the notion of Scottish Clans is now legendary around the world – mostly thanks to Sir Walter Scott and his ballads.  What is not so well known, perhaps, is that on the English side of the border there were also large, unruly English clans like the Charltons, the Armstrongs, the Milburns, the Robsons, the Fenwicks and the Dodds.
Tribal loyalty was paramount but also complex.  Intermarriage across the border and feuds with other clans of the same nationality complicated matters.  The make- up of the family groups was fluid, allegiances shifted and sometimes raiding parties were made up of Scottish and English from the same family.  One harassed Border official wrote:  "They are people that will be Scottish when they will and English at their pleasure."  

The only thing which was guaranteed was that those who were raided would quickly seek revenge. 

The Charltons were one of the biggest reiving families on the English side of the border, particularly in the North Tyne Valley, now the area of Keilder water.  ‘Charlton’ means ‘free peasant’ - or peasant of the free town.  There’s a hint in the name, perhaps, that even the rigid feudalism of the Plantagenets had failed to subdue this this clan.

An anonymous document in Hexham Museum tells us that in the 14th century there were ‘six hundred Charlton men without hoss in the North Tyne Valley.’  The document does not mention how many Charlton men there were who did own a ‘hoss’  (horse) or how many women or children there were, but the number must have been considerable.  It is amazing to think of the large population which must have survived in this very remote region seven hundred years ago, scraping out a living on those windswept fells.
Picture
Hesleyside Hall, Bellingham
Legend has it, that when it was time to go reiving, the Charltons would all meet at Hesleyside near Bellingham (now the site of an 18th century mansion – still owned by a Charlton family.) They would drink, feast and enjoy a good party until the larder was empty.  Then the lady of the house would bring out a silver spur in a silver salver as a signal to the men that it was time to go reiving.

 There is a famous painting of this scene by Sir William Bell Scott in Wallington Hall.
Picture
The Silver Spur by William Bell Scott
In Hexham Museum there is also an account of the life of Topping Charlton, a notorious law-breaking reiver, who had been captured and imprisoned in the first purpose-built prison  in England - Hexham gaol. 

Topping was imprisoned at Hexham - until the rest of the Charlton boys decided to come and break him out.  Once the gaolers heard the Charltons were on their way, they fled and left the gaol unguarded.   Topping’s   adventures with English prisons did not end there.  A few years later he was captured again and imprisoned further away in the more secure stronghold of Berwick castle.  According to the legend, Berwick castle was devastated by the plague.  Everyone died – except Topping Charlton – who apparently walked over the dead bodies of his gaolers and out of the open gate.

This story really struck home with us. Nearly one hundred years ago my husband’s grandfather, William Charlton, walked out alive after surviving four years in the trenches of WW1.  ‘The luck of the Charltons’ has been a saying we’ve often used in our family over the last three generations, following William's miraculous escape from death in Flanders.  Topping’s story suggests that this phenomenal good fortune was present amongst the Charlton’s many centuries ago.

Sadly, the luck of the Charltons – and the other border clans – did run in short supply after James VI of Scotland became James I of England and the two countries were united with Wales to become Britain.  James I ordered the border region to be cleaned up and it was – brutally.  In an exercise similar to ‘ethnic cleansing,’ the authorities clamped down on lawless behaviour. Families were burnt out and separated, many ring leaders were transported to either the Americas or to Ireland.   After three hundred years, peace finally settled over the region.  It’s bloody history only remaining in the architecture of its scattered castles, Pele towers, fortified farmhouses, in the many border legends and lively, haunting beat of its folk songs.
Picture
Keilder Water - the North Tyne valley today
When I came to choose a title for my series of novels, ‘Regency Reivers’ was an easy choice to make.  The robbery at Kirkley Hall is the dominant event in ‘Catching the Eagle;’ the theme of crime and lawlessness is obvious. A family of Charltons are the main characters and family loyalty amongst the Charlton brothers is another  major theme.  This issue of clan loyalty is set to run throughout the remaining two books of the series.
69 Comments
James charlton
30/6/2012 01:54:29 am

Excellent reading my dad did some research and believes our long lost family were border revivers

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William Charlton
10/4/2014 11:39:08 pm

Now I really know where my name come from. My father used to tell me stories of the reviers and I always believed these things to be true. Thank you for the info.

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Karen Charlton link
1/7/2012 12:42:33 am

Thanks, James.
It's always great to hear from another Charlton. :) Tell you Dad 'good luck' with his research from me - you never know where the family history research will take you...but the journey is always fun. :)

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NORMAN STOCKMAN
7/12/2021 12:15:46 pm

Do you know Emily Charlton married to William Stockman. Iam Norman Stockman live in Estero Florida USA. We left h Belfast around 1949.
Trying to find any Charlton's

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Sarah Fuqua (nee Charlton)
28/2/2013 12:28:48 am

I've been researching my family history and can go back to William Charlton & Barbara Dodd in the late 1700s - I will try and find your books up as I am completely captivated by the early history if the border reivers and the later farming/mining history of my family.

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Malcolm S S Charlton
16/2/2024 04:31:36 am

Hi Sarah.It appears we may be related...Give me a ring on 61 449992862.Ive stayed some nights at Heslyside Hall last year..William Charlton's place.Utterly Magical.I felt I was going back in time and could almost hear the horses hooves of the Charltons out reiving at night.

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Malcolm Charlton link
2/3/2013 07:48:51 pm

William Charlton and Barbera Dodd are where my family tree went back to. My grandfather and great grandfathers were also William Charlton.

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:03:11 am

I hope that you two find a connection. It's fabulous the way that genealogy brings people together.
Best wishes,
Karen Charlton

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Erin Cornwell
29/10/2018 07:26:40 am

Hi karen my name is Erin Marie Cornwell (Charlton ). My grandfather Kyle winifred Charlton has done extensive research on our family and gone back pretty far( I'm trying to get a copy of the family genealogy). D ok es his name ring any bells to you?

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:07:35 am

I hope that you two can find a connection. It is fabulous the way that genealogy brings people together.
Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:07:58 am

I hope that you two can find a connection. It is fabulous the way that genealogy brings people together.
Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:08:34 am

I hope that you two can find a connection. It is fabulous the way that genealogy brings people together.
Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:09:21 am

Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:09:38 am

Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:20:04 am

Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:21:13 am

Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Karen Charlton link
4/3/2013 04:23:01 am

Sarah: 'Catching the Eagle' can be found on amazon both in the USA and the UK. 'The Missing Heiress' will not be published in the States until this September, but it is available from The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery.) I hope that you enjoy them.
Best wishes
Karen Charlton

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Jacquiline Charleton
26/4/2013 01:10:57 pm

I believe that we might be the same family as well. My Charlton's are from Elsdon, Northumberland - I have traced them back to the 1700s - Isabella (nee Snowden) and Richard Charlton ... of which my great great grandfather is George Charleton of Kawhia, NZ by way of Northumberland via NSW, Australia

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Karen Charlton link
21/5/2013 01:32:48 am

Hi Jacquiline,
I'm sorry I've taken a while replying. Once upon a time we did think we were related to Isabella (nee Snowden) and Richard Charlton but sadly, we aren't. However I do know a lady called Karen benoy who is one of their descendants. If you send me a message via the contact page on this website I'll pass your email address onto her. Good luck with your research.
Karen Charlton

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Stephen Schollum
6/5/2015 04:13:40 pm

Hi
I am also descended from George Charleton from Kawhia, NZ, having come from Elsdon
Years ago I was in contact with Karen Benoy, and would be happy to catch up with other descendants
Contact me at [email protected]
Regards
Stephen

Stephen Schollum link
2/8/2015 01:41:23 pm

earlier Hi Jacquiline
I posted a reply, but I dont appear to have received a reply
Please contact me regarding George Charleton's family (at Kawhia)
regards
Stephen

Stephen Schollum

6/5/2015 23:13:40



Hi
I am also descended from George Charleton from Kawhia, NZ, having come from Elsdon
Years ago I was in contact with Karen Benoy, and would be happy to catch up with other descendants
Contact me at [email protected]
Regards
Stephen

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Carol (descended from Charlton's)
20/5/2013 07:52:28 am

That is fascinating Karen. I have been traipsing around the Hexham and Tyne valley areas in search of my ancestors. I wonder if I am related to you. Is your family tree public? Mine is on ancestry. My family also ended up farming then mining.

I am going to buy your book.

best wishes,

Carol

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Karen Charlton link
21/5/2013 01:35:22 am

Hi Carol,
A simplified version of our family tree is up on this website and can be found here:

http://www.karencharlton.com/genealogy.html

I do hope it helps and that you enjoy the novel.
Best wishes,
Karen Charlton

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Timone Charlton
20/7/2013 10:04:30 am

I've always been interested in the historical side of things- I've known for a while roughly the sort of people I'm descended from, but my 6th-form work has prevented me from finding out much else- reading this has inspired me attempt to do more research into my family tree... 😏

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Karen Charlton link
20/7/2013 06:08:14 pm

Good luck with your research, Timone. I hope that you have as much fun researching as we did. Best wishes, Karen Charlton

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Montana Thrasher
30/8/2013 09:49:23 am

I have the Charlton side of my family traced back to the late 1600's. At this particular time, they resided in Ulster/Northern Ireland. I do know that my 5th great grandfather John Charlton Sr. emigrated to America in 1745. Based on what I've read, I think it's safe to assume that the Charlton's in my family are descendants of the Border Revier Charlton family. I know many border families were forced off thier land, and some that some of them ended up in Ireland.

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Corla Roth (nee) Charlton
31/8/2015 11:46:40 am

I am related to the same John Charlton. My father was Samuel Edmond Charlton, grandfather Jesse Melvin Charlton. Don't know if these names will help you. My younger brother Sam,Jr. has done a lot of research. My father was born in KY. & moved to Louisiana @ age5. Sam lives in Thomaston,Maine. II believe the Charlton border rievers were sent to Ireland as peacekeepers(read police)because they were the most unruly & the King wanted to get rid of them.Interesting family!

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Phil Charlton
30/1/2016 02:14:04 am

Question to Corla. What evidence do you have that the border Riever Charlton's were sent to Ireland. My understanding is the border Riever Charlton's were catholic. My Charlton family go back to William Charlton b c1764 married Mary Wallace in Northern Ireland and they were staunch Presbyterian. three Charlton brothers migrated to Victoria Australia in the mid 1850's.

Jane Ann Charlton
17/6/2016 09:06:48 pm

Question for Phil Charlton: I am also related to the Presbyterian Charltons of Northern Ireland. My great great grandfather was William Charlton (b. 1821) who married Sarah Ann Irvine; they eventually settled in Iowa. My great grandfather, the eldest son of William and Sarah, was James Charlton (b. 1850), who left Northern Ireland in 1870 and settled in Apple River, Illinois. Are you related to any of these people? Thanks very much!

anna
20/9/2013 03:20:06 pm

Hello Karen my mother was Marie Milburn,her mother was Mary Milburn who was I believe first cousin to Chrissie Milburn(mother of Jackie and Bobby Charlton),through her father John Milburn an Iron Miner,I am led to believe the Milburns intermarried with Charltons through out history ,but sadly although my dear Mum knew all her Milburn history, I dont think she ever knew their Border Reiver history ,thank you for this page .

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Tom Charlton
10/8/2014 05:52:08 am

It was very interesting to read " Anna" , there were however a few mistakes. I f Anna would like to contact me then I will enlighten her!!

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Karen Charlton link
6/1/2014 02:19:06 am

Dear me! Montana & Anna: I am so sorry for not responding sooner. Sadly, due to my husband's serious illness I have rather neglected my blog of late. Please forgive me. I sincerely wish you both the best with your genealogy research and i am glad that you appreciate this website. Karen Charlton

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Robert DAVIDSON
11/4/2014 06:00:42 am

my great grand mother is frances davidson nee charlton married walter davidson 1860 bellingham came to new zealand about 1870 with brother william need more info

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steve charlton
21/4/2014 11:53:26 pm

Wow, Fascinating reading, I must look into my family tree

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Phillip Charlton
15/5/2014 10:12:30 am

My family has lived in Nova Scotia Canada for five generations. My Great Great Grandfather William was born in Ireland and came to NS in 1820. Tracing my family to Ireland and back to England is one of my goals. I found your page while randomly googling. So glad I did.

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Glenn Charlton
11/6/2014 02:50:07 am

Thank you. I only wish my father could have been exposed to this before he died. It would have been a great source of pleasure for him. This inspires me to dig for my roots. I come from southwestern Pennsylvania, in the Allegheny region of Appalachia. Most Appalachian people are descended from Ulster Scots. I know that many English people ended up in Ulster as well. The mines of Northumberland to the mines of Appalachia! I'm sure that I have both sides of the Anglo - Scottish border in my blood.

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Geraldine Charlton
27/8/2014 05:56:06 pm

I am begining my own family reseach and would like to know of the Charltons that possibly emigrated to America, and if so, where?

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Eileen Kovalchick
14/11/2016 05:32:38 am

My maternal grandmother was one member of a Charlton family who emigrated in 1925 to Jefferson Co., Pennsylvania, where I was born and raised. I'm now living in Tucson, Arizona.

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NORMAN STOCKMAN
24/4/2022 12:00:20 pm

Did you learn anything about the Charltone coming to America from Belfast.

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Tom charlton
6/4/2015 12:54:45 am

my farther and relatives come from Wallsend Newcastle. Dad told me the tales of the reivers when I was young. Want to start a family tree so I can pass down the family history to my son and grandchildren. If we ever have a war with Scotland again I wonder if my clan would be turncoats.

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Sharon McNamara
10/1/2016 11:09:07 pm

Hi Tom,

My mother was the youngest of a family of Charltons in Mayfield, Newcastle. I wonder if there is a connection to your Wallsend lot. Ironically I was born in Wallsend. Small world.

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Bill Bill link
31/7/2015 04:51:09 pm

Interesting read,my family too are descended from the Boarder clans,our family was asked to leave and immigrated to USA and Australia.I dont know a great deal more than that.
William John Bell

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Julia Charlton link
3/4/2016 09:32:45 pm

Dear Karen

I am from Northumberland, can trace family about a 100 years to the Morpeth area, do you have a familiy tree of any kind of the Charltons you have been studying please?

Many thanks for your help

Kind regards

Julia

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Karen Charlton link
13/4/2016 04:03:44 am

My own family tree can be found here, Julia.

http://www.weebly.com/editor/main.php

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Natalie
13/11/2016 11:36:21 pm

I have been tracing my familytree for many years, your information is very interesting. I have a Stothart Charlton who lived in Leicester in the early 1800, but no birth can be found, apart from in prudhamstone Northumberland 1767 do you have any later reading that may explain why in late 1700 the charltons may of moved?? my father died young and so did his dad, so no information has ever been passed down.
Thank you

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philip Charlton
13/12/2016 04:34:42 pm

Response to Jane Ann Charlton 17/06/2016. Only recently picked up your blog. I have done significant work in trying to understand my branch of the Presbyterian Charlton's of Northern Ireland. My information appears to confirm that there is a link between our families. Your William ( b 1821 ) would appear to be the brother of Francis Charlton ( and others) who is my Great Great Grandfather . I have info that confirms he had a son James (b1850). James had a number of siblings who stayed in Northern Ireland and I am in contact with some of their descendants. I also have info that your William immigrated to America on 17 April 1870 the same year as James. There are also other members of the family that immigrated to America / Canada. All these Charlton's seemed to come from the general area of Coagh/ Tamlaght in Co Tyrone Northern Ireland. There is lots to discuss.
Karen please send my email to Jane Ann Charlton. I would love to make contact.

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Kelly Nixon Turner
19/1/2017 02:05:52 pm

I noticed you placed the Armstrong's as English. My family was a sept clan of the Armstrong's, and most distinctly Scottish. After the peace in 1603, they were dispersed to England and elsewhere. Your book sounds incredibly interesting, and I look forward to reading it.

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Karen Charlton link
23/1/2017 03:45:52 am

Hi Kelly, I hope you enjoy my book. Yes, the Armstrong family straddled both sides of the border. Intermarriages were common during the relatively peaceful times between the Scottish Border Rievers and the English. Family was everything in those days and loyalty to a distant king a secondary concern. As the historians of the time noted, "They are people that will be Scottish when they will and English at their pleasure."

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Armstrong Catherine
22/3/2017 10:33:43 am

Hi Karen, thank you for your website and blog. We are related to William Charlton born 5 nov 1823 and died 21st June 1915. Do you by any chance have any information about this Charlton. His children were Elizabeth, John, Joseph, Ralph and Annie. Thanking you in advance.

Erica Cusick
25/1/2017 11:33:56 am

Hi! I've just found your site (and ordered your books from Amazon) I wanted to let you know that I'm descended from the Henry Charlton who was brother to your Jaime Charlton. Henry is my 4 x great grandfather, and your research is being invaluable to me to get a sense of who they were. I found your site by googling North Carter Moor Farm :) I'm looking forward to reading more of your stuff on here and receiving my books!

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Karen Charlton link
30/1/2017 04:04:35 am

Hi Cousin Erica, Glad to have been some help in your research. I hope you enjoy the books. x

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Phillip Charlton
18/2/2017 06:04:03 am

Just found your site , and will be ordering your book. I can remember my grandfather - also a William Charlton telling me the story of the silver spur . Will be popping back to your site again and will also send a link to father.

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Heather Worsley
4/6/2017 05:17:37 am

My father was a Scott, born at Wandylaw, near egging ham, a soldier in the 1st WW looking after the horses in the artillery regiment. My mother was a Richardson born in Newcastle and related to the charltons. So I feel embedded in Northumberland history and possibly linked to the Rievers. I hope to go to the nexr Rievers festival. I look forward to reading your novels.

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Rob Charlton
22/7/2018 03:56:03 pm

Hi Karen, my grandfather was also a William Charlton born in Byers Green in 1920. He moved to Northamptonshire in 1936 then survived 5 years of fighting in WW2 before returning to work in the local iron & steel industry before he died in 1980. I’ve been trying to trace some more of his history. I know his mothers name was Elizabeth & she married a John Joe Binks from Spennymoor after his dad died when he was young. Apart from that I’ve drawn a blank. Just makes me wonder that with the Northumberland connection through him if my distant relatives could’ve been Reivers at some point?

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Judith Johnstone
29/7/2018 05:58:38 am

My forth great grand parents were William Charlton and Jane Dodd who lived at Cariteth near Bellingham would be grateful for any info

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Beth Secor
1/9/2018 06:43:29 pm

I loved reading this. My great grandmother's name was Myrtle Magdalena Charlton. We knew she had come from the British Isles, but according to family lore, her mother died before she and her father left for the states, and her father died on the way over. She was orphaned around the age of 16 or 17, so we knew little of her history.

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Karen Charlton link
2/9/2018 04:24:52 am

I'm a novelist not a professional genealogist but I couldn't help noticing what an unusual name your great grandmother had, Beth. Males a change from Mary and Ann. A genealogist may be able to track down her birth registration with a distinctive name like that.

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Mike Charlton
9/10/2018 07:26:38 am

I will seek out your novels!

My great-grandfather emigrated from Tynedale to South Africa in the late 19th century, but my father returned to England in the 1970s. I now live in Leeds, but have been researching the Charlton line, and have got back to the late 1700s/early 1800s. The family lived in the Fourstones area, and were coal miners. I'd love to get back as far as possible, although I fear that the reivers may not have kept very many birth/marriage/death records, so the line will have to stop somewhere around there, and disappear into antiquity/legend. But my ancestors were definitely Charlton reivers, as my surname and the geographical emanation of my forebears testifies.

Time to add your novels to my Christmas list!

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Malcolm SS Charlton
3/3/2020 05:33:28 pm

Strong and very good stuff..
My family emigrated to Sydney from Northumberland in 1871 and I've always sensed that as a family, we're up for a full fledged scrap against our enemies.
I've always referred to my children as Border Reivers. They ; (two girls, doctor and fashion executive ) are a bit puzzled , but I'm hoping the grandchildren will ....get out , git sum. and do a bit of biff.

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Karen Charlton link
10/3/2020 09:52:57 am

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Malcolm. x

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Peter Charlton
3/5/2020 03:20:03 am

My Great Grand-Uncle was the Victorian artist John Charlton, are you in that branch by chance?

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Karen Charlton link
5/5/2020 06:34:46 am

Hi Peter, Not as far as we know, I'm afraid. John Charlton was a very common name. Best wishes, Karen x

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Adam Charlton
18/11/2020 12:28:14 pm

I have always had a very strong sense of vengeance in me, not a good trait, but I can clearly see from where it comes. I enjoy cold, rainy windswept places that many would not.

My father, Barry Charlton traced his family back to the 1700s and some were still criminals even after the border pacification. Their crimes were thefts, probably of sheep.

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Mark Rutherford
19/5/2021 03:14:07 pm

Excellent article - def get the books now!

My lot were based near Maxton on the Scottish side.

They fought against the English but only because we were related to Wallace’s wife and friends to The Bruce & the Black Douglas. Three signed the Ragman’s Roll (seen at the start of The Outlaw King) & another three spent time in the Tower of London.

My nan - a Highlander - used to yell at my grampa re being a descendant of bloody horse thieves & cattle rustlers.

All the Best, folks.

Mark

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Jesse David Chariton link
21/8/2021 09:00:27 pm

Have you heard or read anything to suggest a Charlton name change in the U.S. to "Chariton"?

-Jesse D. Chariton

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JAMES CHARLTON
30/6/2022 09:58:15 pm

My dad also said we came from border reivers. Was great to read the story’s

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Jacquiline Charleton
4/9/2022 02:00:28 am

Hi Karen, just dropped by to say hello and see how you are. It's been a good few years.

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Alan John Charlton
13/2/2024 08:11:02 am

Hi Karen . I am in the middle of documenting my family tree and have got back to William Charlton 1731-1825 who was buried in Greystead in Hexham.
I have been recently heard about your books and will definitely be getting them.
I am fascinated by the Charlton reivers.
My wife is from the Hunter clan north of the border which I know their name pops up on the Scottish side of the border reivers, although obviously nowhere near as famous as us Charltons 😂

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Stephen Schollum link
14/3/2024 01:14:43 am

Hi Karen
Returning to my Charleton Research of the Toddles, Elston, Charleton families, including George who came out to Kawhia, New Zealand, I ask that you record my new email address: [email protected] in place of the earlier posted one.
I also acquired your book some years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Regards and thanks, Stephen Schollum, Cambridge, New Zealand

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