Border Tales

Archie and Mary

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It was illegal for a cross-border marriage to take place without the Warden's permission. Archie Graham, a bonny Scottish lad, did not ask the Warden for permission to marry his sweetheart Mary Fenwick, an English girl from near Haltwhistle. With a child on the way they decided to marry and they left England to live in Scotland, near Archie’s relatives. Sometimes they managed to visit Mary’s parents by night.

Soon after the baby was born, the Warden got to hear about Archie and Mary. They were arrested and taken back to Haltwhistle where they were tried and hanged in the market place. Mary’s parents took over the upbringing of her son.

The incident took place in 1587 not long after the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots, a Catholic, was executed by Queen Elizabeth I of England, a Protestant. Tensions in the Borders were running high.

The Story of Archie & Mary