Analysis of the family’s Territory, Alliances, Legal Battles & Feuds
In the shadowy folds of the Anglo-Scottish border, where lawlessness was law and loyalty was forged in blood, the Tait clan carved their name into history with swords, stolen cattle, and cunning. For centuries, these Reivers ruled a fractured frontier, a land where moonlight raids lit the hills, feuds spanned generations, and survival demanded equal parts brutality and wit.
The Taits were no ordinary outlaws. Masters of deception, they danced between allegiance and betrayal, sheltering under the wing of powerful clans like the Kerrs while plundering rival territories with ruthless precision. From burning churches to forging land deeds, their exploits blurred the line between villainy and survival in a world where kings held less sway than kinship.
But how did a family of Norse-descended raiders become puppeteers of border politics? And why does their legacy linger in Ulster’s farmlands, Canada’s wilderness, and curses etched in stone? This is the saga of the Taits, a tale of stolen mills, bloody vendettas, and an enduring defiance that outlived empires.
Origins & Etymology
- Name Origin: Derived from Old Norse teitr (“cheerful” or “glad”), reflecting Viking heritage. The spelling Tait dominated in Scotland, while Tate prevailed in England.
- Geographic Roots: Centred in Berwickshire (Scotland) and Northumberland (England), with branches in Orkney/Shetland linked to Norse settlers.
Territory & Land Holdings
The Taits operated across the Scottish Middle March and parts of the English East March, leveraging strategic strongholds and alliances to dominate key routes for raids and resource control.
Key Strongholds
| Location | Strategic Role | Clan Alliances | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pirn (Innerleithen) | Primary base in Tweeddale (Scottish Middle March). Controlled mills and pastures. | Kerrs (Cessford Castle proxies) | 1539 tribunal: Alexander Tait forged charters to seize Innerleithen Mill from Scotts. |
| Adamhill (Ayrshire) | Secondary raid hub for cross-border strikes into England. | Kennedys (Southwest Scotland) | Crown forces raided in 1547 for sheltering English rebels. |
| Lynton | Disputed grazing lands near Peebles. | Stewarts (rivals) | Dand Tait lost 1482 legal battle to Thomas Stewart but continued illegal pasturing. |
| Cessford Castle | Kerr stronghold used by Taits as a refuge and raid staging post. | Kerrs (Wardens of the Middle March) | Thomas Tait sheltered here after burning Barshaloche (1502). |
Cessford Castle today:
Clan Protections & Alliances
- Kerrs of Cessford: The Taits served as proxies for the Kerrs, who dominated the Scottish Middle March as Wardens. This alliance provided legal cover and military support during feuds.
- Armstrongs & Elliots: Collaborated on cross-border raids, notably Sir Patrick Tait’s 1499 cattle raids into England.
- Pringles: Joint cattle raids, such as George and William Tait’s 1501 ambush of Archibald McCulloch.
The Tait family were a loyal sept of the Kerr clan
One well-documented example of the Tait family’s loyalty to the Kerr clan can be found in the Scottish Borders during the turbulent clan conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries. The Taits, a smaller but fiercely loyal sept of Clan Kerr, were known to support their Kerr overlords in both feuds and battles.
A notable instance of this occurred during the long-standing feud between the Kerrs and the Scotts, two powerful Border Reiver clans. The Kerrs, known for their left-handed swordsmen and strategic cunning, relied on their allies, including the Taits, to defend their strongholds and retaliate against rival clans. The Taits reportedly played a role in conflicts such as the Battle of Melrose (1526), where Kerr forces, along with their loyal allies, clashed with the Scotts over control of the young King James V.
Additionally, oral traditions suggest that Tait families served as retainers and trusted enforcers for the Kerrs, particularly around Ferniehirst Castle, a Kerr stronghold. Their loyalty extended beyond warfare, with Taits acting as messengers, spies, and guards for their Kerr chiefs, ensuring the clan’s dominance in the Borders.
Anopther well-known example of the Tait family’s loyalty to the Kerr clan is a tale from the turbulent Anglo-Scottish Border conflicts. During these times, the Taits were staunch allies of the Kerrs, who were a powerful and warlike Border Reiver family.
According to legend, two Tait clansmen were tasked with avenging an insult or attack on the Kerrs by an English foe. The Taits tracked their enemy deep into hostile territory, ambushed him, and beheaded him as proof of their deed. Risking their own lives, they carried the severed head back across the border and presented it to the Kerr chief as a symbol of their unwavering loyalty.
This act not only demonstrated the fierce warrior spirit of the Border Reivers but also reinforced the deep bond between the Taits and the Kerrs. Such displays of loyalty were common among Border clans, where alliances meant survival in the lawless frontier between Scotland and England.
The Kerr-Tait Alliance: Blood and Steel
The Kerrs, Lords of Ferniehirst, were infamous for their feud with the Scotts. The Taits, settled in Roxburghshire, became their staunchest allies. Below are pivotal moments in their shared history:
Table 1: Timeline of Kerr-Tait Involvement in Border Conflicts
| Year | Event | Role of Kerrs/Taits |
|---|---|---|
| 1545 | Battle of Ancrum Moor | Kerr-Tait cavalry routed English troops. |
| 1560s | Feud with the Scotts | Tait ambushes protected Kerr supply lines. |
| 1571 | Raid of Jedburgh | Taits joined Kerrs |
| 1593 | Raid of Cessford Castle | Taits aided Kerrs in recapturing the fortress. |
| 1603 | Union of the Crowns | Pacification efforts disbanded Reiver bands. |
Key Battles and Raids
- Battle of Ancrum Moor (1545)
- Context: English forces under Sir Ralph Evers invaded Scotland.
- Kerr-Tait Role: The Kerrs and Taits joined a Scottish force of 2,500 men. Using guerrilla tactics, they lured the English into marshland, then attacked with backswords and lances.
- Outcome: Decisive Scottish victory; Evers was killed.
- Raid of Cessford Castle (1593)
- Context: The Scotts burned Cessford, the Kerrs’ ancestral home.
- Kerr-Tait Retaliation: Taits led night raids on Scott farms, crippling their resources. The Kerrs rebuilt Cessford, incorporating thicker walls (2.5 m) to withstand artillery.
Legal Disputes & March Law
The Taits navigated the March Law system, a blend of Scottish/English frontier justice, to evade punishment and consolidate power.
Notable Cases
| Year | Case | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1494 | Pardon of Patrick & William Tait | Granted remission by Peebles court for “acts of feud” (likely raids). | Highlighted clan influence over local courts. |
| 1539 | Alexander Tait vs. Scotts (Innerleithen) | Forged charters dismissed due to Kerr interference. | Demonstrated corruption in land disputes; Kerr-Tait collusion. |
| 1605 | Post-Union Suppression | Taits deported to Ulster or executed under James VI/I’s pacification. | Part of the mass exile of Reiver clans to break their power. |
Raiding & Criminal Activities
| Name | Activities | Context & Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Patrick Tait | Procurator for Lady Buccleuch (Elizabeth Kerr). Orchestrated cattle raids into England (1499) and pastured stolen sheep in Tweeddale (1523). Represented the Kerrs at truce meetings. | Received royal pardons for reiving. Accused of colluding with Armstrongs and Elliots. Died in 1530s, leaving contested lands. |
| Edward Tait | Robbed Henderland Church (1493). Stole chalices and vestments during a raid on the Peeblesshire church. | Part of a pattern of targeting religious institutions. Escaped prosecution due to clan protection. |
| Thomas Tait | Burned Barshaloche & killed John Sinclair (1502). Retaliatory attack on Sinclair lands in Liddesdale. | Sparked a decade-long feud with the Sinclairs. Fled to Cessford under Kerr protection. |
| George & William Tait | Killed Archibald McCulloch of Ardwell (1501). Ambushed McCulloch during a cattle raid near Langholm. Stole 40 cattle with David Pringle. | Highlighted alliances with Pringles. George later fined £10 under March Law. |
| Dand Tait | Robbed Innerleithen Church (1498). Looted silver and attacked clergy. | Excommunicated by the Bishop of Glasgow. Later pardoned after paying restitution. |
March Law Exploits
- Hot Trod: The Taits exploited the legal right to pursue stolen goods within 6 days, often using it as cover for retaliatory raids.
- Blackmail: Extorted “protection money” from farmers, a practice later criminalised but widespread in the 16th century.
Key Feuds
The Taits’ survival depended on violent vendettas and strategic betrayals.
1. Tait vs. Sinclairs (1502–1512)
- Trigger: Thomas Tait burned Barshaloche and killed John Sinclair during a retaliatory strike in Liddesdale.
- Escalation: Sinclairs launched counter-raids, targeting Tait livestock and bastle houses.
- Resolution: Taits fled to Cessford under Kerr protection, avoiding Sinclair vengeance.
2. Tait vs. Scotts (1539–1542)
- Trigger: Alexander Tait declared Thomas Scott illegitimate to seize Innerleithen Mill.
- Legal Warfare: Scotts sued, exposing forged land deeds, but Kerr influence voided the case.
- Legacy: Cemented Tait-Kerr dominance in Tweeddale but deepened Scott enmity.
3. Tait vs. Crown (1547)
- Trigger: Adamhill base raided for harbouring English rebels during the Rough Wooing.
- Aftermath: Taits shifted operations to Pirn, relying on Kerr patronage to avoid further crackdowns.
Legacy & Diaspora
Ulster Migration
- Over 200 Taits relocated to County Fermanagh (1603–1625), anglicising to Tate. Notable descendants include Henry Tate (Tate Gallery founder).
North American Settlement
- Leonard Tait (b. 1818) led a Presbyterian community in Puslinch, Ontario, preserving Reiver ballads and feud narratives in his diaries.
Cultural Impact
- Named in the Carlisle Cursing Stone (1525): “I curse the Taitis, thievis and reiveris… may nevir thaim haif rest!”
- Influenced Appalachian dialects and place names (e.g., Tate, Georgia) through Scots-Irish migration.
The Taits epitomised the Border Reiver’s duality: outlaw raiders and shrewd legal manipulators. Their mastery of March Law, strategic alliances with clans like the Kerrs, and ruthless feuds secured their dominance in Tweeddale until the Union of 1603 shattered their world. Today, their legacy persists in Ulster’s Tate farms, Canadian settlements, and the enduring mythos of the Anglo-Scottish frontier.
Key Sources:
- The Steel Bonnets (George MacDonald Fraser).
- National Records of Scotland: Border Tribunal Decrees.
- Ulster Historical Foundation: Tait Migration Letters.
