BattlefieldsBorder Commission at Berwick 1597
Tudor

Border Commission at Berwick 1597

1597
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Berwick Border Commission · English-Scottish Border talks 1597
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Border reivers
Forces
border reivers c. 100–300.
VS
Victor
Crown (diplomatic settlement)
Forces
Crown commissioners c. 50–100
Outcome
Joint English-Scottish commission met at Berwick; new border regulations agreed; list of notorious offenders drawn up for prosecution
The Battle

History & Significance

The 1597 Border Commission at Berwick was one of several joint English-Scottish attempts to regularise the lawless border in the final years before the union of the crowns. The commission drew up lists of the most dangerous reiver families and agreed procedures for cross-border pursuit and extradition. It was more effective than earlier commissions partly because James VI was more committed to border order than his predecessors, but the fundamental problem persisted until 1603.

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