The Graham Clan and Reiver Life
Out of the 200 clans that lived in the border area, the Grahams were one of the most notorious (the only other clan to rival their fearsome reputation were the Armstrongs). The reivers thirst for bounty knew no bounds. Folklore recounts that anything that could be lifted by a man would be stolen. The crown wardens' complaints records showed the theft of cattle and sheep but also include cooking utensils and children's clothes. They would rob travellers or vulnerable clan members and pillage and loot houses and churches - often killing those who stood in their way. They even stole fish - at Netherby, the Grahams built a salmon trap to 'divert' the salmon into their ponds and stop them swimming up the river and over the border into Scotland. This was a staple diet of the Scots and was an extremely unpopular move.
The Grahams were doing their full share in the reign of terror in the 1580's and 1590's. Richie Graham's infamy spread to the court of London and it is thought he is the reason why James I singled out the Grahams for persecution when the reiver's way of life was quashed. While his reputation sank in the Scottish and English governments, his charisma and loyalty thrived in the borders. Many feared Ritchie Graham, as he was known to be able to put 500 men in the saddle at any one time. However, the reputation of the Grahams as a whole was bad. The warden's roll of misdemeanours listed sixty Grahams as outlaws for murder, robbery and other crimes. It was stated they had 'despoiled over a dozen Cumbria villages, sheltered felons, fought warden's troops, murdered witnesses, extorted money from their enemies, and burned the house of one Hutchen Hetherington to force him into the open so they could cut him into pieces.' Add to this kidnapping and grand theft and the Graham's list of misdemeanours was quite substantial. | 
