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- Armstrong (MW1136)
- ARMSTRONG
Originating from Cumberland but in 1376, many moved to Liddesdale in Roxburghshire where they settled on the lands of Mangerton. So prolific were the Armstrong’s they held, by 'right and might', the greater part of Liddesdale and spread into Eskdale and Annandale.
A fearsome and rebellious reputation kept the Borders in constant turmoil. In 1526 they seized a large part of the Debatable Land but two years later, the English attacked and burned Hollows Tower. The family retaliated by burning Netherby in Cumberland.
Determind to end the violence James V, invited Armstrong of Gilnockie to meet him near Hawick. He found instead that he was to be hanged, with fifty of his men.
Before he died Armstrong is said to have remarked to the King the now famous phrase "I am but a fool to seek grace at a graceless face".
Soon after 1610 most of the Armstrong lands passed from their hands and the chiefship has since remained in doubt. Some families re-settled in Ireland from where many emigrated to begin a new life in the U.S.A. and Canada.