I started this project looking at the geographical and historical links to Alnwick.
Alnwick was the last border town between England and Wales. The murder rate in the border areas was was so significantly high that the last town before Alnwick now called Morpeth, evolved from its name Mor Peth, Murder path.
Having lived in Morpeth this has always been interesting to me.
England and Scotland were frequently at war in the middle ages.
The border lands were not not suitable for arable farming, but was very suitable for animal farming, as the grazing land was rich.
The fierce families that lived on the border were often encouraged, as they became the first line of defence for both sides.
They became known as the Reivers. Reive meaning to rob. The Reivers would attack villages and each other, steal live stock, rape, pillage and murder.