Wilson’s Tales of the Borders (revival edition Volume 1)

Please Note This Printed Edition
Is Currently Out Of Stock.

Volume 1 contains 2 Tales

The Red Hall

The Royal Raid

Wilson’s Tales of the Borders were a publishing sensation
of the 19th century and rarely out of print for over 100 years.
They started life as a weekly feature in the Berwick Advertiser,
which was edited by John Mackay Wilson. His readable
literary style ensured that his exciting Tales, based on local
history and legend, were soon outselling Walter Scott.
The original stories appeared over six years between 1834
and 1840, with many different authors contributing to the
eventual series.

The Wilson’s Revival Editions are the effort of a variety of
local people who have come together to rekindle interest in
the Tales and add their own updates and interpretations.
As well as providing background to Wilson and the Tales
themselves, this first edition has chosen two Tales as
representative of the collection.

The Red Hall or Berwick 1296 recalls a time when Berwick was
the most significant trading port in Scotland and a far more
prominent place than London. The story of its brutal seizure
by Edward 1 and the stout defence by its merchant citizens
is accompanied by Morag Eaton’s colourful interpretations.

The Royal Raid tells of more border conflict, this time of
James V’s drive to control the lawless border warlords, known
as reivers. It was based on the well known Border Ballad
The Lament of the Border Widow.

Credits
Design by Morag Eaton
Edited by Joe Lang