Hot-Trod

"If Jesus Christ were amongst them, they would deceive him."

Picture this:

It's late autumn, the first frost sparkles on the grass as you huddle with your family around the fire. The meagre harvest is in and the cattle are fat from summer on the high pastures. Suddenly, from on the moor comes the sound of horses, the rattle of hooves and the clink of harness. If you are fortunate this evening's work will only cost you your livestock, if not, it may cost your possessions, your house and your life. For the Reivers have returned!

This is the world of house Hot-Trod: the Borderland of the sixteenth century. A world where life was cheap, brutal and governed by the Blood-red hand of the Border Reiver. This was a world where life operated out with the rule of prince or King where national politics meant little while family honour meant everything. A land of feud and treachery where the only law came from the hard-pressed March-Wardens who were often themselves notorious reivers.

Hot-Trod aims to capture some of the spirit of this time, and welcomes anyone interested in Fighting, Ballads, Drinking and possibly a spot of Reiving!

Fun Fact 1: Among the Border Reiver's contributions to the English language are such delightful words as 'Bereaved' and 'Blackmail'

Fun Fact 2: In the days of full body immersion baptisms, Borderers would be baptised with their right hand sticking out of the water so it was still free to do the devil's work.

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