Role of a female Reiver is explored

Nov 19 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

There will also be a reading at 7pm on November 26 at the Literary and Philosophical Society in Newcastle.

Pippa, who is married with three sons, also won the Andrew Waterhouse award from New Writing North, and studied contemporary women poets for her PhD.

She said: “I found that little seems to have been written specifically about the Reiving women – small glimpses here and there, or stories about marriage customs. But it’s clear that women played a crucial part in keeping these communities going.

“They did all the expected tasks such as brewing, cooking, farming what little land they had, child rearing, making clothes and housekeeping and keeping things going on their smallholding while the men were away.

“There was always the threat that a raid would ruin your home and they had to start all over again. Although the Reivers had a bloody reputation, they also loved poetry and music.

“The women were the storytellers and the keepers of the ballads. They were at the core of it. “

Some women, says Pippa, would also have taken part in raids.

“Some would have been involved in what was called scum fishing, which was smoking out the occupants of bastles and towers.

“They took part in raids and forays because it was necessary for their survival.”