Thomas Musgrave of Bewcastle

[2] In 1582 his brother Christopher Musgrave captured some members of the Scottish Armstrong family, who were subsequently executed, adding to a cross-border feud and leading to raids on Bewcastle.

In 1583 Thomas Musgrave wrote a description of the Scottish border and family networks on both sides for William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley.

In June 1586 his father had to write to the Council in favour of Thomas continuing in the role of his depute as Captain of Bewcastle, and he was allowed to keep his place.

[6] In July 1593 the Scottish diplomat Robert Melvile of Murdocairny was instructed to press for the rendition of Musgrave and Cuthbert Armourer, a Northumbrian gentlemen who frequently came to Scotland for the hunting and had also hosted Bothwell in England.

[7] Musgrave continued to act as a border warden and upset his commander Lord Scrope by releasing a Scottish reiver called Bungell.

[8] In July 1596 Musgrave was captured, despite trying to find refuge at Brackenhill,[9] and taken into Scotland by Kinmont Willie Armstrong and transferred to royal custody at Hawick.

[10] He was returned to England after a couple of weeks, during which he met the Laird of Buccleuch, who was unrepentant for his actions in springing Kinmont Willie from Carlisle.

An English diplomat George Nicholson reported that he shared "merry cracks" with the king at Stirling Castle in September 1601, and after drinking together in the cellar Musgrave joked about jousting with James if he opposed Elizabeth.

[16] Carleton had accused Musgrave of treason, alleging to the Privy Council of England that he had offered the use of Bewcastle to James VI of Scotland and the place was the resort of thieves and border rebels.