During the period of religious decadence, prior to the Reformation, a remarkable custom, not unknown elsewhere, prevailed on the Borders. Owing to the scarcity of clergymen, especially in the Vales of Ewes, Esk, and Liddle, the rites of the church were only intermittently celebrated, a circumstance which gave rise to what was known as _Hand-fasting_. Loving couples who met at fairs and other places of public resort agreed to live together for a certain period, and if, when the _book-a-bosom_ man, as the itinerant clergyman was called, came to pay his yearly visit to the district, they were still disposed to remain in wedlock they received the blessing of the church; but if it should happen that either party was dissatisfied, then the union might be terminated, on the express condition, however, that the one desiring to withdraw should become responsible for the maintenance of the child, or children, which may have been born to them. "The connection so formed was binding for one year only, at the expiration of which time either party was at liberty to withdraw from the engagement, or in the event of both being satisfied the 'hand-fasting' was renewed for life. The custom is mentioned by several authors, and was by no means confined to the lower classes, John Lord Maxwell and a sister of the Earl of Angus being thus contracted in January 1577."[20] IV. RAIDS AND FORAYS. "Then forward bound both horse and hound, And rattle o'er the vale; As the wintry breeze through leafless trees Drives on the pattering hail. "Behind their course the English fells In deepening blue retire; Till soon before them boldly swells The muir of dun Redswire." LEYDEN.