In the thick of the Battle of Ancrum Moor, the legend of Maid Lilliard of Maxton blazed with such wild fury against the English that her passion scorched itself into the memory of generations to come.
"Fair maiden Lilliard
lies under this stane
little was her stature
but muckle was her fame
upon the English loons
she laid monie thumps
and when her legs were cuttit off
she fought upon her stumps."
AD 1544
Strolling along St. Cuthbert's Way brought us pure joy, a feeling that quickly faded when we encountered the Anglophobic monument. Its presence unsettled me so deeply that I left my action camera untouched, abandoning any thought of filming. It was a stark reminder of how hatred, left unchecked by society, can fracture the world around us.
According to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the name "Lilliard" likely derives from earlier names such as "Lidgates Cros" or "Lillyat Cros," which appear in early 12th-century charters, predating the 1545 battle by centuries. This invented tale, woven as 'emotional truth,' was carefully shaped to decimate the spirit of a place long associated with Anglo-Scottish reconciliation efforts. While I lived in Aberdeenshire, locals would often claim that the Scottish Borders sparked the ancient feuds with England. To me, this fake memorial breathes life into that belief.
Geographic coordinate: 55°32'22.9"N 2°36'14.7"W