"EVERYMAN'S PREY"
The name that history would brand the Routledges with
Everyman's prey is the nickname associated with the Routledge name in just about any reference to them regarding the history of the Border Reivers. But was it a fair name to be branded with I ask? Well perhaps towards the end of the 400 years the Reivers reigned for then yes, but only for the last twenty to thirty years. So taking that into account then no, the name everyman's prey was not justified.
This website will tell the tail of the Routledge name, from its first historical appearance in Scottish records through to the its downfall and undoing in the 17th and 18th centuries. It will cover life for the Routledges along the border and the raids that they took part in and fell victim too. It will also look at how they interacted with other families and how they were affected by history. It will look at the birth of the Border Reivers and what and who exactly they were, and then hopefully it will let you decide whether everyman's prey was accurate. Then again there is a curse against our surname as well as other reiver families too.
But with out doubt the hardest questions this website addresses, or rather presents the evidence to let you decide for yourself, is what the name Routledge means, and where it comes form. There are numerous ideas and theories by various people over the last couple of centuries; but on thing is certain it did not come from the place called Routledge Burn in Cumberland, England. More likely the place was named after the people who lived there. And finally the other question I have addressed is, what is the Routledge coat of Arms, if there is one at all.
Now if you're a Routledge reading this you may not think much of your name or your history, but it may interest you to know that we once owned towers in England and were let castle and lands by the kings of England directly. Then spreading to Ireland we built up growing fortunes, land and even more castles. Then spreading from Ireland they were forced on to America where they made there made there mark on history there too.
I hope that you enjoy this site, and the links are in the best order that makes sense. Any questions, feedback or further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at Tom@everymansprey.com
