This is evidenced by a muster of Eskdale Ward in 1581 ( Border Papers, Vol 1, pg 37-41), as well as a petition offered in Nov 1597 to Lord Scrope, the English West March Warden ( Border Papers, Vol 2, pg 454 ). England’s West March - there were a number of Bell families in the Cumberland region.The clan’s chief, William “Redcloak” Bell ( PCS, Vol 1-5, pg 497), was frequently charged (along with other clan members) with stealing cattle and other valuables by rival families and landowners on both sides of the border in a practice known as “reiving.” He was also listed as a participant in the notorious rescue of Kinmont Willie from his English captors in 1596 ( Border Papers, Vol 2, pg 122 ). Scotland’s West March - home to Clan Bell, one of the Border clans mentioned in 1587’s Acts of the Scottish Parliament ( RPS, ).Historical records show several areas in the UK with established Bell families prior to 1603, when Scotland and England united under King James VI and I and the “unruly” clans along the Border such as Clan Bell were pacified or forced to leave:
