The Armstrongs were the number one “Riding” family on the Anglo/Scots Border during the 16th century. They were the most destructive of the Border reivers... and can arguably be called Britain’s worst ever family. The book follows two narratives... The first delves into the history of the Armstrongs; origins, where they lived, their society and how they survived across a violent frontier... The second narrative is a gazetteer of family biographies – A who’s who of raiders and marauders based on court cases and criminal trials. Tales of ransom, murder, arson, blackmail and theft are explored, drawing out the family’s story during this unique period.

First published in 1675, Archie Armstrong's Banquet of Jests remains one of the most entertaining and enduring collections of jokes and anecdotes ever assembled. From the courts of Charles II to the streets of London, Armstrong's wry wit and irreverent humor are sure to delight readers of all ages. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A priced and annotated annual record of international book auctions.

Originally published in 1994, this work offers a critical commentary on James Shirley's 1634 play, 'The Opportunity', including chapters on the critical reception, 'The Opportunity as a Social Comedy' and the history of the editions, including the 1640 quarto.