History of the Reed family in Europe and America

18 ORIGIN OF THE NAME,
The Dalraids kept possession of the territory between the
two walls, constituting a portion of the county of Northum-
berland. They finally conquered Caledonia, A.D. 843 ;
and the Britons, as a sort of reproach, afterwards called it
Scuitland, or a land of interlopers, or wanderers. The
predatory excursions of these people were called " raids." .
The Reads, or Reeds, of England descended from the
above Raids, Reeds, or Reedhas ; and I am able to trace
the principal families to them.
The river Tyne, in the north of England, is so called
from its having tynes, or branches, — one of which is
called North Tyne ; another, South Tyne. A third branch,
taking its rise in Carterfell, and other highlands between
England and Scotland, is the river Reed. The valley
through which the stream winds its way to its mouth is
Redesdale, comprising a portion of Northumberland. This
territory formed the principal seat of the border wars. On
the banks of the river Reed was fought the bloody battle
of Otterburne, or Otterbrook, at the junction of a small
stream by that name with the Reed Waters, as the river is
called by Sir Walter Scott. This battle is sometimes called
the battle of Chevychase ; meaning a chase, or park, for
deer. Upon the edge of Carterfell — a mountain between
England and Scotland — is Reed's Square, — a corruption
of wear, a Scotch phrase for a fort or castle, — named in
honor of Sir Reginald Reed, who was distinguished in the
Border wars. Following the stream down, the ruins of
several Reed castles and fortifications may be seen. Some
splendid castles still occupied by persons of the same name
and blood are also found ; among which is Chipchase Castle,
not far from the junction of the Reed with the Tyne.
It may not be inappropriate here to give some further
description of the territory between the wall of Agricola
and that of Adrian ; it being the hive from which a large