If the Reivers were going to steal by force, murder or extort then weapons and body defences were essential. So what sorts of equipment did they employ?

Let’s look at a typical 16th Century Reiver.

He wears head protection in the form of a style of helmet known as an Open-Face Burgonet. This was the typical helmet of the Reiver and gave them another of their sobriquets - The Steel Bonnets. The patch of white, where the peak meets the side protection, is an arming cap - this provided padding and helped to absorb sweat. Various other forms of helmet were also worn.
Click on the Reiver’s Helmet to see more Helmets

Reivers preferred to ride fast and light so tended to dispense with armour. In this case, over his normal clothes, he wears a Jack. This is made of two layers of leather or canvas with multiple layers of cloth sandwiched between, providing protection from sword cuts. Small piece of metal or horn could be integrated into the construction to give added protection. Click on the Reiver’s Jack for more information about Body Defences.

As a tool of the trade a good sword was an essential. Various types were used and the choice of weapon would depend, as ever, on the buying power of the owner - unless he could reive one from someone else. This is a basket-hilted broadsword, with lots of protection for the hand. For more information about swords, click on the sword hilt.

As a horseman, he wore riding boots. Made of stout leather, thin enough to be pliable to enable him to walk comfortably when dismounted but they were also thick enough to give good protection against sword cuts. Click on the Reiver’s boots for more information about the way they dressed.