The Armstrong clan has long been based in Liddesdale, Cumbria, known for its fierce members who served both Scottish and English kings. Called "Moss Troopers" and "Border Reivers," their history is tied to the border wars between England and Scotland. In 1342, Richard Harmestrang loaned money to King David II of Scotland, and in 1363, William Armstrong served as steward and ambassador to England. The earliest record of the name is Adam Armstrong in 1235, arrested for murder and later pardoned. Today, over 130,000 people in the U.S. bear the Armstrong name. Notable bearers of the surname Armstrong include Archibald " Archie " Armstrong, the seventeenth century court jester who served the court of James VI. When James VI succeeded to the English throne, Armstrong was appointed as his jester. His yearly fee in 1606 was £9-2s-6d. In 1611 he was granted a pension of two shillings a day. In February 1612 he was given clothes laced with silk, made by Lord Cranbourne's tailor. Armstrong had been born in Scotland and on 9 July 1612 was made a denizen of England. His influence was considerable and he was greatly courted and flattered, but his success led to him becoming presumptuous, insolent, and mischievous and was much disliked by the members of the court. Armstrong was born in 1606 and died in 1672.