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Author: ashelley

Reform

Reform

REFORM – Leading to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835 The Hustings at Eatanswill (Dickens) During the last two hundred years, the rate of progress in man’s command over nature has been greater than at any previous period. Modern history can be considered as beginning in England from 1780 in a series of dissolving views. With proper roads and greater infrastructure for inter-communications. In the reign of George III the civilisation of the riding-horse and the packhorse gave way to that…

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NEWS BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN

I was kindly invited to say a few words to the newly admitted Freemen at Gloucester on Friday 7th October 2022. This was in the presence of the Mayor, Councillor Howard Hyman, the Deputy Mayor and the Sheriff of Gloucester along with the City Marshal, the City Sword Bearer and the Master of Ceremonies. The President, Mr Lee Hensley, of the Gloucester Freemen presented the candidates with certificates for their achievement.

Historic Communal Courts (of Freedom and Liberties)

Historic Communal Courts (of Freedom and Liberties)

Preamble: An early form of administrative court was tribal in origin. Based upon a system whereby all freeborn English and Welshmen (not serfs of slaves) on maturity, were organised in ‘kinship’ community groups. Originally covering territories of ten hides (hide = c120 acres). This represented an area one tenth of a Hundred. The spokesman or leader of each group was their ‘Tithingman’. Behaviour of these groups was recognised by a ‘View of Frankpledge’ to keep the peace and manage behaviour….

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NEWS BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN

Accession Proclamation at Sudbury of King Charles III Photo by courtesy of Mrs Fiona Wheeler Photo by courtesy of Mrs V. Herbert The Proclamation took place outside the doors of the Town Hall with Freemen Michael Wheeler and Barry Hibble as Macebearers.

Freemen’s Wives, Gloucester

Freemen’s Wives, Gloucester

The Offices of the Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Gloucester To Whom it may concern (Regarding Equal Rights) I respectfully wish to make a rightful claim on behalf of married wives of borough Freemen of the City of Gloucester to be admitted to ‘Freedom’ in their own right. This claim is based upon parity and the presently accepted modification of customary law. The claim for admission is based upon recognition in two parts. Statement made by the respected…

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Tribal Rites and their influence on English History and Borough Freedom

Tribal Rites and their influence on English History and Borough Freedom

England’s early cultural history, built-up layer by layer, began with a tribal society from Celtic immigrant communities eventually overrun by Anglo-Saxons. There are many influences today that hark back to practices which are retained from those very early times. On the admission to borough ‘freedom’, a person is required to swear a solemn oath to adhere to the rules of their community. This is normally done under the customary supervision of their elders. Such actions under these circumstances are a…

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NEWS BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN

Vice President’s Report to the FEW AGM (by Zoom) September 2022 This has been another limited year, caused by the restrictions of an ongoing Covid Pandemic. Following the last AGM, myself and the Area Wardens have met with some confusion, particularly over the positions of the Officer without Portfolio (nomination) and of clarity concerning the ‘Working Group’. Political difficulties over its membership have prevented an in-depth examination of FEW procedures. Nevertheless, some outline preparations have been started and terms of…

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NEWS BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN

BBBF Reunion 2022 at Cirencester Park and the RAU The Reunion took place 23 and 24 August 2022, in the convivial company of the Earl of Bathurst and was much enjoyed by all.

NEWS BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN

Freemen of England and Wales An association of Freemen and Guilds in England and Wales Patron: The Right Honourable, The Earl Bathurst Alan Shelley BA DLA FRSA VP 21 July 2022 Warden’s Memorandum (1/22) As I reported to the Executive Trustees recently, our Association has been through a depressing period of disagreement, exacerbated by the restrictions caused by Covid. I believe that we can now close that chapter and begin to agree a few basic changes to our operations. Getting…

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Freemen’s Law

Freemen’s Law

Outline of Law Relating to Freedom Harry Ward’s book ‘Freemen in England’ (1975 imprint) provides a very good overview of the history, duties, and rights of freemen in a general way. All freemen should obtain a copy and read it through. Within pages 12-15 is an excellent article by Mr Robin Walker MA LLM sometime Secretary of the Freemen of Newcastle upon-Tyne. This article provides an ‘Outline of the Law Relating to Freemen’. 1. Background It is impossible to have…

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