Chevrons of De Clare, Earls of Gloucester ‘Glorious Gloucester’ Historic Roman city and county town. There is a Norman cathedral and medieval streets that follow patterns laid down by the Romans. Situated alongside the River Severn close to the Welsh border between the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. It was founded in AD 97 by the Romans as Colonia Glevum Nervensis. Gloucester was granted its first charter in 1155 by Henry II. This city has had an important position…
‘Servitude to Freedom’ Coventry is a cathedral city in the heart of the British Isles. It has a reputation for its busy industrial history of high quality craftsmanship. From cloth making to watch making it was a market leader. St Mary’s Hall Background – Once part of Mercia, it had housed an ancient Saxon nunnery founded by St Osburga c700 AD. The area was ravaged by Cnut in the 11th century when the convent was destroyed by the Danes. Earl…
English Cultural Traditions Court of the Rochester Oyster and Floating Fisheries The national association of the ‘Freemen of England & Wales’ recognise the customary functions of several ancient enterprises that are still in operation today. For example, the Free Pasture Masters of Beverley, the Rochester Oyster and Floating Fisheries, the Free-Miners of the Forest of Dean and the custom of the Freemen of the Cinque Ports. Of course, there are other traditional guilds and companies that operate through custom in…
Residence of a medieval burgess in a borough town The tenure of the burgage formed the basis of ‘free’ unrestricted entitlement within a borough and its environs. Resident burgesses had rights that included the freedom to transact a trade, to erect or hire a market stall, and to graze animals on town common lands. More importantly was the right to vote over local government and possibly to elect two representative MPs to Parliament. Villainage and burghal systems were the principal…
Introduction by Alan G. Fallows, President (2010 ~ 2013) Over the past 5 years or so I have been involved in attempting to identify the problems affecting freemen throughout England and Wales by the requirements of the 2002 Land Registration Act. These deliberations have been complex to say the least and have, by necessity, involved not only the registration of land and the over-riding interests of freemen but also the questions of commons and commons registrations. In both these matters…
The City of London is unique, not only because it is the capital city of the British Isles. It was walled in Roman times and is contained within an area of about a square mile. This has not materially changed since before the Norman Conquest Over the centuries, the City has been chief in negotiating with England’s ruling monarchs and this has allowed the regulation of its own affairs. City merchants have advanced financial loans to assist with overseas wars…
Early English culture is classically symbolised at ceremonial events. Much developed in the 17th century and greatly enhanced by the 19th. At festival meals the silver services of guilds and livery companies can be truly magnificent (even awesome). Attendees of such festival events participate in actions of respect to their historic traditions. Ceremonially the mace and the macebearer represent ‘protection and defence’ and in a similar role a sword-bearer represents ‘peace and justice’. Constables likewise carry decorated truncheons that indicate…
‘Borough Freemen’ describes a representative body of individuals connected with historic ‘borough’ towns. Also known as ‘free burgesses’ in reference to the burgage properties that once made up the old boroughs. Up until 1835 (Municipal Corporations Act) and the establishment of elected Councils, towns and cities were governed by Corporations of Freemen. Borough Freemen have a proud history as descendants of artisan tradesmen. Their forebears were mercantile businessmen that formed the backbone of the British economy. A freeman is a…
Freemen of Newcastle-upon-Tyne The following article was placed in the ‘City of London & Dockland Times’ 20 March 1991. Produced by my very good friend and collaborator, Raymond C. Jorden (dec) former learned Clerk to our livery, the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. This article was published in support of my office at that time as Deputy President of the Freemen of England & Wales. Guilds of Freemen in the major Cities of England Links between London and the Cities of…
Discussion What does our Freedom really mean? It is a subject of liberty and tradition, but how does it relate to present society. Are we describing a situation, a movement, an archaic institution or perhaps an inclusion into a social club? In terms of a freemen’s association (guild, court leet etc) it can be more easily understood by recognition of its original purpose and meaning. Freedom is the liberty to exercise a right (while acting responsibly) Freemen have a prerogative…