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…
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…
GLAF Return to Alney Island, Gloucester, 30 June 2022 On a fine morning at 10.45 we met Nicola Chidley, PROW (standing in for Alan Bently) at the ‘Reserve’ carpark off Westgate. We were introduced to James Fotios, an officer of the City Council. James explained that he was relatively new to the job but would advise as best he could. Observations We walked the footpath closest the city toward the refurbished Docklands. The ‘Castle Meads’ are rich grassland meadows. I…
Background to the Law regarding Custom The Statute of Merton (1235) declared “he is a bastard that is born before the marriage of his parents”. Even when the parents could not marry or if both were separately married or when the relationship was incestuous. The Poor Law of 1576 accentuated* this law in its dealings. *An illegitimate person cannot inherit ‘real property’. The 1976 Legitimacy Act states (apart from Section 1) that nothing in this Act shall affect the succession…
Unimproved pasture, flood meadows of the River Welland Ancient open common lands at Stamford were once freely grazed by the privileged ‘Freemen’ of Stamford. The rights to graze over the lands created restrictions to town development and were, as in Sudbury for example, a cause of political unrest. The 1835 Municipal Corporations Act brought many changes to the old ‘open fields’ operations along with the town government. By a Parliamentary, Enclosure Act, 1871 the meadow lands were divided between the…
Cheltenham a Brief History Abstract The manor before and long after the Norman Conquest, belonged to the Crown. It had, like Tewkesbury, been a part of the ancient county of Winchcombeshire shired from Mercia. The manor remained in royal ownership until 1367, when Edward III granted its possession to Fecamp Abbey. It then became an ‘independent liberty’ possessed and governed from Normandy. It was listed as a borough in 1336 but never became incorporated. This mile long high street, market…
Before 1850 Smithy No.1, of Samuel Shelley, off Girling Street before 1850. The barn-like building became the Plymouth Brethren Chapel. Smithy No.2, of James, and Charles Thomas Shelley, off East Street Nos. 9,10 & 11 Wigan End. Smithy No.3, later became the forge of Aylmer Shelley, employing two men opposite the main buildings in East Street at Nos.88 & 89 Wigan End. It is likely that the ‘Red, White & Blue’ PH of Charles Thomas was just next-door. The Plymouth…
The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England is one of the oldest mercantile corporations in England. It is rare (possibly unique), in being ‘of England’ and not bounded by any city or municipality. It dates back as far as 1282 or even further, when it appears a group of 26 wool merchants founded The Company. The Dukes of Burgundy and Counts of Flanders granted it charters. The Merchants were in Bruges in 1282, Dordrecht in 1285, Antwerp in 1296 and…
The archaeological discovery of a Scandinavian ship burial at Sutton Hoo was probably the most spectacular ever made in Britain. On the eve of the Second World War, in the summer of 1939, Basil Brown, an archaeologist employed by the Suffolk landowner, Mrs Pretty, uncovered an early English/Anglo Saxon ship burial. Inside the chamber were exquisite items, such as a golden belt buckle, jewellery in garnet, millefiori glass and gold filigree items as well as an impressively decorated helmet. Similar…
‘Cirencester Park Estate’ A visit is being planned for the BBBF & Plumpton ‘Old Boys’ with Lord Bathurst at his wonderful Park and Farmland Estate. Subject to prevailing conditions, we may also visit the Royal Agricultural University. Subjects of interest for discussion: Agroecology, and the new methods of cultivation Future Farming, in the new Global Economy Actions in the light of shortages caused by the War in Ukraine Dealing with the outcome of Ash Dieback and other persistent blights Water…