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Author: ashelley

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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NEWS BULLETIN

NEWS BULLETIN

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…

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Illegitimacy (re Succession)

Illegitimacy (re Succession)

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…

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Water Meadows at Stamford, Lincolnshire

Water Meadows at Stamford, Lincolnshire

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…

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Liberty of Cheltenham

Liberty of Cheltenham

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…

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Shelley Forges at Wigan End, Sudbury Suffolk

Shelley Forges at Wigan End, Sudbury Suffolk

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…

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