Report and Message from the Vice President to F.E.W. AGM, Lincoln, 2023 There is little for me to report on recent activities of the Executive which has been very quiet. FEW has had several setbacks following the Covid epidemic and is suffering a slow recovery of our activities. To this end a Working Group is busy looking at policies and practices to advance the prospective future of the Association. You may be aware that I am in poor health and…
‘Tenacious Trio’- BBBF ‘Old Boys’ born March/April 1940 The quintessential countryside of John Constable and the Suffolk Stour Valley is not typical of the varied English landscapes. However, the sight of agricultural activity will always enhance the rural scene. A Three-part Song I’m just in love with all these three, The W’eald an’ the Marsh an’ the Down countrie; Nor I don’t know which I love the most, The W’eald or the Marsh or the white chalk coast. I’ve buried…
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…
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…
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…
Extracted from “The History and Antiquities of Gloucester” From the Earliest Period By Thomas Rudge. Publ. Jan 1811 Freemen – The general qualifications of voters arise from the birth or Servitude; every son of a freeman, and every person who has been legally apprenticed to a freeman, and served the whole of his time, has, upon attaining the age of twenty one years, a right to claim the privileges of a burgess, though not resident in the city; Mayor and…
Merchants Law in the Middle Ages Pie poudre or piepowder is an old Norman French expression that literally means ‘dusty feet’. It is given to refer to travelling ‘foreigners’ visiting a fair or market to trade in goods. It was a summary court held by a borough to record all commercial incidents. Courts of Pie Poudre were the lowest courts of justice in ancient common law. They were often held outdoors. The courts were organised and administered by senior merchants…
The use and the rights over ‘Common Land’: Those entitled to exercise such rights are called ‘commoners’. It is a popular misconception that common land is owned by the general public and to which everyone has unrestricted right of access. All common land is private property whether the owner is an individual or a corporation. Common land is generally owned, for example by a local council, privately by a landowner, or by the National Trust. Most of such lands now…
(Approved by Privy Council 2008) 1. Repeal of Existing Order The existing Order for the Admission of Freemen dated 12th October 1551 and all subsequent Orders or amendments made or expressed to be made pursuant thereto are hereby repealed. However, this repeal shall not prejudice or affect any right or interest acquired, or any liability incurred, or anything done or purported to be done pursuant to the said Order. 2. Qualifications for Admission The following persons if aged 18 years…
The Hyett family have left an indelible mark on the history and landscape of Gloucestershire. They have had great influence on the Corporation of Gloucester and its civic affairs. Their legacy is also unique in the beautiful rococo garden laid out at Painswick. According to ‘Victorian County History’ of Gloucester on the subject of topography, from 1547 until 1720, there were very few changes in the plan or extent of Gloucester. However, it is important to be aware of much…