Series Y/COU/3/10 - Strays - Maps and disputes concerning all strays

Identity area

Reference code

Y/COU/3/10

Title

Strays - Maps and disputes concerning all strays

Date(s)

  • 1772-1856 (Creation)

Level of description

Series

Extent and medium

5 files, 4 maps

Context area

Name of creator

(pre-1155-1835)

Administrative history

Not every resident of York was a freemen, and not all freemen were residents. Prior to 1835, the freemen formed the electorate, served as the civic administration, and returned Members of Parliament. The proportion of locally-born and incoming freeman varied over time, and did the cost and ease of access. Honorary freemen were also appointed, often royality or members of the nobility. The corporation strictly regulated the freedom, punishing unfree offenders and overseeing the guilds.

Name of creator

(1835-present)

Administrative history

In 1835 the status of freemen in York as the sole electorate, master craftsmen, traders and officials was ended as part of municipal reform. In 1953 a Gild of freemen was setup to "enhance the good reputation of the City of York" and "maintain and develop the rights and privileges of the Admitted Citizens and Freemen of York".
See also Strays Committee.

Name of creator

(Pre-16th century - unknown)

Administrative history

By the 16th/17th centuries pasture-masters for each ward administered the common lands. Traditionally appointed by Wardmote Courts, but occasionally by the corporation. Following inclosure, pasturemasters were appointed by the corporation, but this was challenged in 1835. In the nineteenth century, appointments switched between the corporation and wardmote courts/freemen a number of times, alongside disputes over corporation control and ownership of the lands themselves.
Appointed by/reported to Wardmote Court and/or Corporation. See also Freemen (Reformed) and Freemen (Unreformed)

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Dispute with Corporation papers concerning nomination of pasturemasters, and wardmotes courts post-1835. A map of each stray from 1772, by John Lund.

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open

Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.

Conditions governing reproduction

Images are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

    .Listed to item level in Giles catalogue (1909)

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    See also individual strays: Y/COU/3/6-9

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    legacy

    Giles D Qq-Vv

    Access points

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    Description control area

    Accession area