ISSUE 19

APRIL 2016

8 9
Contents
4 800th Anniversary
8 Michaelmas Guild
9 Christmas Guild
10 Upholding Our
Principles
11 Shipwrights’ Day Out
11
Foreword
We are proud to exercising in all that we do, an evidence
have a pivotal role based and pro-active approach in our
in underpinning the role as guardians of such an invaluable
historical values that set of assets.
serve to sustain in
a traditional, albeit We can celebrate too, the 800th
progressive manner, in Anniversary Year of the Mayoralty and
which from the perspective of Freelage
12 A Visit to the such a great City.
of the City, we hold in high esteem.
Archives Whilst our prime and overriding
Feedback is welcomed so do not
responsibility is to ensure the Town
14 Superintendent’s Moors are forever held secure as a hesitate to get in touch.
most unique environmental asset, we
Report are most understandably mindful of the
prevailing social and political dynamics Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE
16 Newcastle Guilds hence can give an assurance as to Chairman of the Stewards Committee
18 Annual Church
Parade Editorial
18 Ropemaker Learns Welcome to issue 19 of our magazine,
Traditional Craft the first issue in this, the year of the
800th Anniversary of the awarding by
19 Fact or Fiction King John in 1216, of a Charter to the
Burgesses (Freemen) to form Guilds and
22 Diary Dates to elect a Mayor for the City.
We have included a range of topics,
& Notice Board including articles on topical events and
activities as well as some interesting
historical information.
Thanks go to our editorial team, who
as well as developing the presentation
and structure of the magazine, have
written much of the content – we hope
you enjoy it.
The Coat of Arms of the
City of Newcastle upon Tyne
Front cover photograph & Guild swearing
in photographs taken by Steve Brock.
Edited by Freemen of Newcastle Upon Tyne Editorial Team
Official Photographer, Steve Brock Photography.
Copies available from www.stevebrock.co.uk The Newcastle Upon Tyne Freemen Magazine, Moor Bank Lodge,
Tel 01912863430 Claremont Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4NL
FreemenMagazine 3

800th Anniversary
In 1216 King John granted Newcastle
upon Tyne its first Mayor and the City is
celebrating the 800th anniversary this
year. Why did this happen, what was
Newcastle like in 1216 and what did the
change mean for Newcastle?
There has been a settlement on the site of
Newcastle since Roman times when a bridge
over the Tyne was built as part of Hadrian’s
Wall project. This was followed by a fort to
protect the bridge and a settlement grew
around this.
Not a lot is known about Newcastle in the
Dark Ages but after the invasion of the Angles
and the establishment of the Kingdom
of Northumbria, it was possibly the site of
one of the royal villas used by the King. The
Viking invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries
ended the Kingdom of Northumbria but
Monkchester, as Newcastle was then known,
continued to grow as a trading centre and
port.
After the Norman invasion in 1066, the town
(Newcastle only became a city in 1882) grew
in importance as it was the most easterly
crossing point of the Tyne. The crossing gave
access to the northernmost parts of the
Kingdom and was important in defending
the country against the Scots. As part of the
process of bringing the north under his control,
William had the first castle built in around
1080.
At this time England was a feudal society.
Most of the country was managed by the
nobility or barons; most of the rural population
were serfs working for them in exchange for
the use of land. There were also freemen,
essentially a middle class who were permitted
or obliged to bear arms: the nobility were
obliged to raise armies for the sovereign.
In boroughs freemen were also known as
burgesses.
The Normans designated many towns and
cities, including Newcastle, as Royal Boroughs
and governed them as part of their Royal
4 FreemenMagazine
Estate or Demesne thus ensuring loyalty and
an income stream. The King generally used
sheriffs and bailiffs to manage the towns and
cities in his estate. They were responsible for
administering justice and collecting taxes on
his behalf. However towards the end of the
Norman period, Newcastle was allowed to
pay its taxes through a fee farm. A fee farm
was nothing to do with agriculture but meant
that the King farmed out tax collection to a
contractor rather than using his own officials
to collect it. The fee farmer paid a lump sum
to the king then raised the taxes from the
inhabitants. The contract to be fee farmer
was generally put out to tender as it was a
lucrative job; the farmer kept any surplus he
collected over the sum demanded by the
king. In Newcastle however, the fee farm
was put in the hands of the burgesses and
their representatives. This gave the burgesses
considerable autonomy and a satisfactory
income. The king no doubt expected
to secure the loyalty of this strategically
important town.
The Norman dynasty ended in 1154 when
Stephen was succeeded by his nephew
Henry II the first of the Plantagenets. Henry
was Duke of Anjou and his wife was Eleanor
of Aquitaine. With his own lands, those of
his wife and the Norman lands he inherited,
Henry controlled most of western France as
well as being King of England. He was an
energetic reforming king but unsurprisingly
much of his time and energy was consumed
by his French lands. However he did find
time to reform the English legal system and
restore the royal finances. As the majority of
his income came from Royal Demesnes it was
important that they were administered well.
His effect on Newcastle was significant.
The old castle was replaced by a stone
castle at considerable expense making the
defence of the town more effective. He also
reformed the borough’s administration. The
burgesses in Newcastle found the Norman
system restrictive as over the years they had
developed many customs derived from
Anglo-Saxon and Danish law. Henry granted
the burgesses further rights and powers and
exempted them from some taxes.
Henry died in 1189 and was succeeded by
his son Richard I. Richard wasn’t particularly
interested in the administration of England but
spent much of his reign fighting the French
king over his French lands or on Crusade to
the Holy Land. His mother Eleanor effectively
governed in his absence but the wars and
crusades were expensive, especially when
Richard was captured by the French king
while on his way home and a huge ransom
had to be paid for his release. When he died
in 1199 the Treasury was empty.
Richard was succeeded by John, the
youngest of Henry II’s five sons. As the
youngest, John was never expected to
become king. Henry II didn’t initially grant him
any lands and he acquired the nickname
Lackland. However as his elder brothers
rebelled and squabbled in the course of their
father’s long reign, he came into favour and
was granted various titles and estates. Three
of his brothers predeceased their father and
Richard had no children so John became
King.
Our view of John tends to be informed
by tales of Robin Hood. He didn’t have
the military skills of his father and brother
and by the end of his reign virtually all his
French possessions had been lost. He is said
by historians to have been petty, spiteful
and cruel and he certainly had major
disagreements with the Pope and with the
barons, the latter leading to Magna Carta in
1215.
On the plus side he is considered to have
been a good administrator and continued his
father’s reforms of the legal system. Income
from royal demesnes had decreased,
especially as Richard had sold many royal
possessions. John looked for new ways of
raising money. He imposed taxes on land
owners but also raised substantial sums from
the sale of appointments and of charters.
Despite his bad press, John was a friend to
Newcastle. He completed the defences
and had a large hall built to be a royal
residence and court used by the Sheriff of
Northumberland. This was on the site of the
Moot Hall. More importantly he granted
(or sold) the burgesses a number of charters
defining their rights and responsibilities and
giving them further freedom to run the town.
FreemenMagazine 5
A charter was and still is the means by which
a monarch grants rights and authority. In the
Middle Ages charters were sold for planned
new towns such as Liverpool and to allow
towns to set up markets. They were used
extensively by medieval monarchs who
governed as they moved around the country
no doubt listening to special pleading and
weighing up their options. Parliament was an
advisory body of barons, generally ignored
by John.
In 1216, John signed the charter which we
are now celebrating. It gave Newcastle
a mayor who replaced the King’s officers
in administering justice and managing the
town. John also allowed the burgesses to
form twelve guilds and gave those guilds
the power to appoint the mayor. This was an
important increase in independence as the
chief official in the town was now elected
by the burgesses (or at least some of them)
rather than by the King. It was in effect
the beginning of the end of feudalism in
Newcastle.
Guilds, as we know, controlled trade and
markets but looked after their members. King
John approved twelve guilds or Mysteries
and they were responsible for the election of
the mayor. These original guilds were all of
merchants. Little is known of the first mayor,
Daniel son of Nicholas.
We have to assume that Newcastle was
given these freedoms because it was an
important strategic town with its location on
the Tyne and proximity to the Scottish border.
By granting these freedoms no doubt John
hoped to secure its loyalty to the Crown. It
certainly worked for a while; in the fourteenth
century mayors led troops into battle
alongside the King when he was fighting the
Scots. And of course John would also have
raised some money by granting the charter.
John died later in 1216, still fighting his barons
Inevitably there were problems in Newcastle.
The freemen of the craft guilds became
unhappy with the power of the merchant
guilds which elected the Mayor. Things came
to a head in 1341 when John of Denton was
elected for the fourth time. The craft guilds
accused him of corruption and elected their
6 FreemenMagazine
The Freemen of
Newcastle have joined
in partnership with
Newcastle City council
to celebrate the 800th
anniversary of the
mayoralty of Newcastle.
Newcastle’s Lord Mayor supported
by the Freemen of the City and other
civic dignitaries attended a Service of
Thanksgiving to mark the start of the
800th anniversary celebrations of the
mayoralty of Newcastle at St Nicholas
Cathedral on Tuesday 2nd February.
During the service there were
addresses by Nick Forbes, Leader of
the City Council, and a reading by
Sir Leonard Fenwick, Chairman of the
Freemen of Newcastle.
own candidate. This led to riots and the
murder of John of Denton. King Edward III had
to resume control of the town for a while, and
then granted another charter giving the craft
guilds a say in the running of the town. This
gave rise to a complicated election process
whereby the guilds elected the Mayor and
twenty four councillors. The election was
held annually and accompanied by great
feasting.
The burgesses continued to elect the Mayor
and run the Corporation until the 1830s when
the Reform Acts introduced the beginnings of
local democracy as we know it.
Newcastle’s Mayor became a Lord Mayor
from 1905. The Lord Mayor is now chosen by
the City Council and as well as representing
and promoting the city, he or she chairs City
Council meetings, signs legal documents and
of course swears in freemen.
The service also marked the 800th regional capital.
anniversary of the creation of the Burgesses,
Even in 1216 it had an important strategic
known today as the Freemen, who
historically collected tolls and charges from
role which is partly why King John bestowed
the charter to the Burgesses, who then went
strangers. There were three distinct classes
of freemen. 1st, those having fellowship
on to elect the first mayor of Newcastle.
with the Twelve Mysteries or the Fifteen We have grown into a City known all over
Bye-trades: those belonging to the former the world for strength and the resilience of
enjoyed the ancient right of sending two our communities, and I hope that Geordies
of each Mystery to the election of mayors, everywhere will join with us in celebrating
and those belonging to the latter trades what promises to be an exciting year.
the privilege of sending one from each
society. Those in fellowship with the other
Companies of the town, who are without
This year’s celebrations also include:
this privilege; but they are qualified to sit
upon juries, to enfranchise their apprentices,
A calendar of public events
to perambulate the boundaries. Those
including a picnic on Exhibition
in fellowship with the whole body, called
Park
the Freedom of the Town, and which may
be enjoyed without any connexion with A major education programme for
the Company: it entitles a burgess to vote schoolchildren
for a representative in parliament, to an
An exhibition at the City Library
exemption from tolls, quay-dues, to two
stints on the common pasture, and to
transfer the franchise to his sons.
The long unbroken chains of office of the
Mayor and the Freemen is credited with
giving Newcastle stability, social cohesion,
justice, law and administration which has
enabled it to grow into a major trading and
commercial centre with a strong identity
and sense of community.
Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Ian Graham,
said: “The Office of Mayor is one of the
oldest surviving civic institutions in the city.
It’s an honour and a privilege to be Lord
Mayor - especially in this landmark year.
David Wilson, Vice Chairman of the
Freemen of Newcastle said, Newcastle is a
strong city; proud of its long history and rich
heritage. Apart from a few incursions, it has
managed to evolve over hundreds of years
because of the Freemen and Mayoralty
who have skilfully governed it through good
and bad times.
The charter for a mayor and burgesses
initiated governance for the city from which
democracy and legislation flowed so it
was quite a thing. It will give us the chance
to celebrate some achievements of the
last 800 years which makes Newcastle the
FreemenMagazine 7
Michaelmas Guild
12th October 2015
The Close Guild started at 10am with
prayers, then following the company roll call
the election of the Stewards Committee took
place, the Chairman informed Guild that W.
(Bill) Frizzle and Ian. F. Miller were stepping
down from the Stewards Committee, he
thanked Bill for his incredible 40 years’
service on Committee, in addition to his
committee service Bill was our representative
on the Exhibition Park trust. Ian for his
32 years on committee and his tireless
contribution to the TMMC as a Trustee and
visitor, work which he intended to continue,
both were presented with a gift of wine.
Barber Surgeons Ricky Stephenson, Lee Stephenson, Joe Stephenson Bricklayers Dominic George Lunn Cordwainers Amanda
Kirkup Goldsmiths Simon Richard Clark, Helen Lucy Clark, Adam John Bainbridge House Carpenters Carole Mary Brown
Manchester, Denise Davison, Juliet Tate, Justine Helen Tate, Karen Louise MacCabe Joiners Stephen Joures, Joanne Frances
Christie Master Mariners Sarah Hall Saddlers Craig Cable Shipwrights Carly Blackburn Slaters and Tylers Harry Thomas Adair,
Timothy Blackett, Christopher Paul Brown, Martin John Brown, Luke Alexander Adair Tanners Carol Thoburn, Ian David Sparham
Taylors Christopher James Wright
8 FreemenMagazine
There were 11 applicants for committee
consequently a ballot was not required.
F.H. Alder: H. Alder: P. Anderson: C.G.
Atkinson: N.B. Atkinson: A.R. Bainbridge: Sir
L.R. Fenwick: K. Hall: J. Johnson: D.M. Loraine
(Resigned 3rd February 2016): H.D.Wilson:
were duly elected. Sir Leonard Fenwick was
re-elected as Chairman: David Wilson as
Vice Chairman, both unanimously.
The Close Guild finished at 11.45am, Open
Guild commenced. At the end of the
proceedings the calling of the names by
the Lord Mayor’s Principle Secretary Brenda
Joyce, of those claiming their right to be
sworn in, the Guild was closed and the Lord
Mayor presided over the swearing in of 26
new Freemen.
Christmas Guild
Jake Shepherd, Tanners Julie Ann Ridden, House Carpenters Charlotte F.B. Manchester, House Carpenters Francesca Lilley,
Ropemakers Victoria Lister, Claudia Atkinson-Baxter, Ropemakers Benjamin S.M. Patterson, Taylors Carmen Alder, Dominique
Alder, Butchers Corrina Collington, Coopers.
How can I help now I am a Freeman?
This is one of the questions I am frequently asked
by new Freemen who have just been sworn in.
In fact there are many things that any Freeman
can do to ‘help’.
Let us start with the oath; when you are sworn in
as a Freeman you undertake to defend the City
and “…. observe and keep to the best of your
Power, all lawful Ordinances made by Common
Consent, on High Court days; and all other
things you shall do that belong to a FREEMAN of
the said City.”
‘Defending’ the City in the past mainly related
to physically protecting the City from attack,
today the ‘Defending’ can take on a much
wider meaning extending to the well being
of the City – its environment, its status, its
development, its economy. So how can we
help with these things? The list is as wide as your
imagination, it could include:
Be proud of your City and your heritage
Respect our City and encourage others to do so.
Promote our City to others. Talk about the City in a
positive light, defend the City if others criticise it.
Help develop our community – participate in
community events, help with the organisation if you
are able.
Play a role in the community (as a volunteer e.g.
school helper, school governor, residents association
member/officer, neighbourhood watch).
Help protect our environment, keep your own local
area looking good and tidy, join one of the local
parks groups (e.g. Friends of Exhibition Park, Friends
of Leazes Park, Friends of Jesmond Dene etc.).
Help with voluntary groups or charities.
Defend the Town Moors against encroachment
– there will always be those who are desirous of
‘developing’ on the green space. Fight against any
such proposals – be vocal, make your voice heard.
Support the Freemen – help publicise the good
work of the Freemen in protecting our environment,
enabling a wide range of events etc.
Support Freemen events – e.g. the annual parade
and Church Service (this is not about religion – it is
your heritage).
Support your Company of Freemen – Attend the
Head meeting.
Ensure the continuity of your Company of Freemen
by encouraging your eligible family members to
take up their Freelage. Keep your Senior Steward
(and our Administration Office) aware of any
address changes – it is so easy to lose touch with
Freemen due to not having their current contact
details.
Most importantly enjoy being a Freeman, enjoy your
City, enjoy your Town Moors and the air and exercise
you can have on them.
Thank you for being a Freeman
and ‘Defending’ our City!
FreemenMagazine 9
Strength in upholding our principles
The Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne are custodians of 1200 acres of Town Moors secured by
an act of Parliament and continue today as the strongest freelage in the UK, all thanks to the
Freemen Guilds of today holding firm on the principles, values and the rules and orders put in
place by our ancestors. This is the very bedrock of our strength and very existence.
Each year the Company Stewards come
together at the three Guilds to actively ensure
that the Stewards Committee carry out their
duties in fulfilling our statutory obligations and
the directions of the Stewards of the various
Guilds by upholding our rules and orders and
traditional values.
There have been many times we have been
called upon to defend all that we hold dear, not
least in 1972 when the Local Government Act
threatened the 1774 Act and our very existence
but the Freemen of Newcastle stepped up to
the plate and worked with City legal officers to
construct the Town Moor Act 1988; in particular
protecting the Town Moors from those who cast
an envious eye over this prized land asset of
incalculable value. The 26 active Guilds along
with the Town Moor Act 1988 ensure our right
to graze the cattle, the public’s right of air and
exercise is assured and not an inch of Town
Moor will be lost. More recently in 2010 we were
instrumental in lobbying Parliament to affect
the Local Democracy, Economic Development
and Construction Bill which gave the right for the
admission of daughters. We exercise the same
diligence in defending our rules and orders.
Our rule on hereditary admission is simply that
any child born in wedlock may on reaching the
age of 20 apply to be sworn in and become
10 FreemenMaga-
a Freemen of City of Newcastle. Recently
there had been a proposal for Guild to seek
the removal of the ‘born in wedlock’ rule, this
was twice overwhelmingly rejected by Guild,
in doing so Guild sent a clear message that we
will defend the principles which the Freemen of
Newcastle believe in and have protected over
the centuries.
The Newcastle Freemen numbers continue to
rise with over 1800 all sworn in by complying
with our rules. As with many choices in life being
married before the birth of a child is a matter
of choice for the parents. We should all ensure
our children understand the rules of admission,
in doing so they can then make the choice
whether they comply with our rules to ensure
their children are given the same opportunity as
their parents gave them to become Freemen
of Newcastle, because the alternative is to
disenfranchise the child and that family line from
the freelage forever.
We should never lose sight of the fact that the
Freemen of Newcastle have a proud heritage
based in a Country with a strong Christian
heritage which is reflected in our rules, rules
which are worth defending.
Shipwrights’
Day Out
On 24 October a party of Shipwrights visited
the Victoria Tunnel in Newcastle.
The tunnel was completed in 1842 and was used
to transport coal from Spital Tongues Colliery
to staiths at the mouth of the Ouseburn. This
the Ouseburn Trust (full details are available on
wasn’t the shortest route to the river but it was
their website). The tour lasted 2 hours though
the cheapest. If the coal had been taken
their leaflet said one hour, and we were
directly to the river at Elswick it would have been
provided with hard hats and torches. The
necessary to pay keelmen to transport it under
guides are all volunteers. Our guide Claire was
the low Georgian Tyne Bridge to the ships which
would take it to London. The colliery owners very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and gave
originally suggested a waggon way over the us a comprehensive history of the tunnel with
Town Moor but the Freemen said no and the plenty of stories to keep our attention.
tunnel was constructed. It is an appropriate place for a Shipwrights’ visit
as it links the area where they plied their trade
Although the tunnel was a financial success, the
with the Town Moor. Some of our party had
colliery wasn’t and both the colliery and tunnel
relatives who had used the tunnel as an air raid
closed in 1860. Both ends of the tunnel were
shelter in WWII when living in Byker. And if you
blocked off but it gained a new purpose during
need refreshment after the tour, there are some
the Second World War when it was used as an
good pubs in the area.
air-raid shelter. New access points were made in
the City Centre and at Ouse Street; the current It is our intention to have a tour of the old Holy
entrance. Jesus Hospital on City Road sometime in the
The Tunnel was recently repaired with funding spring.
from the Heritage Lottery and tours are run by
FreemenMagazine 11

A visit to the Archives.
Like many of the Incorporated Companies, the Coopers
Company does not have a Constitution or a set of rules.
Instead, it relies on the basic principles of good governance
and common sense, and when these are not sufficient, for
instance where matters of discipline are concerned, we fall
back upon our ancient Rule Book and Ordinary, which are
held in trust at the City’s Archives.
The City’s Archives are
presently located at Blandford
House, Newcastle, which also
houses The Discovery Museum.
The main thoroughfare takes
you past Charles Parsons’
record breaking Turbinia,
which dominates the entrance
foyer. The archive itself is on the
ground floor towards the rear
of the building and is accessed
via an imposing oak-panelled
corridor replete with Art Deco
stained glass, which betrays
the building’s original purpose.
Built in 1899, Blandford House
was the headquarters of
the Co-operative Wholesale
Society and the distribution
centre for over 100 Co-op
stores across the region.
Upon entering the archive, the
custodians explain the rules
and regulations governing
access to the various artefacts,
and the charges levied when
taking photographs. For
instance, you cannot use any
writing implement which might
leave a permanent mark
so only pencils are allowed.
Scrap paper is available but
a small donation is required if
you find yourself with nothing
to scribble on.
To the best of my knowledge,
only Company Stewards can
view original documents.
Company Keepers must use
one of the Microfiche viewers,
which can be booked in
advance.
12 FreemenMagazine
A loose-leaf folder details
the documents held in trust
by the Archive. The earliest
documents available were
our Rules Book, dated 1510,
and a copy of the Company’s
Ordinary from 1536.
The Ordinary is an extremely
fragile parchment sheet,
about fifteen inches by ten
inches. Hard to imagine that
this document was created
when Elizabeth the First was on
the throne.
Sadly, most of the text was
illegible to my untrained
eye but the collection of
signatures, each in a different
hand, was mostly legible.
Presumably these signatures
belong to the founding
members of the Company.
The Company Rules Books
were more informative. The
earliest entry was from 1510
although there were several
older entries without a date.
The handwriting was extremely
variable, reflecting the change
in Secretary from year to year.
In some cases, the script is
clearly legible. In others, it is an
indecipherable scrawl.
Many of the entries allude
to the working practices of
the Company. There are
descriptions of apprentices
starting work, contributing to
the business, and thereafter
being admitted to the
Company. Company Keepers
would pay the Company to
make ‘introductions’ on their
behalf or to do business with
other craft guilds. At a meeting
held on the thirty-first day of
January 1666, Gawen Reed
and Nicholas Brown both
paid the Company the sum
of one shilling for taking an
apprentice, or Journeyman,
into their workshops.
However, a significant
proportion relate to fines
imposed for breaking
Company ‘rules’. A fine of
three pence would commonly
be imposed for speaking out
of turn. On 11th July 1666,
John Todd was fined one
shilling for proclaiming “God!
But it’s hot!” and at the same
meeting, Thomas Robson was
fined three pence for smoking
without leave.
Missing a meeting carried
a heavier penalty. On 30th
June 1664, Daniel Stanger
and Bartholmew Hall were
fined sixpence for being
Nicholas Brown were fined one shilling for openly
absent without permission.
brawling within the Meeting House.
On 4th February 1670 Thomas
Richardson, Richard Smith and A few names do appear more than others. For
Thomas Pearson were each instance, at a meeting held on the 18th May 1665,
fined for attending a funeral Thomas Betson was fined for saying ‘unbrotherly
when they should have been words’ and that he cared ‘not a fart for the
at the Company Meeting, Company’. On 23rd June 1656, a complaint
which seems a bit harsh when was made against Betson by Company Keeper
viewed from our perspective. Gawen Reed for pulling Reed by the hair.
Heavier fines were imposed Neither were our ancestors beyond a childish
for ‘dodgy’ practices, such joke. On 7th May 1666, Thomas Robson was
as reusing butter caskets and fined for coming to the Meeting House without
thereby tainting the beer. On a cloak. Curiously, on the line below, we find two
1st October 1666, Humphrey entries stating that John Cramlington and William essential. An entry dated 19th June 1656 details a
Davison was fined three pence Lumsden were each fined one shilling for hiding fine of six shillings and eight pence levied against
for selling an unmarked Firkin Thomas Robson’s cloak. Barnard Simpson, Andrew White and several
and, at the same meeting, others for “abusing of the Stewards, contrary
Bartholmew Burrell was fined Bad behaviour away from the Meeting House was to order.” In today’s money this is over fifty
six shillings and eight pence for strongly discouraged. On 29th November 1668, pounds each and would be clearly intended to
calling away men from Robert William Leach was fined six shillings for beating encourage respect for the those in charge of the
Jackson’s shop. Thomas Pearson. On the line below, we find that Company.
George Lumsden was similarly fined for beating
The behavior within the William Leach, it would appear, at the same I came away with a better understanding of our
Meeting House was sometimes funeral. As might be expected, Coopers were ancestors, of their practices and habits, and their
less than gentlemanly. On 27th required to uphold and maintain the good name crimes and misdemeanors. Perhaps more so, I
January 1669, William Leach of the Company and a heavy fine was levied came away thankful that our Head Meetings are
and Nicholas Brown were against any Company Keeper who broke that far more orderly than in former times. Mostly.
fined six shillings for calling rule.
each other “a rogue”. On 17th David Hughes
April 1660, Anthony Walker and Respect for the Company Stewards was deemed Senior Steward. Coopers Company.
FreemenMagazine 13
Superintendent’s
Report
Carrying on from our last edition and my
Superintendent’s report I can now give
you an update on our environmental
Programme. Our Elizabethan fencing project
on Little Moor in Gosforth has now been
completed and I am pleased to report that
Scott Fencing working in conjunction with
the Town Moor Staff have done another
excellent job, not only has it improved the
vista around this parcel of Town Moor land it
has also created a safer environment for the
residents that use it.
Following on in our events calendar, my last
report brought you up to date to the end of
July. During the last week in August we had
the annual visit from the Circus, this was sited
in its usual place on the main Town Moor in
the Blue House corner, the circus was with
us for 2 weeks and the attendances were
reported as being good and in comparison
as with previous years proving that it is a
popular event with the residents in our
region. August Bank holiday weekend
hosted the Mela on the newly created
event site at the Exhibition park end of the
Town Moor, although it only operated on the
Sunday and Monday organisers reported a
healthy turn out. Moving into September the
Town Moor once again hosted the Morrison’s
Great North Run, with some 47000+ people
turning out to participate in this fabulous
event all raising millions for their chosen
charities.
14 FreemenMagazine
We then moved into November which saw
local running club Heaton Harriers host their
annual Memorial Race followed 2 weeks
later by their 5 and 10k race events, this date
was shared with the Movember run which
raises awareness and funds for testicular
cancer. Last but not least All Terrain Events
held their usual New Year’s Day Resolution
cross country run which raises funds for both
Water Aid and Saint Oswald’s Hospice.
Our grazing season came to a close on
the 31st of October; Our staff were busy
throughout the month assisting the graziers
with the removal of their cattle. Feedback
from our graziers was that of another
successful grazing season and all are looking
forward to being invited back for our 2016
season.
Our winter works programme got under way
with the on-going maintenance in Moor
Bank gardens. Billy Harland again using his
vast knowledge of arboriculture removed
several large species of trees from within
the site that were diseased, dying or simply
planted in the wrong location and were
suffering from light degradation. In our back
paddock Billy continued to remove all lower
limbs from the trees which will allow our staff
better access with agricultural plant and
machinery.
Due to the number of hurricanes that
breached our shores this winter several
conifer trees had uprooted or snapped
clean in half, these were tended to and
along with all the other brash were burned
on site. The gardens are now starting to
look much healthier and much tidier in
appearance.
On the 11th of January 2016 demolition /
reclamation works started on Intake 3
which used to be home to Nuns Moor
Brighton Grove Allotments. This is a 12.5
acres site which used to have some 120
plots available for cultivation, unfortunately
a high percentage of plots were not taken
up for this purpose and other parts of the
site fell into a bad state of repair resulting
in the association handing back the site to
the Stewards Committee of the Freemen.
W.L.Straughans were awarded the contract
and their proposed timescale is 10 weeks
to complete the site clearance and have
it ploughed over in readiness for us to take
forward into the next phase.
Our staff are currently preparing the moors
for the return of the cattle, as our grazing
gets under way on the 31st of March. We
will also be continuing with our fertiliser
programme this year it’s the main Town
Moor which will be receiving a dressing,
Town Moor staff member Dave Holland
will be carrying out the harrowing of some
330 acres in readiness for the fertiliser to be
applied once delivered to our premises,
hopefully this will be applied before the
cattle return.
Kevin Batey
Town Moor Superintendent.
FreemenMagazine 15

Newcastle Guilds
Ancient abstract taken from (BHO) British
History Online
Taylors
The oldest record of this fraternity is
dated October 8, 1536, and enjoined,
that every brother, at his setting up
shop, should pay a pot of oil to the
fellowship; as also thirteen-pence a year
to the stewards for “our Lady-light;”
and that each apprentice, or person
hired by the week, should pay four-
pence per annum, and each hireling
three-pence a year to their play when
it should be performed: also, that any
person born a subject of the king, and
free of Newcastle, might set up shop on
payment of £40, with a pound of wax
and a pot of oil, on his admittance; as
also thirteen-pence to our Lady-light,
and eight-pence to the play, which
exhibited “The Descent into Hell.” That
no Taylor should work on Saturdays
after eight o’clock in the evening,
and should keep holy the Sundays,
vigils, and festival days, on pain of six
pounds of wax for every default. That
the society should pass their accounts
on St. John’s day, in every May, and
having chosen twelve electors, the said
twelve should choose the four stewards,
the searchers, and auditors. It further
ordered, that every brother should be
at the procession on Corpus Christi
Day, before it passed the New-gate, on
pain of forfeiting a pound of wax; and
that each brother should attend in his
livery. And that the common light of the
fraternity should go before the corpse
of every brother when it was carried
to church for interment, and continue
there lighted during mass time, and till
16 FreemenMagazine
the body was interred; but if there be a
dirge, then the light to be extinguished
during the dirge.
There is another ordinary of this society,
dated August 12, 1624, confirmed,
March 2, 1679; also September 15,
1707, January 17, 1731, and October
17, 1737. This society, in 1773, in
commemoration of a rule of court
having been obtained August 10, that
year, against the magistrates of this
town, confirming the resident freemen,
and widows of freemen, in their right
to the Castle Leazes, Town, and Nun’s
Moor, for ever, together with £300 costs
of suit, presented each of the members
of the committee, who conducted the
cause of the burgesses, with a gold
ring, in the signet of each of which,
under a crystal, was represented, Liberty
stepping out of her temple, with a label
proceeding from her mouth, inscribed—
”Town Moor saved, August 10th, 1773.”
On the inside—”Concordia parvæ
res crescunt:” By concord small things
increase. Round the inner verge—
”Taylors’ Company to...........” (naming
each member); and round the outer
verge—”Vox Populi Vox Dei:” The voice
of the people is the voice of God. This
company at present consists of 46
members. Their hall is on the west side
of the Black Friars. They possess much
valuable property, and their rental
exceeds £600 per annum. Besides
relieving their sick and indigent brethren,
£8 are paid on the death of a brother or
brother’s wife, and widows receive 2s.
6d. per week. William Patterson, and Job
Jameson, jun. are the present stewards.
The ancient ordinary of the Skinners’
Company is dated January 20, 1437. The
names of Richard Hall, mayor, Thomas
Wardell, sheriff, Roger Thornton, Robert
Whelpington, Laurence Acton, Simon
Weldon, and William Ellerby, aldermen,
occur in it. The society were to meet seven years, on pain of forfeiting 6s.
on the Tuesday after Michaelmas every 8d. “to the light of the said craft;” that
year, unless that festival should fall on no Scotsman born should be taken
a Monday, and then on the Tuesday apprentice, nor allowed to work in the
seven-night following, to choose their town, under a penalty of 40s.
stewards, and pass their accounts. The
different orders it contained, together The society of Skinners and Glovers
with others of a subsequent date, were at present consists of 12 members, of
transcribed into their present order whom nine belong to the Angus family.
book, 1735. One of these forbade the They possess a parcel of ground called
use of tobacco at their meetings, under the Dispensary Square, which is let on
a penalty of 3d. for every offence. lease, and yields 16 guineas per annum.
The Glovers still choose three stewards
annually, and the Skinners two, who
Skinners and Glovers keep their accounts separately.
The Glovers, one of the bye-trades,
occur in 1648 as renting part of the
Skinners’ meeting-house, at the annual
rent of five shillings. They appear to
have been incorporated with the
Skinners about the year 1703. In 1712,
their meeting-house, on the west side
of the Black Friars, was repaired at
their joint expense. The ordinary of the
Glovers’ society, dated January 20,
1436, enjoined them to go together in
procession at the feast of Corpus Christi,
in a livery, and play their play at their
own charge; to choose annually three
stewards; that apprentices should serve
FreemenMagazine 17
Freemen of
Newcastle upon
Tyne Annual
Church Parade.
Sunday 8th May 2016
The 2016 Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
Annual Church Parade will be a high profile
event and will be promoted as part of the
800th Mayoral Celebrations with the Lord
Mayor and Sheriff leading the parade, as with
all occasions attended by the Lord Mayor in
the 800th year the City will be recording the
event.
As in previous years we invite Newcastle
Freemen to attend, see information in the
dates for the diary page. With regard to
Freemen wishing to attend and assist with
logistics it would be of assistance if those
wishing to attend let us know via email,
admin@freemenofnewcastle.org
18 FreemenMagazine
Ropemaker
learns
traditional craft
Today Grand Cayman is famous as one of
the World’s financial capitals, however years
ago one of the pillars of its economy was rope
making. Rope was required for the many ships
(including pirate ships) sailing to and from the
Caribbean and rope was a major export of
the Island. In earlier years, straw rope made
from the thatch palm was highly prized in
Cuba and Jamaica for use in shipping, fishing
and sugar industries. Exporting rope was
Cayman’s largest source of revenue.
When visiting Grand Cayman recently the
Senior Steward of the Incorporated Company
of Ropemakers, David Wilson, took time out
to be trained in the traditional craft of rope
making. He was instructed by Mr. Deal Ebanks,
an artisan whose family has been in Cayman
for many generations. He learned how the
Cayman rope is made from the leaves of the
Silver Thatch Palm Tree, with the leaves being
torn into fine strips before being twisted tightly
together to form the lengths of rope. The
resulting rope is very strong and is famously
resistant to the effects of sea water. The
photographs show David being trained in the
use of a traditional rope twisting machine and
a resulting length of rope which he helped to
make.
Interesting ‘historical’ facts or
‘fiction’, you decide.
Baths consisted of a Bread was divided according to status.
big tub filled with hot
water. The man of
Workers got the burnt bottom, the family
got the middle, and guests got the top, or
the house had the ‘the upper crust’.
privilege of the nice
clean water, then the
sons and men, and
then the women and
finally the children.
Last of all the babies,
by then the water was
so dirty you could actually lose someone
in it .. Hence the saying ‘Don’t throw the
baby out with the bath water.’
Most people got
married in June England is old and small and local folks
because they started running out of places to bury
took their yearly people, so they would dig up coffins,
bath in May, and take the bones to a bone-house and
they still smelled reuse the grave. When reopening these
pretty good in coffins, 1 in 25 coffins were found to have
June. However scratch marks on the inside and realised
since they were they had been burying people alive… So
starting to smell they would tie a string on the wrist of the
Brides carried a corpse, lead it through the coffin and up
bouquet of flowers to hide the through the ground and tie it to a bell.
body odour. Hence the custom Someone would have to sit out in the
of today of carrying a bouquet graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to
when getting married. listen for the bell; thus, someone could be,
‘saved by the bell’ or considered a ‘dead
They used to use urine to tan animal ringer’.
skins, so families would all pee in a
pot and the once a day it was taken and
sold to the tannery…..if you had to do
this to survive you were ‘piss poor’. But
worse than that were the really poor who
couldn’t even afford to buy a pot…. They
‘didn’t have a pot to piss in’.
FreemenMagazine 19

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-
piled high, with no wood underneath.
It was the only place for animals to get
warm, so all the cats and other small
animals (mice & bugs) lived in the roof.
When it rained it became slippery and
sometimes the animals would slip and
fall off the roof….Hence the saying ‘its
raining cats and dogs’. There was nothing
to stop things into the house, this posed a
real problem in the bedroom where bugs
and other dropping could drop onto the
bed. Hence a bed with big posts and a
sheet hung over the top afforded some
protection. that’s how canopy beds
came into existence.
Lead cups were used to drink ale
or whiskey, the combination would
sometimes knock the imbibers out for a
couple of days. Someone walking along
the road would take them for dead and
prepare them for burial… They were laid
out on the kitchen table for a couple of
days and the family would gather around
and eat and drink and wait and see if
they would wake up. Hence the custom
of holding a wake.
The Floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had
something other than dirt. Hence the
saying ‘dirt poor’. The wealthy had slate
floors that would get slippery in the winter
when wet, so they spread thresh (straw)
on the floor to help keep their footing.
As the winter wore on, they added more
thresh until, when you opened the door it
would all start slipping outside. A piece of
wood was placed in the entrance Hence;
a ‘thresh hold’.
In those days, they cooked in the scullery
with a big kettle that always hung over
the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and
added things to the pot. They ate mostly
vegetables and not much meat. They
would eat the stew for dinner, leaving
the leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and start over the next day.
Sometimes the stew had food in it that
had been there for days. Hence the
rhyme; ‘Peas porridge hot, peas porridge
cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days
old’. Sometimes they could obtain pork,
which made then feel quite special.
When visitor’s came they would hang
up their bacon to show off. It was a sign
of wealth that a man could ‘bring home
the bacon’. They would cup off a little to
share with guests and would all sit around
and ‘chew the fat’.
Those with money had plates made of
pewter. Food with a high acid content
caused some of the lead to leach onto
the food, causing lead poisoning death.
This happened mostly with tomatoes,
so for a next 400 years or so, tomatoes
were considered poisonous.
The Freemen of
Newcastle shop is open
Freemen of Newcastle upon
Tyne pin badges are available
now. The 16mm badge depicts
the armorial bearings of the
City circled by the inscription
“Freemen of the City of
Newcastle upon Tyne”.
The ever popular multi crested
silk ties are back in stock.
And new for the ladies - 25mm Charm,
Necklaces are also available complete
on a 60mm chain, both depict the
armorial bearings of the City circled by
the inscription “Freemen of the City of
Newcastle upon Tyne”.
Orders to Kevin
Batey Town Moor
Superintendent
at Moozr Bank
Lodge, payment
with order by
cheque payable
to ‘Freemen of
Newcastle upon
Tyne’ - the address can be found at the
rear of the magazine.
Ties - £27.00
Pin Badge - £3.00
Stick Pin Badge - £4.00
Charm - £6.00
Necklace - £7.00

20 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 21
 Hoppings Fair
Diary Dates Friday 17th – 25th June,
Official opening Saturday 1.30pm
Notice Board
18th June 2016.
Easter Guild Michaelmas Guild Bereavements Company Notices
Monday 4th April 2016 Monday 10th October 2016
Ronald Stephenson The Head Meeting
Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on
Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) Barber Surgeons of the Shipwrights
Quayside, bottom of Dean Street)
Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards Company will be held
only) begins at 10.30 am. only) begins at 10.00 am. At this particular David Johnson in the Lord Mayor’s
Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of meeting the Stewards Committee is Taylors Company Parlour of the Guildhall
Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 democratically elected via ballot for the
noon prompt. on Monday 6th June 2016 at
ensuing year.
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open Hugh Annan 7.30pm and all members are invited
Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 Tanners Company to attend. Ian Miller. 0191 252 1531
The meeting concludes with new Freemen noon prompt.
being called, and if present being sworn in You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open Kathleen Kennedy
by the Lord Mayor. The Head Meeting of the Tanners
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. Ralph Maughan
Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is The meeting concludes with new Freemen Guild will be held at
served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Coopers Company the Freemen’s Hall,
being called, and if present being sworn in
by the Lord Mayor. Blackfriars, Friars Street,
Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is Ian Charlton
Newcastle upon
Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. House Carpenters
Tyne, on Monday
Annual Church Parade Company
Christmas Guild 4th July, commencing at 6.45pm.
Sunday 8th May 2016
Monday 16th January 2017 W.E. Proctor Members are requested to inform
Held in the Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas. Held upstairs in Newcastle Guildhall (on the secretary of their attendance
Robing in the Cathedral Refectory at Plumbers Company
Quayside, bottom of Dean Street) via email:
9.30a.m. for commencement of parade Close Court of Guild (for Company Stewards
into the Cathedral at 9.45 a.m. with the Lord Olga Weatherstone tannersguild@mail.com or
only) begins at 10.00 am.
Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne. Open Court of Guild (for all Freemen of Shipwrights Company Tel: 07988 533 855 by 27th June
All Newcastle upon Tyne Freemen are Newcastle upon Tyne) commences at 12 2016.
welcome. noon prompt.
Should you need to borrow a robe there will Tom Hogarth
be a small quantity available on the day.
You must be seated by 12 noon for the Open
Guild in readiness to receive the Lord Mayor. Barber Surgeons Company Stewards Committee
To assist on the day, parking will be available The meeting concludes with new Freemen David Loraine
at Moor Bank Lodge and transport at being called, and if present being sworn in
9:00am to and from the Cathedral will be Cordwainers Company
provided.
by the Lord Mayor.
Following the proceedings a buffet lunch is
New Stewards Resigned from Stewards
served in the Merchant Adventurers Court. Committee. 3rd February 2016
John Charlton
Tom Charlton Phil Powell
Colliers Company Masons Company

Annual Guild Days Has been co-opted as a member

Colin Angus
of the Stewards Committee.
Christmas Guild - the first Monday after 13th January Skinners & Glovers Company
With his financial expertise Phil will interface
Easter Guild - the first Monday after Easter Monday Claire Cleveland with Committee and our Treasurer in
respect of management of finances of the
Michaelmas Guild - the first Monday after Michaelmas Monday Barber Surgeon Company Town Moor and T.M.M. Charities.

22 FreemenMagazine FreemenMagazine 23
 Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne
Superintendent and Office
Mr Kevin Batey,
Moor Bank Lodge, Claremont Road,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NL
Tel: 0191 2615970
Email: admin@freemenofnewcastle.org
Website: www.freemenofnewcastle.org

http://www.facebook.com/groups/
freemenofnewcastle

COPYRIGHT: Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne.

PUBLISHER: Riney Publishing Limited, Sue Riney-Smith
Tel: 01325 304360 Email: sue.riney@btinternet.com