Burgess Lands Map, Newcastle-under-Lyme

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Date:1847

Description:This map shows the lands held in trust by the Burgesses of Newcastle-under-Lyme and was made by Richard Malabar.

Over 800 years ago the King granted the town a Royal Charter, and it became a Borough. People who lived in a Borough were called Burgesses, and they were allowed to use the ‘common’ lands that surrounded the town for grazing animals and growing crops.This land was divided into fields, known as Stubbs' Field, Clayton Field, Brampton Field, King's Field, Stoney Field, Ash Field and Pool Field. Although all of these field are now built on the names are still familiar today.

By the 18th century the Burgesses had the right to: grow crops or graze animals on Burgess land, not to be called up for military service, trade in the market and form a guild or traders' association, vote and a ‘burgage’ plot on the Burgess lands to live on.

After the government passed the Enclosure Act in 1816 the Burgesses were given a portion of the common land and a group of Trustees were formed to manage this land. Many Burgesses were involved in the running of the town and they often had important positions on the town council.

To become a Burgesses, you had to be a man over the age of 21 so long as they were either: apprenticed to a Burgess, the son of a Burgess, willing to pay for the title or given the title for free.

Newcastle's Burgesses today can no longer give or sell the right to be a burgess, are not involved in the running of the town.The original trustees sold most of the Burgess lands and invested the money, so on 1 March each year the Burgesses get a share of the profits.

Digitisation funded by Heritage Lottery Fund


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1830s
Cartoon study for the 'Mock Mayor' of Newcastle-under-Lyme
Cartoon study for the 'Mock Mayor' of Newcastle-under-Lyme

Oil on board depicting cartoon detail of images that were considered by the artist ...

1850s
Ordnance Survey, Public Health Act Map of Newcastle-under-Lyme – Sheet 5
Ordnance Survey, Public Health Act Map of Newcastle-under-Lyme – Sheet 5

These maps were surveyed in 1851 by the Ordnance Survey Department in accordance ...

1870s
John Williams, Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme
John Williams, Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme

John Williams wearing ceremonial robes and chains of office, carrying a ceremonial ...

1890s
Hargreaves,  High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Hargreaves, High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Photograph of Hargreaves, maltster and hop merchant.

1910s
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Bunting lines the streets, flags are flying, and residents are dressed in their ...

1920s
Mayor Choosing Ceremony for Robert Beresford, Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Mayor Choosing Ceremony for Robert Beresford, Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Mayor Choosing ceremony is a tradition in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The newly elected ...

1950s
Castle Hotel, High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Castle Hotel, High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Castle Hotel opened in around 1820 and was a popular coaching stop for traffic ...

1970s
Guildhall and Market Stalls, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Guildhall and Market Stalls, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Oil on canvas painted in 1975 by Donald H. Rose depicting the Guildhall in Newcastle-under-Lyme. ...

1990s
Guildhall and Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Guildhall and Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Watercolour signed by Alf Fallows and dated 1995 depicting the Guildhall clock and ...

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Creators: Mr Robert Malabar - Creator

Donor ref:NM.2017.227 (R) (22/35167)

Source: Brampton Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.