Burgess Lands Map, Newcastle-under-Lyme

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Date:1860 - 1880 (c.)

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.This land was known as Stubbs' Field, Clayton Field, Brampton Field, King's Field, Stoney Field, Ash Field and Pool Field.

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 have 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 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 each Burgess gets 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 ...

1880s
Thomas Peake Heath, Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme
Thomas Peake Heath, Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme

Thomas Peake Heath standing in ceremonial robes. Heath was Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme ...

1900s
William Booth's visit to Newcastle-Under-Lyme
William Booth's visit to Newcastle-Under-Lyme

William Booth was a British Methodist Preacher and the founder and first General ...

1920s
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The tram lines visible in the centre of this photograph give the date of pre 1928, ...

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 ...

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 ,  Waterlow and Sons, London - Creator

Donor ref:NM.2017.228 (R) (22/34901)

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.