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Author Topic: Ridings and Wapentakes  (Read 164 times)
trish251
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Ridings and Wapentakes
« on: Thursday 28 October 04 13:48 BST (UK) »
I realise the english spoken in Australia is not always understandable, but  I thought I could understand most English used in England until I started researching family in Yorkshire. Could someone please tell me

What is a Riding and why is there no South Riding?

What is a Wapentake (and where did this word originate?) - which I read became obsolete in 1900 - so do I even need to know about same?

Where does The Ainsty and York fit into the picture - is York not part of a riding? What is the Ainsty?

Huh Huh Huh Huh Huh Huh

Trish
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Little Nell
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Re: Ridings and Wapentakes
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 28 October 04 13:58 BST (UK) »
Hi trish,

Have a look at these two sites.  The first one looks as if it will answer your question.

http://members.aol.com/wryorks/wapen.htm
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/

Nell
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trish251
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Re: Ridings and Wapentakes
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 28 October 04 14:49 BST (UK) »
Hi Nell

Many thanks - the first one was what I was looking for. Genuki had all the terms, but I couldn't find many explanations - seems I may have to buy the book.

Trish
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Hackstaple
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Re: Ridings and Wapentakes
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 28 October 04 14:52 BST (UK) »
Wapentake, from Norse and found only in those areas which were substantially under Viking rule - the northern counties of England. In the south these are mostly known as Hundreds - administrative sub-districts. Wapentake is "the touching of weapons". When a new chief was elected the men of the tribe touched their spears to his showing that their spears were at his service.
Ridings is from Thridings [thirdings or thirds]. that is why there are 3 and not 4.
The Liberty of Ainsty and York was a major administrative unit that fell outside the Ridings and was administered by the aldermen and clergy of York.
We like to keep these quaint things on the go - it is part of being British.
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Southern or Southan [Hereford , Monmouthshire & Glos], Jenkins, Meredith and Morgan [Monmouthshire and Glos.], Murrill, Damary, Damry, Ray, Lawrence [all Middx. & London], Nethway from Kenn or Yatton. Also Riley and Lyons in South Africa.
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trish251
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Re: Ridings and Wapentakes
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 28 October 04 15:06 BST (UK) »
Hi Hack

Many thanks - being of English, Scottish and Irish descent (have not found anyone from Wales yet), I'm learning about these quaint customs - I just keep finding new ones all the time, which is why my child will probably have to complete the family history.

Trish
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