The Amateur Historian Volume 5 Number 4 Summer 1962

By Kuhlicke, F.W.

pp 98-106

Merchants' marks are found on medieval houses and churches, inscribed on woodwork or painted on walls. They are often apparently related to folklore themes and to magic, and many seem to be runic in nature - possibly they derive from 'cultural protective symbolism', and later were used to denote ownership. Many originated in Northern Europe and in pre-Christian times were seemingly based on Mongolian or Greek symbols. They are also linked to the heraldic themes of personal or family badges, as well as showing origin of workmanship, and manufacture. The author analyses the development of these marks and shows how certain crafts and skills adopted common patterns. As the merchant class developed, their marks became more heraldic in nature, until the official heralds ruled against them. They declined in popularity as the merchants were granted 'real' coats of arms.

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By Banister, J.N.

pp 107-110

Short study of church memorials in Leyland and Whittle-le-Woods, Lancashire, in which the author details the stained glass windows, brasses and memorials relating to notable families of the district.

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By Ketchley, C.P.

pp 111-114

Removal orders are now familiar to many local and family historians but in the early 1950s were very little known. They relate to disputes between parishes or townships over liability for maintaining the poor: a person could be 'removed' from the parish or township in which he (or she) lived to that in which he was legally settled, a procedure which was legally more strictly defined from 1662 onwards. These disputes were common, and from the later 17th century any which could not be mutually resolved were decided by two justices, who attempted to judge whether parishes were interpreting the law to their own advantage. Removal orders, the formal record of these decisions, now represent a major source for the history of the poor.

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By Mann, Richard I.

pp 115-120

The author recommends the use of field surveys as a serious method of research into local history which takes an archaeological perspective, and outlines a methodology. He discusses practical questions such as the most favourable time of year, procedures for obtaining permission to survey, equipment which might be used, cross-referencing to aerial photographs, and how to deal with finds. He also considers the physical process of surveying an area, including how to mark and how to record finds.