The Local Historian Volume 16 Number 2 May 1984

By Anthony Sutcliffe

Review of the development of urban history, especially in the context of local history, during the 1960s and 1970s, with critical commentary on many current and recent publications. The subjects discussed include: i) the nature of urban history itself and theoretical works on this issue; ii) bibliographies and journals; iii) archaeological reports; iv) medieval towns; v) the relationship between urbanisation and industrialisation; vi) market towns and their role; vii) social studies and urban sociology; viii) the 19th century town; and ix) urban government and planning.

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By Melvyn Jones

A case study of the changing pattern of woodland in the south Yorkshire parish of Tankersley, between Sheffield and Barnsley, using a range of sources and involving multidisciplinary analysis. The most important sources are Fitzwilliam estate maps of 1772 and 1906. These show that the proportion of woodland in the parish had increased very considerably between the two dates, a trend which might initially have seemed unexpected. However, closer analysis shows that during the 19th century there was large-scale ironstone working in the area and that the leases for mineral exploitation specified that when the land was levelled after mining had ceased it was to be planted or replanted. Detailed specifications for some of these plantations include evidence of the types of trees, and by the mid-19th century some of the wooded areas were beginning to produce timber for fencing and other light uses. The older woodlands are harder to trace, although they are alluded to in various 17th and 18th century sources. The author uses location and topographic evidence, place-names, surviving plant species and the documentary record to try to reconstruct the pattern of earlier woodland. He suggests that some of the present woods contain much larger than expected numbers of indicator species, although superficially they are of 19th century date, and that they therefore mark the locations of woodlands which originated before the beginning of the 17th century.

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By Chris Wrigley

The second part of this investigation into the 1926 General Strike looks at the events from the perspective of the labour force. The outbreaks of violence which followed attempted strike-breaking are noted, from the derailing of the 'Flying Scotsman' to the manifold acts of 'vandalism' or 'sabotage'. Evidence shows that strike-breakers were also instigators of violence. After the failure of the strike victimisation became a major problem, despite TUC demands, and many employers used the strike as an excuse to reduce the workforce. This was particularly apparent in the transport industries. Other employers took the men on again but in more menial and lower-paid jobs. Government responses to the strike included a general ban on strike action and regulation of levels of poor relief. Some strikers received long prison sentences, 'agitators' were rounded up, and miners were forced back to work after poor relief was withdrawn from their families. The article looks at the relationship between strikers and the wider community, gift-giving and donations, and the impact of the strike upon the Labour Party (see also 16 01 36-48).

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By Lionel M. Munby

The former editor of The Local Historian uses his own extensive experience in writing and publishing local history to give guidelines and advice for prospective authors. He discusses issues such as assessing the market, estimating sales, obtaining printing costs, finding printers, financial arrangements for the project, and joint ventures with other organisations or bodies.

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By Robert M. Gutchen

The article begins with a survey of earlier research and publications on the New Poor Law and notes the advantages to be gained from detailed local research, among them the 'demythologising' of the Poor Law, and a clearer understanding of how the system was perceived by its creators and operators as well as by its 'clientele'. It is suggested that popular fiction, with a general view of the system as invariably harsh, distorts the true picture. The role of the workhouse masters is then examined in detail, using the extensive documentary evidence held in the PRO, and the records of Boards of Guardians held at local record offices. The value of local newspapers as a source for reports of Guardians' meetings is noted. The activities of the masters were closely monitored and much evidence survives as a result. Masters were often from a lowly social stratum and yet had responsibility for feeding, clothing, housing, and caring for large numbers of inmates. They had to maintain buildings to a high standard, manage staff, deal with medical officers, police, magistrates, Guardians and central government, and ensure that multitudes of regulations were followed. Complaints about their work were common and there is abundant evidence of misdemeanour, but many masters carried out their tasks effectively and attracted little criticism. The author refers to instances where masters were held in high regard, contrasting these with others who were hounded out of office. Gutchen concludes with suggestions for further research to throw more light upon these important but often little-known figures in 19th century society.