My cousin, who still lives in Malmesbury, sent me a parcel of goodies, this being one I thought should go to the lists since it contains names that are being researched by members. It is correct as much as my eyes can read it <G>. Eliz MALMESBURY'S NEW COMMONERS EIGHT "TAKE UP THEIR RIGHTS" Flogging the COMMONERS This picture shows a young commoner taking possession of a plot of land on Malmesbury Common. The Common was bequeathed to Malmesbury by King Athelstan one thousand years ago, each new commoner having to be flogged before receiving his portion. The ceremony has been faithfully carried out every New Year's Day ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury are a body that down to the year 1886 performed the magisterial and municipal duties in the borough. They are still styled the "Old Corporation" but their chief function is the control and management of the several hundred acres of land known as the Kings Heath or Malmesbury Commons, which was given by King Athelstan to the men of Malmesbury and their descendants, in perpetuity as a reward for their services in helping him to defeat the Danes. This right of Common is still as jealously guarded as it ever has been, and the bona fides of any claimant to an "allotment" are carefully examined. The Principal business transacted at the meeting of the Freeman, held in St John's Court-house on Saturday was the admission of young commoners who on Monday in accordance with long established custom perambulate the Common with the intention of taking possession of the piece of land to which they are entitled inn so far as plots have become available either through the demise or lapse of the previous owner. They were accompanied by the Steward of the Common Land (Mr. C. BOX) There was a formula to be observed. The Steward gave each commoner a smite with the hazel twig, accompany this with the words "I give this land to thee as freely as King Athelstan gave to me, and I hope a loving brother thou will be." Subsquently the company adjourned to the Royal Oak Inn at Foxley, where the fees paid on the gound by the new commoners were expended on light refreshments. Mr M. H. CHUBB (High Steward) presided at Saturday's proceedings, and was accompanied by the Deputy High Steward and Clerk to the Corporation (Mr A. W. CHUBB) All but one (W. PONTING) of the officers were present, capital and assistant burgesses occupying their customary places in the age-old court-room. DISCOMMONED Arthur WATTS, who has left the town (an absence of six weeks is a disqualification), forfeited his "right". NEW OWNERS The names of the new Commoners, with those to whose allotments they will succeed are appended; Reginald LEDDINGTON, vice Edwin JEFFERIES; V. SELBY, vice Charles PIKE; F. BOWMAN, Vice Percy HARRIS; F.J. JEFFERIES, vice George SHARPE; Ernest GOODFIELD, vice B. LEWIS, Fred BAILEY, vice Mrs S. ADAY; F. JOHNSON, vice Mrs S. CARTER; Reginald CLARK, vice A WATTS. BY PROXY The question was raised as to whether Ronald PIKE who became entitled to an allotment on Lady Day but is present in America, could take up his land by proxy. The High Steward said that this would be in order, as a precedent had been established. There was nothing to prevent the man's wife who is resident in the town, claiming the allotment