>From Wikipedia: A wapentake is a term derived from the _Old Norse_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Norse) vápnatak _[2]_ (http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1O27:wapentake/wapentake.html?refid=ip_hf) , the rough equivalent of an _Anglo-Saxon_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxons) hundred. The word denotes an administrative meeting place, typically a crossroads or a ford in a river where attendance or voting would be denoted or conducted by the show of _weapons_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon) . The _Danelaw_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danelaw) counties of _Yorkshire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire) , _Derbyshire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derbyshire) , _Leicestershire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicestershire) , _Northamptonshire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northamptonshire) , _Nottinghamshire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottinghamshire) , _Rutland_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutland) and _Lincolnshire_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincolnshire) were divided into wapentakes, just as most of the remainder of _England_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England) was divided into hundreds. In Yorkshire, a Norse wapentake usually replaced several Anglo-Saxon hundreds. This process was complete by 1086 in the North and West _Ridings_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riding_(division)) , but continued in the East Riding until the mid 12th century. Melba LaRose In a message dated 2/18/2008 6:39:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, benoni@cen turytel.net writes: We had been discussing the 1379 poll tax of Howdenshire, Yorkshire, England which contained the names of several Sissons. I have found that Howden is only "nine miles from Snaith." This would make it seem more logical that our Sissons did come from Snaith, since the poll tax was in the same shire. What is meant by "Snaith in the wapentake of Osgoldcross, liberty & bailiwich ....?" I have never seen the word wapentake before. I know what a bailiwick is, but I may have to write to my English friend, to explain wapentake. I hope you are able to go to the site of the (Norman) church in Snaith. I would also suggest viewing the (Church Crawler site) by Phil Draper. Almost every Parish has an old Norman church, and they are very beautiful. Mary Jo ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SISSON-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Melba NY Artists Unlimited **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)