Background Information

G

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Gabroon Ref 1-2898

A type of fustian cloth

Gaiter Ref 1-G8

A leather or cloth leg covering, often with buttons up the side

Gale Ref 1-714

A local name for the sweet myrtle – myrtus communis – which was used to produce a blue dye. This was used in dyeing wool. The effects of the leaves and berries were much stronger when soaked in ale

Galker Ref 1-G20

A type of ale

Galleried Houses Ref 1-2004

In some 19th century housing, such as top-and-bottom houses, a cantilevered walkway – with railings – from the street at the upper level gave access to the sections which were not directly on the street level.

There were many examples of such galleried houses in Hebden Bridge, and also at Green Lane, West Vale, St Peter Street, Boothtown and Waterloo Street, Boothtown

See Back-to-back houses and Up-and-over house

Gallery Ref 1-1800

Galleries in churches were introduced from the late 17th century to accommodate the increasing congregation, although some of these were considered unsightly and were removed by the High Church Movement. The organ – and later the choir – were usually in the west gallery

See Million Pound Act and Pews

Galliard Ref 1-445

A hard sandstone

Galliard Ref 1-G5

A lively French dance for two persons, usually in triple time

Gallipoly oil Ref 1-135

Or Oile. Recorded in the late 18th century: a superior type of olive oil

Gallon Ref 1-1396

A unit of capacity and volume equal to 4 quarts = 4·546 litres

Galloway Ref 1-1279

Aka Gallowa. A small horse used as a packhorse. These were the most commonly used on the Pennine routes.

The animals were typically about 14-15 hands (56 inches) tall. They carried 2 panniers, each holding about 120 lbs of goods – see load. The horses were originally bred in the Galloway region of Scotland. They are now extinct

See Jagger and Limegal

Gallows, Right of Ref 1-1799

A privilege of the lord of the manor to hang criminals convicted by his court. This applied to criminals who had been accused of theft, and caught red-handed, with the goods on their person

See Gibbet Law, Hand-habend, Hanging, Infangthief and Utfangthief

Galvanium Ref 1-2356

Aka Galvanism.

A therapeutic treatment using electricity to stimulate the body.

These were available from independent galvanists – such as Samuel Fleming - and at medical centres such as the Sunnyside Hydro Institution, Southport

Gambling Ref 1-G16

Some local connections with legal and illegal gambling include Seth Ambler, William Fielden, Aminadab Gaskin, John Russell Hadwen, Halifax Race Course, Samuel Halstead, Ladstone Rock, Norland Moor, Lottery, John Mitchell, Northowram Stocks, Edward Rookes, Jack Sharp, Southowram stocks, Sam Stead, Richard Stocks, Sun Woods, Shelf and PC Sykes

Game Lists Ref 1-523

19th century newspapers carried extensive Game Lists of game-keepers and people who had obtained Game Certificates. An Act of 1784, required

every person qualified in respect of property to kill game and every person who shall keep any dog, gun, net or other engine for the taking or destruction of game

to register and take out a certificate annually

Gangrene Ref 1-803

A disease in which the body tissue decays and dies as a result of bacterial action. Treatment may involve surgical removal of the tissue or amputation of the affected part.

The disease sets in through loss of blood supply to the area, which may be due to injury, frostbite, thrombosis, or diabetes. The affected part gradually turns black as bacteria colonise the tissue, and cause blood poisoning.

Gas gangrene is caused by infection of serious wounds with the bacterium Clostridium perfringens

See Mortification and St Anthony's fire

Gaol Ref 1-1320

The words gaol and gaoler are alternative spellings of jail and jailer.

See Jails

Gaol delivery Ref 1-1722

A hearing of the charges against all prisoners awaiting trial in the local gaol to decide their guilt or innocence

Gaol fever Ref 1-845

Another name for typhus which was prevalent in prisons where it was transmitted by body lice and fleas

Garderobe Ref 1-2403

This was originally a mediæval lavatory – often within the thickness of the wall of a building – with a chute leading to an external pit, cesspool, stream or moat.

Because the smell of ammonia wafting up the chute repelled moths, the room was often used for storing clothes – thus giving rise to the name which is related to the modern wardrobe.

See The Powder Closet, Shibden Hall

Garnetting Ref 1-199

A stage – similar to carding – in the production of shoddy and mungo when cotton and other materials were removed, converting waste fibres or yarns into a web of fibres.

See Seaming

Garnish Ref 1-G27

Tableware. A garnish of pewter was a complete set of platters, dishes, saucers, cups, and small plates. These were often placed on display

Garth Ref 1-142

An element used in place names which means an enclosure or a yard.

The word comes from the Old Norse garðr

Gas, Lighting & Sewage Act [1846] Ref 1-1229

Gascon Rolls Project [1317-1468] Ref 1-1191

A project to produce an online calendar of the Gascon Rolls which were drawn up by the English royal administration for Aquitaine, south-west France from 1273.

This & associated entries use material contributed by Joanne Backhouse

Gassing Ref 1-373

A stage in the processing of cotton and silk in which the thread is passed at high speed through a gas flame, or over a hot plate, to burn off stray ends of the fibre, making it smoother.

The terms polished cotton and silk finish cotton are also used.

The work was done by a gasser.

See Singeing

Gate Ref 1-649

Also yate. Used in place names – such as Lydgate – the element often means street and comes from the Norse gade.

It may also have the more obvious meaning of an entrance or exit.

In other parts of the Britain, the word has become yat.

See also the dialect form a-gate

Gauk Ref 1-771

The element – used in names such as Gauxholme and Gaukroger – may be derived from the Norse gauk [a cuckoo or a left-handed or clumsy person]

Gavelkind Ref 1-1364

An Old English custom – common in Kent and Wales – whereby a man's property was divided equally between his sons. If he had no sons, then it was divided equally between his daughters. If he had both sons and daughters, then only the sons benefited. It was abolished in 1992.

Compare this with Primogeniture

Gearing Ref 1-G28

Harness for horses which was used to pull the wagons and ploughs

GEDCOM Ref 1-G21

Abbr: GEnealogical Data COMmunication.

A standard computer file format for exchanging family history data.

The standard is defined by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Geld Ref 1-1098

Saxon-Norman term for arable land. It was also the tax or rent paid to the lord of the manor. The money often went to pay for the royal fleet.

See Danegeld, Domesday Book and Ship money

Geldale Ref 1-G23

A tax or payment

Genappe Ref 1-1091

A smooth worsted yarn and the cloth produced from it.

Named for the town of Genappe, Belgium where the material was originally produced

Genealogy Ref 1-G30

Generosus Ref 1-2433

A title given to the sons of a squire who himself had the formal title of Esquire.

He might also be addressed as Mr.

When the first-born son & heir of a squire inherited the estate, he received the title Esquire.

In another of the squire's sons inherited substantial lands, then his sons were also given the title generosus. For example

in the 1517 Will of William Savile, generosus, (he was son of John Savile of Hullenedge and wife Alice Lister), which was witnessed by Hugh Stansfeld, generosus. Hugh's father Richard, was a second son, but inherited substantial lands

This & associated entries use material contributed by Joanne Backhouse

GENUKI Ref 1-457

A family history and local history website for the UK and Ireland

GEOGRAPH.ORG.UK Ref 1-123

An Internet project to collate photographs of scenes from every Ordnance Survey grid square in the British Isles.

With kind consent of the Webmaster at GEOGPH.ORG.UK, photographs from the collection have been attached to many of the entries in Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion

George III Ref 1-515

[1738-1820] Son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and grandson of George II. He reigned from 25th October 1760 to 29th January 1820.

He was succeeded by his son George IV.

In 1809, a number of people subscribed to a fund which was raised for the celebration of the jubilee of George III in Halifax, including William Gath and James Taylor

George IV Ref 1-520

[1762-1830] Son of George III.

He was succeeded by his brother William IV

George Noble Ref 1-2957

In 1526, Henry VIII issued a George noble coin worth 6s/8d and a half George noble worth 3s/4d

See Noble

George V Ref 1-G1227

[1865-1936] On 25th July 1896, as the Duke of York, he visited Halifax with his wife, Mary of Teck, to open the Borough Markets and the Royal Halifax Infirmary. They paid a visit to Belle Vue.

He succeeded his father, Edward as King of the United Kingdom [1910-1936].

His coronation took place on 22nd June 1911.

A commemorative medallion was presented to schoolchildren in Hebden Bridge

Question: Does anyone know anything about the medallion? was it to celebrate the Coronation in 1911, or the royal visit in 1912? who funded the scheme? how many were distributed? were they only given in Hebden Bridge or were there similar medallions in other areas?

King George V and Queen Mary visited the district on 10th July 1912. This was the first visit by a reigning monarch.

His daughter was Princess Mary.

He was succeeded by his son, Edward VIII.

See Rev William Christopher Bell, William Crossley, George V Park, Lightcliffe, Halifax Madrigal Society, King Cross Band, Arthur Laycock, Manor Heath Mansion, Halifax, Royal Halifax Infirmary, Sandringham Time, The Stray, Lightcliffe, Tram Number 12, Tram Number 89, Tram Number 90, Reginald Alexander John Warneford and John Henry Whitley

George VI Ref 1-G1228

[1895-1952] He succeeded his brother, Edward, as King of the United Kingdom [1936-1952].

The newly-crowned George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Halifax on 20th October 1937.

He was succeeded by his daughter, Elizabeth.

See Conway's Limited and Rev William Foxley Norris

German Gas Attack Ref 1-982

On 17th April-7th May 1915, the German captured Battle of Hill 60 in Flanders.

In early May, they used gas shells.

On 19th December 1915, the Germans made an attack on British Troops using Phosgene Gas.

Many local men die in the attack, and others died later from the effects of the gas.

See Horace Sykes

German U-Boats Ref 1-1107

German U-Boats: During World Wars I & II, a number of local servicemen were lost in naval incidents involving German submarines of the Kaiserliche Marine and the Kriegsmarine

Gibraltar, Siege of Ref 1-509

[1779-1783] During the American Revolution, the Spanish – assisted by the French – imposed a blockade of Gibraltar. The British destroyed the blockades.

See John Medley

Gift Ref 1-G18

Many local charities were named after the benefactor, including Bates's Gift, Bentley's Gift, Boyes' Gift, Brooksbank's Gift, Chamberlain's Gift, Gledhill's Gift, Greenwood's Gift, John Greenwood's Gift, John Greenwood's Gift, Haworth's Gift, Hoyle's Gift, Naylor's Gift, Sutcliffe's Gift and Whitley's Gift

Gig Ref 1-1319

A light 2-wheeled carried pulled by one horse

Gig Ref 1-203

A knife which is used to remove knots from the surface of a piece of cloth

Gig mill Ref 1-180

A machine for carding / brushing the finished cloth to raise the nap by means of a set of teazels fixed to a rotating cylinder.

Also called a mozing mill, the machine was in use in some form from the 16th century.

They were used locally from the late 18th century.

By 1817, there were 72 gig mills in Yorkshire.

The gig mills were targetted by the Luddites.

See Carding, Cropping, Cloth dressing and Shearing frame

Gilbert Union Ref 1-1905

A parish or group of parishes which adopted the Gilbert Act [1782] to build a workhouse to house their poor

Gild Ref 1-G15

Old spelling of Guild

Gill Ref 1-1399

A unit of capacity and volume equal to ¼ pint = 5 fluid ounces = 0·1421 litres. In some parts of Britain – including Halifax – a gill is ½ pint

Gilling Ref 1-178

The cloth-making process of drawing a sliver between two pairs of rollers in which the movement of the fibres is controlled by pins on moving bars. Gilling performs three tasks: aligning the fibres, reducing the thickness of the sliver, and blending/mixing several slivers into one.

The process is carried out on a gill box.

Slubbing was a similar process

Gin Ref 1-1862

This cheap drink – distilled from malted grain and flavoured with juniper berries – became popular in the 18th century and was regarded as a cure-all.

It was also known as Calamity water and Hollands.

See Temperance

See Calamity water, Daffy, Hollands, Parliamentary brandy, Purl and Temperance

Ginger beer Ref 1-391

A non-alcoholic drink brewed with ginger and sugar.

See Ginger beer brewers and Horehound beer

Ginnel Ref 1-G25

Ginning Ref 1-521

The process of removing seeds and impurities from raw cotton fibres.

See Batting and Scutching

Given names Ref 1-2443

Given names – or, in the present context, Christian names – were entirely a matter of choice for the parents.

A rough convention which was in operation from the 1500s was, for boys:

the first son was named after the father's father
the second son after the mother's father
the third son after the father
the fourth son after the father's eldest brother

For girls:

the first daughter after the mother's mother
the second daughter after the father's mother
the third daughter after the mother
the fourth daughter after the mother's eldest sister

The name of a godparent might also be used

This & associated entries use material contributed by Joanne Backhouse

Glazing Ref 1-422

A stage in the processing of cotton in which the thread is heated and then coated with wax, starch or other chemicals to produce a hard, glossy finish

Glebe Ref 1-1175

Land belonging to the parish church and providing income as a part of the priest's benefice. These were listed in the Glebe Terrier.

The word meant soil or earth

Glebe Terrier Ref 1-1351

A document recording land, tithes, property and endowments belonging to the parish church and providing income as a part of the priest's benefice. A description of the church, graveyard, vicarage and other property are included. A cathedral record holds details of a cathedral's property.

See Glebe

Gled Ref 1-614

The element is used in local place names – such as Gledcliffe and Gledhill – and may be derived from

the name gled [meaning a kite] – because the birds may have once nested there
an old form of the word clay – because there was clay mining in the vicinity

Glee Ref 1-1647

A song written for three or more male solo parts, usually without instrumental accompaniment.

Glee clubs and glee societies were popular in the 19th century.

See Brighouse Glee & Madrigal Society, Madrigal and Rastrick Glee & Madrigal Society

The Glorious Revolution Ref 1-T46

The victory of William over James II at the Battle of the Boyne

Go where he will Ref 1-1496

A term which is used in Domesday Book for an Anglo-Saxon landholder who had freedom of jurisdiction over his land. This caused disputes after the Norman Conquest because, in the Norman system of landholding, tenants held land under a tenant-in-chief or the lord of the manor

Goad Ref 1-2199

Aka Rod

Goit Ref 1-G1

Local term for a water-channel – often an underground channel – or the small dam of a mill.

A tail goit channels the water from the mill.

Other spellings, such as: goyte and goyt are found

Gold Rush Ref 1-1254

The discovery of gold in various parts of the world, such as

The California Gold Rush [1848]
The Klondike Gold Rush [1896]
The West Coast of New Zealand Gold Rush [1864]

stimulated the emigration of many local people

Golden Dawn Ref 1-2070

Aka The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. A 19th century occult secret society.

See Dr Bogdan Edward Jastrzebski Edwards

Gonorrhea Ref 1-821

A sexually-transmitted disease

Goods & Chattels Ref 1-2319

Another term for a person's effects.

See Personal chattels

Gordon Riots Ref 1-1243

Anti-Catholic riots which took place in London in 1780

The distillery owned by Thomas Langdale was destroyed by fire

Gore Ref 1-146

A triangular – or irregularly-shaped – piece of land, often a difficult corner of an open field resulting from the terrain. The element is often used in place names and field names.

See Butt

Gossip Ref 1-1237

The word is derived from the Old English godsibb meaning a kinsman in God, and referred to a godparent.

The word is related to sibling.

Later [14th century], it was used to refer to any close friend, and then specifically for a friend of the mother who was present during childbirth – see midwife.

Later [16th century], it generalised to meaning a group of people taking part in idle talk, such as might be done to pass the time whilst awaiting childbirth

Gothic Architecture Ref 1-493

Gothic Revival Ref 1-2658

Architectural style popular in the 19th century.

It was a reappearance of the Gothic Architecture which flourished between 1180 and 1520.

See

Gout Ref 1-851

A disease – occurring mainly in men – causing the inflammation of the hands and feet, arthritis, and deformity. It was believed to be aggravated by drinking port wine

Goux system Ref 1-779

A domestic waste-disposal system – based on designs by Pierre Nicholas Goux – which succeeded dry earth closets.

The waste was collected into a tub and rammed down with a large plug before being covered with deodorising powder. The tub was then ready for re-use. The compacted waste could be removed and then disposed of.

Around 1870, Halifax was one of the first towns to use the system.

The Halifax Corporation Goux Yard stood on the east side of the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Caddy Field [1908].

In 1916, there are references in the Improvement Committee Minutes to changing them over to water closets.

From late 1923, a grant of around £4 5/- was being paid to householders who were using the system.

In 1926, it is recorded that they were being changed over to water closets on a gradual basis.

In 1933, Council Minutes indicate that they were still in the process of changing to water closets. In 1939, the task was completed.

Sowerby Bridge also used the system for disposal of night soil.

See Goux, Manure & Sanitary Company Limited

This & associated entries use material contributed by Alan Longbottom

Governess Ref 1-G35

A woman responsible for teaching and caring for young children in a private family.

The Brontë children had several such positions: Cottingley Old Hall, Greenhow family, Ingham family, Postlethwaite family, Robinson family, Sidgwick family, White family.

The characters in many of their novels take up posts as governesses and tutors, all based upon the sisters' own experiences

Governing document Ref 1-702

The formal document which sets up a charity and states, amongst other things, the objects of the charity, the powers of the charity, and the trustees who run the charity

This & associated entries use material contributed by Ivan Birch

GP Ref 1-916

General practitioner (in medicine), a doctor

Grain Ref 1-1393

A unit of weight equal to 1/7000th of a pound = 0·0648 gram. It was originally the weight of a seed of corn.

See Ounce apothecaries and Pennyweight

Grain Ref 1-618

Used in place names – such as Brook Grains Hill, Rastrick, Brook Grains Lane, Rishworth, Graining Water, and Oxygrains Bridge, Rishworth.

The word comes from the Old Norse grein and usually implies a junction, or a place where 2 watercourses join or divide

Grains of Paradise Ref 1-524

The seeds of a plant – aframomum melegueta – used in North and West African cuisine. Quassia and Cocculus Indicus were also used for similar purposes.

In the 19th century, they were used illegally in brewing to create an illusion of strength in gin and malt liquors.

In 1870, these were advertised on for sale the Liverpool Produce Market at 22/- per cwt.

The use of the seeds was undesirable because (1) they replaced hops and thus avoided payment of the appropriate duty, and (2) they were considered to be harmful.

In 1816, legislation prohibited dealers, brewers and beersellers from possessing or using the additives (with a penalty of £200), and prohibited druggists from selling them (with a penalty of £500).

In the mid 19th century, a number of local brewers and landlords – including

Edward Bates of Sowerby Bridge [1860]
Thomas Cookson of the Oddfellows' Arms, Elland [1860]
Eli Crossley of the Rose & Crown, Elland [1860]
Richard Edmondson of the West Hill Tavern, Halifax [1860]
Broadbent Greenroyd of the Old King Cross Inn, Halifax [1860]
Samuel Halstead of the Foresters' Arms, Norland [1860]
Joseph Mitchell at Copley Hall / Volunteer Arms, Copley [1860]
John Maude of Bolton Brow [1860]
Benjamin Mortimer of the Royal Hotel, Halifax [1860]
James Morton of the Hope Inn, Halifax [1860]
Samuel Whitehead of the Old Crispin, Halifax [1860]
Tom Wilkinson of the Punch Bowl, Salterhebble [1860]
Joseph Woodhead of Brighouse [1849]

- were fined and the renewal of their licences was challenged for having used the seeds in their brewing.

Druggists Richard Toone and Joseph Brice Walton were charged with supplying the grains

This & associated entries use material contributed by ROOTSCHAT

Grand Mal Ref 1-832

A severe epileptic fit characterised by convulsions affecting the whole body, and may result in loss of consciousness.

See Petit Mal

The Grand Tour Ref 1-1772

From the 17th and into the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common for the wealthy to go on a grand tour of Europe, visiting the cities and sites of classical antiquity – France, Italy, Greece, Turkey – to study the art and architecture. This was usually done by the men of the time.

See Harriet Smith Fisher, John Harper and Anne Lister

Grandam Ref 1-G22

A word for grandmother

Grange Ref 1-G2

A farmhouse or land with barns, stables, granaries and other farm-buildings, often belonging to the church or a monastery.

The bailiff in charge of a grange was known as the granger

Granger Report Ref 1-329

In 1848, the Public Health Act laid down standards for the health, sanitation and water supplies in the growing and overcrowded towns and cities of Britain. To assess the situation in readiness for enforcing the Act, a young engineer – William Ranger visited Halifax. The chief areas which caused him concern were Crib Lane, Cross Hills, Haley Hill, Hodgson's Fold, Orange Street, the City, The Square and Winding Road. His findings were published in the Granger Report

Granny Ref 1-1028

This may be a form of the element Grain, meaning

a junction, or a place where 2 watercourses join or divide

See Granny Hall, Brighouse, Granny Hill, Halifax and Granny Hill Lane, Copley

Grant in fee Ref 1-1651

Land given to someone in exchange for their services.

See Demise

Grantee Ref 1-G29

Anyone who buys or receives property.

The grantor is the person selling, giving or transferring property

Grave Ref 1-1448

See Body-snatcher, Coffin, Epitaphs, Graves, Memorials & Epitaphs, Graveyard shift, Infant vault, Private grave, Public grave and War Memorials

Grave Ref 1-G3

Gravel working Ref 1-360

The gravels – which occur with the sand and clay of the coal measures – have been successfully gathered for making concrete. Lake Calder was the source of much local gravel.

Small stones – such as would be of no use as flags or for other purposes – were often crushed to make gravel.

See Calder Valley Sand & Gravel Company Limited, Clay working, Elland Gravel Pits, Halifax Sand & Gravel Company Limited and Stone quarrying

Graves, Memorials & Epitaphs Ref 1-G26

Graveship Ref 1-1425

Graveyard shift Ref 1-1809

In Victorian times, a fear of being buried alive led to the practice of making a small hole to carry a thread from the corpse's finger to a small bell on the grave.

A member of the graveyard shift would be on duty to listen for the bell and exhume the person on hearing the bell ring.

In 1895, Dr J. C. Ouseley wrote that as many as 2,700 people were buried prematurely each year

Greasy piece Ref 1-924

A piece of cloth straight from the loom

Great beasts Ref 1-G9

Those animals which were part of a tithe. The equine beasts included horses, mules, and donkeys; the bovine beasts or rother beasts included oxen, bullocks, and cattle

The Great Exhibition [1851] Ref 1-1246

Prince Albert was a patron of industry, science and the arts, and he planned the Great Exhibition of 1851 as a showcase for industry and enterprise from Britain and the British Empire, and other parts of the world.

There were over 10,000 exhibits, and over 6 million people attended the exhibition which was held in the specially-built Crystal Palace designed by Joseph Paxton in Hyde Park, London.

Several local businesses exhibited their products at the Exhibition, including J. Aked & Sons, James Akroyd & Son, William Barraclough, Erasmus Bigelow, M. Bottomley & Sons, William Brown, Carpet mosaics, J. T. Clay & Sons Limited, John Foster & Son Limited, T. Gregory & Brothers, John Hadwen & Sons Limited, Hoadley & Pridie, John Holdsworth & Company Limited, Henry Charles McCrea, Jonathan Schofield, J. Schofield, Shepherd & Perfect, Samuel Wallis, Ward & McRea and John Wilson

Great Plague Ref 1-G17

This was the most famous epidemic of the bubonic plague, and it struck Britain during the period 1665-1666. In 1665, the Court and Parliament moved to Oxford

Great Pox Ref 1-880

Aka Syphilis as distinct from smallpox

Great Tithes dispute Ref 1-1217

The Waterhouse family of Halifax were the bailiffs in the North for the Priory of Lewes, and collected tithes and administered the lands in the Parish of Halifax. Because of the distance to Lewes, the monks encouraged the landowners to commute their tithes into money payments.

Robert Waterhouse of Shibden Hall triggered off a dispute over tithes in 1535 when he demanded a tenth of the harvest instead of the fixed sum of money which had become the custom.

A lawsuit followed and Gilbert Waterhouse, a kinsman of Waterhouse, killed with a dagger worth 20 pence George Crowther, one of the many who had opposed the demands. In 1607, David Waterhouse made an abortive proposal for the more rigorous exaction of first fruits and tithes

Greater tithe Ref 1-G7

See Tithe

Greave Ref 1-1222

Also Grieve, Grave, Reeve. A minor local official, bailiff or foreman whose responsibilities included the collection of rents and dues for the lord of the manor from the people of the graveship.

The word comes from the Old English gerefa

Greave Ref 1-2558

When used in place names – such as Good Greave, Hardcastle Crags, Great Greave, Soyland, Greave Clough, Hebden Bridge, Greave Head, Soyland, Greave House, Midgley, Greave Mill, Stainland, Raistrick Greave, Heptonstall, and The Greave, Midgley - the element may mean a woodland area, a grove [of trees or other plants].

See Grove

Greaveship Ref 1-1428

Aka Graveship. The area for which a greave was responsible.

See Manor of Wakefield

Green Ref 1-G11

An area of common grassland within a village which was used for grazing

Green Fever Ref 1-806

Aka Green sickness. A form of anæmia

Green track Ref 1-G6

An unpaved track such as was used by packhorses. As these became quagmires with the frequent traffic, many were changed to paved causeways

Grees Ref 1-657

Various forms of this element are used in local place names – such as Black gress, Brighouse, Greece Fields, Halifax, Greece House, Halifax and Thorngreese, Todmorden.

The element means steps or stairs

Grieve Ref 1-G14

Aka Greave

Grip Ref 1-1302

An artificial channel dug into the peat and moorland to allow the land to drain.

Unfortunately, these lead to flash flood effects, allowing the water to run off quickly and, in turn, leading to flooding of the rivers. This has been particularly bad in Swaledale.

See Drain

Groat Ref 1-2990

An obsolete silver coin which was worth four pence = 4d = issued by Edward I in 1279, and in circulation until 1662. A half groat coin was issued in 1344 by Edward III. The helmeted figure of Britannia first appeared on the silver groat of 1836. The last groats were issued in 1855. The coin is still used as Maundy Money. The name comes from Middle English and Middle Dutch word groot, meaning great referring to a thick penny

Grocer's itch Ref 1-33

A skin disease caused by mites found in sugar or flour

Grogram Ref 1-169

A coarse fabric, often stiffened with gum

Grout Ref 1-488

A type of beer

Grove Ref 1-653

When used in place names, the element may mean a grove [of trees or other plants] or a mine.

See Greave

Gruel Ref 1-2389

A thin porridge made by boiling a little oatmeal in a large amount of water

Guardian of the Poor Ref 1-G4

Guide stoop Ref 1-G13

Guild Ref 1-2241

Aka Gild. A body of skilled workers established for mutual support, for relief of the poor, and for standardisation, control and protection of their trade and prices.

There were often grades of membership: an apprentice progressing to a journeyman, and then to a master. Each grade had its own rules, its obligations and its privileges. They specified and controlled factors such as how long an apprentice must serve, how many apprentices a master may have.

The word guild is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for money, and reminds us that members of the guilds paid a fee.

There were guilds involved in cloth-making in London, Beverley, Nottingham, Norwich, and York, but there are no records of any guilds in the Halifax district. This led to complaints of unfair competition from weavers outside the district.

Religion played an important part in the life of the early guilds and each company had its own patron St and was associated with a particular church. The name of the patron St is often incorporated into the name of the guild.

The guilds and their monopolies were protected by, and paid money to, the sovereign.

In 1504, Henry VII placed guilds and companies under state supervision.

As the companies grew and prospered, they bought or built halls in the large towns and cities for use as meeting places. These were often known as Livery Halls, referring to the livery or uniform which members of the guild wore.

Social, economic and political events – such as the Industrial Revolution, overseas trade and the Reform Act – ended the dominance of some of the guilds, but others continue to the present day.

See Livery company and Mystery

Guillotine Ref 1-1239

The French version of the gibbet was named after the French physician, Joseph Ignace Guillotin who visited Halifax in his search for a means of execution during the time of the French Revolution.

In 1790, Guillotin demonstrated his new, humane and painless method of execution.

The design of the French guillotine is attributed to Antoine Louis, a surgeon, and originally the machine was named after him Louison or Louisette

Guillotine lock Ref 1-2877

A type of lock in which the gates are raised and lowered vertically. These are where there is insufficient space for conventional lock gates.

Two local examples are Brooksmouth Lock, Salterhebble and Library Lock, Todmorden

Guinea Ref 1-G24

Unit of currency before decimalisation equivalent to £1 1s = 21s = 21/-. The first guinea was worth £1 and minted with gold from the Guinea Coast in West Africa in 1662 when Charles II ordered that all coins be produced mechanically. It was coined for trade with Africa.

The guinea was often used in prestigious contexts, such as the prices of expensive goods and clothes, horse-racing prizes, and fees. The value of the golden guinea was fixed at 21 shillings in 1717. The coin was last minted in 1813.

Charles II introduced a two guinea coin in 1664, a five guinea coin in 1668, a half guinea worth 10s/6d in 1669. A quarter guinea worth 5s/3d was introduced in 1762, and a third guinea worth 6s/8d in 1797

Gules Ref 1-910

An heraldic term referring to the colour red

Gules of August Ref 1-G10

The 1st of August

Page Ref: B113_G

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