 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
Crimes such as theft would be dealt with at the
Quarter Sessions which were held at various towns in the North Riding
of Yorkshire. The sentence could include a public whipping at the locality of the offence, as a lesson to the criminal and a warning to potential offenders. The public whipping of women was stopped in 1817 and of men in 1830. Even after these dates Corporal punishment continued to be applied in prisons, prior to release to deter re-offending. Persistent offenders could be transported. Capital offences, of which there were many, were referred to the Assizes at York for trial before a judge. 1695 - One of the coldest winters ever known saw the greatest spread of Arctic ice down below Iceland. 1696 - A Window Tax was introduced to raise money for war with the French, who were supporting the return of James II. [English troops were fighting alongside the Dutch to prevent French expansion into the Lowlands.] The tax was 2 shillings on each property with increased amounts based on the number of windows. Some people with over a certain number of windows blocked them up to avoid payment. 1699 The Quarter Sessions for the North Riding sitting at Richmond orders against cursing. 'Ministers are to read quarterly in their Churches, under pain of punishment for neglect, the recent Statute against profane swearing and cursing, and also his Majestey's recent proclamation for the preventing and punishing of immorality and profaneness, to the end that these lawes be better observed in these parts than they are at present.' |
| 1701 - Death of John Trotter of Skelton Castle, who predeceased his father Edward Trotter. John was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Godfrey Lawson, a merchant of Leeds. They had 9 children Lawson, the eldest son who became heir to the estate, Robert, Henry, George, John, Edward, Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret. The only one to marry was the eldest daughter Catherine. |
 |
 |
 |
1702 - Death of William III and accession
of Queen Anne.
1706 Death of John Calvert of, who left a charity 20 9s [worth £2,200 in the year 2002], producing 10s 4d income, to be distributed as a dole for the poor of Moorsholm. A stone set in the north wall of Skelton old church bears his name. 1707 - In July this year occurred 'Hot Tuesday', when many died from a heatwave in parts of England. 1708 - Death of Edward Trotter age 71. He was succeeded by his grandson Lawson. 1711 - Thomas Postgate, a tanner and brewer, was "accidentally drowned in Skelton Ellers between ye houres of 12 and 3 in the daytime." Prior to the building of the sandstone bridges there, the two crossings were by ford and presumably Skelton beck was in flood, the month being December. 1713 - Elizabeth Trotter gives 200 to Skelton church 'living' |