Gild of Freemen of York

Older Citizens Advocacy York (OCAY) is this year’s chosen Master’s Charity. During his year as Gild Master, Bruce Harrison will undertake a series of walks to ‘beat the bounds’ of the strays to raise funds for OCAY’svaluable work with the over 50s in York and to highlight the benefits of green spaces for our wellbeing.

Walmgate, Micklegate (including Hob Moor), Monk and Bootham Strays, together comprise the Freemen Strays of York, an area of more than 800 acres of open land within the City of York. These strays are the remnants of much greater areas of moors, pasturage and common land known as the ‘folklands’ upon which the hereditary freemen or burghers of the city had the right, under certain conditions,to graze livestock. Just as the City Walls became essential for the protection of the city, so were the strays the basis of food security for its inhabitants.  

The strays have had to accommodate modern agricultural practices as well as the demands of a growing urban population over many centuries. Today they are managed by the City authorities, whilst the role of the Freemen has devolved to that of a benign overseer helping protect the ancient rights and customs of the city residents. 

The Gild takes its green ribbon and gown colouring from the verdant aspect of the strays and with the associated York Strays Council, ‘endeavours to ensure that the Strays remain in perpetuity, a valuable social amenity for the Citizens of York, and its visitors’.

First walk is Walmgate Stray on Thursday 25th September. Bruce will be on the bridge at the South East gate at 10am, allowing 2 hours to ‘beat the bounds’.