The following article is a long contemporary report of the Preston Guild Merchant of 1862, one of the most significant civic festivals in Victorian Lancashire. It frames the Guild as a historic institution dating back several centuries, originally formed to protect the rights and privileges of Preston’s freemen and burgesses. Held roughly every twenty years, the “Guild Merchant” was both a ceremonial renewal of civic rights and a major public celebration, combining civic governance, tradition, and large-scale festivity. The piece sets the 1862 Guild against a backdrop of economic hardship and social distress, noting contemporary debate about whether such expensive celebrations were appropriate. Despite this, the Corporation proceeds, partly justifying the event on the basis that it would bring economic benefit through visitors and trade, and potentially contribute to charitable relief funds. The article also reflects on the historical origins of guilds more broadly, tracing them back t...
Extensive and Interesting Discovery of Ancient Royal Treasure The Cuerdale Hoard Most Interesting Discovery of Anglo-Saxon Coins at Cuerdale Friday this week is the anniversary of the discovery of the Cuerdale Hoard, which is now 186 years ago. Between now and then, I am going to post about it on a regular basis. MOST INTERESTING DISCOVERY OF ANGLO-SAXON COINS. On Friday last a large collection of most valuable and interesting Anglo-Saxon coins, and other reliques of olden time, was discovered close to the river Ribble, at Cuerdale, near Preston. We understand that some workmen were employed in removing some ground on the banks of the river, which had become undermined by the action of the water, when they turned up an old leaden chest, containing about ten thousand of the coins alluded to, several silver bracelets, and a quantity of ingots or bars of silver. The coins are of silver, and weigh about twenty grains each. Mr. Assheton, of Downham Hall, near Clitheroe, is the owner of ...