Bondagers

[Maggie/915]

Bondagers.

An interesting topic.

It has come up because someone is researching their ancestors in rural Northumberland.

If anyone wants more information then make the 27th April 2015 a date to remember 7:30 at The Coffin Chapel.

Mrs Dinah Iredale who used to live in Bedlington and attend Saint Cuthbert's is to give a talk at the Bedlington History Society on the Bondagers.

She has written a book on the subject.

[pilgrim]

there is a long history of 'bondagers' in the county. the men had annual hirings from most village greens and it was all change when folk changed house - but I think he original term was used to refer to the unpaid womenfolk, and the references you see in the electoral roles (although they couldn't vote so it was the census) to female servants. the man was employed and the women were expected to do a proportion of work, as well as keeping the house and children in order.

[Symptoms]

Is this the same as 'bonded labour'?  A scheme that the Tories would be very interested in expanding if they won the GE ... it would fit very nicely alongside zero-hours contracts and internships.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Symptoms

[pilgrim]

The bondagers were a respected and an accepted part of rural living along with the 'hirings' - and were no different from the 'tied' housing associated with so many industries. 'Bonded' labour can be many things -- the requirement in past times of the occupier of the land to provide free service so many days a year to either the feudal estate and/or the church. The name of 'tithe' barns relates to the 10% precept that any producer had to give to the church.

Articles of apprenticeship were actually 'bonded' labour within that definition.

The concept of full time employment is relatively modern, for example the shipbuilding industry - where the tradesman was employed for that element of his skill and then moved on to another contract when he had completed his particular area of work.

Perhaps a bit of research into the Truck Acts might be of benefit, the most wide ranging being introduced in 1887 when Victoria was on the throne and a 'Tory' government was in power.

I seem to think that in the two terms of post that the last 'labour' government had they did not address 'zero hours' contracts and spent more parliamentary time on fox hunting than if we should go to war? however they did introduce over 3,600 items of legislation which went a long way to criminalising a large proportion of the population.

[pilgrim]

just to hoy in a dafty -- there were 45 MPs in the house today - ooh last day of term lets pack our bags and go off on a jolly for the half-term recess.... or were they all in the bar having end of term frolics??

[Maggie/915]

Maybe we could do something along the lines of the 'Bondagers 'for MP's.

After all they often employ their wives.

Wonder where they are going on holiday.

Have they been inspired by Robson Green.

Maybe a 'dual carriageway' to Scotland is planned.

[Symptoms]

I should have done this the other day ... Googled:

 

http://thebondagers.com/the-bondagers-home

[Maggie/915]

Aye and you can meet and hear the lady (Dinah Iredale) in April at the History Society.

An impressive individual who did most of the illustrations for her book.