Copy of Media Release - History and Heritage Yorkshire Magazine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yorkshire History Magazine Adopts ‘Pay What You Can’ Model to Make Heritage More Accessible

History and Heritage Yorkshire, the independent magazine dedicated to bringing the rich history of Yorkshire to life, is embracing a new, more inclusive approach to readership. From 18 February, the publication will operate on a ‘Pay What You Can’ model, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent people from engaging with the region’s fascinating past.

Founder and editor John Heywood launched History and Heritage Yorkshire over two years ago with the goal of making heritage and the arts accessible to all. However, after facing personal health challenges and reflecting on the financial struggles many people experience, they recognised the need for a more flexible pricing system.

“When money became tight for me, one of the first things I had to cut back on was subscriptions and memberships,” John explained. “It made me realise that for many people, cultural and historical content can be a luxury rather than a given. That goes against everything I believe in.”

Thanks to a new feature, the magazine’s online shop now allows readers to choose how much they pay for each issue or e-book—starting from free. Readers can adjust their contribution each month based on what they can afford, ensuring that everyone has access to Yorkshire’s stories, regardless of financial circumstances.

The decision has been met with widespread support from contributors and readers alike. “This is about keeping history open to all,” John added. “We hope this move will allow more people to engage with and celebrate Yorkshire’s incredible heritage.”

The magazine also has a new layout and a host of new and interesting writers.

The next issue of History and Heritage Yorkshire will be available on 18 February under the new model. Readers are encouraged to spread the word and help the magazine in its mission to make history more accessible than ever before.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact John at:

historyandheritageyorkshire@gmail.com or

https://payhip.com/HistoryandHeritageYorkshire (from 18 February)

https://bsky.app/profile/handhyorkshire.bsky.social

 

 

Important Changes to History and Heritage Yorkshire Magazine

As many of you know, I’m passionate about making heritage and the arts accessible to as many people as possible. That’s one of the main reasons I launched History and Heritage Yorkshire  magazine over two years ago. The goal was to create something informative and entertaining, covering a wide range of topics related to the fascinating history of our region.

We started with two price levels, and off we went. I hope we’ve achieved our aims so far. However, over the past few months, I’ve faced illness and the financial challenges that come with it. It’s made me reflect. When money became tight, one of the first things I had to cut back on was subscriptions and memberships. I miss some of them dearly, and it reminded me that these extras can be hard to afford for many people.

This goes against everything I believe in and what the magazine stands for. So, I asked myself: what can I do to help? Recently, Payhip (who run my online shop) introduced a system where people can choose what they pay for a magazine or e-book, starting from a free product. That amount can even change each month, depending on what someone can afford or want. 

I’ve spoken to contributors and some readers, and everyone seems to agree with the change. I hope you’ll understand my reasons for making this move.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. The next magazine will be out on 18 February, and this new system will begin from then. I hope you join with us as we start this new chapter together and hopefully spread the word about the county's fascinating history and heritage even more widely.

EXPLORING POVERTY: A HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ANALYSIS OF YORKSHIRE

 

View of Bradford from Cliff Quarry (1873) Illustrated London News.

The history of poverty in Yorkshire is a story of struggle and resilience, shaped by economic forces, social structures, and individual lives. Understanding this history helps us grasp the complexities of modern poverty and the enduring need for compassion and systemic change. By learning from the past, we can strive to create a future that ensures dignity and opportunity for all.

This article explores poverty, an issue that has shaped society for centuries, by looking at its key themes rather than focusing on a single event or individual. Poverty has always been a defining feature of life in Yorkshire, and understanding its history provides insight into how people have endured hardship and how society has responded to the challenges it brings.

Yorkshire, renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, holds a deeper story beneath the surface. Its history is marked by resilience in the face of socio-economic struggles, from the feudal era through the sweeping changes of the Industrial Revolution to the complexities of modern poverty. This narrative reveals not only the hardship endured by generations but also the ways individuals and communities have adapted, innovated, and survived.

In medieval times, Yorkshire’s landscapes were dotted with castles, abbeys, and market towns. Beneath this image of prosperity lay the harsh reality of feudal life. Society was rigidly hierarchical, with power concentrated in the hands of monarchs, nobles, and clergy. Peasants and serfs worked the land, their survival tied to its productivity. Crop failures, bad weather, or other misfortunes could plunge entire communities into starvation. In urban areas, the promise of opportunity was often undermined by deep inequality. Wealthy merchants and landowners lived in comfort, while poorer residents struggled to make ends meet. For most people, support came from family networks, the local community, or the church, as there were no formal systems of welfare.

Working in the fields: Illustration in Queen Mary's Psalter (c.1320)

The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries brought significant changes to Yorkshire, transforming it into a hub of industry and innovation. Cities like Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford became centres of textile production, coal mining, and manufacturing. This rapid industrialization created new opportunities, but it also exacerbated poverty. Rural areas were hit hard by the enclosure movement, which restructured land ownership and displaced many small farmers and labourers. Cottage industries that had sustained rural families for generations were wiped out by the rise of mechanised production in factories. As people flocked to cities in search of work, overcrowded slums emerged, characterized by poor sanitation, cramped housing, and dangerous working conditions. Women and children were particularly vulnerable, working long hours in mills and mines for low wages.

The early days of the industrial revolution

Frederick Engels, observing conditions in Bradford in the 1840s, described the grim reality: “Filth and discomfort reign... houses are ruinous and miserable.” While some philanthropists, like Titus Salt, attempted to improve living conditions by creating model villages such as Saltaire, much of society viewed poverty as a moral failing rather than a systemic issue. The harshness of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 reflected this attitude, with workhouses offering minimal aid under dehumanizing conditions.

By the late 19th century, attitudes toward poverty began to shift. Social reformers like Seebohm Rowntree conducted detailed studies to understand the causes and extent of poverty. His 1901 report on York revealed that nearly 30% of the population lived below the poverty line, even when the primary wage-earner in the family had a job. Rowntree’s work highlighted that poverty was often caused by factors beyond individual control, such as low wages, illness, or the death of a breadwinner. These findings challenged earlier beliefs that poverty was solely due to laziness or moral weakness.

The 20th century brought further change with the rise of the welfare state. Programs like the National Health Service and unemployment benefits aimed to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable. However, poverty did not disappear. The decline of Yorkshire’s traditional industries in the latter half of the century led to widespread unemployment and social upheaval. Entire communities built around coal mining, steel production, and textiles were devastated by factory closures and job losses. This economic collapse left lasting scars, including higher rates of ill health, poor education outcomes, and fractured community ties.

More recently, crises such as Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have added new layers to the challenges faced by Yorkshire’s poorest residents. Many families struggle with in-work poverty, where even those holding jobs cannot afford basic necessities. Child poverty rates in parts of the region, including Bradford and Leeds, have risen dramatically. According to recent reports, some areas of Yorkshire rank among the most deprived in England.

The history of poverty in Yorkshire is a story of struggle and resilience, shaped by economic forces, social structures, and individual lives. Understanding this history helps us grasp the complexities of modern poverty and the enduring need for compassion and systemic change. By learning from the past, we can strive to create a future that ensures dignity and opportunity for all.

 

GUARDIANS OF YORK MINSTER: THE LEGACY OF THE LIBERTY OF ST PETER AND ITS CONSTABULARY

Peter Gate, an entrance to York Minster Close, built in 1285, (York Museums Trust)

In the heart of medieval York, amidst the bustling streets and crowded markets, there existed a city within a city, a sanctuary of ecclesiastical power known as the Liberty of St Peter. This enclave, encompassing the grandeur of York Minster and its surrounding precinct, operated under its own laws and governance, beyond the reach of the city's mayor. Here, the church held sway, administering justice, housing its clergy, and even carrying out executions within its own walls.

Established in 1106, the Liberty of St Peter was a self-contained world, fortified by towering walls standing twelve feet high and guarded by four imposing gates. Inside, a mix of grassy lawns and cobblestone pathways cradled the Archbishop's Palace, the Dean's residence, and homes for the Canons, Treasurer, and Precentor. St William's College, the domain of chantry priests offering prayers for the deceased, added to the spirituality of the site..

The Old Close from The Handbookof the Cathedral Church of St Peter, George Benson, 

1895. (Allen County Public Library)

But power requires enforcement, and within this ecclesiastical realm lay an institution now unique in its purpose and longevity: it appointed its own officers (including constables) quite separately from the rest of the city of York responsible for the policing of the liberty. Responsible for the area’s need for order and security, they stood as custodians of law and guardians of the cathedral's sanctity. York Minster boasted its own police force, (although it was not called that until 1855. It had its own laws, court, prison and even its own gallows for executions; Peter Prison, York Minster’s jail and gallows, stood outside the West Front, and was used until 1837.

In 1839, the Liberty of St Peter, was dissolved. With its demise came the end of its unique constabulary, leaving a void in security within the precinct of York Minster. It was during this transition that Thomas Marshall emerged as the first recorded watchman, patrolling the grounds until 1854.

The year 1855 marked a pivotal moment in the annals of Minster history with the formal recognition of the "Minster Police" title, signifying the inception of a new era in law enforcement. William Gladin assumed the mantle, residing at 2 Precentor's Court, adjacent to the Minster, as the custodian of order within its walls.

Over time, the ranks of the Minster Police rose to now consists of ten officers, two wardens, and one sergeant, shouldering the responsibility of safeguarding over 380 sets of keys, guiding visitors, and ensuring the sanctity of the cathedral's treasures. local territorial police force, North Yorkshire Police retains primacy of policing throughout the county including York Minster, being responsible for the investigation of all crime and leading on all major or serious incidents.

York Minster Police (York Minster)

In a momentous turn of events though in February 2017, the Minster Police regained powers of arrest after an 80-year hiatus, heralding a return to their historical mandate. A concerted effort to update their training and authority ensued, culminating in a ceremonious affirmation of their capabilities in the spring.

It was reported that the restoration of powers followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Chapter of York and the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police. This agreement delineated the roles of each force, affirming the Minster Police's responsibility for security within the precinct while entrusting crime investigation and prosecution to North Yorkshire Police.

As custodians of a long tradition, the Minster Police constabulary stands as a testament to continuity in a changing world. They embody the enduring spirit of service, ensuring the preservation of York Minster's legacy for generations to come.

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The Importance of Truth, Transparency, and Honesty When Dealing with British History and Heritage

 

British history is vast, complex, and layered with stories of both remarkable achievements and deep injustices. It spans centuries of exploration, innovation, and cultural exchange, alongside periods of exploitation, colonisation, and systemic oppression. For a nation that has played a significant role in shaping the modern world, the way its history is taught, remembered, and understood carries profound implications—not only for the past but also for the present and future. In recent years, the calls for a more truthful, transparent, and honest engagement with British history have grown louder. Addressing this call isn't just a matter of academic rigor; it is a question of national integrity, social cohesion, and the possibility of genuine progress.

A commitment to truth in history requires an acknowledgment of the complexities and contradictions inherent in Britain’s past. This means moving beyond a simplified narrative that celebrates empire-building and technological advancements without accounting for the accompanying exploitation and suffering. The British Empire, at its height, governed over a quarter of the world’s population and brought unprecedented wealth to Britain. Yet, this prosperity came at the cost of the brutal transatlantic slave trade, the plundering of resources from colonised lands, and the systemic imposition of British rule that often crushed local cultures and autonomy. These aspects are not side stories; they are integral to understanding how Britain became a global power and must be recognised as such.

Transparency in dealing with British history involves confronting the darker chapters without attempting to sanitise or erase them. It means acknowledging the financial and human costs of Britain’s involvement in the slave trade, which lasted over two hundred years, and the way colonial enterprises led to widespread displacement and dispossession in places like India, Africa, and the Caribbean. Transparency also requires a willingness to examine how colonial profits helped to build many of the institutions that still define British society today, from the banking sector to prestigious universities. For instance, many of the country’s historical buildings and grand estates were funded directly or indirectly by the proceeds of slave labour. Acknowledging this helps to present a fuller, more accurate picture of Britain’s heritage, one that includes both its grandeur and its moral failures.

Honesty is essential in recognising that many of these historical injustices have long-lasting effects that still shape global inequalities and societal divisions. The legacy of colonialism is visible in the economic disparities between nations, the racial inequalities within Britain, and the cultural tensions that have emerged as people from former colonies have made their homes in the UK. The legacies of empire are not confined to the history books—they affect real lives today. For example, understanding the economic impact of colonial exploitation helps to explain why some communities have been left behind and why discussions about reparations or restorative justice continue to resonate. Honesty in this context does not mean self-flagellation; it means owning up to the full story to better understand the inequalities that persist.

Engaging with history in a truthful and transparent way is not about diminishing Britain’s accomplishments. The scientific, industrial, and cultural contributions that originated from the UK are undeniable and continue to shape the world. Figures like Shakespeare, Newton, and the leaders of the Industrial Revolution have made indelible marks on global civilisation. However, a one-sided narrative that only celebrates these achievements while ignoring the violent, extractive aspects of empire leads to an incomplete understanding of British identity. It also risks alienating those whose ancestral stories are tied to the more painful parts of this history. Acknowledging both the brilliance and the brutality of the past allows for a more inclusive narrative that speaks to all communities that make up modern Britain.

This approach also aligns with Britain’s own traditions of free speech, inquiry, and debate. The country prides itself on a democratic spirit and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Engaging with the full scope of its history should be seen as an extension of this tradition. It is a process that requires listening to historians, scholars, and the communities affected by Britain’s imperial past. It also means being open to new evidence and interpretations, even when they challenge long-held beliefs. For example, efforts to integrate the history of slavery and colonialism into school curricula are often met with resistance, yet such initiatives are crucial for educating the next generation in a way that is both balanced and accurate.

Furthermore, being truthful about history helps to build a healthier and more cohesive society. When a country acknowledges its past mistakes, it creates the space for meaningful dialogue and reconciliation. In the UK, where communities from around the world have settled and contributed to society, a shared understanding of history is vital for fostering social unity. This means creating a space where the contributions and sacrifices of those from the Commonwealth and beyond are recognised alongside those of British-born citizens. It means understanding why certain communities might feel a deep connection to the struggles of the past, and why they continue to seek recognition and justice. This honesty can lead to a more inclusive national identity, one that embraces diversity rather than fearing it.

In contrast, a refusal to confront the full story of Britain’s past risks perpetuating divisions and misunderstandings. It can fuel a sense of grievance among those who feel their histories are being erased or ignored, and it can create a false sense of superiority among those who believe that the empire was purely a force for good. Such perspectives are not just intellectually dishonest; they also hinder efforts to build a society based on mutual respect and understanding. They prevent the kind of national reckoning that can help to heal old wounds and create a more just future.

Ultimately, the importance of truth, transparency, and honesty when dealing with British history and heritage lies in the potential for growth and learning. The past cannot be changed, but how we choose to engage with it can shape the kind of society we aspire to become. A more honest engagement with history opens the door to a deeper appreciation of the richness of Britain’s cultural mix, the resilience of its people, and the ways in which the struggles of the past inform the challenges of today. It allows for a more inclusive vision of British identity—one that honours its heritage while acknowledging the debts owed to those whose stories have often been left in the shadows. It is through this process that the UK can hope to move forward, not by erasing its past, but by embracing it fully, with all its complexities and contradictions.