Kesteven
The Parts of Kesteven (/ˈkɛstəvən/ or /kəˈstiːvən/) are a traditional subdivision of Lincolnshire, England. This subdivision had long had a separate county administration (quarter sessions), along with two other parts, Lindsey and Holland.
| Lincolnshire, Parts of Kesteven | |
|---|---|
 | |
| History | |
| • Created | 1889 |
| • Abolished | 1974 |
| • Succeeded by | Lincolnshire |
| Status | Administrative county |
| • HQ | Sleaford |
Etymology
The word Kesteven is supposed to have derived from two root words: the Celtic ced meaning wood (compare Modern Welsh coed) and the Old Norse stefna, a meeting place. The earliest record of the place name is from about 1000 AD (in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire) and was spelt Ceostefne, developing into Ketstevene by 1194.[1]
Administrative areas
Wapentakes and Sokes
Historically, Lincolnshire was divided into wapentakes, hundreds and sokes.[2] The following made up Kesteven:
- Aswardburn Wapentake
- Aveland Wapentake
- Beltisloe Wapentake
- Boothby Graffo Wapentake
- Flaxwell Wapentake
- Langoe Wapentake
- Lovedon Wapentake
- Ness Wapentake
- Winnibriggs and Threo Wapentake
- Borough and Soke of Grantham
- Stamford Borough
Local Government Act 1888
The three parts were given separate elected county councils in 1889 by the Local Government Act 1888, and recognised as administrative counties.[3] Kesteven lies in the south-west of Lincolnshire. It includes the towns of:
- Bourne
- Bracebridge
- Grantham
- Market Deeping
- Sleaford
- Stamford
Local Government Act 1894
Under the Local Government Act 1894 Kesteven was divided into a number of rural district and urban districts based on earlier sanitary districts:[4]
- Bourne Rural District
- Branston Rural District
- Grantham Rural District
- Claypole Rural District
- Sleaford Rural District
- Uffington Rural District
The urban districts and boroughs were:
- Bourne
- Bracebridge
- Grantham (borough)
- Ruskington
- Sleaford
- Stamford (borough)
Bourne Urban District was abolished in 1920, with Bourne becoming a parish in Bourne Rural District. Bracebridge became part of the county borough of Lincoln that same year, becoming associated with the Parts of Lindsey.
Local Government Act 1929
The rural districts were re-organised by a County Review Order in 1929, to create four new districts named after points of the compass:[5]
Local Government Act 1972
These separate county councils were abolished in 1974 and Lincolnshire (minus the northern part of Lindsey) had a single county council for the first time, although the names of the Parts survive in some of the names of district councils. Under the Local Government Act 1972, the four rural districts in Kesteven, along with the boroughs and urban district, merged into two district councils:[6]
- North Kesteven District Council - A merger of North and East Rural Districts and Sleaford Urban District
- South Kesteven District Council - A merger of South and West Rural Districts and the boroughs of Grantham and Stamford
Kesteven County Council
Chairmen
- 1889–98: Sir William Welby-Gregory, 4th Baronet
- 1898–1921: Sir John Thorold, 12th Baronet.[7]
- 1921–34: Sir Charles Welby, 5th Baronet
- 1934–54: Sir Robert Pattinson
- 1955–62: F. J. Jenkinson
- 1962–67: H. W. N. Fane
- 1968–73: J. H. Lewis
Vice-chairmen
- 1889–98: Sir John Thorold, 12th Baronet.[7]
- 1898–1904: Sir Hugh Cholmeley, 3rd Baronet.[8]
- 1904–09: Valentine Stapleton.[8][9]
- 1909–21: Sir Charles Welby, 5th Baronet.[9]
- 1921–34: Robert Pattinson
- 1934–37: W. V. R. King-Fane
- 1937–40: J. H. Bowman
- 1940–55: F. J. Jenkinson
- 1955–56: John Cracroft-Amcotts
- 1957–62: H. W. N. Fane
Coat of arms
Kesteven County Council received a grant of arms in 1950. The Lincoln green shield bears an ermine pale, representing the Roman Ermine Street which runs the length of the county. This is charged with an oak tree for the ancient forests, among them Kesteven Forest. A drawing of the arms of Kesteven County Council can be found here.
The crest shows a heron with a pike in its beak. The dexter supporter is a Roman legionary which recalls the Roman settlements of the county. The sinister supporter is a poacher, recalling the song "The Lincolnshire Poacher", an unofficial anthem of Lincolnshire.[10][11]
Titles of nobility associated with Kesteven
- The title of Baron Kesteven existed from 1868 until 1915.
- The title of Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven existed from 1715 to 1809.
- Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Kesteven native, chose 'of Kesteven' as territorial designation for her life peerage in 1992, becoming Baroness Thatcher, of Kesteven in the County of Lincolnshire.[12]
See also
References
- "Kesteven".
- Parson, William (1826). The History and Directory of the Towns and Principal Villages in the County of Lincoln. Leeds: William White & Co. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- The Local Government Act 1888 (51 & 52 Vict. c.41)
- The Local Government Act 1894 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 73)
- Local Government Act 1929 (19 & 20 Geo V c.17)
- Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c. 70)
- "Death of Sir John H. Thorold, Bart.", Grantham Journal, 7 October 1922, p. 5
- "Kesteven County Council", Sheffield Independent, 31 March 1904, p. 8
- "Kesteven County Council", Grantham Journal, 15 May 1909, p. 6
- "Lincolnshire - Parts of Kesteven". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- Joan, Varley (1974). The Parts of Kesteven. pp. viii.
- Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990
- Youngs, Frederic A (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-901050-67-9.
- Youngs, Frederic A (1991). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol2: Northern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-86193-127-0.