9 Boroughbridge, as part of the manor
of Aldborough, was granted to Hubert de Burgh, but was forfeited a few
years later by his son who fought against the king at Evesham. It then
remained a royal manor until Charles I. granted it to several citizens
of London, from whom it passed through numerous hands to the present
owner. The history of Boroughbridge during the early 14th century
centres round the war with Scotland, and culminates with the battle
fought there in 1321. When in 1317 the Scots invaded England, they
penetrated as far south as Boroughbridge and burnt the town.
Boroughbridge was evidently a borough by prescription, and as such was
called upon to return two members to parliament in 1299. It was not
represented again until 1553, when the privilege was revived. The town
was finally disfranchised in 1832. In 1504 the bailiff and inhabitants
of Boroughbridge received a grant of two fairs, and Charles II. in
1670 created three new fairs in the borough, on the 12th of June, the
5th of August and the 12th of October, and leased them to Francis
Calvert and Thomas Wilkinson for ninety-nine years.

BOROUGH ENGLISH, a custom prevailing in certain ancient English
boroughs, and in districts attached to them (where the lands are held in
socage), and also in certain copyhold manors (chiefly in Surrey,
Middlesex, Suffolk and Sussex), by which in general lands descend to the
youngest son, to the exclusion of all the other children, of the person
dying seised and intestate. Descent to the youngest brother to the
exclusion of all other collaterals, where there is no issue, is
sometimes included in the general definition, but this is really a
special custom to be proved from the court-rolls of the manor and from
local reputation--a custom which is sometimes extended to the youngest
sister, uncle, aunt. Generally, however, Borough English, apart from
specialties, may be said to differ from gavelkind in not including
collaterals. It is often found in connexion with the distinct custom
that the widow shall take as dower the whole and not merely one-third of
her husband's lands.

The origin of the custom of Borough English has been much disputed.
Though frequently claimed to be of Saxon origin, there is no direct
evidence of such being the case. The first mention of the custom in
England occurs in Glanvil, without, however, any explanation as to its
origin. Littleton's explanation, which is t