gap

1) This could be a breach in a fence.

1366 ‘William Tropinell did not repair two … gappes in the same enclosure’, Stanley. In Richard Cholmeley’s Memorandum Book is a long paragraph on the fences maintained by neighbours and the gaps which allowed animals onto his property, e.g. 1616 Jeames Peckett fence very many gappes, espetially one much used which lyeth open, Brandsby. A gap could also be an authorised opening, secured with a temporary barrier. When woods were being felled, the access routes for carriages had to be widened and these left gaps in the fences which would be mended later: 1690 for fenceing of gapps to be left for leadeing or carrying away of any wood, barke or charcoale, Tong

1795-6 William Crosland … for fencing gaps and taking care of woods in Crosland. In fact, many ‘gaps’ referred to an opening in a wall or hedge that was part of a right of way and would usually have a name: 1570 the east car gappe is the trewe and auncyent gappe both in my tyme, my father’s and grandfather’s, Abbotside. Among earlier place-names is le Westwodgappe in Hornington, referred to in several undated deeds of c.1285.

dates 1285 1366 1570 1616 1690

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