A Google search produced the following, looks as though the number of Gates
depends on the size of the area being stinted and the number of animals
allowed to graze per gate will differ not only with the type of animal but
also the size of the grazing area available to be split into gates and the
size of gate selected for that particular area:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=16144
A History of the County of York East Riding: Volume 7
In 1716 the rector had 18 a. 'containing', probably meaning entitling him
to stock, 8 beast gates in Hogsey. (fn. 23)
A gate might be divided into quarters, or 'feet', each of which comprised
80 perches. (fn. 24)
http://www.straydefence.co.uk/history.html
On August 19 1778 the Award of the Commissioners for the Enclosures of the
Forest of Knaresborough, in the Duchy of Lancaster, came formally into
effect. From that date the control and management was established of 200
acres of open common in Harrogate which had been pastures for all and
sundry from time immemorial.
By the Forest Award, the Stray was converted into a stinted pasture and
apportioned into 50 CATTLEGATES which, at that time, were held by 26
owners, of which number the devisees of Sir Thomas Ingilby, baronet, held
12.
The Definition of a Gate
1 cow, ox, steer or heifer, of more than 2 years as 1 gate
3 beasts of 2 years as 2 gates
1 horse, mare or gelding of 2 years as 1 gate
1 calf of 1 year as ½ gate
A foal of 1 year as ¾ of a gate
A mare, with foal unweaned and under 1 year, as 1 ½ gates
4 sheep, each above a year, as 1 gate
1 ewe, with her lamb or lambs unweaned, as ¼ gate
2 weaned lambs, under 1 year, as ¼ gate
Tom Jackson Silloth
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