The Pinfold of Swainby: A Glimpse into Medieval Livestock Management

Little remains of medieval Swainby, a village first mentioned in records from the late 13th or early 14th century. By the 16th century, many of its villagers were engaged in the tanning industry.¹NYMNPA HER No: 2274 Swainby village 

At the southern edge of the village stands a small square pen built from large, roughly coursed sandstone blocks, complete with quoining and half-round coping. This enclosure, known as a pinfold, was originally used to temporarily hold stray cattle, pigs, geese, or other livestock. A narrow entrance on the south side allowed animals to be herded inside.

When livestock wandered from their garths and infringed upon common grazing rights, the village’s appointed ‘pinder’ would gather them and confine them in the pinfold. The animals would remain there until their owner paid a fine for their release. During their stay, the pinder ensured they were fed and watered while he sought payment from their owner. If the fine went unpaid, the animals would be taken to market and sold.

Though many medieval villages had pinfolds, few well-preserved examples remain. Swainby’s pinfold, however, dates largely from the 18th century, with possible earlier origins.

Originally owned by the Lords of the Manor, the pinfold, along with manorial rights, was transferred to the parish of Whorlton by Miss Winifred Walker of Kirkby-in-Cleveland in 1967.²Heritage Gateway List Entry No: 1314940. Pinfold to the south of Maynard Bridge. https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1314940&resourceID=5

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  NYMNPA HER No: 2274 Swainby village 
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  Heritage Gateway List Entry No: 1314940. Pinfold to the south of Maynard Bridge. https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1314940&resourceID=5