THE Royal Charter OF Confirmation Granted by KING Charles II. To the CITY of LONDON Wherein are Recited Verbatim All the CHARTERS to the said CITY granted by His Majesties Royal Predecessors KINGS and QUEENS of ENGLAND Taken out of the RECORDS And exactly Translated into English By S. G. Gent. TOGETHER With an Index or Alphabetical Table and a Table explaining all the Obsolete and Difficult Words in the said CHARTER LONDON Printed for Samuel Lee and Benjamin Alsop at the Feathers in Lombard-street near the Post-Office and at the Angel in the Poultrey over against the Stocks-market To the Right Honourable Sir ROBERT CLAYTON Knight Lord Mayor Of the CITY of LONDON My Lord THe Principle Inducement to the making your Lordships Name Preliminary to the ensuing Publication proceeds from a Contemplation in me that nothing could be more proper in the prosecuting such an Attempt than to Dedicate that to your Lordship which comprehends not onely the Royal Charter and Priviledges granted by Our Gracious Soveraign King Charles the Second but also those of all his Royal Ancestors and Predecessors to one of the most Ancient and Glorious Cities in Europe in which City your Lordship now attains the Highest and most Eminent Place of Honour and Authority And the main reason of the Publication it self receives its Rise First From a Desire in me to make it appear to my Fellow Subjects how far this Famous and Celebrated Metropolis hath been Esteemed and Honoured by those Great Monarchs of this Isle who have been pleased again and again to illustrate the same by many Eminent Sanctions under the Great Seal of England for I may be bold to aver that no City or Corporation in the Christian World and so consequently in the Universe did ever arrive to a more immense Greatness than this City of London hath derived from the Gracious Inclinations of the Prince which have been validated by so many Acts of Parliament and their Laws and Franchises thereby made as it were unalterable by the unanimous Consent of the King Lords and Commons the Body of the whole Nation for the establishing to them a more lasting Estate and Condition of Wealth and Prosperity in Ages to come And Secondly To the intent that the several Members of this great Body might the better know how to yield an Entire Obedience to those sacred Laws under which they are so strictly bound for the Common-Weal of the City and so live in Peace and Quiet under the Government of an Indulgent and Gracious Prince to whom they owe their Protection and Support For these Reasons my Lord I hope you will vouchsafe to grant me your Pardon for this Presumption and accept the same as the Offering of him who is a hearty Well-wisher to the Prosperity of this Great and Opulent City and who shall ever remain with all respect MY LORD Your Lordships most Humble and Devoted Servant S. G. A TABLE OF Obsolete and Difficult words contained in the Charter AMerciament a pecuniary punishment in Court of an Offender against the King or any other Lord. Avoir-du-pois a French word signifying in our Common Law two things 1. A kind of Weight different from that called Troy-weight which contains but twelve ounces to the pound whereas this contains sixteen 2. It signifies such Merchandizes as are weighed by this Weight Brid-toll or Bridgetoll a Duty or Tax for passing over a Bridge Blank-sterling from the French word Blanch i. e. white a Coin that was coined in the parts of France by King Henry the fifth when they were subject to England the value whereof was 8 d. These were forbidden to be currant within this Realm 2 H. 6. The reason why they were called Blanks was to distinguish this Coin by its colour from a certain piece of Gold which was then coined at 22 s. Childwite an old Saxon word signifying a power to take a Fine of your Bond-woman begotten with child without your consent Corody A sum of money or allowance of meat and drink due to the King out of an Abby or Religious House whereof he is Founder towards the maintenance of such one of his servants as he shall think fit to make a Pentioner there Dane-guilt a Tribute laid upon our Ancestors of 12 d. for every Hide of Land throughout the Realm by the Danes for clearing the Seas as they pretended of Pirates Denizen i. e. an Alien born enabled by the King's Letters Patents to purchase Lands hold Offices c. and his Heirs to inherit But this difference lies That a person naturalized by Act of Parliament may inherit Lands by descent which a Denizen cannot though his Heirs may inherit from him Deodand In Latine signifies a thing given or forfeited to God for the pacification of his wrath for any accident whereby a Christian comes to his death without the default of any reasonable creature As if a Horse kill his Keeper or a Cart run over a man the Creatures and Instruments are forfeited to the King to be distributed to the poor Flackmote or Folkmote a Saxon word signifying a Court holden in London wherein all the people of the City did complain of Irregularities and Mis-governments within the City Frank-pledge a Pledge or Surety for Freemen of fourteen years of age except Clerks and Knights their finding Sureties towards the King and His Subjects or else they were to be sent to prison Guild a Fraternity or Company combined together by Orders and Laws made among themselves by the Prince's Licence Husting a French word signifying the principal or highest Court in London Jeresgive an antient Tax or Toll in the time of the Saxons Infangtheft a Saxon word signifying a Liberty granted to certain Lords of Mannors to judge any Thief taken within their Fee Keddals Wares for Fishing Lastage or Lestage i. e. a Burthen a Custom challenged in Fairs and Markets for carrying of things Whence comes a Last of Herrings a Last of Pitch and Tar c. Miskenning Changing of Speech in Court Murage a Contribution gathered for repairing old Edifices or Walls Outfangtheft a Liberty granted to the Lord to try any Thief taken out of his Fee Passage The Hire a man pays for Transport over the Seas Portsoken The Liberties within the Port of London Pannage or Pawnage or Herbage A Duty given to the King for Pasturage of Cattle as also for Fruits Trees Masts Hedge-rowes c. Pontage Contribution towards the repairing of a Bridge Pypowder In Latine Curia Pedis pulverizati a Court held in Fairs for redressing all Disorders committed therein Soke The Liberty in Court allowed to Tenants Scotale Punishment of an Officer who doth keep an Ale-house causing men to come to his house and spend their money for fear of displeasure Taillage From the French word Taille i. e. a piece cut out of the whole signifying the paying a part or share of a man's substance by way of Tribute Toll or Tax Toke Seems to come from the River Teuke unde Teukesbury Treasure-trove
put any where in the Thames or Medway upon forfeiture of ten pounds sterling We have also quit-claimed all that which the Keepers of our Tower Keepers of the Tower not to exact any thing for Wares of London was wont yearly to receive of the aforesaid wares wherefore we will and stedfastly command that no Keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter exact any thing from any or bring any demand burthen or trouble to any person by reason of the aforesaid wares for it fully appears to us and it is sufficiently given us to understand by the Right Reverend Father Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury and by others our Faithful Subjects that very Wares in Thames hurt the City Realm great hurt and discomodity hath grown to the aforesaid City and also to our said whole Realm by occasion of the aforesaid wares which thing that it may continue firm and stable for ever we have fortified the same by the inscription of the page and putting to our seal as that Charter of the Lord King John our Father which the Barons of London have from thence doth reasonably testify Witness the Lord Eustace of London Peter of Winton Joslin of Bath R. of Salisbury Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent and our Justice Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glecester and Hereford John Son of Nicholas R. D. Argentine our Steward given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Westminster the 18th day of February in the 11th year of our Reign We have also seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 4. of the abovesaid Lord Henry made in these words Hen. by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Ministers and all our Faithful Subjects French and English greeting Know ye that we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them No Citizen to plead without the Walls Except Monyers Acquittal of Murther Not to wage Battel shall plead without the walls of the City of London saving the Pleas of foreign tenures our monyers and Ministers excepted And we have granted to them acquittal of all murther within the City and Portsoken and that none of them shall wage Battel and that they may discharge themselves of the Pleas belonging to the Crown according to the antient custom of the City and that within the walls of the City and Portsoken no man may take any lodging No lodging to be taken by force by force or by delivery of the Marshal This also we have granted to them that all the Citizens of London be quit of Toll and Quit of Toll throughout England Lestage and of all other Customs throughout all our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas And that none be condemned of To be amerced according to the Law of the City No Miskenning any Amerciaments of money but according to the Law of the City which they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather And that no miskenning be in any pleading in the City and that the Hustings be kept once only a week And that they may justly Hustings once a week have all their Lands and Promises and debts whosoever owe them to them and that right be holden to them of all their Lands and Tenures which be in the City according to the Custom of the City And that Pleas be there holden of all debts which be lent at London and of all promises Pleas of debt lent in London there made And if any shall take any Toll or any other Custom of our men of London in any our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas or in the Ports of the Seas on this side or beyond the Seas after that he shall fail of right the Sheriffs of London may take goods for the same Also we do grant for Hunting free them that they may have Hunting wheresoever they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather Furthermore also for the amendment of the said City we have granted to them Quit of Bridtoll c. that they be all quit from Bridtoll Childwite Jeresgive and of all Scotale so that our Sheriff of London or any other Bailiff shall not make any Scotale These Customs aforesaid we do grant to them and all other liberties and free Customs which they had in time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather when as they had the same better and more freely as the Charter of the Lord John our Father which they have of the same Hold their Liberties of the King his Heirs doth reasonably testify Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid hereditarily of us and our heirs these being witness the Lord Eustace of London Joslin of Bath Rich. of Salisbury Peter of Winton Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert of Clare Earl of Glocester and Hereford Ralph Son of Nicholas and Richard Argentine our Steward Henry de Capel and others Given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Westminster the 16th day of March in the 11th year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter of the aforesaid Lord Henry made in Henry 3. Char. 5. these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priâ—rs Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers Forresters and all Bailiffs and Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this present Charter confirmed for us and our heirs unto our Archbishops Bishops Priors Earls Barons Knights Freeholders and to all of Stayns Warren diswarrened and disforrested the County of Middlesex that all the warren of Stayns with the appurtenances be unwarrenned and disforrested for ever so that all they aforesaid and their heirs or successors may have all liberties and benefit of warren and forrest in the aforesaid warren wherein they may till or plough all their lands and cut all their woods and dispose the same at their will without the view or contradiction of his warreners or Forresters and all their Ministers and within the which no warrener or Forrester or Justice of our Forrest shall or may any thing meddle with their lands or woods neither with their herbage or hunting or Corn neither by any summons or distress shall cause them their heirs or successors to come before our Justices of the Forrest or warreners by occasion of the Lands and Tenements situate in those parts where the said warren was wont to be but that they and their heirs and successours and their Lands and Tenements contained in the parts be quit and free of all exactions occasions demands and
Comonalty to us made for the which both for life and member and all other things belonging to the said City they have submitted themselves to our will that none of them be compelled to plead out of the walls of the said City for any None to plead out of the Walls thing except foreign tenures and except our monyers and Officers and except those things which shall happen to be done Except Monyers and things against the Peace against our peace which according to the common law of our Realm are wont to be determined in the parts where those trespasses were done and except pleas concerning merchandizes which are wont to be determined according to the law Merchant in Boroughs and Fairs so yet notwithstanding that those plaints be determined in the Boroughs and Fairs by 4 or 5 of the said Citizens of London who shall be there present saving to us the amerciaments in any wise coming which they shall faithfully answer us and our heirs upon pain of grievous forfeitures We have Acquittal of Murther also granted to our same Citizens acquittal of Murder in the said City and in Portsoken And that none of the said Citizens may wage Battel And that for the pleas belonging to the Crown chiefly those which may chance within the said City and Suburbs thereof they may discharge themselves To discharge themselves of Pleas of the Crown according to antient custom according to the antient custom of the said City This notwithstanding except that upon the graves of the dead for that which they should have said if they had lived it shall not be lawful precisely to swear But in stead and place of those deceased which before their deaths to discharge those which for concerning the things belonging to the Crown were caled Not lawful to swear but the dead could have spoke it alive and received there may other free and lawful men be chosen which may do and accomplish that without delay which by the deceased should have been done if they had lived And that within the walls Lodgings not to be taken forcibly of the City and in Portsoken none may take lodgings by force or delivery of the Marshal WE have also granted to our said Citizens throughout all our dominions wheresoever Citizens may dwell and trade any where in the Kingdom Free of Toll they come to dwell with their Merchandizes and things And also throughout all the Sea Ports as well on this side as beyond the Seas they shall be free of all Toll and Lestage and of all Customs except every where our due and Antient custom and prizes of wines That is to say King's Custom of Wine of one Tun before the Must and of one other behind the Mast at 20 s. the Tun to be paid in such form as we and our Anceston have been accustomed to have the said prices And if any in any of our Lands oâ— this side or beyond the Seas or in the Ports of the Sea on this side or beyond the Seas shall take of the men of London Toll or any Custom contrary to this our grant except the aforesaid prizes after he Withernam shall fail of right the Sheriff may take goods therefore at London WE have also granted to them that the Hustings once a week Hustings might be kept in every week once the week and that only by one day or as not withstanding that those things within the same day cannot be determined may continue till next morning and no longer And that right be holden to them for their Lands and Tenures within the same City according to the Custom of the said Citizens to have right to their lands and tenures according to Custom Foreigners and Citizens may make their Attorneys Pleas to be held in London of money lent and promises made there City So as nevertheless that as well soreigners as others may make their Attorneys as well in pleading as defending as elsewhere in our Courts And they may not be by miskenning in any their pleas that is to say if they have not declared altogether well And of all their debts which were lent at London and promises there made pleas be their holden according to the Just and Antient Custom Furthermore we do also grant toward the amendment of the aforesaid City that all be quit of Childwite and Jeresgive and from Scotale so that our Sheriffs of London nor any other Bailiff shall not make any Scotale And also that the said Citizens Lands debts and tenures may justly have and hold their Lands Tenures or Promises and also their debts whosoever do owe them And No forestalling that no Merchant or other do meet with any Merchant coming by land or by water with their Merchandizes or victuals towards the said City to buy or sell again till they come to the said Upon forfeiture of imprisonment City and there have put the same to sale upon the forfeiture of the things brought â—nd pain of imprisonment from whence 〈◊〉 shall not escape without great punishment And that none shew out their That none put their goods to sale before Custom be paid wares to sell who owe any Custom â—ill the Custom thereof be levyed without great punishment and upon pain â—f forfeiture of all that commodity of him that happens to do otherwise And that No stranger to buy goods before weighed at the King's Beam Debts to be inrolled in the Exchequer no Merchant Stranger or other may buy or sell any wares which ought to be weighed or troved unless by our Beams or Trone upon forfeiture of the said wares Moreover those debts which of their contracts or loans shall be due unto them may cause to be inrolled in our Exchequer for the more surety of them upon the recognizance of those who shall stand bound unto them in the said debts So as nevertheless that no debts be inrolled upon the recognizance of any person who is not there known or unless it be manifested No debt to be inrolled but testified by six or four witnesses concerning his person by the testimony of six or four lawful men who be sufficient to answer as well for the debt as for the damages which any may have of such Recognizances if the same happen to be falsly done under their names And for every pound to be inrolled in the Exchequer one penny to One penny in the pound for every debt inrolled be paid to our use for the charge of sustentation of those which must attend to such inrolling these liberties and free Customs we grant to them to hold to them and their heirs so long as they shall well and faithfully behave themselves to us and our heirs together with all their just and reasonable Customs which in time of us and our predecessorâ— heretofore they have had as well foâ— manner of pleading of their Tenure debts and promises as for all other cause whatsoever concerning
both them and the same City So long as the Customs be not contrary to right law and Justice Their Customs not to be against Law saving in all things the liberty of the Church of Westminster to the Abbots and Monks of the fame place to them granted by the Charters of us and our predecessors Kings of England But as touching our Jews and Merchant strangers Jews and strangers and other things out of our foresaid grant touching us or our said City we and our heirs shall provide as to us shall seem expedient These being witness R. King of Almain our Brother Edward our first Son Roger of Mortimer Roger de Clifford Roger Leybourn Robert Watrand Robert Aquiln Mi. Godfrey Gifford our Chancellor Walter de Merton Mr. John Cheshil Archdeacon of London John de la lind William de Aette and others Given by our hand at Westminster the 26th day of March in the 52th year of our Reign WE have seen a certain Charter which the Lord Edward the first sometimes Edw. 1. King of England made to the aforesaid Citizens of London bearing date the 18th day of April in the 26th year of his Reign in which Charter amongst other things it is contained That whereas our said Citizens by the Charters of our said progenitors have been accustomed hitherto to present every Mayor whom they have chosen in the said City yearly before the Barons of the Exchequer our progenitor or we not being To present â—he Mayor to the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster that he may be admitted by the said Barons as Mayor for us notwithstanding that at the next coming of our Progenitor or of us unto Westminster or London he may be presented to our progenitors or to us and so admitted Mayor We willing to shew more ample favour to the said Citizens in that behalf do grant to them for us and our heirs The Mayor of the said City when he shall be chosen by the said Citizens and also the Sheriffs of the said City when they likewise at the accustomed time shall be chosen by the said Citizens we and our The Mayor and Sheriffs in the absence of the King and Barons to be presented to the Constable of the Tower heirs and our Barons not being at Westm or at Lond. they may or shall be presented and admitted to and by the Constable of our Tower of London yearly in such sort as they before were wont to be presented and admitted so as nevertheless that at the next coming of us or our heirs to Westminster or London the said Mayor be presented to us or our heirs and admitted for Mayor And also we have granted for us and our heirs to our said Citizens Citizens quit of Pannage Murage c. that they and their successors Citizens of the said City be for ever quit and free of Pannage Pontage and Murage throughout all the Realm and all our dominions Sheriffs of Lond. to be amerced as the Sheriffs of other Counties And that the Sheriffs of the said City as often as it shall happen them to be amerced in our Court for any offence they shall be amerced according to the measure and quantity of the offence as other the Sheriffs of our said Realm have been amerced for the like offence Wherefore we will and streightly charge and Command for us and our heirs that the said Citizens and their successors have all the liberties Citizens to enjoy their Customs freedoms Quittals and free Customs aforesaid and them may and shall use according to our confirmation renovation and grants aforesaid for ever as by the aforesaid Charter amongst other things more fully appeareth WE have also seen certain Letters Patents Edw. 2. of Lord Edward Son of Edward sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas the Mayor and the good men of the City of London have of late thankfully done us aid of armed footmen at our Castle of Leeds in our County of Kent and also aid of like armed The Aids granted to the King shall not be prejudicial to the City nor drawn into example men now going with us through divers parts of our Realm for divers causes We willing to provide for the indemnity of the said Mayor and men of our City of London in this behalf have granted to them for us and our heirs that the said aids to us so thankfully done shall not be prejudicial to the said Mayor and good men their heirs and successours nor shall they be drawn into consequent for time to come In Witness whereof we have caused those our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Aldermanston the 12th day of December in the 15th year of our Reign WE have also seen the Charter of Edw. 3. Char. 1. Lord Edward the third sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers and other his Bailiffs and faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we for the bettering of our City of London and for the good and laudable service which our welbeloved Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City heretofore have often done to us and our progenitors with the assent of the aforesaid Earls Barons and all the Commonalty of our Realm being called to this our present Parliament at Westminster have granted and by this our Charter for us and our heirs confirmed to the Citizens of the aforesaid City the liberties hereunder written to have and to hold to them and their heirs and successors for ever First Magna Charta recited whereas in the great Charter of the liberties of England it is contained that the City of London may have all their Antient liberties and Customs And the same Citizens at the time of the making of the Charter from the time of Saint Edward King and Confessor and William the Conqueror and of other our progenitors had divers liberties and Customs as well by the Charters of those our progenitors as without Charter by Antient Custom whereupon in divers the Circuits and other the Courts of our said progenitors as well by Judgments as by statutes were invaded and of some of them adjudged We will and grant for us and our heirs that they may have the liberties according to the Usurpations of their Liberties revoked form of the abovesaid great Charter And that Impediments and usurpations to them in that behalf made shall be revoked and Annulled We have further granted for us and our heirs to the said Citizens their heirs and successors aforesaid that the Mayor of the aforesaid City which for time shall be shall be one of the Justices to be assigned
sell corn wine powderable wares fish or other victual All Merchant strangers as English should sell and buy in all Cities and Towns wools cloth wares or other vendâ—ble things whatsoever wheresoever they weâ—â— either in Cities Towns Boroughs Porâ—â— of the Sea Fairs Markets or other places in the Realm whether within liberties or without might without Impediment freely sell the same victuals or wares to whom they would as well to foreigners aâ— English born The enemies to us and our Realm only excepted notwithstanding the Charters of liberties to any Cities or places aforesaid granted to the contrary or custom or judgment upon the said Charters as in the foresaid state is more plainly contained yet nevertheless because in the statutes as well in our said Parliament as in other Parliaments of our Progenitors sometimes Ks. of Engl. made by us and our progenitors Citizens enjoy their Customs according to Magna Charta with the common consent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commonalty of our Realm it was granted and establisht That the great Charter of the liberty of Engl. iâ— in all singular its Articles should be maintained and firmly observed And in the same Charter amongst other things it is contained the City of London may have its antient liberties and free customs unhurt And it hath been the intent and meaning as well of us as our Progenitors yet is that the said great Charter in all the Articles thereof may be still observed and that by pretext of the said Stat. or any other nothing shall be done to the prejudice or infringment of the said Charter or of any Article therein contained or of the antient liberties or customs of the said City may be unjustly burthened touching their said liberties and free Customs contrary to such intent with the consent of the Prelates Earls and Barons assistant with us in this our Parliament Have granted for us and our heirs that the Citizens of the said City their heirs and successors may have all their liberties and free customs unhurt and whole as before these times they more freely had the same The aforesaid statute for the said Merchants made to the hurt of the liberties and Customs of the said City notwithstanding In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 26th day of March in the 11th year of our Reign Edw. 3. Char. 4. WE have also seen a certain other statute of the said Lord Edward the 3d. late King of England made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all to whom these our Letters shall come greeting Know ye that we being worthily careful of the conservation and increase of the name and honour of our City of London and at the supplication of the Mayor Sheriffs and Commonalty of the said City to us humbly made will and grant for us and our heirs that the Serjeants of Lond. may bear Maces of Gold or Silver Serjeants appointed to bear the Maces iâ— our said City may lawfully carry theâ— of Gold or Silver or Silvered or Garnished with the sign of our Arms or otheâ—â— every where in the said City and in the Suburb of the same and in the County of Middlesex and other places to the liberties of the said City appertaining And also without the said City to meet with us our Mother Consort or the Children of us or of our heirs or other Royal Persons when we or any of us shall come to the said City and also in going forth with us or any of us when we shall depart from the said City as also in the presence of us our Mother or Consort or our Children when the said Mayor or Sheriffs or Aldermen of the said City or any of them shall come to us or our heirs at or without the command or warning of us or any of us and as often as it shall happen any of the said Serjeants to be sent to foreign places and without the said City to do their Office at the command of us or oâ— the Mayor or Sheriffs aforesaid they may lawfully carry going and coming publickly as our own Serjeant at Arms attending our presence do carry their Maces Any Ordinance or Commandment made to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents witness my self at Westminster the 10th day of June in the 28th Year of our Reign of England and of France the 15th WE have also seen certain Letters Patents Edw. 3. Char. 5. of our Lord Edward late King of England the third in these words Edward King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these Letters shall come greeting Know Ye That whereas amongst other Liberties granted to the Citizens of our City of London by the Charters of our progenitors sometimes Kings of England which we have confirmed and by ours it hath been granted unto them that all Merchants strangers coming Merchant strangers to board and not to keep houses into England shall remain at board with the free Hosts of the City aforesaid and of other Cities and Towns in England without keeping any houses or societies by themselves And that there should be no Brokers of any Merchandizes from henceforth unless they were chosen thereunto by the Merchants in the Mysteries Brokers to be chosen by the Merchants of the mystery in which the said Brokers exercise their Offices and thereupon at the least do take their Oaths before the Mayor of the said City And also that the Merchants who were not of the Freedom of the said City should not sell by retail any Wines or other wares within the said City or the Suburbs thereof And now our welbeloved Subjects the Mayor Aldermen and other Citizens of the said City have humbly beseeched us by their Petition exhibited in these words To our Lord the King and his good Council do shew the Liege Mayor Aldermen and Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen to the King Commonalty of the City of London that whereas they have often sued in divers Parliaments to have consideration how that they are impoverished and undone by reason their Liberties by him and his progenitors to them granted are restrained and great part taken away and now at the last Parliament holden at Westminster it was answered to them that they should declare their Griefs specially and they should have good remedy therefore of which Griefs amongst divers others these be That every Stranger might dwell in the said City and keep a house and be a Broker and sell and buy all manner of Merchandizes by retail and one Stranger to sell to another to sell again to the great inhancing the prices of Merchandizes and a cause to make them remain there more than forty daies Whereas in time past no Merchant stranger might use any of these points contrary to the Franchises
their Antient Liberties and Customs whole free and sound the Premises in any thing notwithstanding Given to our Sheriffs of the City aforesaid for the time being and to their Successors and to all whatsoever Citizens of the said City which now be The Sheriffs to attend the Justices and which hereafter for the time shall be by tenor of these presents streightly in commandment that they be attendant counselling answering and aiding the said Keepers of the Peace aforesaid the now Mayor Recorder and to their Successors and to such Aldermen as aforesaid in all things they do or may pertain to the Office of conservator of the Peace and â—â— such Justices within the said City and the Liberties thereof according to the form aforesaid as often and at such times as shall be by them or any of them on our behalf duly required Saving alwaies to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens Saving to the City their Customs of the same City and to their Successors their Customs Liberties and Franchises which we will and streightly command inviolably be observed in all things as they and their predecessors before the making of these presents have observed the same And because we understand that by the most antient Custom of the said City it is there had and in the Circuits of the Justices of our Progenitors sometimes Kings of England it is allowed to the said Citizens The Custom of the City to be certified recorded by word of mouth that the Mayor and Aldermen of the said City for the time being ought to record all their antient customs by word of mouth as often and at such time as any thing shall be moved in Act or question before any Judges or Justices touching their Customs aforesaid as in their claims in the last circuit of Justices holden at our Tower of London it is more fully contained We considering the same thing being willing rather to enlarge then diminish the Custom of the said City of our special grace have granted for us and our heirs and successors unto the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors that whensoever any issue shall be taken in any Plea of or upon the Custom of the City of London between any parties in pleading yea though themselves be parties or if any thing in plea act and question touching the said Customs be moved or happen before us or our heirs to be holden the Justices of the Common Bench the Treasurer and Barons of our Exchequer or of our heirs or before the Barons of such like Exchequer or any other the Justices of us or of our heirs which shall exact or require Inquisition Recognizance certificate or tryal The same Mayor and Aldermen of the said City for the time being and their successors shall Record Testify and declare whether such be a Custom or not by the Recorder of the same City for the time being by word of mouth And that there may be speedy process by that Record certificate and declaration such custom so alledged shall be allowed for a custom or accounted not for a custom without any Jury therefore to be taken or further process thereupon to be made and furthermore we have granted to them the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens that though they and their successors or the said Mayor and Aldermen and their predecessors in times past or their successors hereafter have for some cause perchance fully not used or abused any of the liberties acquittals grants ordinances articles or free customs or other thing contained in these our writings or in other our writings or of our Progenitors sometimes Kings of England to No forfeiture of the premises for non-user or abuser the same Mayor and Commonalty granted notwithstanding we will not that the same Mayor and Commonalty Aldermen and Citizens or their Successors shall therefore incur the forfeiture of any of the Premises but that they and their Successors may from henceforth fully enjoy and use all and singular the Liberties Grants Acquittals Ordinances Articles Free Customs and other things whatsoever so not used or abused in the Charters aforesaid contained and every of them without Impeachment or Let of us or our Heirs Justices Escheators Sheriffs or other our Bailiffs and Ministers or of any other whatsoever Ally Statutes or Ordinances made or Judgments given or any other Charters or any the Charters of our Progenitors whatsoever in times past granted to the contrary notwithstanding And we being willing further to do the same Mayor and Commonalty a greater pleasure and also for the bettering and common profit of our said City will and grant to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors All abiding within the City to be contributary to Taxes That from henceforth all and singular Merchants as well Denizens as Aliens abiding within the said City and the Liberties and Suburbs of the same and exercising Merchandizing or Occupations there by any means by themselves or others though they be not of the Liberty of the same City shall be partakers shall be taxed and contribute according to their faculties in Subsidies Tallages Grants and other Contributions whatsoever by any means to be Assessed for the need of us or of our Heirs or of the said City for the maintenance of the state and profit of the same with the Citizens of the sameCity Yet notwithstanding that this our present Grant be not in prejudice or derogation of any Grants by us or any Merchants of Almaine excepted not to be grieved by this Grant of our Progenitors made or granted to those Merchants of Almaine which have an house in the City of London which is commonly called the Guild-Hall of the Almaines or their Successors And further because it is well known and manifest that those of the said City which are called elected and taken to the degree of Aldermen proper for the conditions and merits requiring the same have sustained and supported great charges cost and pains for the time they make their abode and residence in the same City being vigilant for the common good Rule and Government of the same and for that cause oftentimes do leave their possessions and places in the Counties there that therefore they and every of them may without all fear of unquietness or molestation peaceably abide tarry in such their houses places and possessions when they shall return thither for comfort and Aldermen not to be put upon Assizes Attaints or Juries recreation sake We have of our special grace granted to the said Mayor and Commonalty and to their Successors aforesaid that all and every of these which be Aldermen of the said City and their Successors which for the time shall be Aldermen there for the term of their lives shall have this Liberty that is to say That as long as they shall continue Aldermen there and shall bear the charge of Aldermen proper and also those which before had been Aldermen and have also with
the same although express mention of the true yearly value or certainty of the premises or any of them or of any other gift or grants by us or our progenitors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens or to their predecessors before this time by any means made be not in these presents made or any statute Act Ordinance or provision thereof made published or ordained to the contrary or any other thing whatsoever notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 20th day of June in the 18th year of our Reign And whereas in and by certain Letters Henry 7. Patents of Lord Henry late King of England the 7th our progenitor made under the great seal of England bearing date the 23d day of July in the 20 year of his Reign amongst other things it is recited that of all time of which the memory of man is not to the contrary for the Common weal of the Realm and City aforesaid it hath been used and by Authority of Parliament approved and confirmed that no stranger from the liberty of the City may Merchanchandize foreign bought and sold forfeit to the City buy or sell from any stranger from the liberties of the same City any merchandize or wares within the liberties of the same City upon forfeiture of the same The said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their predecessors by all the time aforesaid have had and received and have been accustomed to receive perceive and have to the use of the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens all and all manner of Merchandizes and wares bought and sold within the liberties of the same City as aforesaid and forfeitures of the same Merchandizes and wares until of late past time they were troubled or molested The same Lord Henry the 7th by his Letters Patents as aforesaid for pacifying and taking away from henceforth controversies and ambiguities in that behalf and to fortify and by express words to explain and declare the liberty and custom aforesaid to them the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their heirs and successors and willing the said liberties to be peaceably and quietly had possessed and enjoyed to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors with the forfeitures aforesaid against the said late Lord K. Henry his heirs and successors granted and by his said Charter confirmed to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors that no stranger from the liberties of the same City may buy or sell from any other stranger to the liberty of the same City any Merchandizes or wares within the liberties of the same City And if any stranger to the liberty of the same City shall sell or buy any merchandizes or wares within the liberty of the same City of any other stranger to the liberty of the same City that the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their successors may have hold and receive all and all manner of such like Merchandizes and wares so bought and to be bought sold or to be sold within the liberty of the said City between whatsoever strangers to the liberty of the same City as forfeited and all the forfeitures of the same and also penalties fines and redemptions whatsoever any waies forfeited lost or to be lost or to be forfeited or due thereon to the use and profit of the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their heirs and successors without hindrance of the same late King his heirs or successors and without any account or any other thing to be rendred or paid thereof to the said late King his heirs and successors any statute Act or ordinance of us or our progenitors made to the contrary notwithstanding although the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City or their predecessors have before that time used abused or not used those Customs and liberties saving alwaies that the great men Lords and Nobles and Strangers may buy things in the gross for their own use but not to sell again other English and strangers of what condition soever they shall be may freely whatsoever Merchandizes in gross for their families and proper uses within the liberties of the said City without any forfeiture loss or hindrance whatsoever so that they do not sell again the said Merchandizes to any other and further the same late King of his more ample grace by his said Letters Patents amongst other things did give and grant to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the same City of London and their successors the Office of The Office of Gawger Gawger within the said City and the deposing Ordering Surveying and Correction of the same To have hold exercise and occupy the said Office and other premises with all fees profits and emoluments to the same Office in any manner belonging or appertaining to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens by themselves or by their sufficient deputy or deputies from the 22d day of August in the first year of his Reign for ever without any account to be made thereof or any other thing rendring and paying â—o the said Lord Henry 7th his heirs of sucessors as by the said Letters Patents more plainly may appear WE have also seen the Letters Patents Henry 8. Char. 1. â—f Lord Henry the 8th late King of England our progenitor made in these words Henry by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas Edward the 3d. sometimes King of England our progenitor by his Letters Patents amongst other things hath granted to the Citizens of the City of London that all Inquisitions from hence to be taken by the Justices and other the Ministers of the men of the said City should be taken at great Saint Martins in London and not elsewhere except inquisitions to be taken in Circuits in the Tower of London and for the Goal-delivery of Newgate Know ye that we for some urgent causes reasonable as moving at the petition of the Mayor and Commonalty aforesaid and of the Citizens of the same City have of our special grace and from our certain knowledg and meer motion granted And by these presents do for us and our heirs as much as in us is grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and unto their successors and unto the same Citizens of the same City that all inquisitions by the Justices or other our Ministers or of our heirs to be from henceforth of the Inquisitions formerly taken in S. Martins to be in London men of our City aforesaid shall be taken at the Guild-Hall within the City aforesaid or at any other place within the same City where it shall from time to time be thought to our Justices for the time being before whom those Inquisitions ought hereafter to be taken most expedient and most convenient and not elsewhere except inquisitions to be taken at the
Circuits of Except Inquisitions in Eyre in the Tower of London the Tower of London and for the Gaol-delivery at Newgate In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 16th day of June in the 10th year of our Reign Moreover we have seen other Letters Henry 8. Char. 2. Patents of the same Lord Henry late King of England our progenitor made in these words Henry the 8th by the grace of God King of England and France Deâ—ender of the Faith and Lord of Ireland â—o all to whom these present Letters shall â—ome greeting whereas we by our Letters Patents the date whereof is the 18th â—ay of June in the 13th year of our Reign â—ave of our special grace and from our certain knowledg and meer motion given and granted for us and our heirs forasmuch as in us then was to Sir William Sidney Knight the Office of Keeper of â—he great beam and common ballance or weight within our City of London for â—eighing of all Merchandizes of Avoir â—u pois and also all weights whatsoever within the same City which Office one William Stafford deceased lately exercised and occupied by what name soever the â—â—me Office was named or known And have ordained made and constituted the said Sir William Sidney keeper of the great beam ballance and weight and of all other weights whatsoever and also of the weights of all spices wares commodities Merchandizes and things in the City aforesaid there to be weighed and accustomed and used to be bought and sold by weight And have granted also by our said Letters Patents to the said Sir William Authority and power to make name and assign from time to time all manner of Clerks Porters Servants and Ministen of the great Beam and Ballance and of the Iron Beam and of the Beam of the Stillyard and of the weights aforesaid and also all other Clerks Porters Servants and Ministers to the same Office belonging and also to remove the same or any of them and other or others to make put and constitute in his or their place as often as to him shall seem expedient To have occupy and exercise the Office and Officeâ— aforesaid together with the Authority aforesaid to the said Sir William Sidney by himself or by his deputy or deputies during our pleasure to his proper use and behoof with all and singular commodities houses advantages profits fees and emoluments to the said Office in our time or in the times of any our progenitors Kings of England due and accustomed pertaining or belonging in as ample manner and form as any person having or occupying such Office before this time had received or enjoyed the same And have given and granted the same commodities houses advantages profits fees and emoluments and all and singular the premises for the exercise and occupation of the Office aforesaid in manner and form aforesaid to the said Sir William during our pleasure to the use and behoof of the said Sir William without account or any other thing to us or our heirs in this behalf for the premises to be made given or paid Although express mention be not made of the true yearly value or of any certainty of the premises or any grant or grants by us or any of our progenitors to the said Will. before this time made contained in the said Letters Patents above specified or any Statute Act Ordinance Restraint or Provision before this time made or provided to the contrary or any other thing cause or matter whatsoever in any thing notwithstanding as by the same our Letters Patents fully appeareth Which our pleasure in that behalf we will by these Sir William Sidney's Patent cancelled shall be determined And which Letters Patents the same William Sidney hath surrendred into our Chancery to be cancelled to the intent we would vouchsafe to grant our Letters Patents to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of our City of London And because now of late we understand of the grievous complaint of our welbeloved the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of our said City of London that the said Lord Edward sometime King of England the 2d our progenitor by his charter dated the 18th day of June in the 12th year of his Reign amongst other things granted to the then Citizens of our said City predecessors to the now Mayor Commonalty and Citizens aforesaid that the weights and Beams for the weighing of Merchandizes between Merchants and Merchants of which the profits growing and knowledg of the same pertain to the Commonalty of the said City should remain to be kept at the will of the Commonalty in the custody of two sufficient men of the same City expert in that Office to be thereunto chosen by the Commonalty of the same City And that they should in no wise be committed to any others than to such as should be so chosen as by the same his Letters Patents which we have seen more fully appeareth And because also the Lord Henry sometimes King of England the fourth our progenitor by his Letters Patents dated the 25th day of May in the first year of his Reign of his favourable Grace amongst other things Tronage granted to the City by H. 4. granted to the said Citizens of the said City Tronage that is to say the weighing of Lead Wax Pepper Alloâ— Madder and all other such wares within the said City for ever Which Letters Patents we of our special grace by our charter dated the 12th day of July in the first year of our Reign ratified and confirmed to the same then Citizens and to their successors as by the same our Letters Patents more fully appeareth By which Letters Patents and by the continual keeping of the Office of Beam Ballance Weights and of other the premises time out of mind by the said Citizens and their predecessors and by the exercise and occupation of the same within the said City without any Keeping the Beams Weights pertain to the City by prescription challenging It is manifest and without any difficulty evident and apparent unto us that the said Office of the great Beam and common Ballance ordained for weighing between Merchants and Merchants and the Office of keeping of the great Ballance or weight within our City of London for the weighing of all Merchandizes of Avoir du pois and also of all weights whatsoever within the said City and also of all Spices Wares Merchandizes and things in the City aforesaid there to be weighed and also the Authority and power to make name and assign all and all manner of Clerks Porters Servants and Ministers of the said great Beam and Ballance and of the Iron Beam and of the Beam of the Stillyard and also all other Clerks Porters Servants and Ministers to the said Office pertaining and the Issues and revenues thereof coming and all and singular the premises pertaining and of antient right belonging to the Mayor Commonalty and
Citizens we will in no wise be wronged And to the end that from henceforth all Ambiguity in such case might be taken away And that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors may not in time to come be impeached impleaded or grieved by us or our heirs or successors or any of our Justices or Ministers of or for the premises or any of them we will and grant to the now Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and to their successors that the weights and Beams for weighing of Merchandizes Weights Beams to be in the hands of persons chosen by the Commonalty between Merchant and Merchant whereof the profits growing and the knowledg of them to pertain to the Commonalty of the City aforesaid shall remain at the will of the Commonalty of the same City to be kept in the custody of good sufficient men of the same City expert in that Office and to be thereunto chosen by the Commonalty aforesaid and that to others then so to be chosen iâ— no wise they be committed And that they shall have Tronage that is to say Tronage the weighing of Wax Lead Pepper Allom Madder and all other such like wares within the said City for ever Willing also to do the said Mayor and Commonalty a more ample pleasure in this behalf we have of our favourable grace and from our certain knowledg and meer motion given and granted and by these presents do give and grant to the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London the aforesaid Office of keeper of the great Beam and common Great Beam commoâ— Ballance Ballance ordained for weighing between Merchant and Merchants and also the Office of the great Beam and weights within the said City for weighing of Merchandizes of Avoir du pois and also of all weights whatsoever within our said City and of all Spices Wares Merchandizes and things in our said City there to be weighed by whatsoever name the said Office is named or known And do by these presents make ordain and constitue the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their successors keepers of the great Beam Ballance and Weights aforesaid and other Weights whatsoever The Mayor Commonalty and Citizens ordained Keepers of the Beams Weights and also the weighing of all Spices Wares Merchandizes and things in the City aforesaid there to be weighed and accustomed to be bought and sold by weight within our said City And also we do give and grant to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of our City aforesaid Authority and Power to make name and assign from time to time all and all manner of Clerks Porters Servants and Ministers of the Great Beam and Ballance and of the To assign Clerks of the several Beams Iron Beam and of the Beam of the Still-Yard and Weights aforesaid and also all other Clerks Servants and Ministers to the same Office pertaining and also to remove them or any of them and to make constitute and place other in his or their place as often as to them shall seem expedient To have occupy and exercise the Office aforesaid together with the Authority and Power aforesaid to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors by themselves their Deputy or Deputies for ever to their own proper use and behoof together with all and singular Commodities Houses Advantages Profits Wages Fees and Emoluments in our time or in the times of any of our Progenitors Kings of England due and accustomed pertaining or belonging to the same Office in as ample manner and form as the same Citizens and their Predecessors or any other person or persons having or occupying the same Office before this time had and received or enjoyed the same And also we give and grant by these presents to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and to their Successors the Commodities Houses Advantages Profits Fees and Emoluments and all and singular the Premises for the exercise and occupation of the said Office to the proper use and behoof of the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors without Account or any other thing to us or our Heirs to be delivered made given or paid in this behalf for the Premises or any of them in these Letters Patens specified and contained Although express mention be not in these presents made of the true value or certainty of the Premises or of their Gifts or Grants by us to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the said City before this time made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision or Restraint thereof made ordained or provided to the contrary or any other thing cause or matter whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Wâ—stminster the 13th day of April in the 22th year of our Reign WE have seen also the Letters Patents Edw. 6. of Lord Edward late King â—f England the 6th our progenitor made in these words Edward the 6th by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland Desender of the Faith and and in Earth Supream Head of the Church of England and Ireland To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that for the summe of 647 l. 2 s. and 1 d. of Lawful The consideration of the Charter mony of England paid to the hands of the Treasurer of our Court of Augmentation and Revenues of our Crown to our use by our welbeloved the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London whereof we acknowledg us to be fully satisfied and paid and the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors to be thereof acquitted and discharged by these presents and for other causes and considerations us thereunto especially moving have of our special grace and from our certain knowledge and meer motion and also with the advice of our Council given and granted and by these presents do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens Grant of several Messuages in Southwark To the Mayor c. of the City of London all that our messuage or tenement with the appurtenances now or late in the tenure of Simon Sebatson scituate and being next our Mansion late Charles late Duke of Suffolk in Southwark in the County of Surrey and all that our messuage or tenement with the appurtenances next the broad gate of the same our mansion in Southwark aforesaid And all that our close of ground called Moulters close containing by estimation fifteen acres lying in Newington in our said County of Surrey and all that our close of ground containing by estimation 2 Acres now or late in the tenure of John Parrow lying and being in Saint Georges dunghil in the Parish of Saint George in Southwark aforesaid and also all that one close of ground late in the tenure of John Billington lying in Lambeth-marsh in the parish of Lambeth in the said County of Surrey
Our Escheator and Escheators of Our Heirs in the Borough Parishes and Precincts aforesaid And that he shall have full power and authority to make his precept and Commandment to the Sheriff of the County of Surrey for the time being and do execute and finish there all and singular things which appertain to the Office of Escheator in any County of Our Realm And that none other Escheator of No Escheator to intermeddle Our or of Our Heirs shall enter there into any thing which to the Office of Escheator appertaineth to be done neither shall at all intermeddle with any thing to the Office of Escheator there belonging And that the Mayor of the said City for the time being The Mayor of London Clark of the Market in Southwark shall be Clark of the Market and of the Market of Our Heirs within the Borough Town Parishes and Precincts aforesaid and shall do and execute therein all such things which to the Clark of the Kings Clark of the Market not to intermeddle Market appertaineth And that the Clark of the Market of Our House or of the House of Our Heirs or any other Clark of the Market intermeddle not there And that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors shall and may from henceferth for ever have hold enjoy and use as well within the said Mannor as in the Town Borough Parishes The Mayor of the city of London to enjoy all Franchises Tolls c. as any Bishop of Canterbury and Precincts aforesaid as well all and singular Liberties and Franchises aforesaid as Tolls Stallages Pickages and other our our Jurisdictions liberties franchises and Priviledges whatsoever which any Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and which the said Charles late Duke of Suffolk or any Master Brethren or Sisters of the late Hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark aforesaid or any Abbot of the said late Monastery of Saint Saviours Saint Bermondsey next Southwark aforesaid in the County aforesaid or any Prior and Convent of the late Priory of Saint Mary Overy in the said County of Surrey or any of them ever had held or enjoyed in the said Mannors Lands Tenements and other the premises or places aforesaid or any of them or which we have hold or enjoy by any wayes or means whatsoever as fully freely and in as ample manner as We or Our most dear Father Henry the Eighth late King of England had held and enjoyed or ought to have hold and enjoy the same And that none of our Sheriffs or any other None of the Kings Officers or Ministers to meddle in Southwark Officer or Minister of Ours or of our Heirs or Successors shall any way intermeddle in the Town Borough-Town Parishes and Precincts aforesaid or in any of them contrary to this our Grant And we with the advice aforesaid do further by these presents grant to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and to All the Inhabitants of Southwark to be under the Magistracy of London as Free-men thereof their Successors that all and singular persons from time to time inhabiting or refident within the Town Borough Parishes and places aforesaid shall from henceforth be in the order government and correction of the Mayor and Officers of the City of London and their Deputies for the time being as the Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City of London be and ought to be by virtue of the Charter before this time by any means made granted and confirmed by any of our Progenirors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors shall and may from henceforth have hold and enjoy so many so great the same such and the like rights jurisdictions liberties The Mayor of London to have the like jurisdiction in Southwark as in London franchises and priviledges whatsoever in the Towns Parishes and places aforesaid and in evere parcel thereof as fully freely and wholly as the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City enjoy and use or may have enjoy and use in the said City by vertue of any of the Charters and Grants made granted and confirmed by any of Our Progenitors Kings of England to any Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the said City And that the Mayor of the same City for the time being and the Recordeâ— thereof for the time being after the saiâ— Aldermen have exercised and born 〈◊〉 charge of Mayor of the said City shall bâ— The Justices of Peace in London to be Justices in Southwark Justices of our Peace and of our Heirs in thâ— Town Borough Parishes and limits aforesaid so long as the same Aldermen shall 〈◊〉 and remain Aldermen of the said City anâ— every of them shall there do and execuâ—â— all and singular things which other Justices of our Peace and our Heirs may oâ— and execute within the said County of 〈◊〉 according to the Laws and Statutâ— of our Realm of England And that tâ—â— said Mayor and Commonalty and Citâ—zens and their Successors shall have on every week on Monday Wednesday Friday and Saturday within the Borough anâ— Markets in Southwark font dayes in a week Town aforesaid one Market or Markets tâ— be there holden and all things which to Market do appertain or may appertain forever Except alwayes and reserved to us 〈◊〉 Heirs and Successors out of these our Letterâ— Patents all and all manner of Rights Jurisdictions Liberties and Franchises whatsoever within the Walk Circuit and Precinct over the Capital Messuage Garden and Park in Southwark aforesaid and in a Gardens Curtilages and lands to the samâ— Mansion Gardens and Park appertaining anâ— except and always reserved the house Messaage or Lodging there called the Kings Benâ— and the Garden or Gardens to the saâ—â— pertaining with the appurtenances So loâ—â— as it shall be used for a Prison for the imprisoned as now it is And except the Messuage and Lodging there called the Marshalsea and the Gardens to the same belonging with the Appurtenances so long as it shall be used for a Prison as now it is Provided also that these our Letters Patents nor any thing therein contained shall This Grant not to prejudice the Steward of the Kings House extend to the prejudice of the Officers of the Great Master Steward and Marshal of our House or of the House of our Heirs and Successors to be exercised within the Town Borough Parishes and Limits aforesaid be within the Verge Nor John Gate Knight one of the Gent. of our Privy Chamber of or for Lands Tenements Offices Franchises or Liberties by us or our Nor John Gate during his life Father to the said John Gate granted during his life Which Mannours Lands Tenements Rents Priviledges and all other the premises are now extended to the yearly Value of the Premises value of 35 l. 14 s. 4 d. To have hold and enjoy the said Mannours Messuages Lands Tenements Meadows Feedings Pastures
Commons Woods Under-woods Rents Services Reversions Court-Leets Views of Franck-pledge Chattels waved Strays free Warrens and all and singular the said premises with the Appurtenances except before excepted to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and to their Successors for ever To be holden of us and our Heirs and Successors as of our Mannour of East-Greenwick in our County of Kent by fealty only in Fee-Soccage and not in Chief for all services and demands whatsoever We give also and for the consideration aforesaid do by these Presents grant to the said A Grant of all the Rents c. of the Premises from Michael was without accompt Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London all the Issues Rents Revenues and profits of the said Mannour Messuages Lands Tenements and all other the premises with their Appurtenances coming and growing from the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel last past hitherto to have the same to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our gift without accompt or any other thing to us our Heirs or Successors by any means therefore to be given paid or made And furthermore of our ample Grace we will and for us our Heirs and Successors do by these Presents grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and to their Successors that we our Heirs and Successors will yearly for ever discharge acquit and save harmless as well the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors as the said Mannours Messuages Lands Tenements and all other the premises with their Appurtenances and every part thereof against us our Heirs and Successors and against whatsoever The King to save the City harmless against Corodies c. persons concerning all and all manner of Corodies Rents Fees Annuities sums of Money and charges whatsoever by any means giving out or to be paid out of the premises or to be charged thereupon Saving the services hereby reserved Saving the services above by these presents reserved and the demises and grants by any means made for terms of life or years of the premises or any parcel whereupon the old Rent and more is reserved and shall be due yearly during the terms aforesaid and besides the Covenants in those Demises and And the yearly Fee-farm Grants being And saving 10 l. by the year of the Antient Farm for the Town of Southwark aforesaid by the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens due in our Exchequer yearly to be paid and payable willing and by these presents by streight Injunction commanding as well our Chancellor and General Overseers and Councel of our said Court of Augmentations and Revenues of our Crown and all Receivers Auditors and others our Officers of ours or of our Heirs whatsoever for the time being That they and every of them upon the only shewing of these our Letters Patents or of the Inrolments of the same without any other Writ or Warrant from Us or our Heirs by any means to be obtained and prosecuted shall make and cause to be made unto the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors full power and due allowance and manifest discharge of all such Corodies Rents Fees Annuities and sums of Money whatsoever going out or to be paid out of the premises or thereupon charged or to be charged except before excepted And these our Letters Patents and the Inrolment of the same shall be yearly and from time to time a sufficient Warrant and discharge as well to the said Chancellour and General Overseers and to our Councel of our said Court of Augmentations and Revenues of our Crown as to all Receivers Auditors and other Officers and Ministers of ours our Heirs and Successors whatsoever for the time being in this behalf We will also and by these presents do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London that they may and shall have these our Letters Patents in due manner made and sealed under our Great Seal of England without fine or Fee great or small to Us in our Hamper or elsewhere to our use to be by any means given paid or made although express mention be not in these presents made of the true yearly value or of the certainty of the premises or of other gifts or grants of Us or by any our Progenitors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens before this time made any Statute Act or Ordinance provision or restraint thereof made ordained or provided to the contrary or any thing cause or matter whatsoever in any thing notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents witness my self at Westminster the 23. day of April in the fourth year of our Reign We have also seen the Letters Patents of our most dear Father Lord James late King of England c. made in these words James by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom our present Letters Patents shall come greeting Whereas our beloved the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our City of London time out of mind have had exercised and ought and have accustomed themselves to have and exercise the Office Conservation of the Thames of Bailiff and conservation of the water of Thames to be exercised and occupied by the Mayor of the same City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or by his sufficient Deputies in upon and about the water of Thames that is to say from the Bridge of the Town of Staynes in the County of Middlesex and toward the Extent of the Mayors Jurisdiction on the Thames â—ast unto London-Bridge and from thence â— a certain place called Kendall otherwise â—nland otherwise Yeenleet towards the Sea and East and in Medway and in the Port of Medway â—e City of London aforesaid and upon whatsoever Bank and upon every Shore â—d upon every Wharf of the same water â— Thames within the limits and bounds aâ—resaid and in upon and about all and â—ery of them And also for all the time Fees and profits â—resaid have had and taken and ought â—d have accustomed to have and take to â—eir own proper use by the Mayor of the â—e City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or his sufficient Deputies all wages rewards fees and profits belonging to the same Office of Bailiff And whereas the said Mayor and Commonalty The Mayor c. to have the Office of measuring Coals and grain and Citizens from all the time aforesaid have had and exercised the Office of measurer and measuring of all Coals and grain of whatsoever kind And also of all kind of Salt and all kind of Apples Pears Plums and other Fruit whatsoever and also all kind of roots eatable of what kind Salt Apples c. soever and of Onyons and of
Victuals against the form of the Ordinances and Statutes or any of them made for the common profit of our Kingdom and people and also to hear and determine all and singular the same felonies and misdeeds according to the Laws and Statutes of our Realm of England And also to hear and determine do and execute all and singular other thing or things which pertain have pertained or in time to come may pertain to Justices of the Peace within the said City of London So always that the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors may have and hold all and singular their antient priviledges free whole and unhurt And that no other Keeper of the peace or Justice or other No other Justices to intermeddle Officers or Ministers of Us our Heirs or Successors whatsoever shall intermeddle in the same or any of them We will also and by these presents for Us our Sheriffs to be attendant on the said Justices Heirs and Successors charge and command the Sheriffs of the said City of London for the time being that from time to time they be assisting aiding attending and devising as it behoveth to the said Mayor Recorder and Aldermen and every or any of them in execution of the premises and according to our true meaning herein expressed And further We do hereby give and grant for Us our Heirs and Successors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors for the time being may have and enjoy to their own proper use without any account thereof to be rendered to Us out Heirs or Successors all Treasure found or to be found in the said Franchises and places called Black-Fryers White-Fryers Dukes Place Great S. Bartholomews Little S. Bartholomews Treasure found within the Precincts aforesaid granted to the City and Cold Harbour abovesaid and waved goods and Chattels and Estrays goods and Chattels of Felons and Fugitives for whatsoever Felony done or to be done by them within any the said Franchises or places adjudged or to be adjudged before Us our Heirs or Successors or any the Justices aforesaid And that it shall be lawful for the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors by their Deputy or Minister Deputies or Ministers of the said City Liberties or Suburbs of the same to put themselves in seizen and possession of and in all manner of treasure found goods and Chattels waved and estrayed goods and chattels of Felons and Fugitives from time when they shall happen by vertue of these our Letters Patents without any further Warrant whatsoever We wil also by these presents grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London To have these presents under seal without Fine in the Hamper that they shall have these our Letters Patents under our Great Seal of England in due manner made and sealed without fine or fee great or little to be rendred paid or made to Us in our Hamper or otherwise to us in any wise for the same for that express mention is made of the time yearly value or certainty of the Premises or any of them or of any other gifts or grants made by Us or by our Progenitors or Predecessors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of London before their time or any Statute Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restriction to the contrary thereof heretofore made or ordained set forth or provided or any other thing cause or matter whatsoever Whereof these our Letters we have caused to be made Patents Witness our self at our Honor of Hampton Court the 20 day of September in the year of our Reign of England France and Ireland the sixth and of Scotland the two and fortieth We have have moreover seen certain other Jac. Char. â— Letters Patents of our said most dear Father of blessed memory Lord James late King of England c. made in these words James by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these our present Letters shall come greeting So great is the force of our love towards our City of London our Royal Chamber as whatsoever is in us that we shall see necessary or profitable to the Mayor and London the Kings Royal Chamber Commonalty and Citizens of the same our City that we have been ready freely to give from our soul to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of our said City and it pleases Us well that all grants made by our Predecessors in times past to our City of London be not only confirmed but also inlarged Therefore whereas amongst other things it appears that amongst other things the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of London from all time whereof the memory of Man is not to the contrary have had and lawfully exercised the Office of The City to have the measuring of all Coals brought to London upon the Thames measuring all Coals of what kind or sort soever in any Port of the same City coming brought or carried upon the Water of Thames in any ship boat barge or other vessel whatsoever floating or being upon what part soever of the said water of Thames or on what Bank Shore or Wharfe soever of the same Water of Thames from the Bridge in the Town of Stains in the County of Middlesex and to the Bridge of London and from thence to a certain place called Yendal or Yenland or Yenleet toward the Sea and East and also in Medway in the Port of the City of London Nevertheless a Question is risen whether the weighing of Coals brought within the limits aforesaid together with the measuring of Coals doth belong to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City We therefore to take away all controversies in this part as well for the present as for the time to come and to remove all doubt and to the intent the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City may use have and enjoy as well the weighing as measuring and each as the Wages Rewards Fees and Profits used for the same of our special Grace have given granted and confirmed and by these presents for Us and our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm to our beloved the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our said City The City weigh all coals of London and to their Successors the weighing of all Coals called Stone-coals Pit-coals Earth-coals and all other Coals weighable of what kind or sort soever in or at the said Port of London coming or brought up the said Water of Thames in any ship boat or barge or other vessel whatsoever floating or being in any port of the same water of Thames and upon whatsoever bank shore or wharfe of the same Water of Thames from the said Bridg of Stayns to the said Bridg of
London and from thence to the said place called Yendal towards the Sea And also in Medway and in the Port of London aforesaid to be sold or put to sale and also all Fees Wages Rewards Profits and advantages used or to that time belonging or any wise appertaining To be exercised by the Mayor of the said City for the time being and by the Deputies Officers and Ministers of the said Mayor And further To be executed by the Mayor and Deputies we do hereby for Us our Heirs and Successors give grant and confirm to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors that they for ever have and enjoy the Office of weighing all Coals called Stone Coals Pit-coals Earth-coals and all other Coals weighable of what kind or sort soever at the Port of the said City of London coming or brought upon the said water of Thames in any Ships Boat Barge or other Vessel whatsoever floating or being in any part of the said water of Thames or upon any Bank Shore or Wharf of the same from the said Bridge of Staynes to the said Bridge of London from thence to the said place called Yendall towards the Sea And also in Medway and in the Port of London aforesaid to be sold or set to sale and also all fees wages profits rewards and advantages whatsoever used or to the same Office belonging or any way appertaining to be exercised by the Mayor of the same City for the time being and by the Deputies Officers and Ministers of the same Mayor And we have also constituted and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do constitute ordain create and make the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors by the Mayor of the same City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or by his Deputies Officers or Ministers to be weigher of all and singular Coals called Stone-Coals Pit-Coals Earth-Coals and all other Coals weighable of what kind soever in or at the Port of the said City of London coming carried or brought upon the same water of Thames in any Ship Boat or Barge or other vessel whatsoever floating or being in any part of the same water of Thames and upon any Bank Shore or Wharf of the same water of Thames which shall happen to stay be delivered or laid down from the said Bridg of Staynes to the aforesaid place called Yendall towards the Sea and also in Medway and in the Port of London aforesaid to be sold or put to sale And whereas there is a question risen of the quantity of the Fee demanded and received by the Mayor of the said City for the time being and by their Fees for weighing coals uncertain Deputies Ministers and Officers for the weighing of every Tun-weight of Coals containing five score and twelve pounds weight to every Tun-weight brought within the limits aforesaid We wholly to take away every the said question and the like question do declare establish and for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors Fees setled that it shall be lawful for the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City for the time being by the Mayor of the same City and by the Deputy Minister and Officers of such Mayor for the time being Eight pence a Tun to the use of the City to ask demand take and receive a fee of 8 d. of lawful Money of England to the use of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors for the weighing of every such like Tun of Coals aforesaid and all other Coals weighable of what kind soever and so according to the same rate for a smaller or greater quantity of the person bringing such like Coals for and in respect of the charge and costs of them the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London their Successors in the Beam and Weights and for and in respect of their attendance labour and necessary costs and expences to be had and expended in and about the premises which fee of 8 d. aforesaid the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City had and received formerly And also we command and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors firmly enjoyn and charge all Merchants and other persons whatsoever who shall bring Coals called Sea-coals Pit-coals The Merchant not to unlade his coals till the Mayor hath notice of what kind or sort soever the same shall be within the limits aforesaid upon the water of Thames aforesaid in any Ship Boat or Vessel whatsoever That none of them henceforth shall unlade deliver or lay down nor cause or permit such like Coals to be unladen delivered or laid down out of such Ships Boats or other Vessels being within the limits and bounds aforesaid upon any Wharf Bank or Shore upon either part of the same water of Thames or to be discharged or laid down before the Mayor of our said City for the time being shall take certain notice of the quantity of such Coals and shall give direction for the unlading of the same and for the weighing of measuring of such Coals to the intent that the same Mayor of the said City for the The intent why the Mayor should have notice of the quanti ty of coals time being may be able to render a better and more ready reason and accompt to Us our Heirs and Successors what quantity of Coals of what sort soever from time to time have been brought within the Port of our said City and limits aforesaid and how the said City and the parts and places next adjoyning are from time provided and when we our Heirs or Successors shall require the same from the Mayor of our said City for the time being and also to the intent that-the sums and other profits due to Us our Heirs and Successors for such Coals so to be brought within the limits aforesaid if there shall be any due may be better answered and paid unto the Officers and Ministers of Us our Heirs and Successors to the use of Us our Heirs and Successors under pain of contempt of our Royal Mandate and incurring all such pains and punishments which by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm of England may be inflicted upon such neglecters and contemners And whereas it is notoriously known that the River of Thames is so necessary commodious and profitable to the said City of London and without the said River our said City would not long subsist flourish and continue And for that by forestalling ingrossing Forestalling and regrating of coals and regrating of Coals in and at the Port of the said City brought from the water of Thames aforesaid such Coals are made more â—ear to the great loss and prejudice as well of Us as of our Subjects
And whereas divers ill disposed persons more affecting their own private gain and profit than the general and pubâ—ick good and benefit of our said City little weighing the conservation of the said River of â—ate and at the present do daily and usually sell Coals and other things by Retail in less quantity in Boats commonly called Lighters and other vessels floating and being on the water of Thames aforesaid after such Coals have been unladen from the Ships and other vessels Selling coals by Retail in Lighters which first brought them within the limits aforesaid which persons make the same Boats or Lighters as their common Shops and Ware-houses and in them do daily hold upon the said water of Thames a common Market for selling of such Coals and other things having one two three and sometimes more Boats or Lighters lying together and fastened one to the other in the River of Thames aforesaid by which Market on the Thames for selling coals forestalling ingrossing and regrating aforesaid to the great cosinage damage and oppression as well of the poor as the rich daily encreases and augments and the price of Coals and other things is made dearer And for that by the frequent importation unlading and measuring of such Coals and such like things in and from the said Boats or Lighters very many of the same Coals and other dirt often fall and are cast into the River of Thames to the great harm and choaking up the stream of the same River and the said Boats so placed do greatly hinder the stream of the said River and the passage of Passengers upon the water of the same River We therefore thinking it fit that No Markets to be in Lighters such an Evil ought not to be permitted to continue we â—ommand and for Us our Heirs and Successors prohibit all persons whatsoever that they nor any of them from henceforth sell or presume to sell any Coals of what kind soever upon the water of Thames in any Boat Lighter or other vessel whatsoever excepâ— only in such Ships or other vessels which at first brought the same Coals within the Port of the said City and the limits abovesaid unless upon some Port Key or Wharf near the said River upon pain of contempt of our Royal Mandate and incurring such pains and punishments which may be inflicted by the Laws and Statutes of this our Kingdom upon such contemners and neglecters And because it is our intent that the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City aforesaid and their Successors shall fully enjoy the Premises we therefore by these presents declare and signifie and for us our heirs and successors do grant and covenant to and with the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors That they may safely freely and quietly have use and enjoy all and singular the Premises for ever without the hindrance of Us our heirs or successors or any Officers or Ministers of Us our heirs or successors And if any doubt in time to come shall be found in these presents or any default scruple or question concerning the Premises shall happen to arise we our heirs and successors If any defects be in these presents others more effectual to be granted shall vouchsafe to make and grant other Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England of our Heirs or Successors to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors for the better giving granting and confirming and for the safer enioying of the Premises when it shall be desired by the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors for that the express mention of the true yearly value or of the certainty of the Premises or of other gifts and grants by us or by any of our Ancestors made in times past to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City is not made or being in these presents or any other Statute Act Ordinance Proclamation or Restriction to the contrary heretofore made ordained or published or any other matter or thing whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these ouâ— Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 15th of September in the 12th year of our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland 48th Know ye now that we deeply considering K. Charles Char. 1. and calling to memory the good and laudable services performed by our beloved and faithful Subjects the said Mayor Good service of the City remembred and accepted and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London which we graciously accept And from our soul affecting the good and happy estate of our said City To encrease and enlarge with the greatest favour and grace we can and to establish with all care and diligence we can the Rule and Government of our said City of our especial grace and from our certain knowledge and meer motion and for divers other good causes and considerations especially moving us at present we do accept and approve of for us and our heirs and Successors as much as in us lies all and singular the Letters Patents Charters and Confirmaiâ—ons Confirmation of all the Letters Patents except as hereafter is excepted aforesaid and all and singular Gifts Grants Confirmations Restitutions Customs Ordinances Explanations Articles and all other things whatsoever in the same Letters Patents or Charters except as are herein after excepted and all and singular Lands Tenements Offices Jurisdictions Authorities Priviledges Liberties Franchises Quittals Immunities Free Customs and Hereditaments whatsoever which he said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens The names of the Corporations of London of the City of London or their Predecessors by the name of Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London or by the name of Mayor and Aldermen Citizens or Commonalty of London or by the name of Mayor or Citizens of the City of London or by the name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London or by the name of Citizens of the City of London or by the name of Barons of London or by any other name whatsoever by reason and force of the said Letters Patents Charters or Confirmations or by use or Prescription or any other lawful means at any time or times heretofore they have had ratified and bestowed and all those we ratifie and confirm by these presents to the said Mayor and Commonalty Restitution of all their Liberties except as herein is excepted and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors We will also and for the considerations aforesaid for us our heirs and successors do grant that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors be fully and wholly restored to all and singular their Authorities Jurisdictions Liberties Franchises Priviledges Quittals and Free Customs whatsoever abovesaid except such as are herein after excepted and all and singular the
Conservator of the said River of the Thames without any account or other thing to be rendred or made to Us or our Heirs or Successors And further for the consideration aforesaid We have given and granted and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors All and all Fine simposed by Commissioners of Sewers manner of Fines and Amerciaments and forfeitures which by reason or force of any Commission or Commissions of Sewers of Us our Heirs or Successors issued or to be issued forth within the City of London and the liberties of the same under the great Seal of England of us our Heirs or successors taxed imposed assessed or adjudged or from time to time to be taxed imposed assessed or adjudged upon any person or persons without any account or any other thing to be rendred paid or made to Us our Heirs or successors And further for the consideration Without Accompt aforesaid we by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their successors All messuages Houses Edifices Cottages Buildings Courts Yards Gardens Conduits and Cisterns Shops Sheds Porches Benches Cellars Doors of Cellars Staples Stalls Stayes Pales Posts Justies and Penthouses Sign-Posts Props of Signs and the ground and foundation of them Shores Water-courses Gutters and Easments with their appurtenances which now are or at any time hereafter have been erected built taken inclosed obtained increased possessed or enjoyed by the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors or any person or persons whatsoever of in upon or under all or any void grounds Wasts Commons Streets Wayes and other Common places within the said City and the liberties of the same and in the River or Water of Thames or Ports Banks Creeks or shores of the same within the liberties of the said City We will also and by these presents for Us our heirs and successors declare and grant that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors for ever may have hold and enjoy all those Fields called or known by the name of the Inward Moor and Outward Moor in the Morefields inward and outward Parish of Saint Giles without Cripplegate London Saint Stephen in Coleman-street London and Saint Botolph without Bishopsgate London or in some or any of them and also all that Field called West-Smithfield â— the parish of Saint Sepulchers Saint Bartholomew West Smithfield the great Saint Bartholomew the â—ss in the Suburbs of London or in some â— them To the uses intents and purpoâ—s after expressed And that the same layor and Commonalty and Citizens â—d their successors may be able to hold in â—e said Field called Smithfield Fairs and Fair there â—arkets there to be and used to be held â—d to take receive and have pickage â—llage tolls and profits appertaining happening belonging or arising out of the Fairs and Markets there to such uses as the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens or their predecessors had held or enjoyed and now have hold and enjoy or ought to have hold or enjoy the said premises last mentioned and to no other uses intents or purposes whatsoever And that we our Heirs or Successors will not erect or cause to be erected nor will permit or give leave to any person or persons to erect or build a new one or any Messuages Houses Structures Edifices in or upon the said Field called Inner Moor or the Field called Outward Moor or the said Field called West-Smithfield but that the said seperate Fields and places be reserved disposed and continued to such like common and publick uses as the same Fields heretofore and now are used disposed or converted to saving nevertheless and alwaies Excepting Streets waste-grounds common soil of the City reserving to Us our Heirs and Successors all Streets Lanes and Alleys and now waste and void ground and places as they now are within the City and liberties of the same To hold and enjoy the said Messuages Houses Edifices Court yards and all and singular the premises granted or confirmed or mentioned to be granted and confirmed with all their appurtenances To hold in free Burgage and not in Capite except before excepted to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens oâ— the said City and their Successors for ever To hold in free and common Burgage anâ— not in Capite or by Knights service And further by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors we pardon remit and release to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and Pardon of Issues their successors all and singular Issues profits and rents of all and singular the same Messuages Edifices Houses Structures Penthouses and other the premises last mentioned except before excepted any way due or incurred before the date of these presents to us or our predecessors and the arrearages of the same without any account molestation suit or impediment of Us our Heirs or Successors or Without Writ of ad quod damnum any Justices Officers or Ministers of Us our Heirs or Successors and this without any writ of Ad quod damnum or any other Writ or Inquisition to be procured issued or prosecuted in that behalf And that it shall be lawful to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors to put themselves by them or their Deputies in full and peaceable possession and Seizin of all and singular the premises as often and when it shall seem good and expedient and thereof to have good allowance in any Court whatsoever of Us our Heirs and Successors from time to time without hindrance impediment or perturbation of Us our Heirs or successors our Justices Treasurers of England Barons of the Exchequer or other Officers or Ministers whatsoever of Us our Heirs or Successors And further for the consideration aforesaid for Us our Heirs and Successors we do Pardon of all Intrusions pardon remit release and exonerate to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors All and all manner of Entries Intrusions and Ingresses whatsoever at any time heretofore had or made of in and upon the premises aforesaid or any part of them without any right or legal title of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their predecessors or their tenants farmers or assigns or any other person or persons We will nevertheless and for Us our Heirs and Successors do ordain and declare by these presents that these our Letters Patents or any thing contained in them shall not be interpreted or construed to the taking or adminishing the force or effect of any Proclamations published hereafter of or concerning buildings and edifices in the said City and the liberties of the same and in the places adjoyning for any
contempts or offences whatsoever committed or to be committed nor to remit or to release any offences or contempts heretofore committed or hereafter to be committed against the tenor of the same or any of them but that the same Proclamations may be and remain in Building on Churchwâ—lls exâ—â—â—ted their full force any thing in those presents to the contrary notwithstanding And we will and declare by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors that such like Edifices Structures Incroachments and purprestures which before this time have been made or had upon any Churches or Walls of Churches within the said City and liberties thereof be and shall be subject to such reformation as shall be appointed by Us our Heirs and successors or our Privy Council for the time being in that behalf any thing in these presents to the contrary notwithstanding And moreover We for Us our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm by these presents to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors The Office of Garbling granted to the Mayor Citizens the Office or exercise of Garbling of whatsoever Merchandizes and other things which ought to be Garbled at any time arriving or coming to the City of London by what names or appellations soever that they are at present called or known or shall happen hereafter to be called or known and although the same Spices and Merchandizes now or heretofore have not want to be imported into the Kingdom of England or City aforesaid but shall happen in time to come to be imported And we have made constituted and ordained and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors those the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors Garblers of all and singular the said Spices Merchandizes and things which as aforesaid The Mayor c. constituted Garblers ought to be Garbled To have hold and enjoy and exercise the Office and occupation aforesaid and the disposing ordering surveying and correcting of the same Together with all and singular fees profits and emoluments lawfully belonging and due to the same Office of Garbling to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors to be occupied and exercised by them Without Account their deputy and deputies Officer and Officers Minister and Ministers without rendring or making any account or other thing to Us our Heirs or Successors And further we will and for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors and their Deputies Officers and Ministers to ask demand take receive to the use of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City aforesaid and their Successors for Garbling of the said Spices things and Merchandizes for which no fee or reward heretofore has been had or taken which how great or of what shall be appointed and allowed for Garbling by the Lord Chancellor or Treasurer of England or President of the Council of Us our Heirs and Successors the Lord keeper of the Privy Seal Lord Steward of the house of us our Heirs or Successors and the two chief Justices of the Kings-bench and Common-bench for the time being or by any four of them at least and by them subscribed without any account or any thing to be rendred to Us our Heirs oâ— Successors excepting nevertheless and out of these presents reserving all such like Except Garbling Tobacco grants of or for Garbling of Tobacco which has heretofore been made by us or some of our progenitors or predecessors And further for Us our Heirs and Successors do give grant and confirm by these presents to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors the Office Occupation and Exercise of Gawging of whatsoever Wines Oils and other Merchandizes and things The Office of Gawger granted to the Mayor gawgable within the said City at any time arising or coming to the said City by what names or appellations soever they are at present called or known or hereafter shall be called or known and although the same Wines Oils things or Merchandizes now or heretofore have not wonted to be imported And we do make constitute and ordain by these presents for us our heirs and successors the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors Gawgers of all and singular the said Wines Oils things and Merchandizes which ought to be gawged To have and to hold and to enjoy and exercise the Office Exercise and Occupation aforesaid and disposing ordering surveying and correcting of the same together with With all Fees all and singular Fees Profits and Emoluments lawfully belonging or appertaining to the same Office To the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their successors for ever to be exercised and occupied by them their Deputy and Deputies Officer and Officers Minister and Ministers without Account or any other thing thence to be made or rendred unto us our heirs or successors And further we will and for us our heirs and successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City that it shall and may be lawful to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors and their Deputies Officers and Ministers to ask demand take and receive to the use of them the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors for the gawging of the said Wines Oils and other things and Merchandizes which ought to be gawged the fees wages and rewards belonging to the said Office and such so great and such like wages fees and rewards for gawging such Wines Oils things and Merchandizes for which no fee or reward was heretofore lawfully had or received which how great and what like shall from henceforth be appointed and allowed for Gawging by the Lords Chancellor and Treasurer of England and President of the Council of us our Heirs and Successors and the two Chief Justices of the King's Bench and common Bench for the time being or by any four of them at least and by them subscribed without any account or other thing to be rendred or made thereof to us our heirs and successors And further for the consideration abovesaid we do by these presents for us our heirs and successors give grant and confirm to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors the Office of keeping the The Office of keeping the great Beam c. granted to the City great Standard and common Ballance ordained to weigh between Merchant and Merchant and also the Office of Keeper of the Great Ballance or Weight within the said City of London for weighing of all Merchandizes of Avoir du pois and also all weights whatsoever within the same City of all sorts of Wares Merchandizes and things to be weighed by what names or appellations
soever at present they be called or known or hereafter shall happen to be called or known and although the same sort of wares Merchandizes and things heretofore were not accustomed to be weighed but in time to come shall happen to be weighed or bought and sold by weight And we do for us our heirs and successors by these presents ordain make and constitute the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors Keepers of the great Standard Ballance and Weight and all Weights whatsoever and also Weigher of all sorts of wares commodities Merchandizes and things to be weighed and which have been accustomed and used to be bought and sold by weight within our said City To have and exercise the said Office and Occupation aforesaid by them their Deputies Officers or Ministers together with the fees profits wages rewards With the Fees and Profits and emoluments of right belonging or appertaining to the same Office without any account or any other thing to be made rendred or paid for any of the last mentioned premises in this behalf to us our Heirs or Successors And also of our more ample grace and meer motion we will and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens that it may and shall be lawful to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors and their Deputies Officers and Ministers to ask demand take and receive to the use of the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens for the weighing of all Merchandizes of Avoir du pois aforesaid and all sort of commodities wares and things to be weighed the fees and rewards of weighing the same sort of commodities Merchandizes and things to be weighed for which no fee or reward was heretofore lawfully had or received which how great and what like they shall be for weighing from henceforth shall be appointed and allowed by the Lords Chancellors and Treasurers of England President of the Council of us our heirs and successors Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Lord Steward of the house of us our heirs and successors the two Chief Justices of the King's Bench and Common Bench for the time being or by four of them at least and by them subscribed without account or other thing to be rendred or made to us our heirs and successors And also we will for us our heirs and successors do erect and create in and through the said City and Liberties thereof and in and through our Borough or Town of Southwark in our County of Surrey a certain Office called Outroper or Common Cryer to and for the selling of Houshold-stuff Apparel The Office of Outroper or Common Cryer granted to the Mayor c. Leases of Houses Jewels Goods Chattels and other things of all persons who shall be willing that the said Officers shall make sale of the same things by publick and open claim commonly called Out-cry and sale in some common and open place or places in the said City and the Liberties of the same and for the Borough and Town of Southwark aforesaid And the same Office for the consideration aforesaid we for us our heirs and successors do give and grant to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of London and their Successors for ever To have and exercise the same Office by them or their Deputy Officer or Minister Officers Deputies or Ministers being first allowed or admitted To be exercised by them or their Deputies chosen in common Council thereto by the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City for the time being in Common Council of the same City assembled or by the major part of them And that it shall and may be lawful to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors and their Deputy or Deputies Officers or Ministers to demand take and keep for the use of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens aforesaid the Wares and Fees expressed in a certain Schedule To take the Fees expressed in a Schedule annexed hereunto annexed And we will and for us our heirs and successors do strictly appoint command and charge all other persons that neither they nor any of them presume to sell any goods chattels houshold-stuff apparel jewels and other things Others not sell by out-cry in publick claim called Outcry in the City aforesaid or the Liberties of the same or in the Borough and Town of Southwark under pain of our Royal displeasure And also for the consideration aforesaid We for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors And by these presents do declare â—â—eemens Widows to use Husbands Trades that the Relicts and Widows of Freemen of the said City using manual Arts and Occupations so long as they shall continue Widows and remain in the same City from time to time and at all times hereafter may and be licensed to use and execute and exercise the same Arts and manual Occupations in the said City although they were not educated by the space of seven years as apprentices notwithstanding the statute made and published in Parliament of Lady Elizabeth late Queen of England in the 5th year of her Reign or any other statute or ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding And further for the considerations aforesaid we by these presents for Us our Heirs and successors do grant and confirm to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors That no Market shall henceforth be granted erected or permitted That no Market be kept within seven miles of the City by Us our Heirs or Successors within 7 miles in Compass of the said City And because we understand that it has been of an antient Custom of the same City had and allowed in the Circuits of the justices of our progenitors once Kings of England to the Citizens aforesaid that the Mayor and Aldermen of the said City for the time being ought to record by word of mouth all their antient customs as often and whensoever any thing in act or question touching the said customs happens and is moved before any Justices We the same being considered willing that the customs of the TheMa yor c. to record their Customs by the mouth of the Recorder said City be rather inlarged then diminished of our special grace have granted for us our Heirs and Successors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors that whensoever and as often as there shall happen any issues to be taken of or upon any custom of the same City between any parties in pleading although they themselves be parties or if any thing shall be moved or happen in pleading act or question touching the customs aforesaid before Us our Heirs or Successors or Justices for holding pleas before Us our Justices of
the Common-bench Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer or any other Justices of Us our Heirs or Successors which shall exact or require inquisition search or tryal the Mayor and Aldermen of the same City for the time may record testify and declare by word of mouth by the Recorder of the same City for the time being those customs that by such record testimony and declaration without taking any Jury thereupon or making any further process they may speedily proceed to the caption or determination of the plea deed cause or business We have given also and granted and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors Treasure found in the same City or the liberty of the same and also waived and strayed Goods and Chattels of all Felons and Fugitives for Felons Committed or that shall be committed by them in the said City or the liberties of the same judged or to be adjudged before Us our Heirs or Successors Treasure found c. granted to the Mayor or any of our Justices We have granted also and for Us our Heirs and Successors by these presents do grant that the Mayor of the said City and their Successors for the time being may name to the Chancellor of England for the time being two of the Aldermen of the same City of which one at the nomination of the said Mayor The Mayor to name two Aldermen for Justices in Middlesex and London Surrey shall be one of the keepers of the peace in the County of Middlesex and the other in the County of Surrey who shall be inserted with others into all Commissions henceforth to be made for the conservation of the peace in the Counties aforesaid and may henceforth do concern and execute those things which are to be done by the keepers of the peace in the Counties aforesaid according to the force and effect of the Commissions directed or to be directed to them and others And whereas Freemen of London the freedom of the City of London in times past was had in such price and estimation that many Merchants thought themselves happy to enjoy the same and to be reputed members of the same City And whereas divers persons being Sons of certain Freemen of the said City resident in our said City and others who were apprentices of Freemen of the said City resident in our said City in these late times have used and daily do use and exercise Merchandize negotiation and Commerce from the port of the same City to parts beyond the Seas and by reason thereof have and do gain and acquire great prfiots and advantages to themselves refusing or at least delaying to become freemen of the said City and to be admitted into the liberty of the same City although they be capable of the same and so they have priviledges and yet are loose and free from publick Offices Places Charges and Burthens of the said City for our service and honour and for the upholding of the state and profit of that City that the weakning of the Government of the said City and impoverishing the Freemen and disparaging of the liberty thereof We considering these things and intimately desiring as much as in us is to strengthen and enlarge the liberties of the said City our Royal Chamber and to conserve support and protect the rule and Government and good and happy state of that City We will appoint ordain and declare for Us our Heirs and Successors that all they who are or hereafter shall be Sons of Freemen to be made free of London Sons of Freemen of the City or who are or hereafter shall be apprentices or Servants of Freemen of our said City and now do or hereafter shall reside or inhabit in the same City or the liberties of the same or within ten miles distant from any part of the same and do or shall use Merchandize and who do or shall refuse or delay to become Freemen of the said City shall not be permitted at any time hence forth by themselves or by others directly or indirectly to transport any goods wares or Merchandizes by way of Merchandizing in any way from the Port of our City of London to parts foreign or beyond the Seas Willing and for Us our Heirs and Successors we do firmly command the Governors Assistants and Merchant adventurers of England the Governors and Assistants of the English Merchants traffiquing in the Baltick Sea the Society of English Merchants for discovery of new commerce the Governors and Society of Merchants of England trading into the Levant Seas the Governor and Society of Merchants of London trading to France and the Dominions of the same and to all other societies of Merchants trading or Merchandizing into foreign parts beyond the Seas by what name or names soever the said distinct Societies are known or reputed That they nor any of them admit licence or permit any such like person or persons to Merchandize or Traffick or have commerce as Merchants to foreign parts unless such persons first become Freemen of the said City and bring a testimonial from the Chamberlain or Under-Chamberlain of the said City for the time being that they are admitted into the liberty of the said City And further for us our heirs and successors we will and command that no Merchant being or who hereafter shall be a Freeman of the said City shall take henceforth Merchants free of London not to take Apprentices under seven years any Apprentice to serve him in such like Merchandize within the City aforesaid Liberties or Suburbs of the sâ—s of or within ten miles of the same City for less than seven years to be bound and inrolled according to the custom of the said City and not otherwise And whereas by a certain Act of Parliament made in the third year of the Reign of our most dear Father Lord James late King of England It is enacted that every Citizen and Freeman of the City of London and every other person or persons inhabiting or which shall Court of Conscience Requests inhabit in the said City or the Liberties of the same being a Tradesman Victualler or Labourer who then had or from thenceforth should have any debt or debts owing to him or them not amounting to forty shillings by any Citizen or any other person or persons being a Victualler Tradesman or Labourer who doth or shall inhabit within the said City or the Liberties of the same may cause such like Debtor or Debtors to be warned or summoned by Officers of the Court of Request the Beadle or Officer of the Court of Requests in the Guild-Hall London for the time being by writing to be left at the dwelling-house of such Debtor or Debtors or by any reasonable notice or warning to be given to the said Debtor or Debtors to appear before the Commissioners of the said Court of Requests holden in the
Guild-Hall of the said City as by the said Act fully appears We will and for us ouâ— heirs and successors ordain and constitute thâ—â— from time to time and in all future times â—here be and shall be a certain Office Clerk and his Fees of the Clerk of the Court of Requesâ— aforesaid And that there be and shall be from time to time and in all future times one fit person to be named and appointed by the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City assembled in Common Council of the same City or the greater part of them to be a Clerk of the same Court to make write enter and register Warrants Precepts Process Acts Orders and Executions of that Court And for labour and Attendance to have and receive his fees and wages expressed in a Schedule annexed to these presents And that there be from time to time and in all future times shall be a certain Office of Beadle of Beadle and his Fees the Court of Requests aforesaid to be named and appointed by the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City assembled in Common Council of the same City or the greater part of them To summon all such persons to appear in the same Court to answer to such like persons as are appointed in the said Act of Parliament and to serve and execute Warrants Precepts and Process of the same Court and to receive for his labour in the same Office the Wages and Fees expressed in a certain Shedule hereunto annexed And whereas divers Burglaries Felonies Roberies clandestine Stealings and Thefts of Goods Jewels Apparel and Houshold-stuff and other things are daily committed within our City of London and liberties of the same to the grievous damage of some of our Subjects inhabiting there or in the parts adjoyning We for the better discovery of such like offenders and of things so lost will and for Us our Heirs and Successors by these presents do ordain grant and constitute that from henceforth for ever within Register of Brokers of Pawns c. the said City of London and the liberties of the same there be and shall be a certain Office of Register of all and for all sales and pawns made or to be made to retailing Brokers within the said City and liberties of the same and for any Goods Jewels Apparel Houshold-stuff and other things so to be sold or pawned by any persons and for Us our Heirs and Successors We now do give and grant by these presents the same Office to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors to have and exercise the said Office by them or their Officer Deputy or Minister or Officers Deputies or Ministers first to be allowed and admitted thereto by the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City assembled in Common Council of the same City for the time being or the greater part of them And that it may and shall be lawful for the said Mayor and Citizens of the said City and their Successors and their Deputy or Deputies Officer or Officers to demand take or have and rerain in their power to the use of them the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City the Wages and Fees expressed in a certain Schedule annexed to these presents without any account or any thing else to be rendred or made to us our heirs or successors And further we do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors that it may and shall be lawful to the Citizens of the same City and any of them for the time being to expose and hang in and over the Citizens may hang out Signs Streets and Ways and Alleys of the said City and Suburbs of the same Signs and posts of Signs affixed to their Houses and Shops for the better finding out such Citizens Dwellings Shops Arts or Occupations without impediment molestation or interruption of us our heirs or successors or any Officers or Ministers whatsoever of us our heirs or successors And whereas Lord Henry the eighth late King of England c. by his Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster the 13th day of January in the 28th year of his Reign amongst other things for him and his successors did give and grant to the said Bethlem and its Charter Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors the keeping ordering and governing of the House and Hospital of him the late King called Bethlem situate without and near Bishopsgate of the said City of London and all Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions Revenues and Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever lying and being belonging and appertaining unto the same Hospital or House called Bethlem and made and constituted by the same his Letters Patents these the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors Masters Keepers and Governours of the said House and Hospital called Bethlem and of the said Mannors Lands Tenements and other Premises belonging to the same House or Hospital To have hold and enjoy the said Custody Order and Government of the said House or Hospital called Bethlem And the said manner Lands Tenements Possessions Revenues Hereditaments belonging to the same House and Hospital called Bethlem To the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors for ever to the uses and intents which are in and upon the Foundation ordered and provided by the said late King his Heirs or Successors And that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors might be better able to support the but then and expences of the poor in sustaining the House House of the Poor in West-Smithfield called the House of the Poor in West-Smithfield and other burthens assigned and appointed to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors by Indenture mentioned to be made between the said late King and those the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City in the said letters Patents As by the same his Letters Patents amongst other things more fully appears Know ye that we from our Soul affecting and intimatley desiring to support and establish the said works for us our Heirs and Successors do grant and confirm to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors the said Custody Ordering and Government of the said House and Hospital called Bethlem and all Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions and Revenues whatsoever and wheresoever lying and being belonging and appertaining to the same House and Hospital called Bethlem And do make ordain and constitute by these presents Mayor c. Governors of Bethlem those the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors Masters Keepers and Governors of the said House and Hospital called Bethlem and of the said Mannors Lands Tenements and
part or parcel of it by which our title in and to the said premises ought to be found before the making of these our Letters Patents And notwithstanding any defect in not reciting or ill reciting of any Lease or Leases Grant or Grants heretofore made for term of life or lives or years or otherwise of the premises or of any part or parcel of them being upon Record or not upon Record or otherwise however And notwithstanding the ill naming or not right or certain naming any Village or Hamlet Parish Ward Place Precinct or Country in which the premises or any part of them is or are And notwithstanding any defect in not mentioning or not fully rightly or certainly mentioning the name or names of all or any Tenements These Letters Parents to be sealed without paying any Fine in the Hamper Forms Possessions or Occupations aforesaid and all and singular other the premises or any parcel thereof or of the Annual rent reserved in and upon the premises or any part thereof And notwithstanding any defect uncertainty or Computation or declaration or omission of the true value of the premises or any part of them in these present Letters Patents expressed And notwithstanding any defect in not mentioning our true right state or title of or to the same premises or any part or parcel of them And notwithstanding the statute of Lord Henry the 6th late King of England our Ancestor made and published in the year of his Reign and notwithstanding the statute of Lord Henry the 4th late King of England our Ancestor made and published in the first year of his Reign And notwithstanding the statute aforesaid of not putting Lands and Tenements in Mortmain And notwithstanding the statute made in the Parliament of Edward the first in the third year of his Reign And the statute made in the Parliament of Edward the third in the twenty eight year of his Reign concerning choosing of the Coroners And notwithstanding any other statute or statutes of this our Kingdom of England or any other defects whatsoever and notwithstanding the not mentioning the natures kinds species quantities of the premises or any of them or any part or parcel of them We will also and by these presents grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London that they shall and may have these our Letters Patents made and sealed under the great Seal of England without â—endring paying or making Fine or Fee great or little to us in our hamper or otherwise to our use any way for that express mention is not made of the true yearly value or of the certainty of the premises or any of them or of other gifts or grants heretofore made by Us or by any of our Progenitors or Ancestors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of of the City of London or any other statute Act Ordinance Proclamation Provision or Restriction made Published Ordained or provided to the contrary or any other cause or matter whatsoever in any thing notwithstanding In Witness whereof we have made these our Letters Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 18th day of October in the 14th year of our Reign Fees taken by the Common Outroper FOr selling of all Goods ¼ in ever Shilling For writing and keeping the Books 1 Penny per l. To the Cryer for crying the Goods 1 s. Fees taken by the Register for Broakers FOr the Bond to be entered into by every Broaker Brogger and Huckster to the Chamber 8 d. For every Bargain Contract Pawn for or upon which there shall be lent or given 1 s. or above and under 5 s. ¼ For every the like for which shall be lent 5 s. or more and under 20 s. ½ For every the like on which shall be lent 20 s. or more and under 40 s. 1 d. For every the like on which shall be lent 40 s. or more 2 d. Court of Conscience in London Clerks Fees FOr every Plaint 2 d. For every Appearance 2 d. For every Order 4 d. For every Remittance to the Common Law 4 d. For every Precept or VVarrant to Committo Prison 6 d. For every Search 2 d. For every Satisfaction acknowledged on an Order 6 d. For VVarning every Person within the Liberties 4 d. For VVarning every Person without the Liberties 6 d. For serving every Precept or VVarrant 4 d. VVE have also seen a certain other Charter of our said most dear Father Charles the First late King of England of Blessed Memory made in these words CHARLES by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting WHEREAS Out Well-beloved the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Predecessors within the Port of London within the Liberties and Franchices of our City of London and Suburbs thereof have had exercised and enjoyed or claimed to have exercise and enjoy the Paccage of Cloths c. Office of Paccage of all Cloths Woolls Woollfells Calves skins Goat-skins Bales of Tinne and of all other Merchandizes whatsoever to be packed casked piped barrelled or otherwise vesselled out of the said Port to be transported to any the parts beyond the Seas of the Goods and Merchandizes as well of Aliens and Persons born under any Forreign Allegiance in any parts beyond the Seas wheresoever they should be Customed and also the Office as well for Surveying or Scavage of all Goods or Wares of any Merchant either Alien or Denizen whose Father was or should be an Alien born without our Allegiance and from the parts beyond the Seas to be brought to the said Port by way of Merchandize as also for the surveying delivering or balliage of Balliage of Goods all Goods and Wares of any such Merchants aforesaid to be exported from the said Port into the parts beyond the Seas or otherwise on the account of Merchandizes upon and through the River Thames within the said Port in any Ship Boat Barge or Vessel whatsoever floating laden remaining or being off of any Shore of the said River of Thames and upon any Wharffe or Shore of the same River which should happen there to remain and be delivered or unladen as well by Water as by Land within the Port aforesaid within the Franchices and Liberties of the said City and Suburbs thereof all which they have enjoyed time out of mind and by vertue of several Charters or Letters Patents of Edward the Fourth late King of England in the First and Eighteenth years of his Reign to them granted and also by vertue of a certain other Charter or Letters Patents of Henry the Eighth late King of England to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens aforesaid granted in the Third year of his Reign â—y whatsoever Name or Names the same are called in the said Letters Patents by Authority of Parliament confirmed or by colour of the same Letters