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
of the said City before these times had and used by which Grievance the Merchants of the said City are greatly impoverished and the Navy impaired and the Privities of the Land by the said strangers discovered to our enemies by Spies and other strangers into these houses received May it therefore please your The prayer of the Petition Majestyand Council to ordain in this Parliament that the Merchants strangers may be restrained in the points aforesaid and the Mayor Aldermen and Commons in the said City may enjoy the said Franchises We for the special affection we bear to the said Citizens willing to provide for the tranquillity and profit of the said Citizens in that behalf with the Assents of our Prelates Nobles c. Have granted for us The King 's Grant to the City in Parliament and our Heirs to the said Mayor and Aldermen and Citizens of the said City and their successors upon condition that they put the said City under good government to our honour and profit of our Realm of England and right govern the same That no strangers from henceforth shall sell any wares in the same City or Suburbs thereof Strangers to keep no house in London nor be Broker by retail nor shall keep any house â—oâ— be any Broker in the said City or the Suburbs thereof any Statute or Ordinance made to the contrary notwithstanding saving always to the Merchants of High Almaine their Liberties to us and our progenitors to them granted and confirmed In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the fourth day of December in the 50th Year of our Reign of England and of our Kingdom of France the 37th WE have seen the Charter of our Lord Henry 4. Henry the fourth late King bearing date the 25th day of May in the first year of his Reign made to the Citizens aforesaid in which Charter is contained amongst other things as followeth And moreover of our ample grace we have granted to us and our heirs as much as in us is to the same Citizens their heirs and successors as aforesaid that they shall have the custody Citizens to have the keeping of the Gates of Newgate Ludgate Gathering Tolls as well of the Gates of Newgate and Ludgate as all other the Gates and Posterns of the same City and also the Office of gathering of the Tolls and Customs in Cheap and Billing sgate and Smithfield there rightfully to be taken and accustomed and also the Tronage that is to say Tronage the weighing of Lead Wax Pepper Allom Madder and other like wares within the said City for ever As by the said Charters amongst other things more plainly may appear WE have seen the Charter of Lord Edw. 4. Char. 1. Edward the 4th late King of England in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all Archbishops c. greeting Although as we understand such things alltogether as ought to be holden and determined by Conservators of the peace and Justices assigned for hearing and determining divers Felonies trespasses and misdemeanors in all the Counties of our Realm of England by the Kings Authority by vertue of the Ordinances and Statutes of our Realm aforesaid made for the good of the peace and rule of our people have alwaies time out of mind been used and well affirmed and yet be in our City of London Nevertheless to the end that from henceforth one good certain and undoubted manner may be continually had in our said City for the conservation of the peace and governing our people of the same And that the same may alwaies be and remain a City of peace and quietness We will of our meer motion and by tenor of these presents do grant for us as much as in us is to to the Mayor and Commonalty of the City aforesaid and to the Citizens of the same and to their successors for ever that they may have and hold all and singular their Mayor and Citizens to enjoy their Customs liberties and free Customs as whole and sound as ever they had and held them in all time of our Progenitors And further we grant for us and our heirs aforesaid to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and to their successors the liberties and Authorities acquittals and franchises under-written that is to say That from henceforth the Mayor and Recorder of the said City who now be and their successors The Mayor Recorder such Aldermen as have been Mayors shal be Justices of the Peace and the Mayors and Recorders which for the time shall be as well those Aldermen which before this time have been Mayors of the same City as other Aldermen who shall hereafter sustain the charge of Mayoralty and shall be thereof dismissed as long as they shall there remain Aldermen for ever shall be conservators of the present peace of our City and the peace of our successors of the said City and liberties thereof as well by Land as by Water And To put all Ordinances for the preservation of the Peace in execution to keep or cause to be kept all Ordinances and Statutes made and to be made for the good of our peace and for the quietness rule and government of our people in all their Articles as well within the City aforesaid as the liberty and Suburbs of the same as well by Land as by Water according to all the force form and effect of the same And to chastise and punish whom they shall find offending contrary to the form and effect of the said Ordinances and Statutes as according to the form of the Ordinances and Statutes aforesaid should be done We will also and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and The Mayor Aldermen Recorder to be Justices of Oyer and Terminer their successors that the now Mayor and his successors aforesaid and the Recorder of the said City which for the time shall be and such Aldermen as aforesaid or four of the same Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of whom we will that such Mayor for the time being and his successors to Mayor to be of the Quorum be one be Justices and have so assigned them Justices for us and our successors forever To enquire hear and determine as often and at such times as to them shall seem meet of all manner of Felonies Trespasses Forestalling and Regratings Extortions and other Misdemeanours within the said City or the Liberties or Suburbs thereof as well by Land as by Water by whomsoever or after what manner soever done or committed and which from henceforth shall happen to be done And also to hear and determine and execute all and singular other things which shall pertain to our Justices of the Peace within our Realm of England So alwaies that the said Mayor and Citizens and their Successors may have and hold all and singular
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
liberties and Franchises of the said late house or Priory of Black Friers and White Friers shall be chargeable and eligible unto all Offices and charges as well Mayor as Sheriffs and Aldermen of the said City as of the Company within the said City of London of which they are or shall be free as other Freemen of the said City are And furthermore for the better and common profit of our City of London and for the accommodation and supportation of the charges and expences of the said City for Us our Heirs and Successors We will and grant to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and to their Successors That from henceforth all and singular persons though they be not Free of the same City who now are or hereafter shall be dwelling within the said City the Liberties or Precincts of the same except the Inhabitants within the liberties and Franchises of the aforesaid several late houses or Priories of the late Friers called the Black Friers and the White Friers in whatsoever aids Tallages grants and other contributions whatsoever to the use and service of Us our Heirs and Successors or to the use of the said City for maintaining the state good or benefit of the said City howsoever to be assessed shall reasonably be taxed and shall contribute And the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City aforesaid may and can levy the same ayds The Mayor c. may levy ayds by their own Officers tallages grants and other contributions except before excepted by their own Officers and Ministers by distress of the goods and Chattels of such persons who from time to time shall be charged with the payment of such ayds tallages grants and other contributions of any of them and so levyed they can and may have hold and enjoy to the use and behove aforesaid Provided alwayes Nevertheless that such residents and dwellers in any houses within the aforesaid City who are not nor shall be Freemen of the aforesaid City shall be taxed such ayds Tallages grants and other contributions from time to time only for the houses in which they shall inhabit or reside or are dwelling within the same City of London liberties or Precincts of the same according to the custome of the said City shall be assessed and taxed and not otherwise Provided also that if any one or any of the said Inhabitants Residents or Dwellers who are not or shall not be a Free man or Freemen of the said City shall think himself by reason of the said aids tallages grants or contributions unjustly grieved that then and in such case the Chancellor of England of Us our Heirs and Successors for the time being upon the complaint of any person or persons so grieved shall moderate and qualifie such aids tallages grants and contributions as to him in that behalf shall be thought fit which moderation shall stand and be of force And furthermore We will and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors That the Mayor and Recorder of the said City which now are and every Mayor and Recorder of the same City who hereafter for the time being shall be as well those Aldermen of the said City as those Aldermen who shall for the time to come bear the charge of Mayoralty of the same City after that they have ceased or be moved from the Office of Mayoralty of the same City and so long as they shall continue Aldermen of our City of London aforesaid for ever be and shall be our Justices and of our Heirs and Successors and every one of them be and shall be Justices and Keepers of Us our Heirs and Successors to keep and make to be kept the peace of Us our Heirs and Successors in Justices of London to hold jurisdiction in Black friers White-friers Dukes-place c and through all and singular Circuits Precincts liberties franchises and places aforesaid commonly called the Black-friers the White-friers the Dukes-Place otherwise Creed-Church-street Great St. Bartholomews Little St. Bartholomews and Cold Harborough aforesaid and every of them and to keep or cause to be kept and executed all Ordinances and Statutes of this our Realm made for the good of our peace and the quiet Rule and Government of our People in all their Articles according to the force form and effect of the same and to chastise and pâ—nish those who contrary to the form and effect of those Ordinances or Statutes or any of them within the limits franchises and places aforesaid are found to offend as ought to be done according to the form of the said Ordinances and Statutes and to make to come Power to take Security for the Peace and commit the refusers to prison before them all those who threaten any of the people of Us our Heirs or Successors concerning their Bodies or burning their houses to find sufficient Security of the peace or good behaviour towards Us our Heirs or Successors and if they refuse to find such Security them to cause to be safely kept in prison until they shall find such Security And further We will and grant for Us our Heirs and Successors to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors that the Mayor of the said City for the time being and the Recorder of the same now being and who for the time to come shall be and every Alderman as aforesaid who has been or hereafter Mayor Recorder and such Justices as are customarily in the City to be Justices of O yer and Terminer shall be Mayor of the said City after they shall cease or be amoved from the office of Mayoralty of the said City and so long as the Aldermen of the said City shall continue or any four or more of the same Mayor Recorder and Aldermen whereof the Mayor and Recorder of the same City for the time being we will to be two from henceforth for ever may be Justices of Us our Heirs and Successors to enquire of all The Mayor and Recorder to be of the Quorum and all manner of Felonies Witchcrafts Inchantments Sorceries Magick Art Trespasses Forestallers Regraters Ingrossors and Extortions whatsoever and of all and singular other misdeeds and offences of which our Justices of the Peace may and ought lawfully to enquire howsoever and wheresoever done or committed or which hereafter shall be done or attempted in the Liberties Franchises and places aforesaid and also of all other who within the same Franchises Liberties and places go or ride in Assemblies or with armed force against our peace and to the disturbance of our people and also of those who lye in wait to kill our people or hereafter shall presume to lye in wait and also of Hostlers and all and singular other persons who have offended or attempted or hereafter shall presume to offend or attempt in abuse of Weights and Measures and in selling
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
the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors may the better more safely and quietly have hold and enjoy some things in the said Letters Patents of the said late King Henry the 6th herein after expressed Nevertheless with some Provisoes Exceptions Restrictions and Explanations in these presents mentioned It is our good pleasure by Grant of divers things following these our present Letters to grant and confirm to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors the same particular things and others hereafter specified in such manner form as is afterwards metioned Know ye therefore that we for divers good causes and considerations especially moving us thereunto of our special grace and from our certain knowledg and meer motion 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 of the City of London and their Successors that the Mayor and Recorder of the said City who now are and for the time shall be as well those Aldermen who formerly have been Mayors of the City as those Aldermen who for the time to come shall sustain and bear the burthen and office of the Mayoralty of the said City although they shall cease from their Mayoralty or are dismissed from it so long as nevertheless they stand Aldermen and the three senior Aldermen of the said City for the time being who have stood longest in the Office of Aldermen and before that time have not yet born the burthen and the Office of Mayoralty of that City for ever Keepers and each of them a Keeper of the peace of Us our Heirs and Successors within the City of London aforesaid and the liberties of the same to be conserved and kept And we do constitute make and ordain by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors the same Mayor Recorder and Aldermen aforesaid The Mayor Recorder and Aldermen to be Justices our Keepers and Iustices and each of them the Keeper and Iustice of us our Heirs and Successors within the City of London aforesaid and the liberties of the same To keep and cause to be kept all and singular the Statutes and Ordinances made or to be made for the good of the peace of Us our Heirs or Successors for the conservation of the same and for the quiet rule and government of the people of Us our Heirs and Successors in all their Articles as well within the said City as the liberty thereof according to the force form and effect of them And to correct and punish all those whom they shall find offending against the form and effect of the said Ordinances and Statutes and any of them in the City aforesaid and the liberties thereof as should be done according to the form of those Ordinances and Statutes And to cause all such who shall threaten all or any of the people of Us our Heirs or Successors concerning their bodies or burning their houses to find sufficient security for his peace and good behaviour towards Us our Heirs and Successors and if they shall refuse to find such security then to cause them to be safely kept in our goal of Newgate or in any other prison of Us or our Heirs and Successors in the said City of London untill they shall find security and to do and execute all To find Sureties for the Peace such things which the Justices and Keep-of the peace of Us our Heirs and Successors within any County of our Kingdom of England are inabled may or ought by vertue of any Statutes or Ordinances of this our kingdom of England or by vertue of any Commission of Us our Heirs or Successors to execute or do for the keeping of the peace in any the like Counties We will also and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors That the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the time being and such like Aldermen as is aforesaid for the time being who have formerly born and exercised the Office or place of Mayoralty of that City and thereof such like as aforesaid senior Aldermen for the time being who have not yet born the place of Mayoralty aforesaid Or Four of the same Mayor Recorder and 4 Justices may hold a Sessions Aldermen whereof we will the said Mayor or Recorder for the time being to be one be the Justices of Us our Heirs and Successors for us our Heirs and Successors for ever To enquire as often and when it shall seem best expedient to them by the Oath of honest and lawful men as well of the City aforesaid as the liberty of the same by whom To enquire of several Offences the truth of the thing may better be known concerning all manner of Murthers Felonies Punishments Witchcarfts Inchantments Sorceries Art-magick Transgressions Forestallings Regrateings Ingrossings and Extortions whatsoever and of all and singular other Misdemeanors and Offences heretofore had or committed or which shall henceforth happen to be done or attempted concerning which the Justices of the peace of Us our Heirs and Successors may or ought lawfully inquire within the City aforesaid or the liberties thereof and as well of all others who have in Companies within the said City and liberties thereof gone or rode or shall from henceforth presume to go or ride armed against Us our Heirs and Successors and also of those who there have layn in wait or shall presume to lie in wait for the time to come to maim or kill the People of Us our Heirs and Successors and also of all Hostlers and other persons who shall offend or attempt in the said City and the liberty of the same in the abuse of measures or weights or in the selling of victuals against Weights Measures the form of the Ordinances and Statutes or any of them made or to be Victuals made for the common profit of our Kingdom of England and the same people of Us our Heirs and Successors and also of all Sheriffs Constables Goalors and other Officers who have behaved themselves unduly about the premises or any of them or shall presume hereafter to behave themselves unduly or shall have been remiss or negligent or shall so be within the City aforesaid and the liberties of the same and of all and singular articles and things whatsoever made and committed or which henceforth shall be made or attempted any way concerning the premises or any of them in the City aforesaid and the liberties of the same And to see into whatsoever Indictments which shall be taken before the Mayor or Recorder of the City aforesaid for the To receive and see into Indictments taken before them time being or such like as is aforesaid Aldermen or four or more of them whereof we will the said Mayor or Recorder for the time being to
be one And to make and continue process against all and singular so indicted or who after shall To make continue process chance to be indicted untill they be taken render themselves or outlawed And to hear and determine all and singular Murthers Felonies Poysonings Witchcrafts Inchantments Sorceries Magick-arts Transgressions False conspiracies and other Misdemeanors Fore stallings Regrateings Ingrossings Extortions Conventicles and Judgments aforesaid and all and singular the premises according to the Laws and Statutes of our Kingdom of England as used and ought to be done in such like Case And to chastise and punish the same offend ers for their faults by Fines Redemptions Amerciaments Forfeitures and otherwise as hath been used and ought to be according to the Law and Custom of our Kingdom To punish Offenders of England and the form of the Ordinances and Statutes of the same And to do exercise hear determine and execute all and singular things within the said City and liberties thereof which Justices of the peace by the Laws and Statutes of our Kingdom may and are inabled to do To execute the Laws as fully as any Justices in any other County may do inquire or execute and in as ample manner and form as any one or other Justices of the peace in any other Counties of this our Kingdom of England may and are inabled lawfully to do inquire punish or execute giving it strictly in command by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors to our Sheriffs of our said City for the time being and their Successors Sheriffs of the said City and to whatsoever Citizens of the said City who now are and in time to come shall be that they be attending counselling answering and aiding to the said keepers of the peace the aforesaid Mayor and Recorder for the time Sheriffs to attend the Justices when desired being and such Aldermen as are aforesaid in all and singular things which do or may belong to the Office of the Keeper of the peace and such like Justices within the said City and liberties of the same according to the said form as often and when they shall be duly required by them or some or one of them in the behalf of Us our Heirs or Successors Know ye also that we for the consideration aforesaid have given and granted And by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors A grant of forfeiture of Recognizauces do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors all Recognizances taken or to be taken acknowledged or to be acknowledged forfeited or to be forfeited for appearance at any Session or Sessions of the peace holden or to be holden before the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of the said City as is aforesaid or any other Justices of Us our Heirs or Successors assigned or to be assigned for or concerning the peace in the City of London and the liberties thereof And also all and all manner of Recognizances taken or to be taken acknowledged or to be acknowledged forfeited or to be forfeited before the Justices of Us our Heirs and Successors for and concerning the peace in the same City and liberties of the same assigned or to be assigned or by one or any of them for and concerning the keeping and maintaining of Bastard-Children and the keeping harmless the Parishes of the said City touching such like children or of Inmates dividing of houses in or for several habitations or of suppressing of Alchouses Inmates dividing houses Ale-houses within the said City and liberties thereof And for the observation of such like orders which from time to time by the same Justices of peace or any of them have been made touching any of the late mentioned premises also all manner of Recognizances Recognizances for appearance at the Sessions of Gaol-delivery Fines and Issues of Jurors â—aken or to be taken acknowledged or to â—e acknowledged forfeited or to be forfeiâ—ed for appearance at any Sessio nor Sessions of Goal-delivery of and for prisoners in the â—ame for the time being held or to be held 〈◊〉 and for the said City the liberties there â—f And also Fines and Issues of Jurors and all other Issues Fines and Amerciaments forfeited and to be forfeited of and for all and singular the matters causes and occasions aforesaid and of and for whatsoever transgressions Riots Offences Misprisions Extortions Usurpations Contempts of Laws Violations and other Misdemeanors done or to be committed in the said City or the Liberties of the same before the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of the said City for the time being or any of them or any of the Justices of Us our Heirs and Successors concerning the peace in the said City or before the Justices of Us our Heirs and Successors assigned or to be assigned to hear and determine Felonies Transgressions and Misdemeanors in the said City and Liberties thereof or before any Justices of Us our Heirs or Successors or any of them in the City aforesaid judged or to be adjudged forfeited or to be forfeited together with the Assessments and Levies of the same as often and when there shall be need Saving and always reserving to Us our Heirs and Successors Except Royal Issues all and all manner of Issues and Amerciaments commonly called Fines or Issues Royal hereafter from time to time to be imposed upon these the Mayor and Aldermen and Sheriffs of London and Middlesex and for the time or any of them respectively or by them to be forfeited and paid And further we by these Grant of forfeited Recognizances presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors all all manner of Recognizances taken or to be taken acknoweged or to be acknowledged broken or to be broken not observed or not to be observed before the said Justices of the peace in the said City and the liberties of the same or any of them for the peace and security of the peace and good behaviour and also all manner of Recognizances taken or to be taken acknowledged or to be acknowledged before the Mayor of the said City for the time being in his Court or in the Conservancy of the River of Thames within the limits of the same River or in our said Letters Patents of our said Father as aforesaid is recited and mentioned for due Fishing and observing of good order in taking of Fish or otherwise for the preservation of small Fish in the said River of Thames as for the conservation of the same Water or Shores or Banks of the same River made or to be made broken Fines and Amerciaments imposed by the Mayor or to be broken and also all Fines and Amerciaments Pains and Penalties whatsoever assessed imposed or adjudged or to be assessed or adjudged by or before the Mayor of the said City for the time being in his Courts as
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
above all reprizes and charges as aforesaid unto the said Mayor Commonalty and to their successors as aforesaid for ever without hindrance of us or our heirs our Justices Escheators Sheriffs Coroners Bailiffs or other the Ministers of us or our heirs whatsoever And this without any other the Kings Letters Patents or any inquisitions upon any writ of ad quod damnum Without other Writ of Ad quod damnum c. or any other the Kings commandments in this behalf by any means to be had prosecuted and taken The statute concerning Lands and Tenements not to be put in Mortmain or any other statute act or ordinance made to the contrary notwithstanding To have as many writs ad quod damnum c. And we also will and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty that they and their successors may have so many and such writs ad quod damnum and other Royal Letters Patents Executory from time to time upon the licence aforesaid in full satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 d. 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 We have seen also other Letters Patents Edw. 4. Char. 4. of Lord Edward late King of England the 4th in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these present Letters Patents shall come greeting Know ye that whereas the sum of 12923 l. 9 s. 8 d. is amongst other things due by us to our welbeloved the Mayor Commonalty of our City of London as in the receipt of our Exchequer more fully appeareth This Charter confirmed by Parliament in the third year of Henry 8. of which said sum the Mayor and Commonalty are willing to remit and release unto us the sum of 7000 l. to the intent that we should vouchsafe to grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors the Offices and Occupations 7000 l. the consideration of this Charter under-written to be had in form following We inwardly pondering not only the Premises but also the manifold pleasures to us by the Mayor and Commonalty of the said City before time acceptably done and willing as we are bound before all other things to pay or recompence our debts have of our special grace and for that the said Mayor and Commonalty have for them and their successors remitted and released unto us 7000 l. parcel of the said 12923 l. 9 s. 8 d. granted and by these presents do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their successors in full satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 7000 l. to them by us due the Offices or Occupations of packing all Grant of the Office of Packing to the City manner of Wollen-Cloaths Sheep-skins Calves-skins Goat-skins Vessels of Amber and of all other Merchandizes whatsoever to be packed tunned piped barrelled or any wise to be included with the oversight of opening all manner of Customable Merchandizes arriving at the Port of Safety as well by Land as by Water within the Liberties and Franchises of the said City and Suburbs of the same as well of the goods of Denizens as of Aliens wheresoever they shall be accustomed And also the Office of packing all Woollen-cloaths Sheep-skins Lamb-skins Goat-skins and Calves-skins with kipping and poundring of the same and all Ambervessels and of all other Merchandizes to be packed picked and poundered in London or the Suburbs of the sume or to be carried by Land or to be Customed as well concerning the goods of Merchants Denizens as of Aliens and also of the The Office of Portage Office of Carriage and Portage of all Woolls Sheep-skins Tynn-bails and other Merchandizes whatsoever which shall be carried in London from the Water of Thames unto the houses of strangers and contrariwise from the said houses to the same Water or of other Merchandizes which ought to be carried being in any house for a time And also the Office on Occupation of Garbling of all manner of Office of Garbling Spices and other Merchandizes coming to the said City at any time which ought Gawging to be Garbled And the Office of Gawger within the said City And also the Office of Wine-drawers to provide for the carrying Wine drawer of Wines brought to the Port of the said City and laid on Land wheresoever it be and elsewhere to be carried to have the Occupations and Offices aforesaid and every of them and the Dispositions Ordinances Oversights and Corrections of the same Together with all fees profits and emoluments to the same Offices or occupations and other the premises and every of them due used and accustomed to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the same City and to their successors for ever And â—o be exercised by them or their Depuries also the exercising of the same Offices by themselves or by their sufficient deputies without any account or any other thing to us or our heirs therefore to be given or made in full satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 7000 l. And further whereas our most dear Cozen Anthony The Coroners place of London pretended to belong to the chief Butler of England Earl Rivers hath of our grant by our Letters Patents the Office of our chief Butler of England under a certain form in the said Letters Patents specified by reason of which Office the Earl hath granted and pretendeth to grant the Office of Coroner within the said City and suburbs of the same We likewise in satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 7000 l. Grant of the Coroners place to the City to the said Mayor and Commonalty as is aforesaid due Have of our special grace granted to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors may lawfully and safely grant the said Office of Coroner to any person who shall please the said Mayor and Commonalty and their successors and may make a Coroner there whom shall please them immediately and as soon as the said Office of chief Butler of England of the Office of Coroner aforesaid shall happen to be void or to come to our gife by the surrender of the said Earl or by any other Cause whatsoever And we will by these presents that the same Office of The Offices of Chief Butler and Coroner severed Coroner be from henceforth severally and distinctly and altogether separated from the Coroner so made by the said Mayor and Commonalty or their successors may have full power and Authority to exercise and do all and singular things which to the Office of Coroner within the said City and the suburbs of the same do pertain to be exercised and done so that none other ouâ— Coroner nor of our heirs or successors shall by any means intermeddle within the said City or the suburbs of
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
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
Charter of Lord John Ch. 1. Jo. Sometimes King of England our progenitor in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Ministers and all his Majesties Faithful Subjects French and English greeting Know Ye that No Citizen to plead without the walls we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them shall plead without the walls of the City of London of no pleas saving the pleas of foreign tenures our Monyers and Ministers excepted also we have granted to them Acquittal of murther within the City and in Portsoken and none Not to wage Battel of them shall wage Battel and of the pleas belonging to the Crown they may discharge themselves according to the Antient custom of the City And that within the walls of the City nor Portsoken no man shall take any Lodging by force or delivery of the Marshal And also we have granted to them that all the Citizens of London shall be quit from Toll or Lestage and every Quit of Toll other Custom throughout all our Lands on this side and beyond the Seas And that none shall be adjudged for Amerciaments Citizens to be amerced by the City Law of money but according to the Law of the City which they had in the time of K. Henry Grandfather to Henry our Father And that there shall be no miskenning in any No Miskenning Hustings once a week Plea in the City And that the Hustings shall be kept once every week and they justly have their Lands and Tenures and Premises and all other their debts whosoever owe them And that right be holden to them of their Lands and Tenures City to have their lands and debts which be within the City according to the Custom of the said City and of all their debts which shall be lent at London And that Pleas of all promises there made be holden at London And if any in any of our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas shall take any Toll or any other Custom from the men of London after that he shall fail of right may take goods therefore at Londoâ— And we do grant unto them that they may have their Huntings wheresoever they had the same in the time of King Henry Grandfather to our Father Furthermore for the advancement of the said City we have granted unto them that they shall be free and quit of all Brid-Toll and Childwite and of Jeresgive and Scotale so as the Sheriff of London nor any other Bailiff may make any Scotale These aforesaid Customes we do grant and all other liberties and Grant of the Customs they had in the Reign of Henry 1. free Customes which they had in the time of K. Henry Grandfather of Henry our Father when as more freely and better they had the same wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid Hold of the King and his Heirs hereditarily and wholly of us our heirs Witness Hubert Archbishop of Canter our Chancellour VVill. of London E. of Ely G. of Glocester G. of VVinchester Bishops Godfrey Son of Peter Earl of Essex VVill. Marshal Earl of Pembrook Homel Earl of VVarren R. Earl of Clarence Earl Roger Lord Bigot VVill. Earl of Arundel VVill. D. Braos Roger Son of Roger Hugh Borg VVill. Bridg VVarren VVill. D. VVarren Stephen D. Truncham Simon de Paffiishil given by the hands of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury our Chancellor at Torham the 17. day of June in the first year of our Reign WE have seen other Charters of the aforesaid Jo. Ch. 2. Lord John our progenitor made in these words John by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou to his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers and to all his Bailiffs and loving Subjects Know Ye that we have granted and by this our present writing confirmed to our Citizens of London the Sheriffwick of London and Confirmation of the Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex for 300 l. per annum Middlesex with all the Customs and things to the sheriffwick belonging within the City and without by land and by water to have and to hold to them and their heirs of us and our heirs paying therefore 300 l. of blank sterling money at two termes in the year that is to say at the Easter Exchequer Paid at Easter and Michaelmas 150l and at Michaelmas Exchequer 150 l. saving to the Citizens of London all their liberties and free Customs And further we Power to make Sheriffs and to remove them have granted to the Citizens of London that they amongst themselves may make Sheriffs whom they will and may amove them when they will and those whom they make Sheriffs they shall present to our Sheriffs to be presentable and accomptable to the Exchequer Sheriffs non solvent the City to make it good Saving Liberties Justices of our Exchequer of these things which to the said Sheriffwick appertain whereof they ought to answer us and unless they shall sufficiently answer satisfy the Citizens may answer and satisfy us the Amerciaments and Farm saving to the said Citizens their liberties as is aforesaid and saving to the said Sheriffs the same liberties which other Citizens have so that they which shall be appointed Sheriffs for the time being shall commit any offence whereby they ought to incur any Amerciament of money they shall not be condemned for any more than to the Amerciament of 20l. and that without the damage of other Citizens if the Sheriffs be not sufficient fo the payment of their Amerciaments but if Sheriffs offending to be tryed by the Citizens they do any offence where they ought to incur the loss of their lives or members they shall be adjudged as they ought to be according to the Law of the Ciâ—â— and of these things which to the said Sheriffs belong the Sheriffs shall answer before our Sheriffs to answer in the Exchequer Inducement of this confirmation Justices at our Exchequer saving to the said Sheriffs the liberties which other Citizens of London have Also this grant and confirmation we have made to the Citizens of London for the amendment of the said City and because it was in antient 300 l. per annum the Antient form times farmed for 300 l. Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that the Citizens of London and their heirs may have and hold Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex at 300 l. per annum the Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex with all the said Sheriffwick belonging of us and our heirs to possess enjoy hereditarily freely and quietly honourably and wholly by fee-farm of 300 l. And we forbid that none presume to do any damage impediment or diminishment to the
Citizens None to harm them of what to the Sheriffwick belong What shall be given away appertaining to the Sheriffwick to be allowed on accompt in the Excheq of London of these things which to the said Sheriffwick do or were accustomed to appertain Also we will and command that if we or our heirs or any of our Justices shall give or grant to any person any of those things which to the form of the Sheriffwick appertain the same shall be accounted to the Citizens of London in the acquittal of the said Farm at our Exchequer Witness Edw. of Ely S. of Bath Bishops Will. Marshal Earl of Pembrook Ralph Earl of Chester Will. Earl of Arundel Robert Son of Walter Will. Son of Albin Given by the hands of H. Archbishop of Canter our Chancellour at the good Town upon Toke the 5th day of July in the first year of our Reign WE have seen one other Charter of the Joh. Ch. 3. aforesaid Lord John our progenitor made in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Castle-keepers Constables Bayliffs Ministers and all his Faithful Subjects greeting Know Ye all that we for our Souls health and for the Souls health of Hen. our Father and all our predecessors and also for the Common-weal of our City of London and of all our Realm have granted and stedfastly commanded that all the wares which are in the Thames or in Medway be amoved wheresoever they shall be within the Thames and Remove Wares in Thames and Medway Medway and that no wares from henceforth be put any where in the Thames or Medway upon forfeiture of ten pounds sterling also we have clearly quitclaimed all that which the Keepers of the Tower of London were wont yearly to receive of the said wares Wherefore we will and stedfastly Keeper of the Tower not to exact any thing for wares command that no keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter exact any thing from any body nor trouble or molest any person by reason of the said wares for it is sufficiently manifest to us and by the Right Reverend Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury and by other our Faithful Subjects it is sufficiently given us to understand that very great detriment and discommodity hath grown to our said City of London and also to our Realm by occasion of these wares which to the intent it may continue both firm and stable for ever we do fortifie the same by inscription of this present page and putting to our seal these being Witnesses VVilliam of Lona Ed. of Ely G. of VVinchester Bishops Jeffery Son of Peter Earl of Essex VVilliam Marshal Earl of Pembroke H. Earl of VVarren Earl Roger Pigott R. Earl of Clare Earl de Braos Robert Son of Roger Hugh Bord VVilliam Brewer Stephen Turnham VVilliam VVarren Simon of Pattishel given by the hands of Hubert Archbishop of Cant. our Chancellour at Shoreham the 17 day of June in the first year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter John Ch. 4. of the aforesaid Lord John made in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers and to all his Keeper of Tower not to exact any thing for wares Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this our present writing confirm to our Barons of our City of London that they may choose to themselves every year a Mayor who to us may be faithful discreet and fit for Government of the City so as when he shall be chosen to be presented unto us or our Justice if we shall not be present and he Mayor to be presented to the K. or his Justice At the end of the year to amove the Mayor and chuse another or the same Confirmation of all the Liberties Saving the Chamberlainship to the King shall swear to be faithful to us and that it shall be lawful to them at the end of the year to amove him and substitute another if they will or the same to retain so as he be presented unto us or our justice if we shall not be present We have granted to the same our Barons and by this our present Charter confirmed that they well and in peace freely quietly and wholly have all their liberties which hitherto they they have used as well in the City of London as without and as well by water as by land and in all other places saving to us our Chamberlainship wherefore we will and streightly command that our aforesaid Barons of our aforesaid City of London may chuse unto themselves a Mayor of themselves in manner and form aforesaid and that they may have all the aforesaid liberties well and in peace whole and fully with all things to the same liberties appertaining as is aforesaid VVitness the Lords P. of VVinton VVilliam of VVorcester VVilliam of Ceventry Bishops VVilliam Brigword Peter Son of Herbert Godfrey d'Lucy and John Son of Hugh Given by the hands of Mr. Richard Harrister our Chancellor at the new Temple London the 19th day of May in the 16. year of our Reign Furthermore We have seen a certain other Job Char. 5. Charter of the abovesaid Lord John made in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs and to all his Bailiffs and Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we at the request of our Mayor and Citizens of London have granted and by this our present writing confirmed that the Guild of Weavers shall not from henceforth be in the City of London neither shall be at all maintained but because we have accustomed yearly to receive 18 marks in mony every year of the said Guild our said Citizens shall pay unto us and our heirs twenty marks in money for a gift at the feast of St. Michael at our Exchequer VVitness Hubert Archbishop of Cant. Earl of Ely VVilliam of Albemarlo Bishop Hugh of Gornar Robert of Harcourt Thomas Basset P. of Stoke R of Remars Given by the hands of Hub Archbishop of Cant. at the Gormer the twentieth day of March in the 3d year of our Reign WE have also seen a Charter of the Henry 3. Ch. 1. Lord Henry the Third sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these Terms 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 Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers and to all his faithful subjects greeting KNOW ye that we have granted and by these presents do grant and confirm unto the Confirmation of the Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex Citizens of London the
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
attachments and of all things which belong to Warrens or Forrests wherefore we will and stedfastly command that all they heirs holding Lands and Tenements within the said parts and their heirs and successours for ever have the aforesaid liberties and freedoms and that their Lands and Tenements aforesaid be unwarrened and disforrested for ever and quit from all things which either to warren or Forrest warreners or Forresters pertain as is aforesaid these being witness Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent our Justice of England G. Earl of Glocester and Hereford William Marshal Earl of Pembroke P. d'Albemarco Walter â— Everin Osbert Gifford Richard Argentine John Son of Philip Richard Son of Hugh and others Given by the hand of the Reverend Father Rich. Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Woodstock the 18th day of August in the 11th year of our Reign WE have seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 6. of the said Lord Henry made in these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers and all Bailiffs and his Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have seen a Covenant between the Earl of Cornwall the Mayor concerning Queen Hith Covenant made between Rich. Earl of Cornwal our Brother on the one part and the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London on the other part in these words in the 30th year of the Reign of Hen. the Son of King John in the day of the Translation of Saint Edward this Covenant was made at Westmin between the Right Honourable man Richard Earl of Cornwal of the one part and John Gisors then Mayor of the City of London on the Comonalty of the same City of London on the other part for and concerning certain exactions and demands belonging to Queenhithe of the City of London that is to say that the said Earl hath granted for him and his heirs that the said Mayor and all the Mayors after him and all the Comonalty of the said City may have and hold Queen Hith granted to the City the said Queen Hith with all their liberties Customes and other things to the same belonging in Fee-farm paying therefore yearly to the said Earl his heirs and Assigns 50 l. at two terms in the year at Clerkenwel that is to say at the close of Easter 25 l. And in Octabis of St. Michael 25. l. And for the more surety thereof to the part of the Chirography remaining with the Mayor and Commonalty of London the said Earl hath put his Seal and to the writing thereof remaining with the said Earl the foresaid Mayor and Comonalty have The King confirms the grant of Queen Hith to the City set their common Seal We therefore allowing and approving the said Covent do for us and our heirs grant and confirm the same these same being Witnesses Ralph Son of Nicholas Richard d'Grey John and William his Brothers Paul Painr Ralph d'Waunty John Guband Given by our hand at Windsor the 26th day of Feb. in the 31th year of our Reign WE have also seen another Charter of Henry 3. Char. 7. the aforesaid Lord Hen. made in these words Hen. by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers and all his Bailiffs and Faithful People greeting Know ye that we have granted for us and our heirs and confirmed it by this our present Charter that our Mayor and Citizens of London may have and hold all their liberties and free customs Citizens to have their free Custom which they had in the time of K. Hen. our Grandfather and which they had by Charters of our Ancestors Kings of England as they more freely and better had the same and they most freely and fully have and use the same for ever Also we have granted to the said Citizens that every Mayor whom they shall chuse in our City of London we being not at Westminster they may yearly present to the Barons of our Exchequer that he may be admitted by them as Mayor so that notwithstanding at the next coming of us or our heirs to Westmin or London he be presented to us or our heirs and so admitted Mayor And we will and command for us and our heirs that out of the farme of our City vij l. per annum allowed the Sheriff upon accompt for the Liberty of Pauls of London there be allowed to our Sheriffs of the said City yearly in his said Accompt 7 l. at our Exchequer for the liberty of Saint Pauls London And that our said Citizens throughout all our dominions as well on this side the Sea as beyond be quit of all Toll and Custom for ever as in the Charter of the aforesaid Kings is granted And we forbid upon our forfeiture that none presume henceforth to vex or disquiet the said Citizens contrary to this liberty and our grant these being Witnesses the Reverend Father P. Bishop of Hereford Richard Earl of Cornwal our Brother Peter de Salund John Mansel Provost of Beverly Mr. William Kelken Archif Coventry Bartino d'Cryel John d'Lassington John d'Grey Hen. d'Wengham Robert Walreand William d'Grey Nicholas d' St. Mauro William Gerumne and others Given by our hand at Windsor the 12th day of June in the 37th year of our Reign MOREOVER we have seen a certain Henry 3. Char. 8. other Charter of the aforesaid Lord Henry bearing date the 11th day of January in the 50th year of his Reign by which certain Charter amongst other things the said Lord King Henry granted to the said Citizens of London that the said Citizens may traffique with their commodities and merchandizes wheresoever they please Citizens Toll-free through England throughout his Kingdom and dominions as well by Sea as by Land without interruption of him or his as they see expedient quit from all Custom Toll and paying and may abide for their trading wheresoever they please in the same his Kingdom as in times past they were accustomed till such time it be more fully ordered by his Councel touching the state of the said City As by the said Letters patents amongst other things more fully appeareth WE have seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 9. of the aforesaid Lord Hen. made in these words Hen. by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Sheriffs Justices Rulers Ministers and all Bailiffs and his Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted to our Citizens of London for us and our Heirs whom of late we The Citizens taken into the King's favour again upon submission have received again into our grace and favour after divers trespasses and forfeitures of them their
other Pleas whatsoever one writ shall suffice in all Pleas for every Kings time And that no summons Attachments or Executions be made by any the Officers whatsoever of us or our heirs by writ or without writ within the liberty of the said City but only by Ministers of the said City And that the Sheriffs of the same City which shall be towards the aid of the fame of that City may lawfully have the forfeitures of victuals and other things and Merchandizes according to the tenor of the Charter thereof made to the said Citizens and shall not be debarred thereof hereafter contrary to the tenor of the same Charters And that the same Citizens in the Circuits of the Justices from henceforth sitting at the Tower of London shall be guided by the same Laws and Customs whereby they were guided in the Circuits holden in the time of Lord John and Henry sometimes Kings of England and other our progenitors and if any thing in the last circuit was done or attempted contrary to their liberties and free Customs we will not they be prejudicial unto them but that they may be guided as of old time they were We have also granted for us and our heirs that the same Citizens from Citizens to be taxed in Subsidies as other Commoners and not as Citizens henceforth in and toward subsidies grants and contributions whatsoever to be made to the use of us or our heirs shall be taxed and contributory with the commonalty of our Realm as common persons and not as men of the City And that they be quit of all other Tallages and that the liberty of the said City shall not be taken into the hands of us or our heirs for any personal Trespass or judgment of any Minister of the said City Neither shall a keeper in the said City for that occasion be deputed but the same Minister shall be punished according to the quality of his offence And that no purveyor and taker Officer and other Minister of us or our heirs or of any other shall make any prices in the said No Purveyor of the Kings to make any price in Lond. without the consent of the party No prices of wines of Citizens City or without of the goods of the Citizens of the same City contrary to their will and pleasure unless immediately they make due payment for the same or else may have respit thereof with the good will of the seller And that no price be made of the wines of those Citizens by any the Citizens of us or our heirs or otherwise against their wills that is to say of one Tun before the Mast and another behind it nor by any other means but shall be quit thereof for ever Furthermore we forbid No Purveyor to be a Merchant of the same goods whereof he is Purveyer that any officer of us or our heirs shall Merchandize by himself or others within the said or without of any thing touching their Offices Also we grant that the Lands and Tenements lying without of the said Citizens which have been or hereafter shall be Ministers of the said City be bound to keep the said City harmless against us and our heirs of those things which concern their Offices as their tenements be within the said City and that no Market from henceforth shall be granted by us or our heirs to any within 7 miles in Circuit No Market within seven miles of London of the said City And that all inquisitions from henceforth to be taken by our Justices St. Martins Le grand or Ministers of the said City shall be taken in Saint Martins in London and not elsewhere Except the Inquisitions to be taken in the Circuits at the Tower of London and for the Goal-delivery at Newgate And that none of the freemen of the said City shall be impleaded or troubled at our Exchequer or elsewhere by bill except it be by those things which touch us or our heirs Wherefore we will and streightly No Citizen to be impleaded in the Exchequer unless it concern the King command for us and our heirs that the said Citizens their heirs and successors have all their liberties and free Customs and the same may use and enjoy for ever in form aforesaid These being witness W. Archbishop of Cant. J. Bishop of Ely our Chancellor and others Given at Westminster the 6th day of March in the 1st year of our Reign WE have seen also certain other Letters Edw. 3. Char. 2. Patents of Lord Edward the 3d. King of England made in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas our well beloved the Citizens of the City of London by their Petition exhibited before us and our Councel in our present Parliament at Westminster assembled have given us to understand that Felons Thieves and other Malefactors and disturbers of the peace who in the said and elsewhere have committed man-slaughters Robberies and divers other Felonies privily departing from the said City after those Felonies committed into the village of Southwark where they cannot be Attached by the Ministers of the said City and there are openly received and so for default of due punishment are more bold to commit such Felonies and they have beseeched us that for the confirmation of our peace within the said City bridling the naughtiness of the said Malefactors we would grant unto them the said village to have to them their heirs and successors for ever for the farm and rent therefore yearly due to us to be yearly paid at our Exchequer We having consideration to the Premises with the assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commonalty being in our present Parliament Southwark granted to the Citizens in Parliament aforesaid have granted for us and our heirs to the said Citizens the said village of Southwark with the appurtenances to have and to hold to them and their heirs and successors Citizens of the said City of us and our heirs for ever to pay to us by the year at the Exchequer of us and our heirs at the accustomed times the farms therefore due and accustomed In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 6th day of March in the first year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter of the same Lord Edward the 3d. in these words Edward by the Grace of Edw 3. Char. 3. God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye whereas in our Parliament at York holden the morrow after the ascensioâ— of our Lord in the ninth year of our York Statute recited Reign It was ordained and enacted that all Merchant Strangers and English born and every of them of what estate or condition soever who would buy or
their great costs and expences born the Offices of Mayoralty shall not be put in any Assizes Juries or Attaints Recognizances or Inquisitions out of the said City and that they nor any of them shall be Tryer or Tryers of the same although they touch us or our Heirs or Successors or other whomsoever And that without that City neither they nor any of them be made Collectors Aldermen of Lond. not to be Collectors or Taxers out of the City or Collector Assessor Taxor Overseer or Comptroler of the Tenths Fifteens Taxes Tallages Subsidies or other charges or impositions whatsoever to us our heirs or successors hereafter to be granted or given And if they or any of them be elected to any of the Offices or Charges aforesaid and that the same Mayor or Aldermen do deny refuse or not do the offices or charges aforesaid then they or any of them shall not by any means Aldermen not to suffer for refusal of such Offices incur any contempt loss pain fine imprisonment or forfeiture by occasion of their so refusing or not doing nor shall for that cause forfeit any issues by any means And further as we understand Lord Edward sometimes King of Enland the 3d. after the conquest our Progenitor with the assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commonalty of the Realm of England assembled in Parliament holden at Westminster in the first year of his Reign at the Petition of the then Citizens of the said City by his Letters Patents granted for him and his heirs to the same Citizens the Town of Southwark with the appurtenances to have and hold to them and their successors Citizens of the same City of the same our Progenitors and their heirs for ever paying unto him by the year at the Exchequer of him and his heirs at the terms accustomed the farm therefore due and accustomed as in the said Letters Patents more fully is contained And now the Mayor and Commonalty of the same City and their predecessors have and hold certain liberties and Franchises in the Town aforesaid by vertue of those Letters Patents and do use the same as their predecessors have had and held them and have used and enjoyed them And they now fear that divers Doubt in the use of some Liberties in Southwark doubts opinions varieties and ambiguities controversies and dissentions may light and be likely to spring grow be imagin'd holden and had in time to come in and about the use and exercise of such liberties and franchises for want of more clear and full declaration and expressing of the same for that divers diversly interpret judg and understand we therefore to the end to take away from henceforth and utterly to abolish all and all manner of causes occasions and matters whereupon such opinions ambiguities varieties controversies and dissentions may spring be holdeâ— and moved in this behalf have of our special grace and from our meer motion granted to the said Mayor and Commonalty of the said City which now be and their successors Southwark granted to the City of London Waifes Estrayes Treasure c. Mayor and Commonalty Citizenâ— of that City which for the time being shalâ— be for ever the Town of Southwark with the Appurtenances with all Chattels called Waif and Estray also Treasure found in the Town aforesaid and all manner oâ— handiwork goods and Chattels of Trayton Felons Fugitives Outlawed Condemned convicted and of Felons defamed and denying the law of our Land wheresoever or before whomsoever Justice shalâ— Goods disclaimed Escheats Forfeitures be done upon them And also goods disclaimed found or being within the Town aforesaid and also all manner of Escheats anâ— forfeitures which may there pertain unto us as fully and wholly as we should have them if the same Town were in ouâ— hands And that it shall be lawful to the The Mayor c. to put themselves in possession same Mayor and Commonalty and to their successors by their deputy and Ministers of the same Town to put themselves in possession of and in all the handiworks and Chattels of all manner of Traytors Felons Fugitives Outlaws condemned convicted and of Felons defamed and denying the Laws of our Land And also of and in all goods disclaimed found and being within the same Town and also of and in all the Escheats and forfeitures to us and to our heirs there pertaining And that the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors by themselves or their deputy or Ministers may have in the Town Assize of Bread aforesaid Assay and Assize of Bread Wine Beer and Ale and all other victuals and things whatsoever saleable in the said Town and also all and whatsoever doth and may Clerk of the Market appertain to the Office of Clerk of the Market of our house or of our heirs together with the correction and punishment of all persons there selling Wine Bread Beer Ale and other victuals and of all other inhabiting and exercising any Arts whatsoever and with all manner of Forfeitures and Fines forfeitures fines and amerciaments to be forfeited and all other which there do and in any time to come may there pertain to us our heirs or successors And that they shall have in the said Town the execution of all manner of writs of ours or of our Execution and return of Writs to be by the City-Officers heirs and successors and of all other wrâ—ts commandments precepts extracts and warrants with the return of the same by such their Minister or deputy whom they shall thereunto chuse So alwaies that the Clerk of the Market of our house or of the house of our heirs or the Sheriff or Kings Clerk of the Market nor the Sheriff of Surrey to intermeddle Escheator of the County of Surrey which now is or hereafter shall be do not by any means intermeddle enter or do any execution We have also granted to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors for ever that they shall and may have yearly one Fair in the Town aforesaid for 3 days that is to say the 7th 8th and 9th dayes of September To be A Fair for three days in the year holden together with a Court of Pypowders and with all liberties and free Customs to such Fair appertaining that they may have and hold there at their said Courts before their said Ministers or deputy the said 3 days from day to day and hour to hour from time to time all occâ—sions plaints and pleas of a Court of Pypowders together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues Fines redemptions and commodities and other rights whatsoever to the same Summons and Attachments Court of Pypowders any way pertaining without any impediment let or hindrance of us our heirs or successors or other our Officers and Ministers whatsoever and also that they may have there a view of Franckpledg and whatsoever there to pertaineth View of
To have the said office without accompt hold and enjoy the said Office and all and singular the premises with all and singular wages rewards fees profits and appurtenances whatsoever to the said Offices and every or any of them belonging or appertaining to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors for ever by the Mayor of the aforesaid City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or his sufficient Deputies to be exercised and executed without any account or any other thing to be rendred or made thereof to us our Heirs No other Water Bailiff Conservator or measurer may meddle or Successors So as no other Bailiff or Conservator of the aforesaid water or measurer of Coals Grain Salt Apples Plumbs Roots to be eaten Onyons or other Merchandizes or Commodities or of any thing or things above-mentioned shall be or shall in any ways intermeddle in the premises or any of them And we willing to shew to our said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens more ample favour of our especial grace and from our certain knowledge and meer motion for Us our Grant of the said Offices notwithstanding any non-user or abuser of the same Heirs and Successors grant and by this our present Charter confirm unto the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors hitherto in some case happening have not used or peradventure have abused the offices aforesaid or any or some of the offices or the measurage aforesaid or any thing or things to any or some of them appertaining or belonging Notwithstanding they the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors from henceforth freely and peaceably shall use and enjoy the said offices so not without hinderance used or abused and every of them without the let or impediment of us our Heirs or Successors or of our Justices Escheators Sheriffs or other Bailiffs Officers or Ministers of us our Heirs or Successors any Statute or Ordinance made or Judgment rendered or any Charters of us our Progenitors or Predecessors in times past made or granted notwithstanding Although there be no express mention in these presents of the true yearly value or certainty of the premises or of any of them or of other gifts or grants by us or by any of our Progenitors or Predecessors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid before these times made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restraint to the contrary thereof theretofore had made published ordained or provided or any other thing cause or matter whatsoever notwithstanding In witness whereof these our Letters we have caused to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 20th day of August in the third year of our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the thirty ninth WEE have seen also certain other Letters King James Charter 2. Patents of our said most dear Father of blessed memory Lord James late King of England 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 these present Letters shall come Greeting Whereas very many of our Progenitors sometimes Kings of England of their especial Grace and for free laudable multiplied and continued service done and expended in times past by the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Predecessors And also for divers other urgent causes and considerations them thereunto especially moving Have given granted and confirmed to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors divers liberties priviledges franchises Immunities authorities jurisdictions ordinances Customs and quittances as by the several Letters Patents of our Progenitors and Predecessors sometimes Kings of England more fully and manifestly is and appeareth WE also for and in consideration of the high fidelity constancy and ready and laudable service by the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our said City of London to us in the beginning of our Reign and continually ever since maniiested faithfully done and expended We have ratified and allowed and for Us our Heirs and Successors as much as in us is do accept of and approve all and singular the Letters Patents Charters and Confirmations of our most famous Progenitors and Ancestors to the same Mayor and A Confirmation of all former Charters c. to the City Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Predecessors by whatsoever name of incorporation before these times made granted or connrmed and all and singular gifts grants confirmations restitutions customs ordinances explanations and all other things whatsoever in whatsoever Letters Patents or Charters of our Predecessors Progenitors or Ancestors Kings of England and also all and singular things in the said Letters Patents Charters Grants Confirmations or any of them contained recited confirmed or explained and all and singular jurisdictions authorities priviledges quittances aâ—d free customes and hereditaments whatsoever which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London or their Predecessors by the name of Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of The several names of the corporations of London the City of London or by the name of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London or by the name of the Mayor Citizens and Commonalty of the City of London or by the name of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London or by the name of the Citizens of the City of London or by the names of the Barons of London or by the names of the Barons of the City of London or by any other name whatsoever by reason or force of any Letters Patents Charters or Confirmations of any of our Progenitors Kings of England which in any time or times they had reasonably used or exercised and them all and singular to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors do ratifie and confirm To have and hold enjoy and exercise all and singular the premisses to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors for ever so fully clearly and entirely and in as ample manner and form as if they were or had been severally particularly and by name in these presents expressed and declared And further we will and of our special grace for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors be restored to all and singular their Authorities Jurisdictions Liberties Franchises Priviledges Acquittances Immunities and free Customes and we do restore the same to them and their Successors by these presents as fully freely and intirely A grant and restitution of all liberties as fully as their Ancestors enjoyed them as they or their Predecessors in any time of our Progenitors or Predecessors Kings of England used or enjoyed or ought to have use and
enjoy the same And we will also and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors of our special grace do Although they have not used or abused their customes c. yet they may use them for time to come grant That although the same Mayor and Commonalty of the Citizens of the City aforesaid in some case happening have not hitherto used or peradventure have abused the same or any Authorities Jurisdictions Liberties Priviledges Franchises Immunities Quittances and free Customes in the Letters Patents and Charters aforesaid or any of them contained and other their customes They notwithstanding the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the the said City and their Successors from henceforth fully may enjoy and use the same Authorities Liberties Priviledges Franchises Immunities Quittances and free Customes whatsoever totally not used or abused and every of them without let or hindrance of Us our Heirs or Successors the Justices Sherriffs Coroners Escheators or any other Bayliffs or Ministers of Us our Heirs or Successors whasoever any cause matter or thing whatsoever in times past to the contrary thereof notwithstanding To hold all and singular the premissâ—s of Us our Heirs and Successors by the same and such like To hold by the same services as accu stomed services Fee-Farm Rents sums of money and demands whatsoever by which and as the same of Us and our Progenitors or Predecessors before this time were holden And whereas within the said City of London the Liberties and Suburbs and Port of the same we are informed the search and surveying of Oyl Hops Sope Salt Butter Cheese and such other like things coming or brought to the Port of the same City to the intent to be sold or exposed to sale by way of merchandise and also the measuring of all Corn whatsoever of any kind Onyons Salt Sea-coals and Fruit of all kinds Fish called Shel-fish measurable and used to be measured which are coming or brought to the said City of London to the intent to be sold by way of merchandise hitherto have pertained to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Predecessors to be exercised and executed by the Mayor of the same City for the time being according to the Laws Ordinances and Statutes made concerning the same and the Custome of the same City We of our certain knowledge and meer motion for us and our Successors do ratifie the same search surveying and measuring above said in and by all things as the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City or their Successors lawfully had or enjoyed before this time and to the said now Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors confirm by these presents And further We will and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do ordain Extent of the liberties of London and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors that the said City of London and the Circuit bounds liberties franchises and jurisdictions of the same do extend and stretch forth and may and can extend and stretch forth as well in and through all and singular the several Circuits bounds limits franchises and jurisdictions of the late dissolved Priory of the Church of Trinity neer Aldgate London commonly called Creed-Church Dukes-place Street or the Dukes Place And the late dissolved Priory of S. Bartholomew London near Smithfield and the S. Bartholomewâ— Great and Less late dissolved Hospital of S. Bartholomew in Smithfield without Newgate London commonly call'd Great S. Bartholomews and Little S. Bartholomews And also the late dissolved house or Priory of Preaching Fryers Black-Fryers within Ludgate London commonly called Black Fryers And also the late dissolved house or Priory of Fryers of the Order of White-Fryers the Blâ—ssed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel called White-Fryers And also the Inne or Liberty of Cold Herbege otherwise Cold Harburgh and Cool'd Harbourgh Lane within Cold Harbourgh in the Liberty of London aforesaid so as from henceforth for ever all and singular the Circuits and Franchises aforesaid of the late dissolved Priory Church of S. Trinity and the said dissolved Priory or house of S. Bartholomew and the said late dissolved Hospital of S. Bartholomew and also the late dissolved house or Priory of Preaching Fryers and also the said late dissolved house or Priory of Fryers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also the said Inne and Liberty of Cold Harbour be and every of them is and for all times to come shall be and remain within the Circuits Precincts Liberties Franchises and Jurisdictions of the same our City of London And that all and singular the Inhabitants and Dwellers within the same or any of them shall be The Inhabitants thereof to be within the Precincts of London and every of them is and for all time to come shall be and remain under the rule government jurisdiction oversight search correction punishment precepts and arrests of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our City of London aforesaid and their Successors and the Sheriffs of our City of London for the time being and their Officers and Ministers for ever any Liberties Franchises Priviledges Exemption or Authority whatsoever to the contrary thereof notwithstanding Provided Proviso nevertheless and we will and ordain that all persons now Inhabitants or The Inhabitants of Black and White-Fryers exempt from such taxes and fifteenths c. who shall inhabit in time to come within the Liberties and Franchises aforesaid of the said late dissolved Priory called the Black-Fryers and the late dissolved Priory called the White-Fryers and the whole Precinct Circuit and compass of them and all buildings therein built and to be built from henceforth for ever shall be quit and exonerated of and from all taxes fifteenths and other burthens of Scot and of Watch and Ward through or within the City of London to be paid made sustained or contributed except the charges and expences due and reasonable for setting out of Souldiers and for the defence of our Realm and such like special services concerning Us our Heirs and Successors and except the charges for pavements and cleansing the Lanes Ditches Ways Water-courses and Sewers within the Circuits Precincts Liberties and Jurisdictions of the same late houses or Priories called Black Fryers and White Friers aforesaid respectively to be paid And that the inhabitants shall be quit and exonerated of and from the Office of Constable The Inhabitants to be â—â—it of the Office of Constable c. within the City Scavenger and such Offices of charge within the City aforesaid without the circuits and limits of the said late house or Priory called the Black Friers and the White Friers respectively to be executed and exercised Nevertheless we will that all Freemen of the City aforesaid for the time being inhabiting or who shall inhabit within the said
Frankpledg together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues Amerciaments Fines Redemptions Profits Commodities and other things whatsoever which there may or ought therefore pertain to us our heirs or successors And furthermore the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors may by themselves or by their Minister or deputy in the said Town appointed take and arrest all manner To carry to Newgate Thieves taken in Southwark of Felons Thieves and other Malefactors found within the said Town and may lead them to our goal of Newgate safely to be kept until they shall be by process of Law delivered And further the said Mayor A Grant of what Liberties the King had or should have in Southwark and Commonalty and Citizens their successors may for ever have in the Town aforesaid all manner of liberties Priviledges Franchises Acquittals Customs and Rights which we should or might there have if the said Town were and remain'd in our hands without any thing to be by any means given or paid to us or our heirs beside only ten pounds for the antient farm therefore due and without Impeachment Let molestation or disturbance of us or our heirs or successors Justices Escheators Sheriffs Officers or Ministers of ours or of our heirs or successors whatsoever The The right of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury excepted rights liberties and Franchises of right belonging to the most Reverend Father and Lord in Christ Lord Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury and of other persons there always saved although express mention be not here made of the true yearly value of the premises or of any other gifts or grants to the Mayor or Aldermen Sheriffs and Citizens or to their Successors or any of them made according to the form of the statute there of had made and provided or any other statute Ordinance Act thing cause or matter whatsoever not withstanding These being witness The Reverend Father Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury William Archbishop of York George of Exon Chancellor and William Bishop of Ely and our dear Brother George of Clarence and Richard of Glocester Dukes and others Given by our hand at Westminster the 9th day of November in the 2d year of our Reign WE have also seen certain other Letters Edw. 4. Char. 2. Patents of the same Lord Edward laâ—e King of England the 4th made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that for certain and notable causes us specially moving of our special grace and certain knowledg we have granted to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our said City Tonnage granted to the City of London That the Tonnage and weigning and measuring laying up placing and housing of whatsoever woolls by whomsoever from whatsoever parts brought or to be be brought to the City aforesaid or which have before time been accustomed to be Weighing pf Woolls to be at Leaden-Hall and in no other place within 3 miles brought to the staple of Westminster shall from hence be and be made in the place called Leaden-Hall within our City aforesaid and in no other place within three miles of the said City To have the laying up placing and housing aforesaid together with all sees profits and emoluments to the same laying up placing and housing or any of them due used or accustomed to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the same City and their successors for ever without any account to be made or any other thing therefoe to us to be paid although express mention be not in these presents made of the clear yearly value or certainty of the premises or of any other gifts or grants by us or our progenitors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors by any means made or any other statute Act ordinance or any other thing whatsoever made to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our self at Westminster the 27th day of August in the third year of our Reign Edw. Char. 3. Moreover we have seen certain other Letters Patents of the aforesaid Lord Edward late King of England the 4th made in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas the sum of twelve thousand nine hundred twenty three pounds nine shillings eight pence is by us amongst other things due to our beloved and Faithful Subjects the Mayor Commonalty Citizens of our City of London as in the receipt of our Exchequer more plainly appeareth of which sum the said Mayor Commonalty are willing to remit and release unto us 1923 l. 9 s. and 8. p. To the intent we should vouchsafe to grant them license that they and their successors might purchase Lands Rents and Services and other possessions whatsoever to the value of 200 marks by the year over all charges and reprizes although they should be holden of us of others by any manner of service of whatsoever person or persons willing to give bequeath or assign the same to them to have and to hold to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors aforesaid for ever in form following We inwardly pondering not only the premises but also the manifold pleasures to us by the Mayor and Commonalty of the said City before this time acceptably done and willing as we are bound before all other things wholly to pay and recompence our debts have of our special grace and for that the Licence to purchase 200 Marks per annum in Mortmaine Licence to any to grant to the City 200 Marks per annum in Mortmaine said Mayor and Commonalty for them and their successors have remitted and altogether released unto us the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 d. granted and given licence and by these presents do grant and give licence for us and our heirs as much as in us is to the said Mayor and Commonalty that they and their successors may purchase Lands Revenues Rents Services and other possessions whatsoever to the value of 200 marks by the year over all charges and reprizes of any person or persons willing to give grant bequeath or assign the same unto them although they be holden of us or others by any manner of service in full satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 p. to them by us due without any fine or fee to be paid to the use of us or our heirs to have and to hold to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors for ever and we have by tenor of these presents given special licence to the same person and persons that he or she may give grant bequeath or assign Lands Tenements Rents Possessions and services to the yearly value aforesaid over and