Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex with all the Customs and things to the same Sheriffwick belonging within the City and without by Land and by water to have and to hold to them and to their heirs of Paying yearly 300 l. us and our heirs paying therefore yearly to us and our heirs three hundred pound of blank money sterling at two times of the year that is to say at the Easter Exchequer 150 l. and at Michaelmas Exchequer 150 l. saving to the Citizens of London all their Liberties and free Customs And further we have granted Liberty to chuse and remove the Sheriffs of Lond. and Middlesex to the Citizens of London that they among themselves may make Sheriff whom they will and may amove them when they will And those whom they make Sheriffs they shall present to our To present them at the Exchequer Justices who may answer to us and our Justices in our Exchequer of those things which to the Sheriffwick appertain whereof they ought to answer us and unless they shall well answer and satisfie us the Citizens of London shall answer and satisfie the Amerciaments and the farm If the Sheriffs do not answer the Citizens must Saving to the same Citizens their liberties as is aforesaid and saving to the Sheriffs the same liberties which other Citizens have so that if they which shall be appointed Sheriffs for the time being commit any thing whereby they ought to incur any Amerciament in mony they shall not be condemned for any more then to the Amerciament of 20 l. and this without damage of other The Amerciament of Sheriffs not to exceed 20 l. Citizens if the Sheriffs be not sufficient for the payment of their Amerciaments but if they do any offence whereby they ought to incur the loss of their lives or members they shall be judged as they ought to be adjudged according to the law Sheriffs offending to be tryed by the City Law of the City but of these things which to the Sheriffwick belong the Sheriff shall answer before the Justices of the Exchequer Saving to the Sheriffs the liberties which other Citizens have Also the grant and confirmation we have made to our Citizens of London for the amendment of the said City and because it was antiently to be at the farm of 300 l. therefore we will and streightly command that the Citizens of London and Citizens to hold the Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex their heirs aforesaid may have and hold the Sheriffwicks of London and Middlesex with all that to the said Sheriffwicks belongeth of us and our heirs and hereditarily freely and quietly honourably and wholly by the farm of 300 l. per annum At 300 l. per annum as the Charters of Lord John our Father famous King of England which we have seen doth witness and forbid that no person do presume to do any hurt impediment or diminution to our said Citizens of things which to the said Sheriffwick belong or were accustomed to appertain Also we do will and command that if we or our heirs or any of our What the King takes away to be allowed on accompt of the Farm Justices shall give or grant to any person any thing which to the farm of the said Sheriffwick appertain the same shall be accounted to the Citizens of London in the acquittal of the said farm in the Exchequer yearly as the Charter of King John our Father which they have concerning the same doth reasonably testify Witness Lord Eustace of London P. of Winchester Joslin of Bath Robert of Salisbury Bishops Herbert of Burgh Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford Richard Son of Nicholas Richard of Argentine our Steward Given by the hands of the Reverend Ralph Bishop of Chichester the 18 day of February in the 11 year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Henry 3. Char. 2. Charter of the same Lord Henry made in these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archibishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Bailiffs and his Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this present Charter confirmed to our Barons in our City of London that they may chuse to themselves a Mayor of themselves every year who To chuse a Mayor yearly may be to us faithful discreet and fit for the Government of the City so as when he is chosen he may be presented To present him to the King or his Justices unto us or our Justices if we be not present and shall swear to be faithful to us And that it shall be lawful for them in the end of the year to amove To amove the Mayor and chuse another him and to substitute or if they will to retain him still so as alwayes that he be presented to us or to our Justices if we be not present Also we have granted to the said Barons and by this present Charter confirmed that they may have well and in peace freely quietly and wholly all their liberties To enjoy their Liberties which hitherto they used as well in the City of London as without and as well on the Water as on the Land and in all other places Saving to us our Chamberlainship wherefore we will and Saving the Chamberlainship streightly command that our Barons of our said City of London may chuse to themselves a Mayor of themselves every year in manner aforesaid and that they have all their liberties well and in peace wholly and fully with all that to the said liberties belongeth as the Charter of the excellent Lord John King of England which we have seen doth reasonably testify Witness the Lord Eustace of London P. of Winton Jo. of Bath Robert of Salisbury Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert de Clare of Glocester and Hereford Ralph Son of Nicholas R. of Argentine our Steward Given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester the 18th day of Feb. in the 11th year of our Reign WE have seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 3. of the said Lord Henry our progenitor made in these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain Earl of Anjou To the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Castle-keepers Constables Bailiffs Ministers and all his Faithful Subjects greeting Ye shall know that we for our souls health and for the souls health of King John our Father and for the souls health of all our Ancestors and also for the Commonweal of our Remove Wares out of Thames and Medway City of London and of all our Realm have granted and strictly commanded that all the wares which are in the Thames or in Medway shall be amoved and that no wares from henceforth be
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
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
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
of the Goal-delivery of Newgate be named in every Commission thereof to be made And that the said Citizens may have Infangtheft and outfangtheft Infangtheft and Chattels of Felons of all those which shall be adjudged before them within the liberties of the same City and of all being of the liberty aforesaid at the aforesaid Goal to be adjudged And whereas also by the Charters of our progenitors it was granted to the same Citizens that they should hold the Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex for 300 l. yearly to be paid at our Exchequer and they are charged with the payment of 400 l. yearly every year to be paid at our Exchequer for the Sheriffwicks contrary to the form of the said Charters We will and grant for us and our heirs that the said Citizens their heirs and successors may henceforth the aforesaid Sheriffwicks hold for 300 l. yearly to be yearly paid at our Exchequer according to the tenor of the aforesaid Charters and that they be from henceforth acquitted of the said 100 l. Furthermore we have granted for us and our Citizens may devize in Mortmain or otherwise Lands in London heirs to the said Citizens that they their heirs and successors may bequeath their tenements within the liberties of the aforesaid City as well in Mortmain as in other manner as of Antient time they have been accustomed to do And whereas in a certain Charter of the Lord Edward late King of England our Father to the said Citizens made amongst other things it is conteined that the Sheriffs of the said City as often as they shall happen to be amerced for any offence in the Court should be a merced according to the measure and quantity of their offence as other the Sheriffs of our Realm were wont to be amerced for like offences and the Sheriffs of the aforesaid City after the Sheriffs of Lond. shall not be amerced in other manner for escapes then other Sheriffs are wont to be making of that Charter were otherwise amerced for the escape of thieves then othr Sheriffs were on this side Trent for such like escapes are amerced only as it is said 100 s. we will and grant for us and our heirs that the Sheriffs of the same City which for the time shall be in no wise be amerced or charged for the escape of Thieves in any other wise then as other the Sheriffs on this side Trent And that the aforesaid Citizens shall not be charged for the Custody of those that fly Sanctuary to the Churches within the aforesaid liberty for to have immunities otherwise then of old hath been accustomed to be charged any thing in the last circuit at the Tower of London made or adjudged notwithstanding And that the said Citizens may remove and take away all the Wares in th Waters of Thames and Medway and may have the punishments thereof to us belonging Also we will and command Merchant strangers to sell their commodities within 40 daies Not to keep houses but be with Hosts The King's Marshal Sâ—e ward or Clerk not to sit in London No Citizen to plead out of the City No Escheator to meddle within Lon. streightly that all Merchant Straggers coming to England shall sell there Wares and Merchandizes within 40 days after their coming thither And shall continue and board with free hosts of the said City and other the Cities and Towns in England without any households or societies by them to be kept And also we will and grant for us and our heirs that the Marshal Steward or Clark of the Market of our household may not sit from henceforth within the liberty of the aforesaid City nor Exercise any offence there nor any way draw any Citizen of the said City to plead without the liberties of the said City of any thing to happen within the liberties of the same And that no Escheater or other Officers may The Mayor made Escheator of London from henceforth Exercise the Office of the Escheator within the liberties of the said City But that the Mayor of the said City for the time being may do the Office of the Escheator within the said liberty so as alwaies that he take his Oath that he Take an Oath and Account Exercise the said Office and that the answer thereof to us and our heirs as he ought to do And that the said Citizens from henceforth Citizens not to be compelled to war out of the City shall not be compelled to go or send to war out of the said City And that the Constable of the Tower of London for the time being shall not make any prizes by land or by water of victual or other thing whatsoever of the men of the said City nor of any other coming towards the said City or going thence neither shall or may arrest or cause to be arrested the Ships or Boats bringing victuals or other such like goods to or from the said City And forasmuch as the Citizens in all good Fairs of England were wont to have Fairs among themselves keepers to hold the Pleas touching the Citizens of the said City Assembling at the said Fairs We will and grant as much as in us is that the same Citizens may have such like keepers to hold such like Pleas of their Covenants Sheriffs of Lond. not to take any Oath in the Exchequer but upon their Accompts as of Antient time they had except the Pleas of Land and of the Crown Furthermore we grant for us and our heirs that the Sheriffs of the said City for the time being shall not be compelled to take any Oath at our Excheq but upon the yielding up of their accompts Also whereas the said Citizens in the Circuit of Henry Stanton and his fellow Justices of the Lord Edward late King of England our Father last Circuit at the Tower of London were compelled contrary to their Antient Customs to claim their liberties and free Customs and thereupon did claim divers liberties by the Charters of our said progenitors and of other their liberties and free Customs of old use and custom which said claims do as yet hang before us undecided We will and grant for us and our heirs that Claims of Liberties undecided the same Citizens their heirs and successors may have the liberties and free Customs and may use them as of old time they were wont And that they may record their said liberties and free Customs before us our Justices and other Ministers whatsoever in such sort as they were wont to do before the said Circuit Notwithstanding that the said Citizens in the said Circuit were impeached upon some like record and liberties and free Customs aforesaid and also notwithstanding any statutes or judgments made or published to the contrary And that to the allowance of their Charters to be had before us in One writ of Allowance of their Charters to be sufficient for one Kings time our Exchequer and
We have also seen a certain other Charter of the said Lord William our Progenitor made in these words William King greet William Bishop c. We have also seen another Charter of our most dear Father Lord Charles the First late King of England of blessed Will. Conq. ch 1. memory made in these words Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting WE have seen the Charter of Lord William sometimes King of England our Progentior in these words William King greet William Bishop and Godfrey Portgreve and all the Burrough-men To enjoy your Laws without London French and English friendly I give you to understand that I will that you enjoy all the Laws that you enjoyed in the daies of King Edward And I will that each child be his Fathers Heir after his Fathers death And I will not suffer that any man do you wrong God give you health We have seen also a certain other Charter Charter 2. of the same VVilliam our Progenitor made in these words VVilliam King greet VVilliam c. We have also seen the Charter of the Henry 1. Lord Henry sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these words Henry by the grace of God King of England to the Bishop of Canterbury and to the Bishops and Abbots Earls and Barons Justices and Sheriffs and to all his faithful Subjects Choose the Sheriffs of Middlesex of England French and English greeting KNOW ye that I have granted to my Citizens of London to hold Middlesex to farm for three hundred pounds upon accompt to them and their Heirs so that the said Citizens shall place as Sheriff whom they will of themselves and shall place whomsoever or such one as they will of themselves for keeping of the Pleas of the Crown and of Keep Pleas of the Crown the pleading of the same and none other shall be Justice over the same men of London and the Citizens of London shall not None to plead without Lond. Free from Scor c. plead without the walls of London for any Plea And be they free from Scot and Lot and Daneguilt and of all Murther And none of them shall wage Battel And if any Battel of the Citizens shall be impleaded concerning the Pleas of the Crown the man of Discharge of Pleas of Crown London shall discharge himself by his Oath which shall be adjudged within the City And none shall lodge within the walls neither None lodge in the City per force Toll-free throughout England of my houshold nor any other nor Lodging delivered by force And all the men of London shall be quit and free and all their goods throughout England and the Ports of the Sea of and from all Toll and Passage and Lestage and all other Customs Passage Lestage Churches Citizens to enjoy their Cust And the Churches and Barons and Citizens shall and may peaceably and quietly have and hold their Sokes with all their Customs so that the strangers that shall be lodged in the Sokes shall give Custom to none but him to whom the Soke appertain or to his Officer whom he shall there put And a man of London shall not be adjudged in a merciaments of money but of 100 shillings I speak of the How Citizens shal be amerced No Miskenning in the Courts of the City Hustings to sit every Monday Pleas which appertain to money And further there shall be no more miskenning in the Hustings nor in the Flock-mote nor in any other Pleas within the City And the Hustings may sit once in a week that is to say on Monday And I will cause my Citizens to have their Lands Premisses Bonds and Debts within the City and without And I Citizens to enjoy their goods debts c. according to the Law of the City will do them right by the Law of the City of the Lands of which they shall complain to me And if any shall take Toll or Custom of any Citizen of London the Citizens of London in the City shall take of the Borough or Town where Toll or Custom was so taken so much as the man of London gave for Toll and as he received damage thereby And all Debtors which do Debts owing to Citizens to be discharged in London owe debts to the Citizens of London shall pay them in London or else discharge them themselves in London that they owe none But if they will not pay the same neither come to clear themselves that they owe Attachments in Withernam for debts to Citizens none the Citizens of London to whom the debts shall be due may take their goods in the City of London of the Borough or Town or of the County wherein he remains who shall owe the debts And the Citizens of London may have To hunt in Essex Surry and Middlesex their Chases to Hunt as well and fully as their Ancestors have had that is to say in Chiltre and in Middlesex and Surry witness the Bishop of Winchester and Robert Son of Richard and Hugh Pigott and Almer of Totnes and William of Albsprima and Hubert Roger Chamberlaine and William de Mount Fitchett and Hangul Taney and John Ballett and Robert Son of Steward of VVest Furthermore We have seen the Charter Henry 2. of Lord Henry the second sometimes King of England our Progenitor made in these words Henry King of England Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine and Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Ministers and to all his faithful Subjects French and English of all England greeting Know ye that I have granted to my Citizens Citizens not to plead without the walls except in foreign tenures Except Monyers Acquit of Murther Not wage Battel To discharge themselves of Pleas of the Crown of London that none of them plead without the walls of the City of London upon any Pleas except only of Pleas of foreign tenures my Monyers and Officers excepted Also I grant to them acquittal of Murther within the City and in Portsoken thereof And that none of them shall wage Battel And of the Pleas of the Crown they may discharge themselves according to the old usage of the City No man shall take Lodging by force or by delivery of the Marshal And also I have granted to them That All the Citizens of London shall be quit from Toll and Lestage throughout all England and the Ports of the Sea And that none shall be adjudged for Amerciaments None amerced but according to the Law of the City of mony but according to Law of the City which they had in the time of K. Henry my Grandfather And that there shall be no miskenning in any Plea within No Miskenning Hustings once a week Right to be done Citizens of their Lands this City And that 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
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
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
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