both them and the same City So long as the Customs be not contrary to right law and Justice Their Customs not to be against Law saving in all things the liberty of the Church of Westminster to the Abbots and Monks of the fame place to them granted by the Charters of us and our predecessors Kings of England But as touching our Jews and Merchant strangers Jews and strangers and other things out of our foresaid grant touching us or our said City we and our heirs shall provide as to us shall seem expedient These being witness R. King of Almain our Brother Edward our first Son Roger of Mortimer Roger de Clifford Roger Leybourn Robert Watrand Robert Aquiln Mi. Godfrey Gifford our Chancellor Walter de Merton Mr. John Cheshil Archdeacon of London John de la lind William de Aette and others Given by our hand at Westminster the 26th day of March in the 52th year of our Reign WE have seen a certain Charter which the Lord Edward the first sometimes Edw. 1. King of England made to the aforesaid Citizens of London bearing date the 18th day of April in the 26th year of his Reign in which Charter amongst other things it is contained That whereas our said Citizens by the Charters of our said progenitors have been accustomed hitherto to present every Mayor whom they have chosen in the said City yearly before the Barons of the Exchequer our progenitor or we not being To present â—he Mayor to the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster that he may be admitted by the said Barons as Mayor for us notwithstanding that at the next coming of our Progenitor or of us unto Westminster or London he may be presented to our progenitors or to us and so admitted Mayor We willing to shew more ample favour to the said Citizens in that behalf do grant to them for us and our heirs The Mayor of the said City when he shall be chosen by the said Citizens and also the Sheriffs of the said City when they likewise at the accustomed time shall be chosen by the said Citizens we and our The Mayor and Sheriffs in the absence of the King and Barons to be presented to the Constable of the Tower heirs and our Barons not being at Westm or at Lond. they may or shall be presented and admitted to and by the Constable of our Tower of London yearly in such sort as they before were wont to be presented and admitted so as nevertheless that at the next coming of us or our heirs to Westminster or London the said Mayor be presented to us or our heirs and admitted for Mayor And also we have granted for us and our heirs to our said Citizens Citizens quit of Pannage Murage c. that they and their successors Citizens of the said City be for ever quit and free of Pannage Pontage and Murage throughout all the Realm and all our dominions Sheriffs of Lond. to be amerced as the Sheriffs of other Counties And that the Sheriffs of the said City as often as it shall happen them to be amerced in our Court for any offence they shall be amerced according to the measure and quantity of the offence as other the Sheriffs of our said Realm have been amerced for the like offence Wherefore we will and streightly charge and Command for us and our heirs that the said Citizens and their successors have all the liberties Citizens to enjoy their Customs freedoms Quittals and free Customs aforesaid and them may and shall use according to our confirmation renovation and grants aforesaid for ever as by the aforesaid Charter amongst other things more fully appeareth WE have also seen certain Letters Patents Edw. 2. of Lord Edward Son of Edward sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas the Mayor and the good men of the City of London have of late thankfully done us aid of armed footmen at our Castle of Leeds in our County of Kent and also aid of like armed The Aids granted to the King shall not be prejudicial to the City nor drawn into example men now going with us through divers parts of our Realm for divers causes We willing to provide for the indemnity of the said Mayor and men of our City of London in this behalf have granted to them for us and our heirs that the said aids to us so thankfully done shall not be prejudicial to the said Mayor and good men their heirs and successours nor shall they be drawn into consequent for time to come In Witness whereof we have caused those our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Aldermanston the 12th day of December in the 15th year of our Reign WE have also seen the Charter of Edw. 3. Char. 1. Lord Edward the third sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers and other his Bailiffs and faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we for the bettering of our City of London and for the good and laudable service which our welbeloved Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City heretofore have often done to us and our progenitors with the assent of the aforesaid Earls Barons and all the Commonalty of our Realm being called to this our present Parliament at Westminster have granted and by this our Charter for us and our heirs confirmed to the Citizens of the aforesaid City the liberties hereunder written to have and to hold to them and their heirs and successors for ever First Magna Charta recited whereas in the great Charter of the liberties of England it is contained that the City of London may have all their Antient liberties and Customs And the same Citizens at the time of the making of the Charter from the time of Saint Edward King and Confessor and William the Conqueror and of other our progenitors had divers liberties and Customs as well by the Charters of those our progenitors as without Charter by Antient Custom whereupon in divers the Circuits and other the Courts of our said progenitors as well by Judgments as by statutes were invaded and of some of them adjudged We will and grant for us and our heirs that they may have the liberties according to the Usurpations of their Liberties revoked form of the abovesaid great Charter And that Impediments and usurpations to them in that behalf made shall be revoked and Annulled We have further granted for us and our heirs to the said Citizens their heirs and successors aforesaid that the Mayor of the aforesaid City which for time shall be shall be one of the Justices to be assigned
sell corn wine powderable wares fish or other victual All Merchant strangers as English should sell and buy in all Cities and Towns wools cloth wares or other vendâ—ble things whatsoever wheresoever they weâ—â— either in Cities Towns Boroughs Porâ—â— of the Sea Fairs Markets or other places in the Realm whether within liberties or without might without Impediment freely sell the same victuals or wares to whom they would as well to foreigners aâ— English born The enemies to us and our Realm only excepted notwithstanding the Charters of liberties to any Cities or places aforesaid granted to the contrary or custom or judgment upon the said Charters as in the foresaid state is more plainly contained yet nevertheless because in the statutes as well in our said Parliament as in other Parliaments of our Progenitors sometimes Ks. of Engl. made by us and our progenitors Citizens enjoy their Customs according to Magna Charta with the common consent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commonalty of our Realm it was granted and establisht That the great Charter of the liberty of Engl. iâ— in all singular its Articles should be maintained and firmly observed And in the same Charter amongst other things it is contained the City of London may have its antient liberties and free customs unhurt And it hath been the intent and meaning as well of us as our Progenitors yet is that the said great Charter in all the Articles thereof may be still observed and that by pretext of the said Stat. or any other nothing shall be done to the prejudice or infringment of the said Charter or of any Article therein contained or of the antient liberties or customs of the said City may be unjustly burthened touching their said liberties and free Customs contrary to such intent with the consent of the Prelates Earls and Barons assistant with us in this our Parliament Have granted for us and our heirs that the Citizens of the said City their heirs and successors may have all their liberties and free customs unhurt and whole as before these times they more freely had the same The aforesaid statute for the said Merchants made to the hurt of the liberties and Customs of the said City notwithstanding In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 26th day of March in the 11th year of our Reign Edw. 3. Char. 4. WE have also seen a certain other statute of the said Lord Edward the 3d. late King of England made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all to whom these our Letters shall come greeting Know ye that we being worthily careful of the conservation and increase of the name and honour of our City of London and at the supplication of the Mayor Sheriffs and Commonalty of the said City to us humbly made will and grant for us and our heirs that the Serjeants of Lond. may bear Maces of Gold or Silver Serjeants appointed to bear the Maces iâ— our said City may lawfully carry theâ— of Gold or Silver or Silvered or Garnished with the sign of our Arms or otheâ—â— every where in the said City and in the Suburb of the same and in the County of Middlesex and other places to the liberties of the said City appertaining And also without the said City to meet with us our Mother Consort or the Children of us or of our heirs or other Royal Persons when we or any of us shall come to the said City and also in going forth with us or any of us when we shall depart from the said City as also in the presence of us our Mother or Consort or our Children when the said Mayor or Sheriffs or Aldermen of the said City or any of them shall come to us or our heirs at or without the command or warning of us or any of us and as often as it shall happen any of the said Serjeants to be sent to foreign places and without the said City to do their Office at the command of us or oâ— the Mayor or Sheriffs aforesaid they may lawfully carry going and coming publickly as our own Serjeant at Arms attending our presence do carry their Maces Any Ordinance or Commandment made to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents witness my self at Westminster the 10th day of June in the 28th Year of our Reign of England and of France the 15th WE have also seen certain Letters Patents Edw. 3. Char. 5. of our Lord Edward late King of England the third in these words Edward King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these Letters shall come greeting Know Ye That whereas amongst other Liberties granted to the Citizens of our City of London by the Charters of our progenitors sometimes Kings of England which we have confirmed and by ours it hath been granted unto them that all Merchants strangers coming Merchant strangers to board and not to keep houses into England shall remain at board with the free Hosts of the City aforesaid and of other Cities and Towns in England without keeping any houses or societies by themselves And that there should be no Brokers of any Merchandizes from henceforth unless they were chosen thereunto by the Merchants in the Mysteries Brokers to be chosen by the Merchants of the mystery in which the said Brokers exercise their Offices and thereupon at the least do take their Oaths before the Mayor of the said City And also that the Merchants who were not of the Freedom of the said City should not sell by retail any Wines or other wares within the said City or the Suburbs thereof And now our welbeloved Subjects the Mayor Aldermen and other Citizens of the said City have humbly beseeched us by their Petition exhibited in these words To our Lord the King and his good Council do shew the Liege Mayor Aldermen and Petition of the Mayor and Aldermen to the King Commonalty of the City of London that whereas they have often sued in divers Parliaments to have consideration how that they are impoverished and undone by reason their Liberties by him and his progenitors to them granted are restrained and great part taken away and now at the last Parliament holden at Westminster it was answered to them that they should declare their Griefs specially and they should have good remedy therefore of which Griefs amongst divers others these be That every Stranger might dwell in the said City and keep a house and be a Broker and sell and buy all manner of Merchandizes by retail and one Stranger to sell to another to sell again to the great inhancing the prices of Merchandizes and a cause to make them remain there more than forty daies Whereas in time past no Merchant stranger might use any of these points contrary to the Franchises
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
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
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
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 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
to endure three days that is to say the seventh eighth and ninth days of the Month of September to be holden together with a Court of Pye-powder and with all Pye powder liberties and free Customs to such Fair pertaining And that they may have and hold therein and at the said Court before their Minister or Deputy through the said three days from day to day and hour to hour and from time to time all the Actions Plaints and Ples of the said Court of Pye-powder together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues Fines Redemptions and Commodities and other Rights whatsoever to the same Court of Pye-powders by any means belonging without any impediment let or disturbance of us our Heirs or Successors or of other our Officers or Ministers whatsoever And also that they may have in and through all the View of Franck-pledge Precinct aforesaid view of Franck-pledge together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues and Amerciaments Fines Redemptions Profits Commodities and other things whatsoever which therefore may or ought there to pertain to us our Heirs and Successors by any means And further that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors may by themselves or by their Minister or Deputy in the Borough Town Parishes or Precincts aforesaid constituted and to be constituted take and arrest all manner of Felons Thieves and other Malefactors To arrest Felons c. in Southwark and carry them to Newgate found within the Borough Town Parishes and Precincts aforesaid and may bring them to our Goal of Newgate there to be safely kept until by due Process of Law they may be delivered And furthermore that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors may have in the Borough Town Parishes and Precincts The Mayor c. to have the same Liberties as the King should have if it were in his hands aforesaid for ever all and all manner of Liberties Priviledges Franchises Acquittals Customs and Rights which we or our Heirs should or might there have if the same Borough or Town were or remained in the hands of us or our Heirs And further we have of our grace knowledge and motion aforesaid and by the advice aforesaid granted and by these presents do Pleas in London for matters in Southwark grant for us our Heirs and Successors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens from henceforth for ever shall and may hold all and all manner of Contracts and Demands whatsoever within the Borough Town Parishes and Precincts aforesaid changing happening and growing before the Mayor and Aldermen and Sheriffs of the said City and the Sheriffs of the said City for the time being or any of them in the Guildhall of the Chamber of the Guild-hall and Hustings of the said City or any of them to be holden by like Actions Bills Plaints Process Arrests Judgments Executions and other things whatsoever and at the same days and times and in such like manner and form as such happening in the said City have time out of mind been taken held levied prosecuted and executed in the Court before the Mayor and Aldermen and Sheriffs of the said City or in any of them And that the Serjeants at Mace of the City of London for the time being which have used to execute and serve any process or any other things in the said City may be hereafter make do and execute any manner of process and do whatsoever things in the said Borough Town Parishes and Precincts concerning all and singular things arising and hapning about such Pleas and Executions of the same within the Precincts aforesaid as by all the time aforesaid it hath been used in the said City of London And that the Inhabitants of the Town and Borough Parishes and Precincts aforesaid as concerning the Causes and matters there arising may be impleaded and plead in the same City in form aforesaid and in the Courts aforesaid And if the Men Impannelled and summoned in Jurors in Southwark making default before the Mayor and Sheriffs to be amerced Juries for Tryals of such Issues have not appeared before the said Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs in the said Courts of the said City that then such men impannelled and summoned as aforesaid making default shall be amerced by the said Mayor or Sheriffs and shall forfeit such issues upon them returned and to be returned after the same or in like manner and form as the Men impannelled and summoned in the said City for the like issues in the Courts of the said City to be tryed have before this time forfeited and have accustomed to forfeit And also that such amercements and issues forfeited should be levied by the Ministers of the said City to the use of the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors for ever And also that the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors shall and may from henceforth ever have cognizance of all manner of The Mayor of London to have Cognizance of personal Actions arising in Southwark Pleas Actions Plaints and Suits personal hapning or growing out of any Court of Ours or of our Heirs before Us or Our Heirs or before any of the Justices for or concerning any thing cause or matter within the Town Borough Parishes and Precincts aforesaid before the Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs or any of them in the said Courts of the said City or any of them And that the Issues happening upon the said Pleas and Suits shall be tryed in the same Courts before the Mayor and Aldermen and Sheriffs or any of them by the Men of the same Borough or Town in such sort as Issues in the same City are tryed And that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors may for ever choose according to the form of Law and may constitute every year or as often as and in what times soever shall seem to them expedient two Coroners in the Borough or Town aforesaid And that the said Coroners and Mayor c. may choose two Coroners in Southwark either of them be elected and constituted may and shall have full power and authority to do and execute in the said Borough Towns Parishes and Precincts aforesaid all and singular things which to the Office of Coroner in any County of our Realm of England do or ought to pertein to be done and executed And that none other Coroners No Coroner of the King to intermeddle in Southwark of Us Our Heirs or Successors shall enter into any thing which to the Office of such Coroner pertaineth to be done within the said Borough Parishes or Precincts neither shall at all intermeddle about any thing belonging to the Office of Coroner hapning within the Burough Town Parishes or Precincts abovesaid and that the Mayor of the said City for the time being The Mayor of London Escheator in Southwark shall be
Commons Woods Under-woods Rents Services Reversions Court-Leets Views of Franck-pledge Chattels waved Strays free Warrens and all and singular the said premises with the Appurtenances except before excepted to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and to their Successors for ever To be holden of us and our Heirs and Successors as of our Mannour of East-Greenwick in our County of Kent by fealty only in Fee-Soccage and not in Chief for all services and demands whatsoever We give also and for the consideration aforesaid do by these Presents grant to the said A Grant of all the Rents c. of the Premises from Michael was without accompt Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London all the Issues Rents Revenues and profits of the said Mannour Messuages Lands Tenements and all other the premises with their Appurtenances coming and growing from the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel last past hitherto to have the same to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our gift without accompt or any other thing to us our Heirs or Successors by any means therefore to be given paid or made And furthermore of our ample Grace we will and for us our Heirs and Successors do by these Presents grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and to their Successors that we our Heirs and Successors will yearly for ever discharge acquit and save harmless as well the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors as the said Mannours Messuages Lands Tenements and all other the premises with their Appurtenances and every part thereof against us our Heirs and Successors and against whatsoever The King to save the City harmless against Corodies c. persons concerning all and all manner of Corodies Rents Fees Annuities sums of Money and charges whatsoever by any means giving out or to be paid out of the premises or to be charged thereupon Saving the services hereby reserved Saving the services above by these presents reserved and the demises and grants by any means made for terms of life or years of the premises or any parcel whereupon the old Rent and more is reserved and shall be due yearly during the terms aforesaid and besides the Covenants in those Demises and And the yearly Fee-farm Grants being And saving 10 l. by the year of the Antient Farm for the Town of Southwark aforesaid by the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens due in our Exchequer yearly to be paid and payable willing and by these presents by streight Injunction commanding as well our Chancellor and General Overseers and Councel of our said Court of Augmentations and Revenues of our Crown and all Receivers Auditors and others our Officers of ours or of our Heirs whatsoever for the time being That they and every of them upon the only shewing of these our Letters Patents or of the Inrolments of the same without any other Writ or Warrant from Us or our Heirs by any means to be obtained and prosecuted shall make and cause to be made unto the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their Successors full power and due allowance and manifest discharge of all such Corodies Rents Fees Annuities and sums of Money whatsoever going out or to be paid out of the premises or thereupon charged or to be charged except before excepted And these our Letters Patents and the Inrolment of the same shall be yearly and from time to time a sufficient Warrant and discharge as well to the said Chancellour and General Overseers and to our Councel of our said Court of Augmentations and Revenues of our Crown as to all Receivers Auditors and other Officers and Ministers of ours our Heirs and Successors whatsoever for the time being in this behalf We will also and by these presents do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London that they may and shall have these our Letters Patents in due manner made and sealed under our Great Seal of England without fine or Fee great or small to Us in our Hamper or elsewhere to our use to be by any means given paid or made although express mention be not in these presents made of the true yearly value or of the certainty of the premises or of other gifts or grants of Us or by any our Progenitors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens before this time made any Statute Act or Ordinance provision or restraint thereof made ordained or provided to the contrary or any thing cause or matter whatsoever in any thing notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents witness my self at Westminster the 23. day of April in the fourth year of our Reign We have also seen the Letters Patents of our most dear Father Lord James late King of England c. made in these words James by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom our present Letters Patents shall come greeting Whereas our beloved the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our City of London time out of mind have had exercised and ought and have accustomed themselves to have and exercise the Office Conservation of the Thames of Bailiff and conservation of the water of Thames to be exercised and occupied by the Mayor of the same City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or by his sufficient Deputies in upon and about the water of Thames that is to say from the Bridge of the Town of Staynes in the County of Middlesex and toward the Extent of the Mayors Jurisdiction on the Thames â—ast unto London-Bridge and from thence â— a certain place called Kendall otherwise â—nland otherwise Yeenleet towards the Sea and East and in Medway and in the Port of Medway â—e City of London aforesaid and upon whatsoever Bank and upon every Shore â—d upon every Wharf of the same water â— Thames within the limits and bounds aâ—resaid and in upon and about all and â—ery of them And also for all the time Fees and profits â—resaid have had and taken and ought â—d have accustomed to have and take to â—eir own proper use by the Mayor of the â—e City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or his sufficient Deputies all wages rewards fees and profits belonging to the same Office of Bailiff And whereas the said Mayor and Commonalty The Mayor c. to have the Office of measuring Coals and grain and Citizens from all the time aforesaid have had and exercised the Office of measurer and measuring of all Coals and grain of whatsoever kind And also of all kind of Salt and all kind of Apples Pears Plums and other Fruit whatsoever and also all kind of roots eatable of what kind Salt Apples c. soever and of Onyons and of
all other Merchandizes Warcs and things whatksoever measurable and the measuring of every of them in or unto the said Poiâ—â— London coming carried or brought upon the said water in whatsoever Ship Bâ—â— Barge or Vessel floating laden and being on whatsoever part of the said water â— Thames or upon whatsoever bank shoâ— or whart of the same water of Thamâ— which shall come to arrive abide be 〈◊〉 vered or laid down from the said bridâ— of the said Town of Stains Westward the said bridge of London and from them to the said place called Yendale otherwâ— Yâ—nlett towards the Sea and East and Medway and in the said Port of the â— of London aforesaid to exercise and 〈◊〉 the same Office by the Mayor of â— said City for the time during the â— of his Mayoralty or by his sufficient â— puties And also for all the said time â— have had and taken and ought to 〈◊〉 and take to their proper use by the Mayor of the said City for the time being during his Mayoralty or by his sufficient Deputies all wages rewards Fees and Profits to the same Office belonging And To take Fees â— and profits of the Office of measuring of coals notwithstanding they the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of late times thereof have been disquieted and in some measuring aforesaid unjustly hindered and especially in the said Office or measuring Coals supposing that Office to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens anciently not to appertain neither by any lawful grant or prescription as yet to appertain or belong whereas in truth it doth manifestly and plainly appear that the same Offices and all other premisses to them of old time appertaining and do now of right appertain and that they lawfully received Measuring of coals pertain to the City and enjoyed and ought to have take and enjoy the wages and rewards Fees and perquisits thereof We therefore to take away all controversies and remove all doubt in this behalf and to the intent that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Cititizens may securely freely and quietly use have exercise and enjoy the Offices aforesaid and every of them and the measuring aforesaid and the Fees Wages Rewards and Profits to the said Office and Measuring belonging and all and singular other the premisses to them and their successors for ever without the contradiction molestation or hindrance any way of us our Heirs or Successors Admiral of England Justices Escheators Sheriffs Bayliffs or other our Officers or Ministers whatsoever And because it is well pleasing to us to shew favour in this behalf to the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and rather encrease strengthen and enlarge then diminish the Liberties Franchises Jurisdictions Priviledges and free Customes of the City of London aforesaid of our special grace and from our certain knowledge and meer motion we do by those presents approve allow ratifie and Confirmation of the premisses with the Fees to the Mayor and Commonalty confirm for Us our Heirs and Successors all and singular the Offices and Measuring aforesaid and other recited premises and the Wages Rewards Fees and Profits belonging or appertaining thereto and the uses and Customes aforesaid to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City aforesaid and their Successors And further of our special grace and certain knowledg and meer motion we have granted and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors that they may exercise and execute the Power granted to the 〈◊〉 Mayor c. to conâ—erve the Thames said Office of Bayliff and conservation of the water of Thames by the Mayor of the same City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or his sufficient Deputies from time to time for ever in upon or about the same water of Thames that is to say from the Bridge of Staynes to the Bridge of London and from thence to a certain place called Yenland otherwise Yeenleet towards the Sea and towards Extent of the mayors power on the Thames the East and Medway and in the Port of the City of London aforesaid and upon whatsoever Bank Shore and Wharf of the same water of Thames within the limits and bounds aforesaid in upon and about every one of the same and to have receive and collect and enjoy all and singular wages rewards fees and profits to the same Office of Bailiff pertaining Fees and profits of the Offices to the use of the Mayor and Commonalty to the proper use of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens by the Mayor of the same City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or by his sufficient Deputies and also of our more ample grace and from our certain knowledge and meer motion we have given and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors that they may peaceably and quietly The Mayor c to enjoy the Office of measuring coals grain c. from time to time for ever execute and exercise the aforesaid Office of Measurer of all and singular Coals and Grain of what sort soever and all kind of Apples Pears Plumbs and other Fruit whatsoever and all Roots to be eaten of whatsoever sort And also of Onyons and other Merchandizes Wares and things measurable and the measuring of them whatsoever in or to the Port of the City of London coming carried or brought in whatsoever Ships Boat Barge or other Vessel floating laden remaining or being in any part of the same River of Thames and upon any Bank or Shore or Wharf of the same water of Thames happening to unlade stay remain be delivered or laid down from the said Bridge of the Town of Staynes in the County of Middlesex and towards the West unto London-bridge aforesaid and from thence to the said place called Yendall alias Yeenfleet towards the Sea and East and in Medway and in the said Port of the City of London by the Mayor of the aforesaid City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or by his sufficient Deputies And to have receive collect and enjoy all and singular To receive the fees and profiâ—s to the use of the Mayor c. the wages rewards fees and profits whatsoever to the same office of measuring belonging or appertaining to the use of the said Mayor and Commonalty and Ci tizens and their Successors to be received and taken up by the Mayor of the aforesaid City for the time being during the time of his Mayoralty or his sufficient Deputies Without the lâ—t oâ— the King or any other without the hindrance of Us our Heirs or Successors or any of our Officers Bailiffs or Ministers or of our Admiral of England or of our Successors or any others of our Subjects or of our Heirs or Successors to be made to the contrary To have
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
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
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
All Treasure found which hath no lawful Owner belongs to the King in whose grounds soever the same is taken Tronage Toll or Duty for weighing Goods Withernam In the Common Law is the taking or driving a Distress to a hold or out of the County where the Sheriff cannot come upon a Replevin to make deliverance thereof to the party distreined The TABLE ACquittal of Murther pag. 5 10 25 33 Acquittal of Duties in Thames claimed at the Tower 15 23 Acquittal of Toll Tollage Custage and Custom 3. 6. 11. 26. 32. 46 Accompt The Mayor to accompt in the Exchequer 13. 14. 44 Allowance of the Sheriffs in the Excheq 14. 31 Aids Citizens not to war out of the City 39 Aids vide Subsidies Amerciaments 5. 7 Of the Sheriffs of London to be as other Sheriffs 38 Their Amerciaments not to exceed 20 l. 20 In Southwark 68. 108 Aldermen not to be put upon Assizes Attaints or Juries 63 Aldermen not to be Collectors 64 Aldermen past the Chair to be Justices of the Peace 58 Apples Measurage 116 Assize of Aie and Beer in Southw 67. 102 Attachments for Debts 4 Attachm to be made by the City Officers 68 In Southwark ibid. Aldermen past the Chair to be Justices in Southwark 110 Ale-houses Recognizances for suppressing them 159 Appearance at Sessions and Recognizances about it ibid. Aliens to keep no houses in London 55 Battail 3. 5. 7. 10. 25. 33 Beams and Weights 36. 88. to 92 Bartholomews in Smithfield great and less 128. 136. 182 Black-Fryers 136 Black-Fryers exempt from Taxes and Fifteenths 129 Beadle of the Court of Requests 181 Bethlem Hospital 183. 185 Brokers 53. 55 Brokers The Office recited 182 Brid-toll To be free thereof 6. 8. 12. 26 Buildings and new Erections 166 Bastards Recognizances concerning them 159 Certificate of the Custom of London to be Ore tenus 60 City of London the King's Chamber 137 City and the Extent thereof 127. 138. 140 Cold-Harbour 128. 138. 144 Coals and the weighing them pertains to the City 139. 141 No Market thereof to be in Lighters 144 Against the forestalling them ibid. Measuring them pertains to the City 117 Notice of the quantity to be given by the Mayor to the King 142 Corn and the measuring the same 119 Childwite To be free of the same 6. 8. 26 Clerk of the Market in Southw 68. 107. 110 Of the Court of Request 180 Confirmation of all former Charters with an Exception 147 Coroner of London 77 Place of London distinct from the Chie Butler's Place ibid. Of Southwark 107 Claims of Liberties undecided 45 Charter of Edw. 4th confirmed by Act of Parliament 3 H. 8. 74 Charters of King Hen. 6th made void 151 Court of Conscience and Request 180 Conservator of the River of Thames 118 Confirm of the Customs of Lon. 6. 8. 12. 48. 118 Court of Requests of London 180 Court of Pypowders in Southwark 68. 102 Combat no Citizen to make Combat 2 Common Cryer or Outroper for Sale of things 193 Customs of Lon. confirmed 6. 8. 12. 30. 48. 51 Custom of Merchandize to be paid before put to sale 35 Customs of Lon. to be certified by the mouth of the Recorder 60. 175 To be enjoyed according to Mag. Charta 50 Circuits how the Citizens are to be regulated in them 46 Confirmation of all former Charters 124. 203 Crown Pleas vide Pleas of the Crown Debts to Citizens of Lon. 4. 5. 7. 26. 35 Dane-guilt 3 Debts to be inrolled in the Exchequer 36 Deodands in Southwark 101 Device in Mortmain 42 Discharge themselves of Pleas of the Crown vide Pleas c. Doubts concerning the Char. of Hen. 7th 152 Dukes Place 133 Escheator of the Mayor of London to be Escheator 43. Of the King not to intermeddle in Lond. ib. Exchequer no Citizen to be sued there except it concern the King 48 Escheats in Southwark 66. 107 Estraies in Dukes Place 136 Execution of Writs in Southwark 67. 102 Fee-Farm paid for the Sheriffwick of Middlesex 14. 20 Felons goods in Southwark 66. 103 to 108 Taken in Southwark to be carried to Newgate ibid. Fee-Farm of Southwark 113 Felons Goods in Dukes-Place vide Treasure there In London 136. 176 Fees for weighing of Coals 141 Garbling of things not formerly Garbled 169 Gawging of things not formerly Gawged ibid. Weighing 172 Fair in West-Smithfield 163 in Southwark 68. 102 Fines and Amerciaments concerning the River of Thames 161 By the Mayor 161 By Commissioners of Sewers 162 Foreign Tenures 25. 33 Foreign Bought and Sold vide Goods Foreign c. Forestalling Goods 35 Forestalling and Regrating Coals 143 Forfeitures Customs of London not to be Forfeited 6 Forfeiture of Recognizances vide Recognizances Of Goods put to Sale before Custom is paid 35. Of Wares Forestalled vide Forestalling Free from Scot and Lot and Daneguilt 2 From Murther vide Murther From Toll 5. 7. 11 From Toll all over England 32. 34 Freemens Widows vide Widows Freedom to be taken by certain Persons 178 Fugitives goods in Southwark vide Treasure there Gates and Customs of them 56 Gathering of the Toll in London vide Toll Garbling Office 76. 167 Gawgers Office 76. 81. 189 Guilt Dane-Guilt 2 Goods disclaimed in Southwark vide Treasure there Goods waved in Dukes-Place 148 Goods Foreign bought and sold in the City Forfeited 79 Goal-delivery and Recogn for appearing 177 Handiworks in Southwark vide Treasurer Trove there Huntings 4. 6. 11. 26 Hustings 4. 6. 7. 11. 25 Infangtheft 41 Inquisition to be taken at St. Martins vide St. Martins Jeresgive vide Bridtoll Jews 37 Issue upon the Customs of London vide Customs of London Justices one Alderman in Middlesex another in Surrey to be named by the Mayor 177 The Mayor Recorder c. Justices of Peace and of Oyer c. 154. 57. 58. 135 Four may hold Sessions 155 Of Lond. to hold Jurisdict in Black-Fryers White-Fryers Dukes-Place c. 133 In Southwark 110 Issues pardoned 165 Intrusions pardoned 185 Justice City to appoint a Justice for Pleas. 3 Inmates 145 Keddals vide Wares Keeper No Keeper to be set over the City 47 Laws The City to enjoy their Laws 1 Lands and the Plea of Lands 3 Lestage vide Acquittal of Toll Leaden-Hall 70 Letters Patents to be sealed without charge 136 Licence to purchase five Acres of Ground in St. Giles's in the Fields 187 Liberties of London restored 125 c. Liberties confirmed 120. 41. 22. 59 Not to be against Law 37 To be Recorded before the Justices 45 Not to be impeached by the Stat. of York 50 Not to be forfeited vide Forfeitures Licence to purchase Land in Mortmaine 72 Lighters of Coals 138. 144 Lodging not to be taken by force 3. 7. 25. 34 Lot vide Free of Lot c. Ludgate 56 Liberties confirmed with exceptions vide Confirmation Middlesex The Sheriffwick thereof 2. 13 Miskenning 3. 5. 7. 11. 25 Mayor The choice 17. 22 To be presented to the King ibid. To name two Aldermen to be inserted in the Commission
of Peace in Middlesex London and Surrey 177 To the Barons of the Exchequer 38 At the Tower ibid. To be Justice at Newgate 41 To be Escheator in London 44 To be Justice of Peace and of Oyer and and Terminer 58 To be Justice in Southwark 110 To Measure Coals Corn c. 116 c. To be yearly chosen 17 Magna Charta recited 40 Medway River 15. 23. 45. 115 Maces to be born by the Serjeants of Lond. 52 Market not to be within 7 miles of London 47. 175 In Southwark 110 Not to be in Lighters 144 The Mayor Clerk of the Market in Southwark 107 Marshal of the K. not to meddle in Lond. 43 Merchant strangers not to sell by retail 55 To sell in forty daies and not to keep houses 43. 54 Merchants of Almaine 63 Martins le Grand Inquisit to be there 48. 82 Murage quit thereof 38 Murther free thereof 2. 5. 7. Newgate 56 Non-User of the Customs no forseiture of them 121 Names of the Corporations of London 124 Oath none to be taken by the Sheriffs in the Exchequer except c. 44 To be administred by the Mayor c. For discovering concealed Goods 208 Office of Packing 75. 197 Of Seavage 202 Of Portage 76. 198 Of Outroper or Common Cryer 173 Of Garbling vide Garbling Of Gawging vide Gawging Of Wine-drawer 76 Of Measuring Coals Corn Salt c. 116 Of Conservator of the River vide Conservator Of Common Cryer vide Common Cryer Of Clerk of the Court of Conscience vide Clerk Of Register of Brokers vide Brokers Officers of London to have the same power in Southwark 106 Offenders to be punished by whom 157 Onions and the measuring of them 116 Oil the Survey of it ibid. Outsangthest vide Infangtheft Passage free thereof 3 Pannage vide Murage 38 Packing 75 Package the Office created and granted to the City 197. 199 Pardon of Issues Rents Profits and Intrusions 165. 166 Ileas of the Crown 3. 5. 7. 25. 32 Citizens not to be impleaded out of Lon. 3. 5. 6. 10. 25. 32. 43 In Fairs to be holden by Citizens 44 In Southwark to be tried in Lon. 104 Pauls Mony allowed for the Liberty thereof 31 Promises 4. 6. 7. 25 Prizage of Wines 47 Porcage Office 76 Port of London 119 Poors House in Smithfield 184 Plums the measuring of them 116 Purveyor not to make prize of things in Lon. 47 Not to be a Merchant ibid. Pye-Powder Court in Southwark 68. 102 Peace Recognizance concerning preservation thereof 133. 155. 160 Queen-Hith 29 The Farm thereof made by the Earl of Cornwall ibid. Recorder a Justice of Oyer Terminer 58. 134 Of the Quorum 134 In Southwark 110 Record The Liberties and Customs 60. 175 Return of Writs in Southwark 67. 102 Recogniz forfeited granted to the City 160 Recognizances of Citizens to be inrolled in the Exchequer 36 Recognizances forfeited granted to the City except Royal Issues 159 For preserving of the Peace 133. 155. 160 Concerning Bastards 177 For Appearance at Gaol-delivery vide Gaol-delivery Retail 55 Restitution of Liberties 125. 148 Roots measured 116 Register of Brokers 182 Serjeants of London may use Silver and Gold Maces 52 Southwark granted to the City in Parliament 49 The Fee-Farm thereof 113 Several Messuages granted the City 92 to 100. Treasure found Waifes Estrays c. 101 A Fair. 68 Inhabitants to be under the Government of the Mayor 109 The Mayor c. to be Justices there 110 Markets there ibid. The Mayor to be Clark of the Market and receive Tolls there 107. 108 Marshalsea c. Excepted out of this Grant of Southwark 111 Summons there 68 Salt the measuring thereof 116 Sheriffwick of Middlesex granted to the City 2 Of London and Middlesex granted 13. 14 19 Sheriffs to be removed at pleasure of the Citizens 14. 19 Accomptable in the Exchequer 13. 19 If not Solvent the City to answer their dues to the King 13. 19 Not to be amerced above 20 l. 13. 20 For criminal offences punished ibid. To be allowed upon Account in the Exchequer what shall c. 14. 21 To be presented at the Exchequer 19 To be allowed upon account of Pauls 31 When to be presented to the Tower 38 To be amerced as other Sheriffs 38. 42 Not to be charged with escapes of such as fly to Churches 43 To take no oath in the Exchequer but to Accompt 44 To have the forfeiture of victuals 47 Staynes the Forrest disforrested 27 Subsidies how Citizens are to be taxed 46 Strangers not to sell by retail 55 Soil of the Streets and Thames formerly granted to the City and since made void 150 Strayes in London 176 Signs 183 Sanctuary 44 Summons to be made only by City Officers 43 Steward of the Kings House not to sit in Lon. ibid. Strangers not to keep houses or be Brokers 55 Sidney Sir William's Patent cancelled 85 Streets Lanes Alleys Wastegrounds and Common Soil of the City reserved to the King 164 Sessions of Peace 155 Taxes and Tallages who liable to them 62. 63 Tenures 5. 7. 25 Thames the Mayor conservator thereof 118 The Wares and Keddals to be removed 9. 15. 23 Toll Citizens to be Toll-free 6. 7. 11. 25. 34 Tower Customs taken by the keeper thereof acquitted 15 The Mayor and Sheriff to be presented there 38 Tolls in London to be collected by whom 64 In Southwark 108 Tobacco 169 Tonnage 70 Tronage 5. 6. 86. 88 Treasure Trove in London 176. In Southwark 66. 101 In Dukes Place 136 Thieves taken in Southwark To be carried to Newgate 69. 103 Trial in London of actions in Southwark 106 Victuals No Purveyor or other Officer to set price 47 The Sheriff to have the forfeiture 47 Forestalled forfeited 35 View of Franck-Pledg in Southwark 68. 103 Wares or Keddals to be moved out of the River 9. 15. 23. 24 War no Citizens to be compelled thereto 44 Waifes in London 176. in Southwark 66. 101 White-Friers 128. 129. 133 Weavers 18 Westminster their liberties saved 38 Weighing Wools at Leaden Hall 70 Of Coals 141 At the Kings Beam 36. 88 West-Smithfield 184 The House of Poor there 208 Widows of Freemen 174 Wine-drawers 76 Writs in Southwark 67. 101 Withernam 4. 7. 11. 26. 34. Warren of Staynes unwarrened 27 Wares Forestalled 35 Some Errata and Defects which have escaped the Press PAge 4. l. 8. for Premises read Promises P. 6. l. 9. for Premises read Promises P. 7. l. Uit. for Premises read Promises P. 35. l. 6. for the line drawn read questioned P. 49. l. 1. for the line drawn read City THE CHARTER OF King Charles the Second Granted to the CITY of LONDON Translated into English CHARLES the Second 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 We have seen the Charter of Lord William sometimes King of England our Progenitor made in these words William King greet William Bishop c.
Hustings shall be kept once a week and they justly have their lands and tenures and premises and all their debts whosoever do owe them that right be done them according to the Custom of of the City of all their lands and tenures which be in the City and of all their debts which were lent at London and of premises there made Pleas to be holden in London Also I do grant to them that they may have Hunting their Huntings wheresoever they had the same in the time of K. Henry my Grandfather And if any in all England shall take any Citizens Toll-free Custom or Toll of or from the men of London after he shall fail of right the Sheriff of London may take goods thereof at London Furthermore also for the advancement of Citizens free of Bridtoll Childwit Jeresgive and Scotal Confirmation of all Customs the said City I have granted to them that they shall be free and quit of Bridtol Child wite and Jeresgive Scotale so as the Sheriff of London or any other Bayliff may take no Scotale These aforesaid Customs I do grant unto them and all their Liberties and free Customs which they had in the time of K. Hen. my Grandfather whensoever they had To hold of the K. and his heirs them more better and free wherefore I will and stedfastly command that they and their Heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid by inheritance of me and my heirs witness the Archbishop of Canterbury Rob. Bishop of Lond. Ph. Bishop of Bath Edward Bishop of Lexon Th. Chancellour Rich. of Newberry R. of Warron Rich. of St. Wal Wash Mamot Rich. of Lucy Conar Son of Garold Mannell Bissett Loc Baillolio at Westm WE have also seen the Charter of Lord Rich. 1. Ch. 1. Rich. the first sometimes K. of England D. of Normandy and Earl of Anjou to his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Ministers and all others his faithful French and English people greet KNOW Citizens not to plead without the walls except foreign Tenures ye that we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them may plead without the walls of the City of London for any Pleas saving Pleas of foreign tenures except Monyers our Monyers and Ministers Also we have granted to them Acquittal of Murther Acquit of Murther within the City and in Portsoken and that none of them may 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 none may take any Lodgings within the None take Lodgings by force walls of the City by force or by delivery of the Marshal This also we have granted unto them that all the Citizens of London be free from Toll and Lestage throughout all England and the Sea-ports that none be adjudged of Amerciaments Amerced according to the Law of the City 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 be no miskenning in any Plea No Miskenning Hustings once a week within the City and that the Hustings be kept only once a week and they justly have all their Lands and Tenures and Premises and all other their debts whosoever do owe Right to be done the City them to them And that right be done to them according to the Custom of the City of all their Lands and Tenures which they have within the City and of all their debts which shall be lent at London and of promises there made the Pleas shall be holden at London and if any in all England shall take Toll or Custom of the men of London after that he shall fail of right the Sheriff of London may take goods therefore at London Also we have granted unto them that they may have their Huntings wheresoever they had the same in the time of King Henry Grandfather to Henry our Father Furthermore Also for the Advancement of the City we have granted to them that they all be acquit of all Brid-Toll Childwite and Jeresgive and Scotale so that no Sheriff of London or any other Bailiff shall make any Scotale The said Customes we do grant to them and all other liberties and free Customes which they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather unto Henry our Father when as they more better and freely had the same Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs have and hold all their things aforesaid of us and our heires Witness Hub. Archbishop of Cant. R. Bishop of Lincoln Ralph Earl of Chester R. Earl of Clarence William Marshal Roger Bigott Jeophery Son of Peter Hugh Bardolph William Brewer William Warren Given by the hand of William Bishop of Ely our Chancellor at Winchester 23 Apr. 5th Year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter Rich. 1. Ch. 2. of the said Lord Rich. By the Grace of God K. of Engl. Duke of Normandy and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Castle-keepers Justices Constables Bailiffs Ministers and all his Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye all that we for the health of our soul and for the souls health of K. Henry our Father and all our Ancestors souls and also for the common weal of our City of London and of all our Realm Have granted and stedfastly commanded that all wares that are in the Thames be moved wheresoever they shall be within the Thames And that no wares be put any way within the Thames Also we have clearly quit claimed all that which the To remove all Wares in the Thames Keepers of our Tower of London was wont yearly to receive of the said wares Wherfore we will and stedfastly command that no Keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter shall exact any thing of any one neither molest or burthen or any demand make of any person by reason of the said wares for it is manifest to us and by our Right Reverend Father Hubert Archbishop of Canter and other our Faithful Subjects it is sufficiently given us to understand that great detriment and discommodity hath grown to our said City of London and also to the whole Realm by occasion of the said wares which thing to the intent it may continue for ever firm and stable we do fortifie by the Inscription of this present page and the putting to our Seal These being witnesses John of Worcester Hugh of Coventry Bishops John Earl of Morton Ralph Barl of Chester Robert Earl of Leicester VVill. Earl of Arundel VVill. of St. Maries Church Peter Son of Hereb Matthew his Brother Simon of Ryma Scherio de quincero Given by the hand of Mr. Eustace Dean of Salisbury Vicechancellor then Agent at the Isle of Audlyer the fourteenth day of July in the eighth year of our Reign WE have also seen 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
put any where in the Thames or Medway upon forfeiture of ten pounds sterling We have also quit-claimed all that which the Keepers of our Tower Keepers of the Tower not to exact any thing for Wares of London was wont yearly to receive of the aforesaid wares wherefore we will and stedfastly command that no Keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter exact any thing from any or bring any demand burthen or trouble to any person by reason of the aforesaid wares for it fully appears to us and it is sufficiently given us to understand by the Right Reverend Father Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury and by others our Faithful Subjects that very Wares in Thames hurt the City Realm great hurt and discomodity hath grown to the aforesaid City and also to our said whole Realm by occasion of the aforesaid wares which thing that it may continue firm and stable for ever we have fortified the same by the inscription of the page and putting to our seal as that Charter of the Lord King John our Father which the Barons of London have from thence doth reasonably testify Witness the Lord Eustace of London Peter of Winton Joslin of Bath R. of Salisbury Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent and our Justice Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glecester and Hereford John Son of Nicholas R. D. Argentine our Steward given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Westminster the 18th day of February in the 11th year of our Reign We have also seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 4. of the abovesaid Lord Henry made in these words Hen. by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Ministers and all our Faithful Subjects French and English greeting Know ye that we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them No Citizen to plead without the Walls Except Monyers Acquittal of Murther Not to wage Battel shall plead without the walls of the City of London saving the Pleas of foreign tenures our monyers and Ministers excepted And we have granted to them acquittal of all murther within the City and Portsoken and that none of them shall wage Battel and that they may discharge themselves of the Pleas belonging to the Crown according to the antient custom of the City and that within the walls of the City and Portsoken no man may take any lodging No lodging to be taken by force by force or by delivery of the Marshal This also we have granted to them that all the Citizens of London be quit of Toll and Quit of Toll throughout England Lestage and of all other Customs throughout all our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas And that none be condemned of To be amerced according to the Law of the City No Miskenning any Amerciaments of money but according to the Law of the City which they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather And that no miskenning be in any pleading in the City and that the Hustings be kept once only a week And that they may justly Hustings once a week have all their Lands and Promises and debts whosoever owe them to them and that right be holden to them of all their Lands and Tenures which be in the City according to the Custom of the City And that Pleas be there holden of all debts which be lent at London and of all promises Pleas of debt lent in London there made And if any shall take any Toll or any other Custom of our men of London in any our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas or in the Ports of the Seas on this side or beyond the Seas after that he shall fail of right the Sheriffs of London may take goods for the same Also we do grant for Hunting free them that they may have Hunting wheresoever they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather Furthermore also for the amendment of the said City we have granted to them Quit of Bridtoll c. that they be all quit from Bridtoll Childwite Jeresgive and of all Scotale so that our Sheriff of London or any other Bailiff shall not make any Scotale These Customs aforesaid we do grant to them and all other liberties and free Customs which they had in time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather when as they had the same better and more freely as the Charter of the Lord John our Father which they have of the same Hold their Liberties of the King his Heirs doth reasonably testify Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid hereditarily of us and our heirs these being witness the Lord Eustace of London Joslin of Bath Rich. of Salisbury Peter of Winton Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert of Clare Earl of Glocester and Hereford Ralph Son of Nicholas and Richard Argentine our Steward Henry de Capel and others Given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Westminster the 16th day of March in the 11th year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter of the aforesaid Lord Henry made in Henry 3. Char. 5. these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priâ—rs Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers Forresters and all Bailiffs and Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this present Charter confirmed for us and our heirs unto our Archbishops Bishops Priors Earls Barons Knights Freeholders and to all of Stayns Warren diswarrened and disforrested the County of Middlesex that all the warren of Stayns with the appurtenances be unwarrenned and disforrested for ever so that all they aforesaid and their heirs or successors may have all liberties and benefit of warren and forrest in the aforesaid warren wherein they may till or plough all their lands and cut all their woods and dispose the same at their will without the view or contradiction of his warreners or Forresters and all their Ministers and within the which no warrener or Forrester or Justice of our Forrest shall or may any thing meddle with their lands or woods neither with their herbage or hunting or Corn neither by any summons or distress shall cause them their heirs or successors to come before our Justices of the Forrest or warreners by occasion of the Lands and Tenements situate in those parts where the said warren was wont to be but that they and their heirs and successours and their Lands and Tenements contained in the parts be quit and free of all exactions occasions demands and
Comonalty to us made for the which both for life and member and all other things belonging to the said City they have submitted themselves to our will that none of them be compelled to plead out of the walls of the said City for any None to plead out of the Walls thing except foreign tenures and except our monyers and Officers and except those things which shall happen to be done Except Monyers and things against the Peace against our peace which according to the common law of our Realm are wont to be determined in the parts where those trespasses were done and except pleas concerning merchandizes which are wont to be determined according to the law Merchant in Boroughs and Fairs so yet notwithstanding that those plaints be determined in the Boroughs and Fairs by 4 or 5 of the said Citizens of London who shall be there present saving to us the amerciaments in any wise coming which they shall faithfully answer us and our heirs upon pain of grievous forfeitures We have Acquittal of Murther also granted to our same Citizens acquittal of Murder in the said City and in Portsoken And that none of the said Citizens may wage Battel And that for the pleas belonging to the Crown chiefly those which may chance within the said City and Suburbs thereof they may discharge themselves To discharge themselves of Pleas of the Crown according to antient custom according to the antient custom of the said City This notwithstanding except that upon the graves of the dead for that which they should have said if they had lived it shall not be lawful precisely to swear But in stead and place of those deceased which before their deaths to discharge those which for concerning the things belonging to the Crown were caled Not lawful to swear but the dead could have spoke it alive and received there may other free and lawful men be chosen which may do and accomplish that without delay which by the deceased should have been done if they had lived And that within the walls Lodgings not to be taken forcibly of the City and in Portsoken none may take lodgings by force or delivery of the Marshal WE have also granted to our said Citizens throughout all our dominions wheresoever Citizens may dwell and trade any where in the Kingdom Free of Toll they come to dwell with their Merchandizes and things And also throughout all the Sea Ports as well on this side as beyond the Seas they shall be free of all Toll and Lestage and of all Customs except every where our due and Antient custom and prizes of wines That is to say King's Custom of Wine of one Tun before the Must and of one other behind the Mast at 20 s. the Tun to be paid in such form as we and our Anceston have been accustomed to have the said prices And if any in any of our Lands oâ— this side or beyond the Seas or in the Ports of the Sea on this side or beyond the Seas shall take of the men of London Toll or any Custom contrary to this our grant except the aforesaid prizes after he Withernam shall fail of right the Sheriff may take goods therefore at London WE have also granted to them that the Hustings once a week Hustings might be kept in every week once the week and that only by one day or as not withstanding that those things within the same day cannot be determined may continue till next morning and no longer And that right be holden to them for their Lands and Tenures within the same City according to the Custom of the said Citizens to have right to their lands and tenures according to Custom Foreigners and Citizens may make their Attorneys Pleas to be held in London of money lent and promises made there City So as nevertheless that as well soreigners as others may make their Attorneys as well in pleading as defending as elsewhere in our Courts And they may not be by miskenning in any their pleas that is to say if they have not declared altogether well And of all their debts which were lent at London and promises there made pleas be their holden according to the Just and Antient Custom Furthermore we do also grant toward the amendment of the aforesaid City that all be quit of Childwite and Jeresgive and from Scotale so that our Sheriffs of London nor any other Bailiff shall not make any Scotale And also that the said Citizens Lands debts and tenures may justly have and hold their Lands Tenures or Promises and also their debts whosoever do owe them And No forestalling that no Merchant or other do meet with any Merchant coming by land or by water with their Merchandizes or victuals towards the said City to buy or sell again till they come to the said Upon forfeiture of imprisonment City and there have put the same to sale upon the forfeiture of the things brought â—nd pain of imprisonment from whence 〈◊〉 shall not escape without great punishment And that none shew out their That none put their goods to sale before Custom be paid wares to sell who owe any Custom â—ill the Custom thereof be levyed without great punishment and upon pain â—f forfeiture of all that commodity of him that happens to do otherwise And that No stranger to buy goods before weighed at the King's Beam Debts to be inrolled in the Exchequer no Merchant Stranger or other may buy or sell any wares which ought to be weighed or troved unless by our Beams or Trone upon forfeiture of the said wares Moreover those debts which of their contracts or loans shall be due unto them may cause to be inrolled in our Exchequer for the more surety of them upon the recognizance of those who shall stand bound unto them in the said debts So as nevertheless that no debts be inrolled upon the recognizance of any person who is not there known or unless it be manifested No debt to be inrolled but testified by six or four witnesses concerning his person by the testimony of six or four lawful men who be sufficient to answer as well for the debt as for the damages which any may have of such Recognizances if the same happen to be falsly done under their names And for every pound to be inrolled in the Exchequer one penny to One penny in the pound for every debt inrolled be paid to our use for the charge of sustentation of those which must attend to such inrolling these liberties and free Customs we grant to them to hold to them and their heirs so long as they shall well and faithfully behave themselves to us and our heirs together with all their just and reasonable Customs which in time of us and our predecessorâ— heretofore they have had as well foâ— manner of pleading of their Tenure debts and promises as for all other cause whatsoever concerning
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
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
same to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors We for us our heirs and successors do restore by these presents as fully freely and wholly and in as ample manner and form as they or their Predecessors had used or enjoy the same in any times of our Progenitors or Predecessors once Kings and Queens of England We will also and by these presents for us our heirs and successors grant That it shall be lawful for the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid any Authority Office Jurisdiction Liberty Priviledge Franchise Immunity Quittals Free Customs mentioned in the Letters Patents or Charters aforesaid or any of them or other their Customs which hitherto they have used or perhaps have abused or not claimed when they ought to have claimed That they nevertheless the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors may henceforth for ever fully have enjoy and use any matter cause or thing whatsoever in times past had made or provided to the contrary thereof notwithstanding without hindrance or Impediment of Us our Heirs or Successors our Justices Sheriffs Coroners Escheators or any other Bailiff or Minister of Us our Heirs or Successors whatsoever the same Authorities Offices Jurisdictions Liberties Priviledges Franchises Immunities Quittals and free Customs whatsoever in likewise not used or abused or not claimed or any of them And to the intent the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors in time to come may the more safely freely and quietly hold and enjoy to them and their Successors for ever all and singular the premises in the said Letters Patents or Charters before mentioned or intended to be given or granted by the same And for the intent that no ambiguity controversy doubtful construction or question of or about the premises may henceforth arise but be altogether taken away We for the considerations aforesaid and of our special grace 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 for ever all and singular the mannors Lands Tenements Offices Fees Rewards Liberties Priviledges Jurisdictions Immunities Ordinances Quittals Hereditaments and all and singular other things whatsoever in the said Letters Patents or Charters afore-recited or any of them contained or mentioned to have been given or granted with all and singular the appurtenances except such as in the same Charters or Letters Patents or in these prgsents are excepted as fully plainly freely and wholly to all intents and purposes as if they had been expressed named mentioned declared and manifested severally and namely and word for word in these presents To hold all and singular the premises by these presents mentioned to be granted or confirmed with all Appurtenances of Us our Heirs and Successors by such the same or the like Services Fees Fee-farm Rent Sums of Money and demands whatsoever by which or what and as all and singular the same premises were formerly held of Us or our predecessors or were intended to be held by the same Letters Patents Charter or otherwise And whereas Lord Henry the fixth Recital of the Charter of the 26th of Octob. 23. Henry 6. late King of England our predecessor by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the 26th day of October in the 23d year of his Reign granted unto the Citizens of the City aforesaid amongst other things that the same Citizens and their Successors for ever The Soil of the Streets and Thames granted to the City should have all Soils Commons Purprestures and Improvements in all Wasts Commons Streets Ways and other places in the City and Suburbs aforesaid and in the Water of Thames within the limits of the same City together with the profits of the same Purprestures and Improvements and that they may improve and Rent and enjoy the rents of them and their Successors for ever and likewise several other things as in the said Letters Patents more fully appears And whereas in the Parliament of the said Lord Henry the 6th late King of England held at Westminster in the 28th year of his Reign it was enacted by Authority of the same Parliament that the same King should take resume seize and retain into his hands and possession all Honours Castles Lordships Towns Villages Mannors Lands Tenements Wasts Rents Reversions Fees Fee-farms and services with all Appurtenances in England Wales and the Marches of the same Ireland Guiana Calice and the Marches of the same which the said Lord Henry by his Letters Patents or otherwise had granted from the first day of his Reign and all Honours Castles Lordships Towns Villages Mannors Lands Tenements Wasts Rents Reversions Fees Fee-farms and services with all their Appurtenances which were of the Dutchy of Lancaster and by the King himself conveyed by grant or grants of the same King and the said King to have hold and retain all the same premises in the like state he had them at the time of such like concession made by the same King of the same And that all Letters Patents by the All Charters of K. Henry 6.1 1 made void said King or any other person or persons at the request and desire of the said King to any person or persons made of the premises or any of them should be void and of no force in Law As by the same Act of Parliament amongst other things doth more fully appear And whereas our most famous Progenitor Henry the 7th late King of England c. by his Letters Patents under the great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the 23 of July in the 20 year of his Reign reciting amongst other things all and singular donations confirmations grants restitutions innovations ordinances and all other Articles and things in the said Letters Patents contained he did accept and approved and ratified and confirmed all and and singular the said things to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Heirs and Successors by the same Letters Patents and did grant confirm by his said Letters Patents all and singular those things as fully plainly and wholly as if they had been severally and word for word expressed declared and manifested in the said Letters Patents of the same Lord Henry the 7th to the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors as by the said Letters Patents amongst other things more plainly appears And whereas there are divers questions lately risen concerning the validity as well of Doubts concerning the validity of the Charter of the 20th of Henry 7. the said Letters Patents of the said Lord Henry the 6th as of the said Lord Henry the 7th thereupon made by reason or pretence of the same Act of Parliament concerning resumption aforesaid We willing that all questions thereof should be from henceforth taken away and to the intent
other the premises belonging to the same House and Hospital called Bethlem To have hold and enjoy the said Custody Ordering and Government of the same House and Hospital called Bethlem and of the said Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions Revenues and Hereditaments belonging to the same House and Hospital called Bethlem To the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors for ever to the same uses intents and purposes as in the said Letters Patents of Lord Henry the eighth are before mentioned ordained and appointed Willing moreover and for us our heirs and Successors we do declare and ordain That the said House or Hospital of Bethlem or the Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions Revenues and Hereditaments belonging and appertaining to the same That the Lands be not imployed to other uses House or any part thereof be not delivered converted or disposed to any other use than to the charitable works now and applied in the same Hospital And further for Us our Heirs and Successors We will and by these presents do declare our good pleasure and do charge and command the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors that they do not deliver That no Leases of Hospital-Lands be Let for above 21 years or grant the said Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions Revenues belonging to the same house or Hospital or any part of them for any term or terms of years exceeding the number of one and twenty years to commence from the time of the making of such like grant or Lease in possession and not in Reversion reserving half of the yearly value at the least of such Mannors Lands Tenements and Hereditaments so leased and granted yearly to be paid during the said term to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors to the uses intents and purposes above mentioned And moreover for Us our Heirs and Successors we grant and give special licence to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors that it shall and may be lawful to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of London and their Successors to purchase and receive and hold to them and their Successors of any person or persons whatsoever five Acres of Land situate lying and being in the Parish of St. Giles's in the Fields in our County of Middlesex and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Margaret Pennell or Licence to purchase five Acres of Land in St. Giles in the Fields her Assigns although the same five Acres or any part of them be held of us in Capite by Knights service To have to the same Mayor and Commonalty and the Citizens of the said City and their Successors for ever And also we give Licence and Power by these presents to all and singular persons whatsoever that they or any of them may be able to give and grant the said five Acres of Land and every parcel thereof with its appurrenances to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors although the same five Acres of Land or any parcel thereof be held of us in Capite by Knights Service The Statute of putting of Lands and Tenements in Mortmain notwithstanding or any other Statute Act Ordinance Orders Restitution made published ordained or provided to the contrary or any other thing cause or matter whatsoever in any thing notwithstanding And this without any Inquisition by pretence of any Writ or Mandate to be made presented or taken and to be returned into the Chancery of us our heirs and successors or elsewhere Willing that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City and their Successors by reason or occasion of the premises shall not be oppressed molested disquieted or grieved in any thing by Us our Heirs and Successors or by the Justices Sheriffs Escheators or other Bailiffs Officers or Ministers of Us our Heirs or Successors The Statute of not putting Land into Moâ—tmain or any other Statute Act or provision to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding We nevertheless declare it to be our Royal pleasure by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors that the said Mayor and Commonalty and That the Mayor c. may build on the said five Acres without Licence Citizens or their Successors or any other person or persons by the assent and consent of the same Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens shall build and erect without the Royal Licence of Us our Heirs or Successors in that behalf first had and obtained any Houses Edifices or structures upon the premises or any parcel thereof And as we or our predecessors by distinct Letters Patents made to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London and their predecessors have given and granted as in the said Letters Patents mentioned to be given and granted to them Licence and power of purchasing having and receiving to them and their Successors divers Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments to divers distinct yearly values or sums expressed in the same Letters Patents more fully appears the Statute of not putting Lands in Moâ—tmain notwithstanding We will now and declare do to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City grant for Us our Heirs and Successors by these presents that these our Letters Patents or any grant thing or matter contained in the same shall not be reputed or judged to bepart or par cel of such yearly value or sum to which as aforesaid they have been made capeable able to purchase And further we will and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do grant unto the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors that these our These Létters Patents and the Inrollment to be good without confirmation Letters Patents and the inrollment of the same shall be in and through all things firm valid good sufficient and effectual in Law towards and against Us our Heirs and Successors as well in all our Courts as elswhere within our Kingdom of England without any confirmations Licences or tolerations to be procured or obtained of Us our Heirs or Successors by the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors Notwithstanding that any writ or writs ad quod damnum hath not issued or is not returned before the making of these our Letters Parents and notwithstanding the misnaming or not rightly or certainly naming or ill reciting or not reciting the said Messuages Lands Tenements Offices Liberties Authorities Priviledges Immunities Quittances Jurisdictions and all and singular other the premises above hereby granted or confirmed or mentioned to be granted or confirmed or any part or parcel of them and notwithstanding the not finding or ill or not right or certain finding of Office or Offices Inquisition or Inquisitions of the premises above hereby granted or confirmed or mentioned to be granted or confirmed or any
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