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
We have also seen a certain other Charter of the said Lord William our Progenitor made in these words William King greet William Bishop c. We have also seen another Charter of our most dear Father Lord Charles the First late King of England of blessed Will. Conq. ch 1. memory made in these words Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting WE have seen the Charter of Lord William sometimes King of England our Progentior in these words William King greet William Bishop and Godfrey Portgreve and all the Burrough-men To enjoy your Laws without London French and English friendly I give you to understand that I will that you enjoy all the Laws that you enjoyed in the daies of King Edward And I will that each child be his Fathers Heir after his Fathers death And I will not suffer that any man do you wrong God give you health We have seen also a certain other Charter Charter 2. of the same VVilliam our Progenitor made in these words VVilliam King greet VVilliam c. We have also seen the Charter of the Henry 1. Lord Henry sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these words Henry by the grace of God King of England to the Bishop of Canterbury and to the Bishops and Abbots Earls and Barons Justices and Sheriffs and to all his faithful Subjects Choose the Sheriffs of Middlesex of England French and English greeting KNOW ye that I have granted to my Citizens of London to hold Middlesex to farm for three hundred pounds upon accompt to them and their Heirs so that the said Citizens shall place as Sheriff whom they will of themselves and shall place whomsoever or such one as they will of themselves for keeping of the Pleas of the Crown and of Keep Pleas of the Crown the pleading of the same and none other shall be Justice over the same men of London and the Citizens of London shall not None to plead without Lond. Free from Scor c. plead without the walls of London for any Plea And be they free from Scot and Lot and Daneguilt and of all Murther And none of them shall wage Battel And if any Battel of the Citizens shall be impleaded concerning the Pleas of the Crown the man of Discharge of Pleas of Crown London shall discharge himself by his Oath which shall be adjudged within the City And none shall lodge within the walls neither None lodge in the City per force Toll-free throughout England of my houshold nor any other nor Lodging delivered by force And all the men of London shall be quit and free and all their goods throughout England and the Ports of the Sea of and from all Toll and Passage and Lestage and all other Customs Passage Lestage Churches Citizens to enjoy their Cust And the Churches and Barons and Citizens shall and may peaceably and quietly have and hold their Sokes with all their Customs so that the strangers that shall be lodged in the Sokes shall give Custom to none but him to whom the Soke appertain or to his Officer whom he shall there put And a man of London shall not be adjudged in a merciaments of money but of 100 shillings I speak of the How Citizens shal be amerced No Miskenning in the Courts of the City Hustings to sit every Monday Pleas which appertain to money And further there shall be no more miskenning in the Hustings nor in the Flock-mote nor in any other Pleas within the City And the Hustings may sit once in a week that is to say on Monday And I will cause my Citizens to have their Lands Premisses Bonds and Debts within the City and without And I Citizens to enjoy their goods debts c. according to the Law of the City will do them right by the Law of the City of the Lands of which they shall complain to me And if any shall take Toll or Custom of any Citizen of London the Citizens of London in the City shall take of the Borough or Town where Toll or Custom was so taken so much as the man of London gave for Toll and as he received damage thereby And all Debtors which do Debts owing to Citizens to be discharged in London owe debts to the Citizens of London shall pay them in London or else discharge them themselves in London that they owe none But if they will not pay the same neither come to clear themselves that they owe Attachments in Withernam for debts to Citizens none the Citizens of London to whom the debts shall be due may take their goods in the City of London of the Borough or Town or of the County wherein he remains who shall owe the debts And the Citizens of London may have To hunt in Essex Surry and Middlesex their Chases to Hunt as well and fully as their Ancestors have had that is to say in Chiltre and in Middlesex and Surry witness the Bishop of Winchester and Robert Son of Richard and Hugh Pigott and Almer of Totnes and William of Albsprima and Hubert Roger Chamberlaine and William de Mount Fitchett and Hangul Taney and John Ballett and Robert Son of Steward of VVest Furthermore We have seen the Charter Henry 2. of Lord Henry the second sometimes King of England our Progenitor made in these words Henry King of England Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine and Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Ministers and to all his faithful Subjects French and English of all England greeting Know ye that I have granted to my Citizens Citizens not to plead without the walls except in foreign tenures Except Monyers Acquit of Murther Not wage Battel To discharge themselves of Pleas of the Crown of London that none of them plead without the walls of the City of London upon any Pleas except only of Pleas of foreign tenures my Monyers and Officers excepted Also I grant to them acquittal of Murther within the City and in Portsoken thereof And that none of them shall wage Battel And of the Pleas of the Crown they may discharge themselves according to the old usage of the City No man shall take Lodging by force or by delivery of the Marshal And also I have granted to them That All the Citizens of London shall be quit from Toll and Lestage throughout all England and the Ports of the Sea And that none shall be adjudged for Amerciaments None amerced but according to the Law of the City of mony but according to Law of the City which they had in the time of K. Henry my Grandfather And that there shall be no miskenning in any Plea within No Miskenning Hustings once a week Right to be done Citizens of their Lands this City And that the
Frankpledg together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues Amerciaments Fines Redemptions Profits Commodities and other things whatsoever which there may or ought therefore pertain to us our heirs or successors And furthermore the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors may by themselves or by their Minister or deputy in the said Town appointed take and arrest all manner To carry to Newgate Thieves taken in Southwark of Felons Thieves and other Malefactors found within the said Town and may lead them to our goal of Newgate safely to be kept until they shall be by process of Law delivered And further the said Mayor A Grant of what Liberties the King had or should have in Southwark and Commonalty and Citizens their successors may for ever have in the Town aforesaid all manner of liberties Priviledges Franchises Acquittals Customs and Rights which we should or might there have if the said Town were and remain'd in our hands without any thing to be by any means given or paid to us or our heirs beside only ten pounds for the antient farm therefore due and without Impeachment Let molestation or disturbance of us or our heirs or successors Justices Escheators Sheriffs Officers or Ministers of ours or of our heirs or successors whatsoever The The right of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury excepted rights liberties and Franchises of right belonging to the most Reverend Father and Lord in Christ Lord Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury and of other persons there always saved although express mention be not here made of the true yearly value of the premises or of any other gifts or grants to the Mayor or Aldermen Sheriffs and Citizens or to their Successors or any of them made according to the form of the statute there of had made and provided or any other statute Ordinance Act thing cause or matter whatsoever not withstanding These being witness The Reverend Father Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury William Archbishop of York George of Exon Chancellor and William Bishop of Ely and our dear Brother George of Clarence and Richard of Glocester Dukes and others Given by our hand at Westminster the 9th day of November in the 2d year of our Reign WE have also seen certain other Letters Edw. 4. Char. 2. Patents of the same Lord Edward laâ—e King of England the 4th made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that for certain and notable causes us specially moving of our special grace and certain knowledg we have granted to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our said City Tonnage granted to the City of London That the Tonnage and weigning and measuring laying up placing and housing of whatsoever woolls by whomsoever from whatsoever parts brought or to be be brought to the City aforesaid or which have before time been accustomed to be Weighing pf Woolls to be at Leaden-Hall and in no other place within 3 miles brought to the staple of Westminster shall from hence be and be made in the place called Leaden-Hall within our City aforesaid and in no other place within three miles of the said City To have the laying up placing and housing aforesaid together with all sees profits and emoluments to the same laying up placing and housing or any of them due used or accustomed to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the same City and their successors for ever without any account to be made or any other thing therefoe to us to be paid although express mention be not in these presents made of the clear yearly value or certainty of the premises or of any other gifts or grants by us or our progenitors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors by any means made or any other statute Act ordinance or any other thing whatsoever made to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our self at Westminster the 27th day of August in the third year of our Reign Edw. Char. 3. Moreover we have seen certain other Letters Patents of the aforesaid Lord Edward late King of England the 4th made in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas the sum of twelve thousand nine hundred twenty three pounds nine shillings eight pence is by us amongst other things due to our beloved and Faithful Subjects the Mayor Commonalty Citizens of our City of London as in the receipt of our Exchequer more plainly appeareth of which sum the said Mayor Commonalty are willing to remit and release unto us 1923 l. 9 s. and 8. p. To the intent we should vouchsafe to grant them license that they and their successors might purchase Lands Rents and Services and other possessions whatsoever to the value of 200 marks by the year over all charges and reprizes although they should be holden of us of others by any manner of service of whatsoever person or persons willing to give bequeath or assign the same to them to have and to hold to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors aforesaid for ever in form following We inwardly pondering not only the premises but also the manifold pleasures to us by the Mayor and Commonalty of the said City before this time acceptably done and willing as we are bound before all other things wholly to pay and recompence our debts have of our special grace and for that the Licence to purchase 200 Marks per annum in Mortmaine Licence to any to grant to the City 200 Marks per annum in Mortmaine said Mayor and Commonalty for them and their successors have remitted and altogether released unto us the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 d. granted and given licence and by these presents do grant and give licence for us and our heirs as much as in us is to the said Mayor and Commonalty that they and their successors may purchase Lands Revenues Rents Services and other possessions whatsoever to the value of 200 marks by the year over all charges and reprizes of any person or persons willing to give grant bequeath or assign the same unto them although they be holden of us or others by any manner of service in full satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 p. to them by us due without any fine or fee to be paid to the use of us or our heirs to have and to hold to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors for ever and we have by tenor of these presents given special licence to the same person and persons that he or she may give grant bequeath or assign Lands Tenements Rents Possessions and services to the yearly value aforesaid over and
Citizens we will in no wise be wronged And to the end that from henceforth all Ambiguity in such case might be taken away And that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors may not in time to come be impeached impleaded or grieved by us or our heirs or successors or any of our Justices or Ministers of or for the premises or any of them we will and grant to the now Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and to their successors that the weights and Beams for weighing of Merchandizes Weights Beams to be in the hands of persons chosen by the Commonalty between Merchant and Merchant whereof the profits growing and the knowledg of them to pertain to the Commonalty of the City aforesaid shall remain at the will of the Commonalty of the same City to be kept in the custody of good sufficient men of the same City expert in that Office and to be thereunto chosen by the Commonalty aforesaid and that to others then so to be chosen iâ— no wise they be committed And that they shall have Tronage that is to say Tronage the weighing of Wax Lead Pepper Allom Madder and all other such like wares within the said City for ever Willing also to do the said Mayor and Commonalty a more ample pleasure in this behalf we have of our favourable grace and from our certain knowledg and meer motion given and granted and by these presents do give and grant to the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London the aforesaid Office of keeper of the great Beam and common Great Beam commoâ— Ballance Ballance ordained for weighing between Merchant and Merchants and also the Office of the great Beam and weights within the said City for weighing of Merchandizes of Avoir du pois and also of all weights whatsoever within our said City and of all Spices Wares Merchandizes and things in our said City there to be weighed by whatsoever name the said Office is named or known And do by these presents make ordain and constitue the same Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their successors keepers of the great Beam Ballance and Weights aforesaid and other Weights whatsoever The Mayor Commonalty and Citizens ordained Keepers of the Beams Weights and also the weighing of all Spices Wares Merchandizes and things in the City aforesaid there to be weighed and accustomed to be bought and sold by weight within our said City And also we do give and grant to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of our City aforesaid Authority and Power to make name and assign from time to time all and all manner of Clerks Porters Servants and Ministers of the Great Beam and Ballance and of the To assign Clerks of the several Beams Iron Beam and of the Beam of the Still-Yard and Weights aforesaid and also all other Clerks Servants and Ministers to the same Office pertaining and also to remove them or any of them and to make constitute and place other in his or their place as often as to them shall seem expedient To have occupy and exercise the Office aforesaid together with the Authority and Power aforesaid to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors by themselves their Deputy or Deputies for ever to their own proper use and behoof together with all and singular Commodities Houses Advantages Profits Wages Fees and Emoluments in our time or in the times of any of our Progenitors Kings of England due and accustomed pertaining or belonging to the same Office in as ample manner and form as the same Citizens and their Predecessors or any other person or persons having or occupying the same Office before this time had and received or enjoyed the same And also we give and grant by these presents to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and to their Successors the Commodities Houses Advantages Profits Fees and Emoluments and all and singular the Premises for the exercise and occupation of the said Office to the proper use and behoof of the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors without Account or any other thing to us or our Heirs to be delivered made given or paid in this behalf for the Premises or any of them in these Letters Patens specified and contained Although express mention be not in these presents made of the true value or certainty of the Premises or of their Gifts or Grants by us to the said Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of the said City before this time made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision or Restraint thereof made ordained or provided to the contrary or any other thing cause or matter whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Wâ—stminster the 13th day of April in the 22th year of our Reign WE have seen also the Letters Patents Edw. 6. of Lord Edward late King â—f England the 6th our progenitor made in these words Edward the 6th by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland Desender of the Faith and and in Earth Supream Head of the Church of England and Ireland To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that for the summe of 647 l. 2 s. and 1 d. of Lawful The consideration of the Charter mony of England paid to the hands of the Treasurer of our Court of Augmentation and Revenues of our Crown to our use by our welbeloved the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London whereof we acknowledg us to be fully satisfied and paid and the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors to be thereof acquitted and discharged by these presents and for other causes and considerations us thereunto especially moving have of our special grace and from our certain knowledge and meer motion and also with the advice of our Council given and granted and by these presents do give and grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens Grant of several Messuages in Southwark To the Mayor c. of the City of London all that our messuage or tenement with the appurtenances now or late in the tenure of Simon Sebatson scituate and being next our Mansion late Charles late Duke of Suffolk in Southwark in the County of Surrey and all that our messuage or tenement with the appurtenances next the broad gate of the same our mansion in Southwark aforesaid And all that our close of ground called Moulters close containing by estimation fifteen acres lying in Newington in our said County of Surrey and all that our close of ground containing by estimation 2 Acres now or late in the tenure of John Parrow lying and being in Saint Georges dunghil in the Parish of Saint George in Southwark aforesaid and also all that one close of ground late in the tenure of John Billington lying in Lambeth-marsh in the parish of Lambeth in the said County of Surrey
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
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
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
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
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