TRINITAS IN VNITATE THE ROYAL CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION Granted by His most Excellent MAJESTY King JAMES II. TO THE TRINITY-HOUSE OF DEPTFORD-STROND For the Government and Encrease of the Navigation of England and the Relief of poor Mariners their Widdows and Orphans c. LONDON Printed Anno 1685. THE Royal Charter OF CONFIRMATION Granted by His most Excellent Majesty King JAMES II. TO THE TRINITY-HOUSE OF DEPTFORD-STROND JAMES the Second By the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Foundation of this Charter Whereas our well beloved Leiges and Subjects Shipmen and Mariners of this our Realm of England consisting of Master Wardens and Assistants of the Guild or Fraternity of the most glorious and undividable Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish Church of Deptford Strond in our County of Kent are and have been of long time a Corporation and have enjoyed sundry Grants Liberties Priviledges and Immunities by force of divers Charters Former Charters and Letters Patents heretofore made unto them by several Kings and Queens of this Realm And Whereas the said Master Wardens and Assistants have humbly besought Us to Renew and Confirm their said Charters and to Grant unto them such further Authorities and Priviledges The Ends thereof as well for the good government and increase of the Navigation of this Kingdom as for the better ordering and establishing of the said Corporation and the releif of the poor Mariners their Widdows and Orphans as We in our Princely care should think meet Know ye therefore that We taking the premisses into our Royal consideration and well weighing how highly it imports the good state and welfare of this our Realm and of our good Subjects thereof and the encrease of Navigation that all disorders in the said Corporation should be redressed And out of an earnest desire that such good and decent orders may be established and practised in the said Corporation as may most tend to those ends for which the said Corporation was first instituted and to the promoting of the general good Have of our Especial Grace certain Knowledg and meer Motion Given Granted The Corporation confirmed and Confirmed and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do Give Grant and Confirm unto our said trusty and well beloved Subjects the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild or Fraternity of the most glorious and undividable Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish Church of Deptford Strond in the said County of Kent That they from henceforth be and shall be called and accompted one body Corporate and Politick indeed and in name by the name of the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undividable Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent Their Name And them by the same name of the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent We for Us our Heirs and Successors do erect make ordain constitute declare and confirm by these Presents one body Corporate and Politick indeed and in name And that by the said name of Master Wardens and Assistants of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent they shall from henceforth have perpetual Succession Their Succession perpetual and that they and their Successors by the same name be and shall be at all times hereafter a body Corporate and Politick and Persons able and capable in Deed and in Law not only to have hold occupy possess enjoy and retain all and singular the Usuages Customs Liberties Old Rights continued Priviledges Jurisdictions Franchises Preheminences Benefits and Commodities whatsoever which they or their Predecessors by the same or any other name or names of like Corporation have heretofore had and enjoyed or at this present do hold and enjoy But also to have hold occupy purchase receive possess New allowed enjoy and retain any other Liberties Priviledges Jurisdictions Franchises Preheminences Benefits and Commodities of what kind nature or quality soever they shall be to them and their Successors for ever And also by the same name to have hold purchase receive take possess To hold Lands c. and enjoy And also to give grant demise alien assign and dispose Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and Goods and Chattels or any of them and to do and execute all and singular other thing and things whatsoever To plead and be impleaded And that they and their Successors by the same name may plead and be impleaded answer and be answered defend and be defended in all or any whatsoever Court or Courts Place or Places Jurisdiction or Jurisdictions and before whatsoever Judge Judges and Justices and other Persons and Officers in all and singular Actions and Plaints Pleas Suits Quarrels Causes and Demands whatsoever of whatsoever kind nature quality or sort in such manner and form and by all those ways and means and to such end and purpose as any other our Leige people of this our Realm of England being persons able and capable in Deed or Law may or can have hold purchase receive possess enjoy retain give grant demise alien assign and dispose plead and be impleaded answer and be answered defend and be defended or do permit and execute And that the said Master Wardens To have break and alter their common Seal and Assistants and their Successors or the greater part of them whereof the said Master for the time being to be always one may make or cause to be made and have for themselves a Common Seal to serve for all the Causes Business and Occasions of them and their Successors in that Corporation And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Masters Wardens and Assistants and their Successors the same Seal to break again and from time to time at their will and pleasure to alter change and make new when and as often as to them or the greater part of them whereof the Master or the Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one shall seem convenient And further We will To have a Master and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do Ordain That there shall be from henceforth for ever One of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to be elected and appointed in such form as hereafter in these presents touching the same is expressed which shall be called the Master of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being Four Wardens And that there shall be also from henceforth for ever Four of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood to be elected and
a further confirmation and explanation thereof that we will be further pleased to give grant confirm and explain in all ample and beneficial manner unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of Deptford Strond aforesaid and their Successors for ever the making erecting setting up placing and laying out continuing renewing and maintaining from time to time of all and every Beacon and Beacons Buoy and Buoyes Mark and Marks Sign and Signs for the Sea which at the time of the making the said Deed were or at any time hereafter shall be made erected set up placed or laid forth at the costs and charges of the said Master Wardens and Assistants or of their Successors in or upon the Sea and Places Navigable or Sea-shores Coast near the Sea or Vplands or Forelands of this Our Realm of England near unto the Sea or Seas of the same The Ballastage granted and confirmed to the Trinity-House Now know ye That We of Our special Grace certain knowledge and meer motion and for sundry good Reasons Causes and Considerations Us especially moving Have given granted confirmed ratified and approved and by these presents do for Us Our Heirs and Successors Give Grant Confirm Ratifie and approve unto our loving and faithful Subjects the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of Deptford Strond in Our County of Kent and to their Successors for ever the Lastage and Ballastage and Office of Lastage and Ballastage of all and all manner of Ships and other Vessels whatsoever coming or being or which hereafter at any time shall be coming floating lying or remaining issuing passing sailing or going in upon to or out of the River of the Thames or elsewhere betwixt the Bridge of the City of London and the Main Sea or any Wharf Bank Creek Coast Shore or any part of the same or near or adjoyning thereunto betwixt the Bridge of London aforesaid towards the West part and the said Main Sea towards the East part of what burthen soever such Ship Vessel or Vessels be or shall be and by what name or names soever and in what kind or kinds soever the such Ballastage or Lastage is or may be called reputed or known exercised or used And also the Beaconage and Buoyage and the Office of Beaconage and Buoyage The Beaconage and Buoyage also confirm'd to the Trinity-House and the making erecting setting up placing and laying out continuing renewing and maintaining from time to time and at all times at their Costs and Charges of all every and whatsoever Beacon and Beacons Buoy and Buoyes Mark and Marks Sign and Signs for the Sea in any and whatsoever place and Places in or upon the Sea Places Navigable and Channels for passing into or out of Havens or Rivers or Sea-shores Coasts near the Sea Vplands or Forelands or other Places of our Realm of England near unto the Sea or Seas of the same as to the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Successors their Substitute or Substitutes Deputy or Deputies Assign or Assigns shall from time to time seem meet good necessary or convenient To enjoy the said Ballastage Beaconage and Buoyage for ever To have and to hold the said Ballastage and Lastage and Office of Ballastage and Lastage and the said Beaconage and Buoyage and Office of Beaconage and Buoyage and all and every other the premises heretofore in these presents mentioned to be given granted ratified and approved with all and every Fees Advantages Sallaries Profits Emoluments Commodities and Rights With all Fees Profits c. thereunto being Incidents and Appurtenances whatsoever to for out of or by reason of all or any of the premises any way due payable accustomed appertaining or belonging unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of Deptford Strond aforesaid and their Successors for ever by themselves their Substitute or Substitutes Deputy or Deputies Assigne or Assigns to use exercise execute and enjoy for ever And all and every the said premises to hold of Us Our Heirs and Successors To hold them in free and common Soccage as of our Manor of East Greenwich in Our said County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knight-Service although express mention of the true yearly value or of any other value or other certainty of the premises or of any of them or of any Gifts or Grants by Us or any Our Progenitors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants before this time made in these presents is not made Or any Statute Act Provisoe Ordinance or Restraint thereof or of any thing contained in these presents to the contrary made had Ordained or provided or any other want of Writ of Ad quod damnum or any other thing matter or Cause whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding In Witness whereof c. Witness Our Self at Westminster the Eleventh day of June in the Six and Thirtieth Year of our Reign Per Breve de privato Sigillo Powle Pro William Brenck THE GRANT OF King CHARLES II. In the 17. Year of His Reign OF THE BALLASTAGE In the RIVER of THAMES TO THE TRINITY-HOUSE CHARLES the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all whom these presents shall come Greeting Now whereas Our late Royal Predecessor Queen Elizabeth of happy memory by her Highness Letters Patents under her Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the eleventh day of June Q. Eliz. Grant of the Ballastage to the Trinity House recited in the Six and thirtieth year of her Reign did amongst other things give grant confirm ratifie and approve unto her loving and faithful Subjects the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity House of Debtford-Strond in the County of Kent and to their Successors for ever The Lastage and Ballastage and Office of Lastage and Ballastage of all and all manner of Ships and other Vessels whatsoever coming and being or which then after at any time should be coming floating lying or remaining issuing passing sailing or going in upon to or out of the River of Thames or elsewhere betwixt the Bridge of the City of London and the Main Sea or any Wharf Bank Creek Coast Shore or any part of the same or near or adjoyning thereunto betwixt the Bridge of London aforesaid towards the West part and the Main Sea towards the East part of what burthen soever such Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels were or should be and by what name or names soever and in what kind or kinds soever the said Ballastage or Lastage is or might be called reputed or known exercised or used To have and to hold amongst other things by the said Letters Patents granted the Ballastage and Lastage with all and every Fees Advantages Salaries Profits Emoluments Commodities and Rights incidents and appurtenances whatsoever to for or out of the premises any way due and payable accustomed appertaining or belonging
at the will and pleasure of the said Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the major part of the Residue of the said Elder Brethren for the time being whereof two of the said Wardens or two of the Wardens Deputies for the time being to be alwayes some That then and so often it shall And another to be chosen in his Room and may be lawful to and for the said Wardens and Assistants for the time being or their said Deputies or the greater part of them together with the Major part of the residue of the said Elder Brethren whereof two of the said Wardens or two of the Wardens Deputies to be always some within Convenient time after the Death displacing or Removing of any such Master or Masters Deputie as aforesaid to Assemble themselves together at or in such Convenient place as is aforesaid for the New Election of some one of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being an Elder Brother for Masters Deputy and shall and may then and there before their Departure from the said place Elect and Nominate either him again so to be displaced or Removed or some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being an Elder Brother to be Masters Deputy of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in the place and stead of him that so shall Die or be displaced or removed which person being so Nominated and Elected into the Office and Place of Masters Deputy of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood shall and may have Duration of the Office of Masters Deputy and exercise the same Office and Place in the absence of the said Master for and during the residue of the said Year and so forwards until a New Election or Choice of another Master or Masters Deputy shall be made according to the purport and true meaning of these presents He and they taking first such Corporal Oath as is aforesaid Oath for the Masters Deputy for the due Execution and performance thereof and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us Our Heirs and Successors as aforesaid And if any person appointed and Elected to be Masters Deputy of the said Guild Masters Deputy's fine for resing or neglecting to serve Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid shall refuse the said Office or Place without Just Excuse or Cause of Let or shall after he hath agreed thereunto Neglect the same he shall forfeit and lose for every such Default Ten pounds of Lawful Money of England in the name of a Fine to be imposed upon him so refusing or Neglecting to the use of the said Corporation to be demanded and levied within such time and in such manner And how to be raised as the said fine of Twenty pounds hereby imposed upon any Masters refusing his Office is hereby directed to be demanded and Levied and so from time to time when and as often as the Case should so require And also our Will and pleasure is and by these presents for Us Our Heirs The Choice of the Wardens and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and to their Successors that the said Master Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the Major Part of the rest of the said Elder Brethren as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one shall and may from henceforth forever hereafter forth of That Number of One and Thirty Persons being Elder Brothers Elect and Choose yearly on the said Morrow after Trinity Sunday or in any other time of the Year when for the Commodity of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood it shall be thought fit and Convenient by a General Consent of most Voices of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as well of Elder as Younger Brothers Four Wardens or so many of them as shall be then wanting by Death displacing absence or serving forth of his or their time in such sort manner and form as hereafter in these presents touching the same shall be declared and set forth The distinction of Lower and Vpper Wardens That is to say the Two Younger or Nether Wardens or one Younger or Nether Warden so to be nominated and Elected into the said Office or Place of Warden or Wardens shall be Wardens or Warden of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood from the time of the said new Election or Choice for Two whole years next and immediately following or until there shall be as aforesaid some new or further Election or Choice either of themselves or some Others to supply the place of Wardens to be called and accompted in the First year of their supplying or serving in that place The two Younger or Nether Wardens And the Two Elder or Vpper Wardens so nominated and elected into the said Office or Place of VVardens shall be also VVardens of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood from the time of the said new Election or Choice until the Morrow after the said Trinity Sunday then next following and so from thence forwards until the next new Election or Choice of other Wardens and those to be called and accompted in the Second year of their supplying or serving in that place the Two Elder or Vpper VVardens and this Course to be always holden and kept in the Choice and Degree of the VVardens And yet Nevertheless the said person or persons being so nominated and Elected to the Place or Office of Warden or VVardens of the said Guild Fraternity Wardens Oaths or Brotherhood as aforesaid when he or they shall be thereunto Elected before he or they be admitted to the Execution of his or their said Office or Place shall make take and receive a like Corporal Oath upon the Holy Evangelists before the said Master and Assistants of the same Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the greater part of them or their Deputies and the rest of the Elder Brethren as aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one That he they and every of them shall and will well and faithfully Execute and perform their said Offices and Places of Warden or Wardens in all things concerning the same and also Touching the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us our Heirs and Successors as aforesaid And that immediately after the said Oaths so taken he or they shall and may Execute and Use the said Offices or Places of Warden or Wardens of the said Guild Fraternity Duration of the Wardens Office or Brotherhood for Two whole years from thence next and immediately following or unto the time of the next New Election and Choice of other Wardens or Warden according to the Purport and true meaning of these Presents as is aforesaid Wardens Deputy And Further We will by these
Presents that the said Warden or Wardens so as aforesaid from time to time to be elected nominated and sworn during the time that he or they or any of them shall continue in his or their said Offices or Places of Wardenship be from time to time to the best of their abilities and skill Aiding Counselling and Assisting unto the Master or Masters Deputy of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being in all causes matters and things touching or concerning the good and welfare of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood And also our Will and pleasure is Wardens removable and how and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master VVardens and Assistants and their Successors that when and as often as it shall fortune all or any of the said VVardens within the said two years next after that they or any of them shall be nominated elected and Sworn into the Office or Place of VVarden or VVardens of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid to die or be displaced or removed from the said Office or Place of VVardenship which VVarden or VVardens not demeaning him or themselves well in his or their said Offices or Places We will to be removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master and residue of the VVardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one together with the residue of the said Elder Brothers and by the more or greater voice of them all That then and so often it shall and may be lawful also to and for the said Master And others to be chosen in their rooms and lieu and residue of the VVardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the greater part of them by themselves or their said Deputies whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one together with the residue of the said Elder Brothers and by the more or greater Voice of them all within convenient time after the death displacing or removing of any of the said VVardens to assemble themselves together at or in such convenient place as aforesaid New Election o Wardens for the new Election or Choice either of him or them so displaced or removed or of some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being Elder Brothers for new or other VVardens or VVarden as is aforesaid and shall and may then and there before their departure from the said place nominate and elect him or them again so removed and put out or some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being Elder Brothers to be VVardens or VVarden of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in the places or steads place or stead of him or them that so died or were or was so dead displaced removed or put out Which Person or Persons being so Elected and Nominated to the Office or Offices New Wardens to act how and how long Place or Places of VVardens or VVarden of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as is aforesaid shall and may have and exercise the said Office and Offices Place and Places of VVardens or VVarden for and during the residue of the said two years and so forward and also unto the time of a new Election and Choice of the like VVardens or VVarden as aforesaid according to the purport and true meaning of these presents After Oaths first taken he or they taking first a like Corporal Oath upon the holy Evangelists as is aforesaid for such due Execution and Performance thereof and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us our Heirs and Successors as aforesaid Wardens fine for refusing or neglecting to act when chosen And if any Person appointed and elected for a VVarden of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid shall refuse the said Office or Place without just excuse or cause of let or shall after he hath agreed thereto neglect the same he shall forfeit and lose for every such offence six Pounds thirteen Shillings and four pence of lawful money of England in the name of a fine to be imposed upon him so refusing or neglecting to the use of the said Corporation to be demanded and levied within such time and in such manner as the fine so to be imposed upon the Master is hereby directed to be demanded and levied And also Our will and pleasure is and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do further give and grant unto the said Master VVardens and Assistants and their Successors that when and as often as it shall fortune all or any of the VVardens Deputies Wardens Deputies of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being to die or to have served forth his or their time or to be displaced or removed from his or their Office or Place of Wardens Deputies or Deputy which Wardens Deputies or Deputy not demeaning him or themselves well in the said Office or Place We will to be removeable removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the Major part of the residue of the said Elder Brethren whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master And others to be chosen Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies and the major part of the residue of the said Elder Brethren as aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one within convenient time after the death or removing of any such Wardens Deputies or Deputy to assemble themselves together at or in such convenient place as is aforesaid for the new Election of some one or more of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being an Elder Brother or Brethren for Wardens Deputies or Deputy and shall and may then and there before their departure from the said place nominate and elect either him or them again so displaced or removed or some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being an Elder Brother or Brethren to be Wardens Deputies or Deputy of the same Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in the place and stead or places and steads of him or them that so died or was so displaced or removed With power to act how and how long Which Person or Persons being so nominated and elected unto the Office or Place of Wardens Deputy of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood shall and may have and exercise the same Office or Place in absence of the VVardens or VVarden there into whose place
or stead he or they shall be so Chosen to serve for and during the residue of the said two years or one year and so forward unto the time of a new Election or Choice of other VVardens or VVarden or other Deputies according to the purport and true meaning of these presents After Oaths taken he or they taking first such Corporal Oath as is aforesaid for the due Execution and Performance thereof and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us our Heirs and Successors as aforesaid Deputy Wardens fine for neglect And if any Person or Persons so to be appointed or elected to be a VVardens Deputy or Deputies of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid shall refuse the said Office or Place without just Cause or Let so to do or shall after he or they hath or have agreed to it neglect the same he and they shall forfeit and lose severally for every such Default three Pounds six Shillings and Eight Pence of lawful Money of England in the name of a fine to be imposed upon him or them severally so refusing or neglecting to the use of the said Corporation to be demanded and levied within such time and in such manner as the said fine to be imposed upon the Master is hereby directed to be demanded and levied and so from time to time so often as the Case shall require And further New choice of Assistants upon deaths or displacings We will and grant by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and to their Successors that the said Master Wardens and residue of the Assistants for the time being and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the major part of the residue of the Elder Brethren as aforesaid whereof the Master for the time being or his said Deputy to be always one shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter upon the death deposing displacing expulsion or remove of them or any of them that are or shall be Assistant or Assistants there for the time being at the like days times and places when and as often as it shall seem good to them so to do have like authority and power yearly and every year to assemble and meet together and that they being so assembled and met it shall and may be lawful to and for them or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to nominate and elect so many of that number of eight of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being Elder Brothers as shall be then wanting by death deposing displacing expulsion or remove as aforesaid to the Office or Place of Assistants or Assistant of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood which person or persons so to be nominated and elected shall be Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for and during the term of their natural lives as aforesaid Assistants to be sworn And yet nevertheless the said persons being so to be nominated and elected to be Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid when he or they shall be thereunto voted and elected before he or they be admitted to the execution of his or their said Offices or Places shall also make take and receive a like Corporal Oath upon the Evangelists before the Master Wardens and residue of the said Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or their Deputies for the time being or the greater part of them as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one That he they and every of them Assistants Oath shall and will well and faithfully execute and perform their Offices and Places of Assistant or Assistants in all things concerning the same and also touching the said Allegiance and Supremacy of Us our Heirs and Successors as aforesaid And that immediately after the said Oaths so taken he or they shall Assistants Office for Life and may execute and use the said Office or Place of Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for term of his or their natural Lives from thence next and immediately following or unto the time of the next new Election or Choice of other Assistant or Assistants according to the purport and true meaning of these presents as is aforesaid Assistants Duty And further We will by these presents that the said Assistants or Assistant so as aforesaid from time to time to be elected voted and sworn during the time that he or they or any of them shall continue in their said Offices and Places of Assistant ship be from time to time to the best of their endeavours and abilities and skills aiding assisting and counselling unto the Master and Masters Deputy and VVarden and VVardens Deputies of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being in all cases matters and things touching and concerning the good and welfare of the said Guild Fraternity and Brotherhood Assistants removable And also Our will and pleasure is and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master VVardens and Assistants and to their Successors that when and as often as it shall happen all or any of the Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being at any time or times next after that they or any of them shall be Voted Elected and Sworn to the Office or Place of Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as is aforesaid to die or to be displaced or removed from the said Office or Place which Assistant or Assistants not demeaning him or themselves well in the said Offices or Places We will to be removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master VVardens and residue of the Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master VVardens and residue of the Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one within convenient time after the death displacing or removing of any of the Assistants or Assistant to assemble themselves together at or in such convenient place as aforesaid for the new Election or Choice of some other Person or Persons of the said Guild And others to be chosen Fraternity or Brotherhood being Elder Brothers for new or other Assistants and shall or may then and there
before their departure from the said place elect and nominate him or them so removed displaced or put forth or some other of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being Elder Brothers to be Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in places or steads place or stead of him or them that so died or were or was so displaced or removed which person and persons being so elected and nominated to the Office or Offices or Place or Places of Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood shall and may have With power to act for Life and exercise the said Office and Offices Place and Places for and during his or their natural Lives or unto the time of a new Election and Choice as aforesaid he or they taking first alike Corporal Oath upon the holy Evangelists for such due execution and performance thereof After Oaths first taken and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us our Heirs and Successors as is aforesaid And if any Person and Persons The Assistants fine for refusing or neglecting to act nominated and elected to be an Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid shall refuse the said Office or Place without just excuse or cause of Let or shall after he or they hath or have agreed thereto neglect the same he and they shall forfeit and loose severally for every such default five pounds of lawful Money of England in the name of a fine to be imposed upon him or them severally so refusing or neglecting to the use of the said Corporation to be demanded and levied within such time and in such manner as the said fine to be imposed upon the said Master is hereby directed to be demanded and levied Assistants Deputyes removable And also Our will and pleasure is and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do further give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors That when and as often as it shall fortune all or any of the Assistants Deputies of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being to die or be displaced or removed from his or their Office or Place of Assistants Deputy or Deputies which Assistants Deputies or Deputy not demeaning him or themselves well in his or their said Office or Place of Deputy Assistantship We will to be removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the major part of the rest of the Elder Brethren whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the being to be always one that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one within convenient time after the death displacing or removing of any such Assistants Deputy or Deputies to assemble themselves together at or in such convenient place as aforesaid And others to be chosen for the new Election of some one or more of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being an Elder Brother or Brethren for such Assistants Deputies or Deputy and shall and may then and there before their departure from the said place nominate or elect either him or them again so displaed or removed or some other of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood being an Elder Brother or Elder Brothers to be Assistants Deputies or Deputy of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in the place and stead or places and steads of him or them that so died or was so displaced or removed which person or Persons so nominated and elected unto the Office or Place of Assistants Deputy or Deputies of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood With power to act for Life shall and may have and exercise the same Office or Place in absence of the Assistants or Assistant there into whose place or stead he or they shall be so chosen to serve for and during the the term of his or their Life or Lives into whose place or stead he or they shall be Elected or Chosen to supply his or their absence or unto the time of a new Election or Choice of other Assistant or Assistants Deputies or Deputy according to the purport and true meaning of these presents he or they first taking such Corporal Oath as is aforesaid Vpon Oath first first taken for the due execution and performance thereof and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us our Heirs and Successors as is aforesaid And if any Person or Persons so appointed and elected to be an Assistants Deputy or Deputies of the said Guild Assistants Deputies their fine for refusing or neglecting to act when chosen Fraternity or Brotherhood as aforesaid shall refuse the said Office or Place or shall after he or they hath or have agreed thereunto Neglect the same he or they shall forfeit and lose for every such default Fifty Shillings of lawful Mony of England in the Name of a Fine to be imposed severally upon him or them to the use of the said Corporation to be Demanded and Levied within such time and in such manner as the Fine to be upon the Master is hereby directed to be demanded and Levied And our Will and pleasure also is and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master VVardens and Assistants and to their Successors that when and as often as it shall happen all or any of the Eighteen Elder Brethren Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being at any time or times next after that they or any of them shall be nominated Elected and Sworn to the Office or Place of Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as is aforesaid to Die or to be displaced or removed from the said Office or Place which Elder Brother or Elder Brethren not demeaning himself or themselves well in the said Office or Place We will to be Removed at the Will and Pleasure of the Master Removeable Wardens and Assistants and residue of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one that then and so often it shall and may be lawful And others to be chosen to and for the said Master Wardens Assistants and residue of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for the time being or the greater part of themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always One within convenient time after the Death displacing
of Apprenticeship of such Children be executed by the respective Masters to whom they shall be bound in the presence of the Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild or Fraternity or the major part of them at some publick meeting of the Corporation Power of Ministring Oaths in all Marine Causes and other Occasions of the Corporation And for that it oftentimes falleth out that for the avoiding of long depending of Suits in Law and great expences incident to the same many Marine and Admiral Causes in controversie between party and party in the High Court of Admiralty are referred by and forth of the said Courtâ— or by and from the Judge thereof or his lawful Surrogate or Deputy in that behalf for the time being to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or their said Deputies for the time being as aforesaid to hear and determine the which the said said Master Wardens and Assistants and their said Deputies are not able many times to accomplish by reason that they have hitherto wanted a sufficient power and authority in themselves to minister an Oath unto the Witnesses to be produced on either side For the Reformation whereof We of Our further Grace do by these presents will and grant for Us Our Heirs and Successors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors that they by themselves or their Deputies aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter when and as often as occasion shall thereunto require not only in the Case aforesaid minister an Oath to every person that shall be produced or used as a Witness for the testifying and declaring the truth in any such Case but also at the Electing of every Master Warden Assistant and their Deputies as aforesaid minister to every Master Warden and Assistant and his or their Deputy and Deputies and the said Elder Brethren the said Oath of well ordering and governing of themselves in their said Offices and Places and to every Younger Brother and Officer of the said Society and to all and every Apprentice and Apprentices to be bound as aforesaid when he or they shall be made free the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the usual Oath to the Corporation Power of appointing all Pilots and Loadsmen into and out of the River of Thames And for that many times unskilful and indiscreet persons not having knowledg or due understanding either of our Channel or how to Guide and Govern Ships or other Vessels aright have taken upon them to be Pilots Loadsmen and Guides for the safe bringing up of Strangers Ships Hoyes Flyboats Barks or other Vessels into our River of Thames and for want of such knowledg and understanding have cast away the said Ships and other Vessels to the great annoyance and decay of our said Channels and loss and hinderance both of our Merchants and others going ordinarily to Sea and to the slander and evil report of the more skilful and better sort of our Seamen and Mariners amongst Forraign Nations using the Traffick hither For Reformation whereof Our will and pleasure is and by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and to their Successors and do straitly charge and command that no manner of Person or Persons Seamen or Mariners or other Person whatsoever at any time hereafter shall take upon him or them or otherwise presume or suffer themselves to be Pilots Loadsmen or Guides to or for the bringing in or carrying forth of the River of Thames or any other Creek belonging or running into the same of any Ship or other Vessel by what name or names soever they shall be called except such Person or Persons so taking upon him or them such Pilotship Loadsmanage or Guidance shall be thereunto first appointed and authorized by the said Master VVardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being or the greater part of them together with the major part of the rest of the said Elder Brethren whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one under the Common-Seal of their Corporation and confirmed under the Hand and Seal of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being To be confirmed by the Lord High Admiral without any Charge or Fee to the the Secretary of the Admiralty for the same To appoint Pilots to all Aliens Ships out of the River of Thames And moreover that no such Ship or other Vessel whereof any Alien or Stranger not being born within or under Our obeysance shall be Owner or part Owner shall go down or out of the said River of Thames to Seawards without a Pilot Loadsman or Guide to them in that behalf assigned and appointed in Writing by the said Master Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies together with the major part of the rest of the Elder Brethren whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one And for the better Execution thereof on the said Master Wardens and Assistants Power of rateing the Pilotage to all Aliens Ships and their Deputies behalf as aforesaid such Pilots Loadsmen and Guides shall and may be appointed to every or any such Ship or other Vessel whereof the said Alien or Stranger is or shall be Owner or part Owner by the said Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid for such competent Sum of Money and reasonable rate to be paid yielded and given by the said Alien or Stranger or his Deputy unto the said Pilot Loadsman or Guide so to be appointed and conducting them according to the greatness or charge of every such Ship or other Vessel as shall be reasonable and so from time to time deemed by the said Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies for the time being whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one And also that from henceforth no Seamen or Mariner No Master or Pilot to take charge into or out of the Thames without being examined by this Corporation shall presume to take upon him or them to be a Master Pilot Loadsman or Guide of or to any Ship or Vessel whatsoever to Sail go or put forth of the said River of Thames or any other Creeks thereof into the Seas or from the Seas homewards into the said River of Thames or any Creek thereof other then such as shall have been first examined by the Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the major part of them by themselves or their Deputies whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to
be always one and from them shall have obtained a Certificate in Writing under the Seal of the said Corporation And their particular knowledges on this or that Coast certified by them shewing and testifying thereby the Countreys Coasts and Places to and for which he they and every or any of them shall be sufficient apt and meet to take such charge upon them and after that also an approbation or allowance thereof Lord Admiral to approve of all Masters Pilots and Loadsmen of and from the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being as aforesaid upon pain to forfeit for every such time of his or their doing to the contrary therein Twenty Pounds Fine upon all unlicensed Masters Pilots c. the Sum of twenty Pounds of lawful Money of England to be levied of his or their Goods or Chattels by way of Distress to be taken by one of the said Wardens or his Deputy for the time being Which Distress shall be ordered and used in like manner as of Amerciaments in Court Leets or otherwise to be sued for by and in the name of the Master or Masters Deputy and any two of the VVardens or Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood or his or their Deputies for the time being in any Court of Record or Lords Court by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information in which no Essoyn Protection or Wager of Law shall be allowed unto the Defendant And further we of our more abundant and especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion have given and granted and by these Presents for Us our Heirs and Successors do give and Grant unto the said Master A Grant of all ancient Profits Dues c. from Loadsmanage Pilotage and Primage VVardens and Assistants of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and to their Successors for ever That they by their Officer or Officers thereto from time to time to be appointed shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter Levy have receive and take within the said River of Thames and Port of London and in all or any the Creeks Harbors and Places within the Precincts Limits or Liberties thereof all and singular such profits dues Duties and Sum and Sums of Mony whatsoever which at any time or times heretofore by themselves or their Predecessors by any Name or Names of like Corporation or by Virtue of and from any Charters and Letters Patents to them or any of them heretofore given or granted or by any lawful usage prescription or custom they have received had or taken in the said River Port Harbours Creeks and Places or any of them in or by way of Loadsmanage or Pilotage and Primage that is to say of and from every Master Loadsman or Pilot of every Ship or other Vessel coming into the said River of Thames Port of London or Creek or Harbour of the same and receiving Loadsmanage or Pilotage and Primage or which may or ought to receive the same that is to say Loadsmanage and Pilotage how much by way of Loadsmanage or Pilotage of and for every twenty Shillings Loadsmanage or Pilotage two Shillings and of every Ten Shillings one Shilling and of every six Shillings eight Pence eight Pence and so after that rate and proportion for greater or lesser Sums in such sort as they have used and accustomed time out of mind of man to receive the same And likewise of and from the said Master Loadsman or Pylot by way of Primage Primage how much two pence as out of every Mariner his Primage That is to say two Pence for every man which at any time hereafter shall serve as a Mariner in any such Voyage and shall return into the said River of Thames or Port of London or Creek or Harbour of the same in such manner and form as heretofore by the like time out of mind of man hath been accustomed The Precedeing Duties how to be recovered And if any Person or Persons chargeable with payment of the said Loadsmanage or Pilotage and Primage or either or any of them shall deny withhold or keep back the same contrary to the meaning of these our Letters Patents in that behalf that then and so often it shall and may be lawful and by these Presents We for Us Our Heirs and Successors do give full Power and Authority unto the said Master VVardens and Assistants and their Deputies and Successors for ever that they or any of them by their Officer or Officers thereunto to be appointed as aforesaid shall and may Arrest and Attach or cause the said Party or Parties so offending withholding or denying for his or their contempt in that behalf to be arrested or attached and commit him or them to Ward in the Prison of our Marshalsea or in the safe Custody and Charge of the Marshal of the Admiralty for the time being there to remain in restraint and safe keeping until such time as the said Offender or Offenders have paid and satisfied or else taken order by good and sufficient Surety for satisfaction of the Duty which shall be so due or payable by reason of this our present Grant And if the Party or Parties which should pay or answer any such Loadsmanage or Pilotage and Primage or either of them do so absent him or themselves or cannot be found whereby he or they may be Arrested or Attached as aforesaid that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for one or more of the said Wardens or his or their Deputies for the time being to arrest or stay or cause to be put under arrest and stay the Ship or other Vessel wherein the said Master Loadsman or Pilot went or was imployed until such time as the said Duties and every of them shall be fully paid and satisfied according to the purport and true meaning thereof Or otherwise it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants by one or more of the said VVardens or his or their Deputys for the time being to distrain the Goods and Chattels of the Party or Parties so offending denying or keeping back the aforesaid Duties wheresoever the said Goods and Chattels or any of them shall and may be found and the same Distress or Distresses so had or taken to their use to detain and keep until they be fully satisfied of their Right and Duty with the Charges of taking the same Distress and keeping thereof according to the purport and true meaning of these presents And further our will and pleasure is Power of holding Courts how where and for what and by these presents of our especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion for Us our Heirs and Successors We do give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and to their Successors that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren and their Successors provided that the
majority at least of the Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being be always some from time to time and at all times hereafter upon reasonable warning thereof to be given to Assemble themselves for and about any the Matters Causes Affairs or Business of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood in any place within the City of London or County of Middlesex or in any other place or places for the same convenient and then and there to hold and keep Court for the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and the affairs thereof and the Perquisites Issues and Profits of the said Court so to be holden and kept to levy take Their Profits how to be employ'd and perceive to and for the use of the said Corporation for the better maintainance and preservation thereof without any accompt to be made or rendred to Us our Heirs Without Accompt and Successors in that behalf And also that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master VVardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the more part of them being so assembled by themselves or their Deputies provided that the majority at least of the Master VVardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being be always some to treat General subject of their debates and Trust commune and agree amongst themselves or with any other Person or Persons whatsoever of and upon the Conservation good Estate and wholsome Government as well of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood as upon the like Conservation good Estate wholesome Government Maintainance and Encrease of the Navigation of this Our Realm and of all Mariners and Sea faring men within the same and of all and every the Apprentices Servants and their Masters and Governours and other persons to the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood belonging or coming or being within our River of Thames or any the Creeks or Harbors of the same and for the good Orders to be made amongst them or any of them of and upon all and singular Articles any manner of way touching or concerning the premisses or any part thereof or the cunning Knowledge or Science of Seamen and Pylots for the better and more safe Guiding and Conducting of all manner of Ships and other Vessels And at and upon the same their Assemblies Meetings or Conference Power to make and alter Laws or any of them to make ordain and constitute besides such and so many reasonable Laws Constitutions Orders and Ordinances as to them or the greater part of them being then and there present whereof the Mater or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one shall seem necessary and convenient touching the premisses and for the better advancement and continuance of the same and the same Laws Constitutions Orders and Ordinances so made or any of them to put in Vre and Execution accordingly and at their pleasures again to revoke alter or change when and as often as occasion thereto shall require Their Laws binding to all within the River of Thames And further that whatsoever is or shall be concluded and agreed upon at any such Assembly or Meeting the same shall be holden as Laws Ordinances and Statutes amongst them to be put in Ure and Execution and shall bind all the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and all other Seamen and Mariners of the said River of Thames or of any other Place Port Haven or Town as well the Subjects of this Realm as Strangers for the time of their being at or in the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbours of the same to obey and observe the same So always that the said Laws Proviso about their said Laws Ordinances Statutes or any of them be not contrary or repugnant to the Laws Statutes Rights or Customes of this Our Realm of England or Derogatory to the Jurisdiction and Preheminence of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being or to the Court of Admiralty of England or to the Judge Register or Marshal of that Court for the time being or any of them And whosoever against the said Laws Infringers of their Laws to be punished and how Ordinances and Statutes shall in any part offend or shall violate or break any of them it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master VVardens Assistants and Elder Brethren or the greater part of them their Successors and Deputies aforesaid whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy to be always one in their discretions according to the greatness and quality of the fault to punish and correct and the pains penalties amerciaments and forfeitures or any of them in the said Laws Ordinances and Statutes or any of them to be appointed and specified of the Offenders and every of them to ask levy gather and receive and for the same if need so be the said Offender and Offenders as well by his and their Goods and Ships or either of them as by his or their Bodies as the Case shall require according to the Laws and Customs of this our Realm of England or our Court of Admiralty to Distrein and Arrest and by their own Officer for that purpose to be appointed if they shall so think it meet to Commit to Ward there to remain until the same pains amerciaments and forfeitures with the Charges of the Imprisonment be fully answered satisfied and paid to the use and benefit of the said Corporation and also the same Parties Offenders and every of them to Release and set Free again as to the said Master VVardens Assistants and Elder Brethren and Deputies aforesaid or the greater part of them for the time being in that behalf shall seem expedient And that all and singular sum and sums of Mony whatsoever Vses of their Monies arising from Fines Forfeitures c. due or hereafter to be due and received by the said Decrees Orders Agreements Fines Forfeitures or otherwise shall be to the use Commodity and profit of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood unto and for the repairing of a Certain House Repair of their Houses and Alms-houses or Tenement commonly called or known by the Name of Trinity House and of other Tenements and Alms-houses scituate and being in Deptford Strond aforesaid and Vpper Deptford in the said County of Kent belonging to the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and for the finding of certain poor Persons Relief of poor Brothers and their Widdows Brethren and the Wives of Brethren of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood which are fallen into Decay Misery Poverty and Need or hereafter shall fortune to fall into Decay Misery Poverty and Need and also for relief of other Poor Mariners and Sea-faring men such as by them General Charities and their Successors shall be thought meet and necessary therewith to be relieved and for other Publick uses of the said Society To hold and dispose of their Revenue without Account Which sum and sums of Mony so
received and to be received to the use of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants their Successors and Deputies to hold possess and enjoy for ever to the Use aforesaid without any Accompt or other thing therefore to Us Our Heirs and Successors to be yielded paid rendred made or done in that behalf and without any Molestation or trouble through any invented Colour or Device by any Person or Persons either of the said Trinity House of Deptford Strond or of any other Place or Places to be practised attempted or put in Ure against the said Master Wardens and Assistants Successors and Deputies or any of them by any means whatsoever for and Concerning the same All and singular which Laws Constitutions Orders and Ordinances as aforesaid to be made We will to be duely observed and kept under the pains and penalties therein to be contained so always as the said Laws Constitutions Their Laws Fines c. To be binding upon a Condition Orders and Ordinances Imprisonments Fines and Amerciaments be reasonable and not contrary or repugnant to the Laws Statutes or Customes of this our Realm nor Derogatory to the Jurisdiction or preheminence of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being or to the high Court of Admiralty of England for the time being or to the Judge Register or Marshal of that Court for the time being or any of them Provided always that if any Master Six Months absence saving for sickness to be punished by Dismission Warden Assistant or Elder Brother shall upon any pretence whatsoever except sickness whereof good proof by Oath is to be made fail to give his Attendance at any of the Courts summoned or other usual meetings of the Corporation for the space of Six Months together he shall be displaced and dismissed by the Corporation or Major part of them from being an Elder Brother and the Master Wardens Assistants and Elder Brethren of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood aforesaid or the Major part of them as aforesaid shall proceed to the Election of some other fit Person or Persons in the Room of him or them so removed The Oaths and subscription enjoyn'd the Master And further we will and by these presents do hereby charge and Command that the Master by these presents herein before named and constituted before he be admitted unto his said Office shall take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Oath prescribed and mentioned in the Act for the well Governing and regulating of Corporations made in the Thirteenth year of the Reign of his Late Majesty King Charles the Second and also shall Subscribe the Declaration prescribed and mentioned in the said Act and also the Oath for the due Execution of the said Office of Master before the said Wardens in these presents before named and constituted or any two of them whom we do hereby authorize to give and require the same accordingly And further We do hereby Charge and Command the VVardens Assistants Oaths generally enjoyned upon the Wardens Assistants Elder Brethren and Clerk Elder Brethren and Clerk herein before named and constituted that before they or any of them be admitted unto their said respective Offices they and every of them respectively shall take the said Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and make the Declaration and Subscription aforesaid and also take the Oaths for the due Execution of their said Offices respectively before the said Samuel Pepys herein before mentioned Master of the said Fraternity or Brotherhood whom we do hereby give full Power and Authority to require and administer the same accordingly Power to the Master of adminstring them without any further Warrant or Authority from Us to be had or obtained in that behalf Power reserved to the King of displacing any Master Warden Elder Brother or Clerk and how Provided always and We by these Presents reserve full Power and Authority to and for Vs Our Heirs and Successors from time to time and at all times hereafter to remove and displace by order of our or their Privy Council any Master Warden Assistant Elder Brother or Clerk of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and thereupon the Office or Place Offices or Places of such Person and Persons so removed or declared to be removed shall be ipso facto void to all intents and purposes and other fit Person or Persons shall be Elected Chosen and Sworn into the Place or Places of him or them so removed according to the Provisions in that behalf herein before expressed and this as often as the Case shall so happen any thing to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding The Master Wardens and Assistants c. to be always at the Kings call And for as much as the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Deputies being often times in themselves their Servants Apprentices and Ships to be charged and imployed at one hours warning in Our Service at the Sea in and for the good and necessary defence of Our Realms and Kingdoms cannot give their due attendance therein with such diligence as their Duty was and is to do by reason that they be many times compelled to bear Armour or to contribute to the charge thereof for Land Service as also to serve upon Inquests and Juries at Assizes Sessions Courts Leet Courts Baron before the Coroner and in all other Courts Commissions and places of Jurisdictions to the great vexation and burthen of the said Corporation and to the Peril of the said Service at the Sea by reason that they cannot conveniently attend both the one and the other And therefore to be exempted from all Land Service and contributions thereto Therefore We of our more abundant Grace certain Knowledg and meer Motion do Will and Grant by these presents for Us our Heirs and Successors that they and every of them and all and every other Brother and Ministers of the same being Mariners and Sea faring men and their and every of their Servants and Apprentices that now be or at any time or times hereafter shall be their Successors and the Successors of every of them from time to time and at all times from henceforth shall be discharged and exempted of and from the bearing or finding of any Armour to or for any Land Service at or upon any General Muster or other veiw to be taken of Armour in any of the Counties or Places where they or any of them shall make their aboad or dwelling at the time of the said Musters or View taken and from being and contributing to the setting forth of any Souldiers to be employed or set forth to or for Land Service other then as Mariners and Seamen in Sea Services as also that they and every of them shall be in like manner discharged and exempted from being summoned and put in Assizes And from all Assizes Juries c. Juries
Inquests Inquisitions Attaints and other Recognizances taken or summoned within the said Counties or Places or any of them unless that they the said Master VVardens and Assistants and other Seamen and Mariners aforesaid Saving in case of Tenures or Admiralty Sessions be thereunto compelled or compellable by reason of their Tenures or unless it be for our Service at every Admiral Sessions which they and every of them shall be always tied and bound to attend upon their Perils being thereunto lawfully Summoned as heretofore and moreover that they and every of them shall be likewise exempted and discharged from being otherwise taxed to for or with any manner of Land Service whatsoever other then is aforesaid or to be contributary to the same And that if at any time or times hereafter the said Master VVardens and Assistants or any of them or any other Brother Officer Minister or Member of the said Corporation for the time being by any ways or means be appointed for bearing or finding of Armour or Taxed to or with any manner of Land Service other then as is aforesaid or to be Contributary to the same or Summoned or put in Assizes Juries Inquests Inquisitions or other Recognizances other then as aforesaid taken or summoned within the said Counties Jurisdictions or Places where they or any of them shall remain or abide other then as in regard of their said Tenures or for our Services at or in the Admiral Assizes or Sessions as aforesaid that then the said Appointment or Summons and also the said Taxation to be utterly void and of none effect any Order Custome Law or Usage to the contrary before this time had or used in any of the said Counties Jurisdictions or Places notwithstanding This exemption nevertheless revocable by an order of Council Provided alwayes that if the Lords and others of the Privy Council of Us Our Heirs and Successors or any six or more of them whereof the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being to be always one by any VVarrant or Warrants signed with the hands of them or any six or more of them whereof the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being to be one shall at any time or times Will and Command the said Master Wardens and Assistants to perform execute or do any Land Service or to be Contributary to the Charge of any Armour Munition or any other thing appertaining to such Land Service that then and so often the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors shall upon and after the receipt of any such Warrant perform and execute all and every such thing as shall be commanded and enjoyned unto them or any of them in and by the same anything before in these presents to the contrary thereof notwithstanding And further by these presents We do for Us our Heirs and Successors Power to stop all unlicensed Masters and Pilots and to licence thereto such as are sufficient admitting them into the Brotherhood and certifying their particular abilities give and grant unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and to their Successors for ever that from henceforth for ever hereafter it shall and may be lawful to and for them and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Society or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to forbid stay and keep back all and every Seaman and Mariner coming into or going forth of the River of Thames or any the Greeks or Harbours of the same to begin to take charge upon him or them as Master Pilot Loadsman or Guide of any Ship or other Vessel to go forth of the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbors of the same outwards into the Sea or from the Sea Homewards into the said River or Creeks or Harbours of the same other then such as shall be first allowed of by them or the more part of them as aforesaid and if upon Examination and Trial had of any they shall find the same sufficient being naturally born our Subjects within our obeysance the same and every such they shall receive into the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood and give him them and every of them a Writing under the Seal of their Corporation signifying thereby the Countries Coasts and Places for which he and every of them is and shall be sufficient to take Charge whereby men to whom he or they shall be unknown when they shall have occasion to hire him them or any of them may be truely certified and satisfied for what places he or they is or are sit and sufficient and this Order We do expressly Command to be observed to the intent thereby to avoid both ignorant Pylots and the placing and preferring of unskilful men to take Charge hereafter which some men heretofore have done and procured for affection to the person only without regard had to his or their sufficiency in Knowledg and Aptness thereunto And whosoever doth or shall at any time or times hereafter Power to imprison or fine unlicensed Masters or Pilots at discretion presume to take upon him Charge as Master or Pilot forth of the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbors of the same Outwards into the Seas or from the Seas Homewards into the said River or Creeks or Harbours of the same before he or they be examined and allowed as aforesaid it shall may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens Assistants and the rest of the Elder Brethren and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to punish such Offender or Offenders by Imprisonment or Fine or by both according to their discretions Our Channels Sands c. to be kept secret And to the end the Channels Sands Flats and Rocks arising growing or lying in or near any the Seas or Sea Coasts within any our Dominions should for the more strength and safety of our Realms and Kingdoms be kept secret within our Selves and altogether unknown to Aliens and Strangers of other Nations We do furthermore by these presents give and grant for Us our Heirs and Successors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors full Power and Authority of and by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid or the greater part of them whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to forbid or restrain And therefore no Alien to be suffered to sail in any English Ships unless allowed by this Corporation that none do take any Alien or Stranger Born to Sail or Serve in any Ship or other Vessel belonging unto any of our Subjects coming into or going forth of the said River of Thames except such Person or Persons for urgent Causes or other good Considerations shall be thought meet to be allowed and
so certified by the said Master Wardens Assistants and the rest of the Elder Brethren or their Successors and Deputies as aforesaid under the Seal of the said Corporation Vnder the forfeiture of five pounds upon pain of five Pounds of lawful Money of England to be forfeited and paid by the Person or Persons so offending to the use and behoof of the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood for every such offence and the same pain and forfeiture to be had levied received and taken to the use of the said Corporation from time to time and at all times hereafter in such manner and form as other pains duties and forfeitures or any of them in and by these presents are limited and appointed to be levied and received And likewise we do grant by these presents A forfeiture upon every English Ship carrying an Alien as a Mariner that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens Assistants and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one or any other their Officer or Officers thereto to be appointed to levy have receive and take out of every English Ship or other Vessel that shall come into or go forth of the said River of Thames or any the Creeks or Harbours of the same as aforesaid for any Voyage and have in her serving for Mariner or Seaman by what name or addition soever any Alien or Stranger or Aliens or Strangers not being born within our Dominions or Obeysance or not having a Patent of Denization or other sufficient or lawful Warrant in Writing to shew for the same for every first offence for every one offending Forty shillings of like lawful Money of England and for the second time and so from time to time afterwards when and as often and for every one that shall so offend to levy take and receive the Sum of Five Pounds of lawful English Money and for the same if Cause shall so require by one or more of the said Wardens or by his or their Deputy or Deputies for the time being to Distrain the Goods or Chattels of the Party or Parties so offending and the same Distress or Distresses so taken to carry away keep and detain with him or them until they be fully paid and satisfied of and for the Sum and Sums of Money which shall be so forfeited and due unto them from the Offenders as aforesaid together with their reasonable Costs and Charges expended and to be expended for taking and carrying away of the same Distresses and keeping thereof if any such be And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master Wardens Power to punish all Seamen deserting their Ships or mutinous Assistants and the rest of the Elder Brethren and their Successors or the greater part of them by themselves or their said Deputies as aforesaid whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one to examine and punish by Fine Imprisonment or such reasonable Correction as the quality of the offence shall require all and every such Person and Persons as in any Merchant or Merchants or other Owner or Owners Ship or other Vessel within the said River of Thames that shall depart or go away from any Ship or any other Vessel by what name soever after that he or they be hired and agreed withal for Wages or shall grow or be found mutinous disobedient or any ways a provoker seducer or inticer of any other to any mutiny or disobedience to the hurt or injury or likelihood of hurt or injury of any Service or Journey intended either outwards or homewards into or from the said River of Thames or any the Creeks or Harbours of the same And also to hear and determine all and every the Complaints of any Mariner Power to hear and determine all complaints of Sea-men Officers c. Seaman Purser of a Ship or other Officer Minister or Member belonging of or to any Merchant or Owners Ship in any Voyage to be made outwards or homewards to or from the said place and places or any of them according to the quality of the same Complaints Alwayes provided With the reserve of an Appeal to the Lord Admiral or Judg of the Admiralty that the Person or Persons so offending may yet nevertheless afterwards if he or they find them selves grieved therewith Appeal unto the the Lord High Admiral of England or to the Judge of the High Court of Our Admiralty for the time being for redress therein And for that it hath been found by experience that divers Strangers Ships and Vessels What shall be reputed an English Ship under the colour of having English Masters have passed for and been reputed English Ships and Vessels and so have avoided the payment of their Duties and Impositions in that proportion which by the Laws and Constitutions of the said Corporation they ought to have paid to the great abuse of the said Corporation for the preventing of the like abuses in time to Come and that there may be no mistake for the future either in Imposition of Duties or of Fines or Penalties It is hereby declared that only such Ship or Vessel shall be reputed and taken to be an English Ship or Vessel which hath an English Master and three parts of Four of the whole number of Officers and Mariners English And what a Stranger and every other Ship or Vessel shall be reputed and taken for a Foreign or Stranger ship or Vessel and according to that Order and Estimation all and every Ship and Vessel shall by the said Corporation from henceforth be Rated Fined and Assessed And to the intent that the said Corporation may be the better enabled to regulate and govern themselves and to prevent disorders and redress inconveniencies which otherways may arise within the said Corporation The Master to be always in the Commission of the Peace for London Kent Middlesex and Surrey We do hereby farther give and grant for Us our Heirs and Successors unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors for ever that the Master of the said Corporation for the time being and his Deputy shall be Commissioners of Us our Heirs and Successors for the keeping peace for and within the City of London and the Liberties thereof as well as for and within the Counties of Kent Middlesex and Surrey at all times hereafter And We do hereby further Grant for Us our Heirs and Successors Power by themselves or their Order of levying all Fines c. granted by this Patent to the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors for ever that any Officer or Servant of the said Corporation or any other person whatsoever to whom the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors shall give Warrant and Authority under their Common Seal for that
Willing also that the said Master VVardens and Assistants or any of them by any of the Justices Officers and Ministers aforesaid in or for the due use claim or abuse of any Liberties Franchises or Jurisdictions before the making of these presents be not molested or hindred or compelled to answer to them or any of them And moreover The Lord Mayor of London and all other Officers commanded to Assist and forbid to molest the Corporation in any thing contained in this Grant our Will and Pleasure is that the said Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in our County of Kent and the Master Wardens and Assistants of the same their Successors Deputies and Officers and every of them for and concerning all or any our former Grants in these Our Letters Patents contained and the due Execution of them or any of them shall as well by the Lord Mayor Sheriffs Justices Officers and Ministers of our City of London as by the Sheriffs Justices of Peace and more particularly the Commissioners and other Officers of our Customes in every Port of this our Realm as also all other Officers and Ministers of all and every other County City and Place of this our Realm of England from time to time be aided and Assisted and helped Forbidding that the same Our Leige People and Subjects or their Successors or the afore recited Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors or their Officer or Officers for the time being which shall be Elected Ordained and appointed in manner and form aforesaid or any of them be by Us our Heirs and Successors or any the Justices Mayors Escheators Sheriffs Coroners Bayliffs or any other Officer or Minister whatsoever of Us Our Heirs or Successors bearing any Office or Offices whatsoever in any of our said Cities or Counties or in any other Place or Places whatsoever by any means from henceforth at any time or times hereafter for the Premisses or any Article of them Molested Impeached Vexed Troubled Disquieted or Grieved in any thing In Witness whereof We have Caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witness Our Self at Westminster the Eight day of July in the First Year of our Reign By Writ of Privy Seal PIGOTT A List of the First Thirty one Elder Brethren appointed by this Charter Master SAMUEL PEPYS Esq Wardens Cap. John Nicholls Cap. Henry Mudd Cap. Nicholas Kerington Cap. William Green Assistants Henry Duke of Grafton William Earl of Craven George Earl of Berkely George Lord Dartmouth Sir Thomas Allen Kt. and Baronet Cap. Simon Nicholls Cap. Isaac Woodgreen Cap. Thomas Browne Elder Brethren Sr. Richard Haddock Kt. Sr. John Berry Kt. Sr. John Narbrough Kt. Sr. Matthew Andrews Kt. Sr. Anthony Dean Kt. Cap. Henry Sheere Cap. Hugh Till Cap. Samuel Chamblet Cap. Thomas Collier Cap. Anthony Young Cap. John Hill Cap Francis Wilshaw Cap. Robert Fisher Cap. James Bonnell Cap. Ralph Sanderson Cap. Thomas Wilshaw Cap. Samuel Rutter Cap. Richard Goodlad The Several OATHS Enjoyned by this CHARTER To be taken by the OFFICERS and MEMBERS OF THIS CORPORATION According to the Table subjoyned 1. The Oath of Supremacy I Do utterly testifie and declare in my Conscience The 1st of Eliz. cap. 1st that the KING's Highness is the only Supreme Governour of this Realm and of all other His Highnesses Dominions and Countries as well in all Spiritual or Ecclesiastical things or Causes as Temporal And that no Foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Iurisdiction Power Superiority Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm And therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all Foreign Iurisdictions Powers Superiorities and Authorities and do promise that from henceforth I shall bear Faith and true Allegiance to the KING's Highness his Heirs and lawful Successors and to my power shall assist and defend all Iurisdictions Priviledges Preeminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the KING's Highness his Heirs and Successors or united and annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm So help me God and by the Contents of this Book 2. The Oath of Allegiance I Do truly and sincerely acknowledge profess The 3d. Jacobâ—s cap. 4th testifie and declare in my Conscience before God and the World that our Soveraign Lord King JAMES is lawful and rightful King of this Realm and of all other His Majesties Dominions and Countries and that the Pope neither of himself nor by any Authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath any Power or Authority to depose the King or to dispose any of His Majesties Kingdoms or Dominions or to authorize any Foreign Prince to invade or annoy him or his Countries or to discharge any of his Subjects of their Allegiance and Obedience to His Majesty or to give License or leave to any of them to bear Arms raise Tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to His Majesties Royal Person State or Government or to any of his Majesties Subjects within His Majesties Dominions Also I do swear from my heart that notwithstanding any Declaration or Sentence of Excommunication or Deprivation made or granted or to be made or granted by the Pope or his Successors or by any Authority derived or pretended to be derived from him or his See against the said King His Heirs or Successors or any Absolution of the said Subjects from their Obedience I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against his or their Persons their Crown and Dignity by reason or colour of any such Sentence or Declaration or otherwise and will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto His Majesty His Heirs and Successors all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them And I do further swear that I do from my heart abhor detest and abjure as impious and heretical this damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do believe and in my conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any Person whatsoever hath Power to absolve me of this Oath or any part thereof which I acknowledg by good and full Authority to be lawfully administred unto me and do renounce all Pardons and Dispensations to the contrary And all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And I do make this Recognition and Acknowledgment heartily willingly and truly upon the true
be made by the Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being or the more part of them or otherwise howsoever agreeable to their Charter and standing in force ye shall well and truely hold and keep or in default thereof pay or cause to be paid to the Clerk of the said Guild for the time being to the use of the said Company all and every such mulcts pains and penalties as have or shall be limited and set against the Offenders and Transgressors of the same So help me God 9. The Younger-Brothers Oath YOu shall Swear to be faithful and true to our Sovereign Lord King JAMES the II. and to his Heirs and lawful Successors and to be aiding by all the best means you can to uphold and maintain the good and welfare of this Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood whereof you be now made a Member Ye shall always be obedient unto the Master Wardens and Assistants of the same and their Deputies for the time being and use your self as becometh a Younger Brother for the time you shall so continue All and every the Orders Constitutions and Ordinances which have been made or shall hereafter be made by the Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies for the time being or the more part of them or otherwise howsoever agreeable to their Charter and standing in force Ye shall well and truly hold and keep or in default thereof pay or cause to be paid to the Clerk of the said Guild for the time being to the use of this Company all and every such Mulcts Pains and Penalties as have or shall be limited and set against the Offenders and Transgressors of the same So help you God 10. The Clerk's Oath YOu shall Swear to be faithful and true to our Sovereign Lord King JAMES the Second and to his Heirs and lawful Successors and to be aiding by all the best means you can to uphold and maintain the good and welfare of this Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood whereof you be now made the Clerk and Minister You shall faithfully conceal the Secrets and Privities of the said Guild and always during your continuance in that Office and Employment be obedient to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the same and their Deputies for the time being in their lawful and reasonable Commands concerning the execution of your Office All the Mulcts Duties payments and sums of Mony whatsoever now due or hereafter during your Employment to be due to the said Guild by any Person or Persons You shall to your uttermost ability endeavour to Collect and gather to the use of the same Guild or upon refusal of payment thereof shall acquaint the Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies or the greater part of them at their Court of Assistants with the same And whatsoever Sum or Sums of Mony you shall so collect or gather You shall truly and faithfully answer accompt for Satisfie and pay to the said Master Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them at their Court of Assistants to be holden next after such Collection made or to be made Extortion or Wrong to any man you shall not do nor cause to be done by colour of your Office neither to any thing that shall be against the Kings Majesties Peace his Crown and Dignity or the Weal or profit of this Guild shall you yield your consent but Lett and hinder the same what you may So help you God through Jesus Christ A TABLE of the preceding Oaths and Declaration shewing the Order wherein they are to be taken by the several proper Officers and Members Persons OATHS Â N o N o N o N o N o N o N o N o N o N o Master 1 2 3 4 5 Â Â Â Â Â Master's Deputy Warden 1 2 3 4 Â 6 Â Â Â Â Wardens Deputy Assistant 1 2 3 4 Â Â 7 Â Â Â Assistants Deputy Elder-Brother 1 2 3 4 Â Â Â 8 Â Â Younger-Brother 1 2 Â Â Â Â Â Â 9 Â Clerk 1 2 3 4 Â Â Â Â Â 10 Under Officers 1 2 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Apprentices 1 2 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â APPENDIX An Act 8. Eliz. To enable the Trinity-House to erect Sea Marks and give License to Mariners to Row in the River of Thames WHereas the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House at Deptford-Strond being a Company of the chiefest and most expert Masters and Governours of Ships incorporate within themselves charged with the conduction of the Queens Majesties Navy Royal are bound to foresee the good Encrease and maintenance of Ships and of all kind of Men Traded and brought up by Watercraft most meet for her Majesties Marine Service And forasmuch as by the destroying and taking away of certain Steeples Woods and other Marks standing upon the Main Shores adjoyning to the Sea-Coasts of this Realm of England and Wales being as Beacons and Markes of ancient time accustomed for Seafaring Men to save and keep them and the Ships in their charge from sundry dangers thereto incident divers Ships with their Goods and Merchandizes in Sailing from Foreign parts towards this Realm of England and Wales and specially to the Port and River of Thames have by the lack of such Markes of late years been miscarried perished and lost in the Sea to the great detryment and hurt of the Common-Weal and the perishing of no small number of people For Remedy wherein to be had be it Enacted Established and Ordained by the Queens most Excellent Majesty By the consents of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same that the foresaid Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-house at Deptford Strond aforesaid being a Company incorporated as before shall and may lawfully by vertue of this Act from time to time hereafter at their Wills and Pleasures and at their Costs make erect and set up such and so many Beacons Markes To erect Sea-Marks and Signs for the Sea in such Place or Places of the Sea-shores and Uplands near the Sea Coasts or Forelands of the Sea only for Sea Markes as to them shall seem most meet needful and requisite whereby the Dangers may be avoided and escaped and Ships the better come unto their Ports without peril And that all such Beacons Markes and signs so to be by them or their Assigns erected made and set up at the Costs and Charges of the said Master Wardens and Assistants shall and may be continued renewed and maintained from time to time at the Costs and Charges of the said Master Wardens and Assistants any thing to the contrary hereof notwithstanding And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the authority aforesaid that no Steeples Trees or other things now standing as Beacons or Markes for the Sea whereof to the Owner or Occupier of the Place where
the same doth grow or stand before the first day of March next coming notice shall be given by the Queens Majesties Letters under her Signet shall at any time hereafter be taken down fell'd or otherwise cut down upon pain that every person by whose procurement or consent such Offence shall be committed shall forfeit the Sum of One hundred pounds whereof the One moyety to the Queens Majesty and the other Moyety to be to the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Trinity-House And if the said person or persons so offending be not of the value of One hundred pounds then the same person and persons to be deemed convict of Outlawry ipso facto to all constructions and purposes And further be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid To License Mariners to row in the Thames That all Mariners and Seafaring Men dwelling about the said River of Thames being thereto Licensed by the said Master Wardens and Assistants and having sufficient Certificate of such License from the said Master Wardens and Assistants as well between their Voyages as at other times at their Wills and Pleasures by force hereof the better to keep and refrain chemselves from Folly Idleness and Lewd Company and for the relief of them their Wives and Children shall and may freely and quietly exercise and Row in their own Wherryes or any other mens Wherryes by them to be hired or wherein they shall be hired to work up and down the said River of Thames to apply and follow the Ordinary passing and carrying of the Queens Majesties people to and fro as other Watermen commonly called Wherrymen of the same River use and accustome to do without Impeachment Hinderance or Let to the contrary and that such Seasaring men shall not thereby be drawn under any other Government than under the said Master Wardens and Assistants as they were before any Act Statute Provision Proclamation Ordinance or Custom heretofore against the Premisses Ordained or made in any wise notwithstanding Copia Vera Johan Walker Deput Johan Brown Cler. Parliamentor THE GRANT OF Queen ELIZABETH In the 36. Year of Her Reign OF THE Ballastage Beaconage and Buoyage TO THE TRINITY-HOUSE ELIZABETH By the Grace of God Surrender of the Ballastage by the Lord Admiral Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these present Letters shall come Greeting Whereas our loving Cousin and Councellor Charles Lord Howard of the most Noble Order of the Garter Knight Baron of Effingham and our great Admiral of England hath by his Deed in our Court of Chancery enrolled bearing Date the seven and twentieth day of May last past for divers considerations him therein moving fully wholly and absolutely Surrendred yielded and given up unto Us and into our hands the Lastage and Ballastage and Office of Lastage and Ballastage of all and all manner of Ships and other Vessels whatsoever coming or being in or upon the River of the Thames or which shall at any time hereafter be coming Floting Issuing passing Sailing or going into or out of the River of the Thames betwixt our City of London and the Main Sea of what burthen soever such Ship or Ships or other Vessels shall be and of and by what Name or Names soever such Ballastage and Lastage is or may be called known or used or which do or hereafter shall remain lye or be at in upon or near unto any Wharf Bank or Creek near unto the same River or any Coast Shore or part of the same betwixt the Bridge of London towards the West part and the said Main Sea towards the East And all his lawful Right And Title to the same Title Interest and demand whatsoever which he hath or might have claim or pretend to have of in or to the premises or any of them by Vertue of the said Office of Great Admiral of England or of our Letters Patents dated at Westminster the eighth day of July in the seven and twentieth year of our Reign made unto him of the said Office of Great Admiral of England or of any Sentence or Clause therein contained or otherwise Prays the Granting thereof to the Trinity-House And hath besought us that we will be pleased to Give Grant and Confirm the premises unto the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of Deptford-Strond in our County of Kent And whereas he hath further by his said Deed of the date aforesaid also fully Surrenders also the Beaconage and Buoyage wholly and absolutely Surrendred yielded and given up unto us and into our hands all his Right Title Interest Authority and demand whatsoever which he hath or might have Claim Challenge or pretend to have of in or to the making Erecting Setting up Placeing or Laying out of all or any Beacons Buoyes Marks and Signs for the Sea to be made Erected and Set up Placed or laid forth in or upon the Sea or Sea-Shores Coasts near the Sea or Vplands or Forelands or elsewhere near the Sea by Vertue or Colour of the said Office of great Admiral of England Letters Patents aforesaid or otherwise howsoever And hath by his said Deed declared and made known Declares the Right thereof to be in Trinity-House by Act of Parliament that albeit by the Letter of our said Letters Patents aforesaid the said Beaconage and other the last recited premises are granted unto him Yet it doth notwithstanding evidently appear unto him that it is in and by one Statute or Act of Parliament made in the Eighth Year of Our Reign specially and expresly Ordained and Enacted that the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity-House of the Deptford Strond aforesaid being a Company incorporated should and might lawfully by Vertue of the said Act from time to time at their Wills and Pleasures and at their Costs and Charges make Erect and Set up such and so many Beacons Marks and Signs for the Sea in such Place or Places of the Sea-shores and Vplands near the Sea Coasts or Forelands of the Sea for Seamarks as to them shall seem most meet needful and requisite whereby dangers may be avoided and escaped and Ships the better come to their Ports without Peril But for that the placing and laying out of Buoyes in convenient Places of the Sea and Channel for passing into and out of Havens and Rivers being a thing most necessary to forewarn shun and prevent the Peril and danger of those places may yet be questioned upon by the strict Letter of the said Statute Not fully enough express'd in the said Act. or Act of Parliament for that the said Buoyes be properly and naturally placed and laid out upon or within the Water of the Sea-Haven or River and not on the Sea-shore or Banks dry at any time and doth therefore justly deserve some explanation In regard of which premises he doth further by his said Deed of the date aforesaid humbly also beseech us Prays therefore
to the said Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House of Deptford Strond aforesaid and their Successors for ever by themselves their Substitute or Substitutes Deputy or Deputies Assign or Assigns to use exercise execute and enjoy for ever and all and every the said Premises to hold of her said Majesty her Heirs and Successors as of her Manor of East Greenwich in the said County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knights service as in and by the said Letters Patents more at large may appear The Reason for granting the Ballastage to Collonel Carlos And whereas upon information given unto Us by Our trusty and well beloved Subject and Servant Colonel William Carlos of Brewed in the County of Stafford Esq That if we should grant the said Soil and Gravel of our said River of Thames for Ballasting of Ships that such our grant would not entrench upon or be prejudicial to the said Grant made to the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the Trinity House as aforesaid We did by Our Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster the Seventh day of February in the twelfth year of Our Reign grant The Grant thereof to Colonel Carlos recited demise and to farm let unto the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns the Ballasting of all Ships and other Vessels whatsoever riding or being or then after to ride or be in the River of Thames in as large and ample manner to all intents constructions and purposes as we or any our Royal Progenitours or Predecessors Kings or Queens of this Realm or any Our or their Lord Admiral or Admirals of England for the time being or any others theretofore had granted or enjoyed the same or might should or ought to have had or enjoyed the same and also the Gravel Sand and Soil of the said River of Thames and every part and parcel thereof and the cleansing of the said River from Shelves and other annoyances And further We did by the said Indenture of Demise give and grant unto the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrrtors and Assigns full power priviledge license and authority that he the said Collonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns and every of them by himself or by his or their Deputy or Deputies Agents Factors Workmen and Servants or any of them from time to time and at all times during the term in our said Indenture of Demise mentioned in all and every place and places whatsoever within the said River being to the damage and annoyance of the same at his their and every of their wills and pleasures should and might dig take up draw forth and raise for the better furnishing of Ships with Ballast the said Gravel and Sand and soil out of the said River by all such wayes and means as he they or any of them should think fit and the said Gravel and Soil so by him them or any of them raised and taken up to land and lay on Shore upon any of Our wast ground in all and every convenient place and places and to take off the same as his or their or any of their occasions should require and upon any Wharfs agreeing first with the Owners of the same and he the said Collonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators Deputies and Assigns solely and only to convert utter dispose and sell the said Gravel Sand and Soil to and for the Ballasting of all or any Ship or Ships Vessels and Boats whatsoever which should have occasion to take or use Ballast within the said River he the said Colonel Carlos his Executors Administrators Deputies and Assigns affording and selling the same at such reasonable and moderate rates and prizes as the River Ballast was then and had formerly been usually sold for ballasting of Ships And we did likewise by our said Indenture of Demise strictly will require and command all other person and persons Bodies Politick and Corporate whatsoever during the Term thereby granted to forbear to sell vend give or utter any Gravel Sand or Soil of the said River to or for the ballasting of any Ship or Ships or other Vessels within the said River without license first had and obtained in writing under the Hand and Seal of the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators or Assigns or his or their Deputy or Deputies or some of them upon pain of our High displeasure and such further pains penalties and punishments as by the Laws or Statutes of this Realm or otherwise should or might be inflicted on them for their contempt of Our Royal Pleasure and Commandment in the premises To have hold take and enjoy the said Ballasting of Ships and other Vessels the said Gravel and Soil of the said River and the cleansing thereof in as large and ample manner and form to all intent constructions and purposes whatsoever as We or any Our Royal Progenitours or Predecessors Kings or Queens of this Realm or any Our or their Lord Admiral or Admirals of England or any others had thentofore had granted or enjoyed the same or might should or ought to have had and enjoyed the same together with all and every the Licenses Powers Priviledges Authorities Profits Commodities and Advantages whatsoever for the cleansing of the said River as aforesaid and other the Premises unto him the said Colonel William Carlos his Executors Administrators and Assigns from the date of our said Letters Patents of Demise for and during the Term and unto the ful end and term of Thirty and one years from thence next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended Yielding and paying therefore yearly and the said William Carlos for himself his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns did covenant promise and grant and agree to and with Us our Heirs and Successors by the said recited Indenture of Demise to pay unto Us our Heirs and Successors for and during the said Term of One and Thirty years the yearly rent or Sum of One thousand Marks of lawful Mony of England into the Receipt of Our Exchecquer at Westminster at the Feasts of St. John the Baptist and the Birth of our Lord God or within forty days next after the same Feast by even and equal Portions as in and by the said Indenture of Demise relation being thereunto had more at large appears And further reciting that whereas divers Suits by reason of Our said Indenture of Demise The Title to the Ballastage disputed between Trinity-House and Collonel Carlos decided by the King granted to the said Colonel William Carlos as aforesaid did after arise and were prosecuted in Our Name between the said Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House aforesaid and the said Collonel William Carlos touching the Right and Title to the Ballasting of Ships in the River of Thames and interest of the Sand Soil And Gravel of Our said River of Thames for the aforesaid use of
Duties and Fees belonging to the said Ballast Office be paid to the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies and Assigns and that Certificates thereof be produced under the hands of the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputy or Deputies for that purpose appointed And we do further by these presents command all Searchers at Gravesend Nor searchers at Gravesend to clear any Ship without Certificate from the Trinity-House of the said Duties being paid that they do not permit any Ship or other Vessels whatsoever to be cleared or proceed to Sea or pass away without Certificate from the said Master Wardens and Assistants or their Deputies or Assigns that the said Fees and Duties are paid as aforesaid as they will answer the contrary at their utmost Perils And the said Officers of our Customs and Searchers are hereby Commanded to make good all such loss and damage Or to make good all losses as shall from time to time happen to be sustained by their defaults respectively And We do hereby for Us This Grant to be renewed and strengthned when and as often as desired Our Heirs and Successors further promise and Grant unto the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity-House aforesaid and to their Successors that if and as often as any doubts or questions shall happen to arise for touching or concerng the Validity of these Our Letters Patents that then and so often upon the humble Petition of the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors to Vs Our Heirs and Successors exhibited or upon Notice and Certificate to Us Our Heirs and Successors by the Learned Council of the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants or their Successors touching any defect requisite to be amended We our Heirs and Successors will gratiously grant other Letters Patents unto the said Master Wardens and Assistants with such and so many Amendments Explanations Amplifications and Additions for supplying the said defects requisite to be amended as by the Council of the aforesaid Master Wardens and Assistants and their Successors shall be advised devised or required And lastly our Will and Pleasure is that these presents shall be Good and Effectual in the Law to all Intents and Purposes No Former Grants nor Errors in Recital or Omissions are to hurt this Grant notwithstanding any former Grant or Grants heretofore Made or Granted of the Premises or any part or parcel thereof by Vs or any of Our Progenitors unto any Person or Persons whatsoever Or the not Reciteing or not truly Reciteing of such Grants or any of them Although Express Mention of the true Yearly value or Certainty of the Premises or of any of them or of any Other Gifts or Grants by Vs or by any of Our Progenitors or Predecessors heretofore made to the said Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity House aforesaid in these Presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision Proclamation or Restriction heretofore Had Made Enacted Ordained or Provided or any other Matter Cause or Thing whatsoever to the Contrary thereof in any wise Notwithstanding In Witness whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our Self at Westminster the Four and Twentieth day of June in the Seventeenth Year of our Reign By Writ of Privy Seal VYNER By the King A PROCLAMATION For Prohibiting Dirt-Boats and Bum-Boats upon the River of Thames Charles R. WHereas several Dirt-Boats and Bum-Boats do usually pass to and fro upon the River of Thames the Owners whereof will not submit to the Government of the Company of VVatermen nor any other Regulation whatsoever But under pretence of Fetching Dirt and Furnishing necessary Provisions on Board such Ships as are in the River do commit divers Thefts and Robberies and practice several other Insufferable Misdemeanours and sometimes endanger the Fireing His Majesties own Ships as also the Ships of divers Merchants Riding in the River by coming in the Night-time to assist such as are left on Board the Ships in the Imbezlement of the Goods Stores or Tackling Intrusted to their Charges His Majesty therefore by Advice of His Privy Council hath thought fit to Publish this His Royal Proclamation And doth hereby straitly Charge and Command all and every person and persons whom it doth or may concern That they presume not henceforth to use any such Dirt-Boats or Bum-Boats upon any pretence or occasion whatsoever as they will answer the contrary at their utmost Perils And if any such Boats shall hereafter be found upon the River of Thames contrary to the Tenour of this His Majesties Proclamation His Majesty doth hereby straitly Charge and Command the Master Wardens Assistans and Brethren of the Trinity House the Officers of His Majesties Yards and the Masters and Rulers of the Company of VVatermen for the time being and others whom it may concern That they cause such Dirt-Boats and Bum-Boats to be Seized and the persons so using the same to be Arrested and brought before His Majesty and His Privy Council And that they do from time to time take strict care that this His Majesties Proclamation may be duely put in Execution Given at Our Court at Whitehall the Sixth day of April In the Twenty third year of His Majesties Reign GOD SAVE THE KING By the King A PROCLAMATION For Regulating the Colours to be worn on Merchants Ships Charles R. WHereas by ancient Vsage no Merchants Ship ought to bear the Iack which is for Distinction appointed for His Majesties Ships Nevertheless His Majesty is informed That divers of His Majesties Subjects have of late presumed to wear His Maiestis Iack on board their Ships employed in Merchants Affairs and thinking to evade the Punishment due for the same bear Iacks in Shape and mixture of Colours so little different from those of His Maiesty as not to be without difficulty distinguished there from Which practice is found attended with manifold Inconveniences For prevention whereof for the future His Maiesty hath thought fit with the Advice of His Privy Council by this His Royal Proclamation strictly to Charge and Command all His Subiects whatsoever That from henceforth they do not presume to wear His Majesties Iack commony called The Union Jack in any of their Ships or Vessels without particular Warrant for their so doing from His Majesty or the Lord High Admiral of England or the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral for the time being And His Majesty doth hereby further Command all His Loving Subjects That without such Warrant as aforesaid they presume not to wear on board their Ships or Vessels any Iacks made in imitation of His Majesties or any other Flags Iacks or Ensigns whatsoever then those usually heretofore worn on Merchants Ships viz. The Flag and Iack white with a Red Cross commonly called Saint George's Cross passing quite through the same And the Ensign Red with the like Cross in a Canton White at the upper Corner thereof next to the Staff And
the sum of five pounds The Penalty of heating Pitch Tar c. but in such a manner That the Master of every Ship or Vessel being within the River of Thames do take care not to suffer any manner of Pitch Tar Rozine Grease Tallow Oyl or the like to be heated on board by Fire Loggerhead Shot or any other thing but that it be done as often as there may be occasion either upon the shore or in a Boat being afloat upon the penalty of three pounds to be paid as aforesaid That all Masters of Ships do take care in the drying their Bread-rooms How Bread Rooms to be dry'd and the Penalty of not observing the same to appoint able and careful men for doing the same and not to dry them in the night or keep any Fire therein in the night time upon the penalty of five pounds to be paid as aforesaid V. Item The Penalty of keeping Guns shotted It is ordered that the Master of every Ship homeward bound do unshot all his Guns before or so soon as he shall arrive at Gravesend upon the penalty of twenty Nobles to be paid to the use of the Poor of this Corporation And that no Master of a Ship The Penalty of firing Guns in the Night time being above Blackwall do presume to Fire any Guns before Sun rising or after Sun setting upon the penalty of ten shillings for each Gun so fired to be paid as aforesaid VI. The Penalty of Masters for suffering Bumboats to come aboard Item Whereas by reason of Dirtboats otherwise called Bumboats their carrying Fruit Wine Strongwaters c. to sell to shipkeepers and others aboard Ships there is much wrong done to the Owners by the purloyning of Cordage and other materials It is order'd that all Masters of Ships for the preventing of the evils aforesaid do from henceforth take care that themselves their Officers and Servants do not permit any such Boats to come on board their Ships or that they buy or sell any thing with them That they also do take care that their men do put the Dirt of their Ships Of not carrying and laying ashore their Dirt in proper time and Place as there may be occasion into their own Boats at seasonable hours in the day and do carry and lay it on shore above high-water-mark Of throwing their Dirt into the River and that they do not suffer any Dirt or Filth to be thrown over board into the River and in case of any of the aforesaid neglects the Master shall forfeit and pay for each of the same to the use of the Poor of this Corporation the sum of twenty shillings VII Item It is order'd that no Master do suffer to be taken in The Penalty of taking in or heaving out Ballast without a Port Sail. or heav'd out of his Ship any Ballast without having a sail nail'd to the sell of the Port or if a small Vessel to the Gunnel to over hang the side of the Lighter upon the penalty of twenty shillings to be paid to the use of the Poor of this Corporation for his every time so offending VIII The Penalty of hindring the Officer of the Trinity-House from coming on board to search for Powder c. Item It is order'd that whatsoever Master either by himself his Officers or Seamen shall at any time refuse or hinder any person appointed by this Corporation and upon demand shewing his Authority under the common Seal thereof from coming on board his Ship in the day time to search for any Powder Guns unshotted heating of Pitch Tar Rozine Grease Tallow Oyl and the like the carcless or unseasonable drying of Bread-Rooms the suffering Bumboats to come aboard and to Traffique with them or to enquire into any other Offences there committed against the Orders of this House He shall forfeit and pay to the Poor thereof for his every time so offending the sum of five pounds IX The Penalty of any Brothers Petitioning about any general Sea-Cause without the consent of Trinity-House Forasmuch as certain Members of this Corporation have heretofore partly of themselves and partly at the request of others very disorderly and very indiscreetly preferr'd Bills Petitions and other writings to the high Court of Parliament and to other inferiour Jurisdictions in the Name of Seamen in General without making the Master Wardens and Assistants acquainted therewith to the great detriment and scandal of the Corporation for preventing thereof for the time to come it is order'd that if any being Members of this Corporation shall at any time hereafter do or attempt the like matters as aforesaid or shall set their hands to any Bill Petition or other writing concerning any General Sea-Cause without the consent of the Master Wardens and Assistants thereto first had and obtain'd every such person shall forfeit and pay for every such Offence to the use of the Poor of this Corporation the sum of five pounds X. Item Orders for the good Government of Sea-men on ship-board For the better regulating and Government of Sea-men and Mariners it is Order'd That if any Mariner whilst on Ship-board shall Swear The Penalty of Swearing or Blaspheming Curse or Blaspheme the Name of God he shall forfeit and pay for every such Offence one shilling the same to be put into the Poors Box remaining on board the said Ship for the use of the Poor of this Corporation If any Seaman whether Officer or other after he shall be hired to serve in any Ship Lying on shore without Leave shall at any time lye on shore during the Term of the Voyage without leave first had from the Master or chief Officer on board he shall forfeit and pay for every such offence to the said Poors Box half a Crown If any Mariner whether Officer or other Absence from Prayers being in perfect health shall absent himself from Prayers being perform'd according to the Liturgy of the Church of England or shall not immediately after the Ring of the Bell or other publick notice repair thereunto He shall forfeit and pay for his every time so neglecting to the said Poors Box six pence If any Mariner shall be Drunk he shall forfeit and pay Drunkenness for every such offence to the said Poors Box one shilling If any Mariner shall be obstinate and stubborn Disobedience in not obeying the Masters lawful Commands or the Mate or Boatswains in his absence he shall forfeit and pay for every such Offence to the said Poors Box half his months Pay But upon any persons being found to offend against any of the above mentioned Orders in this Law mentioned At the Liberty of the Master either to inflict Corporal Punishment or take the Penalties aforesaid it shall be left to the liberty of the Master or Commander of the the Ship with the advice and consent of the Mates Boatswain Purser Gunner and Carpenter or Major part of them either to inflict Corporal Punishment according to the custome of the Seas or receive and take the penalties hereby imposed for the breach of the aforesaid Laws and if it shall happen that the said person or persons have not present mony to satisfie what is Ordered to be paid for any such Offences then it is required that he or they subscribe their Names to the Master or Pursers Book thereby signifying their Consent that the said forfeitures may be defalked out of their Wages the next Pay day following XI Item It is Order'd The Penalty of a Seaman's deserting one Master and shipping himself with another That if any Mariner or Seaman having ship'd himself with any Master for a Voyage shall afterwards desert and leave him and ship himself with another that Master with whom he goeth the Voyage shall upon notice given on behalf of this Corporation detain two shillings in every pound of the Wages of the said Mariner or Seaman for the time he serveth in his Ship to be paid to this Corporation for the use of the Poor thereof XII Item It is Order'd that every Commander of Ship The Master to make an agreement in writing with every Seaman he shall entertain hireing any Mariner or Seaman to sail with him upon any Voyage to Sea do take in writing under the said Seamans hand upon what conditions he is entertained and that he doth submit himself to the By-Laws of Trinity-House ALL which said Acts Ordinances and Constitutions in manner and form aforesaid We George Lord Jefferyes Baron of Wem Lord high Chancellour of England Sir Robert Wright Kt. Lord Chief Justice of the Pleas before his Majesty to be holden and Sir Edward Herbert Kt. Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Common Pleas at the request of the Master Wardens and Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Corporation by Authority and Vertue of an Act of Parliament made in the nineteenth year of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh for that purpose have Seen Read Examined and Perused and for good lawful and laudable Ordinances Constitutions and By-Laws so far as we lawfully may do Allow and Approve by these presents In Witness whereof We have hereunto Subscribed our Names and set our Seals the four and twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred Eighty Seven Jefferies C. R. Wright Edw. Herbert