for the said allowance of fiue shillings vpon euery Tonne of the burden of the said Ships should be first allowed vnder the hand of the said Surueyour and signed by the said Admirall or his deputie for the time being as hath beene accustomed And whereas by our Letters Patents bearing date the 28. daie of Ianuary in the fourth yeare of our Raigne wee did graunt or mention to graunt vnto Humfrey Iobson gent. for and during his naturall life the Reuersion of the said Office or place of Surueyor of the tonnage and burden of all new builded ships of the burden of one hundred Tonnes aboue mentioned or vpwards from time to time within our Realme of England next after the death forfaiture or surrendor of the said Iohn Grent together with the wages and fee of twelue pence a day for the exercising of the said office place and all and singuler other Fees profits commodities and allowances whatsoeuer to the same place or office in any wise due incident or appertaining As in and by the said two seuerall Letters Pattens more at large appeareth And whereas of late we haue bin much wronged defrauded and abused in that sundry of the said shippes for want of exact viewing surueying and measuring haue beene ouer-rated in their burthen and tonnage wherby wee haue beene charged with the payment of a greater allowance then in truth wee ought to haue beene Know yee therefore that we reposing a speciall trust and confidence in the faithfulnesse experience care and honest and true circumspection of the Master Wardens and Comminalty of the said Art or Mistery of Ship-wrights And to the end that we our heires and successors may not at any time from henceforth in like sort be defrauded wronged or abused do of our speciall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion giue and graunt to the said Master Wardens and Comminalty and to their successors for euer the office function and place of Surueyour of the tonnage and burthen of all new builded Ships of the burthen of an hundred tonnes aboue mentioned or vpwards from time to time within this our Realme of England Together with the said wages and fee of twelue pence by the day and all other fees proffits commodities and allowances whatsoeuer to the said office or place in any wise due belonging incident or appertaining And them the said Master Wardens and comminalty and their successors wee doe by these presents for vs our heires and successors nominate ordaine make and appoynt Surueyours of the tonnage and burthen of all new builded Shippes from time to time within this our Realme of England and Dominion of Wales To haue hold exercise and enioy the said office function and place and also to haue receiue and perceiue the said wages and fee of twelue pence by the day immediately when and from and after such time as the Estate and interest Estates and interrests graunted or mentioned to be graunted to the said Iohn Grent and Humfrey Iobson respectiuely by death surrender forfeiture or other occasion cause or meanes whatsoener is are or shall bee voyde ended or determined and whensoeuer the said office or place shall first happen or become void vnto the said Master Wardens and Cominaltie and to their successors for euer And for the better and more exact examination iudging and finding out from hence forth of the true burden and tonnage of euery Ship and vessell that is or shall be capable of or intended to haue or require the said alowance Wee doe hereby for vs our heires and successors ordaine decree grant limit and appoynt and also straightly charge and commaund the said Master and Wardens for the time being by themselues or their deputies being honest skilfull and sufficient persons as well to goe on bord euery such shipp and vessell and there to view and decerne whether shee be sufficiently and substancially built as is fit and required in that behalfe that is to say with two Orlops at conunnient distance strong to carry ordnance aloft and alowe with her fore-castell and halfe deck close for feight As also to cause euery such Shipp and vessell to be brought on ground and by from and according to an exact measure taken of her length breadth depth draught in water so to rate and sett downe the true burden and tonnage thereof and to certifie the same by Letters testimoniall vnder the common scale of the said Corporation and the hands of the said Master and Wardens of the said Art or Mystery for the time being as they will euer after be ready vpon their oaths aleagiance to approue the same And our will pleasure is and wee doe by these presents for vs our heires and successors straightly prohibit charge and command that no person or persons whatsoeuer shall or may at any time or times hereafter be capable of or persume to take receiue or demand the said alowance of fiue shillings a tonne as aforesaid vntill such due measuring rating certificat be first had made as aforesaid Willing and requiring as well our Lord High Tresurer and Lord High Admirall of England our Tresurer Chancellor of our Exchequor as also the said Iohn Grent and Humfrey Iobson and all other persons whome it may concerne to take notice of our wil and pleasure in this behalfe Any former grant prouision limitation custome or vsage to the contrary heereof in any wise notwithstanding And moreouer for the better maintaining strengthning and vpholding of the said corporation and the suppressing and reforming as well of the manifould errors deceiptes and abuses practized in the said profession art and mystery as also of the disorders and misdemeanors of diuers wilfull stuborne and disobedient persons of the said profession Art or Mystery which can very hardly by any other meanes be redressed restrained or reformed and for the better continuing setling and establishing of good orders discipline and gouernment amongst them for the especiall good of our owne seruice and the generall benefit of all our louing subiects as well Marchants as others wee doe of our more ample grace certaine knowledge and meere motion for vs our heires and successors giue and grant to the said Master Wardens and 〈◊〉 and their successors for euer by these presents That if any person or persons now practizing vsing or professing or which hereafter shall practise vse or professe the said Art or Mystery or any thing therevnto appertaining shall wilfully or obstinately oppose or resist the order rule and gouernment of the said Master Wardens and Assistantes of the said Art or Mystery for the time being or shall refuse to obey or to submit him or themselues to this our Charter or Letters Pattents and to such wholsome lawes orders ordinances and institutions as are or shall be made by force and vertue thereof as aforesaid tending to the good seruice of vs and our common-wealth and to the good estate and preseruation of the said Art or Mistery or shall not
Citie of London and the Sheriffes Iustices Constables and other officers and ministers of the said Citie for the time being And also the seuerall Mayors of our Cities of Bristoll and Rochester and of our seuerall Townes of Yarmouth Plymouth Dartmouth Ipswich Southampton Woodbridge Hull and Newcastell respectiuely for the time being And all other Mayors Sheriffes Iustices of Peace Bayliffes Constables and other officers and ministers of vs our heires and successors whatsoeuer within our said Realme of England and Dominion of Wales That they and euery of them be from time to time and at all times heereafter helping aiding and assisting to the said Master Wardens and Cominalty and to their successors and to euery or any of them for the time being and to euery of their deputie or deputies Officer or Officers for the time being for euer aswell in and for such search view and suruey so to be made as aforesaid As also for and in the execution of all and singuler graunts ordinances lawes constitutions and orders heerein contained or heereafter vpon or by vertue of these presents to be made allowed and approued in all things according to the true intent and meaning of the same vpon paine of our high displeasure and as they will answere the contrary And these our Letters Patents or the Inrolement thereof shall be good and effectuall in the Lawe to the said Master Wardens and Cominalty and their successors to all intents constructions and purposes against vs our heires and successors for euer Any Act of Parliament statute Law Prouision Proclamation restraint or other matter cause or thing whatsoeuer to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding Prouided alwaies that these our Letters Patents or any thing therein contained shall not in any wise extend or be construed to extend or be preiâ—ditiall to our Cinque-Ports or to the liberties or members of the same or any of them or to any Iurisdiction power or aucthority of the Lord-warden of the Cinque-Ports for the time being which hee hath or in any wise or sort hee ought or may lawfully vse exercise or claime to or with the office of the Lord-warden of the Cinque-Ports or of any other office or offices belonging incident or appertaining to the said office of Lord-warden of the Cinque-Ports Any graunt power priuiledge matter or thing before in these presents contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding Although expresse mention of the true yearely valew or certenty of the premisses or of any of them or of any other gifts or graunts by vs or any of our Progenitors or Predecessors to the said Master Wardens Cominaltie before these times made in these presents is not made Or any statute act ordinance prouision Proclamation or restraint before this time had made set forth ordained or prouided or any other thing matter or cause whatsoeuer to the contrary notwithstanding In wittnesse whereof wee haue caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witnesse our selfe at Westminster the sixt day of May in the 10. yeare of our Raigne of England France and Irland and of Scotland the fiue and fortieth To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chauncellor of England Sir Thomas Flemming Knight Lord cheef Iustice of England and Sir Edward Coke knight Lord cheefe Iustice of his Maiesties Court of Common Plees Send greeting in our Lord God euerlasting Whereas in a certaine Act or Statute in the Parliament holden at Westminster the fiue and twentieth day of Ianuary in the Nineteenth yeare of the Raigne of the late king of famous memory Henry after the conquest the seauenth made and ordained for the weale and profit of the subiects it was amongst other things ordained established and enacted that no Master and Wardens and fellowship of Crafts or Misteries or any of them no rulers of guildes or fraternities should take vpon them to make any Acts or ordinances ne to execute any Acts or ordinances by them theretofore made in disinheritance or diminution of the Kinges Prerogatiue or of others nor against the common profit of the people but if the same Acts and ordinances were examined and approued by the Chancellor or Treasorer of England or cheefe Iustice of either Bench or three of them or else before the two Iustices of Assises in their Circuit or Progresse in the Shire where such Acts or ordinances be made vpon paine or forfaiture of xl li. for euery time that they doe the contrary As by the said Act of Parliament doth and may appeare Know you now that Phinees Pett Master of the Art or Mysterie of Ship-wrights of Redrith in the County of Surrey and William Bright Nicholas Symonson and Nicholas Clay now Wardens of the said Art ot Mysterie with the whole Assent and consent of the Assistants of the same willing and desiring the said Act of Parliament in all and euery thing to be duely obserued and kept the twentieth day of Iuly in the yeare of the Raigne of our Soueraigne Lord Iames by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland defendor of the faith c. the tenth and of Scotland the fiue and fortieth haue exhibited to vs a certaine Petition containing diuers Articles Acts and ordinances for the better order rule and gouernment of the said Art or Mysterie of Shipwrights and of the person and persons now practising and professing or which heereafter shall practise or professe the said Art or Mysterie or any thing thereunto appertaining dwelling and inhabiting or which heereafter shall dwell and inhabit within the Realme of England or Dominion of Wales and for the Common weale and conseruation of the good estate of the said Art or Mysterie of Shipwrights And haue instantly desired vs that wee all and euery their Acts and ordinances heereafter mentioned by them to vs exhibited would examine and approue and them and euery of them to correct and amend in due and conuenient manner and forme as the said recited Act of Parliament requireth Wee well perceiuing and considering their said supplication to be good and acceptable according to their said desires and by the aucthoritie of the said Act of Parliament to vs giuen all and euery their Acts and ordinance so to vs exhibited haue seene read wel vnderstood and all and euery of them examined corrected and reformed the tenor whereof heereafter followeth viz. Inprimis it is ordained that vppon the day of election of new Master and Wardens of the said Corporation the same Master and Wardens so to be elected shall choose foure persons whereof two to be of the Assistants and the other two to bee of the better sort of the Cominaltie of the said Art or Mysterie who are not Assistants who haue called the Auditors of the said Company for the Accompts and reckonings of all such Officers and Accompts of the said Art or Mysterie are or ought to be Accomptable for or concerning any money goodes plate profits or
IAMES BY THE GRACE OF GOD King of England Scotland France and Ireland defendor of the faith c. To all to whom these presents shall come greting Whereas wee are credibly informed as well by our right trustie and right welbeloued Cosin and Counselor Charles Earle of Nottingam Lord high Admirall of England and Captaine Generall of our Nauy Royall as also by our principall officers of our said Nauy how slenderly and deceiptfully aswell our owne Ships and Barges as also other Shippes Boates Pinnaces like vessels of our Marchants and other our subiectes vsed in continuall seruice and trafficke are made and wrought to the great losse danger and preiudice of vs and our said subiectes and also of the great needlesse and wastfull charge and expences which wee doe from time to time beare and susteine in building and repairing of our owne Shippes and Pinnaces which are and haue beene the chiefest and greatest defence of this our Realme from the assaults of such enemies as haue practized the ouerthrow of the same Wee weighing the manifould dangers losses and hinderances which might and were likely more and more to ensue thereof if speedy remedy be not therefore had and prouided And intending to prouide for the strengthning of these our Kingdomes and Dominions with sufficient Shipping for defence and seruice thereof And to th' intent that aswell our selfe might from time to time be furnished stored and supplied with the fittest and ablest Ship-wrights and worke-men for the building making and repairing of our owne Shippes Pinnaces and other vessels As also that our Marchants and other our subiects might also in their worke and building from time to time be stored and supplied with skilfull able and sufficient Ship-wrights and work-men And for the better suppressing of deceiptes and abuses of diuers persons which should take vpon without sufficient skill and knowledge to make or repaire any Shippes Boates Pinnaces or other vessels to the great danger and hindrance as well of our selfe as of diuers other our louing subiectes Wee did by our Letters Patents vnder the great Seale of England bearing date the two and twenteth day of Aprill In the yeare of our raigne of England France and Ireland the third and of Scotland the eight and thirteith Incorporate the Company of Ship-wrights and the Persons being Ship-wrights or Carpenters vsing the art or mistery of building and making of Shippes within our Realme of England and dominion of Wales by the name of Maister Wardens and Cominaltie of the Art or Mistery of Ship-wrights of England and did grant vnto them by our said Charter or Letters Pattents diuers Preuiledges Liberties and immunities mentioned and contayned in the saide Letters Pattents tending to the reformation of the saide Abuses and deceites And whereas diuers defects and imperfections haue been sithence by experience found to be in the said Charter aswell in the extend thereof to what persons it should extend As also in the want of sufficient aucthoritie and meanes to gouerne and order the said Corporation and the men and members thereof and the affaires of the same and the Shipwrights workemen apprentices and seruants vsing the said art and for want of power and meanes to reforme preuent order and correct many contempts misdemeanors deceits and offences in the said art or misterie and the matters and things thereunto appertaining and to punish stubborne obstinate and disobedient persons of that profession whereby manifold errors deceits inconueniences are stil practised and continued to the great hindrance of the Nauigation of this kingdom the often losse hazard of mens liues and goods and the especiall preiudice of our owne seruice and the Common-wealth Know yee that wee for reformation amendment and supplie of the defects and imperfections aforesaid and for redresse of the said great and manifold errors enormities deceits and inconueniences at the Petition of the said Master Wardens and Cominaltie and for the great desire wee haue that good and conuenient lawes orders and ordinances should be established and vsed in and about the Corporation and Companie and the said Art or Misterie and for the aduancement of the good estate of the Shipping and Nauigation of this Kingdome to the good seruice both of our selfe and the Common-wealth Haue of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion granted constituted and ordained and by these Presents for vs our heires and successors doe grant constitute and ordaine That all and euery person and persons being Ship-wrights Calkers or Ship-carpenters or in any sort vsing exercising practising or professing the Art trade skill or misterie of building making trimming dressing grauing launcing winding drawing stocking or repairing of Ships Caruels Hoyes Pinnaces Crayers Ketches Lighters Boates Barges Wherries or any other vessell or vessels whatsoeuer vsed for Nauigation fishing or transportation within or about our Realme of England and dominion of Wales or of making trymming or repairing of Masts Toppes Pullies Pumpes for ships Oares or any other instruments or appurtenances of wood thereunto belonging or any other Carpentrie worke whatsoeuer belonging to or vsed occupied or imployed in or about any Shippes Pinnaces or other vessell or vessels aboue mentioned or in any sort appertaining to shipping sayling rowing stocking launching or Nauigation shall from henceforth foreuer be and shall be taken and accounted to be one body Corporate and politique in matter deede and name By the name of Master Wardens and Cominaltie of the Art or Mysterie of Ship-wrights of Redrith in the Countie of Surrey and them by the name of Master Wardens and Cominaltie of the Art or Mysterie of Ship-wrights of Redrith in the Countie of Surrey wee doe for vs our heires and successors really fully and wholly erect make ordaine create incorporate constitute and declare by these presents one body corporate politique in matter deede and name And wee will and by these presents for vs our heires and sucessors of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion doe graunt to the said Master Wardens and Cominaltie and their successors for euer That they by the said name of Master Wardens and Cominalty of the said Art or Mysterie of Ship-wrights of Redrith aforesaid shall from henceforth haue perpetuall succession And that they and their successors by the said name of Master Wardens Cominaltie of the said Art or Misterie of Ship-wrights of Redrith aforesaid be and shall be at all times hereafter a bodie Corporate and politique able capable in deed in law to haue hold occupie enioy possesse and retaine all and singuler vsages customes liberties priuiledges immunities iurisdictions franchises preheminences benefits profits and commodities whatsoeuer to them heeretofore granted or belonging or heereafter to be graunted or belonging or incident requisite or fitte to or for them or for such a Corporation to haue and enioy of what kind nature or qualitie soeuer they shall be to them and their successors for euer And that also by the same
Pynnaces or other vessell or vessels whatsoeuer for nauigation or traffick shall or may at any time or times hereafter receiue haue entertaine or keepe any apprentise or other seruant being not alredy free of the saide corporation or not hauing serued with some other Shipwright in the same Trade to be vsed exercised trayned or brought vp vnder him in the said trade art or mistery as aforesaide except he first cause euery such his seruant or apprentise to be bound vnto him by Indenture for the saide tearme of seauen yeares at the least or for so many yeares as together with the yeares which he hath serued in the said trade as aforesaide shall make vp the number of seauen yeares and doe likewise cause his saide Indenture of apprentiship to be registred or enrolled before the Clarke of the said company or his deputy for the time being as aforesaide within one month next after the taking thereof vpon paine of our heauy displeasure and of such fine or other punishment as by the lawes and statutes of this Realme or by the lawes and ordinances already made or hereafter to bee made by the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Art or Mysterie for the time being or the greater part according to the true intent and meaning heereof shall or may be inflicted vpon him or them that shall offend therein And further our will and pleasure is And wee doe by these presents for vs our heires and successors of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion grant to the said Master Wardens and Cominalty and to their successors That it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants and their successors or the greater part of them when and as often as to them or the greater part of them it shall seeme needefull or expedient to assemble conuocate and congregate themselues together at or in the Common Hall or house being now at Redrith in the County of Surrey or in any other place or places for the same conuenient and then and there to keepe Court and consultation for the said Corporation Art or Mysterie and the affaires thereof and the perquisites issues and profits of the said Court or Courts so to be kept and held to leauie take and perceiue to and for the vse of the said Corporation for the better maintenance and preseruation thereof without any account to be made or rendred to vs our heires or successors in that behalfe And that also it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants or the greater part of them being so assembled as aforesaid whereof the Master and one of the Wardens to be alwaies two then and there to treate consult common determine and agree amongst themselues or with any person or persons whatsoeuer of vpon and concerning the good estate benefit conseruation and wholsome rule gouernement and ordering of the said Corporation Art or Mysterie and the men apprentices worke-men worke-man-ship and all other the affaires things to the same belonging or therupon in any wise depending And at in and vpon such their assemblies meetings and conferences to make ordaine and constitute such and so many good wholesome and reasonable lawes statutes articles constitutions orders and ordinances whatsoeuer as to them or the greater part of them being then and there present whereof the Master and one of the Wardens for the time being to be alwaies two shall seeme reasonable neccessarie meete and conuenient for touching or concerning the premisses and for the better aduancement performance and continuance of the same and also for the better directing how and in what order and manner the said Master Wardens and Cominaltie and all other person and persons vsing the said Art or Mysterie within our said Realme of England and Dominion of Wales shall demeane and behaue themselues aswell in all and singuler matters and things touching or concerning the said functions ministeries and businesses touching or concerning the said Art or Mysterie as aforesaid And the same lawes orders Articles and constitutions so made or any of them to put in vre and execute accordingly and at their will againe to reuoke alter or change when and as often as occasion shall thereto require And our further will and pleasure is And wee do by these presents for vs our heires and successors graunt and command that whatsoeuer is or shall bee concluded and agreed vpon at any such assembly or meeting of the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Art or Mysterie for the time being or the greater part of them whereof the Master and one of the Wardens for the time being to be alwaies two and the same entred and registred in some publique booke to be kept for that purpose the same shall be holden as lawes ordinances and statutes amongst them to bee put in vre and execution and shall binde all persons of the said Corporation Art or Mysterie all Shipwrights and worke-men of that profession in any Place Port Hauen or Towne within our said Realme of England and Dominion of Wales aswell the subiects of the same our Realme and Dominions as strangers aliens for or during the time of their being in or vpon any part of our said Realme Coasts or Dominions or any Creekes or Harbors of the same to obserue obey and performe the same from time to time in all things as the same ought to bee vpon the paines penalties and punishments in the same to be imposed inflicted and lymited So alwaies as the said lawes statutes articles orders ordinances paines penalties and punishments and euery of them bee agreeable to reason and iustice and not contrary or repugnant to the lawes statutes rights or customes of this our Realme of England nor derogatory to the Iurisdictions and preheminences of the Lord High-Admirall of England for the time being or to the Court of Admiraltie of England or the Iudges Register or Marshall of that Court for the time being or any of them And wee do further will and grant if any person or persons whatsoeuer shall offend against any of the said lawes statutes ordinances so made or to be made as aforesaid or shall violate transgresse or breake any of them That then it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Art or Mysterie for the time being or the greater part of them whereof the said Master and one of the Wardens to be two to impose and inflict all and singuler such paines penalties punishments fines and amerciaments and forfetures or any of them in the said lawes statutes and ordinances limited vpon all and euery such person or persons so offending or transgressing the same as they in iustice according to their wisedomes and discretions and the nature quantitie and qualitie of the fault shall thinke fit and the same fines penalties amerciaments and forfaitures or any of them in the said lawes
well and honestly carry behaue and demeane him and themselues towardes the Master Wardens and Assistants of the faid Art or Mistery for the time being and their deputy or deputies or other inferior officers respectiuely according to the true intent and meaning of these presents but after due and conuenient warning notice or admonition giuen to him or them in that behalfe shall still wilfully and obstinately persist perseuere or continue in any wilfull stuborne obstinate or disobedient course tending to the hurt and preiudice of vs our heires and successors or any our louing subiects or the order rule and gouernment aforesaid either by insufficient negligent or deceitfull working or not performing of his or their duties or by purloyning imbeazling of stuffe or by vnlawfull and disorderly departure from his or their worke after he or they haue bene hired and such like or shall doe or commit any act or acts directly or indirectly to the preiudice or hindrance of the said Corporation or the good estate and procedings thereof either by wilfull absenting him or themselues from the Common-Hall and meeting vpon due warning or by deniall of ordinary and iust duties or shall by mutinies combinations conspiracies or any such like wicked or vnlawfull course or practise persist or continue in the wilfull breach neglect or contempt of this our Charter or any thing herein contained or any law ordinance or institution made by force of these presents That then in all and euery or any of these cases before mencioned it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Master Wardens and assistants or any three of them whereof the Master and one of the Wardens to be alwaies two seuerally to correct and punish such offendor or offendors according to the quantity and quallity of his or their offence or offences according to the lawes and ordinances of the said Corporation and according to the lawes and statutes of the realme in that behalfe respectiuely And whereas the greatest number of the workmen and other persons imployed in the trades aforesaid are soe very pore and nedy and of meane condition as no pecuniary mulct can take hold of them and likewise so rude and disordered as noe ordinary or ciuill censure can moue them to yeelde obedience to rule or gouernment And therefore some sharpe and seuere coertion and constraint must necessarily be vsed towards them in many cases Therefore our will and pleasure is and wee doe by these presentes will and ordaine That if any person or persons now vsing or which shall hereafter vse or exercise within the said realme of England or dominion of Wales the said Art Trade or Mistery of Ship-wrights or other the workes or trades aforesaid shall obstinately resist and withstand the gouernment of the said Maister Wardens and Assistants or their lawfull deputy or deputies and shall after admonition and warning giuen vnto them or any of them in that behalfe wilfully persist in such disobedient course either by deceitfull working or by vnlawfull departure from after they haue bene hired or within the time or times of their retainor or shall by combination conspiracies or other vnlawfull practises seeke to ouerthrow destroy and bring into contempt the powers preuiledges and authorities by these presents giuen and granted to the said Maister Wardens and Cominalty and their successors for the vniuersall benifit and good of our said Realme dominion and subiects That theâ—… or in such cases the Lord Admirall of England for the time being vpon complaint and profe therof made to him shall take the body or bodies of all and euery such notorious offendors and keepe them vnder arrest vntill they shall conforme themselues and reforme what they haue done amisse as aforesaide And for so much as a great part of the said Art or Mystery are continually for the most part imploied and attendant vpon the seruice and nauigation of vs our heires and successors We therefore of our especiall grace doe will and grant for vs our heires and successors That the saide Maister Wardens and Cominalty or any of them or their or any of their successors shall not at any time or times hereafter be informed put placed or impannelled in or vpon any Assizes Iuries Inquests or attaintes whatsoeuer before any Iudges Iustices or Commissioners of vs our heires or successors out of the Citties Townes Boroughs Parishes or places where they or any of them doe or shall happen to dwell vnlesse they haue lands or tenements lying out of the said Citties Townes Boroughs Parishes or places by reason whereof they or any of them ought to be charged nor shall at any time be pressed or inforced to serue vs our heires or successors as Land-soldiers but doe absolutely and freely discharge them and euery of them from any such seruice and attendance And wee doe further by these presents for vs our heires and successors straightly charge and commaund all and euery Sheriffes Bailiffes and other officers of vs our heires and successors that they every of them doe from time to time forbeare to put or impanel any of the said Maister Wardens and Cominalty or any their deputies or apprentises in or vpon any such Iuries or inquests as is aforesaid contrary to our said meaning intent vpon paine of our displeasure of such paines penalties and imprisonments as by the lawes of this our Realme can or may be inflicted or imposed vpon them or any of them for their contempt in doing contrary to our royall pleasure and commandment in that behalfe And whereas the Master Wardens and Cominalty of the said Art or Mistery of Ship-wrights of Redrith aforesaid and their and euery of their deputies and apprentises being continually for the most part charged and chargeable to be ready and prouided at an howers warning vpon diuers seruices and imployments as well at the Sea for the necessity defence and safety of our realmes and kingdomes and for the use and imployment of our Marchants for continuance and increase of trade and commerce with forraine Nations for the benefit and profit of vs and our subiects as also to giue attendance within our Kingdomes for the new building repairing and triming as well of the Shippes Pinnaces and vessels of vs our heires successors as also of the Ships Pinnaces and vessels of our Marchants and subiects Therefore our will and pleasure is That if it shall hapen the said Maister Wardens and Comminalty or other persons which by the true intent and meaning hereof are and ought to be discharged from such seruice vpon Iuries or Inqâ—ests shall by Sheriffes Bailiffes or other officers ignorantly or wilfully be put and impannelled to serue vpon Iuries and Enquests contrary to our true intent and meaning in that behalfe in certaine our former Letters Pattents graunted and also in these presents renued And that any of the said persons beeing absent from their houses and places of habitation at such times as they were or shall bee sommoned
or warned to appeare vpon any such Iuries or enquests could not nor cannot plead or alleadge the said former Letters Pattents nor these presents or the priueledges and authorities hereby giuen and granted vnto them for their discharge in that behalfe whereby diuers issues fines and amercements are many times returned against them contrary to our true intent and meaning Wee doe therefore graunt for vs our heires and successors vnto the said Master Wardens and Comminalty and their successors for euer That if any issues fines and amercements shall be returned forfeited or imposed by or vppon any of the said person or persons of the said Corporation Trade Art or Mistery for or in respect of not doing or not performing of any of the said seruices or other things whereof they are hereby exempted or freed or mentioned to be exempted or freed That then the same person or persons his or their heires executors administrators and assignes and euery of them and all his and their landes tenements goods and chattels shall be for euer freed and discharged of and from the same issues fines and amerciaments and euery of them And wee doe require and commaund the Barons of our Eschequer that in respect of the pouerty of many that are to be releeued in this case they giue them all expedition and ease in the proceedings and pleading for their discharge in that behalfe And because this Corporation of Ship-wrights hath bin principally instituted made for the mainteinance and encrease of Nauigation and for the better and more substantiall making building and repairing of ships and also for the trayning vp instructing of Ship-wrights Ship-carpenters labourers and workemen to make them more ready able and skilfull for seruice All which things do very greatly concerne the defence safety wealth and profit of our selfe our Kingdomes and subiects Therefore wee doe not onely straightly charge and command all and euery person and persons which are or shall be of the Cominaltie of this Corporation That they doe dutifully submit themselues to such good and wholesome lawes statutes and ordinances as shall be heereafter ordained and made by vertue of these Letters Patents for the gouernment rule order and direction of this Corporation and of all the members thereof But wee doe also straightly require charge and command all Masters Wardens and Assistants deputies and other the principall Officers of this incorporation now being and that heereafter shall bee That they and euery of them in their seuerall Offices and places doe carefully diligently and circumspectly looke to the due and seuere execution of all such lawes statutes and ordinances so to be made as aforesaid that the same may be truely performed and accomplished according to the tenor and true meaning of the same vpon paine of our heauy displeasure and indignation and of such punishment and imprisonment as by our lawes may be inflicted on them and euery or any of them wherein our meaning is to extend the greater punishment vpon such as hauing offices and places of trust and charge committed vnto them shall by wilfulnesse negligence remisnesse partialitie or otherwise offend themselues or suffer others to offend in those things whereof they ought to bee the reformers and redressers and at whose hands wee expect to receiue and haue amendement and reformation of all offences that shall bee committed by any others in that behalfe And forasmuch as the pouertie of Ship-wrights and persons belonging to the said Corporation is now much more increased then in former times and not able to be releeued supported and maintained by the duties and reuenues of the said Corporation which heertofore they haue had or were enabled to haue being so small in yeerely value Therefore and to the end the said Master Wardens and Comminalty and their Successors may bee from henceforth the better enabled from time to time to beare and sustaine their charges and expences drawne and occasioned by reason of the Corporation and to releeue and maintaine the poore of the same wee haue of our more especiall grace certaine knoledge and meere motion giuen and graunted and by these presents for vs our heires and successors doe giue and graunt vnto the said Master Wardens and Comminalty of the said Art or Mistery of Ship wrights of Redrith aforesaid and to their successors especiall licence and free and lawfull faculty power and authority that they their successors for euer shall and may not onely haue receiue and purchase to them and their successors for euer to their owne proper vse and behoofe as well of vs our heires and successors as of any other person or persons whatsoeuer Mannours Messuages Lands Tenements Rectories Tithes Rents Reuersions Seruices and other Hereditaments whatsoeuer which are not held of vs our heires and successors in chiefe or by Knights seruice nor of any other by Knights seruice So alwaies that the same Manours Messuages Lands Tenements Rectories Tithes Rents Reuersions or Hereditaments by the said Master Wardens and Comminalty or their successors so to bee receiued purchased obtained or had as aforesaid doe not exceed the cleare yeerly value of forty pound by the yeere aboue all charges deductions and reprizes The Statute of Lands Tenements not to bee put in Mortmaine or any other Statute Act or Ordinance prouision restraint or any other matter cause or thing whatsoeuer to the contrary notwithstanding And further wee haue giuen and graunted And by these presents for vs our heires and successors wee doe giue and graunt special licence and ful free power authority to any and euery of the subiects of vs our heires and successors and to all and euery body and bodies Corporate and Politique and other person and persons whatsoeuer and to euery of them That they and euery of them shall and may giue graunt bequeath assigne or by any wayes or meanes whatsoeuer alnie deuize or assure vnto the said Master Wardens and comminalty and to their successors for euer any Mannours Messuages Lands Tenements Rectories Tithes Rents Reuersions Seruices and other Hereditaments whatsoeuer which are not held of vs our heires or successors in chiefe or by Knights seruice or of any other by Knights seruice So that the same Mannours Lands Tenements and other the premisses so as aforesaid to bee giuen graunted assigned or deuised doe not exceed in the whole the cleare yeerely value of forty pound per annum aboue all charges deductions and reprizes The Statute of Lands and Tenements not to bee put in Mortmaine or any other Act Statute Ordinance Prouision or restraint or any other matter cause or thing whatsoeuer to the contrary notwithstanding And finally we doe by these presents for vs our heires and successors straightly charge and command Aswell the Lord Admirall of England for the time beeing and also the Iudge of our Admirality and principall Officers of our Nauy and al Viz. Admirals Marshals Sergeants and other officers of our Admiralty As also the Lord Mayor of our
by their said Charter there is an oath to be administred to the said Master Wardens and Assistants and also to Iorney-men vpon their admittance and noe fourme of the said oath set downe It is ordered and decreed that the fourme of the said oath shall bee as followeth That is to say The Oath of the Master You shall be true to our Soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiestie his heires and successors and you shall endeuour your selfe the best you can iustly lawfully and indifferently to execute and cause to be executed your Office of Master so farre forth in euery respect as lawfully you may And in like manner shall obserue and cause to be obserued all the good and lawfull Orders Ordinances and Constitutions herein contained and heereafter to be made for the common good weale and profit of the said Corporation and all the grants powers and aucthorities granted by the Kings Maiestie to the Master Wardens and Cominaltie of the Art or Mysterie of Shipwrights of Redrith in the Countie of Surrey without sparing any person for affection meede dreade or promise of reward during the time you shall remaine and be in the said Office of Master And of all and euery such goods plate and summes of money or any other thing or things that by reason of your said Office shall come to your hands or possession you shall according to Th'ordinances heerein specified make a good true iust and plaine accompt or else pay such fines as you shall be ordered to pay for your not so doing You shall not for any malice nor for loue or affection assesse any person in a greater or lesser summe than after the quantitie and qualitie of his offence according to your discretion and according to th' ordinances in these presents mentioned So help you God 43 The like Oath for the Wardens and Deputies respectiuely mutatis mutandis The Oath of the Assistants You shall sweare that you shall bee true to our Soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiestie his heires and lawfull successors and you shall indeauour your selues so farre forth as you lawfully may to the best of your skill aswell for and concerning the giuing and vsing your faithfull aduices and counsell to the Master and Wardens of the Art or Mysterie of Ship-wrights of Redrith in the Countie of Surrey for the time being for their more better execution of their said Offices And to giue vse your faithful aid and assistance in euery respect as much as in you lyeth and lawfully you may doe for the due obseruation of all the good and lawfull ordinances heerein contained or heereafter to be made according to the true intent and meaning of the same and of the powers grants and aucthorities granted by the Kinges Maiestie to the Master Wardens and Cominaltie without sparing or impeaching any person or persons whatsoeuer either for affection or malice or in respect of any reward meede dread or promise of reward during the time you shal be an Assistant touching the said Art or Mysterie So help you God 44 The Oath of euery one that is made free You shall be true to our Soueraigne Lord the King to his heires and successors you shall be obedient from time to time in all matters lawfull to the Master and Wardens of this Art or Mysterie of Ship-wrights for the time being and readie to come to their lawfull summons except you haue a lawfull excuse Or else you shall pay such reasonable penalties as you shall forfait for your disobedience according to the Ordinances heeretofore made by the Master Wardens and Assistants of the said Art or Mysterie Which Ordinances and euery of them to your power you shall obserue and keepe and all the lawfull counsels of the Master Wardens and Cominaltie of the said Art or Mysterie which at any time of assembly shall lawfully be had in Communication among them then at their common Hall you shall keepe secret not disclose the same to any person of the same Cominaltie nor to any other especially to any such person whom the same matter doth concerne and touch So help you God All which Ordinances and constitutions in manner and forme aforesaid at the request of the said Phinees Pett Master of the said Act or Mysterie of Ship wrights and of the said William Bright Nicholas Symonson and Nicholas Clay now Wardens and Cominaltie of the same by aucthoritie and vertue of the said Act of Parliament made in the said nineteenth yeare of King H. 7. Wee the said Chauncellor and cheefe Iustice of either Bench aforesaid haue seene read examined and perused and for good laudable and lawfull Ordinances constitutions and Oathes so far as we lawfully may wee doe allow and approue by these presents In witnesse whereof wee haue heereunto subscribed our names and set to our seales the tenth day of September In the yeares of the Raigne of our Soueraigne Lord Iames by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland defendor of the faith c. the tenth and of Scotland the fortieth THO. ELLESMERE Cane THO. FLEMING EDVV. COKE The preamble The reasons and ground of this Charter Who are to bee of the Corporation The name of the Corporation To haue a Common Seale To haue a Master three Wardens and sixteene Assistants Nomination of the first Master Nomination of the first Wardens Nomination of the first Assistants The day of election of Masters Wardens To bee remoueable for misdemean or and others chosen To be fined for refusall or neglect To appoynt Deputies in remote places Their duty and office To haue a Clarke Power to choose inferior officers To take in any person to bee of the company and again to displace them Keeping retayning of Apprentices To be bouÌ„d and enrolled at their Common Hall Courts and consultation Power to make lavves Offendors to be fined Power to leauie and recouer duties fines c. by distrease or action of Det. Restraint from discouery of the secrets of of the trade PunishmeÌ„t of such as shall depart from their worke and be mutinous Hearing of complaints Searches surueyes Power to trade beyond the seas Surueying of Tounage Power to punish Imprisonment of offendors Freedome from Size or Sessions Submission to the Charter Power to purchase The Kinges charge The Preamble Election of Auditors Election of Stewards The company to heare a sermon vpon the election day For prouiding a dinner vpon the election day Election of Beadles For hauing a Chest with foure lockes and keyes Searches and surueies None to be set to worke vnles he hath beene aprentice to the trade For distinction approbatioÌ„ of Mr. workemen Admittance of yard-keepers Taking of apprentices Binding enrolling and presenting of Apprentises Formerly bound to be enrolled at the Hall Making of Indentures Setting ouer of Apprentices Submission to the ordinances Appearance at the Hall vpon summons Restraining of worke on Sundaies Against inticing away of prentices Contributions for maintenance of the Corporation Suppressing of conspiracies against Charters and ordinances None of the company to reuile another Payment of quarterage Perfecting the company in the Knowledge of the Trade Coming to departure from worke Continuance at worke begun Tonnage of Ships poundage vpon old taske worke Poundage of persons that goe to Sea No insufficient person to goe to Sea Keeping of monthly quarterly Courts Restraining of worke to any forraine Prince Yeelding vp of accompt Deciding of controuersies To restrane the discouery of the Secrets of the trade For imployment so the company at their dweling places An order for Calkers Buriall of the Assistans Freemen to be imployed be one Forrayners Diâ—strayning for Fines Deputy Assistants in the Thames Oath of the Maister c. 1612