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
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
other things belonging or appertaining to the said companie of the said Art or Mysterie To continue in the said place for the space of one yeare after such election and if any of them dye or be remoued another or others to be chosen in his or their roome or roomes Which Accompts and reckonings by them so taken and allowed shall be deliuered to the Clearke of the said Company to be fairely entred into a booke of remembrance to be prouided and kept of purpose for which hee is to haue such reasonable allowance as the said Auditors or two of them shall thinke fitte And whosoeuer shall refuse the said Office of Auditor beeing thereunto elected shall forfait and pay to the Master and Wardens of the said Art or Mystery for euery time so refusing to the vse of the said Corporation the summe of forty shillings of lawfull money of England 2 Item it is ordained that the said Master and Wardens vpon their said Election day shall choose and appoint two sufficient persons of the said Corporation not beeing of the Assistants which shall be called the Stewards Aswell for the making and prouiding of the Dinner and Feast for the said Master Wardens and Assistants and better sort of the Companie vpon the said election day As also vpon their Quarter daies when there shall be a meeting for the disposing of businesses and affaires concerning the said Corporation And whosoeuer shall refuse or neglect the execution of the said place of Steward being thereunto elected shall for euery time so refusring forfait and pay to the said Master and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation Fortie shillings of lawfull money of England 3 Item it is ordained that euery person of the said Corporation vpon warning giuen by the Beadle or any other for that purpose appointed shall yearely from henceforth vpon the day of Election of new Master and Wardens Assemble themselues together at their Common Hall at Redrith aforesaid and from thence in a decent manner shall accompanie the said new Master and Wardens too and from the parrish Church to heare a Sermon where they shall continue from the begining to the end thereof And euery person so warned and making default not hauing a lawful and reasonable excuse shall forfaict and pay to the said Maister and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation for euery such offence fiue shillings of lawfull money of England 4 Item it is ordayned that vpon the said election day the old Master and Wardens shall make and prouide a conuenient dinner to the New Master and Wardens then elected and to such of the better sort of the company as shall be warned or inuited thereunto towards the charge whereof euery person so inuited of the company shall pay two shillings of lawfull money of England Aud whosoeuer being lawfully warned commeth not shall notwithstanding pay the said two shillings which if it be denied or deferred to be paide vpon demaund the party deferring shall forfaicte to the said Master and Wardens for euery such deniall three shillings fower pence of lawfull English money 5 Item it is ordained that the said Master and Wardens and two of the said Assistants for the time being at the least shal from time to time so often as to them shall seem meet conuenient to elect and choose one or moe honest person or persons to be their honest Beadle or Beadles who shall be at all times attendaunt vpon the said Master and Wardens be at their lawful commandements As well to summon warne all persons of the said Corporation and to make returne of their answers as also concerning all other affaires of the said Corporation wherein there shal be cause to imploy him or them 6 Item it is ordayned that the Master and Wardens of the said Art or Mistery shall at all times hereafter haue one substantiall Chest with fower seuerall lockes and keies for the safe keeping of all moneys Plate goods Letters pattents euidences ordinances accomptes and writinges to the said Corporation belonging or appertayning Which fower keyes shall alwaies bee and remaine in the seuerall custodies of the said Master and Wardens for the time being who shall be all present at euery opening of the said Chest And if any by necessary occasion shall be letted that he cannot be then present hee shall appoint one of the Assistance to take his keye and supply his rome in his absence 7 Item it is ordayned that the said Maister and Wardens or any three or two of them or any two or more of the assistants or any their deputy or deputies shal once euery month or oftner if neede require dilligently view search and suruey as wel all Ships Pinnaces Boates Barges Leighters Wherries and other veffels whatsoeuer now built or hereafter shall be built in any place or places within the realme of England or dominion of Wales or either of them and all timber planke and other stuffe prouided fit or prepared for the building making trimming or repairing of any such Ships Pinnaces Boates or any other vessels as also all and euery the workes and workeman-ship of al and euery person and persons whatsoeuer vsed or imployed in the said Art or Mystery or anything thereunto appertaining And all such Ships Boates Barges Lighters Wherries and other vessels which vpon any such search view or suruey they shall finde to bee substancially wrought or framed they shall put the marke or seale of the said Company in some conuenient place if they thinke fitt to testifie the same And such of the said Ships or other vessels whereof the timber-worke shall not be fully finished as they shall finde to be so insufficiently or deceiptfully made and wrought or repaired as they must needes be dangerous to such as shall vse them to arrest and make stay vntill the same shall be amended and made fit for Nauigation And all such insufficient wood timber and stuffe as they shall finde to be put into any Ship Boate or vessell or hewen wrought or fitted for that purpose they shall charge the builders or owners thereof forthwith to take the same away and to supply it with others that shall be good and sufficient which if within conuenient time after such charge or warning they shall deny deferre or neglect to doe That then it shall be lawfull to and for the said Master and Wardens or any two of them or any two of the said Assistants or deputies aforesaid to impose and assesse vpon euery offendor for euery such offence to the vse of the said Corporation fiue pound of lawfull mony of England or lesse at their discretion 8 And because many vnskilfull persons and such as haue not bene brought vp as Apprentises in the said Art or Mistery haue taken vpon them to vse the same whereupon hath ensued sundry complaints of insufficient worke-manship to the preiudice and discredit of the Companie and the gouerners thereof It is therefore
the end they may the better learne to keepe and obserue the same And likewise it is ordered that these ordinances or the Coppies thereof shall be sent into the seuerall needful places of the Realme of England and dominion of Wales to the end the like course may be held and taken by the deputies there And whosoeuer shall make default in appeareance at any of the said quarter dayes hauing no lawfull or iust excuse in that behalfe shall forfet and pay to the said Master and Wardens for the time beeing to the vse of the said Corporation tenne shillings of lawfull money of England 32 Item it is ordayned and established that euery person of the said Art or Mistery shall vpon his appeareance before the said Master and Wardens or any three or two of them or any their deputies become bound in fiue hundreth Pounds of Lawfull money of England to the said Master and Wardens for the time being vpon Condition to be endorsed or subscribed to this effect following that is to say That they nor any of them shall at any time voluntarily worke beyond the seas for any forraine Prince or State or voluntarily giue any direction or aduice to any other person or persons to worke for any such forraine Prince or state without speciall licence first had and obtained by warrante in writing vnder the hands of three of the Lords of his Maiesties most honorable priuy Counsell his heires or successors at the least And likewise take his Corporall oath to such effect as is mentioned in the said condition-And whosoeuer shall refuse to enter into such bond and take such Corporall oath as aforesaid shall forfet and pay to the said Master and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation fiue pounds of lawfull money of England and from thenceforth to be disabled to be of the said Corporation or Society For making and entring of which said bond the Clark for the time being shall or may take twelue-pence and for entring and ministring the said oath eight pence 33 Item it is ordayned that yerely within twentie dayes at most after the newe Master and wardens shall be chosen and sworne the old Master and Wardens in their common Hall or in some other conuenient place shall present exhibit and declare vnto them in the presence of foure at least of the Assistants a true and iust accompt to be exacted and alowed of by the auditors of the company of and for all his and their receiptes and payments concerning the said Art or Mistery who vpon their said accompts shal be alowed al and euery such reasoable costs charges expences as they or any of them shall haue disbursed or expended for or about the necessary affaires occasions or businesses of the said Art or Mistery And then and there shall not onely deliuer the said bookes of accompts vnto the said Master and Wardens but also all money plate and goods together with the said keyes of the said Chest and all other thinges whatsoeuer being or remaining in his or their custody or possession or which they or any of them shall or may be duely or lawfully charged to haue receiued to the vse of the said Company or else for such thinges as they cannot presently deliuer they shall within one month next following the determination of the said Accompt well and truly pay content satisfie and deliuer the same and euery part thereof vnto the said new Master and Wardens for the time being to the vse and behoofe of the said Company And whosoeuer shall make default thereof shall for euery day after the said month is ended forfet and pay to the said new Master and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation forty shillings vntill he or they shall haue made full payment and satisfaction thereof according to the true intent and meaning of this ordinance And if it shall happen any of the said Master and Wardens to be slack or negligent in making or deliuering in the said accompts in manner as aforesaid or be found faultie or vntrustie therein such offendor shall forfet and pay to the said new Master and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation such reasonable summes of money and fines as shall be assessed by the said new Master and Wardens or the more part of them for the time being The like course and order to be held by the deputies in remote places vpon paine of forfetting to the said Master and Wardens tenne shillings for euery day after the month is ended that he shall make default in satisfiing and deliuerie to the said Master and Wardens or their succeding deputie or deputies such money goodes and other thinges as they or any of them may lawfully be charged to haue in their handes to the vse of the said company besides such further fines as they shall thinke to impose vpon them for their slacknes in giuing vp their accomptes 34 Item it is ordayned that the said Master and Wardens shall imploy their true best endeauor to order compound and appease all complaints and controuersies betweene the brethren and members of the said Corporation to the end to preuent all occasions of sute in law by one of them against another 35 Item it is ordained that noe person of the said Art or Mistery shall retaine keepe or set to worke any stranger borne or reueale or discouer to any stranger or other person not free or seruing for his freedome in the said Art or Mistery the secrets of the same Art or the speciall manner of English building vpon paine of tenne pounds Nor shall discouer to any person not free or a member of the said Corporation any speciall points of the Charter or ordinance or of any busines or matters that at any meeting at the Hall or else where shall be propounded debated or concluded to the preiudice of the said Corporation vpon paine of fiue pounds to be paid to the said Master and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation 36 Item it is ordayned that no Yard keeper builder or Master Workman of the said Art or Mistery inhabiting or dweling in any Port Hauen-Towne or place within the precincts aforesaid shall retaine imploy or set to worke the people or work-men of any other Porte or place as long as he may haue sufficient and able worke-men of his neighbours dwelling within the same Port or place for reasonable wages toperforme his worke vpon paine to forfet to the said Master and Wardens to the vse of the said Corporation for euery person he shall entertaine or imploy contrary to this ordinance fiue shillings and tenne shillings for euery weeke that after warning giuen he shall imploy or set him to worke And it is ordayned that the Inhabitants of any Porte Hauen or place within the precincts aforesaid shall not at any tyme hereafter be imployed retained or set to worke in any other place except hee be first licensed and authorised in writing