Murthers Felonies c. And also to inquire after all unjust Weights and Measures and grants them full Power to Do and Execute all such things which the Justices and Keepers of the Peace in any other County of England may or ought by virtue of any Statute or Ordinance by virtue of any Commission to Execute or Do for the keeping of the Peace And that the Sheriffs of the said City and their Successors be attending and aiding to the said Keepers of the Peace of the said City when they shall be duely required to do the same And also grants to the said Major all Recognizances to be taken and forfeited for not appearing at the Sessions And also all manner of Recognizances taken by Justices of the Peace concerning the keeping and maintaining of Bastard Children and keeping the City from Inmates suppressing of Ale-houses and also the Forfeitures of Recognizances taken for the Appearances of Prisoners And also Fines and Issues of Jurors and all other Fines Issues and Amerciaments together with Assessments and Levies of the same when and as often as need shall require And then excepts all manner of Issues and Amerciaments called Fines and Issues Royal. And further grants the said Major c. all Recognizances that are forfeited or to be forfeited taken for the Preservation of the River of Thames without any Account to be made for the same And also grants them the Fines and Amerciaments that shall be imposed by the Commissioners of Sewers without any Account to be rendred for the same And also grants to the Major c. all those Fields called Inward Moor and Outward Moor in the Parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate St. Stephen in Colemanstreet and St. Botolph without Bishopsgate or in some or any of them And also West Smithfield That they hold in the Field called Smithfield Fairs and Markets and to receive and have Package Stallage Tolls and Profits thereunto belonging Waste Grounds and Streets reserved out of the Grant to hold the same in Common Burgage and not in Capite or Knights Service and by the same pardons all Issues from the Major c. And that no Writ of Ad quod dampnum to be procured Issued or prosecuted And also pardons all manner of Entries Intrusions and Ingresses of the Major Commonalty and Citizens That this grant shall not lessen any Proclamation concerning Buildings in the said City What Incroachments that have been made upon any of the Church Walls within the City of London shall be subject to such Reformation as He or his Privy Council shall appoint And also grants to the Major c. the Office of Garbling of Merchandizes and also grants them Garblers To hold the said Office together with all the Fees Profits and Emoluments belonging to the same without rendring any Account for the same And for such Goods and Spices that heretofore have not paid any Fee and hath not heretofore been Imported such Fees to be settled by the Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurer Lord Privy Seal Steward of the Houshold two of the Justices of the King's Bench or Common Bench for the time being or any four of them at least Except and reserving all such like Grants of the Garbling of Tobacco And grants to the said Mayor c. the Office of Gauging of Wines Oyles and other Merchandizes To have and to hold the said Office of Gauger with all and singular the Fees Profits and Emoluments without rendring any Account for the same And also grants to the said Major c. the great Standard and Common Ballance ordained to weigh between Merchant and Merchant and also the Office of Keeper of the great Ballance for the weighing of all Merchandize of Avoir du pois To have and to hold the said Office with the Fees Profits Wages Rewards and Emoluments thereunto belonging without rendring any Account for the same And also by the said Grant doth Erect and Create through the said City and Liberties thereof and in and through the Burrough of Southwark a certain Office called Outroper or Common-Cryer to and for the selling of Houshold-stuff c. that such Goods may be sold by Out-cry which said Office he grants to the Major c. to have and exercise the said Office by such Officer as shall be admitted by the Major and Commonalty for the time being they being assembled in Common Councel or the major part of them and that it shall and may be lawful to and for the Major Commonalty or their Deputy to demand and take for the Use of the Major and Commonalty the Wares and Fees expressed in a certain Schedule hereunto annexed And thereby charges and commands that no other Person do sell any Goods Chattels Houshold-stuff c. or other things in publick claim called Out-cry in the said City or Liberties of the same and Burrough of Southwark under pain of his Royal Displeasure And also grants to the Major c. and doth thereby declare the Relicts and Widows of Free-men using Manual Arts and Occupations as long as they shall continue Widows may be licensed to use and exercise the same Arts and Manual Occupations in the said City although they were not educated by the space of seven years as Apprentices notwithstanding the Statute of the 5th of Queen Elizabeth or any other Statute whatsoever And also that no Market be kept within seven Miles of the City And also grants to the Major and Commonalty the Major c. by the mouth of the Recorder to record their Customs and if at any time it shall happen that the Custom of the City lye pleaded in any of his Majesties Courts that then such Custom to be certified to the Court by the Mouth of the Recorder and no Jury or Enquiry thereon to be had and thereupon they may proceed to the Caption and Determination of the Plea And also grants to the Major c. Treasure found in the said City or Liberties of the same and also waived and strayed Goods and Chattels of all Felons and Fugitives for Felonies committed in the City or Liberties thereof And also grants that the Major of the City may name to the Chancellor of England two of the Aldermen of the City one to be Justice of the Peace in Middlesex and the other in Surry and shall be incerted with others in the Commission And in the said Charter recites that whereas several the Sons of Freemen of the said City and others who have served seven years Apprentiship doth refuse to take their Freedom but notwithstanding use the Trade of Merchandizing whereby they obtain great Estates and by not taking their Freedom free themselves from the Burthen of publick Office for such Persons who do so trade or are Sons of Freemen or served seven years as an Apprentice is prohibited to Merchandize before he hath taken his Freedom and is to bring a Testimonial from the Chamberlain or under Chamberlain that they are admitted into the Liberty of the said City And
Customs in Cheap Billingsgate Smithfield and also the Tonnage viz. the weighing of Lead Wax Pepper c. EDW. 4. Chart. 1. A Charter of Edward the 4th for Preservation of the Peace and Governing of the City that they may have and hold all their Liberties and Customs as whole and sound as ever they had And further Grants for him and his Heirs That the Major Recorder and such Aldermen as have been Majors shall be Justices of the Peace and keep or cause to be kept all Ordinances and Statutes made and to be made for the quiet Rule and Government of the People and for the good of the Peace by Land and Water within the Liberty of the said City and to chastize and punish according to the Form of the Statutes And also grants to the said Major and Citizens and their Successors and the Recorder of the said City and such Aldermen or four of the same the Major Recorder and Aldermen of whom such Major for the time being and his Successors to be one be Justices for ever To enquire hear and determine of all manner of Felonies Trespasses c. And also to hear and determine and execute all other things which shall pertain to other Justices of the Peace within the Realm Giving in command to the Sheriffs of the said City that they attend counsel answer and aid the Justices Major Recorder and their Successors as required for conserving the Peace Saving to the City their Customs c. And the King being willing rather to enlarge than diminish the Custom of the said City hath Granted to them and their Successors That when any Issue shall be taken in any Plea of or upon the Custom of the City between any Parties in pleading or if any thing touching the said Customs be moved before the Judges or Barons c. the same Major and Aldermen by word of Mouth and then there may be speedy Process by that Record and Declaration such Custom so alledged shall be allowed for a Custom And though the Major c. make not Use or abuse the Customs and Liberties no Forfeiture to be taken therefore As well Denizens as Aliens and all abiding within the City to be contributary to Taxes according to their Faculties as well as the Citizens Merchants of Almaine excepted Aldermen not to be put upon Assizes Attaints or Juries Nor Collectors or Taxers out of the City Southwark granted to the City of London and Waifs and Estraies Treasure c. Assize of Bread Execution and Return of Writs by the City Officers The King's Clerk of the Market nor the Sheriff of Surrey to intermeddle Also a Fair for three days To carry to Newgate Thieves taken in Southwark Grants them all Liberties he had or should have in Southwark the Right of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury excepted EDW. 4. Chart. 2. Tonnage and Weighing granted to the City Weighing of Wool to be at Leaden-Hall and no other place within three Miles EDW. 4. Chart. 3. Liberty to purchase 200 Marks per Annum in Mortmain upon consideration of remitting the King 1923. formerly lent Also Liberty to any to grant such Lands to the City in Mortmain without any other Writ ad quod damnum EDW. 4. Chart. 4. A Grant of the Office of Packing to the City of all Woollen Cloths and all other Merchandizes for and in consideration of remitting the King 7000 l. formerly lent This Charter was confirmed by Parliament in the Third year of the Reign of King Hen. 8. Also the Grant of the Office of Portage of the Goods and Merchandizes of all Denizens and Aliens Also the Grant of the Office of Garbling of all Spices and other Merchandizes coming to the City which ought to be Garbled And also the Office of Gauging and Wine-drawing for the carrying off of Wines brought to the Port of the City to be exercised by them and their Deputies And also the Grant of the Office of Coroner HENRY 7. Part of the Charter A Grant for the Merchandize of Foreigners bought and sold forfeited to the City Also a Confirmation to the City of the Customs of Foreign Goods bought and sold Yet Strangers may buy things in the Gross for their own Use but not to Sell again HENR 8. Chart. 1. A Charter of Henry the 8th Dated the 16th day of June in the 10th year of his Reign for all Inquisitions formerly taken in St. Martins to be taken at Guild-Hall or at any other place within the said City Except Inquisitions in Eyers to be taken at the Circuits of the Tower of London and for the Goal Delivery at Newgate HENR 8. Chart. 2. Another Charter to the City of the Office of Keeper of the Great Beam and common Ballance of Weight for weighing of all Merchandizes of A vou du pois and also all Weights whatsoever And also Tronage that is to say the weighing of Lead Wax Pepper Dome Madder and all other such Wares confirmed to the City formerly granted them by King Henry the 4th The keeping of the Weights and Beams to be and remain at the Will of the Commonalty of the City to be kept in the custody of good sufficient men expert in the same The Major Commonalty and Citizens ordained Keepers of the great Beam Ballance and Weights aforesaid And also to Make Name and Assign from time to time all and all manner of Clerks Porters Servants and Ministers of the great Beam and Ballance and of the Iron Beam and of the Beam of the Styll-yard and the Weights aforesaid and also to remove any Officer or Minister and to make constitute and place others in his or their Place as often as to them shall seem expedient The same to be to the Use of the Major and Commonalty of the City without any Accompt to be delivered made given or paid in this Behalf for the Premises or any of them EDW. 6. For the Consideration of 647 l. 2. s. 1 d. paid to the Treasurer of the Court of Augmentation by the Major and Commonalty of London hath granted to the said Major c. several Messuages Tenements Closes and Parcels of Ground in Southwark in Com' Surrey except the Capital House called Southwark Place and the Park and the Buildings and Ground called the Antelope there And further grants to them the Lordship and Manner of Southwark with the Appurtenances in Com' Surrey appertaining to the late dissolved Monastry of Bermondsey except before therein excepted And further grants to them the Manor and Burrough of Southwark in the said County parcel of the Possessions of the Arch-bishop and Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury and certain Rents thereout coming And further Grants all Woods Underwoods and Trees and the Soil and Ground of the same and the Reversion and yearly Profits thereof And also grants the Premises in as large manner as the Duke of Suffolk or any Abbot of Bermondsey or Archbishop of Canterbury did enjoy the same and as largely as it came to Edward the Sixth or Henry
discharge himself by Oath None to lodge within the Walls of the City by Force A Citizen to be Toll-free throughout England and to hold their Sokes and Customes and a Stranger to give Custome to none but to whom the Soke appertaineth He is not to be adjudged in Amerciaments of Money but of 100 l. meaning the Pleas which appertain to Money No Miskenning to be in the Courts of the City and the Hustings to sit every Munday Every Citizen shall enjoy his Goods according to the Law of the City Debts owing in London to be discharged in London or else the Citizen to whom the Debt is due may take their Goods The Citizens may Hunt in Chiltrey Surrey and Middlesex HENRY 2. That none of the Citizens plead without the Walls except in Foreign Tenures except Monyers To be acquit of Murther and not to wage Battail and to discharge themselves of the Pleas of the Crown None to lodge by Force To be free from Toll throughout England No Amerciament but according to the Law of the City To be no Miskenning The Hustings to be kept once a Week Right is to be done to the Citizens of their Lands and Debts To have their Hustings kept wheresoever they had the same formerly The Citizens are to be Toll-free Also for the Advancement of the said City they are to be free of Bristol And confirms to them their Customes to hold from him and his Heirs RICHARD 1. Chart. 1. None to plead without the Walls except Monyers To be acquit of Murther and none to wage Battail That they may discharge themselves of the Pleas belonging to the Crown None to take Lodgings by force To be free from Toll and Bestage throughout England and all Sea-Ports None to be adjudged of Amerciaments of Money but according to the Law of the City That there be no Miskenning in any Plea within the City The Hustings to be kept once a Week That Right be done according to the Custome of the City of all their Lands and Tenements and of their Debts If any in all England shall take Toll of the men of London after that he shall fail of Right and the Sheriff of London may take his Goods therefore at London To have their Hustings where they formerly had the same And confirms to them their Liberties and Free Customs as they had the same formerly To hold of him and his Heirs RICHARD 1. Chart. 2. That all Weares be removed in the Thames and that none be put any way within the Thames and Quit-claims the Keepers of the Tower of London who was wont to receive of the said Weares and they are not to exact any thing for the future And confirms the same JOHN Chart. 1. None to plead without the Walls his Monyers and Ministers excepted Grants an Acquittal of Murther within the City and in Portsoken and none shall wage Battail That they may discharge themselves of the Pleas of the Crown No man shall take any Lodgings by Force or delivery of the Marshal Citizens of London to be quit from Toll and Bestage throughout all his Lands on this side and beyond the Seas That none be judged for Amerciaments of Money but according to the Law of the City That there be no Miskenning in any Plea The Hustings to be kept once every Week Justly to have their Lands and Tenures and Premisses and all other their Debts whosoever owe them and that Right be holden according to the Custom of the said City of all their Debts due at London If any take Toll of the men of London after that he shall fail of Right may take Goods therefore at London That they may have their Huntings as formerly To be free of Bristol and Childwite and of Teresgite and Scotale so as the Sheriff nor any other Bailiff may make any Scotale And grants the Customs they had in the Reign of Henry the First To hold of him and his Heirs JOHN Chart. 2. Confirms to the Citizens of London the Sherifwick of London and Middlesex To hold to them and their Heirs of him and his Heirs paying 300 l. at Easter and Michaelmas saving to them their Liberties and Free Customs A Grant to the Citizens of London That they make Sheriffs whom they will and to present to the Justices of his Exchequer of those things to whom the same belongs whereof they ought to Answer and satisfie the Amerciament That the Sheriffs for the time being shall not be amerced above 20 l. for any Offence they shall commit but if they do any Offence that they ought to lose their Lives they shall be adjudged as they ought according to the Law of the City and the Sheriffs to answer to the Justices of the Exchequer Because the Sherifwick of the City of London was in Ancient Times farmed at 300 l. he Confirms the same To hold of him and his Heirs Forbids that none do any damage to the Citizens of London of those things which to the Sherifwick do or were accustomed to appertain the same shall be acquitted to the Citizens of London out of the Exchequer JOHN Chart. 3. The Weares in the Thames and Medway to be removed and none to be put in the Thames That no Keeper of the Tower Exact any thing for the Weares And Confirms the same JOHN Chart. 4. The Barons of London to choose a Major who is to be presented to him or his Justices and the said Major to swear to be faithful to him and at the end of the year to amove him and substitute another or the same to return to Us or our Justices And Confirms the Liberties of the said City Saving the Chamberlainship to the King JOHN Chart. 5. Confirms That the Guild of Weavers be no more in the City nor shall be at all maintained but because it was a Custom yearly for them to pay 18 Marks they shall pay the King 20 Marks at Michaelmas into the Exchequer HENR 3. Chart. 1. Confirms the Sherifwick of London and Middlesex they paying yearly 300 l. That the Citizens of London may make and amove Sheriffs when they will and to present them to his Justices and if the Sheriff do not Answer the Amerciaments the Citizens of London shall and if the Sheriffs commit any thing whereby they ought to be amerced they shall not be condemned to be amerced to any more than 20 l. If they do any Offence whereby to incur the loss of their Lives they shall be adjudged according to Law The Citizens to hold the said Sherifwicks at 300 l. per Annum That none presume to do any hurt to the said Sherifwick What the said King takes away to be allowed on Account of the Farm HENR 3. Chart. 2. That the Barons choose a Major who is to be presented to the said King or his Justices and at the end of the year to amove him and substitute another or to retain him still so as he be presented To enjoy their Liberties saving the Chamberlainship HENR 3.
Liberties as fully as all their Predecessors enjoyed them or ought to enjoy them That although the said Major and Commonalty have not used or abused their Liberties and Customs they may use the same for time to come without Lett or Hinderance To hold the same by the like Services Fee-Farm Rents and Sums of Money as the same were formerly held of the said King or of any of his Predecessors And thouugh the Search and Surveying of Oyl Hops Sope Salt Butter Cheese and other such like things brought to the Port of the same City of London to be sold and the Measuring of Corn of any kind Onyons Salt Sea-cole Fruit and Shell-fish measurable and used to be measured and brought to the City of London to be measured hath appertained to the Major and Commonalty of the said City and their Predecessors to be executed by the said Major according to the Statutes made concerning the same He doth Ratifie and Confirm the same Search Surveying and Measuring in and by all things as the said Major and Commonalty and Citizens or their Successors lawfully had or enjoyed the same before and to the said Major and Commonalty by the said Charter Grants That the said City and Liberties do extend through the Circuits of St. Trinity Parish near Aldgate or the Dukes-Place Great St. Bartholomews and Little St. Bartholomews near Smithfield Black-Friars White-Friars and the Liberty of Cold Harbourough That the Inhabitants be under the Government of the said City Provided the Inhabitants of Black and White-Friars be exempted from all Taxes c. except setting out Souldiers and cleansing of Lanes c. The Inhabitants to be quit from the Offices of Constable Scavenger c. within the City The Free-men of the City inhabiting in Black and White Friars are Eligible into all Offices as Major Sheriffs c. as other Free-men are Grants That all Persons who dwell within the City although not Free-men except the Inhabitants of Black and White-Friars be Taxed for the Houses in which they dwell according to the Custom of the City and the Officers levy the same except before excepted by Distress c. to the Use aforesaid Provided any such who are not Free-men are unjustly grieved the Chancellor to moderate such Taxes c. Grants That the Major Recorder and Aldermen who have been Majors be Justices of Oyer and Terminer the Major and Recorder to be of the Quorum with power to take Security for the Peace and to commit the Refusers That no other Justices of the Peace shall intermeddle That the Sheriffs shall be attendant to the aforesaid Justices Grants That the Major c. may enjoy all Treasure found within the Precincts before granted to the City And to have these Patents under Seal without Fine in the Hamper or other Fees c. Dated at Hampton-Court the 20th of September of his Reign over England c. the 5th and of Scotland the 42d. JAC. Chart. 3. Grants the Major c. to have the Measuring and Weighing of all Coals at the Port of London And to receive as a Fee 8 d. per Ton to the Use of the City The Merchant enjoyned not to unload his Coals till the Major have notice and shall give direction for the unlading and weighing or measuring thereof that the Major may be able to render a ready Account that so the Profits arising thereby may be paid to the Kings Officers The selling of Coals by Retail in Lighters prohibited No Coals to be sold in any other Vessel than such which first brought them into the said Port unless upon some Key Port or Wharf near the River of Thames Covenants the said City may enjoy the Premisses for ever If any Defect be in the said Charter or any Doubt or Scruple arise the City upon Request may have other Letters Patents Dated 25 Septemb. the 12th of England of Scotland the 48th CHARLES 1. Chart. 1. Grants to the Major and Commonalty of the City of London in consideration of their good Services All and singular the Letters Patents Charters and Confirmations of all and singular the Grants of his Predecessors except as hereafter is excepted And grants all and singular Lands Tenements Offices Jurisdictions Franches Quittals Immunities c. which the said Major c. or their Predecessors c. and Ratifies and Confirms the said former Charters And also grants to the said Major c. and their Successors that they be fully and wholly restored to all and singular their Authorities Jurisdictions Liberties c. in as ample manner and Form as they or their Predecessors had used or enjoyed the same heretofore And for the intent that no Ambiguity Controversie doubtful Construction or Question of or about the Premises from thenceforth might arise but be altogether taken away for the Considerations aforesaid Confirms the said Grant to the Major c. and their Successors To hold the same for the like Services Fees Fee-farm Rent Sums of Money and Demands by which or what the same were formerly held And recites that which Henr. 6. by his Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster the 26th of October in the 23d year of his Reign granted to the Citizens of the City c. That the said Citizens and their Successors for ever should have all Soiles Commons Purpressures and Improvements in all Wastes Commons Streets Ways and other places in the City and Suburbs and in the Water of Thames with the Profits of the same and that they may improve And whereas by an Act of Parliament made at Westminster in the 28th year of the said Henr. 6. it was Enacted That the said King should take resume and seize into his hands and possession all what he had granted to hold and retain the same in the like State he had them And that all Letters Patents granted by the said King should be void And recites that H. 7. by his Letters Patents bearing date the 23d of July in the 20th year of his Reign Confirms to the Major c. all former Grants And questions the Validity of both the Patents of H. 6. and H. 7. by reason of the Act of Parliament concerning the Resumption and by the same takes away the Doubt And grants to the said Major Commonalty and Citizens and their Successors the same things in the said Patents mentioned And grants to the Major c. That the Major and Recorder of the City for the time being and the Aldermen who have been Majors although they shall de dismissed of their Majoralty shall stand Aldermen and that the three Senior Aldermen be Justices of the Peace although they have not been Majors The Major Recorder and Aldermen to be Justices of the Peace within the City of London and Liberties thereof And also grants to the Mayor c. That the Major and Recorder and such Aldermen as aforesaid or four of them but the said Major or Recorder to be one may hold Sessions of the Peace to inquire after all manner of