Charter of Lord John Ch. 1. Jo. Sometimes King of England our progenitor in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Ministers and all his Majesties Faithful Subjects French and English greeting Know Ye that No Citizen to plead without the walls we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them shall plead without the walls of the City of London of no pleas saving the pleas of foreign tenures our Monyers and Ministers excepted also we have granted to them Acquittal of murther within the City and in Portsoken and none Not to wage Battel of them shall wage Battel and of the pleas belonging to the Crown they may discharge themselves according to the Antient custom of the City And that within the walls of the City nor Portsoken no man shall take any Lodging by force or delivery of the Marshal And also we have granted to them that all the Citizens of London shall be quit from Toll or Lestage and every Quit of Toll other Custom throughout all our Lands on this side and beyond the Seas And that none shall be adjudged for Amerciaments Citizens to be amerced by the City Law of money but according to the Law of the City which they had in the time of K. Henry Grandfather to Henry our Father And that there shall be no miskenning in any No Miskenning Hustings once a week Plea in the City And that the Hustings shall be kept once every week and they justly have their Lands and Tenures and Premises and all other their debts whosoever owe them And that right be holden to them of their Lands and Tenures City to have their lands and debts which be within the City according to the Custom of the said City and of all their debts which shall be lent at London And that Pleas of all promises there made be holden at London And if any in any of our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas shall take any Toll or any other Custom from the men of London after that he shall fail of right may take goods therefore at Londoâ— And we do grant unto them that they may have their Huntings wheresoever they had the same in the time of King Henry Grandfather to our Father Furthermore for the advancement of the said City we have granted unto them that they shall be free and quit of all Brid-Toll and Childwite and of Jeresgive and Scotale so as the Sheriff of London nor any other Bailiff may make any Scotale These aforesaid Customes we do grant and all other liberties and Grant of the Customs they had in the Reign of Henry 1. free Customes which they had in the time of K. Henry Grandfather of Henry our Father when as more freely and better they had the same wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid Hold of the King and his Heirs hereditarily and wholly of us our heirs Witness Hubert Archbishop of Canter our Chancellour VVill. of London E. of Ely G. of Glocester G. of VVinchester Bishops Godfrey Son of Peter Earl of Essex VVill. Marshal Earl of Pembrook Homel Earl of VVarren R. Earl of Clarence Earl Roger Lord Bigot VVill. Earl of Arundel VVill. D. Braos Roger Son of Roger Hugh Borg VVill. Bridg VVarren VVill. D. VVarren Stephen D. Truncham Simon de Paffiishil given by the hands of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury our Chancellor at Torham the 17. day of June in the first year of our Reign WE have seen other Charters of the aforesaid Jo. Ch. 2. Lord John our progenitor made in these words John by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou to his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers and to all his Bailiffs and loving Subjects Know Ye that we have granted and by this our present writing confirmed to our Citizens of London the Sheriffwick of London and Confirmation of the Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex for 300 l. per annum Middlesex with all the Customs and things to the sheriffwick belonging within the City and without by land and by water to have and to hold to them and their heirs of us and our heirs paying therefore 300 l. of blank sterling money at two termes in the year that is to say at the Easter Exchequer Paid at Easter and Michaelmas 150l and at Michaelmas Exchequer 150 l. saving to the Citizens of London all their liberties and free Customs And further we Power to make Sheriffs and to remove them have granted to the Citizens of London that they amongst themselves may make Sheriffs whom they will and may amove them when they will and those whom they make Sheriffs they shall present to our Sheriffs to be presentable and accomptable to the Exchequer Sheriffs non solvent the City to make it good Saving Liberties Justices of our Exchequer of these things which to the said Sheriffwick appertain whereof they ought to answer us and unless they shall sufficiently answer satisfy the Citizens may answer and satisfy us the Amerciaments and Farm saving to the said Citizens their liberties as is aforesaid and saving to the said Sheriffs the same liberties which other Citizens have so that they which shall be appointed Sheriffs for the time being shall commit any offence whereby they ought to incur any Amerciament of money they shall not be condemned for any more than to the Amerciament of 20l. and that without the damage of other Citizens if the Sheriffs be not sufficient fo the payment of their Amerciaments but if Sheriffs offending to be tryed by the Citizens they do any offence where they ought to incur the loss of their lives or members they shall be adjudged as they ought to be according to the Law of the Ciâ—â— and of these things which to the said Sheriffs belong the Sheriffs shall answer before our Sheriffs to answer in the Exchequer Inducement of this confirmation Justices at our Exchequer saving to the said Sheriffs the liberties which other Citizens of London have Also this grant and confirmation we have made to the Citizens of London for the amendment of the said City and because it was in antient 300 l. per annum the Antient form times farmed for 300 l. Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that the Citizens of London and their heirs may have and hold Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex at 300 l. per annum the Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex with all the said Sheriffwick belonging of us and our heirs to possess enjoy hereditarily freely and quietly honourably and wholly by fee-farm of 300 l. And we forbid that none presume to do any damage impediment or diminishment to the
Citizens None to harm them of what to the Sheriffwick belong What shall be given away appertaining to the Sheriffwick to be allowed on accompt in the Excheq of London of these things which to the said Sheriffwick do or were accustomed to appertain Also we will and command that if we or our heirs or any of our Justices shall give or grant to any person any of those things which to the form of the Sheriffwick appertain the same shall be accounted to the Citizens of London in the acquittal of the said Farm at our Exchequer Witness Edw. of Ely S. of Bath Bishops Will. Marshal Earl of Pembrook Ralph Earl of Chester Will. Earl of Arundel Robert Son of Walter Will. Son of Albin Given by the hands of H. Archbishop of Canter our Chancellour at the good Town upon Toke the 5th day of July in the first year of our Reign WE have seen one other Charter of the Joh. Ch. 3. aforesaid Lord John our progenitor made in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Castle-keepers Constables Bayliffs Ministers and all his Faithful Subjects greeting Know Ye all that we for our Souls health and for the Souls health of Hen. our Father and all our predecessors and also for the Common-weal of our City of London and of all our Realm have granted and stedfastly commanded that all the wares which are in the Thames or in Medway be amoved wheresoever they shall be within the Thames and Remove Wares in Thames and Medway Medway and that no wares from henceforth be put any where in the Thames or Medway upon forfeiture of ten pounds sterling also we have clearly quitclaimed all that which the Keepers of the Tower of London were wont yearly to receive of the said wares Wherefore we will and stedfastly Keeper of the Tower not to exact any thing for wares command that no keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter exact any thing from any body nor trouble or molest any person by reason of the said wares for it is sufficiently manifest to us and by the Right Reverend Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury and by other our Faithful Subjects it is sufficiently given us to understand that very great detriment and discommodity hath grown to our said City of London and also to our Realm by occasion of these wares which to the intent it may continue both firm and stable for ever we do fortifie the same by inscription of this present page and putting to our seal these being Witnesses VVilliam of Lona Ed. of Ely G. of VVinchester Bishops Jeffery Son of Peter Earl of Essex VVilliam Marshal Earl of Pembroke H. Earl of VVarren Earl Roger Pigott R. Earl of Clare Earl de Braos Robert Son of Roger Hugh Bord VVilliam Brewer Stephen Turnham VVilliam VVarren Simon of Pattishel given by the hands of Hubert Archbishop of Cant. our Chancellour at Shoreham the 17 day of June in the first year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter John Ch. 4. of the aforesaid Lord John made in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Duke of Normandy Aquitain and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers and to all his Keeper of Tower not to exact any thing for wares Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this our present writing confirm to our Barons of our City of London that they may choose to themselves every year a Mayor who to us may be faithful discreet and fit for Government of the City so as when he shall be chosen to be presented unto us or our Justice if we shall not be present and he Mayor to be presented to the K. or his Justice At the end of the year to amove the Mayor and chuse another or the same Confirmation of all the Liberties Saving the Chamberlainship to the King shall swear to be faithful to us and that it shall be lawful to them at the end of the year to amove him and substitute another if they will or the same to retain so as he be presented unto us or our justice if we shall not be present We have granted to the same our Barons and by this our present Charter confirmed that they well and in peace freely quietly and wholly have all their liberties which hitherto they they have used as well in the City of London as without and as well by water as by land and in all other places saving to us our Chamberlainship wherefore we will and streightly command that our aforesaid Barons of our aforesaid City of London may chuse unto themselves a Mayor of themselves in manner and form aforesaid and that they may have all the aforesaid liberties well and in peace whole and fully with all things to the same liberties appertaining as is aforesaid VVitness the Lords P. of VVinton VVilliam of VVorcester VVilliam of Ceventry Bishops VVilliam Brigword Peter Son of Herbert Godfrey d'Lucy and John Son of Hugh Given by the hands of Mr. Richard Harrister our Chancellor at the new Temple London the 19th day of May in the 16. year of our Reign Furthermore We have seen a certain other Job Char. 5. Charter of the abovesaid Lord John made in these words John by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs and to all his Bailiffs and Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we at the request of our Mayor and Citizens of London have granted and by this our present writing confirmed that the Guild of Weavers shall not from henceforth be in the City of London neither shall be at all maintained but because we have accustomed yearly to receive 18 marks in mony every year of the said Guild our said Citizens shall pay unto us and our heirs twenty marks in money for a gift at the feast of St. Michael at our Exchequer VVitness Hubert Archbishop of Cant. Earl of Ely VVilliam of Albemarlo Bishop Hugh of Gornar Robert of Harcourt Thomas Basset P. of Stoke R of Remars Given by the hands of Hub Archbishop of Cant. at the Gormer the twentieth day of March in the 3d year of our Reign WE have also seen a Charter of the Henry 3. Ch. 1. Lord Henry the Third sometimes King of England our progenitor made in these Terms Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou to his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers and to all his faithful subjects greeting KNOW ye that we have granted and by these presents do grant and confirm unto the Confirmation of the Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex Citizens of London the
Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex with all the Customs and things to the same Sheriffwick belonging within the City and without by Land and by water to have and to hold to them and to their heirs of Paying yearly 300 l. us and our heirs paying therefore yearly to us and our heirs three hundred pound of blank money sterling at two times of the year that is to say at the Easter Exchequer 150 l. and at Michaelmas Exchequer 150 l. saving to the Citizens of London all their Liberties and free Customs And further we have granted Liberty to chuse and remove the Sheriffs of Lond. and Middlesex to the Citizens of London that they among themselves may make Sheriff whom they will and may amove them when they will And those whom they make Sheriffs they shall present to our To present them at the Exchequer Justices who may answer to us and our Justices in our Exchequer of those things which to the Sheriffwick appertain whereof they ought to answer us and unless they shall well answer and satisfie us the Citizens of London shall answer and satisfie the Amerciaments and the farm If the Sheriffs do not answer the Citizens must Saving to the same Citizens their liberties as is aforesaid and saving to the Sheriffs the same liberties which other Citizens have so that if they which shall be appointed Sheriffs for the time being commit any thing whereby they ought to incur any Amerciament in mony they shall not be condemned for any more then to the Amerciament of 20 l. and this without damage of other The Amerciament of Sheriffs not to exceed 20 l. Citizens if the Sheriffs be not sufficient for the payment of their Amerciaments but if they do any offence whereby they ought to incur the loss of their lives or members they shall be judged as they ought to be adjudged according to the law Sheriffs offending to be tryed by the City Law of the City but of these things which to the Sheriffwick belong the Sheriff shall answer before the Justices of the Exchequer Saving to the Sheriffs the liberties which other Citizens have Also the grant and confirmation we have made to our Citizens of London for the amendment of the said City and because it was antiently to be at the farm of 300 l. therefore we will and streightly command that the Citizens of London and Citizens to hold the Sheriffwick of Lond. and Middlesex their heirs aforesaid may have and hold the Sheriffwicks of London and Middlesex with all that to the said Sheriffwicks belongeth of us and our heirs and hereditarily freely and quietly honourably and wholly by the farm of 300 l. per annum At 300 l. per annum as the Charters of Lord John our Father famous King of England which we have seen doth witness and forbid that no person do presume to do any hurt impediment or diminution to our said Citizens of things which to the said Sheriffwick belong or were accustomed to appertain Also we do will and command that if we or our heirs or any of our What the King takes away to be allowed on accompt of the Farm Justices shall give or grant to any person any thing which to the farm of the said Sheriffwick appertain the same shall be accounted to the Citizens of London in the acquittal of the said farm in the Exchequer yearly as the Charter of King John our Father which they have concerning the same doth reasonably testify Witness Lord Eustace of London P. of Winchester Joslin of Bath Robert of Salisbury Bishops Herbert of Burgh Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester and Hertford Richard Son of Nicholas Richard of Argentine our Steward Given by the hands of the Reverend Ralph Bishop of Chichester the 18 day of February in the 11 year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Henry 3. Char. 2. Charter of the same Lord Henry made in these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archibishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Bailiffs and his Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this present Charter confirmed to our Barons in our City of London that they may chuse to themselves a Mayor of themselves every year who To chuse a Mayor yearly may be to us faithful discreet and fit for the Government of the City so as when he is chosen he may be presented To present him to the King or his Justices unto us or our Justices if we be not present and shall swear to be faithful to us And that it shall be lawful for them in the end of the year to amove To amove the Mayor and chuse another him and to substitute or if they will to retain him still so as alwayes that he be presented to us or to our Justices if we be not present Also we have granted to the said Barons and by this present Charter confirmed that they may have well and in peace freely quietly and wholly all their liberties To enjoy their Liberties which hitherto they used as well in the City of London as without and as well on the Water as on the Land and in all other places Saving to us our Chamberlainship wherefore we will and Saving the Chamberlainship streightly command that our Barons of our said City of London may chuse to themselves a Mayor of themselves every year in manner aforesaid and that they have all their liberties well and in peace wholly and fully with all that to the said liberties belongeth as the Charter of the excellent Lord John King of England which we have seen doth reasonably testify Witness the Lord Eustace of London P. of Winton Jo. of Bath Robert of Salisbury Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert de Clare of Glocester and Hereford Ralph Son of Nicholas R. of Argentine our Steward Given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester the 18th day of Feb. in the 11th year of our Reign WE have seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 3. of the said Lord Henry our progenitor made in these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Aquitain Earl of Anjou To the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Castle-keepers Constables Bailiffs Ministers and all his Faithful Subjects greeting Ye shall know that we for our souls health and for the souls health of King John our Father and for the souls health of all our Ancestors and also for the Commonweal of our Remove Wares out of Thames and Medway City of London and of all our Realm have granted and strictly commanded that all the wares which are in the Thames or in Medway shall be amoved and that no wares from henceforth be
other Pleas whatsoever one writ shall suffice in all Pleas for every Kings time And that no summons Attachments or Executions be made by any the Officers whatsoever of us or our heirs by writ or without writ within the liberty of the said City but only by Ministers of the said City And that the Sheriffs of the same City which shall be towards the aid of the fame of that City may lawfully have the forfeitures of victuals and other things and Merchandizes according to the tenor of the Charter thereof made to the said Citizens and shall not be debarred thereof hereafter contrary to the tenor of the same Charters And that the same Citizens in the Circuits of the Justices from henceforth sitting at the Tower of London shall be guided by the same Laws and Customs whereby they were guided in the Circuits holden in the time of Lord John and Henry sometimes Kings of England and other our progenitors and if any thing in the last circuit was done or attempted contrary to their liberties and free Customs we will not they be prejudicial unto them but that they may be guided as of old time they were We have also granted for us and our heirs that the same Citizens from Citizens to be taxed in Subsidies as other Commoners and not as Citizens henceforth in and toward subsidies grants and contributions whatsoever to be made to the use of us or our heirs shall be taxed and contributory with the commonalty of our Realm as common persons and not as men of the City And that they be quit of all other Tallages and that the liberty of the said City shall not be taken into the hands of us or our heirs for any personal Trespass or judgment of any Minister of the said City Neither shall a keeper in the said City for that occasion be deputed but the same Minister shall be punished according to the quality of his offence And that no purveyor and taker Officer and other Minister of us or our heirs or of any other shall make any prices in the said No Purveyor of the Kings to make any price in Lond. without the consent of the party No prices of wines of Citizens City or without of the goods of the Citizens of the same City contrary to their will and pleasure unless immediately they make due payment for the same or else may have respit thereof with the good will of the seller And that no price be made of the wines of those Citizens by any the Citizens of us or our heirs or otherwise against their wills that is to say of one Tun before the Mast and another behind it nor by any other means but shall be quit thereof for ever Furthermore we forbid No Purveyor to be a Merchant of the same goods whereof he is Purveyer that any officer of us or our heirs shall Merchandize by himself or others within the said or without of any thing touching their Offices Also we grant that the Lands and Tenements lying without of the said Citizens which have been or hereafter shall be Ministers of the said City be bound to keep the said City harmless against us and our heirs of those things which concern their Offices as their tenements be within the said City and that no Market from henceforth shall be granted by us or our heirs to any within 7 miles in Circuit No Market within seven miles of London of the said City And that all inquisitions from henceforth to be taken by our Justices St. Martins Le grand or Ministers of the said City shall be taken in Saint Martins in London and not elsewhere Except the Inquisitions to be taken in the Circuits at the Tower of London and for the Goal-delivery at Newgate And that none of the freemen of the said City shall be impleaded or troubled at our Exchequer or elsewhere by bill except it be by those things which touch us or our heirs Wherefore we will and streightly No Citizen to be impleaded in the Exchequer unless it concern the King command for us and our heirs that the said Citizens their heirs and successors have all their liberties and free Customs and the same may use and enjoy for ever in form aforesaid These being witness W. Archbishop of Cant. J. Bishop of Ely our Chancellor and others Given at Westminster the 6th day of March in the 1st year of our Reign WE have seen also certain other Letters Edw. 3. Char. 2. Patents of Lord Edward the 3d. King of England made in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas our well beloved the Citizens of the City of London by their Petition exhibited before us and our Councel in our present Parliament at Westminster assembled have given us to understand that Felons Thieves and other Malefactors and disturbers of the peace who in the said and elsewhere have committed man-slaughters Robberies and divers other Felonies privily departing from the said City after those Felonies committed into the village of Southwark where they cannot be Attached by the Ministers of the said City and there are openly received and so for default of due punishment are more bold to commit such Felonies and they have beseeched us that for the confirmation of our peace within the said City bridling the naughtiness of the said Malefactors we would grant unto them the said village to have to them their heirs and successors for ever for the farm and rent therefore yearly due to us to be yearly paid at our Exchequer We having consideration to the Premises with the assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and Commonalty being in our present Parliament Southwark granted to the Citizens in Parliament aforesaid have granted for us and our heirs to the said Citizens the said village of Southwark with the appurtenances to have and to hold to them and their heirs and successors Citizens of the said City of us and our heirs for ever to pay to us by the year at the Exchequer of us and our heirs at the accustomed times the farms therefore due and accustomed In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness my self at Westminster the 6th day of March in the first year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter of the same Lord Edward the 3d. in these words Edward by the Grace of Edw 3. Char. 3. God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye whereas in our Parliament at York holden the morrow after the ascensioâ— of our Lord in the ninth year of our York Statute recited Reign It was ordained and enacted that all Merchant Strangers and English born and every of them of what estate or condition soever who would buy or
Hustings shall be kept once a week and they justly have their lands and tenures and premises and all their debts whosoever do owe them that right be done them according to the Custom of of the City of all their lands and tenures which be in the City and of all their debts which were lent at London and of premises there made Pleas to be holden in London Also I do grant to them that they may have Hunting their Huntings wheresoever they had the same in the time of K. Henry my Grandfather And if any in all England shall take any Citizens Toll-free Custom or Toll of or from the men of London after he shall fail of right the Sheriff of London may take goods thereof at London Furthermore also for the advancement of Citizens free of Bridtoll Childwit Jeresgive and Scotal Confirmation of all Customs the said City I have granted to them that they shall be free and quit of Bridtol Child wite and Jeresgive Scotale so as the Sheriff of London or any other Bayliff may take no Scotale These aforesaid Customs I do grant unto them and all their Liberties and free Customs which they had in the time of K. Hen. my Grandfather whensoever they had To hold of the K. and his heirs them more better and free wherefore I will and stedfastly command that they and their Heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid by inheritance of me and my heirs witness the Archbishop of Canterbury Rob. Bishop of Lond. Ph. Bishop of Bath Edward Bishop of Lexon Th. Chancellour Rich. of Newberry R. of Warron Rich. of St. Wal Wash Mamot Rich. of Lucy Conar Son of Garold Mannell Bissett Loc Baillolio at Westm WE have also seen the Charter of Lord Rich. 1. Ch. 1. Rich. the first sometimes K. of England D. of Normandy and Earl of Anjou to his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Ministers and all others his faithful French and English people greet KNOW Citizens not to plead without the walls except foreign Tenures ye that we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them may plead without the walls of the City of London for any Pleas saving Pleas of foreign tenures except Monyers our Monyers and Ministers Also we have granted to them Acquittal of Murther Acquit of Murther within the City and in Portsoken and that none of them may wage Battel and that they may discharge themselves of the Pleas belonging to the Crown according to the Antient Custom of the City and that none may take any Lodgings within the None take Lodgings by force walls of the City by force or by delivery of the Marshal This also we have granted unto them that all the Citizens of London be free from Toll and Lestage throughout all England and the Sea-ports that none be adjudged of Amerciaments Amerced according to the Law of the City of money but according to the Law of the City which they had in the time of K. Henry Grandfather to Henry our Father and that there be no miskenning in any Plea No Miskenning Hustings once a week within the City and that the Hustings be kept only once a week and they justly have all their Lands and Tenures and Premises and all other their debts whosoever do owe Right to be done the City them to them And that right be done to them according to the Custom of the City of all their Lands and Tenures which they have within the City and of all their debts which shall be lent at London and of promises there made the Pleas shall be holden at London and if any in all England shall take Toll or Custom of the men of London after that he shall fail of right the Sheriff of London may take goods therefore at London Also we have granted unto them that they may have their Huntings wheresoever they had the same in the time of King Henry Grandfather to Henry our Father Furthermore Also for the Advancement of the City we have granted to them that they all be acquit of all Brid-Toll Childwite and Jeresgive and Scotale so that no Sheriff of London or any other Bailiff shall make any Scotale The said Customes we do grant to them and all other liberties and free Customes which they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather unto Henry our Father when as they more better and freely had the same Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs have and hold all their things aforesaid of us and our heires Witness Hub. Archbishop of Cant. R. Bishop of Lincoln Ralph Earl of Chester R. Earl of Clarence William Marshal Roger Bigott Jeophery Son of Peter Hugh Bardolph William Brewer William Warren Given by the hand of William Bishop of Ely our Chancellor at Winchester 23 Apr. 5th Year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter Rich. 1. Ch. 2. of the said Lord Rich. By the Grace of God K. of Engl. Duke of Normandy and Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Stewards Castle-keepers Justices Constables Bailiffs Ministers and all his Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye all that we for the health of our soul and for the souls health of K. Henry our Father and all our Ancestors souls and also for the common weal of our City of London and of all our Realm Have granted and stedfastly commanded that all wares that are in the Thames be moved wheresoever they shall be within the Thames And that no wares be put any way within the Thames Also we have clearly quit claimed all that which the To remove all Wares in the Thames Keepers of our Tower of London was wont yearly to receive of the said wares Wherfore we will and stedfastly command that no Keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter shall exact any thing of any one neither molest or burthen or any demand make of any person by reason of the said wares for it is manifest to us and by our Right Reverend Father Hubert Archbishop of Canter and other our Faithful Subjects it is sufficiently given us to understand that great detriment and discommodity hath grown to our said City of London and also to the whole Realm by occasion of the said wares which thing to the intent it may continue for ever firm and stable we do fortifie by the Inscription of this present page and the putting to our Seal These being witnesses John of Worcester Hugh of Coventry Bishops John Earl of Morton Ralph Barl of Chester Robert Earl of Leicester VVill. Earl of Arundel VVill. of St. Maries Church Peter Son of Hereb Matthew his Brother Simon of Ryma Scherio de quincero Given by the hand of Mr. Eustace Dean of Salisbury Vicechancellor then Agent at the Isle of Audlyer the fourteenth day of July in the eighth year of our Reign WE have also seen the
put any where in the Thames or Medway upon forfeiture of ten pounds sterling We have also quit-claimed all that which the Keepers of our Tower Keepers of the Tower not to exact any thing for Wares of London was wont yearly to receive of the aforesaid wares wherefore we will and stedfastly command that no Keeper of the said Tower at any time hereafter exact any thing from any or bring any demand burthen or trouble to any person by reason of the aforesaid wares for it fully appears to us and it is sufficiently given us to understand by the Right Reverend Father Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury and by others our Faithful Subjects that very Wares in Thames hurt the City Realm great hurt and discomodity hath grown to the aforesaid City and also to our said whole Realm by occasion of the aforesaid wares which thing that it may continue firm and stable for ever we have fortified the same by the inscription of the page and putting to our seal as that Charter of the Lord King John our Father which the Barons of London have from thence doth reasonably testify Witness the Lord Eustace of London Peter of Winton Joslin of Bath R. of Salisbury Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent and our Justice Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glecester and Hereford John Son of Nicholas R. D. Argentine our Steward given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Westminster the 18th day of February in the 11th year of our Reign We have also seen a certain other Charter Henry 3. Char. 4. of the abovesaid Lord Henry made in these words Hen. by the Grace of God K. of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To all Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons Justices Ministers and all our Faithful Subjects French and English greeting Know ye that we have granted to our Citizens of London that none of them No Citizen to plead without the Walls Except Monyers Acquittal of Murther Not to wage Battel shall plead without the walls of the City of London saving the Pleas of foreign tenures our monyers and Ministers excepted And we have granted to them acquittal of all murther within the City and Portsoken and that none of them shall wage Battel and that they may discharge themselves of the Pleas belonging to the Crown according to the antient custom of the City and that within the walls of the City and Portsoken no man may take any lodging No lodging to be taken by force by force or by delivery of the Marshal This also we have granted to them that all the Citizens of London be quit of Toll and Quit of Toll throughout England Lestage and of all other Customs throughout all our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas And that none be condemned of To be amerced according to the Law of the City No Miskenning any Amerciaments of money but according to the Law of the City which they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather And that no miskenning be in any pleading in the City and that the Hustings be kept once only a week And that they may justly Hustings once a week have all their Lands and Promises and debts whosoever owe them to them and that right be holden to them of all their Lands and Tenures which be in the City according to the Custom of the City And that Pleas be there holden of all debts which be lent at London and of all promises Pleas of debt lent in London there made And if any shall take any Toll or any other Custom of our men of London in any our Lands on this side or beyond the Seas or in the Ports of the Seas on this side or beyond the Seas after that he shall fail of right the Sheriffs of London may take goods for the same Also we do grant for Hunting free them that they may have Hunting wheresoever they had in the time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather Furthermore also for the amendment of the said City we have granted to them Quit of Bridtoll c. that they be all quit from Bridtoll Childwite Jeresgive and of all Scotale so that our Sheriff of London or any other Bailiff shall not make any Scotale These Customs aforesaid we do grant to them and all other liberties and free Customs which they had in time of King Henry Grandfather to King Henry our Grandfather when as they had the same better and more freely as the Charter of the Lord John our Father which they have of the same Hold their Liberties of the King his Heirs doth reasonably testify Wherefore we will and stedfastly command that they and their heirs may have and hold all these things aforesaid hereditarily of us and our heirs these being witness the Lord Eustace of London Joslin of Bath Rich. of Salisbury Peter of Winton Bishops Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent our Justice Gilbert of Clare Earl of Glocester and Hereford Ralph Son of Nicholas and Richard Argentine our Steward Henry de Capel and others Given by the hands of the Reverend Father Ralph Bishop of Chichester our Chancellor at Westminster the 16th day of March in the 11th year of our Reign WE have also seen a certain other Charter of the aforesaid Lord Henry made in Henry 3. Char. 5. these words Henry by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy and Aquitain Earl of Anjou To his Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priâ—rs Earls Barons Justices Sheriffs Rulers Ministers Forresters and all Bailiffs and Faithful Subjects greeting Know ye that we have granted and by this present Charter confirmed for us and our heirs unto our Archbishops Bishops Priors Earls Barons Knights Freeholders and to all of Stayns Warren diswarrened and disforrested the County of Middlesex that all the warren of Stayns with the appurtenances be unwarrenned and disforrested for ever so that all they aforesaid and their heirs or successors may have all liberties and benefit of warren and forrest in the aforesaid warren wherein they may till or plough all their lands and cut all their woods and dispose the same at their will without the view or contradiction of his warreners or Forresters and all their Ministers and within the which no warrener or Forrester or Justice of our Forrest shall or may any thing meddle with their lands or woods neither with their herbage or hunting or Corn neither by any summons or distress shall cause them their heirs or successors to come before our Justices of the Forrest or warreners by occasion of the Lands and Tenements situate in those parts where the said warren was wont to be but that they and their heirs and successours and their Lands and Tenements contained in the parts be quit and free of all exactions occasions demands and
Frankpledg together with all Summons Attachments Arrests Issues Amerciaments Fines Redemptions Profits Commodities and other things whatsoever which there may or ought therefore pertain to us our heirs or successors And furthermore the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors may by themselves or by their Minister or deputy in the said Town appointed take and arrest all manner To carry to Newgate Thieves taken in Southwark of Felons Thieves and other Malefactors found within the said Town and may lead them to our goal of Newgate safely to be kept until they shall be by process of Law delivered And further the said Mayor A Grant of what Liberties the King had or should have in Southwark and Commonalty and Citizens their successors may for ever have in the Town aforesaid all manner of liberties Priviledges Franchises Acquittals Customs and Rights which we should or might there have if the said Town were and remain'd in our hands without any thing to be by any means given or paid to us or our heirs beside only ten pounds for the antient farm therefore due and without Impeachment Let molestation or disturbance of us or our heirs or successors Justices Escheators Sheriffs Officers or Ministers of ours or of our heirs or successors whatsoever The The right of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury excepted rights liberties and Franchises of right belonging to the most Reverend Father and Lord in Christ Lord Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury and of other persons there always saved although express mention be not here made of the true yearly value of the premises or of any other gifts or grants to the Mayor or Aldermen Sheriffs and Citizens or to their Successors or any of them made according to the form of the statute there of had made and provided or any other statute Ordinance Act thing cause or matter whatsoever not withstanding These being witness The Reverend Father Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury William Archbishop of York George of Exon Chancellor and William Bishop of Ely and our dear Brother George of Clarence and Richard of Glocester Dukes and others Given by our hand at Westminster the 9th day of November in the 2d year of our Reign WE have also seen certain other Letters Edw. 4. Char. 2. Patents of the same Lord Edward laâ—e King of England the 4th made in these words Edward by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that for certain and notable causes us specially moving of our special grace and certain knowledg we have granted to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of our said City Tonnage granted to the City of London That the Tonnage and weigning and measuring laying up placing and housing of whatsoever woolls by whomsoever from whatsoever parts brought or to be be brought to the City aforesaid or which have before time been accustomed to be Weighing pf Woolls to be at Leaden-Hall and in no other place within 3 miles brought to the staple of Westminster shall from hence be and be made in the place called Leaden-Hall within our City aforesaid and in no other place within three miles of the said City To have the laying up placing and housing aforesaid together with all sees profits and emoluments to the same laying up placing and housing or any of them due used or accustomed to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the same City and their successors for ever without any account to be made or any other thing therefoe to us to be paid although express mention be not in these presents made of the clear yearly value or certainty of the premises or of any other gifts or grants by us or our progenitors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens and their successors by any means made or any other statute Act ordinance or any other thing whatsoever made to the contrary notwithstanding In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our self at Westminster the 27th day of August in the third year of our Reign Edw. Char. 3. Moreover we have seen certain other Letters Patents of the aforesaid Lord Edward late King of England the 4th made in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting Know ye that whereas the sum of twelve thousand nine hundred twenty three pounds nine shillings eight pence is by us amongst other things due to our beloved and Faithful Subjects the Mayor Commonalty Citizens of our City of London as in the receipt of our Exchequer more plainly appeareth of which sum the said Mayor Commonalty are willing to remit and release unto us 1923 l. 9 s. and 8. p. To the intent we should vouchsafe to grant them license that they and their successors might purchase Lands Rents and Services and other possessions whatsoever to the value of 200 marks by the year over all charges and reprizes although they should be holden of us of others by any manner of service of whatsoever person or persons willing to give bequeath or assign the same to them to have and to hold to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors aforesaid for ever in form following We inwardly pondering not only the premises but also the manifold pleasures to us by the Mayor and Commonalty of the said City before this time acceptably done and willing as we are bound before all other things wholly to pay and recompence our debts have of our special grace and for that the Licence to purchase 200 Marks per annum in Mortmaine Licence to any to grant to the City 200 Marks per annum in Mortmaine said Mayor and Commonalty for them and their successors have remitted and altogether released unto us the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 d. granted and given licence and by these presents do grant and give licence for us and our heirs as much as in us is to the said Mayor and Commonalty that they and their successors may purchase Lands Revenues Rents Services and other possessions whatsoever to the value of 200 marks by the year over all charges and reprizes of any person or persons willing to give grant bequeath or assign the same unto them although they be holden of us or others by any manner of service in full satisfaction and contentation of the said sum of 1923 l. 9 s. 8 p. to them by us due without any fine or fee to be paid to the use of us or our heirs to have and to hold to the same Mayor and Commonalty and their successors for ever and we have by tenor of these presents given special licence to the same person and persons that he or she may give grant bequeath or assign Lands Tenements Rents Possessions and services to the yearly value aforesaid over and