/A BOUGHT WITH THE iKCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Itenrs M. Sage 1891 A.^3^^g^. 3^.W!-l- 930* 'K. Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028093304 THE CJartnrsi AND ILttttv^ ^attnt. GRANTED BV THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF ENGLAND TO THE TOWN AND CITY OP NEWLY TRANSLATED, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE ORIGINAL LATIN, BY THE REV. SAMUEL SEYER, M. A. A Burgess of that- Corporation. BRISTOL: PRINTED FOH JOHN MATHEW GUTCH, BRISTOL, AND ROBKRT BALDWIN, PATERNOSTER-ROW, AND JOHN MURRAY, FLEET-STREET, LONDON; By Evam Sf Grabham, Bristol. 1812. TO HIS GRACE HENRY CHARLES Mvkt of 3Beaufo^t» MARQUIS AND EARL OF WORCESTER, EARL OF GLAMORGAN, BARON HERBERT OF RAGLAND, CHEPSTOW AND GOWER, BARON BEAUFORT AND BARON BOTTETOURT, KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, CON- STABLE DF THE CASTLE OF ST. BRIAVEL, LORD WARDEN OF THE FOREST OF DEAN, AND LORD LIEUTENANT OF THE COUNTIES OF GLOUCESTER, BRISTOL, MONMOUTH AND BRECON. Mai/ it please your Grace ; The high office and authority which your Ancestors have held in this city, and rvhich your Grace now holds, together with that attention which your family has always shewn 4 to it's interests, induced me to request that this collection of ifs Royal Charters may appear to the world under your Grace's patronage. Your compliance rvith this request assures me, that the rvork rvill find a favourable reception. That your Grace and your illustrious house may ever continue to be, what it has hitherto been, the support of Constitutional Loyalty, the defence of Church and State in this and the adjoining counties, and may ever enjoy those dignities, which it has so nobly acquired, is the sincere wish of Your Grace's Most obedient and most humble Servant, The editor. ^vtUtt. X HE city of BRISTOL being one of the most ancient boroughs in the kingdom, and being possessed of many privileges and ample jurisdictions, the Royal Charters, from whence these privileges and jurisdictions had their rise, or by which they were recognized, are not only historically interesting but are also of great actual importance to it's inhabitants. It is true that many of the more ancient grants contained in them are become obsolete, overwhelmed by the current of national improvement; but the greater part still remains in force, forming the foundation of the present municipal con- stitution of our city ; and they necessarily present themselves to the observation of all it's inhabitants, particularly of those who are concerned in the admi- nistration or the execution of it's government, Beside the local interest which is attached to these Charters, a col- lection of progressive records, such as the present, cannot but be useful to historical antiquaries in general. In tracing the history of the English nation, he who confines his reading to the common compilations will still be very deficient in this important study: cotemporary writings of all kinds must be resorted to; old chronicles must be perused, and above all, laws and records; one day thus spent will give more insight into the manners, the character and opinions, as well as the transactions of a distant age, than thrice the time employed in reading the best History of England. The present collec- tion exhibits the interesting view of a town gradually emerging from vassalage to freedom, from barbarism to civil order; bending under the violence of the military chiefs who surrounded it, but at the same time establishing a sort of republican independence in the midst of them. Nor was the benefit of this conduct confined to thenaselves: liberty and civilization originated in towns; VI 33|eface» from them the commons of the whole nation learned the cautious practice of encroaching by imperceptible degrees on military power, until at length the most important of the privileges of boroughs became the general rights of the whole people. The series of Charters here presented to the Public was written ori- ginally in Latin, in which they are now published for the first time. This language was used in the laws and public instruments of most European nations long after it ceased to be spoken; one reason for which, in addition to those usually given, was because the Popes in many cases claimed an ap- pellate jurisdiction, and for the use of churchmen Latin was necessary. And when afterwards the Norman 'French began to be used in England, it was only on such occasions as were not particularly interesting to the Clergy; and this distinction may be observed in all the statutes after the introduction of the Norman language. It has been usual with classical men to find much fault with the Latin used by our lawyers. This blame is without sufficient reason: the language used in the following Charters, in the Foedera published by Ryraer, in our monkish chronicles and in other books of the same kind, is as much a dialect of the Latin, as the Hellenistic is of the Greek. In particular the use of new words admits of a very plain defence. When new combinations of ideas arise, as in different nations and different ages they necessarily do, new words must be invented; for no people will long use several words to express one idea, when they can invent a single word for the purpose. Thus the yforA?, foresta, parliamenium, baro, ducissa, feodum, comitatus and the like, infringe not the propriety of the language, because they were of unavoidable use in forming that dialect in which these writings were composed. Reasonable bounds must be set to innovation; but this is not a place for enlarging on the subject. It may be questioned whether an apology equally good can be made for another part of the language of these and such like legal writings. Their (I) As to the statutes and proceedinga of the courts of Justice in England being in French) there is much curious matter in the old books. terbosity is tedious and unnecessary: the perpetual recurrence of the words aforesaid, of us and our heirs, and the like, the affectation of minute and scru- pulous caution in such expressions as ani/ and all and singular and whatever, long enumerations of particulars and additions of syno.nymous words, are in- consistent with elegance and even with perspicuity: and to prove that they are unnecessary, if common sense be not sufficient, appeal may be made to these writings themselves ; for in numerous passages such repetitions are not used, where nevertheless there is as much occasion for them as in any other place. It is to be lamented that the legal instruments even of our own age still retain this inelegant and obscure mode of writing, derived from times of comparative barbarity. The abbreviated manner of writing these Latin instruments, which was customary in some periods of our history, is another source of obscurity much to be lamented. The termination of almost every word is cut off, as may be seen in No. 36 of this collection, so that the distinction of cases, tenses and numbers is lost, unknown probably to the writer himself: much time has consequently been thrown away in determining the true reading; and even still the signification of some few passages is left uncertain. This is exceed- ingly to be lamented, because the Latin language, by reason of the precision of it's terminations, is particularly suited to the accuracy necessary in legal writings, which advantage by this barbarous custom is wholly lost. "With regard to another part of orthography, law-writers have been extremely cau- tious: unwilling to trust the meaning of legal instruments to the hazard of being corrupted by the insertion or alteration of points, they have wisely agreed to omit punctuation altogether; it is therefore surprising that they who were so laudably scrupulous in this respect, should be so inaccurate in the other. Had I nevertheless possessed a perfect transcript of the original Charters, I should not have thought myself at liberty to deviate from itj but from the copy which I had it was safer to write the words at length and to follow the common orthography; and the greater part of my readers will probably be better pleased to have it so. Vlll S^^efare. The EngKsh translation is wholly new: that of 1736 (the only one ever printed) is executed so very ill, that it scarcely deserves serious mention : it is false and unintelligible in numberless places, and frequently passes over difficult words and passages unnoticed. In pp' 79, 105, 128-9j may be found two or three examples, among a hundred, of unintelligible language; some few ridiculous errors are mentioned in the following notes ; and the book abounds with such defects as these in almost every page; and lastly, the dates in the margin are so frequently wrong, that not the least dependence can be placed on them. It has been attributed to two or three persons; but which ^of them was the real translator, I know not. Beside the printed, I have had the use of a MS translation dated 1734., written generally in the same words as the printed, but in many places differing from it, sometimes for the better and sometimes not so. Bad as these translations are, they have not been altogether useless, in forming the present edition; for they have sometimes contributed to furnish a various reading, or to ascertain the true : every assistance was ac- ceptable, for the purpose of forming a correct text of the original Latin. The forming such a text was the most essential part and has been the principal labour of this work. The Bodleian MS [Rawlinson 247] of which I procured a copy, is the foundation of it: but this is merely a transcript . of k' Charles the Second's charter of confirmation. No. 33 of the present collec- tion, in vyhich all the rest are repeated by inspeximus ; and beside its own errors, many errors must have arisen even in the 3 Original; for it is evident that each succeeding charter of confirmation merely copied the preceding, with- out having recourse to the ,first Original: any error therefore which an early copyist made was conveyed to all future charters; and if it be considered that the earlier of them must have been copied ten or twelve times before they appeared in k' Charles the second's charter of confirmation, it will be evident (2) I have been iuformed that the translation was made by order uf the common-council, and that the author's name appears in an entry in the books of the Council-house at that time. (3) The real Original of Charles the Second's Charter of Confirmation, wag accidentally lost about 30 or 40 years ago : that which is now in the Council-house is an exenqplification of the copy in the Chapel of the Rolls, passed under the great seal. ^t^m. IX that the forming an accurate text from such materials has been a work of some difficulty. This difficulty would have been reduced to nothing, if I could have procured access to the Originals in the Council-House. At an early period of this undertaking application was made for this purpose, but the event disappointed my expectation: the following papers will not only serve as a narrative what passed, but will also give a further, account of the object of the present publication. - " To the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council of the city of Bristol, the Memorial " of the Rev, S. S. a free Burgess of the said city " Sheweth, " That your Memorialist has with great pains and some " expence procured copies in the original language of almost all the Charters " granted by the kings of England to your Corporation, which he is desirous of " publishing with an Enghsh translation annexed to them. But whereas his " copies have been transcribed not from the Originals, but from a copy in the " Bodleian Library in Oxford, in consequence of which there may be in them " some verbal errors, and perhaps some omissions, which in a work of this kind " ought particularly to be avoided, your Memorialist therefore prays, that he " may be permitted, himself and a literary friend or any competent person ap- " pointed by you, to have access to the Originals, either in the Chamberlain's " office, or any other room which you may direct, fqr the purpose of collating " his copies, and of supplying any deficiencies, which may be found in them. " And your Memorialist, &c. &c." The following letter, addressed to a Member of the Common-council, was read at .^the same time with the above Memorial. " Sir, " Have the goodness to peruse the inclosed copy of a Memorial, S(c. i " and if you approve of the object proposed by it, when it comes before the " House, to say a few words in favour of it." X 3^tdm, " I foresee one or two objections which may possibly be made to the " proposal, which I will endeavour to obviate. It may be said that there is " already an edition sufficient for common use. That edition is in 4to, 1736: " it contains a translation of Charles the Second's first and second Charters, and " of queen Anne's Charter, and little more. It is true that Charles the Second's " first Charter contains most of the preceding Charters, to the number of about " 28, but it contains them in such a manner as to make them nearly useless; " for on dipping at hazard into the book, it would in general be an hour's " employment to find to what Charter the page originally belonged. In the " proposed edition each Charter will be separate from the rest. Moreover, the " translation of 1736 is so very ill executed, that it is in many places unin- " telligible and in some places false. The proposed edition will contain a new " translation, accompanied by the original Latin. " Should it be said that the Charters of Corporations ought to be kept " secret, it will be answered, that such concealment, even if desirable, is by no " means practicable. The Charters of Bristol have been produced in courts of " law, and will always be liable to such production ; they are not in Bristol " only, but are kept among the Records in London, and are not' difficult of " access; copies already exist, and the translation of 1736 was published under " the sanction, as I am informed, of this Corporation. The question therefore " now is not whether they shall be published, for that is already done in various " ways; nor is it whether they shall be re-published, for that is in the power " of any individual; but whether they shall be re-published 'in such a manner " as shall be creditable to the city. " The whole object, which I have in view, is this. I would give a hand- " some edition of the Charters in ^both languages, accompanied witlj, historical and " legal/ Notes. Toward the legal notes I have some few in the hand-writing " of Judge Foster; from professional friends I have received others, and am " promised many more. I would procure engraven specimens of the hand- " writing/ of some of thein ; engravings of some of the seals in the manner in " which they are published in Blackstone's edition of Magna. Chartas and 3^?eface* XI " engravings of the * Heads of the Kings, which are prefixed to some of the " original Charters; if 1 recollect well, there are many of them. How far I " shall be enabled to carry this plan into execution will depend partly on the " encouragement which the Corporation may give to it, and partly on the num- " ber of Subscribers to the publication. And I will add with confidence, that " if it be executed on this plan, it will not only be a work interesting and " useful to our own city, but to our national Antiquaries in general. It would " give me great pleasure, should the Corporation of Bristol be the first to pro- " mote a work of this kind, the example of which will probably be followed by *■ the Metropolis, and by other cities and towns. If nevertheless any objections " should arise, which I have not been able to foresee, give me leave to suggest " one proposal, to which I think there could be no objection, viz. a reference "~to the Recorder. His opinion would be decisive. *' I am, your's, &c. « March 1810." « S. S," The answer was as follows : " To the Rev. S. S. " Council-House, Bristol. " Dear Sir, " I have to inform you, that your Memorial praying leave to " inspect the Charters of this city was taken into consideration by the Corpo- ♦' ration, in Common-council assembled, and it was ordered — that your request " could not be complied with. " I am, dear Sir, " Your's very truly, " S. W. Town-Clerk." {A.)Heads of the kings.] It should hare been added, or other ornamented initials. One of these, prefixed to No. 1 1, p' 36 1 am enabled to present to my readers, copied from the original by the liberal interference of Mr. Alderman DAHIEL : my design was, that every InKial should have been executed in the same/manner. xn 3^ttfm, I am anxious, for the credit of my native place, to remove the first impression which this refusal is likely to make : from my own knowledge of the members of the Common-Council, I believe that no literary proposal of a reasonable kind would be rejected by it : that of which I now speak was favourably entertained by a majority of that body on a regular division; by what management it was ^ subsequently set aside, perhaps I am not sufficiently informed. The example of the Corporation of Newcastle, who lost town-dues of great value, in consequence of information contained in Mr. Brandt's History of Newcastle, has been frequently mentioned here, as a warning to other Cor- porations against suffering any of their papers to be inspected. It must be for want of a few moments reflection, that a just man would use this argu- ment; for since the Corporation of Newcastle lost these town-dues by the decision of a Court of Justice, it is to be presumed that the lawful owners recovered them. But in the republication of our Charters no new information can be expected, for they are already well known, and a nevv edition of them is a mere literary undertaking, as free from all suspicion of mischief as the new edition of Holingshead's Chronicle. Let these Charters liowever contain what they may, they were granted to the Burgesses, and for their benefit; and ought to be open to their inspection, as members of the Corporation. What Magna Charta is to the people of England, the old foundation of their rights, a venerable record of political literature, such the Royal Charters are to our boroughs : they are a part of our laws, which like other laws it is ab- surd and unconstitutional to conceal. In such cases men are apt to make curious enquiries, and to entertain unfavourable suspicions : and though in general there may be nothing worth concealing, yet they cannot help supposing that the attempt to conceal betrays a consciousness, that there are things which will not bear exposure. Such concealments moreover ill accord with the liberality and enlightened policy of the age in which we live. Parliament is employing persons at great expence to arrange all the Records of the kingdom, to publish (s'iThis is not the only instance in which I have been unsuccessful in enquiries of this kind, notwithstanding the appro- bation of the common-council. Some years ago, a member of that body, jointly with myself, procured an order for the loan of on old Cbrouicle called The Mayors Calendar t n MS of no authority or actual value whatever, but curious and •well em- blazoned. Yet althbugh the order was entered regularly in the Council-House book, that the MS should be lent to ns jointly for a certain time, the officer, in whose custody it was, refused to deliver it. i^^eface* XllI some of them entire, and to print Indexes to the more voluminous, for the pur- pose of faciUtating enquiries either of business or curiosity; and I can testify that at the offices where these Records are kept, great readiness prevails to assist those who wish to search them. The same facihty of access is found by those who frequent the Hbraries of the Metropolis and of the Universities; some of the Corporations of England are at this time * procuring at their own expence translations of their Charters ; and the Corporation of Bristol did itself, as I am informed, authorize the publication of it's Charters in 1736. It is mortifying to be forced to make these comparisons; and if the real disposition of the members of the Common-Council be as it has been' represented above, it may well be asked how it happened that they did in this respect finally adopt a less generous conduct. It has been said, that they were guided by an opinion expressed by the highest law-authority of the Corpora^^ion. That such advice should be given and earnestly enforced by one who assumes to be the law-adviser of the Corporation, is characteristic and might be expected : but that the Recorder of Bristol, a scholar and a lawyer, should advisedly and knowing the circumstances of the case, either discountenance a work, however humble, of literary research, or should advise the concealment of Charters (literos patentes,) or should persuade a body of trustees to withhold from the know- ledge of those for whom they are in trust the evidences of their rights and of their public property, unless he has been egregiously misinformed with regard to the nature of the present publication, it cannot be, it is incredible. Under this prohibition, howsoever obtained, the only resource was iteruni antiquo me includere ludo, to avail myself as I could of that conjectural emendation which is usually practised in editing classical authors, and to apply it perhaps for the first time to legal instruments. Nevertheless it must be confessed that it was grievous to throw away time and labour in amending a corrupt text, when the Originals lay almost within my view, a mere inspec- tion of which would have removed all uncertainty: and inasmuch as some of (6)1 received this information from WiUiSm Hlingworth, Esq. Deputy-keeper of his Majesty's Records in the Tower, who is at present eligaged in translating the Charters of Beverley, for the use of that Corporation. C XIV ^^efare* these emendations cost me hours of attention, although to a cursory reader they may appear, when proposed, to be easy and obvious, it was difficult during the time of this tedious employment to preserve a perfect equanimity towards him, whose influence was ungenerously exerted, so as to render such an employment unavoidable. The uncertainty of the text is not the only disadvantage which the prohibition of inspecting the Originals has occasioned to this work. Besides the Charters here published I have found notices of the following; some of which are probably in the Council-house. 1. A Charter of Henry 2, (some few years earlier than the first in the following collection) to his men dwelling in the Marsh near the bridge of Bristol. It is mentioned in Barrett's Hist' p' 73, and recited literally p' 663. 2. A Charter of Robert Fitzharding to his men in the Marsh, &c. recited literally in Barrett's Hist', p' 73. 3. A Charter of Maurice de Berkely, son of the above-mentioned Robert (dated about 1247), confirming to the men of Redeclive the liberties which his father had granted to them, ibid' p' 73-74, and recited literally in p' 671. It is to be lamented, that Mr. Barrett has not informed us, where the Ori- ginals of these three are to be found. 4. Henry 3, immediately after his coronation at Gloucester, October 28, 1216, came to Bristol, where (as all our Mayors' Chronicles agree) he granted to the burgesses the privilege of choosing a Mayor; and accordingly all our lists of Mayors begin from that year. This privilege surely was not granted without a Charter; yet no Charter to that effect is known. It probably might be found by a careful search. 6. 6. A Charter dated at "Westminster, Feb. 28, 1 Henry 3, i' e' three months after the preceding, and confirmed 5 Henry 3. Mr. Barrett quotes ^^eface* XV this Charter, p' 668, but his recital of the contents agrees exactly with Charter 5 Edw' 3, and I am therefore persuaded that he was misled by the marginal dates in p' 69 of the old translation. 7. In the History of Bristol p' 670, is notice of a Charter 28 Hen' 3, confirmed 40 Hen' 3, concerning choosing a Coroner, ^c. The author has here cer- tainly misunderstood the marginal dates of pp' 62 and 64 of the old trans- lation. These two Charters are 40 Hen' 3, and 28 Edw' 1, both in the present , collection. 8. Our MS Mayor's Calendars say that in 5 or 6 or 7 of Edw' 2, a Charter was purchased for having two bailiffs. 9. A Charter of 24 Hen' 4, exempting Bristol from the jurisdiction of the Court of Admiralty. Mr. Barrett p' 175 says that there is a copy of this in the little red-book in the Council-house, p' 158. It is not in Charles the Second's Charter of Confirmation, and therefore not in the present col- lection; but the same exemption from the Admiralty is contained in Charter 1 Edw' 4. It is probable that Edw' 4 refused to acknowledge the validity of any grant from the Lancastrian kings, and therefore chose to grant the same privilege de 7iovo. 10. A Charter of 17 James 1, whereby the king grants to the Mayor, &c. Admiralty-jurisdiction in all personal causes. Judge Foster's Notes on the Charters. Beside many Letters Patent containing leases and the like : the want of the four first, the 8th and 10th of this list is to be regretted. It was neither within my inclination nor my ability to give a compleat series of legal Notes on the subjects mentioned in these Charters. Those which are inserted are chiefly intended for the purpose of explaining to unpro- fessional , men the meaning of terms and the nature of practices which were common among our ancestors: and for this recourse has been had chiefly to XVl ^^eface* Jacob, or to Cowell whom Jacob copied ; and my reader will probably discover that I have sometimes risqued notions of my own. If any thing more than this should be observed, it is owing to the liberal communication of some professional friends, who have interested themselves in the credit of this pub- lication : to one gentleman in particular, EDMUND GRIFFITH, Esq' Barrister at Law, and Steward of the Sheriff's Court, my acknowledgements are especially due. The historical notes are such only as obviously occurred without par- ticular research. They might have been extended to a much greater length ; but the most of them being unconnected with any thing relative to Bristol, are to be considered useful or interesting only as describing persons and events cotemporary with each Charter. On the principal subject of these Charters, the municipal government of the city, particularly in modern times, there will be found but little anno- tation. It was manifestly impi*oper to enlarge on that subject, which may be more usefully and more conveniently taken up in a separate and continuous discourse; and which, having hitherto been very little noticed in proportion to it's curiosity and importance, will form a chapter of considerable length in the intended History of Bristol. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Richard Aldridgej Esq' Mr. Edward Ash J' Loudon M'Adam, Esq' Colonel Hugh Baillie Rev. Slade Baker, Rector of Buscot, Berkshire Mr. Bartholomew Barry, bookseller Benjamin Baugh,"Esq' William Barnes, Esq' Redland L. P. Mr. John Beames, Hotwells Rev. Richard Bedford Mr. Lancelot Beck John Paine Berjew, Esq Benjamin Bickley, Esq' Sheriff Mr. Th' Shrapnell Biddulph, solicitor Edward Bird, Esq' Mr. Edward Bird, Clare-Street Samuel Birch, Esq' Matthew Brickdale, Esq' late 31. P. for BriUol Lowbridge Bright, Esq' Richard Bright, Esq' Henry Bright, Esq' Bristol Library Society William Braikenridge, Esq' John Britton, Esq' F. S. A. London Henry. A. Broiighton, Esq' solicitor, London Edward Brice, Esq' Sheriff William John Broderip, Esq' Mr. William Browne, bookseller Revi John Bull Robert Bush, Esq' Messrs. Bush &.Prideaux, soUcliors Commercial Rooms Michael Castle, Esq' John Cave, Esq' Mr. William L' Clarke, solicitor Rev. J' Collinson, Rector of Gateshead, Durham Rev. Dr. Colston, Rector of West-Lydford, So- merset Mr. Richard Colston Thomas Cole, Esq' Postmaster Isaac Cooke, Esq' Richard Hart Davis, Esq' M. P. for Bristol Thomas Danipl, Esq' Alderman 2 copie^ George Daubeny, Esq' Isaac Dighton, Esq' William Dowell, Esq' Cote William Uymock, Esq' Thomas Eagles, Esq' Collector rf the Custom'! Mr. John Edmonds William B. Elwyn, Esq' Recorder of Deal Rev. Dr. Estliu Rev, Robert Foster, Rector rf Sutton Saint Michael's, Nottinghamshire Francis Freeling, Esq' General Post-O/i.'ce William Fri[)p, Esq. James Fripp, Edq. \\ illiara Fripp, Jun. Et(j' James Georne, Esq' James George, Jun. Erq' Mr. Christopher George George Gibbs, Esq' George Gibbs, Jun. E^q' Gabrii.l Cio!dney, Er' (.'/'.•>■/.'.■ XVlll. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Rev. John Goldesbrough, Rec/or of Slymhridge, Gloucestershire Mr. Goldwyer Samuel Gomond, Esq' Edmund Griffith, Esq' Steward of the Sheriff's Court Mr. Thomas Griffith, St. James's Barton Rev. Lancelot Gravenor Mr. John Mathew Gutch, bookseller Samuel Hall, Esq' Clifton John Hall, Esq' Portland-Square Charles Joseph Harford, Esq' F, S. A. Stapleton John Scandret Harford, Jun. Esq' Wintour Harris, Esq' Chamberlain Mr. Wintour Harris, solicitor Mr. J' K' Haberfield, solicitor Thomas Hellicar, Esq' Joseph Hellicar, Esq' Jeremiah Hill, Esq' Charles Hill, Esq' John Hurle, Esq' Thomas Jarman, Esq' Rev. John Jenkyns, Rector of Euercreech, Somerset Rev. R. Jones, Rector of Charfield, Gloucester- shire Thomas Jones, Jun. Esq' Stapleton William lUingworth, Esq' Tower Records, London Dr. Kentish Henry King, Esq' Mr. Isaac Leech, solicitor Rev. A' Lendon, F. S. A. Totteridge, Herts Ebenezer Ludlow, Esq' John Masters, Esq' Mr. Merrick Mrs. H' More Dr. MoncriefFe Dr. New Messrs. Norton & Sons, booksellers Jeremiah Osborne, Esq' Very Rev. Dr. Parsons^ Dean of Bristol Arthur Palmer, Jun. Esq' Park-Row Thomas S' Protheroe, Esq' Mr. John Paty, Montego-Bay, Jamaica William Perry, Esq' Churchill Mr. Quinton, St. Michael's Hill Charles Ridout, Esq' Richard Ricketts, Jun. Esq' Mr. Nicholas Roche Mr. John Philip Rycroft, solicitor, Bolton, Lancashire John 'Naish Sanders, Esq' Thomas Sanders, Esq' Rev. G' Saunders Edward Sampson, Esq' Henbury Richard Shadwell, Esq' Stake's Croft Rev. Dr. Shipton, Rector of Porlishead Rev. John Noble Shipton, A. M. Balliol- CoUege, Oxon Dr. Stock James Sutton, Esq' Mr. William Tanner, solicitor John Thomson, Esq' Rev. William Henry Turner, Wells, Somerset John R' 'N^aughan, Esq' John Wadham, Esq' Rev. J' Ward, Rector of Compton-Greenfield Richard B' Ward, Esq' Daniel 'N^'^ait, Esq' Alderman Mr. Daniel G' Wait Mr. Ware, solicitor, CMpping-Sodbury Charles Walker, Esq' Redland William Weare, Esq' Abbott's Leigh Mr. James Whitchurch Rev. George Wilkins, Rector of St. Miehael's Mr. W' Williams Mr. John Winwood John Winpenny, Esq' I. CHARTER OF KING HENRY the SECOND, A^ D^ 1164. ^tMt]^f king of England, and duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and* earl of Anjou, to archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, and all the men' of his land, [sends] health. ^ttOUj ^t, that I have granted to mv bureesses of Bristol, that they shall f'^e ff" '"" CD JO 'J and passage^ be quit both of tolP and passage^ and all custom* throughout I. Carta r Henrici secundi, A° D^ 11 64. I^^nCU^ rex Anglige et dux Normanise et Aquitaniae et comes Andragavise archiepiscop^s, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciarlis, vicecomitibus, et omnibus hominibus terras suae Salutem. ^Ct0tij^ me concessisse burgensibus meis de Bristol!, quod sint quieti et de theolonio et passagio et omni consuetudine per totam terram meam Angliae, (1) Men.'] This word is to be understood in its feudal sig- fication for vassals or subjects. Part of the oath of a vassal, when he did homage kneeling before his lord, was I become your man. See the oath in Spelman's Gloss', hnno. (2) ToW] is a reasonable sum of money or portion of the thing sold, due to the owner of a fair or market on the sale of things tollable therein. It was claimed by the lord of the fee where the fair or market was held, by virtue of a grant from the crown either ostensible or presumed. It was a very frequent grant. William Earl of Gloucester by charter exempted ' the church of St. Peter of Glouc* ' and their men from payment of tolls in the vill of Bristol.' And by another charter they are exempted from payment of tolls in Bristol, Cardiff, Newburgh, ' and all other -his lands'. He moreover exempted the church of St. Guthlac of Hereford from the payment of any tolls throughout all his lands in Wales. And ' John Earl of Moreton confirms ' to the church of St.Peterof Glouc'and to the church of the ' apostles Peter and Paul and St. Guthlac of Hereford, and to ' the monks there serving God, that they their men and ser- ' vauts shall be for ever free and quit from all toll, passage, ' loaden horses, carriages, driving-swine-money and bridge- * money throughout all his lands, to wit, Bristol, Keyrdiffe, ' Newburgh and all other his lauds,for all manner of their own ' proper goods, which they shall either sell or buy'. Atkyns Glouc' p. 77. This exemption from toll and passage had been granted to the citizens of London by Henry 1. Et omnes homines London' sint quieti et liberi & omnes res eorum per totam Angliam et per portus maris de theolonio et passagio et lastagio et omnibus aliis consuetudinibus- Wilkins leges Anglosax' p. 235: which was confirmed by k' Heu' 2. (3) Passttge"] signifies money paid for crossing a river or (as it is sometimes used) for crossing the sea. It is ovei' B 2 Catta r' Henttci mmU, ^' W ii64. ray whole land of England, Normandy and Wales, wherever they shall come, they and their goods. Wherefore I will Liberties and and strictly command, that they shall have all their liberties customs con- •' •' firmed. and acquittanccs and free customs fully and honourably, as my free and faithful men, and that they shall be quit of toll and passage and of every other custom : and I forbid any one to disturb them on this account contrary to this my charter, on forfeiture of ten pounds. W^itnt&QtSt Thomas' [Archbishop] of Canterbury ; William,'^ the king's brother; Reginald, Earl of Cornwall; E-oger,^ Earl of Hereford ; Patrick, Earl of Salisbury ; Richard de Humet," constable ; Warin Fitzgerald, chamberlain ; Walter de Hereford ; John the Marshall. At Salisbury.^ Normanlae et Wallise, ubicunque venerint, ipsi et res eorum. Quare volo et firmiter prsecipio quod habeant omnes libertates et quietancias et liberas consuetudines plane et honorifice, siciit mei liberi et fideles homines ; et sint quieti theolonio et passagio et omni ab [lege alia] consue- tudine : et prohibeo ne quis eorum [lege eos] super hoc disturbet contra banc cartam meam super decern librarum forisfacturam. (^CiStitlU.Sf, Thom4 Kantuarensi; Willelmo, fratre regis; Reginaldo, Comite Cornubiae ; Eogero, Comite Herefordise ; Patricio, Comite Sarum' ; Ricardo de Hum', constabulario ; Warino filio Gerardi, camerario ; Waltero de Herefordia ; Johanne Marischallo. Apud Sarum'. water, as way is over land; see 4 Edw'3, cap'8; and differ- (j) Roger, E'' of IJercf.^ He was son of the famous Milo, ently from toll it is derived from prirale right, as belonging or Miles, E' of Hereford, to the owner of the adjacent lands. This grant could not exempt the burgesses of Bristol and their goods from oM toll, {s) Ricardo de //am.'] His name is written Humes, de passage, &c. but from such onlyas might be due to the king. Humez, and de Hurnet. In liCs and 1170 he was the king's Norman justiciary and resident in Normandy. It appears (4) Cks/otm.] Ciisloms, consuetudines are customary pay- hy this present charter that he was constable of Nor- ments or dues regal or ecclesiastical of various kinds. See mandy as early as 1163-4 ; again he occure as constable in Madox Exch' cap' xviii. i . Custom in its modem sense for a 1 173, and again in 1 174. Vide Lyttleton's Hist' of Hen' 2, tax on merchandize exported or imported, is called in Latin vol. 5, p. 156, et alibi, tusiuma. (9) The date.'] The date, although not expressed in the (5) Thomas Kant,] This must be the famous Thomas charter itself, is easily ascertained. Beckct was made Becket; for no other A' B' of Cantcrb' occurs in that age. A' B' of Canterb' at Whitsuntide 1 162, and quitted the king- who bore the name of Thomas. Leland Coll' iv. 180, calls dom in tlie latter part of 1164, after which time he was A' B' Baldwin by the name of 77ioMas Baldwin ; hut I know never present with the king in England; between which no other who calls him by that name< two dales this charter must have been granted. A great council of the bishops, nobles, &c. met at Clarendon in (6) fTm. the Icing's brother.'] Geoffiy Plantagenet, ^arl Jan' 1 163-4, where the celebrated constitutions of Clarendon of Anjon, by his marriage with the Empress dowager were enacted. At this time it may reasonably be supposed, Matilda, daughter of Hen' ], had three sons: ist, Henry the tj,(,t the King and Becket, and the other witnesses to this Second, k' of England: ad, Gcoffry, E' of Anjou; 3d, charter, might frequently meet at Old Sarum, from which WilUam, £' of Mortaigne, the person here present. Clarendon Park is only two or three miles distant. 11. CHARTER OF KING HENRY the SECOND, A^ D^ 1172. ttlt^» king of England, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and earl of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, provosts, officers, and to all his liege-men, French and English, and Irish, of all his land [sendeth] health. ^ttOtO ^0* that I have given and granted and by this my present charter have confirmed to my men of Bristow my city of Dublin for them to inhabit. Wherefore I will and strictly enjoin that they may inhabit it, and hold it of me and my heirs well and peaceably, freely and quietly, wholly and fully, and honourably, with all the liberties and free customs II. Carta r Henrici secundi, A" jy 1172. iP^CtCU;£f rex Anglise, dux Normannise, Aquitanise, et comes Andegavife archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comidbus, baronibus, justiciariis, vicecomitibus, praepositis, minislris, et omnibus fidelibus suis Francis et Anglicis, et Hibernensibus, totius terrse suae, salutem. ^SctatiiSi me dedisse et concessisse et prsesenti charts ratk confirmasse hominibus meis de Bristow civitatem meam de Divelin ad inhabitandum. Quare volo et firmiter prsecipio, ut ipsi earn inhabitent, et teneant illam de me et de hseredibus meis bene et in pace, libere et quiete, integre et plenarie et honorifice cum omnibus libertatibus et liberis consue- (i) William de Braose.J In 1210 William de Braosa, son of K' John in Ireland and Wales, This is probably the persoa Philip de Br,' a baron of great power, carried on war against here present, B 2 '^^ Carta t' fletitici siecutttri* 9i' W 1172. which the men of Bristow have at Bristow and through my whole land. WUtnt&StS, William' de Braose; Reginald de Curtenai ; Hugh de Gundeville ; William ^ Fitzaldelm ; Ranulph de Camville ; Hugh de Creisy ; Reginald de Paville. At Dublin.* tudinibus, quas homines de Bristow, habent apud Bristow et per totam terrain meam. 'STejSttflU.ef, Will' de Braosa; Regin' de Curtenai; Hug' de Gundevilla; Will' filio Aldelmi ; jRanulpho de Camvilla ; Hug' de Creisii ; Regin' de Pavilla. Apud Divelin. (2) William Fitx-Aldelm.] He was the King's Sewer, and chives of Dublin. There is no memorial of it in the records in 1176 was made Deputy or Lieutenant of Ireland. or annals of Bristol. Being dated at Dublin, it was cer- tainly granted in the latter end of the year I172, or in Ja- (3) This Charter is copied from Lord Lyttleten's History nuary 1173; that being the only time in which Hen' 2 was of Hen' 2, book v. app' No. 1, who had it from (he Ar- in that city. III. CHARTER OF JOHN, EARL of MORETON, About A^ D' 1188. 3fOf)1t> Earl of Moreton/ to all his men and friends of France and England, Welsh and Irish, present and future, [sends] health. ^nOtD ^ti^ that I have granted, and by this present charter have confirmed to my burgesses of Bristol, dwelling within the walls and without, as far as the boundary of the town, that is to say, within Sandbrooke, and Bewell, and Brightnee-bridge,* and the spring in the M^ay near Aldbery of Knolle, all their liberties and free customs, as well, freely and completely (or more so) as they ever had them in my time, or in the time of my predecessors. ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ 33Ut t|)f liberties which they granted to them are these :^ '^^^- out of Bristol IK. Carta Johamiis comitis Moreton, A" D' 1188. ^O![)0ttt1C^, Comes Moreton' Omnibus hominibus et amicls suis Francise et Angfiae, Wallen- sibus et Hibernensibus, prsesentibus et futuris Salutem. ,^CiatiS" me concessisse et hac prsesenti cartS. confirmtisae burgensibus meis de Bristoll' infras muros et extra manentibus usque ad metam villae, scilicet inter Sandbrooke et Bewell et Brickenbrigge et fontem in itinere juxta Aldberiam de Knolle, omnes libertates et liberas consuetudines silas, sicut unquam melius et liberius et integrius eas habuerunt tempore meo vel tempore alicujus predecessorum meorum. %.ifytX^t^ (l) The earldom of Mortagne in Normandy wag fre- Genea)' Hist' three grants are quoted, in which he stiles quently in the royal family. Henry I, gave it to his ne- himself Caines Moritonie. phew Stephen of Blois, afterward king. It was settled on , ,„.„. D, . .. 1 i, iL ^ TT i, .. (2) Kmm iMA See the charter of 1252, where there is a William Flantagenet, youngest brother to Henry 11. At , , ., ,^,^. ^.^ . . „,Ti recital of all these grants; and in some passages each may the date of these presents it was in poesessiOD of earl John, 1,1, r o afterward king, but how or when it came into his hands is variously related. By the original authors of English (3) Infra.'] lu. the language of our docient laws, this bistoty it is usually written as here, Moi'itoD; in Sandford's word is invariably written instead of m^a. 6 Carta fojannis comitis Moitton, %' ©' iiss. that no burgess of Bristol shall plead or be impleaded out of the walls of the town in any plea, except pleas relating to foreign tenures, which do not belong to the hundred of the town : and that they shall be quit of murder'' within the bounds of the town : They shall be ^Utj ti)Ut uo burgcss shall wage duel,* unless he shall have been del- and duel, appealed for the death of any stranger, who was killed in the town e shall and did not belong to the town : ^UtJ tliat no one shall take an 10 No one '>vithout"ieaveinn* witliiu the walls by assignment or by livery of the Marshall Lir of "fo'ii, against the will" of the burgesses : ^Itlti tfjat they shall be quit lastagc, &c of toll and lastage'^ and pontao;e," and of all other customs autem quas eis concesserunt hae sunt; scilicet, quod nullus burgensis de Bristoll' placitet seu placitetur extra muros villse de ullo placilo prseter placita de exterioribus tenuris,6 quae noii pertinent ad hundredum villse : CtHjUOiJ quieti sint de murdro infra metas villas : tt (JUOtl nullus burgensis facial duellum, nisi appellatus fuerit de morte exterioris hominis qui occisus fuerit in. villa, and qui non fuerit de villa : tt (jUOti nemo capiat hospitium infra muros per assignationem vel per liberationem Mariscalli contra voluntatem burgensium: Ct ((UOi) sint quieti de theolonio et lastagio et pontagio et de omnibus aliis consuetudinibus per totam terram et potestatein (4) Brightnee."} This is the orthography of ihe printed translation, which is probably more accurate than Bricicen. {S) Are these^ The following immunities, as tat as farce hint to restore it, are copied almost literally from the charters granted to the city of London by Hen' 1, and 3. They are printed in Lyttleton's Hist' of Hen' 2, vol. iii. app'. (C) Exteriorihus Unnris,} After these words Henry the Second's London charter adds exceptis meis moneluriis et niinislris meis, Cj) Murder^ It here means the fine claimed by the king or the lord from the hundred or township where murder had been committed, and the murderer had not been appre- hended. If the fine could not he collected from the vill on account of it's poverty, then it was collected from the hundred. Bracton apud Spelman gloss' voc' Enghsheria. From this fine the burgesses of Bristol are here exempted. (8) Wage duel.'\ Accusations of treason, murder, and some other crimes were in that age legally sustained and defended by single combat. To be exempted from such » barbarous mode of trial was no doubt a great relief to peace- able townsmen. (9) Talce an inn.] I use the word inn, because it is gene- rally so used; but certainly the thing meant by hospitium is by no means what we now call an inn, but rather o lodging- house, similar to what the inna of court were originally, or the halls in the universities. To take an inn jneanp not the lenting it, but the getting possession of it. {\o) The Marshall^ The principal barons of that age imitated royalty as far as their circumstances would allow. The marshall of the E' of Glouc' was therefore probably the oEGcer who held and determined pleas in which that baron was concerned with his vassals, and who gave livery of lauds and tenemenis according to the custom of the manour. (ll) In Henry the Second's Charter to London the clause stands thus : quod intra muros nemo capiat hospitium per rim vel per liberationem mariscalli. Here per vim has the same meaning as contra voluntatem burgensium in our charter. It was not without reason that they of that age were cautiou!r in this respect. For if a stranger sojourned in a place a few days, the tithing or hundred or vill were responsible for him and his good behaviour- In the statutum Wallice IQ Edw' 1, (1294) the sheriffs are directed, amongst other official duties, to enquire de_ hospilantibiis ignotis ultra duos noctes. (12) Laslagel from the Saxon last (a burden). It seems to be what we should now call porterage or hallag'e; a right, claimed by certain servants of the lord of the fee, of carrying goods purchased at fair or market ; and thb money exacted for tlkat service. From CoweWs Interpreter ; but his meaning is not explicit. (13) Pontage.^ It signifies in this place, a toll taken from these wlio pass over bridges, for the purpose of keeping them in repair. Carta fofianttts comitts Morton, 9C W nss. i throughout my whole land and power : ^UtJ t|)at no one shall Fjn^^ '^"I;™'"''' be condemned in a matter of money, unless according to the law^'""'°s^- of the hundred, viz. by forfeiture of forty shillings : ^tltl tpat the said hundred-court '" shall be held only once in the week : ^Ul) tyat no one in any plea shall be able to argue his cause in miskenning :^^ ^Ut) uiat they may lawfully have their lands and tenures and mortgages and debts throughout my whole land, whoever owes them [any thing] : ^tttl iDttp respect to lands and tenures which are within the town, that they shall be held by them duly according to the custom of the town : ^tttf tpat with regard to debts which have been lent in Bristol, and mortgages there made, pleas shall be held in the town according to the custom of the town : ^ttl) tpat if any one in any other place in if tou be my land shall take toll of the men of Bristol, if he shall not restore may be levied! meam : Ct ^UOtl nullusjudicetur de materia''* pecuniae, nisi secundum legem bundredi, scilicet per forisfacturam quadraginta soHdorum : Ct QUOtl dictum hundredum tantiim semel teneatur in. septimana : Ct QUOti nuUo placito possit quis causari'^ in meskeyningham :i7 ft |]UOb juste habeant terras et tenuras suas et vadimonia et debita sua per totam terram meam, quicunque eis debeat : tt (|[UOb de terris et tenuris, quse infri villam sunt, recte eis teneantur secundum consuetudinem vlllse : Ct QUOi) de debitis, quse accommodata fuerint in Bristoll' et de vadimoniis ibidem factis placita in villi teneantur secundum consuetudinem villae : Ct (][UOb si quis alicubi in terra. me4 {U) De materi&.'l Tlie difference between this clause and pladtis inftct cidtatem. Perbaps lliis obscure and antiquated the corresponding in charter 36 Hen' 3 is reniarkablei. practice may be tbe same as wbat was afterwards known in cases of Jeo failUy whereby judgment was arrested after (15) Hundred court:] Ei quod hustingus semel tanliim in verdict given, on account of some informality in the pro- kebdomadd teneatur. Hen' 3 chart' to London. Et luisting ceedings. Many statutes were enacted for the restraint of eedeat semel in heidomadd, scilicet die Luna:. Hen' I chart' ti,js practice, of which the following appears to be the to liOndou. earliest. * Item, it is assented that by the misprision o^ ' a Clerk in any place, wheresoever it be, no process shall (16) Causari.'i Causare in Ducange is said to signify among other things to sue, to plead, to wrangle^ to revile. I have translated it as 1 could: but suspect that the word itself is erroneous, and to be corrected by tbe corresponding passage in chart' 36 Hen' 3. ' be annulled or discontinued by mistaking in writing on& * syllable or one letter too much or too little, &c.' 14 Edw' 3. Stat' 1. c' 6. Misprisum and mistaking in this stat' are probably the same as miskenning. The word misken- ning is also used for the Jine for amending a plea. Edward (17) Meskeyningham.-] It ought to be rniskenningam. t^e Confessor grants to the monastery of Kamsay, among other privileges, such as sae, soc, toll, infongenthef. Sic. {is) Miskenning] V e' mistakes in pleading. 'Miskenning, miskenninge, aliasque omnes leges et canmetudines, quce ad me changing of speech in court. Cowell. The same prohi" pertinent. Dugdale's Monast' 1,237. In the laws of Heo' 1, bition is in the London charter of Henry ]. Et amplius non c' 12, fines for ameuding, a plea are imposed as high as sit miiienninga in hnatenge neque in folkesmote, neque in alHs 100 shilling's. 8 Cam f ofiannis comitis JHo^eton* ^' W 1 188. it after he shall be required, the Prepositor of Bristol shall take from him a distress at Bristol, and force him to restore it: A stranger ^Ul) tliat HO stranger-tradesman shall buy within the town of a shall not buy ^ _ '^ '' of a stranger, man wlio is a strangcr, leather, corn, or wool, but only of the Nor keep a burgcsscs : ^ittt) thut uo straugcr shall have a wine-shop^" unless wine-shop. .^,. „ . 1 r • in a ship, nor shall sell cloth for cuttmg except at the fair : Nor remain ^tttl tl) ^t no straiigcr shall remain in the town with his goods habeant et possideant omnes terras et placeas vacuas quae infra prsedictas metas continentur ad voluntatem eorum sedificandas. iiBuacC volo €t firmiter praecipio quod preedicti burgenses mei de Bristoll' et haeredes sui habeant et tenean^ omnes praedictas libertates et liberas consuetudines suas, sicut prcescrlptum est, de me et haere- dibus meis, sicut unquam melius et integrius eas habuerunt, quando bene fuerit, bene et in pace et honorifice, absque omni impedimento vel molestia, quam aliquis eis inde faciat. l^t^tihU^ Stephano ssRied', cancellario meo ; Willelmo de Wennen ; Rogero de 3^Dlau ; Rogero k (30) Free burgage.'] Free socage was one of the principal (32) I'oid places.] By this grant the corporation still tenures whereby lands were held in the feudal age; by claims all void and waste lands within the liberties and have which tenure the tenant was to pay to his lord only certain thereby annexed great estates to the city's use such as fixed services or payments, but no military eervicei When Queen's Square and the streets adjacent, and part of St. a house or land in a borough was held by free socage, the Augustiu's Back. From BarretCs HisV. p' 666. tenure was then called free burgage. This assurance of holding their tenure, in free burgage was perhaps the most (33^ g,^j, jj,.^^ ^ ^.^ .^ j,^^ ^^^^^^ transl'.-His name important of all the grants in this charter. „,, j,^^,,^ jj^^,^ „, ,„^y ^^ ^^^,, ;^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^, ^^ ^^^^ (31) Landgablc service] or rather the service qf a land-gable, A gable ot gavel is a rent or payment; and therefore a fonrf- (3i) Dlait-] Dim ia the former transr, gable is agrmmd-tent. Carta fojannifii comitt0 iWio^eton* 91' ©' iiss. ii de Newport ; Maurice de Berkly ; Robert his brother ; Hamo de Vallonis ; Simon de Marsh ; Gilbert Raft ; WiUiam de la Feleyse ; ^^Master Benedict ; ^^Master Peter ; and many others. At ^^BristoL de Novo Burgo ; ssMauricio de Berkly; Roberto, fratre suo ; 36 Ham' de Vail' ; Simone de Marisco; Gilberto 37 Raft; Willelmo de la Feleyse; Magistro Benedicto; Magistro Petro; et multis aliis. Apud BristoU'. (35) Maurice de Berkly.'] Robert Fitzharding, (he noble founder of the house of Beikely, who lived in Bristol, had male issue Henry, Maurice, Robert and Nicholas. Maurice, present in Bristol when this charter was granted, succeeded to his honours: Robert, likewise present, was Barou of Were near Axbridge. From Atkyns's Glouc'. (36) Ham' de VaU.'2 In a deed relating to Bristol, of TVilliam E' of Glouc' about 1175, in my possession, one of the witnesses is Ham' de Valonis, the same person doubtless who is here meant. King John, in the 17th year of his reign (1216) made a grant of lands in Ireland to Hamo de Valon', (37) Uqft.'i Ralph in the old trans!'. (38) Master.'} Two Ecclesiastics. (39) At Bristol."] It is not easy to fix the date of this char- ter within six years. It could not be later than II89, be- cause the lord Maurice de Berkly died in that year; nor earlier than l]83, because William E' of Glouc' died iu that year. How soon afterwards John came in possession of the honour is not certain: it appears by the charter itself that at the date of it he had been some time in possession; if it were given up to him when he was 20 years old, in lis6, which is probable, the date 11 S3 which I have hazarded cannot be far from the tnith. C 2 IV. CHARTER OF *CONFIRMATION, 1 May 1 1 HEN' HI. i' e' 1227. tVtt^ by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine and earl of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, justices, officers of tfc forests, sheriffs, prorosts, officers, and all his bailiffs and faithful men, sendeth health. ^ttOU) ^t* that 'we have inspected the charter of Henry king of England our grandfather, in these words : Henry k' of England, &c. &c. [here folloxvs the charter of IV. Carta Conjirmationis regis Henrici tertii Mail 1, a' r' 11, i' e 1227. ]PclinCUj9i Dei gratis, rex Angliae, dominus Hiberniae, dux Normaniae et Aquitaniffi et comes Andegavise, archlepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribiis, comilibus, justiciariis, for', vice- comitibus, prsepositis, ministris et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem. ,j§>CiiEltt^, quod * inspeximus Cartatn Henrici regis Angliee avi nostri in hsec verba : Henricus rex Angliae, &c. &c. (*) Confirmalion.'] The frequent confirmation of chailers (a) We.} King Jolm was the first of the kings of England from Magna Charta to that of the most insignificant borongh, (as Sir Edw' Coke observes) who in his grants wrote in the was occasioned by a doubt (which seems to have been enter- plural number : ■ olhcr kings before hira wrote in the sin- tained in other governments of Europe) whether the reigning ' gular number: they used ego, and king John and all the monarch was bound by the acts of his predecessor. ' kings after him noi.' 2 Inst' p' 2. This may be an argu- , , , . , _,, . ■ .1 c . 1 1-1, ment against the authenticity of the Conqueror's charter, (l) Inspeximus.] This is the first example which our ... , . «■ J J. 1-. 1 r 1- 1, « 1 wherein the plural statuimus, loltimus, &c. are frequent, charters afford of a literal copy of a prectdiiig charter by ^ ' ' ^ .,„,,,. 1 i-.i ,1 The reason of this use of the plural, was perhaps that they inspeximus: the 3D Hen 8 is an example ot the other manner r > r r j , ... ^, , . , , , . ,-. I u might communicate the merit or responsibility of their acts of renting the substance of a former charter ; alter which r j ,„i-i >. ic 1 .1 . IT. .„, 7 I to their privy-council ; or perhaps it might be from the same J3 Euw 1, c' 6, orders that Kvory ixemplincation (fe verba , "^ ' ; i r b flrf verbum, sine additione, iirMulhme, trunsmutatlmie, vet aliguA diminutione scribatur Ap' Blackst' Mag' Ch-' inlrod' p' Ixx. In the French charters the word vidimus is used and only the Hubstance recited. notions of refinement which introduced the use of uaj instead of \J Richard Poore. of the kingdom. (5) Hubert de Burgh] Chief Justiciary of the kingdom, who had married Haweis, daughter of William, earl of Glou- ceester, the repudiated wife of the late k' John. After having acted bravely and faithfully at the beginning of tbi.3 reign, he was at this time the king's favourite and a very oppressive minister. He had been made earl of Kent only in this same year. (8) Salph, bisK of Ch'.'] Ralph de Neville, bishop of Chichester, was made Chancellor for life by the Parliament (6) Win. the Marshall. 2 He was the son of William, Earl in 1220. (7) This charter of confirmation was probably purchased by a sum of money. ]Jor the king in the latter part of the preceding year had ordered most of the corporate towns to renew their charters for the purpose of raising money. He was at this time nearly 30 years old. V. CHARTER OF KING HENRY the THIRD. Dated July 28, 31 Hen' 3, i' e' 1247. ^0Ut^* by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and earl of Anjou, to his arch- bishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, provosts, officers,^ and all his bailiffs and faithful men, sendeth Redciifft health. ^ttOu) ^0» that we have granted for us and our jmne o "'■ ^yj-gggggg ^f 'Redclivc in the suburb of Bristol, that they shall for ever ^answer with our burgesses of Bristol before our justices, as our said burgesses of Bristol answer and where they answer, and not elsewhere. ^lSEl)0l*0fO^0 we will and firmly enjoin for us and our heirs, that our said burgesses of Redclive in the suburbs of Bristol shall for ever answer with our burgesses of Bristol before o^ V. Charta 31 Hen 3, V d 1247. J^£linCU^« Dei gratis rex Anglise, dominus Hibernise, dux Normanise ct Aquitaniae et comes Andegavise, archiep4scop'is, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciariis, vicecoiTiitibus, prsepositis, ministris, et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem. e&Ctntt.S! nos concessisse pro nobis et hseredibus nostris burgenslbus nostris de la Redclive in suburbio BristoU', quod in perpetuum respondeant cum bi.trgensibus nostris Bristol!' coram justiciariis nostris, sicut dicti burgenses nostri de BristoU' respondent, et ubi respondent, et non alibi. 4^UCIt0 volumus et firmiter prcecipimus pro nobis et biEredibus nostris, quod prsedicti burgenses nostri de la Redclive in suburbiis BristoU' in perpetuum respondeant cum burgensibus nostris Bristol!' coram justiciariis nostris, sicut dicti burgenses nostri de Bristol!' respondent, et ubi (l) Bcrfc/iKc] Tbis was the first step towards the incor- {i) Answ.T.'\ That is, sAaW jue a«rf Je ia«rf. poration of Reddiffe with Bristol, which before was a separate burgh. our justices, as our said burgesses of Bristol answer, and where they answer, and not elsewhere, as is aforesaid . %^tSt being witnesses : =* Richard, earl of Cornwall, our brother ; Richard de Clare, earl of Glouc' and Hertford ; John Maunsel, provost of Beverley ; Warren de Mounthaves ; Ralph Fitznicholas ; Richard de Grey ; John de Grey, justice of Chester ; Pauline Paynre ; Robert de Musgross ; William de Bellemont ; Robert de Noryes ; and others. ^tbCtt by our hand at * Woodstock the 28th day of July in the 31st year of our reign. respondent, et non alibi, sicut prfiedictum est. ^i0 testibus : Richardo, comite Cornubi^, firati'e nostro; Ricardo de Clara, comite de Glouc' et Hertford; Johanne Maunsel, prseposito Beverlaci ; Warino de Mounthaves ; fladulpho filio Nicholai ; Rich' de Grey ; Johanne de Grey, Justiciario Cestrise ; Paulino Paynre ; Roberto de Musgross ; Willelmo de Bellemont ; Roberto de Noryes ; et aliis. SD^Uni *per manum nostram apud Woodstock' vicesimo octavo die Julii anno regni nostri tricesimo primo. (3) Rich' E" of Cornwall] SeconA son of th&iate king. 3 olio j (4) Wbo&iocJ.J The Parliament being assembled at fifterwards elected king of the Romans. bxford, might be the reason why the king was at this time resident at Woodstocfc. VI. CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION dated 17 Aug' S6 Hen' III. i' e' 1252. J^tXiX^ by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitain and earl of Anjou, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, ^arls, barons, justices, sheriffs, provosts, officers, and all his bailiffs and faithful men, [sendeth] health. ^ttOlU ^0» that we have granted and by this our charter have confirmed for us and our heirs certain liberties granted to our burgesses of Bristol and their heirs for ever by the lord king John our father, while he was earl of Morton, by his charter made to them thereupon ; viz. ^ t^^p^t ttO burgess of Bristol shall plead or be impleaded of any plea without the walls of the town of Bristol, except pleas of foreign tenures which do not belong to the hundred of the town. 'MQO tj^t they shall be VI. Carta de Conftrmatione 36 Hen 3, i' e' 1252. i^^nnCUi^i Del gratis Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, dux Normanise et Aquitaniae, et Comes Audagavise, archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciariis, vicecomitibus, prsepositis, ministris, et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem. ^ciottjai nos concessisse et h^c cart^ nostrA. confirmasse pro nobis et hseredibus nostris quasdam libertates concessas burgensibus nostris de Bristdl' et hseredibus suis in perpetuum a Domino Johanne Rege patre nostro, dum fuit Comes Morton' per cartam suam eis inde confectam ; viz. 4^U0b nuUus burgensis Bristoll' placitet seu placitetur de ullo placito extra muros villas Bristol!' praeter placita de exterioribus ten' quae non pertinent ad hundredum villoe. ^tSlW (lUOb sint quieti de murdro infra (i) Via- That no burgess."} S»e the note (2) in the charter of iiss. Carta tat Confitmatione 36 ?|en' s, i e' 1252. i7 quit of murder within the bounds of the town. 9ilS0 t^Kt no burgess shall wage battle unless he shall be appealed of the death of a stranger, who was not of the town, and who had been killed in the town. SllSO tjat no burgess shall be amerced to a penalty of money, but according to the law of the hundred, that is, to the ^ sum of twenty shillings. 9ilS0 t!)at no burgess shall be hindered '#«* ^ /^/ in any plea by miskenning. ^ISO tj^at the hundred-court of Bristol shall be held only once in the week. 91100 tjjat they shall justly hold their lands and tenures, and all their mortgages and debts due to them, ^tltl tj)at with regard to their lands and tenures within the town, they shall be justly held by them accord- ing to the custom of the town. 9itttJ aS tO the debts which have been lent in Bristol, and the pledges which have been given in the same place, that pleas shall be held in the town. 9itltl tf any one any where in the land shall unjustly have taken toll of the men of Bristol, and shall not restore it after he has been required to restore it, the Prepositor of Bristol may take a distress for it at Bristol, and force him to restore it. 9ltttj t|)at no stranger-tradesman shall buy leather, corn, wool or other goods from a stranger within the town, but only from the burgesses of the same town. ^tttJ t|)at no stranger-tradesman shall have a tavern except in metas villae. ^I^^Cltl quod nullus burgensis facial duellum, nisi appellatus fuerit de morte exterioris hominis, qui non fuerat de villa et qui occisus fuerit in villa. ^tCm quod nullus burgensis amercietur ad poenam pecuniarum, nisi secundum legem hundredi, scilicet, ad summam viginti -solidorum. ^tClH quod nullus burgensis possit occasionari in ullo placito per meskenynge. ^tCin quod hundredum BristoH' tantum semel teneatur in septimana. ^tClH qu6d juste habeant terras et tenuras suas et vada et debita sua quascunque, eis debita. tDi}tblt£^ Del gratia rex Anglise, dominus Hiberniae et dux Aqultanis, archiepiscopls, epls- copis, abbatibus, prioribus, comitibus, justiciariis, vicecomitibus, praepositis, ministris et omnibns ballivis, et fidelibus suis salutem, ^J^^P^J^IJ^^U^ cartatn, quara bons memorise Johannes, comes Moreton', fecit burgensibus suis de Bristol!' infra muros et extra manentibus usque ad metam villse Brlstoll' in hsec verba: Johannes comes Moreton', &c. &c. 3!nSpC]CiWltt^ etiam cartam conflrmationis, quam celeberrimse memorise dominus Henricus quondam rex Anglise pater noster fecit praedlctis burgensibus in h^c verba : Henricus Dei gratia rex Anglise, &c. &c. 31n^p0)CiltlU;£i etiam cartam quam praedictus pater noster similiter fecit pr^dictis burgensibus in hac verba : Henricus Dei gratia rex Angliss, &c. &c. ^n^p^JCtttlU^ etiam quandam aliam E 26 catta 28 €W' 1, 1300. in these words : Henry by the grace of God king of England, &c. &c. [Jiere foUoxos the charter 36 Hen' 3 q v p' l6.] W^t Jft^e inspected also a certain other charter, which the same our father made in like manner to the burgesses aforesaid, in these words : Henry by the grace of God, &c. &c. [here follmm the charter 40 Hen' 3, q v p 21 .] 33Ut we ratifying and approving of the grants Confirmation, and coufirmatious aforesaid, do, as far as in us lies, for us and our heirs grant and confirm them to the said burgesses and their heirs, as the charters aforesaid reasonably testify. ^^O^COb^t we have exempt'from grautcd to tlic Said burgesses, for us and our heirs, that they and stallage' and thcir succBssors, burgesses of the same toAvn, shall be for ever quit of 'murage, ^stallage and ^ pannage through our whole realm and power. ^Ub tpat they and their successors aforesaid, as often as Mayor to be and whensocvcr they shall choose their Mayor in the town aforesaid presented to. i\iii ii- the constable, (the tiuie of war alone excepted) shall present nmi to the constable of our castle of the same town, who for the time shall be, who shall admit him as the custom is, and as such mayors of the same town heretofore used to be presented and admitted at our exchequer, and shall certify thereof at the expence of the same burgesses to our trea- cartam, quam idem pater noster similiter fecit prsefatis burgensibus in base verba : Henericus Dei gratia, &c. &c. |^0^ aUtClVl concessiones et confirmationes prsedictas ratas habentes et gratas eas pro nobis et haere;dibu3 nostris pr^dictis burgensibus et successoribus suis burgensibus ejusdem villa, quantum in nobk est, concedimus et confirmamus, sicutcartse prsedictae rationabiliter testantur. ^rflCtCtCtl concessimus iisdera burgensibus pro nobis et hasredibus nostris, quod ipsi et successores sui burgenses ejusdem villae in perpetuum sint quieti de muragio, stallagio, et pannagio per totum regnum nostrum et potestatem nostram. w 3, i' e' 1331. Ctl\Dattl, by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of Aquitaine, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, provosts, officers, and all his bailiffs and faithful men, sends health. ^1S^0 f)^\^t inspected the charter, which the lord Henry of good memory, late king of England, our great-grandfather, made in these words : Henry, by the grace of God king of England, &c. &c. [here follows the charter of 31 Hen' 3, q' v' p' 14]. W^t Ja^t also inspected the charter of confirmation which the lord Edward of most famous memory, late king of England, our father, made to his burgesses of Bristol, in these words : Edward, by the grace of God king of England, &c. &c. [here follozvs the charter 15 Edw' 2, vide p' 28}. BSut b)0> ratifying and approving of the gifts, X. Carta 5 Edw 3, 1331. CSbtUdCtlU^^ Dei gratis rex Anglise, dom' Hibernioe, et dux Aquitaniae, archiepiscopis, epis- copis, abbatibus, prloribus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciariis, vicecomitibus, praepositis, ministris, et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis, salutem. ^("S^PWniU?" cartam, quarn bonse memoriae dominus Henricus, quondam rex Anglise, avus noster fecit in haec verba : Henricus Dei gratia rex Angliae, &c. &c. ^I'^J^PWttlUjS etiam carlam confiimationis, quam celeberrimae memorije dominus Edvvardus nuper rex Anglise, pater noster, fecit burgensibus suis de Bristol!' in haec verba: Edwardus Dei gratis, rex Anglise, &c. &c. ^0^ aUtCttl donationes, conces- Cam 5 cto' 3, 1331. 31 srants and confirmations aforesaid do for ourselves and our heirs, as much as in us lieth, grant and confirm them to the said burgesses and their heirs and successors, as the charters afore- said reasonably testify. 0iO^O\^ttf being willing to gratify the same burgesses in this respect, we have for us and our heirs especially granted to them, that although they or their ances- tors or predecessors have hitherto not used any one or more liberties or acquittances in any case arising, contained in the said Non-„sage of charters, nevertheless tlie same burgesses, their heirs and successors, 4 no Ma! ^ shall for the future fully enjoy and use the liberties and acquit- ''"'""' tances aforesaid and any of them without molestation or hindrance of us or our heirs, our justices, eschaetors, sheriffs, coroners, o^. other bailiffs or officers whatever. J'HO^Wbft, since (as we have understood) the lands and tenements, the goods and chattels of ' orphans and children who are under age in the same town and suburbs of the same (which according to the custom which has hitherto prevailed in the same town ought to be committed by the mayor of the same town to proper guardians, who may answer siones et confirmationes prsedictas ratas habentes et gratas, eas pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, praedictis burgensibus et eorum haeredibus el successoribus concedimus et confirmamus, prout cartas prsedictse rationabiliter testantur. ^tSCtCtCa volentes eisdem burgensibus gratiam in hac parte facere, specialiter concessimus eis pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quod licet ipsi vel eorum antecessores sive predecessores aliqua vel aliquibus libertatibus vel quietantiis in dictis cartis contentis aliquo casu emergentibus hactenus usi non fuerunt, iidem tamen burgenses, et eorum haeredes et successores libertatibus, et quietantiis praedictis, et earum qualibet de cetero plene gaudeant et utantur sine occasione, vel impedimento nostri vel haeredum nostrorum, justiciar] orum, esceatorum, vicecom', coronat', aut aliorum ballivorum seu minis- trorum quorumcunque. '^IX^Wptt cum (ut intelleximus) terras [lege terrae] et tenementa, bonaet catella orphanorum et puerorum in eadem villa, et suburbiis ejusdem infra aetatem exis- tentium, (quae per majorem ejusdem villa certis custodibus, qui inde dictis orphanis et pueris, cum ad legitimam aetatem suam pervenerint, respondeant^ committi debeanl secundum consuetu- (i) O/orphans.'] It appears hereby that the warrlship of probably long befoie, vested in the chief magistrate. The orphans in Bristol (which by the common law of feudal citizens of London had the same and more extensive rights, tenures belongs to the lords) was by the custom of the town, which are still exercised by the Mayor and Aldermen of at least ever since the grant of Earl John's charter, but that city; 32 Catta 5 et>bj' 3, 1331. Good^s^^ic.jffor them to the said orphans and children, when they shall come b^^hdr'^uar ^® lawful age) forasmuch as such guardians and their sureties have dians. withdrawn themselves from the same town, and have alienated their lands and tenements in the same town and suburbs, and have not had any thing in the same place, from whence the justices were able at the due time to satisfy the orphans and children aforesaid of the goods and chattels by them so received ; have been hereto- fore wasted and destroyed in various ways to the manifest loss and impoverishment of those orphans and children ; We at the request of the said burgesses being willing to provide for the security of the said orphans and children by a seasonable remedy in this res- pect have granted for ourselves and our heirs and by this charter have confirmed to the same burgesses and their heirs and succes- sors, that the mayor of the said town who shall be for the time for ever, shall be empowered to receive from all and singular persons to whom he shall so have committed the wardship of the lands and tenements, goods and chattels of such orphans and children, and from their sureties, recognizances of any sums of money to be paid to the orphans and children at fixed times ; and at the suit and election of the said orphans and children, or of dinem in eadem villa hactenus obtentam ;) pro eo quod hujusmodi custodes et eorum amann captores se ab c&dem vill& elongarunt, et terras et tenementa in eisdem villA et suburbiis alienarunt, nee habuerunt ibidem unde justiciarii potuerint ^ad satisfaciendum prsedictis orphanis et pueris tempore debito debonis et catellis per eos sic receptis, ante base tempora multipliciter devastata fuerint et deperdita, ad damnum et depauperationem ipsorum orphanorum et puerorum mani- festam ; Nos ad requisitionem dictorum burgensium volentes dictorum orphanorum et puerorum indemnitatem prospicere opportune remedio ex b4c parte, concessunus pro nobis et hsredibus nostris et h4c carti confirmavimus eisdem burgensibus et eorum haeredibus et successoribus, quod major villx praedictse, qui pro tempore sit in perpetuum, recipere possit ab omnibus et singulis, quibus cuslodiam terrarum et tenementorum, bonorum et catellorum hujusmodi orphanorum et puerorum sic commiserit et eorum manucaptoribus recognitioncs de quibuscunque pecuniarum (2) Mamcaptorei.'] Manucaptors or mainpernors, i' e' (3) Some word seems liere omittecl, suci as levare, per- sureties or securities. 'Manucaption, or mainprixe, differs cy;we, or the like. ' hat little from bail.' Cowcll. Catte 5 a^W 3, 1331. 33 thdr executors, to levy the same sums of money so recognized on the lands and tenements, goods and chattels of the guardians and their sureties, being in the town and suburbs aforesaid, into whose soever hands those lands and tenements may have come ; or to deliver to the same orphans and children or to their executors, as their freeholds or freehold, the moiety of the same lands and tene- ments together with those goods and chattels, as far as the said sums so recognized, according to the form of the statute published at Westminster concerning such recognizances. jnO^0O U0t» whereas by inquisition taken by our beloved and faithful William Shareshall and Robert de Ashton by our command and returned into our chancery, it has been found that the said burgesses and their ancestors and predecessors, burgesses of the same town, from time of which there is no memory have always hitherto had view summis ipsis orphauis et pueris certis ^hominis [Z' temporibas] solvendis ; et easdem pecu- niarum summas sic recogiiitarum de terris et tenementis, bonis et catellis ipsorum custodum et manucaptorum suorum in villi et suburbiis prsedictis existentibus, ad sectam et electionem dictorum orphanorum et puerorum seu executorum suorum, ad quorumcunque manus terrse et tenementa ilia devenerint, levare ; seu luedietatem terrarum et tenementorum eorundem uni cum bonis et catallis illis usque ad dictas summas sic recognitas eisdem orphanis et pueris vel eorum executoribus liberare l^ supple ut libera] tenementa vel liberum tenementum suum, juxta formam statuti de ejusmodi recognitionibus apudWestm' editi. ^tMtttC^ cum per inquisi- tionem per dilectos et fideles nostros Willelmum Shareshall et Robertum de Ashton de mandato nostro captam et in cancellariam nostram retornatam sit compertum quod praefati burgenses et eorum antecessores et prsedecessores burgenses ejusdem villse k tempore quo Hon exstat memoria semper hactenus habuerant ^visus franci plegii in villa et suburbiis praedictis, cum omnibus ad (4) Hominis.'] This word, which is evidently wrong, 1 the Saxon period, and for some ages after) were obliged to have altered to temporilms, because it is translated times ia enter; by which they became mutuall/ bound for eacb the old translation. The true reading may perhaps be other's loyalty and good behaviour. The viewing or exa- certis nomijubus, on certain conditions. mining these frank-pledges (or mutual sureties) and the obliging eveiy freeman to enter into some decennary or (5) The liberty here taken with the text by inserting the company for the above purpose, is called the view offrank- words vt libera will not appear violent to those who know pledge, which was usually held by the sheriff or other how often in MSS. a word is absorbed by a similar word officer of the king, or by the lord at the leet : but it appears either before it or after it. by these presents, that the burgesses of Bristol had enjoyed from time immemorial view of frank-pledge in their own (,6) View of Jranhpledge.] Prank-pledge is the pledge or courts, engagement or surelyship into which all freemen (during 34 Cam 5 etito' 3, 1331. of frank-pledge in the town and suburbs aforesaid, together with JieJgfcon."''"^^^ things appertaining to such view, of the men who dwell in the bi^gfsse"."'* ^^^T^e town and suburbs ; and [whereas] the same burgesses are fearful that at some future times they shall be molested or even impeached for the same, because hitherto they have not had any special warrant for it by any charter of any one of our progenitors ; We, in return for the grateful duty which the same burgesses have hitherto paid to us and our progenitors and also for a fine which the same burgesses have agreed for with us, being willing to provide for their security in this behalf have granted for us and our heirs, and by this our charter have confirmed to our said bur- gesses, that they, their heirs and successors, burgesses of the same town shall for ever have view of frank-pledge in the town and suburbs aforesaid with all things belonging to such view of the men dwelling in the same town and suburbs ; being unwilling that the same burgesses, their heirs and successors shall be hindered, molested in any respect or in any manner troubled by us or our heirs, our justices, or other our officers whatever on account of the aforesaid view in time past. "SS^yEttfO^t we will and strictly command for ourselves and our heirs, that the aforesaid burgesses, their heirs and successors, burgesses of the same town, shall for hujusmodi vlsus pertlnentibus de hominibus in eisdem villa et suburbiis commorantibus, ac iidem burgenses pro eodem, quod inde 7 [dele per] speciale warrantum per aliquam cartam alicujus progenitorum nostrorum hactenus non [supple habent] metuant se posse fiituris temporibus occasionari ac etiam impetiri j nos pro grato obsequio quod iidem burgenses nobis et progenito- ribus nostris hactenus impenderunt, necnon pro fine quem iidem burgenses fecerunt nobiscum, volentes eorum securitatem in h^c parte providere, concessimus pro nobis et haeredibus nostris et hac cart^ nostra confirmaviraus pra3fatis burgensibus, quod ipsi haeredes et successores sui burgenses ejusdem vills habeant visus franci plegii in villa et suburbiis prsedictis cum omnibus ad hujusmodi visum pertinentibus de hominibus in eisdem vill4, et suburbiis commorantibus in perpetuum ; nolentes qu6d iidem burgenses, haeredes, seu successores sui ratione visus praedicti pro tempore praeterito per nos vel haeredes nostros, justiciarios, aut alios ministros nostros quoscunque occasionentur, molestentur in aliquo, seu graventur quovis modo. 4^UdtC volumus et firmiter praecipimus pro nobis et hceredibus nostris, qu6d prEedicli burgenses, haeredes et suc- (7) Pee speciale warrantum.] Either per must be wholly omitted ; or it must be amended by alijuod or the Vike. In the next line habenl or lu^merunt is evidently omitted. Carta 5 ctito' 3, I33i. 35 ever have all the liberties aforesaid, and also view of frank-pledge in the town and suburbs aforesaid, with all things belonging to such view of the men who dwell in the same town and suburbs, as is aforesaid. tE/ptSf being witnesses ; the venerable fathers, *S' archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England; ^ J' bishop of Winchester our chancellor ; '■ Thomas earl of Norfolk, and marshall of England; "John de Warren, earl of Surrey; Hugh de Courtney; Henry de Percy; Thomas Wake; Ralph de Nevill steward of our household, and others, (^tll^tt by our hand at Westminster the l6th day of October, in the fifth year of our reign. cessores sui burgenses ejusdem villie habeant omnes libertates supradictas et etiam visum franci plegii in villa et suburbiis prasdictis cum omnibus ad hujlisttiodi visum pertinentibus de homiiiibus in eisdem villa et suburbiis commorantibus in perpetuum, sicut prcedictum est. i^i^ testibus Venerabilibus Patribus S. Archiepiscopo Captuar', totius Anglise Primato;. J. Winton' Episcopo, Cancellario nostro ; Thom^ Com' Norfolk', et' Marischallo Anglise ; Johanne de Warren, Com" Surrey; Hugone de Courtney ; Henrico de Percy; Thoma Wake ; Radujpho de Nevill, Senes- challo hospitii nostri; et aliis. ^fltUin per;maniim nostram apud Westm' sexto decimo die Octobris anno regni nostri quinto. (s) S' archb''] Simon Mepham, elected archbishop in 1327. of Edw' i, by his second wife, Margaret of France. (9) J' Winlon.J John de Stiatfoid, elected bishop, of Winchester in 1323. He was lord chancellor and lord treasurer, and in 1333 was elected arcbbisbop of Canter'. bury. !• (10) T!io earl of Norfolk.'] He was called Thomas de Bro- therton, and was the king's uncle of half-blood, being son (11) Jo^n de Warren, §c.] Most of these witnesses, viz", the bishop of Winchester, the earls of Norfolk and Surry, Henry lord Percy, and Thomas lord Wake, had been the king^'s governors and ^iiardians of the realm during his minorit}''. At the '^te of this charter be was about 13 years old. f2 XL CHARTER OF EDWARD III. dated 24 April 21 Edw' III. i'e'1347. tlVUEtll 'by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all, to whom these present letters shall come, [sendeth] health. ^SEj^ereaS^aswehave heard, very many evil doers and disturbers of our peace wander and run about by day and night in the town of Bristol doing harms, mischiefs and excesses XL Carta 24 Apr' 21 Eclm 3, 1331. ^bU)dtbU;£i Dei gratia rex Angliae et Francias et dominus Hibernlae omnibus ad quos praesentes litteree pervenerint salutem. ({^Utdf ut accepimus, qu4m plurlmi malefactores et pacis nostrae per- turbatores in vill4 Bristoll' diebus et noctibus vagantur et discurrunt, damna, maleficia et excessus (l) The ornamented letter at the beginning of this charter contains an exact outline of the original in the Chamberlain's office, for which I am indebted to the pencil of Mrt BirD: the original, as well as Mr. Bird's copy, is highly blaxooed : the engraver conld only trace the outline, €nm 24 g^' 21 Cbto' 3, 1347. 37 in various ways to our subjects of those parts, to the no small terror of our people there, and to the manifest breach of our said peace ; We ; desiring that our peace should be strictly kept in the town aforesaid as in the other places of our kingdom of Eng- land, and willing that the disturbers and violators of the same our peace should be duly punished, as is right; have granted for oui-selves and our heirs to our beloved the Mayor, bailiffs and good men of the said town of Bristol, that they be empowered to make anew and to have and hold for themselves and their successors for ever one place of confinement for prisoners within the town afore- Li6eity to said, in order to imprison in the same such evil doers and dis- confinement, turbers of our peace, if any shall happen to be found in the same place wandering about by night, in the same manner as is usual . in our city of London. tSSEC jEbC EISO granted for ourselves and our heirs to the same Mayor, bailiffs and good men, that they and their successors aforesaid for the better keeping of the ^assize subjectis partium illarum diversimode perpetrantes, in popnli nostri ibidem terrorem non modicum ac dictse pacis nostrje laesionem manifestam ; nos desiderantes pacem nostram in vilR praedicti, sicut in caeteris locis regni nostri Anglise firmiter observari, ac volentes perturbatores ac violaiores ejusdem pacis nostrae debite puniri, prout decet j concessimus pro nobis et haeredibus nostris dilectis nobis majori, ballivis, et probis hominibus dictje villee Bristoll', quod ipsi unum doleum pro prisonibus infra villam praedictam 2 de novo facere et illud habere possint et tenere sibi et suc- cessoribus suis in perpetuum ad imprisonanduin in eodem hujusmodi malefactores et pacis nostrse pertubatores, si quos ibidem de nocte vagantes inveniri contigerit, eodem modo prout in civitate nostra London' est usitatum. CotlCCiSfjSiimU^ etiam pro nobis et haeredibus nostris eisdem majori, ballivis et probis hominibus quod ipsi et successores sui praedicti pro meliori cuslodi^ assisse panis (3) De novo facere] to make anew. I understand these words 2. It derives a second signification from the former : to mean, not to rebuild, but to make what they had not for it signifies Me raie of quantity, quality, or price of ale, before. The word doleum or dolium I have sought in vain in bread, fish, cloth, &c. prescribed by such statute or ordi- Spelnian and Ducange. The ornamented letter plainly shews nance ; in which sense we say that the magistrate has power it's meaning to be, a cage, a box, a lock-up-house •■ it may to appoint the assize of bread. In this charter the general perhaps he derived from doleo, to he in pain or trouble. meaning will be the same, in which ever of these two senses the word he understood. The assize of bread is fixed by the (3) Assine.'] This word among other significations has 51 Hen' 3, and stewards and Irailiifs of towns are empowered the following : to punish those who break it : it does not therefore appear 1. It signifies a statiUe or ordinance; or rather, some few that any new power was given to the magistrates of Bristol statutes or ordinances are called assizes. Thus the statute by this grant, but only that a specific mode of puDishment concerning bread and ale, 51 Heu'3, is termed assixa paras was pointed out. et^arevisias ; so also aasixa deforesid, asska regit, ^e. 38 Carta u ^t 21 €W 3, 1 347. of bread to be made in the town aforesaid, shall be empowered in future to inflict such a punishment on bakers who break that Bakers to beassizc in the same place ; viz, to draw such bakers who offend break the^as^agalnst that assizc upon sledges thro' the streets of the town afore- said, and otherwise to punish them, as is practised in like manner with regard to such bakers in our city of London. Jilt (!Ptttt0Si0 whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness, our most dear son * Lionel, guardian of England. At Reading the ^ 24th day of April, in the 21st year of our reign of England, but of our reign of France the 8th. in villa prsedicta faciendae de caetero facere possint talem punitionem de pistoribus assisam illam ibidem frangentibus, viz. ad irahendum hujusmodi pistorem contra assisam illam delinquentem super clatbras per vicos villse prsedictae, et ad ipsos alio modo castigandos, prout in dicta civitate nostra London' de hujusmodi pistoribus similiter est usitatum. 3[n CUJU^ rei testimonium has lltteras nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste Lionello filio nostro charissimo, custode Angliae. Apud Reading', vicesimo quarto die Aprilis, anno regni nostri Angliae vicesimo primo, regni ver6 nostri Francis octavo. (4) Lionel'] The king's third (but second surTiving) son, (5) T^ie date] King Edward was at this time besieging born at Antwerp in Nov' 1338; he was consequently not 9 Calais, whicli surrendered in August, years old when this charter was granted, although appointed guardian of the realm. XIL CHARTER OF EDWARD III. dated 8 Aug. 47 Edw' 3, i' e 1373. CtlVOEttl by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland, to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, dukes, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, provosts, bailiffs, officers, and all other his faithful men, [sends] health. ^U0\D ^t that whereas by the charters as well of our progenitors, formerly kings of Eng- land, which >with clauses of ^OtVDlt})0tanbtng we have confirmed, as by our own, divers liberties and acquittances have been for ever granted to our beloved the burgesses of our town of Bristol, and their heirs and successors, as is more fully contained in the same charters ; We at the petition of our beloved the mayor and commonalty of the city aforesaid truly asserting that the same town is situate partly in the county of Gloucester and partly in XII. Carta 8 Au^' 47 Edw 3, 1373. ^titdSlti)U.£> Dei gratia rex Anglise et Franciae et dominus Hlberniae, archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, ducibus, comitlbus, baronibus, justiciariis, vicecomitibus, prsepositis, ballivis, ministris et omnibus aliis fidelibus suis, salutem. ,i&CtSti^ qu6d cum per chartas tarn progenitorum nostrorum quondam regum Angliae, quas cum clausulis Itttt confirmavimus, quam nostras, diversae libertates et quietantise dilectis nobis burgensibus villae nostras Bristoll' et eorum hffiredibus et successoribus, prout in eisdem cartis plenius continetur, inperpetuum sint concessae; Nos ad supplicationem dilectorum nobis majoris et communitatis villse prsedictae veraciter asseren- tium, eandem villam partim in comitatu Glouc' et partira in com' Somersett' scituatam existere ; (l) With clauses.'] It refers to those clauses of exemption obstante, of which there are examples in the charters of ISSfr from general law, which are expressed by licet, eo quod, non and 1331, and many in the sncceediog ones. 40 catta 8 ms 47 Ctito' 3, 1373, the county of Somerset; and that although the town aforesaid from the towns of Gloucester and Ilchester, where the county- dutance from courts, asslzcs, jurlcs and inquests are taken before our justices iichTster. and other officers in the counties aforesaid, be distant thirty miles of road deep in winter-time particularly and dangerous to pas^sengers, the burgesses of the said town of Biistol are nevertheless on many occasions bound to be present at holding the county- courts and taking of the assizes, juries and inquests aforesaid, by which they are sometimes prevented from attending to their ship- ping and the management of their merchandizes, to the lowering of their estate and the manifest impoverishment of the same town ; We, for the improvement of the said town of Bristol, and also Tor the good in considcratiou of the good behaviour of the said burgesses service of ^116 t ■ J * burgesses, towards US aud of their good service bestowed on us in times past bv their shipping and other things, and for 600 marks, And for the -^ " rf O is ' r U" 1 sum of 600 which they' have paid to us ourselves into our chamber, of which marks, •^ i. ^ ^ we will that no one be charged toward us; willing to provide more amply and more abundantly for the aforesaid burgesses, their heirs and successors profitably and quietly ; of our especial favour and by the deliberation and assent of skilful persons of et licet villa prasdicta a villis de Glouc' et Yvelchester, ubi comitatus, assisse, juratse et inquisitiones coram justiciariis et aliis ministris nostris in comitatlbus prsedictls capiuntur, distet per triginta 2leucas profundi itineris in tempore maxime hiemali et transeuntibus periculosi, burgenses tamen dictse villse Bristoll' ad interessendum comitatibus tenendis ac caption! assisarum, juratarum, et inquisitionum prjedictarum multipliciter districtos fore, per quod circa navigiis et merchandizarum suarum exercitio vacare nonnullis temporibus impediuntur, in status sui depressionem ac ejusdem villse depauperationem manifestam ; volentes, in meliorationem dictse villae Bristoll', necnon in consideratione boni gestfts dictorum burgensium erga nos, et boni servitii sui per eoriim navigiura et alia nobis temporibus retroactis impensi, ac pro sexcentis marcis, quas ipsi nobismet ipsis in cameram nostram, de quibus neminem erga nos onerari volumus, solverunt, prasdictis burgensibus, eorum hseredibus et successoribus commode et quiete prasamplius et uberius providerej de gratis nostr^ speciali ex deliberatione et assensu peritorum de concilio ' nostro nobis assistentium ; (2) Triginta leucas'] 30 leagues. The variation in the length miles, it is evident that here the league is nearly the same as of the mile, league, &c. in different ages and places, has the mile. The same measurement occurs again in charter ever been a source of much perplexity. The distance from 5 Charles 1. There are several other passages in our ancient Bristol to Gloucester being 34 and to Ilchester 3S statute writers, where {euca or Imcata signifies a mile. Carta 8 gug* 47 am' s, 1373, 41 our council assisting us ; f^abC StaUttJj and by this our charter have confirmed for us and our heirs to the said burgesses and their heirs and successors for ever, that the said town of Bristol with it's suburbs and precincts of the same, according to it's ^ metes and bounds as they are limited, be for ever in future alike separated and in all respects exempted from the said counties of Gloucester and Somerset both by land and by water, and that it be a * county by itself, and called the counts/ of Bristol: and that the said burgesses, their heirs and successors for ever may have within the said town of Bristol and the suburbs of the same and their precincts by metes and bounds as they are limited, the liberties and acquittances underwritten, and may fully enjoy and use them; viz, vE/fjat every mayor of the same town of Bristol who for the time shall be, by that very thing and as soon as he shall be elected in the same place shall be the ^escheator of us and our heirs in the town of Bristol, the suburbs The mayor and precincts aforesaid: ^Ittl) tliat the said burgesses andcschcatm, COllCC^^itnU;^ et hac cartA nostra confirmavimus pro nobis et hasretlibus nostris drclis burgensibua et eoriim hsredibus et successoribus in perpetuum, quod dicta viila Bristoll' cum suburbiis suis et prsecinctibus eomndem juxta fines et boundas, praut limitatEc existunt, de dictis comitatibus Glouc' el Somersett' de caetero separata sit pariter et in omnibus exempta tim per terram qu^m per aquam, et quod sit comitatus per se, et comitatus Bristoll' nuncupata in perpetuum : et quod dicti burgenses et eorum hseredes et successores in perpetuum habeant infra dictam villam Bristoll' et suburbia ejusdem et eorum prscinctus per fines et boundas prout limitatse existunt, libertates et quietantias subscriptas, et eis plene gaudeant et utantur; viz. 4^U0tl quilibet major ejusdem villas Bristoll', qui pro tempore fuerit, eo ipso et quam cito ibidem electus extiterit, sit escheator noster et hffiredum nostrorum in villa Bristoll', suburbiis et prsecinctibus praedictis : Ct IJUOi) dicti bur- (3) Metes.'] ilTete is a stone or post for the division of land : courts of tlie town or county of Bristol. See Cotton's n bound or boundary \s a more general term, comprehending Records p' 119, No. 31. every thing used for the same purpose, a stone, a post, a , , ,.„-,,,„ ,,.„ „ , „ (5) Escheator and sheriff. \ Lauds, &o. on several occasions tree, a mark, a corner, &c. ^ ■' . escheated, r'e^ lapsed or were forfeited to the king or the lord ; the king's officer who took possession of these escheats (4) A county by itself.] This erection of Bristol into a ;„ hj, „a„e was called the escheator i he was appointed by the county, which was before only a bailiwick, forms an im- lo^d treasurer, one for each county, so that when Bristol portant era in it's civil constitution. The remainder of this became a county, it was necessary to appoint an escheator. charter for the most part consists of regulations necessary p^r the same reason a sheriff also was necessa.y ; fur the for removing the business which used to be done in the sheiitf (as the name iMre-r£e»e imports) is a chief officer ofiv county-courts of Gloucestershire and Somersetshire into the ^o„„ty . the one cannot be without the other. 42 Carta 8 giug' 47 CtiVo' 3, 1373. commonalty and their successors for ever shall have one ^sheriff in One sheriff to the samc town, suburbs and precincts, which sheriff shall be yearly?^" choscn and made annually in the underwritten form; viz. the said burgesses and commonalty shall every year choose out of Manner of thcmsclves thrcc persons, whose names under the common seal S"^"" of the said town of Bristol they shall every year for ever send to the chancery of us and our heirs ; and out of the three we and our heirs, or the council of us or our heirs, in our and their name shall choose and by our letters patent under our great seal shall make one every year for ever for sheriff of the said town of Bristol the suburbs and precincts to continue for one year only : JounVaV'tlr^^ t|iat always the same escheator and sheriff shall answer for EKchequer. ^jjg issucs arlsiug out of thosc offices to us and our heirs at the exchequer of us and our heirs aforesaid ; and that there shall not be at any future time any other escheator or sheriff in the said town suburbs and precincts, but only from themselves, as is premised : 9iXlti tjjat the same sheriff and escheator of Bristol shall have the same power, jurisdiction and liberty and whatever else belongs Sheriff to hold to the offices of sheriff and escheator in the same town, suburbs every month, aud prcciucts of Bristol, which other sheriffs and escheators else- where have within our kingdom of England : ^ttl) tJDat the genses et communitas et eorum hseredes et successores in perpetuum habeant unum vicec«mitem in eisdem villa, suburbiis et prascinctlbus, qui quidem vicecomes in forma subscripta annuatim eligetur et pcrficietur ; viz. dicti burgenses et communitas quolibet anno de seipsis eligant tres personas, quarum nomina sub sigillo communi dictse villae Bristoll' in cancellariam nostram et haeredum nostrorum annuatim mittant in perpetuum; et de ipsis tribus nos et haeredes nostri vel concilium nostrum aut haeredum nostrorum nostro et ipsorum nomine unum singulis annis in perpetuum in vicecomitem dictse villse Bristoll', suburbiorum et praecinctorum eligemus, et per literas nostras patentes sub magno sigillo nostro perficiemus per annum duntaxat duraturum : itd j^CtnpCt quod iidem escheator et vicecomes de exitibus de officiis illis provenientibus nobis et haeredibus nostris respondeant ad scaccarium nostrum et haeredum nostrorum praedictorum; et quod aliquo tempore futuro quisquam alius escheator aut vicecomes in dicti villa, suburbiis et prsecinctibus, nisi solummod6 de seipsis, ut pra2mittitur, nequaquam existat : ^ilO tpat every mayor of the said town of Bristol, who 'o"-" «<• the ac- count. Lunffi teneat, prout alii vicecomites in eodem regno comitatus snos tenent : ' ID ' _ deeds. other tenures within the same, town, suburbs and precincts, made by any persons whatever (married women excepted) in full court in the guildhall of the same town: so that such deeds and writings being duly recognized and enrolled in the rolls of the guildhall of the same town of Bristol from thence- forth shall be of record toward all persons, as deeds and wri- tings recognized and enrolled in our chancery or in our other courts. ^Utj [\U0 have granted] that when any original writs whatever, whether of covenant or others, shall hereafter be obtained in the chancery of us or our heirs between any parties concerning any lands, tenements, rents and other tenures whatever being within the same tOM'n of Bristol, it's suburbs and precincts, for the purpose of levying a ''fine thereon, the mayor and sheriff Mayor and of the same town of Bristol for the time being shall haveLvepo^e'l- cognizance thereof ; and before them in full court in the guild- "''^ hall of the said town of Bristol a fine thereof shall be levied (due course of law being observed) by virtue of any writ of gentium, factas per quascunque personas (mulieribus maritatis exceptis) in plena curia in le guildhall ejusdem viil*: ita quod hujusmodi cartae et scripta debite recognita ac in rotulis de le guildhall ejusdem villas Bristol! irrotulata extunc de recordo erga personas quascunque sint, ut cartae et scripta recognita ac irrotulata in cancellaria. nostra vel in aliis curiis nostris. (St (|II0& cum qufficunque brevia originalia, sive de conventione sive alia, inter aliquas partes de quibus- cunq' terris, tenementis, redditibus, et aliis tenuris infra eandem villam Bristol!', suburbia et praecinctus existentibus ad finem inde levandum in posterum in cancellaria nostra vel hffiredum nostrorum impetrata fuerint; major et vicecomes ejusdem villae Bristol!' pro tempore existentes cognitioncm inde habeant ; ac coram eis in plena curia in le guildhall dictse villa Bristoll' finis inde vigore cujusllbet brevis hujusmodi pro summi pecuniae rationabili per partes illas, prout (16) Recogniiances.'i ' It was in the times before the con- whole passage is too long for insertion. It seems therefore ' quest a common practice tu recognize deeds, concords, and that this right formerly inherent in the county-courts was ' last wills in the county-court ; which being entered in the now restored to the county-court of Bristol. ' ads of the court was irrefragable. But after the Norman ' conquest, when the king's courts were established, they (ly)Afme.J The same passage quoted above from the life ' came to recognize in the king's court of common pleas, of Lord Guildford, gives a short account of fines very intel- ' &c.' Norih's Life of Lord Guildford, ], p' 303; the ligible even to unprofcssioual men. 54 Carta 8 aug' 47 eiito' 3, 1373. this sort for a reasonable sum of money to be paid by those parties, as the custom is, for liberty to agree to the use of us and our heirs; and that full execution thereupon be done in the same place, as is done in our court concerning the fines Estreats Icvicd iu thc samc : so that the said mayor and sheriff shall deWrd°nt'o cause to be delivered by their attornies their estreats on this tue exchequer. |^gj^^l£ gygj.y yg^f Qu thc Hiorrow of Mlchaelmas day under their seals at the exchequer of us and our heirs, ^tttl tliat the same mayor and sheriff and their successors for ever shall i\jayo. and ^^^vc powcr of rccciving probates of wills of lands, tenements, r!Teife"p'™- rcuts and tenures devised within the said city of Bristol, it's hates of « Ills, g^^^^^^g and precincts within two j^ears after the death of the testator; so that such wills and legacies being proclaimed in full court of the guildhall of the said town of Bristol, and en- rolled in the rolls of the said court, after such proclamation and enrolment shall be of record ; and from that time the same And may put mayor and sheriff and their successors shall have power of cuuon.'" ^"^ putting the said legacies in execution by means of their officers in form of law, or by due process to be made before them by writ of ^^Ex gravi querela at the prosecution and choice of any one who shall be willing to prosecute, ^tltl iXSt have also mori.s est, pro licentii concordandi, ad opivs nostrum et hEeredum nostrorum, solvenda (debito juris ordine servato) levetur, et Inde ibidem sicut in curia nostra de finibus in eadem levatis executio plena 18 [irtjSpZe fiat]: ita quod dicti major et vicecomes extractas suas in hac parte quolibet anno in crastino Sti Michaelis sub sigillis suis ad scaccarium nostrum et hsredum nostrorum per attor- natos suos liberari faciaiit. llTO^0O\)0t we h^ve granted for us and our heirs to the aforesaid bursiesses and their heirs and successors for ever, that the said town of Bristol shall not in any ways The to«n be burthened to send more than ^^ two men only to the Parlia- «u?re"thmr''ments of us and our heirs, as has been customary hitherto: paiiirment? whicli two mcn shall be bound to answer for the same town and borough in those parliaments, both as knights of the county of Bristol, and as burgesses of the town and borough of Bristol. xitiXl tpat if in any usages or customs or rules had and practised or arising anew in the said town of Bristol, its suburbs and pre- cincts, there shall be any diflficulties or defects in which no Gloucestr' et Somersett' conjunctim vel divisim dirlgi debuissent) prffifatis vicecomiti, esceatori et coronatori Bristoll' pro tempore existentibus conjunctim vel divisim, prout convenit, et non aliter de cetero perpetuis temporibus dirigantur juta naturam Brevium, pragceptorum et mandatorum eorundem per eosdem vicecomitem, escheatorem et coronatorem Bristoliise debite, 'prout ad officia vicecomitis, escheatoris et coronatoris pertinet, exequenda. tC£ittIlUjG)'> venerabilibus patribus Willielmo, archiepiscopo Cantuarensi totius Angliae primato ; Willielmo Winton' ; Johanne Bathon' et Wellen'j Willo' Wigorn', episcopis ; Edmundo Cantabrig', (j2B) William a' b' of Cant.''] William Wittlesey, elected (29] William bishop of Wiuch'"} William of Wickham, late n' b' 1368 ; he died about a year after this charter was lord chancellor, the illustrious founder of Winchester col- granted. As he was now present with the king at Wood- lege, &c. stock, it cannot be literally true which Godwin relates of him, that he kept his bed for two whole years; for so I (^30) John b'' qf Bath."] John Harewell. understand the following passage : In duabus si/nodis iu& ttuthoritate coactis Latine concionatm ett magn&facundiee ac audi- (3 1) William bisK of Wore '] William de Lynne. A1)0ut tionislaude. In earum postremd dum adhuc in suggestu consisteret three months after this date, while mounting his horse to (Bgritudine corripitur, ut synodo amplius interesae non potuerit; go to parliament, he was seized with a fit of apoplexy, and tttqtie duos tolas annosdecuhuit. died Nov' is, 1373. Carta 8 gius' 47 Ctr\u' 3, 1373. '^Edmund, earl of Cambridge; ^^ Edmund earl of Marche; ^*John Knevett, our chancellor ; Richard Lestrop, our treasurer ; ^^ William Latimer, our chamberlain ; and others. Given by our hand at Woodstock, on the 8th day of August, in the 47th year of our reign of England ; but of our ^^ reign of France the 34th. 61 Edmundo Marchiae comitibus ; Johanne Knevett, cancellario ; Richardo Lestrop, thesaurario ; Willelmo Latimer, camerario nostris ; et aliis. Datum per manum nostram apud Woodstock octavo die Augusti, anno regni nostri Anglise quadragesimo septimo, regni vero nostri Franciae tricesimo quarto. {sayEdmund e ofCamlr.'"] Edmund de Laogley, fifth son of k' Edw' 3, created Duke of York in the next reign; the founder of the house of York. (33) Edmund ^igtt£l))illlU.S vos, novem, octo, septem et sex vestrum justiciarios nostros ad perambulationem inter comitatum Bristoll' et praecinctus ejusdem tam per terram quam per aquamj et dictos comitatus Gloucestr' et Somersett' extra praecinctus ejusdem comitatus Bristoll' 64 iliterae ^atentes, i ©•ept' 47 Ctjto* 3, 1373. by the oaths as well of knights as of other good and lawful men as well out of the said counties of Glouc' and Somers' as out of the said county of Bristol both within liberties and without, by whom the truth of the matter may be better known ; and for the purpose of placing in that perambulation certain marks and metes and divisions, which may be known for ever, between the said precincts of the county of Bristol and the said counties of Glouc' and Somers'. And therefore we order you, that at certain days and places, which you nine, eight, seven or six of you shall appoint for this purpose, you attend to the premises and to the making that perambulation in fonn aforesaid. We have also ordered our sheriffs of the said counties of Glouc' and Somers' and the mayor of the said town of Bristol, that at certain days and places, which you nine, eight, seven, or six of you shall make known to them, they cause to come before you nine, eight, seven or six of you, so many and such knights and other good and lawful men of the three counties aforesaid as well within liberties as without, by whom the truth of the matter in the premisseg may be better known; and that you cause inquisition to be And to ceitifyinade and notice to be given to us in our chancery, as soon chance"y/° as you convcnieutly can, wherever we shall then be, under your seals or the seals of nine, eight, seven or six of you, per sacramenta tam militutn qu^m aliorum proborum et legalium hominum, t^ra de dictis comi- tatibus Glouc' et Som', quam dicto comitatu BristoU' tam infra libertates quam extra, per quos rei Veritas melius sciri poterit, fideliter faciendam ; et ad certa signa et metas et divisas, quae in perpetuum cognosci valeant inter dictos prscinctus comitatus Bristol!' et dictos comitatus Glouc' et Somers' in perambulatione ilia ponenda. Et ideo vobis mandamus, qu6d ad certos dies et loca, quos vos, novem, octo, septem vel sex vestrum ad hoc provideritis, circd prsmissa intendatis et perambulaiionem illam factam [lege faciendam] in form^ praedicta. Mandavimus enim [l' etiam] vicecomitibus nostris dictorum comitatuum Gloucest' et Somers' ac majori dictse villse BristoU', qu6d ad certos dies et loca quos vos, novem, octo, septem vel sex veslriim eis sciri facialis, venire faciant coram vobis, novem, octo, septem vel sex vestrum tot et tales tam milites quam alios probos et legales homines de tribus comitatibus praedictis tam infra liber- tates qu^m extra, per quos rei Veritas in praemissis melius sciri poterit ; et inquiri et sciri facialis nobis in cancellarii nostrjl ad citius quo commode poteritis, ubicunque tunc fuerimus, sub siglUis Cam 8 ^US' 47 etitD' 3, 1373. 66 and under the seals of. four lawful knights out of those who shall have been present at that perambulation, by what marks, metes and divisions that perambulation has been made. In witness whereof we have caused these' our letters to be made Patent. WBitXlt^S 'myself at Westminster on the first day of September, in the year of our reign over England the 47th, but of our reign over France the 34th. vestrisj novem, octo, septem, vel sex veslrum et sigillis quatuor legalium militum, ex illis qui perambulationem 111am interfuerint, per quae signa, metas et divisas perambulatio ilia facta fuerit. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. (CCjStC meipso apud West- monasterium primo die Septembris anno regni nostri Angliae quadragesimo septimo, regni ver« nostri Francise tricesimo quarto. (l) The first example of this mode of testing, which our charters afford. K ui^''"^ : ^ 'mh^j^' XIV. PERAMBULATION of the BOUNDS, Sept 30, 47 EDW III. i' e' 1373. ^Ut lO^Jj the king directed his letters patent to the reverend fathers in Christ John bishop of Bath and Wells, William bishop of Worcester, and his beloved in Christ Walter Abbot of Glastonbury and Nicholas abbot of Cirencester, and his faithful Edmund Cliveden, Richard de Acton, Theobald Gorges* Henry Percehay, Walter Clopton, and John Sergaunt in these words. Edward by the grace of God king, &c. \liere follow the Letters Patent No. 13.] By authority of which letters it was ordered by the aforesaid justices as well to each sheriff of the aforesaid counties of Gloucester and Somerset, as to the mayor of the town of Bristol, that each of them should cause to come before the aforesaid justices, nine, eight, seven or six of them XIV. Perambulatio metarum retornata in Cancellariamy Sept' 30, 47 Edw 3, i' e 1373. ^OmtltUjG^ rex mandavit venerabilibus in Christo patrlbus Johanni episcopo Bathon' et Wellen', Willelmo episcopo Wigorn, et dilectis sibi in Christo Waltero abbati Glaston' et Nicholao abbati Cirencestr', ac dilectis et fidelibus suis Edmundo Cliveden, Richardo de Acton, Theobaldo Gorges, Henrico Percehay, Waltero Clopton, et Johanni Sergaunt literas suas patentes in haec -verba. Edwardiis Dei gratia rex, &c. Quarum literarum prastextu praeceptum fiierat per prsefatos justiciaries ikva utrique vicecomiti praedictorum comitatuum Glouc' et Somers' qu^m majori villis Bristoir, qu6d quilibet eorum venire facerent coram prsefatis justiciariis, novem, octo, septem letamM' metamm g>ept' 3o, 47 etrtu' 3, r e* i373. 67 at Temple-gate, which is in the aforesaid town of Bristol and in the confines of the three counties aforesaid, on Friday the morrow of St. Michael the Archangel next following, twenty-four as well knights as other good and lawful men of their baili\ticks both within liberties and without, to do those things which should be there enjoined them on the part of our lord the king. And by virtue of the aforesaid mandate, and also of the writs of our lord the king directed to them before concerning attending to those things, each of the sheriffs and the mayor aforesaid before the said Edmund Clivedon, Richard de Acton, Theobald Gorges, Henry Percehay, Walter Clop- ton, and John Sergeaunt came at the aforesaid place called Temple-Gate on the day aforesaid, and returned a certain ' panel of twenty-four, as well knights as other good and lawful men, &c. as well within liberties as without, in order to do those things, &c : on which day proclamations being made before the said Edmund, Richard, Theobald, Henry, Walter Clopton, and John Sergeaunt at Temple-Gate, that all those who had any evidences for making the metes and divisions aforesaid should vel sex eorum apud Temple Gate, quae est in praedicta villa Bristoll' et in confinibus triura comitatuum praedictorum die Veneris in Crastino Sancti Michaelis archangeli tunc proximo sequente viginti quatuor tam milites quum alios probes et legales homines de ballivis suis, t^m infra libertates qutim extra, ad facienda ea quae ex parte domini regis eis ibidem injungerentur. Et virtute mandatorum praedictorum ac etiam breviuin domini regis de intendendo eis inde prius directorum^ quilibet vicecomites et major praedicti coram praefatis Edmundo Clivedon, Ricardo de Acton, Theobaldo Gorges, Henrico Percehay, Waltero Clopton, et Johanni Sergeaunt apud prsedictum locum vocatum Temple Gate praedicto die i Veneris [Z' venerunt] et retornaverunt quoddam panellum viginti quatuor tam militum quam aliorum proborum et legalium hominum, &c. tam infra libertates quam extra, ad facienda ea, &c : ad quern diem coram praefatis Edwardo, Elcardo, Theobaldo, Henrico, Waltero Clopton, et Johanne Sergeaunt apud Temple Gate pro- clamationlbus factis, quod omnes illi, qui evidentias aliquas habuerint ad metas et divisas prce- dictas faciendas eis ostenderent et declararent ; et omnibus hujusmodi evidentiis propositis et (i) Veneris.'] In the Bodl' MS. it is written Veneris at spection of the original will certainly confirm it : the error length; and probably the Inspexiraus of Charles 2.' iu the must have arisen from the contraction t<^er'. Council-house has the same, because both translations have rendered it on Friday, making the passage unintelligible. (9)Pflne?,] alist or scheduleof persons to serve onjurics. The emendation venerunt is from conjecture i but an in- K2 6S 3^txmUV tnetamm ^epf 30, 47 etiVo' 3, r e* 1373. shew and declare them to them ; and all the evidences of this sort, which were proposed and declared,- having been heard, understood and examined with full and mature deliberation both by the justices aforesaid and by twelve as w^ell knights as other good and lawful men of each of the three counties afore- said elected and sworn for that purpose, the justices aforesaid proceeded to make a perambulation on the metes and divisions aforesaid by the oaths of the good and lawful men aforesaid, viz. of Robert Chedre, Walter Frampton, Walter Derby, Elias Spilley, Richard Broradon, William Cumbe, John ^Jackson the elder, William Woodford, William Somervell, John Viell, and John Somervell of the said county of Bristol; of Ralph Wallys, John Crooke, John de Weston the younger, John Kent de Wike, Robert * Atthy , John Wesburne, Laurence Campe, John Wicken Wick, William ^Atteante, Robert *Tel- lare, Thomas Overnon and Thomas Attheath of the aforesaid county of Gloucester ; and of John Beckett, Walter Lawrence,, William ' Sambrooke, Simon Draycott, John Babington, Richard declaratis tam per prxdictos justiciarios, quam per duodecim tam milites quam alios probos et legales homines cujuslibet praedictorum trium cotnitatuum ad hoc electos et juratos, auditis, intellectis et cum plena et matur^ deliberaiione examinatis, processum fuit per praefatos justiciarios ad perambulationem super metis et divisis praedictis faciendam per sacramenta proborum et kgalium hominum praedictorum, videlicet, Roberti Chedre, Walteri Frampton, Walteri Derby, Elliffi Spilley, Ricardi Bromdon, Willelmi Cumbe, Johannis Jackson senioris, Willelmi Wood- ford, Willelmi Somervell, Johannis Viell, Henrici Viell, et Johannis Somervell de praedicto comitatu BristoH"; Radiilphi Wallys, Johannis Crooke, Johannis de Weston junioris, Johannis Kent de Wike, Roberti * Atthy, Johannis Wesburne, Laurence Campe, Johannis Wicken Wick, Willelmi sAtteante, Roberti eTellare, Thomre Overnon, et Thomse Attheath de praedicto comitatu Glouc'; et Johannis Beckett, Walteri Lawrence, Willelmi Sambrooke, Symonis Draycott, Johannis Babington, Ricardi Calweton, Ricardi Oldmixon, Ricardi Sheyne {3)Jachon.2 The former translation has fTac^ston. translator has Attmull. (i)Atthy.1 Athay mihefotmetttsaaV, {6)Tellare.'\ 7U2ar in the former translation. (5) AtteanU,'^ Mot very legible in BodI' MS. tliie former {^)S<^mibnl^k«,1 Lambrook in the old transl*. ^etamlittr metamm g^ept' 30, 47 €W ^ i e' 1373. m Calweton, Richai'd Oldmixon, Richard Sheyne de ^ Acton, Richard English, Thomas Attemulle, Richard Neal and John Arthur of the aforesaid county of Somerset; who say upon their oaths that the^ metes and bounds between the divisions of the three said counties ^are these; viz. that t)(0^tttttttt^ the said perambulation at the end of the common wall of the same town of Bristol, which wall extends itself from a certain tower of the same town called Toxoer-harratz, into the water of Avon on the eastern part of the same town, which water is in the same place the division between the said county of Glouc' on the north part and the said county of Bristol on the south part : and so going upwards from the same end of the said wall by the '"end of the same water of Avon strait eastward to a stone lately fixed at the end of the ditch of a certain "croft called the Hales; which ditch is between the said county of Bristol and county of Somerset on the south part of the same county of Bristol : and from the said end of the same ditch on a line along the same ditch on the north side of the same ditch westward to a great stone fixed at the western Je Acton, Ricardi English, Thorns Attemulle, Ricardi Neal et Johanuis Arthur de prsedicto comitatii Somersett'; qui dicunt super sacramenta sua, quod metse et boundse inter divisas prsedictorum trium comitatuum sunt istaej quod videlicet 3?nciptOtiJ0 perambulationem prffidictam ad finem communis muri ejusdem villae Bristoll', qui se extendit ^ quadam turri ejusdefn vills vocata Tt/wer-harralz in aquam Avonse in orientali parte ejusdem villse, quae quidem aqua ibidem est divisa inter praedictum comitatum Glouc' in parte boreali, et prsedictum comitatum Bristoll' in parte australi ; et sic ab eodem fine praedicti muri ascendendo per finem qusdem aquse Avonce directe versus orientem usque ad lapidem de novo fixum ad finem fossati cujusdam crofti, vocati le Hales; qui quidem fossatus est inter dictos comitatum Bristoll' et comitatum Somers', in parte australi ejusdem comitatus Bristoll': et k dicto fine ejusdem fossati linealiter per eundem fossatum ex parte boreali ejusdem fossati versus occidentem usque ad magnum lapidem fixum ad occidentalem cornerum ejusdem fossati juxta regiam viam quae ducit (8) De Acton."] OfAshton in the old transl'. (lo) The end.] The edge or margin is the sense which seems /-I < ^i T Tu ■ ■ 1 t , .. ^, . to be required ; in which case marginem is the usual word. {gjAret/iese} These original bounds on the Gloucester- i j o .. -J r.t. ■ .• • .. . ^- Perhaps^jiem IS an error lor//M!B. snire side of the river continue m use to the present time, "^ altho' additions have been made to the city. On the Somer- ( j ,) ^ p„^] j^ ^ j^gj, fig, j „, paddock adjoiuing to the setshire side the modem additions have nearly inclosed the dwelliuK-house. old bounds. 70 ^eram^jul metamm i>ept' 3o, 47 entD' 3, i r 1373. corner of the same ditch near the king's highway which leads from Temple-gate towards Bath : and from the same stone along the same road along the ditch of the same road south- \yard on the eastern part of the same road to another stone fixed on the eastern part of a certain bridge called ^^Pill-hill- bridge: and from that stone to a spring in the way near the same bridge: and from the same spring strait westward to another stone fixed near the hedge of " Aldeburiham between the king's highway, which leads from the town of Bristol to- wards Pensford, and the same hedge: and so going down towards the north along the same road towards Bristol to a stone fixed at the northern angle of a certain meadow called Waremead: and from that angle strait westward along a certain ditch to a great stone fixed in a corner of the same ditch in the same meadow : and from the same stone northward and by another ditch to another great stone fixed in another corner of the same meadow : and so strait along the same ditch westward to another great stone fixed near the same meadow in the angle of the ditch of a certain croft, which formerly be- cle Temple Gate versus Bathoniam : et ab eodem lapide per eandem viam per fossatum ejusdem viae versus australem ex parte orientali ejusdem vise usque ad alium lapidem fixum ex parte oriental! cujusdam pontis vocati PiU-hill-lridge : et de illo lapide usque ad fontem in itinera juxta eundem pontem : et ab eodem fonte directe versus occidentem usque ad alium lapidem fixum juxta sepem de Aldeburiham, inter regiam viam, quae ducit 4 villa Bristoll' versus Pensford et eandem sepem: et sic descendendo versus boream per eandem viam versus Bristoll' usque ad lapidem fixum ad angulum borealem cujusdam prali vocati Waremead: et ab illo angulo direct^ versus occidentem per quendam fossatum usque ad magnum lapidem fixum in cornero ejusdeid fossati in eodem prato : et ab eodem lapide versus boream, et per alium fossatum usq ad alium magnum lapidem fixum in alio cornero ejusdem prati : et sic directe per eundem fossatum versus occidentem usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum juxta eundem pratum in angulo fossati (12) Pill-hilt-bridge.] Pi/e-Ai'H-iriifee in the old translalion. Oldbury ham. The old translation here and in the chartei-s of carl John and king Henrys. Vas Adlebmhant, Adkbury. {13) AUkhuriham.'i The word is ^rohMy Aldbury ham, on ^etamlitir metamm g^ept 3o, 47 em' 3, i t' i373. 7i longed to the fraternity of '*Satinors : and from that stone along another ditch northwards to another great stone fixed under a ditch near the head of a certain lane called the Red-lane: and from the same stone westward strait as far as another great stone fixed under the ditch of Ergle-croft: and thence along the same ditch southward as far as another great stone fixed in the corner of the said ditch: and from that stone on a line along the ditch of the same croft of Ergle-croft westward as far as another great stone fixed in the western part of the path which leads from Knolle towards Redclifife church: and from the same stone along the same path northward as far as a great stone fixed near the wall in the eastern corner of Redcliffe church-yard : And from thence southward along the middle of a certain lane, which leads towards the meadow of Langmeade as far as another stone fixed in the same meadow at the corner of a certain croft belonging to the master of the hospital of St. John Baptist of Bristol, called Langcroft : and from thence in the same meadow strait along a ditch northward as far as another great stone fixed in another corner of the same meadow of Langmead: and from the same stone strait westward along cujusdam crofti, qui quondam fuit fratrum i* Satinorum ! et ab illo lapide per alium fossatum versus boream, usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum subtus fossatum juxta caput cujusdam venellse vocatas le Redlane : et ab eodem lapide versus occidentem direct^ usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum subtus fossatum de Ergle croft : et delude per eundem fossatum versus austral' usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum in cornero ejusdem fossati ; et ab illo lapide linealiter per fossatum ejusdem croftse de Ergle-croft versus occidentem usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum in occidentali parte semitaa, quae ducit de Knolle versus ecclesiam de Redcliffe : et ab eodem lapide per eandem semitam versus boream usque ad magnum lapidem fixum prope murum in cornero orientali Coemeterii Ecclesia de Redcliffe : et ab inde versus austral' per medium cujusdam venellse, quae ducit versus pratum de Lang-meade usque ad alium lapidem fixum in eodem prato ad cornerum cujusdam croftae Magistri Hospitalis saiicti Johannis BaptistiE Bristollias vocatse Langcroft : et abinde in eodem prato directe per fossatum versus boream, usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum in alio cornero ejusdem prati de Langmead : et ab eodem lapide directe (\i) Fratrum Salinorum.'] The old translations have the perambulations of l6S3 and 1736, printed at the end of the irothers of Lnltimure ; so that the I,atin copy from whence old Iranslation, \\^ve the fraternity of Sattinars, which 1 lK«'e they were made must have had fratrurtt Latimonlm. The followed without knowing what it means. 72 3^eram!>ta' metamm S>epr 30, 47 ctrt»' 3, ft 1373. a certain gutter ''and a certain ti-ench, which extends along a certain cwit called Lokeing on the south side of the same trench as far as another great stone fixed in the corner of a certain little croft : and from thence along a certain ditch on the eastern side of the same ditch northward to another great stone fixed at the head of the same ditch in the king's highway which leads from Bristol towards Bedminster: and from th^ same stone strait westward along a certain ditch on the southern side of the same king's highway as far as the middle of Brightnee- bridge: and from thence strait northward along a certain ditch on the western side of the same ditch as far as a stone fixed in a meadow called Katharine-meade, at the corner of a certain croft called Cardiff" s croft : and from thence along a ditch of the same croft, which extends eastward, as far as another great stone fixed in the same meadow in a certain corner of the same meadow: and from thence along a certain other ditch, Avhich extends toward Trenelly-mill, as far as another great stone fixed in the northern angle of the same meadow of Katharine-mead : and from thence along a certain ditch strait westward as far as the thread of the water of Bishop' s-worth-brook at the western •versus occidentem per quandam gutturam et qnendam trcncheum quse se extendit per quendam croftum vocatum Lokeing in australi parte ejusdem trenchei usque ad alium magnum lapidem iixum in cornero cujusdam parvse croftge : et abiride per quendam fossatum ex orientali parte ejusdem fossati versus boream usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum ad caput ejusdem fossati in regiti via quje ducitde BristoU' versus Bedminster : et ab eodem lapide directe versus occi- dentem per quendam fossatum in australi parte ejusdem via; usque ad medium pontis Brightnee- Iridge : et abinde directs versus boream per quendam fossatum ex oecidentali parte ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum in prato vocato Katerine-meade ad cornerum ejusdem \lege cujusdam} croftse vocatae Cardyffy's croft : et abinde per fossatum ejusdem crofts, quae [lege qui] se extendit versus orientem usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum in eodem prato in quodam angulo ejusdem prati : et abinde per quendam alium fossatum, quod se extendit versus Trenelly Mille usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixum in boreali angulo ejusdem prati de Katerine-meade : et abinde per quoddam fossatum direct^ versus occidentem usque ad filum aquae de Bishoppsworth irooAe ad occidentale caput ejusdem fossati : et sic ex transvcrso ejusdem aqu£e versus boream {\5) Gutter and— 1 In the old translalion it is a cetlain gutter <>r Irmcb. pramM' metamm g>epr 30, 47 €m 3, I'r 1373. 73 head of the same ditch : and so across the same water north- ward to a stone fixed on the northern side of the same water at the southern head of the ditch of a certain close belonging to the abbot of St. Austin's of Bristol: and from thence on a line eastward on the northern side of the pool of Trene-miU as far as a great stone fixed on the mill-bay of the same mill and from the same stone strait on the northern side of the same mill to another stone fixed on the water of Avon near the same mill: and from the same stone strait northward into the said water of Avon, which is there on the western side of the same county of Bristol: and so along the margin of the same water of Avon westward and on the southern side of the same water of Avon as far as Crockerne Pill: and from thence westward along the margin of the water of the Severn as far as ^^ Portshead-ford : and from thence along the margin of the same water of the Severn westward on the southern side of the same water as far as a certain rock called " Clevedons Hoe : and from usque ad lapidem fixum in boreali parte ejusdem aquse ad australe caput fossati cujusdam clausi abbatis sancti Augustini Bristoll' : et deinde linealiter versus orientem ex parte boreali stagni de Trene-mill, usque ad magnum lapidem fixum super le Mill-lay ejusdem molendini : et ab eodem lapide directe ex parte boreali ejusdem molendini usque ad alium lapidem fixum super aquam Avonse prope eundem molendinum : et ab eodem lapide directe versus boream in praedictam aquam Avonae, quae est ibi in occidentali parte ejusdem comitatus Bristoll' : et sic per liiarginem ejusdem aquse Avonse versus occidentem et australi parte ejusdem aquse Avonae usque ad Crockerne Pill : et abinde versus occidentem per marginem aquae Sabrinae ex australi parte ejusdem aquae Sabrinffi usque ad partes ^'^Headford [Z' Porteshead-ford] : et abinde per marginem ejusdem aquae Sabrinae versus occidentem in australi parte ejusdem aquae usque ad quoddam saxum vocatum {\6) Partes Head/ord.] So it is in tbe Bodl' MS. and (\y)CleKedm's Hoe.'] The Bodl" MS. has the word hooi prohably in the inspexiinus copy of Charles 2 ; and accord- the former translations have hoe. Hm or hoe or hxm is Ingly both translations render it the parts about Headford. a rock — * Hoga, &c.] monSf coUis; unde Anglica obsoleta But since there is no place thereabout called Heudford, the ' ho and how pro monte gr in to mutato'. Spclm' Gloss'.— conjectural emendation proposed in the text is no dowbt It is evidently the same word as the Scottish heuch, heiigh, correct. — Since writing the above I have observed that Sir hewch, huwe, hwe, heio, which Jamieson interprets a crag, M' Foster in a MS. note proposes the same emendation.^ a precipice, a ragged steep. Etymol' Diet'. — The rocks, which The place intended is where was once a ford over the brook terminate Brean-down in the Severn, some few miles below of Portishead, and where is now a mill, to the great detriment Clevedon, are called the How-rocks. Plymouth-Hoe is arocky «f the neighboaring lands. eminence; and places of the same kind are called Hoe and Haw in various parts of England. 74 j^etamtjur metamm g>ept 30, 47 cutD' 3, 1'e 1373. thence strait westward in the water of the Severn aforesaid as far as" the northern corner of a certain island in the same called the Steep-Holme ; which island is the division between the said county of Somerset on the southern part, and the said county of Bristol on the eastern part, and the said '^county of Glou- cester on the northern part : and so from the aforesaid island of Steep-holme strait northward in the sanie water of the Severn, as far as the southern corner of a certain other island called the Flat-holme : and from thence strait eastward in the same water as far as the southern corner of a certain little island called ^° the Duny : and from thence in like manner strait eastward in the same water to ^^ Avonroad, which is on the northern side of the water of Avon afoiesaid : and from thence along the margin of the same water of Avon on the northern Clyvedcm' s Hoo : et abinde directe versus occidentem in aquam Sabrinse prsedicta usque ad cor- nerum borealem cujusdam insulse in eadem vocatae Stipholme : quae quidem insula est is divisa inter prsedictum comitatum Somerset' in parte australi, et prasdictum comitatum Bristoll' in parte orientali, et praediclum comitatum Gloucest' in parte boreaVuet sic a praedicta insula de Stipholme directe versus boream in eadem aqua Sabrinse usque ad australem cornerum cujusdam alterius insulse in eadem aqua vocatae Flat-holme : et ab inde directe versus orientem in eadem aqu4 usque ad australem cornerum cujusdam parvae insulae vocatis le Dunye : et ab inde similiter directe versus orientem in eMem aqu& ad Avonrode, quod est in boreali parte prasdictse aquae Avonae : et abinde per marginem ejusdem aquae Avonse ex boreali parte ejusdem aquce versus orientem usque (i8)Qk(E quidem insula eat divisa, &c.] If these words be {\0i) Counfy of Glottc''\ It is- strange that the county of translated as they have been hitherto, which island is divided GIoiic' should extend to this i)lace. The Flatholme is now between the county qf Somerset on the south part ^ S^c. it will considered r.s part of Glamorgan; and if Gtamorgau, as follow that the Stcepholmeis partly in Somersetshire, partly being subject to the earls of Gloucester, was then considered in Bristol, and partly in Gloucestershire, the point of a< part uf Gloucestershire, we may thence perhaps see the division being somewhere within the island; a thing very reason why Gloucestershire is represented in this passage ODlikely to happen to a small barren rock, as this is, and as lyirrg to the north of the Steepholme. moreover contrary to evidence. For the Steepholme is part of the manor of Norton-Beauchamp, in the parish of Kew- (20) This little island, now called the Dennj/, is nhoWy in stocke, and is consequently wholly in Somersetshire. I Muiiniouthshire. have therefore taken the word divisa to be a noun, as it is used several times in this present charter; audi consider (^2\) Avonroid '] Other copies read Aveneord: the old the meaning to be merely, that the island, considered gc- translation has ^uon-roarf. It is somewhere at the mouth of ncrally (but, particularly, the northern point of i() is the the river on the Gloucestershire side, though it mio'ht not division between the three counties. be easy to fix the exact spot. ^^eramBur mttmm ^tpt' 3o, 47 €W 3, i' e' i373. 75 side of the same water eastward as far as a certain great stone fixed on the same water of Avon near a certain rivulet called Woodivill's Lake on the eastern side of the same rivulet: and from thence going up strait northward along the course of the same rivulet from a great stone to a great stone fixed near the same rivulet as far as a great stone fixed near the conduit of the abbot of St. Austin's of Bristol on the western part of the same conduit : and from thence going up northward along a certain lane called Woodwill's Lane on the western side of the same lane, from a great stone to a great stone fixed for a boundary in the same lane, as far as a certain stone fixed near a certain wall called Langcroft Wall in the same lane, as far as another stone fixed near the corner of a certain field called Bartholomeiv's Close: and from thence along the ditch of the same field northward on the western side of the same ditch as far as a stone fixed in the corner of a certain close called Fokeing Grove: and from thence strait eastward along a certain long ditch from stone to stone as far as a stone fixed in the north (Corner of a certain close called Cantoke's Close: and from thence along the ditch of the same close strait eastward on the northern side of the same ditch as far as a stone fixed at the eastern corner of a certain croft belonging to the houses ad quendam magnum lapldem fixum super eandem aquara Avonje juxta quendam rivulum voca- tum Woodwill's Lake in orientali parte ejiisdem rivuli : et abinde ascendendo direcie versus boream per cursum ejusdem rivuli a magno lapide ad magnum lapidem fixum juxta eandem rivulam usque ad magnum lapidem fixum juxta conductum abbatis Sti Augustini Bristoll' ex parte occidental! ejusdem conductus : et abinde ascendendo versus boream per quandam venellam'vocatam Wood- will's lane in occidental! parte ejusdem venellae de magno lapide ad magnum lapidem fixum pro bounda in eadem venella asque ad quendam lapidem fixum juxta quendam murum vocatum Lang- croft Wall in eadem venella usque ad alium lapidem fixum juxta cornerum cujusdam campi vocati Bartholomew's Close: et abinde per fossatum ejusdem campi versus boream ex occidentali parte ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum in cornero cujusdam clausi vocati Fokeing Grove: et ab inde direct^ versus orientem per quendam longum fossatum de lapide ad lapidem usque ad lapidem fixum in boreali cornero cujusdam clausi vocati Cantoke's Close : et abinde per fossatum ejusdem clausi directe versus orientem in boreali parte ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum L2 76 j^etamM' metarum ^ept 30, 47 enW 3, f r 1373. of the religious of Magdalen and Bartholomew of Bristol : and from thence strait southward along a ditch of the same croft as far as another stone fixed in another corner of the same croft : and from thence strait along another hedge eastward on the north side of the same hedge as far as the king's high- road which leads from Bristol to Henbury : and so along the sanie highroad strait northward on the western side of the same highroad strait as far as a certain cross called Bewell's Cross: and from thence still northward as far as a stone fixed near BeweU's Well on the eastern side of the same well : and from that stone strait eastward across the king's same highroad as far as another stone fixed on the eastern side of the king's same highroad near the same highway : and from thence re- turning strait towards the south on the eastern side of the king's same highroad as far as another stone fixed near the said cross on the eastern side of the said cross : and from thence strait southward on the eastern side of the king's same highroad as far as a great stone fixed in the king's same highroad at the head of the ditch of a certain croft called Brompton's Close : and from the same stone along the same ditch, eastward on the northern side of the same ditch as far as another stone fixed in the eastern head of the same ditch : and from thence southward ad orientalem comerum cujusdam crofte domorum religiosorum Magdakn'etBartholomaeiBristoll': et abinde directe versus austr' per fossatum ejusdem croftas usque ad alium lapidem fixum in alio cornero ejusdem croftse : et abinde directe per aliam sepem versus orientem ex parte boreali ejusdem sepis, usque ad viam regiam quaj ducit de Bristol!' versus Henbury : et sic per eandem viam directe versus boream in occidentali parte ejusdem vise directe usque ad quandam crucem vocatam BeweU's Cross : et ab inde adhue versus Boream usque ad lapidem fixum prope Fontem de Bewell'ex orientali parte ejusdem fontis : et ab illo lapide direct^ versus orientem ex transverso ejusdem viaa regise usque ad alium lapidem fixum in orientali parte ejusdem vise regiae juxta eandem viam : et ab inde revertendo direct^ versus austral' ex orientali parte ejusdem viae regiae usque ad alium lapidem fixum prope praedictam crucem in orientali parte ejusdem crucis : et abinde direct^ versus austral' ex parte orientali ejusdem viae regias usque ad magnum lapidem fixum in eodem vi4 regia ad caput fossati cujusdam croftse vocatae Brompton's Close: et ab eodem lapide per eundem fossatum versus orientem ex parte boreali ejusdem fossati usque ad alium lapidem fixum in orientali capite ejusdem fossati : el abinde versus austral' per alium $etam!>ttl' metamm ^epf 3o, 47 €W s, 1 1' 1373. 77 along another ditch on the eastern side of the same ditch as far as another stone fixed in the corner of the same ditch: and from thence strait westward along a certain other ditch as far as another stone fixed at the head of a certain lane called the Mill-Lane: and from thence going down southward along another ditch as far as a stone fixed in a corner of the same ditch near a certain close called Priors Croft : and from thence along ano- ther ditch eastward as far as another stone fixed at the end of the same ditch in a certain highroad called Maudlin-Lane : and and so across that highroad along another ditch eastward on the north side of the same ditch as far as a stone fixed in the corner of the same ditch: and from thence strait southward along another ditch as far as a stone fixed in the corner of the same ditch : and from the same stone strait westward along another ditch on the southern side of the same ditch as far as another stone fixed in a corner near the ditch of a certain close, called Prior's close: and from thence going down along the same ditch southward as far as a stone fixed in a corner of the same ditch close adjoining to Prior s Orchard : and from thence along a long ditch of a close belonging to the prior of St. James east- ward from a large stone fixed in the east corner of a certain little 'o^ fossalum ex parte or-ientali ejusdem fossati usque ad alium lapidem fixum in cornero ejusdem fossati : et abinde direct^ versus occidentem per quoddam aliud fossatum usque ad alium lapidem fixum ad caput cujusdam venellae vocatae le Mill Lane : et abinde descendendo versus austral' per aliud fossatum usque ad lapidem fixum in angulo ejusdem fossati juxta quendara clausum vocatum Prior's Croft : et abinde per alium fossatum versus orientem usque ad alium lapidem fixum ad finem ejusdem fossati in quadam via vocata Maudline-lane : et sic ex transverse vise illius pe'' alium fossatum versus oriental' in boreali parte ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum in cornero ejusdem fossati : et abinde directe versus austral' per alium fossatum usque ad lapidem fixum in cornero ejusdem fossati : et ab eodem lapide directe versus occidentem per alium fossatum ex australi parte ejusdem fossati usque ad alium lapidem fixum in cornerio juxta fossatum ejusdem [Zege cujusdam] clausi vocati Prior's Close : et abinde descendendo per eundem fossatum versus austral' usque ad lapidem fixum in cornerio ejusdem fossati contigue juxta Prior's Orchard: et abinde per longum fossatum clausi prions Sancti Jacob! versus orientem de magno lapide ad magnum lapidem usque ad lapidem fixum in orientali cornerio cujusdam parvi clausi vocati 78 53emmW metamm g^ept' 30, 47 em' 3, it' i373. close called ^"^ Doucer-Croft : and so from the same stone going down southward along the ditch of the same close as far as a stone fixed in the kinij's highroad which leads from Bristol to Thornbury at the south corner of the same ditch : and from thence along the same road northward on the western side of the same highroad as far as a stone fixed in the same road opposite to a certain path called Apsherd : and from the same stone across the same road eastward as far as another stone fixed ■ upon a certain little hillock near the Apsherd : and so from thence eastward along a certain ditch on the northern side of the same ditch, as far as a stone fixed in the corner of the same ditch : and so o-oing down along the middle of a certain ditch southward as far as a stone fixed at the southern end of the same ditch : and from thence strait eastward through the middle of the ditch of a certain close called Mere-Furlong^ as far as a great stone fixed at the corner of the same ditch : and from thence going down southward through the middle of another ditch of the same close, as far as a certain stone fixed in an angle near the ditch of a certain close called Beane-Jlower-Croft : and from thence strait eastward along the ditch of the sauie close as far as a stone fixed in another corner of the same close : and from thence Doucer Croft : et sic de eodem lapide descendendo versus austr' per fossatum ejusdem clausi usque ad lapldem fixum in via regia, qu» ducit de Bristoliia versus Thornebury ad cornerium australe ejusdem fossati : et abinde per eandem viam versus boream in occidentali parte ejusdem vise usque ad lapldem fixum in eadem via ex opposite cujusdam semits vocatae Apsherd: et ab eodem lapide ex transverse ejusdem viae versus orientem usque ad alium lapidem fixum super quendam parvum cuniculum prope le Apsherd : et sic abinde versus orientem per quoddam fossatum ex parte boreali ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum in cornerio ejusdem fossati : et sic descendendo per medium cujusdam fossati versus austr' usque ad lapidem fixum ad austra- lem finem ejusdem fossati : et abinde directe versus orientem per medium fossati cujusdam clausi vocati Mere-Furlong usque ad magnum lapidem fixum ad cornerium ejusdem fossati : et deinde descendendo versus austral' per medium alterius fossati ejusdem clausi usque ad quendam lapidem fixum in angulo juxta fossatum cujusdam clausi vocati Beane- Flower Croft : et deinde directe {22)Doucer-CToft.} Dove-croft m the old translation. (fis) Longesdeii's Land."] The old translation has Zan^j(i>ti»i\'i JDojjcc'i ern/i in the old perambulations quoted above. .'and; the old perambulation has Long-lands; others read Lartglong's land4 ^etamM' metarum g'epr 30, 47 ctito' 3, f t' i373, 79 southward along another ditch of the same close on the eastern part of the same ditch, as far as a stone fixed in the eastern corner of the same close : and from thence along another ditch eastward as far as a certain stone fixed in the angle of a certain croft called "^^ Longesden s Land: and from thence northward along the middle of another ditch of the same croft, as far as the north corner of the same ditch : and so from great stone to great stone, as they are placed for bounds, along a certain long ditch eastward as far as a great stone fixed in the corner of a certain Croft called ^''Cock's Croft: and from thence strait northward along another ditch as far as a great stone fixed in a corner of the same croft : and so along another ditch of the same croft eastward as far as another stone fixed in another corner of the same croft : and from thence strait southward along another ditch of the same, croft as far as another stone fixed in another corner of the same croft near a certain close called the Piked- Croft: and thence strait eastward along the ditch of the same close of Piked-croft as far as a stone in a corner of the same croft, near the road which leads from -Bristol to Stoke : and from the same stone alonsj another ditch of the same close versus orientem per fossatum ejusdem clausl usque ad lapidem fixum in alio cornerio ejusdem clausi : et abinde versus austr' per alium fossatum ejusdem clausi iu orientali parte ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum in orientali cornerio ejusdem clausi : et abinde per alium fossatum versus orientem usque ad quendam lapidem fixum in angulo cujusdam croftee vocats Longesden's Land: et abinde versus boream per medium alterius fossati ejusdem crofts usque ad borealem coMiErium ejusdem fossati : et sic de magno lapide ad magnum lapidem prout ponuntur pro boundis per quoddam longum fossatum versus orientem usque ad magnum lapidem fixum in cornerio cujus- dam croftoe vocatse Cock's Croft: et abinde directc versus boream per alium fossatum usque ad magnum lapidem fixum in cornerio ejusdem croftae: et sic per alium fossatum ejusdem crofts versus orientem usque ad alium lapidem fixum in alio cornerio ejusdem croftae : et abinde directe versus austr' per alium fossatum ejusdem croftae usque ad alium lapidem fixum in alio cornerio ejusdem crofts juxta quoddam clausum vocatum le Piked- Croft : et deinde directe versus orientem per fossatum ejusdem clausi de Piked-Croft usque ad lapidem fixum in cornerio ejusdem croftffij prope viam quae ducit de Bristolli^ versus Stoke : et ab eodem lapide per alium fossatum (84)Coci'i croftl Others read Cook's crqft; and others CoAe'j cro/i!. BO ^^etaiuM' metarum ^epf 3o, 47 eii\t)' 3, f r i373. southward as far as a stone fixed in another corner of the same close : and from the same stone strait westward along another ditch of the same close on the southern side of the same ditch as far as another great stone fixed on the opposite side of the road aforesaid which leads to Stoke in a corner of a certain little close called Wrington's Croft: and from the same stone alono- a ditch of the same close strait southward as far as a stone fixed in another corner of the same close in the road which leads from Bristol to ^^ Lekenbridge : and from the same stone along the ditch of the same close strait westward as far as a stone fixed in the northern side of the road which leads from Bristol to the conduit of the same town called Key-pipe-conduit : and from thence strait westward along a certain long ditch from stone to stone on the southern side of the same ditch as far as a stone fixed near a certain spring called Begger-well, on the northern side of the same spring : and from the same stone strait soiithward on the eastern side of the ditch of a certain garden called Ditche's Orchard, as far as a certain stone fixed on the water of the Froom on the northern side of the same water : and so on a line along the same water on the northern side of the same water westward as far as a stone fixed on the same water ejusdem clausi versus austr' usque ad lapidem fixum in alio cornerio ejusdem clausi : et ab eodem lapide directe versus occidentem per alium fossatum ejusdem clausi ex australi parte ejusdem fossati usque ad alium magnum lapidem fixuni ex transverse prsedictae viae, quae ducit versus Stoke in cornerio cujusdam parvi clausi vocati Wrington' s Croft : et de eodem lapide per fossatum .ejusdeqa plausi directe versus Austr' usque ad lapidem fixum in alio cornerio ejusdem clausi in ,via quae duojt ,dg Bristoll' versus Lekenhrigge : et ab eodem lapide per fossatum ejusdem clausi directe versus oqcideotem usque ad lapidem fixum in boreali parte vis quae ducit de BristoUia versvis conductum ejusdeiaji vills vocatum Key -pipe- Conduit : et ab inde directe versus occidentem per quoddam longum fossatun;i de Japide ad lapidem ex australi parte ejusdem fossati usque ad lapidem fixum juxta quendam fpntem vocf^um Begger-well ex boreali parte ejusdem fontis : et ,^e eodem lapide directe versus Austrumex orient^li parte fossati cujusdam gardini vocati Ditclie's Orchard usque ad quendam lapidem fixum super aquam 4fi Froome in parte boreali ejusdem aquae : et sic ijnealiter per eandem aquam ex boreali parte ejusdem ^qy^ versus occidentem usque ad fs?) Lpiin^gge.J Lokenbrig, Old IransV. ^etamftttl' metantm g>ei)f so, 47 (Kbb' s, ft' isis. si opposite to the great ditch of the town of Bristol : and from thence strait eastward across the same water of Frome as far as a stone fixed on the south side of the same water in the aforesaid great ditch of the same town: and from that stone strait along the same ditch as far as a great stone fixed outside the gate of the same town called Laxvford's Gate near the same gate : and from that stone strait eastward from stone to stone in the same great ditch as far as a stone fixed in the eastern corner of the same ditch: and from that stone strait westward from stone to stone along the same ditch as far as another stone fixed at the western end of the same ditch : and from that stone across northward as far as a stone fixed in a corner under the same ditch : and from thence going down westward on the southern side of St. Philip's church-yard as far as a stone fixed in the corner of the ditch of King's Orchard: and so along the same ditch northward on the western side of a certain lane called St. Philip's Lane as far as a stone fixed on the ditch of the castle of Bristol near the gate of the same castle called Nether-gate : and from the same stone always along the ditch of the same castle on the northern side of the same ditch as far as the gate of the same town called Nex&gate: and from the same gate westward on the western side of the ditch called the fapidem fixum super eandem aquam ex opposlto magni fossati vill* Bristoll' : et abinde directe versus orientem ex transverso ejusdem aqua de Frome usque ad lapidem fixum in australi parte ejusdem aquae in prcedicto magno fossato ejusdem villse : et ab illo laplde directe per eundem fossatum usque ad magnum lapidem fixum extra portam ejusdem villae vocatam Lawford's gate prope eandem portam : el ab illo laprde directe versus orientem de lapide ad lapidem in eodem magno fossato usque ad lapidem fixum in ©rientali cornerio ejusdem magni fossati : et de illo lapide directs versus occidentem de lapide ad lapidem per eundem fossatnm usq ad alium lapidem fixum ad occidentalem finem ejusdem fossati : et de illo lapide ex transverso versus boream usque ad lapidem fixum in angulo subtus eundem fossatum : et abinde descendendo versus occidentem ex australi parte coemeterii ecclesis Sti Philippi usque ad lapidem fixum in cornerio fossati de King's Orchard : et sic per eundem fossatum versus boream ex parte occidental! cujusdam venellse vocatss St, PhiUip's lane usque ad lapidem fixum super fossatum castri Brlstolliaejuxta portam ejusdem castri vocatam Neyther gate : et ab eodem lapide semper per fossatum ejusdem castri ex parte boreali. ej,usdem fossati usque ad portam ejusdem villse vocatam Newgate : et ab eadem. M S2 ^etamlittl' metamm feept' 30, 47 ctito' 3, it' isis. Moat-ditch of the same castle as far as a stone fixed in the cor- ner of the same ditch : and from the same stone strait southward on the western part of the same ditch of the castle aforesaid as far as the '' thread of the said water of the Avon : and so along the thread of the said water of the Avon strait eastward as far as the aforesaid end of the common wall of the same town of Bristol, which extends from the same thread of water in that place westward as far as the aforesaid tower called Tower- Harratz, at which end of the wall aforesaid the foregoing perambulation was begun. 'Sli^JlC]^ bounds according to the signs, metes and divisions the said justices place, set and adjudge to endure for ever between the aforesaid counties, and as before mentioned : and it is commanded to each of the aforesaid sheriffs that they cause public proclamation to be made in all places of their bailiwick, where they shall see it to be most expedient, that all and singular persons of their said bailiwick shall inviolably keep and observe for ever the aforesaid metes and divisions set, appointed and adjudged by the aforesaid justices in their said perambulation. JU '^!lMttn0&0 of all which things as well the said justices as Robert Chedre and Walter Frampton of the said county of Bristol, Ralph Wales and John Crooke of the said porta versus occldentem parte occidentali fossati vocatl le Mot ditch ejusdem castri usque ad lapidem fixum in cornerio ejusdein fossati: et de eodem lapide directe versus austrum in occi- dentali parte ejusdem fossati castri prsedicti usque ad filum proedictae aquas Avonse : et sic per filum ejusdem aquae Avonae directe versus orientem usque ad prjedictum finem communis muri ejusdem villae Bristoll', qui se extendit ab eodem file aquas ibidem versus occidentem usque ad praedictam turrim vocatam Tower- Harratz, ad quem finem muri prsedicti perambulatio prsedicta incepta fuit. 4^119^ quidem boundas pro signis, metis et divisis inter comltatus praedictos (ut preedictum est) praefaii justiciarii ponunt, statuunt et adjudicant in perpetuum duraturas : ei praeceptum est cuilibet praedictorum vicecomitum, qu6d public^ proclamari faciant in omnibus Jocis baliivae suae, ubi viderint melius expediri, quod omnes et singuli dictae ballivas suae metas et divisas prasdictas per praefatos justiciaries in dicti perambulatione suA positas, statutas et adjudi- catas inviolabiliter teneant et observent in perpetuum. ^Jlt QUOJUITI omnium testimonium tam prsefati justiciarii quam Robertus Chedre et Walterus Frampton de praedicto comitatu Bristoll', (26) The thread,} i' e' tUe mid-Btream, or middle of the current. ^eramtiuV metamm g>ept' 3o, 47 ebUj' 3, t' e' 1373. 83 county of Gloucester, and John Beckett and Walter Lawrence of the county of Somerset, [being some] of the aforesaid jurors present at making that perambulation, have hereto set their seals. Radalphus Wales et Johannes Crooke de praedicto comitatu Glouc', et Johannes Beckett et Walterus Lawrence de comitatu Somersett' de prsedictis juratis ad perambalationem illam faci- endam praescntibus sigilla sua apposuerunt. M 2 XV. EXEMPLIFICATION of the aforesaid Perambulation, Oct 30, 47 EDW III. i' e 1373. (^tlSX^WCtt by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all whom these present ' letters shall come sends health. kS^Z I)&\30 inspected a certain perambulation on the metes and divisions between the counties of Glouc' and Somers' and the county of Bristol, made by our order and returned into our chancery, in these words. Our lord the king directed, &c. [Here foUoxvs the return of the Perambulation, No. \A.~\ ^XwvUt at the request of our beloved the mayor and burgesses of the said town of Bristol have thought fit to have the tenor of the said perambulation exemplified by virtue of these presents. In witness Avhereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. ^!!23^lttl00S myself at Westminster on the 30th day of October in the 47th year of our reign over England, but of our reign over France the 34th. XV. Literce Patentes exemplijicantes Perambiilationem prcedictam. Oct 30, 47 Edm 3, i' e 1373. 0^ the assent and agreement of the prelates, nobles, great men and commonalty being in our ^ parlia- ment, called together at Westminster on the morrow of St. Edmund king and martyr last past, do for us and our heirs by virtue of these presents ratify, approve and confirm for ever to the said burgesses of Bristol and to their heirs and successors as well our said charter and all and singular the grants, liberties and acquittances and all other things contained and specified in the same charter, as the said perambulation exemplified by our letters patent aforesaid concerning the metes and divisions so made between the aforesaid counties of Glouc' and Somerset and the said county of Bristol on the borders and bounds, and hffic verba : Edwardus Dei gratia rex Anglise, &c. 5(^1^1?^ WltlU 5 etiam quasdam literas nostras patentes, per quas quandani perambulationem super metis et divisis prJEdictorura comitatuum Glouc' et Somersett' et dicti comitatus Bristolliae, mandato nostro per fines et boundas supra- dictas factam et in cancellariam nostram retornatam, exemplificari fecimus in hsec verba : Edwardus Dei gratis rex, &c. |^OiS llC assensu et concordiA prelatorum, nobilium, magnatum, et communitatis in parliamento nostro apud Westmonaster' in crastino Sancti Edmundi reo-is et martyris proximo prseterito convocato existentium, tam dictam cartam nostram et omnes et singulas concessiones, libertates, et quietantias ac alia quscunque in eadem carta contenta et specificata, quim perambulationem prfedictam per praedictas literas nostras patentes excmpli- ficatam super metis et divisis sic factis inter praedictos comitatus Glouc' et Somersett* et pradictum {\) Parliament at Westm''] Vide Cotton's Records, up. must Iiave me(. Edmund king of llie E'Angles haviiio- been Rolls of Pari 47 Edw' 3. Cotton's Abiidg' p' 116. Wal- slain by the Danes in 870, because he would not lenouuce the singham, p' I89.— The Letters Patent (No. is) here quoted Christian religion, was ever afterwards reputed a martyr are dated October 30, 1373; this present charter is dated and November 20 stands in (he calendar as his day. This December 20, 1373: between these two dates the Parliament parliament therefore met on November 21. Carta Cotta'tmattonis. Bee' 20, 47 Cto' 3, t'r 1373, 87 those letters, and all and singular the things contained in those letters, as our charter and letters aforesaid more fully testify. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. WBWXtSS myself at Westminster on the 20th day of December in the 47th year of our reign over England, and of our reign over France the 34th. comitatum Bristoll' 2 supra fines et boundas, 2 supra literasque illas, et omnia et singula in eisdem Uteris contenla praefatis burgensibus Bristoliiffi et corum hseredibus et successoribus pro nobis et hsredibus nostris in perpetuum in tenore praesentium ratificamus, approbamus et con- firmamus, prout carta et literae nostrse praedictae plenius' testantur. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud Westmonast' vicesimo die Decembris, anno regni nostri Angliae quadragesimo septimo, regni ver6 nostri Francse tricesmo quarto. (2) {3) Supra — SupT-d,"] The general meaning of the pas- the Latin, which can be rectified only by an inspection of sage is given iu the translation ; bnt there is some error in the original. XVIL CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION, Eeb' 8, l RICH' IL 5^ttf)8ltb by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all to whom these present letters shall come sends health. W^t l)&b0 inspected the letters patent of con- firmation, which the lord Edward late king of England, onr grandfather, lately caused to be made in these words: Edward by the grace of God, &c. [Here follows the Charter 20 Dec 47 Edxo' 3, No. 16.] W^Z JaViC also inspected certain other letters patent of our aforesaid grandfather lately made in these words: Edward by the grace of God, &c. [Here foUoios the Charter 21 Edxo' 3, No. 11.] 3BUt lot ratifying and approving of all and singular the grants and confirmations, perambulations, liberties and acquittances and other things whatever contained and speci- fied in the charter and letters aforesaid do for us and our heirs, as much as lies in our power, by virtue of these presents grant XVII. Carta Conjirmationis, 1 Ric 2, i' e' 137^. SiiCdjttUj^ Dei gratia rex Angliae et Francise et dominus Hibernias omnibus ad quos prassente? literae pervenerint salutem. ^UjSpCjCilUUSi literas patentes de confirniatione, quas dominus Edwardus nuper rex Angliae, avus noster, nuper fieri fecit in hsec verba : Edwardus Dei gratia, &c. 3(ni$p^]CtniU^ etiam quasdam alias literas patentes prasfati avi nostri nuper factas in haec verba: Edwardus Dei gratis, &c. |^0j3i autem omnes et singulas concessiones et confi-rmationes, peraoibulationes, libertates et quietantias et aliti quse cunque in carta ac Uteris supradictis contenta "^t specificata, rata habentes et grata, ea pro nobis et hseredibus nostris praefatis burgensibiis Carta CottfitmatConfe* i Etc* f e' 1371. 89 and confirm them to the said burgesses of Bristol and their heirs and successors for ever; as the charters, letters and confirma- tions above mentioned reasonably testify. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. mEttU0Sl0 myself at Westminster 'on the 8th day of February, in tiie first year of our reign. Bristolliae et eorum hseredibus et successoribus, quantum in nobis est, in perpetuum tenore prse- sentium concedimus et confirmamus; prout cartae, literae, et confirm ationes supradictae rationabi- 'iter testantur. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. <^t$tC meipso apud Westmonast' octavo die Feb', anno regni nostri prime. (l) DtttcJ The kiog was at this time 11 years of age ; bat the goTernment was in the hands of his uncles.. XVIIL SECOND CHARTER of CONFIRMATION, Feb' 28, 1 RICH' II. i' e' l37i. 3i^t(|)Etti by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland, to all to whom the present letters shall come, sends health. Wi^t |)EVI0 inspected the charter of the lord Edward late king of England, our grandfather, in these words: [Here follows the Charter, 5 Edw' 3, No. 10.] ^Ut we ratifying and approving of the grants, gifts and confirmations aforesaid do by virtue of these presents for ourselves and our heirs, as far as lies in our power, grant and confirm them to our burgesses of Bristol aforesaid and to their heirs and successors, burgesses of the said town, as the said charter of our grand- father aforesaid reasonably testifies, and as the said burgesses and their ancestors or predecessors have been accustomed rea- sonably to use and' enjoy the liberties, acquittances and other XVIII. Carta altera Conjirmationis, Feb' 28, 1 JRicardi 2, I e 137i. IRitatbU^ Dei gratia rex Anglise et Franclse et dominus Hiberniae omnibus, ad quos prassentes literas pervenerint, salutem. ^lt^pC]CimUiEf cartam domini Edwardi nuper regis Anglis, avi nostri, in haec verba, Edwardus Dei gratia rex, &c. H^O^ autem concessiones, donationes, et confiraiationes praedictas ratas habentes et gratas, eas pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, praefatis burgensibus nostris Bristolliae et eorum hseredibus et successoribus burgensibus villae prsedictae tenore prsesentium concedimus et confirmamus ; prout dicta carta praefati avi nostri rationabiliter testatur, et prout iidem burgenses et eorum aiitecessores sive praedecessores liber- Cam alteta €onfim\ jTelJ' 28, i EicartrC % i r I37i. 91 things premised. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. tJiS^ttttCfilS myself at Westminster on the 28th day of February in. the first year of our 'reign, \ tatibus et quletantiis ac aliis prsemissis rationabiliter uti et gaudere consueverant. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus palentes. <^t0tt meipso apud Westmon' vicesimo octavo die Februar' anno regni nosrtri prime. (1) This charter heing granted only twenty days after the mation of 5 Edw' 3, and therefore obtained this present preceding, it seems probable that the burgesses, after re- charter for the sole purpose of supplying that deficiency, ceiviog the first, discovered that it contained no coufir' N 2 XIX. CHARTER OF I April 19 RICH' II. i'e' 1396. 3^tC|)9ltty by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, dukes, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, officers and all his bailiffs and faithful men, sends health. W^t f)^b0 inspected our letters patent of confirmation which we lately caused to be made to the burgesses of our town of Bristol in these words : Richard by the grace of God king of England, &c. IHere follows the Charter Feb' 8, 1 Ric' 2, No. I7.] W&t ]&a\j0 moreover inspected certain other our letters patent of confirmation, which we lately caused to be made to the burgesses aforesaid in these words : Richard by the grace of God king, &c. [Here follotos the Charter, 28 Feb' 1 HicU 2, No. 18.J 3BUt tD0» ratifying and approving of the gifts, grants, confirmations, precepts, perambulations, liberties, privileges, franchises, acquittances, immunities, articles and cus- toms aforesaid, and all other things contained, explained and XIX. Carta 1 Apr' 19 Ric % i' e 1396. mtCdtbttj^ Dei gratis rex Angliae et Fraiicias et dominus Hiberniae, archiepiscopls, episcopis, ab- batibus, prioribus, ducibus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciariis, vicecomitibus, prseposids, mi- nistris, et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis, salutem. 31*^!^^'''^'^^^^ literas nostras patentes de confirmatione, quas burgensibus villae nostras Bristollise nuper fieri fecimus in haec verba : Ricardus Dei gratis rex, &c, ^Hl^pCJCilttllSS insuper quasdam alias literas nostras patentes de confirmatione, quas prsefatis burgensibus nuper fieri fecimus in hsec verba : Ricardus Dei gratii, &c. |^0.£E aUtCiU donationes, concessiones, confirmationes, praecepta, perambulationes, liber- tates, privilegia, franchesias, quietantias, immiinitates, articulos, et consuetudines praedictas. Catta 1 ^pr 19 %ie % C e' i396. 93 specified in the said charter and letters, do for us and our heirs, as far as Ues in our power, of our special favour by virtue of these presents grant and confirm them to the said burgesses and their heirs and successors, burgesses of that town, for ever ; as the charter and letters aforesaid reasonably testify. JMO^0Ob0t being willing more amply to gratify the burgesses aforesaid in this respect, we have granted and for us and our heirs by this present charter have confirmed to the same burgesses, that although they or their ancestors or predecessors may not hitherto have used any one or more gifts, grants, confirmations, precepts, liberties, privileges, franchises, acquittances, immunities, articles and customs contained in the said charters and letters in any case arising; nevertheless the same burgesses and their heirs and successors may for the future fully enjoy and use for ever the said gifts, grants, confirmations, precepts, liberties, privileges. Non-usage of franchises, acquittances, immunities, articles and customs and K'^^e^no ''' other things whatsoever contained in the said charters and letters '° ™''' and any one of them, as well by land as by water, without let or hindrance of us or our heirs, the justices, eschaetors, sheriffs, coroners, or other bailiffs or officers of us or our heirs whatever. %VSS VXd'ltCltStX at the instance and prayer of the aforesaid bur- ac omnia alia in dictis carta et Uteris contenta, explanata, et specificata rata habentes et grata ea pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, prsefatis burgensibus et eorum hseredibus et Successoribus burgensibus vlilse iiiius in perpetuum de gratia nostra speciali tenore prsesentium concedimus et confirmamus ; prout carta et literae prsedicts rationabiliter testantur. ^t&XtSttSl volentes praefatis burgensibus gratiam in hac parte facere uberius, concessimus eisdem burgensibus et hac praesenti carta confirmavimus pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quod licet ipsi vel eorum antecessores sive prsedecessores aliqu4 vel aliquibus donationibus, concessionibus, confirmationibus praeceptis, libertalibus, privilegiis, franchises, quietantiis, immunitatibus, articulis et consuetu- dinibus in dictis carta et literis contentis aliquo casu emergentibus hactenus usi non fuerint • iidem tamen burgenses el eorum haeredes et successores praedictis donationibus, concessionibus confirmationibus, prasceptis, libertatibus, privilegiis, franchisiis, quietantiis, immunitatibus articulis et consuetudinibus, ac quibuscunque aliis in dictis cartis et literis contentis, et eorum quolibet de caetero, tam per terram quam per aquam, plen^ gaudeant €t utantur in perpetuum sine occasione vel impedimento nostri, vel hseredum nostrorum, justiciariorum, escaetorum vicecomitum, coronatorum, aut aliorum ballivorum seu ministrorum nostrorum vel hseredum nostrorum quorumcunque, Ct ittStUpO: ad instantiam et supplicationem prsdictorum burgen- 94 Cam 1 sapt' 19 miV 2, i' t' 1395. gesses out of the same our favour we will and grant and by this our charter confirm for us and our heirs to the said burgesses steward, mar-and to their heirs and successors for ever, that the ^steward and fiiifiii And c^lcric of the market jjja,rshall or 2 clerk of the mauket of the household of us or our of the king's household heirs for the future shall not sit within the liberties of the said shall not sit in Bristol. town ; ? nor exercise their offices in the same place ; nor do any- thing which belongs to those offices within the same liberties ; nor in any manner draw any burgess of the town aforesaid or any other person residing within the liberties of the same into pleas out of the liberties of the said town for any matters arising or to arise within the same town. W^^tttfOP^ we will and strictly command for ourselves and our heirs, that the said bur- gesses and their heirs and successors for ever may have and hold all and singular the grants and liberties aforesaid, and for the future may fully enjoy and use them and any one of them in manner and form expressed above, without let or hindrance of us or our slum de e^dem gratia nostra volumus et concedimus et hac cartEi nostra confirmamus pro nobis et hseredibus nostris prsfatis burgensibus et eorum hasredibus et successoribus in perpetuum, quod seneschallus et mareschallus aut clericus mercati hospitii nostri vel haerednm nostrorum de caetero infra libertates villse praedictse non sedeant ; nee officia sua ibidem exerceant ; nee quic- quam quod ad officia ilia pertinet infra easdem libertates faciant ; nee aliquem burgensem vill£e pr£edictae, aut aliquam aliam personam infra libertates ejusdem residentem in placita extra libertates villse praedictae pro aliquibus infra eandem villam emergentibus vel emergendis trahant quoquo modo. (i^UarC volnmus et firmiter praecipimus pro nobis et hseredibus nostris, quod prsefati burgenses et eorum h^redes et successores in perpetuum habeant et teneant omnes et singulas concessiones et libertates praedictas, ac eis et earum qualibet modo et forma superius expresso de caetero plene gaudeant et utantur,. sine occasione vel impedimento nostri uel haeredum {\) Steward and Marshall.] The power of these officers was p' 50, all causes were to he deteiinined hy the magistrates formerly very considerable; they had a right to hear and of the town, except those which used to be determined in determine all treasons, murders, felonies, &c. within the the Tolzey-court before the king's steward and other his verge, and in places of the king's immediate residence. officers. By the present charter this exception is removed- King Richard was probably in Bristol in September (2) Clerk of the Market] ' is an officer of the king's house, 1394, on his way to Waterford, where he went to reduce ' anno 1 Edw' 4, ca' 1, and anno 13 Ric' 2, ca' 4, whose the Irish rebels. Perhaps at that time the townsmen- ex- ' duty it is to take charge of the king's measures, &c. pericnceil the inconvenience of being subject to the king's ' Fleta, lib' e, cap' 8, 9, 10, II, 13: of which odice, as officers above mentioned, and procured the present charter, •' also of our divcrsitie of weights and measures, you may that they might be exempted from their jurisdiction in ' there finde a treatise worth the reading, &c,' Cowell. future. When the king was in Bristol, in May isgg, on his way to Waterford, the value of the present charter was no (3) Nor exercise their offices.'] By charter 8 Aug' 47 Edw' 3, doubt perceived. Cam 1 ^r' 19 Etc' % i r i396. 95 heirs, the justices, eschaetors, sheriffs and other bailiffs or officers of us or our heirs whatsoever. '^P02i0 being witnesses ; the reverend father *W' archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England; * Thomas archbishop of York, primate of England, our chancellor; ^R' bishop of London; ''R' bishop of Salisbury; and ^ T' bishop of Worcester ; ^ John duke of Aquitain and Lan- caster; '"Edmund duke of York; "Thomas duke of Gloucester our dear uncles ; '^ Henry earl of Derby ; "Richard earl of Arundel ; '* Henry earl of Northumberland ; '^ Roger de Walten our treasurer ; "Thomas de Percy, steward of our household ; Guy Mace, keeper of our privy-seal ; and others. Given by our hand at York on the first day of April in the IQth year of our reign. nostrorum, justiciariorum, escaetorum, vicecomltum et aliorum ballivorum seu ministrorum nostrorum vel hseredum nostrorum quorumcunque. i^t^ tCjStifiU.^, venerabillbus patribus W Cantuarensi, totius Anglias primato ; Thoma Eboracensi, Anglise primato, cancellario nostro, arcbiepiscopis ; R' London', R' Sarum', et T' Wigorn' episcopis ; Johanne Aquitanise et Lan- castriffi, Edmundo Eborac', Thom^ Glouc' ducibus, avunculis nostris charissimis ; Henrico Northumbr' comitibus ; Rogero de Walten, thesaurario nostro ; Thoma de Percy, seneschallo hospitii nostri ; Guydone Mace, custode privat'i sigilli nostri ; et aliis. Datum per manum nosiram apud Eboracum primo die Aprilis anno regni nostri decimo nono. (4) PT' Cant'.J William Courtney. He died July i fol- lowing. (s) T/iOTBos Yorfc ] Thomas Arundel, chancellor of Eng- land, translated to the see of Canterbury about Christmas in the same year. He soon after fell under the king's displea- sure, and was banished; but returning with Heniy, D' of Lancaster, was instrumental in placing him on the throne. (6) R' Londm.'] Robert de Braybroke. He had been High Chancellor some years before. {y) R. Sarum.'] Richard .Metford, Canon of Windsor, had been long imprisoned in the castle of Bristol; but at length the opposite party prevailing, he was not only released, but raised to the bishoprick of Chichester, and in 1395 trans- lated to Salisbury. From Godwin. (8) T. Wigom.'] Tideman de Winchcombe, a Cistertian monk, once the king's physician, then bishop of Landaff, and in 1395 translated to Worcester. (9) John, Duke of Aquif] The famous John of Gaunt. (10) EdnamdjD'ofYork.^Whness to the charter, 47 Edw' 3, {U) Thomas, D' of Gloucester.'] Thomas de Woodstock, seventh son of Edw' 3 ; created E' of Buckingham, ] Bic'3, and D' of Gloucester, 9 Ric' «. {li)Henr!/, E' ofBerby."] Heniy of Bolingbroke, eldest son of John of Gaunt, D' of Lane', and consequently the king's first cousin. He was afterwards king HeDry^4th. (13) Richard Arundel.] Richard Fitz-Alan, one of the ad- mirals of England, a brave and honourable man, and a great favorite with the people. He was unjustly pnt to death the year after this date. {li} Henri/ Percy, E' of Northumherland.] The chief pro- moter of the Revolution in 1399, father of him surnamed Hotspur. {\i)Roger de Walten.'] He was dean of York, and ap- pointed Lord Treasurer September 20, 1395. In 1397, when Arundel A' B' of Canterbury was banished, king Richard 3 appointed Roger Walden in his place, who performed the a'episcopal office : but on the accession of Henry 4, A' B' Arundel re-assumed his dignity. Roger Walden was after- wards B' of Loudon. (16) TAoMO! de 'Percy.] Thomas Percy, brother of the above Henry, was created earl of Worcester 1397, and in the revolution of 1399 deserted his master, broke his white staff of office, and joined the usurper. It is singular that the very officer whose jurisdiction was straitened by thi« charter should be present when it was granted. XX. CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION, 14 DEcf 1 EDW' IV. A' D' 1461. (2Dtl)))Etb by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, dukes, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, provosts, officers and all his bailiffs and faithful men sends health. W^t l)fll\30 ' inspected the charter of the lord Richard the second after the conquest king of England, our cousin, made in these words : Richard by the grace of God king of England, &c. {Here folloxos the Charter 1 Apr' 19 Ric' 2, No. I9.J ISttt tD0» holding good and approving of the charter and letters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in the same, do for us and our heirs, as far as lies in our powo", accept and approve of them and ratify and confirm them to our beloved the now burgesses of the said town and their heirs and successors, as the charter and letters aforesaid reasonably testify. XX. Carta Conjirmationis, 1 Edm 4, A jy 146 1. 4EbfaDai;bUi6i Dei gratis rex Anglias et Francia et dominus Hibernia archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, ducibus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciarlis, vicecomitibus, prjepositis, ministris et omnibus baliivis et fidelibus suis salutem. 3 *^?pC]CiinU£i cartam domini Richardi nuper regis Anglise, secundi post conquestum, consanguinei nostri factam in haec verba : Ricardus Dei gratia rex Anglise, &c. |^0;S> flUtCm cartam et lite»as prxdiclas, ac omnia et singula in eisdem contenta, ratas habentes et gratas, eas pro nobis et hjeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, acceptamus et approbamus, ac dilectis nobis nunc burgensibus villiae prsedictse ac haredibus tt successoribus suis ratificamus et confirmamus, prout carta et literse praedictae rationabiliter testantur. {l) We hme impecttd.'] It is obserrable that Edw' 4 con- one of Henry 6, and re-grants it. The very great number firms no charter granted by the three Lancastrian kings. of cliarters granted in the first years of Edw' 4th's rei^n. The next charter is merely a repetition of one of Henry 4, shews that this was the case in other places beside Bristol without any mention of him ; and the next following annuls Sec the Calend' Rot' Fat' in turri London'. Carta Confirmatiomg, i €W 4, a' W i46i. 97 In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. WBitXtt&S myself at Westminster on the ' 14th day of December in the first year of our reign. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. <^t^tt melpso apud West- monast' quarto decimo die Decembris anno regni noslri primo. (3) J)afe.] A Charter of Confirmation being usually the the date be later, it seems probable that the dates of these first which any of the kings granted, and this present two have been interchanged, being placed in ch' 3 Hen' 7 before the next, although O XV^l* r-fl CHARTER 22 Oct 1 EDW IV. AD' 1461. (lbb\l)9ltty by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all, to whom the present letters shall come, sends health. ^ttOtO ^t that out of our especial favour and from our certain knowledge and mere motion, and in consideration of the notable services bestowed on us in various ways by our beloved and faithful subjects the mayor and commonalty of our town of Bristol, we have granted and for us and our heirs, as far as in us lies, we do grant to the mayor and commonalty of the said town and to their heirs and successors for ever, that the town aforesaid and the suburbs of the same and the county of Bristol and all and singular places within the precincts and liberties of the same shall be for ever ' exempted and separated, taken away and XXI. Carta 22 Oct' 1 Edw 4, A' D' 1461. ^blDStbU^ Dei gratia rex Anglise et Francis et dominus Hiberniae omnibus, ad quos prsesentes lilerae pervenerint, salutem. ,j9Ct£(ti^ quod de gratia nostrS, speciali ac ex certil scientii et mero motu nostris ; ac in consideratione notabilium obsequlorum per dilectos et fideles legeos nostro? majorena et communitatem villae nostrae Bristoll' nobis multipliciter impensorum, concessimus et pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, concedimus majori et communitati villae praedictae et eorum haeredibus et successoribus in perpetuum, quod villa praedictaet suburbia ejusdem et comitatus Bristoll' et omnia et singula loca infra praecinctus et libertates eorundem in perpetuum tAm per terram quam aquam sint exempta et separata, privata et absoluta a quacunque (i) Exempted from the pauierqf the Admiral.'] The encroach, particularly in Bristol. This was doubtless the reason why inent and oppression of the court of Admiralty and it's the town procured from Henry 4 an exemption from the officers were n very frequent subject of complaint and peti- jurisdiction of the Admiral, confirmed,by the present charter, tion during the reigns of Ric' s, and the three Henries, and See in the Preface the list of charters deficient. Cam 22 mr i tw 4, giw i46i. 9^ released, as well by land as by water, from all power, jurisdiction and oflGce of the admiral and admirals of the kingdom of England ofms, our heirs and successors, and of their commissioners and^"«">' «^- emptcd from officers, deputies and lieutenants and ministers whatsoever for'^^ K'}^^"^: ' r tion nf tbead- the time being; and that no admiral of England of us, our heirs'""'*"'^- or successors, or his lieutenant, commissioners, officers or deputies for the time being, nor any other admiral nor lieutenant, com- missioner, officer or deputy of the same admiral or admirals of us or our heirs for the time being shall for the future in any manner enter the said town, nor the suburbs, precincts or port of the same town nor the county of Bristol by land or by water, for the purpose of inquiring, exercising, doing or performing any thing within the town, suburbs or precincts of that county and port, which belongs or can belong to the office of admiral : but that the said town, suburbs, county and all and singular places within the precincts and liberties of the same as well by land as by water shall be wholly for ever out of the power, jurisdic- tion and authority of the said admiral, admirals and their lieu- tenants, officers, deputies and ministers whatever: and that no admiral nor any admirals of England of us, our heirs, or successors, potestate, jurisdictione et officio adtnlralli et admirallorum regni nostri Anglioe, hceredum et siiccessorum nostrorum et eorum commissionatorum et officiariorum, deputatorum et locum- tenentium et ministrorum quorumcunque pro tempore existentium ; et quod nullus admirallus noster Anglise haeredum vel successorum nostrorum vel ejus locum-tenens, commissarii, officiaris vel deputati pro tempore existentes, nee aliquis alius admirallus nee locum-tenens, commissarius, minister, officiarius vel deputatus ejusdem admiralii seu admirallorum nostrorum vel hceredum nostrorum pro tempore existentes villam jjraedictam, nee suburbia, praecinctus aut portum ejusdem villas nee comitatum Bristoll' per terram seu per aquam de caetero ad aliquid infra villam, suburbia aut praecinctus comitates et portus illius, quod ad officium admiralii pertinet seu pertinere poterit, inquirendum, exercendura, faciendum seu exequendum, ingrediantur seu ingrediatur quovis modo : sed quod dicta villa, suburbia, comitatus, [svpple ac omnia] et singula loca infra prse- cinctus et libertates eorundem tam per terram quam per aquam sint omnino in perpetuum extra potestatem, jurisdictionem, et auctoritatem dictorum admiralii, admirallorum et eorum locum- tenentium, officiariorum, deputatorum et ministrorum suorum quorumcunque : et quod nullus admirallus nee aliqui admiralii nostri Anglise, haeredum vel successorum nostrorum, nee ejus aut eorum locum-tenentes, deputati, ministri nee officiarii sui prsdicti nee eorum aliquis infra o 2 100 Carta 22 (Btt 1 CtiUj' 4, ^' M' uei. nor his or their lieutenants, deputies, ministers nor oflG^ers aforesaid, nor any one of them, shall introduce themselves within the said town, suburbs, precincts and port, nor within the county of Bristol by land or by water, on account of any thing which belongs or shall belong to the office of admiralty or to any office whatever of theirs in this respect ; nor shall they cite, summon, distrain, attach or take either in their persons or their goods any person or persons within the same or any place within the precincts of the same for any cause whatever ; nor shall they do, exercise or perform therein any thing which belongs or shall belong to such office ; nor shall he or they in any manner sit in the same place judicially nor imder pretext or colour of such his or their office : and that no one of the commonalty of the town aforesaid, nor any burgess of the same town for the time beinc, nor any one residing or being for a time within the same town, suburbs and county shall hereafter be di-awn into plea or in any manner be compelled to answer within the same town, suburbs and precincts and county before the said admiral or admirals or his or their lieutenants, commissioners, officers or deputies for the time being, at the suit of us, our heirs or successors nor of any other person whatever or in any other manner, for things done upon the sea or elsewhere, nor for any dictam villam, suburbia, priEcinctus et portum, nee infra comitatum Bristoll' per terram seu per aqiiam de aliquo quod ad officium admiralitatis aut eorum officium quodcunque in hoc pertinet seu pertinere poterit, [supple se] intromittat seu intromittant ; nee aliquam personam seu per- sonas infra eandem seu aliquem locum infra praecinctus eorundem ex aliqua causa quacunque client, summoneant, distringant, attachient, seu capiant in personis vel bonis ; nee aliquod quod ad officium hujusmodi pertinet seu pertinere poterit in ibi faciant, exerceant seu exequantur j nee ibidem judicialiter nee praetextu seu colore hujusmodi officii sul sedeant seu sedeat quovis modo : et quod nuilus communltatis villae prEedietae, nee aliquis burgensis villte ejusdem pro tempore existens, nee aliquis infra eandem viilam, suburbia et comitatum pro tempore residens seu existens de caeiero trahatur in placitum, aut ad respondendum quovis modo compellatur infra eandem villam, suburbia et prreeinctus et comitatum coram prsedictis admirallo seu admirallis seu ejus aut eorum locum-lenentibus, commissariis, ministris seu deputatis pro .tempore existentibus ad sectam nostram, hseredum vel successorum nostrorum nee alterius cujuscunque seu alio modo €mn 22 ^cf 1 CW 4, ^ W 1461. 101 contracts, covenants, trespasses, misprisions or other offenses, things or matters whatever committed or arising in any manner by land or by water : and that neither the aforesaid mayor and commonalty nor their successors, nor the sheriffs of the said county for the time being, nor any other person residing or for a time being within the same town, county, liberties and precincts of the same shall permit neither the said admiral nor the said admirals, nor his or their lieutenants, deputies, commissioners or officers, or any one of them to exercise their jurisdiction or such their offices in the same place, nor shall obey or attend to them or the execution of their precepts or mandates in the same place ; but shall be enabled lawfully and without punish- ment to resist and disobey thera in any thing, if they shall act contrary to this our grant, without any impeachment, molesta- tion or trouble, forfeiture, punishment or any loss, to us or our heirs or to such admiral or admirals of us or our said heirs for the time being, to be made, paid or satisfied, or in any manner to be levied. And moreover of our special grace and of our mere motion and certain knowledge aforesaid we have granted for us and our heirs aforesaid, and for us and our heirs aforesaid quocunque de rebus super mare vel alibi factis, nee de aliquibus contractibus, convenlionibus, transgressionibus, conteraptibus, misprisionibus aut aliis offensis, rebus vel materiis quibuscunque per terram seu per aquam perpetratis seu emergentibus quovismodo : ct quod nee prsedictus major et communitas nee eorum successores, nee vicecomites comitatus praedicti pro tempore existentes, nee aliquis alius infra eandem villam, comitatum, libertates et praecinctus eorundem residens seu pro tempore existens, nee prsefatum admirallum nee praefatos admirallos, nee ejus aut eorum locum-tenentes, deputatos, commissaries, vel ministros aut eorum aliquem jurisdic- tionem seu ofEcia sua hujusmodi ibidem exercere permittant seu permittat, nee eis nee eorutn praeceptis aut mandatis ibidem exequendis obediat seu intendat, obediant seu intendantj sed eis, si contra banc concessionem nostram contravenerint, resistere in aliquo et disobedire licite valeant et impune, absque aliquibus impetitione, molestatione, seu gravamine, forisfactur^, poena, aut aliquo deperdito nobis vel haeredibus nostris aut hujusmodi admirallo sive admirallis nostris aut dictorum h^redum nostrorum pro tempore existentium faciendo, solvendo, satisfaciendo seu quovis modo levando. ^t ill^llpCt de gratifi nostra speciali et ex mere motu et certi scientia nostris prsedictis pro nobis et haeredibus nostris praedictis concessimus, et pro nobis et haeredibus nostris prsedictis concedimus eisdem majori et communitati, haeredibus et successoribus suis in 102 Cam 22 ^ct' 1 €t>W 4, gi' W 1461. we do grant to the same mayor and commonalty, their heirs and successors for ever, that in case ^ [there shall be] any thing -which belongs or can hereafter belong to the office of admiral for any contracts, covenants, or any other things done Or per- petrated on the sea or elsewhere, and which can or ought in any way to be inquired into, heard or determined within the town, county, liberties, port or precincts aforesaid for the reforming or correcting such things or contracts; that then we The king will and our heirs, as often as there shall be occasion and necessity, SiorfoT will cause to be made and directed, or our heirs shall cause tycaus'fsr^^to bc made and directed, a commission or commisions or letters patent to be made under our great seal on this behalf to the mayor and recorder of the town aforesaid for the time being and to other persons whom we shall judge, or our heirs aforesaid shall judge fit to be nominated, for the purpose of inquiring into all and all manner of such contracts, covenants, trespasses, offenses and things, which ought and were accustomed to be inquired into and determined by such admirals or in a court - of admiralty ; and f6r the purpose of hearing and determining all and singular such contracts, covenants, trespasses, offenses and things: and if any commission or commissions or letters patent perpeluum, quod in casu quo quicquam quod ad officium admiralll pertinet seu pertinere potent pro aliquibus contractibus, conventionibus, aut quibuscunque aliis rebus super marc vel alibi factis sive perpetratis, et quse infra villain, comitatum, libertates, portum seu prsecinctus praedictos pro hujusmodi rebus sive contractibus reformandis seu corrigendis inquiri, audiri, seu determi- nari poterunt seu debebunt quoquo modo ; quod tunc nos et hseredes nostri commissionem seu commissiones vel literas patentes sub magno sigillo nostro in h&c parte faciendas majori et recor- datori villae praedictae pro tempore existentibus ac aliis personis, quas nos duxerimus vel hseredes nostri prsedicti duxerint nominandas, quoties opus fuerit et necesse, fieri et dirigi faciemus, seu hseredes nostri fieri et dirigi facient ad inquirendum de omnibus et omnimodis hujusmodi contrac- tibus, conventionibus, transgressionibus, offensis et rebus quae per hujusmodi admirallos sive in curia admirallitatis inquiri et determinari debent et solebant ; et ad omnes et singulos hujusmodi contractus, conventiones, transgressiones, ofFensas et res audiendas et determinandas : et si quaa commissio, commissiones sive liters patentes, in contrarium hujusmodi conccssionis nostrae (■3) These words are inserted from conjecture : there sceine to be some error or omission in the Liatin. Catta 22 ^cf 1 €W 4, ^' ®' I46l. 103 shall be made or delivered contrary to this our grant now granted, A„y commis- the same commission, commissions or letters patent, and all things clnliarVshaii done, found or executed by pretext of the same letters, and also all and singular things done, found or executed by the admiral or admirals of us and our heirs, their officers, deputies or ministers whatsoever contraiy to this our present grant shall by force and virtue of these presents be void, ineffectual and held and in all things reputed and taken for nought : so that the admiral of England of us and our heirs for the time being, or his lieutenant, commissioner, officer, proctor or deputy, or the lieutenants, commissioners, officers, proctors or deputies of such admiral for the time being whatever shall not enter the town, county, suburbs, liberties, precincts, port or any of the places aforesaid by land or by water, or in any way introduce them- selves or any one of themselves within the town, county, suburbs, liberties, port, precincts or any of the places aforesaid for the purpose of doing or exercising in any way therein any thing which belongs or can belong to the office of admiralty : but giving it strictly in charge by force of these presents to such admiral and admirals of us and our heirs for the time being and to their lieutenants, commissioners, officers, proctors, deputies, and minis- ters and to each of them under a heavy forfeiture of all things concessae factas fuerint sive libertat [lege liberalse,] esedem commissio, commissiones sive Ilterje patentes, et omnia prsetextu earundem literarum facta, comperta sive executa, necnon omnia et singula per admirallum sive admirallos nostros vel haeredum nostrorum, eorum officiarios, depu- tatos, sive ministros quoscuaque in contrarium praesentis concessionis nostrae facta, reperta sen executa, vigore et virtute prasentium sint vacua, irrita et pro nullo sive nullis habita et in omni- bus reputaia et tenta : ita quod admirallus noster Angliae et haeredum nostrorum pro tempore existens, vel ejus locum-tenens, commissarius, officiarius, procurator, vel depulatus, aut locum- tenenles, commissarii, officiarii, procuratores vel deputati hujusmodi admiralU pro tempore, existentis quicunque villam, comitatum, suburbia, libertates, praecinctus, portum, aut singula loca praedicta per terram vel per aquam, ad aliquod in ibi, quod ad officium admiralitatis pertinet seu pertinere poterit, faciendum seu exercendum aliqualiter, non ingrediatur seu ingrediantur, seu se aut eorum aliquem infra villam, comitatum, suburbia, libertates, portum, prscinctus, aut singula loca praedicta aliqualiter intromittat seu intromittant : dantes autem hujusmodi admi- rallis nostris et hasredum nostrorum pro tempore existentibus ac eorum loca-tenentibus, commis- 104 Cam 22 (Btt' 1 Ctrb3' 4, 91' B* I46l. which they can forfeit to us and our heirs, that they and each of them on the sole production or shewing of these presents shall comply with and obey all and singular the premises, without soliciting or obtaining any writ or any other process or mandate to be directed to them in this behalf for the future : not counteracting the premises in any respect because ^express mention be not made in these presents of the true annual value or any other value of all and singular the premises or of other gifts and grants made heretofore to the same mayor and commonalty or their prede- cessors by us or our progenitors ; or any statutes, ordinances, pro- visions, acts or restrictions made or to be made to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. ^IS^lttttSiSi myself at Westminster on the 22d day of October in the first year of our reign. sariis, officiariis, procuratoribus, deputatis et ministris et eorum cuilibet, sub gravi forisfactura omnium quse nobis et hseredibus nostris forisfacere poterunt, tenore prassentium firmiter in mandate, quod ipsi et eorum quilibet super sola exhibitione seu demonstratione prsesentium om- nibus et singulis prsmissis pareant et obediant, absque aliquo brevi seu aliquo alio processu seu mandate in hac parte eis dirigendo, prosequendo, seu obtinendo in futuro ; ea In aliquo non contravenientes, eo quod expressa mentio de vero valore annuo aut aliquo alio valore omnium et singulorum praemissorum, aut de aliis donis et concessionibus eisdera majori et communitati aut predecessoribus suis per nos seu progenitores nostros ante hsec tempora factis in prsesentibus minime facta existit ; aut aliquibus statutis, ordinationibus, provisionibus, actis, seu restrictioni- bus, in contrarium factis seu faciendis non obstantibus. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimuspatentes. QTc^tC meipso apud Westm' vicesimo secundo die Octobris, anno regni nostri primo. (3) Express mention.'^ By stat' 1 Hen' 4, cap' 6, ' It is ' force nor effect, but wholly revoked, repealed and aunulled ' ordained that all they, which from henceforth do demand ' for ever.' ' of the king lands, tenements, &c. shall make express men- • tion in their petitions of the value of the thing so to be Date.'i Edward 4, in the summer of this year, made a « demanded, and also of that which they have had of the progress through the southern and western parts of England, • king's gift, or of other his progenitors or predecessors and in the beginning of September came to Bristol ; at ' before : and in case tbey make not such mention in their which time it is probable that Mr. Cauuings and others of ' said petitions, and that duly proved, the king's letters his party solicited these charters. • patents thereof made, shall not be available, nor of any XX IL CHARTER OF EDW IV. dated l2 Feb' 1 Edw' 4, i' e' U6i. ^tfyS^WCti by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all to whom these presents shall come [sendeth] health. J^ttOUl ^t that whereas Henry the sixth late king of England on the 15th day of March in the 24th year of his reign by his letters patent committed and granted to Nicholas Hill then the mayor of the town of Bristol and to the com- monalty of the same town the same town with the gates, ditches ^he town &c. and walls of the same town and suburbs, also all other the lands, f™g^^^4° by* tenements, rents and services, and the Flesh-shambles, which "'^'"''^ ^' 'Joanna late queen of England held for the term of her life in the same from the grant of the lord Henry the fourth, likewise king of England late her husband, made to the same late queen XXII. Carta 12 Feb' 1 Edw 4, re' 146i. (tBtltDill'blt^ Dei gratia rex Anglise et Franciae et Dominus HibemiEe omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem. ^GSXX^ quod cum Henricus nuperrex AngliaB sextus quinto decimo die Martii anno regni sui vicesimo quarto per literas suas patentes commiserit et concesserit Ni- cholao Hill tunc majori villse Bristoll' et communitati ejusdem villae eandem villam cum subur- blis ejusdem, cum porlis, fossis, ac muris eorundem villse et suburbiorum, necnon omnia alia, terras et tenementa, reditus et servicia et le Fleshamlles, quse Johanna nuper regina Anglise tenuit ad termiuum vitas suae in e^dem ex concessione domini Henrici quarti similiter regis (l) Joamia,] Joan of Navarre, king Henry the fourth's Hen' 6, 1437 j abont 9 years after whose death it appears by second wife, daughterof Charles 2, king of Navarre. She these presents that Henry 6 granted to the town the property outlived her husband and his son Henry 5, and died in 15 which she held here for her life. P 106 Carta 12 jf^th' 1 Ctitu* 4, (' r i46i. for the same term; together with the houses, shops, cottages, sheds, tofts, gardens, mills, pdo\^, water-course running down to those mills, rents, landgables, "and local tolls, pleas of courts, fairs, markets whatsoever and courts in the same town and suburbs ; with all fines, issues, redemptions and amercements and all other jurisdictions, customary payments and appurte- nances of the town and suburbs aforesaid with the appurtenances, together with the reversion of all lands, tenements, rents, and services within the precincts of the said town of all tenants for term of life or years, granted by the same king Henry the sixth or any of his progenitors formerly kings of England or by any other grant or grants from whence the reversion at that time pertained or any ways belonged to the same late king; toge- ther with the ferms and rents reserved thei'efrom (the castle of the said town and the ditch of the same only excepted ; never- theless he then granted to the same mayor and commonalty the water-course running down in the aforesaid ditch toward the mill under the castle, as of old time it used to do, together with the banks of the same water for the space of four feet in breadth toward the said castle) : all and singular the premises to be had, ff'sixtyyra'r" holden and occupied to them and their successors until the end Anglise quondam viri sui eidem nuper reginas ad eundem terminum facta ; simul cum domibus, shoppis, cottagiis, seldis, toftis, gardinis, molendinis, stagnis, cursu aquae ad molendina ilia decurrente, redditibus, langabulis, et local' theoloniis, placitis curiis [Ze^e curiarum], feriis, mercatis quibuscunque, [supple et] curiis in eisdem villa et suburbiis ; cum omnibus finibus, exitibus, redempti^nibus, et amerciamentis et omnibus alils jurisdictionlbus, consuetudinibus et pertinentiis villas et suburbiorum prjedictorum cum pertinentiis, una cum reversione omnium terrarum, tenementorum, reddituum et servitiorum infra praecinctis villae prsedicts quorumcun- que tenentium ad terminum vitje vel annorum, per eundem regem Henricum sextura vel aliquem progenitorum suorum quondam regum Anglise, vel alias quascunque concessionem vel conces- siones [supple concessorum], unde reversio tunc eidem nuper regi compelebat, pertinebat, vel spectabat quovis modo ; uni cum firmis et redditibus inde reservatis (castro villae praedictse et fossato ejusdem tantummodo exceptisj cursum tamen aquae decurrentis in praediclo fossato versus molendinum subtus castrum, sicut ex antiquo consuevit, cum ripis ejusdem aquse per spatium quatuor pedvim in latitudine versus castrum praedictum eisdem tunc majori et communitati con- cessit) : habenda, tenenda et occupanda omnia et singula praemissa sibi et successoribus suis Cam 12 fth' 1 €W 4, I' e' i46i. i07 and during the term of sixty years next and immediately fol- lowing after the compleating and finishing of twenty years specified in the said letters : and [whereas] he further granted to the same the then mayor and commonalty, that they should have to them- othe. liberties selves and their successors immediately after the compleating and by Henry e. finishing of the said twenty years, during the same term of sixty vears, certain liberties, franchises, commodities, and other things J ' , . Kents payable under a certain form specified in his aforesaid letters: paying to king Henry '^ . . 6j and others. thence annually to the same late king Henry the sixth and his heirs at his exchequer after the said twenty years past and finished during the aforesaid term of sixty years ,=£'102 15s. 6d. at the feasts of Easter and of vSt. Michael the archangel by equal por- tions ; and to the abbot of Tewksbury and his successors for the tithes of the town aforesaid ,£14 10s; to the prior of St. James of Bristol and his successors out of the annual rent of the mill of the town aforesaid sixty shillings; to the constable of the castle of Bristol and to his officers for the time being, viz. to the porter and watchman of the said castle and to the forester of Kingswood £39 14s. 6d. ; to be paid during the said term of sixty years at the two aforesaid terms of the year by equal portions instead of all services and burdens, as was more fully usque ad finem et durante termino sexaginta annonim proxime et immediate sequentium post viginti annos in Uteris prsedictis specificatos completos et finitos : Et ulterius concessit eisdem tunc majori et communitati, quod ipsi haberent sibi et successoribus suis, immediate post dictos viginti annos completos et finitos, durante eodem termino sexaginta annorum, certas libertates, franchesias, commoditates, et alias res sub cert4 forma in prsdictis literis suis specificata : Red- dendo inde annuatim eidem nuper regi Henrico sexto et hseredibus suis ad scaccarium suum post dictos viginti annos elapsos et finitos durante termino praedicto sexaginta annorum centum et duas libras, quindecim solidos et sex denarios ad festa paschae et sancti Michaelis archangeli per sequales portiones ; et abbati de Tewksbury et successoribus suis pro decimis villae praedictse qua- tuordecim libras et decern solidos ; priori Sancti Jacobi Bristoll' et successoribus suis de annuo redditu molendini villae prsedictae sexaginta solidos ; constabulario castri Bristoll' et ministris suis pro tempore existentibus, viz. janitori et vigilatori dicti castri et forrestario de Kingswood triginta et novem libras, quatuordecem solidos, et sex denarios ; solvendos durante termino pradicto sexaginta annorum ad praedictos duos anni terminos per aequales portiones pro omnibus servitiis et oneribus, prout in literis illis plenius continebatur: jamque dilecti nobis nunc major et com- P 2 108 Carta 12 jp*' 1 Ctto* 4, c e' 1465. Former char- Contained in those letters : and now [whereas] our beloved the dered. HOW mayor and commonalty of our said town of Bristol have restored to us into our chancery the said letters of the before- mentioned late king Henry the sixth to be cancelled ; v!lxnl0 accepting that restitution release and by these presents for ever acquit the same now mayor and commonalty and their succes- sors of the ferm aforesaid and of each of the rents and burdens aforesaid in form aforesaid ; and we remit, and by these pre- sents release for ever the same ferm and burdens to the same now mayor and commonalty and their successors, ^ittt) futtjb^t of our especial grace and from our certain knowledge and mere motion we have granted and committed and by virtue of these presents for ourselves and our heirs as far as lies in our power. The town, &c. we couimit to the aforesaid now mayor and commonalty and to the^raayor.&c. their succcssors and to the aforesaid burgesses, their heirs and successors, our said town of Bristol with the suburbs of the same and with the gates, ditches and walls of the same town and suburbs ; and moreover all and all manner of lands, tenements, and services, and the Flesh-shambles, pertaining or belonging to us within the aforesaid town and suburbs, the liberties and pre- cincts of the same ; together with the houses, shops, cottages cellars, tofts, gardens, mills, pools, water-course running down munitas dictae villae nostrae Bristoll' dictas literas praefati nuper regis Henrici sexti nobis in can- cellariam nostram restituerunt cancellandas ; |^0^ restitutionem illam acceptantes eosdem nunc majorem et comraunitatem et successores suos de firma prajdicti aut \l' et] singulis redditibus et oneribus praedictis in forma praedicta exoneramus et acquietamus in perpetuum per praesentes ; ac eadem firmam et onera eisdem nunc majori et comunitati et successoribus suis remittimus et relaxamus in perpetuum per praesentes. ^t UltCtiUlS de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientii et mero motu nostris concessimus et commisimus ac tenore prassentiura pro nobis et hceredibus nostris (quantum in nobis est) committimus praefato nunc majori et communitati et successoribus suis ac prsedictis burgensibus, haeredibus et successoribus suis prsedictam villam nostram Bristoll' cum suburbiis ejusdem, ac cum portis, fossis et muris eorundem villae et suburbiorum • necnon omnia et omnimoda terras, tenementa, ac servitia ac les Fleshambles nobis infra villam prsedictam, ac suburbia, libertates, et praecinctus ejusdem pertinentia sive spectantia ; simul cum domibus, shoppis, cottagiis, selleriis, toftis, gardinis, molendinis, stagnis, cursu aquae ad molendinum illud decurrentis, redditibus, langabulis et local' theoloniis, placitis curiis [V curiarum], feriis. Catta 12 ftb' I €m' 4» f r i46i. 109 to that mill, rents, landgables and local tolls, pleas of courts, fairs, markets whatsoever and courts, pertaining or any ways belonging to us in the same town, suburbs, liberties and pre- cincts ; and with all manner of fines, issues, redemptions and amercements forfeited and adjudged, and to be forfeited and adjudged in the same, and with all other jurisdictions and custo- mary payments and appurtenances of the town and suburbs aforesaid with the appurtenances ; together with the reversion of all lands and tenements and services within the town, suburbs, liberties and precincts aforesaid of all tenants for term of life or years granted or committed by us or any of our progenitors and late kings of England or by any persons whatsoever, from whence the reversion at present anywise belongs or pertains to us ; together with the ferms and rents reserved from thence, the aforesaid castle and ditch of the same only being excepted; (nevertheless^ the water-course in the said ditch running down in the said The castie and ditch is ex- ditch toward the mill below the castle, as of old it used to do,cepted,butthe . water-course is With the banks of the same water for the space of four feet in granted. breadth toward the said castle, which by virtue of these presents we grant to the said mayor and commonalty and their successors and to the said burgesses, their heirs and successors, being wholly mercatis quibuscunqiie, [supple et] curiis nobis in eisdem villi, suburbiis, libertatibus et prje- cinctibus pertinentibus sive quibuscunque [supple modis] spectantibus ; et cum omnimodis finibus, exitibus, redemtionibus et amerciamentis in eisdem forisfactis et adjudicatis ac 'forisfa- ciendis et adjudicandis, et omnibus aliis jurisdiclionibus et consuetudinlbus et pertinentiis villae et suburblorum prsedictorum cum pertinentiis ; unJ cum reversione omnium terrarum et tene- mentorum et servitiorum infra villam, suburbia, libertates et prsecinctus prsedictos quoruracunque tenentium ad terminum vitas vel annorum per nos vel aliquem progenitorum nostrorum et quondam regum Anglise vel aliquos quoscunque concessorura vel commissorum, unde reversio ad praesens nobis competit, pertinet seu spectat quovis modo ; una cum firmis et redditibus inde reservatis, castro prsedicto et fossato ejusdem tantummodo exceptis ; (cursu tamen aquas decurrentis in praedicto fossato versus molendinum subtus castrum, sicut ex antiquo consuevit, cum ripis ejus- dem aquae per spalium quatuor pedum in latitudine versus castrum prasdictum, quae praefato majori et communitati et successoribus suis ac- praedictis burgensibus, haeredibus et successoribus suis tenore praesentium concedimus, eisdem burgensibus, haeredibus et successoribus suis omnino reservato) : Habenda et tenenda et occupanda crania et singula praemissa praefatis nunc majori 110 Catta 12 ^el»' i €bto' 4, (' e' i46i. reserved to the same burgesses, their heirs and successors): To be hoidenall and singular the premises to be had, holden and occupied forever. ^^ ^^^ ^^-^ ^^^ mayor and commonalty and by their successors, and by the said burgesses, their heirs and successors from the feast of St. Michael last past for ever. ^Itltr fUttJCt we have granted for ourselves and our heirs aforesaid to the same now mayor and commonalty and their successors and to the said buro'esses, their heirs and successors, that from the same feast of St. Michael for ever they may have for themselves and their Fines, forfei- succcssors all fiucs, redemptions and amercements, and also all sranted^ "'* issucs forfcitcd and to be forfeited as well of all men as of all tenants, sole tenants and not sole tenants, residing and not residing, in and out of fees, lands and tenements with their appurtenances, and in and out of all places being within the precincts of the said town of Bristol and suburbs of the same and county of Bristol (the said castle and ditch excepted) : and also [we have granted] all things which can belong to us and our heirs Avithin the town, Year, day and suburbs, liberties, county and precincts aforesaid, from ^year, day turea'nd mur-and wastc, forfciturc and fine for murder; in whatsoever courts of us and our heirs it shall happen that all men and tenants, et communitati et successorlbus suis, et praefatis burgens'ibus, haeredibus et successoribus suis i festo Sti' Michaelis ultimo prseterito in perpetuum. tory of the Exchequer, cap" S2, that the business of that court times by the barons alone. , U2 Carta 12 fth' i €t>W 4, r e' i46§. commonalty of the same our town of Bristol and their succes- sors, and the aforesaid burgesses and their successors from the said feast of St. Michael last past for ever shall be empowered to levy, gather and receive by the hand of the sheriff of the county of Bristol and of their bailiffs the fines, redemptions and amerce- ments aforesaid and the issues forfeited in form aforesaid, and all things which might belong to us and our said heirs in form aforesaid out of year, day and waste, forfeiture and fine for mur- der from and in the said town, county, suburbs and fees, lands, tenements, and places aforesaid by estreat of the exchequer of us and our heirs, to be delivered from thence to the bailiffs and officers of the same mayor and commonalty and their successors and of the said burgesses, their heirs and successors by the hands of the sheriff of Bristol and of his successors sheriffs of the same county for the time being, in whose bailiwicks the fees, lands, , tenements and places aforesaid are; [these they shall be empowered to levy] from the lands, tenements, possessions, goods and chattels of the same men and tenants without let or hindrance of us or our heirs or the bailiffs or officers of us or om' heirs whatsoever: aUty tpat the same now mayor and commonalty and their suc- cessors and the said burgesses, their heirs and successors from the feast of St Michael last past for ever shall have in the town, ejusdem villse nostrae Bristoll' et successores sui ac praedicti burgenses et successores sui adlcto festo Sti' Michaelis ultimo prffiterito in perpetuum- per manum vicecomitis comitali&s Bristoll' et balli- vorum suorum fines, redemtiones, ct amerciamenta pradicta ac exilus fovisfaetos in fornii praedicta, et omnia quae ad nos et ad dictos haevedes nostros in forma praedicti pertinere poterunt de anno, die, et vasto, forisfactura et murdro de et iti dictis villa, comitatu, suburbiis et feodis, terris, tenementis et locis praediclis per extract' scaccavii nostri et hasredum nostrorum, ballivis et ministris eorundem majoris et communitaiis et successorum suorum ac praedictorum burgensium, haeredum et successorurrj suorum per manus vicecomitis Bristoll et successorum suorum viceco- mitum ejusdem comitatus pro tempore existentium, in quorum balliis feoda, terras, tenementa et loca praedicta existunt, inde liberand', levare, percipere et habere possint, de terris, tenementis, possessionibus, bonis et catallis eorundem hominum et tenentium sine occasione vel impedimento nostri vel haeredum nostrorum aut ballivorum seu ministrorum aut haeredum nostrorum quorum- cunque: tt QtlOb iidem nunc major - et communitas et successores sui ac dicti burgenses, haeredes et successores sui in perpetuum habeant a dicto festo Sti' Michaelis ultimo praetarito in villa, comitatu et suburbiis, terris, tenementis, feodis, et locis praedictis, castro et fossato ejusdem Catta 12 fth' 1 etito* 4, t' e' i46i. 113 county and suburbs, lands, tenements, fees and places aforesaid, the castle and ditch of the same excepted, the chattels of felons and *fugitives, the chattels of felons de se, the chattels of outlaws, (j„„j, „f f^. of persons condemned, and ^ waifs: so that if any of the meno7ti'aws°,'&T' and tenants aforesaid or any other in the town, county and^'ayorf&V'"' suburbs, fees and places aforesaid, excepting those places before excepted, ought to lose life or limb, or shall flee and not choose to stand trial, or shall commit any offence for which he or they ought to lose their chattels, wheresoever justice ought to be done on them on that account, whether in the court of us or our heirs before us and our heirs or before the justices and officers of us and our heirs whatsoever before mentioned or in any other court, their chattels which shall be found within the said town, county, suburbs, liberties and precincts shall belong to the mayor and commonalty and their successors, and to the said burgesses, their heirs and successors from the said feast of St. Michael last past for ever : and [we have granted] that it shall be lawful for the officers of them the mayor and commonalty and their successors, and of the aforesaid burgesses, their heirs and successors, without let or hindrance of us or our heirs, or of any other bailiffs or exceptis, catalla felonum, et fugitivorum, catalla felonum de se, catalla utlagatorum, damnatorum et waviata : ita quod si quis hominum et teneiitium prsEdictorum aut alius in vil!4, comitatu, et Suburbiis, feodis. et locis prsedictis (exceptis prseexceptis) pro aliquo delicto vitam vel membrunx debeant seu debeat amittere, seu fugerint aut fugerit, et judicium stare noluerint vel noluerit, vel aliquod delictiim fecerint seu fecerit, pro quo catalla sua debeant seu debeat perdere, ubicunque de eis justitia inde fieri debeat, sive in curi^ nostr4 vel haeredum nostrorum coram nobis et hsere- dibus nostris seu coram justitiariis et ministris nostris vel haeredum nostrorum quibuscunq' supra dictis, sive in alia curia, sint ipsa catalla infra dictam villam, comitatum, suburbia, libertates et praecinctus invenienda ipsorum majoris et communilatis et successorum suorum ac dictorum burgensium, haeredum et successorum suorum a dicto festo Sti' Michaelis ultimo praeterito in perpetuum : ac liceat ministris ipsorum majoris et communitatis et successorum suorum, ac prsedictorum burgensium, haeredum et successorum suorum sine occasione vel impedimento nostii (4) Chattels of Jugithia.'] ' FugitiTes goods [honafugithorumi (s) Waifs] ' are goods'whicli are stolen and waived or left ' be the proper goods of bini, that fiyeth upon felony ; which ' by the felon on being pursued, for fear of being appre- ' after the flight lawfully found doe belong to the king.' 'bended; which are forfeited In the king or lord of liik — Cowell, ' nanour.' Jacob. Q 114 Carta 12 jfel>' 1 €W 4, f e' i46|. officers of us or our heirs whatsoever, to put them the mayor and commonalty and their successors and the said burgesses, their heirs and successors in seisin of those chattels for the purpose of keeping them for the use and' profit of the same mayor and com* monalty and their successors and of them the burgesses, their heirs and successors : ^ttO [we have granted] tpat the same now mayor and commonalty and their successors and the said burgesses, their heirs and successors for ever shall hold the said town of The town with Bristol with the suburbs of the same, the lands, tenements, fees and commons' placcs aforcsaid whatsoever within the liberties and precincts of granted to (he the samc town, together with the fairs and markets, watery, rivers, uigesses, "^-^^^^yg^ fishcrics, comuions, ^assarts, wastes, and '^purprestures, and also the ^rents and returns of all assarts, wastes and purprestures in all places aforesaid within the precincts of the same town, as is aforesaid, rented and hereafter to be rented as well in the times of our progenitors formerly kings of England as in our own times ; together with the fines for the entrance of such assarts and wastes vel hseredum nostrorum aut aliorum ballivorum seu ministrorum nostrorum vel haeredum nos- trorum quorumcunque ipsos majoretn et communitatem et successores suos ac prEedictos burgenses, haeredes et successores suos in seisinam catallorum illorum ad ea in eorundsm majoris et commu- nitatis et successorum suorum, ac ipsorum burgensium, haeredum et successorum suorum usum et proficuum retinenda ponere : ^t X[Vltiti iidera nunc major et communitas et successores sui ac praedicti burgenses, haeredes et successores sui in perpetuum teneant dictam villam BristoU' cum suburbiis ejusdem, terris, tenementis, feodis et locis prsedictis quibuscunque infra libertates et praecinctus ejusdem villae, una cum feriis et mercatis, aquis, ripariis, viis, piscariis, com- muniis, assartis, vastis, et purpesturis, ac etiam s areutationibus et redditibus quorumcunque assartorum, vastorum et purpresturarum, tam temporibus progenitorum nostrorum quondam regum Angliae quim nostris in omnibus locis praedictis infra pracinctus ejusdem villae, ut praedictum est, arentatorum et ex nunc arentandorum ; una cum finibus pro ingressu hujusmodi (65 Assart!."] An assart is part of a forest, cleared and cul- present passage, that the assarts were let out. tivated. ' Asiartum eat, quod redactam est ad culturam.' — Fleta, • Assart is the greatest offence that can be done in the (7) PurprestUTes."] A purprcstnre is an eacroachmeni ; and ' forest, containing in it as much as waste and more. For liere it means an encroachment of land. ' whereas waste is but the felling and cutting down the • coverts, which may grow up again, an assart is plucking (s) Rents and returm.'] ./^ren^atio is a rent payable in moneys ' them up by the roots.' Cowell. Licence was sometimes redditus was originally return paid in produce; altho' red- granted to assart parts of the forest, and it appears by the ditus might be afterwards used fur a money-reat. Carta i^dFtb' i Cbto' 4, f t' i46i. ii5 and purprestures so rented or to be rented ; and with court of view of frank-pledge, hundred-court, wreck, viz. wreck of the sea and Vrecks royal, waife and ^"straife and royal fish arising and "which shall arise or happen within the said town and the county and jurisdiction of the same ; and with the other customs and all other things which of what sort soever and wheresoever, as is before mentioned, shall appertain or shall belong for ever to the said town, county and suburbs and precincts, and also to the lands, tenements, places and fees aforesaid. ^UtH fUttT)0t we have granted and by these presents grant for us and our heirs to the same the now mayor and commonalty and their succes- sors, that fiom the said festival of St. Michael last past they shall have all. fines, redemptions, issues forfeited, amercements. Fines, &c. iw. forfeitures and other profits whatsoever in the "courts itinerant tkes of tiJe' of the forest or by reason of the same courts itinerant, as wellto'tiiebui- ^ for trespasses of '^ vert and venison as for any other offenses and causes whatever, proceeding or arising in the said town of Bristol, and also in all and singular places and fees within the precincts assartorum et vastorurra et purpresturarum sic arentatorum sive arentandorum ; et cum curia visus franci-plegii, hundredi, wreck, viz' wreck maris et wreck regalibus, waife et straife, piscibus regalibus infra dictam villam et comitatum ac jurisdictionem eorundem emergentibus et emer- gendis seu accidendis ; ac aliis consuetudinibus et omnibus aliis quae ad dictam villam, eomita turn, et suburbia et praecinctus, necnon terras, tenemenla, loca et feoda pra?dict3 qualiacunque et ubicunque, ut praedictum est, pertinebunt seu accident in perpetuum. possessor on account of the treason, felony, &c. of the last The king hath escheats of tenements in cities and boroughs, possessor, or for defect of heirs) escheat, i' e' revert or lapse which are huldeii of him in fee-farmi Fitzherb' N' B' to the king or the lord, as being the original grantor.— eschaet. as we should have had thera, if we had kept them in our owii hand ; ^UUltttS therefrom to us and our heirs annually at our exchequer from the aforesaid feast of St. Michael last past 0^102, 15s, 6d, at the feast of Easter and of St. Michael the archangel by equal portions ; and to the abbot of Tewkesbury and his successors for the tithes of the town aforesaid ^14, 10s;Re„tspayabie to the prior of St. James of Bristol and to his successors out ofa°dtootuera. the annual rent of the mill 6'0 shill' ; to the constable of the castle of Bristol and to his officers for the time being, viz' to the porter and the watchman of the said castle, and to the forester of Kingswood £^9, 14s, 6d, to be paid annually at the two aforesaid terms of the year by equal portions for all services, exactions, burdens and demands : [strictly commanding all persons, that they do not counteract the premises in any respect] be- cause express mention be not made in these presents of the true yearly value or any other value, or of the accuracy of the premises or any one of them, or of other gifts and grants heretofore made to the aforesaid mayor and commonalty or to their predecessors by us or any of our progenitors or predeces- sors ; or any statute, act, ordinance, usage, custom or provision manu nostra retinuissemus : iHc&tlCntlO inde annuatim nobis et haeredibus nostris ad scaccarium nostrum a praedifto festo Sti' Michaelis ultimo prseterito centum et diias libras, quindecim solidos et sex denarios ad festum paschse et Sti' Michaelis archangeli per aquales portiones ; et abbati de Tewksbury et successoribus suis pro decimis villa praedicta quatuordecem libras et decern solidos ; priori Sti' Jacobi Bristol!' et successoribus suis de annuo reditu molendini villse prsedictse sexaginta solidos; constabulario castri Bristoll' et ministris suis pro tempore existentibus^ viz, janitori et vigilatori dicti castri et forestario de Kingswoode triginta et novem libras, quatuordecem solidos ft sex denarios, solvendos annuatim ad prasdictos duos anni terminos per sequales portiones pro omnibus servitiis, exactionibus, onerlbus et demandis j i6eo quod expressa mentio de vero valore annuo aut quovis alio valore seu certitudine prsemissorum seu eorum alicujus aut de aliis donatio- nibus et concessionibus praefatis.nunc majori et communitati aut predecessoribus suis per nos vel aliquem progenitorum vel predecessorum nostrorum ante base tempora factis in prasentibus minimi facta existlt ; aut aliquo statuto, actu, ordinatione, usu, consuetudine vel provisione in con- (l6) Ho quoil signifies heiattse ; (here must therefore be an expressa mentio, &c. The frequency of the expression pro- ellipsis, which may be suppVied from the preceding charter bably gave occasion to the copyists to omit the first part of in this or the like manner : dantes cmnilus in mandato, quoi the sentencCv preanissis pareant; ea in eiigm non cmtraiienientes, eo jvii 120 Catta 12 ftb' i €t^W 4, it' 146§. made, ordained, used or provided to the contrary, or any thing, cause or matter whatsoever notwithstanding, jftl V!DttU(fi{0. whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Westminster the 12th day of Februaiy in the first year of our reign. trarium facto, ordinate, usitato vcl proviso, aut aliqui re, causi vel materia quicunque noa obstante. 3^11 CU)U^ rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipsa apudWe$tmon' duodecimo die Februarii, anno regni nostri primo. XXIII. CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION, 5 Feb', 3 HEN' VIL A' D' i48i. ^tXlX^ by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all to whom these present letters shall come sendeth health. W^t {jabt inspected the letters patent of the lord Edward the fourth late king of England our progenitor made in these words : Edward by the grace of God king, &c. [herefol- lows the Charter 14 Dec' 1 Edw' 4, q v] 'Wit f)di\^t also in- spected other letters patent of the said lord Edward the fourth late king of England made in these words : Edward by the grace of God king, &c. [liere follows the Charter 22 Oct', 1 Edio' 4, q' v''\ ^IS^C I)fllbC also inspected other lettei'S patent of the said Edward the fourth late king of England made in these words : Edward the grace of God king, &c. [here follows the charter 12 Feb' 4, q' vide.} BSUt wt holding the aforesaid charters and letters and all and singular the things contained in them to be good and proper do for us and our heirs, as far as lies in our power. XXIII. Carta Confirmatioms, 5 Feb', 3 Hen 7, i' e' 1481. ipcntiCU^ Dei gratii rex Angllse et Francis et dominus Hibernise omnibus, ad quos prsesentes liters pervenerint, salutem. 3Il^^P^i'^U;S literas patentes domini Edward!, nuper regis An gliee^ quarti, progenitoris nostri, facias in hsec verba : Edwardus Dei gratia rex, &c. ^(j^J^P^J^imUjOS etiam alias literas patentes prsefati domini Edwardi, nuper regis Angliffi, quarti, factas in heec verba: Edwardus Dei gratis rex, &c. ^tt^pOCiltlU.SS etiam alias literas patentes prsefati Edwardi, miper regis Anglise, quarti, factas in hsec verba: Edwardus, Dei gratia rex, 8cc. |^0^ aUtCttl cartas et literas pradictas^ ac omnia et singula in eisdem contenta, rata habentes et grata, ea pro R 122 Carta Cdttfi'tmatiottis* 5 jf^j', 3 f|eti' 7, i f i48i. accept and approve of them, and ratify and confirm them to our beloved the now mayor and biu'gesses of the same town of Bristol and to their heirs and successors, as the said charters and letters reasonably testify. ^U witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at West- minster on the 5th day of Feb', in the 3d year of our reign. nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, acceptamus et approbamus, ac dilectis nobis nuncmajori et burgensibus ejusdem vilise Bristoll' ac haeredibus et successorlbus suis ratificamus et confirmamus, prout cartse et literae praedict^ rationabiliter testantur. '^IX cujus rei testimo- nium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Testq meipso apud Westmonast' quinto die Tebruarii anno regni nostri tertio. XXIV. CHARTER OF HENRY VH. dated 17 Dec 15 Hen 7, A' D* 1499. tVit^ by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all and singular his archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, dukes, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, mayors, provosts, officers and all his bailiffs and faithful men [sends] health. ^ttOU) ^0 that on account of the singular love and regard which we bear and have towards the now mayor and commonalty of our town of Bristol, and for the preservation of the peace and safe government, and for encreasing the good of the com- monwealth of that town and commonalty, of our special favour and out of our certain knowledge and mere motion we 'have granted and we do by these presents grant for us, our heirs and XXIV. Carta 17 Dec, 15 Hen 7, i' e 1499. i^dlttCU^ Dei gratia rex Angliae et Francias et dominus Hlbernlae, universis et singulis archi- episcopis, episcopis, abbatibus, prioribus, ducibus, comitibus, baronibus, justiciariis, viceco- Ttiitibus, majoribus, prsepositis, ministris, et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem. ^CtCltii^, quod nos ob singularem affectionem et dilectionem, quas penes nunc majorem et communitatem villse nosfrae Bristoll' gerimus et habemus, ac pro conservatione pacis nostfEe ac salvo regimine, et pro bono reipublicae villae et communitatis illius augendo, de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certi scieatia et mero motu nostris, concessimus ac per praesent^s concedimus pro nobis, hseredibus et successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, prsefatis nunc majori et com- (l)JIave granted.'] The principal part of this charier is reading one to keep the other three insight; since the errors copied from Edw' the Third's charter of 1373, and is re- in one may frequently be corrected by the others- peated twice in queen Elizabeth's j it would be useful in R2 124 Carta 17 Mtt 15 gen' 7, (' e' 1499. successors, as far as is in our power, to the now mayor and ' commonaUy aforesaid of the same town, to their heirs and suc- cessors? ttiat hereafter there shall be in the said town of Bristol Six aldermen ft'om tiuic to tiuic for cvcr six aldermen to be nominated and -4o be chosen. « jii i* ir f m • • chosen, created and made in manner and rorm toliowmg; viz. The Recorder that tlic Tccordcr of the said town of Bristol, who is now recorder them. of that town, and every other recorder of that town for the time being in all future times and for ever from time to time shall The other five be ouc of thc Said six aldermen ; and that the five remaining alder- to be chosen _ '-' by the Com- nieu of tlic samc six aldermen shall be elected and nominated mon-couBcil. by the mayor and common-council of that tOMU for the time being at their pleasure within one year following after the date of these presents ; wliich now recorder so nominated for alderman, and every recorder of that town hereafter to be chosen or made from time to time, at the time of his admission into the office of recorder of that toAvn before the mayor of the same town shall The recorder givc his coi'poral oath, that as long as he shall have and exercise oath "r^due thc officc of rccordcr of the same town, being in the same, he Msoffiie"" will well and faithfully do and execute and exercise all and every thing which shall belong to the office of alderman of that town to be done and exercised ; and that as well the five aldermen afore- said of the same town to be first and next chosen and nominated, munltali ejusdem villse, haercdibus et snccessoribus suis, (JUOtJ de csetero slnt in dicta villa Bristol!' de tempore in tenipus in perpetuum sex aklermanni modo et forma seqiiente nominandi et eligendi, creandi et perficiendi, viz' quod recordator prasdictte villce BristoH', qui nunc est recordator villse illius, ac quilibcl alius recordator villte illius pro tempore exlstens perpetuis futuris temporibus ac in perpetuum de tempore in tempus crit unus dictorum sex aldermannorum ; et quod residui quinque aldermanni eorundem sex aldermannorum per majorem et commune- concilium villse illius pro tempore existcntes ad eorum libitum infra unum annum i data prsesen- tium sequentem eligantur et nominentur ; qui quidem nunc recordator in aldermannum sic noml- natus, et quilibet recordator villse illius de caetero de tempore in tempus eligendus sive faciendus, tempore admissionis suse in officium recordatoris villse illius coram majore ejusdem villas pro tempore existente sacramentum prajstabit corporalc, quod ipse quamdiu officium recordatoris ejusdem villas habuerit et exercuerit ibidem existens omnia et singula, quiE ad officium aldermanni vilJEG illius pertinebunt facienda et exercenda, ben<^ et fideliter faclet et exequetur et exercebit ; et tam prsedicti quinque aldermanni ejusdem villse prim^ ei proxim^ eligendi et nominandij quam Carta i7 Mtv i5 f^en' 7, i e' 1499. 125 as every other alderman of the same town to be chosen or nomi- J^,^J, f^'Z^"" iiated hereafter, whenever from henceforth they shall be elected, '"■""• made and created, at the tune of such creation, nomination, election and making into the office of alderman of that town, shall give and each one of them shall give their corporal oaths before the mayor and recorder of the said town for the time being concerning severally doing, exercising and executing the office of alderman of that town well and faithfully, as long as they shall continue in the office of alderman of the same town, and shall be aldermen of that town : and that as well the same five aldermen of that town to be chosen first from this time and every one of them, as every other alderman of the same town hereafter to be chosen or nominated from time to time, after they shall have been so elected, made and sworn, Ai^ermen shall have and every one of them shall have within the said Lme power as town, the liberties and precincts of the same, as long as he of Loudon, shall have and exercise the office of one of the aldermen of the said town of Bristol, like power and jurisdiction in all things and over all things, as the aldermen or any one of the aldermen of our city of London have, exercise and execute within the same city. And we will and grant by these presents for us and our successors to the said now mayor and commonalty of the said town of Bristol, their heirs and successors, that the mayor and qullibet alius aldermannus ejusdem villse in posterum eligendus she nominandus, cum ex nui>G electi, perfecti et creati fueriiit, sacramenta sua corporalia de officio aldermanni villis illus bene et fideliter separatim faciendo, exercendo et exequendo, quamdiu in officio aldermanni ejusdem villsE steterint, ac aldermanni villae illius extiterint, coram majore et recordatore villse prsedictse pro tempore existentibus in hujusmodi creatione, nominatione, electione et perfectione in officio aldermanni villtB illias praestabunt, et quilibet eorum prsestabit : quodque tam iidem quinque aldermanni villse illius ex nunc primo eligendi et eorum quilibet, quam quilibet alius aldermannus ejusdem villae in posterum de tempore in tempus eligendus sive nominandus, postquam sic electi> perfecti et jurati fuerint, habeant et quilibet eorum habeat infra villam prsedictam, libertates et prtecinctus ejusdem, quamdiu officium unius aldermannorum dictae villae Bristoll' habuerit et exercuerit, consimilem potestatem et jurisdictionem in omnibus et per omnia, quales aldermanni sive allquis aldermannorum civitatis nostras London' infra eandem civitatem habent, exercent et exequuntur. Et volumus et concedimus per prffisentes pro nobis et successoribus nostris prsefatis nunc major! et communitati dictEe villas Bristol]', hseredibus et successoribus suis, qu6d majoc 126 Cam 17 Mtt i^flen* 7, (' e' 1499. aldermen of the said town of Bristol for the time being, or the greater part of them, shall be empowered from time to time at Mayor and auall futurc timcs to rcmove and depose at their discretion any one remove any ofor more of the Said five aldermen of that town for the time being, the five alder- . , , , , , men, as oftcn as and whenever it shall please them, and to elect anew, others.""^* create and make for alderman or aldermen of the same town another or others out of the honest burgesses of the same town in the place of him or them so removed ; who being elected and nominated for aldei-man or aldermen of that town by the mayor and aldermen of that town for the time being or by the greater part of them shall give a like oath before the mayor and recorder of that town for the time being, in manner and form as the five aldermen aforesaid (as is before mentioned) to be elected first from this time shall make and give [their oath]. And that whenever and as Often as any of the aforesaid aldermen from time to time to be chosen or nominated shall die or shall retire from such his office or from any cause whatever shall be removed from the office of alderman of that town, from that time and so often it shall be allowable for the mayor and the other aldermen of the said town for the time being then surviving and remaining by themselves or by the greater part of them to choose, make and create, as often €t aldermanni dictae vlllae Bristoll' pro tempore existentes, sive eorum major pars, possit vel possint de tempore in tempus perpetuis futuris temporibus per eorum discretionem amovere et deponere aliquem vel aliquos de dictis quiiique aldermannis villa illius pro tempore existentibus, quoties et quandocunque eis placuerit, et alium vel alios de probis burgensibus ejusdem villae loco ipsius sic amoti vel ipsorum amotorum in aldermannum vel aldermannos ejusdem villfe de novo eligere, creare et perficere, qui in aldermannum vel aldermannos villas illius per majorem et aldermannos -villae illius pro tempore existentes vel per eorum majorem partem electl et nominati consimile sacramentum coram majore et recordatore villas illius pro tempore existentibus praestabunt, modo €t forma prout prtedicti quirique aldermanni (ut proedictum est) primo ex nunc eligendi facient et prtestabunt. Et quod quandocunque et quoticscunque aliquis aldermannorum prtEdictorum de tempore in tempus eligendorum et nominandorum obierit, seu ab hujusmodi officio suo recesseritj vel ex quikcunque causa ab officio aldermanni villae illius amotus fuerit, qu6d ex tunc et toties bene licebit majori et aliis aldermannis villae praedictae pro tempore existentibus tunc superviven- libiis-et remanentibus per ipsos seu majorem partem eorum alium vel alios de probioribus et Cam 1 7 Mtt' iiS f|en' 7, C e' 1^99. 1 27 as there shall be occasion and the case shall require, another ©r*^''*'"'"" *" be electeJ from time te me. others out of the more honest and prudent burgesses of the same [™ town for alderman or aldermen of that town in the place of him or them so dying, retiring or removed ; who being so elected and made, as is premised, shall give a Uke oath in the same manner and form as the other said aldermen to be elected first from this time shall make and give. And that all and each of the aldermen of that town hereafter to be chosen, nominated or made at all future times in manner and form aforesaid, after they shall be elected, made and sworn into the office of alderman of the same Aidermen . shall have the town, shall have and every one of them shall have m the town sameauthority aforesaid and within the precincts and liberties of the same like London. authority and power, as long as they shall continue in the office of alderman of that town or shall have and exercise the office of alderman of that town, as the aldermen of our city of Lon- don have, exercise and execute wfthin the same city. MXdX further we grant by these presents for ourselves, our heirs and successors to the same aforesaid mayor and commonalty and their successors, that hereafter the mayor and recorder of the said town, who now are and for the time shall be, and the said five aldei'men to be chosen (as is afore said) from time to time and their successors and any of them, when (as is premised) circumspectis burgensibus ejusdem villse loco ipsius sic decedentis, recedentis vel amoti, vd ipsorum sic decedentium, recedentiuin, vel amotorum in aldermannum vel aldermannos villse illius eligere, perfieere et creare, quoties opus fuerit et casus exegerit ; qui quidem sic, ut prse- mittitur, electl et perfecti consimile sacramentum prsestabunt eisdem modo et forma prout aliv praedicti aldermanni ex nunc prinao eligendi facient et prsestabunt. Quodque omnes et singuli aldermanni villse illius de cetero futuris temporibus perpetuis modo et form4 prsedictis eligendi, nominandi sive perficiendi, postquam in officium aldermanni ejusdem villse electi, perfecti et jurat! flierint, habeant et quilibet eorum habeat in villa praedicta ac infra prascinctus et libertates .ejusdem, consimilem auctoritatem et potestatem, quamdiu in officio aldermanni villse illius steterint, aut officium aldermanni villse illius habuerint et exercuerint, qualem aldermanni civitatis nostrse London' infra eandem civitatem habent, exercent et exequuntur. ^Et ulterius concedimus pro nobis, hseredibus et successoribus nostris prsedictis eisdem majori et communitati et successgribus suis per praesentes, qu6d de caetero major et recordator villse prsedictse, qui nunc sunt et qui pra tempore erunt, ac prsdicti qu'inque aldermanni de tempore in tempus,. ut prsedictum est, eligendi^ 128 catta 17 Bee i5 f|ett' 7, i' e' i499. they shall be elected, made and created, as long as they shall continue and be aldermen of that town, shall be jointly and se- parately ^keepers and justices of the peace of" us, our heirs and Mayor and succcssors: and justices of us,, our heirs and successors for keeping b^JuTf ices o" the peace of us, our heirs and successors within our said town >ie peace. ^^ Bristol, the liberties and county of the same town and pre- cincts of the same, as well by land as by water : and justices of us, our heirs and successors for keeping and causing to be kept all ordinances and statutes made at ^Winchester, Northampton, and Westminster for the keeping of our peace ; and also for [keeping and causing to be kept] the statutes and ordinances [made] there and elsewhere concerning , workmen, artificers, serving- men, inn-keepers, weights, measures, sellers of victuals, mendi- cants, vagabonds and other mendicants who call themselves travelling men; and for [keeping and causing to be kept] the €t eorum successores et eorum quilibet, cum (ut praeniittltur) electi, perfect! et creati fuerint, quamdiu aklermanni villae illius steterint et extiterint, sint conjunctim et divisim custodes ac jus- ticiarii pads nostrse, hseredum et successorum nostrorum : ac justiciarii nostri, haeredum et succes- sornm nostrorum ad pacem nostram, haeredum et successorum nostrorum infra pradictam villam nostram Bristol!', libertates, comitatum ejusdem villae et prsecinctus ejusdem tarn per terram quam per aquam conservandam : ac justiciarii nostri haeredum et sucessorum nostrorum ad omnia ordina- tiones et statuta apud Winton', Northampton', et Westmonast' pro conservatione pacis nostrae; nec- non ad statuta et ordinationes ibidem et alibi de [* servitoribus], operarlis, artificibus, servitoribus, hostilariis, ponderibus, mensuris, venditoribus victualium, mendicantibus, vagabundis et aliis homi- nibus mendicantibus, qui se nominant travellingmen ; ac ad statuta et ordinationes apud Westmon' (o:)j!tstwes of the pence, and our justicee, 8f« £fc ] The several statutes of the peace were consolidated in isgoj into Mayor and Aldermen are hereby made 1. Justices of the one form, peace. 2. Justices for keeping the peace in Bristol. 3. Jus tices for executing in Bristol several particular statutes here (3) Winchester, Northampton, ^.] The statutes here' in- meniioned; and the statutes in general made for keeping the tended are, i Westm' 3 Edw' i 2 Westm' 13 Edw' 1, peace. The difference between the first and the second st' 1. — Winton' 13 Ediv' i, st' 2 — Northampt' a Edw' 3. clause is not apparent. These statutes chiefly relate to objects of Crown law. These commissions for the office of Aldermen are probably the same as those which were then in use for other justices (4) Servitmibus.'\ So it is in my copy of the Bodl' MS. of the peace, and arc the foundation of the commissions now but it is certainly an error, because the same word occurs used. Thiise who arc not professionally acquainted with the in the next line. The old translation has Aun ex nunc eligendus et succes- Carta 17 mtt 15 ^m' 7, i' e' 1499. 1^9 whatever courts, places and pleas they may plead and be im- pleaded, shall be enabled to plead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered by the name of the chamberlain of the town of Bristol as well before us, our heirs and successors, wherever we chambeiiata shall be, and before us, our heirs and successors in the chancery "e^^sucd."" of us, our heirs and successors, and also before the justices of us, our heirs and successors of the common-bench, or before the treasurer and barons of the exchequer of us, our heirs and suc- cessors, as before all judges or justices whatever of us, our heirs and successors or any other justices or judges whatever, in all actions, suits, plaints and deman^ls, real, personal and mixed : and that the aforesaid chamberlain and his successors and every of them from time to time shall well and faithfully keep and cause to be kept for the use of the same mayor and commonalty and their successors, during the time when they shall exercise the office of chamberlain of the town aforesaid, all and singular the revenues, proceeds, profits and emoluments whatever, which the He shaii re- cciv€ the rcuts same chamberlains, while . they have been chamberlains of the '^<^- said towil, may have received or any one of them may have received or collected for the use and profit of the mayor and commonalty of that town ; and also all and all sorts of charters, He shaii keep evidences, bonds and muniments, which the same chamberlains bonds, L!"' sores sui in posterum eligendi in perpeluum per nomen camerarli villee Bristol!', tarn coram nobis, haeredibiis et successoribus nostris, ubicunque fuerimus, ac coram nobis, hseredibus ct successo- ribus nostris in cancellaria nostra, hasredum et successorum nostrorum, necnon coram justiciariis nostris, hseredum et successorum nostrorum de communi-banco, aut coram thesaurario ac baronibus de scaccario nostro, hseredum et successorum nostrorum, quam corSn quibuscunque iudicibus sive justiciariis nostris, hseredum et successorum nostrorum aut quibuscunque aiiis justiciariis sivejudicibus in quibuscunque curiis, locis, [^svpple et] placitis placitent et implaci- tentur, placitare et icnplacitari, respondere et responderi possint in quibuscunque actionibus, sectis, querelis, et demandis, realibus, personalibus et mixtis : et quod praedictus camerarius et successores sui et eorum quilibet de tempore in tempus omnia et singula revenitiones, proventus, proficua et emolumenta qusecunque, quae iidem camerarii, tempore quo camerarii villffi praedict^ extiterint, ad usum et proficuum majoris et communitatis vitlje illius receperint aut eorum aliquis receperit vel perceperit, necnon omnia et omnimoda cartas, evidentias, scripta obligatoria et munimenta, qiT» iidem camerarii pro tempore existentes, durante.termino quo ipsi camerarii villae prsedictgs extiterint^ T2 140 Catta 11 Mtt' i^ flett' 7, i eM409. for the tinje being, during the time when they have been cham- berlains of the town aforesaid, may have received, may have had or shall have for the use of the said mayor and commonalty or He shall pay their succcssors ; and shall apply and expend or pay such pro- monies. cccds, rcvcnucs and profits so received to the use and profit of the same mayor and commonalty and their successors ; and shall well and faithfully give and make a good and faithful account of He shall give all aud siugular things so received and had every year within a nurMy°""d^" month next after the feast of St. Luke the evangelist in the be remlfved!' Guildhall of the said town before the mayor and aldermen of the same town for the time beijig, or before two burgesses of the said town to be appointed for this purpose by the mayor of the same town for the time being: and that every chamberlain of the said town for the time being, who shall be removed from the office of chamberlain of the said town, as is aforesaid, or shall retire from his office, shall within one month next after he shall be removed or shall retire from that office give and make a faithful account of all and every thing received and had by him for the use of the said mayor and commonalty and their successors before the mayor and aldermen aforesaid or two bur- gesses to be appointed as is before mentioned. WS^t ^d^t ad usum dictorum majorls et communitatis aut successorum suorum receperint seu receperit, habuerint seu habuerit aut habebunt, ad usum eorundem majoris et communitatis et suc- cessorum suorum durante tempore quo ipsi officium camerarii villae praedictae exercuerint, bene et fideliter custodient et custodire facient ; ac proventus, revenitiones, et proficua hujus- modi sic recepta ad usum et proficuum eorundem majoris et communitatis et successo- rum suorum 3f plicabunt et expendent seu persolvenl ; ac de omnibus et singulis sic receptis et habitis bonum et fidelem computum quolibet anno infra unum mensem proxime post festum Sti' Lues evangelistas in Guildhald^ villae prsedictaa coram raajore et aldermannis ejusdem villae pro tempore existentibus, vel coram duobus burgcnsibus villae prifidictae ad hoc per majorem ejusdem villae pro tempore existentem assignandis bene et fideliter reddent et facient : et quod quilibet camerarius villas praedictae pro tempore existens, qui ab officio camerarii villa praedictae, ut prae- dictum est, amotus fuerit, aut ab officio suo recesserit, infra unum mensem proxime postquam ab officio illo amotus fuerit aut recesserit, fidelem computum de omnibus et singulis per ipsum ad usum prsedicti majoris et communitatis et successorum suorum receptis et habitis, coram majore et aldermannis praedictis vel duobus burgensibuSj ut praedictum est, assignandis reddet CattaiF 2iefi5f|eii'7, it' 1499. i4i gr3,nted moreover and by these presents gr&nt to the said now mayor and commonalty of our said town of Bristol, their heirs and successors, that all and every the bailiffs of that town to beBaiiiff.shaii hereafter chosen shall be chosen for ever in the same times, formerly, manner and form as they have been used heretofore to be elected, created or made, or any one of them has been used to be elected, created or made : so that if any bailiff or any bailiffs of the said^^^ ^^^,, ^^ town, after he or they shall have been elected into the office of^fterOiedeath bailiff of that town, shall die or any of them shall die within ^er°^ *'"''" a year after his or their election, or from any cause whatever shall be removed from the office of bailiff of that town, then the said mayor and commonalty of the said town of Bristol, their heirs and successors for the time being within eight days next following after such death or removal of any such bailiffs shall choose two other bailiffs, or one other bailiff out of the burgesses of the said town, in the room of him or them so dying or re- moved, as often as shall be necessary, without having, obtaining or suing for any licence of us, our heirs and successors in this behalf: and that all and every the bailiffs of that town to be chosen Baiuffs shaii hereafter, as is above-mentioned (an oath being first given con-"*''***""" cerning doing, exercising and executing well and faithfully the et faciei. dToitCfi^iiGiimUiSS insuper et per praesentes concedimus praefatis nunc majorl et commu- nitati prsedictae villse nostrte Bristoll', hsredibus et successoribus suis, quod omnes et singuli ballivi villas illius in posterum eligendi eligantur in perpetuum eisdem temporibus, modo et forma, prout ante hsec tempora dudum eligi, creari, seu fieri consueverunt, aut eorum aliquis eligi, creari, seu fieri consuevit; ita quod si aliqui ballivi aut aliquis ballivus villae praedictze, postquam ille [^supple vel illi] in ofBcium ballivi illius villse electus fuerit vel electi fuerint, infira annum post eorum vel ejus electionem obierint vel eorum aliquis obierit, vel ex qu^cunque causa ab officio ballivi villae illius amoti fuerint vel aniotus fuerit, ex tunc prsdictus major et communitas praedictse villae Bristol!', haeredes et successores sui pro tempore existentes infra octo dies, post hujusmodi mortem vel amotionem aliquorum hujusmodi ballivorum proxime sequentes eligant duos alios ballivos vel unum alium ballivum de burgensibus villae praedictae loco ipsorum sic decedentium vel amotorum vel ipsius sic decedentis vel amoti, toties quoties opus fuerit, absque aliqua licentii nostra, haeredum et successorum nostrorum in hac parte proinde habenda, impe- trandtl vel prosequenda : quddque omnes et singuli ballivi villae illius, ut praedictura est, in pos- terum eligendi (prsestito primitus sacramento de officio ballivi ejusdem villa, quamdiu ballivi 142 Carta 17 Mtt% u f|ett' 7, f e* 1499. office of bailiff of the same town) may and shall have, and may TheystnH cxcrcise and execute all and singular and such and such kind have the same ,. ^ , . ^ .. . . ni- powers as Dowcrs aud authorities and lunsdiction m all thmss concernino* heretofore. ^ '' . " the office of bailiff of that town, as any bailiffs of that town for the time being have heretofore had or exercised, or have used or been accustomed to have, exercise and execute. vSSEC uJtll also, and by these presents we grant for us, our heirs and suc- cessors to the said now mayor and commonalty of our said town of Bristol, their heirs and successors, that all and every the bailiffs of that town to be chosen hereafter- for ever, after they shall be elected into the office of bailiffs of the same town, shall be made, They shall be created and by virtue of such election immediately after their asbaiiiffs!"^ clcctiou iuto bailiffs of the same town shall be as well bailiffs of that town as sheriffs of the county of the said town of Bristol, as long as they shall be bailiffs of the same town ; and they shall do, exercise and execute the office of sheriff of the town of Bristol, and all those things which shall belong to the office of sheriff of the county of that town to be done, exercised and executed "in the same town, county, liberties and precincts of the same in as ample manner and form as any other sheriffs can and have a right or shall have a riglit to do and exercise villae illius extiterlnt aut officium ballivi ejusdem villae habuerint aut exercuerint, bene et fideliter faciendo, exercendo et exequendo,) omnes et singulas ac tales et hujusmodi potestates et aucto- ritates ac jurisdictionem, in omnibus officium ballivi vills illius concernentibus, habeant et habebunt ac exerceant et exequantur, quales aliqui ballivi villae illius pro tempore existentes ante haec tempora habuerunt, exercuerunt, aut habere, exercere et exequi usi fuerunt aut consueverunt. titOlUttlUjGS etiam et per prsesentes concedimus pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris prse- fatis nunc majori et communitati praedictae villa Bristoll', haeredibus et successoribus suis, quod omnes et singuli ballivi villae illius in posterum eligendi in perpetuum, postquani ipsi in oflficium ballivorum ejusdem villae electi fuerinl, perficlantur, creentur et virtute hujusmodi electionis sint immediate post eorum electionem in ballivos ejusdem villas, tim ballivi villas illius quam vlceco- itiites comitattis dictae villa Bristoll', qtiam diu ballivi ejusdem villae extiterint : ac officium vice- cbm' villae Bristoll', ac ea omnia quae ad officium vicecomitis comitatus villae illius pertinebunt facietida^ exgrcenda et exequenda in eisdem villa, comitatu, libertatibus et prsecinctibus ejusdem faciant, exerceant et exequantur in tam amplis modo et form4, prout ,aliqui alii vicecomites -alibi (is) This regulation is ttili in force : the sheriffs are bailiffs of the town as well as BlieriflTs of the county. Cam 17 mtt 'i5 ^m' 7, i' e' 1499. 143 elsewhere within our kitigdorn of England : and that all and every the bailiffs of that town hereafter to be chosen, within two days next after they shall be chosen, made, created and sworn into the office of bailiffs of the same town, shall give their corporal oath and every one of them shall give his corporal oath sepa- rately in due form before the mayor of that town for the time being, and not before any other person to be appointed for that purpose, in the Guildhall of the same town and no where else, ^^^ .^^ ^^^^^ that as long as they shall be sheriffs of the said county of the tj*«^'^'« o**'" town of Bristol, they shall do, exercise and execute and every one of them shall do, exercise and execute all and singular the things, which are to be done, exercised and executed belonging to the office of sheriff of the same county of the town of Bristol : and that such sheriffs of the said county of the tow^n of Bristol who for the time shall be and their successors for ever, after they shall be elected into the office of bailiffs of that town and shall have been sworn to do and exercise the office of sheriffs of the sheriffs shaii same town, shall hold and cause to be holden the county-rCOurtscounty-oourt». of us and our heirs of the said county of the said town in the same town from month to month on Monday throughout the year, in maimer and form as the sheriff of us or any of our progenitors heretofore held and used to hold the said county-courts of the infra regnum nostrum Anglis facere et exercere possunt et debent seu debebunt : et quod omnes et singuli ballivi villse illius in posterum eligendi infra duos dies proxime postquam ipsi in officium ballivorum ejusdem villae electi, perfecli, creati et jurati fuerint, coram majore villae illius pro tempore existente (et non coram aliquo alio ad hoc assignando) in Guildhalda ejusdem villae et non alibi, in forma debita, sacramentum preestabunt corporale et eorum qullibet sacramentum preestabit corporale separatim, quod ipsi quam diu vicecomites dicti comitatus villae Bristoll' extiterint, ea omnia et singula quae ad officium vicecom' ejusdem comitatus villae Bristoll' pfer- tinebunt facienda, exercenda et exequenda, facient, exercebunt et exequentur, et eorum quilibet faciei, exercebit et exequetur : el qu6d hujusmodi vicecomites dicti comitatus villa Bristoll', qui pro tempore erunt, et successores sui in perpetuum, postquam in officium ballivorum villae illius electi fuerint et ad officium vicecomitum ejusdem villae faciendum et exercendum jurati fuerint, comitatus nostros et haeredum nostrorum dicti comitatus vill* prsedictae in eadem villa de mense in mensem per diem Limse annuatim teneant et teneri faciant in perpetuum, mbdo et forma prout vicecomes noster aut aliquorum progenitorum nostrorum prsedictos comitatus dictse villae Bristoll'j 144 Carta nmte u f|etf 7, f e' 1499. said town of Bristol, while there was only one sheriff in the same county : and that the same sheriffs shall have all and such and the like power, jurisdiction, authority and liberty and all other things whatever, which belong to the office of sheriff in the same county, town, liberties and precincts of the same town, as great and such They shall ^^ ^W otlicr shcriffs of us, our heirs or successors within the power as otTer kingdom of England have, shall have and ought to have in thejjr bailiwicks; and they shall do, exercise and execute within the town aforesaid, the county, liberties and precincts of the same all and every the things, which any sheriff of our kingdom of England is or shall be able or ought to do in any wise within his county, as often as and whensoever it shall be necessary and the case shall require, and as it shall seem to them best: and that no sheriff or other officer of us, our heirs or successors of any. other county of us, our heirs or successors shall in any wise enter the said county of the town of Bristol, or the pre- cincts of that town or the liberties of the same for the pur- pose of exercising or doing any office in the same place, nor shall have, nor shall any one of them have any jurisdiction or No other she- power in the same or in any of them, nor shall they interfere riffsball inter- ^ ii • j. /■ • • . . , . fere. Or any ot them mtertere m any wise concernmg any thing arising dum in eodem comitatu unus solus vicecomes extitit, ante haec tempora tenuil et tenere consuevit : et qu6d iidem vicecomites habeant omnes et hujusmodi ac tales potestatem, jurisdictionem, auc- toritatetn et libertatem ac quacunque alia qtiaj ad ofKcium vicecomitis spectant in eisdem comi- tatu, villa, libertatibus et praecinctibus ejusdem villae, quanta et qualia aliqui alii vicecomites nostri, haeredum aut successorum nostrorum infra regnum Angliae in ballivis suis habent, habe- bunt et habere debent sen debebunt ; et ea omnia et singula, qua? aliquis vicecomes regni nostri Angliffi^in comitatu suo facere potest, poterit aut debet quoquo modo in comitatu suo, infra viljam prsedictam, comitatum, libertates et praecinctus ejusdem facient, exercebunt et cxequentur tqties quoties et quandocunque opus fuerit et casus exegerit, et prout eis melius visum fuerit : et qu6d rntllus vicecomes aut alius minister noster, haeredum vel successorum nostrorum alicujus alterius comitates nostri, haeredum vel successorum nostrorum dictum comitatum villae Bristoll', aut villae illius praecinctus aut libertates ejusdem ad aliquod officium ibidem exercendum seu faciendum quovis modo ingrediatur, aut aliquam jurisdictionem sive potestatem habeant aut eorum aliquis habeat in eisdem seu eorum aliquo, aut de aliquibus in eisdem comitatu, villa, libertatibus et prsecinctis eraergentibus sive contingentibus in aliquo se intromittant aut eorum Carta 17 Bee' 15 ^ett' 7, f e' 1499. 145 or happening in the same county, town, liberties and precincts : and the said sheriffs of the said county of the town of Bristol me shenfFs - for the time being shall make their '*profers every year at the their "roLs exchequer of us, our heirs and successors by their attorney to be thei/accoi'mts deputed for that purpose by their letters patent ; and shall causequer. the same and such their prefers to be paid in the same manner and form as the late sheriff of us and our progenitors of the county of the town of Bristol for the time being, when there was only one sheriff in the same place, used to make and pay: and that the same sheriffs of the said county of the town of Bristol and their successors for ever for the time being shall, by their attorney to be deputed and assigned for this purpose by their letters patent, render and make a reasonable and faithful account of the issues of their bailiwick at the exchequer aforesaid before the treasurer and barons of the same exchequer or before the barons of the same exchequer for the time being ; and that all and singular such attornies, who shall be deputed and assigned from time to time by the sheriffs of the said county of the town of Bristol for the time being for the purpose of making and paying the profers and aliquis se intromittat : et quod dicti vicecomites dicti comitatus villae Brisloll' pro tempore exis- tentes per eorum attornatum ad hoc per eorum literas patentes deputandum profera sua quolibet anno ad scaccarium nostrum, haeredum et successorum nostrorum facient ; ac eadem et hujus- modi profra sua solvi faclent eisdem. modo et forma prout nuper vicecomes noster et progenitorum nostrorum comitatus villae Bristoll pro tempore existens, dum unus solus vicecomes ibidem fuit, facere et solvere consuevit : et quod iidem vicecomites dicti comitatus villae Bristoll' et successores sui in perpetuum pro tempore existentes per attornatum eorum per literas suas patentes ad hoc deputandum et assignandum rationabilem et fidelem computum de exitibus ballivse su£e ad scaccarium prsdiclum coram ihesaurario et baronibus ejusdem scaccarii aut coram baronibus ejusdem scaccarii pro tempore existentibus reddent et facient ; et quod omues et singuli hujusmodi attornati de tempore in tempus per vicecomites dicti comitatus villae Bristoll' pro tempore existentes ad prsdicta profra facienda, solvenda et computum reddendum, ut prjedictum est, deputandi et (14) Profers] ace the sum which the sheriff at the end of compleated and delivered in, if it appeared that he had over- his year offered and paid into the exchequer, as the probable rated the amount, the surplus was repaid to him. From amount of the king's due. Afterward when his accounts were Jacob out of Hale's Slier' Ace' 52. u 146 Cam 17 5iec' is f|en' 7, (• v 1499. Their attor- rendering an account, as is before-mentioned, shall be admitted nies ihall be iiii t • ii i admitted to and evcrv one of them shall be admitted by the same treasurer or ticcount, •' t n f in' barons for the time beuig, accordmg to the force, form and effect of the same deputations and assignments ; and that neither the said sheriffs, who shall be made or created as is before-mentioned, or their successors or any of them shall any wise be compelled to go out of the town of Bristol aforesaid, or to account in their own proper persons in the exchequer of us, our heirs and successors or elsewhere for the issues of their offices or for any things regarding the office of sheriff of the county of the town of Bristol : and that we, our heirs and successors will for ever from time to time cause to be made and directed, and our heirs and successors shall for ever hereafter cause to be made and All writs, &c. directed to the said sheriffs of the town of Bristol for the to the sheriffs, time bciug all and singular writs, bills, precepts, warrants and mandates of us, our heirs and successors, which from hence- forth at all future times shall be to be directed, granted, adjudged and executed 'thereupon or upon any and all and singular actions, suits, pleas, plaints, demands, inquisitions, present- ments, or informations against any person whatsoever for any and all and singular and whatever lands, tenements, rents or assignandi, per eosdem thesaurarium aut barones pro tempore existentes juxta vim, formam et effectum earundem deputationum et assignationum admittantur et eorum quilibet admittatur ; et quod nee pr»dicti vicecomites, ut prsedictum est faciendi, perficiendi seu creandi aut successores sui, seu eorum aliquis vel aliqui ad veniendum extra villam Bristoll' praedictam, aut in propriis personis suis in scaccario nostro, haeredum vel successorum nostrorum aut alibi computandum de exitibus officiorum suorum aut de aliquibus ad officium vicecomitis comitatus villas Bristoll' spectantibus aliquatenus compellantur : et qu6d nos, hxredes et successores nostri omnia et singula brevia, billas, praecepta, warranta, et mandata nostra, haeredum et successorum nos- trorum, quae inde aut super aliquibus ac omnibus et singulis actionibus, sectis, placitis, querelis, demandis, inquisitionibus, prassentationibus, aut informationibus versus aliquem quemcunque pro aliquibus ac omnibus et singulis aut quibascunque terris, tenementis, redditibus seu posses- (is) Thereupon} i' e' upon things regarding the office of sheriff. Carta 17 Mtt i5 ^m' i, i t i499. i47 possessions being within the town aforesaid, and also for any and all and singular contracts, debts, covenants, detinues or other things, matters and causes whatever arising, falling out or hap- pening within the said town of Bristol, the suburbs, precincts and liberties of the same as well by land as by water, '^out of any and whatever our courts where any actions, or plaints, de- mands, inquisitions, presentments or informations happen to be prosecuted or held : and that the sheriffs for the time being shall execute and cause to be executed all and every such writs, precepts, warrants and mandates which shall be directed to them in and throughout all cases according to the exigency, force^ form and effect of the same : ^tltl III CRSt that such sheriffs shall die or one of them shall die, or shall be removed or one of them shall be removed from the office of bailiff and sheriff of that town within the year from such their making or creation, that then the mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the said town and their successors for ever for the time being within ten days next after such decease, removal or deposing shall be empowered sionibus infra villam praedictam existentibus, necnon pro aliquibus ac omnibus et singulis con- tractibus, debitis, conventibus, detentionibus, aut aliis rebus, materiis et causis quibuscunque infra praedictam villam Bristoll', suburbia, praecinctus et libertates ejusdem tam per aquam quam per terram emergentibus, accidentibus seu contingentibus extra aliquas ac quascunque curias nostras, ubi aliquas actiones aut querelas, demandae, inquisitiones, presentationes sive informa- tiones prosequi seu haberi contigerint, ex nunc perpetuis fiituris temporibus erunt dirigenda, consideranda, \J'ortasse concedenda,J adjudicanda et exequenda, praedictis vicecomitibus vill^ Bristoll' pro tempore existentibus in perpetuum de tempore in tempus fieri et dirigi faciemus, haeredesq' et successores nostri in perpetuum de caetero fieri et dirigi facient : qudidque viceeomites pro tempore existentes omnia et singula hujusmodi brevia, pracepta, warranta et mandata eis dirigenda exequantur et exequi faciant in omnibus et per omnia juxta exigentiam, vim, formam. et effectum eorundem ; 497, he defended his bishopric against the Scots, not only by bis authority, hut personally by arms. In 1498, being invited into Scotland by king James 4, he was entrusted with proposals of marriage be- tween that king and Margaret, king Henry's daughter. Bi- shop Fox warmly recommended this marriage to the king of England, and was thus particularly instrumental in bringing to pass the union of the two crowns. In 1500, he was elected chancellor of the university of Cambridge, la JSOl probably, and not in 1500, as dated by Godwin, be was made bishop of Winchester, and continued during the whole reign of Henry 7 to be confidentially cmplojed in all affairs of political importance. Soon after the accession of Henry 8, he was the well-intentioned author of a measure which had considerable influence on the civil and ecclesias- tical situation of England : he introduced the celebrated Wolsey into the Privy-council. After this, finding his in- fluence with the young king declining by the ascendancy of Wolsey and other favorites, he gradually retired from court and resided at Winchester, where for about the last ten jears of his life be had the misfortune to be blind. Here he spent his time in acts of muuiflceDce and charity, and in strict devotion. He expended great sums in repairing and embel- lishing his cathedral church; he founded a free-school at Taunton, and another irt Grantham ; but his principal foun- dation was * Corpus Christi College, in Oxford, He died in 1538. The editor dwells with pleasure on the memory of thisexcellent prelate, to whose munificence and institutions, as the faunder of that college, his early years were much indebted. * This college deserves mention in a publication relative to Bristol, because one of its best presidents and a most, liberal benefactor. Dr. Turner, was a native of this city. taS) John, E' qf Oocford. ] John Vere, a great friend to the Lancastrian family, and very instrumental in raising Henry 7, to the throne. See note 5, p' 129. (97) no' earl 0/^'.] Thomas Fitz-Alan. (28) Sir Robert Waioughhy,"] created Lord Brooks in the parliament 148S. Rapio. 164 Caita 17 mtt 15 ^ttc 7, (' e' i499. tie Brooke, knight, steward of our household ; ^ Giles Daubeny of Daubeny, knight, chamberlain of our household ; Reginald '"Bray, and Richard Guildford, controllers of our household, knights ; and others. Given by our hand at ^' Knolle the 17th day of December, in the loth year of our reign. Egidio Daubeny tie Daubeny, militc, camerarlo hospitii nostri ; Reginaldo Bray et Ricardo Guilford, contrarotulatoribus hospitii nostri, militibus ; et aliis. Data per manum nostram apud Knolle l?"!" dieDecembris, anno regni nostri IS""". (29)S!V Giles Daubeny,'] created Eaion Daubeny in the same parliament. Rapin. — If so, it is singular tliat they should be here stiled only knights. All the preceding wit- nesses, except the princes, had been companions of the king's exile. (30) Sir Reg' Srat/."] Who had raised men and money for the king in Wales, before he landed. All the preceding witneses were non Privy-counsellors. (3l) Knolle.'] The place here intended is the archiepis- copal palace at Ktwlle near Sevenoaks in Kent. There is a view of it in Hasted's History of Kent. The royal palace at Skene (noiv Richmond), the king's usual residence, having been burnt down in December 1498, it is probable that the king, while it was re-building, had borrowed Knolle from archbishop Morton, whose hospitality he had experienced on other occasions. Archbishop Warham more than once entertained k' Henry 8, at Knolle. At present it belongs t* the duke of Dorset. XXV. CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION, 10 May, 2 HEN' VIII. A' D' 1510. I^Cttt^ by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all, to whom these present letters shall come, [sends] health. We have inspected the letters patent of confir- mation of the lord Henry late king of England our father made in these words: Henry by the grace of God king, &c. [Here foUo'ws the Charter 5 Feb', 3 Hen' 7, No. 23.] W^t j^a^E in- spected the charter of our very dear lord Henry late king of England, our father, made in these words : Henry by the grace of God king, &c. [Here foUoxvs the Charter 17 Dec', 15 Hen' 7. No. 24.] 3SUt tt>0 holding good and right the charters and let- ters aforesaid and all and singular the things contained in the same, for us and our heirs, as far as lies in our power, accept and approve of them, and ratify and confirm them to our beloved the now mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said town of XXV. Carta Conjirmationis, 10 Maii, 2 Hen 8, i e l5l0. l^nittCU0 Dei gratia rex Angliae et Francise et dominus Hibernise, omnibus ad quos praesenteS literse pervenerint salutem. Inspeximus literas patentes domini Henrici nuper regis Angliae patris nostri de confirmatione, factas in haec verba : Henricus Dei gratia rex, &c. ^nj9^{l0)i;tinUj$ cartani prsecharlssimi domini Henrici nuper regis Angliae, patris nostri, factam in hsec verba : Henricus Dei gratis rex, &c. J|^0$> aUtClll cartas et literas praedictas et omnia et singula in eisdem con- tenta rata habentes et grata, ea pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, acceptamus et approbamus ac dilectis nobis nunc majori, burgensibus et communitati ejusdem villas Bristoll' 166 catta Conatmationts* lo jHaii, 2 f|m' 8, r e' i5io. Bristol and to their successors, as the charter and letters afore- said reasonably testify. Jjll (PtttlCfiiSi whereof we haye Caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness ourself at West- minster on the 10th day of May in the second year of our reign. ct successoribus suis ratificamus et conSrmamus, prout carta et literae prsedictse ratioiiabiliter tes- tantur. 3!^ tUiUJi rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste ineipso apud Westmonast'j decimo die Maii anno regni nostri secundo. (j) jrc have caused, Spc] I have translated this passage, factasiin luBC verba, and the like, tliat yucere lilems patmin li€re and elsewheie, in tlie same words, which are every signifies to make out (to writej an open letter. The preseut day used on the same occasion ; yet the propriety of the passage therefore ought to be expressed in English thus, translation may be j ustly questioned. It appears from the We have cqMsed thit our letter patent to be made (or written). common phrases, Inspemmis literas patentes domini—^egis, ^c. XXVI. CHARTER OP CONFIRMATION, 12 July, 1 EDW VI. A' D' 1547. 'v ^tiVOEtt) the sixth by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland khig, defender of the faith, &c. and on earth supreme head of the English and Irish church, to all to whom these pre- sent letters shall come, [sends] health. We have inspected the letters patent of confirmation of the lord Henry late king of England, our father, made in these words : Henry by the grace of God king, &c. [Here follows the Charter 10 May, 2 Hen 8, No. 25.] 3pUt VDE holding good and right the charters and let- ters aforesaid and all and singular things contained in them, for us and our heirs as far as lies in our power, accept and approve of them, and ratify and confirm them to our beloved the now mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the same town of Bristol and to their successors, as the charter and letters aforesaid rea- XXVI. Carta Confirmationis, I'^Julii, 1 Edw 6, i* e 1547. trafacturaj tonsura, .lotursl et alia falsitate monetEE terra; suae tento similiter editum ; ac ad omnia alia statuta et ordinationes pro bono pacis, quieto regimine et gubernatione populi sui edita, ac ex tunc in posterum edenda in omnibus suis articulis juxta formam, vim et effectum eorum, in dicto comitatu villas Bristoll', ac infra eandem villam, liber- tates et prscinclus ejusdem t^m per terram quam per aquam custodienda et custodiri facienda ; et ad omnes illos, quos contra formam ordinationum et statutorum prasdictorum aut eorum alicujus delinquentes invenerint, castigandos et puniendos et castigari et puniri faciendos, prout secundum formam ordinationum et statutorum ?orum foret faciendum ; et ad omnes illos^ qui aliquibus de A a 178 Carta 28 f ulit 23 eu?', (' e' i58i. statutes, all those whom they should find . offending against the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or any one of them; and for causing to come before them by du€ form of law all those who had threatened any of his people within the county of the town and liberties aforesaid concerning their bodies or the burning of their houses, that they might find sufficient security for the peace and for their good behaviour towards the said late king Henry 7, his heirs and successors for the time being and all his people ; and if they should refuse to find such security, then for causing them to be kept safely in the prison of him the late king Henry 7 of the county and town afore- said, until they should find such security : And whereas also the said late king Henry 7 by his letters patent aforesaid willed and granted to the aforesaid then mayor and commonalty of the said town of Bristol, their heii's and successors, that the said mayor, recorder and other five aldermen of the same town for the time being, six, five, four and three of them, of whom the mayor or lecorder of that town for the time being should by all means be one, should be from time to time at all future times justices of him the late king Henry J, his heirs and successors, for inquiring; more fully into the truth, by the oath of good and lawful men of that county and town as well within liberties as without by populo sno infra comitatum villse et libertates praedlctas minas fecerint de corporibus suis vel de incendio domorum suarum, ad sufficientem securitatem de pace et bono gestu suo erga dictum nuper regem Henricum septimum, haeredes et successores siios pro tempore existentes et cunctum popuium suum inveniendam, coram eis per debitam legis formam venire faciendos; et si hujus- modi securitatem invenire recusarent, tunc ad eos in prison^ ipsius nuper regis Henrici septimi comilatus et villae prsedictae, quousque hujusmodi securitatem invenirent, salvo custodiri faciendos: Cumque etiam praedictus nuper rex Henricus Septimus per iiteras suas patentes prsedictas voluerit et concesserit prsefato tunc major! et communitati dictae villae Bristoll', haeredibus et successoribus suis, quod dictus major, recordator et alii quinque aldermanni ejusdem vills pro tempore exis- tentes, sex, quinque, quatnor ct tres eorum^ quorum major et \_l' aul] recordator ejus villae pro tempore existentes [Z' existens] omnino esset unus, de tempore in tempus perpetuis futuris tem- poribus essent et forent justiciarii ipsius nuper regis Henrici septimi ac hifiredum et successorum suorum, ad inquirendum per saoramenta proborum et legalium hominum de comitatu et viil^ il!4 tam infra libertates quam extra per quos rei Veritas melius sciri potuisset, de omnibus proditioni- Carta 28 ^nliu 23 eii?\ f r 1 58 1 . 1 79 whom the truth of the matter might be better known, concern- ing all treasons, murders, rapes of women, and other felonies whatever, trespasses, riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, embraceries, maintenancies, ambidextries, extortions, confederacies, conspira- cies, trespasses, regratings and forestallings done or committed or which should happen thereafter to be done or committed within the county of the town aforesaid and liberties aforesaid by whatever persons and howsoever; and also concerning those persons who should have lien or thereafter should presume to lie in wait for the purpose of maimiqg or killing the people of the said king Henry 7 ; and also concerning those who in the county, town and liberties aforesaid should have used caps and other liveries of one suit by confederacy and for maintenance contrary to the prohibition and form of certain ordinances and statutes made thereupon in the county, town and liberties aforesaid, and who should thereafter for the future use any such caps and other liveries ; and also concerning all and singular persons, who within the county, town, precincts and liberties aforesaid should in any wise have offended against the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or any of them or thereafter should presume to attempt any thing to the contrary thereof; and also for enquiring into the truth more fully concerning all sheriffs, bailiffs, constables and bus, murdris, raptibus raulierum et aliis feloniis quibnscunque, trangressionibus, rioltis, roiitis,. conventiculis illicitisj imbraceriis, raanutenentiis, ambidextris extortionibus, confederationibtis, conspirationibas, transgressionibus, regratariis et forestallis infra comitaturtj villae prsedictae et libertates prsedictas per quoscunque et qualitercunque factis sive perpetratis et ex tunc fieri sive perpetrari contingentibus j et etiam de iis qui in insidiis ad gentem dicti nuper regis Henrici septimi mah«mandam vel interficiendam jacerent seu ex tunc jacere prsesumserint ; et etiam de iis qui caputiiis et aliis liberati^ de unic^ secta per confederationem et pro manutentione contra defensionem ac formam aliquarum ordinationum et statutorum inde ante tunc factarum in corai- tatu, villa et libertatibus praedictis usi fuissent, et aliquibus hujusmodi caputiis et aliis liberatis ex tunc in posterum utentibus ; necnon de omnibus et singulis iis qui infra comitatum, villain, praecinctus et libertates prsedictas contra formam ordinationum et statutorum prsedictorum seu eorum alicujus in. aliquo delinquerent, aut ex tunc aliquid in contrarium inde attentare prassum- serint ; necnon ad inquirendum de quibuscunque vicecomitibus, ballivis^ constabulkriis ac custo- dibus goalsBj qui infra comjtatum, villam, praecinctus et libertates prsedictas in executiont A a2 180 Carta 28 f uUi, 23 eii?', i' e' i58i. keepers of goals, who within the county, town, precincts and liberties aforesaid in the execution of their offices toward artifi- cers, serving-men, labourers, victuallers, inn-keepers, beggars and vagabonds and other persons aforesaid whatever, according to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid, should have behaved themselves improperly, or should have been lukewarm, remiss or negligent and should thereafter happen to be lukewarm, remiss or negligent ; and concerning all and singular the articles and circum- stances in any respect relating to all and singular the premisses, and concerriing other things by whomsoever and howsoever done or committed, and which thereafter should happen to be done, or attempted in the same place, contrary to the form of the ordi- nances and statutes aforesaid ; and also for inspecting all indict- ments whatever as well those taken and not yet terminated before the same justices of him the late king Henry 'J, his heirs and successors, or any of them, or before others the late keepers of the peace or justices of the said late king Henry 7 oi' the lords Edward 4, Edward 5, late kings of England, or Richard 3 late king of England, appointed for hearing and determining such trespasses and misdeeds in the county, town, liberties and precincts aforesaid by virtue of divers letters patent of the same late king Henry 7 and of the said lords Edward, Edward and officiorum suorum erga artifices, servitores, laboratores, vlctuallarios, hostellarios, mendicantes et vagabundos ac alios prsedictos quoscunque juxta formam ordinationum et statutorum praedictorum indebite se haberent et ex tunc indebite se habere praesumserint, aut tepidi, remissi vel negli- gentes forent et ex tunc tepidi, remissi vel negligentes fore contigerint ; ac de omnibus et singulis articulis et circumstantiis prsmissa omnia et singula qualitercunque concernentibus, ac aliis contra formam ordinationum et statutorum praedictorum per quoscunque et qualitercunque factis sive perpetralis, et qua; ex tunc ibidem fieri vel attentari contigerint plenius veritatem ; necnoa ad omnia indictamenta quaecunque tam coram eisdem justiciariis ipsius nuper regis Henrici septimi, haeredum et successorum suorum, scu eorum aliquibus, aut aliis nuper custodibus pacis vel justiciariis praedicti nuper regis Henrici septimi aut dominorum Edwardi quarti, Edwardi quintij nuper regum Angliae, aut Ricardi nuper regis Anglite tertii ad hujusmodi transgressiones et malefacta in comitatu, villa, libertatibus et praecinctibus praedictis audiendas et terminandas assignatis virtute diversarum literarum patentium ejusdem nuper regis Henrici septimi ac dictorum dominorum Edwardi, Edwardi et Ricardi seu eorum alicujus, [supple eis] ac aliis quibuscunque Catta 28 fulii, 23 eiif, i' e' i58i. i8i Richard or any of them made to them and to any other persons whateyer in the county, town, liberties and precincts of the same ; as indictments taken or to be taken before the said mayor, recorder and aldermen, six, five, four and three of them, of whom the mayor or recorder of the same town for the time being should be one justice of him the late king Henry 7, his heirs and suc- cessors ; and for making and continuing process thereupon and processes against all who should thereafter for the future happen to be indicted for the premisses or any of the premisses before the same justices of the same late king, his heirs and successors, imtil they should be taken, surrendered or outlawed ; and also for hearing as well at the suit of him the late king Henry 7 as well of any other persons whatever wilHng to be plaintiffs or prosecute before the same justices for him, his' heirs and suc- cessors or for themselves, and according to the law and custom of our kingdom of England and according to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid for terminating in as ample manner and form, as any other justices of the peace of the said late king Henry 7, his heirs and successors or any other justices of the same late king, his heirs and successors any where else in any other county of the kingdom of England shoidd be able or should have been able to hear and determine, all and singular things, personis in comitatu, villa, libertatibus, et prsecinctibus ejusdem factarum capta et nondum ter- minata ; quam coram prsedictis majore, recordatore et aldermannis sex, quinque, quatuor, et tribus eorum, quorum major vel recordator ejusdem villse pro tempore existens esset unus justi- tiarius ipsius nuper regis Henrici septimi, hseredum et successorum suorum capta vel capienda, inspicienda ; ac ad processum inde ac processus versus omnes alios [/' ad quos] coram eisdem justiciariis ejusdem nuper regis, hasredum et successorum suorum de prsemissis vel aliquo prjemis- sorum ex tunc de caetero indictari contigerit, quousque caperentur, redderentur vel utlagarentur, faciendos et continuandos ; necnon ad omnia et singula, quae contra formam ordinationum et statutorum praedictorum seu in enervationem eorum seu eorum alicujus infra comitatum, villam, libertates et prsecinctus praedictos facta et perpetrata seu attentata forent, et quae ibidem ex tunc in posterum fieri, perpetrari seu attentari contingerent, tam ad sectam ipsius nuper regis Henrici 7mi quam aliorum quorumcunque coram eisdem justiciariis pro se, haeredibus et successoribus suis, aut pro seipsis conqueri seu prosequi volentium, audienda, ac secundum legem et consue- tudinem regni nostri Anglise ac juxta formam ordinationum et statutorum prasdictorum termi- 182 Carta 28 fuliu 23 €W, i r i58i. which should have been done and committed or attempted against the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or to the weaken* ing of them or any of them within the county, town, liberties and precincts aforesaid, and which should happen thereafter for the future to be done, committed or attempted in the same place ; and also for [hearing and determining] the trespasses and fore- stallings aforesaid and all other things not declared above to be determinable at the suit of the same late king alone ; and for hearing and determining all other things, which by virtue of any ordinances and statutes ought to be discussed and terminated by the keepers of the peace of him the late king, his heirs and successors, and such justices of him, his heirs and successors i and for chastising and punishing for their faults by fines, redemp- tions, amercements or any other way, all persons offending against the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or any of them, as was usual to be done before the ordinance made concerning corporal punishment to be inflicted on such delinquents for their offences; [and also] for doing or exercising, hearing or determin- ing [^all other things, which] belonged or should belong [to the office of justice of our peace] elsewhere within the kingdom of England : And that the same mayor and commonalty, their heirs iianda, in tam amplis modo et form4 prout aliqui alii justiciarii pads dicti nuper regis Henrici septimi, haeredum et successorum suorum aut aliqui alii justiciarii [dele pacis] ejusdem nuper regis, haeredum et successorum suorum alibi in aliquo alio comitalu regni AngUse audire et ter- minare possent seu potuissent; necnon transgressiones et forestalla prsedicta ac omnia alia Superius determinanda non declarata ad sectam ejusdem regis nuper tantum ; et omnia alia, quse virtute aliquarum ordinationum et statutorum per custodes pacis ipsius nuper regis, haeredum ac successorum suorum ac justiciarios suos, haeredum et successorum suorum hujusmodi discuti et terminari debent audienda et terminanda ; et ad quoscunque contra formam ordinationum et statutorum praedictorum seu eorum alicujus delinquentes, per fines, redemptiones, amerciameata aut aliquo alio modo pro delictis suis castigandos et puniendos, prout ante ordinationem de punitione corporali hujusmodi delinquentibus pro delictis suis exhibenda factam fieri consueverat; alibi infra regnum Angliae pertinebant seu pertinerent facienda aut exercenda, audienda seu (s)See the nute in Charter 1499, p* 135. Carta 2« fultt> 23 eii?', i e' i58i. i83 and successors for ever should have all and all sorts and singular the iSnes, redemptions, issues, forfeitures and amercements to be made, assessed, forfeited and adjudged from time to time during all future times before the aforesaid justices and any of them ; and that it should be lawful for the same mayor and common- alty and their successors from time to time, as often as should be necessary, to collect and levy by the sheriff or other officer of the same town who then should be and who for the time should be, to the use of the said then mayor and commonalty and of their successors, all and singular such issues, forfeitures, fines, redemptions and amercements adjudged and to be adjudged or to be assessed; and that they should be empowered to put themselves in seisin and possession of the same, as the sheiiffs, officers or ministers of the said late king Henry J, his heirs and successors were empowered, would have been empowered or would have had a right to collect and levy them for him, his heirs and successors to the use of him, the late king, his heirs and successors, if they had not been granted to the said mayor and commonalty and their successors ; without i-endering or paying or doing thereof any account or any other thing to the same late kinjy, his heii'S or successors : and that neither the treasurer of the said late kino- terminanda : Et quod ildem major et communitas, hseredes et successores sul in perpetuum haberent omnia et omiiimoda et singula fines, redemptiones, exitus, forisfacturas, et araercia- menta coram prtef/itis justiciariis et eorum quolibet de tempore in tempus perpetuis futuris tem- poribus duraturis facienda, assidenda, forisfacienda, et adjudicaada j et quod bene liceret eisdem majori et communitati et successoribus suis de tempore in tempus, quoties opus fuerit, omnia et singula hujusmodi exitus, forisfacturas, fines, redemptiones et amerciamenta adjudicata et adju- dicanda sive assidenda per vicecomitem aut alium ministrum ejusdem villas, qui tunc essent et qui pro tempore forent, ad opus praedictorum tunc majoris et communitatis et successorum suorum colligere et levare ; ac seipsos in seisinam et possessionem de eisdem ponere possent, prout vicecomites, ofEciarii, vel ministri died nuper regis Henrici septimi, haeredum et successorum suorum ea pro ipso, haeredibus et successoribus suis possent, potuissent vel debuerint ad opus ipsius nuper regis, hteredum et successorum suorum percfpere et levare, si ea praedictis majori et coremunitati et successoribus suis concessa non fuissent ; absque aliquo compute aut aliquo alio eidera nuper regi, haeredibus sen successoribus suis inde reddendo, solvendo seu faciendo : et quod nee thesaurarius dicti nuper regis Henrici septimi, hseredum aut successorum 184 Carta 28 fulii* 23 €li}\ i' t' i58i. 6 Henry 1, his heirs or successors,' nor the barons of the exchequer of him, his heirs or successors, from that time forth should make or cause to be made any process against such justices of the peace or any of the justices aforesaid or any of their successors or the heirs or exe- cutors of them or any of them, for dehvering pr causing to be delivered to or into his exchequer or elsewhere any of their estreats of an)^ fines, redemptions, issues, forfeitures or amercements or any other things adjudged, forfeited or assessed or afterwards to be adjudged, forfeited or assessed before the aforesaid justices of the said late king Henry 'J, his heirs and successors : and that any other justices of the peace of him or his heirs or successors, or And thai no ^uy otlicr justiccs of him, his heirs or successors should not in- shouiii^ter-^ trod Lice themselves, nor should any one introduce himself, for the purpose of exercising, doing or executing in the same place any of the ordinances and statutes published or ordained con- cerning the premisses or any of the premisses arising or happening within the town, county, liberties and precincts aforesaid, or for the purpose of [exercising, doing or executing] any office concern- ing or for the same or any of them ; and that they should not suorum nee barones scaccarii sui, haeredum vel successorum suorum, nee eorum aliquis, nee aliqui alii justiciarii, vel ministri sui, hseredura vel successorum suorum ex tunc de csetero facerent seu fieri facerent aliquem pro- cessum vel aliquos processus versus hujusmodi justiciarios pacis, aut aliquos seu aliquem justici- ariorum praedictorum, seu aliquem successorum Suorum, hseredes vel executores suos vel eorura alicujus pro aliquibus exlractibus suis de aliquibus fiaibus, redemtionibus, exltibus, forisfacturis, seu amerciamentis aut aliquibus aliis coram praedictis justiciariis dicti nuper regis Henrici septimi, haeredum et successorum suorum adjudicatis, forisfactis sive assessis, aut in posterum adjudicandis, forisfaciendis vel assidendis, ad aut in scaccarium suum seu alibi liberandis, liberarive faciendis : et quod aliqui alii justiciarii pacis suae seu hasredum aut successorum suorum, aut aliqui alii justiciarii sui, haeredum aut successorum suorum, ad aliquas ordinationum ct statutorum de prsemissis vel aliquo prjemissorum editarum seu ordinatarum infra villam, comitatum, libertates, et praecinctus prffidictos emergentibus sive contingentibus, aut ad aliqiiod officium de aut pro eisdem seu eolrum aliquibus ibidem exercendum, faciendum seu exequendum in aliquo ibidem se (6) The blank may be supplied from the Latin of the corresponding passage in Charter 1499, p' 136: see also the note p' 111* Cam 28 fulii, 23 Clir, i' e' 1581. 185 have or exercise any jurisdiction thereupon : ''and that the mayor of the said town for the time being, and his successors for the And lUat the time beinof, as long as they should be mayors of the said town, deimcu shouia & O '' 1 • 1 • 1 '"' justices of the recorder of the same town for the time bemg, as long as gaoi-deuvery ; he should be recorder of that town, and the said five aldermen and their successors, as long as they should be aldermen of the same town, six, five, four or three of them, of whom the mayor and recorder for the time being should be two, should have for the future for ever from time to time, as often as should be necessary, in all things as many and such authorities and powers within the town aforesaid, the suburbs and precincts of the same, of doing, exercising and executing 'all and singular these things within the same town, suburbs and precincts aforesaid and in the same man- ner and form, as any other justices for delivering any gaol or gaols had, exercised and executed, or ought or had been em- powered to have, exercise and execute any where else within the kingdom of England aforesaid ; saving always to the aforesaid late king Henry 7 and his heirs all and singular the fines, issues. non intromltterent, nee eoram aliquis se [dele non] iiitromitteret ; aut alTquam jurisdietlonem^ jnde haberent vel exercerent : et quod major vills& prsedictae pro tempore existens et suecessores sui pro tempore existentes, quamdiu majores vills prsedictee existerent, recordator ejusdem villas pro tempore existens, quamdiu recordator villas illius existeret,. ac praedicti quiaque aldermanni et suecessores sui, quamdiu aldermanni ejusdem villae existerent, sex, quinque, quatuor vel tres eorum, quorum major et recordator pro tempore existentes e'ssent duo, haberent dc csetero in per- petuum de tempore in tempus, quotjes opus foret, iu omnibus, tot et tales auctoritates et potes- tates infra villam praedictam, suburbia et praeclnctus * [supple ejusdem, ea omnia et singula infra eandem villam, suburbia et prsecinctus] praadictos, ac eisdem modo et forma faciendi, exercendi et exequendi, quot et quafes aliqui alii justiciarii ad aliquam goalam seu gpalas deliberandas habe- rent, exercerent et exequerentnr, vel habere, exercere et exequi deberent et potuissent alibi infra regnum Angli^e praedictum ; salvis semper prsedicto nuper regi Henrico septimo et haeredibus suis omnibus et singulis finibus, exitlbus et amerciamentis, forisfacturis et aliis proficuis coram dictis justiciariis. ad goalam dietas villse deliberandam et eorum quibuslibet faciendis, assidendis^ (y)Andthat.'J Vide charter 1499, pp' 160,16] ; by inspection, iu this charter, some few pages further on., of which it will appear that the first part of that grant is here omitted : and the same omission, which is material to its sig- {8)Supple.'i This line, omitted by the error of a copyi«tg, sification, will be observed iiK queen Elizabeth's own grant, has been supplied from charter 1499, p* 161. B;b 186 Carta 28 fuUi, 23 tli}\ i' r i58i. But that the and amercements, forfeitures and other profits to be made, assessed, feUmeTte'i'e'affeered, forfeited or adjudged before the said justices for dehver- the'notn!" ing the gaol of the said town, and any of them ; as by the aforesaid letters patent made to the aforesaid mayor and commonalty of the said town of Bristol among other things more fully is manifest Thetownwasand appears: which town of Bristol was afterwards erected and Sadty. made into the city of Bristol, as it still is and remains a city. '2IS9^f tf)0t0fO^0 considering that the same our city of Bristol is a larse and populous city, and willing that for the future a The queen's ~ ri -J inii ii-i good will to-(,gj.fa,in and undoubted manner shall be always had m the same wards the city. our city of Bristol concerning and about the keeping of our peace and the rule and government of our people there ; and that that city may at all future times be and remain a city of quiet and peace to the fear and terror of evil men and for the reward of the good ; and that our peace and other acts of justice may be there kept and done without further avoidance of delay ; and weighing the fidelity and duty, which the citizens of our city of Bristol have hitherto shewed to us. We of our especial favour and of our certain knowledge and mere motion have granted, and for ourselves, our heirs and successors (as far as lies in our . powder) by these presents we grant, that for the future there may afferendisj forisfaciendls seu adjudicandis ; prout per praedlctas literas patentes prsfato majori et communitati prsedictse villae Bristoll', confectas inter alia plenius liquet et apparet : quae quidem villa Bristoir postea in civitatem BristoU' erecta et perfecta fuit, sicut adhuc civitas extat et remanet. ^0^ IQltUt considerantes, quod eadem civitas nostra BristoUia sit civitas ampla et populosa, et volentes quod de csetero certus et indubitatus modus in eadem civitate nostra Bristol!' de et super custodia pacis nostras et regimine et gubernatione populi nostri ibidem continue habeatur ; et ut civitas ilia perpetuis futnris temporibus sit et permaneat civitas quietis et pacis ad formidinem ac terrorem malorum et in praemium bonorum ; acetiamutpax nostra casteraque facta justitiae absque nlteriore gdilationis diffugio ibidem custodiri et fieri valeant ; perpendensque fidelitatem et obse- quium quae cives civitatis nostrse Bristol!' nobis liucusque 'o gratis omnibus exhibuerunt et fuerunt, de gratis, nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia et mere motu nostris, concessimus ac pro (9) Dilatumis diffiigio."] Perhaps the reading ought to be (lo) Oralis omnibus, ijc] The text of this passage is coi- tlilalime et diffitgio. rupt and defective ; hardly to be amended without an in- spection of the original. Carta 28 ^nliU 23 eiir, i' e' i58i. is? and shall be in the same city of Bristol from time to time for ever twelve aldermen to be nominated and chosen, created andx^ewe aider- made in manner and form following, viz. that the recorder of the ^'pointed. said city of Bristol, who now is recorder of that city, and every other recorder of that city for the time being at all future timesThe recorder '' . ^ , sliall be an al- and for ever from time to time shall be one of the said twelve derman. aldermen ; and that the remaining eleven aldermen of the same twelve aldermen shall be elected and nominated by the mayor Election of the aldermen,, and common-council of our citj^ of Bristol for the time being, at their pleasure within one year next following the date of these presents: which recorder so nominated for aldei-man and every recorder of our city of Bristol to be chosen or made for the future from time to time, at the time of his admission into the office of recorder of that city shall give his corporal oath before the mayor of the same city of Bristol for the time being, that as long as he shall have and exercise the office of recorder of the same city, being there, he will well and faithfully do and execute and exercise all and singular the things, which shall belong oath of ti.e to the office of alderman of that city to be done and exercised ; lldermen-""'^ and as well the aforesaid eleven aldermen of the same city to be nobis, heeredibus et successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est> per prsesentes concedimus majori et communitati ejiisdem civitatis Bristoll' et successoribus suis, quod de coetero sint et erunt in eadem civitate Bristoll' de te^tipore in tempus in perpetuum duodecim aldermanni modo et formi sequenti nominandi et eligendi, creandi et perficiendi; viz. quod recordator praedictae civitatis Bristol!', qui nunc est recordator civitatis illius, ac quilibet alius recordator ci\:itatis illius pro tempore existens perpetuis futuris temporibus ac in perpetuum de tempore in tempus erit unus dictorum duodecim aldermannorum ; et quod residui undecim aldermanni eorundem duodecem aldermannorum per majorem et commune-concilium civitatis nostras Bristoll' pro tempore existentes ad eorum libitum infra unum annum datam praesentium proxime sequentem. eligantur et nominentur; qui quidem nunc recordator in aldermannum sic nominatus, ac qjiilibet recordator civitatis nostrje Bristoll' de caetero de tempore in tempus eligendus seu faciendus,. tempore admissionis suae in -officium recordatoris civitatis illius, coram majore ejusdem civitatis Bristol]' pro tempore existente sacramentum praestabit corporale, quod ipse quamdiu officium, recordatoris ejusdem civitatis habuerit et exercuerit ibidem existens omnia et singula, quae ad officium aldermanni civitatis illius pertinebunt facienda et exercenda, bene et fideliter facietj, exequetur et exercebit : et tam praedicti undecem aldermanni ejusdem civitatis primo et proximd Bba 188 Caata 28 fulii, 23 eii?', (' e' i58i. first and next elected and nominated, as every other alderman of the same city to be elected or nominated in future, when hereafter they shall be elected, made and created, shall give and every one of them shall give, at such creation, nomination, elec- tion and making into the office of alderman of that city, before the mayor and recorder of the said town for the time being, their corporal oath concerning the well and faithfully severally doing, exercising and executing the office of alderman of that city, as long as they shall continue in the office of alderman of Aldermen ^^^ ^^™^ ^^^Y ^"^ ^^^^^ ^^ aldemien of that city : Stltl tp^t as shall have like ]j thc samc twclvc aldermen of that city to be from this time power as alder- •/ men of Lo"" f^^st clectcd aud every one of them, as every other aldeiman of the same city to be chosen or nominated for the future from time to time, after they shall be so chosen, made and sworn, shall have and every one of them shall have within the city aforesaid, the liberties and precincts of the same, as long as they shall have and exercise the office of an alderman of the said city of Bristol, like power and jurisdiction in and through all things as the al- dermen or any one of the aldermen of our city of London have, exercise or execute within the same city of London. xiXlti uJC will and for ourselves, our heirs and successors by these presents we grant to the aforesaid now mayor and commonalty of the eligendi et noirtinandi, quam qullibet alius aldermannus ejusdem civitatis in posterum ellgendus sive nominandus, cum ex nunc electi, perfecti et creati fuerint, sacramentum suum corporale de officio aldermanni civitatis illius bene et fideliter separatim faciendo, exercendo et exequendo, quamdiu in officio aldermanni ejusdem civitatis steterint, ac aldermanni civitatis illius extiterint, coram majore et recordatore villae prjedictae, pro tempore existentibus in hujusmodi creatione, nominatione, electione et perfectione in officium aldermanni illius civitatis, prsestabunt et quilibet eorum prsestabit : ^supple tt] (JUOlJ tarn ildem duodecim aldermanni civitatis illius ex nunc primo eligendi et eorum quilibet, quam quilibet alius aldermannus ejusdem civitatis in posterum de tempore in tempus ellgendus sive nominandus, postquam sic electl, perfecti et jurati fuerint, habeant, et quilibet eorum habeat, infra civitatem prsedlctam, libertates et praecinctus ejusdem, quamdiu officium unlus aldermanni dictse civitatis Bristoll' habuerint et exercuerint, consimilem potestatem et jurisdictionem in omnibus et per omnia, qualem aldermanni sive aliquis alderman- norum civitatis nostrse London' infra eandem civitatem London' habent, exercentaut exequuntur. ({Et t)0ilUT1Uj$ ac pro nobis, hseredibus et successoribus nostris per preesentes concedimus praefato Carta 28 ^uliu 23 Cli?', f e' i58i. i89 said city of Bristol and to their successors, that the mayor and aldermen of the said city of Bristol for the time being, or the greater part of them, shall be empowered from time to time at all The mayor ~ ^ _ and aldermen future times at their discretion to remove and depose any one or may remote , , any of the al- raore of the said eleven aldermen of the city of Bristol for the dermen, and ■^ choose others.' time being, as often and -whensoever it shall please them ; and to elect anew, create and make into alderman or aldermen of the same city, in the place of him [or them] so removed, another or others of the honester citizens of the same city, who have be- fore borne and had the office of mayor of the same city ; and in defect of such citizens who have borne the office of mayor of the same city, then out of the other elder and gravest citizens of the same city, being of the common-council of the same city ; who being elected and nominated for alderman or aldermen of that city by the mayor and aldermen for the time being or the major part of them shall give a like oath before the mayor and aldermen of that city for the time being and the recorder of that city for the time being, in manner and form as the aforesaid twelve alder- men (as is aforesaid), who shall be first from this time elected, shall make and give [their oath] : and that whensoever and as often as any of the said aldermen to be elected and nominated nunc majori et communitati dictse civitatis BristoU' et successoribus suis, quod major et alder- manni dictae civitatis Bristol!' pro tempore existentes, sive coram major pars, possit et possint da tempore in tempus in perpetuis futuris temporibus per eorum discretionem amovere et deponere aliquem vel aliquos de dictis undecem aldermannis civitatis Bristol!' pro tempore existentibus, quoties et quandocunque eis placuerit, et alium vel alios de probioribus civibus ejusdem civitatis, qui prius officium majoris civitatis ilHus gesserunt et habuerunt, et pro defectu hujusmodi civium qui officium majoris ejusdem civitatis gesserunt, tunc de aliis senioribus et gravissimis civibus ejusdem civitatis existentibus de communi-concilio ejusdem civitatis, loco ipsius sic amoti [*ivel ipsorum sic amotorum] in aldermannum ve! aldermannos ejusdem civitatis de novo eligere, creare et perficere ; qui in aldermannum vel aldermannos civitatis illius per majorem et aldermannos pro tempore existentes vef per eorum majorem partem electi et nominati consimile sacramentum coram majore et aldermannis civitatis illius pro tempore existentibus et recordatore civitatis illius pro tempore existente prsestabunt modo et formS, prout prsedicti duodecem aldermanni (ut (u) Vel ipmum, ^ej These words are not to be found in the copy kept in the Bolls chapel. 190 Carta ssjulii* 23 €li}\ i e' i58i. Mayor and ai- from time to tlmc shall die, or retire from such their office, or fill up vacan-from whatevcr cause shall be removed from the office of alderman of the city of Bristol, that from that time and so often it shall be allowable for the mayor and other aldermen of the city of Bristol aforesaid foi- the time being then surviving and remain- ing, by themselves or by the greater part of them, to elect, iTiake -and create into alderman or aldermen o^that city, as often as there shall be need and the case shall require, another or others of the more honest and prudent burgesses of the same city of Bristol in the place of him or them so dying, retiring or removed : Avho being elected and made, as is premised, shall give the same oath in the same manner and form as the other said aldermen from this time first to be chosen sliall make and give: ^^and that all and singular the aldermen of that city of Bristol hereafter at all future times to be elected, nominated or made in manner ana form aforesaid, after they shall be elected, made and sworn into the office of alderman of the same citv, shall have and every Aldermen /• i i ii i • , shall have theonc of thcm shall have m the city of Bristol aforesaid and withm same power as _ _ "^ the aldermen thc prcciucts aud liberties of the same citv of Bristol like autho- 01 London. > •'' prsedictum est) prim6 ex -nunc eligendi facienl et praestabunt : et quod quandocunque et quoties- cunque aliquis aldermannorum prsedictorum de tempore in terapus eligendorum et nominandorum obierit, sen ab hujusmodi officio suo recesserit, vel ex quacunque causa ab officio aldermanni Givitatis Bristol!' jimotus fuerit, qu6d ex tunc et toties bene licebit majori et aliis aldermannis civilatis Bristoll'- prsdictse pro tempore existentibus tunc superviventibus et remanentibus, per jpsos sen raajorem partem eorum, alium, vel alios de probioribus et circumspect' burgcnsibiis ejusdem civitatis Bristoll' loco ipsius sic decedentis, recedentis vel araoti, vel ipsorum sic dece- dentium, recedentium vel amotorum in aldermannum vel aldermannos civitatis illius eligere, perficere et creare, quoties opus fuerit et casus exegerit ; qui quidem sic, ut praemittitur, electi tt perfect! con simile sacramentum praestabunt, eisdem modo et forma, prout alii praedicti alder- manni ex nunc primo eligendi facient et prsestabunt : qu6dque omnes et singuli aldermanni civitatis illius Bristoll' de csetero futuris temporibus perpetuis, modo et forma praedictis eligendi, nominandi sive perficiendi, postquam in officium aldermanni ejusdem vivitatis electi, perfecti et {iz) And that all, Sfc,'] This grant has been already made, also given twice in Henry the seventh's charter, p' 125, and p' 188 ; and was twice mentioned in the recital of Henry the 137. The reason for this repetition is not appaieut. seventli's chwter at the beginning of this present ; and is Carta 28 fultu 23 eiiy* i e' i58i. 191 lity and power, as long as they shall remain ^^n the office of alderman of that city or shall have and exercise the office of alderman of that city, as the aldermen of our city of London have, exercise or execute within the same city of London. xit(ti fUttpCt we grant for ourselves, our heirs and successors to the same mayor and commonalty of the said city of Bristol and to their successors by these presents, that in future the mayor and recorder of the same city of Bristol, who now are and who for the time shall be, and the aforesaid eleven aldermen to bexhemayorand , . /. •!(» i- ii* lii- aldeimeD shall chosen, as is aforesaid, from time to time, and their successors be justices of and every one of them, when (as is premised) they shall be ^p^^*^*' elected, made and created, as long as they shall continue and be aldermen of our city of Bristol, "shall be jointly and separately keepers and justices of the peace of us, our heirs and successors'* [and justices of us, our heirs and successors] for keeping the peace of us, our heirs and successors within our said city of Bristol, the liberties, county of the same city, and precincts of the same as well by land as by water; and justices of us, jurati fuerint, habeant et qullibet eorum habeat in civitate Bristoll' prsedicta ac infra praecinctus et libertates ejusdem civitatis Bristoll' consimilem auctoritatem et potestatem, quamdiu in officio aldermanni civitatis illius steterint, aut officium aldermanni civitatis illius habuerint et exercuerint, qualem aldermanni civitatis nostras London' infra eandem civitatem London' habent, exercent et exequuntur. etiam et per praesentes concedimus praefatis nunc majori et commuaitati dictse civitatis nostrse Bristoll', hseredibus et successoribus suis, quod dicti major, recordator et alii undecem aldermanni ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existentes, undecem, decern, novem, octo, septem, sex, quinq' quatuor vel tres eorum, quorum major et [V aut] recordator ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existens omnino erit unus, de tempore in tempus perpetuis ftitxiris c c 194 Caila 28 f ulii, 23 €li^\ i t' I58i. Mayor, recor-tlic I'ecorder of tlic saiTic city for the time being shall by all means menrmay i^n-be onc, froHi time to time at all future times may and shall be U)ui'eV&c. "justices of us, our heirs or successors, for inquiring by the oaths of good and lawful men of the county and city of Bristol afore- said, as well within liberties as without, by whom the truth of the matter may be better known, more fully into the truth concerning all treasons, murders, rapes of women and other felo- nies whatsoever, concerning all trespasses, riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, embraceries, maintenances, ambidextrous extortions, confederacies, conspiracies, trespasses, regratings and forestallings done or committed, and hereafter happening to be done or com- mitted by whomsoever and howsoever within the caunty, city, precincts and liberties of Bristol aforesaid ; and also concerning those persons, w4io have lien in wait or hereafter shall presume to lie in wait to maim or kill our people ; and also concerning those, who in the county of the city and liberties of Bristol aforesaid have used caps and other liveries of one suit by confederacy and for maintenance, contrary to the prohibition and form of certain ordinances or statutes heretofore made hereupon, and concerning those who shall hereafter use any such caps and liveries ; and also concerning all and singular those persons, who within the county, city, precincts and liberties of Bristol aforesaid have in any wise temporibus sinl et erunt justiciarii nostri, haeredum vel siiccessorum nostrorum, ad inquirendum per sacramenta proborum et legalium hominum de comitatu et civitate Bristoll' prsedictae tam infra libertates quam extra, per quos rei Veritas melius sciri poterit, de omnibus proditionibus, murdris, raptibus mulierum, et aliis feloniis quibuscunque, de quibuscunqiie transgressionibus, riottis, routis, conventiculis illicitis, imbraceriis, manutenentiis, ambidextris extortionibus, confederationibus, conspirationibus, transgressionibus, regrat' et forestallis infra comitatum, civitatem, prsecinctus et libertates Bristoll' praedictEe, per quoscunque et qualitercunque factis sive perpetratis, et ex nunc fieri sive perpetrari contingentibus ; et etiam de iis qui [adde in] insidiis ad gentem nostram mahemandam vel interficiendam jacuerint seu ex nunc jacere prjesump- serint ; et etiam de iis qui caputiis et aliis liberatis de unica secta per confederationem et pro manutenenti^ contra defensionem ac formam aliquarum ordinationum sive statutorum inde ante haec tempera factorum in comitatu civitatis et libertatibus Bristoll' ptaedictae usi fuerint, et aliquibus hujusmodi caputiis et liberatis in posterum utendisj necnon de omnibus et singulis iis, qui infra comitatum, civitatem, prscinctus et libertates Bristoll' prsedictae contra formam ordina- Carta 28 fulii, 23 eiif, i e' lasi. 195 offended against the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or any of them, or shall hereafter presume to attempt any thing to the contrary thereof; and also for inquiring [more fully into the And may en- •^ X vj ■ quiic info the truth! concernins all sheriffs, bailiffs, constables and keepers of conduct of JO'' ^ sheriffs, &.c. . gaol, who have behaved themselves improperly or hereafter shall presume to behave themselves improperly, or have been luke- warm, remiss or negligent or hereafter shall happen to be luke- warm, remiss or negligent within the county, city, precincts and liberties of Bristol aforesaid in the execution of their offices towards artificers, serving-men, labourers, victuallers, innkeepers, beggars and vagabonds and other persons aforesaid whatever according to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid ; and concerning all and singular the articles and circumstances any wise relating to all and singular the premisses, and concerning other things by whomsoever and howsoever done or committed, and which here- after shall happen to be done or attempted in the same place, contrary to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid ; and also for inspecting all indictments whatever, as well those And may •iipj_l • L- r inspect all in- taken and not yet termmated betore the same justices ot us, dictments,and our heirs and successors or any of them, or before others latetiioein; keepers of the peace and justices of us or of the aforesaid late kings Edward 4, Edward 5, or of the aforesaid Richard 3, late tionum et statutorum prsedictorum, seu eorum alicujus in aliquo delinquerent, [I' deliquerunt,} aut ex nunc aliquid in contrarium inde attentare praesumserint ; necnon ad inquirendum de quibuscunque vicecomitibus, ballivis, constabulariis ac custodibus goals, qui infra comitatuni, civitatem, pracinctus et libertates Bristoll' prsedictaE in executione ofBciorum suorum erga artifices, servitores, laboratores, victuallarios, hostellarlos, inendicantes et vagabundos et alios praedictos quoscunque juxta formam ordinationum et statutorum praedictorum indebite se habu- erint et ex nunc indebite se habere praesumserint, aut tepidi, remissi vel negligentes fuerint, et ex nunc tepidi, remissi vel negligentes fore contigerint; et de omnibus et singulis articulis et circumstantiis prsemissa omnia et singula qualitercunque concernentibus, ac aliis contra formam ordinationum et statutorum prasdictorum per quoscunque et qualitercunque factis sive perpetratis,. et quae ex nunc ibidem fieri vel attentari contigerint plenius veritatem ; necnon ad omnia indicta- menta quaecunque tam coram eisdem justiciariis nostris, hjeredum et successorum nostrorum seu eorum aliquibus, aut aliis niiper custodibus pacis et justiciariis nostyis aut praedictorum nuper regum Edwardi quarti, Edwardi quinti, aut nuper prsedicti Ricardi regis Aaglis tertii ad C C 2 196 Carta 28 fulit* 23 my, i' r i58i. king of England, appointed for hearing and terminating such trespasses and misdeeds in the county, city, hberties and precincts aforesaid by virtue of divers letters patent of us or of the said lords Edward, Edward and Richard or any of them made to them and to any other persons whatever in the county, city, liberties and precincts of the same ; as [indictments] taken or to be taken before the said mayor, recorder and aldermen, '^eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four and three of them, of whom the mayor or recorder of the same city for the time being shall be one, justices of us, our heirs and successors ; and for making and continuing pro- cesses against all those who for the future shall happen to be indicted AiKi may bear f^"" ^^^^ prcmisscs Or any of the premisses before the same justices rAMngrirof "s, our heirs and successors, until they be taken, surrendered «rter justices ^j. Qutlawcd : aiid also for hearing as well at our suit as at the suit of any other persons whatever who may be willing to be plaintiffs or to prosecute before the same justices for us and our heirs or suc- cessors or for themselves, and according to the law and custom of our kingdom of England, and according to the form of the ordi- nances and statutes aforesaid for determining in as ample manner hujusmodi transgressiones et malefacta in comitatu, clvitate, libertatibus et pracinctibus prs- dictis audiendas et terminandas assignatis virtute diversarum literarum patentium nostrarum aut dictorum dominorum Edwardi, Edvvardi et Ricardi sea eonim alicujus eis ac aliis quibuscunque personis in comitatu, civitate, libertatibus et prsecinctibus ejusdem factarum [supple capta] et nondtim terminata, quam coram praedictis majore, recordatore et ald.ermanuis 1], 10, 9, 8 7 6, 5, 4, et tribus eorum, quorum major et [I' aut] recordator ejusdem civitatls pro tempore cxisten' erit unus, justiciariis nostris, haeredum et successorum nostrorum capta vel capienda, inspicienda; ac ad processus versus omnes al' [I' ad] quos coram eisdem justiciariis nostris, haeredum et successorum nostrorum de praemissis vel aliquo praemissorum de caetero indictari contigerit, quousque capiantur, reddantur vel utlagentur faciendos et continuandos ; necnon ad omnia et singula, quae contra formam ordinationum et statutorum praedictorum, seu in enerva- tionem eorimdem seu eorum alicujus infra comitatum, civitatem, libertates et praecinctus Bristol!' praEdictse facta, perpetrata sive attentata fuerint, et quae ibidem in posterum fieri, perpetrari, seu attentari contigerint, tam ad sectam nostram qu^m aliorum quorumcunque, coram eisdem justi- (l6) Eievm."] Here, and in the same passage p' 200 twelve of Hen' 7, (vide p' 160, 161) the word m* is inserted, which seems to be omitted, and the omission is not immatf rial, makes it probable that tmhe ought t« be inserted here. In the corresponding passages of this charter, and of that Carta 28 ^nUU 23 &i}\ i' r i58i. i97 and form as any other justices of the peace of us, our heirs and successors any where else in any county of our kingdom of Eng- land can or shall be able to hear and determine all and singular thino's which have been done, committed or attempted contrary to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or to the Aveakening of the same or any of them within the county, city, liberties and precincts of Bristol aforesaid, and which hereafter shall happen to be done, committed or attempted in the same place ; and also [for hearing and determining] the trespasses and forestallings aforesaid and all other things not declared above to be determinable at our suit alone, and all other things which by virtue of any ordinances and statutes ought to be discussed and determined by the keepers of the peace of us, our heirs and successors and such justices of us, our heirs and successors; and A„d may fine for chastising and punishing all, Avho offend against the form of the '^"''"'^"^"'^ ordinances and statutes aforesaid or any of them, by fines, redemp- tions, amercements and other methods according to their offences, as was usual to be done before the ordinance was made concern- ing corporal punishment to be inflicted on such delinquents for their offences ; [and also] for doing or exercising, hearing or de- termining [all other things which] belong or shall belong "[to the cialriis pro nobis et haeredibus nostr'is aut successorlbus nostris aut pro seipsis conqueri vel prosequi volentium, audienda, ac secundum legem et consuetudinem regni nostri Anglis ac juxta formam ordinationum et statutorum prsedictorum terminanda in lam amplis modo et forma, prout aliqu^ alii justiciarii pacis nostrse, haeredum et successorum nostrorum, aut aliqui alii justiciarii nostrij haeredum et successorum nostrorum alibi in aliquo comitatu regni nostri Angliae audire et ter- minare*possint seu poterunt ; necnon [supple ad] transgressiones et forestalla praedicta, ac omnia alia superius [dele ad] terminanda non declarata ad sectam nostram tantum, et omnia alia qu£e virtute aliquarum ordinationum et statutorum per custodes pacis nostrae haeredum et successorum nostrorum, ac justiciaries nostros, haeredum et^ successorum nostrorum hujusmodi discuti et terminari debent, audienda et terminanda ; et ad quoscunque contra formam ordinationum et statutoriMTi praedictorum seu eorum alicujus delinquentes per fines, redemptiones, amerciamenta ac alios modes pro delictis suis castigandos et puniendos, prout ante ordinationem de punitione (17) To the office, ^c] See note 13, of the charter of 1499. 198 Carta 28 fuUi, 23 m^', i e' i58i. office of justice of our peace] elsewhere within our kingdom of England. ^Itttl tl)at the mayor and commonalty of the said city of Bristol for the time being and their successors for ever may have all and all manner and singular the fines, redemptions, issues, forfeitures, and amercements to be made, assessed, for- feited and adjudged from time to time during all future times before the said justices and any of them ; and that it shall be The mayor allowablc for the same mayor and commonalty and their succes- au5*shTin,°veSors from time to time, as often as shall be necessary, to collect all fines, &c. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ shcriifs or other officers of the same cityof Bristol, who now are and for the time shall be, to the use of the said now mayor and commonalty of the city of Bristol and their successors all and singular such issues, forfeitures, fines, redemptions and amercements adjudged and to be adjudged or to be assessed, and that they shall be empowered to put themselves in' seisin and possession of the same, as the sheriffs, officers or ministers of us, our heirs and successors would be empowered, would have been empowered or would have had a right to collect and levy them for us, our heirs and successors to the use of us, our heirs and successors, if they had not been granted to the aforesaid mayor corporal! hujusmodi delinquentibus pro deliciis suis exhibenda factam fieri consuevit ; alibi infra regnum Angliae. pertinent seu pertinebuut facienda aut exercendaj audienda seu terminanda. CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION, 12 July, 2d and 37th OF JAMES I. A' D' 1604. 3f^ntC0 by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, &c. to all to whom these present letters shall come [sends] health. W^t j)a\j0 inspected the letters patent of our very dear sister the lady Elizabeth, late queen of England, of confirmation, made in these words: Elizabeth by the grace of God, &c. [Here follows the Charter 1 March, 1 Elizabeth, No. 27.] W^t ^dCOt also inspected the letters patent of our very dear sister the lady Elizabeth late queen of England in these words : Elizabeth by the grace of God, &c. [Here follows the Charter 28 July, 23 Eliz, ko. 28.] 3SUt W holding good and proper the separate charters aforesaid, and all and every the things contained and specified in the same, do for us, our heirs and successors, as far as in us lies, accept and XXIX. Carta Con/innatioms, 12 Juliif ^ et S7 Jac 1, i'e 1604. 3[BCOBUjO^ Dei gratia Angliae, Scotise, Franciae et Hibernise rex, fidel defensor, &c, omnibus ad quos prsesentes literae pervenerint, salutem. ^I^^P^^^^^^UjEi literas patentes praecharissimae sororis nostrae dominae Elizabethae, nuper reginas Anglic de confirmatione, factas in haec verba: Elizabetha Dei gratis, &c. ^I'^i^P^^i'^UjQi etiam literas patentes praecharissimae sororis nostrse dominae Elizabethae nuper reginae Angliae in haec verba : Elizabetha Dei gratia, &c. 0Op dUtCm separatas chartas prsedictas ac omnia et singula in eisdem contenta et specificata rata habentes et grata, ea pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris, quarrtum in nobis est, ftcceptamus et approbamus, ac ea nunc majori, burgensibus et commuuitati civitatis Bristoll' et Carta Cotiftrms 12 fulii, 2 et 37 f aC 1 , i' e' 1604. 203 approve of them, and ratify and confirm them Ito the now mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol and to their successors, as the separate charters -aforesaid in themselves rea- sonably testify. 3^11 b)ttn00Sl whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Westminster on the ^ 12th day of July in the second year of our reign over England, France and Ireland, and over Scotland the 37th. successoribus suis ratificamus et confirmamus, prout cartae separatae praedictse in se rationabi liter testantur. '^n t\X\VL0 rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud Westmonast' duodecimo die Julii, anno regni nostri Anglias, Franciae et Hiberni* secundo, et Scotiae tricesimo septimo. (l)Daie,'] Oo July 7, a few days before the date of this charter, k' James had prorogued the Parliament in displeasure. D d 2 XXX. CHARTER OF CONFIRMATION, 18 Aug', 2 CHARLES I. A' D' 1626. Ci)atl0fii by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, &c. to all to whom these present letters shall come, [sends] health. ^SSE0 |)a\j0 inspected the letters patent of our very dear father, the lord James, late king of England, of xonfirmation, made in these words ; James by the grace of God, &c. [Here folhzDs the Charter 12 Ju/y, 2 and 37 James 1, A^o. 29.J ^Ut ttlC holding good and proper the afore- said charters and all and singular the things contained and specified in the same, do for us, our heirs and successors, as far as in us lies, accept and approve of them, and ratify and confirm them to the now mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol and their successors, as the separate charters aforesaid in them- selves reasonably testify. ^Xt tDltUEfiSr whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Canter- bury on the 18th day of August, in the 2d year of our reign. XXX. Carta Conjirmatiojiisy 18 Aug\ 2 Caroli 1, V e' l626. CStOlUlEC Dei gratia Angllse, Scotise, Franciae et Hiberniae rex, fidei defensor, &c. omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint, salutem. ^l^i^P^l^i^U^ literas patentes praecharissimi patris nostri domini Jacobi nuper regis Angliae de confirmatione, factas in hac verba : Jacobus Dei gratia, &c. I^Ojei flUtem separatas chartas praedictas ac omnia et singula in eisdem contenta et specificata rata habentes et grata, ea pro nobis, hasredibus et successoribus nostris, quantum in nobis est, acceptamus et approbamus, ac ea nunc majori, burgensibus, et communitati civitatis Bristol!' et successoribus suis ratificamus et confirmaraus, prout carta; separatae praedictse in se rationabiliter testanlur. 31^^ CUJUjBi rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud Canterbury decimo octavo die Augusti, anno regni nostri secundo. XXXL CHARTER DATED 13 April, 5 CHARLES I. A' D' 1629. Ct)arieS by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, &c. to all to whom these present letters shall come [sends] health. " WB!^ttt^3 the lord Edward late king of England the third, of revered memory, by his letters patent bearing date at Woodstock on the 8th day of August in the 47th year of his reign, for causes and consi- derations specified in the same letters patent, granted to the burgesses of his town of Bristol and to their heirs and successors for ever, that the said town of Bristol within the suburbs and precincts of the same according to its borders and bounds, as they were then limited, should for the future from thenceforth be separated alike and in all things exempted as well by land as by water from the counties of Gloucester and Somerset, and that it should be a county by itself and should be called the XXXI. Carta 13 Apr, 6 Caroli 1, i' e 1629. (Cai^OlU0 Dei gratia Angli®, Scotise, Franciae et Hibemiae rex, fidei defensor, &c, omnibus ad quos praesentes literse pervenerint, salutem. Cuill dominus Edwardus nuper rex Angliae tertius, progenitor noster, recolendse memorias, per literas suas patentes gerentes datam apud Woodstock octavo diejAugusti anno regni sui quadragesimo septimo pro causis et considerationibus in eisdem literis patentibus specificatis concesserit burgensibus villae suae Bristoll' et eorum hseredibus et successoribus in perpetuum, quod dicta villa Bristoll' cum suburbiis et praecinctibus ejusdem juxta fines et boundas, prout limitatae tunc fuerunt, de comitatibus Gloucestr' et Somersett' de caetero ex tunc separata foret pariter el in omnibus exempta tarn per terram quam per aquam, et quJ»d foret 206 Carta i3 <^^il 5 Caroli i, i' t' 1629. county of Bristol for ever ; and [whereas] the lord Henry late king of England the eighth, by his letters patent bearing date on the 'iifth day of July in the 34th year of his reign, willed and ordained that the said town of Bristol from that time and thereafter for ever should be a city, and that it should be called, styled and -denominated the city of Bristol ; [whereas] also he willed and decreed that the county of the said town of Bristol for the future from that time for ever should be the county of his city of Bristol, and willed and decreed that from that time for ever it should be stiled and denominated the county of his city of Bristol, as by the separate letters patent before men- tioned is evident and appears ; and [whereas] the same burgesses and mayor and commonalty of the town of Bristol, and the mayor and commonalty of our city of Bristol have had different liberties, franchises, privileges and acquittances by virtue of sepa- rate letters patent made thereon by our progenitors and have used and enjoyed the same within the town, city and county aforesaid, and the suburbs, limits and bounds of the same ; and the mayor, sheriff, eschaetor, coroner, justices appointed for the comitatus per se et comitatus Bristollis nuncuparetar in perpetuum ; ac dominus Henricns nuper rex Angliffl octavus per literas suas patentes gerentes datam quinto die Jiilii anno regni sui 34to voluerit et ordinaverit quod dicta villa Bristol!' ex tunc et deinceps in perpetuum foret civitas, ipsamque civitatem Bristoll' vocari, appellari et nominari ; voluerit etiam et decreverit, quod comitatus praedictce villas Bristoll' de caDtero ex tunc in perpetuum foret comitatus civitatis suae Bristoll', et ex tunc in perpetuum comitatus civitatis suse Bristoll' nuncupari et nominari voluerit et decreverit, prout per separatas literas patentes antedictas liquet et apparet ; iidemque burgenses ac major et communitas villa? Bristoll', ac major et communitas civitatis nostrse Bristoll' diversas libertates, franchesias, privilegia, et quietantias - [dele tarn] virtute separatarum literarum patentium per progenitores nostros inde confectarum habuerunt, eisdemque usi suntet gavisi infra villam, civitatem et comitatum prsedictum, ac suburbia, limitationes et boundas eonmdem ; ac major, vicecomes, esceator, coronator, justiciarii ad paccm et ad felonias, transgressiones, et {\) Fifth day of July.'] An extraordinary raisfakc ; tlic (a) Tatn viriule'\ Something is incorrect in this place origiaal charter of ei-ection and incorporation of the Bishop- either tarn must he corrected or omitted; or a second part of ric and of the Dean and Chapter is in Rymer^s Foedeia, dated the sentence, preceded by quam, is omitted by the copyist. June 4, 34 Hen' 8 (1542). Sec also the White Book in the Chamberlain's office. Carta 13 %fl, 5 CaroU h i' e' 1629. 207 peace and for felonies, trespasses and other raisdemeanonrs in the town, county and city aforesaid and the other officers and minis- ters appointed within the town and city aforesaid have hitherto executed and exercised those things which belong to their separate offices in the town, city and county aforesaid ; and whereas our castle of Bristol which is of our demesne and parcell of the ancient The castie of possessions of our crown of England, and the walls of the sanie,o/tiieking"!f the ditches and banks surrounding that castle and moreover allmesoe, the houses and buildings, courts, orchards, gardens, waters, water- courses, lands, farms and soil within the cii'cuit, limits or precincts of the same castle are now situate and are within our county of Gloucester, and ax'e distant from our city of Gloucester by the is in oiooces- space of thirty * miles; and altho' situate without our city of"*"^' Bristol and the county of the said city of Bristol and not being parts of the same, yet lie and are contiguous to the same city 3,,^ adjoins t« of Bristol and to the county of the city of Bristol ; and whereas ^"^''''' we have heard from credible information, that because no justices of the said county of Gloucester dwell near the said castle of Bristol, and the officers of the aforesaid city of Bristol have no authority or jurisdiction to be exercised in that place, many thieves, malefactors or other disorderly livers, and also divers alia malcfacta in villa, comitatu et civitate praedictis assignati, ac alii officlarii et ministri infra villain et civitatem prsedictam constituti ea, quse ad separata officia sua pertinent hactenus executi sunt et exercuerunt in villa, civitate et comitatu prsedictis ; cumque castrum nostrum Bristcll'* quod est de dominico nostro ac parcella possessionum antiquarum coronae nostras Angliae et muri ejusdem, fossati et ripse castrum illud ambientes, necnon omnia, domus et aedificia, atria, po- maria, gardini, aquse, aquae cursus, terras, fundi et solum infra circuitum, limites sive prae- cinctus ejusdem castri infra comitatum nostrum Glouc' modo scituantur et existunt, et a civitate nostra Glouc' per spatium triginta leucarum distant, et extra civitatem nostram Bristoll' et comitatum praedictse civitatis Bristoll' scituata nee partes inde existentia eidem tamen civitati Bristoll' et comitatui civitatis Bristoll' contigua adjacent et existunt; cumque ex certificatione fide digna accepimus, quod ea ratione quod nulli justiciarii praedicti comitatus Glouc' prope prje- dictum castrum Bristoll' inhabitant, ac officiarii praedictse civitatis Bristoll' nuUam auctoritatem vel jurisdictionem ibidem exercendam babentj multi latrones, malefactores, aut alii inordinate (3) Miles.'i See note s on cbarter 12, p' 40. 208 Carta 13 %il, 5 CatoK i* i' t' 1629. Ill effects of persons proper and fit for our service in war, when there has ""'■ been occasion for their service have fled into the castle aforesaid, and from thence have frequently escaped with impunity, in con- tempt and derogation of us and our laws and of justice, and to For the king's the grievaucc, hurt and prejudice of our good subjects; llUO^D hi's''subjects, ^0 that we considering the premisses, and wishing (as far as in us lies, as we are bound) by an opportune and suitable remedy to provide against all things, which may chance to happen to the prejudice of the commonwealth and of our faithful sub- and at the rejects or to their hurt, and also at the lequest of our very well queen, °*^ '''^bcloved cousort the lady Henrietta Maria queen; of our special favour and of our certain knowledge and mere motion, have willed, ordained, appointed and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we will, ordain, appoint and grant, that our said castle of Bristol and the walls, banks and ditches of the same now situate and being within our county of Gloucester, and all the houses, buildings, courts, gates, orchards, gardens, waters, water-courses, lands, farms and soil being within the circuit, liber- ties, limits or precincts of the same castle or being parts of it, from this time and for ever may and shall be as well by land The castle se-as bv watcr wlioUy exempt and separated from our said countv of parated from "^ ..... "^ Gloucester. Glouccstcr, and from all jurisdiction, power and authority of the viventes, necnon diverse personse ad servicia nostra in guerr4 habiles et idonei, cum eorum servitio opus fuerit, in castrura praedlctum fugerunt, et exinde multoties impune evaserunt, in nostri et legnm nostrarum et justitise contemptum et derogationem et bonorum subditorum nos- trorum gravamen, damnum, et prsjudicium ; ^CiatiiS, quod nos prcemissa considerantes omni- aque, (quantum in nobis est, prout astringimur) qua reipublicas et fidelium subditorum nostrorum prsejudicio sive laesioni eorum evenire contingant remedio opportune et congruo prsecavere cupientes ; necnon ad requisitionem perdiiectissimae consortis nostra dominse Henrietta Maris reginse, de gratia nostril speciali ac ex certd scicntia et mero motu nostris, volumus [/' voluimns] ordinavimus, constituimus et concessimus, ac per praesentes pro nobis, hseredibus et successoribus nostris volumus, ordinamus, constituimus et concedimus, qu6d praedictum castrum nostrum Bristol!', ac muri, ripse et fossali ejusdem, mod6 infra comitatum nostrum Gloucestr' situata et existentia, et omnia domus, aedificia, atria, portas, pomaria, gardini, aqufe, aquae cursus, terrae, fundi et solum infra circuitum, libertates, limitationes sive praecinctus ejusdem castri aut partes inde existentia, ex nunc et in perpetuum sint et erunt tim per terrain quam per aquam penitus Carta 13 9lp|tt, 5 Catoli hi e' 1629. 209 sheriffs, escheators, coroners, justices and other officers and minis- ters of us, our heirs and successors whatever of the said countj'^ of Gloucester for ever ; and that the said castle of Bristol and all thino's whatever before mentioned being within the limits,and made part circuit or precincts of the same or being parts thereof, for the Bristol." ^° future for ever may be, shall be, shall be taken and accepted as members, parts and parcels of the aforesaid city of Bristol and of the county of the same city, and within the county of the city of Bristol, and within the jurisdiction, power and authority of the mayors, sheriffs, coroners, escheators, justices and other officers and ministers of us, our heirs and successors of the said city and county of the same, and part thereof for ever, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we wholly separate for ever our castle of Bristol aforesaid and all the houses, buildings, courts, orchards, gardens, waters, water-courses, ditches, banks, lands, farms and soil being within the circuit, liberties, limits or precincts of the said castle, or being parts thereof, from the said county of - Gloucester and from all jurisdiction, power and authority of the sheriffs, escheators, coroners, justices and other officers whatsoever of the said county of Gloucester ; and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we unite and annex for ever our castle of exempta et separata k prsedicto comitatu nostro Glouc' et ab omni jurisdictione, potestate et auctoritate vicecomitum, esceatorum, coronatorum, justitiariorum, et aliorum officiariorum et ministrorum nostrorum, haeredum et successorum nostrorum quorumcunque dicti comitatus Glouc' in perpetuum ; quodque dictum castrum Bristoll' et csetera quaecunque prsementionata infra limites, circuitum vel prsecinctus ejusdem, aut partes inde existentia, de csetero in perpetuum sint, erunt, capientur et acceptabuntur ut membra, partes et parcellae prsedictae civitatis Bristoll' et comitatus ejusdem civitatis ac infra comitatum civitatis Bristoll' ac infra jurisdictionem, potes- tatem, et auctoritatem majorum, vicecomitum, coronatorum, esceatorum, justiciariorum et aliorum officiariorum et ministrorum nostrorum, haeredum et successorum nostrorum de dict^ civitate ac comitatu ejusdem ac pars inde in perpetuum ; ac praedictum castrum nostrum Bristoll', et omnia domos, sedificia, atria, poraaria, gardinos, aquas, aquarum cursus, fossatos, ripas, terras, fundos, et solum infra circuitum, libertates, limites vel praecinctus dicti castri aut partes inde existentia, de prsedicto comitatu Glouc' ac ab omni jurisdictione, potestate et auctoritate vicecomitum, esceatorum, coronatorum, justitiariorum et aliorum officiariorum quorumcunque dicti comitates Glouc' pro nobis, hseredibus et suecessoribus nostris penitus separamus in per- E e 210 Carta i3 ^^il 5 CaroU i, i' r 1629. Bristol aforesaid and all other tilings whatever before mentioned being within the limits, circuit and precincts of the same or being parts thereof, to the said city of Bristol and county of the same city and to the jurisdiction, power and authority of the mayors, sheriffs, coroners, escheators, justices and other officers and minis- ters of the said city and county of the same, )ciX(ti fUtU)0t of our more ample special favour and of our certain knoAvledge and mere motion we will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor and commonalty of the city of Bristol and to their successors, that the said mayor and com- monalty and aldermen, sheriffs, escheators, coroners, justices ap- pointed and to be appointed for the peace and other felonies, trespasses and other misdemeanors in the city of Bristol Magistrates, ^^^ couuty of tlic samc city, and all other officers and ministers cifizenV"haiiappointed aiid to be appointed within the city of Bristol aforesaid rfg'his'in tiiT and the county of the same city, and all the burgesses and citizens caste as lut e^£ ^j^^ samc city for the future for ever may have, hold, use, enjoy and exercise and may be able and empowered to have, hold, use, enjoy and exercise within the aforesaid castle, the aforesaid petuum per prsesentes; ac dictum castriim nostrum Bristoll' et ceetera qusecunqne prasmentionata infra limites, circuitum et praecinctus ejusdem aut partes inde existentia, dictae civitati Bristoll' ac comitatui ejusdem clvitatis, ac jurisdictioni, potestati et auctoritati majorum, vicecomitum, coronatorum, esceatorum, justiciariorum, et aliorum officiariorum et miiiislrorum dictae civitatis et comitatus ejusdem pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris unimus et annectimus in perpetuum per praesentes. ultra Carta 26 (Btt\6 Caroli i, re' 1630. 227 reserved by these presents, every month thereafter next following in which the said yearly rent or any part thereof shall be in arrear and unpaid in manner and form aforesaid ; and that then and from thence, from time to time as often as the case shall so happen, it shall and may be lawful for us, our heirs or successors, by the officers of us, our heirs or successors or any of them for the time being, to enter into the said premisses or into any parcel thereof and to distrain and to take and keep the distresses there Power to dis, traiu* taken or to be taken, until we, our heirs and successors shall be fully satisfied and paid for the said rent together with the arrears thereof and all forfeitures and sums of money to be for- feited by way of penalty, as is aforesaid ; any thing in these presents to the contraiy notwithstanding. 9itttl fUtt]&Et we will and for the aforesaid consideration of our more abundant special grace and from our certain knowledge and mere motion for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the aforesaid mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and their successors, that we, our heirs and successors hereafter for ever yearly and from time to time will discharge, acquit and indemnify as well the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and their suc- cessors, as the said castle, lands, tenements and hereditaments prasdictum annualetn redditum superitis per praesentes reservatum, quolibet rnenseex tunc proxrme sequente, in quo vel in quibus praedictus annualis redditus, seu aliqua inde parcella, a retro fuerit et insolutus modo et forma, praedictis ; et quod tunc et ab inde de tempore in tempus, toties quoties casus sic acciderit, bene liceat et licebit nobis, hseredlbus et successoribus nostris per ministros nostros, haeredum vel successorum nostrorum vel eorum aliquem pro tempore existentes in,pra?missa praedicta aut in aliquam inde parcellam intrare et distringere ac districtiones ibidem inventas seu inveniendas capere et retinere, quousque nos, haeredes et successores nostri de prse- dicto redditu uni cum arrearagiis inde et omnibus forisfacturis et pecuniae summis, nomine poenae, forisfaciendis (ut praefertur) plenarie satisfacti et soluti erimus ; aliquo in praesentibus in conlrarium non obstante. &i tlltCttUjSi volumus ac pro consideratione prsedicta ds, uberiori gratia nostra special! ac ex certa scientia et mere motu nostris pro nobis, hsredibus et successo- jibus nostris concedimus praefatis majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis prffidictse et su^:- cessoribus suis, quod nos, haeredes et successores nostri de caetero in perpetuum annuatim et de tempore in tempus exonerabimus, acquietabimus, et indemnes conservabimus tarn praefatum majorem, burgenses et communitatem civitatis praedictEe et successores sues, quam prsedietum- castrtjm, terras, tenementa, et hereditaments supeviCis per praesentes praeconcessa cum eorum Gg2 228 Carta 2.6 ett\ 6 Catoli 1, i e' 1630. before granted above by these presents with all their appurte- nances with regard to us, our heirs and successors of and from all manner of 'corodies, .rents, fees, services, annuities, pensions, portions, sums of money and burdens whatever issuing or payable to us, our heirs or successors out of the premisses before granted by these presents, or out of any parcel thereof, or charged or to be cirarged thereupon towards us, our heirs and successors ; except from the xent, service and tenure above reserved in these presents for the premisses, and from, the aforesaid forfeiture by way of penalty, and except the arrears of the rents of all and singular premisses, if any there be, due and payable to us. 'S^pEmO^C we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors strictly enjoining we order and command as well the treasurer, chancellor and baron's of the exchequer of us, our heirs and successors, as all and singular the auditors, receivers and other officers and ministers of us, our heirs and successors whatever for the time being, that they and each of them on the sole shewing of these our letters patent or the enrolment of the same, without any wise obtaining or suing for any other writ or warrant from us, pertinentiis universis versus nos, hseredes et successores nostros de et ab omnimodis corodiis, rcdditibus, feodis, servitiis, anniiitatibusj pensionibus, portionibus, denariorum summis, et oneribus quibuscunque de praernissis per praesentes prseconcessis seu de aliqua inde parcella nobis, hseredibus vel successoribus nostris exeinitibus seu solvendis, vel superinde versus nos, haeredes et successores nostros oneratis seu onerandis ; praeterquam de redditu, servitio et tenura superius pro prsemissis in his praesentibus reservatis, ac prsedlcta forisfactura, nomine poenae, ac praeterquam arrearagiis reddituum omnium et singulorum prsemissorum, si quae sint, nobis debitis seu solvendis. (i^UiltC vokimus, ac per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et succes- soribus nostris firmiter injungentes praecipimus et mandamus v^m thesaurario, et cancellario et • baronibus scaccarii nostri haeredum et successorum nostrorum, quAm omnibus et singulis audi- toribus, receptoribus et aliis officiariis et ministris nostris, haeredum et successorum nostrorum quibuscunque pro tempore existentibus, quod ipsi et eorum quiiibet super solam demonstrationem harum literarum nostrarum patentium vel irrotulamenti earumdem, absque ullo alio breve seu %varranto 4 nobisj hseredibus vel successoribus nostris quoquo modo impctrando seu prosequendo, (5) Corodles.} ' A corody signifietli in our common law a < whereof he is the founder, toward the reasonable suste- ■ eumme of money, or an allowance of meate and drinke due ' nance of such a one of his servants, being put to his pen- ' to the kiDg from an abbey or other house of religion/ ' sion, as hee thinketb good to bcstowe it on.' Cowelk Carta 26 (^tt\ 6 Catoli 1, i' e' 1630. 229 our heirs or successors, shall give and fioin time to time shall Ti.eicfoite this time the commoD-council usually exceeded the n evident therefore that this deviation only furnished a pre- numbei of 43 persons. This however seems to be the only tence for the seizure ; the real came was a political one. point in which the common-council had deviated from their 33te\)e Ire ©ud Warranto* anno 168?. 24i account, and to receive, have and convert those fines and amerce- ments to their own proper uses without making or giving any account thereof to our said lord the king, that now is: with respect to all and singular which liberties, privileges and francheses the same aforesaid mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol aforesaid, and of the county of the same city have usurped during the whole time aforesaid and still usurp over our said lord the king that now is, to the grievous damage of our said lord the king that now is and of his prerogative, and in con- tempt of our said lord the king that now is, of his crown and dignity, &c. Whereof the same attorney-general of our said lord the king that now is for the same our lord the king seeks the advice of the court here in the premisses and due processes of law against the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol aforesaid and of the county of the same city, that they may answer to our said lord the king, by what warrant they claim to have and use the liberties, privileges and francheses aforesaid, &c. ciamenta ilia ad usus suos proprios recipere, habere et convertere, absque aliquo inde dicto domino regi nunc computo faciendo seu reddendo : de quibus omnibus et singulis libertatibus, privilegiis et franchesiis prsedicti iidem major, burgenses et communitas civitatis Bristoll' prffidictae et comi- tatus ejusdem civitatis supra dictum dominum regem nunc per totum tempus prsedictum usurpa- verunt et adhuc usurpant in dicti domini regis nunc et suae praerogativa grave damnum, ac in contemptum dicti domini regis nunc coronse et dignitatis suae, &c. Unde idem attornatus dicti domini regis nunc generalis pro eodem domino rege petit advisamenta curis hie in prsmissis et dcbitos legis processus versus praefatos majorem, burgenses et communitatem civitatis Bristoll' predicts et comitates ejusdem civitatis, ad respondendum dicto domino regi, quo warranto clamant habere et uti liberlatibus, privilegiis et franchesiis ptsedictis, &c. I 1 XXXV. SURRENDER of PRIVILEGES, A' D* 1683. In consequence of the preceding Writ, the common-council thought jit to surrender the offices and authorities of themselves and the other officers of the corporation; which was done by the following in- strument. [Copied from the old translation^ p' 202.] To the King's most exceMent Majesty. the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of your Majesty's city of Bristol, reflecting upon ourselves that for several years last past we have negotiated all the principal aifairs of this city, made all the elections of our mayor, recorder, town-clerk, sheriifs, common-council-men and all other officers whatsoever amongst us by a supernumerary common-council, contrary to the insti- tution of this city by your majesty's royal progenitors in our charters, and contrary to the usage and custom ever since that time till of late years : and that we may have been faulty in that particular, which might justly offend your sacred majesty ; and for that there are some defects in the model of the government among us, which renders it not so useful to your sacred uiajesty or to ourselves as we could wish, we do therefore with all hu- mility beseech your majesty to accept, and we have granted, surrendered and yielded up, and we do hereby grant, surrender and yield up unto your most gracious majesty, your heirs and successors, all and singular the powers, franchises, liberties, pri- vileges and authorities whatsoever,, and howsoever heretofore i)iimnbei: of \MWm8, ^ B' 1683. 243 granted to, or used or exercised by the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty in, for or concerning the electing, nominating, con- stituting, being or appointing of any person or persons into or for the several respective offices, authorities, places, employments and trusts of the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs, recorder, town-clerk, steward of the sheriff's court, and coroners of the said city, and every or any one of them : or into or for the exercise or execu- tion of them or any of them ; with the offices and authorities, place and places of justices of the peace and common-council- men within the city of Bristol and county of the same city; and all the right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of us the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city of Bristol of electing, nominating, constituting and appointing the said officers and members and every or any of them by force and virtue of any letters patent, charters, prescriptions, custom, or other ways and means whatsoever. And we the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty do hereby humbly beseech you'* majesty to accept of this our surrender, and do with all submis- sion to your majesty's good pleasure implore your grace and favour to confirm our charter as to all other privileges and to regrant unto the citizens of this your ancient city of Bristol the said liberties and franchises, or so many of them and in such manner as your majesty in your great wisdom shall judge most conducing for the better government of your city of Bristol. In witness whereof we the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol have hereunto set our common seal this ninth day of November in the 35th year of the reign of our sovereign lord king Charles the second by the grace of God of England, &c. annoque Dom' 1683. ' (1} The persons who presented this instrumeDt ef resig- Sir John Knight, junior, nation to the king, were these following; Sir Robert Cann, alderman. Sir William Clntterbuck, mat/or, Sir Richard Crumpe, aldennan, Sir John Churchill, recorder, Mr. Thomas Easton, aldermart. Sir Richard Hart, aldermaa, John Romsey, Esq. toum-cltrk. li^ XXXVI. CHARTER June 2, 36 CHARLES H. A* D' 1684. 'C|)i^tU0 the second by the grace of God king, &c. to all to whom these presents shall come sends health. xitlOW ye, that we graciously affecting the bettering of our city of Bristol and county of the same city, and willing that for the future for ever there may continually be had in the same city and county of the same, one certain and undoubted manner for the keeping of the peace and for the good rule and government of the people therein ; and that the city aforesaid hereafter for ever may be and may remain a city of peace and quiet for the reward of the good and the terror of the bad ; and that our peace and other acts of jus- tice may be kept therein without further delay ; and hoping that if the citizens of the same city and their successors shall be able XXXVI. Carta Junii % 36 Caroli 2, i' e' 1684. D Con ) lUgji; omnibz ad qtios &c. saltm, d^Ciatt^ qd nos melioracoem civitatis Bristol Chart') n're Bristoll' & comitat' ejusdem civitatis gratiose affectantes & volentes quod de cetero imppm in eadem civitate & comitat' ejusdem continue h'eatur unus certus & in* dubitatus modus pro custod' pacis & bono regimine & gub'nacoe populi ibm et quod civitas p'dict' de cetero imppm sit et p'maneat civitas pacis & quietis ad prem' bonor' & ferrorem malor' et quod pax nra ceteraq' fact' justicie ibi'm absq' ulteriore dilacoe serventur sperantesq' quod si cives ejusdem civitatis & successor' sul amplior' ex concessione n'ra frui (l)The Bodleian MS going no further than tho l6 diaries ore preserved with the utmost regularity, and where they 2, I have procured a copy of the present charter from the may be consulted and copies obtained on paying the usual enrolment kept in the chapel of the Rolls in Chancery-lane : fees, where the enrolments of all charters, ke, since the year 14E|3, Carta STuttii % 36 Catolt % f t' i684. 245 from our grant to enjoy more ample liberties, profits and privi- leges, then they may feel themselves more Specially and more firmly bound to pay and exhibit their service to us, our heirs and successors ; of our special favour and from our ^ertkin knowledge and mere motion, and at the humble petition of the late mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid, VU0 l)atl0 willed, corvstituted, declared, ordained and granted, and by these pre- sents for us, our heirs and successors, we will, constitute, declare, ordain and grant that the said city of Bristol for the future may be and may remain for ever a city incorporated and county by xiie dty in- itself, such and in as ample and large borders, circuits and pre- '""^'*''"' ' cincts terminated and limited, as the same city and county liave been terminated and limited for any time within the space of twenty years last -past : and that the citizens and inhabitants of the said city and their successors hereafter for ever may and shall be a body corporate and politic in deed, fact and name by the name of The Mayor, Burgesses and Commonalty of the city of Bristol; and we do for ourselves, our heirs and successors by these presents erect, create, make, ordain, constitute and declare them a body corporate and politic in deed, fact and name really and fully by the name of the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol aforesaid : and that they by the name of the mayor, & gaudere poterint lib'tatibz profic' & privileg' tunc ad servic' nob' hered' & successoribz n'ris impendend' & exhibend' sp'ialius fortiusq' se sentiant obligat' de gra n'ra sp'iali ac ex certa scienc' & mero motu n'ris ac ad humil' peticoem nup' major' burgens' & coitat' civitat' p'dict' tMoIuhllUJi constituimus declaravimus ordinavimus & concessinius ac per p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successor' n'ris volumus constituimus declaramus ordinamus & doncedi- mus quod prsedict' ci vitas Bristoll' de cetero sit & p'maneat imppm civitas incorporat' & coraitat' de se tal' & in tam amplis & largis finibz circuit' & p'cinct' terminal' & limitat' prout eadem civitas & com' ad aliquod tempus infra spaciu' viginti annor' jam ull' elaps' terminat' & limitat' fuerunt et quod elves & ihhitantes d'ce civltatis & successores sui de cetero imppm sint & erunt unu' corpus corporat" & politic' in re f'co 8c iiomine per nomen major' burgens' & comunltatis civit?t' Bristol' ac eos per nomen major' burgens' & co'itatis civitat' Bristol' p'dict' unu' corpus corporat' & politic' in re f co & nomine realit' & ad plena' pro nob' hered' & successoribz nris erigimus creamus facimus ordinamus constituimus & declaramus per p'sentes et quod ipsi per nomen major' burgens' et c'oitatis civitat' Bristol' 246 Carta f tmii 2, 36 caroli % i r i684. burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol aforesaid may and shall be at all future times pei'sons fit and in law capable of, having, purchasing, receiving and possessing lands, tenements liberties, privileges, jurisdictions, franchises and hereditaments, of whatsoever kind or sort they be or may have been, to them- selves and to their successors in fee and in perpetuity ; and also goods, credits and chatells and all other things, of whatsoever kind, nature or sort they may have been : and also [capable] of giving, granting, demising and assigning manours, lands, tene- ments and hereditaments, goods, debts, credits and chatells, and of doing and executing all other deeds and things by the aforesaid name of the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol aforesaid : and that by the same name they may be able and empowered to plead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered^ to defend and be defended in all courts, pleas and places, and before all judges and justices and other persons and officers of us, our heirs and successors in all and all manner of actions, suits, plaints, pleas,, causes, matters and demands what- ever, of whatever kind, nature or sort they be, in the same manner and form as other our liege subjects of this our realm of England, being persons fit and in law capable, are able and era- powered to plead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered, to defend and be defended : and that the mayor, burgesses and p'dict' sint & erint perpetuis futur' temporlbns persone habiles & in lege capaces ad habend' p'quirend' recipiend' & possidend' terras teii'ta lib'tates privileg' jurisdiccoes franches' & here- ditament' cujuscunq* sint gener' sive specie! fuerint sibi & successoribz suis in feodo ac in perpetuitate aceciam bona credita & catalla & quascunq' al' res cujuscunq' generis natur' sive specie! fuerint necnon ad dand' concedend' dimittend' & assignand' maneria terras ten'ta & hereditamenta bona debita credita & catalla ac o'ia al' fact' & res faciend' & exequend' per p'dict' nomen major' burgens' & co'itatis civitat' Bristol' p'dict' ct quod per idem nomen pl'itare & impl'itari respondere & responderi defendere & defend! valeant & possint in qui- buscunq' curiis placeis [foriasse placitis] & locis ac coram quibuscunq' judicibz & justitiariis ac al' person' &c officiar' n'ris hered' & successorum n'ror' in omnibus & omnimod' accoibz sectis querel' placitis causis mater' 6c demand' quibuscunq' sint gener' natur' sive speeiej eisdem modo & forma prout alii lige! nr! hujus regn! nri Angliac p'sone h'iles & in lege capaces pl'itare [supple et] iropl'itari respondere & responderi defendere & defendi valeant Carta futiCi 2, 36 CatoU 2, f t' i684. 247 commonalty of the city aforesaid and their successors may have for ever a * common seal to serve for executing and doing all theirThey siuii ° '-' have a com- causes and affairs whatever ; and that it shall and may be lawful»on seal. for the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and their successors from time to time at their pleasure to break, change and also from time to time to make anew that seal, as shall seem to them best to be done, ^tttl fUttpEt we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we ordain, that for the future for ever there may and shall be within the city aforesaid one mayor out of the citizens of the city afore-^ mayor ^p. said in form specified and expressed below; and for the betterUoJ^fnated" execution of our will in this respect we have assigned, nominated, constituted and made and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we assign, nominate, constitute and make our well- beloved William Clutterbuck, knight, to be the first and present mayor of the city aforesaid ; willing that the same William Clut- terbuck shall be and shall continue in the office of mayor of the same city until the fifteenth day of September next to come, and ^ from thence until one other person shall be made and sworn into & possint et quod major burgenses & coitaa c'mtal' p'dict' & successores sui h'eant impp'ni commune sigillum pro causis & negotiis suis quibuscunq' exequend' &'agend' servitur' ac quod bene liceat & licebit eisdem majori burgensibus & co'tati civitat' p'dict & successoribus suis sigill' illud ad libit' suum de tempore in tempus frangere mutare necnon de novo facere de tempore in tempus prout eis melius fieri & fore videbitur. ^2t UitCriUjGi volumus ac per p'sentcs pro nobis hered' & successoribus n'ris ordinamus quod de cetero impp'm sit & crit infra civitatem p'dict unus major de civibz civitat' p'dict' in forma inferius specificat' & express' et pro meliori execucoe voluntatis n're in hac parte assignavimus nominavimus constituimus & fecimus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successoribus n'ris assignamus nominamus constituim' & facimus dilecm nob' Will'um Clutterbuck mil' fore & esse primum &c modern' major' civitat' p'dict' volentes quod idem Will'us Clutterbuck in officio major' ejusd' civitat' erit & continuabit usq' ad decimum quintum diem Septembris prox' futur' et abinde quousq' unus alius ad officium illud p'fectus & juratus fuerit juxta (3) Caninion sea2.] This is the first especial grant of a a cotntnon seal is one of those 'rights which are necessarily common seal, although it is mentioned so early as charter 47 ' and inseparably incident to every corporation ; which in- Edw' 3j and many seals of our corporation are still extant, ' cidents, as soon as a corporation is duly created, are tacitly 200 or 300 years older than this charter. It appears also ' annexed of course' Blackstone ], 47s. that this present grant might have been spared 3 fur to have 248 Carta f unit 2, S6 Catolt % i* e' 1684. that office according to the ordinances and provisions expressed and declared below in these letters patent, if the same William Clutterbuck shall so long live: and that as well the aforesaid William Clutterbuck as every succeeding mayor of the same Ma or shall towH may and shall have such and the same power and authority, auIhodtyT' perquisites and profits in and through all cases in any way heretofore. ]rjgjonging aud pertaining to the same office, as any preceding mayor of the same city heretofore had or enjoyed or ought to enjoy: he the said William Clutterbuck and every other suc- ceeding mayor of the same city at tlie time of their admis- sion respectively into the office of the mayoralty of the same He shall take city taking the corporal oath called the oath of allegiance, and laths'!"''"^' the oaths appointed by a certain act of parliament, intitled ^an act for regulating of corporations, and also all other oaths usually administered to the mayor of the same city within the space of twenty years last past at the time of his admis- sion into the office of the mayoralty of the same city ; which oaths we will to be administered to all mayors succeeding the said William Clutterbuck by the mayor of the same town for ordinacoes & provisiones in hiis I'ris paten' inferius express* & declarot' si idem Will'us Clutterbuck tam diu vixeril et quod tarn p'fat' Will'us Clutterbuck quam quilibet succe- dens major ejusdem civitat' habeat St habebit tal' & eandem potestal' & authoritat' per- quisic' & profic' in omnibus & per omnia ad idem offic' in aliquo modo quocunq' spectan' & p'tinen' qual' aliqu' precedens major ejusdem civitat' antehac habuit sive gavis' fuit vel gaudere debuit ipso p'fato Will'o Clutterbuck & quolibet al' succeden' major' ejqsdem civitat' tem- pore admissionis sue respective in offic' majoralitat' ejusdem civitat' p'stan' sacrament' corporal' ligeancie (anglice vocat' the oath of allegiance) & sacra' per quendam act' parliamenti inti- tulat' (an act for regulating of corporaconsj appunctuat' necnon omia al' jurament' usualit' administrat' majori ejusdem civitat' infra spacium viginti annor' jam ult' elaps' tempore sue admission' in offic' majoralitat' ejusdem civitat' quequidem sacra' et juramenta omnibus majoribus p'fat Will'um Clutterbuck succeeden' p ultim' &c immediate p'ceden' major' ejusdem civitatis (3) Actjbr reg^ corp'.^ This act, 13 Car' 2, stat' ii. c' i. declaring that it was not lawful on any pretence whatever to passed io 1661, sooii after the king's restoration, ordained take urtns against the king, and particularly renouncing th^ that every mayor, alderman, &c. and every other officer in hypocritical pretence, which had been resorted to during the a corporation should be obliged, beside the common oaths of late civil wars, of taking arms by the king's authority against allegiance and supremacy, and a particular declaration the king himself, against the soVemn league and covenant, to take an oath Carta futtii % S6 Catoli 2, i' r i684. 249 the time being last and immediately preceding, if at that time he shall be surviving and abiding within the same city; or in his absence by the recorder of the same city for the time being, and in his absence by the senior alderman who at that time shall be inhabiting and residing within the same city ; [such oaths to be administered] openly and publicly and with the solemnities usually accustomed in these cases in the Guildhall of the same city, if it can conveniently be done ; and if not, then in such other convenient place within the liberties of the same city as shall seem best to such person who by these presents is of right designed and appointed to administer such oaths ; to which persons so qualified as is aforesaid we give and grant by these presents full power and authority of giving and ad- ministering ■ such oaths to all succeeding mayors respectively. ^tt^ fUttpCt we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, we ordain that hereafter for ever there may and shall be in the city aforesaid and county of the same city two sheriffs, who shall have as great, such and the samexhereshaiibe power and authority, privileges, profits and jurisdictions in alLvitiiUViIoHiy cases and for all things, oh any sheriffs of the said city at any"'' '""'^°°'^" time heretofore have had or enjoyed or ought or have been able to have and enjoy. And for the better execution of our pro tempore existen' si ,adtunc supstes & comorans erit infra eandcni civitatem aut in ejus absencia per recordator' ejusdem civitat' pro lemporc existen' & in ejus absencia per senior' aldcrraann' qui adtunc infra eandem civitat' inhitan' & residen' erit administrari volunius palam &c publice ac cum solemnitat' usual' in hiis casibz consuet' in Guihalda ejusdem civitat' si modo convenienter fieri poterit & si non tunc in tal' al' convenien' loco infra lib'tat' ejusdem civitat' qual' hmoi persone qui per p'sen' de jure humoi sacrament' administrare designat' & appunctuai' melius fore videbitur quibus quidem persouis sic qualificat' ut p'fertur humoi sacrament' & jurament" omnibus succeden' majoribus respective dandi & administrandi plenam potestat' & authoritat' danms & concedimus p presentes cecomit' civitat' pdict' de cetero imppm dandi & adrainis- trandi plenam potestat' & authoritat' pro nob' hered' & successoribz n'ris damus & conce- Jimus p p'sentes Ct Ult'tUjEt volumus ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successor' n'ris Carta futiit 2, 36 Catolt % it' 1684. 251 to the said mayor,- burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that hereafter for ev^er there may and shall be in the city aforesaid as many and such of the better and more discreet burgesses and inhabitants of the city aforesaid, who with the mayor and aldermen of the same city shall not exceed the number of forty-three, and with themTheiesiiaiib" ^ a crtmuiou- shall be and shall be called and named the common-council of»- is ^ above appointed or declared in this respect before the mayor of the said city ; to which mayor of the city aforesaid full power and authority of giving and administering the said oaths to the said sheriffs of the city aforesaid and to each of them we give and grant by these presents Avithout any other warrant or commission to be procured or obtained from us, our heirs or successors in this behalf. We also will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, bur- gesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their suc- cessors, that if it shall happen that the said William Clutter- buck, knight, nominated above by these presents to be mayor of the said city, .should die or be removed from that office jf the mayoi- during the time of his mayoralty, or if it should happen that during'ws "^ any election of mayor of the said city hereafter should be frus-''^*'^' trated by the incapacity or refusal of him who has been elected to the office of mayor of the said city, that then and as often as the case shall so happen, it may and shall be lawful for the recorder (if present) or in his absence for the senior alder- man of the said city then residing in it and capable thereof p'stabit prout in p'sentibz in ea pte sup'ius appunctuat' existit I^CHIOlt volumus quod vicecomites sic elect' vel eligend' (immediate postqiiam sacrament' & jurament' p major' p'stit') jurentur in tal' loco & modo ut supius in ea pte appunctuat' sive declarat' existit coram majore civitat' p'dict' cuiquidem majori civitat' p'dict' plenam potestat' & authoritat' dandi & administrandi sacra' Sc juramenta p'dict' p'fatis vicecomitibz civitat' p'dict' & eor' alteri damns & concedimus p p'sentes absq' aliqu' al' warranto vel commissione a nobis hered' vel successoribz n'ris in ea pte procurand' aut obtinend' Volumus etiam ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successor' n'ris concedimus major' burgensibz & coitati civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod si contig'it p'dict' Willum Clutterbuck milit' supius p p'sentes nominal' fore major' civitat' p'dict' obire vel ab officio illo amoveri duran' tempore majoralitat' sue vel si contigerit aliquam eleccon' major' civitat' p'dict' imposter' frustrari p incapacitatem vel renunciacon' illius ad offic' major' civitat' p'dict' electi quod tunc ac toties \lege quoties] casus sic acciderit liceat & licebit recordatori (si p'sen') vel in ejus absencia senior' aldermann' civitat' p'dict' tunc in ea resident! & Ll2 260 Carta f unii 2, 36 Catoli s, f e' i684. The common. immediately to call the common-council and to proceed to the "Jii^nother. election of another person into the office of mayor of the said city in such place and mariner, as is more fully expressed and declared above in these presents ; and also that he may be sworn in such place and manner and by such person as is aforesaid ; and so, as often as the case shall happen. And moreover we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successoi's we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that if and as often If a sheriff as it shall happen that a sheriff or sheriffs of the same city for durl'ngh.s*''" the time being shall die or be removed from the office of sheriff '*^'' or sheriffs of the said city, or that their offices or the office of either of them by any means should be vacant, ' that then and so often it may and shall be lawful for the mayor of the city aforesaid for the time being immediately to call the com- mon-coimcil and to proceed to the election of one or more in the place or places of him or them so dead or removed, as common- r ± council shall jg afoi'csaid : which sheriff or sheriffs so elected shall be sworn elect another. in such place and manner and by such person as was before fut'e^hai'fnot appolntcd or declared in this behalf. Provided always that every th^n^h^^prin- person so elected to the office of mayor, sheriff or sheriffs of havedone'.'' thc said city respectively on any vacancy, as is above said, exinde capaci protiniis vocare coe concilium et procedere ad eleccoem alter' psone in officium major' civital' p'dict' in tal' loco & modo prout supus in p'senlibz plenius express' & declarat' est necnon juret' in tal' loco & modo & p tal' pson' ut p'dict' est et sic tocies quocies casus sic acciderit Ct Ult'tU^ voluraus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successor' n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz &c coitati ci vital' p'dit' & successor' suis quod si ac quoties contigerit vicecomitem vel vicecomites ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existen' obire vel amoveri ab offic' vicecomit' vel vicecomit' civitat' p'dict' vel officia sua sive offic' alterius eor' ullo modo vacari quod tunc ac quoties [lege toties] liceat & licebit majori civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' protinus vocare commune concir [supple &] procedere ad eleccon' un' vel plur' in locum vel loca ipius vel ipor' sic mortui vel amoti mortuor' vel amotor' ut p'fertur quiquidem vicecomes vel vicecomites sic elect' juretur vel jurentur in tal' loco &c modo & p hmoi pson' ut prius in ea p'te appunctuat' sive declarat' fuit Proviso semp quod quelibet p'sona sic elect' ad offic' major' vieecomitis sive vicecomit' civitatis p'dict' respective in aliqua vacantia ut p'ferl' Catta f ttttii 2, 36 Catoli % i' r i^84. 261 shall continue in such office for such time, and not longer, as the person so dead or removed ought to have continued if he had lived or had not been removed ; unless he shall be elected thereto anew in due manner. WXti further we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may and shall have within the city aforesaid one honest and discreet man skilful in the laws of England and a barrister for the space of five years at the least, to be chosen in form mentioned below in these presents, who shall be and shall be called recorder of the city aforesaid : and for the better exe- cution of our will in this respect we have assigned, nominated, xhe recorder constituted and made and by these presents for us, our heirs and""""'"*^**' successors we assign, nominate, constitute and make the afore- said ''John Churchill, knight, to be the first recorder of the city aforesaid, to be continued in the office of recorder of the continuabit in tal' offic' pro tal' tempore & non dlutius qual' psona sic mort' vel amot« si vixerit vel non amotus fuit continuare debet nisi de novo adinde debito modo electus erit ^Et Uit'iU^f volumus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hwed' & successoribz n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz & coitati civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod ipi & successorss sui de cet'o imppm h'eant & h'ebunt infra civitat' p'dict' unum probum & discret' virum in legibz Anglie peritum & barraster' p spatium quinq* annor' ad minimum in forma inferius in hijs p'sentibz menconat' eligend' qui erit & vocabitur recordator civitat' p'dict* et pro meliori execucoe voluntatis n're in hac pte assignavimus nominavimus conslituimus & fecimus ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' &c successoribz n'ris assignamus nominamus constituim' & facimus p'dict' Johem Churchill mil' fore & esse primum recordator' civi- tatis p'dict' continuand' in diet' offic' recordator' civitat' p'di<;t' durante vita sua natural' (6) Sir John. Churchill 2 He was of the antient family of Dorset, an eminent lawyer also, who was grandfather to the Courcil, and first cousin to John Churchill of Minthorn in great duke of Marlborough, (■— John Ch' . John Ch' Sir Winstone Ch' John, Duke of Matthew Churchill J ofMinthorn. born in 1620. Marlborough, of Bradford ) ( — Jaaper Ch'— — Sir John Ch' Recorder of Bristol, who married the daughter of Edm' Frideaux, Esq. 262 Carta futtii % 36 catoli % ir 1684. city aforesaid during his natural life ; and that he and every other recorder of the said city hereafter to be chosen may have, hold and enjoy all and such sort of powers and authorities, wagCi,, profits and commodities, which the recorders of the said city heretofore had, held and enjoyed, or ought to have, hold and enjoy : provided always and we will that the said John Churchill, knight, and all other recorders of the said city here- The recorder after to bc choseu before their admission or admissions shall proper oaths, takc thc aforcsald oaths directed by the said act of parliament, and also the oaths usually administered and given by the re- corders of the same town for the space of twenty years now last past ; which oaths aforesaid after the death or removal of the said John Churchill, knight, shall be administered to every succeeding recorder by the mayor of the said city for the time being in the presence of one of the aldermen of the said city for the time being at least ; to which mayor we give full power of offering the aforesaid oaths. And moreover we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their successors, that in case of the death or removal of the said John Churchill, knight, or of any other recorder to be chosen hereafter from the office of recorder of the said city, et quod ipse et quilibet al' recordator civitat' p'dict' imposterum eligend' h'eat teneat & gaudeat h'eant teneant & gaudeant onm' & humoi potestates & authoritat' vad' profic' & comoditat' que recordatores civitatis p'dict' antehac tempora h'uerunt tenuer' & gavisi fuer' vel h'ere tenere vel gaudere debuerunt proviso semp & volumus quod p'dict' Johes Churchill mil' & omn' al' recordatores civitatis p'dict' imposter' eligend' antequam admis- sion' suam vel admission' suas capiet & capient sacra' p'dict' p p'dict' act' parliament' direct' acetiam sacra' & jurament' p spatium vigint' annor' jam ult' claps' usualiter administrat' & p'stit' p recordator' ejusdem civitat' que sacrament' et jurament' p'dict' post mort' vel amocon' p'dict' Johis Churchill mil' administrat' erunt cuilibet succeden' recordatori p major' civitat' p'dict' p tempore existen' in p'sentia unius aldror' civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' ad minimum cuiquidem majori plenam potestat' damns ad sacrament' p'dict' p'stand' Et insup volumus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successor' n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz & coitati civitatis p'dict' &• successoribz suis quod in casu mortis vel amocois p'dict' Johis Churchill mil' vel alicujus al' recordator' imposter' Cam funtt ^, 36 Caroli % i e' 1684. 263 or in case of any other vacancy of the said office of recorder, on a vacancy, that then and in every such case it may and shall be 1 awful deishaii be •1 c 1 • 1 • r chosen. for the mayor and common-council of the said city for the time being or the greater part of them, of whom the mayor for the time being we will to be one, and by these presents we give and grant to the same or to the greater part of them (as is above mentioned) power and authority to elect and nominate one honest and discreet man learned in the laws of England and a barrister for the space of five years, to succeed such recorder so dead or removed as is aforesaid. Provided always and we will that he who is so elected and nominated to the office of recorder of the said city shall not be ad- mitted to give the aforesaid oaths, or shall be admitted to the execution of the office of recorder of the said city, The recorder nntil we, our heirs or successors under the royal hand of us, firmed by the our heirs or successors shall signify the approbation of us, our'"^^ ^'""*" heirs and successors to such person so elected (as is above- mentioned) to the office of recorder of the city aforesaid. We will also and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that hereafter for ever there may and shall be twelve aldermen in the said city^i^^^.^^^^,,^^ to be elected and appointed in form mentioned below in these^- "'"^""o" ; eligend' ab ofSc' recordator' civitat' p'dict' vel in casu alterius vacantie diet' offic' recor- dator' quod tunc & in quoit tal' casu liceat & licebit majori 8c communl concilio civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' vel major' pti eor' (quor' major' pro tempore existen' unum esse volumus) & eisdem vel majori pti eor'^ ut p'fert' potestat' & authoritat' damus & concedimus p p'sentes eligere & nominare unum probum & discret'" virura in legibz Angl' erudit' & p spatium quinq' annor' barraster' succedere humoi recordator' sic mort' Tel amot' ut p'fert' Proviso semp & volumus quod ille sic elect' & nominat' ad offic' recordator' civitat' p'dict' non admittetur sacrament' & jurament' p'dict' p'stare vel ad execucoem offic' recordator' civitat' p'dict' admissus erit usq' nos hered' vel successores n'ri sub manu regali n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' significabimus vel significabunt ap- probacoera nram hered' vel successor' nror' hmoi p'son' sic ad offic' recordatoris civitat' p'dict' elect' ut p'fertur Volumus etiam ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz & comunitat' civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod de cetero imppetuum sint & erunt duodecim aldri in civitate p'dict' in forma inferius in 264 Cam f ttttll 2, 36 CatOll % t r 1684. Who shall be presents, who may and shall be keepers and ja^tices of the p"acer** ^peace of us, our heirs and successors within the said city, the suburbs, liberties and precincts of the same : and that they and the aldermen of the same city for the time being may have, hold and enjoy and every one of them respectively may have, hold and enjoy as great, such, the same and such sort and have the °^ powcrs and authoritics, which the aldermen of the same ^Tereiofore City at auy tiuie before the date of these presents had, held or enjoyed or ought or were able to have, hold and enjoy. And for the better execution of our will in this respect we have assigned, nominated, constituted and made and by these pre- The recorder scnts for US, our licii's and successors we assign, nominate, con- others nomi- stitute and make the said John Churchill, knight, above- nated lo be _ " _ aldermen, mcutioned iu these presents to be recorder of the said city, to be the first alderman of the said city: and we will that here- after for ever every recorder of the said city for the time being may and shall be the first and senior alderman of the said city. Moreover we have assigned, nominated, ordained, constituted and made, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we assign, nominate, ordain, constitute, and make the said Robert Cann, knight and baronet, John Lawford, hiis presentibus menconat' eligend' 8c constituend' qui sint & erunt conservatores et justiciarii ad pacem nram hered' 6c successor' nror' infra civilat' p'dict' suburb' libtat' & p'cinct' ejusdem et quod ipi & aldermanni ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existen' h'eant teneant & gaudeant & eor' quilibet respective h'eat teneat & gaudeat tant' tal' eadem & humoi potestat' & authoritat' quas aldermanni ejusdem civitat' aliquo tempore ante dat' p'sentium h'uerunt tenuerunt vel gavisi fuerunt aut h're teiiere vel gaudere debu- erunt aut potuerunt Et pro meliori execucoe voluntatis n're in hac pte assignavimus nominavimus constituimus & fecimus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' &c successoribz n'ris assignamus nominamus constituimus & facimus p'dict' Johem Churchill mil' in hijs p'sentibz supius menconat' fore & esse recordator' civitat' p'dict' fore &: esse primum aldermannum civitatis p'dict' et volumus quod decetero imppm quilibet recordat' civitatis p'dict' pro tempore existen' sit & erit primus & senior aldrus civitatis p'dict' Necnon assignavimus nominavimus ordinavimus constituimus & fecimus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successoribus n'ris assignamus nominamus ordinamus constituimus & facimus p'dict' Robtum Gann mil' & baronett' Johem Lawford fiobtum Yeomans mil' & Cam funti 2, 36 catoU % i' e' i684. 26^ Robert Yeomang^ knight and baronet, John Hicks, William Crabb, Richard Crump, knight, Joseph Creswick, Richard Hart, knight, Thomas Eston, William Clutterbuck, knight, and William Hayman to be the other aldermen of the said city, to continue in the said office of aldermen of the city aforesaid during their natural respective lives, the aforesaid oaths for the due execution of the office of alderman of the said city being first respectively given. We will also and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that if and as often as it shall happen that any one or more of the aldermen of the said city for the time Manner of being hereafter shall die or be removed from the office ofmen.'"^^ alderman of the said city, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor of the said city for the time being to summon all the other aldermen of the said city for the time being to assemble in the guildhall in the said city, and there the mayor and al- dermen of the same city for the time being or the greater part of them (of whom the mayor for the time being we will to be one) shall elect and nominate and shall be empowered and enabled to elect and nominate one or more of the com- mon-council-raen of the city aforesaid for the time being to succeed to the place or places of alderman or aldermen of the baronet' Johem Hicks Willum Crabb Ricura Crump mil' Josephum Creswick Ricum Hart mil' Thomam Eston Willum Clutterbuck mil' & Willum Hayman fore & esse alteros aldros civitat' p'dict' continuand' in diet' offic' aldermann' civitat' p'dict' ^uran' vitis suis natural' respectivis sacra' p'dict' & jurament' pro debita execucoe oiBc' aldermanii civitat' p'dict' prius respective p'stit' Volumus etiam ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus majori burgensibus & coitati civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod si ac toties acciderit aliquem vel aliquos de aldris civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' imposter'. obire vel ab offic' alderman' civitat' p'dict' amoveri liceat & licebit majori civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' summonire omn' al' aldermannos civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' ad assembland' in Guihalda infra civitat' p'dict' &c Ibidem major et aldermanni ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existen' vel major pars eor' (quor' major' pro tempore ejdsten' unum esse volumus) eligant & nominabunt & eligere & nominar' possint 8c valeant possit & valeat un' vel plur' ex comun' consiliar' civitatis p'dict' pro tempore existen"* saccedere in locum sive loca aldermanni vel aldror* civitat' p'dict' sic mortui ve! !tf m 266 Cam funtt % 36 Catoli % i' e' 1684. city aforesaid so dead or removed, as is above mentioned. And we will that every person so elected or to be elected to the office of alderman of the same city shall take and give the oaths aforesaid before the mayor and recorder of the same city The aidermeDfor thc timc bcinff. And also we will that all the aldermen of shall be resi- •-**■ ■ ■ ■" ■ i - - - - *•"• the city aforesaid for the time being, the recorder excepted, shall be resident within the said city, the suburbs, liberties, and precincts of the same. ^ttt)i tnO^tO\)0t we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their successors, that if any person or persons nominated in these presents or who in future shall be in due manner elected to the separate offices of mayor, alderman, sheriff or common- if any persons council-man of the said city, shall happen to die or refuse to ""^'^ "^^ *' exercise the office or offices or trust to which by these presents they are nominated and appointed, or to which they shall here- after in due manner respectively be elected, or shall voluntarily be absent at the time or times in which he or they ought to be sworn in manner and form aforesaid to and into their re- ,spective offices and trusts aforesaid, that then and in every such case it may and shall be lawful for the mayor and com- mon-council of the city aforesaid for the time being or the amoti mortuor' vel amotor' ut p'fertur Et volumus quod qaellbet persona sic ad ofiic' alderman' ejusdem civitat' elect' vel eligend' capiat & p'stabit sacra' & jurament* p'dict' coram majore & recordator' ejusdem cK'itatis pro tempore existen' Aceciam volumus quod omn' aWermanni civitatis p'dict' pro tempore existen' (recordatore except') residentes erunt infra civitat' p'dict' suburb' libtat' & p'cinct' ejusdem ii •i.'r !• and deteimine to prosecute before the same justices tor us, our heirs or sue- aii things as cessors or for theinselves, and according to the law and custom do" ^"'"'** of our kingdom of England and- according to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid for determining in as ample manner and form as any other justices of the peace of us, our lieirs and successors any where else in any other county of our kingdom of England are or shall be able to hear and deter- mine all and singular things which have been done^ committed or attempted contrary to the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or the weakening of the same or of any of them within the county, city, liberties and precincts of Bristol aforesaid, and which hereafter shall happen to be done, com- mitted, or attempted in the same place ; and also [for hearing and determining] the trespasses and forestallings aforesaid and all other things not declared above to be determinable at our suit only, and all other things which by virtue of any ordi- nances and statutes ought to be discussed and determined by such keepers of the peace of us, our heirs and successors, and such justices of us, our heirs and successors ; and for chastising and punishing all Avho may offend against the form of the ordinances and statutes aforesaid or any of them by fines, re-andmayfina demptions, amercements and other means according to their * '"'*'"*" ^' fact' ppretrat' sive attemptat' fuer' et que Ibm imposter' fieri perpetrari seu attemptari contigerit tarn ad sectam nram quatn al' quor'cunq' coram eisdem j.ustic' pro nobis hered' aut successor' n'ris aut pro seipis conqueri vel prosequi volen' audiend:* ac scdm legem & consuetud' regni n'ri Angl' ac juxta form' ordinacoti' & statutor' p'dict' ter- minand' in tarn ampiis modo & forma prout aliqui al' justic' pacis n're hered' & suc- cessor' nror' alibi in aliquo al' com' regni n'ri Angl' audir,' & t'minar' possint seu poteriiU necnon transgress' & forstall' p'dict' ac omnia al' supius ad terminand' non declarat' ad sectam nram tantum & omnia al' que virtute aliquar' ordinacon' & statutop' p custod' pacis n're hered' &c successor' nror' ac justic' nros hered' & successor' nror' humoi. discuti & terminari debent audiend' & terminand' et ad qyoscunq' contra form' ordinacon' & statut' p'dict' seu eor' alicujus delinquen' p fines redempcoes amerciamen' ac al' modo pro delictis suis castigand' & puniend' prout ante ordinacon' de punicoe corporal' hmoi 272 Cam Smii 2, 36 Catolt 2, f v 1684. offences^ as used to be done before the ordinance made con- cerning tlie inflicting of corporal punishment on such delin- quents according to their offences; [and also] for doing or exercising, hearing or determining [all other things which] be- long or shall belong [*to the office of justice of onr peace] Mayor and clsewherc within our kingdom of England: 9[tttl t^Kt the shXhrvViai mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid for the time being and their successors for ever may have all and all manner and singular the fines, redemptions, issues, forfeitures and amercements to be made, assessed, forfeited and adjudged from time to time during all future times before the said justices and any of them; and that it shall be lawful for the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and their successors from time to time, as often as shall be needful, to collect and levy by the sheriffs or other officers of the same city of Bristol, who now are and who for the time shall be, to the use of the said mayor, burgesses and com- monalty of the city aforesaid and of their successors, all and singular such issues, forfeitures, fines, redemptions and amerce- ments adjudged and to be adjudged or to be assessed ; and delinquent' pro delictis suis exhibend' fact' fieri consuet' alibi infra regnum AngV ptinen' seu ptinebunt faciend' aut exercend' audiend' seu terminand' Ct tjUOtl major' burgeus' & coitas civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' & successor' sui imperpetuu h'eant oia & oiod' & singul' fines redempcoes exit' forisfactur' & amerciamen' coram p'fat' justiciar' & eor' quoli'bt de tempore in tempus perpeluis futur' temporibz duratur' faciend' assidend' forisfaciend' 8c adjudicand' et quod bene licebit eisdem major' burgensibz & coitati civitatis p'dict' et successor' suis de tempore in tempus quoties opus fu'it omnia & singula hmoi exit' forisfactur' fines redempcoes & amerciament' adjudicat' & adjudicand' sive assidend' p vicecomil' aut al' ministr' ejusdem civitat" Bristol' qui nunc sunt & qui pro tempore erunt ad opus dcor' major' burgens' ^ coitatis civitat' p'dict' & successor' suor' colligere &c levare ac seipos in seinam & possession' de eisdem ponere possint aut [lege prout] vicecom' officiar* vel ministri n'ri hered' vel successor' nror in ea pte pro nobis hered' & successor' nTis Jjossint potuissent vel deberent ad opus nrm hered' & successor' nror' pcipere & levare si ea p'dict' majori burgensibz & coitati civitat' Bristol' p'dict' & suc- cessoribz suis concess' non fuissent absq' aliquo compulo aut aliquo al' nobis hered' vd (9) See note is of the charter 1499. Carta funii % S6 Carolt 2, f e' i684. 273 that they shall be empowered to put themselves in seisin and possession of the same, as the sheriffs, officers or ministers of us, our heirs and successors are or would be empowered or would have a right in that behalf to collect and levy them for us, our heirs and successors to the use of us, our heirs and successors, if they had not been granted to the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol aforesaid and to their successors; without rendering, making or paying any account thereof or any other thing to us, our heirs or succes- sors. ^Ut) tD0 will that the mayor of the city of Bristol aforesaid for the time being and his successor for the time being, as long as he shall be mayor of the city aforesaid, the recorder of the same city for the time being, as long as he shall be recorder of that city, and the aforesaid aldermen and their successors, as long as they shall be aldermen of the same city, eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four and three of them (of whom the mayor or recorder, if he be in the city, or the senior alderman of the city aforesaid then residing there and in the absence of the recorder aforesaid, we will to be one) hereafter for ever from time to time may have and hold and may be enabled and empowered to have and hold four sessions of the peace within the citv The mayor, , . , &c. shall lioltT aforesaid at the usual times, appomted by the statute m that four sessions of the peace behalf, as heretofore was usual in that place ; and [ power] of successoribz n'ris inde reddend' faciend' seu solvend' (Ct ttOlUltlU^ quod major' civitat' Bristol' p'dict' pro tempore existen' & successor suus pro tempore existen' quamdiu major civitat' p'dict' extit'it recordator ejusdem civitat' pro tempore existen' quamdiu recordator civitat' iir extiterit ac p'dict' aldermanni & successores sui quamdiu aldermanni ejusdem civitat' extiterint undecem decern novem octo septem sex quinq' quatuor & tres eor' quor' major' vel recordator' si in civitat' fu'it vel senior' aldrum civitat' p'dict' tunc ibm residentem &c in absentia recordator' p'dict' unum esse volumus de cetero imppm de tempore in tempus he'ant Sc teneant ac he're & tenere valeant & possint quatuor sessiones pacis infra civitat' p'dict' ad tempora usual' & p statut' in ea pte appunctuat' ut antehac (lo)' Power.J The insertion of this or of a similar word Eliz' p' son, by omitting-a part of the clause is rendered is requisite in order to produce any meaning; but the eriltr more doubtful ; and this present passage being copied with is probably much greater, and extends through the whole alterations from the last-mentioned 13 in want of grsat sentence. The parallel passage in the charter of Hen' 7. amendment, p' 161, is not very clear; the transcript of it in chart' Nn 274 Carta Jutitt % 36 Catoli % i' e' i684. doing, exercising and executing all and singular those things within the same city and suburbs and precincts aforesaid and in the same manner and form at any time or times as often as shall be necessary, as many as and such as any other justices for gaol- for deliverinii any gaol or gaols have, exercise and execute any delivery. ,-«>—-" — '' * ^^ _ ^ _-.. _^ ^ J where else within our kingdom of England aforesaid, of whom in such case the mayor and recorder of the city aforesaid for the time being we will to be two : saving always to us, our heirs and successors all and singular i[ines7~issues, amercements, forfeitures and other profits to be made, forfeited or adjudged Fiuesatgaoi- bcforc the said justices for the gaol-delivery of the said city of delivery re- served "to the Brlstol aud any of them. Provided always and we will that trow 11. ^ , t* 1 n ' the several justices of the peace aforesaid and every one of them The justices bc swom from time to time respectively to perform and execute proper oaths, thosc officcs aud trusts in due manner according to the laws and customs of this our kingdom of England before the com- missioners mentioned below or such other person or persons and in such place and manner, as was heretofore usual in this respect in the city aforesaid. VxBit alSlO will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may rbm usitat' fuit ac ea omnia & singula infra eandem civitatem 8c suburb' & p'cinct' p'dict' ac eisdem modo & forma faciend' exercend' & exequend' ad aliquod tempus sive tempora quoties opus fuerit quot & qual' aliqui al' justic' ad aliqu' gaol' seu gaol' deliband* h'ent exercent & exequuntur vel h'ere exercere & exequi delebunt vel poterint alibi infia regnum nrm Angl' p'dict' (quor' in tali casu major' & recordator' civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' duos esse volumus) Salvis semp nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris omnibus & singul' finibz exit' & amerciament' forisfactur' & al' profic' coram diet' justic' ad gaol' p'dict' civitat' Bristol' delib'and' & eor' quolibt faciend' forisfaciend' sive adjudicand' Pro- viso semp & volumus quod s^al' justic' ad pacem p'dict' jurentur & eor' quilibet juretur de tempore in tempus respective ad offic' & fiduc' ill' debo modo pformand' & exequend' scdm leges & statut' hujus regni n'ri Angl* coram commissionar' inferius nominat' aut taV al' psona & psonis & tal' loco & modo qual'antehac in ea pte usitat' fuit in civitat' p'dict' vl%0lUniU$^ etiam ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus major' burgensibz & coital' civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis qd ipi 8c Cam futtit % 36 CaroU % i' e^ 1684. 275 and shall have within the city aforesaid one fit and honest man, who shall be and shall be called the Common-clerk of the city aforesaid; and for the better execution of our will in this There shaii te respect we have assigned, ordained, constituted and made, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we assign, nominate, ordain, constitute and make our beloved John Rom- sey, esquire, to be the first and present common-clerk of the city aforesaid, to continue in the said ofSce during his natural life. And we will and grant that the said John Romsey andxhetown- every other succeeding common-clerk of the city aforesaid fornated. the time being may have, hold and enjoy as many, ^s great, such, the same and of such sort offices, wages, profits, perqui- The (own- sites and emoluments whatever, which, as great as and such as'" ^ '^^' any common-clerk of the city aforesaid heretofore had, held or enjoyed, or was enabled or empowered or had a right to have, hold and enjoy : he the said John Romsey, and every other succeeding common-clerk of the city aforesaid hereafter for ever, first giving the aforesaid oaths mentioned in the said act His oaths, of parliament ; and also all other oaths usually administered heretofore to the common-clerk of the city aforesaid at the time of his admission to the office of common-clerk of the city aforesaid. And moreover we will and by these presents successor' sui de cetero imppm h'eant & h'ebunt infra civitat' [D'dict' umim virum idoneum & honestum qui erit & vocabitur cois c'licus civitat' p'dict' et pro meliori execucoe voluntat' n're in hac pte assignavimus ordinavimus constituimus & fecimus ac p p'sen' pro nobis hered' & successor' n'ris assignamus noiamus ordinamus constituimus & facimus dilcm nob' Johem Romsey armiger' fore & esse primum & modemum coem clicum civitat' p'dict' contiuuand' in diet' offic' duran' vita sua naturali Et volumus & concedimus quod diet' Johes Romsey 8c quilt al' succedens cois clicus civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' h'eant teneant & gaudeant ac h'ere tenere & gaudere valeant & possint tot tant' tal' eadem & h'moi offic' vad' profic' pquisic' & emolument' quecunq' que quant' & qual' aliqu' cois clicus civitat' p'dict' antehec tempora h'uit tenuit vel gavlsus fuit aut b'ere tenere & gaudese valeat aut possit aut debuit ipo pfat' Johe Romsey & quoit al' succedente coe clico civitat' p'dict' de cetero imppm sacrament' p'dict' in p'dict' actu parliament' mencoat' necnon oia alia jurament' usualit' administrat' antehac col clico civitat' p'dict' tempore admissionis sue ad offic' cois clici civitat' p'dict' prius N n 2 576 Caita gfunii 2, 36 Caroli % v r 1684. for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, bur- gesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their Common- succcssors, that if it shall happen that the said John Romsey elect the sue- or auy other common-clerk of the said city for the time being ceedinff town- clerks. shall die or be removed from that office, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor and common-council of the said city for the time being or the greater part of them, of whom the mayor of the said city for the time being we will to be one, to elect and nomi- nate one other person in the place of him so dead or removed Town clerk from thc officc aforesaid. Provided always and we will that no ris'ier of three one sliall be clectcd to the office of common-clerk of the said 'city, unless he be skilled in the laws of England and a bar- rister for the space of three years at least; and that no person, so elected or to be elected (in case of death or removal) to the office of common-clerk of the said city, shall be admitted to take the oaths aforesaid or to exercise the office of com- andmustbe mon-clcrk of the said city, before we, our heirs or successors thekin^g.*' ''slia^U signify an approbation of him so elected or to be elected to the said office of common-clerk under the royal hand of us, our heirs or successors; which signification of favour and approbation being so had and obtained, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor of the said city for the time being to p'stant' Et insup volumus ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz & coitat' civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod si accident p'dict' Johem Romsey vel aliquem al' coem c.licum civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' obire vel amovcri ab offic' ill' liceat & licebit majori & coi concilio civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' vel major' pti eor' (quor' major' civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' uniim esse volumus) eligere & noiare un' al' pson' in loc' ipius sic mort' vel amot' ab offic' p'dict' proviso semp & volumus quod nullus ad offic' cois clici civitat' p'dict' electus erit nisi sit in legibus Angl' peritus & barrasterius p spac' trium annor' ad minimum & quod nulla psona sic elect' vel eligend' in casu mortis vel amocois I'sue ad offic' eommun' clici civitat' p'dict' admittetur sacra' et jurament' p'dict' p'stare vel exercere offic' cois clici civitat' p'dict' antequam nos hered' vel successor' n'ri significabunt approbacoem. ipius sic elect' vel eligend' ad diet' offic' cois clici sub manu regali n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' qui [lege qua] significacoe favoris &c approbaconis sic h'it' & obtent' liceat & licebit (ll)SKe.] If this word be allowed to keep its place, it ia the preceding sentence: liut it is probably admitted must refer to the death or removal of the person mentioned inadvertently. Cam 3mii % 36 Catoli % i e' i684. 277 administer the said oaths to the same person so elected- and approved of, as is premised, and to admit him to the execution of the office of common-clerk of the said city: to which mayor of the said city for the time being we give and grant by these presents power and authority of giving and adminis- tering the said oaths to the said common-clerk, without pro- curing or obtaining any other warrant or commission in thisj^°7,"^^'t%; behalf from us, our heirs or successors. Provided also and we^jf/riff."""" will, that no common-clerk of the said city during his con- tinuance in that office may or shall be alderman or sheriif of the city or county aforesaid. ^X^t tUtll also and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their suc- cessors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may and shall have within the city aforesaid one steward for the There shaii be court of the sheriff of the county of the city of Bristol afore- the sheriff's . . . court. said ; and for the better execution of our will and grant in this behalf w^e have assigned, nominated, ordained, constituted and made, and by these presents for us, our heirs and succes- sors we assign, nominate, ordain, constitute and make ourxhe steward beloved John Robins to be the first steward of the court of court nomi- the sheriff of the said city, to continue in that office during his natural life: and we Avill and grant that the said John majori civltat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' admiiiistrare sacra' et jurament' p'dict' eidem psone sic elect' & approbat' ut p'fertur & eum ad execucoem ofBc' cois clici civitat' p'dict' admittere cuiquidem majori civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' dandi & admini- strandi sacra' & jurament' p'dict' p'fat' coi clico potestat' & authoritat' damus & conce- dimus p p'sentes absq' aliquo al' warranto vel commissione a nob' hered' vel successoribz n'ris in ea pte procurand' aut obtinend' Proviso etiam & volumus quod nullus com- munis clicus civitat' p'dict' duran' continuacon' sua in officio illo sit aut erit aldrus sive vicecomes civitat' sive com' p'dict' tIKOlUltlU.ff etiara ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris major' burgensibz & coitati civitatis p'dict' & successor' suis conce- dimus quod ipsi & successores -sui decetero imperpetuum h'eant & he'bunt infra civitat' p'dict' unum senescall' pro cur' vicecomit' com' civitat' Bristol' p'dict' Et pro meliori execucoe voluntatis & concessionis n're in hac parte assignavimus nominavimus ordinavimus constituimus & fecimus ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris assignamus nominamus ordinamus constituimus & faclmus dilcm nob' Johem Robins fore & esse primum senescal' cur' vicecomit civitat' p'dict' continuand' in ofSc' ill' duran' vita sua 278 Carta f unit % 36 Catoli % f e' i684. JRobins and every other succeeding steward of the said court hereafter to be chosen may have, hold and enjoy, and may be enabled and empowered to have, hold and enjoy, as many, as His fees, &c. great, such, the same and of such sort offices, wages, profitB, perquisites and emoluments whatever, which, as great as and such as the stewards of the court of the sheriff of the county and city aforesaid heretofore had, held or enjoyed, or may be enabled or empowered or had aright to have, hold and enjoy : he the said John Robins, and every other succeeding steward of the court of the sheriff aforesaid hereafter for ever, giving the aforesaid oath mentioned in the act of parliament afore- uis oaths, said, and also all other oaths heretofore usually administered to the steward of the court of the sheriff of the county of the city of Bristol aforesaid, and at the time of his admission to the office of steward of the said sheriff's court taken by him. And moreover we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and com- monalty of the said city and to their successors, that if it shall happen that the said John Robins or any other steward of the sheriff's court of the city aforesaid for the time being should die or be removed from that office, or in case of any other vacancy, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor and natural' Et volumus & concedimus qd diet' Johes Robins et quilt aP succedens senescall' cur' p'dict' imposter' eligend' he'ant teneant & gaudeant ac here tenere & gaudere valeant &. possint tot tant' tal' eadem & hmoi officia vad' profic' pquisic' & emolument' quecunq' que quant' & qual' senescall' cur' vicecom' com' & civitat' p'dict' ante hec tempora h'uerunt tenuer vel gavisi fuerunt aut h'ere tenere & gaudere valeant aut possint aut debuerunt ipso p'fato Johe Robins &c quoit aV succeden' senescal' cur' vicecomit' p'dict' de cetero imppm p'stante p'dict' sacra' in p'dict' act' parliament' menconat' necnon omn' al' jurament' antehac usualit' administral' senescallo cur' vicecomit' com' civitat' Bristol' p'dict' pro [lege &] tempore admissionis sue ad offic' senescall' diet' cur' vice- comit' p'stit' Et insup volumus ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz & coitati civitat' p'dict' & successor' suis quod si contigerit p'dict' Johem Robins vel aliquem al' senescall' cur' vicecomit' civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' obire vel amoveri ab offic' ill' vel in casu alterius vacantie liceat & licebit majori 8c coi concilio civitat' predict' pro tempore cxislen' vel majori part'eor' (quor' Carta funii % 36 Catoli % i t i<384. 279 common-council of the said city for the time being or for the greater part of them (of whom the mayor for the time being we will to be one) to choose and nominate one other person on a vacancy in the place of him so dead or removed from the said office ; couacii shau J /■ 1 1 elect another and so, as otten as the case shall so happen. Provided always steward, and we will that no one shall be elected to the office of steward of the sheriffs' court of the city aforesaid, unless he be learned in the laws, and a barrister for the space of three He shaii be a , , - , barrister of years at the least ; and that no person so elected or to be 3 years stand- inc. elected to the office of steward aforesaid in case of death or removal, as is before said, shall be admitted to take the oaths aforesaid, or to exercise the office of steward of the court aforesaid, until we, our heirs or successors shall signify an ap- probation of him so elected or to be elected to the office of steward of the court aforesaid under the royal hand of us, Heshaiibe 1- i-i-.^.. n r 1 apprftved of our heirs or successors; which signification or lavour and ap- by the king, probation being so had and obtained, as is premised, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor of the city aforesaid for the time being to administer the oaths aforesaid to the same person so elected and approved of, as is above mentioned, and to admit him to the execution of the office of steward of the court aforesaid: to which mayor of the said city for the time being we give and grant by these presents power and authoiity major' pro tempore existen' unum esse volumus) eligere & nominare un' al' pson' in loc'' ipsius sic mort' vel ab offic' p'dict' amoti & sic tocies quoties casus sic acciderit Proviso semp et volumus quod nullus ad offic' senescall' cur' vicecom' civitat' p'dict' electus erit nisi sit in legibz erudit' &c barraster' p spatium trlum annor' ad minimum & quod nulla psona sic elect' vel eligend' ad offic' senescall' p'dict' in casu mortis vel amocois lit p'fertur admittetur sacra' & jurament' p'dict' p'stare vel exercere offic' senescall' cur' p.'dict' usq' nos hered' vel successores n'ri significabimus vel significabunt approbacoem ipsius sic elect' vel eligend' ad offic' senescall' cur' p'dict' sub manu regal' n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' qua significacoe favor' & approbaconis sic h'it' & obtent' ut p'fertur liceat & licebit majori civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' administrare sacra' & jurament' p'dict' eidem psone sic elect' & approbat' ut p'fertur & eum ad execucon' offic' senescall' cur' p'dict' admittere cuiquidem major' civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' dandi & administrandi sacra' & jurament' p'dict' p'fato senescallo cur' vicecomit' p'dict' potestat* 280 Carta f unii 2, 36 Carolt % i e' i684. of giving and administering the oaths aforesaid to the said steward of the sheriff's court aforesaid, without procuring or obtaining any other warrant or commission in this behalf from m our heirs or successors. W^t \UUl moreover and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their suc- cessors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may There shall be and shall havc two coroners within the said city; and for the two coroners. •/■ -n iir-i "i better execution of our will in this behalf we have assigned, nominated, constituted and made, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we assign, nominate, constitute and Tbetwocoro- make our beloved Georee Lunell fal' LymeUI and Rowland nated. Searchfield to be the first coroners of the same city. And we will that the said George Lunell and Rowland Searchfield and the coroners of the same city for the time being before their admission into the office aforesaid shall respectively make and Their oaths, take upon them the oath of allegiance appointed in the afore- said act of parliament, and also the oaths usually taken and given heretofore by the coroners of the said city. And we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant, that in case of the death or removal of the said George Lunell and Rowland Searchfield or either of them or of any other £c authoritat' tiamus & concedimus p p'sentes absq' aliquo al' warranto vel commissione a nobis hered' vel successoribz n'rls in ea pte procurand' aut obtinend' tlHoIUniU^ insup ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz ii'ris concedimus majori burgensibJs et coitati civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod ipsi & successores sui decetero imppm h'eant & h'ebunt [dele infra civilat' p'dict'] duos coronatores infra civitat' p'dict' et pro meliori execucoe voluntat' n're in hac pte assignaviinus nominavimus constituimus &c fecimus ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribus n'ris assignamus noliiinamus contituimus & facimus dilectos nobis Georgiura Lunell & Rowland Searchfeild fore & esse primes coronatores civitat' ejusdem Ei volumus quod diet' Georgius Lunell &c Rowland Searchfeild & coronatores ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existen' antequam admission' suam in offic' p'dict' capient & recipient respective juramcnt' ligeantie anglice the oath of allegiance in p'dict' acta parliament' appui)ctuat' necnon jurament' usualit antehac capt' & p'stit' p coronator' p'dict' civitat' Et volumus ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus quod in casu mortis vel amoconis p'dict' Georgij Lunell & Rowland Searchfeild aut eor' alterius vel alicujus al' coronator' ejusdem civitat' im- Carta funii % 36 catolt 2, f e' i684. 281 coroner of the same city hereafter to be chosen or in case of any other vacancy of that office, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor and common-council of the said City for the time being or the greater part of them, of whom the mayor of the same city for the time being we will to be one, to choose and nominate one or two persons into the place andon vacancies J- ^ the common- office of him or them so dead or removed, as is above men- council shaii ' choose other tioned ; provided always and we will that no person in future coroners. elected or to be elected to the office of coroner of the same city shall be sworn or be admitted to the execution of the office They sbaii be •^ approved oi of coroner of the same city, before we, our heirs or successors by the king, shall signify the approbation of us, our heirs or successors of him or them so elected or to be elected to the said office of coroner of the same city under the royal hand of us, our heirs or successors ; which approbation being so had and obtained, as aforesaid, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor of the same city for the time being to administer the said oaths to the said person or persons so approved of, as is premised, and to admit him or them to the execution of the otjfice of coroner of the said city : to which mayor of the said city for the time being we give and grant by these presents full power and authority of giving and administering the said oaths to the poster' eligend' vcl in casu alicujus alt'ius vacantie offic' ill' liceat & licebit majori & coi concilio civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' vel majori pti eor' (quor' major' ejusdem civltat' pro tempore existen' unum esse volumus) eligere & nominare un' vel duos in loc' & ofBc' ipius vel ipor' sic mortui vel amoti mortuor' vel amotor' ut p'fertur Proviso semp & volumus quod nulla psona imposter' elect' vel eligend ad offic' coronator' ejusdem civitatis juretur vel ad execucon' offic' coronator' ejusdem civitat' admissus erit antequam nos heredes vel successores n'ri significabimus vel significabunt approbacon' n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' ipius vel ipor' sic elect' vel eligend' elect' vel eligend' ad diet' offic' coronator' ejusdem civitatis sub manu regal' n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' qua approbacon' sic habit' S>c obtent' ut p'fertur liceat & licebit majori ejusdem civitat' pro tempore existen' administrare sacra' & jurament' p'dict' p'fat' pson' vel psonis sic approbat' ut p'fertur & earn vel eos ad execucon' offic' coronator' civitat' p'dict' admittere cuiquidem major' civitat' p'dict' pro tempore existen' p'fat' coronator' ejusdem civitat' pro tempore existen' sacra' &: jurament' p'dict' dandi & administrandi plenam potestat' & o o shall take the oaths before certain cora- niiisBi oners. 282 Carta Sfuntt 2, 36 Catolt 2, c e' i684. said coroners of the same city for the time being ; without procuring or obtaining other warrant, writ or commission in this behalf from us, our heirs or successors. 9ittb fUttj^Ct we will and order that the mayor, sheriffs, coramon-council- men, aldermen, justices of the peace, common-clerk, steward of the sheriff's court, and coroners of the city and county afore- said and every one of them nominated and constituted in these presents (the aforesaid John Churchill, knight, excepted) shall take respectively and every one of them shall take the corporal The ma or '^^^^ ^f o-^^gi^^^^^ ^"^^ thc oaths appoiutcd by the aforesaid act aldermen, &c. q£ parliament, and also all other oaths concerning the well and faithfully executing their offices and trusts respectively in and through all cases, before our well-beloved and' very faithful councillor Francis, '^'^ baron of Guildford, keeper of our great seal of England ; and our well-beloved and very faithful cousin and councillor Henry ^^duke of Beaufort; our well beloved and very authoritat' damns & concedimus p p'sentes absq' aliquo al' warranto brevi vel commissione a nobis hered' vel successoribz n'ris in ea pte pcurand' aut obtinend' dEt Ult'JUje! volumus et p'cipimus quod major vicecomites commun' consiliarij aldermanni justiciarij ad pacem cois clicus senescall cur' vicecom' & coronatores civitatis et com' p'dict' & quilt eor' in hijs p'sentibz nominal' & constitut' (p'fato Johe Churchill mil' except') respective sacrament' corporal' ligeantie anglice vocat' the oath of allegiance &c sacra' p p'dict' act' parliament' appunctuat' necnon omn' jurament' in omnibz & p omnia offic' & fiduc' suas respective tangen' bene & fidelit' exequend' p'stabunt' & eor' quilibet p'stabit coram p'dilco & pquamfidel' consiliario nro Francisco Barone de Guilford custod' magni sigilli n'ri Angl' p'dilco &; pquamfidel' consanguineo & consiliario nro Henrico duce de Beaufort p'dilco & pquamfidel' consanguineo nro Carolo marchione de Worcestr' {12) Baron Guildford.'] Francis Norlli, lord keeper; a illustrious nublcinuii, whose zeal in the cause of his sove- wise and upright judge in times of great difficulty. His life, reign and gallanhy in defending his castle of Ragland, the written by his relation Roger North, which was become last refuge of loyalty in the » est, will never be forgotten, very scarce, has been lately reprinted, as it well deserved. Henry, first Duke of Beaufort, lived at Badminton, as his giandfather had done at Ragland, in a princely way, some {\ 3) Duke of Beaufort,'] He was first Duke of Beaufort, account of which maybe seen in the life of Lord Keeper created in l685. See Sandford's Gcneal' Hist' (p' 384). He Guildford, vol, 1, p" 255. He died in 1699. His grandson, was Lord Lieutenant of the rounties of Gloucesler, BRIS- who succeeded hira, was likewise lord lieutenant of Bristol. TOL, Hereford and Monmouth; and being in command In 1703, he entertained queen Anne at Badminton; and in here in 1685, the year after the grant of this charier during 1710, he is said to have openly congratulated her Majesty on Monmouth's rebellion, he held Bristol with a steady hand, the dismissal of the whig-ministry. His grace the present He was grandson of Henry, first Marquis of Worcester, that duke of Beaufort is the sixth duke of this noble family. Carta funu % S6 Catoli % i t' i684. 283 faithful cousin Charles, ^'^ marquis of Worcester, son and heir- apparent of the before-mentioned duke of Beaufort ; our well- beloved and very faithful councillor ^^Leoline Jenkins, knight; and our beloved and faithful ^^ Charles Kemish, baronet; ^'' John Smith, baronet ; James Herbert, knight ; and John Fitzherbert, esquire, or any three of thera ; of whom the said Francis baron of Guildford, keeper of our great seal, or Henry, duke of Beau- fort, or Charles, marquis of Worcester, or Leoline Jenkins, knight, we will to be one : to which Francis, baron of Guildford, keeper of our great seal, Henry duke of Beaufoi-t, Charles marquis of Worcester aforesaid, Leoline Jenkins, knight, Charles Kemish, baronet, John Smith, baronet, James Herbert, knight, and John Fitzherbert or any three of them (of whom the said keeper of our great seal, or Henry duke of Beaufort, or Charles marquis of Worcester aforesaid, or Leoline Jenkins, knight, we will to be one) we give and grant by these presents full power and authority of giving and administering the several oaths fir & hered' apparen' p'menconat' duels de Beaufort p'diico & pquamfider cousiliario nro Leolin' Jenkins mil' & dileis & fidel' n'ris Carolo Kemish bar' Johc Smith bar' Jacobo Herbert mil' et Johe Fitzherbert armigero aut aliquibz tribz eor' (quor' p'dict' Francum baron' de Guilford custodem magni sigilli n'ri aut Henricum ducem de Beaufort aut Carol' marchion' de Wovcestr' vol Leolin' Jenkins mil' unum esse volumus) qulbus- quidem Franco baroni de Guilford custod' magni sigilli n'ri Henrieo duci de Beaufort Carolo marchioni de Worcestr' p'dict' Leolin' Jenkins mil' Carolo Kemish bar' Johi Smith bar' Jacobo Herbert mil' Johi Fitzherbert aut aliquibz tribz eor' (quor' p'dict' custodem magni sigilli n'ri aut Henricum ducem de Beaufort aut Caror Marchion' de Worcestr' p'dict' vel Leolin' Jenkins mil' unum esse volumus) dandi & administrandi sepal' sacrament' & jurament' p'dict' sepalibz & respectivis officiarijs & psonis p'dict' (l 4) Claries, m' of Worcester.'^ Being horn in London some with Lord C J' Hale in drawing up the statute of frauds and few months after the return of k' Charl'S 3, his majesty perjuries, " of which the Lord Nottingham said that every stood godfather to him at his baptism Like his grandfather, line was worth a subsidy." See more of him in the Life of Edward, marquis of Worcester, Lord Herbert of Ragland,he LordGuildford, and in Granger's Biographical Hist', Charles was a person of learning and ingenuity. He died prematurely 2, class 5. And as he is considered the second founder of in iCgs, during the life of his father, in consequence of Jesus CoU' in Oxford, see Chalmers's History of the Colleges leaping out of his coach, when the horses ran away. From and Halls. See his Life also in the Biographia Britanuica. Sandford's Gen' Hist' 372 b. ,,n „■ ^, 7 i^ • .t r ht .... , „. {li>) Sit Charles Kemishi 01 Monmouthshire and Glamoc- Efsnsnirc (_is) Sir Leoline JenJcins.J Secretary of state; an eminent civilian, who is supposed to have had a great share jointly (ly) Sir John Smitk^ of LiODg-AsIitoD. O 2 284 Carta futtu % Catoli % (' e' i684. aforesaid to the several and respective officers and persons afore- said, without procuring or obtaining any other commission or warrant in this behalf from us, our heirs or successors. We also will that the said John Churchill knight shall take the several oaths for the due execution of the several offices and trusts of recorder, alderman, and justice of the peace of the said city, and also the oath called the oath of allegiance appointed by the act of parliament aforesaic), before the said Francis, baron of Guildford, keeper of our great seal, Henry duke of Beaufort, Charles, marquis of Worcester aforesaid, and Leoline Jenkins, knight, or any one of them ; to which keeper of our great seal, Henry duke of Beaufort, Charles marquis of Wor- cester aforesaid and Leoline Jenkins, knight, or any one of them, we give and grant by these presents full power and authority of giving and administering the several oaths to the said John Churchill, knight, without procuring or obtaining any other commission or warrant in that behalf from us. ^^Utl)0l3l always and by these presents we reserve to us, our heirs and successors full '"power and authority from time to time at all times hereafter of removing apd declaring to be plen' potestat' &c authoritat' damus & concedimus p p'sentes absq' aliqua al' commissione vel warranto a nob' hered' vel successoribz n'ris in ea pte procurand' aut obtinend' Vo- lumus etiam quod p'dict' Johes Churchill mil' sepal' sacrament' pro deba execucoe sepal' officior' -& fiduciar' recordator' aldri & justiciarij ad pacem civitat' p'dict' necnon sacra- ment' vocat' the oath of allegiance & jurament' p act' parliament' p'dict' appunctuat' p'stabit coram p'fat' Franco baron' de Guilford custode magni sigilli n'ri Henrico duce de Beaufort Carolo marchion' de Worcestr' p'dict' & Leolin' Jenkins mil' aut aliqu' un' eor* quibusquidem custodi magni sigilli n'ri Henrico duci de Beaufort Carol' marchion' de Worcestr' p'dict' & Leolin' Jenkins mil' aut alicui uni eor' dandi & administrandi sepal' sacra' & jurament' p'fato Johi Churchill mil' plenam potestat' & authorital' damus & concedimus p p'sentes absq' aliqu' al' commissione vel warranto a nobis in ea pte procurand' aut obtinend' ^^obtjSiO semp ac plenam potestat' & authoritat' nob' hered' & successoribz n'ris p p'sentes reservamus de tempore in tempus & ad omnia temper' (Mi) Pimeriijfremomng.'\ It was evidently for the sake of these did the unfortunate family of Steuart, after a continual introduciog this clause, that the late charter was annulled struggle of about fourscore years, bring about their own and the present granted. By such arbitrary proceedings as expulsion from the throne. Carta futtii % 36 Catoli % i' r 1684. 285 removed the mayor, recorder, and any one or more of the Power of re- 11 ^ • rr ^ p ti moving the aldermen or shentts, and any one or more oi the common- mayor, &c. reserved to the council, or the common-clerk, the steward or coroners of the=rown- city aforesaid nominated and constituted by these presents or hereafter to be nominated and elected, at the will and pleasure of us, our heirs or successors by any order of us, our heirs or successors made in privy council and signified to the same persons respectively under the seal of the privy council afore- said. And as often as we, our heirs or successors by any such order made in privy council shall declare such mayor, recorder, or any one or more of the aldermen, sheriffs, and any one or more of the common-council, or the common-clerk, steward or coroners of the same city, who are now nominated and constituted by these presents or hereafter shall be elected and nominated, to be removed from their respective offices afore- said, that then and thenceforth, the mayor, recorder, and any one or more of the aldermen or sheriffs, and any one or more of the common-council, or the common-clerk, the steward or coroners of the same city by these presents now constituted and nominated or hereafter to be constituted and elected, being so removed or declared to be removed from their several re- spective offices and trusts, shall actually, and without any further imposter' ad major' recordator' & aliquem vel aliquos aldror' vel vicecomit' & aliquem vel aliquos de coi consllio vel coem clicum senescall' ve! coronator' civitat' p'dict' p p'sentes nominat' & constitut' vel imposter' nominand' & eligend' ad libit' & beneplitm n'rm hered' vel successor' nror' p aliquem ordinem nrm hered' vel successor' nror' in private concilio fact' 8s sub sigillo privat' concilij p'dict' eisdem respective significat' ad amovend' & amot' & amotos esse declarand' et quoties nos heredes vel successores nri p aliquem tal' ordinem in privato concilio fact' declarabimus humoi major' recordator' aut aliquem vel aliquos aldror' vicecomit' & aliquem vel aliquos de coi concilio aut coem clicum senescall' seu coronator' ejusdem civitat' qui nunc p p'sentes nominat' & constitut' sunt vel imposter' erunt elect' & nominal' fore & esse amot' vel amot' a respectivis ofEcijs p'dict' quod tunc & extunc major recordator &c aliquis vel aliqui aldror' vel vicecomit' & aliquis vel aliqui de coi concilio aut cois clicus senescall' seu coronator' ejusdem civitat' p p'sentes nunc constitut' & nominat' vel imposter' constituend' & eligend' sic amot' ve! amotos esse declarat' sive declarand' a sepalibz respectivis ofEcijs & fiducijs suis ipso 286 Carta ^mii % 36 Caroli % C e' 1684. process, really, and to all intents and purposes whatever be removed ; and this as often as the case shall so happen, any thing to the contrary notwithstanding, ^sit ^tll also and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant and order that all the corn and grain hereafter brought into the said city by land shall be bought and sold at the ancient Corn biougiit market-placc in Wine-street within the said city. We will be snid at the moreover and by these presents for us, our heirs and succes- ancient market-place, sors wc graut to thc mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may have, hold and keep, and may be enabled and empowered to have, hold and keep for the buying and selling of all and all sorts of grain imported by A market for watcr a market at the Key of the city of Bristol aforesaid, at by wa'ter"^*'* ^ pl^cc comuionly Called Aldworth's slip situate on the said key of Bristol, and from thence along the same river called the Froom towards the Gibb for the space of thirty yards. And we will and grant that the said market may and shall be governed and appointed as shall seem expedient to the mayor and alder- men of the same city for the time being or to the greater part of them, of whom the mayor for the time being we will to facto & sine aliquo ulterior' processii realit' & ad omn' intencoes & proposlt' quecunq' amoti sint & erint & amotus sit & crit et hoc toties [lege quoties] casus sic acciderit aliquo in contrar' non obstan' tMolumUjS etiam ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & suc- cessor' n'ris concedimus & pcipimus quod omn' frument' & gran' iniposter' in civitat' p'dict' port' p tcrram vendit' & empt' erunt apud antiqu' forum mercatorium (Anglice the antient markett place) in le Wine-Street infra civitat' p'dict' Volumus insup ac p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz nris concedimus majori burgensibus & comunitat" civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod ipsi & successores sui de cetero imppm h'eant teneant &c custodiant & h'ere tenere & custodire valeant & possint unum mercatum pro empcoe & vendicoe omn' & omiod' gran' import' p' aquam ad port' (anglice the Key) civitat' Bristol' p'dict' apud locum coit' vocat' Aldworth's Slip scituat' sup diet' port' Bristol' & exinde secus eund' fluvium vocat' Froom versus le Gibb p spacium trigint' virgar' (anglice thirty yards) Et volumus & concedimus quod diet' mercat' gubernat' & appunctuat' sit & erit prout majori & aldris ejusdem civitat' pro tempore existen' vel majori pti eor' (quor' major' pro tempore existen' unura esse volumus) expedien' videbitur Carta futiu % 36 Catoli % i e' 1684. 287 be one. Provided always and we order for us, our heirs or successors that hereafter for ever all and as much grain as shall for the future be imported to another part, viz' to the Back of the said city, may be bought and sold at the same place. Nevertheless we will that the said market be regulated, and reasonable tolls thence arising, coming out and growing shall be made and paid in such manner and quantity, as to the mayor and aldermen of the said city for the time being or to Mayor and ai. the greater part of them, of whom the mayor for the timefixThrtoUs. being we will to be one, shall seem convenient and expedient. ?!1J^0 also will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their successors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may have, hold and keep, and may be enabled and empowered to have, hold and keep three fairs for the buying and selling of all and all sorts of wool, Three doth- wooUen cloths and woollen goods on the days mentioned below ;hoHen''aiI.''^ viz' the first of them in and upon the eighteenth day of April, "treer" '°^" and to last for two days ; the second to begin and to be holden in and upon the eighteenth day of June and to last for two days ; and the third of the same fairs to begin and be Proviso semp & p'cipimus pro nobis hered' & successor' nris quod de cetero imppm. omn' &; tant' gran' que imposterum import' erunt ad alteram ptem civitat' p'dict' (anglice to the back of the said city) ibm vendit' & empt' poterint Attamen volumus quod diet' mercat' regulat' erit & ronabil' tallag' exinde provenien' emergen' & crescen' fact' & solut' erunt in tal' modo & quantitat' qual' majori & aldris civLtat' p'dict*^ pro tempore existen' unum esse volumus) convenien' & expedien' videbitur tEoIUKlUSS etiam ae p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & successoribz n'ris concedimus majori burgensibz & eoitati civitat' p'dict' & successor' suis quod ipi & successores sm. de ceto imppm habeant teneant & custodiant & h'ere tenere & custodire valeant & possint tres fer' sive nundin' pro empcoe & vendicoe omn' & omnimod' lanar' i9 lanar^ pannor' & laueor' opificior' in diebz inferius menconat' viz' prim' ear' in & sup decimum octavum diem mensis Aprilis & pro duobz diebz duratur' secund' incipiend' & tenend' in & super decimum diem- mensis junij & pro duobz diebz duratur' & tertiam ear'dem feriar' incipiend' & tenend' (l9)Za«ar«»i.] See note 13, p* 43 ; king. Charles's copyi&t seems to have been at a loss as much as the earlier^ 288 Carta Jutiii 2, 36 CatoU % v e' 1684. holden in and upon the first Thursday next after the feast of St. Michael the archangel and to last for that day ; unless any of the before mentioned four days shall happen to be Sunday, and then in and upon the Monday next following; the said several fairs to be kept and holden in the street within the city aforesaid commonly called King-Street, situate within the parishes of St. Nicholas and St. Stephen, which street is ter- minated at the northern end thereof by the Merchants' Hall in the same place, and at the southern end of the same street by the river Avon. We also grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the same city and to their successors, that they and their successors hereafter for ever may have, hold and keep and may be enabled and empowered to have, hold and keep five fairs for the buying and selling of all and all sorts Five horse- of horscs, mares and colts on the days next mentioned; viz' hoMen^an- the first of those fairs to be holden and kept in and upon """ ^' the twenty-fifth day of January in the street called Temple- street and to continue during the feast of St. Paul ; the second of the said fairs to be holden and kept at Redclift-hill in and upon the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth days of March ; the third of those fairs to be holden and kept in Broad-mead in the parish of St. James in and upon the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth jn & sup primum diem jovis prox' sequen' fest' Sci' Michis archi & p ilium diem duratur' nisi aliqu' prius nienconat' quatuor dier' acciderit esse dies dnicus & tunc in & sup diem June px sequen' diet' sepal' fer' sive nundin' diebz p'dcis custodiend' & tenend' in vico infra civitat' p'dict' coit' vocat' King-street scituat' infra poch' de Sanct' Nicholao & Sancto Stephan' qui vicus determinat' septentrional' fine ejusdem cum aula mercator' ibidem necnon austral' fine ejusdem vici cum fluvio Avon' Necnon concedimus majori burgensibz & coitati civitat' p'dict' & successoribz suis quod ipi et successorcs sui de cet'o imppm h'eant teneant & custodiant ac h'ere tenere & custodire valeant & possint quinq' ferias sive nundin' pro empcoe & vendicoe oran' &c omnimod' equor' equar' & equuleor' diebz px menconat' viz' prim' ear' fer' tenend' & custodiend' in & sup vicesimum quintum diem mensis januarij in vico vocat' Temple-street & continuare duran' fest' Sci' Pauli secund' p'dict' fer' tenend' & custodiend' apud Redclift-hill in & sup vicesimum quintum et vicesimum sextum dies mensis martij tertiam ear' feriar' tenend' & custodiend' in Broad-mead in paroch' Sci' Jacobi in & sup vicesimum quintum 8c vicesimum sext* dies Carta Junii % 36 Catolt 2, i' e' i684. 289 days of May ; the fourth of these fairs to be holden and kept in Temple-street aforesaid in and upon the twenty-fifth and twenty- sixth and twenty-seventh days of September ; and the fifth of the said fairs to be holden and kept upon Redclift-hitl in and upon the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh days of November ; the said several fairs to be holden and kept in the several places and days aforesaid (unless any of the said days shall happen to be Sunday, and then in and upon the Monday next following) yearly and every year hereafter for ever, accord- ing to the intention of these our letters patent ; together with court of pie-powder to be kept in the same places at the time of court of the same several fairs, and also with all liberties and free cus- granted toms belonging to such court ; together with toll, stallage, ^"piccage, fines, amercements and all other profits, commodities and emoluments whatever pertaining to, respecting, arising from, happening or belonging to such markets or fairs and courts of pie-powder respectively. Nevertheless so that the said several markets or fairs or any of them be not to the prejudice of the neighbouring markets or fairs. JHO^COuCt we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mensis maij quart' ear' feriar' tenend' & custodiend' in Tempre-street p'dict' in & sup vicesimnm quintum vicesimum sextum & vieesimum septimum dies mensis Septembris & quint' p'dict' fer' tenend' & custodiend' sup' RedclifFe-hill in & sup vicesimum quintum vicesimum sextum & vicesimum septimum dies mensis Novembris p'dict' sepal' fer' sive nundin' in sepalibz locis & diebz p'dcis nisi aliquis p'dict' dier' acciderit esse dies dnicus & tunc in & sup diem lune px sequent' tenend' & custodiend' annuatim & quoit anna de cetero imppm secundum intencon' bar' Irar' nrar' paten' unacum cur' ped' pulverizat' ibm tempore ear'dem sepal' fer' sive nundin' tenend' necnon cum omnibz libertatibz & libis consuetud' ad hmoi cur' ptinen' simul cum theolon' stallag' piccag' finibz amercia- ment' ac omibz al' pfic' comoditat' & emolument' quibuscunq' ad humoi mercaf fer' sive nundin' & cur' ped' pulverizat' respective ptinen' spectan' emergen' acciden' sive contingen' Ita tamen quod diet' sepal' mercat' sive nundin' aut eor' aliqu' non sinl vel sit ad nocument' vicin' mercat' feriar' sive nundinar' tHoiUltlUS" insup ac p p'sentes pro nob' hered' & successor' n'ris concedimus p'fat' major' burgensibz & coitati civltat' p'dict' & (20) Pkcage] ' is money paid in fairs for breaking of the sage it seems somewhat different from stallage. ' ground to set up boothes or standings.' Yet in this pas- Pp 290 Carta Junit % 36 Catoli % i' e' 1684. said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that the same mayor, burgesses and com- monalty and citizens of the said city and their successors here- after for ever may have, hold, use and enjoy and may be enabled and empowered fully to have, hold, use and enjoy for ever all gifts, grants, courts, liberties, exemptions, francheses, acquit- tances, articles, immunities and customs, contained, declared, A confiima ^^plalncd, specificd or confirmed as well in these presents as in tion of all g^jjy other charters or letters patent of us or of any of our pro- rormer grants. ■' . -t^ J Z genitors or predecessors late kings or queens of England; and also all and singular other francheses, privileges, lands, tene- ments and hereditaments, liberties, customs, exemptions and acquittances as well by land as by water, which have been formerly lawfully granted to the mayor, burgesses and com- monalty, or to the citizens, burgesses or inhabitants of the said city, or have been heretofore lawfully used or enjoyed by them or any of them by any name or names of incorporation, and which by these presents are not changed ; and them for us, our heirs and successors, as far as lies in oUr power, to the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their successors for ever of our especial favour by virtue of these presents we give, restore, approve of and confirm by these successor' suis quod ijdem major burgenses & coitas & elves civitat' p'dict' & successores sui de cetero imppm h'eant teneanl utantur & gaudeant ac plene habere tenere uti '& gaudere possint & valeant imppm omn' donacoes concessiones curias libtates exempcoes franches' quietanc' articul' imunitat' & consuetudin' tam in hijs p'sentibz quam in aliquibz al' chartis sive Iris paten' n'ris seu aliquor' vel alicujus progenitor' sive antecessor' nror' nup regum vel reginar' Angl' content' declarat' explanat' specificat' seu confirmat' aceciam omnia et singul' al' franches' privileg' terr' tenement' & hereditament' lib'tat' consuetud' exempcoes & quietancias tam p terram qm p aquam [supple quje] majori burgensibus et coitati vel civibz burgensibz aut inhitantibz civitat' p'dict' p'antea I'itime concess' fuerunt vel p illos vel eor' aliquem p aliquod noen sive p aliqua noia incorporacois antehac ritime us' vel gavis' fuer' & que p p'sentes non mutat' existunt Et ea pro nob' hered* & succssoribz n'ris quantum in nob' est p'fat' major' burgensibz & coitat' civitat' p'dict' & successor' suis imppm de gra n'ra sp'iali tenore p'sencium damus restituimus approbamus Carta funii 2^ 36 Catoli 2, f r i684. 291 presents. And moreover we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their successors, that they and their successors shall be restored to all and singular the autho- rities, jurisdictions, liberties, privileges, francheses, acquittances, immunities, and free customs of their predecessors, and we restore them to them and their successors by these presents as fully, freely and istirely, as they or their predecessors at any times of any of our progenitors or predecessors formerly kings or queens of England had, exercised, used or enjoyed them, or had a right to have, exercise, enjoy or use them, or even more freely, fully, and usefully : willing, and for us, our heirs and successors of our special favour and from our certain knowledge and mere motion granting to the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and to their successors, that altho' the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid or their Non-usage or predecessors hitherto have not used or perhaps have misused privne^es" .-, ... . ' T i- T1 j' •■! shall be no im. any one or more authorities, jurisdictions, liberties, privileges, pediment. francheses, immunities, acquittances, and free customs contained in the letters patent and charters aforesaid or in any of them or any of their customs in any case arising, nevertheless they the & confirmamus p p'sentes Ac insup volumus & p p'sentes pro nobis hered' & succes- soribz n'ris concedimus p'fat' majori burgensibz 8c coitati civltat' p'dict' Sc successoribz suis quod ipi & successores sui ad oia &; singul' authoritat' jurisdiccoes libtates privileg' franches' quietanc' imunitat' & liber' consuetudin' predecessor' suor' restituantur ac eadem ipis & successor' suis restituimus p p'sentes adeo plena libe & integre sicut ipi vel p'decessor' sui ea aliquibz temporibz aliquor' progenitor' vel antecessor' nror' quondam regum vel reginar' Anglie liberius plenius & utilius habuerunt ex'cuerunt usi vel gavisi fuer' vel h'ere ex'cere gaudere vel ,uti debuerunt Volentes ac pro nob' hered' & successor' n'r's de gra n'ra sp'iali ac ex c'la scienc' & mere motu n'ris eisdem majori burgensibz & coitati civitat' p'dict' & successor' suis concedentes qd licet major burgcnses & coitas civitat' p'dict' aut predecessor' sui aliqu' vel aliquibz authoritat' jurisdiccon' libtat' privileg' franches' imunitat' quietanc' & liber' consuetudin' in Ins paten' [supple &] ca'rtis p'dict' sen ear' aliqua content^ aut alijs consuetudin' suis aliquo casu emergen' etiamsi hactenus us' non fuer' seu forsan abus' fuer' ipi tamen major burgenses & coitas civitat' p'dict' & Pp 2 292 Carta f unit 2, 36 Caroli % i r i684. mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and their successors may liereafter for ever fully enjoy and use the same their authorities, jurisdictions, liberties, privileges, fran- cheses, immunities, acquittances and free customs whatever wholly unused or misused without hindrance or impediment of us, our heirs or successors or of any justices, sheriffs, coroners, eschaetors, clerks of markets, or of any other bailiffs or oflficers whatever of us, our heirs or successors ; any cause, matter or thing whatever had, done or provided to the contrary in times past notwithstanding. Wherefore we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors strictly enjoining we order, that the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city aforesaid and their successors may have, hold, use and enjoy, and may be enabled and empowered fully to have, hold, use and enjoy for ever all the liberties, authorities, and acquittances and other the premisses aforesaid according to the tenor and effect of these our letters patent, without hindrance or impediment of us, our heirs or successors, of any justices, sheriffs, or other bailiff's or The tenure, offlccrs wliatcvcr of US, our hcirs or successors : tO t)au0» hold and enjoy all and singular the premisses aforesaid granted above by these presents to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city and to their successors for ever ; to be holden of successores sui eisdem authoritat' jurlsdicon'' libtat' privlleg' fra^iches' imunitat' quietanc' & liber' consuetndin' suis quibuscunq' totalit' noa us' sen abus' [supple &] eor' quoit de cetero imppm pleiie gaudeant & utantur sine occone vel impediment' n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' aut justic' vicecomit' coronator' escaetor' cleric' mercat' aut aliquor' al' ballivor' seu ministror' nror' hered' vel successor' nror' quorcunq' aliqua causa materia seu re quacunq' temporibz retroactis in contrar' inde h'il' fact' seu provis* non obstan' Quare volumus ac p p'sen' pro nobis hered' &; successoribz n'ris firmit' injungen' p'cipimus quod p'fat' major burgenses & coitas civitat' p'dict' & successores sui habeant teneant utantur & gaudeant ac plene h'ere tenere uti & gaudere possiiit & valeant imppm omn' libtat' authoritat' & quietanc' ac al' p'missa p'dict' scdm tenor' & effect' har' Irar' n'rar' paten' sine occone vel impedimento n'ri hered' vel successor' nror' justic' vicecomit' sive al' ballivor' seu ministror' nror* hered' vel successor' nror' quor'cunq' jp^bCllD' tenend' & gaudend' omnia & singul' p'miss' p'dict' supius p p'sentes concess' p'fat' majori burgensibz & coitati civitat' p'dict' 8c successor' suis imppm Tenend' de nobis hered' & Catta funit % 36 CatoU % i' e' 1684. 293 us, our heirs and successors, as they were formerly holden : and rendering and paying to us, our heirs and successors yearly as many, as great, such, the same, and such sort of rents, services, sums of money and demands whatever, as many as, as great as, such as and which ought to be rendered or paid for the premisses or for any one or more of them : strictly commanding, &c. because express mention ^' of the true yearly value or certainty of the premisses or any of them, or of other gifts or grants by us or any of our progenitors or predecessors to the aforesaid mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the said city heretofore made, is not made in these presents; any statute, act, ordi- nance, provision, proclamation or I'estriction to the contrary thereof had, made, done, ordained or provided, or any other thing, cause or matter whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding. ^tt witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patents. Witness ourself at Westminster the second day of June in the 36th year of our reign. ^' PlgOtt, By writ of privy seal for a fine in the Hanaper j£6 13s. 4d. Guildfbrd, C. aS*. successoribus n'ris ut prius tenebantur Ac reddend' 8c solvend' nob' hered' & successo- ribus n'ris annuatim tot tant' tal' eadem & humoi redditus servitia denar' summas & demand' quecunq' quot quant' qual' & que pro p'missis seu eor' aliquo vel aliquibz reddi seu solvi debent Eo qd express' menco &c ^It cujus rei &c Teste meipo apud Westm' scdo die Junij. Per breve de privato sigillo. (2l)Mentum of the true.'] It will be observed that the (22)The title of this charter in the Roll (accidentally Latin copy from the Rolls does not contain the whole clause omitted in it's proper place) is this, ^Uaita fUS PateiC at length : the remainder of the English therefore is from tC Snno IR Wt Caroli scdi tXittfAXWi &t%t volentes qu6d idem Robertus Bound in officio majoris ejusdem civitatis erit et continuabit usque ad et in decimum quintum diem Septembris proximo futurum, et abinde quousque unus alius ad officium illud electus, perfectus et juratus fuerit, si idem Robertus Bound in officio prsedicto se ben^ tam diu gesserit. Assignavimus etiam, nominavimus, constituimus et confirmavimus, ac per prssentes pro nobis, hseredibus et succes- soribus nostris assignamus, nominamus, constituimus et confirmamus dilectum et fidelem nostrum Rolertum Eyre, militem, unum justiciariorum nostrorum ad placita coram nobis tenenda 298 Carta 24 julit* 9 ^nmt ileg' i' e' i7io. before us, the present recorder of the said city, to be and to remain recorder of the city of Bristol, as long as he shall behave himself well in the same office. Moreover we have assigned, nominated, appointed and confirmed, and we do by these pre- sents for us, our heirs and successors assign, nominate, appoint The recorder and confirm thc aforesaid Robert Eyre the present first alder- Zi"an^^'"mau of the said city of Bristol to be and to remain, and every recorder of the same city in future to be and to remain, first alderman of the said city of Bristol, as long he shall remain recorder of the same city : and moreover our beloved William Jackson, William Sxvymmer, Robert Yate, Samuel Wallis, John Batchelor, Aiciermen no- Esquivcs ; WHUam Dttines, John Hazokins, William Lewis, knights; Francis Whitchurch and Nathaniel Day, Esquires, the present aldermen of the said city, and also George Stephens, Esq', lately elected to be one of the aldermen of the said city of Bristol, to be and to remain aldermen of the said city of Bristol, and to continue in the said office, as long as they shall respectively behave themselves well in the same. We will moreover, and by these presents for us, oyr hell's and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commo- alty of our city of Bristol and to their successors, that there may and shall be for ever out of the better and more discreet citizens *ssignatorum, prassentem recordatorem civitalis prEedictae, fore et permanere recordatorem civitatis BristoH', quam dlu se bene gesserit in eodem officio. Necnon assignavimus, nomina- vimus, constituimus et confirmavimus, ac per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris assignamus, nominamus, constituimus et confirmamus praefatum Robertum Eyre prsesentem primuni aldermannum civitatis Bristol!' prsedictas fore et permanercj: et quemlibet alium recordatorem ejusdem civitatis in futuro esse et permanere primum aldermannum civitatis BristoU' praedictse, quamdiu recordator ejusdem civitatis remanserit : necnon dilectos nobig Willelmum Jackson, Willelmuin Swymmer, Robertum Yate, Samuelem ff^allis, Johantiem Batchelor, armigeros ; Wtllehnum Davis, [lege Daines] Johannem Hawkins, Willelmnm Lewis, milites ; Franciscum Whitchurch, et Nathanielem Day, armigeros, praesentes aldermannos civitatis praedictae ; necnon Georgium Stephens, armigerum, nuper electum esse unum alderman- norum civitatis Bristol!' praedictae, fore et permanere aldermannos civitatis Bristol!' praedictse, et continuandos in officio pra^dicto, quam diu se bene respective gesserint in eisdem. Volumus insuper et per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus majori, bur- ^nsibus et communitati civitatis nostree Bristol!' et successoribus suis, qubd in perpetuum sint Carta 24 fulii, 9 annae 3aeg' i' e' 1710. 299 and burgesses of the city of Bristol aforesaid forty-two persons Fiirty two besides the mayor of the said city for the time being, who shall <.i necnon praefatum Rolertum Eyre, militem, Willelmum Jackson, Willelmum Swymmer, Rolertum Yate, Samuelem Wallis, Johnnnem Batchelor, Willelmum Daines, Johannem Hawkins, Willelmum Lewis, Franciscum Whitchurch, Nathanielem Day, Georgium Stephens, aldermannos civitatis praedictee ; et dilectos nobis Willelmum Whitehead, armigerum, nuper majorem civitatis Bristoll' prasdictaa, et Jatolum Haynes, et Thomam Clements, armigeros, praesentes vicecomites civitatis Bristoll' praedictse; et dilectos nobis Egidium Merrick, Ricardum Bayly, Alrahamjim Elton, Christophorum Shuter, Thomam Hort, Henricum Whitehead, Antonium Swymmer, Henricum Walter, Morganum Smith, Abraham Hooke, Nicholaum Hicks, Onesiphorum Tyndall, Thomam Tyler, Philippum Freeke, Johannem Day, nuper vicecomites comitates civitatis Bristoll' praedictas ; necnon Willelmum Bayly, Hugonem Bickham, Johannem Loyd, et Edmundum Mountjoy, elves et burgenses et prsesens commune-concilium civitatis Bristoll' prsdictse^ fore et Qq2 300 caita 24 fuUi, 9 gintiae ileg' (' e' i7io. common-council of the city of Bristol aforesaid, to be and to remain common-council-men and the common-council of the said city of Bristol, to be continued in the said offices of common- council-men of the said city of Bristol, as long as they shall respectively behave themselves well in the. said offices. And we have further assigned, nominated, appointed and confirmed and we. do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors The sheriffs assigu, nomiuate, appoint and confirm our beloved James Hai/nes eoDfi'i'me^d."" and T7io??2a5 Clements, esquires, now sheriifs of our said city of Bristol and of the county of the same city, to be and to remain sheriffs of the city of Bristol and the county of the same; to be continued in the aforesaid office unto and upon the 15tli day of September which shall be next to the date of these presents ; and from thence until two others of the . common- council of the said city of Bristol for the time being shall be elected and sworn into the office of sheriffs of the county of the aforesaid city, if the same James Haynes and Thomas Clements shall respectively so long behave themselves well in the said The town- officc of shcrlffs. We have also assigned, nominated, appointed, pointed. and confirmed, and we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors assign, nominate, constitute and confirm our be- loved John Komsey, esq , the present common-clerk of our said pennanere homines de communi-concilio, (Anglice comfnon-cmincilmen) et commune concilium civitatis Bristol!' praedictae, continuandos in dictis officiis hominum de communi-concilio civitatis Bristoir praedictse, quam diu se bene respective gesserint in eisdem officiis. Et ulterius assigna- vimus, nominavimus, constituimus, et confirmavimus, ac per praesentes pro nobis, hasredibus et successoribus nostris assignamus, nominamus, constituimus et confirmamus dilectos nobis Jacohum Haynes et Thomam Clements, armigeros, niodo vicecomites civitatis nostrae Bristoll' prsedicttE et comitatus ejusdem civitatis, fore et permanere vicecomites civitatis Bristoll' et comitates ejusdem, continuandos in officio pradicto usque ad ct in praedictum decimum quintum diem Septembris proximo futurum [^supple post] datum prassentium ; et ab inde quousque duo alii de communi-concilio dicta; civitatis Bristoll' pro tempore e.xistente in officiis vicecomitum comitates civitatis pradictsE electi et jurati fuerint, si iidem Jacobus Haynes et Thomas Clements in officiis prsedictis vicecomitum respective tarn diu se bene gesserint. Assignavimus etiam, nominavimus, constituimus, et confirmavimus, ac per prsesentes pro nobis, hjeredibus et succes- soribus nostris assignamus, nominamus, constituimus et confirmamus dilectum nobis Johannem Romsey, armigerum, pra;sentem communem-clericum civitatis nostrae Bristoll' praedictae, fore coro- uers nonii- Carta 24 fulti, 9 ginnae Eeg' i' r i7io. 30i city of Bristol, to be and to remain common-clerk of the city of Bristol aforesaid, to be continued in the said office, as long as he shall behave himself well in the same. And further we have assigned, nominated, appointed and confirmed, and we do by these presents for ourselves, our heirs and successors assign, nominate, appoint and confirm our beloved Nathaniel Wade, esq', the present steward of the court of the sheriff of our said city 'of Bristol, to be and to remain steward of the court of The sfe>.ard . r Tt • 1 c of flie sliciiff* the sherm of the county ot the city of Jinstol aforesaid, to court uomi- be continued in that office, as long as he shall behave him- self well in the same. Moreover we have assigned, nomi- nated, appointed and confirmed, and Ave do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors assign, nominate, appoint and The two confirm our beloved Martin ISfehnes, and James Millard, gentlemen, l^tU the present coroners of our said city of Bri'^ol, to be and to remain coroners of the said city of Bristol, 16 be continued in those offices as long as they shall respective!}'- behave themselves well in the same, ^lltl ^DfjeteaS by the death of some of the common-council of the said city, and by reason of the con- temptuous refusal of certain burgesses of the said city to be of the common-council of the said city, to which office they have cferjliX""' been respectively elected in due manner, seven persons are nowcou^u!" et permanere comiiiunem-clericum civitatis Bristoll' prsedicta:, continuandum in dlcto officio, quam diu se bene gesserit in eodem. Et ulterius assignaviraus, nominavimus, constituimus et confirmavimus, ac per prasentes pro nobis, hsredibus et successoribus nostris assignamus, nominamus, constituimus et confirmamus, dilectum nobis Nathanielem IVade, armigerum, praBsentem senescallum curis vicecomitis civitatis nostras Bristoll' prssdicts, fore et permanere senescallum curiae vicecomitis comitatus civitatis Bristoll' praedictK, continuandum in officio illo, quamdiu se bene gesserit in eodem. Necnon assignavimus, nominavimus, constituimus et confirmavimus, ac per prsesentes pro nobis, hffiredibus et successoribus nostris assignamus, nominamus, constituimus et confirmamus dilectos nobis Martinum Nelmes et Jacohum Millard, generosos, prajsentes coronatores civitatis nostras Bristoll' prsedictse, fore et permanere coronatores civitatis Bristol!' praedicta;, continuandos in ofiiciis illis quamdiu se bene respective gesserint in eisdem. CUltlClUC p0t mortem aliquorum de communi-concilio civitatis praedictae el propter contemptuosam recusationem quorundam burgensium civitatis prsEdictee, esse de communiconcilio civitatis prsedictas, ad quod quidem officium debito modo respective elect! fuerunt,- septem personae 302 Carta m f ulii, 9 Pinnae Eeg' it i7io. wanting for filling up the aforesaid number of forty-two common- council-men of the said city beside the mayor of the said city ; know ye therefore that we will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we direct and ordain, that the mayor of the said city for the time being and the persons already The mayor nominated and appointed common-councilmen of the said city and preseat , p i i ii 11 common- Or tlic grcatcr part or them, shall assemble at some tune or council shall . fill up the times to be appomted for that purpose by the mayor of the TacancitB. said city for the time being before the 15th day of September next following ; and also that they being thus assembled shall by their votes choose and make so many of the burgesses of the said city of Bristol to be conunon-council-men of the same city, as shall substitute and fill up the number of forty-two of the common-council of the said city besides the mayor of the same city. 9iUtl fO^ t^t "bttttt execution of our royal good-will in this respect, we further will and by these presents strictly enjoyning the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol we direct and command, that the persons ah-eady nominated and appointed of the common-council of the said city or the greater part of them shall immediately and without pored" nsl°ii <^6l^y make and appoint reasonable laws and ordinances in serve'^"offices. Writing, with such pains, fines, amercements and penalties, as modo desunt ad complendum praedlctum numerum quadraginta et duorum de communi-concilio civitatis praBdiclae praeter majorem civitatis prsedictae ; sciatis igitur quod volumus et per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris praecipimus et ordinamus quod major civitatis praedictae pro tempore existens et personae praenominatae et constitutae homines de communi-concilio civitatis praedictae vel major pars eorum ad aliquod tempus vel aliqua tempora per majorem civitatis prasdictae pro tempore existentem ante decimum quintum diem Septembris proxime sequentem adinde appunc- tuanda sese congregabunt j ac etiam qubd illi sic assemblati per eorum sufFragia eligent et perficient tot de burgensibus civitatis Bristol!' praedictae fore et esse homines de communi-concilio ejusdem civitatis, quot succenturient et suppliant [lege suppleant] numerum quadraginta et duorum de communi-concilio civitatis praedictae praeter majorem ejusdem civitatis, finibus, amerciamentis et poenalitatibus^ qual' eis vel Cam 24 fulii, 9 mmt Eeg' i e' i7io, 305 shall seem fit to them or to the greater part of them, for the purpose of compelling and obliging every person duly elected into the office of common-council-man or into any other office by the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol or by the common-council of the same city, to take upon him and execute the office of common-council-man of the said city, and any other office of the said city, to which he shall respectively be elected, ^tttl \X}t VDIU furt|)er» and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant and confirm to the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol and to their successors, that the common-council ofcommoir- t • ^ • r \ • ^ • i i r t council em- the said city for the tmie being, or the greater part of them, powered t» ■^ ... make ordi- raay and shall have full power and authority of enacting, appoint- nance' f«' ing, ordaining, making, and settling from time to time in writings"* "'^'''•^ any reasonable laws, constitutions and oidinances whatever, which shall seem to them, or to the greater part of them collected and assembled for this purpose, likely to be good, useful, necessary and honourable, according to their sound discre- tion, for the good rule and government of the aforesaid city, the suburbs, precincts and liberties of the same, and of all and singular officers, attendants, artificers, inhabitants and residents whatever within the said city, the suburbs, liberties and precincts majori parti eorum expediendum vldebitur, ad compellendum et coercendum quamcunque personam in officium hoiitiinis de communi concilio, vel in aliquod aliud ofKcium per eosdem majorem, burgenses et communitatem civitatis Bristoll' vel per commune-concilium ejusdem civitatis debito modo electam super se suscipere et exequi officium hominis de communi-concilio praedictEe civitatis et quodlibet aliud officium civitatis praedictae in [supple quod] respective electus fuerit. ^t UltecilljS volumus ac per praesentes pro nobis, haredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus et eonfirmamus prsefatis majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis Bristoll' et successoribus suis, quod commune-concilium civitatis prsedictas pro tempore existens, vel major pars eorum habeant et habebunt plenam potestatem et auctoritatem condendi, constituendi, ordinandi, faci- endi et stabiliendi de tempore in tempus leges, constitutiones et ordinationes rationabiles in scripto quascunque, quae eis aut majori parti eorum ad hoc congregat' et assemblat' bona, salubrja, utilia, necessaria et honesta juxta eorum sanas discretiones fore videbuntur pro bono regimine et gubernatione civitatis praedictae, suburbiorum, praecinctuum et libertatum ejusdem, ac omnium et singulorum officiariorum, ministrorum, artificum, inhabitantium et residentium <[uorumcunque infra civitatem prsdictam, suburbia, libertates et prsecinctus ejusdem pro tempore ^04 Carta 24 fulit, 9 9inmt Eeg' t' e' i7io. of the same for the time being ; and for declaring in what man- tor .eguuting ner and order the aforesaid common-council of the said city theralLon. and all and each the artificers, inhabitants, and residents within council, ^^^ ^^.^^ ^.^^^ ^^^ suburbs, liberties and precincts of the same and the con- sliall bchavc and conduct themselves, and what manner and o^heVinha^i- ordcr they shall use; and for the further public good, common *"""' advantage and good rule of the said city, the suburbs, liberties, and for vie- ^i^^ prcclncts of the same; and for the victualling of the same: tuauihgthe ^^^ j-^£ appointing, ordaining, &c.] all other things and cases whatever touching or any ways concerning the said city, the suburbs, liberties and precincts of the same. And [we will] Common- that the common-council of the said city or the greater part powrr'to''"im- of them, as often as they shall enact, make, ordain, or settle penaui" r *"'' laws, coustitutions and ordinances of this kind in form aforesaid, shall make, ordain, impose, limit and provide pains, punish- ments and penalties such and of such kind by fines and amerce- ments or by both of them in and upon all offenders against the laws, ordinances and constitutions of this sort or against any one or more of them, such as it shall seem to the said common-council of the city aforesaid for the time being or to the greater part of them to be necessary, convenient and re- quisite to make, ordain, impose, limit and provide for the existentium ; ac pro declaratione quo modo et ordine praedictum commune-concilium civitatis prasdiclae, ac omnes efsinguli artifices, inhabitantes et residentes infra civitatem prasdictam, libertates, suburbia et praecinctus ejusdem in officiis, functionibus, mysteriis, artificiis el negotiis suis infra civitatem prsedictam, suburbia, libertates et praecinctus ejusdem sese habebunt, gerent et utentur ; [supple ac] pro ulterior! bono publico, communi utilitate et bono regimine dictee civitatis, suburbiorum, libertatura, et praecinctuum ejusdem, ac victualatione eorundera : ac res et causas alias quascunque civitatem praedictam, suburbia, libertates et praecinctus ejusdem tangentes seu quoquo modo concernentes. Quddque commune-concilium civitatis praedictse vel major pars eorum, quotiescunque hujusmodi leges, constltutiones, et ordinationes condiderint, fecerint, ordinaverint vel stabiliverint in forma przedicta facient, ordinabunt, imponent, limitabunt et providebunt hujusmodi et tales poenas, punitioncs et poenalitates per fines et amerciamenta vel per eorum utrumque in et super omnes deiinquentes contra hujusitiodi leges, ordinationes^ et constitutiones seu eorum aliquod vel aliqua, qualia et quas praedicto communi-concilio civitatis prsedictae pro tempore existenti vel majori parti eorum necessarium, opportunum et requisitum Cam 24 fuUi, 9 mmt Eeff C e' i7io. 305 observance of the same laws, constitutions and ordinances; and that they be enabled to levy, recover and possess themselves of the said fines and amercements by distress of goods and chattels, action of debt, or otherwise in a legal manner, to the use of the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and of their successors for ever, without the hin- drance of us, our heirs or successors, or of any one or more officers or servants of us, our heixs or successors, and without giving, paying or making any account thereof to us, our heirs or successors. All and each which laws, ordinances and consti- tutions to be made, as is aforesaid, we will to be observed under the penalty contained in the same. Nevertheless in such manner, that the laws, ordinances and constitutions to be made, ordinances as is aforesaid, be reasonable and be not repugnant nor contrary trary°to\he" to the laws, statutes, customs or rights of our kingdom ofrelim*! G' Britain. And moreover we will that the common-council of common- our said city of Bristol continue for ever to have in all causes, havrthe same matters and things whatsoever as great and such power, autho-beretoforr" rity and trust, as the common-council of our said city at any time heretofore had or enjoyed. WS^t 91100 VOtU and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant and confirm pro observatione earundem legum, ordinationum et consthutlonum fore videbjtur facere, ordinare, imponere, limitare et providere ; ac eadem fines et amerciamenta per districlionem bonorum et catallorum, actionem debiti, vel aliter legali modo levare, recuperare et habere possint et valeant ad usum praefatorum majoris, burgensium et comraunitatis civitatis nostrae Bristol!' prsedictae et successorum suorum in perpetuum, absque impedimento nostri, haeredum vel successorum nos- trorum, aut alicujus vel aliquorum officiarlorum vel ministrorum nostrorum, haeredum vel suc- cessorum nostrorum, et absque computo nobis, haeredibus vel successoribus nostris inde reddendo, solvendo, vel faciendo. Qux omnia et singula leges, jura, ordinationes et constitutiones sicut praefertur facienda observari volumus sub poeni in eisdem contenta. Ita tamen quod leges, ordinationes et constitutiones, sicut praefertur, faciendse sint rationabiles, et non sint repugnantes nee contrariae legibus, statutis, consuetudinibus sive juribus regni nostri Magna Britanniee. 4-C etiam volumus qu6d commune-concilium civitatis nostrae Bristoll' praedictae in perpetuum perma- neat habere in omnibus causis, materiis et rebus quibuscunque tantam et hujusmodi potestatem, auctoritatem et fidem quantam commune-concilium civitatis nostrae praedictae aliquo tempore antehac habuit vel gayisum fuit. iillOlUmUjOi ttiani ac per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et Rr 306 Cam 24 gfulii, 9 9inmt Hes' i' e' mo. to the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of o"arairfeni'an^"'*^^^ and to their successors, that if and as often as it shall lide,™'Jnto"'*^^PP^n» that one or more of the aldermen for the time being eesTo'"'"*" of our s^id city of Bristol shall hereafter die or be removed from the office of alderman of the said city, it may and shall be lawful for the mayor of the said city for the time being to summon all the aldermen of the said city for the time being to assemble in some convenient place within the said city, and that in the same place the mayor and aldermen of the same city for the time being, or the greater part of them, shall elect and nominate, and may be empowered to elect and nominate one or more of the common-council of our said city of Bristol for the time being to succeed into the place or places of the alderman or aldermen of the said city so dead or removed, as is aforesaid. We also will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant and confirm to the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and their successors, that as often as it shall happen that any one or more mayor, recorder, sheriffs, common-council-men, common- clerk, steward of the court of the sheriff of the county of Bristol aforesaid, or coroners of the said city, shall die or be removed successoribus nostris concedlmus ac eisdem majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis Bristoll' et successoribus suis confirmamus, qubd si ac toties [lege quoties] accident aliquem vel aliquos de aldermannis civitatis nostrae Bristoll' prsedictae pro tempore existentibus in posterum obire vel ab officio aldermanni civitatis prsedictae amoveri, liceat et licebit majori civitatis praedictae pro tempore existenti summonire omnes aldermannos civitatis prasdictas pro tempore existentes ad assemblandum in aliquo loco convenienti infra civitatem praedictam, et ibidem major et alder- manni ejusdem civitatis pro tempore existentes vel major pars eorum eligent et nominabunt et eligere et nominare possint et valeant, possit et valeat, unum vel plures de communi-concilio civitatis nostrae Bristoll' praedictse pro tempore existente, succedere in locum sive loca aldermanni vel aldermannorum civitatis praedictae sic mortui vel amoti, mortuoruni'vel amotorum, ut prae- fertur. Volumus etiam ac per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus et confirmamus eisdem majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis nostrae Bristoll' praedictse et successoribus suis, qubd quandocunque acciderit aliquem vel aliquos majorem, recordatorem, vicecomites, homines de communi-concilio, communem-clericum, senescallum curias viceco- mitis comitates Bristoll' praedict^ vel coronatores civitatis praedictae pro tempore existentes obire^ Carta 24 fulit, 9 ginnae Keg' i' e' nio. 307 or retire from their office or offices, or that any election of the aforesaid officers or of any one or more of the same shall hereafter be vacated or rendered ineifectual by incapacity or refusal or by any other means, that then and in every such case another fit person or other fit persons shall be duly elected from time to time by the common-council of our said city of Bristol or by the greater part of the same into those officesvacant offices respectively, and shall be sworn by the mayor of the said city, by the c.m- 1 11 II- 1-11 mon-council. or by such other person, at such other tune, and m such place and manner, as has been used and accustomed in our said city in this respect for the space of forty years last past. ^^Obttl^tl always, and we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors strictly enjoining we direct and command, that eveiy recorder of the said city, iiereafter to be chosen, shall The lecoi-der be at the time of his election to the aforesaid office a person ter of^five"^ skilled in the laws of G' Britain, and a banister for the space '''""''^"'''"^ of five years at the least before his said election : and also that no one shall hereafter be elected to the office of common- clerk of the said citv, or to the office of steward of the courts •^ The town- of the sheriff of the county of Bristol, unless he be skilled in'!*'''' t"i , •' steward of the the laws of G' Britain, and has been a barrister for the space tobewruters of three years at least before such his election into the said "[almn* 7*"' seu ab officio suo vel officiis suis amoveri vel decedere, vel aliquam electionem offiiciariorum prsdictorum vel alicujus vel aliquorum eorundem in posterum vacari vel frustrari per incapacitatem vel renunciationem vel aliquo alio modo, quod tunc et in quolibet tali casu alia idonea persona vel aliae idonese personse de tempore in tempus ad et in officia iila respective debito mode eligetur et eligentur et \lege per] commune-concilium civitatis nostrsG Bristoll' prsedictse vel majorem partem eorundem, et juretur et jurentur per majorem civitatis nostras praedicts pro tempore existentem vel talem aliam personam, alio tali tempore, et in tali loco et modo, prout in civitate nostra praedict4 in ea parte per spatium quadraginta annorum jam ultimo elapsorum assuetum et consuetum fuit. §^^Obt0O semper et volumus ac per praesentes pro nobis, hseredibus et succes- soribus nostris firmiter injungendo praecipimus et mandamus, quod quilibet recordator prsdictse civitatis, in posterum eligendus, erit tempore electionis suse ad officium prsedictum vir in legibus Magnae Britanniae peritus, et barresterius per spatium quinque annorum ad minimum ante suam electionem praedictam : ac etiam quod nullus ad officium communis-clerici civitatis praedictae vei ad officium senescalli curls vicecomitis comitatus Bristoll' in posterum electus erit, nisi sit peritus in legibus Magnae Britannise et barresterius fuerit per spatium trium annorum ad mimmum R r 2 308 Carta m fulit* 9 grnnae %tg i e' 1710. offices respectively. 'Wit alfiO tolll and for ourselves, ouv heirs and successors we grant and confirm to the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol and to their ^eTmen^cnm.^"^^^^^^'^^' ^^^^ cvcry rccordcr, alderman, every common-council- r"; &rto' ™^"' ^^^^y common-clerk, every steward and coroner of our XchTiong s^id city of Bristol, who shall hereafter be duly chosen and behave fhlm-Swoj'"' ^hall respectively continue in his said office, as long as selves well, he shall rcspcctively behave himself well in the same. ^llD tUC Ullll fUttlJtt* and by these presents for us, our heirs and suc- Mayor, re- ccssors wc grant and confirm to the same mavor, bur justices of us, our heirs and successors, for inquiring, by the oath of good and lawful men of the county of our said city of Bristol both within liberties and without, by whom the truth of the matter may be better known, into all treasons, murders, rapes of women and other felonies whatever; and also into all trespasses and misdemeanors done or committed, and which shall from henceforth happen to be done or committed by any persons or in any manner within the county, precincts and liberties of the said city of Bristol : and moreover [that they shall be our justices] for hearing and determining all indictments whatever taken before the same justices of us, our heirs and successors or any of them within the county of the said city : and [that they shall be our justices] for delivering from time to time our gaol of the county of our said city of Bristol from the prisoners therein. W^t |)a\3t alSO granted and confirmed, and we do by these presents for ourselves, our heirs and suc- cessors grant and confirm to the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol, that the same mayor^ burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and their aliqui tres vel plures eorum (quorum majorem. et recordatorem civitatis praedictse pro tempore existentes duos esse volumus) nunc sint, et in perpetuum de tempore in tempu* erunt justiciarii nostri, haeredum et successorum nostrorum, ad inquirendum per sacra- mentum proborum et legalism hominum de comitatu civitatis nostrse Bristoll' praediotse tam infra libertates, quam extra, per quos rei Veritas melius sciri poterit, de omnibus proditionibus, murdris, raptibus mulierum, et aliis feloniis quibuseunque ; ac etiam de quibuscunque trans- gressionibus et malefactis infra comitatum, praecinctus et libertates civitatis Bristoll' pradictas per quoscunque vel qualitercunque factis sive perpetratis, et [supph q\i?e] ex nunc fieri sive perpetrari contigerint : necnon ad omnia indictamenta quaecunque coram eisdem justiciariis^ nostris, haeredum et successorum nostrorum aut aliis nuper justiciariis nostris sen eorum aliquibus^ infra comitatum civitatis prsedictae capta, audienda et terminanda: et ad goalam nostram comitatfis civitatis nostras Bristoll' praedietae de prisonariis in e&dem existentibus de tempore in tempus deliberandam. ^0ttCC$i$itlttU39i ttilOXX et confirm avim us, ac per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus et confirmamus eisdem majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis nostrs BTistoH' prsdictse, qu&d iidem major,, burgenses et comniunita& 310 Carta 24 fulii, 9 Pinnae Eeg' f e' i7io. Fines, forfeu succcssoi's foi' evci" mav have all and all manner and singular tures, &c. •' , ° granted to the fines, redcmptions, issues, forfeitures and amercements to be mayor, bur- ^^ fommonail ^^^^) assessed, forfeited and adjudged before the aforesaid jus- Tount""' '"^' ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^"y °^ them from time to time at all future times : and that it shall be lawful for the same mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and their successors, as often as there shall be occasion from time to time, to collect and levy by means of the sheriffs or other officers of the same our city of Bristol, which now are or shall be at the time, all and singular and of such sort issues, forfeitures, fines, redemptions and amercements adjudged or to be adjudged or to be assessed to the use of the said mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and of their succes- sors ; and to put themselves into seisin and possession of the same, without rendering, making or paying an account, or any thing else relating to them, to us, our heirs and suc- cessors. 9ltttr \Ue tDtil fUrtjiet and by these presents for ourselves, our heirs and successors we grant that the mayor of our said city of Bristol for the time being, as long as he shall be mayor of the said city; the recorder of our said city of Bristol for the time being, as long as he shall be recorder of that city; the aldermen of our said city of Bristol for the <;ivitatis nostras Bristol!' prsedictae et successores sui in perpetuum habeant omnia et omnimoda et singula fines, redemptiones, exitus, forisfacturas, et amerciamenta coram praefatis justiciariis et eorum quolibet de tempore in tempus perpetuis futuris temporlbus duraturis facienda, assidenda, forisfacienda et adjudicanda : et qubd bene licebit eisdem majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis nostrae Bristoll' prsedictae et successoribus suis de tempore in tempus, quoties opus flierit, omnia et singula et hujusmodi exitus, forisfacturas, fines, redemptiones et amerciamenta adjudicata et adjudicanda sive assidenda, per vlcecomites aut alios ministros ejusdem civitatis nostrae Bristoll', qui nunc sunt et qui pro tempore erunt, ad opus dictorum majoris, burgensium et communitatis civitatis nostrae Bristoll' praedictae et successorum suorum, colligere ac levare; ac seipsos in seisinam et possessionem eorundem ponere absque aliquo computo vel aliquo alio nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris inde reddendo, faciendo, sou solvendo. and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and to their successors, that the aforesaid George Stephens, who has been elected one of the aldermen of the said city, as is already mentioned, and every other person, wha quamdiu aldermaniil ejusdem civitatis extiterint; undecim, decern, novem, octo, septem, sex, quinque, quatuor vel tres eorum (quorum majorem vel record'atorem civitatis nostras praedictas pro tempore existentem unum esse, vel duos de quinque senioribus aldermannis civitatis nostras prsdictse pro tempore existentibus duos esse volumus) de cetero in perpetuum de tempore in tempus habeant et teneant, et habere et tenere valeant et possint, quatuor segsiones pacis in quolibet anno infra civitatem nostram BristoU' praedtctam, ad tempora usualia et per statutum in e4 parte appunctuatum, ut antehae ibidem usitatum fuit j ac etiam habeant plenam potestatem. ad ea omnia et singula infra eandem nostram civitatem et suburbia et praecinctus ejusdem facienda, cxercenda et exequenda ad aliquod tempus sive aliqua tempora, quotFes opus fuerit, quot et qualia aliqui alii justiciarii ad pacem conservandam assFgnati habent, exercent et exequuntur, vel habere, exercere et exequt debent vel poterunt alibi infra hoc regnum nostrum Magnae Britannias. tK0)Ull1U£S in^UpCt ac per praesentes pro nobis, haeredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis nostras Bristoll' praedictiEe et successoribus suis, quod prsedictus Georgius Stephens, ut praefertur, electus unus aldermannorum civitatis praedictae. 312 Carta 24 ^nliU 9 Pinnae 3eies' i' f ^^i^^- in future shall be elected to the office of alderman of our said Aldermen are city, shall take thc scvcral oaths for the due execution of the for the^due office of an alderman and of the trust of a justice of the peace their office, bcforc thc recorder of our said city of Bristol for the time being, or in his absence before the mayor of our said city of Bristol for the time being; to whom, that is, to the mayor and re- corder of our said city for the time being respectively we by these presents for us, our heirs and successors give and grant full power and authority of giving and administering the sacred ceremonies and oaths of this kind, xitlh lUXt^tX know ye that out of our special favour, and from our certain knowledge and mere inclination we have pardoned, remitted and released, and by these presents we do for us, our heirs and successors Pardon (o the pardon, remit and release to the mayor, burgesses and com- menr&c.whomonalty of our said city of Bristol and to their successors, and to take the also to all aud siugular the mayors, rccordcrs, aldermen, sheriffs, common-clerks, stewards of the sheriffs' court, and coroners of our said city of Bristol, who now execute or have heretofore executed the aforesaid offices or any one of them, all and of all sorts offenses, trespasses, crimes, negligences, contempts and omissions whatever, done and committed at any time or times et quaelibet persona quse in posterum ad officium aldermanni civitatis nostrse pradictae electa fuerit, capiet et praastabit separalia sacramenta et juramenta pro debita executlone officii aldermanni et fiduciae justiciarii pacis infra civitatem prffidictam coram recordatore civitatis nostrae Bristoir praedlctae pro tempore existente, vel in ejus absentia coram majore civitatis nostra Bristoll' praedictae pro tempore existente ; quibus quidem recordatori et majori civitatis nostrae praedictae pro tempore existentibus respective hujusmodi sacramenta et juramenta dandi et administrandi plenam potestatem et auctoritatem pro nobis, hseredibus et successoribus nostris damns et conce- dimus per prsesentes. iarproba- contrary to the provision, tenor and true intent of certain let- ters patent bearing date at Westminster on the second day of June, heretofore granted to the mayor, burgesses and com- monalty of the city of Bristol or to their predecessors in the thirty-sixth year of the reign of the late king Charles the second. ^tttl out of our more abundant special favour, and from our certain knowledge and mere inclination we have remitted andxhe royai ap- released, and by these presents we do for us, our heirs and fonser '"■"ece". successors remit and release to the mayor, burgesses and com- mayo",' aicTer- monalty of our said city of Bristol and to their successors all fore' they 111 r ^ I ' t 1 111* enter on their and all manner ot power and authority "reserved to the late kmg"ffice. Charles the second aforesaid, his heirS and successors, in and by the said letters patent bearing the aforesaid date on the second day of June in the thirty-sixth year of the reign of the afore- said late king Charles the second, in, about and concerning the tempore vel aliqulbus temporibus ante datum praesentium in, d'e, vef concernentra praestalionem sacramentorum et juramentorum ad ofBcia ill'a vel eorum aliquod respective [supple pertinentium] ; vel in, de, aut concernentia admissionem vel admissiones suas ad executionem ofGciorum prae- dictoriim vel eorum aliquorum vel alicujus infra civitatem nostrara Bristol!' proedictam sine approbatione nostri vel aliquorum prsedecessorum nostrorum, regum vel reginarum Anglic primo significata sub manu regali, contra provisionem, tenorem et verara intentionem quarundam, literarirm patentium gerentium datum apud Westmonasterium secundb die Junii, anno regni nuper regis Caroli secundi tricesimo sexto, majori, burgensibus et communilati civitatis Bristoll' vel predecessoribus suis antehac concessarum. burgensibus et communitati civitatis nostrae Bristoll' prsedictae et successoribus suis omnem et omnimodam potestateai et auctoritatem praefato nuper regi Carolo secundo, haeredibus et successoribus suis reservatam in et per pr»dictas literas patentes gerentes datum prsedictum secundo die Junii anno regni prasfati nuper s s 314 Carta m fulti, 9 ^nmt Eeg' i e' i7io. signifying under the royal hand of him, his heirs or successors [his or their] approbation of the mayor, recorder, aldermen, sheriffs, comraon-council-men, common-clerk, steward of the court of the sheriff of the county, coroners, or any officers of the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol ; and [we also remit and release] all and all manner of power and authority reserved likewise by the said letters patent to the aforesaid late king Charles the second, his heirs and successors of removing and declaring to be removed from time to time Mayor, Alder- ^"^ at • all tiffics thc mayor, recorder, and any one or more of )"ngenem'ove-the aldcrmeu or sheriffs, and any one or more of the common- "Iwm "" council, or the common-clerk, the steward of the sheriffs court, or the coroner of our said city of Bristol, (those who were then nominated and appointed or who should afterwards be nominated and chosen) at the will and pleasure of the aforesaid late kino- Charles the second, his heirs and successors, by any order of him, his heirs and successors, made in privy council and signi- fied under seal of the said privy council to the same persons respectively. WM-t tUlll moreover and by these presents for • us, our heirs and successors we grant to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of our said city of Bristol and to their successors, regis Carol! secundi tricesimo sexto, in, de vel concernentem approbationem majoris, recordatoris, aldermannorum, vicecomituin, hominum de commiini-concilio, communis-clerici, senescalli curias vicecomitis comitatus, et coronatorum, vel aliquorum officiariorum praefati majoris, bur- genslum, et communitatis civitatis nostrae Bristoll' predicts significandam sub manu regali sua, hseredum vel successorum suoruin ; ac omnem et omnimodam potestatem et auctoritatem prsefato nuper regi Carolo secundo, hferedibus et successoribus suis, etiam reservatam in prsedictis suis Uteris patentibus, de tempore in tempus et ad omnia tempora ad majorem, recordatorem, et aliquem vel aliquos aldermannorum vel vi^comitum, et aliquem vel aliquos de communi-concilio, vel communem-clericum, senescallum curiae vicecomit' vel coronatorem civitatis nostrse BristoU' prsEdictse in prffidictis Uteris patentibus nominatos et consiitutos, vel postea nominandos et eligendos, ad libitum et bene placltum praefati nuper regis Caroli secundi, haeredum et succes- sorum suorum per aliquem ordinem suum vel successorum suorum in private concilio factum et sub sigillo privati concilii predict! eisdem respective significatum, amovendum, et amotum et amotos esse declarandum. ^oUtlHUjE^ ttt^UpCC ac per prassentes pro nobis haeredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus majori, burgensibus et communitati civitatis nostrje Bristoll' carta 24 ftilifc 9 9inmt Eeg' f e' i7io. 3 15 that the common-council of our said city of Bristol for the common time being or the greater part of them may and shall hereafter w""o»er to for ever have full power and authority to alter the times a'dVi^ce o"'" I'll ij p ji 1 /< '''^ present and places m which the markets or any ot them, heretofore m'"-'ersoHai. 371, r 11. For " or the weakening," read or to theweahening, 374, r 4. For " delebunt" read dc6eSu»<. 283, Note 13, 1' 2. For 1685 read 1682. 287, 1" 5. After « existen " add vel mnjoripti eor' fquor' major' pro tempore emttn'J. Cornell University Library DA 690.B86A33 Char.ers.and,.!e«ers,,f,fflyiaa^^^ ■di: .,■ - oJCA'^i St S V