Municipal institutions

Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664. Originally published by EJ Francis, London, 1878.

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'Municipal institutions', in Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664, (London, 1878) pp. 227-229. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp227-229 [accessed 26 April 2024]

Municipal institutions.

VII. 178. Petition from the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of the City of London to the King, reciting that a Patent was ready to pass the Great Seal for incorporating divers places in the City and suburbs, and three miles compass of the same, (fn. 1) which it was thought would be very prejudicial to the liberties and privileges of the City, and praying that the Patent might be stayed, and the consideration thereof, with their reasons against it, referred to such persons as His Majesty might think fit.
Dated in margin, 26th, April, 1636.

A Note is subjoined, intimating the King's pleasure that the subject should be referred to the Lords, Commissioners for Trade, and that the sealing of the Patent should, in the mean time, be delayed.

VII. 191. Order in Council, reciting that the Complaint of the Lord Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen of London, concerning the new Corporation of the suburbs, had been that day heard at the Board, in the presence of Mr. Lewknow and Mr. Reading, Chamberlains of the said Corporation, and all objections heard; and ordering that the Corporation should proceed, as by Letters Patent they were warranted in taking into their body as well Freemen of London as others the King's subjects, denizens or aliens, using any occupation, art, or mystery, or trade by retail, inhabiting within their precincts, except Weavers, Brickmakers, and Tilemakers, who were reserved till further order should be given for their admittance. That they might also admit aliens paying five pounds at least to the King and obliging themselves to take English apprentices. It had been alleged that Duke's Place, Whitefriars, Blackfriars, and Coleharbert were not within the precincts of the new Corporation, being, by Charter of 6 James I., added to the Franchise and Liberty of the City of London, and it was therefore for the present declared that the inhabitants of those places should not be meddled with till further order. The Council further order the City to consider of an oath whereby Freemen of London who might enter the new Corporation might be obliged to bind their apprentices to their Companies as formerly. The several City Companies should be allowed to take view and search of the wares of retailers inhabiting within the precincts of the new Corporation, as they had formerly done. Finally, the inhabitants within the said precincts should be allowed till All Saints' Day next to take up their Freedom, after which day none should be admitted.
Whitehall, 19th March, 1636.

VIII. 124. Order in Council for preventing the increase of new buildings, and appointing a Special Committee of their own body to confer with the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, and also with the Judges and His Majesty's learned Counsel, and to consider whether, by increasing the number of Wards in the suburbs, they might not all be reduced to the two Incorporations of London and Westminster, and such conformity established in them that the one might not hinder or incommode the other.
(Circa 1633–4.)

VIII. 200. Order in Council with respect to the new Corporation of the suburbs, extending the time until Christmas next for persons to be received into the Freedom thereof, and directing that whereas the new Corporation was not to meddle with the inhabitants of Duke's Place, Blackfriars, Whitefriars, and Coleherbert (Coleharbour, Thames Street), as being within the liberties of the City, His Majesty's Attorney-General, and Mr. Solicitor, should call for the Recorder and the Counsel of the City, together with Mr. Lewkenor and Mr. Reading, Chamberlains of the said new Corporation, and after perusal of the charters and hearing the parties, settle the business between them if they could, or acquaint His Majesty and the Board with the true state of these places, how they stood in regard of the two Corporations of London and the suburbs.
5th November, 1637.

Footnotes

  • 1. The new Corporation above mentioned seems to have been that referred to in the following extract from the 'Calendar of State Papers (Domestic),' 1635–6, p. 359–60, No. 44:—"Grant of Incorporation to the Tradesmen and Artificers inhabiting as well within the City of London, exempt from the Freedom thereof, as within three miles of the same, who have served apprenticeships, by the name of Governor, Wardens, Assistants, and Commonalty. The Corporation to admit into the Freedom such natives as have served apprenticeships for the fine of 4s. to His Majesty; such as have not served apprenticeships, for 20s; and aliens for a fine of 40s., to be paid to the Chamberlain to His Majesty's use. All apprentices to be bound in their Hall for seven years at least, paying 12d. for a fine to the use of His Majesty. A general restraint to all not admitted into the Freedom to exercise any trade there after Christmas next, with divers other powers. The jurisdictions and forms of government already established in London, Westminster, Southwark, and the Liberties of the Tower, and the Liberties granted to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, to remain inviolate, April 8th, 1636." In the same Calendars, under the year 1637, appears the following entry:—"A Statement of the Proceedings up to this time of the new Corporation [of Tradesmen and Artificers] with an account of the difficulties they experience for want of sufficient powers under their Charter, with under-written Petition of Christopher Lewkenor, that His Majesty would provide against these hindrances, most whereof would, if truly examined, appear to be but mere shadows." State Papers (Domestic),' 1637, July 9th, No. 88, p. 303. It would seem that further powers were subsequently given to them. "The King to Philip Thomas, or other Messengers of the Chamber. By Letters Patent of 2nd June, 1636, the Corporation of Tradesmen inhabiting within three miles of the City of London, are empowered to call before them all persons buying and selling by retail within the limits of the Corporation, and to admit them into the Freedom of the same upon such terms as in the said Patents are expressed. Divers refractory persons refuse upon summons to appear before the Officers of the said Corporation, or, if they appear, refuse to obey any order thereof. You are to apprehend all such offenders herein as shall be named by the Chamberlains of the said Corporation, and to bring them before the Governor of the same, and keep them in safe custody until they conform, September 18th, 1638." 'Calendar of State Papers (Domestic),' 1638–9, p. 20, No. 105.
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