Watermen

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

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'Watermen', in Analytical Index to the Series of Records Known as the Remembrancia 1579-1664, (London, 1878) pp. 561-562. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/index-remembrancia/1579-1664/pp561-562 [accessed 25 March 2024]

Watermen.

I. 91. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Mr. Thomas Wilson, one of the principal Secretaries of State to the Queen. In obedience to his direction, touching the reformation of the Watermen of the Thames he had, in conjunction with the Aldermen, taken good orders for carrying the same into effect, for which purpose they had appointed eight new Masters, (fn. 1) approved of by the complainers who desired reformation, and had required amongst other things that the Masters chosen should take an oath. The persons so appointed refused to take the oath either to observe the statute or to make a true account, which, because it had not been limited by the statute, they could not be compelled to take. Two persons had, however, been appointed to hear what could be proved against the former Masters, that they might be punished, and to take order for the accounts for the past year, that they might be continued.
8th March, 1579.

I. 95. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, forwarding for the consideration of the Aldermen a Petition, with articles lately exhibited to the Council, by certain Watermen of the Thames, complaining of some disorders used and suffered by the overseers of that Company contrary to the laws, which, if true, were likely to breed great inconvenience, and directing that the case should be inquired into, and Orders issued for the amendment thereof, and that a copy of such Orders in writing should be forwarded for the information of the Council.
19th March, 1578.

I. 96. Copy of Orders for the future government of the Watermen's Company as settled by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen Box and Dixie, and Mr. Norton, are entered at length.
(Circa 1578.)

I. 550. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Dr. Lewis, Master of the Requests and Judge of the Admiralty. Several members of the Watermen's Company had complained of disorders and abuses which had crept into the Company contrary to an Act passed in Queen Mary's reign. The Council direct them to inquire into the allegations; to examine the members of the Company upon their oaths, and to set down some orders for redressing the abuses and disorders, and to advertise the Council of the steps taken.
11th November, 1583.

II. 308. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, concerning a contribution to be given to the Watermen for their relief in this extraordinary time of frost, which had closed up the River Thames, (fn. 2) and so deprived them of their living. Many other trades were suffering from the severe season, as bricklayers, plasterers, silkweavers, &c., and if they contributed to one Company, they must do the like for all. He therefore prayed that the Watermen might be left to help themselves by their own industry, in the same manner as other manual trades.
5th February, 1607.

Footnotes

  • 1. By an Act of Parliament, 2 & 3 Philip and Mary, c. 16, passed in 1555, the Mayor and Aldermen of London were to appoint yearly eight overseers of the watermen between Gravesend and Windsor.
  • 2. A severe frost began early in the year, and lasted for a long season. Fairs and other diversions were held on the river.