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charter of james i.
JAMES, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting. Wheras our town of East Retford in the county of Nottingham, is a town very ancient and populous. And the burgesses of the said town, sometimes by the name of the bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, and sometimes by the name of the burgesses of the town of East Retford, and sometimes by other names, divers liberties, franchises, customs, privileges, and other hereditaments, had, used, and enjoyed, and they have, use, and enjoy, as well by divers charters and letters patent of divers of our forefathers and ancestors, late kings and queens of England, as by reason of divers prescriptions and customs in the same town had and used.
And whereas our beloved subjects, late bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, have us humbly petitioned as far as we to the same bailiffs and burgesses of our town aforesaid, our royal grace and bounty in this behalf will shew or extend.
And for that, we, for the better government, rule and improvement of the same town, the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford aforesaid, in one body corporate and politic, by the name of the bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, by our letters patent, to make, restore, constitute, but not to new create, we will dignify with augmentation, and addition of certain liberties, privileges, immunities, and franchises, as by us better to be done and made shall be seen expedient.
We are therefore willing that amongst other things for ever continually shall be had one certain and undoubted measure, in the same town, of, and for, the keeping of our peace, and rule, and government, of our people there inhabiting, and of other things from thence resulting. And so as that town in all future times for ever may be, and remain, a town of peace and quietude, to the dread and terror of evil delinquents, and reward of the good; and also that our peace as to other acts of justice and good government there may be better kept; and also hoping that if the said bailiffs and burgesses of the said town and their successors shall from our grant enjoy more extensive authorities, liberties, and privileges; then that for the services which we for ourselves, our heirs, and successors, can cause to happen or be exhibited, they may think themselves more particularly and strongly obliged of our special favour, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we will ordain, constitute, declare, and grant, and by these presents, do for us, and our heirs, and successors, will order, constitute, declare and grant, that the said town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, may, and shall be, and remain, amongst other things for ever a free town of itself.
And that the bailiffs and burgesses of the aforesaid town and their successors, amongst other matters, for ever may be, and shall be, by virtue of those presents, one body corporate and politic, in matter, deed, and name, by the name of the bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, and they by the name of the bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, one body corporate and politic, in matter, deed, and name, really and perfectly for us, our heirs, and successors, we do make, erect, ordain, constitute, ratify, confirm, and declare by these presents, and that by the same name they may have perpetual succession. And that they by the name of the bailiffs and burgesses, of the town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, may be and shall be at all times forever, proper persons and capable in law, as a body corporate and politic. And capable in law to have, demand, receive, possess, enjoy, and keep the lands, tenements, liberties, privileges, jurisdictions, franchises, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of whatsoever name, kind, nature, quality, or shape, they may be to them and their successors in fee and for ever, or for term of life or lives, year or years, or otherwise, and in any other manner. And also the goods and chattels, and whatsoever other things, of whatsoever kind, name, nature, quality, or shape they may be. And also to give, grant, demise, alien, assign, and dispose of the lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and all and singular other matters and things to do, and execute, by the name aforesaid. And that by the same name of the bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford, in the county of Nottingham, to plead and answer, to be impleaded and answered, defend and be defended, they ought, and may be able, in whatsoever courts and places, and before whatsoever judge and justices, and other persons and officers of us, and our heirs and successors, in all and singular, actions, pleas, suits, complaints, causes, matters, and demands whatsoever, and of whatsoever kind, nature, quality, or shape they may or shall be, in the same manner and form as any other of our loyal subjects within our kingdom of England, or any other body corporate and politic of this kingdom of England, as proper persons, and capable in law to have, perceive, receive, possess, enjoy, retain, and give, grant, demise, alien, assign, and dispose, plead, and answer to be impleaded, and to be answered, defend and make defence, permit or be able to execute.
And that the bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, amongst other things shall for ever have a common seal, for whatsoever causes and businesses of them and their successors may require to be transacted. And that it may be and shall be lawful to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the said town, and their successors, that seal at their pleasure from time to time to destroy, change, and make new, as to them shall appear better to be made and done.
And further, we will and by these presents, for our heirs and successors, we grant that amongst other things for ever, may and shall be within the aforesaid town, chief magistrates of the burgesses of the town aforesaid, to be chosen in the manner in these presents undermentioned, of whom one shall be, and be called senior bailiff of the aforesaid town, and the other shall be, and be called junior bailiff of the same town. And that there may be and shall be within the aforesaid town, twelve of the burgesses of the aforesaid town, to be chosen in the manner in these presents undermentioned, who shall be, and shall be called aldermen of the aforesaid town.
And we will and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, we do grant that the aforesaid bailiffs, and twelve aldermen of the town aforesaid, for the time being, shall be from time to time of common council of the town aforesaid.
And that the aldermen of the aforesaid town, shall be from time to time aiding and assisting to the bailiffs of the said town, for the time being, in all causes, matters, and things touching or concerning the said town.
And further, we will and by these presents, for us our heirs, and successors, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the aforesaid town, and their successors, that the bailiffs and aldermen of the aforesaid town, or the major part of them, of whom we will that there be two bailiffs of the aforesaid town, for the time being, on public notice thereof to be given to this society, may have, and shall have, full power and authority of instituting, constituting, ordaining, and making from time to time laws, statutes, constitutions, decrees, and reasonable ordinances in writing, which to them or the major part of them. Of whom we will that there be two bailiffs of the aforesaid town for the time being, may according to their sound directions appear to be good, wholesome, useful, honest, and necessary, for the good rule and government of the aforesaid town. And of all and singular the officers, ministers, artificers, inhabitants, and residents whomsoever, of the said town, for the time being, and for a declaration in what manner and order the same bailiffs and aldermen, and all and singular, officers and ministers, burgesses, artificers, inhabitants, and residents, of the aforesaid town, in their offices, functions, services, trades, and businesses, within the aforesaid town and liberty, and the precinct thereof, for the time being, themselves demean, behave, and be used, for the further good, public, common, utility, and good government of the aforesaid town, and the victualling thereof, and all other matters and things touching, or in anywise concerning, the aforesaid town.
And that they the bailiffs and aldermen of the same town, for the time being, or the major part of them, of whom we will that there be two bailiffs of the aforesaid town, for the time being, as often as the laws, statutes, acts, ordinances, and constitutions of this sort, they shall institute, make, ordain, or establish, in manner aforesaid, and such pains, punishments, and penalties, by imprisonment of the body, or by lines, amerciaments, or either of them, towards and upon all delinquents, against the laws, acts, ordinances, and constitutions of this kind, or any of them, or any other laws, ordinances, and constitutions, which shall appear to be better, to make, ordain, limit, and provide. And the same fines and amerciaments they may be able to levy and have, to the use of the aforesaid bailiffs and burgesses of the aforesaid town, and their successors, without any hindrance of us, our heirs, and successors, or of any officers or ministers of us, our heirs, and successors, and without any account to us, our heirs, and successors, to be therefore given. All which laws, ordinances, and constitutions so as aforesaid, we will to be fulfilled and observed under the penalties therein contained, so as the laws, ordinations, institutions, constitutions, imprisonments, fines, and amerciaments of this kind shall be reasonable, and that they be not repugnant or contrary to the laws, statutes, customs, or acts of our kingdom of England.
And for the better execution of our will and grant in this behalf, we assign, nominate, create, appoint, and make, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, do assign, nominate, create, appoint, and make our well beloved William Thornton, to be our present senior bailiff of the town aforesaid, and Nicholas Watson to be our present junior bailiff of the aforesaid town, willing that the same William and Nicholas shall continue in the office aforesaid, from the date of these presents until the feast of Saint Michael the archangel next ensuing, and until other chief magistrates of the burgesses of the aforesaid town, to those offices shall in due manner be elected, perfected, and sworn, according to the ordinations and provisions in these presents under, expressed and declared, if the same William Thornton and Nicholas Watson shall so long live.
And we further will, and by these presents, for us, and our heirs, and successors, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, that the bailiffs and burgesses of the same town for the time being, when to them, or the major part of them, shall seem expedient, upon public notice thereof to be given, they may be able to convoke and assemble themselves in some convenient place within the same town, and that the said bailiffs and burgesses so assembled and convoked, or the major part of them may chuse, nominate, and constitute, twelve of the honest burgesses of the aforesaid town, to he and be made aldermen of the same town, which said twelve aldermen so as aforesaid, to be elected, nominated, and constituted, as aldermen of the same town-, upon their corporal oath on the holy evangelist of God, before the bailiffs of the same town, for the time being, to the office of aldermen of the aforesaid town, well and faithfully shall execute and perform, and every of them will perform. And after oath so made, the office of aldermen of the aforesaid town shall manage and execute during their natural lives, and during the natural life of every of them, unless in the mean time for any reasonable cause from that office of aldermen of the same town, they, or any of them, aldermen of the same town, they or any of them shall be amoved. And that the said aldermen so as aforesaid elected, nominated, constituted, and sworn, so long as in the office of aldermen they shall happen, to be shall be of common council of the same town, and shall be from time to time assisting, and aiding to, the bailiffs of the same town, for the time being, in all things, causes, and matters whatsoever, in any manner touching or concerning the said town.
And further, we will and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, that the bailiffs and aldermen of the aforesaid town, for the time being, or the major part of them, for all future times for ever, may have, and shall have power and authority of chusing and nominating, and that they may be able to chuse and nominate yearly and every year for ever, on the first Monday which shall first fall out, or happen in the month of August, one of the aldermen of the town aforesaid for the time being, who shall be senior bailiff of the aforesaid town. And that he, after he shall have been so as aforesaid elected and nominated as senior bailiff of the aforesaid ancient town, shall be admitted to execute that office on his corporal oath, on the feast of St. Michael the archangel, then next following the election and nomination aforesaid, before their last predecessors, bailiffs of the town aforesaid, to that office rightly, well, and faithfully, in all things touching the execution of that office, shall perform. And that after this kind of oath so to be made the office of senior bailiff of the aforesaid town, for one whole year, then next following, he shall be able to execute. And from thence until one other the aldermen of the aforesaid town, to that office in due manner shall have been elected, perfected, and sworn, according to the ordinations and provisions in these presents expressed and declared.
And we further will, and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do grant the aforesaid bailiffs and burgesses of the aforesaid town, and their successors, that the bailiffs and aldermen of the aforesaid town, for the time being, and their successors, or the major part of them, yearly and every year, for ever, on the first Monday which shall first fall out, or happen in the month of August, may nominate two of the burgesses of the same town, to the end that the bailiffs, aldermen, and burgesses of the aforesaid town, for the time being, or the major part of them, one of the same two burgesses of the aforesaid town, so named as junior bailiff of the aforesaid town, they shall be able to chuse and perfect, and after this kind of nomination by the aforesaid bailiffs and aldermen, or the major part of them, so as aforesaid made, it is and shall be lawful for the aforesaid bailiffs, aldermen, and burgesses of the aforesaid town, or the major part of them, one of the same two burgesses so as aforesaid named as junior bailiff, and for junior bailiff of the same town, to name, chuse, and appoint. And that he who as junior bailiff of the aforesaid town, shall be as aforesaid, named and elected on his corporal oath, on the feast of St. Michael the archangel, then next following, the election and nomination aforesaid, before the last bailiffs of the aforesaid town, their predecessors, to that office of junior bailiff of the aforesaid town, rightly, well, and faithfully, in all things touching the execution of that office, shall perform; and that after this kind of oath so made, the office of junior bailiff of that town, for one whole year from thence next following, shall be able to execute, and from thence until one other burgess of the town aforesaid, to that office of junior bailiff of the town aforesaid, shall in due manner be elected, appointed, and sworn, according to the ordinations and provisions in these presents expressed and declared.
And furthermore we will and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, that if it shall happen the senior bailiff and junior bailiff of the aforesaid town, or either of them, any time within one year after that to the office of senior bailiff or junior bailiff of the aforesaid town, so as aforesaid, shall have been appointed and sworn, to die, or be amoved from that office, that then, and as often election shall be made of another person or other persons, to supply the aforesaid office or place of senior bailiff and junior bailiff of the town aforesaid, or either of them so being dead or amoved according to the ordinations and provisions in these presents above declared, and that he or they so as aforesaid elected and appointed into the office or offices of senior bailiff and junior bailiff of the town aforesaid, that office he or they shall have and exercise during the residue of the same year, the corporal oath in form aforesaid, first made before one other surviving bailiff of the aforesaid town, and three or more aldermen of the same town, •or if both the bailiffs shall be dead, then before three or more aldermen of the same town for the time being, and so as often as such cases shall so happen.
glntf further we will, that whenever it shall happen any one of the aforesaid aldermen of the common •council, of the town aforesaid, for the time being, to die or 1)0 amoved from his office, that then and as often the bailiffs and residue of the aldermen of common council, of the town aforesaid, then remaining or surviving, or the major part of them, two of the burgesses of the town aforesaid, may nominate to the end, that the bailiffs, aldermen, and burgesses of the town aforesaid, for the time being, or the major part of them, one of the same two burgesses of the town aforesaid, so named, they may ho able to chuse and appoint as an alderman of the same town, and that after such manner of appointment by the said bailiffs and aldermen, or the major part of them, so as aforesaid made, jt shall and may be lawful to the aforesaid bailiffs, aldermen, and burgesses of the town aforesaid, or the major part of them, one of the same two burgesses so as aforesaid, named as aldermen and for aldermen of the same town, in the place of such aldermen as may happen to die or be amoved, to chuse, name, and appoint, to supply the aforesaid number of twelve aldermen of common council, of the town aforesaid; and that he, so as aforesaid, to the office of aldermen of the town aforesaid, to be elected, appointed, and made, before the bailiffs of the town aforesaid, for the time being, on his corporal oath, the office of aldermen of common council of the town aforesaid, well and faithfully to execute, shall be of the number aforesaid, of twelve aldermen of common council of the town aforesaid, and this from time to time, as often as such cases may happen.
And further we will and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, that the bailiffs of the town aforesaid, for the time being, and steward of the court of the town aforesaid, for the time being, from time to time, for ever, may be and shall be our justices, and each of them may be and shall be a justice of us, our heirs, and successors, to preserve the peace of us, our heirs, and successors, within the same town, liberty, and precinct thereof. And also the ordinances concerning artificers and labourers, weights and measures, within the town aforesaid and liberties, and precincts of the same, to preserve, correct, or cause to be kept and corrected. And that the said bailiffs and steward of the court of the town aforesaid, for the time being, or any two of them, from time to time for ever, shall have full power and authority to enquire concerning all trespasses, misprisons, and other inferior misdeeds and articles within the town aforesaid, and liberty and precinct of the same, done, moved, or perpetrated, which before the keepers and justices of the peace, in any other county of our kingdom of England, by the laws and statutes of the same kingdom, as justices of the peace, can or ought to be enquired into. And that no justice of peace of us, our heirs, and successors, of tbe said county of Nottingham, the town of East Retford, liberties, and precincts of the same, shall in any manner enter upon to do any thing there which the said justices of peace of our town aforesaid) by virtue of these our letters patents, can or ought to do, yet so as that to the determination of any sentence of murder or felony, or any other matter touching loss of life or member within the town aforesaid, or liberty, or precinct of the same, without special command of us, our heirs, or successors in any manner hereafter do proceed.
And further we will and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, that the bailiffs and steward of the court of the town aforesaid, for the time being so as aforesaid, and being in the office of justice of peace, or any two of them, by their warrant in writing, subscribed and sealed, and signed with their own proper hands, may be able to send all such persons who hereafter shall be taken, arrested, attached, or found in the aforesaid town of East Retford, or liberty, or precinct of the same, for promotion of murder, felony, manslaughter, made or to be made, or for suspicion of felony, to the common goal of our county of Nottingham, there to stay to be tried and answer for their delinquents, before the judges of us, our heirs, and successors, to hear and determine, or our justices to deliver our goal in the said county of Nottingham, assigned or to be assigned.
We willing and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, commanding as well the sheriff of the county of Nottingham aforesaid, as the keeper of the common goal of the same county of Nottingham, for the time being, that they and each of them upon such he shall well and faithfully perform and execute. And that after the oath aforesaid, so made, the office of steward in the court of the town aforesaid, he shall be able to execute and exercise during the pleasure of the bailiffs and aldermen of the same town, for the time being, or the major part of them.
And further we will and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, we do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, that the steward of the court of the town aforesaid, for the time being, from time to time for ever, us often as he shall see expedient, and with the assent and consent of the bailiffs and aldermen of the town aforesaid, for the time being, or the major part of them, shall be able to make his sufficient deputy, to make and execute, all and singular, those things which the steward of the court of the town aforesaid, can make or execute in the court aforesaid; his corporal oath being first made before the bailiffs of the town aforesaid, for the time being, for the due execution of that office. And that after the oath aforesaid so made, the office aforesaid he shall be able to execute and exercise during the pleasure of the bailiffs and aldermen of the same town, for the time being, or the major part of them.
And whereas, the Lord Henry the sixth, late king of England, by certain letters patents, sealed with the great seal of England, bearing date, Westminster, the twenty-seventh day of May, in the twenty-seventh year of his reign, granted to the bailiffs and burgesses of the said town of East Retford, their heirs and successors, that they should have power to hear and determine in the court of the town aforesaid, before their steward of the same court, for the time being, as for complaints in the same court in any manner to be relieved, pleas of debt, account, covenant, trespasses, as well by force and arms as otherwise, to be made and other contracts, causes, and matters, whatsoever within the town aforesaid; issuing to whatsoever sum the aforesaid debt, account, or damage, or trespass, whatsoever may be or concern. And that they shall have power all persons whomsoever against whom complaints of this kind to be relieved shall happen, or be inhabitants within the same town of East Retford, or not by pretence of complaints aforesaid, in the said court to be relieved, or within the same town, shall happen to be found by their bodies to attach; and them in the same court in pleading to bring the parties against those complaining to answer, concerning all those things which upon complaint of this kind, to him in this behalf, shall happen to be adjudged, as by the same letters patents amongst other things may more fully appear.
And whereas the said court afterwards, sometimes before the bailiffs, and sometimes before the steward of the town aforesaid, and sometimes before others, hath been accustomed to be held and kept, by reason whereof, great contentions and discords arose within the said town, before whom that court might or ought to be held. We therefore willing, amongst other things, for ever, that all contentions, differences, and discords, for and concerning keeping the court aforesaid, may be thoroughly abolished, and that one certain and undoubted method in the same town may be for ever had, of any for keeping the court aforesaid, and before whom the said court shall hereafter be held, of our spccial grace, and of our certain knowledge and mere motion,
We will and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, we do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town of East Retford aforesaid, and their successors, that they and their successors, amongst other things, for ever, shall have and keep, and shall be able to have and keep, within the town aforesaid, one court of record, on every monday, in every third week, in every year, for ever, or oftener if they will, before the bailiffs of the same town, with the assistance of the steward of the court of the town aforesaid, or his deputy steward, tor the time being, or before either of the bailiffs, with the assistance of the steward of the court of the same town, or his deputy steward, for the time being, to he held. And that they may hold in that court before the bailiffs, with the assistance of the steward of the court of the same town, or his deputy steward, for the time being, or before either of the bailiffs, with the assistance of the steward of the court of the same town, or his deputy steward, for the time being, for complaints in the said court to be relieved, and for all, and all manner of pleas of debt, account, covenant, trespass, as well by force or arms as otherwise made, and other contracts, causes, and matters whatsoever, within the town aforesaid, issuing to whatsoever sum the aforesaid debt, account, trespass, or damage shall be or concern. And that they shall have power, all persons whatsoever, against whom complaints of this kind to be relieved, shall happen, if they shall be inhabitants within the same town of East Retford, (or not by pretence the complaints aforesaid, against those persons in the said court to be relieved,) by their bodies to arrest, and them in the same court in pleading, to bring the parties against those complaining, to answer concerning all that which upon this kind of complaint against them in this behalf shall happen, to be adjudged in as ample manner and form, as in the said town hath heretofore been used, by the aforesaid letters patents, or any other thing, cause, custom, or matter whatsoever, heretofore had, made, granted, in anywise notwithstanding.
And further of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we grant and confirm to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, all, and all manner of franchises, liberties, and authorities, exemptions, discharges, jurisdictions, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, which the bailiffs and bur gesses of the town aforesaid now have, hold, use, and enjoy, or which any of them, or their predecessors, by whatsoever name or names incorporated, or by whatsoever incorporation they have heretofore had, used, or enjoyed, or ought to have, use, or enjoy, to themselves and their successors, of estates of inheritance, by reason or pretence of any charter, or letters patent, by any of our forefathers, or ancestors, late kings or queens of England, in any manner heretofore made, confirmed, or granted, or by any other lawful means, right, title, custom, use, or prescription, heretofore lawfully used, had, or accustomed; although they have not been heretofore by them, or any of them, used, or have been abused, or ill used, or discontinued; and are, or shall have been, by them, or any of them, or any other forfeited or destroyed, to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, for ever, and yielding and paying therefore to our heirs and successors, yearly, all such rents, services, sums of money, and demands, whatsoever, as heretofore, for the same have been accustomed to be rendered, or paid, or they ought to render, or pay. Wherefore we will, and do firmly command, enjoin, for us, our heirs, and successors, that the aforesaid bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, and their successors, shall have, hold, use, and enjoy, and may be able to have, hold, use, and enjoy for ever, all liberties, authorities, jurisdictions, franchises, exemptions, and discharges aforesaid, according to the tenor and effect of these our letters patents, without let or hindrance, of us, our heirs, and successors, judges, sheriffs, or other bailiffs, and ministers of us, our heirs, and successors, whomsoever. We unwilling, that the same bailiffs, and aldermen, and men of the town aforesaid, or any of them, or any other, nor any burgess of the town aforesaid, by reason of tbe premises, or any of them, by us, or by our heirs, judges, sheriffs, escheators, clerks of market, or other bailiffs, or ministers, of us, our heirs, or successors, whomsoever, shall be therefore hindred, molested, vexed, or burthened, or in any manner disturbed. We willing, and by these presents, commanding and charging, as well our treasurer, chancellor, and barons, of our exchequer at Westminster, and other judges, of us, our heirs, and successors, as our attorney and solicitor general for the time being, and each of them, and all other, our officers, and ministers, whomsoever, that neither they, or any of them, or any other writ or summons of quo warranto, or any other, our writ, or writs, or process whatsoever, against the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, or any of them, or any other, for any causes, things, matters, offences, claimed, or usurped, or any of them, for themselves, or any of them, due, claimed, used, attempted, had, or usurped, before the day of making, of these presents, he prosecuted, or continued, or shall make, or cause to be prosecuted, or continued. We being also willing, that the bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, or any of them, by any other, or any other judge, officer, or minister af oresaid, in, or for, debt, evil use, or abuse of any other liberties, franchises, or jurisdictions, within the town aforesaid, limits, or precincts of the same, before the day of making of these our letters patents, shall not be in anywise molested or hindered, or to these, or any of them shall be compelled to answer. We will also, and by these presents, do grant to the said bailiffs and burgesses of the town aforesaid, that they may have, and shall have these our letters patents, under our great seal of England, in due manner made and sealed, without fine or fee, great or little, to us in our Hanaper, or elsewhere, to our use for the same, in any manner to be rendered, paid, or made, to the end that express mention concerning the true yearly value, or concerning the certainty of the premises, or either of them, or concerning other gifts, or grants by us, or by of any our forefathers and predecessors, to the said bailiffs and burgesses before their times made in these presents, doth in no wise appear to be made, or for any statute, act, ordination, provision, proclamation, or restriction, to the contrary thereof, heretofore had, made, published, ordained, or provided, or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in anywise notwithstanding.
In Witness whereof, these our letters we cause to be made patents. Witness myself, at Westminster, the twenty-fifth day of November, In the fifth year of our reign over England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the forty-first.
By writ of Privy Seal, &c.
LUKYN.