XXXVIII. THE ORDINANCES OF THE COMPANY.

The Charter of Richard II., as will have been noticed, first gave authority to assemble the Fraternity, and to make Ordinances for their better governance, but earlier Ordinances (fn. 1) already printed, were made in the reigns of Edward II. and Edward III.

The power of making Acts and Ordinances for the government of the Fraternity was also granted to the Company by Henry VII.'s Charter, but in the year succeeding the grant, the 19 Henry VII., c. 7 (reviving in substance the earlier Statute of 15 Henry VI., (fn. 2) c. 6), was passed to restrict the Livery Companies from making any Ordinance in diminution of the Royal Prerogative, or against the profit of the people, and requiring that all Ordinances made should be approved by the Chancellor, Treasurer, and Chief Justices of either Bench, or three of them. And that these Companies might not, by restraining their members from sueing therein. usurp the authority of the supreme Courts, the making of any such Ordinance was prohibited under a pecuniary penalty (fn. 3) of 40l. for every offence.

The reason for passing this Statute, and the course adopted by the Company under it, are thus recorded by their Clerk in the Ordinance Book, under date of 1508:—

"Forasmuch as many sundry acts and divers ordinances and provisions that were made in times past amongst fellowships corporate within this City for the good refinement, sad direction, common profit, public weal, encrease, and also in conservation of very good order and due obedience in every fellowship, amongst which one was that no man of what company that he were of should sue, (fn. 4) vex, trouble, or implead any brother of his in Court spiritual or temporal, but if the matter were first shewed afore the Governors of the Company that the party complaint was of, and if they could not pacify the matter and cause of complaint, and do him remedy therein, then the complainant and defendant were put at their free liberty to take and sue for their remedy in the law where they listed; and as long as this Rule and Ordinance was so used and kept within this said City, so long good obedience was used in crafts, and perfect love and charity was had between brother and brother of every mystery without any suit in the law, by reason whereof the citizens of the said City did richly encrease and grew into wealth and prosperity, Sir Robert Sheffield, (fn. 5) Knight, then Recorder of this City, and one of the Knights of the Parliament for the same City, knowing the Secrecies and Ordinances made as well within this City as of many sundry fellowships of the same, perceiving that sad directions, good policy, and discreet justice was indifferently taken and ministred among fellowships of and in pacifying matters that were debateful, grew to the prejudice of the learned men of this said City, and also of other out of the same. Therefore he, by his great labour, subtle wit and crafty means, caused an Act of Parliament to be made that no Masters nor Governors of Guilds or Fraternities within this Realm from henceforth should use or exercise any Acts or Ordinances, but such only as should be ratified, approved, and confirmed by the Lords Chancellor, Treasurer, and two Chief Justices of England, upon the pain of 40l., as in the same Act thereof made more plainly is contained; and inasmuch as the Fellowship of Merchant Tailors of London had very perfect knowledge of the said Act, and how that the Master and Wardens of the same had a great number of householders, with their servants, to rule and govern, which could not be ordered and well justified without good acts, reasonable Ordinance, and laudable provisions were had for the politic governance, regiment, and wise ordering of the same. Therefore, and in avoiding of the penalty comprised in the said Act of Parliament, the Right Worshipful Richard Conhyll, late Master, and the four Wardens with him afore in this book named, with the advice, counsel, and consent of the more part of the most worshipful persons, councillors and assistants of the said Company, commanded me Henry Mayour, Notary Public and their common Clerk, to compile and make a book or two in paper of all such Ordinances and Oaths as should concern and appertain to and for the good refinement and common weal of their said Company, and conservation of the same, whose commandment, I the said Henry, diligently according to mine oath and duty obeyed and fulfilled, which book of ordinances and oaths the four Lords named in the said Act of Parliament have approved, ratified, and confirmed and sithen the approbation, ratification, and confirmation of the same book. I the foresaid Henry at desire and request of my right singular good master William Grene, nor Master John Tresawell, John Wright, Richard Hall, and John Sexsy Wardens with the said Master Grene, have written, compiled, engrossed, and ordered the same book after the manner and form as it appeareth to every man's sight. that listeth to see or read. And it was clearly written, finished, engrossed, and ended by me the same Henry within my dwelling house, pertaining to the whole body of this said fellowship, the 20th day of June, in the year of Our Lord God 1508, and in the 23rd year of the reign of Our Most dread Sovereign Lord, King Henry the 7th."

The Ordinances here referred to are dated the 23rd February 1507, and though mutilated at or after the Reformation, they contain most of the present Ordinances, which were approved in 1613, and which still exist among the Company's Records. Their contents (as illustrating the customs of the Fraternity before the Reformation) I have endeavoured to show by contrasting them with the existing Ordinances, which I find were laid before the Lord Chancellor (Lord Ellesmere) on the 23rd January 1612, for confirmation. Upon this occasion the Recorder of London advised (fn. 6) the Court that a present should be made to the Chancellor (Lord Bacon's immediate predecessor), whereupon an Order of Court was made to "present his Lordship with ten double sufferants in gould."

As only an imperfect copy of the Ordinances of 1613 is to be found in Herbert, I have thought it best to print them intact, showing by contrast in what respects they differ from those of 1507.

Ordinances (fn. 7) confirmed by the Lord Chancellor of England and the Chief Justices of the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas, in the 11th Year of the Reign of James I., A.D. 1613.

To all trew Christian People to whome this present writing shall come, S^r Thomas Egerton Knight, Lord Ellesmere Lord Chauncellor of England, Sir Thomas Fflemyng Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, Sir Edward Coke Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, senden Greeting in our Lord Everlasting, Whereas in a certain Act in the Parliament of King Henry the Seventh, holden at Westminster the five and twentieth day of Januarie, in the nyneteenth yeare of his Raigne, ordayned and made for the weale and proffitt of the subjects of this Realme, It was amongest other things ordeyned, established and enacted, That no Maister, Wardens or fellowshipp of Crafts or Misteries or any of them, or any Rulers of Guildes or Ffraternities, shall take upon them to make any Acts or Ordynaunces nor to execute or use any Acts or Ordynaunces by them heretofore made in disinheriting or dyminition of the King's prerogative or any other, or against the Common Weale and Proffitt of the King's subjects and liege people: but if the same Acts and Ordynaunces be examyned, appointed and admitted by the Chauncellor and Treasorer of England, the Chief Justices of either Bench, or three of them, or ells before both Justices of the Assize in their Circuits or Progresse in that Sheere where such Acts and Ordynaunces be made, upon the payne of forfeyture of Fforty pounds for every tyme they doe thereunto contrary as in the said Act it doth more plainly appear. The Maister and Wardens of the Marchant Tailers of the Fraternitie of St. John Baptist in the Cittie of London, willing and desiryng the said Act in every behaf to be observed and kept, (fn. 8) the twentieth day of Januarie in the tenth yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord, James by the Grace of God, King of England, Ffraunce and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., and of Scotland the six and fortieth, Have exhibited and presented unto us theire Petic[i]on with a Book conteyning diverse Statutes, Acts and Ordynaunces, by them ordayned devised and made, for the said Ffraternity and their successors, and for the com[m]on weale and conservation of the good estate of the Mistery of the said Marchauntailors and for the better governing, ruling and ordering of the same Fraternity to be established, ordayned and used & thereupon have instauntlie desired us, that wee would peruse and examyne all and every the said Statutes, Ordynaunces, Acts and Oathes by the same Maister and Wardens of the Merchauntailors of the said Fraternitie and by theire predecessors, to the foresaid intent made ordeyned and established and the same and every of them correct and amend in due forme, and as the foresaid Act made in the said Parliament requireth, Wee having perused the said Petition and fynding the same fitt to be graunted according to theire desires, have also by the authority of the said Act of Parliament perused and redd, all and every their Ordynaunces, Statutes, Acts and Oathes in the saide Booke specified and the same have corrected, reformed and amended as Wee sawe fitt, The Tenor whereof hereafter ensue and followe in these words —viz,

1. The Ordynaunce for non-appearance upon a due and reasonable Summons.

First, it is Ordayned that every Brother of this Fraternity from henceforth being duly Summoned by the Clerk or Beadle, to be present with the Maister and Wardens in his whole Livery or otherwise at any place (fn. 9) and hower assigned reasonable, be it for any noble triumph (fn. 10) for the King's Highnes, his noble yssue. or other greate Estates concernyng the honor of the King and of this his Realme, Or ells for any Quarter day assembly or any other reasonable cause and cometh not (except he hath been Maior, Alderman or Sheriff of the City of London) shall forfeit and pay for his first offence contrary to this ordynaunce, to the use of the said Maister and Wardens, Eight pence, at the second time xvjd: and at the third tyme, Six shillings and Eight pence, reasonable and lawfull excuse alway except and reserved.

2. The Ordynaunce for the Election of the Maister and Ffower Wardens. (fn. 11)

Also, it is Ordayned that the Maister and Ffower Wardens being in office and authority from hensforth shall call or cause to assemble together the Ffower & twenty Assistants & Counsellors of the said Fraternitie or the more parte of them, in the Vigill of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, or upon a day certen within twenty daies before or after the said Vigill of St. John Baptist, at the discretion of the said Maister and Wardens, to be present with the said Maister and Wardens in their com[m]on Hall at a certayne hower lymyted and upon the said Assembly the said Maister and Wardens after their wise discretions shall name and appoint unto the said Assistaunts eight sadd wise and able persons of the Clothing and Lyvery. every of them being fitt to beare the roome of a Warden. Out of which eight persons the same Maister and fower Wardens with the consent of the said Assistaunts then being present, shall take, admitt and elect, fower of them which have most of the com[m]on voices of the same Assembly to be Wardens for the yeare ensuing, which being done, then the said Maister and Wardens shall name and appoint two of the Assistaunts of the said Fraternitie which have formerly served in the place of Upper or Second Warden, out of which two the said Maister and Wardens together with the assent of so many of the Assistaunts as have formerly borne the office of a Maister of the said Fraternite shall proceede to the elect[i]on of a newe Maister to governe the Company for the yeare ensuing. And thus the elect[i]on of the Maister and fower Wardens is in manner aforesaid to be performed. Which Elect[i]on so made, is to be kept secrett until their ffeast or dynner, called the Dynner of the publishing of the Elect[i]on of the Maister and Wardens, and then, nigh about the end of the same ffeast the Maister and Ffower Wardens, with their garlands (fn. 12) upon their heads, and two others that have bene Maisters, that shalbe for the same appointed, and their Officers attending upon them shall come forth openly into the Hall afore such Estates, Honourable & Worshipful Guests as shalbe then and there present, and shall there publish theire late election and choice of the newe Maister that was aforenamed in the said day of elec[i]on. And after that done, then the ffower Wardens and every and each of them in his order, shall publish their late election of the said severall fower Wardens formerly elected in the said day of election, according to the usual course, lawdable & ancient custome heretofore used in the publishing of the election of the Maister and Wardens of the Merchauntailors. And for the election of the Wardens substitute, of the Bachelors company of this Mistery, and their Assistants, the same to be holden, done & performed yearely upon the Even of the Decollation of St. John Baptist according as heretofore hath bene accustomed. And it is further ordayned that yff the newe Maister & Wardens or any of them shalbe absent at the said feast or dinner of the publishing of the same Elect[i]on of Maister and Wardens unlesse they be letten by sickness or some such other necessary and ymportant occasion as they cannot be present, then they which are absent shall forfeit to the said Maister and Wardens to the use of the Poore of the said Fellowshipp, the severall penalties and forfeitures following —viz.,

The Maister for his absence, Fforty shillings. The Upper Warden for his absence, Thirty shillings. The Second Warden for his absence, Thirty shillings; and the two Rentor Wardens for their absence, Thirteen shillings fower pence apiece.

The same penalties and forfeitures to be paid before they take their Oathes for the execution of their severall offices respectively.

3. The Ordynance for the givying of the Benefice of Sainct Martyn Oteswych.

Also whereas the said Maister and Wardens of the said ffraternitie are Patrons of the Benefice of St. Martyn Outwich within the Citty of London and have the right of Patronage and disposing thereof as the same shall become void by any meanes.

It is therefore ordayned that as often as the same Benefice shall become voide, the Maister and fower Wardens with the advice of the Assistaunts or of the more part of them, shall make choice of and present a sufficient and learned Mynister, being of good reporte and Godly conversation, and such an one as hath given good testymony of his labours in the mynistery, by preaching of the word of God, and to be allowed by the Diocesau of this Diocesse for the tyme being, and the same choise and presentation to be made gratis, without any guift or Rewarde to be given or promised for the same. And that no advowson or presentation of the said Benefice be made or graunted by the said Maister and Wardens without the consent of the said Assistaunts or the most parte of them, upon payne of fforfeyture by the said Maister and Wardens of fforty poundes to the use of the said ffraternity, as often and when as they shall doe contrary to this Ordynaunce.

4. The Ordynance for an whole Brother that desireth to be an Almesman of this Fraternity. (fn. 13)

Also it is Ordayned that as often as any roome or place of an Almesman of this Fraternity shall fall void, yf any Brother being of the Lyvery or Clothing that is fallen into Poverty, so it bee not through Ryott, wanton or lavish Expences, his owne negligence or other misdemeanure who aforetime after his power hath truly kepte and performed his obedience and sum[m]ons and also hath borne to his degree all manner of ympositions, lott, scott & all other charges concerning the worship & profitt of the said Fraternity as long as he might performe the same, shall desire to be admitted into such roome and place of an Almesman so being void, that such Brother being allowed to be of such quality & condition as is aforesaid, shalbe admitted to the said roome of an Almesman to dwell in for the term of his lief and shall have every quarter paide unto him within the Com[m]on Hall the sum of 26s. by the Clark or Beadle with the oversight of one of the Wardens then being of the same; and over this he shall be partner of certain Coals distributed there at diverse tymes of the yeare, as diverse old Benefactors of the said Fraternitie by their Testaments have devysed and ordeyned: And that every of the said Almesmen that hereafter shall be admitted into the said Almshouse shall as long as he shall contynue in Almes be weekly personally present in the said Church of St. Martyn at all Divine Service, Serving God and praying for the prosperous and Royal Estate of our Soveraigne Lord King James his Heirs and Successors and of his and their Royal Progeny and for the good Estate of the said Fraternity upon payne to be removed from his place of an Almesman if he be found often negligent herein, Provided alwaies that no person of the said ffraternitie that is or shall be admitted into the said Almes shall contynue there any longer, than he is of good behaviour: and being found to be either Drunkard or of unchast life or conversation he shalbe diplaced by the Master, Wardens, and Assistants and another of such quality and condition as is aforesaid chosen in his place: And provided also that if any of the said Almesmen being sole and dwelling at the Almeshowse receaving the said quarterly Almes shall marry or take a Wife without the Licence of the Master & Wardens of the said Fraternitie for the tyme being. that such person so marrying or taking a wief without Licence, (fn. 14) shall forfeit the said quarterly Almes and be put out of the said Almeshowse, and if the said Almesmen or any of them decease there, then the Bedding and howsehould stuffe of the said Almesmen so deceasing being brought into the said Almeshowse and there used, shall remayne towards the sustentation of other Almesmen being there alive And he to be buried honestly at the costs & charges of the said Fraternitie, and the Master & Wardens for the tyme being and diverse of the Clothing in theire whole Lyvery to be present at his buriall.

5. The Ordynance for them that Myseorder themselves in theire Apparell and Array. (fn. 15)

Also, where many young men Householders and many other covenaunt Servaunts having little substaunce or none, using the handy craft of Taylory doe take upon them to weare costly apparell and garments of the newest fashion and of such stuff as exceedeth their degrees to weare or use; ffor Remedy whereof, be it Ordayned, that no person of the said ffraternity which is under the obeysaunce of the said Master & Wardens and sworne unto all the good and lawful rules & Ordynaunces, nowe made, and to be made, within the said Fraternity shall from henceforth take upon him to use or weare any costly array, Garments or apparell within this City otherwise than shall be decent, meete and fitt for his degree and calling and such as a Citizen and Merchaunt man ought to have and under such manner and forme as it shalbe adjudged and deemed by the Maister, Wardens & other Assistants of the said ffraternity that his ability and power may well and conveniently reach unto, upon the penalty of three pounds to be paid unto the use of the said fraternity as often and when as any shalbe found to exceede or offend in this behalf.

6. The Ordynance for the presenting and admitting of Apprentices.

Also it is Ordeyned that no Ffreeman of this fellowshipp shall take into his Service any Apprentice to be bound unto him to serve him after the manner of an Apprentice, but that he doe first present the same apprentice before the Maister and Wardens for the tyme being at their Com[m]on Hall to th intent that they by theire examynation may understand that he be free of Birth and not challenged for a Bondman and borne under the Kinges obeysaunce, or made Denizen upon the payine of 40s. over and above the somme of the presenting of everie suche apprentice

7. The Ordynaunce for the Clerk to make the Indentures.

Furthermore it is enacted that the Com[m]on Clerk of the Company from henceforth shall make all the Indentures of Appren- tizes and Obligations apperteyning to the said Apprentizes and none other person upon payne of ffive shillings to be payde to the said Clerk by every Citizen of the said Mystery so often as he shall doe the contrary inasmuch as every ffreeman of the same is bound so to doe, by reason of his first Oath taken before the Maister and Wardens and that the Clerk of the Company take no more for a paier of Indentures of Apprentizehoode but twelvepence and for everie obligation with condic[i]on endorsed, twelvepence.

The ordynaunce for all those persones that shalbe abled by the Maister and Wardeins to holde hous or shop open.

Also it ys ordeigned that noo persone of this misteere from hensforth shall sette up or kepe shop open within this citee and suburbes of the same upon himself withoute he hath first licence of the Maister & Wardeins and by them proved & admitted that he is able and hath cunning to serve the kyng's liege people of all suche garmentes and thynges as shalbe put into his handes to make and that he be worth x marks, and to pay for his said ablenesse and admyssion to the said Maister & Wardeins to the use of the said fraternitee iij^s iiij, and for his incomyng to the bachelers company and to be broder with theym iij^s iiij^d., and affore that he is licenced to open his shop to shewe the copy of his freedom unto the Maister and Wardeins, and the same to be entred of recorde by the Clerk, paying unto hym for the same entree ij^d., and whate persone of the said misteere that doeth contrary to this said acte shall forfaite & paye to th'use of the said fraternitee xl^s.

Provided alwey that this same ordynaunce stand in no longer strengthe & effecte unto such tyme that complayntes be mayde for the mysseusyng thereof unto the Kynges Highnesse or to his honorable counceill and that so proved, then this said ordynaunce to be refourmed under suche maner & fourme as by the Kynge's noble grace and his said counceill shall be therein advised.

A recytall of the graunte of Kyng Edward the iiij^th. unto the Company for their serche.

Also whereas of late the same Kyng Edward now deceased, whose noble memory God assoyle, by vertue of his lettres patentes under his grete sele in due fourme made and auctorized in his high courte of parliament holden atte Westmynstre in the first yere of his noble Reigne, gafe full power and auctoritee unto the Maister & Wardeins than beyng and to theire successours for ever that they ought to do & have the full serche of in the foresaid misteere and of all those persones which are privileged with Taillours within the said Citee and the suburbes of the same and of such misteeres, which they cr any of theym now use or affore this tyme have used, and all the defaultes among theym founden, after theire discrecions thurgh the oversight of the mayre of the said Citee for the tyme beyng may correcte and refourme, and that none other persone ne persones make or cause to be made in any maner wyse any serche of nor in persones or of the misteeres afforesaid but only the forsaid maire of the same Citee for the tyme beyng or elles his deputees, to be chosen such as be privileged of the said misteere of Taillours and in none other wyse in the defaulte of the Maister and Wardeins afforesaid, yf any may be founden in the same misteeres.—

Which lettres patentes and graunte of serche and dyvers other lettres patentes to this fraterniter by the Kynges noble progenitours graunted heretofore, with almaner libertees, privileges & grauntes in the same lettres comprised, the Kyng oure soveraigne lord that now is, of his grace especiall and mere mocion by his gracyous lettres patentes under his grete seale in due fourme made, and enrolled in his high Courte of Chauncery, and also entred of recorde affore the mayre & Aldremen of London, with more large & ample grauntes in theym specified, hath approved ratified and confermed, as in the same lettres patentes thereof made more playnely is conteigned.

8. The Ordynaunce for the Searchmaking.

(fn. 16) Also it is ordayned that according to the ould usage and custome the ffower Wardens of the said Mysterie and such other of the same as have bene Wardens as the Master will appoint with and by the oversight of the Lord Maior of London for the tyme being shall as often and when as the said Maister shall think beneficiall to the said Mysterie make search throughout the whole Cittie and the suburbs thereof and also at Bartholemew (fn. 17) Faier during the tyme of that Faier amongest all the occupiers and ffreemen of their owne Mysterie, As well for waights, measures, yardes and Ells as for non presenting of Apprentices, non enrolling of them and of keeping of fforeyn's contrary to the Lawes and use of the said City and the good Rules and Ordynances of the said Mystery and of all other defaults which shall happen them to finde in theire Search-making; And the Transgressors and Breakers of theire said Acts and Ordynances to be punyshed and payned accordyng to theire deserving (viz.) Every offendor in using a false waight or yarde, six shillings and eightpence, and for not presenting and enrolling of every Apprentice the like penaltie of six shillings and eightpence. And it is ordayned that this same Ordynaunce be openly redd by the Clerk of the said Mysterie, twice or thrice in a yeare, at Quarter dayes holden at theire Com[m]on Hall upon payne of fforfeiture of 40s. to be forfeyted by the same Clerk to the use of the said ffellowshipp.

9. The Ordynaunce for the Enrolling of Apprentices.

Also it is Ordayned that what person of this Mysterie that taketh any apprentice or apprentices into his Service after the custome of London. and causeth not him or them within a yeare and a day after the beginning of the terms of every such Apprentice to be enrolled before the Chamberleyn of the said Citty as the custome thereof asketh & requireth, shall forfeit and paye to the use of the said Maister and Wardens and Company a fyne of six shillings eightpence without any remission or pardon.

Th'acte for Chambre-holders.

Also where^as dyvers persones aswele of the same misteere as also estraungers born in the parties of beyond the see and also foreyns use dayly to kepe Chambers secretly in aleys and upon steyers & houses in corners, and cutte & make almaner of garmentes, and the same persones be nother free of the Citee nor of the said feliship of Merchaunt Taillours, nother obedient to the good & lawfull ordynaunces made & provyded for the said feliship, nother contributory to any imposicions or other charges paid to the Kyng's grace for the common weale of the Citee, nor chargeable with the payment of any money toward the supportation and mayntennaunce of the said misteere and the fynding and releef of the pore almesbredern of the same which abusyon, is lykely to be to the grete hynderaunce & impoverysshyng of the freemen, householders and kepars of shoppes of the same misteere and to the decay and hurt of the libertees of the said Citee yf due remedy therein be not the sooner provyded and had, the premisses considered. Therefore be it ordeyned that no persone hereafter beyng or not beyng of the said feliship & misteere in any place within the said Citee or the liberties of the same kepe any secrete chambers or houses in aleys or upon steyers cut or make any maner of garments within the same aleys, secret chambers, chambers upon steyers oonles it be for hymself, his wyf or his children (yf he any have) whereby he shall upon peyne to forfaite to th'use of the said feliship for every garment made contrary to this ordynaunce vj^s. viij^d. or more or lesse after the discrecyon and as it shall be reasonably considered by the Maister and Wardeins for the tyme beyng or the more part of theym.

Th'ordynaunce for foreyns straungers and fforeyns denizens.

Also whereas there is a grete noumbre and multitude of aliauntes, foreyns, denizens and straungers dayly repayring to this Citee and use th'andicrafte of Tailloury in dyvers Citezeins houses of other mysteeres which is to the gret hurt & hynderaunce of th'artificers of this ffraternitee; It is established an^e enacted that whate fremen of this misteere or of any other feliship which at any tyme hereafter setteth any foreyn straunger or foreyn denezein a work in th'andicrafte of Tailloury within his hous or elleswhere to his use but yf yt be for sume noble Tryumphe for the kynges grace, his children issue or for som other sodeyn casueltee or cause for a grete estate spirituell or temporell which in all hast possible must nedely be don and sped, shall forfaite & paye to th'advauntage and profette of the Chambre of London as often and whan as any Citezein of the said Citee in such caas ys founde faulty xx^s.

Provyded alwey that the partie which presenteth the said Citezein settyng any such foreyn a worke but yf it be after the maner as is afforesaid affore the Chamberleyn of London for the tyme beyng and justifieth his presentyng in that caas to be true shall have of the said forfaiture as often and whan as he so doeth vj^a. viij^d. withoute any contradiccyon of the said Chamberleyn or of his deputee in his absence.

Th'ordynaunce ayenst theym that make any assemblees.

Also it ys enacted that whateman of this misteere that taketh upon hym herafter to accompany or gadre togydere any persones or feliship of this company, or make any congregacions, assemblees or conventicles in any place, or make or cause to be made any billes or ordynaunces which shulde growe or sounde to the subversion of the goode & laudable rules and ordynaunces made and used within the said fraternitee in tymes passed for the good regyment and governaunce of the same, yf the person so doyng be of the lyvery & clothyng he shalbe put oute therof for ever and utterly excluded from all the almes and all other benefites perteignyng to the said fraternitee, and so entred of record by the Clerk, and yf any persone of the bachelers company usurpe & take upon hym to make any assemblees or billes under suche maner & fourme as is afforesaid and so provided shall forefaite unto th'use of the said misteere x^li yf his power maye thereto atteyne, and yf he be not of that power, than his penaltee to be cessed in suche maner as by the Maister and Wardeins with the advys of the said assistentes shalbe thought reasonable, and to be imprisoned accordyng to his deservynge as the Mayre of the said Citee than beyng wole adjuge.

Th'ordynaunce ayenst theym that hyre any tennaunt out of his dwellyng hous or any other tenure.

Also it ys enacted that what persone of this misteere of what estate degree or condicyon that he be of, that by coloure, covyne, deceipte, fraude, rewarde, promys or yest, (fn. 18) supplanteth, hireth or taketh to ferme of the lorde of the soyle by writyng endented, promys of mouthe or in any other wyse any mesuage, tenement, dwellyng-hous or any other tenure within the Citee of London and the suburbes thereof for terme of yeres, terme of lyf or otherwyse wherthurgh the tenuaunt of his said tenure ys utterly barred, expelled & amoved, shall forfaite & paye for every tyme so doyng the treble value of the rent & hous so taken, wherof ij partes shall com uuto the advauntage of hym that is expelled from his said tenure and the iij^rd. parte of the said forfaiture shall com to th'use of the said fraternitee and that asoften & whan as such caas shall happen to fall.

10. The Ordynaunce for them that mysorder themselves in the presence of the Maister or Wardens. (fn. 19)

Also it is ordeyned and enacted that what person of the said Mystery from henceforth presumptuously, obstinately, rudely and without reverence speaketh unseemly words rebuketh or revileth another or otherwise mysbehave himself against any person of the said Mysterie (fn. 20) or of any other Mysterie complayning or aunswering in any cause or matter proposed afore the Maister and Wardens or any of them whether it be in their Com[m]on Hall or without in any other place in open audience within the precincts of this City shall pay for every such misdemeanor to the behoof of the said Maister and Wardens twenty shillings sterling if he be able to bear the saide penaltie. But if the offence be greate and notorious then the fyne to be cessed and ordered, by the Maister and Wardens with the advice of the Assistaunts, in such manner and forme and to such some as by their sadd discretions shalbe thought according to reason and agreeable to the Estate of the Partie offending so allwaies that the sum exceed not fyve pounds.

11. The Ordynaunce for the Beadle.

Also it is Ordeyned and enacted that the Beadle of the Ffraternitie from henceforth as soone as he hath notice of the decease of any Brother of this Mystery being of the Assistaunts or of the Clothing or Lyvery or the decease of the wief of any such Brother shall being thereunto required sum[m]on and warne all the whole Company to be in theire whole Lyvery present with the Maister and Wardens at a place and hour assigned for the burying of the Brother or Sister deceased. And the said Beadle to have for the saide summons doing of the Executours of every Brother or Sister deceased being in none almes ijs. iiijd. And for every Maister deceased four shillings and for every Master's wife deceased three shillings and fower pence.

Th'ordynaunce ayenst theym that denye to bere a broder or sister to buriyng.

Also it ys ordeigned that what persone of this fraternitee which at any tyme hereafter shalbe duly sommoned by the Bedell to be present with the Maister & Wardeins in his hole livery at a place & houre assigned, to or for the buriyng of any broder or sister decessed which affore tyme hath not be Maister nor Wardein, and denyeth atte the commaundment of one or two of the Wardeins than beyng to bere the said broder or sister to buriyng, yf he be not seke ne diseased nor that the said broder or sister died on the grete sekenesse called the pestilence, shall forfait and paye to th'use of the said fraternitee for every tyme makyng denyall vj^s viij^d.

Provyded alwey that such persones as have be Wardeins affore tyme and sommoned by the bedell after the maner & fourme afforsaid for the buriyng of a Maister whan it shall happen, atte the desyre of the Wardeins than beyng iiij, vj or viij of those that have be Wardeins shalbe redy to bere the said Maister to buriyng (the causes afforesaid reserved) upon the payne of forfaiture of x^s. the pece asoften & whan as such caas shall happen.

12. The Ordynaunce for Non-appearance of the Assistaunts.

Also it is Ordeyned that every Assistaunt and Counsellor being duly sum[m]oned to appear at theire Com[m]on Hall or elsewhere for any matter or cause concerning the Worshipp and Com[m]on profitt of the whole body and sheweth not himself before the Maister and Wardens or one of them at the place and hower assigned (except he hath bene Maior, Alderman or Sheriff of this City of London) shall forfeit and pay to the use of the Company for every tyme being absent three shillings fower pence without any remission or pardon, reasonable and lawful excuse allway except, And yf the Maister then being be absent at the said place and hower without it be by a lawful ympediment shall pay ffive shillings. And every Warden so being absent without reasonable excuse ffour shillings.

13. The Ordynaunce for levying of the Duties appertayning to the said Maister.

Also it is Ordayned and enacted that every person of the saide ffraternity being of the clothing or out thereof shall from henceforth before the ffeast of Lamas next and ymmediately ensuing the ffeast of Midsomer pay his duty for the same ffeast to one of the Wardens therefore assigned without any further delay, viz., Every one of the Assistaunts and Lyvery Three shillings and fower pence a peece at the Maisters ffeast whether they be present or absent upon payne of putting out and clerely dismissing of his Lyvery and Clothing: And such Person as be not of the Clothing and able to pay theire duty shall pay at the general ffeast xijd. whether he be present or absent and shall also pay his Quarteridge, viz., Two shillings and two pence yerely to the use of the poore of the said ffraternity upon payne of fforfeiture of double the value of the severall duties that he oweth to the said Craft without any remission or pardon.

Th'ordynaunce for rebellious persones ayenst the Governours of their Company.

Forasmoche as dyvers persones of the said misteere be many tymes obstynate, perversse, presumptuous and high mynded, and wole not be obedient unto the Maister & Wardeins of their feliship nor obeysaunt unto the good rules & ordynnaunces of the said Citee for the peace the better to be kepte, but contynue still in theire said obstynacy, presumption and high myndes, and so wold stand as men without awe or lawe, It is ordeigned that every such rebell beyng obstynate after the maner & fourme afforsaid, and wole not obey unto the Maister and Wardeins of his company for the peace to be better kepte as affore is specyfied shalbe punysshed & corrected after the discrecion of the Maister & Wardeins and th'assistentes after the qualitee or quantitee of his offenssc.

14. The Ordynaunce against Apprentices wearing Weapons within the Cittie.

Also it is ordayned that none Apprentizes of this mystery from henceforth shall weare any manner of weapon invasive or defensive within the said Cittie and being under the obaysaunce and regiment of the Governors of the said ffraternity without a lawful and reasonable cause be had and shewed, or els being going forth of the Cittie into the Country with his Maister or with other honest company, that the same his Maister will be pleased and contented with upon payne of tenn shillings to be levied of the Maister of every such apprentize to the com[m]on profite of the said Ffraternitie and that as often and when as such case shall happen.

15. The Ordynaunce for them that disclose the Secrets of this Mysterie.

Also it is ordayned that no person of this Ffraternity from hensforth shall discover or disclose any of the lawfull secrets concerning the feats of merchandizing in their own occupation or any secret counsell of the said ffraternity which ought of reason and conscience to be secretly kept without any utterance thereof to any other person of another mysterie and out of the same ffraternitie to the hurt and prejudice of this mysterie upon the penalty and fforfeiture of ffyve pounds, to be paid without any pardon as often and when as such case shall happen.

16. The Ordynaunce for them that deny to beare the Charges concerning the profitt and worshipp of this Mystery.

Also where divers persons aforetime have denied to be partners or contributors and to bear theire partes of certaine charge concerning the worshipp, benefitt or credit of the said ffraternity, It is ordayned that every man of the same from this time forthwardes after his degree and power shalbe contributor and beare charge of and in all manner, cessings, prests, costs, contribuc[i]ons, ympositions and all other charges appertayning to the worshipp, benefitt or creditt of the same mysterie upon the payne of fforty shillings or more or less as shalbe thought good and reasonable by the Maister and Wardens and the Assistaunts of the said ffellowshipp or the more part of them for the time being according to the proportion of the charge of such assessments, ympresses, contributions or ympositions charged upon the Company to the which he shall be required to contribute.

17. The Ordynaunce for the Wardens that Mysebehave them to the Maister or Wardens being in Office. (fn. 21)

Also yf it happen at any tyme hereafter any Warden being in office misuse himself against the Maister then being or against any of his Brethren then officers, by any hastiness of speech or in any other misdemeanor violently, Then it is Ordayned that the Assistaunts, fower or sixe of the ancientest of the said Company and such other of the same as they will call unto them (yf need require) shall reforme and pacifie the said misdemeanor and theire determynac[i]on and sentence reasonable shalbe performed and obeyed upon the payne of fforty shillings more or lesse as is afore rehersed to be employed to the use of the said Company.

18. The Ordynaunce against them that entice any Man's Apprentice from his Master.

Also it is Ordayned that from henceforth what person of this Mysterie induceth, causeth, stirreth, procureth or entiseth any Man's Apprentize or Covenaunt Servant out of his Maisters Service during the term of his Apprentishipp or Covenaunt, shall forfeit & pay to the use of the said Mysterie yff due proof be hadd before the Maister and Wardens, twenty shillings and to the Maister of the said Apprentice or Servant that is so entised away ffive pounds or more or lesse as shalbe thought good and reasonable by the Maister and Wardens and the said Assistaunts.

Th'ordynnaunce for kepyng of holydays.

Also it ys ordeigned that noman of the said misteere herafter shall in th'oly dayes approved by the Chirche kepe theire shoppes open, except it be in the Daye of Sancte Bartholomewe or his even yf it fall upon the Sondaye, upon the peyne of xl^s. to be paid unto th'use of the said misteere asoften & whau as suche caas shall happen.

19. The Ordynaunce for the delyvery of Goods or other vendible wares to any Apprentice or Servaunt.

Also it is Ordayned that no man of this ffellowshipp from hensforth shall deliver any manner of Goods, Cloth, Wares, Merchandizes, Plate or Jewells to any Man's Apprentice or Servaunt of the same ffellowshipp or of any other, without it be by a speciall token sent from the Maister of the said Apprentice or Servaunt to the said Deliverer or Owner of the said Goods and Wares; and if any such case hereafter fortune, then all such Goods and Wares so delivered shalbe at the adventure and jeopardie of him or them that so delivereth.

20. The Ordynaunce for taking of a Stranger born, Apprentice.

Also it is Ordayned that no Freeman of this Mysterie shall take from henceforth any Alien (fn. 22) or Stranger not borne under the King's obeysaunce, Or else that he or they be made Denizens to his Apprentize by Indenture or otherwise, upon the payne of Twenty pound.

21. The Ordynaunce for the usaunce of the Com[m]on Seale.

Also, if it happen the Assistaunts of the said ffraternitie to be sent for by the Maister and Wardens, for Matters & Causes or other things concerning the com[m]on profitt of the same, then it is enacted that they shall take and have tenn Assistaunts at the least besides the Maister and ffower Wardens or three of the same Wardens for the redressing and ordering of such matters, causes and doubts as afore them shalbe alleged or shewed, and also it is ordayned that no Graunt or Guift passe under theire Com[m]on Seale for terme of yeares or terme of lyfe to any person or persons, nor judgement nor sentence pass under the same Seale without it being done in open Courte where the said Maister, Wardens and Assistaunts according to the number aforesaid shalbe present, or the more parte of them, and consentynge to the same upon the payne of tenn pounds as often and when as such case shall happen, and the same payne to be levyed to the use of the said companie of the Maister and Wardens doinge the contrarye.

Th'ordynnaunce for the olde Wardein and late Renter.

Also it ys ordeigued that th'olde Wardein & late Renter from hensforth every yere shall ayde & assiste the newe Wardein & Renter in all thynges belongyng & concernyng the gaderyng of the rentes comyng of the landes of the said fraternitee and in all other causes pertaigning to the common profette of the same upon the peyne of x^li. to be paid by the said late Renter asoften and whau as he shall breke this said ordyunaunce.

Th'ordyunaunce for theym that associate theymself with such persones that be brekers of ordyunaunces.

Also it ys establysshed that no persone of this fraternitee from hensforth shall associate or accompany hymself with any such persone that breketh voluntaryly any reasonable or lawfull actes, statutes or ordyunaunces now redy made or herafter shalbe made for the good governaunce, common weale & prosperous contynuacion of the same, after lawfull warnyng and monycion goven to hym to the contrary, yf any suche be he shalbe taken as a perjured persone that so breketh the said ordynnaunces, and that no persone wearynge the lyvery shall go after hym to his buryall upon the peyne of an C^s. to be paid to th'use of the said fraternitee.

22. The Ordynaunce for him that goeth from this Company to another. (fn. 23)

Also be it Ordayned that if any person of the said Mystery will forsake and leave the same Ffellowshipp and so to be of another Ffellowshipp or Mysterie without Licence or assent of the Maister and Wardens for the tyme being, that then everie person so forsaking and leaving the same Ffellowshipp to forfeit and pay to the use of the said Maister and Wardens such reasonable some of money as shalbe sett & assessed upon him by the Maister, Wardens & Assistaunts of the same for the tyme being, regarding alway the quality and condition of the person on whom the same fyne shalbe assessed and levied, And yf the same person have cause to complayn for the greatness of the fyne, then upon his complaynt made, in that party the Lord Maior and Courte of Aldermen to order the same matter further as to them shal be thought good & convenient in that party.

23. The Ordynaunce for the Bachelor's Company (fn. 24) when a Maior happen to be of the said Fraternity.

Also it is Ordayned that as often and when it happeneth any person of the same fraternity to be Maior of the said City, then and so often if any of those persons named & elected by the Maister and Wardens or by such other of the Assistaunts as they will appointe or assigne to be Maisters Bachelors of the Barge, comonly called Bachelors in ffoynes, renounce, refuse or deny to give theire best attendaunce or doe not perform theire attendaunce fitted and furnished in such sorte as is for the Worshipp of this Fraternitie according to such Election as shalbe made, And do not also supplie & beare such usual rates of contribuc[i]ons as are usually borne by such as are elected to those places shall forfeit and paye for his denyal or refusall to the use of the saide Mysterie 20l. and every other Bachelor com[m]only called Bachelors in Budge of the same Mysterie for the same cause elected and named doe not fulfill nor obey the same Elec[i]on and attendance, Rates of contribution as are likewise borne by such as are elected to that place shall pay to the use of the said ffraternitie Tenn pounds, And over that it is ordayned that every each of the saide Bachelors shall give his best attendaunce & diligent service at the Maiors & Sheriffs feaste of the saide ffraternitie when it happeneth as by the Maister & Wardens or by such other of the Assistaunts as shalbe in such case appointed or assigned And their Election and direction in that behalf to be obeyed without lawful and reasonable excuse upon the penaltie of everie each of them not performing nor doing the same to the use of the saide ffraternitie, Twenty shillings.

Th'ordynnaunce for the iiij^th Wardeyn.

"Also it ys enacted that the iiij^th Wardeyn and laste electe from hensforth immediatly and assone as he is sworne to stande in office for the yere ensuing shall gadre, levye, perceyve and take all th'issues, revenues & proffettes comyng & growyng of all the landes and tenementes pertaigning in any wyse to the said fraternitee, and he to do or cause to be don almaner reparacions necessary and behovefull to the said fraternitee, and to bye and paye for almaner stuffe for the said reparacions atte leste price and in the beste maner as he shall con or inowe, and that he make iiij tymes in the yere a true and playne accompte in wrytyng of all his receiptes and paymentes don by hym quarterly and to be even with the Maister every yere in money and good dettes before the first daye of Auguste next followyng the said feste of Midsomer after the eleccion of the new Maister upon the peyne of x^li to th'use afforesaid.

24. The Ordynaunce for him that denyeth to be Maister.

Also it is ordayned that if any person of the ffraternitie being able to beare and keepe the Roome and office of a Maister, which hereafter shalbe indifferently named and elected by the Maister and Wardens with the advice and consent of the Assistaunts late Maisters, to be Maister of the said ffraternity for the Year ensuing according to the ould ancient rules and lawdable customes aforetime used, will not take upon him to beare, have and occupy the saide Office and Roome of Maistershipp but wilfully renounce & forsake, or will not execute the same office shall forfeit and paye to the use of the said ffraternitie One hundred pounds (fn. 25) without any redemption and never afterwards to be admitted into the saide roome, reasonable causes Lycence asked for sparing of tyme or any other lawful impedyment always reserved and excepted.

25. The Ordynaunce for him that denyeth to be Warden or Warden Substitute. (fn. 26)

It is also ordayned that if any Person of the same ffraternitie being able to keepe and execute the Office of a Warden of this ffraternitee being named and Elected to the said office according to the Ordinance proceeding of this Societie will not or shall not take upon him to beare and exercise the said Office by the space of a Yeare after his Elec[i]on but shall wilfully refuse the undergoing & exercising thereof, shall forfeit and paye to the use of the said ffraternitie the some of Fifty pounds; And if any Person or Persons being of the Bachelors Company and not of the Lyvery or Clothing being chosen to use or exercise the Office of a Warden Substitute of the said Bachelors Company will not or shall not take upon him to beare and exercise the said Office for one whole Yeare after his Elec[i]on but shall refuse the undergoing and exercising thereof shall forfeit and pay to the use of the said ffraternity the some of Forty pounds, without any remission or pardon.

26. The Ordynaunce for propounding of Suits or Motions at Courts of Assistaunts by any of the Assistaunts concerning themselves or any of their friends. (fn. 27)

It is also ordayned for the general good of this Fraternity that upon any occasion of Suite made or motion proposed to the Maister Wardens and Assistants of this Fraternitie at their Courts of Assistants whether the same Suite or motion be proposed by any of the Assistants for or concerning himself or in his own behalf or for or concerning or in the behalf of any brother or servaunt of any of the Assistants of this Societie, Or if any matter be proposed by the Maister, Wardens and Assistaunts for the tyme being which shall or may concern any of the said Assistaunts being present or the Brother or Servaunt (fn. 28) of any of the said Assistaunts so present, then such Assistaunt being required by the Maister for the tyme being or any the Wardens of the ffraternity, to forbeare the Assembly duryng such tyme as the cause shalbe considered of shall withdraw himself to th'end that the Maister, Wardens and residue of the Assistaunts may more freely in the absence of the person withdrawing himself deliver theire opinions in the cause proposed and avoid offence which many times happeneth by playne and free speech which crosseth or is opposite to the motion or cause propounded in such Assemblies in the presence of parties whome it concerneth and that every person so required to withdrawe himself. in such cases as is aforesaid which shall refuse or denye so to doe, shall forfeit and paye for such his contempt and refusal fforty shillings to the use of the saide Company, And to th' end this Ordynaunce may be the better put in execution It is also Ordayned that if the Clerk of this Fraternity shall omitt to put the Maister Wardens and Assistaunts in mynde hereof at any tyme when the case shall in this manner concern any such Assistants the said Clerk shall forfeit and pay to the use of the said Ffellowshipp for every such omission and neglect of his dutie herein the some of tenn Shillings. (fn. 29)

27. The Ordynaunce for the yielding upp of the Maisters Accompt.

Also according to an auld continued custome and usage it is ordeyned that the Maister of the said Fraternity every yeare before the ffourteenth day of August next following the ffeaste of Midsummer Lycence had or other lawfull cause of Lett, except, shall make and yield upp his Accompts openly in the Com[m]on Hall before the whole Assistaunts or the greater parte of them. of all and all manner receipts and payments by hym within the tyme of his said accompts received and payed and then & there to be allowed or disallowed of all his reckonings under such manner and forme as right shall require. And if the same Accomptant be found in any arrearages due to the said ffraternitie then he to paye the same in the daie of his said Accompte making upon the double payne of the said Arrearages, and yf there be any surplusage growing unto him in any cause concerninge his office then the New Maister shall make payment unto him, under such manner and forme and at such tyme as shall be betweene them with the consent of the Assistaunts adjudged.

28. The Ordynaunce for the viewing of the Lands.

Also yt is Ordayned that every Maister of the said Ffraternity and such others as he will call unto him every yeare once shall viewe and oversee from henceforth all the Lands and Tenements appertaining to the said Ffraternitie and then to require and know what raparac[i]ons have been done or ought to be done in every place concerning his said Office and thereupon to give commandement to the Tenaunts that Reperations needefull be done tenantable there as it is desired And that he neither translate or transpose any howse or tenement at the request of any tenaunt except it be with the will, consent and agreement of the ffour Wardens for the tyme being, Provided, alway, that the expences laid out by every Maister for his viewe making be allowed unto him at his accompte making, so that hee charge not the said Company further nor above the some of Tenn pounds.

29. The Ordynaunce for them that become Servaunts with Men of another Mysterie.

Also it is Ordayned that everie person of this Mysterie and Company that shall from henceforth resorte and repaire to any man of another Mysterie and become his Servaunt for Wages and may have as good wages with a man of his own Mysterie all ffraude, guile and mall engyne sett aside, shall forfeit and pay to the use of the said ffraternity Fforty shillings or above of his power thereto may attayne Or else to be fyned otherwise as by the discreete wisdomes of the said Master and Wardens with the advice of the said Assistants shall be deemed reasonable.

30. The Ordynaunce for them that instruct Children of other Crafts, the Handycraft or knowledge of this Mysterie.

Also it is Ordayned that no man of this said ffraternitie from henceforth shall take or have any childe or children borne within this Citty into his Service nor any person of any other Mysterie to be Covenaunt Servaunt and him or them enforme and learne the handycrafte or occupation of this Mysteris where through great hurt and damage hath comen to the same handycraft in tyme passed, and that no man hereafter by cullor or covyn give any wages secretly or otherwise receive rewarde for his instruction and learning, but that every Childe or Children and Covenaunt Servaunt shalbe his Apprentice or Apprentices duly bound without fraude, deceipt or mall engine and enrolled as the custome of the Citty asketh upon the pay'ne of one hundred shillings as often and when as any person of this mysterie doth the contrary to this said Ordynaunce.

Th'ordynnaunce for the kepyng of the Quene's obite and of the Kynges whan it shall happen. (fn. 30)

Also it is ordeigned & enacted that every broder of the said fraternitee beyng duly sommoned by the bedell every yere herafter and for evermore shalbe personally present in his hole lyvery atte obite of the moste excellente Prynce of famous memory our late Soveraigne Lorde Kyng Henry the vij^th in the parisshe Chirche of Saynte Martyn Oteswyche of London, and afterward continuelly & for ever atte obite of the same our soveraigne Lord whan it shall please Almighty God that his moste gracyous persone shall departe from this present lyfe as the said fraternitee have bound theymself to do (according unto the effecte of a graunte by theym late made in writyng under their common Seale, and delivered unto the Kynges Highnesse more plainely doth appeare.) And what persone of the said fraternitee beyng duely sommoned as is afforsaid and cometh not to the said obite and wole not tary there tyll Dirige and Masse be don, nor offer atte said masse j^d, shall paye to th'use of the said fraternitee as often and whan as any is founde fauly iij^s. iiij^d. reasonable lette & lawfull excuse alwey excepte.

31. The Ordynaunce against Maisters that suffer theire Apprentizes to buy and sell to theire owne uses.

Also whereas many persons of this Mystery have heretofore suffered their apprentices and servaunts to buy and sell unto their owne uses and other whiles to the use of other persons of other Mysteries by reason whereof the Maister of such Apprentice have com[m]en to an afterdeale and sore damage. It is therefore Ordayned that no person of the same Companie give Lycence to any of their said Apprentices or Servaunts to buy or sell to their own uses or the use of any other person but onely to the use and profitt of his said Maister upon the pay'ne of twenty pounds to be paid to the use of the said Companie by every such Maister givyng such Lycence to his said Apprentice or Servaunts and that as often as that case shall fall.

32. The Ordynaunce for the Maister and Wardens against partialitie.* (fn. 31)

Also it is ordeyned that if the said Maister and Wardens or any of them for the tyme being be found partial and not indifferent in executing any of the said Actes and Ordynaunces, Or else unlawfully doe favoure any person or persons in theire offences, Or else for mede favour or drede will not execute the said Ordynaunces & every of them indifferently upon all & every person of the same craft offending, that then the said Maister and Wardens shall pay to the use aforesaid as often as they be lawfully and duly founde defective every head fyve pounds sterling or more or lesse as shalbe considered & ordered by the Maister and Wardens or the more parte of them that shalbe in the yeare following with the consents and advises of the sadest & most discreete personnes of the same ffellowshipp.

33. The Ordynaunce to distraine for Penalties.

Also it is Ordered that if any person of the said ffellowshipp of his froward disposition or otherwise, doe refuse or deny to pay any Quarteridge, Penaltie, or fforfeiture Arrerages or other Amerciaments fforfeited, sett or assest upon him for the offending or disobeying any Ordynaunce herein expressed and will in no wise paye the same that then it be lawful to the said Maister and Wardens for the tyme being or any of their Officers belonging to this ffraternity thereunto appointed by the said Maister & Wardens at every lawful tyme to enter into the House or Shopp of every person or persons so refusing to pay as is abovesaide, and theire to take distresse or distresses and the same to leade, drive, carry away and keepe to the use of the same ffellowshipp, assigning the said party a day reasonable to pay and content the saide penalties, fforfeytures, and amerciaments, that is to say twelve daies next after the taking of the said distresse or distresses, to the full contentation of the said fforfeitures, penalties, And if any surplusage or rest of money of the said distresses praysed, doe remayne then the same surplusage of money soe remaining to be restored, to the use of the party of whome the same distresses were taken and that to be done ymmediately by the Maister and Wardens for the tyme being.

Provyded alwey and foreseen that thise ordynnaunces within this boke expressed nor any of theym in no wise extende nor be prejudiciall or hurtfull to the kynges prerogatyfe nother to the hurte of the grauntes by the king or his noble progenytours before tyme made to the Citee of London.

34. The Ordynaunce that if any controversy happen betweene any Brother of this Company and his Apprentice the same to be determyned by the Maister and Wardens for the tyme being. (fn. 32)

It is also Ordayned that if any controversy fall betweene any Brother of this ffraternitie and his Apprentice whereby the same doth growe to such an extremity that they are not to contynue the one with the other, then the Maister of the same apprentice shall bring into the Com[m]on Hall of the said Ffraternitie the same Apprentice with his Indenture and there the cause of the variance to be examined And if the variance betwene them cannot be reconciled but that both be willing to departe one from the other If it be thought convenient by the Maister and Wardens that they shalbe severed the one from the other then the same Apprentice with his Indenture shalbe delivered over to the Maister of the Company for the tyme being and then the Maister and Wardens shall endeavour to provide a new Maister for the same Apprentice and shall sett him over to serve the rest of his terme with another Maister withwhome if he shall contynue and doe him faithfull service during the rest of his terme contained in his Indenture—then at the expiration thereof, his Maister to whom he was assigned shall make him free of the said ffraternity as if had been bounde unto him by the said Indenture. And it is further Ordayned that if any Brother of this Mysterie shall growe in decaye and not be able to follow his trade or occupation, Or shall depart out of this Cittie and Liberties leaving his Apprentices destitute and unprovided of meanes to relieve themselves, that it shalbe lawful for the Maister and Wardens of this Mystery for the tyme being upon complaint of the said Apprentices, and upon just informac[i]on taken that the Apprentice is left distressed, to put over every such Apprentice to serve the residue of his terme with some other Brother of this Mysterie and such their Assignation and setting over of such Apprentice to stand as effectuall as if the same had been done by the consent of the late Maister of the Apprentice to whome he was bounde.

Th'ordynuaunce by buying of stuf perteignyng to reparations.

Also it ys enacted that the iiij^th Wardeyu and collectoure of the rentes every yere from hensforth atte costes & charges of the said misteere shall bye and bestowe unto th'use and behoofe of the same mistere atte the fayre of Kyngestowne upon Thamyse kept there in the ffeste of Pentecoste or in other places next precedyng the ffeste of Midsomer as moche stuf of tymbre, quarters, hert lath, sape lath, plaunche borde, quarter borde & elmenborde atte the most easy prices that he shall con or inowe as shall amount to the summe of x^li or thereaboute, and all the said stuf by hym so bought to be conveyed unto London by water and from thensse unto theire common hall and incontynently after the comyng home of the said Wardeyn and upon the delyveree of the said stuf at the said hall; than he to make unto the Maister than beyng a true accompte and rekenyng of all his reasonable expenses & costes paid & leyde oute by him in & aboute the same, and so afterwarde he to be allowed thereof by the said Maister as ryght requyreth before th' engrossing up of the Maister's accompte to the Company, and to this entent that the said stuf so bought & delyvered in maner & fourme afforesaid shall remayne within the said hall withoute any mynysshyng thereof for such necessary reparacyons as shall happen to fall for the yere ensuyng, and that every Maister from this tyme furtherwarde do observe and kepe this said ordynnaunce and in no wise herafter to be broken on his behalf upon the peyne of xx^li to be paid to th'use of the said fraternitee withoute any remissyon or pardon.

Footnotes