The city of London's plea to the Quo warranto, (an information) brought against their Charter in Michaelmas term, 1681 wherein it will appear, that the liberties, priviledges, and customs of the said city cannot be forfeited, or lost by the misdemeanor of any officer or magistrate thereof, nor their Charter be seized into the King's hands for any mis-usage or abusage of their liberties and priviledges, they being confirmed by divers ancient records and acts of Parliament made before and since Magna Charta : also, how far the Commons of the said city have power of chusing and removing their sheriffs / published both in English and Latin.

1682

THE City of London's PLEA TO THE Quo Warranto, (An Information) brought against their CHARTER In Michaelmas Term, 1681. WHEREIN It will Appear, That the Liberties, Priviledges, and Customs of the said City cannot be Forfeited, or Lost by the Misdemeanor of any Officer or Magistrate thereof. Nor their CHARTER be Seized into the King's Hands for any Mis-usage or Abusage of their Liberties and Priviledges, they being Confirmed by divers Ancient Records and Acts of Parliament made before and since MAGNA CHARTA. ALSO, How far the Commons of the said City have Power of Chusing and Removing their SHERIFFS. Published Both in English and Latin.

London, Printed in the Year 1682. And Published by Randal Taylor.

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Per Informat' Mich. xxxiii Car. Secund. Reg.

Lond. ss. MEmorandum quod Robertus Sawyer Miles, Attorn. Dom. Regis nunc Generalis, qui pro codem Dom. Rege in hac parte sequitur, in propria persona sua von. hic in Cur. dict. Dom. Regis coram ipso Rege apud Westm. die Lunae prox. post quinden' S. Martini isto codem term', & pro eodem Dom. Rege dat. Cur. hic Intelligi & Informari, quod Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat. Lond. praed. per spacium unius Mensis jam ult. elaps. & amplius usi fuerunt & adhuc utuntur, ac clamant habere & uti absque aliquo Warranto sive Regali Concessione infra Civitat. Lond. praed. & Libertat. & Praecinct. ejusdem Civitat. diversis Libertat. Privileg. & Franches. sequen. videl. Fore de seipsis unum Corpus Corporat. & Politicum in nomine Majoris & Civitat. ac Civium Civitat. London ac per idem nomen placitare & implacitari, respondere & responderi, ac etiam habere Vicecomit. Civitat. & Comitat. Civitat. Lond. & nominare & eligere ex seipsis duas personas fore Vicecomit. Civitat. praed. & Com. ejusdem Civitat. Ac ill. sic nominat. & elect. praesicere & constituere Vic. Civit. praed. & Com. ejusdem Civitat. ad Execution. & Retorn. omnium Brevium, Billarum, & Praeceptorum Dom. Regis pro Administratione & Executione Justic. infra Civit. praed. & Com. ejusdem Civit. exequend. faciend. ac ad faciend. & exequend. omnia & singula al. infra Civit. praed. & Com. ejusdem Civit. quae ad Officium Vic. faciend. pertinent. Ac etiam habere Vic. Com. Middlesex, & nominare, [Page 2]eligere & constituere exseipsis Vic. Com. Middlesex, pro eodem Com. ut Vicecomes inde deservitur. ac omnia Brevia, Billas, & praecepta Dom. Regis infra Com. Middlesex praed. pro Administratione & Executione Justic. ibid. exequend. & retorn. inde faciend. absque aliqua Commissione sive aliquibus Literis Patentibus à Dom. Rege inde obtent. sive obtinend. Ac etiam quod Major & Aldermanni ejusdem Civit. fucrunt Justic. Dom. Regis ad pacem infra Civit. praed. conservand. ac ad Sessiones pacis & placita Coronae infra eandem Civit. tenend. ac ad omnes Felon. Riot. & Conventic. illicit. infra Civit. praed. inquirend. audiend. & terminand. Authoritate ipsorum propria, absque aliqua Commissione, sive al. Authoritate à Dom. Rege in ea parte concess. sive obtent. De quibus quidem omnibus & singulis Libertat. Privileg. & Franches. iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London praed. per totum tempus supradictum, supra dictum Dom. Regem nunc usurpaverunt & adhuc usurpant, in dict. Dom. Regis nunc Contempt. Praerogativae suae Regiae grave dampnum & praejudicium. Ʋnde idem Attornat. dict. Dom. Regis nunc General. pro eodem Dom. Rege pet. Advisament. Cur. hic in praemiss. & debit. Legis Proces. versus Praefat. Major. & Communitat. ac Cives Civit. Lond. praed. in hac parte fieri ad respondend. dict. Dom. Regi Quo Warranto clamant habere, uti & gaudere Libertat. Privileg. & Franches. supradict. &c.

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In English thus: The Information in Michaelmas Term, in the Thirty Third Year of Car. II. King of England, &c.

Lond. ss. MEmorand' That Robert Sawyer Knight, our Lord the Kings Attorney General, who on this behalf prosecutes for our said Lord the King, appears here in his own person in the Court of our said Lord the King, before the King himself at Westminster on Munday next after the Quindene of St. Martin ( viz. Nov. 27.) in the same Term; and for our said Lord the King, gives this Court to understand and be informed, That the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, for the space of one month last past, and longer, have used, and do yet use, and claim to have and use (without any Warrant or Royal Grant) within the City of London aforesaid, and the Liberties and Precincts of the said City, divers Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchises following, to wit, To be of themselves one Body Corporate and Politick, in the Name of the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, and by the same Name to implead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered; And also to have a Sheriff of the City and County of the City of London, and to Nominate and Elect out of themselves two persons, One to be the Sheriff of the City aforesaid, and of the County of the same City, and him so nominated and elected to prefer and constitute Sheriff of the City aforesaid and of the County of the said City, for the Execution and Return of all Breve's, Bills, and Precepts of our Lord the King, for the administration and execution of the Justice within the City [Page 2]aforesaid, and County of the same City, to be executed and done, and to do and execute all and every the other things within the City aforesaid, and County of the same, that belong to the Office of a Sheriff: And also to Nominate, Elect and Constitute Another person out of themselves for the Sheriff of the County of Middlesex, for the said County to serve as Sheriff for the same, and to execute there and make return of all Breve's, Bills and Precepts of our Lord the King within the County of Middlesex aforesaid, for the administration and execution of Justice, without any Commission or Letters Patents obtained or to be obtained from our Lord the King on that behalf: And also, that the Mayor and Aldermen of the said City, have been Justices of our Lord the King to keep the Peace within the said City, and to hold Sessions of the Peace and Pleas of the Crown within the said City, and all the Felonies, Riots and unlawful Conventicles within the said City, to enquire into, hear and determine by their own proper authority, without any Commismission or other Authority from our Lord the King granted or obtained on that behalf. All and every of which Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchises, the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, for all the said time, have usurped, and do still usurp over our said Lord the King, to the contempt of our said Lord the King, and to the great damage and prejudice of his Prerogative Royal. Whereupon the said Attorney-General of our Lord the King, doth desire for our said Lord the King the Advice of this Court in the premisses, and due course of Law to be made against the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid on this behalf, to answer our said Lord the King, By what Warrant they claim to have, use and enjoy the Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchises aforesaid, &c.

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The PLEA. Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London, ad Sectam Dom' Regis.

ET predicti Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitatis London per Benedictum Brown Attornat' suu' ven' & habito auditu Information' predict' querunt' se Colore ejusdem Informationis gravit' fore vexat' & inquietat' & hoc minus juste quia protestando quod Informatio predict' materia (que) in eadem content' min' suffic' in Lege exist' ad-qua' quidem Informat' ipsi necesse non habent nec per Legem Terre tenet' aliquo modo respondere pro Placito tamen quoad libertat' Privileg' & Franchiz' sequen' (viz.) ipsos Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London fore de seipsis unu' corpus Corporat' & Politic' in re facto & nomine per Nomen Majoris & Communitat' ac Civiu' Civitat' London, ac per idem Nomen placitare & implacitare respondere ac responderi in Informat' praedict' superius specificat' iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London dicunt quod dict' Domin' Rex nunc ipsos occasione inde impetere seu occasonare non debet quia dicunt quod praedict Civit' London est & a tempore cujus contrar' memoria' homin' non exist' fuit antiqua Civitas Quod (que) Cives ejusdem Civit' sunt & à praedict' tempore cujus contra memor' homin' non [Page 4]exist' fuerunt un' corpus corporat' & Politic' in re facto & nomine per nomen Majoris & Communitat' ac Civium Civit' London ac per idem nomen per tot' tempus illud placitaver' & implacitat' fuerunt responder' & respons' fuerunt, & placitare & implacitari, respondere ac responderi ac toto tempore supradicto usi fuerunt & consuever' Quod (que) in Magna Charta de libertat' Angl' in Parliament' Domin' Henrici quondam Regis Angl' tertii apud Westm' in Comitat' Midd' Anno Regni sui nono tent' edit' & provis' continet' quod Civitas London habeat omnes libertat' suas antiquas & consuetud' suas & iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London ulterius dicunt quod Domin' Edwardus quondam Rex Angl' tertius in Parliamento suo apud Westm' in Comit' Midd' Anno Regni sui primo tent' per quandam Cartam suam de consensu Praelator' Comit' Baron' ac totius Communitat' Regni sui in eodem Parliament' suo apud Westm' praedict' convocat' existen' ac Authoritat' ejusdem Parliament' confirmavit tunc Civibus Civit' London praedict' libertat' subsequen' int' alia) habend' sibi & successoribus suis in perpetuum, imprimis recitando: quod cu' in Magna Charta de libertat' Angl' contineat' quod Civit' London habeat omn' libertat' suas antiquas & consuetud' suas; Et quod iidem Cives tempore confection' dictae Cartae ac temporibus Sancti Edwardi Regis & Confessoris & Willielmi Conquestoris & al' Progenitor' dict' Regis Edwardi in divers' libertat' [Page 5]& consuetud' tam per Cartas ipsor' Progenitor' suor' quam suae Cartis ex antiqua consuetud' habuissent, voluit & concessit idem Rex Edwardus tertius pro se & Haeredibus suis per Cartam illam authoritat' praedict' quod iidem Cives habuerint Tibertac' suas secund' form' Magn' Cartae supradict' & quod pro aliqua personali transgr' vel Judicio personal' alicujus Ministri ejusdem Civit' non caperet' libertat' Civit' ill' in manus ejasdem Regis Edwardi tertii vel Hered' suor' sed hujusmodi Minister prout qualitas transgress' requiret puniet' prout per eandem Cartam geren' dat' apud Westm' praedict' sexto die Martii, Anno Regni dict' Regis Edwardi tertii primo supradict' sub magno sigillo suo Angl' sigillat' hic in Cur' praelat' inter alia plenius apparet Et iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London ulterius dicunt quod ad instant' & requisit Communitat' Regni Angl' in Parliamento Domin' Ricardi nuper Regis Angl' secundo post Conquest' apud Westm' praedict' Anno Regni sui septimo tent' assemblat' pro majore quiete & pace int' ligeos ejusdem nuper Regis faciend' & pro bono publico omnes Consuetud' libertat' Privileg' & franch' Civit' praedict' tunc Civibus Civit' illius & eor' successor' licet usi non fuerint vel abusi fuerint eisdem Authorit' ejusdem Parliament' ratificat' & confirmat' fuer' Quod (que) Domin' Henricus nuper Rex Angl' sextus per litteras suas patent' sub magno sigillo suo Angl' sigillat' geren' dat' apud Westm' praedict' [Page 6]vicesimo sexto die Octobr' Anno Regn' sui vicesimo tertio quas iidem Major & Communitas & Cives Civit' London hic in Cur' proferunt pro se, Heredibus et Successoribus suis confirmavit Majori et Communitat' ac Civibus Civit' London et successor' suis omnes et singulas suas' libertat' franc' et liberas Consuetud' adeo integras et illesas sicut eas unquam aliquo tempore Progenitor' ejusdem nuper Regis Henrici sexti melius, quietius et liber' habuissent et tenuissent prout per easdem litteras patent' int' alia plenius apparet Quod (que) Domin' Edwardus nuper Rex Ang' quartus per litteras suas patent' sub magno sigillo suo Angl' sigillat' geren' dat' apud Westm' praedict' Nono die Novembr' Anno Regn' sui secundo quas iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit' London hic in Cur' proferunt pro se et Heredibus suis confirmavit Majori et Communitat' ac Civib. Civit. London et successoribus suis in perpetu. omn. et singulas suas libertat. Franc. et liberas Consuetud. adeo integr. et illaes. sicut eas unquam aliquo tempore Progenitor. ejusdem nuper Reg. Edwardi quarti melius, quietius et liber. habuissent et tenuissent Et ulterius idem nuper Rex Edwardus quartus per easdem litteras suas patent. concessit eisdem Majori et Communitat. ac Civibus quod licet ipsi vel Predecessor. sui aut Major et Alderman. Civit. praedict. vel Predecessor. sui praeantea vel Successor. sui extunc imposter. aliqua vel aliquibus libertat. quietant. concess. ordinat. Articulor. seu liberar. Consuetud. aut alior. in [Page 7]eisdem litteris patent' ejusdem nuper Regis Edwardi quarti seu al' literis suis aut Progenitor' suor' quondam Reg' Angl' eisdem Majori & Communitat' concess' content' aliquo Casu emergente plene non usi vel abusi fuerint: Noluit tamen idem nuper Rex Edwardus quartus quod propt' hoc ipsi Major & Communitat' Aldermann' & Cives seu Successoribus sui forisfactur' aliquor' praemiss' incurrerent sed quod ipsi & eor' Successor' universis & singulis libertat' quietant' concess' ordinat' Articulis, liberis Consuetud' & quibuscun (que) al' in Cartis & litteris praedict' content. totaliter non usis vel etiam abusis & eor. quolibet extunc de caetero plene & libere gauderent & eis uterent. sine impetition. vel impediment' ejusdem nuper Regis seu Hered. suor. Justic. Escator. Vicecom. aut al. Balliv. seu Ministr. ipsius nuper Regis vel al. quorumcun (que) prout per easdem litteras patent, ejusdem nuper Regis Edwardi quarti hic in Cur. prolat. int. alia plenius apparet. Quod (que) Domin. Henricus nuper Rex Angl. Septimus per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. vicessimo tertio die Julii Anno Regnisui Vicessimo, quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro se Heredibus & Successoribus suis Ratificavit & Confirmavit Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civit' London & eor. Successor. omnia & singula libertat. privileg. quietant. & liberas Consuetud. quibus ipsi Major Communitas & Cives seu Predecessor. sui habere, exercere seu gaudere consuevissent [Page 8]vel usi fuissent aut devenissent adeo plene, plan. & integre ac si ac omnia & singula separatim & verbat. in eisdem litteris patent. express. declarat. & manifestat. essent & fuissent, prout per easdem litteras patent intalia plenius apparet. Et iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London ulterius dicunt quod Domin. Jacobus nuper Rex Angl. &c. per litteras suas Patent. sub Magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Honorem suu. de Hampton-Court Vicessimo quarto die Septembris Anno Regni sui Angl. sexte, quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proserunt recitando quod cum quamplurimi Progenitores ipsius nuper Regis quondam Reges Angl. de gratia sua special. ac progratis laudabil. multiplicib. & contin. servit. per Majorem & Communitat. ac Cives Civit. London et Praedecessor' suos temporibus retract. fact. et impens. Necnon pro divers. al. urgent. causis et consideration. cos separatim moven. dedissent concessissent et confirmassent Majori et Communitat. ac Civib. Civit. London praedict. et Successor. suis divers. libertat. Privileg. Franch. Immunitat. Authorit. Jurisdiction. Ordinat. Consuetud. et quietant. prout, per separat. litteras Patent. Progenitor. et Predecessor. suor. quondam Regum Angl. plenius et manifestius liquelat et apparebat. Idem nuper Rex Jacobus pro et in considerat. sum. fidelitat. constant. et prompt. et laudabil. servit. per Major. et Communitat. ac Cives. Civit. London praedict. eidem nuper Regi in ips. Regn. sui primis Auspiciis et continue us (que) tunc manifest. et fidelissim. fact. et impens. omnes et singulas Litteras Patent. [Page 9]Cartas et confirmac. Praeclariss. Progenitor. et Successor. suor. eisdem Majori et Communitat. ac Civib. Civit. London praedict. et successor. suis per quaecunque nomina incorporat. ante tunc tempora fact. concess. seu confirmat. ac omnes et singulas donac. concess. confirmac. restitut. consuetud. ordinac. explanac. articul. et omnes al. res quascun (que) in quibuscun (que) litteris paten. sive Cartae quorumcun (que) Progenitor. Predecess. aut Antecessor. suor. Regn. Angl. Necnon omnia et singula in dict. litteris patent. Chartis concess. confirmat. seu eor. aliquibus content. recitat. specifac. confirmat. seu explanat. Ac omnia et singula Jurisdiction. Authoritat. Privileg. Libertat. Franch. Quietanc. Immunitat. liberas Consuetud. et Hereditament. quaecun (que) quae praedict. Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London praedict. vel Predecessor. sui per Nomen Major. et Communitat. ac Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Major. et Aldermann. Civit. London seu per Nomen Majoris Civium et Communitat. Civit. London seu per Nomen Majoris et Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Majoris et Communitat. Civit. London seu per Nomen Civium Civit. London seu per nomen Baron. London seu per Nomen Baron. Civit. London seu per aliquod al. nomen quodcunque ratione seu vigore aliquar. litterar. patent. Cartar. seu confirmac. aliquor. Progenitor. Praedecessor. aut Antecessor. ejusdem nuper Regis Jacobi quondam Regis Angl. aliquo tempore vel aliquib. temporib. habuissent seu rationabilit. [Page 10]usi fuissent aut exercuissent rata habuit et grata ac pro se et Hered. et Successor. suis acceptavit et approbavit ac ea omnia et singula prefat. Major. et Communitat. ac Civib. Civit. London praedict. et eor. Successorib. per easdem litteras suas patent. ratificavit et confirmavit habend. tenend. gaudend. et exercend. omnia et singula praemiss. eisdem Major. et Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London praedict. et Successoribus suis in perpetuum adeo plene, libere et integre ac in tam amplis modo et forma ac si separatim, singulatim et nominatim in litteris patent. ill. express. nominat. declarat. recitat. et manifest. essent et fuissent, prout per easdem litteras patent. inter alia plenius apparet. Quodque Domin. Carolus primus nuper Rex Angl' &c. per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. decimo octavo die Octobris Anno regni sui quartodecimo, quas iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt omnia et singula Privileg. Libertat. Franc. Quietanc. Immunitat. et liberas Consuetud. quaecun (que) que praedict. Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London praedict. vel Praedecessor. sui per Nomen Majoris et Communitat. ac Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Majoris et Aldermann. Civium et Communitat. London seu per Nomen Majoris et Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Majoris et Communitat. Civit. London seu per Nomen Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Baron. London seu per [Page 11]Nomen Baron. Civit. London seu per aliquod al. nomen quodcun (que) ratione seu vigore litterar. patent. Cartar. seu confirmac. in eisdem litteris patent. dicti nuper Regis Caroli primi mentionat. vel usu vel praescriptione aut alio legal. modo aliquo tempore vel aliquibus temporibus ante hoc habuissent seu rationabiliter usi fuissent aut exercuissent rat. haben. et grata ac pro se heredibus et successoribus suis acceptavit et approbavit, ac ea omnia et singula praefat. Majori et Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London et eor. Successor. per easdem litteras suas patent. ratificavit et confirmavit, prout per litteras patent. ill. int. alia plenius liquet et apparet. Quodque praedict. Domin. Rex nunc per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. vicesimo quarto die Junii Anno regni sui decimo quinto, quas iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro ipso Rege, Heredibus et Successoribus suis ratificavit et confirmavit Major et Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London et successor. suis omnia et singula Jurisdiction. Authoritat. Privileg. Libertat. Franch. Quietanc. Immunitat. et Consuetud. quecun (que) que praefat. Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London vel Praedecessor. sui per Nomen Major. et Communitat. ac Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Majoris Aldermannor. Civium et Communitat. London seu per Nomen Majoris et Civium Civit. London seu per Nomen Major. et Communit. Civit. [Page 12] London seu per Nomen Civium Civit. London, seu per Nomen Baron. London, seu per Nomen Baron. Civitat. London, seu per aliquod al' Nomen quodcun (que) ratione vel vigore Litterar. patent. cartar. seu confirmat. in eisdem litteris patent. dicti Domin. Regis nunc praementionat. vel alicujus seu aliquar. usus vel usu. praescription. vel praescriptionum seu al. legali modo quocun (que) aliquo tempore, vel aliquibus temporibus ante tunc habuissent seu rationabilit. usi fuissent, seu exercuissent habend. tenend. gaudend. & exercend. omnia & singula praemiss. praedict. eisdem Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict. & Successoribus suis inperpetuum adeo plene libere & integre ac in tam amplio modo & forma prout in eisdem Litteris patent. superius mentionat. fore data sive concessa aut alit. usu praescription. vel al. legali modo seu jure quocun (que) ante tunc respective habit. obtent. sive gavisa fuissent ac si separatim singulatim & nominatim in et per dictas litteras patent. ipsius Domin. Regis nunc express. nominat. declarat. concess. & manifesta essent et fuissent prout per easdem Litteras Patent. inter alia plenius apparet. Et eo Warranto iidem Major & Communitat. ac Cives Civitat. London per tempus in Informatione praedicta superius specifac. usi fuer. & adhuc utunt. ac clamant habere & uti Libertat. Privileg. & Franch. fore de seipsis unum Corpus Corporat. & politic. in re facto & Nomine per Nomen Majoris & Communitat. ac Civium Civitat' London, ac per idem Nomen placitare & implacitari, respondere ac responderi prout eis bene [Page 13]licuit & licet. Abs (que) hoc quod iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London de Libertat. Privileg. & Franch. ill. super dictum Domin. Regem nunc per tempus praedict. in Informatione praedict. superius specifac. Ʋsurpaver. seu Ʋsurpant prout per Information. ill. pro dicto Domin. Rege nunc superius supposuit. Quae omnia & singula iidem Major ac Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London parat. sunt verificare, unde petit Judicium; Et quod Libertat. Privileg. & Franch. ill. eis & Successoribus suis in perpetuu. deinceps allocent. & adjudicent. & quod ipsi quoad praemiss. ill. ab hac Cur. dimittant. &c. Et iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London, quoad Libertat. Privileg. & Franch. sequen. viz. ipsos habere. Vicecom. Civit. & Com. Civit. London & Vicecom. Midd. & nominare et eligere ex seipsis suas personas fore Vicecom. Civit. praedict. et Com. ejusdem Civit. et Vicecom. Midd. ac ill. sic nominat. et Elect. praeficere et constituere Vicecom. Civit. praedict. et Com. ejusdem Civit. et Vicecom. Midd. ac ut Vicecom. Civit. praedict. et in Com. ejusdem Civit. ad execut. et Retorn. omniu. breviu. Bill. et Praecept. Domin. Regis pro Administratione et execut. Justic. infra Civit. praedict. et Com. ejusdem Civit. exequend. faciend. quae ad Officiu. Vicecom. faciend. pertinent ac ad faciend. et exequend. omnia et singula alia infra Civit. praedict. & Com. ejusdem Civit. que ad officiu. Vicecom. faciend. pertinent, acout Vicecom. Com. [Page 14] Midd. pro eodem Com. deservitur. ac omnia Brevia, Bill. & Praecept. Domin. Regis infra Com. Midd. praedict. pro Administratione & Executione Justitiae ibidem exequend. & retorn. inde faciend. quae ad Officium Vicecom. faciend. pertinen. Dicunt quod Dictus Domin. Rex nunc ipsos Majorem & Communitat. ac Cives Civitat. London occasione inde impetere seu occasonare non debet, quia dicunt quod praedict. Civit. London est & a tempore cujus contrar. memoria. homin. non exist. fuit antiqua Civitas & antiqu. Comit. de se Quod (que) praedict. Com. Midd. per totum tempus praedict. fuit & est antiquus Comit. Quod (que) Cives ejusdem Civit. sunt & a praedict. tempore cujus contrar. memor. homin. non exist. fuer. un. corpus corporat. & politicu. tam per Nomen Major. & Communitat. ac Civium Civit. London quam per Nomen Civium London Quod (que) Domin. Johannes quondam Rex Angl. per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud bonam Villam super Tokam, quinto die Julii, Anno Regni sui primo, quas iidem Major & Communitat. ac Cives Civitat. London hic in Cur. proferunt, concessit Civibus London praedict. Vicecomit. London & de Midd. cum omnibus rebus & consuetudinibus que pertinebant ad praedict. Vicecom. infra Civit. & extra, per terras & per aquas habend. & tenend. eis in perpetuum. Et praeterea idem Domin. Rex Johannes per litteras suas patent. praedict. concessit eisdem Civibus London quod ipsi de seipsis facerent Vicecom. quoscun (que) voluerint & amoverent quando [Page 15]voluerint prout per easdem litteras patent. inter alia plenius apparet. Quod (que) in Magna Charta de libertatibus Angl. in Parliament. Domin. Henrici quondam Regis Angl. tertii apud Westm. in Com. Midd. Anno regni sui nono tent. edit. & provis. continet. quod Civit. London habeat omnes libertat. suas antiquas & consuetud. suas. Et iidem Major & Communitas, ac Cives Civit. London ulterius dicunt quod idem Domin. Rex Henricus tertius per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. decimo octavo die Februarii Anno Regni sui undecimo quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt, confirmavit Civibus London Vicecom. London & de Midd. cum omnibus rebus & consuetudinib. quae pertineb. ad praedict. Vicecom. infra Civitat. & extra, per terras & per aquas prout per easdem litteras patent. int. al. plenius apparet. Quodque Domin. Edwardus quondam Rex Angl. tertius in Parliament. suo apud Westm' tent. in Com. Midd. Anno regni sui primo tent. per quandam Cartam suam de assensu Praelator. Comit. Baron ac totius Communitat. regni sui in eodem Parliamento suo apud Westm. praedict. convocat. existen. ac Authoritate ejusdem Parliamenti confirmavit tunc Civibus Civit. London praedict. libertat. subsequen. int. al. habend. sibi & Successoribus suis in perpetuum. Imprimis recitando quod cum in Magna Charta de libertat. Angl. contineat. quod Civitas London [Page 16]habeat omnes libertat. suas antiquas et consuetud. suas. Et quod iidem Cives tempore confection. dictae Cartae ac temporibus sancti Edwardi Regis et Confessoris, et Willielmi Conquestor. et al. Progenitor. dicti Regis Edwardi tertii diversas libertat. et consuetud. tamper Cartas ipsor. Progenitor. suor. quam sine Cartis ex antiqua consuetud. habuissent, voluit et concessit idem Rex Edwardus tertius pro se et Heredibus suis per Cartam ill. authoritat. praedict. quod idem Cives haberent Libertat. suas secund. formam magn. Cartae supradict. Et quod pro aliqua personal. transgr. vel Judicio Personal. alicujus Ministri ejusdem Civit. non caperet. libertas Civit. ill. in manu ejusdem Regis Edwardi tertii vel Hered. suor. sed hujusmodi Minister prout qualitas transgr. requireret puniretur prout per eandem Cartam geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. sexto die martii Anno Regni dicti Regis Edwardi tertii primo supradict. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. hic in Cur. prolat. int. alia plenius apparet. Et iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London ulterius dicunt quod ad Instant. et requisition. Communitat' Regni Angl. in Parliamento Domin. Ricardi nuper Regis Angl. Secundi post Conquestum apud Westm. praedict. Anno Regni sui septimo tent. assemblat. pro majore quiet' et pace inter ligeos ejusdem nuper Regis fovend. et pro bono publico omnes Consuetud. Libertat. Privileg. et Franch. Civit. praedict. tunc Civibus Civitat. illius et eor. Successoribus, licet usi non fuerint vel abusi fuerint eisdem Authoritat. ejusdem [Page 17]Parliament. ratificat. & confirmat. fuer. Quod (que) Dominus Henricus nuper Rex Angl. sextus per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. vicesimo sexto die Octobris, Anno Regni sui vicesimo tertio quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro se Heredibus & Successoribus suis confirmavit Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London et Successoribus suis omnes et singulas suas libertat. franch. et liberas Consuetud. adeo integras et illesas sicut eas unquam aliquo tempore Progenitor. ejusdem nuper Regis Henrici sexti melius, quietius et liber. habuissent et tenuissent prout per easdem litteras patent. int. al. plenius apparet. Quod (que) Domin. Edwardus nuper Rex Angl. quartus per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. nono die Novembr. Anno Regni sui secundo quas iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro se et Heredibus suis confirmavit Majori et Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London et Successoribus suis in perpetuum omnes et singulas suas libertat. franch. et liberas Consuetud. adeo integr. et illes. sicut eas unquam aliquo tempore Progenitor. ejusdem nuper Regis Edwardi quarti melius, quietius et liber. habuissent et tenuissent Et ulterius idem nuper Rex Edwardus quartus per easdem litteras suas patent. concessit eisdem Majori et Communitat. ac Civibus, quod licet ipsi vel Predecessores sui aut Major et Aldermann. Civit. praedict. vel Praedecessor. sui praeantea vel Successores sui extunc imposterum aliqua vel aliquibus libertat. quietant. concess. [Page]Ordination. Articulor. seu liberar. Consuetudin. aut alior. in eisdem Litteris Patentibus ejusdem nuper Regis Edwardi quarti seu al. Litteris suis aut Progenitor. suor. quondam Regum Angl. eisdem Majori & Communitat. concess. content. aliquo casu emergente plene non usi vel abusi fuerint. Noluit tamen idem nuper Rex. Edwardus quartus. quod propt. hoc. ipsi Major & Communitas Alderman. & Cives seu Successor. sui forisfactur. aliquor. premissor. incurrent sed quod ipsi & eorum Successor. Ʋniversis & singulis libertat. quietant. concess. ordinat. Articulis Liberis Consuetud. & quibuscun (que) al. in Cartis & litteris praedict. content. totalit. non usis vel etiam abusis, & eor. quolibet extunc de caetero plene & libere gauderent & eis uterent. sine impetatione vel impediment. ejusdem nuper Regis seu Hered. suor. Justic. Escaetor. Viceom. aut al. Balliv. seu Ministr. ipsius nuper Regis vel alior. quorumcun (que) prout per easdem Litteras patent. ejusdem nuper Regis Edwardi quarti hic in Cur. Prolat. int. al. plenius apparet. Quodque Domin. Henricus nuper Rex Angl. Septimus per Litteras suas Patent. sub Magno sigillo suo Angl. Sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. Vicesimo tertio die Julii Anno Regni sui Vicesimo, quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro se Hered. & Successoribus suis ratificavit & confirmavit Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London, & eorum Successoribus omnia & singula Libertat. Privileg. quietant. & liberas consuetudines quibus ipsi Major Communitas & Cives seu Predecessor. sui habere, exercere seu gaudere consuevissent vel ust fuissent aut [Page 18]debuissent aut plene, plane & integre ac si ea omnia & singula separatim & verbatim in eisdem Litteris Patent express' declarat' & manifestat' essent & fuissent prout per easdem Litteras Patent' inter alia plenius apparet. Quod (que) Domin' Henricus nuper Rex Angl' Octavus per Litteras suas Patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl' sigillat' geren' dat' apud Westm' praedict duodecimo Die Julii Anno Regni sui quinto, quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London hic in Cur' proferunt omnes concessiones & al, quaecun (que) in praedict' Litteris Patent' praedict' Domin' Regis Johannis superius specificat' content' quod ipse Rege Henrico octavo & Heredibus suis, Majori & Communitat' ac Civibus Civitat' London & Successoribus suis Ratificavit & Confirmavit, prout per easdem Litteras Patent' ejusdem nuper Regis Henrici Octavi inter alia plenius apparet. Quod (que) Dom' Edwardus nuper Rex Angl' Sextus per Litteras suas Patent' sub magno figillo suo Angl' sigillat' geren' dat' apud Westm' praedict' Vicesimo primo die Februarii Anno Regni sui Secundo, quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London hic in Cur' proferunt omnes concession' & al' quaecun (que) in praedict' Litteris Patent' dicti Domin' Regis Johannis superius specificat' content' pro ipso nuper Rege Edwardo Sexto & Heredibus suis, Major. & Communitat' ac Civibus Civit. London, & Successoribus suis Ratificavit et Confirmavit, prout per easdem Litteras Patent' ejusdem nuper Regis Edwardi Sexti inter alia plenius apparet. Quod (que) Domina Maria nuper Regnii. Angl' per Litteras suas Patent' sub [Page]magno sigillo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. primo die Martii, Anno Regni sui primo quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro ipsa nuper Regina Hered. & Successoribus suis omnes concessiones & al. quaecun (que) in praedict. litteris. patent. dicti Domin. Regis Johannis superius specificat. content. Majori et Communitat. ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict. et Successor. suis ratificavit et confirmavit prout per easdem litteras patent. ejusdem nuper Regis int. al. plenius apparet. Quod (que) Domina Elizabetha nuper Regin. Ang. per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Westm. praedict. nono die Maii, Anno Regni sui quarto, quas iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London hic in Cur. proferunt pro ipsa nuper Regina Elizabetha Hered. et Successoribus, suis omnes concession. et al. quaecun (que) in praedict. litteris patent. dicti Domin. Regis Johannis superius specificat. content. Majori et Communitat. ac Civibus Civit. London et Successoribus suis ratificavit et confirmavit, prout per easdem litteras patent. ejusdem nuper Reginae Elizabeth. inter alia plenius apparet. Et iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London ulterius dicunt, quod Domin. Jacobus nuper Rex Angl. per litteras suas patentes sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat. apud Honorem suum de Hampton-Court Vicesimo quarto die Septembris Anno regni sui Angl. sexto quas iidem Major et Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London hic in Cur. proferunt recitando, quod cum quamplurim. Progenitor. ipsius nuper Regis [Page 19]quondam Regis Angl. de gratia sua speciali ac pro gratis laudabil. multiplicibus & continuis servitiis per Majorem & Comunitat. ac Cives Civitat, London & Praedecessores suos temporibus retractis fact. & impens' necnon pro diversas al. urgentibus causis & considerationibus eos seperatim moventibus dedissent concessissent & confirmassent Majori & Communitati ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict, ac Successoribus suis diversis libertat. priviledg. Franc. imunitat. Authoritat. Jurisdiction. Ordinationes consuetudin. & quietantias prout per seperal. Litteras Patent. Progenitor. & Praedecessor. suor. quondum Regina Angl. plenius & manefestus liquebat & apparebat. Idem nuper Rex Jacobus pro & in Consideratione sum. fidelitat. constant. prompt. & laudabil. servitii per Majorem & Comunitat. ac Cives Ciuitat. London praedict. eidem nuper Regi in in ipsis Regni sui primis Auspitii & continue vsque tunc manifestat. & fidelissim. fact. & impens. omnes & singulas Litteras Patentes Cartas & Confirmation. Praeclarissimor. Progenitor. & Antecessor. suor. eisdem Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict. & Praedecessoribus suis per quecun (que) nomina incorporat. ante tunc tempora fact. concess. seu confirmat. ac omnes & singulas Donationes Concessiones confirmation. restitution. Consuetudines Ordinationes & Explanationes Articul. & omnes al. res quascun (que) in quibuscun (que) Litteris Patentibus sine Chartis quorumcun (que) Progenitor. Predecessor. aut Antecessor. suor. Regum Angl. nec non omnia & singula in dictis Litteris Patentibus Chartis Concessionibus Confirmationibus seu eor aliquibus content, recitat. specificat. confirmat. seu explanat. ac omnia & singulis Jurisdictiones Authoritates Privilegia libertates & Franches quietant. imunitates liberas [Page]consuetudines & Hereditament. quecun (que) que praedict. Major & Comunitat. ac Cives Civitat. London praedict. vel. Predecessor. sui per nomen Majoris & communitat. ac Civium Civitat. London seu per nomen Majoris & Aldermann. Civitat. London seu per nomen Majoris Civium & Comunitat. Civitat. London su per nomen Majoris & Civium Civitat. London seu per nomen Major. & Comunitat. Civitat. London, seu per nomen Civium Civitat. London seu per nomen Baron London seu per nomen Baron Civitat. London seu per aliquod aliud nomen quodcun (que) ratione seu Pigore aliquar. litterar. patent Chartar. seu confirmation. aliquor Progenitor. Predecessor. aut Antecessor. ejusdem nuper Regis Jacobi quondam Regium Angl. aliquo tempore vel aliquibus Temporibus habuissent seu rationabilit. usi fuissent aut exercuissent rata habuit & grata ac pro se Heredibus & Successoribus suis acceptavit & approbavit ac ea omnia & singula praefat. Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict. & eor' Successoribus per easdem Litteras suas Patent. Ratificavit & confirmavit habend. & tenend. gaudend. & exercend. omnia & singula praemissa eisdem Majori & Comunitat. ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict. & Successoribus suis imperpetuum adeo plene libere & integre ac tam amplis modo & forma & si seperatim & singulatim & nominatim in Litteris Patentibus ill' expressmominat. declarat. recitat. & manifestat. essent & fuissent prout per easdem Litteras patentes inter alia plenius apparet Quod (que) Domini Carolas Primus nuper Rex Angl. &c. per Litteras suas patentes sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat. geren. dat apud Westm. praedict. decimo Octavo die Octobris Anno Regni sui quartadecimo quas iidem Major & Comunitas ac Cives [Page 20]Civitat. London hic in cur proferunt omnia & singula privilegia libertat. Franch. quietant. immunitates & liberas Confuetudines quecunc (que) que praedict. Major & Comunitat. ac Cives Civitat. London praedict. vel Predecessor. sui per nomen Mojoris & Comunitas ac Civium Civitat. Lond. seu per nomen Majoris & Alderman. Civium & Comunitat. London seu per nomen Majoris & Civium Civitat. London seu per nomen Majoris & Communitatis London seu per nomen Civium Civitat. London seu per nomen Baron. London seu per nomen Baron. Civitat. London seu per aliquod aliud nomen quodcun (que) ratione seu vigore praedict. litterar. patent. praedicti Domin. Regis Johnnis aut aliar. litterar. patent. Chartarum seu confirmation. in eisdem litteris patentibus dicti nuper Regis Caroli primi mentioriat. vel usu vel praescription. aut alio legali modo aliquo tempore vel aliquibus temporibus ante tunc habuisent seu rationabilit. usi. fuiscent aut exercuissent rata habem & grata ea pro se Heredibus & Successoribus suis acceptavit & approbavit ac ea omnia & singula praefat. Majori & Communitati ac Civibus Civitat. London & eor. successoribus per easdem litteras suas patentes ratificavit & confirmavit prout per litteras patent illas inter alia plenius apparet Quodque praedictus Domini. Rex nunc per litteras suas patent. sub magno sigillo suo Angl. sigillat geren. dat. apud Westm. predict. vicesimo quarto die Junii Anno Regni sui decimo quinto quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat London hic in Cur. proferunt pro ipso Rege Heredibus & succestoribus suis rati ficavit & confirmavit Majori & [Page]Communitati ac Civibus, Civitat. London & successoribus suis omnia & singula Jurisdiction. Authoritat. Privilegia libertates Eranch. quietant. immunitates & consuetudin. quecunquc que prefat. Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat. London vel Predecessores sui per Nomen Majoris & Communitatis ac Civium Civitatis London seu per nomen Majoris Alldermannor. Civium & Comunitat. London seu per Nomen Majoris & Civium Civitatis London seu per nomen Major & Communitat Civit London seu pes nomen Civium Civitat London seu per. nomen Baron. London seu per nomen Baron. Civitat. London seu per aliquod aliud nomen quodcunque ratione vel vigore praedict. litterar patent praedict. Domini Regis Johannis aut aliorum litterar patent Chartar seu conformation in eisdem litteris patentibus dicti Domini Regis nunc praementionat vel alicujus seu alequor usus vel usum praescription. vel praescription. seu alio legali modo quecunque aliquo tempore vel aliquibus temporibus antetunt seu rationabilit. usi fuissent aut exercuissent habend. tenend. gaudend. & exertend. omnia & singula praemissa praedict. eisdem Majori & Communitat. ac Civibus Civitat. London praedict. & Successoribus suis imperpetun. adeo plene libere & integre ac in tam amplis modo & forma prout, in easdem litteras patentibus superius mentionant. fore data sive concessa aut. alit usu praesciption vel aliolegalimodo seu jure quocunque ad tunc respective habit obtent. sive gavisa fuissent ac ei seperatim singulatim & nominatim in & per dictas litteras patentes ipsius Domini Regis nunc express nominat. declarat. concessa & manifesta essent & fuissent prout per easdem litteras patent. (inter alia) plenius apparet

[Page 21]

Et iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat' London ulterius dicunt quod a tempore confection' praedict' Litterar' Patent' praedict' quondam Regum Johannis hucus (que) tidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat' London habuer' Vicecom' Civit' & Com' Civit' London & Vicecom' Comitat' Midd' & quolibet anno nominaverunt & elegerunt ex seipsis duas personas Cives Civitat' fore Vicecom' Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' & Vicecom' Com' Midd' ac ill' sic nommat' & elect' praesecerunt & conf [...]tuerunt Viccom' Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' & Vicecom' Com' Midd' ac ut Vicecom' Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' ad execut' & retorn' omniu' Breviu' Billar' & Praeceptor' Domin' Begis pro administratione & executione Justitiae in infra Civit' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' exequend' faciend' quae ad Officium Vicecom' faciend' pertinent' ac ad faciend' & exequend' omnia & singula alia infra Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' quae ad Offic' Vicecom' faciend' pertinent' ac ut Vicecom' Midd' pro eodem Com' descrvitur ac omnia Brevia Billas & Praescripta Domin' Regis infra Com' Midd' praedict' pro Administratione & Executione Justitiae ibidem exequend' & retorn' inde faciend' quae ad Officiu' Vicecom' faciend' pertinent' Ft eo Warranto iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civitat' London per tempus in Informatione praedicta superius specificat' usi fuer' & adhuc utunt' ac clamant habere & uti libertat' Privilegia & Franch' habere [Page 22]Vicecom' Civit' & Com' Civit' London & Vicecom' Comitat' Midd' & nominare & elegere ex seipsis duas person' fore Vicecom' Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civit' & Vicecom' Midd' ac ill' ac nominat' & elect' praeficere & constituere Vicecom' Civit' puaedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' & Vicecom' Midd' ac ut Vicecom' Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' ad execut' & retorn' omni' Litterar' Billar' & Praeceptor' Domini Regis pro Administratione & Executione Justitiae infra Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civit' exequend' faciend' quae ad Officiu' Vicecom' faciend' pertinent' ac ad faciend' & exequend' omnia & singula alia infra Civitat' praedict' & Com' ejusdem Civitat' quae ad Offic' Vicecom' faciend' pertinent' ac ut Vicecom' Midd' pro eodem Com' deservitur' ac omnia Brevia Billas & Praecepta Domin' Reg' infra Com' Midd' praedict' pro Administratione & Executione Justitiae ibidem exequend' & retorn' inde faciend' quae ad Officiu' Vicecom' faciend' pertinent' prout eis bene licuit & licet.

Absque hoc quod idem Major & Communit' ac Cives Civitat' London de Libertat' Privileg' & Franch' ill' super dictu' Dom' Regem nunc per tempus praedict' in Informatione praedicta superius specificat' usurpaver' & usurpant' pro ut per Inform' illam pro dicto Domin' Rege nunc superius supposuit que omnia & singula iidem Major' & Communitat' ac Cives Civit' London parati sunt verificare unde petit Judicium [Page 23]& quod Libertat' Privileg' & Franch' ill' eis & Successoribus suis in perpetuu' deinceps allocent' & adjudicentur ac quod ipsi quoad Praemissa ill' ab hac' Cur' dimittantur, &c.

Et iidem Major & Communitas & Cives Civit' London quoad Libertat' Privileg' & Franch' sequen' viz. Major dictae Civitat' pro hujusmodi Aldermann' ejusdem Civit' qui Officiu' Majoris Civit' illius susi inner' ac inde fuer' dimissi ac tres Senior' Aldermann' Civit' praedict' qui diutius in Officiu' Aldermanat' Civit' praedict' steter' & onus & Officiu' Majorat' Civit' praedict' non sustinner' fore Justic' Dom' Regis ad Pacem infra Civitat' praedict' conservand' ac ad Session' Pacis & Placita Coron' scilicet talia Placit' Coronae qual' Justic' Domin' Regis ad Pacem Conservand' Assign' ligittim' tenere possent inf' eandem Civit' tenend' ac ad omnes Felon' Riot' Rout' & Conventicul' illicit' infra Civit' praedict' inquirend' audiend' & terminand' in Informatione praedict' superius specificat' dic' quod dict' Domin' Rex nunc ipsos Majorem & Communitat' ac Cives Civitat' London occasione inde impetere seu occasionare non debet quia dicunt quod praedict' Civit' London est & a tempore cujus contrar' memor' homin' non existit fuit antiqua Civitas ac antiquus Comitat' de se ac Cives ejusdem Civit' sunt & a praedicto tempore cujus contrar' memor' homin' non existit suer' Ʋnu' Corpus corporat' & Politic' in re facto & nomine per nomen Majoris & Communitat' ac Cives Civitat' London. Quodque Domin' Carolus Primus nuper Rex Angl' per Litteras suas Patent' sub Magno Sigillo suo Angl' Sigillat geren' dat' apud Westm' praedict' Decimo octavo die Octobris [Page 24]Anno Regni sui quarto decimo quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London hic in Cur' proferunt pro ipso nuper Rege Hered' & Successorib' suis concessit Majori & Communitat' ac Civibus Civit' London & eoru' Successoribus quod Major & Recordat' Civit' praedict' qui tunc fuer' ac Majores & Recordator' Civit' praedict' qui pro tempore fuerent ac tam ill' Aldermann' qui Major' Civitat' illius praeantea extitissent quam ill' Aldermann' qui onus & Officiu' Majorat' Civitat' praedict' tunc in posteru' sustinnerent & gererent licet a Majorat' ill' cesserent aut inde essent dimissi quidam Aldermann' ibidem starent & tres Seniores Aldermann' Civit' praedict' per tempus existen' qui diutius in Officiu' Aldermannat' steter' & ante tunc onus & Officiu' Majorat' Civitat' illius non sustinuer' imperpetuu' forent Custodes & quidlibet eor' esset Custos Pacis ejusdem nuper Regis Hered' & Successor' inf' Civitat' London praedict' & Libertat' ejusdem conservand' & custodiend' ac eosdem Majorem & Recordator' ac Aldermann' praedict' ac omnia & singula Statuta & Ordinationes pro bono Pacis dicti nuper Regis Hered' & Successorib' suor' ac pro conservatione ejusdem ac pro quiet' Regimine & Gubernatione Populi ipsius nuper Regis Hered' & Successor' suor' edit' & edend' & omnib' suis Articul' tam infra Civitat' praedict' quam Libertat' ejusdem juxta vim formam & effectu' eorundem Custodiend' & custodire faciend' ac ad omnes illos quos juxta forma' & effectu' Ordination' & Statutar' eorundem & eoru' alicujus in Civitat' praedict' pro Libertat' ejusdem Delinquentes invenirent castigand' & puniend'prout secundu' forma' [Page 25]Ordination' & Statutor' ill' foret faciend' Et ad omnes illos qui alicui vel aliquibus de Populo ejusdem nuper Regis Haered' vel Successor' suor' de Corporationibus suis vol de incendio Dombr' suar' minas facerent ad sufficien' securitat' de Pace vel Bono gestu suo erga ipsu' nuper Regem Haered' & Successores suos & cunctis Populis ejus Haered' vel Successor' invenirend' Et si hujusmodi securitat' ivenire recusarent tunc eos in Gaola ejusdem Domin' Regis de Newgate vel in aliqua al' Prisona Haered' vel Successor' suor' in praedict' Civit' London quous (que) bujusmodi securitat' invenirent salvo custodiri faciend' Custodes & Justitiar' ipsius nuper Regis & quemlibet coru' & Custodem & Justitiar' ejus Hered' & Successor' suor' infra Civit' London praedict' & Libertat' ejusdem idem nuper Rex Carolus Primus pro [...]se Heredibus & Successoribus suis constituit fecit & Ordinavit per Litteras Patentes suas praedict' ac ad omnin & singula alia exequend' & peragend' quae Justic' & Custod' Pacis ejus Hered' vel Successor' suor' inf' aliquum Com' Regni sui Angl' exequi sive peragere valerent possent aut deberent virtute aliquor' Statutor' & Ordination' hujus Begni sui Angl' aut vertute Commissionis ejus Hered' & Successor' suor' ad Pacem in aliquo hujusmodi Com' conservand' voluit etiam idem nuper Rex Carolus Primus ac per easdem Litteras Patentes pro se Heredibus & Successoribus suis concessit praefat' Majori & Communitati ac de Civibus Civitat' London & eoru' Successor' quod Major & Recordator' Civit' praedict' pro tempore existen' & hujusmodi ut prefert' Aldermann' pro tempore existen' qui Officiu' vel locu' Majorat' [Page 26]Civit' illius antea sustinner' & exercuer' & tres hujusmodi ut praefert' Seniores Aldermann' pro tempore existen' qui locu' Majorat' praedict' non sustinner' vel quatuor eorundem Major' Recordator' & Aldermannorum quoru' dict' Major & Recordator' pro tempore existen' unu' esse voluit forent Justiciar' ipsius nuper Regis Hered' & Successor' suor' & ipsos Justiciar' suos Hered' & Successor' suor' pro se Heredibus & Successor' suis imperpetuu' assignavit ad inquirend' quotiens & quando eis melius videret' expedire per Sacramentu' probor' & legalu' homin' tam de Civitat' praedict' quam de Libertat' ejusdem per quos rei veritas melius sciri posset de omnibus Murdris Felon' Veneficiis Incantation' Scortileg' Arte Magicie Transgr' Forestallar' Regretar' Ingrossar' & Extortionibus quibuscunque ac de omnibus & singulis al' Malefactis & Offens' de quibus Justiciar' Pacis ipsius nuper Regis Hered' & Successor' suor' legitime inquirere possent aut deberent per quoscun (que) & qualitercun (que) infra Civit' praed' seu Libertat' ejusdem antetunc habit' seu perpetrat' vel quae extunc ibidem fieri vel attemptari contingerent & tam de omnibus ill' qui in Civitat' praedict' & Libertat' ejusd' in Conventiculis contra Pacem ipsius nuper Regis Hered' & Successor' suor' in perturbatione Populi sui Hered' & Successor' suor' seu vi armata irent vel equitarent seu extunc ire vel equitare presumerent. Et etiam de hiis quae ibidem ad gentem dict' Dom' Regis Hered' vel Successor' suor' machin' vel interficiend' in Incidiis jacerent vel imposteru' jacere praesumerent. Ac etiam de [Page 27]Hostillar' & al' omnibus & singulis person' qui in abusu mensurar' & ponderu' sive in venditione Victual' contra formam Ordination' & Statut' vel eoru' alicujus inde Communi Ʋtilitate Regni sui Angl' & Populi ejusdem nuper Regis Hered' & Successor' suor' ejusdem edit' & edend' delinquerent vel attempterent & in Civit' praedict' & Libertat' ejusdem seu extunc imposteru' delinquere vel attemptare presumerent. Ac etiam de quibuscun (que) Vicecom' Constabular' Custod' Gaole & al' Offic' qui non execut' Officiu' suor' circa premissor' vel eor' aliqua indebere se habuer' aut imposteru' indebere se habuere presumerent aut tepidi premiss' vel negligentes fuer' aut extunc tepidi premiss' vel negligent' fore contingerent infra Civit' praed' & Libertat' ejusdem ac de omnibus & singulis Articulis & Circumstant' & al' quibuscun (que) per quoscun (que) & qualitercun (que) in Civit' praed' & Libertat' ejusdem fact' sive perpetrat' & quae extunc ibidem fieri vel attemptarit contingerent qualitercun (que) prewiss' aut eor' aliqua concernen' Et ad Indictament' quecun (que) quae coram Majore aut Recordatore Civit' praedict' pro tempore existen' & hujusmodi ut prefert' Aldermann' vel quatuor aut pluribus eorundem quor' dict' Major vel Recordator' pro tempore existen' unu' esse voluit tunc imposteru' caperent' inspiciend' & ad process' inde pres' omnes & sing [...], sic indictat' vel quos imposteru' ac indictat' contingerent quousque caperent' redderent se vel [Page 28]utlagarent' faciend' & continuand' & ad omnia & singula murdra fellon' venesic' incantat' scortileg' Artis magic' tam falsas Conspiration' & al' malefact' forestall' regrat' ingrossar' Extortion' Conventicul' Indictament' pred' ceteraque omnia & singula premiss' secund' Leges & Statut' Regni sui Angl' prout in hujusmodi Casu fieri consuevit aut debuit audiend' & terminand' & ad casdem delinquen' & quamlibet eoru' pro debit' suis per fines redemption' amerciament' forisfactur' & al' modo prout secundum Legem & Consuetud' Regni sui Angl' ac formam Ordination' & Statut' corundem fieri consuevit aut debuit castigand' & puniend' ac ad omnia al' & singula faciend' exercend' audiend' terminand' & exequend' infra Civit' praed' ac Libertat' ejusdem quae Justic' ad pacem per Leges vel per Statut' hujus Regni sui Angl' facere exercere inquirere vel exequi possent & valerent & in tam amplis' modo & forma prout aliquis' al' aut aliqui al' Justic' ad Pacem in aliquibus al' Com' hujus' regni sui Angel' ligittime facere exercere inquirere punire vel quoque modo exequi possent aut valerent' prout per easdem Litteras Patent' inter al' plenius apparet Quodque predictus Domin' Rex nunc per Litteras suas Patent' sub Magno Sigillo suo Angl' Sigillat' geren' dat' apud Westm' predict' vicesimo quarto die Junii Anno Regni sui decimo quinto quas iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London hic [Page]in Cur' proferunt omnes Concession' & al' quecunque in predict' Litteris Patent' predict' nuper Regis Caroli Primi Superius specificat' pro eodem Domin' Regis nunc Hered' & Successor' suis Majori & Communitat' ac Civibus Civit' London pred' & coru' Successor' in perpetuu' ratificavit & confirmavit prout per easdem Litteras Patent' ipsius Domin' Regis nunc inter al' plenius apparet & iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London Ulterius dicunt quod tempore confection' predict' Litterar' Patent' pred' nuper Regis Caroli Primi & dum antea & extunc hucusque fuer' & adhuc existunt Major' & Recordator' Civit' pred' ac Alderman' ejusdem Civit'. qui Major dicte Civit' extitissent & onus Majorat' Civit' illius sustin' ac tres & plures! Alderman' ejusdem Civit' qui onus Majorat' Civit' ill' non sustinuissent Quodque a tempore confection' eorundem Litterar' Patent' predict' nuper Regis Caroli Primi hucusque Major & Recordator Civit' pred' pro tempore existend ac hujusmodi Alderman' ejusdem Civitat' pro tempore existen' qui onus Majorat' Civit' ill' sustin' Necnon tres Senior' Alderman' Civit' predict' pro tempore existen' qui diutius in Officiu' Aldermannat' Civit' pred' steter', & onus & Officit' Majorat' Civit' ill' non sustin' virtute Litterar' Patent' ill' fuer' Justic' ad pacem infra Civit' pred' & libertat' ejusdem conservand' ac virtute Litterar' Patent' ill' & secundum formam & effectu' eorund' de tempore in tempus per tot' tempus ill' tener' Session' pacis & placita coron' scilicet talia placita coron' qual' Justic' Domin' Regis ad pacem conservand' [Page 30]assign' per idem tempus ligittime tener' vel tenere potueri inf' eandem Civitat'.

Et eo Warranto iidem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London per tempus in Informatione praed' superius specificat' usi fuer' & adhuc utuntur ac clamant habere & uti Libertat' Privileg' & Franch' quod Major dict' Civit' & hujusmodi Aldermann' ejusdem Civit' qui onus Majorat' Civit' ill' sustinner' ac inde fuerunt dimissi ac tres seniores Aldermann' ejusdem Civit' qui diutius Offic' Aldermannat' Ci, vit praedict' steter' & onus & Officiu' Majorat' Civit' ill' non sustuler' fuer' Justic' Domin' Regis ad Pacem infra Civit' praedict' conservand' ac ad Session' Pacis & Placita Corone (scilicet) talia Placita Coron' qual' Justic' Domin' Regis ad Pacem conservand' assign' ligittime tenere possent infra eand' Civit' tenend' ac ad omnes Felon' Riot' Rout' & Conventicul' illicit' infra Civit' praed' inquirend' audiend' & terminand' prout eis bene licuit & licet.

Absque hoc quod idem Major & Communitas ac Cives Civit' London de Libertat' Privileg' & Franches ill' super dictum Domin' Regem nunc per tempus praed' in Informatione praed' superius specificat' usurpaver' seu usurpant pro ut per Inform' illam pro dicto Dom' Rege nunc superius supponit' Quae omn' & singula iidem Major & Communitas & Cives Civit' London perati sunt verificare unde petunt Judicium & quod Libertat' Privileg' & Franch' illis eis & Successoribus suis in perpetuum deinceps allocentur & adjudicent' ac [Page 31]quod ipsi quoad premissa illi ab hac Curia dimittantur, &c.

Et quoad resid' Libertat' Privileg' & Franchisa in Information' praedict' specificat' per isum Majorem & Communitat' ac Cives Civitat' London superimo nomine clamat iidem Major & Communit' ac Cives Civit' London Libertat' Privileg' & Franchisa illis nunquam usi fuerunt seu utuntur sed de eisdem penitus declamans, &c.

[Page 3]

The Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of London at the Suit of the King.

ANd the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, by Bendict Brown their Attorney, came and had Hearing of the Information aforesaid, by colour of which Information they are Prosecuted and may be hereafter burthened vexed and disquieted, and that unjustly, because by Protestation that in the said Information there is nothing contain'd material or sufficient in the Law, to which Information they have no necessity, nor by the Law of the Land they ought to be held in any manner to Answer nevertheless for Plea; for as much as the Liberties, Priviledges and Franchizes following, viz. They the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London to be of themselves one Body Corporate and Politick in matter fact and name, by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, and by that Name to Plead and be Impleaded, to Answer, and be Answered in the Information above specified, the said Mayor Comonalty and Citizens of the City of London say, That our said Soveraign Lord the King that now is, ought not by occasion thereof to Impeach or undoe them, because he saith, That the said City of London is, and from which time beyond the memory of Man was an Ancient City; and that the Citizens of the said City are, and from that time out of [Page 4]mind were one Body Corporate and Politick in Matter, Fact, and Name, by the name of Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, and by that Name during that time have Pleaded, and were Impleaded; have Answered, and were Answered, and to Plead and be Impleaded, to Answer and be Answered, and during the time aforesaid have been used and accustomed. And that in the Great Charter of the Liberties of England in the Parliament of our Soveraign Lord Henry the Third sometime King of England, at Westminster in the County of Middlesex, in the Ninth Year of his Reign, held, made and provided it is contained, That the Citizens of London should have all their ancient Liberties and Customs; And the said Mayor and Commonalty & Citizens of the City of London further say, That the Lord Edward the Third sometimes King of England, in his Parliament at Westminster in the County of Middlesex, in the First Year of his Reign held, by which his Charter, with the consent of the Prelates, Earls Barons and the whole Commonalty of his Realm in his said Parliament at Westminster aforesaid were Assembled. And by the Authority of the said Parliament was then Confirmed to the Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, the Liberties following (amongst other things) to hold to themselves and their Successors for Ever, first of all in reciting: That whereas in the Great Charter of the Liberties of England it is contained, That the City of London should have all their ancient Liberties and Customs; And that the said Citizens, at the time of making the said Charter, and in the times of King Edward the Confessor, and of William the Conquerour and other Progenitors of the said King Edward in diverse [Page 5]Liberties and Customs have had not only by the Charters of their Progenitors, but also of other Charters of ancient custom, the said King Edward the Third did give and grant for himself and his Heirs by those Charters, by the Authority aforesaid, that the said Citizens shall have their Liberties according to the form of the Great Charter aforesaid; And that for any personal Transgression or personal Judgment of any Officer of the said City, the Liberty of that City shall not be taken into the hands of King Edward the Third or his Successors, but such Officer for such Offence shall be required and punished, as by the said Charter, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the sixth day of March, in the first Year of the Reign of the said King Edward the First under his Great Seal of England, brought here in Court, among other things more fully doth appear. And the said Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London further say, That at the instance (and at the request of the Commonalty of the Realm of England) in the Parliament of our said Lord Richard the Second, late King of England, after the Conquest, at Westminster aforesaid, in the seventh Year of his Reign, held and assembled for the greater quiet and peace among the Subjects of the late King, and for the publick good, all Customs, Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchises of the said City then to the Citizens of that City and their Successors, although they have not been used or abused, have been ratified and confirmed by the Authority of the said Parliament. And that our Lord Henry the Sixth, late King of England, by his Letters Patents, sealed with his Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the sixth day of [Page 6] October, in the Twenty third Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court for their Heirs and Successors, did confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty, and to the Citizens of the City of London and their Successors, all and singular their Liberties, Franchizes, and free Customs, so whole and untouched in any time of the Progenitors of the late King Henry the Sixth, when as more freely and better they had the same, as by the said Letters Patents, among other things more fully appears. And that our Lord Edward the Fourth, late King of England, by his Letters Patents, under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Ninth day of November, in the Second Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, for themselves and their Heirs, did confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and to the Citizens of the City of London and their Successors for ever, all and singular their Liberties, Franchizes and free Customs, so whole and untouched, like as to them in any time of the Progenitors of the said late King Edward the Fourth, they have had and held more quiet and free. And further, the said late King Edward the Fourth, by his Letters Patents, did grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and to the Citizens, that although they or their Predecessors, or the Mayor and Aldermen of the said City or their Predecessors before or succeeding then from thence after any or to any Liberties, did quietly grant the Order of Articles or free Customs, or of any other in the said Letters [Page 7]Patents of the said late King Edward the Fourth, or other his Letters Patents contained, or of his Progenitors sometime Kings of England to the Mayor and Commonalty, did grant in any Case arising, albeit, they have not been fully used or abused: Notwithstanding the said King Edward the Fourth was unwilling that for this, they the Mayor and Commonalty Aldermen, and Citizens, or their Successors should incur the forfeiture of the Premises; but that they and their Successors all and singular the Liberties, Freedoms, Grants, Ordinations in the Articles, free-Customs, and whatsoever else in the Charters and Letters aforesaid contained the like not used, or also abused, and every of them from thence of the rest fully and freely may use and enjoy without the Impeachment or Impediment of the said late King, or his Heirs of the Justices, Escheators, Sheriffs any other Bayliff or Officer of the said late King, or any other whatsoever, as by the said Letters Patents of the said late King Edward the Fourth, brought here in Court; among other things more fully appeared. And that the late King Henry the Seventh by his Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England bearing Date at Westminster aforesaid, the 23 d. Day of July, in the 20th. Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court for themselves their Heirs and Successors did ratifie and confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors all and singular the Liberties, Priviledges, Freedoms and Free Customs, which they the said Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens, or their Predecessors have been accustomed to have, exercise or enjoy, or have been used or [Page 8]accustomed so fully, plainly, and wholly, as if all and singular the several words in the said Letters Patents were and have been expressed, declared, and manifested, as by the said Letters Patents among other things more fully appears. And the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London further says, That the late King James by his Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England, bearing Date at his Honour of Hampton-Court the 24th. day of September in the 6th. Year of his Reign which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court by reciting that whereas many others of his Predecessors sometime Kings of England of his special Grace for the many acceptable, laudable, and continued Services by the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Predecessors in times past done, and unrewarded; also for divers other urgent Causes and considerations, them severally moving did give grant and confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and to the Citizens of the City of London and their Successors divers Liberties Priviledges, Franchizes, Immunities, Authorities, Jurisdictions, Ordinances, Customs and Freedoms; as by the several Letters Patents of the Progenitors and Predecessors of the said late Kings of England more fully and manifest it doth, and may appear. The said King James for, and in consideration of the great Fidelity, Constancy, and very late and laudable Service by the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, to the late King of this Realm in his first coming to this Realm, and continuing until then manifested and most faithfully done and unrewarded all and singular Letters Patents Charters, [Page 9]and Confirmations of his most noble Progenitors and Predecessors to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid and their Successors, by what name soever incorporated, before that time made, granted or confirmed, and all and singular Donations, Grants, Confirmations, Restitutions, Customs, Ordinances, Explanations, Articles, and all other things whatsoever in whatsoever Letters Patents or Charters whatsoever of the Progenitors, Predecessors or Ancestors of the said Kings of England; also all and singular in the said Letters Patents, Charters, Concessions, Confirmations, or any of them contained, recited, specified, confirmed, or explained. And all and singular Jurisdictions, Authorities, Priviledges, Liberties, Franchizes, Freedoms, Immunities, free Customs, and Hereditaments whatsoever, which the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London or their Predecessors, by the Name of the Mayor and Commonalty and of the Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, or by the Name of the Mayor, Citizens and Commonalty of the City of London or by the Name of Mayor and Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London, or by the Name of the Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of Barons of London, or by the Name of Barons of the City of London, or by any other Name whatsoever, by reason or force of any Letters Patents, Charters or Consirmations of any the Progenitors, Predecessors or Ancestors of the said late King James, in any time or times have been had or reasonably [Page 10]been used or exercised, or have been adjudged for themselves and their Heirs and Successors, did accept and approve, and all and singular to the said Mayor and Commonalty and to the Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, and their Successors, by the said Letters Patents did ratifie and confirm to have, hold, enjoy, and exercise, all and singular the Premisses to the said Mayor and Commonalty and to the Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, and their Successors for ever, so fully, freely, and wholly, as in as large manner and form as if every several single Name, and Name by Name, in those said Letters Patents have been expressed, named, declared, recited, and manifested, as by the said Letters Patents, among other things, more fully appears. And that the said late King Charles the First by his Letters Patents, under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Eighteenth day of October, in the Fourteenth Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, all and singular Priviledges, Liberties, Franchizes, Freedoms, Immunities and free Customs whatsoever, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, or their Predecessors, by the Name of the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of the Mayor and Aldermen, Citizens and Commonalty of London, or by the Name of Mayor and Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London, or by the Name of the Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of the Barons of London, or by the Name [Page 11]of the Barons of the City of London, or by any other Name whatsoever, by reason or force of the said Letters Patents, Charters or Confirmations in the said Letters Patents of the said late King Charles the First mentioned, or in use or by prescription, or in any other lawful manner, in any time or in any time or times before that time have had or have been reasonably used or exercised, declared and adjudged for themselves, their Heirs and Successors, did accept and approve, and all and singular to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors, by their said Letters Patents have ratified and confirmed, as by those said Letters Patents (among other things) it doth and may appear. And that our Lord the King that now is, by his Letters Patents, under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty fourth day of June, in the Fifteenth Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court for the said King himself, his Heirs and Successors, did ratifie and confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, their Successors, all and singular the Jurisdictions, Authorities, Priviledges, Liberties, Franchizes, Freedoms, Immunities, and Customs whatsoever, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London or their Predecessors by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of Mayor, Aldermen, Citizens and Commonalty of London, or by the Name of Mayor and Citizens of the City of London, or by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London, [Page 12]or by the Name of the Citizens of the City of London; or by the Name of the Barons of London, or by the Name of the Barons of the City of London, or by any other Name whatsoever, by reason or force of the Letters Patents Charters or Confirmations in the said Letters Patents of our said now Lord the King before mention'd, or of any or any use or uses, prescription or prescriptions, or in any other Legal way whatsoever in any time or times before then, have been had, or reasonably have been used or exercised to have, hold, enjoy and exercise all and singular the said Premises to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London aforesaid, and their Successors for ever, so fully, freely, and wholly as in as ample manner and form as by the said Letters Patents above mentioned, to be given or granted, or any other use, prescription, or any other Legal manner or Right whatsoever before then respectively have been had, obtain'd or enjoy'd as if separately, singly and name by name in, and by the said Letters Patents of our said King that now is, were, or have been expressed, nominated, declared, granted and manifested, as by the said Letters Patents among other things more fully it doth, and may appear; And by that Authority, the said Major and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London by the time in the Information aforesaid above specified have been used and hitherto do use and claim to have, and use the Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchizes to be of themselves one Body Corporate and Politick in Matter, Deed, and Name, by the Name of May or and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, and by that Name to Plead, and be Impleaded; to Answer, and be Answered; as to them it hath or may be Lawful. [Page 13]Without that that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London of these Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchizes upon our now Soveraign Lord the King by the time aforesaid in the Information above specified have been Usurped, or do Usurp as by that Information for our said Lord the King above it is supposed. Which all and singular the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London are ready to verifie, from whence they pray Judgment; And that the Liberties, Priviledges and Franchizes to them and their Successors for ever, should be allowed and adjudged, and that they may be dismissed, as also the Premises from this Court, &c. And the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, so as their Liberties, Priviledges, and Franchizes following, viz. Them to have Sheriffs of the City and County of the City of London, and Sheriff of the County of Middlesex, and to Name, and Elect of themselves their Persons to be Sheriffs of the City aforesaid and County of the said City, and Sheriff of Middlesex, and those so Named and Elected to be made and constituted Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, and Sheriff of the said County of Middlesex, and as Sheriff of the said City & in the County of the said City to execut & Retorne all Writs, Bills, and Precepts of our said Lord the King for the Administration and Execution of Justice within the said City, and County of the said City, to perform and do what shall appertain or belong to the Office of Sheriff, and also to do and perform, and all and singular others within the said City and County of the same, which shall appertain to, or belong to the Office of Sheriff, also to serve as [Page 14]Sheriff for the County of Middlesex, and all Writs, Bills and Precepts of our Lord the King within the said County of Middlesex, for the Administration and Execution of Justice there, to perform and make return thereof, which belongs or appertains to the Office of Sheriff: Say our said Lord the King ought not to impeach or hinder them the Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London by occasion thereof, because they say, that the City of London is and time out of mind hath been an ancient City and County of themselves. And that the said County of Middlesex, by the time aforesaid, hath been and is an ancient County. And that the Citizens of the said City are and from which time, beyond the memory of Man, hath been one Body Corporate and Politick, not only by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the Citizens of the City of London, but also by the Names of the Citizens of London. And that King John some time King of England, by his Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at his good Town upon Tokam, the fifth day of July, in the First Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, did grant to the Citizens of London aforesaid, Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, with all things and Customs which did appertain and belong to the said Sheriffs within the City and without, by Land and by Water, to have and to hold to them for Ever. And besides, that the said King John, by his said Letters Patents, did grant to the said Citizens of London, that they of themselves should make Sheriffs whomsoever they would, and amove them [Page 15]when they pleased, as by the said Letters Patents (among other things) more fully appears. And that in the Great Charter of the Liberties of England, in the Parliament of our Lord Henry the Third sometime King of England, at Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, in the Ninth Year of his Reign, held, made, and provided, it is contained that the City of London should have all their ancient Liberties and Customs. And the said Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London further say, that the said King Henry the Third, by his Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Eighteenth day of February, in the Eleventh Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, did confirm to the Citizens of London, Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, with all things and Customs that did belong to the said Sheriffs within the City, and without, by Land and by Water, as by the said Letters Patents (among other things) more fully appears. And that King Edward the Third in his Parliament at Westminster, held in the County of Middlesex, in the First Year of his Reign, by his Charter, with the assent of the Prelates, Earls, Barons, and the whole Commonalty of this Realm, in his said Parliament at Westminster being assembled, and by Authority of the said Parliament, did then confirm to the Citizens of the City of London the said Liberties following (among other things) to have to themselves and Successors for Ever. First in reciting, that whereas in the Great Charter of the Liberties of England it is contained, that the City of London [Page 16]should have all their ancient Liberties and Customs. And that the said Citizens at the time of making the said Charter, and in the times of King Edward the Confessor, and William the Conqueror, and other the Progenitors of the said King Edward the Third, divers Liberties and Customs, not only by the Charters of their Progenitors, but also without Charters of ancient Customs have had, the said King Edward the Third did will and grant for himself and his Heirs, by the authority of those Charters, that the said Citizens should have their Liberties according to the Form of the Great Charter above-mentioned. And that for any Personal Offence, or Personal Judgment of any Officer of the said City, their Liberties should not be taken into the hands of the said King Edward the Third or his Heirs, but of such Officer the like Offence should be required of, and punished, as by the said Charters, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Sixth day of March, in the First Year of the Reign of the said King Edward the Third, under his Great Seal of England, here brought into Court (among other things) more fully may appear. And the said Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London further say, that at the instance and request of the Commons of England, in the Parliament of King Richard the Second, after the Conquest, at Westminster aforesaid, in the Seventh Year of his Reign, held and assembled for the greater quiet and peace of his Subjects, to maintain and for the publick good, all Customs, Liberties, Priviledges and Franchises of the said City then to the Citizens of that City and their Successors, although they have not been used or abused, was ratified and confirmed [Page 17]by the Authority of the said Parliament. And that the late King Henry the Sixth, by His Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England, bearing Date at Westminster aforesaid the 26th. day of October in the 23 d. Year of his Reign which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court for themselves, their Heirs and Successors did confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty, and to the Citizens of the City of London, and their Successors all and singular their Liberties, Franchizes and Free Customs so intire and unmolested, like as in any time of the Progenitors of the said King Henry the Sixth, they evermore quietly and freely have had, and held, as by the said Letters Patents among other things more fully may appear. And that King Edward the 4th. by his Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England bearing date at Westminster aforesaid the Ninth day of November, in the Second Year of his Reign which the Major and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court for themselves, and their Heirs did confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors for Ever, all and singular their Liberties, Franchizes and Free Customs so intire and untouched like as in any time of the Progenitors of the said King Edward the 4th. more quietly and freely they ever had and held. And further, the said King Edward the Fourth, by his Letters Patents did grant to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of London, that although they, or their Predecessors, or Mayor and Aldermen of the City aforesaid, or their Predecessors before that, or their Successors from thence after any, or to any Liberties, Freedoms, Concessions, [Page]Ordinances of Articles, or Free Customs, or of any other in the said Letters Patents of the said King Edward the Fourth, or any other his Letters Patents, of his Progenitors Kings of England, to the said Mayor and Commonalty granted, contain'd in any Case arising, that have not been fully used or abused, the said King Edward the Fourth is unwilling that the Mayor and Commonalty Aldermen and Citizens or their Successors shall incur the forfeiture of any the Premises, but that they and their Successors to all and singular the Liberties, Freedoms, Grants, Ordinances, Articles, Free Customs, and whatsoever else in the said Charters and Letters contained the like not used or abused, and any of them from thence, fully and freely shall use and enjoy without the Impeachment or Impediment of the said King, or his Heirs, Justices, Escheators, Sheriffs, or any Bayliff or Officer of the said King, or of any other whatsoever, as by the said Letters Patents of the said King Edward the 4th. brought here in Court among other things more fully may appear. And that the late King Henry the 7th. by his Letters Patents under his Great Seal of England bearing Date at Westminster aforesaid, the 23d. Day of July in the Twentieth Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court for themselves, and their Successors did Ratifie and Confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors, all and singular the Liberties, Priviledges, Freedoms, and Free Customs, to which they the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens or their Successors have been accustomed to have, exercise, or enjoy, or have, or ought to have been [Page 18]used, and fully, plainly and wholly, as if all and singular the several words in the said Letters Patents were expressed, declared and manifested, as by the said Letters Patents (among other things) more fully may appear. And that the late King Henry the Eighth by his Letters Patents, under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Twelfth day of July in the Fifth Year of his Reign, which the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court all Grants and others whatsoever in the said Letters Patents of the said King John above specified and contained, that he the said King Henry the Eighth and his Successors, to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors, did ratifie and confirm, as by the said Letters Patents of the said King Henry the Eighth (among other things) more fully appears. And that the said late King Edward the Sixth, by his Letters Patents, under the Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Twenty first day of February, in the Second Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court all Grants and others whatsoever in the said Letters Patents of the said King John abovementioned, contained for himself and his Heirs, to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors, did ratifie and confirm, as by the said Letters Patents of the said King Edward the Sixth (among other things) more fully appears. And that the late Queen Mary by her Letters Patents, under the great [Page]Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the first day of March, in the first Year of her Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, for her self, her Heirs and Successors, all Grants and others whatsoever in the said Letters Patents of the said King John above specified, contained to the Mayor and Commonalty and to the Citizens of the City of London aforesaid and their Successors, did ratifie and confirm, as by the said Letters Patents more fully appears. And that the late Queen Elizabeth, by her Letters Patents, under her Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster aforesaid, the Ninth day of May, in the Fourth Year of her Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, for her self, her Heirs and Successors, all Grants and others whatsoever in the said Letters Patents of the said King John above specified and contained, to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and their Successors, did ratifie and confirm, as by the said Queen Elizabeth's Letters Patents (among other things) more fully appears. And the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London further say, that King James, by his Letters Patents, under his Great Seal of England, bearing date at his Honour of Hampton-Court, the Twenty fourth day of September, in the Sixth Year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court by reciting, That whereas the most part of the Progenitors of the late King, [Page 19]sometimes Kings of England of their special Grace, and for the many grateful laudable and continued Services, by the Mayor Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London, and their Predecessors in times past, done and unre warded, also for divers others urgent Causes and Considerations, them severally moving, did give grace, and confirm to the Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens or of the City of London and their Successors diverse Libertys Privileges, Franchises, Immunities, Authorityes, Iurisdictions, Ordinances, Customs, and Freedoms, as by the several Letters, Patents of the said Progenitors and Predecessors Kings of England more fully and manifest, it doth and may appear the said King James for, and in consideration of the most faithful, and constant, and laudable service by the Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London aforesaid to him in his first coming to this Realm, and still continued then manifested and most faithfully done and unrewarded all and singular Letters, Patents, Charters, and confirmations of his most noble Progenitors and Antecessors to to the Mayor and Commonalty and to the Cityzens of the City of London and their Predecessors, by whatsoever named, Incorporated before that time made granted or confirmed and all and singular Donations, Grants, Confirmations, Restitutions, Customs, Ordinances. Explanations, Articles, and all other things whatsoever, in whatsoever Letters, Patents, or Charters whatsoever of his Progenitors, Predecessors, or Antecessors Kings of England. And also all and singular in the said Letters, Patents, Charters Grants, Confirmations, or any of them contained, recited, specified, confirmed or explained, and all and singular Jurisdictions, Authorities, Priviledges, Liberties, and Franchises, Freedoms, Immunities, free [Page]Customs and Hereditaments whatsoever, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London aforesaid or their Predecessors by the name of Mayor and Comminalty and Citizens of the City of London, or by the name of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, or by the Name of Mayor Cityzens and Commonalty of the City of London, or by the name of Mayor and Cityzens of the City of London, or by the name of Citizens of the City of London, Or by the name of Barons of London, or by the name Barons of the City of London, or by any other name whatsoever by reason or force of any Letters, Patents, Charters or Confirmation of any the Progenitors, Predecessors, Ansecessors of the said King James in any time or times have had or reasonably have been used or exercised hath ratified and confirmed and for himself his Heirs and Successors did accept and approve and all and singular to the said Mayor and Commonalty and to the Cityzens of the City of London and their Successors by the said Letters, Patents, did ratifie and confirm to have, hold, enjoy and exercise all and singular the said premisses to the said Mayor and Commonalty and to the Cityzens of the City of London aforesaid and to their Successors for Ever, so fully, clearly, and wholy in as ample manner and forme as if seperately singly, and name by name those said Letters Patents were expressed, named, declared, recited and manifested, as by the said Letters, Patents among other things more fully appear. And that our late Soveraign Ld. King Charles the first by his Letters, Patents under his Great Seale of England bearing date at West. the 18th. day of October in the 14th. year of his Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty [Page 20]and Cityzens of the City of London brings here in Courts all and singular Priviledges, Liberties, Franchises, Freedoms, Immunities and free-Customs whatsoever, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London or their Predecessors by the name of the Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London, Or by the name of Mayor and Aldermen, Cityzens and Commonalty of London, Or by the name of Mayor and Cittizens of the City of London, or by the name of Mayor and Commonalty of London, Or by the name of the Cityzens of the City London, or by the name of Barons of London, or by the name of Barons of the City of London, or by any other name whatsoever by reason or force of the said Letters, Patents, of the said King John or of any other Letters, Patents, Charters, or Confirmations in the said Letters, Patent, of the said late King Charles the first mentioned or in use or by prescription or by any other lawful manner in any time or times before that they have had or reasonablely have used or exercised hath adjudged and conformed the same for himself his Heirs and Successors, and accepted and approved them, all and singular to the said Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London and their Successors by his said Letters, Patents hath ratified and confirmed as by the said Letters, Patents among other things more fully appears, And that our now said Soveraign Lord the King by his Letters, Patents under his Great Seale of England bearing date at Westm. the 24th. day of June in the 15th year of his Reign which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London brings here in Court, for himself his Heris and Successors hath ratified and confirmed to the Mayor and [Page]Commonalty and to the Cityzens of the City of London, and their Successors all and singular the Jurisdictions, Authorities, Priviledges, Liberties Franchises, Feeedoms, Immunities, and Customs whatsoever, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London, or their Prepecessors, by the name of Mayor and Commonalty and Cityzens of the City of London, or by the name of the Mayor and Alderman Cityzens and Commonalty of London, or by the name of Mayor and Cityzens of the City of London or by the name of Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London, or by the name of the Cityzens of the City of London, or by the name of the Barons of London, or by the name of the Barons of the City of London, or by any other name whatsoever by reason or force of the said Letters, Patents of the said King John, or of any other Letters Patents, Charters, or Confirmations in the said Letters, Patents of our now said Soveragin Lord the King before mentioned, or of any or any use or uses Prescription or Prescriptions, or in any other lawful manner whatsoever in any time or times before that, or reasonably have used or exercised to have, hold, enjoy, and exercise all & singular the Premises aforesaid to the said Mayor and Commonalty & to the Citizens of the City of London & their Successors for ever so fully, freely, & intire, in as ample manner and form as in the said Letters, Patents above is mentioned to be given or granted, or any other use, prescription, or in any other lawful manner or right whatsoever before that respectively had been obtained, or enjoyed as if severally singly, and name by name in and by the said Letters Patents of his now present Majesty were named, declar'd, granted and manifested as by the said Letters Patents among other things morefully appears

[Page 21]

And the said Mayor and Commonalty, and Citizens of the City of London, further say, That from the time of granting the said Letters Patents of the said King John, hitherto, they the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, have Sheriff of the City and County of the City of London, and Sheriff for the County of Middlesex, and in every year have named and elected of themselves two Persons, Citizens of the City, to be Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, and Sheriff for the County of Middlesex; and those so named and elected, have constituted and made Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, and Sheriff of the County of Middlesex; And as Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, to execute and return all Writs, Bills, and Precepts of our Sovereign Lord the King, for the Administration and Execution of Justice within the said City and County of the said City to be done and performed, which belongs to the Office of Sheriff: And to do and exercise all and singular other things within the said City and County of the said City, which belongs to the Office of Sheriff: And as Sheriff of Middlesex, for the said County to serve, and all Writs, Bills, and Precepts of our said Sovereign Lord the King, within the said County of Middlesex, for the Administration and Execution of Justice, there to exercise, and make return thereof, which belongs to the Office of Sheriff. And by that Authority the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, during the time in the said Information above-specified, have used, and hitherto do use and claim to have and use the Liberties, Privileges and Franchises, to have [Page 22]Sheriffs of the City and County of the City of London, and Sheriffs for the County of Middlesex, and to name and chuse of themselves two Persons to be Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, and Sheriff of the County of Middlesex; and those so named and elected, to make and constitute Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, and Sheriff of the County of Middlesex; and as Sheriffs of the said City and County of the said City, to execute and return all Letters, Bills, and Precepts of our said Lord the King, for the Administration and Execution of Justice, within the said City and County of the said City to be done and performed, as to the Office of Sheriff belongs; and also to do and perform all and singular other things within the said City and County of the said City, which belongs to the Office of Sheriff; and as Sheriff of the County of Middlesex to serve for that County, and all Writs, Bills, and Precepts of our said Lord the King, within the said County of Middlesex, for the Administration and Execution of Justice there to be performed, and to make return thereof, which belongs to the Office of Sheriff, as to them it shall and may be lawful to do.

Without that, That they the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, of their Liberties, Privileges, and Franchises, upon our said Lord the King, for the time in the said Information specified, have usurped, and do usurp, as by the said Imformation for our said Sovereign Lord the King it is supposed, and all and singular they the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London are ready to verifie; whereof they require Judgment, [Page 23]and that their Liberties, Privileges, and Franchises, to them and their Successors, henceforth for ever may be allowed and adjudged: and that they may be dismissed, as also the Premisses, from this Court, &c.

And they the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, so as the Liberties, Privileges and Franchises following, to wit, the Mayor of the said City, and such Aldermen who have executed the Office of Mayor, and thereof be dismissed, and that three Senior Aldermen of the said City, who have stood longest in the Office of Aldermen thereof, and have not underwent the Burden and Office of Mayor of the said City, to be Justices of the Peace within the said City, and at the Sessions of the Peace, and Pleas of the Crown, to wit, such Pleas of the Crown as the Justices of our said Lord the King lawfully assigned to hold within the said City, and all Felonies, Riots, Routs, and unlawful Conventicles in the said City, to inquire, hear and determine, in the said Information mentioned, say, That our said Lord the King them the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, ought not by occasion thereof to impeach or hinder, because they say the said City of London is, and from that time beyond the memory of Man hath been an ancient City or ancient County of themselves, and Citizens of the said City are, and from that time beyond the memory of Man have been one Body Corporate and Politick, in Marter, Fact, and Name, by the Name of Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London. And that the said late King Charles the First, by His Letters Patents under His Great Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster the Eighteenth [Page 24]day of October, in the Fourteenth Year of His Reign, which the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London brings here in Court, for Himself, His Heirs and Successors, did grant to the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, and their Successors, That the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the time being, and the Mayor and Recorder who for the time shall be, and not only those Aldermen who have been before Mayors of the City, but also those Aldermen who hereafter shall bear the Office of Mayor of the said City, altho from the Mayoralty they should depart or be dismissed, but those Aldermen should stand, and the three eldest Aldermen for the time being, who shall be in the Office of Alderman longest, and before that time have not executed the Office of Mayor, shall be for ever hereafter Justices of the Peace, and every of them shall be a Justice of the Peace for our said Lord the King. His Heirs and Successors, within the said City and Liberties thereof. And the said Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen aforesaid, to all and singular the Statutes and Ordinances for the good of the Peace of the King, His Heirs and Successors, and for the Preservation of the same, and for the quiet Rule and Government of His People made and provided, and in all their Articles, not only within the Liberties of the same, but also without the said City, according to the force, form, and effect of the same, made to be observed, and to all those who according to the form and effect of the said Order and Statutes, or any of them, in the said City and Liberties thereof, shall be found Offenders, shall be corrected and punished according to the form [Page 25]of the Ordinance, and of those Articles to be made: And all those who to any of His Majesties Subjects of their Corporation, who shall be found out in burning their Houses by Threatning, shall find sufficient Security for the Peace, or to his Good Behaviour towards our Sovereign Lord the King, and all his People: and if they shall refuse to find such Security, then them to the Goal of Newgate, or any other of the King's Prisons within the said City of London, untill such Security shall be found, shall be kept in safe Custody; the Keepers and Justices of our Lord the King, and every of them, the Keepers and Justices and their Heirs and Successors, within the said City and Liberties, our late Lord King Charles the First, for himself, his Heirs, and Successors, hath Constituted, made, and Ordained, by His Letters, Patents aforesaid, and to all singular any other to be Executed and Performed, which the Justices and Keepers of the Peace, their Heirs and Successors, within any other County of England they might Lawfully exercise and perform, and as they ought by vertue of any other Statute and Ordinance of this Realm, or by vertue of any Commission of their Heirs, and Successors, the Peace in any such County he is willing to preserve. Also our said Lord King Charles the First, by His said Letters Patents, for Himself, His Heirs and Successors, did grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty, and to the Citizens of the City of London, and their Successors, That the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the time being, and such Aldermen as aforesaid for the time being, who the Office or Place of Mayor of [Page 26]that City before that have executed and performed the same, and such of the three Eldest Aldermen for the time being who the Place of Mayor have not born, or four of them the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, of which the said Mayor or Recorder for the time being to be one, shall be Justices of our Lord the King, His Heirs and Successors, and those Justices, their Heirs and Successors, for Himself, His Heirs and Successors, hath assigned for Ever, to inquire as often and when they shall see most expedient, by the Oath of approved and lawful Men, not only of the City aforesaid, but also of the Liberties of the same, by which the very Truth may be the better known of all Murders, Felonies, Sorceries, Inchantments, Whoredom, Magick-Art, Trespasses, Forestallers, Regretters, Ingrossers, and Extortions whatsoever, and all and singular other Misdeeds and Offences, of which the said Justices of the Peace of our said Lord the King, his Heirs and Successors, may lawfully be or ought to be inquired, by whomsoever, and what sort soever, within the said City and Liberties thereof, before that time done and perpetrated, or which from thence there shall happen to be done and attempted; and not only of all those that shall in that City and Liberties thereof go to Conventicles, against the Peace of the late King and His Successors, in the disturbance of His People, His Heirs and Successors, or by force should go or ride Armed, or from thence shall presume to ride or go Armed: And also of those which there the People of our said Lord the King or His Successors shall lie in wait to kill, or after shall presume to throw down: Also of Hostilities, [Page 27]and all and singular Persons who in abuse of the Weights and Measures, or in selling Victuals contrary to the form of the Ordinance and Statute, or any of them, whereof the Common Advantage of this Realm, and of the People of the late King, His Heirs and Successors, made and provided, shall offend, or attempt, in the said City and Liberties thereof, or from thenceforth shall presume to attempt or offend: And also of Sheriffs, Constables, Keepers of Gaols, and all other Officers, who in the Execution of their Office about the Premisses, or any of them, where they ought not to have them, or hereafter shall presume to have them where he ought not, or carry himself remiss and negligent, or from thence shall happen to be remiss or negligent, within the said City and Liberties thereof: And of all and singular the Articles, Circumstances, and others whatsoever, by whomsoever, and of what quality soever, in the said City or Liberties thereof, shall be done or committed, and which from thenceforth shall happen to be done by any whatsoever, in the Premisses, or concerning any of them: And to what Indictment soever, which before the Mayor or Recorder of the said City for the time being, and such of the said Aldermen, or any four or more of them, whereof the said Mayor or Recorder for the time being shall be one, then afterwards shall be taken and inspected, and Process thereof made, to all and singular that are Indicted, or shall happen to be Indicted, until they shall be taken or restore themselves, or shall be [Page 28]or restore themselves, or shall be out-lawed, and in making and continuing, and to all and singular Murders, Felonies, Sorceries, Inchantments, Whoredom, Magick-Art, also false Conspiracies, and other Misdeeds, Forestallers, Regretters, Ingrossers, Extortioners, Conventicles, Indictments, aforesaid; and all and singular other the Premisses, according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm of England, as in such like Cases have used to be done or ought to hear and determine: And the Offenders, and such of them, for their Duties by Fines, Redemptions, Amercements, Forfeitures, and other manner according to the Laws and Customs of this Realm, and Form of the Ordinances and Statutes of the same have been accustomed to be done, or ought to be corrected and punished, and all and singular others to do, perform, hear, determine, and execute within the said City and Liberties thereof, which Justices of the Peace by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm, to do, exercise, and inquire, or may be Executed and of Force, and in as ample manner and Form, for any one, or to any one Justice of the Peace in any other County of this Realm, lawfully to do, exercise, inquire, punish, or in any other manner may be exercised or of Force, as by the said Letters Patents, among other things, more fully appears. And that our said Lord the King that now is, by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England, bearing Date at Westminster aforesaid, the 24th. Day of June, in the Fifteenth Year of his Reign, which the Mayor and Commonality and Citizens of the City of London here brings [Page]in Court all Grants and other, whatsoever in the said Letters Patent of King Charles the First above specified, for the said King His Heirs and Successors, to the Mayor and Commonalty, and to the Citizens of the City of London, and their Successors for ever, did ratifie and confirm, as by the said Letters Patents among other things may appear. And they the said Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of the City of London, further say, that in the time of making the said Letters of the said King Charles the First, and whilst before that, and from that, have hitherto been, and still are Mayor and Recorder of the said City, and Aldermen of the said City, who have not been Mayor, and sustained the burden of that Office; and three and more Aldermen of the said City, who have not underwent the burden of Mayor thereof: And from that time of the making of the said Letters Patents of the said King Charles the First, hitherto the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the time being, and such Aldermen for the time being as have not been Mayor of the said City, also three of the Eldest Aldermen for the time being, who shall be longest in that Office of Alderman, and hath not been Mayor of the said City, nor by vertue of the said Letters Patents, have been Justice of the Peace within the said City or Liberties thereof, or by vertue of the said Letters Patents, and according to the Form and Effect of the same, of the time, in the time, by the whole time, they have holden Sessions of the Peace, and Pleas of the Crown, (to wit) such Pleas of the Crown as such Justices of our said Lord the King Assigned [Page 30]to keep by the same time lawfully have held or may hold within the said City.

And by that Authority the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London by the time in the Information abovespecified, have been used or hitherto use and claim to have and use the Liberties, Privileges, and Franchises that the said Mayor of the said City, and such of the Aldermen of the said City who have not been Mayor therrof, or have been dismissed, or three eldest Aldermen of the said City, who have been longest Aldermen thereof, or executed the Office of Mayor, have been Justices of the Peace of our said Lord the King, to preserve the Peace within the said City, and to the Sessions of the Peace, and Pleas of the Crown, to wit, such Pleas of the Crown as Justices of our said Lord the King lawfully assigned may hold within the said City, and to all Felonies, Riots, Routs, and unlawful Conventicles within the said City, to inquire, to hear and determine, as to them may seem lawful, or be lawful.

Without that, the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London, of their Liberties, Privileges, and Franchises, upon our said Sovereign Lord the King that now is, by the time in the Information above-specified, have usurped, or do usurp, as by the Information for our Lord the King above mentioned it is supposed, which all and singular the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London are ready to verifie; whereof they pray Judgment, and that their Liberties, Privileges, and Franchises, to them and their Heirs, for ever hereafter, may be allowed and adjudged: and [Page 31]that they, as also the Premisies, may be dismissed from this Court, &c.

And as to the residue of the Liberties, Privileges, and Franchises in the said Information specified, by them the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the said City of London above-specified not claimed, they the said Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London those Liberties, Privileges and Franchises were never used, or do use, but the same do uterly disclaim.

FINIS.

The Courteous Reader is desired to pardon the small Faults of the Press.

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