THE Royal Charter OF CONFIRMATION Granted by His most Excellent Majesty King JAMES II. TO THE TRINITY-HOUSE OF DEPTFORD-STROND.

JAMES the Second, By the Grace of God, of England, Scot­land, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c, To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. Foundation of this Charter. Whereas our well beloved Leiges and Subjects, Shipmen and Mari­ners, of this our Realm of England, consi­sting [Page 2] of Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Guild or Fraternity of the most glo­rious and undividable Trinity, and of St. Clement in the Parish Church of Deptford Strond in our County of Kent, are, and have been of long time, a Cor­poration, and have enjoyed sundry Grants, Liberties, Priviledges, and Immunities, by force of divers Charters, Former Char­ters. and Letters Patents, heretofore made unto them by several Kings and Queens of this Realm. And Whereas the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, have humbly besought Us to Renew and Confirm their said Char­ters, and to Grant unto them such fur­ther Authorities and Priviledges, The Ends there­of. as well for the good government and increase of the Navigation of this Kingdom, as for the better ordering and establishing of the said Corporation, and the releif of the poor Mariners, their Widdows and Or­phans, as We in our Princely care should think meet.

Know ye therefore, that We taking [Page 3] the premisses into our Royal considerati­on, and well weighing how highly it im­ports the good state, and welfare of this our Realm, and of our good Subjects thereof, and the encrease of Navigation, that all disorders in the said Corporation should be redressed; And out of an earnest desire, that such good and decent orders may be established and practised in the said Corporation, as may most tend to those ends for which the said Corporation was first instituted, and to the promot­ing of the general good; Have of our Especial Grace, certain Knowledg, and meer Motion, Given, Granted, The Corporation confirmed. and Con­firmed, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, do Give, Grant, and Confirm unto our said trusty and well beloved Subjects, the Master, War­dens, and Assistants of the said Guild or Fraternity of the most glorious and undivi­dable Trinity, and of St. Clement in the Pa­rish Church of Deptford Strond in the said County of Kent; That they, from hence­forth be, and shall be called and accomp­ted [Page 4] one body Corporate and Politick indeed and in name, by the name of the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Guild Fra­ternity or Brotherhood of the most glo­rious and undividable Trinity, and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent.

Their Name.And them by the same name of the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity, and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent, We, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, do erect, make, ordain, constitute, declare, and con­firm by these Presents one body Corporate and Politick indeed and in name.

And that by the said name of Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Guild, Fra­ternity, or Brotherhood of the most glo­rious and undivided Trinity, and of St. Cle­ment in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent, they shall from henceforth have perpetual Succession, Their Succession perpetual. [Page 5] and that they, and their Successors, by the same name, be, and shall be, at all times hereafter, a body Corporate and Politick, and Persons able, and capable, in Deed and in Law, not only to have, hold, occupy, possess, enjoy, and retain all and singular the Usuages, Customs, Liberties, Old Rights continued. Privi­ledges, Jurisdictions, Franchises, Prehemi­nences, Benefits, and Commodities what­soever, which they or their Predeces­sors, by the same, or any other name or names of like Corporation, have here­tofore had and enjoyed, or at this present do hold and enjoy: But also to have, hold, occupy, purchase, receive, possess, New allowed. enjoy, and retain any other Liberties, Priviledges, Jurisdictions, Franchises, Preheminences, Benefits, and Commodi­ties, of what kind, nature, or quality soever they shall be, to them and their Succes­sors for ever.

And also by the same name to have hold, purchase, receive, take, possess, To hold Lands, &c. and enjoy; And also to give, grant, demise, a­lien, [Page 6] assign, and dispose Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, and Goods, and Chattels, or any of them, and to do and execute all, and singular, other thing and things whatsoever.

To plead and be impleaded.And that they and their Successors by the same name may plead, and be implea­ded, answer and be answered, defend and be defended, in all or any whatsoever Court or Courts, Place or Places, Jurisdi­ction or Jurisdictions, and before whatso­ever Judge, Judges, and Justices, and other Persons and Officers, in all and singular A­ctions and Plaints, Pleas, Suits, Quarrels, Causes, and Demands whatsoever, of whatsoever kind, nature, quality, or sort, in such manner and form, and by all those ways and means, and to such end and pur­pose, as any other our Leige people of this our Realm of England, being persons able and capable in Deed or Law, may or can have, hold, purchase, receive, possess, en­joy, retain, give, grant, demise, alien, as­sign, and dispose, plead and be impleaded, [Page 7] answer and be answered, defend and be defended, or do permit and execute.

And that the said Master, Wardens, To have, break, and alter their common Seal. and Assistants and their Successors, or the grea­ter part of them (whereof the said Ma­ster for the time being to be always one) may make or cause to be made, and have for themselves a Common Seal, to serve for all the Causes, Business, and Occasions of them and their Successors in that Corpo­ration: And that it shall, and may be lawful, to and for the said Masters, War­dens, and Assistants, and their Successors, the same Seal to break again, and from time to time, at their will and pleasure, to alter, change, and make new, when and as often as to them, or the greater part of them (whereof the Master, or the Masters De­puty for the time being to be always one) shall seem convenient.

And further We will, To have a Ma­ster. and by these Pre­sents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, do Ordain, That there shall be from hence­forth [Page 8] for ever, One of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, to be elected and appointed, in such form, as hereafter in these presents touching the same is ex­pressed, which shall be called the Master of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood for the time being.

Four Wardens.And that there shall be also from hence­forth for ever, Four of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (to be elected and appointed, in such form as hereafter in these presents touching the same is likewise expressed) which shall be called the War­dens of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood for the time Being.

Eight Assistants.And also that there shall be from henceforth for ever, Eight of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (to be elected and appointed in such form, as hereafter in these presents touching the same is also expressed) which shall be cal­led the Assistants of the said Guild, Frater­nity, or Brotherhood, for the time being.

And also there shall be from hence­forth for ever, Eighteen Elder Brethren. Eighteen (besides the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants for the time being) who are and shall be also Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (to be elected and appointed in such manner as hereaf­ter in these Presents touching the same is also expressed) which shall be called the Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Frater­nity, or Brotherhood, for the time being.

And also that there shall be from henceforth for ever, one Person, And a Clerk. who shall be called the Clerk of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood.

And for the better execution and ac­complishment of this our Will and Grant in that behalf, We have Assigned, Their first Ma­ster. nominated, constituted, and made, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Suc­cessors, do assign, nominate, constitute, and make our trusty and well beloved Samuel Pepys Esquire, Secretary of our Ad­miralty [Page 10] of England, to be the first and present Master of the said Guild, Fra­ternity, or Brotherhood, to continue in the said Office by himself or his sufficient De­puty, His Deputy and how chosen. (the said Deputy to be always Elect­ed, Chosen, and Sworn by the Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the more part of them, by themselves or their said Deputies as aforesaid, whereof the Wardens, or Wardens Deputy to be al­wayes some, in manner and form, as hereafter in these presents, touching the same shall be limited and appointed) from henceforth until the Morrow after Trinity Sunday, Determination of his Office. commonly called Trinity Munday, now next coming; and so from thence forward in default of a new Election or Choice then to be made of another Ma­ster, until himself or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, shall in due manner, according to the in­tent and true meaning of these Presents, be Chosen and Sworn unto the said Office or Place of Master, according to the Ordi­nances [Page 11] and Provisions hereafter in these presents touching the same expressed and declared, if the said Samuel Pepys shall so long live.

And also We have assigned, nominated, The four first Wardens. constituted, and made, and by these pre­sents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, do assign, nominate, constitute, and make Captain John Nichols, Captain Henry Mudd. Captain Nicholas Kerrington, and Captain William Green, to be the four First and present Wardens of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, to continue in the said Office or Place of Wardens of the same Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, by themselves or their sufficient Depu­ties (the same Deputies to be Elected, Their Deputies and how chosen. Chosen, and Sworn, by the Master, As­sistants, and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brother­hood, or the more part of them, by them­selves or their said Deputies, as aforesaid, whereof the said Master, or Masters De­puty as aforesaid, for the time being, to be [Page 12] always one, in manner and form also, as hereafter in these presents, touching the same, shall be likewise limited and ap­pointed) from henceforth also until the said Morrow after Trinity Sunday, Determination of their Offices. com­monly called Trinity Munday, now next en­suing; and so from thence forward in de­fault of a new Election or Choice then to be made of other Wardens, until them­selves or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood shall in due manner, according to the intent and true meaning of these presents be Chosen and Sworn unto the said Office or Place of Warden, according to the Or­dinances and Provisions hereafter in these presents likewise touching the same also expressed and declared, if they the said Wardens shall so long live.

The eight first Assistants.And further, We have assigned, nomi­nated, constituted, and made, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Succes­sors, do assign, nominate, constitute, and make, our right trusty and right intirely [Page 13] beloved Cousin Henry Duke of Grafton, and our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin and Counsellor William Earl of Cra­ven, and our right trusty and right well be­loved Cousin George Earl of Berkley, and our right trusty and well beloved Counsel­lor George Lord Dartmouth, our trusty and well beloved Sir Thomas Allen, Kt. and Bar. Captain Symon Nichols, Captain Isaac Wood­green, and Captain Thomas Brown, to be the eight First and present Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, to continue in the said Office or Place of Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, by themselves or their suf­ficient Deputies (the same Deputies to be alwayes Chosen, Elected, and Sworn, Their Deputies and how chosen. by the Master, Wardens, Assistants, and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, or the most part of them, by them­selves or their said Deputies as aforesaid, whereof the Master, or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one, in man­ner and form also as hereafter in these pre­sents [Page 14] touching the same, shall be likewise limited and appointed) from henceforth, for and during the Term of their natural lives, Their Office for Life. according to the Ordinances and Provisi­ons hereafter in these presents, touching the same, likewise expressed and declared.

The eighteen first Elder Brethren.And We have also assigned, nominated, constituted, & made, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors do assign, nominate, constitute, and make, our trusty and well beloved Subjects Sir Richard Had­dock, Sir John Berry, Sir John Narbrough, Sir Matthew Andrews, S ^r Anthony Dean, Knights, Captain Henry Sheer, Captain Hugh Till, Captain Samuel Chamblet, Captain Thomas Collier, Captain Anthony Young, Captain John Hill, Captain Francis Wilshaw, Cap­tain Robert Fisher, Captain James Bonnel, Captain Ralph Sanderson, Captain Thomas Wilshaw, Captain Samuel Rutter, and Cap­tain Richard Goodlad, to be the first and and present eighteen Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, to continue in the said Office or Place of [Page 15] Elder Brethren from henceforth, for and during the term of their natural lives, Their Office for Life. ac­cording to the Ordinances and Provisi­ons hereafter in these presents likewise expressed and declared.

And we have assigned, named, con­stituted, and appointed, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Succes­sors, do assign, name, constitute, and ap­point, our trusty and well beloved Sa­muel Hunter, Gentleman, Their Clerk. to be the Clerk to the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brother­hood aforesaid, to execute the said Office by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies; His Deputy and how to be chosen. which said Deputy or Deputies to be first approved of by the Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren of the said Fraternity, or Brotherhood, a­foresaid, for the time being, or the Ma­jor part of them.

And our further will and pleasure is, and we do hereby declare and grant, Who are younger Brothers. that all the rest of the Seamen and Mariners, of, and belonging to the said Guild, Fra­ternity, [Page 16] or Brotherhood, and their Suc­cessors in the said Corporation, shall be called and accompted Younger Brothers.

Out of which said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and eighteen (being all in number one and thirty persons) Elder Brothers, shall, and may be chosen, from henceforth yearly for ever, Time, Manner, and Place, of choosing their Master. on the Morrow after Trinity Sunday, or in any other time of the year, and in such con­venient place, as for the commodity of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, it shall be thought fit and convenient, by a consent of most Voices of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (as well of Elder as Younger Brothers) one Master, in the stead and place of such Master as shall be then wanting by death, displacing, absence, or serving forth of his time, in such sort, manner, and form as hereafter in these presents touching the same shall be declared and set forth; That is to say, the said person, so to be e­lected and nominated to the Office or [Page 17] Place of Master, shall be Master of the said Guild or Brotherhood, from the time of the said new Election and Choice un­till the Morrow after the said Trinity Sunday, commonly called Trinity Munday, then next following, and so from thence forward until the next new Election and Choice of another Master, as is aforesaid.

And yet nevertheless, the same per­son being so elected and nominated to be Master of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, as is aforesaid, before he or they be admitted to the Execution of the said Office or Place, shall make, take, and receive upon the holy Evangelists, a Cor­poral Oath, before or in the presence of the said Wardens, and Assistants, and eigh­teen persons of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or their Deputies as a­foresaid, or the more part of them, The Masters Oaths. That he, from time to time, during his Master­ship shall well and truly execute and per­form the said Office or Place of Master in all things concerning the same, and also touch­ing [Page 18] the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, according to the Statutes in that Case made and provided; and that immediately after the said Oaths so taken, he shall and may execute and use the said Office and Place of Master of the said Guild, Duration of the Masters Office. Fraternity, or Brotherhood for one whole year, from thence next and immediately following, or untill the said Trinity Munday then next following, and so forward unto the time of the next new Election and Choice of another Master.

And moreover, Our will and plea­sure is, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, and to their Successors, that when, and as often as it shall happen, the Master of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, to die, or to have served forth his time, or to be displaced, or removed from his said Office or Place of Master (which Master not demeaning himself well in his said [Page 19] Office or Place of Master, We will, The Master re­moveable and how. shall be from time to time removable at the will and pleasure of the said Wardens, Assistants, or their Deputies as aforesaid; or the great­er part of them, whereof two of the said Wardens, or two of the said Wardens De­puties, for the time being, to be always some, together with the residue of the Elder Brothers of the said Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood, or the greater part of them) that then, and so often, it may and shall be lawful to and for the said Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies (whereof two of the said Wardens or two of the Wardens Deputies for the time being to be always some) together with the said residue of the Elder Brethren of the same Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or by the more or greater voice of them all, at their will and pleasure, to displace, and remove him from the said Office or Place of being Master, And another to be chosen in his room. and immediately upon the same to proceed to their new Election [Page 20] and Choice, either of him or some other into the said Office, or Place of being Master, in such sort, manner, and form, as before in these presents touching the same is limited and appointed.

And if any Person, elected and appoin­ted to be Master of the said Guild, The Masters fine for refusing or neglecting to serve. Frater­nity, or Brotherhood, as aforesaid, shall refuse the said Office or Place, or shall af­ter he hath agreed thereto, neglect the same, he shall forfeit and lose for every such default twenty pounds of lawful mo­ny of England, in the name of a Fine to be imposed upon him so neglecting, to the use of the said Corporation; And if the said twenty pounds so imposed, shall be denied to be paid, or be not paid within one month (accounting eight and twenty dayes to the Month) next after request thereof made by one of the said War­dens or his Deputy for the time being, And how to be raised. then the same shall, and may be levied, either by distress of the goods and Chat­tels of such persons so assessed and refu­sing [Page 21] or neglecting, to be taken by one of the said Wardens, or his Deputy for the time being; which distress shall be or­dered as distresses taken for Amercia­ments in Leets, or otherwise to be sued for, by, and in the name of any four of the Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or their Deputies for the time being, in any Court of Record, or Lords Court, by acti­on of Debt, Bill, Plaint, or Information, in which no Essoin, Protection, or Wager of Law shall be allowed to the Defendant; and this to be done from time to time, when and as often as the case shall require.

And also our Will and Pleasure is, and for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do further give and grant, unto the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, and their Suc­cessors, that when, and as often as it shall fortune the Masters Deputy of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, Masters Deputy removeable, and how, for the time being to die, or to have served forth his time, or be displaced or remov­ed [Page 22] from his Office or Place of Masters De­puty, (which Masters Deputy, not demean­ing himself also well in his said Office or Place, We will to be removable at the will and pleasure of the said Wardens and Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies, together with the major part of the Residue of the said Elder Brethren for the time being whereof two of the said Wardens, or two of the Wardens Deputies for the time being to be alwayes some) That then and so often it shall, And another to be chosen in his Room. and may be law­ful to and for the said Wardens and As­sistants for the time being, or their said Deputies, or the greater part of them, together with the Major part of the re­sidue of the said Elder Brethren (where­of two of the said Wardens, or two of the Wardens Deputies to be always some) within Convenient time after the Death, displacing, or Removing of any such Ma­ster, or Masters Deputie as aforesaid, to Assemble themselves together, at or in [Page 23] such Convenient place as is aforesaid, for the New Election of some one of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (being an Elder Brother) for Masters Deputy, and shall and may then and there, before their Departure from the said place, Elect and Nominate either him again so to be displaced or Remo­ved, or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being an El­der Brother) to be Masters Deputy of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, in the place and stead of him that so shall Die, or be displaced, or removed; which person being so Nominated, and Elected into the Office and Place of Masters De­puty of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood, shall and may have, Duration of the Office of Masters Deputy. and exercise the same Office and Place in the absence of the said Master, for and during the residue of the said Year, and so for­wards, until a New Election or Choice of another Master or Masters Deputy shall be made, according to the purport and true meaning of these presents; He and [Page 24] they taking first such Corporal Oath as is aforesaid, Oath for the Masters Deputy. for the due Execution and performance thereof, and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us, Our Heirs, and Suc­cessors, as aforesaid,

And if any person, appointed and E­lected to be Masters Deputy of the said Guild, Masters Depu­ty's fine for re­sing or neglecting to serve. Fraternity, or Brotherhood as a­foresaid, shall refuse the said Office or Place without Just Excuse or Cause of Let, or shall after he hath agreed there­unto Neglect the same, he shall forfeit and lose for every such Default Ten pounds of Lawful Money of England, in the name of a Fine to be imposed upon him, so refusing or Neglecting, to the use of the said Corporation, to be de­manded and levied within such time, and in such manner, And how to be raised. as the said fine of Twenty pounds hereby imposed upon any Masters refusing his Office is hereby directed to be demanded and Levied, and so from time to time, when, and as often as the Case should so require.

And also our Will and pleasure is, and by these presents, for Us, Our Heirs, The Choice of the Wardens. and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, and to their Successors, that the said Ma­ster, Wardens, and Assistants, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their De­puties, together with the Major Part of the rest of the said Elder Brethren as a­foresaid; (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) shall and may from henceforth forever hereafter forth of That Number of One and Thirty Persons (being Elder Brothers) Elect and Choose yearly on the said Morrow after Trinity Sunday, or in any other time of the Year, when for the Commodity of the said Guild, Fra­ternity, or Brotherhood, it shall be thought fit and Convenient, by a Ge­neral Consent of most Voices of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (as well of Elder as Younger Brothers) Four Wardens, or so many of them as shall [Page 26] be then wanting by Death, displacing, absence, or serving forth of his or their time, in such sort, manner, and form, as hereafter in these presents touching the same shall be declared and set forth.

The distinction of Lower and Ʋp­per Wardens.That is to say, the Two Younger or Ne­ther Wardens, or one Younger or Nether Warden so to be nominated and Elected in­to the said Office or Place of Warden or Wardens, shall be Wardens or Warden of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, from the time of the said new Election or Choice, for Two whole years next and im­mediately following, or until there shall be as aforesaid some new or further Ele­ction or Choice either of themselves or some Others to supply the place of War­dens; to be called and accompted in the First year of their supplying or serving in that place, The two Younger or Ne­ther Wardens; And the Two Elder or Ʋpper Wardens so nominated and elected into the said Office or Place of VVardens, shall be also VVardens of the said Guild, [Page 27] Fraternity, or Brotherhood, from the time of the said new Election, or Choice, until the Morrow after the said Trinity Sunday then next following, and so from thence forwards until the next new Ele­ction or Choice of other Wardens, and those to be called and accompted in the Second year of their supplying or serving in that place, the Two Elder or Ʋpper VVardens; and this Course to be always holden and kept in the Choice and De­gree of the VVardens.

And yet Nevertheless the said person or persons being so nominated and Elect­ed to the Place or Office of Warden or VVardens of the said Guild, Fraternity, Wardens Oaths. or Brotherhood as aforesaid, when he or they shall be thereunto Elected, before he or they be admitted to the Execution of his or their said Office or Place, shall make, take, and receive a like Corporal Oath upon the Holy Evangelists before the said Master and Assistants of the same Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the [Page 28] greater part of them or their Deputies, and the rest of the Elder Brethren as a­foresaid (whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy, for the time being, to be always one) That he, they, and every of them, shall and will well and faithfully Ex­ecute and perform their said Offices and Places of Warden or Wardens in all things concerning the same, and also Touching the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us, our Heirs; and Successors, as aforesaid; And that im­mediately after the said Oaths so taken, he or they shall and may Execute and Use the said Offices or Places of War­den or Wardens of the said Guild, Frater­nity, Duration of the Wardens Office. or Brotherhood, for Two whole years from thence next and immediately following, or unto the time of the next New Election and Choice of other War­dens or Warden, according to the Purport and true meaning of these Presents, as is aforesaid.

Wardens Depu­ty.And Further, We will by these Presents, that the said Warden or Wardens so as a­foresaid, [Page 29] from time to time to be elected, nominated, and sworn, during the time that he, or they, or any of them, shall con­tinue in his or their said Offices or Places of Wardenship, be, from time to time to the best of their abilities and skill, Aid­ing, Counselling, and Assisting unto the Master or Masters Deputy of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, in all causes, matters, and things touching or concerning the good and welfare of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood.

And also our Will and pleasure is, Wardens remov­able and how, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, that when, and as of­ten as it shall fortune, all or any of the said VVardens, within the said two years next after that they, or any of them shall be nominated, elected, and Sworn into the Office or Place of VVarden or VVardens of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brother­hood [Page 30] as aforesaid, to die, or be displaced, or removed from the said Office or Place of VVardenship (which VVarden or VVar­dens not demeaning him or themselves well in his or their said Offices or Places, We will to be removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master and residue of the VVardens and Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the grea­ter part of them, by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid, whereof the Ma­ster or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one, together with the re­sidue of the said Elder Brothers, and by the more or greater voice of them all) That then and so often it shall and may be lawful also to and for the said Master, And others to be chosen in their rooms, and lieu. and residue of the VVardens and Assi­stants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their said Deputies (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) together with the residue of the said Elder Bro­thers, and by the more or greater Voice of [Page 31] them all, within convenient time after the death, displacing, or removing of a­ny of the said VVardens, to assemble themselves together, at or in such conve­nient place as aforesaid, New Election o Wardens. for the new E­lection or Choice either of him or them so displaced or removed, or of some o­ther of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood, being Elder Brothers, for new or other VVardens or VVarden as is afore­said, and shall and may then and there, before their departure from the said place, nominate and elect him or them again so removed and put out, or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (being Elder Brothers) to be VVardens or VVarden of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, in the places or steads, place or stead of him or them that so died or were, or was so dead, displaced, removed, or put out.

Which Person or Persons being so E­lected and Nominated to the Office or Offices, New Wardens to act, how and how long. Place or Places of VVardens or [Page 32] VVar­den of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood as is aforesaid, shall and may have and exercise the said Office and Offices, Place and Places of VVardens or VVarden, for and during the residue of the said two years, and so forward, and also unto the time of a new Election and Choice of the like VVardens or VVarden as aforesaid, according to the purport and true meaning of these pre­sents; After Oaths first taken. he or they taking first a like Cor­poral Oath upon the holy Evangelists, as is aforesaid, for such due Execution and Performance thereof, and of the Allegi­ance and Supremacy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors as aforesaid.

Wardens fine for refusing, or neg­lecting to act when chosen.And if any Person, appointed and elected for a VVarden of the said Guild Fraternity, or Brotherhood as aforesaid shall refuse the said Office or Place without just excuse or cause of let, or shall after he hath agreed thereto, neglect the same, he shall forfeit and lose for every such offence six Pounds thirteen Shillings [Page 33] and four pence of lawful money of Eng­land, in the name of a fine to be imposed upon him, so refusing or neglecting, to the use of the said Corporation; to be demanded and levied within such time, and in such manner as the fine so to be im­posed upon the Master is hereby directed to be demanded and levied.

And also Our will and pleasure is, and by these presents for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do further give and grant unto the said Master, VVardens, and As­sistants, and their Successors, that when, and as often as it shall fortune, all or any of the VVardens Deputies Wardens Depu­ties. of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being to die, or to have served forth his or their time, or to be displaced or removed from his or their Office or Place of Wardens Deputies or Deputy (which Wardens Deputies or Deputy not demeaning him or themselves well in the said Office or Place, We will to be removeable removeable. at the will and pleasure of [Page 34] the Master, Wardens, and Assistants, of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, or the greater part of them by themselves, or their Deputies, together with the Major part of the re­sidue of the said Elder Brethren, whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, And others to be chosen. Wardens, and Assi­stants, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies, and the ma­jor part of the residue of the said Elder Brethren as aforesaid (whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time be­ing to be always one) within convenient time after the death, or removing of a­ny such Wardens Deputies, or Deputy, to assemble themselves together at or in such convenient place as is aforesaid, for the new Election of some one or more of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being an Elder Brother or Brethren) for Wardens Deputies or Deputy, and shall and may then and there before their depar­ture [Page 35] from the said place, nominate and elect either him or them again so displaced or removed, or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being an Elder Brother or Brethren) to be Wardens Deputies or Deputy of the same Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, in the place and stead, or places and steads of him or them that so died, or was so displaced, or removed: With power to act, how, and how long. Which Person or Persons being so nominated and elected unto the Office or Place of Wardens De­puty of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, shall and may have, and exercise the same Office or Place, in ab­sence of the VVardens or VVarden there, into whose place or stead he or they shall be so Chosen, to serve for and during the residue of the said two years, or one year, and so forward, unto the time of a new Election or Choice of other VVar­dens or VVarden, or other Deputies, ac­cording to the purport and true mean­ing of these presents; After Oaths ta­ken. he or they taking first such Corporal Oath as is aforesaid, [Page 36] for the due Execution and Performance thereof, and of the Allegiance and Supre­macy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, as aforesaid.

Deputy Wardens fine for neglect.And if any Person or Persons, so to be appointed or elected to be a VVardens Deputy, or Deputies of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood as aforesaid, shall refuse the said Office or Place with­out just Cause or Let so to do, or shall after he or they hath or have agreed to it neglect the same, he and they shall for­feit and lose severally for every such De­fault three Pounds, six Shillings, and Eight Pence, of lawful Money of England, in the name of a fine to be imposed upon him or them severally, so refusing or neglecting, to the use of the said Corpo­ration, to be demanded and levied with­in such time, and in such manner, as the said fine to be imposed upon the Master is hereby directed to be demanded and levied; and so from time to time so often as the Case shall require.

And further, New choice of Assistants upon deaths or dis­placings. We will and grant by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Succes­sors, unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and to their Successors, that the said Master, Wardens, and residue of the Assistants for the time being, and their Successors, or the greater part of them, by themselves, or their Deputies, to­gether with the major part of the resi­due of the Elder Brethren as aforesaid (whereof the Master for the time being, or his said Deputy to be always one) shall and may from time to time, and at all times hereafter, upon the death, depo­sing, displacing, expulsion, or remove of them, or any of them, that are or shall be Assistant or Assistants there for the time being, at the like days, times, and places, when, and as often as it shall seem good to them so to do, have like autho­rity and power, yearly and every year to assemble and meet together, and that they being so assembled and met, it shall and may be lawful to and for them, or the greater part of them, by themselves [Page 38] or their Deputies as aforesaid (whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) to nomi­nate and elect so many of that number of eight of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being Elder Brothers) as shall be then wanting by death, deposing, displacing, expulsion, or remove as afore­said, to the Office or Place of Assistants or Assistant of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood; which person or persons so to be nominated and elected shall be Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for and du­ring the term of their natural lives as aforesaid.

Assistants to be sworn.And yet nevertheless, the said persons being so to be nominated and elected to be Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, as aforesaid, when he or they shall be thereunto voted and elect­ed, before he or they be admitted to the execution of his or their said Offices or Places, shall also make, take, and receive [Page 39] a like Corporal Oath upon the Evangelists before the Master, Wardens, and residue of the said Assistants, and Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or their Deputies for the time being, or the greater part of them as aforesaid, (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) That he, they, and every of them, Assistants Oath. shall and will, well, and faithfully execute and per­form their Offices and Places of Assistant or Assistants in all things concerning the same, and also touching the said Allegiance and Supremacy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, as aforesaid.

And that immediately after the said Oaths so taken, he or they shall, Assistants Office for Life. and may execute, and use the said Office or Place of Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for term of his or their natural Lives, from thence next and immediately following, or unto the time of the next new Election or Choice of other Assistant or Assistants, [Page 40] according to the purport and true mean­ing of these presents, as is aforesaid.

Assistants Duty.And further We will by these presents that the said Assistants or Assistant, so as a­foresaid, from time to time to be elected, voted, and sworn, during the time that he or they, or any of them shall continue in their said Offices and Places of Assistant ship, be from time to time, to the best of their endeavours, and abilities, and skills, aid­ing, assisting, and counselling unto the Master and Masters Deputy, and VVarden and VVardens Deputies of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, in all cases, matters, and things touching and concerning the good and welfare of the said Guild, Fraternity, and Brotherhood.

Assistants re­movable.And also Our will and pleasure is, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants and to their Successors, that when, and [Page 41] as often as it shall happen, all or any of the Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, at any time or times next after that they or any of them shall be Voted, Elected and Sworn to the Office or Place of Assistants of the said Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood, as is aforesaid, to die, or to be displaced, or removed from the said Office or Place (which Assistant or Assistants not demeaning him or them­selves well in the said Offices or Places, We will to be removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master, VVardens, and residue of the Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the greater part of them by themselves or their Deputies as afore­said, whereof the Master or Masters Depu­ty for the time being to be always one) that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, VVar­dens, and residue of the Assistants and Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood for the time being, or [Page 42] the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time be­ing to be always one) within conveni­ent time after the death, displacing, or re­moving of any of the Assistants or Assistant, to assemble themselves together at, or in such convenient place as aforesaid, for the new Election or Choice of some other Person or Persons of the said Guild, And others to be chosen. Fra­ternity, or Brotherhood, (being Elder Brothers) for new or other Assistants, and shall or may then and there before their departure from the said place, elect and nominate him or them so removed, dis­placed, or put forth, or some other of the Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being Elder Brothers) to be Assistant or Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brother­hood, in places or steads, place or stead of him or them that so died, or were, or was so displaced or removed: which person and persons being so elected and nominated to the Office or Offices, or Place or Places of Assistants of the said [Page 43] Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, shall and may have, With power to act for Life. and exercise the said Office and Offices, Place and Places, for and during his or their natural Lives, or unto the time of a new Election and Choice as aforesaid; he or they taking first alike Corporal Oath upon the holy Evangelists for such due execution and performance thereof, After Oaths first taken. and of the Allegi­ance and Supremacy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, as is aforesaid.

And if any Person and Persons, The Assistants fine, for refusing or neglecting to act. nomi­nated and elected to be an Assistant or As­sistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood as aforesaid, shall refuse the said Office or Place without just excuse or cause of Let, or shall after he or they hath or have agreed thereto, neglect the same, he and they shall forfeit and loose severally for every such default five pounds of lawful Money of England, in the name of a fine to be imposed upon him or them severally so refusing or neglecting, to the use of the said Corporation: to be [Page 44] demanded and levied within such time, and in such manner, as the said fine to be imposed upon the said Master is hereby directed to be demanded and levied.

Assistants Depu­tyes removable.And also Our will and pleasure is, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do further give and grant unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assi­stants, and their Successors, That when, and as often as it shall fortune all or any of the Assistants Deputies of the Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood for the time being to die, or be displaced or removed from his or their Office or Place of Assi­stants Deputy or Deputies, (which As­sistants Deputies or Deputy, not demeaning him or themselves well in his or their said Office or Place of Deputy Assistantship, We will to be removeable at the will and pleasure of the Master, Wardens, and As­sistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood for the time being, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies, together with the major [Page 45] part of the rest of the Elder Brethren, whereof the Master or Masters Deputy, for the being to be always one) that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid, (whereof the said Master or Masters De­puty for the time being to be always one) within convenient time after the death, displacing, or removing, of any such As­sistants Deputy or Deputies, to assemble themselves together, at or in such conve­nient place as aforesaid, And others to be chosen. for the new E­lection of some one or more of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood (being an Elder Brother or Brethren) for such As­sistants Deputies or Deputy, and shall and may, then, and there, before their depar­ture from the said place, nominate or elect either him or them again, so displa­ed, or removed, or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (be­ing an Elder Brother or Elder Brothers) to be Assistants Deputies or Deputy of the [Page 46] said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, in the place and stead, or places and steads of him or them that so died, or was so displaced or removed; which person or Persons so nominated and elected unto the Office or Place of Assistants Deputy or Deputies of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, With power to act for Life. shall and may have and ex­ercise the same Office or Place in absence of the Assistants or Assistant there, into whose place or stead he or they shall be so chosen to serve, for and during the the term of his or their Life or Lives, in­to whose place or stead he or they shall be Elected or Chosen, to supply his or their absence, or unto the time of a new Election or Choice of other Assi­stant or Assistants Deputies or Deputy according to the purport and true mean­ing of these presents; he or they first taking such Corporal Oath as is aforesaid, Ʋpon Oath first first taken. for the due execution and performance thereof, and of the Allegiance and Supre­macy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, as is aforesaid.

And if any Person or Persons so ap­pointed and elected to be an Assistants Deputy or Deputies of the said Guild, Assistants De­puties, their fine for refusing or neglecting to act when chosen. Fraternity, or Brotherhood as aforesaid, shall refuse the said Office or Place, or shall after he or they hath or have a­greed thereunto, Neglect the same, he or they shall forfeit and lose for every such default Fifty Shillings, of lawful Mony of England, in the Name of a Fine to be imposed severally upon him or them to the use of the said Corpora­tion, to be Demanded and Levied within such time, and in such manner, as the Fine to be upon the Master, is hereby directed to be demanded and Levied.

And our Will and pleasure also is, and by these presents for us our Heirs, and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, and to their Successors, that when and as often as it shall happen, all or any of the Eighteen Elder Brethren Elder Brethren. of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for [Page 48] the time being, at any time or times next after that they or any of them shall be nominated, Elected and Sworn to the Office or Place of Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, as is aforesaid, to Die, or to be displaced, or removed from the said Office or Place (which Elder Brother or Elder Brethren not demeaning himself or themselves well in the said Office or Place, We will to be Removed at the Will and Pleasure of the Master, Removeable. Wardens, and Assistants, and residue of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or the greater part of them, by them­selves or their Deputies as aforesaid, whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one;) that then and so often it shall and may be lawful, And others to be chosen. to and for the said Master, War­dens, Assistants, and residue of the Elder Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, for the time being, or the greater part of themselves, or their Depu­ties as aforesaid (whereof the Master, or [Page 49] Masters Deputy for the time being to be always One) within convenient time after the Death, displacing, or removing of any of the Elder Brethren, to Assemble themselves together, at or in such Con­venient place as aforesaid, for the new Election or Choice of some other person or persons of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being Younger Brothers) for New or other Elder Brother or Bro­thers; and shall and may then and there before their Departure from the said Place Elect and Nominate him or them so removed, displaced, or put forth, or some other of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, (being Younger Brother or Brothers) to be Elder Brother or El­der Brothers of the said Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood, in the places or steads, place or stead of him or them that so died, or were, or was so displaced or removed.

Which Person or Persons being so E­lected and Nominated to the Office or Elder Brethren new elected to have power to act; how, and how long. [Page 50] Offices, or Place or Places, of Elder Brother or Brethren of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, shall and may have and Exercise the said Office and Offices, Place and Places, for and during his or their Natural Lives, unless removed as afore­said; and first taking a Corporal Oath, upon the Holy Evangelists, After Oaths taken. for such due Execution and Performance thereof, and of the Allegiance and Supremacy of Us, our Heirs, and Successors; and this to be done likewise from time to time, when and so often as the Case shall re­quire.

And our further Will and Pleasure is and we do hereby declare and grant, Power of ap­pointing and displacing all inferiour Offi­cers, &c. that it shall and may be Lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, and their Successors or Deputies for the time being as aforesaid, or the greater part of them (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy, for the time being to be always one) from time to time, when and as often as occasion [Page 51] thereunto shall require, or unto them in that behalf it shall seem expedient, like­wise to name, place, and appoint any other Inferiour Officers, Ministers, and Members, as shall be Convenient and Needful, in, to, for, and Concerning the said Guild Fraternity, or Brother­hood, for the good Government thereof; and the same and Every or a­ny of them again at all times, and from time to time at their like Will, and Plea­sure, to displace, remove, expel, or dis­charge, and him, and them, or others in his or their Place, Room, or stead so removed, expelled, displaced or dischar­ged, to take in again, Place and Appoint anew, and in like manner to do and perform when they or any of them shall fortune to die or depart this Life before he or they be so removed, expelled, dis­placed or discharged.

And also we will, Power of Ele­cting and re­moving Younger Brothers; who and how. and Grant by these Presents for Us, our Heirs, and Successors unto the said Master, Wardens and Assi­stants [Page 52] and to their Successors. That they the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors for the time being, by themselves or their Deputies, or the Greater part of them, together with the Major part of the Residue of the said Elder Brethren (whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) shall and may from time to time, and at all times hereafter at their like will and pleasure, admit re­ceive, and take in whatsoever Person, and Persons (our Natural Subjects) as well within this our Realm of England, and other our Realms and Dominions, and Places being under our Obeysance, and not O­thers, which would be and shall be desirous to be of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood, as Brothers of the said Corpo­ration, And all and every such Person so to be admitted, received, and taken in by the Master, Wardens, and Assistants, or the greater part of them, by them­selves, or their Deputies, together with the Major Part of the Residue of the said [Page 53] Elder Brethren as aforesaid (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy, for the time being to be always One) shall from the time of such his or their Admission, recei­ving, and taking in, be called and ac­compted Younger Brothers in Deed and in Name, and them and Every, or any of them so admitted, received, and taken in, they may also again at their Wills and Pleasure, remove and displace, of and from the said Corporation, when and as often as to them, or the Greater Part of them in that behalf, shall seem Expe­dient.

And further we will and Grant by these Presents, for Us, Every Brother to have Power of taking Ap­prentices; who, and how. our Heirs and Suc­cessors, unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, and to their Successors, that from henceforth it shall and may be law­ful to and for the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, and Every other Brother of the said Corpora­tion for the time being, not only to have, [Page 54] take and keep one or more Apprentice or Apprentices to be brought up in the Trade of Mariners or Seafaring men, eve­ry of the said Apprentice or Apprentices to be to them bound for Seven years at the least, and every Apprentice so taken (being above Seven years of Age at the time of his Entry into his Apprenticeship) shall be by the same Covenant Bound to be ordered and used to all Intents accor­ding to the Custome of our City of Lon­don, so that the same Bond or Covenant of Apprenticeship be made by writing, In­dented and Enrolled before themselves in the said Corporation, by some under Of­ficer of theirs thereto to be appointed, and that there be not taken for every such Enrolment above Twelve pence; But also for the said Master, Wardens, and As­sistants, and their Successors, or the Great­er part of them, by themselves and their Deputies, and the Major Part of the rest of the said Elder Brethren as aforesaid (Whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) [Page 55] to make and set down Orders and pains for the Masters and Governors of such Apprentice and Apprentices, well Training and breeding them up in their Trade of Navigation and Sailing, and also for the said Apprentice or Apprentices due beha­ving of themselves, and their Obedi­ence and diligence towards their said Master and Governor, The Statute for ta­king, having, and Enrolling of Apprentices, or any other Statute, Law, Custome, U­sage or Priviledge to the Contrary in a­ny wise notwithstanding.

And further we do hereby for Us, To examine and certifie the Pro­ficiencies of the Mathematical Children of Christ's Hospi­tal, and see them bound. our Heirs, and Successors strictly Charge and Command the Master, Wardens and As­sistants of the Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood aforesaid, now and for the time being, to examine into and certifie the Abilities and fitness of such Children of the New Royal Foundation in Christs Hos­pital, who are or shall be admitted to and initiated in the practice of the Art of Navigation, and to be bound forth Ap­prentices, [Page 56] and to take care that the In­dentures of Apprenticeship of such Chil­dren be executed by the respective Ma­sters to whom they shall be bound, in the presence of the Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren of the said Guild or Fraternity, or the major part of them, at some publick meeting of the Corporation.

Power of Mi­nistring Oaths in all Marine Causes, and o­ther Occasions of the Corpora­tion.And for that it oftentimes falleth out, that for the avoiding of long depending of Suits in Law, and great expences incident to the same, many Marine and Admiral Causes in controversie between party and party in the High Court of Admiralty, are referred by and forth of the said Court [...] or by and from the Judge thereof, or his lawful Surrogate or Deputy in that behalf for the time being, to the Master, Wardens, and Assistants, of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, or their said Deputies for the time being as aforesaid; to hear and determine the which the said said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and [Page 57] their said Deputies are not able many times to accomplish, by reason that they have hitherto wanted a sufficient power and authority in themselves to minister an Oath unto the Witnesses to be produc­ed on either side. For the Reformation whereof, We of Our further Grace, do by these presents will and grant for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, that they by themselves or their Deputies aforesaid (whereof the Ma­ster or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) shall and may from time to time, and at all times hereafter, when and as often as occasion shall there­unto require, not only in the Case afore­said, minister an Oath to every person that shall be produced or used as a Wit­ness, for the testifying and declaring the truth in any such Case, but also at the Ele­cting of every Master, Warden, Assistant, and their Deputies as aforesaid, minister to every Master, Warden and Assistant, and his or their Deputy and Deputies, and the said [Page 58] Elder Brethren, the said Oath of well ordering and governing of themselves in their said Offices and Places and to every Youn­ger Brother and Officer of the said Society, and to all and every Apprentice and Ap­prentices to be bound as aforesaid, when he or they shall be made free, the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and the u­sual Oath to the Corporation.

Power of ap­pointing all Pi­lots, and Loads­men into and out of the River of Thames.And for that many times unskilful and indiscreet persons not having knowledg, or due understanding either of our Chan­nel, or how to Guide and Govern Ships or other Vessels aright, have taken upon them to be Pilots, Loadsmen, and Guides for the safe bringing up of Strangers Ships, Hoyes, Flyboats, Barks, or other Vessels, into our River of Thames, and for want of such knowledg and understanding have cast away the said Ships and other Vessels, to the great annoyance and decay of our said Channels, and loss and hinderance both of our Merchants and o­thers going ordinarily to Sea, and to the [Page 59] slander and evil report of the more skil­ful and better sort of our Seamen and Mariners amongst Forraign Nations u­sing the Traffick hither. For Reforma­tion whereof, Our will and pleasure is, and by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Master, Wardens and Assi­stants, and to their Successors, and do straitly charge and command that no manner of Person or Persons, Seamen, or Mariners, or other Person whatsoever, at any time hereafter, shall take upon him or them, or otherwise presume or suffer themselves to be Pilots, Loadsmen, or Guides, to or for the bringing in or carrying forth of the River of Thames, or any other Creek belonging or running into the same, of any Ship or other Ves­sel, by what name or names soever they shall be called, except such Person or Per­sons so taking upon him or them such Pi­lotship, Loadsmanage, or Guidance, shall be thereunto first appointed and authoriz­ed by the said Master, VVardens, and As­sistants, [Page 60] or their Deputies for the time be­ing, or the greater part of them, toge­ther with the major part of the rest of the said Elder Brethren (whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy, for the time be­ing, to be always one) under the Common-Seal of their Corporation, and confirmed under the Hand and Seal of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being, To be confirmed by the Lord High Admiral. without any Charge or Fee to the the Secretary of the Admiralty for the same.

To appoint Pi­lots to all Ali­ens Ships out of the River of Thames.And moreover, that no such Ship or other Vessel (whereof any Alien or Stranger, not being born within or un­der Our obeysance, shall be Owner or part Owner) shall go down, or out of the said River of Thames to Seawards, with­out a Pilot, Loadsman, or Guide to them, in that behalf assigned and appointed in Writing by the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies, together with the major part of the rest of the [Page 61] Elder Brethren, whereof the Master or Masters Deputy, for the time being to be always one.

And for the better Execution thereof, on the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, Power of rate­ing the Pilo­tage to all Ali­ens Ships. and their Deputies behalf as aforesaid, such Pilots, Loadsmen, and Guides, shall and may be appointed to every or any such Ship or other Vessel (whereof the said A­lien or Stranger is, or shall be Owner or part Owner) by the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, or the grea­ter part of them, by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid, for such competent Sum of Money, and reasonable rate to be paid, yielded, and given, by the said A­lien, or Stranger, or his Deputy, unto the said Pilot, Loadsman, or Guide, so to be ap­pointed, and conducting them, according to the greatness or charge of every such Ship or other Vessel as shall be reasonable, and so from time to time deemed by the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, and their Successors, or the grea­ter [Page 62] part of them, by themselves or their Deputies for the time being, whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one.

And also, that from henceforth no Sea­men or Mariner, No Master or Pilot to take charge into or out of the Thames with­out being exa­mined by this Corporation. shall presume to take up­on him or them to be a Master, Pilot, Loads­man, or Guide, of or to any Ship or Vessel whatsoever, to Sail, go, or put forth of the said River of Thames, or any other Creeks thereof, into the Seas, or from the Seas homewards into the said River of Thames, or any Creek thereof, other then such as shall have been first examined by the Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, or the major part of them, by themselves or their Deputies, whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy for the time being, to be always one, and from them shall have obtained a Certificate in Writing under the Seal of the said Cor­poration, And their par­ticular know­ledges on this or that Coast cer­tified by them. shewing and testifying there­by the Countreys, Coasts, and Places, to and for which he, they, and every or any [Page 63] of them shall be sufficient, apt, and meet to take such charge upon them, and after that also an approbation or allowance there­of, Lord Admiral to approve of all Masters, Pilots, and Loadsmen. of and from the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being, as afore­said; upon pain to forfeit, for every such time of his or their doing to the contra­ry therein, Twenty Pounds Fine upon all unlicensed Ma­sters, Pilots, &c. the Sum of twenty Pounds of lawful Money of England, to be levied of his or their Goods or Chattels by way of Distress, to be taken by one of the said Wardens, or his Deputy for the time being. Which Distress shall be ordered and used in like manner, as of Amerciaments in Court Leets, or otherwise to be sued for, by, and in the name of the Master or Ma­sters Deputy, and any two of the VVar­dens or Assistants of the said Guild, Fra­ternity, or Brotherhood, or his, or their Deputies for the time being, in any Court of Record, or Lords Court, by Action of Debt, Bill, Plaint, or Information, in which no Essoyn, Protection, or Wager of Law shall be allowed unto the Defendant.

And further we of our more abundant and especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Motion, have given and gran­ted, and by these Presents for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, do give and Grant unto the said Master, A Grant of all ancient Profits, Dues, &c. from Loadsmanage, Pilotage and Primage. VVardens, and Assistants of the said Guild, Frater­nity, or Brotherhood, and to their Suc­cessors for ever, That they by their Officer or Officers thereto from time to time to be appointed, shall and may from time to time, and at all times hereafter, Levy, have, receive, and take within the said River of Thames, and Port of London, and in all or any the Creeks, Harbors, and Places within the Precincts, Limits, or Liberties thereof, all and singular such profits, dues, Duties, and Sum, and Sums of Mony whatsoever, which at any time or times heretofore, by themselves or their Predecessors, by any Name or Names of like Corporation, or by Vir­tue of and from any Charters and Let­ters Patents to them or any of them [Page 65] heretofore given or granted, or by any lawful usage, prescription, or custom, they have received, had, or taken in the said River, Port, Harbours, Creeks, and Places, or any of them, in or by way of Loads­manage, or Pilotage, and Primage; that is to say, of and from every Master, Loadsman, or Pilot of every Ship or other Vessel coming into the said River of Thames, Port of London, or Creek, or Harbour of the same, and receiving Loadsmanage, or Pilotage, and Primage, or which may or ought to receive the same; that is to say, Loadsmanage and Pilotage, how much. by way of Loads­manage, or Pilotage, of and for every twenty Shillings Loadsmanage, or Pilotage two Shillings, and of every Ten Shillings one Shilling, and of every six Shillings eight Pence, eight Pence, and so after that rate and proportion for greater or lesser Sums, in such sort as they have used and accustomed time out of mind of man to receive the same.

And likewise of and from the said [Page 66] Master, Loadsman, or Pylot, by way of Primage, Primage, how much. two pence, as out of every Ma­riner his Primage; That is to say, two Pence for every man which at any time hereafter shall serve as a Mariner in any such Voyage, and shall return into the said River of Thames, or Port of London, or Creek, or Harbour of the same, in such manner and form as heretofore, by the like time out of mind of man hath been accustomed.

The Precedeing Duties, how to be recovered.And if any Person or Persons charge­able with payment of the said Loadsma­nage, or Pilotage, and Primage, or either, or any of them, shall deny, withhold, or keep back the same, contrary to the mean­ing of these our Letters Patents in that behalf; that then and so often it shall and may be lawful, and by these Presents, We for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, do give full Power and Authority unto the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, and their Deputies and Successors for ever, that they or any of them by their Officer [Page 67] or Officers thereunto to be appointed as a­foresaid, shall and may Arrest and At­tach, or cause the said Party or Parties so offending, withholding, or denying, for his or their contempt in that behalf to be arrested or attached, and commit him or them to Ward in the Prison of our Marshal­sea, or in the safe Custody and Charge of the Marshal of the Admiralty for the time being; there to remain in restraint and safe keeping, until such time as the said Offender or Offenders have paid and sa­tisfied, or else taken order by good and sufficient Surety, for satisfaction of the Duty, which shall be so due or payable, by reason of this our present Grant. And if the Party or Parties which should pay or answer any such Loadsmanage, or Pilot­age, and Primage, or either of them, do so absent him or themselves, or cannot be found, whereby he or they may be Ar­rested or Attached as aforesaid, that then and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for one or more of the said War­dens, or his or their Deputies for the time [Page 68] being to arrest, or stay, or cause to be put under arrest and stay, the Ship or o­ther Vessel, wherein the said Master, Loadsman, or Pilot went, or was imploy­ed, until such time as the said Duties, and every of them shall be fully paid and sa­tisfied, according to the purport and true meaning thereof. Or otherwise it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, by one or more of the said VVardens, or his, or their Deputys for the time being, to distrain the Goods, and Chattels of the Party or Par­ties so offending, denying, or keeping back the aforesaid Duties, wheresoever the said Goods and Chattels, or any of them shall and may be found; and the same Distress or Distresses, so had, or tak­en, to their use to detain and keep, until they be fully satisfied of their Right and Duty, with the Charges of taking the same Distress, and keeping thereof, ac­cording to the purport and true meaning of these presents.

And further our will and pleasure is, Power of hold­ing Courts, how, where, and for what. and by these presents of our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Mo­tion for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, We do give and grant unto the said Ma­ster, Wardens, and Assistants, and to their Successors, that it shall and may be law­ful to and for the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, and their Successors (provided that the majority at least of the Master, Wardens, and Assi­stants, or their Deputies for the time be­ing, be always some) from time to time, and at all times hereafter, upon reasona­ble warning thereof to be given, to As­semble themselves for and about any the Matters, Causes, Affairs, or Business of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, in any place within the City of London or County of Middlesex, or in any other place or places for the same convenient; and then and there to hold and keep Court for the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, and the affairs thereof, and the Perquisites Issues and Profits of the said [Page 70] Court so to be holden and kept, to levy, take, Their Profits how to be em­ploy'd. and perceive, to and for the use of the said Corporation, for the better main­tainance and preservation thereof, without any accompt to be made or rendred to Us, our Heirs, Without Ac­compt. and Successors, in that behalf.

And also that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, VVar­dens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, or the more part of them, being so assembled, by themselves or their Deputies (provid­ed that the majority at least of the Ma­ster, VVardens, and Assistants, or their Deputies for the time being, be always some) to treat, General subject of their debates, and Trust. commune, and agree a­mongst themselves, or with any other Person or Persons whatsoever, of and up­on the Conservation, good Estate, and wholsome Government, as well of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, as upon the like Conservation, good Estate, wholesome Government, Maintainance, and Encrease of the Navigation of this Our Realm, and of all Mariners, and [Page 71] Sea faring men within the same, and of all and every the Apprentices, Servants, and their Masters, and Governours, and other persons, to the said Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood belonging, or com­ing, or being within our River of Thames, or any the Creeks, or Harbors of the same; and for the good Orders to be made amongst them, or any of them, of and upon all and singular Articles, any manner of way touching or concerning the premisses or any part thereof; or the cunning, Knowledge, or Science of Sea­men, and Pylots, for the better and more safe Guiding and Conducting of all manner of Ships and other Vessels.

And at and upon the same their Assem­blies, Meetings, or Conference, Power to make and alter Laws. or any of them, to make, ordain, and constitute besides, such and so many reasonable Laws, Constitutions, Orders, and Ordinances, as to them or the greater part of them, being then and there present (whereof the Ma­ter, or Masters Deputy for the time being, [Page 72] to be always one) shall seem necessary and convenient touching the premisses, and for the better advancement and continu­ance of the same; and the same Laws, Constitutions, Orders, and Ordinances so made, or any of them, to put in Ʋre and Execution accordingly, and at their pleasures again to revoke, alter, or change, when, and as often as occasion thereto shall require.

Their Laws binding to all within the Ri­ver of Thames.And further, that whatsoever is, or shall be concluded and agreed upon, at any such Assembly or Meeting, the same shall be holden as Laws, Ordinances, and Statutes, amongst them to be put in Ure and Exe­cution, and shall bind all the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, and all other Seamen and Mariners of the said River of Thames, or of any other Place, Port, Ha­ven, or Town, (as well the Subjects of this Realm, as Strangers) for the time of their being at or in the said River of Thames, or Creeks, or Harbours, of the same, to obey and observe the same.

So always, that the said Laws, Proviso about their said Laws. Ordi­nances, Statutes, or any of them be not contrary or repugnant to the Laws, Sta­tutes, Rights, or Customes, of this Our Realm of England, or Derogatory to the Jurisdiction and Preheminence of the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being, or to the Court of Admiralty of England, or to the Judge, Register, or Marshal of that Court for the time being, or any of them.

And whosoever against the said Laws, Infringers of their Laws to be punished, and how. Ordinances, and Statutes, shall in any part offend, or shall violate or break any of them, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, VVardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, or the greater part of them, their Successors, and Deputies afore­said (whereof the said Master or Masters Deputy to be always one) in their discre­tions, according to the greatness and qua­lity of the fault, to punish and correct; and the pains, penalties, amerciaments, and forfeitures, or any of them in the [Page 74] said Laws, Ordinances, and Statutes, or a­ny of them to be appointed and specified, of the Offenders, and every of them to ask, levy, gather, and receive; and for the same, if need so be, the said Offender and Offenders, as well by his and their Goods and Ships or either of them, as by his or their Bodies (as the Case shall require) according to the Laws and Cu­stoms of this our Realm of England, or our Court of Admiralty, to Distrein and Arrest, and by their own Officer for that purpose to be appointed (if they shall so think it meet) to Commit to Ward, there to remain, until the same pains, amercia­ments, and forfeitures, with the Charges of the Imprisonment be fully answered, satisfied, and paid, to the use and benefit of the said Corporation; and also the same Parties, Offenders, and every of them to Release and set Free again, as to the said Master, VVardens, Assistants, and Elder Brethren, and Deputies aforesaid, or the greater part of them for the time be­ing, in that behalf shall seem expedient.

And that all and singular sum and sums of Mony whatsoever, Ʋses of their Monies arising from Fines, For­feitures, &c. due or hereafter to be due, and received by the said Decrees, Orders, Agreements, Fines, Forfeitures, or otherwise, shall be to the use, Com­modity, and profit of the said Guild, Fra­ternity, or Brotherhood; unto and for the repairing of a Certain House, Repair of their Houses, and Alms-houses. or Te­nement commonly called or known by the Name of Trinity House; and of o­ther Tenements and Alms-houses scitu­ate and being in Deptford Strond afore­said, and Ʋpper Deptford, in the said County of Kent, belonging to the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood; and for the finding of certain poor Persons, Relief of poor Brothers, and their Widdows. Brethren, and the Wives of Brethren, of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brother­hood, which are fallen into Decay, Mi­sery, Poverty and Need, or hereafter shall fortune to fall into Decay, Mise­ry, Poverty and Need; and also for re­lief of other Poor Mariners and Sea-fa­ring men, such as by them, General Chari­ties. and their Successors shall be thought meet and [Page 76] necessary therewith to be relieved; and for other Publick uses of the said Society.

To hold and dis­pose of their Revenue with­out Account.Which sum and sums of Mony so re­ceived, and to be received to the use of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brother­hood, it shall and may be lawful to, and for the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, their Successors and Deputies, to hold, possess, and enjoy, for ever, to the Use aforesaid, without any Accompt, or o­ther thing, therefore to Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to be yielded, paid, ren­dred, made, or done, in that behalf; and without any Molestation or trouble, through any invented Colour or Device by any Person or Persons, either of the said Trinity House of Deptford Strond, or of any other Place or Places, to be pra­ctised, attempted, or put in Ure against the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, Successors and Deputies, or any of them, by any means whatsoever for and Con­cerning the same.

All and singular which Laws, Constitu­tions, Orders, and Ordinances, as afore­said to be made, We will to be duely observed and kept, under the pains and penalties therein to be contained; so al­ways, as the said Laws, Constitutions, Their Laws, Fines, &c. To be binding, upon a Condition. Or­ders, and Ordinances, Imprisonments, Fines and Amerciaments be reasonable, and not contrary or repugnant to the Laws, Statutes, or Customes of this our Realm; nor Derogatory to the Jurisdiction or preheminence of the Lord High Admi­ral of England for the time being, or to the high Court of Admiralty of England for the time being, or to the Judge, Re­gister, or Marshal of that Court for the time being, or any of them.

Provided always, that if any Master, Six Months ab­sence (saving for sickness) to be punished by Dismission. Warden, Assistant, or Elder Brother shall upon any pretence whatsoever, except sickness (whereof good proof by Oath is to be made) fail to give his Attendance at any of the Courts summoned, or o­ther usual meetings of the Corporation [Page 78] for the space of Six Months together, he shall be displaced and dismissed by the Corporation or Major part of them from being an Elder Brother; and the Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Elder Bre­thren of the Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood aforesaid, or the Major part of them as aforesaid, shall proceed to the Election of some other fit Person or Persons in the Room of him or them so removed.

The Oaths and subscription en­joyn'd the Ma­ster.And further we will and by these presents do hereby charge and Com­mand, that the Master by these presents herein before named and constituted, be­fore he be admitted unto his said Office, shall take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; and the Oath prescribed and mentioned in the Act for the well Go­verning and regulating of Corporations, made in the Thirteenth year of the Reign of his Late Majesty King Charles the Second; and also shall Subscribe the Declaration prescribed and mentioned in [Page 79] the said Act, and also the Oath for the due Execution of the said Office of Master before the said Wardens, in these presents before named and constituted, or any two of them, whom we do hereby authorize to give and require the same accordingly.

And further, We do hereby Charge and Command the VVardens, Assistants, Oaths generally enjoyned upon the Wardens, Assistants, El­der Brethren, and Clerk. Elder Brethren, and Clerk herein before named and constituted, that before they or any of them be admitted unto their said respective Offices, they and eve­ry of them respectively shall take the said Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and make the Declaration and Subscripti­on aforesaid, and also take the Oaths for the due Execution of their said Offices respectively, before the said Samuel Pepys herein before mentioned, Master of the said Fraternity, or Brotherhood, whom we do hereby give full Power and Autho­rity to require and administer the same ac­cordingly, Power to the Master of ad­minstring them. without any further Warrant or Authority from Us, to be had or obtained in that behalf.

Power reserved to the King of displacing any Master, Warden, Elder Brother, or Clerk, and how.Provided always, and We by these Presents reserve full Power and Authori­ty to and for Ʋs, Our Heirs, and Succes­sors, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, to remove and displace by or­der of our or their Privy Council, any Master, Warden, Assistant, Elder Brother, or Clerk of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood, and thereupon the Office or Place, Offices or Places, of such Per­son and Persons so removed, or declared to be removed, shall be (ipso facto) void, to all intents and purposes, and other fit Per­son or Persons shall be Elected, Chosen, and Sworn into the Place or Places of him or them so removed, according to the Provisions in that behalf herein before expressed; and this as often as the Case shall so happen, any thing to the contra­ry thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

The Master, Wardens, and Assistants, &c. to be always at the Kings call.And for as much as the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Depu­ties, being often times in themselves, their Servants, Apprentices, and Ships, to be [Page 81] charged and imployed at one hours warn­ing in Our Service at the Sea, in and for the good and necessary defence of Our Realms and Kingdoms, cannot give their due attendance therein, with such dili­gence as their Duty was and is to do, by reason that they be many times compelled to bear Armour, or to contribute to the charge thereof for Land Service, as also to serve upon Inquests, and Juries, at Assizes, Sessions, Courts Leet, Courts Baron, before the Coroner, and in all other Courts, Commissi­ons, and places of Jurisdictions, to the great vexation and burthen of the said Corporation, and to the Peril of the said Service at the Sea, by reason that they cannot conveniently attend both the one and the other. And therefore to be exempted from all Land Service and contributions thereto. Therefore We of our more abundant Grace, certain Knowledg, and meer Motion, do Will and Grant by these presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, that they and every of them, and all and every other Bro­ther, and Ministers of the same, being Mariners and Sea faring men, and their and [Page 82] every of their Servants and Apprentices that now be, or at any time or times hereafter shall be, their Successors, and the Successors of every of them, from time to time, and at all times from henceforth, shall be discharged and ex­empted of and from the bearing or find­ing of any Armour, to or for any Land Service, at or upon any General Muster or other veiw to be taken of Armour, in a­ny of the Counties or Places, where they or any of them shall make their aboad or dwelling, at the time of the said Mu­sters or View taken, and from being and contributing to the setting forth of any Souldiers to be employed or set forth to or for Land Service, other then as Mari­ners, and Seamen, in Sea Services; as also that they and every of them shall be in like manner discharged and exempted from being summoned and put in Assizes, And from all Assizes, Juries, &c. Juries, Inquests, Inquisitions, Attaints, and other Recognizances taken, or summoned within the said Counties or Places, or any of them; unless that they the said Master, [Page 83] VVardens, and Assistants, and other Sea­men, and Mariners aforesaid, Saving in case of Tenures or Admiralty Sessi­ons. be there­unto compelled or compellable by reason of their Tenures, or unless it be for our Service at every Admiral Sessions, which they and every of them shall be always tied and bound to attend upon their Pe­rils, being thereunto lawfully Summoned as heretofore; and moreover, that they, and every of them, shall be likewise ex­empted and discharged from being other­wise taxed, to, for, or with any man­ner of Land Service whatsoever, other then is aforesaid, or to be contributary to the same: And that if at any time or times hereafter, the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, or any of them, or any other Brother, Officer, Minister, or Member of the said Corporation for the time being, by any ways or means be appointed for bearing or finding of Armour, or Taxed to or with any manner of Land Service, (other then as is aforesaid) or to be Contri­butary to the same, or Summoned or put in Assizes, Juries, Inquests, Inquisitions, or o­ther [Page 84] Recognizances (other then as afore­said) taken or summoned within the said Counties, Jurisdictions, or Places, where they or any of them shall remain or a­bide, other then as in regard of their said Tenures, or for our Services at or in the Admiral Assizes or Sessions as aforesaid; that then the said Appointment or Sum­mons, and also the said Taxation to be ut­terly void and of none effect, any Or­der, Custome, Law, or Usage, to the con­trary before this time had or used in any of the said Counties, Jurisdictions, or Places notwithstanding.

This exemption nevertheless re­vocable by an order of Council.Provided alwayes, that if the Lords and others of the Privy Council, of Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, or any six or more of them (whereof the Lord High Admiral of England, for the time being to be always one) by any VVarrant or Warrants signed with the hands of them, or any six or more of them, (whereof the Lord High Admiral of England for the time being to be one) shall at any time [Page 85] or times, Will and Command the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, to per­form, execute, or do any Land Service, or to be Contributary to the Charge of any Armour, Munition, or any other thing appertaining to such Land Service; that then and so often the said Master, War­dens, and Assistants, and their Successors, shall upon and after the receipt of any such Warrant, perform and execute all and every such thing as shall be commanded and en­joyned unto them or any of them, in and by the same, anything before in these presents to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.

And further by these presents, We do for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, Power to stop all unlicensed Ma­sters and Pilots, and to licence thereto such as are sufficient; admitting them into the Brother­hood, and certi­fying their par­ticular abilities. give and grant unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and to their Successors for ever, that from henceforth for ever here­after, it shall and may be lawful to and for them, and the rest of the Elder Brethren of the said Society, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid (whereof the Master, or Masters [Page 86] Deputy for the time being, to be always one) to forbid, stay, and keep back, all and every Seaman and Mariner coming into, or going forth of the River of Thames, or any the Greeks, or Harbours of the same, to be­gin to take charge upon him, or them, as Master, Pilot, Loadsman, or Guide of any Ship or other Vessel, to go forth of the said River of Thames or Creeks or Harbors of the same outwards into the Sea, or from the Sea Homewards into the said River, or Creeks, or Harbours of the same, other then such as shall be first allowed of by them, or the more part of them as aforesaid; and if upon Examination and Trial had of any, they shall find the same sufficient (being naturally born our Subjects within our o­beysance) the same and every such they shall receive into the said Guild, Frater­nity, or Brotherhood, and give him, them, and every of them a Writing un­der the Seal of their Corporation, sig­nifying thereby the Countries, Coasts, and Places, for which he and every of them is and shall be sufficient to take Charge, [Page 87] whereby men to whom he or they shall be unknown, when they shall have occa­sion to hire him, them, or any of them, may be truely certified and satisfied for what places he or they is or are sit and sufficient; and this Order We do expres­sly Command to be observed, to the in­tent thereby to avoid both ignorant Py­lots, and the placing and preferring of unskilful men to take Charge hereafter, which some men heretofore have done and procured for affection to the person on­ly, without regard had to his, or their suffi­ciency in Knowledg and Aptness thereunto.

And whosoever doth or shall at any time or times hereafter, Power to impri­son or fine un­licensed Masters or Pilots at di­scretion. presume to take upon him Charge as Master or Pilot forth of the said River of Thames, or Creeks, or Harbors of the same, Outwards into the Seas, or from the Seas Homewards into the said River, or Creeks, or Harbours of the same, before he or they be examined and al­lowed as aforesaid, it shall & may be lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, [Page 88] and the rest of the Elder Brethren, and their Successors, or the greater part of them, by themselves or their Deputies (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) to punish such Offender or Offenders, by Imprisonment or Fine, or by both, according to their dis­cretions.

Our Channels, Sands, &c. to be kept secret.And to the end the Channels, Sands, Flats, and Rocks, arising, growing, or ly­ing in or near any the Seas or Sea Coasts within any our Dominions, should for the more strength and safety of our Realms and Kingdoms, be kept secret within our Selves, and altogether unknown to A­liens and Strangers of other Nations, We do furthermore by these presents, give, and grant for Us, our Heirs, and Succes­sors, unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, full Pow­er and Authority of and by themselves, or their Deputies as aforesaid, or the greater part of them (whereof the Master or Ma­sters Deputy for the time being to be al­ways [Page 89] one) to forbid or restrain, And therefore no Alien to be suf­fered to sail in any English Ships, unless al­lowed by this Corporation. that none do take any Alien or Stranger Born, to Sail or Serve in any Ship or other Vessel belonging unto any of our Subjects, com­ing into or going forth of the said River of Thames, except such Person or Per­sons, for urgent Causes or other good Considerations, shall be thought meet to be allowed, and so certified by the said Master, Wardens, Assistants, and the rest of the Elder Brethren or their Successors, and Deputies as aforesaid, under the Seal of the said Corporation, Ʋnder the for­feiture of five pounds. upon pain of five Pounds of lawful Money of England, to be forfeited and paid by the Person or Persons so offending, to the use and be­hoof of the said Guild, Fraternity, or Bro­therhood, for every such offence; and the same pain and forfeiture to be had, levied, received, and taken to the use of the said Corporation from time to time, and at all times hereafter, in such manner and form, as other pains, duties, and forfei­tures, or any of them, in and by these presents are limited and appointed to be levied and received.

And likewise we do grant by these pre­sents, A forfeiture up­on every English Ship carrying an Alien as a Mariner. that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, Assi­stants, and their Successors, or the great­er part of them, by themselves or their Deputies as aforesaid (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time being to be always one) or any other their Offi­cer or Officers thereto to be appointed, to levy, have, receive, and take out of e­very English Ship or other Vessel that shall come into or go forth of the said River of Thames, or any the Creeks, or Harbours of the same as aforesaid, for any Voyage, and have in her serving for Mariner, or Seaman, by what name or addition soever, any Alien or Stranger, or Aliens or Strangers, not being born with­in our Dominions or Obeysance, or not having a Patent of Denization, or other sufficient or lawful Warrant in Writing to shew for the same, for every first offence for every one offending Forty shillings of like lawful Money of Eng­land, and for the second time, and so from [Page 91] time to time afterwards, when, and as often, and for every one that shall so offend, to levy, take, and receive the Sum of Five Pounds of lawful English Money; and for the same (if Cause shall so require) by one or more of the said War­dens, or by his or their Deputy or Deputies for the time being, to Distrain the Goods or Chattels of the Party or Parties so offending, and the same Distress or Di­stresses so taken, to carry away, keep, and detain with him or them, until they be fully paid and satisfied, of and for the Sum and Sums of Money, which shall be so forfeited and due unto them from the Offenders as aforesaid, together with their reasonable Costs and Charges expend­ed and to be expended, for taking, and carrying away of the same Distresses, and keeping thereof, if any such be.

And that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, Power to punish all Seamen de­serting their Ships, or muti­nous. Assi­stants, and the rest of the Elder Bre­thren, and their Successors, or the greater [Page 92] part of them, by themselves, or their said Deputies, as aforesaid, (whereof the Master or Masters Deputy for the time be­ing, to be always one) to examine and punish by Fine, Imprisonment, or such rea­sonable Correction, as the quality of the offence shall require, all and every such Person and Persons, as in any Merchant or Merchants, or other Owner or Owners Ship, or other Vessel within the said Ri­ver of Thames, that shall depart or go away from any Ship, or any other Vessel by what name soever, after that he or they be hired and agreed withal for Wages, or shall grow, or be found mutinous, disobedient, or any ways a provoker, seducer, or inticer of any other to any mutiny or disobedi­ence, to the hurt, or injury, or likeli­hood of hurt or injury of any Service or Journey intended, either outwards or homewards, into or from the said Ri­ver of Thames, or any the Creeks, or Harbours of the same.

And also to hear and determine all and [Page 93] every the Complaints of any Mariner, Power to hear and determine all complaints of Sea-men, Officers, &c. Seaman, Purser of a Ship, or other Officer, Minister, or Member, belonging of or to any Merchant, or Owners Ship, in any Voyage to be made outwards or home­wards, to or from the said place and places, or any of them, according to the quality of the same Complaints.

Alwayes provided, With the re­serve of an Ap­peal to the Lord Admiral, or Judg of the Admiralty. that the Person or Persons so offending may yet neverthe­less afterwards (if he or they find them selves grieved therewith) Appeal unto the the Lord High Admiral of England, or to the Judge of the High Court of Our Admiralty for the time being, for redress therein.

And for that it hath been found by experience that divers Strangers Ships and Vessels, What shall be reputed an Eng­lish Ship. under the colour of having English Masters, have passed for, and been reputed English Ships and Vessels, and so have avoided the payment of their Du­ties and Impositions, in that proportion, [Page 94] which by the Laws and Constitutions of the said Corporation, they ought to have paid, to the great abuse of the said Cor­poration; for the preventing of the like abuses in time to Come, and that there may be no mistake for the future, either in Imposition of Duties, or of Fines, or Penalties, It is hereby declared, that on­ly such Ship or Vessel shall be reputed and taken to be an English Ship, or Vessel, which hath an English Master, and three parts of Four of the whole number of Officers and Mariners English, And what a Stranger. and every other Ship or Vessel shall be reputed and taken for a Foreign or Stranger ship or Vessel, and according to that Order and Estimation all and every Ship and Vessel shall by the said Corporation, from henceforth be Rated, Fined, and As­sessed.

And to the intent that the said Cor­poration may be the better enabled to regulate and govern themselves, and to prevent disorders, and redress inconveni­encies [Page 95] which otherways may arise with­in the said Corporation: The Master to be always in the Commission of the Peace for London, Kent, Middlesex, and Surrey. We do hereby farther give and grant, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Suc­cessors for ever, that the Master of the said Corporation for the time being, and his Deputy, shall be Commissioners of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, for the keeping peace, for and within the City of London, and the Liberties thereof, as well as for and within the Counties of Kent, Middlesex, and Surrey at all times hereafter.

And We do hereby further Grant, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, Power (by themselves or their Order) of levying all Fines, &c. gran­ted by this Pa­tent. to the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors for ever, that any Officer or Servant of the said Corporation, or a­ny other person whatsoever, to whom the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, shall give Warrant and Authority under their Common Seal for that purpose, shall and may demand, levy, and receive, all Impositions, Fines, [Page 96] Forfeitures, and Payments, imposed or to be imposed by the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, or payable or demandable by and from any Person or Persons, by Vertue of these Presents, at all times hereafter for e­ver.

In consideration of the growing Poverty of Sea­men, they have power of pur­chaseing in Mortmain to 500 l. per An­num.And for as much as the Poverty of Mariners and Seamen, belonging to the said Corporation, is now much more en­creased then hath been in former time, and not able to be relieved from the Re­venues of the Lands and Possessions of the said Corporation, which now they have, or were enabled to have purchased, being so small in yearly value: There­fore to the end that the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Succes­sors, may be from henceforth the better enabled from time to time to bear and sustain their Charges and Expences, drawn and occasioned by reason of their Corpo­ration, We of our Especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and meer Motion, have [Page 97] given and granted, and by these presents for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, do give and grant unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, of the Guild, Fraterni­ty, or Brotherhood, of the most glorious and undivided Trinity, and of St. Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent, and their Successors full, free, especial, and lawful License, Power, and Authority, not only to retain, possess, and enjoy, to their own proper use and behoof (without any Accompt to be rendred, made, or given to Us, Without account: our Heirs, or Successors, in that behalf) all and singular such Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, Goods, and Chattels, as they have heretofore, obtained, purchas'd, or had, and do at present possess and enjoy, by force and vertue of any other Letters Patents, or Grant had and made to them, by the name of any former Corporation, by or from the said late Kings and Queens, and according to the purport and true meaning thereof, or otherwise howsoever; But also to have, receive, [Page 98] and Purchase, further to them and their Successors for ever, of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, or of any other Person or Per­sons, whatsoever Manors, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Rectories, Tithes, Rents, Reversions, and Services, or any of them, or any part or parcel of them, or any of them, and any other Possessions, and He­reditaments whatsoever, without License or Writ of ad quod dampnum; so always as the said Manors, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Tithes, Rectories, Rents, Re­versions, Services, Possessions, and Heredi­taments, or such parts or parcels of them, or any of them, by the said Master, War­dens, and Assistants, and their Successors so to be purchased, obtained, or had, so as aforesaid, do not exceed the clear yearly value of five hundred pounds by the year, above all Charges, Deductions, and Reprises; the Statute of not puting Lands and Tenements into Mortmaine, or any other Statute, Act, Ordinance Provision, or Restraint thereof heretofore, had, made, ordained, and provided, or [Page 99] any other Cause, thing, or matter, whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

And we do further by these presents, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, With Power to others to be be­nefactors to them in Mortmain to that Value. give and Grant to all and every our Subject and Subjects whatsoever, full Power, License, and Authority, that they, and every of them, may at their Wills, and and Pleasures, give, grant, bargain, set alien, convey, and assure unto the said Master, Wardens and Assistants, and their Successors, Manors, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Rectories, Tythes, Rents, Reversions, and Services, or any parts or parcels of them, or any of them, and any other possessions and Heredita­ments whatsoever; so always as the said Manors, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Rectories, Tythes, Rents, Reversions, Services, Possessions and Hereditaments, or any of them, do not exceed the clear yearly Value of five hundred pounds, above all Charges, Deductions, and [Page 100] Reprizes; the said Statute of not putting Lands, and Tenements, in Mortmain, or any other Act, Statute, Ordinace, Provision, or restraint to the contrary notwithstanding.

And further of our more especial Grace, Certain Knowledge, A Confirmation of all former Grants of Li­berties, Estates, &c. and meer Motion, We have granted and confirmed, and by these presents, do for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, grant and confirm unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, all and all man­ner of Liberties, Franchises, Immunities, Exemptions, and Jurisdictions, which the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, or, any of them, by what name or names so ever, by Vertue of what Incorporation soever, heretofore have had, held, used, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, used, and enioyed, to them and their Succes­sors for ever, of an Estate of Inheritance, by vertue or force of any Charters, or Let­ters Patents, by any of our Predecessors, Kings or Queens of England, or any o­ther [Page 101] Person or Persons whatsoever, by a­ny manner of means heretofore, made, confirmed, or granted, or by any other means, Right, Custom, Use, Prescription, or Title, heretofore used, had, and accu­stomed; to have and to hold to the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, and their Successors for ever, to be held of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, by such the same, and the like Rents, Services, and Sums of Money, as the same were for­merly holden by, and not otherwise.

Wherefore We will and do strictly Charge and Command, for Us, our Heirs, With an Exemp­tion from all Ac­counts, for any thing clai­med or done by them, before the Date hereof. and Successors, that the said Master, Wardens, & Assistants, and their Successors, shall, and may have, hold, and enjoy for ever, all the aforesaid, Lands, Tenements, Liberties, Authorities, Jurisdictions, and Franchises aforesaid, according to the Tenor and Effect of these our Letters Patents, with­out let or hindrance of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, or of any Justices, Sheriffs, or other Bayliffs, or Ministers, of Us, our [Page 102] Heirs, and Successors, whatsoever; wil­ling that neither the said Master, VVar­dens, and Assistants, nor any of them, by reason of the Premisses, or any of them, by Us, our Heirs, and Successors, the Ju­stices, Sheriffs, Escheators, or other Bay­liffs, or Ministers, of Us, our Heirs, and Successors whatsoever, be thereof hin­dred, molested, vexed, grieved, or in any wise troubled. Willing, and by these presents charging and commanding, as well our Treasurer, Chancellor, and Barons of our Exchequer at VVestminster, and o­ther the Justices of Us, our Heirs, and Successors, as our Attorney and Sollicitor General for the time being, and every of them, and all other our Officers and Mi­nisters whatsoever, that neither they nor any of them do prosecute, or continue, or cause to be prosecuted, or continued, any Writ or Summons of Quo VVarranto, or other Writ or Writs, or Process whatso­ever, against the said Master, VVardens, and Assistants, or any of them, for any Cause, Thing, Matter, Offence, Claim, or [Page 103] Usurpation, or any of them, claimed, at­tempted, used, had, or usurped before the making of these presents; Willing also that the said Master, VVardens, and Assi­stants, or any of them, by any of the Justices, Officers, and Ministers aforesaid, in or for the due use, claim, or abuse of any Liberties, Franchises, or Jurisdictions before the making of these presents be not molested, or hindred, or compelled to answer to them or any of them.

And moreover, The Lord Mayor of Lon­don, and all other Officers commanded to Assist, and for­bid to molest the Corporation in any thing con­tained in this Grant. our Will and Plea­sure is, that the said Guild, Fraternity, or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity, and of St. Cle­ment in the Parish of Deptford Strond. in our County of Kent, and the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the same, their Successors, Deputies, and Officers, and every of them, for and concerning all or any our former Grants in these Our Letters Patents contained, and the due Execution of them, or any of them, shall as well by the Lord Mayor, She­riffs, [Page 104] Justices, Officers, and Ministers of our City of London, as by the Sheriffs, Justices of Peace, and more particularly the Commissioners and other Officers of our Customes in every Port of this our Realm, as also all other Officers, and Ministers of all and every other County, City, and Place of this our Realm of England, from time to time be aided and Assisted, and helped; Forbidding that the same Our Leige People and Subjects, or their Successors, or the afore recited Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, or their Officer or Officers for the time being, which shall be Ele­cted, Ordained, and appointed, in man­ner and form aforesaid, or any of them, be by Us, our Heirs, and Successors, or any the Justices, Mayors, Escheators, She­riffs, Coroners, Bayliffs, or any other Of­ficer or Minister whatsoever, of Us, Our Heirs or Successors, bearing any Office or Offices whatsoever, in any of our said Cities, or Counties, or in any other Place or Places whatsoever, by any [Page 105] means from henceforth at any time or times hereafter, for the Premisses, or a­ny Article of them, Molested, Impeach­ed, Vexed, Troubled, Disquieted, or Grieved in any thing. In Witness whereof We have Caused, these Our Letters to be made Patents, Witness Our Self, at Westminster, the Eight day of July, in the First Year of our Reign.