The Company's Charters
Charters of the Tylers and Bricklayers Company
The 1936 Charter explains how it has come about that the 1568 Charter is the only one in force now. The 1936 Charter no longer serves any purpose since 5.38 of the Charities Act 1960 repealed the restrictions on the power of Corporations to own land without a license from the Crown.
1568 CHARTER
The 1568 Charter was
in Latin. The Company must have had a translation of it, but the first
translation that is known is that contained in the Inspeximus Charter
of 1603. Dr Thomas’ translation contained in ‘A Short History of the Worshipful
Company of Tylers and Bricklayers’ [Walter Bell, H. G. Montgomery, London,
1938] is a later one, but it is in more readable English and is the best
copy therefore that we have.
Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland
Defender of the Faith etc To all to whom these present letters shall come
Greeting.
Know we that we of our special grace and of our certain knowledge
and mere motion have granted and given our licence for us our heirs and
successors as much as in us lies, to our beloved lieges Thomas Spencer,
John Cawver, Thomas Bradley, Walter Cowper, Williams Swainson, Senior,
Henry Mallorye, James Lysbye, John Tull, Roger Gathorne, Henry Davison
and all the other free men of the mistery or art of the Tilers and Bricklayers
of our City of London and the suburbs of the same, that they from henceforth
and shall be in thing fact and name one body and one perpetual corporate
society of one master and two keepers or wardens and the Society of free
men of the same mistery or art of Tilers and Bricklayers of London: And
by these presents we ordain and appoint Thomas Spencer as first and new
Master and John Cawver and Thomas Bradley as first and new keepers or
Wardens of the same mistery or art And
that they, the Master, Keepers or Wardens and Society and their successors,
shall have perpetual succession and that they and their successors for
ever shall be known, named and called by the name of the Master
and Keepers or Wardens and Society of the freemen of the mistery of art
of the Tilers and Bricklayers of London; And by that name may be able
to be impleaded and to implead and answer and be answered before whatsoever
justices or judges spiritual or temporal, in whatsoever courts of places
for, and in all and singular matters, suits, plaints and actions pleas
and demands of whatsoever kind, condition, nature or species they may
be; And that they may have a common seal for the affairs and business
of the said mistery or art, to be used for ever for the sealing thereof.;
And that the such Master Keeper of Wardens and the Society of the free
men of the mistery or art aforesaid and their successors every year on
the day of St Laurence the martyr may chose and make from themselves one
master and two keepers or wardens to oversee, rule and govern the mistery
or art and society aforesaid; And that such Master and two Keepers or
Wardens so chosen after such election
may be the Master Keepers or Wardens of the mistery or art aforesaid and
may have power and authority to oversee, rule and govern the mistery or
art and society aforesaid from the same day of St Laurence until a new
election of one Master and two Keepers or Wardens may be made by the Master
or Keepers or Wardens and the Society of the mistery or art aforesaid
or the greater part of the same for the time being; And that such Masters and Keepers or Wardens and the society of the mistery or art aforesaid
shall be persons able and capable in law, by the name and under the name
of the Master, Keepers or Wardens of the Society of free men of the mistery
or art of the Tilers and Bricklayers of London to acquire, possess and
receive in fee and perpetuity lands, tenements, rents, reversions and
other possessions whatsoever, which are or may not be held from us, our
heirs or successors immediately in chief or otherwise by military service,
to the value of fifty pounds per annum beyond reprises from any person
or persons whatsoever willing to give, devise, sell or assign the same
to them To have and to hold the same master, keepers or wardens and the
society of the mistery or art aforesaid and their successors forever in
aid of the support of poor men and women, brothers and sisters of the
society and mistery or art aforesaid for ever without molestation, vexation,
hindrance , impediment or hardship of us or of our said heirs or successors,
justices, escheators, sheriffs, bailiffs, or others whatsoever, the statute
concerning not putting lands or tenements to mortmain or any other statute,
act, ordinance, provision or restriction thing or matter thereof to the
contrary made or provided or to be made notwithstanding And further of
our more abundant grace we have granted for us, our heirs and successors
to the aforesaid master and keepers or wardens and the society of the
mistery or art aforesaid and their successors that the same master and
keepers of wardens and the society and their successors from time to time
may and shall be able lawfully and with impunity to make, ordain and establish
for the sound and healthy rule of government of the freemen of the mistery
of art aforesaid and the society aforesaid, ordinances, provisions, laws
and statutes according to the exigence of necessity as often as when need
shall or it shall seem to them fitting, so long as those laws, statutes
and ordinances shall not be in any wise against the laws and customs of
our realm of England and to set reasonable penalties upon any such person
or persons whatsoever who shall infringe or not keep such ordinances or
provisions laws or statutes; and that such master and keepers or wardens
for the time being may lawfully levy such penalties of forfeitures to
the profit and advantage of the same master and keepers or wardens and
society; And that the same master and keepers or wardens and the society
of the mistery or art aforesaid and their successors at their pleasure
from time to time may receive and admit to the same society any able honest
and discreet workman, being expert of and in the same mistery or art of
Tilers and Bricklayers, and also to expel and amove any other from and
out of the same society at their pleasure; Moreover we will and grant
for us, our heirs and successors to the aforesaid master, keepers or wardens
and the society aforesaid that the aforesaid master, keepers or wardens
of the said Society, mistery or art aforesaid for the time being and their
successors for ever may and shall have the scrutiny, correction and government
of all and singular the free men of the said society using the said mistery
or art of the Tilers and Bricklayers in the same City and the suburbs
of the same and of other men whatsoever, free or foreign of the same mistery
or art of the Tilers and bricklayers in any way frequenting or using,
as well within the same City and liberties and the suburbs of the same
as within any other place or any other places within fifteen miles of
the same City of London, and of all Tilers called playne Tilers Rouffe
Tilers Corner Tilers and Paving Tilers and of all other things or materials
whatsoever touching, concerning or pertaining to the said mistery or art
of Tilers in any way, as well within the same City and liberties and suburbs
of the same as within any other place or any other places within fifteen
miles of the City of London, And the punishment of all the same as well
free men as foreigners whatsoever specified as is aforesaid for their
offences as well in the premisses as in not perfectly executing making
and using the mistery or art aforesaid by survey of the master aforesaid,
who for the time being shall be or of any other of the more honest and
more sufficient men of the mistery or art aforesaid whom the same master
shall depute to this in his place from time to time, And that they may
be able to correct and amend defaults in the same mistery or art, if any
be found, according to their sane discretions as for the greater utility
of the commonalty of our people may seem more apt and convenient to do
so; Commanding and by these presents firmly and enjoining upon all and
singular sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, constables and other our officers,
ministers and subjects whatsoever (of us) our heirs and successors that
to the same master keepers or wardens and society of the mistery or art
aforesaid and their successors from time to time in the execution of the
premises they shall be aiding, assisting and comforting in all things,
as is fitting not inflicting upon them or any of them loss or injury;
Albeit express mention of the true annual value or of any other value
or of the certainty of the premises or of any of them or of other gifts
or concessions by us or by any of our progenitors to the aforesaid master
keeper or wardens and the society aforesaid before these times made
be not made in these presents, or any statute, act, ordinance proclamation
provision or restriction thereof to the contrary, had, made, ordained
or provided or any other thing, cause or matter whatsoever in anything
notwithstanding In Witness whereof we have caused these letters patent
to be made Witness myself at Goramburie the Third day of August in the
Tenth Year or our reign
By writ of the privy seal and of the date aforesaid by authority
of Parliament
LUTLEY
I certify that the above is a true translation of the Latin text
of the above Charter as contained in Letter Book Z of the City of London,
Folio 265.
A. H. Thomas, M.A. LL.D.
Deputy Keeper of the City Records
1604 CHARTER
[MS 4321: According
to the MSS catalogue, this volume was compiled between 1670 and 1690 and
then continued to c.1800. It a copy of the 1571 ordinances, compared against
the original in 1704, formulae of oaths, and a copy of the Inspeximus
Charter of 1604]
James, by the grace of god, King of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc. To all to whom theis presente letters
shall come, Greeting. We have seen the letters Patents of the Ladie Elizabeth,
late Queene of England, our most deare sister made in theis wordes, Elizabeth,
by the grace of God, Queene of England, France and Ireland, Defender of
the Faith etc. To all to whom theis presents shall come, Greeting. Knowe
yee that wee of our especiall grace and certaine knowledge ans mere mocion,
have granted and given licence for us, our heires and successors (as much
as in us lieth) to our beloved liege people, Thomas Spenser, John Cawver,
Thomas Bradley, Walter Cowper, Williams Swainson the elder, Henry Mallory,
James Lisby, John Tutt, Roger Catherine, Henrie Davison, and to all the
test of Freemen of the mistery or arte of the Tilers and Bricklaiers of
our Cittie of London and in the suburbs thereof, That they from henceforth
are and shall bee in substance, Deede and name one Bdie and one perpetuall
Societie of the Freemen of the said misterie or Arte of the Tilers or
Bricklaiers of London, And we doe by this presents ordaine and appoint
Thomas Spenser the first and moderne Master, and John Cawver and Thomas
Bradley the first and moderne Wardens of the same misterie or Art, And
that the said Master, Wardens and Societie, and their successors, maie
have perpetuall succession, And that they and their Successors for ever
shall be named and called by the name of Master and Keepers or Wardens
of the Societie of Freemen of the misterie or Art of Tilers and Bricklaiers of London. And by the same name may impleade
and be impleaded and annsweare and to be annsweared unto before whatsoever
Justices or Judges spirituall or temporall in what Courtes and places soever far and in all and singular
matters, suites, Complaintes and accions, pleas and demanndes of what
Kind, condicion, nature or forme soever they shall bee, And that they
may have a common seale forever to searve for sealing of te matters and
businesses of the said Misterie or Art, And that such said Master, Keepers
or Wardens and the Societie of the Freemen of the said Misterie or Art,
and their Successors, shall and maie everie Yeare, on the daie of St.
Lawrence the Martir, choose and make out of themselves One Master and
Twoe Keepers or Wardens to viewe, rule and governe the Misterie or Art
and Societie aforesaid, And that such Master and twoe Keepers or Wardens
soe chosen after like eleccion bee Master, Keepers or Wardens of the said
Misterie or Art, and maie have power and authority to view, rule and governe
the Misterie or Art and Societie aforesaid from the said daie of St. Lawrence
untill a new eleccion shall bee made of one Master and Twoe keepers or
Wardens, by the Master and Keepers or Wardens and Societie of the Misterie
or Art aforesaid, or the greater part of themfor the time being, And that
such Master and Keepers or Wardens and Societie of the misterie of Art
aforesaid bee persons able and Capeable in law by the name and under the
name of Master, Keepers or Wardens of the Societie of the Freemen of the
Mistery or Art of the Tilers and Bricklayers of London, to purchase, possesse
and Receive in Fee and perpetuitie, Lands, Tenements, Rents, revencions
and other possessions which are not of maie not bee holden of us, our
heires or successors ymediatly in cheife or otherwise by Knights service,
unto the value of Fiftie Powndes by the yeare above reprises of any person
or persons whatsoever willing to give, bequeath, sell or assigne the same,
To have and to hold to the said Master and Keepers or Wardens and Societie
of the Mistery or Art aforesaid and their successorsforever, in aid of
the releife of the poore men and weomen, Brethren and sistersof the Societie
and Misterie of Art aforesaid forever, without the molestacion, inquieting,
impeachment, impediment or grievance of us, our heires or successors or
of any others our officers or ministers, or of the Justices, Escheators,
Shreives, Baliffes, or of any others of our said heires or successors,
the Statute published of Landes and Tenements not put in Mortmayne or
any other statute, act, ordinance, provision or restraint, thing or matter
to the Contrarie thereof made or published or to bee made notwithstanding,
And, moreover, of our more abundant grace, wee have granted for us, our
heires and successors, to the said Master and Keepers or Wardens and societie
of the mistery or Art aforesaid, and their Successors, that the said Master
and Keepers or Wardens and Societie, and their Successors, shall and maie
lawfullyand freely from time to time make, ordeine and establish for the
sound and wholesome rule and governement of the Fremen of the Misterie
or Art aforesaid, and of the said societie, ordinances, provisions, lawes
and Statuts, according as necessity requireth, soe often and when it shall
bee needful and seeme fitt unto them Soe that those lawes, Statuts and
Ordinances bee noe manner of waies against the lawes and Customes of our
Realme of England, and to impose reasonable paines upon everie such person
or persons which shall infringe and not observe suchlike ordinances, provisions,
lawes or statuts, And that such Master and Keepers or Wardens for the
time being may from time to time lawfully leavy such said paines or forfeitures
to the proffitt and Comodity of the said Master and Keepers or Wardens
and Societie of the Mistery or Art aforesaid, and their successors, maie
from time to time att their pleasure receive and admit into the same societie
an hable, honest and discreete workeman, being skilfull of and in the
same Misterie or Art of Tilers and Bricklayers, And alsoe to expel and
amove any other from and out of the said Societie att their pleasure,
Moreover wee will and grant for us, our heires and Successors, to the
said Master, Keeper or Wardens and the Societie aforesaid, That the said
Master and Keepers or Wardens of the said Societie of the misterie of
Art aforesaid, for the time being, maie and forever have the search, Correcting
and Governing of all and singular Freemen of the said societie
using the said Misterie or Art of the Tilers and Bricklaiers in the same
Cittie and suburbes thereof, and of all other freemen of forreinors any
waie frequenting and using the said Misterie or Art of the Tilers and
Bricklaiers, aswell within the same Cittie and Liberties and suburbes
thereof, as within any other place or places within fifiteene miles of
the said Cittie of London; And of all Tilers called plaine Tilers, rouffe
Tilers, Corner Tilers, and paveing Tilers, and of all other things and
matters whatsoever, any manner of waie touching, belonging or apperteineing
to the said Misterie or Art of the Tilers and Bricklayers, aswell within
the same Cittie and Liberties and suburbes thereof, as within any other
place or places within Fifteene miles of the said Cittie of London, and
the punishing of all the said persons, aswell freemen as forreynors whatsoever,
as before is specified, for their faults, aswell in the premises as in
not perfectly executing, doing and using the Misterie or Art aforesaid,
by the survey of the aforesaid Master who for the time shalbe, or by the
survey of any other of the honest and more sufficient men of the misterie
or Art aforesaid, which from time to time the same Master shall depute
in his steede hereunto, And that they maie correct and amend the faults
in the same misterie or Art, if any shall be found, according to their
sound discrecions, as shall be thought more apt and convenient to bee
done to the greater proffitt of the Cominally [sic] of our people; Commanding,
and by theis presentes strictly charging all and singuler Shreiffes, Maiors,
Baliffes, Cunstables, and other the officers, Ministers and subiects whatsoever
of us, our heiries and successors, That from time to time they bee aiding,
assisting and comforting unto the said Master, Keepers or Wardens and
Societie of the said Misterie or Art, and their successors, in the execucion
of the presmisses in all thinges as is fitting, not bringing to them or
any of them and damage or iniurie, Although expresses mencion in theis
presents bee not heretofore made of the true yearly value, or of any other
value or certeinetie of the premises, or any of themthem, or of any guiftes
or grants by us or any our Pregenitors to the said Masters, Keepers or
Wardens and Societie aforesaid Or any statute, act, ordinance, proclamacion,
provision or restraint to the contrary thereof had, made, ordained or
provided, or any other thing, cause or matter whatsoever, in any wise
notwithstanding. In Witnes whereof wee
have caused theis our letters to bee made Patents, Witnesour selfe at
Gorambury, the Third daie of August, in the Tenth yeare of our Raign,
which said letters Patents and all and singuler thinges therein conteined,
having ratified wee the same for us, our heires and successors, as much
as in us lieth, doe gratefully accept and approve of and to our beloved
Edward griffin, now Master, and Mathew Austen and Thomas Butler, now Keepers
or Wardens of the Fellowshipp of the Misterie or Art aforesaid, and their
Successors, wee doe ratifie and confirme as the same letters Patents in
themselves doe reasonably testify. In Witnes whereof wee have caused theis
our letters to bee made Patents, Witnes our selfe at Westminster, the
twentieth daie of Aprill, in the second yeare of our Reigne of England,
Frannce and Ireland, and of Scotland seaven and Thirtie [And in the Year
of our Lord 1604 – this added in Latin in a later hand]
1685 CHARTER
james the seconD by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and so forth
TO ALL TO WHOM
these Patent Letters shall come GREETING
WHEREAS the Master Keepers or Wardens and Commonalty of the Freemen of
the Society of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London all their
powers franchises liberties privileges and authorities of or concerning
the election nomination constitution being and appointing of any person
or persons in or to the several offices of Master Wardens, Afsistents
and Clerk of the said Incorpoation have surrendered (which said surrender
we have accepted and by these presents do accept) Know we ye the Matioration
of the said Society weighing of our special grace and certain knowledge
and mear motion have willed ordained constituted declared and granted
and by these presents do for us our heirs and succefsors will ordain constitute
declare and grant that all and singular the Freemenof the Mystery or Art
of the Tylers and Bricklayers of our City of London and suburbs of the
same from henceforth for ever) for the better order rule and government
of the men of the Art or Mystery aforesaid and of all those which now
exercise and use or hereafter shall exercise and use the Art or Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers of London aforesaid and of all works merchandizes
or matters concerning the aforesaid Art or Mystery and for the profit
benefit and relief of the good and honest and terror and correction of
evil deceitful and dishonest persons)”
Be and shall be by virtue of these presents
one body corporate and politic in substance deed and name by the name
of Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Society of the Freemen of the
Art or Mystery of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London
And them by the name of Master and Keepers
or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery of the Tylers
and Bricklayers of the City of London one body corporate and politic in
matter deed and name really and to the full for us our heirs and suuefsors
we do create, make, ordain, constitute, confirm and declare by these presents
–
And that they by the same name may have
perpetual succefsion and that they and their successors by the name of
Master keepers or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London be and shall be at
all times for ever hereafter personable and capable in the Law to have
purchase receive and pofsefs and Manors Mefsuages Lands Tenements Liberties,
Privileges, Jurisdictions Franchises and Hereditaments whatsoever of what
kind nature or sort soever they shall be to them and their successors
in fee or in perpetuity or for term or life of lives year or years or
otherwise in any manner whatsoever.
And also goods and chattels and all other
things of what nature name quality or kind soever they shall be.
And also to give grant demise alien afsign
and dispose of Manors Mefsuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and all
and singular other matters and things by the name aforesaid to do and
execute
And that by the same name of Master Keepers
or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery of the Tylers
and Bricklayers of the City of Lonond they may plead and be impleaded
answer and be answered defend and defended in what Courts or places soever
and before what Judges and Justices soever and all other persons and officers
of us and of our heirs and successors in all and singular actions pleas
suits complaints causes matters and demands whatsoever of what kind quality
or nature soever they be or shall be in the same manner and form of any
other our liege people of this our Kingdom of England, persons able and
capable in the Law or any other body corporate and politic within this
our Kingdom of England may or are enabled to have purchase receive pofsefs
enjoy retain give grant demise alien afsign dispose plead and to be impleaded
answer and to be answered defend and to be defended do suffer or execute.
And that the same Master Keeper or Wardens
and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery of the Tylers and Bricklayers
of the City of London and their successors for ever shall and may have
a Common Seal to serve for all causes and businefs whatsoever of them
their heirs and successors to be done.
And that it shall and may be lawful for
the said Master, Keeper or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art
or Mystery of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London aforesaid
and their successors the said Seals at their pleasure from time to time
to break change and to make new as to them shall seem more fitting to
be done
And furthermore we will and by these presents
for us our heirs and siccessors do grant to the aforesaid Master Keepers
or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery of the Tylers
and Bricklayers of the City of London and their succefsors that for ever
hereafter there shall and may be one of the Society of the Art or Mystery
aforesaid in form hereafter in these presents mentioned to be elected
who shall be and shall be named Master of the aforesaid Art or Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London.
And that in like manner there be and shall
be two of the said Society of the said Art or Mystery of the Tylers and
Bricklayers of the City of London in form hereafter in these presents
mentioned to be elected and nominated shall be and shall be named Keepers
or Wardens of the Art of Mystery of the Tyler and Bricklayers of the City
of London aforesaid.
And eighteen or more of the Freemen of
the said Art or Mystery in these presents mentioned to be named and constituted
who shall be and shall be called Afsistants to the Art or Mystery aforesaid
And we will and grant that it shall and
may be lawful for the said Masters Keepers or Wardens and Society of the
Freemen of the Art or Mystery of the Tilers and Bricklayers of the City
of London aforesaid and their successors to have retain and appoint a
certain Hall or Counsel House within our City of London aforesaid or Liberty
of the same.
And that the said Master, Keepers or Wardens
and Afsistants of the aforesaid Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers aforesaid for the time being and their successors
or six of them at least whereof we will the aforesaid Master, Keepers
or Wardens to be three or the Master and one of the keepers or Wardens
for the time being always to be two) from tim eto time and at all times
for ever hereafter as often as to them it shall seem meet and necefsary
shall and may call together and hold within the same House or Hall a certain
Court or Convocation of the said Master Keepers or Wardens and Afsistants
or six of them at least whereof we will the aforesaid Master Keepers or
Wardens to be three or the Master and one of the Keepers or Wardens for
the time being always to be two)
And in the same Court or Convocation may
treat confer consult advise all and every of the Statutes Articles and
Ordinances touching or concerning the aforesaid Master Keepers or Wardens
and Society and the good rule state and government of them according to
their sound discretions.
And for the better execution of our will
and grant in this behalf we have afsigned nominated created constituted
and made and by these presents do for us our heirs and succefsors afsign
nominate create constitute and make our beloved John Braithwaite, citizen
and Freeman of the Art or Mystery of the Tylers and Bricklayers of London
to be the first and present Master of the aforesaid Art or Mystery of
the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London to continue in the said
Office of Master of the Art or Mystery aforesaid from the date of these
presents until the day of St Lawrence the Martyr now next ensuing if the
said John Braithwaite shall so long live and from thence until one other
shall to the office of Master of theArt or Mystery aforesaid be in due
manner elected appointed and sworn according to the ordinances and provisions
hereafter in these presets exprefsed and declared.
Also we have assigned nominated created
constituted and made and by these presents do for us our heirs and succefsors
afsign nominate create constitute and make our beloved Thomas Seagood
and Thomas Horne Citizens and Freement of the Art or Mystery of the Tylers
and Bricklayers of London to be the two first and present Keepers or Wardens
of the aforesaid Art or Mystery of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City
of London to continue in the said Office of Keepers or Wardens of the
aforesaid Art or Mystery from the date of these presents until the aforesaid
day of Saint Lawrence the Martyr now next ensuing (if the said Thomas
Seagood and Thomas Horne shall so long live) and from thence until two
other Freemen of the Art or Mystery aforesaid shall be elected appointed
and sworn into the said Office of Keepers or Wardens of the Art or Mystery
aforesaid according to the ordinances and provisions in these presents
to be exprefsed and declared.
And we have afsigned nominated constituted
and made and by these presents do for us our heirs and successors afsign
nominate constitute and make our beloved John Punter Thomas Cuddesden,
John White, William Browne the elder Joseph Lem, Francis Cheshire, Edward
Goodman, Thomas Lewis, Richard Johnson, Richard Frith, Thomas Townsend
William Reading, George Harris, John Bridges, John Emery, Samuel Rowell,
George Hutton and Robert Hull to be the first and present Afsistants of
the Act or Mystery aforesaid to continue in the same offices during theior
natural lives respectively unlefs in the meantime for evil government
or ill behaving themselves in that behalf or for any other reasonable
cause they or any of them shall be removed
And furthermore we will and by these presents
do for us and our heirs and succefsors grant to the said Master Keepers
or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery aforesaid
and their succefsors for ever hereafter shall and may have one honest
discreet man to be and continue Clerk to the Master or Keepers or Wardens
and Society of the Art or Mystery aforesaid and for the better execution
of this our pleasure in this behalf we have afsigned nominated constituted
and made and by these presents do for us our heirs and succefsors nominate
constitute and make our beloved Henry Lewis to be and continue Clerk to
the said Master and Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Art and Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London aforesaid.
And furthermore we will and by these presents
do command and order that the Master and Keepers or wardens before in
these presents named and constituted and every of them shall before they
or any of them respectively be admitted to the execution of their office
take the several Oaths commonly called the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy
and the Oath prescribed and mentioned in the Act of Parliament for the
well governing and regulating of Corporations made in the thirteenth year
of the Reign of Charles the Second late King of England together with
the several Oaths of the Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Art or Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers aforesaid for the due execution of their
offices and also shall respectively subscribe the Declaration prescribed
and mentioned in the Act aforesaid before the aforesaid John Punter and
Williams Bourne the elder or one of them which John Punter and William
Bourne the elder or either of them we do by these Letters Patent direct
and require and to them do give and grant power and authority in the Court
of Afsistants of the said Society to give administer and require the several
oaths and subscriptions aforesaid
Moreover we will and by these presents
do for us our heirs and successors grant to the Master and Keepers or
Wardens and Afsisants of the Society aforesaid and successors may every
year upon the day of Saint Lawrence Martyr choose and make out of themselves
one Master and two Keepers or Wardens to supervise rule and govern the
Mystery or Art aforesaid and Society aforesaid and that the same Master
and two Keepers or Wardens so elected from the Feast of Saint Matthewnext
ensuing such election shall be Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Mystery
or Art aforesaid and may have power and authority to supervise rule and
govern the Mystery or Art aforesaid from the same Feast of Saint Matthew
for one whole year then next ensuing and from thence until the new Master
and Keepers or Wardens shall be by the Master and Keepers or Wardens and
Afsistants of the Mystery or Art aforesaid or the major part of them for
the time being appointed and sworn and so as often as the case shall so
happen
Moreover we will and by these presents
for us our heirs and succefsors do grant to the said Master and Keepers
or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Mystery or Art aforesaid
and their succefsors that whensoever and as often as it shall happen either
of any of the Afsistants in these presents nominated and constituted of
hereafter to be chosen to dye or from his or their office or offices to
depart or be removed that then the Master Keepers or Wardens and the rest
of the Afsistants then living or the major part of them whereof we will
the Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Art or Mystery aforesaid to be
three or the Master one of the Keepers or Wardens aforesaidalways to be
two, so often as the case shall so happenmay have and shall have full
power and authority to nominate and elect one or more person or persons
in the place of him or them so dead or removed and shall continue in their
offices respectively and from thence shall be removed as formerly hath
been used and accustomed
And we will and to the Master and Keepers
or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Mystery or Art aforesaid
and their successors do grant that they the said Master and Keepers or
Wardens and Afsistants of the Society aforesaidand their succefsors from
henceforth for ever may have and shall have power and authority to choose
and add at any time after the date of these presents so many other persons
to the number of the Afsistants in these nominated and exprefsed as to
the Master and Keepers or Wardens and Afsistants of the Society aforesaid
and their succefsors or the major part of them for the time being (whereof
we will the Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Art or Mystery aforesaid
to be three or the Master and one of the Keepers or Wardens aforesaid
always to be two) shall seem expedient and convenient.
And that every person who hereafter shall
have executed the office of Renter Warden shall from the time of the execution
of the said Office from thenceforth for ever be Afsistant of the Society
of the Freemen of the Mystery or Art aforesaid
And moreover we will and by these presents
do for us our heirs and succefsors grant to the said Master Keepers or
Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Mystery or Art aforesaid and
their succefsors that if the Master Keepers or Wardens of the Mystery
aforesaid for the time being or either or any of them shall at any time
hereafter within one year after that they or any of them to the office
of Master or the offices of Keepers or wardens of the Mystery aforesaid
shall be elected appointed and sworn as aforesaid happen to dye of from
the offices aforesaid or any of them to be removed (which the said Master
Keepers or Wardens and every of them for evil government or for any other
reasonable cause we will by the major part of the same Master and Keepers
or Wardens and Afsistants of the Society aforesaid for the time being
removable and removed)
That then and so often it shall and may
be lawful to and for such and so many of them the said Master and Keepers
or Wardens and Afsistants of the Society aforesaid for the time being
who shall be then surviving or the major part of them) whereof we will
the Master or either of the Keepers or Wardens of the Mystery aforesaid
for the time being always to be one) in convenient time after the death
or remocal of the said Master and Keeper or Wardens or any of them at
their pleasure one other into the office of Master and one or two others
into the offices of Keepers or Wardens of the Mystery aforesaid to elect
nominate and appoint according to the orders and provisos in these presents
declared end exprefsed to execute and exercise the aforesaid office of
Master and the aforesaid office or offices of Keeper and Keepers or Warden
and Wardens of the Mystery aforesaid until the Feast of Saint Matthew
then next following and from thence until one other Freeman of the Mystery
aforesaid into the office of Master of the same Mystery or two other Freemen
of the Mystery aforesaid into the offices of Wardens of the same Mystery
shall be elected nominated and sworn according to the ordinances and provisos
in these presents declared and expressed and so as often as the case shall
so require
Provided always and we do will that in
the case of the death or removal of the Master of the Mystery aforesaid
within one year after his election into the same office then he who shall
be chosen in his place shall take the several oaths and make the subscriptions
in these presents exprefsed and mentioned before the last Master of the
Mystery aforesaid for the time being.
And in the case of death or removal of
the Keeper or Keepers Warden or Wardens within a year after their elections
respectively then we will that the person or persons so new elected in
the place or placec of him or them so dead or removed as aforesaid shall
respectively take and receive the several oaths aforesaid and shall respectively
make the said subscription before the Master of the Mystery aforesaid
for the time being which said Master for the time being we do by these
our Letters Patent direct and require and by these presents to him do
for us our heirs and succefsors give and grant power and authority to
give administer and require the said several oaths and subscriptions
And furthermore we do for us our heirs
and succefsors grant to the aforesaid Master and Keepers or Wardens and
Society of the Mystery or Art aforesaid and their succefsors that in case
of the death or removal of the Clerk of the Society aforesaid for the
time being another fit person in the place of the said Clerk so dead or
removed shall be chosen by the Master and Keepers or Wardens and Afsistants
of the Society aforesaid for the time being or by the major part of them
whereof we will the Master Keepers or Wardens of the Art or Mystery aforesaid
for the time being to be three
or the Master and one of the Keepers or Wardens aforesaid always to be
two)and so as often as the case shall so require
PROVIDED ALWAYS and we do will and by
these presents for us our heirs and succefsors do charge and command that
no person or persons shall at any time hereafter be elected nominated
and appointed to the office or offices of Master, Keepers or Wardens Afsistants
or Clerk of the Society aforesaid or any or either of them severally and
respectively who before their Election do not respectively hold Communion
with the Church of England and within six months at least before such
election shall have received the Eucharist according to the form by Law
prescribed in the Church of England
And that every person and persons respectively
after such election and before their admifsion in or to the offices or
places aforesaid shall take the several Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy
prescribed and mentioned in the Act aforesaid together with the oaths
for the due execution of the office of Master Keepers or Wardens Afsistants
and Clerk of the Society aforesaid and also shall respectively the Declaration
aforesaid before such person or persons before whom the usual oaths for
the execution of their offices heretofore for the space of seven years
now past have been taken and made which said several oaths and subscriptions
we do by these Letter Patent direct and require and by these presents
for us our heirs and succefsors do give and grant to them power and authority
to give administer and require in the Court of Afsistants of the said
Society
Also we will and command that every Clerk
of the Society aforesaid hereafter to be nominated and chosen before his
admifsion into such place or office shall be presented to us our heirs
or succefsors for our or our heirs or succefsors approbation and if we
our heirs or succefsors shall approve of such Clerk under our or their
Signet or Royal hand that then he the several Oaths aforesaid and also
the Declarations Subscriptions aforesaid taken as aforesaid shall be thereunto
admitted but if we our heirs or succefsors shall refuse to approve such
person so chose to be Clerk then such election shall be void and the Master
Keepers or Wardens and Afsistants of the Society aforesaid
for the time being or the major part of them shall in a Court of
Afsistants immediately proceed to the election of one other person to
be Clerk in manner and form aforesaid and so until such person shall be
elected who shall be approved by us our heirs and successors as aforesaid
and shall take the several Oaths aforesaid and shall make the subscriptions
aforesaid
PROVIDED ALWAYS and furthermore we will
and declare that every election of any Master, Keeper or Wardens Afsistants
or Clerk of the Society aforesaid contrary to the directions and restrictions
in these presents in that behalf mentioned shall be void and of none effect
to all intents and purposes whatsoever
PROVIDED ALWAYS and by these presents
we will and declare that it shall and may be lawful for us our heirs and
succefsors from time to time and at all times hereafter by Order in the
Privy Council of us our heirs and succefsors from time to time made to
remove and declare to be removed any Master Keepers or Wardens Afsistants
or Clerk of the Society aforesaid now and for the time being and thereupon
the place or office of such person so removed or declared to be removed
by that very deed to be void another fit person or persons in the place
or places of the person or persons so removed or declared to be removed
as aforesaid shall be in due manner elected appointed and sworne according
to the orders and provisos aforesaid which said person or persons so to
be chosen and every of them before admifsion into such place or office
shall take the several oaths aforesaid and make the subscriptions aforesaid
as aforesaid and so as often as the case shall so require
And furthermore for us our heirs and succofsors
we will and command the Master Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Freemen
of the Art or Mystery aforesaid that they and their succefsors from time
to time and all times thereafter in all things which to the good rule
and government of the City of London and Society aforesaid shall be subject
and obedient to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London
for the time being
PROVIDED ALWAYS and also we do will that
no person or persons of the Society aforesaid for the time being who shall
not hold Communion with the Church of England or who frequently go unto
or shall be present at Conventicles or to any other unlawful Meeting upon
pretence of religious worship shall at any time hereafter be elected to
or in the Livery of the Society aforesaid hereafter to be granted to the
said Society by the Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London
aforesaid
And also that every person elected or
to be elected into the Livery of the Society aforesaid before tat he be
thereto admitted shall be approved by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen
of the City of London and shall take the said Oaths of Allegiance and
Supremacy and Oath prescribed and mentioned in the said Act for the well
governing and regulating of Corporations and shall make the subscriptions
aforesaid before the Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Society aforesaid
or any two or more of them in the Court of Afsistants which said Master
and Keepers or Wardens or two or more of them for the time being we do
by these presents for us our heirs and succefsors order authorise and
require the same oaths and subscriptions in a Court of Assiftants as aforesaid
Provided furthermore and we do for us
our heirs and succefsors declare that if any person being an Afsistant
of the Society aforesaid at the time of the surrender aforesaid and within
the space of six months after the date of these presents shall not surrender
his office or place of Afsistant of the Society aforesaid to the Master
and Keepers or Wardens and Society aforesaid and their successors and
doth not submit himself to a new Election at the good pleasure of the
Society aforesaid that then every such person no power or privilege in
or concerning the Election of any Officer or Member of the Society aforesaid
shall have or ought to have but from thence and from the benefit of this
our grant – shall be utterly discharged and excluded
And moreover of our most abundant grace
we have granted and for us our heirs and succefsors do grant to the aforesaid
Master and Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Mystery or Art aforesaid
and their succefsors That the said Master and Keepers or Wardens and Afsistants
of the Society aforesaid and their succefsors shall and may from time
to time for the sound and wholesome rule and government of the aforesaid
Master Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Mystery or
Art aforesaid and of all other persons the aforesaid Art or Mystery of
the Tylers and Bricklayers within our aforesaid City of London and Suburbs
and Precincts of the same and within fifteen miles of the same City exercising
using or in anywise occupying and for the declaring in what manner and
order the said Master Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Mystery aforesaid
and all and singular other persons the said Art or Mystery within the
said City of London Suburbs and Precincts of the same and within fifteen
miles of the same City for the time being exercising using or occupying
should behave bear and demean themselves in their offices Mystery and
Art aforesaid for the more abundant good public and common profit of te
same Master Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Art or Mysetry aforesaid
and for other matters and causes whatsoever touching or in anywise concerning
the Art or Mystery aforesaid lawfully and freely make ordain and establish
reasonable Laws Statutes Orders Provisions Decrees and Constitutions according
to the necefsity of the occasion which to them of six of them at least
whereof we will the aforesaid Master and Keepers or Wardens for the time
being to be three or the Master and one of the Keepers or Wardens aforesaid
always to be two) as often and when as need shall be and to them it shall
seem fitting
And we will and do by these presents for
us our heirs and succefsors grant to the aforesaid Master Keepers or Wardens
and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery aforesaid and their succefsors
that the same Master Keepers or Afsistants of the Society aforesaid and
their succefsors for the time being or six of them at least) whereof we
will the Master Keepers or Wardens of the Art or Mystery aforesaid for
the time being always to be three) as often as they shall make appoint
ordain and establish such Laws Statutes, Ordinances Provisions Decrees
and Constitutions in form aforesaid shall and may make limit and provide
such and such sort of pains punishments and penalties by fine amerciament
or by either of them against and upon all offenders against the same Laws,
Statutes, Ordinances, Provisions Decrees and Constitutions or any or either
of them for the observation of the same Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, Provisions
Decrees and Constitutions as to the said Master Keepers or Wardens and
Afsistants of the Society aforesaid and their succefsors for the time
being or six of them at least) whereof we do will the Master and Keepers
and Wardens of the Art or Mystery aforesaid for the time being to be three
or the Master and one of the Keepers or Wardens aforesaid always to be
two) shall seem most necefsary fit and requisite
And that the said Master Keepers or Wardens
and Afsistants of the Society aforesaid for the time being or six of them
at least (whereof we will the said Master and Keepers or Wardens for the
time being to be three or the Master and one of the Keepers or Wardens
always to be two)shall and may have and levy the same Fines and amerciaments
by Action of Debt distrefs or otherwise or by any other lawful ways or
means to the use of the aforesaid Master Keepers or Wardens and Society
of the Art or Myatery aforesaid and their succefsors without the let of
us our heirs or succefors and without any account or any other thing to
be therefore rendered or paid to us our heirs or succefsors
All and singular which said Laws Statutes
Ordinances provisos Decrees and Constitutions so to be made as aforesaid
we will to be observed under the penalties im the same to be contained
so that they be reasonable and not contrary to the Laws of this our Kingdom
of England or custom of our City of London
And we will and by these presents for
us our heirs and succefsors do grant to the said Master Keepers or Wardens
and Society aforesaid that the aforesaid Master Keepers or Wardens and
Society of the Mystery or Art aforesaid and their succefsors may from
time to time at their pleasure receive and admit into their Society and
able honest and discreet workman being skilful of and in the same Mystery
or Art of the Tylers and Bricklayers –
And also to expel and amove any other
from and out of the said Society at their pleasure
And moreover we will and grant for us
our heirs and succefsors to the aforesaid Master Keepers or wardens and
Society aforesaid that the said Master Keeper or Wardens and Afsistants
of the said Society Mystery or Art aforesaidfor the time being and their
succefsors for ever may and shall have the search correction and government
of all and singular Freemen of the said Society and of all other Freemen
and Forreigners of the said Mystery or Art of the Tylers and Bricklayers
in any manner frequenting and using the said Mystery or Art of the Tylers
and Bricklayers or using or exercising the Art Mystery or Work of the
Slaters as well within the same City Liberties Suburbs and Precincts of
the same or within any other place or places within fifteen miles of the
said City of London
And of all Tylers called Plain Tylers,
Rough Tylers, Corner Tylers and Paving Tylers and of all works and other
matters or things whatsoever to the said Mystery or Art of the Tylers
and Bricklayers in anywise touching belonging or appertaining as well
within the same City and the Liberties Suburbs and Precincts of the same
as within any other place or places within fifteen miles of the same City
of London
And the punishment of all the same as
well Freemen as Forreigners whatsoever as before specified for their faults
as well in the premises as in not perfectly executing doing and using
the Mystery or Art aforesaid by the Survey of the Master aforesaid who
shall be for that time or any other of the same honest and sufficient
men of the Mystery or Art aforesaid which the said Master to that purpose
shall from time to time depute in his stead
And that they may correct and amend the
faults in the same Mystery or Art if any shall be found according to their
sound discretions as to the greater profit of the community of our people
shall seem meet fit and convenient to be done
Commanding and by these presents strictly
charging all and singular Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constable and other
Officers, Ministers and Subjects whatsoever of us our heirs and succefsors
that they be aiding afsisting and
comforting to the same Master Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Mystery
or Art aforesaid and their succefsors from time to time in the execution
of the premises in due manner in all things as is meet not bringing upon
themselves or any of them any damage or injury
And furthermore of our more special grace
and certain knowledge and meer motion we have given and granted and by
these presents for us our heirs and succefsors do give and grant to the
aforesaid Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Mystery aforesaid and their
succefsors special license and free and lawful power and authority to
have purchase receive and pofsefs to them and their succefsors for ever
in fee and perpetuity or for term of life lives or years or in any other
manner whatsoever manors mefsuages lands tenements meadows feedings pastures
woods underwoods Rectories Tythes Rents Reversions and other Hereditaments
whatsoever within our Realm of England or any other place whatsoever as
well of us our heirs and succefsors as of any other person or persons
whatsoever so that the same Manors Mefsuages Lands, Tenements Meadows
Feedings Pastures Woods Underwoods Rectories, Tythes, Rents, Reversions,
Services and other Hereditaments do not in the whole exceed the clear
annual value of Three hundred pounds of lawful money of England above
all charges and reprises , the Statute against putting of lands and tenements
in Mortmain or any other Statute Act, ordinance or provisions heretofore
had made set forty ordained or provided or any other thing cause or matter
whatsoever to the contrary thereof notwithstanding and this without any
Writ of adquod damnum or any other writ-inquisition or warrant thereof
to be brought had purchased or obtained
And also we will and grant for us our
heirs and succefsors to all and every subject – and subject whatsoever
of us our heirs and succefsors special license free and lawful power faculty
and authority they or any of them shall and may lawfully and freely grant
sell bequeath and alien Manors Mefsuages Lands Tenements Meadows Feedings,
Pastures, Woods, Underwoods, Rectories, Tythes,
Reversions, Services and other hereditaments whatsoever to the
aforesaid Master and Keepers or Wardens and Society of the Mystery or
Art aforesaid and their succefsors so that all and singular the aforesaid
mefsuages lands tenements meadows Feedings, Pastures, Woods, Underwoods,
Rectories, Tythes, Rents Reversions and other hereditaments so to the
same Master and Keepers or Wardens of the Mystery or Art aforesaid and
their successors to be given granted aliened or bequeathed do not exceed
in the whole the clear annual value of Three hundred pounds besides all
charges and reprises the aforesaid Statute against putting lands and tenements
in Mortmain or any other Statute, act, ordinance and provision heretofore
had made enacted ordained or provided or any thing cause or matter whatsoever
to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding
Also we will and for us our heirs and
successors by these presents do grant to the Master, Keepers or Wardens
and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystry aforesaid and their succefsors
that they and their succefsors from henceforth for ever may have hold
and enjoy all goods chattels lands tenements pofsefsions and hereditaments
which they now have and pofsefs or which any person or personsare or shall
be seized to the use of Master, Keepers or Wardens and Society of the
Freemen of the Art or Mystery aforesaid and their succefsors and all and
singular such reasonable liberties, franchises, privileges exemptions
discharges jurisdictions and customs which the said Master, Keepers or
Wardens and Society of the Freemen of the Art or Mystery aforesaid within
the City of London have or they or their predecefsors or the Freemen of
the aforesaid Art or Mystery or any of them within our said City of London
by whatsoever name or names or by whatsoever incorporation or by
of any incorporation whatsoever heretofore have had pofsefsed held
or enjoyed or ought to have hold use or enjoy
And we will and by these presents for
us our heirs and succefsors do grant to the aforesaid Master Keepers or
Wardens and Society aforesaid that all and singular persons now using
or exercising or which hereafter shall use or exercise the Art or Mystery
of the Tylers and Bricklayers as well within our said City of London and
Liberties and Precincts thereof as
within any other place or places within Fifteen miles of thesaid City
and which now are or hereafter shall be free of any Society or Societies
of the City aforesaid shall from henceforth bind or cause to be all and
singular their Apprentices at the Hall and to one or some of the members
or Freemen of the aforesaid Society of the Tylers and Bricklayers and
the said Apprentices shall make or cause to be made free or admitted of
the same Society
Although exprefs mention of the true yearly
value or certainty of the premises or if any of them or of any gifts or
grant by us or by any of our projenitors heretofore made is not in these
presents made or any Statute act ordinance or any other thing cause or
matter whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding
IN WITNEFS whereof we have caused these
our letters to be made patent Witnefs ourself at Westminster the eighteenth
day of February in the first year of our Reign
By Writ of Privy Seal
Pigott
£ s
d
By Fine in the 6.8.4.
Guildford
C.S.
1936 CHARTER
George The Sixth by the Grace of God of Great Britain Ireland and the British Dominions
beyond the Seas King Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:
Whereas the Master,
Wardens and other free men of the Mystery or Art of the Tylers and Bricklayers
of the City of London and the suburbs of the same (hereinafter referred
to as the Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company) were incorporated by a Royal
Charter of Incorporation granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the
3rd day of August in the year 1568 and in the tenth year of
Her said Majesty’s Reign in which Charter among other rights and privileges
it was granted that the said Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company should be
persons able and capable in law to acquire possess and receive in fee
and perpetuity lands tenements rents reversions and other possession to
the value of Fifty Pounds per annum beyond reprises from any person or
persons whatsoever willing to give devise sell or assign the same to them
to have and to hold to them and their successors for ever in aid of the
support of poor men and women brothers and sisters of the said company
the statute concerning not putting lands or tenements to mortmain or any
other statute act ordinance provision or restriction thing or matter thereof
to the contrary made or provided to be made notwithstanding.
AND WHEREAS as
the result of a Judgement in an action of Quo Warranto brought
against the Corporation of the City of London given in the Court of King’s
Bench in the Trinity Term in the 35th year of the Reign of
His Majesty King Charles the Second the said Tylers’ and Bricklayers’
Company surrendered to His said Majesty all and singular the powers franchises
liberties privileges and authorities whatsoever and howsoever granted
or used or exercised by the Company by virtue of any right title or interest
in them placed by any Charters Letters Patent Custom or Prescription.
AND WHEREAS the
said Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company was afterwards reincorporated by
a Royal Charter of Incorporation granted by His Majesty King James the
Second on the 18th day of February in the year 1685 and in
the first year of his said Majesty’s Reign in which Charter among other
rights and privileges it was granted that the said Tylers’ and Bricklayers’
Company might have purchase receive and possess to them and their successors
for ever manors messuages lands tenements possessions and hereditaments
so that the same did not in the whole exceed the clear annual value of
Three Hundred Pounds of lawful money of England the statute of not putting
lands and tenements in mortmain or any other statute act ordinance or
provision heretofore made or any other thing cause or matter to the contrary
thereof notwithstanding and that they and their successors might forever
have hold and enjoy all goods chattels lands tenements possessions and
hereditaments which they then had and possessed or of which any persons
were or should be seised to their use.
AND WHEREAS by a statute of the second year of the Reign
of Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary Chapter 8 intituled “An
Act reversing the Judgment in a Quo Warranto against the City of
London and for restoring the City of London to its ancient rights and
privileges” the said Judgement given in the Court of King’s Bench was
reversed annulled and made void and it was enacted that all and every
of the said Companies and Corporations of the said City of London should
thence forth stand and be incorporated by such name and names and in such
sort and manner as they respectively were at the time of the said Judgement
given and every of them were thereby restored to all and every the lands
tenements hereditaments rights titles estates liberties powers privileges
precedencies and immunities which they lawfully had and enjoyed at the
time of giving the said Judgement and that as well all surrenders as Charters
Letters Patent and Grants for new Incorporating any of the said Companies
or touching any of the liberties privileges or franchises made or granted
by Their Majesties King James the Second and King Charles the Second since
the giving of the said judgement should be void and were thereby declared
null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever Provided nevertheless
that no person or persons should be in any wise prosecuted sued impeached
or molested for any cause or thing by him or them lawfully acted or done
in pursuance of any such Charters Letters Patent or Grants
AND WHEREAS by
a Charter granted to the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of
London by His Majesty King Edward the Third on the 6th day
of March in the year 1327 and in the first year of His Reign with the
assent of the Earls Barons and
all the Commonalty of his Realm summoned to his Parliament His said Majesty
granted for himself and His Heirs to the Citizens of the said City that
they might bequeath their tenements within the liberties of the aforesaid
City as well in mortmain as in other manner as of ancient time they were
accustomed to do which Charter was confirmed from time to time by his
said Majesty’s successors and lastly by his Majesty King Charles the Second
on the 24th day of June 1663 and again confirmed and restored
by the said Statute of the second year of the Reign of Their Majesties
King William and Queen Mary Chapter 8 intituled “An Act reversing the
judgement in a Quo Warranto against the City of London and for
restoring the City of London to its ancient rights and privileges.”
AND WHEREAS it has been represented to Us by the humble petition
of the said Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Company that by virtue of the said
Charters divers lands tenements and hereditaments have been purchased
and received whereof certain have been sold and other lands tenements
and hereditaments have been purchased with the moneys thereof accruing
but that doubts have arisen whether the said Company acting inder the
powers of the said Charters conferred upon them of selling of otherwise
disposing of any of the said lands tenements and hereditaments were and
are entitled to apply the proceeds of sale thereof in the purchase or
acquisition of other lands tenements and hereditaments and if so what
if any is the limit to be imposed upon them.
AND WHEREAS the
said Petitioners by their said petition further showed and submitted that
it would be for the benefit and advantage of the Petitioners that the
proceeds of sale of any of the lands tenements and hereditaments held
by them under the powers aforesaid should if deemed desirable be applicable
in the purchase or acquisition or on the security of other lands tenements
and hereditaments or interests therein. And further that either the capital
of the Petitioners or any surplus income which may from time to time become
available for investment or re-investment should if deemed desirable be
applicable in the purchase or acquisition of lands and hereditaments tenements
rents or reversions or otherwise in or upon any real security freehold
or leasehold And further that having regard to the amount of the present
rents and profits arising from the lands and hereditaments now held by
the Petitioners both on their own account and as Trustees for certain
Charities which they administer and to the progressive increase in the
value thereof and of such rents
and profits and to the present favourable opportunity for further investment
in lands and hereditaments or upon the security thereof it is desirable
that the Petitioners should be given and granted licence and power to
purchase accept and hold in mortmain in perpetuity messuages lands tenements
or hereditaments in addition to those now belonging to them of a yearly
value not exceeding Thirty Thousand Pounds in the whole.
AND WHEREAS the
Petitioners by their said petition humble prayed that having regard to
the circumstances therein set out We would be graciously pleased to grant
to the Petitioners a Supplemental Charter for the purposes aforesaid subject
to such terms and conditions (if any) as to Us might seem fit which we
are minded to do.
NOW KNOW YE that
We being satisfied that it is to the interest of the said Master and Wardens
of the Mystery of Art of the Tylers and Bricklayers of London that the
powers conferred by the said Charter of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth
and by the said Charter of His Majesty King James the Second hereinbefore
recited should be extended in manner herein after mentioned of Our Special
Grace certain knowledge and mere motion DO by these presents for Us Our
Heirs and Successors will grant and declare (notwithstanding anything
in the said Charter or Letters Patent in Mortmain to the contrary) that
the powers of the said Master and Wardens of the Mystery or Art of the
Tylers and Bricklayers of London to hold land may be extended and that
they may be for ever able and capable in the law (without any further
licence in mortmain) to take purchase accept hold and enjoy to them and
their successors messuages lands tenements or hereditaments in addition
to those now belonging to them the clear yearly value of which shall not
exceed in the whole £30,000 such value being computed as at the time of
the acquisition or purchase of the same and from time to time to grant demise alienate or otherwise dispose
of the same or any part thereof and further in the event of any of the
lands messuages tenements or hereditaments now vested in them as aforesaid
or which may be purchased or acquired by them hereafter under the powers
hereby conferred upon them being at any time sold or disposed thereof
may be applied by the said Petitioners in the purchase of other lands
messuages tenements or hereditaments to be held by the said Petitioners
in the purchase of other lands messuages tenements or hereditaments to
be held by the said Petitioners and their successors in mortmain in perpetuity.
AND WE do remit
any forfeiture which may have been incurred by the said Master and Wardens
of the Mystery or Art of the Tylers and Bricklayers of London in the acquisition
of lands and hereditaments since the Charter of Her late Majesty Queen
Elizabeth bearing date the 3rd day of August in the 10th
year of Her Late Majesty’s Reign.
AND WE do for
Ourself Our Heirs and Successors give and grant Our Licence to any person
or persons and any Body Politic or Corporate to assure in perpetuity or
otherwise or to demise to or for the benefit of or to purchase from the
said Master and Wardens of the Mystery or Art of Tylers and Bricklayers
of London and lands tenements or hereditaments whatsoever situate in Great
Britain or Northern Ireland within the limits of value aforesaid hereby
nevertheless declaring that it shall not be incumbant upon such person
or persons or Body to enquire as to the value of the property which may
at any time or times be or have been acquired or held by the said Master
and Wardens of the Mystery or Art of Tylers and Bricklayers of London.
AND WE do will
ordain and declare that these presents shall be considered Supplemental
to the said Charter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and shall be construed
therewith as one instrument.
AND WE do for
Ourself Our Heirs and Successors grant and declare that this Our Charter
or the enrolment thereof shall be in all things valid and effectual in
law according to the true intent and meaning thereof and shall be taken
construed and adjudged in the most favourable and beneficial sense for
the best advantage of the said Master and Wardens of the Mystery or Art
of Tylers and Bricklayers of London as well in Our Courts of Record as
elsewhere by all Judges Justices Officers Ministers and other Subjects
whatsoever of Us Our Heirs and successors and non-recital mis-recital
or other omission defect or thing to the contrary notwithstanding.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
We have caused
These Letters to be made Patent.
WITNESS Ourself
at Westminster the
Twenty-first day of March
in the second year of Our Reign.
BY WARRANT under
the King’s Sign
Manual.
SCHUSTER.