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The 1573 Charter of Bideford

and the subsequent Mutual Covenants 1575

Taken from the original document in the ownership of Bideford Town Council.
Currently on public display in the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, Bideford.

Transcribed by David Carter 2023

Implied letters in brackets have been added by the transcriber. Spelling remains verbatim.

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Contents:

•    Transcriber’s notes about this Charter
•    Maria Baker’s transcription and translation
•    Latin text (taken from the original 1573 document)
•    English translation of the above Latin text
•    John Watkins History of Bideford
•    Mutual Covenants, 1575
•    Definitions


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Transcriber’s notes about this Charter:

Definition:
A Royal Charter is an instrument of incorporation granted by a Monarch, in order to confer independent legal personality on an organisation, or to give Borough status to a town or a city, in order to define its objectives, constitution and powers to govern its own affairs.

Bideford had previously been granted two former charters, these being in c.1204 and c.1272, but they had fallen into disuse. See:
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DEV/Bideford/BidefordCharter1204
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DEV/Bideford/BidefordCharter1272

This 1573 Royal Charter established the village or town of Bideford (usually spelt Bedyforde in the document), as a self-governing Borough, with its own officials, and authority to hold a weekly market on Tuesdays, and have a fair/festival/feast three times a year (4th February, 8th July and 3rd November), each lasting about 4 days each time.

It is believed that this Charter was encouraged by Sir Richard Grenville, who was in favour at Royal Court at this time. Keen to promote his home town of Bideford, and to see it grow and become prosperous, it is likely that he personally petitioned Queen Elizabeth to grant this Charter, possibly to commemorate the 300th anniversary of his ancestor obtaining the 1272 charter.

In consequence of this favour from the Crown, Bideford rose rapidly to become a port of importance by the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's reign. It also derived considerable benefits from the support of Sir Richard Grenville, the active settler of Virginia, due to his expeditions there in 1585, 1586 and 1588.

The original Charter has been in the possession of Bideford Borough, now Bideford Town Council, since its inception, and is currently on public display in the Burton Gallery and Museum in Kingsley Road, Bideford.

Thanks to Bideford Council and the Burton Gallery and Museum for allowing access, and for permitting this transcript to be produced.


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Maria Baker’s transcription and translation:

In 1892, an illuminated transcript and transcription of this document was produced by Maria Baker, and this is also on display with the original Charter in the Burton Gallery and Museum. This is in the form of a bound book, with an expanded Latin section on six pages, followed by an English translation on a further six pages. She describes herself as:

“Maria Louisa Sherston Baker
Filia Recordatoris haec pinxit et scripsit
[Daughter of the Recorder, painted and wrote this], 1892”

A title page written by her father, states that:

“I have examined the enclosed Latin copy with the original Charter granted by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the 10th day of December in the 16th year of the reign [1573] to the Village of Bideford in the County of Devon incorporating such village as a free Borough, and I hereby certify that the said Latin copy is a true copy of the said original charter. And I further certify that the enclosed English translation is a true translation of the said original charter.
Witness my hand in the Borough of Bideford this sixth day of April one thousand eight hundred and ninety two [1892].
G. Sherston Baker, Recorder of the said Borough”

Maria Baker was born in 1872 in Marylebone, and was aged just 19 when she produced her transcription and translation. As such, it is an excellent attempt at producing an accurate copy of this important Charter, although on a detailed examination, a number of minor typos, errors and omissions were evident in the Latin transcript, but the translation into English was a creditable example of linguistic ability for such a young person.

Her father, the Borough Recorder, was Sir George Edward Dunstan Sherston Baker (1846-1923). He was the Recorder of Helston and of Barnstaple and Bideford and a County Court judge. In 1892, he was new to this post in Bideford.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherston-Baker_baronets

Without Maria Baker’s initial work, it would have been difficult to attempt a version of the document from scratch, so I am indebted to her for her work in this respect. However, building on her endeavours, I think that a more accurate version is now able to have been produced.


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Latin text (taken from the original 1573 document):

Elizabeth, Dei Gratia Angliae Franciae et Hiberniae, Regina, fidei Defensor, etc.

OMNIBUS as quos presentes litterae pervenerint, SALUTEM.

QUONIAM ex fidediguo testimonio fidelium e[t] legaliu[m] subditor[um] nostror[um] in villa nostra et manerio de Bedyford in com[itatu] nostro Devon com[m]oran[tium] credibilit[er] informamur q[uo]d inhabitantes in eisdem villa et manerio tam cum repar[atio]ne et manutenatione cujusdam pontis ibidem existen vocati Bediford Bridge de viginti quatuor arcub[us] constructi q[ua]m cum numero vicinor[um] illuc undiq[ue] confluen[te] multitudine valde depaupertat[a] et populosa existit.

Quod que ejusmodi libertat[um] et privilegior[um] indigentia que alii antiqui Burgi infra hoc Regnum nostrum Angli[a]e habeu[n]t predictam villam de Bedyford in ruinam et inopiam jam vergere fac[tam] Et indies magis magistq[ue] in futur[ia] occ[asi]one predict[a] verget nisi nos benignitatem nostram eisdem villa et manerio ac cor[um] Inhabitan[tibus] extendamus auxiliumq[ue] in tanta necessitate pr[a]estemus SCIATIS IGITUR Q[UO]D nos ad supplicem sectam d[ic]tor[um] subditorum nostrorum in eisdem villa et manerio commorantium et tam pro meliore manutematione et repar[at]ione pontis predict[i] q[ua]m pro meliore restoratione et reedificat[io]ne ejusdem vill[a]e utq[ue] nostra ope et auxilio impresente sublerat[a] faculius multoq[ue] melius imposterum possit nobis heredibus et successoribus nostris deservire si qualiscunq[ue] occasio postulet.

EX gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia et mero motu nostris volumus ut pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nostris per presentes concedemus q[uo]d dict[a] villa[m] de Bediforde de cetero sit et erit liber Burgus corporat[us]. Et q[uo]d quidam Inhabitantes et co[m]inorantes infra villam et maner[ium] de Bedyforde predict[a] s[e]c[un]d[u]m verum tenorem presentium erunt corporati in re facto et nomine imperpetuum. De uno maiore quinq[ue] Aldermannis et septem Burgens[is] per nomem maioris Aldermanii et Burgens[ium] Burgi et Vill[a]e de Bedyforde predict[a].

Et q[uo]d dict[us] maior Aldermannii et Burgens[es] Burgi et vill[a]e predict[ae] sunt et erunt Corpus corporatum et politicum Et una co[m]itas perpetua de se in re facto et nomine imperpetuum per nomen Maioris, Alderman[narum] et Burgens[ium] burgi sive vill[a]e de Bedyforde predict[a] perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturi habeantq[ue] successionem perpetuam.

IP[S]OSQ[UE] maiorem Aldermanii et Burgens[es] unum Corpus corporat[um] et politicum et unam comitatem de se realiter et ad plenum erigimus facimus ordinamus et creamus pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nostrus imperpetuum per presentes, Ipsosq[ue] maiorem Aldermannii et Burgens[is] Burgi et vill[a]e de Bedyforde predict[a] de cetero vocari nuncupari et appellari. Volumus et jubemus per presentes.

Et q[uo]d ip[s]i per idem nomen pl[ac]itare et implacitari respondere et responderi defendere et defendi valeant et possint in quibuscunq[ue] curiis et locis et coram quibuscumq[ue] judicibus sive justiciariis vel aliq[uib]us p[er]sonis quibuscumque in omnibus et singulis accionibus querelis causis et materiis sive demand[is] cujuscunq[ue] sive generis seu natur[a]e eisdem modo et forma prout al[i]q[ue] legei nostri p[er]son[a]e habiles et in lege capaces pl[aci]tare et pl[ac]itari respondere et respond[er]i defendere et defendi valeant et possint. Et q[uo]d h[ab]eant et habebunt commune sigillum pro causis rebus et negotiis suis quibuscumque agend[is] servit[isque].

Et VOLUMUS ac per presentes pro nobis hered[ibus] et successoribus nostris ordinamus et concedimus q[uo]d dict[us] Burgus et maner[ium] de Bedyforde, Ac circuit[a] et procinct[a] inde ac jurisdictiones eor[um]dem extendent et protendent ac extendere et protendere valeant et possint tam in longitudine et latitudine q[ua]m in circuit[u] ad bond[a] met[as] et limit[es] eor[um]dem vill[a]e et manerii ac in omnibus et singulis stratis denellis viis locis clausur[is] et angulis infra easdem bond[a] met[ae] sive limites existen prout ab antiquo casem bonde mere et limit[a] usiat[i] ac modo usiat[i] reputantur, Et q[uo]d bene licebit maiori Aldermanius et Burgens[ibus] ejusdem Burgi de Bedyforde pro tempore existen[tibus] et successoribus suis p[er] ambulat[i]onem seu per ambulat[ion]es inde facere pro vera et meliore coguit[ion]e inde habend[a] totiens quotiens eis placuerit seu eis necessar[e] fiere videbitur, Et hoc absq[ue] aliquo brevi seu warranto pro inde a nobis h[a]ered[ibus] vel successoribus nostris in hac parte quoquo modo impetrand[o] seu prosequend[o].

Et volumus ac per presentes ordinamus et de uberiore gratia nostra pro nobis h[a]ered[ibus] et successoribus nostris concedimus prefat[is] maiori Aldernniies et Burgens[ibus] Burgi predicti q[uo]d semper et de cetero sint et erunt in Burgo pred[ic]to quinq[ue] de melioribus et magis probioribus et diseretoribus inhab[itantib]u[s] Burgi et manerii predict[i] qui vocabuntur Aldermanii Burgi illius et q[uo]d inh[ab]itantes eor[um]dem vill[a]e et manerri sive maior pars eor[um]dem p[er] hac unica prima vice potestatem et auctoritatem habeant et h[ab]ebunt eligend[i] et nominand[i] eosdem quinq[ue] Aldermann[os] de melioribus et magis probioribus inhabitant[ibus] Burgi et manerii predict[i] Qui quidem quinq[ue] Aldermanii sic electi septem alios de melioribus et magis probior[ibus] inh[ab]itan[tibus] Burgi et manerii predict[i] eligere et assumere ac sibi associare pro hac unica vice tantum consimitit[er] valeant et possint. Qui quidem septem alii sic electi vocabuntur Capitales Burgens[es] Burgi et vill[a]e predict[ae].

Et qui quidem Aldermanii et Capitat[es] Burgens[es] sive maior pars eor[um]dem pro tempore existen[tes] de tempore in tempus potestatem et auctoritatem h[ab]eant et habebunt in perpetuum annuatim et quolibet anno in vicesimo primo die Septembris eligere et nominare unum de prefatis Aldermannis qui erit Maior Burgi pred[ic]ti pro uno anno integro tunc prox[imo] sequen[ti], Et q[uo]d ipse sic electus et no[min]atus ad offic[ci]um Maiori[s] Burgi predicti pro uno Anno integro prefect[us] et debit[o] modo jurat[us] erit. 

Et q[uo]d Maior Aldermanni et Burgens[es] qui pro tempore posthac imperpetuum fuer[e] infra villam predict[um] erunt et vocabuntur Co[mmun]e Consilium Burgi pred[icti] pro omnibus rebus materiis causis et negotiis burgi predicti, Ac reginien et gubernatio[n]em omniu[m] inh[ab]itant[ium] et existen[tium] infra bond[a] met[as] et limites predict[os] et omniu[m] tangen[tium] sive eosdem in[ha]bitan[tes] et existen[tes] concernen[tium] se[cun]d[u]m legem negni nostri Angliae h[ab]ebunt ex[er]cebunt et gaudebunt imperpetuum, Et q[uo]d quandocunq[ue] aliquis Maior h[ujiis] mo[d]i infra un[u]m Annum postqu[am] ad Officium Maioris burgi pred[ic]ti ut prefertur prefect[us] et jurat[us] fuerit obire vel ab Officio suo amoveri[l] contigerit q[uo]d tunc et totiens bene liceat et licebit Aldermann[is] et Capital[ibus] Burgens[ibus] pred[icti] burgi pro tempore existen[tibus] sive Maiori parti eor[um]dem alium de pred[ictis] Aldermannis in Maiorem Burgi pred[ic]ti eligere et preficere loco ipsius s[e]u morien[tis] vel amot[i] existen[tis], Et ille sic el[ec]tus et prefiectus officium Maior[is] burgi predicti habeat et exerceat duran[te] resid[io] ejusdem anni et sic totiens quotiens casus sic accederit.

ET VOLUMUS ac per p[re]sentes pro nobis hered[ibus] et successorib[us] n[ost]ris ordinamus et concedimus q[uo]d quandocunq[ue] contigerit aliqem Aldermann[orum] Burgi pred[icti] pro tempore existen[tem] obire vel a loco s[eu] Officio suo Aldermann[i] amoveri q[uo]d tune et totiens bene liceat et licebit Maiori et aldermann[is] aliisq[ue] expitalib[us] Burgens[ibus] ejusdem Burgi adtune supernumer[atis] vel Maiori parti eor[um]dem unum de capital[ibus] burgen[sibus] Burgi pred[icti] in Aldermann[um] et ad Officium Aldermann[i] Burgi pred[icti] eligere no[mi]nare et preficere loco ip[s]ius sic morien[tis] vel amoti existen[tis] et sic de tempore in tempus totiens casus sic accederit, Et quandocunq[ue] et quotienscunq[ue] contig[er]it aliquem de Capital[ibus] Burgens[is] burgi pred[icti] pro tempore existen[tibus] obire vel a loco suo Capital[ium] Burgens[ium] burgi pred[icti] amoveri q[uo]d tune et totiens bene licebit Maiori Aldermannis et Capital[ibus] burgens[ibus] burgi pred[icti] adtune supernumer[atis] vel remanen[tibus] seu Maiori parti eor[um]dem unum alium de inhabitantib[us] burgi et manerii pred[icti] meliorem et magis probiorem et discretiorem in Capital[em] burgens[em] et ad officium Capital[is] Burgens[is] burgi pred[icti] eligere no[mi]nare et preficere loco ipsius sic mirien[tis] vel amot[i] existen[tis] et hoc totiens quotiens casus sic accederit. 

ET VOLUMUS ac per presentes ordinamus et pro nob[is] hered[ibus] et successoribus n[os]tris concedimus d[ic]tis Maiori Aldermannis et Burgens[ibus] q[uo]d in dicto Burgo de cetero sint et erunt unus Recordator unus Coronator et duo Officiar[ii] qui vocabunt[uri] S[erv]inent[es] ad Clavam qui quidem s[er]vien[tes] ad clavam erunt et des[ser]vient infra villam e[t] burgum pred[ictum] p[ro] execut[i]one process[uum] et mandator[um] ac aliorum negotior[um] in burgo pred[ic]to sec[un]d[u]m ordination[em] et discretion[em] dict[i] Maioris et Aldermann[orum] qui pro tempore fuere de tempore in tempus exequend[i] et peragend[i]. Et q[uo]d dic[tus] Recordator et servient[es] ad clavam et omnes alii Officiari et ministri necessar[ii] burgi pred[icti] de tempore in tempus ad Officia sua eligantur et proficientur per Maiorem et Aldermann[es] et Capitales Burgenses burgi predict[o] pro tempore existent[es] vel per Maiorem partem eor[um]dem ac in suis seperalibus Officiis et functionib[us] perdurabunt et continuabunt prout in eisdem se bene gesserint ad voluentatem dict[orum] Maioris et Aldermann[orum] burgi predicti qui pro tempore fuerint imperputuum.

AC ETIAM VOLUMUS et per presentes pro nobis [heredibus] et successoribus nostrus concedimus prefat[is] Maior[i] Aldermann[is] et burgens[ibus] d[ic]ti burgi de Bedyforde et successoribus suis q[uo]d de cetero imperpetuum habeant et tenebunt ac habere et tenere valeant et possint unum mercat[um] qual[ibe]t die Martis singulis Septimanis in dicto Burgo de Bedyforde de tres nundinas sive ferias ibidem annuatim tenend[as] et custodiend[as] videl[ice]t, prima predictar[um] trium nundinar[um] sive feriar[um] ib[ide]m tenend[a] annuatim in quarto die Febuarii et per totum illum diem durat[ura] et tam totum unum diem ante pred[ictam] quartum diem Febuarii q[ua]m in duobus totis diebus sequen[tibus] p[ec]unda nundina sive feria predictar[um] nundinar[um] sive feriar[um] tenend[a] annuatim in octavo die July et per totam illum diem durat[ura]. Et tam totum unum diem ante predict[um] octavu[m] diem July q[ua]m et in duob[us] totis diebus sequen[tibus].

Tertia nundina sive feria predict[arum] nund[inarum] sive ferar[ium] tenand[a] annuatim in tertio die Novembris et per totum illum diem duratur[a] et tam totum unum diem ante pred[ic]tum tertium diem Novembris q[ua]m in duobus tot[is] diebus tune prox[imis] deuen[tibus] unacum cur[ia] ped[is] pulnerazat[i] ib[ide]m duran[te] tempore eor[um]dem nundinar[ium] sive feriar[um] simul cum tolnet[is] stallag[iis] picag[iis] custuma finibus amerciamen[tis] et cum omnibus aliis profituis com[m]oditatibus et em[m]olumentis quibuscuiq[ue] de buismodi mercat[o] nundin[is] sive feriis ac predict[a] civ[ii]a ped[is] pubverizat[i] et eor[um] quolibet provenien[tibus] acciden[tibus] emergend[is] sive contingend[is] et cum omnibus libertatib[us] et liberis consuetudinibus ad hiusmodi mercat[um] et nund[inas] sive fer[ias] ac cur[iam] pedis pulverizat[i] pertinen[tibus] sive specta[litib]u[s]. Ita tamen q[uo]d mercat[a] illa et nund[inae] sive ferie ille nec eor[um] aliquae sint ad nocument[um] arcinor[um] mercator[um] et vicinar[um] nund[inarum] sive feriar[um].

QUARE VOLUMUS et firmita precipimus pro nobis herd[ibus] et successoribus nostris q[uo]d idem Maior Aldermann[i] et burgens[es] et successores sui habebunt predict[um] mercat[um] et nund[inas] sive fer[ias] cum omnibus commoditatibus et liberis consuetudinibus omnibusunq[ue] ad bi[us]modi mercat[um] et nund[inas] sive ferias perinen[tibus] sive spectan[tibus] nisi mercat[a] et ferie ille sint ad nocumentum vicinor[um] mercator[um] e[t] vicinar[um] feriar[um].

AC ETIAM volumus ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nostris concedimus prefat[is] Maiori Aldermannis et Burgens[ibus] dicti Burgi de Bedyforde et successoribus suis q[uo]d nullus in[ha]bitans burgi sive manerii de Bedyforde predict[a] in aliquibus assisis inquisit[ionibus] juratis sive recognitionibus ext[ra] precinctum burgi et manerii predicti imponantur sive imponend[i] sint sed abinde et ab omnibus exitib[us] et amerciament[is] ratione ejusdem provenien[tibus] sive emergen[tibus] de cetero quiet[i] essent imperpetuum. 

AC NISTIPER volumus et per presentes pro nobis hered[ibus] et successoribus nostris concedimus prefat[is] Maiori Aldermann[is] et Burgens[ibus] dicti Burgi de Bedyforde predict[a] et successoribus suis q[uo]d ipsi et successores sui de cetero imperputuum habeant et teneant ac habere et tenere possint e[t] valeant unam Cur[iam] De Record[a] coram Maiore duob[us] Aldermann[is] et duobus Capitalibus Burgens[ibus] et Recordatore predicti Burgi vel sufficien[te] Deput[ato] d[ic]ti Recordatoris pro tempore existen[te] in quadam co[mmun]i aula vocata Le Guyldhall vel alio loco in eodem burgo magis convenien[te] die lan[a]e de tribus septimanis in tres septimanas sive aliter vel aliis temporibus prout predict[is] Maiori duobus aldermannis Burgi predicti qui pro tempore fuerint melius expedire videbitur de tempore in tempus imperpetuum tenend[am] de omnibus et singulis pl[ac]itis querelis et actio[n]ib[us] tam real[ibus] q[ua]m p[er]sonal[ibus] ac de debito compoto transgression[ibus] convent[is] contract[is] deten[tis] et contempt[is] infra d[ic]tum Burgum et Villam de Bedyforde ac jurisdict[ionem] inde f[ac]iend[is] h[ab]end[is] sive quoquo modo emergen[dis] vel imposterium emergend[is] audiend[is] et terminand[is] s[ecu]ndum legem et consuetudinem Regni nostri Anglie. 

Et q[uo]d d[ic]ti Maior Aldermann[i] et Burgens[is] dicti Burgi pro tempore existen[tes] et successores sui habeant cognitionem eor[um]dem pl[ac]itar[um] et assise[rum] nove disseisine extra cur[ias] nostras quascunq[ue] tam corum nobis hered[ibus] et successoribus nostris tenend[as] qu[am]i[n] aliis curiis nostris hered[um] et successor[um] nostror[um] in eadem cur[ia] infra Burgum pred[ictum] tenend[arum] terminand[arum] et execut[ionem] inde facere juxta legem consuetudinem et libertates predict[as].
Et q[uo]d Maior omnes Aldermann[i] et omnes Burgens[ibus] Burgi pred[ic]ti et successores sui fines exitus amerciamenta p[o]enas redempti[on]es inde provenien[tes] et emergen[dos] ad usum et profituum eor[um]dem hab[ea]nt aut per servien[tes] vel ministros suos percipiant aut capiant absque aliquo nobis hered[ibus] vel successoribus nostris inde reddend imperpetuum.

VOLUMUS ETIAM q[uo]d servientes ad clavam dicti Burgi de Bedyforde pro tempore existen[tes] omnia jurat[orum] panell[a] jurisdic[tiones] attach[iamenta] inquisit[iones] prececpt[a] mandat[a] warrant[a] indic[ta] process[us] et alia quecunq[ue] necessaria faciend[a] causis predict[is] aut aliis causis vill[am] et Burgi de Bedyforde predict[um] tangent[ia] et concernen[tia] faciant et exequantur et quisl[ibet] eor[um] faciat et exequatur prout eis vel ei precept[um] fuerit juxta legis exigen[da].

ET ULTERIUS volumus ac per presentes pro nobis [heredibus] et successoribus nostris concedimus prefat[is] Maior Aldermannis et Burgens[ibus] de Bedyforde predict[a] et successoribus suis q[uo]d Maior ejusdem Burgi pro tempore existen[s] de cetero de tempore in tempus sit et erit Cl[er]icus Mercati predict[i] infra d[ic]tem Villam de Bedyforde custodiend[i] et q[uo]d faciat et exequatur omnia et singula que ad Officium Cler[ici] Mercati spectant et pertinent ib[ide]m faciend[a] et peragend[a]. Et q[uo]d nullus alius Cl[er]icus Mercati nostri heredum vel successorum nostrorum Ville p[re]dicta quovemodo ingrediatur vel ingrediantur seu se ibidem intromittat vel intramittant ad aliquod ibidem faciend[um] et peragend[um] quod ad Officium Clerici Mercati pertinet ibidem faciemd[um] et peragend[um].

ET ULTERIUS DE UBERIORI gratia nostra ac excerta scientia et mero motu nostris volumus ac per presentes pro nobis hered[ibus] et successoribus nostris concedimus prefatis Maiori Aldermannis et Burgens[ibus] Ville pred[ic]ti et successoribus suis q[uo]d ipsi de cetero imperpetuum habeant teneant et guadeant et habere tenere et gaudere valeant et possint let[am] et vis[um] franci plegi de omnibus et singulis inhabitant[ibus] et resident[ibus] infra d[i]ctum Villam de Bedyford et infra limites et bond[a] jurisdic[tionis] ejusdem ac omnia que ad let[am] vis[um] franc[i] pleg[i] pertinent sive spectant ac pertinere sive spectare debent bis per annum tenend[os] videl[ice]t una vice infra mensem post Festum Sancti Mich[ael]is Arch[angel]i et altera vice post Festum Pasche coram Maiore et duobus Aldermannis et duobus Burgensibus et Recordatore et ejus sufficient[e] deputat[o] ejusdem Burgi pro tempore existen[te] singulis annis tenend[os].

AC ETIAM volamus ac pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nostris ordinamus q[uo]d unus Aldernann[us] burgi nostri de Bedyforde per resid[uum] Aldermann[orum] et capital[uum] Burgens[ium] ejusdem Burgi vel per Maiorem partem eor[um]dem annuatim et de tempore in tempus eligend[us] de cetero sit et erit Justic[iarius] Pacis Burgi predicti de et pro omnibus que ad justic[iarium] pacis pertinent inquirend[a] audiend[a] et terminand[a] infra precinct[a] metas limites bond[us] et perambulat[iones] burgi predicti emergen[da] in tam amplis modo et forma prout ab Justiciar[io] Pacis in aliquo Com[itatu] Regni nostri Anglie facere possit et consuenit.

ET ULTERIUS sciatis q[uo]d nos de ampliori gratia nostra et excerta scientia et mero motu nostris dedimus et concessimus ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus et succerroribus nostris pro conservatione predict[orum] damus et concedimus prefatis Maiori Aldermannis et Burgensibus dicti Burgi de Bedyforde et successoribus suis omnia et omnimod[o] bona et catall[a] felon[or]u[m] felon[or]u[m] de se e[t] utlagat[orum] waiviat[arum] extraliur[arum] necnon assisam et assaiam panis vini et cerivisi[a]e ac emendat[ationem] et correct[ionem] eor[um]dem et alior[um] victualium necnon profitua commoditates advantagia et emolumenta nostra qu[a]ecumq[ue] annuatim et de tempore in tempus provenien[tia] crescen[tia] sive renovanda de nund[inis] et mercat[is] predict[is] annuatim et de tempore in tempus ten[a]t[is] et tenend[is] infra predict[um] Burgum de Bedyforde.

HABEND[A] TENEND[A] ET GAUDEND[A] prefat[is] Maiori Aldermannis et Burgens[ibus] dicti Burgi be Bedyforde et successoribus suis imperpetuum ad proprium opus et usum ipsor[um] Maioris Aldermann[orum] et Burgens[ibus] et successorum suorum imperpetuum absq[ue] aliquo compoto sive aliqo alio inde nobis heredibus vel succesoribus nostris quoque modo reddend[o] solvend[o] vel faciend[o].

VOLUMUS ETIAM q[uo]d prefat[i] Maior Aldermanni et Burgens[is] habeant et habebunt has litteras nostras patentes sub magno sigillo nostro Angli[a]e debito modo fact[as] et sigillat[as] absq[ue] fine seu feodo magno vel parvo nobis in hanaperio nostro seu alibi ad usum nostrum proinde quoque modo reddend[o] solvend[o] vel faciend[o].

EO Q[UO]D EXPRESSA mentio de vero valore annuo aut de certitudine premissorum sive eorum alicinus aut de aliis donis sive concessionibus per nos seu per aliquem progenitorum nostrorum prefat[is] Maiori Aldermannis et Burgens[ibus] anteh[a]ec tempora fact[is] in presentibus manniis fact[is] existit, aut aliquo statuto actu ordinacione promsione sive restrictione incontrarium inde antehac edit[o] fact[o] ordinat[o] sive promis[so]. Aliqua alia re causa vel materia quaecumq[ue] in aliquo non obstan[te].

IN CUJUS rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. TESTE me ipsa apud Westmonasterium decimo die Decembris anno regni nostri sextodecimo [1573].

Soubreve de privato sigillo et de data predicta auctoritate parliamenti.


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English translation of the above Latin text:

Elizabeth, by the Grace of God of England, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc.

TO ALL to whom these presents shall come, GREETING.

WHEREAS by the reliable testimony of our faithful and lawful subjects who dwell in our town and manor of Bideford in our county of Devon, we are credibly informed that the inhabitants of the same town and manor exist with the repair and maintenance of a certain bridge there called Bideford Bridge, built of twenty-four arches, and with the increasing number of inhabitants, it is greatly impoverished and overpopulated by the arrival of its neighbours from all sides.

AND because by want of the liberties and privileges that other ancient boroughs have within this our Kingdom of England, the aforesaid town of Bideford is now brought into ruin and poverty, and will sink more into downfall in the future, unless we extend our kindness to the same town and manor, and to the inhabitants thereof, and afford them help in so great a necessity.

KNOW YE THEREFORE THAT we are directed to the execution suit of the said subjects of ours dwelling in the same town and manor, as much for the better maintenance and repair of the aforesaid bridge, as well as for the better restoration and rebuilding of the same town, so that with our help and overwhelming support, it may be assisted easier and much better for us to serve our heirs and successors, if any occasion requires.

OUT OF our special grace, and from our certain knowledge and mere motion, we will and grant to our heirs and successors by these presents, that the said town of Bideford is and shall be a free corporate Borough.

And that the inhabitants and residents of the aforesaid town and manor of Bideford, according to the true meaning of these presents, shall be incorporated in deed and name for ever, with one Mayor, five Aldermen and seven Burgesses, by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the borough and town of Bideford.

And that the said Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the aforesaid borough and town are, and shall be a body corporate and political, and one perpetual company in themselves, in deed and name for ever by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the aforesaid borough or town of Bideford to last for all future times and to have a perpetual succession.

And the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, one body corporate and political, and one county of themselves, we establish, ordain and create for us, our heirs and successors perpetually by these presents, that they shall be called the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the aforesaid borough and town of Bideford.

And that by the same name, they may have the power to plead and to be impleaded, to answer and to be answered, to defend and to be defended, and to be able to do so in any courts and places, and before any judges or justices, or any other persons whatsoever, in all and every action of complaints, causes and matters, or questions of any kind or nature, in a manner and form according to our laws, persons competent and capable in law, are able to have power to plead and to answer and to defend and to be answered.
And that they may have and shall have a common seal for their causes and affairs, whatever they do and serve.

AND WE WILL and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, ordain and grant that the said borough and manor of Bideford, and the circuits and precincts thereof, and the jurisdictions of the same, shall extend and stretch and be able to extend and stretch, both in length and breadth as well as in circumference to the bounds, goals and limits of the same town and manor, and in all and singular the streets, ways, places, enclosures and corners within the same bounds, goals or limits, according as they are considered to have been used and only used by the ancient bounds and boundaries, and as may be well-suited to the Mayor, Aldermen and the Burgesses of the same Borough of Bideford for the time being, and to their successors, by walking from thence for true and better knowledge to be held from thence, as often as it shall please them, or it shall be deemed necessary for them, and this without any brief or warrant for that purpose from us to our heirs or successors in this part by any means obtaining or pursuing.

And we will and by these presents, and out of our abundant grace, grant for us to our heirs and successors, to the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the aforesaid borough, that always and for all time, there are and will be in the aforesaid borough, five of the best and most honest and reputable inhabitants of the said borough and manor, who shall be called the Aldermen of that borough. And that the inhabitants of the same town and manor, or the greater part of them, shall have the power and authority by this first occasion to elect and nominate the same five Aldermen from among the better and more honourable inhabitants of the aforesaid Burgh and manor, to choose and to associate with themselves for this one time only, they are able and able to conciliately. And these seven others thus chosen shall be called Capital Burgesses of the aforesaid borough and town.

And those Aldermen and Capital Burgesses, or the greater part of them existing for the time being, from time to time, have the power and authority, and shall have forever, annually and every year on the twenty-first day of September, to elect and nominate one of the aforesaid Aldermen, who shall be Mayor of the aforesaid borough for one year, and that he shall be elected and appointed to the office of Mayor of the aforesaid Borough for one full year, and shall be duly sworn.

And that the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, who shall be in perpetuity under the aforesaid town be called the Common Council of the aforesaid borough for all things, matters, causes and affairs of the aforesaid borough, and the inhabitants shall have and exercise and enjoy in perpetuity according to the law of our country of England, that may be permitted to the Aldermen and Capital Burgesses of the aforesaid borough for the time being existing, or to the greater part of them, to elect another of the aforesaid Aldermen to be the Mayor of the said borough, and to preside in his stead, or who is either dying or having been removed, and he so elected and appointed shall have and exercise the office of Mayor of the aforesaid borough during his residence of the same year, and so as often as whenever this shall so happen.

AND WE WILL and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we ordain and grant that whenever any of the current Aldermen of the aforesaid borough, shall die, or be removed from his place or office as Alderman, that at that time and from time to time, it shall be lawful for the Mayor and Aldermen and other remaining Capital Burgesses of the same borough, or to a greater part of them, to appoint one of the inhabitants of the aforesaid Borough to the Office of Alderman of the said borough.
And whenever it happens that any of the current Capital Burgesses of the aforesaid borough shall die, or be removed from his position as Capital Burgess of the aforesaid Borough, that then, and as often as it may be lawful, for the Mayor, Alderman and the Capital Burgesses of the foresaid borough who are surviving or remaining, or for the greater part of them, to appoint one other of the inhabitants of the borough and manor to nominate and appoint a better and more honourable and discreet inhabitant to the Capital Burgesses and to the office of the Capital Burgess of the aforesaid borough in the place of the one who has died or removed, and so as often as whenever this shall so happen.

AND WE WILL and hereby order and grant to our heirs and successors to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, that in the said borough for time to come, there shall be one Recorder, one Coroner and two Officers who shall be called Sergeants-at-Mace, and these Sergeants-at-Mace shall serve within the town and the aforesaid borough for the execution of processes and mandates, and other business in the aforesaid borough according to the order and discretion of the said Mayor and Aldermen, whose duties shall be executed and carried out from time to time.

And that the said Recorder and Sergeants-at-Mace and all other necessary officers and servants of the aforesaid borough from time to time, shall be elected and appointed to their offices by the Mayor, Aldermen and Capital Burgesses of the aforesaid Borough for the time being by the greater part of the same, and in their separate Offices and they shall be sworn and continue in their functions according to the manner in which they have behaved themselves well at the will of the said Mayor and Aldermen of the aforesaid borough, for this time and for ever.

AND ALSO WE WILL, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Alderman and Burgesses of the said Borough of Bideford, and to their successors, that they shall have and hold forever, and be able to have and hold one market every Tuesday in every week in the said Borough of Bideford, three fairs or festivals to be held and kept there annually, viz:

The first of the aforesaid three fairs or festivals to be held there annually, on the fourth day of February and to last throughout that day, and as much as one whole day before the aforesaid fourth day of February, as well as on the two whole days following the fairs or festivals, [the second] of the aforesaid fairs or festivals to be held annually on the eighth day of July and to last all that day, and so one whole day before the aforesaid eighth day of July, and in two whole days following.

The third fair or festival of the aforesaid fairs or festivals to be held annually on the third day of November, and to last throughout that day, and as well as one whole day before the aforesaid third day of November, and on the two whole days immediately following the same, and a Court of Piepoudre to be held there during the time of the same fairs or festivals at the same time, with tolls, stalls, pitches, customs, amercements, and with all other profits, benefits, and emoluments to any one of the said market, fairs or festivals, and the aforesaid Court of Piepoudre, and any of their arising accidents or happening, and with all liberties and free customs for such market and fairs, or festivals, and Court of Piepoudre or spectacles. Nevertheless, that those trades and fairs or festivals, or any of them, are not to the detriment of neighbouring markets or neighbouring fairs or festivals.

WHEREFORE, we will and decree for us, our heirs and successors, that the same Mayor, Alderman and the Burgesses and their successors, shall have the aforesaid market and fairs or festivals with all conveniences and free customs, and for all those going to the various markets and fairs or festivals, unless they are markets and holidays to the detriment of neighbouring merchants and neighbouring festivals.

AND ALSO we will and grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the said Borough of Bideford and their successors, that no inhabitant of the aforesaid borough or manor of Bideford shall be imposed or imposed upon in any assizes, sworn inquests or surveys outside the precincts of the aforesaid borough and manor, but from thence and from all writs and amercements by reason of the same proceeding or arising from the rest, they shall be henceforth acquitted for ever.

AND THEREFORE we will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Alderman and Burgesses of the aforesaid Borough of Bideford, and to their successors, that they and their successors shall have and hold, and be able to have and hold, one Court of Record before the Mayor, two Aldermen and two Capital Burgesses and the Recorder of the aforesaid borough, or a sufficient Deputy of the said Recorder for the time existing, in a certain common hall called the Guildhall, or in another place in the same borough on a more convenient day, from three weeks to three weeks or otherwise, or at other times as the aforesaid Mayor, two Aldermen [and two Capital Burgesses] of the aforesaid borough, who have been for the time being, it shall be seen to be more expedient, from time to time, to hold in perpetuity for all and every plea of complaint and action, both real and personal, and for the sum of the debt of the defendants for transgressions of the contracts of the detainer and contempt within the aforesaid borough and town of Bideford, and having the jurisdiction to make thence or by any manner arising or emerging, to be heard and determined according to the law and custom of our Kingdom of England.

And that the said Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the said borough for the time being, and their successors, shall have knowledge of the same pleas and the assizes of the new disseisin outside our courts, to be held by our heirs and successors, as well as by other courts of our heirs and successors to be held in the same court within the aforesaid borough, to terminate and execute according to the law, custom, and the aforesaid liberties.
And that the Mayor, all the Aldermen and Burgesses of the aforesaid borough and their successors, shall have the fines, issues, amercements, penalties and redemptions arising therefrom, for the use and profits of the same, or by their Sergeants or Ministers to receive or take them, without rendering any of them to us, our heirs or successors for ever.

AND WE ALSO WILL that the current Sergeants-at-Mace of the said Borough of Bideford, and all jurors, jurisdictions, attachments, inquisitions, precepts, mandates, warrants, processes, and any other things necessary to be done in the aforesaid cases, or in other cases touching the said town and the Borough of Bideford, shall make and execute them, and any one of them shall do, and it shall be executed according to what was ordered to them or to him according to the law.

AND FURTHER we will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Bideford, and their successors, that the current Mayor of the same borough from time to time shall be Clerk of the aforesaid Market to keep the aforesaid town of Bideford and that he does and executes everything that pertains to and belongs to the Office of the Clerk of the Market to be done and executed there. And that no other Clerk of the Market of our heirs or successors, shall in any way enter the said town, or enter himself or herself there, to do and perform anything that pertains to the Office of the Clerk of the Market, there to be done and carried out.

AND FURTHER, out of our abundant grace and our certain knowledge and mere motion, we will and by these presents for us, to our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the aforesaid town, and their successors, that they themselves may hold and be able to hold and enjoy in perpetuity a Court Leet and View of Frank Pledge of all the inhabitants and residents of the aforesaid town of Bideford, and within the limits and bounds of the same jurisdiction, and all that pertain to the Court Leet and View of Frank Pledge, to be held twice a year, that is to say, once in the month after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, and the second time after the Feast of Easter before the Mayor and two Aldermen and two Burgesses and the Recorder or his sufficient deputy of the same borough for the time being held each year.

AND THEREFORE, we decree and order for us, our heirs and successors, that one Alderman of our Borough of Bideford, shall by the rest of the Aldermen and Capital Burgesses of the same borough, or by the greater part of them, to be elected annually, and from time to time from the rest, shall be a Justice of the Peace of the aforesaid borough, to all that appertain to a Justice of the Peace to be inquired of, heard, and determined within the bounds, limits and the perambulations of the aforesaid borough, to arise in as wide a manner and form as a Justice of the Peace can and is accustomed to do in any County of our Kingdom of England.

AND FURTHER know that we have given and granted by our ample grace and certain knowledge and mere motion, and by these presents for us, to our heirs and successors, for the maintenance of the aforesaid, to the aforesaid Mayor, Alderman and Burgesses of the said Borough of Bideford and their successors, all and all manner of goods and chattels of felons, suicides, outlaws, goods waived, and stray animals (estrays?), as well as the assize and assay of bread, wine and beer, and the improvement and correction of the same and other provisions, as well as the profits, commodities, advantages, and profits, whatsoever yearly, and from time to time, the proceeds increase or renew from the aforesaid fairs and markets annually, and from time to time held and to be held within the aforesaid Borough of Bideford.

To be held and enjoyed by the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the said Borough of Bideford and their successors in perpetuity, for the proper purpose and use of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses, and their successors in perpetuity, without any rendering or in any other way from paying or rendering to us, our heirs or successors.

WE ALSO WISH that the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses have, and will have, these letters patent under our Great Seal of England, duly made and sealed, without any fine or fee, large or small, in our hanaper or elsewhere for our use by paying or making accordingly.

WHEREAS there is an express mention of the true annual value, or of the certainty of the premises, or of their maintenance, or of other gifts or concessions made by us, or by any of our ancestors to the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses in former times made in the present manors, or by any statutory act, promise or restriction contrary to the previously published deed ordered or promised. Notwithstanding any other cause or matter whatsoever in any person.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have caused these letters to be made public.
Witnessed by me at Westminster on the tenth day of December in the sixteenth year of our reign [1573].

By writ of Privy Seal and by the aforesaid grant by authority of Parliament.


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John Watkins History of Bideford

In John Watkins ‘Essay towards a History of Bideford’ 1792 (pages 23-25), the narrative about this Charter continues as follows:

“In consequence of this charter of incorporation, there was immediately numerous meeting of the inhabitants of the borough convened, under the direction and in the presence of Richard Granville, esq, lord of the manor; and after reading the charter, they proceeded to chuse five Aldermen, who were, Richard Granville, esq; John Salterne, merchant adventurer; Thomas Leach; Alfred Stockombe; and Anthony Honey.

And the new elected Aldermen immediately chose seven Capital Burgesses, who were, Richard Burgin, gent; John Suzan, gent; George Stafford, gent; William Davie; John Short; Thomas Meager; and Raimond Anthony. Then these Aldermen and Capital Burgesses, being thus a body corporate, elected from their number John Salterne to be the first Mayor of the new Corporation, and in his room, as Alderman, Richard Willett, gent.

These formalities being gone through, ordinances and constitutions for the good government of the Borough were agreed upon; in which it was determined, that the Recorder should be always chosen by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Capital Burgesses, and that they should also chuse the Town Clerk, Receivers or Bailiffs, Constables, the Sergeants-at-Mace, two Searchers of the market, the Keeper of the key hall, the Keeper of the butchers shambles, the Keeper of the yarn-beam, the Wardens of the bridge, and all other officers.
It was also agreed and ordered, that the Mayor should be nominated, elected, and chosen every year upon the 21st September; And that:

No Burgess should trouble or sue any other Burgess in any other Court than that of the Borough, for any cause of matter determinable in that Court, on penalty of losing his freedom of the Borough for ever;

And that the trial of every issue, of and upon all manner of plaints, quarrels, and actions personal in the said Court, under the sum of twenty shillings, shall be tried by the verdict of four, or two men, according to the manner of a Court Leet or Baron, as the Court shall consider;

And the trial of the issue of every plaint, quarrel, or action personal in the same court, extending to the sum of forty shillings, or above, to be tried by the verdict of twelve men, according to the manner of a Court of Record.”


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Mutual Covenant, 1575

John Watkins’ book continues the narrative (page 25), by then referring to the 1575 Mutual Covenant:

“In order to distinguish their respective rights, and to prevent the possibility of any contention, mutual covenants were entered into by the new Corporation on the one part, and Richard Granville, esq, on the other, the indenture of which bears date September 4th, 1575…”

“And first the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses of the burrough and town of Bydeford, do covenant and grant, for themselves and their successors, to and with the said Richard Grenvile, his heirs and assigns, by these presents:

That the said Richard Grenvile, his heirs and assigns, shall and may peaceably and quietly have, hold, occupie, and enjoy, all and singular such revenues, issues, profits, and commodityes within the said manour, town, and burrough of Bydeford, as the said Richard before the making of the said letters patents, hath lawfully occupied and enjoyed, or of right, of might, have occupied or enjoyed, the said letters patents, or any thing or things therein conteyned notwithstanding, saving and always expected, one yearly rent of ten shillings and sixpence, which the burgesses or inhabitants of the said burrough of Bydeford, by the hands of the portreeve there, have heretofore payd to the said Richard Grenvile, together with the office of a portreeve; which yearly rent of ten shillings and sixpence, together with the office of the title of a portreeve, the said Richard Grenvile, for him and his heirs, doth by these presents give grant and release to the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses of the burrough and town of Bydeford, and to their successors, for ever.

And also the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses, do covenant and grant, for themselves and their successors, to and with the said Richard Grenville, his heirs and assigns, that if any revenues, issues, profits, or commodityes, do at any tyme or tymes hereafter arise to the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses, by reason of the said markets, fairs, or of any of the liberties or franchises to them granted by our soveraigne Lady, by her Grace's letters patents, as shall happen to be imployed and bestowed by the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses, as well in reasonable wages and fees, as also in such other matters and things, whereby they, in the right of their corporation, shall be charged, that then the said Richard Grenvile, his heirs and assigns, shall yearly, hereafter for ever, receave and enjoy the moiety of all and singular the said revenues, issues, profits, and commodityes, to his and their only use and behoof.

And for the true levying the revenues etc, aforesaid, according to the intent and meaning of these patents, the maior of the said town of Bydeford for the time being, with the assent of the said Richard, his heirs and assigns, shall yearly at the law court, to be holden within the said burrough and town of Bydeford the Munday next before the feast of Simon and Jude, nominate and appoint one sufficient man to be receavor within the said town and burrough, which said receavor shall take a corporal oath to receave the issues and profits arising within the said town and burrough and rightfully belonging to the said maior, aldermen and burgesses, by reason of the letters patents aforesaid, and thereof to make a true accompt before the maior of the said town for the time being.

And that the said Richard Grenvile, his heirs and assigns, shall and may from time to time nominate and appoint one honest person to be present and hear the accompt of the said receavor and receavors, if the said Richard, his heirs or assigns, shall so think meet and convenient.

And further, the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses do covenant and grant, for themselves and their successors, to and with the said Richard Grenvile, his heirs and assigns, by these presents, that the maior, aldermen, and burgesses, shall not erect any house, messuage, nor other building, in or upon the premises for or concerning the sayd market or fayres, or shall grant to paie any wager or other thing touching the said corporation without the assent, advise, or agreement of the said Richard, his heirs or assigns, first had and obtained.

And the said Richard Grenvile doth covenant and grant for himself, his heirs and assigns, to and with the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses of the burrough and town of Bydeford, and their successors, by these presents, that the said maior, aldermen, and burgesses, and their successors, for picage, stallage, and standings only concerning the said fayres and markets, for the use of their guildhall, prison, or other convenient room for any prison, or other convenient purpose concerning the corporation, shall and may have the use of a certain house in Bydeford, commonly called the Chappell, being neer the west part of the bridge end there, and of certain land and ground in Bydeford aforesaid, whereon certain lymekilns sometimes stood, and where a key, or wharfe, is now latelie builded; and also of all the streets, lanes, ways, and waste soyle within the said manour, burrough, and town of Bydeford, without any molestation, lett, trouble, suit in law, or vexation of the said Richard Grenvile, his heirs or assings, etc, etc.”

The whereabouts of this original 1575 document are unknown, but a truncated transcript was published in 1792, and is the version reproduced above.


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Definitions:

Alderman
An Alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council. The title is derived from the Old English title of ealdorman, which literally means "elder man", and which was used by the chief nobles presiding over shires.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alderman

Burgess or Capital Burgess
Burgess originally meant a freeman of a borough but later came to mean an elected or unelected official of a municipality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgess_(title)

Clerk of the Market
The overseer or superintendent of a public market, who had jurisdiction over weights and measures.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_the_clerk_of_the_market

Court of Piepoudre
A ‘Piepowder Court’ was held in front of the mayor and bailiffs of the Borough, on the occasion of a fair or market. This temporary court had unlimited jurisdiction over personal actions for events taking place in the market, including disputes between merchants, theft, and acts of violence. The name is a modern respelling of the term based on more familiar English words. Originally, it referred to the dusty feet (in French, pieds poudrés) of travellers and vagabonds, which applied to the courts who had dealings with such people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_piepowders

Court of Record
A court whose proceedings are recorded and available as evidence of fact.

Court Leet and View of Frank Pledge
The Court Leet was a historical court baron (a type of manorial court), whose duty was to view the pledges (freemen's oaths of peacekeeping) and good practice in trade. Also to try with a jury, and punish crimes committed within its jurisdiction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_leet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankpledge

Disseisin
The seizure of land belonging to someone else, or wrongful removal of a person from real property that is lawfully possessed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assize_of_novel_disseisin

Goods waived
‘Bona waviata’ were goods stolen and waived, or thrown away by the thief in his flight, for fear of his being apprehended.

Hanaper
The Hanaper Office was part of the Court of Chancery where writs were kept, usually in a hamper or large basket, known legally as being 'in hanaperio'.
https://www.lsd.law/define/hanaper-office

Justice of the Peace
A judicial officer of a lower court, elected from the citizens of the jurisdiction in which they serve, to keep the peace.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_of_the_peace

Mayor
A mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government, elected annually by the council of the Borough from among the Aldermen. His term of office was one year, but he was eligible for re-election.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor

Recorder
Appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen of a Borough or Corporation, to have legal knowledge, and to record the proceedings of the Borough courts and customs. He was often appointed to oversee criminal and civil jurisdiction, and entrusted to nominate its Member of Parliament.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorder_(judge)

Serjeant-at-Mace
A low-ranking executive officer in a Borough, who carries the mace as a badge of office. Their main function was ceremonial and to keep order at the meetings of the Corporation but they could also have been called upon to enforce order if necessary.
Bideford Town Council still has a Serjeant-at-Mace, known today as the Mace Bearer.


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