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TION OF

CORPORA- yearly rent of 3 shillings, towards the support of the AXBRIDGE. Chantry of St. Mary, in the church there. He also by these presents pays them one penny, in the name of seisin of the said rent. Witnesses, John Deneys, the then Reve, John Tayllour, Bailiff, Nicholas de Bartone, Walter atte Pulle, John Wylteschyre, John Mercer, Stephen Monour, Walter Gille, and others; date 35th Edward III. The seal is perfect, but the impression is somewhat indistinct. To all appearance, it is the head of a Roman Emperor, with the chlamys looped on the shoulder.

Grant by John Mercer, burgess of Axbridge, to Thomas Spyere and Alice, his wife, of a shop there situate, at a yearly rent of one silver penny; 39th Edward III. There are preserved the two interchanged parts of this indenture, the seal attached to one being in fair state of preservation, that of the other in fragments, though evidently originally sewed into a little linen bag, filled with wool. The great interest of these two deeds lies in the fact that they are both written with a light blue ink.

Release by Agnes Cherletone, and John Coke, her husband, to John Snel and Agnes, his wife, of a messuage in East Street in Axebrigge. Witnesses, William Huche, the then Reve, John Brewere, John le Mersour, Henry Angulseye, Richard Mersour, and Robert le Mersour. The year is given as the "quadra"gesimo decimo" of Edward III., the forty-tenth, meaning probably the fiftieth. The seals are in good condition; one (which has been met with in three or four instances besides) has the three nails of the Crucifixion for its impression, but the word forming the legend around them appears to be undecipherable.

Release by Roger Brekebec to John Langelond of a tenement in the manor of Cheddre, which he had of the gift and feoffment of Richard de Wakelee and Alice, his wife; 40th Edward III. The seal attached is in fair condition, but the impression is imperfect.

Grant by John Wylteschyre, trader (mercator) of Axebrigge, to Sir Robert Alewy, Rector of the church, and Sir Robert Snaylham, Vicar of the church of Were, of a tenement in Axebrigge, situate between that of Henry Angelsy and that late of John Cogan; a tenement in that borough, between the tenement of John Brekebek and that of Robert Gylle; a morhay which he had of the gift of William de Draycote; a shamble for selling flesh (schamul pro carnis vendendis) in the same borough, which he had of the grant of John le Leche; half an acre in Portmanmede, which he had of John Oldeweye; an acre and a half in Stobbyngham, in Westforlang. Witnesses, John Denys, the then Reve, Nicholas de Bartone, Andrew Cane, John Taylour, Walter Gille, Edward Gille, Stephen Monour, and John atte Mulle; 31st Edward III. The seal is in fair condition, but the impression is indistinct.

Grant by William Packere to Thomas Saleman, of Cheddre, of a messuage and shop in the burgh of Axebrigge, with 2 acres in socage, one morhay, 3 perches of meadow in Portmanmede, and 1 acres in Stubbyngham, in the manor of Cheddre, all which belonged to John Skyrel, now deceased. Witnesses, John de Langelond, Robert Cheddre, William Coker, Richard Dennys. John Oldemyxene, and others; executed at Axebrigge in the 48th year of Edward III. The seal is in fair condition. This is the same "Thomas Salamon," probably, whose manumission we have read fourteen years before.

Grant by Thomas Spere to John Tonge, Chaplain, John son of Alan Hickesone, John Wolf, William Sipertoft, Richard Sweneford, and Walter Tolle, of a tenement at Axebrigge, between that of John atte Mulle and the shop of John Mercer; 45th of Edward III. The seal is lost.

Release by William Skaward of Axebrigge, son and heir of Adam, to William Furnour, of a messuage and curtilage in the manor of Cheddre, between the mill of John de Langelond and the messuage of Alicia Bailiff [elsewhere named as the wife of Richard de Wakeleigh]; also, of a morhay in the burgh of Axebrigge, between the morhay of Walter Fryhey and that of Zyvay le Walsche; 2 acres and a rood of land in Portmanmede, between the meadow of John Mersour and that of Andrew Cane: half an acre between the lands of John Langlond and John Wilteschire; and an acre of reedbed in Stobyngham in West Furlong, lying between the land late of John Skurel and that of Henry Angelsy; also, an acre in the manor of Comptone, in a place called "Gotacre." Witnesses, John de Langlond, Nicholas Bartun, John Wylteschire, John Mercer, and John atte Mulle; 43rd of Edward III. The seal is lost.

TION OF AXBRIDGE

Grant by John Pecche to William de Martynseye and CORPORA Cristina, his wife, of two houses, and a vacant place for a third, adjoining, which he had of the gift and grant of Thomas de la Welle, called "Doucebelle" [see the remark in p 305, col. I.]; such houses being in the burgh of Axebrigge, in the lane called Twychenelane. Witnesses, Edward Jordan, William Crok the Elder, Robert Trippe, Robert de Fonte [Atwell], William de Berghe, John le Mercer, Robert Cogan, Chacepolle [Catchpoll], and others. Executed at Axebrigge, in the 14th year of Edward II. This deed is beautifully written, and the seal is in excellent preservation.

Grant by Edmund Malerbe, son and heir of William, to Andrew le Cane, of Axbrigge, of 3 acres of arable land in the West field of Cheddre; one such acre lying in a place called "Brochol," between the land late of Gervase Godyng and that of Cristina Wylles; another acre in the place called "Hauekescombe," between the land late of John atte Zoo and that late of Agnes Hereward; and the third acre on the west side of Aylesberwe, between the land late of John atte Folde, and that of Walter Malerbe. Witnesses, Sir John de Clyvedone and Sir John de Actone, knights, John de Hanam, Robert atte Boxe, William Fyzwater, John atte Hall, John Symon of Schepham, and others. Executed at Axebrigge, 19th Edward III. The seal is in good condition.

Grant by Anselm de Gurnay, lord of Overe, to Adam Jurdan, of Netherwere, of all the messuage, curtilage, and land, which he had of the gift of John Garlond, in the burgh of Were, the same being half a burgage; also, a vacant place opposite to such messuage, between the causeway (calcetum) of John le Smyth and the causeway late of Geoffrey de Mackesmulle, at Were 20th Edward II. The seal is lost. The village of Weare, near Axbridge, it may be remarked, was once a borough and market-town, and (through the influence probably of the Gournay family) returned members to Parliament in the 34th year of Edward the First.

Grant by William Le Porter, of Wherewelle, "bar"bitonsor" (barber), to Nicholas Schaward and Alice, his wife, of a cottage and curtilage situate between the mill late of Sir Hugh de Langelond and the tenement of William Crok; also 5 acres of land, 4 lying in Overtuddel, and one in Nethertuddel; all being in the manor of Ceddre. Executed at Axebrigge, 10th Edward III. The seal is lost.

Grant by Adam, son and heir of John Dameanneysoune, to John Moune of a vacant piece of ground in Axebrugge, which she (Dame Anneys) had of the gift and feoffment of Ralph Coke of Llarnewetone; 8th Edward III. The seal is in fair condition.

Grant by Nicholas de Cumptone to Simon, his son, of a burgage in the vill of Axebrigge, situate near the great well (magnum fontem) in the market-place there, and a croft which lies between that burgage and the hill called "Kalue"; also, a morhay in the moors below Axebrigge, which was held therewith, and which he gave to Cecily, his daughter, in free marriage, when Elias de Syburne married her; the said Simon to ensure payment therefrom of 4 shillings yearly for ever, for celebration of Mass in the church of Axebrigge. Wit nesses, Edward de Fonte [Atwell], John Oldewey, William de Clofford, John Venes, Adam the Dyer, Robert Horn, Richard le King, John le King, Stephen de Leng, and many others; without date, but probably of the earlier part of the reign of Edward the First. The deed is finely written, but the seal is lost.

Exchange made by Martin Le Byere, of Cramfelde, with Thomas Gobioun, of Wotton Bourne, and Matilda, his wife, and the heirs of their bodies, of 10 acres of land and meadow, lying in Wotton Bourne, in Magescroft, opposite the gate of John Elyot, and above the Milledele, for 10 acres of land and meadow, lying in the field called Kempstone Bourne. Witnesses, John Mareschal, John le Sweyn, Robert atte Bourne, Roger Taillour, and others; 27th Edward III. The seal is lost, and the writing so faint as to be almost illegible. This document seems to bear reference entirely to places in Bedfordshire; and it is difficult to say how it came into the hands of the Corporation of Axbridge.

Grant by William Skaward to William le Fornour of two shillings of silver yearly rent, arising from a tenement in the Morelane, near Axebrigge, situate between the mill of John de Langlond on the south, the tenement of Alice Denys on the north, the Forlang of the Rector of the Church of Axebrigge on the east, and the common way to the Moor on the west. Witnesses, John Langlond, Nicholas Bartone, John Wylteschyre, John Mercer, Andrew Cane, and others; 43rd Edward III. The seal is broken.

ORPORA

ION OF LBRIDGE.

Grant by Richard Hot[ale] of Axbrigge to William Martyneseye in pure and free marriage with Cristina, his daughter, and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, of a moiety of an acre, for building a house thereon, situate between the tenement of Elyas, son of Elyas Wyllam, and that of Walter Lylyan; also, his croft towards Calewe; also, a morhay, bought of William Cogan, below Axebrigge, between those of Walter Oldeweye, Robert de Vayr, William Calebat, and Stephen. de Legge. Witnesses, Robert Canon, Robert Tryp, William de Berghe, Walter de la More, Henry de Camera [Chambre], Elias le Dayghere [Dyer], the then Reve of the borough, Thomas de Fonte [Atwell], Clerk, and many others; 33rd Edward I. This deed is beautifully written, but somewhat defaced by damp, and the seal is lost. The hill named "Kalue 66 or Calewe," near Axbridge, in these ancient documents, is still called by that name.

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The preceding deeds are in Latin, the following is written in French :-A grant by Robert atte Boxe, of Ceddre, that Monsire Hugh de Langelonde, his heirs and assigns, and all other the commoners of Axebrigge and Ceddre, may have peaceably, at every season the year, common in the land of La Butmes, formerly called "Laghewodez," in the parish of Ceddre; which land he had of the grant and of the livery of Sir John de Drokenesforde, late Bishop of Bath and Wells, and which the present grantor had had enclosed, against the will and assent of the said Sir Hugh de Langelonde and the commoners. Executed at Ceddre, the 4th year of Edward III.; witnesses, Sir John de Actone, Sir John de Clyvedone the Younger, John Teysaunt, Hugh de Dreicote, and others. The seal exists, but with a blank impression.

Conveyance (in Latin) by William Harewell [previously noticed] and Agnes Barton, his wife, to Thomas Saleman and Alice, his wife, of a shop in Axebrigge; 14th Richard II. The seal, which apparently represents the Virgin, with a lily, is in good condition.

Richard Oldemixon, by deed having given to Robert Leigh and Alice, his wife, and the heirs of their bodies, a rent of one rose, arising yearly from a tenement held by Robert Seward, Giles Barton, William Huche, Henry Anderseye [PAngelseye], William Oldemixon, and Robert Oldemixon, for the term of the life of Agnes, wife of William Harewelle, with remainder to the said Robert and Alice after the death of the said Agnes, they now attorn to the tenant for life; 1st Richard II. The six seals are still appended. A Richard Oldemixon, probably the person named here, attests deeds at Axbridge in the 13th and 15th years of the same reign.

Grant by Cristina Codeworth [Cudworth] of Lymplesham (now Lympsham, in Somerset), to Juliana, her daughter, of all her property, moveable and immoveable, at Lymplesham, aforesaid. Given at Lymplesham, 16th Richard II. Witnesses, William Bounche, Thomas Codeworth, William Pody, William Boyer, William Prat, and others. The seal is still attached.

Conveyance by John Hayward and Alice, his wife, to William Sambrok, Richard Copulstone, Robert Canone, Roger Seward, and William Dier, of a tenement in Axbrigge. Dated at Cheddre, 16th Richard II. The seal is lost.

Grant by William Wynyscomb to Helyas Jonys and Matildis, his wife, of a messuage in West Street in Axbrigge. Witnesses, John Brown, William ate Schete, Walter Wylkyn, Alexander Togod, John Wheler, Thomas Togod, and others. Given at Axbridge, 10th Richard II. The seal is perfect.

Grant by John Horn, Parson of the church of Weston supra Mare, and Robert de Odyngton, Parson of the church of Thorn Faucon [Thorne Falcon, near Taunton] to Richard de Oldemyxen of a tenement in Axbrigge, formerly belonging to Henry de Lye; 1st of Richard II. One of the seals is lost, the other remains, and is perfect.

Grant by Thomas Salmon, of Cheddre, to John Smythe, of that place. and Magota, his wife, of his cottage called "Knyghtescote," in Cheddre, with the garden thereof: the grantor to supply housebote and heybote [necessary timber and hay] to the grantees, who are to work for him two days in autumn, and to pay a yearly rent of 6 shillings, and heriots, as accustomed, when they fall in; the grantor to find them the necessary meat and drink on such two days: 8th Richard II. The two seals are perfect, but the impressions were originally bad.

Grant by William Sydbury, Nicholas Tyntunhulle, and Robert Gy, Chaplains, of Bristol, to Alice Denys, and Sir Thomas, the Chaplain, her son, and to Robert Mulle and Alice, his wife, of a messuage in Axbryge, situate near Hornyslane. Witnesses, William Somer

welle, John Somerwelle, John Canynge, Thomas Gode, William Berwyke, and others. Executed at Axbrigge 9th Richard II. The three seals remain attached. There is also a Letter of Attorney, executed by the grantors, at Bristol, empowering John Walych to give livery of seisin; also, with 3 seals, the impression of one of which is apparently the head of a Roman Emperor. The name of Canynge (and perhaps that of Somerwelle or Somerville) deserves remark.

Grant by Adam Chepman, of Lamport, and John Spryng, of Axebrigge, to Richard Hylp of that place, of a messuage and arable land in the plain of Cheddre, and a virgate of meadow in Portmannemede, near Axebrigge. Witnesses, John Yeman, Reve of the vill aforesaid, William Orchard, Bailiff, John Tripp, Elias Jonys, Thomas Lyrybek, and others; 7th Henry IV. The two seals are nearly perfect.

Conveyance by John Fytz and Alice, his wife, to Thomas Wauder, Roger Wodeward, Henry Savyer, and John Oldymexone, of their lands and tenements in Axebrugge, Cheddre, Comptone, and Loxtone; 24th Henry IV. The two seals are still appended.

Release by Walter Rodeney, knight, as to a tenement in Axbrugge; 37th Henry VI. The seal is perfect, representing a boar's head."

Grant by John Fitz, burgess of Axebrigge, and Alice, his wife, to William Payne and Thomas Payne, "Mas"ters of the Commonalty of the Guild of Axebrigge,' that they may make holes in the wall of the house in which Thomas Nony and Margery, his wife, now dwell, and may put the timber and beams therein, called "somerys," of the new house, about to be built at the end of the Guild Hall of Axebrigge; in compensation for which, the Masters aforesaid shall make a leaden gutter between the roofs of the said houses, and keep it in repair at their own expense. The said John and Alice are also to have easement in the curtilage [or court-yard] of the new house aforesaid, for putting a ladder there for tiling, spiking, and covering, the rooms of the said tenement in which Thomas Nony and Margery dwell, at fit and proper times, they carrying away the dust and refuse therefrom at their own costs; 25th Henry VI. The two seals appended, belonging apparently to John Fitz and Alice, his wife, are perfect. Notices of, or allusions to, the ancient Guildhall of Axbridge are of extremely rare occurrence.

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Another deed, relating to the same property.-Release by John Fitz, of Axebrigge, and Alice, his wife, daughter and heir of John Martynsey, and cousin and heir of John Trippe, and by John Martynsey, of Chedder, to John Yevan, Thomas Waudre, Roger Wodeward, William Payn, John Hayne, toukere [fuller], John Crodmede, Thomas Payne, William Harpere, Elias Silly, William' Pryse, Thomas Westley, Henry Sawiere, and John Wyther, and their heirs, of their right and claim "in all that tenement, with the appurtenances, which is situate "between the hostelry [hospitium] called Nonyesyne' [Nony's Inn] on the east side, and the Guild Hall of "the same vill on the west; and also, in the said Guild "Hall, and in all that tenement, curtilage, garden, and lands, with the appurtenances, which John Crodmede now holds, extending from the said Guildhall, on the "south side, as far as the hill called 'Calowe,' on the "north side;" as also, in a yearly rent of two shillings arising from a tenement in which Robert Blakedone dwells, situate in West Street, in Axebrigge, between the tenement of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the cottage of John Hayne, tanner. Witnesses, Richard Colverhous, Thomas Penryn, William Frost, John Goodman, John Powne, and others. Executed in the 34th year of Henry VI. The three seals appended are in a perfect state.

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Grant by John Oldemyxone and John Frost to John Fitz and Lucy, his wife, of all their lands, tenements, meadows, pastures, morhayes, rents, and reversions, in the burgh of Axebrigge and the manor of Chedder : 2nd Edward IV.

Conveyance by Thomas Seyntmaur, knight, to Richard Wyche, Richard May, and Hugh Forster, of all his rights to lands in Axbrigge, Cheddar, and Bishop Comp-. ton, formerly belonging to Thomas Gurdeler, Clerk. Witnesses, Richard Chok "Justiciar of the Bench," Thomas Rodeney, esquire, John Fitz-James the Elder, esquire, John Porter, Nicholas Hervy, and others. Given at Axbrigge, the 9th of Edward IV. The name of a Thomas More frequently occurs as a witness to deeds towards the close of this reign.

Deed poll, by which John Sterlyng, of Devizes, in Wiltshire, gives to John Ficchet, Thomas Shete, and Roger Barker, lands in Axebrigge, Nether Were, and Welles. Witnesses, John Seyntlow, knight, Thomas

CORPORAAXBRIDGE.

TION OF

TION OF AXBRIDGE.

CORPORA Overey, Canon of Wells, Richard Vowell, John Atwater, William Curteys. Executed at Axebrigge, the first year of Edward V. There are counterparts of this deed, in the wax of the seal of one of which platted rushes are neatly inserted. The brass of the above Roger Barker, it may be here remarked, is the only one now existing in the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, at Axbridge.

TOWN CLERK, BERWICKON-TWEED.

Conveyance by John Sterlinge and Agnes, his wife, to Thomas Gyles, of Axebrigge, of certain tenements there, among which the Christopher Inn, near the High Cross, is mentioned; also a tenement in Wells, near the fountain called "Jacob's Well." Of the same date as the preceding deed, 15th of May, 1st year of Edward V. Rushes were formerly inserted in the seal, but are no longer there. "The Common way which leads to Le

"Court Yate" is mentioned in a deed of the 10th of Edward IV.

Duplicate copies of the will of Thomas Lerbek, bearing date 6th of March 1429. In it, he desires to be buried in the porch of the Church of St. John the Baptist, at Axbridge, which porch he had lately built.

The borough of Axbridge, it deserves remark, was left unaffected by the Municipal Corporations Reform Act, 5th and 6th William IV., Cap. 76.

I have much pleasure in acknowledging the courtesy which I experienced at the hands of Richard Lewis, Esq., the Worshipful the Mayor of Axbridge, and the Corporation generally, at whose request this inspection of their documents and records was made. I am no less indebted also to George W. Millard, Esq., Town Clerk, for his unremitting attention, in the way of giving me every possible facility for the completion of my task, and so enhancing the pleasure I derived from my visit. HENRY THOMAS RILEY.

TOWN OF BERWICK-UPON-TWEED.

The liberality of the Town Clerk and Treasurer of the Corporation of Berwick-upon-Tweed having enabled me to inspect the documents belonging to that ancient and important Border Town, I have great satisfaction in presenting to Her Majesty's Commissioners the following Report upon the books and papers now in the custody of these two Officers.

BOOKS and PAPERS in the custody of the TOWN CLERK of BERWICK-UPON-TWEED.

1. A volume in large folio, containing various memoranda respecting the town, of which the more important are the following:

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Oaths of the Mayor, Aldermen, &c.; Proclamations from the reign of Elizabeth; Letter to James I. of 26 March 1603, from the Mayor and Aldermen, with the King's answer, 27 March; Divisions of the town for Inspections; Copy of the testimony of the town of Grantham in favour of Dr. Eyston going to visit his friends in Edinburgh, 20 May 1610; Opinions of counsel on various law suits from the time of James I., with Instructions for the same; Letters of the Earl of Dunbar and others on the falling of the Bridge and about the rebuilding of the Church, 24 Feb. 1607; Orders for the building of the Bridge, 27 May 1611; Correspondence with the King on a riot committed in Edinburgh, 16 June 1611; On the pieces of ordnance to be set up in 1633; various Leases and Proclamations; Documents about Fishing waters; Note of the Bounds and Marches of Tweedmouth and Spittal; Commitments to prison for misconduct in 1616; Proceedings against Wm. Gent, miller, for erroneous opinions on Baptism, Confirmation, and the Lord's Supper, with his recantation, 6 March 1616; "Table of Duties to be taken for all manner of "Commodities, and confirmed by orders of Gild," no

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Boro'-meal book.

Boundary papers.

Capture of a French ship, called The Prince Charles, 1746.

Castlegate, houses demolished in, A.D. 1715.
Catholic Religion, return of persons professing.
Charters, viz. :-

Inspeximus (18 Feb. 22 Edw. IV. [A.D. 1483]) of a Charter of Edward III. (4 Aug. 30 Edw. III. [A.D. 1356]), which had been carried off by "Robert a Brus," on the taking of the town by the Scots, and which had again been confirmed when it was given by Edward III. to Edward de Baillolo, late King of Scotland, dated Westminster, 28 March, regni nostri Angliæ [blank] Franciæ vero 17 [A.D. 1356]. The seal is gone, but the silken cord to which it was affixed remains.

Another Inspeximus of the above by King Henry V. Dated 29 Nov. 3 Hen. V. [A.D. 1417]. Broken seal, in green wax.

Another Inspeximus of the above by King Henry VII. Dated 6 Nov. 2 Hen. VII. [A.D. 1486]. No seal.

Another Inspeximus of the above by King Henry VIII. Dated 19 April, 1 Hen. VIII. [A.D. 1510]. No seal.

Another Inspeximus of the above by King Edward VI. Dated 1 June, 1 Edw. VI. [A.D. 1547]. No seal; but a contemporary drawing of the King.

Another Inspeximus of the above by Queen Mary. Dated 25 April, 1 Mary [1554]. No seal; but a contemporary drawing of the Queen.

Another Inspeximus of the above by Queen Eliza beth. Dated 4 May, 1 Eliz. [A.D. 1559]. No seal; but a contemporary drawing.

Charter by King James I. Dated 16 April, A.D. 1603.

Coldmartin, deeds and papers respecting, from A.D.

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1675-1681.

1681-1685.

1685-1687.

1687-1690.

1690-1691.

1691-1694.

1680-1708.

1694-1697.

1697-1699.

1699-1703.

Court Declarations, from A.D. 1752. Court Papers, &c., from. A.D. 1744. Court Minutes and other papers, from A.D. 1747. Declarations in Berwick Court, from A.D. 1765. Dock, papers about cleansing, from A.D. 1765. Demises of Fishing waters and lands, from A.D. 1709.

Enrolments, on parchment, 1083 in number. Enrolments, on parchment, irregularly numbered, from A.D. 1736 to 1739.

Books of, 1570.

Books of, 1574-1634.

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Gild Minute Book, from 1724.

Gild Papers, petitions, &c., from 1742.

Grant by Queen Elizabeth, 1 Sept. 1560, to Cuthbert Gardiner, of a waste tenement in the Nesse.

Grant by Thomas Shute to Matthew Johnson, Mayor of Berwick, and Richard Clarke and William Selby, Preachers of the Word of God there, and their successors for ever, of a burgage with a garden in the Nesse for four poor widows, from time to time to be chosen. Dated 20 April 1600.

Grant by Indentures of Lease and Release between the Earl of Suffolk and others and the Corporation of Berwick, of the Manor of Tweedmouth and Spittal. Grant of Correction-house garden on which to build the Vicarage. 1749.

Highway papers, from 1762.

Indentures to Parliament, from 1685.

Leases, from 1585.

Letters Patent for Collection for losses by the fire which on 8 June last destroyed 35 houses, and property worth 3,000l. Dated 29 July 1659.

Licence of Alienation by the Dean and Chapter of Durham to Thomas Dickenson and James Scott, of their Rectory of Berwick, with the tithes_belonging to the same, without forfeiture of lease; 28 July 1662. Licences for persons in indigent circumstances to ask relief. A.D. 1747-1753.

Licence-book for Brewers, 1685-1710.

Manure, removal from Streets 1740.

Meadow entry books, from 1758.

Meadow bonds, from 1780.

Meadows and stints, papers relating to, from 1761.
Merse road bill, 1762.

Mortgages, from 1706.

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Scire facias, from 1747.

Sessions books, from 1685.

Sessions papers, from 1714. Stint books, from 1760.

Town house, proposals for building, reports, letters, agreement, &c., from 1750.

Treasurer's vouchers, from 1740.

Treasurer's account books, from 1665.

Warrants on writs, from 1737.

Weights and measures, sealing of, from 1763. Writs of Capias, &c., from 1743.

Besides the above there are in the office of the Town Clerk about 100 bundles of undated documents, the exact nature of which has not been fully ascertained. Those which have been examined were found to contain a very miscellaneous collection of papers, extending from about A.D. 1680 to the end of the last century. In the same office is an important volume, in folio, lettered, "Council Book, from 1574." It is imperfect at the beginning. It contains, among other matter,Presentations by Jurors appointed for the regulation of the town, with lists of offenders, and suggestions for the better management of the streets, &c.

Lists of Forestallers, with particulars as to the manner in which they evaded the law. This curious paper has no date, but it was drawn up early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

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Lists of Scottish men and women who were resident in the town, and whom the Jurors wished to banish. They present that there is a vagabond woman in [the] house with Gracy Pearson. She is sister unto "Nicolas Pott's wife." Opposite this entry occurs the following note in the margin by another hand,— "To be whipt out of the town."

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They present that Goodchild's children do run "abegging through the town." Marginal note :"Set them awork, or they to be banished out of the "town."

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They present that Widow Clarke is an idle vaga"bond whore, who hath a child the last year to "Mr. Kingarnel's son, and now she goeth abegging "through the town, with the child in her arms.' Marginal note:-"To be taken and punished, and put "out of the town; and he to be punished."

"Item. Isabella Pickering, who hath her relief "forth of the Benevolence, doth neglect to repair to "the Church, as well on the Sabbath day as other"wise." Marginal note:-" To be punished, and to "have no relief.'

Then follows another set of Presentments, dated 22 March 1592, similar to the above.

"John Alexander's wife is a scold and a troubler of "her neighbours."

"John Preston doth great wrong, for that he buyeth "salmon, and packeth them for London, contrary to "the common wealth and privileges of the town."

Proceedings in the Bailiff's Court, 23 Oct. 1594, respecting slanders, evil living, Scotsmen resident in the town, scolds, dirt, dunghills, supply of water, and various matters connected with its sanitary condition. The Presentments are 106 in number.

Another series of Presentments of a similar character, 70 in number.

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My thanks are due to Robert Douglas, Esq., the Town Clerk of Berwick, through whose kindness I obtained the freest access to the Records in his custody, and who personally afforded me every assistance during their examination.

Jos. STEVENSON.

TOWN

CLERK,

BERWICK ON-TWEEI

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A series of volumes containing Inrollments connected with the Office of the Treasurer of the Corporation. The first is in ancient binding, and contains the following documents:

Notes of Indentures of Apprenticeship to Burgesses, from 1637. Copies of Deeds of Sale and other papers,

Warrants to constables to prevent destruction of prefixed by a more modern hand.
salmon, from 1741.

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The ancient writing begins on fol. 43, and consists of 63 folios. It contains "A general survey of all the Queen's Majesty's town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and "of all and singular Her Majesty's castles, messuages, "[&c.] within the same, made 2 Oct. 4 Eliz. [A.D. 1562] "before Valentine Browne, esquire, and Roger Maynwaringe, gentleman," by a Commission dated West

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BERWICKON-TWEED.

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CORPORA

TION OF
BRIDG-
WATER.

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Appended is a Survey of the Fishing waters in the river Tweed, with their boundaries and measurements. "A boke of Inrolments appertaynynge to the Quene's Magesties Towne of Berwicke-uppon-Twede of all "suche and charters as hathe passed under "Her Highnes' Chamberleyne seale in the custodye of "the right worshipfull Sir Frauncis Russell, knt., Her Majesty's Chamberlayne of the Towne aforesaid synce "he entreyd into the saide office." The documents extend from 1576 to 1598.

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The Presentment of the Court Leet held 7 Dec. "1616."

Notices occur of persons who do not go to Church on the Sabbath-day; who sell goods on the Sabbathday; who sell fish to Strangers, to the disadvantage of Burgesses; who scold and quarrel with their neighbours, &c. Also particulars respecting the decay of the walls; pulling down of portions of the same; the defective supply of coals to Burgesses; swine going in the streets; dunghills and other nuisances; scant supply of water; streets badly paved, &c.

This volume is considerably injured by damp. The second Book of Inrolments, also in folio, extends from 1640 to 1677.

The third Book from 1677 to 1729, also in folio,

These volumes contain a large collection of miscellaneous papers connected with the history of the Corporation, such as indentures of apprenticeship, grants of land, houses, &c., letters of attorney, verdicts, judgments (among others, the sale of the Castle of Berwick for 3201. by James Earl of Suffolk to the Corporation, 9 Aug. 17 Charles I. [A.D. 1641]), mortgages, &c.

In the same office are deposited several bundles of papers, which have not been fully examined. Among those which were inspected, occurred "The proposals "made by Captain Thomas Philips, one of His Ma

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jesty's Engineers, to the Corporation of Berwick, "for the defence of that town, 17 Oct. 1715," and "Articles for building the Town House, 13 Feb. 1750."

By the kindness of A. R. Lowrey, Esq., Treasurer of Berwick, the documents under his custody were most liberally submitted to my inspection, for which I beg to offer my best thanks.

Jos. STEVENSON.

THE CORPORATION OF BRIDGWATER-SECOND REPORT. Since the date of my Report in 1869 upon the documents of this Corporation, a large quantity of additional deeds and papers have come to light; the fact of their existence having been, in consequence probably of the shortness of the time I was enabled to devote to the examination of them, then overlooked. The deeds bearing reference to transfers of houses and land, ranging between the reigns of Henry III. and Henry VIII., are probably upwards of a thousand in number. As at Axbridge, they were deposited for safe custody, in all probability, at the office of the Town Clerk. After they had served alike the object of the vendor and the vendee, their existence, in the course of two or three generations, would become forgotten. The following is a selection from these additional documents :

A roll, about 7 feet in length, containing the "Statute "of Labourers," passed at Westminster in the 23rd year of Edward III., A.D. 1349. It is preceded by another Statute, in French, the title of which is torn off. The third Statute contained in the roll is entitled,"Statutum de tempore Domini Regis Ricardi Secundi, "ad potestatem [doubtful] custodum pacis pertinens." Except at the beginning, the roll is in fine condition, and the writing is apparently of the time of Richard II. A conveyance by John Bucklond, of Westharptree, to John Colford, of a tenement situate without the West Gate of Bridgwater,-" by the Cross there"; 35th Henry VIII.

Letter of Attorney of William Atte Stone, perpetual Vicar of Tauntone, empowering John le Hayward to put Richard atte Stone, his brother, in possession of a half burgage at Bridgwater. Dated at Tauntone, 28th Edward III. The seal is in fair condition.

Brief, on a small parchment, of Friar Richard, Minis

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ter of the House of Motyndone, in the Diocese of Canterbury, and Provincial of the Order of the Holy Trinity in England, for the ransom of captives in the Holy Land, incarcerated by the Pagans for the Faith of Jesus Christ; date 1494. By virtue of powers granted to him, all the brethren and sisters of the Order may yearly choose their Confessor to absolve them, in all cases but those reserved for the Apostolic See, and once in their lives from all sins whatsoever, even in cases reserved for the Apostolic See, ecclesiastical sepulture not being denied to such, even in time of Interdict; such privileges having been confirmed by Alexander VI., Papa modernus," the present Pope [Roderigo Borgia]. By this document he receives John Davy and Elinor, his wife, into the fraternity. On the back of it are written three forms of Absolution from sin. The "seal "of the brotherhood," with which it was sealed, is lost. The order of Trinitarian Friars was a modified form of the order of Trinitarian Monks, founded by John de Matha and Felix de Valois, about A,D. 1198. Their especial mission was the redemption of captives in the hands of the Pagans in Palestine.

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Bond, executed by William Ffounes, "of Bruggewater, marchaunt," and Julio Redengis, "of the city "of Luxbone [Lisbon], marchaunt," to John Davy, "of Bruggewater, marchaunt;" date 34th Henry VI. The two small seals attached are in perfect condition.

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Conveyance (in English) by John Hamond of Bridgwater to Robert Blake, of a tenement in Estover, at Bridgwater, called "Le Three Crownes," and a barn on the south side of the Weare, between the tenement of John Sydenham, of Brumpton, Esquire, and that of John Popham; 16th Elizabeth. The seal defaced. The above Robert Blake was the grandfather of the celebrated Admiral of that name.

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Conveyance by Sir John Chokke, "knyght for the 'King's body," to John Pole, of his lands and tenements in Bridgwater, Huntworthy, Heygrove, Welles, and Harptree Gornay, 21st Henry VII. The deed is in fine order, and has a large seal attached. Sir John was probably son of Sir Richard Chokke, the Judge, who is mentioned more than once in the Report upon Axbridge. A small parchment deed, whereby John Slopyr, Chaplain of the Chantry of St. Mary at Bridgwater, conveys to Walter Cosyn, and Alice his wife, and his son John, his half burgage in the street called "Freren"strete," situate between the land of William Gascoigne and that of Thomas Skidipha. Witnesses, William Gosse, William Gascoigne, Richard Warde, John Warde, Richard Dyut, and others; 2nd Henry V. The deed is in fair condition, and has a fine seal attached.

Conveyance by John Slopyr, above-named, to Thomas Chamburleyn and Johanna, his wife, of a tenement with. out the West Gate, situate between the half burgage, late of John Riche, and the quarter burgage, late of John Shepherd; 6th Henry VI. Three seals, in fair condition, are attached.

A small parchment deed, whereby James de la More, son of William atte More, grants to John de Loveny his half messuage without the West Gate of Bruggewater, as you go towards Le Westwayhur [? West Wear], between the half burgage of Hugh Halewey and the half burgage of Nicholas de Chedesie. Witnesses, David le Palmere and Eustace Topet, then Provost, Walter Fitz-Stephen, Richard Maydus, Simon de la Forde; 35th Edward I. The seal is mutilated.

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Deed whereby Robert Legh, of Haddeworthy, conveys to John Cosyn and John Pytte, of Briggewater, his tenement called "Moneistenement [Money's tenement], situate in the High Street, in "Le Bokourewe" [Butcher Row], between the tenement of the Lord la Souche, on the west, and that in which Thomas Potter formerly dwelt, on the east; also, a vacant piece of ground and garden in the east corner of the King's highway, which leads from the south style (scalera) of the Church towards the Friars Minors, and which John Schote, helyar [tiler], lately held of him; also, his burgage without the West Gate, formerly belonging to John Swopham; all which he lately had of the gift and feoffment of John Kedwely of Briggewater. Because his own seal is unknown to most persons, he has procured the seal of the Provostship [or Reveship, "Præ"positatus"] to be set thereto; and John Hille and John Elys, the Provosts, or Reves, at his personal request, have each set his seal thereto. Witnesses, William Poulet of Melcomb, William Bosse, Thomas Michelle, Richard Bretelle, and others; 2nd year of Henry VI. There are two seals, in fair condition, one with a bird, the legend ending with "pole"; the other, larger, the seal of the Provosts, a one-masted galley, with two men standing on it, back to back; which seal also occurs

CORPORA
TION OF
BRIDG-
WATER.

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