A Pamphlet of the Offices, and duties of every particular sworn Officer, of the City of Excester:  
Collected by john Vowel alias Hoker, Gentleman & Chamberlain of the same.  Numb. 30. Who so ever sweareth an oath to bind himself, he shall not break his promise. 
Imprinted at London by Henry Denham. 1584.   
Psal. Cxxvij. verse. 2. Except the Lord keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain. 
 Exeter's coat of arms   

To the Right worshipful the Mayor, Bailiffs, Recorder, Aldermen, and all others, the sworn officers of the City of Excester.  
IT is most truly written by the ancient father Lactantius (Right worshipful) that God made man for two causes: the one that he should acknowledge and confess him, to be the true and immortal God, and to honour him in all holiness and righteousness. The other was for man's own sake, that each one should love and defend the other. For if, of one man whom God made, all others had their offspring: then are all they brethren, and of one and the same blood. But for brethren to be divided and not to love each one the other, it is most unnatural and execrable before God and man. And for as much as such is the state & condition of man, that he was neither borne for himself alone, nor yet can live by himself alone, it is most necessary, that he do endeavour himself unto those ends for which he was made and created. That is, that he do first and cheestie serve and honour the eternal God (for whose honour he was made) in all holiness and righteousness: & then to yield unto man (to whose comfort he was borne) those offices of humanity whereby man's society is conserved: which do stand and consist in this, that every one do prosecute another, in all benevolence, beneficence, gratefulness and humanity. For who so is not thus affected, doth degenerate from the true nature of man in his first creation, & is become worse than the brute beast. Wherefore in the former ages, not only the children of God, and the professors of his word, have been careful herein: but the Gentiles also, and the nations which knew not God, have been earnest to maintain the common society, and to perform one to the other all offices of humanity. For as Cicero saith, Nihil magis ad humanae vitae societatem tuendam, & ad amicitias conciliandas & confirmandas adiwat: Nothing doth more nourish love, and preserve common society, than good will performed in the offices of humanity. Who so then is careless herein and breaketh the bonds hereof, he is as the godly father saith, Nefarius, parricida, & omnium pessimus.  
This is so excellent a virtue, so much tending to the honour of God, so agreeable to nature, and so most necessary for man: as it had his beginning and was engraffed in man, even in his first creation, so hath it had his effect among good men in all ages, and in all well governed Cities and common wealths, even among the very nations: whereof to recite many examples which are to be drawn from the Israelites, Persians, Assyrians, Grecians, Romans, and sundry other nations, it were too long and almost an infinite discourse. And therefore leaving all them I will come to this realm of England, our own native country, which though it be the remotest Island in all the Ocean seas, & taken as it were for a new world of itself: yet is it not inferior to any nation or people whatsoever, either in true religion towards God, or in dutifulness to the Prince and Magistrates, or in any action tending to the conservation of the common society, and the nourishing of good will among men. And besides that, this land hath these things in common with others: yet, it hath also certain particular branches and usages of benevolence, love and good will, among private men peculiar to themselves, and which in other countries is not used. Among many others, I do note and observe the old and ancient manner of giving of new years gifts. I know the Persians of certain times did with great reverence offer presents unto their kings. And the Parthians would never come empty handed before their Princes. And likewise the Roman soldiers would at the beginning of every year, present their Emperors with some one thing or other: even as the noble men of England for ever from time out of mind have done, and yet upon new years day do humbly present to the Kings and Princes of the same, some strene or present, dutiefullie witnessing a bounden duty of their part, as also the Princes by a like gift returned, do testify their good will of the other part. But the like course of courtesy, beneficence, and benevolence to be used among the common people, and the inferior sort among themselves: I take it to be proper and only used within this Realm of England. For besides the yearly harvest dinners, and other like meetings, unto which one neighbour conviteth an other: the tenants also to their landlords, the servants to their Masters, and one neighbour to an other, fail not at new years tied to congratulate a good success of the year past, and wish the like of the year to come, with some present or gift: but among none is it more firmly observed, than by the babes or little children, named godchildren, who at that time make their repair to their Compatres, named godfathers and godmothers: before whom they do humbly kneel down, and by the name of a blessing, do as it were, give thanks, because they were witnesses to their baptism, and do crave their helps for their increase and continuance in that faith which they promised for them. And therewith do present unto their said godfathers and godmothers some one thing or other, in token of their thankfulness, which gifts in the elder ages were for the most part Acorns, Nattes and Apples.  
Of this manner and usage ensued many and great commodities both common & private, which turned to the benefit of the common wealth, & to the increase of the society of man: for the Acorns, nuts, and the kernels of apples were then used to be cast and sowed in the ground, whereof in course of time did grow and increase the great abundance of timber, and the plenty of fruits, which their posterity could not lack, and the common wealth could not want: further it bred such a love between the godfathers and the children, as next unto the natural parents could not be a firmer. The one always reverencing, and other loving each other. The parents also being as it were allied by this kind of courtesy do call one the other gossip, as who saith, God's helpers, they loving as brethren each one the other, most sincerely and friendly. And their children and offsprings treading the trace of their parents, are affected one to the other as brethren of one and the same family. These and such other like things when I had considered, it came to my mind and remembrance, how that I myself have been sometimes a foster child to this City & common wealth, being a free citizen borne, and descended of parents, who in their times sat in the chiefest seat and chair of government: and was by them in my tender years & minority committed and commended to the credit and government of the Magistrates of this city. Wherefore as unto dear parents I thought it my part not only as a foster child, but rather as a natural son to yield some remembrance of duty unto you. And therefore taking the opportunity of the time present, and the occasion of some things otherwise offered, I have thought good by way of a strene or new years gift to offer and present unto you this little Pamphlet. Which in outward appearance is slender as the hazel nut; but as by breaking the shell you shall find a kernel, so if you open this book you shall learn the things most expedient and necessary for you to know. It is the abridgement or summary of such special points, as be incident to every of your particular officers: which you ought not only to know and to understand, but also to see to be done and executed. You have in an open assembly given your oath, and sworn by the name of the Almighty and eternal God, and protested by the great jehovah so to do: wherefore to be remiss, negligent or careless therein, you shall not only offend against the common wealth, but most grievously sin against the divine Majesty, whose name by your follies is dishonoured, and which so great a sin cannot of his justice be unpunished nor unrevenged. And for as much as the Magistrates are Gods Ministers, substitutes and vicar's upon earth, and from whom all power and authority is ordained; I am here upon some occasion, to advertise and remember you, that there be two special things required at your hands. The one is concerning God and his service in religion, the other concerning yourselves and your office in politic government. The latter dependeth upon the first, and cannot have any good success where the first is not kept and regarded: for as a learned man at the common laws saith, Seeing that laws must be obeyed for God, it followeth of necessity that he which will have them to be obeyed rightly, must first learn to honour God truly: or else where this foundation faileth (even as a house builded upon sand) the other falleth. It is therefore and aught to be your most chief and special care, that not only you yourselves, but all and every such as be under your government, do honour and serve the everlasting God in true religion, and according to his prescripts and commandments, and then of consequence your politic government must and shall prosper & have success. And that you are thus bounden to do, read the volumes of Moses, who was Magistrate under God of the Israelites, and he did both deliver them laws how they should honour the true God of Israel, as also set down punishments for the breakers thereof. The like after him, did josua, and the judges over Israel, and the kings over jehuda: as in the books of the judges and in the Chronicles of the Kings doth appear.  
For all things to be well done must take their beginning from religion, as the godly divine saith, Nulla politia feliciter constitui potest, nisi prima curapietatis sit. Preposterous then is the judgement of those who would have that religion should pertain only to the bishops and clergy, and that the civil Magistrate should deal only in matters of policy: but the law of Moses, and the law of the Gospel doth determine the contrary, and chargeth the civil Magistrate with both, making the same to be his talon, for which he must as a good Steward make his account. If this be true as it is most true, how careful and vigilant ought the Magistrates of this city to be, that the people committed to their government, should not thus in the light of the Gospel walk in darkness, and live most dissolutely and loosely? I know the Gospel is preached most sincerely, and the Sacraments ministered most purely, and yet small is the number which embrace the same sincerely, and live thereunto accordingly. For look you upon the face of this common wealth, and you shall find it in as bad or worse state, than was the state of the common wealth of the Israelites in the time of Ezechiel, or rather worse concerning religion. For Atheists. Papists, & blasphemers of Gods holy name, swarm as thick as butter flies, without check or controlment. The Sabbath of the Lord appointed to be kept holy, and we commanded to sanctify the same, & to give ourselves to the exercise of good works, to be diligent in prayers, & to be attentive to the hearing of Sermons, is of all other days most licentiously spent in sin and wickedness, the same being counted so much the more holy, as it is spent most idly and wickedly. For be the Preachers never so godly and earnest to call, let all the great bells of S. Peter's ring out never so loud, there will not be half so many gained into the Church: as one with a pipe and a whistle shall gain into the streets to see vain and foolish spectacles. For let there be a bear baiting, a bull baiting, an interlude, or any such vanity, every man is in haste to run headlong to it, & the time never too long to have there fill thereof. And yet if there be no such plays or games, they will rather sit idle in the streets, than be well occupied in the churches.  
Even as it was said merrily of a preacher, that when he saw the people to departed out of the church from the Sermon, spoke unto his auditory: saying, Good people, it is said there is a man in the Moon, but believe it not, for there is no such thing, but if you will go forth into the Churchyard, you shall find twenty knaves in the sun. And this is most true: for whensoever there is any Sermon, send you one out into the streets, and there shall you find the greatest number, some to knock there heels against the stalls, some to walk up and down the streets, some sitting at the tavern gulping and drinking, some at gaming and playing, some piping and dancing, and finally none well occupied. This is most true, the matter is apparent, the fault is known, a redress is wished, but nothing is done, which thing is much bewailed by the good and godly. It hath been oftentimes moved by some one man of great honour, calling, and authority; it hath been advised and persuaded by most learned and godly preachers, and it is wished by all good and godly men, that some one good and learned preacher were appointed in this City, who upon the Sabbath days might catechize the children, teach the old, and instruct the people, whereby they might be reclaimed to God, nurtured in religion, and amended in life. But Durus est hic sermo, this is a hard saying, and who can abide it? And therefore many be the devices to stop so good a course. Some altogether being like to the Aspis, who stoppeth both her ears against the voice of the enchanter, alleging that there is too much preaching. And of their opinion am I, that preaching is to much, but to no other than too the lost sheep of Israel, and to the children of condemnation: for as S. Paul saith, If our Gospel be hid, jis qui pereunt est absconditum, it is hid to them that are lost. The bread of the Angels was unsavoury, but to those only who were to perish whiles the flesh which they lusted was in their teeth. Some do like very well to have the catechizing, so that they might be no contributors, and so would shift it over unto the church men, as though it were their only duty to do it, and these show themselves to be the children of the corrupted Adam, who being reproved for his transgression, chargeth his wife with it, and she shuffleth it over to the devil: and so in this, every man so thrusteth it one from another, that nothing is done. And what willbe the end thereof, it is easily to be known, if men would either believe the book of God, or consider & call to remembrance what hath befallen in the like in times past. The Poets among their many gods, have devised & imagined, that one of them hath two faces, the one before looking forward, & the other behind looking backwards, & this god they call janus, of whom the month of januarie taketh his name, and the first day of the same is called Newyear's day. By this is means & moralised a man of great wisdom, knowledge, and experience, and who looking to the times past and observing the events thereof, doth forecast the sequel of the like to come. If you then as every wise Magistrate ought to do, would as a janus look back into the old world, and read the books and histories of that age, shall find that Noah the preacher of righteousness, did teach and persuade the people to repentance almost one hundredth years together, but because they were weary of his preaching, & would no more thereof, God sendeth the great deluge and drowned the whole world. Sodoma would not listen to the counsel of Loath, wherefore God with fire and brimstone from heaven consumed them to ashes. The foolish Israelites not contented with such incenses and manner of religion as God by Moses had ordained, would needs have another of their own devise, & in offering the same, the earth opened and swallowed them up all alive. The same people were fed with Manna, the food of Angels, which God from heaven provided for them, and they waxed weary thereof, and would needs have change of meats (as we of religion) but the meat was no sooner in their mouths, than was God's vengeance upon them, and struck them with a great plague.  
The foolish Israelite neglecting the observing of the Lords Sabbath, would needs follow his worldly causes and gather wood, had his reward, and was stoned to death. The whole nation of the jews were called by the Lord jesus to the doctrine of the Gospel, but they would not understand nor accept the time of their visitation, wherefore they felt the heavy hand of God, and were utterly consumed with famine, pestilence and the sword, and the city & temple (whereof they made a great advante) was not one stone thereof left upon an other. The cities of Capernaum, which reached up even unto the heavens, Ephesus, Corinth, Antiochia, and sundry others among whom the Apostles had planted the Gospel, when they loathed it and waxed weary thereof, the Lord loathed and waxed weary of them, and all they some by earthquakes, some by fire, and many by the enemies were utterly wasted and consumed. And as he hath thus done with cities, towns, and countries, so hath he showed the like power upon mighty Princes and monarchs, which have not hearkened unto his voice nor obeyed his commandments. Nabuchadnezer, Pharo, Herod, Nero, Caligula, Domitianus, Traianus, Hadrianus, and a number of other Atheists, who denied the Lord God, his Christ and his Gospel, he tormented them with such plagues, torments and troubles, that of their miserable lives they made most miserable ends. If then the Lord God hath thus dealt with all the nations of the world, and with his own peculiar people, if he have not spared the children of his own family, nor favoured the vineyard of his own planting, nor yet regarded his own country, nor accounted of his own city, what shall it be thought he will do with this ingrateful city of Excester, which have tasted of infinite his blessings, and have a long time been fed with his heavenly Manna, and yet have and do daily contemn his laws, cast away his commandments, and be weary of his doctrine: what is it, that we can justly claim or challenge for ourselves, why the Lord should not shorten his hand, and be no longer favourable unto us? Is it our antiquity? Be it that this city is very ancient, and was builded at the first coming of Brutus into this land, about two thousand five hundred years past, before or when London was: yet the cities of Enoch, Nineue, Babylon, Corinth, Athens, Troia, and Carthage were long before it.  
Is it for religion? I grant, that the Gospel is truly preached, and the Sacraments sincerely ministered. And so was it at Jerusalem, Antiochia, Corinth, Ephesus, and many other places. Is it because it is pleasantly seated, and standeth upon the top of a hill, in the open prospect of the world, & near the seas? So was Jerusalem, Capernaum, Tyrus, and sundry other cities. Is it because it is rich and inhabited with rich merchants and occupiers? So was Tyrus and Sydon, and others. Is it for the fertility of the soil, and the abundance of all things, wherewith God hath blessed it? So was the whole land of Palestina, who for the great blessings of God in nature, was said to be a land to flow with milk and honey. And yet all these peoples, nations and countries, loathing his word, for their unthankfulness and not serving God in true religion were utterly destroyed by the mighty hand of God, and now remaineth scarce any sign or memorial of them.  
And shall this city of Excester which is but a sour grape, a wild Olive, & is of his good mercy engrafted in the place of the natural branch, and yet hath done the like or worse transgressions, shall she I say be free from the like punishments? No, no: although God in mercy have long & oftentimes borne and winked at the sins of this city, yet he will not so do forever. It is an old saying: Go the pot never so often to the water, yet at length it cometh home broken. Sundry and many times (like unto the city of Jerusalem) hath it been in great perils by the Brytons, Romans, Saxons, and Danes, and many times hard assailed with intestine wars, and the Lord hath always from time to time delivered it, but they still continuing or rather increasing in sin, have and do daily grieve the Lord, and do accoler at his heavy hand. Be you but indifferent viewers of your present state, and be you your own judges, and you shall not deny (unless you be like unto the Fairies, called Lamiae, whose nature is that being within their own house, they be blind and cannot look upon their own faults, but being abroad can see every other man's doings. But that pride, covetousness, whoredom, malice, envy, excess, gluttony, drunkenness, usury, extortion, dissimulation and hypocrisy, and almost all kinds of sins doth swim and abound in every place of this city, and shall it not be revenged? The Prophet condemned Sodoma but for four special sins, pride, fullness of bread, idleness, and carelessness of the poor, but look into Excester, & you shall find forty times four, and yet we can lie snorting and sleeping in our sins, as though it were Omnia bene. The more is our security and carelessness, the greater willbe our plagues in the day of vengeance, and so much the more, because against our knowledge and profession we do offend God: for as Christ saith, If I had not come & spoken unto them, they should not have sinned, but now they have no cloak for their sin, unless we do the sooner convert and amend.  
Well you are God's ministers, and he hath appointed you to be his Moses unto us, and therefore you must in this dangerous case, stand before him between him and the people, and likewise to stand in the middle of the people between the living and the dead, whereby is meant, that you are not only to present yourselves before the Lord in a perfect and a pure religion, but also must procure and provide your Aaron's and godly preachers, who having in their breast plate urim and Thumim, do catechize, teach and instruct your citizens to know God and the grounds of Christian religion, whereby they may be a holy people unto the Lord. And then also you yourselves must be men of courage, fearing God, dealing truly, and hating covetousness, and so to stand in the middle of the people, between the quick and the dead; that when the people do come unto you, you do execute justice, and judge uprightly in punishing the offender, and acquitting the innocent. For your direction in these two points you have for the first, God's holy word and Testament, which the Lord hath commanded, should never departed out of your mouths, and continual meditations: for the other you have sundry good and politic constitutions, and ancient ordinances of this your city, out whereof I have drawn this little Pamphlet and strene, referring you for your further instructions to the great Leger or black book, wherein at large I have set down whatsoever concerneth the state of this city, and the government of the same.  
Which good courses if you will follow, notwithstanding the ship of your common wealth being overladen with sin and iniquity, is in great danger of shipwreck, and to be overwhelmed, yet Christ will be in readiness to calm the seas, and to save both you and your ship, if you shall awake him, and convert unto him. And then this your ancient city which hath continued for these many hundreds of years, shall as the mount Zion be firm and never be moved, but God shall save keep and defend it, that you and your posterity may still dwell in it and have it in possession, and you yourselves when you are called to an account shall for the well employing of your talon, be rewarded, and enter into the joy of your Lord. And thus commending myself and this my strene unto your good acceptation, I do take my leave.  
Exon the last of the old year, and the beginning of the New, 1583. Your Chamberlain and assured in the Lord, john Hoker.   


POST MORTEM VITA   blazon or coat of arms   


The office and duty of a Freeman.  
THe Freeman is the chiefest and principallest member of the common wealth of the City: and as it were out of his loins do proceed all such as be officers, and have any government or charge in the same. And albeit there be three degrees of freemen, yet they do all enjoy the same and the like privileges; & none can use nor exercise any trade, art, calling, or office in the City, unless he be first sworn to the liberty of the City. Many are the points wherewith the freeman is charged, and is bound to observe; but the most special are these.  

FIrst he is to be true and faithful to the queens Majesty, her heirs and successors, & under her to be obedient to the Mayor, bailiff, and commonalty.  
Also he is to keep the peace, and defend the liberties of the city.  
Also he is to come before the Mayor and common counsel, whensoever he shall be thereunto required.  
Also he shall not sue nor implead any franchised man of the city, but only in the courts of the city, in all matters determinable in the same, except for lack of justice.  
Also he shall not be a reteiner, nor wear the cloth, livery, badge, nor cognisance of any person, being not a franchised person.  
Also he is to be justifiable and guildhable to all scots and lots, taxes and tallages, and all other contributions.  
Also he may not colour any man's evil doings, nor any foreigners goods, whereby any hurt or prejudice may turn to the queens Majesty, or to the magistrates and state of the city.  
Also he must come yearly to the election of the Mayor and officers, and then and there to give his voice, if he have no reasonable cause of absence.  
Also he must be always loiable, and of good behaviour, and no longer shall he be a franchised man than he is so, neither shall he enjoy the liberties of the city than when he is resiant and dwelling within the same, or the franchises thereof. Sundry other articles are incident to his charge, which partly in the oath of a freeman, and partly in the general lieger of the city are contained.    

The office of the Mayor of the city of Excester.  
THe office of the Mayor is the highest and chiefest in the city, and is named in the Latin, Maior, and in the Saxon Mayer, both which import one, and the same thing; namely one more excellent and above the rest. And as he is in authority above all others, so much the more is he in godliness, wisdom and knowledge to excel and exceed them. He is the eye and the head of the whole commonweal, and therefore must he see and understand all things incident and appertaining both to the common government of the city, and to the preservation of the public state. His office consisteth in many branches, of which some in particularity are as followeth.  

FIrst he is not only to be godly and religious in his own person, but also to have care, that all others under his government be the like. If therefore there be any inhabitant, that do maintain any false religion or heresy, or do not resort to his church, at or upon the sabaoth days, he is to punish him, or to take order with him according to the laws.  
Also he is upon sundays and holy days, to send abroad his officers, to see if any be sitting upon the stalls, walking the streets, or sitting in taverns, or using any gaming at the time of preaching and prayers: and to compel them either to go to the church, or commit them to ward, or to take further order with them, as shall be thought good.  
Also he must upon the first friday after he hath taken his oath, cause to be proclaimed his general proclamation, for and concerning the government of the city.  
Also when any proclamation is to be made for her Majesty, or otherwise, it is to be done in decent manner, namely in the open market and assembly of the people, the swordbearer with the sword, and the sergeant with their maces, standing before him & his brethren.  
Also he is with the bailiffs, upon every monday through the whole year, to keep the queens court, in the open Guildhall, and then and there, uprightly to minister justice, and to give true judgements in all matters depending before them, and to see true records to be kept.  
Also he is to see the peace and common tranquility to be kept and observed, and the offenders punished.  
Also he and his officers is to attend weekly the markets, for all manner corn and victuals, that the same be wholesome and good, and at reasonable prices.  
Also that no victuals nor wares be forestalled, engrossed, or regretted, contrary to the laws.  
Also that he do from time to time, as occasion shall serve, take the view and search of all manner of measures, weights, and vessels, whether they be according to the statute; and being defective to reform the same.  
Also upon every monday to give to the bakers the assize of bread, and weekly to examine and weigh their bread, whether the same be according to the assize given or not.  
Also that he give to the brewers the assize of their drink, and to set reasonable prices for and upon the same.  
Also he shall command his stewards, constables, and other his officers to make search every month once; in all & every suspect place, for players at games unlawful, keepers of ill rule, night-watchers, vagrant, naughty, and suspect persons, and such strangers, as who cannot give account for their honest life, and them to commit to ward, to be kept or be punished, according to their offence, and by order of the laws.  
Also he shall take bonds and sufficient sureties of every innekéeper, tippler, and for keeping of good rule in their houses.  
Also he is yearly to keep law courts, and cause inquisition to be taken of all things concerning the state of the city, and liberties of the same.  
Also he is to see the nightwatches in the times appointed, to be kept.  
Also he shall yearly make his perambulations round about the city, and about the limits & bounds of the same; and shall also cause the like perambulations to be made every rogation week, about the limits and bounds of the county.  
Also he shall twice in the year at Michaelmas and Easter, visit the almshouses of the cities, and examine whether the same be ordered as it appertaineth.  
Also he shall yearly call to account all the collectors for the poor in every parish, and to see that the poor be provided for, according to the statute.  
Also the Mayor being the escheator of the city, and warden in socage, is from time to time to cause at every mondaiss court, presentment to be made of the death of every citizen and inhabitant, what heirs and orphans he left behind him, and that there upon he do take order for the preservation of the orphans, and of all such goods and rents as do grow unto them, as also not to admit any person to the freedom of the city, but that he be sworn unto the order of the orphans.  
Also he is at all time and times convenient, to call and assemble the common counsel of the xxiv, unto the counsel chamber, when matter and occasion shall require; and then and there to determine what by their devise and counsel is to be determined.  
Also he is then and there to see and command every one of the said xxiv, and all other persons, coming there, to behave and use themselves modestly, soberly, and in all good manner: according to the orders of the said house: and whoso shall offend therein, to be punished accordingly.  
Also he is to appoint six of the foresaid xxiv, to be auditors as well of the account of the general receiver, as of all other accounts, for and concerning any of the cities rents, receipts, or revenues.  
Also he may not be absent from out of the city any night, except it be for some necessary and urgent cause; and in his absence he is to appoint his lieutenant in writing under his hand seal.  
divers other things do belong to his office, which more at large are to be seen in the great lieger book.    

The office of the Stewards.  
THe Stewards are very ancient officers of this city, and were in the time of the Saxons, named in Latin Praepositi, & in the Saxon tongue portreeves, that is to say; The wise, grave governors of the city or town: after the conquest they were named Praefecti, which in the Normand & French tongue, are called Provorstes: the name of the person is worn out, but the court of their jurisdiction retaineth his former name, being called the provorst court; after this in respect of the courts kept before them, they were called Senescalli, that is to say stewards; and not long after, because they or some one of them was put in trust for collecting of the cities revenues, they were called Ballivi, bailiffs. These two latter names are still retained and indifferently used at these presents. Their offices consist in many points, whereof some in particular as followeth.  

FIrst they all, or two at the least of them, are to be attendant, present and sitting, as well with the Mayor upon every monday, in the court of the Guildhall, as also in their own court, called the Provorst court, which they may adjourn and keep, from day to day, at their own will and pleasure.  
Also they are to see true records to be kept, true justice to be ministered, and true judgements to be given in all causes, depending in either of the courts before them.  
Also they are to attend the Mayor, at his going to the sermons at S. Peter's, upon the sundays at the forenoon, and at his going and returning, at the Guildhall court, upon every monday, and at the markets and proclamations: and upon every saturday, at the shambles, and at all other times, whensoever they shall be called and required.  
Also forasmuch as they are clerks of the market, they are to execute and do, what doth appertain to the clerk of the market, that is to say; That corn and victuals brought to the market, be good and wholesome, and sold at prices reasonable. That no victuals or wares brought to the city, or in market, be forestalled, engrossed, nor regretted. That all vessels, weights and measures, be viewed and searched, and being found defective, to be redressed according to the laws. That bakers do keep their assize, and brewers do sell according to the price appointed unto them. With many other articles belonging to the clerk of the market.  
Also that they do monthly, and as often as need shall require, make search throughout the city, for all lewd, idle, & vagrant persons, for all players at unlawful games, for nightwatchers, and suspected persons, and for all manner of misdemeanours, whatsoever.  
Also that they do see the peace and tranquility to be kept, and that every inhabitant have in readiness, some sufficient weapon in his house, for keeping of the same, & restraining of the distoiall and unruly persons.  
Also that they do see and cause, all annoyances, which they know of themself, or which be presented of others, to be removed and amended.  
Also that at all times, when night watches be appointed, they or some one of them, be at the Guildhall, and to give the charge to the watchmen.  
Also that they nor any of them, be absent any one night out of the city, without licence of the Mayor, and that at all times, two at the least, be still continuing within the city. The residue of their charge, is contained in the black lieger.    

The office of the Receiver.  
THe Receiver is always one of the four bailiffs, and hath the like and the same charge, as every of them hath: but the office of the Receiver is particular to himself, and none is chosen thereunto, except he be one of the number of the common counsel, or xiv. And concerning this office, these are the things which are specially required of him.  

FIrst that he do collect & gather all such sum or sums of money, rents, revenues, issues, and profits, belonging to the city, as well ordinary as extraordinary, and incident unto his office and charge.  
Also he is to disburse, desraie and pay, all such sum and sums of money ordinary and extraordinary: for charges, expenses, fees, rents, annuities whatsoever, due and payable by the chamber of the city: so that in extraordinary charges, he have a sufficient warrant for the same.  
Also he is to have a special care to the edifices, howsings, buildings, walls, water conduits, and all other works of the city, and to see the same to be builded, repaired, and sustained, in all things needful and necessary, saving that in any new work, he shall not bestow therein above forty shillings, without the consent of the Mayor and the xxiv.  
Also he shall attend or cause to be attended, all the labourers and workmen in all the cities works, and so see them to be weekly paid and satisfied of their wages, and thereof to keep a true book of account.  
Also he shall receive into his custody by inventory all the powder, shot, ordinances, armour, and artillery, and all other things belonging to the city, and safely and in good order to keep the same, and at the years end, to deliver the same up, or a just account thereof.  
Also he shall keep the keys of the counsel chamber, and keep in safety, the records, immunities, evidences, and all other things there kept, and to be kept, without disclosing of any secrets thereof.  
Also he shall, after the end of his year and office, yield, and deliver, and make a true and perfect account, before the auditors appointed, of all his receipts, and payments, and that the same be fully concluded and determined, before the election of a new Mayor and officers. And what he shall be found to owe upon his account, the same to be forthwith paid.  
Also he shall attend the common counsel, at all time and times, whensoever they shall assemble and meet, for, and about, any of the cities affairs, and not to be absent without some special cause.    

The office of the Recorder.  
THe Recorder is an officer of the best credit, and in chiefest place next to the Mayor, and chosen there unto for his wisdom, knowledge, and learning, that thereby the government of the city in each degree and estate, should well and orderly be directed. His name is derived out of the Latin tongue, Recordator, which signifieth a rememberer, or adviser: that is to put every man in remembrance of his duty, both according to the course and order of the laws, and according to the orders and customs of the city, and to see all things in government, to be directed accordingly. And because the use of his service was continually necessary, therefore in times past he was ever resident and dwelling within the city, or very near to it, whereby access at all times presently was had unto him, for his advise and counsel in all matters of weight. His office consisteth chiefly in these points following.  

FIrst he is to aid, attend and assist the Mayor and bailiffs, in all their courts, and to direct the same according to the course and order of the laws, and that justice be uprightly ministered.  
Also he is to see that the records of the court be made and entered truly, and that they be safely kept and preserved.  
Also he is at the end of every year, to see the records of the year past, and all rolls of accounts, to be brought into the counsel chamber of the city, and there to be laid up in the treasury and place appointed, safely to be conserved.  
Also he is to attend the Mayor and common counsel, from time to time, and at all times, whensoever he shall be called: as also to be at the yearly elections of the Mayor and officers.  
Also he is to attend and be, at every quarter sessions, and jail delivery, if he have not some urgent and necessary let, and that then he is to appoint some other wise and grave man in his stead.  
Also he is to defend and maintain the orphans and the liberties, franchisies and privileges of the city.  
Sundry other articles be incident to his charge, which more at large are contained and set down in the black book or leiger.    

The office of the xxiv. of the common counsel, and of every of them.  
THe common counsel of the city, named the xxiv. is a selected and a chosen company, of the most wise and gravest citizens of the city, and who have been tried, and borne the office of one of the bailiffs of the same. They were sometimes xxxuj. in number, and of which the Mayor then was none: but sithence, the kings of this realm have reduced them, to the number of xxiv. and there of the Mayor is always one. They have no authority nor jurisdiction in any matters judicial, be it civil or criminal, other than to advise, aid and assist the Mayor and bailiffs: but they are to maintain, devise, order, and establish all good acts, orders, and ordinances, as be most convenient and good, for the preservation of the body of the common wealth, and of ancient customs, liberties and orders of the same, and of the rents and revenues of the city. The particular and most special points incident to their charges and offices, are as followeth.  

FIrst they are upon reasonable summons, to come and to appear at the counsel chamber of the said city, as well yearly at the times appointed and accustomed, for the election of the Mayor and officers, as at all other time and times, when they shall be summoned upon pain of such penalties, as by the orders of this city are limited, unless he have a lawful cause of absence.  
Also when they are assembled and come together at the time appointed, they shall then and there take their proper place appointed, and in all modesty, wisdom, and sobriety, behave and use themselves, and not to departed from thence, during the times of their counsel and consultations, unless they be licensed, upon pain of the penalties already ordered, and assessed.  
Also when any matter is proposed, than every one who is to speak his mind, shall stand up, in all reverence and butifull manner: and then to speak, and declare his opinion uprightly, without any manner of affection, and as shall be for the best behoof of the common wealth.  
Also whatsoever shall be there concluded, and determined, they are to see the same to be set down, and registered, in their book of acts, and before their departure, to hear the same read openly unto them.  
Also they shall not discover, nor disclose any of their secrets, or counsels, to any person or persons, to the hurt or prejudice of the city, upon the pains which be limited: and as by the said Mayor, and common counsel, shall be further ordered, and set down.  
Also they shall not let, set, demise, sell, nor allenate, any parts of the cities lands, rents, revonewes, or other commodities, but to and for the best advantage, benefit, and commodity of the city, and common wealth of the same.  
Also there shall no assembly be made to pass, do or conclude any thing, under the number of twelve persons at the least, and what shall be agreed upon and concluded by the said whole assembly, or the more part of them being present, to be of effect; and for a perfect order. Provided, that if in any matter proposed, the voices be equal and of like number, than the Mayor shall give his double voice, and so the matter to be determined.  
Also none of xxiv. shall misuse or misname one the other in word or deed, upon pain of such penalties as be for such offences provided.  
Also the said xxiv. shall attend and accompany the Mayor upon the festival days, and upon the election days, and to bring him home to his house from S. Peter's, and from the guildhall.  
Also they shall have a special care and regard to the preservation of all the liberties, privileges, and orders of the city, and especially to the charter of the orphans, according to the statute and ordinance therefore provides.  
Also they shall yearly attend the Mayor, for the viewing of the limits, bounds, and walls of the city.    

The office of an Alderman.  
THe Alderman, is a very ancient officer, in all cities and towns, and in great estimation and credit, in the times of the Saxons and Britons. They were always the most ancient, grave, and wisest men, and thereof they took their name, as who saith Elder men; not altogether in respect of age, but for their wisdom, gravity, and good counsels: they have been officers, in all the best common wealths in all ages, as in Room, where they were called Senators, in Athens, where they were called Areopagitae, & in Sparta, & there named Ephori, & so the like in all other good cities; their offices were rather inquisitive than judicial, that is, to make inquiry and search, whether that all things were in good order, and what were the abuses to be amended, which being known and understood, then by their advise and counsels, and according to the laws, reformation ensued. The order and manner of their inquisitions, is the like, or the same, as in times past was used in this city, and at these presents is kept and observed in the city of London, and there called by the name of the wardemotes inquest. The special points whereof be as followeth.  

FIrst they are every month, to make a search throughout their wards; and twice in the year, to make inquiry by the oaths of a jewry, whether that the peace be kept, and whether every inhabitant have a club, sword, or some other sufficient weapon in readiness, for keeping the peace, and also whether every man be assistant, and in readiness, to help and secure the officer therein.  
Also whether any stranger, or new come, be received into any house, and there harboured above a convenient time.  
Also whether any undertenants be admitted, without licence of the alderman of the quarter.  
Also what iournimen, and apprentices, every artificer hath, and in what order.  
Also whether there be any outlaws, felons, riotars, barrators, night-watchers, bawds, whores, or any misliving, or suspect persons in the ward.  
Also whether the majors Proclamation be observed and kept.  
Also whether any person do break any the orders to be inquired by the clerks of the market: that is, for forestalling, engrossing and regrating: Whether victuals be good and whoalesome, and sold at prices reasonable: Whether vessels, weights, and measures, be sealed, marked, and true.  
Also whether the Bakers do keep the assize appointed, and whether every one have his mark upon his bread.  
Also whether any ostler or Innekéeper do bake his bread within his house and sell it.  
Also whether the brewers do brew according to the majors price, and his vessels do contain their just contents, and be marked.  
Also whether there be any nuisance or purpestures in the City, as by setting of pales, wales, stales, bulks, porches, windows, and such like, whereby any encroaching is used: or any timber, stones, doonghils, or heaps of dirt, or any other thing be cast and laid in the streets to the letting or hindering of any way, or to the anoisance of any person.  
Also whether any do keep slaughtering within the City, or do keep and feed any hogs, ducks, or any other filthy beast.  
Also whether the streets be kept clean, and swept twice in the week at least.  
Also whether any house be ruinous, and stand dangerously, and whether any chimney, oven, or furnace, or backs, or heaths for fire do stand dangerously and in peril of fire, and the same not presented by the scavenger.  
Also whether there be crooks, ladders, and buckets in readiness to serve if need should be in peril of fire: and whether every man have in a readiness a vessel of water at his door when any house is adventured with fire, and not advertised by the scavengers.  
Also whether any leprosy or sick person, vagabonds or beggars do go abroad a begging within the City, other than such as be licensed, and be not brought to the cage or other prison.  
Also whether every officer do attend his office and do his duty, and whether any do use any extortion, bribery, or any inordinate means by way of corruption.    

The office of the Chamberlain.  
THe Chamberlain is an officer of a late erection, and was made and ordered by act of parliament. His office chief and especially concerneth the orphans, and then consequently in all things concerning the government and the state of the common wealth: and therefore it is very requisite that he be wise, learned, and well acquainted in all the orders, ordinances, customs, and the whole estate of the common wealth. The chiefest points incident and appertaining to his office in particularity are as followeth.  

FIrst he is to attend the Mayor and common counsel at all times, being lawfully summoned, and according to his knowledge to advise, instruct, and inform them in all things concerning the government, usages, customs, liberties, and privileges of the City.  
Also he if he be thereunto required, in the absence of the towne-clearke, shall sit down and write all such acts, orders, and determinations, as by the Mayor and common counsel shall be concluded and agreed upon.  
Also he shall not discover nor open the secrets and counsels of the Mayor and common counsel to the hurt of them, or of the common wealth.  
Also he shall see that all the records, charters, miniments, evidences, and other writings of the chamber shall be safely kept in the treasury of the counsel chamber, and shall not deliver, carry out, nor show them, or any of them out of that place, to any person or persons without the consent of the Mayor, or some necessary & urgent cause.  
Also he shall be present and attendant at all and every the City's audits, and all the accounts to be heard and passed before the auditors, he shall see and cause to be put up in the treasury of the counsel chamber.  
Also he shall from time to time survey and take the view of all the cities, manors, lordships, woods, lands, and housings, and to see that no part thereof be impaired, imbeciled, or lost, and the same or any part being ruinous or in decay, to be in time convenient repaired and amended.  
Also he shall aid, help, and instruct the receiver, and all other officers in all things to their office appertaining, as well for any thing concerning the cities works, as for the overseeing of the workmen, and providing all things necessary for the same.  
Also he shall have a special care to the defending and preservation of the common wealth, and of all the privileges of the same, and especially of the orders of the orphans according to the charter, orders, and ordinances of the same.    

The office of the Towneclarke.  
THe Towneclarke was an officer even as old as the oldest, and in times past he was yearly chosen as other officers, and most commonly he was one of the stewards or bailiffs: of which number one was always learned and of good experience and knowledge in the laws, usages, customs, and orders of the city: but in the end for sundry reasons and considerations, this office was altogether cast upon one man, who being once chosen, did continue therein so long and until he died, or for some reasonable cause was removed. The office is of great credit and importance, for he is not only to write and truly to set down both in records and in books what is done by the Mayor and bailiffs in their courts, and by their offices, and by the common counsel in their assemblies, but also to inform and instruct them what is to be done, and what every of them ought to do: and therefore his service is so requisite and necessary, that he can at no time be absent, or elong himself from out of the city without specal licence. The chiefest points of his office are these.  

FIrst he must be honest, wise, and learned, and well acquainted in the knowledge of the charters, records, customs, liberties and orders of the city, which he shall defend.  
Also he must attend the Mayor and bailiffs at and in all their courts, and at and in doing their offices at all time and times, and is to instruct and inform them how they are to proceed in the execution thereof.  
Also he may not lie out or be absent out of the city any one night, without special leave and licence.  
Also he is to make true entries, & to keep true records of all the whole process of the Mayor and bailiffs courts, and the same to engross weekly in parchment, and at the years end to deliver them into the treasury.  
Also he is to attend the Mayor and common counsel, and to give them his best advise in all their doings, and whatsoever by them or the more part of them shall be determined, shall register and write in their book of acts: these nor any other the secrets of the city shall he not disclose to the hurt or prejudice of them or of the city.  
Also he shall aid and assist, instruct and inform all and every officer and officers for the true doing of their offices and duties.  
Also he shall attend to keep the audites of the city, and all the accounts he shall engross in parchment.  
Also he must maintain and defend all the liberties and privileges of the city, and the right of the orphans to his uttermost.  
Also he is to attend the markets and the weighing of bread, furing of weights and measures, making of proclamations, and finally, whatsoever else appertaineth to be done for and concerning the government of the city. Many other things are required to be done by him, and which are incident to his charge, and which are more at large set down in the black book.    

The office of the Sergeants.  
THe Sergeants are very ancient officers, and had their beginning when the magistrate had. First they were called Subballivi, because under the head bailiffs they were wont to collect and gather the issues of the city, and to execute their precepts and commandments: after this, they were called Ministricuriae, because their greatest service than was to attend the court, and to execute services thereunto appertaining. And lastly, they were and are yet called Seruientes ad clavam. And according to the special point of their service they take their several names Sergeants at the mace: for that is chiefly required of them, to summon, attach, and arrest all such persons as against whom any action or suit is commenced in any of the courts within this city, and by their mace which is their warrant, they are known to be the ministers to that end. They are also the general servitures in all or the most part of all the affairs in the common weal, and in whose services resteth the performance and execution of all things to be done, wherein, if they should be corrupted, slothful, careless, and negligent, then should all the travels of the magistrates, the government of the common wealth, and the execution of all laws and orders be frustrate and come to small effect. It is requisite therefore that they be of good name, credit, and honesty, void and free from all corruption and bribery, and also diligent and careful to execute and perform what to their offices appertaineth and belongeth. Many are the things and sundry which are incident and appertaining to their ministries and services, and all which were too long to be set down in these presents, but of many, these few here following may suffice.  

FIrst that they be men of honest fame and of good credit and behaviour, and sworn to the liberties of the city, that they be loyal and obedient to the magistrates and governors, and careful to keep and maintain the common peace and quietness, and ready to do and perform all such things as to them shall be commanded and enjoined by the Mayor and magistrates.  
Also they must serve and attend the Mayor at all time and times convenient, namely, to bring him upon sundays and festival days to the churches at divine services and preachings: at the Guild hall upon every monday to and from the court: at the markets upon wednesdays and fridays, and at the shambles upon saturdays, at making of proclamations, etc.  
Also some one of them by course is specially to attend the Mayor himself, and not to be absent from him nor his house.  
Also they are to attend the bailiffs at the provorst court, and at the markets, and in all things to be done at their commandments.  
Also they are to summon, attach, and arrest all and every such person and persons as are to be summoned, attached, and arrested by action or commandment, and all such as be so summoned, attached, or arrested, to carry and bring to the counter or place appointed for ward, unless he or they do put in sufficient bail, if the matter be bailable.  
Also they shall impanell indifferent inquests between party and party, and shall certify the same to the court, before the same be returned.  
Also they shall levy and execute all manner of distresses, condemnations, judgements, and executions awarded in any of the courts: they shall likewise do and execute all manner of commandments and precepts of the Mayor and common counsel, justices, and Aldermen.  
Also they shall from time to time give summons to every inhabitant for their watchmen and marketmen when their turn cometh.  
Also they shall not take any bribes, nor be corrupted to do any thing for and concerning the executing of their office.  
Also they shall upon every monday at the court present all breakers of the peace, all manner of misdemeanours which they know to have been done the week before.  
Also they, or one of them at the least, shall attend the auditors of the city, at the time when the audits shall be kept.  
Also they shall not lie out of the city any one night without special licence.  
Also they shall not, so long as they shall be sergeants, wear the livery, or serve any man in any office or otherwise.  
Also they shall not discover nor disclose the counsels or secrets of the city to any person or persons, to the hurt of the city.  
Also what service soever is to be done concerning the city and government of the same, they are, and must be at all commandments, and in readiness to execute the same.  
Also they shall upon every monday present the death of every inhabitant of the city, which leaveth any heir or orphans behind him.  
The rest of their charge and offices are written in the black book.    

The office of the Constables.  
THe office of a Constable is very ancient, and in times past the chiefest within the realm for conservation of the peace, and thereof taketh his name Constabularius, quasi cuncta stabiliens, one that establisheth and setteth all things in peace, good order and quietness. What constables by law may do, and in times past were wont to do, it is needless now to set down, because a great part of their office is shortened and committed by statute to the justices of the peace: and unto whom and to whose commandments they are now servitors and to attend, yet many things are incident and belonging to their charge, of which, these which follow, are the chiefest to be kept by such as are within cities and towns.  

FIrst they must keep, and see to be kept the queens peace, and the common tranquility of the city and county.  
Also they must take and apprehend, all malefactors, peace-breakers, routers, and rioters, all men going armed, or carrying any pistols, and wearing any privy coat, all traitors, felons, murderers, and every other person or persons, offending against the peace, and the crown, and them to commit, and bring to the ward, to be safely kept, until he be brought before the Mayor and Justices.  
Also they are to take, and arrest all such persons as live idly, and suspiciously, night-watchers, drunkards players at unlawful games, rogues, vagabonds, whores, and bawds, and all such as cannot give good account, how and in what vocation they do live.  
Also they are from time to time, to search, both by day and by night, all suspected houses, and all innehouses, for all suspected persons, and strangers, and such as have lain above iij. days and iij. nights, in any inn, or other house, having no sufficient business, or other cause so to do, and them they are to commit and send to ward, there to remain, until they be further examined.  
Also they are to search and view, whether every inhabitant, and housekéeper, have in his house, and in readiness, a club, or some sufficient weapon, for defence of himself, and for keeping of the peace.  
Also they must upon Sundays and holiedays, at the time of prayers and preachings, walk the streets, to see and search, whether any person and persons, be sitting or standing idly in the streets, or be at any alehouse, or tippling house, or be at any game or games, and without just cause be absent from the sermons, preachings, and prayers, and these either to commit to ward, or send to the church.  
Also they are upon Sundays and holidays, upon the court days, and quarter session days, to attend the Mayor, from thence to his house.  
Also they are to attend the Mayor and Justices, to do and obey their commandments, for all things concerning their offices, and by them to be done.  
Also they are upon every monday, to present the death of every free citizen, for that week past, leaving any heir or orphan behind him, or having any lands, or tenths, and who is his next heir.  
Also they are to join with the scavengers, and other expert men, whensoever any question is between the Lord, and the tenant, or occupier of any house, for and concerning payments, of rents, reparations, ammisances, removing of implements, etc.  
Also to view and search, whether any brewer, baker, or other person, have their ovens, furnaces, chimneys, or backs, ruinous and in danger and peril of fire.  
Finally they are to attend in all matters touching the queens service, the keeping of the peace, the repressing of malefactors, and of the commandments of the Mayor, the justices and the aldermen.  
Also they are specially to attend the Mayor, as well upon sundays to and from S. Peter's at the sermons, as upon mondays to and from the court of the Guildhall, as at all other times convenient and being thereunto required.  
For other things concerning their offices, look in the black book.    

The office of the Scavenger's.  
THe Scavingers are necessary officers, and who cannot be wanting in any well governed city or town; because by them and their service, all things noisome to the health of man, and hurtful to the state of the body of the common wealth, are advertised unto the magistrate, and so they be a means of the redress thereof. And therefore they be called scavengers, as who saith, showers or advertisers, for so the word soundeth. The speciallest points incident to their offices, are these.  

FIrst they are to see the peace and common tranquility of the city to be kept.  
Item that the streets be well paved, and meet for all passages of man, horse, and cart, and that they be weekly swept and made clean, and the sweeping carried away: and that none lay timber, stones, or any like thing in the streets, but during the time of building.  
Item that there be no slaughter of cattle or beast, kept within the walls: that no pigs or filthy beast be kept within the same: no dung hills, nor any noisome thing kept, whereby the air be corrupted, or the people annoyed.  
Item that there be no houses, peutises, chimneys, nor walls, nor any other thing, hanging or standing dangerously, to the peril and danger of such as shall pass thereby.  
Item that they do make view and search, whether every inhabitant, do yearly and from time to time, as occasion shall require, cleanse and swéep their chimneys, and that all ovens, furnaces, mantles, backs, and such like, be kept in such order, as thereby no peril of fire may happen.  
Item that when any house is adventured with fire, that then they do take order as well for voiding of the press of people, as to see and to bring ladders, crooks, water, and all things necessary in place for quenching of the fire.  
Item that every householder have at all time and times in the summer and hot and dry weather, a tub or some other vessel full of water in readiness, at or near their foredoor, for the quenching of fire if any house should happen to be adventured, and for cleansing of the streets.  
Item that the common conduits be clean and orderly kept, and the pipes which convey the water from the spring to the said conduits be well repaired and maintained from time to time, and that no private person do encroach the common commodity of the waters therein for brewing, washing, or any such like use, other than for dressing of their meats and such like.  
Item that no manner of person do encroach any part of the streets or ways to his private use, nor do build nor set any porch, boulke, stall, windows, wall, chimney, or any other edifices upon the said streets or soil, or any part thereof, before a composition be made with the Mayor and common counsel.  
Item that whensoever any controversy doth happen between lord and tenant, for and concerning the orderly payments of rents, or removing of implements, or other buildings, that they call unto them the constables and other expert artificers & men of knowledge, & then according to the truth & customs of the city, to decide the same.  
Item that they weekly upon every monday at the court do present all breaches of peace, misorders, and all other defaults appertaining to their office.  
Item that they do upon every sunday, festival day, and monday, attend the Mayor to and from his house to the court, and to the church at S. Peter's at the sermons.  
Item that they be attendant to the Mayor, bailiffs, and all other officers at all time and times whensoever they shall be required concerning any service of the prince and common wealth.  
The rest of their charge is contained in the black book.    

The office of the Swordbearer.  
THe office of the Swordbearer is of a late erection, and had his beginning when King Henry the seven. in the xiii. year of his reign came to this city for the resisting of Perkin Warbeck, at which time, for the good service of the Mayor and citizens, he gave his own sword from his waste unto the Mayor, with the privilege that the same and the hat of maintenance should for ever at all times convenient be borne before him, and for the doing of this service, the swordbearer was then chosen, the points of whose office are these, and such like as followeth.  

FIrst he is to attend the Mayor for bearing the sword before him upon sundays and festival days, when he goeth to S. Peter's to the sermons, upon mondays and session days when he goeth to the hall, and upon and at all other times and days when any proclamation shall be made, or he thereto required.  
Also he shall attend the Mayor at the markets, and at the weighing of the assizes of the bakers bread, and all other like services.  
Also he is to attend the Mayor at his table, and at all other convenient times when he shall be thereunto required.  
Also he shall keep the common peace, apprehend malefactors, and preserve the state and privileges of the city as much as in him lieth.  
Also he shall not discover nor disclose any secrets or counsels of the city to the prejudice of the same, nor consent to any hurt to be done against the said city or any officer, but shall discover it to such officer or officers as it shall appertain.  
Also as being a sergeant at arms he shall attend the causes of the orphans, as well at the court of the orphans, as at all other times, and in all other things pertaining to the behoof of orphans, according to the orders of the same, that is to say, he shall upon every monday present the name of every inhabitant of the city dead, and leaving any orphans: he shall call for the testament and inventory of every such deceased man, he shall call the praisers appointed before the Alderman of the quarter to be sworn, he shall sequester the goods, and execute the writs of Scire facias & fieri facias, and all process to him directed for the behoof of the orphans: he shall summon the courts for orphans as to him shall be commanded. Sundry like things are incident to his charge, and which at large are set down in the book of orders for orphans.    

The office of the wardens of the Magdalen and of the poor.  
THese officers are of trust, and committed to such as should take a special care for the poor, as well for the good ordering of them in persons, as for the preservation of such lands and goods as are provided for their sustenance & maintenance.  

FIrst therefore the warden of the Magdelen is to govern and to see to be governed all such Lazar people, as shall be received for sick persons into the Magdelen house, according to the orders of the said house, and according to the direction of the Mayor and common counsel.  
Also that they be weekly paid of such salaries and stipends as to them is and shall be assigned by the Mayor and common counsel.  
Also the wardens proctor shall provide and see to be proinded meat, drink, washing, cleansing, and all other things necessary for them.  
Also the said warden shall see their church, houses, and buildings from time to time to be repaired.  
Also he shall be careful to save, keep, and preserve the lands, rents and profits whatsoever, appointed and allowed for the maintenance of the said hospital.  
Also they shall not admit any person or persons to be one of the said hospital, without the consent of the Mayor and common counsel, and that the same be a sick person in the disease of the leprosy.  
Also they shall not set, let, nor demise any the lands belonging to the said hospital, without the consent and agreement of the Mayor and xxiv.  
Also they shall yearly yield up and make a true account before the auditors of the city of all their receipts and payments, and upon the determination of the said account, shall discharge, pay, and satisfy what shall be found remaining in their hands, and to be due by them.  
The like is required of every warden of the poor, and for every almshouse, and of every collector for the same.    

The office of the wardens of the bridges.  
THe wardens of the bridges, commonly called by the names of the wardens of Exbridge, are very ancient officers, and of great credit, and in times past great circumspection was had in the choice of them, and for the most part they were most grave citizens. They were always two in number, the one being the elder, and the other the younger. The things which are incident to their offices, are as followeth.  

FIrst they both jointly are to have the care to view and search from time to time the two bridges, which belong to the cities reparations, as namely, Exbridge, and Cowleighbridge, and the banks next adjoining on every side of saint leonard's wear, and what defaults soever they shall find and see to be amended, or be advertised thereof by the Receiver or Chamberlain of the city, that they do cause the same to be repaired and amended.  
The head warden is to collect, receive, and gather all the rents, revenues, profits and issues belonging to the bridges, and shall after the end of his year, at the time appointed, make a true and perfect account of all his receipts and payments, before the auditors of the city, ask no allowance, but as shall be just and true.  
Also he shall procure and provide from time to time, by the advise and direction of the chamberlain of the city, all things meet and necessary, as well for the reparations of the houses belonging to the bridge, as for the bridges themselves, and all things thereunto appertaining.  
Also he shall provide and procure by the advise aforesaid, meet and convenient workmen and labourers, for and about all the aforesaid buildings and reparations, and to see them weekly and from time to time to be paid for their salaries and wages.  
Also he shall see and command the bridge called Exbridge, to be cleansed and swept from time to time, and that no doonghils, nor heaps of dirt do lie upon the same.  
Also the young warden, is to attend and take the oversight of the workmen, that they do keep their times and work, and that nothing do want them being necessary.  
Also he is to keep account of the number of the workmen, and to see that there be no waist or spoil, either of the work, or of any thing provided for the work.  
Also they are to attend the Mayor upon sundays and festival days, to and from S. Peter's church, as other officers do, and are bound to do.    

The office of the wardens of the Shambles.  
THe office of the wardens of the Shambles, are very ancient, and chosen yearly by the Mayor and common counsel, when other officers are, and their office is specially to attend all things as be necessary, for and concerning flesh victuals, and the good ordering of the same, and of the Shambles. The special points are these.  

FIrst they are upon every saturday, except it be some holy day, or festival day, at or about one of the clock, in the afternoon, to come to the majors house, and to bring him to and from the shambles.  
Also they are to see, then and at all other times, the shambles to be furnished with meat, good, wholesome, and sufficient for the city.  
Also that no slaughters be kept in any place, within the walls of the city.  
Also that no pigs be nourished, nor doonghilles, nor any corrupt thing breeding a corrupt air, be kept within the walls of the city.  
Also that no bull unbaited, nor sow brenning, nor yew tupping, nor any beast unseasonable be slaughtered, nor flesh blown, foistered, salted, or unreasonable, be set to sale.  
Also that no butcher do engross, forestale, nor regrate, any victuals, nor do sell the same, but at reasonable prices.  
Also that every butcher, upon every market day, do bring with the carcase, the fell or skin, of every beast slaughtered.  
Also that they do attend upon every sunday, and festival days, the Mayor to the church, and upon every monday, to the guildhall court, as other officers are bound to do, and that upon every monday, at the court, they do present all such faults, as have the week before been committed, and aught to be presented.  
Item that none of the butchers do keep any market or open shop, upon the sundays.    

The office and duty of the Porters.  
THe Porters, are officers of good trust, and unto whose credit is committed the safety of the city: for when every man taketh his rest, and thinketh to be in safety, it is their office, that the gates be not at commandment, of such as by whom their rests, and sleeps be disturbed, nor unquieted, by receiving any person or persons into the gates, nor in doing of any act, which may be hurtful to the city, or inhabitants of the same.  

FIrst therefore, they must every night, shut and make fast the cities gates, at the times and hours appointed, and accustomed, that is, at ten of the clock at night, in the summer, and at nine of the clock in the winter, and likewise must open the said gates, at the times accustomed, that is, at four of the clock in the morning in the summer, and at five of the clock in the winter.  
Also in the times of wars, commotions, and rebellions, they are to deliver up the keys, into the custody of the Mayor.  
Also at no time in the night, after the gates be shut, they shall suffer any person, or persons, to come or go in and out, but such as they do know to be honest, and of good credit, and conversation.  
Also at all time and times, if any post happen to come, they shall open the gates to receive him, and to bring him to the Mayor, and to his lodging.  
Also if ante hue and cry shall happen to be, they shall open the gates, to receive and follow the same.  
Also if any tumults, uproars, escapes of prisoners, firing of houses, or any such like things shall happen, they shall forthwith, close and make fast the gates, and so kèepe the same shut until all be appeased, and order given for the opening of them.  
Also they shall attend the Mayor, upon every sunday, and festival days, to and from S. Peter's church, and upon every monday, to the guildhall court, as other officers do, and are bound to do; and shall at the said court, present all bloodsheds, frays, and breaches of the peace, and whatsoever else by them is and aught to be presented.    

The office of the Bull ring keeper, named commonly the Mayor of the Bull ring.  
THe Mayor of the Bull ring, is an office of countenance, and appointed for the keeping of a good order in such things as be committed to his trust and office.  

FIrst when any bull or bear baiting be appointed, he is first to make the Mayor privy thereof, and no baiting to be used within the city, but that the said Mayor be present or give leave thereunto.  
Also he shall see all things to be well and orderly used at such pastimes.  
Also he shall not see or suffer any pigs, poulterie, or ducks, to range abroad the streets.  
Also upon every market day he shall not suffer any horse to stand in the streets in the market place, but shall cause them to be carried out of the market.  
Also if any straiers come, he shall cause them to be brought to the place of the high conduct upon the market days, and there to be tied to the ring, and to be proclaimed in the market, and from market day to market day, during three markets, to keep them in pound, or in some place safely.  
Also if the said beasts be chained and challenged, he shall upon proof made before the Mayor and bailiffs, redeliver to the owners, taking his fees, and for the reasonable keeping of such beasts in the mean time.  
Also if the said beasts, at or within three courts, be not challenged, than he shall bring them at the Guildhall, the next monday then following, and there to be praised.  
Also he shall attend the Mayor upon sundays to the church, and upon mondays to the court, as other officers do, and aught to do.    

The office of the watchmen and Wardens.  
THe Watchmen are officers of trust, for the safe custody and preservation of the city, as well in times of troubles and wars, as in the days of peace, when ordinary night watches by the laws of the realm are kept.  

FIrst the watchmen, are householders, who by course are to watch themselves in person, or to appoint some meet and convenient persons in their place, and which are to be well and sufficienrlie armed with harness and weapon.  
Also they are to repair in the summer in the evening, immediately upon the sun set, unto the Guildhall, and there to take their oath, to hear their charge, and to receive their watchword.  
Also they are then to departed hence in good order, and to go to every of the gates, and to see them to be shut and made fast, and then to come all to Corfoixe or the great conduit: and there to divide themselves into their several quarters, by order of such as be appointed captains over them, and the same several quarters they shall guard and keep.  
Also they shall all night be watchful and walking abroad in their divisions, leaving always some one at the least at the gate.  
Also they shall view and look whether all things be quiet and in good order, and if they find any candle light in any house late and out of season, they shall cause the same to be put out, unless some cause be to the contrary, and if they find any fires perilous, or houses adventured, they shall rouse and call up the scavengers and constables, and other the officers for quenching thereof.  
Also if they find any night watchers, players, quarrelers, dronkeards, suspect persons, whatsoever, they shall apprehend them, and bring them, either to the ward or to some convenient place, as where the parties may be forth coming before the magistrate the next morning.  
Also if any post or stranger come, they shall receive him, if his arrant and coming be honest, and shall bring him to his lodging, or present him to the magistrate, according as his cause shall require.  
Also they shall attend the Mayor upon every monday at the Guildhall court, and then and there to present what faults have been done and committed in the nights of their watches.  
Also that in their watches they do ball and kill all such dogs as they shall find bawling or ranging in the streets, or lying out of any man's house.  
There be other officers which are sworn also: as the justices of the peace, the sheriffs, the clerk of the peace, the undersheriffs, etc. But for so much as their offices are limited by statutes, and at large therein expressed, I will refer them to the same.    
FINIS.