English coat of arms 
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HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   shield depicting castle The Oath of a Burgess.  

Civitas Bristol.  you shall be good and true unto our sovereign Lord King Charles, and to the Heirs and Successors of the said King, and to the Lieutenant, Master Maior of this City of Bristol; and to the Ministers of the same, in all Causes reasonable, you shall be obedient and assistant.  
You shall keep the Franchises and customs of this City; and also, the Kings Peace here you shall endeavour yourself to keep and maintain.  
You shall be contributory to all manner of Summons; as Watches, Taxes, Lots, Scots, and other charges within this City, to your power.  
You shall know none unlawful Assemblies, Riots or Routs, purposed to be made against the Kings Laws or Peace, but you shall withstand them to your power, or warn Master Maior for the time being thereof, or some of the head-Officers of this City, as speedily as you can.  
You shall not colour the goods of any foreigner or stranger, nor know any foreigner or Stranger to buy and sell with another foreigner, within the Precincts of this City, but you shall give knowledge thereof unto the Chamberlain or his Deputy without delay.  
You shall not implead or sue any Burgess of this City in any Court out of this City, for any matter whereof you may have sufficient remedy within this City.  
You shall not take any Apprentice that is bond of blood, and none other except he be born under the Kings obeisance, and for no less term than seven years; and that he be bound by Indentures to be made by the Town-Clerk of this City for the time being, or by his Clerk: and at the end of his term, if he hath truly served you all his term, you shall then, if he require you to it, present him to Master Maior, or to the Chamberlain, to be made a Burgess.  
Pou shall not take or wear the Livery or clothing of any Lord, Gentleman, or other person▪ but only your own, or your crafts, or of Master Maior, or of the Lord high Steward of this City, or of the Sheriffs of the same, so long as you shall be dwelling within this City.  
You shall make no Oath or promise by way of confederacy, contrary unto the Kings Laws.  
So help you God, by the holy Contents of this Book.