5 Attachment(s)
Letters Patent of King John to Liverpool 1207 and Liverpool's Charters Since
Letters Patent of King John to Liverpool 1207
The attached images contain the actual letter patent and various seals.
Quote:
John, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou, to all his faithful people who have desired to have Burgages in the township of Liverpool, greeting. Know ye that we have granted to all our faithful people who have taken Burgages in Liverpool that they may have all the liberties and free customs in the township of Liverpool which any Free Borough on the sea has in our land. And therefore we command you that securely and in our peace you come there to receive and inhabit our Burgages. And in witness hereof we transmit to you these our Letters Patent. Witness Simon dePateshill at Winchester on the twenty-eighth day of August in the ninth year of our reign.
All Image and information acknowledgments: Ian Wileman and Liverpool's Records Office
Ian has requested that any one wishing to use a Charter image must seek his permission first, PM me and I will supply you with his contact details.
2 Attachment(s)
KING HENRY III 1229 CHARTER
The traders in Liverpool soon wanted greater freedom. It happened in 1229 that King Henry III was in great financial difficulty and he was therefore very willing to sell further privileges. The inhabitants of Liverpool raised ten marks (around £6.50 at prices of that time) to buy a new charter of a very extensive kind.
This charter was of the greatest importance in the history of the borough for it effectively remained the governing charter until the 17th century. It was much more elaborate and detailed than King John's grant. The rights entailed almost the highest degree of borough privileges. It included:
· a formal grant to the burgesses (inhabitants of the borough with full municipal rights) of the privileges of a Free Borough for ever - this was a more formal and definite grant of powers than before to an existing body of burgesses
· establishment of a borough independent of the shire or county especially for judicial purposes
· increased trading privileges - not only exemption from tolls within the borough but also from all such tolls throughout the kingdom
· formal empowerment to establish an association or guild merchant with privileges confirmed to members of the guild
The Crown still had numerous rights and considerable property within the Borough, such as burgage rents, ferry dues and dues paid by 'foreign' merchants. These were substituted for a fixed payment to the King in a document signed the day after the charter, but this was not a permanent arrangement.
2 Attachment(s)
ROBERT DE FERRERS 1266 CHARTER
ROBERT DE FERRERS 1266 CHARTER
This charter basically states confirmations or clarifications of rights and privileges. (See attached images)
4 Attachment(s)
PHILIP & MARY 1556 CHARTER
PHILIP & MARY 1556 CHARTER
4 Attachment(s)
WILLIAM & MARY 1691 CHARTER
WILLIAM & MARY 1691 CHARTER: