The corporation of Bury St. Edmunds: Royal charters

I.—ROYAL CHARTERS.

[For three of these charters new boxes were given by the Recorder in 1714.]

1606, 3 Apr.—Charter of incorporation granted by James I. On five sheets of vellum; the lines are numbered, and amount to 309. The impression of the great seal is very poor. The usual pen and ink portrait of the King is given in the initial letter.

The charter is printed in the Appendix to Yates's History of the Abbey of St. Edmund's Bury.

1608, 1 July.—Grant by James I. to the burgesses of Bury in relief of their lamentable condition caused by a late immense fire, of all the tithes and property formerly belonging to the almonry of the abbey, with the buildings called lez Elemosiners Barnes, alias lez Ampners Barnes, and also of the Gaol, the Gaolhouse and the Tolhouse and the Market Cross, and all the materials of the same, including a small bell called the Tolhouse-bell or Market-bell, with markets, fairs, &c.; at an annual crown rent of 28l. 3s. 4d., and paying the stipends of the curates and ministers of the two parish churches, &c. On three sheets; 190 lines. Poor impression of the seal, broken. Portrait in the initial letter. Printed ibid.

1614, 17 Sept.—Charter of James I. establishing a coroner, justices of the peace, a court of record, &c.; and granting the churches and advowsons, representation by two burgesses in parliament, and incorporating feoffees, &c. Five sheets; 479 lines. Initial portrait. Only two small fragments of the seal. Printed ibid.

1668, 5 June.—Renewal charter of Charles II. adding restrictions upon non-freemen, &c. Three sheets. Engraved portrait in the initial. Small fragment of seal.

1684, 3 July.—Charter of Charles II. re-constituting the corporation with a mayor, aldermen, &c. Three sheets, with engraved portrait, and engraved borders to each sheet. Bad impression of great seal, perfect.