James's Fettling

THE CHARTER OF INCORPORATION

GRANTED BY

PHILLIP & MARY, A. D. 1556.

Phillip and Mary, by the Grace of God King and Queen of England, Spain, France, of both Sicilyes, Jerusalem, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, Arch Dukes of Austria, Dukes of Burgundy, Milan and Brabant, Earls of Haspurge, Flanders and Tirol. Whereas our Town of Abingdon, in our County of Berks, is an ancient and populous Town, and Inhabited by many poor people, and which Town is the Capital Town in our said County of Berks, and is in so great ruine and decay for want of repairing of the Houses and Buildings within the same, that it is very likely to come to extream calamity (as we are credible informed) if remedy thereof be not by us provided. · And whereas our beloved subjects, the Inhabitants of the same Town, have most humbly besought us that we would graciously and liberally show and extend to them our royall favour and munificence, and that for the bettering of the same Town we would vouchsafe to incorporate the same Town and the Inhabitants thereof, and to make, ordain, and create a body corporate of a Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgesses. Know yee therefore, that we, to the request and desire of our aforesaid Subjects, graciously condescending of our special grace and of our certain knowledge and mere motion will ordain, constitute, decree, declare and grant, and by these presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, do will, ordain, constitute, decree, declare and grant to the aforesaid Inhabitants and Men of Abingdon, that the said Town of Abingdon, in our said County of Berks, from henceforth be and shall be a free Borough of itselfe and by itselfe, exempt from all hundreds, Counties and Shires, incorporate in deed, fact and name, for ever of the Men in the Borough aforesaid, being of a Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, by the name of the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, of the Borough of Abingdon, in the County of Berks, and that the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, of the said Borough, from henceforth be and shall be a Body Corporate and Politick, and a perpetuall Commonalty of itselfe, in deed, fact and name, for ever. And that the same Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, of the same Borough for the time being, and their successors from henceforth for ever shall be a Body Corporate, and a perpetuall Commonalty in deed, fact and name, at all times to endure, and shall have perpetuall succession, and by these Presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, the same Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, we do really and fully erect, make, create, ordain, constitute, declare and incorporate a Commonalty and Body Corporate and Politick of itselfe and by itselfe for ever. And we will and comand by these Presents that from henceforth they be called and named the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, of the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, in the County of Berks. And also we will and by these Presents for us the Heirs and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant, constitute, ordain and declare, that the said Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, and the circuits and precincts thereof, and the Jurisdiction and liberty of the same from henceforth shall extend and stretch, and may and shall be able and ought to extend and stretch as well in length as breadth as in circuit, unto, by and through the bounds, metes and limits following (that is to say): from the little Bridge called the Abbey Locks, built upon and over the River of Thames on the East part of the Borough aforesaid, unto the Bridge of the Ock called the Ock Bridge on the West part of the same Borough, and from the Stone Crosse situate upon a new Bridge commonly called a Ney Bridge on the South part, unto the Boundary and Meer Stone marked with the leaden Letter A, situate near unto a little Hill called Barrow Hill, without the barrs of the publick Street of Barrow Street called the Bore Street Barrs, in the meeting together of two public Ways leading towards the aforesaid Borough of Abingdon on the North part, and from the Boundary and Meer Stone situate upon the little Bridge of St. Helene called St. Helen’s Bridge, dividing and parting the said Borough of Abingdon from the hundred of Ock where the little Stream of the Ock falls into the River of Thames on the South West part, unto another certain Boundary marked with the Leaden Letter A, situate without the Barres of the publick Street of the Wyneyard called the Wyneyard Barres, in the meeting together of two publick Ways leading towards the said Borough of Abingdon on the North East part, so that is to say, that the compasse and circuit of the Borough aforesaid shall extend and stretch itselfe from the Locks aforesaid, called the Abbey Locks, through the whole River Thames, including the same River unto the Bridge called the New Bridge built upon and over the said River of Thames, and from the aforesaid Bridge called the New Bridge including the whole River of Thames unto the aforesaid little Bridge of St. Helene called St. Helen’s Bridge, where the said little Stream of the Ock falls into the Thames as aforesaid, and from thence by and through the aforesaid little Stream of the Ock including the same little Stream unto the aforesaid Bridge of the Ock called the Ock Bridge, and from the said Bridge called the Ock Bridge directly by and through the publick way leading from the same Bridge to a little Close called the Trynitie Closes, and from thence by and through the Common way leading by the aforesaid little Hill called Barrow Hill unto the aforesaid Boundary and Meer Stone without the aforesaid Barres of the Bore Street, situate in the meeting together of the aforesaid two publick ways leading towards the aforesaid Borough, and from thence by and through another publick way a little turning towards the North untill you come to a certain Crooked little Ditch inclining towards the East, which said little Ditch together with the aforesaid publick way includes on the right hand Fitzharris Farm and a certain piece of Arable Land called Fitzharris piece, and the Fields, Meadows and Pastures called Fitzharris Closes to the same Farm belonging and apperteyning, and from thence by another Ditch on the right hand also including a certain Close called Pykes Close unto the aforesaid Boundary and Meer Stone without the Barres of the Publick Street of the Weyneyard aforesaid, situate in the meeting together of two publick ways leading towards the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, and from the same Meer Stone by and through another publick way turning towards the East towards the River of Thames, and including a certain Conventuall Close called the Covent-Close, being wholly ditched, and partly hedged, and partly paled, and one other little Close called the Pytenry, and from the corner of the same Close called the Pytenry through the said River of Thames including the same River unto the Locks aforesaid; and that the Soile and Land, with all Lanes, Streets, Ways, Places, Closes and Corners whatsoever, lying and being within the aforesaid Boundaries, Meers and Limitts, shall be and shall be reputed and taken to be within the Borough aforesaid and the Liberties thereof, and all and singular Messuages, Houses, Buildings, Lands, Tenements, Grounds and Soils whatsoever within the aforesaid Meers, Boundarys, Limitts and Precints from henceforth be and shall be reputed to be parts and parcells of the said Borough of Abingdon, now by these Presents into a Body Corporate and Politick, erected and incorporated, and that it shall and may be lawful for the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses on, of the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid for the time being, and for their Successors to make perambulation or perambulations thereof for the true and better knowledge thereof to be bad as often as it shall please them, or to them shall seem convenient, and this without any Writ or Warrant therefore of us, the Heires or Successors of us the aforesaid Queen in this behalfe, in any manner to be had or prosecuted.

And wee will, and by these presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and Men of Abingdon aforesaid, that they and their successors, by the name of the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Abingdon, in the County of Berks, may and shall be able to plead and be impleaded, sue and be sued, and defend and be defended, answer and be answered unto in all courts and places of is, the Heirs and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, and in other Courts and places whatsoever, as well within this our Kingdom of England as elsewhere within any other our Dominions whatsoever, and before whatsoever Judges or Justices or other Persons whatsoever, as well in all and singular other causes, matters and things whatsoever, of what kind or nature soever they be in the same manner and form as other our liege People inabled or in the Law capable, may or can plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend auld be defended. And that the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaid, and their successors may have and shall have, and may and shall be able to have a Comon Seale to serve for all and singular their causes and Businesse to be done and transacted, and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their Successors, the same Seale att their pleasure to break, change, and to make a new, And that the same Mayor, Bailiffs and p Burgesses, by the name of the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Abingdon, in the County of Berks, be and shall be persons able and in the Law capable to purchase, have, receive, take and possesse, to them and their successors in fee and perpetuity or otherwise, Lordshipps, Mannors, Lands, Tenements, Rents, Reversons, Services, Possessions and Hereditaments which are not held immediately of us by Knights’ Service, nor by any other Service in Capite, nor of any other person or persons by Knights’ Service, so that the same Lordshipps, Mannors, Lands, Tenements, Rents, Revertions and Hereditaments do not exceed the clear yearly value of One Hundred Marks. And also we will and by these presents for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses and their Successors, that all waies from henceforth there be and shall be in the Borough aforesaid twelve Men of the better and more honest and discretest Men, Inhabitants of the said Borough of Abingdon, who shall be called and shall be the principall Burgesses of that Borough, which said Mayor, Bailiffs, and Capitall Burgesses may and shall be able to elect, take, and associate to themselves sixteen others or more according to their sound discretions, of the better, honester and discreeter Men, Inhabitants of the Borough aforesaid, which shall be called the secondary Burgesses of the same Borough, and which said Mayor, Bailiffs, principal Burgesses, and the said other sixteen or more called secondary Burgesses, shall make and shall be called the Comon Council of that Borough, for all things, causes, matters, acts, Ordinances and Businesse touching or concerning the Borough aforesaid, and the rule and government thereof, and the publick utility and profitt of the same Borough and the Inhabitants thereof for the time being, from time to time, by them or the greater part of them, to be made and done for the better government and rule of the Men, Inhabitants, and the causes, things, and businesse of the said Borough for the time being. And further, wee will and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents we do graut to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and their Successors, that they and their Successors, by their Comon Council or by the greater part thereof, may have authority, power and lycence to make, constitute, ordain and establish, good, wholesome, honest and reasonable institutions, ordinances, Laws and constitutions, as well for the better Rule and Governance of the Mayor, Bailiffs and . Burgesses, and other Officers, Artificers and Inhabitants of the Borough aforesaid for the time being, how and in what manner they shall behave themselves in their Offices and Business, and for the victualling of the same Borough for the publick good and comon profitt of the Borough aforesaid, and of the Country adjoining, as also for the better preservation of the Lands, Tenements, Possessions and Revenues, by these our Letters Patents to the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaid, gave, granted or assigned, and for other causes and Businesse touching or concerning the 13orough aforesaid, which said institutions, ordinances and constitutions, being good, honest and reasonable, we will and comand by these Presents, to be kept and preserved, so that the Laws, Institutions and. Ordinances by the same Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses to be made, be not nor shall be repugnant or contrary to the Laws and Statutes of our Realm of England, or the Prerogative of us the Heirs and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen.

We will alsoe, and for us the Heirs and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these Presents, we do grant that in the said Borough of Abingdon, from henceforth there be and shall be from time to time an Officer who shall be called and shall be the Town Clerk of the same Borough, to do and execute all and singular the Matters and Things which to the Office of Town Clerk do belong and apperteyne, or shall hereafter belong or apperteyne, or ought to apperteyne. And that there be and shall be in the said Borough of Abingdon, from time to time for ever, an Officer who shall be called the Chamberlain of the said Borough of Abingdon, to do and execute such necessarie Business which by such an Officer may be and shall be done and performed; and that there be and shall be in the said Borough from time to time for ever, two Officers called Serjeants att Mace, for the executing of Precepts, Commands, Attachments, and other Processes in the same Borough to them directed by the Mayor, Bailiffs and other Officers of the same Borough, as the case shall happen, require and be necessary or needfull, which said Sergeants att Mace from time to time into their Offices shall be chosen, elected, admitted and preserved by the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and principall Burgesses of the Borough aforesaid, and their Successors for the time being, or by the greater part of them, and that there be and shall be from time to time for ever, an Officer who shall be Clerk of the Markett, within the said Borough of Abingdon, to do, execute, performe and exercise all and singular the Matters and Things within the Borough aforesaid, which from time to time to the Office of Clerk of the markett belongs and apperteynes, or which ought to belong and apperteyne to be done and performed.

And also we will, and for us the Heirs and Successors of us the aforesaid. Queen, by these presents, we do grant to the aforesaid of Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and their Successors, and also do ordain that there be and shall be in the said Borough one Burgesse of a Parliament, and the Heires of us the aforesaid (Queen, and that the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, in the said Borough of Abingdon, and their successors, as often as and whensoever our Parliament of us our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen shall happen to be summoned, begin, or to be called by virtue of our Writt, and the Heires of us the aforesaid Queen for Election for Burgesses of Parliament to the directed or to be directed or – otherwise by their Election they may and shall have power, authority and lycense to chose, elect and nominate a discreet and honest Man of the said Borough to be a Burgesse of our Parliament, and the Heires of us the aforesaid Queen for the same Borough, and the same Burgesse so elected at the expence and Costs of the said Borough and Comonalty of the same, shall send to our Parliament our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, wheresoever it shall be holden, in the same manner and form as in other Boroughs of our Realme of England hath been and shall be used and accustomed, which said Burgesse, so elected and nominated, we will, shall be present, and to stay and tarry at our Parliament, our Heires and the Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, at the Expences and Charges of the said Borough of Abingdon and the Comonalty of the same during the time which the same Parliament shall happen to be holden, in like manner and forme as other Burgesses of Parliament for whatsoever Borough or Boroughs within our said Realme of England, to and ought and are accustomed and used to do, and which said Burgesse, in the said Parliament, shall have his voice as well affirmative as negative, and all and singular other matters and things shall do and execute, and may and shall be able to have, do and execute, by reason and means whatsoever as other Burgess or Burgesses of any other Borough within this Realm of England may and shall be able to do.

And to the end that all and singular the Premises may have and take, do and more full effect, know yee that wee, of our more ample, larger and more abundant grace, and of our certain knowledge and meer motion have assigned, nominated, made and ordained, and by these presents for us the Heires and successors of us the aforesaid Queen, do assign, nominate, make and ordain our beloved Richard Mayott, being a good and honest Man, and an Inhabitant of the said Borough of Abingdon, to be the first and for the time that now is Mayor of the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, the Office of Mayor of the same Borough, faithfully upon his Oath to execute and in the same Office to stay and continue untill the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel next coming, and from the same Feast untill one other fitt Person shall be elected and chosen and duly sworn, preserved and admitted, the same Office faithfully to execute, and by these Presents we do make, create, constitute and declare the said Richard Mayott to be the Mayor of the Borough aforesaid, during the time and term above said. And alsoe wee have assigned, nominated, made and ordained, and by these Presents do assigne, nominate, make and ordain, our beloved Richard Ely and William Blacknall, being Inhabitants of the said Borough of Abingdon, to be the first and for the time that now is, Bailiffs of the same Borough, the said Office of Bailiffs of the said Borough shall faithfully upon their Oaths to execute until the said Feast of St. Michael the Archangel next coming, and from the same Feast until two other Persons shall be elected and duly sworn and admitted faithfully to execute the same Office, and we do make, create, constitute and declare by these Presents the said Richard Ely and William Blacknall Bailiffs of the Borough aforesaid, during the time and term above said. And also wee have assigned, nominated, made and ordained, and by these Presents do assign, nominate, make and ordain the said Richard Mayott, Richard Ely and William Blacknall, and our beloved William Mathew, Thomas Toules, James Fisher, Humphry Bostock, Thomas Orpwood, Ralph Bostock, Thomas Jenyns, John Chaunterell, and William Whytington, being good and honest Men, Inhabitants of the said Borough of Abingdon, upon their Corporall Oaths taken before the aforesaid Richard Mayott, the now Mayor, to be the twelve first and for the time that now is principall Burgesses of the same Borough, which said Burgesses and every of them shall continue and endure as long they and every of them shall well behave him and themselves in their Offices aforesaid.

Furthermore, we have assigned, nominated, made, ordained and constituted and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents we do assigne, nominate, make, ordain and constitute our beloved Thomas Medowes, an Inhabitant of the said Borough, on his Corporall Oath before the present Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, or the greater part of them, taken and to be taken, to be the first and for the time that now is Chamberlain of the said Borough of Abingdon, and well and faithfully to execute all and singular the matters and things which to that Office do belong or apperteyne, or ought to belong or apperteyne, untill the Feast of St. Michael the Archangell next coming, and from thence untill another fit and proper person into the said Office shall be elected, shall be duly preserved, admitted and sworn faithfully to execute the same, and by these presents we do make, create, constitute and declare the said Thomas Medowes, Chamberlain of the Borough aforesaid, during the time and term abovesaid, which said Chamberlain that now is and his Successors yearly on his going out of and departure from his Office, shall yield, give up and render his just, true and reasonable accompt unto the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, or some Auditors by them the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses or the greater part of them already assigned, or to be assigned, all well Issues and Profitts of his said Office, as of all Payments and Expences by him made, laid out and expended, so that if it shall by chance happen the said Chamberlain or any other of his successors shall be found behind in arreares, that then it shall be lawfull to and for the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, or the Auditors, the aforesaid Chamberlain so being behind in arreares, to committ and send to Prison, and there in the said Prison to continue and abide, nor thence be acquitted or discharged untill be shall have paid and discharged to the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses the arreares so being behind, or otherwise shall compound with them to make satisfaction for the same.

And we have assigned, nominated, made, ordained and constituted, and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these pr’sents do assigne, nominate, make, ordain and constitute our beloved Wm. Sympson, Gentleman, upon his Corporall Oath, before the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and principall Burgesses that now are, or before the greater part of thein, taken or to be taken to be the first and for the time that now is Com’on Clerk of the said Borough of Abingdon, and well and faithfully to do and execute all and singular the matters and things which to the said Office do belong or apperteyne or ought to belong or apperteyne during the natural life of him the said Wm. Sympson. And we do by these presents make, ordain and constitute the said Wm. Sympson, Com’on Clerk of the Borough aforesaid, for and during his life aforesaid. And further we will, and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents, Do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of Abingdon aforesaid and their Successors, that the Mayor of the same Borough for the time being from henceforth from time to time to be and shall be Clerk of our Markett, our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, within the Borough aforesaid, and that he may and shall do, exercise, perform and execute all and singular the matters and things which to the Office of Clerk of the Markett belong and apperteyne there to be done and performed, in like manner as the Clerk of the Markett of our Household, and the Heires of us the aforesaid Queen may do or ought to do by reason and colour of his Office aforesaid, and that no other Clerk of our Markett, our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, within the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, shall in anyways enter or come in or intermeddle himselfe there any thing that belongs to the Office of the Clerk of the Markett there to do or perform.

We will, moreover, and for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do ordain and grant that the Mayor of the said Borough of Abingdon, for the time being from henceforth be and shall be a Justice of our Peace within the said Borough and the pr’cincts and liberty’s of the same Borough of and for all and singular the Matters and things which to a Justice of our Peace our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen belong, to be inquired into, heard and determined within the same Borough, and the pr’cincts, metes, limitts and bounds and perambulations of the same Borough happening or arising in as large and ample manner and form as any Justices of the Peace in any Cities, Boroughs, or Countys of our Realm of England may do and have been accustomed to do or ought to do, and that no other Justice of our Peace, our Heires or Successors of us the aforesaid Queen from henceforth shall intermeddle himselfe or enter or come in to do any thing which to a Justice of Peace there belongs, Except our Justices, … our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, and other our Justices the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by Comision or Comissions of us the Heires and Successors of the aforesaid Queen, from time to time to be assigned, nominated and authorized within the said Borough of Abingdon and p’cincts thereof.

 

Moreover, we will, and for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents we do grant that the Mayor of the said Borough of Abingdon, for the time being, as soon as he shall be so elected to be Mayor, be and shall be Coroner of us the Heires of us the aforesaid Queen, and all and singular the Matters and Things which to the Office of Coroner belongs, shall do and execute within the Borough aforesaid, and that before he takes upon himselfe the Office of Coroner aforesaid, he shall take an Oath before the old Mayor and Bailiffs and some other of the principal Burgesses or before the greater part of them, well and faithfully by himself to do and execute the said Office of Coroner. And that no other Coroner of us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, shall in anyways intermeddle in the said Borough or the pr’cincts thereof.

And further, of our more abundant grace we will, and of our certain knowledge and mere motion for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon, and to the Inhabitants in the said Borough and their Successors, that they shall have and shall be able to have within the same Borough a certain House or Com’on Hall which shall be called the Council house of the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and the rest of the inhabitants and their Successors for ever, as well for their Meetings, Assemblies and Congregations in the same to be made, as also all and all manner of Courts, Pleas, Causes, Matters, Councills and other their businesse whatsoever there from time to time to be held, celebrated, handled and to be dove as to them shall seem necessary and convenient. And also of our more ample grace we will, and of our certain knowledge and mere motion for us the Heiress and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these pr’sents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and to the rest of the Inhabitants of the Borough aforesaid for the time being and their Successors for ever, that from henceforth they and their Successors yearly from time time, every year on the first day of the

Month of September, between the hours of nine and twelve before noon of the same day, shall meet together and may and shall be able to meet together in the aforesaid house or Com’on hall called the Councill house, or in any other convenient place within the said Borough of Abingdon, and that then and there it shall and may be lawfull for the Secondary Burgesses and other the Burgesses and

Men of the Inferior sort in the said Borough, Inhabitants, to nominate and assigne two men of the more grave and discreet men then being principall Burgesses of that Borough, to that end, intent and purpose that the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and the rest of the principall Burgesses of the same Borough or the Major part of them shall choose and elect and may and shall be able to choose and elect one of those two Burgesses so by the aforesaid Inhabitants and inferior Burgesses nominated and assigned and to be nominated and assigned the Office of Mayor within the Borough aforesaid, and the liberties thereof to execute, perform and exercise for one whole year, from the feast of St. Michael the Archangel then next following, which said fan so to the Office of Mayor elected upon and after his Corporall Oath taken, shall bear the Office of Mayor of the said Borough of Abingdon for one whole year the next following, vizt.: from the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell inclusively, untill the same Feast of St. Michaell the Archangel exclusively, one whole entire year to be compleated; and from the same Feast of St. Michael the Archangell exclusive, untill another sufficient and fit person the said Office faithfully to execute shall be duly elected, pr’served, admitted and Sworn, and if any one go hereafter elected to be Mayor of the Borough aforesaid after that Election shall be notified to him shall refuse the Office of Mayoralty aforesaid upon him to accept and take without a reasonable cause, that then it shall be lawfull for the Mayor, Bailiffs and Capitall Burgesses of the said Borough for the time being or the greater part of them, such man or Person so refusing to com’itt and send to prison, there to be kept and remain safe, nor thence to be freed and discharged untill he will take upon him and exercise the said Office, or shall pay, render and satisfye to the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses a competent sume of Money according to their sound discretions for his fine and ransome in this behalfe, to be made done and paid, or shall otherwise compound with them for satisfaction thereof. And further, we will, and by these pr’sents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and their Successors, that every Person to the Office of Mayor of the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, elected and hereafter to be elected, shall take and shall be able to take his Corporall Oath before his last pr’decessor M in the same Office, if the said predecessor shall be living and then pr’sent, and if the said predecessor shall be then dead and absent, that then he shall take and shall be able to take the Oath before the Bailiffs and Capitall Burgesses of the same Borough for the time being or the greater part of them then there present, and if by chance it shall happen that the Mayor of the said Borough of Abingdon for the time being during the time in which he should be Mayor of the same Borough, and within and before the time appointed and determined for his Office aforesaid be compleated shall die or be removed from his Office aforesaid, that then it shall and may be lawfull for the aforesaid Bailiffs and Burgesses as well Capitall as the other and for the rest of the Men in the said Borough for the time being or the greater part of them to assemble and meet together anew in the said house or any other convenient place within the Borough aforesaid, within eight Days next following the Death or removall of the said Mayor of the Borough aforesaid, and that they shall and may be able there to nominate, assigne and elect any fit Man of the member of the Capitall Burgesses to be Mayor of the aforesaid Borough of Abingdon, in the place and stead of the aforesaid late Mayor being dead or removed in manner and form abovesaid, which said Man so anew elected upon and after his Corporall Oath before the aforesaid Bailiffs and Burgesses and the rest of the said Men in the said Borough, being Inhabitants or the greater part of them then there pr’sent imediately and solemnly to be made and taken, shall faithfully bear and exercise the Office of Mayor of the same Borough untill the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell then next following, and from the same Feast untill another sufficient and fit person the said Office faithfully to execute shall be duly elected, pr’ferred, sworn and admitted, in manner and form abovesaid.

And moreover, of our more ample grace we will, and of our certain knowledge and mere motion for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid-Queen, by these presents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor of our said Borough of Abingdon, that from henceforth He and his successors, Mayors of the Borough aforesaid for the time being, yearly from time to time every year, wheresoever and wheresoever to him according to his sound direction it shall seem convenient, shall nominate, elect and assigne and may and shall be able to nominate, elect and assigne one fit and discreet Man of the Inhabitants of the Borough aforesaid, whether he be Capitall or Secondary Burgesse of the Borough aforesaid, to be one of the Bailiffs of the same Borough from the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell then next following, such Election, Assignamt and Nomination for one whole year and fully to be compleat. W will also, and for us our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of our aforesaid Borough of Abingdon, and to the rest of the Men in the said Borough being Inhabitants and their successors for the time being for ever, that from henceforth they and their Successors yearly from time to time, every year on the said first Day of the Month of September, between the hours of nine and twelve before the forenoon of the same Day, or any other Days and Months whensoever to them or the greater part of then it shall seem convenient and necessary, shall and may assemble and meet together in the aforesaid House called the Councill House, or in any other convenient place within the Borough aforesaid, and there it shall and may be lawfull for the aforesaid Secondary Burgesses and the other Burgesses and the Men of the Inferior sort in the said Borough being Inhabitants to ratifye and confirm, cause to be ratified and confirmed, and to admit the Election, Nomination and Assignement of the Baylife for the year then following by the Mayor of the same Borough, made or to be made (as is aforesaid) so as the same Election be made and shall be made upon a fit, meet and sufficient man to bear and exercise the said Office. And that it shall and may be lawfull to the said. Inhabitants then there present another good, honest and able man being an Inhabitant of the same Borough and one of the Secondary Burgesses of the Borough aforesaid, to nominate, assigne and elect to be another of the Bayliffs of the Borough aforesaid, and to be associate with the aforesaid Bayliff by the Mayor nominated, elected and assigned, from the Feast of St. Michaell th’ Archangell then next following, for one whole year to be compleated, which said Men so to the Office of Bayliffs elected upon and after their Corporall Oaths in form following solemnly and duly done and taken and to be done and taken, shall together bear the Office of Bailiffs of the Borough aforesaid for one whole year next coming, vizt.: from the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell inexclusively, untill the same Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell exclusively one whole year to be compleated, and from the same Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell untill two other able and sufficient Men shall be duly elected, preferred, admitted and Sworn, the same Office faithfully to execute, and if any person or persons be hereafter elected unto the Office of Bailiffs of the aforesaid Borough of Abingdon after the same Election shall be notified to him or them, shall refuse to take upon himselfe the Office of Bailiffe aforesaid without a reasonable cause, It shall and may be lawfull for the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Capitall Burgesses of the same Borough for the time being or the greater part of them, such Person or Persons so refusing to com’it and send to Prison, there safely to be kept and to remain and continue, nor thence to be freed or discharged untill be or they will take upon themselves the said Office, and shall take the Oath the same Office to bear and execute, or shall pay, render and satisfye to the said Mayor or Capitall Burgesses a competent Sum of Money to and for the use of the Commonalty of the same Borough for their fine and ransome in this behalf to be made, done and paid, or shall otherwise Compound with the said Mayor and Burgesses for satisfaction thereof, and so upon any such refusal to execute the Offices aforesaid or either of them, the Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon, and the rest of the Men in the said Borough being Inhabitants, shall go and proceed to a new Election in manner and form abovesaid. And further we will, and by these presents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, and their Successors, that the Bailiffs of the same Borough elected and hereafter to be elected shall take their Corporall Oath before the Mayor and Capitall Burgesses for Be the time being if the same Mayor shall be living and then present, and if the aforesaid Mayor shall be then dead or absent, that then the same Bayliffs shall take their Corporall Oath before the late Bayliffes their Predecessors and the Capitall Burgesses or the greater part of them then there being pr’sent to exercise the Office aforesaid, and well and faithfully to do and performe all things which to the said Office belong, and if by chance it shall happen the aforesaid Bayliffs of the said Borough of Abingdon for the time being or either of them during the time in which they should be Bailiffs of the same Borough, and within and before the time determined and appointed for their Office aforesaid be compleat and ended and shall dye or be removed from their Office aforesaid, that then it shall and may be lawfull for the aforesaid Mayor and Burgesses as well Capitall as Burgesses of the inferior sort and the rest of the Men in the same Borough then being Inhabitants or the greater part of them to assemble and meet together anew in the said house or in any other convenient place within the said Borough aforesaid, within the space of Eight Days then next following the death or removall of the said Bayliffs or either of them, unless some urgent cause do obstruct or let the same, and there shall and may be able to nominate; assigne and elect one other or others, meet, able and fit Men to be Bayliffe or Bayliffes of the aforesaid Borough of Abingdon, in the place and Head of the aforesaid Bayliffs or Bayliffe so dead or removed in manner and form abovesaid, which said Bayliffe or Bayliffes so anew elected and chosen upon and after their Corporall Oath in form above the said Office well and faithfully to execute imediately and solemnly taken and to be taken shall bear and exercise the Office aforesaid untill the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell then next following, and from the same Feast untill other meet and sufficient Men the said Office duly to execute shall be duly in form aforesaid elected, preferred, admitted and sworn. And further we will, and for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of our aforesaid Borough of Abingdon and their Successors, that as often as and whensoever it shall happen any Burgesse of the Borough aforesaid for the time being shall dye or be removed from his place and Office, that then and so often it shall and may be lawfull for the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Capitall Burgesses then surviving, or the greater part of them, one of the better and honester men being Inhabitants of the Borough aforesaid to be a Burgesse and unto the Office of Burgesse of the same Borough to elect, nominate, substitue, make and appoint in the place of him so being dead or removed, and so from time to time, as often as the case shall happen, and every person so nominated and elected to be nominated and elected unto the Office of Burgesse of the Borough aforesaid, shall take his Corporall Oath before the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses for the time being or the greater part of them, his said Office well and faithfully to exercise and execute.

And further we will, and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these pr’sents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of our said Borough of Abingdon and their successors, that the Clerk of the Markett of the same Borough shall take. his Corporall Oath before the aforesaid Bayliffs and, Burgesses of the same Borough for the time being or before the greater part of them, his Office well and faithfully without any fear, gift, reward or favour to exercise and execute.

We will, moreover, and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid, for the time being, that they and their Successors for the time being, from time to time whensoever it shall please them, after the death and decease of the aforesaid William Sympson, shall nominate, elect, choose and appoint one fit person to be the Com’on Clerk, called a Town Clerk of the Borough aforesaid. And that it shall and may be lawful for the aforesaid, Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses and their successors for the time being and the greater part of them from time to time, on any reasonable cause, their said Com’on Clerk to remove and expell from his Office, and the same or any other in his place to substitute and admit, as to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Capitall Burgesses or the greater part of them for the time being shall seem expedient and necessary, which said Com’on Clerk shall take his Corporall Oath before the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses, or before the greater part of them his Office aforesaid well and faithfully to exercise and execute. And we will, and by these Presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, that they and their Successors from time to time, whensoev’r it shall please them, shall nominate, elect and constitute two or more Officers according to their sound discretions, which shall be called Serjeants at Mace, for the execution of processes and Commands and other Businesse which to the same Office belong or shall belong in the said Borough from time to time to execute and perform in manner and form as the Serjeants at Mace in our City of London do and execute, which said Serjeants at Mace so nominated, constituted and elected, and to be nominated, constituted and elected, shall take their Corporall Oath before the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses for the time being, or the greater part of them, their said Office aforesaid well and faithfully to execute and exercise. [Here followed a Grant of a Court of Record to be held before the Bayliffes every Tuesday. But the same is rated out of the Record, being surrendered in Chancery 18th March, 7 Eliz., by James Fisher, one of the principall Burgesses, who was authorized to make such surrender by vertue of a writing from the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, under the Common Seal of the Corporation.]

And moreover, we will, and for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon and their Successors, that they may and shall – have within, the same Borough and the Bounds and Liberties thereof, the assize and assay of Bread, Vine, Ale and Beer, and of all other Victuals a w’tsoever. And also of all Measures and Weights whatsoever, and the correcting and amending of the same, and of all other things which to the Office of Clerk of the Markett of our Household or the Heires of us the aforesaid Queen do belong or apperteyne, together with the Corrections and Punishments of the same, and w’tsoever to the same Office belongs to do or execute as often as and when it shall be expedient and necessary. And that they have and shall have all Fines, Amercements and all other profitts thereof arising to the use and profitt of the Commonalty of the same Borough of Abingdon.

And further, know Yee, that wee of our more ample and abundant grace and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, have given and granted and by these pr’sents for us and the Heires and Successore of us the aforesaid Queen Do give and grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of Abingdon aforesaid, and their Successors, a Leet and View of Frankpledge of all and singular the Inhabitants and Resiants as well being wholly as not wholly Resiants within the said Borough of Abingdon and within the said Limitts and Bounds thereof for the time being and from time to time for ever, and all things apperteyning or belonging and which shall apperteyne and belong and ought to apperteyne and belong to the View of Frankpledge within the said Borough twice by the Year, that is to say, one turne or time within one Month next after the Feast of St. Michaell th’ Archangell, and one other turne or time within one Month next after the Feast of Easter before the Mayor of the same Borough only for the time being every year to be holden.

And that the Sheriffe and other our Officers, our Heires or the Successors of us the aforesaid Queen of the said County of Berks, shall not in anyways intermeddle themselves to have or keep Leet or View of Frankpledge or Court of . View of Frankpledge of Laws within the Borough aforesaid, the Limitts or Liberties thereof.

And wee will, and by these presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon and it their Successors, that from henceforth for ever they may have and hold and may and shall be able to have and hold one Markett in every Monday in every Week in the said Borough of Abingdon, all that Day to be holden and kept. And five fairs there yearly to be kept and holden, one of the same fairs there to be kept and holden Yearly on the feast of the Translacon of St. Edmund the Bisshopp, and on the Eve and the Morrow of the same feast. And one other fair there Yearly to be kept and holden on the feast of St. Margarett the Virgin, and on the Eve and the Morrow of the same feast; the third fair there in the said Borough Yearly to be kept and holden on the feast of the Nativity of the blessed Mary the Virgin, and on the Eve and the Morrow of the same feast. The fourth fair in the Borough aforesaid Yearly to be kept and holden on the feast of St. Andrew the Appostle, on the Eve and the Morrow of the same feast. The fifth fair there Yearly to be kept and holden on the first

Monday in Lent, from year to year every year for ever to continue, together with a Court of pye powder to the same Markett and fairs aforesaid belonging during the time of the same Market and fairs, together with Stallage, Piecage, Tolle, Fines, Amer’em’ts and all other profitts, Com’odities and Emolum’te w’tsoever to such like sort of Marketts and Fairs with Court of pye powder belonging, apperteyning and happening, and from and out of the same Markett, Fairs, w’th Court of pye powder arising or issuing. And w’th all other Liberties and free Customs unto us to such like Marketts and Fairs belonging or apperteyning to the profitt, use, behoof and utility of the Commonalty of the same Borough for the time being, and to be taken and converted unlesse the Marketts and Fairs aforesaid be to the Nusane of Neighbouring Marketts and Fairs.

And we will of our more ample and abundant grace and favour and of our certain knowledge and meer motion for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by these presents we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the aforesaid Borough of Abingdon and their successors, that they and their Successors for the time being from henceforth may have and shall have from time to time retorns as well of Assizes as of all and all manner of precepts, Writts, Bills, Commands and Warrants of us our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, and also of Summonses, Estreats and precepts out of our Exchequer, our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, and of the Estreats and precepts of our Justices, our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, in their Circuits as well for the pleas as the Common pleas, or of any other Justices w’tsoever, and also of Attachm’ts as well of pleas of the Crown as of others in the said Borough, Precincts and Liberties thereof, and full Execution there of the same, so that no Sheriffe, Bayliffe, or other our Minister, our Heires or Successore of us the aforesaid Queen, the said Borough, Suburbs, Liberties or precincts thereof, shall enter or come into for any Office or anything his Office there touching or concerning to be done or performed, so neverthelesse that it shall be lawfull for the Sheriffe of our said County of Berks in the aforesaid Borough to proclaim his Writs of exigent or outlawry, and to be proclaimed and there to keep and bold his Court called the County Court. And that the said Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon and their successors from henceforth have and shall have and may and shall be able to have and enjoy for the use of the Comonaltye of the same Borough, Goods and Catells, Wayfes and Estrayes w’tsoever within the said Borough of Abingdon, and within the said Lymitts and Bounds of the same from time to time arising, happening, chancing or coming.

 

And we will, and by these presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, We do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Abingdon and their successors, that they may have and shall have within the same Borough a certain Goal. All Felons w’tsoever within the same Borough and liberties of the same taken or to be taken in the same Goal, safely and securely to be kept and looked unto by the space of three Days and three nights and not any longer more or above unlesse necessity doth urgently require or otherwise to the contrary, and for. the Correction and Punishment of other trespasses and Malefactors w’tsoever untill yt they shall be lawfully delivered from the said Goale, according to the Law and Custom of our Realm of England.

And further, know pec, that we in considerac’on that the said Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Abingdon aforesaid and their Successors, may and shall be able from time to time the better to susteyne and support the charges in the Borough aforesaid of our speciall grace and of our certain knowledge and meer motion have granted and given lycense and by these presents for us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, as much as in us is, Do grant and give especiall lycense, free and lawfull faculty, power and authority to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaid and their successors to have, take, receive and purchase to them and their Successors for ever as well of us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, as of any of our Subjects and Liege People, or any other person w’tsoever, Mannors, Messuages, Lands, Tenem’ts, Rectorys, Tythes, Rents, Revertions and Profitts and other Possessions, Revenues and Hereditam’ts whatsoever which are not held of us the Heires or Successors of us the aforesaid Queen in Capite by Knights’ Service, nor of us or any other person or persons by Knights’ Service without our speciall lycense, our Heires or Successor of us the aforesaid Queen, or without the lycense of the Lord or Lords of whom the aforesaid Lands and Hereditam’ts are holden, so as the same Mannors, Messuages, Lands, Tenem’ts, Rectoryes, Rente, Revertions and Services, or other possessions, Revenues and Hereditaments do not exceed the clear yearly value of Forty Pounds by the Year, the statute of Lands and premises not to be put into Mortmain or any other statute as Ordinance or restraint to the contrary heretofore made, enacted, ordained or provided, or any other thing, cause or matter in anywise notwithstanding.

And whereas our Most Dear and Loving Brother, Edward the Sixth, late King of England, by his Letters Patents under his great Seale of the late Court of Augmentations and Revenues of his Crown, made bearing date at Westminster the fourteenth Day of July, in the third Year of his Reign, hath granted, delivered and to farm letten and demised to William Blacknall, all the Scite of the Fulling Mill, then being wholly in ruin and decay in Abingdon, in his County of Berks, near unto three other Water Mills there, and all the Land, Soyle and Ground where the same Fulling Mill was scituate and built, and all the Water and the Course of the Water to the same Fulling Mill, running, belonging or apperteyning, and all the house called the Cosever’s house, otherwise called the Cosener’s Inne, and all his parcell of Land called Cosener’s Close, conteyning by estimation halfe-an-acre, situate and being rear unto and hard by the Mill aforesaid, in Abingdon aforesaid, which said premises then lately did belong and apperteyne to the late Monastery of Abingdon, in the County aforesaid. And whereas also our aforesaid late Brother of us the aforesaid Queen, by the same his Letters Patents, hath granted, delivered, and to farm letten and demised to the aforesaid  William Blacknall, all and all manner of Tythes of w’tsoever sort coming, arising and issuing out of and in the Fulling Mill aforesaid and the rest of the pr’mises, and out of and in the Fulling Mill there anew to be built and erected To have and to hold the aforesaid Scyte of the said Fulling Mill and the Land, Soyle and Ground where the same Mill was scituate and built, and the aforesaid Water and course of Water to the same Mill running, belonging or apperteyning, and the aforesaid house called the Cosener’s Close, and the said parcell of Land called the Cosener’s Close, and the Tythes aforesaid, and all and singular other the p’misses with the appurtenances to the afores’d William Blacknall, his Exc’rs and Assignes, from the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell then last past unto the end of the term, and by the Term of Forty Years the next following and fully to be compleat Paying therefore Yearly unto our said Brother of us the aforesaid Queen, his Heires and Successors, during the first Ten Years of the said Term of forty years, Forty-six Shillings and Eight pence of lawfull Money of England, and during all the residue of the said Term of Forty Years after the end and expiration of the said first ten yeares of the said Term, Four pounds Six shillings and Eight pence of lawfull Money of England yearly, at the Feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Michaell the Archangell, unto the hands of the Bayliffs or Receivers of the pr’mises for the time being, by equall portions to be paid.

And whereas also by the same Letters Patents it is recited that whereas our Dear Father, Henry the Eighth, late King of England, by his Indenture under his great Seale of the late Court of Augmentations of the Revenues of his Crown, bearing date at Westminster the twenty-ninth day of March, in the thirtieth year of his reigne, among other things hath granted, delivered, and to farm letten and demised to John Wellisbourne, Esquire, three Water Mills under one Roffe, together with the Ponds and Pools and the whole course of Water to the same belonging and running, with the Appurtunces in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, belonging and apperteyning to the said late Monastery of Abingdon, in the same County then dissolved, together w’th the Tythe of the same Mills and the whole Fishery of the Waters in Abingdon aforesaid, to the said late Monastry in like manner belonging and apperteyning, together with the Tythe of the same To have and to hold all the aforesaid Mills and Fishery with the Appurtunces to the aforesaid John Wellisbourne and his Assigns, from the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell then last past, unto the end of the term and by the terme of one and twenty Years then next following and fully to be compleated Yielding then yearly to our said Father of us the aforesaid Queen, his Heires and Successors for the aforesaid Mills and Tythe of the same Six pounds Thirteen shillings and Four pence, and for the aforesaid Fishery Six pounds Thirteen shillings and Four pence, at the Feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Michaell the Archangell, or within one Month after either of the said Feasts by equall portions to be paid as by the same Indenture among other things it doth fully appear.

And whereas, Further, our aforesaid Brother of us the aforesaid Queen, by his aforesaid Letters Patents hath delivered, granted, and to farm demised and letten to the aforesaid William Blacknall, All those three Water Mills under one Roffe in Abingdon aforesaid, together with the Ponds and Pools and the whole course of Water to the same belonging and running, with the Appurtunc’s in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, to the said late Monastry of Abingdon in the said County of Berks then belonging and apperteyning, together w’th the Tythes of the same Mills and the said whole Fishery of the Waters in Abingdon aforesaid to the said late Monastrey in like manner belonging and apperteyuing, together with the Tythe of the same, together with the Houses, Edifices and Buildings, Sewers, Wears, Locks and other Comodities and proffitts w’tsoever in Abingdon aforesaid or elsewhere, to the p’mises or either of them, or any parcell of them belonging or apperteyning, or with them, or by reason, colour or meanes of them, occupied or used to have and to hold the aforesaid three Mills and Fishery and Tithe of the same and other the p’rmises to the said John Wellisbourne as aforesaid demised or with the same or by reason, meanes or colour of the same being occupied and used with the appurtunc’s to the aforesaid William Blacknall, his Executors and Assignes, from the Feast of St. Michaell-the Archangell, which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred fifty and nine unto the end of the Term, and by the Term of thirty years then next following and fully to be compleated, Yielding then yearly to our said Brother of us the aforesaid Queen, his Heires and Assigues, for the aforesaid three Mills and ‘Tithe thereof, Six pounds Thirteen shillings and Four pence, and for the aforesaid Fishery and Tythe thereof and other the promises to the same belonging, and apperteyning, Six pounds Thirteen shillings and Four pence of lawfull Money of England, at the Feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Michaell the Archangell, or within one Month after either of the said Feasts unto the hands of the Bayliffs or Receivers of the Pr’misses for the time being by equal portions to be paid during the term aforesaid A8 by the same Letters Patents amongst other things more fully it appeareth The Revertion and Revertions of all and singular the pr’misses in the aforesaid Letters Patents expressed and specified, to us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen by fall right belonging and apperteyning.

And whereas also our said Dear Brother of us the aforesaid Queen, Edward the Sixth, late King of England, by his Letters Patents under his Great Seale of the late Court of Augmentations and Revenues of his Crown, made bearing date at Westminster the thirteenth day of May, in the fifth Year of his reigne, bath delivered, granted and to farm demised and letten unto Thomas T’esdale, All that his Farm called Fitzharris, and all Houses and Barnes and Arrable Lands, Fields, Meadows and Pastures and Appurtune’s, and all and all manner of Tythes of the same, in Abingdon, in the County of Berks, formerly in the tenure of Ralph Cradock, Yeoman, as fully … and wholly, and in as full large and ample manner and form as the said Ralph Cradock and Elizabeth his Wife or one William Danield the same pr’misses heretofore bad held and occupied; Except neverthelesse allways to our said Brother, his Heires and Successors all-together reserved all Woods and Underwoods of, in and upon the same Premises growing and being To have and to hold all and singular the same pr’misses with the Appurtunc’s, except before excepted, to the aforesaid Thomas Tesdale his Executors and Assignes, unto the Term and for the Term of one and twenty years then next following and fully to be compleated ;

 

 

Yielding therefore yearly to our said Brother his Heires and Successors, Eighteen pounds and Eight pence of lawfull Money of England, at the Feasts of Saint Michaell the Archangell and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary or within one Month after either of the said Feasts, unto the hands of the Bayliffs or Receivers of the premises for the time being by equall portions to be paid during the term aforesaid As by the same Letters Patents amongst other things more fully it doth appear. The Revertion thereof to us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, by full right belonging and apperteyning.

Know yee that wee, of our more ample grace and of our certain knowledge and mere motion in considerac’on that the Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Abingdon may and shall be able from henceforth the better to support and susteyne the charges of the same Borough, have given and granted and by these presents for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen Do give and grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and a Burgesses the aforesaid Revertion and Revertions of the aforesaid sey’e of the aforesaid Fulling Mill, being in ruin and decay, and of all and singular other the premises in the aforesaid Letters Patents bearing date the said fourteenth day of July, in the said third year of the Reign of our said Brother of us the aforesaid Queen expressed and specified, and the aforesaid yearly rent of Forty six Shillings and Eight pence, and the aforesaid yearly rent of Four pounds Six shillings and Eight pence, and the aforesaid yearly rent of Six pounds Thirteen shillings and Four pence, and also the aforesaid yearly rent of Six pounds Thirteen shillings and Four pence in the same Letters Patents as is aforesaid reserved and the aforesaid Revertion of the aforesaid Farme called Fitzharris, and of all and sing’ar other the p’misses in the aforesaid Letters Patents bearing date the said thirteenth Day of May, in the fifth year of our said Brother of us the aforesaid Queen expressed and specified, and all the aforesaid yearly rent of Eighteen pounds and Eight pence by the same Letters Patents reserved as is aforesaid. And wee Do give and for the Considerac’ons aforesaid by these pr’sents for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, we do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of our said Borough of Abingdon All those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenem’ts, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtelages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions and Services, and other our hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the appurtunc’s not or lately in the severall tenures or occupations of Joan Wyks widow, Thomas Bisley, John Denton Esq’re, William Johnson, Robert Hewlett, Thomas Davy, Richard Smith, John Duckett, Hugh Blount, Elizabeth Fisher, Helen Hampson, Leonard Collins, William Hanby, Richard Toye, Richard Parker, John Lock, William White, Robert Hewlett, and William Pinfolde, scituate, lying and being in Burford Street, otherwise called Butcher row, in Abingdon, in our County of Berks, to the late Monastery of our Blessed Virgin Mary of Abingdon, in the said County of Berks, heretofore belonging and apperteyning and being parcell of the possessions thereof. And also all those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenements, Burgages, Shops, Cellars and Solars, Curtelages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions and Services and other our hereditam’ts, with the appurtunc’s now or lately in the severall tenures or Occupations of John Hurst, Henry Barker, John Hobbins, William Kisby, John Fraynoke, John Bryans, Anthony Lancaster, Richard Thornebury, Miles Gerrard, Thomas Hathorne, John Bentham, Roger Wells, Thomas Mylam, Ralph Batts, Thomas Whitacres, Adam Payne, Richard Arnall, John Hudd, Margaret Clarke, William White, Thomas Warner Dryng, Thomas Wyther, Thomas Read, Thomas Milles, Eleanor Patson Widow, Edmund Gardiner, Richard Armster, Richard Tysdale, Christopher Taylor, Robert Waltham, Elene Noke Widow, Robert Carter, Thomas Bisley and Thomas Jennings, scituate, lying and being in Sterte Street, in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berke, to the said late Monastery there heretofore belonging and apperteyning and being parcell of the possessions of the same. And all those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, T’enem’ts, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtelages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions, Services and other our Hereditaments w’tsoever, with the Appurtunc’s now or lately in the severall Tenures of Richard Ballard, Richard Large, Thomas Golde, Thomas Bisley, John Blissett, John Johns, John Stoker, Thomas Robins, James Braybrook, Hugh Hopkins, James son and heir of Thomas Braybrook, William Sympson, Robert Bisley, Thomas Phillips, Oliver Hyde Esq’re, Thomas Lambert, Robert Bisley, Anthony Hungerford, Richard Beast, Richard Large, and William Yate, scituate, lying and being in West St. Hellen’s Street in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, To the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning and being parcell of the Possessions of the same. And also all those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenem’ts, Burgages, Shopps, Cellars, Solars, Curtelages, Gardens, Rents, Revenues and Services, and other our Hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall Tenures of James Watter, Richard Smith, William Mathon, James Braybrooke, Robert Aldworth, John Langley, William Mathew, William Keyling, Gilbert Freeman, Jno. Sympson, Agnes Grove, Rich’d Wright and Wm. Smith, Gilbert Freeman, Richard Smith, Henry Harper, Elizabeth Hyde and Elizabeth Branch, scituate, lying and being in East St. Hellen’s Street in Abingdon aforesaid, in the aforesaid County of Berks, to the said late Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of Abingdon aforesaid, heretofore belonging and apperteyning, and being parcell of the possessions of the same. And also all those our two Messuages or Tenem’ts with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall Tenures of Thomas Read and Thomas Woodward, scituate and being in Lumbard Street in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning and being parcell of the Possessions of the same. And allso all those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenements, Burgages, Shops, Cellare, Solars, Curtelages, Gardens, Rents, Revenues, Services and other our Hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall tenures of Robert Foreman, Michael Fisher, John Langley, John Edwards, Humphry Bostock, Roger Coke, John Hyde, John Tuscote, John Bolks, Ralph Hans, John Cole, Anne Bonde, John Tuckey, John Carey and John Shene, scituate, lying and being in little bury Street in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, to the aforesaid late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning, and being parcell of the possessions of the same. And also all those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenements, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtilages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions and Services and other our Hereditam’ts whats’r, with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall tenures of Thomas Eyres, Wm. Blackhouse Churchwarden of St. Elene, William Backhouse, Robert Ling, Robert Sayer, Thomas Bisley, Thomas Golde, John Hutt, Thomas Bisley, Thomas Drink, Robert Reagen, Joan. John Chaunterell, Wardens of the Parish Church of Sonningwell, William Sympkins, Henry Goodchild, John Ayre and Jno. Chaunterell, scituate, lying and being in Boar Street in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, to the aforesaid late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyuing, and being parcell of the poss’ions of the same. And also all those Messuages, Tofts, Lande, Tenem’ts, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtilages, Gardecus, Rente, Revertions and Services and other our Hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the Appurunc’s now or late in the severall tenures of Philip Swift, Garret Stanber, Thomas Atkinson, John Borne, George Furrett, Thomas Bisley, Thomas Rowland, Richard Elye, Thomas Gold, James Braybroke, Thomas Golde, Robert Overthrowe, Richard Beverley, Elizabeth Hyde, Richard Smith, Roger Allen, William Alderley the younger, James Strainge, Richard Cowper, Thomas Payne, Thomas Orpwood, John Addams, Richard Elye, Thomas Rowland, Joan Amerlowe, Thomas Bisley, William Bakbouse, Thomas Cousers, Richard Elye and the heires of Nicholas Hewitt, scituate, lying and being in Ock Street in Abingdon aforesaid, in the said County of Berks, to the said late Monastrey heretofore belonging and apperteyning, and being parcell of the poss’ions of the same. And also all those Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenem’ts, Burgages, Shopps, Cellars, Solars, Curtilages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions, Services and other our Hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the Appurtenances now or late in the severall tenures of John Hyde, George Tuckwell, Richard Chester, William Barker, John Whitwell, John Langley, Thomas Woodward, Thomas Milles, Thomas Rode, Stephen Whitington, Thomas Reade, Ralph Bostock, John Mitchell, John Hutt, Thomas Bisley, Thomas Golde, Thomas Reade, John Willmott, James Braybroke and Robert Forman, situate, lying and being in a Street called the Bury in Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Monastrey heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all those Messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenem’te, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Sollars, Curtilages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions and Services, and other our Hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the several tenures of James Braybroke, William Smith, John Bonge, Nicholas Rixon, John Taylor, Warden of the Parish Church of Sonnningwell, Thomas Golde, William Yate, Thomas Meadowe, Robert Ashely, Thomas Barnade, Thomas Bisley, scituate, lying and being in the Brode Street in our said Town of Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all those Messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtilages, Gardens, Rente, Revertions and Services, and other our Heredit’s w’tsoever, with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall tenures of Edward Alexander or Oliver Hyde, John Smith, Joan Poynter, Oliver Hyde, Thomas Read, John Tyndall, Nicholas Harris, John Tindall, John Pyers, Robert Pyke, and Roger Bright, scituate, lying and being in the Vineyard in Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all those Messuages, Cottages, Lands, T’enem’ts, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtilages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions and Services, and other our Hereditam’ts w’tsoever, with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall tenures of John Smith, Oliver Wellbourne, Robert Welling, William Welling and Thomas Medowe, situate, lying and being in Otwell Lane in Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning, and also all those our two Gardens and our one Tenement and our one Garden with the Appurtenances now or late in the severall tenures of Steven Whytington, James Braybroke and Elizabeth Tasker, scituate, lying and being in St. Edmund’s Lane in Abingdon aforesaid and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And allso all that scite of the Fulling Mill in Abingdon aforesaid, near unto the three Water Mills there, and the whole Land, Ground and Soyle whereon the same Fulling Mill was scituate and built, and all Waters and courses of Water to the same Fulling till running, belong or apperteyning, and all and all manner of Tythes of w’tsoever kind or sort out of and in the Fulling Mill aforesaid coming, growing, arising or issuing, with their and every of their Appurtunc’s now or late in the Tenure or occupation of William Blacknall, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all those our three Water Mills built and erected under one Roffe in Abingdon aforesaid, and all Pools and Ponds and the whole course of Water to the same Mills belonging and running, with the Appurtnc’s in Abingdon aforesaid. And also all and all manner of Tythes and Tenths of the said three Mills and each and every of them. And all our Fishery and Liberty of Fishing in the Waters of Abingdon aforesaid, and the tenths and tythes of the same Fishery. And also all and all manner of Tenths and Tythes Yearly and from time to time coming, growing, issuing or renewing out of the Buildings, Edifices, Sewers, Wears, the Locks and all other Comodities and proffiitts whatsoever in Abingdon aforesaid or elsewhere to the aforesaid three Water Mills to either of them or any parcell of them belonging or with them or either of them by reason, means or colour of the same being occupied or used, heretoforo in the tenure or occupation of John Wellisbourne or his Assignes, and now or late in the tenure or occupation of the said William Blacknall, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all that severall Bushey or Thorne Close with the Appurtuc’s conteyning by estimation one acre lying and being in Bagley, in our said County of Berks, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Oliver Wellisbourne, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all that house or Goale with the Appurtenances scituate and being in the Middle of the Markett in Abingdon aforesaid, in which said House as well the view of Frankpledge as the Court of Portrive and pye powder have been used and accustomed to be holden and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all that our little Close of Land called the Trinitie Close, with the Appurtennc’s conteyning by estimation one rod or perch lying and being in Abingdon aforesaid, now or late in the Tenure or Occupation of William Wise and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And all that our Messuage and Tenem’t with the Appurtunc’s scituate and being in Bore Street in Abingdon aforesaid, and all our Lands, Fields, Meadowes, Pastures, Com’ons and hereditaments whatsoever, as well within the Town of Abingdon aforesaid as in the fields there to the said Messuage and Tenement in anyways belonging or apperteyning or with the same being heretofore demised, lett, used or enjoyed, with their and every of their Appurtunc’s now or late in the Tenure or Occupution of Robert Kepe or his Assignes, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And all that our farm and our heredit’s with the Appurtunc’s called Fitzharris, and all our houses, Arrable Lande, Fields, Meadows, Pastures and heredit’s whats’r with the Appurtunc’s scituate, lying and being in the Town and fields of Abingdon aforesaid, and all and all manner of Tenths and. Tythes in Abingdon aforesaid, with their and every of their Appurtunc’s lately in the tenure or occupation of Ralph .. and now or late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Tesdale or his Assignes, and to the said late Monastery heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all Issues, Com’odities, Protfitts and Emolum’ts whats’r of out of and in the Fairs in Abingdon aforesaid to be held. And of and out of the Office of Clerk of the Markett there, and all issues and proffitts of, out of and in the view of ffraukpledge, pye powder and Court of Portrive from time to time chancing, happening, coining, arising or growing. And also all that our yearly rent of Six pence and Service to us belonging and apperteyning, issuing out of our Tenem’t now or late in the Tenure or Occupation of William Powell, scituate and being in Burford Street in Abingdon aforesaid, to the late Chauntry of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Abingdon aforesaid, heretofore belonging and apperteyning and being parcell of the possessions and revenues of the same. And also all our Lands, Tenements and heredit’s whats’r now or late in the Tenure or Occupations of James Fisher, William Applebye, John Bargeman and Robert Overthrowe, situate, lying and being in East St. Helene’s Street aforesaid, and to the said late Chauntry heretofore belonging and apperteyning. And also all that our yearly rent of one penny and Service to us belonging and apperteyning, issuing out of one Tenement now or lately in the Tenure of Richard Forde in Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Chantrey sometime since belonging and apperteyning. And all that our yearly rent of one penny and Service to us belonging and apperteyning, heretofore parcell of the Possessions and Revenues of the said late Chantery, and issuing out of a Tenem’t in the Tenure of John Sharpe, in the Bore Street aforesaid. And also all those our nine Messuages or Tenem’ts and our five Gardens and our Orchard with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall Tenures of Alice Watson, William Bray, John Broke, the aforesaid Alice Watson, Henry Atkins, Robert Whitton, Thomas Bastly, Joan Aurlowee, and John Francys, situate, lying and being in Ock Street aforesaid, and to the said late Chantrey some time since belonging and apperteyning. And also all that our Messuage and Tenement with the Appurtenc’s now or late in the Tenure or Occupation of Thomas Bisley, in the Bury in Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Chantery some time since belonging and apperteyning. And also all that our Messuage and Tenm’t with the Appurtunc’s now late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Bisley, in the Bury in Abingdon aforesaid, and to the said late Chantery some time since belonging and apperteyning. And also all those our three Messuages and Tenem’ts with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the severall tenures or occupations of William Crouche and John Coxe, scituate and being in the Wineyard aforesaid. And also all those our eight.

Messuages or Tenm’te and our three Gardens with their and every of their Appurtunc’s now or lately in the several tenures of Jolin Shreeve, John Collins, William Harris, Henry Bande, Thomas Chipman, Edmund Thyndall and Elizabeth Miller, or their Assignes, scituate, lying and being in Abingdon aforesaid, being lately parcell of the Lands, Possessions, and Revenues of the late Chantery vulgarly called St. Tottes Chauntry, founded within our City of Oxford. And also all that our Barne with the Appurtunc’s scituate in the South side of the Ock Street aforesaid, and our Close of Land to the same Barne adjoining conteyning by estimation Three acres. And all Lands, Meadowes and Pastures in Wick field in Abingdon aforesaid, with their and every of their Appurtunc’s now or lately in the tenure or occupation of William Keling and his Assignes, and to the late fraternity of the Holy Cross in Abingdon aforesaid, some time since belonging and apperteyning, and being lately parcell of the Poss’ons of the same. And all that our Back house and Close of Land to the same house adjoining on the East side of the Bore Street aforesaid. And our three Acres of Land with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the Tenure or Occupc’on of Thomas Thesdale or his Assignes, scituate and being in the Town and Fields of Abingdon aforesaid and beretofore being gave, granted, assigned and apointed for the perpetuall sustentation of our Yearly Obyte in the Parish of St. Nicholas in Abingdon aforesaid. And allso all those our two Tenem’ts and one Garden with the Appurtupc’s, scituate and being in the South and North sides of the Bore Street aforesaid, and being heretofore gave, granted, assigned and appointed for the perpetual sustentation of the aforesaid Yearly Obyte, and our Tenem’t with the Appurtunc’s scituate in the Corner of the North side of the Ock Street aforesaid, and one Garden with the Appurtunc’s now or late in the Tenure or Occupation of John Meadowe or his Assignes, and being heretofore gave, granted, assigned and appointed for the perpetuall sustentation of a Yearly Obyte in the Church of St. Hellene in Abingdon aforesaid, and one other Cottage of ours and one Garden of ours with the Appurtun’ca, scituate and being on the West side of East St. Helen’s Street aforesaid, and being heretofore gave, granted, assigned and appointed for the perpetual sustentation of the said yearly Obyte in the aforesaid Church of St. Helene.

We give alsoe, and for the considerations aforesaid by these presents for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, We do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of our said Borough of Abingdon aforesaid All and all manner of our Woods, Underwoods and Trees whatsoever, out of, in and upon the premises growing or being, and the Revertion and Revertions whatsoever of all and singular the Pr’misses and every part and parcell thereof, and also the Rents and yearly Proffitts whatsoever reserved upon any demises, leases and grants whatsoever in anyways made of the pr’mises in any part or parcell thereof. We give also, and by these pr’sents for the Considerations aforesaid for us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, We do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of our said Borough of Abingdon, All and singular. the aforesaid Messuages, Mills, Cottages, Lands, Tenemt’e, Gardens, Cellars, Solars, Tythes, Tenths, Woods, Underwoods, Rents, Revertions, Services, and all and singular other the premises above expressed and specified, as fully, freely and wholly, and in as large and ample manner and form as any Abbot of our said late Monastery or any Chanters, Chaplains, Priests, Governors, Masters or Incumbents of the said late Chantrys and Fraternity or any or either of them or any other person or persons heretofore having, possessing or being seized thereof, have at any time had, held or enjoyed, or ought to have had, held or enjoyed, the premises or any part or parcell thereof, and as fully, freely and wholly, and in as large and ample manner and forme as all and singular the premisses by reason, meanes, colour or pretence of the dissolution of the said late Monastery, or by reason, means, colour or pretence of any Act or Acts of Parliament, or by any other lawfull meane, right or title now are in our hands or ought. to be in our hands, or came or ought to come into our hands, or unto the hands of our most dear and loving Father of us the aforesaid Queen, Henry the Eighth, late King of England, or unto the hands of our most dear and loving Brother of us the aforesaid Queen, Edward the sixth, late King of England, which said Messuages, Lands, Tenem’ts, Rents, Revertions and Services, and all other the pr’misses are now extended to the clear yearly value of One hundred and two pounds sixteen Shillings and seven pence. To have, hold and enjoy the aforesaid Revertion and Revertions and the aforesaid yearly Rents, and also the aforesaid Messuages, Tofts, Cottages, Lands, Tenements, Burgages, Shops, Cellars, Solars, Curtilages, Gardens, Rents, Revertions and Services, and all and singular other the pr’misses above expressed and specified to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgages of the Borough of Abingdon and their Successors for ever, To the proper use and behoofe of them the said Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgages and their successors for ever, To hold of us and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen as of our Mannor of Grenewyche in our County of Kent, by Fealty only in free socage and not in capite. And yielding and Paying therefore yearly unto us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, One hundred and two pounds Sixteen Shillings and Seven-pence of lawfull Money of England att the Feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St.

Michaell the Archangell, at the receipt of our Exchequer, our Heires and Successors every Year by equal portions to be paid for and in lieu of all other rents, Services and Demands whatsoever to us our Heires or Successors in any manner or by any meanes to be thereforo yielded, paid or done.

And further, of our more ample and abundant grace, and favour we do give and for the considerations afores’d for us our Heires and Successore We do grant to the aforesaid layor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon, all Issues, Rents, Revertions and Proffitts of all and singular the aforesaid Messuages, Lands, Tenem’ts and all and singular other the Premisses above expressed and specified with the Appurtun’ces from the Feast of St. Michaell the Archangell last past coming or growing, to have to them the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of our gift without accompt or any other thing therefore to us our Heires or Successors by any means to be yielded, paid or done. And moreover of our more ample grace and favour We do give and by these presents for the Considerac’ons afores’d for us our Heires and Successors, We do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon and their successors, that wee and the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen, yearly and from time to time will exonerate, discharge, acquitt, save and keep harmlesse and indempnified as well them the said Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses as the aforesaid Messuage, Lands, Tenem’ts and all and singular other the pr’misses with their and every of their Appurtunc’s and every parcell thereof against us our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen and against all and every other Person and Persons whatsoever, of and from all and all manner of Corrydes, Rents, Pentions, Portions, Fees, Annuities, and all other charges and sumes of Money whatsoever out of the aforesaid Messuages, Lands, T’enements and other the Premisses with the Appurtenances, or out of any part or parcell thereof by any meanes, issuing, going or to be paid or thereupon charged or to be charged, except the rent and Service above by these pr’sents reserved, and except the demises and grants of the Premisses or any part or parcell thereof by any meanes made upon which the old rent or more shall be reserved, and except the Covenants being in such demises and grants, and except Five Shillings issuing out of part of the Premises and yearly to be paid to the Vicar of the Parish Church in Abingdon aforesaid for the time being, And except Fifteen Pounds and Twelve Shillings issuing out of part of the Premisses and yearly to be paid unto six Poor People in the Almshouse called the Hospitall of St. John, within the precincts of the said late Monastery as of an ancient custome hath been used to be allowed. Moreover, we will, and by these present we do firmly injoyne and comand as well the Treasurer, Chancellour and Barons of our Exchequer, our Heires and Successors as all our Receivers, Auditors and other Offices and Ministers whatsoever of us our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen for the time being that they and every of them upon the only sight or Demonstration of these our Letters Patents, or upon the Enrollement of the same without any other Writt or Warrant by us the Heires or Successors of us the aforesaid Queen to be sued forth or prosecuted, shall make and from time to time caused to be made a full, whole and due allowance and manifest discharge of all and all manner of such rents, fees, annuity’s and sumes of Money charges whatsoever issuing or to be paid out of the premisses or thereupon charged or to be charged (Except before excepted) unto the aforesaid Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses, their Heires and Assignes. And these our Letters Patents or the Inrollm’t thereof shall be yearly and from time to time a sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalfe as well to the said Treasurer, Chancellour and Barons of our Exchequer, our Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen as unto all Receivers, Auditors and other Officers and Ministers whatsoever of us the Heires and Successors of us the aforesaid Queen for the time being. We will also, and by these presents We do grant to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffes and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon that may have and shall have these our Letters Patents under our great Seale of England duly made and sealed without fine or fee, great or small to us in our Hanaper or elsewhere to our use by any meanes for the same to be yielded, paid or done, because that expresse mention of the yearly value or of the certainty of the Premisses or either of them or of other gifte or grants by us or by any of the Progenitors of us the said Queen to the aforesaid Mayor, Bayliffs and Burgesses of the said Borough of Abingdon before this time made in these presente is not made or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, Provisoe or restraint thereof to the contrary made, enacted, ordained or provided, or any other thing, cause or matter whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding.

An Witnesses whereof, we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents.

Witnesse ourselves at Westminster, the Twenty fourth day of November, in the third and fourth Yeares of our Reignes.

There have been a few questions about how the date is determined for the October fairs, with many people insisting that the town council seem to occasionally hold it on the wrong date.

The date of fairs held in Abingdon are set by Section 38 of the Oxfordshire Act 1985, a private bill of parliament. Private bills are those that only affect specific individuals or organisations – in this case the local authorities of Oxfordshire. S. 38 reads:

The wording is a bit archaic but if you read the text it’s clear that “next before” means something other than “falling on, or next before” so “Monday next before 11th” must mean the Monday before the 11th, but not the 11th if it’s a Monday.

This wording means that the fair is in the first whole week of October if the 11th is a Monday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, but in the second week if the 11th is a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday – roughly every three out of every seven years. The earliest the fair can be is the is the 4th and 5th of October (when the 11th is a Monday), and the latest is the 10th and 11th (when the 11th is a Tuesday, as it is in 2016). 

Here’s a blog post showing similar confusion in 2011 when the fair was also this late, and there are photos of the fair showing that the fair was also held as late as the 10th and 11th in 2005.

But this isn’t what I remember…

This has been the system for reckoning the date of the fair since this law was passed in 1985. I imagine that it has been in use since 1986.

But the ancient town charter…

The Oxfordshire Act of 1985 has precedence over any town charter. There’s also no single town charter.

The Oxfordshire Act of 1985 also gives the Town Council the powers that allow them to control fisheries and moorings along the stretch of Thames in Abingdon.