il8 the derby company of mercers. 



Grant to the Company of Mercers, 



[The original grant to the Mercers' Company is written on two 

 skins of parchment 31 by 25^ inches and 21J by 25^ inches 

 respectively. The memorandum concerning the sealing and 

 confirmation of the by-laws is on the back of the first skin. The 

 grant has been copied into the minute book, and the spelling of 

 some of the words been altered. Below, I have followed the 

 spelling and wording of the grant, but arranged it in paragraphs, 

 and inserted marginal notes for easier reference.] 



^0 aff C^xiBiian peopfe to whom theis 



p'sent writeings shall come. Wee the Maior & Burgesses of 



the Burrough of Derby in the County of Derby send greetinge. 



The Mayor & ^BctedB by severall Letters Patients, Granted by several! 



iurgesse 



B°Taws" ™^''^ °^ ^'^ Ma"" Progenitors Ancestors & Predecessors Kings & 

 Queenes of this his Highness Realme of England, and con- 

 firmed by his most sacred & most excellent Majest'^ King 

 Charles the Second, now King of England, Scotland, ffrance, 

 and Ireland, Defender of the ffaith &c. by his Letters Pattents 

 under the great Seale of England, Wee the Major & Burgesses 

 of the Burrough of Derby aforesaid, are authorized & enabled 

 to make Orders & By Laws for the good & wholesome 

 governm' of the said Burrougli of Derby ; & findeing by 

 experience that the erectinge of Companies & Societies for the 

 Inspection & regulating of trade & commerce in the said 

 Burrough, and avoydinge fraudes and deceipts in the way of 

 trade, which are scandalous to tradsmen, and tend much to 

 the impoverishinge and damage of honest & just dealers, 

 Theydetermine Wee have therefore thought' ffitt, accordinge to the laudable 



to constiiute the o ' o 



Mercers' Com- practice & precedents of the Citty of london, and divers 

 other Citties Burroughes and Corporations within this Realme, 

 approved «& allowed to ordayne, erect, constitute, make, and 

 create the Mercers, Apothecaryes, Grocers, Ironmongers, 

 Uphoulsters, and Milliners of this Burrough, into a Company, 

 Society, ifraternity, or Brotherhood, to be governed, Inspected, 



