THE DERBY COMPANY OF MERCERS. 1 39 



of six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, for liberty to 

 follow the milliner's trade. 



On April lo, 1694, Mrs. Sarah Bembrige, milliner, paid five 

 pounds, for " ffree liberty to go & follow the milliners trade," 

 but she was not to " take any apprentice to make them free 

 of this Borrough." 



On Nov. 4, 1675, John Bourne, Cordwainer, and his wife have 

 liberty to follow the trade of selling mercery and grocery wares, 

 on paying five pounds to the Company, and two shillings every 

 Easter Tuesday. They were not to take any apprentice to the 

 damage of the Company, 



On Jan. 27, 1676, it was "ordered, that what Course in Law 

 Councell shall advise, be forthwith taken Against John Booth for 

 infringeing the liberties of our Company ; " and on Jan. i8, 1677, 

 it was ordered, " that Mr Jno Dunidge, Warden of the Company 

 of Mercers, doe give informacon ye next Sessions* held for the 

 Borough, against Jno Booth, for his Tradeing in this Towne 

 Contrary to law;" and in November, 1678, an information was 

 " to be exsibitated against John Booth, and likewise another 

 information be exibitated against Mrs Mary Yates, att ye next 

 Sessions holden for this Borrow, w"'"' is uppon Tuesday the 

 12th of this instant November, for sellinge of divers merchandise- 

 ing goods, which they are not free to sell." The case went 

 against Mr. Booth, and he repaid the costs ^2 12s. 9d. to the 

 Company. The Wardens then demanded the moneys due from 

 him, and in January, 1680, he paid them ten pounds, and in 1683 

 was bound to the Company in ;^2o not to " take any Apprentice 

 to ye damage of ye Mercers or Milliners in this Borrough." This 

 John Booth is described as a " Taylor." 



Proceedings were also taken against a John Booth, Mercer, 

 thirty years later. On February 23rd, 17 10, it was "ordered 

 that John Booth be forthwith prossicuted at Law, for infringing 



* The Company of Merchants at Alnwick took proceedings in the Quarter 

 Sessions and County Sessions against various people, for " exercising the 

 mystery and calling of a merchant within the Borough, not being freemen or 

 having served an apprenticeship for seven years." — Tate's " History of Aln- 

 wick." 



