250 
wee have been trayned upp and advanced, that so 
having the holy use of this, and all other Thy 
mercies wee may in them see Thy tender love and 
care over us and have our harts stirred to true 
thankfullnes in all holy Obedience to the Glory of 
Thy Name, the good Example of our Brethren, our 
owne present and everlasting comfort through Jesus. 
Christe our Lord. 
Amen. 
FREEMEN. 
The main body of the Craft were the Freemen, and to be 
enrolled among these was the aspiration of every apprentice and 
the desire of every journeyman anxious to conduct a business for 
himself. 
The Freemen of Merchant Taylors’ Company in Bath claimed 
to hold a position superior to that of other craftsmen, although 
the Shoemakers claimed the same privilege. It was this, that 
when anyone who was a Tailor applied to purchase the freedom 
of the city or to be admitted to the freedom by servitude, the 
Mayor, before the person was admitted always sent his officer to 
desire the Master of the Company to attend him in order to learn 
whether any objection was felt to such person, and if the Master 
and the Company made any reasonable objection it was always 
allowed. The entry in‘the Chamberlain’s accounts 16 June, 27 
Eliz., that is, some years before the grant of the City Charter 
and constitution of the Taylors’ Company, appears to give some 
colour to this claim. 
“Of Thos. Dytcher for his freedom 10s., more of him being 
made free of the Taylor’s 10s.,” where the two acts are evidently 
connected. 
The penalty of suspension from civil rights on account of 
misfitting garments, which power was allowed and recognised by 
the Chief Justices in the reign of Charles I., shows that the 
Company possessed extraordinary powers. 

