By Mr. Edward Kite. 171 



further ordained, that no persons who shall be admitted to their 

 freedom in any of the Gruilds, other than such as bo born or serve 

 an apprenticeship within the Borough, shall, by virtue of such 

 freedom be entitled to any exemption from payment of Picage, 

 Stallage, and other accustomed tolls and payments to the Mayor 

 and Burgesses, usually paid by persons frequenting the markets 

 and fairs within the Borough. 



As this entry has no signatures attached, it seems doubtful whe- 

 ther at so late a date it was ever very strictly enforced. 



The Book of Constitutions of the Fraternity of the Mercers. 



This volume, as appears by a memorandum (in Latin) at the end, 

 was written in August, 1614, by an individual named Benedict 

 Browne. It is, with one or two exceptions, an almost exact copy 

 of that which belonged to the Drapers ; there are several blank 

 spaces at the commencement, evidently intended for some kind of 

 illumination, which was never completed. 



The trades included bj' the Fraternity are specified as mercers, 

 grocers, linen drapers, haberdashers of small wares, haberdashers 

 commonly selling hats and caps, vinters, innholders, bakers, brewers, 

 apothecaries, barbers, surgeons, chandlers, painters, brasiers, and 

 glasiers. 



At the end of the volume are the following entries, evidently 

 bearing somewhat of a Puritanical cast : — 



•"o 



''Plucs \\\\ii orders bg tfrc gencntU ronsart of Ulcmn-'s <^0dftg^ 

 Me ilarti] n\i'i^^ %\m, gam. 1620.'^ 



" The daye aboue it was ordered and decreed by the greater pt 

 of the fraternityc y' henceforth eucry Brother that cometh not to 

 the Ilaulle in Decent maun' and in his Clocke, if he hath anney 

 one, shall forfeite to the companie xij'' for euery sutch Default. 



" It was also concluded the same day that Whereas in former 

 times it was concluded that none of the companie should sill anney 

 wares on the Saboth day, other then for necessitye, it is nowe fully 

 agreed on that from hence-forth, none shall vse anney pt of thcirc 

 mibturics and f radon y' Joe conserne the fratornitie on the saide 



