98 ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IN ENGLAND, 



the first guilds. We do not know what was the period at 

 which some of the latter began. It is said that the site of 

 the Goldsmiths' Hall, behind the General Post Office, has been 

 held in uninterrupted succession for a longer period than any 

 other property known ; I presume this must mean in lay hands, 

 for not a few of the possessions of the chapter of Canterbury 

 go back to the concession or donation of Ethelbert. But in- 

 dentures of apprenticeship had necessarily a very transient 

 interest, and I consider myself fortunate in having been able 

 to discover an original deed of this kind among the archives 

 of Canterbury, though it is not easy to see how the document 

 came into such hands, unless the apprentice had been, like 

 Tusser, a chorister, and had subsequently been apprenticed 

 under the authority of the prior and monks of Christchurch. 



John Harrietsham contracts with Robert Lacy, of Canterbury, 

 coverlid-maker, to serve the said Robert as well in his craft 

 and in all his other works and doings such as he does and 

 should use, from Christmas day next ensuing ; for the term of 

 seven years : he is to receive nine shillings and four pence at 

 the end of the term, and he shall work one year after the seven 

 at the wages of twenty shillings. Lacy is to find his apprentice 

 in all necessaries, food, clothing, shoes, and bed, and to teach 

 him his craft in all its particulars without concealment. During 

 the term, the apprentice is to keep his master's secrets, do him 

 no injury, and commit no excessive waste on his goods. He 

 is not to frequent taverns, not to commit fornication in or out 

 of his master's house, nor make nor contract matrimony, nor 

 affiance himself without his master's leave. He is not to play 

 at dice, tables, or chequers, or any other unlawful games, but is to 

 conduct himself soberly, justly, piously, well, and honourably, and 

 be a faithful and good servant according to the use and custom of 

 London. For all his obligations Lacy binds himself, his heirs 

 and executors, his goods and chattels, present and future, wherever 

 found. The parties affix their seals, and the instrument is dated 

 Dec. 20, 30 Henry VI, i.e. 1451. 



It will be seen that there are no material differences between 



