History of the Company. 5 



'' Indulgence," is of a still later date, apparently 

 about the reign of Edward III. 



For the following translation of the convention 

 we are indebted to Dr. Reginald Sharpe, Records 

 Clerk in the Town Clerk's Office, Guildhall : — 



" Convention. 



" The Convent of the Church of Saint Martin, London, 

 to N the Aldermen and N the Chaplain and N the four 

 echevins and all the Elders of the Guild of Saddlers, 

 their friends and brethren, [sends] greeting and prayers 

 in Christ. Be it known to you both present and to come 

 that it has been ordained of old between our Church 

 and your congregation, to wit, that you are brethren and 

 partakers of all benefits which be done in the Church 

 of Saint Martin, by night and by day in masses, psalms, 

 prayers, and vigils. And, moreover, know ye that there 

 have been granted to you by name two masses every 

 week, to wit, one for the living and the other for the 

 dead brethren of your congregation. And know ye that 

 there has been granted to you the ringing of the bells of 

 the Church and procession, and churchyard fully and 

 honorably. And know ye that the Canons for the 

 time being are prepared to give aid and counsel to your 

 house like brethren and your fellow-helpers. Ye shall, 

 moreover, as has been before ordained and is now 

 recorded in your Chapter, attend in person at the 

 Church of the blessed Martin on the Feast of Saint 

 Martin with your alms and wax tapers therewith pro- 

 vided. Moreover we pray you, if you will, remember 

 the Church of Saint Martin, which as you see is clearly 

 in much need, with ' Saulesoth,' ^ and bequests and 



1 u 



Sauiesoth," otherwise " Soulesceat," was a legacy 



