History of the Company. 45 



feeble, and infirm old men, and of one Chaplain to cele- 

 brate divine service, for the healthful estate of us and 

 for the souls of our progenitors, and for the souls of the 

 founders and sustainers of the aforesaid alms for ever. 

 We wish graciously to grant to them our royal license in 

 this behalf We being favourably inclined towards the 

 pious intention and laudable purpose of our well 

 beloved lieges, especially since they manifestly tend not 

 only towards mercy and inward affection towards one's 

 neighbour, but also to the increase of divine worship, of 

 our special grace, and for sixty pounds, which the same 

 our liege men of the Mystery aforesaid have paid to us, 

 into our hanaper. We have granted and given license 

 for us and our heirs to the same men of the Mystery afore- 

 said, that they, for the good governance of the Mystery 

 aforesaid may have a Commonalty of themselves for 

 ever. And that the men of the Mystery and Commonalty 

 aforesaid may every year elect and make four Keepers 

 from the men of the Commonalty and Mystery 

 aforesaid, to supervise, regulate, and duly govern the 

 Mystery aforesaid, and every member of the same. And 

 also from time to time for ever, to correct and amend 

 the faults of the Mystery aforesaid, and that the same 

 Keepers and Commonalty and their successors may ac- 

 quire lands, tenements, and rents with appurtenances to 

 the value of twenty pounds by the year, as well within 

 our City of London as without, provided that those 

 which shall be without our said City be not held of us 

 in chief To have and to hold to the same Keepers and 

 Commonalty, and their successors, in aid of the susten- 

 tation of the said poor, feeble, and infirm old men, and 

 of one Chaplain to celebrate divine service for our 

 healthful estate while we live, and for our souls when 

 we shall have migrated from this light, and for the souls 

 of our progenitors, and for the estate and souls of the 

 men of the Mystery and Commonalty aforesaid, and 



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