196 The Company and the Trade. 



And we accordingly read that every year the 

 Company elected two searchers and presented 

 them to the Court of Aldermen for approval. 



1607. May 12 th. 



"Marke Branche at this Courtewas granted the good- 

 will of the Company to be a Sutor to y^ lorde Maio'" for 

 to be one of the Searchers and Sealers of Lether, and 

 that they wolde assist him therein as much as they 

 maye." 



1663. July 13///. 



''Richard Benskyn,"! appointed Searchers 

 William Caine, j of Leather." 



One of the most important prerogatives vested 

 in the Company by their Charter from Edward 

 III., and confirmed to them In subsequent char- 

 ters and ordinances, was the power 



" Search " 



to search the shops and houses of all 

 persons using the Saddlers' trade, and of con- 

 demning all Ill-made wares that they found. No 

 Saddler, freeman or non-freeman, was permitted 

 to send any saddle out of London, either to the 

 country fairs or for exportation abroad, until It 

 had been viewed by the Wardens, or other 



that Butchers shall not be Tanners, and that all Tanners 

 shall be apprenticed ; that with a view to the preservation of 

 bark for tanning, oaks shall only be felled in barking time, i.e.y 

 in the months of April, May, and June ; it also prohibits 

 Shoemakers selling shoes on Sunday before morning service is 

 over. 



