190 ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 



purchafing lands to a certain value fy) ; confirmed feveral by- 

 laws of the magistrates for well-governing and improving nfz)', 

 and iffued an order for the manner of electing the mayor, ma- 

 girtratcs, and other officers (a) ; and another concerning the mea- 

 liire to be ufed by the venders of coals (b). 



'King Richard II, confirmed its charters in the firft year of his 

 reign, 1378. He afterwards granted fome pieces of ground for 

 the conveniency of making high-ways, and a bridge fc). For 

 its greater honour, he alfo granted, 1390, that a f word, the en- 

 iign of royal ftate and authority, mould be carried before the 

 mayor. 



King Henry IV, on his acceffion to the throne, granted it farther 

 privileges and immunities ; that it mould be a town and county 

 of itfelf, independent of the county of Northumberland; that it 

 mould have a fherifF, inftead of bailiffs, who mould hold a court, 

 account before the Barons by their attorney, and have the re- 

 turn of all writs, &c. that it mould have fix aldermen, to be 

 elected from among the burgefles, with power to act as juftices 



(y) Pro flatuitate novo caftro fuper lynam fata ad terras acquirendas. Fat. 37 ft. Ed. 

 III. p. i. m. 2. Ibid. 



(z) Confirmatio ordinationis fatae pro melioratione et tranqtfilfo regimlne vilf* et incola* 

 rumnovi caftri, Pat. 16 R. Ed. III. p. 3. m, 5. Ibid. 



(a) Ordinatio fafla de modo majorum, et alior* offic. Navi Caflri eligend. Pat. 38 R. 

 Ed. III. p. 2. m. 34. Ibid, 



(b) Nov. Cafl. fuper Tynam de carbonibus maritimis rfienfu'raiidi*. Pat. jtf it. Ed. Ilf.- 

 p. 2. m. 34.. Ibid. 



(c) DeouibufJim placeis terr* in novo caftro fuper Tynatrt, burgenfibus ibidem conceflls^ 

 pro pon;e et viis conftruend. Pat. 18 R. Rtc. II. p. 2. m. vj, 0140. Ibid. 



of 



