656 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences , Arts, and Letters. 
misteries with the number of councilmen each had. This 
is under date of 9 Aug. 1376. 1 The Common Council which 
met at that time had 156 members chosen from forty-seven 
guilds. * 1 2 A few of the more prominent crafts had five or six 
representatives; about one-third had four;, and the re¬ 
mainder had two or three. Now, if we rule out those who 
opposed Brembre in 1386, and at the same time those who 
had fewer than four representatives (which were the small 
and obscure companies) we have the following: Drapers, 
Goldsmiths, Tailors, Fullers, Masons, Skinners (Pelters), 
Girdlers, Ironmongers, Dyers, Weavers, and Tapicers. 3 It 
will be observed that the Haberdashers and Carpenters are 
not mentioned. Concerning the former some definite evi¬ 
dence exists which indicates that they were one of the 
powerful companies. In 1377 4 at a meeting of the Common 
Council we find that the Haberdashers had four repre¬ 
sentatives. 5 6 This at once places them with the more promi¬ 
nent companies. And, what is of unusual interest, of the 
thirteen companies who attended this meeting the Haber¬ 
dashers, alone, had no representation in the Aldermancy, 
nor did they petition against Brembre in 1386. 6 They 
were, therefore, a powerful as well as a neutral company. 
in the Common Council had been carried by clamour rather than by reason, 
and sometimes by members who were not qualified to sit, whereby tumults 
had arisen.” {Ibid., p. 227. Cf. Intro, p. VI). In 1385 it was found that 
the system of electing by wards worked so well by trial that it was moved 
the election (by wards) should continue “forever” {Ibid., pp. 277-279). In 
1389 another controversy arose, whether the Council should be vested 
in the guilds or wards. {Ibid., p. 347). Nothing came of it however. 
1 Ibid., pp. 41 ff. 
2 Grocers, Mercers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Vintners, 
Tailors, Pelters, Smiths,—six members each. Sadlers, Weavers, Tapicers, 
Fullers, Brewers, Girdlers, Dyers, Masons, Tsmongers’, (Ironmongers), 
Cordwainers,—four each. ‘Chandelers de Su’ (Tallow-chandlers), 
Salters, Butchers,—three each. ‘Lethersellers,’ ‘Foundours,’ ‘Joignours,* 
‘Curreours,’ ‘Flecchers,’ (Arrowmakers), Bakers, ‘Brouderers’ (Em¬ 
broiderers), Haberdashers, Brasiers, Cappers, ‘Peutrers,’ ‘Bowiers,* 
‘Hurrers,’ Horners, ‘Armurers,’ ‘Cutlers,’ ‘Spoirers,’ ‘Plomers,’ Wax- 
chandlers, Shearmen, Painters, Tanners, ‘Pouchemakers,’ Wood- 
mongers, and ‘Pynneres,’—two each. 
* See previous note for list of guilds and the number of representatives 
each had. 
4 The next year. 
5 Letter-Book, H, p. 59. The others were: Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, 
Fishmongers, Vintners, Skinners, and Tailors, (six representatives each); 
Sadlers, Haberdashers, Girdlers, Chandlers, and Cordwainers (four each); 
Armourers (two). 
6 See previous note. 
