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Reference Number496.5 BA9360/C2/Box 1/1
Hierarchy Browser Number8001/1/7/1
TitleOrdinances, Edward IV
DescriptionThe volume is original parchment but has been rebound, possibly in the nineteenth century, and has a newspaper clipping stuck into the front regarding a partial translation made.

The volume contains copies of all the ordinances made in 1467 in the reign of Edward IV; ordinances, constitutions and articles made in 1497 under the reign of Henry VII; calendars of the ordinances; and copies of charters granted to the city with the earliest dated 964; tables relating to taxation and fees to the Town Clerk; and a description of the perambulation of the city boundaries made April 1497. With an insert regarding freemen dated 1688.

The ordinances cover the administration of the whole affairs of the Corporation, particularly in relation to city property and health and safety. The later ones update or add to the earlier ones. There are ordinances relating to the city's records and accounts; employment of men and apprentices; cleanliness of the streets and river; fire prevention (such as banning thatched roofs and provision of fire hooks); markets and trade regulations, which were different for citizens and non-citizens; freemen; keeping the peace and punishments for various crimes; the appointment and responsibilities of council officers; and the ringing of the church bells at set time each morning and night.

The majority is in English with some sections (particularly the charters) in Latin.

A transcription of the ordinances is available in Toumlin Smith's "English Gilds: The Original Ordinances of more than one hundred Early English Gilds", Early English Text Society, 1870.
Date1467
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