In the Worschepe of the Fader, Sone, and the Holy Goost, and of oure Lady seynt Mary, and of the glorious Martyr Seynt George, and all Goddis holy. There was begonne a Fraternite, the yer of our Lorde MCCCXXIIII., the yer of the Regne of King Edward the Seconde after the Conqueste XVIII., in the Cathedral Chirche aforn the heie Awter, aforn the Trinite on the south syde in Norwych. Qwich Fraternite and Gylde was in party desev{er}d be Constitutions and Ordinaunces made withinne the forseid Cite; qwerfore that seing diverse personys wel wylled and styrred to de∣vocion of the glorious Martyr forseid soghten and porsueden wyth grete labour and besynes to the King for grace to con∣tinew her devocion and to have the name of Fraternite and Gylde of Brether'n and Sistern of S^t George for hem and her successors evermor withoute ende to endurn. Qwerfore gracyous King Herry the V^th consyderyng to the good wil and devocyon of the forseide, and for augmentacyon of more devocion of his puple to God and to all his holy and to the glorious Martyr Seint George, and to the Fraternite and Gylde hath graunted, radified, and be his lettis patent con∣fermed that the forseid frat̄nite & Gylde of Brethern and Sustern that arn and schul been to ben a Perpetual Com̄unite fro y^is tyme forthward everlasting with outen eende, and to have and to ber the Name of Fraternite and Gylde of Seynt George in Norwich with outen eende.

Also the gracious Kyng hath graunted of his special grace that the Brethern and Sustern forseide and her successours yerly chese on Alderman and Maysters for to make and or∣deyne honest and resonable Ordinacons and Constitutions as hem thinketh moost best and expedient for Governance of the Fratenite and Gylde.

Also the gracious Kyng hath graunted the Brethern to be cladde in o sute of Clothing and to kepe her Feeste in com∣petent place be the Aldirman and Maisters assigned. Also the Kyng hath graunted to the same Brethern and Sustern for to have a Comown Seale in all sutes and defences and in all other causes needfull and necessary to them to be expe∣dient and auctentek.

Also the King of his moost plentenous grace hath graunted and leve yoven for him and his eires to the Alderman, Bre∣thern, and Sustern, and to the successors, and of the Frater∣nite and the Gilde, that thei mown purchase and holde to hem and to her successors, londes, rentes, and servises withinne the Cite forseide to the valeu of x^li yerly, for the sustentacyon of preestys to sing and prey yerli in the forseide Chirche for the state of the King and Brethern and Susteren while thei arn levyng, and for the sowles of the Kyng, his progenitors, and the Bretheren and Sustern, and all Cristene. And for susten∣tacyon of the Fraternite and Gylde forseyde, and other deeds and charges of Pite and Elmesse, be the Ordinance of the Alderman, Maisters, Brethern, and Sustern therof mad. And for as mekyl as the Kynge hath graunted and leve yoven to the Fraternite and Gylde forseide to make Ordinances moost leful and expedient to the Fraternite and Gylde forseyde with inne hemself, It is ordeined be the com̄on ascent of the Fraternite, that all the Brethern and Susteren of the Frater∣nite shullen halwen the day of Seynt George yerely on what day so it befalle.

Also thei kepe her dyvine servise of both even-songes and messe in the Cathedral forseide and other observaunces of the Fraternite ordeyned.

Outaken that the day of Seynt George falle thre days aforn estern-day or iii days aftir, And if it so befalle that the day of Seint George falle on ony of the seven days forseide, the alderman and the maysters, be assent of the bretheren or∣deyned for the Assemble of xxiiii, for that if yer schul ordeyne and p{er}fix a day On which day alle bretheren and susteren schull kepen all her observaunces of her Divine Servise aforn reherced, and kepe her Riding, and haven and kepen and weren her Clothing, and holden her Fest.

Also it is ordeyned that alle the bretheren schul be cladde in swte in Gownes o yer, that is for to seyn in Red, and ano ther yer in o swte of hodes, whiche gownes and hodes every brother schal kepe honestly in the worchepe of Seynt George and the cumpany tweye yere.

And if it like him no lenger to were it, qwhat Brother so heve, that he nether yeve it ne selle it to no man̄er person, neither within the Cite ne withoute; but if he chaunge, or do chaunge the cloth of colour, and qwat Brother that is found with this defaute he schall pay for a Gowne vi^s. & viii^d., and for a hood iii^s. iiii^d.

Also it is ordeyned that no Brother bye ne wer no manner of clothing as for the livery of Seint George but of tho men qwiche arn ordeyned and mad byerr of the Clothing be the com̄on assent of the Fraternite for that yer, outake the other ordinaunce be mad be the alderman and maystres.

Also it is ordeined that every Suster of the Fraternite and Gylde schul ben cladde in o swte of hoods that is for to say Reed.

Also it is ordeyned that the alderman & maystres schul assigne a Day for asemble beforn the day of Seint George, on qwiche day thoo xxiiii. or the more part of hem, schul chesen her George, and a Man to bere his Swerd and be his kerver to for him. And a Man to bere the ban̄er of Seynt George, and tweye Men to ber the wax or do bern with honest per∣sones and to go with hem. And qwat man denye or forsake the office he is chose to, without resonable excusation, he shall pay vj^s. viij^d.

And at that assemble the aldirman and maystres schul make relacyon and knowyng at qwat place the bretheren and susteren schul gaddre for her Ryding, And at qwat place the bretheren and susteren schul fetten her wax, and in qwat place thei schul ete togedre.

Also it is ordeyned, on the day of Seint George, or elles another day assigned as it beforn reherced, that every Brother schal be in his levery for that yer on hors bak at certayn place be on owre and tyme assigned & ordeyned be the alder∣man, maystres, and be the consent of the xxiiii. chosen for the Semble.

Also, qwan the riding is don that every brother and Syster be redy at the place be forn assigned at setting and beryng her wax ond offren it up at the heye Awter of the chirche forseid in Worchepe of the Trinite, oure Lady, and of the glorious Martyr Seint George ther to brenne.

Also, that every brother and suster schal be at messe fro the begynnyng unto the eendyng, and offer half a peny in the Worchepe of the Trinite and the glorious Martyr Seynt George.

And qwat brother or suster that absente him in the tyme of messe withoute special leve of the alderman nor resonable cause he shall pay to the Fraternite ii^s.

Also it is ordeined, qwan the messe is seid and eended, all the bretheren & Susteren schul gon honestle to her mete to place assigned by the alderman and the maystres, and ther for to ete togedre, every brother and suster paying for her Mete, Wax, and Minestral x^d.

Also, if ony brother or syster be visited with sekenesse or ony other laweful lettyng, he schal send for his Mete if he wele and pay as another brother doth; And if thei will not come ne sende as is reherced, he schal his debte pay withoute any excusation, if he be of power.

Also, qwat brother or syster dwelle withoute the Cite of Norwich xii myle or more, and may not come to messe and mete, he schal pay for Wax and Ministrell vi^d.; and but if he sende the forseyde vi^d. and his dute and for his deede days of that yer to the alderman and maystres of the Feste, withinne fowrtene dayes aftir the day of S^t. George, he schal pay xl^d.

Also, that no brother presume ne take upon him to make no maystre, ne for to medle upon the day of the Feste, but if he be assigned be the alderman and maystres upon the payne of vi^s. viii^d.

Also it is ordeyned that every brother and syster schal on the festyal day after mete, ben at evesonge and preye for the helthe and good prosperite of the Kyng and of this Cyte & bretheren and susteren of the Frat{er}nite and all trewe cristen. And after that to heren dirice, preing for the Sowles of the Progenitours of the King And for the Soules of the bretheren and the sisteren of the Fraternite; and that no brother ne sister absent hem from this divine servise up{er} peyne iii^li. Wax.

Also it is ordeyned, that on the next day aftir the day of Seint George, that every brother and sister of the Fra∣ternite forseyde, schal come to the Chirche forseyde, be viii. of the clok, that is for to seyne be owre ladyes bell, There for to here a messe of Requiem, preying for the sowles of all the bretheren and susteren and for all Cristene; And at that Messe every brother & suster schal offre a ferthing, And qwat brother & syster be absent fro thys Messe schal pay iii. Wax.

Also it is ordeyned, qwanne the Messe of Requiem is seide er than the bretheren & susteren be gon to mete, than schal the alderman and maystres namen xii. personys of the Fra∣ternite whyche have been maystres and bore charge & cost, for to chese & namen on alderman and tweye maystres for the yere folwing: And that no brother presume ne take upon him in no maner wyse for to lette, stourbe, ne geynseyne that Electyon so made be the alderman and maystres forseyde up{er} peyne of xx^s.

Also it is ordeyned, for more ese & profyte to the Fra∣ternite, that the alderman and the maystres so chosen onewe schul chese tweye persoones of the Fraternite to ben felas with hem forto make the Feste; and that alderman so chosen refuse the office he is chose to schal pay to the Fraternite xl^s., and a Festmaker or mayster xxvi^s. viii^d., wiche schal be rered be the Alderman & Surveōs in beyng the yere before.

Overmore, the alderman and the iiii. chosen schul namen xxiiii. persoones of the Fraternite, which schal standen for the sembles the yere folwyng, of wiche xxiiii., vi. schal be for the attendaunce to the aldirman, and thoo vi. and xviii. schal be for the hool semble, Wiche xxiiii. schal ben of hem that have ben maystres beforn.

Also the alderman and the iiii. maystres so chosen onewe schul namen a Bedell for that same yere, and the electioners another.

And qwanne the aldirman sente oute his bedell for to warne and have assemble of bretheren but the more part of the xxiiii. a forn reherced come at the sendyng of the aldirman, every brother of thoo that ben absent schal pay ii^lb. of Wax. And ever othery brother that is not in the election schal pay i^li. Wax.

Also it is ordeyned that thoo xxiiii., or the more part of the forseyd schul name o persoone of the xxiiii., or ellys another of the Fraternite, qwiche hem thenkyth moost able for to be a depute to the aldirman, and to ben of counsel with him, for as mekyl as if it fall so that the aldirman were visited wyth sekenesse, occupyed, or letted be ony lefull cause. Thanne schal that persone so named be the xxiiii. foreseyd, stande as aldirman. And qwhanne tyme is to sende the bedel to somown the bretheren and susteren for ony cause that is leful, nedful, and spedeful to the Fraternite, that every bro∣ther and suster schal be obedient to him at that tyme, leke as he schuld be to the aldirman if he were present, up the peyne vi^s. viii^d.

Also it is ordeyned that every aldirman schal be redi wyth his acownts wythinne xxi. dayes after the day of Seynt George, to geve a trewe and a du rekkenyng to the new aldirman, maystres, and to the brethren of the Fraternite, that is for to seye, of all receytes and payments qwiche he hath resceyved and payed in the yer aforn, and for to delyver be bylle endented to the new aldirman and maystres, alle manner of ornaments and other dyverse necessaryes to the Fraternite longyng, up the peyne of xl^s.

Also it is ordeyned that every brother and suster be gov∣erned and rewled be the aldirman & maystres in ryding and all other comunicacions leful, nedeful, & spedeful for the Fraternite. And qwat brother or suster wil not obeye to the Aldirman's comandement as is foreseyde he shall pay vi^s. viii^d.

Also it is ordeyned that the aldirman schal nogth reseyve ne make no brother ne suster without consent of the xxiiii. or the assemble or the more part of hem; and that every man so receyved be the aldirman, maystres, and be the forseid xxiiii. persones schal pay for his entre vi^s. viii^d. And a woman iii^s. iiii^d., for wiche entre every brother and suster schal fynd suffyciant surete to be payed in the feste of mihelmesse next folwing.

Forthermore, that no brother ne suster of the Fraternite forseid make no debate on with anothir on the day of the Feste and Ryding ne in no tyme of Ryding thei falle.

And that no brother ne syster in no maner wyse revyle, despyse, ne defame on another, qwere thorgh that ony slaun∣der, hevyness, or hindryng, myte falle or come to the Fra∣ternite foreseyd, up the peyne of xx^s.

Also it is ordeyned, qwat brother or suster fele hym agreved in ony man̄er of cause on with another, that is to saye, of the Fraternite, thei schal compleyne hem to the alderman and the maystres of ther causes, grevaunces, or thei pursewe; And thanne schal the alderman and the maystres bisye hem in as meche as in hem is, wyth inne the xv. dayes after the com∣pleynt is made, to here & to examin boothe partyes And to sette hem in pees and rest if thei mown be ony wise. And if the alderman & maystres may nogth bring hem to on ende and acoord withinne the tyme forseyd, thanne be consent of the alderman and the maystres, thei mow sew the comown lawe and else nogth. And qwat brother is or sist{er} that is founden rebelle and contr̄ows ageyn thys ordinans, he schal pay xl^s.

And overmore, if the aldirman and maystres be necligent and besie hem nogth for to bring hem to acoord, as is seyd, The aldirman schal pay to the Fraternitie xl^s., and the Mays∣tres, every of hem, x^s.

Also it is ordeyned that the aldirman and the maystres schul yeve no clothing to no persone in moryng the pryce of of the lyvery, withoute consent of the xxiiii. chose for the assemble for that yere, or the moore part of hem xx^s.

Also it is ordeyned, qwat brother or siter of the Frater∣nite falle in poverte, be the wil of Criste, he schal be releved and holpen be the bretheren and sisteren of the Fraternite with viii^d. in the weke, To wiche relevyng and helpyng every brother and syster schal pay a ferthyng in the weke to the offycers thereto assygned; and if more be resceyved of the bretheren & systeren of the Fraternite, it schal be disposyd for the profyte of the Fraternite and Gylde fforseyde.

Also it is ordeyned, qwanne ony brother or sister deye, the alderman schal send his bedel to yif warnyng to alle bretheren and susteren of the day of sepulture, that every brother and syster schal be at dirige in hys levery, oolde or newe, & principali with her hoodes, there for to preye for the sowles of alle the bretheren and susteren of the Fraternite, and alle Crysten. And qwat brother or syster be absent and wil not come to the dirige, he schal pay i^lb. wax, withoute resonable excusacion made to the aldirman and his felawes.

Also it is ordeyned that every brother and sister schal, on the morwe next folwyng ben at the messe forseyd, At qwiche messe every brother & syster schal offren a ferthing, and yeve a ferthing to elmesse, and a peny for a messe; qwiche messe penny, and ferthing schal be resceyved be the coliōs [collectors] for the yere chosen. And of the sylver, the dede schal have tweye candell peis and viii^lb. wax and iiii. torches brennyng in tyme of dirige & messe; And that no brother ne syster absente hem fro this messe fro the begynnyng unto the eende withoute special leve of the alderman, up peyne a pownd wax.

Also it is ordeyned that every man wylling to be a Brother of thys Fraternite & Gylde and desyrynge to be discharged of every manner of offyce longyng to the Fraternite and Gylde he schal pay for his entre xl^s., or vi. and xx. and viii^d., or at leeste xx^s., and paying yerli the deute of elmesse and obites and other costs as another brother doth.

Also it is ordeyned that alle men that arn to ben resceyved into thys Fraternite and Gylde, and ben liche in tyme comyng to ben drawen unto the estat of mayr, schreve, or alderman of the Cite of Norwich, or elles arn in other cumpanyes and clothyng, and schul nogth use ne weren gownes & hodes of the lyveri of Seint George, ne ryden ne gon in the livery of Seint George as is beforn seyde, as the moore part of the Bretheren usen and don, iche persone so resceyved schal pay for his entre xl^s., ii. marc, or xx^s. at leeste, as it maybe acorded with the governours for the tyme beying, and fynd surete for hys entre or elles nogth to ben resceyved.

Also that eche man that schalle be resceyved into the seid Fraternite, and is lyk to ber offyces and charges, schal pay for his entres vi^s. and viii^d., as other men that have born charges and fynd surete for the forseyd entres, And every woman that schal be resceyved for a sister schal pay for hir entres xl^d., and fynd surete for the seyd entres.

[Also it is ordeyned, be the comune assent, in the tyme of Iohn Marows, Aldirman of the said Fraternite and gilde, that the Alderman for the tyme beying and the eleccyon shall namen iiii. persones of the seyde Fraternite, the whyche have born charge of the feest beforn, for to bien there cloth suffi∣ciently for the seid bretheren; and whanne thei have boght it and bryng it hoom thanne the Alderman of the seid Frater∣nite shall doo warne a Semble and clepe the Election togider, and the Election for the tyme beyng shall have syght of the cloth and set a price therupon, that it may be perfight both to the biers and to the comunaute of the seid Fraternite. And the residue of the money comyng of the seyd cloth, passing the price and all thyngs counted, shall torne to the avail of the seid comunaute and the Alderman of the seid Fraternite for the tyme beying. And the iiii. Cloth Biers shall chesen an habill persone of the seid Fraternite for to kitte the seid cloth to the most avail of the seid comunaute and for to make a reknyng to the Alderman and to the seyd Cloth Biers how it is kit & delyvered.]

[Also it is ordeyned, be the com̄une assent, in the tyme of the seid John Marows, Alderman, that there shall noon brother be receyved into the seid Fraternite withoute that he paie for his entre xiii^s. iiii^d., and that iche sister that shall be receyved into the same Fraternite shall paie for her entre vi^s. viii^d.—Note, that in one place men might be admitted for 6s. 8d. and women for 3 shillings and fourpence.]

Thus endeth the Charter. But since my Transcription of this, I have found another, which I have transcribed from that which is in the book that belonged to St. George's Company. It runs in these words:—

HENRY, by the Grace of God (King) of England, France, & Lord of Ireland, &c., to whom these present Letters shall come, Greeting.

KNOW YE that, whereas we have understood a certain Fraternity & Gild of the glorious Martyr S^t George in our City of Norwich, for thirty years past and more continually have been and still are honestly governed, and the Bretheren and Sisters of the Gylde aforesaid, for the same time have found a certain Chaplayn duly cerebrating Divine Service in the Cathedral Churche of the said City, and diverse & great costs for the Worship of God and the same glorious Martyr have made and do purpose to do more if we shou'd vouchsafe to assist them in the behalf. WEE, in consideration of the premises and for the augmentation of the same of our people, to the said glorious Martyr do, for us, our heirs (as much as in us lye,) accept, ratifie, and confirm the said Fraternity and Gylde of Bretheren & Sisters aforesaid, and of others who shall be willing to be of the said Fraternity and Gylde, and we have granted that the said Fraternity and Gylde be per∣petually a community in time succession for ever. And that the Fraternity & Gylde aforesaid have the name of the Gylde of Saint George in Norwich for ever. And that the Bre∣theren & Sisters aforesaid, and their sucessors, yearly by themselves at their will chose and create one Alderman and two Masters sucessively, and make honest and reasonable or∣dinances and constitutions to the better government of the said Fraternity and Gylde.

Also cloath themselves with one suit of cloaths, and yearly make a Feast for eating and drinking in a convenient place within the said City to be by them assigned. And also the Alderman & Masters, Bretheren & Sisters of the Fraternity and Gylde aforesaid, and their sucessors, be able and capable persons to purchase Land, Tenements, Rents and Services to have, receive, and hold to them and their successors for ever, to the Alderman, Masters, Brothers and Sisters of the Gylde of S^t George in Norwich; and may in all courts & places for ever sue and be sued, answer and be answered, and gain and lose, and have a common Seal for the business of the Frater∣nity and Gylde aforesaid to be transacted.

And further, of our special favour we have granted and given license for us and our heirs (as much as in us lyes) to the aforesaid Alderman, Masters, Bretheren, and Sisters that they and ther successors may purchase and hold to them and their successors lands and tenements, rents and services, within the said city aforesaid, up to the value of ten pounds, which are held of us in burgage, as well for the support of one chaplain to celebrate divine service dayly in the church aforesaid, to pray for us and the said Bretheren and Sisters, their healthful state while we shall live, and for our souls and the souls of the said Bretheren and Sisters when we shall die.

And also for the sowlles of our renowned ancestors and of all the faithful deceased, as for the support of the Fraternity and Gylde aforesaid. And other works and charges of piety made thereof, according to the ordinances of the same Alder∣man, Masters, Bretheren, and Sisters for ever; the statute made against giving lands or tenements in Mortmain, or any other statute or ordinance made to the contrary, or for that the then lands and tenements aforesaid are held of us in burgage, notwithstanding.

And moreover, to the setting aside the maintenance, con∣federacy, and conspiracy which by means of the Fraternity and Gylde aforesaid, we have granted to the Prior of the church aforesaid, and to the Mayor and to the Sheriffs of the said city; also to the Alderman and Fraternity of the Gylde aforesaid, which shall be for the time being, sufficient power and authority of expelling, discarding, and removing, according to the discretion, all Bretheren and Sisters of the Fraternity and Gylde aforesaid from the same Fraternity and Gylde, and from all the benefits and franchises thereof for ever, who shall be the cause of supporting or upholding such like maintenance, confederacy, or conspiracy aforesaid.

In testimony whereof, we have caused these letters to be made patent.

This writing endented, made the xxvii. day of March, the yere of the reigne of King Henry the VI. the xxx., betwixt the Mayre, Shreves, and Coālte of the Cite of Norwyche on the on part, and the Alderman, the Bretheren of the Gylde of the glorious Martyr Seynt George of the said Cite, of the other part, by the mediacion and diligencey of William Yelverton, Justice of our Lord the King of his own place, Witnesseth that, as well the seid Mayre, Shereves, and Com∣monalte as the foreseid Alderman and Bretheren of the said Gylde, both accordet of all matters had or meved betwixt them before thys in manner and fourm as ys in the articles hereafter shewyng.

First, for to begynne to the worschyp of God, oure Lady, and of the gloryous Martyr Seynt George, for as moche as the Cathedral Chirche of the Holy Trinity of Norwyche ys the most worshipfull and convenient place, that the glorious Martyr Seynt George be worscherped by the Alderman and Bretheren of the seid Gylde, that therefore in the seid place after the fourms and effecte of the old use had afore this tyme, the seid Alderman and Bretheren be there on the fest of Seynt George, or sume other day in the manner accustomed, there to here the first evensong, and on the morow folowyng to go in procession and her messe, and offer there in the worschip of God and of the seyd Martir; and also there for to here the second evensong, and placebo, and dirige, for the Bretheren and Systerne soulys of the seid Gylde; and on the day next followyng be at the messe of requiem, and offer there for the sowles of all the Bretheren & Systerne of the seid Gyld and all crysten; and that a prest be continued there in the fourme accustomed, for to syng and pray for the prosperyte, welfare, and honourable estate of the most Crysten Prynce Kyng Henry the VI., oure Sovereyn Lord, and also for the welfare of William Yelverton, Justice, by whose mediacion and dili∣gence the seid accorde and appoyntments been avised and engroced.

And then for the welfare of all the Bretheren & Systerne of the seid Gyld and Fraternite lyving, and also for the soule of King Henry the v^th, first founder of the seid Gyld, and for all other soulys of all the Bretheren & Systerne of the seid Gyld that be passed out of thys world, and all Crys∣ten soulys; and if ever afterwards the possessions of the seid Gyld wyll strech to susteyn and fynde another prest, that then such prest shall be found for to pray in like fourme, and that pore men and women of the seid Gyld be founden and releved by the seid Gyld, as hath bene accustomed, as the godes wyll strech to save other charges and necessarys ex∣pences, to the worschepe of God and of the seid Martyr, and to the gode conservation and continuance of the seid Bretheren.

Also, on the mornyng next after the solemnity of the seid Gyld kept in the worschip of the glorious Martyr Seynt George, the Bretheren of the seid Gyld and theyr successors schall yerly chose the Maire of the seid Cite, and that tyme beying a Brother of the seid Gylde for to be Alderman of the seid Gylde for all the year next folowyng, after hys discharge of his office of Mayoralte, as sone as he is discharged of his seid office of Mayoralte, then forthwyth to take the charge & occupacion of the seid office of Aldermanship of the seid Fraternite and Gylde; and so every person chosen to be Maire yerely, after he hath occupyed Mayralte be an hole yere, to occupy the seid Aldermanship of the seid Gylde; and in case he refuse to occupie the said Aldermanship after his Mairalte, to pay unto the seid Fraternite c^s. to the use of the seid Gyld, and that the old Alderman stand still Alderman unto the tyme another be chose unto the seid offyce of Alder∣man of the seid Gyld; and yf the Alderman of the seid Gyld hap to dye withinne the yere, that then the Meyre for the tyme beying occupie that offyce of Alderman for hys tyme, & so forth the next yere folowyng according to this act.

And that all the Aldermen of the seid Cite that now arn & shall be intyme comying, shall be made Bretheren of the seid Gyld without charge of the fest.

Also that every man that ys or shall be chosen to be of the Com̄on Councell of the seid Cite be admitted also to be a Brother of the seid Gylde yf it like him; and that by great diligence and deliberation had, as well for the worschepe of the seid Cite as of the seid Gylde, that no man be chosen to the seid Com̄on Councell but such as are and seme for be able & sufficient of discretion and good disposicion, and that every man that shall be receyved a Brother into the seyd Gyld, shall be sworn and receyve hys othe in fourme that folowith.

This here, ye Alderman and Bretheren of thys Fraternite and Gyld of the glorious Martyr Seint George, in this Cite of Norwyche, that from thys day forward the honour, pros∣perite, worschepes, profites, welfare, & suerte of the Fraternite & Gyld after my power I shall susteyn, lawfully maynteyne & defend, and all lefull ordinaunces made or to be made, wyth all the circumstances and dependencez thereto lengyng, trewly & duly pay myn dewes after the seid ordinances, withouth trouble or grevaunce of the seid Bretheren & Systern, or of any officer of theym, and Buxom to you Alderman and to all your successors Aldermen in all lefull commandments to myn power & connyng, so that thys othe stretche not to any thyng agen the laws of God, ne agen the lawe of the londe, no agen the liberties or franchises, the welfare, good peas and rest of thys Cite, ne agen any parcell of the othe that I have made aforn to the Kyng and to the said Cite.

Also the seid Alderman and the Com̄on Councell of the Gyld and theyr successors shall chose whann they lyst from hensforward other men and women of the seid Cite, besyde the seid Aldermen and the Com̄on Councell, suche theym thenketh convenyent by their discrecyon and able thereto for to be Bretheren & Systern of the seid Gylde.

Also that ther be no man chosen ne receyved from hensfor∣ward into the seyd Gylde dwellyng out of the seid Cite, but yf he be a knyght or a squyer, or ellys notabely knowen for a gentylman of byrth, or ellys that he be a person of greet wor∣schepe by hys vertue, and be hys trouth and gret cunnyng, or be some gret notable meanes and cause of gret worschep, and yet that alle manner thyng that shall apperteyne to the go∣vernaunce of the seid Gyld or to ony possesscions or godes therof, or chosyng of any Brother into the seid Gyld, or cor∣rection of any defaute don to any Brother or by any Brother thereof, and all other thyngs that aperteyneth to the rewles of the seid Gyld, or by the more part of them dwellyng within the said Cite.

Also that all the possessions and mevable goods that now or hereafter shall apertain to the same Gyld, be all only employed & applyed to the worschip of God and of oure Lady, and of the glorious Martyr Seynt George, and to the worschipe of the Bretheren of the seid Gyld, and for the helth of the soules of all tho that have ben Brethern & Systern of the seid Gyld, are & schall be in tyme comyng, & in non other wyse; and herto every man be sworn at hys comyng in specially, that henceforward schall be any other Brother in the seid Gyld, that he schall here to do all that is in hys power, and in no wyse geve hys assent ne his favour to the contrary. Also that every yere be chosen Surveyors and suche convenient offycers as schall be thought necessary by the discrecyon of the Alder∣man and Brothern of the seid Gylde; and that every yere the seid Alderman and iiii. Brethern of the seid Gyld, whereof ii. be Aldermen of the seid Cite, be chosen for to see a reckenyng and to know the disposicion & governaunce of all the posses∣sions, mevables, & goodes apperteynyng to the seid Gyld, and to make a wrytyng of the estate thereof, and shew that to the Brethern of the seid Gyld yerly, or ellys to a certeyn nombre of Brethern resseant in the seid Cite thereto named. Also that every iiii. yere onys be yoven hodyng or liveres of sewte to ych of the Brethern of the seid Gyld, and them honestly to be kept & worn to the worschep of the glorious Martyr Seint George, and of the Brotherhood, yf it semeth to the seid Alderman and Com̄on Councell convenient.

Also, all though the Aldermen of the Cite and every per∣son of Com̄on Councell of the same Cite be Brethern of the seid Gylde, yet yf it hap that any of them, or any other Citezen and Brother of the seid Gyld be discharged of his Aldermanschep, or put out of the seid Com̄on Councell, or discomynyd agen hys wyll for a grete & notable cause agen hys worschepe, that then forthwyth he be dyscharged of the seid Gyld; or ellys whoso ever be onys a Brother of the seid Gyld, that he be a Brother styll, paying hys dewtes till he wyll wyllfully serve hys owyn discharge, or ellys for notable causes be resonably discharged.

Also it is ordeyned that the Alderman and xx. of the Bre∣thern aforeseid ben for the assembly and the Com̄on Councell of the seid Gyld, and that it nedyth not to have no gretter nombre therto; and that the Aldirman name thereof vi. by hys othe that he chese no person by no manner pursuyt ne prevey means, ne for favour ne frendschip of no person, ne of no partz, but suche as to his consience arn most indefferent and best disposyd, and best wylled to the worschep & welfare, reest, pees and profyte of all the Cite and of the seid Gyld; and in lyke fourme the vi. so chosen shall, by theyr takyng the same othe, chose vi. of such persones of the same Gylde accordyng to their seid othe; then the Alderman, by his said othe, such other ii. whyche be Aldermen of the seid Gyld, of wych xx. the Alderman and the more part of them schall be and maken the Com̄on Councell and the assembly for the seid Gylde; and yf any of hem shuln be warnyd to come to the seid Com̄on Councell, yf he then reseant wythyn the seid Cite and cum̄e not, but yf he hath resonable excusation, that he pay xx^d. for every day.

And that all the old rules and ordynaunces of the seyd Gyld shall be seyn by the Alderman and the seid Com̄on Councell of the seid Gylde, and all tho that be goode, reson∣able & convenyent to the worschep of God, oure Lady, and the glorious Martyr Seynt George, and to the wele of pees withine the seid Cite, schall be kept, wyth resonable addicions put thereto yf it nede; and yf any ambiguite or dewte here afterwards full for the understandyng or excucion of the seid article, in case that the seid Alderman and more part of the seid Com̄on Councell can not accord therein, that then it be refourmed and determyned be the avyce of the seid William Yelverton.

And if any Brother now beying, or in tyme comyng schall be, do conspire or labour to attempte to do in any thyng the contrary of any of these appointmentz, or any other in tyme comyng by the Alderman or the more part of the seid Com̄on Councell to be made, and that resonably proved upon hym before the sayd Alderman and the more part of the seid Com̄on Councell, that then he be forthwyth dyscharged of the seid Gylde, & that notified by the seid Alderman to the Mayre in the Com̄on Councell of the seid Cite, that then, it don, he be discharget of his libertees and franches of the seid Cite, and unable ever to be Citezeyn of the seid Cite or Bro∣ther of the seid Gylde, and taken and had, as a forsworn man, shamed and repreved, and reune in the peyne of infamie.

Also that alle thees articles aboveseyd be every yere onys or oftyr yf hyt be nede, be openly redde beforn the seid Al∣derman & all the Brethern, or the most part of hem. In witness of thes premises to the on part of thys indente re∣maynyng towards the seid Mayre and Comonaltie, the Alder∣man & Brethern of the seid Fraternite & Gyld have set theyr Com̄on Seall; and to the other part of the seid indenture abydyng toward the seid Alderman and Brethern of the seid Gyld, the Mayre & Comonaltie of the seid Cite have set theyr Com̄on Seall. Yoven and don at Norwyche the day & yere aforeseid, in the time of the Mayoralty of Ralph Segrim, when William Barly & John Gilbert were Shreves, Tho^s. Aleyn, Alderman of the aforeseid Gylde, according to the tenour of this agreement. These indentures, called Iudge Yelverton's Mediation, were executed by the parties within mentioned, on the 27^th of March, 1451.