Stow’s account is inserted here to show the unbroken succession of these voluntary associations from Saxon to modern days; though at the Reformation they lost their religious character.
The later trading companies are closely akin to these, but lack the main motive of mutual charity, though they too exist to co-operate in work for which the individuals’ efforts would not suffice. The earliest of them, the Merchant Adventurers, did actually begin as the religious gild of S. Thomas of Canterbury, being joined by Flemings holding a charter to trade from John of Brabant.
These be the olde usages of the City of Winchester, that have been used in the time of our elderne, be and shall be to the franchise[15] saving and sustaining.
The Mayor shall be chosen every year, by the four and twenty sworn men and the commonalty.
There shall be four and twenty sworn men, for a Council to help the Mayor: who shall attend him on summons.
There shall be two Bailiffs, who shall be chosen by the Commonalty, out of four named by the Mayor and Twenty four, at the Michaelmas borough moot.
Also four Serjeants to do the bidding of the Mayor and Bailiffs.
And two Coroners who are to act in the soke[16] as well as in the city.
The Bailiffs must every year lodge the plea rolls[17] for common use.
N.B.--The Twenty four must be impartial, and be careful in speech.
Makers of quilts and blankets must work within the city and pay an annual tax for the houses where quilts are made. Every worker does not become a freeman.
The price of burel cloth shall be according to the time of year.
Burel cloth shall be made by freemen of the town.
Blankets of given lengths shall be made of given breadths.
Blankets not made of the given lengths and breadths shall be forfeited.
No stalls to be in the High Street at mere will.
None but freemen may buy untanned leather or raw hides in the town, and these not to be taken out of the town.
No fish nor poultry to be bought for sale before undern. (i.e., 9 a.m.). Victuals brought in for sale shall not be taken back unsold without leave.
Regrators and engrossers shall be heavily punished. A rent of a farthing to be paid to the king for every board on which fish is shown for sale.
Every one shall pay a halfpenny to the king for every load of fish that he puts out for sale.