The ACTS and ORDINANCES of the EAS TL and COMPANY

T H E ACTS AND ORDINANCE S

T H E E A S T L A ND C OM P A NY

T H E

AC T S A ND ORD INA N CE S

THE EASTLAND COMPANY

E DITE D F OR T H E ROYAL HIS TORIC AL SOCIE T Y

FROM TH E ORIGINAL MUNIME NTS OF THE GIL D OF

M ERCHANT ADVE NTURE RS OF YORK

M AUD SELL ERS

ORM E L Y OF N WN O L E AM B RIDGE F R E H AM C L G E , C

L ONDON OF FICE S OF T H E ROYAL HIST ORICAL SOCIET Y

3 OL D S R S ' INN WK E JEANT CHANCERY LANE , ) .

P R E F A C E

M Y c r ia l Dr kin most o d thanks are due to . Cunningham for his d

M r ness in reading the manuscript of the Introduction ; to . Hubert

H a ll e M r O nh eirﬁ M i ss or ensen , Professor Ske t, . ppe , and J g of n s d t . Copenhagen Univer ity , for help a sugges ions

I em a lso much indebte d to the Governor of the Gild of Merchant Adventurers of York for pla c ing the manuscripts of the

l M r di8 osa to . Society at my p , and especially Alfred Procter , the

h is w t s Secretary , for un earied courtesy in facili ating my acce s to all the Records in his care .

1 1 M a 0 . y 0, 9 6

C O N T E N T S

INT ROD UC T ION P A G E

T h e - E astland Company of York : T h e Ch a rter Chi ef E x ports a nd Imports Geograph ical L imits Candidates eligi ble Offi cers of th e Company Governors a nd D eputies in L ondon P rovincial D eputies a nd Courts ’ T h C m i h s n e o peny 5 legal r g t a d pow ers . Relations o f E a stlend M erch ants a nd M erc h a nt Adventurers Records of th e A cts a nd Ordi nances of th e E astland Company Regul a tions of its Courts D tie of th e Offi cers : S c t T a s s i st t u s e re ary , re urer, A s an s T h e Arms of th e Comp a ny E lection a nd treatment of offi cia ls Regul ations for Apprenti ces ’ Rules affecting masters of th e Comp a ny s shi p s XXV C entral C ourt a nd Court beyond seas Righ t of appeal Assistants for special servi ce Comparison of M ercha nt Adventurers a nd E astland M erch ants T h eir occasional joint ectl on x x xi ii Shared offi ci a l s xx xiv M any merchants members of both Companies xxxv ’ E astland Company favoured by roya lty xxxvu

I a nd C h I. Charter renew ed by James . arles D a ntzi c as an outport : di fﬁ culti es thence encountered C e I a nd th e C i harl s . ompan es E ffects of th e Civil Wa r Subsidy demanded by P oland from E astland M erch a nts T rouble with Denmark ’ Cromw ell s treatment of th e Company viii THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

INT ROD U C T ION (conti nued) P A GE C onfi rma ti on Ch t h of ar er by C arles II . Diffi culti es in 1673 D ecay of th e E estl a nd Company Gradua l decrease of trade D etail s of exports a nd imports Sale pri ces of E astland products Complaints against E astland Company T h eir defence Causes of decay of trade T h e establishment of P rovi nci a l Courts Success of north ern Residences L o ca l Courts a nd th eir w ork S trong P uritan feeling of th e C ompany ’ York s j ealousy of H ull T h e E astland M erch ants in New castle ’ York s jealousy of L eeds S truggle betw een coast tow ns a nd L ondon Grievances of provinci al Courts N t l f L ondon or hern jea ousy o . D ispute betw een th e York a nd L ondon Courts E nd of th e dispute Oth er di ffi culti es T h e fi na l dispute AC T S AND ORD INANC E S OF T H E E AS T L AND C OM P ANY L ist of th e Acts D etails of th e v a ri ous Acts E XT RAC T S F ROM T H E C OU RT B OOK OF T H E YORK E AS T L AND C OM P ANY AP P E ND IX 1 f H IV . Charter o enry ’ 2 t f E st d M e ch t E i b th . Char er o a lan r an s [Queen l za e s] i i i t I. 21 ul 1 b t 3 . P ti J J 622 roclama on of ames ( y , )proh ng Eas l a nd Commodi ties except those traded by F reemen of that Company 1 2 i th e 4 . P c ti of C I. 7 M c 6 9 w ro lama on harles ( ar h , )rene ng former P roclamation of 1622 A f P i un il be lf th e E t a d C 5. ct o r vy C o c on ha of as l n ompany 5 J ( une, th 6 A t b t e Ch i ti th e 4 of D k a nd th e . greemen e w en r s an enmar L ords a nd C ommon s of th e K ingdom of E ngla nd INTROD U C TION

T he Cha rter

THE Eastland M erchants were a body of traders somewhat similar in their organisation and commercial enterprises to the Merchant

a t w Adventurers , but no time approaching ithin measurable distance

of their formidable rivals , in bulk of trade or political importance .

tw o d Geographically , the Companies occasionally overlappe ; ’ but speaking broadly the Eastland M erchant s sphe re of activity ’ l was the Baltic , the Adventurer s the North Sea . In 1656 the Eastland M erchants claimed to have been the

t t con pioneers of trade to the Bal ic , and to have raded there 2 tinuousl e r's y for three hundred y a . 3 i st Ch te Tench , in his treatise published at the end of the seventeenth F r ar r. f century , gives an account of the e forts of Henry IV . to advance the interests of his subjects trading to the East parts ; and refers to the Charter granted to the Eastland M erchants allow ing them many great privileges and immunities as early as

from a . Apart this Charter , a warrant Which had close connec Warrant to me" Of L ynn tion With the Company w a s issued by Henry IV . This document

W. E . L in e ba ch T h e nte a ni tion of th e M e ch a nt d entu e g l , I rn l Orga za r A v r rs f n ’ o R x i . 1 2 . a nd H i st. S oc . T ra ns . v 90 E gl , . 2 — S ta te P a ers Counci of St te Ja n. 4 1 655 6 . cxxi ii . 1 6 i bid . p l a , , ;

Dec . 1 7 1659 . 41 . , , ccv 3 m ﬁ r d b h o e no ssi sta nts a nd l N. ench Rea so s h u b o e e t e e ow T , n ly y G v r r A F l sh ip of E estla nd M erch a nts agai nst th e giving of a general liberty to a ll persons ’ h i h n es wh ith e th e e w a tsoeve to x o t n s Woo e M a nu a ctu se it. r E p r E gl ll f r r y pl a , Br

M u . 12 1 s 7 , g. 6 ’

m i 1 . 141 R me s F eedera to . ii . . 5 1 see be ow y r , v p ( l , pp THE EAST LAND COM P ANY OF YORK

E empowers the men of Lynn , later an outpost of the astland

Fellowship , to choose an Alderman to supervise the trade to 1 E Denmark and Norway . dward IV . also safeguarded their rights 2 in the Trea ty of Utrecht. To what extent the Eastland trade w a s organi sed prior to the E difﬁ ult Charter of lizabeth is c to determine . l

They carried on an export trade in cloth with north - east E a nd e urope , an import trade of considerable cons quence , alike

ﬂa x political and commercial , in corn , hemp , , timber , and saltpetre ,

ﬁ ft enth during the e century . Later the Baltic trade seems to have

H oa ddesdon w a s . decreased ; according to Hofer , very little done H e writes : I deny that there was any tra fﬁ c in Germany by E ' ’ nglishmen before the beginning of her Majesty s reign , for in

1544 I from D a ntzi c , came by land through all the marine towns E E except Stade and mden and found no nglishman trading , nor ’ 3 to th till a rd e S . cloth be sold , but by y men 4 Tench , too , supports this statement . It w a s possibly this unsatisfactory state of affairs that induced the M erchants to seek the help of Government and led to the issue of the Charter of re It contains no allusions to any anterior documents , no p

scriptive rights are mentioned , but severely practical reasons are n gw e for the reorganisation of the Company .

' It is a volnminous document of more than eight thousand

a words ; it re ds as if the Crown lawyers , overburdened With busi f ’ t ness , had dra ted the Merchants petition into a Char er without

making any effort to deprive it of its verbosity . The document opens with a formidable list of officials to whom the Charter is

L nn . 486 . B . M a cke e H i stor o L nn . 21 6 W. Ri ch a ds H i stor o r ll , y f y , p r , y f y , p 2 nnin h m Gro h o E h ndustr a nd C ommerce E a rb a nd W. u a w t n li s C g , f g I y , y

' f M i ddle A es . 4 18 422. g , pp , 9 S . P . E 1 M a ch 6 1 602 c c xxxii i . r , , l

i . N. ench o . ci t. . 8 see be ow . x v T , p p ( l , p l ) 5 P tent Ro 21 E i beth a t 1 1 see be ow . 1 42 a ll , l za , p r ( l , pp INTRODUCTION

. M addressed The desire of the erchants for incorporation , as ex pressed by our trustye subj ecte Thomas P ullyson Alderman of ’ Citie e our of London , is next emphasis d ; and the geographical ’ deﬁ n limits of the Company s operations strictly ed . N t L eiﬂa nd E s m h i l o way , Sweden , Poland , Letto , , a tern Pomerania , qq p ca f h e and the islands within the Sound are closed against all English gggggazyf h E traders w o are not members of the a stland Fellowship . The

w E Da ntzic E1bin Bra uns principal to ns of the astern Baltic , , g,

' o s berg , K nigsburg , the Polish port of Rye and Revel , and the Danish towns of Copenhagen and Elsinore are spec ial ly mentioned in the Charter as being reserved to the Eastland Company . S e o Da ntzic In pit of the opp sition of the merchants of and N an a , L ii b ec E e a a s , nglish traders had op ned up tr de with Narva early 1 2 1560 N a d r us as but arva was alre y g anted to the R sia Company , so a special clause forbids the Eastland Merchants trading there .

w a s t 1 656 Not that this prohibition opera ive , for in , when the

' Protector was considering the question of renewing th e Ea stla nd

e e N Charter , the Committ e for Trade advocat d the inclusion of arva

E n out oi't t E l as an astla d p , for they said hat the ng ish had long 3 traded there by connivance . Some provisions for the bette r gover nment of the English traders in the Eastlands w a s a matte r of paramount importance . The Charter therefore proceeds to justify itself by an explicit Justiﬁ ca ti on statement tha t the chief reason for strengthening the hands of th e ‘ Ea stla nders was to help the expert and ex ercysed merchants in ’ wh o their lawful and honest trade , and to restrain those , by their n ff w E ig orance and ine iciency , ere bringing nglish traders into disrepute and even causing international friction by their disregard

' oh M i to M oscovi a . 86 . J n l n, , p 2 m ro h o E n d merce M odern T i mes . C nnin h m W u wt li sh. ndus tr a n C o g a , G f g I y , ,

23 . p. 9

S . P . C o ci of S ta te June 3 1656 c xx iii . 1 1 12 . un l , , , v , And yt ye secreta ry draw a sh ort dra ugh t to b e subscribed by every broth er ’ — n th a t i ntends to t a de for e Na rve Ri a Re e Vi on D a ntzi c . a st a d r y , g , v ll , ll , E l Cour ok 1 t o . o . 1 1 . B , N v 7 , 165 T H E EAS TL AND oOM P ANY or YORK

E 1 of the laws and customs of the ast parts . The Charter antici ’ pates by a few years Wheeler s chief argument against nnregula ted 2 trade . It further lays stress on th e advantages that would accrue E n to astla d traders from having a power behind them , recognised ’

i . E Countr es r by the Pr nces of the said aste y , ready to etaliate if o o i e unreas nable cust ms were mpos d , or to respond if friendly 3 onﬁ den e advances were made . C c in the doctrine of the inter of the dependence . the expansion of trade and the welfare of

m s nation is e phasi ed , and the preamble ends with an expression M of g oodwill to the erchants , and hope that the Company may from henceforth profytte and increase as prosperouslye and as

’ muche for their comodytyes and proﬁ yte as any ma rch a unts of ’ 4 t me roff d this lande have afore this y encreased and p yte . — The incorporation follows , the names of the sixty four original members of the Fellowship being inserted . Four London alder men head the list ; mercers , drapers , armourers are also included , ’ 5 w dow e . but only one woman , Margaret Bond , y , is mentioned The strictly national and oligarchic tendency of the Fellowship is at once made clear : no retailer or handicraftsman can be u E admitted , the members m st be nglishmen who have traded to E 1568: the ast parts since the year They , their children and their apprentices Sh a lbe one fellowship and Comyna ltye and one bodye incorporated and pollytyque of itselfe in deede and in name and shall have perpetua ll succession forever by the name of Gover ’ 6 E a t l nd Fellow sh i M a rch a unts s e a . nour , Assistants and pp of the of a nd The Company is empowered to purchase , possess, dispose

P a e t Ro 21 E li m m t beth a t 1 1 e . 23 . n ll , za , p r , 2 J Wh ee e T rea i se o om . t C merce . 55 l r, f , p 3 P t n R 21 e t o i beth a t 1 1 mem. 21 see be ow . a ll , El za , p r , ( l , p 4

6 ‘ T h e opini on of th e L earned Wh os i s to be esteemed M erch a nte according to th entent of th e Ch rt e Is th a t one b e dmitted unl esse h e w e e M erch a nte a r , n a r a , th t i s s ch one a s h a th of some good Contynua nce not esse th en T h ee ye es a u a ‘ l r r ’ d h m nd h nt ike — cts a nd O dina nces trad e a t o e a a broa de beyond th e sea s merc a l . A r see be ow . ( l , p

THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

three years . Possibly the fact that in the provinces the same man generally held the double post of Governor of M erchant Ad ven turers and Deputy of the Eastland Company might affect th e f 1 duration of of ice . Another power given by the Charter to the London Court w a s w the election of Governors and Deputies beyond the seas , to hom

the special privilege of choosing their own assistants is granted .

Although these Governors have no legislative authority , the Fellowshi p in England have the right to delegate to them the 2 w idest ex ecnti ve powers . The establishment and organisation of the English provincial 1 ft i n e . nu Courts is also _ the hands of the Central Court The fortunate omission of deﬁ nite rules as to the relations between the

. Head and th e Subordinate Courts gav e rise to many future 3 complications . The next subject the Charter deals with is of the greatest im portance : it invests the Fellow ship w ith the legal rights to hold

or e Courts Assemblies in London , in the provinc s , and in the E 4 ast parts , and empowers the Governor to convoke such meetings ﬁ t at such times as he thinks . The minimum number of members required to form a Court is twenty , of whom thirteen must be

T h e u w Assistants . local Co rts ere presided over by a Deputy , not a Governor ; they had no legislative power, and though the w ording of the Charter with regard to Assistants is vague , in actual

. practice no local Court had Assistants . York certainly claimed the privilege , but failed to make her claim good . The presence of ff Assistants , the real legislative power , di erentiates the London m fro the local Courts , and emphasises the oligarchical nature of its

nce f . rese rule To the London Assembly , the p o the Governor or D t epu y being obligatory , is entrusted the right of making statutes, ’ c onstituc ons lawes , y and ordinances , for the good government of

a st a nd Cou t ook see be ow . lxxx vn . E l r B ( l , p ) 2 3 i d . P a tent Ro l 21 i b eth a t 1 1 mem. 22. b l , El za , p r 2 , I

m. 23 me see be o . bid . w I ( l , p INTROD UCTION

a the Fellowship , the only limitation imposed being that the s id law s must not infringe the statute la w of England or treaties w ith di s or if . s other countries The power to execute the e or nance , 1 be re . need , to voke them is also granted The jurisdiction of the Company abro a d is not limite d to its P ower of juri sdi ction ow n E i re , ll members but extends to a ngl sh traders f quenting the over E ngl ish 2 men in th e East parts . E a s t pa rts . t The right of levying impositions is also gran ed to the Court , P ower to levy

. im ositio s . in most comprehensive terms , including the right to tax the p n E person trading , the merchandise taken to and from the ast parts , 3 and the vessel in which the goods are transported . But the money obtained in this way can only be expended for the good of P ow e to 4 r w . s w nish b the Company as a hole In ca e of disobedience , po er is given pu y m f fi ﬁ ne or i to the Court to punish the of enders by ne or imprisonment . pri sonment. t e The framers of the Char er have evidently expend d much Fines to be w pM d by thought on the status of those to be admitted to the Fello ship . merch a nts w l w The clauses dealing ith the subject begin by aying do n the rule wh o h ave that no merchant free of any other Company trading beyond the sea traded abroad . is eligible for membershi p . West countrymen are given special terms if in any one year since 1568 they have traded through the

o Sound , and if within a year of the inc rporation they demand the

th e a freedom of Company , they are to be dmitted on payment of a fi ne of six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence . A fi ne for admission of tw enty pounds is levied on the n u merchant u q a lifi ed by any previous experience of foreign trading . The Charter th en proceeds to modify the regulation for the ex

e . lusion of members of other foreign trading companies In fact , the exceptions to the rule are so numerous that pra ctically they M t render it inoperative . erchan s trading into foreign parts may be admitted into the Fellow sh ip onthe payment of a ﬁ ne equal to the ﬁ ne for admission by redemption levied by the society to

which they belong .

P a tent Ro 21 i a beth t 1 1 mem. 23 see be ow . ll , El z , par , ( l , p THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

Two more devices are adopted for widening the basis of admission a candidate is accepted if he relinquishes his freedom

ﬁ ne in the rival company , or he is enrolled without on reciprocal

a E terms , that is , if he gains the free dmission of an astland

ow Merchant to his n Fellowship . The Merchant Adventurers and Merchants trading to Spain

ﬁ ne and Portugal are admitted on the payment of a of ten pounds . They have to fulﬁ l the usual conditions of some experience of E trade in the ast parts during the previous ten years , and applica

s w ﬁ rst tion for member hip ithin the year of incorporation . If E they have never traded to the ast parts, they are only to be 1 E e w admitted on payment of forty marks . ach claus dealing ith a new set of merchants is introduced by an emphatic sentence ft 2 excluding all retailers and handicra smen from the Society . w E The Charter then deals ith the subject of exports . The astland M trade was principally in cloth , and the erchants have not a free hand in the matter , both quantity and kind are limited . Coloured cloth , ready dressed , could be exported at will , but the annual exportation of white clothes by the whole Company must not tw 3 exceed o hundred .

The question of geographical limits is again introduced . The

w a s subject needed careful handling , for it important to minimise as far as possible the danger of friction between the Eastland M Company and the erchant Adventurers , who already had some

Baltic trade . Denmark , with the exception of Copenhagen and

Elsenore c Jutla nd es M , Me klenburg , , Sil ia , oravia , Lubec , Wismar ,

Rostock , Stetin , Stralsund , and the whole river Oder are open on E equal terms to the two Companies . The astland Company are E prohibited from trading to Holstein , Hamburg , or the river lbe , but are given a right of free passage through those places , and the

b be ow . Ci . t 8 see a s a nd ou t ook f. 3 E l C r B , ( l , p 2 m. 23 P a tent Ro 21 i a beth a t 1 1 me see be ow . ll , El z , p r , ( l , p 3 2 Ibid . V . a . . 30 . f. SS . I C H i . . st M Comm pp , p INTRODUCTION

M erchant Adventurers specially w arned not to a ttempt to levy any 1 impositions on them .

After various clauses dealing w ith the expulsion of unworthy M i scella neous

C a uses ‘ of cers h l members , the appointment and duties of the ﬁ for gat ering m ff taxes , the help to be given in case of need by ayors , sheri s , ff baili s , constables and wardens , an elaboration of the right of purchase of land to the value of one hundred pounds annually is

given . The subject of the rights of the M erchant Adventurers is t once more brought forward , the privileges granted in their Char er

f a i sa eguarded , and special prec utions taken that the author ty of E u the astland Merchant and the Merchant Advent rer , in those w d countries , to ns and places equally grante to both societies , should l 2 w not c ash . Lest, ho ever , this dual jurisdiction should leave a

e i loophole for the dr aded interloper , the Charter ends w th a clause threatening the unauthorised trader with dire royal displeasure 3 and condign punishment .

e The granting of the Charter does not se m to have given any N ega tive d t E t th e imme iate impe us to the as land trade , nor to have stemmed gra nti ng of i w w th h the tide of depress on hich threatened to over helm some of the e C arter.

E w a e centres of nglish trade and industry . T enty ye rs lat r many of the maritime towns of England w ere so far from prosperous

E o that Burghley , just before his death , urged lizabeth to c nclude w peace with Spain , and gave as one reason that the port to ns

c e o and that were manifestly de ay d , as Newcastle , Hull , Bost n , w E Lynn , all intimately connected ith the astland trade , would be beneﬁ ted e E by trade being op ned to the countries in the ast , as 4 o Poland , Denmark , and the maritime t wns of Germany . o The Charter itself, however , sto d the test of time , for when the Eastland Merchants of the north ern tow ns brought their com t plaints to the Privy Council against the London Company , hey

P a tent R o 21 E i mem. 2 be beth 5 see ow . ll , l za , ( l , p 2 bid m . em. 2 6 see bel ow . I ( , p f ’ Reﬂ ecti ons b L o d Bu h e u o conc q din P ea ce wi h th i n of S a i n y r rg l y p n l g t eK g p ,

S . P . E L Ja n a r 2 8 cc x i . , u y , 159 , l v T H E EAS TLAN D C OM P ANY OF YO RK

expressed their entire satisfaction with it in all points . To the

Charter of their Company the Coast Townes take noe exception , ’ 1 a ltera con ino a con nor do they presse to have any or v therein . Although the Charte r outlined the general policy to be follow ed by the Company , the real power resided in the Court of Assistants . E specially w ith regard to the connections betw een th e central u t Co r in London and the provincial Courts , the Charter plays a negative part . The entire organisation of local Courts is left unto uched ; consequently the greater part of the legislation of the Court of Assistants is devoted to regulations respecting the R E esidencies in ngland , but more especially the outport beyond

s e the eas , as the great r distance rendered direct supervision impossible . The result of their legislative efforts is embodied in the Acts 2 and Ordinances .

Acts a nd Ordina nces .

The only extant copy of these Acts and Ordinances is in posses

- u sion of the Merchant Adventurers of York . It is a vellum bo nd crown quarto volume indorsed Acts and Ordinances of the East ’ land merchants for Yorke . The title is somewhat misleading , for it gives an impression of local rather than national interest . This idea is further strengthened by the insertion on the ﬁ rst page

certiﬁ ca te of a form of for the use of York apprentices . But

c ertiﬁ ca tes d ff these , and the reference to Hull inserte in a di erent D ’ handwriting on the page opposite the form of the eputy s oath , are the only provincial touches . The bulk of the volume consists of a copy of the Ordinances to be observed by all Eastland

b deﬁ niti on Merchants , prefaced y the of a merchant , and the form

ff ofﬁ ia ls of oath to be administered to the di erent London c . This w in part is in the same hand riting throughout , and covers eighty

m . l 11 . 1 615- 1 1 f. 289 see be ow ounci l Re i ster Ja es I vo . 6 7 P ri vy C g , , , ( l , 155 pp. 2 n dina nces see be ow . 1 Acts a d Or ( l , pp INTRODUCTION

tw o w w of the hundred ritten pages . It is follo ed by some supple

- mentary Ordinances extending over a period of sixty six years , 1 2 16 from 62 to 88. The nucleus of these regulations had probably been draw n up w f at the inauguration of the Fello ship or shortly a ter, but each

- year new bye laws would be added by the Company in London , for

no local Court had any legislative pow er . The decision of the

16 16 t - w Privy Council in , that some of hese bye la s should be ed annull , and others safeguarding the privileges of the coast

o th e w t wns inserted , led to a new issue of Ordinances ith the necessary modiﬁ ca ti ons in S o completely did the Ordinances of 16 16 supersede the earlier Ordinances that in 1 663 the Secretary did not even know whether 2 C i Reco ds of a copy of them had been kept . If similar opies of these rev sed r t nd w w h regulations ere sent to the other northern coast to ns , they ave aziﬁ k E a not been discovered . The Reco rds of the astland Company h ve

h a d e ﬁ re 1666 w of a calamitous history . Aft r the of , hen many u n w the doc me ts of the London Company ere destroyed , the local Residencies w ere asked to send to the central Court any authentic 3 d h a d T h w l . e c recor s they fa t that these , too, ere apparent y

a mislaid , accounts for the scantiness of the document ry evidence concerning a Company that during the ﬁ rst half of the seventeenth ’ o E e century , was an important fact r in the export of ngland s great st

industry, cloth , and to whose importance as a commercial organisation the constant reference s in the State papers of the e s venteenth century give ample testimony .

N a tle The Merchant Adventurers of ew c s have among their N ew castle 4 Court 3 00 k records a Court book of the Eastland M erchants resident there . It e 1662 1690 e covers the p riod from to , and among other matt r

be ow P ri v C ounci l Re ister Ja me 1 1 - 1 17 vol . 11 . f. 289 see , y g , s I 6 5 6 , ( l pp. 155 2 E st a nd C k " o t f. 57 see be w . a l ur Boo , ( lo ,p 3 New a l . c stle M erc ha nt Adventurers ii . 55 Sut e Societ vo , p. 1 ( te s y,

See a bo e . xiii . v , p T H E EAS TLAN D COMPANY O F YORK

contains a copy of the oaths to be administered to the New castle D n 1 ff eputy , freema , clerk , and beadle . These oaths di er slightly

from the forms prescribed in the York book , which are obviously ‘ fﬁ ia t mes o c l s . Cus o intended for London The clause Newe , Statutes and Ordyna nces you shall not make w ithout the Advice ’ and Consente of the Assistants , is of course excluded from the oath of the provincial Deputy ; and the phrase in th e oath of the ff London o icial , the Authority of the Assistants of the said

’ ' w o f l Fello ship , is , in the case Newcastle , e aborated into by the Authority of the Governor of the sayd Fellowship resident in n ’ Londo . The oaths of the London and provincial freemen are w almost identical , but the ork of both secretary and beadle

attendant on the London Court is more onerous .

Of - w - chi eﬂ the sixty six Acts and Ordinances , t enty nine are y

w merca ntile cere1noni a l occupied ith the , and ethical side of the

t r Society . Minu e directions a e given concerning the keeping of

’ ' n out toll the Compa y s books and seal , the manner of making

bills , the giving of bond by masters of ships , and the payment of

impositions .

ofﬁ cia l s u to Ceremonia l The election and payment of various , the etiq ette

be observed at the Courts , whether sitting for judicial , legislative

or ordinary business purposes , the behaviour of the brethren to

a nd D t each other , and to the Governor epu y , are fully dealt with

w ofﬁ c in fact, the Fello ship assumes the e of general censor of the m manners and morals of its embers . Apprentices and masters of ships are dismissed in another

o n w - gr up of Ordinances , nine in number ; the remai ing t enty eight the are devoted to the regulation of the Residency beyond seas .

' The summoning of a Court w a s entirely a t th e discretion in

i D . London of the Governor , in the prov nces of the eputy

ﬁ ne w or - But s ere to be inflicted for absence unpunctuality , the

erring assistant paying more than his less distinguished brother . — x ﬁ n w S One si th of these es ent to the ecretary , the rest to the

— ‘ 8 tees Societ vol . Newca s . 1 1 3 S tle r a n d urers 11. 18 , M e ch t A vent , pp ( ur y xxii T H E EASTLAND C OM P ANY or YORK

r u the approbation of the Lord Chancellor , Lord T eas rer , and two 1 ices f ust . Chief J , be ore it could be put in execution In addition w a s u to this , there always a power of appeal to the Co ncil , of which the men of York and Hull availed themselves in Still the Court had undoubtedly enormous power : they had the u n right of temporary legislation to meet cases of rgent ecessity , and these temporary bye - laws held force until the next general meeting , when they became an integral part of the constitution 3 of the Fellowship or were annulled . Practically the Court of Assistants could afford to disregard

4 w a s t the unorganised opposition of a general assembly . It here fore natural that no efforts should be spared to k eep the standard of the Assistants at a high level . No keeper of a wine or beer tavern or victualling house was eligible for the position ; the Assistant had to be solvent at his

so election and continue , or he was at once expelled from the

Society . To ensure the strict observance of this Act, the Assistant

di s ua liﬁ ca tion aware of any q concerning his colleague , and failing 5 to r ﬁ ned inform the Gove nor , is ten dollars . Fighting between brethren was strictly forbidden : a blow with

fi na ble f the hand was a o fence , but if a weapon were used, the fi ne was still heavier ; if really serious injuries were i nflicted the ’ 6 aggressor had to pay the surgeon s bill .

ta n li n e Reviling , undecent speeches , g g , lewd communications

' i n or interruptions o a other while speaking incur heavy penalties .

However, this Ordinance must have been regarded as a counsel t m of perfec ion , for a rider allows the aster unlimited choice of language in addressing his hired servant or his apprentice ; and

— m . l 1 1 1 2 P ri v C ounci l Re is ter a es I vo . 11 . 6 5 617 f. 89 see be ow y g , J , , ( l , “ . 1 56 st nd ourt f. 37 see be ow . p ) Ea la C Book , ( l , p 2 P d 3 d n S . Ca r. I. i 1 625 xxi . 3 Ad e da . , Apr l , 3 P i - me I l . i 161 1 1 2 ri v C ounci l Re i ster a s . vo . 5 6 7 15. 89 see be ow y g , J , , ( l ,

. S ee be ow nt oducti on . x ii i . p l , I r , p l v 5 cts a nd din nces xi . see be ow . A Or a , ( l , p 6 bi d . xiii . see be ow . I ( l , p INTRODUCTION xxiii

’ ' the member impatient of his brother s prolimty is not too severely e e tried , for no member is allow d to speak more than thre times t 1 on one subjec .

G i De e e ce to The overnor , Deputy and Ass stants were hedged with much f r n Ofii cml s ° : w ceremony hether in or out of Court , unseemly words to these offi cia ls are forbidden ; the unoffi ci a l brethren have to give plac e 2 c and keep silent in their presen e if required .

' No criticism w a s tolerated : the member who scoﬁ ed at or u s is a n disdained the Dep ty and A s t ts , or held them or their laws u his p to the ridicule of the outsider, paid dearly for indulgence ;

w a s fi ned fi e An e u e a w a s infl icted he v pounds . q al p n lty upon the 3 wh o e man disclos d any of the sec rets of the Company . D A s The annual election of the Governor , eputy , s istants, 4 offi cers - Treasurer and general is provided for by a bye law , while another deals with the el ection and allowances of the provincial I5 ffi r deputies and o ce s . “ fi nes inflic ted offi cia ls Heavy were in case any elected , even r e e mere audito s and committ e men , refus d to act or failed to 7 make an appearance .

unoffi cia l a The member was also hampered by m ny restrictions , 8 9 u r his speech was curtailed , his manners reg lated , his mo als 10 H supervi sed . e could not be made free of the Company in any ’ tavern or such unfi t plac e ; he could only sell his goods in certain ‘2 13 fi n quantities ; he co uld not divide his cloth ; a e of thirty per cent . on the value of the goods was ex acted if he allowed anyone to ‘4 a tr de in his name heavy impositions were levied , which he had 15 to pay before he could export or import his goods .

cts a nd O dina ces xx i x . see be ow A r n , ( l , p. 2 2 Ibi d . x ii x s e x i . see be ow . Ib id . v. ee b ow . v ( l , p ( l , p 5 1. x x z i . 1 i x S el o 1 5 . ee b o . v e be w . w ( l , p ( , p 2$122 7 x . s e 12i2 ee se 24 l . see l . ow . v h e o z , p ) x ( w , p 9 bi d . x x i x i d . x x i i . see be ow . Ib i . see be ow . I ( l , p v ( l , p i x bi d . x x se d . x . e be ow . bi i . see be ow . I ( l , p I lv ( l , p ‘3 bi d . i . v see be bi d . i i i . ow see be ow . I ( l , p. I lv ( l , p I i bid . x i . see Ibi d . i be ow . vi . see be ow . 20 lv ( l , p ( l , pp , THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

c ui tt b w a s t A q al y In case an accusation brought against a member, in h e oa th . absence of actual proof, his word on oath secured his acquittal ; but no mercy was show n to the foreswea rer if his crime were proved — h e was ﬁ ned ten pounds and dismissed from the Fellow shi l p.

entices. - Appr Four Acts deal with the apprentice ; by an early bye law , he

had to serve his master well and truly for eight complete years ,

- and to be twenty four years of age at least, at the expiration of his

term . No master was allowed to ta ke more than two apprentices in fi ne fi fl seven years . A of ve pounds was in icted in case the apprentice did not apply for his freedom within six months of the

x e piration of his apprenticeship . Those claiming by patrimony

a e w - must do so as soon as they reach the g of t enty four , or else pay an annual tax of two shillings until the freedom is taken u p. In case the father or master died in debt to the Company ,

the candidate had to discharge these debts before admission .

men e The sons of disfranchised were not admitt d by patrimony , 2‘ nor their apprentices by service .

The bye - law against the evil rule of apprentices is very stringent

It is ordeyned that if any brother That is an apprentice or any other unruly person or persons of our Breth eren or any th e kings M ajesties subjects shall misbehave themselves or use di sh oneste unl a w full R otin e Whore houses , keep and Company or y g w a stfull mi s endin e M or y p g his or their asters or friends goods , or mi ssin e Or t E is g out of his hoasts house all night, af er leven of th e Glocke in th e Sommer and tenne in the Winter (without he can proove he hath bin in h oneste Company and urged to keepe ' Or their Company soe late). use Cards or dyce or any other ‘ unl a wfull games or ga meinge for money hee or they soe oﬁ endinge ’ 3 sh a lbe punished at th e di screoon of the deputie and assistants .

ts a nd din nce xi x e c s . s e be ow . A Or a , ( l , p

2 ' 3 1 . v . see be ow . bid . x iv. see be ow , , . bid ( l , p I ( l p INTRODUCTION

The obligation forced upon the apprentice of going to London to take up his freedom a t the expiration of his term w a s one of the chief complaints of th e coasters in This w a s remedied by a bye - law excusing his personal appearance in

t certiﬁ ca te London , and accep ing a under the seal of the town 2 c sufﬁ ci ent where he had served his apprenti eship , as proof of

i 1 688 th e w w a s his dentity . In hole question of apprenticeship

w a s revised , the term reduced to seven years , and the apprentice had only to be twenty - one years old at the expiration of his a 3 pprenticeship . The amount of trust that the Company was obliged to pla ce in the masters of their ships w a s a matter that gave them much

E ff w a s t ﬁ delit anxiety . very e ort made to ensure their hones y and y .

to o fi ft to e They had enter into a b nd of y pounds , they had giv the e Treasurer an account of their freight, and they were not allow d to 4 w t to o s . a ship ithout a no e , in his hand , the Cust m Hou e The p y ment of the duties to the Ki ngs of Poland and Denmark and the ‘5 D w a s t to n uke of Prussia lef them . If they failed to pay foreig t du y , they were suspended from employment for six months after the offence ; if the offence w a s committe d on the homeward voyage the “ e period of suspension was doubl d . They were strictly forbidden ’ to e ship strangers goods , or to discharge their cargo s at any place E ’ w except lbing . They ere not allowed to have any venture of t heir own in the vessel , but in order to provision the ship a per 8 fi ve e centage of shillings was allow d for every ton of cargo . In 1630 a more stringent Act was passed to prevent mariners a nd masters of ships trading : the bond of fi fty pounds wa s raised to 9 f three hundred , and a surety became necessary . The payment o

P ri/ v C oun i l R s - c e i ter a mes I. 1 6 1 16 1 y g , J , 5 7 . 2 ts a nd di n c n ces x x ix . a x see be ow . A Or , ( l , p 2 “ 4 bi d . o io 52 s e be e ow . bid . iv . see be ow . I f l ( l , p I ( l , p 5 6 m bi d . x ii i . see be ow f 42 . Ibi d . . see be ow . I lv ( l , p ( l , p 7 8 Ibi d . i v . see be ow . bid . x x . see be ow . ( l , p I ( l , p ‘ Ibi . f. 44 s w ee be . f . i s . . . . c . SS v o t i A . d ( l , p H M Comm pp p 7 6 . THE EASTL AND COMPANY OF YORK th e masters of shi ps was not settled by the central but left to the 1 provincial Courts .

The res t of the bye- laws deal with that section of the Eastland E Company resident at lbing . This Residence held a position intermediate between the London and provincial Courts ; the 1579 G Charter of gives the overnor, in the parts beyond the seas , th e special privilege of choosing twelve of the discreetest merchants

2 ofﬁ cia ls th e there resident to act as his Assistants . These chose

e - o ﬁi cers Treasurer , S cretary , and under , unless indeed the London

r Company had any distinct preference , then their choice over uled 2 the At the wishes of su bordinate Society . the same time there w a s no idea of the central authority allowing the E lbing brethren a free hand . Lest they should forget their subordinate position , w the Charter , Acts and Ordinances , hich were only read twice E E a year in ngland , were read four times annually in lbing , and a heavy ﬁ ne was imposed on the Deputy and Assista nts if this 4 D o E were omitted . The eputy was expected to g to ngland to

a h a d take his oath . A speci l commission to be sent to Thomas Barker and six other English merchants at Da ntzi c to administer the oath to Francis Sanderson , the newly appointed Deputy , as he could not without great inconvenience go to England to be sworn 5 ofﬁ ce into his . If the proceedings of the E lbing Court were not reported in

London within a reasonable time , the Deputy and Secretary again 6 r ﬁ ne incur ed the penalty of a . The Fellowship made a great point of keeping up the moral w excellence of the foreign Residence . Special arrangements ere w made by hich any son , servant , or apprentice , who showed signs

“ E st nd o t f. 1 5 see be ow . a la C ur Book , ( l , p 2 P a tent Ro 21 E i a beth t 1 1 . 22 . ll , l z , par , mem 2 cts a nd O din nces x i . see be ow . A r a , ( l , p 4 id i i . b . xx . see be ow I v ( l , p 2 xx i . . 37 . . P 1 6 1 E nt x S . C a r. S e t. 1 6 7 p , ; ry Book , v p 2 cts a nd dina nces x xxi . see be ow . 37 A Or , ( l , p INTRODUCTION

of extravagant habits or led disordered lives , could at once be 1 e o shipped home . Young men were not encourag d to g to the E but c ast parts , , by special con ession , sons or servants of the E u astland Merchants , nder the age of twenty , who wished to learn the language were allowed to settle there . The father or master i u h had , however, to g ve a bond of ten pounds that the yo t s should 2 x not enter into any commercial undertakings . To what e tent these Ordinances were observed is diffi cult to say ; the author of a pamphlet commonly ascribed to Sir Walter Raleigh points out s unfi t the damage done to trade by inexperienced youth , for 3 E s commerce , being sent to the ast part . ’ ee u Wh ler, in his Treatise of Commerce , gives a piteous pict re u N of the result of unreg lated trade in arva , a Baltic port , but E excluded from the j urisdiction of the astl a nd Company . The ‘ ’ stra gling merchants were forced to hawk their cloth through the i streets , carrying it in their arms , with their measures in the r ‘ h commoditie hands , to the great imbasing of t at excellent , the discredite of our nation and the fi na l] empoverishing and undoing ’ 4 stra l r of manie of the said g e s . Anxio us as the London Court was to keep its fi uger on the

E a pulse of lbing tr de , it must have found the position of referee

r too onerous , for an Ordinance forbids trivial matte s being carried

m E w a s fro the ast parts to the central authority . There no right of appeal to London in petty cases involving a sum under twenty E . a dollars ven if forty dollars were at st ke, the appellant had to deposit one- third more than the sum involved with the Treasurer ;

cts a nd di nces xxxvn. see be ow . A Or na , ( l , p 2 bid . xl i . e b se e ow . I ( l , p 2 T h e o th e n M e ch a nts of Yo k u a nd ewca st e t de on in wh ite N r r r r , H ll N l , ra ly K erz ies a nd o ou ed Doz z ens a nd e e M erch a nt be h i s d entu e ne e so , C l r , v ry , A v r v r sm cl oth for th e most a t send o e a n i nex e ie ced outh unﬁ t for all , p r v r p r n y , M e ch a ndi in wh ich b in eth to th e St a n e rea t a d a nta e but to h i s M ste r z g, r g r g r g v g , a r ’ ’ a nd ommonwe th h in r n — ome ollecti o ns o i r Wa l r R w le s C al grea t d a ce. S C f S te a y ’ resented to K i n Ja mes ken out o hi s Rema i ns discoveri n E n la nd s ss or p g , ta f , g g lo f w a n o m m 2 . t due rovemen o i ts Na ti ve C om odi ti es . 6 f I p t f , p in W. unn h a m 23 . o . ci t. . 9 C g , p p THE EASTLAND COM P ANY OF YORK

and , if the case went against him , he lost his deposit . Further , he had to appear, either personally or by attorney , in the London

Court within six months of his appeal , otherwise his appeal was l disa ll d ow e . At the same time no dallying with foreign courts of justice was tolerated ; the refractory brother who began any suit in the Court of Poland or before any other foreign justice concerning seizure of

d e goo s , should have his goods giv n back to him , but should be at 2 once expelled from the Fellowship .

The bye- laws make large demands upon the ta ct and judgment E t of the lbing Deputy , but he is given many sagacious hin s as to im his methods of management . When any matter of unusual portance is brought before his Court , those Assistants only are to be called to help the deliberations who are especially discreet , and w h o will be willing to put the good of the Company before all

a u deﬁ ed other considerations . J stice m st not be openly , but the Assistants must be taught to have an especiall regard not ea sylye to yeild to any matter of Ch a rdge unto the Company to reprehend such as sh a lbe forward therein and not to conclude anything that ’ 3 h ur full T h e may be t to our Company in any respecte . Deputy

to a ﬁ rst is admonish those servants who exceed in pparel , in

fi na ll o private , then in public , and y, if they scorn go d counsel , is to ’ communicate with th e offender s master or with the Company in 4 London . B ut the London Company kept a fi rm grip of the fi na nce of the foreign Residency . The brethren there were neither to give away nor to spend above th e value of 100 Polish gilders for one case and at one time , without the consent of the superior Court ;

too they were restricted , , in the amount of their trading ; and the length of time for w hich credit could be given was strictly limited . E If embarrassing and extravagant demands were made , the lbing

bi d . 11 . ee be ow . d din n . s cts a n a ces . see be ow A Or , lv ( l , p I ( l , p 2 2 . ii se Ib . R i d . e be w o . lv ( l , p id

H X THE EAS T LAND COMP ANY OF YORK at London to desire them that like favour may be shewed to him as hath bene to others that in order thereto w e may have liberte to restore to him ye said or soe much as should be deemed requisite . Whi ch request w a s granted and ordered a " w ritt ff letter to be to that e ect .

At e 166 1 the r constitution of the Company in , there seems to have been some diffi culty in restoring order after the relaxed r ule of the fi ve previous years . ‘ This Court takeing notice that the omission in collecting fi nes for absences and late come to Courts according to the Acts w h orders of the Fello s ip , hath bene the occasion of soe small appearance at many Courts and meetings duly sumond whereby ' Com a n es a fla i res e the p y is often neglect d , have therefore ordered consented and agreed to put the said Acts and Orders into due now w execution for the future , having dispensed ith all formers [ sic] absences at Courts and this Courts absences in pa rticuler and that noe man may plead ignorance of the Courts proceeding herein the Bedle is to Informe each member hereof when he warnes the ’ 2 next or any other Court or Meeting .

Probably , however , the majority of the members gave a d nominal a hesion to the rules of the Society , and agreed, in the i main , w th the summing up of the case as given by the Merchants of Hull : Government is absolutely necessary to the preservation

ma nkinde n of all Societies and Concerns of , it being an u doubted ’ 3 w . maxime of late fatal experience , ithout government confusion

2 2 a st nd Court f. 26 u 1 661 . bi d . f. u ust 1661 . E la Book , , J ly I A g 2 “ Rea sons off ered by th e M erch ants Adventurers of E ngland a nd E a stl a nd M e ch a nts esidin a t u for th e ese a tion of th ei S oci eti es a nd Re u ti ons r r g H ll pr rv r g la , a s bein e sona b e ust a nd necess to th e ibe a a nd roﬁ ta bl e ent of our g r a l , j ary l r l p r ’— i n h m h i it. na tive M anufactures i n fore g pa rts limited to t e by t e r Ch arters. Br " . 81 6 m Mus , INTRODUCTION

Rela tion betw een M ercha nt Adventurers a nd

E a s tla nd M a rcha nts .

There is a certain s uperﬁ cia l similarity betw een the organisa 14 135222358 ” M E a h tion of the erchant Adventurers and the stland Merc ants , but a nd E a stla nd ' mmnts x t e this similarity disappears on close e amina ion . The choice of the M diﬁ erences. seat of their central government emph a smes the fundamental dif

ference between the two Societies . The general Court of the Mer l Continent chant Adventurers was on the , but the supreme power

E w a s te u s t 1 a st a nd of the astland Fellowship ves d in the Co rt of As istan s , ( )E l E p which sat in London . The government of the astland Company ggﬁ ggygin

w a s practically in the hands of a limited number of rich L ondon E ngla ndo t w a s merchants , and probably this oligarchic charac eristic at the

root of many of the attacks made on the Society . At the same time this predominance of London saved the Ea stla nders from the danger of becoming denationalised ; they did not therefore adopt the same precautionary measures as the Mer

T h e u e E chant Adventurers . r le that memb rs must be nglishmen ,

th e merchants not retailers , is common to both Societies , but u 2 mb Advent rers , in their anxiety to keep their nationality intact , ( )M e ers forbid the members of their Fellow ship to marry foreign w omen or 2 to possess real property abroad the governing body of the a nd possess ? E r e astland Me chants , however, made no att mpt to limit their mem $2323

here in their choice of wives or purchase of property .

e With regard to el ctions , too , the more oligarchical tendency of

the Eastland Company is evident . The Governor and Assista nts u r of the Advent rers were elected by the general Cou t , whereas all the elections of the former Fellowship were in the hands of the 3 Co urt of Assistants . Another important point of difference is the distinct recogni tion

2 i i . . 42. dem. W. E . L n e b ch o . c t . 23 . g l a , p p I p _ 2 1 mem. 23 W. E . L in el P te t Rol 21 E iz beth t 1 ba ch . 3 o 4 . a n l , l a , par , g , p ci t. p. xxxii T H E EAS TL AND COMPANY or YORK by the Adventurers of a difference of status amongst their mem 1 bers . The junior members of the Society are stinted alike in the number of their apprentices and the extent of their trade . The older the membership the greater the privileges of the member . The Eastland Charter recognises no grades ; w hether the member takes up his freedom by service , by patrimony , or by redemption , E w he at once enters upon his full heritage . ven hen an attempt w a s l f made , at a ater date , to dif erentiate the members , the basis

l ssiﬁ c a ti on m of c a was not seniority of me bership , but geographical

B - th e n distribution . y means of bye laws Lo don members tried to limit their provincial brethren in the amount and season of their trading enterprises , but by the help of the Privy Council this 2 w a s . attempt frustrated The amount of imposition , too , paid by h re t e Merchant Adventurers varies considerably , members by demption paying more ; but the impositions were the same for all

E a stla nders . The Court Book of the E astland Merchants of York thro w s considerable light on the relations of the tw o Companies in a provincial tow n ; probably the connection in London w a s less marked . The geographical limits and general policy of the two Societies are adequately dealt w ith in the Charter of but no rules are laid do w n for the more intimate question of their home rela l tions . The amount of connection in the local centres probab y varied in proportion as the personnel of the Fellow ships w a s

difﬁ cult a t similar or dissimilar . There is some y in getting any m precise infor ation on the subject , as their contemporaries make little attempt to differentiate them . They frequently include both ‘ th e tr Companies under comprehensive phrase , Merchants ading ’ w beyond the Seas . It is not even always easy to discover hether

h m row h o ndustr a nd C ommerce E a rl a nd M iddle W. Cunni n t g a , G f I y , y

A es . 416 . g , p 2 i v ounci l Re ister a mes 1 615- 1617 f. 289 see be ow . P r y C g , J I , ( l , p 2 tent Ro 21 i z a beth a t 1 1 mem. 25 see be ow . P a ll , El , p r , ( l , p INTRODUCTION xxxiii the term Merchant Adventurer is used speciﬁ ca lly of the Company l m w or generica ly of all erchants dealing ith foreign countries . The Eastland M erchants in York are only once alluded to in the Municipal Records they are then spoken of as ‘ The Merchant th E ’ 1 Adventurers of e astland Company .

tw o Still , it is abundantly clear that , although the Societies

cc— w occasionally operated , they al ays remained entirely separate th organisations . In York e Adventurers held their meetings in 2 E tl a nd r . r d a s e s Onseb i e . M e h a nt Trinity Hall , the in the old Hall on g rc H a ll s . After the Civil War the tw o Companies entered into closer con nection than at any other period of their history . Merchant Adventurers were constantly present at the meetings of the East w land Company . These amalgamated meetings ere an innovation ;

E s the Secretary , in making up the minutes in the a tland Court B k w M oo , al ays notes the presence of the erchant Adventurers , and

‘ generally adds , This meeting is also entered in the Merchant B k ’ Adventurers Court oo .

In December 1651 the seizure of some ships at Rotterdam Occ a si ona l jomt a ctim‘ seems to have thrown Adventurers and Ea stl a nders alike into

a e a st te of consternation ; j oint me tings were held , and the pro ceedings entered under the heading; An Assembly of Eastland M w M E erchants , as like ise of erchants Adventurers of ngland , t ’ residing in the Ci y of Yorke . Ou another occasion a q uestion is left unsettled at the meeting of the Eastl a nd Company and referred to the next general Court of a M Advent rer erchant u s . But a clear distinction is drawn between the extraordinary meetings for the transaction of business touching the whole body m w of Northern erchants , hen all idea of separate identity is lost

of ss th e r sight , and the regular a embly for conduct of the ordina y

‘ k n. 1 5 Yor M uni ci a l Record s vol . x xxi . f . 81 Ja p , v ( , 2 h i s ﬁ ne old a w ith its nde ro nd ch a e sti em i s i n F oss a te . T H ll , u rg u p l , ll r a n g

Ci . F . ke a E bora cum . 301 . Dr , , p 2 a st a nd ou t f. E l C r Book , xxxiv T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or YORK

business of the separate Societies . It is possible that a dversity

th e w tw o l w was bond that dre the Fel o ships together , for these examples of common action all took place immediately after the n w w i auguration of the Common ealth , hen the holders of power were inclined to look askance at bodies that o w ed their privileges 1 to royal authority . Both Companies probably recognised that to

th e keep up any jealous distinctions , in face of common danger of

t w w a w w s . a s d wi hdra al of all privileges , un ise Nor the anger w imaginary . Crom ell , in spite of the yeoman services rendered

to the Parliamentary cause by the great City Companies , on his ﬁ rst assumption of pow er had practically deprived them of E their privileges . The astland Company had the exclusive right

of importing hemp , pitch , tar, cordage , rosin , deal boards , and 2 t masts , but a comprehensive Order in Council had been issued hat those articles could be brought into the country by anyone in any ’ 3 ship from any port .

The re - establishment of their rights as trading companies at mthe Restoration w a s follow ed by the discontinuance of these joint eetings , though at no time could either Society have taken any

w the D steps ithout the cognisance of other , for the eputy of the E few o astland Company was , with exceptions , als Governor of the

Merchant Adventurers . It is hazardous to conjecture where so

w a s little documentary evidence is forthcoming , but as this the 4 New ca stle Y case both in and ork , it is probable that the custom

w a s followed in all the local centres .

b sec eta tw o ( ) r ry , The Companies shared the services of a beadle , and in

m ow th o E lish ndus tr a nd Commerce M odern T i mes W. C nin h Gr n , un g a , f g I y ,

il 1 6 L e a nt P a ers i . 108. . 218 c f. S . P . C ounc of St te Ja n. 1 1 50 v p ; a , , ; p , 2 it. P rocla ma ti ons mes I. it. . 506 h . 12 i bi d . Ch r es I. , Ja , Br Mus , , a l , Br

506 h . 1 1 Mus . , , 2 2 1653 C unci f t te D ec . 1 1652 xx i . 1 8 i bid . une S . P . o o S 0 , l a , , , v ; J ,

2 1653 x x xv ii 1 42 ee be ow nt oducti on . x ii . x xx ii . 21 i bi d . ne 7 . . S v Ju , , ( l , I r , p lv ) B ook of Orders o f th e N ew c a stle M erch a nt Adventurers (1 639 C ourt k h e st e a st a nd M e ch a nts 1 662 a st nd ou t B oo of t N ewca l E l r ( E la C r Book , York Re i ste oi th e Admi ssi on of eemen of th e M erch a nt d entu e s of ; g r _ Fr A v r r York (1420 INTRODUCTION XXXV

h a d 0 d bea e. London and Newcastle, though not in York , they a common ( ) l 1 h secretary . Motives of economy seem to have led to t e selection of the same beadle

2 M Robert Nailor the Bedall making know ne his great poverty and necessitous condicon ; that this Court would please consider of some releife or present supply : w hich the Court taking into consideration desired Alderman John Geldert to lay o ff or lend him ten pounds sterling untill h i s Se llary could be got of the Merchant Adventurers Company : and they w ould returne th e payment thereof a ga ine w hich the said Al derman consented too : w hereupon it w a s ordered And unanimously agreed w ith full promis thereupon made unto Alderman John Geldert that if he do lend unto the said Robert Nailor Bedall the sume of ten pounds starling to suply his present necessiti e that he shall have the same repaid him by this Compa ny li f It ca nnott be gott of the Com pany of Merchants Adventurers of England ( w hich he promi sseth to his utmost to endeavour)out of those many yea res sa lla rye they are indebted to the said Bedall for his se rvice done to that part of ’ 2 ittv the Company resident in this C .

But in 1674 the Company held different view s ; they decided that They ought not to have the same P erson chosen by the Company o at Trinity Hall as their bedall imposed up n this Company , but that they ought and w ill make choyce of such a person for their servant ’ 3 t of in hat Place , as they themselves shall approve and like .

The advantage of belonging to both Companies , to the m w erchant who ished to pursue an unhampered Baltic trade , is 157 9 clear from the Charter of , and many York men availed themselves of the privileges of both Societies . The records of the New castle Merchant Adventurers afford ample evidence that 4 w a s w this custom also followed in Ne castle . The materials for the compilation of statistics concerning the Eastland M erchants are so scanty that it is impossible to give deﬁ nite a e numerical st t ments for an extensive period , but for

’

D m. 2 . P . o W. 2 reta r s S Ju 3 1690 H 0 . L etter B k S ec ( ly , ; oo , y , , ‘ . 145 a st a nd C ou t f. 9 2 see be ow . p E l r Book , ( l , p 2 d 2 a st a n ou t k 11 . Ibi d . f. E l C r Boo ,

N c le M er - 101 ew a st cha nt Adventurers . 11 . 229 S e oci et , vol 231 ( utte s S y . ) b 2 xxxvi T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK a limited number of years the register in the Court Book gives n 1 sufﬁ ci e t data . 166 1 m The Company in York consisted , in , of eighty embers ;

ﬁ ft - f M re y our of these were erchant Adventurers , and of the

w - maining t enty six, sixteen had been apprenticed to Merchant

o Adventurers and possibly admitted int the Company , though 2 H w w o there is no record of the fact . o closely the t Companies w ere connected in the popular mind is clear from the will of

William Harte . For many years he had been Pastor of the English Church of Merchant Adventurers at Stade ; he seems to 16 22 have amassed a considerable fortune , and on his death in

Y rk H e w left large sums for the use of the merchants of o . follo ed the favourite custom of the philanthropic testator of the seventeenth n century , and left directions that money should be adva ced to needy merchants anxious to extend their trade or better their

a t st tus . Five conditions however, hampered the trustees in heir selection of candidates ( 1)None but traders beyond the sea to be admitted ( 2)None but such as be fre at the time of their sutema ki ng 3 (3)That merchants of the old Hance (if qua lliﬁ ed)be fi rst preferred (4)T hat E astland merchants be nex t (if qua lliﬁ ed)

(5)That as articles the w ill . directe old Hance merchants that are in nec essitie (have it sev era ll times)i f they be such as are decayed through providence and not through there o w ne rodi a lli ti e n ch a riti e old t p g , it bei g more to relieve an man tha ’ 4 hath soe lost an estate than a younge man that never had any .

t a n “ a s d Cou t k f. 26 see be ow . 7 8 E l r Boo , ( l , pp , 2 t ue a nd e ect Re iste of a ll such A rentices a s h a e been ta ken bond A r p rf g r p , v onget ye Fellow sh ip of M erch a nts Adventurers with in th e Citti e of Yorke bein ee b eth ren of th e a st a nd m a n since e a st Certiﬁ ca te wh i ch w a s ( g fr r E l Co p y) y l , eturned i n eb ua r Ano Dom 1 641 a s eci e ed it om M r oh n C o t r F r y , I r v fr J r f Sec eta to e s i d Citti es Co n ut of th e Cou t booke i n h i s Custodie th e ( r ry y a mp a y)o r , th 23 si c F ebr r [ ] ua ye, 2 W. E . L in e b ch a o . ci t. . 33 . g l , p p 4 City of York M erch a nts A dventurers Book of Acts a nd C oppys of Severa l] Wil s a nd B e uests 1600 f 215 l q ( . . xxxviii T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK

ﬁ rst it u Charles the , termed the Royal Company ; for s pplied M D L ifela nd t uscovy , Sweden , enmark , Poland and , wi h our ’ Woollen Manufactures , and made very advantageous return by Treasure ( especially Hungarian B uckets)and the Commodities t t E ’ 1 of hose Countries in o ngland .

w An This intimacy ith royalty had its drawbacks . amusing ex ample of the loyalty and obedience the Queen expected from her

E a l nd rs 15 trusty st a e occurred in 97 . The Polish Ambassador had tried vainly to get a decided

E x declaration of policy from the evasive lizabeth . An ious to prevent the merchants giving any encouragement to his preten

m forbea re ofﬁ ces sions , she orders the To all of ceremony towards

v sita cion him , as of y , sending presents or whatsoever else of like gra tiﬁ ca con untill you shall receive furthe r directions from us in ’ 2 that behalf.

w a t The Charter was not , ho ever , renewed the accession of m I n m w a s . t w Ja es ; in fact , his a titude to ards the tradi g Co panies somewhat ambiguous ; but in 1622 a Royal Commission on the

w a s t E decay of trade appoin ed , and the astland Merchants were 3 called upon to give evidence . In May the leading members of the Fellowship gave reasons for the lack of mercantile prosperity 4 from their point of view . Their evidence must have impressed the Commission , for when in July they petitioned for a proclama 5 tion to safeguard their rights their demand was at once granted . H o w serious a crisis this w a s for the fortunes of the Fellowship is clear from the fact that in 1622 the Eastland Merchants of

Ipswich were unable to buy any cloth for the London Company ,

’ because the clothiers , in expectation of being able to export their

k ’ R. o e E la n m m 2. C n d s rove en . 3 , g I p ts , p 2 ‘ ette to M r Rus el Governour of th e M erch a ntes t din th e a st A l r s l , ra g E ’ Co nt i es Acts o P C unci l 1597 . u r , f v o , 2 4 4 n . 1 . m . 2 e F aedera xv . Cunnin h R m W a 0 ci t. . 36 ci . g , p p y r, ,

m o res . . P C . me I. M 1 22 Do . S a s a 8 6 . J , y , , cxxx , r p 2 bid . u 1 1 1 622 cx x x ii . 30 1 2 . I J ly , , , INTRODUCTION xxxix

h a d cloth free , raised the price to such an exorbitant degree that 1 no trade could be done .

T he r w r proclamation cove s a ide area , and the me chants are ﬂ e t referred to in the most attering t rms . With the excep ion

s w of corn and grain , no commoditie hatsoever are to be brought from the districts w here the Eastland M erchants have their special 2 privileges , unless imported by the Company itself.

I the . e Charles , following in steps of Our Royall F ther of ’ 1 6 29 blessed memory , issued a similar proclamation in . The main difference between th e tw o charters is that th e ﬁ rst l dea s only with the import trade , the second lays considerable

th x ofﬁ cia ls w stress on e e port trade . The are specially arned not

f K ersies Sk nnes to suf er any Broad Cloth , Dozens , , Bayes , y or suchlike English commodities to be shipped for Exportation except ’ 3 h e E M E t t s . s by astland erchant viden ly , in the intervening year

x t deﬁ a nt the e por ing interloper had become more . ’ The King s good offices did not end w ith the publication of proclamations ; especially during the w a r betw een Gusta vus

w a s Adolphus and Poland , Charles constantly called upon to use

inﬂuence E a stla nders w i t his on behalf of the , hose trad ng cen res

th r were w ithin e w a area . The Fellow ship had been unfortunate in th e choice of their

th e t ﬁ rst Residence abroad . In the early days of incorpora ion

E w a s t t 1 6 22 t lbing the only Baltic se tlemen ; but in hey obtained Elbing. an Order of Council sanctioning their removal to Da ntz ic or any

t th e th e E b o her place in Baltic , as Bar at lbing had ecome so

' be shallow that small boats had to used in unloading the cargo , w and they ere subject to double taxation , having to pay tolls both 2 to the King of Poland and Duke of Prussia .

w o ula Sto asserts that the beauty , splendour , and increased p p

22 x x i . 4 . . P mes I. une 18 1 6 c x 0 S . Ja , J , , 1 P r l i . 6 h . 1 2 S ee be ow . 51 oc a ma t ons rit. 50 , B Mus , , ( l , pp

h . 1 1 Ibi d .

h i N . M a r 1 1 22 c x ii . 5 Add . S . P . a mes I. c 9 6 cx o 9 J , , , v , THE EA STLAND COMPANY OF YORK

E n w t to th e E tion of lbi g ere en irely due commerce of the nglish ,

and that its prosperity was of brief duration , for he adds : The i i it place hav ng a small r ver coming up to , and being found not h t so commodious as ot er places , the merchants have long since lef ’ 1 m D a ntzic it and re oved to , Konigsburg , Riga . The Fellowshi p took no immediate advantage of the order of ff removal . They had used every e ort to ensure the success of

E . lbing as an outport A stringent ordinance , With a severe

penalty attached , obliged masters of ships to discharge their cargoes there ; even as late as 1626 the merchants of York were

ﬁ ned l D a ntzi c heavily for landing and sel ing their goods at , although they h a d been prevented from disembarking at E lbing 2

w a s . by the plague , which raging there at that time

D a ntz ic Da ntzi c a s But even was far from being an ideal Residence Sir a n outport. Thomas Roe onl y expressed the popular Opinion when he wrote to Dorchester in 163 1 that th e E a stla nders would never trade to the proﬁ t of the Kingdom while they are like a grain of corn between ’ 3 zicker the two millstones of the Swedes and the Da nt s emulation .

O To Gustavus Adolphus , anxious alike to secure a base of pera tions against Poland and a hold on the trade of the Baltic! the

Da ntzic possession of , a wealthy commercial city , with only a im nominal allegiance to Poland , was a matter of the utmost

H e it Da ntzi ckers portance . made three attempts to take , but the

seem to have stolidly pursued their business in spite of sieges , and t ff even to have turned the s ate of a airs to their own advantage , for they procured an Act that no foreign cloth should be sold in 5 tzic Poland unless it had ﬁ rst been sealed at D a n . This blow E w a s struck the astland Company in a vital part , for cloth their T h i w . e chief export . Still , the blo was not unexpected prev ous

2 2 tow 0 i k . . 1 . S , p. c t. b v. p 2 m 1 1 b Oct. 162 1 . S . P . Do . Ca r. I. D ec . 3 1 626 . 9 i id . 7 ( ) , , , xli ; , xxxiii 2 Ib A . u . 1 6 1 631 dx xxiii . 4 . id g , , 7 2 usta S ch moll er T h e M e?ca ntcle S stem . 64 . G v , y , p 5 P . S . . Ca r. I , 1 632, ccx xix . 25. INTRODUCTION year a general meeting of the Company had be en summoned in ff t . London to discuss the unsatisfactory sta e of their a airs .

‘ ' T a keinge the state of th ei re a fi a ires beyond sea into D ue serins Consideracon found th ei re trade i ncompa ssed w ith soe Diffi culti es c f many soe greate , the Chan elor of Sweden irst by C ustomes C onfi sca ti on high , and since under paine of forbidden cloth to be carried to B anske the Dan skers by stronge Edickts th ei re Elbin e necess iti e forbidden Bargers to goe to g , that of they must send over a man to treat for a free trade otherwise there ’ 1 incoura ement Could be Little g to proceed .

They had now good cause to regret their perempto ry refusal in

16 28 w M r to contribute anything to ards the maintenance of . ’ Francis Gordon , the King s agent in Poland , for they were obliged

ow n n to send out a special commissioner at their expe se , and to

' entreat the K ing to order his agent to favour the new emissary 2 t t s wi h his assistance . King, agen and commissioner u ed their utmost endeavour to bring about the abolition of the hateful sealing order . The King of Poland was apparently more anxious than his advisers to keep the E a stland trade at D a ntz ic ; he offered the Fellowship many privileges and immunities if they 3 ff w ould settle a Residency there . All e ort seems to have been

tw o e M r l E re v . una ailing, for years lat r Theophi us aton , the

t t t th e presen a ive of the Company , had to report tha although

Senate and Gericht had yielded on the question of sealing cloth , th e to Common Council had refused ratify their decision , con 4 sequently negotiations were at an end . Ou a later o ccasion Charles does not seem to have show n the t 1 63 i same in erest . In 7 the commerc al jealousy that had been in abeyance for some time ﬂa med up again : an edict w a s passed in Poland prohibiting the sale of strained cloth , and desiring . that

” cts a nd din nces f. 45 see be ow . A Or a , ( l , p 2 S . P . C a r. I. u ust 29 1628 . 35. , A g , , cxiv 2 d 32 x mx . 25. bi . 1 6 c I , c 4 634 cc xx iii . 2. bi d . M a 24 1 6 I y , , l v THE EAS TL AND COM PANY OF YORK

la w E cloth should be of sizes forbidden by the statute of ngland . E M The astland erchants were roused to the greatest indignation , which was increased when they heard that Charles had refused an

a interview craved by the Polish Ambass dor , at which the matter 1 might have been set right . E C n o s. o v y But apart from negotiation , the practical success of the ast

land trade depended upon the active co - operation of the Govern ‘ w a r Ah efﬁ cient E ment during the time of . convoy for astland

w a s a nd bound vessels a necessity , the delay of the convoy meant

the loss of time and money . A sidelight on the unsatisfactory sta te of the navy is throw n’ by a letter of the commissioners to

w ho t Buckingham , had to confess hat the ships appointed to E convoy the cloth ships to the astlands were ready , but were 2 t th e s ayed for want of two sakers apiece . But even when ’ e n a vessels start d under co voy , the merchants nxieties were not ’ 16 30 M w a s ended . In the Reformation , under Sir Henry ervyn , told off to act on convoy duty to sixteen ships sailing from Hull w w E . ith cloth for the astlands Sir Henry , ho ever , preferred the

excitement of chasing a Spanish man - of- w a r to the less sensational

duty of guarding mercantile vessels . The only reply that could be got by the irate masters of the Eastland ships from Sir Henry

w a s a o w a the cav lier one , that if they would not g his y, they ’ o ow n could g their . Some followed this advice , with disastrous E 3 w . results , for two vessels were lost hile returning to ngland w The leading men of the Fellowship ere men of importance , constantly consulted by the Government before a ny new com

merci a l undertakings with foreign countries were concluded . E Theophilus aton , in a reply to Dorchester , gives the conditions the E astland Company would consider essential for a commercial

t a nd trea y . Not only were religious mercantile freedom to be

safeguarded , but the Company demanded that their Deputy should

S . P . . I. u ust 1637 ccc x i . Car , A g , l v 2 i . i . 1 3 . S ee ossa . bi . M 162 . f . in h . c t I a 15 6 xx ii c . W C un m o 7 , d y , , v n g a , p ( Gl ry ) 2 I d . M a 22 1630 cl xvu . 7 . bi y , , INTRODUCTION

be provided with a house , rent free , and that the individual

own members should be allowed to take houses , keep their smoke , E 1 and entertain nglish guests . E th e E ven in early Commonwealth days , when the astland

w a s Company practically deprived of its privileges , their assistance w a s sought w hen the recently founded power wished to ﬁ nd a suitable man to send privately to S w eden to discover its feeling 2 E towards the Commonwealth . The astland Company , however ,

fi ure did not always g as the grateful recipients of royal favours . The influence of the commercial classes as focus sed in the great City Companies in dete rmining the res ult of the Civil War has E . never been underrated ven Charles recognised that , his alienation of the mercha nts had been an important factor in his overthrow . A t e the same time, Charles and his advisers recognis d the truth underlying the popular criticism of regulated companies as virtual monopolies ; they regarded the trading organisations as a source from which they coul d legitimately fi ll the empty

f ma n treasury . A signi icant letter from Sir Thomas Roe , a of

r considerable foresight and much expe ience in commercial matters , emphasises this vie w of the relations between the Government and ’ w ‘ the merchants . Their money is at hand , he rites , and even if the demand is not a c ceeded to still the best and surest horses ” 2 S need purs . Whether in this case the Company responded to the

not d 16 39 Clith erow spur is recor ed ; but later, in , Sir Christopher ,

E e e Governor of the astland Merchants , sign d the pap r refusing ’ the King s demand of a loan of It was not the ﬁ rst time that Sir Christopher had shown his anti - royalist tendencies the previous year Henry White had demanded admission to the

Society , but in spite of the fact that he brought a strong letter

I. n 1 1 S . P . Ca r. u e 5 629 cx i . 81 . , J , , l v 2 bi d . ounci of Sta te M ch 10 1649 i . I C l , ar , , 2 24 I. ust 1 3 bid . Ca r. u 6 3 ccx I , A g , , lv . 2 bid . . I. June 1 1 63 x xi . . I C a r , 9 , 9 , cccc v 30 THE EAS TLAND COM P ANY. OF YORK

w a s o of recommendation from the King , he not all wed to take up

his freedom . The Governor pointed out that if all the King ’ s nominees were to be received the Company could no longer defray the necessary

' o f expenses management . It was in vain that th e candidate

w th e urged that he was illing to pay whatever fees were due , to ’ tt U t w ’ u ermost , that the niversi ies al ays complied with the King s w ﬁ nd wishes , and that the Company ould that the King would ‘

. in reward their compliance The Governor , an unseemly ’ t ff t sligh ing manner , refused to be dazzled by the o er of fu ure royal w t favours , remarking that they all knew well enough ha the ’ C King s good terms were , when they came to ask them . harles F A orbench M . . w Clerk , , gives his account of the affair ith much

animus ; still , he claims to be only actuated by loyalty to his 1 a i n verbo s e cl sovereign and ready to verify his st tement cw r oti s .

the ff E ffects of th e . The outbreak of Civil War had a disastrous e ect on Ci i W r a . v l , foreign trade ; the E a stla nders and M erchant Adventurers both f su fered severely . Roger Coke gives a piteous picture of the t ff E desolation brought abou in Su olk and ssex , both counties

E H e greatly dependent on the astland trade for prosperity . was ,

th e of course , mistaken in attributing to one force resultant of ff u many di erent forces ; still , the illustration of the grad al decay E of the astland trade is very striking . In the middle of King ’ ' James s reign so ﬂouri shing was the E astland cloth trade that Sir

E a t tw o dward Coke had built , a cost of thousand pounds , a mill

b neﬁ t n near Ipsw ich for the public e . The town offered him a annual rent of two hundred and forty pounds for the building ; t f his of er he refused . Coke gives the gradual decrease of the

value of the mills as they descended from father to son , son to

- grandson , grandson to great grandson , until the rent would not 2 pay for repairing them , and they were closed for want of work .

P . r. I. x S . Ca u 1638 ccc c . 2. , J ly , v 2 ’ R. oke E n la nd s m rovements . 33 . C , g I p , p

THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

w notable advantage , yet ill be utterly damnable to Poland and this city , and if there be but a motion of this remotion , I doubt not but i t w ould strike a sad impression into their minds and ’ happily work in bette r thoughts .

w E However , a strongly orded letter from the nglish Council of State seems to have brought about a settlement without having resort to the extreme measures advised by Richard Jenke. The Commonwealth w ere w ell advised in forcing all English merchants in Da ntz ic to take an oath of loyalty to their Govern E w D E ’ ment , for though d ard aniel , an astlander of long standing , ‘ E protests his own loyalty , he confesses that some nglish traders have been and are overmuch conversant with divers of the Scottish nation here h e makes the occasion an excuse for suggesting . 2 D a n z that the Scots should be debarred from trading to t i c .

Two months later tw enty - tw o of the Eastla nd M erchants in

Da ntzi c had taken the oath , and Richard Jeuks writes that he has no doubt that at a s econd meeting to be called the follow ing

M w ho ﬁ rst w onday , those were absent the time ill come and take En it. After the Company had subscribed , all glishmen trading E to lbing were to be called upon to sign , and then the engage

w a t E ment s sen over to lbing and Konigsburg . The Council in

E e a ll w h o ngland ordered the nam s of refused , to be sent at once 3 to them . The follow ing year the E astland Merchants were again in ” D n w trouble ; this time the King of e mark a s the aggressor . ’ T w enty - tw o of the Eastland M erchants ships that had taken refuge in the harbour of Copenhagen from the Dutch had been

n i f S ta te D a ntz i c 1651 . 36 a st a nd ourt P . Cou c o S . l , , , xvi ; E l C 2 f. 1 5 see be ow . Book , ( l , p

June g‘q 5. S . P . Counci of S ta te ’ xv . 9 l , J ul y s 3 2 30 i 1 6 1 . 36 . Ib d . Da ntz c 5 i , , , xvi $ pt. 9 i n th e n h erch a nts T h e Ki ng of Denma rk H i s D ecla ra ti on c onc ern g E gli s M h h b sh ips lying i n Copenh a gen tra nsla ted out of th e D a ni s Speech i nto E ngli s y

dw a d Smith M a 17 P a m h lets rit. . 693 . E r , y p , B Mus , INTROD UCT ION

D seized by the King of enmark . The ships carried valuable

th e t w cargoes ; merchan s of London , Ips ich , Yarmouth , and 1 6 4 23 2d . £ 8 73 . Hull assessed their damages at They seem ,

sa ti sﬁ ed i however , to be quite w th the terms obtained for them u by the Protector , and addressed him in a letter of f lsome gratitud

’ We cannot express due acknow ledgment of the favour w e have c tw tw o lately enjoyed , by your unparalleled action in re overing enty D w w h o full laden ships delayed in enmark , by hich many , had else been ruined w ill record to posterity the interposition of so great w isdom in rescuing thei r goods out of unjust hands and removing obstructions in trade for the universal good of the t " na ion .

Cromw ell had modi ﬁ ed his policy w ith regard to the great trading Companies ; in the early days of his pow er he had deprived them of their privileges , but he realised his mistake . Later he increased th e pow ers of the East India Company and restored 2 M t t t H e the erchant Adven urers to their former s a us . gave

too E t n support , , to the as land Compa y , for their trade tended 3 th e w D t w h o w En indirectly to diminish po er of the u ch , ere g ’ 4 land s successful rivals in the Baltic trade . ’ w t th e In spite , ho ever , of the Protec or s change of policy , Eastland Company tried in vain to obtain an ofﬁ ci a l recognition

t for from the Council of S ate . The Committee Trade and Navi

a tion w 1656 r t the g ent so far , in , as to p opose a char er on lines

e t of the old charter, and prescrib d the form of oa h to be taken by the various ofﬁ ci a ls of the Eastland Company —m but the suggestion 5 had no results .

1656 1660 E nte e num From to there are no entries in astland Court I rr g ,

1656 - 1660.

S . P . Counc i of Sta te Ja n. 4 1655 C xx il l . 1 6 . l , , , 2 W. C n nin . u h m i t. .1 8 o . c 9 g a , p p 2 Si r osi a h Ch i d A New Di scourse o T ra de . 104. J l , f , p 82 2 2 28 S . P . Counci of Sta te 1 655, c . 158 . l Oc t 2 i - b d . J 3 a n. 4 1655 6 cxx iii . 16 b . M a 1 1658 c xx x i . 56 i bi d . Dec . 1 7 I , , ; i id y , , l ; , 1 659 . 41 . , ccv xlviii T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or YORK

tw o m Book ; even the year before , contumacious York me bers of the w u Fello ship had ref sed to pay duties or take the oath accustomed ,

‘ one saying there w a s noe Company but w hen there was one he ’ 1 would take the oath and nott till then .

B ut o the Company c ntinued their commercial enterprises . In 2 16 58 u w a s w E Yarmo th reported to do little trade ith the astlands , but Hull and New castle trade there every year and in 1 659 the Fellow ship dre w th e attention of the Great Council of State to 3 . Du w their needs ring the interim , too , business hich necessitated

n - ffi r w a the attention of the u der o ce s s transacted at York . ‘ They have appointed Alderman Bryan Dawson Deputy at this E nsuein ea re a l soe place , for the g y ; Henry Penrose for Clarke Thoma s H o w gill Beadle ; And although noe allow ance of salary h 1 657 t be given to any one of t em from to his last year, yett they 12 2 2 have ordered 6 13 4 to be dispersed of by the Deputy as a offi cers w h o gratuity unto the under , have had any trouble in the ' ’ 4 m a n fl n Co p yes a a i res durei g that vacancy .

The Eastland Company w a s naturally affected by the extra ordinary outburst of activity and enterprise that greeted the t w Restora ion . They lost no time in asking for a rene al of the

I w a proclamation of Charles . This s granted ; a confirmation of

w a s 166 1 w the Charter passed in February , and a further arrant 29 for a proclamation issued on August , War, pestilence ,

ﬁ re i nﬂuence , and the adverse of the Lord Chancellor delayed the

w the execution of the arrant . Ten years later matter came once

f ad re - more before the Council o Tr e . They approved of the issue a i conditionally , but suggested th t the l ne should be reduced from

u ﬁ ve tw o twenty po nds to pounds , that for the space of years

b a st a nd Cou t 1. 23 see b e ow . E l r Book , ( l , p 2 1 1 . 7 . S . P . L ette s e a tin to a Nov . 3 658 7 r r l g N vy , , , cxcv 2 bid . l nter. D ec . 1 7 1 659 . 41 . I , , , ccv 2 1 6 1 . E a st a nd Cou t f . a nua 29 6 l r Book , J ry , 5 1 4 a st a nd ourt N . 2 S . P . Ca r. ri 1 67 1 289 o , Ap l , , ; E l C Book d T h en th e Copy of th e Ch a rter renewed by h i s M ajesti c w a s now wh olly rea ’ o e f. M a 20 1662. v r, y , INTRODUCTION Xlix timber and deal should be imported in any ships w ith English E mariners for rebuilding London , and that the export of nglish I manufactures to the Eastland should be free from impositions .

w th e ﬁ ne The Fello ship refused to lower for redemption , giving as ‘ an ex cuse that a smaller one would cumber the body w ith ’ 2 unskilful . .members t w w a t The Merchan s ould have done ell to ccept hese terms , ‘ ’ for tw o years later a n extraordinary trouble fell upon the

w a s e Company . A Bill pass d through the House of Commons w w w D hich thre open the trade in S eden , enmark , and Norway E 3 to any nglish person on the payment of forty shillings . Great indignation prevailed among the Eas tland Merchants in

w ho w b een a ssed London , declared that the Bill ould not have . p had it not been tacked on to one of much greater importance .

w a s w a s The statement probably true , for the chief mover Sir D w w George o ning , a statesman hose chequered career had de velo ed w p his natural talent for crooked ays . His residence at the Hague had given him some insight into Dutch commercial

t the methods , and probably he a tributed great expansion of their E J astland trade , as Sir osiah Child did , to their freedom from E t the restrictions . ven under the Protec orate he had been mouthpiece of the English mercantile complaints against the

u c . D t h , and had continually urged their superiority as traders Low ering the terms of admission did not bring any great rush of E t merchants into the astland trade , for more than a year la er the London Company write to their York brethren

As to w hat you desire to know h ow to proceed with persons o that Demand their freedom for forty shillings . Acc rding to the a nsw ere late Act of Parliament, we can give you noe other , than that th e Company can make noe Vote against a Statute L a w .

2 Ca r. I . S . P . I i 16 1 28 No. N . 124 7 9 I . o , Apr l , , bid 2 h a st a nd ou t f. 5o see be ow . f stle M ercha n E l C r Book , ( l , p c . Newca

Adventurers i i . . 153 Su t es Soci et , p ( r e y, THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

But hitherto none have appeared to demand it at our Courts upon ’ 1 those Termes .

In spite of the restriction of their sphere of inﬂuence to th e

E few astern Baltic , the Company decided to cling to their remaining privi leges .

w a s 16 89 Another attack made upon them in , but the masterly tactics of the London Governor , Nathaniel Tench , changed the threatened disaster into a triumphant vindication of the Company’ s rights . The secretary in London gives a succinct account of the H whole matter in a letter to the brethren in York . e inclosed a dozen copies of the reasons given by the Governor in defence of the Company , and strongly urged the York Company to put their parliamentary representatives in possession of the facts of 2 s E l t w the ca e . The ast and Company rightly claimed tha the ording w of the Act gave them hat they had never had before , a distinct recognition by Parliament Provided that nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to avoid the Charters and grants made to the Levant Company , to E the astland Company , to the Russia Company , to the African h t ’ 2 Company or to t e privileges granted to them or any of hem . But neither parliamentary enactments nor the activity and enterprise of their Governors could withstand the tide of economic c w w E w hange hich s ept over ngland , leaving stranded the recks of many Companies w hich h a d done yeoman service in the early

E h ow days of the development of nglish commercial life . It is , m ’ u ever , i possible to deny the truth of their opponents arg ment that their day of usefulness was over . The discouraging story of their constantly decreasing trade, as told by themselves , points the same moral .

° ow . a st d Cou t f. 53 see be E lan r Book , ( l , p 2 2 h . . N. enc ci Ib . f. 88 see below . 1 27 o t id ( , p ) T , p 2 1 m M a c oo Act 689 1 Wi i <2 . W llen , , ll a ry, INTRODUCTION

a the E a stla nd m a Dec y of Co p ny .

It is difficult to get at any trustw orthy estimate of the amount

th e Ea stla nde rs of trade done by , so much of the evidence is of an

ex a/ te t B t p r na ure . u even in the early seventeenth century foreign

a mercantile enterprise w s not conducted on a meagre scale . In

16 17 tw o E the bankruptcy of houses at lbing and Hamburg ,

o w r E holding eighty thousand p unds o th of nglish goods , caused 1 great loss to the Eastland Merchants . Wheeler says the annual ex port from England by the Mercha nt Adventurers in 1601 w a s 2 un s E to one million po d . The astland Company never claimed equal the Adventurers in their output ; in 16 19 they petitioned to

y w a s - be lightl assessed against pirates , as the trade only one eighth 3 of that of the Adventurers . In 1620 the Eastland Merchants complain that w herea s formerly they had a sale of English cloth in Eastern parts amounting to tw o now hundred thousand pounds , it had decreased to seventy ‘ t 16 22 w a s l thousand pounds . The to al amount of export in on y

so w E w a s , even by their own sho ing , the astland trade u 2 a fairly considerable fraction of the whole amo nt . Roger Coke ,

‘ w m : e 1640 ho ever , gives ore precise information Before the y ar

t loa th s the Company expor ed Broad C , Kerseys and D l 4000 oubles year y , but of late years not above Broad 5000 2 00 ’ 2 0 . Cloths , Kerseys and Doubles

Nor does this statement stand unsupported . The author of Britannia Languene quotes it with approval and states in addition : ‘ I have heard several estimates all near concurring with what I

S . P . me I. 1 1 x a s D . J , ec . 6 7 , c 2 Wh ee e T rea t o C ommerce . 21 . l r, y f , p 2 S . P . mes I. n 1 . 42 a J . a 6 1 cv 43 . J , 9 , , 4 I . une 26 16 20 . 10 . bid J , , cxv 9 5 M isselden Ci r c mmerce . 12 i nin h le o C o 8 c . un a m , f , p W. C g ,

3 1 A . i . 9 , pp 2 k ’ B . Co e E n la nd s m rovement 16 0 . , g I p , 7 , 9 1 , THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

’ ﬁ nd M r in Coke s third treatise of Trade , dedicated to Prince ’ 1 Rupert .

Sta te of t a de 1659 r In the Company , by command of the Council of State , in 1659 . w dre up an account of the condition of their trade . They then

k ersies report that they export yearly broad cloths besides , 200 2 i and employ ships . Some idea of the value of the fre ghts of the Eastland ships may be gained from the claims made

i by the merchants whose vessels w ere seized by th e King of Denmark Account of the loss sustained by the Eastland M erchants of w London , Ips ich , and Yarmouth in ships , merchandise and goods ’ D 1 2s 6d w w w in enmark . . hich ith the o ners and masters ’ claim for freight and other charges and the mariners t l t 4 d . 1 s . 6 adven ure , with loss of c othes and ime makes M 4 2 ’ 3 8d . The erchants of Hull also claim 981£ s .

w a s But although the chief, cloth , by no means the only export , 4 w a s a large trade done in skinnery . The S kinners tried in 1636 to hinder the Eastland Company

from pursuing this branch of export trade . They suggested w bringing all coney skins up to a common arehouse in London , t E raising a joint stock prepared o tan skins . The astland

M 10 st erchants no time in pointing out to the Council that , though

S h ow roﬁ ta bl e good for the kinners , they failed to see it would be p

to others . They skilfully played upon the dread of plague , and called their attention to the undesirableness of increasing th e

’ ta nni a L a n uens a D i T r e 1680 M a c Culloch s E a rl B ri g , scourse on a d , ; y T s omm i s h ra ct on erce . 3 E n l C . g , p 99 2 S . P . ounci of Sta te D ec . 1 7 1 659 . 41 . C l , , , ccv 3 d C ou t bid . Oct. 22 1 652 2 1 3 x ii . 150 a st a n 5 bi . 65 I , , xxv . ; i d , l ; E l r Book , ‘ M eetin of th e M e ch a nt f ke nd H u a nd M a i ste s of Sh i s th a t A g r s o Yor a ll r pp , have interest i n th e sh ip s a nd goods sea zed on th e S ound by th e Kinge of D en th ’ “ a bo e m rke h e d a t Yo ke th e 1 3 u 1653 in th e forenoone f. 21 see a , l r J ly , ( v

i . p. x lv )

cts a nd di na nces vii . see ow . A Or ( bel , 9

THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

l l iron , copper, stee , carraway seeds , and wax were all important 2 imports .

essuni sti c John Ramsden gives a clear , if somewhat p account of the proﬁ ts of the E astland trade in 16 22

a m l n h 7 s We p y g all , in customs and c arges for every carse sterling and so for the rate of other cloths and dossons that th e t th a ma rket las two years bypast , they have not yielded at upon l h 4 8 6d . seven rix dollars and a ha f apiece , w ich is but worth . per i 3 w 3 s 9d . 78 . dollar into the m nt . out of hich deducted for charges , t 2 9d w 6 8 . e here rests but . by which lose , and cannot be able to it not th e help , by being able to raise the price there , by reason of extraordinary rising of their money and other store of cloa thing in the country so that either over cheap pennyworths must cause w our said cloths to vent there , or else they ill not vent at all ; the M ’ k decay thereof, Will appear in his ajesty s Custom House boo s , w ﬁ nd t w e w and e hat this trade gro s daily wors and orse . For E t t rix Kerseys are cheaper sold in as land , at present, by hree doz zons t w dollars apiece , and by four rix dollars each , han they ere ’ 3 few a years ago , and yet not half sold .

D uring the Commonwealth there w a s great competition for

E — 3 w t 38 . c . the astland imports . Prices rose high hemp sold at the , 0 5 h 3 1 0 a t 0 . t e 33 . £7 3 tar at the barrel , Norway deals at the , spars f w 42 5 A e years later cordage was valued at £ a ton . As late as 1693 is assigned to the E astland M er chants for their stores but the terms seem to have been unexpectedly

t now o good , for they say hey are disposed to g on and make ’ 6 further contracts with the Navy Board .

m t t to But in spite of the a oun of trade , they canno be said

1 ' cts a nd di na nces f . 47 see be ow . A Or , ( l , p 2 “ b i b . f . 86 see be ow a st a nd Cou t f . 68 see be ow . i E l r Book , ( l , p d ( l , p. 3 Ca uses of th e genera l Deca y of Tra de a nd S c a rcity of M oney i n th e town of

Ki n ston- u on- u a i d be ore th e P i Counci b oh n Ra msden M e ch a nt g p H ll l f r vy l , y J r — G H a d e H i stor o H ull . 1 13 . eorge l y, y f , p 4 S . P . ounci of Sta te D ec . 1 4 1 652 xx i . 25. C l , , , v 5 I . . . a r. iii . 28 Ib C I D e . 5 1 0 x x id , c , 66 , 5 Ad i r l 4 . . m a t . 452. bi d . W M . M a 4 1 6 3 H O I , y , 9 y, , p INTRODUCTION ha ve j ustiﬁ ed their ex istence or to have met the vehement attacks

J w h o t of Sir osiah Child , argued hat they were hinderers and r stri cters E e of nglish trade . The Eastland M erchants w ere never so unpopular as the M 1 erchant Adventurers . Lack of conspicuous success may account for this comparative

Ea stla nders absence of attack . The themselves claimed that w r un hereas the Adventurers , by expo ting great quantities of

e dressed wool , decreas d the demand for labour ; they , by bringing in i d t. raw material and only exporting manufactured goo s , increased In this contention they are supported by the author of a treatise

w h o t ascribed to Sir Walter Raleigh , , al hough he indulges in t reckless and inaccura e statements , probably represented popular

O w H e t pinion fairly ell . s ates that the Adventurers made a clear annual profi t of sixty thousand pounds by the export of undressed but cloth alone . This is doubtless an exaggeration , it represents 2 the view of the opponents of the Adventurers . Still the Eastland Company had to stand the fi re of the representatives of th e unemployed as well as the Adventurers . The fla x dressers complained to the London Court of Aldermen that they were deprived of employment because the Eastland M erchants would neither bring in undressed fla x themselves nor ff t it t t t su er anyone else to impor . They further complained ha hey sold to the middleman at such excessive rates that th e middle

d roﬁ t man , in or er to make his p , had to put on such a high price that it w a s impossible for them to make a living w age from their

h ei ent a nce fee w a s n h i h i i n l no one cou d ente th e e ow T r r ot so g . Or g a ly l r F ll sh i of d entu e s b edem tion exce t b a i n a fee of £200 Wh ee e p A v r r y r p p y p y g ( l r, T i ' m. rea t se o C ommerce a te i t w a s educed to £ 50 a nd £ 25 S . P . D o C a r. I f ) l r r ( , 1 35 i 6 ccc ii . 74 ﬁ na ll th e o unta i reduced th ei ﬁ ne for a dmi ss on to 408 . , v ) y y v l r ly r Rea sons r T r h o a ssi n th e B i ll or m rovi n th e a de w i t Russi a it. M us . ( f p g f I p g ), Br ,

8223 E . 1 19 , ( , 2 ’ S ome C ollec ti ons o S i r Wa l ter Ra w le s resented to K i n Ja mes ta ken out f y p g , ’ o hi s Rema ins di scov eri n E n l a nd s los s or w a nt o due m rovement o i ts f , g g f f I p f mn odi Na ti ve C m ti es . THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

l w ork w . The same charge of excessive price a s brought against them wi th regard to rye ; and here the Court of Aldermen seem t to have been in fault , for they had ordered the Ci y Companies

Ea s la nders 63 6 t . d . to take rye from the at a bushel . The buyers

a refused to trans ct business , as this rate was far above the market 2 price . 1 630 In thousands of poor people , formerly occupied in spin ning , making cloth , thread , and bone lace , were thrown out of employment , and a professional philanthropist had a ready solution E for the perennial problem of the unemployed . As the astland

Company neglect their duty of supplying the country with hemp , thus forcing the Government to get a supply for themselves from w i Holland , the r ter suggests that their privileges should be taken

Wh o t away and a new patent granted to people , ac ing under his E E direction , would bring all the hemp in urope to ngland , where it 3 the unemployed could work into cordage .

Fortunately for the Company , the Government do not seem to

r osa l have entertained this ingenious p Op . But in another case the Eastland Company did not escape so

a easily . The trade in pot shes , one of the chief imports of the

E a stla nders w a s t t t , comple ely disorganised by the insti u ion of a 4 S oa boilers new London Company of p . Although the manufacture

w a s 1631 n by new methods not really established until , the pate t I w a s . new granted by James , and as , under the system , no potashes

M . were used , the erchants at once raised the cry of ruin To con

y th e new vince them of the superiorit of soap , the Council ordered ‘ that the laundresses w h o made trial of i t are to be examined in

E M wh o the presence of the astland erchants , are the parties the ’ 5 most interested .

D . 1 1 i . . W. H . a nd W. 0 . e a Remembra nci a ec 0 630 v i 58 Ov r ll , , , , 2 2 1 3 bi d . une 1 i i . 68 . I J 9 , 6 , V 2 S . P . Ca r. I. 1 630 . 88 89 . , , clxxx ,

W. u n h . . i . nn a m o ci t . 306 307 C g , p pp , 5 P . 24 xi . S . a mes I. M a 4 16 c 21 . J , y , , l v INTRODUCTION b The Merchants , recognising the strength of the com ination n against them , assumed an air of mag animity , and declared that ,

beneﬁ ci a l though losers , if the invention were generally , they i t t w aived any claims to cons deration beyond a ten per cen . du y on the base foreign coin they would now import instea d of the usefu l l ta sh s product po e .

w a s - s 1637 th e The scheme a well de erved failure , and by trade

- t was re established on the old foo ing . Another charge was brought against the Company . The skinners said that they could

t to th e ta w ers s E not give any employmen y , becau e the astland 2 E Merchants would not ta ke the skins when dressed . The astland t Merchants pleaded guilty to the indictmen , but urged as excuse 3 to that war had disorganised the Baltic trade . They promised take a proportionable part of skinnery wear in the future a s peace was declared . M But the erchants did not allow all atta ck to pass unchallenged . e t o They d fended heir p sition With considerable ability . They claimed th a t th eir chief a i mWa s to rescue trade from the hands of 4 ‘ ’ . t foreigners They urged tha they were a nursery for sea men , E 5 for they prevented foreign and promote d nglish navigation .

w a w a s The hole tone of foreign tr de , they said , raised by their i nﬂuence th e t , for knowledge hat the Society exercised strict super vision over the young members encouraged th e aristocracy to send

6 t e their sons into trade . Although hey congratulat d themselves on

a t raising the social st us of the Company , they showed that they had due regard for the aristocracy of talent , for gallant and

w h o w j udicious men , might other ise languish in obscurity , were by ’ 7 m ff to T the Co pany s e orts advanced positions of importance . hey

. . m . . i S P a es I Ja n 30 1624 c i i . 63 A S hort a nd T rue Rela tion J , , , lv ;

' c c r n h B e E . 1 5 on m t e S oa usiness it. . 6 g p Br Mus , 2 P . . . . S I u 22 1636 cccxxi x . 30 Car , J ly , , 2 bi d . M a rch 1 1 1636 cccx i . 108. I , , l

Ib . i - Counc f 4 . 1 iii . d o S ta te Ja n. 1655 6 cx x 6 i l , , , V 5 D . 1 1 . Ib ec . 7 659 . 4 1 7 id , , ccv 8 R s ’ 7 ns ﬁ ered . ea o o o ci t. x . Ib . i ii . , p id v THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK claimed to encourage ed ucation by inducing young men to learn 1 languages and enlarge their knowledge of the world . They had rendered important national service by removing obstacles to the 2 Baltic trade and recovering or obtaining many foreign privileges .

They added that they had a beneﬁ cia l influence on tra de by . pre venting great ﬂuctua tions in price : when there was a glut they stored ; w hen there was a scarcity they threw goods into th e 3 market . They assume a phila nthropic air w hen they speak of their own good works in importing corn 4 and furnishing employ 6 B f d ment to the poor . y the recovery of the estates of actors ying 2 7 a nd a nd abroad by the importation of gold silver , they felt they w r e e advancing national credit .

‘ ’ ﬁ ne With a disregard of the haggler about farthings , they urge that their entrance fee is so small that it ca nnot be from a mercenary motive that th e interlopers refuse to join the Com t pany , but from a perver ed moral sense , a dislike of living a well u 8 regulated life and trading according to live and r le . They do not deny the decay of trade ; but , in order to show the folly of f t attributing it to their in luence , hey give their own reasons for the general depression . B y their showing , the chief reason was the rapid growth of manufactures abroad ; and a comparison of the list of imports in 9 1“ 16 16 and 1630 shows the reality of this plea .

w a s t According to Coke , impetus given to foreign manufac ures by the immigration of 200 families from Norfolk and Suffolk in 1 1 636 16 37 638 . , , and to Holland They D would not endure the severe Injunctions of ecclesiastical iscipline , forsook their habitations ; and being bred up in Wollen M a nufa c

’ i x . Re sons oﬁ ered o . ci t. a , p — x x ii i . 1 6 . i of ta te Ja n. 4 1655 6 c S . P . ounc S C l , , , 2 2 4 5 41 41 . b Ibi . I 17nd . D ec . 1 7 16 59 . i , , ccv d d . 6 ’ 2 2 . 41 . P . nte . D e . 1 165 R . 11 . . c 9 ea sons of ered o . ci t V S 7 f , p I r , , , ccv 2 ’ iii . Rea ons oﬁ ered o . ci t. x s , p 2 cts a nd dina nces vii . see b e ow . A Or , ( l , p 2° “ Ibi . f. 47 see be ow . d ( l , p INTRODUCTION lix

E w E n tures , wherewith these ast Countries ere supplied from gland , t D and planted themselves in Holland , they there ins ructed the utch u " in those manufact res .

Ea stla nders The Adventurers and of Hull , in their pamphlet ,

' oi trace the unsatisfactory state trade , as William Ramsden did

t th e for y years before , to the same cause , the rapid development of E t a . now foreign manuf cture of cloth nglish clo h , they say , cannot

roﬁ t t be sold at a p in foreign par s ,

‘ By reason of the great quantities both of Broad Cloth and not Kerseys which are made beyond seas , only at Leyden and t th e M o her places in Holland , but also in Germany , arks of a Brandenburg and Silesia , and diverse pl ces in Poland and also in th e a Prussia , and cloth can be afforded che per than any such like t t E w it ha can be carried out of ngland , though in earing proveth not so good And w hereas the gentlemen in Poland formerly u sed to cloa th w t E t t now their attendants i h nglish Clo h , hey being a t w now cloa th w impoverished by reason of the l e ars , do them ith t ow n t not Silesia and such as is made in heir Coun ry , being so o th e E t able as formerly to g to price of nglish clo h .

2 4 Inordinate smoking and the extreme youth of some of th e foreign traders are advanced as possible explanations of th e nu satisfactory state of affairs ; the Hull merchants ca ndidly confess ‘ that our bad and false making of cloth w hich makes it i n di s ’ 5 It w a s w a s t . repute abroad , a factor tha must not be overlooked reserved for a later w riter to suggest that th e lack of higher education among English w omen w a s th e true cause .

. ‘ Dutch merchants wives frequently w hen their Husbands are t abroad in trade or any other business , order and govern heir Trades w v as diligently and discreetly , as if they were at home ; hich is a ery t th e t great advan age both to State and heir Husbands and families , and might be of as much or more to the King and M erchants here E t w t in ngland , if heir wives ere so educa ed , as to be enabled to ’ s 6 do o .

’ R. k 3 . o e E n la nd s m rovement . 3 C , g I p , p 2 ‘ ’ ’ 2 d e . . Rea n ﬁ eo e a . . 1 1 so s o ered o . ci t. x iv. o ci t 8 , p G rg H l y , p p 2 5 n f ’ Rea so s o e ed . . . S i r Wa te Ra w e o . ci t. . 30. o ci t xv l r l y, p p f r , p 2 h T r 1 1 . 14 k Dutc a d e 6 . R. o e Rea son o th e ncrea se o the 7 9 C , f I f , , p THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

It is difﬁ cult to arrive at any exact date when the Company

x 1 6 ceased to e ist . In 98 they were in correspondence w ith the Treasury Copy of the letter of the Eastland M erchants declining to take the tallies from the Lord of the Treasury except on the full interest of M w acpherson , riting at the beginning of the nineteenth : century , says

‘ now w They do not exist commercially but in name only , hich i t t u t ofﬁ cers seems hey still keep p, by continuing to elec annual , t th e and having a li tle stock in our public funds , interest whereof 2 defrays the expenses of their yearly meetings .

The contrast betw een the i nsigniﬁ ca nce of this ﬁ na l scene and t the pomp of the prelude is almost pa hetic . The Company started

r I th V . e by Hen y , but reorganised and launched forth in spacious E u days of lizabeth , followed by the coveted smile of royal favo r into the stormy sea of foreign commerce survived its day of use f fulness . Strenuous ef ort , dauntless enterprise , and ceaseless exertion failed to conquer the strong god circumstance two hundred years from its inauguration , all that the sympathetic ‘ o i ﬁ nd It hist r an can to say of the once powerful Company is , ’ survives in name only .

T he rov i l Courts P nci a .

A clause of the Charter empow ered th e London Governor and Fellow ship ‘ to cause to be k epte Courtes and Congregations of all the said F ellow sh i pp of M a rch a unts of E a stela nd or of tw entye at the leaste Whereof thi rtene to be of the A ssi sta unts as w ell within some convenyente place Within our cyttye of London or els w here within our domynyons as a lso Within th e said Rea l mes and ’ 3 ﬁ r id domynyons of th e E aste partes a b esa .

lii . 1 2 . S . P . Wi . III. i 1 1 698 ll , Apr l , , 2 D merce iv . 1 66 . . M a c h e son Anna ls o C om p r , f , 2 a tent Ro 21 i z a beth a rt 1 1 mem. 23 see be ow . P ll , El , p , ( l , p

THE EAS TLAND COMPANY O F YORK

As early as 1630 an important petition presented to th e ‘ E M King refers only to the astland erchants resident in London , w w 1 Ips ich , York , Hull , and Ne castle . It gives a full account of

difﬁ c ulties E the met with in the pursuit of the astland trade , asks

new conﬁ rma ti on M for regulations and the of old privileges . uch

ellow elaborate care has been spent on its compilation , and the F ship w ould certainly not have failed to strengthen their cause by

' including the names of more tow ns in their petition had there been a sufficient number of merchants in them to warrant th e addition ; for the Company neverfailed to emphasise the fact that

w w a s t t their Fello ship a na ional institu ion , not a mere monopoly . In asking for a renew al of the Charter the merchants urge

‘ There is no w a y of rectifying these mischiefs but renew ing the w a incorporation , hich is no more a monopoly th n the incorporation of any city or tow n in England since any qua liﬁ ed for trading may come in on payment of and no port tow n is excluded not conﬁ ned from the trade , as it is like most others to London ’ 2 only .

N orth ern The North countrymen certainly organised their trade well ; the

ni s tmn. orga a utmost vigilance w a s observed to prevent the importation or ex

porta tion of goods by merchants not free of the Company . The w northern counties ere divided into three districts , and a searcher th w t e . appointed for supervision of each division Thus , Ne cas le di Whitby , and Stockton formed one vision ; York , Hull , Grimsby , 3 th e and Bridlington another Lynn , Wells , and Burnham third .

L oca l Courts. The local Court w a s managed by a deputy assisted by a

ofﬁ ci a ls secretary and beadle . The nomination of these by the

w a s provincial Court generally accepted without question , though

by the Charter th eir election was relegated to the head Court. Their salaries w ere not ma gniﬁ cent : the deputy received £10 and

P S . . C a r. I. 1630 . 49 50 51 . , , clxxx , , 2 bi d . Dec . 17 1 659 . 41 . I , , ccv 2 Ib . Ca r. M r h 1 1 nt k 2 . 1 a c 8 67 oo 5 f 94. id , , E ry B , , INTRODUCT ION

‘ ’ ou —botre u ca stur i on £4 th e a p r of a d ble gg of g , the secretary , 4 1 s . 2 3 . d beadle £ annually . ft The representative sent to London , a er the alteration in the

t 16 16 yotes governmen of the Society in , was chosen by the of t h those members present at a mee ing convened for t e purpose . H e received a gratuity of eight pounds for his services from the l h l Fe lo w s i . w a s London p When any important matter to be decided , tw o men w ere generally sent .

th e But London Court had a very rea l hold on th e local Courts .

o ffi cers ow n They appointed the local , though their Court had the 2 3 sa fi x ed right of nomination they paid their laries , often the time 2 t t 5 of shipping , se tled the amoun of imposition to be levied , 6 w h a d received it hen collected , the sole right of making ordi 7 w w 2 nances hich the local brethren ere by oath bound to obey . 2 New members had to w a it for the consent of the head Court E before they could be enrolled . xcept a small local fee of two shillings and S ixpence to the secretary and one shilling and six l o bea dle fi nes pence to the , all for admission went into the hands of

the London Court . But in return the provincial brethren received substa ntial

advantages . Their rights and privileges were safeguarded , con

vo s w y ere arranged for their vessels , and in many cases , where w e a distant isolated local committee ould have b en powerless ,

th e ff t a London Company , in touch with Government , could e ec

much . 1 1 i 185 me The York Court Book g ves accounts of etings ,

' r f ﬁ ft extending over a pe iod o y years . The local Court had no

' a st nd C o t ook f. 35 see be ow . E la ur B , ( l , p 2 “ 2 l f. . f. 3 s b . I . 3 I 6 ee e ow 5 see be ow . bid ( l , p bid ( l , p 4 ‘ b I d . f. Ib d . f. 3 see be w . bi 36 7 o see be ow . i ( l , p ( l , p “ 7 2 Ibi . f. 4 be ow . Ib . f. 95 5 see see be ow . d ( l , p id ( l , p 2 b Ib . 11 . 62 see be ow . 99 id ( l , pp , 9 ' Re Ibi d . f. 82 see be ow . I . i ste f m o d i ssio s. ( l , p bid g r A n

a st a nd Cou t ook 1645- 1 696 see be ow . 7 1 E l r B , ( l , pp THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

w w n legislative po er , its duties ere purely administrative ; eve difﬁ c ult w t administrative cases ere ransferred to London .

l w M r The case of one Roper , accused of a lo ing . Robert Wash i n ton th e to g , not free of Company , ship iron in his name from t At Stockholm , occupied much time and caused grea excitement . ﬁ rst the Court considered the case so serious that they wished to appeal to the London Court . But

l ea r e After a g and serious discourse of that business , upon considera c on that nott any considerable use is made of th e com i t w a s to e t w plaint against him , put y ques ion , hether the same should be remitted to London or suspended till some further w a s testimonie manifested , and by erecton of hands it was ordered to menconed th e t be suspended , and not soe much as in instruc ions " u a a r th e of those brethren dep ted to ppe e at general Meeting .

M w inor breaches of the Ordinances were , however , al ays t 2 punished at hese provincial Courts representatives from Leeds , w w Hull , and Ne castle ere often present and discussed questions of local mercantile interest 3 all applications for the freedom of the Company by those residing in the North came before these meet ings 4 all arrangements for convoys 5 and transactions w ith masters of ships were ratified there .

‘ r M 2 w . M Ask ith presented a Charter partie from Rowse , w a s w to w hich read in Court , hich are willing take on his ship , if b e please to accept of. ye l a st for come and for ﬂa x ” w i n ﬁ hempe M Ask ith is desired to s g i e soe much to him . Ordered that M " Naylor (the Bedle)shall nott give hands to any w Charter parties , but for such masters , as ill promise to give the sa ti sfa c on w Secretary some reasonable , though he dra nott their ’ 6 Charter parties .

During th e Commonwealth period the Y ork Court w a s strongly

w a s puritanic in its feelings . A tax of half a gilder a cloth levied

2 b t a nd Cou t ook ti . Ib , f, 27 , E a s l r B , id 3 b 2 " b . . I f 5 . 4 ee be ow . 0 se e w f. 2 s e b o Ibid . ( l , p id ( l , p 5 . f. 648. I J n. 12 1 bi d . f , 2 a I bid , INTROD UCTION lxv

c 1 on the members for the maintenan e of a minister . The members w ere generally men of civic importance ; of the ﬁ fty mayors from

6 5 - fi 1 645 1 9 ve w e E . to , thirty ere memb rs of the astland Company The fi ve ‘ aldermen dismissed from the offi ce at t h e Restoration

were prominent Eastland M erchants .

Assembled in the Comon Hall the day and yea re abovesaid when and w here it w a s made know ne to th e Courte that the Courte for regulating the Corpora con of the Cittye of Yorke having by Their order of the 4th of this instant September under their bandes ordred D and seales and declared that Thomas ickenson , Robert m D w Horner, Leonard Thomson , Willia Taylor and Bryan a son be removed and discharged from their ofﬁ ces of Aldermen and d eclared ’ 2 adjudged their places to be void . The presence of the Custom House at Hull gave the Company

r there a certain power of supe vision over York , for York imposi

tions had to be paid to the London Court , through the Hull Deputy ; this was a constant cause of friction betw een the tw o ’ ’ w oﬁi cia ls to ns, nor was this York s only grievance . Their salaries

were paid through the same channel .

‘ d u A letter from Alderman William Ramsden ep ti e to .the 21] fellowship at Hull dated the 4 instant and directed onlye to the Deputie here was publicly read — w herein he intimated the receipt of a pa rti culer of allowances to ye ofﬁ cers of the Eastland c om e cittie incert w panie resident in y of Yorke , and doth heer hat he ’ 3 concie ves he may warrantably discharge .

’ w n n w York s jealousy of Hull a s o e thing . During the ﬁ fteenth century there had been a prolonged commercial duel w E w a s fortu bet een them . arly in the seventeenth century Hull nate in possessing a number of merchants anxious to follow an

s w . enterprising and progre sive policy , and the old feud was rene ed J ohn Ramsden , one of the foremost of these merchants , boldly asserted that the E astland Company threw obstacles in the w a y of

d . 26 1 48. a st a n Cou t ook f. F eb 6 E l r B , , 2 York M unici a Reco ds Se t. 5 1 662 v ol . xxx ii . f. p l r , p , , v 2 st a nd Cou t ook Ja n. 8 1663 f Ea l r B , , lxvi T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or YORK

s of foreign trade , though he scornfully assert many of them are ’ 1 Ou small ability and hinder often those that are better able . th e w a s other hand , it from the merchants of Hull that , twenty E years later, the most spirited defence of the policy of the astland 2 . w Company came It is interesting to notice that , though riting from entirely different points of V iew and at different periods of

time , both writers agree as to the reasons for the lack of success of

the Eastland trade .

The relations of the Hull Society to . the London Court seem , especially in the last decade of the seventeenth century , to have

been marked by considerable cordiality . It is somewhat amusing , w ﬁ nd ho ever , on one occasion to the York Company , generally ‘in the vanguard of rebels against the central authority , gravely

rebuking the Hull merchants for ' suggesting that both tow ns should refuse to forward impositions until their grievances w ere

redressed .

At this Court a letter from ye Brethren at Hull dated th 15 a w a llrea d instant re d , herein they desire , that what as hath y e ua lli e di sburst us m t bene q , for them and , be brought to acco p , w rema ned u And hat as y in Cash be returned p, lest they of London E w e a s take xception and saye , take upon to order things of our ’ 2 selves .

w . This is , ho ever, quite exceptional The Fellowship in London probably recognised that they were at the mercy of Hull w ith regard to the question of impositions that if Hull cared to falsify

e fa lsiﬁ ca tion accounts or conniv d at the by other northern Courts , w ed . they had no r ress Over Ipswich , their own port to n , they

e sufﬁ cient c could xercise a supervision , but Hull , on ac ount of its

w a s . distance , practically independent The importance of Hull in this respect is emph a sw ed by the

eo e a d e o . ci t. . 1 1 4 . G rg H l y , p p 2 ns oﬁ ered see a bo e . lix . Rea so ( v , p ) 3 a st a nd Court B ook Ja n. 20 1 646 f. E l , , , INTRODUCTION form of bath prescribed to be administered to the Deputy there

De uti e endevour And further you Master p , shall doe your beste a sh a lbe that a true entri of all goods and merchandize made , in toa ll t me t me m D the bills from y to y , into the Sou de of enmark and that a true Coppie thereof sh a lbe a lsoe from tyme to tyme ’ s De uti e th ea ste t me ente unto our p in parts for the y being , And lykew i se that all such as sh a lbe chosen in this your place (no sub ' stitute in your absence)shall a lsoe take his oath to this lyke ﬂ' ’ 1 e ecte .

There are no documents among the Hull records bearing on the

n ﬁ na l history of the Compa y , but in the stand against the London Fellow ship for demanding a money bond from the Deputies of the w provincial Courts , Hull took no part . Possibly , ho ever , as all northern impositions passed through the hands of the Hull D w a . eputy , he had al ays given a monet ry security of some kind

b ﬂouri shin Lynn was overshadowed y its more g neighbour, for, in 2 E i t a spite of its early connection with astland trade , never att ined any importance as a centre of the Baltic trade . A special w ordinance , ho ever, provided that any brother that shipped his goods directly from the Ea st parts to Lynn could carry the same ’ E t ta r to Sturbridge fayre and lie fayre , and sell pi ch and by the

ﬂa x whole barrel , by the whole bale , iron by the whole , half, or 3 quarter cwt . Fortunately there is more evidence extant wi th regard to the

w a n M Ne castle th the Hull Company . The erchant Adventurers of New castle have in their possession a volume entitled Book of

166 2 ‘ Orders , It contains minutes of the meetings of the

' E w a astland Company in Ne c stle , an account of the admission of w w members , and some copies of letters hich passed bet een London and Newcastle . In many cases the letters from the London Company are almost identical with those addressed to York ;

2 cts a nd O dina nces see be ow . S ee a bo e . i x . A r ( l , p v , p d di n cts a n a ces vi . see be ow . A Or n , ( l , p lxviii T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or YORK apparently copies of the same letters were sent to all the provincial m t Courts at regular intervals , atters peculiar to the separa e Courts w a being dealt ith in additional letters when the emergency rose . But the entries are scanty when compared with those in the B k York oo .

s w t Though the Newca tle Company seems , i h one exception , to have relied upon York for the initiation of any new policy or for the resistance of any aggression on th e part of the London

ll w hi N w s l w a A e o s e ca t e s u . t F p, still numerically the s perior the revival of commerce at the Restoration the Company in York 2 t - w only numbered eighty members , and of hose twenty three ere w 1646 1 690 ne ly enrolled . Between the years and only a

new w w hundred and eighteen members ere added , but in Ne castle during the same period three hundred and seven merchants took 2 m th e up the freedo of Society .

' The record of admissions emphasises the ill - efi ects of the constant friction betw een the Eastland Merchants in York and the

: w 1670 169 0 w th e superior Court bet een the years and , hile

- quarrel waxed hottest , a hundred and ninety eight members

w —ﬁ ve ere added in Newcastle at peace with London , only thirty

in York . The Restoration must have given great impetus to the " Newcastle Company, for When the King of Denmark seized the

‘ Eastland ships in 1 654 the Newcastle merchants had noe h w adventure , that there was three s ips belonging to there to ne , ’ 2 but the masters not at home . The New castle Company did not share the chronic state of dissatisfaction w ith the London Fellow ship that distinguished their York colleagues still , the York Court Book contains various entries showing that the relations were sometimes somewhat w strained . They rite that but for the unseasonableness of the

“ E a st a nd C ou t ook f. 26 see be ow . l r B , ( l , p 2 — i Newca stle M ercha nt Adventurers ii . 229 321 S tees Soc et , ( ur y, 2 E a st a nd Cou t ook f. l r B ,

THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

joyne with them in a nything yt may conduce ' to ye good of this ’ 1 country .

Leeds merchants were not cordially welcomed to the Society . M M r. th e oody , of Leeds , wished to be admitted to Fellowship , ‘ but it was not thought ﬁ tt to condi scend unless he would first ’ 2 freedome t i take his of his C tti e . But this rule of only admit t m M ing freemen of York ust have been waived , for two erchant Adventurers of Leeds joined the Society by redemption three 3 years later , and no allusion is made to their taking the freedom th e of City . The same rule held good in London , for the Court there

‘ desired their York Brethren to admit Thomas Taylor late a p prentice to M " Joh n Taylor into the fellowship by administering to himthe oath to receive of him the Compa nyes duties for yt they could not a dmitt him at London unless he had ﬁ rst taken his freedome t citti e t of y [ in regard of a clause to y purpose inserted i n t ’ 2 heir Charter .

This jealousy of Leeds w a s neither new nor conﬁ ned to York ; J 1622 for ohn Ramsden , writing in , gives as one reason of the decay of trade And that which is a further great and considerable damage to the M erchants of this town , is a set of young adventurers , that are

lately sprung up at Leeds and other places amongst the Clothiers , w h o at little or no charges , buy and engross as they please , to the t of th e t t w h o great hur inhabi an s and merchants of this town , n w bear and pay great charges and service to the Ki g, hen t ’ 5 necessity require h .

to Struggle For nearly forty years the coast towns continued work betw een coast h a rmoniously With the London Company ; then friction began . towns a nd E

L o don. n York , ever eager to raise the standard of revolt , headed the

a ff movement . The York Court m de every e ort to conduct the

“ 2 ” 1 1 61 f. 25 bid . M a 6 6 a st a nd Cou t ook f. 23 see be ow . , , E l r B , ( l , p I y 2 ” b 1 6 1 661 f. 25 id . M a i . , Ibi d . Reg ster I y , 5 eo e a d e o . ci t. . 1 15. G rg H l y , p p INTRODUCTION

di niﬁ ed controversy in the most g manner . The name of the municipality w a s borrowed for the occasion

But whereas ther is Controversye between the Merchant Adventurers of the Eastland Company resident at London on thone part and the M erchants in this Cittie and other port towns on thother partie which suite is veri e likely to be h eard before the lords of his M aj estie most honourable P ri vye Councell and M r E t Alderman Hall , Governor of the astland Company Residen here hath made request that they might onely use the name of the Corporation in their sute and it sh uld be no ch a rdge to this t ’ 1 Corpora ion which was consented unto . Although York took the initial step in the opposition to the

r s l proceedings of the head Cou t , Newca tle , Hul and Ipswich lent 2 the full weight of their authority to the movement . The Privy Council were impressed w ith the manner in which T the complainants marshalled their case . hey ordered the matter to be adjourned until th e follo w ing term that the Attorney - General should have time to collect the necess ary evidence on which to base his decision . The coast towns were sanguine of success ; but when the report of th e Attorney - General appeared it was in favour of the London

e Company . They prot sted strongly against the injustice of the

r awa d . The Council thenallowed them to state the reasons for their

- dissatisfaction in writing , and further appointed a sub committee , M r. r consisting of three Privy Councillors , Lord Knollis , Secreta y M Lake , the aster of the Rolls , Baron Altham , and the Attorney

ﬁ na l th e e . General , to hear cas and give judgment The Revision Committee seem to have spent both time and thought on the subject . Anxious not to impugn the fairness of

ﬁ rst w the a ard , they begin by declaring they have little cause

2 Yo k M unici a Reco ds Ja n. 15 16 15 . . f. r p l r , , , vol xxxiv 2 P ri v C ownctl Re i s ter a mes 1 . . ii . 1 615 f. 1 7 3 see be ow y g , J vol ( ( l , 155 pp. THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

f m it n to dif er fro except by way of explanation . Fortu ately however , for the provincial Residencies , what they termed explana

w a s tion practically reversion of the former verdict . A clear and succinct account of the questions at issue is given . The report states explicitly that the coast towns had no desire for the slightest alteration in the Charter ; their complaint was that the

Company in London made bye - laws prejudicial to their interests a nd h e without t eir knowledge , for representativ s of the northern towns were never present at the meetings of the London Company . e The coast men did not base th ir case on general charges , but ’ gave speci ﬁ c examples of the injurious effect of the Company s policy . The restriction of the amount of shipping , the limitation

ﬂa x of the time for the buying and selling of , the obligation laid upon northern apprentices to take up their freedom in London , are given as the chief grievances . The northern merchants further complain that their goods are seized beyond the seas for offences against the Company ’s rules

E kersies committed in ngland , and that the tax laid upon northern is unfair . They criticised bitterly the ex penditure of the imposition ’ money , declaring that London took the lion s share , hinted at

ofﬁ cers private peculation, and demanded that the salaries of the t in the coas towns should be raised . The Privy Council upheld their claims ; on one count only w a s their decision adverse — the northern Residencies w ere ordered to pay their share of the expenses incurred by the Company on — T w o - account of the Polish disturbances . bye laws the stinting — of shipping and the limitation in the time for buying ﬂa x they condemned unequivocally , and suggested that an Act should be t passed to annul hem . In order to prevent the recurrence of such practices , they advised that an annual court of the London Com

rep re pany should be held , to Which the coast towns should send

enta ti ves m s to give infor ation of the condition of their Residencies, l and to isten to discussion . These representatives were , however , INTRODUCTION lxxiii

to have no voting power . The recommendation was acted upon , n 1 a d a new Ordinance made . But the London Company were always most emphatic in claiming that the prerogative of voting rested solely in them

‘ B l a w e The power of ruling the whole company , of making y a nd appointing ofﬁ cers is by the Charter vested inye Court of 85 e enera llit e Assistants onely , if all y g y of y Company were ’ 2

vo ces . present , they could have no y in any question

The new regulation , that Acts could only be made at a general 16 25 meeting , did not always work well . In a general Act had been passed restricting the shipping of cloth to the 21st of March and the 30th of April ; but the York and Hull Residencies were

‘

- to afraid venture any ship at that time , as the Dunkirkers were lying off the Yorkshire coast prepared to do all possible damage to the shipping . As , however , the Act could not be repealed until the following general meeting , foreign trade in the North was paralysed . In this case the coastmen appealed for an exemption 2 to the Privy Council .

The rule , too , that the deputy should be the representative w a s 16 2 9 . altered in The deputy , being generally a prominent

ﬁ ure g in York civic life , probably found the journey to London

ﬁ x ed t modiﬁ ca tion at a da e somewhat irksome , and obtained a of th e t : E De uti e Ordinance . Af er that time , the Act ran very p of ’ it reth ren the Coast townes and C ti es or one or more of the b e . 1645 1 69 1 From to , the only occasion on which a deputy attended the London Court as representative of York was at the restoration of the Company after the cessation of meetings from 1656 to An arrangement w a s sometimes made by which

— P ri v C ounci l Re i ster a mes I. . 11 . 161 5 1 61 7 see be ow y g , J vol ( ) ( l . — pp. 155 1 59) 2 b L a w s a nd din nces v. see be ow . a st a nd C ou t ook f. 9 5 Or a , xxxi ( l , p E l r B ,

see be ow . ( l , p 2 S . P . C a r. I. i 1625 . 33 ddenda . , Apr l , dxxi , A

’ d ou t k n 21 1 1 f. 2 st a n C oo Ja . 66 9 Ea l r B , , , THE EAST LAND COMPANY OF YORK the northern towns met and settled their line of action before attending the meeting of the head Court in London . A minute

th e 2l st J 166 1 of the Court held of anuary , , at York , gives an account of such a proceeding ‘ A letter from the brethren at Newcastle of the l 6th instant read wherein they signiﬁ e the reci ept of ours of the second and t a s desi rein gives the reason why hey could nott give a meeting , g to w h ome w e m e know have ade choice of to goe to y head court , and where they lodge , that soe a meeting may be there had before “ e h a vein M Bla cket y generall Court sitt , they g chosen William ” M e and G orge Cooke . Ord red t y the Secretary here , write to theirs , that our deputies not t w w are cer aine here they will Lodge , but ill meet theirs at London upon the Exchange M unday and T usda y come senett at th e E a stla nde noone in Walke . And that Alderman Horner our D t M " ’ 1 epu y and Andrew Taylor are made choice of For this place . The York Company did not always avail themselves of the s privilege of representation . Sometimes the elected representative

fulﬁ l M r J Both omle to . refused the duties of his position . ohn y, ’ w h o ﬂex ure seems to have had a mind of contrary , for it was he 2 wh o refused to take the oath of the Company , was one of the

‘ H e e e number . urg d the excuse that he wanted a horse for y

‘ journey with some other a llega cons the Court refused to listen to 3 the plea . ’ 1 674 ‘ a h In two members urged extraordin ry uisnes , and were ﬁ n 4 excused on the payment of a e of forty shillings . From 1 645 to 16 51 there is no omission in sending repre senta tives to London ; for the next ten troublous years the custom

a n is not observed . Then it is resumed , d continues without inter 16 2 No 7 . ruption , except during the year of the Great Fire, until

' w a s 1 6 73 w representative sent in , but from the follo ing year until 1680 each year a member reported York’ s affairs to the London

Fellowship . Then all communications between the two Courts

2 2 b I . f . 23 see be ow . E st a nd ourt f. 29 . a l C Book , bid ( l , p 4 bi d . f. 53 1 . Ib . f. Ja n. 8 663 I id , INTRODUCTION

1686 s ceased , except that in Thomas Penro e , the secretary of the

York Company , being in London , attended the meeting .

w a s York regarded herself, and regarded by others , as the leading E member of the northern confederacy of astland outports . Possibly her geographical position betw een Hull and Newcastle contributed

for w a s to bring about this result , York a convenient meeting D . ﬁ rst the e d place uring the half of sevent enth century Lee s ,

s a Hull , and Newcastle con t ntly sent representatives to the assemblies there . Frequent references are made both in the municipal records and

E a l a d in the astland Court Book to the j e ousy of London tr ers , which was a striking feature of the commercial life of the North . In their instructions to their burgesse s the injunction that they are to use their best endeavour to keep the Londoner away from the North constantly appears . The wholesale supplier of trustworthy goods is not so much objected to as the retailer of inferior articles . The whole grievance is summed up in two clauses of the articles agreed upon at a general meeting of York , Hull , New t cas le and Leeds , convened by the Merchant Adventurers and E astland Merchants at York in 1650— 1

Hull shall join in peticoning the Councell for tra de against the M t t Fayres and arts kep by Londoners , that noe Londoner by hem selves or any of them directly or indirectly shall come or send to th e keep any Fayres or Mart on north side of Trent , for that the ' chi efe o a ffa res traders of L ndon furnishing the y in the North , su rest chi efl th e desire they may be pp , and y because Northern traders are exceedingly prejudiced by their coming downe , they having laid out their moneys and credit to furnish the country so in rosseth that by these Faires , the Londoner g almost all the trade t a nd benefi tt of the nor hern parts , in equity and reason the of trade should be ‘ equally disposed into all the vaines of the fi rst furnish eth creditt Commonwealth . The Londoner upon the tradesmen in the North , and then comes downe into the country ' with much sleight stufi e and mixed wares of groceryes and THE EAS TL AND COMPANY OF YORK mercer es y , to the great hurt and ruyu of them that deal with the 1 Londoner .

The Eastland Company in York seem to have focussed much of this feeling of jealousy in the same w a y that the M erchant Adventurers of Newcastle did in their struggle against the M erchant Adventurers of England ; for although the Court of the ’ v ellow sh i Ad enturers F p did not sit in London , for practical 2 purposes they were London traders . From 16 25 to 1 6 70 the Ne wcastle Adventurers bore the brunt of the struggle against London , but even before they laid down the ﬂa g of rebellion the York Eastland Merchants had raised t a standard of heir own . The subjects in dispute in both cases are sometimes so trivial that it is impossible to believe that the level - headed North countrymen were wasting their energies ﬁ htin m g g over petty points of cere onial . It is more reasonable and more in keeping with their character to conclude that these disputes only masked a much wider scheme for forcing th e Londoners to give greate r freedom and wider scope to northern t commercial energy . It would be qui e possible for the merchants ,

but inﬂuence shrewd narrow , to attribute to the of the Londoner

new many phenomena of a and unusual kind , which were in reality only the manifestation of a slowly strengthening feeling

th e in favour of a policy of less general restriction , very policy for which , in a limited sense and from a purely egotistic point of view , t n hey were themselves fi ghti g . They failed to recognise that their loss of trade and decrease of profits were due to general influences affecting the whole of England ; so they fastened upon the London traders as the scapegoat and attacked them through the London

Companies . From 1664 to 1 696 the Court Book is full of an acrimonious correspondence betw een the London and the York Compa ny . York demands a new privilege or the revival of an old one ;

Newca stle M erch a nt Adventurers i . 1 67 Su tees S ociet , ( r y, 2 46 - 24 . i h m . ci . . 2 9 id . nt nn n a o t d . b o uction x xx i W. u I I r , p v C g , p pp lxxviii T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or Y ORK inclined to stand by the arrangement made w ith the coast tow ns 16 16 after the great dispute of , for here they felt sure of their ow n ground . The York representatives were forced to that no t 1 Court of Assistants ever existed af er that date . The head

h a d Court a valid excuse , too , for not wanting to bring in an innovation which would necessitate obtaining the conﬁ rma tion 2 of the Lord Chancellor and Lord Treasurer , for the position of

a nd the Society at that time was not satisfactory , if the attention of the Government were drawn to any dispute amongst themselves At the result might be disastrous . the same time the York

‘ M r Bothomle correspondent confesses that he and . y were not acquainted w ith ye Charter soe w ell as should have bin to have ’ 2 to w h do with those gentlemen o are such strict observers thereof. They certainly did not make out for themselves as good a case as

w r they might have done , for the ording of the Cha ter , though

u e e ur or ambig ous , t nds to support the cont ntion that local Co ts

Assistants could be established . 1669 w The subject is resumed in , hen the London Company seem surer of their ground . They then state explicitly that they ﬁ nde noe hint or power in our Charter ( w hich is to be the founda tion of our proceedings)to constitute assistants in any place then " 2 London ; and at our Residence beyond the seas . Possibly this

conﬁ dence w increased is due to the Great Fire , hich had destroyed

’ 5 many of the early records of the Society . A still more deliberate attempt to obtain the coveted concession w 1 6 a s made in 7 7 . The northern Residencies had al w ays expected their parlia mentary represe ntatives to ﬁ ght their cause when any question

“ a st a nd C ourt f. 37 see be ow . E l Book , ( l , p

2 ' R . P ri v C ounci l e i ster f . 289 see be ow y g , ( l , p 2 ° a st a nd Cou t f. 37 see be ow . E l r Book , ( l , p b Ib . f. 45 see be ow . id ( l , p

5 ° . 89 cf. New ca st M erch a nt E a st a nd Cou t f. 42 see be ow le l r Book , ( l , p )

Adventurers ii . 149 S tees Soci et , ( ur y, INTRODUCTION

ff t a ecting their interes s came before the House ; in fact , the members had been in the habit of taking gra tiﬁ ca ti ons for their ff 1 i f e orts . Th s time they had a power ul backer in Sir Henry 2 w h 1 4 1 5 H e w a s o 6 7 68 . Thompson , represented York from until a man w h o w ould have regarded the offer of a bri be as an insult ;

still he was a typical Yorkshireman , and had doubtless the cause

- of his fellow citizens at heart . As a man thoroughly conversant w ith the state of affairs in London and York— for he had been Deputy of the Company there for a double term of yea rs — his w opinion carried eight .

M r Both omle The mission was again entrusted to . John y , but the atmosphere w a s more stormy than on the previ ous occasions ; the question of the Court of Assistants was only one of numerous complaints that the provi ncial Residence had against the head

Court . Feelings had risen so high the previous year that York

s had refu ed to send a representative to the general meeting , but

h ad l w , in spite of the hostile attitude of the London Fe lo ship ,

E a stla nders forwarded the names of eighteen prominent , from which list they requested the Court at London to sel ect tw elve to 2 act as a Court of Assistants . The London Company replied the follow ing Februa ry in a lette r in w hi ch they strive to hide their

w s di niﬁ ed rath under a ma k of g forbearance . They deny that

o they have the power to establish such a Court ; but they g further , and write

w e ﬁ t but if we had such a power , doe not think to set up a seperate Juri sdicti on in the Company to rend and tear that Uni w e a lw a es ma inta ine formity of Government which shall y study to ,

E n “ a st a d ou t f. 39 see be ow . l C r Book , ( l , p 2 Si r en h om so m ied nne d a u h te of Wi i a m Dobson a ro H ry T p n arr A , g r ll , p n t n H u d nd w d h ita i n mi en Eastla d M erch ant of H ull . e fo n ed a nd e o e a osp l ’

Ca st e te for six oo men a nd w a s bu i ed in th e ch u ch of St. M a r Ca st e l ga p r , r r y s , l ’ ’ te Yo k M unici a Reco ds . x1. f. of. R. H . S ca ife s ote i n D a vi es s ga ( r p l r , vol N

ks hr k . Wa l t ough Yor , p. 80 2 " st a nd ou t f. 58 see be ow . Ea l C r Book , ( l , p lxxx T H E E AS TLAND COMPANY or YORK in regard since the date of our Charter noe such presedent (th at ’ 1 w e know)can be found .

In the meantime York found itself impaled on the horns of

T w o d a dilemma . can idates requested letters to the Company at w u London for admission to the Society , but the Fello ship ref sed t w to order any admissions un il York submitted . In a some hat taunting letter they point out th e results of the controversy

Yours of ye 3 Aprill last we read desoring the Admission of Henry Fawson and M ark Brea ry and cannot but observe how th e effect of your contention hath now rendered you unable to serve your ow n Residence in the admission of freemen there as formerly ’ 2 by our direction ye were wont to do .

m 1 Such were the preli inaries to the general meeting of 677 .

M r. J B th ml M r Obviously ohn o o ey and . Charles Hall had no easy task before them . But before they left York the Company wi u w n entrusted them th a very powerf l eapo of defence , for they had instructions to refuse to give up their accounts and impositions 3 until their demands had been granted . The head Court at once prepared an Act obliging all coasters to deliver accounts , pay the

ofﬁ cers w . ballance , and submit themselves , before their ere elected One of their members sa w this was acknow ledging the power w a s

- w a s non existent, so the Act withdrawn . When the letter, with the summary of these proceedings , was read in Court , the York t u members , though still obstina e , resolved to take preca tions lest their goods should be seized by the London Company . They w rote to entreat Sir Henry Thompson to use hi s good ofﬁ ces w ith

M r. Chiverton , the Governor , to prevent extreme measures being ’ O taken . Sir Henry s pinion was evidently that, since the opening of the trade to Denmark , Sweden , and Norway , the advantage of belonging to the Eastland company was not so great as to make it probable that the London Company would break off relations

1 “ 2 a st a nd Co t k f. 60 see be ow . Ibi d . f. E l ur Boo , ( l , p 2 b I . ff. 6 3 see be ow . 103 bid ( l , pp , INT RODUCTION lxx xi

ﬂ uri shi n H e with a o g outport . condoles with the commissioners

rf e i n ecta but a for returning f , congratulated them on h ving kept 1 ﬁ n r their ge s on their money . — 1677 1678 1 679 For three years , , York remained obstinate m and London obdurate . No i positions were paid by York ; no o ers An u fﬁ c appointed by London . un sual number of well

1 6 7 7 0 11 attended meetings took place during , but they fell in 1680 16 79 . d number and frequency during In York yielde , and E nd Of th e 1 5 the London Company in a letter of forced Optimism concludes 80. with the sentence :

Seeing there is now setled that wished for agreement and me conﬁ dent t right understanding between , you may be hat at the next generall Court your Impositions wilba made payable to such Person and in such M ethod as this Cou rt shall think best for pro moting the publique good of the Company which w e hope w ill be S a tisfa ccon w h ome w e o to the of your Residence , with are res lved both then at all times to proceed with that candour respect that becomes Brethren to use to each other , not doubting but that you for your parts w ill a lsoe ta ke preserve the same resolution ’ 2 a s towards .

This is the last a ll usmn to th e question of the Court of Assis tants . Possibly the general decline of the power of trading companies brought home to the York merchants the futility of trying to establish a new Company ; for, practically , if the Court at t York , alone of all the provincial Cour s , was allowed a Court of

w a s ﬁ rst e Assistants , it only the st p in the direction of obtaining i w complete leg slative and executive po er . In one of these disputes , w however, the coast to ns gained their point , and in this case their objection to the proceedings of th e head Court were as reasonable as the results of those proceedings were prej udicial to northern 3 d commercial interests . They emanded that the Ordinance , that members should not be admitted to any of the northern Residences

1 t a nd o “ e a s b o . C u t f. 64 see w E l r Book , ( l , p 2 “ 2 2 bi d . . 2 e . f. f s e be o . Ib 2 7 w 8 see be ow . I ( l , p id ( l , p 6 lx x x n T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK unless they produced a certiﬁ ca te from the Court nearest to their

of place residence , should be rigidly observed . The coastmen urged that it would be obviously impossible to maintain any sort of disci pline in the trade unless the Courts in the North knew who were wh o ua lifi ed and were not properly q members . 1 An confi rmed 1635 1644 early Ordinance , in and , deals With the question on general grounds . The wisdom of the regulation seems to have been at once E recognised , for the Adventurers paid the astland Company the fl sincere attery of imitation . In the same year the Merchant

- - - Adventurers of York , Kingston upon Hull , and Newcastle upon Tyne petitioned that the Council would make request to the

Company at London to pass a bye - l a w similar to the one made 2 b E of y the astland Company . Although passed with the view preventing interlopers in general from entering the northern

w a s w h o chieﬂ ff trade , it the mariners y su ered from its strict ’ enforcement . One of the Company s regulations forbade the u sailors having any vent re in the ship on which they served ; but, so long as doubt existed as to the actual ownership of the goods ff u exported , opportunity was a orded for their p rsuing a brisk trade

' oi n u their own . The seame of H ll were especially indignant ; they declared that in the good old days , by an ancient custom of the port , they had been allowed to increase their wages by trading u u in certain small articles , as waln ts , chestn ts , gloves , knives , and

' E sturgeon . They complained of the result of the astland ’ Company s strict enforcement of the Ordinance that every master should take an oath that all goods in the ship belonged to u merchants free of the Company . They drew a piteous pict re E of this tyranny , and declared that the worthy nglish sailor was t or forced to urn pirate or to (join the service of foreign States , , what they seemed to regard with equal horror , betake themselves 3 - of- to men war . The same question agitated all the Residencies

1 “ d e b . cts a n di ces f. 50 s e e ow A Or nan , ( l , p 2 2 i . A . . . SS nu. v 76 S . P . Ca r. 1635 cccvu. 74 . H i st. . I , M Con , pp p INTRODUCTION lm iii

16 55 in , but the complete disorganisation of the Society from 1 0 1 655 to 66 prevente d any active measures being taken . In 1 6 6 1 w w the complaint originated ith Ne castle , but the York u brethren ably seconded their action . They declared that nless u ‘ it active meas res were taken to stop the practice , would soone 1 E e u turne astland trad into Master of shipps hands for, altho gh the genera l objection to the action of the London Court w a s that they admitted all persons demanding admission without consulta

w a s s t a tion with the North , it against ma ters of ships in par icul r w Ou 15th that their complaint a s made . the of February of the same year the London Fellowship replied

‘ In fi rst c the pla e out of their desire of amity , for our sa tisfa con have ra tifi ed those ten articles treate d on by them in 1644 w a ltera con w e ithout any other , then hat tended to y E f ’ 2 xplanation per ecting thereof. Twenty years later controversy w a s renewed on the same point , but this time the London Company stoutly denied the charge ' We have and do constantly observe your Desires not to a dmitt any person from Leeds or any other place belonging to ye Res dence w t C ertifi ca te w ee y i hout your of their capacity , and have lately denyed some from Leeds their Admission for w ant of ’ 3 rtifi such your Ce ca te .

w r w a s Very often , ho ever , the point aised by York a mere paltry quibble . Inadvertently the London Company had asked one instead of tw o commissioners to the general meeting at

Candlemas . The York brethren dre w attention to this as a to deadly insult , and refused attend . The letter drew from the ‘ central Court a well - deserved and spirited retort : And truly w e believe that one Commissioner migh t this year have managed your business very well , seeing you could venture to have it m ’ 4 anaged with none .

a st a nd C ou t D m 2 1 ece be 661 f. E l r Book , r , , 2 3 bid . M h c 8 1661 f. I . F eb u 2 1 681 t. I ar , , bid r ary , , 2 “ Ib . f. 0 see be 6 ow . id ( l , p lxxxiv T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK

n 1 674 The Lo don Society lost their patience in , and threatened , if the York Brethren continued so obstinate , to proceed in the establishment of their trade as a Company without 1 them . The position of Hull as receiver and paymaster of York complicated their relations with London . The merchants of York had in this matter a tangible grievance . They paid impositions to keep up the Company in order to be protected from the hated interloper, but the inmterlopers not only exported and imported goods , but even assu ed the names of the York merchants to hide their nefarious practices . The London Company were sympa thetic , but refused to see that , if impositions were paid to an

ffi i a l o c . in York instead of in Hull , the danger would be obviated o They suggested an ther remedy , that the deputy at Hull should pass no entries from York unless they were sealed by the York ’ w deputy or the Company s seal a s attached . ’ diffi culties ‘ susce ti The whole position bristled with , for Hull s p bilities had been hurt by an appeal having been made to London before the Residence there was even aware that a grievance existed . Regardless alike of Hull and London , the York Court ffi ow n . o cer pursued its policy They appointed an of their own , in to whom they gave a fee of forty shillings , return for which he kept a list of all their entries . This is only another development of the old desire of the Eastland Merchants of York to free themselves from all supervision .

The superior Court at once vetoed the proceeding . When the York merchants audaciously demanded the repayment of this ’ new otﬁ cia l s salary they remonstrated strongly

‘ As to the eleven pounds paid the Custome house offi cers at Hull w e noe offi cers and other incident charges there elected you , nor D allowed you any expenses there , having constituted a eputy ’ 2 ow ne offi cers of our and other there , to do our and your business .

“ E a st nd Cou t k f. 52 see be ow . la r Boo , ( l , p

Ib . see be ow . 90 id ( l , pp lxxxvi T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or YORK brought forward an old grievance to explain why these difﬁ c ulti es recurred so frequently . They had a strong case

From all which w e are forced to take notice that ye late Deputy at Yorke employed a person at hull to recover our impositions without our kno w ledge consent and that he em ployed another under him perhaps without your knowledge and ’ ’ w 1 that a quarter of a year s accounts at once a s omitted .

Trivial as the whole story is , it furnishes a very clear picture of the extraordinarily close w atch which the London Court kept over the provincial companies . But a ll these minor matters of dispute sank into insigniﬁ ca nce before a new and startling demand bf the London Company made at the conclusion of the same letter

In the future , we have determined that all Deputies hereafter to be chosen in every Residence shall give their ow ne Bond of 12 100 penalty with a condi con to account yearly and pa rticul erly for all receipts for ye Company and to deliver the same with the Ballance due thereupon and a l soe the Company Seale Bookes and ’ 2 papers in their hands , when the same shall be demanded .

The other dispute s w ere mere rumblings before the storm; this w a s the bolt that destroyed not only the York but also the

New ca stle Residence . The previous year the controversy had entered on a new and

' ma th ema tica l dithcult exciting phase , for the y had been eliminated 1 689 and the personal element introduced . In York had forwarded to the London Fellowship two nominees for the vacant post of deputy . They chose the less popular of the two .

w a s M r. Andrew Perrot, the successful candidate , a man of strong character ; when he had been elected Alderman he had paid a ﬁ ne of £50 rather than s ubscribe to the declaration required of all 2 civic ofﬁ ci a l s against the Covenant . Later he became both

Alderman and Lord Mayor , and several suits were begun against

1 2 d . t a nd ourt ook see be ow . bi E a s l C B ( l , p I 2 r M unici a Records . x x x iii . f. 174 . Yo k p l , vol v INTRODUCTION l x xxvii him for undue exactions during his year of ofﬁ ce ; but this oppo

w a s w sitiou did him no harm . for he armly supported by the

. w Common Council However , the . episode sho s a certain amount E of unpopularity , which may account for the refusal of the astland

Company to a ccept him as their deputy without protest . They 1 M suggested Sir Henry Thomson , Governor of the erchant

Adventurers , as the better choice ; but the London Company

w a s a refused their request , and Andrew Perrot inst lled in th o ee . n Immovable in his decisio s , strenuous in his actions , and

w a s thoroughly used to controversy , he an ideal man to pilot the t m E Company through the coming s or . ndless disputes and growing dislike of interference in trade matters had seriously ff ft 1 6 89 a ected the numbers of the Company . A er the average w w a s . attendance at the meetings only seven They were , ho ever ,

to all men of satisfactory status , and their decision refuse to countenance the new encroachment ii’ London persisted in de manding the bond , was unanimous .

23rd 169 1 The head Court , in a letter of the of February , , 2 sums up the objections to the plan under seven heads . They answer each objection forwarded by York separately and seemingly

o w n to their satisfaction , but their arguments failed to appeal to Y the stubborn orkshiremen . E t Although the Companies continue to correspond , the as land Merchants of York ceased to copy the letters into the Court Book ;

m 169 1 1 6 9 ﬁ na l there is no entry fro to 6 . Then a meeting was

Ousebrid e E held on g in the ~ presence of six leading astland M w tw o erchants , who ent through the solemn farce of presenting

' oi their number as candidates for the deputyship , suggested 2

ne w . a secretary , and asked for the balance of the last account

1 S on of Rich a rd Th omson of Kilh a m; knigh ted in 1673 ; elected Alderma n in

died in 1 69 1 . 1686 displ a ced fromoﬁi ce upon th e accession of Willia mII1 . ; 2 s nd C urt 1, s 135 1 36 a t a o 11 . 95 ee be ow . E l Book , ( l , pp , , 2 b d 1’ s i . f. 6 ee be 9 ow . I ( l , p lxxxviii T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK

New ca stle They had , however , survived their brethren the last entry in their Court Book is 1690 The exit of the York Company was certainly digniﬁ ed : they indulged in no recriminatory epilogue they did not meet to bandy w ords with the London Society , but simply to announce their intention of abiding by the decision of the last year . A radical change had been brought about in the management of the Residence w ithout their consent ; they had no power of altering the verdict , but they had the power of refusing to submit,

use and of this negative weapon they made .

1 Newca stle M erch a nt Adventurers 11 . 1 58 Su tees Societ T h e , ( r y , y e i n 1 6 H a in e 96 ous ommons Journa l ol . x i . a h owe e o C v . app r ag , v r, ( f , p AC T S A ND ORD INAN CE S

T H E E A S T L A ND C OM P A NY

T he Oa th w ith the P roviso to be a dministr' ed to such Apprentices of M ercha nts E a s tla nd a s a re a dmi tted w ithin tea m s of .

a e to o S overa i n or Yee sh ll swe re be go d , true to our g L d the M a estie to hi s b o sh a llbe Kings j eires and success rs , yee obedient and Assistant to master Governour his Deputie and D t E s a eputies Assistants of Merchan s of a tland , all st tutes ordinances which be or sh a lbe made by y" said Governour or by De utie a a his p or Deputies Assist nts st nding in force , you shall u kee e h a vein n r e truly bo ld and p , g noe si gular rega d to your self in hurt or prejudice of the Comonw ea le of the said F ellow sh ipp the secrets and privities of the aforesaid F ellow sh ipp you shall h ea le w a n of , and not be ray ; and if you shall know y manner w e i to person or persons , hich int nd any hurt , harme , or prejud ce S overa i ne M a esti e our said g Lord the Kings j , or unto his e F ellow shi ri viled es Lands , or to y aforesaid pp or p g of the same knowne you shall give knowledge thereof, and doe it to be to y Gov ernour de utie u r said or his p , you shall not colo r or F ee any F orra igners goods not Free of the said F ellow shipp all which you e shall bould keepe to y uttermost of your power ; or els being ma kein u justly condemned for g defa lt in any of the premisses , you shall truly from time to time (being orderly dema unded)content to r e i and pay the T easurer of this Companie for y t me being , All 85 every such Mulcts penalties whi ch have beene or sh a llbe B 2 ACTS AND ORDINANCES or T H E EASTLAND COMPANY

e tra ns ressers ff limit d sett for the g o enders of the same . Soe help you God ; Provided a lw a yes that you shall not enjoye the b eniﬁ tt of F reedome w tea rme this your ithin , nor this your Oath or sh a l be f unl es v u admission of any ef ect , you doe ser e yo r Master well and truly accordi ng to your Indent ure or be sett over to Fellow sh i ea res some . other Freeman of this pp serve eight y compleat at least . 1 Dom Yorke the Anno .

apprentice to was admitted within tea rme

sw orne before Deputi e the da y and yea re abovesaid in the presence of Secretary

T he Oa th w ith the P rovi so to be a dminis trecl to such S onnes of M rcha nts E a stla nd a s a re a dmitted w i thin a e e of g .

’ e e e Yee shall swe re to bee good , true to our Sover ign Lord y M a esti e b sha llbe Kings j to his eires and Successors , yee Governour D e utie obedient and Assistant to master , his p D M E t t eputies and Assistants of erchants of as land , All Sta utes e ordinances w hich be or sh a lbe made by y said Governour or his Deputie or Deputies Assistants standing in force ; y ou shall b 85 kee e h a vein truly ould p , g noe singular regard to your selfe in Comonw ea le F ellow sh i hurt or prejudice of the of the said pp, the 85 F ellowshi b secrets privities of the aforesaid pp, you shall eale w n not be ray ; And if you know any manner of person or perso s , w t Sovera i ne hich intend any hur , harme or prejudice to our said g i M a estie Lord the K ngs j , or unto his Lands or to the aforesaid Fellow shipp or privi ledges of th e same ; you shall give know ledge e know ne Governour thereof, and doe it to be to y said or his Deputie you shall not colour or Free any Forra igners goods not Free of the said F ellow sh ipp all which you shall bould keepe to utermost w the of your po er, or els being justly condemned for ma keing default 1n any of the premisses you shall truly from time to time (being orderly dema unded)content pay unto the i s e Treasurer of th Companie for y time being , all every such mulcts penalties which have beene or shall be limited sett T r for the a nsgressers offenders of the same . d Soe helpeyou Go . ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

' Provided a l w a yes that you sh a ll not Trade in any kinde of Merchandize in the said E ast partes to your ow ne use before you w n i ea r .b e of th e full age of one and T e t e y es or els this your Oath f admission to be of none e fect .

Yorke th e Anno Domini

sonne of w a s admitted within age and

sw orne before D eputie the day and

yea re abovesaid in th e presence of Secretary

The Opinion of the Learned w h oe is to be esteemed a M erch a nte a ccordin e th eintent be g to of the Chartre, Is that none unlesse M erch a nte b admitted he were a , that is such a one as ath ' of soﬁl e good Contynua nce not lesse then Three yeres traded at a broa de the y t home and beyond Seas Merchantlike , wherefore is ordeyned for th e a voydinge of divers inconveniences that maye ensue by a dmittinge into the Company other then sh a lbe thus t Ca ea ble freedome es eemed p of their , That good and especiall Care be had at all tym es h era fter in this respecte w hereby none to be a dmitted but such as shall in all respects be Ca pea bl e thereof t .a c cordin l e sh a lbe o g y , And that none taken esteemed or reputed be a M erch a nte that sha lbe admitted to the freedorh e of this F ellow shipp by Pyne a ccordinge to th e Chartre but such as have traded M erchandizes by Crosseinge th e Seas as aforesaid any d n former use Notw ith sta n i ge .

T h e Oa th e De uti e of y p .

sw ea re our sove mi ne L rde Yee shall , to bee . good and true to g o the ki n s M a esti e hi s hei res a nd successmu' s g j , yee shall supporte and ma inteyne to your pow er this F ell ow shipp of M erchants of E ast ri v iled es t h a vein e sin uler land , and p g hereof, g noe g regard to your Diro a con w t th e a selfe in g of the Comon eal h of same , The st tutes a nd ordina unces sh a lbe a uth oritie which are or made , by the of the ellow sh i ff t Assistants of the said F p, indi eren ly you shall execute , a nd tra ns ressours g and breakers of the same , you shall Correcte broa k es and punish , after the tenour of the said ordinances , The a nd a e s a rein e drea de forfeitures you sh ll doe l vie not p g for love or , B 2 ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

freindsh i meede sh a lbe for pp or , but to every person , you juste ' Indiﬁ erente a nd e ua ll w C ustomes ord na n q , , ces ' ne e Statutes and y you shall not make w ith oute the Advice and Consente of the t a dmitt Fellow shi Assistan s , yee shall none to bee free of this pp Cla me riviled es but such as may y the same by vertue of our p g , yee b ui s nes roces shall not bynd your selfe to enter into any y , or p for or in the name of this fellow shipp without the Agreemente or m nd : And urther You M a ster De uti e sh a ll doe y of the Assistants f p , your beste endevour th a t a true entri e of a ll goods a nd mercha n di ze sha lbe ma de in the tea ll bi lls rom t me to t me i nto th , f y y , e S ound o Deuma rke a nd tha t a true Co i e thereo sh a lb f , pp f e a lsoe ’ romt me to t ma sente unto ourf D e uti e i h th ea s te a rts or the f y y p p , f t me bein e Amt l hew i se th a t a ll such a s sha lbe Chosen y g , y i n thi s your pla ce (no S ubstitute in your a bsence)sh a ll a lsoe ta ke hi s oa th to this l ke e cte y ﬁ e . All theis a rticles to the uttermoste of your power you shall b kee e ou ould and p soe helpe you God , soe longe as y shall Con D uti F ll hi tynne in the place of ep e of this e ow s pp.

ma de ee b a n ient ra T he Oa th of S uch a s a re to be F r y t t d einge a tr o i rvi w i thin terme or B Redem ti P em u e S e ce on. , y p

Yee shall sw ea re to be good and true to our sovera igue L ord th e kin s M a esti e a nd to hi s h eires a nd successors sh a lbe g j , yee obedi ente and assistante to Master Governour his D eputie and Deputies and Assistants of Merchants of Eastland All Statutes and ordy nances w hich bee or sh a lbe made by the said Governour or by his D e utie D sta ndin e p or eputies and Assistants g in force , you shall truely hold and keepe h a veinge noe singuler regard to your selfe in hurte or prejudi ce of the Comon Weale of the said F ellow shipp ’ The secretts and privities of th a foresa id F ellow shipp you shall b bewra e eale and not y , And if you shall knowe any manner of w person or persons hich intend any hurte , harme or prejudice to our said sovera igne Lord the kings M a j esti e or unto his Lands or to ’ th a foresa id F ellow sh ipp or privil edges of the same You shall geve knowledge thereof and doe yt to bee know ne to the said Governour or his D eputi e And you shall not Culler or free any forra yners goods not free of the said Fellow shipp All which you shall hold

B ° 1 2 h e 6 cte a s touch ein e th e y order of a n E a stla nde Courte 22 Febr. 6 9 t A g s e of oodes b sma e wa i h ts i s to be exce ted out of th i s Oa th e. al g y l g , p

6 ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF T H E EASTL AND COMPANY

' misrule or evill beh a veiour you shall open the same unto the rnour De uti e Gove or his p . And if you shall knowe any person or persons which intend any hurte harme or prejudice to our sovera i gne L ord the kings M aj esti e or to hi s L a nds or to the foresaid F ellow sh ipp riviled es or p g of the same , you shall geve knowledge thereof and doe yt to bee know ne to the said Governour or his D eputi e All theis things you shall hold and keepe to the uttermoste of your power Soe helpe you God .

T he Outhe o O i cer or B edle f ﬁ .

Yee shall sw ea re to bee good and true to our sovera igue L ord th e kings M aj esti e a nd to hi s h ei res a nd successour' s you sh a lbe obediente diligente and a ttenda nte to Master Governour and his Deputie of the M erchants of E astland you shall truely and duely warne the said Company to come to Courtes and Congrega ci ons to be appointed by the Governour or his D eputie as often and when as you sh a lbe there unto w illed and required by the Governour or his D eputi e you shall not to your power suffer any suiters to the Company to stand or bee within the h ea reinge of the same m Company when they are sette at any their Courts , nor to co e in before they bee Called for by the Governour or his Deputi e And if you shall knowe any man servante or servants to keepe any evill beh a veiour O misrule , or you shall pen the same to the Gover D e utie a lsoe w nour or his p , And if you shall kno e any person or persons which intend any hurte harme or prejudice to our sovera igne L ord the ki ngs M aj esti e or to his Lands or to the fore said Fellow shipp or priviledges of the same You shall geve know ledge thereof or doe yt to be know ne to the said Governour or D eputie All theis things you shall observe and keep to the utter

moste of your power Soe helpe you God . A n Acte for a ppea rea nce at Courts An Acte Concerneinge Seizures Ah Acte for purgeinge by oath in doubtfull matters An Acte how e Masters of Shipps are to be bound An Acte Concerneinge Admissions of Children and a ppren tices An Acte a llow einge the Coasters to sell their goods by Certeine parcells 85 norway Comoditi es A n Acte for pa ymente of ymposi cons An Acte for esta blishi nge of Trade at Elbing An Acte for Ch ooseinge of deputi e and offi cers in the Coast townes and their allow ance An Acte fyneinge such as refuse offi ces An Acte for the deputie to Choose Assistants and offi cers ’ in T h ea stpa rts An Acte a ga inste sellinge of w a i es in tyme of Courts at Elbinge An acte a ga i nste revi linge fi ghtingeand unseemely words An Acte a ga inste evil l rule of Apprentices A n Acte a ga inste di sclosei nge of S ecretts of Courts A n Acte a ga inste a ll uri nge of others Customers at Elbinge A n Acte that the presentour of brokes have a fourth parte e of y brokes at Elbinge An Acte a ga inste settinge forra yners on w orke A n Acte a ga inste forsw earers 8 An Acte for allowance of v uppon a tonne for shipps pro vision ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

Ah Acte that money or wares be deposited for offence An Acte that none presented sh a lbe made pri vi e to his presentments but m open Courte An Acte that the T h rea surer keepe the Brokes of present ments ’ An Acte for a ppea rea nce in th ea stpa rts An Acte for preserva con of goods of all such as shall dye or bee dismissed for lewd li veinge etc An Acte a ga inste such as shall w ith hold the Compa nyes bookes

An Acte that th e Charter Acts and ordinances be read yerely An Acte a ga inste unseemely words to the Governour or D eputi e An Acte that none speake of any matter in Controversie the pa rtie beinge presente nor above 3 tymes in any one matter neither here nor beyond Sea Orders for Ofﬁ cers An Acte a ga inste use of brokers at Elbi nge An Acte a uth ori seinge the D eputi e and Assistants at Elbinge to execute Acts An Acte a ga inste Departure from Courts w ith oute L ycence An Acte to send hether all orders of Courts made at Elbinge A n Acte orderinge the tyme for elecc on of Ofﬁ cers yerelye at London T he generall meeteinge of the Coasters te ’ An Acte tow chinge Atta chm in T h ea stpts An Acte to shi pp home disordered sonnes servants and apprentices r An Acte Concerneinge facto s and servants dema undinge genera ll acquitta nces before they will a ccompte An Acte that F ora yners shall paye the moi etie of their goods An Acte howe apprentices and others of th e Coaste Townes sh a lbe made free

10 ACTS AND ORDINANCES or T H E EASTLAND C OMPANY

An Acte for entri nge payments of ymposicions in the ’ names of the true proprieta ries in T h ea stpts An Acte for preserva con of the Compa nyes books and ’ writings in T h ea stpts An Acte that th e Secretary Bedall shall have the Pynes for D efa lte of Appearance at Courtes any brother beinge to goe to London at Candlemas refuseinge etc A c ts A nd Ordi na nces o the ri ht worshi ull f l s o . 1a f g pf . C ompa ny of E a stla nd e M erch a nts a greede uppon a t divers genera ll C ourts a s w ell of th e Governor A ssi sta ntes a nd Genera liti e of th e sa i de C ompa ny resi dente a t L ondon a s of th e B reth eren of the C oa st T ow nes A nd l a s tly confyrmed 65 a greed “ uppon th e 1 8 da y of M a rehe A nne domi ni 1 61 7 S ti lo A ugli e

’ WEE the Governor and assistants of T h ea stla nd Merchants for better and more due a ppea rea nce bothe of th e Genera llyti e and assistants of the said Company at our Courts holden in London and elsewhere Doe by vertue and a uth ori ti e of our Chartre and of ta t orde ned a Courte of Assis nts Order , And be y Ordered and y w t as followeth viz . That hen any generall Courte or Cour s of Assistants sh a lbe th oughte meete by the Governor or his Deputie

’ societi e i f u on of this to be warned , That any of the Assistants pp w a rneinge geven shall fa yle to be at the place appointed before th e halfe how re glasse bee runne out w hich is to bee sette upp ymea di a tly after the h oure appointed for a ppea rea nce a nd the third stroke of the hommer geven by the Governor or Deputi e ; That then hee or they soe offendinge shall paye in the name of d a Pyne for his and their late Comeinge v i . to the use of the m iis i t e . poore and for absence the ﬁ rste tyme x i d . the second y th e t me x s . third yme iiiis . and the fourth ty in the whole together the which refuseinge to pay soe often as hee or they f l l b. shall soe offend or for every default in the premysses to showe o . some such juste Cause to the Contrary as sh a lbe allow able in the ud emente D e utie s j g of the Governor or his p and Assi tants , and ’ not to be suffered to shipp any goods for th ea stepa rts or make l sa ti sfa ccon any free ti l bee made thereof. And if any of the Genera litie uppon such w a rneinge geven ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

shall not bee at the place appointed within halfe an howre after the lymitted tyme for a ppea rea nce That then he or they for ' oflendinge shall paye in the name of a P yne for his and their late in i a ome e ii id . V C g to the use of the poore and for absence iii . the which soe refuseinge to paye soe often as hee or they shall soe ' ofi end or for every defa ulte in the P remysses to show e some such juste Cause to the Contrary as sh a lbe allowable in the Judgemente of the Governor or his D eputi e and Assistants not to bee suffered ’ to shipp any goods for th ea ste parts nor make anye free untill sa ti fa ccon a s bee thereof m de . And that if anye of th e Assistants or genera litie shall refuse to laye downe what is formerly appointed for late Comeinge till yt be adjudged whether the same is due to be paid or not That then and in every such Case hee or they soe offendinge shall paye th e x iid m u some of . to be levied in such manner and by suche Co p l t sive meanes as is before se t downe . And yt is further ordeyned that noe Cause of Excuse sha lbe tooke or held to bee good for absence excepte either yt bee by leave from the Governor or Deputi e (w h oe shall have pow er to yeild the same in their or either of their Di screcons)or bee made fol . and allow ed of at the nex te Courte or A ssembli e the partie ’ ofi endinge beinge in or neere within tw o M yles of the place w here suche Courte sh a lbe kepte and beinge further absente at the next e a a in Courte or assembly after he retorne to the Ci tti e g e . And further yt is ordered That if any Courte be w arned and for wante of A ssistants the same bee not full in the Summer tyme That is betw eene our Lady daye a ncl M ichaelmas before halfe an how re after eigh te of the Glocke and in the wynter tyme that is betw eene Michaelmas a nd our Lady day before halfe an how re after nyne of the Glocke That then yt sh a lbe l a wfull for those presente to departe w ith oute longer stey to the hinderance of their ' oth re either publique or privatea fi a yres and that the Assistants may r k E departe and b rea ke upp Courte after the Glocke hath st oa en leven . And yt is hereby ordered and decreed that the Secretary of the Company for the tyme beinge shall k eepe a juste and true Register of all such of the Company as sha lb e mi ssinge at a ny r a ssembli e Courte , and shall at eve y Courte and presente the same De uti e u on f ned to the Governor or p to be Called pp and y , And at every quarter of ayere shall geve notice to the T h rea surer of all the Assistants w hich e shall not have paid their said broa kes that hee

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

th e b reth eren of this F ellow sh ipp w h ich e shall hereafter bee incurred for or by reason of the breach or not performance of them or any of them sh a lbe taken and understood to be lya bl e and sub ecte enna lti e D j to the said p of seizure of the elinquents goods , And that aswell for ymposicions as for the said forfeitures and penna lti es (if the same shall not bee forthwith uppon requeste therefore to be mad paid and sa tisfyed to the use of the Company) yt shall and may bee la w full unto and for the D eputie T h rea surer and offi cers of this Company residinge at Elbinge a nd elsew here in the parts beyond the Seas by order of a Courte of Assistants to ‘ fi end urs f l 3 . o o o . b take a reasonable Distresse and seizure of the goods ' and to keepe the same in their Custodie untill the partie ofi endinge shall have paid his dueties and forfeitures or otherw ise sa ti sfyed

the Company for the same . Provided a l w a yes that if any refractary brother of this Soci etie shall to the Ch a rdge or disturbance of the Company Comence any suite in the Courte of Polande or before any other forra yne Justi ce for the distres or seizure soe taken That then a ccordinge to their Lordships said order the distres or seizure soe taken for his offence sha lbe t del vered t for hwith y unto him , and that from and af er such tyme the said refractary person sh a lbe disfranchised and not suffered to trade a ny more within the privi ledges of this S ocietie untill he shall have paid his dueties and reconciled himselfe to the ’ Company and soe uppon notice thereof from th ea ste parts the said ' person soe oﬁ endinge sh a lbe by an order of this Company distran

chi sed as aforesaid .

It is ordeyned that if any person or persons bretheren of this S oci eti e sh a lbe a t anye tyme or tymes hereafter presented or sus pected for sh ippinge any goods or merchandizes w hatsoever ’ entringe th em for any other place then for th ea ste parts and yett i ntendinge to have them Carryed thither or to have donne any

f l . 4a o . th inge ells Contrary to the tenour and true mea neinge of our Acts and ordinances already made or hereafter to bee made standings in force and noe proofe by reason of such subtill devises can by w itnes brou h te ustitie be g to J the same , and yett greate presumptions t th e t hat same is true hat the partie is presented and suspected for, That then and in every suche Case the partie soe presented or suspected shall in open Courte of Assistants bee purged thereof by oath or by some other good meanes with sa tisfa ccon of the same ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

Courte of Assistants and refuseing to take his oath for that h ee is Ch a rdged w ith a ll or to Cleere himself w ith sa ti sfa ccon of the same Courte of Assistants as aforesaid To forfeite and paye to the use of the Company in the name of a F yne or broke the some of Fyv e pounds sterlinge or the value thereof for every such defa ulte and disobedience over and b esydes such broke as hee shall then have ta k in incurred and bee presented or suspected for . And e ge his oath to be Cleere and not guiltie of that hee sh a lbe Ch a rdged w ith a ll Or Cleereinge h imselfe wi th sa tisfa ccon of the same Courte of Assistants in manner as aforesaid sh a lbe freely dis ch a rdged of that presentmente or suspiciouns excepte the oath by him soe taken Can bee after disprooved and then and in every such Case the partie soe presented or suspec ted w hose oath shuihe soe disproved to be severly punni sh ed by disfra nchi semente or otherwise accord inge to the qua llitj e of the offence at th e discrecon of the same sh a lbe Courte at which any such Case handled . And further bee yt ordeyned that in all matters of deubte betw eene the Company and any brother of th e same or betw eene them or any our T h rea surers in a c comptinge with them for any somes due unto this Company The partie in every such Case of doubte there beinge noe other meanes for tryall of the truth sh a lbe le r d C e e thereof by oath . Provided that if by any meanes afterw ards the matter of doubte sh a lbe proved otherw ise then the said partie soe Cleered by his oath hath sw orne and that to the prej udyce of th e Compa nye That then and in every such Case the sa id partie soe injustly ta keinge his oath to be disfranchi sed or paye some good fyne as in the good di screcon of th e Compa nye sh a lbe adjudged ﬁ tt a ccordinge to the ua liti e ff q of the o ence .

It is ordeyned that from henceforth noe brother of this Com panye shal l lade or Cause to be laden w ithin this porte of London or any other porte in England any goods w ares or merchandizes whatsoever directly or indirectly in any shipp or shipps vessell or ’ v essell s for th ea st parts through the sound of Denma rke before such tyme as th e M asters of such shipps have entered into bond of Fifty pounds to the T h rea surer of this F ellow sh ipp at such porte or place for the tyme beinge as well to bringe unto th e D eputie or 5a 'o T h rea surer ajuste and true Contente of such goods w ares and merchandizes as sha lbe laden in their shipps before their Departure ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

hence a ccordinge to their warrants and the lyke at their retorne out of the said E aste parts before the discha rdge of their shipps at this porte of London or ells w h ere in E ngland And for ye true pay mente of the toa les of the kinge of D enma rke and of the kinge of Poland and Duke of Prussia As a lsoe not to take into their shipps any strangers goods without th e Consente or lycence of the Gover nour of thi s F ellow sh ipp or his D eputie or Deputies and a lsoe to delyv er at Elbi nge and not elsewhere all suche goods and Mer ch a ndi zes beinge native Comodities as they shall take in here in E enterin e ngland , And that every Master soe g into bond shall have a Certiﬁ ca te thereof fromthe D eputi e of the Company for the better knowledge thereof to his laders uppon payne that every brother shall forfeite and pay e double ymposicons for all such goods as they shall soe lade in such a shipp soe depa rtinge before bond entered into as aforesaid And that the Secretary at Ypswi ch shall keepe a h l a din e Register of the Contents of every s ipps g , The Coppie whereof sh a lbe yerely sente or b roughte upp by th e Deputie at

“ Ypsw ich for the tyme beinge to the Company at London at the Compa nyes generall meeteinges uppon payne that the D eputie or secreta ry omittinge or neglectinge th e same shall pay each of them fyve marks for every certiﬁ ca te soe omitted or neglected And th e Secretarie to have the allowance of T w o shillings a mi six e pence uppon every shipps L a dinge for his paynes in w ritinge out the in same and for keepe ge the said Register .

It is ordeyned that noe apprentice of any of this F ellow shi pp sh a lbe made free of this Societi e as an apprentice withi n terme before he hath served his Master as an apprentice two yeres and bee at the tyme of his admission of the Age of xviii yeres orells if he hath not served two yeres to be of the age of XXi ti e yeres at the tyme of his Admission and that all apprentices sha lbe of the Age of Foure and Tw enty yeres at the leaste at the ex pi ra cons of their a r nticeshi termes of their pp e pp. And that noe brother of this Company shall make free of th e same fellow shipp any more of such apprentices as they nowe have or hereafter shall have , but onely two Within the terme of every Seven yeres nor take any apprentice for lesse tyme then for the terme of viii yeres . And that every apprentice that is to have his freedom of thi s fellow shipp by service shall lawfully Cla yme the same within Sixte

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

fellow shipp sh a lbe admitted into the same S ocietie before the terme of his a pprenticeshipp be ex pyred or otherwise be freed M S ocietie from such a aster not free of this , And that such servants and sonnes of a nye of the said Company that sh a lbe sente to Elbinge to bee there Admitted into this S ocietie by Certifi ca te from the Gov ernour and Assistants at London or from the Deputies of anye of the Coaste Tow nes by Governour warrante from the and assistants at London , and doe not delyver their Certi fi ca tes to the D eputi e and assistants at E lbinge within X dayes nex te after their a rryva ll at Elbinge shall loose the b enifi tt of their admissions and to bee accompted in their dea lein es forre ners g as y , And that every apprentice heretofore admitted within terme w hose yeres are not yett ex pyred and all apprentices hereafter to ’ bee admitted within terme shall at th ex pyra con of their Y ei es bringe a T estimonia ll from the D eputi e and two b reth eren of this Company at the leaste of the Citti e or tow ne where their Master dwelleth or did dw ell signifyeinge to the Company in London that l a . fo . 7 they have observed the said Condicon or at the leaste served their M aster to their content uppon payne that every M aster that shall ’ not send such Certifi ca te within Six moneth es nex t after th ex pyra con of the yeres of his Apprenticesh ipp beinge by his said Apprentice thereunto requested shall paye for a Pyne or broke Fy ve

pounds to the use of the Company , And suche Apprentices never th eles shall not bee accompted a free brother of the Company nor ’ Ca pea ble to deale in T h ea ste parts for themselves or for any other untill the Confyrma con of their Admissions as aforesaid bee Certiﬁ ed and recorded , And that noe Child or apprentice w hose father or Master sh a lbe departed oute of this world or any other in the righ te of his Father or Master sh a lbe at any tyme or tymes hereafter admitted into this Freedome (hi s Father or M aster beinge indebted to this Fellow shipp)untill such tyme as such Child apprentice or other as afore said shall have paid or sa tisfyed to the T h rea surer of this Company for the tyme beinge to the use of thi s F ellow sh ipp all such money and debts soe by them due and ow einge to this Company at the t me orderin e ua ll eﬁ ein e y of his or their decease , yett the g and q y g of this 18 lefte and referred to the di screcon of the Governour and Assistantes l n London and of the D eputi e at such place w here such

Child or apprentice dwelleth , ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

And that all Children of persons disfranchised borne after Depriva con shall not bee a dmitted nor any of their apprentices that have not served the moste parte of their yeres before such di sfra nchisemente Excepte they bee turned over to some other of this Company to serve the reste of his terme of yeres a nd that before the Governour or his D eputi e within Tw elve moneth es after M di sfra nchi sement their said Fathers or asters e .

It is ordered and agreed that yt sh a lbe l a w full for suche persons 6 ‘ sh a lbe fellow sh i p inh a bite w ‘ as are or free of this p and doe ithin fifiozgfi th e a n Citti e w E Cittie M y or To ne xcepte the of London beinge erchants coa sters $0 and not reteylours to sell the Comodities of the Easte parts in any sell th i r goods t b 9 10 9 Citties w ittch of the or to nes wherein they dwell y is to saye p and i: 85132 tarre by the whole barrell Flax by the whole Bale or bundle Iron 5m[sic] ' by the Hundreth halfe hundreth or quarter oi an hundreth at N orw a y

Comodities th e . leaste , and other in lyke manner and order Provided a lw a yes that they sell or utter noe other Comodities by w eighte lesse then the quarter of the hundreth nor lesse ﬂ a x the t sh a lbe w ] then whole bale or bundle , And further that y la ful to every broth er ' of this Company that shall shipp his goods oute of the E aste parts directlye to Lynne to transporte and Carry the same to sturbridge fayre and Elie fayre to make sale of the same soe that they utter the same in manner and forme aforesaid .

8 . And a l soe it is ordeyned that noe brother of this S ocietie by fol . a any device w hatsoever either by h imselfe or by any other to his use or beh oofe sell or Cause to bee sould any Norw a y Comoditi es as Cla pboards masts deales oa res sparres and such lyke in any lesser nomber or qua ntitie then hereafter is expressed and sett do w ne nomber That is to saye not .under the full of one halfe hundreth of Deales and lykew i se of a ll other Norway Comodities after th e same nomber of one halfe hundreth (Excepte onely masts Cant speares and barlings the w hich e are to bee sold per peece at pleasure)Uppon payne that every brother of this Company that shall doe the Contrary to forfeite and pay to the Companys use the 8 x sterlin e ea ch a rticuler ff full some of g for e p o ence herein , in the f ne broa name of a y or ke without favour . And further it is ordeyned that yt shal l not bee la w full for any brother of this Company by himselfe or by a ny other in their or any of their names or to their or any of their uses or beh oofes to keepe or sett any person or persons on worke i n sa w inge deales c 2 ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY trymeinge or ma keinge oa res and such lyke in any sorte or use by h ims lf [ h f e e or by any other for his or their use or be oo e any. h a ndi cra fte to sell and make protﬁ tte thereof uppon payne for doei nge the Contrary to forfeite and paye to the Compa nyes use ' 8 for every such particular oﬂence the full some of XI sterlinge w ith oute favour or pardon .

For the lea v einge and defra yemge of necessa ry Ch a rdges for th e ma nt n u orta c n ellow sh i y e a nce and s pp o of this F pp. It is by us ’ the Governour and Assista nts of T h ea stla nd Merchants ordered concluded and agreed that all the Breth eren of our Company shall paye unto the T h rea surer of this Company w hich is and sh a lbe a residente at Elbings the usua ll ymposicions of viii uppon a sh orte Cloth and of kersies and of a ll other goods after the rates hereafter expressed a ccomptinge : seven kersies for tw o broad Clothes and the same to be paid at Elbinge before their goods sh a lbe landed as heretofore hath bin usua ll and in such manner as ‘ herein is expressed viz . Broad Clothes 1 the peece Nor broa de Clothes the peece 1 Nor 85 Hampshire ker 7 peecs for 2 broad Clothes Nor dozens 1 the peece 1 Devon dozens single 4 peecs at Fox skins the dozen Lambskins the thousand Lead the footh er Tynne the Blocke Worsted the peece Bridgewaters the peece Cottons the peece

Bayes the peece . Grey Conyskynnes seasoned the M grey Conyskysta ye the thousand Black Conyskins the hundreth White leather th e hundreth Sea Goa les the Chaldron w Ordinance the hundreth t. Saffron the pound

' See Glossa ry.

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY

bringe from thence and not for any goods they Carry thither and that a ccordinge to the ordyna ry rates of goods from thence herein a l soe before ex pressed Soe as they doe not shipp any goods into any other place or places where the Company are privi ledged which if anye of them shall doe That then they are to pay for all good s soe shipped into any other place or places then into Norway or thereabouts as aforesaid such ymposicions and all other dueties as

all other of the Company pay after the rates aforesaid . Provided a lwa yes that if any goods or M erchandizes for which ymposici ons sh a lbe paid happen ( w hich God forbidd)to mi sca ry by Sea P yra cye or otherwise before they Come to the porte of di sch a rdge either outward or inward That then the owners of such goods requireinge the same shall have repaid them by the T h rea surer such money as they shall have soe paid for ymposicions

of such goods loste . And yt is ordered that every brother which doth or shall dis 8 f l . 1 o 0a . contynue tra dinge shall paye a yerely pa ymente of ii per Annum for his persona ll ymposic ions to the use of this Compa nye dueringe his di scontynuea nce of his tra dinge for his a cknowledgemente of F ello shi beinge a free Brother of this w pp. And it is ordered and agreed that all forra yne Comoditi es shall and may be exported out of this rea lme of England into any of the partes of beyond the Seas by any of the Breth eren of this S ocietie without pa yeinge any ymposic ions for the same This Acte n h a n in e or any thing therein conteyned to the Contrary otwit st d g .

A c te for Residence

It is ordeyned and agreed that this Company shall not at any tyme or tymes hereafter transporte Convey or cl elyver or cause to be transported conveyed or delyv ered any goods wares or merchandizes whatsoever (beinge native Comodities of this kingdome)directly or indirectly to any other place then the towne of Elbinge And that if any brother of this Compa nye shall transporte disch a rdge or delyver any goods wares or M erchandize beinge native C omoditi es at or to any other place or places then to the said tow ne of E lbi nge Contrary to the true mea neinge of this ’ presente Acte That then hee or they soe oﬁ endinge shall paye for a Fyne or Broke to th e T hrea surer of the Company for the tyme ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTL AND COMPANY

' beinge to th e use of this Company for every tyme soe oﬁ endinge fl a the value of Vi viii sterlinge uppon every pounde sterlinge of all such goods wares and Merchandizes as soe sh a lbe transported di scha rdged or delyvered at or to any other place or places then at Elbin the said towne of ge . And bee yt further ordeyned that noe brother of this Company shall transporte or Carry any goods w ares or M erchandizes what soever beinge native Comoditi es from th e Towne of Elbi nge to any ’ Citti e or Towne place or places to th end to make sale thereof (the Cittie of Torne for the tw elveth M arts onely E xcepted)uppon the enna lti e a i payne and p afores d . Provided a l w a yes that yt shall and may bee la w full to any brother of this Company to trade and tra fﬁ que into and with th e kingdomes of D enma rke Norw ay S w eth en and th e townes of Rye and Revell in L eifela nd they ma kinge their retornes directly from thence through the Sound w estward to this Rea lme of E ngland or ells where .

It is ordered that the M erchants of Yorke Hull Newcastle and Ypsw i ch free of this Company severally at their severa ll townes shall nomyna te yerely tw o suffi ci ente persons such as they shall thinke meete to bee Deputie for the said Company a t their said townes for the yere ensueinge and the names of th e said persons to be sente upp yerely to the Governour Assistants and Fellow shipp of Merchants of Eastland here residente at London to electe and Choose such of the said persons to bee their Deputi e as the Governour or his Deputie and assista nts of th is Company at London shall th inke good by advice from the said tow nes And that every of the said D eputies shall a lsoe supply the otfi ce of T hrea surer w h oe to o . 1 shall have a Clarke and a bedle serve them f l 1 a . And for the better enterteynemente of the said offi cers yt is ordered

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a nd agreed that the D eputie of each of the said Coaste Towne £ shall have paid and allow ed unto them x a peece per annum and Twenty nobles a peece per annum for th e ofﬁ c ers m It is ordeyned that such as hereafter sh a lbe Chosen Governour An A te not t c iﬁ ce Governour of this Company and doe ake the same of fyninée such uppon him shall forfeite and pa y to the use of the Company Twenty a s refuseth 35 pounds sterlinge and such of this Company as sh a lbe Chosen 0 09 3 D eputi e and doth not take the same uppon him shall forfeite and ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

£ i s a paye to the use of the Company Xiii y viii . And such of this Company as sh a lbe Chosen T h rea surer of the same and doth not take the same uppon him shall forfeite and pay to the Compa nyes sterlin e use Tenne pounds g . And every brother that sha lbe Chosen of the Assistante of this F ellow sh ipp and shall refuse the same and doe not take yt uppon him a ccordinglye shall forfeite and paye for every such refusa ll the ’ ” d some of 3 6 8 c urra nte English money to the use of the Company £ d for w hich fyne of 3 6 8 8 soe paid he sh a lb e excused one Whole

yere .

l l b. fol . And that every b1 other which sh a lbe soe Chosen to be An Assista nte as aforesa id and shall not Cometo a Courte to take the oath of Assistante after his eleccon beinge twice warned h a v einge noe la w full excuse shall forfeite and pay for a Pyne Fyve shillings d fa lt h l as often as such e u e s a be by them soe made . And for prevencon of divers inconveniences w hich may happen to this Company It is further ordeyned that uppon eleccon of any T h rea surer of the Company here at London each T h rea surer soe elected shall geve his bond of 1000 marks sterlinge for thej uste di sch a rdgeinge pa yeing a nd yeildinge upp of his Accompts of T h rea surershipp at or before the laste daye of February yerely at the furth este The whi ch bond sh a lbe made to the Governour or De uti p e of the Company . And that every T h rea surer of this Company h ere at London for the tyme beinge shall have for his paynes ta kinge in the said Ofﬁ ce of T h rea surershipp The some of Fyve pounds to bee allowed him in his A ccompte for and towards the ma keinge of a Cupp ot ' u on t sylver with the Armes of the Company to bee engraven pp y .

’ It is ordeyned that the deputie in T h ea stpa rts for the tyme beinge shall not after the publi ca con of this Acte at a generall ’ Courte there to be holden Choose any Assistants in th ea stepa rts ’ w ith oute the Assente and Consente of the reste of T h a ssista nts that laste were or the moste parte of them wh ome the said D eputi e shall Call unto him to make the said Ch oyse uppon payne that the said Deputi e shall forfa ite and pay for a Fyne xx dollours for ey ery t me offendin e y soe g . And for the more honour and reputa con of this Company It is fully ordered and agreed that noe brother of our Company sh a lbe hereafter Chosen to be Assistante either here or beyond Sea which

ACTS AND ORDINANCES or T H E EASTLAND COMPANY

ﬂorence w ith oute sta ndin e tenne polish favour , And disobediently g in his wilfullnes and will not Conforme himselfe to reason and l forfeite 25 ﬂorence fo 13a . . obedience shall and paye polish without favour and be further punished a t the di screcon of the D eputie and assis

tants for his disobedience .

It is ordeyned that if any brother of our Company shall sh ew e any Clothes or M erch a ndi z in his or their warehouse to make sale or buy or sell any wares directly or indirectly at Elbi nge in the tyme that any Courte or generall meeteinge sh a lbe holden there ‘ That then he or they soe ofiendinge shall forfeite and pay for every such offence Contrary to this Acte xx : dollours to the use of the Imea dia tl u on roofe Company y pp due p , And that the said Courts sh a lbe there kepte on M ondaye Excepte uppon urgente Causes w h ereuppon they may Call Courts uppon any other day or dayes

which shall stand in as good force as if th e same were on Monday . The same Courts to bee w arned by the ofﬁ cer orderly whereunto a l n r ll soe the Ge e a yti e may be warned .

It is ordeyned that if any brother of this Company either on e th issyd or beyond y Seas shall henceforth revile miscall or terme any other brother of th e Company with undecente speeches or words of reproach or discreditt (the M aster to his Apprentice or hyred servante onely Excepted)shall not onely forfeite and pay to ' 8 th e use of the Company for every such oﬂence The soi h e of XX sterlinge or the value thereof B ut a lsoe shall With submission before the D eputi e and assistants at a Courte or meeteinge aske re roch ed for i venes w the partie soe reviled miscalled or p g , the hich if hee shall refuse to doe That then hee shall forfeite and pay to th e use of the Company Tenne pounds sterlinge or the value thereof to be levied uppon him or his goods wheresoever they may be

found wi thout favour .

And yt is further ordeyned That if any brother whether hee bee of the genera llytie or assistants in th e tyme of Courts geve one to an othe r any dish oneste la ngw a ge or use undecente speech T a ugliuge or lewd Comunica con to the disquietinge of the Courte or to interrupte another that is spea keinge to the Courte hee shall

See Glossary. ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY forfeite and paye to the use of the Company fyve shillings sterlinge or the value thereof for every tyme they sh a lbe found soe to abuse themselves and beinge warned by the Governour or Deputi e to Cease and keepe syl ente and will not a b steyne Then to bee further punished at the di screcon of the Governour or deputi e and assistants e for their disob dience . And a lsoe if any brother of our Company doe ﬁ ghts with any other with weapon blunte or sharp or shall geve his brother a blow e uppon the Ch eeke With his hand or otherwise strike him enviously hee shall forfeite and paye to the use of the Company for every such ‘ offence of ﬁ gh tinge w ith weapons v sterlinge or the value thereof ’ and for th other offence soe ofte as yt sh a lbe C omitted as aforesaid “ xx sterlinge or the value thereof that if by meanes thereof any be hurte the partie soe hurte to be healed at the Ch a rdges of him that hurte him and to receyve fu rther punish emente as by the de utie a sha lbe s meete a ccordin e to f l 1 4a . p and assist nts thought g the o . ff o ence .

It 1s ordeyned that if a ny brother That 18 an apprentice or any other unruly person or persons of our Bretheren or any the kings M a esties sub ects J J shall misbehave themselves or use whore houses , keeps dish oneste and unla w full Company or Ryotinge or w a stfully mi s endin e M s r freinds missin e p g his or their a te s or goods , or is g b ni h te Or E Cloc ke out of his oasts house all g , after leven of the in the Sommer and tenne in the Winter (without he can proove he h ath bin in h oneste Company and urged to keepe their Company

Or. unla w full soe late). use Cards dyce or any other games or ' ga meinge for money hee or they soe oti endii i ge sh a lbe punished th e di screcon de utie at of the p and assistants .

' It is ordeynecl That ii any brother of our Company shall hereafter utter or disclose any matter moc on Acte or determyna con of any Courte either in England or beyond the Seas to a ny one that is not of the Assistants before yt bee Agreed uppon out of the Courte in any place a mongste others not of the assista nts or to any strangers indel udinge scoﬂi nge or di sd a yneinge the D eputi e t mocon and assistants or any of hem or otherwise , or any or Acte by them made or to be made beinge accused and a pprooved Torfeite a F ve f l 14b. shall to the use of the Comp ny y pounds or the value o . thereof. ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

It is ordeyned that if any brother sh a lbe in talke of ba rga yne inge b uyinge or sellinge or lookinge uppon any Comoditie or merchandize w ith any strangers or M erchants at any tyme or tymes hereafter whatsoever either in his packhouse warehouse or ells where and shall say to any hee is in ba rga yne It shall not bee la w full that any brother Come to procure away or allure the said M erch a nte or stranger or to pluch e him by the sleeve or ’ Call him away fromth other or look e uppon the w ares which lye by them in way of buyinge or sellinge Excepte the said brother which is ﬁ rste in hand with any stranger doe Call him or appoint him to come to be partaker Or heare what ba rga yne or talke sh a lbe betw eene them untill th e said parties soe in talke bee parted one from th’ other And if any offend in this Acte Contrary to the tenour hereof in any packhouse warehouse Celler Spiker or Chamber as aforesaid hee shall forfeite and pay for soe doeinge for every such offence uppon good proofe xx dollers to the use of the Company And if any offend in lyke manner as aforesaid in the open streetes ma rketts Bridges or ells where abroad hee shall l 15a . fo . forfeite and paye for every such offence 5 dollers to the use of the

Company .

It is ordeyned that for all such brokes and forfeitures as sh a lbe levied receyved and enjoyed of any brother or of a ny other his

' M ajesties subjects for brea keinge any th e A cts or ordinances of this F ellow shipp the better to encourage the presentours to seeke and ’ fynd such ofi endours out the fi rste presentour thereof shall have for his pay nes one fourth parte of all such broa k es a s the Company ' shall take and enjoy of the ofi endours the offence beinge duely roo ed res n u r neth p v by such a p e to r as a ppe tey . And yt is lykewi se ordered That if any brother of this Company be presented for brea keinge any the Acts or ordyna nces of the same

‘ and beinge uppon his purga con or to be Judged a ccordinge to the orders of the same It shall not bee la w full for his presentour if hee h ee one of the Assistants to sitt uppon the h ea reinge of the Cause but to be absente h imselfe soe longe as the same matter is in h niﬁ tt ea rei nge and determyninge otherwise to have noe be . 1 8 An cte A It is ordeyned that noe brother in this Company shall at any a ga i nste Sett t me En i h inge fora yners y or tymes hereafter employ any person or persons gl s or rke a wo . strangers not beeing free or Ca pea ble to bee free of this Company

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF ' THE EASTLAND COMPANY

presented beinge duely and directly prooved a ga inste such ' offendour or ofi endours T hat then the same person or persons soe Convicted and found perj ured shall not onely forfeite and E x i a l h lbe . soe s a £0 1. 166 . pay to the use of this Company ster But disfranchised and expelled out and from the freedome of this Fellow sh ipp and priviledges of the sa me w hich Cause sh a lbe heard and adjudged and determyned at a Courte of Assistants w hereat sha lbe The Governour or D eputie and Twenty Assistants at the thirteene bes des leaste and by them or of them at the leaste , y the v rnour de utie a d rm n d Go e or his p soe djudged ordered and ete y e .

' It is ordeyned and agreed T h a t yt sh a lbe law ful] to the O w ners ’ 8 of Shipps to have th a dventure of v sterlinge uppon every Tonne of their shipps burthen as the same sha l be entered in the Custome ’ house for the provision of their shipps pa ssinge into th ea ste parts But not to be employed in any Comodities to be sold But onely for th e proper service of the shipp uppon payne to loose the beniﬁ tt doein e of this Acte ever after g the Contrary .

It is ordeyned that w hen any brother of this F ellow sh ipp is presented for breaking any order or orders of this F ellow sh ipp the same presentmente sh a lbe brough te to the Governour or his D eputie (w h oe shall uppon such presentmente forthwith send unto the party presented if hee bee in Tow ne or afterw ards soe soone as hee is there to bee had)One of the Officers of the Company to fol . 1 7 a . w a ea re Governour De utie arne him to pp before the said or p , and the greater parte of the Assistants And that for the a voydinge of greate Cha rdge a nd trouble da yly h a pninge to the Company there shall noe other securiti e from henceforth be taken of any brother of our Company or of any their sonnes Fa ctours or servants for a unsw eringe any offence Comitted or broke made or any duetie unto the Company neither any bond bill or s uch lyke to bee deposited but onely some sufﬁ ci ent pledge of money or wares if yt bee possible the same ma y be had And a lsoe yt is further ordered that if any brother of this our soc ietie shall at any tyme hereafter happen to bee broked for any offence Comitted Contrary to our Chartre or Acts and uppon some Considera con ﬁ nd grace and have some parte of the same broke remytted That then the partie soe broked shall w ithin one M oneth then nexte ensueinge sa tisfye unto our T hrea surer for the tyme beinge all such money as he shall soe ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY after g race be adjudged to pay Otherwise the said partie soe b roa ked in defa ulte thereof shall loose the said grace soe yeilded and then to bee and rema yne in the same estate for pa ymente of the w hole broke a ccordinge to our Acts w ith oute any favour there r un d in ever after to be g a te . And moreover yt shall not bee la w full for any Assistants of our Company in any our Courts or Assemblies to hold upp his hand or speake in favour of any such soe omittinge to pay after gra ce w hereby either the same or any more or lesse grace maye be yeilded after any such omission to pay a s aforesaid Uppon payne to forfeite and pay for every tyme soe h oldinge upp his hand or 8 spea kinge in favour Contrary to this our Acte the some of X ste rlinge withoute or the value thereof to the use of the Company favour .

It is ordeyned that noe brother of this Fellow ship sh a lbe made pri v ie what Cause or matter is broughte a ga inste him but in Courte of Assistants and not before the Courte be a unsw ered a c cordinge to the former Acte in that behalte made w herew ith the T hrea s urer shall declare himselfe Contented for the val ue of the broke broughte a ga inste him to the use of th e Company uppon payne that w hoso ever shall revea le the same to the partie shall paye for a fyne Fyv e florence polish or the value thereof But if any of them sh a lbe w presented for a broke or for any other Cause hatsoever , and by order of the Governour or deputie bee w arned by the offi cer to a ppea re before him at a Courte of Assistants at aplace and how re appointed and doe make defa ulte at fi rs te 2 or 3 tymes beinge w arned as aforesa id he shall forfeite and pay to the use of th e Company for the fi rste tyme one florence for the second tyme 2

fol . 1 ﬂorence and for the third tyme 5 ﬂorenc e polish or th e value thereof 8a . to be levied of him or his goods w heresoever they may bee fou nd w i th oute favour or pardon , and further to bee punished by order of the Governour or Deputi e and Assistants a t their di screcons for lf l l a w full lw a es be his wi u l disobedience (a excuse a y to excepted).

It is ordeyned that of all presentments made the T h rea surer 23 Ah c te t me kee e erfecte th e A for the y beinge shall p a p booke thereof to use th a t th e tl u on Govern of the Co mpany and shall diligen y call pp the our or T h rea surer Deputie for ex a mi na con of every one pres ented that due ex ecucon keepe th e boc kes of pre may bee had thereof a ccordinge to our orders And not to open the sentments . name of any presented uppon payne to pay to the use of the ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAS TL AND COMPANY

Company 10 Florence polish or the value thereof in English money for every tyme that hee shall soe offend w ithout favour And further bee yt orcl eyned that everye person presented after h e hath sa tisfyed the Courte a ccordinge to the Acte in that beh a lfe made for the value of the broke hee is presented for shall w ith in three Courte dayes nexte after (ii l a w full lett be not to the Contrary)have his matter heard determyned and adjudged excepte some proofe bee to be had from the other syde the Seas or some other farre place on the presenters behalte or on the parte and behalte of the partie presented then uppon such Cause tyme reason fol . 18b. able sh a lbe geven and the proofe had and the Cause well debated and understood Then the Governour or D eputie and Assistants to a din proceed to sentence ccor ge to our Order .

It is ordeyned that if uppon any urgente occasion any brother or B reth eren of this Fellow sh ipp beinge in any place of the land l of Pr ussia Oa s subi a or Pomerania sh a lb e sommoned or Called by Lettres from the D eputie and assistants residente in Elbinge or the more parte of them to make their a ppea rea nce to the said Tow ne of Elbinge by a Certeine day to bee appointed either to serve the Company or to a unsw ere any presentmente brough te a ga inste them or any of them and doe not make his a ppa rea nce accordingly That then they shall forfeite and pay to the said F ellow shipp 10 : dollours

w ith oute favour or pardon for his or their disobedience . Provided a lw a yes That if any brother soe Called shall have any reasonable excuse for his non a ppea rea nce and the same by due r d sh a lbe ex a mina con p oove allowed and accepted .

It is ordeyned that if any brother of this Company shall fall into a ny Crimina ll aceon by w hich he may stand in danger of hi s lyfe or bee Compelled to ﬂy the land or that any b rother shall ’ departe this lyfe on th other syde the seas or bee Condempned for l a civi ous and i nordyna te life in follow i nge w hores and h a rlotts to the w a stinge and spendinge of his M asters goods or his ow ne b esydes the greate offence to Almightie god and evill example of other That then the T h rea surer for the tyme beinge by order of the D eputi e shall take tw o of the Assistants with him and seale upp his books Chests studies Ca sketts warehouses and Cellers and a l soe

See Glossa ry.

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

Contynuinge still in his w ilfullnes in with holding the said books w ritings acts records or any other matter of record or value a p perteyneinge to the Company to be dismissed from his F reedome of this F ellow shipp and not to bee restored a ga yne but as a Re dem cioner sa ti sf ed p and not before he hath y the Company .

27 It is ordeyned that for the better understa ndinge of the Con An a cte th a t tents of the Chartre and Acts and ordyna nces of the Company the th e Ch a rters sh a lbe w erel a cts a nd ordi same read at London t ice every yere y y and that the na nces be rea d D eputi e at Elbinge shall Cause the same to be read there foure

rel . ye y tymes in every yere yerely and to that end the Governour or D eputie of London shall Call tw o generall Courts yel ely and the D eputi e at Elbinge shall Call foure generall Courts every yere at the leaste for the rea dinge thereof uppon payne to forfeite and pay to the Company tenne ﬁ orence for every tyme omitting the same E x cepte that the D eputie and assistants uppon any reasonable Cause shall thinke meete to deferre the rea dinge of any parte of ﬁ t m them untill another more t ty e .

It is ordeyned that noe brother of this Company or other under th e governmente of the same shall use any unseemely or undecente w ords to the Governour or D eputi e either in or out of Courte or shall in Courts obstina tly hold Comuni ca con a ga inste the Gov ernour or D eputie and not geve place and keepe sylence beinge thereunto required shall forfeite and pay for every tyme soe oﬁ endinge 5 ﬁ orence Polish or the value thereof w ithout favour to bee adjudged th e by the Assistants or greater parte of them .

It is ordeyned that matters of Controversies betw eene Brother a nd brother dependinge before the Governour or D eputi e and Assistants to be heard and determyned Noe brother to talke of the matter in Controversie or to geve his advice or opynion tow chi nge th e same in open Courte where the matter is heard in the presence of the partie or parties or either of them Nor shall geve hi s opyni on or speech in the ab ence of the parties above 3 tymes in one matter sd uppon payne of x i i sterlinge or the value thereof to bee paid by him to the use of the Company as often as any sh a ll be found to offend in any the premysses But for the understa ndingeofthe truth and ground of the Cause They shall suffer the D eputi e to dema und and propound what is to bee dema unded or propounded and the ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

k e s l ence w ith oute ee fol . 21 a reste of the Assistants to p y and to geve care . hee bee by the D eputi e lycenced to dema und any question for n iﬁ d further openi nge of the Cause uppo the payne be fore spec e . It is ordeyned that the ofﬁ cers of this F ellow sh ipp shall hold observe and keepe the several] Articles follow einge to them severally a pperteyneinge uppon payne to be fynecl and punished a c cordinge D i to the di screcon of the Gov ernour or eput e and assistants .

T H E SECRETARY

Hee shall geve his attendance uppon the Governour or Deputie at all tymes l a w full as w ell in forenoones as in a fternoones beinge m n a ff r s Called for the Co pa yes service and a y e . Hee shall obey the Comma undments of the Governour or u h in a ff r D eputie to c ge the a y es of the Company . Hee shall Courtiously behave hi mselfe tow ards th e said Gover D uti e F llow hi nour or ep and to all the e s pp. Hee shall geve his Attendance a t Courts asw ell generall as Courts of Assistants and at all other tymes beinge Called in th ’ ' ﬁ r s F llow h i a a y e of this e s pp. Hee shall truely enter and write all Acts decrees and ordyna nc es and all other matte rs of: Controversies b etw eene partie a nd partie u n d agreed ppo or ecyded at any Courte . Hee shall make reporte of all matters a pperteyneinge to his fﬁ o ce beinge Called thereunto . Hee shall a l soe truely geve informa con of all such Breth eren servants or other under the Compa nyes rule to Master Governour or his D eputi e that Cometh to his know ledge to keepe evill rule to the dishonour of God di sw orsh ipp of our Company and w a stinge of

their Masters goods .

T H E UNDE FF RS R O ICE .

They shall every day asw ell S onnda y as other geve their attendance uppon th e Governour or D eputi e aswell before noone as f rno n a te o e . They shall take notice of every English merch a nte frequenting ’ th ea stpa rts to understand that noe interloper i ntrud him into our

trade . ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY

’ They shall diligently lea rne of a ll shipps that Come to th ea st k parts or eepe a booke of them . They shall diligently geve attendance to the disch a rdgeinge of k tru l all shipps and thereof to eepe a booke e y . That if they understand of any sec rett Conveyance or wrong di sch a rdgeinge Contrary to our orders they shall forthw ith geve w rn u D uti kno ledge to the Gove o r or ep e . l seek e They shal doe all in them is , to out such as practise the rea kin e b g of our orders and geve advice of the same . That if they knowe any of the Company to keepe evill ru l e in w h orei n e di cein e beh a vei our h g g or such lyke . disordered they s all t D e utie T h rea surer geve knowledge hereof to the p or . They shall duely warne Courts when and as often as the Governour D e utie or p shall appoint them . They shall every weeke Call uppon the Company to pay their f l . 22 o a . ymposicons and if any Departe w ithout sa ti sfyeinge the T h rea surer Inf n to geve orma co .

It is ordeyned that there sha lb e noe broker or brokers appointed by the Company neither shall any the bretheren of the Company deale by any broker or brokers nor shall suffer any notoriously know ne to bee a brok er to Come into his packhouse Spiker or Celler nor sh ew e or make know ne to them or any of them ' the qua ntiti e of his Comoditi e uppon payne for every tyme oﬁ en dinge therein to pay to the use of the Company 10 ﬁ orence Polish

without favour . . Provided a l w a yes that if any brother or breth eren of this Com pany shall have a M erch a nte or M erchants poll Russe or other in his Celler w arehouse or spiker and needeth the helpe of any to bee his interpreter It sh a llbe la w full for him to use any freind for his interpreter soe that he doe not rew ard him with above 10 g rosh en f or his paynes .

It is ordeyned That the D eputi e and Assistants residente at Elbinge or the more parte of them for the tyme beinge whereof the D eputi e to be one shall have full pow er and la wfull a uth oriti e by vertue hereof to Call before them all persons w hatsoever they bee w hich have offended or hereafter shall offend transgresse or brea k e a ny the Acts or ordyna nces of this Company made or to bee f 22 ' b. ol . made for the good governemente thereof and the same oﬁ endour or

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

£01. they have donne any use or Custome heretofore had to the Contrary w ith ndin Not sta ge . And it is ordered that the generall meeteinge day for the Coasters yerely sh a lbe uppon the w edensda y nex te after Candlemas day At w hich tyme yerely every D eputi e of the Coast tow nes and Citties or one or more of the breth eren of this Societi e there residente by order of the Deputi e and breth eren of that place shall Come to th e Citti e of London to Conferre w ith the Company here ’ aboute their needfull a ﬂ a yres under such penna lties as sh a lbe made

by the said Company in London in that beh a lfe .

It is ordeyned that every brother of this F ellow sh ipp or other his M ajesties subjects that shall at any tyme hereafter make any a tta ch mentes of the goods money or debts of any other brother or ’ other his M ajesties subjects in the said parts shall at th entri nge of his a tta ch mente put in sufﬁ ciente surtie or securiti e to the T h rea surer there for the tyme beinge to the use of the Compa ny t o hm n Orells prove his a tta c e te to be just and true . to pay to the

' F ne tw o sterlin e u on fol . 24a . Company for a y shillings g pp every pound sterli nge or the value thereof in that Countrey money as such a tta chmente soe not proved good shall a mounte unto And that uppon the like payne every such Atta ch mente sh a lbe prosecuted and Called uppon within Three Courte dayes nex te after the same

be made . Provided a lw a yes that noe a tta chmente sh a lb e taken or held 1 good for any matters of Qua rrells or bra bbles but onely for and u n ppo due debts .

It is ordeyned that yt shall and may bee l a w full to the ’ D eputie and assistants in th ea st parts for the tyme beinge to Cause to bee shipped home to their Fathers or Masters such sonnes servants and apprentices as they shall see a ppa ra ntely to spend w aste or Consume their Fathers or M asters goods by their lewd beh a v eiour and dea lei ngs and that the D eputi e T h rea surer and such two ’ of the Assistants as they shall Call unto them shall receyve into safe Custodie the goods bills money and other things in the power or possession of such a sonne servante or apprentice to the use of hi s Father or M aster untill they shall geve further direccon order and for the same .

S ee Glossa ry . ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY

And further bee yt ordeyned That if hereafter uppon occasion any of the sa id S oci etie shall w rite to his sonne servante or apprentice to make his repa yre home w h oe will refuse to Come home at his Fathers or M asters sendinge for that the D eputie and assistants for the tyme beinge beinge [ si c] required by the Lettre of such a Father or Master to send home such a Sonne servante or apprentice shall forth w ith apprehend and take such sonne servante or apprentice and shipp h im home to his Father or M aster a ccordinge to such di reccon a nd order as such a Father or M aster shall geve to the said D eputi e and assistants by their said Lettres uppon payne that the D eputie and assistants omittinge or neglecti nge the same shall forfeite and pay for a P yne to the f” Company O sterlinge whereof the D eputie to pay one moyeti e and ’ the Assistants th other .

For a smuch as heretofore some evill di sposed F a ctours and servants after they have gotten into their hands goods of their principa lls to agreate value have denyed to yeild unto them any a ccompte or to Cleere with them unlesse their principa l ls wold ﬁ rste geve them a genera ll acquittance which is a h a tefull a nd preposterous Course and dista stfull Asw ell to a ll M asters as to all mea nein e fa ctours revencon o well g and servants , For better p there f ’ Wee the Gov ernour and A ssistants of T h ea stl a nd M erchants by vertue of our Chartre D oe order And bee yt Ordered That if any ’ F a ctour or servante w hich is or sh a lb e residente in T h ea stpa rts shall at any tyme hereafter write to his principa ll in England that a ccom te w a enera ll 2 he Will not p nor Cleere ith him before hee have g fol . 5a . acquittance from his pri ncipa ll Or beinge by his principa ll or hi s Attorney thereunto law fully authorised dema unded to a ccompte and Cleere with him shall by w ord of mouth refuse and deny to a ccompte unl esse his principa ll w ill ﬁ rste geve hi m a genera ll acquittance That then such F a ctour or servante sh a lbe disfranchised and bee frome th encforth untill hee shall have accompted and Cleered w rinci a ll to hi mselfe ith his p p , disabled deale either for or th e m m any brother of Co pany , And that fro thenceforth noe brother of our Compa ny shall enterteyne or employ such Fa ctour or servante as sh a lb e soe disfranchised or disabled untill hee ‘5 sha lb e restored and enabled under the penna lti e of O sterlinge or the value thereof to be paid to the use of the Company w ith oute favour or pardon . ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

' It is ordeyned that all and every person and persons whatso ever his Majesties subjects not free of this Societe that shall trade or tra fﬁ que by any w a yes or meanes Culler or devise w hatsoever into any place or places beyond Seas where this S ocieti e are pri viledged shall for every tyme soe tra dinge or dea leinge within the priviledges of this S oci etye forfeite a nd paye to the use of the Company the moyetie or one halfe of all such goods w ares and merchandizes as by them or any of them sh a lb e soe boughte sould shipped or l 2 t m use fo . 5b. ransported the sa e goods to be seized to the of the Company w heresoever they sha lbe found or Come by fa rw a nte w hereof the ' oﬁ endours are to bee attached and Imprisoned untill they have made sa ti sfa ccon to the Company of the said moyetie for their ff said o ence .

For the a voydinge of unnecessary Ch a rdges and trouble of Apprentices and others of the Citti es and townes of this kingdome in their repa yreinge to the Citti e of London to bee made free of this F ellow sh ipp and there a ttendinge their F reedome It is ordeyned that from henceforth It sh a l be suffi ci ente when any such Freeman is to bee made in any of the said Citti es or Townes that w ithout his persona ll a ppea rea nce here at London a Certifi ca te onely under th e scale of such Citti e or tow ne respectively to be sente to the Gov ernour and Company at London recomendinge him as a person held fi tt by them to be made free of the Company And that uppon receipte of such Certifi ca te the Governour Or Deputie and six of the Assistants of the F ell ow shipp for th e tyme beinge fi ndinge such apprentices and others Ca pea ble to bee admitted by such Certifi ca te a ccordinge to the orders of this Company shall geve a uth oritie to myni ster such oath and oathes to the person that is to bee made free in the place w here hee dw ells as other Freemen of this Company f l 2 w t ta k ein e dueti es o . 6a . are accustomed to take i hout g any Pynes or of him other then X8 to the Deputi e there to the use of the Company for which he is to bee accomptable and twelve pence to the Register tow w rece v es freedome of the Coaste nes here he y , his And that every one soe to bee admitted shall lyk ew i se have aletter of allowance thereof fromhence to bee sente w ith his other Lettre ’ of Admission w ith oute which hee shall not bee admitted into th e a stpa rts .

It is ordeyned that noe brother of this S oci eti e shall at any

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

the Company a t London as aforesaid and delyvered to his use t t me t me sh a lbe and to him sen e upp from y to y as they soe taken . 42

An a cte orde ned sh a lbe w orderi ng by It is y that from henceforth noe Lettre ritten w h ome L et from E lbinge from the Company there but the same sh a lbe t es a re to be r subscribed by the D eputi e and 6 or 4 of the Assistants at the subscribed e Governour both to a nd l aste And the lyke from hence to be subscribed by the uti 6 4 t D e e a . from E lbinge . or p and or of the Assistants Leaste

It is ordeyned for the a voydinge of the Inconveniencs h a ppn inge to the Company by repa ckinge hempe and ﬂa x and other goods by Porters on Shippboa rd That if any of the Company shall at any tyme or tymes hereafter employe or sett a w ork e or Cause to be employed or sett on w orke any Porter or porters that shall packe upp any Flax or hemp or any other goods aboard any shipp ’ or shipps that shall Come out of T h ea stpa rts h a veinge had notice or knowledge geven hi mof the name or names of such a porter or fol . 27 b. porters That then hee or they shall forfeite and pay to the use of s the Company for a Fyne XL sterlinge for every tyme soe employ tin w ork u t inge or set ge on e any s ch por er or porters .

It is ordeyned that if any brother of the Company sh a lbe henceforth endamaged by any of the Shippers in openinge their packs to the deterymente or spoyle of their goods That then uppon requeste of such a brother to bee made to the Company the M asters bond sh a lbe delyvered to him to bee sued for his remydi e in the name of the Governour or T h rea surer of this Company in w hose name the same bond sh a lb e taken Excepte such 3 a M aster or his surti e will pay to the M erch a nte D a mpniﬁ ed XL for the opninge of such a packe or otherwise agree with him for

his D amage .

It is ordeyned that all A uditours and Comitti es appointed and to bee appointed for the Compa nyes bui sines that shall make defa ulte of a ppea rea nce beinge sufﬁ ci ently w arned w ith oute h a veinge a la w full ex c use shall paye for every tyme ma kinge 5 defa ulte X to the use of the Company .

It is ordeyned that none be mad free of this Company within terme or otherwise unl esse yt bee at the Hall M aster Governour ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAST L AND COMPANY

Master D eputi e or Master T h rea surers house or at some other such

fi tt v - E lyke and Con eniente place , and not at the xchange nor at undecente b ui sines any Taverne or such lyke place for such a and Secreta ri e m at the tyme of their Admission shall pay to the Secretary for Ad i ssion a d ’ m cert‘fi ca te entrin e XII Certifi ca te T h ea st a rts g his admission and for his to p ' d i i VI C l e d d ‘I i 8 Offi c r g 11 VI Xi i h l S V1 e . and for the Coppie of oath and for the oa th x ii

It is ordeyned That from henceforth noe brother of this S oci eti e shall lend his name to any person or persons not free of this Company neither as F a ctour or otherw ise shall receyve any goods or M erchandize from any forra yner out of any place or places w hatsoever or Culler the same in his ow ne name nor shall enter ne Cause procure or Consente to be entered any manner of goods or merch a ndi z w w t e in any others name ith or ithou their Consent that fol . by any meanes may be indirecte or any w a y to th e hurte prejudice or d etryment of the Company or any Acts or ordyna unces of the same uppon payne that each brother of the Company that shall doe th e Contrary in any respecte by what device or Collour soever to ' forfeite and pay to the Compa nyes use in the name of a ﬂyne or 8 broke the some of V1 sterlinge uppon each pound sterlinge or the sh a lbe value thereof, of all such goods and merchandizes as soe indirectly dealte in by Culleri nge entringe lendinge of name or h u otherwise w it o te favour or pardon .

For better a v oydi nge of all danger of Conﬁ sca con of our goods by falce and indirecte dea l einge of M asters and pursers of shipps or of any servants w h ome of necessytie w ee muste put in truste to pay the dueties of the kings of Poland and D enma rke and of the D uke of Prussia Bee yt ordeyned that from henceforth the Master or purser of every shipp or vessell English or Stranger Wherein any brother of this our S oci etie shall have any goods or f 1 2 a merchandize shi pped from England into any place w ithin the ° ~ 9 ~ priviledge of this S oci eti e shall receyve from our D eputi e of the place from whence the same shipp sh a lbe laden Or from some other there appointed for that purpose a sh eete of paper or tw o sheetes bee Intitu1ed annexed together if need , The Contente of all such goods as are nowe laden in such a moneth and yere in such a shipp w hereof is M aster A B and from such aplace for the said E a stpa rts which said Contente or T oa lbill the said M aster or purser shall Ca rrye or Cause to be Carryed to his severa ll laders ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY

w herein each said sev era ll lader shall pl a ynely sett downe under h i s owne hand or under th e hand of his Apprentice or of his F a ctour free of this Company and by none other person or persons ' w hatsoever the Juste qua ntiti e and qua lliti e of all such goods as hee shall at any one tyme shipp or lade in any one shi pp or vessell from England into the said E a stpa rts under his severa ll marks and rates as the same are to bee tolled in the Sound w herein a l soe wrappers sh a lb e entred as employed onely for ’ ’ w rappers of Clothes and kersyes not once menc 6ned to bee Customed in a ny place but in D enma rke under the penna ltie of XX8 for every sh orte Cloth and soe after the same rate for all other d goo s . And further that th e said Master or Purser before the l a deinge of the same goods or within some Conveniente tyme before the l 2 f b. D o . 9 eparture of any such shipp or vessell from the portes where the ’ same sh a lbe laden in England shall bringe or Cause th a foresa i cl T oa lbill with each severa ll laders entri e therein to be broughte to our Deputi e of the same place to bee Compared and perfected with 1 th e Oocketts of his M ajesties C ustomeh ouse and a lsoe in manner of " a l etmr sealed w ith our seale or some other seale ‘ which may Con v eni ently bee gotten of moste C reditt at such place where w ee have noe seale ex tant and directed to the ofﬁ cers of the kings M aj esti e nm rk of De a e in the Sound . ' ' And further for better etiectinge of this our Juste desire w ee doe ordeyne That our D eputi e as well of London as a l soe our D eputi e and deputies in any parte of this his M ajesties ki ngdome shall after the recei pte of the said Contente or T oa lbill from the M asters or pursers Doe their beste endevour in good tyme to Cause the same soe by them perfected sealed a nd directed as aforesaid Together w ith a true Coppie thereof in lyke manner sealed perfected and directed to our Deputi e in the said E a stpa rts to be redelyvered unto th e said M asters or Pursers of each said severa ll shipp or vessell before their Departure from England and that noe tota ll s sh a lb e therein sette downe nor subscribed either by the Governor or D eputi e but sh a lbe delyvered to the severa ll Masters of shipps for their better E ase in a ccomptinge with the T oa lners of D enma rk e and lykewi se from tyme to tyme ea rnestlye urge the ma keinge of the said Toale bills and Juste entries therein uppon payne that each said D eputi e that shall doe the Contrary to

S ee Glossa ry .

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

before the unl a dinge of any such goods or within 4 dayes after their a rryva ll into the said E a stpa rts repa yre and Come to our D eputi e there or to such as there sh a lbe appointed for that purpose and pl a ynelye declare by oath or by other good meanes to th e sa ti sfa ccon of our Deputie there or such as sh a lbe for that purpose appointed there what goods w ere brough te in the said shipp or vessell from E ngland w hat were and what w ere not entered to his knowledge in any suche T oa lbill as sh a lbe then

f l 3 1 a . o . b rough te for whose use they w ere at w h a te place and unto wh ome they are to bee delyvered and w h at else sh a lb e dema unded and needefull in this respect to bee required Uppon payne that each S ocieti e th e Contra ry forfeite brother of this that shall do , to and ' i pay to the use of the Company in the name of a flyne or Broke the n fi r n u P e a ltie . some of 4 o e ce Polish ppon every Shippound of Wax and the ' lyke sofi i e uppon every laste of tonne goods uppon every laste of Flax and hemp and of all other Comoditi es after the same rate w hi ch e sh a lb e shipped oute of the said Easte parts in any such shipp or vessell w ithin Six moneth es after her a rryva ll there

w ith oute any favour . And further that all dueties for retornes out of the said E a stpa rts may bee the better sa ti sfyed with the Creditt of our Company Bee yt ordeyned that noe brother of this our S ocieti e ' shall have any goods or merchandize shipped or sente oute of the said E aste parts but that a juste entry thereof sh a lbe made with the offi cers of the said kings of Poland and denma rke and of the D uke of Prussian and all dueti es for the same truely paid uppon payne that each brother of the Company that shall by any meanes be found to doe the Contrary to forfeite and pay to the use of the Company the some of 1 00 fi orence Polish for every such offence in the name of a fi yne or broa ke over and b esydes such damage as may

by reason of any such mi sentri e happen w ith oute favour or pardon .

f l 3 1 b. o . And it is ordered and agreed that all T oa lbills w hi ch e shall Come to Elbinge from any of the Coast Townes under our Deputies hands there sh a lbe from tyme to tyme sente from Elbinge to the Company at London Together w ith a further noa te of all such goods as shall Come to Elbinge w ithout T oa lbills that the Company w sh a lbe maye take better notice of hat goods shipped .

It is ordered that the D eputie a nd assistants in the E a stpa rts shall and may fromtyme to tyme hereafter nominate electe and ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

Choose Eigh te or more able and ﬁ tt persons breth eren of this Company w hereof some of themto bee of London and some of the Coaste Tow nes as A uncyently hath bin used to take notice of and ’ to view e and search all such goods as sh a lbe land ed in T h ea stpa rts w here w ee shall keepe our Residence And that they or any tw o of them shal l and may uppon any suspi con of sh orte Entries open 1 trusse a rclell thin e soe a any packe f Roule or other g t ken on land , ’ Where if they shall ﬁ nd any thinge sh orte entered T h offendour shall forfa ite and pay to the use of the Company for every Cloth soe found unentred tw o dollours for a Pyne and of all other goods afte r the sa me rate to bee accompted as they yeild ymposicone And w h soev r i w l 3 e 2 . that o e shall resiste or withstand the sa d vie ers to fo . a take vi ew e of their goods or to Open the same uppon suspecte of Sh orte entries as aforesaid Every brother soe w ith sta ndinge or resi stinge the said view ers uppon offer to make their v iew e as aforesaid shall forfeite and paye to the Company Fifty gilderns for every such packe fa rdell trusse Roule maunds or other th inge w hatsoever soe resiste d or withstood And further if any of the said Eighte or more persons soe to be Chosen view ers Doe refuse or neglecte to execute th e said othee for vi ew einge of goods as aforesaid That then every such person soe refusi nge or neglectinge shall forfeite and pay to the use of the Company Tenne dollours fu in n l n e for every tyme soe re se ge or eg ecti g .

For a smuch as wee find yt to bee verey requisite and Con veniente unto us uppon the delyvery of our goods at Elbinge to ’ take bills for the same of the buyers thereof aswell for th a v oydinge of the greate ex pence and trouble w ee are driven unto in goeinge to Da nske for bills as for the bette r preventinge of many other dangers and inconveniences Wee the Governour and Assista nts of the Eastland Merchants by vertue of our Chartre and by a uth oritie t of a Courte of Assistants doe order , and be y ordered That if any merch a nte w h ich e shall buy any goods or M erchandiz es of any of our breth eren sonnes servants Fa ctours or apprentices at Elbin D e f l 32b. g shall not within Tenne ayes after his Departure from o . Elbing send his bills to Elbinge for the same goods or within that tyme delyver the same bills That then such of our breth eren as shall sell or delyver the same goods or merchandizes shall w ithin ’ tw o dayes nex te after th end of the said Tenne dayes make know ne

e ossa Se Gl ry. ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

unto the D eputi e of the said Company there the name and na mes of such merch a nte and merchants as shall not geve his bills as U on D e utie aforesaid pp which notice soe geven to the said p , the D eputi e there for the tyme beinge shall wi th a ll Conveniente speed Call a genera ll Courte there And then shall make know ne the name and names of such merch a nte and merchants as shall not send or del v er t w y his bills as aforesaid , And hat then after ards none of _ our b reth eren shall geve any tyme or Creditt for any good s or M er ch a ndi z es to anch [ si c] such M erch a nte of w h ome such notice sha lb e geven before such tyme as such merch a nte hath Conformed h imselfe as well to the partie that formerly trusted him as to the said Company And sh a lbe w illing afterwards to send or delyver his bills as aforesaid uppon payne and penna lty that every brother ' oﬁ endinge in any of th e premysses either by not geveinge of notice as aforesaid or by geveinge of Creditt Contrary to this Acte shall ' forfeite and pay to the use of the Company for a ﬂyne or Broke after the rate of T w o gilders per Cloth and soe for all other goods

f l . o . 33 a after the same rate as well for all such goods as sha lbe delyvered w ithout bills taken for the same as aforesaid as for all such goods as sh a lbe Credi tted to such M erch a nte Contra rye to this Acte And be yt further ordeyned that noe sonne F a ctour servante or a ppren tice shall take or receyv e any suche bi ll bond or other assurance whatsoever in his ow ns name for any debte there to be made but that yt sh a lbe mencioned in the said w ritinge bill or bond that the same is to the use of the right proprietaries of the same goods for w hich said Debts sh al be made a ccordinge to the tenour of the bill hereafter sett downe in Dutch for the better Conformeinge of our selves to the people of that Countrey Uppon payne that every sonne servante fa ctour or apprentice that shall cloe th e Contrary to bee esteemed in all respects as disfranchised of his freedome of this our F ellow sh ipp and to have noe other place or beniﬁ tt thereof m r F a ctours then a ee e stranger . And further that sonnes servants a nd apprentices shall from tyme to tyme procure such bills bonds ’ and other w ritings by w hat name soever yt be Called to bee ﬁ rmely made as aforesaid uppon payne that for neglecting thereof to

stand to all such debts th emselfes if they h a ppa n not to be paid . Provided a lw a yes that all such sonnes servants F a ctours and apprentices as sh a lbe w illinge thereunto and Cannot procure or gett the said bills as is before appointed within th e tyme therefore

f 33b. ol . above lymitted and shall w ithin Foure Dayes nex te after the said

h ers AND ORDINANCES or T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY

’ Lettre unto our D eputie and Assistants in T h ea stpa rts from tyme to tyme soe soone as possible they may of any s uch of this our

' S ocietie or of any other his Majesties subjects th a t sh a ll offend herein or a ga inste our Chartre in any respecte uppon sigh te of which said Lettres w ee doe lyk ew i se ordeyne that our said D eputie ’ ’ in T h ea stpa rts and th a ssi sta nts there by them selves or their r w h ﬁ r ofﬁ ce s it the ste good meanes shall mak e . seizure of such or

sha lbe soc . 346. £0 1. somuch goods of each partie whereof notice geven as may bee sutﬁ ciente to a unsw ere such trespasse as hee shall have mi d then Co tte . And bee yt further ordeyned that if any brother of this our soci etie That is to pay his D ueties in the said E a stpa rts or any other his M ajesties Subjects or any of them shall not observe and keepe such Acts as w ee have or shall ordeyne for the good governe mente of the whole Company and for pa ymente of Debts brokes and

other dueti es and a lsoe the tenour of our Cha rtre And yett by shifts . will soe Cuni ngly deale that neither themselves nor their goods Can bee there mett with a ll Tha t then in every s uch Case our said ’ D eputi e and Assista nts in T h ea stpa rts for the tyme beinge soe soone as possible they may shall not fa yle from tyma to tyme by Lettres to geve notice unto our Company here at London of each particular mans offence in this respecte w hereby suche further Courses may bee here taken by us therein by a rrestinge the bodi es ' of the said oﬁ endours or their goods or by any other good meanes . sh a lbe us ﬁ tt as then by adjudged .

Whereas yt many tymes h a ppneth that Divers faults are Comitted by sonnes fa ctours servants apprentices and Masters of Shipps in their entries and other things a ga inste our Acts and that without Comission Bee yt therefore ordeyned that if at any tyme any sh orte entry or any sh orte pa ymente of any duetie or any thinge ells Contrary to our Acts heretofore or hereafter to bee made sta ndinge in force shall happen to bee made or Comitted by ‘ any our sonnes Fa ctours servants or apprentices without the advice and Comi ssion of those for w home they shall dea le That then and in every such Case each sonne fa ctour servante or apprentice soe offend fol . 35a . inge shall forfeite and pay to the use of the Company s uch some or penna lti e as their Fa th ers Masters or those for w h ome they shall deale should have donne if they or any of them had comitted or made the lyke faulte themselves Orells to bee disfra nchiesd of the freedome ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

, of this our S oci etie at th e Compa nyes di screcon a ccordinge to the qua llytie of the offence But if defa ulte be made or Comitted by any ’ sonne fa ctour servante or apprentice with th a dvice and Comi ssion of any other for w h ome they shall deale That then and in every such Case the Fathers or M asters or those for w h ome any such sonne F a ctour servante or apprentice shall deale shall onely forfeite and pay to the Compa nyes use such penna ltyes as in any such Case shall happen to be encurred by any our Acts even in the vere y sa me manner and in such sorte As if the said D efa ulte had bin made and Comitted by any of those for w h ome the said sonnes F a ctours servants or apprentices shall deale And further bee yt ordeyned That if any Masters of shipps or other vessell wherein any of our Com pa nyes goods sh a lbe shipped to or from the said Ea stpa rts shall at any tyme or tymes hereafter omittinge to pay and truely dis ch a rdge such dueties as sh a lbe to be paid by each sey era ll laders entri e h a veinge from the said severa ll laders Comi ssion and order to pay the same That then and in every such Case every M aster soe omittinge to doe the premysses to pa y to the use of all such of the Company that shall happen to susteyne any loss e by any M asters such omyssion or the omission of any w home he shall put in truste all such damage as they or any of them shall at any tyme susteyne by the said Masters omission or the omission of any w h ome he shall put in trust To be recovered by vertue of the said Masters bonds unto the Company for performance thereof or by any other

' meanes how soever And the same M aster never after to bee employed by any of this Company untill hee shall have sa ti sfyed a ll such damage w hich may happen as aforesaid and be reconciled to the Company .

It is ordered and agreed that whereas there is a Comon seale ’ made and provided for th a ﬁ a yres and buisines of this Company th e same seale sh a lbe kepte and rema yne in the D eputies hands for the tyme beinge for the more redier and speedier sea l einge and dispa tchinge of Lettres Certiﬁ ca tes and T oa lbills onely and that the greate seale and Chartre of the Company and other nec essa ryes belongeinge to the Company sh a lbe k epte in a Cheste or T ronke as

o w rittin s l 3 6a . heret fore the same hath bin And that all bonds and other g fo . ’ ’ tow ch inge th a ﬁ a yres of this Company as sh a lbe thought necessary sh a lbe sealed by order and Consente of a Courte of As sista nts onely and not otherwise which bonds and writings soe sealed sh a lbe by E 2 ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

force of this presente Acte be sufﬁ ci ent and of full power strength a nd vertue to bind this F ellow shipp and Societie and their suc ssours ce for performance of the same .

It is ordeyned that noe goods sh a lbe shipped by any of th e Company w ith oute a note under our T hrea surers hand for the tyme beinge to the Customeh ouse in that behalte And that if any ' doe ofi end in the premysses w h oe Cannot bee here mett with a ll That then the same sh a lbe Certifi ed to Elbinge whereby they may be there deal te w ith a ll accordingly And moreover yt is ordered That our T hrea surer Doe pay noe money which sh a lbe in his hands belongeinge to the Company Nor any debte due from the Company to any brother of the same untill they have fi rste Cleered with him for all such money as they any w a y owe unto the Company unl esse

he shall have order by a Courte of Assistants to the Contrary .

For the a voydinge of needeles and unj uste a ppea les It is ordered and agreed that from henceforth noe a ppela con sh a lbe ’ made hether to London from th ea stepa rts for any matter or Cause w hatsoever but onely for fynes and brokes incurred by breach of the Acts and ordyna nces of this Company and therein a lsoe noe a ppea le sha lbe accepta ble or allowed here in England for any matter or Cause whereof the val ue there Oondempned shall not extend to ti e the some of 11m dollours or more but sha lbe executed and deter ’ myned in th ea stpa rts by the D eputie and assistants there or the moste parte of them w hereof the D eputi e to bee one And that if any person or persons shall a ppea le from a ny matter or Cause whereof the value there Condempned shall ex ceede th e some of xx dollours and under Portie dollers That then such person soe a ppea l einge shall not onely put in deposito to our T h rea surer there for th e tyme beinge the value of the sofii e wherein hee or they sh a lbe soe Condempned or good securitie for the sa me but a l soe one Third parte more then the some wherein he or they sh a lbe soe Condempned to bee all forfeited to the Compa nyes use if the Cause for which h ee or they shall a ppea le shall not uppon such a ppea lea con be found to bee juste and righte on his or their parte But if th e some wherein any sh a lbe there condempned shall ex ceede the sofii e of 40 : dollours That then hee or they soe a ppea leinge shall f l . 3 a . o 7 deposite onely somuch as hee or they sh a lbe there Condempned in and noe more Or geve sufii ci ente securitie for the same And

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

to what the deputie and a ssistants in each place or such as sh a lbe Chosen to end any such Controversies shall Arbitrate w ith oute any a ppea le or further suite ells l ea veinge th e parties to seeke their remydies otherwise as they ma y Any thinge before menconed n tw ith sta ndin o ge .

orde ned r n n In r ff 38a . eve co u es fol . It is y that for p of divers j y o ered the ofﬁ cers and others appointed to take paynes in the Compa nyes bui synes That if any person or persons whatsoever shall at any tyme or tymes hereafter vex sue trouble or moleste any ofﬁ cer or other appointed by the Company for ex ecutinge or doeinge any th inge or things whatsoever to them Comittecl to be executed or ’ donne in the Compa nyes a fi a yres That then every such officeror other soe appointed and beinge molested as aforesaid sh a lb e from tyme to tyme defended a nd saved h a rmeles by the Company a ga inste all and every such troublesome and malicious person and

persons whatsoever . ’ First that our Deputie in T h ea stpa rts shall from tyme to tyme and at all tymes w hen neede sh a lbe secretly admonish all such servants as shall ex ceede in a ppa rrell or in any other ex pences tendin e rinci a lls or abuses g to their p p hurte , And if any shall scorne good C ouncell and Cannot be brought to follow e good direcci ons neither by private a dmoni con nor by publique at Courte to write to the Company or his principa ll thereof whereby such accione may bee Corrected for the a dvoydinge of evill examples and

many other inconveniences . When any matter is to bee handled at Courts there of Import fol . s8b. a nce that especially such of the Assistants without pa rtia liti e bee then warned as sh a lb e moste di screete and moste apte to handle matters for the Compa nyes good and proﬁ tt And that w hen any ‘ Courts sh a lbe warned for any such or any other matters that all things bee handled with Justi ce a l w a yes h a veinge an especiall regard not ea sylye to Yeild to any matter of Ch a rdge unto the Company to reprehend such as sh a lbe forw ard therein and not to Conclude any thi nge that may bee h urtfull to our Company in any

respecte . That all entries under each mans hand sh a lbe yerely sente unto our T h rea surer here at London for his better know ledge to prevente inconveniences and to yeild each man hi s due the w hich by

the T hrea surers a ccompte fromElbinge Cannot be soe well knowne . ACTS “AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTL AND COMPANY

Tha t w hereas yt is expediente our Secretary have some Conveniente place 1n M aster Deputies house for th e better ex ec ut inge of his ofﬁ ce and sa fetie of our bookes Wee ord eyne that some ﬁ tt place be there appointed himfor that use and that some Cheste be bought with three keyes to be kepte by the D ebuti e ‘ ‘ T hrea surer and S ecretary there viz . each person one In which Cheste is a lw a yes to be put and kepte all bookes and Writings of ymporta nce belongeinge to our Company a ccordinge to an Acte b h a lfe in this e .

uti t f l . That our said Dep e and assistants for the yme be inge shall o 39 a . not geve awaye or S pend in any one Case w hatsoever above the value of 1 00 Polish gilders at one tyme w ith oute Consente firste had from th e Company of Lo ndon And that then with such n h a lbe fi tt Com a n es di screco as s and necessary for the p y good . That if any Ch a rdge of ymporta nce bee required of the Company there That they signifi e they have noe a uth ori tie to yeild to matters of such ex pence without order fi rste from a s here of t t London, And to use such o her Complements to his end as sh a lbe fi tt both to satisfy such parties and for th e good and

reputa con of the Company .

For a smuch as w ee ﬁ nd that by m eanes of unreasonable longe ’ tyme in T h ea stpa rts many greate losses and hindrances have h a ppned a nd doe da ylye happen to our Company for the better ' prev encon a nd remydie whereof It is ordeyned That noe broth er o f our Company shall at any tyme hereafter directly or indirectly m k r .geve any further or longer ty e for any Clothes or e syes to be ’ s old in T h ea stpa rts then as hereafter is sett dow ne and agreed uppon under the payne and penna lti e to pay unto the use of the Company after the rate of XL S for every Cloth for which there sh a lbe noe longer tyme geven then is herein lymitted and for all w om diti es t me sh al b l o e f 3 21 . other ollen C for which such longer y geven o . 9 a fter the rate of Cloth a ccordinge as the rate s are heretofore agreed uppon That is to say for such sortinge Clothes and k ersyes as sh a lbe sold betw ix te the Laste day of M arch and the laste daye of June not to geve any longer tyme then Bartholomew pa ymente ’ then nex te follow einge for th one halfe and M artyn pa ymente ’ ith en nex te follow ein e P g for th other halfe , And for such yne C lothes as sh a lbe sold betw ix th e said Laste day of M arch and the l aste day of June not to geve any longer tyme then Martyn ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTL AND COMPANY

’ pa ymentes then nexte follow einge for th one halfe and Whitsontyd ’ nex te follow ein e payments then g for th other halfe , And for such sortinge Clothes and kersi es as sh a lbe sold betw ixt the Laste day of June and th e Laste day of September not to geve any longer tyme then Martyn payments then nex te follow einge for ' ’ th one halfe and Candlemas payments then nex te follow einge for ' ’ th other halfe And for such fyne Clothes as sh a lbe sold betw ix te the said Laste day of June and laste day of September not to geve any longer tyme then Candlemas payments then h exte follow einge ’ for th one halfe and Bartholomew payments then nexte follow einge ’ for th other halfe And for such sortinge Clothes and kersyes as sha lbe sold betw ixte the said Laste day of September and the Laste daye of December not to geve any longer tyme then Candl emas ’ n nexte followi n e e Whitsont d fol . 400 . payments the g for th on halfe and y ’ nex te follow ein e for payments then g for th other halfe , And such fyne Clothes as sh a lbe sold betw ix te the said laste daye of September and the said laste daye of Decembe r not to geve any longer tyme then Whitsontyd payments then nex te follow inge ’ ” for th one halfe and M artyn payments then nex te follow inge for th

other halfe . And for such sortinge Clothes a nd k ersi es as sh a l be sold betw ix te the laste daye of December and the Laste daye of March not to geve any longer tyme then Whi tsontyd payments ’ then h exte follow einge for th one halfe and Bartholomew payments ’ then nex te follow ei nge for th other halfe And for such fyne Clothes as sh a lbe sold betw i xte the said laste daye of December and the laste daye of March not to geve any longer tyme then Bar ’ tholomew payments then nex te follow einge for th one halfe and ’ Candlemas payments then nex te follow einge for th other halfe n All which dayes are to be rec koned a ccordinge to the ewe kalender . It is a lsoe provided and ordered that noe brother of this our soci eti e shall delyver any Clothe or other Wollen Comoditi es forth of hi s possessyon untill the Certeine tymes of payments be agreed and sett downe betwixte the buyer and seller a ccordinge to th e tenour a nd true mea neinge of this Acte uppon th e payne and

penna ltie herein speciﬁ ed . Provided a l soe and yett neverth eles It is agreed That if any . brother of this our S oci etie 1n the sale of his Cloth or other wollen Comodities shall ﬁ nd yt benifici a ll unto him to sell uppon other a mente mencioned £01. dayes of p y then in this Acte is It shall and may bee la wfull for him to doe soe that he geve not any longer tyma

A CTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTL AND COMPANY

other writings of the Company of any Ymporta nce are to bee put and there to rema yne U nlesse at any Courte there sh a lbe occasion to use them the w hi ch e beinge donne they are to bee put into the a a ine said Cheste g without any further delay . Provided if the said D eputi e T h rea surer or Secretary shall at 1 41 t me or u on u f . b any y be (sicke )absente pp some rgente occasion That then the key of any such absente sh a lbe lefte with some such sh a lbe ﬁ tt other of the Company as by a Courte there adjudged , Uppon payne if any Defa ulte or hindrance sh a lbe in our D eputie that the premysses bee not performed in manner as aforesaid to £ forfeite and pay 100 sterlinge yf in the T h rea surer there the lyke 1; some yf in a ny of the Assistants 50 a peece of each offendour herein if in the Secretary l o0‘g To be levied of their goods fees or us wages to the e of the Company without favour or pardon . E x : M . per me fra osse Secretar . Societatis predicta e n F RA : M oss .

’ After our b artie Commenda cons etc We herewith sende you the Copyes of such orders as w e have established at our Last M eetin es ra ein e th e m ma th e generall g , p y g that sa e y be reade to t Company and af er ingrossed into the booke of Actes with yours ,

T he v ii of F ebr : 1 622

n h a lfein e It is ordered that the Acte made agai st g of Clothe , be henceforth repealed of noe force for that the same is h eelde

to be inconvenient . Shi es truel e That all Masters of pp , that shall not hereafter y Com a n es dut es S ounde paye the p y y in the and other places , both outw a rde Inw a rde t d uel e and , and that hereaf er shall not observe y the Compa nyes orders made and to be m a de in that or any other b eh a lfe ouch ein e M t g the saide asters , shall not be Laden in the E a stpa rts by any of the breth eren of this Company in Six e moneth es a rriva ll a ccordin e after his there , g to a former order ; if his offence be comitted outw ards And if his offence be Committed h omew a rde Com a n es , he shall be dismissed of the p y service here x i m for i oneth es after . That all such of the Company as have not paide theirs

Im osicons Inw rde th e ea re . p a for y past , shall be remitted the same And that such of th e Company as have paide th ei re imposicons ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTL AND COMP ANY

i nw a rde for the yea re past (excepte for Norw a ye Comodities)shall a have the sa me rep ide thema ga ine . For the better expla ymeinge of the Acte against Sonnes Factors

a nd . Apprentices , that shall runne into brokes without Commission It IS ordered that fromhenceforth if any olfence be Committed by rinci a lls of any factor without his p p Commission , against the orders h offendin e l the Company T at then the factors soe g , shall if he be ab e

paye to the Compa nye all such . brokes as sh a lbe D ue to them for th e ff th ei re a r saide o ence by vertue of orders , But if the f cto s soe ’ oflendinge be unable or that the Company have noe meanes to recover the Brokes from him That the goodes whereby the offence was Committed sh a lbe seized a cc ordinge to th e Compa nyes orders for the pa ymente of all such brokes or the propri eta rye thereof sh a lbe Compelled to paye the sa ide brokes by such meanes as the Com a n e thinke fi tte ff p y shall , And if any o ence be Committed by any sonne or Apprentice with or without Commission of the father M r Com a n e r or ster , then the brokes Due to the p y for eve y such ' Ofi ence sh a lbe sa tisfi ed M , paide by the father or aster of such Sonnes or apprentices soe offendinge as if the offence had byne his

owne .

At a genera ll Co urte the of F ebrua ry 1 622

Whereas yt hath pleased his M ajestic by his gracious ‘“ procla ma cion Dated at Theobalds the XXI day of July last ( a moungest other th inges)for the uph oldinge of th e trade and for t ri veled es t Com a n e the maintenance of the liber ies p g of his p y , to prohibite importa cion of Hempe Fla x e potta sh es S opea sh es P olonye w oole Cordage ya rne E a stla nde Lynen Clothe pitch ta rre woode or any other Commodityes whatsoever from any forrein by partes , Where the Company have used to trade , other then the breth eren of this Company The importa con of Corne or graine n w o nely excepted In humble ack o ledgment of which his M aJesties Com a n es gracious favour , and to geve example to other p y to reteyne themselves within th eire ow ne boundes as also to restra yne the breth eren of this Compa nye from infringeinge the pri veledges o f Cor ora cons t other p , This Cour e by generall Consente Doe o Comodit e E rder decree , that from henceforth noe y of the ast l ande Contrey groa th e sh a lbe imported into this kingdome by any breth eren fell osh i e th eire of this pp , other then from the places of ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

ow ne ri veled es En lish e Bottomes a ccordin e p g , And that in g onely , g ’ th intente rocla ma cion u on ena lt e to of the saide p , pp p y of forfeit inge pa yeinge to the use of th e Compa nye for a Broke one sixte parte of all the goodes soe at any tyme imported contrary to the tenor of this Acte Provided neverth eles that it sh a lbe l a w full for any brother of this Company to importe all sortes of vi ctua lls Gunpowder or S a ltepeter for th e service of this kingdome a s M a ests other his j subjects are permitted by Lawe to doe . ea re It is ordered and agreed , that for the y to come the Com pany shall paye E ighteene pence for imposi cons uppon every short ou w rd out e Clothe shipped t a es . And for all other goodes t And to wards af er that Rate , that such of the Company as are paye th eire imposicons outwards at Elbinge shall pay grosh e er e h r for ev y s o te Clothe .

T h e Oa the to be ministreol a ment o im osi cons fol . 43b. p y f p

Y sw ea re h w r ou shall , that t is note , by you no e delivered unde your hande unto me A B of the Cittye of yorke A : deputye of th e righte w orshipfull S oci etye of E a stela nde Marchants residente a t entr e yorke , is a true y of all such Cloth other goodes , by you or to your use shipped into th e E a stla nde in the yea re of our Lord god

S o . nowe last past , helpe you god

3 6 a re a dded th eis tha t ollow s T O the Acte of Appea les fa t. f F br 1 24 e . 6

h a l b And yt is further ordered that every brother w h o is or s e condempned for breach of any Acte either made or hereafter to be ow ne made, shall within three Courte dayes or a moneth at his choice after condempna ci on either sewe for grace or a ppea l e under the pena ltye of the S ea zure of his goodes a ea le t t And if any brother doe pp , y is ordered that ei her by himselfe or by his sufﬁ cient Attorney he doe fully prosecute and ix e ﬁ ni sh e the same before the Company at London within s l moneth es after the sam e was gra unted at Elbinge or els utter ye b roa ue to loose the grace, he might have had and to paye the whole g wherein he w a s condempned without favour or pardon 1 625 Febr .

AC TS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

Denma rke D ee e and bringeth backe , both in the sound of p of uinsboroe D a w C ustome Q , Porte of ansk , and in all other pl ces here D ue returne Da ies ft A ri va ll is , And att his , within three a er his unla deth e his at the Porte , where he all , or the great st parts of

f l 4 . o . 4b goods homewards , Deliver unto the Deputy for this Company , his severa ll 8b sounde passes , to fro , received from the Customers in the e Custome and from each other Port or place wher he hath paid , a lterin e ﬁ ures w blottin e D without g g or ords g , or any other eface : inge , by which the truth of his entries shall or may be obscured And if any brother of this Companie whether absolutely free , or S erva unte free within terme Factor, sonne , or shall Lade any goods in any English shipp whereof the Master bringeth not Certiﬁ ca te D e ut es th e under one of the p y hands and Companies Seale , that

' h e hath entred bond for that present voyage as aforesaid such forfeite 85 a a ff ne Broa ke th e brother shall paye s y , or to the use of everie 8t Companie , for Last of goods soe Laden , three pounds , t ‘ for all other goods not Laden by Lastage af er that rate , And for S erva unts w h o th e be that Factors , or others lade goods , may , and be ound Commonly are , Resident in the parts y the Seas , so that the f nes Broa kes y or can hardly be recovered of them , It is therefore 85 enna cted a uth oriti e ordered by Generall Consente and aforesaid , u that who soever taketh p, or receiveth such goods laden , contrarie ' i 85 to th s Act , all excuses pretences laid aside , shall paye the said E rinci a ll t w ith sta ndin e yne , each p p Master beinge not g lefte free to recover the same from his factor or S erv a unt as he best w th eire may herein upon request , the Company will give best A ssistance .

stren th nin e w a s And for the g g of this Act , It further ordered everi e tra dein e and agreed , that brother of this Companie g into E the ast parts , whether from London , or any of the Coaste townes D e utie shall presently underwrite the same , And if any refuse the p of the place to certifi e th eire names up to this Courte : And for th e better ex ecuci on hereafter : It wa s ordered that a further confi r ma cion h a vei n e be sought , by g the Act underwritten by the Lord T h rea surer tw o Ch eife ustices keeper the Lord , And the Lords J w a s ex l a na cion breth eren It ordered by waye of p , that if the of M D e utie yorke freight a shipp , the aster may give bond to the p of 823 ca rr e Certifi ca te u yorke , y nder his hand and the Companies

seale , though yorke be not the porte , only in such cases , the bonds ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY before the returne of such shipp or shipps is to be sent to the D e uti e w h o com a rei n e p at Hull , is to receive the passes , that p g w ri Custome t them ith the ent es in the house , hee may send up bo h to London if there be cause .

It w a s further ordered that if any forfeiture be h ea rea fter made th e Company uppon the generall charge sue the bonde or bondes

' b eniﬁ tt w sutes and take the hich shall arise by the sute or , only in

' c a beni ﬁ tt wh ol e case of Losse in the S nde , the shall y goe to the loosers but the Charge of the sute to be borne by the Company fol . 45a . And that the Company shall a llow e for ma keinge those bondes and the Masters to be freed of the Charge .

And whereas it w a s conceived that much indirecte 85 cuninge dea l einge will be used by M as ters of shippes and M arriners to continue th ei re Course of ca rrieinge out Clothe and other pro hibited d a mon e r s M t Commo ities , and g other p acti es perhaps as ers of Shippes w ill sende th eire Clothe in other shipps then th eire ow ne and w ill be w illingly ignorant of Cloth broughte into th eire shipps by th eire Company or taken in for other Marriners or w a s 85 ] 85 Interlopers . It ordered enacted by general consente a ucthori t a foresa ide u on roofe be onde y , that pp juste p made y Sea , that any Clothe be carried out of E ngla nde or broughte into the Easte Contrey belongi nge ta M a rri ners or any unfreeman what soever, by any shipp whether Cloth shipp or Ballaster and soulde or vented in the Compa nyes P ri veledges whether the M a ster knew e t 0 1 shi e of y not , yet noe such pp to be laden backe , by any brother of the Company within six e M oneth es after her a ri va ll under the oundes a s w w a s ob ected former penalty of three p a l t , And hereas it J that In Case of Charter parties the Ma ster migh te come backe and recover his Freight ; It w a s answ ered that a Clause in the Charter partie bindeinge the Master to observe the Compa nyes Acte w oulde revente p that Inconvenience .

t o : H e Th mas Hoyle . Dep Thomson James foxcroft Tho : Dawson Isra ell Dodsw orth s William Brea rey Roger Ja ques E dw ard Gillett d L eon“ Scott Edmond Danser Chas mickl eth w a it Samuel Fanson w illm: Danser Thomas Herbert Richard Baine ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTL AND COMPANY

Matthew Topham Phillip herbet te Henrie Penrose Geo : Francke John Tailor Robert Ferner Christo : Barker William Mathew John Thomson m E dmund Cow per W Brea rey Robt Wadsworth Christopher Brea rey P a rciva ll Levett John Geldart Anth o : Wharton Samuell Brea rey H enrye Simpson : Wm Leo Weddell . Ramsden Math : Dawson James hutc hinson Wili Thornton Christo : T Oph a in Wiﬂ mScott Willm: H unkshief Richard Brocken

’

45h . fi fol . The Courte ta keinge the state of th eire a a ires beyond sea into Due 85 seri us considera cion found th ei re trade incompa ssed with soe 85 Diffi culti es w e fi rst many soe greate , the Chancelor of S den by Customes Confi sca tion high , and since under paine of forbidden cloth to be carried to B anske 85 the Danskers by stronge Edi ckts th ei re Elbin e nec essiti e forbidden Burgers to goe to g , that of they must send over a man to trea te for a free tra de otherwise th ei re Could be Little incoura gement to proceed It w a s agreed that his M aj ests effectua ll Lettres should be procured for the better obtain inge of this free Trade and because the sendinge over of any Cloth or Wollen Comodi ties b efore things weere setled would quite overth row e the hope of successe : It was ordered 85 enacted by Auth oritie omodities aforesaid , that no Cloth or wollen C should be

shipped by any brother of the Companie , either from London , or any of the Coaste townes Directly or indirectly into any parte of the Companies P riviledges (Norw a y excepted)till the Companie have both received a nsw ere from the ma n w h ome they shall im lo e busines e p y in this , that things be settled , and that a Court be after called 85 sh ippinge appointed under the penalty that w h oe shi e w a H a mboroe soever shall pp , whether by y of the Sound, ,

Amsterdam , or any other passage , or Devise contrary to the mea nein e h f ne broa ke use g of this Ac t , he shall pay as a y or to the of the Companie three pounds for everie Cloth and after that Rate for Comoditi es t w a s ﬁ tt all other wollen And y thought , that his Majesties Lettres bee procured to the king of Denma rke to stopp

ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

t service is much neglected , And upon Request made by hem for Redresse of theis Disorders : It is Concluded 8b enacted by a uth oritie metein e Aforesaid , that when anye g shall hereafter be warned upon the Compa ines busines many of the Coaste townes by th e De utie Residin e w p for the Company g there , hat brother soever cometh not to the said meeteinge or cometh not att the appointed tyme hee shall be subject to the same penalties that the Assistants d d o XII a t me 85 Vi att L ndon are , namely y for absence, for Late Comeinge the Fynes to be D evided betwixt the under ofﬁ cers of E w h o meetein e tw o ach place , Attend the said g namely third

partes to the Secretary and one third parte to the Beadle , And if meetein e n tra va ile att any such g , any brother be chose to either to Com a ines London or to the porte , or other place about the p a ﬁ a i res : , and upon the accustomed allowance for Charges If he Refuse the Journey he shall pay Fortie shillings a tyme as a fyne b roa ke w h o or , and then another to be chosen for that service , besides the forenamed Charges shall have that Portie shillings a l soe w to ards his paines and hinderance , And if any brother of the Coaste townes h a veinge offended in any of the premisses Refuse to ﬁ ne n Dema unded pay his , bei ge orderly that then his entries both inward 85 outward in Customeh ouse be stopped till he Conforme himselfe Provided that both in th e Case of meeteings 85 tra va ile a e just excuse is to be admitt d .

The Courte w a s informed that some breth eren of the Company for favour gaine or other Respects att severa ll tymes had entered M Shi es 85 goods for asters of pp , marriners other interlopers And it was supposed that the serv a unts of Freemen might also passe u th eire t s ch entries in the name of Masters or some other bro her , to prevent which abuses the Act long since made against Deceitfull colourin e 85 L endin e w a s now o w g , g of names read t gether ith an ex pla na cion made the eighth Da y of Aprill Last at w hich tyme itt w a s D eclared 85 ordered that if any brother hereafter buy any w goods of A Mariner or any other unfreeman , or enter ith him or a n them , or by y other Devise or meanes gett, or pretend a pro perti e in any Eastland goods brought in or upon the Adventure of ow ne any unfree man , and then enter them in his name or the F sha lbe couloured name of any other ree man , he adjudged to have F orra iners e goods , And shall be Liable to the penalty appoint d by fol . 4 8a . ff e n h t th e sea venth the Act for that o enc , A d t e Ac made Day of ACTS AND ORDINANCES or T H E EAS TL AND COMPANY 6 7

February 1622 entitled an A ct against Fa ctors sonnes and w w a s now Apprentices for faults done ithout Commission , Also tw o w ex la na ci on read , which Acts together ith the p were att this meetein e conﬁ rmed d generall g and ordere , to be applied to the severa ll s ca es in question , and that noe man might pretend Ignorance It w a s further ordered that the tw o Acts w ith the expla na cion before menc ioned bee read twice a yea re at a generall Courte or meeteinge att London 85 the Coas te tow nes Respectively u d 85 beyo n Seas when Residence shall be settled . And for that Masters of Shipps may some tymes have a stocke be ound G e y Sea by sale of oales , beere or other things not prohibit d , w w e or by freight of good out ard , part of hich may b longe to e t w Fr emen , part to the Mas ers or others not free , hich formerly i m lo ed entred hath bene p y in Commodities , and perhaps by Free men because of thei re ow ne parts : It is now ordered that either D evi sion o be ound A be made of such st cks y Sea , that the Factors or serva unts of Freemen may imploy th eire parts severally or that the w hole be brought home in money Corne etc a s in the Act concernin e M t g arriners , but if any brother of his Companie in his entri e coulour the Masters or any other unfreemans parte , though he have bought or bartered for the same as before is ex prest Yet such brother to be Liable to the penalty for colouri nge Forra iners

The Deputies for the Coaste tow nes w ere chosen for the yea re ensuein e w M t H oile M g as follo eth as er Thomas for Yorke , aster M w Brow ri w M e athe gg for Ips ich , ast r John Ramsden for Hull , M D w t M t E B rekin aster Alexander avison for Ne cas le , as er dmund u ofﬁ cers w c onﬁ rmed th eire sev era ll for Linne , the nder ere in ea re E w w a s a places as Last y , only d ard Thornton Chosen Secret rie D M at Hull in the roome of his eceased father acabeus Thornton , It was ordered that i mposici ons be collected by the severa ll s w h o Deputies at the Ports as Last year , are entreated to send ea rel a rticuler a c com te t upp y y a p p , wha goods each brother sends , 85 w shi es 85 w w in hat pp , the Like for goods in ard , hether they be brought out of the East Countri e or from Amsterdamor a ny other place . ACTS AND ORDINANCES OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY

fol . 50a . erteu Ac es ments ma de a th T h e Copys of c t ct other a gree t e ne a ll meetin s a t L n br 1 3 ge r g o don in F e . 6 5

It w a s by general] consente ordered 85 agreed for the future e w that if any brother of the Coast to nes , shall have his factor sonne E or servante dye , in the ast partes , or runne into such disordered th rinci a ll inda n er d w e s e e . courses , by hich p p estat may be g In Com a n es de ut e such but noe other cases the p y p y for that Porte ,

may give oath to such sonne or apprentice , as by the acts are capable of admission recea vinge ﬁ rst the Compa nyes duties and ’ presentlye certiﬁ einge to London the case 85 stra ighte by which w rovicion th eire they ere necessitated , to make speedy p for di reccon m wh ereu on security , and could not stay for fro hence , pp the names of such persons soe sw orne 85 sente over sh a lbe emtered Com a n es c into the p y bo kes here , as orderly admitted and noe na lt h a l pe ye s be incurred for the same .

The Acte that none be admitted into the fredome of the Company from the North partes without certiﬁ ca te under the bandes of the deputie for the porte 85 tenne of the breth eren there w a s conﬁ rmed at the leaste nowe , as also the acte for Masters to th eire oein e En la nde for enter bonde , before g g out of g , and that sellinge for g; rea dye money 85 the rest at 6 moneth es in the Easte e part s .

m I porta con The Acte against importa con of Commodi tyes of the East of a st a nde E l Contr rowth e Com a n es ri vel ed es w a s y g , other then for the p g ro h p y g wt e etc . now e conﬁ rmed 85 the Copye of yt ordered to be sente to the breth erne of the North partes 85 the Copy of the 00 : Order of the ' XVIIIth 16 4 ﬁ of March 3 to the same e ecte .

f l A t a Gene a ll ourt held a t F ounde s h a ll on Wednesda o . 52 C a . r r y the F ebrua ry 1 688

Ou ri in occasion of a debate a se g in Court this day , the Act e concerning y admission of Apprentices , was inspected , read , and ﬁ t considered , and it was thought that the same should be altered tw o s in branche thereof. And thereupon it is now resolved , and ordered that the clause of ye said Act requiring that all apprentices

EXTRACTS FROM THE COURT BOOK

OF T H E

Y ORK E AS TL AND C OM P ANY

At a general] Court of the Merchant Adventurers within ye th Cittie of Yorke holden upon Ouse bridge the 26 day of M arch 1 650 tb w a s published a letter of ye 23 [ si c] same moneth from Alderman William Dobson of hull deputye of Eastland merchants there re d e D e uti e 85 e S oc itie siding , irected to y p Fellowship of y said here intyma teing that the surveyor general ] h a d opened divers packs of l t 85 85 sto a e c o h weighed all halfe clothes , made p g of what he found overweight till they had entred bound to stand to such order e h as y parliament should make touching the same , t erefore desired some might be deputed here to goe thither in ye name of ye rest r of ye Interessents to inga ge in like manner M Hugh Welburne “ M oi 85 George Lamplugh Senior were made Chose , the Secretary of ye E astland Compa nye being at the said Court had order given to draw a w riteing for there indemnyti e to be subscribed by all w a s d interessed which accor ingly done . A verbatim Copie is in e E y Copie booke of astland lette rs .

A eue-ra ll met me a ts o en u g eiug of E a stla nd rch n h ld pon Ousebridge the second da y of Apri ll 1 650

This Court w a s to cons ult together what course w a s most ﬁ tt to be taken touching such Cloth as ye Surveyor generall hath RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

w 85 made seizure of for over eight length . A letter from hull of th 30 M arch last signed by Alderman William Dobson deputye of E n w M r J astland Compa y There a s read . ohn Horner reports yt e b d he had order to informe y Company , that they of ull have ma e search in ye Costo me house boc kes there 85 they ﬁ nd yt there hath ti e costome 30 y ea res nott bene any paid for overweight this , which is desired may be inserted in ye petiton And farther yt ye Sur veyor generall hath given order to ye other ofﬁ cers nott to passe any Entres for ye future till ye merchants have paid for over

weight and for default to make seizure . r M Robert Metcalfe a Clothier gave imforma con yt by ye Statute the north ren Clothiers may make any sort of Cloth yt is ti e ﬂ made in this nation and that 30 yea res agoe 84 w a s allow ed for 1T d 85 64 e e 6 a long Cloth for a short , and y Hallinger r cieved for d ye seale of along 85 45 for a short Cloth 85 yt noe forﬁ eture ought t H e to be taken for overweight or length after Clo h is sealed . is e busines desired to acquaint all y Clothiers at Leeds , that this t do h very much concerne them , and therefore to move them to 2 send Clothiers to joyne with such merchants of Yorke , hull and to eticon Leeds , as are chosen to goe to London p the parliament

touching the premisses .

A enera ll meetin o E a stla nd M ercha nts u on Ousebrid e the fol . 1 3a . g g f p g th da M a m 1 l y of a y uo de 1 650

V M deputie declares w hat pro ceddings M " Hew itt 85 the other b usines w t ] solicitors had made in the i h the Surveyor general , and Alderman Leonard Thomson gives imforma con that he had bene at hull 85 that he 85 Alderman Dobson of hull had compared ye sume d yt ye imposition of ii per Cloth will Amount unto according to r M S ummerﬁ elds w t 85 notes , i h that which was is likely to be E e busines th e xpended in managing y against surveyor generall , 85 E x th e m e 85 they found y latter will much ceed for er, it was thought very necessary by them of hull yt the said i mposi con should be augmented but because it was ﬁ rst settled here they desired ye second might be likewise 85 what w a s done they would t ft w a s consent un o . A er serious debate thereof, it put to the a u menta con 85 question what g should be made , it was by a generall

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

A enera ll Assembli e o E a stl d M fol 14b. an ercha nts o Yorke ew ca st e . g f f N l ct H ull h eld a t thi s Oitti e th e M a rch 1 650

A letter from the Company at Newcastle of ye ﬁ rst Instant read and upon debate of the contents thereof this ensuing Comittee w a s chosen viz . Alderman Horner Deputy Alderman Thomson Senior Alderman Geldert Al derman Thomson Junior Alderman Topham M r Robert Scott M r Bryan Dawson M r Richard Hewitt " M Hugh Welburne

or any 5 or more of them to joyne with ye gentlemen of Newcastle c oncieve and Hull , to consult and conclude of such things as they e o north ren may any way conduce to y g od of this trade , for eo 85 perfecting wher f, they are to mete this night to morrow r M Ni sbitt morning . is to have notice given him , to come to the m Co ittee 85 bring the instructions he had to London with him . The Artickles which M r Nisbett had order to propound to ye Company at London before he j oyned with them in renueing the Charter w a s read and after some debate thereof M r M a n of New 85 e castle , Alderman Dobson of Hull moved that y Secretary might have order to lett them have copies of ye said Articles whi ch w a s

granted .

fol 15a . . A meeting of E a stla nd mercha nts upon Ousebridge d the 3 ma y in ye yere 1 651

Al D de utie E t A letter from derman William obson , p of the as w land Companie at Hull , of the last of Aprill last , read herein they desire a copie of the petition the Company here sent to

L ondon to be presented to ye Comittee for regulating of Trade . after some debate thereof 85 of the Articles agreed upon at the th th e 5 generall Assembly held here of March last, which was that RECORDS OF THE EASTL AND C OMPANY OF YORK

u be 3 ] eticons moi or there sho ld several p , it was by the part ﬁ tt 85 out thought , soe ordered , that nott any copie should be given , and a letter to that purport to be forthwith written to them 85 M r De signed by puti e .

A Court o E a stla nd mercha nts held u n ouzebrid e f 1 . f po g ol . 5a th the 28 da y of July i n the yere 1 651

th A letter from the Comittee resideing at D a nzigh of the 23 810 une 3 J last (new stile)was read , wherein they represent the sad ffe e s i c e cts , which y Con titution that the K ng of S otlands Ambas sa dour obta ned r if y at the last polish pa liament may produce, nott prevented and therefore desires the consent of this Court to the act made at the last general] meeting at London for the cutting of the ivein creditt E f g g of any in the astland , which a ter some debate and considera con thereof it w a s unanimously agreed that we will till ye next generall meeting observe the said act and that each ff brother will write to his respectieve facto r or agent to the same e ect .

A C urt E a stla nd m rcha nts held a t Y ke u on ousebrid e l 15b. o of e or p g fo . ye da y of August in ye yeore 1 651

e t e l s It was agre d , y y Merchants sha l pay to the Ma ters of the Shipps as followeth : (to witt)

d ever e of ﬂa x l 8 388 s For y last , upon gla ts d for ever e 10 240 s y last of hemp , upon la ts 1 d for ever e 100 18 2700 y ends of iron , upon ends a for everye centur of steele f upon 251 centurs l d for every fa tt of potashes 1 8 . upon 8 fats

M rSDe ut u e Im osi cons p y made a motion , to ching y p , Alderman o u e D bson should collect at H ll , for y Generall Company , upon d d 1 2 ﬂa x — a o 6 goodes inwards (to witt) a last of tun of ir n , d l d 6 e 8 85 r u potashes y fat, a last of hempe, for eve y cent r of steele . t t e The Cour considering, y it may be ther will nott be any

S ee Glossa ry. RECORDS OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

e ] occasion , to send any to y general meeting at London in Feb rua r it deﬁi cult e ffi y next, and that then may be , how to gitt y o cers sa lla r es e De utie t y paid , in regard y p at Hull , wen nott up last ea re a s a ll u y to accompt , former dep ties there usually did , it was upon 85 roundes c t deta ine these , some other g Concluded , that ea h bro her Im osicons J t e his p till anuary next , and then to pay hem to y r w h o wilbe e Cou t here , responsible to y Court at London for the

same .

th A Court o E a s tla nd M erch a nts h eld 9 F ebruar 1 1 l 1 8b. e 65 fo . f y y A letter of 3 instant from Company at London wherein they intimate that they are resolved to P eticon the parliament for ye preservation of the Act intitled an Act for the increa se of Naviga t 85 P i n ion desires this Court to second them with another et co .

A C urt o E a stla m a ts h eld u on ousebrid e . nd erch n fol . 23a o f p g th th e 3 0 October 1 654

th 2 si c M r A letter of 3 [ ] instant from . John Walker of Leeds — e e ur orte to Alderman Henry Thomson read . After debat of y p p thereof by generall consent it w a s refered to Alderman Henry r e ff e Thomson to returne a modest a nswe e to this ect . That if y merchants of Leeds and others yt live in Clothing Townes will come 85 inh a bitt in port Townes w e w ill joyne with them in w a s anything yt may conduce to ye good of this country . It likewise ordred that a letter be w ritt to the Eastland Company at a London , that there wilb somethings moved to the parliament 85 Na v a ti on ( that by noe meane ones)against the Act for yg , And that therefore w e w ill joyne with them for the contenua né e h inke n n nt t co ve e . thereof, if they it y

E a l rch n s h eld u on usbr d e 23 . A ourt o st a nd me a t O i fol . b C f p g th 1 3 J uly 1 655

Henry Topham 85 John Harrington 85 William Freer appeared and paid M r Deputie ye accustomed dutyes and tooke the usua ll J B h l e J oath . ohn ot om y and ohn Peckett appeared likewise but

RECORDS OF THE EAS TLAND C OMPANY OF Y ORK

A true 56 perfect li st of such a s a re F ree M ercha nts of E a stla nd a nd now Reside in the Citti e of Yorke a nd of such a s a re likew ise free but not Resident a s a lsoe of others tha t a pper teiue to the sa me Residence a nd ha ve not a s yet ta ken their freedomes some of them being T ra ders eh some supposed to be see

Alderman Robert Homer Deputy M r Ralph Bell “ Alderman Henry Thomson M Christopher Cooke Alderman Leonard Thomson M r William Ramsden Alderman William Taylor M r Francis Field Alderman Christopher Topham M r Rowland Watson “ Alderman Bryan Dawson M Joseph Scott Alderman George Lamplugh M r James Hutchinson r Alderman Richard H ew it M John Constable r r hi Robert Scott M John Both omley M r George Scott M ” Richard Metcalfe r M r Yorke Horner M John P eckitt r ” M William Ba rwi cke M Thomas T h ornedike M r Adam Pickard M “ Samuel] Daw son M r Henry Thomson M r Thomas Herbert ” ” M George Franke M William Ra per M r John Taylor M r William Freer Henry Penrose M r William Appleton ” r M Samuell Sa ire M Thomas Ga rfourth ' r ’ M Hugh Welburne M Thomas Waind M r Thomas Williamson M r Henry Dickenson r M r Thomas Nish et M Francis A rmestea d M r Henry Ai ckroyd M " Gavin Hodgson 1M r Phillip Herbert

M r Charles Hall M r Richard Franke M ” Gabriell Bell M r M athew Kay M r Samuell Hardwicke M r Timothy Nesﬁ eld ” M r George K igh ley M John Harrington M ” Christopher Dobson M r John Place RECORDS OF THE “EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

T hese free but not Resident M r George Peacock M r William Carleton r M " E dw ard Daniell M Ralph Billton ” r M Phillip Ford M Thomas Wy vill ” r M John Cotton M M athias Etw a ls r M r Abraham Askw ith M Timothy Wrygh t M r William Hart M r William Fairweather M “ George Lamplugh M r John Hewitt

T hese a pperteiue to the sa me Residence a nd ha ve not a s yet ta ken their freedomes some of them bei ng tra ders ct some supposed to be soe M “ Andrew Taylor M " George Shuttleworth r M r Thomas Benson M Joseph Smith M r Thomas Taylor M Ir Richard Reynold M r Thomas Bawtry M lr Andrew Perrott

T he F reedome o these dubi us f . M r William Lockwood M Ir Jona th a n West M r Paul Barcroft

A ene a ll Cou t me cha nts E a stla nd g r r f r f fol , 285, " o o holden the 2 da y of D ecember 1 661 a t Yorke upon Ousbridge

th t 22 si c A let er from the brethren at Newcastle , of the [ ] No vem er f th a nkes rendred kindnesse 85 b last read , wherein a ter for our lr r to M J 85 M e e civility their brethren ames Briggs Rob rt Rutt r , w h ome they sent to advise with us about such concernes as were then for the present advantage of ye Company 85 trade in these ’ northren 85 a fi a i re parts , for our care in that , that they have long waited for an a nsw ere of yt letter which was then signed by us a nsw ere and our brethren of hull , but have not heard any , espe c ia lly of that part which soe much concernes ye north ren trade vi zt that the brethren of London w ould nott a dmitt any to their freedomes w h o us w certifi have their residence nere , ithout ca te from yt Company nearest to yt place where such persons doth e e e doe fi n for y moste part reside . But on y contrary they de that the Company of London upon ye application of severa ll masters RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

of ships have ( w ithout any certiﬁ ca te from them)accepted of their money and ordred their freedome unles they know some thing w against them , hich practice if continued would soone turne E M astland trade into aster of shipps hands . After debate 85 serious considera con taken of the contents e w a s ordred t M r D d n of y said letter , it hat eputy Al erma r r r M w M Welburne 85 M Dawson , Andre Taylor Henry Thomas Nesbett 85 ye Secreta ry or any 4 or more of them shall pen a letter a nsw ere 85 w w e in of this , let them kno that are very sensible that ye company at London their admittance of M asters into the Fellow sh ip is contrary to ye articles in and though as yett w e know not of any M asters of our port yt have sough t to be w e how t w free , cannot tell soone hey may hen they heare theirs reva ile w e l p , that have very late y had an action of like nature put us ordrin us e e by their g to administer y oath to a person of Le ds , that w e sh a lbe reddy 85 w illing to joyne in anything yt may be a dva nta i ous to north ren w e 85 g our trade , that they may from tyme to tyme by letters press the observance of the articles and obta i ne th ei efore l small redress , and till the genera l meeting at e w ilbe ff w ee ful Candl mass little e ected , and that may be fully nish ed against that meet1ng both for a v oyding 1nconvenienci es and obta nein l w e n l y g prive eges , apprehend that a ge era l meeting here 85 w e would very much conduce thereto , because may chance to de ut es ca nnott w pitch upon a day that they or their p y ell observe , w e shall lea ve ye same to their appointment soe w e have 10 dayes th notice to signi ﬁ e the same to hull 85 that it be nott uppon the 15 f a nu r day o J a y .

£01. 300 A ra ll ourt o mercha nts o E a stla nd holden a t Yorke u on . gene C f f p " L Ousebridge th ere the 20 da y of M a y Auo Dom1 662 Another letter from the said Company (a t L ondon)bearing th th e 13 85 1 6 date y of Aprill , nott recieved till the of this instant w was like ise now read wherein they intimate , that observing by t r a nd the increase of In e lopers , by meanes of false brethren , Da nske t 85 and Combination with the Burghers at , much Clo h revil ed es other goods are carried into our p g , which they are the w e w orse able to prevent , in regard of y ant of an orderly govern m 85 comitti e constitutin e ent there , of a (for g whereof there is not at present a Compete nt number of persons qua liﬁ ed) By

S ee Glossa ry .

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

There 1s also due to this fellowship which 1 was lent to M Richard Jenkes upon ye Company at London their pro mis to have it repaid out of Imposicons when ye Company should be settled in its privilidges The total sum

fol . 36b . A genera ll A ssembly of merch a nts of E a stla nd holden a t yorlre ' u n u m e t e a F ebrua r 1 po O sb dg h d y of y 663 A letter from the Company at London hearing date the 15th da y of this instant February read , th 23 sic J Wherein they intimate , that our letter of [ ] anuary “ " hath bin delyvered them by M B oth oml ey whom with M Thomas Taylor w e appointed to consult with th em at their generall meetings They have continued Bryan Dawson E sq in the place D e uti e a lsoe 85 H ow ill of p , as Henry Penrose Clerke Thomas g : us ra tifi e Beadle Having referred it unto , to g the Clerke with l i 3 n eare the sume of for his pai es extraordinary as the last y . It having bin there alledged to them That 12 Assistants have bin n e D e utie : formerly appointed at our Reside ce , with y p which new being a thing altogether to them , they have ordered their bookes to be strictly per used and searched against the next m n intima con generall eetings . Upo of our desire therein , they h us liberti e e ave left at , as in y matter of shipping so in point t me 85 of sayles of our northern manufactures , at what y in What ri vil d es w e 3 place of our p e g please . But have appointed limitted th ’ dayes for London 85 Ipswich vi zt ye 1 5 of M arch for S tufi es and th th for Spanish 85 white Cloth onely : a nd ye 15 of M a y 85 20 of August for Cloth which are to be ye last dayes of water bearing ’ 85 stufles e E noe Cloth or are to be laden from thence for y ast, but in ye said appointed ships 85 within the limitted times ; on penalty ' 40 l tufl Im of shil ings a Cloth 83 ten/ a pece of s e . Touching osicons ea res p , although they have by this y receipt cleared sa tisfi ed part of Debts , yett having still a remainder to be , and

in respect of further incident charges which may be expected , they have for this yea re contemned them at the fo1 mer rate ; not n n unles n few intendi g any alteratio , it be in reduci g some RECORDS OF THE E AST LAND COMPANY OF YORK forra ign comoditi es nearer in proportion to ye rates of ye C ustomes or ye reall value of ye goods : In ye meantime they have not bin unmindfull of our Concernment touching ye debt ow ing us upon ” M Jenkes w ordred account , hich they have to be paid and is already recieved by our Commissioners For bette r discovery of Entrin ordred indirect practices in g goods , they have that accord e e e ing to y practice of those of y Company there , those in y Coast l a ffi rma cion e f l 3 a . Townes shal also subscribe to each entry , an by y o . 7 e t e entred oath taken to y Company) y y goods are for account of : t sus icon e D e utie freemen Att leas , That in case of p y p require a fli rma con t e such And y noe freeman of y Company , either here o or beyond seas , shall consigne go ds to an unfreeman on penalty 8 d of 3 / 4 sterling upon every pound sterling of goods ; And each Deputie is w ith the advice of as many of ye brethren of ye place e as he shall call together , to put in ex cution such orders as have h lbe t me t m s a e . bin made , or from y to y made by the Company e fla x e To prevent y unseasonable shiping of in y winter, they e ea re t e have renewed y order made the last y , prohibi ing y shiping ‘ ‘“ fl a x e E e o e M of for ngland after y T T Oct ber untill y Tfi arch , on 11 penalty of 15 e last ; Provided that it skalbo l a w full to import y m fl a z from Rye or Revell w hich sh a lbe laden before ye 10 of October (English Stile) They have for ye present respited ye comittee B settlement of a at anske , where there being diverse w h o t e persons resident as Factors , have not taken any oa h to y 85 E Company , having bin already twice summoned into ngland , doe notwithstanding neglect to make their appearance . They have now ordered that they repaire hither before ye next yea res generall meetings on paine of being held Interlopers 85 Seizure i n t t t t me made of any goods they shall deale , and y af er y y noe M ember of ye Company shall employ such Factor on ye pena ltie provided by ye Companies Act against employment of strangers . Viz t rema ine three shillings fower pence per pound . And soe they After publication of ye before recited letter 85 ye Assemblys i nvita con 85 seconding the election by their encouragement, Bryan E s 85 usua ll Dawson q accepted of his place , in order thereto the t t oath , then Henry Penrose tha apper aining to the Secretary , And H ow ill sw rn e Thomas g w a s o e as Beadle . Then y Assembly pro ” ceeded and heard the letter from our Commissioners M Thomas " th 85 M Both omle e 1 2 Taylor John y dated y present read , whereby 85 they declare , That they have observed our instructions have G 2 84 RECORDS OF T H E E AST LAND COMPANY or YORK

ff endeavoured accordingly to e ect there what they could doe , We have a letter 85 a c0pi e ( or wil by next post)what past at their th now us e 5 Court out of their booke , which is sent , As to y Im osicons e instruction , about p , they moved to have abated , y w e w a s w e reason sett in our instructions , that apprehended to fi rst the Company debts to be most cleared , but according our instruction they viewed their accompts and doe fi nd yt ye Com 1i 8 d pany w a s indebted ye fi rst february 1663 1 590 8 9 and they have in Cash 4 1 5" 19 8 35d besides 300l i and odd money they M " Im osicons recieved of Ramsden for p , soe as they are still indeb ted 800Ii Besides according to our 8th instruction they t e moved y a place of Residence might be settled beyond y Seas , w vi zt hich they ( of London)doe promiss to endeavour , That c 33“ 8” 0d a cording to our sixth Instruction , they demanded the r paid M Jeuks w hich was rea dly paid them (with this answer) That it is but reasonably expected if w e desire a settlement t w e w m 85 beyond Seas , y ill comply with the in such things m a t a dva nta ious ff e e nes y may be g to e ect y same , and if we have o ur us s w w e e money paid again hich had laid out for y Company , but ‘ rea sona ble t It is that they should be paid , and y they gitt forestock 85 o store of m ney aforehand , it cannot be expected they w ill l ooke after any settlement beyond ye Seas (Without which better noe Company) Therefore ye Co urt of Assistants voted impo th sic ons to s ea re e 7 remain as last y . As to y instruction , about those yt neglect or refuse to take their freedomes after they have had Certifi ca tes for their admission : the Answer was they cannot rem di it force any they cannot y e . As to the instruction for e D e utie establishing our Residence with Assistants to y p , they cannot fi nde their bookes from 1579 but must have time to looke t 85 fi nde resedent it w ilbe hem up if they a p for , they as willing to grant as w e to aske anything yt may be for ye good of ye Com

85 i t e ea re . pany , soe have referred to y next y as its entered in their th th r e 9 85 10 t t M booke . As to y ins ruc ion Collins money was e ea res m brought to y last y acco pt, but he is to pay them back 5 of it 85 t e 2970 , y is all they will answer as to that , And as for y R M r t e ouncell . Cooke troubled hem at y C board soe they thought it “ best to referr the matter to M " Governour 85 he allow ed them 150 for 9 70 R was abated for quietness sake As to ye 14 instr uction against those yt leave ye port Townes they say They cannot us nor m t relieve the selves in y case .

RECORDS OF THE EAST L AND COMPANY OF Y ORK

sic 85 my Lord Treasurer, etc soe that they there [ ] very scrupulous , new t timorous and tedious , for ordering any hing as they accompt

b e a s . w e s this to , the ordering assistants If think it to be a us w ilbe e matter of Concernment to , It b st we now order to

make further search whilst it is fresh in minde . If we order him sta es h e it soe long as he y there will doe , and so takes leave [A committee of nine appointed to make further search into th e same]

fol . 38a . A genera ll Court of ma rch a nts of E a stla nd holden a t yorhe upon ' ousbmdge the da y of ma rch Ano Dom1 663 A letter from Kingston super Hull bearing date the 29 th day D e uti e of February last (and signed by p Ramsden onely)read . Wherein it is intimated that at a generall Court holden there that e day was published y following order agreed upon , by the generall ‘ ’ 1 66 Ordred t Court at London this Candlemas 3 . viz . y every marchant upon entring goods in or out shall with his ow ne hand subscribe under one of ye hills (w hich 18 to be left with ye Compa nyes Treasurer)declaring unto whom s ye goods belong in this manner ‘ a ﬂi rme e E t I by the oath taken to y astland Company , y the goods above menconed are for ye accompt of myselfs or others fra of the

said Company . noe Whereunto he is to subscribe his name , and entry to pass conformiti e without such subscription . In whereunto and to ye sic ff hindrin e end the said order may [ ] its desired e ect, in g y fraudulent entryes of Interlopers 85 brethren coullering strangers t sh a lbe goods . They desire y as they observant thereof in that w e e R place , for will please to acquaint y brethren in our esidence w e therewith , that the master or o ner of y goods may soe subscribe

one entry of every sort Which he shall send thither , by his servant

factor or others to be passed , that soe they may (without scrupling ye want thereof)recieve their Deputies forme and soe w ith their m in e re a e . best wishes tendered , they take leav and e 85 After a long and serious debate of y contents of this letter , reading of ye Clause (from which they take occasion to make the abovesaid recited order)in the letter from the Compa nie at London w a s th e w a s to it put to question , whether it necessary comply with ye order as is expressed in ye said letter from London 85 deeming it good for th e Fellow shipp (yea or noe)a nd by erection RECORDS OF THE E AST LAND COMPANY OF YORK of hands it was carried in the a ffi rma tive whereupon Robert Homer E sq Leonard Thomson E sq Richard Hewitt Alderman Thomas Bow ker Alderman M r Thomas Williamson M r Hugh r r r Welburne M Andrew Taylor M Thomas Nisbett M William r r Ramsden M John Both omley M Richard Metcalfe appointed a Comittie to penn a letter to ye Company at London in a nsw ere th to theres of 15 F ebrua ry 85 therein to urge that Imposicons may owne de utie 85 w e a be paid here to our p , that may have assist nts ' t me th efi ectin w 6 as in ancient y , for g hereof they or any or more of them are to meet in the Checker Court upon Ouseb ridge on th 11 4 a fternoone Fryday the of this instant march at oclock in the , and to a dj ourne from time to time as they see cause till they have a bookes 85 perfected the same , and se rched such letters as they thinke fi tt likw i se o e M " , and t writ to Thomas Taylor our him con i v Comissioner and send such writings as they c e e necessary . In the last place it w a s put to the question whether an a nsw ere w ritt recie t r or should be to hull of the p of tho s nott, and w a s una nimusl it y agreed in the negative .

A ene a ll Court o me cha nts o E a stla n dh olden a t orhe f l 38b. g r f r f y o . “ upon Ousbridge the 26 da y of M a y 1 664 . th A letter from ye Company at London dated 17 of Aprill (but th should be 1 7 of may)wherein they signifi e ye reciept of ours of th th 6 a prill (which w a s w ritt the 6 of may)whereby w e recomend William H a rdi sti e of Leeds to his fre edome of our Company by Redemption but w e declared nott whether he be free of any other e f Company of merchants , whereby y ine might be ascertained , ra es us However they have ordered his admission , and p y to give e recievin fi ne e him y oath , g of him what is due by y Charter , which “ x x r 85 40 is if he be f ee of noe other Company , marks , if he be a a merchant adventurer or Spanish merchant or c pable thereof, whereof they pray us by our next to give them imforma con They have found it expedient to settle some persons at Dansk to hold correspondence with , to which end they have appointed P r Comittee vizt M M these for a Francis Sanderson , Thomas r " " M T rova ll M E M Barker , Samuell , dward Harwell , Thomas 85 M r J M fi tt Warren , ohn athewes . And if we thinko to name one tw o our sh a lb or of place to be added to themit e done . And soe h rema ine t ey . RECORDS OF‘ T H E E ASTL AND COM PANY OF YORK

IOI. m a Ea s la nd h e a t or A genera ll Court of erch nts of t old n y he upon Ousbridge ye da y of Ja nua ry Ano Dom1 664

w a s It moved at this Court, that it was necessary some track 1 terement or gra tiﬁ con sh old be made to the north ren Members of to parliament , that had bene very active hinder an Act of parlia n i m osicon n ment that was e deavoured to be passed , to lay an p upo forra i ne l ea r e 85 all g Iron Imported . After a g serious debate thereof, w a s s e it was agreed , that in regard it generally known that y u ra tiﬁ ed Residence at H ll , had already g some particular members " for their service in this busines that M Deputie should charge ° 538 i n i the sume of for this purpose his accompt , but to keep it n ’ ow ne of his hands till his accompt was passed and allowed .

A enera ll Cou t mercha nts o E a stla nd h olden a t York l 41b. e fo . g r of f “ upon Ousbridge th e 24 of Apri ll 1 666

A La tter fromye Compa ny a t L ondon bea ring da te ye of thi s insta nt Apri ll Worsh ipfull By late letters from Newcastle w e are informed of some l e m scrup e , which some of them make , at payment of y Co panies im osicons p , giving for reason thereof, some advice they had e 85 l w a s recieved , that y brethren at Yorke Hul paid none , nor us hi u a any paid with at London , of w ch mistake we nderst nd nott e w e y ground , and therefore would hereby cleare it to you , That as Im osicons e have , at a Court of our Company , settled p at y same rates as were paid ye yea re past ; soe w e contenue duelye to pay ye w e same , our omission whereof, are assured would not be well M a estie w h o ca nnott resented by his j , but expect , that we as well e as other Societies , should , in this juncture relaxe y power he hath n us a condicon necessiti e e give , and submit to such as the of y 85 w e sufﬁ cientl times warr require , whereof are y sensible with O rest t 85 A nd you , being p in our trade by S rangers otherwise ; Therefore w e hope w e shall not need to urge your complya nce and Conformitie Im osicons submitt w e to pay p , and to such rules as and our Predecessors have bin guided by ; and we have answered

See Glossary.

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

elected Sir Henry Thomson K ut to ofﬁ ce of Deputie at that pla ce m , 85 85 Will we have chosen Henry Penrose for Clerke Hart Beadle . We have admitted into the F redome of our F ellow shipp George F a w citt by service to Alderman Bryan Dawson as a lsoe Richard r ‘ s e M Rich a rd Wa nd w e Reynold by servic to y , unto whom pray e receivein you to administer y oath g of them the Companies Duties . Your Comi ssioners have here moved for the Resta uration of certain ri vilid es ancient p g , which they alledge you have formerly had , Namely a c erta ne number of Assistants at that place and for ns De uti e collection of your Impositions by your ow p , To both w e w e ﬁ nd conven ent which should willingly agree , if could it y

fol . 45a . 85 F ea zible e w e ﬁ nde or . But for y former of these , noe hint power in our Charter (which is to be ye foundation of our proceedings) to constitute Assista nts in any other place then London ; and at e w e our Residence beyond the Seas ; and as for y latter, doubt whither Impositions could be with ease and certa inti e collected w Entr es a e w a s elsewhere , then here the y r made , which (doubtless) the reason w hy that w a s by our ancestors put into ye posture it Comittee M “ now stands . For a at Dansk we have appointed , ” ' M r M W niﬁ e Francis Sanderson , Thomas Barker , Thomas y , r r M J w 1 D M ] ohn Mathe , anyell Broadhead , Samuell Travel , ” r M Bea uch a m e M “ E M Richard p , dward Bilton , Christopher

Kerby . 1 im osicons 9 w a s Our p outwards are reduced from , as paid the d ea re 6 last y , to upon a Cloth , and proportionably on other goods u m e exported , and those pon goods Inwards are conte ned at y w ea re w same rates as ere the last y , being upon the hole one

' halfe of our List of Imposicons formerly settled . And upon Imforma tion a nd a rticul er w e of your inclinations desires in that p , have left every man at L ea rge and Free in point of Shipping as did r r ma in we last yea e ; And soe we e e.

A Court mercha nts o E a stla nd h olden a t orke fol . 46 a . of f y th the 1 6 da y of June Ano Dom1 6 70

A letter fromthe Compa ny at L ondon bea ringe da te the 1 6 of Aprill

Worshipfull We have recieved 85 taken verie solemn considera con of th 26 touchin e E m your last letter, of the march g ntries ade at Hull e om f u e not n e in the nam of s e o yo rselves? Who wer at all co c rned RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

n e o to n to e therei , which you th refore c nclude belo ge Int rlopers , w e e n e confess y complai t is considerable , but yett y meanes you propose for a remedy may a dmitt of some debate ; and since it hath not bin usua ll to make such alte rations but onely at the yearly e i generall Meetings , where the D put es of the respective Coast Townes are present ; w ee ha ve thought best to desire you to con tinue i i y im osicons ul the ancient pract se of pay ng our p at H l , untill ye next general] meetings ; w here ye matte r may recieve a u considera con e mea netime t e f rther . And in y for preven ing y trade of Inte rlopers 85 other irregular proceedings whereof you com la ine w e now e De uti e ll p , do order y p at Hu , not to pass any of E unles e i e n your ntries , y same come th ther under y ha d of your D e uti e e a a ﬂi x e to a p , or y Companies Se le , which you are to e ch : c w e concieve e entry And this is a ourse hath bin formerly , pra w l : w e a ticed there , and is ho ever noe less than needful and c nnot a t present apprehend a more suita ble 85 proper meanes to uphold e sa ti sﬁ e our r t y publique Interest, and to breth en of bo h places , o i s ff w w e r and rec ncile a grow ng di erence , hich are veric desi ous to e In re w e rema ine h ereby compos hopes whe of .

“ A L etter fromye brethren a t H ull da ted 6 June

Right Worshipfull We recieved a letter from ye Company at London th e e l 6 A rill w h erein si ni ﬁ e t A dat d y p , they g hey have had complaint to d r c e entri n e e of yours , relating some in i ect pra tic s of g oft n con sidera ble l parcells of Cloth for the ba tique Seas , in some of your w n e e w a names , herei y p rsons named have bene noe y concerned ; ou l ea rne w ho w r a e w e nor Could y they e e th t pass d them . though a i i e e c nnot but wonder at th s sugg est on to London , b fore y least appli ca tion ma de either w here our Deputie mi ght have inspected e entr es c t w a y y , the truth dis overed and remedy provided , his y bei ngs very equa ll 85 never denyed to any free brother yett w e t ourowne i nocencie s e shall not fur her urge , but return to y result e e w of y Company at London upon debate thereof, in y ords of e iz t ordred y forementioned letter ; v . We have our brethren at n Custo me a in e t Yorke , to continue their a cient of p y g imposi ions a t l e meeti n e e Hu l , untill y next generall g , where y matter may a dmitt 85 e intri m w s of further debate , in y to obviate and ans er e a o use y compl int they make f Interlopers , making of their RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COM PANY OF YORK

De utie a t Y n names , we have ordered the p orke , to sig e by a fﬁ x m his hand , or his seale of the Co pany to each entry , and that you a dmitt none of their E ntryes to be passed at Hull unles w a rr n d the same doe come to you soe e te . This is a duplicate of theirs whereof w e doubt not but you have a ccpie from ye said w e ﬁ tt it t e Company, onely thought to minde you of , y y brethren w h o e come hither to enter may observe y Companies appointments, w e e e e t e e wherewith tak l av and main .

A ene a ll Court mercha nts o E a stla nd h olden a t k l 48a . or e fo . g r f y ' th upon Ousbm e the 28 da y of F ebrua ry 1 6 70

J’ A letter fro mthe ( ompa ni e a t L ondon hea ring da te ’n the l 5 of this insta nt F ebrua ry

Worshipfull We are very sorye for the continuing difference w ith Hull about your payment of Impositions w hich w e w ell hoped had bin settled by ye method w e prescribed therein wherew ith you h w u m mig t certainly comply itho t any dishonor to you , and with ost a e w u e advant ge to y Fellowship , here the C rrent of y Impositions n w e 85 runs i one Channell , and therefore heartily wish desire a complya nce and amicable agreement may be made amongst S oci etie wh o yourselves , as between brethren of the same ought to a voyde occasions of Anymositie especially upon so slight aground w e be w e e as apprehend this to ; have settled impositions , at y same rate as they were ye last yea re past For ye better collection w 85 w e hereof prevention of Interlopers , have ordered , that a Custome w e ea res have here practised for many y past, for every Member to subscribe an a ffi rma tion to each entry he passeth be e w used in y respective Coast To nes , according to a forme thereof in print h erew eth sent you ; which w e desire you to observe And w e are endeavouring to procure some further A uth oritie from his M a j estie for your offi cers a ssistants in suppressing of Interlopers And because we cannot expect they should be totally excluded ye sudda ine trade on a , and know they have not bin very sensible of ye ea sye fi ne paid by them ye last yea re We have ordred that any unfree men tra deing shall pay a fi ne to ye value of treble what

‘ a fﬁ rms b th e o th ta ken to e E a st a nd Com a n t th e oods a bo e I y a y l p y, y g v m i n ’ l f . 38a . ent o ed a re for ye accompt of myselfe or oth ers free of th e said Compa ny. o

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

e 1678 At in y year of our Lord , all times to have free liberty to S w edla nd D enma rke a nd Norw a n trade into and from , , y, anythi g in the Charter of ye Governour Assistants 85 Fellowship of the a E merch nts of astland or any other Charter, Grant , Act or any th e thing else heretofore made or done , or hereafter to be done to w contrary in anywise not ithstanding . i t And is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid , h Rea lme That whatsoever Person or Persons , Subjects of t is shall desire to be admitted unto ye said fellowship of merchants of Eastland ; That every such person shall be admitted into the said Fellowship paying for his admission ye sume of 40 shillings and noe more .

fol . 51a . A enera ll C urt o mercha nts o E a stla nd h olden a t oﬂ f e u on g o f f , y p “ s m Ou bridge the 1 2 of June Ano Do 1 6 74 ”l A L etter of 1 0 Ja nua ry 1 6 73 to H enry P enrose S ecreta ry V mM Robe t M a on H ull fro r s of Your letter I recieved and in complya nce with ye companies d si niﬁ ed dra w ne u 85 esire , g by you therein to me , I have p, inclosed h s t Entr es ave en you an account of what y have been past , the last ea re Custome E a sterne y , by your merchants , in the house , for parts in w hich have inserted all E ntries past for 85 from denma ke 85 ' sweden although by an act of Parliament that tra de w a s made free M a n for any from y day last, And the merchants here , have either

for such entries , gott the Deputys hand here , or paid Impositions , 85 t since may day , Soe the Deputy the Companie may doe in y as they see cause ; what usua ll allow ance ye Company are pleased to give me for this service pray let it be paid for me to my Cozen M r Andrew Perrott which w ilbe an obliga con to your Friend

fol . 51b . A genera ll Court of E a stla nd M ercha nts holden a t York upon Ousb'ridqe ye da y of October Anne Dom1 6 74

A L etterfromye Compa ny a t L ondon hea ring da te the 1 October insta nt

Right Worshipfull The foregoing is copie of our Last whereto we a ns ere a t have not yet had w which we much wonder , And RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK therefore conceive ye same may have mi sca rryed w e now a ga ine earnestly presse your accounts may be forthwith fi ni sh ed as above c usua ll desired , and doe presume you intend not to de line your us h Brotherly Correspondence with , and t at we may not trouble ' you to writ further about this a fi a ire 85 soe w e rest After a large and serious debate of ye contents of ye said letter it w a s agreed and soe ordered that Thomas Penrose shall collect ye to e 1 6 7 3 remainder of the impositions yet unpaid him for y year , and after ye receipt thereof that he attend any three of ye comittee e a chosen y last court , for st ting the said years accounts and pening a Letter to the Company at London , in which is to be trans mitted to their worships the sa id account but the ballance th ereof to be detained , in regard the imposition are soe small , by reason M " of the Liberty given by the late A ct of Parliament . Mason of e e Hull to have forty shillings s nt him , for his paines in sending y entries . ” It is a l soe ordered that in ye letter to London M WilliamShaw es El s XL e demand of his freedom of this company , for according to y Act of Parliament be intimated to their w orshipps and that they si nifi e w would g their judgement hat is best to be done therein , viz t whether ye Deputy here should a dmitt him and receive 408 accordingly .

A nera ll C urt o E a stla nd M ercha nts hol den a t Y rk u on f s1 e b. g o f o p ol . " Ouzbridge ye da y of Dece mber a -n Dom1 6 74 A letter j iﬁ om the Compa ny a t L ondo nda ted ye D ecember insta nt

Right Worsh ipfull Although the condicon of our Company in some re spects seeme to rema ine not soe prosperous as we could wish ; yet w e would willingly ma inteyne and uph old such P ri vilidges and a uth orit es e us w e ma y y as we have l ft , which doe apprehend be to b eneﬁ tt E the future advantage and of a regulated astland Trade . Conceiving ourselves to be more strengthened by ye late Act of t h th t 8 85 1 Parliament . If these our Let ers of ye May 7 October last came to your hands (as w e presume they did)We thought they w e a might have merited a few lynes in answer , which yet h ve not

. w recieved What your Reasons are e know not . We now think good a ga ine to give you notice of our continued resolutions to proceed in ye regulation of ye Government of our R ECORDS or T H E EASTL AND COMPANY or YORK

sa tisﬁ ed w e Company as is above mentioned . We are have good

reasons soe to doe . We pray your speedy answer to this our w e Letter, That may know whether you will continue in a us Brotherly concurrence with . And in order to a Conformity ou hereto , and the better to consult hereof. We desire y to appoint one of your Brethren to a ppea re at our Generall Meetings on the next Wednesday after Candlemas day (as usua ll)by w h ome w e expect you send your Deputies account both for the years 1673 85 this of 16 74 with what money is due upon ye Ballances thereof r w e t payable to our Treasurer M Randolph Knipe . And fur her

intreat you to take notice of this our Brotherly Invitation , not desiring to seperate (if you please)and therefore we now acquaint w e m l a n w e you that expect your Co p y ce . Otherwise are resolved to proceed in the Esta blishment of our Trade as a Company without ma n . w e re i you And soe e .

l . 3b fo 5 . Ah Ass mbl o E a stla nd me cha nts holden a t York u on e y f r , p OuseBridge ye [sic] ma rch 5575710 Dom1 6 74

th A L etter fromye Compa ny a t L ondon da ted 1 8 F ebrua ry 1 6 74

Worshipfull ° We have received yours of ye 29 December Intimating to us of your appointing one of your Brethren to attend at our ° e e 21 w a s Generall Me tings , and since that another of y Jannary u P brought to us by yo r Comissioner M Daniel Broadhead . In pursuance whereof w e have ( a t your desire)elected the Right honourable Rich a rd Metcalfe Lord Mayor of your City Deputy a lsoe a nd for the ensuing year, Thomas Penrose Clerk George e a l soe u Jackson Beadle . W have received yo r Accounts of Impo sitions 850 for the yea res 16 73 85 16 74 with the ballance (as you make it)being which M Broadhead hath paid to our Treasurer both yea res accounts have bin very much objected to by our

Auditors , as being only accounts currant without mencon of any Particulars of there Entries (as ought to b e)for w hat you receive e s ou e w h ome hi y Imposition y charg or of , w ch did not give satis fa ccon to the Company We have (after some debate)thought it most convenient that your Impositions should (as formerly)be u E paid to our Deputy at H ll , where your Goods are both xported w e and imported , which was accordingly resolved whereto request m l your co p ya nce. As to what you desire to know how to proceed

RECORDS OF T H E EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

bringing the same charge of Custome house ofﬁ cers in their

account . After readi ng and some Discourse upon ye contents of thi s M c D ff Letter Alderman et alfe eclared , That as the a aires and con dicon of ye Company now stood he thought it not conveni ent to

e . w a s take y oath of Deputy at present Whereupon it ordered , that M r t e Comittee Thomas Nisbet , and all y rest of this Assembly , be a further to consider of the said Letter : and to writ an a nsw ere e thereof to y Company at London .

A ne a ll ou t E a stla nd mercha nts holden u on Ousbrid e to] . 65 e C 57 . g r r of p g “ the mitt da y of A ugust A nne D om 1 6 76

° r r e om n L ondon da ted 1 Au ust A L ette f omy C pa y a , [ sic] 2 g 1 6 76

Worshipfull We have bin lately attended on by Sir James E dwards r 0 11 behalf of one M William Shaw a merchant in your Citty requesting a s for his admission into the freedome of our Com pany by vertue of the late Act of Parliament We gave him for s w a s custome answer , That it our ancient , That we never admitted t any Persons in the Coast Townes , wi hout a letter from our Deputy r w w a li and breth en , at such To ne here any person should make pp t w w E ca ion to that end . We not kno ing hether he be an nglish ua lliﬁ ed freedome or a Scotchman , or how he is q for his , which

w e us w e a a ine . hen you advis , will g take it into our consideration

1 1 0 . A h E a stla nd Court holden upon Ousbridg e the ma mda y of Ja nua ry a nno Dom 1 6 76 And whereas this Residence hath formerly had Assistants as a ea res bookes pp by ancient Court and Records , as hath bin a t formerly hinted to the Court London , It is now ordered That K t M r Sir Henry Thompson . John Peckett K t M r Sir Stephen Thompson . Thomas Carter Thomas Willi amson Aldr M r John Both oml ey ’ M r w William Ramsden Ald Sam . Da son Philip Herbert Ald“ M r Tho : Benson John Constable Ald“ M r Gawen Hodgson ” M r Nesbett M ose h . Thomas J p Scott D E M r Bryan awson sq . Charles Hall “ M r Andrew Perrot M Richard Wa ynde RECORDS OF T H E EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

B e presented to the Court at London , their names inserted in our Letter to the Companie there desiring their w orships to make e to t m choyce of twelve of y said persons , and constitute he to be t t Assistants in his residence , as hath bin formerly gran ed and a m t n D 85 ccusto ed to be done , at the elec io of eputy , Secretary

Bedle .

Ah A ssembl o E a stla nd mercha nts h lden u n OuzB rid e t ] . y f o po g o 59a . ° ult ma reit A 750 D om 1 6 7 7

A letter fromye Compa ny a t L ondon da ted ye la st F ehy 1 6 7?

Worshi pfull ° Yours of the 29 January last w e have received full of discontent and controversy 85 cannot b ut take notice therein that w us t you have a mind to struggle ith , and to con end against those Acts and orders of Court w hich are not onely pursuant to our sw orne Charter , but such also as you yourselves have to observe , If therefore you think it safe to w rest yourselves from that govern h ﬁ nd w ment you ave soe long yielded to , and can out a ay to dispence with your ow ne oathes ( a n obligation certainly much stronger then any ByL a w of ours)we cannot much w onder at your it se era reluctancy but look upon , as a suitable begining of your p t End w e tion , If hat be your But yet admire , if you can w h w us easily doe all this , y you should not as ell venture to tell mfreely your intent that w a y ; as to hint it darkly in a Smothering anner by the signes of your murmur and discontent . As for our Part it is plainly and openly our resolution to preserve a versnesse the Company and its goverment, not withstanding the of s w h o it h e w if w ome members , may ould ( they could)bend the hole t w e w frame of our goverment to heir private humor, which ill w e w a l w a es prevent if possible for ill y persuade ourselves , that by w e the tenour of our Charter , the Acts and orders make are not t required of necessi y to be acceptable and gratefull , to every restlesse w e ﬁ tt and unquiet member , But such as judge , and w h ol some Comonw ea l e w for the of the whole fello ship , and not ’ a ccomoda ted to the temper of every ungovern d man . But never th el esse u w e e , beca se (as are Brethren of y same fellowship)we should rather strive to lead you by argument 85 reason than to n 2 RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

dra w you by authority and Constraint (the Goverment must be supported by the latter w h er the former is unsuccessful)w e therefore w ill plainly 85 fairly a nsw ere the seeming Objections of u yo r Letter . l t As to the l 1 paid the Custome house offi cers at Hull 85 other t t w e ou ofli cers w inciden charges here ; elected y noe , nor allo ed E t d D ow ne you any xpenses there , having cons itute a eputy of our ffi rs u ine 85 o ce 85 b s s . other there , to do our your a t w As to your ccount of imposi ions in grosse , hich you avow to be w e w the same method as formerly , deny any such method , allo ed by us , or practised by any other residence , or by yourselves till very

b. fol . 59 now lately and that too against our direct order , and canne you ow ne us resedent think to quote your opposition to , as a p against us w e 85 , Surely you ought for stand to our order in that case , f t E ff require your Con ormi y , inasmuch as we lect and pay o icers at Res dence busines your y , not onely to do our but to doe it in our t me hod . f w As to your of icers salaries e abated nothing thereof. t t Ex w e re But as to their gra ui ies , all such penses long since r n h d t e c by order of Court . As to your complaint of being obliged to send up your accounts to be audited 85 then to be paid at Hull (called an Innova con)w e perci eve you forgott ours of 1 8 w ow ne w e february last , by hich (as well as your Comissioner) doubt not but you w ere informed that at our last yea res generall w w w Court , hen your said Comissioner had Concurred , ith the hole Court in setling th e payment of your Impositions at Hull as the th e Custome most proper place , ( house being there ,)he then in your name desired of the Court that your salaries 85 disburse a lsoe w w e ments might be paid there , hich granted , and should now w admire you will object , against hat you desired then ; but that some objections are easily made and therefore the easier ow ne answ ered . As to the payment of your Impositions to your w e t Deputy , because you judge it best , cannot take hat for a m reason , because the Gover ent of the Company is in our hands 85 w e have directed it otherw ise ; preferring the beni ﬁ t of th e w w t res dence hole fello ship before the par icular case of one y , But 85 i t ow ne besides our order the reason of , your Comissioner consented in your names thereunto : as we w rott you in our above menconed lettere nor doe w e j udge it meet to alter that order but _ ex pect your Complya nce as you have Consented ; not because w e

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

notw ithstanding you shall not think ﬁ t to accept this our Invitation 85 a nsw ere w to peace union by that time , nor this our Letter e must conclude you decline to continue in a brotherly Corre spondence with us ; and then we shall proceed in the regula con of w Intrim our trade , as a Company ithout you In the desiring you to pay your Impositions at Hull we rema ine v 85 fr nd Your very Lo ing Brethren e s .

' f A h b 2 . A ss m l o E a t a nd M e cha ts hol n o uz ol . 6 a e y f s l r n de up n O bmdge th e ’ ’ Et hth d o a nua A nn D m . g a y f J ry e o 1 6 7 7

This follow ing letter received from ye Company a t London ° 16 dated prim Janii 77 .

Worshipfull th w a s 1 8 a lsoe Our Last Letter to you of the instant , yours th of the 6 of Aprill last w e read contesting the old point still 85 u 85 t a vo d setting p your authority reason against ours , herefore to y a long controversy by answ ering Particulars w e tell you plainly w e doe assert the pow er given us by his majesties Charter Vi zt of E sw orne Governing the astland Company , to which you have con formity and tho ’ you are pleased to argue and capitulate we see li w 1 1 a 73 85 74 noe reason to allo the in your ccounts of , nor your accounts in grosse nor your paying your Impositions at Hull to your ow ne D eputies order nor a Court of Assistants at your res dence 85 direccons y , nor any other opposition to our orders , F ellow sh i inasmuch as our reason not yours , is to Governe the pp. And w e w ould mind you that as you came at ﬁ rst into the fellow sh ipp upon the very c ondicon of Conforming to the Government of it by a solemne 85 sacred obliga con w e hope you w ill be as good as yo ur oathes 85 that you w ill not now dispute t 85 m whether such things are convenien pleasing to you to perfor e , w hich you have already tied yourselves by an Oath to doe which rather your ow ne conscience than our intreaties or arguments

should incline you to keep inviolate . As to other Particulars w e referr you to our former Letter from which w e see noe cause to receed 85 rema ne , y lovein e 85 Your very g brethren friends . RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

E fo . A h A ssembl o a stla nd M erch a nts hold en u on Ousbrid e l . 6 3a y f p g , ° th e E leventh da y of F ebrua ry A h Dom1 6 7 7

” T A lette'rfromM John B oth omley ct“ M Cha rles H a ll da ted in L ondon th the 7 F ebrua ry 1 6 7 7 Worshipfull Sirs Yesterday w a s our fi rst meeting 85 the Letters from w w a s fi rst u the Coast To nes read , and not delivering acco nts as l New ca stle D us Hul and did , they emanded accounts from to w w e re l ed w setle us w t D t hich p y if they ould i h eputy , Assistan s etc as w e w ere at granting th e Charter in 1579 and continued for b 40 ea res t w e t But a out y toge her , would then deliver accoun s , th e sic w w If us th e w [ ] quarrelled ith the ord , , and told plainly po er t w e not th t is solely in them , tha are named in e Ch a r er by which they say they have noe pow er to settle any Assistants but i n this It t w w t place . will require more time than his Post ill allo o tell the D t what past , which ended not till epu y put it to the vote w offi cers t w e hether any for York should be Chosen or not , ill had delivered in accounts 85 w a s carryed in the negative ; after that offi cers w 85 w they chose for Hull , Ne castle , Ips ich , then adjourned t w w a s till this day , and reading of las Court ( herein a large offi cers preamble , and that vote against choosing our soe cunningly penned as to leave it to further Considera con)w e protested against confi rmin th e u t t w a s t g said Co r , because tha vote agains the th 9 hi i n o ned us offi cers Act by w ch they are j y to choose , to which w e referr fi ndin A t us an you , and g noe ssis ants appointed by y Act w e t 850 a nd of the Company , old them our lites [ ] for Deputy desired L them to choose Alderman Horner D eputv M Thomas Penrose 85 w t unl es w e Secretary George Jackson Bedall , hich hey refused w fi rst t w e t ould give in our accounts , hen told them , if hey would choose us offi cers 85 consent w e pay impositions to our o wne w e t Deputy or order would give hem accounts , but this soe enraged them that they tell us we shall not prescribe rules to w If 85 re ea le a them , nor talke ith , and , for they will p and m ke Acts fi nd fi tin offi cers as they g, and choose or suspend as they please , and W w r ferr e e t b . fol . 63 that shall holly it to themselves withou , Ifs or ands or w e shall have none ; which if w e now doe w e shall not observe Instruccons if w your , and they can get our moneys ( hich we intend not to part with upon such termes)they when w e are gone will say of us (as now hath bin said in Court of our Predecessor)w e RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

fooles a a ine w t are ; We are to meet g tomorro , and shall then ell them w e have noe Comi ssi on to give accounts till we have offi cers w e Chosen , as other Coast Townes have, and that pay if Impositions ( must pay any)to our Deputy , and if they refuse , w e i shall protest against pay ng Impositions for this year , and all a s Acts they shall make relating to , for this day they had prepared an Act to be voted by which all Coasters should fi rst deliver accounts pay the Ballance 85 submit themselves to the Court for E offi cers 85 lecting their or should have none , other Clauses to much im osein ow ne h p g, But one of their wittily observed , t at such an resu ose 85 Act did p p they had noe power before , told them it decla ritiv el w a s e 85 should be but y , soe put to y mending is not b l e eeve . yet passed , but if they get our moneys , it will passe We e w e a nsw ere int nd to stay noe longer but till may have your , w e fi r r ma ine st w e e . which pray give by the post ,

After reading the said letter the Court ordered a letter to be a nsw ere si niﬁ ein 85 written in , g g approbation of their proceedings that they should observe their Instruccons : 85 part with noe money or give accounts but upon the termes therein menconed : as alsos t w tha they should consult Sir Henry Thompson , hat may be most proper to be done in case the company doe still persist to impose us 85 85 upon that the breach should still be wider , in case the Company at London should procure an order from the Lord Treasurer for ye seizure or staying of our Goods that Sir Henry will

use his i ntrest that we may have notice before any such w ritt passe . And that a letter may be w rit to Sir Henry Thomson to assist Comissioners E our either by appearing at the astland Court , i M r or speak ng to . Richard Chiverton Governor to prevent such further inconveniences as may happen by the breach betwixt the 85 Company this Residence .

fol 64a w . . A h A ssembly of E a stla nd M erch a nts h olden upon Ouslnédge ye “ xix da y of F ebrua ry 5575750 D om1 6 7 7

L etter fromS i r H enry T h omson da ted 1 4 februa ry 1 6 7 7 to A ld erma n JVIetca lf

Worshipfull Sir I received a Letter signed by yourselfe 85 diverse other E m Gent of the astland Company , but before that ca e to my hands

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

H e ou endem tni in London , or they whose Goods are so seized , be p tied and saved h a rmlesse out of such moneys as are or sh a lbe paid for Impositions as aforesaid , and in case the money be forced from us by Course of l a w that then each subscriber shall bear his ro orcon p p of the charge , answerable to the Imposition he shall a u pay for the future , or in c se of s ite or contest with the Company w e th e l at London . And Subscribers doe hereby a soe promise 85 engage that we w ill not shi p any Goods in any ship w herein unfree men are concerned or such of this Residence as shall refuse to signe this Instrument , nor shall any person not free of ye Company h e suffered to ship any goods in such ships as w e n t take o . And that such or soe many ships shall (a a meeting of ourselves)be taken on as may upon E stimation a nsw ere the w e th e occasions of every member here unto subscribing , And Subscribers doe also agree that the masters of such Ships as shall me 85 noe be by freighted , shall be bound obliged to take in such R Goods as belonge to Interlopers , nor of any member of this esi t wi tnes dence that shall refuse to signe this Instrumen . In th w hereof w e have hereunto subscribed our hands ye 27 day of m ebrua r D o . 1 6 F y anno 7 7 .

A mbl E a stla nd M ercha nts holden u on Ousbrid e the h A sse y of p g E igh th da y ma rch Anne D om1 6 7 7 A L etterfromth e Compa ny a t L ondon da ted the F ebrua ry 1 6 7 7

Worsh ipfull th Yours of ye 29 Jannary last have received and the maine a l soe Comi ssi oners w e Scope thereof, seconded by your , observe to be your desires for a Court of Assistants at your Residence and t ffi r fi rst w e for the Appointmen of o ce s . As to the soe answered your Comi ssioners that they allow ing as w e conceive th e reason a blenes t 2 of our demand , did after it had bin deba ed at Courtes (whereby they h a d ye utmost liberty they could desire)openly w declare they ould not further presse the same , but suspend their desires therein . As to the Appointment of offi cers w e endeavoured to convince t it them , that we hought unreasonable to appoint any , for they fla tl y us a n Condicons had refused to give y accounts , but upon , t instruccons in pursuance , as they declared of the stric you had 85 ofli cers given them , soe we did not elect any in regard , that RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK w a s w w e i wilfully neglected by them , for hich appo nted them and the offi ce being unperformed the offi cer w e think may as w ell be a lsoe t usua e us t suspended , and cer ainly your g of ha h bin such as t us i a rticuler setl e jus ly to make Cautious of you in th s p , for to you any offi cers is in effec t but to gi ve you pow er to receive th e Companys money 85 then keep it from us w hich is soe certainly t t true , that your late prac ice hath fully demonstra ed this beyond a ll Contradiction We w ri tt you this Letter at the desire of your C omi ssi oners w h o we tooke to be convinced of th e fa irnesse of our proceedings both tow ards yourselves 85 them . We shall con sider of some officer to be appointed at Hull for receiveing your Imposition there of w h ome ( when setl ed)w e shall give you a farther Account . But in the meantime it is still desireable (i f our desires to meet you in any brotherly a c comoda con w ould not make you run backwards from us)that you w ould yet consider w hether this ff 85 m w di erence tends , seriously re ember hat you have more t how hen promised to this Court , and it hath been performed , a lsoe that you w ould send up our accounts which certainly is t a ct J K indnes to us w e ra her an of ustice than of , because both 85 w w e elected paid persons for that end , hich being done , shall offi cers t by the election of , sending you Lists or any o her reason able concession that (saving the right of our Chartre)can be granted you let you see we had much rather draw you to a s by constra ine t t the bonds of Love , then you by the raynes of ha Authority the Kings Chartre has given into our hands ; and if you shall think fi tt sometime before the day of march next to us sa ti sfa ccon fi nd us t give any herein , you shall from tha candour in our proceedings tow ards you as may become those w h o are really Your very loving Brethren 85 friends .

6a . A h A ssembly of E a stla nd M erch a nts h olden upon Ousbridqe th e fol . 6 S econd da a nua A n m1 8 y of J ry ne Do 6 7 A L etter from the Compa ny a t L ond on bea ring da te the th 21 [sic] of December 1 6 78 Worshipfull w Wee hope that Time hich changes all things , has also changed th e state of affaires at your resydence from what i t w a s and that that misunderstanding (to give it the softest name w e can) RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

d which you have had of our procee ings , is by this time thoroughly b removed , for after all these eates , you have had leisure to con w f sider in cold blood hether these di ferences tend , which have been ra sed us : D D y amongst And if the reggs of that istemper, by t setled s anding still soe long unmoved , have to the Bottome , may ma litious a a ine noe hand shake or trouble it g , to disturbe the peace of our fellow ship nor w ould we be content barely to have those w e animosities skinned over ; but skillfully healed , and therefore t passe by and forgett them , to that intent hat not soe much as a t b resol vein t Scarr may be lef to discover the sore y, g for our par s to study 85 prosecute the comon welfare 85 tranquillity of the Com w w i sdome pany , hich the of our Predecessors has tooke such care of severa ll , that by ancient Acts , it is ordained that there be once

a year a Generall meeting of the whole Company , either personally

or representatively , not onely for the preserving Brotherly love , but (as the words of the Act are)for conferring about th e Com ’ a ﬂ a ires 85 h panics needfull , certainly not ing can be soe needfull w e 85 for the hole bodys welfare , as y unity consent of the members ; If therefore you are willing to reta yne yourselves in the same bond of brotherhood w ith us to conforme (as w e doe)to the Companies rules for the publique good ; to send up the Accounts of your Im a rticul ers i E x ressel etc position in p , as the Anc ent Act p y directly [ ] r with the Ballance payable to our Treasurer M Randolph Knipe ; Res dences as all the other y , and even you yourselves have for ea res T w o many y practised , we desire you to send up One or of our Brethren from your resydence to appear here the next wednesday ft e a er Candl mas day , soe of themselves disposed , and soe by you f ori ina ll ol . 66b . instructed , that the g intent and designe of the said meeting may be secured 85 maintained which is the Comon weale of the obli a con fellowship , and which by noe meane or ordinary g , we are n all bound to further 85 promote ; 85 soe we rema i e .

’ A A mbl o a st a d M ha s h olden u on Ousbmd e th e f l b. h sse E l n erc nt o . 67 y f p g seventh da y of Aprill Anna Dom: 1 6 79 It was now ordered and agreed that the Companies moneys ° r being 1 9 ° 55 of which sume there is M John Both oml eys li ° h 79 9 i ntrest securitie and be put to , upon good and that

Both oml e 85 M r. M r. the Brethren that signed the letter to y Hall , t 16 7 7 and approved of wha they did, at London in february may

1 10 RECORDS or T H E EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK m t h th e na tura ll Now w ore violen t an , seeing not ithstanding our 85 u desires pers asions you are resolved to act contrary to all rules , ’ Tis for the present our sa ti sfa ccon to have proceeded w ith you hitherto w ith that gentlenes and modera con w hich becomes m e 85 Brethren , by methods of argu ent and r ason , by intreaty h in ma n o e w w . exhortation , p g to dra you ith the Cords of a But by our Charter w ee perceive his majesty did foresee that some of our ow ne fellow ship w ould not be reduced to a Conformity but by t Cons raint , and therefore (for it can be for noe other reason)hath furnished us with pow e r to punish those that spurne at his 85 Authority . We expect our impositions accounts behind to be sent a s and have ordered your payment of Impositions to our Deputy at Hull w hi ch Impositions on freemen are reduced to one third of d w hat w a s paid th e last year namely i per t on hemp 85 soe for the rest except the enumerated Comodityes in th e List inclosed w hich are setled as therein is ex prest namely

w Carra ay seeds p. t w u t Copper un ro ght p. Masts great middle small Pitch ye Last Ironendes ye 1000 Secry

B ut the duty on unfreemen we have continued as last year to ﬁ ne exactly be taken as a . As w e have ordered this year the payment of your Impositions D ea res w e to our eputy at Hull , soe for three y last past have done ’ w e the like , tho without any manner of observance from you , And would have you take speci a ll notice of this 85 give some particular ° m 9 1 675 : ark , That at our generall Court held here february M r w your then Comissioner Ro land Watson , consented in your f t name , a ter long debate , that your Imposi ions should thenceforward 85 w be paid to our order at Hull . And if consenting s earing to obli a con to it w e doe a thing are any g doe , you are obliged , and w t so 85 hope still , upon second thoughts you ill hink , put an end t w it to his Contest , hich besides the undecency of , will undoubtedly r ma n if continued prove to both our detriments . We e y e 85 Your very loving Brethren friends . RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

0 L ondon 29 D ec . 1 679 fol . 68b. Worsh ipfull in This is to mind you of our yearly Brotherly meet g , Custome now a ccording to an ancient , approaching , and to desire you to send up one ( or if need be more)of our Brethren from your th e ﬁ rst w t Residence , to appear here ednesday af er Candlemas i D severa ll ea re day next, send ng up your eputies accounts for the y T unaccounted for , with the Ballance thereof to our reasurer r w e rema ine M Randolph Knipe . And so

Your very Loving Brethren 85 Friends .

fol . 6 a After reading the above said Letters and a long debate of the 9 . usines mencond now ﬁ t 85 affaires and b therein , it is thought ordered that tw o of our Brethren be sent up to the next generall Court to be held at London th e next wednesday after Candlemas ” d a x usua ll M 85 y ne t with the allowance , Alderman Carter M r Thomas Nesb ett are nominated and desired to goe to London upon th e same . ° Upon ye 29 January 1 6 7 9 severa ll of ye Company met and a greed of a Letter to ye brethren of London w hi ch w a s writt and s Comi ssi oners ent accordingly, and the sending up of suspended till the Company here receive an a nsw ere to ye said letter .

' Ah A ssembl o E a stla nd M ercha nts h ld en u n Oustmd e y f o po g fol . 69b. ? pm M a ren Anne D em1 6 79

L ondon 180 February 1679 Worsh ipfull u Yo rs of the past is come to hand , and Could w mension f e have ished you had made noe of the dif erences , se ing w e had thought fi tt not to speak of them in ours ; As to your Comi ssioners u w e incapacity of compelling any to come p, hope ff seeing we compell not you , you will not o er to compell one ’ t in another especially to a Brotherly meeting , for tis a lit le to t congruous use compulsion to a friendly invi ation . Our refusa ll to Elect you a Deputy and offi cers as Customary w a s refusein us 85 subsequent to your g our accounts as Customary , offi ce w e offi cer soe as you let alone the let alone the , and from ’ hence tis ra tiona ll to tell you that before w e make new offi cers and w e to 85 old runne into new accounts ought settle clear the , and must therefore invert your ow ne way of capitulating ( Vi zt)that if RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

you (who are to make the fi rst stepp)w ill send us up your a ccounte t th e t wi h the Ballance thereof due to Company , ei her with or t C omi ssioners offi cers w ilbe wi hout your chosen , and the payment of your o wne Impositions soe setled as to be to your owne offi cers usua ll w content , and the and charges allo ed , And fi tnesse certainly waving the Superiority of this Court , and the of your submission to our Rules w ithout conditioning in the very t order of hings it might easily be observable to you , if these t na tura ll 85 la e disorders did not mislead you , that in the Course consequence of action w e should fi rst clear accounts with our old offi ce rs w e o new before ch ose . and that in priority of order and decency (not soe much as State 85 Authority)you should in justice account w ith us for monies formerly received before you expect m th e order to receive ore , and therefore let the reason of thing be calmly considered 85 it must unavoidably convince you of the j ustnesse 85 strength of our reasons for expecting your accounts in th fi rst e place . th fol 0a . . 7 We desire your a nsw ere here unto by ye l 0 of M a rch nex t or otherwise w e shall order ye payment of our Impositions as w e hink t e fi tt. Hearing of Applications intended to be made to his Majesty by some Persons for the Place of Cons a ll in th e Sound now void by the remova ll of Sir John Paul w e have considered of the usefullnes of that offi ce so farr as relates to ourselves and w e are of Oppinion that th e setling of an offi cer there is more usefull to masters of Ships and Traders in generall than to us in m particular as a Co pany , and believe this opinion to be the sence of your and all the other Residences to w h ome w e have com muni ca ted the same respectively , and if you have any reasons to offer to th e contrary w e are w illing to take ye same into our considera con soe w e rema yne 85 fr1ends Your very Loving Brethren .

After reading the said Letter and due Considera con had of the m a l soe w a s w ritt 29 sa e , as of what from hence the Jannary last th e Assembly thought it conveni ent to choose tw o of the brethren to goe up to London with the accounts of Impositions for the ea res et w y y unaccounted for , and treat ith the Court at London , 85 about such things , as they shall be instructed in upon

Com l a nce . p y of the Court there , to deliver them our accounts

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

you in friendly Composure as out of ye sa ti sfa ccon they took in f the healing up of the past dif erences , at the request of your Comissioner passed by all the said Exceptions but the fi rst and allow ed your accounts declaring that such allowance should not be dra w ne s into president for the future . Your Commis ioner at our meeting on your behalf made 3 requests to us 1 l d set e . l . 2 , fo 7 a . ( )To have a Court of Assistants here 2 offi c r ( )To have your e s elected . (3)To have your owns a nd Hull Impositions paid to an ff indi erent Person at Hull . fi rst sa tisfi ed As to the we them , That at a Generall Court th e 9 16 7 7 Comi ssioners held here , y february when your made the same desires w e shewed them such reasons to the Contrary th at they being satisfi ed therewith waved their desires in th at Par ticula r 85 e tra nsa ccons 85 a , soe we read y of that Court our re sons t ou w now Comissioners a l soe then insis ed , ith which your being sa ti sfi ed fi tt w thought to ave their request in this point . w e As to the second , according to your desires have elected

Alderman Thomas Williamson your Deputy , Thomas Penrose 85 Clerke , George Jackson beadle for the remaining part of this year ,

having at our generall Court left times of shiping free for this year . As to th e third in regard the a lte ra con of the method as now proposed for collecting your Impositions cannot be considered w Res of or debated but at a Generall Court , here all the y deuce s w h o are equally concerned in the common w eale of the w fello ship ought to be present, and be heard therein , We have for the present left the payment of your Impositions for the ow ne 85 ou remainder of this year to your method , sent y a List of Re ul a on our Impositions for g c therein . And seeing there is now setl ed that w ished for agreement and a w us conﬁ dent right underst nding bet een , you may be that at the next generall Court your Impositions w ilbe made payable to such Person and in such M ethod as this Court shall think best for pro moting th e publique good of the Company which w e hope Will be S a ti sfa ccon w t s w e to the of your Residence , i h whom are resolved both then 85 at all times to proceed w ith that candour 85 respect

that becomes Brethren to use to each other , not doubting but that a l soe 85 you for your parts , will take up preserve the same resolu w u tion to ards s . Upon your Comissioners representing some irregularity in th e RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

e E a fﬁ rma tions passing y ntries by our brethren at Hull without , w e Res dence it shall write to that y , that if any such omission be rectiﬁ ed h o ein a lsoe may be for the future, p g you for your parts w ow ne ill take the like care for your Residence . At the request of your Comissioner we have ordered M r Henry ” l F awson and M Mark Brea ry formerly by you recomended for their freedomes to be admitted paying our duties and taking the

’ usua ll oath . s ou e The List of Shipps passing the Sound , hall be sent y by y a Secret ry from time to time as they arrive . Soe wishing you prosperity and the Continuance of Brotherly us w e w e Love amongst , as doe ourselves kindly take leave and rema in 85 e Your very loving Brethren friends .

“ 2 M a ch A h E a stla mt C u t summed but bein 0 1 682 . fol . 76a of r o r , g [ sic] noe a ea ra nce w a s ma de the De ut w a s lea sed to der a pp , p y p or L etter to be w ri tt in a ns were to one recei ved omL 071d 0n bea ri n fr , g da te ye fi rst of M a rch 1 682 Worshipfull Notwithstanding all our friendly desires 85 severa ll orders u P a rticulers of Co rt that your accounts should be sent up in , as a ll other Residences send ym and as w e ourselves keep them l e P rusa l . here , subject to y e of any member of our Company We fi nd that hi therto neither any methods of Government of t w intreating of Bre hren , have been able to prevale ith you but t the t us you do still con inue old unbro herly opposition towards , 85 P a rti c ulers w e a both in those other , and therefore cann t ke noe ee us notice of your generall account . S that you have forced at last to resolve (though w ith some reluctance)to procee d some such w a likel h ood y as we shall be advised , may in all y , be more suc ' cessfull and efi ectua ll for the procuring your complya nce and because we would not be w anting in any thing to the very uttmost that may still demonstrate our inclinations are rather to w inne

] . you by entreaties , then oblige you by methods lesse grateful We th t 25 us desire you some ime before of march instant , to send up a nsw ere w your , whether yet you ill still Persist in that opposition , w or not , that if it be possible we may preserve you ithin ye bonds of fellow shi our pp (or if it be not)redu ce youto it ye b est way w e cann .

In 167 7 . RECORD S or T H E EASTLAND bOM P ANY or YORK

Your A ns w ere 18 desired by that time 85 your silence 1 5 to be taken for your refusa ll : We have forborn choosing you o ﬂi cers w e : w e r ma i till hear from you And soe e ne .

th A noth er letter romL ondon bea i n da t e d 6a . e 2 a o A ri l fol . 7 f r g y 8 y f p l 1 683

' 575 a nsw ere to 0555s of M a rch pa st w a s Comuneca ted to ye b eth en he e but none a ea in u n a n 8 555550 553 the De ut r r r , pp r g po y , p y th orde ed 55 short lette to be w ritt da ted 23 ma 1 683 a nd r r , [ sic] y inclosed th ei a c ' er n, opy of M George Di ckensons a ccount f05 m I positions for ye yea r e55d5ng a t Ca ndlema s 1 682 ( 555 pa rtwulers)

L etter f romL ondon Worshipfull th We have recieved yo urs of ye 2o past and thereby perceive you doe still continue obstinate to the sending up your accounts in P a rtic ulers notw ithstanding w hat we have ordered and w t Allea in rott you in y behalf. g g it for a reason (if it were soe) w e u that have formerly passed your acco nts in that method , and w a reﬂeccon h w e now f i t by y of adding t at would not have re used , e a s w e if y ballance had bin payable to , to which reply the Government of this Company is by his majesti e Comitted to this w h o Court, need not give you the reasons of their proceedings especially of those transacted at our generall Courts in the presence of your Comi ssioners w h o hear the debates 85 resul ts 85 w e not come up and sitt there for that purpose , but yet that may w w e be anting to you in any Brotherly Correspondance , doe

acquaint you that your allegation , of our passing them soe formerly is mistaken unles y ou mean w hen your Impositons w ere paid to our deputy a t Hull fromwhence we received a Par ti c ul er account and soe neither had nor needed any from you , but f ol . 7 6b h since you have collected them yourselves , and ave assumed an ofﬁ cer ow ne authority of establishing and paying an of your at Hull , w t w e ithout our consent and payd your Imposi ions to him , have dis w 85 allo ed condemned those practices , even when your Ballances have bin payable to us and particularly by an order of our Generall th Court held ye 12 february 1 6 80 in ye presence of your Cc missioner Consenting we did order (as w e had often before done) o that noe accounts in genera lls should from thenceforth be received from your or any of the Resydences : and though w e did at that a dmit u so w a s w time t your a cco nts , yet it done ith a Salvo Jure

RECORD S OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

a s P a rticuler with in that , which we shall on all occasions be returne ready to towards you . And according to ye desire of yours of the third of february last we elected you ofﬁ cers for the remainder of this present yea re (Vi a t)we h ave continued your former deputy Alderman Thomas Carter for Clerk Thomas Penrose 85 J for Bedall George ackson . Times of Shipping are left free 85 unrestrain ed and ye Impositions on freemen 85 unfreemen are a ltera con continued as they were last year without any . The ballance of your account sha lbe paid to such person whom you 85 rema ine shall appoint to receive the same soe we .

f . f ol . 78a A55 A ssembl E a stla M y of nd erch a nts h eld on Ousebridge the ° Ja nua ry a h 55 Dom1 684

Right Worsh ipfull That you are sufﬁ ciently sensible of the great a wee decay of our trade in woollen manuf ctures to this place , w ee doubt not , much less can suppose , that you should be ignorant of the reasons 85 causes thereof yett this notw ithstanding wee 85 thought it our duty , at this time most convenient to put your w orsh ipps in remembrance of the intolerable losse w ee suffer by some who are meer forreigners (not so much to our Company as especially to our nation 85 the legia nce of our dread 85 sovereigne M aj estie)for these Forreigners aforesaid having the opportunity of buying 85 exporting any goods of the product or manufactures of England as cheap as any of the Company (a small 85 imposition excepted) enjoying here as Burghers , very ample and great priviledges which w e neither can nor doe enjoy are likely to 85 w e th w t gaine e on e contrary holly to loose that rade . And the Right Worshi pfull Company (as w ee hope)are at present in such t Circumstances, that hey can if not totally hinder, at least much 85 discourage them in the trade soe render it uneasy to them , yett there are some of our Company w h o patronize such forreigners goods (who wee could name)85 soe defraud the Company of those n Imposico s due for strangers goods . And least they should be discovered at home they doe consigne the goods speciﬁ ed in their Bills of Loading to themselves or their order 85 afterwards endorse unknowne M wh ome one of the Bills to the asters of ships to , till the F orreigners here produce the endorsed Bill of Loading Wh erefore w ee humbly desire the Right Worshipfull Company RECORD S or T H E EASTL AND COMPANY or YORK 119

would please to consider upon some effectual course 85 means to prevent these soe prej udi cia ll practises for the future or elsewhere to remi tt 85 lett fall the imposicons wee used to pay that soe wee ma rkett may bee better able to keep the s with them . And in ca se the Right Worshipfull Company should to this end think it convenient to authori ze as by an Act made for that pu rpose to oblige ourselves unanimously 85 formally under a certain penalty to shi pp no goods homewards in any shipps whatsoever that bring any goods (especially woollen manufactures)from any port of Engl a nd either to Da nzi ck or this place for any Burghers or F orreigners to our M s Nation here or elsewhere , nor in any shipps whose a ters have subscribed any such Bills of Loading a bovemenconed wherein the goods specifi ed are not fully 85 expressly consigned to some English M k erchant by name residing here or at Da nzic . Then they may fully assure themselves 85 w ee on our part doe hereby promise 85 oblige ourselves to a strict C omplya nce therewith 85 w ith whatso ever a lsoe the Right Worshipfull Company shall think fi tt to pro pound 85 establish in o rder to the redressing this or any other incon enien ie 85 rei a nce v c g v . The Sturgeon also which formerly belonged to the Company is now by the Fish mongers or their servants here soe engrossed that neither for money nor fair w ords nor for both w ee can purchase noe Sturgion for presents to our freinds wherefore wee humbly desire your w orshipps would condescend to think 85 consider uppon some course whereby the Fi shmongers may be obliged to allow to every English Merchant residing here for his moneys att the price current l 8 10 ke s at east or gg yearly . And if to this purpose your Worsh ipps think fi tt to engage the masters of shipps that designe to load here not to take in any S turgi on for the Fishmongers till this be fully consented to 85 allowed wee on the contrary doe promise on our parts to doe wha t possibly wee can in order to the main taining of such a priviledge this at present is all from Right Worsh ipfull Your reall Freinds 85 servants TH OMAS STOLES TH OMAS TAYLOR TH OMAS COLLAM DANIELL COLLINS JOH N H EATH COTE JOH N SCARLETT EDWARD COLLINS K onigsbeirgh th 28 December 1684

E xa . NC E S r ec . p I , y RECORD S OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

A55 Assembly of E a stla nd M erch a nts held on Ousln' idge the eighteenth da y of M a rch 5555550 dem1 685

m “ A L etter fro L ondon of ye 23 [sic] F ebrua/ ry 1 685

l 80b fo . . Worshipfull th We have recieved yours of ye 29 past with your late considera con Deputies account, and are beholding to your of the Ex ence e Companies p , at a time when most of y residencies are not im osicons ow ne able, by the p they recieve to defray their charge , that you have thought ﬁ t to save us ye ex pence of a comissioner w a lw a es us ] from your residence , which ill y oblige to be as careful e 85 re a rdfull our of y good of your Residence , g in respects toward e you , as if all y members of your residence were actually sitting u t with s in one generall Cour . According to your desires w e have elected ye Worsh ipfull Philip Herbert E sqre to be your deputy for e 85 y following year , and have continued Thomas Penrose Clerke

George Jackson Beadle . Our auditors in perusing your accounts n ° l 2 e offi cer have objected to the article of . 15 charged paid y at im osicons t Hull for collecting your p there , which being repor ed O e severa ll to the Court , they are of pinion that the salary of y Deputies in all ye Residences is allowed in considera con of their im osi cons 85 trouble in collecting our p , therefore if your Residence im osicons D is not willing to pay their p to our eputy at Hull , which this Court out of respect to your Residence hath not lately prest you to yet w e conc ieve th e Deputy at your Residence ought offi cer a t w h o l to pay such Hull col ects your impositions for him , as not being deputed by us but hi mand to ease his ow ne trouble ’ and therefore tho ye Court did think fi tt for this time to allow 85 that article passe your account ordering the ballance , being 7 1 18° 0d to be paid to your order yet they desire noe such be e u ou t article may charged for y f ture , and if y have any jus w e m t objection hereunto , desire forthwith to hear fro you that his dispute may be calmly argued 85 solemnly setled in a kind and im osicons brotherly manner , for in regard our p are low we ought to retrench our Expenses accordingly 85 at one of our Residences f l 81 o . a . w e have reduced their offi cers to half their former salaries . M r m We have admitted Phillip Ni sbi tt by service to Tho as

RECORD S OF T H E EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

e i P a rticulers w e in y follow ng too high , have reduced follows ( Vi zt )‘

Cable yarn 85 Cordage the h undredw t Pitch ye last Tarr ye last

Wax ye 0 . weight Masts great ye mast midle small Wainscotts— ye hundred But on all other goods unfree duties remain exactly as last e y ar . 1° M John Va nderh oven an Alien borne Merchant residing in this city having lately complained to his M a j esti e in Councell e against y Company for seizing some Goods by him imported , for a e Aliens ccount for non payment of y unfree impositions , pretend ] m e ing the same to be illegal , the att r came to an hearing before his °ll M a estie Councell e 4 j in on fryday y of february instant, where his ma estie ra ri viled es 85 j was g ciously pleased to assert our p g , pub lickly to defend us in the injoyment thereof as your worships may Councell perceive by the copy of the order of made on the hearing , P a rti uler which w e send you for your better sa tisfa ccon in that c . But in as much as at th e hea ring w e observed M r Attorney Generall who was Councell against ye Company to take notice of some defects in our Chartre as if th e same were not fully worded to authorize our power of laying imposicons upon Aliens and restra ne da l b rea ke y the trade of Interlopers , which y y in upon us , We have resolved in this soe favourable a conjuncture , wherein his M aj esti e had appeared so graciously in our favour to endeavour

m t . the amend ent of our Char re ; so as may supply those defects , 85 better enable us to secure our trade out of th e hands of 85 i Aliens abroad interlopers at home , by some proper provis ons w e and remedies for those mischiefs , wherein doubt not of our ’ S o desired successe . we shall in due time as we proceed give

your worships a further account thereof. We have ordered ye admission of John Tyrma n at your residence f ol 82b. t m 85 . by service as thinking it more agreeable to the Cus o e practice between us 85 your worships to have the admission of all Persons RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

owne usua ll relating to your residence , therefore pray give him the So comitti n e oath 85 receive our duties . g your worships to y divine protection w e rema ine

h ur o hi teha ll b A t t e C t W e rua r 1 6 6 . o f of f g 8 By ye K ings most E xcellent maj esty a nd the L ords of hi s maj esti es most honoura ble p rivy Councell

In pu rsuance of an order of ye Jannary last the petition of Va nderh oven e 85 e John for hims lf and others , aliens subj ects to y 85 S w edla nd 85 e 85 Kings of Poland , y Duke of Brandenburgh other 85 e E s princes states his majesties alies , complaining of y a tland Company for imposeing severa ll taxes on his merchandizes 85 seizing ye same for not paying those illega ll impositions being this day heard at ye board together w ith ye a nsw ere of ye said Company and ye whole matter being fully opened by Councell learned on ma esti e considera c on ﬁ ndi n e both sides , his j upon due thereof g y said Impositions to bee no greater then w hat his natural ] borne ' oi e n w t e subjects , not free y Compa y do pay if they trade i hin y limitts e t 85 t of y said companys Char er , judging it not reasonable y F orrei ners e riviled es t t g should enjoy great r p g hen his said subjec s , Did e P eticon D 85 e order that y said bee ismissed , y Company E ri l d left to ye njoyment of the p ve e ges of their Charter . H I H L A JO N N C O S .

' A Cowrt o E a stla nd M ercha nts h eld u o nOnsetmd e f p g fol . 87a . the da y of ma rch 1 689

° L etter fromL ondon da ted 1 3 M a rch 1 688 Worshipfull e We have read yours of y and past . In the former you compla ine of our not paying the ballance of our last years ’ w e t s account , save one , tho wri you amply the rea ons why you us t t a dmitt i t would have passe hat account as righ , and you to be w ron e g , and you resent our not passing as if you would have a s take it to be right . We hope you do not beleive w e are bound to passe whatever n us a nd s t accounts you se d , are as ured you canno justify those ’ to be right nor our objections to be false , for tis plaine you ° have charged 3 for Collecting your Imposisions at Hull 124 RECORD S or T H E EASTLAND COM PANY or YORK

resolucons e against our direct order , and not to allow it for y w e w e 1687 future as fully rit , you in ours of y of March Then ti s plaine the duties Collected were greivously mistaken in c some pla es lesse than our due , in others more, in some there was t more taken han the free duty , and lesse than the unfree , and in case any of these entries had been unfree then you had taken too h . 1n t o little , if free too much Besides any of those entries ( free) affi rmed be not duely by some brother of the fellowship , they are th e n to be accounted and pay unfree duty , accordi g to an order of Court made long since and confi rmed the last year of w hich you fi t us have had notice , and you have not thought to assure of your ’ conformity to that order tho w e ourselves here most strictly observe it Therefore our Auditors did not passe your former years account , and certainly there was good reason so to do ; Tis our t opinion that in matters of accoun , too much is a wrong as wel as t erroni ous too lit le , and accounts are when overcharged as well as w when undercharged . You seem to argue your accounts ere not ’ to bee objected against, because tho they were not right , the wrong was in our favour , Surely that is no sound argument , if you have us t to taken from more than our due , tis as unjust to o hers , as ta w us ke lesse ould be unjust to . Our care ought to be equal to all w e would neither see our members wronged , nor be wronged our w e ustifi a ble selves , And are the more j in our objections because t m rofi tt t most of he tend rather to our losse than p , right ough to w h o it w e be done without regard gets or loses by , had been silent know ne and past over those errors our members had not , they had to paid too much , and the same mistakes might have runn on still t m fi nd it heir da age and they never , besides you cannot deny , that k w a s d t h if the ta ing too much one by a mistake, another ime t ere may be a mistake by taking to little for ye one is as easy to mis e 85 fi t take as y other, both to be avoided Notwithstanding the refleccons us u w e you make upon in nbrotherly language , are as willing to refund where too much is taken , as to receive where to o little . And therefore this year our Audit rs examining both your accounts together doe fi nd your offi cer either by ignorance or c a relessnes hath exacted upon our members in collecting their li ° due 1 10 w Impositions takeing more than was , by hich we t t desire you to restore them , and to hat end have added hat sume to the ballance of your account from w hich w e have deducted l i S ° 8 1 7 3 charged the former year and 1 3 charged last yea re for

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPAN Y OF YORK

sent you a Copie desiring it may be entred in ye book 85 duely

5 m n 8 w e re a i e . observed , soe entred e : f 2 The Act is in y book of acts o : 5 .

f A C u t o E a stla nd M erch a nts h eld u on Oa sbrid e ol . 88a . o r f p g th th e 1 4 da y of M a y 1 689 A L etter fromL ondon da ted ye of M a y 1 689

Worshipfull e We have received yours of y of march last , inti ma in de u i te g your dislike of our choyce of your p t e . To which w e th e us w e can onely say , the election to that o e is solely in , and ff t cannot su er it to be limitted or res rained by any previous desires , na mein Considera con o priority of g , or other whatever ; You y ur selves for many yea res past 85 pa rti cul erly this yea re have offered us tw o ch o se us w e for the y , desiring to elect one and putting both to nomination the ch oyse by a great plurality of voyses fell upon r M Andrew Perrott ; and in regard it w a s done according to the

power of our Chartre, the right that is unquestionably in this r ow ne Cou t our practise constantly towards you , and even your us expresse desires to , and all this at a generall Court, where such w e things can onely be transacted , cannot by any meanes alter setled e of anything soe solemnly at a G nerall Court , by a Court w e ih w e w Ass istants ; nor indeed can , ( case ere inclinable)see w any just cause to alter our choice , without wronging that po er w hich is intrusted to us ; And therefore we desire you forthwith r to a dmitt 85 sw ear M Andrew Perrott to the ofﬁ ce of Deputy m n n r el eccon w e re a i e . according to te no of our . And soe

‘ fol A M eetin E a stla nd M ercha nts 055 Ousbrid e th e 1 9 da o . 88b. g of , g y f S eptember 1 689

r I ce da ted a t L ondon e A lettere from S e creta y n y 5 S eptember 9 a s a lsoe the Woollen A ct w ith the rea sons dra wn b e 1 68 , , y y Governor a t L ondon a ga inst a genera lt liberty for E xporta ti on of w oollen ma nufa ctures L ondon 5 Sept 1689 Worshipfull I a m coma nded by ye Company to send you for satis fa ccon of your R esidence an account of a late tra nsa ccon in hi ° Parliament relating to our fellowship which is t s viz . RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

There was a bill depending in ye house of Comous to prevent the E xportation of wool] 85 when it w a s ready to passe the house t d it some persons had ouning projec ed the ad ing of a Clause to , giving liberty to all persons whatever to export any w oollen e usna ll manufacture into any parts beyond y sea , paying the u severa ll Customes . The clause was tho ght by Companies of to a vo d ri vi led es 85 merchants to be a meanes y their p g , to open a forra i ners th ire trade to all men , as well unfreemen at home , as g tirr t s i . abroad , and therefore they began to to prevent The e a s Turkey Company were so favoured in y House , to have a proviso annexed to Exempt them that nothing m that Act should

a ri l - be construed to voyd Their Charter and p v e edges . Thereupon the hambro 85 ours peti cioned ye house to be heard

a lsoe . S o e , but were both rejected the Bill being passed y Comous , 85 w e eticond sent up to the Lords , p there too , and so did the i 85 Aﬂri a n c . hambro , the Russia the Companies ’ Ours and the hambro Company w ere heard fully at ye Com mittee wh ome eticon w a s of Lords , to our p referred , both by our w 85 C ouncell orthy Governor our , and our Governor was pleased , for us besides arguing , to take the paines to draw up reasons t m against such a liberty , which prin ed were dispersed a ong the Lords to convince them of the Consequences of passing ye said

Clause . ’ w e 85 And after that , and the hambro Company Russia e Company had a hearing at the Barr of the house, before all y

w w a s . Lords , here this the successe f l 8 a The Lords agreed to the Proviso of the Comous to Ex empt the o 9 ' a 85 A fi ric a n Turkey Company , and ordered our Comp ny , the Russia to be added to the proviso 85 to be exempt as ye Turkey Company ’ w a s fi tt m e now , But did not think to exe pt y hambro Company , w e doe esteeme this a kind of Establishment of ye Company by act w of Parliament , and are beholding to our Governor for the eight 85 e and seasonableness of his reasons , and perhaps yours y other fi t x 85 Residences , will think in your ne t letter to take notice of thank him for his care therein . e e I send your worships by comand of y Company , for y use of e your Residence , y Act of Parliament itself in print . The clause us i that should have opened is marked D . The prov so that exempts is marked Q . RECORD S OF THE EASTLAND C OM P ANY OF YORK

I tra nsmitt ye also by ye like order a dosen of ye printed Reasons e e 85 t w i f for y use of y members of your Residence , were ell your members in parliament were or could be possessed of the strength e busines w of thos reasons however our is done for this time , and e w e w a hope shall meet ith noe more disturb nce of this nature . w t This is all I had in charge to your orships , so wi h tender of my h umble service I re ma i ne Your worships humble servant H JO N INCE .

A Courte o E a stla nd M erch a nts held 55 5055 OusBrid e 1 0. £0 . 89 f 1 g seven 85 tw enti eth da y of Ja nua ry 1 689 A L etter fromL ondon ye [ sic] Ja nua ry 1 6 89

Worsh ipfull In regard at ye request 85 for ye service of your Residence w ee a pplyed ourselves both to his M ajesty 85 ye Admiralty for off e E severa ll w taking y mbargo from ships at your port as ell as this , o 85 85 n and for pr curing protections passes co voy for the said ships , Each masters share for the Charge of the Passe of every P a rti culer ship being besides what it cost the Company by severa ll m w expensive applications for ye sa e purpose . It a s thought

reasonable at our last Court, that your worships should be minded thereof to th e intent you may collect ye like Contribucon of your a l soe w e di masters , That soe may receive noe scouragement here for ye future in applying ours elves in all places 85 on all occasions (as w e did in that)with the same care 85 diligence for you as for e m 85 rema ine w e . ourselves , desire to h ar speedily fro you

£ 1 a a d r h nt h eld 0 . b embl o E stl n M e c a s e i ve (ft tw en h 90 . A55 Ass y f y f ti et da y of M a rch 1 69 0 ” A Letter fromL owd en da ted ye 1 8 M a rch 1 689

Worshipfull Our auditors in Examining the a nsw ere of the late D eputi e at Hull to severa ll errours by them objected against in his 1 6 88 a Im osicons account for the year , have t ken notice , that noe p are brought to account that year for the Particular entries therein

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK ballance of his last account w hereas it appears by ours to you of ye “ 1 8 w e w e March last, had informed you could not pay the same for 1 688 that our Auditors in examining the hull account for the year , had observed that no Impositons were brought to our account for several] E ntries made at hull by diverse of your members w hose E w e names and ntries then sent you in that letter , and that Alder ohnson w rot man J being to aboute the non payment thereof, had certifi ed us , that he ought not to be accountable for those duties , in regard the members for whose accounts those E ntries were mad e t resided at your residence , and did not pay heir Impositions to b ut e ow ne t him , y order of their depu y and in our said lettere we us sa ti sfa ccon a rti culer desired your worships to give in that p . However our Court has thought fi t so farr to allow the reason " a llea ged in M Deputies lettere that this matter happened before tme his that they have ordered the payment of his ballance , relying notwi thstanding on your worships care to Collect ye said t 85 t Imposi ions in arrear bring hem to our account . r By your deputie said lettere to M Treasurer it a ppea res to be t w oh nson us t rue hat Alderman J had advised , tha your members doe not pay their Impositions to our deputy at hull But to your ow ne D eputies order for his lettere says that ye Collector of th e Customes w a s your deputies Receiver which w a s done w ithout any order or u allowance from s . and the Consequence of such an irregular method appears by another part of his said lettere w herein he writes that when ye accounts w a s sent to ye late deputy the fi rst quarter w a s omitted And it further appears by your w orships last lettere to “ us of ye 24 May 90 th at your said Collector had wrote you from Plymouth That if he fi nds the said Imposition either paid to himself or to any w h ome he employ he will make the same good to the Company . From all which we are forced to take notice that ye late deputy at Yorke employed a person at hull to w 85 receive our Impositions without our kno ledge consent , and th at he employed another under him perhaps without your know t ea res w a s ledge and that a quar er of a y accounts at once omitted , w hich hath occasioned our last Court to take into Consideration the danger may accrue to th e Company by trusting such persons in t m w h o heir service , especially in receiving their oney , are under l no obligation to be carefu l and faithfull therein . ’ And therefore seeing tis plaine the imploying of strangers to RE CORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

t e receive the Company money , and their rusting others under th m w a s practiced in the time of your late deputy w e cannot be assured but that the same method may be still continued , and for that reason w e w ould be glad to know w ith the ﬁ rst oppertunity w h o it is that

fol . 9l b at present receives our Imposi cons at Hull for the E ntries made by . t r h ow 85 w our yorke Bre h en and by hom such person is employed , w e t t w h a s and under hat rules and dir c ions he ac s , hether he the same rules from your Re sidence as your w orships from time to time has received from a s concerning th e Collecting a rti cu our Impositions and rules you have given him , more p lerly whether your worships have directed such Collector not to E a ffi rma con pass any ntry at Hull as free , without a due , and w a ffi rma con th e for ant of such , to receive unfree duty , according to the order of our General] Court of the february 16 87 Com muni ca ted M 1 6 87 to your Residence in ours of the of arch , and according to the constant usage not onely of all the other w w e Residences but even of ourselves in this place , here assure your w orships not one E ntry in a w hole year is suffered to passe as free w ithout a regular a fii rma con and therefore have great reason to Expect your Complya nce with th e same method . But in case your worships should desire to set up 85 ma inta ine ow ne a t a Collector of your Hull , and not to apply to our Deputy at a l w a es Hull , which wee have y ordered and doe still rather desire w and therefore earnestly recomend the same to your orships , yet at w e E t 85 least xpec presse upon you , that such Person as you appoint there be obliged to your worship to passe noe Entry untill your fi rst n t Deputy has sig ed the same , and hat your Deputy signe noe E ntri e a fli rma con fi rst a nd w e , untill a due be made , desire the E ntries soe a ffi rmed 85 signed be carefully fi led up 85 preserved that reco urse upon occasion may be had thereunto . From the trouble w e have had at one of our Residences in getting our Boc kes and papers out of the hands of a person w h o w a s our late deputy there, we have great reason to endeavour to prevent w w e such inconveniencies for the future , in order hereunto have determined that all our D eputies hereafter to be chosen in every Resi li ow ne 100 w Condicon dence , shall give their Bond of penalty ith a to account yearly and pa rti culerly for all receipts for ye Company and to deliver th e same w ith the Ballance due thereupon and a l soe Book es the Company Seale and papers in their hands , when th e . sa me shall be demanded w hich w e hold th e more reasonable RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

because all our Treasurers here gi ve Bond to that effect with a t Comitin surety besides hemselves , so g your worships to the 85 a nsw ere ﬁ r Divine protection , desiring a full with your st n en n w e rema ine Co v e cy . Upon reading the lettere abovesaid It is ordered That a short lettere be w rit at present to ye Company at London to let them know that this Court will send up Comi ssi oners to appear at the nex t Generall Court to adjust matters with their Worships as near

as can b e . M " Deputy writ a lettere from himself th e October entr d instant which lettere is e in the Copie Booke .

fOI 920“ A 55 A ssembly of E a s tla nd merch a nts h eld 5559055 Ousebridge the of November Anne D om1 690

’ A L etter from M J ohn Ince S ecreta ry to th e Comp a ny a t L ondon ” 1 to M Deputy 1 5 November 1 690 Worshipfull Sir Upon readi ng your lettere of ye past the Court w O here ere of pinion , that lettere could not be accepted as a proper a nsw ere to theirs of the September it being a private lettere from your w orship instead of a publique one from the Residence and they w ere a l soe of Opinion that a dmitt it had come from the Residence yet that it w a s short 85 imperfect in substance 85 no suffi ci ent a nsw ere to the Particulars of their said letter of all w hich ' I a mCommanded by the Court to informe you 85 to desire ye Residences full a nsw ere to that lettere as to ye manner and method t B 85 of Collec ing your Impositions at Hull , y what Person under w 85 85 E hat directions security , by whom how the ntries are affirmed 85 w here they are a ffi rmed 85 whether ye Person you employ received the said Impositions or some other under him 85 w h of e oe . To the intent they may be fully informed y said matters for preventing such abuses as may be comitted in receiving their Yorke Impositions at Hull and the passing due a tfi rma cons

according to the directions of this Court . This being all I had in a nsw ere 85 Comand , I desire your Worships thereto with tender of my humble service rema ine Your most humble servant

OH N S ecreta r . J INCE , y

1 b nd l x xx iii . 1. 1 74 ew P e ott York C or. M 555 . vol . x xxi x . f . vo . A r rr , v

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

n ofﬁ cers Reside ces to give bond , and to prevent such accordingly [ sic] to our Election : you are also desired to send 11 s account of th e money received for Impositions at your Residence for the year w r ma in past . And so e e e After reading and debating the Contents of the above recited w a s w sh a lb e letter , it put to the vote hether any Comissioner sent

up from hence to appear at London the next generall Court , and ca rr d y in the Negative , the Court thinking not convenient to send upp any ; But that a Letter be writ to London in a nsw ere to the abovesaid Letter 85 Particularly as to ye bond mencond to be e w required of y Deputy hich this Court are absolutely against , and w D ill not Consent that our eputy shall give any bond , it being an i nnova sion t , and contrary to the ancient Constitution and prac ice of e y Company .

L ondon ebrua r 1 1 . 6 9 fol . 940. f y

Right Worsh ipfull Sir 85 Sirs e Wee have received yours of y past , t resolucon wherein wee take no ice of your Residences , that your Deputy shall not gi ve Bond and your protesting against ye order made concerning ye same w hereupon having consulted both our 1 Charter 85 the order of Counsell made ye of June 1 6 1 6 con

cerning th e meeting of the Coasters a t our Generall Court . Wee ﬁ nd w ee are empow ered to choose such ofﬁ cers and on such termes as w e shall think ex pedient And because w ee have adjourned the Considera con of D eputi es giving Bond for the future till monday come sevenight w hich w ill be ye instant Wee give you notice ou f tt thereof, That if y have any thing further to o fer by le ere or any Comi ssiona ted by you to appear here for you ; your Residence may have an opertunity to be heard before w e take our h ua ll resolution therein ; w hich w ee intend to do at the said Generall

Court S o We rema i ne . After reading ye above recited lettere the Assembly resolved to rema i ne by w hat w a s Wrote to ye Court a t London ye Jannary

not to e D t . last, and consent y epu ies giving Bond M r D eputy , Alderman Ramsden , Alderman Herbert , Alderman 1° 1° D M r Ni sbett M r M M t awson , , Reynolds , Benson , Me calf,

Orders o h P i C ounci l une 5 161 6 f. 288 . f t e r vy , J , , RECORD S OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

M r M r M r M r ﬁ v e Scott , Wilson , Lund , Williamson or any or more of them are appointed a Comittee and . desired to mee t tomorrow 85 oftner if need be to pen a letter in a nsw ere to ye abovesaid lettere and ye deputy is desired to Signiﬁ e to them at London that ye ~ time Limitted in there lettere (for us to returne a nsw ere)is so short have not time duly to Examine our bookes etc on ye ye Comittee di d meet 85 penned a Letter to London which is entred in ye Copie Book D w e Comittee The eputy she ed a lettere to y , which he had w from ne castle , signifying that their Comissioner at London had protested against ye order for ye D eputie to give bond .

A 55 A ssembl o E a stla nd mercha nts held 055 Ousbrid e th e da £ 1 y f g y 0 , of F etn‘ua ry a nno Domi 1 6 91 m A L etter from1105501055 da ted ye 20 feb ma 5y 1 6 91

1 tight Worshipfull Sir 85 Sirs w a s a t Our last to you of the inst n , since w w e e i hich have received yours of y ditto , re nforcing your former e a nua r of y J y last wherein you protest against our proceedings , w hich is an unusua ll practise appearing in no bookes or Records of ours ever before and it seemes you ca n bring innovations into ye Compa nye and yet compla ine of them a t the same time— w e have considered those you w ould have counted to be your reasons against our order for the Deputies giving Bond in the severa ll w ° Vi z . Residences , hich are reducible to these heads (1)That you have not had of late any such stock as might in i reason require giv ng bond . 2 ( )That it is an innovation . 3 it reﬁ eccon D ( )That is a on your eputy . 4 t ’ ( )Tha tis an imposing upon your Residence . 5 ’ ( )That tis contrary to ancient agreements orders 85 usage . ’ 6 w t ( )That tis made ithout your consen . 7 i t w a s ( )That made in your absence . These are the heads w ou w be of hat you insist , hich though we apprehend not to of w eight sufﬁ ci ent to invalidate our order yet (as brethren)w ee are w illing to offer you our answ ers to those reasons for the better e rea s na bl n s f convincing you of y o e e o our proceedings . RECORD S OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

e sma llnes As to y of your Stock , the Bond is given to bookes a nd deliver upon Seale , records , and papers , all things else a s e as well our money , and if there be but little mon y , there is i lesse reason for your refusing to give bond to account for t. a As to its being an innovation , it must be gr nted your so u protest is , besides a great assuming to yo r selves , as if your negative could frustrate all the resolutions of ye Company made for w a nsw ere e novelti e r the good of the hole , but in to y of our o der The Court of Assistants are empowered to make Byla w es and Orders from time to time as they see cause ; and if new mi schiefes

arise ; new remedies must be provided , and in case every thing

that was never done before , be therefore an innovation , all lawes ne w h a d e incon made , which their rise from y discovery from new v eni ences may be said (according to your sense)to have been fi rst k innovations at their ma ing . refl eccon As to its being a , being made before any deputy reflecti on is chosen , it can be no upon any Particular Person , refleccon neither can it be a to any one Particular Residence , being w usua ll made for all , But ho ever nothing is more both among Corporations and private persons than to take reasonable securiti e from those w h ome they trust or employ and no securitie is more reasonable or easy than a mans owne especially in a sa me so m moderate as the su e proposed . 85 As to its being an imposition , and contrary to o w e ancient agreements rders and usage , have Perused all our fol c fi nds Ch a rteres r b . . 95 Bo kes and records and the and Ag eements of the w hole Society directly opposite to this pretrence and unlesss you can assigne any Pa rti cular Agreement whereby this company at a Generall Court have not power to make orders 85 regula cons for ye good of ye whole Company notwithstanding ye di ssent of any

1 s . Particular Residence , this objection of no force

As to its being done without your consent , The power of B la w es ruling the whole company , of making y , and appointing ofﬁ cers e a is by the Chartere vested in y Court of Assist nts onely , 85 e enera llit e if all y g y of y Company were present , they could v o ces e w have no y in any question , which very point, besides y po er of ye Chartre is setled by an order of his maJesty in Councill made ye day of June upon the hearing of your and e m all y other Residences wherein it is deter ined , That such

See be ow . 156 . l , p

RECORD S OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YO RK

A M eeting of E a stla nd mercha nts h eld a t M " Deputi es house th e da y of 515555 075 1 691

“ A Letter is now w ritt to London in answers to their letter of ye Entred s February last , which is in the Copie Book of Letters , Wherein the Residence doe acquaint those of London that they doe not ﬁ nde any reason to receed from w hat w a s formerly wrote in °“ fol . 96a . e 27 t Letters from hence dated y Jannary and ii February las , as e unrea sona blenes D n to y of our eputies givi g bond , And do desire there w orships to deferre the further debate of the matter i ntrim a s ofﬁ cers till Candlemas next , and in the to choose , and pay the Ballance of our Deputies account And Sir Stephen t Thompson being dead , the Court in their said Lettere presen to r E D w n 85 M London as lites for Deputy , Samuel a son Alderma Nesbett D Thomas , desiring one of them , may be chosen eputy in e E nsu in this Residence for y e g year . That Thomas Penrose may 85 be continued Secretary George Jackson Beadle . Y e M a y 1692 Alderman Perrot sumond ye brethren and w w she ed to those that appeared a Lettre from Ne castle , desiring

to know whether this Residence , continued in mind to refuse the w orsh i giving bond 85c . And the Brethren present desired his pp to w a e w t t rite letter to Ne castle , and Le t the Deputy know , hat this rema ine w w ritt : Residence , were resolved to by hat they had in P a rti culer w that , and would joyne ith them , in declaring against the order made by the Court at London requiring all ye Deputies w in the Coast To nes to give bond . e M a 1 692 sumond fol 96b. . Upon y y A meeting where present ” D u D w M " M Alderman Perrot ep ty , Alderman a son , Wilson , M r D w 0 0 Williamson . eputy sho ed these present , the pie of a Letter from the Brethren of New castle to the Court a t London w E n herein they xpress their resolutions , not to give Bo d and do desire to have a Copie of w hat this residence shall w rite to London on that account Upon further Considera con of ye matter in dispute as to the giving Bond)a letter is ordered to be w ritt to London to signiﬁ e to their w orsh ipps that w e do still remai ne by w hat hath f unrea sona blenes been ormerly wrote , as to the of being obliged to

us . give bond , it being an unpractised imposing on And there e t t fore do refuse y same , and desire ha the ballance of the Companys RECORD S OF T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK 139

ofﬁ cers C ustome . last account may be paid , and chose according to entred e t The letter is in y Copie Book of let ers . And the Brethren present do desire the D eputy to send a copie w thereof to Ne castle .

m A55 Asse bly of E a stla nd M e5cha 55ts h eld 0 55 Ous e bridge ye 2 7 Ja nua ry 1 696

w M r J M r Alderman Da son , Alderman Perrot , ohn Pecket , h t M r r ose M ose h . J p Sco t , Nathaniel Wilson , J p Wilkinson Alderman Perrot published a letter from ye Company at London ° dated ye 21 January 169 6 acquainting this Residence w ith ye Annua ll meeting to be held at Founders Hall in Lothbury London e fi rst t e y Wednesday af er Candlemas s day next . Upon reading ye said letter itt is thought fi tt to w rite a letter to London to acquaint them yt this Residence hath nothing further than what wee wrote last yea re vi ztt That we are w illing formerl e w ee t t to Correspond as y , to which end still desire y hey will Choose us offi cers as formerlye 85 doe a lsoe present ye names tw o z t rshi full D w of of our Brethren vi t . The Wo p Samuel a son r Al derman 85 M Richard Reynolds senior desiring yt one may bee D M 1° s eputy , And whereas our late Secretary Thomas Penro e is t t M “ departed his life , Wee desire y Richard Pecket (son of John Pecket Merchant deceased)w h o is Capable of his freedome by

Patrimony may have your order to bee admitted thereto , And that you w ould be likew ise pleased to choose him our Secretary to this t Residence , And y George Jackson may be continued Bedle And yt they w ill please to pay ye ballance of ye last account to ye Worsh i full n p A drew Perrott Alderman .

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

Potestatem 85 A uctorita tem specia les omnes 85 singulos M erca tores A n l u su m 5 0 M e5 b icos etc . ro t ea 505i a s H olla ndi e D a t 5 F b5 . e g , p p p , . A . 8 .

D 555 P a l ti o stro a t . a no st We m. sub Magni Sigilli Nostri

di e u. Testimonio , primo Mart m h l enr V m. 1 . R m e c Ro 9 I . e 5 e F m iii . cede 51 1 . Fr n l , H y , y r, , v

2 H A RTE R OF EA T ND M ER A T . C S L A CH N S

' 13 con 9 Guhl na tof et as E lizabeth by the grace of ' ‘ i t M r a f E 16 s sta n e c to de astland et god . To all and singular success suis a dmyra lll a stelli a ns Customers Comptrollers Collectors of S ub sydyes K epers of the havens of the Seas and other places on th e sea cost€ Justi c f Ea sch ea tors Coroners ’ M a i ors Sh erifl e ch eife Offi cers Ba ylyfi ? Constables and other our

“ offi cers mynysters and sw ell Within lilil tyes as other to Wh ome shall come Gretinge F ora smuch e as We be credyblye informed by the reporte of our trustye subjects Th omas P ullyson Alderman of our Citi e of London and other our loving S ubj ectf That yowe our S ubj ectf M a r ch a untf tra dinge the E aste partes comonlye called the D a nsi cke M a rch a unt€ or M a rch a untf tra dinge in or thorough the Soumde and our Subject€ M a rch a untf and others ex ercysinge and usinge ' the tra flyque and teate of M a rch a undyz e out and from any our D omynyons th rough e the S ounde into the Rea lmes K yngdomes Dom n ons D ukedomes contr es c t es Norw a e y y y , y y and Townes of y S w eth ea Polland and the terrytori es of the same kyngdomes and ‘ also into letto and leifii a nd under the D omynyons of the K ynge of Fow le P russen and also P omerla nd from th e Ryy er of Odera E a stw a rde and also Rye and Revell in leifil a nd aforesaid K ynninges burgh Elbynge Brow nsburgh and D a nsi ck e in Prusia Copa nh a w en and Elsenor in Denmarks excepts the Narve and the terrytori es thereto belongings And also into the Isla ndf of Fynl a nd Gote lande E wl a nd and Burnth olme Within the Soumde aforesaid by one assente a nd consente are Wyllinge and desirous to gather congre gate assemble and draw e your selves into one fellow shipp and comyna ltye and to be one bodye incorporate and pollytyque in dede and in name aswell for your better governemente Releiff and APPENDIX 143 succours in those partes ' and redressinge of suche w rong€ and inj uryes as heretofore h a th e bene and hereafter myghte be l a yde unto and upon yow e by dyv ers and sundrye unla w full and unreason able taxes ex a cyons and imposicions and other ne w e c ustomes in those part€ contra rye to the ente rcourse betw ene us and our noble Progenitors and th e princes S tates and c omona ltye and their Pro genitors A uncestors and P redecessours of th e said Easte Countryes As also for the honor a nd service of us and our lande i nventynge ' our coifi odytyes to the pfi ytte of us and our lande and cuntry e and sv ing— our lande and cuntrye Wi th th e moste necessa rys comodytyes of the said landes Na cyons countryes Cittyes and Tow nes Which thorough many unsky lfull and disordered persons is sore altered to the greate hinderance of us and our lande and countrys We considerynge With our selfe that your purposes myndes and intentes in this beh a lfe are very l a w da bl e and requysyte and th e same very necessarys to be gra unted contynew ed and ma ynteyned doe therefore not onely approve and ra tyfye the same But also w yll yow e to contynew e and peever in your said good i m n myndes and purposes to the sta blgh e e te and pfeccyon thereof Where fore aswell for the ma ynte nnc e and supporta c yon of yowe in the Bmysses and at the humble petycyon labor and requeste of our said subj ecte ma rch a unte and others As also for the te nder love zeale and favour Which w e heare to our said subj ec te of this our Rea lme of Bugla nde Wales Irela nde and elle Wheare under l ' our Domynyons and ob eysh nce and for the comon Weale profi ytte and a dva uncemente of the same our S ubj ectf And ea rnestlye desyrynge that our M a rch a unte and their succ essours h a untynge

‘ th e said K yngedomes D omynyons Countryes Cittyes and Tow nes before mencyoned or any of them for ma rch a undyz es in and through th e Soumde of the K yngdome of Denmarks ( Ex cepte before excepted) may from henceforth proflytte and increase as prosperouslye and ' as muche for their comodytyes and profi ytte as any ma rc h a unte of this lande have afore thi s tyms encreased and profiyted And for dyvers other good causes and considera cyons us speci a ll ye movings of our specia ll grace certen know ledge and mere mocyon have w illed and ordeyned constytuted and gra unted and for a s our h ei res and successours by thes fisente Will ordeyne constitute gra unte and declare That [ th e names of 64 merchants follow ] and all and singular other psones beinge our subjects orw hich hereafter sh a lbe the subjects of us our beires and successours and beynge mere RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YO RK

ma rch a unts and noe reteylours or h a ndye crafts men w hich have had and law fully did use or now e have and doe law fully use the trade of ma rcha undyze out of and from any of our Domynyons through the S ounde into the said Rea lmes K yngdomes D omynyons Dukedomes Coutryes Cittyes and Tow nes of Norw ay S w eth a n Polland and T errytori es of the same K i ngdomes of Pole Norw ay and S w eth en lettow leefla nd and P russen With the T errytories of the same and also P omerl a nd from the Ryver of Odera E astw ard w ith Rye Revell K ynningburgh Elbynge Brounsburgh Da ntzi ck Copenh a w en and Elsenor Finland Golland E wla nd and Burnth olme or any of them by transportings out of the same or any of them any M a rch a undyze or Comodytyes (The Nary s and terrytori es of the same onely excepted)into our Realms of England or into any other our D omynyons w hatsoever or w hich have any tra ifi que and did use any trade of ma rch a undyze in the said Rea lmes K ingdomes Domynyons Dukedomes Countryes Cyttyes and Townes aforesaid or any of them in and through the Soumde a foresa ide before the fi rste daye of Ja nua rye Which wa s in the years of our lord god 1 568 85 then in the saide yere of our lorde god 1 56 8 aforesaid beinge lyvi nge a rent ces and their children and . also their pp y which they then had or syt h ence that tyme h ave or had and hereafter shall have from henceforth sh albe one fell ow shipp and comyna ltye and one bodye incorporated and pollytyque of it selfe in deede and in name and shall have ppetua ll succession forever by the name of Gov ernours assistant and Fellow shipp of the M a rch a unte of E a stela nd and them by the name of Gov ernour a ssi sta unt(> and F ellow shipp of

‘ M a rch a unte of Eastland a nd th ei r successours one bodye corporate and pollytyque really and at full for us our h eires and S uccessours We doe incorporate sta bli sh e ordeyne create erects and constitute ‘

by theis presente.

mem. 23 . furthermore of our more ample grace mere mocyon and certen know ledge w e w yll and for us our b eires and successours by these itsentes w e doe gra unte to the said Governour or Deputye a ssi sta untf and Fellow shipp of M a rch a untes of E a stela nde afore said and their successours that from henceforth forever it may and sh a lbe la ufull to the said Governour or his deputye or deputyes and the said a ssi sthte and F ellow sh ipfi a nd ' th ei r successours for the tyms beinge from tyme to tym s forever to assemble assigne a ppoynte and mete togeth er a nd cause to be kepte courtes and congregations of all the said Fellowship!? of M a rch a untf of Easte

RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK aforesaid then presente as often as neede sh a lbe the said statutes lawes ordyrinc€ and constituci ons shall and may execute and putt in ex ecucyon aswell Within our Rea lme of Engla nde as w ithin th e said Rea lmes domynyons Cityes and Countryes and e3ye of them Wherefore w e for us our beires and successours doe stra ightlye charge and cofna unde a swell all and singul er ma rch a unte of the said Fellow shipp and eitye of them as also all other psons which be not now e of the said F ellow shipp nor hereafter sha lbe and usinge or tradings the partes of E a stela nd aforesaid ( Excepte before excepted) l that they and ei ye of them be obediente unto all the said statutes i lawes and ordyri h c? and that they and ei ye of them be and contynew e under the r ule and governemente of the said Governour or Governours h is or their deputye or deput es and the said a ssista untf or. the greater parte of them then Bhente and to them sh a lbe obedyente in the ex ec ucyon of the said statute actes and ' ordyriii ces and e3ye of them as is aforesaid to b e . made And x also w e w yll and for us our h ei res and successours by these fisentes doe gra unte to the said Gov ernour a ssista untf and F ell ow sh ipﬁ ' and their successours th a t the said Governour or his deputye or ' deputyes and a ssista untG aforesaid or the greater parte of them for the tyme beinge then Bsente Whereof the said Gov ernour or deputys to be one shall have full and w hole pow er and a uctoritie to ympose and taxe all reasonable imposycyons a nd somes of money Wh a tso evere asw ell upon the parsons tra dinge into the said Countryes of E a stel a nde as also upon the ma rch a undy z e to be transported and carryed into the said Countryes of E astland and Polland a nd other

” the domynyons a fforesa id (ex cepte before ex cepted)eyth er by w ater or lande or to be brough te by any our suj ecte from thence suche

‘ tax e imposi ci ons and somes of money boothe on the goode and v essells Wh erein such good€ are transported as to them shall seme ‘ necessa rye and convenyente for the supporta cyon ma yntena unc e a nd good gov ernemente of the said fellow sh ip?and to be ymployed onely for the b enyfytt a nd comodytye of the same compa nye and w not oth er yse . And further w e will and nev erth elesse doe straightly coma unde the said Governour a ssi sta unts and Fellow ship?) of M a rch a unt€ of E a stel a nde a foresa ide and their successours That they and their successours doe not in any w yse a dmytt into their Fellow ship!?any ma rch a unts free of any other compa nye or soc ieti e tradings mar ch a undyz e beyonde th e Seas or any A rtyﬁ cer or handy cra fttp man APPENDIX or any Reta yl er But yet notwith sta ndinge they shall take and sh a ll not refuse to rec eyv e into their fellow shi pp all other M a rch a untf not beings of any other F ellow shipfi tra di nge ' beyonde the Seas nor any M a rch a untebeinge noe Reta ylors or h a ndec ra ftemeninh a bytynge

’ Within th e t ow nes of B rystow e Ex ces? Ba rsta ble Lyme Dert mouth Pl ymmouth Bridgew ater Beaton and T ottnes Who syncs Sea ton the said ﬁ rste day of Ja nua rye in th e yea re of Our lorde god 1568 have in any one yea re transported any Wares or coih odytyes of England into the said Easte partes through the sounds by Way of M a rch a undyze or tra de soe that eitye suche psone Withi n one yea re nexts after the date of these our letters patentes shall requyre to be a dmytted into the said F ellow shipfi and at the tym s of their a dmyssion shall take the othe lymyted and a ppoynted to be ta ken by e3ye one of th e said F ellow sh ipf)and shall also paye to the said F ellow shipp six poundes thi rtene shillinge and fow er pence of good ' and la w full money of England in the name of a Pyne to th e use ' of the said Fellow shipﬁ for Which Fyne soe payde the children

' ‘ and a pprentyces ot the said peone or peons soe a dmytted borne or bounde since the said yere 156 8 sh a lbe freed for such duetye as

' those nomyna ted in this c ha rter a re And further our Wyll pl ea sure and expresse coma unde mente is that the said Governour Fellow shipfj and a ssi sta untﬁ shall take and a dm tte into their compa nye y , and freedom s all other M a rc h a unts Whats oever beings subject€ to us our h eires or successours (ex cepts before ex cepted)and all M a rch a unte beinge ' noe h a ndcra ftemen nor Reta ylers i nh a bytynge in the tow nes of Bristowe E x c ester Ba rnstable Lyme D ertmouth P lymmouth Bridgew ater Seaton and T ottnes w hich shall a nd Wyll requyre the same and Which at the tym s of their a dmyssion shall and Wyll take the othe in' manner and fourme aforesaid and also shall and Will pay in th e name of a Fyne the some of tw enti e “ poundes of law ful] money of England to the use of the said Fellow shipii for Which Pyne soe payde the children and a pprentyces of

' the said psone or psons soe a dmytted beings borne or bounds after their fathers or masters a dmyssion sh a lbe freed for such duety as those nSi a ted in this Charter are And Furthermore our Wyll and pleasure is that notw ith sta ndi nge any former ex cepcyon yet ne3 th le ° e sse any other M a rch a unte beinge noe Reta ylors 0 1 handy: craft€ men and beinge subjectes of us our beires or successours ' ' beinge of a ny other F ellow shippor M a rch a untes tra dinge into any f r o reyne partes shall also be rec eyved and a dmytted into the said L 2 148 RECORDS or 51115 EASTLAND COMPANY or YORK

F ellow shipii of ma rch a unte of E a stela nd a fforesa id soe as they requyre yt and at the tyme of their a dmyssion shall and Will take the said othe and also for and in the name of a Fyne pay such like some and somes of money to the use of the said Fellow ship? of M a rch a untes of Ea stela nd as the F ellow shipp and compa nye Whereof they then be are used to take of any other psone or psons not beings of their Fellowship!? for a dmyssion into their Company and Fellow shipbby redempcyon Or els yf hereafter any M a rch a unte of any other F ellow shipfa or companys not being a Reta yl our or h a ndycra ft€ ma n shall requyre to be of the said Compa nye of the M a rch a unte of Ea stela nde and Will relinquysh e his trade and ’ fredome of the F ellow shipli and compa nye w hereof he then is Or Will procure or obteyne one other of the said F ellow shipfi of M a r chanute of Ea stel a nde freely to be a dmytted into that Fellow ship!? i Whereof he then is Without any Pyne Th at then ei ye suche pson soe doinge sh a lbe freely receyved and taken into the said company of the M a rch a unte of E a stela nd Without any manner of Pyne The said psone ta kinge the said othe at th e tyms of his a dmyssion in manner and forms aforesaid And Further our Will and pleasure is and nev erth eles We Will and coma unde that all those our subjectes that be mere M a rch a unteadventurers of England or mere M a rch a untetradings Spa yne and Portingale and eyth er of them that have bene any tra yders into any the parte or Portes named in this our fisente Charter syth ens the yere of our lord god 1 568 in and through the soumde of D enma rke as aforesaid and that Will requyre to be a dmytted to the freedome of this F ellow shipb w ithin one years nex te ensueinge the date hereof shall and maye be a dmytted free of the said Fello w shipji pa yinge for their seii a ll a d myssi ons tenne poundes of good and la w full money of England for Which fyne soe payde their children and a pprentyces borne and bounde synce the ﬁ rste day of Ja nua rye 1 56 8 sh a lbe Freed for suche duetye as those nomyna ted in this Charter are With oute further charge by Fyne or oth erw yse for their a dmyssion any things beinge in these fisentes conteyned to the contrarys not wi thsta ndinge And that asw ell all mere M a rch a unte adventurers of Engla unde as also all mere M a rch a untes tra dinge Spa yne and Portinga l e and eyth er of them beings noe Reta ylers a rtyfycers or h a ndycra fte men Which have never occupyed in any of the partes or countryes conteyned or mencyoned in the Bsente Charte r shall pay for thema nd their P osterytye fortye markes and noe more for

150 RECORD S or T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or YO RK

M a rch a unte of Ea stela nde and their successours onely and into a nd With M a ckelburgh Jutland S cl esi a M oravia Lubeck Wysmore Rostock Statine Stra lsound and the Whole Ryver of Odera any thinge or matter in these fisentes conteyned to the contra rye notwith sta ndinge That is to sayethe said M a rch a unteof E a stela nd and their successours Wit h suche M a rch a undyze libertyes and comodytyes onely as is before expressed 80 6 that they or any of them shall not transporte into all or any of the places and Countryes mencyoned in this Charter above the nomber of two hundreth White clothes in any one yea re and the same ready dressed a c cordinge to the law es as a fforesa id And the said M a rch a untes adventurers With such M a rch a undyze lihl ties a nd coiﬁ odytie onely and in such order as th e said M a rch a untes adventurers have bene accustomed to use at Antw erps Hamburgh or els where they are before the date of these fisentes incorporated And that the said m n e e ra ll severa ll co pa y s shall s ve ye have full power and a ucth oritie by vertue of these psentes to make their severa ll orders con stitucyons and lawes and severally to punysh e all offendors subjectes of us our h eires and successours that shall transgresse their said t sei ell lawes consti tucions and orders in any of the said laste recited places or lymyttf Whereunto by vertue of these Bsentes the said se9a ll compa nyes and their successours are a ucthori sed and i nh a bled to trade or occupye And We Wyll and coma unde and straightly inh ibyte our said M a rch a untes of E a stel a nde and e9ye of them that they nor their successours shall not occupy buy or sell in any porte place or Towne of the Dukedome of Holston

‘ the towne o f Hamburgh or the Ryver of E lve or any of them or shall use the same otherwise then for the P re passage of their parsons and goodes Without brea kinge any Bulke to th ende or intente to make sale of any their M a rch a undiz e Which places late recyted We a ucth ori se and gra unte our said M a rch a unte of ' E a stel a nde to use for passage onelye as a ﬂoresa id With oute any taske or ymposici on to be ymposed by our said M a rch a unte adventurers of E ngla nde or their successours for their said parsons ia ll ra unte or goodes . And further of our spec grace We doo g for us our beires and successours unto the said Governour a ssista unte and fellow sh ipf) of M erch a nntf of Eastlands a foresa ide that it shall l and maye be l a w full for eif y of the saide Companys and Fellowship?) at all tymes and from tyms to tyms hereafter for their necessa rye a nd pti culer charges in tra va yling into the saide East parties and APPENDIX 151

Cuntries to ca rrye and take With th eym in their purses the some of tenne poundes of curra unt money of E ngla nde Without any forfeyture or pena lti e Wh a tsoe? Any lawe statute or pcl a ma c i on heretofore hadd or made to the contrary s notw ithstanding Provid ed a l wa yes and our Will and pleasure is that theiss our i res patente or any thing herein conteyned shall not in any Wise extende to violate break s hurte or d mynysh e any former gra unte jurisdiccion or pryviledge Wh a tsoe heretofore m a de by us or by our P rogenytours to the Governour assistante and fellowship? of M a rch a unte adventurers of Englands oulye or to hynder impa yre or restra yne the saide ma rch a unt adventurers or any of their fellow shii or their successours But that they and eay pti culer pson of th e saide F ellow sh ipf) that now e is or hereafter sh a lbe shall and maye have and enjoye all and eaye suche gra unte a nd liblties as heretofore have bene gra unted to th eymthe saide Fello w shipi) oulye by us or any our P rogenytours or as they or any of th eymhave la ufullye used by reason of the saide speci a ll gra unte any clause articles or restra ynte in theiss fisente conta yned to the ' ” contrarys notw ith sta ndinge In Wy tnes Whereof 16 Wytnes t tfn i °“ u our selfe a Wes the x v j daye of Aug st . ” 1 mR in m o 9 pa eg a t .

a tent Ro 21 i a beth a t 1 1 . P ll , El z , p r

M 21 J 3 . O OF JAM E S I 1622 PROCLA ATI N . ( ULY , ) PROHIBITING EA STL AND COM M ODITIE S EXCEPT O E TRADED BY EEM E OF TH AT OM TH S FR N C PANY .

A P rocla ma ti on p5 0hi bi t5ng th e bri ngi ng 555 bf a ny C ommodi ties t5a dea b the E a stla nd M ercha nts int thi s K in dome a s w ell b y o g , y sub ects a s stra n ers not ree tha t C m a n wi th a ubli ca ti on j g , f o p y ; p ' ' of of ce5 ta 555e S ta t55tes f05' th e 5 est5 a i 55t of a lt H is M aj esti es subj ects r m shi in a n commodi ti es 555 stra n ers bottomes eith r i nto f o pp g y g , e , 05 out o thi s K i f ngdome .

ma inta ine It is a great part of our Princely care , to and Our M erch a nts increase the trade of , and the strength of Our Navy , The one being as the Veines w hereby w ealth is imported into Our

th e ri nc i a ll sinew es - t estate , and other as p p for the streng h and kin me service of Our Crow ne and gdo . Whereas therefore the 152 RECORD S or T H E EASTLAND COMPANY o r YORK

E M society and Company of Our astland erchants , trading the h eeres t Baltic e Seas , have by the space of forty y past , at the leas , setled t had a and constant possession of rade in those parts , and have had the sole bringing in of all the commodities of those

Fla x e - - countries , as namely Hempe , , Pot ashes , Soape ashes , Polonia w ooll Y ea rne E t , Cordage , , astland linnen cloth , Pi ch , Tarre and r s t Wood , whe eby Our Kingdom ha h beene much enriched , Our S hi es M w orke pp and arriners set on , and the honour and fame of Our Nation and Kingdoms spread and enlarged in those parts And w hereas , for further encouragement, the sayd Company have had e t c E and enjoyed by Letters Pat n s , under the great S ale of ngland , s E th e in the time of the late Queen lizabeth , priviledge for sole ] h bringing in of the sayd commodities , with general pro ibitions and restraints of others not licensed and authorised by the sayd Letters tra ffi ue th e Patents , to q or trade contrary to tenor of the same We letters Patents ; , minding the upholding and continuance of ff susta ine the sayd trade , and not to su er that the sayd society shall riviled es any violation or diminution of their liberties and p g , ra tifi e w Have thought good to and publish unto all persons , as ell e rivi led es subjects as strang rs , the said p g and restraints , to the end that none of them presume to attempt anything against the same : h eereb stra itel And doe y y charge and command all Our Customers , Our Offi cers th e Comptrollers , and all other at Ports , and also the Customes Wa ters Farmers of Our and their Deputies and y , That

ff not ﬁ a x e — - they su er any hempe , , pot ashes , soape ashes , Polonia w ooll a rne E w , cordage , y , astland linnen cloth , pitch , tarre or ood , nor any other commodities whatsoever , brought from any the forra ine parts or regions wherein the sayd Company have used to h e u trade , to landed; except onely s ch as shall be brought in by such as are free of the said Company : Provided a lw a i es that the importation of come and grains be left free and w ithout restraint ;

Anything h eerein conta yned to the contrary notwithsta nding . u F rthermore , whereas there hath beene in ancient time divers oliticke good and p Lawes, made against the shipping of merchan b ottomes dises in strangers , either inward or outward , as namely

5 Ri h rd 2 4 3 2 8 850 . w c a i . 7 the Statutes of Henrici ; Henrici hich w a eeres r t La es of l tter y have beene much neglected , to the g ea prejudice of the navigation of Our kingdome Wee doe stra itely h encefoorth charge and command , that the sayd Lawes be from th e t conta ned duly put in execution , upon paines herein y , and upon

RECORD S OF T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

E ' nglish Commodities , as also for the sole bringing in of the above named Commodities of the sayd Countreys w ith generall P rohibi tions and Restraints of others not Licensed and authorized by the tra fli ue sayd Letters Patents , to q or trade contrary to the tenour of the same Letters Patents . th e Wee minding upholding and continuance of the sayd Trade , and not to suffer that th e said Society shall s usta ine any violation u th eire L ib ert es P riviled es or dimin tion of y and g , Have thought to ra tifi e w good and publish unto all Persons , as ell Subjects as t P rivi led es S rangers , the said g and Restraints , to the end that none of them presume to attempt anything against th e same ; And wee doe h ereby stra igh tlie charge and command all Our Offi cers Customers , Comptrollers , and all other Our at the Ports , O Customes D and also the Farmers of ur , and their eputies , and Wa te rs ff Cloa th y , that they su er not any Broad , Dozens , Kerseys , E m to Bayes , Skins or such like nglish Co modities , be shipped for t Fla x e expor ation to those parts , nor any Hempe , dressed or

Y a rne a rne - - undressed , Cable y , Cordage , Pot ashes , Sope ashes ,

Wooll E l - L nnen Polonia , ast and y Cloth , Pitch , Tarre or Wood , or any other Commodities w hatsoever of those forreyne parts and to Regions , wherein the sayd Company have used trade , to be d ex c onel t Lande , % y such as shall be brough in by such as are w free of the said Company. Provided al ays that the Importation w of Corne and Graine bee left free and ithout restraint , Anything n in herein co te ed to the contrary notwithstanding . ' t in a nci ent Furthermore . Whereas there ha h been time diverse good and politique Lawes made against the shipping of Merchan Stra in ers Bottomes w dize in g , either In ard or Outward , as namely th e t 4 r 2 nr 5 2 H n 3 H e . 8 e . 7 S atutes of Rich . , , which Lawes of la ter c eeres y have been much neglected , to the greate prejudice of t h e Navigation of Our Kingdom t Wee doe strai ly charge and command , that the Lawes be from x henceforth duly put in e ecution , that none of the said E x Company , nor any other be permitted to port or Import any

- E of the above mentioned Commodities in other than nglish Bottoms , upon the paines in the said Statutes contained and upon paine of w Ofﬁ cers Our high indignation and displeasure , to ards all Our and M i nisters w hich shall be found sla cke and remisse in procuring t and assis ing the due execution of the sayd Lawes . ' a t W th e M 1629 Given our Court at hitehall , seventh day of arch APPENDIX

ﬁ fth eere B Brita ine in the y of Our eigne of Great , France and

Ireland .

1 i M s . h . 1 D m. P l i . 1 . P o r l s o . No 1 8 . u 506 R. . . . oc a ma tion v . t P . O S ( ) , Br ,

A T OF P RIV Y OUNCIL ON E OF T H E 5. C C B HALF E D M 5 UNE ASTLAN CO PANY ( J ,

A t Wh5teha ll 055 Wedens da 555 the a ternoone the 5 J une 1 61 6 y f of , P resent

1 a r . Archbishop of C nterbu y 1 t 1 . e . Chancellor S anhop l M r . Treasurer Vice Chamberlen M r eo w l . Privy Seale S r . Win ood l V M " S ecr: . isc . Fenton lake M r h T h ex ch e r 1. Bish of Winchester C ancellor of q l a t l Z . G . ouch beife J s ice "

M R . l . Knollis of the olles

' Whereas divers M archantes oi th e Coast To w nes tra ydinge into Eastland on the behalf of themselves 85 others of that Society not residinge in or neere the Citty of Lo ndon have ex hibited sond ry greeva nces 8L matters of complainte against the rest of that body dw ellin e touch in e sondr h ea vi e g in London , g y , and as they suppose unjust ex a cons 8L Tax es imposed upon them by the Governor Assistants Company under color of authority given them by Their Charter with other abuses in the ma nna ginge of that Gover ment 85 Trade very prej udi ca ll to them 85 their estates as they onsidera n w alledge . The C co hereof beinge formerly referred by this Boa rde to his M ajestys Attorney generall and some for both a ea rin e h ea rde w partes pp g before him , and beinge ith Their Councell touchin e m g the said Co plaints , he thereupon made re orte to W Boa rde p their lordships . hich was reade at the in presence of the Marchantes on both sides But those of the Coast Townes not fi ndinge themselves sa ti sfi ed therewith Their lordships directed them to sett downe Their principa ll exceptions in w ritinge 85 a coppie thereof to be delivered to their Brethren of London re l e 85 who were to make p y thereunto . All which beinge donne the questions reduced to a narrow pointe . Their lordshipps thought good to referr the fi na ll c omposinge RECORDS OF THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF YORK

” thereof to the 10 : Knollis M Secretary lake 85 the M r of the Rolles ca llinge to their assistance M r Baron Altham 85 M r Attorney ] w h oe h a vei n e a ccordin el t general , g g y called before hem the M archants on both sides 85 maturely heard 85 considered of the t severa ll Alle a cons w 85 points in ques ion with Their g , ans ers , re l es th e e p y made report of their opinion to Board in bas verba . It may please your Lordships As by your lettere y ou directed us w ee have called before us th e Marchants of the Eastland t w Company hen in London , and those of the Coast To nes , and with the assistance of M “ Baron Altham 85 his Majestys Attorney w ee generall , have heard the pointes in Controversie debated by t 85 Councell h a vei n e hem their at large on both sides , And g well w 85 m w ee ﬁ nde ff eighed all reasons circu stances , little cause to di er r from M Attornes former Certiﬁ ca te made unto your L ordshj pps

upon the same Questions being then referred unto him . Some t w l w hings ee shall add rather by w a y of ex p a na con then other ise . To th e Charter of their Company the Coast Townes take noe 1 2 8 . £0 . 9 e a lteracon Inova con exceptions , nor do th y presse to have any or th e t therein , but it is abuses crept in o the Government by Collor of th e Charter w herewith they ﬁ nde themselves greeved and releife b w ee humbly desire , which beinge reduced to a few eades , d w reserv a con neverth el es have ordere as follo eth , with to your

Lordships graver Judgments . First whereas There have ben divers Byla w es 85 Constitucons w heretofore made by the Company in London , hich the Coastmen com la i ne reev ious p , and that justly , to be g unto them , as for stintin e nomb er sh i in e rescri bin e m g Their of pp g , p g the ti es and seasons for their buyinge of F la x e 85 some other : We have thought ﬁ tt B l a w es 85 Censtitucons u di sa nnullid it , that the said y be tterly ubl k a 85 soe declared by sume p ic e Acte or ordin nce . And least hereafter any such unrea sona bl Byl a w es or orders maye passe to the prejudice of the Coast Tow nes w ithout Their privity or w w ee thinke a l soe ea re kno ledge , it very requisite that once every y a certaine day be assigned by the Company in London for a w Courte to be held hereof the Coast Townes are to have notice , and to sende up one at the least fromevery of the saide Tow nes to assist at that generall Courte or meetinge 85 to give Informa con as there sh a lbe occasion of any th inge concerninge the said Tow nes

a rti c uler y . At in p , but not to give any oyce at all which generall meetinge only (and at no other)w hatsoever ordinances or byl a w es

158 RECORD S or T H E EASTLAND COMPANY or Y ORK

The next pointe in question is the Imposicons taxed upon the e m com l a nin e t Commodities transport d , the Coast en p y g hat the charge imposed upon three northen Ca rsies in proporcon to one broad Cloth is unequa ll ; w h ich although it be a ccordinge to the Custome w a s a ffi rm d president of the Rates in the house , yet as it e " unto us by M Baron Altham in the cause concerninge Alnage dependinge before the Barons of the Exchequer foure Northerne Ca rsi es coursnes 85 n e w in respect of their mea e valu , ere estimated a d then but to one bro e Cloth . In w hich respect 85 for other good reasons w ee hold the proporcon sett dow ne by M Ir Attorney in his Certifi ca te of sea ven such Ca rsi es to tw o b roa de Clothes to be the ff e ua ll most indi erent and q . And for a smuch as the Coastmen doe further compla yne that the Imposicons collected are not a llw a i es disposed of to publike t Im lo ment th e w uses , nor tha in the p y Thereof Coast To nes are respected as they ought to be z wee hold it meete that for any publike charge allow ance should be made out of the Comon Stocke as w ell to the Coast Tow nes as to the Londoners ; And that con sidera con may be had of releife tow ards any decayed Trade of the w w it To nes as ell as of London if they sue for , And that some ‘ from the Coast Tow nes beinge by them appointed once every yea re for Their sa tisfa c con see the A ccompte of the Company at London w E e com l a ne hereunto if any j ust xc ptions may be taken , then to p y M un ell to his ajestys Privy Co c for redresse . And w hereas There hath ben a nncyent allow ance by the Company of foure or fi ve pounds per annum to each of the Coast w offi cers thinke fi tt c om a rin e townes as a Re ard to their , Wee it p y g ff xt 85 th e the di erence betwi these tymes the former, that same be ra ysed v idzt to twenty nobles a pee ce for their offi cers 85 tenn pounds w per annum for the deputy in each of the Coast to nes of Yorke , w 85 enterta ne Ips ich , Newcastle Hull respectively for the better y ffi r ment of their said o ce s . To conclude for as much as There w ere divers Imposicons charged upon the Company in respect of the late disturbance of 85 w the Government in Poland , for other necessary Causes , hereof o t It the L ndoners have already paid heir parte as they alledge , is thought meete that the Coastmen shall likew ise pay Their Shares Im osicons deductin e oundes of the said p , g one hundred p to be equally divided towards the charges of the Marchants of the Coast ‘ Townes now a ttendinge this Service upon directions from the APPENDIX 159

Company 85 the rema ynder thereo f to be paid unto the Common 1 6 16 t t 30 M a . Stocke before the Feast of Sain John Baptist nex . y K N Y W . OLL S

: UL : S R. THO LAKE , J CAE A

rea di e B oa rde Which reporte beinge made at the , Their Lord ra tifi ed w ships and allo ed of the same And did order , that for the fi na ll concludin e C ertifi ca te 85 g of theis Controversies the foresaid , every parte thereof should be duly observed and put in execution t Boa rde a ccordin e ur orte as an Acte of his , g to the true p p and mea ninge thereof.

' i l R 5s 5 a me I i 1 - 1 P ri v Counc te J s . vol . i . 1 5 1 7 . y eg , 6 6

6 EEM E E E E T H E 4 8“ OF . AGR NT B TW N CHRISTIAN DENM ARK A ND T H E LORDS AND COM M ONS OF E D OF E D T H K ING OM NGLAN . 26 April 1645 Whereas several misundersta ndings have made some breaches betw i x te the most illustrious h igh e 85 mightie Prince Christian “ the 4 Kinge of Denma rke Norw a ye Gothes 85 Va nda lles duke of Slesw icke K i n dome , and the lordes and commons of the g of Engla nde assembled in Parliament a t w estminster His Royall Majesties ow ne shipp being made prize at london and his M a j esti e l a ga ine in Lein thereof both here and at L ucksta d e h a vinge made sta e confi sc a te d mE S o t fi na ll y and certe nglish goodes , hat y the most high renowned his royall M a j estie for an amicable decision ] a ra c iousl e 85 and removal of the same on both sides , h th most g y favourably deputed 85 orda yned us his respective lordes of the Councell Reicks Chancellor 85 Chancellor of the dutch affaires Castellans of Calo 85 H a gsh a w e of Hadersleben to w itt my lorde Joest H ough e of Gi ersloffe K nigh te 85 George Brahe of Hued r holme K nighte 85 M Dietloffe Ra ventla w e of Riets and Ziesen dorfe and for the righte honorable the before remembered states us Richard Jenks 85 Thomas Skynner And w e in the name of ha vein god g also accordingly conferred and laboured together , untill by th e bl essinge of the most high at the present date hereof alland every defect and error joint and severa ll are totally and fi na lly thus accorded compounded and decided Namely his Royall M aj estie henceforth most gra tiously letteth fall and vanish all that

ee a 1 S p ge 66 . 160 RECORDS or T H E EA STLAND COMPANY or YORK w hich formerly hath betided him by reason of the publike con fi sca ti on h i s w a llea d ed of shipp , together ith anie g pretention in h i s M a esti e h a vein that regard , for royall j g received content for a munition E a mountin e the , And the sume of nglish goodes taken g i n to more in liquidation , remaineth due rest indebted to pay unto foremenconed t the states , or unto the particular marchan and i nteressents one hundred and sea venty four thousand Rei x doll e rs F or the discharge of which sume fi rst the East India shippe stayed u at Portsmouth called the S nne , together with the laden goodes and i nsol utum d wares therein , are unto them designe (all necessarie and apparent somes of money disbursed for the said shipp w hilest shee hath laine at Portsmouth to be fi rst paid out of th e same)for the some of 74000 Ri x dolla rs or soe much as can be made of it : yet that it shall be free for the merch a ntes unto w hom his royall M a estie reta ine shi e j l hath otherwise assigned the same to the said pp and goodes and to pay those moneys , or to remit it the said sh i e interessents pp unto them the , and shall herein declare them w E enteressents selves shortly and ithout delay , and the nglish shall and shorten the same from the w hole some before menconed that w hich shall or may come short of the said 74000 Rei x d olla rs the sa me shall be otherwise maid good or paid unto them And overplus 1 00000 Reix dolla rs his royall M ajestie w ill infallibly paye the same in three i nsueinge yea res and fi rst fi rst 1646 termes as the third part in Anno , upon the day w l th e fi rst E Quasi modo geniti hich sha l be Sunday after aster , either here or in Gluckstadt And then further in Anno 1647 the second third parte and soe follow inge in anno 1648 th e last third yett all w ithout Interest And to this end his royall M a j estie hath now presently graciously given and declared his Obliga con to the Comi ssioners m a t 0 1 of the States , And oreover the payment the fi rst terme the charges a nd expenses a llrea dy defrayed beinge fi rst w t l 74000 deducted , ha sha l either fall short or surmount the upon the estimation of the East India shipp sh all either in the same be d fa lked made good or e and deducted . Wh at now more concerneth the further reestablishment and more perfect corroboration of th e free comerce and tra ffiq ue of K in domes n both g and there subjects , as the same hath bee delivered unto us by th e English Commissioners in several] points w ee u w and Articles , Soe have there pon by vertue of our full po er 16 S ee p a ge 5.

162 RECORDS or T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

E M a esti e carrie moneys out of ngland , his royall j is further pleased to continue this his former and exhibited favour a nd shall us mes h de novo give a charge of direction unto his c to to t at end . 6 To the sixth that all vigorous proceedings and Comands in future may be inhibited as namely the w hole conﬁ sca tion of shippe and goodes for th e concealment of some one thing or for small quantities of forbidden w ares ; and that only the w ares concealed l a d ou and forbidden be y hold , and not the innocent punished with M the nocent . His Royall aj estie is pleased to concede the same a ccordinge to his former most gracious e x hibited declarations in that point soe far forth that it be not otherw ise observed with his E N tw ith t ndin e subjects in ngland . o s a g that the ship Master by whom such prohibited wares shall be found shall be lya ble to it w answer for . And hereby it is further provided that hereas his roya ll Majesties subjects as well of this Country but more especially belonging to his K ingdome of Norw ay have the last yea re suffred E much damage and many shipps taken from them , the nglish deputed Commissioners have promised to ta ke care that his royall M a j estie subjects in future shall be exempt from all unj ust power and shall not be against Justice overa ted by the English and w hen his royall M aj estie subjects as before a greeved shall seeke justice in places convenient Speedy and unpa rti a ll Justi ce u shall be Administered unto them , And there nto wee the deputed w will she and doe them all assistance . 7 For the sea venth w ithout his royall M aj esti e or some of his ofﬁ cers superior expresse warrant or order , the Customers shall take E hi s M a esti e nothing out of the nglish shipps , as required for j ow ne beh oofe a nd Customes proper use and , that noe shall be given M c on these wares , which as above said shall be for his royall ajesti

’ neith er too sh a lbe use , great a quantity thereof taken nor without M a estie oﬁi rs w : his royall j or his high ce arrant anything at all , M ma n but his royall ajesty will use such moderation therein , that noe shall justly c ompla yne thereof who holdeth it a lsoe equitable that on the w ares w hich he should take noe c ustome shall be required . 8 That the M asters of shipps h a vinge no rose nobles may pay the same in w hite money namely according to there present values . And as his M aj estie payes them out at 4 Reix dollers i which is gra unted to the end that Masters of shipps ma y avoid unreason able upgelt but his royall Maj esty reserveth the free disposition himselfe hereof unto . APPENDIX 1 63

9 His royall M a j estie is graciously content that when M asters of Shipps comeinge out of England shall produce the Court roll underwritten by the Governor of the Eastland Company or his deputies and according to ancient Custome directed to the cus tomers of Elsemore the same shall be taken for a true entry And l a ble a Custo me th e if there be anything else in the shipp y to p y , shipper shall make thereof a specia ll and distinct entry on paine of conﬁ sca tion and shall not be forced otherw ise to speciﬁ e such

w ares as are conta yned in the roll . And unto his Maj esties sub j ects in all places of c ustome in England shall be shewed the like

good will . 10 For the tenth his M ajestie in like manner a dmitteth o a llso a ll E there f and will give command unto his , that all nglish e r w shippe which car y merchants ares , and shall be happily by Storme or tempest driven into any of his M ajesties Ports or Havens either in Norway or elsewhere ; if they exercise noe merchandize either by Importation or Exportation of w ares but merely are forced to goe in and out upon necessity shall be troubled w ith noe new taxe or visitation but unto them sh a lbe shewed for there money all neighbourly good will and releife with needfull as sist ance w hich a lsoe shall be in all points a ga ine reciprocally observed

towards his Majesties subjects in all English havens . 1 1 That P yra tes and others the like shall have noe receptacle in his Majesties havens : much lesse shall therein lay up or set to sale any English they shall take and over come at sea and it shall a s be observed vigore juris Gentium , and it hath been hitherto accustomed in the same cas e with the Hollanders and D unkirkers urisd in his Majesties J iction. Provided that the like be observed d towar s his subjects . 12 The freedome of tra ffi que and commerce betwixt both K ingdomes shall on all sides without any limitation and restriction as it w a s before the troubles began in all sea ports strea mes and confi rmed 85 havens be published . 13 For the thirteenth that noe shipp or goodes in future sh a lbe c onfi sca ble or made prize without foregoing law and ex a mina con rda ine w of the cause . Therein his royall M a jestie will o that hich ' sh a lbe a sufi equit ble , and not er it to come to execution , except the fi rst cause be requisitely heard a nd a sentence passed . And on the like manner shall it be held and proceeded by hi s Majesties in E subjects ngland . RECORDS OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

' 14 ‘ But in particular if any difference or defect shall a rise betwi xt both C row nes or betwixt there royal Majesties themselves or with the Parliament be it for w hat cause soever it shall produce noe actual detention arrest or c onﬁ sca tion upon the innocent and trading merchants , but if either the one or the other part be a reeved gg , he shall at the least give notice of the same unto the six e month es other beforehand , and in the meantime all possible means of amicability shall be essayed . 15 The M andate published at Gluckstadt the 23 rd of June 1643 against the Merchant Adventurers residing at Hamburgh , w herein the transporting any manner of armes or Amunition to t w w the Parliamen a s forbidden . As There a s never any special heed taken Thereof soe in future a lsoe it shall cause noe restriction nor hindrance unto comeros but notw ithstanding the same w ithout destruction of wares shall be freely exercised and if in that regard a the Merchants have given any reverse , the s me hereby shall be cashiered and made null . 1 6 For as much as the Ancient parts and agreements w hich have been formerly instituted and concl uded betw ixt both Kings K in domes da l and g ought y y to be observed and kept , so also equally all and every the conceded Contracts 85 recesses appertain inge to comerce shall abide and rema i ne in the full vigour which f also on all sides is to be taken care o . And this is that w hich both by his M a j estyes preceeding most gracious resolution and approbation of the joynt lords of the high Councell here present and the then a l soe sufﬁ ci ently produced Commissioners as w ell from his Royall Majesty as from the Parliament of England the copies w hereof are inserted into these Instruments respectively hath bin on both sides constantly consented allowed and concluded .

Copi e of the E 555ge of Den/ ma/rhs 005555555335055 a nd full pow er

Wee Christian the Fourth etc Hereby make know ne unto all men that w hereas the Right honourable the Lordes and Comous of the K ingdome of England Assembled in Parliament at Westminster have sent and dispatched hither their assured Commissioners with us a ga ine to compound t t ff some hither o re ained di erences , as also to remedy some other greva nces as well in matter of Customes as also i n common free

166 RECORDS OF THE EAS TLAND COMPANY OF YORK

' Ofii ce F erdes h aendi e ud iy n a f . (Christian den j egen g Breve g e 514 i 0 F riderica . v . V . Bricka g , k 16 16 L uc sta de . E , founded by Christian IV in , on the lbe in H e L ucksta dt Holstein . called it Gluckstadt , the town of good luck . Danmarks Riges Historie , iv . — 1 4 M H o 1584 6 6 . Just g, ember of the Privy Council ; made 1640 H e w a s Chancellor Reicks Chancellor in . the owner of G orslev Z o utla nd j in eeland , and held Kal in J Castellans of Calo ’ n bio ra fi sk from the Crown . Da sk g Lexicon , ii . 6 1 5— 1 1 58 66 . J rgen Brahe , Privy Councillor and Castellans of a h w H s a i . w H e e . . e g , Hagenskov , a Cro n possession in Punen H u dh l H e a e o m. had large est tes in Punen , the chief of which was w a Fun n D bio ra fi k s sometimes called the little King of e . ansk g s ’ Lexicon , ii .

Ditl Ra ntlo 16 00- 4 6 Z M kl n ev ve v 67 . ec e , Born at iesendorf in H t Z t n . e burg inheri ed iesendorf and Reetz from his fa her , a Germa . H e ff i e G ff became Chancellor of Dutch A airs , . . of erman A airs , in 1 32 H a t . D n 6 . e w s the favouri e councillor of Christian IV a sk ’ bi r ﬁ k o a s . g Lexicon , xiv 1630 me . The Custo at Gluckstadt In Christian IV . levied the Elbtoll a nd th e S undtoll at Gluckstadt , later increased paid at E . . lsinore The hundredth pence , a small duty , of one per cent , t E w a s t . paid at lsinore , one of hese newly levied du ies The E uropean Powers brought pressure to bear on the King and forced 1 63 7 him to reduce the duties . The late reduction into that of is an allusion to the agreement made with the Dutch at Stade ] GL O S SAR Y

— T O triﬂ e i i . BRAB B LE . quarrel about s der vat on obscure — D t in E i i ti . CAP P RAV INs . Not recorded any ngl sh d c onar u ch : a b i E i 8 to w w yich i s double plural , y add ng ngl sh a ord plural D t ka mven of ka ma rooﬁ n already . u ch p , plural p f , a g spar . D ei ived ka = E n li sh ca to w of F i ench from p g p ( p), a ord origin , D t ra a not now u t th e O i and u ch f ( sed separa ely), same as ld H gh ' 5 a s : i E i ra - ter to E i German f , a rafter all ed to ngl sh f and ngl sh = i n t 500f ca pp g raf ers .

B I —A i i i in E t i its i C AS S U A . d str ct s tuated as ern Pomeran a , chief r ver h i i f Ou t e P ers a nte its C olbur i S . , cap tal g ; or ginally a lav sh ortress the dow nfall of th e Danish power i t fell under Polish rule unti l early in th e fourteenth century ; then it w a s divided betw een the i Pomeranian D uchy of Wolgast and th e Teutonic kn ghts . — I b i t i H OE A VAs not i . C OC C N . have een able to dent fy h s canvas i i s not w be Crocoe if i The manuscr pt clear, and the ord may th s i 1s ib th e w 18 ti read ng accepted , then poss ly ord only a corrup on of i in ra k w . C oe Cracow , h ch appears various forms Cracowe , (see i E . D . k N. w a s i i t f , Cra ow)canvas certa nly mpor ed rom Pomeran a , but I have not been able to ﬁ nd any reference to any manufacture 1n M r i i . O t E Cracow . ppenhe m nforms me hat all ast Country canvas w a s f i if E i F very in er or , and never used in the Navy ngl sh or rench l cou d be obta ined . If Ch ocoe i t it , however, is accepted as the r ght reading, hen

i i i - T s E . poss bly an obsolete ngl sh word , not a place name here

‘

ti b it ehock rou h . can be no connec on etween and y, g or coarse T w a s S i t in S i here a pan sh se tlement outh Amer ca near Choco , a th where a rough cloth w s manufactured for use in e settlement. If there i s any connection between the name of this canvas and

S i - a the outh Amer can place n me , then the word must have been 1 68 RECORD S or T H E EASTL AND C OM P ANY or YORK

th S i t k S adopted by e pan ards and aken bac by them to pain . E i t i S i h it The ngl sh merchan s trad ng to pa n must have eard , carried it back to their ow n country and applied it to any coarse i b l ti n ' f . i so u o o canvas Th s , however , seems hardly a poss le the

difﬁ culty . m of n The Ger ans have a kind canvas called Schuki g. Possibly i t i i w in the copier of the l s , unfam l ar ith the name , transcribed

i h i t i i . accurately . Schu m g t eas ly become Cho the erm nat on ‘ ’ ‘ ’ resembles os rather than in but in the absence of anything more i i l i f r n T . deﬁ te o w a m M r. G . , th s so ut on , hich I indebted to Turner, th seems to be e most probable .

— i to S t of 1465 th e i of CLOTH . Accord ng the tatu e s ze broad cloths

w a s ﬁ xed a t - f b tw o w i w i twenty our yards long y yards de , h le a kersey w a s only eighteen yards long and a yard and a nail in _ i 1 552 t k w dth . The Act of enumera es various kinds of erseys , as i ti D i k ord nary, sor ng , evonsh re (called dozens)and chec kerseys . ﬁ n k r i k About 1618 w e d three e s es rec oned as equal to one cloth . 5 85 E n h i . 6 t 6 . c 7 Later e s zes were reduced [ dward VI . ; An e

0 .

’ ‘ ’ - COC K E T T S . P osSibl f i b i i y rom quo qu etus est, y wh ch he is qu t, i ’ i w th w hich the customer s rece pt concluded . A document sealed

h e ofﬁ cers of - i by t the Custom house , and del vered to merchants as a certiﬁ ca te that their merchandi se had been duly entered and ’ ’ i Cow el t pa d duty . [ , Interpre er, Commodities brought i n which have payed C ustome may be i t i ’ b custome . shipped out aga n y Cocket, withou pay ng any more M ’ 1 4 E N. . D M a l nes . . 9 [ y , Anc Law erch ; mediwva l i s Coket cokettus i The form ( ), a term also appl ed to i t i th e seal under wh ch hese nstruments w ere executed . They w t t e th e Coket ere really depar men al Lett rs Patent, issued under Seal by the customers a t th e outports as a discharge for customs i paid on staple commod ties . Numerous specimens under seal are ‘ i in th e b of E x O i i l L st ll preserved undles chequer, r g na etters ’ Patent.

A - n kin w kin Y t . T E . Co e s s cone s s A S . ONE Y SK YS . C y ta ed , y anned — ta w5a 55 M . E . tew en ta w t . i l . , , to dress hemp or lea her Hall we l

— i t . C ovIN. F t , raud , dece , reachery ‘ f h im w a s i 1553 . o When I demanded what Cov ne he answered , ’ Grima lde i i s . w hen one th ng pretended and another done [ , ’ ’ Cicero s Ofﬁ ces 1 32 ] ’

i . i th F S . 1 B e . Gt. 1 61 . y the Cov n of rench [ peed, H st Brit i IX. XII. ii . ;

170 RECORDS OF T H E EAS TLAND COMPANY or YORK

— a del i i f de r . E . r o a r F ARD E L L . D . f , dim nut ve f , bu den , a bundle — A AT . i FATT or V wooden vessel usually made to hold e ght bushels .

' E — t of F oor . The sum or otal an account . — f i f 1 1 in G U LD E N . Although the general method o reckon ng a ter 60 it for its commerce , depended value on the groschen , the gulden i u t f i a i t i be ng the eq ivalen o th rty groschen . It w s only co ned w ce in in i J i i S i t Poland , the re gns of ohn Cas m r and tan slaus Augus us . ‘ A i E ber reuth i M ii nz kunde [ . Lasch n von g , All eme n und ’ i r mi nd h i D . M a x K i r s a buc Geldgesch chte ; , der Poln schen

i ir l i rixd l 4 d . Accord ng to S Walter Ra e gh the o ler w a s w orth 3 . 7 nd w a ui t to 4 —1 h K i of a i t a s eq valen 7 5; grosc en . The ng Poland r se h

‘ h i s Hungary D ucke t from 55 to 77 and 5grosh es th e Ri x dollar d w orth in Poland 47 and grosh es i s by account valued a t 63 4 ° sterling and here in E ngland i s w orth but 4 The Hungary d D ucket 77 i s worth by account i n Poland 108 4 and in E ngland El d ’ i s t 7 10 . va lue. of th e in E i w a s wor h The , gulden ngl sh money 1 i i 55. t i therefore 23 . 043 Th s s apparen ly contrad cted by the asser tion in th e Law s and Ordinances that ﬁ ve Poli sh gilders equalled i i ti one pound sterl ng (p. Th s calcula on must have been based in w i Sir a i on the value Poland , here , follow ng Walter R le gh , i 4 i 47 w a s 63 . d . 45 groschen equ valent to , and therefore a g lder or t 4 iti w 3 . w gulden of thir y groschen ould be worth Ramsden , r ng rix 4 B i i 5. i n 1622 t 3 . 65 , pu s the value of the dollar at y the beg nn ng i t 4 i but x t w 965. of the ne t century w a s or h 3 . by proclamat on accord ’ i 4 455 in in Sir w t t b t w a s w t 5 0 . g to Isaac Ne on s a le or h Poland , in M h i n h b 4 2 55. a d b r 8555 . T 455 i n 5 u 53 . e 55 5 . 7 Lu ec , g g , and Thorn i 4 D a ntz i 805. c Sw edish Rix dollar or R gsdaler w a s valued a t 3 . In ‘ ri i t t ri xd ll r S t ﬂ o ns w o o e . . hree ere equ valen one [I Newton , A hort i ’ E i Sir S . ssay on Co ns Walter Rawley , ome Collect ons , p

‘ — llda e L D AV IE A . w a s o v P OU s . Breton Canvas There a p y baye on th e Breton Coast and a small Village named P olda vid i s situated a At t it D a ntz i c i n D ouarnenez B y . a late da e is frequently called P oll da ve t y, and then probably means a canvas of Breton ype ’ obtained from D a ntz ic . f r 1 1 for An Admiralty w arrant w a s issued o £70 3 . to pay bringing over several Bretons to teach th e E nglish the art of M O i i i i t ki ollda vies . . ma ng p [ ppenhe m , A H story of the Adm n s ra ’

i of . 98 t on the Royal Navy, pp , Apparently Ipsw i ch in th e sixteenth and seventeenth cen

~ turies w a t of f t . T w s the cen re the manu ac ure homas Andre s ,

olda vi es a i ki . It p we ver, had ten apprent ces wor ng at the trade G LOSSARY 1 7 1

i o t i r i hi w a s M . s introduced nt tha c ty by Coll ns and brother , i natives of Ipsw ch . The manufacture w a s regulated by an Act of I ’ ‘ ’ i 2 J . . 24 c . Parl ament, ames [Bacon s Annals of Ipswich , d 3 H . 66 e . W. . e Richardson , p and not ]

‘ RR — A i i t K r i PU E L . L st orda ned o be made at the end of e s es to t it in i i i i h ’ i ’ t . . preven dece d m n sh ng e length [J O . Hall well s

S K E R — An un f . 8 9 b 5 lbs in i A old g or eet long and of a out . cal bre , immortali sed in Hudibras

T h e c b d b a nd k annon , lun er uss sa er, ’ ’ H e w a s th i t f a nd ke nven or o ma r. S S i ’ [ myth , a lor s Word

RRE — i SPA S CALLED BOOM E . A long spar used by sa lors to extend the i ib ﬂ in ib b t i i sa ls , as j boom , y g j oom , s udd ng sa l boom , driver or ‘ ’ k - bo . S t S i O M i k O . S span er om [ my h , a lor s Word B t c s placed at th e margin of deep channels along th e coast or in b — iw harbours to warn oats from the mud . Hall ell

’ T ANGL ING E — T t k i i i . o . t w t ang, ma e a shr ll no se A ongue h a tang ’ ii — Sk Tempest, II . . eat . T RA K — i i in C T E RE M E NT w . It s r . Apparently an obsolete ord w tten ‘ ’ " th e i t tra ckteremt a b i th e manuscr p , very common a breviat on , ’ w ord parliament in th e paragraph follow ing being w ritten i n th e w a S k t t ssi ble i ti same y . Professor ea has sugges ed a po der va on r i i ti w tra cta mentum w i f om an mag nary La n ord , h ch may have b i t F tra i temen’ t een made up as the correct equ valen of the rench , ‘ ’ E i m h t F r t 5 t a tment. O t e t a 5 e ngl sh ne sense of word to trea , rench , ‘ ’ ’ i s t i to t t i t i to en erta n , stand reat . Trea ment m gh eas ly mean ‘ t ’ ‘ ’ I i h , i . t s b i t e a reat a compl mentary present _ o v ous from h ’ context that this i s t e meaning of tra ckterement.

YE R E IN 44 — i th 25th of O b S . e A TICL Art cles agreed upon day cto er, 1 644 .

1 74 THE EASTLAND COMPANY OF Y ORK

Dest ction of E a st a d Records x ix K NIF E R. 108 1 1 1 ru l n , , , ,

Di s tes with L ondon xx i - xx x ii i K 6ni sbur x i 105 ette rom pu , l v l v ; g g, lv ; l r f , — 85 139 118, 1 1 9 ; 1 44

Dow nin J . si r x i x 93 g, , , l

Duties of ofﬁ cers, 35, 36

L E AD , 20 L eeds xix l xx 76 87 , lxiv , l , ; , E L BING x x i - xxix xxxi x 22 144 , v , ; , L inen, 65 ectio of ofﬁ cers 37 38 El n , , L in e ba ch W. E . i x xxx i g l , , , i a beth x xx ii El z , v L i st of D e uties 67 p , sino e x i 144 16 1 166 El r , ; , , L i st of York Eastla nd M erch a nts x ete l x i E x cester 1 47 E r, ; ( ) 1 661 , 78, 79 x o ts, xvi , li , lii , iii ; 20, 60 E p r l L o d Ch a ce o 86 r n ll r, L o d e s e 86 r Tr a ur r, 1 L ucksta dt, 159 , 66 FAIRS Sto b id e El l xvu x x , ur r g , y, , l v i xii l u 1 L , x i , l i , , xv ; 9 19 ynn v x l e th e 65 F a rs , i es for e sin ofﬁ ce 24 on en F n , r fu g , ; M AC P H E RS ON, D . , 11: t a ce to th e Com x v 87 r n pany, , M a i e s xxx ii i d 144 r n r , l F nlan , M ste s of sh i s xxv 61 80 1 28 129 a r p , , , , i e of L o don 89 F r n , M a sts, 21 , 1 10 a x l v 65 83 Fl , , , M embe s of P a ia me t 88 128 r rl n , , o ei bi s 47 48 49 , 169 F r gn ll , , , _ M e ch nt d entu e s x ii x xx i r a A v r r , v , ei h t d es 75 Fr g u , x xx ii 148 1 50 1 51 16 1 164 H a m v ; , , , , ; bu Com a n 1 27 rg p y,

GOT H L AND , 1 42 o e o 11 111 1111111 L o do o e no G v rn r, , , n n G v r r, NAm, A, xi , 144 see Ch i e to C ith e oe P ull son v r n, l r , y , N a viga tion Act 7 6 Russe T e ch . ll , n ewc st e x ii xi x x x xx xi x iii N a l , v , , , v, lv ,

l xi x ii x ii - xi x xx i 7 4 7 9 88 , l , l v l , l v ; , , ,

137 , 138, 1 39

H ART W. xxx i , , v 14 o w y , 94, 4 H m 65 N r a e p, H u x x ii x ii i lix l x v 74 ll , , lv , , lxi , lxu , ; ,

7 7 , 1 1 6 ’ H dredth e 161 166 un p nny, , gfifié fifi

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