/ ,, , CORNELL 
 
 \9(0 UNIVERSITY 
 
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Cornell University Library 
 DA 690.L8A19 1883 
 
 City of Liverpool 
 
 3 1924 028 139 156 
 
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 Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
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Ctt^ of Liverpool. 
 
 SELECTIONS 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 MUNICIPAL 
 
 ARCHIVES AND RECORDS, 
 
 FROM THE i 3 th TO THE i 7 th CENTURY 
 
 INCLUSIVE. 
 EXTRACTED AND ANNOTATED BY 
 
 SIR JAMES A. PICTON, F.S.A., 
 
 AUTHOR OF " MEMORIALS OF LIVERPOOL," ETC. 
 
 Published with the sanction of the City Council. 
 
 LIVERPOOL : 
 GILBERT G. WALMSLEY, 50, LORD STREET. 
 
 1883. 
 
DO 
 
 ¥ 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 This Work being issued by the Editor without any regard 
 to remuneration, it was thought advisable to publish it by 
 subscription, the edition being limited to 500 copies. 
 
 A list of the Subscribers will be found at the end of 
 the volume. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The history of a nation is not limited to the record of 
 its public transactions, to its wars by sea and land, its 
 battles and sieges, its treaties and alliances, its dynasties 
 and revolutions. Beneath all these outward demonstra- 
 tions, and to a great extent undisturbed by them except at 
 rare intervals, the private and domestic life of the people 
 pursues its steady course. Manners and customs gradually 
 change. Impulses from the upper strata, and influences 
 from without, are insensibly diffused through the mass of 
 the nation without any record on the pages of history ; 
 and it is only by diligent search through sources formerly 
 despised, that a true picture of bygone times can be 
 presented to the inquiring student. 
 
 The historical writers of the modern school have become 
 alive to the importance of the vast fund of information, 
 lying previously almost untouched, in the chap books, 
 diaries, autobiographies, correspondence, and 'domestic 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 annals, of former days. There is one class of documents, 
 however, still remaining, which has not been drawn upon 
 as it deserves ; that is, the municipal records, a large 
 number of which lie ready to reward the diligent inspector 
 with an insight into the manners, customs, and relations 
 of society in former ages, nowhere else to be found. 
 The cities and boroughs played- a very important part 
 in the political life of the middle ages. It was by them 
 that the true principles of self-government were rescued — 
 almost wrenched — from the grinding oppression of the 
 feudal system. It is owing to their influence that the 
 British Constitution was moulded and developed in its 
 present representative form. 
 
 The relation of the boroughs to the Crown was prin- 
 cipally of a pecuniary nature. The charters of incorpora- 
 tion, with liberty to hold property, to establish guilds and 
 hanses, to frame bye-laws, to hold courts, and generally 
 to regulate their own affairs, had to be paid for. If 
 any flaw could be discovered, it was immediately taken 
 advantage of by a writ of "Quo warranto," and an 
 "Inspeximus" Charter had from time to time to be 
 purchased to confirm the jurisdiction already acquired. 
 In nearly all the charters, the dues from the customs, 
 markets, and tolls, were retained by the Crown, which 
 found it convenient to lease them at fee-farm rents, either 
 to private individuals, or to the borough authorities. These 
 leases were usually for short periods, and as often as 
 they fell in, a fresh bargain had to be made. 
 
PREFACE. ix 
 
 Subject to these payments, the boroughs were left 
 pretty much to themselves ; and enjoyed an amount of 
 self-government and freedom which has no parallel in 
 modern times. It is true that this liberty sometimes 
 degenerated into license, and a large amount of petty 
 tyranny was occasionally exercised, but this tyranny was 
 the act of the community ; the majority constraining the 
 minority, which evil usually, in the course of time, effected 
 its own cure. The imperfect means of communication 
 isolated the towns to a much greater extent than at 
 present. Down to the middle of the eighteenth century, 
 there was no road into Liverpool for wheel carriages. 
 Travellers had to proceed on horseback, and the mer- 
 chandise was conveyed either on pack-horses or by barges 
 on the river Mersey to Warrington. This seclusion, and 
 separation from the outside world, naturally imparted a 
 distinctive character to each community, which exhibits 
 itself in the borough records. The hopes and fears, the 
 business transactions, the petty squabbles, the manners 
 and customs, the tone of thought, and the relations of 
 the municipalities to the central government and to the 
 outside world, are vividly reflected from the pages of 
 these records. Not much use has hitherto been made of 
 them in any systematic manner. The Liber A Ibus * and 
 the Memorials of London, from the rjth to the 15th Century? 
 
 1 Liber Alius, the White Book of the City of London, compiled a.d. 1419, trans, by 
 H. T. Riley, 4to, 1861. 
 
 3 Memorials of London, 13th to l$th Century, 1868. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 partially illustrate the municipal history of the metropolis. 
 More recently an interesting volume has been issued of 
 Selections from the Records of the City of Oxford. 1 With 
 these and a few other exceptions the municipal records 
 of England present an untrodden field of inquiry. 
 
 A greater amount of attention has been paid in France 
 to this subject. M. Augustin Thierry's Histoire du Tiers 
 Etat presents a vivid and charming picture of municipal 
 life in the middle ages; 2 and Monteil, in his Histoire 
 des Frangais des divers Etats, B has almost exhausted the 
 subject of private and domestic life during the same 
 period. 
 
 The municipal records of Liverpool will be found to 
 possess considerable interest. The origin of the town is 
 somewhat singular, and has nothing in it at all anticipa- 
 tory of the enormous development of its commerce in 
 recent times. 
 
 The city of Chester, so advantageously situated on the 
 embouchure of the river Dee into its wide estuary, had 
 been, from the time of the Romans, the great port of the 
 north-west of England. After the partial conquest of Ire- 
 land by Earl Strongbowe, in the reign of Henry II., 
 increased facilities for communication with England became 
 requisite, and the attention of King John, then Earl of 
 
 1 Selections from, the Records of the City of Oxford, illustrating the Municipal History, 
 Henry VIII. to Elizabeth, by W. H. Turner, of the Bodleian Library, 1880. 
 
 3 Essai sur P Histoire du Tiers Etat, 2me edit, Paris, 2 vols., 1853. 
 
 Histoire des Francais des divers Etats, ou Histoire de France aux cinq derniers Siecles, 
 4tne edit, Paris, 1853. 
 
PREFACE. xi 
 
 a 
 
 Mortain, when acting as regent during his brother's absence 
 in the Holy Land, was drawn to the subject. The estuary 
 of the Dee had become silted up to such an extent, as 
 to prevent heavily laden ships reaching Chester. A new 
 quay was constructed at Shotwick, about eight miles 
 down the river, and a castle built for its protection ; but 
 greater facilities were still required, and a small inlet in 
 the estuary of the Mersey called Liver-pool — Cymric, Llyfr- 
 pwll — seemed to offer an advantageous position. Here, on 
 a rocky promontory, a castle was built, and a small town 
 laid out in the form of a cross, with burgage tenements 
 erected to the number of 168 ; and, in 1207, King John 
 issued Letters Patent, inviting his liege subjects to settle 
 there, promising them protection and encouragement. To a 
 certain extent this purpose was answered. The port was 
 found convenient for the passage to and fro of troops and 
 stores, but trade did not attain anything like prosperity. 
 The manufacturing capabilities of Lancashire and the West 
 Riding were not yet developed, the country being sparsely 
 peopled, rude and poor. A limited amount of trade was 
 carried on with Ireland, and Spain and Portugal were 
 supplied with fish, but for more than four centuries after 
 its foundation, the trade of Liverpool remained in a com- 
 parative state of stagnation. Within its narrow limits, 
 however, the little town displayed considerable life and 
 vigour, with an amount of pugnacity always ready to 
 defend itself from attack, and a degree of public spirit 
 occasionally shown in a very creditable manner. 
 
xii PREFACE. 
 
 The first symptoms of revival were manifested soon 
 after the Restoration, and the town then entered upon 
 a career of almost unexampled progress and extension, 
 belonging rather to national than municipal history. 
 
 The following pages will exhibit, in the selections from 
 the records and other documents, the social condition of the 
 community and the general aspect of the town's affairs, as 
 shown by the people themselves. 
 
 J. A. P. 
 Sandyknowe, 
 
 Wavertree, March, 1883. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I.— From 1207 to 1556. 
 Historical Notices 
 
 CHAPTER II.— From 1556 to 1603. 
 
 Municipal Government 
 
 Municipal Officers 
 
 Corporate Estate and Revenues 
 Burgesses and Freemen 
 
 Trade and Commerce 
 
 Streets and Buildings 
 
 Ecclesiastical Notices 
 
 National and Political Affairs 
 Manners and Customs 
 
 CHAPTER III.— From 1603 to 1660. 
 
 Municipal Affairs 
 
 Municipal Officers 
 
 Corporate Estate and Revenues 
 
 Commerce and Commercial Restrictions 
 Streets, Buildings, and Sanitary Provisions 
 
 Ecclesiastical Notices 
 
 National and Political Affairs 
 
 Manners and Customs ... 
 
 CHAPTER IV.— From 1660 to 1699. 
 
 Municipal Affairs 
 
 Corporate Estate and Revenues 
 
 Trading Restrictions 
 
 Trade and Commerce 
 
 Streets and Buildings 
 
 Ecclesiastical Notices 
 
 National and Political 
 
 Manners and Customs 
 
 Page 
 
 I 
 
 30 
 
 59 
 65 
 72 
 
 79 
 
 91 
 
 95 
 
 107 
 
 "3 
 
 120 
 160 
 169 
 178 
 187 
 196 
 217 
 228 
 
 236 
 273 
 295 
 306 
 
 3H 
 322 
 
 332 
 335 
 
CHAPTER FIRST. 
 
 FROM THE gTH OF JOHN, a.d. 1207, TO THE 2nd PHILIP 
 
 AND MARY, 1556. 
 
 The Annals recorded in the books of the Corporation 
 commence in 155 1 (4th Edward VI.) ; but there are a 
 considerable number of documents in existence of previous 
 dates relating to the history of the town, which are neces- 
 sary to complete the series. The Corporation possesses the 
 originals of the charters and of some of the other documents. 
 Of the remainder there are authentic copies extant. 
 
 The first mention of Liverpool by name, occurs in a First mention. 
 grant from King John when Earl of Mortain. In the year 
 1 166, by the decease of William de Blois, brother of King 
 Stephen, the Earldom of Mortain and the Honour of 
 Lancaster, which included the site of Liverpool, had fallen 
 to the Crown. Whilst in the possession of the Crown, a 
 grant had been made, as appears from the reference, by 
 King Henry II. to Warine, the Constable of Lancaster Granted to 
 Castle (inter alia), of the site of Liverpool. On the acces- 
 sion of Richard I., in n8g, the Earldom of Mortain and I189 - 
 the Honour of Lancaster were conferred upon his brother 
 John, who confirmed the grant above mentioned, in favour 
 of Henry Fitzwarine, the son of the original grantee, in 
 the following terms : — 
 
 " Know ye that we have granted, and by this our deed confirmed, to 
 Henry the son of Warine de Lancaster, the lands which King Henry 
 our father gave to Warine, his father, that is Ravenmeols, Ammolesdale, 
 Up Litherland, Liverpool, and French Lea." 
 
 The deed is not dated, but from other sources the date 
 may be fixed at about a.d. ngo. 
 
CHAP. I, A.D. 1207—1556. 
 
 1207. 
 
 Exchange of 
 
 In 1206, King John visited Lancashire, when it is 
 
 probable that the foundation of the new Port and Borough 
 
 was determined on, and an exchange made with Wanne 
 
 for the site. This was embodied in the following deed, 
 
 Exchange ot ^^ ^ Winchester, August 28th, 1207:— 
 
 " John, by the grace of God, &c. Know ye that we have granted, 
 and by out present deed have confirmed, to Henry Fitzwanne of 
 Lancaster, the lands which King Henry my father gave to Wanne 
 his father for his services, to wit, Ravenmeols, Ammolesdale, and the 
 French Lea, and the English Lea, which we have given him in exchange for 
 Liverpool. . . . to be holden," &c. 
 
 At the same time and place was executed the first 
 charter, constituting the Borough, which is preserved 
 amongst the muniments of the city. It is written in a 
 clear neat hand, on a small piece of parchment, 7 inches 
 by 2 J inches, the seal gone. It reads as follows : — 
 
 . 1207. CARTA REGIS JOHANNIS. 
 
 King J ohn s 
 
 Charter. « johanes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hibernise, Dux Normannise, 
 
 Aquitanise Comes Andegaviae, omnibus fidelibus suis qui Burgagia apud 
 
 villam de Liverpul habere voluerint salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus 
 
 omnibus fidelibus nostris qui Burgagia apud Liverpul cep'int quod 
 
 habeant omnes libertates et liberas consuetudines in villa de Liverpul 
 
 quas aliquis liber Burgus super mare habet in terra nostra. Et ides 
 
 vobis mandamus quod secure et in pace nostra illuc veniatis ad Burgagia 
 
 nostra recipienda et hospitanda. Et in hujus rei testimonium has 
 
 literas nostras patentes vobis transmittimus. Teste Simon de Pateshill 
 
 apud Winton xxviii die Aug. anno regni nostri ix." 
 
 CHARTER OF KING JOHN. 
 
 " John by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke 
 of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to all his liegemen 
 who would desire to have Burgages at the town of Liverpul greeting. 
 Know ye that we have granted to all our liegemen who may take 
 Burgages at Liverpul that they may have all the liberties and free 
 customs in the town of Liverpul which any free Borough on the sea 
 has in our land. And therefore we command that securely and in our 
 peace you may come to receive and occupy our Burgages. And in 
 testimony hereof we transmit to you these our letters patent. Witness 
 Simon de Pateshill at Winchester the 28th day of August in the gth 
 year of our reign." 
 
 This is naturally considered as the first charter of the 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 borough. Technically speaking, it is not a charter, but as 
 the document styles itself, " letters patent," conferring 
 certain privileges of protection to the settlers. Charters of 
 incorporation, enabling property to be held by the burgesses 
 and their successors, only date from the 14th century. 
 
 In the great Roll of the Pipe, under date 1226, William 1226. 
 Earl Ferrers renders account to the Crown of rents received Crown Rents. 
 in the Wapentake of West Derby. Amongst the entries 
 are ~£g for the rent of Assize in Liverpool, and 20s. from 
 Wavertree. 
 
 In the 13th Henry III. (1229), a new charter was 1229. 
 granted to the borough. The document is amongst the ChSr. 
 city records. It is on a single sheet of parchment, 12 
 inches by 9, written in a clear hand, with ink of good 
 colour. There is no illumination or ornament. The seal 
 is gone, but the strings remain. The original is in Latin. 
 
 CHARTER OF KING HENRY THE THIRD. 
 
 " Henry by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, 
 &c. Know ye that we have granted and by this our charter have 
 confirmed, that our town of Leverepul shall for ever be a free borough, 
 and that the burgesses of the same borough shall have a mercatorial 
 gild, with a hanse and other liberties, and free customs to the same 
 gild pertaining; and that no one who is not of the same gild shall 
 transact any merchandize in the aforesaid borough, unless by consent 
 of the same burgesses. We have also granted to the same burgesses 
 and their heirs that they shall have soc and sac, and tol and theam 
 and infangenethef, and that they be quit throughout our whole land 
 and through all seaports, of toll, lastage, passage, pontage and stallage; 
 and that they shall do no suit of counties and wapentakes for their 
 tenures which they hold within the borough aforesaid. We have 
 granted also to the same burgesses and their heirs that whatsoever 
 merchants shall seek the borough aforesaid with their merchandizes, 
 of whatsoever place they may be, whether strangers or others, who 
 shall be of our peace, or with our licence shall have come into our 
 land, may safely and securely come to the aforesaid borough with 
 their merchandizes and safely remain there and safely thence depart, 
 doing therefor the right and due customs. We prohibit also that no 
 one shall injure, damage or molest the aforesaid burgesses upon for- 
 feiture to us of ten pounds. Wherefore we will and firmly command, 
 that the aforesaid town of Leverepul shall be a free borough, and that 
 the aforesaid burgesses shall have the aforesaid mercatorial gild, with 
 
4 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 Cost of 
 Charter. 
 
 Restrictive 
 Clauses. 
 
 a hanse and other liberties and free customs to that gild pertaining, 
 and that they shall have all other liberties and free customs and 
 acquittances as is aforesaid. These being witnesses Hubert de Burgh 
 Earl of Kent, Justice of England (five other names) and others. 
 
 " Given at Marlborough the 24th day of March in the 13th year of 
 our reign." 
 
 Amongst the records of the Court of Chancery there 
 
 is an entry under this date, that — 
 
 " The Burgesses of Leverepul gave ten marks * to have a charter 
 of the Lord the King." 
 
 The original letters patent of King John secured perfect 
 freedom of trade to all settlers who might take burgages. 
 This seems to have been interpreted that such freedom 
 should be theirs alone, since the charter of Henry, granted 
 only twenty -two years after that of John, is of the narrowest 
 and most exclusive character. 
 
 To this period, no doubt, the original seal must be re- 
 ferred. This was lost or destroyed at the time of the siege 
 in 1644, but impressions of it remain. 
 
 Seal. 
 
 
 
 SIGIELCOHMVHQ BORGGSID T L8V€RP0I/< 
 
 Supplying the contractions, the inscription reads — " Si- 
 gillum commune Borgensium de Leverpol." It has been 
 
 * £6 13s. 4<3., equal in modem money to ^100. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 sufficiently proved that the so-called "Liver" was intended 
 to represent the eagle of St. John the Evangelist, to whom 
 the legend IOPI3 — a contraction for "Johannis" — refers. 
 The crescent and star were adopted by Richard Cceur de 
 Lion, and are found on his great seal. The sprig is pro- 
 bably intended for the fleur-de-lys. 
 
 The modern seal is a rude copy of the original, and the 
 enigmatical letters are simply blunders. 
 
 Concurrently with the grant of the charter by Henry III., 
 a lease of the fee-farm of the tolls, customs, and burgage 1229. 
 rents was granted to the burgesses. The document is as Lease.™ 
 follows : — 
 
 " Henry by the grace of God, King of England, &c. To the Sheriffs 
 and all our Bailiffs of the County of Lancaster, Know ye that we have 
 granted to our honest men of Leverepul our Town of Leverepul to 
 be held at farm from the feast of St. Michael in the third year of our 
 reign unto the end of four complete years ; rendering therefor unto 
 us in each of the aforesaid years at our Exchequer by the hand of 
 the Sheriff of Lancaster at two terms, ten pounds, namely "at Easter 
 in the thirteenth year of our reign five pounds, and at the feast of St. 
 Michael in the same year five pounds, and this from year to year 
 at the same terms, ten pounds as is aforesaid. In witness whereof 
 we have caused these letters to be made patent. 
 
 "Witness myself at Marlborough 25th day of March in the same 
 year of our reign." 
 
 The £10 rent is equal to £150 in moder^ currency. 
 
 Immediately after these transactions, the King made a 
 grant to Ranulf Earl of Chester, of the whole lands be- Grant to Earl 
 tween the Ribble and the Mersey, including the town of 
 Liverpool, which is mentioned by name. At his death, in 
 1232, his estates were divided, and Liverpool fell to the 
 share of his sister Agnes, who was married to William de 
 Ferrers, Earl of Derby. The estates being held "in capite" wniiamde 
 direct from the Crown, carried with them plenary jurisdic- 
 tion. Hence we find that Earl Robert de Ferrers, in 1266, 
 granted an " Inspeximus " charter to the burgesses of Liver- ^^ 
 pool, of which the following quotation contains the essence :— charter. 
 
CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 1266. 
 Confiscation. 
 
 Maria de 
 Ferrers. 
 
 Grant to 
 Crouchback. 
 
 1292. 
 Commission 
 of Inquiry. 
 
 Quo 
 Warranto. 
 
 " Know ye that we have inspected the charter of the burgesses of 
 Liverpool [here follows King John's charter] . We have also inspected 
 the confirmation of our Lord Henry the King of England [here fallows 
 King Henry's charter] which having inspected and fully understood 
 we grant and confirm for ever all the liberties and free customs in the 
 preceding charters," &c. Given at Liverpol by the hands of Master 
 Hy. Lovel our Chancellor on the 5th day of February in the 50th 
 year of the reign of King Henry (1266). 
 
 Within six months after the exercise of these quasi- 
 regal powers, the estates of Earl Robert de Ferrers were 
 confiscated, and the king took possession of Liverpool by 
 the following order : — 
 
 "The King to his beloved niece Maria de Ferrers greeting. As we 
 have committed to our beloved and faithful Adam de Gosmuth, the 
 lands and all the tenements of Robert de Ferrers Earl of Derby to 
 be held as long as it may please us, we command you that you deliver 
 to the said Adam de Gosmuth or to William de Syleby, the Castle of 
 Liverpol with its appurtenances, on their presenting these letters with 
 the lands and tenements aforesaid. Witness the King at Westminster 
 the nth day of July" (1266). 
 
 On the 5th August following, the forfeited estates of 
 Robert de Ferrers, including Liverpool, were granted to 
 Edmund Plantagenet, surnamed Crouchback, the second son 
 of the king, who was created Earl of Lancaster. 
 
 In the year 1292, King Edward I., being in sore want 
 of means to prosecute his war with Scotland, endeavoured 
 to raise money by writs of Quo Warranto, and sent down 
 a Commission, under Hugh de Cressingham, into Lanca- 
 shire, to inquire into the titles of the corporate bodies and 
 other owners of property. The following is a copy of their 
 report, so far as relates to Liverpool : — 
 
 "Proceedings de Quo Warranto before Hugh de Cressingham and 
 his fellows, Justices Itinerant at Lancaster, in the Octaves of the 
 Holy Trinity in the 20th year of King Edward, son of Henry. 
 
 " The Bailiffs and Commonalty of the Borough of Liverpool were 
 summoned that they be here at this day to shew by what warrant 
 they claim to be quit of Common Pleas and amercements of the county, 
 and suits of counties and wapentakes, and of toll, stallage, thorough- 
 toll, passage, pontage and lastage throughout the whole kingdom of 
 England, and to have a Market, Fair, Pillory, Tumbrel, Infangethef 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Gallows, and the amendation of the assize of bread and ale broken 
 in the town aforesaid, which belong to the Crown and dignity of our 
 Lord the King, without the license and will of the Lord the King, or 
 of his progenitors kings of England, &c. 
 
 " And. certain men of the Borough of Liverpool came for the Com- Report, 
 monalty and say — that they have not at present a Bailiff of themselves, 
 but have been accustomed to have until Edmund the King's brother 
 impeded them, and permits them not to have a free borough ; where- 
 upon at present they do not claim the aforesaid liberties except they 
 may be quit of common fines and amercements of the county, and 
 suits of counties and wapentakes, and of toll, stallage, thorough- 
 toll, passage, pontage and lastage through the whole kingdom of 
 England. 
 
 "And as to the other Liberties, they say that they have been 
 accustomed to have them, but the aforesaid Edmund now has them, 
 and they say that the Lord John, late King of England, grandfather of 
 the Lord the now King, in whose time the aforesaid Borough first 
 began to be, by his charter — which they shewed — granted to all his 
 faithful people who should take burgages there." [Here follow recitals 
 blending together the two charters of John and Henry HI.] 
 
 " And whereas it appears by their evidence that the aforesaid Edmund Quo 
 hath usurped <and occupied the aforesaid liberties, the Sheriff is com- Warranto 
 manded that he cause him to come here on Monday next after the Re F° rt - 
 feast of St. James the apostle, to answer, &c. And it is directed to 
 the Commonalty that they be here to prosecute for our Lord the King, 
 together with William Inge, &c. And the Commonalty put in their 
 place John de la More, Adam son of Alan Walseman, and Richard 
 de Lyverpol. Afterwards, the aforesaid Edmund came by his attorney, 
 and a day is given at Appleby in the county of Westmorland in the 
 Octaves of St. Michael." 
 
 Of the result of this inquiry we have no record. 
 
 There is evidence from the Pipe Rolls of the Exchequer 
 that, after the expiration of the fee-farm lease from Henry III., 
 down to 1348, no leases were granted, the burgage rents, Burgage 
 
 Rents and 
 
 tolls, and customs dues being collected by the bailiffs, and Toils. 
 
 accounted for to the Earl. 
 
 Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, died in 1296. After his 
 
 decease, the usual " inquisitio post mortem " was held, of 
 
 which the record is to be found in the rolls of Chancery, 
 
 as follows : — 
 
 " An Inquisition taken at West Derby on Wednesday in the week inquisitio 
 of Pentecost in the 26th year of the reign of King Edward, of post mortem, 
 the extent of the lands and tenements, Fees and Rents, which were 
 of Lord Edmund, brother of the Lord the now King in the Wapen- 
 
CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 1296 
 Members 
 
 take of West Derby by Alan le Norreys of Sefton, Richard de 
 Molyneux of Crosseby," and others. The portion relating to Liver- 
 pool reads thus : — " And they say that the rents of assize of Lyverpole 
 are worth by the year, £8 y s - 6 d -; also the herbage qf the garden 
 with the dove-houses xo s - ; and the passage over the Mersey, 26 s - 8 4 
 And there are two mills, one water and the other wind, and they 
 are worth by the year five marks. The tolls of the market and fair, 
 with foreign tolls are worth about Ten Pounds. The perquisites of 
 court of the same town are worth about 40 s - by the year. Sum 
 ^25 io s - io d " This, in present money, is about ^"383 2s. 6d., not 
 at all an inconsiderable sum. 
 
 In 1296, the first Parliament called by writs of the 
 
 elected. Crown, was held at Westminster. To this Liverpool sent 
 
 two members — Adam Fitzrichard and Robert Pinklowe — 
 
 who were paid their travelling expenses and wages for 
 
 their services. 
 
 1309. In the year 1309 (3rd Edward II.), a very important 
 
 Turbary. grant was made to the burgesses by Thomas, the second 
 
 Earl of Lancaster. It runs as follows : — 
 
 " Know all men that we Thomas Earl of Lancaster have given 
 and granted, and by these presents confirm to our Burgesses of our 
 town of Lyverpole six acres of mosses, 1 lying between the Pikecroft 
 lands and the Lambthorn, adjoining the goit of the said town of 
 Lyverpole, to hold and to have from us and our heirs freely for ever, 
 paying yearly to us and our heirs a silver penny at the feast of St. 
 John the Baptist for all service. And we, the aforesaid Thomas and 
 our heirs, the aforesaid six acres of mosses, and the appurtenances 
 guarantee and defend to our burgesses of Lyverpolle and their heirs 
 for ever. In witness of this we have affixed our seal in the presence 
 of the following witnesses. Robert de Latham, Adam de Ireland, and 
 others. Given at Lyverpole the Thursday next after the feast of St. 
 Mark, in the 3rd year of the reign of King Edward the son of King 
 Edward." 
 
 This moss-land, so granted, was doubtless intended as a 
 turbary to supply the good people of Liverpool with fuel. 
 It now forms a very valuable portion of the corporate 
 estate, comprising the district formerly called Mosslake 
 Fields, and including the site of Abercromby and Falkner 
 Squares, Bedford Street, Grove Street, &c. 
 
 1 Large measure, equal to nearly 13 acres statute. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 From an Inquisition held at Wigan, 12th March, 1327 1327 . 
 (1st Edward III.), it appears that the revenue from the Revenue - 
 town amounted at that time to £30 10s. od., equal to 
 £457 10s. od. in present money. 
 
 In 1322, after the battle of Boroughbridge, Earl Thomas 1322. 
 was beheaded, and his brother Henry succeeded to the 
 Earldom of Lancaster. The borough of Liverpool passing 
 therewith, a jury was summoned to inquire into its value, inquiry as to 
 
 twi • • Value. 
 
 Their report is as follows : — 
 
 "The jurors say that there is at Lyverpoll a certain Castle, whose 
 trench and herbage are of the value of 2 s - per year ; and that there 
 is a certain dove-cote under the Castle of the value of 6 B - 8 d -, and 
 that there is a certain Borough in which are divers free tenants holding 
 in burgage and paying yearly £8 8 s - ; and that there is there a 
 certain market held on Saturday, whose tolls are worth /"io, and that Market. 
 there is a certain ferry beyond the Mersey which is worth 40 s - ; and Ferry, 
 there is a wind-mill of the value of 26 s - and a water-mill of the value 
 of 24 s - ; and that there is a certain Fair held on the day of St. Martin, Fair, 
 whose toll is of the value of 13 s - g d ; and that there is there a cer- 
 tain Park which is called Toxteth, whose herbage in summer is of 
 the value of £xi. Sum total ^"35 o s - 5 d " (Equal to ^525 6s. 3d.) 
 
 It may be remarked that in this estimate, which seems 
 very -complete, there is no mention of customs or town 
 dues. It is probable that the customs dues, at least, 
 were reserved by the Crown. 
 
 During Earl Thomas's rule, he had a faithful follower 
 and secretary, Robert de Holland, to whom he made sir Robert de 
 numerous grants of manors, amongst others the Castle 
 and Borough of Liverpool. When Earl Henry entered 
 into possession, after the death of his brother, Holland put 
 in his claims. To decide this question, a jury of Lanca- 
 shire gentlemen was summoned, who met at Wigan, and 
 after inquiry drew up the following verdict : — 
 
 " An Inquisition taken before Simon de Grimsby escheator of the lord 1327. 
 the King, at Wigan on Tuesday next after the feast of St. Gregory the Inquiry. 
 Pope in the first year of the reign of King Edward 3rd (1327), by Gilbert 
 de Haydock, Rich d - de Bold, Robert le Norreys, John de la More, and 
 
10 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 Inquiry. 
 
 Adam Clerk of Lyverpoll, and others ; who say upon their oath, that 
 Robert de Holland about the time of seven years before the death of 
 Thomas Earl of Lancaster entered into the Castle and Borough of 
 Lyverpoll, which are worth by the year in all issues ^30 10. (with 
 many other manors named); But they say that the aforesaid Robert 
 shewed no charter nor any other special deed under the name of the 
 said Thomas the earl, of the aforesaid castle, borough, &c, neither 
 had the said Thomas ever delivered any seizin to the aforesaid Robert 
 of the aforesaid Castle, Borough, &c. ; and upon these being required 
 of, whether the aforesaid Thomas died seized of the aforesaid Castle, 
 Borough, &c, they say that they know not, and hereupon to speak 
 precisely, they wholly refuse. And they say that the aforesaid Thomas 
 held all the premises aforesaid with their appurtenances of the Lord 
 Edward, late King of England, father of the now King, in capite, by 
 the service of one Gosshawk, and they say that Lord Henry Earl 
 of Lancaster is the brother of the aforesaid Thomas, and is next heir, 
 and of the age of forty years and upwards." 
 
 This verdict decided nothing. Robert de Holland 
 petitioned Parliament for the restoration of the estates 
 which he claimed, but there is no evidence that he ever 
 entered into possession ; but as he died a few years after- 
 wards without heirs male, the castle and borough reverted 
 to Henry, Earl of Lancaster. 
 
 In 1329, the first local improvement took place in the 
 town. The streets had hitherto not been paved. In order 
 to raise funds for this purpose, it was proposed to levy 
 certain specific tolls on articles sold, which could not be 
 done without the authority of the Crown. This document 
 reads as follows : — 
 
 " Paveage conceded to the town of Liverpool. The King to his 
 beloved Bailiffs and to the honest men of the town of Liverpol, 
 greeting. Know that we have granted in aid of the paving of the said 
 town of Liverpol that from the date of the grant of this deed to the 
 end of the three years next following you may take the underwritten 
 tolls, that is to say, on every horse load of grain £ d - ; on every horse, 
 mare, ox and cow i d -" 
 
 And so on, with a long list of articles. This list is interesting 
 as indicating the nature of the traffic carried on at that date. 
 Merchandize. Of course cattle, sheep, and pigs, hides and skins, are enume- 
 rated. Cloth of various descriptions is mentioned, cloth of 
 
 1329. 
 Grant for 
 Paving. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. n 
 
 worthsted, linen cloth, linen cloth of Aylsham, Cendallo 1 of 
 two kinds. Some of the cloth must have been of home manu- 
 facture, as it is alluded to as being brought in carts. Iron, 
 lead, tallow, Cordovan leather, wine, wood, honey, wool, are 
 mentioned. Coals appear to have been brought by sea, as 
 sea coals are charged with a duty of Jd. per chaldron. Fish Toiison 
 
 r 1 . . .. cii i 1 Merchandize. 
 
 formed an important item — sea fish, salmon, herrings, lam- 
 preys, mullet, &c. 
 
 This authority for tolls was only granted for three years, 
 but similar grants became frequent, five having been issued 
 during the reign of Edward III. 
 
 In 1333, the third charter was granted to the town by 1333. 
 Edward III. The immediate occasion for its issue does chart". 
 not appear, as it gave no new privileges, and the sum 
 paid — 40 shillings (equal to £30) — was too trifling to be 
 of any importance. It is a simple " inspeximus," merely 
 reciting the two previous charters, with a clause at the 
 end of grant and confirmation. In the wording of this 
 confirmation, however, we may find the reason for the 
 application for a new charter. In the charter of Henry 
 III. (1229) the privileges were granted to the burgesses 
 and their heirs. So long as no landed property was pos- 
 sessed by the town, this was not of much consequence, 
 the burgages being held under the Crown by the individual 
 grantees or their heirs; but since a valuable tract of land 
 had been given to the town by Earl Thomas, the want 
 of a Corporation, with perpetual succession, would have led 
 to complications and difficulties. Hence it is probable 
 that the new charter was applied for, which added the 
 confirmation of the grant " to the aforesaid burgesses, 
 their heirs and successors," thereby laying the foundation 
 
 1 Cendallo, in Spanish, signifies a thin cloth of silk or thread. It indicates imports from 
 Spain in exchange for exports offish. 
 
12 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 incorporation, for the corporate estate, which could not otherwise have 
 come into existence. 
 
 The The document consists of a single skin of parchment, 
 
 16 inches by 11 inches. The penmanship is good, but the 
 ink is pale and somewhat faded. There is a wide margin, 
 with lines ruled round the border. The top line is orna- 
 mented with curious elongated flourishes to the capitals. 
 The seal remains attached. The charter is dated from 
 York, and witnessed by the Archbishop of York, the 
 Bishop of Winchester, and five others. 
 1336. In the year 1336, when the King was preparing to prose- 
 
 cute the war with Scotland by sea as well as land, he issued 
 the following order, which indicates that the Port of Liverpool 
 was at that time considered a post of importance : — 
 
 " The King to all whom, &c, Greeting : Know ye that we, fully con- 
 fiding in the approved fidelity and provident circumspection of our 
 beloved and faithful Simon de Beltoft, have constituted the said Simon 
 Levy of ships. Captain and Commander of the six ships of war which for certain 
 reasons we have ordered to be got ready and equipped by him and 
 our beloved Clerk Henry de Kendale along the sea coast towards the 
 western parts in the Port of Liverpool, and in every the ports 
 between Liverpool and Skymburnesse, in order to put to sea towards 
 those ports in our service. Witness the King at York the 15th day 
 of May " (1336). 
 
 On the death of Henry the third Earl of Lancaster, in 
 1346. 1346, an "inquisitio post mortem" was held, the report on 
 mortem!° P ° S which contains valuable information as to the state of 
 Liverpool at that time. It runs as follows : — 
 
 Return of " Lyverpull.— The Bailiffs there answer of one penny from the 
 
 Revenues. Burgesses of the town of Lyverpull for 12 acres of Turbary in the 
 Moss in exchange for one place enclosed within the park by the 
 charter of Thomas the late earl at the term of Michaelmas, and of 
 6 s 8 d for the rent of John de Wamberg and the heirs of the body of 
 the same John by the charter of Earl Henry the father of the Lord 
 for three parts of one Burgage and of five sellions of land which fell 
 into the hands of the Lord by the death of John Botiller a bastard — 
 and of 4 s for the rent of the third part of half a Burgage called 
 Long Stable, before the gate of the Castle beyond. One Burgage 
 being in the hands of Denis Kelinge by the service of finding a 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 13 
 
 stable for 12 horses at each arrival of the Lord within the said 1346. 
 borough ; and of £8 4 iof for the rent of 164 Burgages, three parts, 
 an eighth part, and a 48 th part of a Burgage in the town of Lyver- 
 pull, and of 14^* charged for the rent of one Burgage, the 8 th part 
 and 16 th part of one Burgage as in the rent of the number of Bur- 
 gages as above at the term of St Michaei, and of 3 d for the increased 
 rent of Wm de Lyverpull, Clerk for half a Burgage formerly of Henry 
 son of John de Walker at equal terms, and of i8 d for the rent of 
 John Bacon for one cottage upon the ditch of the castle at will, all 
 which appears by the new Rental, and of 67 s 6 d for the rent of 40^ 
 acres of land in Saltenentmor, and of 7 s 3f d for the rent of i\\ acres Return of 
 and half a rood of turbary in the Moss. Sum £\7. 13 4f. Revenues. 
 
 " For the farm of the Tolls, stallage of the markets, Fairs of the 
 town of Lyverpull, passage boat, one horse mill and two watermills 
 as demised to John, son of Wm del Mor ^26. 
 
 " For the farm of Rd de Walton, for the herbage and fruit of the 
 garden, with the issues of the dovecote demised for a term of eight 
 years 15 s at the terms of Easter and St Michael. 
 
 " For the herbage of the ditch of the Castle i6 d 
 
 " For Fines for entry, for perquisites of Courts, for perquisites of Port 
 Motes, for Customs of Anchorage, for wreck of the sea, waifs, strays, 
 Escheats, for fishery 01 the Mersee [blank in original.] Of which 4 s is 
 allowed to Benedict le Stedman for the yearly rent of a certain 
 tenement which the Lord Earl Henry, the father of the now Lord 
 remitted for the term of his life in consideration of his services." 
 
 We find from this record, comparing it with others, 
 that the original number of burgage tenements was 168, Burgages, 
 which continued the same down to the sale of the Lord- 
 ship by Charles I., in 1628. The quit rent was is. per 
 annum each. These burgages were heritable property, 
 and became in consequence sub-divided, such small portions 
 as ¥ y h part being noticed above. These burgage rents, 1346. 
 with the proceeds of the other landed property, the per- 
 quisites of the courts, anchorage, &c, were retained by 
 the lord and collected by the bailiffs. The tolls of 
 markets and fairs, ferry and mills, were leased to John 
 de la Mor, most probably on behalf of the burgesses, 
 though not specifically stated. No customs or towns dues 
 are mentioned. 
 
 In 1357, a fee-farm lease for ten years was granted Fee-farm 
 by Henry the first Duke of Lancaster to the before-men- 
 
Leases. 
 
 14 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 tioned John de la More, Richard de Aynsargh, William 
 
 Fitzadam, and others, on behalf of the burgesses. This 
 
 included the entire revenues of the over-lord from every 
 
 source. The deed sets forth : — 
 
 " Our town of Liverpull with the appurtenanpes together with our 
 two mills of the same town, with the rents and farms whatsoever in 
 the same town of Liverpull; also the passage of the water of Mersey, 
 taking therefor as hath anciently been accustomed to be taken, and 
 the perquisites of our Courts, together with the parcels of Turbary 
 under our park of Toxteth ; also the correction of the Assize of Bread 
 and ale ; of foreoccupiers, forestallers, butchers, tanners and of peace 
 broken, and the whole toll of the town aforesaid to be taken as 
 anciently it hath been accustomed to be taken, together with all other 
 profits to us pertaining in the same town ; — saving the orchard, and 
 the herbage of the fosse of the Castle, and wreck of the Sea, Waifs 
 and Estrays, and the forfeiture of the lands, and chattels of felons and 
 fugitives." 
 
 Rent. The rent was £33 6s. 8d., equal to £500 modern. 
 
 Fee-farm I may here dispose, once for all, of the fee-farm leases, 
 
 which from this time forward became very numerous, not 
 less than thirty having been granted between this date and 
 1628, when the Lordship was sold by Charles I. The 
 highest amount of fee-farm rent realised was under a 
 lease from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, granted in 
 1394, amounting to 57 mafks, equal to £570 modern. 
 After this date the revenues gradually declined, and during 
 the troublous times of the Wars of the Roses, the rent 
 sunk to £14. This probably indicates a decline in the 
 trade of the port, as in a petition in the reign of Elizabeth 
 the town is described as " Your Majesty's poor decayed 
 town of Liverpoole." Since, however, after the reign of 
 Henry VII., the fee-farm rent appears a fixed sum of £14, 
 and after the reign of Henry VIII., £14 6s. 8d., it would seem 
 that some compromise had taken place, settling the returns 
 to the Crown on a definite basis. From the year 1545, 
 the fee-farm was in the hands of the Molyneux family by 
 a succession of grants. In 1672, Caryl Molyneux, Lord 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 15 
 
 Maryborough, granted a lease of 1,000 years to the Corpo- 
 ration, at the rent of £30, and in 1777 the reversion was 
 bought by them. 
 
 The question of the right to the tolls of markets and 
 fairs was a constant source of litigation, as will hereafter 
 appear. 
 
 In the year 1356, the office of Mayor is first mentioned, isse. 
 
 ■ 1 r 1 rr- Mayor first 
 
 The notice occurs in a letter patent from the Kmg, bearing mentioned. 
 
 date the 19th May, authorising Richard de Aynsargh, 
 
 Mayor of Liverpool, to acquire ^10 of land from the Duke 
 
 of Lancaster, and — 
 
 "To give and assign the said land, notwithstanding the statute of Grant to 
 Mortmain, to perform divine service every day for the souls of the Chapel, 
 faithful deceased, in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin and St Nicholas 
 in Liverpool." 
 
 The office of Bailiff had doubtless existed from the Bailiffs. 
 foundation of the borough. The bailiffs were originally 
 officers appointed by the Crown to collect and account 
 for the dues and rents. They were usually two in 
 number, one of whom took precedence, and was hence 
 called Major, Majeur, corrupted into Maire or Mayor. Mayor. 
 
 In 1361, King Edward III. sent over his son, Lionel, isei. 
 
 Duke of Clarence and Earl of Ulster, to act as Viceroy clarence. 
 
 and Commander-in-Chief in Ireland. He set sail from 
 
 Liverpool. The following is the Royal mandate, extracted 
 
 from the' Patent Rolls : — 
 
 "The King to the Justices, Chancellor, and others of our Council 
 in Ireland greeting : — Recalling to memory how our Irish enemies 
 and rebels and others, have in great manner destroyed our faithful 
 subjects of the land aforesaid, and cease not daily to commit such 
 wicked and evil acts, and in process of time much greater are 
 dreaded to be done unless their wickedness be soon restrained; We 
 for the cause aforesaid have determined to send our most dear son 
 Lionel Earl of Ulster, with a competent armed force to the land 
 aforesaid : And for the comfort and solace of our adherents and faithful 
 supporters in the said land, we have resolved to send beforehand our 
 beloved clerk, Thomas de Baddeley, to announce to you and them the 
 
i6 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 1372. 
 Grant to 
 Rankyn 
 d'Ypres. 
 
 news of the coming of our dear son, and to lay the charge on you that 
 Despatch of the whole navy of the land aforesaid completely armed, shall be sent 
 Navy. w j t jj a n S p ee( j to the ports of Lytherpool and Chester, for the passage of 
 
 our said son to those parts, &c. Witness the King at Westminster the 
 
 10th May" (1361). 
 
 It was not an uncommon practice at this period to 
 
 grant rent charges upon local revenues in favour of 
 
 particular individuals. A curious incident occurs in the 
 
 records of the Duchy, in the Register of John of Gaunt, 
 
 a.d. 1372. It is an agreement in Norman-French, made 
 
 between the Duke and Rankyn d'Ypres, Esq., whereby 
 
 " The said Rankyn is retained and dwelling with our said Lord for peace 
 and for war, for the term of his life, in manner following ; that is to say, 
 in time of peace the said Rankyn shall be at board at Court, in the 
 manner as other esquires of the household of our said Lord ; and for his 
 fees in time of peace our said Lord has given and granted to the said 
 Rankyn seventeen marks six shillings and eightpence besides 100 shillings 
 which he hath lately granted him from the manor of Skerton ; so that our 
 said Lord will that the said Rankyn should have and take in time of 
 peace for the term of his life in the whole twenty and five marks 
 sterling from the farm of the town of Liverpol by the hands of the Receiver 
 of our said Lord in those parts, &c. Done at the Savoy the 16th July 
 the year of England the 46th " (1372). 
 
 A few of the extant documents throw light on the 
 condition and private life of the burgesses in these early 
 times. William Fitz-Adam, or, as we should now call 
 him, Adamson, was Mayor of Liverpool in 1378, and was 
 one of the grantees named in the fee-farm lease to the 
 burgesses in 1357. He must therefore have been a person 
 of some distinction in the town. He died in 1380. 
 The following is a copy of his will, with the inventory 
 of his goods attached : — 
 
 His will. " Last will and testament of William the son of Adam of Lyverpull. — 
 
 In the name of God Amen. I William being of sound mind, though 
 weak in body, make my last will in this manner. Imprimis I bequeath 
 my soul to God, and to the blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints ; and 
 my body to be buried in the Chapel of Lyverpull before the face of the 
 white image of the Virgin, which is my perpetual place of burial. I leave 
 to be distributed in bread on the day of my burial three quarters of 
 wheat. I leave six pounds of wax to be used about my body. I leave to 
 
 1380. 
 Wm. 
 Fitzadam. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 17 
 
 every priest in the Chapel of Lyverpull 4 a - I leave the rest of all my 
 goods to Katherine my wife and our children. To perform my will, I 
 appoint as my executors, John le Fuller, and Wm. Parker, chaplain. 
 Given at Lyverpull, on the Tuesday next after the feast of Luke the 
 Evangelist, in the presence of Thomas de la More, the Mayor, and John 
 de Eccleston, and others of my neighbours, in the year 1380." 
 
 " Inventory of the goods of William the son of Adam of Lyverpull. Goods. 
 Imprimis in grain 10 marks. 
 
 " In seven oxen and cows each io 8 - 
 
 " In two cows, two horses and a mare each half a mark. 
 
 " In three horses one mark. 
 
 "In 18 pigs, 30 s - 
 
 " In 24 sellions of wheat sown in the ground, £y.*- 
 
 " In domestic utensils 11 marks." 
 
 Total £28 6s. 4d., equal to £424 in modern currency. 
 It will be observed that there is no mention of any 
 merchandise. 
 
 In the year 1382 the fourth charter was granted by 1382. 
 Richard II. The circumstances connected with it are RichardiL 
 peculiar and suggestive. 
 
 The original charter, or letter patent, of John was of 
 the freest description, giving a general invitation to settle 
 in the new borough, with equal privileges to all who 
 should take burgage tenements. We may suppose that 
 the first burgesses wished to keep these privileges to 
 themselves, for in the second charter, only twenty-two 
 years afterwards, we find a clause inserted, constituting 
 the burgesses a mercatorial gild, and enacting "that no 
 one that is not of the same gild shall transact any 
 merchandise in the borough unless by consent of the 
 same burgesses and their heirs." This clause enabled Burgesses and 
 the burgesses to make their own conditions with any new 
 settlers. It is not clear whether they had the power to 
 levy any tolls or dues other than those appertaining to 
 the Lordship, but they could compel the payment of 
 a fine by a non-burgess for admission to the privileges. 
 
 « A stllion was a ridge or butt of arable land, between two furrows or drains. 
 
 C 
 
i8 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 Freemen. 
 
 Privileges, 
 
 1400. 
 5th Charter. 
 Henry IV. 
 
 When so admitted, the party became " a freeman," 
 although not a burgess by tenure, and was entitled to 
 take part in all the town's proceedings. The sons of 
 freemen were equally admissible, and the privilege was 
 afterwards extended to apprentices. Whilst the number 
 of freemen was thus increasing, the burgesses were 
 diminishing by the sale and subdivision of the burgage 
 tenements, which led to their ultimate extinction as a 
 separate body. During the transition period it is evident 
 from the documents that a fierce contest was carried on 
 between the privileged freemen and the outside traders, 
 which continued with more or less acrimony to the middle 
 of the 18th century. The charter of Richard II. indicates 
 that influence had been brought to bear on behalf of free 
 trade. In its general terms it is simply an " Inspeximus " 
 charter of confirmation of the previous ones, but it pro- 
 ceeds emphatically to repeal the restrictive clause — 
 
 "We also, the grants and confirmations aforesaid holding firm and 
 valid — the clause above expressed that no one who is not of the same gild 
 shall transact any merchandize unless by consent of the same burgesses, 
 being entirely excepted (ilia clausula penitus excepta) do for us and our 
 heirs accept and ratify," &c. 
 
 The document is on a single skin, 19 inches by 14 
 inches. The initial letter and three smaller capitals are 
 left blank for illumination. The seal is perfect. 
 
 Eighteen years afterwards (1400) another charter was 
 obtained from Henry IV- virtually repealing the enact- 
 ment throwing open the trade. This was not done in 
 express terms, but by entirely ignoring the charter of 
 Richard II. The three first charters are recited, including 
 the restrictive clause of Henry III., and confirmation 
 granted without any reference to the regulations of the 
 subsequent charter. It is clear that there had been 
 a controversy, in which the burgesses and freemen came 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 19 
 
 off victorious, but no record exists as to the circum- 
 stances or the motives of those concerned. 
 
 This document is on a single skin, the seal attached, 
 but broken. The larg.e initial letter is ornamented. The 
 initials in the first line are decorated with peculiar 
 elongated flourishes. 
 
 The originals of the charters, and most of the other 
 documents hitherto quoted, are in Latin, but from the 
 time of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, to the reign 
 of Henry V. many of the records are couched in an Records in 
 antiquated form of Norman-French. It appears at first French " 
 sight singular that for many years after Chaucer had written 
 his poems, and Wickliffe had translated the Bible into 
 English, the documents of a remote provincial town in 
 England should be written in a foreign tongue. It may 
 be accounted for by the connection of John of Gaunt 
 with Flanders, which introduced foreigners into his service, 
 such as Rankyn d'Ypres, mentioned above, and also by 
 the close connection with France, arising out of the wars 
 and conquests there. 
 
 The following specimen is a errant by Henry IV., in 1401. 
 
 1 , r 1 . . xt- 1 1 a 1 GranttoNicol 
 
 the second year of his reign, to Nicol de Atherton : — deAthetton. 
 
 " Henry &c a toutz ceux &c saluz. Saches q nous de nre gee 
 especiale et pr le bon et greable svice q nr ch et foial chivaler Nicol de 
 Atherton nous ad fait et ferra en temps avenir et pr tant q'il ad restorez 
 div'ses nos l'res patentes p les queux nous eussons g'antez au dit Nicol 
 div ses annuities a prendres pr terme de sa vie, cestassayoir dys liv a des 
 issues de nre manoir de Derby el countee de Lancastre pr les mains de 
 nre receiv' illocqs pr le temps estant ; dys livres pr an a prendre des 
 issues pfitz et comoditees de la baillie de Westderbyshire . ._. . et 
 dys livres p an de la ferme quelle les_Mair, Baillifs et homes de nre ville 
 de Lyverpule rendent a nous pr an pr les mains des ditz Mair, Baillifs, 
 homes ou auts receivours ou occupios de mesrne la ferme pr le temps 
 estant as termes de Saint Michell et Pasques p onelles porcions. . . . 
 En temoign &c. Don &c. la xxj j'or D'avrill. __ _ 
 
 " Pr ipm Rege & Consiliu." 
 
20 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207—1556- 
 
 " Henry &c to all those &c greeting : Know ye that of our special 
 grace and for the good and agreeable service which our dear and faithful 
 knight Nicol de Atherton has done for us and will do in time to come, and 
 for his surrender of divers letters patent, we have granted to the said 
 Nicol certain annuities to take for the term of his life to wit ten pounds 
 from the issues of our manor of Derby in the county of Lancaster by the 
 hands of our receiver there for the time being ; ten pounds to be taken 
 from the issues, profits and commodities of the Bailey of Westderby- 
 shire .... and ten pounds a year from the farm which the Mayor 
 Bailiffs and men of our town of Lyverpule render to us yearly by the 
 hands of the said Mayor, Bailiffs and men, receivers or occupiers of the 
 same farm for the time being, at the terms of St. Michael and Easter in 
 equal portions. In witness &c. Given &c. the xxi day of April. 
 
 " By the said King and his Council." 
 
 French. 
 
 1414. In the 2nd Henry V. (1414) a petition, in French, 
 
 Petition in was presented to the king by the burgesses of Liverpool, 
 styling themselves his "poor tenants," complaining that 
 
 " Whereas, by Royal Charter, the burgesses have at all times had and 
 continued a court in the same borough, and the perquisites of the said 
 court with all manner of profits to the said court appertaining have taken 
 and received, nevertheless the officers of the County have come, usurped 
 and held certain courts in the same borough with force, and thus the said 
 burgesses are grievously molested, vexed and disturbed of their said liber- 
 ties and franchises," 
 
 and praying for redress. 
 
 This petition is endorsed — 
 
 " Responsio — Soit la mati6re deing escript comys a Conseil le Roi, et q 
 mesme le Conseil p auctorite du Parlement eit plein pouvoir de faire droit 
 as suppliantz deing escriptz, sur la contenue especif6 en queste Peticion." 
 
 The county authorities had their reprisals. Five years 
 afterwards there is a precept in French, issued by the 
 Crown, addressed to the steward of Salford and West 
 Derby, commanding him 
 
 " To distrain all those who have been Mayors and Bailiffs of Lyverpull 
 from the time of our Coronation until now, that they be before the Barons 
 of our Exchequer at Lancaster at the next Session there to be holden, to 
 render us account from the time that they have holden our Courts at 
 Lyverpull, and to answer to us for the issues both of our said Courts and 
 for the toll and other profits by them levied in the meantime as reason 
 demands." 
 
 1419. 
 County 
 Courts. 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 21 
 
 The last document, in French, is an extension to the 1422. 
 burgesses for one year of the fee-farm lease, dated in Lease!"" 
 1442 (9th Henry V.) The subsequent deeds, down to 
 the reign of Elizabeth, are almost all in Latin. 
 
 In the 7th year of his reign, King Henry IV. issued 1406. 
 a grant permitting Sir John de Stanley, who had married Stanley? 
 the heiress of the Lathoms of Lathom to embattle and 
 fortify a mansion he had- recently built on the margin 
 of the river, at the foot of Water Street. In the first 
 year of his reign, the King had appointed Sir John Lord- 
 Lieutenant of Ireland, and on the ruin of the Percy 
 family, who possessed the Isle of Man, the Lordship was 
 added to his possessions. The mansion was called " The 
 Tower," and remained standing until 1819.. when it was 
 removed in carrying out public improvements. The fol- 
 lowing is a copy of the grant, copied from the Patent 
 Rolls, 7th Henry IV. (1406):— 
 
 " John de Stanley Knt. The King to all whom the present letters shall License to 
 come greeting : Know ye that of our special grace, we have granted and fortify, 
 given license, for us and our heirs, as much as in us lies, to our dear and 
 faithful knight John de Stanley, steward of our household, that he may 
 embattle and fortify a certain house which he has lately constructed of 
 stone and lime, in the town of Liverpool, and hold the same so embattled 
 and fortified to him and to his heirs for ever, without impeachment or 
 disturbance of us, or of our heirs, or of our officers and ministers whom- 
 soever. In testimony whereof &c. Witness the King at Westminster the 
 15th day of January " (1406). 
 
 The documents relating to Liverpool in the 15th 
 century are not numerous, which may be accounted for 
 by the disturbed state of the kingdom. 
 
 The constableship of the castle was an office in the Constable of 
 gift of the Crown. In the 19th year of Henry VI. it M e ' 
 was bestowed on Sir Richard Molyneux, of Sefton, ancestor 
 of the Earls of Sefton, and five years afterwards the 
 office was made hereditary in the family, who continued 
 
22 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 Sir Richard 
 Molyneux. 
 
 Sir Thomas 
 Molyneux. 
 
 to hold it until the destruction of the castle in 1725. 
 
 The following is a copy of the grant : — 
 
 " Whereas on the 10 th February in the 19 th year of our reign, we did of 
 our special grace constitute and ordain our trusty and well beloved Sir 
 Rd Molyneux, Knight, and Richard his eldest son to be as well the master 
 forester of our forests and parks within our Wapentake of West Derby 
 . . . and on the 10 th day of February in the year aforesaid by other letters 
 patent, the Constableship of Liverpool Castle &c. ; and they being willing 
 to restore to us their estate in the said offices, to the intent that we would 
 graciously grant the same to the heirs male of the aforesaid Richard the 
 father, we, taking the same into our gracious consideration, have ordained 
 them the said offices to hold as aforesaid, with the fees, wages, profits and 
 commodities to the said offices pertaining." 
 
 A re-grant was made by Richard III., in 1483, to 
 Thomas Molyneux, descendant of the above. 
 
 The fact of the two leading families in the neighbour- 
 hood being in possession of the two strongholds of the 
 town, naturally led, in the unsettled period of the 15th 
 century, to differences and reprisals, sometimes accom- 
 panied with violence. In 1424 (3rd Henry VI.) a fracas 
 of this kind occurred, which is described in a report from 
 Ralph de Ratcliffe and James of the Holts, Justices of 
 the Peace to the Chancellor of the Duchy. The docu- 
 ment sets forth that — 
 
 Molyneux and « Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Sheriff of the County of Lancaster showed us 
 Comroversy. a wrlt dlrected to him fr °m our lord the King, making mention there was 
 great rumour and congregation of routs between Sir Rd Molyneux, some- 
 times dwelling at Sefton Knt on the one part, and Thomas Stanley the 
 younger of Liverpull Esquire on the other part. Wherefore the said 
 Sheriff charged us and many other gentry of the Kings behalfe that we 
 should go with him to Liverpull, then 1 as the said congregation and riots 
 were ordained to be ; and the said Sheriff and we gede to Liverpull on 
 Wednesday next after ; and there we found the said Thomas de Stanley 
 in his father's house and with a multitude of people in the town to the 
 "^ rnbe r of two thousand men or more, he alleging that the said Sir 
 Richard will come hither with great congregations, riots and great 
 multitude of people, to slea and beat the said Thomas, his men and 
 his servants, the which he would withstand if he might. Thereupon 
 the Sheriffs arrested the said Thomas, and committed him to ward." 
 
 1424. 
 
 < 
 
 that 
 
 Having secured one combatant, the document proceeds 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 23 
 
 " The Sheriffs and their men that there was, yadden up to the West 
 Derby fen, and there on a mow within the said town we saw the said Sir 
 Richard with great congregations rout and multitude to the number of 
 a thousand men and more, arrayed in manner as to go to battle, and 
 coming in fast towards Liverpull town ; and the said sheriff arrested the 
 said Sir Richard and committed him to ward." 
 
 By order of the King the two champions were com- 
 pelled to withdraw, one to Windsor, the other to Kenil- 
 worth Castle. 
 
 I have above quoted a royal letter patent of 1356, 
 authorising the Mayor to acquire lands towards the en- 
 dowment of the " Chapel of the Blessed Virgin and St. 
 Nicholas," then in all probability recently erected. This uu. 
 is generally considered to be the only ecclesiastical build- chapel 7 s 
 ing in Liverpool, down to the beginning of the 18th 
 century. It would appear, however, from the following 
 grant of the 5th Edward IV. (1464) that another and 
 distinct building existed at that time, called the Chapel 
 of St. Mary of the Quay. The document is in Latin, 
 and runs as follows : — 
 
 " Be it known to all present and to come, that we Charles Gelybrand Grant t0 
 and Ellen my wife have given and granted, and by this our present deed chapel, 
 have confirmed, to James Harebron, Maior of the Town of Liverpoole, 
 and the commonalty of the same town and their successors, all those 
 lands and tenements with all their appurtenances which we lately held by 
 the gift and feoffment of John Gerstan, lying in the town and fields of 
 Gerstan in the county of Lancaster ; To have and to hold all the said land 
 and tenements with all their appurtenances to the aforesaid James, and 
 the commonalty and their successors for ever of the chief Lord of that 
 fee, by the service thence due and accustomed — for the maintenance of a 
 proper chaplain in the Chapel of St. Mary, commonly called St. Mary of 
 the Quay to celebrate divine offices therein. And in default of a proper 
 chaplain there, we will and grant that all the aforesaid lands and tene- 
 ments with all their appurtenances shall entirely remain with the aforesaid 
 James and the community and their successors, for the support of a proper 
 chaplain to the altar of St Katherine in the Chapel of St. Nicholas in chapel of St. 
 Liverpool for ever, under the chief Lord of that fee by the service due Nicholas. 
 and of right accustomed. And in default of a proper chaplain there we 
 will and grant that all the aforesaid Lands and tenements with all their 
 appurtenances, shall entirely remain with the aforesaid James and the 
 community and their successors for ever for the support of a suitable 
 
24 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 chaplain for the altar of St. Mary in the Chapel of St. Nicholas aforesaid 
 
 by the holding from the chief Lord of that fee by the service due and 
 
 accustomed. 
 
 " And moreover we the aforesaid Charles and Ellen and our heirs all the 
 
 aforesaid Lands and tenements &c will warrant and in the form aforesaid 
 
 will for ever defend. In testimony whereof to this our present deed, we 
 
 have affixed our seal before these witnesses. 
 
 Wm Norris 
 Thos Nobris 
 Robt Latham 
 and others 
 
 Dated at Gerstan (Garston) the io ,h day of October in the 5 th year of the 
 
 reign of Edward 4 th " (1464). 
 
 1487. When Henry VII. ascended the throne, in 1485, he 
 
 Henry VII. «- 
 
 brought with him many of the retainers of the Tudor 
 David a P family. Amongst these, one David ap Griffith received, 
 
 Griffith. 
 
 in 1487, a grant of the 
 
 " Town and Lordship of Litherpoole, and also one windmill called 
 Akers Myll, and another windmill called Wartre (Wavertree) Myll 1 at 
 the rent of ^14 and 20 s each for the two mills." 
 
 This was renewed in 1502. 
 1528. In 1528, David ap Griffith being dead, another lease 
 
 Alice Griffith. ,, , . . , . 
 
 was granted to his widow, Alice Griffith, and Henry 
 Ackers, including the tolls and fairs, the ferry and other 
 appurtenances, at the rent of £\\ 6s. 8d. per annum, 
 and 20s. each for the two mills. 
 
 Various other leases were subsequently granted, as 
 noticed above. 
 1529. In the year 1529 the following order was sent down 
 
 by the Crown. It is endorsed " To enquire for Wrekks 
 in the streme of Merce, Lane." : — 
 
 Inquisition. "Henry &c. To all and singular our Justices, Stewards Maiers Bailiffs 
 
 and other our Ministers in our County Palantyne of Lancaster &c 
 greeting : Knowe ye that for the faithful trust and confidence that we, 
 have in our trusty and wellbeloved Wm More, Squier, we have deputed 
 him to inquire from time to time by all ways and means by which the 
 truth may be known of all manner of fishes royal, wrecks, flotsomes, 
 
 1 This mill is still standing and in regular use.in its original wooden construction, which of 
 course has been renewed from time to time. ' 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 25 
 
 jetsomes and other casualties happening in the stream and water called 
 Marcea or in any creeks, havens, streams of waters of the same, and to 
 survey search and examine the concealment and subtraction of all such 
 tolls customs and forfeitures as to us should rightfully appertain, of any 
 goods chattels or merchandises brought to or from our port of Liverpole, 
 or in any other ports, creeks or havens in our said county. And also to 
 inquire and survey of all destructions of fry of fishes, weirs and kedells Fisheries, 
 erect made or inhaunced within any of the said streams &c to the annoy- 
 ance thereof or contrary to the form of any Acts or Statutes provided in 
 that behalf, — (with further powers to obtain information and report to the 
 Chancellor and Council), under the Seal of the Duchy." 
 
 In the year 1533-4, on tne eve of the Reformation, a 1533. 
 
 Commission was issued for a strict inquiry into the royal on Revenue. 
 
 revenues in Liverpool, and .the mode in which they were 
 
 collected. It runs as follows :- — 
 
 "Henry &c. To our trusty and wellbeloved . Sir Wm. Molyneux 
 Knt, steward of our town of Lirpoole, E,d. Hesketh (and others) 
 Greeting: Whereas information is made xinto us on the behalf of 
 our fermour of our toll within our said -town of : Litherpole that 
 whereas we and our progenitors time out of mind have had and used 
 to have the toll and customs of all merchandises there bought or sold 
 or thither brought to be uttered and sold, except only of the Maire 
 and Burgeses abiding and dwelling in the said town, so it is now that 
 the said Maire and Burgeses of our' said town, contrary to their 
 ancient liberties there for their own singular" lucre and advantage now 
 of late have made divers and many foreign men not resident ne Making 
 abiding in the said town to be Burgeses of the same town to the Freejien. 
 intent to defraud us and our right of our toll there, as in the said 
 information thereof made, herein enclosed, appeareth more at large, 
 whereby the ferme of our said toll there is greatly decayed and 
 diminished. We not willing in no wise to be thus .prejudiced and 
 hurted of our said toll, trusting in .'your wisdoms and indifferencies, 
 will and desire you, and natheless charge you that ye, iiii, iii, or ii 
 of' you at least, at time convenient by you to be limited, you do re- 
 p'aire yourselves to the said town, and that ye then and there do 
 inquire of the demeanour of the: said Maire and burgeses concerning 1533; 
 our said -toll and other the premises, by all ways convenient, as well Inquiries, 
 by the examination . as otherwise, so that we may come to the true truth 
 therein : and hereupon by your discretions to set such order herein 
 so that our said ferme and duty be not diminished by this means in 
 time to come; And what ye shall do, perceive, and understand, we 
 will that ye by your writing under your seals do certify us, our 
 Chancellor and Council of the said Duchy, at our Paloys of West- 
 minster thereof in the xv of Saint Mighell the Archangel next coming, 
 to the intent that we may further proceed therein, as thereunto shall 
 appertain. Yeven at our said Paloys the xxviii* day of June the 
 twenty sixth year of our reign. „ By tfae King » 
 
26 
 
 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 1533. 
 King's 
 Ren tally. 
 
 1534. 
 Church 
 Revenues. 
 
 1534. 
 
 Chantries. 
 High altar. 
 
 St. Nicholas. 
 
 In the same year a return was made of the King's 
 Rentally in Liverpool. This consisted partly of lands and 
 partly of the burgage tenements, such as had not been 
 alienated and appropriated to the Church. Houses are 
 mentioned in Castle Street, Castle Hey, Moor Street, 
 Chapel Street, &c. Lord Derby and the families of Stan- 
 ley, Molyneux, Crosse, Moore, Norris, Fazakerly, Halsall, 
 and Blundell are amongst the tenants. The sum total 
 only amounts to £\o is. 4d., equal to £151 modern. 
 
 In 1534-5 (26th Henry VIII.) came the dissolu- 
 tion of the monasteries, and the confiscation of a large 
 portion of the Church revenues. Liverpool was not at that 
 time a parish. The Chapel of Our Lady and St. Nicholas 
 was poor in endowment ; but the piety of previous genera, 
 tions had founded four chantries therein, the proceeds of 
 which were now taken possession of by the Crown. Sir 
 Thomas. Hesketh and Mr. Ashurst were the commissioners 
 appointed to deal with the property. The following is the 
 substance of the return : — 
 
 The Chantry of the High Altar. 
 
 "The Chantry of the High Alter within the Chappell of Lever- 
 poole of the foundation of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, to celebrate 
 there for the soules of him and his ancestors, which is observed ac- 
 cordingly, and the graunt is for ever. 
 
 "Ralph Haward incumbent, is of the age of 50 yeares; hath the 
 yearly revenue of £5 19 10 for his salary, besides his living is ^"10. 
 
 " The lands and tenements belonging to the same, valent #• ann' 
 £621; in reprises 2 s - 4 d - and so remaines there yearly value 
 £5 19 10. J J 
 
 " The ornaments belonging to the Chantry are valued at 2 s - and the 
 number of ounces of plate are eight by estimation." 
 
 Chantry of St. Nicholas. 
 " O f the foundation of John Duke of Lancaster, to celebrate there 
 tor the soules of him and his ancestors, and to make one yearly obiit 
 tor his soule, which is observed accordingly, and the grant is for ever. 
 _Kichard Frodesham is the incumbent of 80 yeares of age. and 
 hath for his salary £ 5 14 7 ; besides his living is 40* The orna- 
 ments and plate belonging to this Chantry are none." 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 27 
 
 Chantry of St. John. St _ j ohn 
 
 "The rentally belonging to the Chantry att the Altar of St. John, 
 was of the foundation of John de Leverpoole there for the soules of 
 his ancestors for ever, which is done accordingly. 
 
 "John Hurd is the present incumbent of the age of 50 yeares, and 
 hath the cleere yearly revenue of the same for his salary, and his living 
 besydes is £2. 
 
 "The ornaments belonging to this Chantry are valued at 40 s - be- 
 sides eight ounces of plate for chalice." 
 
 Chantry of St. Katharine. St . 1^^^. 
 
 " Of the foundation of John Crosse to celebrate there for his soule, 
 and to doe one yearly obiit, and to distribute att the same 3 s - 4 d - to 
 poore people, and alsoe to keepe a school of grammer free for all 
 childrean bearing the name of Crosse, and poore children, which is 
 not observed accordingly ; and the grant is for ever. 
 
 " Humfrey Crosse is the incumbent, and hath for his salary the 
 profitts thereof, bein £6 2 10, being 50 yeares of age ; and his living 
 besides is £2. 
 
 " The ornaments belonging to it valent 3'- besides twelve ounces 
 of plate. ; 
 
 "And these fower Chantryes were all that did belong to the 
 Chappel of Leverpoole." 
 
 The revenues of these chantries were derived partly Revenues . 
 from agricultural land, partly from house property, and to 
 a considerable extent from burgage rents, which had been 
 granted by the Crown or the Dukes of Lancaster. . 
 
 A list of the purchasers is given. in the records, verified Purchasers, 
 by Thomas Hokenhall, Mayor. Many of the names are 
 those of families continuing in the town long after this 
 period. 
 
 In an Act of Parliament passed in 1544, a list of towns 1544, 
 is set forth which had fallen into decay, and in which it Deca v- 
 is declared " that there hath been in times past many 
 beautiful houses which are now falling into ruin." Amongst ■■ 
 these decayed towns Liverpool is included. 
 
 On the other hand, in 1547, the borough resumed its 1547. 
 privilege of sending representatives to Parliament, which 
 had been suspended from 1306. 
 
 In 1556, a new charter was granted by Philip and 6th charter. 
 
28 CHAP. I, A.D. 1207— 1556. 
 
 Mary, the terms of which are very significant. I have 
 already referred above to the exclusive privileges conferred 
 on the burgesses by the charter of Henry III. ; the repeal 
 of the clause by the charter of Richard II., and its re- 
 enactment by Henry IV. in 1400. In this charter, after 
 enacting " that no one who is not of the same gild shall 
 transact any merchandize in the borough unless by con- 
 sent of the same burgesses," it proceeds : — 
 
 "We have granted also to the same burgesses and their heirs that 
 whatsoever merchants shall seek the borough with their merchandize, 
 whether strangers or others may safely and securely come with their' 
 merchandize, and safely remain and thence depart doing therefor the 
 right and due customs." 
 
 These " right and due customs " were the perquisites 
 of the Crown. 
 
 According to the instructions to the Commissioners in 
 I533> ^ was alleged that the Mayor and Burgesses, " for 
 their own singular lucre and advantage, had admitted many 
 foreign men to be Burgesses to the intent to defraud us 
 and our right of our toll there." The meaning of that is, 
 that the tolls and customs which should have gone to the 
 Crown were diverted into the exchequer of the borough. 
 The burgesses, on admitting strangers to the freedom, 
 could make their own bargain, the burgesses, under the 
 charter of John, being free from tolls and customs. The 
 repeal of the exclusive clause in the charter would secure 
 the tolls and customs of the non-freemen to the Crown. 
 Provisions of The charter of Philip and Mary is an "inspeximus" 
 ■ charter, and must have been the result of a writ of "Quo 
 Warranto," since there could be no motive for an applica- 
 tion from the burgesses, as it repeals their most cherished 
 privilege. Be this as it may, the exclusive clause was 
 never re-enacted ; but it was acted upon, nevertheless, and 
 
HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
 
 29 
 
 continued to be a source of strife and contention for two 
 hundred years. 
 
 The charter is a fine specimen of caligraphy. The 
 great seal is nearly perfect. The upper margin is highly 
 ornamented. The initial " P " encloses portraits of Philip 
 and Mary, seated side by side — the King holding a sword 
 and orb, the Queen a sceptre and orb. 
 
 This terminates the documents preceding the journals 
 and minute-book of the Corporation. 
 
CHAPTER SECOND. 
 
 1547. 
 Members. 
 
 1511. 
 Records. 
 
 Precedences. 
 
 Mayor's 
 duties. 
 
 FROM THE REIGN OF EDWARD VI. (1547) TO THE END 
 OF THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH (1603). 
 
 In the year 1547, the borough resumed its privilege of 
 
 sending representatives to Parliament, which had been in 
 
 abeyance from 1306. The members so sent were Thomas 
 
 Stanley, a cadet of the Knowsley family, and Francis Cave, 
 
 brother of Sir Ambrose Cave, subsequently Chancellor of 
 
 the Duchy. 
 
 The Corporation records begin in the year 1541. The 
 
 minutes then taken, are referred to in an account of an 
 
 assembly of the burgesses in 1558, in the following terms : — 
 
 "Whereas at this Assembly Mr. Mayor presented an old book of 
 Precedences which was escribed, extracted out of the elder Prece- 
 dences of the town by Alex. Rughleye then Recorder here, as appeareth 
 by the same, and these be the very words of preface of the same : — 
 
 " Liv'p"- 
 
 " These p'sidence was corrected and drawen out of div'se old p'sidence 
 in the xxxij" 1 yeare of the raigne of Kynge Henry th' eyght, Thos. 
 Houghton then Mayor, Rauff- Baylyff and Rauff Sekerston Balyffs. 
 
 "Inprmis. It is ordered and decreed by the great Inquest of the said 
 Town, that Mr. Mayor for the time being shall prosecute all things 
 hereafter presented, to the best of his power and according to his 
 oath." 
 
 Then follow a number of regulations, of which a few 
 may be noticed. 
 
 The Mayor was yearly to associate with himself twelve 
 of the most honest men of the town, who shall view the 
 Church lands and tenements, to see that there be no waste 
 nor decay. 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 31 
 
 Mr. Mayor shall take his brethren and all the burgesses 
 with him every seven years, or oftener if need require, to 
 walk and make perambulation about the franchises of the 
 town, to the intent every burgess may well know the cir- 
 cuit thereof. 
 
 The Priest of the Altar of St. John shall daily say mass 
 between the hours of 5 and 6 in the morning, to the intent 
 that all labourers and well-disposed people may come to 
 hear mass at the said hour. 
 
 In bringing under review this long series of Municipal Records, 
 records, it will probably be the most convenient course to 
 group together the documents relating to kindred subjects 
 within the periods successively referred to. In this way the 
 tone of thought, and the mode of dealing with the various 
 interests of the borough, will be best illustrated. We will 
 commence with matters relating to the 
 
 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 
 
 In 155 1, the following document appears : — 1551. 
 
 " Thomas More Mayor 
 "Assembly day observed Friday in Whitsun week." 
 
 "Item; and for so much, as all earthly things have their natural 
 
 mutations, alterations and changes; It is now this present Assembly 
 
 day, by and with the consent of the whole assembly agreed, ordered, 
 
 and decreed, that for this present year until the next election, there 
 
 shall be 16 persons whose names be hereafter expressed; to take them Appointment 
 
 a day to sit upon, hear, and understand all things to them presented, of Council. 
 
 and for want of present (sic) to be by them inquired of, all accompts, 
 
 payments, and all other thing and things whatsoever, it or they be in 
 
 any wise alleged for the common weal of this town, and after all the 
 
 premisses heard and understood to determine and decree such order 
 
 and orders • as they shall think upon their wisdoms and discretions 
 
 most convenient and necessary, for the common weal of this town, 
 
 and all that and those decrees and orders, to be effectual and of full 
 
 strength and virtue, without any contradiction or denial and delay in 
 
Streets. " Water St. 
 
 32 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 any wise, &c. And these be the names of the aforesaid 16 persons, 
 that is to say for every street four. 
 
 ( Alexander Garnett Wm. Roose 
 
 I Thomas Bostwell Peter Gregory 
 
 « n 1 Qt i Thos. Secom Rd. Marser 
 
 ' Dale bt. { Thos. Mylnes Jno. Maynwarying 
 
 ' j Rauf Barlowe Robt. Mosse 
 
 "JuglerSt. I Jno. Wynstanley Robt. Blackburne 
 
 « Poetu «+ J William Secom Thos. Inglefeld 
 
 ^astie st. j Thos- Roose Reynald Mellyng" 
 
 In reading this document, it might be inferred that only 
 four streets existed in the town at this date ; but this was 
 not the case, as Tithebarn Street (then called More Street) 
 is mentioned in deeds of 1304, and Chapel Street in 1370. 
 Why these are omitted here does not appear. It is fur- 
 ther shown by this minute that no permanent Council as 
 yet existed. The " Assembly" consisted of the whole body 
 Burgesses. f the burgesses under the charter, and of the freemen, 
 who appointed a temporary committee on any emergency. 
 
 1553. " Item— the 15 th day of December the fyrst yere of the Raigne of 
 our Souvraigne ladie, Marie, by the grace of God Queene of England, 
 France and Ireland ; Robert Blundell of Ince Blundell, gentylman, came 
 afore Roger Walker, then being Mayor, Rich 5 - Molyneux, Kn'-, John 
 More, Esquier, Thos. More Gentylman and other brethren on the 
 benche, with the holle Commons assembled in the Comyn Hall the 
 daye and yere above written, and tooke the oathe of a Burgesse to 
 doe all thynges according to the vertue of the burgesses oathe in this 
 booke registered, and also the laudable uses and customs of the sayd 
 towne and not juratory." 
 
 1555. 
 
 Aug. 12th, 1555. At an Assembly, Sir Wm. Norris, 
 Mayor : — 
 
 "It is adjudged by this said whole assembly that all the rest of 
 the free burgesses absent this day, whose names be estreated and 
 Fines for non- given to the Bailiffs in charge, shall pay i2 d - a piece, and further it is 
 attendance, by this said assembly adjudged and established that ever hereafter 
 whosoever he or they be that maketh default and giveth not their due 
 attendance upon Master Mayor and keepeth not their Assembly days 
 being lawfully summoned and warned thereof, shall lose and forfeit 
 the whole fine, which is of old custom, and now new established 6 s - 8 d - 
 which shall be levied without delay or mercy." 
 
 This resolution was re-enacted in 1558. 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 33 
 
 In 1558, we find the following : — 1558. 
 
 " It is ordered and fully agreed by the Mayor and his brethren with 
 a full consent of the whole Assembly of the town, there shall be no 
 Mayor, bailiff nor any other officer, elected, named or chosen, but only 
 such as be resident inhabitants, and dwelling within the town and . 
 franchises thereof." 
 
 It would appear at first sight that this order was 
 not strictly acted upon, as we find in the list of mayors 
 before and after this date the names of the neighbouring 
 gentry, such as the Stanleys of Knowsley, the Molyneuxs officers. 
 of Sefton, the Norrises of Speke, the Fazakerlys of Faza- 
 kerly ; but is was a custom, continued long after this period, 
 for the county families to have residences in the town, to 
 which they resorted in the winter season. 
 
 In 1558, it was agreed by the Mayor and his brethren, 1558. 
 with the full consent of the whole Assembly, that the selec- 
 tion of twelve members to act as a Committee or Council, 
 then enacted as a temporary measure, should become a 
 permanent institution, the members to be elected every 
 year. This was the inception of the Council, which, in 
 some form or other, has continued ever since. 
 
 The same year there is an order — 
 
 " That all Burgesses and inhabitants of the town and their servants, Attendance in 
 shall be ready and wait upon the Mayor at all fairs, and at the feast arms, 
 of St. John Baptist and St. Peter the Apostle in their best array, and 
 best weapons, and the Mayor's Peers in their gowns on pain of 2 s - 
 N B These and other enactments are all made by the Mayor and his 
 brethren with a full consent of the whole assembly of the town, called 
 the great inquest." 
 
 1560. At an Assembly held on January 13th, the num- 
 ber of the Committee or Council was extended to twenty-four. 
 
 " — item It is found and agreed that every Mayor and Mayors Weapons, 
 peer shall have and keep four honest and seemly, bills, poll-axes or 
 like weapons, and every bailiff or bailiffs peer two bills, honest and 
 able, and every burgess within the town one sufficient able bill, poll- 
 axe or other like weapon ; the same to be provided and had ready 
 before the fair day next on pain of 3 s - 4 d " 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547—1603. 
 
 Fracas. 
 
 1560. 
 
 Naval prize. 
 
 Bucks 
 presented. 
 
 Customer's 
 default. 
 
 1560. A fracas took place at this time between two civic 
 
 dignitaries. During the mayoralty of Alexander Garnett, 
 
 1559-60, a man named Henry Clarke was charged with 
 
 felony, and committed to Lancaster for trial ; but the 
 
 Mayor refused to sign the warrant. When Ralph Sekers- 
 
 ton, his successor, took the chair in October, 1560, he 
 
 took immediate action, and obtained a warrant against his 
 
 predecessor for neglect of duty, he being, in the words of 
 
 the record — , 
 
 " bound by obligation to follow the suit, and in the mean time the 
 said felon stole away ; and Mr Mayor and the Bailiffs distrained on 
 Mr Garnett, and took forth of his shop a piece of kersey." 
 
 From 1560, to nearly the end of the reign of Eliza- 
 beth, the records are very copious. The scribe appears to 
 have been of a literary turn, and amplifies and extends his 
 narrative in a very magniloquent style : — 
 
 1562. "This year war was proclaimed in France and nowhere else, and 
 ?rZ Stanle y> Knt > Lieutenant in the Isle of Man and certain men 
 ot Chester that were victuallers, set forth a ship of war, Hugh Mersey, 
 Captain, who at this time coming into Liverpool haven, brought in a 
 prize about the 21st day of September. The Earl, my old Lord of 
 Derby father to the said Sir Thomas, being at their game and plea- 
 sure hunting the ship shot off a noble peal of guns thick one upon 
 another, the like never heard in these parts of England and Wales." 
 
 1562. This year my Lord (Derby) gave the town a buck, a pure good 
 one and merrily disposed of, and eaten in the Common Hall; many 
 ot the town absent, the others had more plenty. Also Sir Rd Molv- 
 
 S J T,f \ ^V buC Hl Which P roved but mean > an <i that wis 
 £ b m etat ^ Ma y° r ' the Aldermen, his brethren and the Bailiffs, 
 thereat many of the commoners loured and something murmured." 
 
 1563. Robert Corbett, Mayor. 
 
 for'i^ht M?"^ -° f ^ Mr Ma y° rs time ' accon »Pt was called 
 behind ™J ? f' 5?"!? Cui * omel ^ , ^ which accompt he was found 
 
 S %& tJ°, the *°r almo . st xxx m and he ve * ed and tr ° ubied 
 
 hmirh^T l^entations, that the town did ease and bear with 
 nevefconfe^ nr W ° 1 ^ ^T- better with him but that he would 
 Snst hilhnnL, n °^ le u ge him - m default ' which was too much 
 
 abb to discharl y a i, *?w bGCa ^ Se Jt Seemed t0 a11 men he was not 
 ame to discharge all things, the town pardoned him of all but xx 
 
 ' Collector of the town's dues or customs. 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 35 
 
 nobles, for which he had days of payment, and his son-in-law, Rd Compromise. 
 Harrison the tanner, lent him certain hides and calve skins barked, 
 to make the payment withal, and this done, the said Robert being 
 sick but viii days, died." 
 
 1565. " It is agreed by the whole and full consent of the Assembly, Merry 
 that Mr Mayor, his brethren and commonalty of co-burgesses shall keep Monday, 
 their day Monday next before Fasten's eve or Shrovetide called Merry 
 Monday, to walk round about the liberties of the town." 
 
 " This year upon Merry Monday it was such unreasonable weather, 
 frost and snow, that no walk or perambulation was at all, neither of 
 all this year, but clean forgotten." 
 
 1565. Jan. 28th. The marriage of the daughter of the 
 Mayor, Alexander Garnett, is recorded. Immediately after- 
 wards — 
 
 "This year Sunday after the twelfth day, the said Mayor impri- Younkers 
 soned 20 younkers, whereof Mr Mayor called James Atherby then imprisoned. 
 being Waite Captain, and discharged him from his office ; and then 
 he imprisoned George Ashton for reasoning and speaking for the re- 
 leasing of the said Wait, and the younkers ; and Master Mayor 
 would not suffer George Ashton to be bailed or mainprised .... 
 Then Mr John Crosse moved Mr Mayor to take bail for the said 
 George, but it could not be ; whereat Mr. Crosse chafed and fumed 
 inwardly; so the younkers were kept all night, and Mr Mayor railed 
 still and said he would have them before the Queen's Council, but 
 he was afterwards pacified other ways." 
 
 1565. Octr. 22nd, was apprehended one Thomas John- Punishment 
 son, for picking of purses. He does not appear to have picking, 
 had any regular trial, but was summarily dealt with as 
 follows : — He was imprisoned several days and nights ; then 
 nailed by the ear to a post at the flesh shambles ; then 
 turned out naked from the middle upwards, when many 
 
 boys of the town, with withy rods, whipped him out of the 
 town. He was also locked to a clog, with an iron chain 
 and horse-block, till Friday morning next after ; and then, 
 before the Mayor and bailiffs, abjured the town, and made 
 restitution of 6s. 8d. to Henry Myln's wife. 
 
 1566. J any. 24th. Jno. Crosse, Mayor. Peter Gregory Ferry boats v 
 and Ralph Oliver covenant to have a sufficient ferry-boat to 
 
 serve the passage of the river, and to give sureties therefor. 
 
36 CHAP. II, A.D . 1547— 1603. 
 
 The ferry across the river, from Liverpool to Cheshire, 
 was in the control of the Corporation; the passage from 
 Cheshire to Liverpool was in the hands of the Lord of 
 the Manor of Birkenhead. 
 
 A subsequent entry runs as follows : — 
 
 " Peter Gregory and Ralph Oliver were required to provide sureties 
 for the good governing and reparation of the ferry boat, as it had been 
 neglected." 
 
 The matter was referred to arbitration. 
 
 Free school. 1566. The Queen having made a grant towards the 
 
 endowment of the Free School, the assembly of the bur- 
 gesses resolved to supplement it by a voluntary assessment 
 on the inhabitants. 
 
 Assessments. A list of the assessments is given, which is curious as 
 presenting a list of all the householders then resident. 
 These were : — 
 
 In Dale Street 72 
 
 Water Street 13 
 
 Castle Street 23 
 
 Jugler Street 15 
 
 Chapel Street 7 
 
 Mylne Street 8 
 
 More Street 13 
 
 ""*> The total assessment was £5 13s. 4d., equivalent to the 
 
 Queen's grant. Thereupon, in February, 1566, John Ore, 
 
 Bachelor of Arts, was hired at London by Mr. Ralph 
 
 Sekerston, and others, to be schoolmaster. He appeared 
 
 before the Assembly on February 20th, and — 
 
 " was admitted to enter and teach upon the proof and good liking, 
 and to have for the year, sick and whole ten pounds to be paid 
 quarterly." 
 
 Litigation I 5^5. This year was the commencement of a long 
 
 with Chester. course f litigation with the City of Chester, which had 
 
 always been jealous of the Port of Liverpool, claiming it as 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 37 
 
 a mere creek within its ancient jurisdiction. At Easter, 
 1565, an attempt was made to enforce this supremacy. 
 Owing doubtless to influence at head-quarters, a com- 
 munication was made from the Lord High Treasurer to 
 the Customs authorities in Liverpool, of which the follow- 
 ing notice appears in the Corporation records : — 
 
 The Port of Chester. 
 
 " A blank book containing ten leaves for the customers, comptrollers, 
 and searchers, within the town of Liverpoole,' a creek of this port, for 
 all goods coming or going out of the same by way of merchandizes, 
 from Easter 1565 until the feast of St. Michael then following, so 
 ending without any more words, sentences or addition." 
 
 The whole " Comburgesses and Commonalty" took the Disputes with 
 
 alarm. The Mayor, Robert Corbett, went up to London, 
 
 and was assisted in his representations by Sekerston, then 
 
 member for the borough. They showed — 
 
 " That if it should come to pass to call Liverpoole the creek to 
 Chester, it were not only a punishing of Liverpoole and its inhabi- 
 tants, but also the matter against the jurisdiction and regal authority 
 of the County Palatine of the Duchy of Lancaster ; further declaring 
 and shewing that Liverpoole hath ever heretofore been reputed and 
 taken for the best port and harbour from Mylforthe to Scotland, and 
 so hath always been proved, with all manner of ships and barks, 
 owners, masters and mariners." 
 
 The matter was argued before the Chancellor of the Reference. 
 
 Duchy, and by him referred to the Court of Exchequer. A 
 
 commission of inquiry was sent down, consisting of the 
 
 Earl of Derby, Sir Richard Molyneux, Sir William Norris, 
 
 and others. They required a return of — 
 
 " all ships and owners of any ships, vessels, or boats, as well in 
 this the Queen's Majesty's Borough corporate and Port town of Liver- 
 poole as also in any town, haven, creek, or landing place between War- 
 rington and the water next Preston called Ribble," with other 
 information. 
 
 This return is inserted, and states the number of house- Returns, 
 holders and cottagers in Liverpool on the 12th November, 
 1565, to be 138. The number of vessels belonging to the 
 
38 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 port was 12 — the largest 40 tons, with twelve men; the 
 smallest a boat of 6 tons, with three men. Three craft 
 hailed from Wallasey, of 24, 14, and 8 tons respectively.- 
 Disputes with In 1578, the Chester authorities again claimed juris- 
 diction over the river and port, whereon, at a full 
 assembly, 3rd November, Ralph Burscough, deputy for 
 Sir Thomas Hesketh, Mayor, the following entry occurs: — 
 
 " In which convocation ir' was inquired by M r - Deputie aforesaid, 
 what was best to be done to prevent the' evil pretence made by 
 Wm Glasgow Esq. and the citizens of Chester, who go about to 
 infringe our liberties, and wolde have from the towne the halfe of 
 our ryver, contrarie to all right and equitie, whereunto Maister 
 Thomas More, having good experience, made answer, that so farre as 
 the ryver of Mersye extended, Chester men had nothing to deale 
 concerning anie title of freedom or libertie. And so uppon further 
 intelligence of their proceedinge in the premisses, it was thought by 
 the whole assent aforesaid, that the matter shall rest 'till the advice, 
 pleasure and good counsell of the Right honourable Earl of Derbie, 
 Mr Maior and the right worshipfull recorder, Edw d Halsall Esq were 
 had and known ; and in the mean tyme it was then concluded . . . 
 That the water bailiffs do goe unto all owners and masters of barks, 
 boats and other vessells then being in the ryver ... to give open 
 monition and warninge, that they should acknowledge and doe their 
 duties as appointed, or else cause them to come before Mr Maior, — 
 or else to take said vessells and make prize of the said vessell and 
 goods without anie further delaye." 
 
 Action. 
 
 1578. 
 Merchant 
 Fellowship. 
 
 Chester. 
 
 The circumstances which led to this inquiry were the 
 following. On the 8th of June, 1578, the Queen, by 
 letters patent, had incorporated a trading company, styling 
 themselves " The President, Assistants, and Fellowship 
 of Merchants of Spain and Portugal." These were the 
 days of monopolies, which afterwards grew to such an 
 intolerable height as to force Queen Elizabeth to apolo- 
 gise and to withdraw them. 
 
 The Company thus established entered into arrange- 
 ments with the City of Chester to join with them in 
 their undertaking. It must be remembered that in popu- 
 lation and wealth, Chester at this time was far superior 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 39 
 
 to Liverpool. This arrangement was communicated to 
 Liverpool in the following letter from the President : — 
 
 •'"To oure Lovinge friends Mr Rob' Corbett, Ralph Burscoughe and Letter. 
 the rest of the merchants of Lyverpoole tradying to Spain and 
 Portingale before the first of Januarie 1580. 
 
 "After our hartie comendacons &c. Whereas it hathe pleased 
 the quene's ma* with the advice of her honourable privie councell 
 ... to incorporate us &c to the intente wee myghte thereby uniformlie 
 and politiquelie take suche good order amonge ourselves asjwell for 
 the mainteyning of trafnque and traide, whereby the navigacon may 
 be the better mainteyned, the comodity of our countrie kept in 
 estimation and the forren comodities solde here at reasonable prices, 
 as also for the better savetie of her people, whoe in their p'sones 
 and goods have receyved greate wrongs and injuries as well by 
 exactions and newe ymposicons offered and ymposed upon us there 
 by violent takynge from manie of her subjects money and Jewells 
 upon surmises knowinge that the p'ties injured cannot neglect their 
 business to followe the Lawe for their recoverie, . . . even soe it is verie 
 expedient, and oure bounden dutie that wee shoulde endevo r ourselves 
 to the performance of that which is looked for. And to that end 
 we addressed o r letters to the Citie of West Chester, requiringe theym 
 not onlie to take notice of hir Ma^ good pleasure, but_a.lso to ap- 
 pointe certen of their citie to confer with us, in reformacon of things 
 needfull, whoe satisfied oure requeste and had noe les care for you 
 then of theymselves ; and for your ease and better direction wee 
 have thoughte good for better governmente to joyne yo rs with Chester 
 as a member thereof. And by these presents doe require you to 
 make yo r speedie repaire thither and confer w" the deputie and 
 assistaunt there in observinge suche acts and ordinances as may tend 
 to yo r best savetie and moste comoditie, as also to take knowledge 
 of the contents of hir Ma te l'res pattent and of o r procedings here, 
 w* if you mistake or refuse, then wee shall be forced to call you 
 uppe hither. Your lykinge or dislykinge wee require to be satisfied 
 of, that wee may orderlie p'cede with consent. And thus trustinge 
 to finde suche conformitie in you as is expected, we rest and soe 
 committe you to God. 
 
 " London the xxv" 1 Aug' 1578 
 
 "Your Lovinge ffriende the President 
 and Assistants of the Companie of 
 Merchants of Spayne and Portingale 
 " John Mershe President," 
 
 A respite was given up to the 1st January, 1580. isso. 
 That time having expired, and no notice being taken by 
 
40 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 the Liverpool Corporation, on the 13th April the follow- 
 ing communication was sent by the Chester authorities: — 
 
 Letter from " To oure Lovinge friends Mr Anthony More, Mr Jas Chambers 
 Chester. an( j y^ T j onn Byrde merchants or to any one of theym in Lyverpoole. 
 
 "After o r hartie coinendacons these are to adv'tise you that of late 
 wee have receaved l'tres from the p'sident of the companie and 
 society of m'chants tradinge Spaine and Portingall whereby wee are 
 appointed to demande of you and others occupyinge to the said 
 p'ties and not admitted into the said ffellowshipp, suche penalties as 
 are set down for suche offenders and intruders occupyinge thither 
 since the xxix" 1 of Januarie 1577, which is 25 $■ cent upon the returne 
 of ev're shippe or barque, warranted by hir Mas'" l'res patent. 
 Wherefore wee have thought good at this p'nte to addresse these 
 our l'res unto you by this bearer, Will" 1 - Helen, the clerke of 
 our societie here in Chester, to demande and receive the same of 
 you, or els that you will repaire hither upon Mondaye next beinge 
 the xxviij" 1 of this p'nte Aprill, to shewe cause then at our courte 
 here holden, or any sufficient warrante from the said p'sident to the 
 contrarie, and it shall be allowed. Otherwise wee must certifie 
 youre denyal, the w ch will turne to yo r further trobles and chardge, 
 for wee have bene alwaies most willinge to have you to conforme 
 yo'selves to hir Ma" graunte and joyned yo r selves w th us at the 
 beginninge, whereby you myght have avoided the daunger and greate 
 chardge that is lyke thereupon to growe. Willing you also to publishe 
 these our l'res to the rest of such of yo r towne, as trade into those 
 p'tes, and to send yo r answer by letter w th this bearer what you 
 mynde to doe in the p'misses. Fare you hartelie well. Chester this 
 xiij* of Aprill, anno 1580. 
 
 " Yo r lovinge frends 
 
 " Wm Massye Deputie. 
 
 " Edw d Hamer \ 
 
 " Randell Leche 
 
 "Tho s Tetlowe LAssistants." 
 
 " Wm Aldersey 
 
 " Wm Browne J 
 
 A reply was sent, stating that the Mayor was absent, 
 and the subject must stand over until his return. 
 
 Chester was not willing to wait, and on the 2nd May, 
 1580. 1580, the following despatch was forwarded to Liverpool :— 
 
 Further letter " To our Lovinge ffrendes Mr Anthony More (and others), 
 from Chester. " Commendacons p'mised. Whereas wee hoped upon our last Pre 
 that you wolde either have repaired hither or answered the penalties 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 41 
 
 demanded by us accordinge to the direction of our p'sident, and 1580. 
 conformed yo'selves to her Ma*"" graunt, whereunto you have bene 
 oftentymes gentlie moved, ffirst by the late p'sident Mr Marshe his 
 letter, and lately by oure letter, whereunto it seemed you had small 
 regard p'tendinge excuse by your maior his absence, to whome these 
 causes nothinge app'teyne, beinge not anie m'chaunte tradinge Spayne 
 and Portingale, whoe only are touched in this behalf; since which 
 oure said letters sente, wee have receaved other letters from the 
 p'sident touching you, and others of our Citie that are intruders, 
 w"* l're from hym to youe hereinclosed wee have sent, whoe wissheth 
 you should eftesoones be curteouslie admonished by us to desist 
 from violatinge her Ma fe graunte and aunswer the penalties thereupon 
 due, otherwise a pursuevaunte will be sente to yo r greater chardge. 
 For our p'tes if youe be of that mynde (as our clerke enformed us 
 you are) to be a companie of yo'selves wee shall most gladlie yelde 
 thereunto, as also wryte our l'res with yo™ in that behalf, if they 
 may pleasure you in anie waye. In the meane tyme wee are to 
 demaunde of you the penalties sett downe by acte beinge 25 $■ cent 
 of all suche goods as youe have shipped out of Spayne and Portingale 
 since the 29 th of Januarie 1577, to whiche ende wee have sente this 
 bearer, willinge you eyther to paye it or a directe answer by l're 
 what you mynde to doe touchinge the p'misses, that we may rectifie 
 theym otherwise wee must adv'tize of yo r contemptuouse dealinge. 
 Soe fare ye well. 
 " Chester the seconde of Maye A 1580. 
 
 " Willm Massye, Deput " 
 (and 4 others). 
 
 It was time now for the Liverpool Corporation to Action of 
 move. The odds were greatly against them. Chester lverp00, 
 was an ancient, comparatively populous and wealthy city, 
 backed by the powerful association of merchant adven- 
 turers, to whom the Queen had recently granted letters 
 patent, creating virtually a monopoly. The population of 
 Liverpool could not at this time have amounted to a 
 thousand souls, carrying on a very limited trade. What 
 is to be admired in the history of Liverpool, is the in- 
 domitable courage and pluck with which its Corporation 
 have always been ready to defend and maintain their 
 rights and privileges, and occasionally even to go beyond 
 mere defence. 
 
42 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1580. j n the present instance they were quite equal to the 
 
 occasion. An Assembly of the burgesses was held in the 
 
 Common Hall, of the proceedings at which the following 
 
 is a summary : — 
 
 Reply. " Concerning the Queen's Majesty's Letters patent touching the 
 
 Society of Merchants, that is to say, Whereas one William Massye 
 of Chester Merchant, and others his associates there alledging her 
 Majesty's grant of Charter incorporating them and others by the 
 title of President and Fellowship of Merchants, trading Hispanie and 
 Portingale, by virtue whereof they have — as they alledge — not only 
 authority to assess such penalties as they shall think good upon all 
 those who attempt any traffic unto the said parts of Hispanie 
 and Portingale, but also to prohibit their further trade thither, which 
 if it should take place, were sure to be the utter subversion of 
 this poor town ; have lately summoned by their letters the inhabi- 
 tants of this town, wherein is craved a direct answer with expedition ; 
 whereof Mr Robt More at the request of Mr Mayor and his brethren, 
 together with the consent of the Common Council there in the Common 
 Hall assembled is willing to bestow his travail to Chester to answer 
 the same in person. 
 
 "And in consideration that it is a matter that toucheth the whole 
 town, wherein if they should prevail against, the same would be an 
 utter overthrow of the traffic of merchandize whereupon the state and 
 commodity of the whole town dependeth. It is therefore thought good 
 by the said Mayor Aldermen and Common Council that one or more 
 which shall be thought most fit shall be selected to solicit the cause 
 in the town's behalf for redress, to be obtained in the premisses, 
 either by way of petition unto her Majesty or otherwise as hereafter 
 shall be better considered of, at the common cost and expense of 
 this said town, and for the better supportation and furthering thereof, 
 that a ley or taxation shall be forthwith laid and collected throughout 
 the town for that purpose to the sum of £10." 
 
 The threat of hostile proceedings held out in the last 
 communication from Chester was acted upon, as appears 
 from a record of August 20th, 1581 :— 
 
 1581. "In this assembly it was spoken of the former attempt given by 
 
 LET ° f T? Se °/ *? nd ° n and Chester terming themselves President and Fellow- 
 n rpooi. shl ? of Merchants trading Spayne and Portingale, and now lately 
 revived in the apprehension of Mr Anthony More, John Byrde and 
 Peter Starkey, taken by pursevant, and thereupon entered in bonds 
 lor their appearance at Chester and to London to answer such matters 
 as touching the premises shall be objected against them. Whereupon 
 it is considered by the whole consent that a sum of money to the 
 value ot xx h shall be taxed and levied toward the supportation of 
 such costs and expense as shall happen to grow or arise in and 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 43 
 
 about the travail of the foresaid persons apprehended in defence of 1581. 
 our liberties. And also that upon their return from London, the 
 inhabitants will be further contributors as just occasion shall serve. 
 . . . Provided always that the said persons apprehended shall not in 
 anywise condescend nor agree to anything concerning the premises 
 which shall be prejudicial to the town or liberties thereof, and to 
 yield their account thereof as they shall be thereunto reasonably 
 required." 
 
 Their first move was to secure the powerful aid of 
 the Lord of Knowsley, whose family for ages took a 
 warm interest in Liverpool affairs. 
 
 It Was agreed — Deputation to 
 
 Knowsley. 
 
 " For better proceeding in the premises that Mr Mayor accompanied 
 
 by Messrs Halsall, More and Crosse, and others of the Aldermen 
 
 should repair to Knowsley, to have an interview with the Earl of 
 
 Derby, and afterwards to Astley to interview the Master of the Rolls." 
 
 An entry follows, that on the 21st August an assess- Assessment 
 
 ment for the expenses was made on the inhabitants, in 
 
 which appears — 
 
 "Mr Rob' More Mayor xiii s iv d 
 
 "John Byrde Merchant x ! and 206 more names." 
 
 On the 18th October, 1581, there was a convocation 
 in the Common Hall on the subject. 
 
 "After evening prayer before the Mayor, Common Council and the 
 Commons, touching the nomination of such persons as should be 
 thought most fit for the prosecuting of the business touching Spayne 
 and Portingale, whereunto Mr Rob' More late Mayor was elected 
 along with Henry Dam to go to London upon the common costs 
 and charges of the town. The officers for the year by past were 
 ordered to have their accounts ready to the intent that if money could 
 by that means be found, to furnish them without charging the Commons 
 with any further taxation towards the same." 
 
 " On the 23 rd Octr 1581, Mr. Anthony More made his account con- 
 cerning the xx u formerly voted, whereof it appeared there was no more 
 by him received but xv" xii s - iv d -, the residue not being collected, and 
 ten pounds thereof being to him and Jo. Byrde allowed in consideration Account of 
 of their charges to London upon the affair aforesaid. The said Anthony Expenses. 
 More made present payment of the sum of v u xii s - 4 d - et sic dat ind' 
 
 ' tem." 
 
 On the 18th December, 1581, at an Assembly in the 
 
44 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 i58i. Common Hall, letters were read from Mr. Alderman More 
 in London. 
 Action of It appeared that, through the intercession of Lord Derby, 
 
 'the dispute with Chester had been taken up by the Privy 
 Council, and by them referred to the Lord Chief Justice 
 and the Master of the Rolls. The result will be seen in 
 the following letters. 
 
 Wakb'h The ^ rSt * S from Secretary Walsingham to the Earl of 
 
 Derby : — 
 
 " My very good Lord 
 "Whereas the cause of the town of Liverpoole against the New 
 Corporation of the Spanish and Portingall merchants long since re- 
 commended by your Lordship hither hath been by my Lord referred 
 to the consideration of the Lord Chief Justice of England and the 
 Master of the Rolls, whose resolution in the same your Lordship may 
 see by the copy of their letter enclosed. I have myself since the ' 
 writing of the enclosed, dealt between the President of the Spanish 
 Company and this bearer Robert More who is for Liverpoole: and 
 the said President in hope to induce his Company to like thereof hath 
 assented to this, that in respect of the great number of retailers in 
 that town, and the smallest number or none at all that are mere mer- 
 chants, the said retailers be suffered to continue their trade of shipping 
 and adventuring to foreign parts, until the wealth of that town may 
 grow to be such as may yield a sufficient number of adventurers to 
 occupy navigation as mere merchants only; or that my Lords shall 
 please to take other order. And where it is doubted by the Spanish 
 merchants that Lyverpoole men under this toleration will collect the 
 retailers goods of Chester and other places; to remove this scruple 
 this bearer hath condescended that if any of Liverpoole so do, such 
 person upon due proof of the fault shall ever afterwards be debarred 
 of the benefits of this toleration. Thus much I thought meet to be 
 signified to your Lordship as the chief person in those parts, and 
 patron of that poor town, to the end that by your assistance if need 
 be thereof, this agreement may take better effect. 
 
 r«" wv. S °J £ umhl Y commend your Lordship to God From the 
 Court the 4th December 15S1." 
 
 The joint letter from the Lord Chief Justice and the 
 Master of the Rolls runs as follows, addressed to the Lord 
 President of the Council :— 
 Lord Chief "May it please your good Lordship to be advertised that we, ac- 
 
 ttofth. , = g '1° ?? ur „£? rd8hi P' s letters to us ducted, have called before 
 
 M« the us as well Mr Wilford, President of the Company of Merchants trad! 
 
 ing Spam and Portingall, and some other of that Company, as also 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 45 
 
 some of the merchants of Chester and Liverpoole, and have seen their 1581. 
 charters, and heard their allegations upon either side, and thereupon 
 it doth appear unto us, that in the time of Queen Mary, there was a 
 Company of Merchants Venturers of the said City of Chester made 
 and incorporated by the said late Queen, whereby they are authorized 
 to use their trade of merchandizes into the parts beyond the seas, as 
 Merchant Venturers, and to make laws and ordinances for the better 
 government of their Company ; And sithence that time the Queens 
 Majesty that now is, hath by her Highness's letters patent made 
 another Corporation of the Company of Merchant Venturers trading 
 Spaine and Portingall whereby they be also incorporated, and have 
 authority to make certain laws, ordinances and rules for the better 
 government of that Company, and by colour thereof those merchants , 
 
 do now challenge to make orders and rules to bind the said Company 
 of Merchant Venturers of the said City of Chester, and amongst other 
 things have ordained that no retailer should be suffered to be of their 
 Company, or use that trade of Merchant Venturers, and hereby would 
 put all that use retailing of wares in Chester and other places from 
 their traffic as Merchant Venturers, which in our opinion is more than 
 they may do by virtue of their said charter. And it seemeth unto us 
 that if retailers of such poor cities and towns where small trade of 
 merchandizes is used, should be put from their trade of shipping, it 
 would be a great decay to the same poor cities and towns ; all which 
 we refer to your Honor's better considerations, and so humbly take our 
 leave. 
 " The first of December 1581. 
 
 " Yo r - Lordshipps to consider 
 
 " Christopher Wraye 
 
 "G. Gerarde." 
 
 By this decision, the traders of Liverpool were emanci- Decision. 
 pated from the control of the Spanish Company, acting 
 through the Chester authorities, but not in a very dignified 
 way. The pretext alleged by the Judges was, that re- 
 tailers did not come within the purview of the charter ; 
 and as the traders in Liverpool were retailers, and not 
 merchants, and as the town was very poor, they were 
 exempt. One cannot help surmising that the influence of 
 Lord Derby had something to do with the decision. 
 
 Be this as it may, the honest burgesses of Liverpool 
 were very proud of their triumph, and manifested it in 
 a way which would now be considered a sad breach of 
 judicial etiquette. 
 
46 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1582. " On the 27th April 1582 at an Assembly in the Common Hall, 
 
 Present to a motion was made by Mr. Mayor to his said brethren and burgesses 
 Roils 6 concerning a Hogshead of wine to be bestowed and presented at 
 
 their cost, upon the right worshipful the Master of the Rolls, as a 
 simple token of the towns good will towards his worship, at whose 
 hands the town hath received much goodness and great courtesy in 
 matters touching the affairs and commodity thereof, which hogshead 
 of wine it was agreed should be with all convenient expedition 
 provided and sent to his Worship's house, towards which Mr Mayor 
 proffered x s Mr William More x s Mr Wm Secum 6 s 8 d " &c, &c. 
 
 And thus ends a very interesting episode in the annals 
 of the port. 
 
 Decay. Probably at the time of the commencement of these 
 
 disputes the town had sunk to its lowest point of depres- 
 sion. The burgages were originally 168 in number. It 
 may be supposed that other houses had been erected from 
 time to time, but from the return to an assessment made 
 in 1566, the number of householders had fallen to 151. 
 
 Revenues. The Queen's Customs, and other revenues from the 
 
 town, were farmed by the Molyneux family, who no doubt 
 exacted all they could. There were new duties of tonnage 
 and poundage granted by Parliament, and levied in addi- 
 tion to the ancient dues, and the claims of Chester to 
 supremacy still further added to their difficulties. Under 
 these circumstances, besides their application to Lord 
 Derby for his intercession, the burgesses, through their 
 member, Ralph Sekerston, presented a petition to the 
 Queen, setting forth in doleful phrase the miserable state 
 of their affairs, and praying for aid. The document runs 
 as follows : — 
 
 1566. Anno 1566, 31st March. " To the Queens most excellent majesty. 
 
 Petition. Your poor subject Ralph Sekerston of your grace's decayed town of 
 Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, most humbly desireth . your 
 highness to have respect in what estate your said town is in, for 
 all liberties and franchises given to us by any of your majesty's 
 progenitors, is from us your poor tenants clearly taken away. My 
 petition is to your grace, that you may have the governance still 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 47 
 
 over us, and your grace shall have our charter under the broad 1566. 
 seal given to your majesty, and then of your merciful goodness to 
 grant us what shall please your grace ; and also that we may from 
 henceforth continue under your grace's said governance, and we will 
 obey and truly serve your majesty under God ; for to us there is 
 no other help but by your majesty; only your highness hath as full 
 power to help us, your said subjects, in these days, as any others 
 your grace's progenitors have had in times past, and as our bounden 
 duty is, we shall pray for your majesty long to reign over us. 
 
 " Liverpool is your own town. Your majesty hath a castle and 
 two chauntries clear, the fee farms of the town, the ferry boat, two 
 windmills, the custom of the duchy, the new custom of the tonnage 
 and poundage, which was never paid in Liverpool before your time, 
 and the commodity thereof is your majesty's. For your own sake 
 suffer us not utterly to be cast away in your grace's time, but relieve 
 us like a mother." 
 
 A rider is added — 
 
 "This supplication was devised by Master Ralph Sekerston, of Note, 
 his own politic wit and wisdom, and fair written by a notary or 
 clerk of the court, that cost him 8 a the writing, as Master Sekerston 
 declared and saith openly this 31st day of March this present year 
 1566, which supplication, verbatim agreeing therewith, he put into the 
 queen's majesty's hand at the parliament this same year, he one of 
 the burgesses of this town at and in the same parliament and in 
 the parliament house." 
 
 What influence this petition had in gaining the favour 
 of the Court does not appear, but the result was satis- 
 factory to the town. 
 
 Poor as they were, the Corporation were able to 
 exercise suitable hospitality when visited by persons of 
 distinction. 
 
 The same year (1566) a visit was paid to the town vm. 
 by the Earl of Derby, accompanied by his two sons, Derby' Lord 
 Lord Strange and Sir Edward Stanley, Sir John Savage, 
 Sir Piers Legh of Lyme, William Molyneux of Sefton, 
 Grosvenor of Eaton, and other esquires and gentlemen. 
 The Mayor, Master John Crosse, with the bailiffs and 
 burgesses, met them at the Towns-end (now the end of 
 Dale Street) and attended them to the Tower of Liver- 
 pool, where it is recorded — 
 
48 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Banquet. 
 
 1575. 
 
 1576. 
 
 Queen's 
 Anniversary. 
 
 Bonfire. 
 
 Banquet. 
 
 "The said earl and his train rested, and had a couple of partridges, 
 and to drink with of his lordships cost, and other things at his lord- 
 ships; and there Mr. Mayor, his brethren with the bailiffs and com- 
 mon burgesses, did present him with a banquet of delicious delicates 
 of two courses of service," &c. 
 
 In 1575, the outgoing Mayor, Mr. John Mainwaring, 
 was fined " for not perambulating the metes, bounds and 
 liberties of the town," and for not carrying out the pre- 
 sentments of the Grand Jury. 
 
 1575. At this time, and long after, both herring and 
 salmon were freely caught in the Mersey. Under this 
 date there is entered a long string of fishing regulations 
 as to stake nets, close days, &c. 
 
 1576. The town seems now to have recovered its 
 cheerfulness. The loyalty of Liverpool has always been 
 demonstrative, and we have under this date a record of 
 a celebration of the anniversary of the accession of good 
 Queen Bess, which illustrates her popularity: — 
 
 •" This year, the 17th day of November 1576, and entering upon the 
 1 8th year of the reign of our most gracious sovereign lady Elizabeth, 
 Mr Thos Bavand being mayor -of this her Majesty's corporation and 
 port town of Lirpole in the county of Lancaster, caused the same 
 day in the evening a great bonefire to be made in the market place, 
 near to the high cross of the same town, and another anenst his 
 own door, giving warning that every householder should do the like 
 throughout the town, which was done accordingly. And immediately 
 after caused to call together his brethren the aldermen, and divers 
 others of the burgesses, of the same town, and so went altogether to 
 the house of Mr Ralph Burscough (Mayor in 1583) alderman where 
 they banqueted a certain time, which done, Mr Mayor departed to 
 his own house accompanied of the said aldermen and others, a great 
 number, upon whom he did bestow sack and other white wine and 
 sugar liberally, standing all without the door, lauding and praising 
 God for the most prosperous reign of our said most gracious sovereign 
 lady the queen's most excellent majesty, whom God grant long over 
 us to reign, with great tranquillity and victorious success over all her 
 grace's enemies. And so, appointing his bailiff and other officers to 
 see the fires quenched, he departed." 
 
 1577. 
 
 Visit of Henry 
 4th Earl of 
 Derby. 
 
 1577. In the following year, during the mayoralty of 
 the same Mr. Thos. Bavand, Henry, the fourth Earl of 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 49 
 
 Derby, came to Liverpool en route for the Isle of Man, 1577. 
 and waited for a fair wind. The Corporation seem to 
 have excelled themselves in their efforts to do him honour, 
 and the scribe records the event with due magniloquence. 
 The extract has been published before, but it is too 
 good a morgeau to be omitted in a resume like this. 
 The earl arrived on the 15th April, and remained until 
 the 28th, residing at his fortified mansion in Water Street. 
 The record proceeds — 
 
 " On Monday the 22nd his honour came to the church or chapel to 
 view and appoint out a fit place for the cloth of state, which was 
 on the south side of the same church or chapel, richly hanged with 
 costly ornament and cloth of gold. And Mr Thos Bavand being then 
 Mayor of Lyrpole aforesaid, caused preparation to be made for a 
 great triumph, to honour the said noble earl at the said most honour- 
 able feast, appointing Thos Englefield to be captain and leader of a 
 great number of townsmen, burgesses of Lyrpole and others, whom 
 he caused his bailiffs Roger Roose and Robert Ball to see furnished Review, 
 and trimly set forth as soldiers in warlike manner, to march and 
 skirmish before the said right honourable earl, who did the same 
 very orderly and right well at divers and sundry convenient times 
 during the said most honourable feast. 
 
 " The same said 22nd day of April aforesaid the said right honour- p ray ers. 
 able earl came to evening prayer at five of the clock in the afternoon, 
 accompanied with Mr Mayor the aldermen, bailiffs and others afore- Procession, 
 said, going in due order, that is to say the said two bailiffs foremost, 
 and then the bailiffs peers, then after them the aldermen, then certain 
 of my lords gentlemen, then the serjeant bearing the mace before Mr 
 Mayor, and then next after Mr Mayor, my lord's honour's usher, and 
 then the said right honourable Earl in his robes of red purple, his 
 train being borne up by Mr Leigh of Bagguley, and then came after 
 a great number as well of his honour's gentlemen as yeomen, and so 
 his honour coming to the church at that time, first of all he did mark 
 himself unto God, and then turning himself did his duty in making 
 obeisance to the place of estate, and before his honour did take his 
 own place obeisance again to the said place of estate, and so sat 
 down. And afterwards service being done, at his honour's going from 
 church, there was the said Capt. Thos Englefield with his soldiers 
 ready, and there skirmished very bravely and orderly ; shooting of 
 great store, not only of culliver shot, but also of great cast ordinance and 
 chambers, being placed in the church yard according to Mr Mayor's 
 appointment, besides shooting off from the ships riding in the river." 
 
 The next morning, Tuesday, St. George's day, the second day. 
 festivities were resumed, when — 
 
 G 
 
5° 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Sermon. 
 
 Salutes. 
 
 Pastimes. 
 
 Departure. 
 
 Ferry rights. 
 
 1580. 
 
 " His honour came to the church very gorgeously, and after went 
 in solemn procession about the church yard, and so entered again 
 into the church, and there offered a piece of gold, which was given 
 to Sir James Seddon, Clerk, minister there. That being done, Mr 
 Cadwell his honour's chaplain, made a godly and learned sermon 
 upon the Psalm 50 v 7, ' Audi populus mens, et contestabor te Israel,' &c. 
 And at every time of my lord's departure from church there was great 
 triumph as aforesaid; so that there was shot at the least 1200 culliver 
 shot during the said most honourable feast. And the same evening at 
 after supper, one Ralph Powell, gunner, being ready with squibs to 
 make pastime, cast the said squibs abroad very trimly, whereat his 
 honour took great pleasure." 
 
 The record continues — 
 
 " There were many things done and pastimes made, over and beside 
 the premises ; which were all so orderly and trimly handled as was to 
 the liking and great pleasure of the said right honourable earl, the 
 like whereof was never seen or known to be done in the said town of 
 Lirpole, for the which his honour did not only give unto Mr Mayor 
 manifold thanks, but also constrained him to take 'his honour's 
 liberality, sore against Mr Mayor's mind, to bestow upon the said 
 company. All these things being finished in decent order, then on 
 the Sunday next following, God sending his honour a prosperous wind 
 and fair weather, his honour took shipping in the Edward, Mr 
 Tarbock's ship, about four of the clock in the afternoon, being 
 accompanied with the Michael of Lirpole, the Bee of the same, the 
 Elizabeth of Alt, and the Good Luck of Douglas." 
 
 It is not easy to reconcile this grandiose account with 
 the pitiable condition of poverty and decay described in 
 Sekerston's petition eleven years before; no doubt the 
 worst was brought forward in the one case and the best 
 in the other. 
 
 1579. The burgesses this year asserted a right to be 
 carried across the Mersey gratis. It is entered on the 
 records as — 
 
 "Agreed that not any freeman nor his family pay any ferry, but 
 upon good will ; and that the ferryman shall carry, or cause to be 
 carried into the boat and out again all freemen and their families 
 without contradiction." 
 
 This order is repeated at various dates subsequently. 
 
 1580. In this year a measure was adopted which had 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 51 
 
 an important influence on the municipality down to the 1580. 
 period of the Municipal Reform Act. 
 
 The original charter of King John conferred certain 
 privileges on those who should take burgage tenements 
 under the Crown, but it made no provision for municipal 
 government. The charter of Henry III. supplemented 
 this by creating a Corporation (gildam mercatoriam) with 
 an implied, though not expressed, power to elect cor- 
 porate officers. The first officers were called Bailiffs, of 
 whom the earliest notice occurs in the year 1309; the 
 Mayor first appearing in 1356. The privileges in this 
 charter were granted to the burgesses in common, who, as 
 has been seen above, gradually merged into the freemen. 
 The earlier portion of the records refer to the enactments 
 and orders as made by the general assembly of the bur- 
 gesses, and fines are repeatedly inflicted on those who 
 did not attend. 
 
 In 1558, a resolution was passed, as noted above, that isss. 
 a Committee or Council of twelve members should be coJmciT 
 elected every year, but the assemblies continued to be 
 held, at which the attendance of the burgesses was 
 enforced. 
 
 In 1559, the Committee or Council was increased to 
 twenty-four members. The Common Halls, however, con- 
 tinued to be held. All the important business connected 
 with the Chester litigation was determined by assemblies 
 of the whole body of burgesses. 
 
 What particular circumstances led to the decisive step now 
 taken we are not informed, but on January 13th, 1580 — isso. 
 
 "In an assembly holden in the Common Hall, it was upon good 
 consideration and for the reformation of divers disorders agreed as 
 follows, 
 
 "Forasmuch as upon due consideration of the ancient customs of Appointment 
 this borough, it seems there are to be (amongst other things) a of Council. 
 
52 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Mixed 
 
 Assemblies 
 
 abolished. 
 
 Council 
 elected. 
 
 Common Councill within the same, of the Maior, Aldermen, and 24 
 others of the most discreet and substantial free burgesses inhabitants 
 thereof, by whose decision or the greater number of them in their 
 common assemblies, without the rest of the Commonaltie (like as in 
 other Corp" 5 is most commonly used) all causes touching the Common 
 Healthe and good government of this towne are from tyme to tyme 
 to be ordered and disposed. Whereas this good usage, by usurpation 
 of late disordered assemblies of the whole Commons (wherein through 
 the varietie of opinions of the multitude seldom any good success hath 
 ensued) is now so defaced, that in effect there remaineth not memory 
 thereof at all, saving that 24 burgesses every yeare being empanelled 
 and present at the next Portmote to be holden after the election of 
 Maior to enquire of offences past, have further for some remembrance 
 of the said former custome, taken upon them to prescribe rules and 
 orders for the government of the said towne, which by reason that 
 the Maior and Aldermen have not been parties thereunto, have been 
 seldom kept and observed, wherefore the Maior for this present much 
 misliking, hath desired a reformation. It is now therefore at the 
 request of the said Mayor, and in hope of the advancement of the 
 said towne, concluded, and further agreed by the whole assembly, 
 and consent, as well of the Maior and Aldermen and of all the 
 Commons at this present assembled ; 
 
 " That the said late mixed assemblies of the Commons shall be 
 abolished, and that from henceforth the said ancient custome of 
 Common Council shall be restored and inviolablie kept and observed. 
 And for that purpose the persons under named are now by the same 
 appointed, chosen, and known from henceforth in lieu and place of 
 the said Commons to joyne in the said office of Common Council 
 touching the affairs of the said towne, with the Maior and aldermen 
 of the same, who for that two of them were wanting are now reduced 
 to their just number (which they are to be at the laste) by those 
 in this assemblie of John Crosse Esquire and Rob' More gent. The 
 names of all which said aldermen be likewise after written, and to 
 the intent that this order may have continuance, it is further con- 
 cluded and agreed by the consent aforesaid, that if any of the said 
 Counsell shall happen to avoyde by death or otherwise, that then 
 the rest of the said Counsell which shall remain or the greater 
 number of them shall in the next Common Assemblie after such 
 avoidance had, elect and chuse another to supply that default. And 
 so often as anie further want shall happen to be other from tyme 
 to tyme, to be chosen then in place, so that the Common Counsell 
 be not decayed in number in anie wyse. All and everie such person 
 so to be chosen, to be sworne upon the oath hereafter following, 
 and now administered to everie of the said Common Counsell." 
 
 The Council so elected were as follows : 
 
 Aldermen. 
 Edward Halsall Mayor 
 
 The Right Hon. Henry \ 
 Earl of Derby } 
 
 Councillors. 
 Thos Bastwell 
 Antony More 
 Jas Chambers 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 
 
 53 
 
 Aldermen. Councillors. 
 
 Sir Thos Hesketh Knt Robt Mytton 
 
 Wm More Esq Wm. Colbrand 
 
 John Crosse Esq Peter Starkye 
 
 Thos More Jno Bryddon 
 
 Thos Secum Thos Wm Martindale 
 
 Wm Secum Thos Maynall 
 
 * Rauffe Burscough Robt Baule 
 
 Thos Bavand Edward Nicholson 
 
 John Mainwaringe Jno Wilkinson 
 
 Robt More Thos Mason 
 
 Roger Moss 
 
 Jno Sparke 
 
 Thos Postlethwaite 
 
 Thos Ban aster 
 
 Alan Soyner 
 
 Humphrey Colquitt 
 
 Jno Lyrtinge 
 
 Rd Gildart 
 
 Jno Wright 
 
 Jno Stanley 
 
 Thos Bolton 
 
 1580. The difficulty of dealing with the vagrants and *580. 
 destitute poor was severely felt prior to the introduction of 
 the Poor Law (43rd Elizabeth). An Act "for setting of 
 the poor on work" had recently been passed, under which 
 money had been raised and expended under the super- 
 intendence of the aldermen for that purpose. It was 
 found, however, that a grievance existed at that time, 
 which has in every age been a fruitful cause of misery. 
 It is recorded that — 
 
 " The exceeding number of ale houses' and tippling houses within Ale houses, 
 this towne is thought to be not only a great nourishment of idleness, 
 but also a great occasion of many other disorders and inconveniences. 
 It is therefore ordered by the said Mayor with the whole consent 
 of the Common Council that no person or persons whatsoever other 
 than such as be after named, after the feast of the Annunciation of 
 the blessed Virgin Mary next ensuinge (Mar, 25th) shall be admitted 
 or suffered to keep anie common ale house and tippling house unless 
 he or they shall be admitted and allowed by the said Mayor of this 
 towne or his deputie for the time being; and that all persons so 
 admitted shall be bound in recognizances with sufficient sureties 
 against the playing of unlawful games and for the keeping of good 
 order." 
 
54 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— l6 °3- 
 
 Port Moot 1580. Some of the presentments at the Port Moot of 
 
 Presentments. 
 
 this date are rather curious. 
 
 Mr. Edward Halsall, late Mayor, is presented for not 
 perambulating the liberties the last year of his mayoralty. 
 
 The Ferryman, for taking ferry from divers freemen 
 contrary to the order set down in that behalf. 
 
 William Pemberton, for keeping evil disposed persons 
 in his house, both men and women, namely the daughter 
 of blind John, and John Chapman, with others not suffer- 
 able. 
 
 John Chapman, for a loyterer, and keeping a woman 
 known not to be his wife. 
 
 John Wakefelde, his daughter, who allured two children 
 to spend 3 d at one shotte either of them in her house. 
 
 William Secum, for removing the "dowe" 1 stone or 
 meire stone, which was placed and set by the Jury. 
 1583. I 583- Ralph Sekerston, who had represented the 
 
 Members? borough from 1563, died in 1580, and was succeeded by 
 Thomas Greenacre, who also died in 1583. There is a 
 Arthur Atye. record of the election of his successor, Arthur Atye, 
 which took place at an Assembly in the Common Hall, 
 on the 15th April. Mr. Atye was Secretary to the great 
 Earl of Leicester, and agent for the States-General of 
 Holland. He did not 'appear on the hustings, but it is 
 evident that influence had been exercised by the Earl of 
 Derby and other high personages, from the somewhat ful- 
 some letter of thanks written to the new member as 
 follows : — 
 
 " Will. Secum gen. Mayor 
 LettertoAtye. " Ri S ht worshipfull 
 
 Yo r most curteouse L're of the third of m'che last 
 past (thoughe by the defalt of the bearer verie longe) yet at last 
 
 1 " Dowe " stone set to mark the boundary of a property, from an old word signifying pro- 
 perty, value, compare en-dow, dow-er, dow-ry. 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 55 
 
 came to my hands, viz the vij* of this instant Aprill. Wherin, as 
 youe shewe yo r self verie thankfull for o' choice, soe I in the behalf 
 of myself my bretheren, and others co-burgesses of this Town of 
 Lyverpoole, must not onelie thinke oure selves fortunate in the election 
 of such a one as both by the report of the right honorable and 
 o r verie good Lord th' erle ofJDerbie and others our frends of greate 
 credit hath bene highlie comended, but also yelde thanks to the 
 Almightie for yo r soe thankfull acceptance, whereby as we doe assure 
 o r selves of yo r ready good will in the supply of the place whereuntd 
 the choice is made. Soe doe wee hope the acceptance of o r good 
 will to stand in lewe of suche reward as the lawes of this realme 
 doe allowe in such cases. And as wee are poore to p'forme anie 
 reward, soe I trust youe shall not fynde us importunate to incrouch 
 upon yo r travaile, though o r necessitie be greate, and o r relieff in 
 manie causes in respecte of our service to her ma Ue for the realme 
 of Ireland, and other places verie requisite to be releyved, yet 
 o r povertie enforceth us to seke noe further as yet. Touching the 
 accomplishing of our election, wee have sent unto yo r Worshipp the 
 Indenture betweene the Sheriffe of the shyre and us, of the certi- 
 ficate of o r said choise sealed not onlie w* o r usuall seale, but also 
 w" 1 the seale of the office of the Shirevaltie, whereby noe question 
 may growe but that onelie youe are the burgesse no'ated in the 
 place of Mr Thos Greenacres decessed, though many others have 
 sought for it. And thus with o'harty thanks for yo'curteouse accept- 
 ance in great hast I comitt youe to the tuicoh of the Almightie . . 
 Liv'poole this of Ap B the xvij" 1 day 1583 
 
 " Yo r verie loving frend 
 
 "Will m Secum Maio r 
 " To the right worshipfull Arthur Atye, Secretary to the right 
 Honorable th' erle of Lecestr geve these." 
 
 1588. The Corporation was always very jealous of any Borough 
 interference with the jurisdiction of its local courts. There Court ' 
 is an entry, dated November 14th, 1588 — 
 
 " Rich d Mather the elder, fined for taking suit against Thos Whick- 
 sted and Rich d Hodgeson late Bailiff of this town in the Court of 
 West Darbie, being a forrain court without this jurisdiction." 
 
 1589. At a Port Moot Inquisition, 27th October. 
 
 " Item. The said Jurors do order and agree that there shall be noe 
 banquette made upon the two Faire dayes in the Common haull. 
 
 "Item, they agree that all free burgesses beinge within this town Armed 
 shall geve theire attendance and waite upon Mr Maior with a hal- attendance, 
 berde or bill or other convenient weapon to be carried by him or 
 his servante upon the two faire dayes in his perambulation &c upon 
 pame of xij d for ev'y defalte." 
 
56 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Return of 
 Bacon. 
 
 Prescot. 
 
 Common 
 Hall. 
 
 Gowns to be 
 worn. 
 
 1591. 
 
 Town's 
 
 Customer's 
 
 allowance. 
 
 The same year Liverpool had the honour of returning 
 to Parliament the most illustrious of her representatives, 
 Francis Bacon, but no notice whatever appears on the 
 records. 
 
 1589. The inhabitants of Prescot had a claim to the 
 freedom of Liverpool. An entry occurs this year— 
 
 " Item, they agree that Mr Maior do call the men of Prescott 
 together to see how many of them ought to be free." 
 
 1589. Notwithstanding the appointment of a Common 
 Council in 1580, to be in future self-elected, we find 
 meetings of the Burgesses in Common Hall were still 
 held. One such is recorded on the 19th November, 1589, 
 when a register was prepared of the names of all the 
 burgesses and freemen then existing. The number was 
 1 go. Amongst them we find enrolled many aristocratic 
 names, e.g., the Earl of Derby, his son Lord Strange, 
 Sir Edward Stanley, Sir Richard Sherborne, Sir Richard 
 Molyneux, Sir Edward Halsall ; and of the landed gentry, 
 Crosse of Crosse Hall, Bold of Bold, Norris of Speke, 
 Blundell of Ince Blundell, Ireland of Hale, More of 
 Bank Hall, &c. 
 
 1590. "It is agreed that "all those inhabitants within this said 
 Towne which have gownes shall weare the same at all assemblies 
 from tyme to tyme appointed or be appointed by Mr Maior of this 
 Towne or his Deputie for the time being." 
 
 1 591. March 23rd. " There was a motion made at this assemblie 
 touchinge what allowance shall be yelded or allowed upon the towne's 
 cost and charges unto the Towne's customer in respecte and towards 
 the fyndynge and kepinge of a horse or sufficient nagg in readines 
 for the use of the Towne for the said customer or some other fitt 
 man to ryde upon to attend upon Mr Maio' or otherwise about the 
 Towne's affaires and busines as nede shall require. Soe yt was 
 concluded and agreed by the wholl assemblie, that the said customer 
 shall have in allowance therefor ov r and besyde his ordinarie stipend 
 or wage for his said office, the sume of tenne shillinges currante 
 money of England." 
 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 57 
 
 1593. The officials of the Corporation were rather 1593. 
 sharply looked after and kept to their duty. This year 
 
 we read — 
 
 "The Jurors present Gyles Brooke Alderman (Mayor the previous Gyles Brooke 
 year) for not callinge together the Jury that was appointed to see presented. 
 for good orders in the Town fielde in his maioraltie the last yeare 
 and for not takinge their verdicts." 
 
 " Item — They present the said Mr Brooke finable and lykewise his 
 late Bailiff finable for not causinge the Butts at the Castell to be 
 made upp." 
 
 " Item — Richard Mather the elder for keepinge a bowlinge Alley Richard 
 and mens sonnes and s'vants to bowle therein." Mather. 
 
 The right of the sons of freemen to be admitted to 
 the franchise was now acknowledged. 
 
 " At the same assemblie John Page alias Seddon labourer, and Free 
 William Newell, the same William being a freemans sonne came Bur g ess <; s 
 before Mr Maior's Deputie and the assemblie and desyred by humble a mi e " 
 peticon to be admitted free burgesses of this Corporation, w cb in 
 ende was to them graunted upon condicon they and either of them should 
 p'forme the auncient orders p'scribed and set downe in that behalf, 
 and so the said John Page al s Seddon paid for his fine or ingress 
 the sum of Twentie Shillings, and the said Willm Newall the sum 
 of iii s iiij d paid to the hands of Thomas Rose deputie to Richard 
 Birde, then Bailiff of this said Towne for the towne's use and 
 thereupon received the burgesses othe." 
 
 1594. A v;ery salutary order was passed by the Grand Penalties on 
 Jury at the Port Moot, October 24th. Freemen. 
 
 Item—" That if there shall be anie p'son or p'sons free within this towne 
 that shall from henceforthe absente him or themselves upon anie recov'ie 
 of debte against him or them, in this courte had or recovered, so as the 
 Bailiffs cannot come by to make due execucon or levye upon the p'son or 
 p'sons or his or theire goods so convicted as aforesaid due in their office. 
 That then and from thenceforth ev'ry suche p'sone soe absenting himself 
 shall lose the benefite and p'vilege of a free burgess andjsoe to be disfran- 
 chised and shall afterwards be arrested upon any accon and thereupon 
 put in baile as a forrainer." 
 
 " Item— That the Bailiffs and Bailiffs peares shall attend Mr Maior of Gowns for 
 this towne for the tyme being in their gownes of black at ev'y assemblie, Baliffs 
 at ev'y faire tyme and whensoever the Maior shall have occasion to call tt„ mm 
 for them." Aldermen. 
 
 H 
 
58 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1596. This enactment was renewed and applied to the 
 Aldermen and Bailiffs when attending the Mayor to church 
 and market. 
 
 Penalty for " I tem — Wee doe agree that whosoever shall be elected or chosen by 
 
 refusing office, election to be Maior of this towne and doth refuse the same shall paie 
 
 unto him that shall take the place and office of the Maior afforesaid upon 
 
 him, the sume of xi" xiij s , iiij d , and the bailiffs in like manner iij u vi 5 ^viij d ." 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 
 
 The earliest record of the officials of the Corporation is 1552. 
 
 dated 1552. The minutes are in Latin, and headed thus : — Record. 
 
 _^'Omciar' Elect' Secundu' Antic' usu et laudabilem consuet' in festo 
 Sti Luce Evangelisti Anno Regni Edwardi Sexti dei gra Anglie ffranc' 
 et hib'n' Reg' fidei defensor' et in Terr' Ecc'lie Anglicane et hib'n' Sup'ius 
 Capit' q'u'nto 
 
 "Mayor Thomas More — generosus 
 " Bailiffs Robt Corbett for the town 
 
 " Alex* Garnett for the Mayor." 
 
 The Churchwardens were at this time, and for long after, 
 considered as corporate officers, and appointed by the Com- 
 mon Hall or Assembly. The officers now elected were — 
 
 "Churchwardens f£ enr £- B v lye 
 
 |Wm Rigbye 
 
 " Seneschals of the Gild Court j ? hos _ M T n ^ s 
 
 (Jacob Melling 
 " Water Bailiff Richard Warmyshire 
 
 " Leavelookers I J? 1 ™ W aUcer 
 
 I Robt Mercer 
 " Keeper of the Common Warehouse Gilbert Gardener 
 " Serjeant at Mace Robt Wyndille 
 
 " Assessors and Prysors 
 
 (R d Ley 
 R d Reynforth 
 Ralph Barlow 
 (Thos Rawlinson 
 "Customers or ) (Gilbert Merton 
 
 " Collectors of the dues J I Roger Marsh 
 
 " Hayward John Baxter 
 
 " Moss Reeves I Thos E y re 
 
 IJno Sudley 
 
 " Setters of the Flesh Boards [ J ol £ Tarleton 
 
 I Robt Inompson. 
 
 1552. A few of these terms require explanation. 
 Prysors. «' Prisage " was an ancient privilege of the 
 
60 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1552. Crown and great lords, of pre-emption of wines and edibles at 
 a valuation. This privilege was sometimes granted to cor- 
 porate bodies, and was in a few instances claimed by the 
 Mayor of Liverpool. The Prysors here mentioned are rather 
 the "appraisers," who valued any of the merchandise which 
 paid duties ad valorem. They are called in other portions of 
 the records, " the four marchantes Praysors," and had very 
 important duties to perform in reference to the " Town's 
 Bargains," or the business carried on by the borough in its 
 corporate capacity. 
 
 Hayward. A large portion of the land round Liverpool 
 being occupied in common field, it was necessary to regulate 
 the times for getting in the hay crops and turning in the 
 cattle. 
 
 Moss Reeves. Much of the fuel used in the town was 
 obtained from the Moss (afterwards Mosslake Fields) given 
 to the Corporation by Thomas Earl of Lancaster. This 
 officer was appointed to ensure proper care and to secure the 
 fair use of the privilege. 
 
 It will be observed that in this the earliest authenticated 
 list, no mention is made of Aldermen, Recorder, or Town 
 Clerk. 
 Aldermen. The office of Alderman is not mentioned in any of the 
 
 charters down to that of Charles I. (1626). In the earliest 
 notice existing, dating from 1525, the town was at that time 
 governed by the Mayor, Bailiffs, and by "twelve burgesses of 
 the commonalty appointed to order for the public weal." 
 Whether these were incipient Aldermen does not appear. In 
 the charter of Charles I. the office of Alderman is recognised, 
 and the Mayor and senior Alderman are to be the Justices of 
 the Peace for the Borough, but as to what constituted an 
 Alderman, or how he was to be appointed, the charter is 
 silent. By custom, sanctioned by the charter of William III., 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 61 
 
 every member of the Council who had passed the chair 
 became ipso facto Alderman. 
 
 The office of Recorder existed from the time of the earliest Recorder. 
 documents extant. Alexander Rugeley is mentioned as enter- 
 ing the proceedings in 1525, but of the mode of election we 
 have no record. 
 
 The Town Clerk, or Common Clerk, is found in many of Town cierk. 
 the ancient documents, and is recognised in the Charter of 
 Charles I. 
 
 In subsequent lists we find additional officers. 
 
 Burleymen. The Burleymen had charge of the town Burieymen. 
 lands, which were a relic of the folc-land of the ancient 
 Anglo-Saxon communities. They apportioned the share to 
 be occupied by each burgess. Their title explains itself — 
 Burgh or Borough Ley, the town or borough meadow or 
 pasture. 
 
 A le-Founders. These officers had to look after the quality, Ale Founders. 
 
 measure, and price of the liquor sold, about which there are 
 
 many, entries, e.g. : — 
 
 1584. " We find it convenient that every one that hath ale to sell, 1584. 
 shall sell a quart for a penny if it be called for, and that they shall bring 
 a full quart open, to the intent they shall use no deceit." 
 
 The minister or incumbent of the chapel, and the school- Minister and 
 master, were, in the 16th and 17th centuries, considered as hoolmaster - 
 corporate officers, and were appointed by the Burgesses in 
 Common Hall. 
 
 None of the officials were more popular than the Waits, or Waits, 
 town's musicians, who existed in the earliest period of the 
 records, and are repeatedly alluded to subsequently. They 
 had to attend upon the Mayor on all festivities. They had 
 also to play publicly every day except Sunday. 
 
 The Wait had to keep in his possession a silver badge, Badge, 
 called the " Towne's Scutcheon," and deliver it up when 
 
62 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Scutcheon. 
 
 Canvassing 
 prohibited. 
 
 1580. 
 
 Hall-keeper. 
 
 John Byrde 
 appointed. 
 
 called for. The following entry, which is not the only one, 
 
 refers to this : — 
 
 1594. November 2nd, John Byrde, Mayor. " Memorand\. that this day 
 Mr Maior by and w th the comon assente and consente of the co-burgesses 
 of this saide towne, deliv'ed the townes scutchion of silver containinge in 
 weighte fyve ounzes of haverdepoise to one Thomas Brookfelde, a pyper 
 being admitted wayte of this towne upon his good demeano r And for the 
 safe kepinge and redeliv'age of w ch said scutchion in suche plite and mann' 
 as the same nowe is, upon reasonable demande as occasion shall require," 
 &c, he has to give two sureties. 
 
 The " pype " here referred to is doubtless the old English 
 
 bagpipe, as described in Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrimage. 
 
 1580. " Item. It is also agreed by common consent, that if any 
 manner of person or persons whatsoever within this town being, pretend- 
 ing to supply any manner of office belonging to this town under Mr 
 Mayor, do at any time from henceforth make suit or means, either to 
 townsman, or especially to any forrain gentleman or other dwelling out of 
 the town to be a mediator or spokesman to obtain or get any office ; the 
 same being proved, shall not only lose the same office, but shall also be 
 disfranchised, and this order to have continuance for ever." 
 
 Iri 1580, with the consent of the burgesses, it was 
 "agreed that William Golbrand shall pay unto George 
 Rainforthe in consideration that he doth enjoy the office of 
 hall-keeper the sum of 40s;, to be paid at the feast of St. 
 Andrew the apostle and Shrovetide next coming by equal 
 portions." 
 
 The Office of Hall-keeper was one of considerable profit. 
 He had the Warehousing and forwarding of all goods and 
 merchandise. 
 
 1588, November 18th, the office being vacant, an entry 
 occurs that an offer having been made by John Byrde, mer- 
 chant, to farm the! same at a rent, the following agreement 
 should be entered into : — 
 
 " That the daye and yeare above written yt is accorded concluded and 
 agreed by and betweene the right worshipfull Sir Rich d Molineux knight 
 nowe Maior of this towne of Lyverpoole in the countie of Lancaster 
 w< the full assente and consente of all the aldermen, his brethren, bur- 
 gesses and comonaltie of the same tbwne .... that the said John Byrde 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 63 
 
 and his assignes, for and in consideration of the sum of twentie pounds of 
 lawfull money of England .... paid to the use of the said towne, shall 
 have use and enjoye the office of the hall keeper of this said towne, and 
 portage of all suche goods and merchandizes as shall come to this saide 
 towne or from hence transported and here discharged or loaden, w* all 
 mann' of p'fitts and comodities thereunto incidente or belonginge, in as 
 ample a manner as Will m Golbrand late officer in that behalf had," &c. 
 
 Mjr. Byrde only held the office for one year. He was 
 elected Mayor in 1590, and again in 1594. 
 
 1590. The office was again put up to competition, but th,e 
 result is not recorded. 
 
 1587. On St. Luke's day, at the election of officers, the 1587. 
 Mayor made choice of Mr. Thomas Bolton^- 
 
 " To have been his Bailiff and officer for this year, whereunto the said Refusal of 
 Thos Bolton would not consent, yet notwithstanding Mr Mayor being B °lt°n- 
 very desirous and earnest to have the said Bolton, and therein used many 
 desires and persuasions, beside the like done by divers his brethren, 
 Aldermen and others to have the said Thomas Bolton to receive his oath 
 of Bailiff and not to deny the same, sithence Mr Mayor was so desirous 
 of him, yet did the said Bolton most uncourteously and obstinately refuse 
 the same and would not receive the said oath, whereupon it was then and 
 there concluded by a general consent of the House and Assembly that a 
 fine to the sum of five marks usual money of England shall be levied of 
 the goods and chattels of the said Thos Bolton for the towns use," &c. 
 
 The Town Customer, or receiver of the dues, was a very Town 
 
 important Officer. Customer. 
 
 1580, November 16th. " Item we -are agreed and find it requisite and 1580. 
 necessary that there shall be a blank book delivered to the town customer 
 of Liverpoole by the appointment of Mr Mayor which book to containe 20 
 leaves or more and Mr Mayor his hand to be subscribed at every leaf so 
 that no entry be made neither of ship nor barque nor merchants goods in 
 papers and scrolls, but in that book only. 
 
 " Item, we are agreed that the same customer and sub-customer shall 
 yield and give their several accompts to Mr Mayor or to whom his 
 worship and the Aldermen his brethren and Common Council shall think 
 fit for that purpose at the end of every six or at the furthest eight weeks." 
 
 1588, December 4th. Sir Richard Molyneux, Mayor. At 
 a Convocation presided over by Mr. Robert More, Deputy 
 Mayor, a letter was read from the Mayor, asking — 
 
 " For a conveniente and fitt man to be retained in the towne's behalf Sti P end ' at y 
 
 servant. 
 
64 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 William 
 Golbrand. 
 
 as the stipendiarie s'vant to s r ve in and for all mann' of busines and 
 affaires of the towne as by the tenure of the copie of the said letter 
 hereaf r written may appeare. 
 
 " Whereupon after manie speeches the election (conc'ninge whoe was 
 thought to be the most fitt man for that purpose, and beinge demanded 
 whether Will m Golbrand was a man fitt to attend Mr. Maior and for the 
 towne's s'vice accordinge to Mr Maiors letter, or if ther was anie thought 
 to be more fitt than hee) was taken by poles and ev'ry man to yelde his 
 free voice and election sev'allie and p'ticularly, soe as to the nominacon 
 of the said Will m Golbrand — were voices in that behalf fourscore and 
 twoe and on the contrarie parte but fortie and foure. And then this done 
 it was demanded what stipend or wages he ought to have in lewe and 
 consideracon of his s'vice for that yeare to come, whereof ther were 
 sundre sumes named, some of viif, some of vi u xiij s iiij d , and others of 
 v u but the ende the most voice 8 were _that he should have for this yeare 
 accordinge to Mr Maiors letter the sume of viij 1 '." 
 
THE CORPORATE ESTATE AND 
 REVENUES. 
 
 It has already been seen that the site of Liverpool was 
 obtained by King John in 1207 from Henry Fitzwarine in 
 exchange for other lands. On this site the Castle was built, 
 and the burgage tenements erected under grants from the 
 Crown. The lands in the borough became an appanage 
 of the Duchy of Lancaster, and on the merging of the Duchy 
 in the Crown under Henry IV., they again reverted. No 
 doubt many grants in fee were made both by the Duchy and 
 the Crown of which no record remains. The turbary, con- Grant of 
 taining thirteen acres statute, given to the town by Earl 
 Thomas in 1309, comprised all the land lying between 
 Brownlow Hill on the north and Parliament Street on the 
 south, and from east to west between Crown Street and 
 Hope Street. The fee-farm leases from the Crown, of which 
 there was such a succession, doubtless included the burgage 
 rents and the rental of the other Crown lands. 
 
 The first glimpse we obtain of the landed property of the 1523. 
 
 — T" 
 
 Corporation is in a copy of the Rental, under the hand of 
 William More (Mayor in 1523), which is as follows : — 
 
 6 d 
 
 . Rental. 
 
 " Sir Wm Molyneux knt for the new Tythebarn 
 
 Rd Barker for certain common ground lying betwixt) 
 
 St~ Catherine's Hey and his croft j 
 
 John Smyth Mariner for common ground 
 
 Gilbert Cooke for common 
 
 Robt Dobb for common 
 
 Adam Dandye for Mill dam 
 
 Jenkey Baxter for common 
 
 Thos Wynstanley for common 
 
 Sum total... 
 
 20" 
 
 8 d 
 io d 
 
 20 d 
 IO d 
 
 12" 
 
 7 s 6 d " 
 
66 
 
 CHAP. II. A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1400. 
 
 1533. 
 
 King's 
 Rentally. 
 
 1551. 
 
 1562. 
 Rental. 
 
 In the lease from Henry IV., immediately after his acces- 
 sion, the hereditaments of Liverpool are described as — 
 
 " Villam nostram de Leverpull cum comun' pastur' jacent' inter dictam 
 villain et parcum nostrum de Toxtath, cum omnibus molendinis," &c. 
 
 I n 1533 a complete return was made of the King's 
 Rentally in Liverpool. The document is no doubt very 
 complete, but is too long to be quoted entire. The number 
 of tenants is 86 ; the total amount of quit rents, ^10 is. 4d. 
 The names include the Earl of Derby, Sir John Stanley, 
 Sir Wm. Molyneux, the Mores, Crosses, Fazakerleys, Blun- 
 dells, Halsalls, Seacomes, Tatlocks, Bolds, Houghtons, 
 Johnsons, &c. 
 
 In 1 55 1, the return of the town's rental is entered as 
 follows : 
 
 " The rental belongyng to the towne of Lev'pull and to the Mayr w ft the 
 burgesses of the same 
 
 Imprimis a burgage in the Wat r Strete now in the) 
 holdyng of Alex r Garnet j 
 
 Half a burgage in the Dale Strete, now in the holdyng of) 
 Rychard Warmyncham J 
 
 A Burgage in the holdyng of Thos Alerton in the Dale) 
 
 Strete _ J 
 
 --A tenement in Garston, now in the holdyng of Perys) 
 Challin j 
 
 Item vj d goyng owte of Barbon's lands, gyven by the) 
 ladye Mercer r 
 
 Item that is brought in by the great inquest Robt' 
 Corbett Mayor, a yerely rent goyng owt of one 
 Gill's lands of Edge Lane in Darbye late in the " 
 holdyng of Wm Smyth of Liv'pole deceased 
 
 Item by the same inquest halffe burgage of land or-, 
 meas'ge_and buyldyng in le Dale Strete late in the 
 occupacon of Robt Nicholossby, marin' and his wyffe 
 decess d , and now admitted in to the same by the sayd 
 great inquest, Homfray Olgreve aff the decess' of the I 
 sayd Wm Smyth, paying therefor by yere iij s ii d on 
 and his fine for the same." % / 
 
 In 1562 another rental is recorded, from which, compared 
 
 xiij s 
 
 vj s 
 
 xij s 
 xiij s 
 
 vj s 
 
 iij s 
 
 vjij d 
 vj d 
 
 yj d 
 
 viij d 
 
THE CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 67 
 
 with the other lists, we gather that the Corporate landed pro- 
 perty consisted of four portions. 
 
 1st. A portion of the lands in the original borough, lying Lands n. of 
 north-west of the pool stream. These comprised the original 
 burgage tenements, various properties held by private persons 
 in fee simple, and a large tract of agricultural land extending 
 northward. Of these the Corporation held a considerable 
 part ; the town field, frequently referred to, which extended 
 northward from the end of Oldhall Street ; other lands con- 
 nected therewith, Hoggs' Heys, the Crooked Lands ; the 
 Higher Heavylands, one Hey-land and a half lying in the 
 Higher Shoot on the Sea Bank ; the Sea Bank itself; a field 
 along the road to Bank Hall ; also various tenements in the 
 town. 
 
 and. On the south-east side of the Pool Stream, that is s.E.ofPooi. 
 east of Byrom Street, the Corporation held the Gallows 
 Field, which extended along Byrom Street from William 
 Brown Street to Richmond Row. Beyond this there was the 
 Middle Mill Dale and the Mill Dam, occupying the hollow, 
 now Thurlow Street. Above the Gallows Field, northwards 
 from the Great Heath, now London Road, they held the 
 Rough Heys. 
 
 3rd. The Great Heath and the open lands from White- Great Heath, 
 chapel eastward. These were principally unenclosed. 
 
 4th. The turbary already described. „ 
 
 . IVIOSS L3kC. 
 
 The two last portions form the bulk ot the Corporate 
 estate as now in existence. Of the two first portions it is now 
 impossible to trace the history with any certainty, but a large 
 part was in possession of the Corporation early in the 17th 
 century. 
 
 Besides the landed estate, the revenues of the Corporation Toils and 
 were derived from tolls and dues, which have from time Dues - 
 immemorial been the subject of litigation. 
 
68 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1545. 
 Lease to 
 Molyneux. 
 
 1555. 
 Disputes. 
 
 Bailiffs 
 censured. 
 
 Fracas with 
 Molyneux. 
 
 The Corporation of Liverpool were never backward in the 
 assertion of their rights in levying these tolls and dues, which 
 sometimes got them into trouble. 
 
 In 1545 Sir Richard Molyneux obtained from the Crown a 
 fee-farm lease of 
 
 " the town and Lordship of Lytherpole including the Stallage and 
 Tollage of the Fairs and Market . . . and also the Customs and 
 anchorage and key toll of the Water of Mersey within the Lordship." 
 
 Some of these customs dues and exemptions were claimed 
 by the burgesses, which led to serious disputes. In 1555 a 
 rupture occurred arising out of the contested right to the 
 tolls of the markets and fairs. At a Common Hall, or 
 Assembly, on the 20th April, an order was made for the 
 expenses of a deputation to London to meet Sir Richard 
 Molyneux. 
 
 At a subsequent meeting, on August 12th, 
 
 " it was examined how the money had been bestowed, when 'Master 
 Mayor (Sir Wm Norris) declared to the whole assembly, how it were not 
 convenient to declare there of all things which was done in the town's 
 suit at London, forasmuch as he well perceived all in the whole house 
 were not to be credited and trusted— wherewith the whole assembly 
 for the more part, and in manner all together held themselves therewith 
 well contented." 
 
 1555. At the same Assembly the Mayor declared 
 
 "the disobedience of the Bailiffs and especially the Bailiff Corbett, 
 who had neglected their duty in allowing Master Molyneux to gather the 
 tolls of the cattle fair. The Mayor further declared, that he might have 
 sealed up the Bailiff Corbett's doors, and taken his goods into custody 
 and the town s, besides other punishment." 
 
 1556. The litigation still continuing, in January, 1556, 
 Sir Richard Molyneux sent an agent, William Rigby, to 
 publish a proclamation at the High Cross, claiming the 
 payment of the tolls and dues. The circumstances are 
 thus detailed in the records : — 
 
 " The above named with many others came to the High Cross in 
 Liverpoole and there made a noise as ready to have given summons and 
 
THE CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 69 
 
 warning for a court to be holden ; at which noise hearing, Masf Walker 
 in absence of Mast' Mayor, Rauffe Sekerston and others came to the said 
 noise, demanding and asking what they had there to do to presume to 
 make any such noise, and they not being privy thereof, and so stopped 
 them for any more further proceedure." 
 
 1560. A few years afterwards the Corporation came into 1560 
 conflict with a more formidable opponent. 
 
 In March, 1560, a ship from Dublin ran ashore at Hoose, 
 
 near Hilbre Island. She was boarded by some fishermen of 
 
 West Kirkby, brought into the Mersey, and anchored in the 
 
 Sloyne. Here she was boarded by Mr. Massey, agent for the 
 
 Earl of Derby, on behalf of the Admiralty, and ordered 
 
 "to be put to the full sea on the Cheshire side of the river ; where- 
 upon the Mayor of Liverpool and John Mainwaring the Water Bailiff Dispute about 
 took forcible possession, and brought the vessel over to Liverpool, and Jurisdiction, 
 proceeded to take an inventory of her belongings. Thereupon a Mr 
 Delaine of Dublin appeared, and claimed the cargo. The next day came 
 Mr Massey aforesaid over the water, and knowing all the doings of Mr 
 Mayor was not a little grieved and vexed therewith, and Mr Mayor like 
 vexed towards him, so that Mr Massey departed forth of Liverpoole in a 
 furious and unquiet manner " 
 
 to Lathom House, to lay his grievous complaint before Lord 
 
 Derby. The matter was then adjourned to Liverpool, where 
 
 " there passed certain stout words upon both the parties, insomuch as 
 Mr Massey laid hands on his sword and Mr Hanmer a gentleman of the 
 Earl of Derby riding by upon a demi-lance like a champion, but notwith- 
 standing Mr Mayor commanded Mr Massey to keep in his sword." 
 
 High words then ensued. The Derby party departed 
 " all in their fumes " to make further complaint at Lathom. 
 
 The Mayor was again summoned to Lathom, and ulti- Lord Derby 
 mately the ship and cargo had to be given up to Lord 1 " * 
 Derby's agents, for the collection of the tonnage and pound- 
 age and harbour dues. The matter was brought before the 
 Admiralty, and an attachment was issued against the Mayor 
 and Bailiffs, but by intercession they were discharged on 
 payment of the fees. 
 
 1590, December 14th. An audit of the receipts and pay- 
 
70 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Corporation 
 Accounts. 
 
 ments during the Mayoralty of Mr. Thomas Whicksted was 
 held, which is entered as follows : — 
 
 " Accompted w th the said Thomas Whicksted gent late Maior of 
 LiVpoole, whose receipts in the yeare he was Maior doe amounte to the 
 sume of xliij 1 ' x s v d and his payments to xxxix u xv s vij d . Soe all things 
 accompted and allowed he resteth due to the towne in this accompte the 
 sume of iij u xiiij s x d w ch must be bestowed in gonne powder." 
 
 Origin of 
 Town Dues. 
 
 1592. 
 
 1592. 
 Letter from 
 Lord High 
 Admiral. 
 
 Whether this powder was to be expended in feux dejoie on 
 occasion of festivities, or for a graver purpose, does not 
 appear. 
 
 The origin of the Liverpool Town Dues is involved in 
 considerable mystery. There are two theories on the subject ; 
 one, that these dues represent the customs payable to the 
 Crown, which were usually included in the fee-farm rents 
 reserved in the leases granted by the Crown or the Duchy of 
 Lancaster ; the other, that these dues were in the nature of 
 fines or penalties paid by non-freemen for the privilege of 
 trading, freemen being exempt. An entry, dated 2nd Sept., 
 I5g2, seems to favour the latter view. The levying of 
 these dues had attracted the attention of the High Admiral 
 of England, Lord Charles Howard, whereupon a mandamus 
 was issued, and entrusted to two Commissioners, Marmaduke 
 Langdale and Hugh Robson. 
 
 The various heads under which dues were claimed are set 
 forth as follows : — 
 
 " Ladinge ; Measuringe ; Wayinge ; Grondage ; Ancorage ; Betonage ; 
 Ferriage ; Daiage ; Lastage ; Wharfage ; Keyage ; Cranage ; Sealinge of 
 Measures ; Searchinge of Measures ; Sea rounded groundes ; Fishinges ; 
 Fowlinge ; Planckage ; Measuringe of Coales, Sake and Come. 
 
 "All these things above mentioned, Wee, Marmaduke Langdale and 
 Hugh Robson, in the righte honorable the Lorde highe Admirall of 
 England's name doe forbidde you and every of youe to take measure or 
 receive any duties or demands for any of the things aforesaid. In 
 witness whereof, Wee Marmaduke Langdale and Hugh Robson have sett 
 oure hands hereunto the seconde daye of September Anno d'ni 1592. 
 
THE CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 
 
 7i 
 
 By us nowe being present in Lyverpoole, readie to fulfill oure comission 
 yf it please Mr Maior and the reste of the worshipfull to see it. 
 
 " Marmaduke Langdale 
 " Hugh (R) Robson * 
 
 hism'ke." 
 " To the Water Bailiffe or Bailiffes and all other officers named or 
 appointed by the right worshipful Mr Maior and the Bailiffs of Lyver- 
 poole or any other p'son or p'sons that doe appoint any suche officer or 
 officers for takinge any fees or other dueties for any of the things w tb in 
 written." 
 
 * This worthy could not write his name. 
 
THE BURGESSES, FREEMEN, GUILDS, 
 AND RESTRICTIONS. 
 
 The original letters patent of King John conferred certain 
 privileges on those who should take burgage tenements under 
 
 charters. the Crown, who became ipso facto " Burgesses." The charter 
 of Henry III. recognised them as such, and gave power of 
 incorporation as a " gildam mercatoriam," with the privilege of 
 preventing all who were not members thereof from transact- 
 ing any business unless by consent of the burgesses. The 
 original burgage tenements were 168 in number, and were 
 never increased. The burgages being heritable property, 
 became divided and subdivided, and ultimately disappeared ; 
 the freemen who had obtained their right by purchase or 
 inheritance taking their places. 
 
 Gentry. Many of the neighbouring gentry, the Crosses, Moores, 
 
 Molyneuxs, Stanleys, &c, identified themselves with the town 
 
 Freemen. by being enrolled on the list of freemen, and took an active 
 
 part in the town's affairs, being frequently elected to the 
 
 office of Chief Magistrate. For this purpose the occupation 
 
 of a house within the town was an essential requisite. The 
 
 following entry relates to the admission of one of the 
 
 Tarletons of Aigburth : — 
 
 1552. I 552. " Edwardus Tarleton venit ad hanc cur'et fidelitat' fee' esse 
 
 Tarleton liber homo de Liv'p u sub condi'o'e q d si inhabitat et remanet in hac villa 
 
 admitted. q<i tunc liber esset et suis p'ten' in burgens' huius vilT h'ebit. Et si no 
 
 remanet in vilT, tunc no' h'et burgom p'd't. Et sic admittaf et fact' est 
 
 liber per Thomam More gen'os maiore p' d'no Reg' ib'm A° Sext' Reg' 
 
 Ed'r &c Sext' " 
 
BURGESSES AND FREEMEN. 73 
 
 " Condicio fact int' p'dic' Thomam et fratres suis unacu' assensu et 
 concerts' coi't atat' vill' p'dic' et p'd'm Edward' Tarleton die vero 
 duodecimo Junii An° vj Reg' Ed'r' Sext videlic' — that the said Edward 
 shall inhabite remayne and dwell w'in the towne of Lyv'pull at, before, or 
 in the feast of the purification of the blessed Virgin Marie next to come aft' 
 the daie aforesaid. And yff he do not inhabyt and dwell as is aforesaid, 
 that then he shall loose his fredom and be disfrach'sd of the liberties 
 and freedom w'in the sayed towne of Lyv'pll, and alsoe shall paye all 
 duties and customes to o r sov'n lord the Kyng and the towne as a frem' 
 ought to doe in as ample man' as the condicon is expressed on the other 
 syd of the booke &c. 
 
 " By me Thomas More, #■ me Edward Tarleton." 
 
 1561. In this year it is recorded that 
 
 " Edward Prescott was admitted to the temporary freedom of the town p reS cott 
 so long as he inhabits, and if he do not inhabit and dwell, he shall lose admitted, 
 his freedom and pay all dues and customs as a foreigner ought to do." 
 
 The fee charged on admission was 3s. 4d., and from that 
 time many sought enrolment. 
 
 In 1581 the fee was raised to 6s. 8d. 
 
 In the same year Lawrence Waddington claimed his 
 freedom as the son of a freeman, and paid 3s. 4d. for ingress. 
 
 1599. It would seem that the privileges of freemen were 
 
 not confined exclusively to the male sex, for at a Port Moot, 
 
 2and October, 1599, we read 
 
 " Item wee p'sent Alice Parre, widowe, finable for leading goods from Alice Pane 
 the sea syd w*" her waine, shee not being free." fined - 
 
 Glimpses are occasionally given of the continued existence 
 of the burgage tenures side by side with the freemen. There 
 are many such entries as the following : — 
 
 1562, January 8th. Record of the conveyance of half a Burgages. 
 burgage of land in Castle Street, with one half-acre of land in 
 
 four butts in Everton Causeway, from Wm. Nicholson to 
 John Wytter. 
 
 The burgage quit rents formed part of the royalties 
 demised in the fee-farm leases. 
 
 1565. This year a roll of the burgesses is entered, from Burgesses. 
 
 K 
 
74 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 which it appears that the original number had been well kept 
 
 up, 167 appearing on the list. 
 
 1587. It is recorded 
 
 "that Henry Backster hath sold his land by which he claimed his 
 freedom and so lost his right." 
 
 1558. The original grant of the " gildam mercatoriam " included 
 
 Trade gilds. .. . . 1 r 11 1 • t ^ 
 
 the permission to form minor trade fellowships. In 1558, 
 one John Pemberton, tailor, was admitted to his freedom on 
 payment of 6s. 8d. As soon as he was admitted he stirred 
 up his brethren of the craft, and under his leadership a peti- 
 tion was presented to the Mayor and Assembly, along with a 
 douceur of 50s., setting forth that the honourable fraternity of 
 Taiiore' 8 ' id ta ^ ors formerly enjoyed certain exclusive privileges, which 
 had fallen into disuse, and praying for sanction to form 
 themselves into an exclusive gild, prohibiting all others from 
 engaging in the trade under pain of fine and forfeiture. This 
 was assented to, and a charter accordingly granted, signed by 
 Robert Corbett, Mayor, Sir Richard Molyneux of Sefton, Sir 
 William Norris of Speke, Ralph Sekerston, M.P. and Alder- 
 man, George Fairclough, Alderman ; and John More of Bank 
 Hall, and George Ireland of Hale, Esquires, Burgesses, with 
 the whole assent of the co-burgesses. 
 
 I 559> Alexander Garnett, who succeeded to the civic 
 chair, took a hostile position, and the fraternity was for the 
 time suppressed. The following year, under the sheltering 
 wing of brave old Ralph Sekerston, it was revived, and 
 continued to flourish. 
 
 1581. The Tailors' Gild came before the Assembly, and 
 asked for authority to charge 4s. 6d. for the " good will and 
 admission of members." At the same time the Company of 
 Websters requested authority to charge 5s. for the like 
 privilege. Both applications were granted. 
 Freemen. The freemen were very jealous of the infringement of 
 
BURGESSES AND FREEMEN. 75 
 
 their exclusive privileges in defiance of the clause in the 
 
 charter of 1556, by which all such restrictions were abolished 
 
 and in future prohibited. 
 
 1558. It was ordered by the Assembly 
 
 " That no craftsmen out of the town not free shall set up their occupa- 1558. 
 tion within the town without license of the brethren of their occupation 
 upon forfeiture of 6 s 8 d ." 
 
 1565. At a Port Moot of the Burgesses it is recorded 
 
 " We find and order that all wares transported and brought into this Regulations, 
 borough Corporate and Port town forth of the Queen's Majesty's realm 
 of Ireland by the way of merchandize, shall be brought into the common 
 hall ; that is to wit into the common warehouse of this town, and that all 
 such wares sold or bartered between foreigner and foreigner shall be 
 forfeit as foreign bought and foreign sold, — fells and yarn only excepted, — 
 and that it shall be lawful for any freeman of this town to seize and take 
 the same. 
 
 " And also that no clothier or other foreign occupier, ship any kind of Prohibitions, 
 wares, goods or merchandizes from this port into Spain France of other 
 regions' unless they do agree with Mast r Mayor for the time being, and 
 his brethren with the whole consent of the commonalty, or at least with 
 the consent of the ancient co-burgesses well skilled, expert, and discreet, 
 in buying and selling. 
 
 " Also we find, order, and decree, that no foreigner, as men of Bolton, 
 Blackburne or any other places, sell any iron, wood, or any other kind of 
 wares to any foreign person other than to a freeman of this town, on pain 
 of forfeiture of the same. 
 
 " Also we order that no manner of persons buy within this and liberties 
 thereof, any cannel, coals, turf or other fuel coming within the liberties 
 either by wayns, carts or horseback intending to ship the same into 
 Ireland or any other places, on pain of forfeiture of every ton buying 
 3 s 4 d -" 
 
 The records are full of such entries as the following : — 
 1580, October 18th. At the Great Port Moot Inquisition, 
 the Jury presented 
 
 " John Jefforde, gent, for that his wife doth occupy bruinge and bake- Prohibitions. 
 inge to sell, he not being free." 
 
 " Wm. Parre, Robert Challoner, Rich d Hymer, Rich d Clerke and Wm 
 Hoghton for the like." 
 
 1583, October 1st. 
 
 " That no forrain lady shall buy above eight Wyndles of grain or corn 
 in the market upon any one market day." 
 
76 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 " That no townsman or inhabitant shall buy above eight Wyndles of 
 grain or corn upon one market day." 
 
 At the same Port Moot ten persons were presented for 
 
 trading, not being free of the Corporation. 
 
 It was further ordered 
 
 " That no forrainer shall buy of any other forrainer either flock, wool, 
 hyde, tallow, brass or checkers." 
 Penalties. " If any freeman of this town do or shall sell any merchandize to any 
 
 forrainer or stranger, he shall pay the Town's Custom except he do abide 
 the adventure of the goods himself by sea." 
 
 1589, October 30th. 
 
 " Jane Aspendine, spinster presented, for kepinge a shoppe within this 
 towne not being free ; that either she shall paye toll, or els in defalte 
 thereof, vj d fine for everie defalte." 
 
 " Forrainers " seem to have been the great dread of the 
 
 Liverpool traders. On the 25th October, 1582, the Jurors at 
 
 the Port Moot made the following presentment : — 
 
 1582. " The Jurors aforesaid are agreed and do present that all the merchants 
 
 or chapmen of Bolton, Wygan and Manchester, which bring Hops, 
 Tallow, Soap, or any other kind of ware whatsoever to this towne of 
 Liverpoole, shall every of them sell the same to the free burgesses of this 
 said town, and not to any forainer in any wise, and that they shall pay 
 all their tolls and duties thereon." 
 
 1581. " We are agreed that no ' badger ' * coming to the town to buy 
 Corn in this market, shall buy above two Windles of any kind of grain." 
 
 The commerce passing the town was laid under contribu- 
 tion. 
 
 1572, October 23rd. 
 
 Tolls. " We agree that all pickards and boats coming into this port intending 
 
 to go up to Warrington or Frodsham or any creek within this port of 
 Liverpool and thereto belonging shall make their entry and pay key toll, 
 anchorage and customs to the Mayor's collector appointed town's cus- 
 tomer on pain of forfeiture of such pickard or boat, and the goods in 
 them laden." 
 
 Waterfordand The Waterford and Wexford merchants, as well as the 
 wexiuid. c iti Z ens of London, enjoyed a prescriptive right to exemp- 
 
 ger," Fr. Bagagier — one that buys victuals in one place and carries them to 
 another to make profit of it. 
 
BURGESSES AND FREEMEN. 77 
 
 tion from the town's customs. The Liverpool burgesses 
 endeavoured to restrict this exemption within the narrowest 
 possible limits. 
 
 1598. At an Assembly in Common Hall on March 31st, 
 1598, it is entered 
 
 Imprimis. " The men of the towne of Waterford jind Wexforde in 
 Ireland being free with us, and wee of this Corporacon free w' h them, 
 therefor and conc'ninge the Townes Custome of bothe places. Whether 
 they ought to paie Hallage for theire_goods and m'chandizes or not ; for 
 us it is confessed the keper of the comon Warehouse of this towne hath 
 not demanded that Duetie of Hallage of the M'chants and men of those 
 twoe places of Waterforde and Wexford. Yt is nowe concluded and 
 agreed that from henceforth the Keper of the saide Warehouse for the 
 tyme beinge shall take and receive Hallage of all Waterford and Wexford 
 men for all goods and m'chandizes by them brought hither or hereafter to 
 be brought, as other the forrain's do or ought to paie &c, any freedom 
 notw^standinge." 
 
 These vexatious restrictions were carried into the ordinary 1588. 
 transactions of daily life. Thus, on the 14th November, 1588, 
 the following Port Moot presentment appears : — 
 
 " Imp'mis. The said Jurors do agree that no Town's folks neither men, Forstalling. 
 women nor servants shall buy any butter, eggs nor fish, before the same 
 brought to the usual place of the market, unless such as be old customers, 
 which use to bring butter to their old customers — upon pain to forfeit for 
 every such offence, every offender six pence." 
 
 Oppressed with these absurd and minute interferences and Monopolies. 
 penalties, illegal though they were, one wonders how trade 
 and commerce could be carried on at all. All the ordinances 
 seem calculated, if not intended, to drive trade away from the 
 port. The political economy of the reign of Elizabeth was of 
 a strange and anomalous description. It seemed to consist 
 in a general scramble for monopolies, every trade and every 
 community striving to obtain for itself some special advantage 
 over its neighbours or rivals. Before the end of the reign, 
 however, the results had become so intolerable that a strong 
 remonstrance was made by the House of Commons to the 
 
78 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Queen, who wisely and graciously acknowledged the mistake, 
 of which she said she was unconscious, and promised that a 
 remedy should be applied. 
 
 The next section will illustrate the regulations under 
 which commerce was carried on, and the mode of transacting 
 business. 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 
 
 The prohibitions and restrictions under which trade was 
 carried on have been noticed above. Even where no restric- 
 tions existed a sharp look-out was kept on the tradesmen and 
 merchants. Thus we read : — 
 
 1558. Thomas More, Mayor. " Item ; it is ordered by the said Trade 
 Inquest that the Mayore for the tyme being cause proclamation to be Regulations, 
 made at the Crosse that no shoemaker of the countrie doe bring shoes to 
 sell in Liverpole market made of horse hyde or of unlawful barked 
 leather ; to forfitt the same for the fyrst tyme, and the second tyme to 
 forfitt the same that be made of horse hyde or of unlawful barked and 
 tanned leather, and further to make fyne at the Mayor's discretion. And 
 the thyrd tyme soe doing to have imprisonment at the Mayor's discretion, 
 and to be banyshed the market." 
 
 This regulation was repeated from time to time, and 
 officers were appointed to inspect the tanneries, to reject 
 sheep fells and horse hides, to see that the leather was 
 properly tanned and curried, and that the shoemakers were 
 supplied with the proper article. The shoemakers were liable 
 to forfeiture and imprisonment for any neglect on their part. 
 
 Forestalling and regrating were severely dealt with. The 
 
 dealing in corn seems to have been a perpetual difficulty and 
 
 cause of anxiety. 
 
 1562. "Item, we find it needful that no freeman shall buy on the Against 
 market day in open market over six wyndles of any one grain, and that Forestalling, 
 no farmer or namely trauntors 1 shall buy any corn until the town be 
 served." 
 
 Again — 
 
 Thomas Secum Mayor. " No man shall buy any corn on the market 
 day but one of the house, as the Goodman or his wife, or some of their 
 
 1 Trauntors were carriers, or much the same as badgers or pedlars. 
 
8o 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Shipments 
 prohibited. 
 
 Merchants' 
 Gild and 
 Hanse. 
 
 Town 
 Bargains. 
 
 servants and that no manner of person of this town shall cause or appoint 
 any person of the country to buy any corn for them on pain of 6 s 8 d for 
 every offence." 
 
 In the Great Assembly it was ordered 
 
 1578, April 28th. 
 
 and agreed 
 
 " That whereas corn and grain was dryven to an excessive price by 
 reason of the transporting thereof by boats into Wales and other places, 
 contrarie to a good order therefor provided, and proclamation in that 
 behalf made. . . . that from that tyme forthe as occasion should require, 
 the water bailiffs and other officers shall make diligent search for all such 
 vessells or boats as shall be laden with corn or grain, and that they shall 
 bring all such vessells to this side the water, and there to get the same 
 discharged and landed and taken to the markett." 
 
 The Deputy Customer was also sent for, and instructed 
 that he should not take any entries outwards of vessels so 
 intending to transport grain. 
 
 In the charter of Henry III. the burgesses were granted 
 liberty to have a " merchants' gild and hanse" (gildam merca- 
 toriam cum hansa, 1 &c). The merchants' gild developed into 
 the Corporation, but for a long period the hanse was a body 
 trading on its own account, and looking with jealous eyes on 
 all competitors, and if it could not drive them from the field, 
 endeavouring to mulct them in a fine for permission to trade. 
 Thus — 
 
 1581, April 13th. 
 
 " Rauffe Serocold of Manchester gave four marks to the town to be 
 allowed to make his best market for his Iron and Trayne Oil which came 
 to Liverpool in the good ship the barque Straunge." 
 
 1590, November 5th. Item — 
 
 " George Hodser a merchante from Ireland, whoe brought hither certen 
 grayne, to wete, Wheate, and Rye w ch was thought conveniente to have 
 ben hadd as a common bargain for the towne ; howbeit after some con- 
 ference in the haule at a convocacon there, yt was agreed betwene Mr 
 Maior, his brethren and burgesses, and the said Hodser that the same 
 George Hodser in consideracon of the sume of xxvj s viij d by him to be 
 
 or'trfde^T " eXplained by Ducan g e to ** " Mtrcatorium Societal" a company of merchants 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 
 
 paid unto the towne he should have libertie to take his best marquett for Payments for 
 his said comoditie within the towne, which was to him graunted and soe Privilege, 
 paide for the same the said sume of xxvj s viij d to the hands of Mr Bailiff 
 Formebie for the Towne's use." 
 
 1591, March 23rd. At an Assembly in the Common Hall, 
 
 " One Mr Pratt came before Mr Maior and the whole assemblie con- 
 cerninge certen Rie and Barlie by him and his captin brought into this 
 ryver from Ireland, to the nomber and quantitie of sixe score barrells of 
 both sorts, w ch they p'ffered to Mr Maior and the towne to be solde, for 
 the w ch Mr Maior w ft the consente of the wholl assemblie proffered 
 vij s iiij d for a barrell of the said rye, and sixe shillings for a barrell of the 
 said barlie, w^ 1 price the said merchants of the foresaid grayne refusinge, 
 did then and there voluntarelie make p'ffer to Mr. Maior to the towne's 
 use and p'ffit of the sume of xxxiip iiij d to have license and free libertie to 
 take their best marquett for the sales of theire said graine, w ch in ende 
 was to them granted by a gen'all consente and soe they p'mised to paye 
 the said sume of xxxiij s iiij d which was to be paid w lh in twoe dayes then 
 nexte following." 
 
 The Hanse, or trading body, included the whole of the Hanse. 
 freemen and burgesses, to whom any produce imported had 
 first to be offered. A value was put upon it by the Prizers 
 (appraisers). If the importers did not chose to accept the 
 price so fixed, they had to bargain with the town as to what 
 they should pay for permission to sell in the open market. 
 In 1591, one Gyles Brooke (who was Mayor in the following 1591. 
 year) had bargained on his own account for a cargo of grain 
 from Ireland. This was considered a grave offence, and in 
 1591, March 23rd, at an Assembly, 
 
 " It was inquired whether come or other victuals cominge or to be 
 broughte unto this saide towne and porte of Liv'poole by waye of 
 merchandize may lawfullie and by the orders of this howse be bargained 
 and bought by anie freeman of this towne w*oute the speciall licence and 
 consente of Mr Maior of the same towne for the tyme being w* the 
 assente also of the aldermen his brethren and burgesses, the same goods 
 beinge before p'ffered to the towne to be solde. 
 
 "Whereunto all the wholl assemblie (by poles and afterwards w* a 
 gen'all voice) made answer sayinge yt was not lawfull for anie one to 
 bargain or buie any of the comodities above mentioned, the same beinge 
 first (to be) p'ffred to the towne to be solde as is above said. 
 
82 CHAP. II, A.D, 1547— 1603. 
 
 Gyles Brodke " Whereupon the determinacon of a certen offense supposed to have 
 prosecuted, bene committed by Gyles Brooke of this towne marchant touchinge the 
 buyinge of certen graine brought hither by one Phepole's man oute of 
 Ireland was referred and putt over untill fryday then next followinge." 
 
 On Friday the Assembly met again 
 
 " concerninge the determination or ending of the matter of offence com- 
 mitted by the said Gyles Brooke before menconed and spoken of. The 
 offence beinge sufficientlie founde and approved in the said Gyles Brooke 
 as well by the confession of the yonge man s'vante to the said Mr Phepole 
 aforenamed, whoe had solde the forsaide graine unto the said Gyles 
 Brooke as otherwise, a ffyne by a gen'all consente was sett downe, 
 according to the greatter p'te of the said assemblie beinge dem'ded for the 
 assessinge of the said fyne to the sume of ffyve shillings in regard the said 
 Gyles Brooke did alledge his said offence to be done and committed 
 ignorantlie and_not otherwise, and submitted him selfe to the curtesie and 
 good consideracon of the wholl howse w * sume of fyve shillings was by 
 him paid to the hands of Mr Bailiff Ball to the towne's use." 
 
 Mr. Phepole, the importer of the grain, was at a subse- 
 quent Assembly also fined 5s. 
 
 This eccentric mode of doing business was entirely illegal 
 and contrary to the terms of the charter of 1556, but in such a 
 remote part of the country the central machinery of the law 
 was very difficult to put into motion, and there was no power- 
 ful body whose interest it was to take the matter up. The 
 system worked anything but smoothly ; the shifts and devices 
 which had to be resorted to are ludicrous. 
 
 1591, April 14th. 
 
 Tallow " Item, concerninge certen Tallowe called rendered tallowe, brought 
 
 Embargo. hither for a towne's bargain, the quantitie whereof beinge soe small as 
 but fyve cwt or_ thereabouts yt is therefore thought mete and soe agreed 
 upon by a comon consente, that from henceforth anie freeman of this 
 said towne, one or moe may bargaine and buy as well the said quantitie 
 of tallowe above menconed as all other such like w"* shall fall oute as this 
 doth, not fitte for a comon bargaine yet nevertheles, if any one free 
 burgess of this towne, being a townesman shall buie anie suche quantitie, 
 he shall not denie one or moe of his neighbours beinge free of the Corpora- 
 con to be p'takers thereof w* him ; soe he or they come in conveniente 
 tyme. And that the first buier of the same shall upon suche bargain or 
 contracte made geve undelaied notice and knowledge hereof to Mr Maior 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 83 
 
 of this_towne for the tyme beinge or to his deputie, soe as either pro- 
 clamacon maye be made or els particular warninge be geven at ev'ie 
 freeman's house by the underbailiff to the same effecte. And the like 
 order and rule to be observed for corn and graine." 
 
 " Item. It is nevertheless thought mete and conveniente and thereupon Permission to 
 agreed as afore' that anie one towne's man being a free burgess of the Freemen - 
 same shall and maye w^oute restrainte or offence, bargain and buie anie 
 rendred tallowe not surpassing one cwt of roughe tallowe ; not above 
 the nomber or quantitie of thirtie or fortie stonnes, or the nomber and 
 quantitie of xxx ae barrels, and not above of graine or corne, brought or to 
 be brought hither to be solde by anie maren' or sailors or other p'son or 
 p'sons, and this to be lawfull for anie one townes man beinge free, for his 
 owne p'per use w^out anie other to be p'taker w'th him thereof, anie 
 above to the contrarie notwithstanding." 
 
 Again the subject came up April 20th, 1591. 
 1591. At a Convocation in the Common Hall, before Mr. 
 John Byrde, Mayor. 
 
 " First conc'ninge certen tallowe latelie brought hither by one Nicholas Privileges of 
 Creley and others, whose names are hereafter subscribed, supposed to be * reemen - 
 bargained and bought contrarie to the orders of this towne, to the use of 
 forrainers, w ch said tallowe as it appeareth now sithence, was not so 
 bought as yt was supposed. Soe that it is nowe by this wholl assemblie 
 concluded and agreed, that in the furtherance and advancement of 
 o r liberties and trafique here, yt is and shall be lawful from henceforthe, 
 to and for ev'ie or anie mann' of townes man beinge a fre burg s of this 
 Corporacon to bargaine and buie anie manner of goods m'chandizes, and 
 other comodities whatsoev r (victuels onely excepted) to and for his owne 
 p'per use and comoditie not extendinge above the value and sume of 
 twentie pounds ; soe as the marchante sello r of the same goods &c doe 
 yelde and paye for his libertie and licence to sell the same to the townes 
 use and benefite the sume of eighte shillings, and for victuels the lyke 
 libertie is graunted, both to the seller and to the buier, if the comoditie 
 of such victuells surpas not the value of tenne pounds, the seller yeldinge 
 and paying to the townes use the sum of foure shillings, and this order to 
 have continuance and be in force untill yt be repelled or revoked by this 
 howse." 
 
 " Item, it is further agreed as afore that if anie townes man will have Nicholas 
 parte of the tallowe nowe supposed to be solde by Nicholas Creley, and Creeley and 
 others, givinge notice thereof to Mr Maior anie tyme of this p'sente daye, ot ers ' 
 he shall have the same at the price of iij s vij d the stonne, so as to take it 
 by the Cwt or barrell, and make undelaied paimente for the same upon 
 the receipt thereof. And for this tyme the m'chant buier shall paye for 1591. 
 his licence of the sales of the said tallowe but sixe pence upon the barrell, Licenses. 
 
84 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 and xij d upon the cwt the former order notwithstandinge. And the said 
 Patrick Creber for his p'te had libertie for his porcon of the said tallowe 
 viz for licence to sell the same, payinge therefor the sum of twoe shillings 
 sixe pence, w ch was paide to the hands of Mr Bailif Formbie to the 
 townes use." 
 
 The dealings in "tallowe" had nearly led to another 
 collision with Chester. 
 
 1591, May 31st. At a Convocation in the Common Hall 
 
 Tallow from " Imp'mis for and conc'ninge certen tallowe brought hither by one 
 Ireland. Garland from Ireland Marchante, viz twoe tonnes in casque, and because 
 
 that men of Chest 17 as appeareth by a l're missyve sente from the Maior of 
 the said citie of Chest' to Mr Maior of this towne, have bargained and 
 bought the same by an absolute contracte. _To cutt off such disordered 
 dealinge, it is thought mete that the said comoditie shalbe taken by the 
 towne and for that the quantitie thereof is but smale, yt is concluded and 
 agreed by the wholl assemblie that Mr. Maior shall have the said tallowe 
 to_his owne comoditie and use payinge to the towne for the same the 
 sume of x u ." 
 
 The same high-handed measures were adopted with 
 regard to wool, but had occasionally to be relaxed. 
 
 i594> January 3rd. At a Convocation in the Common 
 Hall- 
 wool. "Item. Whereas _by a former order heretofore made there hath bene 
 taken and levied a peny upon ev'y stonne of Wull brought hither to be 
 solde, it is nowe at and by this p'sente assemblie above menconed for 
 div'se reasonable and good consideracons them movinge and p'tely in 
 regarde of the scarsitie of Wooll nowe beinge. Therefore thought meete 
 and verey requisite and so agreed upon by a coinon consent, that the 
 takinge or 1 evyinge of the saide duetie of one peny upon ev'y stonne of 
 Wooll as aforesaid shalbe forgone and cease w^in this said towne, untill 
 further order shalbe in and by this said howse therein taken and 
 established." 
 
 This constant huxtering and meddling brought with it its 
 natural consequences in driving away trade from the port. 
 It would have been strange had it been otherwise. The 
 greed and selfishness frustrated the objects aimed at, and, 
 
 i5g6 instead of enriching, impoverished the town. 
 
 Decay. In 1566 the petition to the Queen describes Liverpool as 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 85 
 
 " your Grace's decayed town." At the end of the century it 
 is recorded — 
 
 1599. " Item that the keeper of the Comon Warehouse of this towne 
 shall have xxij s viij d and the Town Customer xv s for this p'sente yeare for 
 theire severall wag 5 in regard of the small trade or trafique that nowe is 
 ... if Mr Maior, his brethren and burgesses doe thinke of it soe to be, 
 untill God send us better traffique." 
 
 The four merchants or "praysors" annually appointed Praysors. 
 to conduct the mercantile business of the borough did not 
 always give satisfaction. In the year 1590 we read as 
 follows : — 
 
 " 22nd Feby., 1590. An Assemblie in the Comon haule, before Mr 
 Maior (John Byrde) 
 
 " In which Assemblie Mr. Maior caused to come before him Richard 1590. 
 Hodgson of Liv'poole aforesaid, marchante, beinge one of the four Hodgson 
 m'chants for the said towne, y'is p'nte yeare, conc'ning certen herings c arge ' 
 to the nomber of xxxiiii barrell, 1 heretofore sente hither to him by one 
 Richarde Prickett m'chante owte of Irelande, w' ch said herings were by the 
 said Rd Hodgeson conveied and sente awaye from hence, w^oute makinge 
 Mr Maior prive or in anie sorte therew* all acquainted, contrarie to the 
 liberties of this Corporacon, and against the oths of a ffree burges of the 
 same. In soe muche that Mr Maior (havinge thereof intelligence) at this 
 said Assemblie p'posed the question, Whether the said Rich d Hodgeson 
 was in ffaulte and finable for that his attempte on the p'misses, and 
 caused ev'ie man of the said Assemblie to be demanded by poles of theire 
 sev'all opinions, whoe did ev'y man sev'allie p'nounce against him as 
 verie faultie, and deserved a ffyne to be imposed upon him for the same : 
 yet in conclusion, forasmuche as the said R d Hodgeson pleaded ignorance, 
 and did earnestlie p'test in open audience that he did not commit the said 
 offence either malitiously or to hinder or p'judice the towne in anie thinge 
 to his knowledg, and soe humbled and submitted himself to the courtesie 
 and good consideracon of Mr Maior his brethren and the rest of the 
 burgesses, cravinge favor for his offence. Whereupon and in regard yt 
 was his first offence in that behalf done, it was therefore considered in 
 favourable manner that his_fine should be mittigated, soe as he was 
 assessed to paye but the sume of Two shillings six pence, as a small 
 fine in respecte of his deserte, which was paide p'sentlie then down to 
 t' hands of Mr Bailiff Ball to the Towne's use." 
 
 The entries respecting these "towns bargains" are Bargains. 
 
 1 A barrel of herrings usually contained 1000 fish. 
 
86 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 numerous, and illustrate very significantly the difficulty as 
 
 well as injustice, of artificially restricting and diverting the 
 
 ordinary and natural course of commercial transactions. 
 Weights and The regulation of weights and measures formed an im- 
 
 portant part of the business of the town's officers, and was a 
 
 source of no little difficulty. 
 1S60. In 1560, the weights and measures were examined ; 
 
 standards were ordered to be provided and kept, and a public 
 
 weigh-house was established. 
 Grain Considerable differences arose as to the mode of measur- 
 
 Measures. 
 
 ing grain. The strike measure was the customary method, 
 
 1565. but from some cause or other it was unsatisfactory. In 1565, 
 it was resolved by the Mayor and Commonalty "that the 
 stricken mete and measure should be laid away and not used 
 any more, but that the old upheaped mete be had, used and 
 allowed and none other," upon pain of forfeiture and im- 
 prisonment. It was also ordered at the same time — 
 
 Com Market. " that all persons having corn in this market shall unbind and set 
 open their sacks bags and pouches against Master Mayor or his officers 
 shall come and walk through the corn market place ; and also that every 
 person shall keep order in setting down their corn in the market place 
 one by another along both sides the street, as Lancashire folks on the 
 east side and Cheshire folks upon the west side, and not one to stand 
 before another to the grief and annoyance of any person ; and also that 
 
 Badgers. the foreigners, and specially such as be called Badgers buy no corn 
 
 before the inhabitants be served during the space of one hour after the 
 bell be rung ; so that the inhabitants may have the free market that one 
 hour, according to the ancient use and custom." 
 
 1566. In the following year, 1566, the Commonalty were again 
 called together to consider the diversity of the measures used. 
 All manner of persons were commanded to bring in their 
 
 Wyndies. wyndles to be examined. About a dozen were brought in, 
 which all differed, some containing 55 quarts, some 56, and 
 others 57, wine measure. A standard was fixed upon, and it 
 was resolved — 
 
 " That one wyndle containing 56 quarts of wine measure up heaped 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 87 
 
 shall ever from henceforth be fastened with lock and iron chains, and the 
 said wine quart affixed to the same to the bench in this hall to stand, 
 and to be tne right and just standard." 
 
 In 1589 there is a record that the Assembly 1589. 
 
 "find it convenient to have a new half wyndle made for a water 
 measure, to contain two quarts in every half wyndle more than the land 
 measure, and the same to remain in the hall for the town's use." 
 
 It was also agreed 
 
 "that the two leave lookers shall everie Saterday take a juste half 
 wyndle sealed by Mr Maior to trye everie man's wyndle beinge a seller or 
 buyer of Corne," &c. 
 
 In 1558, it was ordered that 1558. 
 
 " every Miller on warning given shall bring his toll-dish to Mr Mayor Millers' Toll 
 to a lawful size thereof sealed under a penalty of 6 d ." Dish. 
 
 There are many regulations during this period as to the Ale and Beer. 
 
 sale of ale and beer, the general drift being to limit the price 
 
 to one penny the quart. Thus, on the 24th October, 1586, it 
 
 is ordered at the Port Moot Inquisition that 
 
 "no alewife within this town shall from henceforth sell or cause to be 
 sold any ale or beer above one penny the quart, and that they shall bring 
 a full quart open, to the intent they shall use no deceit." 
 
 In 1581, February 5th, it was ordered that 
 
 " the Websters, Haberdashers and those of any other trade, from Weights, 
 henceforth shall use nineteen pounds to the stone, and sixteen ounces 
 to every pound." 
 
 From various scattered notices we are able to form a Nature of the 
 tolerably accurate idea of the nature of the trade carried on 
 in Liverpool in the sixteenth century. The principal inter- 
 course was with Ireland, which led to the friendly exchange Ireland. 
 of privileges with Waterford and Wexford, the burgesses of 
 each port being exempt from town's dues in the other. A 
 considerable export of fish, principally herrings and salmon, Fish, 
 was carried to Spain and Portugal, from whence wine was Spain, 
 imported in return. Spanish iron was also brought in. On ° 
 the 8th July, 1595, there is an entry 
 
88 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Iron. ' " concerninge certen Iron to the quantitie and nomber of ffyve tonnes 
 
 of Spanishe Iron brought hither by one Thomas Worrall a marchant, 
 whoe demanded xv" xv per tonne of the same, and to be clearlie dis- 
 charged of all Customes and other charge conc'ninge the towne." 
 
 Other entries show that the import of Spanish iron was 
 frequent. English iron was also dealt with. At a Convoca- 
 1596. tion on January nth, 1596, it is noted — 
 
 English Iron. " For and concerning certain English Iron to the quantitie of xvii 
 tonnes brought hither by one Mr Tuckie a marchant and by him offered 
 to the towne as a comon towne bargain, w"* said Iron upon triall thereof 
 made by t' hands of Thomas Bannaster at Mr Maior's appointan' was 
 founde to be verie coarse mettaill, brickell, and verie unfitt for this 
 place." 
 
 On the 20th November, in the same year, mention is 
 made of 
 
 Commodities. " a certein barque latelie arrived at this porte from the West Countrie, 
 called the Marie Grace, laden w* div'se and sundrie comodities and 
 marchandizes, (as English iron, Traine, Tynne, Woade, Sugar, Sumacke, 
 Clothe, ffyshe and other things) whether the same p^misses be fitte and 
 necessarie for a comon towne bargaine, the said comodities arrising in 
 the wholl to the value or sume of a thousand pounds or thereabouts, as 
 the m'chants thereof affirme." 
 
 Wool. 
 Tallow. 
 
 Wool and tallow were dealt in to a considerable extent. 
 The incipient manufactures of Lancashire are recognised in 
 their feeble commencement. In 1565 mention is made of a 
 
 Cottons. cargo consisting of 218 pieces of Manchester " small cottons" 
 which were estimated at 14s. 6d. the piece. The texture here 
 mentioned was not cotton in the modern sense, but coatings, 
 whether of linen or woollen fabric. 
 
 Shipping. Notices of the shipping of the port are interesting, but not 
 
 1558. very numerous. In February, 1557-8, an order was received 
 from the Privy Council that 
 
 "the Queens Majesty being informed that not only the French and 
 Scots our enemies, but also others by their instigation do make great 
 preparation as is supposed, to attempt some enterprise against Her 
 ^ ev y- Grace's Realms, hath therefore thought it convenient for the defence of 
 
 the same to take order that immediately store be made of all kinds of 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 89 
 
 ships and vessels, being her subjects within this realm, and also of all 1558. 
 other her said subjects that hereafter shall happen to come. Wherefore 
 these shall be, not only to desire you, but also in her Highnesse's name, 
 straitly to charge and command you that forthwith you warn and straitly 
 charge all owners of ships .... that none of them pass the seas .... 
 without special license ; and that you do with all diligence, certify unto 
 us the number of ships and other vessels within the port or creeks 
 belonging to the same, what tonnage they be of, and likewise the number 
 of mariners and seafaring men within the said port and creeks." 
 
 Signed by the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Win- 
 chester and Ely, the Earls of Arundel, Pembroke, and 
 Shrewsbury, and others. 
 
 The return made by the Mayor (Thomas More) certifies Return. 
 that 
 
 " There is two ships within this port and haven belonging to the town, 
 the one being of the burden of 100 tons, the other of 50 tons, with 7 other 
 smaller vessels appertaining unto the said town, and creeks, now ready, 
 stayed at this present by virtue aforesaid ; and also four of the like 
 burden betwixt ten tons and thirty, which as God sendeth them home 
 shall be stayed by vertue aforesaid, and here be of mariners and seafaring 
 men belonging to the same port, the number of two hundred which obtain 
 their livelihoods by the sea, and thus the Holy Ghost always preserve 
 your Lordships with much success and honour." 
 
 In 1565, there is a record that 1565. 
 
 " This year, Master John Crosse, Mayor was joined in communion with 
 Sir Richard Molyneux Knt and Capt Piers for the safe keeping of a 
 French ship and cargo of St Jean de Luz taken by Capt. Piers in the French Prize. 
 Sarah, one of the Queen's ships, and also of a Spanish ship taken in the Spanish Prize, 
 port of Liverpool, which ships at this present be laid in dock within 
 Aterpole, and all the goods in the ToWer of Liverpole." 
 
 The owners of the Spanish ship wished to redeem the 
 property, and an assessment was made of the value. She 
 was an old caravel of 70 tons burden, and was appraised, 
 " with all her furniture and apparell," at the value of £75. 
 Her cargo, consisting of 218 pieces of Manchester small 
 cottons, alluded to above, was estimated at £158 is. The 
 ship and cargo were redeemed by the Master, John Desareno, 
 of Bilbao, who thereupon sold' them to Master Ralph Seker- 
 ston and his son Thomas, the price being left to arbitration. 
 
 M 
 
go 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 The same year a commission of inquiry was sent down to 
 
 1565. 
 Return of . , . 
 
 Ships. obtain a return 01 
 
 " all ships and owners of any ships, vessels or boats as well in this the 
 Queen's Majesty's Borough Corporate and Port town of Liverpool, as 
 also in any town, haven, creek or landing place between Warrington 
 and the water next Preston, called Ribble," 
 
 with other information. 
 
 The return states the number of householders and 
 cottagers on the 12th November, 1565, to be 138, being 
 a reduction of 30 from 168, the original number of the 
 burgages. The number of vessels belonging to the port was 
 twelve. The largest 40 tons burden, with twelve men, the 
 smallest a boat of six tons, with three men. Three craft 
 hailed from Wallasey, of 24, 14 and 8 tons respectively. 
 
 Requisitions were sometimes made for the conveyance of 
 troops to Ireland. An order in Council was addressed to the 
 1579. Mayor in 1579, to secure 
 
 Requisition. 
 
 1590. 
 
 Clearances. 
 
 "so many ships and barques as shall or may come hereafter into that 
 port or other place belonging unto you, and so that the same with such 
 expedition as may, be put in a readiness with such mariners and con- 
 venient furniture for the transportation of the said forces which shall for 
 that purpose make their repair unto you." 
 
 In 1590, at the Port Moot Inquisition, there is the follow- 
 ing entry : — 
 
 " Imprimis, the said Jurors are agreed, that evrie owner of anie shipp, 
 barque, or other vessell shall enter his said Vessell w" 1 the Town's 
 Customer of this towne, owte gate and ingate, and shall give his invoice 
 of all suche goods and m'chandizes of all and ev'ye p'son and p'sons not 
 free of this Corporacon, w' ch they have abord in pain of their fyne." 
 
STREETS, BUILDINGS, AND SANITARY 
 PROVISIONS. 
 
 The original town, as set out by King John, consisted of Original 
 
 Streets* 
 
 two streets crossing each other at right angles, forming four 
 arms, called respectively Castle Street, Jugler Street (after- 
 wards High Street), Dale Street, and Water Street. The 
 centre where they met was called the High Cross. Chapel 
 Street and More Street (afterwards Tithebarn Street), and 
 Mylne Street (afterwards Oldhall Street), were subsequently 
 added, their intersection with Jugler Street being called the 
 White Cross. So the town continued for many ages, with 
 little improvement or extension down to the time of the 
 Restoration. 
 
 In 1558, in appointing a committee of the burgesses, four 1558. 
 were selected from each of the four principal streets. These 
 are repeatedly recognised in the records. 
 
 In 1565, seven streets are named, containing 184 tene- 1565. 
 ments. These returns, however, vary considerably from 184 
 down to 138 in the course of very few years. 
 
 In 1581 a subsidy was levied on the inhabitants, of whom 1581. 
 
 ,...., , . Subsidy. 
 
 a list is given in the record. About 100 names are given, 
 residing in six streets. There were doubtless many omitted 
 who were too poor to contribute. 
 
 In the first chapter I have referred to the grants for 
 paving, or rather the permission given to levy contributions 
 for that purpose, previous to the sixteenth century. 
 
 In 1560, Ralph Sekerston being Mayor, a vigorous effort 1560. 
 
92 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1583. 
 
 Repairing 
 Pavement. 
 
 1592. 
 
 1595. 
 
 Paving. 
 
 1601. 
 
 Repairs. 
 
 Bridge. 
 
 was made to mend the streets, the Mayor, it is recorded, 
 "in his own proper person labouring himself." 
 
 In 1583, the Jurors at the Port Moot Inquisition pre- 
 sented Wm. Secum, Alderman, late Mayor, 
 
 " for not causing the highways to be repaired and amended the last year, 
 according to the statute." 
 
 Likewise 
 
 " for not causing the dunghills or myddings within this town avoided, 
 according to the order of the last Court." 
 
 In 1592, the same authority resolves 
 
 " that the streetes of this towne shall be repaired and amended, where 
 need is, but especiallie Chapel Streete." 
 
 In 1595, at a Convocation in the Common Hall, it was 
 resolved — 
 
 " Imp'mis for and conc'ninge the necessarie reparacon of the decaied 
 p'te and place of the strets w*in this towne for pavinge of the same ; 
 whereupon it is agreed by consent of the whole house that the same 
 decaied place of the pavements shalbe w' th all conveniente expedicon geve 
 in hand w" 1 all. And that ev'y townes man havinge a teame shal serve 
 w'" 1 the same half a daie a pece in due order and course, as the necessitie 
 of the work shall require." 
 
 " It m that everie householder not havinge a teame, shall find a sufficient 
 labourer, accordynge as the work shall fall oute, and as he and they 
 shalbe required or appointed by Mr Maior, his deputie or baliff for the 
 tyme beinge." 
 
 In 1601, at an Assembly, April 6th, we find an 
 
 " Item, concerninge the decaied place or p'te of the strete; it is agreed 
 and thought good that a former order heretofore made and set downe in 
 that behalf shall be observed and have continuance viz That ev'y 
 inhabitant of this towne shall repaire, amend and maintaine the pavem' 
 before his and theire dwellinge houses, but for the place nowe decaied or 
 broken and hereafter to be decaied in the strete before the closes of 
 Mr John Crosse and all other such like grounds, the same to be repaired 
 and amended at comon chardge of the whole towne." 
 
 Down to the latter end of the seventeenth century, the 
 only exit from the town eastward was by a bridge over the 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 93 
 
 Pool Stream, at the end of Dale Street, called the Town's 
 End. The stream occasionally overflowed and changed its 
 course. Orders were repeatedly given for its repair and 
 improvement. Thus, under October 30th, 1589 : — 1589. 
 
 " Item, that the water course shalbe clensed, that runeth under the 
 bridge at the Towne's ende, for that yt is gone from the right course." 
 
 As an amusing contrast between the Liverpool of the six- 
 teenth and of the nineteenth century, I may refer to an entry 
 of the Port Moot, October 29th, 1590 : — 1590. 
 
 " Item Wee are agreed and doe fynde yt verie necessarie and con- 
 venient that from henceforth all those inhabitants of this towne w"* 
 occupie or use anie gorse or fearne, not havinge convenient place nor Gorse and 
 rowmthes for the settinge or placinge thereof neare or aboute their Fern> 
 dwelling howses w u 'out danger of inconvenience or hurt, shall sett and 
 place all the same gorse and fearne either beyonde the Castell, beyonde 
 the Teithe Barn and at the Towne's end, upon pain of such fines as 
 shalbe sett downe by Mr Maior for the tyme being." 
 
 The road northward to Ormskirk passed through the North Road, 
 fields at Kirkdale. The intercourse must have been remark- 
 ably sparse, for there is an entry, October 31st, 1597, to the 
 following effect : — 
 
 " Item, they finde it mete and convenient that the Heyward shall goe 
 ev'y Thursday to the yate at Kirckdall, and that noe beast nor cattaill 
 shall be suffred to passe through the towne field coming from Ormskirke 
 in the summer tyme." 
 
 The town was occasionally visited with the plague, doubt- piague. 
 less owing in great measure to the narrow ill-built streets and 
 the defective sewage, but when the scourge was upon them 
 the authorities were capable of acting with vigour and de- 
 cision. Nothing could be better than the following provisions 
 on a visitation of the plague in 1558 : — 1558. 
 
 " It is ordered that all persons who may happen to be visited with the 
 pestilence in the said town, that every of them shall depart out of their 
 houses and make their cabbins on the Heath, and there to tarry from the 
 feast of the Annunciation of our Lady until the feast of St Michael the 
 Archangel ; and from the said feast of St Michael unto the said feast of 
 the Annunciation of Our Lady, to keep them on the back side of their 
 
94 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Regulations 
 
 against 
 
 Plague. 
 
 1559. 
 
 Removing 
 Sick. 
 
 1562. 
 
 No Lodgers. 
 
 Dunghills 
 removed. 
 
 1667. 
 Increase. 
 
 houses, and keep their doors and windows shut on the street side until 
 such time as they have licence from the Mayor to open them, and that they 
 keep no fire in their houses, but between 12 and 3 of the clock at after- 
 noon, and that no other person or persons be of family conversation or 
 dwell with them upon pain of imprisonment; and to keep their own 
 houses, and that they walk in no streets except for a reasonable cause ;• 
 and their houses to be cleaned, dressed or dyght with such as shall be 
 appointed by Mr Mayor for the safeguard of the town." 
 
 On the following January 13th, 1559, it was 
 
 " Ordered that Elyn Denton, widow shall avoid the town to some con- 
 venient place with all expedition until God send her health, and 
 amendment of her disease, which is by estimation the plague." 
 
 1562, January 31st, Thos. Secum, Mayor. 
 
 "We find it convenient that every householder shall solely occupy his 
 and their house and houses on their backsides except they be warehouses 
 for merchants ; we say not to take inmates or indwellers unto them, for 
 that we find not to be for the commodity of the town, and Mr Mayor to 
 see this executed and in the default of the same to pay to the common 
 coffer 3 s 4* for every time." 
 
 " Item, for the worship of the town we find it very expedient that all 
 dunghills and middings be clearly and clean taken away being within the 
 Mayor's walk ; that is from the White Cross to the Castle, and from the 
 house late of Rauff Wilme to the water side, before the feast of Pentecost 
 next." 
 
 There seems to have been a gleam of prosperity about the 
 
 middle of the sixteenth century. In 1567 there is an entry — 
 
 " Forasmuch as by the means of buildings as also greater repair of 
 people than in times past, the town is much troubled on market days 
 with beasts and cattle, we find it needful that proclamation be made that 
 from henceforth the beasts and cattle market be kept about the Castle 
 and not in the town." 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 
 
 The entries relating to Church affairs are very numerous. 
 Liverpool was nominally in the Parish of Walton, and so 
 continued down to 1699, but the connection was a very loose 
 one. Beyond the levying of tithe in the lands within the 
 borough, the parochial chapel was left in the hands of the 
 Corporation of Liverpool, who appointed the incumbent and 
 paid his stipend. 
 
 The first notice is in the reign of Henry VIII., which was 
 also re-enacted in the reign of Mary (1558.) 1558. 
 
 " It is agreed by the Mayor and Bailiffs with a full consent of the whole 
 Assembly of the Burgesses of Liverpool, that there shall be hired a clerk Priest, 
 that can sing his plain song and prick song, and play on the organs — 5 
 marks — and it is to be levied by force of one ley yearly to be gathered 
 by the Bailiffs for the time being." 
 
 In the same year it was 
 
 " Ordered that the Priest of St John's altar for the time being shall Morning 
 daily say mass between the hours of five and six of the clock in the Mass. 
 morning, that all labourers and well disposed people minded to hear 
 Mass, may come to the church to hear Mass at the said hour." 
 
 1555, April 26th. 1555 . 
 
 " Mem. At this present Assembly came Wm Smythe of Liverpool 
 before Sir Wm Norris Knt, Mayor and others of the Assembly, and there 
 presented one will in parchment dated 3 rd Feby 1525 made by Thos Gylle 1525. 
 of Liverpoole dec d whereby it appeareth certain copyhold lands, and Bequest by 
 Burgage lands are given to certain intents to the Chapel of St Nicholas of G yl Ie - 
 Liverpoole and to the Parochial Church of Walton and to the Chapel of 
 Waretree." 1 
 
 Then follow arrangements for the safe custody of the docu- 
 ments. 
 
 1 There is no record of a parochial chapel ever having existed at Wavertree. 
 
9 6 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1552. 
 
 Church 
 Goods- 
 
 Chantries. The four chantries in the chapel pf St. Nicholas were 
 
 confiscated by Henry VIII., but it would appear that the 
 lands appertaining to the incumbency were not meddled with. 
 In 1558, there is an entry on the record that the Mayor should 
 yearly associate with himself twelve of the most honest men 
 of the town, who shall view the Church lands and tenements 
 to see that there be no waste nor decay. 
 
 In the 5th Edward VI. (1552) we find the following pre- 
 sentment of the Port Moot : — 
 
 " Item, we ffynde that the Church goods shall be called*fore, and put in 
 a place togedd' to the towne's use and all the comyns of the towne may 
 be p'vy to the same. 
 
 Clerk. " Item, we ffynde that the clerke of the churche ffrome his dep'tyng' 
 
 oute of the towne in to Spayne shall have noe wagys of the towne." 
 
 The chantry rents had been disposed of or leased, and 
 it appears from the documents that the Corporation held a 
 St. Nicholas, lease of the chantry of St. Nicholas. On the 23rd March, 
 1591, we read — 
 
 " Item. Mr Maior received the notes or certificate of soe mapie of the 
 tenants of the late dissolved Chantrie of St Nicholas, of this towne, as did 
 p'fer and presente the same before him, to the intente to certifie the same 
 unto Mr Asshton her Ma* s receivo'." 
 1591. " I 59 1 > April 14 th A Convocation in the Common Hall, before Mr 
 
 Maior, Willm More, John Crosse Esquiers. 
 St. Nicholas " At which Assemblie or Convocacon the matter touchinge the returne 
 Chantry. of the certificate of the lands of the late dissolved chantrie of Sainct 
 
 Nicholas w^in this towne of Lyverpoole was putt in question by Mr 
 Maior. Whether yt were more requisite and conveniente that the retourne 
 or certificate aforesaid should be made and sente unto Mr Asshton 
 according to the late notes p'ferred by the most parte of the tenants of 
 the said chantrie lands accordinge to the Leasse, or accordinge to a l're 
 devised in that behalfe by the councell and advice of Mr Halsall our 
 recorder for div'se good consideracons in excuse of the towne, (the copie 
 of w' ch said letter hereafter ensuethe) And yt was thereupon concluded 
 and agreed by a generall consente, That the same letter (then and there 
 beinge openlie read) shoulde be ingrossed, made upp and for answer 
 aforesaid certified unto Mr Asshton ; and Roger Rose to be the messenger 
 to carie the same. 
 
 " The copie of w ch said Letter ensueth. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 97 
 
 " Righte Worshipfull, whereas at yo 1 laste beinge in Lyverpoole yo r Lands, 
 pleasure was that I shoulde signifie to youe the contents of the Landes 
 w"5 wee holde by leasse of her Ma Ue , beinge of the Chantrie of Saincte 
 Nicholas in Liv'poole. Soe it is, and it please yo r worshippe that manie 
 of the tenaunts are in Ireland and some of theim in London whereby I 
 can neither informe youe nor my selfe of the contents thereof, nev'theles 
 wee are to entreate yo r worshippe to be the meane for the towne of 
 Liv'poole, that a Leasse of the p'misses may be graunted to the Mayor, 1591. 
 Bailiffs and Burgesses for suche lyke tyme and consideracon as hathe Lease applied 
 bene graunted and geven for the same afore tyme, and in soe doinge wee for " 
 the saide Mayor, bailiffs and burgesses shall not onelie thinke o'selves 
 greatlie indebted unto yo' worshippe, but also tyed to yo r commands." 
 
 What the result was is unknown. There is no further 
 entry on the subject. 
 
 The appointment of the incumbent was in the hands of incumbent. 
 the Corporation, and had probably been so from the erection 
 of the church in the fourteenth century. In 1555, during the 1555. 
 Catholic reign of Queen Mary, Sir Evan Nicholson was the 
 priest. 1 
 
 At an Assembly, August 12th, 1555, it was inquired how 
 
 the priest should be answered of his wages, which had got stipend. 
 
 into arrear. This was respited, and continued to hang on 
 
 for several years ; for in 1559 it was ordered 1559. 
 
 "that Sir Evan Nicholson should receive the arrearages of the sti- 
 pends and wages due." 
 
 Sir Evan Nicholson, like the Vicar of Bray, seems to have Nicholson. 
 
 gone with the times. In 1555 he was the Catholic priest. In 
 
 1559 he became the Protestant incumbent. 
 
 In 1581 we find Sir James Seddon installed as incumbent, i58i. 
 
 but his appointment is not recorded. He seems to have been 
 
 a pluralist, for on the 24th October, 1583, there is an entry on 
 
 the record : — 
 
 " A note of the stipend or wage of S' James Seddon, clerk incum- Seddon. 
 bent here, both how much and in what manner he is paid at Halton 
 and here at Liverpool as followeth " 
 
 1 In the sixteenth century the parochial clergy usually had " Sir" prefixed to their names. 
 Sir Hugh Evans and Sir Topaz will occur to Shakespearean readers. 
 
 N 
 
98 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547—1603. 
 
 Stipends. 
 
 Dismissal. 
 
 Martyndale 
 appointed. 
 
 1590. 
 Janion. 
 
 1592. 
 Presented. 
 
 " The said stipend paid 
 
 at Halton is iiif xvij s v d 
 
 Deducted viz 
 
 
 ffirst for a Debenter 
 
 xij d so there is paid clear at 
 
 Postage 
 
 iiij s x d Halton iiij" iiij s vij d 
 
 Messenger 
 
 xij d 
 
 Porter — 
 
 xij d 
 
 Garder & \ 
 Clevicordej 
 
 ■■& 
 
 X1J 
 
 Acquittance 
 
 viij d 
 
 Going & Coming ij s iiij** 
 
 This is not quite correct. The balance, according to the 
 figures, would be £4. 6s. nd. The sum for postage 4s. iod., 
 looking at the difference in the value of money at the time, 
 exhibits in strong light the difficulty of intercourse. 
 
 According to the records, Sir James Seddon was dis- 
 missed from his office. We read, under date August 24th, 
 
 1585 :- 
 
 " Sir James Martyndale, being recommended by a letter from the right 
 hon ble Henry Earl of Derby, was chosen as incumbent by a majority of 30 < 
 against 14 in the room of S r James Seddon ; at which Convocacon a great 
 number of the burgesses, inhabitants within the same town were assem- 
 bled." 
 
 Sir James was not dead, for on the 3rd November follow- 
 ing he was presented by the Port Moot Inquisition 
 " for suffering the church yard to be spoiled with swine." 
 
 In 1590, Sir Hugh Janion was the incumbent. The Port 
 Moot, on the 26th October, administer a rebuke to him in 
 these words : — 
 
 "Howbeit wee thinke it not mete nor conveniente that he doe con- 
 tinewe his former accustomed journey soe often as he hath done to 
 Chest'." 
 
 In 1592, he is again presented 
 
 " for not kepinge the yate of the church yeord open at the tyme of divine 
 service." 
 
 This seems to have been a point of honour with the 
 authorities, for it was ordered 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 99 
 
 " that the Clerke shall call to S r Hugh Janion for the kaye of the church 
 yeord yate, and shall set open the same yate ev'y Sabaoth daye, and other 
 festivall days at the second peale ringing, and shall also kepe doggs oute 
 of the church at service tyme." 
 
 Sir Hugh Janion does not appear to have got on smoothly Complaints. 
 with his parishioners. There are repeated entries of com- 
 plaint against him. The shutting of the gate was a constant 
 cause of dispute. In 1593 he is presented 1593. 
 
 " for cuttinge downe the greate thorne in the church yarde w*oute licence 
 — pena est vi d ." 
 
 In 1594 he is presented again 1594. 
 
 " for breakinge the order of the court anent the yate, and also for kepinge 
 horses and kyne in the church yarde and not takinge away their donge." 
 
 The Corporation claimed the power of dismissing the 
 incumbent. Amongst the 
 " Orders set downe by the xxiiij sworne burgesses," 
 
 in 1594, occurs the following : — 
 
 " Ite'm that S r Hugh Janion, clerke incumbent here, shall be and 
 continue in his place duringe the tyme he useth him self well and in good 
 sorte, but yet alwaies to be removed at th' appointment of Mr Maior and 
 his brethren." 
 
 Again, on the 20th October, 1595 — 1595. 
 
 " Item. Wee agree that if S r Hugh Janion doe dislike of his place or 
 s'vice as not to be and continue in the same, or of suche stipend and 
 wages as was yelded to his late p'decessor S r James Seddon, that then 
 upon half a yeare's warninge thereof by him to be geven to the towne, or Notice. 
 upon the like warninge to him to be geven by the towne for anie dislikinge 
 of him, hee to be at libertie to dep'te, and likewise the towne to entertaine 
 anie other in his place at their pleasure. The stipend or wage paid by 
 the towne to the minis" beinge iij u xiij s v d shalbe paid at the_feasts of the 
 blessed virgin Marie and St Luke the evangelist by even porcons." 
 
 These disputes were temporarily set at rest by the death of 
 Sir Hugh in 1596, when the Assembly elected Mr. Bentley in Bentiey." 
 his place, but the spirit of litigation still continued. The 
 ancient dispute about the opening of the churchyard gate, to 
 which so much importance appears to have been attached, 
 
IOO 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1598. 
 
 Disputes. 
 
 1598. 
 Grant. 
 
 was revived. An an Assembly in the Common Hall, March 
 
 31st, 1598, there is an 
 
 " Item. Mr Bentley our incumbent or minister here, being called before 
 Mr Maior at this Assemblie, p'tely concerninge open of the church yard 
 yate at the tyme of Divine s'vice upon the Sabaoth and other festivall 
 daies, and whether he be mynded to continue in his place as minister 
 here, w' ch questions beinge demaunded of him, he answered that bicause 
 Mr Maior (before that time) had used some speaches to him, tendinge (as 
 he did conceave of them) to a dischardge, he was therefore resolved, and 
 had accepted the same as an absolute dischardge of his office, and there- 
 fore had p'vided an other place for him selfe, and not to staie anie longer 
 than his tyme viz. St Luke's daie then next to come." 
 
 On the subsequent St. Luke's day, therefore, October 18th, 
 1598, there is a 
 
 " Memorandum that at the same tyme Mr Bentley had graunted unto 
 him the sume of foure pounds of lawful money of England in con- 
 sideracon of his charg 15 latly bestowed upon the stonne house in the 
 churche yarde, to be paide him at the purificacon of the blessed Marie the 
 virgin next cominge." 
 
 A fortnight after this (October 31st) there is the following 
 entry : — 
 
 " An Assembly in the Combn Hall. First concerninge a Minister in 
 
 lewe of Mr. Bentley, whoe wente awaie ofhis owne accorde &c. Where- 
 
 Wainewright. unto S r Thomas Wainewright by a comon consent was elected and 
 
 admitted to be minister here, so that hee doe p'cure the consent of the 
 
 Lorde bushoppe of Chest' thereunto." 
 
 Why Mr. Bentley is not dubbed " Sir," when all the 
 other incumbents noticed during this century have the prefix 
 attached, does not appear. No explanation is given. 
 
 On the 22nd October, 1599, it is ordered — 
 
 " That S' Thomas Wainewrighte shall kepe schole here untill God 
 sende us some sufficient learned man and noe longer, and to receive the 
 wages to be deducted out of the Schole Maister's stipend according to 
 the tyme." s 
 
 1 601. On the 6th April it is recorded — 
 
 " Imp'mis touchinge the wag 8 of the Minister and schole maister of this 
 towne due to have been paied at the feast of th' annunciacon of the 
 blessed Virgin Marie last past, and for that there is no money remaininge 
 
 1599. 
 School. 
 
 1601. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 101 
 
 in th'ands of the Bailiffe to dischardge the same, it is therefore thought stipend, 
 mete and convenient by the whole Assemblie, and so agreed upon, that a 
 taxacon as well for theis as other nedefull causes, and chieflie for the 
 reparacon bothe of the Chapell_and Comon hall of this towne, shalbe 
 forthw a taxed and laid, to the sume of tenne pounds." 
 
 Disputes as to the mode of conducting divine service Disputes 
 were as rife in the sixteenth century as at the present day. 
 Puritanism was gaining ground in the country, and any devia- 
 tion in the direction of ritualism met with great opposition. 
 It would seem that a practice had grown up of reading the 
 lessons for the day in the chancel. Against this the laity, as 
 represented by the Corporation, steadily protested. At the 
 Port Moot Inquisition, October 26th, 1590, amongst the 1590. 
 
 " Orders appointed and sett downe by the said Jurors " 
 
 is the following : — 
 
 " Item, they fynde it necessarie and conveniente that the Chapiters Reading the 
 shall be redd in the bodie of the church." Lessons. 
 
 At a second Port Moot, on the 29th October, a Sunday 
 
 having intervened, 
 
 " they p'sente finable, Mr Thos Whicksted late Maior of this towne for 
 that he did not cause the curate to read the latter lesson in the bodie of 
 the churche." 
 
 They also 
 
 " p'sente finable S r Hughe Janion the curate or incumbent here for that 
 he dothe not reade the latter lesson at morninge and eveninge prayers in 
 the bodie of the churche." 
 
 This order appears to have met with very slight attention, 
 for we find it repeated in 1592 1592. 
 
 " that the chapters shall be read in the bodie of the church, that the 
 people may heare them." 
 
 In 1610, the order is enlarged as follows : — 1610 
 
 " We doe agree that both the chapters shalbe read in the bodie of the Reading the 
 church at Divine s'vice tyme ev'y Saboth day and holydaye " Lessons. 
 
 " Item. We do agree that the Curate for the tyme being shall read the 
 
102 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Epistle and Epistle and Gospell in the pulpytt ev'y Saboth day and holydaye, and 
 Gospel.- that he shall (if there be no s'mon) in the same pulpytt reade an Homylie 
 accordinge to the Canons." 
 
 1602. 
 Surplice. 
 
 Preacher 
 
 appointed. 
 
 Carter. 
 
 Contributions. 
 
 1591. 
 
 Stipend. 
 
 Clerk and 
 Sexton. 
 
 1602, October 22nd — 
 
 " The Portmoot Inquisition present Thomas Wainwright, Curate of 
 Liv'poole for not wearing his surplas according to the king's injunctions." 
 
 Although the funds were so low that they were occa- 
 sionally without money to pay the incumbent, they engaged a 
 lecturer or preacher in addition to their regular minister. 
 On the 21st June, 1591, is the following entry : — 
 
 " At the Assemblie last above mentioned a motion was made by Mr 
 Maior for and on the behalfe of Mr Carter the preacher, conc'ninge what 
 alloweance the inhabitants of this towne will (of their owne voluntarie 
 and free wills) yelde and give towards his better maintenance, in con- 
 sideracon of his greate good zeale and paines in bestowinge the good 
 talents to him geven of God by his often diligente preachinge of God's 
 worde amongeste us more than he is bounde to doe, but onelie of his mere 
 good will, and the rather in regarde that he thinketh that stipend allowed 
 him by Mr Alexand r Mollineux is verie slender for his maintenance, w ch 
 motion soe made as aforesaid Mr Maior then declared was not to th' 
 intent to have anie taxacon to be laide or imposed upon anie one save 
 those which of good will would become contributories for such allowance 
 and consideracon as they themselves and ev'ye one p'sent would willingly 
 p'nounce and cause to be sett downe to be paide quarterlie during their 
 pleasures, and the same to revoke, or otherwise to continue at their owne 
 freewills and not otherwise. Whereupon Mr Maior w* his brethren and 
 div'rs of the burgesses there p'sent did yelde to paye for one quarter of a 
 yeare such sumes as are sett downe in a rolle deliv'ed to the Bailiff of this 
 towne, wherin are conteyned manie other names ov' and besyde those 
 w ch then did yelde to the said contribucon, to th' entente Mr Bailiffe 
 should take the paines to know of them their myndes therein, w* said first 
 quarter taketh comensement at the feaste of St James th' apostle next." 
 
 October 25th, 1591. 
 
 " That Mr Carter the preacher, shall have paide unto him for his 
 paines this present yeare upon the towne's charge the sume of foure 
 pounds usuall money of England." 
 
 There are many notices of the clerk or sexton, which 
 appears to have been a joint office. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 103 
 
 1589, October 27th. At a Port Moot Inquisition, the 
 jurors make a presentment that 
 
 " they are agreed that the Sexton or Clerke shall have the wag s or stipend, 
 stypend w 1 * his father had when he supplied the office of the sexton, and 
 that he shall kepe the clock and receive the yearly stipend of xiij s iiij d in 
 lewe of his wages." 
 
 Two of his duties are repeatedly insisted on — the ringing curfew. 
 of the curfew and whipping the dogs out of church. Thus it 
 appears to have been an annual order at the commencement 
 of every municipal year on St. Luke's day (October 18th) — 
 
 " That the dark shall ring Curfie from All-hallows day (Oct 31st) 
 beginning at vii of the clock, and to continue ringing half an hour every 
 night until Candlemas day next coming " (the Purification of the Virgin, 
 February 2nd). 
 
 The clerk required keeping to his duty, for we read an 
 entry on October 24th, 1596 — 1596. 
 
 " Item, wee agree that the Clerke shall have no wages onles hee loke q^^ 
 well to the kepinge of the clocke, and that hee shall ringe or cause 
 Curfewe to be rong " (as above). 
 
 The whipping the dogs out of church appears to have D 
 been rather a serious business, for it is repeatedly referred to, whl PP in e- 
 and orders given accordingly. 
 
 There are repeated notices in the records during this 
 century referring to the Free School. When the Chantry of Free School. 
 St. Katherine was founded by John Crosse in 15 15, provision 
 was made for supporting a grammar school in connection there- 
 with. After the confiscation of the chantries by Henry VIII. 
 the revenues were received by the Crown, but on an applica- 
 tion to Queen Elizabeth, in 1565, a grant was made out of Grantto 
 these revenues towards the endowment of a free school, Sch ° o1, 
 whereupon the Assembly of the burgesses resolved to supple- 
 ment it by a voluntary assessment on the inhabitants. A list Assessment. 
 of the assessments is given, which is curious as giving the 
 
104 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 names of all the householders then resident. The total 
 number was 151, and the amount of assessment £5 13s. 4d. 
 1566. In February, 1566, 
 
 Ore " John Ore, Bachelor of Arts was hired in London by Mast' Ralph 
 
 appointed. Sekerston and others to be schoolmaster. He appeared before the 
 
 Assembly on the 20 th Feby and was admitted to enter and teach upon the 
 
 proof and good liking, and to have for the year, sick and whole, ten 
 
 pounds, to be paid quarterly." 
 
 There seems to have been some falling off in the status of 
 
 Ryief 2 ' the office ' for in I58a ' J° hn R y le fiUed the Position of school- 
 master and clerk, and was ordered to ring the curfew daily. 
 In 1588 the salary was only £y 14s. 8d. 
 
 In addition to the church or parochial chapel of St. 
 chapel of the Nicholas, we have notices of another smaller chapel, pro- 
 Key " bably of greater antiquity.* Richard Blome, in his Magna 
 Britannia, published in 1673, describing Liverpool, says : 
 
 " Here is also a greaf piece of antiquity formerly a Chapel, now a free 
 school, at the west end whereof next the river, stood the statue of 
 St. Nicholas, long since defaced and gone, to whom the mariners offered 
 when they went to sea." 
 
 1581. In 1 58 1 there is an entry — 
 
 "We are agreed that the rents of the chapel of the key (quay) shall be 
 paid to Mr Mayor to the use of the town as heretofore." 
 
 1582. i n I5 82, 22nd October, the jurors 
 
 "have agreed and presented that the little stone Chapel in the Church- 
 yard shall remain to the town, and that Mr Hall at his pleasure receive 
 the key of the same for the town's use and behoof." 
 
 This is no doubt the building referred to by Blome where 
 the school was kept. It remained here until 1720, when the 
 building was taken down and the school removed to a room 
 in School Lane, which was built by Mr. Bryan Blundell as 
 the first site of the Blue Coat Hospital. After the present 
 Blue School was built, 1717-20, the room was let to the 
 
 * Vide supra, p. 23. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 105 
 
 Corporation for the purposes of the Grammar School, and 
 here it continued down to about 1803, when the last master, 
 Mr. Jno. Baines, died, and no successor was appointed. 
 
 In 1587, a curious controversy arose about precedency in 1587. 
 the places in church, which is thus entered : — 
 
 Deer. 10th. " It was ordained, concluded and by the whole Assembly Precedence in 
 aforesaid agreed, That where some controversy, contention and variance Church, 
 hath been had and moved amongst divers women, as well the Bailiff's 
 wives now being, as others whose husbands have heretofore supplied the 
 same office, and chiefly for and about their place of kneeling or sitting in 
 the church. That from henceforth she whose husband is and hath been Mayor's Wife. 
 Mayor of this said town (to wit) the most ancient in that degree shall 
 take her place to sit or kneel in the church in the uppermost form or 
 place within the same nearest to M^ 3 Maiores for the time being, and so 
 consequently every one of them of that degree and calling, to have her 
 place, and so in degree one after another according to the succession of 
 her and their said husbands in the said office of Mayoralty aforesaid. 
 And in like manner she whose husband is Bailiff for the time being shall Bailiff's, 
 have highest place in that form where they have been and are accustomed 
 to be and have their kneeling ; and she, whose husband hath been the 
 most ancient Bailiff the second place next unto her and so every one in 
 degree according to their calling as is above expressed and limited for the 
 Aldermen's wives for their degrees. And if the forms be not sufficient Alderman's, 
 and large enough to contain them all ; then she, whose husband was last 
 offic' or being youngest in office to remove unto some other convenient 
 place which to her or them shall be appointed by the commandment of 
 Mr Mayor for the time being, or his deputy; and this order to have 
 continuance from henceforth." 
 
 From these arrangements it is evident that the practice 
 prevailed which still exist in some districts, of the men and 
 women occupying different sides of the church. It is equally 
 evident that no private pews were in existence. 
 
 Towards the end of the century, probably from the 
 
 increase of the puritanic influence, the church regulations 
 
 were strictly enforced. Thus, at the Port Moot, 23rd October, 
 
 1592, we read — 1592. 
 
 " Imprimis, wee p'sent finable Mr Maior, Will'm Golbrand and Thomas Sunday 
 Kuype for lodginge m'chauntes and other gests, w ch absent themselves and regulations. 
 do not come to the church according to her Ma te injunctions upon the 
 Sabaoth dayes to divine s'vice." 
 
 And again — 
 
io6 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Irish 
 Merchants. 
 
 Item. " That there shall be no breakfasts nor tippling or drinkinge in 
 anie tavernes nor alehouses at Morninge Prayer nor at the tyme of morn- 
 inge prayer nor service tyme upon the Sabaothe daye upon paine of 
 xij d to be levied upon the goodman or owner of the house for ev-'y tyme 
 offendinge ; the moitie thereof to the fynder and the other moitie to the 
 poore." 
 
 Again in 1592 — 
 
 " Wee order that the merchaunts of Ireland beinge w^n this towne 
 upon the Sabaoth daies shall come to the churche to heare divine service, 
 as others her ma te subjects do upon paine of their ffyne." 
 
 ii 
 
 IHyB 
 
 mm 
 
 ^»1 
 
 |U ^sapmss* 
 
 •s^SUfOiv- ■yssgj&fssr M| 
 
 S/=T=T— 
 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 There is in this portion of the town records very little 
 reference to national affairs, which may be accounted for by 
 the remoteness of the locality and the difficulty of access. 
 Even at the stirring period of the Spanish Armada, when the 
 whole country thrilled with excitement, the journals are 
 remarkably meagre, and occupied with details of the most 
 trifling and local character. 
 
 In 1 55 1 a severe rebuke was administered to the port 1551. 
 authorities for their disregard of the king's proclamation 
 prohibiting the export of certain specified goods and mer- 
 chandize. The document runs as follows : — 
 
 " To my frends the customers, comptrollers and searchers of the King's Censure by 
 Ports of Chester and Lyv'pole Government. 
 
 " After hartie comendacons having daylie knowledge and experience 
 that by the greediness and covetuous desyre of div'se p'sons, the comodi- 
 ties of this realme that be p'hibited both by p'clamacons and statut 5 ben 
 daylie conveyed awaye, w* ben taken and retorned againe, when they be 
 halfe the seas over ; Whereby appeareth great negligence in youre and 
 all other that have authoritie in his grace's parts to suffer such things to 
 passe. And to me it is no lesse leyed by the Lords of the Counsell that 
 have the charge of you that I for my p'te doe noe better look to yowe, w' ch 
 is not a litle lack to me and a gud cause to think unkindnes in yowe, that 
 would by negligence bringe yo r selves to blame and p'ill, and me to pray- 
 inge yowe hartelie and in the king's behalfe straitlie, and charging yowe 
 to see better to yo r office_ And charge that nothinge passe that is p'hibited 
 by statute and p'clamacon, onles you have speciall lycens and command- 
 ment therefore, as you will answere the king's ma* at yo r p'ill and w^stand 
 his Grace's displeasure in that behalfe, and the p'ill and forfaicture of your 
 office. Thus fare you well. 
 
 "From London the IX th of September Anno D'nj 1551, that is Sexto 
 Ddwardi Sexti. 
 
 " yo r ffrende 
 
 "W WylteshV 
 
io8 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1547. 
 Election. 
 
 1553. 
 
 1560. 
 
 Quo 
 Warranto. 
 
 Bowmen. 
 
 In 1547 the privilege of returning members to Parliament, 
 which had been in abeyance since 1306, was restored, when 
 Thomas Stanley and Francis Cave were elected. 
 
 i553> Ma y 2nd - 
 
 " It appeareth that in the last quarter of Rauffe Bailie's Mayoralty, 
 Queen Marie was proclaimed." 
 
 In 1560 a proclamation was issued, requiring all men of 
 
 worship, gentlemen and freeholders, 
 
 " to be at the church at Liverpool on Thursday Octr 10th at 9 o'clock 
 and to bring with them such evidence as they had for the proof of the 
 tenure of their lands, to be certified unto the Queen's Majesty's Court of 
 Wards and Liveries, upon their peril." 
 
 There are many entries of subsidies and levies of soldiers. 
 In 1560 a requisition was made for the town to send 
 " two able and well picked men meet for bows and arquebusses." 
 
 1665. In 1565, Sir Henry Sidney was appointed Lord Deputy of 
 
 Sidney 1 " 7 Ireland, and in December set sail with a large convoy and 
 
 embarks. f orC es. Part of the fleet took their departure from Liverpool, 
 
 which is thus described in the record : — 
 
 " The Sacar one of the Queen's ships, Will m Peers, Gent. Captain of 
 the same, departed forth of this port and haven with a merry wind for 
 Dublin water for the safe conducting of the Queen's Treasurer, Sir Henry 
 Sidney, Lord Leigh, Deputy of Ireland then being in Beaumaris there 
 tarrying for the said Capt n Peers with other of the worshipfuls and their 
 ladies and their train ; with the said Captain and his company many fine 
 trim and tall pickards from Liverpool and the coast, all charged with 
 great horses, all fine apparel and other treasures, besides the worshipful 
 company and all their costliness to a great abundance of riches. And 
 Sunday morning then next after being windy, cold, frost and snow, misty, 
 dark and dim, without ceasing, the snow driving and warping to and fro, 
 that all Christian people called and cryed praying and making their most 
 humble prayers unto Almighty to amend the weather so fearful and 
 terrible and to save the aforesaid ships and barks and all the Christian 
 people in them, but it continued all day ; and about ten or eleven of the 
 clock that Sunday at night suddenly sprung and rose the marvelloussest 
 Great Storm, and terriblest storm of wind and weather, that continued about six hours 
 to the great hurt of the commonalty ; and their houses barns with many 
 windmills clean overthrown and all to broken, with great hurt upon 
 churches and chapels," &c. 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 109 
 
 In March, 1567, a muster of soldiers was ordered, to rein- 1567. 
 force the army in Ireland, when the following proclamation 
 was issued in Liverpool : — 
 
 " Every one must have a cassock of blue watcher Yorkshire cloth, Muster of 
 guarded with two small guards, stitched with two stitches of blue apiece ; Soldiers, 
 a very good yew bow and a sheaf of arrows in case, a red cap, a stag or 
 stirk buckskin jerkin, a sword dagger, and every man to have 13 s 4* in his 
 purse." 
 
 The levies of South Lancashire mustered in Liverpool, 
 and were sent to Chester, where they were joined by the 
 forces from Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and the Midland 
 Counties. The Staffordshire uniform was red ; all the others 
 were dressed in blue. They were shipped, part in Chester 
 and part in Liverpool, whence also 650 horse soldiers were 
 despatched to Ireland. 
 
 In 1573, the Earl of Essex passed through Liverpool, and 1573. 
 set sail for Carrickfergus to take the command of the Queen's 
 army in Ireland. A detachment of his troops was left behind 
 to follow him, when an Smeute took place, very graphically 
 described in the town's .records, of which the following is 
 the substance : — 
 
 " Magister Jno. Crosse, Armiger, Mayor 
 " Edward Bartley, esquire, Captain of the Motley Coats, and Roger 
 Sydenham, gent. Captain of the Blue Coats, came to this town after the 
 said Earl of Essex and his company were departed and sailed for Knock- 
 fergus, abas Carrickfergus. 
 
 " On the 4* day of September a grievous contention and discord sprang £ meuete ^^ 
 betwixt these two, Bartley and Sydenham ; and Sunday morning next Ri t. 
 after, being 5* Sept, the same year, Roger Sydenham, Lieutenant of the 
 Blue Coats, at his uprising, walking and coming forth of Roger Jameson's 
 house, his host, with three or four of his soldiers, and the said Captain Blne c 
 Bartley coming with a company of his Motley Coats, drew their swords ^,3 
 and set upon the said lieutenant, and forced him and his men for safe- Motley Coats, 
 guard of their lives to take in to the houses, where, against the ragious 
 persecution and enterprise of the said Bartley, therein by the good shift of 
 the roof of the same house, the said Sydenham and his men all but one were Bartley and 
 conveyed into a high loft or chamber by the ladder, and so they drew up Sydenham, 
 the ladder up to them in the said loft, and so escaped death, as pleased 
 God, but that one soldier which was stayed in the house was all to much 
 swinged and beaten, kneeling upon his knees bareheaded, calling and 
 
no CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 crying out most woefully for mercy and pardon of life. In these the said 
 Captn Bartley caused that soldier Blue Coat to be set in the stocks at 
 the High Cross, and caused a cantel of a chest board to be nailed to his 
 side and there was watched with a dozen tall bills of this town. 
 
 " Roger Sydenham, poor gentleman, was in cover all the while. It is 
 long to repeat and more to rehearse, the riot, tumult and disorder of the 
 said Capt. Bartley and his Motley Coats and over tedious to write of the 
 spoils of both motleys and blue coats as well abroad in the country hereto 
 adjoining as within this town. 
 
 "Truth is, there was such insurrection stirred by the said Capt. 
 Bartley as the like was never seen in the town and this country, for to 
 Muster of be short, Mr Mayor and all the town suddenly as pleased God Almighty 
 Townsmen. were ready upon the heath of this town, every man with their best 
 weapons, so as by good chance every householder being at home Sunday 
 morning, eager as lions, made show almost even like to the number of the 
 said captains and all their soldiers ; so as the captains and all their men 
 being arrayed and there upon the said heath, the said Capt. Bartley and 
 all his gentlemen moved Mr Mayor to order all in good part, and to think 
 no other but all shall be well and quiet, and so passed ; and after the 
 said battle array, Mr Captain showed all gentleness and courtesy to Mr 
 Mayor, and came up to the town in friendship and amity ; and after all 
 this done, the captains and their soldiers were more gentle to deal with 
 all the while they abode within the town." 
 
 1574. In 1574, in a letter to the Mayor, entered upon the records,, 
 
 rmy. a pj t j£ u j accoun t j s gi ven of the results of the expedition of the 
 Earl of Essex. The letter describes 
 
 " the evil luck and grievances the Earl and his soldiers suffered and took 
 at Knockfergus in the north of Ireland after their arrival. I dare not nor 
 Distress. am able to pen it directly and orderly. I do omit it therefore. But most 
 
 miserably poorly and lamentably many of the poor soldiers were licensed 
 and returned to England again by ships and pickards ; some sailing to 
 the Isle of Man ; some as pleased God died pitifully, some came to land at 
 Peel of Foudrie, and some dying upon the seas aboard the ships and 
 baroques. Some got direct to Liverpool, by the George of Liverpool, 
 Thos Winstanley, Captain," 
 
 the expenses and charges of whom the writer sets forth. 
 
 These Elizabethan wars in Ireland were a continual 
 source of trouble and expense to the burgesses of Liverpool. 
 1595. i595> July 8th. 
 
 " Open and publique warning was geven by Mr Maior to all victuallers 
 and Inne kepers to make p'sente and undelaied p'paracoh for the receipte 
 of the soldiers and horsemen w th theire horses appointed to be here at diet 
 untill the tyme of theire embarquing for her Ma ties S r vice in Ireland." 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. in 
 
 The same year, October 20th — 
 
 " Wee do agree that all owners of shippes and barques w*in this towne Restrictions 
 that do or shall from henceforth bringe anie sicke or diseased soldio rs ov r on 
 from Ireland, shall not lande therin nor anie of them before notice thereof Passengers, 
 be geven to Mr Maior of this towne or his deputie for the tyme beinge 
 upon paine of their fine — pena posita est iij s iiij d toties quoties." 
 
 Repeated precepts were directed to the bailiffs for the 
 levying of subsidies for these miserable wars. One specimen Subsidies. 
 may suffice : — 
 
 " 1581. To the Bailiffs of Lyv'poole and either of them. 1581. 
 
 " By virtue of the Queens Majesty's most honourable Commission to us 
 and others directed for the taxing, rating and levying of a subsidie 
 granted to her Majesty at the Parliament holden in the 23 rd year of her 
 most happy reign, we, in her Majesty's name do straitly charge and 
 command you, not only to bring before us at Wigan upon Wednesday 
 next, being the tenth of May by nine of the clock in the afore noon of the 
 same day six of the most substantial men within your township, But also 
 a true presentment of all the names of such persons as in Lands have to R e t urn of 
 the yearly value of xx s and above, and goods three pounds and upwards Assessments, 
 remaining and dwelling in your said town or hamlet. Failing not hereof, 
 at your uttermost peril. .Given under Our hands this of May the iiij th 1581. 
 
 " Your very loving friends 
 
 " Edward Standyshe. 
 " Rauffe Assheton." 
 
 These repeated impositions became at last so onerous that 
 the sturdy burgesses of Liverpool, who have never lacked 
 courage in the defence of their rights and privileges, deter- 
 mined to make a stand against the levy of men. The incident 
 is rather a remarkable one, and deserves setting out at length. 
 
 " 1601, Aug 4th. Johes Bride, gen s Maior. 1601. 
 
 " An Assemblie in the Comon hall of this towne of Liv'poole the daie 
 and yeare above written, before the Maior above named, and certain 
 Aldermen, Bailiffs and a competent number of the bailiffs peares and 
 other burgesses of the same towne, Concerninge a p'cept sent from 
 S r Cuthbert Halsall, knight, high shereffe of the countie of Lane', S r 
 Richarde Molineux knight and S r Richarde Houghton, knight, her Ma fa 
 Justices of the peace w^in the said countie of Lane' conc'ninge the Levy 
 levyinge of the porcoh of eight pounds imposed upon the whole parishe Register, 
 of Walton towards the furnishinge forth of souldiers for her Ma te warres 
 in her highnes realme of Irelande, and also comandinge by the said 
 p'cepte to bringe before the saide S r Richarde Molyneux at the Castell of 
 Liv'poole aforesaid the nomber of twelve sufficient and s'viceable men of 
 
112 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Further 
 Resistance. 
 
 the most experienced in theire peec s to be there mustred &c the copie of 
 which Lre ensueth 
 
 " Concerninge w ch said L're it is agreed at and by the whole Assemblie 
 above menconed that a taxacoh shalbe laid and forthw* taxed and levied 
 w^in this said towne as well for o r porcon of the said viij u as also for and 
 towards the supplie of div's other things verey nedefull to be done w tb in 
 the same towne to the sume of sixe pounds. 
 
 " Item for the musteringe or bringing of anie men as by the said p'cepte 
 is comanded, yt is by the whole Assemblie thought mete and conveniente 
 not to yelde thereunto nor to bringe anie men of this towne at all, but 
 rather to stand uppon and maintaine our privileg 5 w ch wee have both by 
 ch re and the Lawes of this reame, and for that wee s r ve her Ma tte by sea, 
 and in this so doinge the towne will save Mr Maior harmeless from all 
 indemnities that shall or maie happen to fal or arise thereof in the defence 
 of the same " 
 
 "And at another Assemblie in the said Comon haule the sixte daie of 
 August then next following before Mr Maior above named, having with 
 him Mr Leonard Chorley esquier o r recorder, Mr Robert Moore and the 
 gent, above named, w" 1 a greater number of free burgesses than were at 
 the other Assemblie above menconed, and beinge demaunded by Mr Maior 
 and Mr Recorder whether they wolde yelde to the motion made by the 
 saide S r Richard Molineux, knight according to the said p'cepte or noe, 
 they all denied to yelde thereunto w* a gen'all voice, although beinge 
 p'swaded by Mr Maior, Mr Recorder and a fewe others to yelde thereunto ; 
 whereupon Mr Maior caused them all to be called by pole; howbeit it 
 wold nothing p'vaile to disswade them from that w* they had spoken 
 form'ly." 
 
 There are no minutes entered during the mayoralty of 
 Egidius Brooke, 1601-2, hence there is no record of the result 
 of this recalcitration against the levy. 
 
 mm 
 
 ^rfPr 
 
 in 
 3 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 
 
 The records contain many incidental notices of the 
 manners, customs, and tone of thought of the period. A 
 few of them may be brought under review. 
 
 1558. Marriages appear to have been usually celebrated Marriages. 
 in the guild or town hall. It is ordered — 
 
 " That the stewards of this hall or guild shall gather, demand, and 
 take, of every wedding and celebration of marriage to be made within 
 this hall xvi"-" 
 
 1565. A record is entered of a marriage between one Marriage 
 Gilbert Martyn and a widow ; and an agreement is registered 
 whereby the husband covenants " to pay to the eldest son of 
 the previous marriage on his attaining the age of 14 years 
 xxx s of good and lawful money, also one brass pot, price 
 vi s viij d , and a brass pan price iij s iv d ; to the eldest daughter 
 xl s ready money, a silver piece, price xx s viij d , a pair of amber 
 beads with silver jewels, price xx s and a brass pot, price vi s viij d , 
 four pieces of pewter, price v s ; and to the youngest daughter xx s 
 of ready money." 
 
 Apprentices and servants were kept under strict rule. Apprentices. 
 
 1565. " We Order that no manner of person abet, receive or succour 1565. 
 by cover or operte, any apprentice or servant at any time day or night, 
 within the liberties of this town contrary to the will and pleasure of any 
 such master or dame on pain of vi s viij d " 
 
 Also, 
 
 " That no manner of apprentice or servant shall depart out of their 
 master's or dame's house after eight of the clock after the sunsetting, 
 unless it be upon his master or dame's business on pain of imprisonment." 
 
 The wages of labour were regulated by authority. Wages . 
 
 p 
 
ii4 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Beggars. 
 
 Regulations. 
 
 House of 
 Correction. 
 
 1592, October 23rd. 
 
 " Item, that noe workeman or labourer at husbandry or other labour, 
 shall take for his or their day wag s above three pence between Michael- 
 mas and Candlemas." 
 
 1594. This regulation is repeated, with the further 
 
 proviso that 
 
 "from Candlemas to Michaelmas the wages shall be four pence the day 
 and not above." 
 
 Beggars were a source of trouble in the sixteenth century, 
 as they have been ever since, and the more so at that period, 
 as the Poor Law of the 43rd Elizabeth had not yet been 
 enacted. 
 
 1592, March 10th. 
 
 " At the Assemblie holden in the Comon hall it was ordered, concluded 
 and agreed by the wholl Assemblie that from thenceforth there shall none 
 of the poore people of this towne (being ordinarie wanderers and goers 
 abroad for relief) be suffred or p'mitted to begge except onely suche as 
 shall (from tyme to tyme) be thereunto admitted and licenced by Mr 
 Maior of this towne for the tyme beinge w* the assente and consente of 
 his bretheren the aldermen of the same or twoe of them at the least, and 
 this order to have continuance." 
 
 I5g8, June 12th. 
 Comon haule 
 
 Provision for 
 Poor. 
 
 Penalties for 
 Harbouring. 
 
 At a Convocation or Assemblie in the 
 
 " It was agreed by all the Assemblie that a howse termed a ' Howse of 
 Correction ' shoulde be had and taken for the poore people aforesaid. 
 Whereupon motion was made to Mr Rob' More abovenamed by Mr 
 Maior, whether hee wold lett unto the towne his howse at the Poole, 
 called the Poole Howse for that purpose upon a reasonable rent, where- 
 unto the said Mr More agreed and so in ende it was agreed by and 
 betwene Mr Maior and the whole Assemblie, and the said Mr More, that 
 he should have the yearely sume or rente of twenty shillings for the 
 said howse." 
 
 Item. " It is agreed as above that the poore impotente people and 
 children, whose names are set downe in a catalogue to be relieved within 
 this said towne shall have licence to goe abroad w^in the towne in such 
 sorte and to such howses w th in the sev'all stretes of the same as hereafter 
 shall be limited and appointed." 
 
 Item. " It is further agreed as above that whoesoever hee or they bee 
 householders w thlD this towne that from henceforth shall lodge or gyve 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 115 
 
 harborough to any rogues or other vagarant p'sons p'hibited by the Lawes 
 and statuts in that case p'vided shall suffer the penalties of the said 
 statuts and orders." 
 
 Item. " That noe poore p'sons or p'son whatsoever within this towne Begging 
 shall from henceforth followe any gentleman or other stranger reparinge or prohibited, 
 that shall come unto this said towne to th' intent to begge or crave any 
 alms or benevolence as heretofore hathe bene verie disorderlie used, but 
 shall forbeare the same, and that a poore mans boxe shalbe p'vided for 
 theire relieff." 
 
 " Scolders and chiders," especially amongst women, have Scolds. 
 always occupied a prominent position in the police courts. 
 This is the way in which they were dealt with three centuries 
 ago. 
 
 1587, December 10th. 
 
 " Item, concerning scolders and chiders to the nuisance of their 
 neighbours. It is ordered and agreed as above, that all such as shall 
 from henceforth be found offenders in that behalf shall be punished as 
 ensueth, videP every offender aforesaid duly approved and found by 
 sufficient testimony of witness, shall either pay the sum of ten shillings in Fines, 
 money, or else to have and suffer imprisonment by the space of ten days Imprisonment 
 without bail or mainprize at the discretion of the Mayor of this town for 
 the time being or his deputy. And that there shall not be any wine, beer, 
 ale, or other kind of drink brought or conveyed to any such prisoner or 
 prisoners during the time of their imprisonment, except only their due 
 and ordinary meals, which shall be sufficient for their ordinary diet and 
 not otherwise, upon such penalties as therefor shall be imposed and 
 assessed by Mr Mayor or his deputy upon the bringers and senders 
 thereof, and this order to have continuance from henceforth." 
 
 Particular attention was directed to the preservation of 
 female virtue by stringent measures against its infringement. 
 Regulations are very numerous with regard to " Inmakes," x inmakes. 
 which, though not explained, evidently means women of loose 
 character. 
 
 At a presentment of the Port Moot Inquisition, October 
 
 26th, 1587, it is ordered — 
 
 " That there shall not any woman being with child come into the town 
 to stay and abide within the same until she be delivered, nor be suffered 
 
 1 This word is by no means common, and is not to be found in any of our dictionaries. 
 " Inmate " is defined by Johnson and Bailey as a lodger. Mace, in Anglo-Saxon, is a wife. 
 
n6 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 1596. 
 Catalogue- 
 
 Strangers. 
 
 Char 
 Women. 
 
 1597. 
 Searchers. 
 
 1582. 
 
 to make her abode to that intent upon pain of such penalty as shall be 
 set down by Mr Mayor." l . . 
 
 "That all those who keep or succour any Inmakes within this town 
 shall avoid the same Inmakes or cause them to be avoided on this side or 
 before the feast of St Andrew the Apostle next ensuing, upon pain of their 
 fines." 
 
 1596, March 29th. 
 
 " Item, conc'ninge Inmaks w th in this towne, it is agreed that a catalogue 
 or note shalbee taken of all such Inmaks as are nowe w^in this said towne, 
 and that all suche of them as have not hadd continuance here above three 
 yeares (or founde to bee unfitt members) shalbe expelled, and shall have a 
 reasonable tyme for theire avoidance geven them. And further it is 
 agreed at this Assemblie and by the same, That from henceforth noe 
 inhabitant of this towne shall receive anie Strang' into his howse as 
 tenantes to anie of theim (so receivinge anie such straanger) will and doe 
 undertake for the good and honest demeano r and sufficient abilitie of ev'y 
 suche one as shalbe so received, to be able and sufficient to lyve upon 
 theire owne, without charginge the towne w" 1 anie theire families or 
 familie. And this to be done and acknowledged before Mr Maior for the 
 tyme being before anie such receipt or admitment be had or made." 
 
 This regulation reads as if it was intended for lodgers of 
 both sexes, but the next entry proceeds further : — 
 
 " Item, conc'ninge all such yonge Wemen and others called Charr 
 Wemen in this towne as are in noe service, whereof div'se of late tyme 
 have bene gotten w th childe, shall ev'y of theim place themselves in some 
 good and honest s'vice, or els be avoided together (in mann r and forme as 
 is above sett downe for the Inmaks) w" 1 the same Inmaks." 
 
 1597, October 31st, the Port Moot Inquisition 
 
 " fynd it mete and convenient that Mr Maior doe appoint foure sufficient 
 men to take a vewe through the towne for Inmaks, and to p'sent all the 
 same at the next Court of Passage aft r to be holden." 
 
 1588, November 14th. 
 
 "Jane Wignall, widow, fined for keeping an Inmake within her house 
 iii s vii b - and the Inmake in xij d - " 
 
 Of the same nature is the following regulation : — 
 1582, October 22nd. Port Moot Inquisition. 
 
 " They are agreed that every inhabitant within this town having any 
 
 1 It might be supposed that this regulation was made to prevent any settlement giving a 
 claim to parochial relief ; but this could not be the case, as no Poor Law then existed. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 117 
 
 guest in their houses, if the same guest or guests shall happen to stay Guests, 
 over one night and a day, then he or they in whose house or houses they 
 shall so stay shall give or cause warning to be given to Mr Mayor or his 
 deputy." 
 
 1597, October 31st — 1597. 
 
 >' " Wee p'sent Walter Chambers finable for receiving straungers to 
 ov'chardge the towne, pena xij d " 
 
 The Port Moots at which most of these regulations were 
 passed, were very jealous of their authority, as the following 
 entry will show : — * 
 
 1598, October 23rd. 
 
 " Item, we p'sent Richarde Mosse, finable for standinge under the Eaves 
 churche wall, listning and harkeninge to heare what we the saide Juro rs Dropping, 
 did saie." 
 
 Not only the morals but the religious observances of the 
 
 community were carefully watched over. In 1566 a proclama- 1566. 
 
 tion of the Queen was published in Liverpool enforcing the about Lent. 
 
 abstinence of eating flesh in Lent. This it would appear was 
 
 to a great extent disregarded, whereupon, in 1572, a more ' 1372. 
 
 stringent mandate was issued as follows : — 
 
 " Whereas divers orders have been heretofore taken by public procla- 
 mation or otherwise, also by letters privately from us for the forbearing 
 from killing dressing and eating of flesh in the time of Lent, and upon 
 other usual days ordained for the eating of fish, which notwithstanding by 
 means of licensing, and other indirect dealings have not been well 
 observed nor taken that effect that reason and good policy hold ; this is to 
 signify unto you, and we now again expressly write unto you and the rest 
 of the Justices of the Peace, that you give good diligence and consult and 
 debate by what ways and means the said former orders for the forbearing 
 of eating of flesh upon fish days and especially in Lent may be kept and 
 observed." 
 
 For this purpose bonds or obligations were directed to be 
 entered into by butchers, innholders and victuallers against 
 killing, dressing, and suffering to be eaten any beef, mutton, 
 veal, or other meat commonly sold, under pain of forfeiture. 
 Exception was made for such as were notoriously sick or 
 otherwise weak of stomach. 
 
n8 
 
 CHAP. II, A.D. 1547— 1603. 
 
 Amusements. 
 
 Waytes. 
 
 1571. 
 Bagpiper. 
 
 Duties. 
 
 1610. 
 
 Regulations. 
 
 1598. 
 
 Bowling. 
 
 1583. 
 
 Frequent references occur in the records to the recreations 
 and amusements of the townsfolk. 
 
 Mention has been made above of the appointment of the 
 
 Wayte or Musician as one of the town's officers. 1 Originally, 
 
 and during the sixteenth century, he was a bagpiper. In 
 
 October, 1571, it is recorded — 
 
 "This day Lewis Lockwood, Bagpiper was admitted Wayte of this 
 town during pleasure, and got the towns badge delivered to him, but 
 through his misconduct it was taken from him to his extreme grief, but 
 upon his repentant submission it was restored to him to be held during 
 pleasure." 
 
 On the appointment of Henry Clennes in 1583, it was 
 ordered 
 
 " that he shall play at every man's door that hath borne office." 
 
 In the following year we read : — 
 
 "Henry Clennes finable for that he doeth not use to play at every 
 man's door that hath borne office in the town, according to the order 
 made in that behalf by the last Port Moot xxiiij jurors." 
 
 1610, October 22nd. 
 
 " We do agree that the Wayte shall goe about the towne, at the tymes 
 and howers accustomed, both evening and morninge, and so often as he 
 makes default therein, he shall pay, for ev'y default iiij d , and the same to 
 be gathered to the use of the poore of the towne." 
 
 His duties, however, were limited to the week days, for on 
 
 the 1 2th June, 1598, it was resolved by the Assembly— 
 
 " That there shalbe no pypinge nor daunsinge upon the Sabaoth daies 
 except it be at after eveninge praier." 
 
 Bowling has always been a favourite recreation in Liver- 
 pool and the neighbourhood, and still continues to be so to 
 some extent, but it does not appear in its inception to have 
 been looked upon with favour. In 1583, amongst the pre- 
 sentments of the Jurors at the Port Moot is one of 
 
 " Richard Mather the elder, for kepinge a bowlinge alley and mens 
 sonnes and s'vants to bowle therein vi d ." 
 
 1 Vide supra, p. 6l. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 119 
 
 In 1586, October 24th, 1586. 
 
 " William Golbrand and Robert Ball were presented for bowling on the 
 Sabaoth day." 
 
 However scrupulous our predecessors of the sixteenth 
 century might be on the dubious question of bowling, they 
 had no hesitation as to cock - fighting. In 1567, it is ordered Cock 
 
 Fighting. 
 
 by the Assembly that 
 
 " for the further and greater repair of gentlemen and others to this town, 
 we find it needful that there be a handsome cockfight pit made, and also 
 the butts and stocks kept in due reparation." 
 
 Horse racing was also patronised. It is recorded in the Horse 
 
 Racing. 
 
 minutes, under date ol 1577 — 
 
 " This year on the holy day of the Ascension there was a running of 
 horses at Liverpool for a silver bell given by Mr Ed. Torbock of Torbock 
 to be run. for every year under the patronage of the Mayor." 
 
 The course — four miles — was on the shore near Bank 
 Hall. The bell on this occasion was won by Mr. Davenport's 
 horse. 
 
CHAPTER THIRD. 
 
 FROM THE ACCESSION OF JAMES I. (1603) TO THE 
 RESTORATION (1660). 
 
 This may be considered the transition period in the history 
 of Liverpool. The earlier portion, or rather the greater part 
 of it, is purely medieval in its character, but at its close those 
 influences had already commenced which gave the onward 
 impulse which has continued to the present day. 
 
 For the purpose of illustration, I think I cannot do better 
 than group the extracts according to the subjects to which 
 they relate, as was done in the last section. We begin as 
 before with the 
 
 MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 Much stress was laid on form and ceremony at the meet- 
 ings of the Municipality. Thus in an entry 
 16 10, October 25th : — 
 
 Attendance of " Item, that all Burgesses of this towne shall give theire attendance of 
 Burgesnen. Mr Mayor at both the fayres and at Midsom' accordinge to the antient 
 order of this towne upon payne of their fynes. And that the Wayte shall 
 give one howers warninge in gowinge through the streets." 
 
 1612, October 26th. 
 
 " Item, We agree that the Hall Kep', Sub-Custom' and all other 
 Officers' officers w ch heretofore have ben accustomed to carry halberds, shall 
 Halberd*. according to form' orders attend Mr Maior to the Church and Markett, 
 
 and all other occasions, as often as need shall require with their 
 
 halberts." 
 
 1610. 
 
 Under the date of 1610, the respective oaths taken by 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 121 
 
 the members of the municipality are set forth in detail. 
 They were first enacted in 1582. It will be seen how care- 
 fully they were framed to preserve the exclusive privileges 
 of the freemen and the independence of the local courts. 
 
 " The Oath of the Burges of Liverpoole. 
 
 " Youe shall be true and faithfull subject to our Sov'aigne lady the Oath of 
 Quene's Ma* that nowe is. and to her heires and successors, and no Bur gess. 
 
 — 1 RIO 
 
 treason do, procure or comitte, or knowe to be procured done, or 
 comitted w ,h in this towne and liberties thereof, but you shall w* all 
 convenient speede do the Maior of this towne to wete thereof. You 
 shall also from tyme to tyme as occasion shall require, aide, assist 
 and obey as well the Maior of this towne as all other her Ma"" officers 
 within the same under the said Maior in the due and lawfull execucon 
 of their sev'all offices, and especially concerninge the preservacon of 
 her highnes peace, the observacon of good orders, and the maintenance 
 of the aunciente and lawdable privileges, franchises, liberties and customes 
 of this towne, which said liberties and customes youe shall further and 
 increasse to your powre and best endeavoure. Youe shall lykewise by 
 no coloure, covin, or deceipte, free anie forrenier or the goods, cataills 
 or marchandizes of anie forrenier or other p'son whatsoever not free 
 within this towne, in the name of yo r proper goods, cataills, or mer- 
 chaundize, whereby the Quene's Majesties custome, her heires and 
 successors, and the custome of this towne or either of them shall or 
 maye in anie wise be empeached, empayred, hindred, delaied, or 
 embeselled. You shall further be leiable and contributorie at all tymes 
 necessarie, to all reasonable & convenient taxacons and paiments w ch 
 shalbe assessed upon youe amongest other the burgesses, freemen 
 and inhabitants of this towne, as well for the maintenance and fur- 
 therance of the said franchises and liberties of the towne and porte 
 of Liv'poole & other necessaries thereunto incident or appertainynge, 
 as also for the upholdinge and reparacon of the Chapell within the 
 same called the Chapell of our lady and Set Nicholas, accordinge to 
 the auncient orders uses and customes of this towne in that behalf used. 
 And furthermore youe shall not impleade or sue anie free man of this - 
 towne dwelling within the same at anie other courte oute of the juris- 
 diction of the Maior's courte of this towne, for anie matter or thinge 
 whatsoev' whereof the said Maior's courte, by the aunciente usage 
 thereof may hold plea, onles it be for want of justice and righte to be 
 ministred. And if you shall knowe or heare of any unlawfull congre- 
 gacon, conventicle, assemblie, riotts, routs, or other disordered tumults 
 to be had or made or lyke to be procured had or made by daye or 
 by nighte w^in this towne and liberties of the same, to the disturbance 
 of the peace of our sov'aigne Lady the Quene's Ma 110 her heirs or 
 
122 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 successors you shall give warninge & notice therof to the Maior or 
 to his deputie or Bailiff with all speede. And all and everie other 
 thinge and things which shall either touch or concerne the advaunce- 
 mente & p'ferm' of the Comon wealth and state of this towne, or shall 
 appertaine and belonge to be done or observed by a good and honest 
 burgesse and freeman l of the same, youe shall for your parte do, 
 accomplish, fulfill, performe and observe to the best of your habilitie, 
 power, knowledge and wille, as helpe youe God and the contents of 
 this boke." 
 
 1653. In 1653, during the Commonwealth, this oath was 
 
 altered and shortened, substituting the Commonwealth for 
 the Crown. 
 
 " The Oathe of the Mayor of Lyvekpooll. 
 
 Mayor's Oath. "Youe shall depose to be true liege man unto the Queene's Majestie 
 1610. i Soveraigne Ladie, and noe treason doe, or knowe to be done unto her 
 Majestie, but that w" 1 all spede you shall geve knowledge to her grace's 
 Privie Councell. And alsoe youe shall execute the office of the Mayor of 
 this her Majestie's towne of Lyverpooll unto the nexte election daye, and 
 to the uttermoste of yo r power and knowledge you shall execute or cause 
 the Quene's Ma Ues lawes executed w* true and indifferent justice w^oute 
 feare, mede or drede, favoure or affection. And alsoe all Acts and 
 Estatutes made by the Quene's highnes and her most noble progenitours, 
 kings and queens of this realme and theire honorable councells, you shall 
 execute or cause to be executed w th in this towne, the franchises and 
 liberties thereof, to the beste of yo r power and knowledge. And further- 
 more, all liberties of this Towne and franchises thereto appertaigninge, 
 you shall mainetayne to yo r power. And also you shall see that all 
 inferior officers of this Towne doe their dueties in their offices. And suche 
 as doe offende punishe accordinglie. And furthermore, that you shall not 
 of yo r self make anie newe Acte or order w th in this Towne and Liberties of 
 the same, onles you have th' assent and consente of suche as have bene 
 Maiors of this Towne, w* the consente of the most aunciente burgesses 
 threof. And alsoe all other thing and things that doe appertaigne to the 
 office of a Mayor of a Corporacoji and a libertie, you shall minister or 
 cause to be putte in due execucon to the beste of yo r knowledge. 
 " Soe helpe you God, and by the contents of that Boke." 
 
 The oaths of the other officers are in the same strain 
 mutatis mutandis ; but it is worth while to quote that of the 
 Churchwarden, who, at this time and for long after, was 
 regarded as a corporate officer. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 123 
 
 " The Oathe of the Churchwarden. 
 " You shall dulie and trulie execute the office yf Church warden of this Church- 
 towne of Liv'poole untill the next elleccon day. You shall doe yo r ^ T ^ Ui 
 endeav' and diligence from tyme to tyme, during the tyme of yo r office, 
 that all good orders belonginge to the same be obs'ved and kept w^in the 
 Church or Chappell of this said towne, and Church yard of the same, 
 and speciallie upon the Saboth daye at the tyme of dyvine s r vice and 
 other festivall dayes. And if any p'son or p'sons doe or shall wander or 
 walke in the Church yard at Dyvine S'vice tyme, or wilfullie or obstinatlie 
 absent or withdrawe himselfe or themselves from dyvine s'vice upon any 
 the dayes aforesaid, Then shall you not onlie by sp'ciall warninge appoint 
 and charge them to repayre unto the Church but see that it is soe done 
 accordinglie. And alsoe if you shall heare, know or understand of any 
 p'son or p'sons that doe frequent or use any Tavernes, Alehouses or other 
 Tipplinge or drinking place at the tyme of Dyvine S r vice upon any of the 
 dayes aforesaid, you shall give sp'ciall warnynge as well to the house 
 holders wher the same is or shalbe used, as also to the offenders therein 
 for reformation thereof to be had. And if upon such yo' warnynge geven 
 they doe not amend the same, Then shall you from tyme to tyme as 
 occason shall require p'sent the offenders or offender as to yo r office and 
 duetie app'teyneth, w^out any favor, affeccon feare, dread or mede. And 
 of all such duties and money as shall come to yo r hands, or shalbe due to 
 be taken or receaved by you conc'ninge yo r said office, you shall collect 
 and gather, and thereof make a just and true accompt and undelayed 
 paym't when you shalbe thereunto reasonablie called and requyred by the 
 Maior of this towne or his deputie for the tyme beinge and these &c 
 So helpe you God." 
 
 It will have been seen by the records quoted in the second 
 chapter, that in 1580 a resolution was adopted in Common 1580. 
 Hall of the burgesses, to supersede the general assemblies by 
 the election of a Council of thirty - seven members, with power council 
 to fill up vacancies. For a time, however, general assemblies appoin 
 of the burgesses continued occasionally to be held. 
 
 In 1625 a l* st °f tne Council is given, containing forty- 1625. 
 
 seven names. Some dispute appears to have arisen as to the councillors. 
 
 mode of voting, for by an entry dated October 20th, 1626 — 1626. 
 
 " Yt was agreed that touchinge or conc'ninge anie order or election of 
 anie thing whatsoev' conc'neinge the gov'm' or state of this towne, neither 
 the Maior or Alderman, nor anie oth r to have anie voyce more than anie 
 oth r of the Comon Councell being then p'sent ; save that at ev'y election 
 of a new Maior, the Maior to| have foure voyc s , the Ballives, Ballive's 
 
124 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 164S. 
 
 List of 
 Burgesses. 
 
 Names on 
 Register. 
 
 Non-resident 
 Freemen. 
 
 Quarles. 
 
 Cromwell. 
 
 peares, and the S'geant to have twoe voyc s a piece, and the rest of the 
 burgesses only one voyce a piece." 
 
 In i6ig, it was agreed that the number of Common 
 Councillors should be fixed at forty, which was increased in 
 the charter of Charles L, in 1626, to forty-one, at which it 
 stood until the Municipal Reform Act, 1835. 
 
 In 1620 the number of burgesses enrolled was 256. 
 
 At the outbreak of the Civil War the Corporation of Liver- 
 pool was pretty equally divided, but as the course of events 
 swayed to one side or the other, the government of the 
 borough was influenced thereby. In January, 1645, after the 
 town had passed into possession of the Parliament by the 
 retreat of Prince Rupert, a list was taken of the then existing 
 burgesses, which is set forth on the record, and is a very 
 interesting document. It contains 450 names, but a large 
 number were non-resident, having been created freemen for 
 political purposes. 
 
 The register comprises two peers of the realm, the Earl of 
 Derby and Lord Morley ; Colonel John Moore, the then 
 Governor appointed by Parliament ; four baronets, five 
 knights, fifteen colonels besides the Governor, twenty -six 
 officers below the rank of colonel, fifteen ministers of the 
 gospel, thirty -five esquires, thirty styled gentlemen, and 
 eleven merchants. The rest are called townsmen. 
 
 The entries are very numerous about this time of non- 
 residents admitted to freedom, a large number being officers 
 in the army. Some of the names are worthy of notice. 
 Amongst them is one Francis Quarles. It is hardly to be 
 supposed that this could be the celebrated author of the 
 " Emblems," yet it is remarkable that there is a notice of his 
 death in the register, and that the author died in September 
 of the same year. There is also a Capt. Gregorie Cromwell, 
 whether related to the Protector is uncertain. A large number 
 
 / 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 125 
 
 of the county landed gentry have their representatives, the Gentry. 
 Gerards, Stanleys, Hoghtons, Blundells, Astons, Leighs, 
 Asshetons, Irelands, Heskeths, etc. 
 
 Subsequently all the officers of the garrison were admitted Officers. 
 to freedom. 
 
 The spirit of litigation has always been very demonstrative 
 
 in the Liverpool Corporation, and it is curious to turn over 
 
 the instances of this in the records. As an example, on St. 
 
 Luke's day, 1626, Thomas Brookbank and John Ashlyn were 1626. 
 
 elected bailiffs, but from some unknown cause they soon came and Ashlyn 
 
 to cross purposes with their colleagues. On the 25th June presen 
 
 following, Bailiff Brookbank was presented at the Port Moot 
 
 " for abusinge Mr Raffe Seacombe, Alderman and Justice of peace by 
 opprobrious speeches." 
 
 On the 22nd October, he was again presented along with 
 his brother bailiff, John Ashlyn, 
 
 " for leading Corne upon St. Mathewes day last." 
 
 Ashlyn was also presented 
 
 " for disorderinge himselfe in the night, to the annoyance of his neigh- 
 bors." 
 
 On the 2 1st September an entry is made that 
 
 " it is ordered by the said Assembly (of the Council) that in respect the 
 Bailiffs of this Towne viz' Thomas Brookbanke and Jno Ashlyn have 
 acknowledged to have made full execucon for Judith. Ulster al s Derby 
 against ^Richard Tarleton, and that they refuse to make and give her 
 satisfaccon for the same accordinge to the custome of this Towne, that 
 the said Ballives and either of them shall remaine prison's in the Common imprisoned. 
 Hall according to the custome of this Towne, untill they have satisfied 
 the said Judith Ulster al s Derby." 
 
 Then follows the resolution — 
 
 " That yf it shall fortune that the said Maior or other officer of the said 
 towne shalbe called in question by suite or otherwise for any supposed 
 offence for the committing and detaininge in prison the bodies of Thomas 
 Brookbank and John Ashlyn for their misdemean', that then the whole 
 
126 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Indemnity. 
 
 1629. 
 
 Litigation. 
 
 1698. 
 
 Restoration. 
 
 1641. 
 Seizure of 
 Rebels' 
 Goods. 
 
 towne shall beare the chardge and expence, as well in fees as other 
 ordinary chardges." 
 
 On the igth October — 
 
 " Yt is agreed by the whole house that Ralph Seacombe gen' Maior 
 shall appoint the Jurors for the next two great courts in respect the two 
 last ballives stand p'sented for breach of their oathes, in neglecting their 
 office." 
 
 The two bailiffs were not disposed to submit to the 
 summary jurisdiction thus assumed, and a long course of 
 litigation ensued. Brookbank entered an action in the King's 
 Bench against the Mayor and Corporation. 
 
 In April, 1629, the following entry occurs : — 
 
 " Coram Joh'ne Walker gen'ose Maior &c 
 
 "Yt is concluded and agreed upon by this wholle Assemblie that 
 whereas Thomas Brookbank hath served his Ma te writt of Subpoena upon 
 the newe Maior in the name of the whole Corporacon, to appear in th e 
 King's Bench at Westm' die Mercurii next after Quindecim Pasche next, 
 to w ch Subpoena S r Rob'te Heath Knt is the Relator. Now yt is agreed 
 that the chardg s conc'ninge the defence of the same suite shalbe borne 
 and sustayned out of the Comon stock of the Towne.'' 
 
 The result of the action is not recorded, but it is pleasant 
 to find that some years afterwards these differences were 
 healed. 
 
 On the nth October, 1638, there is an entry — 
 
 " M 3 ™ that whereas Thomas Brookbank of Liverpoole hath heretofore 
 for some misdemean rs beene disfranchised of his freedome of the same 
 towne. It is thought good and soe agreed, upon his submission this xi th 
 daie of October 1638 before me Thomas Eccleston, Maior, Will m Banister 
 (and others) to restore him to his former freedome, w"* wee doe hereby 
 confirme gratis." 
 
 A few years afterwards the Corporation got embroiled in a 
 dispute of a more serious nature, which led to a long course of 
 litigation. The Irish rebellion broke out in 1641. A consi- 
 derable trade with Ireland existed at that time, and any goods 
 in transitu belonging to traitors or rebels were liable to con- 
 fiscation. It would seem that escheats had hitherto been the 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 127 
 
 perquisite of the Mayor and Bailiffs, but on the 1st February, 
 
 1642, at an Assembly of the Council, the following resolution 1642. 
 
 was adopted : — 
 
 " Whereas the severall forfeitures of Traytors, felons, or oth r malefactors Resolution of 
 goods confiscate and incident w*in the said towne have heretofore Council, 
 belonged to the Maior and Ballives for the tyme being in theire owne 
 p'per right. It is therefore now ordred (for the generall good of the said 
 Corporacon) by the free consent of the said Maior and Ballives, and of 
 the aforesaid Assemblie That from henceforth the full moitie and one 
 halfe of all such forfaitures and confiscacbns of Goods and Cattels what- 
 soev r and all wayfes and estrayes by reason of anie accidents happening 
 and ariseing w^in the said Towne shalbe and inure to the use and behooffe 
 of the said Corporacon, and the other moitie thereof to the use and 
 behooffe of all Maiors and Ballives of the said Towne successively. 
 Notwithstanding anie usage, right, or custom, heretofore had to the 
 contrarie." 
 
 Acting upon this resolution, a quantity of goods from seizure. 
 Ireland belonging to one Christopher Malone were seized 
 and confiscated, on their way to Manchester consigned to a 
 Mr. Hartley, who interfered and claimed them as his pro- 
 perty, whereon, in June, 1642, the following order was issued 
 by the Council : — 
 
 " It was ordred by the generall consent of that Assemblie that the 
 moneys remaining in the hands of Lawrence Marcer raised out of the 
 goods of Christopher Malone and claimed by Mr Hartley of Manchester, 
 shall still remaine in the hands of the said Law r in regard the said 
 Malone is thought to have beene in rebellion, whereby the said goods are 
 become confiscate. And further alsoe that the said Law r Marcer and 
 Edw d Formby who (for y l occasion) are now sued and questioned by the Defence, 
 said Mr Hartley shaibe saved and kept harmlesse losses, and indempnified 
 by this Corporacon conc'ning the retaineing of the said moneys for the 
 use of the towne as afforesaid good. Soe that they or the one of them 
 restore the said moneys unto the towne, they first deducting their charges 
 and expences,' disburs d in defence of the sute." 
 
 On the 19th June, 1643, 1643. 
 
 "At an Assemblie held before Thomas Bicksteth gen. Maior, the indemnity for 
 Ballives, and the moste p'te of the rest of the Comon Councell of this Bailiffs, 
 towne, it was moved touching the secureing of Thos Hodgson and John 
 Woods late Ballives of this towne, and others that were or are officers 
 
128 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1644. 
 Col. Moore 
 Governor. 
 
 1645. 
 
 Authority for 
 Seizure. 
 
 w^in the said towne from all molestation or sute that may be moved or 
 brought ag' them by one John Booker of Manchester or anie other on his 
 behalfe, and on the behalfe of Garrold Connon, for and conc'ning anie 
 goods or merchandize by either of them challenged and heretofore t'ns- 
 ported out of Ireland, wh ch upon good evidence appears to be Rebell's 
 goods and as the goods of rebells seized upon for the behooffe of this 
 Corporacon by John Walker then Maior of this burrough. It is therefore 
 ordered by this assemblie that accordingly the said p'sons upon whom 
 this may reflect by reason of such seizure, shalbee secured and kept from 
 all indempnitie at the comon charge of the whole Corporacon, the money 
 thereupon due being paid in to the Towne's Treasurer, and by him to be 
 kept for the benefit of the said towne." 
 
 After the siege and recapture of the town in 1644, Colonel 
 John Moore was appointed Governor, and John Holcroft, 
 described as " Collonel of a Regim te and one of the Deputie 
 Leivetenn ts of this Countie and of the Comittie in the same 
 Countie,'' was elected Mayor. The record of this election is 
 rather curious ; it is described as having taken place 
 
 " by the free consent of the Maior, Aid" and Burgesses then p'sent in the 
 Towne Field, at a place then named the Maior's Mount and postea 
 scil' vj° die Novemb r Anno Dni 1644 in Corf Aulce Cur' p'd° jurat' est 
 demum fore Consilio ejusdem Burgi." 
 
 Under the sanction of these authorities, the following declara- 
 tion was issued xvj January, 1645 : — 
 
 "Whereas it apears by the auncient Priviledges, Charters and Cus- 
 tomes of_this towne and Port of Liverpoole, that the forfeitures and 
 confiscacons of all rebells, traytors, fellons, or other Malefactor's estates, 
 goods, cattells or merchandize whatsoever being found w*in the p'cincts 
 and liberties of this towne, doe p'perlie belong unto the Maior, Ballives 
 and Burgesses of the said Corporacon, wheresoev* the said offend rs be and 
 remaine, or in what place or Countie soev' the said offences be comitted. 
 These are therefore to will and require you the Ballives of the said 
 burrough from tyme to tyme to make diligent search and inquirie for anie 
 the goods, chattells or m r chandize of all such as are suspected or knowne 
 to be guiltie of anie the offences before menconed, and forthwith to take 
 and seize into safe custodie, all such estates, goods and chattels what- 
 soev r in right of the said Corporacon. That if in case the said p'tes shall 
 be convict, that they may be p'served for the use of the said burrough 
 and Corporacon as afforesaid, for w"* this shall be yo'lawfull and sufficient 
 warr'." 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 129 
 
 This was no doubt intended to operate as a bar to the 
 legal proceedings already instituted, which it did for a time. 
 During the troublous period of the Civil Wars the suit 
 remained dormant, but as soon as peace was restored, in 
 1649, it was revived. Alderman Bicksteth, who was Mayor 
 when the action was commenced, was sent to London to 
 advise and assist. 
 
 On the 25th May, 1649, it was 1649. 
 
 "Ordered by the Councell by the advise and with the consent of Resumption of 
 Collonell Moore, that Mr Bicksteth shall yet stay longer in London to Litigation, 
 compleat and effect the business of the towne, and that he shall have 
 x u more sent him up to defray his charges, and letters subscrybed were 
 sent him accordingly." 
 
 " Ordered that the sute commenced at London ag* Mr Walker for the 
 rebell's goods shalbe appeared unto and defend 4 at the Towne's charge." 
 
 This was done, but the cause dragged its slow length 
 along till the funds and patience became exhausted. 
 
 On the 25th January, 1650, it was 1650. 
 
 " Ordered by Mr Maior, the Ald n , Ballives and Comon Councell, That 
 Mr Thos Bicksteth Ald r man, who hath long tyme lyen at London at a great Bicksteth in 
 charge to the towne, and to the great greeffe and trouble of his frends, London, 
 shall speedily come downe and give in his accompte, and the Maior and 
 Ald'men are desired by the gen'all consent of the towne to take course to 
 see it donne accordingly, in such a way and manner as they shall think 
 fit. Whereupon Mr Wainewright was writt unto, who took much paines 
 in the busines, and sent downe a note of his debts and ingudgments 
 contracted upon him by his long stay there, w ch amounts to about xc". 
 Whereupon Mr Washington being questioned by the house concerning 
 the L u taken up of one Mr Weston, for wh ch Mr W is ingudged, confessed 
 that moneys all come to his hands." 
 
 On the nth March following, we read — 
 
 " Whereas violent sutes have been and are p'secuted in the Upper 
 Bench agt Mr Walker, by Mr Edw d Johnson and Mr Nicholas Hawett of 
 Manchester, for certaine goods of Irish rebells w ch by him were seized on 
 the behalfe of the towne in the tyme of his maioraltie, the p'ceed whereof 
 was violently taken away by the Earl of Derby. 1 Whereup' hee hath 
 beene outlawed, and aft r rev'salls and sp'iall baile entered at London the 
 
 1 The Earl of Derby was executed on the 15th October in the same year (1650). 
 
 R 
 
130 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 issues are readie for tryall at Derby Assizes where the accons are laid. 
 
 It is therefore ordered that' Mr Maior and Mr Winstanley shall goe to 
 Delegates to Derby to attend those p'ceedings, the towne being concerned therein. 
 Derby ' And shall have their charges borne, and are to be there on the 22nd 
 
 instant," 
 
 added 
 
 "where they attended accordingly but the plaintiffs did put in their 
 records." 
 
 On the 15th July (1650) it is entered — 
 
 " Forasmuch as Mr Johnson and Mr Hawett have the last tearme 
 Trial at taken out the records in the Upper Bench for tryalls at Derby against Mr 
 
 Derby. jno Walker in the busines concerning the Rebells goods, wherein the 
 
 town are ingudged and concerned and must be looked after. It is there- 
 fore ordered by this assembly that letters shall be written unto Mr Greene 
 the Councellor and Mr Halley about the said busines, and that Mr Edw d 
 Chambers shall goe to Darby to attend the tryalls, and shall have his 
 charges borne." 
 
 The result is not specifically entered on the record, but it 
 is tolerably certain that it was unfavourable to the Corpora- 
 Claim of tion. Mr. Walker, the Mayor at the time, who was the 
 nominal defendant, had died, and his widow claimed a sum of 
 money said to be 
 
 " by him disbursed to Mr Hawley who was the towne's Splizitor. It was 
 voted by the gen '11 consent of the said Assemblie not to be paid her unles 
 shee mak it appeare to be a reail debt." 
 
 What is the most surprising in these lengthened proceed- 
 ings is the cool assurance with which the town's authorities 
 took upon themselves to confiscate to their own use merchan- 
 dise coming into the port without any legal decision or 
 inquiry. At the same time there is something to be admired 
 in the courage with which they were always ready to stand up 
 for their privileges against any encroachment from whatever 
 quarter. 
 1636. In 1636, the Judge of the Palatine Court of Admiralty 
 
 tried and convicted certain burgesses of Liverpool for mis- 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 131 
 
 demeanours, whereupon the Corporation issued the following 
 protest : — 
 
 1636, August 8th. 
 
 " It is ordered by the Maior, Aldermen Ballives and Comons this day Assertion of 
 assembled, That whereas the Judge of the Admiralty of Lancashire and Independence. 
 Cheshire hath amerced fined, attached, and imprisoned by his sev'all 
 offic's some free burgesses of this towne for supposed misdemeano rs con- 
 trary to the lawes and statutes of this realme and customes of this towne. 
 That if any accon, informacon, bill, plainte or any other vexacon bee 
 broughte or comenced against any Maior, Alderman or Ballive for the 
 tyme beinge or any other offic r or free burgesse, that the chardge of all 
 and ev'y such suite shalbee born att the chardge of the towne by lay, 
 taxacon or otherwise att the discrecon of this howse." 
 
 Another litigation was revived about this time with Sir Litigation 
 Richard Molyneux. The Molyneux family had for many Molyneux. 
 generations held by fee-farm leases the Crown revenues of 
 Liverpool. As the Corporation claimed also to levy certain 
 dues .or tolls, the two interests not unfrequently came into 
 collision. In 1533 a complaint was made that for the pur- 1533. 
 pose of depriving Sir Wm. Molyneux, the Crown lessee, 
 of his just rights, the Corporation had conferred the freedom 
 upon " divers and many foreign men not resident ne abiding 
 in the said town," thereby escaping the tolls. 
 
 In 1622, a further complaint was made by Sir Richard 1622. 
 Molyneux, the then Crown lessee, whereupon the following 
 writ of inquiry was issued from the Court : — writ of 
 
 - 1 J Inquiry. 
 
 " 1622, Jany 27th 
 
 " Mr Maior 
 
 " Upon the complainte of Sir Richd d Molyneux, 
 who is the Kings servant for the Prysage of wynes at his Port of 
 Liv'poole, where I understand that certen French men have brought in 
 wynes of w ch they denye unto the officers of the said S r Richard prysage 
 for those wynes. And for that I conceave that course of freedome in 
 other p'ts of this kingdome may by them be an imboldeninge to make 
 ther freedome soe gen'all as the priviledges of the County Palantyne_of 
 Lancaster may be much impeached thereby. Therefore for the p'servacon 
 of his Ma fe Rights in those parts w^in the said County Palantyne, let me 
 wish you (if the officers of the said S r Richard on the behalfe of his Ma tie 
 
132 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1628. 
 Sale of Manor, 
 
 Ferry. 
 
 for the said prysage be not satisfied and fully contented) to certify unto 
 me the names of the owners, bringers, factors, servants, sellers and buyers 
 of the said shippe and wynes w th as much convenient speed as you may, 
 To th' end proces, and other p'ceedings may be had against the offenders 
 therein as the law will in such cases, for the sp'all mayntenance of the 
 priviledges of that County. 
 
 " Thus, w tb my most heartie Saluts I rest 
 
 " Yo r very loveinge frend 
 
 " Grayes Inn " Edward Mosley. 
 
 " January this 
 
 " xxvii* 1622." 
 
 Six years after this, in 1628, King Charles I. sold to 
 certain merchants of London, the Manor of Liverpool, with 
 all the Crown rights, which were subsequently purchased by 
 Sir Richard Molyneux, and conveyed to him in 1632, subject 
 to. a yearly rent of £14 6s. 8d. 
 
 The ferry boats across the Mersey and a windmill in 
 the town had been held by the Corporation, but under this 
 grant were claimed by Sir Richard (then Lord) Molyneux, 
 who entered an action in the Court of Wards for their 
 recovery. 
 
 On the 21st May, 1638, 
 
 " At an Assembly held in the Towne hall of Liv'poole before Thomas 
 Eccleston gen. Maior of the said borrough (and others) ; at w* tyme it 
 was declared to this Assembly how farre the sayd Mr Maior, togeither 
 with the sayd Mr Walker and Trios Bicksteth and therest, trusted for the 
 towne's busynesse (att London upon the suite comenced against the 
 Towne by the Lord Molyneux in the Court of Wards) had p'ceeded 
 therein in the last Easter terme, and further it was then declared how 
 that besides the p'ceeding in the said suite the said Mr Maior and the rest 
 trusted in that busynesse had p'ferred a peticon to the Kinge's most 
 excellent Ma" e whereon the towne's grievances were at large layd open 
 to his Ma" e as also the claymes of the said Lord Molyneux by virtue of a 
 late grante made by the London' 5 to the said Lord, and what was desired 
 by the T6wne in the same peticon, whereunto the Kinge made a most 
 King's Reply, gracous answeare referring the same to exayming of the Lord Treasurer 
 and Chancello' of the Excheq r and further as appeareth by the said 
 peticon and reference hereunder at large verbatim written w ch peticon and 
 reference thereupon this whole Assembly had openly and distinctly read 
 unto them by the said Mr Maior. Now forasmuch as great sumes of 
 
 1638. 
 
 Proceedings. 
 
 Petition. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 133 
 
 money will bee required from them whoe shall goe on the towne's behalfe' 
 to expedite this busynesse in London this Trinity terme next if it shall 
 please his Ma* to graunte ov r the said towne and the emolum B thereof to 
 the Maior Baylieves and Burgesses of Liv'poole and theire successors for 
 ev' in fee farme for ev' as is desired by the said peticon. Therefore this 
 whole Assembly joyntly agree and p'mise to the said Mr Maior and such 
 other persons as shall be ingaged .... that they and ev'ie of them will Levy for 
 beare theire reasonable p'ts in the same ingagem^_and will be readie Expenses, 
 from tyme to tyme'to pay and discharge theire porcons and p'ts as shall 
 be assessed upon them." 
 
 Then follows 
 
 " A Memorandum of what moneys are lent towards the defrayinge of 
 the charges of the suite nowe dependinge betweene the Lord Molyneux 
 and this towne of Liv'poole by the Maior and div's of the Aldermen and 
 free burgesses, the greater p'te of the Comon Councell of this towne 
 beinge all voluntary tendered to lend the towne for the expedicon of the 
 towne's business att London, w 011 somes followinge are to be repaid to 
 them or their assignees att or before the 25th of August next." 1638. 
 
 Then comes a list of subscriptions, amounting altogether 
 to £162. 
 
 A temporary arrangement was made by which a rent of 
 £20 per annum was paid by the town to Lord Molyneux, 
 but he having taken arms for the King against the Parliament, 
 which was now in the ascendant, a petition was presented by Petition, 
 the Corporation of Liverpool for a restoration of their rights, 
 which they alleged had been wrongfully usurped. Where- 
 upon the following order was made : — 
 
 " Die M'curii, primo die 8 br 1646 1646. 
 
 " Whereas a Wyndmillne and ferrie boats formerly belonging to the Order of 
 ~ — „,.. J , ■,.,■.! ■r-r.i-jTj Parliament. 
 
 Corporacon of Liverpoole were lately in the possession 01 Richard L,ord 
 
 Mollyneux, who is in hostility against the Parliament, and by his power 
 
 with the Lord Cottington, (late Master of the Court of_Wards and 
 
 Liveries) brought a vexatious suite against the said Corporacon to theire 
 
 great damage and impoverishment ; And whereas all the wrytings and 
 
 auncient records belonging to the said Corp" were taken away when that 
 
 towne was taken by the enemy ; (Considering the exceedinge great losses 
 
 and sufferings of that said towne) And to the end that the auncient rights 
 
 of the said Corp" may be restored and those priviledges whereof they are 
 
 and long have been in possession, may be continued and remaine in viola- 
 
134 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603—1660. 
 
 Grant to 
 Corporation. 
 
 Lord 
 
 Molyneux's 
 
 Composition. 
 
 Solicitor 
 appointed. 
 
 Treaty. 
 
 Agreement. 
 
 ble : The Lords and Comons assembled in Parliam' doe order and 
 ordayne : That the said Corporacon shall hold and enjoye the said Wynd 
 Milne and ferry Boats and the rent of xx u p'ann' formerly paid by the said 
 Corporacon to the said Lord Molyneux till both Houses take further 
 order : And it is hearby further ordered and ordained That all other the 
 rights powers priviledges lyberties and franchisem* whatsoever con- 
 tayned in the Charters of the said Corporacon shall be and continue to 
 the said Corporacon (saveing to the King's Ma tie his heirs and successors 
 and all other person and persons, bodies pollitique and Corporate other 
 than the said Lord Mollyneux and his heires) all theire rights, tolles and 
 interests whatsoever." 
 
 Before this order was issued, Lord Molyneux had 
 attempted to effect a composition with the Parliament, 
 whereupon the following minute was entered on the Liver- 
 pool record. 
 
 1646, September 7th. 
 
 " Whereas it is conceaved necessarie that a Solizitor shalbe apoyhted 
 to goe up to London on the behalfe of this town now in_regard the Lord 
 Mollyneux is ab' his composicon, and to put in excepcons against him 
 concerning o r lib'ties and priviledges granted to this towne by o r late 
 Ordinance of Parliam' that hee may not compound for Liv'poole." 
 
 So matters remained until the Restoration, when another 
 action was commenced by Lord Molyneux in the Duchy 
 Court of Lancaster. 
 
 1660. November 20th. 
 
 "At an Assembly holden before the Maior Alexander Green (and 
 others) it was propounded concerning the suyte in the Duchie comenced 
 agt the said Mr Maior the Ballives and others : That Mr Maior and the 
 Aldermen may meete with the said Lord Mollineux or his Comission" and 
 s r vants to treat with them on the towne's behalfe and know their 
 demands." 
 
 1661, January 31st. 
 
 " An order was agreed upon and subscrybed unto for making an 
 agreement with the Lord Mollineux." 
 
 By this agreement a rent of £20 per annum was to be 
 paid by the Corporation as a quit rent for their privileges, but 
 again a misunderstanding arose. Under Lord Molyneux's 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 135 
 
 title from the Crown a burgage-rent of £i\ 6s. 8d. had to be 
 paid. This he claimed should be borne by the Corporation, 
 in addition to the £20 per annum received by himself. 
 
 1 66 1, December 30th. 
 
 " Att an Assembly holden in the Towne halle of Liverpoole before the 
 Maior, Ballives (and others of the Council) it was propounded concerning 
 the clame made by the Right hono ble the Lord Mollineux of xx" a yeare 
 over and above the Burgudge Rents due to his Ma tie out of w ch xx u it was Burgage 
 conceved that the said Burgudge rent of 14" 6 s 8 d ought to have been by Rent, 
 him paid and discharged, according to an Agreem* lately made betwixt 
 the said Lord Mollineux and some of the Aldermen for that purpose, as 
 was affirmed, w ch is now denyed and the 20 H p' annum ov r and above the 
 said rent is insisted upon to be paid him : It is therefore thought fit and 
 ordred, that Mr Maior and such of the Ald'men as did formerly treat 
 concerning that affaire, shall forthwith goe to the Lord Mollineux and 
 treat with him further, and endeavo' to settle and rectifie that mistake." 
 
 1662, January 20th. 
 
 " At an Assembly held before Mr Maior Balives &c It was ordered 
 that the yearly rent of twentie pounds agreed by Mr Maior to be paid Rent to be 
 to the Lord Mollineux be duly paid according to the said agreem' at or P aid - 
 before Michallmas next, at w ch tyme the said agreemt doth expire." 
 
 1663, January 6th. 
 
 "At an Assembly &c — it is alsoe ord'red that a meeteing be observed 
 on Fryday the 17 th January with Mr Hawarden, and Mr Nicholas Faza- 
 kerly concerning the differences betwixt the Corporacon and my Lord 
 Mollineux, because he denyes the agreem' lately made to accept of 2o u p' 
 ann, and out of that to pay the Burgage rent, that Mr Maior, Mr Greene Negotiations, 
 and Mr Sandeford shall goe to the meeteing and to settle that affair 
 according to a right understanding and to rectifie that, mistake." 
 
 Before this dispute was finally settled another cause of 
 difference arose of far more importance, which will come 
 under notice in the next chapter. 
 
 The Corporation of Liverpool have always jealously 
 
 guarded the 'independence and jurisdiction of their local 
 
 courts of justice. Thus, on July 6th, 1629, at the Sessions 1629. 
 
 of the Peace, the Grand Jury present James Sotherne 
 
 " for goeinge to a forraigne Justice to bynd himselfe to the disablinge of Protection of 
 the authoritie of this towne." Local Courts. 
 
136 
 
 CHAP. III. A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1630. 
 
 King's Writs 
 rejected. 
 
 Corporation 
 successful. 
 
 Charters 
 produced. 
 
 Order of • 
 Court. 
 
 At a similar Session, June 28th, 1630 — 
 
 " Item, wee p'sent Derrick Carsley for p'secuteinge a suite ag* Mr John 
 Walker in a forraine Co", contrary to the oathe of a freeman of this 
 towne." 
 
 They went even further than this, and refused currency to 
 the king's writs of certiorari. At a Port Moot, April 30th, 
 
 1637— 
 
 " Item, they p'sent Francis Walworth gent, for that hee being a free- 
 man of this towne did upon the third day of Aprill 1637 within the 
 jurisdiction of this Co rt bring and deliver into this same Co rte his Ma B 
 Writt of Certiorari beareing date the first day of Aprill in the xiij' h yeare 
 of his Ma B Raigne that now is, thereby to remove a cause there depending 
 betweene Rob' Bavand p" and the said Francis def contrarie to the oath 
 of a freeman of this towne and contrarie to the imunities privileges and 
 franchises thereof." 
 
 Strange as it may appear at the present day, this claim of 
 independence was successfully maintained. 'In the March 
 Assizes at Lancaster, in 1637, an indictment was preferred 
 against Thomas Bicksteth (Mayor in 1636) and his officers 
 for a forcible entry. The following is the record of the Court 
 thereon : — 
 
 " Whereas ThomasBicksteth and others, inhabitants w^in the Towne 
 of Liv'pool weare indevored to be indicted att these assizes for a forcible 
 entrie, and that Mr John Vernon of Councell w* the Corporacon enformed 
 this Co rte the same is an ancient Corporacon, and that the inhabitants 
 thereof ought not to be drawne in question for such offences but at the 
 Sessions w ft in the said Corporacon as by their charter they alledge they 
 are priviledged. Yt is therefore ordered that the said inhabitants of 
 Liv'poole shall some tyme betweene this and the end of Trinitie terme 
 next, p'duce Charters before the Lord Vernon. And yf it appeare they 
 have not such priviledge as they alledge Then they are to pay such costs 
 as those whoe p'secute the said Indictm' s have beene put to at theis 
 Assizes in theire attendance about the same, and in the meane tyme the 
 p'secution of the said Indictm 13 to cease." 
 
 These charters were produced to the Court in April, 
 
 whereupon the following order was issued by the Bench : — 
 
 " Ordinat' est p' Curiam q'd fiat l'tre de p'cedendo Maiori ballijs et 
 Burgiensibus Burgi de Liv'poole, tangen' o'ilz recogn' et indictament' 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 137 
 
 cogn' ib'm p' Josephum Rose, non obstant' aliqua priori regula aut 1630. 
 Certiorar' in contrariu'. Et ulterius ordinat' est q'd nulli fiant Certior' 
 imposteriu' eisdem Maiori, ballijs et Burgiensibz ad certificand' aliqua 
 p'cessor ; Cur hie quia libenf p'cart' div'sor' Reg' m hujus regni Angl' ut 
 patet ex mocone M r Hugonis Rigby." x 
 
 The proceedings in the town during the period of the Civil War. 
 Civil War form a very interesting series of documents. 
 Before the commencement of hostilities, parties in Liverpool Parties. 
 were much divided. The two members for the borough took 
 opposite sides. The majority of the Council were for the 
 King, but the preponderance amongst the inhabitants was for 
 the Parliament. In June, 1642, the King issued a Commis- 1642. 
 sion of Array, requiring the loyal inhabitants of Lancashire to 
 arm in defence of the Crown and its prerogatives. The Mayor, 
 John Walker, acting under this authority, and co-operating 
 with Lords Strange and Molyneux, did his best to put the 
 town into a state of defence. About thirty barrels of powder, Town 
 with a quantity of match, were brought from Warrington. 
 Earthworks were thrown up round the town, furnished with 
 gates and bars at the street ends, with a fosse twelve yards 
 wide and three yards deep. In doing this, he was met with 
 considerable opposition from within, and was threatened from 
 without. In order to encourage his loyalty, the following 
 letter was forwarded from the King at York : — 
 
 " Charles R 1642. 
 
 " Trustie and welbeloved, Wee greete you well. Whereas you have by jPlJf' 8 letter 
 vertue & obedience to o r Comission of Aray issued unto o r Countie 
 Pallatyne of Lane' doone dyvers services tending to the putting in 
 execucon of the said comision for which you are threatened to be 
 arrested and carried out of the said Countie, although wee have still 
 speciall occasion to use yo r service therein. Our expresse will and 
 
 1 It is ordained by the Court that a writ " de procedendo " be issued to the Mayor, Bailiffs 
 and Burgesses of the Borough of Liverpool touching the recognizances and indictment preferred 
 by Joseph Rose, any prior rule or certificate to the contrary notwithstanding. And it is further 
 ordered that no writ of certiorari be authorised in any proceeding against the said Mayor, 
 Bailiffs and Burgesses ; and this as appears by the charters freely granted by divers kings of the 
 realm of England exhibited by Mr. Hugh Rigby. 
 
i 3 8 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603—1660. 
 
 1642. 
 
 Royalists in 
 possession. 
 
 command therefore is that you faile not to attend us p'sonally forthwith 
 upon signification made unto you in this behalfe dureing our abode in 
 these p'ts, and therefore we straitly require you upon yo r allegeance 
 that you dep'te not nor absent yo'selfe out of o r Countie Pallatyne of 
 Lancasf neither suffer yo'selfe to be aniewise ingaged, detayned, or 
 kept from giveing yo r readie attendance accordingly, being thereunto 
 called or surnoned by us or o r comand whylst we shall continue there, 
 upon anie p'tence, ord r warrant or comand whatsoev' from either or both 
 howses of Parliam' w ,h out o r speciall leave and lycence first obtained or 
 direccons to you under o r owne hand as you tend' o r highest displeasure, 
 and will answere the contrarie at yo r p'ill. For w ch this shalbe yo r 
 sufficent warr' and authoritie. Given at o r Court at Yorke the I st July, 1642. 
 " To o r trustie and welbeloved John Walker, Maior of Liverpoole in o' 
 Countie Pall' of Lane'." 
 
 After the raising of the king's standard at Nottingham, 
 
 on August 25th, 1642, Liverpool was held for a few months 
 
 by Colonel Edward Norris, of Speke, on behalf of the 
 
 Royalists. After the fight at Whalley, on April 20th, 1643, 
 
 Lords Derby and Molyneux retreated ; and on the 20th May 
 
 Surrendered, the town was surrendered to Colonel Assheton, and was 
 
 garrisoned for the Parliament, under Colonel John Moore 
 
 as Governor. 
 
 1643, May 31st. Entry on the records : — 
 
 " Whereas by the direccon of Collonell Holland there is delivered unto 
 y e Maior and Aldermen of this towne 100 Musketts, 100 Bandalliers & 
 100 Rests to be imployed for y e defence and saftie of this towne, for 
 redeliverie whereof the said Maior and Aid" have ingudged themselves. 
 It is therefore ordered by this Assemblie that the said Armes shalbe 
 secured and made good if anie defect shalbe, at the gen'all charge and 
 costs of this towne, who shall lykewise stand ingaged gen' ally togather 
 with y e said Maior and Aid" for saffe redeliverie theirof unto y e said 
 Collonell when y° same shalbe required &c 
 
 (So) 
 
 " Mem d y* p'sently afterwards l tie of these armes were restored." 
 
 About the same time, Rosworm, a German engineer 
 attached to the Parliamentary army, was brought from 
 Manchester, which he had fortified, to advise as to the 
 strengthening of the works. The town was placed under 
 martial law, and a number of the military officers were 
 admitted to the freedom. 
 
 Arms and 
 Ammunition. 
 
 1643. 
 Rosworm 
 Engineer. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 139 
 
 On the 13th December, 1643, 
 
 " It is ordered that the Ballives and the Serjant and some others of 
 the Governor's officers are to goe through the towne and make inquirie 
 and take notice of all strangers and other lodgers ; that such as are not Strangers 
 faithfull and trustie to the service of King and Parliament may be removed, 
 expulsed and removed forth of the towne w* all speed possible, in respect 
 of the present dangers." 
 
 On the 16th March, 1644, the following proclamation was 1644. 
 issued : — 
 
 " Whereas divers of the inhabitn te of this towne have refused and con- Garrison 
 temptiouslie neglected contrarie to divers orders, to appeare w th their best service. 
 Armes att the beating off the drume These are therefore to give publicke 
 notice and warninge to all p'sons whatsoever inhabittinge w th in this 
 Garreson heartofore appoynted for the obs'vinge of the watch w^in the 
 same, That if they, or anie of them shall hereafter refuse or neglect to 
 appeare at the beatinge of the drume for the settinge of the watch w ft in 
 this Garreson or for the p'forminge of other duties w^in the same, or anie 
 p'son whatsoever isett upon his watch or guard, shall come off the same 
 or neglect his duties therein, till he be thence called and releeved by an 
 officer shall for everie such offence pay to the use of his fellow soldiers the 
 some of xii d or lie in prison in the Towne-hall untill he have paid the 
 same." 
 
 On June 16th, 1644, the town was taken by escalade by stormed by 
 Prince Rupert, who only remained nine days, and retired, uper- 
 leaving Lord Byron as Governor. In August the town was 
 again invested by the Parliamentary forces under Sir John 
 Meldrum, who blockaded it until November 4th, when the 
 garrison surrendered. 
 
 There is no doubt that, as was bitterly complained of by 
 the inhabitants, the town was seriously plundered during 
 Prince Rupert's occupation. 
 
 On the 5th March, 1645, 
 
 " The Ballives are required to make demand to the Coll' of the Towne's 
 Armes that were lost." 
 
 On the 13th January, 1645, there is an entry of the Port 1645. 
 
 Moot Inquest — 
 
 " We finde that a great company of o r inhabitants were murthered and 
 
140 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 The slain to 
 be buried. 
 
 Fortifications. 
 
 1646. 
 
 slaine by Prince Rupert's forces, the names of the murtherers we cannot 
 as yet be certified of any of them or their names." 
 
 "Ordered,^ that the dead bodies of o r murthered neighbours buried out 
 of towne, shall be better covered betwixt this and the second of February 
 next, and for the effecting thereof, We ord' that the Ballives or any other 
 officer giveing notice or warning to any house shall send one thither w* 
 a spade or wiskett for the covering of them as afforesaid." 
 
 Several entries relate to the fortifications. 
 
 On the 20th December, 1644, it was ordered by the 
 
 Assembly 
 
 " That for the p'sent, the gates now att Lawr. Mercer's house end shold 
 be removed and set in the worke att the Tyth Barne street end." 
 
 On the 30th March, 1646, at an Assembly, it was 
 ordered 
 
 " That the said_Mr Maior (and others) repaire to Preston w* all speed 
 to sollicite the Comittees, That the Mud-walls heare now standing being 
 repaired, may continue as they are w th out demollishing, and that there 
 may be noe Inner-worke made, in regard it will spoile and ruine the 
 Towne " 
 
 Map. 
 
 1647. 
 Works to 
 stand. 
 
 1647. 
 Castle 
 repaired. 
 
 1648. 
 
 On the 22nd December, 1646 — 
 
 " Concerning this Towne being a Garrison, it was peticioned that the 
 Works might stand as they are and not be altered ; and a true Mapp was 
 drawne of them by Samuell Aspinwall and c'tified to the Comittee of 
 Parliam' by Lt Col Ashurst Gov'nor." 
 
 " Att an Assemble alsoe held the 16 th April 1647, it wasalsoe resolved 
 that the works shold stand as they are, and not be altered ; or otherwise 
 for want of competent meanes to maintaine a Garrison they shold be 
 demolished ; it being conceaved that as they now stand they are more 
 advantagious and easie to be kept than otherwise altered." 
 
 " Ordered that the gates at the Chappell streete end shalbe made and 
 sett up at the Towne's charges by the Governor's consent." 
 
 On the 30th April, 1647 — 
 
 " Ordered that Mr Maior should request ' that the Castle may be 
 repaired and fortified, and the Works slaighted.' " 1 
 
 On the 28th July, 1648, two resolutions were passed; 
 the first — 
 
 1 Slaighted means to be levelled down, destroyed. High Ger., Schlechten ; Low Ger. and 
 Flemish, Slechtm. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 141 
 
 " The Petition for demolishing the works and disgarrisoning the towne Petition, 
 to be drawne up and a letter to Mr Ashurst (the Governor) to further the 
 same, and to Mr Bicksteth, to Coll Moore and the Comittee of the Militia 
 of Lancasheire for the same purpose, and Mr John Winstanley is to goe 
 about the solizitation of it, and to have his charges borne." 
 
 The second 
 
 " Ordered that a Peticon shalbe drawen to this effect, that the Comittee 
 wold be pleased to take speedie course that this Towne may be so victualled 
 manned and fortified as to make it secure and tenable, and constant 
 meanes be allowed from the Publick to maintaine it without being 
 p'judiciall to the inhabitants, or to certifie with us that the works may be 
 slaighted." 
 
 On the 17th October, 1648 — 
 
 " Ordered that a peticon unto the Comittee at' Derbie House and to the 1648. 
 Generall shalbe drawen up and this Comittee solizited that wee may have f^^° n t0 
 this Garrisonn sufficiently manned, maintained and fortified, or the works 
 slaighted and demolished, and letters to be written unto Mr Ashurst and 
 Mr Recorder to that purpose." 
 
 On the 27th November, 1648, we read: — 
 
 " Whereas the inhabitants of this Towne are much dampnified by Petition to 
 reason of the Works. It is therefore Ordred that the peticon concerning destroy the 
 the sleigkting of them shall be p'ceeded in, and solizited by Mr John Works - 
 Winstanley, who is to attend the Comittee for that purpose and is to 
 have his charges borne and allowed by the Towne." 
 
 On the 31st July, 1649 — 
 
 " Att an Assembly this day was red the copie of a letter from the Lord 
 President of the Councell of State _upto the Governor concerning the 
 slaighting of the Works and fortificacons, and contracting the Garrison 
 into the Castle w ch being much desired by the Towne : It is therefore 
 thought fitt and soe ordred that Mr Maior shall goe up to London and 
 accompanie Coll Birch the Gov'nor about the same busines and endev r 
 to gett the same effected for the good of the towne and shall have all 
 charges borne. " 
 
 On the gth November, 1650, a further petition was 1650. 
 
 adopted 
 
 " concerning the demolishing of o r works, w sh are soe much p'judiciall 
 to the Towne, but suspended until the Gov'nor shold come home." 
 
142 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Garrison. 
 
 1646. 
 
 Watch and 
 Ward. 
 
 Penalties for 
 neglect. 
 
 1647. 
 
 Soldiers 
 objected to. 
 
 Plague. 
 
 As nothing more is heard of the " Works," it is presumed 
 they were at this time destroyed. 
 
 The presence of the garrison, and the demands made on 
 the inhabitants, both for money and military service, were very 
 distasteful. 
 
 On the 21st October, 1646, it is recorded — 
 
 " Whereas it hath been lately p'pounded by the Governor that soe 
 many men as are to keepe Wach and passe upon duetie for the Towne 
 shold be inlisted und r what Captaine they please, w cb being taken into 
 consideracon, this Assemblie thinks fitt that a gen'all cattalogue of the 
 names of all the able men within this Towne shalbe taken by John Kirk 
 and others, and tendred to Mr Maior on Friday next ; That soe many as 
 are willing to be enlisted may be then taken notice of and enlist accord- 
 ingly ; And whereas dyvers of the inhab'tants doe neglect their Wach 
 being thereunto called : It is therefore ordered that all such persons as 
 shall upon sumons neglect their duetie in this p'ticular shalbe punished 
 according to the discretion of the Maior, and for that purpose the 
 Captaine of the Wach is to obs'rve Mr Maior his comand in the p'form- 
 ance thereof accordingly at his perill." 
 
 April 30th, 1647. 
 
 " Agreed that Mr Maior and the Ald'n shall treate w th the Governor 
 abt the setlem' of this Garrison ; first that one Companie of the Townes- 
 men may be employed, and to have pay as others have. 2 nd that the 
 soldiers may pay 3 d per meale, or quarter themselves." 
 
 At the same time 
 
 " It is ordered and agreed by this Assembly that Mr Willm Williamson 
 shall next week goe to London to solizet the Towne's busines and shall 
 have all charges borne. 
 
 " 1 — to prevent the coming in of 600 soldiers to be garrisoned here; 
 and to get the Works slaighted and the garrison to be ordered to be kept 
 in the Castle ; w ch if repaired may be manned w 4 200 men." 
 
 One cannot but admire the pluck and energy of the little 
 community at this trying period. In addition to the losses 
 by the war, the plunder at the siege, the suspension of trade, 
 the hemming in by the fortifications, and the expense and 
 trouble of the garrison, they were threatened by the plague, 
 which actually attacked them with virulence a few years after- 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 143 
 
 wards, yet their courage never seemed to fail ; they were 
 
 prepared for every emergency. 
 
 On the 12th June, 1647, ^ was 
 
 " Ordered that strict wach shalbe kept by the townesmen because of 
 the rumour of sicknes to be begune in Warrington." 
 
 On the 29th June, 1647 — 
 
 " Mem 4 , p'pounded by the Governor concerning the distraccons betwixt Garrison 
 the Armie &c and other p'ticulars at this Assembly, whereunto answere service, 
 was made That it is the desire of Mr Maior, the Aldermen and Comon 
 Councell of this Towne, that in all things their may be a free and 
 faire complyance betwixt the townesmen and the soldiers and for all 
 business conc'rning the Militia and soldierie they referr all to the 
 discresion of the Governor, and withall doe hold it fitt and ord r that 
 the townesmen from tyme to tyme according to Mr Maiors direccon shall 
 joyne w" 1 the soldiers in keepeing wach, and that noe Chester nor War- 
 rington people nor their goods dureing the tyme of this infecon shalbe 
 admitted to come into this towne." 
 
 August 9th, 1647. 
 
 " Ordered that the townes-men togather with the soldiers, shall wach 
 everie day their turne upon warning to them given in their owne p'sons, 
 and if anie being able shall refuse or neglect to p'forme the same accord- 
 ingly, they are to forfeit V s for everie default at the discresion of the 
 Maior." 
 
 1st November, 1647. 
 
 " Mem a that upon the comeing in of a Regim' of horse belonging to the Fairfax's 
 Parliam B Army under the comand of S" Thomas Farefax, Ordered by the Horse - 
 Comitie to be quartered in this Countie p'porconably, whereof 2 men and 
 their horses and the 3 rd p'te of another were allotted to this towne they 
 demanding 15 5 p' week for everie horse and man, or els Quarters in kynd 
 to be assyned them according to orders. Upon consideracon had by this 
 Assembly it was reteolved that they shold have quarters within the towne 
 at the severall Innes from house to house weekly by turne at the 
 appoyntm' of the Ballives, and they to be content with such allowance as 
 is duely allotted them, w cb the Ballives are to see paid and discharged 
 accordingly after the rate of xi s viij a p' week, and it is alsoe agreed that 
 they shall have noe allowance at all in moneys for their quarters when 
 they are or shalbe absent, except they show good warrant for it ; and noe 
 one house or inne to be more burthened than another. 
 
 " It is also agreed that a Ley or Taxacon of xii 1 be imposed upon the Monthly 
 Towne for payeing of the Quarterage of the, horse, and towards the dis- tax. 
 
144 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Quarterage. 
 
 1648. 
 
 Quartering 
 Soldiers. 
 
 1645. 
 
 Application 
 for aid. 
 
 Relief. 
 
 Inquiry. 
 
 Grant. 
 
 chargeing of the monthly tax and for non-paym 1 the Ballives are to 
 distraine, and restore the overplus.'^ 
 
 " Ordered that a letter and peticon _be drawne to be eased of these 
 burdens of quarterage and paying taxacons with the rest of the Countrie, 
 and the reasons of o r sufferings to be alledged, w ch was done accordingly, 
 but noe releefe granted." 
 
 July 28th, 1648. 
 
 " P'pounded at this Assembly concerning the quartering of soldiers for 
 the Governor upon his owne securitie, w 011 is unanimously denyed by 
 this Assembly by reason of the p'sent danger, and the scarsitie of all 
 p'visions." 
 
 After the recovery of the town by the Parliament, in 
 November, 1644, no time was lost in applying to the Govern- 
 ment for aid and assistance. 
 
 1645, March 6th, there is this record : — 
 
 " Forasmucch as the p'sent state and condicon of this towne doth 
 require that some speedie course be taken, as well for the repairing of 
 the losses and sufferings of the inhabit nts thereof by the crueltie of the 
 Prince's Army lately p'valeing there, as alsoe for the better secureing 
 of the said towne for the tyme to come: It is ord rd That Mr Wm 
 Langton, Record 1 shall accompanie Mr Maior to London, and there 
 solizit _m the behalfe of the said towne according to the insuing 
 instruccons viz' 
 
 1 " To procure releefe (if it be possible) for pooer widdoes and fatherles 
 children that had their husbands and fathers slaine and their goods 
 plundered, and others in the towne who are in distresse and want. 
 
 2 " To p'cure that the manner of the looseing or rather the giveing up 
 of the towne to the enemie be fullie tryed and exam d , that soe it may 
 apeare in whose neglect or defalt it was that soe much Inocent blood was 
 spilt, when there was possibillitie of resistance, or anie tearms of quarter 
 wold have beene granted." 
 
 A grant accordingly was made and distributed as 
 follows : — 
 
 1646, March 30th. 
 
 " It is Ordered : That the widowes and fatherles children of this towne 
 rec' iij s a peece, and the maymed soldiers vj s a peece out of the xx lb 
 allowed by the Comittee for theire p'sent releeffes and the overplus to 
 others in the greatest necessitie resideing heare, according as the Warr 1 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 145 
 
 dat' 7 March 1645 directs, and that for everie street ij of this house be 
 chosen to distribute the same p'porconablie." 
 
 1646, December 22nd. 
 
 " A' Cattalogue of the poore Widdowes and fatherles children and Catalogue, 
 mamed soldiers who were hurt and had their husbands and fathers slaine 
 in this towne and in the Parliam ts service is ordred to be made and c'tified 
 to the Comitee, soe that they may receave allowance of contribucon for 
 their maintenance according to the ordinance of ParliamV 
 
 1645, September, 17th. An order was issued by the 
 
 Parliament 
 
 " That 500 tons of Tymber be allowed unto the Towne of Liverpoole Grant of 
 for rebuilding the said towne, in a great p't destroyed and burnt downe Tlmber - 
 by the Enemie ; and that the said 500 tons be felled in the grounds and 
 woods of James Erie of Derby, Richard Lord Mollyneux, Will" 1 Norris, 
 Robert Blundell, Rob' Mollyneux, Charles Gerrard, and Edw d Scarisbricke, 
 Esqrs ; and that it be referred to the Comitie for Lane' that are members 
 of this Howse to take order for the due and orderly felling of the said 
 Tymber, and for apporceninge the quanteties to be allowed to the 
 p'sons that suffered by the burninge of the said towne for the rebuilding 
 thereof." 
 
 1646, September 7th. The deputation to London on the Deputation. 
 
 dispute with Lord Molyneux were instructed 
 
 " Alsoe to p'fect the ord r for the 500 tunnes of timb' allotted to this 
 towne, for the effecting whereof Mr Chambers is made choyce of, to goe 
 up at the Towne's charge ab' these occasions." 
 
 What resulted ultimately from this grant is not recorded. 
 It is very doubtful if the timber was ever received. 
 
 The claims of the Corporation for compensation were 
 pursued with considerable pertinacity. 
 
 1647, April 15th. 
 
 " It was ordered that Mr Thos Bicksteth shall goe to London to solizit Bicksteth 
 the towne's business, and shall have a horse p'vyded him and his charges deputed, 
 necessarie borne." 
 
 1647, May 10th. 
 
 " Ordred and agreed that Mr Aid" Bicksteth shall goe to London to 
 solizit the towne's business and shall have his charges ratably allowed." 
 
1649. 
 Petition. 
 
 146 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1648, July 28th. 
 
 " Concerning Mr Bicksteth, his long stay in London, agreed that hee 
 shall yet stay a forthnight to see what wilbe effected, and ernest letters to 
 be written unto him to presse o r manie busines forward, as alsoe to Coll 
 Moore which is donn accordingly." 
 
 1649. In order to expedite the business, and to aid Mr. 
 Bicksteth in his application, the following petition was sent 
 up:— 
 
 " To the right hon ble the howse of Comons in Parliam' assembled. 
 
 " The humble Petition of the Maior, Aid' and the rest of the towne of 
 Liv'poole. 
 
 " Sheweth that the Town of Liverpoole was for a long tyme the only 
 port within the power of the Parliam' in that p'te of the kingdome. 
 
 " And_it being then of that concernm' both to England and Ireland, 
 yo r Peticoners, who have alwais beene well affected to the Parliam' and 
 kingdom, did not only contribute their money and labour, but for the 
 better strengthening and secureing of it for the Parliam' suffered many of 
 their howses and outhowses to be pulled downe, and their gardens and 
 their orchards to be digged Up in the fortificacons to the great im- 
 poverishing of very many of the inhabitants of the said towne. 
 
 " That the most p'e of the said towne who were able bodies, did take up 
 armes for the Parliam', and did togather with the souldiers of the said 
 garrison, often repulse the forces of the en'my when it was besieged and 
 often assaulted by Prince Rup te forces^ 
 
 " That in y e seidge very much of yo r Petitioners Corne, Cattel, Beere, 
 and other p'visions were taken and seized on by the Governor Coll Moore 
 for y° use of y e Garrison, and yo r Peticoners would not suffer anie of y" 
 inhabitants of the said towne to ship away the rest of their goods, lest y e 
 soulders sh d thereby have beene discouraged. Whereupon when the said 
 towne was at last taken without anie condicon, very many of y e inhabitants 
 of y e said towne were killed, all their goods plundered and spoyled, and 
 many of their howses pulled downe and burned, whereby the said inhabi- 
 tants are utterly undonne unles they be releeved by this hon bl = howse. 
 
 " May it therefore please yo r hono re to take y e p'mises into serious 
 consid r acon, and to ord r such satisfaccon for their goods 
 soe seized and taken for y e use of y e said garrison and their 
 howses pulled downe and burned. And alsoe for their great 
 sufferings and losses as in yo r wisdom you shall think fit* 
 " And yo r pet rs shall ev r pray &c. 
 
 " Die Veneris xxviij" 1 of January 1648-9 
 
 " The humble Peticon of y e Maior Ald'men and y c rest of y* tSWne of 
 Liv'poole_was this day red, and ordered to be p'ticularly referred to the 
 consideracon of the Comittee for destroyed howses, where Mr Dodrige 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 147 
 
 hath y e chaire, to consider of their losses and how some satisfaccon and 
 redresse may be given them. 
 
 " H. Elseing, 
 
 " Clerc' Pari. Com." 
 
 " The Certificate of the Sheriffe and other Gent' of Lancashire comes 
 in order heere, w ch was read 
 
 " 1649— 12 th May Resolved upon the Question 
 
 " That ten thousand pounds bee allotted for satisfaccon of y 6 losses of Grant by 
 the towne of Liverpoole in the Countie of Lancaster out of Parliament. 
 
 " S r Will m Gerrard of y e Brinne 
 
 " Mr Blundell of Crosbie 
 
 " Mr Chorley of Chorley 
 
 " Mr Fazakerley of Walton and 
 
 " Mr Scarsbrick of Scarisbrick's Estates 
 
 Papists in Armes, and whose estates are not otherwise disposed of, and 
 were at Liverpoole at y e takeing of it and were Comissioners of Array and 
 Collonells and Captaines for y e King." 
 
 " 1649 Feby I st Propounded at the Assembly concerning Mr Bick- Bicksteth 
 steth his long stay at London to the great charge of the towne and greefe *" London - 
 of his family and frends. It is thought fit in regard his long attendance 
 hath prooved fruteless and the charge great, that hee shall come downe 
 from London at or before the first day of March next, and an ord r and 
 letters were sent to him for that purpose sygned by the Councell." 
 
 " 1649 May 25 th Ordered by this house by the advise and with the 
 consent of Collonell Moore, that Mr Bicksteth shall yet stay longer at 
 London to compleat and effect the busines of y 6 Towne, and that hee shall 
 have x u more sent him up, to defray his charges ; and letters subscrybed 
 were sent him accordingly." 
 
 " 1650, Jany 9 th Att an Assembly &c it was p'pounded by Mr Maior 
 concerning Mr Bicksteth his long stay at London, and resolved that letters 
 shall be written and inquirie made, how much moneys will discharge his 
 ingudgemen ts there, and that hee shall forthwith come downe if his healthe 
 will p'mitt." 
 
 '^1650, Janry 25 th It was ordred by Mr Maior, the Aid" Ballives and 1650. 
 Comon Councell assembled, that Mr Thomas Bicksteth Ald r man who Bicksteth 
 hath long tyme lyen at London at a great charge to y e towne and to the recalled - 
 great greeffe and trouble of his frends, shall speedily come downe and 
 give in his accompt : And the Mayor and Aldermen are desired by the 
 gen'all consent of the towne to take course to see it donne accordingly in 
 such a way and manner as they shall think fitt. Whereupon Mr Waine- 
 wright was writt unto, who tooke much paines in the busines, and sent 
 downe a note of his debts and ingudgments contracted upon him by his 
 long stay there w ch amounts to about xc" ; Whereupon afterwards Mr 
 Washington being questioned by the house concerning the 50" taken up 
 
148 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 of one Mr Weston for w ch Mr Way is ingudged, confessed that moneys all 
 come to his hands." 
 
 Second grant. Another grant was made by Parliament, nominally of 
 £10,000, which ultimately proved delusive. 
 
 " 1652 Nov 22 nd Att at Assembly holden before Mr Maior (Ralph 
 Massam) the Aldermen and Councell assembled, a letter from Collonell 
 Birch the Governor was read, whereby it appears that the io,ooo u to be 
 allowed by the Parliam'ts ord r for repaire of the losses and plund r of this 
 Irish estates, towne forth of certain' delinquents' estates, is now to be allowed forth of 
 the lands in Ireland, w ch caused a letter to be written that the allottmt 
 might be as neere Dublin as possible." 
 1653. 1653, January 10. At an Assembly before the Mayor (Edward William- 
 
 son) and the Council. " Upon reading of severall letters from Dubline 
 Deputation to concerning the sending over of a Solizitor about the allottm' of ten 
 Ireland. thousand pounds in lands in Ireland, it was p'pounded to be considered 
 
 of who was fitt to be sent over. It was votted and ordered that Alderman 
 Thomas Blackmore and John Winstanley Towne Clerk shall by the 
 apoyntm' of this Assembly goe ov r soe soone as shalbe thought covenient 
 . . . and upon o r peticon there it is referred to the Lord P'tecf upon this 
 poynt: Whether to be sett out before the Adventurers and Soldiers be 
 first satisfied " &c. 
 
 Town Clerk 
 sent. 
 
 Letter from 
 Cromwell. 
 
 Judges' 
 Report. 
 
 Petition to 
 Cromwell. 
 
 After some further correspondence — 
 
 1654, January 24th. At an Assembly, " It was ordered and agreed that 
 Mr John Winstanley Towne Clerk shall again goe over to Dublin abt the 
 deliverie of the Lord Protector's letter to the Dep"* there. And to solizit 
 that busines concerning the p 'portion of forfated lands in Ireland, w* his 
 Highnes letter directs to bee in the Countie of Wicklowe to the value of 
 tenn thousand pounds, in lew of their great losses. 
 
 " W ch was referred to the Judges at the Court for adjudicacbn of claimes, 
 and by them it was reported that the Adventurers and Soldiers must be 
 first satisfied, and this allottment to be sett out in course." 
 
 1655, May 9th. " Mem d that this day severall papers concerning the 
 proceedings in o r _busines of lands in Ireland were read and the Judges' 
 Report and resolucon therein made ; whereupon it was resolved that new 
 adresses shold bee made to the Lord Protector concerning the same, and 
 that Collonel Ireland and Collonell Birch shold bee againe solizited to 
 move for to have a more absolut and authentick order, and that wee shold 
 advise with Mr Record' about it." 
 
 ^ 1656, February 27th. " It is ord'red that a peticon bee p'pared and 
 p'ferred to his Highnes the Lord Protector concerning o r lands in Ireland, 
 w ch Captaine Browne being now bound for London is desired to p'ferr." 
 " This was left with Mr Sandford whom hath beene since solizited, but 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 149 
 
 nothing can be donne, it being referred to the Lord Dep de Fleetwood, with 
 whom another peticon now remaines. 
 
 " That a letter bee sent to Lieut Newcomen in answere to his, relating 
 to o r lands in Ireland, w ch is sent accordingly." 
 
 1656, September 17th. An application was addressed by Application to 
 
 the Assembly to Col. Thos. Birch, the late Governor, recently 
 
 returned as member, 
 
 " to endeavo' to gett o r lands in Ireland allotted and established according 
 to the late Act of Parliam' to the value of 10,000"." 
 
 1657, October 16th. At an Assembly it was 
 
 " Ordered concerning the lands in Ireland, that Mr. John Winstanley Town Clerk 
 Towne Clerk shalbe Solizitor for the Corporation, and shall goe to "> London. 
 London this and the next tearme and endeavo' to get the same busines 
 effected." 
 
 1657, October 23rd. At an Assembly of the Mayor and 
 
 Council a resolution was passed, of which the following is the 
 
 substance : — 
 
 " Whereas by Act of Parliam' of the 26th Sept 1653, it is enacted that 1653. 
 in consideracon of the great losses of the towne of Liverpoole the 
 Comm" of Parliam' in Ireland should set forth and appoynt so much lands 
 there as amounts to the value of tenn thousand pounds at the rate that 
 the publique faith debts are to be satisfied, for the use and benefitt of this 
 towne . . . and aft' great endeavour and div's considerable somes of 
 money have been used and expended ; And notwithstanding his Highnesl'tre 
 of comand hath beene p'cured to that purpose yet the said lands nor any 
 p't of them cannot as yet be obtained to be set out and ascertained 
 in regard the Judges in Ireland and other Gent' of Quallitie there to whom 
 the said busines was referred have certified their opinions that the 
 Adventurers and Souldiers are to be first satisfied ; And for that it was 
 alledged that the said forfeited lands there were not sufficient to pay and 
 satisfie them and such other publiqe debts as are first to be paid by vertue 
 of the said_Act . . . therefore the p'misses beinge taken into serious 
 consideracon it is conceaved that the effecting of this busines will yet be 
 a worke of great difficultie and charge unto this Corporacon unles the 
 whole manageinge and p'secucon thereof shalbe undertaken by some 
 p'ticular p'sons to be interested therein ; It is therefore ordered, consented 
 and agreed that Mr John Winstanley now Town Clark and such other Agreement 
 p'sons as he shall agree with, shall have a good and sufficient lease and wi t n 
 grant of one full moietie of the said lands in Ireland. . . yielding and instan ey " 
 paying to the said Corporacon of Liverpoole, the yearly rent of twentie 
 
ISO CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 shillings ; and that the said Winstanley and the other p'sons shall give 
 securitie to endeavour and to use all their power and interest speedily to 
 procure the said lands at their own charge w^out any further charge or 
 troble to the said Corporacon . _. . the lands to be devyded by lott 
 betwixt them and the said Corporacon." 
 
 Deputation to 1658, August 2nd. At an Assembly of the Council, Alder- 
 men Giles Formby and Thomas Sandiford were appointed to 
 go over to Ireland to press the business forward ; and 
 
 " that all patents, writings and assurances shall first be perfected and 
 the Corporation established in actual possession before anie division 
 shalbe made betwixt the towne and Mr Jno Wiestanley and his partner 
 Captaine Jas Browne." 
 
 A letter was read from Captain Browne 
 
 Houses in ''concerning the howses in Galway given to this towne, but nothing 
 Galway. ord'red at p'sent." 
 
 The locality of the grant of lands was changed from 
 Wicklow to Galway. 
 Deputation to l6 5 8 > September 2nd. Messrs. Corless and Sandiford 
 a way. wer£ deputed to p roceec i to Galway, and to enter upon all the 
 houses, lands and tenements 
 
 " given and now belonging to this towne of Liverpoole by Act of Parliam' 
 & ord r of the Lord Deputie and Councell in Ireland," 
 
 and to make a particular survey and report thereon. 
 
 Recorder's " Jt is alsoe ord'red that Mr Thomas Will'mson and Mr Greene shall 
 
 advice. goe to Preston and shall take advice of the Record' concerning the p'sent 
 
 affaires of Ireland busines and vew and advice of all the papers and 
 p'ceedings what is fitt to be doone w 1 * was donne accordingly." 
 
 1658, December 20th. At an Assembly of the Council it 
 was propounded 
 
 Division of " conc erning the lands in Ireland to be sett and allotted to this towne. 
 
 Property. It was voted and ordered that noe division shall be made-with the 
 Und'takers in that busines till the Corporacon be first settled and invested 
 in the full and peaceable possession of the whole p'misses, and have better 
 assurance thereof. And then the grants and assurances are to be made 
 and p'fected according to the first order and agreem' with Mr Winstanley 
 notwithstanding anie importunitie or p'tence whatsoev'." 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 151 
 
 1659, January 28th. At an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " Ordered : That Mr Henry Corless and Mr Sandiford having made Settlement of 
 their accompts for the Galway voyadge, be discharged and indempnified ; Accounts, 
 the remainder of the rents being ix" i s v d is now paid over to the Balives 
 for the towne's use." 
 
 1659, December 14th. At an Assembly, &c. 
 
 "Ordered that letters be written to frends in Galway in Ireland to Offer to sell, 
 make it knowne that this Corporation and all p'sons interested and con- 
 cerned in that allottm' are willing to sell or sett the howses there, before 
 anie division be made." 
 
 1660, October 30th. At an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " It was voted, resolved and ord'red that the twoe Burgesses of Paliam' Power of sale, 
 for this towne, together with Captaine James Browne and Mr John 
 Winstanley or his sonne shall have imediate powre and are hereby 
 authorised forthwith to make sale of all the towne's interest in Ireland as 
 to what was lately sett out unto them by Act of Parliamen' to anie p'sons 
 as they can have an opertunitie to sell and dispose thereof for the towne's 
 best advantage." 
 
 1661, December 30th. At an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " It is alsoe ordered that l'res be written to Mr Henry Waddington inquiry into 
 concerning the towne's interest in Gallway, and that hee wold informe Accounts, 
 himselfe of Capt Browne's receipts of rents and his other proceedings 
 there, that course may be taken to bring, him to an accompt for the 
 whole, that the tdwne and his partner Mr Winstanley may be satisfied 
 their proportion." 
 
 1662, June 3rd. At an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " It was ordered that the Maior and Balives shall make a l're of p 0W er of 
 Attorney to some sp'iall frends in Ireland, to enable them to calle Attorney. 
 Captaine James Browne to an Accompt what^ mpneys are by him 
 receaved &c and concerning his other transaccons on behalfe of this 
 Corporacon as to their affares in Gallway." 
 
 This is the last entry on the subject, which it is to be 
 presumed brought the transaction to a close. 
 
 It might have been thought that in the midst of civil war, 
 with exposure to siege and onslaught, there would be little 
 opportunity for attention to the luxuries of plate for municipal 
 banquets ; but we find it otherwise. In 1644, after one siege 1644. 
 
152 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 and in the expectation of another, there is recorded the 
 following 
 
 Town's Plate. " Inventorie of the Towne's Plate. 
 
 " Imp 5 A great double Salt, double guilt — waight 19 oz. 
 
 " A great guilt Cup, w tt harts and cover waight 23 oz 3 qrs. 
 
 " A great git Cup w" 1 halfe moone and cover w' 23 oz 1 qr. 
 
 " A lesser Cup w th out a Cover doble guilt w' 9 oz i dwt , 
 
 " A Boll double guilt w' 12 oz 3 qrs. 
 
 " A guilt Boll, given by George Marshall w' 14 oz. 
 
 " A Beyker p' guilt w { 10 oz. 
 
 " Another Beyker p' guilt w' 10 oz 1 qr. 
 
 " Twelve silver spoones called Apostles spoones. 
 
 " One great sylv r Boule ex dono Mr Edwards. 
 
 " One Escuchion w th the Towne's Arms ingraved. 
 
 " One Sylver Cann given by Ralph Seacome Aid"-. 
 " (lost) One Sylver Mace. 
 
 " The Towne's Seale in 2 p te for statuts." 
 
 When the town was taken by Prince Rupert, in 1644, no 
 
 doubt, as stated by the Corporation in their petitions to 
 
 Parliament, there was considerable plunder, but the plate 
 
 appears to have been preserved — probably secreted, but to 
 
 1656. some extent injured. On October 22nd, 1656, it is 
 
 Exchange of " Ordered that whereas dyvers Peeces of Plate belonging to the towne 
 
 Plate. are much decayed and bruysed, and some cups are broken and not 
 
 fashionable, they shall be' exchanged for new Plate such as may be good 
 
 and serviceable, and the towne's arms to be sett and ingraved upon them, 
 
 and the Ballives are to disburse money for the same." 
 
 I0 57, October 23rd. 
 
 " Mem d that the Towne's Plate delivered ov r unto the succeeding 
 Inventory. Maior was inventoried as followeth 
 
 " Item the bottom of a great Salt guylded. 
 
 " One great Cupp guylded with harts and a cover. 
 " One great Cup guilded w* a halfe Moone & Cover. 
 
 " (This disposed to church use 1667). 
 " One lesser Cup guylded without cover. 
 
 " (This also to church use 1667). 
 " One Wyne Bowie guylded. 
 " One Sylv r Bowie of Mr Edwards's guift. 
 " One Cann guilden of Mr Seacome's guift. 
 "12 Silver Spoones. 
 " 2 Silver Beykers. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 153 
 
 " One Escucheon with the Towne's Armes upon it. Plate. 
 
 " (This the Towne's Waite hath). 
 " One Cawdell Cupp with a top, w ch were exchanged for the top of 
 
 " a Sault and Marshall's Cup by order. 
 " Two Silver Wyne_Cupps bought by order 25 th June 1667. 
 " The Towne's Comon Seale. 
 " Statute Seale, the greater p'te." 
 
 In a previous chapter reference was made to disputes with 
 Chester as to its interference with the privileges of the Port of 
 Liverpool. An occasional outbreak of the kind still con- 
 tinued. On January 20th, 1647, at the very height of the 1647. 
 civil war, occurs the following entry : — 
 
 " It is desired that whereas this Port is a free and independent Port, Dispute with 
 that all the officers for Customes may bee p'perly belonging to this port, Chester, 
 and that the officers of Chester may not hereafter usurp anie power or 
 authoritie in this Port ; as from Charter, or Charters, and auncient grants 
 and customes, are that wee shall enjoy all such lib'ties and priviledges as 
 anie other Port within the King's dominions. 
 
 " This was p't of the Record" direccons to London." 
 " 1652, Jany xxi st A spetial l're was written to the Governor con- 1652. 
 cerning the Chestermen's goeing about to p'judice this Port by seeking to Letter to 
 get lib'tie to land goods on Worrall syde, and to pay customs there, w ch is overnor- 
 contrarie to o r privilege and ch r ." 
 
 1658, October 29th, there is the following entry : — 1658. 
 
 " Be it remembered that upon a contest and difference arysing betwixt inquiry. 
 Major Henry Ogle, Mr Brett, Mr Michael Tarlton & Mr Harvard, the 
 officers for collecting of customs at the severall ports of Chester and 
 Liverpoole, concerning the takeing of such dueties and customs as might 
 aryse for M'chant's goods imported or landed on this syde of the place 
 called the Redd Stones in Worrall w ch is all w^in the lymitts & p'cincts of 
 the s d port of Liverpoole, it was debated, referred and ordered as 
 followeth viz 
 
 " That Major Ogle did affirme that the Red Stones is the place w* 
 makes a division betwixt this port and Chester, and that from thence all 
 allong the sea syde and up to Sankey Bridges soe farr as the tyde flowes, 
 all customes & dueties are payable and ought to be receaved by the officers 
 of Liv'poole on both sydes of the river of M r cie. 
 
 " Mr Brett alleadged that hee knowes not how far the lib'ties reach, but 
 that Liverpoole had beene a member of Chester and that it is to the 
 advantage of the state that the officers of Helbree should rec' there, being 
 neare unto them. Major Ogle replied that it is to the disadvantage of the 
 state if it shold bee soe, and that the s r vice wilbe donne for a lesse charge 
 
 U 
 
154 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Resolution. 
 
 Award. 
 
 1658. 
 Dispute with 
 Moore. 
 
 Chancery 
 Suit. 
 
 by y m of Liv'poole it being but six myles from Liverpoole & is sixteene 
 from Chester. 
 
 " Soe that upon the whole matter it was concluded and resolved by the 
 said officers, that all Goods and M'chandizes landing within the same 
 places and above shalbe entered and pay custome at Liverpoole ; and Mr 
 Dormett is required to give notice and stay or seiz all goods soe landed 
 to be entered in the custom house at Liverpoole, and that Owner Wright 
 who hath herein miscarried be no more employed by them of Chester, but 
 that William Harrison shall be imployed as Dep'tie for both officers, and 
 shalbe paid by Major Ogle for his s'vis to Liverpoole syde, and by Mr 
 Brett for Chester syde, and the paym te to be certified from each to other, 
 that soe he may not rec' his wages duble." 
 
 The matter was finally set at rest by the following 
 award : — 
 
 " Whereas difference did aryse betwixt the Officers of the Customs in 
 Chester and Liverpoole as above said, in that they of Chester did 
 interupt and hind r them of Liverpoole of their antient lib'ties on Chesheir 
 syde, but the whole matter being treated of and referred by both of them 
 the 29th day of 8 br 1658 to Mr Samuel Sandford Surveyo r Generall for the 
 Customs and exsice, hee did declare and concluid that the lib'ties of 
 Liverpoole doe reach unto the accustomed place on the further syde of 
 the redd stones, and advised that the Corporation of Liverpoole shold 
 sett a mere stone there to divyde the said lib'ties and that all goods there 
 landed shall pay customs to the officers of the custom-house of Liverpoole, 
 and soe consequently Towne's Duties. 
 
 " Sam l Sandford." 
 
 A similar dispute as to boundaries or "liberties" arose 
 with Edward Moore, of Bank Hall, the author of the Moore 
 Rental, whose relations with the Corporation were never of 
 a very friendly character, as may be seen from the publication 
 referred to. The boundary of his estate adjoined that of the 
 borough, the two being separated by a small stream, called 
 " Beacon's Gutter." Owing to some supposed encroachment, 
 a suit in Chancery was commenced in 1658, by Mr. Moore 
 against Mr. Gilbert Formby (Mayor in 1656-7) and others, on 
 the part of the Corporation. We read in the records — 
 
 " 2° die Augusti 1658. 
 
 " Whereas a certaine suyte is comenced in the High Court of Chancerie 
 against Gilb' Formby and others of this towne by Edward Moore Esq' 
 concerning the Walking of the Lib'ties last yeare. It is ord'red that the 
 same suyte shalbe answered unto and defended at the publick charge of the 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 155 
 
 towne forth of the comon stock and a comission sued out for takeing the 
 anweres of Mr Thomas Will'mson, and the rest, according to the Recorder's 
 advice, who was therein retained accordingly, whereto two of the Deft 5 
 have answered ; Mr Formby being then at sea, & Mr Sandiford's name 
 mistaken, have not answered." 
 
 1659, July 4th. Record of the Port Moot : — 1659. 
 
 " We ord r that the merestones for the Lib'ties shall be sett by the advice Mere Stones. 
 of the Maior and Ald'm'en and other knowing p'sons they think fitt." 
 
 1659, October 7th. It is recorded 
 
 " That ^interrogatories be drawne up and p'paration made for executing Evidence. 
 of the comission ag' Edward Moore Esq concerning the lib'ties of this 
 towne according to notice given, and that Richard Holland be sworne 
 & examined ; hee can depose that the lib'ties extend round about the 
 Beacon heyes, and ov r the Beacon- Gutter within the feild ; and that Mr 
 Crosse be sent unto to p'duce the boundaries and deposicons taken long 
 since in the Court of Wards, and that in the meane tyme Ald'man 
 Blackmore, Aid. Massam and Ald r Andoe doe treat with Mr Moore about Treaty. 
 the composeing of those differences in that suyte depending in the high 
 Court of Chancerie agt Mr Thos Will'mson, Mr Gilbt Formby and others 
 Defend*." 
 
 1660, January 28th. Record — 1660. 
 
 " To cause a mocon and reference to the Masters in Chanc'ie to have Depositions, 
 the Deposicons heretofore taken upon Mr Moore's p'te ag e Gilb' Formby 
 &c concerning o r Lib'ties to be supressed, in Chanc'ie, it being surepti- 
 tiously obtained, and his sole comon illegally issued & executed, and 
 joyne in a new comon, name com rs for the towne, John Fox Esq, Michaell 
 Tarleton, Rd Mercer &c." _ 
 
 " June 14th, Att an Assembly of the Comon Councell of this Towne 
 holden before the Worp" Mr Maior &c. It was ordered consented and 
 agreed upon that Mr Maior and the Aldermen shall treat with Mr Moore Negotiations, 
 concerning the p'sent differences betwixt him and the Towne in relation 
 to the lib'ties, and shall endeavo' to compose & end the same, and this 
 Assembly doth allow of & confirme what they shall conclud and agree 
 upon." 
 
 The differences were thus settled for the time, but left a 
 very disagreeable feeling rankling in the mind of Mr. Moore, 
 which he did not fail to give expression to, in his Rental. 
 
 Charters. It has been noticed above that the exclusive Charters, 
 privileges granted in the Charter of Henry III. (1229), after 
 
156 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1617. 
 
 Application 
 for New 
 Charter. 
 
 1626. 
 Charter of 
 Charles I. 
 
 Provisions. 
 
 1650. 
 
 several vicissitudes, were withdrawn in the charter of Philip 
 and Mary (1556), notwithstanding which they continued to 
 be maintained and enforced by the Corporation. Various 
 attempts were made, as appears by the records, to obtain a 
 new charter which should legalise these extortions, and also 
 sanction the powers usurped by the self-elected Council. 
 1617, November 27th. An entry occurs as follows: — 
 
 " Whereas there hath bene dyvers somes of money heretofore dispended 
 and defrayed about the p'cureinge of a New Charter for the towne and for 
 the confirmacon of the lib'ties there, w ch hitherto hath taken little effect, 
 and this day it being moved unto the said wor u Mr Edward Moore that 
 hee would undertake the p'secutinge of the same, w ch although hee would 
 not absolutely grant unto, yet upon hope hee would undertake the same 
 busines, it is this day ordered and agreed upon, that a Lay of x u shalbee 
 levied and gaithered w^in this towne of the inhabitants w tt in the said 
 towne onely ; and that all forrayne burgesses shall further paie after the 
 same rate as they are abillited for their towne bargaines, and if any 
 forrayne Burgesse shall refuse to pay such lay, he and they to loose the 
 benefite of theire freedome." 
 
 A ley was made, and realised the sum of .£47 18s. 2d. 
 A charter was obtained from King Charles I. in 1626. The 
 terms of this charter sufficiently indicate the apprehensions of 
 the Council. It gives a confirmation of all rights and privi- 
 leges derived under former charters ; and then proceeds to 
 enjoin and command the Attorney and Solicitor-General, the 
 Judges, and all the Crown officers, 
 
 " that neither they nor some or any of them, any writ or information 
 of Quo Warranto or any other writ or writs or processes . . . against the 
 Mayor, Baliffs and Burgesses .... for any causes, things matters 
 offences, by claim or usurpation .... duly claimed attempted used, 
 had, or usurped .... may prosecute or cause to be prosecuted or 
 continued. Willing also that the same Mayor &c by any justice, officer 
 or minister may not be in the least molested or hindred for the said due 
 use, claim or abuse of any other liberties, franchises or jurisdictions .... 
 or be compelled to answer for them or any of them." 
 
 Even with this protection, the Corporation do not appear 
 to have felt easy in their minds. On the 29th November, 
 1650, we read 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 157 
 
 " Upon readeing Jhe Governor's letter (not inserted) concerning the Application 
 p'ferring of a peticon to the Parliam' for the renuing of o r Charter and for renewal, 
 confirmation of the auntient priviledges of the towne ; It was resolved 
 that wee shold advise w* the Recorder about it, and to have his assist- 
 ance in the draweing up of o r peticon hereafter, but not as yet to stir 
 in it." 
 
 The charters were sent up to London. There is an entry 
 in June following requiring them to be sent back, and so the 
 matter slept until after the Restoration. 
 
 During this portion of the town's history, the members of 
 Parliament were paid for their attendance. 
 
 In 1611, December 3rd — wu. 
 
 " At an Assembly, by the consent of the greater p'te of the Counsell Payment of 
 conc'ninge the late Burgesses Mr Brook and Mr Ruishinge, their dis- Members, 
 charge of the somes of money w ch Jjhey challenged for their attendance at R u i s hinge. 
 the p'liam' ; for their p'ticular somes whereof they exhibited their sev'all 
 not 5 to Mr Maior in that behalf, whereby it appeared Mr Brook his 
 demand to be xxviii B xiiij s , whereof he had received in allowance and 
 paym K xiiij 1 " iiij s vij d , and so rested due unto him xiv H , iiij% v d , w ch iiij s v d 
 was deducted in regard of his stay in Chester about his owne busines . 
 foure dayes and so he was allowed xiiij 1 absolutelie, provided he deliv'ed 
 first the New Ch'rt' * and all such ch'r'es and wrytings of the towne's as he 
 hath, or had deliv'ed him, as by a note thereof remayning amongst the 
 records of this towne will charge. And in default thereof to discharge 
 himselfe upon his othe." 
 
 " And Mr Ruichinge his demand being xxvii", the whole councell did 
 allowe him it, yet hopinge of his owne free will, in regard he was not put 
 to his othe for the same, that he would abate some p'cell thereof, where- 
 upon he being called willinglie in respect of the towne's kinde dealing w* 
 him, did abate xl s , and so to have xxv 11 to be paid him by the new Maior 
 and Bayliffes." 
 
 Such members as Sir Gilbert Ireland and Colonel Birch 
 do not appear to have been paid, but on the 28th January, 
 1658, there is an 1658. 
 
 " Order concerning the Towne's concernm te in London, that a horse and Payment to 
 ten pounds in moneys in hand be paid to Ald'man Blackmore, burgesse Blackmore. 
 for this towne, and what more hee spends is to be allowed him during his 
 attendance in the Parliam' there with Coll Ireland." 
 
 1 It is not clear what this refers to. There had been no new charter since that of Philip and 
 Mary, in 1555. 
 
158 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Blackmore appears to have been the last representative 
 who received an allowance. Soon after the Restoration, the 
 seats became an object of ambition, and in 1670, the modern 
 system of lavish expenditure was commenced by Sir William 
 Bucknall. 
 1601. The general law for the maintenance of the poor was 
 
 Poor Law. . . , ,. , , . . . 
 
 enacted in 1601 (43rd Elizabeth), but for many years it was 
 very imperfectly administered, and the local bodies had 
 occasionally to be stimulated to their duty. In 1630, the 
 following mandamus was addressed to the Corporation, being 
 probably a circular sent round the kingdom : — 
 1630. 1630, January 31st. 
 
 Proclamation. " After o r harty commendacons His Ma* in his Princely care and love 
 to the due administracon of Justice takes notice of many disord's growen 
 in this kingdome through neglect or faint execucon of those lawes that 
 tend to the releiveinge of impotent poore people, settinge to worke those 
 that are able, and punishinge such as are idle or vagrant ; and stirr upp 
 all others to activenes and diligence in their plac s , for what greater motive 
 cann bee than to see such zeale of justice in a Kinge, hath pleased to 
 expres unto us what he dislikes and what hee desires to be done, both for 
 his owne better informacon and_the more due execucon of those lawes ; to 
 w ch end after mature delib'acon his Ma* w 4 the advise of his privy 
 Councell hath thought of a way w^will appere unto you by the tenor of a 
 Comission and by orders and direccons w ch herewith wee send unto you, 
 put into bookes in print, that soe the same may bee the better published 
 executed and obeyed, willinge and requireinge you p'sently upon receipt 
 hereof, to assemble yo'selves together and take such course that what is 
 thereby required may be exactly p'formed. And of yo r p'ceedinges and the 
 course you have taken, you are to certify us, that soe wee may the better 
 discerne the diligence or negligence used in this service, whereof his Ma* 
 will require a good accompt att our handes. 
 " And soe wee bid you hartily farewell. 
 
 " From Whitehall the last of January 1630." 
 
 It is very remarkable, during the stirring times of the 
 civil war, how very little the Corporation of Liverpool mixed 
 itself up in the national politics. It is difficult to gather from 
 the records any political feeling whatever. The execution of 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 159 
 
 King Charles is only noticed in the following brief entry 
 
 respecting the holding of the local courts : — 
 
 1649, March 27th. xm - 
 
 " Memorandum that it was p'pounded by Mr Maior unto this Assembly King's death, 
 concerning the keepeing of Courts, and resolved that Mr Record 1 
 shalbe sent unto, to advise concerning the same in regard of the King's 
 death and Coll. Moore's letter inclosed sent him ; whose advise was wee 
 might, only altering the style of the Court." 
 
 Whatever party might be in power, the Corporation were 
 principally employed in looking after their own interests, 
 which were never lost sight of, as has been seen by the 
 extracts above given. 
 
 There are not many notices of the Corporation mixing Provision of 
 itself up with military affairs ; but, in accordance with the 
 custom of the time, a certain quantity of weapons had to be 
 provided. Thus, on October 23rd, 1623, it is recorded — 
 
 At an Assembly, &c, 
 
 " It was agreed upon that John Callowe should looke unto & keepe in 
 good repayer, all the harnes belonginge unto this towne & now in the 
 custodie of the now Bayliffs, videl 4 x en musketts, x en pyeks, viij' halberts, 
 ten rests & ten bandilerowes, and one drumme, w* carefull scowreinge and 
 dressinge as need shall requier, and not to deliver any part of the same 
 unto any p'son to use w^out the consent of the Maior and Bayliffs for the 
 tyme beinge. And to have for his paynes the some of vi s viij d yerely to 
 be paid by the bayliffs for the tyme beinge." 
 
 srssassaKawsaBaaasssiiajgsTl 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 
 
 Town Clerk 
 
 Hewitt 
 
 deceased. 
 
 Tarbocke 
 appointed. 
 
 Plate 
 presented. 
 
 / 
 
 The general relations of the municipal officers continued 
 much as before during the first half of the seventeenth cen- 
 tury. Some of the offices were sold or bargained for. Thus 
 we find an entry as follows : — 
 
 1611. "About the sixteenth daye of August this p'sent yeare, John 
 Hewet, towne clerke of this borough of Liv'poole dyed, who" had con- 
 tynued the said place for the space of thrtie and fyve years, being ' senex 
 et plenus dierum. ' 
 
 " After whose death at an Assemblie holden in the Towne Halle of 
 Liv'poole upon soleme somonce of all Burgesses to appeare before the 
 said Maior for the ellecting of a Towne Clarke to succede in the 
 said place, Upon advised and delib'ate consideration had to whom 
 th' ellecon did app'teyne, whether to the Corporacon in gen'all or to the 
 Maior, Aldermen and Consell of the said Borough, yet in ende by the 
 ' Councell of this towne, Peter Tarbocke of Wytton in the County of 
 Chester was elected and chosen to be Towne Clerke in steed of the said 
 Mr Hewet. And then it was concluded and agreed by the comon consent 
 of the whole howse, That Peter Tarbocke then elected towne clerke is, 
 and shall delyv' on New Yere's day next to the Maior of this towne then 
 beinge, in plate the some of fortie pounds, and ten pounds more in plate 
 on Midsom' even, all w ch is to be bestowed on the Maior, marked with the 
 Cormorant the Towne's Armes on it. And y l the said plate shalbe by the 
 said Maior delyv'ed ov r to the Maior then next ensuyinge and so from 
 Maior to Maior successyvely." 
 
 This bargain was faithfully carried out. We read — 
 
 " 1612 — Dec r 23. Mem d y' Peter Tarbok elected Towne Clarke did 
 according to an order and decree sett downe, delyv' upon the said xxiij rd 
 day of Decemb' 161 1 unto Edward Moore Esquier Maior of this towne 
 certen p'cells of plate hereafter sp'fied videl" 
 
 " Item — A doble Salte doble gilt, wayinge io£ oz 
 
 " A great Cup w' th a Cover doble gilt with haeds' 
 
 wayinge 23 oz and 1 quarter 
 " A lesser Cup w th out a Cover doble gilt 9 oz 1 dwt 
 " A boole doble gilt 12 oz 3 dwt 6 sc. 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 161 
 
 " One beaker p'cell gilt 10 oz i dwt 
 " One other beaker p'cell gilt 10 oz i qr. 
 " One silver can p'te guilt of the guift of Mr Ralph 
 Secome Aid' deceased." 
 
 Within a year and a-half of his appointment, Mr. Tarbock 
 died, when the following record occurs : — 
 
 " 1 613 xxii nd die Aprilis. At an Assemblie holden in the Comon halle 1613. 
 of this towne before Mr Maior, the Aldermen, Bayliffs and Burgesses of Decease of 
 the Comon Councell, it was agreed by full consent of the whole howse 
 y' whereas at the last Assemblie holden in the said towne hall it was 
 agreed y' Mrs Tarbocke wyfe of Peter Tarbocke late deceased shold pay 
 to the towne xii u being arere by hym unto the towne for his composition 
 for his place, & y' thereof she shuld be allowed backe for the use and 
 behalfe of her children vp upon Mr Maior his entreaty in her behalfe, it 
 was consented unto by the greater p'te of the fortie then p'sent y' 
 according to the former order the money shalbe laid downe to Mr Maior 
 to have full power by consent aforesaid to allow her back what in his 
 discreation shall be thought fitt, and the allowance by him to be allowed 
 back to goe to the use of her children according to the form' order any 
 thing to the cont r 'y in the form' order notw a standing." 
 
 " The same day Mr Robt Brooke was elected Towne Clerke and Brooke 
 condicoed to geve a comendacon to the towne, for his admittance fiftie elected, 
 pounds, to be paid in man' and forme videl' xx u at, in, and upon the feast 
 day of St Michell th' archangell nowe next ensuynge, and xx u upon the 
 feast day of the Annu'ciacon of o r blessed lady S te Mary the Virgyn, and 
 ten pounds, last part thereof at, in, and upon the feast of St Michell 
 th' archangell, w* shalbe in the yere of o r Lord God 1614, & to bring Mr 
 Wm Gamull or Mr Harvy of Chester Aldermen, to be bound w* hym for 
 paym' therof to the towne." 
 
 Mr. Brooke did not continue very long in office. In 
 1624 an election of Town Clerk took place, which is a very 
 memorable episode in the history of the town. 
 
 In 1624 there is an entry — 1624. 
 
 " Robtus Dobson gen' allocat' cli'cum cur' ib'm & dedit p' ingressu suo Dobson 
 in tempore Joh is Will'mson lxx u ad Burgen' cur' p'd." * elected. 
 
 In 1626, the charter of Charles I. was obtained, and 1626. 
 therein Dobson is recognised as appointed Town Clerk. 
 
 1 Robert Dobson, gentleman, appointed Town Clerk by the same Assembly, and gave for his 
 entry, in the time of John Williamson, £,"}o to the Assembly aforesaid. 
 
 X 
 
1 62 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 The first signal of warfare was manifested in 1633, when 
 
 the Town Clerk claimed precedence over the Bailiffs, relating 
 
 to which is the following record : — 
 
 1633 1633, January 31st. " Att an Assembly this day holden in the Comon 
 
 Dispute about hall of this towne before John Moore Esq (and others) Yt was and is 
 Precedence, ord'ed and decreed as folioweth, That forasmuch as upon the search 
 and veiw of auncyent records of this towne, yt therein evidently app 5 that 
 the Clark of this towne for the tyme beinge hath ev' beene elected or 
 allowed ev'y St Luke Day af the ellection of the Maior and Ballives and 
 so hath had his place by auncyente usage of this towne, accordingly the 
 Ballives for the tyme beinge haveinge ev' p'cedencye of him, not only in 
 their yerely election but also in their tyme of their attendance upon the 
 Maior of this towne, boath at Church, Co'te, Markett, or oth r publick 
 meetinge. That Rob te Dobson nowe townclarke and so all town clarks 
 successively hereafter shalbee yerely elected or admitted as ancyentely 
 they have beene, and that Rich d Tarleton and Edw d Chamb's now 
 Ballives and so all other ballives of this towne successively for the tyme 
 beinge, shall have p'cedency of place w^in this towne of the p'sent Towne 
 Clark, and so of all other townes Clarks that hereafter may bee . . . And 
 further yt is againe ord'ed by the Comon Councell aforesaid that the nowe 
 Towne Clark and so ev'y town Clark successively shalbee ready in his 
 gowne to attend the Maior of this towne at Church and m'kett . . . And 
 forasmuch as yt is apparent that heretofore some ord rs made by this 
 howse heretofore are wantinge and not recorded in the great book, 
 wherein the Records for this towne are written, Yt is therefore ord'ed by 
 the Maior Aid' and Communalty assembled aforesaid, that the Towne 
 Clark shall fairely write downe in the great Booke before this howse 
 breake up, not only this ord r but ev'y other ord r yt shalbee made by this 
 howse." 
 
 Neglect of 
 Records. 
 
 Dobson 
 presented by 
 Port Moot. 
 
 The entry was made by Mr. Dobson, no doubt sulkily 
 enough, but in 1636 he was again brought to book. 
 
 1636, October 24th. At the great Port Moot and View 
 of Frank Pledge it is recorded : — 
 
 " It m Wee p'sent Mr Rob'te Dobson for not entringe the Records 
 accordinge to his Oth." 
 
 « it m Wee p'sent the said Robert for takeing place of the Bayliffes, 
 contrarie to ancient ord r and an ord r made in Mr John Moore's tyme." 
 
 " It m Wee p'sent the said Robte Dobsonn for takeinge excysse fees 
 contrarie to auncient orders." 
 
 " The said Dobson doth praye a Trav'se for the three severall p'sentm" 
 against him, and to everie of them pleadeth ' not guiltie.' " 
 
 " And it is graunted by the Courte that the said Trav'se shalbe tryed 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 163 
 
 here the first Port Moote Co rt ° of quart 1 sessions, to be houlden the first 
 Courte for his Ma te aft r Christmas next." v 
 
 It was accordingly so tried, and the jury found him guilty 
 
 on all the three counts of the indictment ; but we read 
 
 further — 
 
 " Upon motion of the said Robte Dobson unto the Courte concerninge Conviction 
 the insufficiencie of forme of the said p'sentm te it is agreed and allowed quashed. 
 by the said Court that a * Cassat"" shall be entred upon ev'ie severall 
 p'sentment." 
 
 1636, October 26th. At an Assembly of the Mayor and 1636. 
 
 Council, after recapitulating the charges, it was resolved — 
 
 " That if the said Robt Dobson or anie other in his name shall stur 
 
 up or p'sente anie Bill, Playnte or Suit against the Maior Aldermen or 
 
 Grand Jury &c all chardges costs and expences shall be defrayed 
 
 at the comon charge, forth of the comon boxe stocke and treasure of the 
 said towne, or by a general ley or contribution. And forasmuch as the 
 aforesaid Robt Dobson hath voluntarily confessed his errors and offences 
 in not entring the records according to his oath, the said Dobson shall be 
 
 debarred and suspended from his place of Clarkeshipp and shall deliver Dobson 
 
 upp all the Records Co rte Rowles, Escriptes, books and Munyments what- suspended. 
 
 soever. And further, if anie one of this Assembly shall publish, discover 
 
 or revaile the secrets, substance or p'ceedings of this Assembly he shall 
 
 not only be excluded out of this howse and companie, but shall undergoe 
 
 such other punishm' fyne and sensure as the said Maior &c shall think 
 
 meete." 
 
 1636, October 29th. At another meeting of the Council, 
 where Dobson was summoned to appear, it is recorded 
 that he 
 
 " not onely denyed to deliver upp the same Records, Co rt Rowles &c but Dobson defies 
 evelly, unreverently and unbefittinglie behaved himselfe before the said the 
 Maior and Aldermen, uttering divers p'emptorie, arrogant and unseemely Corporation, 
 words. And havinge heretofore beene bound unto the peace — and pre- 
 sented by a Jury for breach thereof, the said Maior demanded sureties for 
 his good behaviour, which the said Dobson denying to give, the said Maior 
 and Justice thereupon comitted him unto prison into the custodie of Dobson 
 Ralph Massame one of the Bayliffes, who takeing him downe out of the committed, 
 said Councell Chamber with him, the said Dobson forcibly broake from 
 s d Bayliffes, & soe made an escape, contrarie to the oath of a freeman, 
 whereof the said Mr Maior being certified caused the Bayliffe to goe fynd 
 him out, and bring him againe, who being found out and brought before 
 
164 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 the said Maior, the said Dobson did fynd sureties for his good behaviour 
 and appearance at the next Portmoote." 
 
 The Port Moot returned to the charge ; and in 1637, 
 
 January gth, there is the following curious entry : — 
 
 Dobson again " Item— p'd s Juratores super sacr'm suu' p'sentant q'd Rob'tus Dobson 
 
 presented. de Liverpoole p'd gen' infra spat'm duos annos ult p'terit ac infra 
 
 jurisdicconem hujus Cur' imodeste et indecente hec Angli verba sequen* 
 
 loquutus est et utravit viz' ' Whosoever the divell was Maoir hee would 
 
 be the Towne's Clarke.' " ' 
 
 Another count charged him with breaking prison after 
 having been committed by the Mayor and senior Alderman. 
 
 A third count accused him of insulting the Mayor with 
 indecent words. 
 
 A fourth stated that he had, on the 22nd of the preceding 
 November, " malignantly, scandalously, and opprobriously 
 insulted the Bailiffs and Burgesses by calling them by an 
 English name — to wit, ' Bashragges.' " 
 
 A final charge states that he had forfeited his recogni- 
 zances to keep the peace, by using irreverent words, and 
 indecent gestures, against the Mayor in the presence of the 
 aldermen. 
 Writof Dobson traversed this attack by obtaining a writ of 
 
 Certiorari, certiorari to remove the cause to the next assizes at Lan- 
 caster ; whereupon, at the next Poot Moot, on the 3rd April, 
 1637. J 637, the following presentment was made by the jurors : — 
 " Curia Dni Regis Portmoote &c 
 Dobson again " Item t ^ ie y P' sent Robert Dobson Gent, for that hee being a free 
 presented. Burges of this towne and Burrow of Liverpoole, did upon y* 5 xvij* day of 
 September last past 1636 within -f Jur™ of this Court bring and deliver 
 into y e same Court his Ma fe Writt of Cerciorar' bearing date y" third day 
 of 7 br in y c 12 th yeare of his Ma" ra raigne y' now is, thereby comanding the 
 then Maior, Ballives and Burgesses of y e same towne, to certify a 
 P'sentm' unto his Ma aes Judges of Assize at Lane', y c next assizes then 
 
 1 The aforesaid jurors, upon their solemn oath, present that Robert Dobson, of Liverpool 
 aforesaid, gentleman, within the space of two years last past, and within the jurisdiction of this 
 Court, did immodestly and indecently speak and utter the following words, viz., " Whosoever 
 the divell was Maior he would be the Town's Clerk." 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 165 
 
 following. Whereupon hee stood p'sented by the Grand Jury at the Port 
 Moot Court heere holden for o r said soveraign Lord y e King upon Monday 
 next after y e feast of St Jo. Baptist last past, contrarie to his oath of a 
 free Burges of this Burrow, and in contempt and p'judice of y e imunities 
 lib te privileges and franchises thereof ; amer' in xx s ." 
 
 A second presentment charges him with violating his 
 recognizances, and amerces him in 60s. 
 
 The cause under the writ of certiorari came in due course 
 before the assizes at Lancaster, in May 1637, of which there 1637. 
 is the following record : — 
 
 " Ad Ass'ias tent' apud Lane' die Lune in quinta Septimana quadragess' Trial at 
 Anno R s Caroli Xlij. Lancaster. 
 
 " Whereas Roberte Dobson of Liverpoole Gent, heretofore sued out 
 sev'all Writts of Certiorarie for removeinge of two p'sentm te and a Recog- 
 nizance out of the Burrough and Port of Liverpoole into this Co rte And 
 whereas this Co" e was this day informed by Mr Hugh Rigbie and Mr John 
 Vernon, beinge of Councell with Mr Maior and the burgesses of the said 
 Burrough, that the same is a verie auncient Corporacon and Porte towne 
 of this Realme, and hath an auncient Charter to hould Pleas of the 
 Crowne and to make by-lawes for the good of the said Corporacon, and 
 to punish such as bee refractorie therein, and that the said p'sentm K and 
 recognizance were taken for offences of the same nature comitted within 
 the same Corporacon. And therefore prayed that p'cedendoes may be 
 awarded ; and further complayned against the said Dobson for embes- 
 sellinge theire records and other misdemeanors. 
 
 " Now upon full and delib'ate hereinge of both parties and their 
 Councell in open Courte, It is ordred, that Writts of p'cedendoes shalbe 
 awarded. And it is alsoe further ordred by assent of both parties, that Cause 
 the examinacon of all these matters in variance shall be referred unto referred. 
 S' George Booth and S r Gilberte Houghton Knt s and Barronetts, Thos 
 Ireland and Edward Bridgeman Esqrs or anie thereof them. . . . And in 
 the meane tyme the p'ceedings to be stayed." 
 
 Then occurs the following entry : — 
 
 " According to this Order within written, wee whose names are sub- Award, 
 scrybed mett at Liv'poole the xxiij d of May 1637 and upon deliberate 
 hereing of all busines in variance betwixt the Maior and Corporacon 
 there and the said Robt Dobson, with the consent of the said Maior and 
 Councell of the same towne then assembled togather, and of the said 
 Robt Dobson, have mediated and reconciled the same differences accord- 
 inge to this yo r work" reference, and soe wee rest at yo r Lor ps service, and 
 
166 CHAP. III. A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 afterwards the 23 rd of May the said Robt Dobson made his submission 
 
 accordingly. 
 
 "Gilb t Houghton 
 "Thomas Irelande 
 " Edw d Bridgeman." 
 
 One cannot help admiring the calmness and good sense 
 
 exhibited by the superior Court in putting an end to this 
 
 litigation. 
 
 Welles Dobson did not continue in his office, for within a week 
 
 TomTcierk. a ft er this decision, another Town Clerk was appointed by the 
 
 Council in the person of Mr. Richard Welles, 
 
 " comended by th£ hono bIe S r George Vernon, Knight one of his Ma a,s 
 Justices of the Comon Pleas at Lancaster, and Cheefe Justice of Assizes 
 at Lancaster." 
 
 He did not, like Dobson, pay down a sum for the place, 
 but he undertook to pay a yearly contribution of £6 13s. 4c!. 
 Contribution. " to the Chappel Wardens of Liverpoole aforesaid," but for 
 what purpose it is not stated. 
 1641 . In 1 641, Mr. Welles resigned, and Mr. John Winstanley 
 
 To™ cieA. was appointed his successor. Before his election, a resolution 
 was passed by the Council that out of the fees received in the 
 Mayor's Court, ten pounds annually shall be appropriated for 
 the benefit and better maintenance of the Church and School- 
 master, the remainder to the sole use of the Town Clerk. 
 
 This did not turn out satisfactorily. Twelve months 
 afterwards there appears the following record : — 
 
 " 1642, July 11. John Walker Gen. Maior 
 Remonstrance " Att an Assemblie this day held it was p'pounded to the house by Mr 
 Winstanley concerning the x u p' ann charged upon the Clark's place as a 
 great greevance to him, hee affirmeing it to be illegall and unjust, that the 
 fees w ch p'perly belong to the Clarke shold be taken from him and diverted 
 to anie other use, especially hee never consenting thereunto, and there- 
 upon offered to make it to appeare upon accompt, that the moitie of all 
 fees receaved at the severall Courts in a yeare's space wold not amount 
 unto x", w ch wold not be a competent allowance for his paines and dilligence 
 therein, whereby it appears that the said place (in regard of these trouble- 
 som tymes) is much worse than formerly it hath beene. And therefore 
 desired that the same might be wholly taken off; howbeit in respect of 
 
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. 167 
 
 the towne's p'sent necessitie for money hee did offer to deposit and pay 
 (as a voluntary gratuitie) unto the Ballive's hands the sum of x u for y e 
 p'sent to be imployed for the towne's use, w* was accepted of and paid 
 accordingly." 
 
 On the 21st October, 1653, it is entered that at a meeting 
 of the Council 
 
 " the Wryteing next above written was taken into consideracon and Repudiated, 
 thought fitt and ordred by the same Assembly that the same Wryting bee 
 utterly outed made null and voyde, as if the same had nev r beene entered 
 in this book." 
 
 A very graceful resignation of office is recorded under date 
 
 28th July, 1634, when , 163 *- 
 
 " Thomas Molyneux Esq Recorder of this Corporacon came voluntarily Resignation of 
 and loveingly, & did desire this howse to disburden him of that chardge, Recorder, 
 and did 'desire that the howse would (in respect of his age) take no 
 discortesie at him : and he hartily desireth that the howse would elect 
 Hugh Rigby Esq to bee his successor, and to have the fees due to the 
 Recorder," which was accordingly done. 
 
 The Mayoralty has not always been an object of ambition. 
 
 We read, on the 18th October, 16 14 — 1614 - 
 
 " M a y* this day Mr Wm Banester Alderman was, by the gen'all Mayoralty 
 consente of the whole Comonaltie of this towne elected Maior, w ch he declined, 
 refusinge, did yeld to pay his fyne w"* was x", w ch fyne the said Mr Banester 
 did pay before Xmas now next following." 
 
 During the fortification of the town, at the time of the Appointment 
 civil war, an officer, called the Muringer, was appointed to take 
 charge of the walls. He is found in the list of officers in 
 1650. 
 
 The Bailiffs were officers originally appointed to take Bailiffs. 
 charge of the revenues, both for the Crown and the borough, 
 the Major of whom became in time recognised as Mayor. 
 
 In the list for 1650, the distinction between the two is 
 alluded to. James Williamson is elected Bailiff "pro Repub- 
 lican Thomas Ayndoe to the same office "pro Villa et Burgo." 
 
 There was another officer, called the Mallinger, who is apt Maiiinger. 
 to be confounded with the Muringer, though their duties had 
 
i68 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1655. 
 
 Duties of 
 Aldermen. 
 
 no connexion. He was the crier of the Court ; and is found 
 in the lists for 1626 and 1639. 1 
 
 He was the predecessor of the more modern " bellman," 
 and in the appointment in 1655, he is called " Cryer or 
 Bellman." 
 
 During this period of the town's history, the office of 
 
 Alderman was not merely honorary ; he had serious duties to 
 
 fulfil. In 1617, it is ordered by the Assembly — 
 
 " in regard of a denyall made by Mr Edm. Rose Alderm' to the said Maior 
 to goe a message to the heath to certifie some measurers and Darbie men 
 that then were measuringe the same ; that if any Alderman hereafter doe 
 deny to goe in the towne's behalf any reasonable journey having his 
 lawfull charges allowed him as hee shalbee by the said Maior appointed 
 that he shall forfeite for ev'ie such offence x 1 ' to the towne's use." 
 
 1 " Mallare, hoc est in placitum vel judicium vocare, citare, submonere." — Spelman, Glossa- 
 rium Archaiologicum. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 
 
 However narrow and short-sighted the Corporation may 
 have been during this century in the restrictions imposed 
 on trade and commerce, in respect to their landed estates 
 they displayed a pertinacity and foresight worthy of all 
 commendation. They were always prepared to defend their 
 rights, and to resist encroachments from whatever quarter. 
 
 The estate of the Corporation in the first half of the Corporate 
 
 \ . Estate. 
 
 seventeenth century comprised the lands described in the 
 last chapter, and a considerable number of tenements within 
 the town ; how acquired does not appear. 
 
 The Molyneux family, having estates abutting upon and^° 1 ^[ neux 
 intermixed with those of the Corporation, being also lessees 
 of the Crown rents, and proprietors in West Derby adjoining 
 Liverpool, often found their interests clash with those of the 
 Corporation. Thus : — 
 
 1617, July nth. 
 
 "At an Assemblie houlden in the Comon halle before Rich d Moore Encroachment 
 gent. Maior (and others of the Council) it was agreed as followeth : that 
 whereas it was then credibly informed that S r Richard Mollineuxe, 
 Knight & Barronett, w* the Copihoulders of West derbie, would the 
 same daie enter w th in the Liberties of our towne and heath belonginge 
 thereto, and challendge p'te of the same as belonging to West darbie 
 aforesaid, that the said Maior and King's Bailiffe for the towne shall 
 meete the said S r Rich d Mollineuxe and West darbie men at their first 
 entrance w^in the townes Liberties, and there make knowen unto them 
 in the behalfe of the towne, that tyme out of mind the liberties w ch wee 
 clayme have belonged to o r towne, & that wee have evydence to maintaine 
 the same, w ch wee will shewe to them that it shall concerne, when 
 occasion shall serve." 
 
 The attempt so made was not successful. The lands in 
 
 Y 
 
170 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 question still belong to the Corporation, and form the great 
 
 bulk of the Corporate estate. 
 
 1612, June 29th. At a Port Moot this day, amongst the 
 
 " Orders sett down " — 
 
 Mere Stones. " Wee doe agree that the Maior and the xxiiij Jury w ch shalbe next, shall 
 vewe and sett downe meare stones to meare and sett out the Higheways, 
 and to sett out the towne's lands, and other lands ; the lords and owners 
 of the lands beinge desyred to be there when the feild is bare, betwixt St 
 Lukes day & M'tinem's." 
 
 In 161 1 the Corporation entered into a serious litigation 
 Richard Rose, with one of their own body — Mr. Richard Rose, Mayor in 
 1609 and 1624. Mr. Rose had already incurred the dis- 
 pleasure of the Council by 
 
 Disputes. " ingrossing into his hands 120 barrels of barley, w 1 * was formerlie offered 
 to Mr Maior to be bought for a comon bargayne to the towne's use, in 
 contravention of an order made and provided for such cases. By w* 
 bargayne there was gayned to clere, the some of iij u vi 5 viij d w 011 was for 
 the use of the towne ; for w ch offence he the said Mr Rich d Rose is to 
 receave such sentence as this assemblie shall assesse & thinke meete." 
 
 Mr. Rose apologised, whereupon the sentence was re- 
 mitted, but an ill-feeling remained. 
 161 1, July 3rd. 
 
 "At an Assemblie holden before Edw d Moore Esq Maior, the Alder- 
 men, and the rest of the Comon Councell. Mr. Richard Rose, Alderman, 
 was questioned for his disobedience to Mr Maior and the state of this 
 towne ; first, for that the said Mr Rose did p'syst in his stubborne and 
 Disputed disobedient courses, in hindering the towne of a certen walle abutting 
 Wall. upon the east p'te of the free Schoole of Liv'poole, w 1 * hath ben in the 
 
 towne's poss'ion tyme out of man's memorie, and never challenged before 
 by any p'son: Notw'thstandinge a Verdit of seaventene of the most 
 sufficient free burgesses of the towne impanelled for that p'pose, geaven 
 and deliv'ed up in wrytinge conc'nynge the same. And secondlie that the 
 said Mr Rich* Rose hath geaven out speeches tending to intytle the said 
 Schoole house and buildings thereto belonging, and the said walle, to be 
 his Ma ties right as chanterie lands concealed, w"* this assemblie thought 
 not to be the p'te of a free burges and good member of this towne ; w* 
 mayjend to the great charge, troble, and expenc s of the whole Cor- 
 pora con. 
 
 " Whereupon this Assembly, havinge duelie and consideratelie wayed 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 171 
 
 the said causes, w lh one whole consent, ev'y man deliv'inge his p'ticular 
 opynion by p'role, are of opynion that the said Mr Rich 4 Rose is w th in_the 
 compasse of div's oathes taken heretofore by him as free burges, Comon 
 Counsell, and Maior of this Corporacon ; and hath infringed div'se orders, Rose expelled, 
 and the ancient priviledges of this borough ; and for the said causes, doe 
 adjudge and sentence the said Mr Rich d Rose not a fitt member of this 
 towne and Corporacon." 
 
 Mr. Rose did not tamely submit, but took out a writ of writ of 
 certiorari in the Chancery Court of Lancaster, to quash the 
 proceedings, whereupon — 
 
 1612, September 18th. 1612. 
 
 " At an Assembly &c it was agreed and concluded, That wheras div'se 
 Writts of C'ciorare were sente out of the Chauncerie Court of Lancaster, 
 directed to the Maior and baylies of this Corporacon, by the meanes of Mr 
 Rich* Rose m'chant late Alderman of Liv'poole, for the removinge of 
 div'se fynes and Amerciam* cessed upon him in Mr Maior's Court, 
 Retornable Imediat, and also for his Reinfranchisem 1 , a course never used 
 or before hard of in this towne, and conceaved by this Assemblie to be 
 matters of innovacon, and to be against the oath of a free burges of this 
 towne; Whereupon it pleased Mr Maior to calle this p^sent Assemblie, 
 and acquainted them w* the said busines, upon whose mocon it was fullie 
 agreed ; That the said writts, beinge against the ancient and lawdable writ resisted, 
 customes of this towne and Corporacon, should not be allowed, but 
 insysted upon, w^out any retorne to be made thereof according to the 
 tenor of the said writts. And forasmuch as the same tend_to the 
 ov'throwe of the lib 'ties and franchises of this towne and Corporacon, it is 
 thought fitt and soe agreed upon, that the same shalbe mayntayned and 
 defended upon the comon charge of this towne." 
 
 Notwithstanding all this vapouring, Mr Rose was restored Rose restored, 
 to his office, and filled the civic chair in 1624. 
 
 The system of leasing the Corporate property at this time 
 was for three lives, with a fine paid down, and a small ground 
 rent. Thus, in 1625, we read — 
 
 " A house in Dale Street, let to Thomas Tickle for the longest of three Leasing 
 lives, for Six Pounds paid down, and a yearly rent of three shillings and Lands, 
 sixpence." 
 
 The common lands, to which the Corporation claimed a 
 prescriptive right, were very jealously protected. 
 
172 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Common 
 
 Lands 
 
 protected. 
 
 1649. 
 
 Suit against 
 Straingwais. 
 
 Commons 
 enclosed. 
 
 Common 
 Lands leased. 
 
 In 1649, Mr. Wm. Strangewais had taken possession of a 
 portion of the common, and built upon it, on which the follow- 
 ing entry was made : — 
 
 " Whereas the said Mr Strangewais hath lately erected a Cottage upon 
 y e Towne's Wast, without consent, w ch is conceaved may be very p'judi- 
 ciall hereaff. It is therefore thought fitt and ordered, that he shall pay v s 
 rent to y e towne, or els the same to be pulled downe." 
 
 Mr. Strangewais was recalcitrant, and refused to obey the 
 mandate of the Corporation ; whereupon the following 
 minute was passed : — 
 
 1649, October 15th. 
 
 " Whereas it is informed, that Mr William Strangewais hath hindred 
 and resisted the Ballives in the execucon of their office, and hath abused 
 the Maior and the Ald'men in calleing them ' unworthie fellowes,' and 
 detaiening the Ballives prisoners in his house : It is therefore ordered, 
 that if the said Ballives shall after advice had, bring anie accon at lawe, 
 or sute against him for the same restraint, that then y* charge thereof 
 shalbe borne by the towne, and if they recover, the towne to have y e 
 damages." 
 
 Soon after this, the Corporation began to utilise the 
 common lands. 
 
 1650, June 18th. 
 
 " Att an Assembly held this day before Mr Maior (and the Council) it 
 was_ ord'red and declared by the said Assembly, that all that p'te of the 
 Comon w ch lyes btweene the sea syde and the way leadeing to the Park 
 Gate westward unto the new bridge or the Bowleing greene, 1 shalbe 
 improved, taken inn, and inclosed, at the towne's charge, the next winter' 
 comeing ; and mannaged for y e best use and benefitt of y e towne. And 
 the Maior and Ballives for that tyme beeing, shall disburse moneys and 
 take course to see the same fenced out and donne accordingly." 
 
 165 1, February 5th. 
 
 " Concerning the Comons formerly ord'ed and agreed upon to be 
 inclosed, Mr Maior (by the consent of this howse) is willing to take unto 
 himselfe twoe acres next unto the Poole, and offers to give xxx s p' acre 
 fyne for 21 yeares, and i2 rt an acre rent; and not to sett nor let the same 
 unles it be to free burgesses, inhabitants." 
 
 1 This represents the district between Hanover Street, Park Lane, and Wapping, including 
 Cleveland Square, St. Thomas's Church, and the neighbourhood. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 173 
 
 1651, April 10th. 
 
 " The same busines was afterwards taken into serious consideracon the 
 tenth day of Aprill following, and then upon a full debate, it was con- 
 ceaved to be too high a fyne to pay for the tearme abovesaid, in regard of 
 y e remotenes of the close, and the great charge of fencing and improveing. 
 And therefore upon y" votes of the last menconed Assembly, it was ord'red Terms of 
 and resolved, that the tennants to y e said new inclosures shold have the Leases> 
 same for the severall tearmes of one and thirtie yeeres for y e said fyne of 
 xxx s $• acre and xii d rent ; and that twoe acres of the said Comon where 
 the best marie is, shold be left uninclosed, where ev'ie one might have 
 lib'tie to digg and get marie for improveing the same inclosures, and noe 
 one to set or let the same to anie forreno r , but only to freemen inhab'tants, 
 on paine of forfaiteing their estates." 
 
 These transactions give the first indication of the rising 
 tide in the affairs of the town. The stagnation had been long 
 and depressing, and this demand for land is the commence- 
 ment of a forward movement, which from the time of the 
 Restoration has proceeded with a steady ever-increasing cur- Revival, 
 rent to the present day. 
 
 Other applications poured in. On the 2nd November, 
 1653, there is an order 1653. 
 
 " that James Chorleton and Jonas Horrocks shall have paym' and satis- Survey, 
 faccon for their paines, for surveying y e new inclosures upon the towne's 
 Comon, at the discretion of y e Maior." 
 
 1655, July nth. The names are entered of those who 
 took leases of the common lands enclosed. 
 They are as follows : — 
 
 " Connected with the Corporation. 
 
 " James, Thomas, Edward & Richard Williamson, Evan Marsh, Rich 3 L ease h iders. 
 Percival, John and Dorothy Sandiford, John Sturzaker, Thos Ayndoe. 
 
 " Other persons. 
 " Roger Jones, John Chambers, Rich d Washington, James Heyes." 
 
 Fifteen acres are mentioned as divided amongst seven 
 persons — six names have no quantities attached. It may 
 
174 CHAP. Ill, AD. 1603— 1660, * 
 
 fairly be presumed that about twenty-five acres of common 
 
 were at this time enclosed. 
 
 1659, July 4th. 
 
 Division. " Wee order that there shalbe a lyne drawne betwixt the towne's 
 
 comon and them y' have trespassed upon it with their corne, and shalbe 
 mowen as farr as the downe stones reach." 
 
 Indications of building begin to appear. 
 
 1659, January 17th. 
 
 Bricks made. " Ord'red, that Mr Thomas Storie and his partners shall have lib'tie to 
 make brickes upon the Comon." 
 
 Revenues. The revenue of the Corporation was derived from various 
 
 sources. 
 
 Town Lands. There was, firstly, the rental from the town lands, inde- 
 pendent of the allotments in the great town field granted to 
 the burgesses. 
 
 These rents in 1637 amounted to £5 5s. 4d. 
 ,, in 1645 >• » 5 2S - 8d. 
 
 They then began to increase, and in 165 1 reached 
 
 TownDues. £13 3s. 4d. There were also the town dues, independent of 
 the Crown customs revenues ; the ingates and outgates by 
 
 Toils, &c. land ; the market tolls ; the rents from the ferry boats ; the 
 presentment fines ; the fees on admissions to freedom ; com- 
 positions and licenses to non-freemen. In the year 1657, the 
 burgage rents were purchased from the Parliament, but 
 resigned again to the Crown in 1660. The total revenue 
 from all these sources amounted in 1647 to £ l $i 8s. 9&' 
 
 In 1651, the receipts from all sources amounted to 
 ^273 6s. 8d., which, considering that the value of money was 
 at that time at least five times its present purchasing power, 
 was no inconsiderable sum. 
 
 List of Dues. The first list of town dues was issued in December, 
 1613, and has not varied very much down to the present day, 
 except by the addition of new articles not then provided for. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 175 
 
 The funds were kept in a very primitive fashion, banking 
 facilities not having reached these remote parts. 
 
 1625, January 10th. 1625. 
 
 " Att an Assembly held before Rd Rose Aid", Deputy Maior (and the Money how 
 Council) Yt is agreed, that cl u (£"150) p'te of clxx u xv s n d being the kept, 
 towne's stock, shalbee kept in a chist w* the towne's Ballive, whereof there 
 shalbee three keyes, and that the Maior or his deputy for the time beinge 
 shall keepe one key, the auncyenst Alderman for the time beinge shall 
 keepe an oth r , and the said Ballive for the time beinge to keepe an othr'. 
 And that the said cl u shall not bee any wayes disposed of, but by the 
 Comon Councell of this towne. And that the residue being xx u xv s ii d , 
 shall remaine in the now Ballive's hands to bee disposed of as auncyently 
 hath beene, and by them to be accompted for." 
 
 Colonel John Moore, of Bank Hall, was governor of the Loan to 
 
 Moore. 
 
 town after the siege in 1644. Although engaged on the 
 Puritan side, he seems to have been a man of very disorderly 
 habits, and was generally in want of money. Whilst in office 
 he borrowed £100 from the town's funds. The Liverpool 
 Corporation, with their usual pertinacity, insisted on being 
 repaid, and proceeded to enforce their claim by law. Under 
 date 18th January, 1650, we read an order of the Assembly 
 
 " to search for y judgm K against Coll Moore and his suertie, for y e c 1 ' due 
 to y e towne and sued for p' Mr Wells (the tovnclerk). 1 ' 
 
 Soon after this, Colonel Moore died, overwhelmed with 
 
 debt, but the Corporation followed up their, claim. On the 
 
 18th June, 1650, at the Assembly, 
 
 " It was alsoe ord'red and appoynted that speedie cause shalbe taken claim 
 to recover the c u and interest due thereupon from Collonell Moore and Mr enforced. 
 Jas Sotherne, (his surety) both deceased, and search to be made at 
 London for the judgment." 
 
 Mr. Sotherne had a daughter, Margaret, married to Mr. 
 
 Henry Corles, who were executors to his estate. 
 
 On the 14th January, 1651, it is 1651. 
 
 " Ordered that whereas there is a spetiall writt brought downe from Corles and 
 London against_Mr Corles and his wife, in ord r to the revyvall of the Wife, 
 judgm' & execucon for y e hundred pounds debt owing by Mr Moore unto 
 
176 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Arrest . 
 
 y c towne, that the same shall p'ceede and be put und r y Countie Palatyne 
 Seale, and the Sheriffe shall be solizited for a Devastavit." 
 
 The next entry we find is five years afterwards, by which 
 
 time the debt had swelled considerably by expenses. 
 
 1656, January 1st. 
 
 Suit. " Att an Assembly this day holden before Thomas Andoe Gent. Mayor 
 
 &c, it was propounded concerning the suyte against Mr Hy Corles 
 and Margrett his wyffe, executrix of James Southerne .... for 202" for 
 y e towne's moneys heretofore lent to Collonell John Moore, and_for w"* 
 debt they have been prosecuted to a judgment and taken in execucon, and 
 are now remaining in_y e Bailive's custodie ; It is ord'red that unles they 
 satisfie the whole some, they are to be sent to Lane', and they are to 
 beare the Balive's charges whylst they stay at home unsent away ; and 
 that the busines bee further prosecuted at y e towne's charge as occasion 
 may require till satisfaccon bee obtained." 
 
 1656, April nth. 
 
 Escape. " It was again p'pounded concerning the same busines, that they have- 
 
 ing made an escape, the same suyte be p'secuted at London this tearme. 
 And that Mr. Winstanley, who is alone served w* an ord r out of the 
 Duchie for a p'tended disobeying of an Injunccon, shall go up about it, 
 and shall solizit to gett the Injunccon dissolved, and further to p'cede at 
 y e Comon Lawe as may be requisite." 
 
 Proposals. Mr. Edward Moore, son of Colonel Moore, now came 
 
 forward with proposals, and we next read — 
 1656, October 9th. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c it was propounded by Mr Moore to the said 
 Assembly, to accept of new securities for Mr Corles's debt, w ch proceeded 
 to y e votes of this howse, and upon full debate & consideration had of the 
 p'sent condicon of the said Mr Corles & his wyffe, and at the instance of 
 the said Mr Moore ; It was resolved and voted, that one hundred and 
 Composition, sixtie pounds shold bee accepted of, in full paym' and satisfaccon of that 
 debt, and that the said Mr Moore, by himselfe, or with good sureties, 
 shold give such securitie as the towne shold approve of, for paym' of the 
 said some by Xmas next ; and that thereupon, the said Mr Corles shold 
 bee quitt and discharged of all that debt, costs and charges whatsoever, 
 upon y e judgment against them of 202", whereupon afterwards three pro- 
 posals were made concerning securitie, viz 1 by acknowledging a statut 
 Merchant, confessing judgm 1 , or by Bond w* suerties, but hee chooseing 
 to the first, a statut Merchant was accordingly entered unto by him, for 
 paym' of 160" on y e 26 x br next, and enrolled accordingly." 
 
 Statute 
 Merchant 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 
 
 177 
 
 1656, October 22nd. 
 
 " Att an Assembly this day holden, it was resolved that Edward Moore 
 Esq haveing undertaken the paym' of Mr Corles's debt, the w ch was his 
 fathers, and for y 6 w* Mr James Southerne was ingudged, consented to 
 enter into a statut Merch' for paym' of clx" due 26* x br w ch was p'fected 
 accordingly." 1 
 
 1 These pecuniary transactions may account in part for the bitter hostility to Liverpool and its 
 Corporation manifest in every page of the Rental of Edward Moore. 
 
COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL 
 RESTRICTIONS. 
 
 The trade during this period (1603-1660) continued to 
 expand, but very slowly, being hampered by the short-sighted 
 restrictions still imposed upon it. 
 Fish. Fish, especially herrings, were a large article of traffic, 
 
 being imported from Ireland and the Isle of Man, and then re- 
 exported to the Continent, or sent inland. Thus, in one day 
 (December 19th, 1650), there are eleven entries for herrings, 
 comprising in the whole 692 barrels. 
 
 161 1, February 18th, there is the following entry: — 
 
 2± . f " At an Assembly &c it was concluded and agreed, that the herrings 
 
 WescforcU ° m now come from Washeford in Ireland, amountinge to fourscore barrells, 
 shold be bought for a towne's bargaine at the rate of xx s vj d the barrell, 
 and the m'chant to be freed of all towne's customes, w"* was effected 
 accordinglie ; by w ch b'gayne ther was clearlie gotten xF (£40) for that 
 herring came that Lent to a great rate ; some barrells sold for xxxiij s iv d 
 besides a p'cell of red herrings bought in this b'gayne aft' the rate of 
 ij s vj d the cwt, and sould for iij s iiij d afterward." 
 
 1647, August gth. 
 
 " Whereas Thomas Baxter M'chant hertofore brought into this port 
 xl" e barrells of herrings, and being_a freeman conceaved himselfe to be 
 freed of towne customs and composicon for y e same, Now forasmuch as it 
 appeares that most of y e rescue and adventure of the said goods was to 
 bee borne by the M'chant strangers, and were to be delivered at this port; 
 It is therefore ordered that the said Thos. Baxter^ notwithstanding his 
 Town's freedom, is to pay the towne's custome and composicon, towards w* there 
 
 Custom. was v u left in deposite ; the iij" x^ shall be taken out of y e said v" in 
 leu of y e same customs and composicon, and y xxx s is to be restored him 
 back againe." 
 
COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL RESTRICTIONS. 179. 
 
 In 1654 there is an entry — 
 
 "Comp' for herrings, item 40 barrells in the Guyst by Mr Picton 
 merch' to pay xij s vi d ." 
 
 In connexion with the fish, salt was an article in demand, Salt. 
 
 and was obtained from various sources. We read in 16 ig of 
 
 a cargo of salt imported from Spain. Salt was also brought 
 
 by sea from other British ports. In November, 161 1, there is 
 
 a resolution of the Assembly — 
 
 " That the orden'y custome of ev'y Way (weigh) of Salt, conteyning by 
 measure x barrells, shalbe ev' heraf vi d , and halledg' iiij d , . . . And 
 further, if any Salt shall come to this towne from port to port, being 
 made w^in this kingdome & not beinge m'chant Strang's, then the 
 custome shalbe iij d , and hallege ij d for ev'y Way." 
 
 Cheshire salt was also introduced, but the expense of land Cheshire Salt. 
 carriage would render the sea-borne salt cheaper. 
 
 1618, July 20th, there is an entry — 
 
 " Whereas there is a bargayne of Salt bought from certain marchants of 
 Chester, ■w th bargaine is intended to bee for the benefitt and p'fitt of the 
 towne of Liv'poole, it is agreed &c, That the Salt now remayninge in the 
 great barne neere the Tower, and to the same belonginge, shalbe sould 
 unto all forrayne p'sons or others that will buy the same, aft' the rate of 
 xvj* the busshelL" 
 
 Salt was also manufactured in the town. 
 161 1, December igth. 
 
 " Mocon was made for the comynge of one Atkinson a Salt Maker, to g a j t 
 this towne, who affirmeth he can make white salt to sell a bushell for xij d . manufacture. 
 It is agreed he may come, so as he be noe burthen unto this towne." 
 
 1619, October 25th. 
 
 " Wee doe agree that Mr Chantrell shall omitt makinge of Salte in the 
 place wherein he nowe doth, betwixt this & Martinmas next, upon 
 paine of his fine." 
 
 The locality is not stated. Probably the smoke had 
 become a nuisance to the neighbourhood. The salt-house 
 is marked on the old maps on the site of the present Saltr 
 house Dock. 
 
i8o 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 wines. Wines were an important article of Liverpool commerce in 
 
 the seventeenth century. On one day, the 26th March, 1616, 
 there are two entries, one of 64 tuns, the other of 167 tuns, 
 but, unfortunately, the country from which it is imported is 
 not stated. Repeated mention is made of French wines, and 
 
 Sacke. " sacke " is entered as imported from Malaga. 
 
 1654, June gth. 
 
 Jackalynne. " For 22 tunnes of Wyne called Jackalynne, ord'red to pay for y e 
 butlerage the some of term pounds, or 3 full Hh ds - Mem. that at an 
 Assemblie holden the 13 th 8 br , xl s of this was ord'red to be remitted in 
 regard of y e badnes of the said Wynes." 
 
 Butlerage. The charge called "Butlerage " for these imports was very 
 
 heavy. Thus, on July 30th, 1646 — 
 
 " Mem d brought into this port by Captaine Johnson in the Sea Bridge, 
 London, and entered ; 65 tunnes of un-ulleged Wynes as appeares by his 
 invoyce ; whereupon this Assembly being myndfull to use them well, doe 
 agree that there shalbe paide for Buttleradge for y 6 whole bulk, 5 full 
 hogsheads of choyce wynes ; and the some of tenn pounds sterling for y* 
 composicon money, or towne's customes, w"* the Ballive or other officers 
 are required to collect and take accordingly." 
 
 Repeated entries are made of iron from Spain, principally 
 from Bilbao. The following entry of iron is interesting, as 
 indicating the relation of the ports of London and Liver- 
 pool : — 
 
 1619, May ix th . 
 
 " Mem d the same daie Peeter Lancaster freeman of London, (as hee 
 saith) beinge questioned concerninge the lycence and custome of certeine 
 tonnes of iron by him broughte into the riv'r and port towne of Liv'poole, 
 deposeth and saith, that the iron bee entred in the King's custom house 
 of Liv'poole (w ch is nowe in question) is the goods of one Mr Balle and 
 Claim for others his p'teners, freemen of London, and that hee thinketh there oughte 
 exemption, noe duety or custome to bee paide to the towne of Liv'poole, in respect 
 that the goods doe belonge to freemen of London." 
 
 The sequel is rather curious. 
 
 " Eodem die the said Peeter Lancaster m' chant did receive the oath of 
 alleagance before Mr Edm. Rose, deputy to Sir Rd Molyneuxe, Kt and 
 Barronet, Mayor, and Edward Moore Esq r one of the King's Ma s Justices 
 
 Iron from 
 Spain. 
 
COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL RESTRICTIONS. 181 
 
 of peace & quor' and others, the assembly then there ; and the reason 
 why it was tendered was, for that hee shewed an acte furth of the Court 
 of highe Commission, w ch did beare date very neere two yeeres since hee 
 received the saide, oath. And therein was enjoyned to have conference 
 for reformation ; but it could not be p'ceived that he had any conference 
 lately or reformacon, and often cometh to the towne, and nev' cometh to 
 the church." 
 
 1649, July 31st. There is an entry of a 
 
 " Composicon for 1500 measures of Mault brought in from Tewkesburie, Malt. 
 & offered to be sold unto the towne ; ordred to pay for comp. xxvi s viij d 
 fyve shillings #■ measure offered, 21 to y e score." 
 
 This is a remarkable illustration of the course of trade at 
 the period. The malt must have been put on board a barge 
 at Tewkesbury, brought down the Severn, and so coastwise to 
 Liverpool. No mode of land carriage existed except by 
 means of pack horses. 
 
 Many imports of wheat, rye, and barley are found, 
 especially the latter. 
 
 Wool, tallow, hemp, flax, beef and pork in barrels, are Woo i &c . 
 articles of import. 
 
 Tobacco, which has become a staple article of Liverpool Tobacco. 
 trade, makes its appearance, though to no great extent. 
 
 1648, October 13th. 
 
 " P'pounded concerning xxx He tunnes of Tobacco brought in by James 
 Jenkynsonn in the ship called y e ' Frendship,' and bought by Mr Thomas 
 Shepard. Ordred that their shalbe paid for towne's customes and hallage 
 iif." 
 
 Coals were a considerable article of export, and are Coals> 
 frequently referred to. 
 161 1, August 16th. 
 
 " It is ordered and agreed that ev'y p'son whatsoev' not beinge a free shipping 
 burges of this towne, that shall lade henceforth any coales w^in this ryver, Coals to 
 or the members or creeks thereof, to be transported beyonde the seas, Ireland, 
 shall pay to the towne's custom' for the tyme beinge for ev'y tonne a 
 penny for the towne's use ; and after that rate for their whole ladinge, be 
 it more or less." 
 
 " Mr James Travis, Mr Thom s Tarleton (and others) have undertaken 
 
182 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 to answer the towne's customer the rate of i d for ev'y tonne for all 
 Tredarth men, for all such coales at any tyme as any of them shall lade 
 w^in this ryver, to be transported in any of the vessells belonging to 
 Tredarth p'vided that if the said undertakers do come before Mr Maior 
 for the tyme beinge, at any tyme hereafter, and desyre to be discharged of 
 this custome and paym' for Tredarth men ; that then they shalbe. cleared 
 of such dem'nd, and the towne's custom' to collect of them of Tredarth as 
 of other p'sons ; the said undertakers to pay the towne's customer 
 according as his book shall charge any Tredarth men quart'lie." 
 
 Restrictions. The arbitrary restrictions and prohibitions noticed in the 
 last chapter were still continued, frequently in a very capri- 
 cious manner. 
 
 Thus, in 1612, June 29th, Herbert Bolton was presented 
 at the Port Moot 
 
 " for buying xxvi loads of coales, to lade his barke, contrarie to an 
 ancient order of this towne, not acqynting Mr Maior therew" 1 ." 
 
 Dispute with In 1591, a dispute had arisen with Mr. Gyles Brooke 
 
 Gyles Brooke. , r J 
 
 (Mayor in 1592) for buying a cargo of grain without its 
 having been first offered as a "town's bargain," when a 
 stringent resolution was passed, 
 
 " that it was not lawfull for anie one to bargain or buy any commodities, 
 without the same being first proffered to the towne to be solde." x 
 
 In 16 10, Mr. Brooke repeated the offence, when he was 
 sharply brought up by the authorities, as stated in the 
 following entry : — 
 
 1610, January 16th. 
 
 "Whereas Mr Gyles Brooke of Liv'poole Alderm' hath comitted a 
 great offence in buyinge a certen barque's ladinge of goods and m'chandize 
 heretofore brought hither by one Gilbert Harries a m'chant, and there- 
 upon a jury was impanelled by a gen'all consent of the Comon Counsell 
 of this towne to inquire upon the same, yet nevertheles in regard that the 
 Brooke fined, said Mr Brooke doth acknowledge his offence and doth willingly desire to 
 be censured and judged by the said Maior &c. . . . they doe thinke it fitt 
 and so order, that the said Mr Brooke shall pay for the towne's use the 
 some of xx ae m'ks of lawful money when required. 
 
 " And it is further agreed that whosoev' shall from henceforth comite 
 the like offence shall not onlie be disfranchised & put from his freedome, 
 
 1 See p. 8l, supra. 
 
COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL RESTRICTIONS. 183 
 
 but also shall pay such a fyne as by the Mayor and his brethren shall be 
 assessed." 
 
 1611, October 21st. John Garnet was prosecuted Gamet **«*• 
 
 " for retaylinge tymber by peecemeale w^in this towne, w^out any fee or 
 satisfaction paid unto the towne." 
 
 No freeman was to receive any stranger's goods into his 
 house. 
 
 16 12, June 29th. 
 
 " Wee agree that no furinore or stranger shall come into this towne to No stranger to 
 take any fraught from the own's of this towne ; the shipping of this towne te e g t- 
 beinge readie to the sea & to transport them, upon_payne for ev'y fraught 
 so taken by any forrener or stranger, to pay the some of xx s to the towne's 
 
 use." 
 
 1612, October 18th. 
 
 " It was fully agreed that John Winstanley now halle keeper shall not Wmstanley 
 from henceforth buy any p'cell of goods or m'chandize that shall come restrained, 
 into the said halle above xl s value, for his own use, unles he joyne w* some 
 freeman to be p'tn r with him. And shall from henceforth give notice to 
 such persons as are dealers in such goods, to the number of ten at the 
 least." 
 
 161 1, August 16th. 
 
 " It is ordered and agreed by the consent of the whole house (Mr 
 Remshinge 1 excepted) that the lxx doz of calfe skynnes of Mr Thomas 
 Harvie, now Maior of Chester w 1 " 1 were brought hither by direccon from the 
 said Mr Harvie w tt intent to have them transported forth of this ryver in the 
 Margaret of Merlington unto Tredarth in Irelande under p'tence of their Embargo on 
 Chester licence. In regard it was deemed to be very p'judicious to the Calfskins, 
 liberties of this towne ; that non of the said skynns shall pass hence by 
 water. It is therefore agreed that the owner of them may carie them 
 away by land at his pleasure." 
 
 It reads like a grim joke to enact that goods destined for 
 Ireland shall not be allowed to proceed by water. 
 
 1613, January 13th. At an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " Consideracon beinge hadd of the p'sentm'made by the Jury the ix* Birde w 
 daie of December last, conc'ninge Richard Birde one of the Councell of 
 
 1 Mr Remchinge was at the time M.P. for the borough. 
 
1 84 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 this towne, his concealinge of forraigner's goods to the hinderance of the 
 towne's custome under culler of his owne goods. It is concluded and 
 agreed, that the saide Richard Byrd shalbee excluded from the Comon 
 Councell of this towne and his freedome." 
 
 The carting of goods from the waterside into the town was 
 
 a monopoly. 
 
 161 1, December 19th. 
 
 Carting " Item, it is agreed that the foure accustomed cariers shall still carie 
 
 Goods. an( j non e i Sj taking the ordenarie Rat s due and accustomed upon payne of 
 
 their fynes." 
 
 It was found necessary to relax this stringent measure. 
 16 13, January 13th. 
 
 " Item, whereas there is an order for the iiij carryers for caryinge of 
 Merchants goods from the waterside into the towne, and for that is 
 informed at this Assemblie that those iv carryers have not performed the 
 same accordinge to the said order, Therefore it is this daie by the 
 Assemblie agreed, that ev'ie freeman may loade and carry goods from the 
 waterside, not takeinge above viij d the tune, and for yerne and solt packs 
 they bee already vi d . And that in harvest and seeding tyme Mr Maior 
 for the time beeinge shall appointe who shall carry w* theire teames, if 
 complaint of want of carriage be made to Mr Maior." 
 
 Town's Repeated mention is made in the records of the " Town's 
 
 Bargains. Bargains," or the employment of the public fund in mercantile 
 transactions. The Charter of Henry III. gave power to the 
 burgesses to have a mercatorial gyld, with a hanse and other 
 liberties. The gyld was not very unlike a modern joint-stock 
 company, in which all the freemen were shareholders. They 
 claimed to have the right of pre-emption of all goods im- 
 ported. If this was not exercised, they demanded a fine or 
 composition for allowing private traders to buy and sell. 
 
 The following entries will show the mode in which this 
 system was worked : — 
 1624, May 7th. 
 
 Town's Stock " Mem d At the Assemblie &c. Question being made and proposed by 
 employed. Mr Rd Rose Maior, what course might be thought most fitt and appro- 
 priate for the towne for the imployinge of the towne's stocke; it was 
 
COMMERCE AND COMMERCIAL RESTRICTIONS. 185 
 
 ordered and agreed upon by the said Assemblie videl' that Edward 
 
 Nicolson should have thirtie pounds, and should in consideracon thereof 
 
 deliv' unto the towne's use thirtie barrells of sound, sweet, and m'chaunta- 
 
 ble hearings ; And that he, the said Nicolson should have the sellinge of 
 
 the same hearings to the towne's use ; and what p'fitte shalbe made of the 
 
 same to be divided equally betweene the said Nicolson and the towne, 
 
 soe that it be above the some of two shillings #• pound for a yeare, or els 
 
 that the said Nicolson shall pay the money at the sale of the said 
 
 hearings togeither w" 1 the use accordinge to the statute the tyme that he 
 
 shall hould it. And that the remaynder and residue of the towne's stock 
 
 of money, shall be imployed and bestowed upon come for the towne's Buying of 
 
 benefitt and best p'fitte, and that Mr Maior and Bayliffs for the tyme Com - 
 
 beinge shall have the managinge and bestowinge therof in such mann' as 
 
 in their discrecions shall seem fitt for the towne's benefitt." 
 
 1646, April 24th, Thomas Blackmore, Mayor. 
 
 " At an Assemblie this day held &c. It is agreed that all goods 
 ymported & brought w^in this towne & Port shall not bee bought by the Goods bought 
 space of thirty dayes, by any p'ticler p'son, forreign' nor oth r , but that by Town. 
 the same shall bee bought by the Maior of this towne for the tyme being, 
 or such as the sayd Mr Maior shall appoynte, & that ev'y freeman 
 inhabitinge w^in this borrough shall have benefitt by the said bargayne, 
 soe hee bringe in his money to the value of five pounds att least, of w ch 
 hee shall receive his proportionable p'te w* the other free burgesses 
 inhabitants there ; & if, it chance there bee any losse upon such bargaines 
 ev'y ma' is to beere his share of losse accordingly, & it is ordered that noe 
 p'ticler p'son shall intermeddle to buy goods ymported w lh out the consent 
 of this house." 
 
 This is signed by the Mayor and twenty-one members of 
 the Common Council, two of whom, Thomas Ayndoe (Mayor 
 in 1655) and Robert Lurting, members of old Liverpool 
 families, not being able to write their names, make their 
 marks ! 
 
 Not long after this it was found that this system could not 
 
 be maintained, and on the 7th November, 1652, it was 
 
 " Ordered by the Assembly that the Ord 1 made in Mr Blackmoor's Prohibition 
 Maioraltie concerning the restraint & lymitation for the buying of goods withdrawn, 
 within xiiij teen dayes bee uttly disannulled and made voyde ; and voted 
 that hereafter anie freeman may buy goods and m'chandize at his will and 
 pleasure ; the other ord r upon good consideracon being found to bee both 
 inconvenient and p'judiciall to y e towne." 
 
 This was no doubt a step in the right direction, but the 
 
 AA 
 
i86 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 exclusion of all but freemen from carrying on business in the 
 town was continued long afterwards. 
 Restrictions. Restrictions of a very vexatious character were imposed 
 on buying and selling, and a continual struggle was carried on 
 by the endeavours of the freemen to evade the laws them- 
 selves, but rigidly to impose them on all others. 
 
 Women were to a certain extent admitted to the franchise, 
 for there is an entry of the 28th October, 1624, at the Port 
 Moot : — 
 
 " We p'sent Elizabeth Wynstanley Spinster for using the faculty of a 
 free woman, not beinge free." 1 
 
 1 Vidt supra, pp. 73, 75, 76. 
 
STREETS, BUILDINGS, AND SANITARY 
 PROVISIONS. 
 
 The occasional glimpses of the old topography are very 
 interesting. 
 
 The Pool or Lake was the harbour for shipping, after- Harbour, 
 wards converted into the Old Dock, now the site of the 
 Revenue Buildings and Post Office. 
 
 At a Port Moot, 27th October, 1628, 
 
 " The Jury agree that the Lyme stones and stones lyinge in the moreing Clearing, 
 place of shippinge w^in the Lake shalbee removed at or before Christmas 
 next, for that they are cause of cuttinge div s cables and puttinge the 
 barques to full sea, besides very p'ilous to the King's ferry." 
 
 We learn thus incidentally where the ferry boats took their 
 departure. 
 
 1635, November 23rd. 
 
 " It is ordered by the Assemblie That a bridge where the sluces, shalbee Bridge, 
 made at the Poole, upon the south side of the towne in some convenient 
 place there, as shalbee hereafter appoynted by this Assemblie. That a 
 Key and Harbor may bee made there for the succour of shippinge within 
 this towne." 
 
 1636, April 29th. 
 
 " It is agreed this day, before Thomas Bicksteth Maior &c. That there Key built, 
 shalbee a Key builte at the Poole, accordinge to the discrecon of the 
 Maior and Aldermen of the towne, and fower such Marin's as they or the 
 greater p'te thereof shall appoynte, whereof the said Maior shalbee the 
 first, and that Richard Tarleton and John Chauntrell shalbee ov'seers of 
 laying the foundacon thereof, and shall have such allowance therefor as 
 shalbee allowed by Mr Maior and the Aldermen." 
 
 The bridge was constructed near the embouchure of the 
 Pool Stream, about the bottom of King Street, following 
 
1 88 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 pretty nearly the line of College Lane. The precise position 
 
 of the Key is unknown. We have, unfortunately, no plan of 
 
 the town at this period. 
 
 The bridge in question was, no doubt, of wood. In 1655 
 
 it had fallen into disrepair. On January 23rd of that year, 
 
 Bridge " It i s ordered and agreed upon by y e Maior, Aldermen, and Comon 
 
 repaired. Coimcell assembled, y f the Poole Bridge w ch is in decay, shalbe forthwith 
 
 repaired and amended at y e town's charge, at y e sight and discression of 
 
 Mr Maior and Bailives." 
 
 1662, October 30th. 
 
 " It is ordred and agreed, that the Poole Bridge shalbe repaired, and 
 the way there amended, and that the inh'tants of Toxteth Park be desired 
 to be assisting with their teames and s'vants at that work." 
 
 This indicates the impulse which had been given to 
 increased facilities for the trade of the port. 
 
 The main road out of the town eastward crossed the 
 brook at the end of Dale Street. As the tide flowed up the 
 stream, no doUbt a bridge must have existed from a very early 
 period. This must have been of wood. 
 
 1654, January 8th, the Port Moot Jury 
 
 " Order there shall bee a stone bridge made in the Dale Streete at the 
 end of Mr Balive Lurtinge house, and that George Tarleton shall see to 
 the makinge of the walle that goeth downe Balive Lurtinge backside by 
 the water course, w th in 3 months tyme." 
 
 1658, January 10th. The Port Moot Court 
 
 Dale Street " order that the bridge at Dale Street end bee well and suffitiently 
 
 ™SXh f e P' ed > an d that a new flagge be laid ov' the watercourse at John Lurting"s 
 
 repaired. house endj before the j agt day of February next< „ 
 
 Town Walls. The town was put into a state of defence at the outbreak of 
 the civil war, but walls, or earthen ramparts, and gates had 
 existed previously. A muringer is mentioned amongst the 
 officers in the reign of Philip and Mary. 
 
 1 6 14, April 1st. At an Assembly, &c, 
 " it was agreed that first, the money collected and not paid or disbursed, 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 189 
 
 for the makinge and repayringe of the three gates 1 belonginge to this Gates. 
 towne, shalbee broughte in and deliv'ed to Mr Maior and his brethren for 
 the same use, and that hereafter the saide three gates shalbee made, 
 maintained, and repayred out of the Coinon box and charges of this 
 townes. And w^all, that the arrearages of the layes for that purpose 
 heretofore assessed, shalbee collected and deliv'ed as aforesaide." 
 
 1655, May gth. At an Assembly it was 
 
 " Ordered that the gates at the Dale Streete end, and all other the street Removal, 
 ends about this towne shalbe pulled up, taken away and cleered out and 
 the wayes and works levelled and causeyas made as formerly they were." 
 
 1659, October 7th. 
 
 " Ord'red that Coll Birch be moved to retorne speedily to London, to 
 the exercise of his trust as Burges for the Parliam', and that hee be 
 moved to cause the walls of the Castle to be demolished and the trench 
 filled up, according to votes and ord r of Parliam'." 
 
 Nearly seventy years, however, elapsed before this was 
 carried out. 
 
 Liverpool is situated on a stratum of new red sandstone, Quarries. 
 which eastwardly rises into eminences. Two of these, the 
 Quarry Mount — now St. James's Cemetery — and the Brown 
 Low (anciently Brunelagh), now occupied by University 
 College, were for many ages used as stone quarries, of which 
 various notices appear. 
 
 1630, October 25th, Edward Turner is presented at the 
 
 Port Moot 
 
 " for getting stones upon Brownlow Hill and sellinge them into the Brownlow. 
 country." 
 
 The Old Fall Well was for ages a main source of water Fail well. 
 for the inhabitants. It was situated on the Great Heath, 
 near the corner of St. John's Lane and Roe Street. 
 
 1635, April 29th. Ordered 
 
 " thatjhe Fall Well shalbee amended att the Towne's chardge, att the 
 discrecon of the new Ballives, and that noe manner of p'son shall wash 
 either yarne or woole there upon paine of three shillings and four pence 
 for ev'y offence." 
 
 1 These gates were doubtless at the ends of Dale Street, Tithebam Street, and Oldhall Street. 
 
igo CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Great care was taken to preserve the Commons from 
 
 encroachment. 
 
 1619, July 7th. 
 
 Commons " The Assemblie were crediblie informed, that div's p'sons inh'itinge 
 
 protected. forth of the lib'ties of Liv'poole, vid'let at the Loe (Lowhill) Everton, and 
 other places thereabouts, have digged, and gotten upp turves upon the 
 heath and Comon belonginge to this towne, whereby the Comon is very 
 much decayed, and the be'nefite of the Comon is neere lost unto the 
 inh'itants of Liv'poole. It is therefore this daie ordred, that two sufficient 
 men shalbe appointed (by Mr Deputy to and w th the consent of the 
 Aldermen) to cut the turves that are now digged and lye upon the 
 Comon ; And the Mosse Reeves to make enquirie what towne's men have 
 any turves digged upon the Comion, and. theire turves to bee spared." 
 
 Brick Making. The Commons were also utilised for making bricks. 
 1615, May 16th. 
 
 " It was agreed by the consent of the Maior and Assemblie, that 
 Thomas Douse Brickleyer, shall have free libertie to make bricke and to 
 get clay where hee shall bee appointed by the officers of the towne for 
 that purpose deputed, and this lycence to continue noe longer then untill 
 Michaelmas come twelvemonth, but upon lykeinge. 
 
 " And to s r ve the free burges of the towne for viij s the thousand." 
 
 16 1 g, October 29th. 
 
 " Richard Salmon, brickmaker is allowed to make bricke, and shall 
 allowe and deliv' unto the freemen of this towne and for their burges owne 
 use, bricks at the rate of viij s the thousand, allowinge five score and xij 
 bricks to the hundred." 
 
 Scavenging and cleansing were still in a very primitive 
 
 state. 
 
 1648, November 17th. 
 
 Scavenging. " Forasmuch as complaint is made by the scavengers of this towne, 
 that they canot p'vaile with the inhabitants Jor clenseing of y e streets, but 
 are abused and much afronted in the execucon of their office, it is there- 
 fore ordered by Mr Maior, the Aldermen, Ballives and the greatest p'te of 
 the Comon Councell assembled, that from henceforth the scavengers for 
 the tyme being shall have power to hyer men to dense the streets before 
 everie man's doore where they see cause, and shall have power imediatly 
 to distraine upon such of the inh'itants goods as shalbe faultie herein, and 
 pay for the same, restoreing them the overplus. And if anie shall resist 
 or oppose the p'formance of this ord r , they are to be bound to y e peace, or 
 punished otherwise, as Mr Maior in his discresion shall think fitt." 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. igi 
 
 1656, January 21st, Thomas Andoe, Mayor. 
 
 " It is ord'red that all the Middingsteeds that are in y e compas of the Middens, 
 streets of this towne, shalbe removed, and the places paved suytable to J " 
 
 y e rest of y e streets, or els everie owner of such middingsteed is to cause 
 them to be walled out with sufficient mason's work fowre foote high, at 
 y e least, at or before y e first day of June, on paine of xx s , soe as they may 
 not bee a nuisance to anie as formerly the same have beene ; to y e use of 
 y* poore and to be levied as above." 
 
 To this document the Mayor signs his mark. 
 
 About the middle of the century, the community seem to 
 have been troubled by the great numbers of swine going Swine. 
 at large in the streets, and it took some years of vigorous 
 repression before the nuisance could be abated. 
 
 1654, October 18th. 
 
 " Att an Assembly holden in the Comon Halle before the Worp" Robt Regulations 
 Cowell Gent. Maior, and Councel assembled ; It is ord'red, that for about Swine - 
 as many and great nuseances, greivances, and inconveniences, are and 
 have beene done by reason of swyne goeing abroad in the streetes, which 
 ought to bee kept up in their styes and backsides, soe that the market 
 and other people might not bee p'judiced the eby. That from and after 
 the nynth day of November next all owners of swyne within this towne, 
 shall keep them up upon the Sabbath dayes and Satturdayes, soe as that 
 they may not come into the streetes. And that in default thereof 
 the Heyward for the time being, shall take and impound the said swyne 
 in a Pinfould to bee by him mad and p'vyded for that purpose, and the 
 said Heyward shall keepe cloose and detaine the said swine, untill the 
 owners of- them shall pay unto him for his care and service in this 
 p'tculer fower pence a head .... And alsoe the above Heyward is 
 required to take and impound everie swyne that shalbee found unrung, 
 trespassing in anie grounds whatsoever about this towne, and them detaine 
 as aforesaid ; and all offic rs and freemen are required to be ayding and 
 assisting to him in the^execucon of this ord r , which if hee neglect, hee is to 
 bee displaced and lose his office." 
 
 It will be observed that this order only requires the swine 
 to be kept up on Saturdays and Sundays. On the other days 
 of the week they were free to roam as they pleased. The 
 year following (1655) a stricter order was issued : — 
 
 " Forasmuch as dyvers orders have beene formerly made .... con- 
 cerning y e keeping up of swyne w ch area generall nuisance, w ch said orders 
 
ig2 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 are not obs'ed. It is therefore ord'red by the worp" Mr Maior, the Alder- 
 men, Bailives, and Councell assembled, that from and after y e first day of 
 March next, all the inhabitants of this towne shall take course to keepe 
 
 Styes. up their swyne upon their own backsyds, or in styes to be made for that 
 
 purpose ; soe as none of their swyne may be found abroade in -f- streets, 
 or trespassing in other mens grounds or gardens, upon paine for ev'ie 
 owner to forfait to y e use of y* poore of y s Corporacon, twelve pence for 
 everie swyne toties quoties, immediately to be levied by distresse and sale 
 of their goods. 
 
 Dead Swine. " Ordered that wheareas there is many dead swyne found at the water 
 syde and other carrion and lastalls to y e annoyance of the people ; It is 
 ord'red that the now Maior and Baylives shall cause them to be buried, 
 and hereafter if anie one shall offend in not causing the said swyne, dead 
 swyne, and carrion, to be buried at their owne charge, they shall forfait 
 for everie such offence iij s iiij d to be levied and disposed as aforesaid." 
 
 1659, July 4th. 
 
 Swinecote. " Wee ord r that the swynecoate joyneing unto the Church wall be puled 
 
 downe and that noe inh'itant keep any swyne loose in y 6 church yeord, 
 nor anie other p'sons whatsoever there, in paine of x s a peece." 
 
 1653. December 10th. A feeble attempt was made to 
 
 light the streets in very primitive fashion. 
 
 Lighting. " At an Assembly &c it was Ord'red that two lanthorns w" 1 twoe candles, 
 
 burneing ev'ie night in y e dark moone be sett out at the High Crosse, and 
 at Whyte Crosse & places p'pared to sett them in, ev'ie night till past 
 8 of clock by y° Sj r ant and water Ballive. 
 " This to be obs'ved from All Saints to Candlemas." 
 
 Plague. The town had been visited by the plague in 1558, when 
 
 very wise precautions were taken and crowned with success. 
 In the seventeenth century its ravages were more frequent 
 and destructive. In 1639, there is a reminiscence of the 
 previous visitations in dealing with the land in " Sickman's 
 Lane " (now Addison Street), for the purpose of getting marl. 
 
 In 1647, Lancashire and Cheshire were again visited. 
 
 On June 12th it is 
 
 " Ordered that strict watch be kept by y e townesmen because of y e rumor 
 of y e sicknes to be begune in Warrington." 
 
 1647, J une 29th. 
 "It was propounded by the Governor, concerning the distraccbns 
 
ST&EETS AND BUILDINGS. 193 
 
 betwixt the armie &c and other p'ticulers at this assembly, whereunto 
 answere was made ' That it is the desire of Mr Maior y e Aldermen and 
 Comon Councell that in all things there may be a free & faire complyance 
 betwixt the townesmen and y e soldiers, and withall doe hold it fit, and ord r 
 that the townesmen from tyme to tyme according to Mr Maiors direccon 
 shall joyne w" 1 the soldiers in keeping Wach, and that noe Chester nor Watch and 
 Warrington people nor their goods during y e time of this infeccon shallbe Ward - 
 admitted to come into this towne." 
 
 1647, September 22nd. 
 
 " A colleccoh is to be made for raiseing of moneys for y e poore of Collection. 
 Warrington, who have lately been visited with y e sicknes,_in regard of an 
 Ord r of y e Justices at y e Sheriffe's Board, for contribucon through the 
 Hun r of Westderbie 24 s o8 d ." 
 
 1648, February 3rd. 
 
 " A certificate of all the moneys receaved and charges disbursed, con- Charges, 
 cerning the late sicknes heere, to be made unto the Gent and Justices at 
 the Assizes, and Mr Ballive Sturzaker ordered to goe to Lane', to solizit 
 them for the obtaineing of the x B allotted to the poore infected of this 
 towne, and to p'cure the certificate read, w* was donne accordingly, and 
 gave great satisffaccon and content, at y e Sheriffe's Board. And ordred 
 that the 40 u assessed within 5 myles, shalbe levied and paid accordingly. 
 
 " Ordred by the Comon Councell that those in the Cabbins shalbe sett 
 free." 
 
 1648, February 14th. 
 
 " It is this day ordred by Mr Maior, the Aldermen and Comon Councell Release, 
 assembled, that the p'sons shutt up in their howses within this towne, 
 upon the suspition of the sicknes and infeccon, may tomorrow be sett at 
 lib'tie, and the gards taken offe upon condition they first shew themselfe 
 unto the officers appoynted for p'vyding for the poore, that they are all in 
 health. ' , 
 
 " W* was donne accordingly, praised be God for his m'cie in o r speedie 
 delivrance." 
 
 1648, April 7th. 
 
 " Mem d that the 3 rd Portmoote Court w ch shold have beene held at after Court 
 Xmas, was deferred and put of by reason of the sicknes and infeccon postponed, 
 happe'ing in certaine howses in the Chappell Strete ; w ch through the 
 blessing of God (great care being taken) and much cost bestowed in 
 buylding of Cabbans and removing the said families forth of the towne 
 into the said Cabins.it ceased in two months tyme, with the death of 
 about 8 or 9 p'sons of meane qualitie." 
 
 B B 
 
194 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 The following year a return was apprehended. 
 
 1649, February gth. 
 
 Return of " Ordered that in regard the towne is a garrison, and y 15 sicknes danger- 
 
 Sickness, ously dispersed ; the abundance of poore, with the assistance of the 
 Governor and soldiers shalbe kept out." 
 
 1650, April 2nd. 
 
 Regulations. " Whereas it is certainly reported, that the sicknes in Dubline, w* by 
 reason of the entercourse from thence may prove dangerous to this towne ; 
 it is therefore ord'red, that all owners and passengers comeing from thence 
 shalbe restrained and debarred from comeing into this towne, unles they 
 cann make oath that they have not beene in anie infected place, nor 
 brought over anie infected goods or passing" from thence, and be allowed 
 of by Mr Maior ; and a Warrant to be drawen up for y e guard to examine 
 all passing' 3 comeing from thence, until they be sworne & examined, w * 
 was donne accordingly." 
 
 Again, on the 16th June, 1650, 
 
 " It is alsoe agreed that the p'sons restrained are to be admitted to come 
 into the towne, and if hereafter anie shal p'sume to goe to Dubline or anie 
 other place infected, they shalbe restrained from comeing on shore." 
 
 Suspension. 
 
 The infection had returned. At an 
 
 1 65 1, October 8th. 
 Assembly, &c. 
 
 " It is ordred, that the Ballives shalbe freed from the collecting of the 
 fynes_because of the p'sent condicon of the towne in regard of the 
 infeccon." 
 
 1 65 1, October 25th. 
 
 Regulations. " At an Assembly &c, it was p'pounded concerning the setting at lib'tie 
 of Mrs Chambers and Balive Sturzaker, who have been seaven 
 weekes confyned for suspition of the sicknes. It is ord'red that they 
 may have lib'tie to walk to the water syde, but are to sequester 
 themselves from companie, and at the seacond or third dayes of 
 January to bee free & at lib'tie, if nothing hapen but wel in y= meane 
 tyme ; also that Ball. Sturzaker may have lib'tie in the night tyme to 
 come up to his shop, and to use What meanes hee pleases for clensing it. 
 And John Lunte to continue in his howse for a forthnight." 
 
 1652, January 14th. 
 
 " Ord d That the Schoolm' shall have his whole q re wages notwithstand- 
 yng his discontinuance of teaching by reason of the sicknes." 
 
STSEETS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 195 
 
 "Ord d That Mr William Williamson shall goe to Wigan, concerning Collections. 
 the ley to be collected for y* poore and infected, and to solizit the Justices 
 of Peace for y° furtherance of the payment thereof." 
 
 1653, June 9th. 
 
 " Mem d Ord'red that Capt Thomas Croft shall have 3]Jjpaid him by y e 
 Balives forth of y e towne's stock, in lew and consideracon of his howse 
 and lands w* was spoyled by y e infected p'sons being put there in y" time 
 of God's vizitacon of y 5 sicknes in this towne.' 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Puritanism. In the early part of the seventeenth century, the puritani- 
 
 cal influence was gaining ground in the Church, and disputes 
 about the mode of conducting divine service were frequent. 
 The Corporation took great interest in Church affairs. 
 Although Liverpool was in the parish of Walton, and its 
 chapel a mere succursal to the mother church, the Liverpool 
 
 independence authorities seem to have been quite independent, and exer- 
 cised supreme authority in Church affairs, appointing and 
 paying the salaries of the incumbents. 
 
 SirT. In 1598, on the resignation of Mr. Bentley, Sir Thomas 
 
 Wainewright was appointed. 1 He is the last to whom the 
 prefix of " Sir" is applied in the records. 
 
 1610, October 25th. Amongst the orders of the Port 
 Moot we find — 
 
 Surplice. " Item, we agree that Mr Waynewright shall weare the s'plus ev'y 
 
 Sabothe and ev'y holiday at the tyme of Dyvine S'vice." 
 
 " Item that he shall weare the S'plus at all tymes that he shall meet 
 any Corps, as well poore as riche." 
 
 1612, October 26th. At a Port Moot — 
 
 " We agree y l the Clerke of the Church shall weare his Surplus and 
 reade the first chapter in the body of the Churche, and lykewise shall 
 Hair. cause his haier to be cut of a comly and seemely length in such decent 
 
 maner as best befitteth a man in his place." 
 
 1616, February 5th. At an Assemblie, &c. 
 
 Providing " It was consydered by the Maior Alderm' & Assemblie for the 
 
 Preacher. p'vydinge of a preacher to lyve w^in the towne, and it was then 
 
 condescended unto, y' some honest devyn and good preacher should 
 
 Vide supra, p. ioo. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 197 
 
 be enquired for, & such a one as would both serve the cure and 
 preache, & upon cominge of such preacher, the Assemblie to meet againe, 
 and so to conferre of a competent wage for his mantenance and allow- 
 ance." 
 
 1622, October 20th. A Memorandum of Agreement, by 
 
 which the Corporation appoint 
 
 "James Hyatt, Batchelor of Divinity and preacher of God'sword, and Hyatt 
 covenant to provide him a house, and to pay him ' the some of tenn appoint® 3 - 
 pounds curraunt English money at the feasts of the Annunciacon of 
 o' blessed ladie St Mary the_Virgine and St Michell the archaungell, by 
 even porcons. In consideracon whereof, the said James Hyatt doth 
 assume and promise that he will continue preacher and lecturer at 
 Liv'poole soe longe as the Lord Bushoppe of Chester for the time beinge, 
 and John Parker of London Esquier, or his executors, shall not enforce Parker's 
 the said James Hyatt to leave his being at Liv'poole. Or els that he the consent - 
 said James Hyatt be not p'ferred unto some p'sonage or vicarage of his 
 owne." 
 
 Some difficulty appears to have arisen. Mr. Parker here 
 mentioned was applied to, to give his consent, and sent the 
 following reply. He dates from the Court at Whitehall, but 
 what was his particular influence over Mr. Hyatt does not 
 appear. 
 
 1623, January 7th. 
 
 " After my most hartie comendacons, I purposed upon the receite of Letter from 
 yo r letter, to have made you an answer accordinge to yo r desyre, but Parker, 
 that at the instante I mett with a gentleman of yo r cuntrie who desyred 
 me to let Mr Hyatt remaine in the place where he then was ontill his 
 retorne out of the cuntrie againe, as I then writt both to my lord Bushopp 
 and to Mr Hyatt, who beinge removed as it seemeth, before unto yo r 
 towne, I referre his continuance there unto the care of my lord Bushopp, 
 who better knowes the necessitie of every place than I who am a stranger 
 in the cuntrie. And if he thinketh it fitter for him to remayne w th you, 
 than in any other place, both in regard of yo r want and his abilitie to doe 
 good amongst you, I shall be very well pleased, for my part, who have 
 noe other ayme but God's glory, and the good of those who want 
 enstruccon, and have not meanes to come by it to be guided by his Lo pps 
 advise. And soe I comitte you to God's holy will and protection. Ever 
 restinge 
 
 " Yo' very assured frend 
 
 " John Parker. 
 " from the cor* at Whythall." 
 
ig& 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— ri66o. 
 
 Hyatt accepts Mr Hyatt accepted the invitation and terms. 
 1623, March 13th. 
 
 Residence. "At an Assemblie it was concluded and agreed y' Mr Hyatt shall 
 
 enjoy dureing the term of fyve years, that p'te of the Old Hall whereof he 
 is now possessed and being the inheritance of Edward Moore Esquier, 
 and the said Maior and Aldermen doe undertake for to discharge the 
 rente thereof yerely, beinge foure pounds thirteene shillings and foure 
 pence. And the said Maior, Aldermen, and Comon Councell, doe under- 
 take for them and their successors, that after the expiracon of the said 
 terme of fyve yeres, they will pay unto the said Mr Hyatt yerely the 
 
 Salary. some of fourteene pounds, for soe long tyme as the said Mr Hyatt shall 
 
 continue his teachinge and ministrie a£ Liv'poole. To be paid at such 
 tymes and feasts as the said Mr Hyatt is to be paid x u yerly dureinge 
 the said fvye yeres, w"* he is to hold the Old Hall." 
 
 The Mayor and Corporation seem at this time to have 
 exercised supreme authority within the borough in eccle- 
 siastical as well as civil matters. 
 
 1623, December 16th. 
 
 " At an Assemblie held in the Comon Hall &c it was considered That 
 whereas the place where the first and second Lessons are usually reade 
 in the Chappell of jthis towne, was thought much more convenient for 
 the readinge of Comon Prayer than the place in the Chancell where it 
 form'ly hath been reade, in respect the same place is in the midle of the 
 same church, and in full audience and viewe of the whole congregacon, 
 where the other in the chancell is but in viewe & hearing of p'te of the 
 auditory. Yt is therefore thought fit, ordered, and decreed, that a pue or 
 Pue or Quere. quere shalbe forthwith erected & built in the same place where the said 
 first & second Lessons have beene heretofore usually reade, And that as 
 well the Minister as the clarke for the tyme being shall in the same queare 
 publish and reade as well dyvine service and comon prayers, as alsoeboth 
 first and second Lessons & such other rites and ceremonies as doth 
 belong or app'tayne to the Church of England." 
 
 1621. January 2 1 st. 
 
 Mr. Swift " A* an assem bly in the Common Hall before Ollyver Fairehurst, 
 
 Preacher. Maior &c, upon former speeches of hyreing e Mr Swift to be a preacher 
 here, and to come at the Ann'ciacon next. It is agreed and concluded 
 upon this day by the said Mr. Maior and whole assemblee, that the said 
 Mr Swift shall have xxx u $• ann, to preache here, to be paid quarterly every 
 yere. And the Mayor for the tyme beinge to see the paym te p'formed." 
 
 Mr. Swift remainded little more than five years. 
 
 Reading of 
 Lessons. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 199 
 
 1626, September 1st. Mr. Edwin Lappage was elected / 
 
 his successor. His appointment took the form of a legal 
 contract as follows. 
 
 " James Lord Strange 1 Maior. Att an assembly holden at the Towne Lappage 
 Hall before Rich 4 Rose Aid" Deputy Maior, and the greatest p'te of the Preacher. 
 Comon Councell. Yt was ordered and decreed by the whole Assembly, 
 that Edward Lappage clerk, now minister and preacher of God's word 
 in this towne, shall forev' hereafter dureing his life upon the contynue- 
 inge and exerciseinge his ministry or preaching w* in this towne accord- 
 inge as hee now doth, shall have clerely and yerely payd him over and 
 above all fees, chardges, and other p'fitts belonging to the Church or 
 Chappell of Liv'pool, out and from this towne the some of xx 11 at Michael- 
 mas, Cristemas, Lady Day, and Midsomer, by equall porcons, the first 
 payment to begin at Michaelmas next, and soe to contynew yerely. And 
 that the said sev'all payments shalbe paied him by the balives of this 
 towne for the tyme beinge. And that the said church dutyes and other 
 benefitts, the said Maister Lappage shall retaine them himself in kind 
 (to his own use) as they shall grow due. 
 
 " And in consideracon theirof, the said Maister Lappage doth hereby Contract, 
 assure and promise that hee will continew his ministry and preachinge 
 w^in this towne dureinge his life tyme (upon true payment and receivinge 
 the afforesaid allowance) accordinge to his best ability and understand- 
 inge as God shall enable him, otherwise he is not bound by this order. 
 And further, yt is concluded that the King's alloweance allowed yerely to 
 this towne towards a minister, shalbe at the next Audit at Warrington 
 clerely paied to the said Mr Lappage to his own use and forev' after to the 
 use of the towne." 
 
 Richard Rose, Deput' Maior 
 Edward Lappage, Minister." 
 
 There seems to have been a desire to make the minister 
 
 comfortable, for on October igth, 1627, 
 
 " Yt is ord'ed that the towne shall lend unto Mr Lappage a reasonable Milk Cow for 
 Milk Cowe whilst he remaineth a preachinge minis* here, and shalljiave Preacher, 
 allowed yerely for her keepinge ov' his 20^ pounds wages the some of 
 46 s 8 a and y_' the same shalbe paid at May Day and at St James's day by 
 equall porcons and that the said cowe shalbe changed at the discrecon of 
 the forty or great' p'te thereof." 
 
 A very important condition is attached to this grant. 
 
 " That if the said Mr. Lappage shall hereafter publicly murmer or sue p reacner not 
 for more allowance, then this order to be void." to murmur. 
 
 1 Subsequently the 7th Earl of Derby, beheaded at Bolton 15th October, 1651. He was 
 married in June, 1626, to Charlotte de la Tremouille, the celebrated Countess. 
 
200 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Petition for 
 
 Weekday 
 
 Sermons. 
 
 Answer. 
 
 Course of 
 Sermons. 
 
 Kay. 
 Broxopp. 
 
 Turner. 
 Conditions. 
 
 Mather. 
 
 i62g, August 25th, the following petition was presented: — 
 
 "John Walker Maior 
 
 " To the Right Rev'end father in God, John, Lord Bi'pp of Chester. 
 "The humble peticon of the Maior and his brethren of the Corporacon 
 of Liv'poole. 
 
 " Sheweth unto yo r Lo pp That whereas it is a M'kett towne and a 
 towne of greate resort, and many papists inhabittinge thereabouts. 
 
 " They humbly therefore intreate yo' Lo pp to graunt them 
 soe much favour as to afford them once a month two 
 sermons uppon some weeke day w* they shall thinke 
 most fitt and convenient and they will dayly pray for 
 yo r Lo pp ." 
 " Answer. 
 " I am well content that there bee a lecture monthly at Liv'poole as is 
 desired, to bee preached by such ministers as are conformeable to the 
 Canons of the Church, and to bee appointed by Mr Turner, Mr Alden, 
 Mr Ray and Mr Broxopp or any of them. 
 
 " Signed 
 
 "Jo. Cestr." 
 
 This permission was carried out according to the follow- 
 ing programme : — 
 
 " A course p'posed for the upholdinge and continuance of a 
 monthly Lecture graunted by my lo: B pp our Rev'end 
 ordinary at Liv'poole. 
 
 " Mr Kay the Vicar of Walton doth undertake for to p'cure the same 
 supplyed two monthes in the yere viz' November and February. 
 
 " Mr Broxopp doth undertake for M'ch and July. 
 
 " The Maior of Liv'poole w th their ordinary preacher are intreated as 
 assistants to take care for the supply of the other monthes. And that 
 they would give notice a month before, if it bee possible to the moderators 
 w ch shalbee there. 
 
 " That December and January shalbee intermitted. 
 
 "It is desired that Mr Turner would bee pleased to take care for the 
 supply of one month. 
 
 " That the moderato' 8 p'sent shall take notice whether any preacher 
 there speake or doe any thinge to p'judice the doctrine or discipline of 
 the Church of England." 
 
 " I undertake at Maior his request for Aprill and August. 
 
 "Rich d Mather." 
 
 This was entirely a Puritan movement, and very signifi- 
 cant of the times. No separation had as yet taken place 
 from the Episcopal Church of England, but within the 
 Church there was a strong revulsion against the high-handed 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 201 
 
 proceedings of Archbishop Laud (then Bishop of London), 
 combined with a tendency towards Presbyterianism. No- Presbyterian. 
 
 . * J ism. 
 
 where in the kingdom was this feeling stronger than in 
 Lancashire, where Protestantism was confronted by a 
 powerful Popish influence, a large proportion of the landed 
 gentry being Catholics. In Liverpool and Manchester, the 
 Puritan element prevailed. Bridgman, Bishop of Chester Bridgman. 
 at the time of this document, looked with favour on the 
 movement, though a few years subsequently, prompted by 
 Neile, Archbishop of York, he took a hostile position. 
 
 Mr. Nevil Kay, whose name heads the list of preachers, Kay. 
 became a Presbyterian during the Commonwealth, and his 
 name is to be found amongst the Lancashire Ministers who in 
 1640, signed the " Harmonious Consent," which was a docu- 
 ment condemning the republicans, with a bitter outbreak of 
 intolerance against all sectaries. 
 
 Richard Mather, whose name closes the list, was the Mather. 
 minister of the ancient chapel, Toxteth Park. He was 
 ordained by Bishop Bridgman, but afterwards silenced by 
 him in consequence of his Puritanical views. In 1635, he 
 escaped in disguise from Liverpool and found his way to 
 New England, where he became very popular and dis- 
 tinguished. His grandson, Cotton Mather, is well-known as 
 the historian of New England. 
 
 " 1633, Nov I st Yt is ord'ed that there shalbee morneinge pray 1 as Morning 
 form'ly hath beene. And that the Clark for the tyme beinge (if it can Prayers, 
 bee procured) shalbee made Deacon, and have added to his wages 
 vi s viij a #• ann." 
 
 " 1641, Deer 14 th It is agreed at this assembly, that from henceforth Mayor to find 
 the Maior of this towne for the tyme being & soe ev'y Maior, shall on his Preachers, 
 owne costs fynd the two preach' 5 yt preach ev'y exercise day ; togeith' w th 
 the preach' belonging to this towne & that henceforth that charge of 
 keepeing all the ministers shall cease, in regard the same hath bene 
 chargeable on the towne." 
 
 " 1643, Sept 22 nd It is this day ordered by an Assemblie that Mr Tompson 
 Tompson shalbe minister here, and shalbe content w* such allowance as appointed. 
 -f Colonells and deputie Leivetenn" shall appoynt and allowe to be sett 
 
 C C 
 
202 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Military. 
 
 Commission 
 of Colonels. 
 
 Minister's 
 Salary. 
 
 Two 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 Tompson. 
 
 Ellison. 
 
 out for y p'sent mantenaunce of a minister in the Burrough, together w* 
 such other dues and dueties as shalbe due unto him from y e towne &c. 
 
 The military element now predominated. The Parlia- 
 ment had taken possession, and sent down a commission of 
 officers to sequestrate the tithes and regulate ecclesiastical 
 affairs. In 1643, November 23rd, they issued the following 
 manifesto : — 
 
 " Liverpoole— Upon informacon that the towne of Liverpoole hath not 
 anie competent mantenance for y e Ministrie at their Church or ChapeU 
 there ; it being a M'ket towne and of great resort, a Garrison-towne and 
 the cheefe port of these parts ; the inhabitants manie and well affected. It 
 is therefore thought fit and soe ordered, that twoe able and orthodox minis- 
 ters be p'vyded to officiate there, and shall have out of the sequestracons 
 of the tithes of Walton, one hundrethjpounds a year to be divyded 
 betweene them by the Maior and the Comon Councell of Liverpoole as 
 they shall see_cause. And this stypend to be allowed by the Agents for 
 y e sequestracons for that division. 
 
 " Signed 
 
 " The sequestrators are to keepe 
 soe much in their hands of the 
 whole tythes as may make due 
 paym' of the some aforesaid 
 quarterly &c." 
 
 •« T Stanley 1 
 
 " Raphe Asheton 
 
 " Richard Hollands 
 
 " John Moore 
 
 "Rob t Hyde 
 
 " Thos Birche." 
 
 These gentlemen were all Colonels 
 
 in the Parliamentary Army. 
 
 Following up this order, on the 28th January, 1644, 
 
 " Att an assembly held before James Williamson Maior^John Moore 
 Coll. and Governor of the said port, the ald'men_and comon Councell 
 assembled, it was propounded concerning the eleccon of another minister, 
 it being Ordered by the Dep tie Leivtenn B that the yearly stypend of c" $• 
 ann shalbe allowed out of the tithes of Walton Parish to 2 orthodox 
 ministers, who are to officiate heere, to be disposed of betwixt them as 
 the said Maior and comon councell shall think, fitt. It is now therefore 
 ordered that Mr Joseph Tompson who was first elected minister to serve 
 heere, shall stand and be confirmed in the said place and office of cheefe 
 minister of this towne and shall from tyme to ty me take and receave to 
 his own use all church dues and dueties as the same shall respectively 
 become due. And that Mr David Ellison shall stand, and bee nominated 
 
 1 Ancestor of the present Earls of Detfby. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 203 
 
 and appoynted to serve as the other Minister and assistant to the said Mr 
 Tompson according to y" said order, and shall have the allowance of fifty 
 pounds ^ an. out of the said c u for his stypend and wages, quarterly to 
 be paid as afforsaid and the remaine shall accrue to the said Mr Tomp- 
 son according to the tenor of the said order." 
 
 " Tyme is given to Mr. Ellison to consider of this ord r ." 
 
 1644, March 18th. The order of the Commissioners of 
 November, 1643, was confirmed by Parliament as follows : — 
 
 " Att the Comittee of the House of Comons in Parliam 4 conc'ning 
 plundered ministers. 
 
 " Whereas Dr. Clare, Rector of the p'ish Church of Walton in the Dr. Clare, 
 county of Lancaster hath wholy disserted his said cure, and betaken him- 
 selfe to the forces raised ag' y* Parliam' It is ordered that the said 
 Rectory shalbe forth wth sequestred from the said Dr. Clare, and that Sequestration 
 all tythes, rents, duties and p'fitts of and w*in the severall and respective of Walton. 
 p'cincts of Toxteth p'ke Lyverpoole Formby and Kirkby w th in the said 
 p'ish shall stand and be sequestered to the use of such minister and 
 ministers as shall be nominated and apoynted to officiate the cures of and 
 in the severall and respective chapells w' h in the said sev'all p'cincts, and 
 that the third p' of all tythes rents duties and p'fitts of and belonging to 
 y* towne of Darby w^in the said parish shall stand and be sequesterd 
 to the use of such minister and ministers as shall be nominated and 
 apointed to officiate the cure of and w ,h in y* Chapel of Darby afforesaid, Derby Chapel 
 And that all y e rest and residue of all the tythes rents revenews and 
 p'fitts of y e said Rectory shall stand and be sequestered to y e use and 
 behoofe of Will m Ward M r of Arts, a godly and orthodox divine who is Ward. 
 hearby apointed to officiatt the cure of the said p'ish Church of Walton, Walton 
 and to preach diligently there, the said Mr Ward paying out of the same church - 
 to each of the said chapells of Liverpoole an d_ Toxteth p'ke (for an increase Liverpool, 
 of mantenance unto them) the yearly some of tenne pounds of lawfull Toxteth -. 
 monie of England and all other sum and sums of money and allowances 
 wherew th y e Vicaridge of Walton is endowed, and with paymen' whereof 
 the said Rectory stood charged ; And it is further ordered that y c said Mr 
 Ward shall have and receve to his owne use all tythes revenews and 
 p'fitts of the said Rectory whatsoever, until y e s d chapells shall be as affore- 
 said respectively p'vided for of ministers. 
 
 GlLBT MlLLINGTON." 
 
 In 164=?, Mr. Joseph Tompson was transferred to the Tompson 
 
 ^ J J r r .111* removed. 
 
 Rectory of Sefton, from which he was ejected under the Act 
 of Uniformity, in 1662. 
 
 164*, October 20th. Thomas Blackmore, Maior. 
 
 Fogg 
 " At an Assembly &c Mr Fogg was p'pounded to be minister heer and appointed. 
 
204 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 is approved of by this assemblie and ellected accordingly, and is to have 
 all the allowance of tythes if that will satisfie him or otherwise a com- 
 petent some is to be raysed by way of tax for his wages for this p'sent 
 yeare." 
 
 Fogg's saiaiy. There was considerable wrangling about Mr. Fogg's 
 salary. 
 
 " 1647, May 31 st P'pounded concerning Mr. Fogg, after y e draught of 
 an ord r red for y e towne to pay him 90" yearly and in lew thereof the 
 towne to have all y e tythes, it was respyted till another full meeting." 
 
 " 1647, Deer 23 rd Memorand' that a former order of this house made 
 concerning the paym' of seaven pounds unto Mr Fogg by Mr Ballive 
 CornelJ_is confirmed, yet nevertheles upon his and Mr Blackmore's 
 allegacons it is referred unto Mr Ball' Massam & William Lurting to 
 examine the rates and vallue of corne at that tyme, and to ord r and 
 compose the same busines, or to report their oppinnions to this house. 
 Who have since ordred und r theire hands and reported accordingly, 
 and therefore this Assembly doe thereupon againe ord r him to pay 6" in 
 full of the 7 U formerly ordered. 
 
 " And afterwards the 17 th of 8 br 1648 this house upon a further debate 
 ordred them to pay v u in full for y e 7" & the other xl s to . be paid by y e 
 towne." 
 
 Mr. Fogg appears to have looked pretty sharply after his 
 
 stipend and emoluments. 
 
 Adjustment of " 1650, Octr 31 st Forasmuch as it is made to appeare unto this house 
 Accounts. that the some of fiftie pounds, p'te of a yeere's tythes belonging to this 
 towne remains in the hands of Mr Tompson after hee was p'ferred unto 
 Sefton, w ch said some Mr Fogg o r minister challenged to be due and 
 payable to him, And now having relinquished the same soe that it 
 becomes payable to the Maior and Ballives to be disposed of to the use of 
 such Minister or Ministers as shall happen to officiate hereafter. It is 
 Tompson to therefore now ord'red that y° said Mr Tompson shall pay the said some of 
 pay. 50" by ten pounds in hand and xl B at the next monethe's end, to be dis- 
 
 posed of as above said. Ord'ly without detraccon or diminution in anie 
 wise to such Minister and Ministers as shall suply the place in the tyme 
 of vacansie." 
 
 1649. The execution of Charles I., in 1649, sent a great shock 
 
 through the country, and caused a considerable revulsion of 
 feeling amongst the Presbyterian party, which was increased 
 by the further execution of the Duke of Hamilton and the 
 Earl of Holland. The ministers of the Presbytery of Lanca- 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 205 
 
 shire, after observing many days of fasting and prayer, issued 
 a pastoral address, in which, whilst carefully avoiding all Pastoral 
 direct opposition to the existing government, they exhorted 
 their people to adhere stedfastly to their faith, and to prepare 
 for suffering in its defence. Cromwell, however, took prompt 
 measures to suppress any rising discontent. An order was - 
 issued requiring all ministers, publicly before their congrega- 
 tions, to take the engagement "to be true and faithful to the The 
 
 i- 1 • 1 ■ r engagement. 
 
 government established without king or house of Peers." 
 
 A meeting of the ministers in Lancashire and Cheshire Meeting of 
 
 ii-i- i-i •• 1--111 • 11 Ministers. 
 
 was held, in which opinions were divided, but it was resolved 
 by a majority 
 
 " that ' the engagement ' was not lawful, because the Solemn League League and 
 and Covenant was still binding, and because it was a prejudice to the Covenant - 
 right heir to the Crown." 
 
 Mr. Fogg was included in this majority, and therefore Fogg 
 for a time abandoned his charge. Hence the following super "' 
 proceedings : — 
 
 " 1 65 1 June 30 th James Williamson Maior. 
 
 " Att an_Assembly &c. It was propounded by Mr Maior concerning 
 the Elleccon of a Minister who (by the auntient custom heere tyme out 
 of mynde used) is to be elected, chosen, and approved of, by the said 
 Assembly. Upon full debate it was ordered and agreed upon that twoe 
 orthodox Ministers shold be elected to officiate heere for the future, in TwoMinisters 
 regard there is hopes of better meanes and allowance for their manten- a PP ointed> 
 ance in this place than formerly ; it being the cheefe Port and the only 
 garrison in these parts, and a place of great resort. That Mr Peter 
 Stanynough and Mr Michael Briscowe who are p'pounded and approved Stanynough 
 of, shall stand and bee elected Ministers joyntly to officiate and serve the Bnstowe. 
 cure heere ; they divyding the meanes and allowance as it shall falle 
 equally betwixt them, according to the Comittees order. 1 And for ' 
 p'cedence as they can agree, dureing their good demeano' only and untill 
 further order in this behalfe." 
 
 These appointments were unfortunate. Mr. Stanynough, 
 soon after his election, it is recorded, "resygned and 
 
 1 Vide supra, p. 202. 
 
206 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D* 1603^-1660. 
 
 Rigby. relinquished the place." Mr. James Rigby was nominated 
 in his stead. 
 
 Bothdecline. " 1651, Sept. 10 th Mem d that Mr. Briscow hath sent a letter of resig- 
 nacon and refuses to come, being otherwise ingudged (engaged) to the 
 place where hee formerly lived. 1 Mr Rigby discontinues by reason of the 
 sicknes, since W* tyme the towne (being disapoynted) some overture hath 
 beene made concerning Mr Fogg's retorne, w ch may be effected if hee (by 
 subscrybeing the ingudgm* (engagement) put himselfe in a capacitie to 
 officiate in this Garrison, w ch the towne is very desireous of and have 
 written to him to that purpose." 
 
 " 1652, Jany. 14* Att an Assemblie held this day before Thomas 
 Williamson Maior &c it was p'pounded concerning the electing of a 
 minister, whereupon by a generall consent of this house they doe nominate 
 and elect John Fogg clerk to be minister hereafter, p'vyded that hee sub- 
 scrybe the Ingudgem', and declare his consent and submission unto 
 the p'sent governem'. 
 
 " W* afterwards hee did accordingly p'forme and is established." 
 
 " l6 53> J an y« 3 lSt - Mem d at an Assembly &c. It was p'pounded by 
 Mr John Fogg Minister of the Corporacon to have y e overplus of a yeare's 
 p'fitt in his absence to be p d him, and of y e 50" paid in by Mr Joseph 
 Tompson. 
 
 "2. To be freed by the Corporacon of all leyes and taxacons w 1 * hee 
 aleadged was p'mised at his comeing to be donne. 
 
 " 3. To have all y" Church dues paid unto him, and to have y e towne's 
 assistance in y e collecting of them, and to have y b arreres of the x u $■ ann 
 due to y e Minister heere to be paid him by Mr Ward, parson of Walton. 
 
 " 4. To have six moneth warning given him whensoev r he is to be 
 removed. 
 
 " All w ch p'positions being made by y e said Mr Fogg w' h a long apoligie ; 
 after hee was withdrawen and departed, the said p'ticulers were taken 
 into consideracon, and ord'red and answered as followeth viz'. 
 
 " To the first, that there is noe ov r plus at all left, the said moneys being 
 wholly bestowed upon such ministers as supplyed heere in his absence 
 and in y e beginning of y e tyme of y e visitatacon heere. 
 Arrangement. " And to y e seacond it was ord'red formerly by this Assembly y* hee 
 shold pay his proporcon in all leyes and taxacons &c. 
 
 "To the third it is readily granted him that all Church dues shalbe paid 
 him, and that y e towne's officers wilbe readie to assist him in y e collect- 
 ing of them if they be denyed, and y* if anie bee in arreare it is his owne 
 fault in not calleinge for them. 
 
 "To the fourth, they will not be bound to anie other notice but in 
 curtesie.' 
 
 " i°55 July n- At an Assemblie &c Mr John Fogg Minister presents 
 
 Fogg 
 reappointed 
 
 Demands 
 Salary. 
 
 Church Dues. 
 
 Warmesley, near Manchester. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 207 
 
 a petition ' whereby hee desires that the house and backsyde called Fogg's 
 Cooke's house situate in the Tythe Barrie Streete, lately confiscate and House • 
 fallen into the towne's hands may be allowed and sett appart unto him for 
 a habitation, and soe to continue unto all other Ministers. It is therefore 
 ordered and agreed that the said house shalbee allowed unto him and his 
 successors, Provided they shall inhabite and dwell there, and shall keep 
 the same in repaire. And this guifte to stand and be in lewe and 
 satisfaccon of all moneys and legacies heretofore given and bequeathed 
 unto the Ministers here.' " 
 
 Mr. Fogg continued his ministry until 1662, when he was 1662. 
 
 Foffff ejected* 
 
 ejected under the Act of Uniformity, and soon after, through 
 the operation of the Five Mile Act, he had to withdraw from 
 the neighbourhood. 
 
 During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries many 
 bequests were made to the Chapel of Liverpool, of which the 
 records make mention. 
 
 In 1520, (21st Henry VIII.), Dame Cecilia Halghton, Bequests by 
 widow of Ewan Halghton, late of Liverpole, bequeathed seven a g 
 messuages and ninety-seven acres of land in the Manors of 
 West Derby and Wavertree, in order to provide a fit and able 
 chaplain to celebrate divine offices in the Chapel of the 
 blessed Mary and Saint Nicholas the Bishop, in Liverpole, at 
 a certain altar called " Our Lady's Altar." 
 
 Sk years afterwards, this, with the other chantries, was 
 suppressed, and the endowment confiscated to the Crown. 
 
 In 1635, Thomas Moore bequeathed to the chapel £5. Moore. 
 
 The same year, Judith Ulster left £50, one-half to the Ulster. 
 chapel, the other half to the school and the poor. 
 
 1636. Robert Williamson and his wife Samuell 1 bequeath Williamson. 
 £5 to the minister, £5 to the school, and £5 to the poor. 
 
 In 1653, £20 was bequeathed by Richard Holmes for the Holmes, 
 purpose of paying 20s a year to the Minister of Liverpool, and 
 the authorities were directed 
 
 *Su in the records, where it is entered twice in different years. The Christian name 
 Samuell applied to a woman is almost unique. 
 
208 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 " to take_ speedie course and use their utmost endeavo r for obtaining of 
 satisfaccon thereof." 
 
 Inquiries were made, and a report made as follows : — 
 
 " That one Richard Houlmes by his last will nuncupative gave the sum 
 of twentie pounds to be imployed for the use of the minister of Liver- 
 poole yearly, if John Houlmes his sonne should happen to dye in his 
 minoritie, and left Thomas Tarleton Ald'man, and John Williamson 
 Executo" who as is conceaved ought to have paid the same accordingly ; 
 the said John Houlmes being long absent and suposed to be dead. It is 
 therefore Ord'red that a peticon bee drawen up and p'ferred to y" Comis- 
 sion rs forpious uses, and that Mr Washington be solizited to give in his 
 informacon concerning this business at Prescott, w* was done accord- 
 ingly, but the Com rs have declared y e it is not within their charge to 
 intermeddle in it, since w ch it alsoe appeers that John Houlmes is yet 
 lyveing." 
 
 Williamson. In 1655 there came into possession a bequest made to 
 
 the Church by John Williamson, described as a " Bere- 
 brewer" (Mayor in 1638). The transaction was carried out 
 in rather a peculiar way. 
 
 Lands On January 26, 1628, by a deed in Latin, Williamson 
 
 bequeathed to , _ 
 
 Minister. surrenders two closes or parcels of copyhold land, in West 
 Derby, for the purpose of their being regranted to certain 
 trustees named, 
 
 " Ad opus et_usum tal" p'sone et p' tali statu et statibus et $■ tap 
 usibus et intencon'jt in tali modo' et_forma et subt' tal' condicones et 
 p'visiones et limitacones quaP sint menconat', express' et declarat' limitat' 
 et apunctuat' in et #• quosdam Indentur' " &c. 
 
 The accompanying indenture is in English, and provides 
 that the trustees, immediately after the death of the testator, 
 shall be seized of the above lands, and that the possessors 
 and occupiers 
 
 " shall thereout yearly at the feasts_ of the Nativitie of o 1 Lord God 
 and St John Baptist by equall porcons or within twentie dayes next 
 ensueing pay for ever unto such p'son as for the time being shalbee an 
 able Preaching Minister and shall constantly everie Sabath, preach the 
 Word of God in the Chappell of Liverpoole, and shalbee approved of 
 and allowed of by the Maior of Liv'poole, and fyve of the frequentest 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 209 
 
 Comunicants which shalbee dwelling within Liverpoole afforesaid, the 
 yearely some of fower pounds of lawful monie of England," &c. 
 
 The churchwardens were appointed by the Council, who church- 
 
 ... -. wardens. 
 
 were the regulators of all matters, ecclesiastical as well as 
 civil. 
 
 There are various presentments for Sabbath offences, Sabbath 
 e.g. — Keeping company during the hours of divine service; 
 for selling on the Sabbath day ; for leading corn on St. Mat- 
 thew's day ; " for tusleinge. one upon another at the time of 
 divine service"; for unlawful gaming; for absence from 
 church at evening prayers ; for keeping a pyper in his house 
 on the Sabbath day, &c. 
 
 1648, October 23rd, Port Moot entry : — 
 
 " Wee agree that the Churchwardens for the tyme being shall make 
 their p'sentments to Mr Maior monethly towching breach of y e Saboth 
 and monthly faste, according to Ordinance of Parliament." Fast. 
 
 " It is also ordered that all such householders or other p'sons as shall 
 neglect the strict observeing of Sundayes and fast dayes and shall not 
 frequent the church, but either loyter, or stay abroade drinkeing, or shalbe 
 disordered and taken in anie misdemeano™ shalbe severly punished and 
 shall forfaite for everie offence 40 s ." 
 
 In August, 1653, an Act of Parliament was passed 
 
 requiring a registrar to be appointed of burials, births, and Registrar. 
 
 marriages in each parish. The following entry relates 
 
 thereto : — 
 
 " 1653, Nov' 2 At an Assembly &c Whereas a peticon was referred 
 the last Sessions by the Register of this Parish against the Maior of this 
 Corporacon concerning the deliv'ie of y° Reg r Book to him, and a l're or 
 ord re thereupon from the Justices. It is ordred that hee may if hee please 
 tak a copie of y e book kept by the Church Clark, but y* notw^standing the Register 
 Church Clark shall p'ceede to register all burials, births and marriages Book - 
 within the towne as formerly, as being y e towne's remembranc' and shall 
 have y 6 fees due & accustomed paid him for y° said s'vice." 
 
 This open defiance of the law, however, met with a rebuke. 
 
 1654, April 10th, there is entered 
 
 " A Copie of an Ord' made by the Justices of Peace for the electing of a 
 Parish Regist' within this Corporacon." 
 
 DD 
 
210 
 
 CHAP. III. A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 » At a Sessions of Peace holden at Ormsk k = in the Countie of Lane' on 
 Munday to witt the x* day of Aprill 1654. Upon hearemg of the differenee 
 betwixt William Ellison and y Clerke of Liverpool concerning the 
 Election of execucbn of the office of Parish Regist' for registring all births and 
 Registrar. burialls according to a late Acte of Parlim*. It is ord'red by this Cort, 
 that the inhabitants within Liverpoole shall forthwith meete together, 
 elect and choose an able and sufficient man to bee Parish Regist' within 
 the Corporacbn of Liv'poole aforesaid, and cause the said p'sori soe 
 elected to bee sworne according to the said Acte." 
 
 "Afterward upon publick notice given for the electing of a publick 
 Register for this Corporacon and a full meeteing of the burgesses & free- 
 men in y e Church before y e worp u Edw d Williamson Gent, Maior, Robert 
 Seacom was elected and chosen to be Reg' for the same Burrow and then 
 publickly sworne according to the tenor of y e late Act of ParliamV 
 
 Act repealed. On the restoration of Charles II. this Act was super- 
 seded, and it required nearly two hundred years' further 
 experience before a general register was adopted. 
 
 Precedence. Precedence and order during divine service were strictly 
 
 enforced. 
 
 At a Port Moot, John Walker, 
 
 Mayor and 
 Aldermen. 
 
 Bailiffs. 
 
 Mayoress, &c. 
 
 Fine. 
 
 Seats and 
 Pews. 
 
 1628, January 12th. 
 Mayor : — 
 
 " Item, wee agree that Mr Maior and the Aldermen shall sit together in 
 the Chancell where Mr Maior usually sitts upon payne of their fyne." 
 
 " Item, wee agree that the Ballives and Ballive's peeres shall sit together 
 in the longe forme next to Mr Maior's, and for want of roome there, wee 
 order that a new benche shalbee made at the backe of that, for the other 
 sort of Ballives Peers that want roome." 
 
 " Wee agree that Mrs Maioresse and the rest of the Aldermen's wyves 
 shall sit in the two upp r formes in the middle rowe in the Church, and 
 y l the Ballive's wyves and Ballive's Peeres wyves shall all of them sitt 
 together in the formes next unto these two formes." 
 
 " Item, wee agree that the Ballives peeres shall weare their gownes to 
 the Church ev'y Sabboth day, upon payne of their fyne." 
 
 " 1628, Jany 22 nd Yt is ordered and agreed upon by the wholle 
 Councell that whatsoev' p'son or p'sons shall breake the order sett downe 
 by the last Jury conc'ninge the placeinge and sittinge in the church shall 
 for ev'ie such offence comitted upon the Sabboth day, forfeit and lose 
 vj d and the same shalbee gath'ed w*out remittall as the fines for the 
 towne are, and shalbee given to the poore w*in this towne, accordinge as 
 Mr Maior and the Churchwardens for the time beinge shall thinke fitt." 
 
 1648 Nov 17 th " Ordered by Mr Maior and the Comon Councell 
 assembled, that in regard the seats in y e church where Mr Maior and 
 the Ald'men sitt are inconvenient for heareing, and very ill placed ; it is 
 therefore agreed and consented, that new seats & pues shalbe made and 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 211 
 
 placed in such sort and manner as Mr Maior shall think fit and appoynt, 
 and the roome in y e chancell where hee hath us^d to sitt, shall hereafter be 
 reserved for m r chants and strangers." 
 
 There are several notices during this period about the church Bells, 
 
 church bells. It appears that from early times there had been 
 
 a peal in the church tower, but the number of bells is not 
 recorded. 
 
 1628, Octr 18* " Jno Walker Maior. At a meeting of the Councell yt 
 is ordered and agreed upon (Raph Seacome and Rich d Rose only dis- 
 sentinge) That all the fines for this yere shalbee collected and payed Fund 
 w^out spareinge or forbeareinge of any p'son w'soever, to the towne for provided, 
 and towards a ringe of bells and that for ev' hereafter the same shall goe 
 to the towne, and shalbee collected by the ballives for the time beinge, 
 and the towne's customer, and yt sev'all p'cepts or warrants shalbe made 
 by the towne clarke for the time beinge unto them, and y l their shalbe xij d 
 for ev'y_pound allowed them for gatheringe the same. And that in con- 
 sideracon thereof, the Maior and the Ballives shall have the Toll Corne, 
 and gather it themselves, at their owne chardges." 
 
 The bells were accordingly ordered, but turned out 
 unsatisfactory. 
 
 " 1636, Oct'. Tho s Bicksteth Maior. At an Assembly &c. Whereas Bells ordered, 
 heretofore as app'eth by anciente records, there hath beene a Ringe of 
 Bells w^in this towne, and some of them have beene taken downe and 
 otherwise converted. And whereas alsoe there hath beene since, to witt 
 in or about seaven yeres laste paste, three other bells intended to be sute- 
 able to the said bell, but by negligence of one Robte Ouldfield a bell Ouldfield. 
 founder, who caste or made the said three bells of such base mettall that 
 they were altogether disonante or disagreeing^ to the said first bell, 
 and altogether dislikeinge to the whole Corporacon, the said Mr Mair w th 
 the full assente, consente, and goodlikinge of the Aldermen Ballives and 
 Burgesses of the same Corporacon, agreed and concluded with one 
 Thomas Hancock of Walsall in the County of Stafford, bellfounder, to alter Han , 
 and chaunge the said bells for fower other more consonante and tuneable 
 for w* exchange the said Corporacon is to give and allowe unto the said 
 Hancock two pence for ev'y pounde and the said bellfounder Hancock to 
 allowe ten pence the pound for ev'ry pound weighte of the ould bells ov' 
 and above the weighte of the said fower new bells. And for the further 
 explanacon hereof, the firste of the new bells weigheth after the rate of Weight of 
 five score and twelve pounds to the hundred five hundreth one quarter Bells, 
 and twenty pounds. The second six hundreth and fourteene pounds. The 
 third eighte hundreth, and the fourth nyne hundreth and three quarters 
 
212 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 w 
 
 1649. 
 
 Clock 
 provided. 
 
 is in the whole two thousand and nyne hundreth thirty and four 
 pounds (29 cwt o qr 34 lb). And the ould bells exchanged as aforesaid 
 weigheth three thousand and fifty one pounds." 
 
 The bells even yet were not satisfactory, for we find an 
 
 entry, 1649, Nov. 27th : — 
 
 Further order. "Whereas there hath been some conference w* the bellfounder of 
 Wigan about the casting of 2 bells, it is ordred that according to Mr 
 Maiors agreem* w' h him, there shalbe 2 more tunable bells cast, at 17 s #• 
 cwt, allowance for casting, carriage and all, and hee to see them hung 
 compleate." 
 
 Down to 1622 there was no public clock in the town. In 
 
 that year, on March 1st, we find an entry on the Council 
 
 proceedings : — 
 
 " M d that wheras dyvers mocons have hertofore beene made for haveinge 
 and makeinge a Clocke in the Chappell of Liv'poole, w* at last was (by 
 the earnest entreatie and mocon of Thomas Waynwright, Clarke, Minis- 
 ter and Curatt of Liv'poole) concluded and sett upp to the greate benefitte 
 and pleasure of the inh'itants of Liv'poole, whereupon the said Mr 
 Waynewright hath undertaken and promised unto John Walker, _Gent. 
 Maior of Liv'poole for and on the behalfe of the whole Corporacon of 
 Liv'poole, that he, the said Mr Waynwright will well and duly dureinge 
 the tyme of his ministrie at Liv'poole keep and sett the said Clocke. And 
 . if he shall neglect the doeinge of the same, that then he is willinge that 
 forth of his wayges from the towne of Liv'poole, soe much money shall 
 be abated and defalked as the tendinge and keepinge of the said clocke 
 shall lye in." 
 
 1626, October 26th. At a Port Moot Inquisition : — 
 
 " Item, wee p'sent Nicholas Lurtinge for not keeping the Clock agate in 
 due order." 
 Sexton to " 1647 Aug 9 th - It is this day ordered that Richard Poultney sexton 
 
 keep Clock, shall receave xxvj s viij d for keepeing of y e Church Clock," &c. 
 
 The church had to be kept in repair by the Corporation, 
 
 but they took care that the foreigners frequenting the town 
 
 should be made to contribute. 
 
 Foreign 161 1, March 11 th "Item, it is agreed by the Assembly, that x B shalbe 
 
 Burgesses levied of the Burges' & inhabitants of this towne and iij u vi s vjii d upon 
 Be X lls dt ° repairthe forren Bur gesses for the repayringe of the Chappell of St. Nicholas 
 
 in Liv'poole, both windowes, lead and other rep'acons touchinge the same 
 
 chappell." 
 
 Minister to 
 keep Clock. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 213 
 
 1618, April 30 th . " M d this day John Corker glasier was admittedja. free- Glazing 
 man, and sworne a free burgesse of this towne, upon this condicon, yt Windows 
 he shall maintayne the Church windowes w ft sufficient glasinge, wyer and 
 leade, & in recompence thereof he is to have his freedome given him gratis 
 & is to have yearely vj s viij d for his wages, and this to continue duringe 
 his life. And if he make default hereof, beinge by the Maior or Church- 
 warden for the time beinge thereto required, then is he to pay (40) xl s for his 
 fredome. And the wyndow in Mr Maior's chancell w ch is now in decay, Mayor's 
 Corker is to take the glasse downe and sett it up againe at his owne Chancel. 
 charges. Daiesof paim' for his wages, Michaell and the Annunciation." 
 
 1629, April 13 th . " Yt is ordered that a Lay or Tax of xx u shalbee 
 imposed upon the forraine Burgesses for repaire of the Church and other 
 necessaryes, and those that will not pay the same shall have noe benefitt 
 of their freedome, but shall pay their dutyes and customes as Strang's ; 
 this to be layd as afforesaid." 
 
 1658, March 12 th . " Ord'red that the Church shalbe repaired as occa- 
 sion shall require, the same being in much ruine & decay, and that a 
 Ley shalbe laid, wherein all forayne Burgesses shall contribute." 
 
 Burials took place occasionally within the church. Burials in 
 
 1639, April 16th. 
 
 "Rec d of Mr John Crosse Esquire by Thomas Rattclyffe _and John 
 Tompson, Churchwardens of the Chappell of Liverpooll the some of one 
 shilling and eight pence for a burying place for the sonne of the said 
 John Crosse, who lyeth interred in a certaine quire w^in the said 
 Chappell on the south side thereof where the tenants that inhabite in Mr 
 Crosse aforesaid his hall situate in Liv'poole abovesaid do sitt." 
 
 The private appropriation of seats in the church was 
 prohibited. 
 
 1658 Mar 7 th » Ord'red that noe p'son or p'sons shalbe p'mitted to p ews to be 
 sett anie locks upon the pues and seats in the Church without teave of free, 
 this house." 
 
 The subordination of Liverpool as a . mere succursal opposition to 
 ecclesiastically to the mother church of Walton, three miles Walton - 
 distant, was a constant source of annoyance and complaint, 
 and many entries in the records during the seventeenth 
 century indicate the efforts made to shake off the yoke. 
 
 " 1615, May 16 th . Rich 4 Mellinge, Gen. Maior. At an Assembly &c Clerk of 
 Whereas Lawrence Bridge nowe Clearke of Walton did this day at this Walton. 
 Assemblie, demaund allowance for his Cleark's wages, due as hee alledged 
 
214 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 unto him as Clearke of the saide P'ish Church of Walton, and for that 
 the saide JLawrence Bridge did for that purpose referre himself to the 
 consideracon of the whole assemblie, and was willing to accept of what 
 they would give him in liewe of his yeerely wages for the saide towne, 
 It is thereupon consented unto by the saide Mr Maior and the rest of that 
 Assemblie, that in consideracon the saide was held to bee an honest man 
 and theire neighb', they would give him yeerely so longe as hee carryed 
 himselfe honestly and well in his place, the some of vi s viij d , to be paide 
 him yeerely by the Bayliffs of the towne for the tyme beeinge, out of the 
 towne box, to bee paide yeerely ev'ie Tuesdaie in Easter week." 
 
 Refusal to 
 contribute. 
 
 Suit by 
 Walton. 
 
 Petition for 
 Parish. 
 
 Church Ley 
 
 refused . 
 
 During the civil war the controversy slept, but on the 
 return of peace it was revived. 
 
 " 1656, Nov r 19 th Gilbert Formby Gent. Maior. Att an Assemblie &c. 
 It was voted and ord'red. That by reason of the losses of the Corporacon 
 receaved in the tyme of y e late warr and for that the late Parliam' hath 
 setled upon the Minisf of this place all the tythes running within the 
 Liberties, it's p'sumed that wee (haveing formerly beene a Parish and 
 have alwaies enjoyed all Parochiall priviledges) ought not to contribute 
 to the reparacon of Walton Church, and that y s answere bee retorned to 
 y e Churchwardens of Walton, whensoev' they shall demande the Leyes. 
 And if anie suyte shalbe comenced and prosecuted for such Leyes & 
 Taxacons upon this deniall, then the towne is to beare the charge thereof." 
 
 1657, May 14 th . " P'pounded by Mr Maior concerning the suyte 
 comenced ag' him by Nich'as Valentyne on y e behalf of y* Churchwardens 
 of Walton that the same p'ceedings shalbe defended at the towne's charge, 
 and that Mr Winstanley shall solizit and indeavor at his goeing to London 
 and at other tymes as hee shall see occasion to p'cure this towne to be 
 sev'ed from the Parish of Walton and to be constituted and made a Parish 
 of it selfe." 
 
 1657, Octr. 16"'. " Att an Assemblie &c it was propounded concerning 
 the p'cureing of this towne to be constituted a Parish of itselfe. Ord'red 
 that Mr John Winstanley, Towne Clerk shalbe solizitor for the Corpora- 
 tion, and shall goe to London this and the next tearme & indeavo' to 
 get the same busines effected, or anie other that may bee of concernm' to 
 y e towne and shall have the allowance of fyve pounds a Quarter for 
 his paines and towards the beareing of his charges, and all such other 
 moneys and disbursem ls as shalbe requisit to be disbursed in the dis- 
 paching of the towne's occasions." 
 
 1657, Octr. 23 rd . " Whereas a Church Ley for Walton of 2 B 13 s 4 d is 
 demanded by the Churchwarden by warr' from Edw. Moore Esq, [for] the 
 Pasto' & p'sent Vicar of Walton ; being o r p'portionable p'te of xij u 
 charged upon Walton Parish. It is ordered, that the same Ley shalbe 
 denyed and not paid, being unduly taxed. And that y e plate and 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 215 
 
 goods of Mr. Gilb 1 Formby w"* are distrained shalbe replevied and the 
 suyte thereupon p'secuted & defended at_y° towne's charge." 
 
 1657, Nov r 9 th . " Ord'red, that an accon shalbe brought in the Burrow Action for 
 Court and p'secuted by the Bailives against James Standish, Gent, for Distraint, 
 takeing a silver Can from Mr Gilb' Formby as a distresse for the Church 
 Leyes demanded to be paid to Walton, and the charge of the suyte to be 
 
 borne by the towne & disbursed by y e Balives upon their accompts." 
 
 1658, Jany 13 th . " Thos Blackmore Gen. Maior. Att an Assembly &c 
 it was p'pounded concerning the makeing of this towne into a Parish of 
 it selfe. And ord'red and agreed that the said busines shall p'ceed to be 
 carried on & p'fected at the towne's charge. And that the Ord' alreadie 
 obtained be p'secuted with effect. And that Mr Winstanley shall goe up Proceedings 
 to London about it himselfe as solizitor according to form' Ord' & for Parish- 
 allowance of charge at 5" a quarter to him to be given in lew of all his 
 expences & charges; and all disbursem' of fees to be paid him at his 
 retorne upon an accompt to be given in y' behalfe. Alsoe it is consented 
 
 that Mr Fogg y e Minist' heere, in regard of his owne interest, may goe up 
 abou' it att his owne charge if hee please, w ch is afterwards to be con- 
 sid'ed of by this howse upon his retorne." 
 
 " Aferwards, at an Assembly holden the 21 st of May 1658 it was voted 
 that Mr Fogg shall have the allowance of the charge of his London jor- 
 ney in p'moting this busines iii" iiijV 
 
 1658, Jany 27 th . " P'pounded concerning the Church Leys for Walton Walton 
 still demanded by warr' & ord'red that Mr Maior and anie three of the church Le ys- 
 ald'men shall treate with and allow what they think fitt to the Church- 
 wardens of Walton toward the repaire of that church for y e yeares past." 
 
 1658, June 18. " Ord'red that Mr Nathaniel Overton shalbe paid his 
 accompt of iiij u vij s remaining due to him for moneys disbursed in the 
 p'fecting of the Instrum" for dividing this towne from the Parish of Walton 
 and constituting the same to bee an intire Parish of itselfe distinct from 
 y' of Walton, w 011 is donne and p'fected accordingly to comence from the 
 decease of Mr Robt Eaton the p'sent incumbent & of Mr Finch y e p'sent 
 Vicar." 
 
 1658, Aug 2. " It is ord'red that the suyte be p'secuted ag' Mr Suit for 
 Standish of Westd'by for f takeing of Mr Gilb' Formby's silver Cann by Distraint, 
 way of distresse for Leyes to Walton Church and brought to tryall, w ch 
 was donne accordingly. Whereupon the Church Leyes were recovered 
 & the plate by ord' of the Court is restored at y° towne's charge." 
 
 1658, Oct' 8 th " Concerning Church Leyes to be paid to Walton, that Church Leys, 
 the Justices of the Peace shalbe spok with, and if they signe Warrants 
 
 for the same to be paid, that then y" Balives for y a tyme being are to pay 
 y° same." N 
 
 1659, Jany 28, " To advise whether it be requisite to have a con- 
 firmacon of the makeing of this towne into a Parish by the Parliam'." 
 
 From these documents it appears that the Corporation 
 
2l6 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 failed in their attempted resistance to the levies by the 
 churchwardens of Walton ; that Mr. Formby's silver can had 
 to be redeemed at the town's- expense ; but that in their 
 application to be constituted a separate parish they were 
 successful. The Restoration, however, prevented this being 
 carried out, and the borough had to wait forty years longer 
 before shaking off its subservience to Walton. 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 There is very little in the records of a distinctly political 
 character, but incidentally they throw considerable light on 
 the operation of public measures in their incidence on local 
 affairs. 
 
 During the reign of James I. the subsidies began to be felt Subsidies. 
 as an oppressive grievance. 
 
 In 1620, the King having entered upon a disastrous contest 
 on behalf of his son-in-law, the Count Palatine, who had been 
 elected King of Bohemia, summoned a Parliament, to which 
 Liverpool sent as its representatives Thomas May and William 
 Johnson. In response to the King's urgent demands, the 
 Parliament, on February 15th, 1621, granted two subsidies, 1621. 
 each involving an assessment of 4s. in the pound on land, and 
 2s. 8d. on goods and chattels. Some difficulties arose as to 
 the collection. The landowners wished to throw a portion of 
 their burden on the occupiers and ratepayers. The following 
 entry occurs : — 
 
 1621 April 23 rd " M d at an Assemblie Edw d Moore Esq Maior of 
 Liv'poole and Sherriffe of Lane' &c, 
 
 " Wheras ther is a subsydie p'sently to be collected for the use of Resolution. 
 King's Ma tie . It is concluded & agreed by this Assemblie y 1 if Mr John 
 Crosse Esq, who is assessed to paye after the rate of iiij" lands, and Mr 
 Raffe Secome who is lykewyse xl s in the subsydie booke for lands, doe 
 not shew sufficient cause why the inh'itants of_Liv'poole should be con- Apportion- 
 tributors w* them in the paim 4 of the said somes for their lands upon merit. 
 Friday next; That then the said Mr Crosse and Mr Secome are to 
 answare for their owne lands, accordinge to the p'portion as they are 
 assessed by the comissioners of the subsydie. 
 
 "Upon Fryday following beinge the xxvij* of this instant Aprill, the 
 said Maior &c assembled in the Comon halle of Liv'poole. Att the 
 
 EE 
 
2l8 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 iiij B value, 
 
 payeth 
 
 X s viij d 
 
 xl s value 
 
 >> 
 
 V s iiij d 
 
 yj" value 
 
 >» 
 
 X s 
 
 iij" value 
 
 a 
 
 V s 
 
 iij B value 
 
 i) 
 
 V s 
 
 v u value 
 
 »» 
 
 viij s iii; 
 
 iij u value 
 
 »» 
 
 V s 
 
 1621. instante request of the abovenamed Mr Crosse and Mr Secome, it was 
 Exemptions. a g reec j & consented unto by the whole Assemblie y* the p'te of subsydie 
 upon them imposed for lands shall for this one tyme & for this only 
 subsydie, be collected amongst the inh'itants of Liv'poole as it hath bene 
 form'ly used, and this to be noe p'cedent or matter p'judiciall heareafter 
 unto the said towne. And y* if the said Mr Crosse & Mr Secome doe_not 
 hereafter shew sufficient cause unto the Maior of Liv'poole & Comon 
 Councell of this towne for the tyme beinge that they are to be assessed 
 for their lands w th the towne, and not of themselves ; that then they are to 
 Assessment, pay their subsydie for ther lands of themselves & neither of them to give 
 informacon unto the Comissioners of the subsydie herafter against any 
 the inh'itants of Liv'poole to put them into the subsydie book, otherwise 
 then for easinge themselves of ther paim K for lands." 
 
 " A tax of y e first paym' of the seacond subsidy granted 18 Jac. 1621. 
 
 " John Crosse gent, in Lands 
 
 " Raph Seacom gent in Lands 
 
 " Edmund Rose in goods 
 
 " William Bannester in goods 
 
 " Richard Rose in goods 
 
 " Thomas Hockenhull in goods 
 
 " Richard Melling in goods 
 
 " This is two thirds of one subsidy." 
 
 " 1621, Sept 24 th M d y'y* day at an Assemblie before Edward Moore 
 Esq Maior &c, it was then concluded and agreed y* the former orders 
 concernynge Mr Jno Crosse and Mr Raffe Secome entred the xxiij rd of 
 Aprill last, aboute the subsidie shall stand, and is by this assemblie 
 ratifyed. So y l at this tyme they are to pay their subsydie accordinge to 
 their form' orders. In respect they have shewed no cause to the howse 
 this day wherby they should be freed and not pay w* the towne. And 
 this was agreed unto by all the Assemblie, only Mr Secome did dissent 
 therunto." 
 
 Some influence appears to have been used to vary this 
 order, for we find an entry : — 
 
 1624, July g 01 " Y l is ordered in the Comon hall of Liv'poole before 
 John Williamson Maior, the Ballives (and others) Notwithstandinge an 
 order made in the said Comon hall the 27 th of Aprill i62i,Edw' 1 Moore then 
 Maior of Liv'poole that although John Crosse Esq, Raph Secome (and 
 others) bee named (contributors) as well for lands as goods for ev'y whole 
 subsidy, yet nevertheles y' it be ordered that the same shalbee payed by 
 Assessment. wa * e °* Assessm 1 taxe, and collected by the Corporacon or Borrowe afore- 
 said in such and the same manner as hath beene assessed, taxed and 
 collected, anie thinge in the said ord' menconed or contained in anie wise 
 not-with-standing." 
 
 Enforcement. 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 219 
 
 1624, Nov 1 26 th "At an Assemblie &c Concerninge a Subsidie pre- 
 sently levied in this towne, it is by the whole consent of the house afore- 
 said, agreed upon, that the said subsidie now to be levied, togeither with 
 the oxe money, and the money for the house of correction, are to be 
 assessed by the foure Marchant praysers for the tyme beinge." Merchant 
 
 After the dissolution of King Charles's second Parliament, 
 
 General Loan. 
 
 in 1626, a general loan was attempted to be exacted, and 1626 
 
 Commissioners were sent round the country to enforce the 
 levy. 
 
 The following is the return for Liverpool : — 
 
 "Loane money to be lent unto his Ma" 17 Apr 3 Car. 1627 
 
 " John Crosse Esq in lands iiij u iiij" 
 
 " Raph Seacom, Gent in lands xl s xl s 
 
 "Edmund Rose gent in goods vj u iiij" 
 
 " William Bannester gent in goods v u iij u vi s viij d 
 
 " Richard Rose gent, in goods v" iij" vi s viij d 
 
 " John Williamson gent in goods iiij u liij s iiij d ." 
 
 Other lists are given of a similar character. 
 
 In 1629, the last subsidy was granted by Parliament 1629. 
 
 previous to the interval of eleven years before the Long 
 
 Parliament was summoned. The following entry relates to 
 
 this : — 
 
 " 1629 April 13 th Y' is ordered and agreed y there shalbee a lay layd Ley. 
 for nyne subsidies nowe past and one subsidy more, w ch is hereafter 
 p'sently to bee paid upon the wholle towne, and shalbee taxed upon 
 ev' Inhabitant at the discrecon of the m'chant prais", and y* y e same 
 shalbee gathered accordinge to the Lawe, and ansyent custome of this 
 towne." 
 
 In 1634, the memorable levy of ship-money took place. .1634. 
 
 Humphrey Chetham (the founder of the Chetham Hospital Humphrey 7 ' 
 
 and Library) was at this time High Sheriff of Lancashire, to 
 
 whom the writ for the collection within the county was 
 
 directed. Some memoranda of his are extant on the writ. 
 
 He observes : — 
 
 " If you shall tax & assesse men according (to) their estate, then 
 Liverpoole being poore, and now goes as it were a beginge, must pay 
 very little ; letters patent are now forth for the same towne." 
 
22o CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Assessors. The assessors were, besides the Sheriff, Robt. Williamson, 
 
 Mayor of Liverpool, and Robert Thompson, Mayor of Lan- 
 caster. The whole county was assessed at £475, of which 
 Liverpool was required to pay £15. The greater part of the 
 
 Refusals. inhabitants grumbled and paid, but some refused, and 
 
 threatened to resist by force of law. The Mayor reported 
 
 this to the Corporation in Common Hall assembled, as 
 
 follows : — 
 
 Resolution of " That whereas, by virtue of his writ for levying of a certain sum of 
 Council. money towards the erecting and furnishing a ship of 400 tons for his 
 majesty's service, the said Mr Mayor with the assent of the aldermen and 
 others of the same town, hath assessed and imposed a competent sum of 
 money for that purpose upon several inhabitants and others within the 
 precinct aforesaid, and for that purpose hath directed several warrants to 
 the bailiffs and other officers of this town for the levying and collecting 
 the several sums upon the several parties assessed upon them, and that 
 several of the parties aforesaid do refuse to pay the moneys imposed upon 
 them, or suffer distress against them, but doth menace the said bailiffs 
 with suit if they levy the same ; it is therefore ordered and concluded by 
 the house aforesaid, that if any suit or trouble be brought against the 
 said Mayor or any other officer, by executing his warrant, that defence 
 thereof shall be made at the general cost of the whole town, as well for 
 the fees and charges in suit as other necessary charges in going or riding 
 about." 
 
 From this there were two dissentients, John Moore, Esq., 
 and Edward Nicholson. 
 
 In order to stimulate the flagging zeal of his subjects, the 
 Proclamation, following proclamation was issued by the Crown : — 
 
 " After our harty commendacons by his Ma K Writt herew" 1 all sente 
 unto you, you shall p'ceive the importance of the service and what is the 
 chardge and truste by his Ma" e comitted unto you therein, w ch course as 
 it is grownded and warranted upon p'sidents of former kings and the 
 lawes of the realme (his Ma tie in his royall wisdome haveinge in this 
 weighty affaire consulted w* both) soe the consequence and good issue 
 thereof being noe lesse than the honno' and safty both of the kinge and 
 kingdome, and the serveinge and clearinge of commerce and trade, to the 
 inrichinge and benefntt of the subjecte in generall, his Ma 0e doth expecte 
 and require at yo r handes yo r uttermoste dilligence and endevo" therein ; 
 and in p'ticular that for the better and more effectual execucon thereof, 
 you forthw" 1 conferr w* those others nominated in his Ma B said writt, and 
 by mutuall assente appoynte an indifferente place of meeteinge ; and goe 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 221 
 
 on w* the worke accordinge to the tenno' of the Writt._ And that in the 
 assessmente, you take care to proceede w* that expedicon, equality, and 
 indifferencie, as may give life and encouragement to the service. Whereof 
 his Ma ae and this Board expecte a good and speedy accompte from you, 
 whereof you may not faile. And soe wee bid you hartily farewell. 
 
 " From Whitehall the last of October 1634. 
 
 " Rec d the 23 rd November 1634. 
 
 "W. Cant." 1 
 
 A fresh demand and assessment was made in August, 
 1635, to which the following entry relates : — 1635. 
 
 1635, Sept. 18th. " It is this day agreed upon and ordered by John Levy by 
 More a Esquire Maior, the Ballives (and others of the Council) That a Sheriff. 
 Lay of xxx u shalbee laide w^in this Corporacon of Liv'pooll and p'sently 
 assessed and paide accordinge to an agreement made at Manchester by 
 the High Sheriffe and the reste of the Com rs . And that the said Laye 
 shalbee layed and assessed by the Maior, Aldermen & M'chante prays rs or 
 the greatest p'te thereof, whereof the said Maior shalbee one and of the 
 Quorum, and hee to have the castinge voyce. And that the same shalbee 
 levyed after such assessments by the Ballives of this towne p'porconably, 
 and paid to the said Mr Maior att or before the eighte day of October 
 nexte, to the intente hee may pay it ov r to the said high sheriffe accordinge 
 tohisWritt." 
 
 The Roundhead party had now acquired the ascendency, 
 as evidenced by the election of John Moore as Mayor, and John Moore, 
 subsequently as member, and there is reason to believe that 
 little or nothing was paid towards this levy. 
 
 There are several entries in the years 1635 and 1636 
 
 relating to "layes and taxacons," and enacting 
 
 " that if any manner of freeman of this towne, tradinge in this towne, Penalty for 
 
 shall refuse to pay all such layes & taxacons, as amongst oth r the non-payment. 
 
 burgesses and freemen of this towne, assessed by the m'chant prais rs of 
 
 this towne, (he) shall p'ticularly pay the same upon demand of the Ballives 
 
 this towne, or either of them for the tyme beinge, upon payne of forfeit 
 
 for the first offence xl s , for the seacond offence fyve pounds, and for the 
 
 third offence to loose his or their benefitt of his or their freedom." 
 
 Whether this relates to national or local taxation does not 
 appear. The probability is that it was to the former. 
 
 1 Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 2 Subsequently Col. John Moore, the Regicide. 
 
222 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1648. 
 Warrants for 
 levy. 
 
 Ley for 
 Ireland. 
 
 1649. 
 Petition 
 against 
 Assessment. 
 
 Monthly 
 Assessment. 
 
 Toxteth Park 
 
 Disputes. 
 
 When the Parliament took the reins of Government at the 
 close of the civil war, they laid a heavy hand on the country 
 for supplies and contributions. 
 
 1648, June 1st. " A Warrant was red for 3000" Ley upon the whole 
 Countie, taxed by the Sheriffe and Dep'tie Leiv te and comittees of the 
 Countie, the sornVof 720" upon this hund r , Liverpoole p'te being 13" 6 s 8 d 
 required by the high Constable's warr', w ch Mr Jo. Williamson is required 
 to goe treat with him ab' it." 
 
 1648, June 21st. " A Warr 1 for 6oo u taxed upon the hundred our p'te 
 being xi u odd, (ordered not to be paid) for y° saftie of the countie assessed 
 by the high Sheriffe & Comittee. 
 
 " Another Warr' from the high Constable for I s i d for the releefe of the 
 poore infected in Ormskirk w* is through the hundred." 
 
 1948 Deer 20 th " Ordered that the xxx" Ley formerly ordred to bee 
 assessed and collected bee forthwith assessed upon all p'sons according 
 to ev'ie man's estate, and haveing ; and for non paym' the Ballives to 
 distraine" 
 
 " A Ley of 5" I s u d demanded by Warrant for the releefe of Ireland, 
 ordred that it be left to Mr Maior to give answere, and to enquire if it be 
 for the whole six months, or but for one moneth only, and if for all six, 
 then to be paid forth of the xxx 1 " tax imposed upon all freemen & forreners 
 to be laid and collected as abovesaid." 
 
 1649 Feby I st " Ordered that one of the Ballives shall goe to Wigan, 
 to p'ferr y e town's peticon concerning y e assessm' to y* Comission ra for 
 y e Army, and shall take moneys to pay y e some required by Warrant. 
 And afterwards 9 th Febr. ordred that Mr Maior & such others as hee shall 
 think fit, shall goe to Prescott to attend y= Com rs to peticon at Ormskirk 
 for redresse and abatem' of those assessm*. " 
 
 1649 Feby 9 th " An Order was p'cured from the Comissioners for 
 raiseing the monethly assessm' s for the Army upon the Peticon of this 
 towne, that the inhabitants of Toxteth Park shold p'porconably contri- 
 bute with us in the said assessments, ev'ie one according to their haveing, 
 as by the Ordinance of Parliam' is required ; w ch order -was sygned by S r 
 Thomas Stanley and Coll. Egerton. In opposition to w ch order the Inh'itants 
 of y e Park p'cured a 2 1 " 1 Ord r for y e towne to mak good the_ grounds of 
 their peticon & ord' by prooffes, and further to satisfie the Com rs concern- 
 ing the same, and to shew cause the 20 th March instant. Whereupon 
 this Assembly resolved to mak good the said Ord r granted at Ormskirk, it 
 being obtained as is conceaved on good grounds. It is therefore ordred 
 that Mr Maior Mr Walker, Mr Winstanley and Rob' Lurting, and soe 
 many more of the towne's as shalbe needfull shall goe to Prescott to 
 attend the said Comissioners and to give them satisfacon in whatsoever 
 can be alledged ag' it. (Who went to Prescott where the said Ord r was 
 ov'ruled by y" Com ts .)" 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 223 
 
 An attempt at the imposition of an income-tax met with 1649. 
 
 Income-tax 
 
 considerable opposition. objected to. 
 
 1649 July 2 nd "A Warrant from the Corn" of the Army being red, 
 requireing a retorne of y e yearly vallue of everie man's reall & p'sonall 
 estate within the towne. It is conceaved very p'judiciall & unreasonable, 
 and therefore resolved, that Mr Ballive Storie shall attend y e Corn", and 
 acquaint them, that the best sort have their estates in shipping, w ch is a 
 dayly adventure & hazard, the rest are plundered & poore." 
 
 1650 Jany 30 th " Assessm* for y e Army. 
 
 " Upon reading of a Warrant from the high Constables for 3 monethe's 1650. 
 Assessm* beginning the 25* Decemb 1 1649, for 1200 pounds $• mensem in levies for 
 Derby hundred, Wherof Liverpoole p'porcbn to pay 17" 6 s 7 d $■ mens, 
 for y e Army. It was resolved to, y same shold be forthwith assessed and 
 collected for the purpose aforesaid." 
 
 1650 April 2 nd " Upon readeing of a Warrant from the High Constable 
 for paym' of the some of xi u xi s i d charged upon this towne towards the 
 paym' of 9000" $■ mensem for mantenance of y e Army in England and 
 Ireland, due for 3 monethes assessm* begining the 5 of March 1650. It 
 was ordered by this Assembly that a Ley of 12 1 ' shalbe laid throughout the 
 towne p'porconably for the satisfieing of the monthly assessm* above 
 menconed." 
 
 1651 May 12 th James Williamson gen. Maior. "This day upon 1651. 
 readeing a Warrant from the high Constable for the some of 12,000" 
 assessm' charged upon England & Walles for the mantenance of the 
 forces raised by authoritie of Parliam' for 6 monethes to begin the 25 th of 
 March last, of w* said some 1600" J> mensem is charged upon the Countie 
 
 of Lancaster, of w"* last menconed some there is 42" 13 s 7 d charged 
 upon this towne to be payd at 3 paym 15 in May, July & September next 
 unto Mr John Sorrocold apoynted Receavo' & Tre r . It is therefore 
 ord'red that the M'chant j)raysors of this towne jshall forthwith assesse 
 and p'porcon the said some in an e quail & p'porconable way, according 
 to the Act of Parliam' and the custom of this Borrowe." 
 
 The town might say with justice that in the matter of 
 
 taxation, if King Charles chastised them with whips, the 
 
 Parliament chastised them with scorpions. They evidently 
 
 winced under it, and occasionally remonstrated. 
 
 1655 Jany I st " It is ordered that Mr Alex r Greene and Mr Winstanley 1655. 
 shall goe to Chester to peticon the Major Generall concerning this towne Petition 
 being opressed and surcharged in the monthly assessm* &c." ?\ s a S e D ss t inent 
 
 No further entry of this kind occurs until the Restoration. 
 
 1 fifi9 
 
 " 1662 Octr 28 th A Warrant for 3 moneths Assessm' for the raiseing of Last Le^y. 
 
224 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 932" 6 s 8 d for 233" 6 s 8 d #■ Countie and 4" 6 s 5 a ob in this towne for one 
 month beginning x th July 1661." 
 
 Incidental notices of public affairs occur in these records. 
 In 1624, reinforcements had to be sent to the English army 
 in Ireland. The troops were sent through Liverpool, and the 
 following requisition was issued by the Crown : — 
 
 Requisition " After o r hartie comendacons. Whereas certen leavies of souldiers to 
 for transport, the number of 550 are directed to make theire rendezvous at the Port of 
 Liv'poole by the XX th of March next, and their to be imbarqued and 
 transported to the port of Carekfergus in Ireland. 
 
 " Theis are to will and require you by the tyme aforesaid to p'vide a 
 sufficient nomber of shipps and quantity of victuall for that service at the 
 rate of ii s vj d a man for transportation, and ij* vj d for victualls. And in 
 case the said leavies shall, by contrary wyndes or other accidents be 
 forced to make stay at the said port, you are lykewyse hereby required to 
 victuall them at the rate of 8 d a man $■ diem from the foresaid 20 th of 
 March dureinge theire aboade ther. And wheras ther are certen provi- 
 sions of Armes and Apparell directed to that part to be their by or before 
 the said XX th of March, and from thence to be transported for the port of 
 Carekfargues at prices reasonable of such able mariners as may be 
 answerable for the deliv'ie of the said Armes and Apparrell to the port 
 aforesaid, for all which disbursem te by you to be made as aforesaid ; upon 
 certificate thereof to the Councell of warr you shalbe repaied the same 
 from the trea'ars of the subsidy moneys here. And wee soe bid you 
 hartely farewell. 
 
 " From Whyte hall the 18 th of February 1624 
 
 " Yo r loving frends 
 
 " George Cant * 
 " Jo. Lyncolne* 
 " La, Wynton 8 
 "Julius Cesar 
 
 " with others of the 
 " Privy Council." 
 
 Soldiers. 1 625, October 10th. A list is given of trained soldiers 
 
 within the town, with their names. They comprise 10 
 Muscatieres and 10 Corslets. 
 
 1639. On the Scotch rising and the King's march north- 
 ward, an embargo was laid on all Scotch shipping by the 
 following order : — 
 
 1 George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 a Bishop of Lincoln. 8 Bishop of Winchester. 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 225 
 
 " S r James Stanley of the ho bl<! order of the Bathe, Knight , Lord Strange 1639. 
 Vice admirall of the Counties Pallantyne of Lancaster and Chester, §y£!jf° on 
 To the Maior, Baylives, Burgesses, Custom rs and all other officers of the 
 Burroughe or Heaven of Liverpoole and liberties thereof Greetinge. 
 Accordinge to such comand as I have receved from the significacon of 
 his Ma" K exp'sse pleasure moved by some important reasons of state. 
 Theise are to will and require you and everie of you and never the lesse to 
 charge and comand you and everie of you that imediatly uppon receipte 
 hereof you arest on his Ma te behalf, and cause to bee stayed all Scottch 
 shippinge & vessells of what burthen soever that nowe is or shall happen 
 to come w*in or into yo' port, heaven, or creeke & liberties thereof, and Requisition, 
 also all such goods as are in them and everie of them and them safely to 
 keepe until you have certifyed mee, and further untill his Ma ties pleasure 
 therein be knowne for theire discharge from the Lord Admirall or other - 
 wyse, as I am therein spetially directed. 
 
 " Faile not herein as you tend' his Ma" K service and will answer the 
 contrary att yo r p'ills. 
 
 " Given under my hand and seale this sixte day of Aprill 1639. 
 
 "J. Strange." 
 
 The response is as follows : — 
 
 " 1639 April 8 th John Williamson gen. Maior 
 
 " According to yo' honor's warrant to us directed, wee have stayed Reply, 
 severall Vessells or Barques w a in the porte of Liverpoole belonging to 
 severall Scotchmen, as also dyvers of their goods being in the same 
 barques. The names and s r names of the owners or masters of the s d 
 Barques, together w tt the names of the severall barques, the severall 
 burthens of the same vessells and p'ticular goods by us stayed by vertue 
 of yo r hono rs comand and warrant, are at large expressed and sett downe 
 in the schedule indented hereunto annexed. 
 
 " Subscribed w th our names all w ch wee thought good to signifie unto 
 yo r noble honors and so leave the consideracon thereof to yo r wisdom. 
 And w* our humble duties p'sented Rest 
 
 " Yo r honor still to comand 
 
 " Liverpoole this 8 (Names wanting). 
 
 " of Aprill 1639." 
 
 " A schedull indented shewinge the p'ticular barques & goods belong- Schedule of 
 inge to dyvers Scotchmen, stayed by the Maior & other officers w' h in the Ships, 
 porte of Liverpoole in the Countie of Lancaster by virtue of a warrant to 
 us directed from the right ho bla the Lord Strange, Vice Admirall w^in the 
 Counties Palatine of Lane' & Chester, as followeth. 
 
 " One barque called the Robert of Farley in Scotland ; Rob' Black- The Robert, 
 borne Own' & M r ; burthen 20 tons ; hath aboard 20 tons of coales, 8 
 quoyles of small rops, 5 sayles, 3 musketts 2 swords. 
 
 "The New Yeare's Guift, of the Larggs in Scotland, Thos Kile own' & Year's Guift. 
 
 F F 
 
226 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 The Gift of 
 God. 
 
 The Blessing, 
 
 The Content. 
 
 The 
 Providence. 
 
 Order for 
 Release. 
 
 in his absence John Wilson purser, Edmund Mark, Will* Mar 1 burd. 40 
 tonns ; had 4 muskets, 2 swords 7 sayles, 2 compasses & in these barques 
 of the goods of Will m Birtsh a Scotchman m'chant, inhabitinge in Ireland 
 as hee reports ; 9 pack or small p'cells of yarne, 5 baggs of Wooll, 45 
 hides and about 2c wal of hemp. 
 
 " The Gifte of God, of Farley in Scotland, burd 20 tonnes, John Crayford 
 own' and Mas' 1 . Hath 30 tonnes of coales, a mainsaile, a maintopsaile a 
 foresaile, 5 chists, 2 swords and one muskett. 
 
 " The Blessing, of the Larggs in Scotland, burd 20 tonns John Wilson 
 own' and mast', w ch said barque brought into this porte Irish m'chants 
 goods ; had aboard her 4 sailes, 2 chests, one pott, one quoyle of ropes, 
 two compasses, one sounding lead & one barrell of meale. 
 
 " The Content, of Dunnagadee in the kingdome of Irelande Will m Mas" 
 John Scott own', who inhabiteth in Ireland as hee saith, but the said 
 barque carrieth Scotch colours ; burd. 24 tons ; hath aboard the s d barque 
 one mainsaile one foresayle one fore top sayle, and one maintopsaile, 
 3 small chests 3 musketts 2 compasses ; the s d barque brought hither 
 Englishmen's goods. 
 
 "The Providence of Strangford in Ireland, John Ore a Scotchman 
 own' and mas", who inhabiteth in Ireland as he saith burd. 30 tonns, 
 harth aboard her, 24 tonns coales, 6 chests, 4 sayles, one short sword, 
 one barrell of herrings, one mainsaile xj small quoyles of ropes. 
 
 "John Williamson Maior 
 " (5 others)." 
 
 After the pacification with the Scots at Dunse Law, an 
 order came for the release of the vessels as follows, addressed 
 to Lord Strange : — 
 
 " Charles R (Signed) 
 
 " Right trustie and right wellbeloved Cosen &c. 
 
 " Whereas by vertue of a Warrant directed to you from our High 
 Admirall of England, theare have beene areasted in our port of Liver- 
 pool certaine Scottishe barques, wheareof as wee are informed, the 
 maisters and owners though Scotchmen are our subjects in Ireland or 
 trade for the most parte theire, wee therefore are gratiously pleased and 
 doe hereby will and require you to take order that they testifyinge theire 
 fidehtie by takinge the oath of Alleagance and Supremicie, theire said 
 barques, whereof wee send you hearinclosed the list, w" theire goods and 
 men be released att libertie, and for so doeinge this shalbee yo r warrant, 
 anie order to the contrarie notw ft standinge. 
 
 " Given under our Signett at our Mannor at Yorke the 20 th daye of 
 Aprill in the fifteenth year of our reign 1639. 
 
 " This is a true Copie of his Ma*" 
 " letter written to the Lord Strange. 
 
 "G. R. WlKERLINE." 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 227 
 
 " A Trewe Coppie of the right hon ble 1639. 
 
 « James Lord Strange his l're. Lorf/tZge 
 
 " My pleasure is that you repayre to Liverpoole and lett Mr Maior and 
 the officers of his Ma aes Custome house know I am willing, that the Scotch 
 Barks in that port may bee allowed to bring downe theire barks afloate 
 before the springe tyde bee past ; And that they may bee released soe 
 sone as I am satisfied that they are that bee owners of them eyther sub- 
 jects to his Ma* of Ireland ; or such as trade for the most p'te thence. 
 As his Ma Bt by his leV declareth that hee is informed, wherein I doubt 
 not but_Mr Maior and the officers of the Custome house can give mee 
 satisfaccon whether the informaccon soe given to his Ma tie bee true, w ch I 
 desire. 
 
 " Knowsley 27 th Apr. 1639. 
 " To my servant Thomas Morris." 
 
 The following also was sent to the Mayor under the same 
 date : — 
 
 " You shall also lett the Maior and Officers of the Custome house Permission to 
 knowe I am willinge and doe allowe that the own' and m'chants of the sell. 
 said barkes may in the mean tyme make sale of such goods as they have 
 unsould. And when I shall have certificate of the true informacon given 
 to his Ma ae I am well pleased the Barks shall be set at libertie forasmuch 
 as I am sertified by you the 6 shippes stayed in yo r porte of Liverpoole, 
 the owners of them are eyther dwellinge in Ireland or such as shall 
 usuallie doe traide thence, and have taken the oath of Alleagance and 
 Supremicie, my pleasure is you restore unto them theire furnitures and 
 goods, and suffer them to departe. 
 
 "James Strange. 
 " To the Maior of Liverpoole 
 "and the Officers of his 
 " Ma fe Customes theare." 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 
 
 Inmacks. 
 
 Unchaste 
 Women. 
 
 Lewd 
 persons. 
 
 There" is comparatively little difference in the general 
 habits, described and inferred, between this period and that 
 indicated in the last chapter. Society was not progressive 
 from the reign of Elizabeth down to the time of the civil war, 
 when a vast change was initiated. 
 
 The continued harbouring of "Inmacks" seems to have 
 been a constant source of annoyance to the worthy burgesses. 
 
 " 1610 Octr 25 th At a Port Moot &c 
 
 " Item, we p'sent Futchet Bold gent, for keepinge an unchaste woman 
 in his house xxvj s viij d ." 
 
 161 1, October 24th. At a Port Moot Inquisition — 
 
 " Item, wee p'sent Will'm Scaresbrick for keeping of an Inmate 
 11 s iiij d ." 
 
 1612 June 29 th " Wee p'sent Richard Robinson for keepinge Inmats 
 havinge ben warned to the contrarie, being Strang's and verie poore 
 people." 
 
 " Item Thurstan Woodward for keping Marie Leech an inmate, beinge 
 coinanded to the contrarie and she fitt for s'vice." 
 
 " Item, Thorn 5 Stringer for lodging an unchaste woman beinge called 
 Marie Hulme." 
 
 1623, Jany 13 th " We doe agree, That any housekeeper in this towne 
 whosoever, that hath anie strange woman in his house beinge w" 1 child, 
 that they shall for^wi" 1 upon payne of there fyne cleare there howses 
 from them." 
 
 " We doe all lykewyse agree that the reste of the lewd 1 p'sons not 
 haveinge there frends in towne, nor that any man knoweth how they are 
 releeved, togeither w* all the rest of the boyes & wenches newly come, 
 shall lykewye avoyd." 
 
 1626 Octr 26 " Item wee p'sent the executors or administrators of 
 Elizabeth Ditchfeild deceased, for harboringe of Inmacks in their back- 
 side in their kitchin, contrary to the orders of the towne." 
 
 1 Lewd here does not mean licentious, but ignorant, rude. " Lered and lewed," " Clergy and 
 laity," taught and untaught. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 229 
 
 1650, June 18 th " Ordered by the Assembly that on Fryday next Mr 1650. 
 Maior & the p'sons und r written shall passe throughout the towne accom- Ins P ectors 
 panied with the Ald'men to enquire and take notice of all such Inmakes 
 as are or are lyk to be p'judiciall to y e towne. 
 
 " Edw. Chambers & Roger Jones for the Water Streete 
 
 " Thomas Williamson and Thomas Andoe Chappell Streete 
 
 " John Chantrell & Richard Williamson Castle Streete 
 
 " Edward Alcock for . . . Juglars Streete 
 " W 1 * was donne accordingly and their names p'sented and their 
 landlords fyned." 
 
 The " Cuck Stool," 1 as a punishment for scolds, is several Cuckstooi. 
 times referred to. 
 
 " l6 37. J ul Y 3 rd - At a Port Moot & Frank Pledge &c 
 
 " Item. Wee doe order that a ' Cooke Stoole ' shalbe made betwixt 
 this and Michaelmas next." 
 
 1657 Nov 2 nd " Ord'red that a new Cook Stoole be made and erected 
 at the Wattering poole, at the lower end of Mr. Crosse's feilds." 2 
 
 1659 Jany 10 th " Wee order that a new Cooke Stoole bee made and 
 erected at the Watering poole at Mr Crosse's feild end, before the last day 
 of Feb r next on paine of xx s to be paid by the p'sent Ballives." 
 
 The etiquette and rules of precedence of the ladies was a Rules of 
 
 . . Precedence. 
 
 subject of grave consideration and inquiry. 
 
 1614, November 7th. An Assembly was held in the 
 Common Hall before Richard Mellinge, gent., Mayor, Edward 
 Moore and Richard Crosse, Esquires, four aldermen, one of 
 the bailiffs, and a number of the free burgesses, whose names 
 are given, 
 
 " for decydinge of a Cause in Controv'sie betweene Mr Raffe Seacome Seacome and 
 and Mr Darbie, w ch was, Whether of their wyves shuld take place of Dartle - 
 the other. Whereupon upon the readinge and consyderinge of a' form' 
 order made at an Assemblie in the said Comon halle the tenth day of 
 Decemb' in the thirtie" 1 yere of o r late Sov'eryne lady Queene Elizabeth 
 then set downe and agreed upon, for the placinge and orderinge of the 
 wyves of the Aldermen & Bayliffs of this towne, w ch said order was by the 
 whole Assemblie abovesaid confirmed and allowed of to be in force and 
 good, And for y* Mr Darbie did then alledge y' his wyfe was formerly 
 
 1 This consisted of a long beam poised upon a post in the middle, placed on the margin of a 
 stream. A chair was suspended at one end, in which the culprit was secured, and let down 
 under water three times successively, and then taken out. 
 
 2 This would be about the lower end of Crosshall Street, abutting on Whitechapel, then a 
 running stream. 
 
230 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Gowns to be 
 worn. 
 
 Sunday 
 attendance. 
 
 Fairs. 
 
 wyfe unto one Mr Dixon deceassed, who was an alderman and had ben 
 Maior of this towne and Auntcyent unto Mr Seacome (w ch was well 
 knowne to be true unto this Assemblie) and for y* reason y* she ought to 
 have the place before Mrs Seacome; Therefore it is this day ordered and 
 agreed by this said Assemblie (only Mr Edward Moore and Mr Richarde 
 Moore dissentinge) y' Mrs Darbie shall take her place as wyfe unto Mr 
 Dixon (according to the true intent and meaninge of the said former 
 order, as it is nowe conceaved and thought to be good by this Assemblie) 
 who was Auntyent unto Mr Seacome. And that this order do stand in 
 force, as form 1 orders heretofore made by Assemblies in lyke man' have 
 
 done. „, . 
 
 " Richard Mellinge Maior 
 
 " (and others)." 
 
 Although Mrs Darbie came off victorious in this conflict 
 
 of precedency, she had subjected herself to rebuke on a 
 
 previous occasion. 
 
 1612, June 29 th At a Port Moot Jury. " Item, wee p'sent Mrs Darbie 
 for refusinge to come before Mr Maior's deputie, being div s tymes sent for 
 by th* offic's." 
 
 In the margin is the following entry : — 
 
 " Note good reader, that this refusall was for that it was the Saboth 
 daye, she came the Monday morninge, but was not respected." 
 
 Etiquette was also enjoined on the dignitaries of the 
 borough. 
 
 1630, March 10 th " John Williamson Maior. 
 
 " Whereas y l was form'ly ordered viz the twelfth day of Jany 1628 by a 
 Jury of seaventeene men at a Sessions of the peace held before John 
 Walker gent, then Maior, That the Ballives peeres should weare their 
 gownes to the Church ev'y Sabbath Day, and w 1 * order was afterwards 
 confirmed by an Assembly. It is this day further confirmed and ordered 
 that the said Ballives peeres shall were their gownes to Church ev'y 
 Sabbath day both before noone_ and after, upon payne of such fyne as is 
 form'ly in the said order menconed to bee inflicted, upon such as make 
 default." 
 
 1633, Nov I st " Item it is agreed that the Ballive's peares shall ev'y 
 Saboth day both forenoone and after attend Mr Maior from his howse to 
 the Church and should home againe in their gownes, upon paine of vj d 
 for ev'y default, to bee levyed to the use of the pore of this towne. " 
 
 The time of the fair, St. Martin's day, November nth, 
 and the week following, was a period of considerable festivity. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 231 
 
 Down to the middle of the eighteenth century it was the 
 custom, at the opening of the fair, for the Mayor, Aldermen 
 and Councillors, with their ladies, to walk in procession, with 
 a band of music, from the Town Hall along Dale Street, where 
 they passed round a large stone in the pavement, thence round 
 another similar stone in the middle of Castle Street (still 
 existing), and back to the Town Hall, where they dined. 
 
 The payment for this banquet was the cause of some 
 difference between the Mayor and Bailiffs. 
 
 1621, Octr 25 th 01iv r Fairhurst gent, Maior. At an Assemblie &c. Banquet at 
 " Whereas it is in question this day betweene Mr Maior that nowe is, and the Fair. 
 Richard Barraclough and John Chauntrell Bayliffs of the towne, con- 
 cerninge the payinge for of the Bankett in the Towne hall at the faiers ; 
 It is this day agreed upon and p'ven y l if the Maior for the tyme beinge 
 shall herafter at the two faier tymes, keepe his bankett in the Comon 
 Hall, then the Bayliffs are to beare the one half of it, and soe to contribute 
 betwixt them w* Mr Maior." 
 
 Slandering the Mayor and Aldermen was severely punished. 
 
 1629 Octr 29 Rob' Williamson gen. Maior. Sessio pacis. 
 
 " Item, wee p'sent Will'm Bryanson for sayinge, it is ordinary to bee Slanderers 
 Maior and Ballives of this towne one yere, and Banckroupts the next yere punished, 
 after." 
 
 1630, July 15 th At an Assembly &c " It was ordered and agreed upon, Nicolson 
 for that it appeared by a p'sentment, that Edw d Nicolson had by base fined. 
 speeches abused Mr Maior and all his officers, And for y r there was noe 
 ancyent order set downe for the fineinge of any for abuseinge the s d Mr 
 Maior, It was therefore ordered and agreed upon by the wholle Assembly 
 that for y l offence the said Nicolson should pay for his fine five pounds. 
 And that for ev' hereafter whosoev' shall offend in the like, viz 1 to abuse 
 or disgrace, any Maior for the time beinge, by any words or deeds, and 
 bee thereof lawfully convicted, shall forfeit and bee fined at v u for ey'y 
 offence o'v' and above such imprisonm' as the said Maior shall inflict 
 upon any such offender." 
 
 1630, Feby 3 rd John Williamson gen. Maior. 
 
 "At an Assembly &c Y l was ordered and concluded upon, that Valentine 
 whereas Mr Valentine hath abused Mr Maior now beinge, and the other prosecuted, 
 gent" form'ly Maiors of this towne, for w ch Mr Maior is resolved to bind 
 him before the Judge of Assizes to answere his contempt; That the 
 wholle towne shalbee att and beare the chardge of p'secutinge the lawe 
 against him, and that the same shalbee taken out of the townstock." 
 
 1650 Nov 4 th James Williamson gen. Maior. 
 
 At a Port Moot &c "Wee p'sent John Lurting 1 for abusing Mr Presentments. 
 Thomas Tarleton a Aid' in calleing him a cheating rogue." 
 
 1 John Lurting was Bailiffin 1653. 3 Thomas Tarleton was Mayor in 1647-8. 
 
232 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 Mee. 
 
 Massam. 
 
 Prescott. 
 
 " Item, wee p'sent Rob' Sympson for abusing Ball' John Higinson, a 
 Bailivee's Peere of this Burrow in saying in open Markett, hee was an 
 idle fellow, and blamed this towne for ellecting him Baylive — amerced in 
 ij s , vj d ." 
 
 1651, Mar 31 st At a Port Moot, &c " Wee p'sent Will m Mee of the 
 Lowe, butcher, for that the said Will" 1 Mee did fitter these words, vid" 
 publicklie curse and say, in open Court, ' The Divell goe with you all,' 
 pointing at the Jurie, ' and all your accons ' — amerced in xxxiij s iiij d ." 
 
 " Item, Wee p'sent the said William Mee for saying and curseing in 
 open Court, pointing his finger towards Mr Maior and the Jurie, ' If such 
 men as those can give anie judgment, the Divell goe with you, and all the 
 acts that you have done.' Amerced in v"." 
 
 1639 July 22 nd Jno Williamson gen. Maior. 
 
 At a Port Moot Jury. " Item, we present Raph Massam 1 for not 
 attendinge Mr Maior att Midsom' accordinge to the use and custome of 
 this towne, and for refusinge to continewe in, his place in Church, accord- 
 inge to an order thereof made." 
 
 " Item of George Presscott for abuseinge Mr Maior the 13 th day of June 
 last past in wishinge him hanged, and the first or second day of July last 
 for useinge very opprobrious and base speeches sayinge a f — t for Mr 
 Maior, the Aldermen and BalifFes and all the towne." 
 
 " Item of the same George Prescott, for the like speeches spoken before 
 Mr Eccleston." a 
 
 Many of the Port Moot presentations are curious, and 
 appear to be applicable to all sorts of things without restric- 
 tion. 
 
 Port Moot 
 
 presentments. 
 
 Rose. 
 
 Brookbank. 
 Gardner. 
 Houghton, 
 Ireland. 
 
 Kenion. 
 Williamson. 
 
 1624, Octr 25 th Richard Rose gen. Maior At a Port Moot Jury &c. 
 
 " Wee p'sent Richard Rose now Maior for keepinge his swyne 
 unringed." 
 
 " We p'sent Thomas Brookbank B for givinge unreverend speeches unto 
 Mester John Will'mson late Maior in the tyme of his Maioraltie." 
 
 " We p'sent Hugh Gardn' for disclosinge the secretts of the Jurors at 
 the last Cort of Passage, he being one of the Jury himselfe." 
 
 1629 Deer 2 " Wee p'sent Hugh Houghton for a tusle upon Mr Ballive 
 Chantrell, and Mr Ballive Bixteth." 
 
 1638, Octr 22nd " Wee p'sent Emline Ireland, Jane Ireland and Eliza- 
 beth Ireland for tusling and scolding one uppon another on the Sabboth 
 day." 
 
 1642, Jan. 10th " Wee p'sent Jane Ireland for being druncke, and 
 curseing Henr' Anderton's daught' dyv rs markett dayes. 
 
 " Wee p' sent Richard Kenion for abuseing Mr Maior and saving, ' the 
 devill raise him.' 
 
 " Wee p'sent Margerie Williamson for curseing and wishing that 
 Thomas Ayndoe i and his wife might have the same end that her husband 
 had. 
 
 1 Mayor in 1652. * Mayor in 1637. » Bailiff in 1626. « Mayor in 1655. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 233 
 
 " Wee p'sent Robt Lurting x for saying to Mr Baylie Wood ' It was Lurting. 
 basely done of him.' 
 
 " Wee p'sent Mr John Mannwarring for abuseing Mr Maior and the Mannwarring. 
 Ballives, goeing upon the king's service. 
 
 " Wee p'sent the said Mr Mannwarring for abuseing and infringeing 
 the lib'ties & privileges of this towne." 
 
 This Manwarring seems to have been a " mauvais sujet," 
 for on the 27th of the following June we find his name again 
 introduced. 
 
 " Wee p'sent John Manwarring 1 , for tusle upon Thomas Sefton, amerced 
 in iij s iiij s d. 
 
 " Item wee p'sent the sd John Manwarring for calleing Ballive Wood 
 rogue, and other opprobrious speeches, and for rescueing the body of 
 Henry Haskaine from y 5 new Ballives when they wold have taken him 
 before y e Maior. 
 
 " Item we p'sent John Manwarring for abuseing the fast, and saying 
 these words, That if the king had comanded a fast hee wold then have kept 
 it, but because a compane of puritanicall fellowes had appoynted it, hee 
 wold keepe none, nor cared not a f — 't for it, w* dyv rs other revyleing 
 speeches and especially agt the minister. 
 
 " Wee p'sent Henry Robinson for discloseing the seacretts of this Robinson, 
 towne." 
 
 Workmen, servants and apprentices were dealt with in a workmen, 
 very harsh and summary manner. Apprentices? 
 
 1616 Octr 31 st " Wee doe agree that noe artifisser shall receive any 
 journeyman to work before he make Mr Maior acquainted, if hee bee a 
 stranger." 
 
 161 1 Octr 21 st " Wee doe agree that if any man's or woman's s'vants, 
 jornemen, or apprentize, be taken walkinge abroad or drinkeinge or in any 
 other idle occacon after ix o'clock at night, except it be about his said 
 M rs , Mistres, or dame's busines, or of other lawfull occacons, he shall pay 
 xii pence for ev'y such offence, or be imp'soned during Mr Maior's 
 pleasure." 
 
 1630 Jany 11. " Wee p'sent Hugh Houghton for harbouringe mens 
 servants and for keepeinge a suspected bawdy house." 
 
 1641 Octr 25 th " Wee doe order that noe man's s r vant or prentice 
 shalbe found walking in the streets aft r nyne of y e Clocke at night, unlesse 
 upon his Master's busines." 
 
 There are repeated entries enforcing the regular ringing curfew Bell. 
 of the curfew bell. 
 
 'Bailiff in 1627. 
 G G 
 
234 
 
 CHAP. Ill, A.D. 1603— 1660. 
 
 1624, Octr 25 th " We agree to have Corfewe runge according to former 
 order." 
 
 1638, Octr 22 nd " We agree that from this time Corphew shalbe rung 
 as formerly." 
 
 1641 Octr 25 th " Wee doe ord r that the Sexton shall ring curfue at 8 l of 
 the clocke at night, and 4 r of clocke in the morning, from All Saints day 
 till Candlemas next following, and to keepe dogs out of Church." 
 Bellman. 1629 Octr 25 th " Wee agree to have a Bellman to goe about the 
 
 towne at tenn of the clock at night and fouer in the morninge to give 
 warninge to looke to there fires and lockeinge there dores, and acquainte 
 them w tt the wynd and wether, and that hee shall have the wages ev'y 
 yere, that form'ly the Waite hath done." 
 
 Swineherd. The swineherd was an important public functionary. 
 
 1612 Octr 18 th At an Assembly &c " it was agreed that ther shalbe a 
 comon Sweanheard for the keepinge of the swyne of the said towne." 
 1646, June 8 th Thomas Blackmore gen. Maior. 
 Swine. At an Assembly &c. " Whereas it is conceaved and thought fitt that 
 
 ther shalbe a Sheppard and a Swynheard be the keepinge of sheepe upon 
 the Comon, and to looke to the swyne all the day long from trespassing 
 about the towne, It is therefore ordred that John Boulton and William 
 Johnson's sonne shall be Swinheards, and shall receave for ev'ie swyne of 
 the owners thereof 4 d a peece according to the numb' they constantly 
 keepe, and to pay halfe their wages in hand. And whosoever shall 
 wilfully or negligently oppose this order in not puting forth their swyne 
 when y e home blowes, shall forfait 4 d for everie default, to be levied 
 imediatly by the Ballives for the tyme being, to be imployed for y" towne's 
 uses, and this tocontinue everie yeare from the tyme of seedeing till the 
 towne feild be inned." 
 
 Funerals. With reference to funerals, the following order was 
 
 adopted at the Port Moot : — 
 
 161 7, Octr 30. " Wee doe agree that when it pleaseth God to call 
 any neighbo' to his mercie, that ev'ie neighbo' dwellinge in the streete 
 where the p'tie deceased did dwell that of ev'ie house one shall goe to 
 accompany the Corpes to the Church, or els to pay vj d , to bee collected 
 by the Maiors appointment." 
 
 Pastimes. Mention is occasionally made of the pastimes of the 
 
 period. 
 
 1628, June 30 th "We p'sent John Wright for playinge at Cailes upon 
 the Sabbath day at devine service time." 
 
 This seems to have been identical with the modern quoits. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 
 
 235 
 
 Bows and arrows were still kept up as a national weapon. Archery. 
 
 1629, Octr 29 " Wee doe order that the Ballives nowe beinge shall 
 cause one paire of Shooting Butts to be made in the most convenient 
 place thought fitt betwixt this and this day fortnight." 
 
 1637, April 30 th "Wee doe order that everie freeman within this 
 towne shall provide bow and arrowes betweene this day and the first of 
 August next." 
 
 1637, July 3 rd " Wee doe order that the Shooteing Butts shalbe Shooting 
 repayred at or before St James's day next." Butts. 
 
 We lament at the present day the prevalence of drunken- Alehouses. 
 ness and the large number of public-houses, but the evil seems 
 to have been much greater in the middle of the seventeenth 
 century. From a presentment of 1646, April 20, there is 
 enumerated a list of 65 unlicensed ale-houses, in a population 
 of certainly not more than 3,000. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE END OF THE 
 SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 
 
 The period now entered upon was the turning point in the 
 history of Liverpool. Up to this time the town had slumbered 
 
 Mediaeval on for many ages, a petty resort of 'mediaeval traffic, far away 
 from the then centres of English manufactures in the eastern 
 and south-western counties. The population of Lancashire 
 was sparse and poor. The wars of the Roses, in the fifteenth 
 century, had inflicted dire disaster on the district, and the 
 troubles and agitation of the sixteenth century had brought 
 the town to the lowest point of depression about the accession 
 of Elizabeth. It must be said, however, that the worthy 
 
 16th Century, burgesses never lost heart. The records of the sixteenth 
 century breathe a decidedly cheerful tone. The Corporation 
 were always ready to stand up for their rights with true 
 English courage and pluck. But the town and its population 
 had not increased. The four streets radiating from the High 
 Cross contained nearly all the inhabitants, who, at the begin- 
 ning of the seventeenth century, could not have exceeded a 
 thousand in number. They had been decimated by the plague 
 several times in the course of the sixteenth century. 
 
 Revival. That some revival took place in the first half of the seven- 
 
 teenth century is pretty certain, though we have no distinct 
 evidence of it in the town's records. 
 
 East India The commencement of trade with the East Indies, though 
 
 no part of it reached Liverpool, could not but have the effect 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 237 
 
 of stimulating industry in general. The woollen manufactures 
 began to develop largely in the West Riding. The textile 
 fabrics of Manchester were pushing: themselves into notice. Manchester 
 
 Wares. 
 
 Lewis Roberts, in " The Treasure of Traffic," published in 
 1641, says : — " The town of Manchester, in Lancashire, must 
 be also remembered, and worthily, for their encouragement be 
 commended, who buy the yarn of the Irish in great quantity, Irish Yam. 
 and weaving it, return the same again into Ireland to sell. 
 Neither doth their industry rest here, for they buy cotton-wool 
 in London that comes first from Cyprus and Smyrna, and at 
 home work the same, and perfect it into fustians, vermillions, 
 dimities, and other such stuffs, and then return it to London, 
 where the same is vented and sold, and not seldom sent into 
 foreign parts." The Irish portion of this trade, almost of 
 necessity, passed through Liverpool, and no doubt many of 
 the Manchester manufactures were exported through the same 
 channel to France, Spain and Portugal. 
 
 The Civil War, 1642-Q, checked for a time this progressive check from 
 
 1 . , Civil War. 
 
 improvement, but immediately after the Restoration the tide 
 set in with considerable force. The extracts given below 
 sufficiently indicate this advance, which quadrupled the popu- 
 lation in less than half a century, and has gone forward in an 
 ever-increasing ratio to the present time. 
 
 MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 After the passing of the Test and Corporations Act in \m. 
 
 1 1 /-v a. ±. Commission- 
 
 1662, Commissioners were sent down by Ciovernment to ers . 
 
238 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 They lost no time in issuing the 
 
 for regulating 
 Novembris 1662. 
 
 enforce its provisions 
 
 following mandate : — 
 
 " A Coppy of the Orders and proceedings of the Com' 
 Corporacons, made touching this Corporacon 10 th 
 " Com. Lane, Liverpoole Nov 10 th 1662. 
 Proceedings. " Declared by the Com rs in pursuance of the Act of ^"^ar " 2 
 intituled an Act for the well governing and regulating of Corporacons for 
 the County Palatine of Lancaster, That Thomas Blackmore, Thomas 
 Williamson, Ralph Massam, Edward Williamson, Gilbert Formby and 
 Richard Percivall * who have refused to take and subscribe the 
 Declaracon in the sayd Act, being thereunto required be (ipso facto) 
 Removal of removed and displaced of and from the offices and places of Aldermen, 
 Aldermen. and all other their office .of Magistracy, or places, or trusts, or other 
 imploy' relating to, or concerning the goverm' of the sayd respective 
 Corporacon, And that the sayd offices, and places of Aldermen and all 
 other theire offices of Magistracy, or places, or trusts, or other imploym* 
 relating to, or concerning the governm' of the sayd respective Corporacon 
 are her by declared and adjudged to be void to all intents and purposes, 
 as if the sayd respective persons who refused were naturally dead. And 
 be it further ordered, adjudged and declared, That Thomas Weaver, John 
 Chandler, John Sturzaker, Thomas Story, Peter Lurting, Raph Mercer, 
 bee and are herby nominated, constituted, and appointed, to be Aldermen 
 in the places of the p'sons above named." 
 
 " Ordered by the Com' s aforesayd That all such Officers, Majestrates, 
 Aldermen and Comon Councill men as are now ellected, constituted, and 
 appointed, and by reason of theire_ absence cold not now take theire 
 oathes, and subscribe the declaracon in the sayd Act menconed, be 
 referred to take the said oathes and subscribe the sayd declaracon, before 
 any three of the Com rs , who are desired to take the same w^in y c tyme 
 limitted by the said Act. 
 
 " (Signed) " W Stanley Maior 
 
 and seven others." 
 
 Councillors " Declared by the Com rs aforesaid, that Thomas Sandiford, Thomas 
 removed. Asbrooke, Edmund Leivesley, John Pemberton, William Blackmore, 
 Evan Marshland John Thompson, who have refused to take and subscribe 
 the declaracon in the sayd Act being thereunto required, bee (ipso facto) 
 removed and displaced from the offices and places of Comon Councell 
 men, and all other theire office or offices of Magistracy or places or trusts 
 or other imploym' relateing to or concerning the Governm 1 of the sayd 
 respective Corporacon, And that the said offices and places of Comon 
 Councell men, and all other theire offices of Magistracy or places or 
 trusts or other imploym', relating to or concerning the governm* of the said 
 respective Corporacon, are herby declared and adjudged to be void, to all 
 
 1 These six gentlemen had all in turn occupied the civic chair during the Commonwealth. 
 
 Oaths to be 
 taken. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 239 
 
 intents and purposes as if the sayd respective p'sons who refused were 
 naturally dead. 
 
 " And it is further declared that y e p'sons whose names are herupon Councillors 
 endorsed, and who have taken y e said oathes of obedience & supremacy retamed ' 
 and y e s d other oath, and subscribed y e Declaration in y e s d Act menconed 
 (except John Winstanley who by a p'ticular order is disabled) shall hold 
 and enjoy and be vested in y e sayd places and offices of Comon Councell 
 men according to y e said Act." 
 
 So far the Commissioners. The Council then, on the 
 same day, took up the subject. The record runs as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 " Liverpoole Nov r 10 th 1662 „„„ 
 
 " According to an Act entitled An Act for the well governing and commission- 
 regulating of Corporacons, made in the thirteenth yeare of the raigne of ers. 
 King Charles y" seacond, wee the Com rs herafter named adm'stred the 
 severall oathes in th' aforesaid Act menconed, and tooke the severall 
 subscriptions to the declaracon in the Act conteyned, of the persons 
 whose names hereafter followeth. 
 
 " I doe declare that I hold there lyes noe obligacon upon mee or any rj ec i ara tion. 
 other p'son from the oath comonly called the Solemne League and 
 Covenant. And that the same was in it selfe an unlawfull oath and 
 imposed upon the subjects of this Realme ag' the knowne lawes and 
 lib'ties of the kingdome. 
 
 " W Stanley, Maior 
 
 "Wm Kitchen) -p , f 
 
 "Wm Gardner} miyIes 
 
 " John Entwisle Recorder 
 
 " Eight Aldermen and 
 
 " 24 Councillors." 
 
 Then follow the signatures of eight Royal Commissioners. 
 Some of the Aldermen were not so compliant, as appears 
 by the following entry of the same date : — 
 
 " Thomas Blackmore, Thomas Williamson, Ralph Massam, Edward 1664. 
 Williamson, Gilbert Formby and Ed. Percival ordered to be discharged 
 from their offices as Aldermen of the town for refusing to subscribe to the 
 declaration contained in the Act 13 Charles II., for the well governing of 
 Corporations." 
 
 1664 June 27* " These men following viz' voted to be of the Councell, 
 Capt n Edw d Tarleton, Mr Tho. Christian, Tho. Birch, Tho. Bridge, Will m 
 Eccleston . All but Mr Christian sworne and subscribed their renuncacon 
 of the Covenant. 
 
 Robert Fleetwood also then voted to be of the Councell, and afterwards 
 
240 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1669. 
 
 Town Clerk 
 removed. 
 
 Blundell 
 
 appointed. 
 
 Outside 
 
 Burgesses 
 
 admitted. 
 
 1663. 
 Levy. 
 
 being sumoned to take the oathes by law in such case p'scribed, declared 
 his unwillingness to take on him that charge." 
 
 Thomas Birch, mentioned above, had no such scruples. 
 He had been colonel in the Parliamentary army, and governor 
 of the town, 1644-5. He represented the borough in Parlia- 
 ment from 1649 to the Restoration, when he settled in 
 Liverpool, and died in 1678. 
 
 Thomas Blackmore, who was expelled for refusing to 
 subscribe the declaration, was member for the borough during 
 Cromwell's last Parliament. 
 
 1662 ^Ordered by the Com" for the well Governing and regulating of 
 Corporacons in the County Palatine of Lane. That John Winstanley be 
 removed from being Towne Clerke or Comon Councell man. And that 
 William Blundell of Liverpoole be declared Towne Clerke in his place, 
 the Com rs unanimously deeming it expedient for y* publique safty and 
 encouragm' of loyalty. 
 
 " Given und r our hands and seales 
 " the day and yeare above written." 
 
 Signed by 6 Commissioners. 
 
 This proceeding is singular, as Winstanley, the Town 
 Clerk, had signed the declaration and taken the oath. 
 
 1662, Nov. 24. A list is given of thirty-eight names of 
 
 persons admitted as burgesses from outside, principally 
 
 gentlemen of landed estate, amongst whom are — 
 
 " Sir Roger Bradshaigh of Haigh Hall, 
 "Townley of Townley, 
 " Eccleston of Eccleston, 
 "Leigh of Lyne, 
 
 " WOOLFALL of Woolfall, 
 
 " Brettergh of Brettergh, 
 " Gerard of Bryn, 
 " Fazakerly of Spellow House, 
 " Norris of West Derby, 
 "Turner of Preston." 
 
 1663, July 13. At an Assembly, &c. — " It is ordered that y e some of 
 twenty pounds shall be forth w th taxed and assessed by the marchant 
 apprizers upon y e inhabitants of this towne and burrough, and collected, 
 levied, and gathered by the baylifes of y e same, for y e necessary use and 
 disbursem te 'of the s d towne." 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 241 
 
 The following significant notice is entered under the same 
 date : — 
 
 " Upon reading a letter from Mr. John Case, certifying that Writts of Quo 
 Quo Warranto are to be issued forth to all Corporacons. It is ordered Warranto, 
 that a letter be forthw" 1 sent to y* said Mr. Case for his further advice, and 
 touching the renuing of the towne's charter." 
 
 " 1664, Jany 28 th Peter Lurting Gen. Maior. 
 
 " At an Assembly &c. Whereas William Blundell of Prescott gent, 
 was by the Com rs for regulating Corporacons chosen Towne Clerke, in the 
 room of Mr John Winstanley, who was removed by the said Com rs ; And 
 whereas the said Wm Blundell now livinge in Prescott, cannot answeare Blundell 
 the full service belonginge to the office of Town Clerke in regard of such resigns, 
 his remoteness ; and hath therefore very freely resigned ; now upon pro- 
 posall of the eleccon of another Clerke in the roome of the said Wm 
 Blundell, Itt is upon good & mature delib'acon this day ordered concluded 
 and agreed upon by the wor'll Mr Maior, the Aldermen, Baylives & the 
 rest of the Comon Counsell now here in the Town Hall assembled, that 
 Samuel Fazakerley of this towne gent, shall be Town Clerke in the Fazakerly 
 room & stead_of the said Wm Blundell ; and the said Mr Maior, Aldermen, appointed. 
 Balives & Comon Councel men, doe constitute elect and choose the said 
 Samuell Fazakerley Town Clerke in the room & place of the said Wm 
 Blundell, to doe, execute and p'forme the said office, & to receive & take 
 the fees due and belonginge to the said office. _Hee the said Samuel 
 Fazakerley paying yearly for the said office the sume of five Pounds, soe 
 long as he shall continue in the said office, or untill furth r ord' r ." 
 
 In 1663, a bill was introduced into Parliament for the Navigation 
 improvement of the navigation of the Mersey and the Weaver. Bl11 °PP° sed ' 
 This bill met with the most strenuous opposition on the part 
 of the Liverpool Corporation, and was for the time defeated. 
 Thirty years afterwards, mainly through the efforts of Mr. 
 Thomas Patten, of Bank Hall, Warrington, the improvement 
 of the upper course of the Mersey was effected. That of the 
 Weaver was postponed until the next century. 
 
 The following entry relates to this subject : — 
 
 1664 Feby 25 th Att an Assembly &c. " It is ordered and thought X664. 
 meet, that Mr Maior w th some others as he shall think fitt, shall treat w ,h Costs. 
 Capt, John Case touching his demand of costs expended by him in 
 defending against the Bill brought in for making navigable the rivers of 
 Mersey and Weaver; and to allow him what Mr Maior and his said 
 assistants shall think meet." 
 
 H H 
 
242 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Lighthouses The erection of lighthouses on the coast met with similar 
 
 oppose . pp 0s ition. In 1664 a bill was brought into Parliament for 
 
 building a lighthouse somewhere near the mouth of the 
 
 Mersey. This was sent down to the Council by Sir Gilbert 
 
 Ireland, one of the Members, whereon the following entry was 
 
 passed : — 
 
 1664 June 27 th Att an Assemblie &c "It is ordered that a Peticon be 
 framed in the name of the Merchants, Owners of Shipps, and Seamen of 
 this burrough, to oppose a Bill intended to be exhibited in the next 
 P'liam', a draught or copie whereof is sent to us by o r worthie and hono' ble 
 Member and burges in P'liam' for this Corporacon, S r Gilb' Ireland, & 
 now read unto us, being for the p'tended erecting & setting up of light- 
 houses w th in the range of the redd Channell, to testify our utter dislike 
 thereof, and disowninge anie of oure consent thereunto, as in the same 
 draught is pretended untruely." 
 
 Port defined. The port of Liverpool was held from its origin to include 
 both shores of the Mersey. This was frequently disputed by 
 the citizens of Chester, but on all occasions stoutly main- 
 tained by the Corporation of Liverpool. 1 
 
 1664 Feby 18 " It is ordered that upon landing of anie cattle or other 
 goods on Worrall Side ov' against & within the lib'ties of this port, the 
 Water Baylive for the tyme being shall distreyne anie the said goodes, 
 cattells or merchandizes for the usuall customes due to this towne, and 
 for such distresse shall be indemnified." 
 
 In 1671 a record is entered of the boundaries of the 
 borough, which appear identical with a similar entry in 1541. 
 
 " The perambulacoh is from the Water Street end to Beeton guttar 
 on the north of Liverpoole ; hence to the Grove and the Meyre 
 stone in Mr Moore's meadow, thence to Kirkdall lane to the Meyre stone 
 there over against the Beakon ; thence to a Meyre stone in Syres ditch 
 adjoining the Breck; thence through the several fields to Liverpoole 
 Comon, and soe after the Comon side to the Meyre stone at Johnson's 
 field end on the east side of the towne, and soe up the guttar or valley to 
 the Moss lake to a place called Hollin hedge, and thence straight to the 
 Park wall, and all along the Park wall and through two crofts to Booth's 
 Mill, and soe to the sea side, and all along the sea side over the Poole, 
 and thence along the sea side to Water street end." 
 
 Wirral side 
 claimed. 
 
 Boundaries of 
 Borough. 
 
 1 Vide supra, pp. 153. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 243 
 
 " Our liberty at sea to arrest within the flood mark is on both sides the Flood mark, 
 river of Mersey, as far upward as the same fiowes, with custome or toll 
 on either side the river, with other usuall priviledges of the river." 
 
 The records of the Liverpool Corporation during the 
 reigns of Charles II. and James II. are so full of interesting 
 matter illustrative of the Corporate constitution, and of the 
 relations between the Crown and the Municipalities, that they 
 are worth extracting at some length. 
 
 The charter of Charles I. was liberal in its constitution, constitution 
 vesting all power in the burgesses at large. The Council ° ouncI ' 
 had become gradually self-elected, and usurped the entire 
 control over the town's affairs. This naturally created con- 
 siderable discontent, which was increased when the Test and 
 Corporation Act was passed in 1661, and six of the alder- 
 men were excluded from office for refusing to take the oaths. 
 The party in power, therefore, lost no time in the endeavour 
 to get a renewal of the charter, which should change the 
 constitution, and legalise their usurped power. 
 
 1664, May 10th. At a meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Council. Renewal of 
 "It is ordered and thought fitt, that our Charter be reneued w th what Charter, 
 possible speed may bee, and likewise that all endeavor shall bee made 
 that may bee, to make this an absolute free port. It is also ordered that 
 a leye of foure score pounds shall be forthw" 1 taxed and assessed w th in 
 this Burrough towards the defrayeing of the charge of the p'secuting 
 thereof." 
 
 Some hesitation, however, took place, for on the 6th 
 October following, the execution of this order was suspended 
 till further notice, and the matter slept for three years. 
 
 In 1666, Charles Earl of Derby was elected Mayor, 
 and on the 20th June, 1667, the following resolution was 1667. 
 passed : — 
 
 " Itt is thought fitt and ordered, That if it please God to grant us peace Proceedings, 
 and settlement in this kingdom, that in returne of the right hono ble the 
 Earle of Derbie, his gracious offers of favo' to thie towne, applicacon shall 
 be made to his Lo pp by the Aldermen of this towne, to acquaint his hono' 
 of the freedome of this Assembly to have theire Charter renued in his Lo pps 
 
244 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Sir Gilbert 
 Ireland. 
 
 Maioralty, if it please God wee shall have peace in this kingdome. _And 
 such of this burrough as his Lo pp shall direct, may make applicacon to 
 Counsell in ord r thereunto, if it to his Lo pp may seeme meet." 
 
 1667 On the 10th of the following October 
 
 Earl of Derby. " It is ordered by the Assembly That upon consideracon of the right 
 hono bl= the Earle of Darby our most noble Maior his gracious late favo rs 
 & incouragem' to us members of this burrough Corporate, we are 
 unanimously resolved & doe make it our desire That all suitable & 
 convenient preparacon shall be forthw th made, in order to renuinge of our 
 Charter of Liv'poole. And the rather that some p'ceeding as the short 
 tyme may p'mitt, may be done in his Lo pps Maioralty. And that his Lo pp 
 shall be recorded in our great Booke of Records, as the principall 
 promoter thereof." 
 
 Nothing, however, came of this. 
 
 1667 Nov r 10 th At an Assembly &c. " It is ordered that S r Gilbert 
 Ireland, one of the Burgesses in Fliam 1 for this towne, and John 
 Entwisle Esq Recorder of the same, be w* as much speed as may be, 
 consulted w tt , in ordj to renuinge of our Charter & adviseinge us in the 
 method & preparacon thereunto." 
 
 It is also ordered at the same Assembly 
 
 " That Mr James Jerrom shall be entrusted as principall Agent to 
 solicit and undertake the renuinge of our Charter, w* what convenient 
 expedicon may _be, And from tyme to tyme to receive & observe our 
 advice and direccon in reference thereunto, And what he shall dispend 
 therein, to be paid out of the Treasurie of this towne." 
 
 Whilst this was going forward, complaints were made that 
 the Test Act had not been carried out with sufficient rigour, 
 and the following proclamation was issued : — 
 1668 " Thomas Lord Colchester, 1 Maior 
 " Copie of a 1" from the Lords of 
 " His Ma te Privie Counsell 
 
 "After_our hearty commendacohs, His Ma ty havinge received frequent 
 informacon from severall parts of this kingdome That divers persons 
 formerly displased by y Com rs authorised for regulatinge Corporacons, in 
 pursuance ofan Acte of Parliam', and others, doe without takinge y e oath 
 and declaracon appointed by the statute of the 13 th of his Ma" 5 Raigne, 
 endeavour to be ellected and readmitted into the sev'all offices of Mayors, 
 
 the Ear'u 1 f S D LO b d C ° lchestet was the eldest son of Earl Rivers > and "a»'«l to a daughter of 
 
 1668. 
 Proclamation 
 as to Test Act 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 245 
 
 Bayliffs, Sherriffs, Aldermen, Towne Clearks, and other offices, in the 
 respective Cytyes and Boroughs of this Kingdome, with dessire as may be 
 justly apprehended, to disturb the peace and happines of his Ma"" 
 Governm'. His Ma" thereupon hath comanded us to pray and require 
 you to signifie his pleasure unto the Mayor, Bayliffe and Aldermen and 
 other officers of all and every Citty and town Corporate within ye County 
 Pallatine of Lancaster; That they doe not henceforward adniitt any 
 p'son or p'sons into any office w'soever in any of theire Corporacons but 
 accordinge to the rules p'scribed by the Acte of Parliam'. And soe not 
 doubtinge of yo r care herein wee bid you heartily farewell ; 
 " From y e Court of Whitehall y e 22 nd day of September 1668 
 " Yo r ever lovinge Freinds 
 
 " Gilbert Cant (Archbishop of Canterbury) 
 
 " Craven (Earl) 
 
 " Ormond (Duke) 
 
 " Bath (Marquis) 
 
 " Humph. London. (Bishop) 
 
 " Lauderdaill (Earl) 
 
 " Midleton (Lord) 
 
 " Arlington (Lord) 
 
 " and others." 
 
 In 1669, the election of Mr. Thomas Bicksteth as Mayor 16 69. 
 
 was objected to on information to the Privy Council. His Nation 
 
 name is not found amongst those who took the test in 1662. dls P uted - 
 
 The following entry appears under date November 30th, 
 
 1669 : — 
 
 *' Att an Assembly &c. Whereas we have rec d l'res from our Burgesses 
 and Col. John Birch a member of Parliam' & others, of compp- ag' us to his 
 Ma" 7 & Counsell concerninge our late election of Mr Thomas Bickesteth 
 our Maior, it is ordered that it shall be lawfull to & for the s d Mr Bicksteth 
 o r Maior at all tymes hereafter during the tyme of his Maioralty for quiet- 
 ing of the s d compl B in reference to the s d election or any other concerne 
 of this towne, to ymploy & order Solicitors as he shall see meet in defence 
 of the said matters, or any other matt 1 now stirred up, or hereafter to be 
 stirred up in reference to the said election or other concerne of this towne, 
 & all charges therein expended by order of the Mr Maior shall be paid out Payment of 
 of the towne's treasury. And whereas letters are frequent to Mr Maior costs. 
 from our burgesses & Mr Birch & others in reference to the towne's con- 
 cerne, w " to answer and make returne to, wee doe further ord r that 
 the said Mr Maior may answer the same as he shall from tyme to tyme 
 think meet, taking to his assistance some such of the Counsell as he shall 
 think fitt, being foure at the least w th out calling a full assembly. And wee 
 doe hereby ratify & allow what they shall act in reference thereto." 
 
 Signed by Thomas Bickesteth 
 and 23 others. 
 
246 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 .1671. 
 
 Recusants 
 fined. 
 
 Remon- 
 strances 
 suppressed. 
 
 Disclosures 
 punished. 
 
 1678. 
 
 Election Riot. 
 
 The oaths continued to present considerable difficulty. 
 
 1671, November 7th. 
 " Whereas at the last court of elecon of Maior and other officers in this 
 Corporacon viz' upon St Luke's day last, a fine of thirty pounds was 
 imposed by Mr Thomas Johnson then Maior, and the Aldermen then 
 present, upon Peter Atherton a member of the same Corporacon for 
 refuseing to take upon him the office of Baylive of the same, and to take 
 the oaths and make the subcrippcon as by the lawes in that case is 
 appointed; upon his the said Peter Atherton 's submission to the now 
 Maior & Aldermen, and his promise willingly hereafter to take upon him 
 that office when he shall bee next lawfully elected, twenty pounds, part of 
 the said fine is hereby remitted." x 
 
 Party spirit ran very high, and severe measures were 
 occasionally adopted. 
 
 " 1672 Octr 28 th At an Assembly before Silvester Richmond Esq 
 Maior. It is ordered that if any member of this Assembly have contrived, 
 consented or shall consent to, or subscribe a pap r or libell now brought 
 into this Councell & read publickly, pretending itselfe to be a remonstrance 
 ag' some pretended grievances , the same pap r being of itselfe very scandel- 
 ous & of bad consequence, imposing an unjust ympeachm' upon the late 
 Magistrates & Govern" of this towne ; It is ordered that every or any 
 such member of this Assembly that shall be found to have bin consenting, 
 privie or subscribing to the same libell, such member shall be from hence- 
 forth deposed & degraded from his trust or place of a Comon Councell 
 man. And likewise if any member of this Councell shall at any tyme 
 hereafter be convict, or found by strong presumption & direct or circum- 
 stantial proofe, to discover or disclose any part of the acts or things here 
 done in Counsell, till a due publication shall be thereof made, such 
 member so discloseing any of the secretts of this Councell to any who are 
 not of this Assembly, shall after such proofe made ag' him shall likewise 
 from thenceforth be deposed & degraded from having any vote or place 
 in this Assembly, and be subject to such fine or penaltie as shall be 
 ymposed upon him for such defalt. And the fine is now imposed, viz' 
 forty pounds upon every Alderman & twenty pounds upon every other 
 member of this Assembly disclosing unduly any secretts of this Councell. 
 
 " (Signed) S Richmond Maior 
 
 " & 29 others." 
 
 At the election of Mayor on St. Luke's day, 1673, a rather 
 serious emeute took place. It is thus recorded : — 
 
 1673 Ocf 18* "Whereas on Saturday the eighteenth day of this 
 1 Peter Atherton was elected Bailiff the following year. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 247 
 
 instant October in the Comon Hall of the Burrough & Corporation of 
 
 Liverpoole, the Maior, Baylives and Burgesses of the said burrough were 
 
 assembled together to make an election of a Maior for the_succeeding 
 
 yeare according to the charter & custome of the said Corporacon, and Mr 
 
 James Jerrom_ was then & there duely elected & chosen Maior of the 
 
 said Corporacon for the ensuinge yeare, and declared publickly in open 
 
 Court by Mr Silvester Richmond present Maior to be soe according to 
 
 custome of the said burrough ; whereupon the said Court was adjourned 
 
 & all p'sons there assembled discharg'd by proclamation from any further 
 
 attendance; Nevertheles Richard Lurting, Thomas Stockley, Joshua 
 
 Cubban & Edward Litherland w" 1 sev'all others unknowne, in disturbance 
 
 of the publick peace & contrary to theire respective oathes and duties of 
 
 freemen of the said Corporacon, in affront to the authority of the said Mr 
 
 Richmond then Maior for the tyme being, did riotously unite & assemble 
 
 themselves in the said Comon Hall ; And refused to suffer the said Maior, 
 
 having comanded the Serjeant w* his Mace to goe before him, to passe 
 
 out of the said hall three severall tymes, and constrayned him so often to 
 
 returne to his place, not w th out some violence offered to his p'son ; and 
 
 kept him under theire restraint by the space of two houres, and untill he Mayor in 
 
 was inforced to call for ayd of some of his officers w^out, w th theire hal- durance - 
 
 berds to inlarge and secure his person, & severall other of the Aldermen, 
 
 the Baylives & other of the Comon Councell men then present w* him in 
 
 the said Comon hall, and the said Richard Lurting and the other parties 
 
 being duely suinoned to appeare before us, have shewed no reasonable 
 
 cause why they have soe done. It is therefore ordered by the said Maior 
 
 & Comon Councell that the said parties shall hereby bee from henceforth 
 
 disfranchized of & from theire freedomes & liberties of the said Corporacon Rioters 
 
 and burrough, and are hereby declared to be disabled to exercise the dlsfrancni sed. 
 
 facultie of freemen w*in the said burrough and Corporacon. And that 
 
 warrants of good behaviour be yssued forth by the said Mr Maior against 
 
 the p'sons whose names are indorsed on the present folio for the 
 
 misdemeano" & offences comitted by them the same day upon the said 
 
 election. Witness our hands put the aforesaid twentieth day of October 
 
 1673 
 
 " S. Richmond, Maior 
 " and 30 others." 
 
 Twenty-six persons were included in this indictment. 
 Whilst the two parties were struggling for ascendency, 
 freemen were sometimes admitted irregularly. 
 
 1676, Octr 23 rd Robert Williamson, Mariner, Mayor. 
 
 At a Portmoot. " Resolved upon the question That by the ancient 1676. 
 custome and usage of this Corporation, the Maior for the tyme being Illegal 
 without his Baylives, major part of the Aldermen and Town Clark being Freemen. 
 present ought not to administer the oath of a freeman to any person to 
 
248 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Repudiated. 
 
 Aldermen 
 rebuked. 
 
 Records 
 mutilated. 
 
 the intent to admitt a freeman of this Corporation without special order 
 of the Counsell for that purpose." 
 
 1676 Novr I st "Resolved upon the Question That all those who 
 within three dayes before the election of the present Maior were irre- 
 gularly brought in to be sworne freemen of this Corporation, there not 
 being any order of Councell to enable the doing thereof, shall not be 
 deemed freemen duely elected of this Corporation, nor shall be enrolled 
 by the Town Clark in the roll of freemen." 
 
 " Resolved upon the question That Ald r Thomas Andoe Aid' Peter 
 Lurting, and Aid' Thomas Johnson who introduced and promoted the 
 aforesaid persons to bee irregularly admitted to take the oaths of freemen 
 of this Corporation, are guilty of a breach of trust, and have acted 
 contrary to their duty expressed in the oaths of a freeman for preservation 
 of the ancient custome of this Corporation." 
 
 During these dissensions the records of the Corporation 
 had been tampered with, as appears from the following 
 resolution of the same date (November 1st, 1676) : — 
 
 " Resolved upon the question, That the rending, cutting or pulling out, 
 of leavs and pages out of the ancient books of records of this towne, 
 where any interest of some perticular persons who have formerly bin 
 Maiors of this towne are touched or concerned, gives this Corporation a 
 caution not to give the power of it to any of their heyrs or assignes to 
 doe the like, and that it will not be safe for this Corporation to lodg the 
 ancient books of record in the hands of those which clayme under such 
 person." 
 to " Resolved upon the question. That any person who hath bin declared 
 incapable to serve the Kings Mat y in the office of Justice of Peace for the 
 County of Lancaster ought not to be admitted or exercise the office 
 of Chiefe Magistrate or other publick office of trust of or for this 
 Corporation." 
 
 New charter. The new charter was at length obtained, bearing date 
 July 8th, 1677. In the subsequent charter of 1695, this is 
 referred to as obtained by 
 
 " a few of the burgesses by a combination among themselves without 
 the assent of the greater part of the burgesses, and without a surrender 
 of the previous charter or any judgment of Quo Warranto or otherwise 
 Changes. given against the same, in which sundry changes were designed to be 
 made in the government of the said town, which said alterations have 
 caused many differences and doubts concerning the liberties, franchises 
 and customs of the said town." 
 
 Objections 
 Elections. 
 
 Considerable dissatisfaction was manifested in carrying 
 into effect the terms of the charter. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 249 
 
 " 1677 Octr 31 st William Richard George, Earl of Derby Mayor. 1677. 
 At an Assembly &c 
 
 " Alderman Peter Lurting being required to take the oath of a Comon Refusals to 
 Councellman, according to the new charter, late granted by his Maj ty , J» k e oath. 
 desires to be excused in regard of his age. 
 
 " Alderman Thomas Johnson being alsoe required to take the oath, Johnson, 
 answers, he'el take noe more oaths unles to be elected to some new 
 office, and denies to take the oath of a Comon Councellman pursuant to 
 the said new charter. 
 
 " Mr Thomas Preeson one of the Comon Councell, and one nominated Preeson. 
 in the new charter, being an aged' and infirm person, and publickly 
 haveing declared in Councell his inability to attend that office, and prayed 
 thereof to be discharged, is therefore from henceforth now discharged. 
 
 "Alderman Thomas Andoe one of the Comon Councell members Andoe. 
 nominated in the last charter granted to this Corporation, this day 
 publickly and voluntarily declares that tho' he was sumoned, hee himselfe 
 not concern'd in the Councell, and denies to take any the oaths appointed 
 by Act of Parliam' by persons of publick office or trust, and more p'ticu- 
 larly the oath of a Comon Councell man. And therefore it is conceived 
 by this Assembly that the said Mr Andoe hath voluntarily discharged Discharges. 
 himselfe from the office of a Comon Councell man, and is hereby declared 
 to be discharged from the same." 
 
 On St. Luke's day, 1679, Mr. Thomas Bicksteth overcame Bicksteth 
 all his scruples. It is recorded under this date — 
 
 "Thomas Bicksteth eldest alderman tooke all the oathes by lawe 
 required, and made" subscription & sworne Justice of y e peace for y e 
 Corporacon." 
 
 The Government were not satisfied with the perfunctory 
 manner in which the test oaths were administered, and in 
 1680 the following mandate was issued : — 
 
 "TheCoppieof a L' re from y* Privie Councell rec d the 18 th day of 1680. 
 
 Aprill 1680. Mandate from 
 
 r Privy Council. 
 
 "After our heartie comendacons, Whereas by an Act made in y e 
 13 th yeare of his Ma aes Reigne intituled an Act for y e well governinge & 
 regulatinge of Corporacons' it is amongst other thinges enacted ; Thatt all 
 persons who upon y e 24 th day of Decemb' :66i should bee Mayors, Alder- 
 men, Recorders, Bailiffs, Towne Clerkes, Comon Councell men and other 
 persons then bearinge any office of Magistracie or places of trust or other 
 imploym' relatinge to or concerninge the government of the respective 
 Citties, Corporations and Burroughs and Cinque Ports and their members, 
 and other port townes w ,h in y e Kingdom of England, dominion of Wales, 
 
 I I 
 
35° CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660—1699. 
 
 Oaths. and towne of Berwick upon Tweed, shall take the oathe of Allegiance and 
 
 Supremacie, and likewise an oath declaring & believinge it unlawfull upon 
 any p'tence whatsoever, to take Armes against the Kinge, and shall also 
 publiquely subscribe a declaracon against the Solemn League and 
 Covenant (the former of w ch s d last mentioned oath and declaration are 
 conteyned in the bodie of the said Act,) And whereas it is therein further 
 enacted That noe person or persons shall for ever be placed or chosen in 
 or to any of y e offices aforesaid that shall not within one yeare next before 
 Sacrament to such election & choice have taken the Sacrament accordinge to the rites 
 e ta en. f y e church of England, & shall likewise take the aforesaid three oathes, 
 and subscribe y e said Declaration at y e same time that the oath for the due 
 execution of the said places and offices respectivelie shalbee administered 
 (It being provided by the said Act that everie person who shall be placed 
 in any Corporation shall upon his admission take the oathes usuallye 
 taken by members of such Corporacon). And in default thereof everie 
 such placeing or election is thereby enacted and declared to bee void. 
 And whereas it is further enacted by the s d statute That the s d three 
 Administra- oathes and declaracon shalbee from time to time administred and 
 tion of Oaths, tendred to such person and persons who by y* true meaninge of y 6 said 
 Act, or any clause therein conteyned are to take the same by such person 
 or persons respectivelye, who _by the charters or usages of y= respective 
 Citties, burroughs & Corporacons &c ought to administer the oath for the 
 due executinge the said places or offices ; or in default of such by two 
 Justices of the peace of the said Citties, burroughs Corporacons &c if any 
 such there bee, or otherwise by two Justices of the peace of the respective 
 Counties where the s d Citties, Corporacons & burroughs are. And 
 whereas it is further enacted by the aforesaid statute y' the persons there- 
 by authorized to administer the s d oathes and tender the s d declaration 
 Entries to be shall cause Memorandums & entries to bee made of all oathes taken before 
 made - them and subscriptions made as aforesaid, and deliver the same once a 
 
 yeare to the respective Towne_Clerkes or other Register or Clerke of the 
 s d respective Citties, Corporacons, & burroughs &c, who shal cause the 
 same to bee fairelee entred into the bookes and registers belonging to y e s d 
 respective Citties &c. Wherefore his Ma" at this Board havinge taken 
 into consideracon of what great importance it is to y e publicke peace of 
 the Kingdome in generall, as well as to the orderlye and quiet government 
 of each Cittie &c in particular, Wee doe in his Ma Ues name hereby 
 Report to be require you w* all convenient speed to give an account to his Ma u « at this 
 Board, whether the said Act hath beene duelye putt in execution from 
 time to time within your burrough of Liverpoole. And whether memoran- 
 dums or entries have been kept of the same, as by the s d Act is directed ; 
 And further, that you take effectuall care that all matters conteined in the 
 said Act bee strictlye put in execution for the future in relation to the 
 takinge of the Sacrament, and the oathes thereby required to bee taken & 
 y e subscription of the Declaration, and the keeping of entries of the same ; 
 of w ch we expect a punctuall account and observance from you. And you 
 
 made. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 251 
 
 are also carefullyeto examine whether all such as have beene already 
 chosen into any place or office of Magistracie, or trust, or other employ- 
 ment relatinge to or concerninge the government of your said burrough 
 of Liverpoolejiave taken the Sacrament and the said oathes, and subscribed 
 y e s d Declaracon as by the said Act is required and directed, And that if 
 you find any who have failed therein, that you forthwith cause everie such 
 person or persons to bee removed, accordinge to the direction of the said Defaulters to 
 statute, whereby the election of any person not takinge the Sacrament remove • 
 and oathes as aforesaid, & subscribinge the declaracon is enacted and 
 declared to be void. And you are likewise to returne y e names of all such Names to be 
 p'sons who havinge accepted of any elections to y" places afores d & have returned - 
 not taken y 6 Sacrament & oathes & subscribed y e declaracon afores d have 
 yet p'sumed to sitt or act in any of the s d places. And of all your 
 p'ceedinges herein you are to give a just & true account to his Ma" at 
 this Board from time to time. And soe wee bidd you heartilye farewell 
 " From the Court at Whitehall y° 26 th daye of March 1680 
 
 "S Godolphin Bridgewater Finc C 
 
 " Thos Doleman Bathe Anglesey t p s 
 
 Hyde Albemarle 
 
 Ernle Worcester." 
 Jenkins 
 
 directed " To our loveinge friends y e Maior and Aid™ of y e towne of 
 
 Liverpoole." 
 
 1681 Aug 3 rd At an Assembly it was ordered, 
 
 "That an Addresse bee drawn upp and presented to his Majestie Ad 3g® t t * 
 givinge him thanckes for his late gratious declaration, and that the said King. 
 Addresse bee drawne upp by Mr Bicksteth, Mr Marsden, Mr Chorley, and 
 read to the Councell on Monday next." 
 
 " The eight daye of August 1681 
 " Att an especiall Councell then held The Addresse underwritten was 
 read, and upon mature debate was unanimouslie agreed unto by Mr Maior, 
 the Aldermen, and farre greatest part of the Councell ; it should be fairlie 
 well writt and subscribed by them ; and in a few daies after it was sent 
 by Alderman Robert Williamson, and by him (through the favour of the 
 Lord Arlington) p'sented to his Sacred Majestie, who heard it read and 
 graciously accepted of it. 
 
 '* TO THE KrNGE'S MOST' EXCELLENT MAJESTIE 
 
 " The humble Addresse of the Maior, Aldermen, and Common Councell 
 of the Seaport and Burrough of Liverpoole in the Countie of 
 Lancaster. 
 " Wee your Ma** most loyal subjects, hold it our duetie most solemnlye Blessings 
 & publicklye to acknowledge to your Majestie the great blessings which conferred. 
 God hath pleased to vouchsafe us in your Majesties stedfast adherence to 
 the true Protestant religion duringe the time of your unhappie exile, 
 notwithstandinge your manie and great temptations to the contrarie — in 
 your mercifull indulgence to your subjects att your miraculous Restora- 
 
252 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Religion and 
 Liberty. 
 
 Lives and 
 Fortunes. 
 
 tion. In your havinge maineteyned our said religion with our civill 
 libertie and propertie by lawe established. And lastlye in assuringe us 
 by your late gratious Declaration that your Majestie will make the 
 excellent lawes of the land the rule of your government both in Church 
 and State, and endeavor the extirpation of Poperie. 
 
 " In testimonie of our thankfullnesse to God and your Ma tie for theise 
 great blessinges and favours, wee most humblye and cordiallye engage 
 ourselves with the hazard of our lives and fortunes (as both by our 
 naturall and sworne allegiance we are bound) to defend and maineteine 
 your Ma ties royall person, heires, and lawfull successors, crowne and dignitie, 
 against all Popish contrivances & other devices whatsoever. 
 
 " Prayinge for your Ma tles longe and peaceable reigne and everlastinge 
 happinesse hereafter." 
 
 Reluctance to 
 Oaths. 
 
 1682. 
 
 Mollineux 
 discharged. 
 
 Bishop of 
 Kildare. 
 
 Notwithstanding this effusive expression of loyalty, there 
 was considerable reluctance to take the qualifying oaths. 
 On the 7th September, 1682, 
 
 " Att a Councell then assembled, it was ordered by Mr Maior (Thos. 
 Clayton) and greatest pt of the Councell, that by reason of y* want of 
 Common Councell men y e Corporations were delayed," certain persons 
 then named were elected, " who took all the oaths and subscribed as by 
 lawe required." 
 
 " Mr John Mollineux, refusinge to take the oathes of allegiance and 
 supremacie, and the other oath, and sayinge that hee would not take them 
 untill he were elected to an office in this Corporacon, and then departinge 
 the Councell without leave from Mr Maior ; hee was discharged by the 
 Councell & is hereby discharged." 
 
 Occasionally this was counterbalanced by an excess of 
 ostentatious loyalty. Here is an instance. Dr. William 
 Moreton, Bishop of Kildare, was admitted freeman in 1682. 
 It is recorded that 
 
 » hee was admitted free gratis and tooke the oathes of Allegiance and 
 Supremacy upon Jits knees, and was sworne freeman the two and twentieth 
 day of May 1682." 
 
 1683. 
 Rye-house 
 Plot. 
 
 1683, July 12th. After the discovery of the Rye-house 
 Plot, and the Execution of Sidney and Russell, the Corpora- 
 tion of Liverpool, or rather the party which had illegally 
 usurped its functions, presented a loyal address to the King, 
 as follows : — 
 
. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 253 
 
 " The humble address of the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Councell Address. 
 of your Majesties ancient borrough & port of Liverpoole in the 
 countie of Lancaster. 
 
 " Dread soveraigne. Altho' wee live in one of those remote counties 
 w 1 * enjoye not the happinesse of your Ma" es presence, yet are wee not 
 deprived of the benigne influence of that gentle and auspicious govern- 
 ment, w* at once shows your Ma Ue to bee the best of princes, and of men. The King the 
 And therefore wee cannot but expresse our early and just abhorrence of best of 
 those trayterous and unparallelled designes w* were intended at the same rmces • 
 time to destroy your Ma" B royal person, and your dearest brother, and 
 carried on by a factious and restless sort of men who cannot endure Factions, 
 prerogative, because it secures the propertie of your Ma" es good subjects, 
 over whom they would tyrannize as formerly they have done. A sort of 
 men whose infectious anti-monarchial principles are enough to empoysen 
 all that are not sufficiently prepared w* the infallible antidote of loyaltie. 
 But wee hope that this repeated instance of God's signal providence will 
 convince us all that your Ma* is reserved to bee the scourge of rebells 
 & traytors, & that the Councells of your faithful Hushais shall ever Hushais and 
 prevail ag* the united force of all aspiringe Absoloms, & the desperate Absoloms. 
 advise of all pestilent Achitophells. And now, great Sir, what more 
 remaines but that wee render our unfeigned thanckes to Almighty God for 
 his gratious and wonderfull deliverance of your Ma a " sacred person & 
 your royall brother from the sonnes of violence. And to assure your 
 Ma tie that wee shall bee alwaies readie to defend your Ma Ues royal person, 
 your h'eires, and successors in the right line, the present established 
 government, both in church & state with the utmost of our fortunes and 
 the extremitie of our lives against all plotts, associations and conspiracies 
 whatsoever. 
 
 Edward Tarleton, Mayor." 
 
 1 2th July 1683. 
 
 " The above Addresse was fairlie transcribed and by S r Thomas 
 phichley, Chancelor of the Duchie p'sented to his Ma tie and by him 
 graciouslye received & approved of, the eighteenth day of July 1683." 
 
 The allusions in this address are noticeable. Dryden's 
 poem of " Absolom and Achitophel " had been recently 
 published, and was very popular. The phrase, "united force of 
 aspiringe Absoloms," is levelled at the Duke of Monmouth, 
 who was commencing the fatal course which led to his ruin. 
 
 1683 Nov' 7 th At a Council &c "upon debate whether Alderman 
 Thomas Johnson should be admitted one of the Common Councell, It was 
 ordered, that the said Mr Johnson should not be admitted into the said Johnson 
 Councell, for that hee hadd publiquely declared ' That hee would not act refused, 
 by vertue of the new Charter ; and voluntarily gave evidence against the 
 Corporation in the tryall w* S r Edward Moore ' " 
 
254 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Whilst these disputes were going on in Liverpool, the 
 Government were taking steps to further manipulate the 
 charters of the cities and boroughs, in order to carry out the 
 royal behests. 
 
 1684. " 1684, August 19 th Rob' Seacome Mayor. 
 
 Judge " Att a Common Councell then held, it was declared by Mr Mayor, 
 
 cM-n ™nd tnat ^ ee ^a-dd latelie beene w* S r George Jefferies, Lord Chiefe Justice of 
 
 Charter. England, who demanded from him the Charter of this Corporation by 
 
 speciall direction from his Ma" , & expects to have y e s d Charter to bee 
 
 Attendance at delivered to him at Bewsie* tomorrow, or on Thursday morning ; or 
 
 Bewsey. for default therein, a Quo Warranto to bee sent for it ; upon full debate 
 
 thereof, it was ordered by the whole Councell nemine contradicente. That 
 
 the said Charter shalbee delivered upp to the s d L d Cheife Justice on 
 
 Thursday morning next. And that Mr Mayor, Aid" Clayton, Aid" 
 
 Williamson, Aid" Windall, y e present baylives, towne clerke, the S'jeant 
 
 at Mace & tenne more of y e Councell should attend the s d L d Cheife Justice 
 
 & bee p'senfat y e deliverie of the s d Charter. And it was further ordered 
 
 Resignation by y e said Councell, That if there must bee a resignation und r the Comon 
 
 under Seal. . Seale of the s d burrough, that in such case James Lightbourne Esq" bee 
 
 entrusted to enter the same on record in anie of his Ma Hes Courts at 
 
 Westminster." 
 
 Charter " 1 684 Aug 1 21 st Mr Mayor with the persons above mencoed waited on 
 
 surrendered. t h e L or( j cheife Justice at Bewsey, and delivered the said Charter for his 
 
 Ma ties use. And immediatelye after the resignation was accepted, the said 
 
 Charter was returned to the Mayor." 
 
 New Charter. " 1684, Oct r 27 th At a Councell then held, it was ordered by Mr Deputie 
 
 Mayor the Ald m and major part of the Councell that Ald n Rob' Seacome 
 
 shall goe to London to sollicite the speedie obteyninge of a New Charter 
 
 for this Burrough. It was also resolved that the nomination of a solicitor 
 
 in London there to attend to this Corporation's concernes, should bee 
 
 referred to Mr Mayor, to ord r whom his Wor pp should thincke meete to 
 
 mannage y e said concernes ; for that it would bee farre more chargeable 
 
 to send one from hence & maintaine him there, not knowing how long 
 
 time would be spent before wee could bee assured what priviledges would 
 
 bee confirmed to us." 
 
 Dissatisfaction This movement was not unanimous. Meetings were held 
 to protest against this action of the Council. 
 
 "1684 Nov' 18 th Sir Rich d Atherton Kn Maior. At a Councell then 
 
 *Bewsey Hall, Warrington, was the seat of Sir Richard Atherton, a staunch adherent of the 
 Court party, who had been recently knighted. He was elected Mayor in October, 1684, and 
 Member in 1685. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 255 
 
 held, it was ordered by Mr Deputie Maior y° Aldermen & Councell, That 
 Mr James Jerrome (Mayor in 1673) bee henceforth discharged from anie J erome 
 further attendance in Councell for refuseing to promise that hee would dl scharged. 
 attend no unlawfull meetings." 
 
 " 1684 Nov' 22 nd . It was ordered that the sume of fiftie pounds should Costs. 
 bee taken upp at interest for sixe months time in the Corporation's 
 account towards the procuring of the New Charter. The draught of the 
 New Charter rec d from Mr Entwisle was read in Councell & approved 
 of." 
 
 " 1684 The 26 th day of November afores d the said draught w th King 
 Henrie's Charter & King Charles the first and second's Charters were sent 
 from Bewsie, directed to Mr Pope in London." 
 
 Before this transaction could be completed, any further Decease of 
 proceedings were stopped by the decease of the King. 
 We find recorded — 
 
 " Memorandum. That on the sixth day of Februarie Anno Domini 
 1685, King Charles the second died at Whitehall ; and on the eleaventh 
 day of the s d month of Februarie King James the second was proclaimed 
 in this burrough in foure severall streetes w* the acclamations of y e people, 
 and all solemnities used on such occasions." 
 
 1685 April 8 th S r Rich d Atherton Knight Maior. 1685. 
 
 " Memorandum That on the eight day of Aprill, Anno Domini 1685, New Charter 
 Thomas Clayton Esquire, Deputie Mayor, attended w* manie freemen, received, 
 inhabitants of this Burrough of Leverpoole, did goe to Bewsie, where they 
 mett with the New Charter, granted by our gratious Soveraigne, King 
 James the second, now of England &c, where they were kindly receaved 
 & noblie enterteyned by S r Richard Atherton, Knight, our present Maior, 
 who was pleased thence to accompanie the s d Charter to this towne, and 
 caused the s d Charter to bee read in the Exchange. And afterwards hee 
 tooke y e oathes of Allegiance & Supremacie & the other oath, and 
 subscribed as by law required & took y e oath of Maioraltie &c. Alsoe John Oaths taken. 
 Entwisle Esq our Recorder, Silvester Richmond, Rob' Seacome, John 
 Chorley, Thomas Clayton, R d Windall and Edw d Tarleton, Aldermen, and 
 thirty Councillors tooke the oathes as above." 
 
 The penal laws against the Roman Catholics were at this Penal Laws 
 time in full force, but the King lost no time in endeavouring 
 to relax their severity, as appears by the following entry under 
 date March 15th, 1687. 
 
 Mr. Richard Lathom, a Roman Catholic, was a surgeon Lathom. 
 in the town, and a boarding school was kept by his wife. It 
 was a penal offence for a school to be openly kept by a Roman 
 Catholic. Mrs. Lathom was threatened with prosecution by 
 
256 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Mandate in 
 his favour. 
 
 Fine to be 
 remitted. 
 
 the local authority, whereupon the following mandate was 
 issued under the sign manual of the King : — 
 
 " James Rex 
 
 " Whereas wee are informed that Richard Lathom of Leverpoole 
 in our Countie of Lancaster, chirurgeon and Judeth his wife, who keepes 
 alsoe a boarding schoole for the education of youth at Leverpoole afore- 
 said, have latelie beene molested or p'sented, or threatened to be soe, for, 
 or in respect of their exercising the s d severall vocations without licence, 
 or by reason of their religion (being Roman Catholicks). Now wee, being 
 assured of the loialtie of the said Richard Lathom & Judith his wife, & 
 of their abilitie to exercise their respective vocations ; Wee doe hereby 
 authorize & licence them to use and exercise the same respectively. 
 And our pleasure is, and wee doe hereby direct you and everie of you 
 respectively to supersead and forbeare all prosecution against the said 
 Richard Lathom and Judith his wife for or by reason of his exercising the 
 art of chirurgerie or of his or theire keepinge a boarding schoole or 
 sojourning, teaching, or educatinge youth, and if any sentence is, or hath 
 beene given or pronounced, or penaltie recovered against, or fine sett 
 upon him or her for or touching the premises, Our pleasure is that the 
 same bee discharged, and that you permitt & suffer y" s d Richard Lathom 
 and Judith his wife, and each of them, quietilie to exercise the said severall 
 vocations, without anie molestation or disturbance whatsoever, and for soe 
 doing this, or the entrie or inrolment thereof w ,h or before you respective- 
 lie, shalbec unto you and everie of you respectivelie a sufficient warrant. 
 
 " Given att our Court at Whitehall y e fifteenth- day of March, in the 
 second yeare of our Raigne 
 
 " By his Ma te Command 
 
 " Sunderland. 
 
 " To all Archbisshops, & Bisshops & to their Chancelo re & Comissaries& 
 to all other p'sons exercizinge ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, & to all y e Custos 
 Rotulorum, Judges of Assize & Gaole deliverie, Justices of the Peace for 
 our Countie of Lancast r & to all other officers & p'sons whom it may 
 concerne." 
 
 Objections to 
 Charter. 
 
 The new charter was very distasteful to the Council. In 
 the first place it restored all the privileges of the burgesses 
 which had been handed over to the self-elected Council by the 
 charter of Charles II, and in the second place it made all the 
 Corporate officers removable at the will and pleasure of the 
 Crown. The Council took no steps to put the new charter 
 in force, and, so far as they were concerned, it remained a dead 
 letter. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 257 
 
 The Crown, however, did not allow it to slumber, but pro- 
 ceeded very soon to exercise the power. 
 
 1687, August 14th " Att the Court at Windsor. 1687. 
 
 " The Kings most excellent Majestie present in Councell. Whereas Mandate. 
 by the Charter granted to the towne of Liverpoole, a power is reserved to gjK^,^ 
 his Majestie by his Order in Councell to remove from their imployments e j ecte d. 
 anie officers in the said towne. And his Ma ,ie havinge receaved information 
 of the misbehaviour of Oliver Lyme, Deputie Maior of Leverpoole and 
 Silvester Richmond, a Justice of the Peace there ; hath thought fitt this 
 day in Councell to declare his pleasure. And doth accordinglie Order, 
 That the said Oliver Lyme and Silvester Richmond be, and they are 
 herebie, removed and displaced from their respective offices in the said 
 towne of Leverpoole. 
 
 " Phil. Musgrave " 
 
 This missive being sent down to Liverpool, the following 
 entry occurs : — 
 
 1687 Sept 12 th " Att a full Councell then held, 
 
 " In obedience to his Ma" 65 order, Wee doe declare, that Oliver Lyme Council 
 and Silvester Richmond bee and are removed and displaced from their comply, 
 respective offices in this towne of Liverpoole. And it is declared by this 
 Councell (none gainesayinge) that Mr Alderman John Chorley is the senior 
 Alderman of this Corporation ; and that Mr Alderman Robert Seacome is 
 the Junior Alderman of this Corporation." 
 
 1687, October 21st. " Ordered that strict enquirie bee made where the Inquiry about 
 three Charters are w* were sent to Lond n by S r Richard Atherton, and Charters, 
 care taken to have them returned to this Corporation." 
 
 Soon after this, with a view to calling a Parliament, which, 
 however, was not carried out, the King issued the following 
 order to the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Palatine : — 
 
 1687, November 2nd. " A true Coppie of his Majestie's Order. Q , L . 
 
 " That the Lord Lievetenant of the Countie of Lancaster call before Lieutenant. 
 him, all deputie Lievetenants and Justices of the Peace within his 
 Lievetenancie either joyntlie or seperatelie as hee shall thincke fitt ; and i,,™™. 
 ask them one by one the following questions. 
 
 "1. If in case hee shalbee chosen knight of the shire, or burgesse of a Penal Laws, 
 towne (when the King shall thincke fitt to call a Parliament) whether hee 
 wilbee for taking off the penall lawes and the tests. 
 
 "2. Whether he will assist and contribute to the election of such Elections, 
 members as shalbee for taking off the penal lawes and test. 
 
 "3. Whether hee will support the King's declaration for libertie of Declaration of 
 conscience, by living freindlie with those of all perswasions as subjects of Conscience, 
 the same Prince, and good Christians ought to doe. 
 
 " That as hee shall aske theise questions of all deputie Lievetenants 
 and Justices of the peace, soe he shall particularlie write downe what 
 everie one's answer is ; whether hee consents, refuseth or is doubtfull. 
 
 K K 
 
258 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Report to be " That hee likewise doe bring the King as good account as hee can of 
 made. a y t h e severall Corporations within his Lievetenancie ; what persons (of 
 
 such as are willing to complie with theise measures) have creditt enough 
 
 of their owne to be chosen Parliament men ; or may be chosen, if assisted 
 
 by their freinds. 
 Catholics and " And lastlie what Catholicks and what dissenters are fitt to bee added 
 Dissenters, either to the list of Deputie Lievetenants or to the Comission of the 
 
 Peace throughout the said Lievetenancie." 
 
 These inquiries were forwarded to Liverpool and to the 
 
 other boroughs. The record proceeds : — 
 
 Mayor's reply. " Mr Maior's answer to the second question (w ch was onely insisted on) 
 was 
 
 " That what is required by his Majestie is (as hee humblie conceaves)a 
 verie weightie and new thing ; and that he was not provided to give anie 
 other answer but this : 
 
 " When it shall please the King to call a Parliament, hee purposed to 
 vote for such persons as hee hoped would serve the just interests both of 
 his Majestie and the nation." 
 
 A more guarded and prudent answer could hardly have 
 been given. 
 
 Some further attempts were made to tamper with the 
 Corporation of Liverpool, for we read as follows a few weeks 
 before the landing of King William in Torbay : — 
 
 Mayor to keep 1 688, September 1 2th. " Att a Comon Councell then assembled It 
 Muniments. was ordered nemine contradicente with all submission and humble defer- 
 ence to the power of removing anie officer in this Corporation. That 
 James Prescott Esquire, Maior for the time being shall safelye keepe the 
 Wand, Mace & Sword with all other the reall and personall estate of this 
 Corporacon and all that concernes y e same for the defence of its rights 
 wherewith hee is now entrusted untill a successor bee legallye elected and 
 sworne according to our p'sent Charter & the auncient Custome of this 
 Corporacon." 
 
 1683. 1688, December 29th, the Circular of the Prince of 
 
 Pariiarant! Orange was received by the Corporation, requiring them to 
 
 send two members to the Convention Parliament, summoned 
 
 to meet at Westminster on January 22nd, 1689, 
 
 "the election to be made by such persons . onely as according to the 
 auncient laws and customes of right, ought to choose members for 
 parliament." 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 259 
 
 The old Jacobite members were rejected, and Richard Members 
 Lord Colchester, with Thomas Norris of Speke, were 
 returned. 
 
 1690, June 10th. King William arrived at Chester en King 
 route for Ireland. It had been expected that he would pass arrival. 
 through Liverpool, and the following minute has reference to 
 
 this probability : — 
 
 " Ordered, that if the King comes to this town, Mr Maior to appoint 
 ten of the Counsel and w* other persons he thinks meet to prepare 
 conveniences for his Majest s reception and entertainment at y e towns 
 charge." 
 
 This, however, was not to be. William went direct from King 
 
 Chester to Hoylake, whence his army encamped on the embarkation. 
 
 Leasowe, embarked, and landed at Carrickfergus on the 14th 
 
 June, four weeks previous to the battle of the Boyne. 
 
 1690 January 25th " It is order" 1 by the Councel, that the Barnes at Provision for 
 the lower end of Dale Street be fitted by y e Corporation immediately in Sick. 
 order to entertain the sick Seamen and Sould rs with convenient lodging ; 
 y* Corporation to lay downe y e money in y e meantime, till it can be got 
 from above." 
 
 1691, June 3rd. A levy was made of men and horses to i69i. 
 recruit the army in Ireland, when the following proclamation r ° C ama l ° n " 
 was issued in Liverpool. It should be explained that William, 
 
 the ninth Earl of Derby, had been dismissed from office as 
 Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire in 1687, and Lord Molyneux 
 appointed in his place. After the Revolution, the latter was Lord- 
 in his turn dismissed both from the Lord-Lieutenancy and Lieutenanc y- 
 from the Constableship of the Castle of Liverpool, which had 
 been hereditary in the Molyneux family for many generations. 
 To these offices, passing over Lord Derby, the Government 
 appointed Lord Gerard of Brandon, son to the Earl of 
 Macclesfield, whom he soon after succeeded. 
 
 "Liverpolle in Count Lane*- 
 " By command of the Right Honourable Charles Lord Brandon Gerard, 
 Lord Lieu' of the said County. We require you to warn all the persons 
 
260 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Provision of 
 Horses and 
 
 Men. 
 
 Lyme and 
 Richmond 
 restored. 
 
 Charters. 
 
 Controversy. 
 
 Election. 
 
 1694. 
 
 Maudit and 
 Bretherton. 
 
 mentioned in a list hereunto annexed to appear with a very strong Man 
 and Horse of about thirteen pounds price, with a good case of pistolls 
 (all other things being provided for them) at Ormskirk the fifteenth day 
 of this instant June, at eleaven of the clocke the same day. J\.nd every of 
 them is to bring fower days pay and a proportion of ammcon as the law 
 directs ; .and you the said Constable are to be then and there present to 
 make appear what you have done in execucion hereof. No person 
 concerned herein is to faile at his p'ill. 
 
 " Given under our hands and seales the third day of June Anno Regni 
 Gulielmi et Marise Angl. Rex et Regina (sic) tertio annoque Domini 
 1691." 
 
 One of the first acts of the Council, after the accession of 
 William III., was to restore Oliver Lyme and Silvester 
 Richmond to the offices from which they had been illegally 
 dismissed in 1687. 
 
 The question of the Charters was now revived with con- 
 siderably acrimony. The charter of Charles II., which 
 constituted the Council an exclusive self-elected body, had 
 been a source of discontent from the time of its surreptitious 
 grant ; that of James II. had been cast aside by common 
 consent. The Jacobites, who were as far as possible sup- 
 ported by Lord Molyneux, naturally upheld the existing 
 charter, whilst the majority of the burgesses were anxious to 
 obtain a new one on broader and more liberal principles. 
 Hence the town became divided into two parties, the Old 
 Charter and New Charter men. 1 The first trial of strength 
 took place in 1694, upon the election of a member to succeed 
 Lord Colchester, who had been called to the Upper House by 
 the decease of his father, Earl Rivers. There were two 
 candidates — Jasper Maudit, on the Whig or New Charter 
 interest, and Thomas Bretherton, on the Jacobite or Old 
 Charter side. 
 
 The election came off on December 4th, 1694, when 
 Maudit polled 400 votes and Bretherton 15. The Mayor, 
 
 1 The Norris Papers, published by the Chetham Society in 1846, contain some very 
 interesting correspondence on this subject. 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 261 
 
 Alexander Norris, nevertheless returned Bretherton as duly 
 elected, who took his seat accordingly. Maudit petitioned 
 against the return, and was heard at the bar of the House on 
 January nth, 1695, when it was unanimously resolved that 
 Bretherton's election was null and void, and Maudit was 
 voted in his place. The account in the Record is as 
 follows : — 
 
 '« 1695 Alex' Norris arm. Maior 
 
 " Upon the death of the late Earl Rivers about Aug st in the year 1694 
 y e L d Colchester his son, being one of the Burgesses to sit in Parliam' for 
 this Corporacon, hee was called up to the House of Lords in the room of 
 his father, by which a vacancy was then here in the said Burgesship. 
 Thereupon a new writ issued out from the Clerke of y e Crown to elect 
 another member to sit in Parliam' in his room, and upon the 4th of 
 December 1694 Jasper Maudit Esq was duly elected and chosen by about 
 four hundred freemen. But Alexander Norris y° then Mai r to gratifie Norris 
 some persons, return'd one Thomas Bretherton, who had but about summoned, 
 fifteene votes, upon which y c said Mr Maudit peticoned the House of 
 Comons, and the eleaventh of January following was appointed by y° 
 House to hear the same ; when the said Mr Bretherton was turned out of Bretherton 
 the House of Commons, and Mr Maudit was by y e whole House (nemine rejected, 
 contradicente) voted in. ^And the said Alexand' Norris for his false returne, 
 was by the Parliam' comitted to the custody of y e Sargeant at Armes, 
 where hee lay about seaven weeks, and afterwards upon y e intercession of 
 many friends to the House, hee was brought to y e Barr of y e said House, 
 where upon his knees, hee confessing his fait and begging pardon, hee 
 was severely reprimanded, and order d to be discharg d , paying his fees ; N orr j s 
 and a New Charter being obtain 4 the said Alexander Norris was turned punished, 
 out of his Maioralty, and Thomas Johnson Sen* was nominated by his j h nson 
 Majestie to be Mai r in his room, and upon the third day of Octob' 1695, Mayor, 
 hee was sworne by Thomas Norris and Jasper Maudit Esq rs and took the 
 office upon him accordingly, as also was Richard Norris and Levinus 
 Henstoun, Merchants, his two Bayliffs." 
 
 The application for a new charter was vigorously pressed, New charter . 
 though violently opposed by the exclusive party in the 
 Council, whose tactics were vexatious delays. During the 
 interval, whilst the subject was in litigation, the following 
 entry occurs in the Council proceedings : — 
 
262 CHAP. IVi A.D. 1660—1699. 
 
 " 1695 March 29 th Alex' Norris Arm' Maior 
 " At a Comon Councell then present 
 " The Maior 
 
 " Rev d Rich" Richmond, Rector of Walton 
 " the 2 Baylives, Town Clerk, 7 Aldermen 
 " and 23 others 
 Defence of " Whereas there are endeavours used to take away from this Corporacon 
 
 Old Charter. or to ma k e V oyd one Charter granted by his late Majesty King Charles 
 the second of blessed memory, and exemplified in the third year of the 
 raign of King William and Queen Mary_to the said Corporacon, and 
 whereby is given to the same Corporacon many great priviledges, 
 advantages and immunities ; It is this day therefore order d by us in Coun- 
 cell whose names are subscribed, that the Mai' and Baylives of this 
 Corporacon shall by such lawful means and wayes as they shall be advised 
 to use their utmost endeavours to p'serve the said Charter. And that the 
 said Maior and Baylives of this burrough & Corporacon and all such 
 persons as they shall employ to that purpose, shall be indemnified and 
 sav d harmlesse by this Corporacon and at the charg thereof, for what they 
 or any of them shall act or do in order to the p'misses. And that such 
 Costs of summe or summs of money as they or any of them shall lay out or expend 
 
 defence. to the end afores 4 shall be reimburs d them and every of them out of the 
 
 Publick Stock of this Corporacon. 
 
 " Signed by the Mayor and 31 Councillors." 
 
 1695. The charter of 1695 was intended to restore the liberties 
 
 Provisions of , , *.,,-., 
 
 New charter, and authority 01 the burgesses at large, which had been 
 
 usurped by the self-elected Council, but in reality it settled 
 
 nothing. The members of the Council were to remain in 
 
 office during good behaviour, unless removed for a reasonable 
 
 cause by the Mayor, Bailiffs and Common Council. When any 
 
 vacancy occurred, it was to be filled up 
 
 " by such persons in such manner, time and form as in that particular was 
 used and accustomed before the making of a certain Charter .... of the 
 late King Charles the second." 
 
 The complaint had been that the Council had usurped the 
 rights of the burgesses by filling up the vacancies in their own 
 body, and it was expected that under the New Charter the 
 elections would revert to the general body. The Council, on 
 the other hand, contended that inasmuch as the practice of 
 Self-election, self-election had been the rule with few exceptions from the 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 263 
 
 reign of Elizabeth, this was really the mode of election 
 sanctioned by the charter. Attempts were made at several Efforts at 
 periods to change the system in the popular direction, more 
 especially in 1735, during the Mayoralty of James Earl of 
 Derby, who took a warm interest on the popular side, but the 
 project was frustrated by his death during his term of office ; 
 again in 1753 and 1791 similar attempts were made, but 
 although victorious in the Courts, the appellants were worn 
 out, and obliged to withdraw through want of funds. 
 
 " 1695 Oct' 4 th Att a Councell &c, Thos Johnson Sen' Maior. 
 
 " Mr Thomas Alanson, Mr Richard Jones and Mr John Crowther, Refusal and 
 refusing to take y 6 oathes of Comon Councell men, being nominated chan S es> 
 (amongst others) in y e New Charter to be so (they duly qualifying them- 
 selves) are discharged and by y 6 gen 1 vote of y e Councell (nemine contra- 
 dicente) Mr James Benn, Mr Edmund Lievsay, and Mr Peter Eaton, are 
 chosen Comon Councell men in their room and were accordingly sworne. 
 Mr Rob' Seacome also afterwards refuged," 
 
 Some of the Councillors were not so scrupulous. Out of 
 the twenty-three who signed the resolution in defence of the 
 charter of Charles II. on the 29th of March, seven, on the 9th 
 October following, signed an equally strong manifesto on 
 behalf of the new charter. It was as follows : — 
 
 1695 Oct' g* Att a Councell &c. Thos Johnson Sen' Maior. 
 
 " Whereas several p'sons within- this burrough have layd out several Payment 
 summs of money in order to recover the former Charter of King Charles expenses, 
 the first, and so to restore our auncient priviledges ; which hath been by 
 great charg and industry effected. It is order d that all persons who do 
 make it evidently appear that they have laid out money on that occasion 
 shall be repaid out of the town stock, now due or accrewing due, 
 proporconally to their advances as to time & money so advanced or may 
 be further advanc* for the defence of the same." Signed by the Mayor and 
 24 Councillors. 
 
 1695, November 6th. Further secessions took place. 
 
 " Alderman Richard Windall and Aid"" 1 Thomas Tyrer being this day Secessions, 
 sent for and required to continue Aldermen, and to be of the Councell, 
 refusing the same, they are hereby discharged from being Aldermen or 
 being of the Councell according to the intent and meaning of this pr's* 
 Charter. 
 
264 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 "Mr John Thomas, having been frequently sent for, and making 
 frivolous excuses not to appear to take the oathes, and act as Comon 
 Councell man of this burrough, hee is hereby discharged from being a 
 Councell man of the same." 
 
 A considerable amount of litigation arose out of this 
 Noms retains question of the Charter. Alexander Norris, the rejected 
 Plate " Mayor, retained in his hands the plate and books of the 
 
 Corporation, and refused to deliver them up ; whereupon the 
 
 following resolution was passed : — 
 
 Proceedings. 1695 October 28th. " It is this day ordered in Councell, That if Mr 
 Alexand' Norris do not deliver up the Plate, books and all other things 
 belonging to the Corporation on Fryday next Mr Mai r be requested to take 
 such speedy legal methods for the recovery of them as Counsell learn d in 
 the law shall advise him to, and to be at the Town's charg." 
 " 1696 June 29 th Att a Councell &c Thos Johnson Jun r Mayor. 
 Reference and " Itt is this day order d in Councell. That whereas there is a suit 
 Negotiations, depending betweene the Corporacon and Mr Alex r Norris late Mai r 
 about y e town's Plate &c deliv d unto y e s d Mr Norris, the s d difference shall 
 be referr d to Mr Mai r , Alderm" Thomas Johnson Jr, Mr Richard Norris, and 
 Mr Levinus Heuston, Baylives, Mr Wm Preeson, Mr Thomas Luretinge, 
 Mr James Benn, to treat with y e s d Mr Alexander Norris, hee y e s d Mr 
 Alex r Norris first deliv'ring into y e hands of Mr Maior all y e town's Plate, 
 and all other things that belong to y e Corporacon, now in y° s d Mr 
 Alexander Norris's possession (or any other by his appointm') Then y 1 s d 
 Mr Alexand' Norris shall have his choice either to leave y e charges att law 
 in defence of the late Charter to the above named persons, or to y' whole 
 Councell." 
 
 Disputes with The Council, in this matter of the charter, had not only 
 to contend with the internal division ; their old enemies the 
 cheesemongers of London, who had long smarted under what 
 they considered the exactions of Liverpool, had then a 
 suit pending against the Corporation. They now petitioned 
 the Lords Justices against the new charter, praying to be 
 relieved from the port and town dues of 4d. and i2d. per ton 
 
 Petition. for all cheese shipped in the Mersey. In this petition the 
 cheesemongers allege that when the Lord Mayor wrote to 
 inquire about the authority to levy these dues, the reply of the 
 Liverpool Corporation was — 
 
 Cheese- 
 mongers 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 265 
 
 " ' They have a thousand pounds to spend, and the Cheesemongers may 
 take their course at law.' They say further that ' it was long before 
 process could be served on the Corporation by reason of the menaces 
 to any that should serve them with it ; and being at length served on 
 them by an attorney of the town, they caused him to be suspended of his 
 practice in their town, and forced him to send for a mandamus to be 
 restored.' " 
 
 This petition was presented in July, 1695, and on the 2nd 
 
 September occurs the following entry : — 
 
 "Whereas a suit is now depending betweene y e Cheesemongers of Application 
 London andjhis Corporation, and by reason of the alteration of y e Coyn, for Loan - 
 the Corporacon cannot get in their money due on int rst and a considerable 
 sume of money is or will be necessary for y r right to be vindicated ; Mr 
 Mai' and Baylives are desired & authorized to take such methods as they 
 shall think proper and convenient for to take, for y c advancemen' of money 
 to carry on the said suit, and the expence thereof to be at the charg of 
 y e Corporacon and Mr Mai' and the p'st Baylives to be indemnified. 
 
 " Signed Thos Johnson Jun' Mayor 
 " & 26 others." 
 
 The cheesemongers did not succeed in their opposition, Dues 
 hut there must have been some illegality in the proceedings of reu 
 the Corporation, as an action was entered against them, 
 which was protracted until the year 1700, when ultimately 
 they had to refund £68 5s. 6d. for dues overpaid, with taxed 
 costs, £176 10s. 
 
 The proceedings at the Council Meetings were conducted 
 with considerable formality. 
 
 1673, Deer 3 rd James Jerrom Maior. 
 
 At an Assembly &c " It is ordered that for the more due order in Council 
 proposing matters in Councell, the Maior proposeing any matter there, due Meetings, 
 audience and observance shall bee given thereunto by the rest of the Respect to 
 Councell without interruption. And then or at any during the tyme the Mayor, 
 that matters shall be in propounding these, any of the Councell shall not 
 intermix in discourse in theire own or other business, save only the p'sent Talking not 
 matter in hand, upon payne of three shillings and foure pence a peece allowed, 
 upon every default. And that after the Maior hath made his proposes 
 every Alderman in his course, and after, all the rest in theire places shall 
 have liberty to speake to the matter then in hand without interruption of Liberty of 
 any of the Councell out of theire places, upon payne of three shillings & speech, 
 four pence upon every defalt." 
 
 L L 
 
266 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Council 
 debates. 
 
 Notice in 
 writing. 
 
 Freedom of 
 debate- 
 
 No 
 interruption. 
 
 Voting. 
 
 Fines. 
 
 1685, Nov 18 th Oliver Lyme Esquire Maior. 
 
 " It is resolved and ordered, for the avoiding of disorder in debating 
 matters in Councell ; That all matters w ch shalbee proposed and debated 
 in Councell, shall by way of petition bee drawne in writing by the towne 
 clerke & presented to Mr Maior att least two daies before the Councell 
 sitt, by w ch meanes the persons concerned & the matter in hand may bee 
 more perfectlie knowne. 
 
 " Ordered, That everie person in Couricell shall have free and full 
 libertie to speake orderlie unto what shallbee debated and give his 
 reasons for or against, without interruption, & passe his vote when 
 required. 
 
 " Ordered, That everie person in Councell shall diligentlie attend to 
 such matters as shalbee proposed & debated. And shall not enter into 
 other discourse than the matter in hand till all the votes be passed. 
 
 " Ordered, That when Mr Maior hath given his vote, the towne clerke 
 shall call the next person in order, & soe proceed from person to person 
 till the whole Councell have passed their votes, and shall then take the 
 number of votes exactlie, and draw up an ord r accordinglie, w 1 * shalbee 
 read in Councell, that each person may take notice of it. 
 
 " Ordered, That everie person in Councell who shall not observe y* 
 above orders or shall interrupt_another person in his orderlie speaking to 
 Mr Maior, shall forfeite the sume of five shillings for everie such offence." 
 
 This was not allowed to be a dead letter. We read — 
 
 " 1686 March 3 rd At a Councell &c it was ordered by Mr Maior y e 
 Aldermen & rest of the Councell, that Thomas Warmingham be fined in 
 y e sume of five shillinges for interrupting Ald n Richmond in his orderlie 
 speakinge to the matter in debate in Councell.— A warrant issued out." 
 
 Absence from the Council Meetings was punished by fine, 
 and if continued, by expulsion. 
 
 ''1678 Mar 6* At an Assembly &c John Chorley Gent Maior, 
 Ordered, that Edward Greene, John Lurting and Thomas Galloway 
 shall paye sixe shillings & eight pence #■ peece for this daies absence 
 from the Councell ; for w ch a warrant to be signed by Mr Maior and 
 delivered to the Bailives." 
 
 " 1680, Octr 18. Thomas Clayton, Merchant, Maior. 
 Expulsion for " Att a Councell then held. It was ordered by Mr Maior, Aldermen & 
 Neglect. Councell ; That Alderman Thomas Chapman for his wilfull and constant 
 neglect to appeare in Councell bee from henceforward discharged from y* 
 s d Councell & is hereby discharged." 
 
 1685, January nth. " Wee p'sent Mr David Poole, one of y e Baylives 
 ofthisburrough for absenting himselfe from Mr Maior & not p'forming 
 his duetie on sixe Saturdaies & seaven Court daies w tt out Mr Maior's 
 licence 2o u ." 
 
 Expulsion. 
 
 Fines for 
 Absence. 
 
 Poole 
 presented. 
 
 On the 12th April following, occurs the following entry :— 
 " Wee p'sent Mr David Poole p'sent Baylive, for defrauding the poore 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 267 
 
 of three large peeces of Irish beefe w* hee seized & tooke on the 23 rd day 
 of Januarie last & converted to his own use. 
 
 " Wee also p'sent the said Mr Poole for neglect of his office and duetie 
 from the eight day of Februarie to the twentieth day of March last who 
 was sixe weekes in towne & in all that time never but once came to be 
 advised by Mr Maior, what was by him to bee done for the Corporation 
 slighting Mr Maior and neglectinge y e Corporacons concernes. As alsoe 
 1 for raising a false, scandalous and base report against Mr Maior, S r Hugh 
 Middleton, Lievet nt Fortescue, Mr Richmond and Aid" Tarleton, viz' That 
 they were at Mrs Moorcrofts house on Sunday in the evening, & there 
 quarrelled & hadd swords drawne & afterwards sent for musick & 
 fiddlers." 
 
 The meetings of the Council from time immemorial have Days of 
 been held, with the exception of a very short period in 1677-8, 
 on the first Wednesday in every month, and are still so 
 continued. 
 
 1672 Sept 4 th Lawr. Brownlow Merch' Maior. 
 
 " Ordered, that the first Wednesday in every month the Councell are to 
 meet in the townhall about one of the clock in the afternoone to make 
 freemen, upon penalty on every one that hath notice and absents w^out 
 reasonable excuse to forfeit six shillings and eight pence, and all that 
 desire to be free may attend. Ordered further 
 
 " That upon the same day from henceforth the Townhall bell shall toll Bell to toll, 
 to give notice to the Maior & Councell. And upon such notice such of 
 the Councell as shall make default without reasonable excuse or lycence 
 from Mr Maior & not appeare to attend the Maior in decent manner in 
 cloakes or coats shall forfeit as aforesaid." 
 
 This wearing of gowns is continually set forth, and various Gowns and 
 
 ^"^ ^"^ * » C Ionics 
 
 successive enactments are made insisting on and enforcing 
 the custom. This may appear in modern eyes puerile and 
 absurd, but there is good reason underlying the practice. 
 The ordinary garb of tradesmen and small merchants, who 
 constituted the Council, was but of a rough and coarse descrip- 
 tion, and if an air of decency and respectability was to be 
 maintained, some provision of this kind was absolutely neces- 
 sary. A gown was easily slipped on, and imparted something 
 of dignity and formality. That such was the object is evident 
 from the fact that in some of the orders given cloaks might be 
 substituted for gowns. 
 
268 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 1672. 
 Gowns of 
 Officials. 
 
 Serjeant at 
 Mace. 
 
 Presentment 
 for lack of 
 Gowns. 
 
 Penalties for 
 
 Wearing 
 
 Gowns. 
 
 Cloaks and 
 Coats. 
 
 " 1672 Nov 6 th Silvester Richmond Maior. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. It js ordered in pursuance of former orders that 
 the Maior of this Corporacon, the Aldermen, Baylives and Baylive's 
 peeres, Town clerk and Serjeant at Mace shall have and provide gownes 
 fitt and convenient in decent manner to attend the Maior at festivall & 
 usuall days. And that every of the same p'sons w ch beare or have borne 
 such offices as aforesaid and are not legally devested, that shall not pro- 
 vide & fitt themselves or himselfe w ft gownes as aforesaid att or before 
 Christmas day next, shall each of them making defalt herein forfeit the 
 sume of five pounds. And it is also ordered that the p'sons aforesaid 
 shall for decency and distinction in this ancient Corporacon weare theire 
 respective gownes every Sabbath day upon payne of six shillings and 
 eight pence for every Alderman's defalt and iij s iiij d for every other officer 
 making defalt." 
 
 At the same Assembly 
 
 " It is ordered that the Serjeant at Mace shall give notice in writing to 
 every one of the Comon Councell of theire day and tyme of attending the 
 Maior in Councell. And upon such due notice given, every one of the 
 Councell making defalt & not attending the Maior at the houre in such 
 sumons in writing appointed, or precisely w^in halfe an houre after, shall 
 forfeit three shillings and foure pence." 
 
 " 1672 Jany 27 At a Portmoot 
 
 " Wee present Alderman Tho. Andoe for want of a gowne according to 
 a former order 5". 
 
 " Item John Lurting for comeing to Church without his gowne accord- 
 to the same order 3 s 4 d ." 
 
 "1674 Fe by 8 th Portmoot 
 
 " Wee present William Gardner for not wearing his gowne upon the 
 Lord's day viz' 31 st January." 
 
 Many items of a similar kind occur in subsequent years. 
 
 " 1685 Jany 6 th At a Councell &c Oliver Lyme Esq Maior. 
 
 "Ordered That noe persons by law disabled for government or place 
 of trust shall hereafter p'sume to weare gownes (as if they were in office) 
 and that notice shalbee given them of this ord r to avoid the penaltie w ch 
 may bee inflicted on them for the breach hereof." 
 
 * 
 
 The officials of the Corporation were to be similarly 
 decorated. 
 
 1676, May 3rd. " Ordered that the Serjeant and Water Baylive shall 
 have either (each) a cloak, the Bellman coat & capp, and the Porter of 
 the Exchang a coat att the charge of the towne, the last not to exceed 
 xx s in value, dureing pleasure of the Maior." 
 
 1691, November 7th. " It is ordered that 3^ Water Baylive shall have 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 269 
 
 a coat dureing his office at the town's charg, and a silver oar, w ch shall 
 annually be return" 1 as y* town's plate." 
 
 The Mayor was allowed his guard of honour. 
 
 " 1672, Octr 28 th Ordered that Evan Gerrard, Edmund Whalley, Halberdiers. 
 Edward Ricroft and William Galley, shall be Halbeerters to attend Mr 
 Maior upon all occasions and that two of them shall be ready to waite on 
 the said Maior every day by theire turnes ; the said Maior and Aldermen 
 to allow the said Halbeerters what they think fitt for theire paines." 
 
 1696, December 3rd. "Rich d Mercer and John Parry, Musitians 
 peticon for each of them a cloak at y* Corporations charg' (they being 
 Waits thereunto) it is granted." 
 
 Frequent references are made to the plate belonging to pi ate . 
 the Corporation. 
 
 1667. Charles, Earl of Darbie, Maior. 1667. 
 " Memorand' this XXX th day of Septemb', By the consent of the Alder- Gilt Bowl. 
 
 men viz' Mr Henry Corleyes, Mr. Chandler, Mr Lurting and Mr Sturzaker 
 did deliver into the hands of Thomas Norbury now Churchwarden of the 
 Church or Chappell of Liv'poole one great gilded Bowie with a cover, one 
 lesser gilded bowle, being unserviceable, by consent and assent afores d ; to 
 be made into twoe convenient silver bowles for the Church use ; and one Plate, 
 little privat mace for the towne's use; the same bowles so delivered 
 being in weight 2" 10 oz, 2 drames & a halfe, neither of w cb said bowles or 
 boxe had any inscripcon, manifesting them to be the gift of any p'ticular 
 p'son." 
 
 1668, January 1st. Charles, Earl of Darbie, Maior. 1668. 
 
 " Memorandu that upon this day, The right hono ble Charles Earl of Mace given. 
 Darby &c our noble Lord and late Maior of this burrough of Liverpoole, 
 presented and gave to this towne a most noble guift viz 1 A great large 
 Mace of Silver most richly guilt & engraven w lh his Ma" Armes and the 
 Armes of this towne viz' the Leaver, with his owne name inscribed there- 
 upon in two places thereof specifyeing it to be his free guift." 
 
 The plate seems somewhat to have diminished within this 
 period. The last inventory is dated 22nd October, 1675. 
 
 " A list of Plate & Books belonging to the towne delivered by the late List . 
 Maior to the p'sent Maior." 
 " 2 Silver Flagons, Gift of S' William Bucknall. 
 " 2 Tankards, instead of bottome of great Salte, cover of gilded Cupp. 
 " Cann given by Mr Secome. 
 
 " 2 Silver Bekers 1 changed for other plate viz' 2 Silver 
 
 " 1 Caudle Cupp & Cover} Tankards & 2 belly Cupps w" 1 handles. 
 " 1 great gilded Cupp. 
 
270 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 " 1 Wine bowl gilded. 
 
 " 1 Boule, gift of Mr Edwards. 
 
 "12 Silver Spoones. 
 
 " 2 Silver Wine Cupps. 
 
 1690. " 1690, Octr 24 Tho s Brookbank Maior. 
 
 Tobacco Box. « it i s this day Ord d in Councel, that the two bellied Silver Cupps 
 (referred to above) are order d to be mad a tobacco box and stopper for y 6 
 towne's use and soe to goe from Maior to Maior, which two Cupps are to 
 be struck out of y e Catalogue of y* towne's plate now deliver'd to Mr 
 Maior." 
 
 Snuff Box. This box, now used as a snuff-box at 'the Mayor's table, 
 
 bears the following inscription : — " The Corporation of Liver- 
 pool's Box, 1690." It is, with the exception of the Regalia, 
 the only piece of plate which has been handed down to the 
 present time. v 
 
 Great care was taken of the Common Seal. 
 
 " 1680, Sept I st . Will. Williamson Esq Maior. 
 Common " Att an Assembly &c It was ordered, That the Common Seale of this 
 
 Seal. burrough and Corporation bee kept secure in the Ironbound chest under 
 
 five lockes ; and the trustees appointed to keep the keyes thereof are, the 
 Maior for the time beinge ; the eldest Alderman for the time beinge, the 
 youngest Alderman for the time beinge ; Alderman Silvester Richmond & 
 Alderman Robert Williamson." 
 
 The Corporation have always been very jealous of any 
 infringement of their jurisdiction, or want of acknowledgment 
 of their authority. 
 
 " 1691 Octr 26 At a Port Moot 
 Fines for " Wee p'sent for not paying Homadg to y e Grand Port Moote and 
 
 Non-homage. Octob' Quarter Sessions of this burrough, they being free thereof. 
 
 " Jno Birchley and 39 others i2 d a peece £2." 
 
 The increasing importance of the town led to the erection 
 
 of the old Town Hall in 1673, which is thus referred to :— 
 
 " 1673 Jany 7* Jacobus Jerrom Maior. 
 Erection of " Ordered that a handsome building for a Townhall & Exchange shall 
 Town Hall, bee built at the high Cross in Leverpoole and the same sett upon pillars 
 and forthwith sett out as Mr Maior shall think meete." 
 
 Biome's Richard Blome, who visited Liverpool the same year, thus 
 
 nption. re £ ers to t j 1 j s ^1^1^ i n his Magna Britannia : — 
 
 " Here is now erecting at the publick charge of the Mayor Aldermen 
 
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. 271 
 
 &c a famous town house, placed on pillars and arches of hewn stone, and 
 underneath is the publick exchange for the merchants." 
 
 " 1679 Nov 26 th Att an Assembly &c. 
 
 " Ordered that a guard house bee builte att the south end of the 
 Exchange, with a roome over it, att publicke charge." 
 
 " 1686 Sept i st Ordered " that by reason of y e severall abuses done by Regulations, 
 such as sell rootes att the Exchange by stopping upp the streetes & 
 passages to shopps ; the former order for double toll for all rootes sould 
 att the Exchange from henceforth to be null and void. And that all sorts 
 of rootes w* come to bee sould in this burrough shall be brought to the 
 fish house or as neere thereunto as convenientlie they may, there to be 
 disposed of." 
 
 " 1700 Sept 20. Cuth Sharpies Esq Maior. 
 
 " Aid™ Thomas Sweeting in consideracon of one hundred & twenty Shops let to 
 pounds sterl. is to have y shops under y e Exchange and y e town ware- Sweetin S- 
 house (near y e prison) w* y e accustomary priviledges belonging thereunto ; 
 y 5 first at 6 s 8 d , y" other at 3 s 4 d ^ ann. for three lives." 
 
 The commerce of Liverpool was now bursting through the Commerce, 
 petty limits within which it had hitherto been restricted, and 
 the names of eminent merchants begin to appear. Amongst 
 these the Claytons and Clevelands were distinguished. The 
 Claytons came from Fullwood, near Preston. 
 
 " 1680, Octr 6 th Ordered, that Mr. Thomas Clayton Merchant bee Clayton 
 admitted free, paieing twentie pounds fine. And upon the eighteenth day Ma y° r - 
 of the s d month hee tooke the oathes of Allegiance and Supremacie & the 
 oath of a freeman and of a Common Councell Man." 
 
 On the 1 8th of the same month he was elected Mayor. 
 His brother, William Clayton, filled the civic chair in 1689, 
 and represented the borough in six parliaments, from 1698 to 
 1708. 
 
 The Clevelands, who came from Leicestershire, settled 
 about the same time. In 1680, September ist, and in 
 January, 1681 : — 
 
 " At a Portmoot Wee present Mr Richard Cleaveland for usinge the Cleveland 
 facultie of a freeman (in buying and sellinge sugars) hee not being free." presented. 
 
 He applied for a writ of certiorari, but afterwards withdrew 
 it. The nascent West India trade was too important to be 
 stifled by such narrow-minded restrictions, and the Clevelands 
 
272 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Cleveland were admitted into the Corporation. John Cleveland was 
 Bailiff in 1691, Mayor in 1703, and Member from 1710 to 
 1713. William Cleveland represented the borough at the 
 time of his death, in 1722. Clayton and Cleveland Squares 
 preserve the names of these early mercantile magnates. 
 
 Amongst the persons of rank admitted to the freedom from 
 time to time, we find, in 1690, the name of the naval hero, 
 
 lhovd Udesley Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovel. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 
 
 Within a few years after the Restoration the landed estate Landed 
 of the Corporation began to acquire importance. It has been 
 noticed in the last chapter, that in 1650 an order was made 
 for enclosing and utilising a portion of the Common lands Enclosures. 
 lying between Park Lane and the seaside, to the extent of 
 about twenty-five acres. Bricks were made, and it is to be Bricks. 
 presumed that buildings were erected. 
 
 In the year 1668 a dispute arose, the result of which has 
 had an important bearing on the Corporate estate down to 
 the present time. The sagacity, shrewdness, and pertinacity 
 displayed by the local authorities of the period reflects great 
 credit upon them, and entitles them to grateful remembrance. 
 
 The lands originally belonging to the Corporation included 
 a large town field at the north end, and various detached Town Field. 
 plots east and south of the pool and brook. In 1309, 
 Edmund Earl of Lancaster presented to the burgesses six 
 large acres of moss, afterwards called Mosslake Fields, the Grant of 
 present site of Abercromby and Falkner Squares, &c. The 
 Great Heath, which extended from Whitechapel eastward to Great Heath. 
 Crown Street, was always claimed by the burgesses. It was 
 the site of the shooting butts, and the place of gathering for shooting 
 the military and public demonstrations. 
 
 The differences with the Molyneux family were of long Moiyneux 
 standing. Their respective interests seemed to come into amiy ' 
 collision on a variety of points. Besides claims arising out of 
 disputed territory, the Molyneuxs were the fee-farm lessees 
 under the Crown of the royal revenues, which were a fruitful 
 
 MM 
 
274 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Claims. 
 
 Claim to 
 Heath. 
 
 Alderman 
 
 Rose 
 
 rebuked. 
 
 source of dispute and litigation. In 1617 an attempt was 
 made by Sir Richard Molyneux to establish a claim to the 
 Common, which was successfully resisted, as appears from the 
 following document :■—■* 
 
 " 1617 July 11 th At an Assemblie holden in the Comon halle before 
 Richard Moore gent Maior &c. 
 
 " It was agreed as followeth ; that whereas it was then credibly 
 informed that S r Richard Mollineux, Knight and Baronett, w" the 
 Copihoulders of West derbie would the same daie enter w th in the liberties 
 of our towne and heath, belonginge thereto, and chalendge p'te of the 
 same as belonginge to West darbie aforesaid, that the said Maior and 
 King's Bailiffe for the towne shall meete the said S r Richard Mollineux 
 and West darbie men at their first entrance w^in the towne's liberties, 
 and there make knowen unto them that tyme out of mind the liberties .w 1 " 
 wee clayme have belonged to ou r towne, and that wee have evydence to 
 maintaine the same w ch wee will shewe to them that it shall concerne 
 when occacon shall s've." 
 
 " It is likewise the same daie ordered y' in regard of a denyall made by 
 Mr Edm. Rose Alderm. to the said Maior to goe a message to the heath' 
 to certifie some measures and Darbie men that then were measuring the: 
 same, that if any Alderman hereafter doe deny to goe in the towne's 
 behalf any reasonable jorney havinge his lawfull charges allowed him as 
 hee shalbee by the said Maior appointed, that hee shall forfeite for ey.'ie. 
 such offence x u to the towne's use." 
 
 l'rysage Sir Richard Molyneux, as lessee of the Crown, claimed a 
 
 resisted* 
 
 duty called "Prysage" 1 on all wines imported, in which 
 Liverpool at that time had a considerable trade. This, was 
 resisted, whether by the Corporation or the importers does 
 not appear, whereupon the following missive from the 
 Chancery of the Duchy was despatched to the Mayor.: — 
 
 Mandate from " 1622 Jany 27*' 
 Chancellor of ., Mr Maior 
 
 Duchy» 
 
 " Upon the complainte of S r Richard Molyneux who is the. 
 
 King's servaunt for the prysage of wynes at his port of Liv'poole where I 
 understand that there is certen French men have brought in wynes of w ch 
 they denye unto the officers of the said S r Richard prysage for those 
 wynes, And for that I conceave theire course of freedome in other pts"of 
 this kingdome may by, them be an imboldeninge to make their freedome. 
 
 1 Prisage (of Wines), a custom for the King to challenge two tuns of wine at his own -rate 
 (which is 20s. per tun), out, of every ship loaded with wine. It was also called Butlerage, and 
 receivable by the King's Chief Butler. — Bailey. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 275 
 
 soe gen'all as the priviledges of the County Palantyne of Lancaster may 
 
 be much impeached thereby. 
 
 "Therefore for the p'servacon of his Ma Ues rights in those Ports within 
 the said county Pallantyne, let me wish you (if the officers of the said 
 S r Richard on the behalfe of his Ma tie for the said prysage be not satisfied 
 and fully contented) to certifie unto me the names of the owners, bringers, 
 factors servaunts, sellers and buyers of the said shippe and wynes w th as 
 much convenient speed as you may, to th' end proces and other p'ceed- 
 ings may be had against the offenders therein as the law will in such 
 cases, for the sp'ciall maynten'nce of the priviledges of that County. 
 " This, w* my most hartie saluts I rest 
 
 " Yo r very lovinge frend 
 
 "Edward Mosley." 
 
 Charles I., in 1628, sold the Crown rights in the town and Saieof Crown 
 lordship of Liverpool, which were afterwards purchased by Moiyneux. 
 Lord Moiyneux. The setting forth of the parcels is some- 
 what vague, and does not describe these lands in terms, but 
 Lord Moiyneux considered the Commons as part and parcel 
 of his purchase. He was possessed of lands within the 
 borough west of the pool brook, through which he was making 
 a street, (Lord Street, originally Lord Moiyneux Street). Lord street. 
 This street he wished to carry over the stream by a bridge, 
 and so thence over the Common by the line of the present 
 Church Street, and took measures accordingly. The Council 
 took the alarm, and on the 23rd March, 1669, adopted the 
 following resolution : — 
 
 «' Will' Stanley Lord Strange, Maior. _ Council resist. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. It is ordered that whereas informacon is given 
 to this Assembly that the Lord Moiyneux is intending to erect, or cause 
 to be erected a new bridge over some part of the poole or current from 
 the Poole bridge upon the wast or Comon of Liverpoole, w th out the 
 lycence & consent of the Maior & burgesses of this town ; they and theire 
 predecessors havinge bin tyme out of memory reputed and taken to have 
 the rightful signiory of the same Comon or Wast under his sacred Ma*. 
 And accordingly have enjoyed the same and the royalties and priviledges 
 thereof inviolat to this tyme; and for that such making of a bridge upon 
 the towne's wast w^out lycence of, or composicon w* the Maior of this 
 towne for the tyme being, may seeme to invade and break in upon the 
 ancient priviledges of this towne; it is hereby ordered by the said 
 Assembly unanimously, that if any attempt shall hereafter be made to lay 
 any foundation or to build any part of the same bridge, the same shall be 
 
276 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Obstruction forthw" 1 obstructed, pulled downe, & layed wast, by such p'son or p'sons 
 to be removed as t^e Maior of this towne or his deputy shall thinck meet & appoint for 
 that purpose ; And if any suit or suites shall arise, by the said Lord 
 Mollineux against the said Maior or his deputy for or touchinge the 
 pulling downe of the same bridge or any part thereof, or for obstructing 
 the building thereof; it is hereby ordered that the said Maior or his 
 deputy & all such p'son or p'sons as aforesaid shall be defended and 
 indemnifyed att the costs and charges of this towne. 
 
 " Signed John Sturzaker dep' Maior 
 " and 29 others." 
 
 1669. 
 Proposal for 
 treaty. 
 
 "Works 
 commenced. 
 
 Resistance. 
 
 Suit to be 
 defended. 
 
 " 1669 April 5* Att an Assembly &c It is ordered that whereas Mr 
 John Tatlock, one of the Lord Mollineux his com" hath on the behalfe of 
 his Lo pp moved the said Mr John Sturzaker deputy Maior for a treaty 
 betweene this towne and his Lo pp in this towne upon Tuesday in the 
 Easter weeke, concerninge the building of a bridge w cb his Lo pp would 
 build (or hath so given it out) upon the heath or wast of Liverpoole, it is 
 therefore ordered that Mr Alderman Sturzaker deputy Maior, shall w ft the 
 Aldermen and such of the charterers of this towne as he shall think 
 meet for his assistants, treat with the said Lord Mollyneux in the Town 
 Hall or other convenient place to take his p'posalls." 
 
 Nothing came of this interview, and Lord Molyneux 
 commenced his operations by laying down seventy yards of 
 planking, which were removed by James Whitfield and 
 Edward Marsh on behalf of the Corporation. Action was 
 then taken by his Lordship, and thereupon the following 
 resolution was passed : — 
 
 " 1669 Octr 15 th Att a Meeting before John Sturzaker dep 1 Maior &c. 
 Itt is ordered, whereas lately James Whitfield and Edward Marsh have 
 lately bin arested by warrant sur quo minus out of his Ma" Co rt of Excheq* 
 at Westminster return' tres Mich'is at suite of Mr John Tatlock and the 
 said Mr John Sturzaker, togeth' w" 1 Edward Moore Esq hath given bond 
 for the appearance of the said James Whitfield & Edward Marsh ; that 
 the said Mr John Sturzaker his exec rs & adm" shall for ever hereafter be 
 saved harmles, lossles, & indemnifyed from any suit, cost or trouble w 1 * may 
 at any tyme hereafter happen, ag l the s d Mr Sturzaker, his Ex" adm K or 
 assignes for, by reason or occasion of the said bond or any suit or suites 
 thereupon'comenced. And that the said suite comenced by the said Mr 
 Tatlock shall be defended at the charge of this burrough, viz' of the 
 freemen & burgesses thereof inhabitinge out of the same, as well as those 
 w oh inhabit wSn." 
 
 " 1670, Jany 18 Thos Bicksteth, Maior. It is ordered that Mr Arthur 
 Borrow, and Samuell Fazakerley our towne clerk, shall be ymployed as 
 Solicito" for this towne in the suits betweene Mr Jno Tatlock on behalfe 
 of the Lord Mollyneux agt James Whitfield & Edw d Marsh. . . . And 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 277 
 
 what upon account they disburse w* theire reasonable fees shall be paid 
 out of the towne's treasury." 
 " 1670, April 12, Thos Johnson Maior. Resistance 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. Whereas at last Assizes the Lord Mollyneux sanctioned by 
 by Mr John Tatlock his trustee had a tryall against Edward Marsh and ConnciL 
 James Whitfield def a on behalfe of the Corporacon w ch after full evidence 
 was nonsuited, And whereas Mr Maior was advised by counsell to pull 
 downe the bridg or platt made upon the wast of Liverpoole by ord r of the 
 Lo: Mollyneux & to make clayme to the stones & brickes w ch have been 
 digged up and made on the same wast w th out leave of the said Maior : it 
 is hereby ordered and agreed, that the said act of the said Maior as to 
 pulling downe of the said bridge or platt & making clayme to stone & 
 brickes, shall be & is adjudged to be an act done for the good of the 
 Corporation ; And doe further agree and order, that what further act or 
 acts the said Maior w" the assistance of the Aldermen shall doe or cause 
 to be done in reference to the premisses shall be allowed by this Assembly ; 
 and all p'son or p'sons w"* have or shall act in the p'misses by order of the 
 said Maior shall be indemnifyed & saved harmless at the charge of this 
 Corporation." 
 
 " 1671 Jany 16 th It is ordered that whereas there are now sev'all suites !671. 
 and differences now depending between the Lord Mollyneux and the P r ° ceed <ngs 
 Corporation of Liverpoole both in law and equity, and also a contest ln on on ' 
 before the Lords Com rs for sale of some of his Ma" fee farme rents, the all 
 or some of w ch some proceed' is expected to be made this ensuinge Hillary 
 terme next ; It is now ordered that Thomas Carter late servant to the 
 towne clerke, Mr Sam" Fazakerley who hath the last terme bin ymployed Agents, 
 at London in the concerns of this towne, & especially concerning the pre- 
 emption of the Burgage & Chantrie rents, in regard of the neare approach 
 of the said terme shall be w th all expedition possible sent up to London to 
 attend S r Will'm Bucknall our burges in Parliam'." 
 
 The Corporation now prepared themselves for every con- 
 tingency, and were resolved to contest the matter to the 
 bitter end. 
 
 " 1671, March 18* Thos Johnson gen. Maior. 
 
 " At an Assembly &c. Whereas severall suites have bin moved & are Suit 
 now depending betweene John Tatlock pi', James Marsh & Edward continued. 
 Whitfield, on the behalfe of the Lord Mollyneux & also by Henry Parr as 
 lessee of the said John Tatlocke against Samuel Fazakerley in Ejectm'. 
 All w ch suites concerne the interest & tytle of the Corporation of Liver- 
 poole as to their clayme in the waste grounds of Liverpoole ; And also 
 other suites are threatened agt the said Maior for w^holding the tolles & 
 other dutyes & customes of this towne, by the Lo: Mollyneux or some on 
 his behalfe ; And whereas also it is agreed by this Assembly, that in case 
 a verdict should passe against the said def B or any of them at the next 
 Assize's, that a Writt or Writts of Error shall be sued out & recognizances Writ of Error, 
 given for prosecuting thereof according to the statute. It is now ordered, 
 
278 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660—1699. 
 
 Arbitration 
 sanctioned. 
 
 Proposal to 
 treat. 
 
 Negotiations. 
 
 Agreement 
 and terms. 
 
 that the said Maior, & the said Samuel Fazakerley shall be indemnified at 
 the charge of this Corporation from any costs or charges they shall be 
 exposed unto by reason of the said suites. . . . And also that in case of 
 any overture of peace or finall agreem' in or concerninge the said suites 
 att the next Assizes, it shall be in the power of the said Maior on behalfe 
 of the said Corporation to elect & name one or more Arbitrators & to 
 agree to an Umpyre if it shall seeme to him convenient ; and the Cor- 
 poration shall be bound by the Order or Umpirage of such Arbitrators or 
 Umpyre," &c. 
 
 1 67 1, May 1st. " It is ordered the same day That the said Maior and 
 Mr Corleyes may treat on the behalfe of the Corporacon w th Mr Nicholas 
 Fazakerley and Mr John Tatlock on behalfe of the Lord Mollyneux, in 
 ord r to composinge or ending of the suites & differences betweene this 
 Corporacon & the Lord Mollyneux or upon theire behalfes. And what 
 the said Maior and Mr Corleyes shall agree unto or conclude shall be as 
 bynding as if done by the privity and consent of the whole Assembly. 
 The aforesaid Treaty to be in this towne to-morrow att the howse of Mrs 
 Margery Formby." 
 
 The negotiation went forward for some months. 
 
 1671, September 27th. " It is ordered that Mr Maior shall take to his 
 assistance Alderman Thomas Bickesteth to treat w* Mr Nicholas Fazaker- 
 ley and one such other as he shall bring w* him to treat in reference 
 to an accommodation or agreement of the differences between this Cor- 
 poration and the Lord Mollyneux. And whatsoever the said Mr Maior 
 and Mr Bickesteth shall act or doe therein on the behalfe of this 
 Corporation shall be as bynding & as if done w* the consent of this 
 whole Assembly." 
 
 An agreement was ultimately adopted on the following 
 terms. Lord Molyneux was allowed to proceed with his 
 bridge on payment of a nominal rent of twopence per annum. 
 The Corporation to take the Lordship, with all dues and 
 customs, on a lease for 1,000 years, at the annual rent of £30. 
 The burgage rents and ferry were not included. Both parties 
 were satisfied with their bargain, though some disputes arose 
 subsequently. Lord Molyneux obtained the privilege of the 
 bridge, and of a road across the Common (now Church 
 Street), and got a fair return for his outlay in the purchase of 
 the Manor. To the Corporation it was emancipation from a 
 galling yoke, and inquisitorial interference. To neither party 
 was vouchsafed a vision of the splendid future. The tolls and 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND R£ VENUES. 279 
 
 dues, leased in 1672 for £30 per annum, were sold in i856v a iueof 
 under Parliamentary sanction for £1,500,000, and produced Ues ' 
 in 1881 a revenue of £26o,6g8. 
 
 The confirmation by the Corporation was as follows : — 
 
 " 1672, May 15. Law' Brownlow Mayor. Appointment 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. It is ordered that in a deed or grant from the ° f Trustees. 
 Lord Mollyneux and Mr John Tatlocke to the use of the Corporacon of 
 all the Lord Mollyneux his rights in Liverpoole (the Boats & Ferry only 
 excepted) the p'sons hereafter named be nominated trustees. 
 
 " Lawrence Brownlow Merch' 
 
 " Thomas An doe Mariner 
 
 " Henry Corles 
 
 "Jo" Chandler 
 
 " Peter Lurting 
 
 "Jo" Sturzaker 
 
 "Thomas Johnson 
 
 "Thomas Bickesteth 
 
 " James Jerrom 
 
 " Robert Secome — gent 
 
 " Silvester Richmond 
 
 " Robert Williamson 
 
 " Edward Tarleton." 
 
 These names are worth recording, as being those of the 
 Patres Conscripti of the modern port and borough of Liverpool* 
 
 So much importance was attached to this document that 
 the. following order was passed : — 
 
 " That at the Port Moot Court next after Eleccon of a Maior of this Order to be 
 Burrough yearely, this Ord r shall be read publickly in the Moot hall, to rea<1 - 
 the end it may knowne how many are then living." 
 
 The deed was executed, but considerable time elapsed in 
 arranging the details. 
 
 1687, January 18th. " Ordered (nemine contradicente) that James Enrollment. 
 Prescott Esq p'sent Maior doe take y e Lord Mollineux & Mr Tatlock's 
 deed into his custodie & cause it bee enrolled in the Chancerie of England 
 at this Corporacon's charge." 
 
 about terms. 
 
 Disputes arose concerning the conditions and nature of Disputes 
 the. obligations contained in the deed, which it is not easy 
 now to explain, but the Corporation considered themselves 
 
28o 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Town Clerk 
 and Recorder 
 consulted. 
 
 warranted in withholding the rent of £30 until these condi- 
 tions were fulfilled by Lord Molyneux. 
 
 Rent refused. " 1690 Sept 3. Will. Clayton Esq' Maior. 
 
 " At a Councell &c It is order d y' y° p'sent Baylives do not pay y" 
 Lord Molyneux rent, till a deed be p'fected according to a former condi- 
 tion, which deed y e present Baylives are to enquire for, and take along 
 w" them, and y e money (y e Town Clerk accompanying them) & pay y° 
 money on signing y e deed." 
 
 1690, September 19th. " It is then order d that Mr Baylive Johnson and 
 the Town Clerk do go to the Recorder on Munday next, to takeadvice 
 concerning y c Lord Mullineux's deed and take y" deed and articls along 
 with them, and pursue his directions in the matter, and that y e Baylives, 
 Town Clerk, Mr Thomas Brookbank, Mr Richard Houghton, Mr John 
 Hodgson and Mr John Amery do tomorrow look over y = papers to see if 
 they can find y e s d Ld Mullinex's bond." 
 
 1690, October 24th, " It is this day order 4 in Councel y' Alderman 
 William Clayton late Maior, Mr Thomas Johnson, and Mr Edward Crane, 
 late Baylives of this town, shall be indemnified by y 15 Corporacon for their 
 not paying y e Ld Molyneux's rent at Michalms last." 
 
 " 1691, Nov 4 th Richard Houghton Esq Maior. 
 
 " At a Councel &c. Whereas Caryl Lord Viscount Molyneux demanded 
 the arrear of rent from Thomas Brookbanke, late Maior of Liverpoole by 
 Richard Sandford, gentleman, in y" Mayoralty of y e said Thomas Brook- 
 banke, and also John Tatlocke, gentleman demanded (in right of himself) 
 the further arreares from Richard Houghton Esq prs* Mai r of Liverpoole 
 on y e thirty first day of y e last month (severall of y e Aldermen then prs') 
 and y e said Thomas Brookbanke, Alderman, and Richard Houghton Esq 
 prs' Mai r of this burrough (with y e consent and approbacon of several of 
 y* Aldermen) denyed paym* of y e same, unlesse y e s d Caryl Lord Molyneux 
 and his heir, and John Tatlocke gen. sign d a deed to y° Corporacon pur- 
 suant to articles obliging them thereunto ; it is this day resolv d in Council 
 that y e said Richard Houghton Esq prs' Mai r of Liverpoole and Thomas 
 Brookbanke, Alderman and their Baylives and their success" Mai" and 
 Baylives be indemnified therein, and that if a suit be comenced there- 
 upon, it shall_be defended at y e town's charg, the arrear of rent being two 
 years at Michlm last at thirtie pounds $• ann m ." 
 Justification. 1692, October 14th. Lord Molyneux having threatened a suit for the 
 recovery of his arrears of rent against the only surviving trustees, 
 Aldermen Johnson and Seacome, a resolution was passed " denying y° 
 paym' thereof because y e Lord Molyneux hath not p'form d his p' of y e 
 contract, and the said Aldermen Johnson & Seacome shall likewise (if any 
 suit be comenced against them) be defended at y = town's charg." 
 
 " 1692, Nov' 2 nd Joshua Fisher gent Maior. 
 
 "It is this day concluded in Councell that a new deed be drawne 
 betweene y e towne and Caryl Ld Viscount Molyneux for y e said Lord, 
 
 Indemnity. 
 
 Payment of 
 arrears 
 
 refused. 
 
 New Deed. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 281 
 
 William Molyneux Esq and John Tatlocke to sign, and that it be drawn 
 according to 3^ forme of the old one, and the trustees to be nominated in 
 y" said deed are to be y e persons following viz* 
 
 " Aid" Thomas Johnson Sen' (Mayor in 1670) 
 
 „ Thomas Johnson Jun' (Mayor in 1695, 
 
 M.P. for Liverpool 1701-22) 
 
 „ Peter Atherton (Bailiff 1673) 
 
 „ David Poole (Bailiff 1685) 
 
 „ John Chorley (Mayor 1678) 
 
 „ Richard Houghton (Mayor 1691) 
 
 „ William Williamson (Mayor 1679) 
 
 „ William Clayton (Mayor 1689, M.P. 1701-8) 
 
 „ Richard Windall (Mayor 1681) 
 
 „ Robert Seacome (Mayor 1683) 
 
 „ James Prescott (Mayor 1687) 
 
 „ Thomas Tyrer (Mayor 1688) 
 
 „ Thomas Brookbanke (Mayor 1690)." 
 
 After being in litigation for thirty years, the matters in Final 
 dispute were ultimately arranged in the year 1700. The arrangen iem * 
 decease of the stalwart old cavalier, Caryl Lord Molyneux, in 
 1699, no doubt paved the way for this settlement. 
 
 The final record is as follows : — 
 
 " 1700 Sept 20 th Cuth. Sharpies Esq Maior. Final 
 
 " As to any supposed or real difference between y e Honr bIe Lord payment. 
 Viscount William Molyneux & this Corporacon, it is order d in Councell 
 that Mr Mai r & whom hee pleased to take to his assistance be desir d to 
 attend s d Ld Viscount W m Molyneux & give fourtie, fifetie or sixtie 
 guineas to putt an end to all differences between that family and this 
 Corporacon and to confirme deeds accordingly." 
 
 With the revival of trade and the demand for buildings, 
 the utmost vigilance was required to prevent encroachments 
 on the town lands. 
 
 " 1668, William Lord Strange Maior. 1668. 
 
 "March 3 rd Memoran d that Wm Halsall (and others) did breake Encroach- 
 downe an encroachm' or inclosur lately made by Thomas Duke, and also res i ste( j. 
 did breake downe some p' of a barne lately erected upon the Waste of 
 this towne ; and this was so by them done on the behalfe & by speciall 
 order of_Mr Maior Aldermen & Baylives & Burgesses of this towne in 
 preservacon of theire clayme & right to the said Waste or Comons 
 according to ancient custome there used &c ag l all incroaches." 
 
 Of the two noble families intimately connected with ^^ ys , 
 
 N N 
 
282 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Liverpool, the Molyneuxs, as the records show, were at 
 
 continual feud with the Corporation. The Stanleys,, on. the 
 
 other hand, were usually on the most friendly terms, filling 
 
 the civic chair, and interchanging courtesies from time to 
 
 time. William, Lord Strange, was Mayor in 1668. The 
 
 following year a circumstance took place which shows that 
 
 the Corporation were always prompt in action to assert their 
 
 rights, whether against friend or foe. 
 
 1669. « 1669, Nov 15 th Thomas Bickesteth gen. Maior. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c It is ordered that whereas a servant of the right 
 hono ble the Earle of Darby upon thenynth day of November instant came 
 to Mr Bicksteth Maior of this burrough w* a pap' in these words viz' 
 Claim by " That I have sent to Liverpoole to let them know I would not take the 
 
 Lord Derby, advantage when either I myself or myne were in possession of that part 
 of Liverpoole which is now in possesion of theire towne. I have ordered 
 you to demand of them w ci in justice they cannot deny, w* is that they 
 cause quyet possession to be deliv'ed to you on my behalfe of those houses 
 lately erected betwixt my house called the Tower & the Sea, 1 & to this 
 I cannot but expect a ready complyance from them. 
 
 "C Derby. 
 " Lathom 9 Nov '69." 
 
 " And demanded an answer of the possession of the houses above 
 
 menconed to be deliv'ed to him. 
 
 " It is ordered att the same Assembly, Mr Baylive Windall & Mr Sam 1 
 
 Fazakerley or some other appointed by Mr Maior shall attend his hono' 
 
 w tt a pap r in writing in these words following ; what you are to say as 
 
 followeth. (This afterwards putt off & onely verball answ r sent or returned 
 
 to Mr Jones.) 
 Corporation's " That the ground whereupon the sev'all houses are built is the rights 
 reply. of the Corporacon, and that they are seized thereof in fee, and that 
 
 they cannot deliver the possession w^out betrayinge the rights of the 
 
 Corporacon." 
 
 No further record relates to this transaction. The 
 Corporation retained possession of this property down to 
 1883, when it was removed to widen the street. 
 
 This was not the only occasion on which the Corporation 
 had to resist the claims of Lord Derby. 
 
 1 This comprised the premises formerly lying between Prison Wient and George's Dock, at 
 the foot of Water Street, which must have cut off his Lordship's residence from a view of 
 the river. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 283 
 
 " 1698, March to* Thos Sweeting Esq Maior. 1698. 
 
 " Att a Councell &c It is this day determined in Councell, that ^°[^ Derby's 
 whereas Mr Robert Roper did on the fourth day of_ this ins' March speak allotment. 
 to Mr Maior concerning the improvem* on y c Comon asserting that jthe 
 Ldrd of D^rby is a Charterer 1 (amongst others) and expected a proporcon 
 of the same; Now this Councell doth order, that a_yerball answer be 
 return" 1 to the Lord of Derby viz' That the Corporacon are sufficiently 
 satisfied that they are Lords of all the Wast & Comon within y e liberties 
 of Liverpoole, & Will support the justice of their cause* and will be at the 
 charg of defending the title ; and Mr Mai r is requested to take due advice Declined. 
 for y 6 defence of the Corporations title, and y e s d Mai r shall bg indemnified 
 for any thing he does therein for y° advantage of y e Corporacon & shall be 
 reimbursed any Gharg that hee shall expend therein." 
 
 Edward Moore, of the Old Hall, Oldhall Street, and ofMoore 
 Bank Hall, Kirkdale, created Baronet in 1675, was the owner 
 of considerable property in the town, which came into collision 
 at various points with the Corporation. He has left on record, 
 in the Moore Rental, his opinion of the characters of the 
 leading men of the borough, which is very unfavourable, 
 embittered, doubtless, by his own unpopularity, and his 
 continual disputes with the Corporation, many of which are 
 entered on the records. 
 
 " 1672, June 5* Laur. Brownlowe, Merch* Maior. Moore's 
 
 "At an Assembly &c. It is this day ordered by the Maior, Aldermen, ^sUd!™ 16111 
 Baylives & Councel. That Edward Moore Esq r and his servants and 
 workmen shall be forthwith interrupted in the building of the stone wall 
 alreadie begun at the sea side upon the Wasts of Liverpoole (west of the 
 feilds in holding of Thomas Andoe, Alderman & another feild called 
 Lancelots feild) in such manner as the said Mr Maior shall think meet. 
 Atid that the said Maior and all and everiejp'son and p'sons by him 
 cOmanded or appointed, to give such interrupcon or disturbance to the 
 said Edward Moore or his servants in the building thereof shall be 
 defended and saved harmless at the publick charge of this towne." 
 
 A memorandum follows that — 
 
 " Mr Robert Moore at first discented & gave his reason of dissent, that 
 he would not subscribe ag l his nephew Moore. Nev'theless he afterwards 
 subscribed his name the last of all the Councell." 
 
 1 " Charterer," in the Vernacular of the district, signified a Freeholder. 
 
284 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 1672. 
 Obstruction 
 resisted. 
 
 Further 
 disputes. 
 
 1676. 
 
 Moore 
 presented. 
 
 Moore 
 resisted. 
 
 Encroach- 
 ments 
 removed. 
 
 " 1672, June 10 th By order of the Maior, William Mulliney Serjeant at 
 Mace, and William Galley Sub-customer, about seven in the morninge, 
 disturbed Mr Moore's workmen in building a wall at the seaside and gave 
 them warninge in the said Maior's name to desist working then of the 
 same wall as they would answer. And then and there the said Serjeant 
 and William Galley putt_downe one stone at either end of the said wall 
 and one stone in the midle." 
 
 At the Port Moot immediately succeeding, it is entered — 
 
 "Wee present Edw d Moore Esq for building a wall along the Sea 
 Brow upon the Wasts of Liverpoole iij s iiij d ." 
 
 " 1673 Sept. 3 rd Silvester Richmond ar. Maior. 
 
 *' Att an Assembly &c It is ordered that it be referred to Mr Maior 
 and Mr Robert Roper, to treat w* Edward Moore Esq touching the sea 
 banck, & beginning of a key there (This being the first application of the 
 said Edward Moore) and that the said Edward Moore may take one to . 
 his assistance in the said treaty, not being a Counsellor, Attorney, or 
 Solicitor. And this towne shall be concluded w* what Mr Maior & Mr 
 Roper shall act or doe in the premisses on this towne's behalfe." 
 
 " 1676 Sept 18 th This Order continued as to reference to Mr Roper 
 on the towne's behalfe, both as to Seabanck, and all other matters in 
 difference or variance betweene this towne & the s d Edward Moore, now 
 S r Edward Moore ; the said S r Edward taking such one to his assistance 
 being no Councellor nor Atturney on his part, as the said Mr Roper shall 
 approve of." 
 
 Other sources of dissension arose from time to time. 
 
 " 1677 Aug' 13. At a Port Moot, 
 
 " We present Edw d Moore Knt for dung, stones, and rubbish lying in 
 the streets 20 s 6 d ." 
 
 " Item We p'sent S r Edward Moore or his tenants for incroaching on 
 the town's waste at the end of the Castle Hill by building thereon part of 
 a howse wherein Peter Allin doth live, and the howse called Dicconson's 
 howse." 
 
 " 1677 Octr 31 st Wm Geo. Rich d Earl of Derby Maior. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. Ordered that the fences late pull'd downe and 
 laid wast by S r Edward More or his order, of the inclosures of Mr Robert 
 Secome, Mr James Jerrom and Rob' Prenton, or anie other, shall be made 
 upp againe, and defended at the charge of this Corporacon against S r 
 Edward More or anie other." 
 
 The souls of the Aldermen and Council of that day were 
 sorely troubled by the perpetual encroachments against which 
 they had to contend. 
 
 " 1672 Jany 27 th Silvester Richmond ar. Maior. Port Moot. 
 
 " Whereas there hath bin an encroachment upon the towne's Wast 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 285 
 
 w 011 appeared by the testimonies of two sufficient witnesses Mr Thomas 
 Preeson and Robert Mercer, w ch lies upon the south side of the Castle 
 to Mr Thomas Preeson's house, called by the name of Mr Tarlton's land 
 (leatofEgburth). 
 
 " It is this day further ordered by the Jury that the same incroachm' 
 shall bee pulled downe, and built as it hath bin formerly, upon the penalty 
 of five pounds, before the 23 rd of Aprill next. This is to be done by the 
 Own" thereof." 
 " 1676 Nov I st Robert Williamson Mar r Maior. Protection 
 
 " At a Portmoot Resolved, upon the question, That whosoever hath against 
 endeavoured to envade, incroach or annoy the wasts, rights or liberties encroach- 
 of this Corporation, to receive any of the rents of this Corporation to ment5, 
 the disinherison of the same, in their just and ancient rights, who by 
 orders in our ancient records have bin inhibited to farme any of the 
 Corporation's lands, or to receive any of the Corporation's rents, and 
 perticularly the rent of Burscow's howse, soe anciently called, being the 
 Corporations inheritance, and yet have attempted to receive the same, 
 or who have attempted to make buildings on the Corporation's lands and 
 inheritance, and. have made severall incroachm* on the town's land, and 
 granted the same incroachm ts in lease without any leave or admission 
 from the Corporation ; is not a fit person to be elected Maior or Cheife 
 Magistrate of this Corporation or to bear any publick office or place of 
 trust for or within the same." 
 
 The incipient prosperity and progress of the town after the Progress. 
 Restoration are strikingly manifested by the growing demand 
 for building land, and the commencing development of the 
 Corporate estate. Numerous entries in the records of a very 
 interesting character are evidence of this. 
 
 " 1672 May 6 th Lawr' Brownlowe Merch* Maior. Leasing of 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. Itt is this day ordered, that for the improvem' of Commons, 
 the Wasts and Wast grounds within this towne and for the incouragem' of 
 any that shall bee minded to erect buildings upon or improve any part 
 of the same waste, That it shall bee in the power of Mr Laurence 
 Brownlowe, the present Maior of this towne, with advice of two or more 
 Alderm of this towne, to contract and compound with any that shall bee 
 mindfull to build upon or improve any such wast, upon such yearely rents 
 and for such termes as the said Maior with the advice aforesaid shall think 
 meet ; And such Contract, Agreement or Composicon shall bee valid and 
 binding, as done by the order of the Comonalty of this towne." 
 
 " I0 73 Jany 7 th James Jerrom Maior. 
 
 " Ordered that four acres of Heath shall bee sett out and inclosed and Enclosure of 
 fenced att the charge of the Corporacon in the place where the Maior with Heath - 
 his assistance have appointed, neere the Shooting Butts on the heath. 
 And that Mr Maior with assistance of one or more of the Aldermen shall 
 
286 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660—1699. 
 
 Land at 
 Castle Hill. 
 
 Lands of 
 James and 
 Crosse. 
 
 see the same bounded out, and contract with workmen forthwith for in- 
 closeing and fencing thereof." 
 
 Item "Ordered that the vacant place at the Castle Hill sett out for a 
 building for the Corporacon be built of stone or brick." 
 
 " 1674 May 25 th At a Port Moot. 
 
 '' Ordered that a survey be made of the wast ground att the water side 
 for Roger James, 1 and alsoe of the Washy flash or ditch at the end of Mr 
 Crosse's heys neere the place where the old tithe barn stood for Mr 
 Fazakerley." a 
 
 New Streets. 
 
 Castle Hey. 
 
 Tarleton's 
 
 Lands. 
 
 Old Town 
 Hall leased. 
 
 New streets were beginning to be laid out beyond the six 
 of which the town had consisted from time immemorial. 
 
 " 1674 March 3 rd Sir Gilbert Ireland Knt Maior. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. It is ordered that Mr Gradwell have the breadth 
 of Seaven Yards allotted him for a way from his new intended street in the 
 Castle Heys 8 for 990 years, paying v* ann m . And that the same shall be 
 open only as a way and not to be built upon by any of the heyres or Assigns 
 of the Tarltons. And that the same shall not be chained or obstructed 
 against any of the towne in theire passage. Ye rent to begin at Mich" 
 next." 
 
 " Item Whereas heretofore att -the request of Mr William Gradwell on 
 behalfe of the daughters and co-heyres of Mr Richard Tarlton deceased, 
 seaven yards of the waste at the sea side over against the lands or close 
 of the said co-heyrs was granted to them for a way from theire new 
 intended street to the sea side, 4 They and theire heyres or other the heyres 
 & p'prietors of the same lands yeilding therefor yearly five shillings #• ann. 
 to the Corporacon of Liverpoole. And upon a further applicacon made 
 by the said Gradwell, alledging that seaven yards to the front att the sea 
 side would not be sufficient for the said new street, for that the same was 
 to be twelve yards wide. It is therefore ordered that twelve yards to the 
 front shall be allowed to them fronting the same street, at eight shillings 
 $- ann. rent for the whole." 
 
 " 1675, Sept 22 nd Mr Peter Atherton is admitted tenant to the old 
 Town-hall, 6 being about fourteen yards to the front for sixtie one years 
 from and after the fifteenth day of October next at fifteene pounds rent 
 yearly at Mich 35, The towne to have the use and enjoym' of the old 
 storehouse till a new one be built ; and in the mean time five pounds part 
 of the said yearly rent is to be rebated ; the said Peter Atherton within 
 six years, building or causeing to be built the said messuage three storeys 
 high with cellar under the same. The same new building to come noe 
 further in the street than the old Prison or Channell doth extend." 
 
 1 The site of the present James Street. 
 a In Tithebarn Street, top of Hatton Garden. 
 8 Now Harrington Street. 
 J The present Redcross Street. 
 
 ' The old Town Hall stood in High Street on a portion of the site occupied by the Liverpool 
 and London Insurance Offices. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 287 
 
 ■ — j — ' ■ ' — — 
 
 " 1676 Nov I st Robert Williamson Maior. 
 
 " Ordered that entries be made forthw th into & upon the house called 
 the ' Mardyke ' 1 at the west end of Chappell Street— the new wall or key Mardyke. 
 thereto adjoyninge, & the Lyme Kilne thereto adjoyninge ; — the house at 
 Pale Street end in possession of Wm Gardner — & the Wynd Milne on Windmill. 
 Liverpoole Heath ox Wast ; by such p'son or p'sons as Mr. Maior shall 
 thinck fitt & appoint." 
 
 " 1680 Oct 18 th Thomas Clayton Merchant Maior. 
 
 •'Ordered, that the new marked ground at Fall- well 3 be let for one Fall Well 
 and twentie yeares at yearelye rent for y" Corporacons best advantage ; Lands - 
 w 4 was lett by inch of candle in the towne hall for the terme aforesaid 
 att eight pounds, seaven shillings, sixe pence $■ annum, to bee paid 
 yearely on the twentie ninth daye of September — Lett unto Joshua 
 Fisher of Liverpoole Vintner." 
 
 " 1684 Mar 25 th Robt Seacome gent m Maior. 
 
 " According to order of Mr Mayor and Aldermen by consent of the New House, 
 Councell, the new house in the Dale Street with the appurtenances belong- Dale Street, 
 inge to this Corporation was exposed to sett and lett by inch of candle, and 
 was then lett unto Mr Robt Carter for the terme of seaven yeares at 
 thirty eight pounds yearely rent, to bee paid at the feast of Saint Michael 
 the Arch-Angell. The Corporation to erect a kitchen, a wash house an 
 house of office & swine house, and to make partitions in the house where 
 necessary, & putt all the premises into tennan table repaire." 
 
 " 1685, June 3 rd Ordered, that Aid" Edward Tarleton shall for one Tarleton's 
 yeare next ensueinge enjoy the benefitt of the fish yards by him lately Fis h Vard - 
 built, payeing two shillinges sixe pence rent for the same, and allowing 
 Mr Maior or his deputie everie Friday, all the fish taken in y e fish yards 
 in one tide." s 
 
 " 1685, Nov 18 th Oliver Lyme Esquire Maior. 
 
 " Ordered that Jonathan Brookes bee admitted to make sixtie thousand Bricks made 
 bricks on the Comon & have a portion of ground sett out for that purpose on Heath - 
 by Aid" Windall, Mr Norres, Mr Travers, Mr Prescott & Mr Barker ; hee 
 making noe wast of ground, nor imployeing anie laborers unles he give 
 securitie for them to the Corporation, & selling brickes at five shillings 
 & six pence #■ thousand, & payeing to y e Corporation four pence #• 
 thousand. 
 
 " The like libertie granted to Robert Lucas to make three hundred 
 thousand brickes upon the same conditions." 
 
 " 1687, Dec 9 th James Prescott Maior. 
 
 " Ordered that the Wast ground at y e water springs (heretofore reserved Water 
 for publique use) bee measured and lett to Thomas Tyrer for the terme of Springs, 
 three lives, hee paying for the same after y e rate of 5" #• acre. 1 ' 
 
 " 1688, March 7 th Upon Mr Danvers petition Ordered, That the Wast Land about 
 ground neere f Castle on the south side of Richard Lurting's wall be Castk - 
 
 1 The Mardyke was an ancient fort at the foot of Chapel Street. It is shown in the view of 
 Liverpool in 1650, given in Vol. I., PI. 3, of Herdman's Pictorial Relics. 
 3 In St. John's Lane, corner of Roe Street. 
 8 This fish yard or weir was on the shore near the foot of Redcross Street. 
 
288 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Enclosure of 
 Turf Moss. 
 
 Pluckington 
 Bank. 
 
 Pluckington's 
 
 Petition 
 
 declined. 
 
 Lease to 
 Pluckington. 
 
 Clayton builds 
 Bridge. 
 
 Moore's 
 encroachment 
 Moss Lake. 
 
 viewed & reported, and to consult Mr Danvers what buildings hee 
 would erect there." 
 
 " 1689, June 5* Thomas Tyrer Esq' Maior. 
 
 " It is this day ordered in Councel, y' no person shall enclose any part of 
 the Turf Mosse till first he has shew d y e Councel his title ; and all such 
 persons as have already made enclosure, shall bring their deeds by y* next 
 Councel day to shew their titles, or their enclosures shall be pull'd down, 
 they having notice of it before." 
 
 Pluckington's Bank, the shoal which interferes with the 
 landing stage and the entrance to the southern docks, has 
 acquired an unenviable notoriety. We find in the records 
 some references to it in its incipient state. 
 
 " 1690 Feby 4" 1 Thomas Brookbank Maior. 
 
 " Upon Mr Wm Pluckington's peticon concerning the banck washing 
 away near his house, 1 and desiring the town to pay a proporcon of the 
 charg in repairing of it to p'vent y e falling down of his house. It is 
 order'd in Councel y l no allowance be given him to slutch y e frosse lake, 
 provided he make twenty pounds improvm' on y e s d spott of ground, but 
 his peticon concerning y e land of y e east end of Mr Joseph Fishers ground 
 is rejected." 
 
 " 1 69 1, June 3 rd _Mr William Pluckington's peticoning for a p'cel of 
 ground upon y e Comon for a certain time, the Councel have thought fit 
 to order him four acres to be sett out for three lives at twelve pence each 
 acre $■ ann, provided he secure y c foundacon of the bank at y e Bowling 
 Green ; otherwise the land with its improvm 45 is to returne to ye 
 Corporacon." 
 
 " 1693, March 7* Jasper Maudit Gent. Maior. 
 
 " On Capt William Clayton's proposal either to build a bridge at his 
 own charg & so to uphold it, over against the Park Lane in consideracon of 
 having a certain proporcon of ground for three lives and twenty one yeares 
 at a certain yearly ground rent, or if the town build y* s d bridge at the 
 Corporacon charg to sett out a parcell of lands thereabouts to several 
 tenants for three lives and twenty one yeares at a certain annual rent, it 
 is Ord d that Mr Maior be pleased to take such of the Aldermen and other 
 Councell men to view the same as he thinks fitt, to make a return thereof 
 against next Councell day, and to view what quantity of ground & where- 
 abouts may be so sett out in order to such an improvement." 
 
 " 1697 Deer 14 th James Benn Esq' Maior. 
 
 " Whereas Mr Mai' is informed, that Sir Cleave Moor and others have a 
 design to take in some Commons near Mosse Lake, Mr Mai r is desired to 
 order any person that shall offer to digge or fence in, any of y e s d ground, to 
 
 1 This was on the sea shore, on a projecting point a little to the south of the site of the 
 Salthouse Dock. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 289 
 
 be brought before him, and to bind y e person or persons (so digging or 
 enclosing) over to y e Quarter Sessions, and_to prosecute him hir or them 
 according to law at y* charge of y e Corporacon." 
 
 The question of the existence of coal in the strata under sinking for 
 Liverpool, a moot point even at the present day, attracted 
 attention nearly two centuries ago. 
 
 " 1698 Feby 2 nd The Councell doth this day conclude. That a sume 
 not exceeding tenne pounds be expended at^y" town's charg this summer 
 for an experim* to bore for Coales on y e Comon." 
 
 The Old Hall at the north end of the town had been from a old Hail, 
 very early period, at least as far back as the thirteenth century, 
 the original seat of the Moore family before their migration to 
 Bank Hall. A large field adjoining the hall was called the 
 Parlour Hey. Sir Cleave Moore, who succeeded his father in Parlour Hey. 
 1678, was desirous, in the increasing demand for building 
 land, to utilize this property. The following record relates 
 thereto : — 
 
 " 1698 Feby 9 th James Benn Esq Maior. 
 
 " Whereas there is a proposal made by S r Cleave Moor to be admitted Proposed new 
 to have an opening to two streets (intended to be built) from a field at y e Street - 
 North side of y 6 town comonly called Parlour Hey, & some proporcon of 
 ground that may be an additional convenience to such a design, on & to 
 the westward of y e sea bancke, and an equivalent propos 4 in lieu thereof, 
 w 1 * is a vacant peece of ground (as it now lyes, onely a shop inclusive & 
 building over it & old buildings running Unable from that & an old howse 
 where Mr Amerie dwells) betweene Mr Robert Carters and George Griffith's 
 houses in Jugler Street or some other peece of ground, y' S r Cleave Moor 
 or his Agent may offer in exchange. The Councell doth consent that Mr 
 Mai r be requested to take to his assistance Ald rm William Preeson, Ald r 
 Thomas Johnson sen' & jun r , y e p rt Baylives, town Clerke, Mr William 
 Travis and Mr Thomas Sweeting, or y e major part of them to his assistance, 
 to conferre with & contract w th S r Cleave Moore (if found convenient) to 
 y e Corporacons best advantage." 
 
 Under this arrangement a street was cut through the 
 Parlour Hey, but not completed until 1707, when, in com- 
 memoration of the union of the English and Scottish 
 kingdoms, it was called Union Street. Union street. 
 
 o o 
 
2go 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660—1699- 
 
 Giant to 
 Poole. 
 
 " 1700 June 28 th Cuthb 1 Sharpies Esq Maior._ 
 
 '* On Mr David Pool, bis renewall of his peticon, hee is granted a lease 
 of three lives and twenty one yeares of y e ground hee formerly peticon'd 
 for ; he to build twenty yards front, sixe yards square and to pay twenty 
 shillings & ann., and y* wall hee has built may be removed to make y* 
 way seaven yards broad from y e ditch, viz' to y e northward of y* building 
 some time since intended for a Chapell and linable to y* southward." 
 
 1678. 
 Loan taken up, 
 
 It has been mentioned above that in order to defray the 
 expenses of the litigation with the cheesemongers, which 
 commenced in 1695, ** na( i been found necessary to raise 
 £600 on mortgage. The money was borrowed from different 
 parties in Wigan, Warrington, Chester, and Maghull. The 
 mode in which the money was secured is rather peculiar. 
 Bonds or obligations were signed by the Mayor, Aldermen 
 Sweeting, Johnson, sen. and jun., and Benn, for each sum 
 borrowed, under a penalty of double the amount. To save 
 these gentlemen harmless, a mortgage was executed to them 
 Fish House, of the Fish House or Market, recently built in Chapel Street, 
 which is thus described : — 
 
 Bonds. 
 
 Mortgage of 
 Fish House. 
 
 " All that messuage, building or tenement, erected and built upon the 
 Wast of Liverpoole afores 4 situate in a certain street called Chappell 
 Street, denominated and known by y e name of y e Fish House, extending 
 twenty yards in length, and all and singular y* roomes, warehouses, 
 Wayes, entries, liberties, easements, priviledges, profits and comodities 
 whatsoever to y e said messuage or tenement lying, being, belonging or 
 in any wise appertaining, together with y e Toll of all fish, potatoes or 
 other roots there sold or brought to y 6 Markette, to witt, for every horse 
 load of fish belonging to forraigners (be it greater or lesser) three half- 
 pence ; for every bushell of potatoes a halfpenny, for every basket, pannier 
 or other burthen brought by persons on foot one penny ; every forraign 
 freeman to pay one moietie for his so standing as is payd by a forraigoer. 
 The lease of which fish house and p'misses is now in y° possession of 
 Ann Tarleton, widow and relict of Edward Tarleton late of Liverpoole 
 marrin' deceased, by virtue of a lease thereof made to, the said Edward 
 Tarleton and bearing date the twenty ninth day of Octob r one thousand 
 six hundred seaventie eight for y e tearme of fourscore and nineteene years, 
 if Thomas, Francis and Ann Tarleton son and daughters of y 8 s d Edward 
 Tarleton so long live and after y e decease of y e longest liver of them for 
 y e further tearme of twenty one yeares." 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 291 
 
 The new street, now Lord Street, having been made Lord street 
 across the Pool Stream, the Common lands beyond were street. 
 laid out for building, and St. Peter's Church was commenced 
 about the end of the century. 
 
 " 1700 Deer 23* d Rich d Norris Esq Maior. Church. 
 
 " It is concluded in Ccmncell that y e regaining part of y° field where y e 
 Church is building, & other fields, be sett out for three lives and twenty 
 one yeares, on a reasonable ground rent, reserving ground for y e ministers 
 houses & gardens ; x and y l a draught be made & return* ag' next Councell 
 day, how to sett out streets &c. That y e buildings be handsome & uniform, 
 & a note be sett on y° Exchange y' persons may come & peticon for pro- 
 portions to build on." 
 
 " It is order* that Mr Maior, y e Aid™, Baylives, Mr Crane & Mr Braddock, Leasing 
 St s<ach of y* Councell as will attend y c same, do meet twice a week at y° Lands. 
 Exch k , viz Munday and Thursday fr. 4 to 7 a clock in y° evening, & to 
 make contracts with persons as have an inclinacon to improve ground 
 near y e Church ; & for y° improvem' of y e design'd Markette place in Jugler 
 Street, and that a book be kept for y* purpose, and that five p'sons make a 
 quor m and to returne their proceedings to y c Councell monthly, & the 
 Contracts to be signed by y" persons then pr\" 
 
 " 1701 Deer 3 rd Rich Norris Esq Maior. 
 
 " Mr David Poole peticons for some ground butting upon Cable Street, Cable Street. 
 Atherton Street & Mr Jno Turner's yard, with a design to make pan-tiles Atherton 
 for covering of houses ; no clay (except that) near y e town being for that Street, 
 purpose, it requiring a blew slutchy clay. Its order d that Mr May r be 
 desired to take such of y" Councell with him as hee thinks fitt, to look out 
 some other peece of ground for that purpose, that may have clay in it, 
 suitable to this proposall, & to contract with y e undertakers." 
 
 " 1702 March 11 th Mr Mai r , y= Ald rm & y e rest of y 6 Councell, who went Bagnio . 
 to view y ground for a Baignio (hot bath) to be erected by Mr Dene, 
 determine y' y e s d Mr Dene shall have y e s d ground, building 8 yards 
 square, at six shillings ^ ann. for 3 lives & 21 yeares fr Wm Clayton Esq 
 his west wall, 12 yds broad towards Mr Braddock, & to y e extent of his 
 land." 
 
 After the close of the civil war, the Castle of Liverpool was castle. 
 ordered by Parliament to be dismantled, but the order was 
 only partially carried out. During the latter part of the 
 seventeenth century the Corporation were the tenants under 
 the Crown. The central position of the site rendered it a 
 very desirable acquisition, and overtures were made to obtain 
 a grant. 
 
 1 This was never done. 
 
292 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Application 
 for Lease to 
 
 Lord- 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 Act for Parish 
 Church and 
 Castle. 
 
 Grant of 
 Castle. 
 
 Revenues. 
 
 " 1694. July 9 th Jasper Maudit gent. Maior. 
 
 " Order* that the L d Macclesfield 1 be discowrsed about a lease for the 
 Castle, in order to p'vent all people and necessitous (under that subterfuge) 
 to become at last inhabitants and a charg to the town." 
 
 1696 Tho. Johnson Jun. Maior. 
 
 The. deputation sent to London to endeavour to settle the litigation 
 with the cheesemongers were " also empow rd to treat with y° Rt Hon ble y 5 
 Earl of Macclesfield concerning y e Castle & to make as good a contract as 
 they can about it either by fine or otherwise for v 6 advantage of y* 
 Corporacon." 
 
 " 1698 Jany 3 rd Thomas Sweeting gent Maior. 
 
 "Whereas S r William Norris, Baronet, & William Clayton Esq, 
 Burgesses for y e burrough of Liverpoole, were desired to procure an Act of 
 Parliament to make Liverpool a Parish of itself, distinct from Walton, to 
 erect a church &c and to agree with y* Rt Honb" the Earl of Macclesfield 
 for y e Castle & appendages thereunto belonging. Now this Councell doth 
 order, that y e s d burgesses shall be reimbursed the charges that they or 
 either of them have or may expend thereon, and shall be indemnified at 
 the charg of the Corporacon." 
 
 " 1700 Jany 20 th Thom. Bickesteth armig. Maior. 
 
 The Castle was granted to the Corporation on an annual 
 
 tenancy by the following document : — 
 
 " By virtue of a power to mee granted by y e Rt Honr bl y* Earle of 
 Macclesfield, I do hereby assign and sett over unto y e M-ai r , Baylives & 
 Burgesses of Leverpoole in y e county of Lancast' & their success™ all y e 
 Castle w*in y liberties of y e same,_lying and being in Liverpoole afores d 
 (excepting such a part thereof coinonly called y e store for arms and 
 ammunition) from & after yj twenty fifth dayof March next ensuing y e date 
 hereof, for & in consideracon of y e yearly sume of twenty eight pounds, to 
 be paid yearly by y* s d Mai r , Baylives & Burgess 5 & their successors, unto 
 mee or my order. 
 
 " John Morris." 
 
 A further lease was granted in 1704, but the site was only 
 finally vested in the Corporation by an Act (1 George I., c 21) 
 obtained in 1715. 
 
 The revenues of the Corporation were derived partly from 
 real estate and partly from tolls and town dues. The estate 
 during this period was rapidly increasing in value, and the 
 Corporation had money in hand. 
 
 l The Earl of Macclesfield had been recently appointed Lord- Lieutenant of Lancashire and 
 Constable of the Castle of Liverpool. 
 
CORPORATE ESTATE AND REVENUES. 293 
 
 In April, 1688, it was ordered — 1688. 
 
 " That the sume of twentie pounds shalbee allowed & paid out of this Resistance to 
 townes stocke unto the owners of shipps in this port, towards their Ballast 
 defence against the imposition of Ballast money in Ireland." Money. 
 
 At the same time it was ordered — 
 
 " That one hundred pounds of the townes stock bee lett to interest Money lent, 
 for seaven yeares unto Aid" Edward Tarleton, upon good securitie, & was 
 done accordinglie." 
 
 A few years after this the Corporation had to borrow 
 money themselves to defray the expenses of litigation. 
 
 In the settlement made with Lord Molyneux, in 1672, a Burgage 
 question subsequently arose whether the burgage rental was 
 included in the bargain. Ultimately a compromise was 
 effected under which these burgage rents passed to the 
 Corporation. A list is given in 1668, in which there are 
 eighty-nine entries, but this cannot contain the whole number, 
 which originally consisted of 168. The tenements are in 
 Castle Street, Water Street, Dale Street, Jugler Street, 
 Tithebarn Street, with outlying portions elsewhere. 
 
 In 1672, a list is entered of the rents due at Michaelmas corporation 
 for the lands belonging to the Corporation. These arise from 
 premises in lease, principally for three lives and twenty-one 
 years. There are thirty-eight entries. 
 
 A considerable portion of the estate at the northern side Lands north 
 of the town, the Gallows Field, God's Croft, the great Town" 
 Field, &c, have disappeared without their alienation being 
 accounted for. 
 
 The records relating to the Town Dues are referred to Town Dues, 
 below. There existed from the earliest period a sort of 
 octroi or petty tolls on all goods brought in, or carried out 
 by land. These were the less liable to be disputed, as the 
 entrance could be prevented of all who refused to pay. 
 Freemen were exempt, as also certain townships in the Exemptions. 
 
294 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— i6gg. 
 
 Ingates and 
 Outgates. 
 
 vicinity, Prescot, Altcar, and others. The toll varied from 
 one penny to sixpence per cart load, according to the nature 
 of the goods. Double tolls were charged during fair time. 
 
 " 1675 Sep 22 nd At an Assembly &c It is ordered that noe tolls be 
 taken from the inhabitants of Alker, till this Corporacon have taken 
 further advise from Counsell concerning the liberties of Alkar & theire 
 right to be exempt from tolls." 
 
 " 1701, Oct 28 th Ric. Norris Esq Maior. 
 
 "Mem. Jno Sandiford that day (^JUd" Johnson's order) did take 
 y 6 tolls of y= Ingates & Outgates to comence from this day at fourteen 
 Pounds $• ann. 
 
 "And the same day John Marsh, Porter, took y tolls of the roots 
 (fruits &c at Whitecrosse usually collected by Edmund Lea excepted) 
 at seaven pounds #• ann. from Saturday last inclusive, to determine 
 y e next St. Luke's day." 
 
 MUJ-iJJUj^ujujujuuJM eQ 
 
BURGESSES AND FREEMEN. 
 RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE. 
 
 Notwithstanding the restrictive clauses were struck out Monopoly, 
 of the charter of Philip and Mary, and never re-enacted, the 
 Corporation continued, in spite of the law, to enforce the 
 trading monopoly of the freemen. 
 
 " 1673 Apl 28 th Richard Blackborne and Jane his wife for keeping Non-Freemen 
 an open Haberdasher's shop in Liv'poole, not being free, fined xx". ' fined. 
 
 " Ro. Ticknor for contriveing an instrument to hinder Jane Blackburne 
 paying fines imposed on her x s . 
 
 " Peter Walker being party and privy to the same contrivance vj s viij d . 
 
 "Hugh Diggles being also party and privy to the same contrivance 
 vj 5 viijV 
 
 "1674 Thomas Whitehead for keeping an open shop not being free 
 fined vj s viij d ." 
 
 Some attempts made about this time to relax the rigidity 
 
 of the restriction were sternly suppressed. 
 
 " 1676, Octo i8 ,h Robert Williamson mariner Maior. 
 
 " At a Portmoot. Resolved upon the question. That by the ancient Resolution, 
 custome and usage of this Corporation, any person intending to get his 
 living by buying and selling in way of traffick, trade or merchandize, not 
 having served an apprentiship seven years to a freeman of this burrow 
 not being the son of a domestick freeman and borne within this burrow, 
 ought not to be made free without speciall order of the Councell of this 
 Corporation." 
 
 " Resolved upon the question ; that by the ancient custome and usage Restrictions 
 of this Corporation the Maior for the tyme being without his Baylives, on Admission. 
 
 major part of the Aldermen and town-clerk being present, ought not to 
 administer the oath of a freeman to any person to the intent to admitt a 
 
 freeman of this Corporation without special order of the Counsell to that 
 
 purpose." 
 " 1676 Nov' 1" Resolved upon the question ; that all those who Admissions 
 
 within three dayes before the election of this present Maior were irregularly cancelled. 
 
 brought in to be sworne freemen of this Corporation, there not being any 
 
 order of Councell to enable the doing thereof, shall not be deemed freemen 
 
 duely elected of this Corporation, nor shall be enrolled by the Town Clark 
 
 in the roll of freemen." 
 
296 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Aldermen 
 rebuked. 
 
 Payments for 
 Admission. 
 
 Arms to be 
 provided. 
 
 Freemen to 
 appear. 
 
 Orders to be 
 
 published. 
 
 Plate given. 
 
 " Resolved upon the question ; that Ald r Thomas Andoe, Aid' Peter 
 Lurting, and Aid' Thomas Johnson, who introduced and promoted the 
 aforesaid persons to be irregularly admitted to take the oaths of freemen 
 of this Corporation, are guilty of a breach of trust, and have acted 
 contrary to their duty expressed in the oath of a freeman, for preservation 
 of the ancient custome of this Corporation." 
 
 The consideration paid for admission to freedom varied 
 much. In many cases the record states they were admitted 
 gratis ; in others a heavy payment was imposed. Thus — 
 
 " 1678 Octr 4* Ordered that Mr John Rowe bee admitted free 
 payeing ioo u fine." 
 
 " 1685 May 13 th Sir Rich Atherton knight, Maior. 
 
 " Ordered That everie person who is sworne freeman of this burrough 
 shall henceforth paye unto y* officers y e fees underwritten viz 1 To the 
 
 " Towne Clerke, two shillings & sixe pence 
 
 " Sergeant at Mace, two shillings 
 
 " Sword bearer, one shilling six pence 
 
 " Water Baylive, one shilling 
 
 " Porter of the Exchange, sixe pence." 
 
 The freemen undertook certain obligations, amongst others 
 that of providing arms and giving attendance. 
 
 " 1676, Octr 23 rd Portmoot. Wee order that all freemen within this 
 Corporation shall keep sword, firelock and muskett, and those who are 
 not provided, shall furnish themselves therewith before the second day of 
 February next." 
 
 " 1671 Octr 23 rd , Ordered that whereas severall Gent, and other 
 persons who are made freemen of this Corporacon and doe noe suite nor 
 service to the same, that all such p'son or p'sons shall formally appeare 
 at the first Quarter Sessions holden after the eleccon of the Maior or by 
 assigne of his behalfe ; whosoe maketh default or neglecteth the same 
 shall loose the benefit of his freedom." 
 
 " Ordered that Mr Samuel Fazakerly shall before tenne of the clock 
 of the next markett day deliver a true copy of all such orders as are 
 requisite to be comunicated, unto the freemen of this towne and 
 country, which said orders are to be fixed upon the most fitt place for 
 that purpose." 
 
 Some of the entries relating to the admission of freemen 
 are curious and noteworthy. 
 
 1684, Augt 6 th Mr Andrew Barlow, apprentice to Aid" Clayton was 
 admitted free, hee giving a peece of Plate to the Corporation, vallue 
 left to his discretion, & was sworne the same day." 
 
TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 297 
 
 1694 Octr 3 rd Robert Haddock, being voted free at twenty pounds Payment. 
 fine, accepts of it & prays the Councell to excuse the oath, and hee'l 
 subscribe the Declaration." 
 
 Things were carried with a high hand when such a 
 regulation as the following could be enforced : — 
 
 " 1695, Deer 4 th Tho. Johnson Jun. Maior. 
 
 " It is this day order 4 in Councell, that if any inhabitant of this towne Restrictions, 
 shall p'sume for y e future to sett a house or room to any person not 
 free of this towne without giving notice, as y e law directs, the said 
 person so offending shall pay five pounds fine to the Corporation for 
 every such offence." 
 
 The freemen, in return for their privileges, had to submit 
 exclusively to the jurisdiction of the local courts. 
 
 " 1679, J ul y x 4 th At a Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee present Mathew Adlington for comencinge suite at Darbie Court Fine, 
 against Edward Hornbie, contrarie to y e oath of a freeman — 3 s 4 d 
 
 ,d >> 
 
 Permission was occasionally given to non-freemen to 
 carry on trade upon conditions. 
 
 "1672 Sept 4 th Ordered that Mr Thomas Cleyton shall bee admitted Permissions to 
 to trade at xx s fy quarter dureing pleasure, payeing his towne's customes trade. 
 and leyes, & alsoe his arere of fines." 
 
 " 1689, Nov 20 th Ordered That Edward Massey (sometime since an 
 inhabitant of Athlone in y e kingdom of Ireland) be suffered to live in town 
 (during Mr Maiors pleasure) and to drive some small retail trade for y e 
 pres' support of his family, provided he give security not to bring any 
 charg upon y* Corporacoh ; Mr Charles Smith, securitie." 
 
 1690, Jany 8th. " William Norman, Bookseller, allowed to Jive in 
 town and keep a shop, for sixe months, without any disturbance, provided 
 he give a note under his hand not to enjoy y e benefit of it any longer than 
 that time, and give securitie to leave the town at that time." 
 
 The great bone of contention, however, was the levy of Town Dues, 
 town dues, about which there was a perpetual wrangle, 
 carried on for many generations, in which the Corporation 
 were for the most part successful, though occasionally they 
 were made to smart for excess of zeal. 
 
 Exemptions had been given by Royal grant to the mer- Towns 
 chants of London, Bristol, Wexford, and Waterford, and the exempU " ' 
 
 p p 
 
298 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Resistance. 
 
 Cheshire to 
 pay- 
 
 Sanction for 
 Defence. 
 
 Suits with 
 Carlisle and 
 Lancaster. 
 
 inhabitants of Altcar, Formby, and other villages on the 
 Mersey put forward the same claim by prescription. 
 
 As the commerce of Liverpool began to develop, other 
 towns offered opposition to the impost. In 1663, Carlisle, 
 Lancaster, and Wigan took proceedings at law to rid them- 
 selves of the infliction. The Liverpool Corporation were 
 always equal to the occasion, and never flinched from the 
 most determined assertion of their rights. 
 
 " 1664, Feby 25 th Peter Lurting Gent Maior. 
 
 "It is ordered that upon landing of anie cattle or other goods on 
 Worrall side ov' against & w' h in the lib'ties of this port, the Water 
 Baylive for the tyme being shall distreyne anie the said goodes, cattells 
 or merchandizes for the usuall customes due to this towne ; and for such 
 distresse shall be indemnified." 
 
 " 1664 Augt 22 nd It is. also ordered that if anie suit be now comenced 
 or hereafter shall be comenced ag' the now Mr Maior, or Mr Sturzaker, 
 Hall keep' or others for or concerninge anie goods distreyned for anie 
 town's custome of Halledge, soe usually called according to the use of 
 this burrough by Mr Greenwood or any other freemen or inhabitants of 
 the burrough of Lancaster, or by Mr Seawell or any freemen or inhabi- 
 tant whatsoev r of the citie of Carlisle or burrough of Wigan, wee doe 
 unanimously agree ord r & think fit ; That they and ev'ie of them the 
 said Mr Maior, Hall Keep' & town's custom' respectively shall be borne 
 and saved harmlesse by this burrough. And all charges concerning 
 the same expended or to be expended shall bee paid out of the treasurie 
 of this towne." 
 
 " 1666 Feby 28* Michael Tarleton gen. Maior. 
 
 "Att an Assembly &c It is agreed unanimously by them then and 
 there present, that whereas the fremen or burgesses of the city of Carlisle • 
 & town of Lancaster doe clayme a freedome from payinge anie tolles 
 or towne's customes w^in this burrough ; and have had formerly suites 
 w th the offic' s of this towne touching that busines ; and still threaten to 
 prosecute the like suites ag' some of the offic" of this towne for taking 
 such custome or customes, and now ordered in & by the said Assembly ; 
 That from henceforth all and every such offic' or agent whatsoever, a 
 free burgesse of this Corporacon as shall be ymployed or intrusted by 
 Mr Maior of this towne for the tyme being, for the taking of such toll 
 or towne custome, from any of the Citizens of Burgesses of the cities of 
 London, or Carlyle, or towne of Lancaster, shall for any theire soe doinge 
 be indemnified in that behalfe att the publick or comon charge of this 
 burrough. And all necessary costs and expences they or any of them 
 shall be exposed unto about the premises, shall be likewise paid out of 
 the publick stock of this towne." 
 
TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 299 
 
 1666, May 18th. " Whereas the owners and masters of shippes belong- 1666. 
 inge to this Port and Burrough of Liverpoole, being all or most of them Ship Masters 
 free burgesses of the same, have respectively by theire oathes att theire responsible, 
 infranchisement ingaged to theire power to further and increase the 
 lib'ties & customes of this towne, and to be ayding and assisting to the 
 Maior of this towne and his offic rs in execucon of theire sev'all offices, for 
 mayntenance of the said customes. Nev'theles the same owners and 
 masters, or many of them, have not only omitted to make theire invoice 
 of goods by them imported, but also have bin remisse, if not wilfully 
 refusinge, to contribute theire due assistance to the said offic rs in colleccon 
 of the dutie & towne's custome of cattell & other goodes by them imported 
 from Ireland. It is therefore att a gen'all meeting of the Maior, Aldermen 
 & major pt of the Comon Counsell of this burrough thought fitt & ordered, 
 That from henceforth the respective owners and masters and pursers of 
 vessells belonginge to this port (being freemen of this burrough) shall at 
 theire landinge or discharginge of anie cattell (by them brought from 
 Ireland) w^in the lymitts of this port, pay or cause to be paid, and 
 satisfyed to the towne's customer for the tyme being, the said duty or 
 towne's custome for such cattell respectively as they shall ymport into 
 this harbo' or lymitts thereof, be the same in Cheshire or Lancashire side, 
 upon payne of yj s viij d for every default. And if any question arise 
 touching the premises att any tyme hereaff, any offic r ymployed for 
 collecting the same, or levyinge the said penaltie shall be defended & 
 saved harmeles att the charge of the towne." 
 
 1666, July 23rd. "It is ordered and agreed according to former order Lancaster 
 that no goods seized or distreyned by Mr Sturzaker (hall keeper) or anie Goods 
 other officer of this towne for any towne's custome from Mr John detamed - 
 Greenwood, or any the inhabitants of Lane' shall be redelivered. And if 
 any suit or question arise therein, Mr Sturzaker and ev'y offic' of this 
 towne that may thereupon be questioned, shall be indemnified by this 
 towne. 
 
 " The like order is also made in the suite betweene Carlyle (City) & Mr Carlisle. 
 Sturzaker & Thomas Rowe." 
 
 The matter slumbered for more than twenty years, but in 
 1689 the question was revived, and led to a long and expen- 
 sive litigation. The towns of Lancaster and Bridgwater were 
 first in the field. 
 
 " 1689 Mar 28 th Will. Clayton Esq Maior. 
 
 " Whereas Augustine Greenwood of Lancast' and other inhabitants Suit with 
 thereof do refuse to pay y e town duty for goods here imported ; Mr John Lancaster. 
 Hodgson the collector thereof is appointed to distrain upon a pro- 
 porconable p ( of every persons goods, in order _to secure y e town duty. 
 The town is to indemnify him if any suit be comenced, agreeable to an 
 order of y» like nature in y e year 1664, Peter Lurting, Maior." 
 
300 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Soap 
 distrained. 
 
 Exchequer 
 Commission. 
 
 Dispute with 
 Bridgwater. 
 
 Proceedings 
 
 against 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Disputes with 
 Cheese- 
 mongers. 
 
 " 1690, March 4 th Thomas Brookbank Maior. 
 
 " Whereas Mr John Hodgson is sued to an Exigent by one John Brier 
 of Lancast' (in Trespasse) upon accoun* of a Sri of sope distrain'd on for 
 y e town duty. It is this day order* in Councel y* y e s d Jno Hodgson shall 
 be indemnified in y 5 matter, and the suit shall be defended at y° charg of 
 y" Corporacon." 
 
 " 1692, Sept. 19 th Rich. Houghton Esq Maior. 
 
 " Then shewed at the execucon of a Com" at Liverpoole issued out of 
 the Excheq' in a cause betweene the Attor Gen'all at the relation of 
 the borough of Liverpoole & John Hodgson pl te , ag te y* borough of Lane'. 
 Augustine Greenwood and Jo. Bryer def 5 , & deposed unto by Joshua 
 Maude & Thomas Sherwin." 
 
 " i6g2, Octr 26* Whereas by a letter from Mr Roger Hoar, Merchant, 
 and now Maior of Bridgwater, dated 26 th Octob' 1692 and directed to 
 Mr John Hodgson, hee the said John Hodgson is order* by y" said 
 Mr Hoar not to pay any town's duty for y e said Mr. Hoar's salt, 
 unto y e towne of Liverpoole. Now, upon reading, y e said letter this 
 day in Councell, and duly considering the same, it is ordered; 
 That all salt that goes to Bridgwater from Liverpool (the town duty 
 whereof is denyed to be paid) shall be measured, and a reasonable 
 proporcon thereof taken and sold to pay y e town's duty and charg, if 
 y* entrey be right, but if underentred, then y= town officers to take so 
 much of y e said salt (and sell it in open Markette) as shall suffice to 
 pay y e town duty and charges. The surplus (if any be) to be returned 
 to y e Mast r of y e ship, out of which it is taken, or to y* proprietor of y* 
 said salt." 
 
 " 1693, AP 1 I 9 th Joshua Fisher gent. Maior. 
 
 "It is this day concluded in Councell that whereas there is a suit 
 depending between this town and Lancaster in y° name of Augustine 
 Greenwood Plaintiff and John Hodgson Def (whereof a hearing is to 
 be at London y= tenth day of May next). That Aid™ William Clayton 
 go to London to sollicite and manadg y e said affair and that John 
 Sandiford, town clerke, do accompany him and give his assistance 
 therein ; and both their charges are to be defraid by y e town, and 
 whatever Aid™ Clayton shall do in order to y e accomodacon of y* matter 
 (if any proposall should be made in that kind) y e town will confirme and 
 stand by." 
 
 The most serious opposition was that made by the cheese- 
 mongers of London, who were a powerful and wealthy body. 
 The produce of the dairy farms of Cheshire was brought 
 down in barges by the Weaver and upper Mersey navigation, 
 and shipped in larger vessels for London. The Corporation 
 claimed to levy town dues on the shipments, which was 
 
TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 
 
 301 
 
 resisted by the London merchants, who claimed exemption 
 under Royal Charter. The litigation commenced in 1692, 
 and was not terminated until 1700. In the course of the 
 proceedings the cheesemongers took the opportunity, in 1695, 
 of presenting a petition against the granting of the charter, 
 which, however, was unsuccessful. 1 
 
 The first note for war was sounded in September, 1692. 
 
 " 1692 Sept 20 th Rich. Houghton Esq Maior. 
 
 "It is this day concluded in Council that whereas, several of y e Cheese- Distraint on 
 mongers in London have denied y e paym' of Town duty for cheese, and y° Cheese. 
 Adventure of London (Thomas Thorp Master) is loaden with cheese, and 
 y e Warehouse Keeper of Frodsham and Ince, as also Thomas Thorp, 
 Master deny y e paym' of y° town duty ; it is concluded that William Heyes, 
 town customer take Sergeant Roe and y e Waterbaylife to his assistance, 
 and distraine upon sixe hundred weight of cheese, computing there to be 
 about seaventie Tunns on board ; and in case a suit arises thereon, it is to 
 be vindicated at y° town's charg ; and if for y e future any other ships 
 being loaden with cheese y e town custom is denyed to be paid for y e same, 
 William Heyes is to proceed as in this p r sMV 
 
 Some doubt appears to have arisen as to the legality of 
 this summary course, for we find — 
 
 1693, March 7th " Whereas a difficulty do£h arise in the collection of Counsel 
 the town duty of cheese shipt for London, it is ordered, that Mr Daniel consulted - 
 Lawton be desired to write to some eminent Counsell in London, whether 
 the Corporacon may safely take the cheese out of their ships, weigh it, and 
 dispose of it, returning the overplus." 
 
 A suit was now prosecuted by the cheesemongers for 
 
 illegal distraint, whereupon we read the following : — 
 
 " An ace' of the charters sent to Prescot to Mr Daniel Lawton y e 5 th day 
 of June 1694, to De convayed to London in order to proceed on the tryal 
 between the Cheesemongers and this Corporation." 
 
 Then follows the list of charters from King John to James charters 
 
 II. The charter of Charles II. is wanting, but the exemplifi- produced 
 
 cation as it now exists was then extant. 
 
 " 1694 Sept 5 th Jasper Maudit gent Maior. 
 — " It is this day concluded and agreed upon in Councell That whereas Resolution of 
 
 Council. 
 
 1 Vide supra, p. 264. 
 
302 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 1696. 
 Payment of 
 Expenses. 
 
 there are now two suits depending, one betweene the Cheesemongers of 
 London, and the other betweene Lancast' and this Corporacon in which 
 the names of the p r sent Maior and Baylives are made use of in Writts of 
 Subpoena and other matters in the law ; the said Corporacon shall save 
 harmlesse and indemnified the p'sent Mai r and Baylives and their pre- 
 decess s from any charg, damadg or incumbrance whatsoever that may 
 befall them, their heirs, execut' 5 or administ rs on ace* of the said suits ; to 
 which this p r sent Councell (or so many of them as are here p'sent) have 
 set their hands the day and year before mentioned." 
 
 Signed by the Maior and 37 others. 
 
 Money now began to run scarce, as appears from the 
 following entry : — 
 
 " 1696 Feby 5 th Thos Johnson Jun. Maior. 
 
 " It is this day ordered in Councell, that whereas a suit is now depending 
 between the Cheesemongers of London and the Corporation, and a con- 
 siderable summe of money hath been already and is likely to be expended 
 thereon ; That the money so expended or to be expended shall be paid 
 out of the town stock, and the p'sent Maior and Baylives are and shall be 
 indemnified from the same, and from any other suit comenc' against the 
 Mai', Baylives and Burgesses of the Corporacon of Liverpoole on y* ace'." 
 
 " 1696, March 7 th Mem. To order persons to meet dayly about y e suit 
 w" 1 y e Cheese-Mongers." 
 
 Abortive attempts were made towards a settlement. 
 
 Negotiations. " ^9^> June 3 rd Tho. Johnson Jun. Maior. 
 
 "Whereas there is a suit depending betweene y* Corporacon and 
 Cheese-Mongers of London touching y= duty & a hearing thereof is 
 appointed to be at y e Barr of y e Exchequer on Thursday y 6 25 lh of this 
 ins' June in order to a tryal next Mich s tearme ; It is order d that Jasper 
 Maudit Esq be desir d to be at y e hearing & that John Sandiford Town 
 Clerke go to London at y e town's charge to attend Mr Daniel Lawton 
 y e Sollicitor, & give y e best assistance hee can in y e businesse. And in 
 case a fair proposal be made y e s d Jasper Maudit Esq & Jno Sandiford 
 may have pow r to treat about it & make such tearmes as may be 
 (according to y= best of their judgm*) consistent w* y e Hon' & int' of 
 y c Corporacon or make choise of an Arbitrat' on y town's ace' to make 
 an hon bIe end of y e same." 
 
 Negotiations 
 resumed. 
 
 The negotiation was resumed early in the following year. 
 
 " 1697 Mar 3 rd William Preeson gent Maior. 
 
 " Whereas an order was formerly made viz' the third day of June last, 
 that Jasper Maudit Esq and John Sandiford town clerke should treat 
 with the Cheesemongers of London, touching the difference or suit now 
 
TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 303 
 
 depending between them, or to make choice of such arbitrators on y c 
 town's account, as might make an hon ble conclusion of y e same, and that 
 businesse came not to any determination, but is still depend'. And by a 
 letter of y e 27 th ultimo Jasper Maudit Esq hath intimated unto Mr Mai r , 
 that it is the opinion of Mr Wm Bathurst, our Sollicitor, that the Defence 
 should go on, or at least not be abruptly broak off; it is this day order d in 
 Councell, that William Norres Esq and Jasper Maudit Esq be desired to ' 
 take the trouble upon them to advise with Councell, and to go on either 
 with y e Reference or otherwise, as shall be most consistent with the town's 
 reputacon and intrest." 
 
 The matter now slumbered for two years, during which 
 there is no entry. 
 
 " 1699 Mar 13 th Tho. Sweeting Esq Maior. 
 
 " Whereas a suit is now depending between y = Cheesemongers of Proposals. 
 London and this Corporacon, touching the town duty of their cheese, and 
 some overtures are proposed, to make an accomodation ; This Councell 
 doth order That William Clayton Esq, one of our pr { representatives in 
 Parliament do treat about it, and whatever agreements hee makes with 
 them relating thereunto shall be confirmed and allow d of by the 
 Corporacon." 
 
 "1699 May 29 th Whereas y e cause with y e Cheesemongers of London Deputation to 
 is now at issue & a tryall is fixt to be this ensueing tearme at y e London. 
 Exchequer Barr, West Minster ; This Councell doth order and request 
 Thomas Sweeting Esq p rt Maior of Liverpoole, Jasper Maudit Esq, 
 Richard Norris Gent 1 , and John Sandiford town clerke, to go up to London 
 to manadg that affair, and if a proposal of an accomodation happens, 
 this Councell gives them full -pow r to make a peaceable determinacon 
 thereof; all y e charg of Councell, evidence, expence of_their journey and 
 all other conting' charg to be defray 3 by y e Corporacon ; Serg' Roe is 
 also to go up at y e same charg, to wait upon Mr Mai' &c on, y e same 
 businesse." 
 
 " 1699, June 30 th Att a Councell &c Tho. Sweeting Esq Maior. 
 
 " Whereas by a letter from Jasper Maudit Esq bearing date y e 27 th Reference 
 ins' w* came this day to Mr Maior's hand there_is an_acc' that some P ro P° sed - 
 of y? Cheesemongers of London propose an accomodacon of y e suit now 
 depending, betweene them and us, relating to ye town-duty. 
 
 " Now this Court doth order, that y e s d Jasper Maudit Esq & Daniel 
 Lawton Gentle" 1 either_by themselves or such as they shall think fitt to 
 choose on -f Corporacons part, shall ascertain and settle y e s d town duty, 
 and putt a period to y e controversy & that they have a warr' und r y e seal 
 of y° Corporacon so to do." 
 
 " A copy of y e Warr' sent to Jasper Maudit Esq & Daniel Lawton gen. 
 this day, pursuant to y e above order. 
 
 " Know all men by these presents ; that whereas a suit is now ^JUfere^T 
 
304 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660—1699. 
 
 depending at y e Barr of y" Exchequer between Nathan 1 and others cheese- 
 mongers of London, Pltf s & y e Mai r , Baylives & and Burgesses of 
 Liverpoole Def* touching a certain town-duty_untoy e Corporacon & rec d 
 by y e proper officer for its use. And for accomodacon of y e s d difference 
 a proposal is made to putt a period thereunto by way of arbitracon. 
 Now know ye that wee y e s d Mai r , Baylives & Burgesses have & by these 
 p nts do authorize & impow' Jasper Maudit Esq & Daniel Lawton gent, 
 aforesaid to be, or nominate such persons as they shall think fitt to 
 assertain & settle wh' y e s d town-duty shall be & to putt an end to 
 y e p' nt suit, & what agreem' they make shall oblidg y e Corporacon of 
 Liverpoole. 
 
 " In witness whereof &c." 
 
 " 1700, Jan. 3 rd Cuthb' Sharpies Esq Maior. 
 
 Loan taken " Att a Councell &c Whereas the Corporacon of Liverpoole hath 
 U P- occasion for a p'sent summe of money to defray y e charg of y" suit with y e 
 
 cheesemongers it is this day order d in Councell, that Mr Maior and y e 
 Aldermen do take up a certain sume of money not exceeding Sixe 
 Hundred pounds, for w cb they are to be counter secured out of y° town's 
 revenue." • 
 
 The negotiations again broke down. 
 
 Deputation to " I 7°° April 2 nd , Whereas y" tryall betwixt y e Cheesmongers of London 
 attend Trial, and this Corporacon is by order of Court to be tryed the 23 rd of this pr' 
 Aprill at y e Excheq r Barr at West Minster ; for y e better carrying on of 
 the s d cause it is this day ordered in Councell that Mr Mai r & Aid" 
 Johnson J r go up to London for y e better managem' of y* s d cause, and that 
 their charges and all other charges that shall accrew on the said suit be 
 born at y e charg of y e Corporacon." 
 
 The trial was again postponed and the venue changed, as 
 appears from the following entry :— 
 
 Further Loan. " I 7°° Sept 20 th , Whereas y e cause with y* Cheesmongers was by 
 order of y e Court at Excheq r at West Minster putt off to a new tryall by a 
 Jury of y e County of Bucks and is to be tryed y e next tearme ; this 
 Councell doth order that a sume not exceeding three hundred pounds be 
 taken up to manadge y e s d tryal ; for w ch y e Corporacon shall give counter- 
 security to y* persons who are bound for y e same. And Jasper Maudit 
 Esq is desired, and John Sandiford is order d , to go up to London about 
 Instructions y e s d affair at y" Corporacon's charge, and s d Jasper Maudit Esq has 
 to Deputation, power to take another person to his assistance and hee hath further power 
 together w* the persons who go to London, or shall happen to be there at 
 or before the the tearme to make an accomodation with y 6 Cheesemongers 
 (if any proposals in that kind happen to be made) and absolutely to y° 
 best of his and their power to conclude and agree y e same. And y e way 
 
TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 305 
 
 of raising y e money for y e said service is reserved to Mr Mai r and y e 
 Aldermen." 
 
 " 1700 Oct. 10 th Agreed that a further sume of one hundred pounds be Further Loan, 
 taken up at int'st & y e persons secured out of y e lands of y e Corporacon. 
 
 " Mem. This was underwritten here by Tho. Johnson Esq, y e town 
 Gierke then being in London. 
 
 " The above persons .subscrib'd their names with their own hands in y = 
 Councell Journall Book (v. 77) as it may there appear, this Book of 
 Records being then at London on account of y" tryal." 
 
 " 1700 Nov 6 Rich. Norris Gent™ Maior. 
 
 " It is this day order d in Councell, that whereas Cuthbert Sharpies Esq Security, 
 late Maior, Thomas Johnson Esq James Benn and Thomas Sweeting all 
 Alder" of Liverpoole have entred into obligacon of two thousand pounds 
 for paym' of one thousand pounds to several persons, which money was 
 really expended on y e town's ace'. Now it is further order 3 that for y e more 
 prompt paym' of y e int'st and further security of y e principall to y e obligee, 
 they have y e town's chief rents added, to y e end they may be better scur d & 
 y 6 int' y* more readily advanc d ." 
 
 The trial came off in Michaelmas term, 1700. No entry Trial, 
 thereof appears in the record, but we learn from other sources 
 that it terminated in a verdict against the Corporation for 
 £68 5s. 6d. for dues illegally levied, and .£176 10s. taxed 
 costs. 
 
 1700 Deer 6 th " It is this ..day order 3 in Councell that Richard Norris p ayme nt of 
 Esq Mai r and y e Alder m do. take up so much money as will defray y e costs Costs. 
 (w" 1 other incidents and charges) y e Cheesemongers last tearme recovered 
 
 agt y e Corporacon ; and that y e s d money be with all speed remitted into 
 the hands of Jasper Maudit Esq w th all expedicon, & y= s d Mr Mai r and 
 y e Aid™ be indemnified by y e Corporacon for taking up and being 
 bound for y° same." 
 
 The last entry is as follows : — 
 
 1701 Mar 5 th " It is this day order 4 in Councell y' Mr Maior be desired cheese 
 
 to dispose of y° cheese taken in distresse from y e cheesemongers." disposed of. 
 
 So ends this rather remarkable episode in the history of 
 the borough, which cost the Corporation at least a thousand 
 pounds, besides the loss of the dues levied. It illustrates the 
 dogged pertinacity and determination which have been a 
 marked feature in the proceedings of the Corporation of Liver- 
 pool from the earliest period. 
 
 QQ 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 
 
 New point of The entries in the record relating to shipping and com- 
 
 departure. merce during the last half of the seventeenth century are not 
 
 numerous, but everything indicates a new point of departure. 
 
 The old "town's bargains " are heard of no more. Trade is 
 
 relegated into its legitimate channel of private enterprise. A 
 
 new class of merchants of more enlarged views, the Claytons, 
 
 Clevelands, Norrisses, &c, had begun to lay broad and deep 
 
 the basis for future expansion, which in the beginning of the 
 
 following century developed with marvellous force. 
 
 Limits of the Port. The disputes about jurisdiction with 
 
 the city of Chester 1 led to an appeal to the Government, 
 
 which was thus responded to : — 
 
 " 1660 Deer 12 th Thomas Viscount Colchester Maior. 
 
 " A copie ofthe Ord r for y e settling of y* Port. 
 Limits of Port. » After our heartie comendacons. Havinge by a former lett' taken 
 notice of the differences and disputes arisen betwixt some offic" and other 
 intresed p'sons within the port of West Chest' & towne of Liverpoole 
 concerninge the bounds and limitts of each port and place, and havinge 
 declared our opinion & knowledge that Liverpoole (however it may bee 
 accompted a member of West Chest*) yett in the execucon of all Custome 
 affaires, hath ever beene distinct and absolute of itt selfe ; And that the 
 whole river of Mersey, and the shores on both sides, was and ought to bee 
 und r the care, priviledge and inspeccion of the offic rs of his Ma aes Customes 
 att Liverpoole ; but findinge our lett' either misunderstood or not regarded 
 & the same disputes and worse troubles prosecuted and fermented as well 
 against the merchants as ofnc rs there, w"* is a very great prejudice to his 
 Ma" K service; Wee are againe necessitated (for p'vention of further 
 inconvenience) positively to ord' and desire That what Shipps, Goods or 
 Merchandize soever shall bee exported or imported from or into the river 
 Mersey on either side the shore, beginninge on Worrall side att a place 
 
 1 Vide supra, p. 153. 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 307 
 
 called the Redstones, and not further southwards, bee entr d and accompted Redstones. 
 for att the Custom house att Liverpoole, and to the offic" there without 
 anie yo r lett or hinderance. And hereunto wee doe expect yo r ready 
 complyance, the quiett and wellfare of his Ma ttes service beinge verie much. 
 conc'ned therein 
 
 "And soe wee rest 
 " Yo r verie loveing friends 
 " Custom house London " Nic Crisp & 4 others 
 
 " (Comm" of Customs)." 
 
 More care began to be taken about keeping the harbour 
 clear. 
 
 " 1663, August 6* The Hon. Will m Stanley Mayor. 
 
 " It is lykewise ordered that noe person or p'sons doe presume to lay Laying Stones 
 any lyme stones or other stones whatsoev 1 to the southward of y e pole now forbidden. 
 fixed below y° Chappell Streete end and y e Rock above y e towne upon 
 payne of five shillings for ev'y tyme any stones shalbe soe layd, the same 
 to be levied of y 5 goods & chattells of such offender in case of refusall." 
 
 1666 Octr 22 nd "Wee order that no lyme stones nor other rubbish 
 shall be heaved out of any shipp or boate, betwixt the Post or mark sett 
 up & the Pole on penalty of v u ." 
 
 " 1675 Nov 3. Thomas Chapman Maior. 
 
 " Whereas severall complaints are made of late that by the late bringing Fines for 
 downe of clay and rubbish to the seaside within the high water marke, p 6 *^'}! 12 
 this river is become much shallower than formerly, and ships cannot soe u ls 
 safely ride before the towne in stormy weather as heretofore ; And if 
 bringing downe such rubbish bee not for the future obstructed it may 
 endanger the harbour and the safe rideing of shipps therein. Itt is, 
 ordered, that if any inhabitant of this towne or any other shall bring any 
 clay, stone or rubbish from henceforth to the seaside within the high water 
 marke, shall forfeit for every cart load soe by him or them broughte downe, 
 five shillings. And every shipp which shall discharge any shilly or stone 
 ballast southwards of the shilly path in this river shall forfeit ten shillings 
 for every defalt. This order to be fixed in publick places of this towne." 
 
 " 1678 Nov r 4. Portmoot. 
 
 " John Harris, presented for lightninge of ballast out of y e ' Wheele of Wheel of 
 Fortune ' upon the strand, contrarie to former orders 10 s ." Fortune. 
 
 This entry is remarkable as illustrating the durability of 
 the oak-built ships of those days. It is recorded that ninety 
 years afterwards (in 1768) the same vessel, during a high tide, 
 ran her bowsprit through the window of a house at the 
 bottom of James Street. How long before 1678 she was 
 built, or how long after 1768 she lasted, we have no means of 
 ascertaining. 
 
308 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Repairing 1669, Octr 15 th " Wee order that the Key be repaired by the first of 
 
 Key. February next." 
 
 Perch on " 1672 Jany 27 th Ordered, that the Water Baylive Thomas Row, doe 
 
 Key. erect a Perch at the lower end of the Key as formerly, within this tenn 
 
 dayes upon the penalty of v s ." 
 Black Rock 1683, Jany 8. Portmoot. " Wee order that the Perch bee brought 
 Perch. f rom Crosbie, or a new one sett upp at the blacke rocke, at the towne's 
 
 charge, before the first day of March next, and that everie forreigne vessell 
 
 that comes into the harbour shall pay sixe pence." 
 
 " Wee order that noe shipp shall lye upon the strand unmoored above 
 
 y e space of twentie foure houres ; and shall moore accordinge as the 
 
 water- bailive shall give order." 
 
 The increase of ships towards the end of the century- 
 created considerable difficulty for their accommodation in the 
 small harbour formed by the Pool. Stringent regulations 
 became necessary. 
 
 Regulations in " 1 701, Jany 13 th Art a Councell &c^ 
 
 MooringShips " Whereas there hath been a peticon of several Masters of ships be- 
 longing to this port to y e Mai r Ald m & Councell complaining of y c great 
 damages sustain 3 by y e carelessness of persons not duly mooring their 
 ships to y e great damage not onely of y* owners whose ships are not well 
 moored, but of those that are by reason of the illmoor'd ships falling foul 
 of those_ that are well moor'd ; This_ Councell hath taken it into con- 
 sider aeon, and (pursuant to y e s d peticon) annex fresh penalties to such 
 offences as (is hoped) may reduce y e offenders to greater care and diligence, 
 and p'vent at least a great many of such like losses and inconveniences as 
 have formerly been sustain'd by such carelessnesse and irregularity." 
 " Orders to be observ'd as followeth. 
 
 Three Cables " Ordered, That all ships that lye within the banck and below y e 
 
 to each. watershed end, shall be moored with three cables and three anchors, to 
 
 wit, one to y e Northwest, another to y e Southeast, and another to y e West- 
 ward, as the Water Baylive shall see convenient &'for every default (after 
 notice given) the offender is to pay five shillings." 
 
 " That all such ships which lye above Water Street end shall moore 
 West Nor-w£st and East Southeast and that care be taken both by y e 
 inshore and outward ships that they lay their anchors so to passe that 
 they do not injure one another, and every defaulter (after notice given) 
 shall pay five shillings." 
 
 Power to " That forasmuch as all y e inconveniences w 1 * may happen cannot be at 
 
 Water Bailiff, pr' foreseen by us, wee do impower y e Waterbaylive to lay, remove and 
 secure as to him shall seem most advantageous for y e prevention of damage 
 to ships or merchandize, and on refusal, every such offender shall be 
 
 Silver Oar. brought before y e Maior or his deputie y e Water baylive shewing his silver 
 oar (if required) being a warrant for y e same, without any further sumons 
 or processe, & for disobeying y e s d order a warrant is to be issued out by 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 309 
 
 MrMai'or his deputy, for which y e offender is to pay y° charg, over & 
 above y e penalties within mentioned. 
 
 " That all persons heaving out ballast within full sea mark (w lb out Ballast, 
 leave) shall forfeit fourtie shillings. 
 
 " That all those persons that leave great stones in y e harbour shall pay Stones, 
 tenne shillings. 
 
 " That those persons y l make docks & fill y m not up in eight dayes time Docks, 
 (after notice given) do pay five Pounds. 
 
 " That those y* leave their anchors to y 8 offin without buoys do pay Anchors. 
 sixe shillings eight pence. 
 
 " That those that lay their inshore anchors without buoys do pay three Buoys, 
 shillings four pence. 
 
 " That all ships that are to be layd up or broken up shall be brought by Laying up. 
 their owners ov r the Pool, to lye there out of y e way in default (after notice 
 given) y offenders are to pay five pounds. 
 
 " That all owners of ferry boates & river boates that are guilty of any of Boats. 
 y e here menconed offences shall be lyable to y e same penalties as ships, 
 pinks or ketches or any other sort of ships of greater burthen. 
 
 " That all ships that lye on one anothers cables after notice given shall Fouling 
 pay tenne shillings a tide. Cables. 
 
 " Signed " Tho. Bickesteth 
 
 " Jasper Maudit 
 " Rich" Norres 
 
 " & 23 others." 
 
 The above regulations indicate the pressure of the 
 increasing commerce upon the limited accommodation, which 
 led a few years afterwards to the commencement of the series 
 of floating docks which have expanded to such gigantic 
 dimensions. 
 
 The same causes required the adoption of a regulated 
 scale of harbour dues, which were set forth as follows : — 
 
 " 1701, Feby 9* Thos Bickesteth gent. Maior. 
 
 " Att a Councell &c 
 
 " It is this day order d That all ships belonging to freemen and forraigners Harbour 
 shall pay to y e Water Baylive of this towne y e respective sums hereafter Dues, 
 mericon'd and comence from the day and year above written. 
 
 " That all ships belonging to freemen coming coastwayes and from Coastways. 
 Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man shall pay sixe pence every voyadg. 
 
 " That all strangers from the afores d places shall pay every voyadg 
 twelve pence. 
 
 '.' That all ships belonging to freemen coming from Sweden Denmarke, Foreign Parts. 
 France, Spain, Portugal shall pay. nine pence every voyadg. 
 
 " That all strangers fr' the afores d places shall pay eighteene pence 
 every voyadg. 
 
3io 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Colonies. " That all ships from his Majest 5 Plantacons abroad fr' fifetie tuns 
 
 downwards shall pay eighteene pence every voyadg. 
 
 " That all ships fr' his Majest 5 Plantacons fr' fiftetie tuns or upwards 
 shall pay two shillings sixe pence every Voyadg. 
 
 Anchorage. " That y e s a Waterbaylive shall receive all anchorage due from 
 forraigners as formerly, over and above y e sums herein mencon'd & hee 
 to have y" sume of thirty pounds $• ann. out of y e s d sums, anchorage 
 included. 
 
 Proceeds. " That what shall happen to be received more than y 6 sume of thirty 
 
 Pounds shall be payd to_y e Corporacon and w' be received lesse, shall be 
 made up by y e Corporacon. The small p'quisits of freemen viz (his part) 
 and arreasting of ships or men, still to belong to him, extra fr' any ace' or 
 deduction fr' y e s d Thirty Pounds." ' 
 
 The anchorage dues mentioned above as receivable by the 
 Water Bailiff, were regulated by the following order : — 
 
 Scale of Dues. " 1691, April 20 th We order that Philip Harrison being elected Water- 
 baylive shall have (during the town's pleasure and no longer) twelve pence 
 for every strangers ship, drawing tenne foote water or upwards for every 
 voyadg, and sixe pence every voyadge for every stranger's ship drawing 
 lesse than tenne foote water ; and y< y e town's ships shall pay (according 
 to their draught of water) one moietie of what strangers do and that 
 Philip Harrison from henceforward shall keep up and repair y= perch at 
 y e Rock at his own charg." 
 
 1691 Aug 12 " Upon Philip Harrison's peticon concerning Mr David 
 Poole not paying town duty for two ships of Corn and for an augmentacon 
 of his own sallery ; order'd to be deliberated on till next Councell day." 
 
 "1 69 1 Nov 7 th It is order'd that y e Water Baylive shall have a coat 
 
 Poole in 
 default. 
 
 Coat for 
 Bailiff. 
 
 during his office at the town's charg, and a 
 be return'd as y B town's plate." 
 
 silver oar, w 1 * shall annually 
 
 Ship Building. 
 
 Fees. 
 
 Reference is occasionally made to the progress of ship 
 building. 
 
 " 1681 July 11 th Portmoot. 
 
 " Wee order, That the dockes w ch were made for the launchinge of 
 Richard Tarletons and William Chantrell's Pinckes, bee evenlye filled upp 
 before the 25th day of this instant July upon penalty of five pounds." 
 
 " 1690 Sept 19 th Upon Thomas Webster's peticon to build a small 
 vessel on the north side of y= poole it is granted, he begging Mr Mai rs 
 pardon for his stubborn language." 
 
 " 1699 Novr 8 th It is this day order d in Councell, that y e carpenters 
 y* now are building ships, or y e for y° future shall build ships on y e Cor- 
 poracon Wast, shall pay sixe pence $■ tunne for libertie of building, to be 
 computed according to fair tunnage." 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 311 
 
 The time of forced levies of seamen and soldiers was 
 passing away, but had not altogether come to an end. 
 
 " 1664 Nov' 18 th John Sturzaker Gent. Maior. 
 
 " A l're from the Priyie Counsell to the Justices &c. 
 
 " After our hartie comendacons, Whereas for the better & more speedie Register of 
 supply & furnishinge his Ma* fleetes from tyme to tyme w th able & Seamen, 
 sufficient mariners and seamen, Wee have thought it expedient that the 
 lists of the names of all the seamen of this kingdome be exactly taken & 
 p'sented unto us ; Wee doe hereby pray & require you forthw* to give 
 direccons to all the head boroughs, constables and tythingmen or such 
 other p'sons w^in that countie as you shall conceive most fitt to be 
 ymployed therein ; coinanding them to make exact lists of the names of all 
 such seamen as inhabite w^in theire respective p'ishes & p'cincts, together 
 w" 1 an account of theire sev'all ages ; And to make speedie returnes thereof 
 to you, w"* lists as soone as you have received wee expect and require that 
 you forthwith transmitt them unto us ; & lykewise that you send a dupli- 
 cate thereof to the vice admirall of that countie or his deputy. And so 
 nothing doubting of yo r more than ordinary share in his Ma te soe important 
 service, wee bid you farewell. 
 
 " From the Co" at Whitehall the i8 ,h day of Nov'ber 1664. 
 
 " Yo r very lo : friends 
 
 " Ormond 
 " Lauderdale 
 " Midleton 
 " & 7 others." 
 
 Some of the regulations of the port are curious. 
 
 " 1671 Octr 18 th Portmoot. 
 
 " Ordered that every Merchant or freeman shall have libertie to make Regulations of 
 choise of his owne porters being freemen, and not to bee tyed to any of Porters, 
 the porters formerly named. And for whatever W°ole is imported there 
 shall bee allowed by ev'rie such porter the porterage of everie sixth bagg 
 unto John Sanderson, the same being thought fitt by us towards the main- 
 tenance of the said John Sanderson." 
 
 "1684 June 4 th Ordered that_Richard Diggles (one of the present common Hall 
 Baylives) doe take care of the Comon Hall and all the materials thereto Regulations, 
 belonging, viz 1 beames, weights, scales &c and make triall what advantage 
 thereof may bee made for this Corporation. And that all forreiners shall 
 there lay their imported merchandizes, there to be foureteene dayes rent 
 free, and there weighed if sold. And that the s a Richard Diggles shall 
 have just consideration for his care and paines therein, and if hee please 
 may imploye Richard Worrall under him as porter of the said Common 
 hall, to mannage affaires there, as may bee most conducible for publicke 
 good." 
 
312 
 
 CHAP. IV, AJ). 1660— 1699. 
 
 Silk 
 Weaving. 
 
 Rope Walk. 
 
 There are a few indications of incipient manufactures. 
 
 " 1686 Octr 22 nd Peter Bold of Bold Esquire Maior. 
 
 " Ordered that George Tarvjn, waiter in the Custome house, bee 
 admitted to make use of his loomes for silke gloves and stockinges during 
 the pleasure of this house." 
 Rope Making. " 1 689 Apl 16 th Thomas Tyrer Esq' Maior. 
 
 " Whereas John Bamber peticoned for a spinning place 1 at y° entrance 
 into y° town field out of y e Old Hall Street, it is referr d to the view of Mr 
 James Benn, one of the p'sent Baylives, Mr Thomas Brookbanck, Mr 
 William Travis & Mr Rich d Diggles." 
 
 " 1692, Jany 12 th Joshua Fisher gent. Maior. 
 
 " Upon Aid"™ William Clayton his peticoning for a spinning place 
 going up towards y e Park gate for three lives and twenty one yeares, and 
 for room for a house and warehouse fourtie yards in length and sixteene 
 yards in breadth, its referred to William Williamson, Richard Windall 
 and Thomas Brookbancke Aid™ and Thomas Bickesteth, William Preeson, 
 James Benn and Thorn. Johnson jun r to discourse and settle y° rate what 
 others are to pay for making cables at y e same rope walk, proporconing 
 y e length and inches, and when determined on, a price what to pay for 
 making of cables as aforesaid, hee is to have y e same walk for three lives 
 and twenty one yeares, paying eight shillings #■ ann. during y tearme, 
 and building a house on y e p'misses three stories high, cellar included ; y° 
 house to be sixteene yards long, and seaven yards wide, and the rope 
 walke to be converted to no other use but a rope walke." 
 
 The Potteries, which formed for half a century one of the 
 chief manufactures in the town, did not commence until the 
 beginning of the following century, but a considerable trade 
 existed in the coarse earthenware made at Prescot, to which 
 there are frequent references. 
 
 Mugs and 
 Pottery. 
 
 Currency. 
 
 1665, Sept. 29th. " Ordered that all that shall bring in to this towne 
 any cart loads of mugges or earthenwares w ch are now very numerous, 
 and much oppresse and cut out the streetes of this towne, shall pay to the 
 townes use iiij d for e'vy cart load they shall hereafter bring into this 
 towne." 
 
 The currency at this time was in an unsatisfactory condi- 
 tion. There was a great deficiency of small change, to supply 
 which various tradesmen put forth copper coinage on their 
 own account, frequently of less intrinsic than the nominal 
 value. 
 
 1 A ropery for manufacturing cordage. 
 
TRADE AND COMMERCE. 
 
 3*3 
 
 " 1667, Octr 28 th Thomas Vis ct Colchester Maior. 
 
 " Wee order that all those that have or shall put forth halfe pennyes in Copper 
 this towne shall give in sufficient bond to the Maior or his deputy of this Coinage, 
 towne att any time for silver, before the xiiij* of Nov'ber next in payne 
 of V." 
 
 " 1669, March 8 th William Lord Strange Maior. 
 
 " Great Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee present Mr Thomas Johnson, Mr George Bennett, Mr John Fine for 
 Pemberton, Mr Richard Crompton, Mr William Bushell, Mr Edward Coinin S- 
 Williamson and Peter Atherton all for puttinge forth halfe-penys without 
 the townes lycense. Am'ced in xl s a peece." 
 
 The current coin of the realm was in such a condition 
 that it required an Order in Council to enforce its circulation. 
 
 " 1690 Octr 27 th Thomas Brookbank Maior. 
 
 " In pursuance of an Act of Parliam' of y e 19 th of Henry the 7 th and of Cracked 
 an order by their Majest 5 in Councel, and by a particular order of y e l^°° ey t0 
 Justices of y° Peace of this County att y e Gen 1 Assizes formerly holden at 
 Lancaster, that all crackt money holding together and not diminish' or 
 dipt being the lawful coin of England should passe. Wee order y* the 
 said orders shall be observ'd in this town, as all such persons who 
 shall offend herein shall answer the contrary at their perils. And that 
 this order be fixt upon y e most usual places within this towne and 
 burrough of Liverpoole." 
 
 R R 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 increase of The development of commerce after the Restoration soon 
 
 gs " began to manifest itself in the increase of building. During 
 many ages the town had been limited to the original streets. 
 Castle Street, Water Street (under different names), Dale 
 Street, Chapel Street, Jugler Street (High Street), Tithebarn 
 Street, and Oldhall Street, 
 
 List of streets. In 1677 a list of streets is given in the record 1 , from 
 which it appears there had been up to that time added 
 Lord Mollineux Street (now Lord Street), Lancelots Hey, 
 Hackins Hey, Moor Street, Castle HilL Preesom's Row, 
 Phenix (Fenwick) Street, Phenix Alley (destroyed), Bridge 
 Alley (Old Ropery), and two new streets in Tarlton's Field 
 (Redcross Street and James Street). 
 
 Regulations. In 1678, December 5th, a list of regulations is prefixed 
 by the statement — 
 
 " Whereas by dailye experience wee, find that by reason of the late 
 improvements in buildinge. erf houses and shipp/s in and about this 
 burrough and Corporation, a great concourse of. people have of late time 
 resorted hither, and have beerae.- concealed* in dissigne to gaine settle- 
 ments," &c. 
 
 Extent of The town was at that time circumscribed within the Pool 
 
 Stream, which ran along the course of Byrom Street, White- 
 chapel, and Paradise Street, and was crossed by bridges at 
 the end of Dale Street, the foot of Lord Street, and by a third 
 from the site of King Street to Hanover Street. In 1684, John 
 Street was opened. Before the end of the century the town 
 had crossed the stream, and pushed its way along the present 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 315 
 
 line of Church Street eastward ; and northward as far as 
 .Union Street, which was cut through the precincts of the 
 Old Hall. 
 
 The Castle from its rocky eminence still dominated over 
 the town, and the Stanley family maintained their dignity in 
 the Tower., in Water Street. Interesting glimpses of this 
 progress are to be gleaned from the records. 
 
 1664 Mar 6 th " Ordered that the poole bridge, and bridge at the Bridges, 
 towne's end at Dale Street end shall be repayred att the charges of 
 
 this towne, at the direction -& appointm' of Mr Maior and such as he 
 shall think meet. And that the inhabitants of Tox* & other foreign" be 
 desired to be assisting w" there teames and servants att that worke." 
 
 1665, July 20 th " Ordered that Mr Jerome and his p'tners w ch lead Pool Bridge, 
 coales for them, shall be assisting to amending of the poole-bridge, as 
 Mr Maior shall appoint." 
 
 1679 April 28 th " Wee order that battlements bee raised on the poole- Battlements, 
 bridge, for securitie of persons passinge in the night, and that two &c - 
 dangerous water holes close by the foote waye neere Richard Jones house 
 
 on the heath, bee filled upp before the last day of May next." 
 
 1680 Apl 19 th " Wee order that Robert Prenton doe stopp up the 
 new channell above poole bridge & open the old watercourse or channell 
 before the 29 th day of September next on paine of fourtie shillinges." 
 
 The improvement and paving of the streets occupied con- 
 siderable attention. 
 
 r666 Jany 22 nd " Wee ord r that Roger Bushell shall throwe down that Ditches and 
 new ditch hee made at south side of the castle upon the towne's waste Copps. 
 before the tenth day of February next in y e forfeitte of xx s for such neglect." 
 
 " Wee ord r that the said Roger Bushell throw the coppe hee made upon 
 the highway att east side of the castle into the castle trench, and throwe 
 uppe that p' of the highway hee throwed downe into the trench before the 
 fifteenth day of February next, in forfeit of xx s for such neglect." 
 
 1665 July 20th. " Ordered that ev'y inhabitant of this towne shall att Repair of 
 or before Mich'as next, putt so much of the street into good repaire as Streets, 
 shall be over against theire respective dwellinge house, barn, housing, or 
 
 wall, to the next channel or midle of the street upon payne of X s a peece." 
 
 It will be noticed from this entry that the streets at this 
 
 time were without footwalks, with a channel running down 
 
 the middle. Some of the bye-streets continued in this state 
 
 within living memory. 
 
 " 1673 Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee order the towne to make cleare and pave the street on the cock Paving. 
 
316 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Causey. 
 
 Pavements to 
 
 New 
 
 Buildings. 
 
 Covent 
 Garden, &c. 
 
 Lanthoms to 
 Taverns. 
 
 Watching by 
 Householders, 
 
 of the Castell to the westheard or to cause theire tenants to doe it $■ the 
 25th March next. 
 
 " Wee order the towne and Esq' Moore, each concerned, to pave from 
 the New Hall on Castle Hill to the pavement in Castle street on penalty 
 of forty shillings a peece," 
 
 1675 October 25th. " Wee order that a foot cawsey be made 'twixt the 
 Castle Street end, and the Lord Molyneux St end at the charg of the 
 towne before the tenth of November next." 
 
 1685, October 26th. " We order that Richard Tarleton, Richard 
 Seddon & Mr Robert Bradshaw doe cause a pavement to bee made 
 alonge the bricke wall belonging to their house at the side of Lancelotts 
 field." 
 
 1685 October 26th. " Wee order that all persons who have erected 
 new buildings within this burrough shall make sufficient pavements to the 
 front of their houses before the tenth day of Januarie next, on penaltie of 
 tenne shillinges on everie person for his default." 
 
 1694 May 2nd. " Coven Garden, Poole Lane, and a spott near Drye 
 Bridg, being ill paved or part unpaved, Mr Maior is requested to agree for 
 the pavem' and paym* of the same, and all other places in the town are to 
 be paved as Mr. Maio r in his discretion shall think meet." 
 
 The lighting and watching were still in a very primitive 
 condition. 
 
 " 1673 Oct. 27 th Port Moot. 
 
 "Wee order that every publick house hang out lanthornes and light 
 candles at theire doores from the first of November next till the second 
 of February next, till 8 a clock at night, from day shutting, upon penalty 
 of vi d a night." 
 
 " 1675, Octr 25 th Port Moot. 
 
 "Wee order that all taverns, inns, and ale houses, hang out theire 
 lights to the streets, from the tyme it beginns to be darke til nyne a clocke 
 ev'y night on payne of sixpence $■ night. And that the Bellman give 
 notice with lanthorne & candle." 
 
 " 1679 Nov. 17 th Wee order that lights bee sett out everie night at 
 everie Innehouse & Alehouse (except y e Lord's day at night) from sixe 
 till nine a clocke upon penalty of a former order." 
 
 As to watching. 
 
 " 1665, July 10* John Sturzaker Gent. Maior. 
 
 " Ordered by the Maior Aldermen & Comon Counsell then & there 
 present. That a watch shall be sett at ev'y street end to continue xxiiij 
 houres, viz' att Water Street end two, at Dale Street end two ; two att 
 the end of Castle Street, att the end of Tythebarn Street & Ould Hall 
 Street, and two at the end of Chappel Street. The same watch to beginne 
 at six in the eveninge and to end at six of the next eveninge. The 
 same watch to be observed by the household" in theire owne persons, 
 unles Mr Maior find just cause to spare them." 
 
 This was evidently an extraordinary precaution, and arose 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 317 
 
 out of the visitation of the plague, which had just broken out 
 
 with such virulence in London, and continued during the 
 
 whole year. On the 2nd November a public meeting of the 
 
 burgesses was convened by the Mayor (Mr. Michael Tarle^on), 
 
 when it was resolved — 
 
 " That upon consideration and apprehension of the spreading contagion Precautions 
 of the plague in divers neighbouring towns, in Cheshire, and other parts, against 
 and of the great concourse of people usually from these parts all the time Pla 2 ue - 
 of the fairs kept in this town, it is generally voted, agreed, thought fit, 
 and so ordered, that the keeping of the fair here on St. Martin's day next 
 (Nov. 11 th ) the eve, and other usual days after, here accustomably kept, 
 shall on this present exigent of danger, for this year be absolutely forborne The Fair 
 and forbidden by open publication, and notice thereof in the open market suspended, 
 the next market day." 
 
 As we have no record of any attack of the plague, it is 
 to be presumed that these precautionary measures proved 
 effectual. 
 
 1665 Sept 29 th " Itt is ordered that all p'sons inhabitants of this towne, Watching, 
 shall from henceforth watch in theire own p'sons, & upon theire reasonable 
 excuse to be made to the said Mr Maior, if there (be) such as he shall 
 approve of." 
 
 " 1677, Aug 13. Portmoot. 
 
 " Wee p'sent John Hoole (& 27 others) for not watching upon warneing 
 given him according to a former order iij s ." 
 
 " 1678 Jany 28 th Portmoot. 
 
 " Wee p'sent Edward Williamson in the Water Street, for neglecting Kj ne f or 
 the watch after warning given him I s vj d (48 other names). All of these neglect, 
 for neglecting to watch as afores d ." 
 
 " 1678 Octr 25 th John Chorley Gent. Maior. 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c. Ordered that twelve sufficient housekeepers or Housekeepers 
 a greater number of them (as Mr Maior shall see cause) shall everie night to watch, 
 keepe watch from sixe a clock at night to sixe a clock the next morninge, 
 and when housekeepers are absent or unable to watch, such able servants 
 shall bee sent to watch as Mr. Maior or his Bailives shall thincke fitt, and 
 each night a captaine to bee appointed to mannage the watch." 
 
 In 1667 the town was divided into wards for administra- 
 tive purposes, as appears from the following record : — 
 
 " 1667, June 20 th Charles Earl of Darbie Maior. 
 
 " It is ordered that this towne shall be devided into five divisions or 3z>ivIsion into 
 wards, viz' the first Chappell Street w th Ouldhall Street w* those houses in Wards, 
 the Churchyard ; 
 
 " The second Jugler's Street w* Tythebarn Street. 
 
3i8 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660—1699. 
 
 " The third Dale Street, Henry Fazakerley's house on the heath, Will ra 
 Garner's house & Tythbarne Lane. 
 
 " The fourth Castle Street, Castle Hill, Moore Streete, Poole houses & 
 Duke s house 
 
 " The fifth, Water Street, Phenix Street, w* other lands adjoyninge. 
 
 " And that for the residue of this yeare untill the next Eleccon day, Mr 
 Tho': Andoe, Ald'man will take care of the said first ward ; Mr Henry 
 Corleyes Ald r man of the second ward ; Mr Peter Lurting Ald'man of the 
 third ward, Mr Jo : Chandler Ald'man of the fourth ward ; Mr John 
 Sturzaker Ald'man of the fifth ward." 
 
 High Cross 
 removed. 
 
 Names on 
 Buildings. 
 
 Poole's Alms- 
 houses. 
 
 In 1673, the ancient High Cross was removed to make 
 way for the erection of the Town Hall. This does not seem 
 to have met with universal approval. 
 
 " 1674, May 25th. At a Port Moot. 
 
 " Thomas Mathews for giving reproachfull speeches against the 
 authority of the towne concerning takeing down of the Crosse; Am d 
 6 s 8 d ." 
 
 1686, February 18th. " Ordered, that the names w ch without order of 
 Councell are sett upon the buildinges erected by this Corporacon bee 
 pull'd downe or rased, and these words ' Built by the Corporation," bee 
 sett upp." 
 
 1684, May 7th. " Ordered That Mr David Poole's freind shall have 
 libertie to build twelve Almeshouses on the wast ground at the end of 
 Dale Streete formerly set forth for that purpose ; and may dispose of them 
 during his life onely to such poore persons as are inhabitants in this Cor- 
 poration. And that hee may make sixtie thousand bricks for the said 
 buildinges upon the Common at the place formerlie appointed without 
 any consideration for the same." 
 
 Dale street. These alms-houses were built at the east end of Dale 
 
 Street, opposite the end of Byrom Street. In 1748, having 
 become dilapidated, they were removed, and others erected in 
 
 Haymarket. the new Haymarket. In 1787, by arrangement with the 
 Corporation, these and several other similar erections were 
 
 Hope street, removed, re-erected, and consolidated near Hope Street, 
 where they still remain. 
 
 It has been noticed in the last section, that the relations 
 between the Moore family, the largest landed proprietors 
 within the borough, and the Corporation, were not very 
 cordial. Their interests seemed to clash at various points. 
 
 Moore 
 disputes 
 
ST&EETS AND. BUILDINGS. 319 
 
 In regard to the regulations laid down by the authorities 
 there was continual resistance. 
 
 «• 1667 Octr 28* At a Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee order that a yate & Steele shall be made & sett up Jby Edw d Gate and 
 More Esq' at the end of the towne's Comon as formerly, before the second Stile - 
 of February next on payne of x s ." 
 
 1669 J any 13 th " Wee ord r that Esq' Moore make upp his fence, yate & Fences. 
 Steele att the end of Mr Corleyes Comon betwixt 10 th of March upon 
 penalty of vi s viij d ." 
 
 1669 Octr 15 th " Wee present Mr Edward Moore of Banckhall for Dung, 
 muck lyinge against his croft in Dale Street vj d ." 
 
 1671 Octr 23 rd " Ordered that Edward Moore Esq* shall cause a water- Watercourse, 
 course to bee made to carry the water from the Castle Street, from the 
 end of Giles Mercer's house according as formerly it hath done, before the 
 fifth of November next, or if not soe done shall forfeit xx s ." 
 
 " 1672, Octr 28 th Port Moot. 
 
 "■Presented Edward Moore Esq fen? dung lying in the street, 
 
 " Item Edward Moore Esq, for sueing Rob' Seacome, out of the juris- Ignoring 
 diction of this court. Jurisdiction. 
 
 " Item Edward Moore Esq for not paying their leys." 
 
 1673 Octr 27 " Wee p'sent Edward Moore Esq for rubbish lyeing, in Rubbish. 
 Phenix Street. 
 
 " Wee order Edward Moore Esq to make up his fence betwixt him and 
 William Royle upon paine of I s by the first of January next." 
 
 1674 Octr 26 th " Wee p'sent Edward Moore Esq for muck lyeing in Manure, 
 the Tith Barne Street and in Phenix Street 2 s ." 
 
 1.675 Feby 7 th " Ordered that Edward Moore, Knight, doe foy his street 
 betwixt the Bridge end and the howse that David Cook lived in,, before the 
 five and twentieth day of March next upon penalty of xlV 
 
 1677 Augt 13 th " Wee p'sent S r Edward Moor or his tenants for Encroach- 
 incroaching on the town's waste at the end of the Castle hill by building ment. 
 thereon part of a howse wherein Peter Allin doth live, and the howse 
 called Dicconson's howse." 
 
 These repeated attacks were not calculated to soothe the 
 
 irritable disposition of the squire of Bankhall, which expresses 
 
 itself in his Rental fn very strong language. He says of 
 
 the. burgesses — 
 
 "Therefore since God hath by me forewarned you, have a care you Moore's 
 never trust them, for there is no such thing as truth or honesty in such Record, 
 mercenary fellows, but what tends to their own ends. And this observe 
 as a general rule, civility will do no good, but make them contemn you 
 for a. kind fooL;" 
 
 with much more to the same effect. 
 
 The supply of water to the town began to attract attention waterSuppiy. 
 
320 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 towards the end of the seventeenth century. Originally, for a 
 
 small community, the locality was well supplied. The upper 
 
 strata of the new red sandstone abounded with water, which 
 
 either oozed out in the form of springs, or was easily 
 
 accessible by sinking shallow wells. Each house owner had 
 
 no difficulty in sinking a well for the supply of his property 
 
 where necessary. 
 
 Well, Moore " 1666 Octr 22 nd At a Port Moot. 
 
 Street. " Wee ord r Mr Moore of Banckhall to cause a wall to be made abt the 
 
 well in the Moore Street on payne of xx s ." 
 
 There were several public wells about the town, the 
 principal of which was the Old Fall-well, near the corner 
 of St. John's Lane and Roe Street, situated over the outcrop 
 of the sandstone strata. 
 
 Fall Well. 1679 Apl 28 th " Wee order that the fall-well bee dressed and y 6 ground 
 
 raised, that the water may fall from it." 
 
 Repairs. 1 694, July 9 th " Wee order the Supravis rs of the Highway do see the 
 
 Fall-wall-well cleansed, and the flags that are now loose and broaken about 
 the well mouth may be layd and raised somewhat higher, with some new 
 gutters layd for convaying away the durty water, which now lyes about 
 the well and runs into it, and that some ridg stones may be sett round 
 the mouth of the well, to p'vent servants for washing in it, to the end 
 it may be kept kneet and clean." 
 
 " 1695, Octr 28 th Tho. Johnson Jun r Maior. 
 
 Under this date we have the first intimation of any 
 
 attempt of a public nature to supply water to the town. The 
 
 entry is as follows : — 
 
 Water " Upon the Peticon of Mr John Green, Mr Thomas Tuttell, and Mr 
 
 Company. Richard Barrey, proposing to bring fresh water to such houses in and 
 about the town, and they to pay a moderate rate for the same, It is 
 ordered, That they have liberty to bring into town good wholsome 
 washing water, and for their convenient placing of the aqueduct may 
 have liberty to break up ground in the town, wast, and streets ; and to 
 make and repair the aqueduct, imediately levelling the same, and leaving 
 it as it was ; and may also have liberty on any part of the wast and 
 uninclosed ground to place a cistern (but not in the streets or Chappell 
 yard). They are not to pinch the water from the faw-well, are to pay 
 tenne pounds $■ ann m and to have it for ninety nine yeares, onely. Mr 
 Maior, Mr Richard Norres, Mr Hewstonn, the Baylives, Aid 1 ™ Thomas 
 
STREETS AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 321 
 
 Johnson, Aid™ Jasper Maudit, Mr Wm Travis, Mr William Preeson and 
 Mr James Benn have power to treat with them about the annual rent, 
 and have power to mitigate the same, if they find it convenient, as also 
 to treat on any point requisite about the same." 
 
 1695, Octr 29 th " Mr Maior, Aid™ Thomas Johnson (with the others) Lease, 
 have unanimously concluded to let them have the lease of y° Waterworks 
 (according to order of Councell yesterday) for the tearme of one hundred 
 yeares at the rate of fiftie shillings fy ann m ." 
 
 " 1699 March 6 th Cuthb' Sharpies Esq Maior. 
 
 " Whereas a lease was granted some yeares since to Green, Berrey and Lease 
 Thomas Tuthill of Waterworks to be begun and p'fected by a certain cancelled - 
 time long since expired, and y° s d Green, Berry & Tuthill have not to this 
 day begun on y e s d worke, as they were oblig' d by their lease but have 
 neglected to pay any rent for y° same. This Councell doth declare y e s d 
 lease to be null and void and Mr Maior is desired to inspect and take 
 advice on y* counterp' of y e s d lease, and to make enquiry for such p'sons as 
 are qualified for such an und'taking and recomend to y e Councell as soon 
 as he conveniently can, to y c end y° said works may be brought speedily 
 to effect for y e service and advantage of y c said Corporation." 
 
 The scheme collapsed, and was no more heard of until 
 another attempt was made, in 1709, to supply the town with 
 water from Bootle Springs, which also failed. 
 
 Some provision was made for extinguishing fires. Extinguishing 
 
 Fires. 
 " 1696, Feby 19. Order d to some new buckets be bought and y* old 
 poles and hookes renew'd in order to extinguish any accidentall fire." 
 
 SS 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 
 
 Fogg ejected. 
 
 Election of 
 
 Minister 
 
 disputed. 
 
 Defended at 
 Town's cost. 
 
 Resolution of 
 Council. 
 
 Mr. John Fogg, the Presbyterian incumbent under the 
 Commonwealth, was ejected under the Act of Uniformity in 
 1662, and was subsequently compelled, under the Five Mile 
 Act, to quit the town. His successor was Mr. John Leigh, 
 appointed by the Council, as had hitherto been the case, 
 without any interference. Against this appointment a protest 
 was now entered by the Rector of Walton, and the matter 
 was litigated for some years. 
 
 " 1669, Nov 30 th Thomas Bickesteth gen. Maior. 
 
 " Att an Assemby &c Whereas Mr Maior was lately by process out of 
 the Consistory Court at Chester served or summoned to appear in the s d 
 Court ; And likewise Mr John Leigh our minister ; And accordingly 
 articles exhibited ag' the s d Mr Leigh, but not proved at present ag* Mr 
 Maior, yet in regard the same articles seeme to relate to our sajd election, 
 & to our tytle & electing a minister of our Chappell of Liv'poole granted 
 to us by her late Ma* 7 of glorious memory Queen Elizabeth. It is there- 
 fore hereby ordered by the same Assembly, that it shall be lawfull to and 
 for the s d Mr Bicksteth o r Maior, at all tymes hereafter during the tyme of 
 his Maioralty, for quieting of the s d compl" either ag' the s d Mr Maior or 
 Mr Leigh, or any other of this towne in reference to the s d election or any 
 other concerne of this towne, to ymploy & order a Solicitor as he shall see 
 meet in defence of the said matters, or any other matt' now stirred up or 
 hereafter to be stirred up in reference to the said election ; & all charges 
 shall be paid out of the s d towne's treasury. And whereas letters are 
 frequent to Mr Maior from our burgesses & Mr Birch and others in 
 reference to the towne's concerne, w ch to answer & make returne to, wee 
 do further order that the s d Mr Maior may answer the same as he shall 
 from tyme to tyme think meet, taking to his assistance some such of the 
 Councell as he shall think fitt, being four at the least, w^out calling a full 
 assembly. And we doe hereby ratify & allow what they shall act in 
 reference thereto." 
 
 1669, December 21st. " Upon consideracon of the former ord r of the 
 30* of November last, w ch wee doe hereby ratify; And for that Mr. 
 Marsden the Vicar of Walton hath lately made clayme to the right 
 of appointeinge a Minister in o r Chappell, and hath p'emptorily demanded 
 the keyes thereof, as his owne right, contrary to our ancient grant in the 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 323 
 
 7 th yeare of Queene Elizabeth, and o r constant usage ever since ; wee doe 
 hereby w* much and unanimous resolucon declare that the appointing 
 of Minister & Schoolmaster havinge bin by us & o r p'decessors injoyed 
 for above a hundred yeares agoe ; it_would not only be a losse, but great 
 dishono' to this ancient Corporacon & us the members thereof, by 
 surprize to be deprived thereof & w^out a faire & legall tryall. And 
 therefore doe hereby order, that if any suit, trouble, or question shall 
 arise concerninge the same against Mr Maior or other officer deteyninge 
 the keyes or possession of the s d Chappell (after the suspension of Mr 
 Leigh by Mr Marsden or Rector of Walton or other p'son whatsoev') 
 in the due defence of our said right, the said Mr. Maior and all other 
 freemen of this towne so sued or p'secuted in any of his Ma 6 Co'ts 
 temporall or spirituall in reference thereunto, shall be indemnifyed, & 
 defended att the charge of this towne to be paid upon Mr Maior's order 
 out of the comon treasury ; and all other charges expedient or necessary 
 in reference thereunto." 
 
 1670, January 18th. " Ordered, that the Grant of Queene Elizabeth Grant of 
 for p'vision for the Minister & Schoolmaster of this towne, shall be sent Elizab eth- 
 up by the towne clerk to be shewed to y e Bishop." 
 
 This appeal proved successful, and no further opposition 
 was made. 
 
 1670, July nth. " Att an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " In pursuance of our ancient and accustomed right of nomination, Hunter 
 election & appointing of a fitt p'son to be Minister in the burrough of appointed. 
 Liverpoole ; w" the advice and assent of the Lo : B pp of Chester for the 
 tyme_being ; Wee, whose names are subscribed hereunto, being the Maior 
 & comonalty of the said burrough, according to ancient custom there 
 used & approved, doe unanimously nominat & elect Mr Robert Hunter 
 late of Macclesfield in the county of Chester clerk to be our minister ; 
 and accordingly we humbly present the said Mr Rob 1 Hunter to the 
 Right Reverend father in God John Lo: B pp of Chester,* & desire his 
 Lo pps assent & approbation thereunto. 
 
 " Thomas Bicksteth Maior, 
 " & 25 others." 
 
 1672, May 30th. "Att an Assembly, &c. 
 
 " Ordered that the Minister of this Church (Mr Hunter) his house Minister's 
 rent shall be paid by the Baylives of this towne out of the towne's House, 
 treasury till further notice." 
 
 1683, October 29th. " Ordered that this Corporation shall paye tenne Rent, 
 pounds $■ annum house rent for Mr Robert Hunter, Minister here, and 
 doe refer to himselfe the choice of a house in this towne to live in." 
 
 1684, March 4th. " Mr Robert Stith elected to be Schoolmaster & to stith 
 enter upon y f office on y e first day of May next, who is to read divine Schoolmaster, 
 service on y" weeke daies " &c. 
 
 * Wilkins. 
 
324 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Atherton and 
 Stith 
 
 appointed 
 Ministers. 
 
 House Rent, 
 &c. 
 
 Parish. 
 
 Negotiation 
 with Walton. 
 
 Resolution. 
 
 1688. After a service of eighteen years, Mr. Robert 
 Hunter died, when we find the following record : — 
 
 " Sept. 5 th James Prescott Esquire Maior. 
 
 "Att an Assemblie of the Common Councell of this burrough of 
 Leverpoole; wee whose names are subscribed, being the Maior and 
 others of the Councell of y e said burrough, according to auncient custome 
 used and approved, taking into consideration the nomination and choice 
 of a meete person to succeed our late reverened, learned and laborious 
 Curate Mr Robert Hunter deceased, and having respect to the numerous 
 auditorie, who everie Lord's day resort to our Chappell, and alsoe being 
 satisfied that the worke of a Minister of God amongst us is much more 
 than heretofore it was (by y c increase of inhabitants) and cannot bee soe 
 well performed by one person ; upon a free and full debate thereof, it was 
 unanimously resolved, ordered & agreed (accordinge to the proposalls 
 made by the Reverend Mr Thomas Pawlett, Rector, and Mr Thomas 
 Marsden, Vicar, of Walton) to nominate and elect Mr William Atherton, 
 and Mr Robert Stith to bee our Curates, to performe equall duetie and 
 receave equal wages, and that both of them shall reside in this towne, 
 to be readie on all occasions to performe all Christian offices amongst us. 
 
 " J as Prescott Mayor 
 " & 33 others. 
 
 "Note. — Mr Pawlett being willing to allow 20I1 #• ann. to this 
 Chappell." 
 
 "1689, Octr I8" 1 Mr. William Atherton and Mr Robert Styth, 
 Ministers. 
 
 " They are to be allow d tenn pounds #■ an. to pay their house rent & 
 fifetie shillings $• an. for afternoone praires, to continue whilst y° parson 
 of Walton continues his allowance of fifetie shillig 5 $• an. for y° same." 
 
 Efforts had been previously made to constitute Liverpool 
 a parish distinct from Walton, but without success. The 
 increasing importance of the town gave encouragement to 
 a renewed application, which was ultimately complied with. 
 
 " 1697, Deer. i a James Benn Esq Maior. 
 
 " It is this day concluded in Councell, that Mr Maior be desir* to 
 consult of means and methods to make this said town a Parish ; and 
 to take such persons with him as hee shall think fitt to discourse y* 
 Reverend Mr Rich d Richmond, Rector of Walton, concerning the same, 
 and then to apply himselfe to our pr' Members of Parliam t for y e offering 
 thereof, and this to be done at y e charg of y e Corporacon." 
 
 1698, December 8th. " It is this day agreed in Councell, that 
 (whereas there is an intention to make Liverpoole a Parish distinct from 
 Walton) the Reverend Mr Richard Richmond (p'sent Rector of Walton) 
 be consulted and agreed with, and to give him such a reasonable 
 equivalent for his tythes within the Liberties of the towne during his 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 325 
 
 incumbency as Rector, as Mr Maior, the Aldermen and such other 
 persons as Mr Maior shall take to his assistance shall agree with the s a 
 Mr Richmond for, and this Councell will be determined by such -methods 
 as Mr Mai r and the s d persons shall conclude on. The persons imediately 
 nominated and impowred by the Councell to attend and assist Mr Maior 
 in this design 4 Agreem'." 
 
 Signed by the Mayor, 
 
 Six Aldermen, 
 
 Two Bailiffs, 
 
 The Town Clerk, and others. 
 
 " It is further order d in Councell that Mr Mai r take such persons along 
 with him (as hee thinks fitt) to go to Croxteth and discourse the Lord 
 Molyneux touching y e patronage of the same." 
 
 1699, January 3rd. " Att a Councell &c 
 
 "Whereas S r William Norris, Baronet, and William Clayton Esq Application 
 Burgesses for y e burrou^h of Liverpoole, were desired to procure an Act for Act " 
 of Parliament to make Liverpool a Parish of itself, distinct from Walton, 
 to erect a Church &c, Now this Councell doth order that y e s d burgesses 
 shall be reimbursed the charges that they or either of them have or 
 may expend thereon, and shall be indemnified at the charg of the 
 Corporacon." 
 
 1699, February 23rd. " Att a Councell &c 
 
 " It is this day concluded order d and agreed in Councell, that whereas Negotiation 
 there is an intention to make Liverpoole a Parish distinct from Walton, jj? 1 * 1 Lord 
 to erect and build a church &c, And it is found necessary, that the Lord 
 Viscount Caryl Molyneux be apply'd to and agreed with for y e patronage 
 and advousone of the same, and to treat with any person or persons who 
 have a right and title to y e Castle to purchase the same with y e appen- 
 dages thereof, to build a Church on y e s d p'misses ; It is now therefore 
 concluded order d & agreed in this Councell ; That Mr Mai r be requested 
 to take such persons with him to Croxteth as he thinks meet, about y e 
 Agreem' for y e patronage, and with the true proprietors about the Castle ; 
 and w" hee agrees for (whether for one or both) shall be payd at y e charg 
 of y* Corporacon or as the Act of Parliament directs." 
 
 A bill was brought into Parliament for power to carry out 
 this project, and the following document was put forward as 
 . exhibiting the reasons for the application : — 
 
 " The case of the Corporation of Liverpoole in relation to a Bill for 
 making a new church there. 
 
 " It was formerly a small fishing town, but many people coming from Case of 
 London in time of the sickness and after the fire, several ingenious men Corporation, 
 settled in Liverpoole, which caused them to trade to the plantations and 
 other places, which occasioned sundry other tradesmen to come and settle 
 there, which hath so enlarged their trade, that from scarce paying the 
 
326 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Trade of Port, salary of the officers of the Customs, it is now the third port of the trade 
 of England, and pays upwards of ^50,000 per annum to the King ; and by 
 reason of such increase many new streets are built and still in building ; 
 and many gentlemen's sons of the Counties of Lancaster, Yorkshire, 
 Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and North Wales are put apprentices 
 in the town. 
 
 Reasons. <i And there being but one Chapel, which doth not contain one half 
 
 of our inhabitants in the summer, upon pretence of going to the Parish 
 Church, which is two long miles, and there being a village in the way, 
 they drink in the said village, by which and otherwise many youth and 
 sundry families are ruined ; therefore it is hoped the Bill may pass, being 
 to promote the service of God. 
 
 Objections. " The objections are, that we being the sixth part of the parish of 
 
 Walton, the patronage of Walton doth belong to the Lord Mollineux, who 
 is a Roman Catholic ; and it is hard that his estate should be taken away. 
 That the town have agreed with the present rector and vicar for their 
 purchase money, therefore there is no present wrong ; and Liverpoole 
 takes away but a sixth part, and at the same time taketh off the charge of 
 
 Compensation more souls than is in the whole parish besides. Moreover they are 
 willing to give for the perpetuall advowson that which shall be a 
 reasonable price, considering there is a life upon it, having already 
 offered his solicitor to refer it to two indifferent men, they to choose 
 one and the town another. And it is hoped that so good a work as this 
 bill desires shall" not be obstructed by so inconsiderable a claim." 
 
 Act passed. 
 
 St. Peter's 
 Church. 
 
 Rectors. 
 
 The Act 10 and n William III., chapter 36, was carried 
 without difficulty. It provides that the Rector of Walton, 
 Rev. Richard Richmond, should receive an annuity during his 
 life of £55, in compensation for tithes and oblations from 
 Liverpool ; and Thomas Marsden, the Vicar, £6 per annum 
 in like manner. Also that the Rectors of Liverpool should in 
 future pay one-sixth part of all first-fruits, tenths, procura- 
 tions and other ecclesiastical charges levied on the Parish of 
 Walton. 
 
 As a new church (St. Peter's) was projected, it was 
 resolved to have two Rectors, the living to be divided into 
 medieties. Towards the stipends the Parish and Corporation 
 mutually agreed to contribute. The first Rectors appointed 
 were the Rev. Robert Stythe and the Rev. W. Atherton, who 
 had been appointed Curates by the Corporation in 1688. 
 
 1698, October 5th. " The Councell orders two acres of ground to be 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 327 
 
 sett out for y e use of y" Ministers (successively) of this towne, and they to 
 enclose and manure it at their own charg." 
 
 1698, November 2nd. " Pursuant to an order of y° last Councell Grant of Land 
 relating to a p'cel of ground to be sett for y° Ministers, Mr Mai r having t0 Rectors, 
 taken to his assistance Jasper Maudit Esq, y* pr'* Baylives, &c make a 
 return of a p'cel of ground for y e use, leading from y = eastward of y e 
 Townsend Mill, of about four acres." 
 
 The services were under the control and arrangement of 
 the Council. 
 
 1 68 1, December 7th. " Att a Councell&c 
 
 " It was ordered by Mr Maior, the Aldermen and greater part of the Curate 
 Councell that Mr John Hindley shall begin to read praiers in the Chappell appointed. 
 of Liverpoole the second day of Januarie next and continue to read divine 
 praiers everie morninge throughout the yeare ensuinge (unless Sundayes 
 and holidayes) at such houre as Mr Maior shall appoint, for w ch service y e 
 s d Mr Hindley is content to receave such gratuities onelye as the freemen 
 & inhabitants of this place will conferre on him, & it's ordered that the 
 bell shall toule a quarter of an hour each morninge before praiers." 
 
 This eleemosynary mode of payment did not succeed, for 
 we read — 
 
 1684, July 16th. " Ordered that from next Michaelmas day, the Salary to 
 weeklye reader of divine service in the Chappell of Leverpoole shall for Curate, 
 that service yearely receave from y e Corporation sixe pounds sallarie." 
 
 1684, June 4th, the first mention is made of an organ in 
 the church. 
 
 " Ordered that Alderman Tarleton and Mr Oliver Lyme doe imploy Organ, 
 some person in London to procure the organs for this Chappell, or 
 repayment of the fiftie pounds from Mr Bar" Smith Organist." * 
 • 1685, January 6th. " Resolved that Mr John Ashworth bee admitted Organist. 
 Organist, allowing him the sunie of twentie pounds yearelye sallarie." 
 
 1700, September 4th. " Timothy Horsfold Church Clerke, peticons that Organ Blower, 
 whereas y* Sexton's son that blows y e organ has fourty shillings a year 
 for y e same, that y e s a surne may be allow' d to one of his sons, hee having 
 seaven children. 
 
 " This Councell doth order that one of y° Clerk's sons have that sallery 
 of fourty shillings p-juin. and do officiate in the blowing of the Organ, 
 and the sallery to comence from y e first of Aug' last." 
 
 * This is supposed to be the celebrated Father Smith, who built the organ of the Temple 
 Church, London. 
 
328 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Ley objected 
 to. 
 
 Repeated gifts of plate to the church occur in the records 
 
 of the seventeenth century. 
 
 Church Plate. 1698, October 5th. "The Councell orders, that a piece of Plate be 
 made for y" use of y* Church to the value of about twelve Pounds & that 
 Mr Rob' Shields goldsmith take y e direction of y° Ministers about y e 
 fashion thereof." 
 
 Notices of the repairs of the chapel occur from time to 
 
 time. 
 
 Repairs. 1663, April 24th. "It is ordered that the freemen of this towne and 
 
 burrough as well resident as not resident shalbe taxed and assessed for 
 and towards the necessare repaire of this Chappell, and for preserving of 
 y e same from y e stormes and Sowings of y° sea. And that y e sume of one 
 hundred pounds be taxed and assessed for y e uses aforesaid upon the sayd 
 freemen." 
 
 This levy does not appear to have been very cheerfully 
 paid. 
 
 " 1667, Aug 12 th Port Moot 
 
 " Wee present Edward Moore Esq' for refusinge to pay his ley for 
 repaire of this Chappell am'ced in i u iij s iiij d 
 
 "(16 other persons, all for y* like)." 
 
 " 1669, Octr II th At an Assembly &c. 
 
 " It is unanimously ordered that a ley of fiftie pounds shall be forthw" 1 
 by the comon assesso" or Leylayers of this towne, taxed or assessed upon 
 all the freemen or burgesses of this towne of Liverpoole, for the necessary 
 repa'con of the Chappell of Liverpoole, called o r Lady and St Nicholas, 
 and for other necessaries apperteyninge to this Corporacon. And if any 
 of the said freemen w tb in or without this towne shall obstinately refuse or 
 deny & after due demand thereof made to him, neglect to pay his respec- 
 tive proporcon or leyes upon him respectively assessed ; in such case 
 of denyall or wilfull neglect of payment hee or they so refusinge or 
 neglecting contrary to the tenor of theire oath att theire enfranchisement, 
 shall be disfranchized & made incapable of any benefit of theire freedome 
 from thenceforth for ever within this burrough, and so are hereby declared, 
 his or theire former admittance or infranchisem' here to the contrary in 
 any wise notwithstanding." 
 
 Edward Moore still continued recalcitrant. 
 
 " 1670, Octr 24 th At a Port Moot. 
 Moore " Wee p'sent Edward Moore Esq' for not paying his ley assessed upon 
 
 presented. him w th others of the Corporation of Liverpoole for the repaire of the 
 Chappell and the priviledges bell." 
 
 Ley enforced. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 329 
 
 1688, April 4th. " Ordered that the seeling on the topp of the Chappell Ceiling 
 of Liverpoole shalbee painted & starr d & layd in oyle at the charge of this decorated. 
 Corporation." 
 
 Down to the close of the seventeenth century the church- 
 yard was unenclosed on the landward side. 
 
 1690, September 3rd. " At a Councell &c. 
 
 " Mr Mai r and y e Ald nm to meet at Praires on fryday next to view and Enclosure of 
 sett out y e ground on w 1 * y e east wall of y e Church yard is to be built, Churchyard, 
 according to an order of y e last Vestry." 
 
 The arrangements for divine service, in the seating of the Arrangement 
 congregation, and the order of precedence, were sources of 
 continual litigation and trouble. 
 
 1685, November 18th. " By the approbation of y e Reverend father in 
 God John (Pearson) Lord Bishopp of this diocese, it is ordered 
 
 " That noe person under the degree of an Alderman shall sitt in the Aldermen. 
 Aid™ 3 seate without licence from Mr Maior and Chappell wardens." 
 
 " That none under the degree of an Alderman's wife shall sitt in y e 
 seate next unto the Aldermen without licence &c 
 
 " That none under the degree of a baylive's peere shall sitt in the Bailiffs. 
 Baylive's seates without licence &c 
 
 " That none but baylives wives and widdows shall sitt in the seate next 
 to the Aldermen's wives without licence &c 
 
 " That none but housekeepers shall sitt in the seate on y e north side House- 
 ('twixt the pulpit and y e North doore) who are to be seated according to keepers, 
 their qualitie & age 
 
 " That none but the wives and widdows of housekeepers shall sitt in wives and 
 the seates 'twixt the baylives wives and y e font without licence &c Widows. 
 
 " That none but the wives and widdows of housekeepers shall sitt in y" 
 seates on y 6 South side und r the gallerie without licence " &c 
 
 " That all apprentices and servants shall sitt or stand in the alleys Servants, 
 according to auncient custome." 
 
 Notwithstanding this authoritative apportionment of seats Private Pews. 
 in the church, private rights in pews had a concurrent exist- 
 ence, and were the subject of litigation. 
 
 1692, May 4th. " It is this day order* in Councell, that if Katherine 
 Barker, Spinster shall further prosecute about y e seat to y e eastward of 
 the pulpit and desk, it shall be defended at the town's charg." 
 
 1698, October 29th. " On Mr Edward Tarleton's peticon last Councell Galleries. 
 day for a seat in y 8 North east Gallery, Mrs Green widow, Mr Randle 
 Galloway, and Ellen Lyon widow, claim a title to y e same, but it appear- 
 ing to y e generallity of y e Councell, that the right of that seat was in 
 Thomas Walls, and verbally and really assigned by him in his life (and 
 since his death by his widow and son) on Mr Edward Tarleton, the 
 
 TT 
 
330 CHAP. IV, A,D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Councell doth determine that y e s d Edward Tarleton shall have y* same, 
 paying seaven pounds fine ; no fine having been payd by Thomas Walls 
 or any by his order or for his use." 
 
 Attendance on divine service was strictly enforced under 
 penalty. 
 
 1683, October 29th. At a Port Moot- 
 Fines for " We present the persons undermentioned for absenting from divine 
 absence. service." 
 
 Here follows a list of thirty-five names, amongst others 
 those of Richard Latham and his wife, Roman Catholics, who 
 received, in 1686, a special proclamation of indulgence from 
 King James II. 1 
 
 Again in 1684, 'October 27th. At a Port Moot— 
 
 " Wee p'sent the p'sons next underwritten for absenting themselves 
 respectively from divine service in the Chappell of Leverpoole from the 
 15th day of June last to the 26th day of October last past viz'." 
 
 Then follows a list of thirty-nine names, with the fines in 
 which they were amerced, from 2s. to 4s. each. 
 
 There can be no doubt that these measures were directed 
 against the Roman Catholics, or Popish Recusants as they 
 were called. Several of the names, such as Sir Neale O'Neale 
 and his wife, Mr. John Duffy, have a decided Irish flavour, 
 and others belong to the Lancashire Catholic families. 
 ag r attst m vic°e n In l691 ' the Proclamati on against vice, drunkenness, and 
 profanation of the Lord's Day is recorded as first pro- 
 mulgated, and has been ever since published and read before 
 the Judges at each Assize. 
 Dissenters- The first Dissenting place of worship in Liverpool was 
 
 built in Castle Hey (now Harrington Street), under favour of 
 the Indulgence granted by James IL in 1687. 
 
 The following entry relates to the same subject :— 
 1692, February 14th. « Upon y e request of Mf Tlmmss ^^ ^ 
 
 1 VitU supra; p. 256. 
 
ECCLESIASTICAL NOTICES. 331 
 
 Richard Mercer, 1 and Lawrence Fletcher, to desire a house at y e end of 
 Lord Street in Liverpool belonging to Mr David Poole of y e same, Mer- 
 chant, to be sett apart for y° exercise of religious worship, it is agreed by 
 the Justices that they may be enjoy'd to that end, according to y* 
 intention of y e Act of Parliam', and the said Mr Thomas Collins is so 
 allow'd to preach there." 
 
 After the passing of the Act for constituting the Parish, 
 no time was lost in commencing the building of St. Peter's st. Peter's 
 
 _ , , Church. 
 
 Church. 
 
 1700, December 23rd. " It is concluded in Councell, that y e remaining Land around. 
 part of y" field where y* Church is building, & oth r fields be sett out for 
 three lives and twenty one yeares on a reasonable ground rent, reserving 
 ground for y* Minister's houses and gardens, & y' a draught be made & 
 returned ag* Councell day, how to sett out streets, &c. 
 
 " That y 8 buildings be handsome &^ uniform & a note be sett on y e 
 Exchange y* persons may come & peticon for proportions to build on." 
 
 1 Mr. Mercer and his wife were included in the two presentations for non-attendance at 
 church in 1683 and 1684. 
 
 1 wiilldVIrA S 1 1 li B 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL. 
 
 There is not very much in this portion of the Records 
 bearing directly on national politics, but a few entries have 
 some interest, relating to measures of a general character. 
 
 The old system of levying money by subsidies was giving 
 way to the modern mode of taxation, but it still lingered on. 
 
 Subsidy. " 1663, Sept 21 st Will. Stanley ar. Maior. 
 
 " In pursuance of an Acte of Parliam' (entituled an Acte for grantinge 
 foure entire Subsidies to his Ma"' by the Temporalty) theise are to will 
 and require you, and further in his Ma B name straitly to charge and 
 comand you and ev'y of you, that imediately upon notice herof, you 
 give notice and warninge (by sending true coppies of this warr 1 ) unto 
 
 Constables. all an( l ev 'y the pettie constables and other the p'sons in the schedule 
 herunto annexed named and appointed to be Assesso" and make certifi- 
 cates within theire respective p'rishes, towneshipps and villages within 
 yo r divicon of p'sons lyable to paym' of subsidies accordinge to the s d 
 Acte ; that they the s d respective constables and assesso' 5 doe diligently 
 enquire, and true p'sentm 65 and certificates make, and deliv' und r theire 
 hands, faire engrossed in parchm* unto us, of all the names and surnames 
 
 List of persons of ev'y p'son within theire respective p'ish, towne or village, together 
 
 liable. with a true estimate of ev'y such p'son's p'ticular estate, reall or p'sonall, 
 
 accordinge to the instruccons hereinafter menconed, and in and by the 
 s d Acte made and p'vyded, att the house of Margery Walls in Prescott, 
 widdow, upon the thirtieth day of September instant, by eight of the 
 clocke in th' aforenoon of the same day ; willinge and requireinge each 
 sev'all assesso' and constable unto whose hands this p'cepte shall come, 
 that after reasonable tyme for coppying forth of the same allowed for 
 himselfe and his fellowes, forthwith he or they deliv' or cause to be 
 deliv'ed safely and speedily unto some assesso" or constables of the next 
 adjoininge towneship within the s d parish with whom it hath not form'ly 
 beene withall, the tyme of the receipte hereof, and from whom, together 
 with the tyme and name of him, when and to whom it was sent and 
 deliv'ed beinge first endorsed, to the end ev'y one may the better bee 
 instructed herby how to make theire p'sentm* to us upon paine of each 
 p'son oftendinge herin, to forfeite for his delay or neglect xl s and further 
 punishem' as by lawe shall be required. 
 
NATIONAL AND POLITICAL. 333 
 
 " 1. First yo" are to p'sent the names and surnames of ev'y p'son, Lists of value, 
 fraternitie, guild, corporacon, misterie, brotherhood and comonalty, 
 corporate and not corporate, within yo r p'ish, towne or village being worth 
 three pounds, as well in coyne (and the true value of ev'y pound that 
 ev'y such p'son &c hath of his or theire owne or any other hath to his 
 or theire use) as also in plate, stocke of merchandize, all manner of corne 
 and graine, household stuffe, and of all other goods moveable, as well 
 within this realme as without, and of such solmes of money as to him 
 or them is or shall be oweinge, deductinge such debts as such p'son 
 doth owe, and intends to pay, excepting the apparall of such p'son his 
 wiefe and children, wherof noe Jewells, gould, silver, stone or pearle are 
 to be accounted p'cell. 
 
 " 2. You are to p'sent the value of ev'y pound that he or they or Lands, 
 any other to his or theire use hath in fee simple, fee taile, or for terme 
 of liefe, or for terme of yeares, by execucon, or by coppie of cort rolle of 
 or in any lands or tenements &c of the yearely value of xx". 
 
 " 3. And also the names of ev'y Popish Recusant convicted or indyted Recusants, 
 before the tyme of the assessm'. 
 
 " 4. And ev'y alien, denizen or not denizen of the age of 7 yeares or Non- 
 above, not beinge contributorie to the rates afores d and ev'y popish contributors. 
 Recusant convict, being 17 yeares old, or of the age of one and twentie 
 yeares, haveing not received the Comunion within one year last past. 
 
 " 5. You are not to p'sent tythes due to the Clergie, and sub- Tithes 
 jects s'vants wages, nor the goods and ornaments of churches and exem P t - 
 chappells. 
 
 " 6. You are to p'sent noe orphants nor infants und r one and twentie Orphans and 
 yeares of age (except such Aliens and popish Recusants as afores d ) for Infant s 
 goods lefte or bequeathed unto them by any, nor any p'son both for lands " ' " 
 and goods, but for wheth' you estimate to be of the better value, nor any 
 p'son att two sev'all places, but att the place where the p'sons residence 
 is and was for a yeare last past, and there for his whole estate whersoev'. 
 And all parsonages viccarages and lands belonginge to Universities or free Parsonages, 
 Gramer Schooles are exempted. Ecclesiasticall p'sons must be p'sented &<=•> exempt, 
 for lands they hold in lay fee by discent, bargaine, or purchase. 
 
 " Given under o' hands at Wigan the xxi st day of September Ano R^ 
 
 d'ni Caroli se'di Angl' &c 1663 
 
 " G Ireland 
 " & 8 others." 
 
 1663, September 30th. " A Presentm 1 and Certificate made by the Liverpool 
 Bayliffes and Assesso' 3 of the Townshipp of Liverpoole within the parish return, 
 of Walton, inj>bedience of and answer to a Warr* and instructions from 
 the hono bIe Com' 5 for the Act of Subsidies, of the names of all such p'sons 
 as are liable to the paym' of Subsidies either for reall or p'sonall estate or 
 estates within the townshipp of Liverpoole according to the said instruc- 
 tions. 
 
334 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 " Mr Crosse in lands 
 
 " Mr Robert Seacom and his mother in lands 
 
 " Thomas Blackmore in goods 
 
 " Ralph Massam in goods 
 
 " William Bushell in goods 
 
 " John Higginson in goods 
 
 " And further they have not to certify at present 
 
 nif 
 
 Vj" 
 
 iiif 
 
 "William Kitchins 
 " William Gardner 
 
 Bal s 
 
 " Henry Corles 
 " Peter Lurting 
 " Rob t Sutton 
 "Thomas Ashbrooke 
 
 " Assessors. 
 
 Another subsidy (the last recorded) was levied in 1665, 
 June gth. 
 
 Proceedings " Att an Assembly &c Upon reading of Mr Wm Norman's the high 
 about levy, constable's p'cept recyting a l re from the right hono ble the lord high Trea'r 
 of England & Chancelor of his Ma te Echeq' for raising money for his Ma ts 
 & supply & advancinge his owne assessm'. It is ordered and thought fitt 
 att this tyme That Mr Maior shall propose & give in such p'sons as he 
 shall think fitt (at the next gen'all meeting of the Com rs ) ingaged for the 
 speedie payeing in of nyne months assessm* 5 according to his Ma te 
 p'posalls intimated in their said l're. And that such p'sons as shall so 
 ingage shall be indemnified & saved harmless. And further it is ordered 
 and thought fitt that Mr Maior, being one of his Ma s Com rs for the royall 
 ayd, may informe himselfe of that or what other course'he finds meet att 
 next meeting of the Com rs in answer to the said lord" Trea" l're. And 
 what he shall then doe touching the p'misses is hereby ratified & allowed. 
 Indemnity. And that he shall be indemnified & borne out for what he shall doe in 
 reference thereunto. And also ordered & agreed & thought fitt here 
 unanimously that the same nyne months assessm' shall be w" 1 speed 
 collected of ev'ie of the inhabitants of this towne, according to the last 
 assessm', that is to say for ev'y xij d in the last assessm' att this three 
 shillings and soe rateably, w cb said nyne moneths makes up the whole 
 yeare ending at Christmas next. 
 
 " (Signed) John Sturzaker Maior 
 " & 22 others." 
 
 The documents relating to the return to the Convention 
 Parliament have been inserted above. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 
 
 From the presentations at the Port Moots, and from the 
 resolutions of the Council, we obtain interesting glimpses 
 into the private life and the habits and manners of the time. 
 
 The burgesses appear to have been very free spoken, both 
 in the Council and outside. 
 
 " 1672 Octr 23 rd Silvester Richmond Maior 
 
 " Att an Assembly &c 
 
 " It is ordered that if any member of this Assembly have contrived, Penalty for 
 consented, or shall consent to or subscribe a pap r or libell now brought libelling 
 into this Councell & read publickly, pretending itselfe to be a remon- 
 strance ag' some pretended grievances ; the same pap r being of it selfe 
 very scandalous & of bad consequence, imposing an unjust ympeachm' 
 upon the late magistrates & governo rs of this towne ; it is ordered that 
 every or any such member of this Assembly that shall be found to have 
 bin consenting, privie or subscribing to the same libell, such member 
 shall be from henceforth deposed & degraded from his trust or place of a 
 Comon Councell man. And likewise if any member of this Councell 
 shall at any tyme hereafter be convict or found by strong presumption & 
 direct or circumstantial proofe, to discover or disclose any part of the Councillor 
 acts or thinges here done in Councell, till a due publication shall be disclosing 
 thereof made, such member soe disclosing any the secretts of this ex p e n e( j. 
 Councell to any who are not of this Assembly, after such proofe made 
 against him shall likewise from thenceforth be deposed & degraded 
 from having any vote or place in this Assembly, and be subject to such 
 fine or penaltie as shall be ymposed upon him for such defalt. And the 
 fine is now imposed vizt forty pounds upon every Alderman & twenty 
 pounds upon every other member of this Assembly disclosinge unduely 
 any secretts of this Councell. 
 
 " Signed S Richmond Maior 
 " & 29 others." 
 
 The records are full of presentations and prosecutions for 
 slander and abusive language. I will only quote a few of the 
 most characteristic. 
 
336 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Punishment of 
 Bioksteth for 
 Slander. 
 
 Recantation. 
 
 Speaking evil of dignities has always been considered a 
 serious offence, and in Liverpool slandering the Mayor 
 was held, as Dogberry says, " Flat burglary as ever was 
 committed." 
 
 " 1663 Octr 26 th Peter Lurting gen. Maior. 
 
 " Port Moot Court. Wee present Robert Bicksteth for A great & 
 heynous abuse and injurye done to the Wor'p" Mr Peter Lurtin Maior 
 of this Corporation since he was elected Maior upon the xviij" 1 day of 
 October instant, to witt, that hee, meaninge the said Mr Maior was a 
 thiefe & a rogue, & had robbed a house in Formbie ; who being an idle 
 person, very poore & not able to pay, was onely fyned in five pounds, upon 
 his submission on record & sev'all other punishnv 3 ." 
 
 The recantation of Robert Bicksteth. 
 
 " Liv'poole. In the Common Hall. 
 
 " To all Chr'ian people to whom these presents shall come, I Robert 
 Bick'steth of Liv'poole in the countie of Lanc r husbandman send greeting. 
 Knowe yee, that upon the favo r mercy and condiscension of the magis- 
 trates of this burrough to me afforded though undeserved, I doe make 
 this my humble & thankfull acknowledgm' that in regard of my offence 
 I justly deserve the punishm' & ymprisonm' by the said magistrates layd 
 upon me & more p'ticularly I doe humbly confesse & acknowledge to my 
 shame that I have most unjustly, untruelie & unworthily given out those 
 speeches towards Mr. Peter Lurting* the wor n Maior of this burrough, to 
 witt that he, meaninge the said Mr Maior was a thiefe and a rogue and 
 had robbed a house in Formbie. And further do declare & say & confesse 
 that I had no cause or reason so to speake concerninge the said Mr 
 Maior. And therefore being very sensible of the injury I have done to 
 him & his favo r & mercy to mee, I doe hereby firmely promise by God's 
 mercy & goodnes nev' againe to offend or misbehave my selfe in word 
 or deed against the said Mr Maior or anie of his family. In testimony 
 hereof I have hereto put my hand & seale the xxij nd of January 1663." 
 
 " 1685 Octr 5* Port Moot. 
 Threatening. "Wee p'sent William Worrall for affronting Ald n Clayton, late Deputie 
 Maior & opposinge his orders, threateninge Oliver Mollinex to breake his 
 pate, if he offerd to fetch James Skinner before Mr Clayton & for sayeing 
 that when Mr Clayton was out of his office hee would then talke with 
 him Amerced in £6 13 4." 
 
 "1686, Jany 11 th Wee p'sent William Worrall for giving abusive 
 words unto Aid" Richmond, calling him a pitiful fellow & reflecting upon 
 the late deputie Maior & Aldermen ^"5." 
 
 * Notwithstanding this disclaimer on the part of Mr. Bicksteth, we have the character of the 
 worthy Mayor drawn elsewhere in not very flattering colours. Edward Moore, in his Rental, 
 written in 1667, but not published until 1847, thus describes him :— "He is a very knave and 
 hath deceived me twice. I charge you never trust him; but if it be in your power let him know 
 I have marked him out for a knave," &c. 
 
 Abusive 
 words. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 337 ' 
 
 The Mayor was not the only dignitary who suffered from 
 calumnious speeches. The Bailiffs had to contend with 
 similar insults. 
 
 " 1664 Jany 25* Att a Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee present Samuel Postlethwaite for a great and heynous abuse done Abusing the 
 unto the present Baylives of this Corporacon ; That is to say, ' Thou BalIlffs - 
 (meaninge Thomas Johnson, one of the said Baytives) I will not goe to 
 prison with thee ; where is thy warrant ? I will not go with thee.' And 
 also for offeringe to challeng the other Baylive, Thomas Alcocke to fight 
 with him in these words, that is to say ' Thou, meaninge the aforesaid 
 Thomas Alcocke I will meet thee when thou will and where thou will or 
 dare.'" 
 
 " 1672 Octr 28 th Port Moot. 
 
 " Presented Richard Moorcroft, for offereing violence to the Baylives, 
 calling them theeves and robbers." 
 
 Reflections of this kind on the town's authorities were 
 far from . uncommon. Here is another presentment of a 
 similar description : — 
 
 1685, January nth. "Wee p'sent Moses Hughes for sayeing, that the Slandering the 
 Maior, Aldermen & Councell were a companie of fooles for making him Mayor, &c. 
 free for sixe pounds, when hee hadd twentie pounds in a purse & would 
 freelie have given it them for his freedome, but they tooke mee for a poore 
 Welsh trunck maker; but I thinke I shewed them a tricke, and hung 
 up a lookinge glasse that they might blush & see their foole's faces in it, 
 as they walked upp and downe the streetes." 
 
 One person is presented for asserting that there is 
 
 "Neither lawe nor justice in this towne, and that the Maior acted 
 neither law nor justice Amerced in v u . 
 
 John Hoole, Miller, is prosecuted 
 
 " Who did upon the 16th day of October 1667, imprison both the late Imprisoning 
 Baylives in Mr Moore's Mill in Liv'poole aforesaid, when they were Bailiffs. 
 making a distresse there." 
 
 The women were not behindhand in conduct of this kind. 
 
 " 1667, Octr 28 th Wee present Mrs Tarleton widow, for abuse done to Assault by 
 Mr Jo. Bulkley when he was distreyninge for a fine. She pulled off his Mrs. Tarleton. 
 coat & locked him up. 
 
 " Amerced in x u ." 
 
 " Wee present Mr Edward Lievesley & his wife, for his wife's abuseing 
 Mr John Bulkley, Baylive in execucon of his office by locking him up & 
 ymprisoning him in her house." 
 
 U U 
 
338 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Women 
 
 brawling. 
 
 Cuckstool. 
 
 Inmates. 
 
 Inspectors. 
 
 " Wee p'sent Hannah, wife of Robert Whitfield, watchmaker, for 
 reflecting on y e government and sayinge 
 
 " That y e Common Councell of this towne amongst them hadd the 
 money collected by the Chappell wardens from dissenters, and further 
 she said, tho' it was on their sides now ; wee hope it wilbee on our side 
 ere long." 
 
 " 1688 July 9 th Wee p'sent Ellen Abram for a brawler and a scould, 
 being a common disturber of her neighbours— -3 s 4*. 
 
 Selection of 
 
 Inspectors. 
 
 ' Ann Lancaster widdow for the like — 3 s \ 
 
 The cuckstool, the ancient mode of punishment for 
 female offences, was still in use. 
 
 In 1695, there is an entry in the accounts of 15s. paid for 
 its repair. The cage and pillory are also entered as kept in 
 repair by the town. 
 
 The question of " inmates " continued to be a constant 
 source of anxiety, and many orders and resolutions were 
 passed, which seem to have been as often broken. 
 
 Sometimes their zeal overran their discretion. 
 
 1681, October 24th. Mr. Richard Cleaveland is presented 
 
 as having in his house five " inmates," who turned out to be 
 
 his own servants. 
 
 " 1677 Nov 7 th At a Port Moot. 
 " Ordered that the severall persons undernamed shall make inquire 
 after Inmates for the year ensueing in the streets and places to their 
 names respectively ascribed. And that they monthly give a true account 
 to the Maior for the time being or his deputy of all such Inmates, with 
 the names of the landlords and householders entertaining them on paine 
 of forty shillings for every month's neglect." 
 
 There were fifteen appointed to discharge this duty in the 
 existing fifteen streets. 
 
 " 1678. John Chorley gent. Maior. 
 
 " Whereas by dailye experience wee find that by reason of the late 
 improvements in buildinge of houses and shipps in and about this 
 burrough and Corporation, a great concourse of people have of late time 
 resorted hither, and have beene concealed in designe to gaine settlements, 
 and notwithstandinge all lawfull endeavors that have beene taken to 
 prevent the same, this burrough is become verie greivouslie burdened w" 1 
 severall idle and wandringe persons of suspected reputations ; and altho' 
 severall persons have beene appointed for prevention of the greivance 
 afores d to bee officers ; by all lawfull waies and meanes to inspect what 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 339 
 
 Inmates have beene harboured here ; yet the same hath failed of its due Inspectors, 
 successe in the weale publicke & government of this Corporation, by 
 reason that the persons appointed as afores d have beene remisse and 
 negligent in their duetie, conceavinge themselves under noe obligation by 
 oath, for due performance of the said office, whereby the s d greivance is 
 become almost remedilesse. It is therefore ordered that in everie streete 
 of the said burrough & within the liberties and jurisdictions thereof, that 
 there shalbee elected and chosen by the homage of the said burrough 
 yearlie one or more inhabitants within everie streete to observe the office 
 of inspectors of Inmates for one yeare, and till hee bee discharged by due 
 course of lawe ; and that everie such said officer soe to be chosen and 
 appointed shall take the oath hereafter described." 
 
 This dread of responsibility for the maintenance of strangers. 
 strangers was carried to an extraordinary length in the 
 following entry : — 
 
 " 1686, Octr 4 th Portmoot. 
 
 " Wee p'sent John Catterall for harbouring his father & mother w^out 
 givinge notice or securitie to Mr Maior — 6' 8 d ." 
 
 " 1685 Apl I st Ordered, that the bellman shall goe through this towne Foreign Poor. 
 & give warning to all inhabitants not to relieve forraine poore, on penaltie 
 of the lawes of this kingdome, in such case made," &c. 
 
 "1685 May 13 th Ordered that all persons whose names are in the Pauper Badge. 
 Poore Book & who receave almes in this burrough shall weare a pewter 
 badge, w* y e towne's armes engraved on it, and such as refuse to weare 
 them are hereby ordered not to have anie releife from this towne." 
 
 Although some of the habits of the time seem rather 
 coarse, etiquette and form were strictly insisted on. 
 
 " 1665 Nov 2 nd Att an Assembly, &c. 
 
 "It is agreed, thought fitt and so ordered, that the former orders of Gowns for 
 this towne, that the Maior, Aldermen, Baylives, Baylives Peeres, Town officials - 
 Clerke and S'jearit att Mace of this towne, shall have gownes in the 
 ancient & accustomable manner, to be putt in execucon; and that Mr 
 Maior, the Aldermen, Baylives, Baylives Peeres, Town Clerke and 
 S'jeant att Mace for the tyme being, shall each of them provide and 
 furnish themselves w a gownes fitt and convenient att or before the second 
 day of February now next cominge upon the payne of five pounds, as by 
 & according to former ord r ." 
 
 This order was enforced by fine, but not according to the 
 
 strict letter of the law. 
 
 1668, January 13th " Wee present John Lurting for not p'vidinge and ^ n for not 
 wearing a gowne accordinge to form' ord r am' d in vi s viij d . Tho. Birch, Gowns B 
 
340 
 
 CHAP. IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Cloaks. 
 
 Gowns on 
 Sunday. 
 
 Jo. Blundell, Thomas Bicksteth & present Baylives Tim. Tarleton & 
 Wm. Fleetwood all for y e like offence." 
 
 Nothing is said in the above entries about the Common 
 Councillors. 
 
 " 1695 Octr 9 th It is order d that all persons of the Cofnon Councell 
 appear in cloakes (after the next election of the Mai r ) every Councell 
 day." 
 
 " 1697 Aug 4 th It is this day order 4 in Councell that pursuant to a 
 former order, all y e Ald rm and Baylives Peers do attend Mr Mai r to Church 
 m their gowns every Sunday, & all y e Councellmen in their cloaks, on the 
 penalty menconed in y e said former order." 
 
 As an illustration of the dress of the seamen at this period, 
 reference may be made to the register of an apprenticeship 
 of a youth as a mariner. 
 
 1667, May 23rd. After reciting the terms of apprentice- 
 ship, the entry proceeds : — 
 
 Sailors' dress. " The aforesaid apprentice being a poore orphan & left w ft in the charge 
 of this towne, bound himself apprentice, w* the consent & approbacon 
 of the Maior & Comonalty of this burrough ; and the said apprentice is 
 to have a pare of cloth breeches & jumpe of same & 2 redd wascoates 
 & 1 pare of redd drawers & 1 pare of linen drawers w ,h two shirts & 1 pare 
 of shoes & stockins." 
 
 It is also provided that 
 
 " The said master to his said apprentice shall allow ev'y voyage one 
 barrell portage p'vided it be his owne p'p r goodes & not otherwise." 
 
 Furniture. 
 
 1667, October 8th, appears an appraisement of the goods 
 of William Newport, a tradesman of the town, which are 
 comprised within a very small compass, consisting prin- 
 cipally of 
 
 " One table, three cheares, & two stooles, three joyned stooles, one 
 cupboard, four bedds, one brasse pan one fryinge pann," &c, concluding 
 with " ould trumpery ii s vi d ." 
 
 The accounts of moneys paid throw considerable light on 
 the manners and customs of the time. 
 
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 341 
 
 Allusion has been made above to the cuckstool, the cage 
 and pillory, which figure in the accounts. 
 
 The Bearward was a recognised officer paid by the town. Rearward. 
 
 No bull was allowed to be slaughtered without having Bull Baiting. 
 
 been previously baited for the amusement of the public. 
 
 " 1672 Octr 28 th At a Port Moot. 
 
 " Edward Rycroft is presented for the killing of a bull unbaited, and 
 Edward Halsall for the like offence." 
 
 The scene of this cruel sport was usually at the Stocks 
 on the south side of the Castle wall, or on the land west of 
 St. Nicholas's Church, now marked by the depression in the 
 level of the churchyard. 
 
 A considerable amount of money was expended in drink. Drink. 
 
 " 1691 Nov 1 To Mr Rowland Carter for Punch on the King's return 
 from Holland— £1 11. 
 
 " To Robert Stubbs for Ale — o 120. 
 
 "To William Furnivall for Punch and Ale the 5 th November — £1 18 o. 
 
 " 1692, June 14 To Robert Stubbs for Ale for the soldiers on the 24 th 
 May last — o 17 o. 
 
 " July 19 To William Rollin for Wine drunck in the Exchange 24 th 
 May last — o 18 o." 
 
 The soldiers passing through the town appear on many Soldiers. 
 occasions to have been very unruly. 
 
 1692, October 15th. On the occasion of the army passing 
 
 to Ireland. 
 
 "To Aid" Richard Windall for several goods the soldiers burnt and 
 spoiled in his house near the Exchange — £\ 100. 
 " To Mr Thomas Johnson for gunpowder — £$ 18 o." 
 
 It is not usually recognized to how late a period the use Archery. 
 of the English long bow was continued. In the reign of 
 Elizabeth, the bowmen occupied a very conspicuous position. 
 During the civil war some small remnant of archery was 
 employed in Scotland. In Liverpool there is an entry under 
 date of January gth, 1637 : — 
 "Wee doe order that the Bayliffes shall cause new Shooting Butts 
 
342 
 
 CBAJPi IV, A.D. 1660— 1699. 
 
 Curfew. 
 
 Sunday 
 observance. 
 
 made in a place where they have beene accustomed betwixt this and the 
 14 th day of Aprill next now following upon paine of v s a peece." 
 
 " 1672 Jany 27 th Ordered that Robert Simpson shall repaire the 
 Shooting Butts, before thateoth of March next at the towne's end, accord- 
 ing to former custome." 
 
 This was the last spasmodic effort to keep up the practice. 
 In 1693, March 7th — 
 " Order* that the Shooting Butts be removed." 
 
 And thus the old English archery went into oblivion. 
 
 The curfew still tolled the knell both of coming and 
 
 parting day. 
 
 1673, October 27th. " Wee order that Robert Simpson ring Curphew 
 all the yeare long at 4 a clock in the morning & eight at a night." 
 
 Sundays and holidays .were diligently protected. 
 
 " 1672, June 3 rd . Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee p'nt Henry Banister for grinding corn on the Sabbath dayes 
 at the Middle Mill— iij s iiif 
 
 " We p'nt Edm d Btickly for same offence at the Towne's End Mill— 
 iij s iiij d 
 
 " We p'nt Rich" Mercer and Robert Woolfall for like offence— each 
 iij s iiij d ." 
 
 "1696 Apl 2o ,h Port Moot. 
 
 " Wee p rt William Huddleston for harbouring and suffering Thomas 
 Chapman serv' to Aid™ Thomas Johnson, to play at nine pinns upon 
 Good Fryday the tenth day of this inst April betweene one and two of 
 y e Clock in y e afternoon." 
 
 I here bring these extracts to a close. The records of 
 the eighteenth century contain a large amount of interesting 
 matter, which I must leave to some future chronicler to 
 arrange and make public. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Abbott, Archbishop, 224. 
 Abram, Ellen, 338. 
 Ackers, Henry, 24. 
 Adlington, Mathew, 297. 
 Adventure (ship), 301. 
 Albemarle, Earl of, 251. 
 Alcock, Edward, 229. 
 Alcock, Thomas, 337. 
 Alden, — , Rev., 200. 
 Alderman, office of, 60. 
 Ale and beer, regulation of price, 87. 
 Ale-founders, 61. 
 Ale-houses, 53, 106, 235. 
 Allerton, Thomas, 66. 
 Allin, Peter, 284, 319. 
 Almshouses, 318. 
 Altcar, exemption from tolls, 294. 
 Amery, John, 289. 
 Anderton, Henry, 232. 
 
 Andoe or Ayndoe, Thos., 155, 167, 173, 176. 185, 
 191, 229, 232, 248, 249, 268, 279, 283, 296, 318. 
 Anglesey, Earl of, 251. 
 Apprentices, regulations, 113, 233, 340. 
 Arlington, Lord, 245, 251. 
 Arms provided by freemen, 296. 
 Asbrooke, Thomas, 238, 334. 
 Ashlyn, John, 125. 
 Ashton, George, 35. 
 Ashurst, — , 26. 
 
 Lt.-Col., 140, 141. 
 
 Ash worth, John, 327. 
 
 Aspendine, Jane, 76. 
 
 Aspinwall, Samuel, 140. 
 
 Assemblies, 30, 32, 33, 42, 44, 46, 51, 56, 59, 68, 123. 
 
 Assessors, — , 59. 
 
 Assheton, Col. Sir Ralph, 138, 202. 
 
 Asshton, — , 96. 
 
 Atherby, James, 85. 
 
 Atherton, Peter, 246, 281, 286, 313. 
 
 Sir Richard, 254, 255, 257, 296. 
 
 Atherton Street, 291. 
 
 Rev. William, 324, 326. 
 
 Atkinson, — , 179. 
 
 Atye, Arthur, 54. 
 
 Aynsargh, Richard de, 14, 15. 
 
 Bacon, Francis (Lord), £6. 
 
 Baddeley, Thomas de, 15. 
 
 Bailie, Ralph, 108. 
 
 Bailiffs, earliest notices of, 15, 51. 
 
 Baines, John, 105. 
 
 Ball, Robert, 49, 53, 85, 119. 
 
 Ballast money, 293. 
 
 Balye, Henry, 59. 
 
 Bamber, John, 312. 
 
 Banaster or Banister, Henry, 342. 
 
 Thomas, 53, 88. 
 
 William, 167, 218, 219. 
 
 Bank Hall, 67. 
 Barbon's lands, 66. 
 Barker, — , 287. 
 
 Katharine, 329. 
 
 Richard, 65. 
 
 Barlow, Andrew, 296. 
 Barlowe, Rauf, 32, 59. 
 Barraclough, Richard, 231. 
 Barry, Richard, 320. 
 Bartley, Edward, 109. 
 Bath, Marquis of, 235, 251. 
 Bathurst, William, 303. 
 Bavand, Thomas, 48, 53. 
 Baxter, Henry, 74. 
 
 Jenkey, 65. 
 
 John, 59. 
 
 Thomas, 178. 
 
 Baylyff, Rauf, 30. 
 Beacon's gutter, 154, 155. 
 Bearward, 341. 
 Beggars, 1 14, US' 
 Bells, church, 211, 212. 
 
344 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Bellman, 234, 339. 
 
 Beltoft, Simon de, 12. 
 
 Benn, James, 263, 264, 288, 289, 290, 305, 312, 321, 
 
 324- 
 Bennett, George, 313. 
 Bentley (Incumbent), 99, loo, 196. 
 Bicksteth, Robert, 336. 
 Thomas, 127, 129, 132, 136, 141, 145, 146, 147, 
 
 187, 211, 232, 240, 245, 249, 25!, 276, 278, 279, 
 
 282, 292, 309, 312, 322, 323, 340. 
 Birch, Col. John, 245. 
 
 Col. Thomas, 148, 149, 157, 189, 202, 239, 322, 
 
 339- 
 
 William, 226. 
 
 Birde, Richard, 57, 183, 184. 
 Blackburne, Richard and Jane, 295. 
 
 Robert (1551), 32. 
 
 Robert (1639), 225. 
 
 Blackmore, Thomas, 148, 155, 157, 185, 203, 204, 
 215, 233, 23S, 239, 240, 334. 
 
 William, 238. 
 
 Blois, William de, 1 . 
 Blome, Richard, 104, 270. 
 Bluecoat school, 104. 
 
 Blue coats and nntley coats, 109. 
 Blundell of Ince Blundell, 56. 
 Bryan, 104. 
 
 Richard, 32. 
 
 Robert, 145, 147. 
 
 William, 240, 241. 
 
 Bold of Bold, 56. 
 
 Futchett, 228. 
 
 Richard de, 9. 
 
 Peter, 312. 
 
 Bolton, Herbert, 182. 
 
 Thomas, 53, 63. 
 
 Booker, John, 128. 
 Booth, Sir George, 165. 
 Borrow, Arthur, 76. 
 Bostwell, Thomas, 32, 32. 
 Boteler, John, 12. 
 Boulton, John, 234. 
 Boundaries defined, 31, 242. 
 Bowling, 57, 118. 
 Braddock, — , 291. 
 
 \ 
 
 Bradshaigh, Sir Roger, 240. 
 Bradshaw, Robert, 316. 
 Bretherton, Thomas, 260, 261. 
 Brett, — , 153. 
 Brettargh of Brettargh, 240. 
 Bricks, making of, 190, 283, 287. 
 Bride, John, m. 
 Bridge, Lawrence, 213. 
 
 Thomas, 239. 
 
 Bridge alley, 314. 
 
 Bridges, 92, 187, 188, 314, 315. 
 Bridgman, Bishop of Chester, 200, 201. 
 
 Edward, 165, 166. 
 
 Bridgwater, disputes with, 299. 
 Briscowe, Michael, 205, 206. 
 Bristol, exemption from toll, 297. 
 
 Brookbank, Thomas, 125, 126, 232, 280, 281, 288, 
 
 300, 312, 313. 
 Brooke, Egidius, 112. 
 Gyles, 57, 81, 82, 157, 182. 
 
 Robert, 161. 
 
 Brookes, Jonathan, 287. 
 Brookfelde, Thomas, 62. 
 Browne, Capt., 148, 150, 151. 
 
 William, 40. 
 
 Brown Low, the, 189. 
 
 Brownlowe, Lawrence, 267, 279, 283, 285. 
 
 Broxopp, Rev. — , 200. 
 
 Bryanson, William, 231. 
 
 Bryddon, John, 53. 
 
 Bryer, Jo., 300. 
 
 Buckley, Edmund, 342. 
 
 Bucknall, Sir William, 158, 269. 277. 
 
 Building regulations, 334. 
 
 Bulkeley, Jo., 337. / 
 
 Bullbaiting, 341. 
 
 Burgesses and burgess roll, 20, 73, 120, 124. 
 
 Burials in church, 213. 
 
 Burleymen, 61. 
 
 Burscough, Ralph, 38, 39, 48, 53. 
 
 house, 285. 
 
 Bushell, Roger, 315. 
 
 William, 313, 334. 
 
 Butlerage, 180. 
 
 Byrde, John, 40, 42, 43, 62, 83. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 345 
 
 Cable Street, 291. 
 
 Cadwell, Rev. — , 50. 
 
 Csesar, Sir Julius, 234. 
 
 Cage, 338. 
 
 Cailes, game of, 234. 
 
 Callowe, John, 159. 
 
 Canterbury, Gilbert, Archbishop of, 245. 
 
 Canvassing prohibited, 62. 
 
 Carsley, Derrick, 136. 
 
 Carlisle, disputes with, 298. 
 
 Carter, Rev., 102. 
 
 Robert, 287, 289. 
 
 Rowland, 341. 
 
 Thomas, 277. 
 
 Case, John, 241. 
 
 Castle, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 21, in, 142, 189, 287, 291, 
 
 292. 315- 
 
 Hey, 286. 
 
 Hill, 286, 314, 316, 318, 319. 
 
 Street, 32, 36, 73, 91, 229, 293, 316, 318, 319. 
 
 Catterall, John, 339. 
 
 Cave, Francis, 30. 
 
 Censure by government, 107. 
 
 Challin, Seiys, 66. 
 
 Challoner, Robert, 75. 
 
 Chambers, Edward, 145, 162, 229. 
 
 James, 40, 52. 
 
 John, 173. 
 
 Mrs., 194. 
 
 Walter, 117. 
 
 Chandler, John, 238, 269, 279, 318. 
 Chant rell or Chauntrell, — , 179: 
 
 John, 187, 229, 231, 232. 
 
 William, 310. 
 
 Chantries, 26, 95, 97, 277. 
 
 Chapels, St. Mary of the Key, 23, 104. 
 
 Castle Hey, 330. 
 
 Chapel Street, 32, 36, 91, 92, 140, 193, 229, 287, 290, 
 
 307. 316, 317- 
 Chapman, John, 54. 
 
 Thomas, 266, 307, 342. 
 
 Charles I, King, 132, 137, 156, 159, 228, 229, 275. 
 
 II, address to, 251, 252. 
 
 Charters, 3, 5, 11, 17, 18,28, 155, 156,. 161, 243, 248, 
 Z S4. 2 SS> 2 57. 260, 261, 262. 
 
 Cheesemongers of London, disputes with, 265, 290, 
 
 300-305. 
 Chester, city of, 36, 38, 40, 41, 44, 84, 107, 143, 153, 
 
 306. 
 Chetham, Humphrey, 2191 
 Chichley, Sir Thomas, 253. 
 Chorleton, James, 1 73. 
 Chorley of Chorley, 147. 
 
 John, 251, 255, 257, 266, 281, 317, 338. 
 
 Leonard, 112. 
 
 Christian, Thomas, 239. 
 Church lands, 30. 
 
 Revenues, confiscation, 26. 
 
 Street, 315. 
 
 Churches — 
 
 St. Nicholas's, 15, 17, 23, 26, 95, 207, 208, 212, 
 213, 318, 329. 
 
 St. Peter's, 325, 326, 331. 
 Churchwardens, 59, 209. 
 Clare, Rev. Dr., 203. 
 Clark, Henry, 34. 
 Clarke, Richard, 75. 
 Clayton, Thomas, 254, 255, 266, 271, 287, 297. 
 
 William, 271, 280, 281, 288, 291, 292, 299, 300, 
 
 303. 312, 325, 336. 
 
 Clennes, Henry, 118. 
 Clerk, Adam, 10. 
 Cleveland, John, 272. 
 
 Richard, 271, 338. 
 
 William, 272. 
 
 Cloaks for councillors, 340. 
 Clocks, public, 212. 
 Coals, 181. 
 
 boring for, 289. 
 
 Cock-pits, 119. 
 
 Coinage, 312. 
 
 Colchester, Richard, Lord, 259, 260, 261. 
 
 Thomas, Lord, 244, 306, 313. 
 
 Collins, Thomas, 330. 
 
 Colquitt, Humphrey, 53. 
 Commission on revenues, 25, 28. 
 Common halls (see Assemblies). 
 
 lands, 172, 173, 174, 190, 273, 277, 291. 
 
 Connor, Garrald, 128. 
 Constables of castle, 21. 
 
 X X 
 
346 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Cook, David, 319. 
 
 Cooke, Gilbert, 65. 
 
 Corbett, Robert, 34, 37, 39, 59, 66, 68, 74. 
 
 Corker, John, 213. 
 
 Corles, Henry, 150, 151, 175, 176, I77> 269, 278,279, 
 
 3i8, 319. 334- 
 Cornell, bailiff, 204. 
 Correction, house of, 1 14. 
 Council, 31, 33, 51, 52, 123. 
 
 forms of procedure, 265, 267. 
 
 Covent garden, 316. 
 
 Cowell, Robert, 191. 
 Crane, — ,291. 
 Craven, Earl of, 245. 
 Crayford, John, 226. 
 Creber, Patrick, 84. 
 Creley, Nicholas, 83. 
 Cressingham, Hugh de, 6. 
 Crisp, Nicholas, 307. 
 Croft, Thomas, 195. 
 Crompton, Richard, 313. 
 Cromwell, Gregory, 124. 
 
 Oliver, letter of, 148. 
 
 Crooked lands, 67. 
 
 Crosse, Humphrey (priest), 27. 
 
 John (1515), 103. 
 
 (1565-1575), 27, 35, 47, 56, 89, 92, 96, 109. 
 
 (1621-1639), I55» 213. 217, 218, 219. 
 
 (1663), 334. 
 
 Richard, 229. 
 
 Crown rights, sale of, 275. 
 Crowther, John, 263. 
 Cryer, — , 168. 
 Cubbon, Joshua, 247. 
 Cuck-stool, 229, 338. 
 Curfew, 103, 233, 234, 342. 
 Customer, town's, 56, 59, 63. 
 
 Dale Street, 32, 36, 66, 91, 171, 185, 189, 259, 287, 
 
 293. 315. 3i6, 318. 319- 
 Dam, Henry, 43. 
 Dandye, Adam, 65. 
 Danvers, — , 287, 288. 
 Darbie, Mr. and Mrs., 229, 230. 
 Delaine, — , 69. 
 
 Dene, — , 291. 
 Denton, Ellen, 94. 
 Derby, Earls of — 
 
 Edward, 3rd Earl, 34, 37, 38, 43, 44, 47. 
 
 Henry, 4th Earl, 48, 52, 55, 56, 98. 
 
 Ferdinando, Lord Strange, 5th Earl, 47, 56. 
 
 James, Lord Strange, 7th Earl, 124, 129, 138, 199. 
 
 Charles, Lord Strange, 8th Earl, 243, 244, 269, 
 282, 283. 
 
 William Richard George, Lord Strange, 9th Earl,' 
 249. 2S9. 284. 
 
 James, 10th Earl, 263. 
 Desareno, John, 89. 
 Dicconson house, 284. 
 Diggles, Hugh, 295. 
 
 Richard, 311, 312. 
 
 Ditchfield, Elizabeth, 228. 
 
 Dixon, , 230. 
 
 Dobb, Robert, 65. 
 Dobson, Robert, 161 to 166. 
 Dog whipping, 103, 234. 
 Doleman, Thomas, 251. 
 Douse, Thomas, 190. 
 
 Dry bridge, 316. 
 Duffy, John, 330. 
 Duke, Thomas, 281. 
 
 Eaton, Peter, 263. 
 
 Robert, 215. 
 
 Eccleston of Eccleston, 240. 
 
 Thomas, 126, 132, 232. 
 
 William, 239. 
 
 Edge-lane, 66. 
 
 Edmund, (Crouchback), Earl of Lancaster, 6, 7. 
 Edward I, King, 6. 
 II, King, 8. 
 
 Ill, King, 9-12, 15. 
 
 VI, King, 30. 
 
 Egerton, Colonel, 222. 
 
 Elizabeth, Queen, 103— Grants, 323. 
 
 Ellison, David, 202. 
 
 William, 210. 
 
 Elseing, H., 147. 
 
 Emeute of soldiery (1573), 109. 
 
 Engagement, the (Ecclesiastical), 205. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 347 
 
 Englefied, Thomas, 49. 
 Entwisle, John, 239, 244, 255. 
 Ernie, Lord, 251. 
 Essex, Earl of, 109, 1 10. 
 Everton, Land in, 73. 
 
 Fairclough, George, 74. 
 Fairfax, Sir Thomas, 143. 
 Fairhurst, Oliver, 198, 231. 
 Fairs, 8, 9, 55, 68, 230, 317. 
 Fall Well, 189, 287, 320. 
 Fazakerly, Nicholas, 135, 147, 278. 
 
 Samuel, (Spellow house), 240, 276, 277, 278, 
 
 282, 286, 296. 
 Fee-farm rents, 5, 7, 18, 19, 24. 
 Ferrers, Agnes de, 5. 
 
 Maria de, 6. 
 
 Earl Robert de, 5, 6. 
 
 Earl William de, 3, 5. 
 
 Ferry, 8, 9, 13, 14, 35, 54, 133, 187. 
 Finch, Lord Chancellor, 257. 
 
 Rev. — , 215. 
 
 Fines for refusing office, 38. 
 Fish house, 290. 
 
 trade, 178. 
 
 yards, 287. 
 
 Fisher, Joshua, 287, 300, 312. 
 Fishing in the Mersey, 48. 
 Fitzadam, William, 14, 16. 
 Fitzrichard, Adam, 8. 
 Fleetwood, Lord Deputy, 149. 
 Robert, 239. 
 
 William, 340. 
 
 Fletcher, Lawrence, 331. 
 
 Fogg, Rev. John, 203-207, 215, 322. 
 
 Formby, Edward, 127. 
 
 Gilbert, 154, 214, 215, 238, 239. 
 
 Mrs. Margery, 278. 
 
 exemptions from toll, 298. 
 
 Fortescue, Lieut., 267. 
 Fortifications, 137, 138,' 140-142, 188. 
 Fox, John, 155. 
 Freemen, 18, 51, 57, 74. 
 French, documents in, 19, 20, 21. 
 Friendship (ship), 181. 
 
 Frodsham, Richard (priest), 26. 
 Funerals, 234. 
 Furnivall, William, 341. 
 
 Galley, William, 269, 284. 
 Galloway, Randle, 329. 
 
 : Thomas, 266. 
 
 Gallows field, 67, 293. 
 Galway, Estate in, 150. 
 Gamull, William, 161. 
 Gardner, Hugh, 232. 
 
 William, 239, 268, 287, 334. 
 
 Gardener, Gilbert, 59. 
 
 Garnett, Alexander, 32, 34, 35, 59i 66, 74. 
 
 John, 183. 
 
 Garston, land in, 66. 
 
 Gates (town), 189. 
 
 Gelybrand, Charles and Eden, 23. 
 
 George (ship), no. 
 
 Gerard (or Gerrard) of Brandon, Lord, 259. 
 
 of Bryn, 240. 
 
 Charles, 145. 
 
 Evan, 260. 
 
 G, 45- 
 
 Sir William, 147. 
 
 Gerstan, John, 23. 
 
 Gildart, Richard, 53. 
 
 Gill's lands, 66. 
 
 Glasgow, William, 38. 
 
 Glazing church windows, 213. 
 
 Godolphin, Sidney, 257. 
 
 Godscroft, 293. 
 
 Golbrand (or Colbrand), William, 53, 62, 63, 64, 
 
 105, 119. 
 Gosmuth, Adam de, 6. 
 Gowns, wearing of, 33, 56, 57, 210, 230, 267, 268, 
 
 339- 
 Gradwell, William, 286. 
 Grammar school, S3, 62, 63, 64, 103. 
 Grant by parliament, 144, 145, 148. 
 Green, John, 320. 
 
 Mrs., 329. 
 
 Greenacre, 54. 
 
 Greene, 130. 
 
 Alexander, 223. 
 
348 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Greene, Edward, 266. 
 Greenwood, Aug., 298, 300. 
 Gregory, Peter, 32, 35. 
 Griffith, Alice, 24. 
 
 David Ap, 24. 
 
 George, 289. 
 
 Grimsby, Simon de, 9. 
 Grosvenor of Eaton, 47. 
 Gylle, Thomas, 95. 
 
 Hackins hey, 314. 
 Haddock, Robert, 297. 
 Halberdiers to attend Mayor, 120, 269. 
 Halghton, Cecilia, 207. 
 
 Hall, 104. 
 
 Halley, 130. 
 
 Hall-keeper, 62. 
 
 Halsall, Sir Cuthbert, III. 
 
 Edward, Recorder, 38. 
 
 Edward (Mayor, 1580), 52, 54. 
 
 Sir Edward, 56. 
 
 Edward (1672), 341. 
 
 William, 281. 
 
 Hamer, Edward, 40. 
 Hancock, Thomas, 21 1. 
 Hanmer, — , 69. 
 Hanse, the, 80, 81. 
 Harebronn, James, 23. 
 Harris, John, 307. 
 Harrison, Philip, 310. 
 
 Richard, 34. 
 
 William, 154. 
 
 Hartley, — , 127. 
 Harward, — , 153. 
 Harvey, Thomas, 161, 183. 
 Haskayne, Henry, 233. 
 Haward, Ralph (priest), 26. 
 Hawett, Nicholas, 129, 130. 
 Haydock, Gilbert de, 9. 
 Hayward, 59, 191. 
 
 Heath, the great, 189, 273, 285, 287. 
 
 Sir Robert, 126. 
 
 Heavylands, 67. 
 Helen, William, 40. 
 Henry II, King, 1. 
 
 Henry III, 3. 
 
 IV, 18, 19, 21, 26. 
 
 V, 19, 20, 21. 
 
 VI, 21, 22. 
 
 VII, 24. 
 
 VIII, 24, 25. 
 
 Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, 9, 10, 12. 
 
 1st Duke of Lancaster, 13, 26. 
 
 Henstown, Levinus, 261, 264. 
 Hesketh, Richard, 25. 
 
 Sir Thomas, 26, 38, 53. 
 
 Hewitt, John, 160. 
 Hewston, — , 320, 
 
 Heyes, James, 173. 
 
 William, 301. 
 
 Heyland, 67. 
 
 High cross, 68, 91, 192, 318. 
 Higher shoot, 17. 
 Higinson, John, 232, 334. 
 Hindley, Rev. John, 327. 
 Hoar, Roger, 300. 
 Hodgson, John, 299, 300. 
 
 Richard, 55, 85. 
 
 Thomas, 127. 
 
 John, 280. 
 
 Hockenhull, Thomas, 218. 
 Hodser, George, 80. 
 Hoggs heys, 67. 
 Hoghton, William, 75. 
 Hokenhall, Thomas, 27. 
 Holcroft, John, 128. 
 
 Holland, Colonel Richard, 138, 202. 
 
 Richard, 155. 
 
 Robert de, 9-10. 
 
 Holmes, John, 208. 
 
 Richard, 207, 208. 
 
 Holts, James of the, 22. 
 Hoole, John, 317, 337. 
 Hoose, 69. 
 
 Hornby, Edward, 297. 
 Horrocks, Jonas, 173. 
 Horse racing, 119. 
 Horsfold, Timothy, 327. 
 Houghton, Hugh, 232. 
 
 Sir Gilbert, 165, 166. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 349 
 
 Houghton, Richard, 280, 281, 300, 301. 
 
 Sir Richard, 11. 
 
 Thomas, 30. 
 
 Howard, Lord Charles, 70. 
 Huddleston, William, 342. 
 Hughes, Moses, 337. 
 Hulme, Marie, 228. 
 Hunter, Robert, 323, 324. 
 Hurd, John (priest), 27. 
 Hyatt, James, 197, 198. 
 Hyde (Lord Clarendon), 257. 
 
 Colonel Robert, 202. 
 
 Hyme, Richard, 75. 
 
 Income tax, 223. 
 
 Ingates and outgates, 294. 
 
 Inge, William, 7. 
 
 Inglefield, Thomas, 32. 
 
 Inmakes, 115, 116, 228, 229, 338. 
 
 Inquisitions, 24. 
 
 post mortem, 7, 9, 12. 
 
 Ireland, goods from, confiscated, 126. 
 
 of Hale, 56, 74. 
 
 Adam de, 8. 
 
 George, 74. 
 
 Sir Gilbert, 148, 157. 242. 244. 286, 333. 
 
 Emline, 
 
 Jane, J. 232. 
 
 Elizabeth, J 
 
 Thomas, 165, 166. 
 
 Irish estates, 148-151. 
 Iron, 87, 88, 180. 
 
 James I, King, 217. 
 
 Roger, 286. 
 
 street, 314. 
 
 Janion, Sir Hugh, 98, 99, 101. 
 
 Jefforde, John, 75. 
 
 Jefferies, judge, 254. 
 
 Jenkins, 251. 
 
 Jenkinson, James, 181. 
 
 Jerrom, James, 244, 247, 255, 265, 270, 279, 284, 
 
 285, 315. 
 John of Gaunt, 14, 26. 
 King, 1, 2. 
 
 John Street, 314. 
 Johnson, Captain, 180. 
 
 Edward, 129, 130. 
 
 Thomas (1565), 35. 
 
 Thomas (17th century), 246, 248, 249, 253, 261, 
 
 263, 277, 279, 280, 281, 289, 290, 294, 296, 313, 
 320, 321, 337, 341. 
 
 Thomas, jun. (Sir), 261, 264, 265, 281, 290, 
 
 292, 297, 302, 304, 305, 312, 313, 320. 
 
 William, 217, 234. 
 
 Jones, Richard, 263, 315. 
 
 Roger, 173, 229. 
 
 Jugler-street, 32, 36, 91, 229, 289, 293, 317. 
 Justice, Lord Chief, 44. 
 
 Kay, Nevil, 200, 201. 
 Kelinge, Denis, 12. 
 Kendale, Henry de, 12. 
 Kenion, Richard, 232. 
 Key (quay), 187. 
 Kile, Thomas, 225. 
 Kirk, John, 142. 
 Kitchen, William, 239, 334. 
 Kuype, Thomas, 105. 
 
 Lancaster, Earls of, 6-12. 
 
 Duke of, 13, 26. 
 
 disputes with, 298, 299, 300. 
 
 Peter, 180. 
 
 Lancelots hey, 314. 
 Langdale, Marmaduke, 70. 
 Lappage, Edwin, 199. 
 Latham, Robert, 24. 
 
 Robert de, 8. 
 
 Lathom of Lathom, 21. 
 house, 69. 
 
 Richard, 255, 256, 330. 
 
 Laud, Archbishop, 220. 
 Lauderdale, Earl of, 245, 311. 
 Lawton, Daniel, 301, 302, 303, 304. 
 Lea, Edmund, 294. 
 
 League and covenant, renunciation of, 239. 
 Leasing by Corporation, 171, 173. 
 Leases — see fee-farm rents. 
 Leave-lookers, 59. 
 
35° 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Leche, Randall, 40. 
 Lecture, monthly, 200. 
 Leech, Marie, 228. 
 Legh of Lyne, 240. 
 
 Sir Piers, 47. 
 
 Leigh of Bagguley, 49. 
 John, 322. 
 
 Lord, 48. 
 
 Leivesley, Edmund, 238. 
 
 Lent, proclamation concerning, 117. 
 Lessons, reading of, 198. 
 Leverpoole, John de, 27. 
 Levy of soldiers, III. 
 
 money, in. 
 
 Ley, Richard, 59. 
 
 Libelling the Council, penalty for, 335. 
 
 Lievesay, Edmund, 263. 
 
 Lievesley, Edward, 337. 
 
 Lightburn, James, 254. 
 
 Lighthouses opposed, 242. 
 
 Lighting streets, 192, 316. 
 
 Lincoln, Bishop of, 224. 
 
 Lionel, Duke of Clarence, 15. 
 
 Litherland, Edward, 247. 
 
 Liverpool, name of, 1. 
 
 Lockwood, Lewis, 118. 
 
 London, exemptions from toll, 297. 
 
 Bishop of, 245. 
 
 Lord-3treet, 275, 291, 314, 316, 331. 
 Lord-Lieutenant, orders to, 257. 
 Lordship purchased, 15, 278. 
 Low-hill, 190. 
 
 Lucas, Robert, 257. 
 
 Lunt, John, 194. 
 
 Lurting or Lyrtinge, John (1580), 53. 
 
 John (1658-68), 188, 231, 266, 268, 269- 
 
 339- 
 
 Nicholas, 212. 
 
 Peter, 238, 24i, 248, 249, 279, 296, 298, 
 
 299. 318, 334. 336. 
 
 Richard, 247, 287. 
 
 Robert, 185, 188, 222, 233. 
 
 Thomas, 264. 
 
 William, 204. 
 
 Lyme, Olivor, 257, 260, 266, 287, 327. 
 
 Lyverpol, Richard de, 7. 
 Lyverpull, William de, 13. 
 
 Macclesfield, Earl of, 292. 
 Mallinger, 167. 
 Malone, Christopher, 127. 
 Malt, 181. 
 
 Manchester goods, 88, 89. 
 
 Mannwaring, Mainwaring, or Maynwaring, John 
 (16th century), 32, 48, 53, 69. 
 
 John (1642), 233. 
 
 Mardyke-fort, 287. 
 Marie Grace (ship), 38. 
 Mark, Edmund, 226. 
 Markets, 9, 68. 
 Marriages, 35, 113. 
 Marsden, — , 251. 
 
 Rev. — , 322. 323, 324, 326. 
 
 Marser, Richard, 32. 
 
 Marsh, Edward, 276, 277. 
 
 Evan, 173, 238. 
 
 John, 294. 
 
 Roger, 59. 
 
 Martyn, Gilbert, 113. 
 Martyndale, Sir James, 98. 
 
 Thomas William, 53. 
 
 Mary, Queen, 32. 
 
 Mass daily ordered, 95. 
 
 Mason, Thomas, 53. 
 
 Massam, Ralph, 148, 155, 163, 204, 232, 238, 239, 334. 
 
 Massey, Edward, 297. 
 
 William, 40, 41, 42, 69. 
 
 Mather, Richard (16th century)/55, 57, 128. 
 
 Rev. Richard (1629), 200, 201. 
 
 Matthews, Thomas, 318. 
 
 Maude, Joshua, 300. 
 
 Maudit, Jasper, 260, 261, 288, 292, 301, 304, 305, 
 
 309, 321, 327. 
 May, Thomas, 217. 
 Maynall, Thomas, 53. 
 Mayor first mentioned, 15, 51. 
 Mayor's mount, 128. 
 Mee, William, 232. 
 Meldrum, Sir John, 139. 
 Melling, Jacob, 59. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 3Si 
 
 Melling, Reynald, 32. 
 
 Richard, 213, 218, 229, 230. 
 
 Mercer, Giles, 319. 
 Lady, 66. 
 
 Lawrence, 12?, 140. 
 
 Ralph, 238. 
 
 Richard, 155, 269, 331, 342. 
 
 Robert (1552), 59- 
 
 (1672), 285. 
 
 Merchandize (1329), II. 
 
 Merry Monday, 35. 
 Mersey, Hugh, 34. 
 
 navigation, 241. 
 
 Mershe, John, 39. 
 
 Merton, Gilbert, 59. 
 
 Middensteads, 191. 
 
 Middle mill dale, 67. 
 
 Middleton, Sir Hugh, 267. 
 
 Midleton, Lord, 245, 311. 
 
 Milch cow for Incumbent, 199. 
 
 Mill dam, 67. 
 
 Millington, Gilbert, 203. 
 
 Mills, 8, 9, 13. 
 
 Milnes, Thomas, 59. 
 
 Molyneux, Caryl, Lord, 14, 259, 260, 274, 275, 276, 
 
 277, 278, 280, 281, 293, 325. 
 John, 252. 
 
 Oliver, 336. 
 
 Sir Richard (1446), 21, 22. 
 
 Sir Richard (1553-1601), 32, 34, 37, 56, 62, 63, 
 
 68, 74, 89, III, 112. 
 
 Sir Richard, 1st Lord Maryborough, 131, 
 
 132. 
 
 Sir Richard, 2nd Lord, 132, 133, 134, 135, 137 
 
 138, 145, 169, 180. 
 
 Robert, 14$. 
 
 Thomas, 167. 
 
 Sir Thomas, 22. 
 
 Sir William, 25, 47. 
 
 William, Lord, 281. 
 
 family, disputes with, 274-281. 
 
 Moorcroft, Mrs., 267. 
 
 Richard, 337. 
 
 Mor, More, or Moore, Anthony, 40, 42, 43, 44, 52. 
 Sir Cleave, 288, 289. 
 
 Mor, More, or Moore, Edward (Sir Edward), 154, 
 155, 156, 160, 170, 176, 180, 214, 217, 218, 229, 
 230, 253, 276, 283, 284, 316, 319, 320, 328, 336. 
 
 John de la, (1292), 7, 9. 
 
 John del (1346), 13. 
 
 John (1555), 32, 74. 
 
 Colonel John, 124, 128, 129, 138, 141, 
 
 "471 IS9. 162, 175, 176, 202, 220, 221. 
 
 Richard, 169, 230. 
 
 Robert (1580-92), 34, 42, 43, 53, 63, 112, 
 
 114. 
 
 Robert (1672), 283. 
 
 William del (1346), 13. 
 
 William (1529), 24, 65. 
 
 William (1580), 53, 56, 96. 
 
 Street (Tithebarn-street), 36. 
 
 Street, 314, 318, 320. 
 
 Moreton, Bishop of Kildare, 252. 
 
 Morley, Lord, 124. 
 
 Morris, John, 292. 
 
 Thomas, 227. 
 
 Mosley, Edward, 132, 275. 
 Moss, Roger, 53. 
 Moss-Reeves, 59, 190. 
 
 Moss-lake, 273, 288. ( 
 
 Mosse, Richard, 117. 
 
 Robert, 32, 34. 
 
 Muringers, 167, 188. 
 Musgrave, Philip, 257. 
 Mylne Street, 36, 91. 
 Mylnes, Henry, 35. 
 
 Thomas, 32. 
 
 Mytton, Robert, 53. 
 
 New hall, 316. 
 Newcomen, Lieut., 149. 
 Newell, William, 57. 
 Newport, William, 340. 
 Nicholossby, Robert, 66. 
 Nicholson, Edward (1580), 53. 
 
 Edward (1624), 185, 220, 231. 
 
 Sir Evan, 97. 
 
 William, 73. 
 
 Norbury, Thomas, 269. 
 Norman, William, 297, 334- 
 
352 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Norreys or Norris 
 
 Alan le (1296), 8. 
 
 Alexander, 261, 264. 
 
 Col. Edward, 138. 
 
 Richard, 261, 264, 287, 291, 294, 303, 305, 
 
 309, 320. 
 
 Robert le (1327), 9. 
 
 Thomas (1464), 24. 
 
 Thomas (1688), 259, 261. 
 
 William (1464), 24. 
 
 William (1645), 145. 
 
 Sir William (1555), 32, 37, 56, 68, 74, 95. 
 
 Sir William (1698), 292, 325. 
 
 of West Derby, 240. 
 
 Oar, Silver, 308. 
 Oath of Burgess, 121. 
 
 of Churchwarden, 123. 
 
 of Mayor, 122. 
 
 Officers, Municipal, 59. 
 Ogle, Major Henry, 153, 154. 
 Old Hall, 198, 289. 
 
 Street, 66, 316, 317. 
 
 Olgrave, Humphrey, 66. 
 O'Neale, Sir Neale, 330. 
 Oliver, Ralph, 35. 
 Ore, John (1566), 36, 104. 
 Ore, John (1639), 226. 
 Ormond, Duke of, 245, 311. 
 Ouldfield, Robert, 211. 
 Overton, Nathaniel, 215, 
 
 Page, John, 57. 
 
 Parish, applications for separate, 214, 215, 292, 324. 
 
 Park lane, 273, 288. 
 
 Parker, John, 197. 
 
 Parlour hey, 289. 
 
 Parre, Alice, 73. 
 
 William, 75. 
 
 Parry, John, 269. 
 
 Patten, Thomas, 241. 
 
 Paupers to wear badges, 389. 
 
 Paving, 10, 315. 
 
 Pawlett, Rev. Thomas, 324. 
 
 Pearson, Bishop of Chester, 323, 329. 
 
 Pemberton, John (1558), 74. 
 
 (1662), 238, 313. 
 
 William, 54. 
 
 Perch erected, 308. 
 Percivall, Edward, 239. 
 
 Richard, 173, 238. ■» 
 
 Petitions, 20, 46, 146. 
 
 Phenix (Fenwick) street, 314, 318, 319. 
 
 alley, 314. 
 
 Phepole — , 82. 
 
 Philip and Mary, 28. 
 
 Picton, — , 179. 
 
 Piers, Capt., 89, 108. 
 
 Pillory, 191. 
 
 Pinfold, 191. 
 
 Pinklowe, Robert, 8. 
 
 Plague, 93, 142, 192, 193, 194- 3'7- 
 
 Plate, Church, 327. 
 
 inventory of, 152, 160, 269. 
 
 Pluckington, William, 288. 
 
 Pool and stream, 67, 186, 308, 314. 
 
 house, 114. 
 
 houses, 318. 
 
 lane, 316. 
 
 Poole, David, 266, 281, 290, 291, 300, 318, 331. 
 Poor law, 158. 
 
 regulations, as to, 114. 
 
 Pope, - , 255. 
 Population, 37, 46, 90. 
 Port, limits of, 306. 
 
 regulations of, 311. 
 
 Postlethwaite, Samuel, 337. 
 
 Thomas, 53. 
 
 Pottery from Prescot, 312. 
 Poultney, Richard, 212. 
 Powell, Ralph, 50. 
 Pratt,—, 81. 
 Precedence, rules of, 229. 
 
 in church, 105, 210, 329. 
 
 Precedences, 30. 
 Precept from Crown, 20. 
 Preeson, Thomas, 249, 285. 
 
 William, 264, 289, 302, 312, 321. 
 
 Preeson's row, 314 
 Prenton, Robert, 284, 315. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 353 
 
 Prescot freemen, 56 
 
 exemption from toll, 294. 
 
 Prescott, Edward, 73. 
 
 George, 232. 
 
 James, 258, 279, 281, 287, 324. 
 
 Prickett, Richard, 85. 
 Proclamation against vice, 380. 
 Prysage on wines, 274. 
 Prysors, 59, 81, 85. 
 
 Quarles, Francis, 124. 
 
 Quarry mount, 189. 
 
 Quo warranto writs, 6, 28, 108, 241. 
 
 Rainforfhe, George, 62. 
 
 Rankyn, d'Ypres, 16. 
 
 Ranulf, Earl of Chester, 5. 
 
 Ratcliffe, Ralph de, 22. 
 
 Rattclyffe, Thomas, 213. 
 
 Rawlinson, Thomas, 59. 
 
 Ray, Rev. — , 200. 
 
 Recorder, first mention of, 61 . 
 
 Records mutilated, 248. 
 
 Redcross street, 314. 
 
 Register of burials, &c, 209. 
 
 Rentally, king's, return of, 26. 
 
 Requisition for ships, &c, 234. 
 
 Revenues of Corporation, 65, 66, 174, 293. 
 
 Reynforth, Richard, 59. 
 
 Richard I, King, 1. 
 
 II, 17. 
 
 Ill, 22. 
 
 Richmond, Silvester, 246, 247, 255, 257, 260, 267, 
 268, 279, 284, 335, 336. 
 
 Rev. Richard, 262, 324, 325, 326. 
 
 Rigby, Hugh, 137, 165, 167. 
 
 James, 206. 
 
 William, 59, 68. 
 
 Robinson, Henry, 233. 
 
 Richard, 228. 
 
 Robson, Hugh, 70. 
 
 Rollin, William, 341. 
 
 Rolls, Master of the, 43, 44, 46. 
 
 Roose, Roger, 49. 
 
 Thomas, 32. 
 
 Roose, William, 32. 
 
 Roper, Robert, 283, 284. 
 
 Rose, Edmund, 168, 180, 218, 219, 274. 
 
 Joseph, 137. 
 
 Richard, 170, 171, 175, 184, 199, 211, 218, 
 
 219, 232. 
 
 Roger, 96. 
 
 Thomas, 37. 
 
 Rosworm, engineer, 138. 
 Rough-heys, 67. 
 Rowe, John, 296. 
 
 Thomas, 298, 308. 
 
 Royle, William, 319. 
 Rughleye, Alexander, 30, 61 . 
 Ruishinge, 157. 
 
 Rupert, Prince, 124, 139, 140, 152. 
 Rycroft, Edward, 269, 341. 
 Ryle, John, 104. 
 
 Sabbath breaking, punishment for, 209. 
 Sacar (ship), 108. 
 Salmon, Richard, 190. 
 Salt, 179. 
 Saltenenmor, 13. 
 Salt-house, 179. 
 Sanderson, John, 311. 
 
 Sandford, Sandeford, or Sandiford, John, 135, 148, 
 150, 151, 173, 294, 302, 304. 
 
 Richard, 280. 
 
 Thomas, 238. 
 
 Samuel, 154. 
 
 Sarah (ship), 89. 
 Savage, Sir John, 47. 
 Scarisbrick, Edward, 145, 147. 
 
 William, 228. 
 
 Scavenging, 190. 
 School lane, 164. 
 Schools, 35. 
 Scolds and chiders, 115. 
 Scott, John, 226. 
 Scutcheon, town's, 62. 
 Sea bank, 67. 
 Seabridge (ship), 180. 
 Seal of the borough, 4, 270. 
 Seamen, forced levy of, 311. 
 
 Y Y 
 
354 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Seawell, 298. 
 
 Secora or Seacome, Thomas, 32, 53, 79, 94. 
 Ralph, 125, 126, 161,211,217,218,219, 
 
 229, 23°- 
 Robert, 210, 254, 255, 257, 263, 269, 279, 
 
 280, 284, 287, 319, 334. 
 
 William, 32, 53, 54. 92- 
 
 Seddon, Sir James, 50, 97. 
 
 Richard, 316. 
 
 Sekerston, Ralph, 30, 34, 36, 37, 46, 47, 54, 69, 74, 
 89, 91, 104. 
 
 Thomas, 89. 
 
 Seneschals, 59. 
 Serjeant-at-Mace, 59. 
 
 Servants, regulations for, 113, 233. 
 
 Setters of flesh boards, 59. 
 
 Sharpies, Cuthbert, 271, 281, 290, 304, 305, 321. 
 
 Shepard, Thomas, 181. 
 
 Shepherd and swineherd, 234. 
 
 Sherborne, Sir Richard, 56. 
 
 Sherwin, Thomas, 300. 
 
 Shields, Robert, 328. 
 
 Ships and shipping, 37, 88, 90, 308. 
 
 Ship-building, 310. 
 
 Shipping, Embargo on, 224. 
 
 Shooting butts, 57, 235, 273, 285, 341. 
 
 Shovel, Sir Cloudesley, 272. 
 
 Sickman's lane, 192. 
 
 Sidney, Sir Henry, 108. 
 
 Siege, 139. 
 
 Silk glove manufacture, 312. 
 
 Simpson, Robert, 342. 
 
 Skinner, James, 336. 
 
 Sloyne, the, 69. 
 
 Smith, Charles, 297. 
 
 organ builder, 327. 
 
 Smyth, John, 65. 
 
 William, 66, 95. 
 
 Soldiers, muster of, 109. 
 
 emeute of, 109. 
 
 Sorocold, John, 223. 
 
 Ralph, 80. 
 
 Sotherne, James, 135, 175, 176, 177. 
 
 Soyner, Alan, 53. 
 
 Spain and Portugal, fellowship, 38, 42. 
 
 Sparke, John, 53. 
 
 Spinning place (ropery), 312. 
 
 Standish, James, 215. 
 
 Stanley, Sir Edward (1566), 47, 56. 
 
 Sir James, Lord Strange (1639), 225, 226, 227. 
 
 John, (1580), 53. 
 
 Sir John de (1406), 21. 
 
 Thomas (1424), 22. 
 
 (1547). 3D. 108. 
 
 Sir Thomas (1562), 34. 
 
 (1643-9), 2 °2, 222. 
 
 William (1662), 307, 332. 
 
 William, Lord Strange (1669), 275, 281, 282, 
 
 313- 
 Stanynough, Peter, 205. 
 Starkey, Peter, 42, 53. 
 Stedman, Benedict le, 13. 
 Stockley, Thomas, 247. 
 Storie, Thomas, 174, 223, 238. 
 Strangeways, William, 171. 
 Stringer, Thomas, 228. 
 Stubbs, Robert, 341. 
 Sturzaker, John, 173, 193, 194, 238, 269, 276, 279, 
 
 299. 3". 3l6, 318,334- 
 Styth, Rev. Robert, 323, 324, 326. 
 Subsidies, 217, 220, 221, 222, 223, 332, 335. 
 Sudley, John, 59. 
 Sunderland, Earl of, 256. 
 Surplice, wearing of, 196. 
 Sutton, Robert, 234. 
 
 Sweeting, Thomas, 271, 283, 289, 290, 292, 303, 305. 
 Swift (Preacher), 198. 
 Swine, regulations concerning, 191, 192. 
 Swineherd, 234. 
 Sydenham, Roger, 109. 
 Sympson, Robert, 232. 
 Tailors' gild, 74. 
 Tallow, 38, 83. 
 Tarbock (1577), 50. 
 
 Peter, 160, 161. 
 
 Tarleton or Tarlton, Ann, 290. 
 Edward (1552), 72, 73. 
 
 Captain Edward (1664-1698), 239, 253, 
 
 25S. 267, 279, 285, 287, 290, 293, 327, 329. 
 George, 188. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 355 
 
 Taileton or Tarlton, John, 59. 
 
 Michael, 153, 155, 298, 3>7- 
 
 Mrs., 337. 
 
 Thomas, 181, 208, 231. 
 
 Richard, 125, 162, 187, 286, 310, 316. 
 
 Timothy, 340. 
 
 Tarvin, George, 312. 
 
 Tatlock, John, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280. 
 
 Tetlowe, Thomas, 40. 
 
 Test and corporation act enforced, 237, 244, 249. 
 
 Thomas, John, 264. 
 
 Thompson, Robert (iSS 2 ), 59- 
 
 (1654), 220. 
 
 Tickle, Thomas, 171. 
 
 Ticknor, Robert, 295. 
 
 Timber granted by parliament, 145. 
 
 Tithebarn, 93. 
 
 street, 32, 140, 207, 293, 316, 317, 319. 
 
 Tobacco, 181. 
 
 box, 270. 
 
 Tolls, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 68. 
 
 Tompson, Rev. Joseph, 201, 203, 204, 206. 
 
 John, 213, 238. 
 
 Tower, the, 315. 
 
 Town clerk first mentioned, 61. 
 
 Town dues, 70, 278, 297. 
 
 field, 128, 293. 
 
 Townhall at High Cross, built, 286. 
 
 old (High street), 286. 
 
 Townley of Townley, 240. 
 Town's bargains, 182, 184. 
 Town's end, 93. 
 Toxteth park, 9, 14, 222, 315. 
 Trade of the port in 1699, 326. 
 Travers, William, 287, 289, 312, 321. 
 Travis, James, 181. 
 
 Tuckie, , 88. 
 
 Turbary, 8, 12, 13, 14, 65. 
 Turner, Edward, 189. 
 John, 291. 
 
 of Preston, 240. 
 
 Rev. — , 200. 
 
 Tuttel, Thomas, 320, 321. 
 
 Tyrer, Thomas, 263, 281, 287, 288, 312. 
 
 Ulster, Judith, 125, 207. 
 Union street, 289, 315. 
 
 Valentine, Nicholas, 214, 231. 
 Vernon, Sir George, 166. 
 John, 136. 
 
 Lord, 136, 165. 
 
 Waddington, Henry, 151. 
 
 Lawrence, 73. 
 
 Wages, regulation of, 113. 
 Wainewright (1650), 129, 147. 
 
 Sir Thomas, 100, 102, 196, 212. 
 
 Waites, the, 35, 61,62, 118, 120, 269. 
 Wakefelde, John, 54. 
 
 Walker, John de (1346), 13. 
 
 John (1552), 59. 
 
 John (1629-50), 126, 128, 129, 130, 132, 136, 
 
 137, 138, 166, 200, 210, 211, 222, 230. 
 
 Peter, 295. 
 
 Roger, 32. 
 
 Wallasey, 38. 
 Walls, Margery, 332. 
 
 Thomas, 329. 
 
 Walseman, Adam, 7. 
 Walsingham, secretary, 44. 
 
 Walton, 95, 200, 202, 203, 213, 215, 324. 
 
 Richard de, 13. 
 
 Walworth, Francis, 136. 
 Wamberg, John de, 12. 
 Ward, William, 203. 
 Wards, division into, 317. 
 Warehouse keepers, 59. 
 Warine of Lancaster, 1,2. 
 Warmingham, Thomas, 266. 
 Warmyshire, Richard, 59, 66. 
 Warrington, sickness from, 143, 191, 193. 
 Washington, Richard, 129, 147, 173, 208. 
 Washy-flash, 286. 
 
 Watching, 193, 316, 317. 
 Water-bailiff, 59, 308, 310. 
 
 Street, 32, 36, 66, 91, 229, 293, 308, 315, 316, 
 
 318. 
 
 supply, 287, 319, 320. 
 
 Waterford and Wexford, 76, 87, 178, 297. 
 
356 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Wavertree chapel, 95. 
 
 mill, 24. 
 
 Way, , 148. 
 
 Weapons of burgesses, 33. 
 Weaver, Thomas, 238. 
 
 navigation, 241. 
 
 Webster, Thomas, 310. 
 
 Websters, gild of, 74. 
 
 Weights and measures, regulation of, 86. 
 
 Welles, Richard, 166, 173. 
 
 Weston, , 129, 148. 
 
 Whalley, Edmund, 269. 
 Wheel of Fortune (ship), 307. 
 Whicksted, Thomas, 55, 69, 70, 101. 
 White cross, 91, 192, 294. 
 Whitehead, Thomas, 295. 
 Whitfield, James, 276, 277. 
 
 Robert, 338. 
 
 Widows and fatherless children, 143. 
 Wigan, dispute with, 298. 
 Wignall, Jane, 116. 
 Wikerline, G. R., 226. 
 Wilkinson, John, 53. 
 William III, King, 258, 259. 
 
 Williamson, Edward, 148, 173, 210, 238, 239, 313, 
 317- 
 
 James, 167, 175, 202, 205, 223, 231. 
 
 John, 208, 218, 219, 222, 225, 230, 231, 232. 
 
 Margery, 232. 
 
 Richard, 173. 
 
 Robert, 207, 220, 231, 247, 251, 254, 279, 285, 
 
 287, 295. 
 
 Williamson, Thomas, 150, 155, 173. zo6 > 22 9> 238, 
 
 239- 
 
 William, 142, 195, 270, 281, 312. 
 
 Wilson, John, 226. 
 
 Winchester, Bishop of, 224. 
 
 Windall, Richard, 254, 255, 263, 281, 282, 287, 312, 
 
 34«- 
 Wines, 180. 
 Winstanley or Wynstanley, Elizabeth, 186. 
 
 John (1551), 32. 
 
 John (1660-4), 130, 141, 148, 149, 150, 
 
 151, 166, 176, 183, 214, 215, 222, 223,239, 240, 
 
 241. 
 
 Thomas, 65, no. 
 
 Wood, Baylie, 233. 
 Woods, John, 127. 
 Woodward, Thurstan, 228. 
 Woolfall, Robert, 342. 
 
 of Woolfall, 240. 
 
 Worcester, Marquis of, 251. 
 Workmen, regulations as to, 233. 
 Worrall, Thomas, 88. 
 
 Richard, 311. 
 
 William, 336. 
 
 Wray, Christopher, 45. 
 Wrecks, inquiry into, 24. 
 
 Wright, , 154. 
 
 John (1580), 53. 
 
 John (1628), 234. 
 
 Wyndille, Robert, 59. 
 Wytter,-John, 73. 
 
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