The Magna Carta Project

Notification of the King's permission for the barons of London to elect their own mayor

Identity

Title

Notification of the King's permission for the barons of London to elect their own mayor

Beneficiary

Barons of London (People)

Date of issue

9 May 1215

Place of issue

New Temple (London) (Places)

Archive

A = London Metropolitan Archives COL/CH/01/10. Reproduced by kind permission of London Metropolitan Archives, City of London

Copies

B = TNA C 53/12 (Charter Roll 16 John) m.2. C = TNA C 53/13 (Copy from B) m.2.

Seal

Sealed sur double queue, green cords through 2 holes, almost perfect seal impression in natural wax, 98mm., cords hanging down at least 300mm. below the fold.

Enrolled

TNA C 53/12 (Charter Roll 16 John) m.2

Printed

(from BC) RC, 207

Scribes

Comment

Endorsed: carta reg(is) I(ohannis) de maioratu (s.xiii in); l. (s.xiii/xiv); 3 (?s.xiv/xv); + (?s.xiv); various post-medieval endorsements, including 9 (?s.xix). Approx. 160 X 158 + 33mm. Infilled, Quare not alligned.

Photos
Photo of charter
Transcription

aIohannesa Dei gratia rex Angl(ie) bdominus Hybern(ie) dux Norm(annie) Aquit(anie) et com(es) And(egauie) archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, comitibus, baronibus, iustic(iis), vicecomitibus, prepositis et omnibus balliuis et fidelibus suis salutemb. Sciatis nos concessisse et presenti carta nostra confirmasse baronibus nostris de ciuitate cnostra Londoniar(um) quod eligant sibi maiorem de se ipsis singulis annisc qui dnob(is)d sit efidelise, discretus et idoneus ad regimen ciuitatis, ita quod cum electus fuerit, nob(is) vel iustic(iario) nostro si presentes non ffuerimusf presentetur et nob(is) giuret fidelitatem, et quod liceat eis ipsum in fine anni amouere et aliumg substituere si voluerint vel eundem retinere, ita t(ame)n quod nob(is) ostendatur hidemh vel iustic(iario) nostro si presentes non fuerimus. Concessimus etiam eisdem baronibus nostris et ihaci carta jnostra confirmauimus quod habeant bene et in pace, libere et quiete et integre omnes libertatesj suas quibus hactenus usi sunt tam in ciuitate London' quam extra et tam in aquis kquam in terris et omnibus aliis locis salua nob(is) chambe(er)lengeria nostra. Quare volumus et firmiter precipimus quodk predicti barones nostri ciuitatis nostre London' eligant sibi maiorem singulis annis de se ipsis lpredicto modo et quod habeant om(ne)s predictas libertates bene et in pace, integre et plenarie cum omnibusl ad huiusmodi libertates pertinentibus sicut predictum est. Testibus dominis P(etro) Winton', W(altero) Wygorn', cmW(illelmo) Couentr' episcopis, Will(el)moj Brigwerr', Petro filio Herebertik, Galfr(ido) de Lucy et Ioh(ann)e filio Hugon(is)mc. Dat' per manum magistri Ric(ard)i de Mariscis cancellar(ii) nostri apud Nouum Templum London', ix. die Maii anno regni nostri sextodecimo.

aI(ohannes) BC betc BC cillegible B, supplied from AC; London' C dillegible B, supplied from AC efidelis sit BC fillegible B, supplied from AC gillegible in B, supplied from AC hidem not in BC ihac not in BC jillegible in B, supplied from AC; et (libere et quiete) not in C killegible in B, supplied from AC lillegible B, supplied from AC millegible B, supplied from AC; Willielmo (Brewer) C; (Peter fitz) Herberti C

Calendar

Notification that the king has granted and in this his present charter confirmed to the barons of the city of London that they may chose a mayor from among their number each year, who is faithful to the king, discreet, and suitable to the government of the city, to be presented to the king or his justiciar after election to swear fealty. The king also grants to the barons and in this his charter confirms all liberties, saving only the king's chamberlainry.

Original Charters of King John