Catalogue description Royal letters patent

Recital that for many years before these times the government of the town of Faversham was believed to belong to the Mayor and Jurats of the town, and lately to the Abbot of Faversham, and that now that occasion has arisen for the basis of the incorporation and formation of the town to be examined, it has been found insufficiently firm and valid in law, and that the King wishes to incorporate the town anew for the benefit of the inhabitants.

Appointment of John Seathe, inhabitant of the town, as Mayor, to act until the last day of September next, and of John Seathe, Richard Deyland, the elder, gentleman, William Castlocke, Thomas Ardern, Stephen Mott, Robert Coldwell, John Dryland, the elder, Lewis Marden, Thomas Gate, William Marchall, Thomas Dunkyn and Simon Auncell, inhabitants of the town, as Jurats, and of all the above and John Wreake, Anthony Love, George Straunsham, John Deylond, the younger, Thomas Straunsham, William Maycote, Thomas Oldfeld, John Pullen, John Snothe, Henry Philpott, John Johnson, Richard Johnson, James Payne, John Goughe, Thomas Hilles, William Vynnour, John Damporte, Edmund Vessey, John Otrington, Edward Coke, Ralph Deakon, Thomas Mason, John Grene, Thomas Tenakre, William Neele, Edward Gayle, William Wyer, Robert White, Robert Grover, Edmund Genyns, John Robynson, John Tyndale, Richard Swayne, John Collen, John Vaughter, William Hale, Richard Smythe, Thomas Gorham, Richard Bonde, Henry Bonde, John Gille, Thomas Bargrove, William Hutchynson, and John Culverden, to enjoy all the rights formerly enjoyed by so-called freemen in the town.

Grant that the Mayor and Jurats or the greater part of them may admit Jurats and persons to enjoy the rights enjoyed by so-called freemen and that the latter shall be deemed freemen of the town of Faversham; and that the Mayor, Jurats and inhabitants shall be incorporated by the name of the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty of the town of Faversham, with perpetual succession; and that the Jurats or the greater part of them shall each year on the last day of September at the freemen, nominate two of their number, from whom the freemen or the greater part of them shall elect a Mayor for the year next following, who shall there in the presence of his predecessor or the Jurats make oath to execute his office faithfully and truly; and that if a Mayor shall be elected for the remainder of the year by the process already set out; and that if a Jurat dies or is removed, the Mayor and Jurats or the greater part of them shall elect a freeman in his place; and that each Mayor shall choose a Sergeant at Mace to serve until the last day of September for proclamations, executions and other things belonging to his office, who may bear a Mace during his term of office within the town, and that if the Sergeant at Mace dies or is removed during his office the Mayor shall appoint another; and that the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty may sue and be sued in any court in any cause by the name of the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty of the town of Faversham; and that they may have a common seal; and that they be persons legally capable of accepting manors, lands, rights and chattels, to be held of the King in chief, without special permission, any provision to the contrary notwithstanding; and that the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty shall enjoy any lands etc. formerly granted to the Baron, and Commonalty, or the Mayor and Jurats of Faversham, or to them by any other name, and lands etc. Formerly granted to those deemed the Barons, or the Mayor and Commonalty or the Mayor, Barons and Commonalty, or the Mayor and Jurats, or any of them by any name; and that the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty may give, alienate or assign any of their lands, etc.; and that they may receive by gift or grant from any person the lands and tenements in the parishes and towns of Harty and Faversham, Kent, and in the parishes of Icklesham, Guestling, Udimore and Brede, Sussex, and elsewhere in Kent and Sussex, formerly the property of Henry Hatche, deceased, to be held of whomsoever they are now held, the statute of Mortmain notwithstanding.

Grant of view of frankpledge and lect of all the inhabitants, to be held before the Mayor in the town twice each year, that is once within the week after Michaelmas, and once within the week after Easter, with all fines, profits, etc., belonging to the same; and of the assay and assize of bread, wine, beer and other victuals, within the town, with the tenements goods and chattels of felons, fugitives, condemned outlaws and of those adjudged dead in any other way, being or found within the town, and the goods and chattels of suicides, and deodands, and goods and chattels abandoned and strayed within the town.

Grant of right to hold a Portmouth Court before the Mayor in the town on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week, or less or more often, and at that court to take cognizance of fines and recoveries of messuages, lands and tenements within the town, and to hear and determine all pleas of assize, and all pleas, actions and suits concerning lands within the town, and to make due execution thereof; and that all fines and recoveries had and levied in that court shall be valid in law according to the usage in the town of Sandwich; grant of all profits of the said courts and of the tolls in Faversham.

Grant of a market to be held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday each week, and on all half-holidays, in the Market Place, with all the profits thereof; and of authority to carry out the office of Clerk of the Market; and of profits arising from persons not freemen, for their admission; and of a fair to be held on the first day of August each year, and lasting for seven days, at a place in the town; and of a fair to be held on the feast of St. Valentine [14 February], and lasting for seven days, at a place in the town; and all profits arising from the fair, and a court of pie powder, as commonly used at fairs and markets, with the profits thereof.

Gift of messuage called le Gayle in North Street, and a piece of land on the north of the Gayle, 40 feet long and 40 feet wide, which formerly belonged to the lately dissolved monastery of Faversham; and of right to make a gaol and prison in the town for ever; all of which lands, fairs, markets, profits, view of frankpledge, courts, etc. are worth eight pounds a year, and are to be held of the King in fealty as in free burgage of the town of Faversham, and not in chief, at the annual rent of eight pounds to be paid to the Court of Augmentations at Michaelmas each year, for all rents, services etc. in any way due to the King; grant of all the rents, profits etc. from Michaelmas last past.

Confirmation of all priviledges, liberties, etc. usually exercised by the person holding the office of Mayor of Faversham, and all those granted by former Kings to the Barons or the Mayor and Commonalty, or the Mayor, Barons and Commonalty, or the Mayor and Jurats of Faversham, or to them by any other name.

Grant that the major part of the Jurats and Freemen may make laws, statutes and ordinances for the common good and the safe government of the town, and may alter them or keep them for ever, as the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty of Sandwich can do.

Grant of the present letters patent without fine or fee, great or small

At Westminster, 27 January, 37 Henry VIII [1545/6]

At foot of charter 'per breve de privato sigillo et de data predicta auctoritate parliamenti'.

Endorsed in 19th century hand "Matth. Denham".

[Patent Roll, 37 Henry VIII, p.16, m.34]