Sister Elizabeth late deceased Queen of England by her letters
patent under the great seal of England bearing date at Westminster
the twenty-third day of January in the twenty-sixth year[609] of her
reign gave and granted for herself her heirs and successors unto
Mathew Baker and John Addey Shipwrights and to the longer liver of
either of them among other[610] things a certain annuity or annual
rent of twelve pence sterling a day: to have and to receive yearly
the said annuity or annual rent of twelve pence sterling a day to
the aforesaid Matthew Baker and John Addey and their assigns and to
the longer liver of either of them from the Feast of the Nativity of
the Lord then last past before the date of the same letters patent
during the natural life of the same Mathew Baker and John Addey and
the longer liver of either of them from her Treasury and that of her
heirs and successors at the Receipt of the Exchequer at Westminster
of herself her heirs and successors at the hands of the Treasurer
and Chamberlain of her her heirs and successors there for the time
in being at the four terms of the year namely at the Feast of the
Annunciation of the B.V. Mary of St. John the Baptist of St. Michael
the Archangel and of the Nativity of the Lord in equal portions.
And whereas also our same dearest Sister Elizabeth by other letters
patent under the great seal of England bearing date at Westminster
the twenty-ninth day of July in the thirty-second year of her
reign[611] gave and granted for herself her heirs and successors to
Joseph Pett Shipwright another annuity or annual fee of twelve pence
a day of lawful money of England; to have hold and receive unto the
same Joseph Pett and his assigns during the natural life of the
same Joseph Pett from the Treasury of her her heirs and successors
at the Receipt of the Exchequer at Westminster by the hands of the
Treasurer and Chamberlain there and from time to time existing, as
by the several said letters patent more plainly doth appear. Which
said Mathew Baker and John Addey and Joseph Pett to this day remain
alive and to this present have and enjoy the said several annuities
by virtue of the several letters patent aforesaid. Know ye that we
of our special grace and sure knowledge and mere motion also in
consideration of the good true and faithful service to us done and
hereafter to be done by our beloved and faithful subject Phineas
Pett now serving our dearest son Henry Prince of Wales both in the
building of the ships of us our heirs and successors and in his
attendance on our marine affairs and causes have given and granted
and by these presents for ourself our heirs and successors do give
and grant to the same Phineas Pett that annuity or annual fee of
twelve pence sterling a day of good and lawful money of England out
of the two above named annuities whichever first after the date of
these presents by death resignation surrender or composition of any
one of the aforesaid Mathew Baker and John Addey and Joseph Pett or
in any other manner shall have become vacant or determined or shall
hereafter become vacant or cease. To have hold enjoy and receive
the said annuity or annual fee of twelve pence a day as is in manner
aforesaid vacated or determined or shall hereafter determine to the
aforesaid Phineas Pett or his assigns for the term of the natural
life of the same Phineas immediately from the time at which either of
those annuities shall first become vacant or determine as aforesaid
from the Treasury of us our heirs and successors at the Receipt of
our Exchequer at Westminster by the hands of the Treasurers and
Chamberlains of us our heirs and successors there from time to time
in being at the four terms of the year namely at the Feast of St.
Michael the Archangel the Nativity of the Lord the Annunciation of
the B.V. Mary and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist in equal
portions to the aforesaid Phineas Pett or his assigns during the
natural life of the same Phineas Pett annually to be paid the first
payment thereupon commencing at that feast of the aforesaid feasts
which first and nearest shall fall after one of the two separate
aforesaid annuities of twelve pence a day shall become vacant or
determined in the mode and fashion above specified. Although express
mention etc. In witness etc. Witness the King[612] at Westminster the
26th day of April.
By writ of Privy Seal.
FOOTNOTES:
[608] In the enrolment this is given simply as 'Rex'; in the original
the commencement would be 'Jacobus Dei Gratia,' etc.
[609] 23 Jan. 1584.
[610] _I.e._ the office of Master Shipwright with its emoluments.
[611] 29 July 1590.
[612] In the original this would be 'meipso'; myself.
II
Petition of Shipwrights for Incorporation (?) 1578
(_No signatures or date_)
[=S.P. Dom., Eliz., ccxxvii. 63=]
To the right honourable the Lords of her Majesty's most honourable
Privy Council.
In most humble and reverent wise do complain unto your honours as
well the M^r. Shipwrights of her Majesty's Ships, as also all other
of the same art, that take charge over any of that faculty, be it in
ships, boats, barges, or any such like vessels, both appertaining
to her Majesty or her Highness' subjects, specially within the
liberty of the Thames and other places near adjoining to the same.
In the which place, as all kind of vessels are greatly increased, so
are the artificers likewise augmented, only in number, but less in
skill, whereby such as do use them are not only deceived but also
the work greatly endangered. Besides their manners are mutinous even
in her Majesty's service, and their exactions intolerable amongst
her Majesty's subjects. These and many other enormities, which daily
increase to the great grief of many her Majesty's good and honest
subjects, may bring the art to a ruinous state.
In tender consideration of the premises we humbly pray your Honours
to be a mean unto her Highness that a Corporation may be granted in
such reasonable form as her Majesty's learned Council shall allow
of, and be thought meet for us; whereby her Majesty in her own Navy
shall be more safely and dutifully served, the whole State through
the Realm better furnished, and we daily bound to pray to Almighty
God both for her Majesty and your Honours' most happy and prosperous
estate.
III
Charter to Shipwrights, 22nd April 1605.
[=Pat. Roll. 1684=]
[_Parts in italics abbreviated to save space_]
James &c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting. Whereas
we are credibly informed as well by our right trusty and well-beloved
cousin and councillor Charles Earl of Nottingham, High Admiral
of England and Captain General of our Navy Royal as also by our
principal officers of our said Navy how slenderly and deceitfully
as well our own ships and barges as also other ships boats pinnaces
and like vessels of our merchants and other our subjects used in
continual service and traffic are made and wrought to the great loss
danger and prejudice of us and our said subjects and also of the
great and wasteful charge and expense which we do from time to time
bear and sustain in building and repairing our own ships and pinnaces
which are and have been the chiefest and greatest defence of this
our Realm from the assaults of such enemies as have practised the
overthrow of the same. We weighing the manifold dangers losses and
hindrances which may and are likely more and more to ensue thereof if
speedy remedy be not therefore had and provided, and to the end that
the fittest and ablest shipwrights and workmen may from time to time
as cause shall require be made known unto our principal officers of
our Navy and to be employed for wages for the building repairing and
making of our own ships and pinnaces as also may have the oversight
of all such other workmen as shall from time to time be employed or
shall intermeddle in building of other ships pinnaces or vessels for
other our merchants and subjects for the further more better and
continual service of us our Realm and subjects. Know ye therefore
that we intending to provide for the better strengthening of this
our Realm with shipping for the defence and service thereof and to
the intent that as well our self as also our merchants and other our
subjects may from time to time hereafter be furnished stored and
supplied with skilful shipwrights and workmen of that kind to work
upon our Navy and other ships and vessels for the better suppressing
of deceits and other abuses which may hereafter be practised by
divers persons which shall take upon them without sufficient skill
and knowledge to make or repair ships pinnaces and other vessels
to the great danger and hindrance as well of our self as of divers
other our loving subjects, of our special grace certain knowledge
and mere motion have given granted constituted and ordained and by
these presents for us our heirs and successors do grant constitute
and ordain that all and every person and persons being shipwrights
or carpenters using the Art or Mystery of building and making of
ships within this our Realm of England and Dominion of Wales shall
be from henceforth forever one body corporate and body politic in
matter deed and name by the name of Master, Wardens and Commonalty
of the Art or Mystery of Shipwrights of England.... [_To be_] one
Master and four Wardens and twelve Assistants ... do assign name
ordain and constitute our well-beloved subject Mathew Baker our
servant and ancientest Master Shipwright to be the first Master ...
Joseph Pett and William Bright two other of our Master Shipwrights,
Edward Stephens of Limehouse and Nicholas Symonson of Ratcliffe in
the county of Middlesex Shipwrights to be the first four Wardens....
John Adye of Deptford in our county of Kent, Phineas Pett of Chatham
in our county of Kent, John Apslyn of our said town and county, Peter
Pett of Wapping in our county of Middlesex, Nicholas Cley of Redriff
in our county of Surrey, Thomas Cole of Woodbridge in our county
of Suffolk, Robert Wilkinson of Ipswich in our county of Suffolk,
James Russell of Southwark in our said county of Surrey, John Head
of our City of Bristol, Esau Whitehead of our town of Southampton
in our county of Southampton, Thomas Dymocke of Horsey Downe[613]
in our said county of Surrey and Thomas Pryme of Yarmouth in our
county of Norfolk, Shipwrights, to be the first and present twelve
Assistants....
[_Power to hold and dispose of real property; to plead and defend in
any Court; to have a common seal._]
[_To meet in a_] convenient house or hall for their use to be by them
provided within the City of London or Suburbs[614] of the same or
within five miles of the said City ... Nicholas Rabye Gent. to be the
first and present Clerk....
[_Power to meet in their hall and_] to entreat consult determine
constitute ordain and make any Constitutions Statutes Laws Ordinances
Articles and Orders whatsoever ... touching or concerning the good
estate rule order and good government of the said Master Wardens
and Commonalty ... and in what Order and manner the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty ... and all other person and persons using
the said art or mystery within this Realm of England or Dominion
of Wales shall demean and behave themselves [_with power to punish
offenders.... Power to_] view search and survey all and every the
Works and Workmanship of all and every person or persons whatsoever
making working or building or which hereafter shall make work or
build any manner of ships, pinnaces or other vessels and all manner
of timber and wood appointed provided and fitted for the building
of ships ... [_Ships found to be_] falsely and deceitfully and
untruly made wrought and builded [_timber, wood, &c. to be put in
safe custody and complaint made to Justices of Peace.... Power to_]
buy and provide in any the places beyond the seas all such timber
planks masts deals spars and wood and also all pitch, tar, rosin and
oil as they shall think necessary and convenient for the building
or repairing of ships pinnaces or other vessels [_and bring same
to England or Wales on payment of custom and other duties. Since
the Master Wardens and Commonalty_] are to be as occasion shall be
offered employed and attendant upon the Navigation of Us [etc., _the
said Master Wardens and Commonalty shall not_] be enforced put placed
or impannelled in or upon any Assises Juries Inquests or Attaints
whatsoever [_nor_] be pressed or enforced to serve ... as land
soldiers....
[_Power to elect Beadles to gather fines penalties &c. and distrain.
Power to hold land, tithes &c._]
Witness ourself at Westminster the two and twentieth day of April.
By writ of Privy Seal.
FOOTNOTES:
[613] Horsleydown, below the Tower, on the opposite shore.
[614] MS. 'Subberbes.'
IV
Charter to Shipwrights, 6th May 1612
[=Pat. Roll 1951=]
[_The first nineteen lines as in the Charter of 1605._]
... if speedy remedy be not therefore had and provided, and intending
to provide for the strengthening of these our Kingdoms and Dominions
with sufficient shipping for defence and service thereof, and to
the intent that as well ourself might from time to time be furnished
stored and supplied with the fittest and ablest shipwrights and
workmen for the building making and repairing of our own ships
pinnaces and other vessels as also that our merchants and other our
subjects might also in their works and buildings from time to time
be stored and supplied with skilful and sufficient shipwrights and
workmen, and for the better suppressing of deceits and abuses of
divers persons which should take upon them without sufficient skill
and knowledge to make or repair any ships boats pinnaces or other
vessels, to the great danger and hindrance as well of ourself as of
divers other our loving subjects, We did by our letters patent under
the great seal of England bearing date the two and twentieth day of
April in the years of our reign of England France and Ireland the
third and of Scotland the eight and thirtieth incorporate the Company
of Shipwrights and the persons being shipwrights or carpenters using
the art or mystery of building and making of ships within our realm
of England and Dominion of Wales by the name of Master Wardens and
Commonalty of the art or mystery of Shipwrights of England, and
did grant unto them by our said charter or letters patent divers
privileges liberties and immunities mentioned and contained in the
said letters patent tending to the reformation of the said abuses
and deceits. And whereas divers defects and imperfections have
been since by experience found to be in the said charter as well
in the extent thereof to what persons it should extend as also in
the want of sufficient authority and means to govern and order the
said corporation and the men and members thereof and the affairs
of the same and the shipwrights workmen apprentices and servants
using the said art and for want of power and means to reform prevent
order and correct many contempts misdemeanours deceits and offences
in the said art or mystery and the matters and things thereunto
appertaining and to punish stubborn obstinate and disobedient persons
of that profession, whereby great and manifold errors deceits and
inconveniences are still practised and continued to the great
hindrance of the navigation of this Kingdom the often loss and
hazard of men's lives and goods and the special prejudice of our
own service and the Commonwealth, know ye that we for reformation
amendment and supply of the defects and imperfections aforesaid
and for redress of the said great and manifold errors enormities
deceits and inconveniences, at the humble petition of the said Master
Wardens and Commonalty, and for the great desire we have that good
and convenient laws orders and ordinances should be established and
used in and about the said Corporation and Company and the said
art and mystery, and for the advancement of the good estate of the
shipping and navigation of this Kingdom to the good service both of
ourself and the Commonwealth, have of our especial grace certain
knowledge and mere motion granted constituted and ordained, and by
these presents for us our heirs and successors do grant constitute
and ordain, that all and every person and persons being shipwrights
caulkers or ship-carpenters or in any sort using exercising
practising or professing the art trade skill or mystery of building
making trimming dressing graving launching winding drawing stocking
or repairing of ships carvels hoys pinnaces crayers ketches lighters
boats barges wherries or any other vessel or vessels whatsoever used
for navigation fishing or transportation within or about our realm
of England and Dominion of Wales or of making trimming or repairing
of masts tops pullies pumps for ships oars or any other instruments
or appurtenances of wood thereunto belonging or any other carpentry
work whatsoever belonging to or used occupied or employed in or about
any ships pinnaces or other vessel or vessels above mentioned or in
any sort appertaining to shipping sailing rowing stocking launching
or navigation shall from henceforth for ever be and shall be taken
and accompted to be one body corporate and politic in matter deed
and name by the name of Master Wardens and Commonalty of the art
or mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith in the County of Surrey and
them by the name of Master Wardens and Commonalty of the art or
mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith in the County of Surrey We do
for us our heirs and successors really fully and wholly erect make
ordain create incorporate constitute and declare by these presents
one body corporate and politic in matter deed and name. And ... the
said Master Wardens and Commonalty of the said art or mystery of
Shipwrights of Redrith aforesaid shall from henceforth have perpetual
succession, and ... shall be at all times hereafter a body corporate
and politic able and capable in deed and in law to have hold occupy
possess enjoy and retain all and singular usages customs liberties
privileges immunities jurisdictions franchises pre-eminences benefits
profits and commodities whatsoever to them heretofore granted or
belonging or hereafter to be granted or to be belonging or incident
requisite or fit to or for them or for such a corporation to have and
enjoy of what kind nature or quality soever they shall be to them and
their successors for ever.
[_Power to hold and dispose of lands and other properties; to sue and
be sued; to have a common seal._]
And further we will and for us our heirs and successors we do grant
by these presents, that from henceforth for ever there be and shall
be one Master three Wardens and sixteen Assistants of the said
corporation art or mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith aforesaid to be
constituted and chosen in such manner and form as hereafter in these
presents is expressed and specified. And for the better execution
of the premises and also for the good rule and government of the
Master Wardens and Commonalty of the art or mystery of Shipwrights
aforesaid from time to time forever we have assigned named ordained
and constituted ... our well-beloved subject Phineas Pett our servant
and ancient Master Shipwright to be the first Master of the said
art or mystery of Shipwrights, willing that the said Phineas Pett
be and shall continue Master of the said art or mystery from the
day of the date of these presents until the morrow after the Feast
of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle now next ensuing and then and from
thenceforth until some other meet and sufficient man of the said art
or mystery of Shipwrights aforesaid be elected and sworn to execute
the said office of Master of the said art or mystery of Shipwrights
of Redrith aforesaid according to the ordinances and provisions in
these presents expressed and limited, if the said Phineas Pett shall
so long live, unless the said Phineas Pett shall happen in the mean
time for some misgovernment or other just cause to be removed, whom
for such just cause we will and ordain to be removable according
to the form herein expressed. And also we have assigned ordained
named and constituted ... our well-beloved subjects William Burrell
Nicholas Simonson and Thomas Dymock three other shipwrights to
be the first three Wardens of the art or mystery of Shipwrights
aforesaid.... And moreover for the better assistance and counsel
of the said Master and Wardens in and about the execution of their
several offices, we have assigned named ordained and constituted
... our well-beloved subjects Mathew Baker William Bright Edward
Stephens Nicholas Clay John Apslyn Peter Pett Thomas Jenkins John
Graves Robert Bourne James Marsh William Hedger Thomas Wells William
Picks John May Edmond Jordon and Richard Watford to be the first
and present sixteen Assistants of the said art or mystery, willing
that they the said [_names as before_] and all other assistants of
the said art or mystery for the time being shall be and continue
Assistants of the said art or mystery of Shipwrights of Redrith
aforesaid for and during their natural lives and shall from time to
time be aiding counselling and assisting unto the said Master and
Wardens for the better government rule and direction of the said
Master Wardens and Commonalty of the said art or mystery and every
member thereof, unless they or any of them shall be removed from the
said place of assistant or assistants for some misdemeanour or other
just cause, whom for such just cause we likewise will and ordain to
be removable according to the form herein also expressed. And for the
better establishment of this our good intention and purpose and for
the perpetual and constant continuance direction rule and government
of the whole body of the said art or mystery and every member thereof
we will and ordain that on the morrow next after the said Feast of
Saint Bartholomew the Apostle yearly hereafter the Master Wardens
and Assistants of the said art or mystery of Shipwrights aforesaid
for the time being or the greater part of them for that intent and
purpose to be assembled at or in their common house or hall shall
elect choose and nominate one person who hath formerly been Warden of
the said art or mystery to be Master of the said art or mystery for
the next year then following, and shall at the same time and place
elect choose and nominate out of the said Assistants three that shall
likewise be Wardens of the said art or mystery, which said Master and
Wardens so as aforesaid nominated elected and chosen shall be and
continue Master and Wardens of the said art or mystery unto the end
and term of one whole year then next ensuing and further until some
other Master and Wardens shall be respectively elected and preferred
and chosen thereunto, they and every of them first taking a corporal
oath upon the Holy Evangelist before the Master and Wardens being
their last predecessors or any two of them or before the assistants
of the said corporation art or mystery or the greatest part of them
for the due execution of their several offices respectively, and
also the oath commonly called the Oath of Supremacy, which oaths we
do by these presents give power and authority to the said Master
and Wardens for the time being or any two of them or to the said
Assistants or the greater part of them to minister and take of the
said person or persons so elected accordingly, and then every such
Master Warden and Wardens so removed shall then instantly be chosen
and elected to be Assistant or Assistants and so to remain Assistant
or Assistants in the room and place of him or them that shall be so
chosen out of the said Assistants to be Master Warden or Wardens,
first taking his or their corporal oath or oaths....
[_Power to majorities to remove Master, Wardens, or Assistants for
misdemeanour and elect others in vacancies caused by removal or
death._]
[_Fine not exceeding_ 10_l._ _for refusing or neglecting the office
of Master or Warden, or not exceeding 20 nobles in case of the office
of Assistants._]