Certificacio ordinac?ois & incepc?ois frat?intatis Tonso? Lincoln’ virtute p? clamac?ois inde fc~e sequit^a in v?ba Hec est que?a frat?intas fcà & inchoata ex coi assensu omi tonso? Ciuitatis Linco?n in honore dni nri Jhu xpi & b? marie & p?cipue ad honor? sci Johis~ Eungeliste in Natalli dni renouata v?o in festo eiusdem anno dni mil~l~imo CCC^mo sexagesimo nono.

Prima ordinacio est q? he?unt & custentabunt vnu cer?n quadrat~n ardentem omi?z die?z festinis p? annu? cu? tempus fin?t ad altare sci Joh~is Eung?s in monastio b? mar? Linco?n. Et qui?t frat? & soror dc? frat?intatis ibunt in p?cessione cÑ dcà candela & qui?t fr? & soro? offeret? ad ymaginem sci Saluatoris o?. sub pena vnius libr? cere.

Sc?a ordinacio est q? * * * * * *

Decima ordinacio est q?d * * * * * *

Et ad confirmand? plenius om?s ordinac?oes sup^a dicas sigilln? decanatus x?pianitatis Lincoln? p?sentib? est appensu? in finem & testimoniu? p?misso? Dat Lincoln die & anno sup^a dcis.

In tris & teÑ ad gildam p?dcam mortificat? vel non mortificat? nichil h?nt nec cÃt aliqua in manib? ipo? fratrn? & soro? ad usum dc~e gilde existunt nisi ex largioe eo??e ad p?dcÃs deuoc?oes sustinend? & comunia iÑt se non fac nisi tm~ p? dilec?oe int~ eos nutriend?.

The certificate of the ordinances and beginning of the Fraternity of Barbers of Lincoln, by virtue of the proclamation in that behalf made, follows in these words;—

This is a certain fraternity made and begun by the common assent of all the Barbers of the City of Lincoln, in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mary and observed in honour of Saint John the Evangelist, renewed in the feast of the Nativity of our Lord, A.D. 1369.

The first ordinance is, that they have and keep one “quadrate” of wax burning on all feast days throughout the year, and on other special occasions before the altar of Saint John the Evangelist in the Monastery of the Blessed Mary at Lincoln. And all the brothers and sisters of the said fraternity go in procession with the said candle, and all the brothers and sisters offer at the Image of Saint Saviour a halfpenny, under a penalty of one pound of wax.

The second ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this fraternity shall die in the City, the Dean of this guild shall bear in order four “soule candels,” which shall burn about the corpse at the Dirige and remain until the Mass. And all the brothers and sisters, for the soul of the departed, pay a halfpenny to the poor, according to the directions of the Graceman and Wardens, wherever the greater necessity shall be.

The third ordinance is, that if any brother or sister shall die so poor, that he has not whence to be buried as he ought to be, the Graceman and Wardens, of the halfpennies collected, together with any portion of his chattels they find, shall make a general mourning, and do other necessaries that he be honorably buried.

The fourth ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this fraternity shall desire to go into the country (i.e., reside out of the City), he shall give to the sustentation of the aforesaid candle at his going 2s., twopence to the tankards (ad ciphos), 1d. to the Dean of the guild, and afterwards 6d. annually, which he shall pay in three “mornspeeches”355 in equal portions throughout the year.

The fifth ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this guild fall into poverty or sickness, so that he cannot work and prays the charity of this house, each brother and sister of this guild shall give to him 6d. per annum in the three mornspeeches aforesaid, by like equal portions.

The sixth ordinance is, that if any brother of this guild shall receive any apprentice to teach him his art, the same master shall pay for the said apprentice, to the sustentation of the said candle two shillings, and this at the first mornspeech after he shall have taken the said apprentice.

The seventh ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this guild do rebellious works or speeches, and is not willing to be silent but finds fault with the ruling of the Graceman of the guild, he shall give towards the burning of the said candle, one pound of wax,....356 and that without any remission; and whatsoever master or servant within this fraternity or out of it, shall be a thief to the extent of one penny, and of that matter shall be convicted, it is agreed by common consent that he shall abjure occupying his art within the City for ever.

The eighth ordinance is, that none shall be admitted to any Offices in the said guild, unless they have been Barbers, dwelling in the said City; and whoever shall be elected Graceman and shall be unwilling to serve shall give half a stone of wax; and whoever Dean, and shall be unwilling, shall give one pound of wax.

The ninth ordinance is, that by common assent, all the brethren shall have three assemblings in the year, viz.—The first, the Sunday next after the feast of Saint John the Evangelist aforesaid, to hear (the ordinances), to drink together, to settle the accounts, and to elect new officers for the year to come, The second, the Sunday next after the feast of the Apostles Philip and James, And the third, the Sunday next after the feast of the Translation of Saint Hugh.

The tenth ordinance is, that if any brother or sister, the aforesaid ordinances as he is able shall not content, or shall not come when he shall be summoned (unless by any reasonable cause he shall be hindered), he shall give to the sustentation of the said candle, as often as he shall trespass, one pound of wax.

And in full confirmation of all the aforesaid ordinances, the seal of the Rural Dean of Lincoln is affixed to these presents in conclusion and testimony of the premisses. Given at Lincoln the day and year abovesaid.

In lands and tenements to the aforesaid guild in mortmain or otherwise they hold nothing, nor are there any chattels in the hands of them the brothers and sisters to the use of the said guild, except out of their liberality for the sustenance of the aforesaid devotions; nor do they make any gatherings between them, unless however for the purpose of cherishing love amongst themselves.

To all trew Cristen people to whome this present wrytyng shall come Sir Thomas More Knyght and Chauncellor to owre most drad Sou?aigne lorde Kyng Henry the viij^th Kyng of Englond and of ffraunce defensor of the ffaythe and lorde of Irelond: Thomas Duke of Northffolke and Tresourer of Englond, John ffitzjames Knyght Cheyff Justice of owre said Sou?aigne lord is Benche and Ro?t Norwiche Knyght Cheyff Justice of the Com~en Benche Sende gretynge in owre lorde God ev?lasting. Where in A certen Acte in the p?liament holden at Westmynster the xxv^ti daye of January in the xx^th yere of the most Noble Kynge of ffamous memorie Kyng Henry the vij^th made and Ordeyned ffor the Weale and p?ffite of his Subgeitt? it Was Among? other thing? Ordeyned Establisshed and enacted that no Maister Wardens or ffelaiship of Craft? or misteries or any of them or any Rulers of Gyldes or ffrat?nites sholde take upon them to make any Actes or Ordinaunces ne to execute or use any Actes or Ordin^ances by them heretofore made in disenheryting or dymynic?on of the Kyng? p?rogative or any other or Ayenst the Comen Weale and p?ffite of the Kyng? Subgeitt? and liege people but yff the same Actes or Ordin^ances be examyned appoynted and admytted by the Chauncelor and Tresorer of Englond and the Cheyff Justices of eyther Benche or three of theym or els before bothe Justices of Assise in their Circute or progresse in that Shire where soche Actes or Ordin^ances be made upon payne of fforfature of xl^li for ev?y tyme that they doo therunto contrarie as in the said Acte itt doeth more playnly appere: The Maisters and Wardens of the misterie or Crafte of Barbor Surgions of the Citie of London Willing and desiring the said Acte in ev?ry behalff to be observed and kept the xx^ti day of Octobre in the xxij^ti357 yere of the Raigne of owre Sou?aigne lorde Kyng Henry the viij^th have exhibite and p?sented their petic?on thereupon made w^t a Boke conteyning dyvers Statutes Actes and Ordin^ances hertofore devised ordeyned and made for the ffelauship of Barbors Surgions and their Successors and for the Comon Weale and conservac?on of the good estate of the said Crafte and misterie of Barbor Surgions aforesaid and for the Better Rules and Ordin^ances of the same ffelauship establysshed ordeyned and used. And therupon Instantly have desired us that We all and ev?y the said Statutes Ordin^ances and Othes by the same Maister and Wardens and their p?decessors to the fforsaid Entent made ordeyned and establisshed Wolde oversee and exameyn and the same and ev?y of theym correcte Refourme and amend after the maner and due ffourme convenyent and as the fforsaid Acte in the said p?liament made requyreth. Wee Well p?ceyving the said Supplicac?on to be good and acceptable according to their petic?on and desires and by auctoritie of the said Acte of p?liament to us comytted All and ev?y their Othes Actes and Ordin^ances in the said Boke specyfied have p?fightly seen and the same well and ripely understond and theym all and ev?y of theym examyned corrected and reformed the tenure as hereaft? foloweth The Othe of ev?y ffreman ffurste ye shall swere that ye shalbe good and trewe unto owre leige lorde the Kyng and to his heires Kyng? of Englond and obedient to the Maior and his Brethern the Aldermen of the Citie of London. And also ye shalbe obedient to the Maisters or Governors that now be or that hereafter shalbe of the Crafte of Barbor Surgions wherof ye be nowe made ffree, ye shall also obeye kepe and observe all the good Orders Rules and Ordin^ances of the said Crafte hertofore made and not Repelled and herafter to be made so helpe you God and all Saynt? and by this Boke The Othe of the Maisters or Governors ye shall swere that ye shall observe kepe and mayntene the Wourship proffite and Comen Wele of the Crafte of Barbor Surgions in all poynt? laufull and leafull as good and p?ffitable Maisters or Governors and Rulers ought to do after youre good connyng good diligence and power. Also ye shall kepe and maynten and do to be kept and mayntened during yo^r tyme as farforthe as you laufully maye aswell all soche good usages custumes liberties and Ordin^ances of the same Crafte and at this daye used approved and contynued and all and singuler poynt? conteyned in the p?mysses duely and trewly ye shall put in execuc?on When and as often as the Casse shall requyre during yo^r tyme. And also ye shall duely and trewely make yo^r Serches thorough all the Company of the same Crafte Within the Citie of London and Suburbes of the same. And thereupon as the Casse shall requyre all the defaultes and necligences concilement? and inconvenyenc? that may hapne or fall to be ffounde in the Crafte of Barbory or Surgery in yo^r tyme ye diligently shall reforme and sett in good Rule and trewely correcte and ponyshe according to the power and Rules for the reformac?on had and made for the same in the said Crafte And for and during yo^r tyme correcte and lawfully ponyshe after the qualites and gravites of and upon the demerites and default? ffounden in the same after yo^r connyng and power. Also ye shall not admytt eny fforen to be of this misterie whiche herafter shall sue to be ffreman of this Citie by Redempc?on and to be enfraunchised in this misterie w^tout thassent of the xxiiij^ti assistent? of the same Crafte or the more p?te of them. And over that ye shall not charge the hole bodye of this ffelishipp by puttyng the Comen Seale of the same misterie to eny man? writyng cause or matter wherby the same company in any wise may be charged hurted or hyndered. Also in all the p?mysses and other thyng? necessarie concernyng the Weale and proffite of the said Crafte ye shall trewly lawfully diligently and indyfferently behave yo^r selffe after yo^r connyng and power and neyther for mede love ffavor affecc?on nor for drede malice hatred or envie otherwise p?cede Rule or conclude to or with any p?son or p?sones w^t whiche ye shalhave to doo by reason of yo^r said office than the good usages Rules liberties and Ordin^ances for the good ordre of the same Crafte hertofore made and not repelled and herafter to be made. Also at thende of yo^r Office ye shall geve unto the Maisters or Gov?nors that shall succede you next in the same occupac?on this p?sent othe So that they shall duely and trewely in all thing? during the tyme that they shalbe in like Office p?forme and ffulfill the same othe so god you helpe and all Saynt? and by this Boke Also it is ordeyned that ev?ry p?son enfraunchised in the same Crafte shalbe redye at alman? of somons of the maisters or Gov?nors of the said Crafte for the tyme beyng And yff eny soche p?sone absent hym from eny soche somÕns w^tout cause resonable to be tried by his othe byfore the maisters or Gov?nors yff they thynke it necessarie Than he to paye for ev?y so doyng iij^s iiij^d the oon half to the chambre of London the other to y^e almes of the crafte Also y^t every man enfraunchesed in the said Crafte beyng duely warned or somÕned that kepeth not his houre accordyng to the SomÕns w^tout cause resonable to be tried in man?r aforesaid for ev?y tyme so doyng shall paye to the almes of the said Crafte ij^d And he or they that disobeyeth this ordinaunce shall paye for his or theire disobedience in that behalff for ev?y tyme so offending iij^s iiij^d to be devided in ffourme aforsaid Also it is enacted and ordeyned that ev?y man in the Clothyng or lyvere of the said misterie shall paye quarterly to the maynten^ance of the Comen Charges of the same vj^d And ev?ry man owt of the Clothing and ev?y Wydowe kepyng an open Shoppe iij^d And this to be paide quarterly upon payne and forfeyture at ev?y tyme offendyng or doying the contrairie iij^s iiij^d the one halff thereof to be applied to the use of the Chaumbre of London and the other halff to the almes of the said ffeliship so alwayes that the said quarterage be lawfully demaunded. Also it is ordeyned that no p?son enfraunchesed in the said Crafte shall take any apprentice unto this tyme that he ffurst p?sente this same p?sone byfore the maisters or Gov?nors for the tyme beyng that they may see he be clene w^tout contynewell diseases or grevous infirmytes wherby the kyng? leige people myght take hurt upon payne for ev?y tyme so doyng of xl^s to be applied in man? aforsaid. Also it is ordeyned that ev?y p?son of the said ffeliship shall paye toward? there charges for ev?y apprentice that he taketh ij^s vj^d To be payde at the p?sentac?on & allowyng of every apprentice. Also it is ordeyned that no p?sons of the said ffeliaship beyng in the Clothyng or lyverye shalhave any moo Servauntes apprentices or Coven^ant?358 usynge the faculte or misterie of Barborye or Surgery to gidder at oons above the nombre of iiij p?sons p?vided alwaye that w^tin halffe a yere of the goyngowt or endyng of the terme of oone of the said iiij p?sons it shalbe leaffull to ev?y soche p?sone to take and have another apprentice or Serv^ante the said act notw^tstondyng and he that offendyth in brekyng this Acte shall forfeyte and paye xl^d to be devided and applied in ffourme aforsaid Also it is ordeyned that no man? of p?sone of the same ffeliship beyng owt of the Clothing shall have to giddere at oons above the nombre of iij apprentices or Serv^antes to occupye the said misterie and ffaculte p?vided as is p?vided in the latter article and uppon lyke payne Also it is ordeyned that no p?sone of the said ffeliship shall take to his s?vice as s?v^ant alowes359 eny englishman fforen or Aliaunt Straunger to occupie the ffaculte of Barbery or Surgery but the said p?sone shall p?sent the same S?v^ante w^tin iij dayes next after his Comyng to the said p?sone to and before the said maisters and Gov?nors of the said ffeliaship for the tyme beyng to thentent that he before theym may be sessed what wages he shall take. And yff he be an Aliaunt Straungear borne he to paye yerely of his wages to the almes of the said ffeliship iij^s iiij^d and that mony to be taken quarterly of the Master of the same Straungear and of his wages and who that doethe contrarye to this Rule shall fforfeyte at ev?y tyme so doyng xl^d to be devided and payde as is aforsaid Also it is ordeyned that no p?sone of the said Crafte shall entyse or desire eny Sv^ant from his Maister nor shall take any fforren into his s?vice ffor lesse terme than for oon yere and he to be sessed or rated for his wages by the Maisters or Gov?nors of the same misterie and this to be done yerely ev?y yere upon payne for ev?y tyme doyng the contrarie of xiij^s iiij^d the oon halff to be applied to the use of the Chaumber of London and the other halffe to the use of the almes of the said feliship. Also it is ordeyned that no p?sone of the same ffeliaship after that he be admytted and sworne ffreman of this Citie afore the Chaumberleyn p?sume to open hys Shoppe Wyndowes before he hathe p?sented hym selff to and before the Maisters or Gov?nors of the said misterie for the tyme beyng and w^t them have aggreed in payng his dutie accustumed that is to saye to the use of the Company iij^s iiij^d and to the Clerke iiij^d to the maynten^ance of theire comen Charges and in takyng his othe afore theym accordyng to the lawdable custume and ordre in the same misterie of olde tyme used upon payne to lose fforfeyte and paye xl^s to be devided and applied in ffourme aforsaid Also it is ordeyned that no p?sone enfraunchesed in the said misterie shall enforme or teche eny fforen other than his Apprentice eny poynte of his Crafte belongyng to Barbery or Surgery upon payne for ev?y tyme so doyng xl^s to be applied in ffourme aforsaid Also yff any matter of stryffe or debate herafter be betwene eny p?son of the said Crafte as God fforfende that noon of them shall make eny p?suts360 in the Comen lawe but that he whiche ffyndeth hym aggreved shall ffurst make his complaynt to the Maisters or Gov?nors of the said Crafte for the tyme beyng to thentent that they shall ordre the said matter or cause of complaynt so made yff they can: and yff it fortune that they can not nor doo not ordre and appesse the same matter w^tin xiiij dayes next ensuyng That then it shalbe leafull to the p?tie aggreved to take his advauntage at the comen lawe So alwayes that the p?tie ayenst whom the complaynt is made be not ffugityffe and who so doeth the contrarie herof shall paye for ev?ry tyme so doyng xiij^s iiij^d to be devided and applied in ffourme aforsaid. Also that no p?sone of the said ffeliship shall revile Rebuke nor Reprove an other of the same ffeliaship by eny unfitting opprobrios condic?ons or dishonest Wordes in the p?sens of the Maisters or Gov?nors or eny of theym nor before eny other p?sons in eny other places and he that offendeth in this behalff and due prouff therof had shall paye for ev?ry soche defalte vj^s viij^d to be devyded and applied in ffourme aforsaid. Also that no p?sone of the said Crafte shall refuse to be of the Clothing of the said misterie or to bere Office in the same at eny tyme whan he by the said Maisters or Gov?nors and assistent? of the same misterie or the more p?te of them shalbe abled therto upon payne to paye xl^s to be applied in ffourme aforsaid. And that the Maisters or Gov?nors of the said misterie for the tyme byng shall not take nor admytte eny p?sone into the Clothyng or lyverye of the same misterie without the Comen assent of the xxiiij^ti assistent? of the same or the more p?te of theym upon like payne as is aforsaid for ev?y tyme so doyng to be devided and applied in ffourme aforsaid. And where by dyvers highe auctorities for the honor and Rev?ence of the Sondaye it is ordeyned of olde antiquyte that no Barbor dwellyng w^tin the Cite or Suburbis of the same nor elles where shall occupie Shaving on the Sondayes neyther w^tin their house nor w^tout pryvely nor appertly. It is now therfor ordeyned and enacted that no p?sone ffree of the said Company from hensforthe occupye eny man? Shavyng on the Sondays w^tin this Citie nor liberties of the same upon payne and forfature for ev?y tyme so doyng of xl^s the one halff thereof to the chaumber of London and the other halffe therof to the almes of the said Crafte. Also it is ordeyned that no maner p?sone beyng ffree of the said ffeliship shall take any seike or hurte p?sone or p?sones to his Cure whiche is in p?ell361 of Deithe or mayme but yff362 he shewe the same seike or hurte p?sone by hym Resseved to the Maisters or Gov?nors of the said misterie or twoo of theym for the tyme beyng for the Savegarde of the Kyng? leige people and that w^tin iiij^re dayes next after the Receyving of the said seike or hurte p?sons upon payne for ev?y tyme doyng the Contr^aie of xx^s to be devided and applied in man? and ffourme aforsaid Also it is ordeyned that every man enfraunchesed in the said ffeliship occupying Surgery shall come to their hale to the Redyng of the lecture concernyng Surgery ev?y daye of assemble therof and ev?y man after his course shall rede the lecture hym selffe or ell? ffynde an able man of the said ffeliship to Rede for hym and not to absent hym selffe at his daye of the same Redyng w^tout cause Resonable and w^tout he give lawfull warnyng therof before the daye upon the payne to fforfate and lose for ev?y tyme doyng the contrarie xx^s to be devyded and applied in ffourme aforsaid Also it is ordeyned that no man of the said ffeliaship shall take any cure from A nother of the same ffeliaship nor Supplant oon A nother nor geve or Speke eny Slaunderous Wordes in disablyng hym of his Science or conyng but be Rather in a Redynesse to geve good Counceill to helpe the Kyng? people And ev?y man offendyng in this behalffe to paye at ev?y tyme so offendyng xiij^s iiij^d the oon halffe therof to the Chaumber of London and the other halffe to th’almes of the said ffeliship. Provyded that yff the pacyent ffynde hym selffe aggreved w^t his Surgion that then the same pacyent paying to his ffurst Surgion Resonably for his labour shall and may take and have eny other Surgion at his libertie and pleasure And where of olde Custume yerely upon the Sondaye next ensuyng the ffeaste of Seynt Bartholomew the appostell a dyner is kept and provyded for theym of the lyverey of the said Company in their Comen halle called Barbors hale And on the daye of saynt Cosme & Damian yf it be not on the Saterday a dyn? for them of the same compani owt of the lyverey It is ordeyned and enacted that ev?y man that hathe been upper maister or upper Gov?nor of the said Company shall paye at and for the same dyner xij^d for hym selff and viij^d for his wyffe yff she come And ev?y other man beyng of the lyverey of the same Company shall paye in likewyse for hym selffe viij^d and for his wyffe yff she come iiij^d Provided alwaye that the maisters or Gov?nors of the said Company for the tyme beyng shall paye nothing for theire wyff? comyng to the dyner for that yere fforasmoche as their Wyff? must of necessite be theire to helpe that ev?y thyng theire be sett in ordre. And that ev?y man of the said Company beyng owt of the lyverey shall paye at and for his dyner on the said morowe viij^d and for his Wyffe yff she come iiij^d. Also it is ordeyned that at ev?y assemble holden in the Comen halle of the said misterie no man beyng their p?sent shall multiplie langauge in the assembly tyme that is to saye yff any man theire Speke moo Wordes or multiplye more langauge in the assemble than the maisters or Gov?nors for the tyme beyng their p?sent thynke to be good and necessarie that then yff they or oon of theym comaunde hym to kepe Silence that then he shall so doo in kepyng his Obedience. And also no man comyng to eny of the said assembles shall dep?te ffrom thens duryng the assemble tyme w^tout lycence of the maisters or Gov?nors their p?sent or oon of theym and the offender in eny of the said ij poynt? or cases to fforffeyte and paye at ev?y tyme soo offendyng xx^d to be devided and applied in ffourme aforsaid Also it is ordeyned that no man of the Clothing or lyverey of the said Company p?sume to goo oone afore another of theym in processions buryall? or Annyversaries nor in Syttyng in their Assembles or in their halle at dyner or other Repastes their or in any other honest place to be had other wyse than he is in Aunsiente363 in the same Company and accordyng to the trew Entrance therof in the Bedyll? Rolle. Nor that eny of them of eny scrypulosite ffrowardnesse or pusyllamyte Reffuse to take his owne Rowme or place accordyng to the ordre aforesaid but that ev?y man in theyse ij cases kepe and occupye his oldene Rowme and place in ffourme aforsaid Wyll he nyll he in good obedient manner and he of theym that offendyth in Brekyng the ordre in any of the said ij cases shall fforffeyte and paye at ev?y tyme so offendyng xij^d to be applied and devided in ffourme above rehersed. All whiche Ordin^ances and othes in man? and ffourme afore specyfyed at the Request of the said Maister Wardens and ffelauship by Auctorite of the same Acte of p?liament Wee the said Chaunceler Tresourer and Cheyff Justices of eyther benche aforsaid for good lawdable and laufull Ordinnc? Estatutes and othes doo accept and admytte by theis p?sent? asmoche as in us is Ratifie laude and approve Provided alwayes and forseen that theis ordin^anc? w^tin this boke expressed or any of theym in noo wyse extende nor be p?judicyall or hurtfull to the Kyng? p?rogatyve nother to the hurte of eny graunte or graunt? by the kyng or his noble p?genytors before tyme made to the Citie of London or any other or any laudable Custumes now used in the same Citie and in case any article or articles in this boke expressed be p?judiciall or hurtfull to the kyng? p?rogatyve or to eny gr^aunt by the Kyng and his noble progenytors made to the said Citie of London or any other or to any other laudable Custumes above expressed then the same article or articles and ev?y of theym so beyng p?judiciall or hurtfull as is abovesaid to be voyde cassate and of non effecte Anything by us the said Chaunceler Tresourer and ij Cheyffe Justices in this behalffe done or made to the contrarie not w^tstandyng Provided always that for divers consideracions aswell for the welth of the Kyng? lyege people as for the honesty of the sayd Crafte yt is now condescended and aggreed that from hensforth no p?sounes of ffelaishyp after he or they be made ffree of the said Company shall p?sume to sett open any Shopp of Barbory unto soch tyme as he or they be abled by the sayd Master or Gov?nours withoute he be of the cleer value of ten mark? sterlyng uppon payn of fforfaiture of xl^s the oon half to the chambre of London and the other half to the almes of the said Crafte.

In Wytnes wherof to this p?sent Booke wee have sett owre signe manuell? the xiiij^th day of Maye In the xxij^ti yere of the Reign of oure sov?aygne lord his Reigne Kyng Henry the viij^th.

The Barbers of London were a Fraternity before the Time of Edward the Second, and by Letters-Patent of Edward the Fourth were made a Body Corporate, and invested with several Powers and Privileges. In the 32d Year of Henry the Eighth, the publick Policy thought proper to unite them with another Company (not then incorporated) called the Surgeons of London, in order, (as is most probable) to transfer those Powers and Privileges to the latter, without directly appearing to wrest them from the former to whom they had been originally granted.

The Coalition of the two Companies having now subsisted above Two Hundred Years, the Barbers are surpris’d to find an Attempt made by the Surgeons to dissolve it, by Authority of Parliament, without their Participation or Consent.

The principal Reasons assigned by the Surgeons, in their printed Case, to induce the legislature to the extraordinary Act of Power, are,

First, That the Barbers, in the Time of Henry the Eighth, were all Surgeons, and that the Parliament, by uniting them with others of superior Abilities, intended their Improvement in that Profession; but that they having, long since, ceased to intermeddle with any Branch of Surgery, this Intent of the Act is frustrated, and the laudable Purpose of the Union at an end.

Secondly, That by this Alteration of the Circumstances of things, the Junction of the two Companies (how advantageous soever in former Times) is now become highly inconvenient.

Thirdly, That the Surgeons if distinctly incorporated, would be encouraged to meet and communicate to one another their Experiments and Successes.

And Fourthly, That the like Separation has taken place at Paris, Edinburgh, and Glascow.

BUT the first of these Reasons is grounded on a Mistake in point of Fact; for tho’ it be true that the Barbers were all originally Surgeons, and incorporated as such, yet long before the Union in question, most of them had quitted the actual Exercise of that Profession, and the Right itself of exercising it in virtue of their Charter, had been taken away373 by Parliament: And tho’ in the Preamble of the uniting Act, both Companies are stiled Surgeons, yet from the Enacting374 Part (which expresly restrains the Barbers from occupying any part of Surgery, except Tooth-drawing) it is evident the Legislature did not consider them as real Surgeons, nor could intend their Improvement in a Science they were forbid to practise, so that the Circumstances of Things are not altered from what they then were, or from what they manifestly were designed to be; and therefore the Barbers having no Relation to the Surgeons, or their Art (as it was then deemed no Objection to their Union) cannot now, with any Propriety, be insisted on as a Reason for their Separation.

With regard to the Inconveniences complained of, as the Charge is general, this general Answer only can be given, That the Barbers have always, with the greatest Deference, submitted to the Surgeons in all Matters peculiar to them, and chearfully contributed, out of their common Stock, towards every Expence which they have declared necessary for the Honour or Advancement of their Profession. And since none of these Inconveniences have been of Consequence enough to deserve being particularly pointed out, we may venture to pronounce them inconsiderable, and unworthy the Attention and Redress of Parliament; and the rather, as all of them put together, have not prevented the Surgeons of London from carrying the Improvement of their Art, both in Speculation and Practice, to a greater Height than has been done in any other Place or Nation.

That the frequent Meetings of ingenious Men, and their free Communications on the Subject of their Profession, may tend to the Benefit of Mankind in general, and to the Honour of their Country in particular, is not denied: But surely the Constitution of the united Company is no obstacle to these laudable Purposes. The Barbers have for many Years, at their Monthly Courts, submitted to withdraw at a stated Hour, and resigned the Parlour to the Surgeons: And if this Condescension is not supposed to afford them sufficient Time for Conversation on these particular Days, nothing hinders them from holding seperate Assemblies at the Hall almost every other Day in the Year.

As to what is said to have been done at Paris, Edinburgh, and Glascow, no particular answer can be given, unless it appeared by what Means, for what Reasons, and upon what Terms the Separations in those Places were brought about. In London there are but two Instances of Separations of Companies, viz. that of the Feltmakers from the Haberdashers in 1604, and that of the Apothecaries from the Grocers in 1617; but both these were effected by mutual Consent, without the Intervention of Parliament; and it may be proper to observe, that the Feltmakers miscarried in a former Application for an exclusive Charter in 1576 for want of the Haberdashers Consent.

Upon the whole, therefore, the Barbers humbly hope the forgoing Reasons will be deemed insufficient to induce the Legislature to destroy an Union they themselves thought proper to form, an Union which two hundred Years Existence has rendred venerable, and which, by the Improvements above-mentioned, appears to have answered all the Purposes for which it was established.

But if for other Reasons (which the Surgeons say may be given) the Parliament shall be inclined to favour them in this part of their request; the Barbers, from the scrupulous Regard and Tenderness which that August Assembly has always shewn for private Property, cannot but hope they shall be continued in the Enjoyment of all their present Possessions, without any Division whatsoever, and that, for the following Reasons:

First, Because most of the united Company’s Lands and Tenements, (particularly the Site of their Hall, Parlour, &c.) originally belonged to them, and by the uniting Act375 seem with great Justice to have been intended to remain to their sole and separate Use, tho’ in fact the Surgeons have hitherto been indulged in the equal Enjoyment of them with the Barbers.

Secondly, Because the Surgeons Share of what may have been acquired since the Union, will scarce be an adequate Recompence to the Barbers for the above Indulgence, much less for the unmerited Loss of a Brotherhood now so honourable and advantageous to them.

Thirdly, Because the Expenses of the Barbers when distinctly incorporated, can fall but very little, if any thing, short of those of the united Company, so that a Reduction of Income must subject them to very great Difficulties, which (considering that they neither desire, nor have given the Surgeons just Cause to desire a Separation) would be extremely hard and unreasonable.

Lastly, Because the present flourishing Condition of the Surgeons, (the only real Alteration in the Circumstances of Things) will sufficiently enable them to support the Dignity of their new and favourite Institution with becoming Splendor, without distressing their less happy Brethren the Barbers.

And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That such of the Members of the said United Company or Corporation, who are Freemen of the said Company, and are not admitted or approved Surgeons, and their Successors, shall, from and after the said Twenty-fourth day of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty-five, be, and they are hereby made and constituted, a Body Corporate, and Commonalty Perpetual, which, at all times hereafter, shall be called by the Name of The Master, Governors, and Commonalty of the Mystery of Barbers of London; and, by the same name, shall plead and be impleaded before all Manner of Justices, in all Courts, and in all Manner of Actions and Suits; and also purchase, enjoy, and take to them, and their Successors, any Lands, Tenements, Rents, or Hereditaments, not exceeding the yearly Rent or Value of Two hundred Pounds in the Whole, without incurring any of the Penalties or Forfeitures of the Statutes of Mortmain.

And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that Master Jonathan Medley, the present First Master or Governor of the said United Company or Corporation, and Master Humphrey Negus, the present Third Master or Governor of the said United Company, and such Two other Persons as shall hereafter be elected and appointed for that Purpose, in pursuance of this Act, and as is hereinafter mentioned shall be, and they are hereby respectively established and confirmed, the Master and Governors of the Company or Corporation of Barbers of London, established and incorporated by this Act; and shall continue in, and hold, exercise, and enjoy the said Offices respectively, until others shall be chosen, elected, and appointed in and to the same Offices respectively, pursuant and according to the By-laws, Rules, Orders, and Constitutions of the same Company; and that the said Jonathan Medley, Humphrey Negus, and William Parker, Luke Maurice, John Barnwell, John Truelove, William Haddon, John Negus, Edward Boxley, Samuel Rutter, Robert Scrooby, Richard Swithin, Edward Colebeck, Togarmah Jones, and John Gurney, being Fifteen of the present Court of Assistants of the said United Company, and such Nine other Persons as shall be hereafter elected and appointed for that purpose, in pursuance of this Act, and as is hereinafter mentioned, shall be, and they are hereby constituted and appointed, the Court of Assistants of the Company of Barbers, made, established, and incorporated by this Act; and shall continue in, and hold, enjoy, and exercise the said office during their natural Lives respectively, or until they shall be respectively removed out of the said Office, pursuant and according to the said By-laws, Rules, Ordinances and Constitutions of the said Company of Barbers of London.

And it is hereby further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Jonathan Medley, Humphrey Negus, William Parker, Luke Maurice, John Barnwell, John Truelove, William Haddon, John Negus, Edward Boxley, Samuel Rutter, Robert Scrooby, Richard Swithin, Edward Colebeck, Togarmah Jones and John Gurney, or the major Part of them, to meet at or in the Hall now belonging to the said united Company, situate in Monkwell Street in the City of London, on the Twenty-fifth Day of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty-five, between the Hours of Nine in the Morning and One in the Afternoon of the same Day, and then and there to elect, choose, and appoint, out of the Freemen of the said Company or Corporation of the Barbers of London, established and incorporated by this Act, by the Majority of the Votes of such of the said Fifteen Persons last mentioned, who shall be present at such Meeting, so many other Persons to be of the said Court of Assistants of the said Company or Corporation of the Barbers of London, as will make the Number Twenty-four, to continue in the said Office respectively for and during their natural Lives, or until they shall be respectively removed out of the said Office; and also that immediately after such Court of Assistants shall be made up the said Number of Twenty-four Persons, the said Court of Assistants shall then and there, by the Majority of Votes of such of the said Court of Assistants as shall be then present, elect, choose, and appoint from among themselves, Two Persons, to be the Third and Fourth Governors of the said Company or Corporation of the Barbers of London, to continue in, hold, exercise, and enjoy, the said Offices respectively as aforesaid.

And it is hereby further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the Master and Governors for the Time being of the said Company or Corporation of Barbers, or any Two or more of them, with Eleven or more of the Members of the said Court of Assistants for the Time being, when and as often as to Two or more of the said Master and Governors shall seem meet to hold Courts or Assemblies at or in the Hall of the said Company for the Time being, in order to treat and consult about the Rule, State, Order, and Government of the said Company or Corporation of Barbers; and also that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master and Governors, and Court of Assistants, so assembled, or the major Part of them, to make, constitute, ordain, establish, ratify, and confirm, all or any such By-laws, Ordinances, Rules, and Constitutions, as to them shall seem requisite, proper, or convenient for the Regulation, Government, Profit, or Advantage of the said Company or Corporation of the Barbers of London, and the Members thereof, and the same, from Time to Time, to alter or repeal; so as the By-laws, Ordinances, Rules, and Constitutions so to be made and established, shall be examined, approved, and allowed of, as by the Laws and Statutes of the Realm is provided and required.

Provided always, and it is hereby enacted and declared, That the several By-laws, Ordinances, Rules, and Constitutions, made and established for the Regulation and Government of the said United Company or Corporation, so far as the same do not relate to or concern the Art or Science of Surgery, and which, on the said Twenty-third day of June, shall be subsisting and in Force, and shall not be repealed, annulled or abrogated by virtue of this present Act, shall continue and be in Force, and shall be exercised, observed, and executed by the said Company of Barbers established and incorporated by this Act, until such Time and Times respectively as the same By-laws, Ordinances, Rules, and Constitutions, shall respectively be repealed, annulled and made void, by virtue and under the Authority of this present Act.

And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Master and Governors of the said Company or Corporation of Barbers of London shall be yearly elected and chosen on the second Thursday in August, by the Court of Assistants or the major Part of them, or in such manner as by the By-laws, Rules, Orders, and Constitutions of the same Company or Corporation shall be ordained or provided; and that when and as often as any member of the said Court of Assistants of the said Company of Barbers shall happen to die, or be removed, it shall and may be lawful to and for the surviving Members of the said Court of Assistants, or the major Part of them, to nominate and elect one other Person, being a Freeman of the same Company, to be a Member of the said Court of Assistants, in the Room of the Person so deceased or removed; and the person so nominated or elected shall continue in, hold, and exercise the said Office for and during his natural Life, or until he shall be removed out of the same.

And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Master, Governors, and Commonalty of the Mystery of Barbers of London, hereby made, established, and incorporated as aforesaid, and their Successors, and all Persons who shall be free of the same Company or Corporation, shall and may, from Time to Time, and at all Times for ever hereafter, have, hold, and enjoy all and every such and the same Liberties, Privileges, Franchises, Powers, and authorities, as the said United Company or Corporation, with respect to every Thing but Surgery, and the Members of the said United Company, occupying the Feat or Craft of Barbery or Shaving, could or might respectively have had, held and enjoyed by virtue of the said recited Act of Union or Incorporation, [32 Hen. viij] and Letters Patents of his late Majesty King Charles the First, and other the Royal Grants, Charters, and Patents therein respectively mentioned and referred to, so far as the same do not concern or relate to the Art and Science of Surgery; and that in as full, ample, and beneficial Manner, to all Intents and Purposes, as if the same had been expressly repeated, set down, and enacted in and by this present Act.

And it is hereby Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Sum of Five hundred and ten Pounds, now vested in the said United Company, and which was given and paid to the said United Company by Edward Arris, for the Use of the publick Anatomy Lectures on the Muscles, and also the Annuity or yearly Rent-charge of Sixteen Pounds given to the said United Company by the Will of John Gale, Gentleman, for One Anatomy Lecture, by the Name of Gale’s Anatomy, and charged upon certain Messuages and Tenements at Snow Hill, in the Parish of Saint Sepulchre, without Newgate, London, shall, from and after the said Twenty-fourth Day of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty-five be vested in, and be deemed the sole Property, Estate, and Effects of the said Company and Corporation of Surgeons established and incorporated by this Act; and that the said Sum of Five hundred and ten Pounds be accordingly paid by the said Company or Corporation of Barbers of London, out of the Estate and Effects of and now belonging to the said United Company or Corporation, within Three Months next after the said Twenty-fourth day of June, and that the said Sum of Five hundred and ten Pounds, and the said Annuity or yearly Rent-charge of Sixteen Pounds per Annum, shall be held and enjoyed by the said Company of Surgeons established by this Act, upon Trust, to be applied and disposed of for the Purposes intended by the Donors thereof respectively; and that from and after the Payment of the said Five hundred and ten Pounds by the said Company of Barbers to the said Company of Surgeons, they the said Master, Governors, and Commonalty of the Mystery of Barbers of London, and their Successors, shall for ever be discharged of and from the said Sum or Gift of Five hundred and ten Pounds, and every Part thereof, and of and from the said Annuity or Gift of Sixteen Pounds per annum, and every Part thereof, and of and from all Duties and Trusts in respect of the said Gifts, or either of them; and shall, from Time to Time, be saved harmless, and kept indemnified, by the said Company of Surgeons, of, from, and against the same, and all Actions, Suits, Charges, and Expences which they the said Master, Governors, and Commonalty of the Mystery of Barbers of London, or their successors, shall or may, from Time to Time, be put unto or sustain on account thereof; and that all the Rest and Residue of the Real and Personal Estate and Effects of and belonging to the said United Company or Corporation, and the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of the same Company or Corporation, shall, from and after the said Twenty-fourth Day of June, One thousand seven hundred and forty-five, be vested in, and the same are hereby from thence forth vested in the said Company or Corporation of Barbers of London, and their Successors, to and for their own sole and separate Use and Benefit, for ever.

And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That such of the Books, Papers, and Writings which now belong to the said United Company of Barbers and Surgeons, and relate to or concern the Surgeons or Surgery only, shall, immediately after the First day of July, One thousand seven hundred and forty-five, be delivered by the said Company of Barbers, established and incorporated by this Act, to the Master, and Governors, and Court of Assistants, of the said Company of Surgeons established and incorporated by this Act, or such other Person or Persons as they, or the major Part of them, shall by Writing under their Hands, appoint to receive the same, for the Use and benefit of the said Company of Surgeons: And that the Master, Governors, and Court of Assistants, of the same Company of Surgeons, or any of them, or such other Person or Persons as they, or the major Part of them, shall by writing under their hands, appoint, shall and may, from Time to Time, and at all seasonable Times, upon reasonable Notice, from and after the said First Day of July, One thousand seven hundred and forty-five, have free Access to, and Liberty to inspect and peruse, in the Hands of such Person or Persons as the said Company of Barbers shall Appoint to have the Care and Custody thereof, all the rest of the Books, Papers, and Writings, and also all the Charters and Deeds which now belong to the said United Company of Barbers and Surgeons; and, from Time to Time, to take such Copies or Extracts of or from the same, or any of them, as the said Master, Governors, and Court of Assistants of the said Company of Surgeons, or the major Part of them, or such other Person or Persons so to be appointed as aforesaid, shall, from Time to Time, desire or require; and also that the said Company of Barbers shall, from Time to Time, and at all Times, upon reasonable Notice, from and after the said First Day of July, produce the said last mentioned Books, Papers, Writings, Charters, and Deeds, or any of them, at the Expence of the said Company of Surgeons, upon any Trial at Law, or Hearing in Equity, or Examination of Witnesses, or otherwise, where the said Company of Surgeons shall have occasion to make use thereof, or of any of them, and permit the said Company of Surgeons to make use of the same accordingly.

Provided always, and it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every Person who hath been bound Apprentice to any Member of the said United Company, and by the Laws or Custom of the City of London, or otherwise, is or would be intitled to his Freedom of the said United Company, and to the Freedom of the said City, in case this present Act had never been made, shall be intitled and admitted to his Freedom in the said Company or Corporation of Surgeons, if his Master is or was an examined Surgeon, or else to his Freedom in the said Company of Barbers; and in either case shall be intitled and admitted to his Freedom of the said City of London, any Law, Usage, or Custom, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that this Act shall be deemed, adjudged, and taken to be a publick Act; and be judicially taken notice of as such, by all Judges, Justices, and other persons whatsoever, without specially pleading the same.

Charles R.

Trustie and welbeloved wee greete you well Whereas wee understand that contrary to the antient Charters & an act of Parliament confirmed by us and o^r late deere father divers Hosiers Dyers & other tradesmen unskilfull in Chirurgery or Barbarye have bene chosen into & held the places of Governem^t of the Companye of Barbar Surgians, when in deed for many waightie reasons the governem^t of that Companye hath bene established & settled by Act of Parliam^t & ought to consist of 4 Masters or Governo^rs whereof twoe be expert in Surgerye and the other twoe in Barbarye and that by meanes of such undue Elections the true intenc?on of the Chr?s and Act of Parliament for the well governem^t of that Companye have bene neglected, Wee takeing into considerac?on of what dangerous consequence it maye be to suffer a Companye wherein the lives and safetie of o^r people are soe much concerned and for w^ch o^r Progenito^rs have soe carefully provided, to bee governed by such unskilfull p?sons; Doe therefore herebye straightlie charge & comaund you, That from henceforth it be duelye observed in all yo^r Elections of Governo^rs that none be chosen into that governem^t but such as are capeable thereof by the said Act of Parliam^t viz^t twoe expert in Chirurgerye and the other twoe in Barbarye, And of yo^r due p?formance herein wee shall expect an exact Accompt. Given under o^r signett at our Palace of Westm?ster the three & twentieth daye of March in the fower teenth yeare of o^r reigne.