THE COKDWAINEKS AND COllVESORS OF OXFORD. 151 2. 19 Eliz., 1577, July. On vellum, and in two pieces, recites preceding ordinances, which it confirms, with additions. See also what is noticed above. 3. 2 [ ] (second figure erased) Eliz. One skin. These rules were never formally allowed. 4. 9 Charles, July 24. New ordinances, in which the former ones are not recited. On one skin of parchment, and almost illegible, from the ink having peeled off.' 5. 20 Charles II. (1668), June 29. New ordinances, on two skins of parchment.* Of these two latter, the first (viz., those of 9th Charles) give the general regulations of the Company, while the last relate more to apprentices and the course of trade, &c. These have been transcribed under the date of 1668, 20 Charles II., June 29, on a roll, consisting of six pieces of parchment, of which they occupy four, the fifth commencing with the fol- lowing words : — Wee, the Master Warden & ffrateruity of the G uild and ffellowship of Cordwapi'S Incoi-porated within the City of Oxford, Doe hereby consent to all these ord*-"^ and By-laws (conteyned in the ffour foregoing skins of Parchm') and submitt to the Same uud'" the Pains & Penaltys exp'sed in the said Bylaws & Ord«. Henry Willett, M*". Edward Mace, Warden. Then follow about 281 signatures, of which the last are, Geo : Fred : Stratton, John Evans, Benjamin Beale. This is kept in a cylindrical wooden case, and seems to have been used merely for obtaining the signatures of new members, as a simple way of confirming the powers of the act of the 19th of Henry VII.^ Lastly, the records of the Company are contained in eight books of different sizes, six of which, for the sake of more convenient reference, are here described by the letters of the
- In book B., p. 200, is a transcript of ^ See orders of 1672 (24 Clias. II.),
an order, dated 17 Chas. I., Feb. 28, die April, 2.5 ; and 1675 (25 Chas. 11.), Nov. lune, by Sii- Edw" Ilendon K', one of the 14, in book D. There are, of course, Barons of the Exchequer, and Judj;e of many occasional orders to be found in Assize at Oxon, made respcctini; pul)lica- the books of the Company. tiou of rules and authority for payments, 7 It may be as well to observe here, on complaint to him by many of the Com- that, for the sake of perspicuity, the re<;u- pany. And in book D. is a resolution, lations formally continued by tlie Justices dated April 20, 1666, to renew their Ordi- of Assize, are in those pajxes termed Ordi- nances, and pay the expense out of their nances; and the occasional rules made by stock. the majority of the Society, Orders.
