In glass frames are displayed some of the archives of the city. Here is a photo of Henry II.’s charter “civibus meis Wint.,” 1160; it has been said that there was an earlier one. The terms are general, and the contractions numerous and puzzling to the uninitiated—the whole being comprised in a piece of vellum not six inches square. The writing, which was clear in those days, contrasts here with some spidery cacography of later age.
This charter raised the Mayor of Winchester above all other civic officials in England. But at Richard I.’s coronation a dispute arose between the mayors of London and Winchester as to which should be Butler, and which Clerk of the Kitchen—the former being the higher office. The decision was in favour of London, but in compensation the King gave Winchester a very liberal charter.
In a list of ancient usages of Winchester, which existed earlier than the thirteenth century, when this document recording them was written, we find ordinances about various trades—the “bakere” and the “brewstere of myste” are specially mentioned.
“Also everych bakere of ye town that maketh bred to sale shal to the kynge of custome 11s. the year and to the clerk of the town a peny.” It goes on to say that he is to make good white bread, and if the weight is deficient, is to be at the King’s mercy.
“And also everych cart out of fraunchyse comyng in to town with samown, shal to the kynge of custome thre pens.
“Also everych cart out of the fraunchyse shal to the kynge by custome 11 pens and an hafpeny what ffyshe he here to sale. And everych horse berdene of fresh fysh that cometh in to the town to sale and be out of franchyse shal to the kynge thre hafpens of custome and of shalt fysh a hafpeny.”
The monopolies granted in Winchester to trades unions were considerable. In 1580 no cobbler was allowed to make “shoes, boots, buskins, skertoppes, slippers or pantaples;” he was not only to stick to his last, but to confine himself to repairs. Any infringement of this rule involved a penalty of 6s. 8d. a pair. Each trade was to carry on its own business—no intruders allowed. In 1673 a man paid money to be permitted to live in the city, and in 1728 a barber had to pay to be allowed to carry on his business. In 1656 it was resolved that the election of the mayor and aldermen should be by “bullets.” This sounds alarming; but the order is that one hundred red and white bullets, in equal proportions, shall be provided, and that the electors shall put them in privately.
A copy of the letter Cromwell sent to the Mayor summoning the town to surrender is preserved here. It runs thus:
“Sir,—I come not to this city but with a full resolution to save it and the inhabitants thereof from ruine. I have commanded the Souldyers upon payne of death that noe wrong bee done; wch I shall strictly observe, only I expect you give me entrance into the City, without necessitating mee to force my way, which yf doe then it will be in my power to save you or it. I expect yor answeare with in halfe an houre, and rest, your servant,
“Oliver Cromwell.”