[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]