burghers or burgesses: citizens of a borough.
Guildhall contains the necessary offices and accommodation for the guild or corporation, town clerk, &c., the City library, museum and law courts, and a great hall that will hold 7,000 persons.
feudal claims: demands made on their tenants by owners under the feudal system. Such demands were usually for military service or something equivalent.
Matilda, daughter of Henry I., and mother of Henry II., and widow of the Emperor Henry V. of Germany, was the opponent of Stephen (1100-1135) in the civil war of his reign. She gave London as 'a demesne' to the Earl of Essex, with the Tower as his castle.
Danegeld, or Dane money: a tax raised to buy off the Danes.
Sheriff, or shire-reeve, governor of a shire, was the king's representative in each shire: he collected the revenue, called out and led the soldiers, and administered justice.
Justiciar: judge. It was one of the privileges of the City to have a judge of its own to try cases within its own limits.
stipulated: bargained for.
constitution: form of government.
priory: a house for monks or nuns under the rule of a prior or prioress.