The survey and antiquitie of the towne of Stamford in the county of Lincolne with its ancient foundation, grants, priviledges, and severall donations thereunto belonging : also a list of the aldermens names, and the time when they were chosen : with the names of 10 Lord Majors (of the Hon. city of London) borne in the foresaid county of Lincolne / written by Richard Butcher, Gent. ...

CHAP. VI. (Book 6)

The manner of the chosing the Alderman of Stamford, with other subordinate Officers in that Corporation, as how the said body by the Charter is from time to time kept in life and being.

IN the next place followes in order, the originall grant and present practice according to that grant in the e∣lection and choosing of this prime Magistrate, and the other subordinate Officers under him; for (as I said before) King Edward the 4^th. in the first yeer of his Reigne, directed his Letters patents to George Chapman and others, by the name of the Alderman and Comburgesses of Stamford, and to twelve more of an inferiour rank, by the name of the Capi∣tall Burgesses of Stamford, which second 12 have been by a la∣ter Charter augmented to the number of 24: So as King Edward the 4^th. creating this body by his Princely power, by his wisdome and policy gave rules and directions to the same, how it should from time to time be preserved in a perpetuall life, and being by a continued succession; and therefore when any of the first number do decease or leave their place, the Alderman with the rest of his

company (and the second company in their common hall assem∣bled) do elect and chose out of the second number such a meet and able man as they shall think fi•• for the supply of the vacant▪ the said election being only made in the private chamber of the Councell by the Alderman and those with him of the first number, and this by the major number of voyces (the Alderman having in this as in all other votes a double or casting voice. And when any of the second number happen to decease or to be displaced, both Companies joy∣ning together by the major number of voyce••, chose out of the body of the whole Town such a descreet able and sufficient man as shall be thought convenient to supply the then vacant place.

Both companies thus compleatly furnished being congregated in their common Hall upon the first Thursday after the feast of St. Bartholmew the Apostle, every year, do elect two out of the first number, who have not been Alderman by the space of two yeares then past, to the end that one of these two, the first Thursday in the clean week next after the feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel, then following, may by the major suffrages of both the companies be chosen to be Alderman for the year then to come, which party thus elected, is brought and presented by his predecessor to the Steward of the Court Leete in the open Court after Proclamation made in solemn manner to that purpose: The ceremony of which day is as followeth.

The former Alderman attended by the first and second compa∣nies, the first company in their Robes of purple faced with Foynes (such as the second Robe of London i••) and the second company in their decent gownes of black fit for such an Assembly, do repayre to the house of the new elected Alderman, where after a short ban∣qu••t, they all do passe in order to the Castle-yard where the Leet i•• kept, and there being presented, (as is aforesaid) he is solemnly sworn by the Steward of the Leet, first taking the oath of suprema∣cy and Allegance, next the oath of Iustice of the peace and Alder∣man of the Corporation, and having a tippet of black velvet taken from the neck of his predecessor, and by the hands of his said pre∣decessor put upon his, he then is seated on the right hand of the Steward, where he sits till the charge be given, and then attended

by the severall Companies, they go to the Church of St Maries in Stamford, where they heare a Sermon, which being finished, the new Alderman passeth to his house with the two Maces, the one of Gold the other of Silver, born before him, and attended by the severall Companies as is aforesaid, with the lowd musick of the Town, playing before them, and in divers places as they passe the Schollers of the free Grammer Schoole do pronounce before them severall Orations in Greek and Latine.

After which the Alderman at his own house (for the most part) and at his own cost and charges, doth make a great Feast to the Town, and to as many of the Gentry of the Country as upon so∣lemn invitation think good to be present.

This solemnity being finished, presently after he keeps his first Court (which is called a Hall) where he sweares all his first com∣pany to be faithfull unto him, and truly to Counsell him in the ex∣ecution of his Office, and likewise, he then sweares the second com∣pany to be ayding and assisting unto him in all things that apper∣tain to the Aldermanry, during the time of his Office, at the hall; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 likewise takes an oath of the Town Clark, for the true execu∣ting of his Office, and likewise he then sweares, the Coroner of the Town for the year to come, (who is by custome) the same party that was Alderman the year before.

Also he then sweares the two Chamberlaines and ten or twelve Constables, at least, Searchers for the Corn, Flesh, and Fish Mar∣kets, sealers and searchers of Lether, are at this time likewise sworn, and all other inferiour Officers, as the Bayliffe of the liberty, the Sergeant of the Mace, such as are needfu••l and necessary for the ayd and support of the Towns government, are at this Hall chosen and sworn, well and faithfully to performe and execute their severall Of∣fices during the yeere then next following.