The answer of the chancellor, masters and scholars of the Vniversity of Oxford, to the petition, articles of grievance, and reasons of the city of Oxon presented to the honorable committee for regulating the University of Oxford the 24. of July, 1649.

III. To the Reasons of the Third Greivance, We answer.

1. That the University having the undoubted Assize of Bread and Beere (and the Oath for the ob∣serving that Assize being a necessary consequent de∣pending on it) the right and c••stome of admitting and Licenceing of common Brewers & Bakers in Ox∣on is not only ancient, but for the fitnesse thereof hath also received and had confirmation by Act of Parliament. Neither is it without examples of like nature in the Book-cases, where time hath in∣dulged the like custome to persons of qualitie in o∣ther places. And this particular right of the Vniver∣sity hath not many yeares since been declared by the

free and voluntary acknowledgment of the Brewers of Oxon themselves, as in due time will be shewed in writing.

2. As for the Fees of such Licences or admissions, we answer, They have been anciently paid to seve∣rall Officers of the Vniversity for their paines about that businesse, & are (as we conceive) in themselves but moderate, farre short of such Fees as are required by the Citty, and their members in other like cases. But the Vniversity claimeth no Fee to their Body for any such Grant or Licence.

3. We further conceive it is not improper for the University to have this right, which (in all proba∣bility) would be worse practised and with greater prejudice to the publique, if exercised by the Citty; whose chiefe Magistrates are for the most part men of the same Trades, & who by severall Acts of Par∣liament are prohibited from entermedling with the Assizing and Correction of victuals, or the defaults therein.