Charter of the Mayor and Burgesses of Bedford

Anthony Bolton, Mayor of Bedford and John Hillersdon. Charter. Bedford: 18 April 1681. Latin. Brown ink on Parchment. 1 seal, missing.
260 X 455 mm.

This document begins with a recitation of the origins of the privileges of the burgesses of Bedford. The burgesses of Bedford received their privileges first from Richard I (Richard the Lionheart), 12 November 1189. Richard II confirmed the privileges again on 3 January 1396. Here the mayor of Bedford, Anthony Bolton, proclaims that John Hillersdon, esquire, of Ellstow and burgess of Bedford is entitled to all rights and privileges of a burgess, most specifically, exemption from a toll. A burgess, in this case, was an official or representative of the municipality.