MAYORS' COMPANY PAPERS

The papers, which consist mainly of petitions, proclamations and pleadings, relate to the Bakers Company, the Joiners, Carvers and Turners Company and the Wrights, Slaters and Sawyers Company.

These bundles are made up of papers (one parchment) concerning the disputes of various Companies with persons infringing their privileges; they are pleadings in actions of debt or trespass, petitions to the Mayor etc. and occasional related material.

Both bundles were repaired by Lamacraft, and described by Irvine; is also described in the H.M.C. Report as "Bakers' Presentment". Individual papers in both bundles are inaccurately endorsed by Randle Holme. It is thus difficult to guess whether they were originally filled, or when they were first collected together. Each bundle has now been arranged chronologically and numbered straight through.

The mayor arbitrated in disputes between the city companies and was called upon to defend their privileges and give judgement in their disputes with people who infringed these privileges. He also exercised control in company matters which affected the city as a whole, such as the sale of bread.