QUEENBOROUGH BOROUGH

The significance of the Queenborough records lies to a great extent in (i) the fact that the borough was 'created' in 1368 as a matter of royal policy; (ii) that for a variety of reasons it failed to develop to the extent that Edward III envisaged and was dependent throughout on a measure of external stimulus, and (iii) that its main source of wealth until the 19th century lay in its oyster fishery. Thus for a short period a wool staple was established at Queenborough; it was frequently used as a place to bring prizes and other vessels seized; the far reaching franchises granted by Edward IV were eagerly sought and formed almost a kind of sanctuary in the 15th century; its relationship with the constables of the castle, especially after becoming a parliamentary borough warrant attention; from the 16th century also it tended to be used as the quarantine centre for London. From the aspect of its records these really commence with the by-laws of 1451/2 and of some special note are the series of correspondence and miscellaneous papers; the numerous links with Sheerness illustrated by the oath rolls and elsewhere; and the important dispute over the oyster fishery in the early 19th century. The records as a whole give a remarkably complete picture of this small town from the end of the 15th to the end of the 19th century

QB/A Administrative Records

Assize of Bread, 1827-8

By laws, 1728-1831

Assembly books, 1728-1862

Oyster fishery, bonds, 1628-1789

Municipal taverns, 1672-91

Minutes, 1728-1835

Officers' appointments, 1659-1836

Petitions, 1608-1850

Settlement bonds, 1567-1694

Statute book, c. 1325-1557

Precedents, 1750-post 1823

QB/C Correspondence, c.1560-1681, 1820-91 [calendar]

QB/F Financial Archives

Chamberlains' accounts, 1611-1883

Sea walls, 1706-87

Bonds, 1710-1813

Estreats, 1722-1840

Water bailiffs' books, 1753-1814

Dredgers Friendly Society, 1793-1811

Rates and assessments, 1657-1831

Bills and vouchers, 1571-1861

Oyster fishery books, 1747-1833

Land bailiffs' bills, 1632, 1733-1844

QB/I Incorporation

Charters [at Queenborough], 1399-1885

Transcripts, etc., 1361-c.1660

QB/J Judicial Records

Borough court of record, 1532-1735

View of Frankpledge, 1496-1885

Quarter Sessions, 1721-1885

Licensed victuallers, 1598-1652, 1832

Oaths, 1688-1774

Petty Sessions, 1814-1898

QB/L Legal Papers - law suits, etc., c.1608, 1718-1881

QB/P Maps and Plans

QB/R Registration

Apprentices, 1598-1860

Freedom of borough, 1703-1881

Leases, 1749-1882

Parliamentary elections, 1583-1830

Municipal elections, 1885

QB/T Title deeds, etc., 1571-c.1830

QB/Z Miscellaneous

Borough papers, c.1545-1882

Parish records [see K.A.O., P295], 1635-6, 1738-1817

Records are open for consultation unless otherwise indicated

These were received as follows:

November 1957: ACC.127; 129 QB/AA; QB/AB/1-14; QB/AC/1-4; QB/AF; QB/AL/1-4; QB/ALz/1-6; QB/AM/1-6; QB/AN; QB/AO/1-8; QB/AP/1-5; QB/AS; QB/AZ; QB/AZp/1-2; QB/C/1-2; QB/FAc/1-6; QB/FAg/1-7; QB/FA1; QB/FAn/1-4; QB/FAo/1-9; QB/FAp; QB/FAq; QB/FAt; QB/FAw/1-3; QB/Faz/1-7; QB/FB/1-7; QB/FE; QB/FOb/1-12; QB/FOd; QB/FR/1-3, 4/1-4, 5-7; QB/FVc/1-93; QB/FVo/1-15; QB/FVs/1-60; QB/FVz/1-18; QB/I/1-8; QB/I/9/1-18; QB/JBs/1-2; QB/JBp/1-2; QB/JBz/1-2; QB/JMp; QB/JMs/1-6; QB/JP/1-4; QB/JQ1/1-7; QB/JQo/1-3; QB/JQp; QB/JQr; QB/JQs; QB/JQz; QB/L/1-10; QB/P/1-4; QB/RA/1-3; QB/RF/1-6; QB/RL/1; QB/RP/1; QB/RPo; QB/RPp; QB/RPr/1-28; QB/RQ; QB/T/1-17; QB/ZB/1-103

December 1965: Acc 409 QB/FR4/5; QB/FVc/94; QB/I/17; QB/JZi/1; QB/L11-13; QB/RF/7-8

No Date: Acc no. not known QB/Am/8-19; QB/AO/9-11; QB/I/9/19; QB/JP/5; QB/L/14; QB/RPp/1790; QB/T/18-20; QB/ZB/104-122

August 1969: Acc 535 QB/RPp/1810

November 1974: Acc 741 QB/Am/20/1-2; QB/Am/21-1-2; QB/Am/22/1/1; QB/Am/23-24; QB/Fm/1/1-2; QB/FRm/2/1

February 1980; Acc 994 QB/Zb/123-126

March 1980; Acc 1001 QB/JP/6; QB/P/5; QB/ZB/127-128

March 1984; Acc 1252 QB/Am/25-29

ND; Acc no. not known QB/Am/22/2; 23-24; QB/Fm/1/3-8; QB/FRm/3/1; QB/Ho/1/1-3