Page 11 - WS The Wokingham Charters

WOKINGHAM CHARTER OF ELIZABETH I: GLOSSARY

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The Charter is headed “ P Secunda Paten de anno Regni Regine Elizabethe Vicesimo
Quinto” which means “The Second Part of Patents from the twenty-fifth year of the Reign of
Queen Elizabeth”, ie 1583. The Charter is dated 9 February.

The side heading reads “De Conf’ Inhabitan’ Ville de Wokingham” which translates as “For
the assurance/confidence of the inhabitants of Wokingham”.

At the end of the Charter is written “Jure de privato sigillo concordat cum Recordo &
Examinatur per me”, ie “The Rights under the Privy Seal agree with the Record as Examined
by me”.

Expressions in the Charter Meaning
Alderman The chief official of the town

Aletaster A person responsible for testing the quality and correct
measurement of ale

Amerciament A financial penalty imposed by a court

Bailiff A court officer who summonsed the Jury and, if necessary,
performed arrests as well as supervising court matters

Constable An official who ensured law and order during court sessions

Court baron A Manorial Court which met more frequently than a Court
Leet to determine local cases

Hanaper Originally a small wicker basket, but by this time the office
within the royal government to which the town had to pay
the money for the charter

Leet A Manorial Court which usually met only once or twice a
year, unlike the more frequent Court Leet, and which dealt
with local matters

Letters Patent A public written order issued by eg a monarch, generally
granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a
person or corporation
Perquisite A benefit arising from a particular employment or office

Preheminencies Superior rights

Rolls Chapel A chapel attached to the Rolls House on Chancery Lane,
London, in which some of the records of the Court of
Chancery were formerly stored
t
S Barnaby (Barnabas) Day 11 June
Steward The chief official of the lord of the manor and a senior court
official

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