The extract from the _Hereford Iter_ appears to refer to the same clothier. It illustrates the growth of a demand for written evidence, the lawyer throwing scorn on the value of the tally, though tallies had been commonly used at the king’s Exchequer. The reference to Law Merchant should be noted. Edward I by the Statute of Acton Burnell in 1283 had established courts in certain boroughs in which merchants might have merchant law for the recovery of debts. Gild of St. Michael, Lincoln This extract describes the normal doings of a gild, it is of special interest that it insists on equality among its members. Gild of Tailors, Exeter Letters Patent, or Charters were often merely confirmations of an already existing gild, sometimes probably dating from Saxon days but having fresh occasion to fear interference on the part of a neighbouring lord or the king, written records having now become the rule in cases of tenure of property. Such charters were often submitted to succeeding kings for confirmation, and where this was not done Charles II was able to make large sums by calling in the ancient charters. This record also shows well the efforts made to keep up a good standard of work, and the extent of the jurisdiction of the gild-authorities. The Livery Companies Stow’s account is inserted here to show the unbroken succession of these voluntary associations from Saxon to modern days; though at the Reformation they lost their religious character. The later trading companies are closely akin to these, but lack the main motive of mutual charity, though they too exist to co-operate in work for which the individuals’ efforts would not suffice. The earliest of them, the Merchant Adventurers, did actually begin as the religious gild of S. Thomas of Canterbury, being joined by Flemings holding a charter to trade from John of Brabant. USAGES OF WINCHESTER (Toulmin Smith, _English Gilds_) Summary These be the olde usages of the City of Winchester, that have been used in the time of our elderne, be and shall be to the franchise[15] saving and sustaining. The Mayor shall be chosen every year, by the four and twenty sworn men and the commonalty. There shall be four and twenty sworn men, for a Council to help the Mayor: who shall attend him on summons. There shall be two Bailiffs, who shall be chosen by the Commonalty, out of four named by the Mayor and Twenty four, at the Michaelmas borough moot. Also four Serjeants to do the bidding of the Mayor and Bailiffs. And two Coroners who are to act in the soke[16] as well as in the city. The Bailiffs must every year lodge the plea rolls[17] for common use. N.B.--The Twenty four must be impartial, and be careful in speech. Makers of quilts and blankets must work within the city and pay an annual tax for the houses where quilts are made. Every worker does not become a freeman. The price of burel cloth shall be according to the time of year. Burel cloth shall be made by freemen of the town.