Henry Seventh, “in consideration that through the decay of the haven and river, by many burstings forth, was become sandy and impassable, as before, for merchandise,” remitteth £80 annually of the fee farm rent. And the said King Henry Seventh granteth that the city of Chester and the suburbs, towns, and hamlets thereof, the castle excepted, should be a county of itself, by the name of the county of Chester. Henry the Eighth sent letters in parchment under his privy seal to the Mayor of Chester, charging that the citizens should not be pressed unto the war, but remain within the city for the defence thereof. He also, by letters patent, discharged the city from being a sanctuary for malefactors, which was by proclamation removed to Stafford. In the 32nd year of the same reign, the city obtained the privilege of returning two burgesses as its representatives in the English parliament. The important changes effected in the municipal corporations of England and Wales in 1835 render it unnecessary to enter further into the various charters granted to the city of Chester. By that Act, the local government was vested in town councillors, elected by the burgesses, and who serve for a term of three years. Chester is divided into five wards for the election of the council; each ward elects six councillors, two of whom retire from office annually. The councillors elect ten aldermen, who hold their office for six years; and any member of the council is eligible to the office of mayor. The following is a list of those who have served the office of mayor of Chester:— 1251 Sir Walter Lynnett, Knt. 1677 William Ince, Esq. 1696 Peter Bennet, Esq. 1700 Hugh Starkie, Esq. 1702 William, Earl of Derby. 1704 Edward Partington, Esq. 1705 Edward Puleston, Esq. 1708 James Mainwaring, Esq. 1709 William Allen, Esq. 1710 Thomas Partington, Esq. 1711 John Minshull, Esq. 1712 John Thomason, Esq. 1714 Francis Sayer, Esq. 1715 John Stringer, Esq. 1715 Sir Richd. Grosvenor, Bart. 1716 Henry Bennett, Esq. 1717 John Hodgson, Esq. 1718 Alexander Denton, Esq. 1719 Randle Bingley, Esq. 1720 Thomas Edwards, Esq. 1725 John Parker, Esq. 1729 Thomas Brock, Esq. 1731 Trafford Massie, Esq. 1733 Peter Ellamies, Esq. 1734 Roger Massie, Esq. 1736 W. W. Wynn, Esq. 1737 Sir Robt. Grosvenor, Bart. 1738 Nathanael Wright, Esq. 1743 Thomas Davies, Esq. 1744 Thomas Maddock, Esq. 1745 Henry Ridley, Esq. 1746 Edward Yearsley, Esq. 1747 William Edwards, Esq. 1748 Edward Griffith, Esq. 1750 John Hallwood, Esq. 1754 Wm. Cooper, Esq., M.D. 1757 Richard Richardson, Esq. 1758 Thomas Grosvenor, Esq. 1759 Thos. Cholmondeley, Esq. 1760 Thomas Cotgreave, Esq. 1761 Holme Burrows, Esq. 1763 Edward Burrows, Esq. 1764 George French, Esq. 1765 Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. 1769 Gabriel Smith, Esq. 1773 Panton Ellamies, Esq. 1779 Thomas Amery, Esq. 1781 Henry Higg, Esq.