Medieval English urban history - Yarmouth - Oaths of officers and burgesses

History of medieval Yarmouth

APPENDIX 3:
Oaths of officers and burgesses

Oaths are useful sources for showing the expectations that the community had of the performance of its official representatives or its servants, and of the return obligation of the members of the community. At the ceremonies for swearing in officers, or for men entering thethe franchise, the text of the appropriate oath would be read out while the oath-taker had his hand on the Bible and (presumably) stated his agreement/compliance at the end of the reading of the oath. Administering sacred oaths, which relied on the strength of religious beliefs and the personal sense of honour of the oath-taker, and whose infringement could be the basis for dismissal or disfranchisement, was the chief means by which standards of conduct could be communicated and enforced.

The oaths below, of which I give only abstracts – except for the elector's oath, whose text is given in full (but modernized) – are drawn from the Book of Oaths and Ordinances (Norfolk Record Office Y/C18/1), ff.8-9, a volume still in fairly good condition, although with some damage to the edges of folios. They are versions drafted in the 1490s; though probably, in most regards, broadly representative of earlier versions, and likely copied from some earlier record, they show signs of minor modifications.

Oath of the 24 [councillors]

To support and maintain the liberties of the town.

To keep secret matters discussed by the town council.

To be obedient to the bailiffs.

To be ready to attend on the bailiffs at all councils, whenever summoned.

To assist the bailiffs and counsel them in all matters regarding their official duties and the liberties of the town.

To uphold all the town ordinances.

To maintain the king's peace.

Oath of a burgess

To be faithful to the king.

To maintain, obey, and uphold the liberties and customs of the town.

To be at the command of the bailiffs, whenever summoned to serve on jury duty.

Not to conceal any strangers' goods.

To inform the bailiffs of any knowledge of traitors, spies, or, evildoers.

Oath of the bailiffs

To deal with rich and poor with equal impartiality.

To maintain, uphold, and execute the customs, statutes, and ordinances of the town.

Not tolerate any false usages or customs.

To collect the king's green wax and other debts due him.

To punish all who rebel against or infringe the liberties

Oath of the chamberlains

To well and truly levy and collect the rents, farms, fines, amercements, customs, and other duties belonging to the town.

To pay all expenses out of the same revnues, as instructed by the bailiffs.

To render true account when demanded.

Oath of electors of bailiffs and other officers

Hear this, you bailiffs and all good men, that I, A. B, shall well, impartially, and according to the ordinances of the town, make true election of the best and most discreet men of this town of Great Yarmouth to exercise and occupy the office of bailiffs of this town for the year next coming. And also I shall choose and make true and impartial election, according to the same ordinances, of all other officers; that is to say, 2 chamberlains, 2 churchwardens, 2 muragers, 8 herring wardens, 2 collectors of the half-doles, and 4 auditors. And I shall not fail to do this, not for friendship or affection of, favour from, or collusion with, any person, so help me God at the Last Judgement and by this book.

Yarmouth history

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Created: March 9, 2010 Last update: 17 April, 2010