TRANSLATION

[1. Earl John's charter to Dublin]

John, lord of Ireland, count of Mortain, to all his men and those friendly towards him, French, English, Irish, and Welsh, present and future, greetings.

Know that I have given and granted, and by this my charter have confirmed, to my citizens of Dublin – both those residing inside and outside the walls, as far as the town limits – that they may have [jurisdiction within] those boundaries that were perambulated by reputable citizens under oath by order of my father, King Henry. That is: on the east side of Dublin, the southern part of the pasture-land that stretches as far as the gate of St. Kevin's church, and from there by the road as far as Kilmerecaregan, and then along the land boundary from Donnybrook to the [River] Dodder, and from the Dodder as far as the sea (that is, to Clarade next the sea), and from Clarade as far as Renniuelan.

And on the west side of Dublin from the church of St. Patrick through the valley as far as Karnanclonegunethe, and from there as far as the boundary of the land of Kilmainham, and beyond the watercourse of Kilmainham near the River Liffey, as far as the ford at Kilmehanoc, and beyond the watercourse of the River Liffey towards the north through Ennocneganhoc, and then as far as the barns of Holy Trinity, and from those barns as far as the gallows. And thus along the boundary between Clonliffe and Crinan as far as the [River] Tolka. And from there as far as the church of St. Mary of Oxmantown.

And that they are to have all the liberties and free customs written below.

Those liberties that I have granted them are the following:

[clause 1] That no citizen of Dublin need plead outside the town walls concerning any plea other than those relating to external tenements which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the hundred [court] of the town.

[clause 2] That they may be exempt from murdrum within the town boundaries.

[clause 3] That no citizen need undertake [trial by] battle on any accusation which someone makes against him in the city [court]; instead he may clear himself through the oath of 40 law-abiding men of the city.

[clause 4] That no-one may, against the will of the citizens, take a billet within the walls by requisition or by assignment of the marshal.

[clause 5] That they are to be exempt from toll, lastage, passage, pontage, and all other customs throughout the territory over which I have authority.

[clause 6] That no-one be sentenced to a monetary amercement except according to the law [administered] by the hundred; that is, a fine of 40s., of which he who is amerced shall be excused of half, and shall pay the other half of the amercement. With the exceptions of three [causes for] amercements: for [infringement of the assizes of] bread or ale, or for [failing to perform] night-watch; which amercements are of 2s.6d, of which half may be pardoned, and the other half handed over as the amercement.

[clause 7] That the hundred [court] may be held as often as once a week.

[clause 8] That no-one may fail in a plea through miskenning.

[clause 9] That they may have rights to their lands and land-holdings, to things they pledge, and to debts [owed them] throughout all territory under my authority, whoever shall owe them.

[clause 10] That they may distrain their debtors by seizing goods [they have] in Dublin.

[clause 11] That, in regard to lands and land-holdings they have within the town, justice is to be done to them according to the custom of the city.

[clause 12] That in regard to debts entered into in the city and things given as security there, [related] pleas are to be held in the city, [and conducted] according to city custom.

[clause 13] That if anyone anywhere within the territory under my authority takes toll from men of the city, unless it is given back after demand having been made for its return, the reeve of the city may seize related goods and distrain for the restoration.

[clause 14] That no outsider merchant may buy grain, hides, or wool within the city from outsiders, but only from citizens.

[clause 15] That no outsider may retail wine, except from a ship. But I reserve the right that, from every ship which happens to come there with wine, my bailiff (as my lieutenant) may choose two tuns of wine – whichever he wishes – for my use, for 40s.: that is, one [from the cargo] ahead of the mast for 20s., the second from behind the mast for 20s. And he is to take nothing further from the ship, unless the merchant is agreeable.

[clause 16] That no outsider is to retail cloth in the city.

[clause 17] That no outsider merchant is to remain in town with his merchandize, for purposes of selling it, for more than 40 days.

[clause 18] Also, that no citizen of Dublin anywhere within my territory or jurisdiction is to have his goods seized or be distrained for any debt of which he is not the debtor or the guarantor.

[clause 19] That they, or their sons, daughters or widows, may marry without [requiring] permission from their lords.

[clause 20] Also, that none of those who are lords of their outside lands may on that basis have wardship or bestowal [in marriage] of their sons, daughters or widows, but only custody of the properties that are in their lordship, until they [i.e. the children] come of age.

[clause 21] That no acknowledgement of lordship may be made in the city.

[clause 22] That they may have all their legitimate gilds, just as the burgesses of Bristol are accustomed to have, or had in the best of times.

[clause 23] That no citizen is to be compelled against his will to stand bail for anyone, even if he is living on the latter's land.

[clause 24] I have also granted to them that they may dispose at will of all real estate held, both inside and outside the walls, as far as the [town] boundaries, according to common agreement of the city: dwellings, gardens, structures upon the river, and elsewhere, wherever they may be in the town; holding them in free burgage – that is, for the landgable rent that they pay inside the walls.

[clause 25] I have also granted that any of them may make improvements, such as within their means, in terms of constructing buildings wherever they may wish upon the river, so long as this is not to the damage of the citizens or the town.

[clause 26] Also that they may have and hold all vacant plots and land that are contained within the boundaries mentioned, to build on as they wish.

[clause 27] I have also granted them that neither Templar nor Hospitaller may have more than one single man or dwelling within those boundaries that is exempt from the communal dues of the city.

All these things I have granted, reserving that all those who have, outside the walls up to the boundary limits, lands and tenures [held] by my charter may not dispose of them in the same way that others are disposed of, but (like other citizens) are to be subject to all city customs.

Wherefore it is my firm wish and command that my citizens of Dublin and their heirs who succeed them may have and hold all liberties and free customs written above, from myself and my heirs, as well and as fully as they ever possessed them, when at their peak, securely, peaceful and honorably, without any obstruction or interference that anyone might cause against them.

Witnesses: Stephen Ridell my chancellor, Walter de Dunestamuill, William de Kahaignes my steward, Theobald Walter the butler, Hamon de Valoniis, Ingelram de Pratellis, David Wallens, Richard de Ruuers, Fulk de Cantelleu, William fitz Ricard, Gilbert de Angulo, Roger Tyrell, Master Benedict, Master Peter Canute. [Given] at London, 15 May 1192.

2. The citizens of Dublin claim to have the liberties written below

First, they claim to have all liberties and free customs that the burgesses of Bristol have, as is indicated in a certain charter of Henry, king of England, father of king John, which was confirmed by a charter of his son John.

Also that they are exempt from toll, passage, and pontage throughout the king's lands, as well as of all customs. And that they may have all their liberties and exemptions, fully and honorably, just like [other] free and loyal men of the king.

And that they may have the city of Dublin, with its provostry and all other things pertaining to it.

Also [as clause 1 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 2 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 3 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 4 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 6 of the 1192 charter].

Also, that the hundred [court] be held once a fortnight.

Also [as clause 8 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 9 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 10 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 12 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 13 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 14 of the 1192 charter].

Also that no outsider retail wine from a ship, except for what is due regarding requisitioning of wine for the king.

And [as clause 16 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 17 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 18 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 19 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 20 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 21 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 22 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 23 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 24 of the 1192 charter].

Also [as clause 25 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 26 of the 1192 charter].

And [as clause 27 of the 1192 charter].

And that they may have an annual fair, as the king's charter acknowledges.

And that they may elect a mayor from among themselves, as [the king's charter] etc.

By communal decision on 24 September 1305 it was established that if anyone whose is qualified to be mayor absents himself without good reason on Michaelmas, he must give £10 towards repairs to the guildhall.

If anyone who might be elected as bailiff absents himself without good reason, he must give forty shillings.

And similarly if anyone who could be elected rent-collector absents himself, he must give twenty shillings.

And if the mayor is unwilling to levy these [fines], they are to be deducted from his salary.

It is further ordained that henceforth there are to be three night-watchmen in the city, of whom one is to be in charge of [the sector] from Gormund's Gate to the great bridge, and thereby along the entire riverside as far as the small tower opposite the St. Olave's church, and [along] Cook Street as far as the gate mentioned.

The [sector of the] second night-watchman begins at the New Gate, and from there along the high street, as far as the new tollhouse, and [then] as far as St. Patrick's Gate, including Rupelle Street and three lanes – viz. St. Audoenus lane, Gilmeholmok lane, and another lane leading to the house of Thomas le Marechal.

The third night-watchman has charge from the new tollhouse, along the high street as far as Dame's Gate, and to the gate of the residence of master John de Kerdif, throughout the fishmarket, as far as St. Olave's tower, including two adjacent lanes, of which one stretches from the church of St. John in Boue Street as far as the gate in Tavern Street.

And each night-watchman is to have three deputies accompanying him every night, and that night-watchman shall be the fourth member of the party that day; if he refuses he shall be amerced sixpence.

Also, it is ordained that widows who are capable shall participate in the night-watch, just as others of the neighbourhood, without any objections.

Also, it is ordained that they shall be as watchful for fires in shops as in houses.

Also that mayors and bailiffs do not have to participate in the night-watch during times of crisis, [such as] when there is war.

Also, that every night-watchman report all offences to the bailiffs, if they discover any.

3. Regulations ordained by the common council of the city of Dublin

It is established by the common council that if anyone speaks disparagingly of, or in any [other] way offends against, the mayor in any location outside the guildhall or tollhouse, he must give him 40s., and he is to be amerced by the bailiffs according to the seriousness of the offence, that is up to the amount of 20s.

If anyone speaks disparagingly of, or in any way offends against, the mayor while he is on the bench, he must give him £10.

If anyone speaks disparagingly of, or in any way offends against, a bailiff, he must give him 10s., and he is to be amerced by the bailiffs as above.

If a jurat speaks disparagingly of, or in any way offends against, his [fellow] jurat, he must give him 5s.

Also if one neighbour [does the same] against another, he must give him 2s.

It is established that the mayor may hold a council meeting once a week, on the Friday, or any other day if need requires it.

No butcher may buy or sell meat without first having come before the bailiffs and presented good and secure pledges that he will make amends and be answerable for his actions.

No baker is to bake bread without stamping it with his own seal; if he contravenes this, the bread is to be confiscated and he to be amerced.

A good quality goose is to sell for 2d.

Two good quality rabbits for three-halfpence; two of middling quality for 1d.

Three chickens for a penny.

A good quality hen for 1d.

Two good quality plovers for 1d.; three of middling quality for 1d.

Two good quality woodcocks for 1d.; three of middling quality for 1d.

Fish are not to be taken out of fish-ponds, but only from the sea or the river.

The same applies to butchers, upon pain of forfeiting them to the city.

If someone is lawfully summonsed and fails to appear, unless he is able to present a reasonable excuse, he is to be amerced 20d. If the mayor is reluctant to levy that money, he is to be compelled to pay it himself, and it is to be put towards [maintenance of] the city wall. For no reason is it to be pardoned.

If anyone brings a suit and proves before the bailiffs his right to a debt owed him, the one from whom the debt is sought shall not have a [right of] summons.

No-one is to share in the liberties of the city unless he pays towards aids and tallages, according to his means, just like other citizens residing in the city.

Meat is to be sold from stalls; if a butchers sells it elsewhere, the meat is to be confiscated and he amerced.

No sheep's pell is to be sold or worked in the city; if worked, then he who worked it shall be subject to amercement, and the fur worked treated as fake.

The same is to be done with regard to fraudulent cloth and inaccurate weights.

Let a record be made of the day when a ship arrives at the quay in the port carrying outsiders; they are to sell their merchandize within 40 days of the date recorded. From that point they may stay in the city, if they wish, for 40 days and no more, without permission from the mayor and bailiffs.

No ship is to have any cargo of merchandize unloaded until it has been assessed for customs purposes.

No-one is to retail salt from a ship.

No-one is to buy from foreigners – not at Dalkey nor elsewhere – wine, iron, salt, nor any other merchandize so as to forestall the city. If someone does so, he is to be amerced 20s. on the first occasion. If he does so a second time, he is to be amerced 40s. If a third time, he is to surrender the freedom of the city for a year and a day. With the exception of a ship which intends to unload elsewhere than in the port of Dublin.

No ale-wife is to use straw in her brewing; if she is found brewing with straw, she shall give 20s. as the amercement.

No regrater or regratress is to buy fish except after the third [hour], nor to forestall the city of fish, meat or any other foodstuff. He or she who does so is to be imprisoned for 40 days, or to give up that livelihood for a year and a day.

No baker is to buy grain outside the gates of the city, nor elsewhere, but only in the city marketplace; if he does so, he is to be amerced up to 20s.

No regrater is to buy hides except in the king's marketplace; whoever does so is to be imprisoned for 40 days. In regard to hides, it is to be understood that every hide has a value of threepence.

Lepers are not to come inside the city walls.

Everyone is to clean the street in front of his home; should he fail to do so, he is to be amerced twelve pence.

Fish are to be sold from the fish-stalls and not elsewhere from benches.

Fires are not to be lit in any shop unless it is [at least] ten feet wide.

If the sergeants whose duties include the killing of [stray] pigs are unwilling to do so, they are to be imprisoned for forty days.

No outhouse in the city may have a drainage channel that is open, upon fine of twenty shillings.

Should it happen that a house catches fire inside, and the fire or its flames are not seen [to spread] outside before the fire dies out, he [i.e. the householder] is to be amerced 20s.

And if the flames are seen [to spread] outside, he is to be amerced 40s.

And if the neighbourhood is set on fire by anyone, he is to be seized bodily and cast into the middle of the fire.

[No] woad-dealer, nor any outsider, may buy the hides off freshly butchered carcasses, nor may any butcher sell such fresh hides to outsiders.

No merchant of Chester may sell salt from a ship, but must unload it and have it put in storage before selling it.

There is no need to say anything here about the weighing of bread, but let such matters be handled as they were in times past.

Concerning the weaving of a cloth of a single colour, of 32 ells in length, 16d. [is the fee] for all work done.

For each ell of burel woven, three-farthings for all work done.

For fulling a cloth of 32 ells in length, 3s.

If the cloth is longer than 32 ells, the charge is by the ell.

It is established that each workman engaged in fulling shall have 2d. a day [as wages].

For dyeing a cloth of 32 ells, 3d. per ell.

For carding a stone of wool, 1d.

For transporting a tun of wine from the river as far as any house outside the walls, 3d.

And to within the walls, as far as the church of Holy Trinity, or an equivalent distance, 4d.

And as far as the high street, or elsewhere [passing] through the city, or an equivalent or greater distance (that is, within the walls), 6d.

For loading a tun in a ship, 4d.

For loading a tun onto a cart, 3d.

To porters, for each wey of salt carried as far as the city marketplace, 3d. For a wey of iron carried as far as that marketplace, 3½d.

If any rascal says something slanderous about any man or woman of good reputation, he is to be imprisoned for 40 days.

If a woman is discovered making ale of substandard quality, on the first occasion she is to be amerced 15d. On the second occasion, 2s.6d. At the third offence she is to give up that livelihood for a year and a day.

No currier is to cure leather beneath solars; if one does so, he is to be put in prison.

No-one is to receive fish in his house from any stranger, for purposes of selling it; if such is discovered, he is to forfeit all the fish.