King James II Charter of Extended Rights, Newcastle-under-Lyme

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Date:1685

Description:In 1684 King Charles II forced Newcastle to surrender all its charters.
Charters were formal documents granting rights given by a king or queen written by clerks in the royal chancery.
This was recorded in the Corporation minute book on 15 October 1684:
‘...it was agreed that the Charter and all Manors, Messuages, lands, Rents, Tenements, Specialties, bonds, debts, goods, Chattels & hereditaments whatsoever which the Town enjoyeth in right of their Corporation be granted and surrendered into the Hands of the King’s most excellent majesty...’

Before this happened the council put the town lands and rents in the hands of local trustees.
This money could then go to the church minister for the relief of the poor.

King James II granted a new charter in 1685.
This reduced the number of capital burgesses and aldermen who could sit on the council. Conveniently the king chose his supporters for these positions.
He could also remove any council member when it suited.

Four years later the charter was annulled.
The borough regained its previous freedoms and privileges.


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Image courtesy of: Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Donor ref:Nm.2016.4 (R) (22/49648)

Source: Brampton Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme

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