Royal Charters

This is the Charter of Incorporation and it was granted to the Mayor and Citizens of the City of Bath to define the rights and privileges of the Municipality.

Summary:

• Bath should be a sole City of itself.
• The Mayor and Citizens should have Aldermen and a Common Council.
• The number of Aldermen and Common Councilmen should be prescribed, and their mode of election and term of service should be defined.
• The Mayor should be chosen yearly on the Monday before the Feast of St. Michael.
• The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens should retain the Council House within the Guildhall and hold the Council therein.
• Powers should be granted to make by-laws and to impose fines.
• Two Sergeants of the Mace should be chosen each year and should carry before the Mayor Maces of gold or silver engraved with the Arms of England.
• The boundaries of the City should be defined, with power to break through fences, buildings and enclosures.
• Powers should be granted to make inhabitants free Citizens or Burgesses.
• Powers should be granted to hold a Court of record every Monday.
• Powers should be granted to establish a prison and gaol.
• The Bailiffs should have return of all writs.
• The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens should be aware of all pleas and writs and should have by the Mayor an assize of bread, wine, beer and other victuals with power to fine and punish persons offending.
• The Mayor should be Clerk of the market and that fines, waifs, strays and forfeits should go to the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens with powers of seizure.
• Two markets should be held every week on Wednesday and Saturday.
• No stranger who is not a Freeman should sell in the city without license of the Mayor, except in the market or fair.
• Powers of justice should be defined.
• The Mayor should be Coroner for the City.
• The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens should own the Baths and waste ground lands and tenements.
• The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens should hold grants and privileges specified in the Charter.
• The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens should have those letters patent under the Great Seal without fine or fee.

This Charter conferred on the Borough of Bath the status of a City.

Text:
Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the faith to all whom these presents shall come, greeting.

Whereas we for divers good causes and considerations us there unto moving are graciously pleased to confer on the Borough of Bath the status of a City. Now therefore know ye that we of our special grace and favour and mere motion do by these presents ordain declare and direct that the Borough of Bath shall henceforth have the status of a City and shall have all such rank liberties privileges and immunities as are incident to a City.