Queen Elizabeth I Charter of Incorporation, Newcastle-under-Lyme

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Date:1590

Description:During the Medieval and Tudor periods many towns received a Charter of Incorporation.
A charter is a formal document granting rights given by a king or queen written by clerks in the royal chancery.
The charter given to Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1590 sets out who should run the town.
It names the Mayor, two bailiffs and twenty-four capital burgesses.
By becoming a 'corporation' they could act in the interests of the town.
They could sue (and be sued) and own land on behalf of the town.
The council elected its own members without asking the townsfolk.
This undemocratic principle existed until 1835.


Digitisation project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1340s
Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Medieval Confirmation of the Gild Merchant Charters
Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Medieval Confirmation of the Gild Merchant Charters

Newcastle was granted a ‘Gild Merchant Charter’ by King Henry III in 1235. A charter ...

1660s
King Charles II Charter of Extended Rights, Newcastle-under-Lyme
King Charles II Charter of Extended Rights, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Parliamentarians executed King Charles I in 1649. England had no king and became ...

1680s
King James II Charter of Extended Rights, Newcastle-under-Lyme
King James II Charter of Extended Rights, Newcastle-under-Lyme

In 1684 King Charles II forced Newcastle to surrender all its charters. Charters ...

1830s
Cartoon study for the 'Mock Mayor' of Newcastle-under-Lyme
Cartoon study for the 'Mock Mayor' of Newcastle-under-Lyme

Oil on board depicting cartoon detail of images that were considered by the artist ...

1850s
Ordnance Survey, Public Health Act Map of Newcastle-under-Lyme – Sheet 5
Ordnance Survey, Public Health Act Map of Newcastle-under-Lyme – Sheet 5

These maps were surveyed in 1851 by the Ordnance Survey Department in accordance ...

1870s
John Williams, Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme
John Williams, Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme

John Williams wearing ceremonial robes and chains of office, carrying a ceremonial ...

1890s
Caddick Adams family's nanny dressed as Queen Victoria, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Caddick Adams family's nanny dressed as Queen Victoria, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Caddick Adams family's nanny is here pictured dressed as Queen Victoria, for ...

1910s
Police Station, High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Police Station, High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Police station opened in 1834, for Newcastle's first police constable, and was ...

1920s
Mayor Choosing Ceremony for Robert Beresford, Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Mayor Choosing Ceremony for Robert Beresford, Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Mayor Choosing ceremony is a tradition in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The newly elected ...

1950s
Mayor Choosing Ceremony for Edward Bond, Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Mayor Choosing Ceremony for Edward Bond, Market Cross, Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Mayor Choosing ceremony is a tradition in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The newly ...

1970s
Newcastle Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Newcastle Market by J.W. Griffiths is a very colourful and lively streetscene with ...

1990s
Guildhall and Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Guildhall and Market, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Watercolour signed by Alf Fallows and dated 1995 depicting the Guildhall clock and ...

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Image courtesy of: Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Donor ref:Nm.2016.3 (R) (22/49639)

Source: Brampton Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle under Lyme

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.