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ZA - City of Chester Assembly - 1407-1857

B - Assembly Minute Books - 1539-1835

1 - Assembly Book - 15th century-1624

1 - Page by page summary of contents - 16th century-17th century

2 - List of the Mayors and Sheriffs, 1326-1784 - 1784

3 - Blank

4 - The boundaries of the City 'newly viewed' by Henry Gee [Mayor, 1533 and 1539] during his second period of office. - 1539

5 - The boundaries of the City 'of olde tymes' - 16th century

6 - Survey of the streets of the City, as they were in the time of Edward III - mid 16th century

7 - Blank

8 - Survey of the wards of the City, made by Henry Gee - mid 16th century

9 - Survey of the gable rents of the City - c 1533

10 - Blank - n.d.

11 - Survey of the most important of the customs levied at the port of Chester, owing to various of the City officials - 1530s

12 - Survey of the fees payable to various City officials - c 1539

13 - Blank - n.d.

14 - Court Fees appertaining to the Recorder and the Sheriffs' Clerk - nd

15 - Blank - n.d.

16 - Note of the special watch kept in Chester on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day - 1542

17 - City Rental - c 1533

18 - Blank - n.d.

19 - Order re election of officials - 21 Nov 1539

20 - Blank - n.d.

21 - Order re survey of poor - 1539

22 - Order re sale of corn - 1533/9

62 - Order re education, etc of children - 21 Nov 1539

63 - Order re appointment of muragers - 12 Dec 1466

63v - Order re attendance at priest offerings, ales and Welsh weddings - 28 Apr 1516

64 - Petitions re freedom of Chester - 1453-1536

64v-5 - Orders re regulation of trade - 1529-1532

65-6 - Order re barley, malt and brewing trade - 17 Nov 1536

66v - Order re lighting - 1503

67-8 - Regulations re archery and other sports - 10 Jan 1540

68v - Orders re commons and import of iron - 1533-1543

69 - Orders re freemen and re bread - 1505

69v - Note re appointment of Sheriff's Clerk - 9 Jan 1540

70 - Orders re Sheriff's Clerk and re keeping of taverns by women - 1540

70v - Order re provision for women around childbirth - 12 May 1540

71 - Order re debtors - 1539

71v - Order re debtors - 9 Nov 1542

72 - Order re court actions - 8 Jul 1540

72v - Order re headgear worn by women - 1539

73 - Orders re price of ale and re pigs - 3 Aug 1540

73v - Orders re bequest to Mayor and legal procedures - 1539-1540

74 - Order re appointment of Common Council - 6 Oct 1533

74v - Order re expenditure - 13 Oct 1541

75 - Note of the events whereby Chester managed to avoid becoming a sanctuary town - 10 Jul 1542

75v-76 - Regulations re Pentice Court - 15 Dec 1545

76v - Orders re Common Hall, etc - 4 Sep 1546

77 - Order re imports, tolls and sale of goods - 20 Sep 1547

77v - Order re wool market - 26 Apr 1549

78 - Orders re defence of city, law and order, etc - 1523-1547

78v - Orders re muragers and re customs - 8 Aug 1549

79 - Order re regulation of trade - 25 Oct [?1549]

79v - Orders re regulation of trade - 25 Oct [?1549]

80 - Order re refusal of election to office - 3 Oct [?1549]

81 - Orders re gifts for mayor and re trade with Liverpool - mid 16th century

82 - Orders re sheep and pigs - ?3 Dec [1549]

82v - Orders re trade with Dublin, re candles - 14 Mar [?1550]

83 - Orders re election of Mayor, etc - 14 Mar [?1550]

83v-4 - Blank - mid 16th century

85 - Orders re appointment of Councillors, re sale of beer, re carters' charges - 12 Oct 1552

86 - Order re Hugh Glaseor, Clerk to the Pentice - 2 April 1554

86v - Order re non-attendance of jurors at court - mid 16th century

87 - Order re sale of corn - 1550s

87v-8 - Regulations re sale of goods and re Christmas customs - 1550s

88v - Note concerning a dispute between the Bakers and the Mayor - 14 Nov 1557

89 - Note re the Bakers submitting a bill of complaint against the Mayor to the Council of Wales - Jan [?1558]

89v - Report on hearing before the Council of Wales - 8 Feb-21 May ?1558

90 - Copy of letter from Bakers - Aug [?1558]

91 - Orders re work on 'the new haven', re freemen, re purchase of wood - 1 Feb [?1559]

91v - Order re sale of malt - 2 Sep [?1559]

92 - Orders re escheat lands, re officials' dress on feast days - 1557

92a - Note of the final submission of the Bakers - 15 Oct [?1559]

92v - Blank - 1550s

93 - Order re export of joinery - 8 Feb 1559

93v - Blank - 1550s

94 - Orders re assize of bread, re order of officials at Assemblies and re the new port - 19 Nov [?1559]

94v, 95v - Blank - n.d.

95-6 - Reports re taxation - c 1560

96v - Orders re financing of new port - 29 Oct [1560]

97 - Order re admission of 'strangers' - c 1560

97v - Order re sale of beer - 29 Oct [?1560]

98 - Order re indictment of brewers at Quarter Sessions - 10 Jan [?1561]

98-101 - Orders re customs - c 1561

101v - Order re appointment of auditors - 11 Apr [?1561]

102 - Order re Leevelookers and Pentice - 4 Jun [?1561]

103 - Note re auditors' report - 4 Jun [?1561]

103v - The assessment submitted; the Sheriffs and Leevelookers ordered to collect the money, and hand it over to Aldersay and Jewytt - 5 Jul [?1561]

104 - Memo concerning the disfranchisement of Peter Colman, merchant - 5 Jul [?1561]

105 - Disenfranchisement of Fulk Aldersay - 3 Jun 1562

106 - Note re expenses arising from defending the liberties of the City - 3 Jun 1562

106-7 - Reaffirmation of order - 9 Oct 1564

108 - Orders re butchers and re arrests made by Sheriffs' Yeomen - 20 Jun [?1565]

108a - Appointment of Thomas Thropp as Keeper of the Roodee - 12 Oct 1564

108v - Orders re sureties, letting property and re port - 20 Jun [?1565]

109 - Order re dogs - 20 Jun[?1565]

109v - Blank - n.d.

110 - Order re elections - 30 Mar [?1565]

111 - Orders re shipping, re pavements, re Northgate Bridge - 4 Jun [1565]

112 - Orders re enforcement of tolls - 20 Jun [?1565]

113 - Orders re fines - 10 Jan 1566

113v, 114v, 115 - Blank - n.d.

114 - Order re nomination of Leevelookers - 9 Oct 1566

116 - Order re Aldermen and Sheriff - 19 Nov [1566]

116v - Orders re trading - 16 Jan [?1567]

117-8 - Orders re rate for building of new port, re repair of pavements, re licencees, re taking legal action - 16 Jan [?1567]

118v - Order re refusal to pay rate - 22 Mar [?1567]

119 - Order re audit of accounts - 22 Mar [?1567]

119v - Orders re admission of freemen - 30 Aug [1568]

120 - Order re appointment of Clerk of the Pentice - 12 Apr [?1569]

120v - Blank - n.d.

121 - Repeal of order - 27 Jun [1569]

121v-2 - Orders re common bargains - 13 Sep [?1569]

122v - Order re Assembly members - 10 Jan [?1570]

123 - Order re provision of fire buckets - 20 Jan [?1570]

124 - Orders re collection of fines - 29 May [?1570]

125 - Blank - n.d.

126 - Orders re attendance at Assembly - 1 Nov 1570

126v - Order re survey of poor - 14 Mar [?1571]

127 - Order re passage of German nobles - 27 Jul [?1571]

127v - Blank - n.d.

128 - Orders re tonnage and poundage, re elections, re behaviour of officials - 1 Apr [?1572]

128v - Order re election of officials - 25 Aug [?1572]

129 - Order re election of officials - 25 Aug [?1572]

129v-130 - Order re case against Mayor - 26 Aug [?1572]

130v - Blank - n.d.

131-2 - Reaffirmation of previous orders - 20 Oct 1573

132v-3 - Order re Mayor - 23 Oct 1573

133v-135 - Copies of orders, discussion of legal position of Chester Exchequer - [1573]

135v - Order re building of conduit - 22 Dec [?1573]

136-7 - Orders re freemen, re collection of fines - 22 Dec [?1573]

138 - Orders re New Gate, re keeping of pigs - 14 Jan [?1574]

138v - Note re elopment of Alderman's daughter - 18 Jan [?1574]

139 - Note re submission of Wright - 20 Jan [?1574]

139v-40 - The boundaries of the City - 1573

141 - Orders - [?1574]

142-3, 145v - Blank - n.d.

144-5 - Copy of minutes of a meeting of the Privy Council at Greenwich; readmission of freemen; order re freemen's oath; order re the Newgate - 9 Apr [?1574]

146 - Orders re City charter; re admission of freemen; re election of Common Councilmen - 30 Apr [?1574]

147 - Order re City charter; re houses in Northgate Street - 7 May [?1574]

147v - Blank - [?1574]

148 - Orders re auditors; re carters; re Dee Bridge; re orphans - 2 Jul [?1574]

149 - Readmission of William Glaseor - 9 Aug [?1574]

149v - Blank - [?1574]

150-6 - Survey of Chester with names of tenants - 20 Jul [?1574]

156v - Blank - [?1574]

157 - Orders re auditors, etc - 17 Sep [?1574]

157v - Blank - [?1574]

158 - Order re inquiry into debts; re release of prisoner - 14 Dec [?1574]

159 - Auditors' report - Jan [?1575]

160 - Orders re collection of debts; re Corn Market - 7 Jan [?1575]

160v - Election of Richard Birkenhed as a freeman, Alderman and Recorder - 23 Mar-6 Apr [?1575]

161 - Settlement of Dutton's claims - April 15th [?1575]

162 - Copies of grants to the Nuns of Chester - c 1575

162v-3 - Whitsun plays; admissions; bequest for relief of poor - May 30-Sep 28 [?1575]

163v - Blank - c 1575

164-5 - Elections; re Corn Market House; repairs - Nov. 18th. 1575

165v-6 - Staging of Whitsun plays - Nov. 21st [?1575]

166v-7 - Cloth trade; levying of fines; financing port - Jan. 13th [?1576]

167v-8 - re fines - Jan. 24th [?1576]

168v - Weavers' dispute; Wrights, Slaters and Sawyers company - Feb. 24th [?1576]

169 - Raising of a rate; Dee Bridge - April 18th-June 19th [?1576]

169v - Workhouse; the Corn Market House - July 1st [?1576]

170 - Building of house in Northgate Street - July 18th [?1576]

170v-1 - Appointment of warders; orders re spinning, weaving; House of Correction - 24 Sep [?1576]

171v, 172v - Blank - c 1576

172 - The old custom of the City to be maintained, that the surety may go free if the principle is prepared to go to prison. - 26 Jun 1577

173 - Poor relief; house of correction; appointment of auditors; petitions - 22 Oct [1577]

174 - Elections; petitions; admissions; slander of mayor - 13 Jun 1578

175-6 - Memo. of a dispute with the Butchers - 3 Jun 1579

176v-7 - Foreign butchers; admissions; petition of the Joiners - 3 Jul 1579

177v - Elections and admissions - Jul-Oct 1579

178-9 - Review of bye-laws; collection of fines; audit; appointments of warders of the poor stock and House of Correction; selling of ale - 27 Nov 1579

179v - Reuse of waste ground; pavements; admissions; disenfranchisement of John White, glover - 3 Mar 1580/1

180 - Admissions; special trading licences - Mar-Jun 1581

180v - Admissions; appointment of swordbearer; dispute with new company of merchants - 25 Aug 1581

181 - Admission; election - 6 Oct 1581

181v-2 - Letter from Privy Council re trading dispute between City and Merchant Venturers, trading to Spain and Portugal - 12 Sep 1581

182v - Blank - nd

183 - Appointment of auditors; regulations for ale and beer sellers; dispute between Mere Merchants and the Retailers - 26 Oct 1581

183v-4 - Admission and appointment of swordbearer; Company of Wrights and Slaters - Nov 1581-Mar 1582

184v-5 - Mere merchants case; Eastgate towers lease; admissions and fines; complaint - 6 Apr 1582-6 Jul 1582

186 - Mere merchants case; admission of Thomas Tyser; Eastgate tower lease - 13 Jul 1582

186v-7 - Elections, orders - Aug 15th-Sep 11th

187v - Lease of land; poor stock; City's debts and accounts - 5-9 Oct 1582

188 - Admission; councilmen election; appointment of account auditors; sureties with Richard Bulkley - 21 Nov-19 Dec 1582

188v-9 - Orders relating to recognizances; examination; council election; complaint - 19 Mar 1583

190 - Mere merchants case; Boughton conduit maintenance; admission - 25 Mar 1583-5 Jul 1583

190v - Alderman election; appointment of accounts auditors; admissions - 19 Aug 1583

191 - A cargo of fish, imported from Ireland by Sir Nicholas Malbie, to be purchased as a common bargain - 14 Jan 1583

192 - Conduit repairs; certificates; petition and counter-petitions - 17 Jan 1583

193 - Cargo of fish; applications for post of sergeant of the peace; petition - 12 Feb 1583

193v - Copy of letter - nd

194 - Councilmen elections; disputes; letters of administration - 26 Feb- 3Mar 1583

194v-5 - Relief fund for inhabitants of Nantwich; fish sales; collection of fines; appointment of committee to resolve dispute; alderman election - 10 Apr 1583

195 - Preperation of Earl of Leicester reception and gift - 3 May 1583-1 Jun 1583

195v - Earl of Leicester requests; building of new conduit and related committee appointed - 26 Jun 1583-10 Jul 1583

195v-6 - Auditors of Mayor's accounts; petitions; elections and vacancies of aldermen and other offices - 6 Oct 1583

196v - Blank - nd

197 - Councilmen elections; Sheriff duties; appointment of auditors - 23 Oct 1583

197v - Elections; admissions; petition - 8 Jan 1584-28 Jan 1584

198 - Bequest; admissions; accounts auditors - 28 Sep 1584

198v-9 - Elections; appointment of auditors; admission - 22 Oct 1584

199 - Election; orders; bequest - 29 Oct 1584

199v-201 - Elections; fines; debt collection; Spittle Boughton springs; admission - 14 Jan 1585

201 - Elections; admissions; petitions - 1 Apr 1585

202 - Bread baking controversy; admissions; apprenticeship indentures; petitions - 8 Apr 1585

202v-3 - Removal of councilman; admissions; powder and match supply - 17 May 1585

203 - Appointment of committee; purchase of longe paste; purchase of Danish rye - 3 Aug 1585-12 Aug 1585

204 - Purchase of rye; fines; petitions - 11 Oct 1585

205 - Blank - nd

206-7 - Elections; audit; ale and beer Assize; fines; petitions; admissions; imprisonment sentences - 21 Oct 1585

207 - Admissios; elections; purchase of corn; market business; Common Hall alterations - 18 Nov 1585-24 Nov 1585

208 - Common bargain of rye; election - 7 Dec 1585-16 Dec 1585

208v - Suit to Earl of Derby; ban on purchase of foreign goods - 20 Mar 1586

209 - Orders - 18 Jan 1586

209v - Blank - nd

210 - Request for reversion of office - 28 Apr 1586

211 - Lease of the Roodee; new haven repairs; maintenance of new conduit, dams, house and mill; monthly survey of the poor and vagabonds - 9 May 1586

212 - Elections; admissions; appointments - 18 Aug 1586

212a - Petition; letters - 16 Jun 1586-18 Aug 1586

213 - Election - 8 Sep 1586

213v - Blank - nd

214 - Election; fines; auditors; petitions; poor relief - 20 Oct 1586

215 - Payment for soldiers; admissions; loan - 18 Dec 1586

215v - Training of soldiers - 19 Dec 1586

216 - Soldiers' payment; City Arms flag; admissions; surrender of lease of the Roodee - 6 Feb 1587

216v - Collection of payment; petition - 8 Mar 1587

217 - Rates; elections; petitions; Roodee grazing rights - 19 Mar 1587-28 Mar 1587

217v - Election; admission; annuity - 27 Sep 1587

218 - Preparations for the visit of the Earl of Derby - 21 Oct 1587

218-9 - Poor rate arrears; Danish rye; petitions; fines; admission - 14 Dec 1587

219 - Petition; Common Hall lease - 28 Jan 1588

219v-20 - Dispute settlement; admissions; licenses - 25 Feb 1588

220 - Elections; admissions; appointment of committee; rates - 18 Apr 1588-2 May 1588

221 - Fine; repayment of a loan; sentence of imprisonment; admission - 8 May 1588-3 July 1588

221v-2 - Letters; admission - 11 Jul 1588

222 - Instructions; complaint; account audits - 21 Jul 1588-29 Jul 1588

222v - Admission; provision of corn and stone; letter - 12 Sep 1588

223 - Copy of Privy Council settlement - 9 Jul 1589

224 - Election; admission - 10 Oct 1588

224v - Blank - nd

225 - Election; fine collection; account audits; petitions - 17 Oct 1588

226-7 - Petitions; fees; admission - 12 Dec 1588

227 - Provision of match and powder; appointment; admission; petition - 30 Jan 1589

227v - Admission; election - 13 Jan 1589-14 Feb 1589

228 - Admissions; remitannce of a fine; petitions - 10 Mar 1589

228v-9 - Patent; petitions; admission - 10 Jul 1589

229v - Admission; petition; sale of Irish yarn - 24-31 July 1589

230-1 - Claim to Eastgate; admission; petitions - 1 Oct 1589

231v - Elections; reappointment of auditors; admissions; petitions - 23 Oct 1589

232 - Fines; election; petition; admission - 3 Nov 1589

233-4 - Report of the auditors; accounts; new measurement of oats; admission; petitions - 22 Jan 1590

234v - Election; coal measurements; complaint; sentence of imprisonment - 12 Mar 1590

235 - Elections; petitions; appointments of Wardens of the poor - 30 Jul 1590-6 Aug 1590

235v - Admission; election - 30 Aug 1590-3 Sep 1590

236 - Elections; appointment of auditors; petitions; remittance of a fine - 22 Oct 1590

236v - Annullment of order; election; petition - 5 Nov 1590

237 - Election; admissions; pardon; dischargement - 28 Jan 1591

237v-8 - Indictment; petitions; summons; review of shot and armour maintained in the City - 24 Apr 1591

238 - Buttershops; toll corn; admissions; petition - 13 Jul 1591

238v-9 - Appointment; fine; admissions; reaffirmation of order - 10 Oct 1591

239v - Elections; admission - 20 Oct 1591

240 - Election; rebuilding of Buttershops - 6 Apr 1591-2 May 1591

240v - Election; repair of paving; admissions - 25 May 1591- 24 Jul 1591

241 - Elections; petitions; admissions - 19 Oct 1591

241v-2 - Auditors' report; conduit maintenance; admissions - 19 Feb 1592

242 - Wine customs; drainage; admissions; appointment of street inspectors - 1 Mar 1592

242v - Election; suit against former Sheriffs; petition - 19 Apr 1592-21 May 1592

243 - Survey of the boundaries of the City - 20 Sep 1592

244 - Elections; auditors; appointments; remittance of fine; admission - 25 Oct 1592-3 Jan 1593

244v - Auditors; admissions; fines; petition - 22 May 1593-19 Sep 1593

245 - Loans from bequest; pardons; admission - 26 Sep 1593

245a - Election; fines; auditors; admission; petition - 17 Oct 1593

245v-6 - Admissions; fine; petitions - 9 Jul 1594

246 - Elections; dispute settlements; admission; ban on plays and bear baiting - 8 Oct 1593

247 - Elections; admittance; petitions; auditors - 5 Nov 1593- 10 Dec 1593

247v - Draft letter; acquittance; petitions; admissions - 11 Jan 1593-1 Apr 1593

248 - Election; admissions; appointment of Crier; review of soldiers on the Roodee - 6-13 May 1593

248v - Election; admissions; petition; repair of streets - 3 Jun 1593

249 - Election; admissions; petitions - 29 Jul 1593

249v-50 - Admissions; bequests and distribution of loans - 16 Aug 1593

250v - Elections; distribution of money to freed men and women; petitions - 20 Dec 1593

251 - Corn; petitions; wages of Sheriff's officers - 12 Jan 1594

251v - Election; funds for food for prisoners at the Castle; admissions; highway rate - 10 Feb 1594

251v-2 - University exhibition; Newland fish; appointments; petitions - 31 Mar 1594

252 - Election; admissions; decay of new haven; repairs to Northgate Street - 28 Apr 1594

252v - Incorporation of Mercers and Ironmongers company, petitions, orders - 11 May 1594

253 - Banquet held under the terms of Robert Offley's will - 1-27 Jun 1594

253v - Highway rate collection; new haven works - 1-2 Aug 1594

254 - Admissions; removal of overseer; statute for poor relief - 7 Aug 1594

254v - Elections; petitions; appointment of Sheriff - 20 Oct 1594

255 - Admissions; fines; order; appointment of Under-Keeper of the Common Hall; bridge at Hough Green - 8 Dec 1594

255v - Elections; appointment; admissions - 15 Dec 1594- 26 Jan 1595

256 - Preparations for arrival of soldiers; Earl of Essex visit - 15 Feb 1595- 1 Mar 1595

256v - Elections and audit - 13-27 Apr 1595

257 - Admissions; petitions; repair of walls - 8 Jun 1595

257v - Appointment; admission - 1 Jul 1595

257v-8 - Election; appointment; petitions; erection of stone bridge at the red hill - 10 Aug 1595

258 - Admission; elections; provision of buckets for fire defence - 24 Aug 1595

258v - Election; petitions; complaint against a baker - 5 Oct 1595

259 - Appointments; shops to close on sundays - 19 Oct 1595- 9 Nov 1595

259v - Order for election of Clerk of the Pentice; enforcement of bye-laws - 13 Dec 1595

260 - Appointment of Clerk of the Pentice - 14 Dec 1595

260v - Blank - nd

261 - Toll corn; fines; admissions; Newland fish - 21 Dec 1595-29 Feb 1596

262 - Requisition of carts; petition regarding accounts of the Leevelookers - nd

262v-3 - Pipes and a tower on Bridge Gate; petition; appointment - 28 Aug 1596

263v-4 - Deferral of elections; proposal of rate for various repairs; university scholarship petition - 17 Oct 1596

264-5 - Appointment; elections; admissions - 7 Nov 1596

265-6 - Elections; Leevelookers' fines; fines - 12 Dec 1596

266 - Elections; appointment of City Attorney - 19 Dec 1596

267 - Robert Offley's will - 7 Jun 1596

267v-9 - Highway rate assessment; White legacy; orders; building of shopfronts - 3 Jul 1597

269v - Admissions - 1 Oct 1597

270 - Admissions; elections; appointment of deputy Swordbearer; committee to determine draft charter for Company of Mercers and Ironmongers - 23 Oct 1597

271 - White bequest; William Offley bequest; accounts inspections; admissions - 18 Dec 1597

271v - Election of Alderman and Recorder; admissions - 12 Jan 1598

272 - Appointment of Clerk of the Pentice; admissions - 9 Apr 1598

272v - Election; admissions; appointment of City mason - 11 Jun 1598

273 - Admission; William Offley's will - 23 Jul 1598

273v - William Offley's bequest; City courts fees; order - 30 Jul 1598

274 - Appointment of a coroner; admissions - Aug. 6th

274v - Note of the second distribution of loans under the bequest of Robert Offley - 20 Sep 1598

274v-5 - Elections; admissions; fines - 22 Oct 1598

275v - Blank - nd

276 - Fine collection; grant for the waterbailiff - 16 Dec 1598

276v - Election; fines imposed on innkeepers - 28 Jan 1599

277 - Election; admissions; cancellation of order - 21 Jun 1599

277v - Election; Butchers' petition; Eastgate Street lease - 22 Jul 1599

278 - Election; admission; rebuilding of the Newgate - 26 Aug 1599

278-9 - Cancellation of Michaelmas fair; poor relief; admission; Hugh Offley's bequest - Sep 1599

2 - Assembly Book - 1624-1685

3 - Assembly Book - 1684-1724

4 - Assembly Book - 1725-1785

5 - Assembly Book - 1785-1825

6 - Assembly Book - 1825-1835

7 - Index to Assembly Book - [1685-1798]

8 - Index to Assembly Book - [1540-1624]

9 - Index to Assembly Book - [1624-1798]

C - Assembly: Finance Committee - 1827

F - Assembly Files - 1407-1835

O - Assembly Oath Books - 16th century-19th century

P - Assembly Petitions - 1533-1599

PA - Assembly: City Pavements - 1805