| Description | Each recognizance gives the names and occupations of the victuallers and their bondsmen, usually two, but sometimes one, and the penal sum for which they were bound rose from 40s. to £5 between 1673 and 1684, to £40 in 1746, fell to £20 in 1754, but rose again to £50 in 1823. The names of the houses are recorded in these lists from 1778 onwards, and from 1578 to the end of the 17th century, the bond included provision for the hanging of lanterns outside alehouses according to the orders of the city. There are gaps in the series. |
| Administrative History | Under an Act of 1552, recognizances for good behaviour were taken from victuallers before two justices of the peace who had to certify them at the next quarter sessions. By an Act of 1753, the clerk of the peace was required to keep a register of the recognizances and to deliver a copy of it to the justices at the brewster sessions, where licences were granted. Acts of 1828 and 1830 curtailed the powers of justices over victuallers' licences. The records comprise volumes of victuallers' recognizances, which were compiled annually and an alphabetical register of licensed alehouse keepers, 1829-33. From 1778, the names of the houses as well as the victuallers were recorded. Printed forms were introduced in 1822. After 1561, some recognizances are also found in the mayors' books (MB). |