Transcript

of

Exeter's Guild of Tailors

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VII, (1912-1913), Exeter: James G. Commin. 1913, p. 215.

by

C. J. Ross

Prepared by Michael Steer

Chartered by the King in 1466, Exeter’s Guild of Tailers included many wealthy civic office holders (many more akin to drapers than tailors) whose position in the guild enabled them to maintain firm control over the “free sewers” and other wage labourers in the tailoring profession. The Guild was seen as a challenge to the City’s merchant oligarchy who petitioned Parliament and the charter was annulled and the Guild was forced to recognise the jurisdictional superiority of the Mayor and City Council. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 153. EXETER'S GUILD OF TAILORS. - Copy of a deed recently found amongst some old papers by General Sir Henry Geary, Arreton, Camberley: - 

"Edward, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland, to the Mayor and Bailiffs of Exeter.

Having by Letters Patent granted to our liege men of the mistery of the Tailors within the aforesaid city, leave to found a gild or fraternity of St. John the Baptist for the men of the the said mistery for themselves and their successors for ever, and to hold a gild every year and elect a master and four wardens when necessary, who should have a suit of clothing every year and hold meetings at the Feast of John the Baptist and be incorporated as tailors of St. John the Baptist in the said city, and have their own seat and a master and wardens to rule the said mistery and none are to have a table or shop of the said trade unless he has the freedom of the said city and the said master and wardens testify to his fitness. The Mayor and Bailiffs are not to molest the said Master and wardens but are to allow them to enjoy the liberties granted.

Witnessed at Westminster 11 March, 12 Edward (IV.), 1473."                             C. J. ROSS.