Ordinances of Worcester from the Reign of Edward IV,
1467
Very little survives of Worcester's medieval
past, and the majority of extant records are deeds, so this slim
parchment volume is especially interesting. The volume contains
copies of all the ordinances made in 1467 in the reign of Edward
IV; ordinances, constitutions and articles made in 1497 under the
reign of Henry VII; calendars of the ordinances; and copies of
charters granted to the city with the earliest dated 964; tables
relating to taxation and fees to the Town Clerk; and a description
of the perambulation of the city boundaries made April 1497.
The majority of the document is in English
with some sections (particularly the charters) in Latin.
Many of the laws are clearly stated to predate
1467, but had not previously been consolidated into one volume.
There 82 ordinances or local laws, drawn up by the local governing
body, relating to the city's records and accounts; cleanliness of
the streets and river; employment of men and apprentices; markets
and trade regulations (different for citizens and non-citizens of
Worcester); freemen; keeping the peace and punishments for various
crimes; the appointment and responsibilities of council officers;
and the ringing of the church bells at set times each morning and
night, a sort of City-wide alarm clock. Included is an order to
replace all thatched roofs with tile, a fire prevention strategy
borne of bitter experience.