A brief history of London and its commercial development : souvenir of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, London 1910 / introduction by Henry S. Wellcome.

Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A brief history of London and its commercial development : souvenir of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, London 1910 / introduction by Henry S. Wellcome. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    two ecclesiastical and civil chiefs ; the portreeve’s functions- were, as before hinted, similar to those of a shire reeve or sheriff, except that he exercised no judicial functions in criminal trials. That was the business of the Aldermen of the Wards. The burgesses were held to be law-worthy, a privilege which was far from being accorded to all. Landless men, strangers who had not acquired the freedom of the City, unattached units in the social system, were practically ignored by the law, and had no standing, in folkmote, ward-mote, or gild. The iron hand of the Conqueror enforced upon the country a lasting peace, which is always the fruitful mother of commerce. London benefited by this, and by the incursion of Norman merchants who followed in William’s train ; and, for- The City not given in demesne tunately, the already antient City retained her freedom, her separate entity and inde- pendence in the midst of the new order. London was not given in demesne: she held lier charter direct from the king, and owed no suit or service to any of the great feudatories of the crown, who wielded despotic power over many sections of the country. Kelic of the Norman Period. Iron Mural Candle Holder, with, pricket in centre and a socket projecting on one side It was at a time when, both in England and on the continent of Europe, that method of government, which consisted in the devolution of authority based on the ownership or rather tenancy of land, was crystallising into the form which was destined to be permanent for so many years.