THE
MERchants
Newe
Royall
Exchaunge
.
An
Edict
by
the
King
,
for
the
ordeining
and
establishing
(
in
the
Citie
of
Roane
)
of
a
Common
place
for
Merchants
,
according
to
the
order
of
the
Change
in
Lions
,
and
the
Bourse
in
Thoulouze
.
HEnry
by
the
grace
of
God
King
of
France
,
to
all
maner
of
persons
of
what
estate
soeuer
greeting
;
As
we
haue
bin
heretofore
aduertised
,
that
our
Citie
of
Roane
is
one
of
the
best
Townes
in
all
our
Kingdome
,
by
reason
of
the
scituation
and
aptnesse
for
all
Comerce
and
Trafficke
,
where
diuers
Merchants
(
as
well
of
this
our
Realme
,
as
of
many
other
Nations
)
do
vsually
hold
an
entercourse
of
buying
and
selling
,
for
the
continuance
&
propagation
of
which
Trade
,
There
hath
of
late
(
by
vertue
of
our
Letters
missiue
)
bene
erected
&
established
in
the
same
Citie
,
a
Common
place
for
Merchants
and
their
Factors
to
assemble
themselues
in
,
twise
euery
day
at
the
houres
accustomed
;
to
dispatch
their
affaires
and
Negotiations
in
such
maner
as
is
accustomably
vsed
in
the
Change
at
Lyons
,
and
the
Bourse
at
Thoulouze
,
to
the
intent
that
the
forreine
Commodities
of
other
Countries
may
more
readily
be
transported
and
exchanged
away
with
those
which
our
owne
bringeth
forth
.
Be
it
therefore
knowne
to
all
men
,
that
Wee
(
through
an
ardent
zeale
and
desire
that
we
carry
to
aduance
the
generall
good
of
our
said
Citie
of
Roane
,
and
to
augment
the
Common
benefit
and
ease
of
all
Merchants
Negotiating
there
,
and
in
all
things
possible
to
gratifie
them
,
that
they
may
not
be
distracted
&
drawne
from
their
affaires
and
businesse
,
into
sundry
Courts
and
Iurisdictions
,
(
by
meanes
of
Suites
and
variances
arising
at
any
time
about
their
Trafficke
)
by
the
deliberate
aduise
of
our
Priuie
Councell
,
(
together
with
diuers
Noble
men
and
Princes
of
our
blood
)
besides
other
great
&
Honorable
personages
:
Of
our
owne
proper
motion
,
assured
knowledge
,
and
Regall
authoritie
,
haue
approued
and
confirmed
,
and
by
these
presents
do
approue
and
confirme
,
the
making
and
establishing
,
of
the
saide
Common
Place
in
that
our
Citie
of
Roane
,
Instantly
ratifying
the
same
in
all
points
,
with
the
Change
of
Lyons
,
and
the
Bourse
of
Thoulouze
.
Willing
&
ordeining
,
and
our
pleasure
is
,
that
all
Merchants
,
Factors
,
and
all
others
of
what
Nation
soeuer
,
may
assemble
themselues
in
the
same
twise
euery
day
,
at
the
houres
accustomed
:
And
in
their
meetings
shall
freely
vse
their
Traffiicke
,
and
passe
their
Busines
aswell
by
exchange
as
otherwise
,
not
onely
in
the
same
place
,
but
also
in
any
other
whatsoeuer
within
the
Liberties
of
our
said
citie
of
Roane
,
when
&
where
they
shal
think
good
,
with
all
assurance
and
safetie
to
their
Merchandize
:
And
withall
those
Priuiledges
&
Liberties
,
which
Merchaunts
Trading
to
our
Townes
of
Lyons
and
Thoulouze
,
do
enioy
and
vse
,
according
to
the
graunt
of
our
predecessors
kings
of
France
and
of
vs.
Furthermore
,
We
will
and
ordaine
,
that
the
Merchants
of
the
said
Towne
of
Roane
(
frequenting
the
same
place
)
shall
euery
yeare
cause
a
societie
of
Merchants
to
be
in
the
Lodge
of
the
said
Bourse
,
or
in
any
other
place
in
the
same
Towne
,
and
at
such
time
as
they
shall
thinke
good
,
in
which
meeting
they
shall
chuse
out
of
the
said
number
three
officers
,
viz.
A
Prior
&
two
Consulls
,
to
remaine
in
their
authoritie
for
one
yeare
,
and
so
yearly
to
be
changed
,
and
there
new
to
be
elected
,
according
to
the
ordinary
forme
of
most
voyces
:
not
only
the
Merchants
of
the
Towne
of
Roane
,
but
also
the
Merchant
straungers
,
being
to
be
present
&
assistants
in
the
said
election
:
which
election
and
nomination
being
fully
ended
,
the
said
Prior
and
Consulls
shall
haue
present
power
in
them
,
to
take
knowledge
and
to
giue
iudgement
(
betweene
all
men
of
what
estate
,
qualitie
,
or
condition
soeuer
they
be
)
of
all
suites
,
controuersies
,
and
differences
touching
matters
of
Merchandizing
or
buying
and
selling
,
in
such
maner
as
the
Conseruator
of
the
Fayre
at
Lyons
,
and
the
Prior
and
Consull
at
Thoulouze
do
,
aswel
for
Obligations
,
Bills
of
debt
,
Receits
,
Blankes
signed
,
Bills
of
Exchange
,
Answers
by
Suerties
,
Associations
of
Merchants
,
(
either
generall
or
particular
)
Assurances
,
Accounts
,
Transportations
,
Bargaines
,
and
partnerships
,
for
matters
aforesaid
,
or
any
thing
belonging
therevnto
,
with
as
full
strength
,
and
according
to
the
Iudgments
,
and
Condemnations
,
of
the
saide
Conseruators
of
Lyons
,
and
the
Pryor
and
Consulls
of
Thoulouze
,
And
that
the
Iudgements
:
and
Sentences
,
Decrees
and
Ordinances
,
Commissions
and
Commaundements
of
the
said
Prior
and
Consuls
of
Roane
,
by
speeches
,
prouisions
,
or
definitiues
,
shall
stand
in
as
much
force
and
effect
,
for
any
matter
Iudicially
determined
,
as
those
causes
which
the
Conseruator
of
Lyons
,
and
Prior
and
Consulls
of
Thoulouze
,
and
others
of
our
Iudges
do
decide
:
And
the
same
shall
be
executed
by
our
Serieants
and
Officers
,
in
such
maner
and
forme
,
as
they
are
in
their
behalf
aboue
named
,
either
by
committing
to
prison
,
or
by
inflicting
seuere
punishment
,
if
it
be
so
decreed
and
ordeined
:
And
to
that
ende
shall
our
Messengers
and
Officers
be
bound
to
performe
the
executions
:
Our
Iaylors
and
Keepers
of
our
prisons
,
shall
likewise
be
bound
to
receiue
and
keep
all
such
prisoners
,
in
such
manner
as
if
they
were
committed
vnto
them
by
our
aboue-said
Iudges
,
and
with
the
like
bond
and
penaltie
(
if
any
escape
happen
)
as
they
be
bound
to
keepe
the
prisoners
by
the
authoritie
of
the
saide
Iudges
,
For
so
we
haue
enioyned
,
and
do
enioyne
our
Messengers
,
and
other
our
Officers
,
Iaylors
,
and
Keepers
of
prisons
,
vpon
such
penalties
,
as
the
case
shall
require
,
and
according
as
by
the
said
Prior
and
Consulls
shall
be
set
downe
and
declared
,
without
any
default
,
according
as
the
offence
committed
shall
require
.
Moreouer
,
we
haue
suffered
,
and
do
suffer
,
the
saide
Prior
and
Consulls
,
to
take
vnto
them
,
twentie
of
the
saide
Merchants
,
or
more
or
lesse
as
they
shal
thinke
reasonable
,
to
assist
them
in
proceeding
in
their
Iudgements
,
in
causes
of
Merchandize
,
Bils
of
Exchange
,
Assurances
and
Differences
as
abouesaid
,
And
to
cause
to
be
executed
,
their
Sentences
,
Iudgements
,
and
Ordinances
,
of
pawnes
and
Consignements
,
prouisions
,
seyzing
of
goods
,
and
all
their
other
Condemnations
,
Sentences
or
appointments
,
to
proceed
therein
by
Cries
,
Proclamations
,
giuing
notice
to
themselues
,
or
leauing
notice
at
their
houses
by
proofe
,
sales
,
depositings
,
deliueries
,
and
execution
definitiue
as
the
case
shall
require
.
Likewise
,
We
giue
them
power
,
to
direct
the
same
Proces
,
and
to
proceed
therein
,
according
to
their
Ordinances
,
as
well
in
matters
summarily
,
as
by
prouision
:
As
Reknowledgement
of
Billes
,
Subscriptions
,
and
Letters
of
Exchange
.
And
the
like
in
acts
of
pawnes
and
consignments
,
by
one
onely
fault
duly
proued
,
by
sommoning
the
person
at
his
house
,
or
fixing
there
a
coppy
of
the
Commission
or
proces
,
in
all
places
where
it
is
lawfull
to
bee
done
.
And
touching
other
matters
,
where
two
defaults
shall
be
made
,
or
sommoned
in
person
,
they
shall
proceed
,
obserue
,
and
keepe
the
course
according
to
the
Kings
ordinances
.
And
for
all
matters
wherein
they
shall
giue
sentence
of
exexcution
according
to
their
knowledge
,
We
will
,
and
We
doe
permit
them
(
as
before
is
sayd
)
to
cause
the
execution
to
passe
in
all
places
of
our
Court
of
Parliament
at
Roane
,
and
in
all
other
places
of
our
Kingdome
,
where
neede
shall
require
:
without
any
disturbance
,
or
let
to
be
done
,
by
any
of
our
Iudges
,
Iusticers
,
or
Officers
,
either
against
them
,
or
their
deputies
:
Neither
shall
they
let
or
hinder
any
sommons
,
or
arrest
,
exploite
,
or
assignement
to
be
done
before
them
.
And
to
giue
their
assistance
in
all
causes
appertaining
to
their
knowledge
,
touching
matters
of
Trafficke
,
and
all
things
thereunto
belonging
,
against
al
Merchants
trading
in
our
said
Citie
of
Roane
.
And
as
touching
their
factors
,
dealers
,
&
intermedlers
,
of
what
qualitie
soeuer
they
be
,
(
sent
by
them
into
diuers
Countries
,
Regions
,
and
Prouinces
,
as
well
within
as
without
our
Kingdome
,
Countries
,
and
Dominions
vnder
our
obecens
,
for
the
cause
of
Trafficke
,
Merchandizing
,
&
doing
of
businesse
,
and
all
other
things
therevnto
belonging
;
)
We
wil
and
ordaine
,
that
they
may
bee
constrained
to
bring
their
causes
and
proofes
,
for
all
matters
aforesaide
,
before
the
sayd
Prior
,
and
Consuls
,
for
the
time
now
being
,
or
that
shall
hereafter
execute
these
Offices
:
be
it
either
for
the
rendring
of
account
,
and
satisfaction
of
part
,
or
of
whole
,
or
condemnations
in
penalties
,
or
other
condemnations
for
amends
for
trespasses
,
and
of
all
other
things
that
shall
bee
requisite
,
concerning
,
and
belonging
to
the
trade
of
Merchandize
,
according
as
they
shall
deserue
;
Whereof
Wee
haue
permitted
them
,
and
do
giue
thē
power
to
vse
the
forme
,
euen
as
the
sayd
Conseruator
of
Lyons
,
Prior
and
Consuls
of
Thoulouze
,
and
others
our
Iudges
do
.
And
to
cause
execution
to
be
serued
on
the
offenders
,
either
by
arrest
,
attachement
of
goods
,
and
sale
thereof
;
or
by
impisonment
of
the
parties
condemned
,
euen
as
they
shall
thinke
good
.
Inhibiting
all
our
Iudges
to
presumne
to
take
knowledge
of
any
of
their
sayd
proceedings
,
or
of
any
matter
or
plea
thereunto
belonging
:
which
our
Commaund
,
We
will
to
be
notified
vnto
them
,
and
vnto
whom
it
shall
appertaine
,
by
the
first
of
our
Officers
,
or
Seriants
that
shall
bee
required
,
whom
We
inioyne
to
performe
the
same
accordingly
,
to
the
intent
that
all
those
charges
and
extraordinarie
expences
,
which
Merchants
may
be
put
vnto
,
in
following
their
suits
against
their
Factors
and
dealers
,
before
many
Iudges
,
might
by
this
meanes
be
vtterly
auoided
.
Furthermore
,
We
haue
permitted
and
do
giue
authoritie
to
the
said
Prior
and
Consuls
,
that
al
such
penalties
of
moneyes
as
by
thē
shall
be
inflicted
vpon
men
for
contempts
,
or
any
other
offences
,
shal
be
forfeited
,
the
one
halfe
to
vs
,
the
other
halfe
to
the
vse
of
the
said
Common
place
,
or
Bourse
of
Roane
,
to
supply
the
wants
thereof
;
Allowing
them
likewise
,
absolute
libertie
and
power
,
to
chuse
and
constitute
one
Counsellour
,
and
one
Atturney
,
who
shall
by
all
lawfull
meanes
,
labour
the
benefit
and
aduauncement
of
the
sayd
place
,
and
shall
defend
the
same
;
to
direct
their
proces
and
causes
,
aswell
before
the
said
Priors
and
Consuls
,
as
before
all
other
Iudges
.
And
to
the
end
,
that
the
Merchants
may
assemble
themselues
,
as
well
to
cousult
of
their
common
affaires
,
as
to
constitute
the
sayd
Counsellour
and
Atturney
,
without
being
subiect
to
repaire
to
vs
,
or
to
our
Iudges
for
leaue
,
when
need
shall
require
.
Therefore
all
such
Iudgements
as
shall
passe
before
the
Prior
and
Consuls
,
being
sealed
with
their
seales
,
and
signed
by
a
Register
by
them
appointed
,
be
it
by
imprisonment
,
sale
,
disposing
of
goods
,
or
otherwise
,
shall
be
held
for
reall
and
lawfull
,
being
past
in
maner
aforesaid
;
without
any
constraint
to
obtaine
our
further
permission
or
liking
,
euen
according
as
was
permitted
by
our
most
honourable
father
the
King
,
vnto
the
Merchants
of
our
Citie
of
Lyons
,
by
his
Letters
pattents
;
Giuen
in
the
month
of
February
,
in
the
yeare
of
our
Lord
,
1535.
Reseruing
vnto
our
said
Court
of
Parliament
,
at
our
said
Citie
of
Roane
,
for
a
last
conclusion
;
and
by
appeale
,
the
iurisdiction
and
knowledge
of
the
sayd
discords
and
differences
.
And
to
the
end
that
all
such
appeales
as
shall
proceed
,
by
reason
of
the
iudgements
and
sentences
that
shall
be
giuen
and
declared
by
the
said
Prior
&
Consuls
,
may
be
speedily
and
without
delay
ended
in
our
sayd
Court
,
We
haue
ordained
,
and
do
ordaine
,
inioyne
,
and
commaund
,
all
our
louing
and
trustie
Presidents
,
and
Councellours
,
(
holding
our
sayd
Court
of
Parliament
)
to
declare
to
the
said
Merchants
,
without
delay
,
one
day
in
euery
weeke
,
such
as
they
shall
thinke
conuenient
;
to
heare
.
determine
,
and
dispatch
the
sayd
appellations
,
by
order
of
Role
,
for
that
purpose
ordained
.
And
in
regard
of
the
proces
by
writing
,
there
shal
be
one
other
Role
made
apart
,
to
the
end
that
the
said
appeales
may
be
ended
in
the
same
day
,
to
auoid
the
prolonging
of
suites
,
to
the
ruine
and
consuming
of
the
suters
.
And
to
the
end
that
the
said
place
of
meeting
of
the
Merchants
,
twise
a
day
,
may
be
quiet
and
without
disturbance
;
Our
pleasure
is
,
and
We
do
straightly
command
,
that
none
of
our
Serieants
and
Officers
,
presume
to
enter
into
the
same
place
,
nor
to
make
any
arrest
(
for
any
cause
)
of
any
person
whatsoeuer
,
during
the
time
of
those
two
accustomed
houres
of
meeting
.
And
if
such
arrest
should
be
made
during
the
sayd
houres
;
We
haue
declared
heretofore
,
and
do
declare
at
this
present
,
the
same
to
be
voyd
and
insufficient
:
charging
all
our
Iudges
,
not
to
haue
any
regard
thereunto
.
And
as
We
are
informed
,
that
the
Trade
of
Assurances
,
is
of
late
greatly
aduanced
by
the
Merchants
of
the
said
Citie
of
Roane
,
(
a
work
so
honourable
)
that
it
doth
euen
beautifie
and
greatly
aduance
the
Trade
,
and
Commerce
of
the
sayde
Citie
.
We
(
to
the
ende
those
sayd
policies
of
the
sayd
Assurances
,
and
all
other
writings
thereunto
belonging
,
may
receiue
full
vigor
)
haue
permitted
,
and
do
permit
,
that
all
Merchants
frequenting
the
sayd
place
,
(
both
now
and
hereafter
)
to
come
to
assemble
themselues
at
all
times
,
when
it
shall
be
needfull
;
to
chuse
and
nominate
according
to
the
most
voyces
,
one
Merchant
amongst
them
(
such
a
one
as
they
shall
thinke
meete
,
being
a
man
trustie
and
expert
in
the
knowledge
of
the
Trade
of
Assurances
)
who
shal
make
and
register
the
sayd
policies
,
wherevnto
the
Assurers
shall
set
their
hands
at
all
times
hereafter
in
the
sayd
place
and
liberties
of
Roane
,
when
as
it
shall
please
the
Merchants
:
whose
office
shal
likewise
be
,
to
draw
foorth
accounts
of
such
arrerages
as
shal
happen
,
(
being
thereunto
called
)
receiuing
for
his
paines
,
and
time
spent
about
the
businesse
of
the
same
Assurances
,
according
as
it
shall
be
thought
meete
by
the
sayd
Merchants
:
And
keepe
a
perfect
&
true
Register
of
the
same
Assurances
,
To
the
which
Register
and
Coppies
thereof
,
and
all
other
Acts
and
writings
by
him
made
,
concerning
matter
of
Assurances
,
and
by
him
assigned
;
We
will
and
ordaine
,
that
all
maner
of
credite
shall
be
thereunto
giuen
,
before
all
Iudges
,
and
others
to
whom
it
shall
appertaine
,
without
that
any
other
person
or
persons
,
shall
haue
to
do
,
or
meddle
in
the
sayd
busines
of
Assurances
,
or
any
thing
thereunto
belonging
;
vnlesse
he
be
before
chosen
and
admitted
thereunto
,
by
the
sayd
Prior
and
Consuls
,
and
by
the
sayd
Merchants
as
beforesaid
.
And
We
do
commaund
,
and
giue
in
charge
,
to
al
persons
holding
our
courts
of
Parliament
,
Great
Counsels
,
Admirals
,
Viceadmirals
,
Stewards
,
and
their
Deputies
,
and
to
all
other
Iudges
and
Officers
whom
it
shall
concerne
,
that
you
do
cause
to
be
read
,
proclaimed
and
registred
,
this
our
present
Will
,
Declaration
,
Permission
,
and
Ordinance
;
and
the
same
to
be
obserued
and
kept
by
all
them
accordingly
.
That
the
Merchants
may
vse
and
inioy
the
force
and
benefit
therof
,
plainly
and
peaceably
,
without
any
contradiction
.
Moreouer
,
We
do
charge
and
command
our
Atturney
Generall
,
that
he
do
withall
diligence
,
cause
all
these
things
to
be
plainly
&
truly
executed
,
and
that
he
do
certifie
vs
of
his
diligence
so
done
:
For
such
is
our
pleasure
,
for
that
of
our
meere
motion
&
power
,
We
will
haue
it
done
,
notwithstanding
any
Ordinance
,
Customes
,
Statutes
,
Priuiledges
,
Commaundements
,
Defences
,
or
Letters
to
the
contrary
,
the
which
in
this
cause
,
without
doing
preiudice
to
other
causes
,
We
haue
made
voyde
,
and
do
hereby
make
voyd
.
And
for
that
men
shall
haue
occasion
to
vse
this
our
Graunt
in
diuers
places
;
Our
pleasure
is
,
that
credite
shall
be
giuen
,
to
all
such
Coppies
,
as
shall
be
made
by
any
of
our
louing
and
trustie
Notaries
,
and
Secretaries
,
or
vnder
our
Royall
Seale
,
in
as
amplemaner
,
as
to
the
originall
.
And
to
this
effect
,
We
do
giue
you
full
power
,
Authoritie
,
Commission
,
and
speciall
charge
:
Commanding
by
these
presents
,
all
our
Iustices
,
Officers
,
and
Subiects
,
to
obey
you
in
this
case
.
And
to
the
end
this
may
remaine
established
for
euer
,
(
Our
owne
right
in
all
other
causes
reserued
,
)
We
haue
herevnto
caused
our
Seale
to
be
put
.
Giuen
at
Paris
,
in
the
Moneth
of
March
,
and
in
the
yeare
of
our
Lord
,
1556.
And
the
tenth
yeare
of
our
Reigne
,
and
signed
by
the
King
,
then
in
councell
,
and
sealed
with
greene
Waxe
,
vpon
a
pendant
of
red
and
greene
silke
lace
.