BC - RECORDS OF BATH CITY COUNCIL AND BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
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Charter of 34 George III granting extension of the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace to the Manor of Bathwick and other rights

Reference Number: BC/1/1/1/22
Level of Description: Item
Title: Charter of 34 George III granting extension of the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace to the Manor of Bathwick and other rights
Date: 12 February 1794
Extent: Extent: 1 item, 5 membranes
Description: This charter summarises the grants contained in the Elizabethan charter of incorporation of 4 September [1590] (ref: BC/1/1/1/2) and confirms and expands on the powers of the Corporation of Bath.

Following an Act of Parliament [9 George III, c. 95], the jurisdiction of the offices of Mayor, Aldermen, Magistrates and Coroner of Bath are extended to part of the Manor of Bathwick.

Following another Act of Parliament regarding the protection of the hot baths and springs within the city [29 George III, c. 73, Bath Improvement Act 1789], which were stated to be at risk of contamination from the closely surrounding buildings, authorisation is given for the purchase or demolition of buildings encroaching upon or endangering the purity of the waters. Authorisation is also given for the enlarging or rebuilding of the Pump Rooms and the building of new streets or widening of existing streets leading to the baths to improve access.

The charter also grants the Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of the city the right to purchase and hold any messuages or tenements and associated rents, near or adjoining the new or enlarged streets near the baths, in substitution for any messuages, tenements, lands or hereditaments they gave up for the purpose of preserving the baths and hot springs.

Further powers are granted to the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council to elect between four and nine additional persons out of the said Aldermen and Council into the same or like offices to exercise the same powers as the two annually elected Justices. Provision is made for the temporary appointment of an Alderman or Justice to act in the offices of Mayor or coroner during necessary absences. Authority is also given to the Mayor, Recorder, Justices, and Common Clerk to adjourn the Court of Record when necessary.

Additionally it is granted that, with the consent of the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council, the Recorder of the city is able to appoint a man (learned in law) to be Deputy Recorder.

Details are given for the terms of office, oaths, and procedures for elections and replacements of the positions described in the charter.
All fines, penalties, forfeitures, liberties, privileges and other rights granted to the city by any previous charter or letters patent are confirmed.

Issued by writ of the Privy Seal.

Language: English

Physical Description:
This charter is ruled in red ink and is ornamented with a black and white border and historiated initial.
In the first membrane the initial ‘G’ in ‘George’ at the start of the text is historiated with a portrait of the King. In the centre of the top border is the Royal Coat of Arms flanked by supporters. Either side of the Coat of Arms are two seated female figures separated by a bust. The left and right borders feature identical motifs, from top to bottom is a canopy, a bowl with two birds perched upon, drapery, a head and shoulder portrait of the King, two cherubs, another canopy and the figure of Justice standing on a pedestal. The other membranes contain similarly decorated borders.

Width 76cm x 59cm.

Seal:
The Great Seal is pendent by cords and is in good condition. This is the fifth seal of George III.