The exact period when the religious festival and processions of Corpus Christi became connected with the trading Guilds of this country is uncertain. The institution of the festival itself, dates from the year 1262, when it was appointed by Pope Urban to be held annually on the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday. At Rome, of course the proceedings of the day were of the most solemn character, and the gorgeous nature of the procession beyond ordinary description. Ambassadors, Prelates, and the various orders of Monks, joined the holy throng, each bearing a lighted candle or torch, while the Pope himself, clothed in all the wealth of the Papal wardrobe, took his station in the line, and bore the pyx with the sacred elements, in his own hands.*

*Picart's Religious Ceremonies.

It is not improbable that the introduction of the Corpus Christi feasts into England, took place many years later than their establishment at Rome. They most probably reached this country about the year 1300, and became an adjunct to the large Guilds of the kingdom with a rapidity natural to all religious ceremonials of the Papacy. The date of the introduction of Corpus Christi processions into Ipswich is 1325, as ascertained by a copy of the Guild Charter extant in the local Domesday Book.

The entries connected with the processions and shows of the Guilds, in the Great Court books, are exceedingly numerous. From these manuscript accounts, it is found that, like the religious processions of other towns, they were conducted with considerable splendour, and commanded the attendance of the monkish inmates of the two priories, and the brotherhood of the various friaries, the parish priests within the distance of 15 miles, the trading companies, and the corporate officers of the town. No manuscript drama performed on these public occasions has however been found, either among the muniments of the Corporation or in private hands. The play of "King Johan," by John Bale,* believed originally to have been the property of the Corporate body, has been suggested as probably one of the moralities performed at the time of holding the Guild. Many objections however exist against this supposition, but without entering minutely into the question, it is sufficient to state, that if applied to the purpose, it was at a late

* King Johan has been published by the Camden Society. The manuscript was found among some old papers said to have belonged to the Corporation of Ipswich. The date when first written is supposed to be 1552, although the composition shews interpolations of a later date, by the mention of persons and circumstances.

era.

The drama has, however, a fatal objection to its use it is too lengthy to be performed before an audience excited by a series of representations, (the pageants journeying from one point to another in quick succession) or the pomp and circumstance of procession, and anxious for the enjoyment of the feast which awaited them at the Sociary of the Guild.

The incipient formation of the Merchant Guild was the old Hanse, which afterwards expanded into the Guild Merchant under John, and was ratified by his charter in 1199, an hundred and twenty-five years before any connection with the ecclesiastics. The local Domesday affords a minute insight into the primary proceedings of the original fraternity. This venerable document records that in the 2nd of John, upon Thursday after the Feast of Fidas, one Alderman of the Guild was elected by the Common Council of the town, namely, William Gosecalk, and four others also, namely, Peter Everard, John le Mayster, Roger Lew, and John de Saint George, who together with the Aldermen were sworn, that well and faithfully they would govern the Guild Merchant in the town of Ipswich, and observe all the articles to the Guild

* See page 76.

The high antiquity of Guilds is undoubted. The Saxons had Gilds of peculiar constitution, and the Normans introduced into this country another description of Guild more in conformity with their own customs. It seems evident, however, that the Guild of John, as seen by the proceedings which follow the reception of his charter (see page 81) in Ipswich, was of Saxon character, and governed by an Alderman, the name of which officer is continued in all proceedings down to the final extinction of the body. It might be argued, therefore, that the town of Ipswich possessed a Guild Merchant before John, and the permission to have a Guild Merchant expressed in his charter was rendering legal that which had previously existed as a custom. (See Maddox's Firma Burgi and Herbert's Livery Companies.)

pertaining. Afterwards it was declared by the Alderman and his four associates, in the presence of the people, that all who were of the liberty should come before them at a certain day, when they would make known the mode and order whereby they might form themselves into a Guild, and to unite their hanse to the said Guild.*

This of course completes the original constitution, and this done, the Corporate body proceeded to elect the first Guildholders and members of the general fraternity+ as follows:

On Wednesday after the feast of St. Catherine the Virgin, in the 2nd year of John, the following Foreign Burgesses (that is persons not dwelling in the town) were elected of the Guild.

The Lord Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Marshall of England, became a Burgess of the town in the Hall of the Prior of St. Peter, and gave to the Guild Merchant an ox and a bull, with two quarters of wheat, and two quarters of malt, for which both himself and his villains should be quit of toll of corn purchased by him in the markets of the town; and also what produce of the like nature he shall sell in the town markets, if grown upon his own lands. It was reserved, however, that he should pay 4d. annually for his "kay," and that such of his villains who were merchants should pay the ferm and customs upon their merchandise.

On the same day, Lord Robert de Vaux, one of the Knights of the Earl of Norfolk, was made one of the Guild for a quarter of wheat, and in consideration

* See pages 83 and 84.

These "Burgesses" were free men-men free of the town for trading purposes. It was afterwards that their "mysteries" were protected.

that both himself and his villains living at Wenham should be free of toll in Ipswich, he covenants to give yearly, upon the feast of St. Michael, 4d. in money, and two bushels of wheat to the ferm of the king.

Lord Gilbert Peche is also made one of the Guild upon gift of a quarter of wheat.

In the 5th year of John, it is found that other foreign Burgesses were made. Among them were the Lord Roger de Montalt, who covenants to give to the ferm 4d. and two bushels of wheat yearly, to free both himself and villains living in Framsden, from the toll of the town. Lord Hugh de Rous gave a bull and a quarter of wheat to the Hanse. He also covenanted to pay yearly 8d. and 4 bushels of wheat to free his villains in Akenham, Hemingstone, Hasketon, Henley, and elsewhere, from toll levied. Lord William de Freney gives two sheep and 12 capons, and to free his villains in "Russchemere and Bresete" from toll, he covenants to pay yearly 4d. in money and 2 bushels of wheat. Gilbert de Reymes gives to the Hanse a quarter of malt, and 4d. and 2 bushels of wheat yearly, that his villains in Whersted should be quit of toll.

In the 18th of the reign of Henry III, the following noble persons were placed on the Roll of Burgesses, and exempted from the toll on corn, and all other things growing upon their own lands, and of things bought for their own use; (they were also "to be in no wise at lot and scot" in the common tallages of the town)-the Lord William de Rous, for himself and villains in Akenham, Hemingstone, Hasketon, and elsewhere-the Lord Geoffrey de Badele, for himself and villains in Brok*-Robert de Gosbeck, for himself

The manor of Brooks or Brokes Hall.