Note 1150 — PART IV. From the Reformation to the present time. (continued 8)

At some former periods, and especially before the reformation, our corporation members or officers appear to have been more numerous than at present, and some of them differently denominated. Hence in some records of the time of Henry V. we read of aldermen of the Gilds, twenty four Jurats, twenty seven Common-council-men, TWELVE burgesses annually elected, whose business it was to choose the new mayor, and nominate divers other officers, including even the town-clerk and chamberlain. These twelve were chosen as follows: The Alderman of the gild of merchants chose four burgesses: those four chose eight more, making their whole number then twelve.—These twelve chose the mayor, &c. for the ensuing year, after taking an oath which was tendered to them thus—