Note 394 — Front matter (continued 3)

Laurence was a member of the "council of Forty-eight," Leet Book, 521, and a member of both guilds (Sharp, Antiq., 235; Leet Book, 578). In 1495 Saunders was discharged from all attendance at the mayor's council, the common council, and all other councils to be taken within the city (Ib., 564). The common council is first mentioned in 1477. Probably the "Forty-eight" and the common council were identical. The "mayor's council" consisted apparently of such of the "Forty- eight" as he cared to summon. There is no evidence that these councillors were elected by wards.