same by Verdict in Writing under their Hands and Seals. And if not, then to cause other better and more true Standards of Weights to be sized, according to the true meaning of certain Articles to them delivered by the Treasurer.

These Men at length did, upon Deliberation and Conferences had with the former Jury of the matters given to them in Charge, say and present unto the Treasurer and the rest upon their Oaths, as follows; viz. That the said Standards or Weights so lately sized by the former Jury were not agreeable to the antient Standard, according to their Judgment and Understanding; and that the same might not be allowed and appointed to be the Standard for the sizing of all the Weights of the Realm, without hurt to the Commonwealth of the same. And furthermore, they caused to be new sized, according to the true meaning of their Charge, so near as they could by their Diligence, Wit, Skill, and Understanding, two certain several Standards: that is to say, one, which did agree with the true Proportion of the Pile, or Standard, remaining in Goldsmiths Hall, to size all other Troy Weights by, which had been of antient Use: And the other of Averdupois; which did agree with the true Proportion of the Queen's antient Standard of I. VIlb. remaining in the Exchequer, as it seems, since the time of King Edward III. to size all other like Weights by, and was in present Use. And that the same two sorts of Weights might be used and continued for Standards to size all Weights by, throughout the Realm, without hurt to the Commonwealth of the same, to their best Knowledge and Understanding. This last Verdict, and the several Standards were presented, and remained in the Court of Exchequer.

These same Standards sized, and presented by the last Jury, were found by the Lord Treasurer and Barons, to be more agreeable with the Weights of long Continuance and Use in the Realm, and with the Standard allowed, appointed and used, both for our Monies and Plate, of Silver and Gold, and such like things sold by Weight; and agreeable also to the Laws of the Realm, for any material thing that had been found or objected to the contrary.

Hereupon the Queen, by the advice of her Privy Council, and others of Knowledge and Experience, determined and ordained, that the said first Verdict and Presentment, and the Standards sized and presented with the same, should be and remain utterly frustrate and of no Force. And that the last Presentments and said Standards, sized and presented by the Jury of the same, should be and remain and continue; and should be holden, used, allowed and accepted as lawful, good, true and profitable for the Commonwealth, to all Intents and Purposes. And she commanded the Treasurer to cancel and make void the first Presentment, and the Standards offered by that Jury, to be broken. And that the latter Presentment should be entred upon Record in the Court of Exchequer, and the Standard, sized and presented by the Jury of the same, to be laid up and safely kept in that Court, and to be accounted, used and followed as the Standard of the same Court, for the sizing of all Weights of the Realm by. And to cause other like Weights and Standards to be made and sized by the same. And to be sent to the Cities and Towns, mentioned in the Statute touching Weights, made in the eleventh Year of her Grandfather Henry VII. there to remain, and be used as true Standards and Weights, according to the meaning of that Statute. And it was the Queen's further Will and Pleasure, that the same Treasurer and the rest, by the Queen's Process and Proclamation, or otherwise by their discretion, should cause like Weights and Standards to be provided in every other Corporate and Market Town within the Realm of England and Wales; and to cause all other Weights, varying from these, to be forthwith destroyed, or made agreeable with these by the Clarks of the Market, or any other to be by them thereunto assigned. So that from henceforth there should be but one Weight throughout all the Realm, according to the Laws and Statutes. This was one of the most worthy and useful Acts of that excellent Queen for the good of her Subjects.]

Now follow the Companies of Merchants, and their several Arms, so many as I could attain unto.

THE Company of MERCHANTS, called of the Staple, incorporated by King Edward III. In whose Time they had their Staple of Wools at Callis. Their Motto, God be our Friend.

THE Company of MERCHANTS, called MERCHANT ADVENTURERS, were incorporated by King Edward IV. And had their Priviledges confirmed and enlarged by Queen Elizabeth.

This is the ancientest Company of Merchants in England; who were incorporated in the Reign of King Edward I. Anno 1296. They obtained Priviledges of John Duke of Brabant, to establish themselves and their Trade, under Government in the City of Antwerp for those Countries. Then