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The Charter of 1631 (summarised in modern English). |
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16ii Such a removal may again be made by a simple majority of the Court, provided the Master and one Warden are amongst them.
17i. That before he may act, David Ramsay must first take an oath on the New Testament and before the Lord Mayor for the faithful execution of his office.
17ii. That the Lord Mayor should have the power to administer such an oath to the first Master and to the first three Wardens.
18i. That annually thereafter the Court (by a simple majority, including the Master and one Warden) should and must elect one freeman of the Fellowship to be Master either on Michaelmas Day, or on the following day if Michaelmas falls on a Sunday.
18ii. That the election must be according to the rules set out below.
18iii. That the chosen candidate must be both a freeman of Company and must be or have been a professional clockmaker at the time of his election. His term of office as Master is the year ensuing, unless he dies or is removed.
19i. That before the elected Master takes office, he should take his oath "to well and truly execute the said office" before the last Master and at least two of the Wardens. Having done so, he remains in office until his successor has taken his oath.
19ii. That power is given to the Master and Wardens to administer such oaths successively.
20. That the Court may similarly elect three other freemen to be Wardens on an annual basis, according to the rules set out. The candidates must however be or have been professional clockmakers.
21i. That before the elected Wardens take office, they must take their corporal oaths to "well and truly execute" their offices, before the Master and at least two Wardens. Having done so, they remain in office until their successors are sworn.
21ii. That power is given to the Master and Wardens successively to administer such oaths.
22i. That if a Master should die in office or be removed, power is given to the Court to elect and swear a successor within one month. Their choice is restricted to one of the Wardens or Assistants. The election must be by a simple majority, including one Warden. The new Master will remain in office until the swearing in of his successor, the following Michaelmas. New Masters may be elected as often as it becomes necessary.
22ii. That the Master may be removed from office for a reasonable and just cause by a majority of the Court, which must include one Warden.
23i. That if one, two or three Wardens die in office or are removed, power is given to the Court to chose and swear replacements, according to the rules laid down. The new Wardens will remain in office until their successors are sworn the following Michaelmas. New Wardens may be elected as often as it proves necessary.
23ii. That any Warden may be removed for a reasonable and just cause, by a simple majority of the Court.
24i. That if an Assistant dies or is removed for "evil government or misbehaviour" or any other reasonable cause, the Court may elect a successor from the Fellowship by a simple majority, which must include the Master and two Wardens. The successor may not act as an Assistant until he is sworn before the Master and Wardens.
24ii. For this purpose successive Masters and Wardens are given power to administer the oath or oaths in perpetuity.
25. That the Court, or a simple majority of the members (which must include the Master and one Warden), may have the power to administer any oath or oaths which they think necessary for the good of the Company, to any freeman, citizen or outsider that they chose to involve with the Company's affairs.
26. That the Master, Wardens and Assistants (or any two of them, provided one is the Master or one of the Wardens) or their legally appointed deputies, may go in the company of an officer or officers of the Crown to enter any kind of ship, or land-based premises, where they suspect horological items are present. There they may examine all items, whether imported or not. If they find them to be faulty, |