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badly made or deceitful, they may remove and destroy them, or, if they believe it to be achievable, they may see that they are put into a saleable condition. They must ensure that anything which is badly or deceitfully made, of insufficient quality metal, or made by anyone who has not served a full apprenticeship is seized in the name of the Crown. Then in the presence of the Mayor, Sheriff or chief officer of the place where the seizure is made, they must show why the object has been taken. With his permission, they may then destroy it. This power  covers the whole of England and Wales and relates to anyone who is making, mending, buying, selling, (wholesale or retail) or who is in any way connected with any branch of the horological trade.

 

27. That if the chief officer is unable to judge the case made out before him, then the condemned object must be brought to the Company's Hall or meeting place and put before the entire Court. A decision may be made by a simple majority, which must include the Master and one Warden. The object may then be destroyed or defaced to make it unsaleable, though its owner may first appeal to the Lord Mayor.

 

28. That if a legally constituted Search is obstructed, either by being locked out or denied a view of the objects the members came to inspect, they have the power to break in to buildings, chests, boxes (or anywhere else that they believe work, wares or tools may be concealed) and seize them.

 

29. That the Master, Wardens and Assistants may present either those who offend in such matters, or information about them, to the Court of the Exchequer for punishment.

 

30. That no foreigner shall attempt to work within the area covered by the Charter, unless he is naturalised or with is working with a legally recognised professional clockmaker.

 

31. That no Englishman or foreigner who has imported any horological artifacts or parts into England or Wales, should attempt to market them before the artifacts have been brought to the Clockmakers' Hall or meeting place. There they must be inspected, approved by the Court and duly marked. The penalty for failure to observe this rule is seizure of the goods, in addition to any other penalty the law provides for contempt of a Royal command.

 

32. That if the owners of such goods are not satisfied with the judgement of the Court, they may appeal to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of the City of London. Pending appeal, the Master and Wardens must keep the objects safely and the Court must delay destroying or defacing them.

 

33. That the Master, Wardens and Assistants or any of them, (with the assistance of an officer or officers of the Crown) may search for any imported horological objects, which they believe are being offered for sale, but which have not been inspected and duly marked. They may seize any they find for the benefit of the Crown and prosecute the offenders.

 

34. That to cover the trouble and expense of the Court, the Company may retain half of all forfeitures, without the need to make an account to the Crown.

 

35. That all Crown and civic officers and officials must assist the Company in executing and enjoying all matters covered by the Charter.

 

36. That the Master, Wardens and Fellowship may choose "one honest and discreet person" to be known as "the Clerk".

 

37. That Thomas Copley shall serve as the first Clerk. He shall remain in office for life unless there is a just reason to remove him for a misdemeanour.

 

38. That after the death of Thomas Copley, the Master, Wardens and Assistants may by simple majority (as before), elect another "discreet person" to be Clerk.

 

39. That Thomas Copley's successors should continue in their office at the pleasure of  the Master, Wardens and Assistants.

 

40. That Thomas Copley's successor must first take an oath before the Master, Wardens and Assistants, or the majority of them, to "well and truly execute" his office, to "his best skill and knowledge, and according to the tenor and true meaning " of the Charter.

 

41. That the Master, Wardens and Assistants, or the majority of them, are given powers to administer oaths to the named Clerk and to his successors. Also to any Beadle or to other officers of the Company.

 

42. That the privileges contained in the Charter may be enjoyed, regardless of any previous laws or statutes.

 

Made patent and signed on the King's behalf on 22nd August, 1631.

 

The Charter of 1631 (summarised in modern English).