[VIEUX PAPIERS / ERE VICTORIENNE] Privilege granted to a Lon - Lot 13

[VIEUX PAPIERS / ERE VICTORIENNE] Privilege granted to a London grocer by the name of Joseph Mackintosh in the form of a "Freedom of the city of London".., "Joseph Mackintosh, Son of Andrew Mackintosh, and late app er William Alcis Hankey, Citizen and Grocer of London, was admitted into the Freedom aforesaid, and made the Declaration required by Law in the Mayoralty of Warren Stormes Hale Esquire Mayor and Benjamin Scott Esquire, CHamberlain and is outered in the booksigned with the letter F relating to the purchasing of Freedom and the admissions of Freemen (to wit) the 6th day of July in the 29th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, and in the year of our Lord 1865 In Witnels where of the seal of the office of the Chamberlain of the said city is here unto affixed dated in the Chamber of the Guildhall of the same city the day and year abovesaid " Engraving on parchment, City of London coat of arms on left, and pen-and-ink manuscript. 1865 (Victoria's reign) The tradition of awarding the Freedom of the City of London to outstanding citizens is one of the most astonishing medieval practices still in force. In Victorian times, it still allowed distinguished members of their trades to trade freely. In the Middle Ages, it meant that the recipient was "franc" (free), i.e. free from any subjection to a feudal lord. This tradition dates back to 1237. 7x37 cm (view) 20x51 cm (frame)