We have long and fully resolved with Ourself to extend not only the
boundaries of the Empire, but also the very arts and sciences. Therefore
We look with favour upon all forms of learning, but with particular
grace We encourage philosophical studies, especially those which by
actual experiments attempt either to shape out a new philosophy or to
perfect the old. In order, therefore, that such studies, which have not
hitherto been sufficiently brilliant in any part of the world, may shine
conspicuously amongst Our people, and that at length the whole world
of letters may always recognize Us not only as the Defender of the
Faith, but also as the universal lover and patron of every kind of truth:
Know ye that We, of Our especial grace and of Our certain knowledge
and mere motion, have ordained, established, and granted, and by these
presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors do ordain, establish, and grant,
that henceforth for ever there shall be a Society consisting of a
President, Council, and Fellows, who shall be called and named The
President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for
Improving Natural Knowledge (of which same Society We by these
presents declare Ourself Founder and Patron); And by these presents for
Us, Our heirs, and successors We do make, ordain, create, and constitute
the same Society, by the name of The President, Council, and Fellows
of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge,
one body corporate and politic, in fact, deed, and name, really and fully,
and that by the same name they may have perpetual succession; And
that they and their successors (whose studies are to be applied to further
promoting by the authority of experiments the sciences of natural
things and of useful arts, to the glory of God the Creator, and the
advantage of the human race), by the same name of The President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for Improving
Natural Knowledge, may and shall be in all future times persons able
and capable in law to have, acquire, receive, and possess lands and
tenements, meadows, feedings, pastures, liberties, privileges, franchises,
jurisdictions, and hereditaments whatsoever to them and their
successors in fee and perpetuity, or for term of life, lives, or years, or
otherwise in whatsoever manner, and also goods and chattels, and all
other things, of whatsoever kind, nature, sort, or quality they may be
and to grant;
to sue and be sued;
and to have a Common
Seal
Grant of Arms
(the Statute concerning alienation in mortmain notwithstanding), and
also to give, grant, demise, and assign the same lands, tenements, and
hereditaments, goods and chattels, and to do and execute all acts and
things necessary of and concerning the same, by the name aforesaid;
And that by the name of The President, Council, and Fellows of the
Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge aforesaid,
they may henceforth for ever be able and have power to plead and be
impleaded, to answer and be answered, to defend and be defended, in
whatsoever Courts and places, and before whatsoever Judges, Justices,
and other persons and officers of Us, Our heirs, and successors, in all
and singular actions, both real and personal, pleas, suits, plaints, causes,
matters, things, and demands whatsoever, of whatsoever kind, nature, or
sort they may or shall be, in the same manner and form as any of Our
lieges within this Our Realm of England, being persons able and
capable in law, or as any body corporate or politic within this Our
Realm of England, may be able and have power to have, acquire,
receive, possess, give, and grant, to plead and be impleaded, to answer
and be answered, to defend or be defended; And that the same
President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid and their
successors for ever may have a Common Seal, to serve for transacting all
causes and affairs whatsoever of them and their successors; and that it
may and shall be good and lawful to the same President, Council, and
Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their successors for the
time being, to break, change, and make anew that Seal from time to
time, as it shall seem most expedient to them.
We give and grant moreover by these presents to the President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their
successors for ever, in testimony of Our royal favour towards them, and
of Our peculiar esteem for them, to the present and future ages, these
following blazons of honour, that is to say: in the dexter corner of a
silver shield Our three Lions of England, and for Crest a helm adorned
with a crown studded with florets, surmounted by an eagle of proper
colour holding in one foot a shield charged with Our lions: Supporters,
two white hounds gorged with crowns; to be borne, exhibited, and
possessed for ever by the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows, and
their successors, as occasion shall serve.
The Council
Fellows
William, Viscount
Brouncker, named to
be the first President
And that Our royal intention may obtain the better effect, and for the
good rule and government of the aforesaid Royal Society from time to
time, We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors do
grant to the same President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society
aforesaid, and to their successors, that henceforth for ever the Council
aforesaid shall be and consist of not fewer than twenty and not more
than twenty-four persons (including the President for the time being,
and his or her Deputy); And that all and singular other persons who
within two months next following after the date of these presents shall
be received and admitted into the same Society as Members of the
Royal Society aforesaid, by the President and Council, or by any twelve
or more of them (of whom We will the President for the time being, or
his or her Deputy, to be always one), or by two third parts or more of
the aforesaid twelve or more, and in all time following by the President,
Council, and Fellows, or by any twenty-one or more of them (of
whom We will the President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, to
be always one), or by two third parts or more of the aforesaid twenty-
one or more, and shall have been noted in the Register by them to be
kept, shall be, be called, and be named Fellows of the Royal Society
aforesaid, as long as they shall live, unless it shall happen that any one of
them be amoved for any reasonable cause, according to the Statutes of
the Royal Society aforesaid, which are to be drawn up; whom, the
more eminently they are distinguished for the study of every kind of
learning and good letters, the more ardently they desire to promote the
honour, studies, and advantage of this Society, the more they are noted
for integrity of life, uprightness of character, and piety, and excel in
fidelity and affection of mind towards Us, Our Crown, and dignity, the
more We wish them to be especially deemed fitting and worthy of
being admitted into the number of the Fellows of the same Society.
And for the better execution of Our will and grant in this behalf, We
have assigned, nominated, constituted, and made, and by these presents
for Us, Our heirs, and successors do assign, nominate, constitute, and
make, Our very well-beloved and trusty William, Viscount Brouncker,
Chancellor of Our very dear consort Queen Catharine, to be the first
and present President of the Royal Society aforesaid; willing that the
The President’s
Oath
The first
Council named
aforesaid William, Viscount Brouncker, shall continue in the office of
President of the Royal Society aforesaid from the date of these presents
until the feast of St Andrew next following after the date of these
presents, and until one other of the Council of the Royal Society
aforesaid for the time being shall have been elected, appointed, and
sworn to that office in due manner, according to the ordinance and
provision below in these presents expressed and declared (if the
aforesaid William, Viscount Brouncker, shall live so long); having first
taken a corporal oath well and faithfully to execute his office in and by
all things touching that office, according to the true intention of these
presents, before Our very well-beloved and very trusty Cousin and
Councillor Edward, Earl of Clarendon, Our Chancellor of England: to
which same Edward, Earl of Clarendon, Our Chancellor aforesaid, We
give and grant full power and authority to administer the oath aforesaid
in these words following, that is to say:
I, William, Viscount Brouncker, do promise to deal faithfully and
honestly in all things belonging to the trust committed to me, as
President of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural
Knowledge, during my employment in that capacity. So help me God!
We have also assigned, constituted, and made, and by these presents for
Us, Our heirs, and successors do make, Our beloved and trusty Robert
Moray, Knight, one of Our Privy Council in Our Realm of Scotland;
Robert Boyle, Esquire; William Brereton, Esquire, eldest son of the
Baron de Brereton; Kenelm Digby, Knight, Chancellor to Our very
dear mother, Queen Maria; Gilbert Talbot, Knight, Treasurer of Our
Jewels; Paul Neile, Knight, one of the Ushers of Our Privy Chamber;
Henry Slingesby, Esquire, one of the Gentlemen of Our aforesaid Privy
Chamber; William Petty, Knight; Timothy Clarke, Doctor in Medicine
and one of Our Physicians; John Wilkins, Doctor in Divinity; George
Ent, Doctor in Medicine; William Aerskine, one of Our Cup-bearers;
Jonathan Goddard, Doctor in Medicine and Professor of Gresham
College; William Balle, Esquire; Matthew Wren, Esquire; John Evelyn,
Esquire; Thomas Henshaw, Esquire; Dudley Palmer, of Grey's Inn, in
Our County of Middlesex, Esquire; Abraham Hill, of London, Esquire;
and Henry Oldenburg, Esquire, together with the President aforesaid,
Council succession
Meetings
Election of the
President
to be and become the first and present twenty-one of the Council and
Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid; to be continued in their offices
of the Council aforesaid from the date of these presents until the
aforesaid feast of St Andrew the Apostle next following, and
thenceforth until other fitting and able and sufficient persons shall have
been elected, appointed, and sworn into the offices aforesaid (if they
shall live so long, and shall not have been amoved for any just and
reasonable cause); first taking corporal oaths before the President for the
time being of the aforesaid Royal Society, well and faithfully to execute
their offices in and by all things touching those offices, according to the
form and effect of the aforesaid oath, mutatis mutandis, to be
administered to the President of the Royal Society aforesaid by Our
Chancellor of England; (to which same President for the time being,
for Us, Our heirs, and successors, We give and grant by these presents
full power and authority to administer the oaths aforesaid to the
aforesaid persons, and to any others whomsoever hereafter from time to
time to be elected into the Council aforesaid); And that the same
persons, so as it is aforesaid elected, appointed, and sworn, and hereafter
to be elected, appointed, and sworn from time to time, to the Council
of the aforesaid Royal Society, shall be and become aiding, counselling,
and assistant in all matters, business, and affairs touching or concerning
the better regulation, government, and direction of the aforesaid Royal
Society, and of every Member of the same.
We also grant to the President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid
Society, and to their successors forever, that they and their successors, or
any nine or more of them (of whom We will the President for the time
being, or his or her Deputy, or someone appointed by the President for
that purpose, to be always one), may be able lawfully to make and hold
assemblies or meetings of themselves for the examination and
investigation of experiments and of natural things, and for other affairs
belonging to the Society aforesaid, as often as and whenever it shall be
needful, in a College or Hall or other convenient place within Our
City of London, or in any other convenient place.
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors, do grant to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of
the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their successors, that the President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid for the time being,
or any thirty-one or more of them (of whom We will the President for
the time being, or his or her Deputy, to be one), or the major part of the
aforesaid thirty-one or more, may and shall have from time to time in
all future times for ever power and authority to nominate and elect, and
that they may be able and have power to elect and nominate, on the
aforesaid feast of St Andrew, one of the Council of the aforesaid Royal
Society for the time being, who may and shall be President of the Royal
Society aforesaid until the feast of St Andrew the Apostle not more
than five years thereafter following (if he or she shall live so long, and
shall not be amoved meanwhile for any just and reasonable cause),
when another shall be elected, appointed, and nominated to the office
of President of the Royal Society aforesaid; and that he or she, after that
he or she shall so have been elected and nominated, as it is aforesaid, to
the office of President of the Royal Society aforesaid, before he or she
be admitted to that office, shall take a corporal oath before the Council
of the same Royal Society, or any seven or more of them, rightly, well,
and faithfully to execute that office in all things touching that office,
according to the form and effect of the aforesaid oath, mutatis mutandis
(to which same Council, or to any seven or more of them, We give and
grant by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors full power and
authority to administer the oath aforesaid from time to time, as often as
it shall be needful to elect a President); and that after having so taken
such oath, as it is aforesaid, he or she may be able and have power to
execute the office of President of the Royal Society aforesaid until the
feast of St Andrew the Apostle not more than five years thereafter
following, when another fitting and able and sufficient person shall be
admitted to that office; And if it shall happen that the President of the
Royal Society for the time being, at any time, so long as he or she shall
be in the office of President of the same Royal Society, shall die, retire,
or be amoved from his or her office, that then and so often it may and
shall be good and lawful to the Council of the Royal Society aforesaid,
and to their successors for ever, or to the major part of them, to
assemble or meet for the election of one of the members of the
Replacement of
Council members mid
term
Council aforesaid as President of the Royal Society aforesaid; and that
he or she who shall have been elected and sworn by the Council
aforesaid, or by the aforesaid major part, or by the majority of the
aforesaid major part of them, as it is aforesaid, may have and exercise that
office for the remainder of the term to which his or her predecessor
was elected, when another shall be in due manner elected and sworn to
that office, first taking a corporal oath in the form above specified; and
so as often as the case shall so happen.
And further We will, that whenever it shall happen that any one or any
of the Council of the Royal Society aforesaid for the time being shall
die, or be amoved from that office, or retire (which same members of
the Council of the Royal Society aforesaid, and every one of them, We
will to be amovable for misbehaviour or any other reasonable cause, at
the good pleasure of the President and of the rest of the Council
aforesaid, of whom We will the President for the time being, or his or
her Deputy, to be one, or of the major part of the same), that then and
so often it may and shall be good and lawful to the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their
successors for ever, or to any twenty-one or more of the same (of
whom We will the President of the Royal Society aforesaid for the time
being, or his or her Deputy, to be one), or to the major part of the
aforesaid twenty-one or more, to nominate, elect, and appoint one
other or several others of the Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, in
the place or places of him or her or them so dead, retired, or amoved, to
fill up the aforesaid number of not less than twenty and not more than
twenty-four persons of the Council of the Royal Society aforesaid; and
that he, she or they so elected and appointed in that office may have the
same office until the feast of St Andrew the Apostle then next
following, and thenceforth until one other or several others shall have
been elected, appointed, and nominated; first taking a corporal oath
before the President and Council of the Royal Society aforesaid, or any
seven or more of them (of whom We will the President for the time
being, or his or her Deputy, to be always one), well and faithfully to
execute that office in and by all things touching that office, according to
the true intention of these presents.
Annual retirement of
Council members
The President may
appoint a Deputy
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors do grant to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of
the aforesaid Royal Society, and to their successors for ever, that they
and their successors, or any thirty-one or more of them (of whom We
will the President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, to be always
one), or the major part of the aforesaid thirty-one or more, from time to
time, on the aforesaid feast of St Andrew the Apostle, may and shall have
full power and authority to elect, nominate, appoint, and change so
many of the members of the Council of the Royal Society aforesaid as
shall be determined according to the statutes of the Royal Society
aforesaid, to fill up the places and offices of as many as shall be so
determined of the aforesaid number of not fewer than twenty and not
more than twenty-four members of the Council of the Royal Society
aforesaid; for We do declare it to be Our royal pleasure, and by these
presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors We do grant, that all members
of the aforesaid Council shall serve as members of the Council for such
terms of up to five years, with such provision as to eligibility for re-
election, as the statutes of the Royal Society aforesaid shall specify.
We will also, and for Us, Our heirs, and successors do grant to the
aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid Royal Society,
and to their successors forever, that if it shall happen that the President
of the same Royal Society for the time being is detained by sickness or
infirmity, or is employed in the service of Us, Our heirs, or successors,
or is otherwise occupied, so that he or she shall not be able to attend to
the necessary affairs of the same Royal Society touching the office of
President, that then and so often it may and shall be good and lawful to
the same President so detained, employed or occupied, to nominate
and appoint one of the Council of the aforesaid Royal Society for the
time being to be and become the Deputy of the same President; which
same Deputy, so to be made and appointed in the office of Deputy of
the President aforesaid, may and shall be the Deputy of the same
President from time to time, as often as the aforesaid President shall
happen to be so absent, during the whole time in which the aforesaid
President shall continue in the office of President; unless in the
meanwhile the aforesaid President of the Royal Society aforesaid for
Election of Officers
the time being shall have made and appointed one other of the
aforesaid Council his or her Deputy; And that every such Deputy of
the aforesaid President so to be made and appointed, as it is aforesaid,
may be able and have power to do and execute all and singular things
which pertain or ought to pertain to the office of President of the
aforesaid Royal Society, or which are limited and appointed to be done
and executed by the aforesaid President, by virtue of these Our Letters
Patent, from time to time, as often as the aforesaid President shall
happen to be so absent, during such time as he or she shall continue the
Deputy of the aforesaid President, by force of these Our Letters Patent,
as fully, freely, and wholly, and in as ample manner and form, as the
aforesaid President, if he or she were present, would be able and have
power to do and execute those things; a corporal oath first to be taken
by such Deputy upon the holy Gospels of God, in the form and effect
above specified, well and faithfully to execute all and singular things
which pertain to the office of President, before the aforesaid Council of
the aforesaid Royal Society, or any seven or more of them; and so often
as the case shall so happen: to which same Council, or to any seven or
more of them, for the time being, We do give and grant by these
presents, power and authority to administer the oath aforesaid, as often
as the case shall so happen, without procuring or obtaining a writ,
commission, or further warrant in that behalf from Us, Our heirs, or
successors.
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors do grant to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of
the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their successors, that they and their
successors henceforth for ever may and shall have such Officers as the
President, Council and Fellows aforesaid shall determine, to serve for
such terms of office, and with such provision as to eligibility for re-
election, as the statutes of the Royal Society aforesaid shall specify, and
such Officers may include: Treasurers, Secretaries, Curators of
Experiments, Clerks, Sergeants-at-Mace, as well as such others as the
President, Council and Fellows aforesaid may determine, who may
from time to time attend upon the President; and that the aforesaid
Treasurers, Secretaries, Curators, Clerks, Sergeants-at-Mace and other
The first Treasurer
named; and also the
two first Secretaries
Officers, to be elected and nominated by the President, Council, and
Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, or by any thirty-one or more of
them (of whom We will the President for the time being, or his or her
Deputy, to be one), or by the major part of the aforesaid thirty-one or
more, before they be admitted to execute their special and respective
offices, shall take their corporal oaths in the form and effect above
specified, before the President, or his or her Deputy, and the Council of
the same Royal Society, or any seven or more of them, rightly, well, and
faithfully to execute their several and respective offices in all things
touching the same; and that after having so taken such oaths, as it is
aforesaid, they may exercise and use their respective offices; to which
same President and Council, or to any seven or more of them, We do
give and grant by these presents full power and authority to administer
the oaths aforesaid from time to time to the aforesaid several and
respective Officers and their successors: And We have assigned,
nominated, chosen, created, appointed, and made, and by these presents
for Us, Our heirs, and successors do assign, nominate, choose, create,
appoint, and make, Our beloved subjects the aforesaid William Balle,
Esquire, to be and become the first and present Treasurer, and the
aforesaid John Wilkins and Henry Oldenburg to be and become the
first and present Secretaries, of the aforesaid Royal Society; to be
continued in the same offices until the aforesaid feast of St Andrew the
Apostle next following after the date of these presents: And that from
time to time and at all times on the aforesaid feast of St Andrew the
Apostle (unless it shall be Sunday, and if it be Sunday, then on the day
next following), the President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid
Royal Society for the time being, or any thirty-one or more (of them of
whom We will the President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, to
be one), or the major part of the aforesaid thirty-one or more, may be
able and have power to elect, nominate, and appoint upright and
discreet individuals, who are and shall be of the number of the Council
of the Royal Society aforesaid, as Treasurer and Secretaries, from time
to time; and that those who shall so have been elected, appointed, and
sworn to the aforesaid several and respective offices, as it is aforesaid,
may be able and have power to exercise and enjoy those respective
offices until the aforesaid feast of St Andrew then next following, their
Council to determine
how the Society
should operate
aforesaid oaths, as it is aforesaid, first to be taken, and thenceforth until
others shall have been nominated, elected and appointed; and so as
often as the case shall so happen. And if it shall happen that the aforesaid
elections of President, Council, Treasurer, and Secretaries, or of any one
or any of them, cannot conveniently be made or finished on the
aforesaid feast of St Andrew, We give and grant to the aforesaid
President, Council, and Fellows, and to their successors for ever, that
they or any thirty-one or more of them (of whom We will the
President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, to be one), or the
major part of the said thirty-one or more, may lawfully name and assign
one other day, as near to the feast of St Andrew aforesaid as can
conveniently be done, for making or finishing the aforesaid elections;
and so from day to day, until the aforesaid elections be finished: And if it
shall happen that any one or any of the aforesaid Officers of the same
Royal Society shall die, retire, or be amoved from their respective
offices, that then and so often it may and shall be good and lawful to the
President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid Royal Society, and to
their successors forever, or to any twenty-one or more of them (of
whom We will the President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, to
be one), or to the major part of the aforesaid twenty-one or more, to
elect and appoint another or others to the office or offices of those
persons so deceased, retired, or amoved; and that he, she or they so
elected and appointed may have and exercise the respective offices
aforesaid during the residue of the same year, and until another or
others shall have been in due manner elected and sworn to those
respective offices; and so as often as the case shall so happen.
And moreover We will, and of Our special grace and of Our certain
knowledge and mere motion do grant to the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their
successors for ever, that the President and Council of the aforesaid
Royal Society for the time being (due or lawful summons or citation
being always first made of all the members of the Council aforesaid to
extraordinary meetings), or any twelve or more of them (of whom We
will the President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, or some
other person nominated by the President for that purpose, to be one),
The right to appoint a
printer
may be able and have power both to meet together and assemble in a
College or Hall or other convenient place within Our City of London,
or in any other convenient place; and that they so met together and
assembled, or the major part of them, shall and may have full authority,
power, and faculty from time to time to draw up, constitute, ordain,
make, and establish such laws, statutes, acts, ordinances, and
constitutions as shall seem to them, or to the major part of them, to be
good, wholesome, useful, honourable, and necessary, according to their
sound discretions, for the better government, regulation, and direction
of the Royal Society aforesaid, and of every Member of the same, and
to do and perform all things belonging to the government, matters,
goods, faculties, rents, lands, tenements, hereditaments, and affairs of the
Royal Society aforesaid; all and singular which laws, statutes, acts,
ordinances, and constitutions so to be made as it is aforesaid, We will,
and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors, firmly
enjoining, do order and command, that they shall be inviolably
observed from time to time, according to the tenor and effect of the
same: so nevertheless, that the aforesaid laws, statutes, acts, ordinances,
and constitution so to be made as it is aforesaid, and every one of them,
be reasonable, and not repugnant or contrary to the laws, customs, acts,
or statutes of this Our Realm of England.
And further, of Our more ample special grace and of Our certain
knowledge and mere motion, We have given and granted, and by these
presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors do give and grant to the
aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid Royal Society,
and to their successors for ever, or to any twenty-one or more of them
(of whom We will the President for the time being, or his or her
Deputy, to be always one), or to the major part of the aforesaid twenty-
one or more, full power and authority from time to time to elect,
nominate, and appoint one or more Typographers or Printers, and
Chalcographers or Engravers, and to grant to him, her or them, by a
writing sealed with the Common Seal of the aforesaid Royal Society,
and signed by the hand of the President for the time being, faculty to
print such things, matters, and affairs touching or concerning the
aforesaid Royal Society, as shall have been committed to the aforesaid
The right to receive the
bodies of executed
criminals
The right to correspond
with foreigners
Typographer or Printer, Chalcographer or Engraver, or Typographers
or Printers, Chalcographers or Engravers, from time to time, by the
President and Council of the aforesaid Royal Society, or any seven or
more of them (of whom We will the President for the time being, or his
or her Deputy, to be one), or by the major part of the aforesaid seven or
more; their corporal oaths first to be taken, before they be admitted to
exercise their offices, before the President and Council for the time
being, or any seven or more of them, in the form and effect last
specified; to which same President and Council, or to any seven or
more of them, We do give and grant by these presents full power and
authority to administer the oaths aforesaid.
And further, in order that the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows
of the aforesaid Royal Society may obtain the better success in their
philosophical studies, of Our more ample special grace and of Our
certain knowledge and mere motion, We have given and granted, and
by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors do give and grant, to
the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid Royal
Society, and to their successors for ever, that they and their successors, or
any nine or more of them (of whom We will the President for the time
being, or his or her Deputy, to be one), or the major part of the aforesaid
nine or more, may and shall have from time to time full power and
authority to require, take, and receive from time to time, and at such
seasonable times, according to their discretion, by their assign or assigns
the bodies of such persons as have suffered death by the hand of the
executioner, and to anatomize them, in as ample manner and form, and
to all intents and purposes, as the President of the College of Physicians
and the Company of Surgeons of Our City of London (by whatsoever
names the two aforesaid corporations shall have been distinguished)
have used or enjoyed, or may be able and have power to use and enjoy,
the same bodies.
And further, for the improvement of the experiments, arts, and sciences
of the aforesaid Royal Society, of Our more abundant special grace and
of Our certain knowledge and mere motion, We have given and
granted, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors do give
and grant, to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the
The right to erect
buildings for the
Society’s use
Resolution of disputes
aforesaid Royal Society, and to their successors for ever, that they and
their successors, or any nine or more of them (of whom We will the
President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, or some other person
nominated by the President for that purpose, to be one), or the major
part of the aforesaid nine or more, may and shall have from time to time
full power and authority, by letters or epistles under the hand of the
aforesaid President or his or her Deputy, or some other person
nominated by the President for that purpose, in the presence of the
Council, or of any seven or more of them, and in the name of the Royal
Society, to enjoy mutual intelligence and affairs with all and all manner
of strangers and foreigners, whether private or collegiate, corporate or
politic, without any molestation, interruption, or disturbance
whatsoever: Provided nevertheless, that this Our indulgence, so granted
as it is aforesaid, be not extended to further use than the particular
benefit and interest of the aforesaid Royal Society in matters or things
philosophical, mathematical, or mechanical.
And further We have given and granted, and by these presents for Us,
Our heirs, and successors do give and grant to the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their
successors for ever, or to the President and Council of the Royal
Society aforesaid, or the major part of them, full power and authority to
erect, build, and construct, or to make or cause to be erected, built, or
constructed, within Our City of London, or in any other convenient
place, one or more College or Colleges, of whatsoever kind or quality,
for the habitation, assembly, and meeting of the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid Royal Society, and of their
successors, for the ordering and arranging of their affairs and other
matters concerning the same Royal Society.
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors do ordain, constitute, and appoint, that if any abuses or
differences hereafter shall arise and happen concerning the government
or other matters or affairs of the aforesaid Royal Society, whereby any
injury or hindrance may be done to the constitution, stability, and
progress of the studies, or to the matters and affairs, of the same; then
that and so often, by these presents, for Us, Our heirs, and successors,
General Clauses
We do authorize, nominate, assign, and appoint Our aforesaid very
well-beloved and very trusty Cousin and Councillor Edward, Earl of
Clarendon, Our Chancellor of Our Realm of England, by himself
during his life, and, after his death, then either the Archbishop of
Canterbury, the Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal of England, the
Treasurer of England, the Keeper of the Privy Seal, the Bishop of
London, and the two Principal Secretaries for the time being, or any
other person or persons appointed by the Council of the Royal Society
aforesaid, to reconcile, compose, and adjust the same differences and
abuses.
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors, firmly enjoining, do order and command all and singular the
Justices, Mayors, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, and other
officers, ministers, and subjects whomsoever of Us, Our heirs, and
successors, that they be from time to time aiding and assistant to the
aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society
aforesaid, and to their successors for ever, in and by all things, according
to the true intention of these Our Letters Patent.
Although express mention of the true yearly value or of the certainty of
the premises, or of any of them, or of other gifts or grants before these
times made by Us or by any of Our progenitors or predecessors to the
aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society
aforesaid, is not made in these presents; or any statute, act, ordinance,
provision, proclamation, or restriction to the contrary thereof
heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained, or provided, or any other
thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in any wise notwithstanding.
In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made
Patent. Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the twenty-second day of
April, in the fifteenth year of Our reign.
Grant of Lands in
Chelsey
By writ of Privy Seal.
HOWARD.
Third Charter, granting Chelsea College and further
Privileges, A.D. 1669
Charles the Second, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland,
France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whom these
Our Letters Patent shall come, greeting.
Know ye that we, of Our special grace and of Our certain knowledge
and mere motion, have given and granted, and by these presents for Us,
Our heirs, and successors do give and grant, to Our beloved and trusty
the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for
Improving Natural Knowledge, and to their successors for ever, All that
piece of arable land called Teamshott, containing by estimation twenty
acres, lying between Our highway leading from Westminster to
Chelsey on the north and west side, and a piece of meadow, containing
by estimation four acres, parcel of eighteen acres of meadow, late in the
tenure of the Earl of Nottingham or his assigns, on the south side, and a
close of meadow called Stony Bridge Close on the east side, and a piece
of arable land, late in the occupation of Thomas Evans or his assigns, on
the west side, by the particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly
rent or value of twenty-three shillings and four pence; And also all that
the aforesaid close of meadow called Stony Bridge Close, containing by
estimation four acres, late in the occupation of John Deakes or his
assigns, lying between the stream called the Common Sewer on the east
side, and the aforesaid piece of land called Teamshott on the west side,
and the bridge called Stony Bridge on the north side, by the particular
thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or value of twenty shillings;
And also all that one piece of arable land in the Common field called
East Field, containing by estimation three acres, late in the occupation
of Thomas Frances or his assigns, lying between the aforesaid piece of
land called Teamshott on the east side, a piece of arable land, late in the
tenure of the Earl of Lincoln or his assigns, on the west side, a parcel of
meadow of Earles Court land on the south side, and Our highway
leading from Westminster to Chelsey aforesaid on the north and west
side, by the particular thereof mentioned to be of the yearly rent or
value of four shillings; (which same premises are, or formerly were,
parcel of Our land in Chelsey, being parcel of the Demesne land of the
Adeo plenè
Clauses
Manor of Chelsey aforesaid, and lately were parcel of the possessions of
John, late Duke of Northumberland; and which lately by Our very dear
grandfather, of blessed memory, King James, by His Letters Patent,
bearing date at Westminster, the eighth day of May, in the year of His
reign of England the eighth, and of Scotland the forty-third, were
granted, or mentioned to be granted, to the Provost and Fellows of the
College of King James in Chelsey, near London, of the foundation of
the same James, King of England, and to their successors for ever, to
hold of the aforesaid King James, as of His Manor of East Greenwich, in
the County of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not
in chief, nor by Knight service;) And also all and singular houses,
buildings, structures, woods, underwoods, trees, and all the land,
ground, and soil of the same woods, underwoods, and trees, and all
other Our rights, jurisdictions, franchises, privileges, liberties, profits,
commodities, advantages, emoluments, and hereditaments whatsoever,
with all their appurtenances, of whatsoever kind, nature, or sort they
may be, or by whatsoever names they may be known, deemed, called, or
recognized, situate, lying, and being, issuing, growing, renewing, or
arising, within the county, towns, fields, places, or hamlets aforesaid, or
elsewhere wheresoever, to the aforesaid lands and other the premises, or
to any parcel thereof, in any manner belonging; And also the reversion
and reversions of all and singular the premises above by these presents
before granted, and of every parcel thereof, dependent or expectant of,
in, or upon any demise or grant for term or terms of life or lives or
years, or otherwise, made of the premises above by these presents before
granted, or of any parcel thereof, in any manner, being of record or not
of record; And also all and singular the rents and yearly profits
whatsoever, reserved upon whatsoever demises or grants of and upon
the premises by these presents before granted, or of and upon any parcel
thereof.
We have also given and granted, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs,
and successors do give and grant to the aforesaid President, Council,
and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural
Knowledge, and to their successors for ever, that they and their
successors henceforth for ever may have, hold, and enjoy, and may be
able and have power to have, hold, and enjoy, within the premises above
by these presents before granted, and within every parcel thereof, as
many, as great, such, the same, like, and similar rights, jurisdictions,
liberties, franchises, customs, privileges, profits, commodities,
advantages, emoluments, and hereditaments whatsoever, as, such as, and
which, and as fully, freely, and wholly, and in as ample manner and form,
as the aforesaid John, late Duke of Northumberland, or the aforesaid
Provost and Fellows of the College of King James in Chelsey, near
London, of the foundation of the same James, King of England, or any
other person or persons ever heretofore having or possessing the
aforesaid lands, tenements, and other the premises, with their
appurtenances, or any parcel thereof, or being seised thereof, ever had,
held, used, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, held, used, or enjoyed, in
the premises above by these presents before granted or in any parcel
thereof, by reason or pretext of any charter of gift, grant, or
confirmation by Us or by any of Our progenitors or ancestors, late
Kings or Queens of England, heretofore had, made, or granted, or
confirmed, or by reason or pretext of any Act of Parliament or of any
Acts of Parliaments, or by reason or pretext of any lawful prescription,
use, or custom heretofore had or used, or otherwise, by whatsoever
lawful means, right, or title; and as fully, freely, and wholly, and in as
ample manner and form, as We or any of Our progenitors or ancestors,
late Kings or Queens of England, had and enjoyed, or ought to have
had and enjoyed, the aforesaid lands, tenements, and other the premises
or any parcel thereof.
We give further, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors,
do grant to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal
Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, and to their
successors, all and singular the premises above by these presents before
granted, with all their appurtenances, as fully, freely, and wholly, and in as
ample manner and form, as all and singular those premises or any parcel
thereof came or ought to have come to Our hands, or to the hands of
any of Our progenitors or ancestors, late Kings or Queens of England,
by reason or pretext of the dissolution or surrender of any late
monastery, priory, or hospital, or by reason or pretext of any Act of
Tenure
Exonerations,
acquittances, etc
Parliament or of any Acts of Parliaments, or by reason of any attainder
or forfeiture, or by reason of any exchange or purchase, or of any gift or
grant, or by reason of escheat, or by whatsoever other lawful means,
right, or title, and now are, or ought to be, in Our hands.
To have, hold, and enjoy the aforesaid lands, tenements, and
hereditaments, and all and singular other the premises above by these
presents before granted, with all their appurtenances, to the aforesaid
President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for
Improving Natural Knowledge, and to their successors for ever; To hold
of Us, Our heirs, and successors, as of Our Manor of East Greenwich, in
Our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not
in chief, nor by Knight service; And rendering yearly to Us, Our heirs,
and successors of and for the aforesaid arable land called Teamshott
twenty-three shillings and four pence, and of and for the aforesaid close
of meadow called Stony Bridge Close twenty shillings, and of and for
the aforesaid piece of arable land in the common field called East Field
four shillings, of lawful money of England, at the feasts of Saint Michael
the Archangel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the
Receipt of the Exchequer at Westminster for Us, Our heirs, and
successors, or to the hands of the Bailiffs or Receivers of the premises
for the time being, by equal portions yearly to be paid for ever.
And further, of Our more abundant special grace and of Our certain
knowledge and mere motion, We will, and by these presents for Us,
Our heirs, and successors do grant to the aforesaid President, Council,
and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, and to their successors, that
we, Our heirs, and successors henceforth for ever yearly and from time
to time will discharge, acquit, and save harmless as well the aforesaid
President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid and their
successors, as the aforesaid lands, tenements, and other all and singular
the premises above expressed and specified, and by these presents before
granted, and every parcel thereof, with all their appurtenances, of and
from all and all manner of corrodies, rents, fees, services, annuities,
pensions, portions, and sums of money, and charges whatsoever from
the premises or from any parcel thereof to Us, Our heirs, or successors
issuing or to be paid, or thereupon towards Us, our heirs, or successors
charged or to be charged; except from the rents, services, and tenures
above in these presents to Us, Our heirs, and successors reserved, and
except from demises and grants of the premises or of any parcel thereof
heretofore made, and the covenants and conditions being in the same,
and the covenants and charges which any farmer or farmers of the
premises by reason of his, her or their indentures and demises is or are
bound to do and discharge.
We will also, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and successors,
firmly enjoining, do command as well the Commissioners for Our
Treasury, the Treasurer, Chamberlain, Under-Treasurer, and Barons of
the Exchequer of Us, Our heirs, and successors for the time being, as all
and singular Auditors and other officers and ministers of Us, Our heirs,
and successors whomsoever for the time being, that they and each of
them, upon the mere showing of these Our Letters Patent, or of the
Enrolment of the same, without any other writ or warrant from Us,
Our heirs, or successors in any manner to be sued out or prosecuted,
shall make and from time to time shall cause to be made to the aforesaid
President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid and their
successors full, whole, and due allowance and manifest discharge of and
from all and all manner of such corrodies, rents, fees, pensions, portions,
and sums of money, and charges whatsoever (except from the services,
rents, tenures, and arrears of rent and other the premises in these
presents reserved, as it is aforesaid, and by the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid and their
successors payable, to be done, or to be performed) from the premises
by these presents before granted, or from any part or parcel thereof, to
Us, Our heirs, or successors issuing or to be paid, or thereupon towards
Us, Our heirs, or successors charged or to be charged; And these Our
Letters Patent, or the Enrolment of the same, shall be from time to time,
as well to the said Commissioners for Our Treasury, the Treasurer,
Chamberlain, and Barons of the Exchequer of Us, Our heirs, and
successors, for the time being, as to all and singular Auditors and other
officers and ministers of Us, Our heirs, and successors whomsoever for
the time being, a sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf.
Recital of some parts of the Second Charter
And whereas we, by Our Letters Patent bearing date at Westminster,
the twenty-second day of April, in the fifteenth year of Our reign, made
to the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid,
among other things, granted to the aforesaid President, Council, and
Fellows of the aforesaid Royal Society, and to their successors for ever,
that if it shall happen that the President of the same Royal Society for
the time being is detained by sickness or infirmity, or is employed in the
service of Us, Our heirs, or successors, or is otherwise occupied, so that
he or she cannot attend to the necessary affairs of the same Royal
Society touching the office of President, that then and so often it may
and shall be good and lawful to the same President, so being detained,
employed, or occupied, to nominate and appoint one of the Council of
the aforesaid Royal Society for the time being to be and become the
Deputy of the same President; which same Deputy, so to be made and
appointed in the office of Deputy of the President aforesaid, may and
should be the Deputy of the same President from time to time, as often
as it shall happen that the aforesaid President is so absent, during the
whole time in which the aforesaid President shall continue in the office
of President, unless in the meanwhile the aforesaid President of the
Royal Society aforesaid for the time being shall have made and
appointed one other of the aforesaid Council his or her Deputy; And
that every such Deputy of the aforesaid President so to be made and
appointed, as it is aforesaid, may be able and have power to do and
execute all and singular things which pertain or ought to pertain to the
office of President of the aforesaid Royal Society, or which are limited
and appointed to be done and executed by the aforesaid President by
virtue of those Our Letters Patent, from time to time, as often as it shall
happen that the aforesaid President is so absent, during such time as the
Deputy of the aforesaid President shall continue, by force of those Our
Letters Patent, as fully, freely, and wholly, and in as ample manner and
form, as the President aforesaid, if he or she were present, may be able
and have power to do and execute the same; a corporal oath first to be
taken upon the holy Gospels of God, in the form and effect in Our
same Letters Patent specified, by such Deputy, well and faithfully to
execute all and singular things which pertain to the office of President,
before the aforesaid Council of the aforesaid Royal Society, or any
seven or more of them; and so as often as the case shall so happen; to
which same Council, or to any seven or more of them, for the time
being, We gave and granted, by Our same Letters Patent, power and
authority to administer the oath aforesaid, as often as the case shall so
happen, without procuring or obtaining a writ, commission, or further
warrant in that behalf from Us, Our heirs, and successors; And that they
and their successors, or any nine or more of them (of whom We will
the President for the time being, or his or her Deputy, or some other
person nominated by the President for this purpose, to be always one),
may lawfully be able to make and have assemblies and meetings of
themselves for the examination and investigation of experiments and of
natural things, and for other affairs belonging to the Society aforesaid, as
often as and whenever it shall be needful, in a College or Hall or other
convenient place within Our City of London, or in any other
convenient place: And whereas divers and various matters, powers,
liberties, and privileges granted in Our same Letters Patent to the
aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society
aforesaid, by virtue of those Our Letters Patent, are not to be exercised,
done, performed, or executed, unless by the aforesaid President and
Council, or any seven or more of them: And whereas further, by Our
aforesaid Letters Patent, for Us, Our heirs, and successors We gave and
granted to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid
Royal Society, and to their successors for ever, or to any twenty-one or
more of them (of whom We will the President for the time being, or his
or her Deputy, to be always one), or to the major part of the aforesaid
twenty-one or more, full power and authority from time to time to
elect, nominate, and appoint one or more Typographers or Printers,
and Chalcographers or Engravers, and to grant to him, her or them, by
a writing sealed with the Common Seal of the aforesaid Royal Society,
and signed by the hand of the President for the time being, faculty to
print such things, matters, and affairs touching or concerning the
aforesaid Royal Society as shall be committed to the aforesaid
Typographer or Printer, Chalcographer or Engraver, or Typographers
or Printers, Chalcographers or Engravers, from time to time, by the
President and Council of the aforesaid Royal Society, or any seven or
more of them (of whom We will the President for the time being, or his
The President may appoint more than one Deputy or her Deputy, to be one), or by the major part of the aforesaid seven or more; their corporal oaths to be first taken, before they be admitted to exercise their offices, before the President and Council for the time
being, or any seven or more of them; to which same President and
Council, or to any seven or more of them for the time being, We gave
and granted by Our aforesaid Letters Patent full power and authority to
administer the oaths aforesaid; as in Our same Letters Patent, reference
being had thereto, it is more fully shown and appears:
We, of Our more abundant special grace and of Our certain knowledge
and mere motion, have given and granted, and by these presents for Us,
Our heirs, and successors do give and grant, to the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid Royal Society, and to their
successors forever, that from henceforth for ever if it shall happen that
the President of the same Royal Society for the time being is detained
by sickness or infirmity, or is employed in the service of Us, Our heirs,
or successors, or is otherwise occupied, so that he or she cannot attend
to the necessary affairs of the same Royal Society touching the office of
President; that then and so often it may and shall be good and lawful to
the same President, so being detained, employed, or occupied, to
nominate and appoint one of the Council of the aforesaid Royal
Society for the time being to be and become the Deputy of the same
President; which same Deputy, so to be made and appointed in the
office of Deputy of the President aforesaid, may and shall be the Deputy
of the same President from time to time, as often as it shall happen that
the aforesaid President is so absent, during the whole time in which the
aforesaid President shall continue in the office of President, even
though in the meanwhile the President of the Royal Society aforesaid
for the time being shall have made and appointed one other or several
others of the aforesaid Council his or her Deputy and Deputies; to
which same President for the time being We give and grant by these
presents for Us, our heirs, and successors power and authority to make
and appoint two or more of the aforesaid Council his or her Deputies,
at one and the same time, as often as it shall please him or her:
And that every such Deputy and Deputies of the aforesaid President, so as it is
aforesaid to be made and appointed, may be able and have power to do
Meetings to be held in any convenient place, Powers to be exercised by seven or more members of Council may in future be exercised by five ormore members of Council
and execute all and singular things which pertain or ought to pertain to
the office of President of the aforesaid Royal Society, or which are
limited and appointed to be done and executed by the aforesaid
President by virtue of Our aforesaid Letters Patent or of these presents,
from time to time, as often as it shall happen that the aforesaid President
is so absent, during such time as the Deputy and Deputies of the
aforesaid President shall continue, by force of these Our Letters Patent,
as fully, freely, and wholly, and in as ample manner and form, as the
President aforesaid, if he or she were present, would be able and have
power to do and execute the same; a corporal oath to be first taken
upon the holy Gospels of God, in the form and effect in Our same
Letters Patent specified, by such Deputy and Deputies, well and faith-
fully to execute all and singular things which pertain to the office of
President, before the aforesaid Council of the aforesaid Royal Society,
or any five or more of them; and so as often as the case shall so happen:
to which same Council, or to any five or more of them for the time
being, We give and grant by these presents power and authority to
administer the oath aforesaid, as often as the case shall so happen,
without procuring or obtaining a writ, commission, or further warrant
in that behalf from Us, Our heirs, and successors:
And further, that henceforth for ever they and their successors, or any
nine or more of them (of whom We will the President for the time
being, or his or her Deputy, or some other person nominated by the
President for this purpose, to be always one), may be able lawfully to
make and have assemblies or meetings of themselves for the
examination and investigation of experiments and of natural things, and
other affairs belonging to the Society aforesaid, as often as and
whenever it shall be needful, in a College or Hall or other convenient
place:
And further, that all and singular things, powers, liberties, and privileges
in Our aforesaid Letters Patent granted to the aforesaid President,
Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society aforesaid, by virtue of those
Our Letters Patent, which are not to be exercised, done, performed, or
executed save by the aforesaid President and Council, or any seven or
more of them; henceforth for ever may and shall be able to be
The right to appoint more than one printer
General confirmatory Clauses exercised, done, performed, or executed by the aforesaid President and Council, or any five or more of them
.
And further, of Our more abundant grace, We have given and granted,
and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and Successors do give and
grant, to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the aforesaid
Royal Society, and to their successors forever, that henceforth forever it
may and shall be good and lawful to the President of the Royal Society
aforesaid for the time being, from time to time, to elect, nominate, and
appoint any Typographer or Printer, Typographers or Printers, and
Chalcographer or Engraver, Chalcographers or Engravers, and to grant
to him, her or them faculty to print such things, matters, and affairs
touching or concerning the aforesaid Royal Society as shall be
committed to the aforesaid Typographer or Printer, Chalcographer or
Engraver, or Typographers or Printers, Chalcographers or Engravers,
from time to time, by the President and Council of the aforesaid Royal
Society, or any five or more of them (of whom We will the President
for the time being, or his or her Deputy, to be one), or by the major part
of the aforesaid five or more; their corporal oaths to be first taken,
before they be admitted to exercise their offices, before the President
and Council for the time being, or any five or more of them; and so as
often as the case shall so happen: to which same President and Council
for the time being, or to any five or more of them, We give and grant by
these presents full power and authority to administer the oaths
aforesaid.
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors do grant to the aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of
the Royal Society aforesaid and to their successors, that these Our
Letters Patent, or the Enrolment of the same, shall stand and be in and
by all things good, firm, valid, sufficient, and effectual in law, to all
respects, purposes, constructions, and intents, towards and against Us,
Our heirs, and successors, as well in all Our Courts as elsewhere within
Our realm of England, without any confirmations, licences, or
tolerations from Us, Our heirs, or successors in any manner hereafter to
be procured or obtained:
The President and
Deputy Presidents to
take the Oath of
Obedience and the
Oath of Supremacy
Notwithstanding the badly naming or badly reciting, or not reciting,
the aforesaid lands, tenements, and other the premises or any parcel
thereof; And notwithstanding the not finding an office or inquisition of
the premises or of any parcel thereof, whereby Our title ought to have
been found before the making of these Our Letters Patent; And
notwithstanding the badly reciting, or not reciting, any demise or grant
made of the premises or of any parcel thereof, being of record or not of
record; And notwithstanding the badly naming or not naming any
town, hamlet, parish, place, or county in which the premises or any
parcel thereof are or is; And notwithstanding that full, true, and certain
mention is not made of the names of the tenants, farmers, or occupiers
of the premises or of any parcel thereof; And notwithstanding any
defects of the certainty, or computation, or declaration of the true
yearly value of the premises or of any parcel thereof, or of the yearly
rent reserved of and upon the premises, or of and upon any parcel
thereof, in these Our Letters Patent expressed and contained; And
notwithstanding the Statute made and enacted in the Parliament of the
Lord Henry the Sixth, late King of England, Our progenitor, in the
eighteenth year of His reign; And notwithstanding any other defects in
not certainly naming the nature, kind, sort, quantity, or quality of the
premises or of any parcel thereof; And notwithstanding the statute
concerning the not putting of lands and tenements to mortmain, or any
statute, act, ordinance, proclamation, provision, or restriction to the
contrary thereof heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained, or provided,
in anywise notwithstanding: Saving, nevertheless, to Andrew Cole,
Esquire, and to all other persons whomsoever, other than Us, Our heirs,
and successors, such right, claim, interest, and demand whatsoever, as
he, she or they or anyone of them has or may have, or of right ought to
have, of and in the premises or any part or parcel thereof.
And further We will, and by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and
successors do ordain, and firmly enjoining do command, that the
President of the Society aforesaid for the time being, and his or her
Deputies, before he, she or any of them be admitted to the execution of
that office, shall take, and each of them shall take, as well the corporal
oath, commonly called the Oath of Allegiance, as the corporal oath,
commonly called the Oath of Supremacy, upon the holy Gospels of
God, before the Council of the same Society, or any seven or more of
them: to which same Council, or to any seven or more of them, We
give and grant and by these presents, for Us, Our heirs, and successors,
full power and authority to administer the oaths aforesaid from time to
time, whensoever it shall be needful.
Provided always, and Our Royal will and intention is, that the lands and
premises aforesaid granted by these presents, as it is aforesaid, or any of
them, shall not be alienated or sold to any person or persons
whomsoever; anything in these presents contained to the contrary
thereof notwithstanding.
Although express mention of the true yearly value or of the certainty of
the premises or of any of them, or of other gifts or grants before these
times made by Us or by any of Our progenitors or predecessors to the
aforesaid President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of
London, and to their successors, is not made in these presents; or any
statute, act, ordinance, provision, proclamation, or restriction to the
contrary thereof heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained, or provided,
or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in anyway
LORD REES REPLIES
