Collection COL/CHD/CR - CHAMBERLAIN'S DEPARTMENT: CHAMBERLAIN'S COURT

2.8 linear metres

COL/CHD/CR 1712-1993 Collection 2.8 linear metres Corporation of London

The Chamber of a city is the place where the funds of the corporation are kept and where moneys due are received - a kind of treasury. The Chamber is run by the Chamberlain, an officer who receives the rents and revenues owed to the corporation. The origin of the Chamber of London is obscure, but as soon as the citizens were sufficiently united to hold lands and tenements in common an officer must have been appointed to collect rents and disburse income for public welfare. The Chamber is first mentioned in 1275 and in the following year Stephen de Mundene is named as City Chamberlain. At first the Chamberlain was chosen by the Mayor and Aldermen, but by 1319 elections were introduced and the officer was chosen by the liverymen in Common Hall.

The Chamberlain's duties combined municipal finance with public banking. His main duty was as treasurer or banker of the City of London with custody of the monies of the Corporation, called the City's Cash, and other funds. Former Chamberlains were able to keep for themselves profits derived from interest on the cash! The Chamberlain also collects the rents of all Corporation properties and makes payments on behalf of the Corporation including salaries and pensions. He also invests money, is responsible for insurance, the preparation of tax returns and production of reports and statistics.

Additionally, the Chamberlain was the Accountant General of the Court of Orphans (see CLA/002) and held all money belonging to the orphans on which he allowed interest. For this purpose the Chamberlain held a Common Seal, first mentioned in 1396. He was also the occasional collector of taxes for the London area, particularly those granted to the City by the monarchy in return for loans. The Coal Duty for reconstruction of public buildings after the Great Fire was paid into the Chamber, as was any money borrowed by the City. The Chamberlain was also treasurer of any charitable funds organised by the City.

The Chamberlain's Court administers applications and admissions to the City Freedom, liaises with the City Livery Companies and advises the Corporation, Livery Companies and correspondents on various aspects of the City Freedom, including precedent and custom. The Court was also responsible for the admission of apprentices, see COL/CHD/AP.

Corporation of London Records Office.

Records of the Chamberlain's Department relating to the Chamberlain's Court, including notes, press cuttings, reports, correspondence, photographs, articles, certificates and office papers relating to Freedom applications and admissions including historical procedures and precedents, 1712-1993. Please note the majority of these records are closed.

In sections according to catalogue.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998

Copyright: City of London.
English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

See also COL/CC/FDC: Freedom Committee (19th century), COL/CC/FAC: Freedom Applications Committee and COL/CHD/FR: Chamberlain's Department: Freedoms.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. February 2009 City Chamberlain , Corporation of London Government Public administration Local government Municipal government Chamberlain's Court , Corporation of London Europe City of London London England UK Western Europe Freedom admissions Documents Information sources Freedom of a city Rights and privileges Administration of justice

Corporation of London Records Office.

Records of the Chamberlain's Department relating to the Chamberlain's Court, including notes, press cuttings, reports, correspondence, photographs, articles, certificates and office papers relating to Freedom applications and admissions including historical procedures and precedents, 1712-1993. Please note the majority of these records are closed.

In sections according to catalogue.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998

Copyright: City of London.

• anglais

• latin

English

See also COL/CC/FDC: Freedom Committee (19th century), COL/CC/FAC: Freedom Applications Committee and COL/CHD/FR: Chamberlain's Department: Freedoms.

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• anglais