Source 4a

Glossary  

Glossary for starred words*. Other meanings given in square brackets. 

• Felt is a type of matted fabric that consists of textile fibres, in this case wool. 
• Feltmaker- a hat maker. 
• Journeymen- one who has completed an apprenticeship in a handicraft or trade and qualified to work at it for wages for a day at time. 
• Supernumerary- presently excess of a desired number 

Transcript 

Journeymen* Feltmakers against the French Felt makers. The order of the 8th of April law Confirmed.  

Upon reading the Petition of the Journy [Journey] men Felt makers* in and about the Citties [city’s] of London and Westminster and the Burrough [Borough] of Southwark setting forth that by the coming over of French Feltmakers, and permitting them to set up their Trade in and about this Citty [City] and carrying and offering to sale, their Hats up and Downe [down] the streets, the Petitioners can get very little work, and with their familys [families] are ready to starve; that contrary to his Majesties’ Order in Council of the 8th April 1685 permitting onely [only] swch [such] French Felt makers to Trade, 7 or 8 more are since set up and others are immitating [imitating] their example, as in the petition in is at large expresst [expressed]. And praying leave to take their course at lawe [law] against the said supernumerary* French Felt makers.  

It is this day ordered by his Majesty in Council that the Petitioners shall have liberty to proceed at law against such French Felt makers as shall presume to Trade or act contrary to the true intent and meaning of the said order of this Boord [Board] of the 8th April 1685 which said Order is hereby Confirmed, and whereunto all persons concerned are to give due obedience.