Appendix 1 - The constitution of the borough of Bedford in the 1740s

Summary

Beneath the complex political manoeuvrings of the borough of Bedford lay an equally complex administrative structure to its Corporation. As there were a number of disputes over what precisely the customs of the borough consisted of, it is useful to have this appendix as a ready reference to what, at least, the Duke of Bedford's supporters thought the constitution was.

The Corporation of Bedford Consists

Of a Mayor Recorder Aldermen without Limitation and Two Bayliffs which are called the Upper house

And

Thirteen Common Councilmen which are called the Lower House

The Mayor & Bayliffs are Elected Annually on the first Monday in September by the Burgesses & Freemen in manner following

The Majority of the Upper House Nominate such Person being a Burgess as they think proper to be Elected Mayor and the two Bayliffs if they agree have one Vote in the Nomination of such person but if the Bayliffs divide or One be Absent they have no Vote

The Majority of the Lower House also Nominate another Burgess to be Elected Mayor

And the Burgesses & Freeman [sic] are to Elect One of the Two Persons so Nominated to be the Mayor.

The Upper house also Nominate two Persons being Burgesses residing in the Town to be Elected Bayliffs, and the Majority of the Lower House, likewise Nominate two other Persons and the Burgesses & Freemen are to Elect two of the four so Nominated to be Bayliffs

The 13 Common Councilmen are Elected by the Burgesses & Freemen on the Wednesday before St Matthew annually out of 26 Burgesses nominated by the Upper House in the Nomination of which Persons the Mayor begins with Nominating one & the rest of the House that are present nominate each of them a Man in their Turns according to their Seniority & after all the persons present have Nominated one Burgess the Mayor begins again and Nominates another & each of the Body present Nominate one in the same Order as at first untill the 26 are Nominated

The Burgesses are either such as have a right of Burgessship by Birth Or are made so by an Act of Council and all the Children of a Burgess Born after his being made a Burgess are Burgesses.