Background to the 1207 'Charter' of Liverpool

Liverpool was not mentioned by name in Domesday Book in 1086. It was only a humble little hamlet which was attached to the great Manor of West Derby and part of the administrative unit known as West Derby Hundred. It was of course to become a major port and city.

At one time it was believed that charters were granted to Liverpool by Henry I and Henry II, but this has never been established with concrete evidence. The first significant document, seen by many as the foundation for Liverpool’s growth, was issued by King John in 1207.

King John had become direct lord of the country between the Rivers Mersey and Ribble and had made various grants from these lands. He needed a convenient port of embarkation for men and provisions to Ireland and the hamlet of Liverpool with its sheltered creek was ideal. It also neatly avoided the need to use the port of Chester, which was too much under the control of its powerful and independent Earl. 

John obtained possession of Liverpool from Henry Fitzwarin in exchange for other land on 23 August 1207. Five days later he issued the so-called 'charter' at Winchester. It is in fact a form of deed called letters patent, an open letter or proclamation, inviting settlers to come to Liverpool and promising certain privileges as an inducement. Those who accepted could obtain small parcels of land known as 'burgages'. The tenant had to pay rent, initially one shilling per year, but otherwise the form of land tenure was far preferable to that elsewhere because it did not entail any services or fines to a local lord - it provided considerable freedom.  Liverpool was created a privileged port, giving it exemption from certain dues and taxes designed to encourage trading.

Transcript of the 'Charter' of Liverpool

Johannes, dei gratia, Rex Anglie, Dominus Hibernie, Dux Normannie, Aquitanie, Comes Andegauie, Omnibus fidelibus suis qui Burgagia apud Villam de Liuerpul habere uoluerint Salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus omnibus fidelibus nostris qui Burgagia apud Liverpul ceperint quod habeant omnes libertates et liberas consuetudines in Villa de Liuerpul quas aliquis Liber Burgus super mare habet in terra nostra. Et ideo uobis mandamus quod secure et in pace nostra illuc ueniatis ad Burgagia nostra recipienda et hospitanda. Et in huius rei testimonium has litteras nostras patentes uobis transmittimus.  Teste Simone de Pateshill apud Wintoniam xxviii die Augusti anno regni nostri ix.

Translation of the 'Charter' of Liverpool

John, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou, to all his faithful people who have desired to have Burgages in the township of Liverpool, greeting.  Know ye that we have granted to all our faithful people who have taken Burgages in Liverpool that they may have all the liberties and free customs in the township of Liverpool which any Free Borough on the sea has in our land. And therefore we command you that securely and in our peace you come there to receive and inhabit our Burgages.  And in witness hereof we transmit to you these our Letters Patent. Witness Simon de Pateshill at Winchester on the twenty-eighth day of August in the ninth year of our reign.