19) They may grind their grain wherever they may choose.
20) They may have their reasonable guilds, as well or better than
they had them in the time of Robert and his son William [John's
wife's grandfather and father, who were earls of Gloucester when
the town and castle of Bristol were part of the honor of
Gloucester].
21) No burgess may be compelled to bail any man, unless he himself
chooses it, although he may be dwelling on his land.
We have also granted to them all their tenures, messuages
[dwelling house with adjoining land and adjacent buildings], in
copses [thicket from which wood was cut], in buildings on the
water or elsewhere to be held in free burgage [tenant to pay only
certain fixed services or payments to his lord, but not military
service (like free socage)]. We have granted also that any of them
may make improvements as much as he can in erecting buildings
anywhere on the bank and elsewhere, as long as the borough and
town are not damaged thereby. Also, they shall have and possess
all waste land and void grounds and places, to be built on at
their pleasure.
Newcastle-on-Tyne's taxes were simplified in 1175 as follows:
"Know ye that I have granted and by this present charter have
confirmed to my burgesses of Newcastle upon Tyne, and to all their
things which they can assure to be their own, acquittance from
toll and passage and pontage and from the Hanse and from all other
customs throughout all my land.
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