1299 Charter

There had been a developing town where the River Hull met the Humber for about 100 years before the Charter. It was called Wyke and was owned by the Abbey of Meaux. In 1296 King Edward I bought Wyke, and the neighbouring settlement of Myton, from the monks of Meaux, as an investment and to provide a base for supplying by sea his troops in Scotland.

By this charter, dated 1 April 1299, King Edward gave to the town a new name, Kingston upon Hull, and the status of a borough. It was to become a self governing community, with its own court, coroner, market and taxation. There was to be a Warden, subsequently the Mayor, who alone was to represent the King. No other government official was to have any jurisidiction over the borough.

The charter is written on parchment, which is treated animal skin. It is written in Latin, and is addressed to the important people of the Kingdom. To verify it it is sealed with the Great Seal of England. This shows the King seated on his throne on one side and mounted on a horse on the other.

Other charters
Other kings and queens gave charters to Hull over the years, granting new privileges and confirming existing ones. But the 1299 charter is the oldest and began the process which led to Hull becoming the thriving City we know today.