Ipswich was created a Borough in 1200 by charter of King John.[1][2]
Prior to 1835, the officers of Ipswich Corporation, at various times, consisted of:[3]
- Two bailiffs
- The high steward
- Coroner
- Twelve portmen
- Twenty-four common council of headboroughs
- An indefinite number of burgesses or freemen
- A recorder
- A town clerk
- Chamberlains
- A water bailiff
- A treasurer
- Clavigers (record keepers who held the keys to the miniment chest)
- Sergeants-at-mace
- ^ Martin, Geoffrey "The Medieval and Early Modern Borough" in Salmon N. P. and Malster R. (eds), Ipswich From the First to the Third Millennium (Papers from an Ipswich Society Symposium), (Ipswich Society, Ipswich 2001), 7–17.
- ^ Text of charter (translated into English) and image of 1200 Town Seal, see Wodderspoon, J., Memorials of the Ancient Town of Ipswich (Pawsey (Ipswich): Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans (London) 1850), 'Ancient Incorporation of the Town', pp 75–130, at pp 75–85.
- ^ "The History of the Mayoralty". Retrieved 17 January 2010.
The old corporation (or Assembly) was replaced in 1835 by a Mayor, High Steward, Recorder, ten Aldermen and thirty Councillors, with the usual officers