Sovereign Authority Royal Charter

Response to this request is long overdue. By law, under all circumstances, Kendal Town Council should have responded by now (details). You can complain by requesting an internal review.

Dear Kendal Town Council,

Sovereign Authority Royal Charter

Can the council confirm if they are a sovereign authority and the date of incorporation of the Royal Charter under seal and if it is still inforce ?

If you have been granted a Royal Charter please provide a copy of the charter and where the following information can be located.

Terms, purpose and function of the charter, appointments and membership, governance, staff, powers, charter amendments, dissoultion, money, accounts, reports, liabilities etc

Yours faithfully,

D Speller

Town Clerk @ Kendal Town Council, Kendal Town Council

Dear D Speller

Thank you for your email and Freedom of Information Request.

Kendal has several Royal Charters conveying different (but very limited) powers some of which are still in use. I briefly outline these below for your information. We do not have powers (other than below) to lay down, modify and rescind laws of the land (Sovereign Authority).

Richard I Charters 1189/1199 - To enable the Baron to build a town and hold a weekly market. The market is still held (twice a week) and powers for this rest with South Lakeland District Council since 1974 when it and Kendal Town Council were created.

Elizabeth I 1575 - Creation of a Borough Council and 12 Aldermen to run the town; the right to 2 Sergeants of Mace and an official seal. There is no longer a Borough Council or 12 Aldermen - this has been changed by Parliament. We still have 2 silver maces used for ceremonial occasions and the seal used for legal documents.

Charles I 1636 - This superseded Elizabeth I Charter but basically said the same, with the addition that Kendal could have a Mayor and a sovereign sword. We still have a Mayor elected annually and the sword used for ceremonial occasions.

Charles II 1684 - Issued following restoration of the monarchy and confirmed the rights of his father's charter.

Copies of these charters can be found in the published 'Boke off Recorde' (Cumberland & Westmorland Archaeological Society 1892 Richard S Ferguson reprinted 2001). We do not hold copies. Alternatively photographs are available (not legible) together with some translations in our published 'From Knights to Town Council' booklet available at a cost of £5 + P&P.

Yours sincerely

Liz Richardson
Town Clerk
Kendal Town Council

Tel: 01539 793490
www.kendaltowncouncil.gov.uk

show quoted sections