Early Local Government

Queen Elizabeth I's Charter of Incorporation in 1589 reduced the self-electing powers of the jurats. The burgesses had lost the power of electing membership of the town council exactly 100 years before.

The burgesses had always enjoyed the privilege of attending common hall, as the meetings of the borough were known, and shouting their disapproval at the jurats. This right was withdrawn by Henry VII and executive powers were given to the 24 jurats aided by a second level of 48 burgesses, elected by the jurats themselves.

Various charters issued throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth I enfranchised all freemen. It also separated the judicial system from the jurats, as well as expanding the borough boundary to include land previously owned by the Bishopric of Lincoln and by the Norman Castle.