This note, written in January 1612, concerns a charitable gift of £200 left to the city of Chester by Fulke Aldersey in his will. Fulke was a merchant and an alderman - one of 12 appointed governors of Chester - and a considerably wealthy man. Prominent citizens like Fulke Aldersey often left money in their wills to the city where they lived. These funds effectively established charities that could be used to improve some aspect of the city, such as public works or education.<br /> <br /> Fulke directed that his £200 was to be lent to eight young men of Chester who had served an apprenticeship, so were traders and members of a guild, to help them set up their own business within the city. Each individual would repay the money over the course of seven years, allowing it to be lent out again to another eight tradesmen. Fulke also specified that the money should go to merchants like himself, or if not then to members of the drapers’ company or, finally, members of the ironmongers’ or mercers’ companies.<br /> <br /> Charitable pursuits like this acted as civic memorials, as the individual was remembered in their local community through the perpetual circulation of their generous donation.
Note of gift (Note), 13 Jan 1612

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Note of gift

Note of gift (Note), 13 Jan 1612

This note, written in January 1612, concerns a charitable gift of £200 left to the city of Chester by Fulke Aldersey in his will. Fulke was a merchant and an alderman - one of 12 appointed governors of Chester - and a considerably wealthy man. Prominent citizens like Fulke Aldersey often left money in their wills to the city where they lived. These funds effectively established charities that could be used to improve some aspect of the city, such as public works or education.

Fulke directed that his £200 was to be lent to eight young men of Chester who had served an apprenticeship, so were traders and members of a guild, to help them set up their own business within the city. Each individual would repay the money over the course of seven years, allowing it to be lent out again to another eight tradesmen. Fulke also specified that the money should go to merchants like himself, or if not then to members of the drapers’ company or, finally, members of the ironmongers’ or mercers’ companies.

Charitable pursuits like this acted as civic memorials, as the individual was remembered in their local community through the perpetual circulation of their generous donation.

Object Type Note
Year 13 Jan 1612
Material Manuscript
Owned By Fulke Aldersey Charity ZCHC/1
Keywords reading; writing; recording; giving; administration; charity; education; memory; occupation; reputation; youth; manuscript
Image Credit Apprenticeship note, Fulke Aldersey Charity ZCHC /1, Chester Record Office. Reproduced with permission of Chester Record Office.

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