These were granted from time to time by the Royal Charters given to the City and were jealously guarded by the Mayor and Commonalty.
It was decided by Inquisition taken 8 Ed. II. that none of the King's Justices could hold pleas on behalf of the King in the City (Ch. I. p.m. 8 Ed. II. 68).
A hostel for the use of the King's household could not be taken by force in the City, but only by grant of the Mayor and Sheriffs, 19 Ed. II. (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 206).
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.