In 1313 Folkestone township was confirmed as a Corporation in a Charter of Incorportation given by EDWARD III. Corporation status meant a greater degree of self government than townspeople had previously experienced under the feudal system and rule of the Lord of the Manor.
The Corporation was able to hold its own courts with the Mayor and Bailiff acting as Judge and Coroner. Courts included a Court of Requests (small debts) and a Court of Records. The Mayor had the power and responsibility for the execution of prisoners committed of capital offences.
The original Charter deemed that the body corporate of the town would consist of a Mayor, a Bailiff and 12 Jurats (Aldermen) . In 1545 24 Commoners (Council men) were added.
The Commoners were elected from the Freemen of the town and the Jurats were elected from the Commoners.
The Mayor was elected annually. Jurats and Commoners held their positions for life. When a vacancy arose through death a new Commoner was elected via a majority vote of the Corporation. Mayoral elections were held amongst all the Freemen of the Corporation and each Freeman was paid a fee for voting!
Mayoral elections in Folkestone were held on the 8th September each year. It was a day of great ceremony commencing with the Freemen joining the Mayor for breakfast following which the Mayor would dine with the Freemen. Elections began with the sounding of the horn and the gathering of the Corporation at the Cross in the Parish Churchyard. To this gathering the Town Chaimberlain, whose role it was to collect the town rates and dues, presented to the Corporation the town accounts. After which the body retired to the church to elect the new Mayor.
Jurats and Commoners were expected to attend regular Assembly meetings and were fined if found to be derelect in this duty. In 1605 these fines were 1/- for Jurats and 6d for Commoners.
The role of the Corporation was to:
* collect special levies and taxes as directed by
the Lord Warden of the Cinque ports ( of which
Folkestone was considered to be a limb). These funds were for use in defending the town and repairing ships.
* provide a number of boats for the mackerel
fishing season off Yarmouth
* collect dues for all fish brought ashore and goods from trading ships
* maintain a Watch, maintain law and order, settle disputes between citizens and try
criminals.
* regulate trade and supervise markets
* appoint freemen and ensure that forgeigners
did not trade in the town
* maintain the poor and keep the poor from other
towns out of the parish
