The charter gave the Society control over trade out of Bristol, excluded untrained merchants from trading abroad and allowed the Society to make their own rules and regulations to control trade. 'Trained' meant someone who had served a seven-year apprenticeship with a merchant and understood the 'art of the merchant'. The original document, written on parchment, is in the Hall of the Society. By courtesy of the Master, Wardens and Commonalty of Merchant Venturers of the City of Bristol The arms of the Society, granted in 1569 at the same time as those of the City, show waves representing the sea. The mermaid supporter is another reference to the fact that the merchant adventurers of Bristol put themselves and their merchandise 'in peril upon the sea to diverse parts beyond the seas'. The dragon links to the arms of the Fitzhardings, an important merchant family, and the lion reflects the royal link to Edward VI.