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