is particularly used for an ancient company of merchants and traders, erected for the discovery of lands, territories, trades, &c. unknown. The society of adventurers had its rise in Burgundy, and its first establishment from John Duke of Brabant in 1248, being known by the name of *The brotherhood of St Thomas à Becket*. It was afterwards translated into England, and successively confirmed by Edward III. and IV., Richard III., Henry IV., V., VI., and VII., who gave it the appellation of *Merchant Adventurers*.