dinner he and I to Chyrurgeons Hall, where they are building it new,
very fine; and there to see their theatre, which stood all the fire,
and which was our business, their great picture of Holben’s, thinking
to have bought it by the help of Mr. Pierce,[82] for a little
money: I did think to give £200 for it, it being said to be worth
£1,000; but it is so spoiled that I have no mind to it, and is not a
pleasant, though a good picture.
[82] James Pierce (or Pearse) Surgeon to Charles II and to the Duke
of York. Master in 1675
James I seems to have entertained a high opinion of this picture, and
borrowed it of us to be copied: his letter applying for it is preserved
at the Hall, and is as follows.
JAMES R.
Trustie and welbeloved Wee greete you well. Where we are informed
of a Table of painting in yo{r} Hall wherein is the Picture of o{r}
Predecesso{r} of famous memorie K. Henry the 8{th}, together with
diverse of yo{r} Companie, w{ch} being both like him, and well done,
Wee are desirous to have copyed. Wherfore o{r} pleasure is that
you presently deliver it unto this bearer Our Welbeloved Servant
S{r} Lionell Cranfield Knight, One of Our Maisters of Requests,
whome Wee have commaunded to receave it of you and to see it w{th}
all expedition copied and redelivered safely; and so Wee bid you
farewell. Given at Our Court at Newmarket the 13{th} day of Januarie
1617.[83]
[83] _i.e._, 1617/8.
The Court of course agreed to lend the picture, though doubtless with
some misgivings; contrary however to the practice of the time when
money was “lent” to the King, it found its way back to the Hall.
In 1627, Charles I, a more suspicious borrower than his father, had it
to Whitehall, but here again we fortunately had it returned.
The Royal College of Surgeons possess some Cartoons, from which, it has
been said, this picture was painted; this is, however, very doubtful.
Some particulars as to these Cartoons may be seen in Mr. D’Arcy Power’s
book, p. 96.
In 1734 the Company agreed with Mr. Bernard Baron for him to engrave
the picture for 150 guineas, and several details relating thereto are
recorded in the Minutes. It was published in 1736, and is a faithful
reproduction, much sought after by collectors. Baron has however copied
the picture, exactly as he saw it on to the copperplate, so that when
the impressions were struck off, everything was reversed. His original
study, a red crayon, beautifully executed, is preserved in the Court
Room, and the copperplate is still used, each Assistant on his election
being presented with a copy of the engraving. The Company also possess
a rather rough proof before letters.
The print is dedicated to the Earl of Burlington, with a Latin
inscription, of which the following is a translation.
“To the Most Noble Lord Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington and Cork,
&c., Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Garter. For the
restoration, with the greatest liberality, at his own costs, of the
Anatomical Theatre built a hundred years before, with the greatest
skill, by the very celebrated Architect Inigo Jones, and decayed by
lapse of time. This painting of Holbein representing the granting of a
Charter given with his own hand by Henry VIII, King of England, &c., to
the Society of Surgeons in London and preserved in their Hall, is by
the Society of Surgeons of London humbly dedicated.”
This inscription, written at a time when the relations between the
Barbers and the Surgeons of the Company were becoming strained, was
evidently drawn by a Surgeon, who coolly ignored the Barbers throughout.
A very good pen and ink drawing of the picture was made by Austin
Travers Young (aged 16) in 1883, and presented by him to the Company,
for which he received the thanks of the Court.
1537. In “Chapter House Book” B. 1. (at the Record Office) is a list
of the freemen of the several Companies of London at this date, which
gives the names of 2,468 freemen in 39 Companies (an average of about
63 to each). The Barbers outstripped in numbers all the others, having
a roll of 185 members; next to them came the Skinners with 151, then
the Haberdashers with 120, so on down to the Bowyers, who mustered
but 19. The premier Company, the Mercers, numbered but 55, whilst the
ancient Weavers had only 30 members.
The following is the list of our freemen, the first twenty-six being
members of the Court, and Nicholas Symson, Master that year.
Nicholas Symson. | John Raven. | Thomas Wilson.
Willm Kyrckby. | Robert Hutton. | John Smythe.
Thomas Vycars.[84] | Henry Pemberton. | Willm Hiller.
John Bankꝭ. | Willm Shirborne. | Richard Tholmod.[85]
John Potter. | George Genne. | John Awcetter.
Thomas Twyn. | Thomas Johnson. |
John Johnson. | Robert Spegnall.[86] | Richard Sermond.
John Holland. | Richard Boll.[87] | Hugh Lyncocke.
Willm Rewe. | Nacholas Alcoke. | John Bordman.
John Aylyff. | Willm. Tylley. | Rauf Stek.
Edmond Harman. | John Northcote. | Henry Hogekynson.
John Peñ. | Willm. Wetyngton. | John Tomson.
Richard Tayler. | Henry Yong. | Hugh Dier.
Harry Carrier.[88] | Cristofer Samond. | Edward ffreman.
Rauf Garland. | Robert Waterford. | Thomas Mone.
John Enderbye. | Henry Atkyn. | Willm Yenson.
Peter Devismand.[89] | Christofer Bolling. | John Banester.
Robert Postell. | Robert Stocdale. | Willm Trewise.
John Bird. | Mathiewe Johnson. | Christofer Hungate.
James Tomson. | Davy Sambroke. | John Hutton.
Willm. Kydd. | John Atkynson. | John Browne.
John Yong. | Thomas Waryn. | John Grene.
Thomas Sutton. | Robert Grove. | John Tymber.
Charles Wyght. | Robert Brownhill. | John Shrene.
John Newman. | Willm Spencer. | Thomas Staynton.
Thomas Grome. | Thomas Butfilane.[90] | Thomas Pays.
| Robert fforster. | Thomas Mede.
Willm Higgꝭ. | Edmond Tyrell. | John Anger.
John Dene. | John Philpott. | Thomas Worseley.
Thomas Surbutt. | John Thowlmod.[91] | John Gilberd.
Willm Billing. | Edward Ingalby.[92] | Cristofer Haynes.
Willm. Lyghthed. | Richard Elyott. | Willm. Smythe.
John Mosseley. | Willm. Downham. | John Smerthwaite.
Willm. Hill. | Rogier Skynner. | John Lybbe.
George Wenyard. | John Gerard. | George More.
John Barker. | Richard Rogiers. | Thomas Burnett.
Willm. Barker. | Thomas Dicson. | John Hamlyn.
James Wod. | Thomas Gylman. | Richard Child.
John Stere. | Thomas Dester. | Thomas Baily.
Willm Hetherley. | Edward Hewett. | George Vaughan.
Olyver Wilson. | John Dormot. | Thomas Wetyngh’m.
Willm. Grene. | George Batman. | John Bonair.
Henry Rawshold. | Thomas Vivian. | Richard Cokerell.
Bartilmewe Dobynson. | George Brightwelton. | Willm. Walton.
Henry Patterson. | John Waren. | Geferey ffraunceis.
Philip Pegott. | John Greenway. | Thomas ffayles.
Robert Downys. | John Bell. | John Edlyn.
Antony Barowes. | Laurens Mollyners. | John Samond.
James Hogeson. | John Cobbold. | Henry Bodeley.
Robert Wevir. | Willm. Draper. | Thomas Stanbrige.
John Surbut. | Richard Smythe. | Willm. Borrell.
Willm Sewell. | Robert Ledꝭ. | Richard Nicols.
John Denys. | John Gamlyn. | Edward Hughbank.
John Page. | Thomas Cutbert. | John Charterane.
Robert Dodwell. | Robert Chamber. | Henry Wotton.
John Cutberd. | Lewis Bromefeld. | Robert Hastyngꝭ.
John Gray. | Richard Worseley. | Alex Mason.
Willm. Dauntese. | John Oskyn. | Thomas Darker.
Thomas Appilton. | John Robynson. | Thomas ffyshe.
John Cragell. | Richard Coley. | Edward Rollesley.
Thomas Arundell. | John West. | John Braswell.
Willm. Johnson. | Willm. Welfed. | Willm. Symsyn.
Henr’. Adam. | |
[84] Vycary.
[85] Tholmwood.
[86] Sprignall.
[87] Bowle.
[88] Cazier?
[89] Daiseman.
[90] Butphillian.
[91] Tholmwood.
[92] Ingolsby.
The forty-two names following the Court and ending at John Awcetter
were Liverymen, the remaining hundred and seventeen being Yeomanry.
1543. A few years previously the King had set the example of
wearing his hair and beard short, and now the City seems to have
discountenanced long beards, as I find the following in _Letter Book Q.
87_. (10th July, 35 Henry viij.)
AN ACTE AGAYNST}
BEARDED MEN. }
ITEM for dyvˀse & sundrye consyderac͠ons & causes movyng this Cor̃te
it is this daye orderyd & decreid & establyshed by the same that
from henseforward there shall no Cytezen or other iñhit{a}unte[93]
of this Cytie usyng or havyng a greate berde of more notable
pˀlyxitie[94] or length then other the seid Cytezens of this Cytie
do nowe use or have hertofore of late yeres usyd to were, either be
iñhited pˀmytted or suffred to Receyve or take eny orphanage into his
handes and custodye albeit that he wolde fynde nevˀ soe good suertyes
for the same nor yet be admytted from henseforward to this Co{r}te
for eny Recognito{ns} or suertye for eny suche orphange And yt is
also assentyd & agreid that no pˀson havynge eny such berde shalbe
admytted by redempc͠on into the lybt̃ies & fredome of this Cytie as
longe as he shall were eny such berde.
[93] Inhabitant.
[94] Prolixity.
1544 and 1545. In _Repertory XI_ (at Guildhall) ff. 73{B.,} 176,
187{B.,} 229{B.,} 232 and 234 are various records relating to the vexed
question of the Barber-Surgeons going on inquests, bearing armour and
serving as constables, from all which offices they claimed exemption
under their Charters and Act of Parliament.
By the earlier entry, it seems that the Wardens were warned to appear
before the Court of Aldermen to shew cause why they refused to pass
upon inquests, etc.; then came a petition from the Company praying
to be discharged of all offices save the Inquest of Wardmote once a
year; this does not appear to have satisfied the Authorities, and the
Company were directed to draw up further Articles to be submitted
to the Court of Aldermen. Great pressure was no doubt put upon the
Barber-Surgeons, the result being that they abandoned most of the
privileges of exemption which they had claimed, and submitted a Bill
of Articles, which was finally approved, and entered of record on fo.
234. A copy of this lengthy document is at the Hall, and from it it
appears that on the 22nd October, 1545, the Company appeared before
the Court of Aldermen as “humble Besechers” to be shorn of their
privileges, the ground of their petition being “That forasmoche as
some grudge and displeasure is lately sith the unyon and conjunction
of their said ffelowshippes in to one entyre Company growen conteyned
and taken against them and their said ffelowship, by dyverse of theire
neighbours being citezeins of this citie, as they be, by reason that
they your said suppliauntꝭ” are discharged by their Charters and Act
of Parliament from bearing offices, etc., “that other the Cittzeins
of this citie are ellygible and lyable unto, ffor the whiche grudge
and displeasure your besechers are not a little sorye. ffor the
playne declarac͠on thereof and for the eschewyng advoyding and utter
extinguysshement of the said grudge and displeasure from hensforwarde,”
they are content that it shall be ordained that they shall go upon
all Wardmote Inquests, but not upon any inquests between party and
party (_i.e._, sit as jurymen in civil actions); that all freemen
of the Company not practising Surgery shall be contributory to all
assessments, serve as Constables and keep watches in their turn as
other citizens, but that all Surgeons shall be free from bearing
armour, etc.
Notwithstanding this compromise, entered in the City books, it seems
in course of time to have been overlooked, and, as has been previously
remarked, the exemption of _all_ freemen of the Company from juries,
etc., has been claimed and allowed down to quite recent days.
[Illustration: FAC-SIMILE PAGE OF FIRST MINUTE BOOK, 1557.]
1550. The first of our Court Minute Books which has been preserved,
commences in the 4{th} Edward VI, and bears this title,
~Orders and Awardes~ made ordered and awarded within the tyme of
Maister George Geen Thomas Johnson Thomas Stocdall and Mathew Johnson
Maister and Wardeins of the Company and fellowship of BARBORS
SURGEONS of London for one hole yere begynnyng the xxvj{th} day of
Auguste in the fowerthe yere of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lorde
Kynge Edward the Syxte with thassent and consent of the Assistaunces
of the same Companye as hereafter ensuethe.
From this and the succeeding Minute Books, the following extracts are
principally taken as illustrative of the Company’s History from this
period:
1556. At the end of the first book is a very long memorandum written
and signed by Thomas Knot, Master, to the effect that on the 26th
March, 1556, he made humble suit to the Lord Mayor, Sir Will{m.}
Garrett and the Aldermen, in the name of the Company, for the exemption
of the Company from finding or setting forth any soldiers or men of war
at any time thereafter, when it might be that the Citizens of London
should be required to do so, either by sea or land, “fforasmoche as
the same Company are alwayes at every such tyme and tymes very sore
burdened and chardged otherwise hereafter expressed, that is to saye,
They are comaunded and bounden to prepare and fynde so manye Surgeons
and so many other men attendinge upon them at every tyme and tymes
that it shall fortune the King” to send out soldiers by sea or land,
and “the same Company doe alwayes prepare fynde and send furthe for
every one houndreth of suche Souldyers one Surgeon and a man attending
upon him.” Upon which representations the Lord Mayor and Aldermen
were pleased to grant to the Company, that on future occasions when
the like requisitions might “fortune to be layed or appointed to
or upon theym, that then they in every suche case upon their gentle
suyte and request made unto the Lorde Mayor and courte of Aldermen for
the tyme beinge for and concernynge their sayd dischardge for and in
consyderac͠on of the causes above remembered, shalbe as gentelye and
charytably holpen eased and releaved in that behalf as the wayte and
ymportaunce of the burden that the Cytie at every suche tyme shalbe
chardged w{th} all will reasonablye permytt and suffer.”
The memorandum then proceeds to state that the Lord Mayor and Aldermen
advised the Master to cause a remembrance of the above (being only a
promise by word of mouth) to be entered and recorded in the Book of
Ordinances of the Company, which was done.
1555. In Henry Machyn’s Diary for this year, is the following reference
to a Romish procession, winding up with a dinner at Barbers’ Hall.
The xxvij day of May was the Clarkes prossessyon from Yerdhall[95]
college, and ther was a goodly masse to be hard, and evere clarke
havyng a cope and garland, with C.[96] stremers borne, and the
whettes[97] a playng round Chepe, and so to Ledynhall unto Sant
Albro[98] chyrche, and ther thay putt off ther gayre, and ther was
the blessyd sacrament borne with torche-lyght abowt, and from thens
unto the Barbur-hall to dener.
[95] Guildhall.
[96] A hundred.
[97] Waits.
[98] St. Ethelburga.
Charter from Philip and Mary, which is still in our possession, and has
a most beautifully executed title, the initial letter representing the
King and Queen seated on the throne, and the border containing various
heraldic badges; the seal unfortunately is damaged.
PHILIPPUS ET MARIA, Dei gracia Rex et Regina Anglie hispaniarum
ffrancie utriusque Sicilie Jerusalem & hiᵬine fidei defensores
Archiduces Austrie Duces Burgundie Mediolani & brabantie Countes
haspurgi fflandrˀ & Tirolis.
~Omnibus~ ad quos presentes lr̃e pervñint salt̃m.
INSPEXIMUS quasdam lrãs patentes domini H. quondam Regis Anglie
septum[99] fc̃as in hec verba, HENRICUS dei grã, &c. . . . . . . . .
Teste me ip̃o apud Westmonastiũm duodecimo die marcii Anno regni nr̃i
tcĩo. Yong. pro viginti soliᵭ solut̃ in hanap̃io. NOS AUTEM lrãs
pˀdcãs ac omnia & singula in eisdem contenta rata heñtes & grata ac
ea pro noᵬ heredibʒ & Successoribʒ nr̃m prefate Regine quantum in
noᵬ est acceptamus & approbamus ac ea dilc̃is noᵬ Thome Vicary nunc
magistro mistere barbitonsoꝜ Thome Whytyngame Jacobo Wood & Johĩ
Warren Gubernatoribus ejusdem mistere & Successoribʒ suis ratificamus
& confirmamˀ p’ut lrẽ p’dc̃e in se r̃onabiliter testantur. IN CUJUS
rei testimonĩu has lr̃as nrãs fieri fecimus patentes. TESTIBUS nobis
ip̃is apud Westmonasterium octavo die Junii Annis regnorum quarto &
quinto.
[99] A clerical error, for Henry VIII.
LUTLEY.
Taxat̃ finis ad x{l.}
Nico eboꝜ Canc.[100]
[100] Assessed at a fine of £10. Nicholas (Archbishop of) York,
Chancellor.
It is noticeable in this Charter that the confirmation is to the
Governors of the “Barbers,” and not “Barber-Surgeons,” although the
latter was then the legal style of the Company, but probably this was
another clerical error.
1560. This year (6th January) the Company obtained an Inspeximus
Charter from Elizabeth, still preserved at the Hall; it has a title in
much the same style as the preceding charter, but the seal is very much
damaged.
ELIZABETH, Dei gracia Anglie FFrancie, et hibernie Regina fidei
defensor, &c. ~Omnibus~ ad quos presentes littere pervenerint salutem.
INSPEXIMUS litteras patentes Dn̄i P. et Dn̄e M. Sororis nr̃e
precharissime nuper Regis et Regine Anglie de confirmac͠oe factas in
hec verba PHILIPPUS et MARIA dei gracia, &c. . . . . . . . . TESTIBUS
nobis ip̃is apud Westmonasterĩu octavo die Junii Annis regnoꝜ nr̃oꝜ
quarto et quinto. NOS AUTEM lrãs predcãs ac omĩa et singula in
eisdem contenta rata habentes et grata ea pro nobis heredibus et
successoribus nr̃is quantum in nobis est acceptamus et approbamus ac
ea Diɫcis nobis Georgio Geñ nunc magistro mistere BarbitonsoꝜ Willm̄
Grene Thome Bayly et Joh̃i Smarthawyte Gubernatoribus ejusdem mistere
et Successoribus suis ratificamus et confirmamus prout lrẽ predcẽ in
se racionabiliter testantur. IN CUJUS REI TESTIMONIUM has lrãs nrãs
fieri fecimus patentes. TESTE me ip̃a apud Westmonasteriũ sexto die
Januarii Anno regni nr̃ secundo.
COTTON.
Taxat̃ finis ad x{l.} vj{s.} viij{d.}
In Machyn’s quaint Diary, we find the following entries:--
1561. The xxiiij day of Feybruary whent to hang xviij men and
ij women, and serten ware browthe[101] to be bered in serten
parryches in London; the barbur surgens had on[102] of them to be a
notheme[103] at ther halle.
[101] Brought.
[102] One.
[103] Anatomy.
1562. The xx day of June was a gret shutyng[104] of the Compene of
the Barbur Surgeantes for a gret soper at ther owne hall for a xxx
mess of mett,[105] for they dyd make ij godley[106] stremars agaynst
that day of their harmes,[107] the whyche they wher agmented by the
most valeant kyng at armes master . . . . . . and they had vj drumes
plahyng and a flutt; and ij gret ansutts,[108] and as a shot was
wone, downe whent that and up the thodar,[109] and as they whan the
shut; and master Gall[110] and ys syd[111] wan the soper--the master
of the Compene.
[104] Shooting, probably at Moorfields, with bows and arrows.
[105] Meat.
[106] Goodly.
[107] Arms.
[108] Ancients (flags).
[109] The other.
[110] Thomas Galle.
[111] His side.
The x day of August was Barbur surgyons fest, and they capt ther
communion at Sant Alphes[112] at Crepull-gat, and master Recherdson
dyd pryche,[113] the skott; ther was good syngyng; and after to ther
halle to dener, and after dener a play.
[112] St. Alphage.
[113] Preach.
1567. Elizabeth inaugurated the first State Lottery in England, as a
means of providing money, and a very peremptory mandate was directed
by the Lord Mayor to the various City Companies, commanding them to
adventure therein.
1st February, 1568. The Barber-Surgeons put in 40{s.} for the “use,
profet and benefyt of the hall,” but did not draw a prize, and indeed
none of the Companies reaped any advantage by the speculation, the
Lottery being simply a trap into which they were ordered to walk.
The proposal for this Lottery was as follows:--
A verie rich Lotterie Generall without any Blancks contayning a
great No. of good prices, as well of redy money, as of Plate &
certaine sorts of marchaundizes having been valued & prised by the
commaundement of the Queenes most excellent Majestie by men expert
& skilfull and the same Lotterie is erected by hir majesties order,
to the entent that such Commoditie as may chaunce to arise thereof,
after the charges borne, may be converted towards the reparation of
the Havens and strength of the Realme, & towardes such other publique
good workes. The No. of lots shall be foure hundreth thousand, and no
more: and every lot shall be the summe of tenne shillings sterling
onely, and no more.
Stow says that this Lottery was commenced to be drawn on the 11th
January, 1569, at the West Door of St. Paul’s, and continued drawing
day and night until the 6th May following.
It was a common practice of the Companies to put in their money under
mottoes, and some curious ones are recorded, many being composed with a
quaint sarcasm on the probability of prizes being obtained.
Herbert (Hist. of the Twelve Livery Companies) gives some interesting
particulars of the State Lotteries, and quotes a motto used by the
Merchant Taylors which pretty clearly indicates their opinion of the
business;
One byrde in the hande is worth two in the wood,
If we get the great lot, it will do us good.
Some of the prizes were ridiculously small, _e.g._, 1_s._ 2_d._, 2_s._
1_d._, etc., and great dissatisfaction was expressed at the principal
prizes remaining unpaid to the winners.
1573. The Company received a precept from the Lord Mayor for a “loan”
of money to make provision of wheat for the City, and the same was by
the Court ordered to be complied with. This “corn custom” is very fully
treated of by Herbert, and was virtually a tax upon the companies, who
were each rated and compelled to find a certain proportion of corn to
be stored by the City, and sold at such times as when, there being a
scarcity, the markets would otherwise rise, were it not for the immense
stock kept by the City. This custom survived for many years under
certain modifications; as we shall see hereafter, our Company built a
granary in 1633, and stored their own corn.
The precept above referred to was as follows--