vale or worlde any of this saide Company decessed and beynge w{th}in
the clothing or lyvery of the same, his best hood shalbe layed upon
the hearse and unto the churche and y{r} upon yt shall so remayne
untyll the takynge of[145] of the said herce clothe w{ch} is used at
the goynge forth of the M{r} govˀnors & company of the clothinge oute
of the churche & the corps goynge to be buryed. And then and y{r} the
clarke of the saide Company shall take the same hood and [it] shalbe
his pˀper owne of dewtie. (_In default the widow or executor was to
pay 6s. 8d._)
[145] Off.
The Beadle was directed to look after, and to help in removing back to
the Hall, the standings, banners, carpets, etc., after they had been
used on any public occasion, and a small yearly fee was to be allowed
him for this service.
3rd November, 1566. Edward Parke, referred to in the next minute, was
constantly getting into trouble, and sometimes into the Compter:--
Here was Thomas Lambkyn & John Merryt wytnesses against Edward Parke
for y{t} he saide he wolde not com̃e to the Courte beynge warned &
y{t} yf the M{r} com̃ytted hym to warde he wolde brynge the M{r}
before the lorde cheefe Justice And yt is ordered y{t} the saide
Parke shall [be] & is upon his humble submyssion remytted.
16th Jan., 1567. The old vellum book of ordinances, etc., containing
portions of the four Gospels in Latin, and still in our possession is
probably the book referred to in the minute of this date, which states
that Willm̄ Grene had “taken an othe upon the blacke booke that serveth
in this howse for the same purpose.”
13th Nov., 1567. Yt ys ordayned that Wyllyam Bull Chrystofor
Swalldell William Crowe Wyllyam Grene Henry Rankyn and Leonard Coxe
is elected to be of the clothyng and Lyvery and that theyre hoods
shalbe by the M{r} for the tyme beyng put upon theyre shoulders
w{th}in the pˀlor one Chrystmas day next ensuyng before the company
go to pawles to weyghte on the lorde mayor, unto the olde usuage in
that behalf provyded accordyngly.
27th Jan., 1568. In this court Rich Hughes is graunted to have the
hall to kepe a maryage in upon Sonday c͠o[146] a sevenighte.
[146] Come.
Again this year a licence for a similar purpose was granted to Francis
Partridge, and there are other instances.
18th May, 1568. In this Courte here was Phillip Jorden for trymynge
on the Sondayes & for now he is forgeven beynge the fyrst tyme.
13th Oct., 1568. Here was W{m} fferrat for Trymyng upon the Sonday
but he wyll do yt no more here after.
About this period there were numerous cases of Sunday trading
before the Court, and in many instances the offenders were fined or
imprisoned.
9th Nov., 1568. In thys Courte here was Rich Roberts and he is
comanded that he shall agree w{th} this mystery as a brother or ells
he to shutte up his shoppe and ocupye no more but as a servant upon
the penallties of the statute.
10th March, 1569. It was ordered:--
That Richard Wysto for his mysdemeanor and unquyet behaveor and beyng
a troublesom pˀson, so that the courte of assystents canne neyther
thincke well or good on hym, therupon and therfore he the saide
Richard Wysto is relynquyshed depryved and dysmyst of his office
and yong{r} govˀnorshyp and also fourth of assystents of the saide
mystery.
Wysto appears from time to time to have given the Court trouble, his
offence on this particular occasion being that he had ordered his
apprentice to let a man blood in the Compter contrary to the order of
the Aldermen. Wysto was contumacious for a long period, but seems on
17th July, 1572, to have made humble submission and apology, whereupon
an order was made “That none do stirre upp any talke consr̃ninge
the deprivac͠on or submyssion of Ric. Wistowe”; he was subsequently
re-admitted on to the Court and served Master 1586, but the animus
against him revived, and on 7th November, 1587, certain parties were
before the Court for reviling him on the old score, and were duly
threatened and admonished as to their future behaviour.
22nd November, 1569. Here was Phillip Jordan for trymming upon the
sabboth daye and he once agayne is warned upon the penalltie of the
acte that he do y{t} hence forwardes no more (see 18th May, 1568).
10th October, 1570. Margaret y{t} was M{r} Vaughan[147] his mayde is
graunted to kepe one Sonday her wedyng in the hall & no more.
[147] George Vaughan, Master 1569.
1568 to 1570. There are several entries in the books of members of the
Court being removed for misbehaviour.
27th January, 1571. It was ordered that--
a newe Bayle be made to thentent them of the clothing of this
mysterie maie decentlie stand to attend all soch tymes as it shall
please the Queenes ma{tie} to come through the citie of London.
The Bayle was a movable stand or platform; there are various notices as
to the one previously in use, having been out of repair. It was taken
out on all great days of processions or triumphs and on Christmas day
when the “lorde maior went to Poules,” and numerous references are also
made to the Company’s banners which accompanied it.
19th January, 1573. Here was Willm̄ Carrington for havinge iiij
servaunts one Christmas even and ordre was taken that he should laye
downe his ffyne.
15th March, 1573. Here was a question moved concerninge takynge in
certeyne into the Assystaunce But the howsse would not consent to the
takinge in of any more for that there were alredye xxviij pˀsones.
Here was a question moved concernynge the takinge in of certayne
pˀsons into the clothinge but the house did not think good to take in
anye for that the nomber is alredy fyftye.
26th May, 1573. Here was John Johnsonne and brought in his fyne for
kepinge a foryner uncest xx{d.}
There are frequent entries of freemen being fined for not “cessing”
foreigners and journeymen, and for teaching foreigners their “science.”
It would seem from the following precise minute that commitments to
prison were made by the Court direct, and not always upon Warrants
obtained from the Lord Mayor or a Justice.
15th March, 1575. Here was one Mˀkes [Markes] servñte w{th} M{r}
Tholmwood sometyme, sent to the Compter by Willm̄ Eden Clark to this
misterye for not pˀforming an Awarde made betwene the saide M{r}
Tholmwood and the saide Mˀkes and divers others stubborne and lewde
behavio{rs.} The comitte{mt} made by the saide M{r} and Wardens.
22nd March, 1575. Here was John Clark sessed w{th} Edward Park for
two yeres to begin at the ffeast of Thannuncˀ of o{r} Ladye next
viz{t.} the first yeare xxij{s} and a payre of hose, the seconde yere
xxvj{s} viij{d} a payre of hose and a Capp.
15th May, 1575. Here was a pˀsept sent by my Lo{r}de maior straitly
charging and commandinge the companye in her Majesties name that they
take immediate order that theyr sˀvaunts and app̃ntices nor any of
them in any wyse or sorte do mysuse annye s̃vyng man page or lackey
or anye other pˀson that shal goo throwe the streets of this Cittee,
nor shall attempt anything to the breach of her Ma{ties} peace
either in wordes acts countenaunce or otherwise at their uttmost
pˀyll, whereupon all the whole Companye were sent for and had that
Comaundement.
1577. Thomas Hall (see 4th July, 1566) was appointed an Examiner in
Surgery and to dissect the anatomies for ten years.
There are several instances of exhibitions to sons of freemen
(generally 40_s._ a year), to enable them to study at Oxford and
Cambridge, and these entries extend over a great many years.
22nd Oct., 1577. Here was M{r} Skarlet the Quenes Bargeman and he
pˀmised the Companie that they shoulde have a barge called the
Greyhounde belonging to the maydes of honor for lij{s} iiij{d} yf my
Lorde maior do go unto westmˀ.
This sum would not of course include the Bargemaster’s or his men’s
fees for their services, or the providing banners, accessories or
attendants, all of which were paid for by the Company in addition.
23rd July, 1582. At this Coˀte John Yates Thomas Lamkin and Edward
Parke were dismist from their places and owte of thassistance for
revelinge of secrets contrarie to a rule in that case pˀvided.
6th March, 1583. Yt was agreed that whereas a demaunde was made
by the L. Maio{r} and Co{r}te of Aldermẽ unto o{r} Companie for a
contribution of certein monie for certeine Landes we hold as the
saide Corte gave in Certificate of John Johnsons guifte for thuse of
an obit. The answere was made by the consent of the said Masters that
this house will joyne w{th} other Companies in the charge accordinge
to their porc͠ons.
21st Nov., 1583. Mr. Banester, a liveryman, being indebted to the
Company £5, gave a “watche or clock” and it was ordered that his debt
should be cancelled in consideration of this gift.
The following minute refers to the obit for John Johnson (_vide_
6th March, 1583) the property having been declared to be held for
superstitious uses, the Company purchased their right to retain its
possession for £13 6_s._ 8_d._
5th July, 1585. At this Co{r}te yt was agreed That whereas a Teñte in
Tower streate belonginge to this house ys founde [to] be concealled
Landes. That the pattenist should have for agreament to have o{r}
Teñte surelie the som̃e of xx{tie} markes.
The next is a curious instance of an ancient tenure.
29th Sept., 1586. A lease for 21 years of a house in East Smithfield
was granted to Humphry Rowland at £6 per annum, and the said Humphry
was to--
deliv{r} and geve unto the saide masters and to suche as shall come
w{th} them to viewe the said Teñte yerely the nombre of xviij shoing
hornes franck and ffree.
14th Aug., 1587. It was also condiscended and agreed That the newe
masters or governo{rs} of this o{r} Company shall eṽy yeare on the
daie of o{r} Ellecc͠on of them be brought home to their howses with
the Levery or some p̃te of them as heretofore hathe ben accustomed
eṽy one wearinge his hood in decent order.
6th July, 1592. Certein newe silver booles are to be bought for those
pˀcell gilt booles w{ch} were the guifte of M{r} Vaughan.
9th February, 1596. It was agreed for “the taking in of the water w{ch}
cometh from the Themes by pipes into this howse.” Heretofore the water
had been supplied from a well, and later on by a leaden “pomp.”
1596. In this year a curious episode occurred, which showed that the
Court were not unwilling to shield their freemen when offending, if
the party taking action against the offender did not belong to the
Company. Four freemen (one being an Assistant) had been “put into”
the Court of Exchequer by “one Holmes an Informer for using both
Barbery and Chirurgery against the Statute,” and the Court, without
troubling to enquire if the offence had been committed or not, ordered
that £10 should be lent the parties to assist them in defending the
suit. At the next Court the matter was much debated as to whether the
Barber-Surgeons should go on with their defence or make terms with the
informer, and the parties themselves were consulted, whereupon it was
finally decided “among themselves to agree w{th} the said Informer
w{ch} they related to the whole Corte, whereupon the Corte rose and
the said pˀties made their owne agreement privately w{th} the saied
Informer to their best likinge.”
10th December, 1596. Mr. Storer came to the Court and agreed with the
Company, by indenture, in consideration of £5 per annum for seven
years, to relieve the Company from all charges in respect of the
provision of grain for serving the market during that period.
9th June, 1597. This daie one septer or mace and twoe pictures
latelye and verye loveingelye given to this Companye by William
Martyn[148] of the Clothinge in token of his love to this house was
presented to this Courte and verye gratefullye accepted.
[148] Master 1606.
This daie one cupp made of an Ostridge Egge or shell and sett in
silver and guilte given by the laste will and testamente of M{r}
Thomas Bankes divers tymes M{r} of this Companye was likewise
presented to this Courte and verye gratefullye accepted.
15th Jany., 1598. This daie William Clare one of the Lorde Maiors
serjeantes at mace is chosen officer of this house and where his fee
to fore was but vj{s} viij{d} per Anñ it is nowe by this Courte uppon
good consideration augmented to x{s} pˀ Anñ and John Smith in his
absence is appointed deputye.
The duty of this officer was to attend the Courts of Assistants and to
arrest and convey to the Compter such persons as were committed.
30th Jan., 1598. Nicholas Kellaway, in consideration of his years,
was excused serving the offices of Steward and Master of the Anatomy
and “freelye gave one standinge cup double guilte w{ch} was kindely
accepted.”
14th Aug., 1598. There is under this date an interesting account of the
Election of Master and Wardens; twelve Electors from among the Livery
were appointed:--
Which electors after they had their chardge given them by the
Maisters or Governors of this Companye and their severall billes
for the elecc͠on delivered unto them after longe and deliberate
considerac͠on had, did electe for the Maister John Leycocke and for
the upper Governor John Burgis and for the seconde Governor John
Pecke and for the yongeste Governor Roberte Johnson Which saide John
Leycocke beinge not then presente the garlande accordinge to the
manner and custome of this house was by the Maister for the yeare
paste placed uppon the heade of Mr. Docter Browne as deputye for the
saide John Leycocke, after which another garlande was likewise placed
uppon the heede of the saide John Burgis by the upper governor And
a like garlande tendered to the saide John Pecke which he utterlye
refused and for the same was fined at ffortye shillinges which fine
he paid accordinglye likewise a nother garlande was placed by the
yongeste Governor uppon the heade of the said Roberte Johnson and
by him gratefullye accepted And the saide Maister Burgis and M{r.}
Johnson were sworne standinge for the due execuc͠on of their offices.
1598. In the Minute Book commencing 1598 there are scores of cases of
Barbers being fined for working on Sundays; the informant was generally
the Beadle, and it is amusing to note how frequently a delinquent,
after purging himself by a fine, voluntarily took to the office of
Informer against his brother Barbers.
Many Barbers and Surgeons were fined for presuming to “sett up shoppe”
without licence, here is an instance:--
28th November, 1598. This daye George Collimer appeared before the
M{rs} of this Companye and had daye till the next court to bringe in
his fine for openinge his shop w{th}out licence.
11th December, 1598. This daye Thomas Powell appeared before the
M{rs} for workinge on the saboth daye and puteth him self uppon his
tryall, wherefore he is comaunded to attend here the next Court And
in the meane tyme for his unrevˀent behaviour towards the M{r} is
comitted to the Compt{r.}
15th January, 1599. Where divers grudges and manye greate
inconveniencies have happened amongest suche as have benne familiar
frendes and brothers of this Societye by the unadvised rashnes of
some of the Assistance of this Companie whoe have disclosed and
revealed suche secretes as have bene advisedlye and discretlye for
the benefit of the said Companye spoken in the courte tyme Contrarye
to the solempne othes of suche assistanˀ to the greate dishoner of
god and scandall to the said Companye, ffor reformac͠on whereof it
is ordered by consente of a full Courte of Assistance That if at any
tyme hereafter any of the Assistance of this ffelowship shall utter
or reveale to any other pˀson beinge not Assistante any secretes
uttered and spoken at any courte which oughte not to be uttered or
revealed And also if any Elector of the M{r} or Governors for the
tyme beinge shall at any tyme hereafter utter or reveale any speches
concerninge the election to any person which oughte not to knowe the
same suche person soe offendinge and due proffe thereof made, beinge
of the Assistance shalbe dismissed oute of his place and livery, and
beinge onlye of the livery shalbe dismissed oute of the liverye.
Where this house hath a barrel of Gunpowder It is ordered that the
same be soulde to the beste benifitt of this house.
30th January, 1599. This daie Edward Downes was comitted to the
Compter for calleinge villayne before the maisters of the Companye.
6th February, 1599. It is ordered that John Mullines shalbe comitted
to the Compter for his disobedience in not payeinge his debte to this
house.
17th April, 1599. This daie Michaell Bullocke complayneth of William
Webbe forren brother for workeinge with Henrye Needeham beinge not
ceassed with him and for grindeinge of rasares[149] And Needeham is
to be warned to the nexte Courte.
[149] Razors.
8th May, 1599. Marmaduke Jefferson hath till the nexte Courte to
bring in his fine for hangeinge oute his basones on maye daie.
5th July, 1599. Richard Sprignall, to be excused serving the office of
Master, presented a--
drinckeinge cupp made of a nutte and garnished with silver and guilte
which was thankfullye accepted.
17th July, 1599. This daie William Lacye is Comitted to the Compter
for his contemptious behaviour towardes the Maisters of the Companye
and for workinge in the trade of barberie beinge noe freeman.
24th July, 1599. This daie Richard Samborne complayned of one Phillip
Winter for settinge upp a shoppe in paules church yarde beinge not
free. It is ordered that the saide Winter shalbe comitted to prison
untill he be free, or bounde before my lorde Maior to departe the
Citye.
This daie Gabriell Hunte appeared before the Maisters and was
comitted to prison for workeinge on the sabouth daies.
30th July, 1599. This daie Thomas Hobbes hath lycence of the Maisters
to sue Thomas Watson at the Comon lawe for not accomptinge with him
for iij{li.} due in the tyme of his apprentishipp.
13th August, 1599. It was further ordered that because this tyme is
troblesom and to avoyde the evill speches of men, that there shoulde
go home with the Maister but eighte of the liverye and with the rest
of the Governors sixe a peece and that withoute their hoodes.
29th May, 1600. It was ordered that two streamers and two banners
should be purchased to garnish the Company’s barge.
3rd July, 1600. This daye Anthony Millington Esquier Executor to the
laste Will and Testament of Elizabeth Scoloker deceased payd unto the
M{rs} viz., M{r} Wood M{r} Dardes & M{r} Martin a legacy of tenne
poundes by the sayd Elizabeth bequeathed to this Company whereuppon
it is ordered that there be a Cup made w{th} the same money And that
her name be ingraven uppon it as a thinge geven by her.
11th Aug., 1600. Whereas Thomas Cole a verye disobedient and pervers
brother of this Companye did verye disobedientlie and perversely
behave himselfe towardes the Maisters or Governors in the presents
of the Assistants and liverye there assembled And alsoe for that
hee refused to paie the musicions iiij{d} according to order It is
ordered by the consent of a full Courte of Assistants and of the
reste of the assemblie that he be dismissed oute of the liverye of
this Companye And not to be warned to any assemblies or meetinges in
other sorte then one[150] of the yeomanrie till it shall please a
Courte of Assistants at the like tyme to restore him to his former
place, yet he is to paye his quarterage dulye.
[150] Than as one.
Thomas Cole reformed his ways, and was subsequently re-admitted to the
Livery.
4th Nov., 1600. This daye it is ordered that Wheelis dwellinge in
Longe Lane take downe his basons and make no shewe towardes the
streete uppon payne to be comitted to the Compter.
22nd Apl., 1601. This daye where this howse alloweth but v{s} to
the parson of St. Olaves for his sermon on the Election daye It is
ordered by this Court that the same be augmented to x{s.}
5th May, 1601. This daie Henry Eaton uppon warninge appeared before
the maisters or Governors for keepinge a forren Jorneyman whereuppon
it was ordered that the said Eaton shoulde put a waie the said
fforren before the next courte daye.
30th June, 1601. Noah Bayley, a Surgeon, who for two or three years
past had continually been complained of for various offences, and
disagreements with patients and apprentices, came at last to grief, for
having--
not onely abused M{r} Warden Thorney w{th} reprochefull & slanderous
speeches but also M{r} Mapes and M{r} ffenton twoe of the assistants
of this Company making mowes[151] and mockinge them as they sate
in the Courte in contempt of the said Court it was ordered that
hee therefore shalbe comitted to the Compter uppon the Lo: Maiors
commaundement for example of oth{rs.}
[151] Mouths.
22nd September, 1601. This daye Richard Higgins was committed to the
Compter by the M{rs} uppon the Lo: Maiors commaundm{t} for refuseinge
to paye his fine for his absence from the hall at the daye of
gen{r}all Rules.
This day Thomas Allen[152] was fined for his absence from the said
rules.
[152] First Master of Dulwich College.
6th October, 1601. This daye it was ordered that Will{m} Braye for
certayne speeches & for his misbehaviour towards M{r} Warden Atmer
should be pˀsently comitted to the Compter, of w{ch} imprisonm{t} at
his humble suite and uppon his submission to the said M{r} Atm{r} hee
was dischardged of his said imprisonm{t.}
10th October, 1601. This daye Will{m} Deepeinge Owin Jones and Edward
Waterhowse were appoynted for three of the wiflers for the yere
ensuinge.
A committee was ordered to meet at “Mˀcers Chappell by sixe of the
Clock in the morninge to viewe the repac͠ons of the howses belonginge
to this Company.” How many members of the Court would _now_ attend at
6 a.m. in chill October?
27th October, 1601. This daye it is ordered that the M{rs} of this
Company & also M{r} Bird M{r} Wood M{r} John Izard Thomas Thorney
William Martin & John Gerrard[153] be warned to meete on ffrydaye
next by sixe of the clock in the morninge to goe on serch accordinge
to custome.
[153] The celebrated herbalist.
23rd February, 1602. This daye it is ordered that Richard Jackson a
brother of this Company shall be committed to the Compt{r} for not
appearinge before the M{rs} uppon warninge to answer the complaint of
Edward Bird his apprentice.
22nd March, 1602. This daye it is ordered that John Rea Strang{r}
shall be committed to the Compter for settinge out his billes[154]
uppon the gates & oth{r} places in the Cytie contrary to his
tollerac͠on.
[154] Probably quack doctor’s advertisements.
30th March, 1602. This daye it is ordered that M{r} Warden ffrederick
M{r} Thorney M{r} Will{m} Martin M{r} John Peck M{r} Gerrard[153] &
M{r} ffenton shall meate on ffrydaye next by eyghte of the clock in
the morninge at Lyon Key to goe from thence to my Lord Admirall[155]
to complayne against Robert Derham for his contempt in refusinge her
Mat{s} imprest.
[155] The Earl of Nottingham, at Greenwich.
13th April, 1602. This daye Robert Durham (Derham) appeared before
the M{rs} of this Company of his owne voluntary And it was by this
Courte ordered that for his sevˀall contempts of this Company aswel
in their serch as in their prest hee should bee committed to the
Compt{r} uppon the Lord Maiors Commaundem{t} whereuppon hee was sent
to the Compter But at the speciall instance and request of one M{r}
Meredith and M{r} Morgan twoe of the said Derhams ffrendes hee was
sent for back agayne and uppon his humble submission & intreaty hee
was dischardged of his imprisonment And thereuppon did promise to be
obedient to this Company at all tymes hereaft{r.}
24th November, 1602. This daye it is ordered by the M{rs} or
Governors of this Company that Robert Redhead one of the Lord Maiors
officers shalbe officer to this Company as aft{r} the decease of
Will{m} Clare And to have such fee for the same as the said Willm̄
Clare held the same And also hee is to be confirmed in the same place
by the next court of Assistance.
20th March, 1604. This daye it is ordered that on thursdaye next
the M{rs} of this Company shall attend the Lord Maior to knowe his
pleasure concerninge their places of standinges.
The Masters on this occasion procured an order of the Court of Aldermen
ranking the Company as sixteenth in order of precedence, and this is
set forth in the Minute Book as follows:--
17th April, 1604. ~A Copie~ of an order of Courte set downe the
daye and yere hereaft{r} expressed concerninge the place of this
Company in all assemblies of the Companyes of this Cytie.
* * * * *
~Martis~ decimo septimo die Aprilis 1604 Annoqʒ regni Dñi nr̃i Jacobi
Regis Anglie &c sc̃do.
BENNET } Soane Garrard Lee Hollydaye Wattes Rowe Craven Anderson
MAIOR } Swynerton Hayes ac Romney uñ vĩc &c.