the Theatre, and being short of cash, an order was made to sell the
whole of the Yeomanry’s Plate, excepting a beer bowl the gift of Mr.
James Kent.
1637. It having come to the knowledge of the Court that Mr. Alexander
Baker (Master 1622) had bequeathed to the Company a cup and cover which
was withheld by his executors, a suit was commenced against them.
19th May, 1637. This daye was presented to this Court by a suite &
decree made in his Ma{t}ꝭ Court of Requestꝭ one standing Cupp and
Cover gilt of M{r} Alexander Bakers gift weighing 131 ounces.
19th May, 1637. Alsoe according to orders of former Courtꝭ of
Assistants the plate viz{t} W{m} Kelletts cupp 21 oz. one cupp &
cover Vanderlash 23 oz. & halfe. 3 beere bolls dropps 38 oz. 3 flatt
gobletts 61 oz. & halfe. 4 tankerds 92 oz. & a halfe. 1 salt & cover
Izard 9 oz. 4 standing cupps & Covers yeomanrye 102 oz. being all
guilt plate amounting to 347 oz. at 5{s} 4{d} pˀ oz. cometh to 92{li}
10{s} 8{d} Alsoe one white cupp Turner 9 oz. 1 white cupp Harding
5 oz. 1 white cupp Bostock 10 oz. 3 beere bolls vaughan 26 oz. 3
white beakers 31 oz. 3 white salts Guilham 40 oz. 1 white boll
Lakin 10 oz. 3 wine bolls white 16 oz. & a halfe being white plate
weighing 149 oz. 3 quarters at 4{s} xj{d} the ounce was sould for
36{li} 16{s} 4{d} Soe that the whole money received for the plate
that was sould cometh to in toto 129{li} 07{s} w{ch} sale is by this
Court confirmed & ordered y{t} that money received shall be imployed
towardꝭ the buildingꝭ now in hand.
31st October, 1642. Whereas heretofore by Order of the Lords &
Com̃ons in Parliament assembled Our Company was proporc͠oned to pay
and lend 800{li} at 8{li} pˀ cent towards and for nothing else than
the releife of Ireland. Upon which our Company did humbly certifie
the Lord Maior of the Citty of our inability to pay any part of the
said 800{li} Yet for that the present occasions forceing for presente
Releife It was Ordered That 400{li} should be taken up at Interest
and payd over into the Chamber of London for that and noe other
purpose. And that now the Company would take up such a quantity of
money but cannott obteyne soe much, It is now ordered That the Kings
Cupp and Cover shalbe kept, And that the Ma{s} & Wardens shall take
out all our plate and view it and see which of it is fitt to be sold
and that every parcell of that plate which shalbe sold a patterne
or fashion of it shalbe drawne in paper and the perticuler Letters
Writeings or Graveings shall likewise be written on that paper. To
the intent that when the said ffoure Hundred Pounds with the Interest
at 8{li} p. centum shalbe repayd the said Plate shalbe made againe in
the same ffashions & writeings upon them as now they are which this
Court doth order shall fully and really be performed accordingly when
the said 400{li} and Interest shalbe repayd.
The following entry is curious from the fact of a blank having been no
doubt purposely left in the Minutes. The Company, who had been already
plucked by the Parliament, evidently feared violence in that quarter,
but were afraid to put it on record, and therefore very prudently left
a hiatus in the Minutes.
24th May, 1643. Whereas this Company is assessed at 8{li} pˀ weeke
for 3 moneths which they are noe wayes able to pay In regard wee are
soe much in debt and that the Hall may be preserved from violence
of . . . . . . . It is now Ordered That the plate in the Hall that is
not guilt plate shalbe by the M{r} and Wardens delivered over at the
best rate to deliver soe much amounting to 96{li.}
By the Wardens’ Accounts it appears that plate was sold to the extent
of £94 16_s._ 0_d._
29th April, 1645. On reference to p. 140, it will be seen that no less
than 1,120 oz. of plate was pawned to M{rs} Crosse.
29th April, 1646. The M{r} & Wardens acquainting this Court That the
Companye’s plate is redeemed from M{r} Steele at his request who
married M{rs} Crosse to whome it was formerly pawned in her Widowhood
and is now in the Treasury. This Court doth think it not convenient
to be kept in the house[311] and doth order that it be delivered into
the hands of M{r} John Browne[312] for the better secureity of the
200{li} this Company oweth him and of the 100{li} more which he hath
promised by M{r} Warden Browne to lend the Company at vj{li} pˀ ceñtn
pˀ anñ.
[311] Probably in fear of its being forcibly seized.
[312] An Assistant.
14th May, 1646. The plate was pawned to Mr. John Browne for £300 at 6
per cent.
29th April, 1647. It was ordered that it should be redeemed, and it was
on the 17th May following all brought back to the Hall.
7th December, 1648. The plate was again pawned to Mr. John Browne, of
Westminster, for £250.
19th March, 1649. The Court were so severely pressed by Assessments for
the Army, and being unable to borrow any more money under the Company’s
seal, resolved after much deliberation to absolutely sell Plate to the
value of £300.
19TH JULY, 1649. OUR M{R} ACQUAINTED THIS COURT THAT UPON SALE OF THE
COMPANYES PLATE M{R} EDWARD ARRIS BOUGHT KING HENRY THE EIGHTHS CUP AND
COVER AND HATH FREELY GIVEN IT AGAINE TO THIS COMPANY.
1890. The following plate is now in the Company’s possession:
A handsome standing silver gilt Grace cup and Cover (26-1/2 ozs.)
presented by King Henry VIII in 1540 in commemoration of the union
of the Barbers with the Surgeons. This cup is elaborately chased and
enriched with badges of the Tudor Rose, Portcullis, and Fleur-de-lys;
the cover is surmounted with the Crown Imperial under which are the
arms of France and England quarterly, with the lyon and greyhound
as supporters. There are four bells pendant from the cup which are
referred to by Pepys as follows:--
Among other observables at Chyrurgeon’s Hall we drunk the King’s
health out of a gilt cup, given by King Henry viij., to the Company,
with bells hanging at it, which every man is to ring by shaking after
he hath drunk up the whole cup.--_Diary, 27th February, 1662-3._
[Illustration: GRACE CUP. H. viij.]
This cup although it has been stolen, pawned and sold, yet remains to
us, one of the most precious relics of our past. It appears by the
Wardens’ Accounts, that in 1669 John Knight, Serjeant-Surgeon, who was
Master, had the cup repaired and a case made for it; Serjeant Knight
was again Master 1677-8, when he caused a plate to be fixed within the
cover with this inscription--
Henrici R. Munificentia Ne Posteris Ignota Maneat Johannis Knight
R.C.P.[313] 1678.
[313] Regis Chir. Principalis (Chief Surgeon to the King).
In the bowl of the Cup is an outline engraving of the old coat of the
Barbers, impaling the cognizance of the Surgeons in one shield (_see_
p. 435).
King Charles II in 1676 presented us with a very handsome and unique
parcel gilt standing cup and cover, surmounted by the crown imperial,
and having within the same the Royal arms, supporters and crown (68
ozs.). This Cup is known as “The Royal Oak Cup” (commemorative of
the King’s escape at Boscobel), its stem and base representing the
trunk and roots of an oak tree; the bowl or upper part is surrounded
with oak leaves, branches, wreaths of flowers, escallop shells, and
pendant acorns as bells from shields. The Company’s arms are engraved
on one shield, on another the crest, on the third is the following
inscription:--“Donum Munificentissimi Regis Caroli Secundi Anno 1676,”
and on the last shield--“Impetrantibus Chirurgis Regiis Johanne Knight
Chirurgo Regis Principali et Jacobo Pearse Eodem Anno Societatis
Magistro.”
[Illustration: KING CHARLES’ CUP, QUEEN ANNE’S PUNCH BOWL AND
ATKINSON’S PUNCH LADLES.]
This James Pearse, surgeon to the King and the Duke of York, was Master
in 1675, and his wife will be well remembered as one of Samuel Pepys’
friends and gossips.
Queen Anne in 1704 presented the Company with a fine and massive punch
bowl (160 ozs.) bearing this inscription:--
Societati Chirurgorum Londin: Ob fidem et diligentiam In examinandis
Chirurgis In Classe Regia merituris Dono dedit Serenissima Regina
ANNA Principum Optima 1704: Impetravit Carolus Bernardus Arm. Chir.
Reg. Pr. Hujus Societatis Magister.
Four large loving cups and covers. These are all of similar design
though of different sizes, the covers have each a handle formed as
an effigy of a Roman soldier, and each cup bears the Company’s arms
engraved thereon.
1st. Martin Browne’s cup (45 ozs.). He was an eminent Surgeon and
Master in 1653; on one side is engraved a shield quarterly, 1st and
4th three Estoilles, 2nd and 3rd three Escallops and a Horn, “Charisma
Martini Browne Armigeri Nuper Senatoris Ciuitatis Londinensis &
Præfecti Societatis Barbitonsõr & Chirurgõr 1653.”
2nd. Thomas Bowden’s cup (38 ozs.). He was third Warden 1654. On
one side is engraved a shield quarterly, with a lyon passant on the
first quarter only. The motto of the Company is misspelt thus, “de
Pricipiencia dei,” and the cup bears this inscription, “Ex dono Thomæ
Bowdeni Chirurgi et hujus Societatis Gubernatorum quarti Anno Dni.
1654.”
3rd. Sir John Frederick’s cup (38 ozs. 10 dwt.). He was Master 1654 and
1658, and Lord Mayor 1662. This cup is engraved with Sir John’s shield,
on a chief three doves, and the Company’s motto is again misspelt.
The inscription is, “The guift of John Fredricke Alderman and of This
Societie Master Anno Dñi 1654.”
4th. Thomas Bell’s cup (65 ozs.). On one side is engraved Mr. Bell’s
Coat of arms, on a chief three Bells, and there is this inscription,
“The Gift of Thomas Bell Chirurgion to y{e} Worshipfull Company of
Barbor Chirurgions London July 28{th} 1663.”
Four silver goblets or wine cups (33 oz.). Each is inscribed--
The guift of Edward Arris Chirurgion Master of the Company Anno
Domini 1651.
[Illustration: MARTIN BROWNE’S AND SIR JOHN FREDERICK’S LOVING CUPS.]
[Illustration: COLLINS’ FLAGON, MONFORDE’S HAMMER AND ARRIS’ CUPS.]
A silver flagon with handle and spout (54 oz. 10 dwt.) the gift of
Thomas Collins, Master 1648. The arms engraved are, on a bend three
martlets and a crescent for difference all within a bordure ermine;
on the other side are the Company’s arms with the motto misspelt. The
inscription is--
Thomas Collins Artis Chirurgicæ Professor Peritissimus, ut Symbolum
Amoris venerabili Chirurgorum Societate hoc donauit.
Five covered tankards, the first three having the Company’s arms
engraved thereon.
1st. Perrott’s tankard (23 oz.). “The guift of Abraham Perrott.” He was
admitted to the freedom 5th July, 1614, and gave the tankard in March,
1640. (_See head piece p. 492._)
2nd. Gray’s tankard (37 oz. 2 dwt.). “Ex dono Georgij Gray,” no date.
3rd. Dorrington’s tankard (39 oz.). “Ex dono John Dorrington Chirurg.
2{o} Aprilio A{o} 1663.”
4th. Fothergill’s tankard (24 oz. 15 dwt.). “The Gift of Thomas
ffothergill to the Worshipfull Companie of Barber Chirurgions,” no
date. (_See head piece p. 492._)
5th. Ruston’s tankard. “The Gift of W{m} Ruston, Master 1883-4.”
A handsome silver rose water dish (74 oz. 15 dwt.) with the Company’s
arms engraved thereon, and inscribed “Ex dono Robertij Andrews Chirurg.
20 Aprilis An{o} 1663.”
Another large rose water dish (68 oz.) inscribed “Ex dono Tho. Gill.”
Mr. Gill was admitted to the freedom 1st February, 1670.
Two large soup tureens, the gift of William Kippax, Master 1782.
Eight silver sauce boats, engraved with the Company’s arms and
purchased in 1766.
Eight curious sauce ladles, with enriched fluted handles (probably late
17th century).
Six antique salt cellars.
Four small antique pepper castors.
A large and quaint sugar castor the gift of Robert Emerton, Master
1790, and another one the gift of David Lamb, Master 1794.
A Silver tea urn (83 oz. 4 dwt.) inscribed “Presented by William Wood,
Clerk to the Company, 1790.” This elegant urn, which is oviform in
shape, has been engraved in “Cripps’ College and Corporation plate” as
a typical example. (_See head piece p. 492._)
About two dozen charming tea spoons, elaborately chased and engraved
(circa 1730); these are also illustrated by Mr. Cripps.
A dozen antique shell pattern salt spoons.
Two curious and finely worked sugar tongs.
A fine old massive spoon (circa 1690), engraved “Ex dono Jonathan
Cheynell.”
An antique wine strainer, and another, the gift of Robert Douglas,
Master 1800.
[Illustration]
A great quantity of spoons, forks, ladles, etc., not specially
deserving of notice.
A case of fish knives and forks, the gift of George Austin, Master 1882.
Two old-fashioned silver cruet stands.
A silver punch ladle with ivory handle, and a guinea of 1714 in fine
preservation inlaid, inscribed “The Queen Anne’s Guinea, Given by John
Atkinson Esq{r} one of the members of the Court Sep{tr} 1846.”
Another ladle with ivory handle, inscribed, “Presented to the Barbers
Company by John Atkinson Esq{r} 1851.” This ladle is inlaid with a very
fine medal of 1704 in high relief, commemorating the Incorporation of
the Sons of the Clergy by Queen Anne.
Another antique punch ladle of oval shape, with hard wood handle,
believed to have been given by Mr. John Atkinson, the date is probably
about 1620.
A massive silver badge 7-1/2-in. by 8-1/2-in. of late 17th Century
work, formerly worn by the Barge master, and having the Company’s arms
in relief on shield, surrounded by laurel bordering.
A plain and ugly silver medal 2-1/2-ins. diameter, with arms of the
Company (badly done), on one side, and on the reverse, “Presented by
John Carter, Master 1870-71.” This badge is worn by the first Warden.
A very handsome badge, 2-3/4 inches diameter, of silver gilt open
work, and richly enamelled with the arms of the Company, and a loop
representing the Tudor rose crowned. This badge is worn by the Master.
A pair of antique Beadle’s mace heads. These are of remarkably fine
workmanship, very massive, and have the Company’s heraldry displayed
in high relief on both sides; each weighs about 64 ounces. (_See
illustration p. 302._)
Four very handsomely chased and wrought silver garlands or wreaths
for crowning the Master and Wardens on Election Day, and which are
still used and worn by them on Court days in receiving guests. These
are the finest in the City of London; each has the Company’s arms and
the badges of the rose and crown, with other devices artistically set
forth, and are mounted with silk velvet, the Renter Warden’s being
green, and the others red. These garlands were made in 1629. (_See_
p. 494.)
A silver mounted hammer, given by James Mumford or Monforde, King’s
Surgeon and First Warden in 1540; the mountings are engraved with the
Tudor rose, and the arms of France and England quarterly. At the end of
the handle are the donor’s initials I.M. (_See illustration p. 503._)
A silver bell “The Gift of M{r} Robert Emerton Master to the Worshipful
Company of Barbers 1790.”
A silver mounted snuff box, and another snuff box presented by Mr.
Deputy Brass and handsomely carved out of a piece of oak removed from
the roof of the old Hall. This is enclosed in another box velvet lined,
with inscription on a silver plate--
The Barbers Company have well deserved
That Brass’s gift by Shoppee be preserved. Anno. 1866.
A silver salver, the gift of Charles J. Shoppee, Master 1878.
A silver claret jug, the gift of Alderman Wilkin, Master 1885.
A silver inkstand, the gift of Jonathan Denny, Master 1886.
A silver salver, the gift of Edward Charles Cornish, Master 1887.
A very handsome and massive silver jardinière and stand, the gift of
John Cary Lovell, Assistant 1889.
A replica of the silver hammer given by James Monforde, with a silver
mounted block for same, the gift of George Austin, jun., Master 1888.
It may not be considered out of place to record here, that the piano in
the Court Room is the gift of Mr. Deputy Harvey, Master 1879.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
PICTURES.
The following are some extracts from the Minutes, relating to Pictures.
24th June, 1601. It is this daye by consent of a wholl Courte
of Assistance ordered That if at any tyme hereafter any M{r} or
Governor of this company or any oth{r} pˀsone or pˀsones free of the
same mistery shall blott deface or put oute or cause to be blotted
defaced or put oute any of the pictures of any of this Company nowe
paynted or hereafter lawfully placed in any of the tables of pictures
hangeinge in the Com̃on hall of this mistery w{th}out the Consent of
a full Courte of Assistance That then hee or they so offendinge shall
forfeyte and paye for every such offence x{li} the one half thereof
to be to the use of the Chamberlen of the Cytie of London And the
oth{r} half to the use of the said mistery.
The above order was made in consequence of some members of the Court
having painted out the faces on the pictures, and caused their own to
be depicted in their stead.
28th June, 1604. This daye it is ordered that M{r} Will{m} Martin
M{r} ffrederick M{r} ffyneinge & M{r} ffenton shall pˀsently conferre
with Decreete concerninge the ffynisheinge of the tables of Picktures
remayneinge w{th} him and if hee will finishe the same w{th} reason
and drawe them to the Hall they are to compound w{th} him for the
same if not the table is to be taken awaye from him.
10th October, 1605. This day it is ordered that the Kingꝭ picture
shalbe by the said pˀnte M{rs} boughte and pˀvided at the charge of
this house.
Item paid for his Ma{t}ꝭ picture iiij{li}
Item geven to the paynters man that
broughte the said pycture ii{s} vj{d}
1st August, 1634. It is ordered that the 41 philosophers pictures
shalbe rebeautified and repaired by M{r} Greeneburye at the Costs of
this house soe it exceede not x{li.}
The “forty-one philosophers” were former Masters of Anatomy and
Examiners of Surgeons, who as they were from time to time appointed,
might if they chose, have their portraits put in what was called “The
Table of the Anatomy” (and which was, I think, one large picture
containing the effigies of forty-one persons), and the practice
undoubtedly was, as occasion arose, to paint a face on old shoulders;
indeed, there are many notices to this effect, as also orders of Court
for blotting out the “faces” of such as had become obnoxious, or who
had been removed for misconduct.
1st February, 1627. Item this daye upon the moc͠on of our M{r} it is
ordered by this Court that there shalbe a large wainscott frame made
and a picture maker shalbe agreed withall by the present M{rs} for
the portreying of the Anathomye and makeing of M{r} Docto{r} Gwins
picture and the Clarkes which Charge shalbe borne out of the stock
of this house, in which table shalbe placed the figures & visages of
every of the Assistants whoe are not painted in the Anathomye table
that now standeth upp in the Hall, every of the Assistants payeing
for the setting up of his owne picture.
29th March, 1647. This Court doth order That M{r} Henry Watsons
ffigure in the present Table of Anatomy be blotted out and M{r}
Charleyes Effigies placed in the roome thereof Provided that his
Executrix pay his Legacy to this House.
This Court doth order That there be a new Anathomy Table And that
all the Assistants whose Effigies are not in the present Table may
be sett up in the new Table at theire owne charge, and that Doctor
Goddards ffigure be there sett as Reader and Doctor Prudions Effigies
may be painted there if he desireth it And this Court doth order that
M{r} Watson a Brother of this Company shall make the said Table and
paint thereon the ffigure of an Anathomy with the severall ffigures
of the said Reader Doctor Prudion and our Clarke at the charge of
this House And that the ffigures of the present M{rs} of Anatomy be
there sett as Dissectors at theire owne charge.
9th August, 1647. This Court takeing into considerac͠oon the greate
benefitt and proffitt That have accrewed to this House by M{r} Edward
Arris a loveing Brother of this Company This Court doth order That
his picture be sett up in the Blanck Table in the Hall next the
Anathomy Table at the charge of this Howse.
19th August, 1647. Upon the earnest request of Mr. Edward Arris to
this Court That his Picture be nott sett up in the Hall according to
the Order of the last Court of Assistants This Court to satisfy Mr.
Arris modest request therein doth order that that order be annulled
and not put in execuc͠on.
Notwithstanding this order Mr. Arris’ portrait was painted, and is
still at the Hall.
27th February, 1650. M{r} Arris and Doctor Scarboroughs pictures to
be sett in the void Table in the Hall at the charge of this House.
In 1720 the Court were possibly thinking of purchasing another Holbein,
as the following note occurs in the minutes,
3rd March, 1720. Memorand{m} M{r} Lenthall at Burford in Oxfordshire
has a Picture of S{r} Thomas More and his familey drawn by Hans
Holben being a dispute between his Protestant Daughter and his
Catholick Daughter in the pˀsence of the father and the rest of the
familey.
21st April, 1720. It is referred to the Governors to treat with M{r}
Vertue the Ingraver about Ingraving King Henry the Eighths Picture
and to report his proposall to a Court of Assistants.
27th August, 1734. The question of engraving the Picture was again
referred to a Committee.
17th September, 1734. The Committee reported, the result being that Mr.
Bernard Baron entered into an agreement to engrave a plate; the details
of the arrangements with him are all set out in the minutes, but are
not sufficiently interesting to warrant transcribing.
Baron’s engraving is well known and sought after by collectors, but it
has a peculiarity, being a complete reverse of the original picture.
Each Assistant is presented with a copy on his election on to the Court.
We formerly had a portrait of Dr. Tyson, Anatomy Reader, but this was
sold to one of his descendants in 1745 for ten guineas.
10th November, 1777. Mr. William Slade, an Assistant, presented a
mezzotint engraving of the portrait of John Paterson, Esq., formerly
Clerk of the Company; the original was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
This engraving is now hung in the committee room.
GUILDHALL, 31 October, 1832.
GENTLEMEN,
Having become possessed a few years since of a perfect copy of
Hollar’s engraved view of London A.D. 1647, representing the most
striking appearance of the metropolis as it existed previously to
the conflagration in 1666, and thinking it might be acceptable to
the Lovers of the Antiquities of this ancient and renowned City that
so authentic a Memorial of its then state should be preserved and
transmitted to future ages by Multiplication of Copies.
I have had it carefully and correctly Lithographed, and request
that your Worshipful Court will be pleased to accept the impression
herewith transmitted to be placed in the Archives of the Company of
Barbers.
I have the honor to be, GENTLEMEN,
Your most obed{t.} Servant,
W. L. NEWMAN,
_City Solicitor_.
To the Master Wardens and }
Assistants of the Worshipful }
Company of Barbers, London. }
This picture is now hung up in the corridor.
The following is but little more than a List of the Pictures now at
Barbers’ Hall, a full account of which has been already written by Mr.
C. J. Shoppee.
ALDERMAN ARRIS’ PICTURE. This picture was painted by Mr. Greenbury who
was employed as Portrait Painter to the Company at this period.
DR. CHARLES SCARBOROUGH AND ALDERMAN ARRIS’ PICTURE. This picture was
also painted by Mr. Greenbury as by the following extract from the
Wardens’ Accounts for 1651 appears--
Paid to Greenburye for Painting the Picture of _li._ _s._ _d._
M{r} Edward Arris and Doctor Charles
Scarborough & Anathomye 9 10 0
LINNEUS’ PICTURE. This picture of Linneus was purchased 2nd July, 1844,
for £3 3_s._, the particulars of the purchase and of the picture are
set out in the Court Minutes of this date. Mr. Shoppee has surmised
that this is a portrait of John Bancks, but though his portrait was
_ordered_ to be painted, I do not find that it ever was, and it is not
once mentioned in any of the numerous early inventories of pictures.
The Minutes of 1844 are, however, so precise as to leave no further
doubt on this point, viz., that it is a portrait of Linneus.
THE HOLBEIN PICTURE.
KING CHARLES II PICTURE, artist unknown. Purchased by the Company
1720-1721.
INIGO JONES’ PICTURE, by Sir A. Vandyke.
THOMAS LISLE’S PICTURE, artist unknown.
SIR JOHN FREDERICK’S PICTURE, artist unknown. Purchased by the Company,
1665-1666.