The Annals of the Barber-Surgeons of London :: EXTRACTS FROM COURT MINUTES, ETC.,

EXTRACTS FROM COURT MINUTES, ETC.,

MORE PARTICULARLY RELATING TO THE

INTERNAL HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.

29th August, 1550. Memorandum the xxix^th day of Auguste in the house belonging to the sayd Company it was condescended and fully agreed by the aforesayed M^r and Wardeins M^r Geen Thomas Johnson Thomas Stocdall and Mathew Johnson w^t thassent of thassistance being there present that is to say M^r Kyrke? (Kyrkeby)121 M^r Vycary122 M^r Bancks123 M^r Byrde124 M^r Yonge125 M^r Henderbe126 Robert Postell127 Willm Tyll? (Tylley)128 Peter Dayseman129 Robert Waterforde130 Richard Bowll131 Henry Pemberton132 Robert Sprignell133 Robert Brownell134 John Smythe135 Willm Otherborne136 and Austeyn Clarck.137

An order taken concerninge Thomas Knot.

That Thomas Knot shalbe dischardged and not called to no manner of office unto such tyme that it shall please the m^rs to agree for Another order. And also that he shall not paie no maner of scott lot nor subsedye nor any other chardge concerning the saied Crafte but shalbe dischardged of and from the same Ecept onelie his quarterage and except that which he shall gyve & paye of his owne fre will and gentelnes.

An order for the elecc~on of the Maister.

Alsoo yt was ordered and agreed the sayd daye by the hole assistaunce that the maister shall put in iiij^or into his bill for his electyon and so the same byll to goo through the house and every man to prycke as his mynde doth serve him w^thout any telling and when every man hathe pricked about the house then the byll to be brought to the M^r And he that hath the moste pricks to have the roome of M^r the yeare ensuynge. The names of the ellecyon for the M^r was M^r Geen Richard Ferres Robert Postell and Willm Tylle.

An order for the eleccyon of the upper wardein.

Alsoo for the elleccyon of the upper wardein he shall put iiij^or names into his Byll and so to goo through the house like as the M^r Byll hath dooen. The names for the elleccyon for upper wardein was Thomas Johnson, Richard (The remainder of this line is torn away in original).

An order for the Elecc~on of the Second Wardein.

Alsoo for the Elleccyon of the Seconde Wardein he shall put in iiij^or names in his byll and so to goo through the house like as is before mencyoned. The names for the Elleccyon was Thomas Stocdall, John Atkinson, John Smyth and Thomas Knot.

For the Eleccyon of the youngest Wardein.

Alsoo for the Elleccyon of the youngest wardein he shall put iiij^or into his Byll and so to goo through the house like as before. The names for the Elleccyon are Mathew Johnson, John Tholmoode, Richard Elliot and John Shryffe.

10th Sept., 1551. It was ordered that—

An order that the Seconde Wardein shall receyve all fynes quartrage and other casualtyes.

The second Wardein shall receyve all maner of Receite as fynes quartrag for prentises, for fremen and all other casualtyes whatsoev^r yt be. And he to paye also all maner of wage, And the Bedyll to have a booke of all suche receitte and dischardge as the seconde wardein hathe for his dischardge.

Also yt ys agreed that the younger wardein shall receyve nothing but onely the Rents of the Londes, and to see reparac?ons dooen where as nede shall requyer and that he shall take Appulton138 w^th him when he goeth to receyve the rentes of the Londes so that bothe there books may agree.

4th Nov., 1551. It was agreed—

That there shalbe allowed in goyng and searching of their Londes vj^s viij^d.

Ordered—

That John West shall bring in his fyne which ys vj^s viij^d for speking opprobryous wordes against John Androwson in the presence of the M^rs.

17th Nov., 1551. It was ordered—

That the Kings maiestyes Barbor or Barbors to his highness parson And also his mat^s Surgeon or Surgeons shall sytt next to the Last M^r upon the benche where as the M^rs nowe usually doo sytt and alsoo shall goo next to the M^rs in all goyngs and syttings.

It was ordered that no Barber should take a “foreigner” as journeyman and set him to work, before presenting him to the Master and Wardens, under a penalty of 3s. 4d. per week.

This order was made because many foreigners (i.e., non-freemen) who were inexpert had lately come into the City, and the Court directed that each foreigner should give proof of his skill, and then that he should remain for one year only and in one service, and no Barber was to pay a foreigner higher wages than the Masters should from time to time “sess” or determine under a penalty of 13s. 4d. for “every weke so offending.” The Beadle was directed to keep a register book of all foreigners for the year, and when the year was expired, the Barber who kept a foreigner and was minded to keep him longer was to come to the Hall within fourteen days to have him re-registered under a penalty of 3s. 4d. per week. And no Barber was to “entyce or envegyll any mans servant from him upon peyne of forfeyting for a fyne xiij^s. iiij^d.”

The Court fixed the wages of these men as follows—

The best jorneyman that is a forrein shall have for a weke xij^d. the second x^d. and the thurde as the sayd M^rs. shall thinke meate & convenyente.

17th November, 1551. It was ordered that the youngest Warden should be chosen out of the Livery and that he should be—

in especcyall one that hathe byn stewarde so that he be a man that hath usyed himself in that behalf honestleye and discretly.

It was also ordered that all freemen should come every quarter day to the Hall to pay quarterage, hear the rules read, and to hear the book set forth by the Corporation of London concerning Orphans, and no man was to sit out of his appointed place, under a penalty.

17th July, 1553. It was ordered that Mr. John Enderby (Master 1547)—

shall have the benevolense of the crafte fower marks a yere.

20th September, 1553. The Masters agreed with Richard Drewe—

For a barge when the Mayer goeth to Westm? for Twentie sixe shillings and eighte pence.

12th August, 1554. Being Election day it was agreed that at the choosing of the Masters—

There shalbe a solempe masse139 or other dyvyne servyce sayd and songe that the M^rs. be choessen and the hole lyverye to be therat in their best clothing and to meete at the hall at or before the hower of ix of the clocke and he that fayleth his hower to paye xij^d for his fyne w^tout any redempcyon or gayne sayeing. The sayed masse140 to be at the chardgs of the Companye.

1st Oct., 1555. The following Articles were agreed upon by the Court—

I. There shall no man ffreeman fforyner or straunger of the Clothinge or w^tout the clothing shave wasshe a Bearde or tryme any man w^th any Instrumet as to make cleane teathe upon the Sondayes within the Cytie of London or withoute in his owne house or in any mans house or chamber or in any place els he shall forfayete at every tyme beinge duely proved for a fyne to the hall the some of xl^s. And further that no fforyner being no ffreman shall carry out any Bason or clothe or Instrumet to make cleane teathe to shave poll or wasshe a bearde or to tryme any man but w^tin the Lybertye where he dwellethe But w^tin the Cytie of London he shall not trym~e any man at no dayes w^tin anye of their howses or in any place els w^tin the Cytie upon payne to lose at every tyme beinge duely proved for a fyne to the hall xl^s.

II. That Apulton the Beadle of the Clothing was to be the Clerk, and that the Beadle of the Yeomanry was to help the Clerk at

coronac?on tyme or at other greate tryumphes when any other greate man cometh in or when the kinge or quene comen through the Cytie.

III. That whenever the Shreif be chosein or the Mayor or the burgesses of the parlyam?t or upon the kings or queenes comig into the Cytie or any other greate man comyth in or upon any other greate truymphe whereapon comaundement ys geven by the Mayor of London to the sayed Company of the Clothinge of Barbors and Surgeons to geve their attendaunce Then the hole Company of the Clothinge to meete at our owne hall of Barbors and Surgeons in our owne lyverye all to gether fyrste, and afterwards to gooe out of the hall two and two together as of olde tyme yt hathe been used, and when the Mayor goeth to poules141 then the M^r and governors to gooe throughe out Wood streate to poules w^th the rest of the Company of the Clothinge. And that M^r and governors that dothe not this shall forfaycte for a ffyne to the hall vj^li xiij^s iiij^d And they of the Clothing that dothe not come to the hall firste but will meete us at the place where we shalbe appointed to stande and to remayn and dothe not kepe his hower shall loose for a ffyne in the hall at every tyme so offending iij^s iiij^d Provyded alwayes yf the Mayor gooe not to poules at the Mayors ffeaste Alhollande daye xp~emas daye twelves daye and Candlemas daye In what streets we doo gooe throughe yt be not throughe Wood streate yt shall not be prejudycyall to the master and governors of the Company for the tyme being.

IV. It was ordered that Apprentices, before being presented, should pay 2s. 6d. fine, also 8d. to the Clerk for drawing the Indentures.

8th October, 1555. Further ordinances were framed, viz^t:—

I. That at all sittings of the Court when any business was discussed the Members should speak to the subject in order of seniority, and any one interrupting or speaking out of turn was to pay 12d. fine. The Beadle also was to stand without the door, in the Hall, and there to give his attendance whenever the Master should knock for him.

II. That there should be an Armourer with a yearly fee of 10s., and—

for the same he shalbe bounde to make cleane our harneys w^th daggers gunnes armyng swords and bills and with all other things that doethe appertayne to an Armorer for to doo in mending of buckells lethers or any other thinge which dothe appertayne to that whiche we nowe have.

III. When the Master and Governors should go to view their lands and tenements to see the state of repair, the Bricklayer was to go with them to advise and to have a fee of “ij^s and his dynnar.”

IV. This relates to the Clerk (see Clerk).

V. That a Minute book be kept to record all the orders made at any Court, and that such orders be read at the next Court and signed.

VI. That no freeman shall serve a foreigner under a penalty of 13s. 4d. for every time so offending, and any foreigner taking a freeman to serve with him should be fined 26s. 8d.

19th November, 1555. John Demynge, “Cowper142 & ffre denysen,” was granted a lease of a house belonging to the Company at St. Katherine’s, Tower Hill, at £2 per annum for thirty years, with a fine of £4 on sealing the lease and a “barrell of doble beare.”

26th November, 1555. Thomas Glynton, Goldsmith, was to have a lease of the house in Tower Street, where he then dwelt, for 30 years from Christmas, 1555, no rent stated, but a fine of £10 to be paid on sealing the lease.

5th March, 1556. Several further Ordinances and awards were made by the Court, among which were the following:—

I. That the Masters and Governors should not let the Hall to anyone to—

daunce or use anye other kynde of games els whereby the sealinge or other things being broken in the hall or kitchen shall redowne to the losse of the Company Yf therefore the sayed M^r and governors for the tyme being doo let out the hall to any bodye to thentent aforesayde w^tout the consent of the hole howse to be called for the same they should forfeit and pay etc.

IV. The ffourthe Artycle is that if any of the Lyverye or of the yomanrye come to sesse any man being a jornye man to serve him as the order is that he taketh I^d for a yere or ij^d for ij yere That his M^r shall not put him awaye at his pleasure as many now a dayes do, but he shall complayne to the M^r and Governors for the tyme of the demeaner usuage and evell behaveor of the sayed Journyman for noen kepinge of his M^rs howse all the weke daye by reason wherof he dothe lose his custom?s or that he goeth out at his pleasure and come in at his will againe w^tout asking of any leave of his M^r or mysteris w^ch pertayneth not to a servaunte for to doo for theyse consyderac?ons and other the m^r maye complayne. The Jornyman lykewise may complayne of his M^r yf that he doo not paye him his wages and to have his meate and dryncke as Jornymen shoulde have according to the agrem?t of bothe the partyes as the M^r and the Jornyman shalbe at a pointe when he cometh to sesse any Jornymen because that if the Jornyman doo not his dewtye that he may be punysshed and put in prison to thentent that Jornymen may be kept in good order otherwise then they be nowe. And that the M^r and gov?nors for the tyme being shall declare to the Jornyman what is his dewty to his M^r when he dothe come to be seste to thentent that he shall knowe his dewtye to his M^r and if he doo not the same then he knoweth the pryce. And agayne to declare to the Jornyman what his M^r shall doo to him, as to paye his wages mete and dryncke and other things that a Jornyman oughte to have. Yf any of the Clothinge or of the yomanrye put awaye his Jornyman before his yere or yeres come out and not declaring the matter to the M^r and governors [he] shall forfaycte at every tyme so doinge for a ffyne to the hall vj^s viiij^d. And that all ffremen being Journymen may be preferred and taken, being a workman before any fforyner duynge his dewty to his M^r as is aforesayed because we are bounde to preferre the ffremen w^ch beare scot and lot to the Cytye and company w^ch the Jornymen doo not being forryners but come out of the contrye to learne there scyence here and so after warde goo away agayne w^ch is not to the welth of the Companye.

VII. No Liveryman was to presume to come into the parlour, whilst the Court was sitting, without being sent for.

VIII. Freemen were not to put away apprentices to make room for others by whom they might get money.

IX. Two Stewards for the Anatomy were to be chosen every year.

X. The Clerk having claimed to provide the napery and vessells, and to appoint the Cook for the Anatomy dinners, alleging an old custom to that effect, it was ordered that he should not again do so as he had aforetime for a “lytle lucer of moneye,” but that the Stewards of the Anatomy should make their own provision and “dresse there meate clenly and honestlye because of worshipfull men comyng thereunto,” and if the Clerk again offended he was to “paye to the hall for a fyne his half yeres wages w^ch is x^s.”

XII. The Twelve Article is that if Olyver Wilson dothe hereafter speake evill of the M^r and governors and thassistaunce of the clothinge or of any of the yomanrye as heretofore he hathe dooen w^ch by profe hathe been tryed and therfore hathe been punnished in pryson, yf ever hereafter he dothe the like he to be expelled.

Note.—In all cases penalties or punishments were specified for breach of the foregoing ordinances.

5th March, 1556. William Goodwin, Merchant Taylor, leased to the Company for 99 years “all the houses next the hall w^th the house of the prevy w^tin the hall for vj^li vj^s viij^d” per annum, the Company to keep the premises in repair.

27th June, 1556. Arnold Tymes, “beare brewer,” had a lease of a “gardein lying in easte Smithefelde” for 40 years, paying 12d. for an earnest penny, and to pay at the sealing of the lease £4, and at the Audit day other £4.

9th July, 1556. John More, Cordwainer, and Richard Wiston, had leases of houses in St. John’s, Walbrook, for 30 years from Midsummer, and about this period there are several other notices of leases for 30 years having been granted of property in East Smithfield, Holborn Bridge, and Mugwell Street.

22nd July, 1556. An order was made:—

That there shalbe a painter belonge to the hall, and he to have a penc?on yerely of vj^s viij^d by the yere to be payed at fower tymes of the yere and for the same he shall make cleane all the paintinge w^tin the hall bothe above and benethe as the Tables in the hall and other things and in the gardein every qr~ter of a yere if it so neede: and to amend faults where there ys anye at his owne proper costs and chardgs as is afore declared.

26th August, 1557. It was ordered that Mrs. Dawson, the Widow of one Bryckett—

a Toothe drawer shall paye no quartryge to the hawle nor hange oute any signe or clothe w^th teethe as she hearetofore hath don.

12th October, 1557. John West was discharged out of this howse bycawse he wold not abyde y^e order of y^e M^r & gov?nors and one Asheton had lycence to arest hym.

Various entries occur about this period of freemen being brought before the Court and punished for using “obrobrious wordes.”

9th November, 1557. It was ordered that Robert Postell (Warden 1544) should have a “yerely anewitie oute of thys howse” of 40^s.

A freeman before “setting up shop” was required to procure the testimony of one or more citizens that he was worth 10 marks, and to obtain a licence from the Court; there are numerous examples in point, e.g.:—

16th November, 1557. Heare was before the M^r and Gov?nors Rychard Lynley and he had Lyc?ce to sett up hys shoppe and one Johan Coale of the Cytie of London Cytizen and Clothwoorcker Deposed that the sayd Rychard ys worthe and valued of hys proper owne vj^li xiij^s iiij^d.

23rd November, 1557. Licence was granted to William Thomlyn—

To drawe teethe and to make cleane teethe and no more and he ys so admytted a brother into thys howse but not yet sworne and he hathe payde x^s and rest other ten shyllings he wyll brynge in as sowne as he can.

11th January, 1558. The same daye Tyndall y^e Armorer is dysmyst & shall have no more his fee oute of this howse bycawse he gave none attendaÑce whan o^r soldyers wer sett oute to calyce143 & John gamlyn is admytted armorer & he to have y^e same fee y^t tyndall had y^t is to saye by the yere x^s.

19th April, 1558. My lady Aylyff gave a fyne table cloth of damaske worcke to srve for the uppermost table in the hawle the w^ch of her jentyllness she gave frely unto this hawle.

22nd November, 1558. An order was made against John John that he should pay 6s. to William Bourne for “ij Barbores potts” which he had lost.

1566. The second volume of Court Minutes contains a long list of “Lawes Actes and Ordenances” enacted by the Court in 1566, but as many of these are not of sufficient interest to warrant transcribing, the headings of such will only be given here

1. An order to avoied grudg or displeasure for the elecc?on.

This was that no one was to “fynd fault” with the election of Master or Governors if the persons so elected should at any time be chosen out of their turn.

2. An order that solempne service be saied one the day of Elecc?on.

Also yt is ordayned that the M^r and gov?noures of the saied mystery for the tyme beinge yerelye uppon the daye of elecc?on of the newe M^r and governoures shall cause Devine service solempnely to be kepte at the churche therefore to be appoynted. And that the whole company of the Clothinge or Lyverye of the said ffellowshippe shall p?sonallye be present at the same yf there be no Lawfull and reasonable cause of Absence to be allowed of by the M^r and goveno^rs of the sayed mysterye uppon payne that whosoev? absenteth hym self shall for ev?y suche default paye xij^d. The said service to be at the charges of the common Boxe.

3. An order ffor the allowance of the Dynner one the daye of Elecc?on.

This directed that £13 6s. 8d. should be allowed yearly towards the Election Dinner out of the common box.

4. An order that y^e Clothing shall bring home the M^r & gov?nors in their Lyv?yes.

Also yt is also ordayned y^t uppon the day of the Elecc?on of the newe M^r and governoures of the saied mysterye After that they shall be chosen and that suche of them as be present have taken their othe that then they and every off them shalbe had home unto their howses with the Lyvery or Clothinge and their hoodds uppon their shoulders accordinge unto an ould custome heretofore used.

5. An order howe ev?y man shall behave hym self in the Court tyme.

This relates to the order in which the members of the Court shall speak upon any debated point; the Master to speak first, the Upper Governor next, and so on down to the Junior Assistant, and, in the event of the Court being equally divided, the Master to have the casting vote.

6. An order that ev?ye one of thassistaunce shall come to all courts of Assist^s.

7. An ordre against the Lettinge out of the Hall.

The Hall was not to be used or let out for “weddings sportes or games therein or playes or dauncinge or for any other like entente,” but by permission of the Court.

8. An ordre that y^e M^r and upper governor shall quarterlye take accompte of the youngre gov?no^r.

9. An order that y^e younger gov?n^r shall quart?ly make an accompte to the M^r & upp^r gov?nor.

10. An order concernynge the younger gov?nor his receipts & payments and to see all repac?ons144 done.

11. An order concerninge the Secound gov?nors receiptes and payments.

12. An ordre concernynge y^e examynac?on of such as shall be admytted Surgeons.

No one was to be examined for admission to practise Surgery but in the Common Hall, and in the presence of at least three Examiners and one or more of the Masters or Governors.

13. An order that everie man of the said company shall abide the ordre and award made by the M^r and governors.

14. An order that no pacient be brought unto the hall one y^e Court dayes.

15. An order for chosenge M^rs and Stewards of thannothomye.

There shall be chosen yerelye for ever two Masters and twoe Stewardes for the Anathomyes and that those twoe whiche were Stewardes the one yere shalbe Masters of The Anathomies the nexte yere ensewinge To thende that thereby yt maybe bett? knowne howe to wourke and make the same.

16. An order concerninge the Anathomyes.

This provided that all anatomies, whether public or private should be made at the Hall and “that all private Anathomyes shall reverently from hensforth be buryed as publick Anathomyes ar for the worshippe of the said mysterye, any skelliton to be made onelye excepted.”

17. An order that none supplant or take anothers cure from him one paine of v^li.

18. An order that none take any appr?ntice for Surgerie but that he can write & reade.

19. An order how many s?vnts ev?y man may kepe.

No liveryman was to keep more than four apprentices or servants working in his art, and no freeman more than three.

20. An order that none use eny mann^r of Barbory on Sundayes.

Yt is ordayned that none of the said mysterye usinge any man? of Barberye ...... shall uppon any sondaye shave wasshe poule or trymme any manne or w^th any Instrum^t to make cleane teeth either w^thin his howsse or in any other place elles where privelye or appartlye uppon payne of forfeture of xl^s.

21. An order that none doe make any shewe of Barborye one Sonndais or other holy days.

This provides that Barbers shall not “hange upp set or put out any bason or basons pott or potts uppon his poule Racke shoppe windowes or otherwise” on Sundays or holy days, and is the earliest mention of the “Barbers’ pole” in our Books.

22. An order that assistaunts maye be made nev? beinge any Governor.

23. An order that none being out of thassistants com~ into the p?lor except he be called.

24. An order that no courte of Assistaunce be houlden one the tuesdayes.

Tuesdays were set apart for Lectures and for the ordinary or Monthly Courts; no reason is given why Courts of Assistants should not be held on the Tuesdays.

25. An order for the p?sentac?on of apprentices before they be bounde.

Every apprentice was to be presented to the Court that they might “uppon the sight of him allowe hymme to be cleane in p?son and Lymme and meete for the excersycinge of the same mysterye.”

26. An order that none put away his app?ntice before the cause be knowne before y^e M^r & gov?nors.

27. An order that none lett any bloud stand to the annoyaunce of the people.

“Barbours excercyseinge fleabothomye or bloud lettinge” were not to show blood in vessels in their windows.

28. An order that all p?sentac?ons in Surgery shalbe p?sented to the M^r w^th his governoures for the tyme beinge.

This order provided that any Surgeon having a patient in peril of “mayme” or death, was to “present” or make known the case to the Governors within three days, and the Court would then appoint certain expert Surgeons to see the patient and assist in the cure. There are scores of entries in the books of Surgeons being fined for not “presenting” patients.

29. An order that none take any p?sentac?ons but y^e M^r & gov?noures for the tyme beinge.

30. An order that the M^r and governoures and their deputies shall goe to the poore as well as to the rich.

Any Master or Governor being sent for to see a sick or hurt person and refusing to go without payment, was to forfeit 20^s.

31. An order for puttinge the rules in execuc?on.

32. An order for multipliinge speche in the corte tyme.

This was an early form of closure directed against such members of the Court as were given to an over-indulgence in oratory.

33. A rule for order in goinge.

Every member of the Company was to take his place according to precedence, at burials, anniversaries, Courts, etc.:—

And if anie of them of any scrypulosytie frowardnes follye or pusyllanimity refuse to take his owne romme or place accordinge to the order in good obedyent manner he was to be fined 12^d.

34. An order for the view.

This relates to the yearly inspection of the Company’s property.

4th March, 1566. In Thys Courte Willm Gyllam was discharged and released oute of warde and hath p~d his arerages and he hathe confessied y^t Richard Bromehed doth shave the vycar of Stepney in his howse every sondaye.

4th July, 1566. It was ordained that if any of the Court hereafter might “happen to lyght or fall into povertie or dekaye” that he should have a pension out of the Common box. One who had served as Master was to have per ann. £4; an Upper Governor £3; Second Governor £2; Younger Governor £1; and an Assistant 13s. 4d.

It was also ordained that Thomas Hall should have an exhibition of 40s. per annum—

towardes hys studye in the unyvercytie for Surgery anexynge physycke thereunto, and thereby hereafter to p?phet his other brethren beynge of this sayde mystery and comynaltie usynge and ocupyenge the sayde syence & arte w^thin the cytie of London by Readynge lectures unto them in y^e Comon Hall and other wyse by his councell conynge and knowlege in the same science & arte of Surgery.

It was also ordained that whenever the Lord Mayor should invite the Masters and Governors to dine with him, that—

then and there after the same dynner ys don The M^r or gov?nors shall make his oracyon or request in the behalf of the sayde Company as to hys wysdome yt shall seme best in most descrytest maner and shall then geve and delyver unto the sayde Lorde maior of lawful mony in golde l^s and in orther corrant mony iij^s iiij^d that is foure marks by waye as a good wyll of the same Company.

Also It ys Ordayned That god callyng oute or frome this Trancytory vale or worlde any of this saide Company decessed and beynge w^thin 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 of145 of the said herce clothe w^ch is used at the goynge forth of the M^r gov?nors & 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 p?per owne of dewtie. (In default the widow or executor was to pay 6s. 8d.)

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 com~e to the Courte beynge warned & y^t yf the M^r com~ytted 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 Willm 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^thin the p?lor 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 c?o146 a sevenighte.

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 p?son, 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 gov?norshyp 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 consr~ninge the deprivac?on 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 Vaughan147 his mayde is graunted to kepe one Sonday her wedyng in the hall & no more.

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 Willm 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 p?sones.

Here was a question moved concernynge the takinge in of certayne p?sons 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 M?kes [Markes] servÑte w^th M^r Tholmwood sometyme, sent to the Compter by Willm Eden Clark to this misterye for not p?forming an Awarde made betwene the saide M^r Tholmwood and the saide M?kes 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 Thannunc? 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 p?sept sent by my Lo^rde maior straitly charging and commandinge the companye in her Majesties name that they take immediate order that theyr s?vaunts and app~ntices nor any of them in any wyse or sorte do mysuse annye s~vyng man page or lackey or anye other p?son 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 p?yll, 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 40s. 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 p?mised 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 westm?.

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 Co?te 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 p?vided.

6th March, 1583. Yt was agreed that whereas a demaunde was made by the L. Maio^r and Co^rte of Alderm? 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 porc?ons.

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 6s. 8d.

5th July, 1585. At this Co^rte 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 som~e 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 e?y yeare on the daie of o^r Ellecc?on of them be brought home to their howses with the Levery or some p~te of them as heretofore hathe ben accustomed e?y one wearinge his hood in decent order.

6th July, 1592. Certein newe silver booles are to be bought for those p?cell 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 p?ties 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 Martyn148 of the Clothinge in token of his love to this house was presented to this Courte and verye gratefullye accepted.

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 p? 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 elecc?on delivered unto them after longe and deliberate considerac?on 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 execuc?on 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^thout 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 unrev?ent 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 assistan? to the greate dishoner of god and scandall to the said Companye, ffor reformac?on 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 p?son 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 rasares149 And Needeham is to be warned to the nexte Courte.

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 one150 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.

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 mowes151 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.

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^rall Rules.

This day Thomas Allen152 was fined for his absence from the said rules.

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 p?sently 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 “M?cers Chappell by sixe of the Clock in the morninge to viewe the repac?ons of the howses belonginge to this Company.” How many members of the Court would now attend at 6a.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 Gerrard153 be warned to meete on ffrydaye next by sixe of the clock in the morninge to goe on serch accordinge to custome.

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 billes154 uppon the gates & oth^r places in the Cytie contrary to his tollerac?on.

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 Gerrard153 & 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 Admirall155 to complayne against Robert Derham for his contempt in refusinge her Mat^s imprest.

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 sev?all 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 Willm 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 Annoq? regni DÑi nr~i Jacobi Regis Anglie &c. sc~do.

Bennet
Maior

Soane Garrard Lee Hollydaye Wattes Rowe Craven Anderson Swynerton Hayes ac Romney uÑ vic &c.

Where it appeareth to this Court aswell by the humble supplicac?on of the Maisters or Gov?nors of the Mistery & CoiÃltye of Barbors and Chirurgeons of this Cytie as by an ord^r taken by the same Courte the fowerth daye of ffebruary in the tyme of the Maioraltie of S^r Stephen Peacock knighte and in the fower and twenteth yere of the reigne of the Late Kinge of famous memory Kinge Henry the eight That the M^rs or Governors of the said mistery & CoiÃlty of Barbors & Chirurgeons & their p?decessors in the order of their goinges standinges rydinges sittinges & oth^r assemblies of the liv?yes of the sev?all Companyes of this ho: Cytie have bene alwayes tyme oute of mynde reputed taken & placed as the seaventeneth Company amongest oth^rs the sev?all Companyes of this Cytie next & imediatly from & aft^r the Company of Mercers Grocers Drap?s ffishemongers Goldsmythes Skinners Marchaunttaylors Haberdashers Salters Iremongers Vinteners Stockfishmongers Clothworkers Brewers Lethersellers and Pewterers And forasmuch as it doth likewise appeare to this Co^rte that sythens the makeinge and establisheinge of the said order the said M^rs or Governo^rs of the said Mistery and CoiÃltie of Barbors and Surgeons have enjoyed the Benifit of the said order and borne all chardges taxes and contribuc?ons whatsoev? imposed on them from tyme to tyme w^th credytt to the good likinge of the Magistrats and Governors of this Cyttie as well as other Companies of like sorte and State have done And yett notw^thstanding of late at the Royall passages of the Kinge and Queenes most exelent Ma^ties and the prince of wales attended by the Nobilitie and gentry of the land through this Cyttie on the fifteenth daie of March last when through ignorance theie were misplaced by the Comittie appoynted by this Cyttie for the mannaginge of those affaires. It is therefore this daie upon due considerac?on had of the p?misses, and for that the said Company of Stockfyshmongers have bene since the tyme of the said order wholelie dissolved and abrogated and noe Company or Corporac?on remayninge w^thin this Cyttie of that name, ordered and decreed that the said M^rs or Governors of the said Misterie and CoiÃltie of Barbors and Surgeons shalbe from henceforth reputed taken and placed as the syxeteenth Companie w^thin this Cyttie in all theire goeings rydinges sytteinges standeinges and assemblies whatsoever, any misplaceinge of them on the said fiftee?th daie of March last to the contrary notw^thstandinge.

Sebright.

22nd May, 1604. This daie it is ordered that from henceforth the Clark of this Companie shall against ev?y Courte daie bestowe iiij^d in hearbes and flowers.

12th June, 1604. This daye Will^m Wrighte a very disobedyent Broth^r of this Company was accordinge to the Rules of this howse fined at vj^s viij^d for callinge the officers of this howse knaves and for other his lewde & disobedient behaviour and is to bringe it into this Court on tewsedaye next.

8th November, 1604. Mr. Thomas Goodall and Mr. Kellaway were each fined 10s. “for not riedinge w^th the M^rs when the kinge came through the city” (probably in March last).

5th February, 1605. This daye Marcus Davie appeared before the M^rs and was rebuked for shewinge the Copie of Õr Chr~e156 to a Scrivener.

28th February, 1605. This daye it is ordered that the numb^r of 16 p?sons of the Assistance of this Company shalbe accompted a full Court of Assistance.

It was also ordered that a “fayre parchem^t booke” be bought for engrossing therein the Charters of the Company; this book is still in our possession.

FAC-SIMILE TITLE-PAGE OF CHARTER-BOOK.

28th February, 1605. This daye M^r Warden ffrederick made request to have a Deputie to supplie his place and office of upper warden and to sit in his place till his retorne from Spayne whith^r the saide M^r ffrederick is bounde And alsoe to kepe his keyes whereuppon it was ordered that he should make choyce of any sufficient man of the Assistant? to keepe his keyes in his absens if hee pleased. But it was denyed that any should sit in his place as deputy.

Christopher Frederick was Serjeant-Surgeon to the King, and father of Sir John Frederick, Lord Mayor in 1661. He was of alien birth and did not work harmoniously with the Court of Assistants. In Repertory xxvii. fo. 117 (at Guildhall), is an order of the Court of Aldermen that Sir Thomas Garrard and four other Aldermen were to call the Master and Wardens and Mr. Frederick before them and to end their controversies (which, however, they did not succeed in doing).

21st March, 1605. Mr. Frederick brought a letter to the Court from the Earl of Nottingham, saying it was the King’s pleasure that Mr. Frederick should appoint a deputy to act as Warden in his place, whilst he was away with the King in Spain, but the Court adhered to its decision of 28th February.

This daye M^r Warden ffrederick p?sented to this Court a letter wrytten to the M^rs or Governors & Assistants of this Company the contents thereof hereafter ensueth, viz^t.:

Aft^r my very hearty commendac?ons I have thoughte good to signifie unto you his Ma^ties pleasure That I should have to attend me in this my ambassage into Spayne Mr. XpÕfer ffrederick one of the nowe Governors of yo^r Company w^ch by reason of the place hee bereth amongest you can hardely be spared nevertheles because the necessytie of the service urgeth the same It is thought fit by his Ma^tie that hee shall noiat and appoynt such a sufficient man to execute his place in his absens as form?ly hath borne that office, wherefore I doubt not but you will admitt and allowe of such a one as for that purpose hee shall noiat to sit in his absens as his deputy who shalbe answerable for all matt^s as if M^r ffrederick were there himself So to continue eyth^r untill the tyme of the yere that you make choyce of some other p?sone fit for the same or M^r ffrederick? retorne oute of Spayne w^ch shall first happen, of whose ready care to satisfie the Kinges expectac?on and my desyre I dowbte not And evenso I bid you righte hartely farewell. ffrom Arnedell howse the ix^th of March 1604.157

Yo^r very lovinge frend
Notingham158

I do praye you that Will^m Martin be
excepted159 in his place till M^r ffrederick?
retorne Notingham

26th March, 1605. This daye M^r James Hodson one of the tenaunts of this Company accordinge to an order of a Court of Assisstance payd to the M^rs his fyne of L^li for his lease And had lycence graunted unto him to demyse the tenement w^ch hee holdeth of this Company or any pt~e thereof And did p?mise to geve unto this howse one hogshead of clarret wyne when it should for the use of this howse be called for & demaunded.

9th April, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Humfrey Gorston bringe in his fyne at the next Courte for teachinge of a forren his Art.

16th April, 1605. This daye Stephen Abraham was commaunded [to] geve over his keepinge a barbors shop in Phillip Lane untill hee shalbe made free of this Company uppon payne of imprisonment.

23rd April, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Stephen Abraham be committed to the Compter for contempt of the M^rs order heretofore set downe.

Abraham must have instantly obeyed the order, and shut up his shop in Phillip Lane, and directly afterwards have opened another in Finch Lane, for we read:—

30th April, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Stephen Abraham shall take downe his basons and geve over his shop in ffynch Lane and shall continue w^th his mr~is mr~is Smyth orels to be committed to prison.

24th May, 1605. fforasmuch as Mathew Peele a broth^r of this Company hath delt underhand w^th the tenante in possession of the howse where in one Edward Sares lately dwelt at Dowgate, makinge the tenant to beleeve that hee the sayd Mathew Peele had a lease graunted unto him from this howse of the same and p?ffered to sell the same to the said tenaunt where there is no such thinge to him graunted. It is therefore ordered that an order made the xviij^th of March whereby it was determyned that the sayd Mathew Peele should have the first p?ffer of the next tenem^t that should fall voyde of this Company better cheape by x^li then any oth^r p?son shalbe voyde & of none effect to all intents & constructions.

11th June, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Willm Wrighte shalbe committed to the Compter for abuseinge the late M^rs of this Company.

25th June, 1605. This daye John Crispe dwellinge in St. Martins Barbor is dischardged from kepeinge a shop.

12th September, 1605. This day it was agreed that the p?nte M^rs shall p?ceed to build againe the wall latelie taken downe betwixt o^r yard and the Bulwark w^th Brick only And the same to be correspondent to the reste of the bricke wall of the said yard In which wall they are to cause to be made and placed such and so many convenient wyndowes w^th lettice and casement? as they shall thincke fitt. And it is further agreed by the consent of the Court that they shall proceed w^th the worcke now in hand for the erectinge of a steyre and steyrecase to be made to passe through the p?lor into the said Bullwarke or garden plott And the same to be finished and done in such mann? and forme as the said M^rs shall thincke fitt And also shall repaire and amend the defect? of the wainscott in the said p?lor where need shall require. And that such chardges shalbe borne by this house as shalbe in that behalf disburssed.

26th September, 1605. This day M^r Nicholas Collins is chosen to be of Councell w^th this Company and is to have a fee of xl^s p? aÑn. and is to continue in the same place so longe as it shall please the Assistant? of the same Company.

1st October, 1605. This day William Gravenor was fined for hanginge out of his basons on Bartholomew day And also Humphry Gorston.

This day there was redd to this Court a lr? directed from Doctor Browne to the said court importinge that Christopher ffredricke was as forward in his advice as in his Assistaunce in the cuttinge of S^r Anthony Cooke as M^r ffenton was.

About the year 1605 the Court were at law with Mr. Frederick as appears by the Wardens’ accounts, though there is no reference to the subject of the dispute in the Minutes, beyond the above reference to a surgical operation performed on Sir A. Cooke, and the controversy about the Deputy Warden when Mr. Frederick went to Spain. Mr. Frederick was alien born, and the following order, without doubt, had a reference to this circumstance:—

10th October, 1605. This day it is ordered that from henceforth no Alien or stranger borne out of his Mat? dominions shall hereafter be capable or eligible to beare or take upon him any place or places or office of a M^r or Governour of this Company And that an ordinaunce shalbe p?ntlie drawne to such purpose if by o^r Councell wee shalbe advised so to doe.

The above order was rescinded 21st July, 1608.

8th October, 1605. This day Thomas Emerie William ffarris John Heydon John Burrowes Roger Brecknocke John Hullins Wyddow Turner widdow Eaton John Phillipps and Robert Samme were fined for workinge upon last Saboth.

10th October, 1605. This day it is ordered by this Courte that the reparac?ons of the Citties wall next to the Bullwark shalbe accomplished and done according as the p?nte M^rs or Governo^rs of this Company shall thincke fitt And all charges therein disburssed shalbe borne by this house.

7th November, 1605. It is also ordered that the p?nte M^rs or Governors of this Company shall if they cann bargaine w^th the Ladie Windsor for the glasse in the wyndowes of the Bulwark And for such other thing? as are by her Ladishipp to be sold and to give such Composition for the same as they in their discretions shall thincke fitt.

This day it is ordered that the youngest Governo^r Rento^r doe cause all needful and necessarie rep?ac?ons to be done upon such tenemt? as ought to be repaired by this Company And also shall cause the privit hedge in the garden next the Bullwark to be taken up and the ground to be leveled and another hedge to be planted and sett all alonge from the further end of o^r new bricke wall to the furthest corner of that garden.

19th November, 1605. This day it is ordered that the M^rs of this Company togeather w^th M^r Bird M^r Wood M^r John Martin and M^r Mapes are to goe in search on satterday and upon munday next And they are to meete in Powles.160

28th Nov., 1605. This day it is ordeyned that o^r M^r shall compound with some Baker to p?vide for this Company 50 quarte^rs of good wheate at such yearelie rate and for such tyme as they can agree And he to be Baker to the house so longe as he behave himself well.

One Will^m. Clifton was on 17th December following appointed Baker, and agreed to find 50 quarters of wheat for £5 per annum.

28th January, 1606. This day John ffoxe a forren Barbor appeared before the M^rs and was by them forbidden to keepe shopp in London any more for Barbinge or Surgery, And he p?missed that he would not.

16th June, 1606. In the controv?sie betwixt Thomas Orton & ffraunc? Holland It is ordered that the said Orton proceed not in suite of law against the said Holland otherwise then by takeinge the peace of him till the next Court Att w^ch tyme the said Holland is comaunded by this Court to bringe in his fine of xl^s for strikinge of him the said Orton. And the said Orton is to geve his attendaunce at that Courte.

14th July, 1606. This day uppon the suite of the p?son and p?ishione^rs of St. Olaves in Silver Street It was ordered by this Court that at such tyme as the now church of the said pish shal begin to be reedified beinge now in great decay and fallen into ruyn That then the M^rs or governou^rs of this Company for the tyme beinge shall of the stocke of the said Company pay to the then church wardens of the said pish the somme of x^li toward? the reedifi?g of the said Church w^thout makinge further suite for the same.

Several liverymen were complained of for not having attended in their liveries of late, and among other notes is the following:—

14th July, 1606. This day Henry Bradley one fferris and Henry Bracey are dismissed out of the Clothinge and Assistaunce of this Company for they have not given their attendaunce in their liveryes uppon summons.

8th September, 1606. This daie Mr. Peck did lend voluntary to this howse L gratis for a yeare next ensueinge.

This daie M^r ffenton did lend C^li gratis to this Company for a yeare next ensueinge Also he did lend to this Company L^li more for a yere at x^li p? cent.

23rd September, 1606. This day it is ordered that Percivall Jackson shalbe comitted to the Compter for his severall Contempt? to this howse.

30th September, 1606. This daie Percivall Jackson was dischardged out of prison upon his mothers intreatie. And is to bring in his debt to Burrowes at the next Court.

7th October, 1606. This daie John Hedlow paid to the M^rs vj^s viij^d w^ch by them was tofore paid to officers w^ch attended to committ the said Hedlow for his severall contempt? to this howse.

13th October, 1606. Percivall Jackson was again committed to the Compter for his “severall contempt?.”

4th November, 1606. This daie John Kerrell Richard Cade & Richard Houlden were fyned for being absent from the funerall of M^r ffyneinge.

10th March, 1607. This daie Thomas Grig was fyned at xii^d for not wearinge his Cap on Candlemas daie last.

19th September, 1607. The Clerk’s child having died of the plague, and being carried through the gate of the Hall, an order came from the Lord Mayor commanding the Court not to sit for 28 days, and it was thereupon ordered that the Courts should sit at Mr. Fenton’s house in Bartholomew’s Court during that period.

This daye it is ordered that Carehills wyef be warned to the hall against the next Court for keepinge of twoe shoppes of Barbinge w^thout Bisshoppesgate.

8th October, 1607. This daye it is ordered by this Courte uppon due considerac?on had That from henceforth the M^rs or Governors of this Company every yere yerely shall geve to the Recorder of this Cytie a yerely fee of money oute of the stock of this Company at their pleasures so that it exceede not the somme of iiij^li.

It was ordered that no liveryman should henceforth—

attend in his lyvery and w^thout a ruffe band uppon payne of xij^d for ev?y offence.

3rd November, 1607. This daye uppon the humble suite of one wydowe Burrows shee is admitted to keepe her Barbors shop where shee now dothe for 2 yeres next ensuinge not w^thstandinge that w^thin the said tyme shee mary an husbond of any oth^r trade.

1st December, 1607. This daye Thomas Allen161 and James Mullins were fined for wearinge of falleinge bands w^th their liv?y gownes.

21st January, 1608. This daye it is ordered that.... Braye [be appointed] Informer to p?secute suites by informac?on against such p?sons as the p?nt Masters shall noiat for one yere next ensuinge at the chardg? of this howse And hee is to have tenne poundes for his paynes therein.

27th January, 1608. Five of the Company were fined for not being at the funeral of Mistress Izard in their liveries.

5th April, 1608. This daye lycence is geeven to Will^m Buckley to arrest John Dodd breakeinge his wyndowes.

21st July, 1608. This daye it was thought fit that the p?nt Assistant? showld sit in Court w^thout their Gownes for that the weath^r is hot.

It is ordered that the laste quarters penc?on due to John a Lee lately deceased shalbe paid to the poore woman w^ch kept him in his sicknes.

At almost every Court, charities in sums varying from 2^s to 40^s were given to poor members for their relief, or to the widows of former members, and in many cases yearly annuities were granted out of the stock of the house, independent of the Trust charities distributed by the Court.

14th February, 1609. This daye John Stubbes one of my lord maiors officers is appoynted a Serjeant to this Company.

27th June, 1609. This daye it is ordered that George Dugdale shall before Michaelmas next paye to Thomas Shephard v^s w^ch hee oweth him Orels to be Committed to the Compter.

6th July, 1609. This daye Roger Rayney Marchaunt tayler is elected & chosen Butler to this howse so longe as hee shall well & honestly behave himself therein And is to have all such fees and allowances as to his said place or office are incedent or belongeinge Provided hee enter into bond to the M^rs of this Company w^th sufficient surety w^th Condic?on to make good to this howse all such plate linen & oth^r thing? as shalbe committed to his chardge by the M^rs of this Company the Steward? of the Maiors feast The Maisters or Steward? of the Anathomy or Wardens of the Yomanry.

This daye uppon the due examinac?on of sev?all abuses & misbehaviours comitted by Thomas Goodale on of the Assistant? of this Company toward? Mr. Edward Rodes maister of this Company wrongefully chardgeinge him w^th injustice before the wholl Courte And for oth^r his misdemeanures hee is by the wholl Consent of this Court dismissed oute of the Assistance of this Company.

26th July, 1609. Whereas heretofore it hath byn observed for a rule and customary order that the M^rs of the Company to whom the Electo^rs on the Election day before dyÑn should deliver the names of such p?sons who were at such tyme elected M^rs of the Company for the yeare insuinge, should not give any notice to any new M^r so elected before the garland should be put upon his head, it was now thought fit that that rule should be put on one side, and that those chosen should be at once informed of their Election that they may make p?vision for the entertaynement of the livery, etc.

10th August, 1609. This day Richard Browne was admitted Armorer to the Company and to have p~. anÑ. xiij^s iiij^d and he to have a speciall care to keepe the Armour in repac?ons and to be therefore paid by the Rentor warden for the tyme beinge.

This day Mr. John Leacocke162 contemptuoslie dep?ted out of the Courte w^thout licence of the M^rs or of any of them And albeit he was required by the Clarke by the comand of the M^rs to come into the Courte beinge dep?ted out of the hall, he answered that he would not come againe Therefore it is ordred by this Courte that he shall pay his fine of iij^s iiij^d for dep?tinge the Court without the M^rs licence And if he refused to pay the said iij^s iiij^d then the som~e of xl^s is by this Courte ordred to be assessed and ymposed upon him w^ch if he shall likewise refuse to pay then he is by this Court dismissed out of the Assistaunce ipso facto.

Mr. Leacocke submitted and paid his fine 26th September, 1609.

21st August, 1609. In answer to a precept from the Lord Mayor, a certificate was sent to his Lordship that there were remaining of the 50 quarters of wheat wherewith the Company was charged, 20 quarters, and that the remainder had been sold in the Markets according to former precepts.

19th October, 1609. It was ordered that:—

no M^r or gov?no^r of this Company shall from henceforth have power or authority in them or any of them to sell morgage or ympawne the fower pieces of Tapistry hanging? or any of them w^ch were bought for the use and creditt of this house.

9th January, 1610. Att this Courte Henry Jones paid vj^d to the pore’s box for hanginge out his basons one Twelveth day last.

6th March, 1610. Att this Courte it is ordered that Thomas Burgis shall at the next Tusedayes Courte pay unto the widdow Burrowes his late M^ris iiij^s for that he hath broken her Combes and Sise^rs.

21st March, 1610. Att this Court it is ordered that the wyddow Saunde^rs shall no longer reteyne in her service one Allexander ffarrington uppon payne that if shee doe her basons shalbe taken downe & she comitted to the Compter.

8th May, 1610. At this Court it is ordered that Pyramus Porter shall be pn?tely discharged out of Prison being layd in by Richard Gessell for that Porter was layd in w^thout the M^rs Consent?.

Porter was Gessell’s apprentice, and their disagreements had been before the Court on a previous occasion.

20th August, 1610. Mr. William Gale (who had been Master, 1595) was elected Master; he was an eminent Surgeon but, dying on 19th November, 1610, was succeeded in his office by Mr. John Peck (who had been Master in 1605). Mr. Gale was buried at Monken Hadley, in the chancel of which church may still be seen in the floor on the North side of the Altar, a brass with an inscription to his memory, and two brasses with the effigies of his sons and daughters. There were formerly brasses of the effigies of William Gale and his two wives, but they have unfortunately been removed.

The arms of Gale (as appearing on his son’s brass in Monken Hadley Church) Az. on a fesse betw. three saltires ar. as many lyons’ heads era. of the field langued gules.163

20th September, 1610. Att this Court a motion being proposed by the present M^rs to thentent to bringe the howse out of debt, w^ch cannot be soddenly effected except the Assistaunt? of this board shall of their owne free will? by their p?ticuler free guift? or other wise by the voluntary free loane of money to this howse for a certayne tyme, be assistinge And thereupon M^r Warden ffenton declared that o^r M^r was contented toward? soe good an acc?on to gyve freely xx^li and M^r Warden ffenton vj^li xiij^s iiij^d M^r Warden Veare iij^li vj^s viij^d M^r Warden Hassald xl^s And demaundinge of the residue of the bord what they would gyve, M^r Wood he would gyve x^li if the howse will renewe his lease, M^r S?jaunt Goodorus would thinck of itt, M^r Leycock M^r Thorney M^r Gerard M^r Rodes & M^r ffrederick would doe the lick M^r Thomas Martyn would gyve xx^s M^r Isard vj^s viij^d M^r Mapes would gyve xl^s M^r Johnson M^r ffoster M^r Ingolsby & M^r Coghill they would doe as others in their Ranck would doe. M^r Cook would gyve xxxiij^s iiij^d.

16th October, 1610. Att this Court It is agreed that one Henry Pullyard a Drummer shalbe admitted to be the Drummer to this howse And he is to have for ev?y dayes service that he shall serve as a Drummer to this Company on the lord Mayors daie the some of xiij^s iiij^d.

20th November, 1610. Att this Court ytt is ordered that William Jones shall bringe in the next Tuesdaye Cort xx^s for a ffyne for keeping two shoppes.

22nd November, 1610. Roger Joanes, a Waterman, was appointed Bargeman with a yearly fee of 20s., and was in consideration thereof to find a Barge with “all thing? therein and therewith fittinge” whenever the Company should require the same for £3 on each occasion.

11th June, 1611. Itt is likewise ordered that the Clothworker w^ch practizeth Barberye about Thames Street if he be found workinge, that then he shalbe comitted to the Compter.

18th July, 1611. At this Court upon the humble suite of Edward Handsome it was thought fitt & decreed that he should first agree w^th the Informer, w^ch being done come & make his suite to this house at some Court of Assistant? and then he shoulde knowne & fynd howe kyndlye they would deale w^th him.

8th October, 1611. At this Court John Scott was ffyned at vj^s viij^d for refuseinge to holde the place of a whiffler.

4th May, 1613. At this Court Henry Clawes came before the M^rs and by them is p?hibited and forbidden to keepe a Barbo^rs shopp or deale any more in surgery for that he is noe denizen.

22nd August, 1614. It was ordered that in future, any liveryman being called to the Court should pay a fine of five marks. It does not appear that before this time a fine had been taken on like occasions.

By an entry about this date, it seems that when a “foreigner” was admitted to the livery he paid £5 for yeomanry and £5 for livery fines in one payment.

30th March, 1615. At this Court it is further ordered that the new Ryver water shalbe taken into this howse so as it maie be had for 30^s fyne & 30^s p? anÑ in rent.

6th July, 1615. The hall, which was in “great decay,” was ordered to be viewed by a Committee of the Court, as to its restoration.

11th November, 1615. At this Court our M^r acquayntinge them how unfortunatlie it hath happened that the Hall on Tewsdaie night last beinge 7 November was broken open & what losse the howse susteyned thereby. Whereupon it was then presentlie considered and then ordered that a present course be taken for the spedie repaieringe of the howse & tresory howse and that the same shalbe forthwith stronglie borded & made up at the charges of the howse. And for this purpose this Court did noiate the p’nte M^r together with M^r Peck M^r ffenton M^r Martyn & M^r ffoster for to be Comittees for the well orderinge & appoyntinge of the workmen to doe & finish this worke as in their discretions shalbe thought mete. And what the Comittees or anie three or two of them shall thinke fittinge to be done this howse will rate for & allow of as also of the charge to be borne by this howse.

Note That the xj^th daie of November Thomas Lyne confessed how he was the plotter for the Robbinge of o^r Hall and how o^r plate was Carried to Westm? & our monie was devided amongst the theves who were these Thomas Jones Nicholas Sames & Walter ffoster wc~h did break open the Hall, whereupon the Clarke haveinge order from o^r M^r went to Westm? & upon search there made found our plate locked up in a trunke in the howse of one .... a shoemaker xj^li xviij^s of the monie M^r Warden Coop? found the same daie in the howse of one ffulses in Fleete Street. About the xvj^th of Nov. then followinge Thomas Jones was taken who beinge brought to Newgate in December followinge Jones & Lyne were both executed for this fact.
In January followinge Sames was taken & executed. In April 1616 ffoster was taken & executed. Now letts pray God to blesse this howse ever from any more of these damigees. Amen.

13th December, 1615. At this Court was gyven unto the officers in regard of their paynes taken in apprehendinge the theves & obteyninge our plate 5^li that is to the Clarke 40^s & 30^s a peice to the beadell & Porter.

30th June, 1617. At this Court is gyven unto the weif of John Davis a fre brother who lieth in prison x^s.

27th January, 1618. Upon the humble petic?on unto this Companie preferred by Thomas Shaw a pore brother of this Companie & now lyeinge in Ludgate thereby sueing for some releife to discharge him out of prison. It is therefore ordered by this Court that if the some of 30^s will discharge him out of prison it shalbe disbursed out of the stock of this howse.

20th September, 1622. At this Court is gyven to Susan the Clark? mayde toward? her marriage 40^s in gratuity.

At this Court it is ordered that Jones the Waterman shall have for the hier of our barge against the lord Maio^rs day fower pound? So as it is a large barge will hold the hole lyvery And to worke w^th 7 or 8 oweis.164

31st January, 1625. It is straightly ordered by this Courte that the p?nte M^rs or Governo^rs and their successors shall take speciall care to comence and prosecute any suite by lawe against any ignorant imposters or other p?sons exerciseing the arte of Chirurgery aboute this Cittie not free of this Companye & alsoe such as shall keepe shoppes for barbery within this Cittye being free of other Companies & not of ours.

19th January, 1626. This daye John Mills and George Roades are chosen to be of our Assistants for Barbars and Henry Blackley and Peter Thorney for Surgions.

Item this Courte takeing into their considerac?ons the fewnes of our Livery many of them being lately dead by reason of the late greate visitac?on doe elect and choose John Pinder Edward Charley Edward ffleete Robert Clarke Samuell Dye and Lewis Gossidge to be of the Clothing of our Companye.

15th February, 1626. At this Courte it is ordered that William Kellett do bring in his fine of vj^s viij^d at the next Courte for his unseemely carriage and vile language to Walter Preist being contrary to the ordinance and good goverment of this house, which fine the said William Kellett here in Courte refused and said he would not paye it.

At the same Court Priest was ordered to pay Kellett £3 which he owed him.

8th June, 1626. Kellett, not having paid his fine, was ordered to be dismissed out of the livery.

26th October, 1626. But becoming repentant, he made humble suit to the Court to be reinstated, “protesting here in Courte that as he hopeth to be saved he did not speak those word? and if he did he is very sorroy for it,” upon which submission and payment of his fine, he was readmitted to the livery.

23rd February, 1626. This daye upon the petic?on of Thomas Borne and a certificate under the hand of Docto^r Allott that the said Borne was a Scholler of the house in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge it is ordered by the Court that for one yeare ensueing he shall have iij^li to be paid him by M^r War? Molins.

1st February, 1627. Item It is ordered by this Courte that there shalbe given unto M^r Docto^r Gwyn and his sonne for his preferm^t in takeing degree of Batchelo^r of Arte in the universitie of Oxenford xij^li as the free gift of this Court.

9th November, 1628. This daye Richard Roades a Barbar & Surgion hath leave to open his shopp according to the ordinances of this house.

Roades was probably a man who had practised both as a Barber and a Surgeon outside the Company’s jurisdiction (the common usage of those days), but now being admitted a brother he had licence to practise “according to the ordinances,” that is, either as a Barber or a Surgeon, but not as both.

5th February, 1629. Upon the humble petic?on made unto this Courte by John ffranck a professor of Surgery the sonne of John ffrancke late of the clothing of the livery of this Companie for that the said ffranck is nowe taken prisoner in Turkey and his ransome is assessed to 600 Crownes. In comiserac?on of whose distressed estate in a deede of charitye of soe greate consequence this courte doth order that upon the said John ffranck? being safe delivered into England here alive he shall have viij^li paid unto such p?tie as the ransome doth belong unto.

24th July, 1629. This daye in the complaint made unto this Court by Henry Edward? against John Cox for arresting of him without the consent of the Maisters they both being here present in Court It is ordered that Edward? shall paye Cox the xx^s which he received of him uppon the wager that was wagered betweene them, and that M^r Cox shall withdraw his acc?on and proceede noe further in lawe and It is further ordered that M^r Cox shall paye his fine of a marke on the next Tuesdaie for not askeing leave of the Maisters to arrest him.

1629. The fine for not serving Steward of the Mayor’s feast was £13 6s. 8d., and this had been the usual fine for many years.

16th September, 1630. A reference is made to a brick building which a tenant of the Company was erecting at Holborn Bridge, under the direction of Inigo Jones.

28th January, 1631. This Court doth give to Marshall Petoe165 for his elegies on M^r Banck? his fun?all v^s.

15th March, 1631. It is ordered by this Courte that the 12 Electors shalbe chosen and drawne by a ballotting box in this manner, twoe out of the auncient M^rs one barbar one Surgion, 6 out of those of the whole Assistant? 3 Barbars 3 surgions, 4 out of the livery 2 barbars 2 surgions as shalbe present on the Election daie.

10th April, 1632. Nicholas Moseley made complaint against goody Smith of her unruly and disorderly liefe amongst the Tenement? in the alley at Holborne Bridge and thereupon this Court doth give him leave to expulse her from dwelling [there] any longer.

2nd July, 1632. This daye upon the humble and pittifull petic?on made unto this Court by Richard Hayeward in the behalfe of Ric: Heyward his son whoe is now captivated and inthrawled under the slaverye of the Turke and his Ransome being to the som~e of one C^i. w^ch the said Heyward is not able to raise, This Court therefore compassionateing the said Richard Heywards distressed estate, whoe being a Christian is in bondage to those Turkish & heathen Infidelles dothe order that there shalbe x^li. paid out of the stock of this house for and towards the ransomeing and redeemeing the Captive at such tyme as the said Richard Heyward the son shalbe delivered alive here in England and not otherwise.

6th February, 1633. Anthony Mondeys widd p?nted to this Court a Booke called The Surveigh of London beinge in folio and newlie printed.

This would be Munday’s edition of Stow presented by his widow, and for which she, in return, had a present from the Court.

29th November, 1633. It is ordered that for the stock of Corne to be provided yearely by this house every one of the Assistant? of the Liverye shall lend xl^s. presently and every one of the liverye shall lend xx^s. o^r M^r giveing a noate under his hand that the house shall repaie it within a moneth after each mans death to his executo^rs if it be demaunded And soe hereafter every p?son that cometh into the Assistant? to lend xl^s. or that cometh into the liverye to lend xx^s.

CORN NOTE.CORN NOTE.

4th March, 1634. 52 quarters of corn only being in the granary, it was ordered that 8 quarters more should be purchased to make up the complement of 60, which the Company were required by the City to keep in stock.

14th January, 1634. The question of “Ship money” being considered by the Court, it was thought that the Surgeons of the Company were free from the same by Charter, and a Committee of the Court was appointed to take counsel’s opinion thereon.

20th April, 1635. £10 was ordered to be given towards the restoration of the Church of St. Alban, Wood Street.

2nd June, 1635. Hugh Ward, for his absence from lectures, was summoned before the Court, when he used “approbrious language,” and defied the Masters,

Whereupon this Court did in the Lord Maiors name comitt the said Hugh to the Compter in Woodstreete & charged the said Ward to staye but he struggled to gett forth of y^e parlor soe the M^rs comaunded the dores to be shutt till an officer had taken him in charge, but after the officer had him in charge and they were gone forth into the streete (as the officer reported to this Court) Ward stepped from him and drew his knife & swoare hee would sheath it in his guttes if he came after him and soe he made an escape from the officer.

Wood Street, Compter.

On the east side of Wood Street, stood this Prison, pertaining to the Sheriffs of London, built in the Mayoralty of Sir Samuel Strange, K^nt:—(Sir John Smith, & James Edwards, Esq.^r being Sheriffs) in the year 1670.

Publish’d Jan^y. 1 1793 by N. Smith G.^t Mays Buildings, S^t. Martins Lane

13th August, 1635. Ward made his submission and paid a fine of 40s.

1st December, 1635. John Robinson a forreyne bar~b was questioned here in Court for setting up a barbars shopp in Blackfriers before he had made knowne to this Court that he had served 7 yeares appn?ticeship with a barbar by trade, and had a licence to sett upp shopp, said he was bound app?ntice to Rich. Davyes of Hereford barbar x^th of Januar xxj^th of King James for 8 yeares but could not bring testimony he had served that time This Court doth charge him to take in his barbars pole & basons & to forbeare keepeing that shopp any longer.

8th March, 1637. Whereas there was an intenc?on to make an open Gallery The Court is now resolved & doe order that it shalbe made a convenient faire Parlour over the walke leading into the Theater at the cost? of y^s house.

30th March, 1637. It is ordered that the Gallery or Parlour leading to the Theater from the Bullwarke shalbe built and the Hall Cupboard that cants into the stone yarde shalbe taken downe and the leade thereof shalbe imployed to leade the Tarris that passeth from that plo^r into the Theater.

19th May, 1637. £10 was ordered to be paid towards the ransom of Thomas Wright, a Surgeon, who had been captured by the Turks.

10th June, 1637. It is ordered that the 3 stone Columb? allready wrought shalbe sett up and the walk next the hall side to be leaded over and railes & turned ballasters to be sett up Alsoe that there shalbe Iron barrs for all the windowes Alsoe a portland stone for the mantle tree Alsoe a tablett of stone shalbe sett up in the front and the M^r & Wardeins names to be insculpted thereon and a sunn diall to be in a convenient place.

24th July, 1637. It is ordered that the Concave seeleing of the Theater shalbe painted with the Constellac?ons of the Heavens and the 7 planetts over the 12 signes in every peere and sceletons to be wrought and sett up on every one of the 12 signes or Corbells.

Alsoe that this mottoe shalbe sett in the tablett of stone in the front of the greate p?lor. This Parlour was built in y^e yeare of o^r Lord 1637 M^r Richard Powell being M^r M^r John Heydon M^r W^m Huckle M^r Law: Cotton Wardeins.

13th August, 1637. The painting the ceiling of the Theatre was ordered to be deferred until next year, and the scaffolding to be taken down forthwith.

20th September, 1637. It is ordered that the seeleing of the greate p?lo^r shalbe boarded shott & planed over with hole deales.

20th September, 1637. It is ordered that there shalbe given xl^s to St Edmunds berey for reliefe of the poore people visited with the plague.

20th November, 1637. It is ordered that the yeomanryes hearse cloth shalbe altered and the imbrothered scutchions & figures to be decently sett by an Imbrotherer to be alwayes used at the publique discections in the Theater.

28th December, 1637. This daye complaint was made ag^t Thomas Trevilion now Rento^r Wardein both for his obstinacy and ill words and exacting money from yonge freemen and throughing up his keyes of the Threasurye & sayeing he would come no more to keepe Court? at the Hall and desireing to be put out of his place, for w^ch his misdemeano^rs and other evill behavio^r being made apparent to this Court and his acknowledgem^t of them upon due considerac?on of all w^ch It is ordered by this Court y^t the said Thomas Trevilion doe stand and shalbe from henceforth absolutely removed and dismissed from his office & place of ffowerth M^r or Governo^r.

Mr. William Lingham was subsequently chosen in Trevilion’s place.

The Court sometimes acted in the capacity of private trustees of the estates of deceased members, and among the archives there remains a deed of acknowledgment signed by the Master and Wardens in 1637, wherein it is recited that Richard Mapes, a former Master of the Mystery, deceased, had left legacies to his four children, then being infants, and had appointed his wife Faith, executrix and trustee, with the proviso that in the event of her marrying again the Court of this Company were to be the trustees for the said children, and that the widow, having remarried, had paid over the children’s portions to the Masters or Governors. Attached is the seal of the Barber Surgeons, unfortunately not perfect, though a good specimen.

8th February, 1638. It is ordered that the Seaven liberall Sciences shalbe provided for the Theater by the M^r and Wardens at the house charge soe it exceede not x^li. x^s. the carveing of them.

29th March, 1638. The whole of the Assistants and Livery were called together to know what they would give to the building fund, when the following sums were promised.

M^r Serj Clowes	x^li.	Edward Charley	v^li.	Robert Bulluck	iij^li.
M^r Rich Wateson	x^li.	Edward ffleete	v^li.	Thomas Bowden	iij^li.
M^r Michaell Andrews	x^li.	Henry Eaton	v^li.	John Dorrell	iiij^li.
M^r Hen Blackley	x^li.	Henry Boone	v^li.	James Clarke	iiij^li.
M^r Warden Burgen	v^li.	Samuell Sambrooke	iij^li.	Hugh Warde	ij^li.
M^r Warden Cotton	v^li.	Hugh Napkin	ij^li.	William Watson	iij^li.
M^r Warden Lingham	v^li.	Morrice Griffith	v^li.	Nicholas Brothers	iij^li.
M^r John Heydon	v^li.	W^m Bennett	ij^li.	John Meredith	iij^li.
M^r Nicholas Heath	v^li.	Robert Terrill	ij^li.	Thomas Biggs	iiij^li.
M^r William Huckle	iij^li.	Edward Arris	v^li.	Phillip Gill	v^li.
M^r Martine Browne	x^li.	Humfrey Painter	iij^li.	Charles Stamford	iij^li.
M^r W^m Kinge	v^li.	Thomas Allen	ij^li. x^s.	James Walsall	iij^li.
M^r John Pinder	v^li.	Lawrence Loe	v^li.

3rd July, 1638. This daye was made knowne to this Court y^t Joⁿ Pemberton formerly chosen an Assistant hath given his answeare that he will not hold that place nor come to the Hall unlesse he were drawne with wild horses thither, whereupon this Court doth fine him at x^li. & that he shalbe prosecuted for the same at Lawe.

16th August, 1638. A stormy election of Master and Wardens was holden this day, and a very precise minute of the proceedings is entered, from which it appears that the Court and Livery being assembled, the Master declared—

The occasion of this solempne meeteing & the necessarye succession of the Governors & governem^t of this Corporac?on. And thereupon a ballatting box being sett on the table and the names of the auncient M^rs & Assistants and livery being severally put into the twoe Sells of y^t box, o^r M^r according to order did first drawe forth the names of theis twelve p?sons following for Electors viz^t for the Six Surgians M^r Rich Wateson M^r Martine Browne M^r Joⁿ Pinder Tho. Tomlinson Edward Arris & Henry Eaton. And for the other six M^r Richard Powell M^r William Huckle M^r Joⁿ Davyes M^r Samuell Die Hen. Hodgkinson & Evan Owen. And thereupon the said Electors haveing w^thdrawne themselves from the publique Assemblye & taken their oathes upon the holye evangelists for the election of fower Masters or Governo^rs for the yeare ensueing, The M^rs and the rest of the Assembly made their repaire to the Church and after Sermon upon their returne to the Hall the Masters being called to those 12 Electors they were informed that the Election could not proceede and be made,

by reason that certain of the Electors being of divers trades were unable to agree upon two persons expert in Barbery, and these Electors refusing to choose two Masters Barbers, a Court was at once held and the six Barber Electors were discharged, six more Electors being chosen and called; two of these, however, being contaminated by those already dismissed, refused to serve, and eventually a fresh set of Electors was chosen, who retired, and elected Mr. William Clowes, Serjeant-Surgeon to the King, as Master, and three others Wardens, “and after dinner ended and the Seremonye p?formed by the Masters or Governo^rs of chooseing the new M^rs or Governo^rs with silver Garlands in the publique Hall,” the new Master and Wardens were sworn in.

8th November, 1638. A great feud having arisen between the Court and Richard Morrice, an Assistant, a suit was prosecuted against Morrice in the Earl Marshal’s Court, when the sentence pronounced against him was that he should attend the Court at the Hall, and there bareheaded rehearse in an audible voice an abject apology, the exact words of which are set out. This Morrice did, and the Master and Wardens having testified the same, he was again called into Court, when it would seem that his apology had been made under fear of the Earl Marshal and not of his free will, for the Court calling upon him to make answer “for his contentious carriage & foule & bitter languages & invective speeches by him given from Court to Court ag^t divers Assistant? to the generall disturbance of their Court? he refused to cleare himselfe or to give answeare,” whereupon the Court dismissed him from his place as an Assistant.

13th September, 1640. This Court is willing that there shalbe a distribuc?on of M^r Mapes Legacy on Cosmas and Damianus day being the 27^th of this Instant September to 12 poore people 12 Angells according to the directions of M^ris Joy they haveing red crosses on theire brests.

Memorand. on the 27^th September being Cosmus and Damianus day 6^li 13^s 4^d was distributed according to M^r Richard Mapes Will. viz^t These 12 poore persons free of our Company came into our Hall with red Crosses each of them on theire right Brests and the Governours gave to each of them 10^s which amounted to 6^li and the 13^s 4^d was to themselves for a repast for their paynes.

	Widdow Wright.	Widdow Chapman.
	Widdow James.	Widdow Tyler.
The poores	Widdow Colley.	Widdow Pebworth.
names were	Old Holmewood.	Old Kelham.
	Widdow Bullock.	John Mulis.
	Blind Reynolds.	Widdow Wadlowe.

20th November, 1640. A dispute between Edward Molins and one Coppinger was heard by the Court, when the decision was against Molins, and he was fined for using bad language.

12th January, 1641. Edward Molins came into the Court and stood in the face of the Court with his Hatt on his head and his Armes on his side and told the Court he would doe noe obedience to the co^te and swore Gods wounds he would submitt to noe man liveing.

15th January, 1641. Molins was fined 40^s for this contempt.

18th January, 1641. Richard Tompkins & Symon Crouch Surgeons by profession yet useing Barbery, This Court doth give them Order by our Lady day next to leave barbeing it being against y^e Statute to practise both.

29th July, 1641. Mr. George Dunn hath given 5^li to buy Bookes for the Library which is by this Court ordered to be performed accordingly.

There having been many quarrels in the Court, and various members expelled, a general shaking of hands appears to have taken place, for we read:—

30th July, 1644. This Court doth thinke fitt and soe order That a Sermon be made on the next Election day of thankes giveing to Almighty God for peace and amity which is now begun to be restored among the members of the Company And that M^r Sharpe be desired to performe the same.

9th March, 1645. This day M^r Callice Barber being complayned of for teaching to trimm to other then his Apprentices contrary to the Ordinance of this House did absolutely deny the same upon the Oathe that he tooke upon his admission into the ffreedome.

17th March, 1645. Mr. William Kings this day freely gave for the Ornament of this House a great Tortershell Whereon at his owne charge he hath given order for the Companyes Armes to be painted.

This shell is preserved at the Hall.

7th January, 1646. M^r Michaell Markeland appeareing to this Court at the request of our M^r he was here complayned of to have embalmed severall humane Bodyes within this City against the Ordinance of this Company in that behalf being an Apothecary and not a Surgeon approved according to Law Nor a ffreeman of this Company which M^r Markeland acknowledged But alleadged It was through his ignorance Not knowing that the right thereof was in approved Surgeons and ffreemen of this Company only and none other And being now well satisfyed thereof haveing heard the said Ordinance read unto him promised not to doe the like againe.

2nd June, 1646. This daye Mr. Lawrence Loe Chirurgeon a Member of this Company through his good affection thereunto Did for the worship thereof freely offer to give for the beautifying of the Hall soe many stones of black and white Marble as shalbe sufficient for the Pavement thereof.

These marbles were laid to form the floor at the upper end of the Hall, and when the Hall was pulled down they were preserved and now form the pavement in the Entrance to the Hall from Monkwell Street.

There is a Memorandum that Mr. John Bancks by his will left—

To the Company of Barber Chirurgions London so long as they shall performe the uses hereafter limitted (or els not) To be paid them betwixt the first and seaventh day of May next after the decease of the said John Banckes and so yearely for ever the sum~e of Twenty shillings w^ch Twenty shillings shalbe by the said Company distributed in forme following viz^t To Twelve poore householders or widowes of the same Company To each of them ffower pound? weight of good beefe Two penny loaves of good sweet bread Two pence a peece in mony and each of them one Woodden platter.

14th December, 1646. This Court doth at the humble suite of the Ordinary of the Goale of Newgate freely give unto him 10^s for his releife in his present want.

7th July, 1647. This Court doth give to John ffranck Chirurgeon who hath bin for a long time in Captivity in Turkey iiij^li towards the setting him forth to sea and doth order that he be admitted into the ffreedome gratis when he shall desire it.

See the Minute 5th February, 1629. John Franck (the son of a Liveryman) was doubtless a “foreign brother,” and entitled to his freedom by patrimony upon payment of the fine, which the Court now ordered to be dispensed with if he wished to take up his freedom. Being a Sea Surgeon only, it was not necessary that he should be free of the Company. He had probably been in slavery 18 years!

Several entries similar to the following are to be found in the books.

9th August, 1647. Upon the humble suite of Thomas Tomlinson an ancient Member of this Company and of the Livery now fallen into greate Poverty and Want for some charitable releife from this Company. This Court being moved in Compassion to his deplorable Condic?on and calling to mind his former good service to this Company Doth freely give him 10^li. out of the Stock of this House.

14th September, 1648. Samuell Needler an examined Chirurgeon complayned to this Court that he was required to beare Armes notwithstanding his exempc?on therefrom and therefore craved this Courts Assistance in his defence therein which was granted.

27th October, 1648. M^r Warden Madocks and certaine others of the Assistants here present desireing to peruse our Charter for theire informac?on the better to enable them for the Governement of this Company had a sight thereof and were well satisfyed in every particuler.

13th August, 1655. Mr. John Gale of Bushey (son of William Gale, M. 1595) a Surgeon of this Company, by his Will of this date left to the Barber-Surgeons £16 per annum, payable out of certain houses on Snow hill, in the parish of Saint Sepulchre, for the founding of an Anatomy lecture in the name of Gale’s Anatomy. This trust was transferred to the Surgeons’ Company in 1745.

Our Minute Books from the year 1651 to 1689 are unhappily lost; they are known to have been at the Hall as recently as 1832. Should any reader ever light upon them, he is particularly entreated to communicate with the Clerk of the Company or with the author.

1689. The practice was now adopted of entering all admissions to the freedom, etc., in the Court Minute Books (as well as in the Register) the forms being as follows:—

3rd September, 1689. For an apprentice:

Joh?s Rawson app~r Caroli Peters admis est ex R?l Magr~i & Jur~.

for a freeman by patrimony:

Ptrus Hartley Stac?oner fil? Thome Hartley Civis & Barbitonsor? & Chirurg? London admis est p? patrimÕn ex R?l Isaacii Boddington Weaver & Wil~l~i Bletsoe Grocer, Wil~l~i Bateman Barbitonsor? & Chirurgor? London & Jur~.

for a freeman by redemption:

Henr~ Chamberlane admis est p? redemc?on v?tute or?em Cur? Major? & Al?rn Dat xviij^o die Augusti 1689 & Jur~.

17th January, 1690. This day an order was sealed to presse 40 Surgeons mates for the Kings service in Ireland.

At this period all freemen on their admission “took the oathes menc?oned in a late Act of Parliament & subscribed the Declarac?on therein named”: these were the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy as required by the “Bill of Rights” (passed December, 1689).

2nd July, 1690. Ordered that the Clarke keep an accompt of all p?sons faleing at a Court of Assistants and that every one faileing for every such time soe doeing shall forfeit v^s & shall not be admitted to binde or make ffree untill he or they have made payment of the same of which they are to have notice except S^r John Letheullier S^r Humfry Edwin & M^r Thomas Canham.

29th April, 1693. Ordered that the 2 Chirurgeons Governo^rs & whome they shall thincke fitting to call to them Attend the Archbishopp of Canterbury conserning his Barber practiceing Chirurgery.

20th July, 1693. Ord^d that a lease bee taken of the Archbishopp for one & twenty yeare from the 19^th day of July 1693 for the Barge house166 & that as the Governo^rs have agreed a ffine of the same they pay to his Grace the sume of one hundred pounds besides ffees.

3rd October, 1693. Ordered that the Bargeman have a new coate & britches &c.

19th July, 1694. Ordered that M^r George Minikin bee warned before the Lord Major to shew cause why he doe not attend the Court of Assistants as he hath been chosen one of them.

18th June, 1696. A new sun dial was ordered to be put up.

About this period there seems to have been a general disinclination to serve as an Assistant, many of the Livery being fined £10 for refusing to serve the office, while some who had sat as Assistants were dismissed the Court for non-attendance.

25th October, 1697. Ordered that the Barge house bee mended & M^r Warden Pinke take care to see it done.

18th August, 1698. Ordered that the Govern^rs dispose of the Barge & let the Barge house from yeare to yeare.

12th October, 1698. Ordered That there may be papers made for a subscriptÕn for a Barge.

21st October, 1700. Ordered that the ill manadgement of the late Master M^r Tho: Lichfeild as to his office of Master and his other offices of Warden bee p?sented to the next Court of Assistants in order to bee expel?d the s?d Court it being the opinion of this Comittee that he deserves soe to bee as alsoe for being any longer an examin^r he haveing acted contrary to the establish^mt of the Corporac?on in the s^d offices.

8th November, 1700. A Committee of the Court having waited upon the Commissioners of the Navy and reported that Mr. Lichfeild had committed irregularities in certifying men as qualified Surgeons for sea service, such men not being duly qualified, the Court adjudged him to be dismissed from his office of an Examiner in Surgery, and out of the Court of Assistants.

10th March, 1707. The new Clerk, Mr. Chas. Bernard, seems to have been industrious in searching out practising Barbers not free of the Company, as also others who had committed abuses; several were fined and compelled to take up their freedom and this day the following entries occur:—

Clyett being sum~oned for Shaveing on Sunday last appeared before the Comittee and the fact being plainly proved against him the Comittee fined him ten shillings for his said offence.

Newland being sum~oned for the like offence appeared also before the Comittee but there being no possitive proofe against him he was dismissed.

John Gould a Dutchman being sum~oned for keeping a Shopp and exercising the trade of a Barber not being free of this Company And the matter being plainly proved against him the Comittee ordered him to be prosecuted on the statutes of the 32nd of Hen 8^th and the 5^th of Queen Elizabeth.

Ordered that a Second Sum~ons be sent to all such Defaulters as have not appeared with intimation that theire ffines will be levied on them by distresse.

Ordered that Thomas Latham be sum~oned to take upp his ffreedome & that all other persons exerciseing Barbery not being ffree of this Company be sum~oned.

17th March, 1707. Nineteen delinquents who had been summoned appeared, and their cases were heard; a few examples will suffice—One Darby was “seen to comb a persons haire on Sunday morning last but alleadging that it was his ffather,” he was let off with 5s. fine.

Lewis Roger made answer that it “was onely his Apprentice combing a persons haire without his knowledge and that it was his first offence,” he likewise escaped with a 5s. fine.

James Good was more fortunate, for proving that his offence “was onely the Combing of a Lodgers Wigg,” he escaped.

Willm. Haslegrove appears to have filled up the measure of his iniquity, for being detected in “actually shaveing a person on Sunday morning,” he was fined 10s.

Samuel Beaumont, charged with keeping two Barbers’ shops, had a month given him to part with one of them, and John Shoard who, not being free of the Company, kept a Barber’s shop in Cloth Fair, was ordered to quit the same within two months.

31st March, 1707. Elizabeth Presbury being sumoned appeared & alleadged that she was very poore & that her husband was an Idle man and promised to reforme her method whereupon the Comittee excused her.

The number of Barbers fined for working on Sundays, or for keeping shop not being free, was enormous, and it becomes wearying to travel through the records of their offences and fines.

17th June, 1708. Ordered that the Company’s Barge house and the Dwelling house thereunto belonging be forthwith repaired.

13th January, 1709. Sir Edward Northey was appointed standing counsel to the Company with a yearly retainer of two guineas.

15th April, 1709. Upon complaint made against one Henry Drudge for exerciseing Barbery & Surgery w^thin the City not being ffree he attended and alleadged that he haveing been a Soldier in the late Warr thought himself intituled to keep his Shoppe without takeing up his ffreedome, by Virtue of the Act of Parliament made upon the disbanding the Army which gives liberty to disbanded soldiers to exercise any trade within the Corporations or places where they were borne, altho? they had not served seven years to it But the Court believing that act did not extend to Drudge by reason he was not borne in London, ordered that in case he did not shut up his Shop in a month’s time he should be prosecuted.

21st July, 1709. In consequence of the great expense to which the Company had been put in the repairs to the Hall, the Court determined to call thirty-one freemen into the Livery, and the fine being £10 each on admission or £20 on refusal, a considerable sum was realized.

It having been suggested to the Court that the yeomanry objected to pay 20s. for “corn money” when called to the Livery, the Clerk was directed to enquire into the origin of that tax, and finding that it had been originally levied on each member taking his livery, to satisfy the precepts made in 1633, and afterwards for providing a stock of corn for the City; and for that at the present time the Company had no Granary or stock of corn to provide, and “being out of debt,” it was ordered that in future this fine should be discontinued.

18th August, 1709. At the Election, ten of the Livery who had attended without their gowns, were severally fined and paid 1s. each, and there are other references to Assistants being fined for not appearing in their gowns.

4th October, 1709. A complaint being made against Richard Stockwell for being copartner with a fforreigner & the fact being made appeare pritty plain against him the Court fined him five pounds being the penalty imposed by the By Law, But upon his promise to discharge his said partner the Court were pleased to remitt his ffine.

18th April, 1710. M^r John Booth a Surgeon at Warrington in Lancashire applying to this Court to be admitted a fforeign brother & he being examined in Surgery & approved It was ordered that upon his payment of ten Guineas he should be admitted a fforeign brother of this Company, But the said M^r Booth refusing to take that part of the fforeign brothers oath whereby he was sworne to be true to the Queen he was not for that reason admitted.

1st June, 1710. It is ordered that the Members present at this Court shall be excused from wearing their gowns in regard to the heat of the weather.

20th October, 1710. It is ordered for the accomodation of the Members of this Court of the Barbers side for the seeing & being heard at Courts of Assistants That for the future at all Courts of Assistants the Governo^rs on the Surgeons side shall set even with the Ma^r next on his right hand & the Governo^rs on the Barbers side next on his left. But that at all other Courts all the Governo^rs shall according to their seniority sett along the side of the Parlour Table on the left hand of the Master in such maner as has been accustomed.

11th January, 1711. The Clerk’s and Beadle’s houses were ordered to be insured against fire, for £600 in the “Amicable Society.”

20th February, 1711. Mr. Willm. Smith, an Assistant, complained that Mr. Joseph Cosins, also an Assistant, and his junior in the freedom, had always taken precedence of him at the Courts, whereupon the matter was considered and the following order made:—

Forasmuch as it appeared that M^r Cosins was first chosen into the Court of Assistants & that it is in the power of this Court to chuse whom they shall think fitt to be an Assistant out of the whole Livery without respect to Seniority & for that M^r Cosins continued for many years in his present station as Assistant The Court were of opinion & did so declare themselves to be That the s^d M^r Cosins shou’d continue to take place of the said M^r Smith as he formerly had done.

9th July, 1711. The Common Seal of the Company being worn out a new one was ordered to be cut in steel, together with an “Ingine,” wherewith to make the impressions.

6th May, 1712. Ordered that the Porter who shaves att the Custome house be sum~oned.

27th May, 1712. Walter Browne being “one of the people called Quakers,” was admitted into the freedom and took a “solemn affirmation.”

7th April, 1713. Valentine Day Tallow Chandler was admitted into the freedom of this Company by Redempc?on and at the same time was admitted to ffine for all offices to the Parlour door for both which he paid a ffine Clock worth 30^li.

5th October, 1714. It is ordered that the Musitioners shall have five pounds for attending on the day of the Kings Entrance. (George I.)

5th June, 1716. Nathanael Charles owned that he has several times let blood for One shilling & sixpence upon which the Company ordered him to be prosecuted as also his Mast^r Joseph Roe; twas observed that Roe could not write his name having sett his mark only to the In?re.167

15th August, 1717. M^r William Highmore Jun^r haveing marryed the Vintners widow who kept the Bell Taverne in Nicholas Lane applying to this Court and acquainting them that he had quitted the Barbers Trade and had undertook the trade of a Vintner, and was for that reason under a necessity of becomeing a freeman of the Vintners Company or of takeing a License from the Crown to retail wine and praying of this Court to translate him from this Company to the Company of Vintners, This Court after hearing the By-Law in that behalf read and due considerac?on had thereof doth order that the said M^r William Highmore shall be translated from this Company into the Company of Vintners upon payment of £20 to the use of this Company and upon Condic?on that he shall not from henceforward exercise the trade of a Barber or Perriwig maker.

1st October, 1717. Robert Rainsford, the Company’s Barge Master, was ordered to have a new livery provided for him.

24th June, 1718. The Theatre was ordered to be repaired and beautified.

21st April, 1720. Mr. Berney, Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Fitzhugh, Liverymen Barbers, applied to the Court, giving their reasons and praying that the Court would petition the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council to suspend the act of Common Council restraining them from employing foreigners as journeymen, whereupon the matter was considered and the Court thought it would be contrary to their oaths to join in any such petition, because it was a standing By-Law of the Company, as well as of the City, that no Barber should employ any foreigner as a journeyman; it was also considered that such a liberty would prove a great discouragement to apprentices and that the present inconvenience complained of would soon be cured if Masters would sufficiently instruct their apprentices so as to make them useful during their servitude and competent as journeymen afterwards. The Court further decided to oppose, by every means in its power, the movement set on foot by Mr. Berney and his friends.

24th June, 1722. The lease of the Barge-house at Lambeth expiring in April, 1723, and the Archbishop having offered to renew the same for 21 years at £10 per annum and £100 fine, it was resolved not to renew it, in consequence of its being an unprofitable property, and the Company not then having a barge. The Barber-Surgeons let off part of their Barge-house to the Drapers and Ironmongers, and the Clerk was instructed to give those Companies notice that it was not the intention of this Company to renew the lease from the Archbishop.

2nd December, 1729. In consequence (as was alleged) of the difficulty in sometimes procuring a full Court, it was ordered that in future each Assistant who attended within one hour of the time mentioned in his summons and remained till the rising of the Court, should receive a fee of 2s. 6d.

1st February, 1731. It is ordered that all the Liverymen shall attend on Election day and Lord Mayors day in their Gowns and at publick anatomys in their Capps upon Forfieture of Three shillings and Fourpence for every offence.

8th July, 1731. A precept coming from the Lord Mayor recommending the Company to contribute “towards the relief of the poor sufferers by the late fires at Blanford Tiverton & Ramsey being read The Court upon considerac?on had thereof and from a just sense of the calamity and distress of their fellow subjects the late inhabitants of the said towns,” ordered £20 to be paid into the Chamber of London.

1732. The following fines were in force at this date, viz.:—

£6 6s. 0d. for a Barber admitted to the freedom by redemption.

£10 for a free Barber admitted to the Livery.

£30 for a Barber’s or Surgeon’s apprentice, made free by servitude, admitted to the Livery, and for all offices to the parlour door.

£7 7s. 0d. for examination, admission and diploma of a foreign brother.

£3 3s. 0d. for the same, if the applicant had been bound to a foreign brother at the Hall.

5th March, 1733. It is hereby referred to the Master & Wardens M^r Serj^t Dickins M^r Serj^t Amyand M^r Petty M^r Shott M^r Parker & M^r Maurice to receive proposalls for Building a Cupola in the Hall parlor and report the same to the next Court of Assistants.

19th July, 1733. Several of the livery attending upon a complaint against a Jew in Duke’s place for exercising the trade of a Barber without being free of the Company or having served seven years apprenticeship It is ordered that the Clerk of the Company shall sue the said Jew in such manner as he shall think fitt or be advised at the Company’s expence.

4th May, 1736. At this Court Abraham Diaz Delgadoa Jew was admitted into the freedom of the Company by Redemption for Ten pounds Ten shillings which he paid down and was sworn upon the Old Testament being a Jew.

3rd August, 1738. The Company contributed five guineas towards the Organ recently set up in the Church of Saint Alban, Wood Street.

3rd April, 1739. M^r John Owen a Freeman of the Company & who lives at Islington was chosen Musicianer to the Company in the room of M^r Brown dec~ed.

11th November, 1740. It is ordered (in regard this Company have no Barge) That the Waterman shall forthwith deliver up his Livery coat and Badge belonging to the Company to the Beadles and that he no longer be annually intitled from this Company to a new Coat nor make use of nor wear the old one but that when he shall be employed in the Companies service. And also that for the future on every Lord Mayor’s day that this Company shall walk in procession in order to attend the L^d Mayor a Stand or proper building shall be provided at the Companies expence for the better accomodation of the Livery belonging to this Company and in such manner and fform as several other Companies of this City are usually provided with on that day.

1745. The Surgeons are now separated from the Barbers.

8th August, 1745. The Clerk reporting that many of the Company, as well as Surgeons lately free of the Barber-Surgeons’ Company, were greatly in arrear in their quarterage, he was ordered to acquaint them that unless the said arrears were paid up forthwith, they would be sued.

17th September, 1745. The Company of Surgeons sent to the Company of Barbers two documents under their Common Seal, the one authorising Mr. Joseph Cruttenden to peruse and copy any Charters or documents in the possession of the Barbers, and the other empowering him to take possession of any books, papers or writings relating to Surgeons or Surgery only, on behalf of the Company of Surgeons; whereupon the Court acceded to the request, and gave instructions as to the same.

4th December, 1745. Mr. Cruttenden applied on behalf of the Surgeons’ Company for £510 (the Arrisian endowment) which had been directed to be paid by the Act of Parliament, whereupon the Master told him that by reason of the late fall in the Public Stocks, the Company could not without great loss, raise the money, but were ready to give the Surgeons a proper bond for the same, with Interest.

19th February, 1746. Forty-one freemen were reported as being fit and able persons to take the Livery, and were ordered to be summoned for the same with the intimation that if any refused he or they would be sued for the penalty of £20 each upon such refusal.

Of these, seven appeared at the next Court, took the livery and paid the fine of £10; six others begged to be excused. The remaining twenty-eight did not appear till later Courts, when some were excused, and others ordered to be sued; subsequently a large proportion of those nominated, accepted and paid their fines.

17th July, 1746. The Surgeons’ Company having pressed for payment of the £510 and Interest, and our Company having in Cash but £300, Mr. Luke Maurice (Master 1732, a Wine Merchant in Lime Street) lent the Company £200 at 4 1/2 per cent., and the Clerk advanced the balance, whereupon the principal, with £15 17s. 0d. interest, was paid to the Surgeons.

18th May, 1747. The Master acquainting the Court that he had employed M^r Whiston the Bookseller to putt the Company’s Library in order and to make a Catalogue and valuation thereof And that M{r} Whiston had appraised the same at Twenty Guineas And the Clerk acquainting the Court that a learned Physican had offered twenty-five Guineas for the Library together with the Skeleton and other curiosities formerly kept in the Library It was ordered that the Clerk should acquaint the Master of the Worshipfull Company of Surgeons with the said offer made to this Company And that this Court being desirous to manifest their esteem for and preserve the ffriendship of the Surgeons did give them the refusal of the said Library Skeleton and Curiosities at the said price of Twenty ffive Guineas And that in case of their acceptance thereof the rich and ancient Pall belonging to this Company should be at their service as a free gift.

16th July, 1747. The Clerk reported that he had made the above offer to the Surgeons who replied that they considered themselves entitled to the Library under the Act of 1745, but that to avoid controversy with the Barbers they would be willing to refer the matter to Counsel, whereupon it was resolved that the matter should be submitted to the opinion of Counsel.

5th July, 1749. Ordered that the Library of Books formerly belonging to the late united Company be forthwith sold for the most money that can be gotten for the same.

2nd June, 1749. Ordered that the Companys Arms be cast in lead and affixed upon the several houses belonging to this Company.

Various specimens of these castings are extant about the Hall, and in possession of Mr. Charles John Shoppee (Master 1878) and of the author.

2nd May, 1750. Ordered that M^r Paterson do wait upon the Earl of Burlington to know his Lordship’s intention about repairing the Company’s Theatre.

6th June, 1750. Ordered that the Clerk do write to the Right Honorable the Earl of Burlington to aquaint him of the ruinous condition of the Theatre and Company’s inability to repair the same and to know whether his Lordship will be pleased to order the said Repairs agreable to his own generous proposal in the Mastership of M^r Rutter.

Nothing came of this application.

1st August, 1750. Ordered that the Clerk do cause a Catalogue to be made of the Books in the Library, and that he deliver a copy thereof to M^r Samuel Rutter.

9th August, 1750. Mr. Gheys, Sculptor, was ordered to have the Skeleton, in exchange for the Bust of Inigo Jones, still preserved at the Hall.

3rd September, 1751. Resolved also that the old Pall be given to the Beadle.

This, alas! was the “rich and ancient pall.”

The Clerk was again directed to endeavour to sell the Library and it was disposed of to Mr. Whiston the Bookseller for £13!!

29th October, 1751. Resolved that the Doctors Gown and Hood be given to the Beadle.

13th August, 1752. Ordered that it be referred to the Master and Wardens to treat with M^r Thomas Reynolds about erecting a Cupola over the great Parlor agreable to the Draft now produced to this Court and about repairing the Roof And also repairing whitewashing and painting the said Parlor so as the Contract for that purpose do not exceed the sum of One hundred and seventeen pounds.

19th August, 1752. The Agreement between the Company and Mr. Reynolds was entered into at £116 15s., and the Specification of his work is recorded in the Minute Book, from which I extract the following:—

The Cupola compleat and properly secured glazed and ornamented with Stucco and the Roof covered with Milled lead seven pounds to the ffoot with good brass pulley in the middle fit for a Branch or Lustre. A new white veined marble Chimney piece and Slabb with a carved wooden ovalo round it and Slabb of the same Marble The Chimney piece of the same dimensions as the present and the Slabb six foot nine inches by two foot four inches with a new fire stone hearth.

The ceiling and ornaments thereof to be secured mended cleaned and whitewashed.

9th August, 1753. The Great Hall, Kitchen and Lobby were ordered to be repaired by Mr. Reynolds in accordance with his Estimate of £101 17s. 6d.

8th August, 1754. Ordered that the thanks of this Court be given to James Theobald Esq^r one of the Ancient Masters of the Company for the magnificent Lustre by him lately presented and at his Expense fixed up in their great parlor assuring him This Court doth most gratefully accept the same as a monument of his regard for the honor and prosperity of the Company.

This handsome lustre still adorns the Court Room.

12th September, 1754. The Court having considered the state of the Theatre, which was out of repair, and for which the Company had no use, ordered advertisements to be inserted twice in three daily papers, asking for tenders for the materials of the same, and for pulling down and clearing it away. The “N.B.” to the advertisement states that “The Doors, Benches and Railes of the said Theatre are of Cedar.”

1st October, 1754. Three tenders for the materials of the Theatre were received, £21 10s. 0d., £32 and £35 respectively, and the decision thereon postponed.

4th February, 1755. William Shakespear (Barber) the apprentice of Richard Hulett, was admitted to the freedom.

5th June, 1764. The Clerk informed the Court of the death of Mrs. Elizabeth I’Ans, widow of Mr. Michael I’Ans, and that the Master and Wardens had, on the 23rd May, received of the Executors of Mr. I’Ans £2,200—3 1/2 per cent. Bank Annuities, and £75 in accordance with Mr. I’Ans’ will.

1764 and 1765. Mr. James Clowes who had been summoned to take up the Livery, refused to do so, whereupon he was sued for the fine of £20 and judgment obtained against him with costs.

14th August, 1766. A Committee having been appointed to examine and report upon the Theatre, and having done so, were now authorised to apply to the Court of Common Council for permission to pull down the same, and to treat with that Court for the purchase of the ground, for which the Company paid the City £3 per annum under an old lease.

3rd November, 1767. The City Comptroller having requested the Company to make an offer for the site of the Theatre, it was resolved that 30 years’ purchase (£90) be offered for the same.

7th February, 1769. A plan of the ground leased by the City to the Company and on which the Theatre stood, having been prepared by Mr. George Dance, Clerk of the Works to the City, it was laid before the Court, and the City sold the fee simple to the Company for £90. Would that one could buy City freeholds at the same rate now!

2nd September, 1783. Mr. Sylvanus Hall, of Paternoster Row, Carpenter, proposed to take a lease of the ground on which the Theatre stood, to take down the whole building, and to erect two dwelling houses on the site similar to those he had already built in Monkwell Street. The lease to commence at Christmas, 1784, and to be for 61 years at £10 ground rent. He also proposed to pay the Company £20 for the old materials of the Theatre and to clear the same away. To all these propositions the Court agreed, and Mr. Hall paid a guinea as earnest money.

1st February, 1785. Mr. Hall having pulled down the Theatre, the Clerk was instructed to write to him for the £20 for the old materials which he had removed.

4th October, 1791. There being a sufficient number of Members present to form a Court of Assistants, tho? no such Court was called, the Master took the sense of the Members present, as an adjournment from the last Court of Assistants, whether the Company should go out in the usual procession the ensuing Lord Mayor’s day, when on the question being put, the same was resolved in the negative.

4th November, 1794. M^r Thomas Holehouse who was on the 1^st July last elected on the Livery of this Company, but had refused to take upon him the same, without shewing any cause to the Contrary, and against whom an Action had been commenced for the recovery of Twenty Pounds the penalty incurred by such his refusal, this day attended and paid the said sum of Twenty pounds together with the costs of the said Action.

9th November, 1795. The following Circular was distributed amongst the Livery at the dinner this day:—

The Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Barbers having received information that many persons residing within the City of London carry on the Trade of a Barber and Hair dresser without being free of this Company to the great prejudice of the Members and the rights of the Company Do hereby give notice that they have come to a resolution to prosecute all persons carrying on the trade of a Barber or Hair dresser within the said City not being free of this Company and they request the assistance of their Members for that purpose for the benefit of the Company and Trade at large; any information to their Clerk at the Hall will be duly attended to.

By order of Court,
Edw^d Grose Smith,
Clerk.

9th November, 1796. The By-Laws of the Company having been found, on the opinion of Mr. Serjeant Adair, insufficient to enforce the payment of fines for the refusal to serve various offices, a new set was drawn up by the Clerk, and submitted to and approved by the Court, who ordered the Clerk to get the same confirmed and allowed by the Lord Chancellor and two Chief Justices, but this was never done.

5th September, 1797. The Mahogany table now in the Court Room was made about this time. There is a tradition that the bulb-shaped end of it was a portion of the old dissecting table used by the Surgeons. If so, its latter days are more cheerful than its first.

1796 to 1799. Several Barbers were prosecuted for exercising their Trade within the limits of the Company’s Charters and brought to terms, generally they became freemen, and then were compelled to come on to the livery; in other cases the barbers removed out the jurisdiction, and paid the costs.

18th May, 1802. The Commissioners for the Public Lottery having advertised for a place in which to hold the lotteries, the Court decided to send in proposals offering the use of the Hall (under certain restrictions) for the next three lotteries for Six hundred guineas, but the offer was not accepted.

1st August, 1809. A case was submitted to the Attorney General (Sir R. Gibbs) who gave an opinion that the freemen of the Company were exempt from serving on Juries, but not from serving as Constables.

4th February, 1812. A memorial signed by four freemen of the Company was presented to the Court, the purport of which was that the memorialists having been summoned to act as Ward Constables had refused to serve, and that thereupon actions had been brought against them, which, being tried before Lord Ellenborough, the verdicts were against them and they were ordered to pay the costs (£333 9s. 0d.). The memorialists alleging that they defended the actions for the benefit of the Company and really to uphold its privileges, prayed that they might be reimbursed the costs, which, however, the Court declined to accede to, but ordered that £12, which had been paid to the Company for copies of the Charters, should be refunded.

1814. The Churchwardens of St. Olave, Silver Street, having assessed the Hall at £172, they were requested to attend the next Court which they did, and the following delightful method of settling these matters is recommended to the Authorities nowadays.

1st November, 1814. The parish officers of Saint Olave Silver Street attended & stated to the Court that the Vestry of that Parish had taken the subject of the Poor rate into consideration, and considering the great increase of the rate they left it to the Company to say what they were agreeable to be rated at; the Court proposed to say £100 per annum; the gentlemen (having withdrawn) were then called in and informed of such proposal, with which they cordially acquiesced.

2nd April, 1816. Alexander Rowland the younger [of Macassar oil fame] of Kirby Street Hatton Garden, Barber was admitted to the Livery.

3rd May, 1825. The Livery stand, being in a decayed and useless condition, was ordered to be sold.

2nd May, 1826. But as a purchaser could not be found, the Master offered to give £5 for it, which was accepted, and this, together with an additional £5, was ordered to be given to the Committee for the Relief of Distressed Manufacturers.

5th February, 1861. Mr. John Atkinson gave £100 consols for the purpose of distributing the dividends thereof in the purchase of Bibles and Prayer Books for the poor members of the Company.

7th February, 1862. Mr. John Atkinson’s Will reciting a munificent bequest to the Company is set out in the minutes of this date.

3rd February, 1863. A Statement of the property left by Mr. John Atkinson is recorded in a letter from the Solicitors to his Trustees directed to the Court, and entered in the minutes of this date.

PORTION OF THE MASTER’S SILVER GARLAND (DATE 1629).

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