  1551. Memorandum the xxviijth daye of Aprill in the vth yere of the reigne of King Edwarde the sixte yt was condescended and agreed by Mr Bancke and Edward Hewit before Mr Geen with his Wardeins That John Chambr~ shall performe his bargayne wth Willm Drew for the healing of his mayde for the mony receyved of him aforehand which is xiijs iiijd. And further yt is agreed that James Wood shall repay to the said Drewe the mony receyved of him which is xiijs iiijd. Also the sayd John Chambr~ shall agre wth the sayd James Wood for his labor and content him for his payne according to conscience. 19th September, 1552. Alsoo it ys ordered and agreed that the ser?nts of Straungers that occupye Surgery shall paye xd the quarter wch is iijs iiijd by yere. 5th March, 1555. Among the Articles ordained on this day are the following:— That there shalbe chosein viij examyners wherof iiij to be alwayes present to examyn all such as experte in Surgery, the Mr and governors being present Wherupon the sayed examyners may sett their hands wth the consent of the Mr and gov?nors hearing the mater. And that the sayed examyners shall not examyn nor geve Lr?s of lycence but that the Mr and gov?nors shalbe prevy therof. And that there maye be a booke made wherine every mans name that have Lycence to occupye Surgery being approved, to be enrolled and what ys the grace that ys to him or them appointed. And if they take upon them to doo otherwise than there grace ys geven them, the blame to redowne to him or them that so doo and not to the examyners nor to the mr and gov?nors, and that there maye be alwayes at every courte day twoo at the leaste of the sayed examyners during a moneth: and so afterward monethelye two of them to be there whose chaunce the monethe shall fall too yf there besynes be not the greater because the That they whiche be appointed for the Anathomye for the yere next following and must sarve the Docter and be about the bodye he shall se and provyde that there be every yere, a matte about the harthe in the hall that Mr Docter made not to take colde upon his feate, nor other gentelmen that do com~e and marke the Anathomye to learne knowledge And further that there be ij fyne white rodds appointed for the Docter to touche the body where it shall please him and a waxe candell to loke into the bodye and that there be alwayes for the Docter two aprons to be from the sholder downewarde and two peyr of Sleaves for his hole arme wt tapes for chaunge for the sayed doctor and not to occupye one Aporne and one payer of Sleves every daye wch ys unseamly. And the Mrs of the Anathomye yt be about the bodye to have lyke aprons and sleves every daye bothe white and cleane. Yf yt the Mr of the Anathomye yt be about the Docter doo not see theise things ordered and that their knyves probes and other instrum?ts be fayer and cleane accordinglye wth Aprons and sleves, if they doo lacke any of the said things afore rehersed he shall forfayte for a fyne to the hall xls. 22nd July, 1556. It was ordained among other articles— An Article that ev?ye occup?ing Surgery shall take no maÑ’ of prentice but suche as hathe some knowledge in the Latten tonge. That from the feaste of Saint Michaell tharchaungell next comynge no barbor Surgeon that dothe occupye the mystery of Surgery in the Clothinge or out of the Clothing shall take or have any prentys but that he caÑ skyll of the Laten tonge and understand the same and caÑ wryte and reade suffycientlye and yf they or any of them doo take any that caÑ not doo the same they that offende shall paye to the hall for a ffyne xls. An Article that all prentizes that here after shalbe made ffree and do entend to occupye Surgery shalbe examyned and to passe his ffirste preferm?t of grace. That prentisses that shalbe made ffree after michelmas next comynge that doo occupy the mystery of Surgery and all other men that doo desyer to occupy the same and to be a brother wth us, to be examyned and to passe according to the order of this house as a preferm?t of a grace to him geven as the order hereafter followeth as he shalbe demaunded and apposoe. An Article howe the sayed pren tizes shalbe examyned. That after michelmas next comyng all p?ntyces when they are made ffree must (be) demaunded by the Mr and gov?nors and the iiij examyners what he intendeth to doo after he is made free, whether he will occupye the mystery of Surgery or no wtin the Cytie of London. Yf he saye ye Then to be examyned what he can doo towards yt, howe he knoweth what ys Surgery and also what an Anatomye ys and howe manye perts it ys, of what the iiijor Elements and the xij signes be wch ys the fyrste pert of examynac?on for a prentyce & for other that wilbe brother with us as the examyners shall see cause, for having of their preferment of their first grace to them to be geven. An Article that upon his examy’on of Surgery the said prentis shall have his preferme’t of grace and if he or they can reade to bring in qr’terly an epistle. That when he hathe aunswered to the firste article preyving that he hathe some Learninge or practyse Then to have his firste preferment of grace to occupye Surgery by the space of so many yeres or tyme as the Mr and gov?nors and the examyners shall thinke meete, and as his Industrye shall seme to receyve the grace of god and by his dilligent travell to studye in the same and for an homage thereof if he be learned or can wryte to bringe in an Epistell ev?y half yere and to reade it himselfe openly at the day of Lecture before the hole house that they may see his furtheraunce how he hathe profyted in his dilligent Labor and studye, and the unlearned that can not wryte nor reade to be examyned half yerelye what they can doo in the practyse because they be unlettered by the mr and gov?nors and the Examyners how they have taken payens in their studye to practyse because they be unlettered for the Savegarde of the kg~ and queenes mÃts people. An Article that any man desyr ing to have his preferm?t of grace shall paye to the Clarcke for ye wryting therof viijd. That any man occupyinge the mystery of Surgery being made free and desiereth to have his firste preferment of grace shall paye to the Clercke of the Companye for the wrytinge Inrolling fynding waxe to seale it and for the having of the Seale viijd. An Article that no man occup’ing Surgery shall sewe for the Busshopes seale before he be admitted a Mr of Surgery by the Mr and gov?nors & the iiij Examyners. That no man of the Companye after the feaste of Saint Michell Tharchaungell next comyng shall call for the Busshopes seale which ys the confyrmac?on of a Surgeon untill suche tyme as he hathe passed his fyrste preferment of grace & the Seconde admyssion to be admitted to be a Surgeon and a Maister of Anathomye, and to paye for the having of the Seconde admyssyon a spone of an ounce of Silver and his name to be wrytten upon it to the hall, and the Clercke of the Company for the wryting and findinge waxe and enrolling of yt in the boke viijd. and if the p?son doo not this passe orderly he to paye for a ffyne to the hall xl The order of the ffyrste preferment of grace of the admissyon of practycyoners that have been prentizes and be made ffree what they shall have fyrste towards their preferment. The order of the first preferm?t of grace of practicioÑs and prentices. Fforasmoche as yt is expedyent that no man occupye the worthye Scyence of Surgerye but suche as shalbe thoughte apte and industr? to execute the same truelye and accordinglye as well for the comodytie and proffyt of the comen welthe as also for the avoyding of the Inconveniences and Slaunder that otherwise mighte happen by the rasshenes and unconning of suche lewde persons as taketh upon them to exercyse Surgery being neither expert nor of us admytted to the same. And forasmoche as it is not possyble that any shall attayne to the same wtout instrucc?ons firste learned of conninge and well exercysed men of that facultie: being broughte up therin as a practycyoner or otherwise under some well scylled Mr for certayne yeres: in whiche tyme he mighte applye his mynde to learne perfectly the rules and speculatyve pert therof. The maister and gov?nors of the Barbors and Surgeons of London wth the foure Examyners and the rest of the hole assistaunce have thoughte it good after suche tyme and terme of yeres expired every suche prentis or otherwise Servaunt being made ffre of the sayed Companye and ffellowship shall also have a tyme appointed by us and the reste of the Companye to practise and to put in use suche knowledge as he hathe that we in tyme afterwarde havinge intelligence of his connynge and well dooyngs may constitute him a maister of Surgery if his deserving so requier. Wherfore we the sayed Maisters and governors and the iiijor examyners wth the rest of the hole assistaunce here at this instante doo admitt A.B. as a practycyoner: who hath served as a prentis with R.G. maister aucthorisshed of this Company the space of yeares and now being a freeman of this Companye to practise Surgery in all plac?s according to his knowledge for the space of yeares as a tryall and a proofe of his knowledge may be had. In Witnesse wherof of the premisses we have caused this Lr? to be sealed wt our seale of our hall touching the firste admissyon of his fyrste preferm?t of grace the xxiiijth day of Julye Anno dÑi 1556. The Order of the firste prefermet of their grace that be Lay bretherne that occupye the Scyence of Surgery wth us and also for them that be not a brother wth us and dothe desyre to be (of) us for their fyrste admissyon of practycyoners. The order of the firste preferm?t of grace for Laye Bretherne. “Fforasmoche as yt is moste expedyent that no man occupie,” etc., etc. This licence is similar to the last one excepting that it provides that the person admitted being The Order of the Admissyon of Maisters of Surgery and of the Anatamye to be confyrmed for ever before they have the Seale of the Busshop wch maketh up the hole confyrmac?on of a master of Surgery & of Anathomye. The order of the admissyon of a Mr of Surgerye. We Thomas Knot Mr Thomas Gayle John Smythe and Thom?s ffishe Governors Thomas Vycary George Hollande George Geen and Richard fferes Mrs and examyners of the Company of Barbours and Surgeons of London wth the rest of the whole assistaunce of the same Companye To all men to whome this wryting shall come greting. We certifye youe by this Lr? that whereas or welbeloved in Christe T.A. ys not onely a man of honest fame and good behaveor but is also expert connynge and well exercysed in the arte of Surgery as his well defycell 27th August, 1557. The same daye It Wase ffurder ordered and agreed that all men of the saide Companye and fellowshypp usinge the mystere and crafte of Surgerye maye take unto hys or yr Apprentice anye person or persons althoweth The same day it was ordered that the two Masters of Anatomy should have the keys and custody of the Attendance by the members on the Surgical side was compulsory at the Anatomy lectures, and 27th August, 1557, is an order of Court that Robert Mudsley (Master in 1572 and 1580) “hath lycence to be absent from all lecture dayes wthoute paym?te any fyne for by cawse he hath gyven over the exercysynge of the arte of Surgery and doth occupy only a sylk shoppe and shave.” A little later on, William Cawsey had licence to be absent from the lectures on payment of a yearly fine of 3s. 4d., and there are scores of similar exemptions in the books. 1st March, 1558. Jasper the Cutter for the Stoane had Lycence by the Mr and gov?nors that he shall worcke and set forth his sygne and he payde for hys fyne xs and yf that he do not go ov? in to his owne cuntrye before whytsontide nexte after folowyng he hath promysed that he wylbe a brother of this howse but as yet he ys not admytted a brother. 25th October, 1558. There was before the Court one Leonardo Rodergo— Surgeon & deuchem~a whome p?sumptinglye & arogantly stood and bragged wth a letter to be in the name of Kyng Phillippe lycencing hym to occupye surgery wtin all ye Kyngs & quenes domynions & when yt was seene yrto was nether seale nor the kyngs hande, but a sorte of Spanyards hands & names whome he sayde afterwards yt one of them was ye kyngs secretary & thother of his Councell. Dr. J.J. Howard had in his collection the following document, which, as he says, affords good evidence of the low condition of Surgical practice in the metropolis at the accession of Elizabeth. Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England Fraunce and Irelonde Defender of the faith etc. To all Mayours Sheriffs Baylliffs Constables and all other our Offycers Mynisters and Subjects thees our Lettres hearinge or seinge and to every of them greetinge. We lett you wete that for certeyn consideracions us movinge we have by theise presents auctorised and lycensed our Trustie and Wellbeloved Servaunte Thomas Uncarn Sergeant of our Surgions and the Wardens of the Fellowshipp 1st October, 1566, is an entry of the translation from the Woodmongers’ Company of William Slade, who was stated to be “a Surgeon & learned yt wth Ric. Venar & John Hall at Maydstone.” This John Hall was a famous Surgeon in his day and wrote “An Historiall Expostulation Against the beastlye Abusers, bothe of Chyrurgerie and Physyke,” which has been reprinted with several valuable notes by the Percy Society (Vol. XI) accompanied with John Hall’s portrait. 14th January, 1567. Mr Doctor Julyo made request yt he myghte have the work of the anathomy these iiijor or fyve yeres so yt the coledge of the phicysions sholde not put hym from us & also yt he myghte have p?vat anathomyes at his demaunde in this howse. 16th January, 1567. It was agreed that Dr. Julius Borgarneins (“Dr. Julyo”) should “make and worke owr anathomyes and skellytons” for the space of five years. 18th March, 1567. Thomas Wells, Merchant Taylor, complained against Nicholas Wyborde for “not curynge his mans hed yt he tooke in hande.” The following order for the erection of raised seats for the members attending the Anatomy lectures, and for a screen to temporarily hide the body, indicates the growing interest taken by the Company in the furtherance of technical education; and from the reference to the skeleton, for which a case was directed to be made, it is highly probable that this was the only specimen which the Company in those days possessed! 1st February, 1568. Also yt ys ordayned and agreed by this Courte That there shalbe buyldyng? don and made aboute the hall for Seates for the Companye that com~eth unto every publyque anathomy, ffor by cawse that every p?sone comyng to se the same maye have good p?spect over the same and that one sholde not cover the syght thereof one frome another as here to fore the Company have much cÕplayned on the same. And also foder more yt is agreed that the olde standyng wch did s?ve for the company of the clothing at coronacions or any noble pere his com~yng throughe the cytie oute of any fforeyns CÕntrey or lande, for bycawse yt is broken and spoyled and olde shall all be put to the makyng of the saide seates or for sparyng of the charge for new Tymber. And also That whan yt shall happen any greate pere of any fforren Lande upon tryumphe to com~e as aforsaid and the Company beynge then com~anded to theyre standyng for to receyve any noble man for the honor of the prince kynge or quene of this Realme of England and the cytie of London, That then as now and now as then also the Mr and gov?nors for the tyme beyng shall buylde & make a new Substanciall and Com~ly fayer standyng To serve in lyke and ample maner. And also ther shalbe pyllers and Rod? of Iron made to beare and drawe Courteynes upon & aboute the frame where wthin the Anathomy doth lye and is wrought upon, for bycawse that no p?sone or p?sones shall beholde the desections or incysyng? of the body, but that all maye be made cleane and covered wth fayer clothes untyll the Docter shall com and take his place to reade and declare upon the partes desected. And also yet forder more also, That there shalbe a case of weynscot made wth paynters worke yr upon as semely as maye be don ffor the skellyton to stande in and that for the Worshyp of the Company—and all these to be made wrought and don at the charges of the mistery and Com~on boxe of the hall. 16th March, 1568. Here was Edward Park for yt he hath wretten upon his Surgeons signe the skoller of St Thomas of Wallingforde and the said Edward Parke is comaunded by the aucthorytie of this worsshyphfull Courte That he the said Edward Parke shall wth all expedicion put oute of his said Signe the said wrytinge & to sett his signe as other Surgeons do wtout any superscryption yt upon and not ells otherwyse as he wyll answere to the contrarye. 13th July, 1568. In this Courte John ffrende is comytted to warde for a pacient dyeing under his hands and not presented. 19th April, 1569. Here was the wyfe of Richard Selbye of London Ironmonger playntyf agaynst William Wyse for that he cured not her housbonds leg as he promysed he wolde have don, and yt is ordered that Wylliam Wyse shall repaye agayne of the money wch he receyved in parte of the bargayne made be twene them and then was in the p?sents of this Courte payde unto Agnes the wyf of the above said Richard Selby vjs viijd and so William Wyse is clerely dyscharged of pacyent & all. 1570. This year it was deemed advisable to increase the number of the Examiners in Surgery from five to seven, and these were Mr. Serjeant Balthrop, Mr. Alexander Mason, Mr. Thomas Baylie, Mr. Robert Mudesley, Mr. John Field, Mr. John Yates, and Mr. William Bovie. 5th April, 1570. It was agreed that in consequence of the great charges with which the Company was always burdened in time of wars, in setting forth sufficient surgeons and their men with unguents, balms, etc., as also common soldiers, that a petition should be sent to the Queen for redress in the matter of providing soldiers. 11th April, 1570. Here was one playntyf agaynst Wm Beton for a bubo & Wm Beton wyll heale hym yf he wylbe ruled by him. 28th April, 1570. In this Courte Wm Gyllam is charged to cure Elizabeth Hyns of carmebrontyasis & once a day Gyllam shall p?seve her untyll she be hole and then she shall paye the said Gillam in the p?sents of this Courte in redy money vjs. viij 11th November, 1572. Here was one Steven Robinson to complaine againste Edward Parke for arestinge hym for the curinge of hym for v yeres seence. (Which means that Parke had sued Robinson for a surgeon’s bill five years old, without leave of the Court.) 12th February, 1573. Here was John ffrend and was comaunded to lay downe his fyne for not p?ntinge Mr Watson of the Towre wch dyed of Gangrena in his fote and he pd xvs. This non-presentation of patients in danger of death, was a common offence, and Mr. Frend had been previously convicted of it (13th July, 1568), on which occasion he was committed to prison. 31st March, 1573. Here was Edwarde Saunders warned because he wold not paye the Anathomyt? ther dutye and also that he had let one bloude at Blackwall and that he dyed, his arme fallynge to Gangrena and made no p?sentac?on therof also that he wtheld certeyne things of Whittingtons widdowe and he was willed to be here the next Courte daye. 21st April, 1573. Here was one to complaine one 28th April, 1573. Here was John Burgis and witnessed that the said pacient would not be ordered as was necessary and therefore he forsoke to deale wth hym. 21st May, 1573. Here was John Deane and appoynted to brynge in his fyne xli for havinge an Anathomye in his howse contrary to an order in that behalf between this and mydsomer next. 21st July, 1573. “Here was one Robert Grottell a straunger and cutter for the Stone, admitted a brother and paid iiijli ” and bound to pay the remainder of his fine for admission at the rate of 10s. per quarter. 30th July, 1573. Here was one John Gardener a healer of the rupture and Stone and was examyned and had his Lr~e of Admyttaunce and paid. 15th September, 1573. Here was one Alexander Capes a carpenter and required that he might have some helpe concernyng his griefs consyderinge that he had ben in thands of John ffrend Willm~ Wise & Richard Storye and had geven them mony for to be cured and was not, wherefor order was taken that they should deale further wth him for his health. 11th May, 1574. Here was James Marcadye and required to have Lycens of absens one Surgeons were continually being called before the Court for “evil dealing” with their patients, and for not performing cures for which they had received the money beforehand. The Court generally endeavoured to effect a friendly relationship between the parties, though in cases which were considered as clearly proved against the Surgeon, he was either fined or imprisoned, or else ordered to make suitable compensation to the patient. 7th September, 1574. Here was John Griffen complayned uppon William Pownsabe for gevinge him a powder wch lossed all the teeth in his head, wch John Griffen had the dissease wch we call Demorbo gallico. 2nd February, 1575. Wm. Pownsabe was ordered to confess his fault for his “unskilfull dealinges” with John Griffen and to pay him 5s. as compensation. 13th March, 1576. Here was a complainte determyned upon wch was made against Tho: Hodes and for that he was provde ignorant he is bounde in xlli never to medle in any matter of S?gery. 3rd April, 1576. Here was a complainte against Willm~ More by one Henry Dobbyns for that he did not cure his sonne but made the same worse. 10th May, 1576. William More was ordered, on account of his ignorance, to meddle no more in Surgery. 2nd October, 1576. Here was likewyse a complaint by one Tho: Adams against John P?adice 8th October, 1577. Here was a complainte made by one Mrs. Riche against Robt. Bewsy for that he had her husbonde to cure who died and the said Bewsye said and repo?ted that she was an evell liver and that he died of a botch called Bubo veneria and taken of her, wch he denied, but beinge proved she put the matter wholie to this wo?shipfull howse who did award that he sholde in the p?sence of her nighbors who were here present in the p?lor upon his knees aske her forgevenes, wch he did and so the matter was finally ended. 7th February, 1578. Here was a complainte against Willm~ Knightly for Cuttinge of the yearde of his pacient but yt was p?ved by one Mr Grene that the member was mortefied and so there was little to be saide against him. 24th February, 1578. Here was a Complaint against Willm~ Clowes 18th March, 1578. At this Co?te Hewe Placket was rebuked for takeing upon him to heale a pacient who ys deade and comaundement geven that he shall medle no more in surgerie. 20th March, 1578. It was ordered:— That yf any man of this misterie shall at any tyme hereafter make any booke or bookes of Surgerie the same shall not be published unles the same booke or bookes be first presented unto the masters governors and examenors of this Companie for the tyme beinge upon payne of xli. The following order was doubtless directed against a prevalent mania for relics of notorious criminals. 17th July, 1578. That no p?son or p?sons of this Companie do presume at anie tyme or tymes hereafter of Anathomies to take and carrie awaie or cause to be taken or carried awaie any p?te of the skynn of anie bodie whiche shall at anie tyme hereafter happen to be wrought upon wthin the hall of the misterie and the same tann or cause to be tanned like lether upon the payne of vli. 7th December, 1581. It ys agreed that there shalbe a Bill put into the p?liament house for easinge the Companie of the charge of sendinge souldiers to the wars and also for suppressinge of lewd dealers in surgerye. 18th July, 1583. The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen having recommended that persons using Barbery should not practise Surgery, the Master and Governors went to Guildhall, and there promised the Court of Aldermen that they would compel all their free Barbers to enter into bonds not to “medle or deale wth any sick of the plauge or infected cum morbo gallico,” and accordingly the Barbers entered into bonds to that effect. In Stow’s Annales, ed. 1592, p.1261, is the following remarkable account of a “subject” coming to life again at our hall. 1587. The 20 of Februarie, a strange thing happened a man hanged for felonie at Saint Thomas Wateringes, being begged by the Chirurgions of London, to have made of him an Anatomie, after hee was dead to all mens thinking, cut downe, stripped of his apparell, laide naked in a chest, throwne into a carre, and so brought from the place of execution through the Borough of Southwarke over the bridge, and through the Citie of London to the Chirurgions Hall nere unto Cripelgate: The chest being there opened, and the weather extreeme cold hee was found to be alive, and lived till the three and twentie of Februarie, and then died. It was doubtless the above circumstance, to which reference is made in the next minute; it would seem that the body had been begged by some surgeons and taken to the hall to be dissected there, 13th July, 1587. I?tm yt ys agreed That yf any bodie wch shall at anie tyme hereafter happen to be brought to or Hall for the intent to be wrought uppon by Thanatomistes of or Companie shall revyve or come to lyfe agayne as of late hathe ben seene The charges aboute the same bodie so revivinge shalbe borne levied and susteyned by such p?son or p?sons who shall so happen to bringe home the Bodie. And further shall abide suche order or ffyne as this Howse shall Awarde. 7th December, 1598. This daye commaundmt cam from the lordes of her mats most ho: privie councell for to presse a sufficient Surgeon for her mats s?vice in Ireland under the conduct of Captayne Winsor. 12th December, 1598. John Cumberland was pressed for the above service and delivered into his Captain’s charge, and four or five other Surgeons were also pressed and handed over nolens volens. One of these, Dominick Lomeline (or Lumley, Master in 1629), is recorded on the 16th January following as having “confessed voluntarelye before the Masters that to be dischardged of his presse for Ireland it stud him in Twenty Nobles of which the Captayne had in monye three poundes.” 6th February, 1599. This daie one Richard Hallydaie marriner made his complainte of Raphe Rowley for settinge forthe an insufficient man not approved to serve as a surgeon at sea in the Sheepe called the Costely of London by whose unskylfullnes hee was dismembred of his arme and is in greate dainger of liefe. Ralph Rowley had been pressed for a Sea Surgeon, and this complaint would be against him for the incompetency of some substitute, whom he had no doubt paid to take his place. 27th March, 1599. It is ordered that an Informac?on be exhibited againste the Sexton of White Chappell for Surgerye. 6th August, 1599. This daie the Maister of the Company made his petic?on to the lorde Bishopp of London that noe person shoulde be admitted to practize Surgerie but suche person as shoulde have the seale of this house to testefie his examinac?on before the Maisters &c. which was graunted And order sett downe for the same. 23rd October, 1599. Pascall Lane hath Thursdaie comme a moneth to be examined and in the meane tyme not to hange out banners and not to cutt unles he acquainte the mrs therewithall. 27th November, 1599. This daie Richard Cadwalder hath undertaken that Roberte Thompson nowe shewed 10th June, 1600. This daye Oliv? Peacock brought in his fine for not p?sentinge his Cure 3rd July, 1600. This daye Andrew Mathew Edward Peck Robert Steward and Owine Jones free broth?rs of this mistery were at their sev?all instanc?s examined & approved concerninge their skill in the arte of Surgery and had their severall letters of grace undr the seale of the sayd mistery by Richard Wood Willm Martin Thomas Thorney & John Peck examiners appoynted in the p?sence of the Mrs of this Company. 8th July, 1600. This daye warrant came to the Mrs for the p?singe 15th July, 1600. This daye Raphe Barrett & Robert Thompson forren Surgeons 29th July, 1600. This daye it is ordered that John Mowle shalbe warned to be before the Mrs the next Court for usinge Surgery beinge but a barber. 8th September, 1600. Octavo die Septembris Anno dÑi 1600 Annoque Elizabeth Quadragesimo secundo. Whereas at a Courte holden the Maisters or Governors and Assistants of this Companye the Nynteenth daie of Maye laste paste It was amongest other thinges ordered condiscended and agreed by consente of a full courte of the said Assistance That the request and moc?on of ffrancis Rowdon Clarke to this Companye shoulde be referred to the Considerac?on of the Auditors of the Maisters Accompts And what they shall doe in the premisses should be lawfull and effectuall to all intentes and purposes Wee Thomas Byrd John Leycocke Lewis Atmer Robert Johnson Richard Mapes Thomas Goodale Thomas Martyn and Joseph ffenton beinge chosen Auditors for the Maisters accomptes for the yeare paste havinge taken due considerac?on of the premisses and findinge that the accomplisheinge of the said requeste maye muche proffitt the bodye of this Companye in the banisheinge of lewde and unskylfull practic?oners in the arte of Surgerie Doe therefore by the Aucthority to us geeven order in manner and forme hereafter ensuinge vizt ffirste wee order that there be presentlie paide unto the saide Clarke the somme of xxli. of lawfull money of England out of the stocke of this howse the same to be repaide to this howse by vli p? Ann. Alsoe wee doe further order that uppon payment of the said xxli to the said Clarke aforesaid the said Clarke shall termelie prosecute a competent number of the said practic?oners in Surgerie and shall not delaie any suite he shall undertake but shall prosecute the same with effecte unles there be any misprison in the same And if there be any misprison then to acquainte the Maisters for the tyme beinge with the same misprison. Alsoe wee doe order that the said Clarke shall porsecute such p?sons as the Maisters of this Companye shall from tyme to tyme geeve order for. Alsoe wee doe further order that the said Clarke shall not compounde or agree with any he shall have to doe by waie of informac?on before he hath acquainted the Maisters therewithall and hath obtayned their consents thereunto And whatsoever he shall receave uppon any Composic?on over and besides such Costes and chardges as he shall expend in and aboute suche suite he shall well and trulye contente and paie unto the said Maisters or Governors for the tyme beinge. Provided alwaies that he ffirste acquainte the Maisters or Governors of this Company for the tyme beinge therewith And deliver unto them a reasonable and true bill of his Costes and Chardges disbursed as aforesaid And that he seale and deliver as his deed one wrytinge obligatorie wherein he shall become bounden to the Maisters or Governors of this Companye with Condic?on theruppon indorced contayninge the Articles above specified In Witnes whereof wee the said Auditors hereunto put or severall handes. Yoven the daie and yeare ffirste above written. 22nd October, 1600. Robert Swayne was this daye examined by Mr Thorney Mr Willm Martin Mr Wood & Mr Atmer and not founde sufficient but is nevertheles tolerated to come to or Lectures & Annathomies And is to paye for the same xxs yerely by 5s quarterly till hee be founde more sufficient. 5th May, 1601. This daie a complainte was made againste Martyn Pelham by a patient he had in cure of his arme for not fynisheinge the said cure wch cure was accomplished by Thomas Watson whereuppon it is ordered that the said Pelham be warned to appeare uppon the next courte daye. 6th August, 1601. This daye Willm Pilkinton uppon his examinac?on was tolerated to practize Surgery for five yeres next ensuinge Provided that hee paie quarterly to this howse ijs vjd and that hee the said Pilkinton doe joyne wth him in ev?y cure he shall have in dangr of death or mayne some expert surgeon of this Company. 10th November, 1601. This daye John Russell of Canterbury Surgeon was examined and was admitted & approved. 24th November, 1601. Whereas James Van Otten and Nycholas Bowlden are this daye become humble suiters to this Company to be tollerated & p?mitted to practize as Surgeons wthin this Cytie of London for and durynge the space of Three moneths next ensuinge onely for the couchinge of the catarack cuttinge for the rupture stone and wenne It is uppon consideracc?on of their sev?all suites ordered by consent of this Courte That hee the said James Vanotten shalbe p?mitted to practize for the couchinge of the catarack cuttinge for the rupture stone and wenne for the space of three monethes next ensuinge wthout contradicc?on or denyall of the Mrs or Governors of this Company And that hee the said Nycholas Bowlden shalbe assistant unto the said James Vanotten in such cures as hee shalbe as aforesaid possessed of duringe the tyme & space aforesaid. Provided allwayes and it is nevertheles p?mised & undertaken by the said James & Nycholas that hee the said Nycholas shall paye unto the Mrs or Governors of this Company to the use of the poore of the same every moneth monethly duringe the said space of three moneths the somme of ijs vjd And that the said James Vanotten shall paye to the said Mrs or Governors to the use of the poore of the said Company for every moneth monethly of the said three monethes in wch the said James shall practize or continue in London or the libertyes suburbes or one myle compase of the said Cyty after the fower & twentyth daye of decembr next ensuinge xxs of lawful money of England. And provided that neythr they nor eythr of them shall p?sume to hange oute any banners or signe of Surgery in any place othr then where they shall lye and make theyre abode Jacobus van Otten 2nd March, 1602. Havard is to pave to Nicholas Kellawaye vs. the nexte Courte daye for a launset wth silver scales wch he borrowed of the said Nicholas Kellawaye. 20th April, 1602. This daye one Edward Stutfeyld a practic?oner in bone settinge appeared before the Mrs of this Company uppon warninge to him geven by the beadell of this Company And at his humble suite he was lycenced to practize in bone settinge onely Provided hee paye to the Mrs of this Company to the use of the poore of the same xs for every quarter of yere that hee shall practize as aforesaid. 20th April, 1602. This daye one John ffoster a poore and unskylfull man of this Company made his appearance before the Mrs of this Company and was examined concerninge his skyll in the arte of Surgery and was found altogethr unskilfull in all the partes therefore Whereuppon it is ordered that Mr Wilbraham Coroner to this Cytie be warned to be here wth the Coroners Inquest on Thursdaye next by tenne of the clock in the forenoone to be satisfied by their owne hereinge of the unskilfullness of the said ffoster. 22nd June, 1602. This daye Garrett Key a Strangr appeared before the Mrs of this Company and in respect hee hath undertaken the cure of his patient one ffeake a Gowldesmythe beinge in danger of death wthout makinge p?sentac?on thereof to the Mrs of this Company Did voluntaryly geve to the said Mrs to the use of the poore of the same Company iijli And thereuppon they have acquited him all former offences done to this Company. 11th October, 1602. This daye Gabriell Hunt Practic?oner in Surgery was Committed to the Compter for practizeinge of Surgery beinge not approved nor admitted accordinge to the Statute. 3rd April, 1604. Under this date is an award made by the Court in an action remitted to the Masters by the Lord Mayor, wherein 5th June, 1604. This daye Mr ffenton p?sented to this Courte 500 bookes of Horatius Moras tables translated into Englishe and deliv?ed them to the Mrs of this Company in the name & behalf of Mr Deputie Caldwell 28th February, 1605. This daye it is ordered that there shalbe a letter p?ntly drawne by the advice of the Mrs of this Company and sent to the Colledge of Phisic?ons by the Clark of this Company wherein there shalbe desyred if they please a Conferrence betwixt some of theire College and some of the auncient? of this Company in some indifferent place of meetinge to conferre concerninge theire greevanc?. 18th March, 1605. This daye uppon the request of Mr Serjeant Prymerose & Mr Neste Smyth the kynges Surgeons by their Letter It was ordered that Cezar Scultinge Duchman theyre servant should be examyned and approved concerninge his skill in Surgery on thursdaye next And beinge found skilfull that hee mighte have letters of admittance from this Company gratis. 21st March, 1605. “Zeger Schultynchs,” the Dutchman above mentioned, was examined and had his diploma gratis, but was ordered to pay 2s. quarterage and 2s. for absence from lectures. 30th April, 1605. This daye Mr ffenton complayned of Robert Morrey for supplantinge him of divs cures And for slanderinge him in his p?fession And also for his evell practize And was for his said abuses fyned at vli wch hee is to bringe in at the next Court orels to be committed to the Compter. 7th May, 1605. Morrey being contumacious, was by the Court committed to prison. 28th May, 1605. This daye Willm~ Corbet appeared before the Mrs of this Company and was dismissed from the exercyze of Surgery for his evill practize. This daye Willm~ Corbet was bounde to the Mrs in xli not to practize Surgery or wthin one myles compasse wthout the Mrs lycence. 25th June, 1605. This daye Abraham Renex is fined at xs for his absens from lectures And is to pay xs p? an. for his lycence of absens hereaftr. 3rd September, 1605. This day Pascal Lane a practicioner in the art of Surgery was by our Mrs order comitted to the Compter for cuttinge of one Thom~s Thorntons child for the stone who dyed pn?tlie under his hand? by his neckligence & ignoraunce where he is to continue till he hath payed the fine of xls for not makeinge p?ntac?on 12th September, 1605. In the controv?sie betwixt Thomas Thornton and Pascall Lane Ãls 26th November, 1605. This day Henry Goodwyn a Sorcerer was by the Mrs forbidden to practize any more in the arte of Surgery. 1st July, 1606. This day Stephen Abraham a Barbor was fined for not makeing p?entac?on of his cure in daunger of death and it was forgeven him. 14th July, 1606. The funds of the Company were, at this period, very low, Mr. Pecke offering to lend £50 and Mr. Fenton £100, without interest, and the following entry would indicate that the expenses attendant upon the Anatomy demonstrations were a burden. This day for the avoydinge of charges it is ordered by this Courte that no publique Anothomy shalbe holden in the Comon hall of this mistery for the space of theis three yeares now next ensuinge. Yett notwthstandinge it is ordered by this Courte yt the Mrs & Steward? of the Anothomy for the yeare next ensuinge shall continue Mrs & Steward? the said space And shall once in ev?ie yeare at such tymes as the Mrs of this Company shall thinck fitt dissect a private Anothomy in the Comon hall of the said mistery for their better experience and cunninge. 14th July, 1606. Also it is further ordered & decreed by this Courte fforasmuch as divers p?sons ffremen of this Company who have very litle or no skill at all in the Arte of Surgery doe neverthelesse make a publique p?fession of the said Arte And thereby comitt many errors to the great dispa?gmt of the worthie and experienced professors thereof and to the hurte of divrs of his Mat? lovinge subject? That from henceforth no man be admitted to have his name entered downe for a Surgeon into the lecture bill except by the consent of the mrs or governours of the said mistery & CoiÃltie for the tyme beinge And that it shalbe lawful for the p?nte Mrs or governours to dismisse out of the lecture bill the names of such p?sones as they shall thincke fitt to be put out, which p?sons so dismissed and put out shall live out of the protexion of this Company for & in respect of their practize in the Arte of Surgery untill they shall by them be thought fitt to practice in that Arte & admitted into such bill uppon their humble suite. But if any disobedient obstinate or stubborne p?son shall notwthstandinge his such dismission practice in the said arte Then it is further ordred by this Courte that suite in law shalbe p?secuted against such obstinate p?sons at the charge of this Company for such their unlawfull practice in Surgery. 7th October, 1606. This daie Willm~ ffoster was fyned at xxs for his evell practize upon his patient being a servaunt of my Lord grace of Cant. and is to bring in the same fyne at the next Court. This daie it is ordered that Richard Holden be warned to the next Court for not reeding his lecture. 24th October, 1606. This daie Clement White appeared before this Court upon Complaynt for settinge his servaunte to sea before he was examyned & his chest vewed by the Mrs And for that he knew not the orders of this Company he is forgyven his offence for this tyme. 2nd December, 1606. This daie John Anslow was comitted to the Compter for defraudinge of Willm~ ffoster of his patient And is to pay ffoster for his paynes in that cure. 9th July, 1607. This daye Roger Jenkins Also Abraham Allen 20th July, 1607. Mr. Thomas Thorney (Master 1602), Mr. Richard Mapes (M. 1612), Mr. Richard Wood (M. 1591), Mr. Serjeant Gudderus (M. 1594), Mr. Willm~ Gayle (M. 1595), Mr. George Baker (M. 1597 and Serjeant Surgeon), Mr. John Peck (M. 1605), Mr. Christopher Frederick (M. 1609 and Serjeant Surgeon), Mr. John Gerrard (the celebrated Herbalist, M. 1607), and Mr. Joseph Fenton (M. 1624), were appointed Examiners of Surgeons, and amongst other articles it was ordained:— That none of the said examiners shall p?sent any p?son useinge surgery to the Bishop of London or to the Deane of Pawles to the intent to get or p?cure such Surgeon Lycence or admission to practize Surgery unlesse such Surgeon at such tyme shall have his letter of admittance from this Company under the Common scale of the same testifieinge his admission to practize surgery. 7th July, 1608. This daye Mathias Jenkinson was examyned concerninge his skyll in the arte of Surgery And was lycenced to cut for the hernia or Rupture to couch the Catrac to cut for the wry neck & the hare lip Provided that hee call the p?sent Mrs of this Company to every such Cure or such of the Assistant? as are examined & approved as the said Mrs in such case shall appoynt And is to enter into bond in xlli for p?formance hereof And paid to the p?sent Mrs xls And is to paye xls more at midsomer next. 20th June, 1609. This daye Mathias Jenkinson is dischardged from his practize in Surgery for that hee hath not observed the articles of his Tollerac?on and for his evell & unskilfull practize. 27th February, 1610. Whereas one William Wright was a suiter to this Courte that he might be examined & admitted to practice Surgery. Now forasmuch as it appeareth he is one of a contentious & troublesome speritt & of a bad & scandalous disposition who hath not onlie heretofore divers tymes byn fined for usinge slanderous & evill speeches against divers that have byn Mrs & governours of this Company but also sundrie tymes heretofore & now daylie useth slaunderous word? & speeches wth many wicked cursing? & reviling? against Mr Mapes in the hearinge of divers of the neighbours of the said Wright where he dwelleth, which beinge by this Court dulie examined is found that the same slaunders & reviling? doe proceed out of his wicked mynd wthout any just cause given Wherefore it is by this Courte ordered and fullie decreed That the said 27th February, 1610. At this Courte was John Cotton of Radcliffe a professor of Surgery comited to the Compter for not makinge presentac?on of his Cure wch dyed under his hand & also for his evill practice wch he used to his Cure as it did appeare beinge examined thereuppon And further he is forbidden to practice Surgery any more untill that he be examined. 2nd October, 1610. At this Court it is ordered that Richard Baynes and XpÕfer Browne shalbe comitted to the Compter for that they did not come and make answer to this Court of the Complaynt? wch are made against them by their sev?all patient? they being therefore warned at sev?all Court dayes. 9th October, 1610. At this Court was one wyddowe Bryers comitted to the Compter for practising Surgery contrary to the Statut? of this Realme. About this period are several instances of Surgeons being fined for going to sea without licence, and for not having their sea chests examined, e.g.: 6th November, 1610. Att this Court Gyles fflemmynge did promyse that on Tewsdaye come ffortnight he woulde bring in his ffyne of xli for going to Sea wthout lycence of this howse, whereupon the Court was contented to proceed noe further against him in respect of such abuses as he hath offred. 22nd January, 1611. James Blackborne applied to be admitted a brother to practise Surgery and promising to pay £10 for his admission and to make the examiners a dinner, a day was appointed for his examination. 31st January, 1611. This daie James Blackborne was examined touchinge his skill in the generatyve pt? of women; and bringinge of women to bedd in their The Barber-Surgeons had claimed the exclusive right of embalming dead bodies, but how they fared in their contention with the Wax Chandlers (referred to in the next extract) does not appear. 26th October, 1612. This daie it is ordered that at the chardg? of the howse the p?nte Masters wth the Clark shall seeke in the Rowles for the charter of the wax chaundlers and to tak a coppie of that p?te of the charter touchinge the libertie gyven unto them for the imbaulmynge of dead bodyes And as they shall finde the same soe to take the advice of my lord cheife Justice about the same at the chardg? of the howse. 3rd November, 1612. This daie the Company receavinge a letter from the lord? of his Mat? most hon?able privye Councell wherein they intreated the Company to give leave unto one Bartholomew Vanderlatch a stranger to take in hand one Melser Gisberd whoe had an ympedymt in his eye, whereupon this Court was pleased that the said Vanderlatch should take in hand to cure the said Gisberd wthout disturbance of this howse. 17th November, 1612. Att this Court Richard ffynche dwelling at Pyckle herring is forbidden to practise bonesetting or any other matter touching surgery at any time hereafter. 7th December, 1613. This daie John Antonio an Italian being an Imposter practizing in surgery is forbidden by this Court to deale any more in Surgery. 3rd March, 1614. This daie Mr Robert Allott doctor in Phissick & one of the fellowes of St Johnes Colledge in Cambridge was admitted a brother of this Company and hade the letters of this howse under the seale thereof graunted unto him. 15th March, 1614. This daie it is ordered that Thomas Gillam shall at the next court of assistaunt? bring in his fyne of vli for discecting of an Anothomy out of this hall. 12th April, 1614. This daie it is ordered that Thomas Collyns shall bring in his fyne of 10li for going to sea not having his Chest vewed. 27th May, 1616. At this Court is gyven unto Mr Docter Crooke the some of 5li for that he did dedicate a booke unto this Companie & gave one of them unto this howse. 15th August, 1616. John Walgrave came before the Court upon Summons, and being questioned— if he practized Surgery he peremptorily replied he did & gott his lyveinge by the same and was an auntienter Surgeon then themselves Then he was demaunded by what authoritie he did practice Surgery to wch he aunswered he had sufficient authoritie for he was allowed by the Archbusshop of Canterburie and the Busshop of London Then Mr ffenton demaundinge of him in what busshops tymes he was so admitted, after manie insolent & menasinge speches & unsemely behaviors he aunswered he was admitted by Busshop Whiteguift. Then was demaunded of him by what Busshop of London he was admitted to wch he very insolent replied that he scorned to tell them or to be examined by anie of them all, vauntinge further that he was a better gentleman than anie of them all To wch Mr ffenton aunswered that if he did so he did it unlawfully & he aunswered that he cared not, for he had practized these 30 yeares & wold still practice the same. And Mr ffenton told him that though he had practized so long yet that made it not lawfull except he had byn examined & approved according unto the lawes of the land To wch Walgrave beinge in great passion wth menaceinge & threatninge behavior replied unto Mr ffenton & the rest, you lye & I tell you agayne you lye And so wth proud menacinge & insolent behavior wth many insolent unsemely & irreverent speches to all that satt at that tyme in the Court he most unmanerly & wthout regard of anie that sat their dep?ted. In all probability it was ascertained that Walgrave had the Bishop’s licence or else some powerful friends, as no further notice seems to have been taken of his contempt, though the records abundantly show that the Court was never slow to visit condign punishment on far lesser offenders than this man. 15th July, 1624. Whereas informac?on is given to this Court that of late Doctor Grints servingman John Eethell lett a maide blood, her arme mortified and the maid thereupon died, it is ordered by this Court that there shalbe counsell taken thereon, and a suite comenced ag?t him at the Costs of this house. 7th December, 1624. This daye John Baptista Succa a mountibancke and an Italian borne had order to forbeare his practise here in London. 6th November, 1627. This daye was presented to this Courte by Humfrey Bromley a letter from the Lord Maior of this Cittie of London the tenor whereof is as followeth To the Mr and Wardeins of the Companie of Barbar Surgions Whereas Sr Henry Herbert Knight Mr of the Revells hath authorised the bearer hereof Humfrey Bromley to shew a Child presented to be naturallie borne haveing Twoe heades ffower Armes and three legg? wch I suppose not to be borne of any woeman or to be the perfect substance of a child in respect whereof I forbeare to p?mitt the said Humfrey Bromely to make shewe thereof within the lib?ties of this Cittye untill such tyme as I maye be truely satisfied from you whether the same child be of the substance as is pretended Therefore I desire you that upon advised view of the said Child you truly certifie mee in writing under yor hand? whether the same be really a child as is presented to thend I maye not unadvisedly suffer his Mat? subject? to be deceyved thereby. This second of November Anno Dni. 1627. Hugh Hamersley Maior. Whereupon the vew of the supposed body as aforesaid it is ordered that this answere be returned to the Lord Maior as followeth viz: Right Honoble According unto yor LÕps reference unto us directed dated the second of November 1627 Wee have taken a deliberate vewe of the supposed monstrous birth presented unto us to be vewed as from your honor by one Humfrey Bromley And although wee cannot possitively affirme it proceeded not from a woeman Yet under favor, wee conceive and soe deliver our opinions that the said supposed monstrous shape hath beene, either by Arte soe composed and put together from unnaturall and untimely birthes of Children or from other Animalls, as Apes, Munckeys or the like wch have a greate resemblance of Manns bodye, in many of their partes and soe by the cunninge subtiletye of the composer made into a monster, thereby to delude the worlde and haveing a Bodye of Antiquitie cannot safely receive a flatt and manifest contradiction; And wee are induced the rather to suspect it for that the producer thereof hath noe testimonye from any learned or judicious men; neither from any Magistrates of the partes where it is pretended to have bene borne, wch such offendors use aboundantly to be furnished withall. And in conclusion compareing his printed demonstrac?on of his monster, with the Author he siteth, and others that have written of such and the like monsters, Wee finde a greate deale of Addition and a manifest disagreemt wch is a playne badge of fixion and falsehoode. All wch our opinions wee humbly submitt to yor honors grave wisdome to be further considered of. 20th November, 1627. Item this daye Mr Warden Woodall Mr Peter Thorney Mr George Perrine and Mr Thomas Gilham are appointed by our Mrs command? to goe to Portsmouth for the cureing of the wounded souldiers that come from the Isle of Rea in ffrance which are nowe remayneing wounded and sicke at Portsmouth upon the letter of the Lord Conwaye signifieing his Mat? pleasuer therefore. 8th July, 1628. This daye Mr Peter Thorney is by this Court desired to goe Surgion generall for the Armye that goes by Land. 23rd January, 1629. Mr. Peter Thorney having died in the King’s Service on the coast of France, John Heydon was chosen an Assistant in his place. Peter Thorney is mentioned on the monument to his Uncle, Thomas Thorney (Master, 1602, 1606), in St. Andrew’s, Holborn. (See Biographical Notices.) 19th April, 1630. This daye the Examiners mett here in Court upon the recomendac?on of the lord? of the privey Councell signified by Sr John Cooke secretary of state for the approveing of one Dupont a french man to practise for the cure of the pox. Whereupon the said Dupont being examined was found altogether insufficient. 20th April, 1630. This daye Edward ffleete paid in xxs for his fine for not reading lecture according to his turne. 20th October, 1631. This Court takeing notice of the lack of a Private dissection Roome for anatomicall imployement? and that hitherto those bodies have beene a greate annoyance to the tables dresser boardes and utensills in or upper Kitchin by reason of the blood filth and entrailes of those Anathomyes and for the better accomodateing of those anatomicall affaires and preserveing the Kitchin to its owne prop? use, Doe nowe order that there shalbe a faire convenient roome built over the greate staire case next the back yard to be imployed onely for discection of private Anathomyes to the value of xlli. 28th December, 1632. On the death of Dr. Gwyn, in December, 1627, it had been arranged that in future the Surgeons of the Company should read the Anatomical lectures in turn, weekly; but great difficulty having been experienced in carrying out this 23rd March, 1635. Alsoe this Court takeing notice that in theis latter yeares there hath bene a generall remissnes in the greater p?t of the Surgians of this Companie in their not appearance and personall attendance in their Seates on the Scaffoldings at the Six lecture tymes at the publique Anatomye, and the disorderlynes of those Surgians yt doe appeare for wanting their outward ornament commixing themselves confusedly amongst the Comon people then p?nte, whereby the honor and worthynes of this Companie on the Surgians p?te hath bene much eclipsed. ffor redresse of wch enormious exorbitance and for the better grace and Wor?p~ of this Companie. It is now decreed that for ever hereafter at the tymes of publiq~e Lecture readings on the Sceletons or Anatomies in this Comon Hall this ensueing order for the greater decencye & more Wor?p~ of this Companie shall from tyme to tyme hereafter yearely be observed and put in due execution, vizt., That every Surgian either of the Assistants or of the Liverye shall appeare in his gowne in the forenone and afternoone of one daye at the least of the 3 dayes lectures at every publiq~e discection And that every Surgian of the Wardeins and of the Assistants of the yeomanrye shall likewise appeare in his gowne in the forenone and afternoone of one daye at the least of the three dayes lectures at every publiq~e Anatomye, and everye one of those Surgians dureing the tyme of such lecture shall sitt decently in such place in the Scaffoldings as is appropriated to every of them in their degrees and Rancks as aunciently hath bene accustomed upon payne that every Surgian that shall not accordingly appeare shall forfeite and paye to the use of the Companie the some of Twoe shillings and Six pence, or appeareing shall not weare his gowne all the tyme of such readeing for one daye at the least the som~e of Twelve pence, And that every p?son of the CoiÃltie or fforreine brothers professeing Surgerye shall likewise appeare in the forenone and afternone of one daye at the least of the 3 dayes lectures at the publiq~e Anatomye and not appeareing shall forfeite Twelve pence without redempc?on of all or any p?te of any of the fines aforesaid. 24th September, 1635. Alsoe for that Nicholas Downeing not being an approved Surgian according to Lawe did twoe opac?ons Alsoe this daye the said Nicholas Downeing was fined by this Court at vjs. viijd. for his uncivill behavior to Mr John Woodall an auncient Mr of this Companie. 6th October, 1635. Alsoe Nicholas Downeing being here in Court was required to paye his three fines according to his promise the last Thursdaye, denied to paye them, is by this Court comitted to the Compter in Wood Streete in my lord Maior of Londons name. The following entry is not complimentary to Dr. William Harvey, the discoverer of the circulation of the blood, the marginal note in the minute book being “Doctor Harveys ill practise.” 17th November, 1635. This daye Wm Kellett being called here in Court for not makeing presentac?on of one Mr Kinnersleys maide that died in his charge, he saied here in Court that Mr Doctor Harvye being called to the patient did upon his vew of the patient saie, that by the meanes of a boulster the tumor on the temporall muskle would be discussed and his opinion was, that there was noe fracture but the vomiteing came by reason of the foulenesse of the Stomacke, and to that purpose p?scribed physick by Briscoe the Apothecarye, soe the patient died by ill practise, the fracture being neglected & the Companie not called to the vew. The next entry illustrates the peremptory method of dealing with a quack:— 22nd October, 1635. One Christopher Hatton whoe saied he waighteth on Sr Wm Belfore his Mat? Lieutenant of The Tower came to this Court to knowe the reason of the Companies takeing downe of LÃw Raylens banner or mountabanck table of bladders & stones being a stranger borne & then were hung upon Tower hill execution place, this Courts answere was that by the Lawes & Charters of this Companie they tooke & demolished them. Also the said Lawrence Ruylen a mountabanck was called here in Court and ordered to paye his fine of vli for hanging his signes tables bladders and stones upon the publique post? in streetes & on the Traitors scaffold on Tower hill in an exorbitant manner being contrary to the Lawes and Charters of this Companie confirmed according 1637. For several years prior to and about this period numerous entries occur of Surgeons being fined £5 for going to sea without license or without having their sea chests examined, also for sending their apprentices to sea as surgeons’ mates without examination. 29th March, 1638. It is ordered that Edward Arris 3rd July, 1638. Upon the complaint agt ffran: Soare for discecting a bodye in his owne house contrary to the ordinance It is ordered he shalbe sumoned agt the next Court. 22nd October, 1638. Tho. Bowden being called to this Court for not makeing p?ntac?on of his patient Godfrey Lee whoe died under his hand? is fined at xls. Alsoe the said Thomas Bowden being not an approved Surgian for that he tooke upon him the cure & charge of ye said Godfrey being daungerouslie wounded & did not joyne an able & approved surgian with him in that cure is fined at vli. Alsoe it is ordered that for his the said Thomas Bowdens evill practise in Surgerye he shalbe Comitted to the Compter in Wood Streete. Mr. Bowden subsequently mended his ways as he was elected Third Warden in 1654 and Upper Warden in 1660. 22nd October, 1638. It is ordered that the Mr & Wardens & as many of the Assistants Surgians with Counsell shall attend the right honoble ye Lord? of his Mat? most honoble privye Councell about the new Patent for distilling strong Waters. 6th March, 1639. Mrs. Susan Gwinn, widow of Dr. Gwinn, the Reader of Anatomy, presented the Doctor’s MSS. to the Company. 1638–9. About this period the war with Scotland consequent upon Charles I interfering in Scotch Church matters, broke out, and a large army being collected in the North the Barber-Surgeons were directed to “press” and forward twenty-three Surgeons to Newcastle. The Minute relating to this is as follows,— 20th April, 1639. Upon reading the warrt sent to this house from Yorke signed by the Lord Generall concerneing the want of Surgians in the Armye It is concluded by the Governors & Assistants here p?nte that Mr Warden Dunn & Mr Collins shall goe on, & goe aboard some Newcastle shipp and agree with a shipper for ye conveighance of ye Surgians & their Chests & provisions & their mates, & likewise give them conduct money, & that for the present that charge to be borne out of the stock of this house untill it cann be reobteyned from the Thr?r of ye Armye. This appears to have cost the Company £44 14s., whereof they received but £23, the balance never having been paid. The details of the expenditure are subjoined, and in reading them we cannot but commiserate the unhappy men who were barged to Gravesend and thence “transported” to Newcastle. Disbursemt? for Impresting and Shippinge of the Surgians in the Years Imploymt for the Kings Service.
In accordance with their Charters the ancient practice of the Company had been to elect annually two Surgeons and two Barbers for Master and Wardens; this fell into electing two Surgeons and two others who were often neither Barbers nor Surgeons, and latterly, even the qualification of Surgery came to be disregarded, whereupon (29th March, 1639) a mandate, signed by Charles I and directed to the Company, was read in Court (see Appendix, G) in which the King set forth that divers persons as “hosiers dyers & other tradesmen unskilfull in Chirurgery or Barbarye” had been chosen for Masters and Wardens contrary to the Charters and Acts of Parliament, and further “wee takeing into considerac?on of what dangerous consequence it maye be to suffer a Companye wherein the lives and safetie of or people are soe much concerned and for wch or progenitors have soe carefully provided to be governed by such unskilfull p?sons,” the This order of the King appears for some little time to have been obeyed, and then the Company relapsed into their old practice of choosing at their pleasure, whereupon another mandate came from the King, for we find that:— 17th January, 1644. The Court took notice of the King’s mandate, and a very long and elaborate minute is entered to the effect that the practice of choosing two Barbers and two Surgeons for Governors was fraught with much inconvenience and had led to great dissensions, and the Court referring to the Statute of Henry VII, where it is allowed that any person free of the Company following any other profession than that of a Barber or Surgeon should be reputed and taken as a Barber, ordered that for the future, any Member of the Assistants, other than a Barber or Surgeon, might be put in nomination, and that he should be accounted a Barber. The Court were very careful to express their loyalty to the King whilst they ignored his mandate, trusting no doubt, that should they afterwards be called to account by the King, their dutiful expressions towards him would serve in a measure as an excuse for disobeying his express commands. Mould for ye Kings Evill. 2nd July, 1639. Anthony Mould called to this Court and questioned concerneing his practise in Surgerye, confessed that he deales onely in swellings and Kernills & hath a licence from the Kinge to practise the same, he hath lately taken into his Cure one George Ravenscroft for scrophilous tumors in the neck, this Court at the said Moulds request, hath given libertye to Mould to cure him by Michaelmas next, & he hath promised then to present the said Geo: whole & well to this Court. Some nine years afterwards Mould was again before the Court in a case of King’s evil. 21st March, 1648. Henry Ivatt complayned against Anthony Mold for his evill practice On the Wife of the said Ivatt who being afflicted with the Kings Evill Whereof he undertooke to cure her And for that purpose did receive of the said Ivatt xxxs in hand and was to have 40s more when she was cured Both partyes refeered themselves to this Court Whereupon this Court doth Order That the said Mold doth restore xxs back againe to the said Ivatt Which he promised to pay accordingly And soe all differences betweene the said parties by theire owne consent to cease and determine. 6th February, 1646. It is this day ordered That our Mr and Mr Warden Browne 9th March, 1646. This day Mr Warden Browne acquainted this Court that whereas he about 6 yeares sithence had a child of Mr Hamonds to his Patient with whome he upon his first calling thither found Mr Thomas Bowden 23rd April, 1646. Mr. Martin Browne requested and had a Committee of Examiners to enquire into the case of Hamond’s child, and to report to the Court. 14th May, 1646. The Committee brought up their Report, finding that on the 28th January, 1639, Mr. Browne was called to Mr. Hamond’s child in Bow Lane, the child having fallen out of a window and seriously injured its head. That Mr. Browne consulted with Dr. Spicer and Mr. Thomas Bowden (whom he found there) and as they all conceived the child to be in danger, presentation was duly made to the Wardens of the Barber-Surgeons, that thereupon by general consent, the child was let blood and had a glister, and the next 23rd October, 1646. This Court doth order That all the approved Chirurgeons according to Law shall appeare at all publique Anatomyes for the time to come in a fflatt Capp upon the penalty of 3s 4d and all the rest of the Livery in a Hatt. 1646. The Charges of the Anathomyes betweene Michas and Christmas last.
26th January, 1647. William Watson haveing his Letters of admittance and not sealed the Bond according to the ordinance in that behalfe did amongst other uncivill behaviour and words to our Mr and the Court say That he would not be whip?d by a Bond and that he would give his answer at his owne convenience. And when our Mr told him That he must seale the Bond he answered That must was for the King, But this Court gave him a fortnight to give his answer peremptorily. 1655. The following is a Copy of a Surgeon’s Certificate to practise:— Certificate in the behalf of a Chirurgeon. To all people to whom this present writeing shall come John Fredericke Esqr Alderman of the Cittie of London Thomas Allen Abraham Clerke and Thomas Bowden Masrs or Gov?nors of the Mistery and cominalty of Barbers and Chirurgeons of London send Greeting in our Lord God everlasting. Whereas Wee have had experience & sufficient Tryall as well of the good behaviour & honest conversac?on of Samuell Holditch a Freeman of the said mistery and Cominaltie & one of the Cloathing of our said Corporac?on as alsoe of his skill exp~ience & knowledge in the Arte or Science of Chirurgery. Now know yee that wee the said Masters or Gov?nors (att the humble suite and entreatie of the said Samuell Holditch & for his further app?ac?on of his skill) Have on the day of the date of these presents caused him to be deliberately examined & tryed before us concerning his sufficiency & knowledge in the same arte by William Kings In Witnesse whereof we the said Masters or Gov?nors have hereunto subscribed our names & caused the ComÕn seale of ye said Corporac?on to be fixed this seaventh day of May in the yeare of our Lord God according to the accompt kept in England One thousand six hundred fifty & five. John Frederick 1690. The following is a copy of a Press warrant issued by the Masters and Governors to their Beadles, Smith and Wills:— Whereas by certeine Letters pattents of our Late Sovereigne Lord King Charles the first dated the ffifteenth day of August in the first yeare of his reigne As alsoe by order of our Sovereigne Lord the King in Councill beareing date the twenty eight day of December last Wee the Masters or Governors of the Mistery & CoiÃlty of Barbers & Chirurgions of London are Authorized and required forthwith to cause to be impressed or taken up for their Majties service in Ireland ffortey Chirurgeons Mates & to returne their Names to the Councill Board that care may be taken for their subsistance, In pursuance of the said Authorities & in discharge of the trust in us reposed Wee doe hereby require & com~and you Peter Smith & Jonas Wills being our officers joyntley & severally to imprest for their Majties Service fortey Able Chirurgeons Mates delivering every person by you imprest one shilling impresse money chargeing him upon his Allegiance forthwith to p?pare himselfe for the said Service & to make his personall appearance before us at our Com~on Hall upon further Summons there to receive such orders & direcc?on for his speedy repaire to such Service as he shall be assigned unto, and for better execuc?on hereof his Majties Deputy leiftennants Sherr~s Mayors Bayliffs & Constables & others whom it may concerne are to be aiding & assisting unto you. Given under our Comon Seale this 17th day of January in the first yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Ladie King William & Queene Mary 1689. 2nd July, 1690. It was ordered that any of the Assistants or Livery being Surgeons and not appearing at the Public Anatomy were to forfeit 3s. 4d. each. 12th December, 1690. Whereas there hath been an abuse offered to Mr ffenton Bynns by Doctr Goodall for giveing internall medicines in a case of Surgery, Ordered that if the College of Phisitians doe arrest Mr Bynns that he shall bee defended at the cost of the Company for the fact now menc?oned in Court. 20 July, 1693. Considering some late ill practises in this Company relating to Anatomy & to prevent the same for the future it is ordered by this Court that noe p?son what soever (except the Reader, Masters & Stewards of Anatomy for the time being) shall use a knife &c. to disect any humaine body at any time hereafter brought to this Hall for an Anatomy upon the forfiture of xls for every fact soe com~itted. The Court would seem to have had the power of nominating the Surgeons and Surgeons’ Mates to the ships of the Royal Navy. There are hundreds of instances in the books of these appointments, but the following will suffice as examples:— 11th August, 1693. Ordered that Mr John Bamber bee warranted Chirurgeon of the Waymouth at Portsmouth. Ordered that Larkham bee continued on board the Bristoll. Ordered that Mr Harding have the first fowerth rate that shall bee ordered out. 13th February, 1694. Ordered that Mr Nicholson bee continued Chirurgeon of the Oxford & that the Captaine bee acquainted with the same. 27th February, 1694. John Jenkin this day relinquished all title & clame to the St Paull ffire shipp, ordered that Richard Woolett bee warranted in his rome at the request of Captaine Mitchell. 22nd June, 1698. Ordered that the whole body of the p?son desected bee entirely buried some time tomorrow & that Cave the Beadle take care & see it done. 20th July, 1698. Mr Woodward p?sented five Books of Mr Arris Surgery to the Company. There is no notice at the British Museum, of any Surgical book written by Edward Arris; these were probably some books which had belonged to him. 29th July, 1701. Dr. Tyson having made some proposals as to the regulation of the Library, a Committee was this day appointed 3rd December, 1709. It was ordered that no Examiner in Surgery should in future accept any gratuity from, or be treated or entertained in any manner by, any Sea Surgeon or Surgeon’s Mate, either before or after examination, under the penalty of being removed from his offices of Examiner and Assistant. 1st June, 1710. The Archbishop of Canterbury To The most Reverend ffather in God Thomas by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The humble petition of the Masters or Governors Assistants Livery & ffreemen of the Mystery & Comonalty of Barbers & Surgeons of London. Sheweth: That severall Surgeons unlearned & unskilfull in that Art have set up & practised within Seven miles of the City of London under Colour of a Licence from yor Grace & without the examination & approbation of such Surgeons as the Law hath appointed for that purpose ffor which reason wee beg leave to lay before yor Grace the following representation, vizt.: That the Company of Barbers & Surgeons were incorporated by the Charter of King Edward the Second wch was confirmed by the Charter of Edward the fourth with this Addic?onal Clause That the Governors of the Company should examine approve & authorise all such as should practise in that ffaculty. That the said Charter of Edward 4th not having provided by sufficient penaltys against that great & growing mischeife which sprung from the unskillfullness of several The Bishop of each Diocess being therefore by their Law invested with a Temporall power perfectly forreign to their Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction & Spirituall care We do humbly hope yor Grace will not exercise this authority which was never by this law placed in the Metropolitane but was only to be exercised by the Diocesan under a regular Examination by persons admitted into our Company. And yor Grace will find this the more reasonable upon Consideration of this Act for the law makes it a part of the Ecclesiasticall concernment upon a supposition that severall persons pretending to Surgery had practised Sorcery & Witchcraft which yor Grace will pardon us if we beg leave to say was an artificiall notion set up by the popish Clergy in those times to draw within their own Verge the Inspection & approbation of all such persons as attended the beds of dying men. But however that law was obtained, our Company which consisted of all such persons as exercised Surgery within London or seven miles being afterwards incorporated by the Statute of 32 H. 8, C. 42, no man could practise within London or seven Miles Compass of the City without an examination by four of the faculty thus incorporated & without being solemnly admitted into the Company. And accordingly the Bishop of London has from time to time been pleased to do us that Justice that we humbly presume yor Grace will not deny us, vizt not to license any person within his Diocess who hath not first obtained a Testimoniall under the Seale of our Company certifying the examination of such person & his skill & ability for the exercise of that art. But if this restraint of yor Graces Licences were not to be asked as a matter of Justice We should not doubt to obtain it as a favour, when yor Grace considers how this maner of entring into the faculty opens a way to the Ignorant & unskillfull to the great prejudice both of the Company & of the publick, for yor Grace cannot be so much at leisure from yor pastorall care to enquire into the abilitys of such as pretend to sign Lastly we think we may add that the Companys services of the publick may reasonably deserve some consideration from all lovers of the publick for that ten of the principall persons of the faculty meet once a week at their Hall to examine & approve all Surgeons & Surgeons Mates that are in her Majesties Service which amount to five hundred in a year & to inspect all Sea Surgeons Chests of medicines & instruments & to peruse the Journalls of their practice & to view all Sea officers who are wounded in fight & this without the least reward nor are any admitted into the Sea Service without their Testimoniall & approbation to the very great preservation of the Seamen And tis presumed that a Regulation that has been found so necessary at Sea will appear at Land to be equally beneficiall. Wherefore yor petitioners humbly begg that yor Grace will not for the future be pleased to give Lycences to any persons to practise Surgery within London or seven miles compass thereof untill such persons skill & ability for the exercise of that art appears by a Testimoniall under our Companys Seale to have been tried & approved of by the ten Examiners of our Company appointed for that purpose. There is no note of any reply to this letter having been received from the Archbishop. 6th February, 1711. The Court petitioned the Queen that they might have the Examination and certifying of all Army Surgeons (who were then examined by the Surgeon-General) in the same way that they examined and passed the Navy Surgeons. 20th February, 1711. Letters similar in effect to the one addressed to the Archbishop on 1st June, 1710, though slightly differing to meet some altered circumstances not necessary to be here 6th March, 1711. It is ordered that William Cave one of the Beadles of this Company do make Inquiry who the persons were that carryed away the last body from Tyburne & that such persons be Indicted for the same. 16th August, 1711. Mr. Daniell Turner intending to become a “Collegiate Physician” applied for his discharge from the Freedom and Livery of the Company, which was granted to him for £50, and that sum he at once paid down. 9th October, 1711. Richard Russell one of the persons who stands Indicted for carrying away the last publick body applying himself to this Court & offering to be evidence against the rest of the persons concerned It it ordered that the Clerk do apply himself to Her Majesty’s Attorney Generall for a Noli p?sequi as to the said Russell in order to make him an evidence upon the sd Indictment & particularly agst one Samuell Waters whom the Court did likewise order to be indicted for the said fact. It was no uncommon circumstance for candidates under examination to be rejected, the reason being often rather tersely given, e.g.: 13th February, 1712. Wm Ogilby Rejected & said very Saucily it should be the last time. Alexr Keith Rejected because an Apothecary’s boy. Edward Brown Rejected because a Barber. James Erwin ffor a Mate and rejected for Sauciness to Mr Blundell & the Court. 1st April, 1712. Two Barbers were ordered to be prosecuted for practising Surgery contrary to the By-Laws. 6th May, 1712. Ordered that Mr Watts be summoned to appear before the Governors att the next Court to answer a Complaint agt him for practiceing Surgery & Instructing Barbers for 2 Guineas a peice. Ordered that Mr Small be likewise summoned to appeare before the Governors att the next Court to answer a Complaint agt him for amputateing a Breast without calling an examiner to be present. 27th May, 1712. John Wooding having been convicted at the Old Bailey for taking away the body of John Addison from the place of execution, the Court prayed the Lord Chief Justice to allow the sentence upon him to be inserted in the Gazette, and afterwards to consent in the Company’s name to the remission of his fine and imprisonment. 19th June, 1712. Mr. Bartlett, a truss maker, having been summoned for practising Surgery, he was ordered “to take from his sign board that he cures Ruptures.” 7th May, 1713. The Court having complained to the Bishop of London of the inconvenience arising from his licensing persons to practise Surgery, and the Bishop having informed the Company that he would not issue any more such licenses without a certificate of fitness from the Company, it was thereupon ordered that 5 guineas should be paid yearly to his Lordship’s Registrar as Caveat money. 28th May, 1713. Ordered that the Clark go to the Secretary at War for a Guard in order to gett the next Body [from Tyburn]. 13th August, 1713. Upon hearing a complaint ag~st Mr Godman & Mr Pinsent for prtending that one Vincents thigh was broke when it was not & then they had sett it contrary to truth & proficiency in Surgery & the Patient & other Witnesses being examined & proving ye fact ag~st him, the Court fined Mr Godman five pounds for his unskillfull & wilfull practice & to be sued upon the by law or his bond as shall be thought most convenient. 19th November, 1714. Att this Court John Spurling a Barber at Highgate was ordered to be prosecuted upon the Company’s Charter for practising Surgery upon John Holmes Barber. 21st April, 1715. The Court being informed that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty proposed to place the viewing of Sea Surgeons’ chests with Dr. Oliver and Mr. Rider, Physician and 4th June, 1715. The Lords of the Admiralty having requested the Court to undertake, with Dr. Oliver, the examination of such Warrant Officers in the Navy as should apply for superannuation pensions on the ground of age, wounds or infirmities, the Court directed the Clerk to reply stating that the Company would perform that office, and hold Courts for the purpose, on the first Friday in each month. Pursuant to the above, Courts were held and certificates granted from time to time. 5th June, 1716. It is ordered That Nathaniel Charles be prosecuted He owning that he had lett blood severall times for one shilling and six pence, As allso his Master Joseph Roe. Twas observed that Mr Roe could not write his name haveing set his mark only to the Indenture. 3rd July, 1716. Ordered that the Clerk do permitt Mr. Beckett 6th July, 1716. Att this Court Mr Langley who lives in Shoreditch being suspected to be a Quack Doctor was exaied touching his skill in Surgery but not being able to answer a question was rejected. 1st July, 1720. Ordered That the Porter in Southwark and a Bone setter in Cheapside be prosecuted for Bone seting. 5th August, 1720. James King the Surgeon who deposited £7 13s. 0d. in order to be exaied againe as a fforreigne Brother was now Examined againe but not being fittly qualifyed he was rejected and ordered his money back And ordered to be prosecuted in case he shall ever practice Surgery for the future. 23rd June, 1721. The Master represented to the Court that “great trouble and inconveniency” had arisen in consequence of such Surgeons as had of late offered themselves for examination not having presented the Governors and Examiners “with Gloves of such sort and goodness as had been customarily and antiently given to the Governors and Examiners upon such examinac?on and by buying the gloves of tradesemen who were not proper dealers in such sort of goods.” Whereupon it was ordered that in future every Candidate before Examination should deposit with the Clerk as much money as would be sufficient to pay each of the Governors and Examiners who should be present six shillings, for them to lay out in the purchase of such gloves as they should see fit. On the 10th December, 1725, the glove money was raised from 6s. to 10s. 6d. The real secret of the above order, no doubt was, that there were such a great number of surgeons coming up for examination from time to time, that the Governors and Examiners got less money and more gloves than they wanted. 26th April, 1723. It is ordered that Mr John Douglass Surgeon and a fforeigne brother of this Company shall be admitted into the freedom and Livery of this Company and be discharged and acquitted from holding or paying any fine for his freedom or Livery, or for all or any offices to the Parlour door as a Compliment to him for introducing the new method of Cutting for the Stone and to express the sense this Court hath of the usefullness therof. 4th September, 1724. William Turner Barber who was sumoned at the last Court for letting blood appeared at this Court and owning his practiceing Surgery and insisting on his right and sufficiency so to do This Court doth order that the Clark do sue the said Turner for letting blood and practiceing Surgery contrary to the Statute of 32. Hen: 8: Cap. 42. 2nd October, 1724. At this Court Thomas Cooke was examined for a fforreigne Brother But being found insufficient he was rejected. Note he lives in Duck Lane Publishes Bills as a Quack pretending to the cure of the Venereall disease, but he being 1725. The following seems somewhat inappropriately placed amongst the dinner accounts for this year. The Charges to be Paid by the Masters and Stewards of Anatomy for Procuring a Body besides the Dinner at ye Viscera Lecture.
14th October, 1726. At this Court Peter North Boatswain of His Majesty’s ship Cornwall was viewed for superannuation and pretended to be afflicted with deafness & the Gout. But the Court being of opinion that his deafness (if any) was occasiond by wax in his ear only, which might be cured by syringing, and not being satisfyd that he had the gout, The Court did not think fit but that he was capable of further service at Sea. At this Court one Chambers surgeon in Duck Lane was examined touching his Skill in Surgery in order to be made a fforeign brother, but appearing to be a stupid ffellow & a sort of a Quack who gave out Bills, and not being able to answer a question the Court rejected him. 17th February, 1727. The Navy Board having, on the 16th inst., written to the Master and Wardens enclosing a copy of an anonymous letter which had been received, charging the Examiners in Surgery with partiality, and with qualifying incompetent persons as Navy Surgeons, the Court seem to have taken the matter up in a high spirited manner, and returned a long letter setting forth their practice in conducting the Examinations, referring in detail to the particular case alleged against them, and indeed made a most excellent and satisfactory defence. The correspondence is very lengthy and full of detail, much reference being made to the work carried on by the Company for the public service without fee or reward. 7th March, 1727. It is ordered That for ye future when any apprentices are to be bound to Surgeons they shall be called in & be examined by themselves touching their skil in ye Latin tongue. 7th April, 1727. James Ripoult a Frenchman was called in but not speaking English nor being naturalized the Court did not think it proper to examine him. 5th October, 1727. John Jacob Sax being a Prussian by birth & not naturalized nor understanding English The Court did not think it proper to examine him. William Miles recomended by Lord Torrington & examined but seeming to know nothing of Surgery was rejected. 16th January, 1729. A Petition was drawn up by the Court for presentation to the King, setting forth the Company’s right to four dead bodies of felons yearly to be obtained at Tyburn, and that of late divers riotous persons had wrested the bodies from the Company’s Beadles at the place of execution. The Court declared that these proceedings were greatly to the detriment of the study of Surgery, and also set forth the services which the Company rendered to the State, by examining Surgeons and their Mates for the Royal Navy, viewing their medicine chests and instruments, viewing all such Your petitioners do therefore humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to permitt and direct That a ffyle or Two of yr Majesty’s ffoot Guards shall upon applicac?on to the Commanding Officer attend the publick executions from time to time to guard and assist your Petic?oners Beadles in the taking away so many dead bodys yearly as are granted unto your Petic?oners by the said Act of Parliament or otherwise to releive your Petic?oners in such manner as your Majesty in your Majesty’s most gracious wisdom and condescension shall think fitt. The Company seem also to have applied to the Court of Aldermen again for assistance in this matter, for, on the 7th March following, it was ordered that 2,000 copies of two orders of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, dated respectively 4th February and 4th March, should be printed, and copies fixed up at Newgate and other public places on the road to Tyburn, some time before any execution, and also that the said orders should be inserted in the London Gazette and other papers. 4th April, 1729. Peregrine Compton Rejected being fuddled & not answering a question. 1st February, 1732. It was ordered that any extraordinary cases of Surgery appearing in the journals of the Sea Surgeons should be copied out into a book, as well as any others which might be reported to the Governors, and the same be laid before the Court of Examiners, from time to time, for their direction as to whether the same should be published. This book, if it ever existed, is not now in the Company’s possession. 15th August, 1734. It is ordered that from henceforward a Silver Medal not exceeding the value of a Guinea with a proper device upon each side of it to be made and presented at the end of the year to each of the Demonstrators now chosen and to the Demonstrators for the time being as an acknowledgment for their trouble in performing such Demonstrations. These medals by a subsequent order, were to have a representation of Holbein’s picture on one side and of Inigo Jones’ Theatre on the other, but they do not appear to have ever been struck. It was customary at the Demonstrations of Anatomy to provide specimens of parts of animals, presumably for comparison, as appears by some of the expenses incurred, e.g., in 1732:—
and the following is the Beadle’s Bill at the dissection of a female malefactor in 1735:—
4th February, 1735. Under this date is an entry of a long letter from the Commissioners of the Navy, complaining of the want of skill in a Surgeon, whereby great mortality had ensued on the ship Newcastle; the Court examined the Surgeon and his Journal and considered that there was nothing to find fault with as regarded his proficiency in Surgery, and that the sickness among the ship’s crew required skill in Physic rather than in Surgery, moreover they declared that the Physician at Greenwich examined the Navy Surgeons as to A long letter dated 5th February was accordingly written and is set out in the Minute Book. The Surgeon complained of was Thomas Middleton, son of Mr. Henry Middleton (the oldest Member of the Court) and it appears that he had been fully examined and qualified. 29th September, 1735. The following order touching the vexed question of dead bodies was issued by the Sheriffs:— London to Witt In Pursuance of an Act of Parliament made in the Thirty second year of King Henry the Eighth and of an order of Sessions bearing date the eighth day of July in the Fifteenth year of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles the First Sir Maurice Abbott Mayor. Wee do order and command our Officers who are entrusted with or attend the execution of such Malefactors as shall be to dye at any time hereafter during our Sheriffalty to deliver to Henry Gretton and William Littlebury Beadles of the Company of Barbers and Surgeons of London or such other Officer or Officers as the Company shall appoint, One of the Bodys of the said Malefactors from time to time for a publick Dissection and to assist them with the said body to their Hall according to an Order of the Court of Aldermen of the Thirteenth of February 1675 Given under our hands this 29th day of September 1735. Jno Barnard 1st June, 1736. It is ordered that the Constables of the Holborn Division shall be allowed Three Guineas and a halfe above the Guinea already paid them in regard to their expences at the last execution, when the Body was taken from the Beadles and retaken by the Constables and the Clerk is ordered to repay the same But the Clerk is not to pay the officers of the Compter the Two guineas usually received by them at every execution. 24th September, 1741. John Thrift the Executioner this day attended on a complaint made against him by the Beadles for obstructing the Bodys being brought from Tyburne to the Hall for dissection and threatning to prevent the Company’s measures for obtaining the same, when after he had been reproved, was Dismissed, But the Court then agreed (in order to prevent his intended proceedings) to attend the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen that they may on complaint made be releived therein. 18th December, 1741. Ordered that the High Constable of Holburne be allowed Ten shillings and sixpence as his ffee for every Body that shall be brought from Tyburne and delivered at this Company’s Hall and for his aiding and assisting the Company’s Beadles therein and not otherwise. 10th February, 1742. The Court either forgetting or ignoring their order of 7th May, 1713, now ordered that Mr. William Skelton, a proctor in Doctors’ Commons, who had for many years past received five guineas annually as Caveat money (being Registrar of the Bishop of London) and “pretended to be allowed him by this Company on account of his Lordship’s Grant for the Prohibiting of Surgeons to practice within his Diocese be no longer entitled to such fee untill such time as this Court shall be better informed of the nature of his right of demanding the same.” 23rd November, 1740. Great consternation prevailed at the Hall in consequence of a malefactor who had been hung at Tyburn having revived when brought here for dissection. The account of Mr. Wheeler’s account is as follows— November the 23d. 1740. This day Wm. Duell (who had been indicted at the Old Bayley for a Rape and had received sentence of Death for the same) was carryed to Tyburne in order to be executed where having hung some time was cutt down and brought to this Company’s Hall in order to be dissected where he had not been five minutes before Life appeared in him & being let blood and other means used for his recovery in less than two hours he sat upright drank some warm wine and look?d often round him and before he was carryed back to Newgate which was about Twelve o’the Clock at Night he severall times pronounced distinctly the word Dont when anybody touched him though was thought to be mostly insensible of anything but paine which in a great measure he endured by his most violent screamings & was often in strong convulsions in his bowells which he then exprest by applying his hands to those parts. The Sheriffs having ordered him back to Newgate he was carryed out in a blankett putt into a Coach & was seemingly much composed & quiet not making any manner of noise wherein 3 or 4 days time he recovered sufficient to converse & eat & drink very freely but never could give any reasonable account of what had passed. He afterwards obtained a reprieve in order to be transported for life which he was accordingly in the 16th year of his age. (Vide his Tryall in the Sessions paper of that time.) The Wardens’ accounts give the following particulars relative to this case:—
A somewhat similar account of the foregoing circumstance will be found in Maitland’s London (ed. 1756), Vol. I, p.613, and also in the Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol. X, p.570. |
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