The following Reign is too full of the business of the Holy War, with which Richard was, above all men, most infatuated, to afford much matter for our purpose. Henry had, by the good government and direction of his revenues, left behind him great treasures; but these, or ten times as much, would not answer the purpose of his Successor, who ransacked every corner of his Kingdom for money to carry on this work of zeal, which had seized all Christendom, whereby Richard, on the Throne of a great and opulent Kingdom, thought he saw so fair a prospect of reaping honour and renown.
Henry left in his treasury at Winchester more than nine hundred thousand pounds[139], besides jewels, and other valuable things[140]; but this would go but a very little way towards recovering Jerusalem, which had beentaken, and was now in the hands of the Saracens. Before the death of Henry, Richard had bound himself in a vow to Philip of France, to join in this undertaking; and every one,ad Regis exemplum, strove either to go in person, or to supply money towards the expence of the expedition. Nothing, however sacred, could withstand Richard, in his schemes to raise money for this purpose. Most of the Crown lands which Henry had, with so much prudence and address, but a few years before, recovered out of private hands, and annexed to the State, were again put up to public sale, to be purchased by such as were able. Every expedient was devised, to create a fund for this enterprize; and among the rest, he obtained of the Pope a power to dispense with the vows of such who had rashly engaged in the Crusade, by which he raised very large sums. The Bishop of Norwich paid him 1000 marks, to be excused. Where he could, he borrowed; and where he could not borrow, he compelled. The people murmured at his oppression, and the alienation of the estates of the Crown; butRichard told them,he would sell London itself, if he could meet with a purchaser. So great, however, was the general infatuation, that he had less difficulty in raising men than money. The Clergy laboured as zealously to procure him soldiers, as he himself had been active in raising subsidies; his army soon became very numerous, and at a cheap rate, for every officer and private soldier provided himself with necessaries. One would think the great wealth that Richard had amassed would have answered all his purposes; but in a few years after, he had occasion for fresh supplies, to carry on a war with Philip of France; not to mention the ransom which was paid for his release, on his being taken prisoner by the Emperor Henry, amounting to 150,000 marks, which were raised for the occasion by his subjects in England. Philip of France had so maltreated Richard, by leaguing himself with his Brother John, and bribing the Emperor to detain him prisoner, that, as soon as Richard returned home, he could no longer deny himself the satisfaction of revenge. His Kingdomwas already drained, and little able to furnish out supplies for a war with France; but Richard was resolved, and money must be had at any rate, let the means be ever so dishonourable. For this purpose he revoked all the grants of the Crown lands, which he had made before his expedition to Palestine. The pretext for this was, that the purchasers had enjoyed them long enough to re-imburse themselves out of the profits, and therefore he did them no injury by taking the lands back again. This was one device; the next was, to avail himself of the loss of the Great Seal, by ordering a new one to be made; and obliged all who had commissions under the old one, to renew them, and have them resealed, by which he must have raised a considerable sum[141].
King Richard I. having no child of either sex, there was not an opening for demanding the two commonAids; but the third, in the order they are usually placed,viz.for theransomof theKing's Person, was exercised for the first time in this Reign. Other taxations, heavy and enormous, on frivolous and nugatory occasions, not to our immediate purpose, were copiously extorted from the subject, and even in a shameful manner[142]. If ever the Latin adage, "Quicquid delirant Reges," &c. could be properly applied, it belonged to Richard.
The favourite system of this King was theHoly-War, and his intemperate zeal led to the point before us. Failing in the attempt to recover Jerusalem from the Saracens, he concluded a truce of three years with Saladan their King; and, on his return towards England through Germany, was made prisoner by the Arch-duke of Austria (upon a pretext that he had killed the Margrave Conrade at Tyre); who delivered him into the hands ofthe Emperor, where he remained a captive fullfifteen months, till he was ransomed[143].
The sum demanded for the King's release is generally allowed to have been 100,000l.; though some writers reduce it a third part, and call it 100,000marks; but, let it be either of them, it was, in those days, a sum not to be raised without the greatest extortion; and I am justified in saying, it was not done without what, eventually, almost amounted tosacrilege[144]. The church was ransacked for plate, which was pretended to have been only borrowed for the moment—but the debt was never repaid.
In the eleventh year of King Henry IV. a certain portion of the customs in the several ports, of subsidies in several ports, of theissues of the hamper [now the Hanaper], and of the profers [sic] of escheators and sheriffs, were, by the King's letters patent, set apart for the expences of his Household. This was done by the assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, assembled in the King's Council[145].
In the Reign also of King Edward IV. it was usual for the King to grant to his servants, or ministers, assignments for their salaries, or debts, upon divers officers who were concerned in receiving his revenue;viz.upon Sheriffs of Counties, Bailiffs, orMen[fortè Mayors] of Towns, Collectors of Customs, Subsidies, &c. Upon these assignments the Assignees had Patent-Letters, Tallies of the Exchequer, or Writs of Liberate currant, made forth for their avail; and, in default of payment, they brought actions of debt in the Court of Exchequer, upon suchAssignments, Tallies, or Liberates, against the Sheriffs, or other Officers aforesaid; many instances of which may be seen in the fifth year of King Edward IV. in the Placita coram Baronibus, 5 Edward IV. in the Rolls of the Exchequer[146].
The King was wont to distribute his revenue in such manner as he thought fit. He assigned, at his pleasure, part of it to the expences of his Household, and other parts to the expences of either civil government or war[147].
An act done within the verge of the King's Palace was said to be done inpræsentiâ Regis. The party offending was tried in the Court held in the Palace, before the Steward and Marshal; and the proceedings there, were styledPlacita Aulæ Domini Regis de Coronâ[148].
The Liber Niger Domûs Regis Angliæ[149][i. e.Edward IV.] contains Orders for his said Majesty's Household, anno 1478; and relates to the following Officers:
A Chamberlain.Bannerets, or Bachelor Knights, to be Carvers and Cup-bearers (four).Knights of Household (twelve) to do the Office of Ewerers.A Secretary.Chaplains (four).Esquires for the Body (four).A Sewer for the King.Surveyor for the King,i. e.of the Dresser.Wardrobe.Gentlemen Ushers of Chamber (four).Yeomen of the Crown (twenty-four).Yeomen of Chamber (four).Wardrobe of Robes.Wardrobe of Beds.Grooms of Chamber (ten).Pages of Chamber (four).Jewel-house.Doctor of Physic.Master Surgeon.Apothecary.Barber.Henxmen. Six Infants.Master of the Henchmen.Squires of Household.Kings of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants.Serjeants at Arms (four).Minstrels (thirteen).A Wayte. N. B. This Yeoman (for suchwas his rank) waiteth (i. e.playeth; Isuppose) at the making of Knights ofthe Bath, watching upon them by night-timein the Chapel. Wherefore he hathof fee all the watching cloathing thatthe Knights should wear upon [them.]Messagers (four).Dean of the Chapel.Chaplains, and Clerks of the Chapel (twenty-six).Yeomen of the Chapel (two).Children of the Chapel (eight).Clerk of the Closet.Master of Grammar, to teach the Henxmen and Children of the Chapel.Office of Vestiary,i. e.Vestry.Clerk of Crown in Chancery.Clerk of the Market.Clerk of the Works.Marriage of Wards.Steward of Household.Treasurer of Household.Controller of Household.Cofferer.Clerks of Green Cloth.
————
Knights and Esquires of the Body.
Item, that all Knights for the Body, Cup-Bearers, and Knight Carvers, Squires for the Body, &c. be put to their attendance, and abook thereof delivered from the King's Highness into the compting-house, for a quarter of a year; the quarters to begin at October, January, April, and July.
Among the provisions, it is said
Knights of the Body, Carvers, and Cup-Bearers, [may have] every of them,twoYeomen sitting in the hall; and for their livery at night,oneloaf andan half, andagallon of ale;onetalshed and anhalf, andthreesizes of white lights[150].
Item, that the Marshall, ne Usher of the Chamber, send hisrodby any mean person or persons, to pantry, buttery, or cellar, spicery, chaundry, or any other office; but go in his own person. But if he be occupied, so that he may not, then he send such one with hisrod, as he will answer for on the morrow, and also that he will breve for, upon pain of six days wages.
Item, that weekly there be warned and appointed by the Huishiers [Ushers] of the Chamber, [those] who shall attend and serve the King for the week next following, that is to say, Carvers, Sewers, Cup-Bearers,Squires for the Body, and others.
Item, that every Lord, Knight, and Esquire, as wellSquire for the Body, as other within the Household, wear daily a collar of the King's livery about theirnekket(sic) as to them appertaineth, and that none of the said Squires fail hereof, upon pain of losing a week's wages.
Item, that the liveries forAll-night, for the King and Queen be set by day-light, from Candlemas to Michaelmas; and in the winter time, to eight of the clock at farthest.
Item, after the King and Queen's liveries delivered as aforesaid, no officer abide in his office, nor resort unto his said office after his departing, without a special commandment of the King or of the Queen; or else by special token from the Steward of the Household, or from the King or Queen's Chamberlains.
Punishment for neglect of Duty.
For the first offence, the party to be warned to amend.
For the second offence, imprisonment at the discretion of his Superior.
And for the third offence, a discharge from his office[151].
cometh to this Court at the six principal feasts of the year; takes such livery and service after the estate he is of; and for his winter and summer robes, for the feasts of Christmas and Whitsuntide, to be taken of the counting-house by even portions, ten pounds thirteen shillings and four pence; and for his fee of the King's Household, at the two terms of Easter and Michaelmas, by even portions, twenty marks in the counting-house.
Twelve Bachelors, sufficient and most valiant men of that order, of every Country, and more in number if it please the King, whereoffourto be continually abiding and attending upon the King's Person in Court, beside the Carvers abovesaid, for to serve the King of his bason, or such other service as they may do the King, in absence of the Carvers, sitting in the King's Chamber and Hall with persons of like service; every of them have eating in the hall one Yeoman, and taking for his chamber, at noon and night, one loaf, one quart of wine, one gallon of ale, one pitcher of wine, one candle wax, two candles pis, one tallwood and an half, for winter livery, from All-Hallowen-tide till Easter: rushes and litter all the year, of the Serjeant Usher, and for keeping of their stuff and Chamber, and to purvey for their stuff. Also at their livery in the Country, amongst them all, four Yeomen, after timeeight of these Knights be departed from Court, and the four Yeomen to eat daily in the hall with Chamberlains, till their said Masters come again; so that the number of Knights' servants be not increased when their Masters be present. Every Knight shall have into this Court resorting,threepersons, Waiters; the remanent of their servants to be at their livery in the Country, within seven miles to [of] the King, by the Herbergers sufficiently lodged; and, if it may be,twoKnights together. Also they pay, in this Court, for the carriage of their own stuff. And if a Knight take clothing, it is by warrant made to the King's Wardrober, and not of the Treasurer of Household. Some time Knights took a fee here yearly, oftenmarks, and clothing; but because[153]their clothing is not according for the King's Knights, therefore it was left.
Item, if he be sick, or specially let blood, or clystered, then he taketh livery,fourloaves,twomess of great meat and roast, half a pitcher of wine,twogallons of ale.This letting blood, or clystering, is to avoid pestilence; and therefore the people take livery out of the Court, and not for every sickness in man continuing in this Court.
FourNoble, of condition, whereof always two be attendant on the King's person, to array him, and unarray him; watch day and night; and to dress him in his cloaths. And they be callers to the Chamberlaine, if any thing lack for his person or pleasance. Their business is in manysecrets, some sitting in the King's chamber, some in the hall with persons of like service, which is calledKnight's service. Taking, every of them, for his livery at night, half a chet loaf, one quart of wine, one gallon of ale; and for winter livery, from All-Hallowtide till Easter, onepercherwax, one candle wax, two candles pric.[154]one talshide and an half, and wages in the compting-house. If he be present in the Court daily, seven-pence halfpenny; and cloathing with the Household,winter and summer, or else forty shillings, besides his other fee of the Jewel-house, or of the Treasurer of England; and besides his watching cloathing of Chamber of the King's Wardrobe. He hath, abiding in this Court, but two servants; livery sufficient for his horses in the country, by the Herberger. And if any Esquire be let blood, or else fore-watched, he shall have like livery with Knights. Litter and rushes all the year, of the Serjeant Usher of the Hall and Chamber. Oftentimes these stand instead of Carvers and Cup-bearers.
In the "Statutes of Eltham."
Esquires of the Body, every of them, to have ordinary within the Courtfourpersons, of the which to have sitting in the Hall two persons, and the residueut supra[i. e.to have no meat or drink within the House, but to be at board wages in the town]; and for their bouche of Court, every of them to have for their livery at night, one chet loaf, half a pitcher of wine, and one gallon of ale, onesize wax, three white lights, two talsheds, and two faggots.
In the appointment of Herbagage be ordinary for all Noble Estates, and others, for stabling of their horses, and beds for their servants, appointed by the King's Highness, at his Manor of Eltham, the 19th of January, in the 17th year of his Noble Reign.
It is appointed to Knights for the Body, and other Knights,sixhorses andtwobeds.
To every Esquire for the Body,fivehorses and two beds.
[N. B. Every Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber, whereof six,sixhorses andtwobeds.
Every Groom of the Privy Chamber,twohorses andtwobeds.
Every Gentleman Usher Daily Waiter,threehorses andonebed.
Every Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber,fourhorses andonebed[155].]
For the good order of the King's Chamber,it is said, the Pages of the King's Chamber must daily arise atseveno'clock, or soon after, and make a fire; and warn the Esquires of the Body of that hour, to the intent they may then arise, so as they may be ready, and the King's Chamber dressed in every thing as appertaineth, byeightof the clock at the farthest.
Item, that none of the servants of the said Esquires come within the Pallet Chamber; but be attendant at the door, as well at night as in the morning, with such gear as their Masters shall wear. And the said Pages, at the request of the said Esquires, to fetch in, and bear out, their night-gear, and all other their apparel, and likewise to make them ready, both at night and in the morning.
Item, that, if the Esquires for the Body do not arise at the warning of the Pages, so as the King's Chamber may be ready and dressed by the hour afore limited; that then immediately the Pages are to shew the same to the Lord Chamberlain.
[In the appointment of Lodgings, is a chamber for thesixGentlemenandUshersof the Privy Chamber, to sup in; which explains the above article.]
The Esquires for the Body, mentioned to have been at Eltham at that time, were, Sir Arthur Poole, Sir Edward Baynton, Sir Humphrey Forster, and [Mr.] Francis Pointz.
In the New Book of the King's Household of Edward IV. anno 1478:
Six Knights and five Squires appear to have been on duty for eight weeks from the last day of October, at the end of which they were relieved byfiveKnights and four Esquires. Sir Roger Ray, being Vice Chamberlain, was in both lists; for it is said afterwards, "We will that Sir Roger Ray, Deputy to my Lord Chamberlain, two Gentlemen Ushers, and two Yeomen Ushers, at least, be always attending upon us."
Twenty-four most seemly persons, cleanly and strongest Archers, honest of conditions, and of behaviour, bold men chosen and tried out of every Lord's house in England for their cunning and virtue thereof. One to be Yeoman of the Robes, another to be Yeoman of the Wardrobe of Beds in Household. These two, in certainty, eat in the King's Chamber daily. Other two be Yeomen Ushers of Chamber, eating there also. Another to be Yeoman of the Stole, if it please the King. Another to be Yeoman of the Armory. Another to be Yeoman of the Bows for the King. Another Yeoman to keep the King's Books. Another to keep his Dogs for the Bow. And, except the first four persons, the remnant may to the Hall, as the Usher, &c. or another to keep his best; and thus they may be put to business. Also it accordeth that they be chosen men of manhood, shooting, and specially of virtuous conditions. In the King's Chamberbe daily sitting four messes of Yeomen; and all the remnant eating in the Hall, sitting together above, joining to the Yeomen of Household; except at the five Great Feasts of the year, then as many Yeomen of Crown and Chamber as may sit in the King's Chamber shall be served there during the Feast; and every of them present in Court, hath daily allowed in the counting-housethree-pence, and cloathing for winter and summer, and ... yearly, or else eighteen shillings, beside their watching cloathing of the King's Wardrobe. And if any of them be sent out by the King's Chamberlain, then he taketh his wages of the Jewel-house, and vacat in the Cheque Roll till he be seen in Court again. Also lodging in the town, or in the country, sufficient for their horses, as nigh together as the Herbiger of Household may dispose; and always two Yeomen of Crown to have an honest servant in to [the] Court, in the Noble Edward's Statutes. And these were called "The Twenty-four Archers de pié courants entièrement devant le Roy par pairspour Gard [de] Corps du Roy[157]." These were called the King's Watchment. At this [or rather that] day, a Yeoman took but ten shillings for his gown, and four shillings and eight pence for his hosen and shoone. They have nothing else with the Householdsanscarriage of their beds, two men together, by deliverance or assignment for that carriage of the Controllers, and litter for their beds of the Serjeant Usher of the Hall and Chamber. And if any of them be sick, or let blood, he taketh for all day a cast of bread, one mess of great meat, one gallon of ale; and if it be of great sickness, he must remove out of the Court.
Also, when they make watch nightly, they should be gird with their swords, or with other weapons ready, and harness about them.
To be taking in this Court after that he standeth in degree, Gentleman, Yeoman, or Groom. It hath been much accustomed toone or two well-known Officers of the Ewry in Household, such as been for the month, Serjeant, or other. Also we find how this hath been used among ... by a well-betrusted Yeoman of Chamber, for lack of cunning of these other men. It is accustomed that a Knight of Chamber, or else Squire for the Body, or both, be present every time when the King will be shaven.
This Barber shall have every Saturday at night, if it please the King to cleanse his head, legs, or feet, and for his shaving, two loaves, one pitcher of wine; and the Ushers of Chamber ought to testify this, if this be necessary dispended or no.
Also, this Barber taketh his shaving cloths, basons, and all his other towels[158], and things necessary, by the Chamberlain's assignment, of the Jewel-house; no fees of plate or silver, but it be in his instrumental tools used by occupation, and that by allowance of the King's Chamberlain.
Six infants, or more, as it shall please the King, all these eating in the Hall, and sitting at one board together; and to be served two or three to a mess, as the Sovereigns appoint; taking daily for their breakfasts, amongst them all, two loaves, a mess of great meat, a gallon of ale. Also, for their supper in fasting days, according to their age, and livery nightly for them all to their chamber, one loaf, one gallon of ale; and for winter livery, two candles wax, four candles p'is, three talsheds, for them all. Rushes and litter all the year, of the Serjeant Usher of the Hall and Chamber. And if these Gentlemen, or any of them, be Wards; then, after their births and degrees, the Steward and Treasurer, with the Chamberlain, may appoint the service more large in favour by their discretions, when as often as them needeth, till the King's Grace hath given or sold[159]their lands and wards. And all theircompetent harness to be carried, and beddings. Two lodged together at the King's carriage, by oversight of the Comptroller; and every of them an honest servant to keep their chamber and harness, and to array him in this Court whilst their Masters be present in Court; or else to allow here no chamber dokyns, &c. And all other findings for their beds they take of the King's Wardrobe, by suit of the Master of Henxmen, made to the King's Chamberlain for warrants.
To shew the schools of urbanity and nurture of England; to learn them to ride cleanly and surely; to draw them also to justs; to learn them wear their harness; to have all courtesy in words, deeds, and degrees; diligently to keep them in rules of goings and sittings after they be of honour. Moreover to teach them sundry languages, and other learnings virtuous; to harping, to pipe, sing, and dance, with other honest and temperate behaving and patience; and to keep daily and weekly with these children due [discipline],with corrections in their chambers, according to such gentlemen; and each of them to be used to that thing of virtue that he shall be most apt to learn, with remembrance daily of God's service accustomed. This Master sitteth in the Hall next unto beneath these Henxmen, at the same board; to have his respects unto their demeanings, how mannerly they eat and drink; and to their communication, and other forms curial, after the book of urbanity. He taketh daily, if he be present in Court, wages, cloathing, and other liveries, as other Esquires of Household, save he is not charged with serving of the Hall. Carriage also for harness in Court competent by the Comptroller to be with the Henxmen his harness in Court; and to have into this Court one servant, whilst he is present; and sufficient liveries for his horses, in the town or country, by the Herberger. And if he be sick in Court, or let blood, he taketh two loaves, two mess of great meat, one gallon ternoise[160]. And for the fees that heclaimeth among the Henxmen of all their apparel, the Chamberlain is the judge.
Forty, or more, if it please the King, by the advice of his High Council, to be chosen men of their profession, worship, and wisdom; also to be of sundry Shires, by whom it may be known the disposition of the Countries. And of these, to be continually in this Court Twenty Squires attendant upon the King's Person, in riding and going at all times, and to help serve his table from the Surveying-board, and from other places, as the Assewar will assign.—Also, by their common assent, to assign amongst themselves some to serve the King's Chamber, at one day, week, or time, some to serve the Hall at another time, of every mess that cometh from the dressing-board to their hands for such service, so that thereof be nothing withdrawn by the Squires, upon such pain as Steward, Treasurer, or Controller, or in their absence other Judges at the counting-board, will award, after theirdemerits.—They eat in the hall, sitting together at any of the both meals as they serve, some the first meal, some the latter, by assent. This hath be [been] always the manner amongst them for honour [and] profit to the King.—It may be, that the King taketh into Household in all Sixty Squires, and yet, amongst them all, Twenty take not the whole wagesof the year[sic]; wherefore the number of persons may be received and suffered the better in the checque-roll for a worship, and the King's profit saved, and ease to them self.—Every of them taketh for his livery at night, half a gallon of ale; and for winter season, each of them taketh two candles parris, one faggot, or else half talwode.
When any of them is present in Court, he is allowed for daily wages, in the checque roll, seven-pence halfpenny, and clothing winter and summer; or else forty shillings. It hath ever been in special charge to Squires in this Court, to wear the King's Livery customably, for the more glory, and in worship of this honourable Household: and every of them to have in to this Court an honest servant,and sufficient livery in the towns or countries for their horses, and other servants, by the herberger. Two Gentlemen lodged together, and they be coupled bed-fellows by the Gentlemen Ushers.—And if any of them be let blood or sick in Court, or nigh, thereto, he taketh livery in eating days, two loaves, two mess of great meat, one gallon of ale, for all day, and litter all the year of the Serjeant Usher of the hall for their beds in Court.—And if any of these Squires be sent out of Court, by Steward, Treasurer, or Controller, or other of the counting-house, for matter touching the Household, then he hath daily allowed him twelve pence by petition. Also they pay for their carriage of harness in Court. They take no part of the general gifts, neither with chamber nor with hall, but if the giver give them specially a part by express name or words. None of these should depart from Court but by licence of Steward, Treasurer, or Sovereigns of the Counting-house, that know how the King is accompanied best: and to take a day when they should come again, upon pain of loss ofwages at his next coming.—That no Serjeant of Office, nor Squire, nor Yeoman, nor Groom, but as be appointed in this Book, to dine or sup out of Hall and King's Chamber, nor to withdraw any service, or else to hurt or little the almesse [alms] of Hall or Chamber, upon such pain as the Sovereigns of Household will award by the Statutes of Noble Edward III. "In none office, &c."
It hath been often, in days before, commanded by the Counting-house, that in ferial days, after that the King and Queen, and their Chambers, and the Sovereigns of Household in the Hall, be served, that then such honest Yeomen of Household be called or assigned to serve from the dresser to the hall the remnant, specially such as bear wages, that, if any service be withdrawn by them, that then they to be corrected therefor.
These Squires of Household, of old, be accustomed, winter and summer, in afternoons and in evenings, to draw to Lord's Chambers within Court, there to keep honest company, after their cunning, in talking of chronicles of Kings, and of other policies,or in piping or harping, songings, or other acts marriables[161]; to help to occupy the Court, and accompany strangers, till the time require of departing.
"Item, that daily there awaite twenty-four Squires to serve the King and Queen, of whomtwelveto serve at the first dinner, and to dine at the second; and the twelve sitting at the first dinner, to serve the second dinner, and there to awaite to serve the King and Queen[162]."
Dom. Regis Angliæ. The Esquires—"oftentimes these stand instead of Carvers and Cup-Bearers[162]."
Coming into this Royal Court to the worship of these five Feasts in the year, sitting at meats and suppers in the Hall, and to begin that one end of the table together, upon days of estate, by the Marshall's assignation, atone meal. And if the King keep estate, by the Marshall's assignation, in the Hall, then these walk before the Steward, Treasurer, and Comptroller, coming with the King's Surveyor[163]from the surveying-board at every course. And, after the last course, they cry the King's largesse, shaking their great cup. They take their largesse of the Jewel-house; and during these Festival-days they wait upon the King's Person coming and going to and from the Church, Hall, and Chamber, before his Highness, in their coats of arms. They take neither wages, cloathing, nor fees, by the Compting-house; but livery for their chamber, day and night, amongst them two loaves, a pitcher of wine, two gallons of ale; and for winter season, if there be present a King of Arms, for them all, one tortays at chandry, two candles wax, three candles p'is, three talsheds. These Kings of Arms are served in the Hall as Knights, service and livery for their horses nigh the Court, by the Herberger.—Alway remembered, thatthe cup which the King doth create any King of Arms or Herald withal, it standeth in the charge of the Jewel-house, and not upon the Treasurer of Household.
The fees that they shall take at the making of Knights of the Bath, it appeareth next after the chapter of Squires.
Four chosen proved men, of haviour and condition, for the King and his Honourable Household; whereof two alway to be attending upon the King's Person and Chamber; and to avoid the press of people before where as the King shall come: in like wise at the conveyance of his meat at every course from the surveying board; also observing for [of] the King's commandments, and so after the Steward, Chamberlain, Treasurer, and Controller, for the King, or for his Household. They eat in the Hall, together or with Squires of Household, taking their wages of twelve-pence by [the] day, or four-pence, asit pleaseth the King, after their abilities, by letters patents; and clothing also, to be taken of the issue and profit growing to the King in divers counties of England, by the hands of the receivers of them. No more having in Household; but every of them, when he is present in Court, at night, a gallon of ale; and for winter livery, one candle wax, two candles p'is, one talshed; rushes [and] litter for their chamber of the Serjeant Usher all the year. They pay for the carriage of their proper harness and bedding; and every of them to have in to this Court, one honest servant. By the Statutes of the Noble Edward, were thirty Serjeants of Arms, sufficiently armed and horsed, riding before his Highness when he journeyed by the country for a Garde de Corps du Roi. And if any of these be sick, or be let blood, he taketh daily two loaves, two messes of great meat, one gallon of ale, and thus to be brevied in the Pantry-Roll. Also sufficient lodging assigned these Serjeants together, not far from Court, for hasty errands [when] they fall.
Thirteen; whereof one is Verger, that directeth them all in festival days to their stations, to blowings and pipings to such offices as must be warned to prepare for the King and his Household, at meats and suppers, to be the more ready in all services; and all these sitting in the Hall together, whereof some use trumpets, some shalmuse[165]and small pipes, and some are strange-men coming to this Court at five feasts of the year; and then to take their wages of Household after four-pence halfpenny a day, if they be present in Court; and then they to avoid the next day after the feasts be done. Besides each of them another reward yearly, taking [taken] of the King, in the Receipt of the Chequer, and cloathing with the Household, winter and summer, or twenty shillings a-piece, and livery in Court at even—amongst them all four gallons of ale; andfor winter season, three candles wax, six candles p'is, four tallow candles, and sufficient lodging, by the Herbergers for them and their horses in the Court. Also having in the Court two servants, honest, to bear the trumpets, pipes, and other instruments; and a torch for winter nights, whilst they blow to suppers, and other revels at Chaundry. And always two of these persons to continue in Court in wages, being present to warn at the King's ridings, when he goeth to horseback, as oft as it shall require. And by their blowings the Household-men may follow in the countries. And if any of these two Minstrels be sick in Court, he taketh two loaves, a mess of great meat, a gallon of ale. They have part of any rewards given to the Household. And if it please the King to have two strange Minstrels to continue in like wise. The King woll not for his worship that his Minstrels be too presumptuous, nor too familiar, to ask any rewards of the Lords of his land, remembering "De Henrico Secundo Imperatore, qui omnes Joculatores suos et ... monueritut nullus eorum in ejus nomine, vel dummodo steterunt in servicio suo, nihil ab aliquo in regno suo deberent petere donandum, scilicet, quod ipsi Domini donatores pro Regis amore citius pauperibus erogarent."
That nightly, from Michaelmas till Shere-Thursday[166], pipeth the watch within this Courtfourtimes, and in summer nightsthreetimes, and he to makebon Gayte, and every chamber-door and office, as well for fire as for other pikers, or pellys[167]. He eateth in the Hall with the Minstrels, and taketh livery at night, half a paine, half a gallon of ale; and for summer nights,twocandles p'is, half a bushel of coals; and for winter nights, half a loaf, half a gallon of ale, four candles p'is, half a bushel of coals; and daily, if he be present in Court, by the Cheque Roll,four-pence halfpenny, orthreepence, by the discretion of Steward and Treasurer, and after the cunning that he can, and good deserving. Also cloathing with the Household Yeomen, or Minstrels, according to the wages that he taketh. And if he be sick, or let blood, he takethtwoloaves, half a mess of great meat, [and] one gallon of ale. Also he partaketh with the general gifts of Household, and hath his bedding carried, and his grooms together, by the Controller's assignment. And under this Yeoman,a Groom Wayte; if he can excuse the Yeoman in his Office, and absence, then he taketh reward and cloathing, meet rewards, and other things, like to the otherGroomsof Household. Also thisYeomanwayteth at the makings ofKnightsof the Bath, watching by night-time upon them in the chapel; wherefore he hath of fee all the watching cloathing that the Knights do wear upon [them].
This Officer was anciently one of the Chancellor's Family[168].
Formerly accompanied the Masters in Chancery in carrying Bills to the Lower House[169].
Reads the Titles of Bills in the House of Lords[170].
Sir George Copping was Clerk of the Crown, anno 1 Jac. I.[171]
The fee of the Clerk of the Crown, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, was 20l.[172]
Was the first who bore his Escocheon supported;viz.by TwoAngels.
Cognizances.—A White Hart couchant, gorged with a Gold Chain and Coronet, under a Tree; derived from the Princess Joan his Mother.
Also a Peascod Branch, with the Pods open, but the Peas out.
Dexter, aSwan. Sinister, anAntelope.
Cognizance.—A Fox's Tail dependant.
TwoSwans, when Prince of Wales, holding in their beaks an Ostrich-feather and a Scroll; when King, aLionand anAntelope.
N. B. He first bore three Fleurs de Lis, instead of the Semée; and wrote himself King ofEnglandandFrance, whereas those before him wroteFranceandEngland.
Two Antelopes, Argent, attired, accolled with Coronets, and chained Or.
Cognizance.—Two Feathers in Saltire.
ALionfor Marche; and aBullfor Clare.
Two Lions, Argent.
TheLionand theWhite Hartof Richard II.
Cognizances.—TheWhite Rose.
TheFetter-Lock.
TheSunafter the Battle of Mortimer'sCross, when threeSunswere seen, which immediately conjoined.
The Rose is in the centre.
TheLionand aHinde, Argent.
Cognizance.—The Rose and the Falcon in a Fetter-Lock.
TwoBoars.
A White Boar.