Chapter 8

An acte agaynstbearded men.Itemfor dyvˀse & sundrye consyderac͠ons & causes movyng this Cor̃te it is this daye orderyd & decreid & establyshed by the same that from henseforward there shall no Cytezen or otheriñhitaunte93of this Cytie usyng or havyng a greate berde of more notablepˀlyxitie94or length then other the seid Cytezens of this Cytie do nowe use or have hertofore of late yeres usyd to were, either be iñhited pˀmytted or suffred to Receyve or take eny orphanage into his handes and custodye albeit that he wolde fynde nevˀ soe good suertyes for the same nor yet be admytted from henseforward to this Corte for eny Recognitonsor suertye for eny suche orphange And yt is also assentyd & agreid that no pˀson havynge eny such berde shalbe admytted by redempc͠on into the lybt̃ies & fredome of this Cytie as longe as he shall were eny such berde.

An acte agaynstbearded men.

Itemfor dyvˀse & sundrye consyderac͠ons & causes movyng this Cor̃te it is this daye orderyd & decreid & establyshed by the same that from henseforward there shall no Cytezen or otheriñhitaunte93of this Cytie usyng or havyng a greate berde of more notablepˀlyxitie94or length then other the seid Cytezens of this Cytie do nowe use or have hertofore of late yeres usyd to were, either be iñhited pˀmytted or suffred to Receyve or take eny orphanage into his handes and custodye albeit that he wolde fynde nevˀ soe good suertyes for the same nor yet be admytted from henseforward to this Corte for eny Recognitonsor suertye for eny suche orphange And yt is also assentyd & agreid that no pˀson havynge eny such berde shalbe admytted by redempc͠on into the lybt̃ies & fredome of this Cytie as longe as he shall were eny such berde.

1544 and 1545. InRepertory XI(at Guildhall) ff. 73B.,176, 187B.,229B.,232 and 234 are various records relating to the vexed question of the Barber-Surgeons going on inquests, bearing armour and serving as constables, from all which offices they claimed exemption under their Charters and Act of Parliament.

By the earlier entry, it seems that the Wardens were warned to appear before the Court of Aldermen to shew cause why they refused to pass upon inquests, etc.; then came a petition from the Company praying to be discharged of all offices save the Inquest of Wardmote once a year; this does not appear to have satisfied the Authorities, and the Company were directed to draw up further Articles to be submitted to the Court of Aldermen. Great pressure was no doubt put upon the Barber-Surgeons, the result being that theyabandoned most of the privileges of exemption which they had claimed, and submitted a Bill of Articles, which was finally approved, and entered of record on fo. 234. A copy of this lengthy document is at the Hall, and from it it appears that on the 22nd October, 1545, the Company appeared before the Court of Aldermen as “humble Besechers” to be shorn of their privileges, the ground of their petition being “That forasmoche as some grudge and displeasure is lately sith the unyon and conjunction of their said ffelowshippes in to one entyre Company growen conteyned and taken against them and their said ffelowship, by dyverse of theire neighbours being citezeins of this citie, as they be, by reason that they your said suppliauntꝭ” are discharged by their Charters and Act of Parliament from bearing offices, etc., “that other the Cittzeins of this citie are ellygible and lyable unto, ffor the whiche grudge and displeasure your besechers are not a little sorye. ffor the playne declarac͠on thereof and for the eschewyng advoyding and utter extinguysshement of the said grudge and displeasure from hensforwarde,” they are content that it shall be ordained that they shall go upon all Wardmote Inquests, but not upon any inquests between party and party (i.e., sit as jurymen in civil actions); that all freemen of the Company not practising Surgery shall be contributory to all assessments, serve as Constables and keep watches in their turn as other citizens, but that all Surgeons shall be free from bearing armour, etc.

Notwithstanding this compromise, entered in the City books, it seems in course of time to have been overlooked, and, as has been previously remarked, the exemption ofallfreemen of the Company from juries, etc., has been claimed and allowed down to quite recent days.

FAC-SIMILE PAGE OF FIRST MINUTE BOOK, 1557.

1550. The first of our Court Minute Books which has been preserved, commences in the 4thEdward VI, and bears this title,

Orders and Awardesmade ordered and awarded within the tyme of Maister George Geen Thomas Johnson Thomas Stocdall and Mathew Johnson Maister and Wardeins of the Company and fellowship ofBarbors Surgeonsof London for one hole yere begynnyng the xxvjthday of Auguste in the fowerthe yere of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lorde Kynge Edward the Syxte with thassent and consent of the Assistaunces of the same Companye as hereafter ensuethe.

From this and the succeeding Minute Books, the following extracts are principally taken as illustrative of the Company’s History from this period:

1556. At the end of the first book is a very long memorandum written and signed by Thomas Knot, Master, to the effect that on the 26th March, 1556, he made humble suit to the Lord Mayor, Sir Willm.Garrett and the Aldermen, in the name of the Company, for the exemption of the Company from finding or setting forth any soldiers or men of war at any time thereafter, when it might be that the Citizens of London should be required to do so, either by sea or land, “fforasmoche as the same Company are alwayes at every such tyme and tymes very sore burdened and chardged otherwise hereafter expressed, that is to saye, They are comaunded and bounden to prepare and fynde so manye Surgeons and so many other men attendinge upon them at every tyme and tymes that it shall fortune the King” to send out soldiers by sea or land, and “the same Company doe alwayes prepare fynde and send furthe for every one houndreth of suche Souldyers one Surgeon and a man attending upon him.” Upon which representations the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were pleased to grant to the Company, that on future occasions when thelike requisitions might “fortune to be layed or appointed to or upon theym, that then they in every suche case upon their gentle suyte and request made unto the Lorde Mayor and courte of Aldermen for the tyme beinge for and concernynge their sayd dischardge for and in consyderac͠on of the causes above remembered, shalbe as gentelye and charytably holpen eased and releaved in that behalf as the wayte and ymportaunce of the burden that the Cytie at every suche tyme shalbe chardged wthall will reasonablye permytt and suffer.”

The memorandum then proceeds to state that the Lord Mayor and Aldermen advised the Master to cause a remembrance of the above (being only a promise by word of mouth) to be entered and recorded in the Book of Ordinances of the Company, which was done.

1555. In Henry Machyn’s Diary for this year, is the following reference to a Romish procession, winding up with a dinner at Barbers’ Hall.

The xxvij day of May was the Clarkes prossessyon fromYerdhall95college, and ther was a goodly masse to be hard, and evere clarke havyng a cope and garland, with C.96stremers borne, and thewhettes97a playng round Chepe, and so to Ledynhall unto SantAlbro98chyrche, and ther thay putt off ther gayre, and ther was the blessyd sacrament borne with torche-lyght abowt, and from thens unto the Barbur-hall to dener.

1558. This year (8th June) the Company procured an Inspeximus Charter from Philip and Mary, which is still in our possession, and has a most beautifully executed title, the initial letter representing the King and Queen seated on the throne,and the border containing various heraldic badges; the seal unfortunately is damaged.

PHILIPPUS ET MARIA, Dei gracia Rex et Regina Anglie hispaniarum ffrancie utriusque Sicilie Jerusalem & hiᵬine fidei defensores Archiduces Austrie Duces Burgundie Mediolani & brabantie Countes haspurgi fflandrˀ & Tirolis.Omnibusad quos presentes lr̃e pervñint salt̃m.Inspeximusquasdam lrãs patentes domini H. quondam Regis Anglieseptum99fc̃as in hec verba,Henricusdei grã, &c. . . . . . . . . . . Teste me ip̃o apud Westmonastiũm duodecimo die marcii Anno regni nr̃i tcĩo. Yong. pro viginti soliᵭ solut̃ in hanap̃io.Nos autemlrãs pˀdcãs ac omnia & singula in eisdem contenta rata heñtes & grata ac ea pro noᵬ heredibʒ & Successoribʒ nr̃m prefate Regine quantum in noᵬ est acceptamus & approbamus ac ea dilc̃is noᵬ Thome Vicary nunc magistro mistere barbitonsoꝜ Thome Whytyngame Jacobo Wood & Johĩ Warren Gubernatoribus ejusdem mistere & Successoribʒ suis ratificamus & confirmamˀ p’ut lrẽ p’dc̃e in se r̃onabiliter testantur.In cujusrei testimonĩu has lr̃as nrãs fieri fecimus patentes.Testibusnobis ip̃is apud Westmonasterium octavo die Junii Annis regnorum quarto & quinto.Lutley.Taxat̃ finis ad xl.Nico eboꝜ Canc.100

Omnibusad quos presentes lr̃e pervñint salt̃m.

Inspeximusquasdam lrãs patentes domini H. quondam Regis Anglieseptum99fc̃as in hec verba,Henricusdei grã, &c. . . . . . . . . . . Teste me ip̃o apud Westmonastiũm duodecimo die marcii Anno regni nr̃i tcĩo. Yong. pro viginti soliᵭ solut̃ in hanap̃io.Nos autemlrãs pˀdcãs ac omnia & singula in eisdem contenta rata heñtes & grata ac ea pro noᵬ heredibʒ & Successoribʒ nr̃m prefate Regine quantum in noᵬ est acceptamus & approbamus ac ea dilc̃is noᵬ Thome Vicary nunc magistro mistere barbitonsoꝜ Thome Whytyngame Jacobo Wood & Johĩ Warren Gubernatoribus ejusdem mistere & Successoribʒ suis ratificamus & confirmamˀ p’ut lrẽ p’dc̃e in se r̃onabiliter testantur.In cujusrei testimonĩu has lr̃as nrãs fieri fecimus patentes.Testibusnobis ip̃is apud Westmonasterium octavo die Junii Annis regnorum quarto & quinto.

Lutley.

Taxat̃ finis ad xl.Nico eboꝜ Canc.100

It is noticeable in this Charter that the confirmation is to the Governors of the “Barbers,” and not “Barber-Surgeons,” although the latter was then the legal style of the Company, but probably this was another clerical error.

1560. This year (6th January) the Company obtained an Inspeximus Charter from Elizabeth, still preserved at the Hall; it has a title in much the same style as the preceding charter, but the seal is very much damaged.

ELIZABETH, Dei gracia Anglie FFrancie, et hibernie Regina fidei defensor, &c.Omnibusad quos presentes littere pervenerint salutem.Inspeximuslitteras patentes Dn̄i P. et Dn̄e M. Sororis nr̃e precharissime nuper Regis et Regine Anglie de confirmac͠oe factas in hec verbaPhilippusetMariadei gracia, &c. . . . . . . . .Testibusnobis ip̃is apud Westmonasterĩu octavo die Junii Annis regnoꝜ nr̃oꝜ quarto et quinto.Nos autemlrãs predcãs ac omĩa et singula in eisdem contenta rata habentes et grata ea pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nr̃is quantum in nobis est acceptamus et approbamus ac ea Diɫcis nobis Georgio Geñ nunc magistro mistere BarbitonsoꝜ Willm̄ Grene Thome Bayly et Joh̃i Smarthawyte Gubernatoribus ejusdem mistere et Successoribus suis ratificamus et confirmamus prout lrẽ predcẽ in se racionabiliter testantur.In cujus rei testimoniumhas lrãs nrãs fieri fecimus patentes.Testeme ip̃a apud Westmonasteriũ sexto die Januarii Anno regni nr̃ secundo.Cotton.Taxat̃ finis ad xl.vjs.viijd.

ELIZABETH, Dei gracia Anglie FFrancie, et hibernie Regina fidei defensor, &c.Omnibusad quos presentes littere pervenerint salutem.

Inspeximuslitteras patentes Dn̄i P. et Dn̄e M. Sororis nr̃e precharissime nuper Regis et Regine Anglie de confirmac͠oe factas in hec verbaPhilippusetMariadei gracia, &c. . . . . . . . .Testibusnobis ip̃is apud Westmonasterĩu octavo die Junii Annis regnoꝜ nr̃oꝜ quarto et quinto.Nos autemlrãs predcãs ac omĩa et singula in eisdem contenta rata habentes et grata ea pro nobis heredibus et successoribus nr̃is quantum in nobis est acceptamus et approbamus ac ea Diɫcis nobis Georgio Geñ nunc magistro mistere BarbitonsoꝜ Willm̄ Grene Thome Bayly et Joh̃i Smarthawyte Gubernatoribus ejusdem mistere et Successoribus suis ratificamus et confirmamus prout lrẽ predcẽ in se racionabiliter testantur.In cujus rei testimoniumhas lrãs nrãs fieri fecimus patentes.Testeme ip̃a apud Westmonasteriũ sexto die Januarii Anno regni nr̃ secundo.

Cotton.Taxat̃ finis ad xl.vjs.viijd.

In Machyn’s quaint Diary, we find the followingentries:—

1561. The xxiiij day of Feybruary whent to hang xviij men and ij women, and serten warebrowthe101to be bered in serten parryches in London; the barbur surgens hadon102of them to be anotheme103at ther halle.1562. The xx day of June was a gretshutyng104of the Compene of the Barbur Surgeantes for a gret soper at ther owne hall for a xxx mess of mett,105for they dyd make ijgodley106stremars agaynst that day of their harmes,107the whyche they wher agmented by the most valeant kyng at armes master . . . . . . and they had vj drumes plahyng and a flutt; and ij gret ansutts,108and as a shot was wone, downe whent that and up the thodar,109and as they whan the shut; and masterGall110and yssyd111wan the soper—the master of the Compene.The x day of August was Barbur surgyons fest, and they capt ther communion at SantAlphes112at Crepull-gat, and master Recherdson dyd pryche,113the skott; ther was good syngyng; and after to ther halle to dener, and after dener a play.

1562. The xx day of June was a gretshutyng104of the Compene of the Barbur Surgeantes for a gret soper at ther owne hall for a xxx mess of mett,105for they dyd make ijgodley106stremars agaynst that day of their harmes,107the whyche they wher agmented by the most valeant kyng at armes master . . . . . . and they had vj drumes plahyng and a flutt; and ij gret ansutts,108and as a shot was wone, downe whent that and up the thodar,109and as they whan the shut; and masterGall110and yssyd111wan the soper—the master of the Compene.

The x day of August was Barbur surgyons fest, and they capt ther communion at SantAlphes112at Crepull-gat, and master Recherdson dyd pryche,113the skott; ther was good syngyng; and after to ther halle to dener, and after dener a play.

1567. Elizabeth inaugurated the first State Lottery in England, as a means of providing money, and a very peremptory mandate was directed by the Lord Mayor to the various City Companies, commanding them to adventure therein.

1st February, 1568. The Barber-Surgeons put in 40s.for the “use, profet and benefyt of the hall,” but did not draw a prize, and indeed none of the Companies reaped any advantage by the speculation, the Lottery being simply a trap into which they were ordered to walk.

The proposal for this Lottery was asfollows:—

A verie rich Lotterie Generall without any Blancks contayning a great No. of good prices, as well of redy money, as of Plate & certaine sorts of marchaundizes having been valued & prised by the commaundement of the Queenes most excellent Majestie by men expert & skilfull and the same Lotterie is erected by hir majesties order, to the entent that such Commoditie as may chaunce to arise thereof, after the charges borne, may be converted towards the reparation of the Havens and strength of the Realme, & towardes such other publique good workes. The No. of lots shall be foure hundreth thousand, and no more: and every lot shall be the summe of tenne shillings sterling onely, and no more.

Stow says that this Lottery was commenced to be drawn on the 11th January, 1569, at the West Door of St. Paul’s, and continued drawing day and night until the 6th May following.

It was a common practice of the Companies to put in their money under mottoes, and some curious ones are recorded, many being composed with a quaint sarcasm on the probability of prizes being obtained.

Herbert (Hist. of the Twelve Livery Companies) gives some interesting particulars of the State Lotteries, and quotes a motto used by the Merchant Taylors which pretty clearly indicates their opinion of the business;

One byrde in the hande is worth two in the wood,If we get the great lot, it will do us good.

Some of the prizes were ridiculously small,e.g., 1s.2d., 2s.1d., etc., and great dissatisfaction was expressed at the principal prizes remaining unpaid to the winners.

1573. The Company received a precept from the Lord Mayor for a “loan” of money to make provision of wheat for the City, and the same was by the Court ordered to be complied with. This “corn custom” is very fully treated of by Herbert, and was virtually a tax upon the companies, who were each rated and compelled to find a certain proportion of corn to be stored by the City, and sold at such times as when, there being a scarcity, the markets would otherwise rise, were it not for the immense stock kept by the City. This custom survived for many years under certain modifications; as we shall see hereafter, our Company built a granary in 1633, and stored their own corn.

The precept above referred to was asfollows—

Forasmuche as all comon polecye requyreth the prevenc͠on of extremities, and consideringe as you knowe the urgent and present necessitie, and the lacke of provision of wheate and other grayne for furniture of this so great and populous citie, of the want whereof the queenes matieand her most honorable coñsell are not ignorant; but havinge spˀcial regard to the same, are not a lytle offended and displeased, with some grefe that there bene no better pˀvision heretofore made, and that presentlie the cittie shoulde be no better stored, by reson wherof the prices of corne and grayne is now muche dearer in this cittie than in any other parte of this realme, have not only at sundrye times andgentle meanes, but also wthsome terror, as welle in the Starre-chamber as in other places afore the counsell, given us admonicion that the same her matiescittie and chamber may not be unfurnished for lacke of good pˀvision. And we, as our duties is, havinge great care and especial consideracion of the same, and pˀcevynge by order of the harvest past, and the unkynd season of the yeare, sith that the prices of corne is verry likely to encrease and be advanced to a greater and higher price than yet is, have thought good and verrye necessarye for the avoyding of greater inconvenyences, to make immediate pˀvision of a great masse and quantity of wheate and other grayne, as well wthin the realme as beyond the seas for the provision aforesaid, wchcannot be done wthout a great some of money presentlie to be defrayed, wchis not to be levyed but by the good assestens of you and others, good coustomers and cittezens of this cittie; have therefore assessed your Company of Barber Surgeons at the someof114which is agreed upon by acte of coˀen counsell, wchsome of we do not only require you, but also streaghtle charge and comande you, immediatelie upon the recept hereof, calling your companye together in your comon hall, you do forthwthtax, levy, and gather of the welthiest and most able persones of the same the sum aforesaid, in such wise that you fayle not to pay the same, and evrie pˀcell thereof, to the hands of George Helton, of the cittie of London, wthall expedicion, and wthout repayment thereof to you. Fayle not hereof, as you tender the mytigac͠on of our sovereigne ladye the queens majesties displeasure already conceived, and do tender the com̃on weale of this cittie, together wthyour private condytte, and as you will answer for the contrarye.

The next entry would seem to indicate some contemplated State interference with the Company’s property, and the answer was probably not in exact accordance with the truth, for on the 28 May, 1576, a precept in the Queen’s name, having been received, calling upon the Master and Wardens to return to class="tal plhir"nt of the revenue of their lands, and of their goods,“the answere was that the true revenewe of the landes was xxtimarkes whereof the most pˀte went forthe and is disbursed in peñcons, and that we had no goods.”

1578. A precept was received as follows,

To the Wardensof the Companieof BarborSurgins.By the Maior.Thyesshalbe to will and require youand in her maiesties name streitlie to charge and comaunde youthat wthall convenient spede youappointe and pˀvide the number of twelve hable and sufficient pˀsons being Iournemen appnˀtices or others wchare fremen of this Cittie and inhabitinge wthin the same beinge of agilitie and honest of behaviorbetweene the age of xix yeres and xltiwchare fitt to be trayned for harquebus shott, evˀy one of them havinge a murrion, a sworde and dagger, and a caliver wthsufficient furniture for the same, and one half pounde of powder, besides touche powder whereof Three of the same pˀsons to be house holders and free men of yorsaide Companie, and that youcertyfie me the saide Maior the names and sir names of all yorsaide number where and wthwhome they dwell, of what Companie they be free, and what Captaynes or other skilfull men that be of yorsaide Companie or whome youknowe inhabitinge wthin this Cittie fitt to trayne or leade the same men of there names and dwellinge places. And that they be all in a redines furnished as aforesaide to muster in there hose and dublets onlie, or dublets hose and jerkins wthin xiiijendaies next ensuinge the date hereof. And for the levyenge of monie for the saide furniture And for the charge of powder youshall collect suche reasonable somẽs of monie as youshall finde mete for the saide pˀporc͠on, by waie of reasonable assesment of evˀy sevˀall welthie and hable pˀson of yorCompanie. Wherein we require youin anie wyse to spare the powrer sorte of ffremen although yousomewhat more largelie burden the ritche.Yovenat the Guildhall of this Cittie of London the xvthdaie of Marche 1577.115Sebright.

To the Wardensof the Companieof BarborSurgins.

By the Maior.

Thyesshalbe to will and require youand in her maiesties name streitlie to charge and comaunde youthat wthall convenient spede youappointe and pˀvide the number of twelve hable and sufficient pˀsons being Iournemen appnˀtices or others wchare fremen of this Cittie and inhabitinge wthin the same beinge of agilitie and honest of behaviorbetweene the age of xix yeres and xltiwchare fitt to be trayned for harquebus shott, evˀy one of them havinge a murrion, a sworde and dagger, and a caliver wthsufficient furniture for the same, and one half pounde of powder, besides touche powder whereof Three of the same pˀsons to be house holders and free men of yorsaide Companie, and that youcertyfie me the saide Maior the names and sir names of all yorsaide number where and wthwhome they dwell, of what Companie they be free, and what Captaynes or other skilfull men that be of yorsaide Companie or whome youknowe inhabitinge wthin this Cittie fitt to trayne or leade the same men of there names and dwellinge places. And that they be all in a redines furnished as aforesaide to muster in there hose and dublets onlie, or dublets hose and jerkins wthin xiiijendaies next ensuinge the date hereof. And for the levyenge of monie for the saide furniture And for the charge of powder youshall collect suche reasonable somẽs of monie as youshall finde mete for the saide pˀporc͠on, by waie of reasonable assesment of evˀy sevˀall welthie and hable pˀson of yorCompanie. Wherein we require youin anie wyse to spare the powrer sorte of ffremen although yousomewhat more largelie burden the ritche.Yovenat the Guildhall of this Cittie of London the xvthdaie of Marche 1577.115

Sebright.

In pursuance of this precept a levy was made upon ninety freemen, who contributed £19 17s.11d.(in sums ranging from 1sto 6s8d) and upon ten “foreins” who paid in all £3. The Expenses of the soldiers, and their arms, powder, etc., are all set out in detail (seeAppendix D).

1585. It was agreed “that orCompanie by reason of the often and earnest preceptes from the Lorde maior to move unto some liberall puttinge in of monie into the Lottery for Armor, that orCompanie should put in xliyf that might satisfie for all the Companie viztthe Clothinge vjlixiijsiiijdand the yeomanry v m’kes.”

29th September, 1586. The Lord Mayor had issued sundry precepts to the Company for the “buyeinge of certein goune powder amountinge in waight to of one Mr. Henry Dale Hab’dassher at the price of xdle ɫi. and yt was agreed the saide powder should be bought and that Mr. Swaldell [Master, 1593] should go to chuyse it, and he to have the same powder for viijdthe pounde.”

10th March, 1589. It was ordered that the gunpowder directed by another precept to be provided by the Company, should be bought and that it should be kept “in the Armorie howse in convenient place for feare of daunger of ffier.”

29th March, 1596. It was ordered that £40 “ship money” should be “lent” by the Company to the City, which is the earliest mention of this obnoxious tax in our books.

8th August, 1596. “Yt was agreed that the som̃e of £xxxtishalbe lent unto the Cytty for the payenge of Souldiers wages and other charges diffrayed about the Spanishe voyage.” This was an Expedition of certain ships (furnished by the City) under the Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Raleigh “to annoye the King of Spaine.” The English then sacked and burned Cadiz, burnt the Spanish navy, and on their return home, says Stow, “great triumph was made at London for their good successe.”

18th August, 1598. At this Court came a precept from the Lord Mayor, commanding the Company in Her Majesty’s name to “lend” £100 to the Queen for six months, for suppressing rebels inIreland. The demand was, as usual, of a most peremptory nature, and the Court ordered £100 to be paid to the Treasurers appointed by the City.

6th August, 1599. A precept came from the Lord Mayor in the Queen’s name, commanding the Master and Wardens to deliver to the freemen the Company’s armour in “suche order as it maye be, in safetye readie for her Maiesties service,” whereupon the Master took for his own use “one muskett fflaske and tuche boxe one headepeece and one rest.” Eleven other members of the Company had armour delivered out to them, as “one caliver fflaske and tuche boxe, sworde and dager girdle and hangers and headepeece.”

1599. A precept was received on 11th November, commanding the Company to be in attendance on the Queen in her progress from Chelsea to Westminster, which is not only curious for the quaintness of its description of the persons who were to be appointed, but affords a glimpse at the magnificence of Royal processions three hundred years ago.

To the Maisterand Wardens ofthe Companye ofBarbor-surgeons.By the MaiorWhereher Matsmoste gratiouse pleasure and comaundement is this pˀsente daie signified unto me the lorde Maior from the right ho: the lorde Chamberline of her Matiesmoste honorable householde that myselfe and my Bretheren thaldermen with a conveniente number of the beste and moste graveste Cittyzens of this Citye shoulde uppon Tewesdaie nexte in the Afternoune wayte and attende uppon her highnes royall pˀson from the Towne of Chelsey unto her highnes princlie pallace at Westminster in as honorable and statelye sorte as conveinentlye maye be pˀformed. In accomplishment of wchher highnes said comaundement, These shalbe to chardge and comaunde you in her Matsname to pˀpare not onlye your selves, but alsoe provide and have in a readines the full number of eighte pˀsons of the moste graveste talleste and comliest pˀsonages of your saide Companye, everye of them to be well horsed and appareled in velvet coates and chaynes of goulde And that not onlye your sealves but alsoe everye of the saide eighte pˀsones maye have one footeman with twoe staffetorches to waite and attende upon him, and to be all in a readines well and substancially horsed appareled and appointed as aforesaide in Cheepeside by twoe of the clocke of the saide afternoone to attende uppon me and my bretheren thaldermen to waite upon her moste excellente Matiefrom Chelsey aforesaide to her highnes saide pallace of Whitehall,Whereofsee you faile not at your pˀill and as you will answere the contrarye if throughe your negligence any parte of this service shall not be thoroughelye pˀformed. Guihalde the ix of November 1599.Sebrighte.

To the Maisterand Wardens ofthe Companye ofBarbor-surgeons.

By the Maior

Whereher Matsmoste gratiouse pleasure and comaundement is this pˀsente daie signified unto me the lorde Maior from the right ho: the lorde Chamberline of her Matiesmoste honorable householde that myselfe and my Bretheren thaldermen with a conveniente number of the beste and moste graveste Cittyzens of this Citye shoulde uppon Tewesdaie nexte in the Afternoune wayte and attende uppon her highnes royall pˀson from the Towne of Chelsey unto her highnes princlie pallace at Westminster in as honorable and statelye sorte as conveinentlye maye be pˀformed. In accomplishment of wchher highnes said comaundement, These shalbe to chardge and comaunde you in her Matsname to pˀpare not onlye your selves, but alsoe provide and have in a readines the full number of eighte pˀsons of the moste graveste talleste and comliest pˀsonages of your saide Companye, everye of them to be well horsed and appareled in velvet coates and chaynes of goulde And that not onlye your sealves but alsoe everye of the saide eighte pˀsones maye have one footeman with twoe staffetorches to waite and attende upon him, and to be all in a readines well and substancially horsed appareled and appointed as aforesaide in Cheepeside by twoe of the clocke of the saide afternoone to attende uppon me and my bretheren thaldermen to waite upon her moste excellente Matiefrom Chelsey aforesaide to her highnes saide pallace of Whitehall,Whereofsee you faile not at your pˀill and as you will answere the contrarye if throughe your negligence any parte of this service shall not be thoroughelye pˀformed. Guihalde the ix of November 1599.

Sebrighte.

In pursuance of the above precept the Master with seven other Members of the Court were appointed to attend, and eight freemen were nominated as torchbearers.

1600. The fee simple of three houses in Monkwell Street was this year purchased by the Company of William Fyninge for £112!

11th November, 1600. In obedience to a precept it was ordered that twelve members of the Court “well mounted on horseback and apparrelled in all poynts accordingely,” together with twelve freemen “to wayte uppon them wthevˀy one twoe staffe torches in his hande,” were to meet at the Hall on the following Thursday (13th November) and to ride with the Lord Mayor to Chelsea to conduct the Queen to Westminster. This procession is thus referred to in Stow’s Annals; “On the thirteenth of November 1600, her Maiestie being most honourablie attended on, by the most honourable Prelates, and Nobles, and Judges of the Realme, was received neere unto Chelsey, by the Lord Maior of London, with his brethren the Aldermen all in Scarlet, besides to the number of five hundred citizens, in coates of velvet, and chaines of gold, on horesbacke, every of them having two staffe torches to attende on them: And they all waited on her, to her royall Pallace at Westminster.”

9th November, 1602. Various members of the Company “were appoynted to ryde wththe Mrto meete her Matieon Saterdaie next” at Chelsea.

9th April, 1603. A precept was received commanding the Company to contribute £12 10s.0d.towards the cost of the reception of James I by the City, whereupon an assessment was made upon the freemen for the same, and the Masters made “choyce of sixe pˀsonable menn for Wiflers to attend the Livˀye of this Companye when his Matiegoeth to be crowned.”

20th April, 1603. The following precept requiring the Company to assist in the reception of the King “in greater number and more statelie and sumtiows shewe then hath bene at any time heretofore within the memory of man in the like case pˀformed,” will be read with interest;

To the Mrsand Wardensof the Company ofBarbor SurgeonsBy the MaiorWherethe most high and mightie Prince James ormost dread & soveraygne Lord is by the grace of god shortlie to make his repaire from his Kingedom of Scotland into this his Realme of England and so consequentlye to this his honorˀble Cittie and chaymber of this his imperyall Crowne. And for that it is agreed by mee and my Breethrnthe Aldrẽn of the same Cittie that not onelie orselves but the full number of five hundred of the best and gravest Cittizens should accordinge to ordueties wayte and attend uppon his royall pˀson at his approch nere to this Cittie in greater number and more statelie and sumtiows shewe then hath bene at any time heretofore within the memory of man in the like case pˀformed, Towards the accomplishmtof wchnumber your company is appoynted to pˀvid the full number of Twelve pˀsonns,Thesetherefore shalbe to chardge and commaund you in his Matiesname to prepare not onely yourselves but also to p’vid the full number of Twelve persons of the most grave and Comlyest pˀsonages of youre said Companye, everie one of them to be well horsed and apparrelled wthvelvet Coates and wthsleaves of the same and chaynes of golde, and not onely yourselves but every of the saide pˀsons to have one comely pˀson well apparrelled in his dublet and hose to attend uppon himone116foote. All which pˀsons to be in redines well and substonciallie horsed apparrelled and appoynted as aforesaid wthin one daies warneing to be signified unto you to attend on mee and my Bretheren the Aldrẽn of the same Cittie, to attend and wayte uppon his most exelent Matieas aforesaid. And that uppon Saturdaie morneinge next youdoe certifye to mee in wrytinge the names and Srnames as well of youre selves as of all other pˀsons free of youre company that you shall appointe for this service. Of all wchpˀsons you are to have a regard that noe man for insufficiency in any respect be turned back to the disgrace and discredit of youre company, nor a mann unfitt furnished and appointed for so honorable a service. And hereof fayle you not, as you will answer the contrary if through youre defalt any parte of this service shal not be fullie pˀformed.Guyldhull this Twenteth of Aprill 1603Sebright.

To the Mrsand Wardensof the Company ofBarbor Surgeons

By the Maior

Wherethe most high and mightie Prince James ormost dread & soveraygne Lord is by the grace of god shortlie to make his repaire from his Kingedom of Scotland into this his Realme of England and so consequentlye to this his honorˀble Cittie and chaymber of this his imperyall Crowne. And for that it is agreed by mee and my Breethrnthe Aldrẽn of the same Cittie that not onelie orselves but the full number of five hundred of the best and gravest Cittizens should accordinge to ordueties wayte and attend uppon his royall pˀson at his approch nere to this Cittie in greater number and more statelie and sumtiows shewe then hath bene at any time heretofore within the memory of man in the like case pˀformed, Towards the accomplishmtof wchnumber your company is appoynted to pˀvid the full number of Twelve pˀsonns,Thesetherefore shalbe to chardge and commaund you in his Matiesname to prepare not onely yourselves but also to p’vid the full number of Twelve persons of the most grave and Comlyest pˀsonages of youre said Companye, everie one of them to be well horsed and apparrelled wthvelvet Coates and wthsleaves of the same and chaynes of golde, and not onely yourselves but every of the saide pˀsons to have one comely pˀson well apparrelled in his dublet and hose to attend uppon himone116foote. All which pˀsons to be in redines well and substonciallie horsed apparrelled and appoynted as aforesaid wthin one daies warneing to be signified unto you to attend on mee and my Bretheren the Aldrẽn of the same Cittie, to attend and wayte uppon his most exelent Matieas aforesaid. And that uppon Saturdaie morneinge next youdoe certifye to mee in wrytinge the names and Srnames as well of youre selves as of all other pˀsons free of youre company that you shall appointe for this service. Of all wchpˀsons you are to have a regard that noe man for insufficiency in any respect be turned back to the disgrace and discredit of youre company, nor a mann unfitt furnished and appointed for so honorable a service. And hereof fayle you not, as you will answer the contrary if through youre defalt any parte of this service shal not be fullie pˀformed.

Guyldhull this Twenteth of Aprill 1603

Sebright.

9th August, 1603. James soon attempted to borrow (as he termed it) of the Companies. “Where a pˀcept was directed to õr Mrs.for the lone of money to the Kinge, wee are to answer that wee have none.”

Perhaps this reply sufficed on this occasion.

22nd October, 1603. London was this year visited with a great Plague, and in consequence there was no Lord Mayor’s Show.

To the Wardes̃ ofthe Compãie ofBarbor SurgeonsBy the Maior.Theiseare to will and require you that you take speciall knowledge herby that for avoydinge of infecc̃on by assemblie of people this tyme of gods vizitac̃on It is thought meate therbe noe shewe made the morrowe after Simond and Judes daie next, it is intended that youre Companie be dischardged thereof for their Attendac̃e for that tyme.Sebright.This xxijthof October 1603.

To the Wardes̃ ofthe Compãie ofBarbor Surgeons

By the Maior.

Theiseare to will and require you that you take speciall knowledge herby that for avoydinge of infecc̃on by assemblie of people this tyme of gods vizitac̃on It is thought meate therbe noe shewe made the morrowe after Simond and Judes daie next, it is intended that youre Companie be dischardged thereof for their Attendac̃e for that tyme.

Sebright.

This xxijthof October 1603.

7th February, 1604. The Court having considered the many abuses “comited against the weale of this Company” decided to apply for an Act of Parliament which should confer upon them extended powers, and appointed a Committee for the purpose, with the Recorder and Mr. Wilbraham as counsel.

20th October, 1604. From an entry of this date, it seems that it had been decided to apply for a fresh Charter, instead of anAct of Parliament, and a summary of the clauses (twenty-seven in number) which it was desired to have embodied therein is set out in full. As the Charter was obtained, it is unnecessary to give these suggested clauses here (they may be seen in Mr. D’Arcy Power’s book, p. 361). The 16th one is, however, curious enough, declaring the “openinge searinge and imbalmeinge of the dead corpes to be pˀply belongeinge to the science of Barbery and Surgery, And the same intruded into by Butchers Taylors Smythes Chaundlors and others of macanicall trades unskillfull in Barbery or Surgery, And unseemely and unchristian lyke defaceinge disfiguringe and dismembringe the dead Corpes, And so that by theire unskillfull searinge and imbalmeinge, the corpes corrupteth and groweth pˀntlie contagious and ofensive to the place and pˀsons approachinge.”

30th January, 1605. The Charter of James I is of this date, but not now in our possession; there are, however, two copies of it at the Hall, one of which was made in a vellum book in 1658. It was in Latin of prodigious length; but the following are the clauses as I make them out, and will suffice for this work.

1. It grants to the Company of Barber-Surgeons that it shall be ruled by four Masters or Governors and twenty-six Assistants.

2. Power given to the Masters to make lawful assemblies, to keep Courts in their Common Hall, and therein to consult, counsel and decree touching their Statutes, Laws and Ordinances, for the good rule, state and government of the Company.

3. Power to make laws, etc., for the government of the Masters or Governors, and of all and singular persons using the mysteries of Barbery or Surgery within the City of London, the liberties and suburbs thereof.

4. Power to punish offenders by penalties, fines, and imprisonments.

5. Fines to be levied by distress by the officers of the Company.

6. Nomination of John Laycock as Master, and of the three Wardens.

7. The present Masters to continue in office until the Monday next before the feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, and until the election of new Masters.

8. The present Masters and Assistants to continue on the Court for life, unless removed for misbehaviour or other good cause.

9. Upon the death or dismissal of an Assistant, the vacancy to be filled up by the Court.

10. Assistants to be sworn on admission.

11. The Masters, or the more part of them, to choose twelve persons of the mystery (six whereof to be expert Surgeons), which twelve were to be the Electors to choose the new Masters or Governors on the Monday next before the feast of St. Bartholomew.

12. Of the four Masters, two to be Surgeons.

13. The Masters elected to be sworn to the due execution of their offices.

14. Any member elected a Governor, to be ever after an Assistant.

15. If a Governor be dismissed for misconduct, another to be chosen in his place in the form provided.

16. The twelve Electors to be sworn.

17. Power of search, oversight, reformation, government, and correction, as well of free as of foreign professors of Barbery and Surgery in London and its suburbs.

18. Power of entry into Shops of Barbers and Surgeons.

19. Power to oversee and approve or condemn plasters, ointments, instruments, etc.

20. Power to examine Barbers and Surgeons.

21. Power to prohibit ignorant persons, or such as shall wilfully refuse to be examined, from practising.

22. Power to admit skilful persons to practise Surgery.

23. Power to reject and destroy all noxious or improper medicines, ointments, instruments, etc.

24. The Masters finding on their search any impostors, ignorant persons, or refusers to be examined, the same to be bound to their good behaviour.

25. No butcher, tailor, waxchandler or other persons, to cut, dissect or embalm any dead body, but the same to be done by members of the Company approved and appointed by the Masters or Governors of the Barber-Surgeons.

26. The Masters or Governors and admitted Surgeons, to be discharged from Watch, Ward, Inquests or Juries, and the office of Constable, and from assessments for the same.

27. Power to purchase lands, etc.

28. Ratification of the old liberties and franchises of the Barber-Surgeons, and of their lands.

29. All Mayors, Bailiffs, etc., to be aiding and assisting the Masters or Governors in the execution of their offices.

Testemeipˀo apud Westm̃ Tricesimo die Januarij Anno Regno nr̃i Anglie ffrancie et Hibernie sc̃do et Scotie Tricesimo octavo.pˀ Brẽ de privato Sigillo.

Testemeipˀo apud Westm̃ Tricesimo die Januarij Anno Regno nr̃i Anglie ffrancie et Hibernie sc̃do et Scotie Tricesimo octavo.

pˀ Brẽ de privato Sigillo.

Christian IV, King of Denmark, brother-in-law of James, paid a visit to England in 1606, and was sumptuously entertained. In accordance with the custom of the time, there was a grand pageant andprocession in the City, in which all the Companies took part, and the following precept for the same was received byus;—

By the Maior.To the Mr& Wardens of theCompany of Barbor SurgeonsFforthe bewtefieinge of the streetꝭ and lanes wthin this Cittie against the passage of the Kingꝭ most excellent matieand the Kinge of Denmarke their nobilitie and trayne from the Tower through this Cittie.Theisare in his Matꝭ name straightlie to charge and command you that all delayes & excuses sett aparte you have and provide yorrayles in a readines for the livery of yorcompany to stand in and to be sett up in the streetꝭ against wednesday the xxxthday of July at the furthest.Andlikewise that yorrailes against that tyme be hanged with blew azure cloth & garnished wthBanners & streamers in the most bewtifull manner that may be, as formerlie in like solempnities hath bin accustomed.Andthat you likewise have and provide sixe whifflers at the least to evˀy score of yorlivery well apparrelled wthwhite staves in their handes to stand with their backꝭ to the Common railes over against your yorCompanies railes for the better and quieter ordering of the streetꝭ through which his matieshall passe.Andhereof faile you not at yorpˀill. This xxjthof July 1606.Sebrighte.

By the Maior.

To the Mr& Wardens of theCompany of Barbor Surgeons

Fforthe bewtefieinge of the streetꝭ and lanes wthin this Cittie against the passage of the Kingꝭ most excellent matieand the Kinge of Denmarke their nobilitie and trayne from the Tower through this Cittie.Theisare in his Matꝭ name straightlie to charge and command you that all delayes & excuses sett aparte you have and provide yorrayles in a readines for the livery of yorcompany to stand in and to be sett up in the streetꝭ against wednesday the xxxthday of July at the furthest.Andlikewise that yorrailes against that tyme be hanged with blew azure cloth & garnished wthBanners & streamers in the most bewtifull manner that may be, as formerlie in like solempnities hath bin accustomed.Andthat you likewise have and provide sixe whifflers at the least to evˀy score of yorlivery well apparrelled wthwhite staves in their handes to stand with their backꝭ to the Common railes over against your yorCompanies railes for the better and quieter ordering of the streetꝭ through which his matieshall passe.Andhereof faile you not at yorpˀill. This xxjthof July 1606.

Sebrighte.

Three days after the receipt of the above, came another precept demanding £5 from the Barber-Surgeons towards the City’s expenses to be incurred about the Pageant.

The two Kings landed at the Tower, from Greenwich, on the 31st July, on which day the City gave itself up to the gayest doings and rejoicings. A curious and interesting description of the pageant is to be found in a rare tract by H. R., 1606, preserved at Guildhall Library. Howes also gives an entertaining account of the proceedings, and relates how the King of Denmark “seriously observed the unimaginable number of gallant Ladies, beauteous virgins, and other delicate Dames filling the Windowes of every houss with kinde aspect saluting” him as he passed by. He also tells us of the melodious harmony, the Latin speech, the pastoral device, and the fountains which ran with wine, etc.

It seems that on this great occasion one of the Marshalls had endeavoured to take our Company “down a peg” in order of precedence. This was, however, successfully resisted, and the Clerk proudly records the following in the Minutes on the same day:

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