DISPUTES.

Received of severall Barbers for trimminge on yeLords Day1040

1669–70. The Company’s barge seems to have been manned by twenty rowers, besides the Barge Master, and these men had 4s.each for rowing on Lord Mayor’s day.

1669–70. Serjeant Surgeon John Knight wainscotted the Parlour at his own charge, and Mr. Barker glazed the Windows; part of this glazing is still preserved. It should be borne in mind that the present Court room or Parlour (as it was formerly called) and which was the work of Inigo Jones in 1636 was not destroyed in the Great Fire.

1670–1. The freehold property in Conyhope Lane, Grocers’ Hall Court, was sold to the Corporation of London for £190.

1671–2. The livery this year numbered one hundred and eighty-five persons.

1672–3. The Company sold an extensive property at Holborn Bridge to the City for £650.

To — Woodroffe for measuringe all the hall worke April ye19th16737170

The whole of the Wardens’ accounts from 1674 to 1715 are unfortunately lost, and the next book embraces the years between 1715 and 1785.

1715–16. The Ironmongers’ Company rented at £5 per annum from the Barber-Surgeons a portion of their Barge House at Lambeth for the Ironmongers’ Barge. Our Company still retained their Barge and Bargemaster and this year purchased for him a new livery.

Paid MrWiseman the Painter for new Painting and Gilding the Company’s Banner900Paid the maids who strewed the flowers to Church upon Election Day0301716–17. Received of MrGeorge Stevenson S. his ffine for practising Surgery before he was admitted being346Paid a person to go to Islington to see after a dead body which had beendrowned269050

1717–18. The Company sold a large property in East Smithfield for £1,250.

Paid the Hangman for his Christmas Box026

Similar entries to the above occur for many years.

Paid Charles Window for fetching four Dead Bodies from Tyburn this year and expenses280Paid my Lord Chief Justice Parkers Tipstaffe for taking up severall persons who rescued the Dead Body from the Beadles1001718–19. Paid MrElms his Bill for ffees at the Sessions in prosecuting the persons who were Indicted last year for taking away the Dead Bodies5701719–20. Paid Cha: Window for fetching two bodies from Tyburn & for going for another when they could not gett one150Paid to bring a Skeleton from St. Giles’s to the Hall in a coach020Paid the Beadles expences for going to Tyburn for a Body for the Muscular Lecture when they could not get one by reason of a great Mobb of Soldiers & others01301720–1. Paid for a Livery gown and hood to the use of the Company to Cloth the Members with upon their taking the Livery2126Pdthe High Constable of StGiles’s Parish for assisting the Beadles in recovering a Body which had been taken from the Beadles by the Mobb076Paid the Hangman for the Dead mans cloths which were lost in the Scuffle and for his Christmas Box0150Paid for a halfe length Picture of King Charles the Second to hang up in the Parlour and for a Gold frame to the said Picture750Paid MrKing the Frame maker for a frame to Inigo Jones the famous Architect’s picture Presented to the Company by our late Master MrAlexander Geekie150

Both of these pictures are still preserved at Barbers’ Hall.

Every year now, and for some years, are entries of Expenses incurred about the rioting, which took place when the Beadles went to Tyburn for the bodies of malefactors; very frequently the Company prosecuted the rioters, and were continually compensating the Beadles and others who were injured in the fights.

1731–2. Paid MrOsmond for Plumber’s Work about the Trough for the Dead Bodys600Paid MrAshfield for Carpenters Work about the said Trough1140

This was a species of wooden coffin lined with lead in which the “subjects” were placed on their arrival from Tyburn.

Paid for 4 Silver PepperBoxes270550Paid the Officers of both Counters for abody2712201735–6. Paid MrNewton the Silversmith for a new Badge for the Barge master4116Paid the High Constable for the expenses at the late execution when the body was rescued3136Paid the Beadles expenses in prosecuting John Miller, one of the Persons who assaulted the Constables and rescued the body220Paid MrClarke the Sollicitor at Hicks Hall his Bill for Indicting and prosecuting the said John Miller to a conviction8710Paid MrClarke the Engraver for engraving the Dedication to the Right Honorable the Earl of Burlington on the Print of King Henry the Eighth’s Picture5501737. Paid MrBabbidge for making a Skeleton of Malden’s272Bones3301739. Paid the Beadles for their being beat and wounded at the late execution4401740. Paid for mending the Windows broke upon bringing the last Body from Tyburn0601741. Paid for a Silver Punch Laddle140Paid the expences for the Buck SrRobtWalpole gave the Company1361744. Paid MrHawes for two large Branches for the Hall7000

These massive chandeliers were broken but preserved when the Hall was pulled down in 1864, and one formed of their fragments is now hung on the staircase leading up to the Committee Room.

Paid taking the Company’s Linnen out of Pawn426

This linen must have been stolen and pawned, as the Company were not at this period in such financial difficulties as to necessitate their personal property being taken care of by a pawnbroker.

1745–6. Dr. Tyson’s picture was sold to Mr. Luke Maurice for £10 10s.

Mr. Goodyer was paid £11 for the table and inscription (now in the entrance lobby) which records the separation of the Surgeons from the Barbers in 1745.

1751–2. Mr. Whiston bought the Company’s library for £13. This library consisted of a great number of ancient MSS. and books relating to Surgery.

Putting an Advertizement in the Daily Advertizer offering a Reward to any Person who should discover who stole the Lead from off the Hall Kitchen020Paid MrSpencer for cleaning the Guns Swords and bayonetts0601760. Paid MrChessun the Upholsterer his Bill for new Standards & making the new cloth for the Stand67156

This was the stand for the liverymen used on Lord Mayor’s day and on other public occasions.

1770. The expenses on Lord Mayor’s day this year were as follows, and are a fair sample of the entries for many years before and after this date.

Cash Paid—MrBick for Spermaceti1100The Watermen for their Breakfast and attendance1126Two men to keep the gates0100Four men to keep the Stand100MrBeaumont for musick500MessrsSherwood & Co. for Ribbons3149MrHulberd for Beef for breakfast410MrWareham for dressing ditto0160The Housekeeper’s Bill200MrWilding’s Bill for Wine for the Stand6157The Beadle for pipes and Tobacco for the Stand060MrDance Clerk of the City Works for fixing the Stand110The Carpenter’s Bill about ditto8113The Upholsterer’s Bill200Jarvis & Sharpe, Turner’s Bill0188£39169

The Livery dinners on these occasions were paid for by the Stewards.

The next book of Accounts extends from 1785 to 1821, but like the latter part of the last one it is almost destitute of interest. On the first page is an extract from the Will of Mr. Edward Griffin (10th April, 1596) relating to his gift to the Company, and there are also sundry memoranda concerning Banckes’ gift.

1785. This was the last occasion on which the Company “went out” on Lord Mayor’s day.

In addition to the Wardens’ accounts, there are two books containing receipts of tradesmen and others for money paid to them extending from 1722 to 1764. These books are not specially interesting, excepting that they contain autographs of a few eminent Surgeons, hangmen and others, and the following extracts willsuffice:—

1722. Recẽd of the Governours of the Company the sume of ten shillings for fetching the Body of Richard Oxer from Tyburne.Charles Window.1723. Recẽd of the Governours of the Compã the sume of five pounds fifteen shillings for fetching the Body of WmPincher from Tyburne and for sevllDisbursements expended thereon.Rich: Collins.

1722. Recẽd of the Governours of the Company the sume of ten shillings for fetching the Body of Richard Oxer from Tyburne.

Charles Window.

1723. Recẽd of the Governours of the Compã the sume of five pounds fifteen shillings for fetching the Body of WmPincher from Tyburne and for sevllDisbursements expended thereon.

Rich: Collins.

1723. The Receipt of Abraham Shepherd, Attorney, for £15 0s.6d., being the costs of prosecuting Cooke and others for taking away the body of William Pincher from the Beadles when they brought it from Tyburn.

1729. Rec̃ed Decr23d1729 of the Govrsof yeCompapˀ the hands of Cha: Bernard their Cl: 7s6dfor my Xmãs Box.John Hooper.

1729. Rec̃ed Decr23d1729 of the Govrsof yeCompapˀ the hands of Cha: Bernard their Cl: 7s6dfor my Xmãs Box.

John Hooper.

In 1730 this gentleman signs “John Hooper, Executioner.”

1743. The hangman, John Thrift, signed with a × the receipt for his Christmas box, and the Clerk has humorously styled him “John Thrift, EsqreHangman.”

1736. The printing of 1,000 Copies of Baron’s Engraving of Holbein’s picture cost £15 15s.0d.John Harper was the printer.

A copy of this print was sent to the Earl of Burlington, as there is a Bill of William Gills asfollows:—

One large picture frame wtha broad carved & Gilt Sanding inside and a fine plate glass &c. for The Earl of Burlington£280Recẽd Nov 5 1736 of yeGovrsof the Compa pˀ the hands of Cha. Bernard their Cl: twenty one pounds for the paper to print the 1000 prints of King Hen: 8thsPicture being two Rheams of paper

pˀB. Baron.

RENTER WARDEN’S GARLAND.

1388. One of our earliest ordinances enactsthat—

If any dispute arise between any of the brethren, which God forbid, it is to be amicably settled by the decision of the Masters of the said Fraternity and they are to deal plainly,273and that no one sue another in other manner than at the assize, and then only if he be empowered by leave of the said Masters to be recorded.

1530. And again in the ordinances signed by Sir Thomas More, it statesthat—

yff any matter of stryffe or debate herafter be betwene eny pˀson of the said Crafte as God fforfende that noon of them shall make enypˀsuts274in the Comen lawe but that he whiche ffyndeth hym aggreved shall ffurst make his complaynt to the Maisters . . . . . . to thˀentent that they shall ordre the said matter or cause of complaynt so made yff they can . . . . . .

This prerogative of the Company was jealously guarded, and indeed extended, the Court becoming in effect a sort of Court of Conscience, in whichnon-freemenfrequently appeared as plaintiffs against freemen, when their cases were heard and adjudicated upon, the Court settling the amount and time of payment, or dismissing the suit.

Whenever (as often happened) one freeman went to law with another, without leave of the Court, and the defendant complained,the plaintiff was ordered to withdraw his action, and if he declined to do so, an opportunity of reflection upon the powers of the Company was afforded him in the seclusion of the “Compter.”

It was frequently the custom for the Masters to require both parties to enter into bonds to abide the decision of the Court, and where this was not so, and either of them disobeyed the order made, the offender was either fined, imprisoned or expelled.

The following are a few notices of cases of dispute which came before the Court from time to time, and other instances will be found elsewhere.

30th June, 1551. It wasordered—

That James Wood John Chamber and William Drewe Waterman shalbe lovers and friendes and clerlye to acquite and discharge either other of and from all maner of acc͠ons quarrells detts demaundes and suts as well spirytuall as temporall whatsoever they be from the begynnyng of the worlde untyll the daye abovesayd.

4th November, 1551.Ordered—

That John West shall bring in his fyne which is vjsviijdfor speking opprobryous wordes against John Androwson in the presence of the Mr.

2nd May, 1552. It was ordered and declared that Harry Cooke and NicholasConnysbye—

are fully condescended concluded and agreed for all maner of acc͠ons dettes suetts demaunds and quarrells whatsoever they be from the begynnynge of the worlde unto this daye and that they shall clerly dischardge eche other and to be lovers and freinds.

1566. By an entry in this year it seems that each disputant when before the Court was “put to his othe upon a booke ythe sholde saye the trothe.”

10th December, 1566. Thomas Lambkyn appeared against his late apprentice WmWoodfall—

for serten shavynge clothes ythe tooke awaye wthhym when he went frome his Mrwthout his lycence and the saide Wmhath payde unto the saide Thom̃s Lambkyn in the pˀsents of this courte in lawfull Englyshe mony xsin recompence.In this Courte here was John Hawkes playntyf agaynst Richard Olkar for his unfyttinge words & Olkar shalbe here the nexte courte.

In this Courte here was John Hawkes playntyf agaynst Richard Olkar for his unfyttinge words & Olkar shalbe here the nexte courte.

30th December, 1566. William Collins the covenant servant of John Johnson complained of his master for “myssusing hym in his boxe money,” whereupon MrJohnson was ordered to amend his ways.

4th March, 1567. Here was Walter Lynche for his unfytting wordꝭ seyeng ytRichard Dycson sholde be got his mayde wthchylde and Lynche denyeth yt, ythe nevˀ harde of yt, and Dycson seydytEdward Parke & too other servyngemen he hath to wytnes the same, spoken at the Rose taverne at the fleete brydge And yt is ordered ytthey shall brotherly one gyve unto & by another good wordꝭ & good reports & no more repetallꝭ to be had any more hereafter in this behalf.11th March, 1567. In this Court here was John Wall for ythe warned John Staple unto the courte of concyence in the guyldehall in London wthoute lycence of the Mr& Govˀnorsand yt is now ordered once agayne ytJohn Wall shall not pˀcede any forder in lawe but shall stande to the awarde made ordered & awarded the xijthdaye of november laste paste and not ells otherwyse upon payne of his alegiance & penaltie in that behalf pˀvyded & ordayned.

11th March, 1567. In this Court here was John Wall for ythe warned John Staple unto the courte of concyence in the guyldehall in London wthoute lycence of the Mr& Govˀnorsand yt is now ordered once agayne ytJohn Wall shall not pˀcede any forder in lawe but shall stande to the awarde made ordered & awarded the xijthdaye of november laste paste and not ells otherwyse upon payne of his alegiance & penaltie in that behalf pˀvyded & ordayned.

Edward Park, who was a troublesome fellow, and often before the Court, would seem (by the next extract) to have revived the old scandal about Dycson and his “mayde,”for—

14th November, 1567. Here was Rich. Dycson playntyf agaynst Edward Parke for undecent and slaunderous words And they both have consented to put yt unto the determynacion of this worsshypfull Court, & they shalbe both bounde in oblygacions to abyde the order &warde275& to kepe the peace in yrowne pˀsons. Rich.Dycson hath chosen to be arbytraytors for hym John Bonar & Thomas Burston, and for Parke he hath chosen for hym MrBowie & Rich Wysto & the Mr& govnors shalbe umpers,276bonde in xxlia peece.13th January, 1568. In thys Courte here was John Cooke playntyf against RichdBarker for serten wordꝭ undecently spoken by Richdagainst the said John and also for serten housold stuff ytthe said RichdBarker wthholdeth frome the said John, and they both are comaunded the nexte courte daye to brynge in bothe yrfynes vjsviijda pece for yrunfytting wordꝭ.7th June, 1569. In this Courte here was the wyf of John Burges for that Rich. Barker beate black her armes and yt is ordered that the said Rich. Barker shall upon this pˀsent daye go unto the house of the said John Burges his mrand yracknowledge hym sylf to be sory for trespassynge hym & his wyf.19th July, 1569. Here was John Charnock, said that he is his Mrspntꝭ277& kepeth shoppe & is accomptant wekely to his Mr& he said the Mrof the company did hym wronge & ythe wolde at lawe trye yt and unreverently he did behave hymsylf wthstoute & undecent [words] & so he charged the Mrstyll, but not the worsshypfulls of this Courte.18th November, 1572. Here was one Edward Browne Bricklayer and complayned [against] one Richard Upton for that he had taken his money for curynge hym of Morbus Gallicus but the sicknes as he said was not cured & MrUpton pˀmised to agree wthhym.

13th January, 1568. In thys Courte here was John Cooke playntyf against RichdBarker for serten wordꝭ undecently spoken by Richdagainst the said John and also for serten housold stuff ytthe said RichdBarker wthholdeth frome the said John, and they both are comaunded the nexte courte daye to brynge in bothe yrfynes vjsviijda pece for yrunfytting wordꝭ.

7th June, 1569. In this Courte here was the wyf of John Burges for that Rich. Barker beate black her armes and yt is ordered that the said Rich. Barker shall upon this pˀsent daye go unto the house of the said John Burges his mrand yracknowledge hym sylf to be sory for trespassynge hym & his wyf.

19th July, 1569. Here was John Charnock, said that he is his Mrspntꝭ277& kepeth shoppe & is accomptant wekely to his Mr& he said the Mrof the company did hym wronge & ythe wolde at lawe trye yt and unreverently he did behave hymsylf wthstoute & undecent [words] & so he charged the Mrstyll, but not the worsshypfulls of this Courte.

18th November, 1572. Here was one Edward Browne Bricklayer and complayned [against] one Richard Upton for that he had taken his money for curynge hym of Morbus Gallicus but the sicknes as he said was not cured & MrUpton pˀmised to agree wthhym.

The next is a rare piece of tittle tattle; like Edward Park, Colley was often in trouble, and it is amusing to observe how he shortly afterwards lays an information against Carrington, which compliment Carrington returns to him in the March Court.

18th November, 1572. Here was Willm̃ Carington and required his complaint to be herd in that Allein Colley had slaundered hym wthunhonest wordes, that is, that Allein should say that Wiberds wife should say that Charringtons wief should not be honest, and they were pˀmytted to take ordre of Lawe.

10th February, 1573. Colley laid an information against Carrington for “Trimminge on a Sondaye,” whereupon he was fined 40s.

11th March, 1573. Carrington complained of Colley “for undecent wordes calling him verlet before the Mr.,” etc., and they were ordered to be friends, and to bring no more complaints against each other.

This feud seems, however, to have continued for a few years, but was at last happily settled, for we read under date, 24th January, 1576:

Here at this Corte witnesses being hard betwene Willm̃ Carrington and Allen Collye they were made frendes, shoke handes and frendly depˀted.2nd March, 1573. Here was a complaint agaynste Henrye Lushe by John Parradize for that the said Henry Lushe called the said John Paradize knave, and he pdhis fyne xijdand they toke hands & were ffrends.19th April, 1574. Here was Willm̃ Brode and brought in an answere agaynste the complaynt of Edward Saunders for lykeninge hym to Esoppes dogge and they were appoynted to be ffrends and to brynge the matter no more in question.

Here at this Corte witnesses being hard betwene Willm̃ Carrington and Allen Collye they were made frendes, shoke handes and frendly depˀted.

2nd March, 1573. Here was a complaint agaynste Henrye Lushe by John Parradize for that the said Henry Lushe called the said John Paradize knave, and he pdhis fyne xijdand they toke hands & were ffrends.

19th April, 1574. Here was Willm̃ Brode and brought in an answere agaynste the complaynt of Edward Saunders for lykeninge hym to Esoppes dogge and they were appoynted to be ffrends and to brynge the matter no more in question.

Was this the “dog in the manger”? Anyhow, it seems a trivial matter to have been brought before the grave old Masters.

2nd February, 1575. Here came one Willm̃ Goodnep and complayned of Willm̃ Clowes for not curing his wief de morbo gallico and yt was awarded that the saide Clowes sholde either geve the saide Goodnep xxsorells cure his saide wief, wchClowes agreed to pay the xxsand so they were agreed and eche of them made acquittance to other.28th February, 1576. Here was a complainte against Willm̃ Clowes by one Goodenge for that the saide Clowes had not onlie misused the saide Goodinge in speeche but also most of the masters of the Companye wthscoffing wordes and jestes and they all forgave him here openlye in the Corte and so the stryfe was ended upon condˀ that he shold nevrso misuse him self a gayne, and bonds was caused to be made to that effect.25th September, 1576. At this Coˀte came Willm̃ Wise and Mathew Ken, and divers evell and unbrotherlike speches was pˀved and so the saide Willm̃ Wise confest his falt paide his ffyne and made a breakfast to the Companie for their paynes, and so they shoke hands and were made ffrends.25th March, 1577. Here at this Corte was a greate contension and stryffe spoken of and ended betwene GeorgeBaker278and Willm̃Clowes279for that they bothe contrary to order and the good and holsome rules of this howse misused eche other and fought in the ffelds togethers, but the MrWardens and assistance wishing that they might be and continewe loving brothers pˀdoned this greate offence in hope of amendment.9th January, 1598. Thomas Cole complayned of Thomas Goodall for sueinge him at the Comon lawe wthout license of the MrsAnd was fined And his fine mittigated to 3s4d4th December, 1599. This daie Roberte Morrey complayned of William ffoster for callinge him Pandor and Bawde and for sayeinge he was presented by the Wardemot inqueste for keepinge a bawdye house, uppon hearinge whereof their controversies were referred to the Maisters of this Companye, the same to be ended before the sixte daie of Januarye nexte.24th July, 1600. In the matter in Controversie betwixt Roger Semper and ffrancis Thompson it is ordered that the sayd Sempˀ shall at the next Court bringe in his fine for usinge reprochefull wordes against the sayd Thompson And for that the sayd Sempers wyefe did assalt the sayd Thompson & brake his shop wyndowes. And that the sayd Semper shall delivˀ such goodes as hee hath of the sayd Thompson before the next Court And that hee shall at the same Court geve the sayd Thompson satisfacc͠on for his wyndowes.24th July, 1600. In the Controversie betwixt John Izard & Robert Steward it is ordered that the sayd Robert Steward shalbe comitted to the Compter for refusinge to paye his fine for supplantinge the sayd John Izards cure and for behavinge himselfe unreverendly before the Mrsin the Court.11th September, 1600. This daie John Urvey complayned of Henry Bracye for arrestinge him before he had obtayned leave of the Maisters And it was thereuppon ordered that the said Henrye Bracye shoulde be warned to appeare before the Maisters at the nexte Courte and that he shoulde be commaunded from the Maisters to staie his suite till then.17th September, 1600. This daie in the matter in controversi betwixte Henry Bracy and John Urvey It is ordered that the saide Henry Bracye shall not proceede any further in his suite but that the said John Urvey shall paie the debte of ffowerteene shillinges and twoe shillinges for his chardges by twoe shillinges wickelye till all be fullysatisfied and paide And uppon the payment thereof the said Bracye to make him a generall acquittaunce the firste payment to begine on Tewsdaie nexte, And the money to be paide to the Mrsof this Companye.20th October, 1600. This daye it is ordered that John Urvey shalbe comitted to the Compter for not pˀforminge his payments to Henry Bracy accordinge to the orders of this howse.21st July, 1601. Where divscontroversies hath bene betweene John Browne and Jenkin Marcrafte the endinge of wchis by them of their mutuall assents referred to the Mrsor Governors of this Company who aftrhereinge of their sevˀall controversies & fyndeinge thereby that the wounde for wchthe money was to be paid to John Browne was reverted to his former state It is thought fit that the said Marcrafte shall paye to the said Brownepñˀtly280the somme of xlsin full satisfacc͠on of all debts duties and demaunds, wchthe said Browne accepted of and received the said somme accordingly. And whereas Lewis Atmrfinished the Cure after it was reverted Therefore it was lykewise ordered that the said Marcrafte shall paye to him xxsfor his paynes.6th August, 1601. This daye John Ibatson and John Wyndet referred a controversie betwene them concerninge a debt of iiijlilent by the said Wyndet to the said Ibatson to the hereinge & endinge of the Mrsof this Company and gave the eythrto the othr6dto stande to their award so that they ended the same before the laste daye of Septembrnext wchif they refuse to stand to, the refuser shall forfeyt xli.27th March, 1604. This daye Lycence is geven to Andrew Mathewe to sue Richard Tyler at the Com̃on Lawe for the tenemˀt wherein the said Tyler nowe dwelleth, for that Tyler refuseth to referre the heareinge & endinge of that controversie to the Mrsof this Company.16th October, 1610. In the Controvˀsie between William Wright and one Harrington Itt is att this Court ordered that Harrington shall paie unto Wryght for and in respect of such rentes he doth owe unto Wright the some of xxxsimediate And like wise he shall mend such paynes of glasse as nowe by his necligence are broken in Wrightꝭ wyndowes and soe all controvˀsies between them are determyned.24th September, 1611. In the Controvˀsey between ffrauncꝭ Bilford of thˀone pˀte & John fflint on thˀother pˀte It is ordered that either of them shalbe bound unto thˀother of them in 20lia peece to stand to the Award of MrJohn Gerard & MrRichard Mapes.1st October, 1611. At this Court forasmuch as John fflynt would not stand to the order of the Mrsset down the last Court between him & ffrauncꝭ Bilford the said Bilford hath leave to arrest the said fflynt.22nd October, 1611. In the Controvˀsie between Dennis Davys on thˀone pˀte & John Person on thˀother pˀte It is ordered that they shall live quietlie togethers as brothers of one Company should doe and neither of them by him selfe or his servantꝭ to gyve or move offence either by word or deed unto thˀother of them.

28th February, 1576. Here was a complainte against Willm̃ Clowes by one Goodenge for that the saide Clowes had not onlie misused the saide Goodinge in speeche but also most of the masters of the Companye wthscoffing wordes and jestes and they all forgave him here openlye in the Corte and so the stryfe was ended upon condˀ that he shold nevrso misuse him self a gayne, and bonds was caused to be made to that effect.

25th September, 1576. At this Coˀte came Willm̃ Wise and Mathew Ken, and divers evell and unbrotherlike speches was pˀved and so the saide Willm̃ Wise confest his falt paide his ffyne and made a breakfast to the Companie for their paynes, and so they shoke hands and were made ffrends.

25th March, 1577. Here at this Corte was a greate contension and stryffe spoken of and ended betwene GeorgeBaker278and Willm̃Clowes279for that they bothe contrary to order and the good and holsome rules of this howse misused eche other and fought in the ffelds togethers, but the MrWardens and assistance wishing that they might be and continewe loving brothers pˀdoned this greate offence in hope of amendment.

9th January, 1598. Thomas Cole complayned of Thomas Goodall for sueinge him at the Comon lawe wthout license of the MrsAnd was fined And his fine mittigated to 3s4d

4th December, 1599. This daie Roberte Morrey complayned of William ffoster for callinge him Pandor and Bawde and for sayeinge he was presented by the Wardemot inqueste for keepinge a bawdye house, uppon hearinge whereof their controversies were referred to the Maisters of this Companye, the same to be ended before the sixte daie of Januarye nexte.

24th July, 1600. In the matter in Controversie betwixt Roger Semper and ffrancis Thompson it is ordered that the sayd Sempˀ shall at the next Court bringe in his fine for usinge reprochefull wordes against the sayd Thompson And for that the sayd Sempers wyefe did assalt the sayd Thompson & brake his shop wyndowes. And that the sayd Semper shall delivˀ such goodes as hee hath of the sayd Thompson before the next Court And that hee shall at the same Court geve the sayd Thompson satisfacc͠on for his wyndowes.

24th July, 1600. In the Controversie betwixt John Izard & Robert Steward it is ordered that the sayd Robert Steward shalbe comitted to the Compter for refusinge to paye his fine for supplantinge the sayd John Izards cure and for behavinge himselfe unreverendly before the Mrsin the Court.

11th September, 1600. This daie John Urvey complayned of Henry Bracye for arrestinge him before he had obtayned leave of the Maisters And it was thereuppon ordered that the said Henrye Bracye shoulde be warned to appeare before the Maisters at the nexte Courte and that he shoulde be commaunded from the Maisters to staie his suite till then.

17th September, 1600. This daie in the matter in controversi betwixte Henry Bracy and John Urvey It is ordered that the saide Henry Bracye shall not proceede any further in his suite but that the said John Urvey shall paie the debte of ffowerteene shillinges and twoe shillinges for his chardges by twoe shillinges wickelye till all be fullysatisfied and paide And uppon the payment thereof the said Bracye to make him a generall acquittaunce the firste payment to begine on Tewsdaie nexte, And the money to be paide to the Mrsof this Companye.

20th October, 1600. This daye it is ordered that John Urvey shalbe comitted to the Compter for not pˀforminge his payments to Henry Bracy accordinge to the orders of this howse.

21st July, 1601. Where divscontroversies hath bene betweene John Browne and Jenkin Marcrafte the endinge of wchis by them of their mutuall assents referred to the Mrsor Governors of this Company who aftrhereinge of their sevˀall controversies & fyndeinge thereby that the wounde for wchthe money was to be paid to John Browne was reverted to his former state It is thought fit that the said Marcrafte shall paye to the said Brownepñˀtly280the somme of xlsin full satisfacc͠on of all debts duties and demaunds, wchthe said Browne accepted of and received the said somme accordingly. And whereas Lewis Atmrfinished the Cure after it was reverted Therefore it was lykewise ordered that the said Marcrafte shall paye to him xxsfor his paynes.

6th August, 1601. This daye John Ibatson and John Wyndet referred a controversie betwene them concerninge a debt of iiijlilent by the said Wyndet to the said Ibatson to the hereinge & endinge of the Mrsof this Company and gave the eythrto the othr6dto stande to their award so that they ended the same before the laste daye of Septembrnext wchif they refuse to stand to, the refuser shall forfeyt xli.

27th March, 1604. This daye Lycence is geven to Andrew Mathewe to sue Richard Tyler at the Com̃on Lawe for the tenemˀt wherein the said Tyler nowe dwelleth, for that Tyler refuseth to referre the heareinge & endinge of that controversie to the Mrsof this Company.

16th October, 1610. In the Controvˀsie between William Wright and one Harrington Itt is att this Court ordered that Harrington shall paie unto Wryght for and in respect of such rentes he doth owe unto Wright the some of xxxsimediate And like wise he shall mend such paynes of glasse as nowe by his necligence are broken in Wrightꝭ wyndowes and soe all controvˀsies between them are determyned.

24th September, 1611. In the Controvˀsey between ffrauncꝭ Bilford of thˀone pˀte & John fflint on thˀother pˀte It is ordered that either of them shalbe bound unto thˀother of them in 20lia peece to stand to the Award of MrJohn Gerard & MrRichard Mapes.

1st October, 1611. At this Court forasmuch as John fflynt would not stand to the order of the Mrsset down the last Court between him & ffrauncꝭ Bilford the said Bilford hath leave to arrest the said fflynt.

22nd October, 1611. In the Controvˀsie between Dennis Davys on thˀone pˀte & John Person on thˀother pˀte It is ordered that they shall live quietlie togethers as brothers of one Company should doe and neither of them by him selfe or his servantꝭ to gyve or move offence either by word or deed unto thˀother of them.

It was not often that the good offices of the Court were unavailing in the settlement of disputes, but in the following case, in which the lady probably played a prominent part, the Masters seem to have been unable to settle thematter:—

12th July, 1614. In the complaint made by William Purkꝭ and ffrauncis his wife against Greene, wchbeinge heard at this Court, the Mrscould drawe them to noe quiet ende, all pˀties being verye obstinate.

Thereare numerous excellent examples of the Company’s Arms at the Hall. The records contain many beautiful drawings and emblazoned shields of arms, not only of the Company but of some of the Masters as well.

One of the choicest specimens is the massive old carving beneath the semicircular canopy of the entrance doorway; this is dated 1671, and is both bold and quaint; long may it be preserved to the Barbers! The carved coat of arms which formerly ornamented the stern of the Company’s barge, and which is probably late 17th century work, has been carefully preserved, and may be always admired over the chimney piece in the Committee room. There is the large “tortershell” in the vestibule given by Mr. William Kings in 1645. The cloth on the Court table is artistically embroidered with the Arms of the Company and the City, the embroidered portions being part of the ancient barge cloth. There is a handsomely emblazoned coat of arms on the plan of the Company’s property (presented by Mr. Charles John Shoppee), and a pretty little bit of old stained glass in the window on the first floor landing. The Company formerly possessed a great many banners, but these are unfortunately lost to us; the one whichis placed behind the Master’s chair is beautifully painted by Bishop of Doctors’ Commons, and has at the back theinscription—

Ex dono Sidney Young Misterii Barbitonsorum fratris amandi 1885.

1451. In this year the original grant of arms was conferred, being simply the first quarter of our present achievement; sable, a chevron between three fleams argent, the fleams being mediæval lancets, though from their shape they have sometimes been thought to represent razors. This coat was borne by both the Barbers and their successors, the Barber-Surgeons, until the time of Elizabeth. The grant is asfollows:—

Beit knowen to all men that y Clarensew Kyng of Armes of the South Marche of Englond Consideryng the noble estate of the Cite of London by the name of Erle & Barons as in their ffirst Charter by scripture appereth and as now called mayre and aldermen and by good avyce of all the aldermen and the noble citezenis of London that every alderman shuld have award by hymself to governe and rule to the Worship of the cite and the maires power evˀy alderman in his Ward with correccion of the mair beyng for the tyme and so notablie ordeyned to be custumed evˀy Craft clothing be hem self to know o Craft from a nother and also synes of Armes in baner wyse to beer conveniently for the worship of the reame and the noble cite and so now late the Maisters of Barbory and Surgery within the craft of Barbours John Strugge Thomas Wyllote Hugh Herte & Thomas Waleys come & praying me Clarensewe Kyng of Armes to devise hem a conysauns & syne in fourme of armes under my seall of myn Armes that might be conveniently to ther Craft. And where y Clarensewe Kyng of Armes consideryng the gode disposicion of them y have devysed a Conysaunce in fourme of Armes that is to sey A felde sabull a cheveron bytwene iij flemys of silver the which syne of armes y Clarensew gyve the same conysaunce of Armes to the forsaid Crafte and none other Crafte in no wyse shall not bere the same.Tothe which witenesse of this wrytyng y sette my seal of myn armes & my syne manuall wreten atte London the xxix day of the monthe of September the xxxthyere of the regne of oure soverayne lord Kyng Henry the Sixt.ByClaransewKynge of armes.

ByClaransewKynge of armes.

1492. In this year a cognizance, or possibly an informal grant of arms, was given to the Surgeons’ Company; this is depicted on the first leaf in the beautiful old vellum book of Ordinances at the Hall, the inscription under, stating that it was given to the Craft of Surgeons of London in the year 1492, at the going over the sea into France of Henry VII. (Seethe fac-simile atp. 68.)

No other authority than the above statement is known for this coat, but in the grant to the Barber-Surgeons (1569) it is recited that Henry VIII granted the Company of Surgeons a cognizance “which is a spatter thereon a rose gules crowned golde for their warrant in fielde but no authoritie by warrant for the bearinge of the same in shilde as armes.” The Herald in drawing the grant of 1569 probably accidentally put in the name of Henry VIII for that of Henry VII, the entry in our book being undoubtedly coeval with the circumstance. We here get the foundations of our present coat of arms; the fleams representing the old Barber-Surgeons or Barbers, and the crowned rose and spatula the Surgeons proper, both of which were introduced into one shield in 1561, and quartered in 1569.

On either side of the shield of the Surgeons’ Arms stands a Saint habited as a doctor or physician, one of whom holds a medical vessel in his right hand, while the other has a box of ointment and a spatula, indicative of their being professors of the healing art. These are the patron Saints of the Company, Cosmus and Damianus. Mrs. Jameson states thatthey—

were two brothers, Arabians by birth but they dwelt in Ægæ, a city of Cilicia. Their father having died while they were yet children, their pious mother Theodora, brought them up with all diligence, and in the practice of every Christian virtue. Their charity was so great, that not only they lived in the greatest abstinence, distributing their goods to the infirm and poor, but they studied medicine and surgery, that they might be able to prescribe for the sick, and relieve the sufferings of the wounded and infirm; and theblessing of God being on all their endeavours, they became the most learned and the most perfect physicians that the world had ever seen. They ministered to all who applied to them, whether rich or poor. Even to suffering animals they did not deny their aid, and they constantly refused all payment or recompense, exercising their art only for charity and for the love of God; and thus they spent their days.

In the cover of a Latin Bible, printed in 1470, I discovered some vellum padding, which on examination proved to be a MS. of XIth century, consisting of part of a collection of the lives of the Saints, interspersed with prayers, etc., and which probably had been read in some Convent refectory during the hours of meals. This MS. is moreover curious, as those portions intended to be sung have certain signs affixed, known as “neumes,” which, before the more modern method of musical notation was introduced, were employed to denote musical expression. An account of the martyrdom of Cosmo and Damian, together with their brothers, is here preserved, but as the original is in very contracted Latin, the following translation will, perhaps, better supply itsplace:—

The souls of Cosmus and Damianus the Just are in the hands of God.There have moreover been crowned these five brothers Cosmus, Damianus, Antimeus, Leuntius and Eutrepius.Furthermore we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to grant that we, who commemorate the nativities of thy Saints Cosmus and Damianus, may by their intercessions be delivered from all present and future evils. Amen. The blessed martyrs Cosmus Damianus, Antimeus, Leuntius and Eutrepius, were committed to prison by order of the governor; and on the following day, the proconsul sitting on the judgment seat, caused an enormous fire to be made, and the above-named men to be led out of prison and cast into its midst. But on account of their prayers the fire lost its power over these saints. The governor was astounded, and the executioner, thinking that the circumstances which had happened with regard to the martyrs of God depended on their magical arts, ordered them to be again interrogated. But, when they remained firm with a cheerful and joyous countenance rendered more noble by torture, he ordered crosses to be made, and the martyrs, when stretched upon them, to be pelted with stones. Accordingly, whenthe blows recoiled on those that delivered them, the governor, inflamed with excessive rage, gave orders to attack them with arrows, so that at a less distance the steel might at least penetrate. But, although he had not been able to injure them in any way, many of those who discharged arrows and who stood near withdrew on account of the wounds that they received.For so is the testimony.Seeing accordingly that his ill will was overcome by Divine power, the governor ordered them to be mutilated with a sword.The blessed martyrs were put to death on the Twentieth day of September; and their bodies were buried by devout men in a holy spot not far from the city of Ægae.

The souls of Cosmus and Damianus the Just are in the hands of God.

There have moreover been crowned these five brothers Cosmus, Damianus, Antimeus, Leuntius and Eutrepius.

Furthermore we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to grant that we, who commemorate the nativities of thy Saints Cosmus and Damianus, may by their intercessions be delivered from all present and future evils. Amen. The blessed martyrs Cosmus Damianus, Antimeus, Leuntius and Eutrepius, were committed to prison by order of the governor; and on the following day, the proconsul sitting on the judgment seat, caused an enormous fire to be made, and the above-named men to be led out of prison and cast into its midst. But on account of their prayers the fire lost its power over these saints. The governor was astounded, and the executioner, thinking that the circumstances which had happened with regard to the martyrs of God depended on their magical arts, ordered them to be again interrogated. But, when they remained firm with a cheerful and joyous countenance rendered more noble by torture, he ordered crosses to be made, and the martyrs, when stretched upon them, to be pelted with stones. Accordingly, whenthe blows recoiled on those that delivered them, the governor, inflamed with excessive rage, gave orders to attack them with arrows, so that at a less distance the steel might at least penetrate. But, although he had not been able to injure them in any way, many of those who discharged arrows and who stood near withdrew on account of the wounds that they received.

For so is the testimony.

Seeing accordingly that his ill will was overcome by Divine power, the governor ordered them to be mutilated with a sword.

The blessed martyrs were put to death on the Twentieth day of September; and their bodies were buried by devout men in a holy spot not far from the city of Ægae.

Mrs. Jameson relates a legend somewhat similar to the above, and states that it was of great antiquity, being transplanted into Western Europe in the first ages of Christianity. The Emperor Justinian, having been recovered, as he supposed, from a dangerous illness by the intercession of these saints, erected a superb church in their honour. Among the Greeks they succeeded to the worship and attributes of Æsculapius; and from their disinterested refusal of all pay or reward, they are distinguished by the honourable title of Anargyres, which signifies moneyless, or without fees. These saints are commemorated on the 27th September, and all over Europe have ever been the patron saints of the Barbers and Surgeons; they are also the patrons of the Medici family, and as such they figure on the coins of Florence.

Back to Index Next