EXTRACTS FROM COURT MINUTES, ETC.,

Surgeons.Barbers.£ s. d.£ s. d.ForFreedom by purchase10 10 06 6 0"Livery fine, and all Offices to the Parlor door35 0 025 0 0"Examination for great Diploma6 6 0"The fine for not serving the four several offices of Master and the three Wardens, which the Surgeons often pay, but the Barbers never do, sometimes 30 guineas but oftener40 0 040 0 0"The fine for Master and Stewards of Anatomy when called upon in turn (and if they serve, the expense is rather greater)40 0 0£131 16 0£71 6 0

The Clerk’s and Beadle’s fees are not included in the above.

Mr. Joseph Wheeler, the Clerk of the Company, was examined by the Committee, and generally confirmed Mr. Hayward’s evidence.

The next witness, Mr. Neil Stewart, was evidently called in the interest of the Surgeons, to show the inconvenience which had arisen (in his case at all events) by reason of the warrants being issued by the “Barbersand Surgeons.” He deposed that he was surgeonto H.M.S. The Looe, and, being taken prisoner by the French, was put in the common prison at Brest, where he petitioned to be removed to an open hospital at Dinan, and enclosed his warrant as a surgeon with his petition to the French authorities; some days after, he enquired of the “Linguist” as to the success of his petition, and was informed that “the Superintendent did not know by his warrant whether he (the witness) was a Barberora Surgeon: that upon his desiring the linguist to read the warrant, by which it would appear he was a surgeon, the linguist replied that it might be so, but that if the witness had been taken on board one of the King of Great Britain’s ships it would have been out of doubt.” This witness further stated that he believed the unfavourable notice which was taken of his petition was because his warrant came from the Masters of theBarbersand Surgeons.

With reference to the gift of Edward Arris the Court minutes of 29th February, 1675–6 were produced which stated that “Mr. Edward Arris a very worthy member of this Company having formerly settled by Deed £30 a year for a dissection of a body yearly and Reading on the Muscles, desired that deed might be delivered up to him,” and he in return would pay the Company £510 to enable them to apply the interest to the same purposes, which was agreed to. Mr. Arris dying on the 28th May, 1676, the Company soon became involved in a Chancery suit with his son, Dr. Thomas Arris, and the Court minutes of 20th January, 1677–8 were produced and read to the Committee. These set forth the answer which the Company filed to the Bill of Complaint before the Master of the Rolls, and stated the circumstances referred to in the minutes of 29th February, 1675–6, and that Mr. Arris gave as his reason for this “That his only son and heir, the now Doctor, had and did then receive the profits of the said lands to his own use upon condition and underpromise to pay the said £30 per annum for the said Dissection; but he found that he did never pay one penny of it, or ever would do, when he their benefactor was dead, without trouble or suit; with some severe and sharp expressions, which we will by no means mention, although they were the very words of the father spoken of the son.”

The answer goes on to express the hope that the Company will not be compelled to enter into any further covenant with Dr. Arris than they had done with his father their “pious benefactor,” for the carrying out of the trust, or be ordered to refund the £510 to Dr. Arris. It also prayed that he might be ordered to pay the costs of “this troublesome and unnecessary suit, which doth so much shew what they must expect from him hereafter, if they should part with the £510.” As the Company retained the £510 till the separation in 1745, there is no doubt but that Dr. Arris, as he deserved to do, lost his suit.

Various extracts from the Company’s books were read, on behalf of the Barbers, to show that the united Company had always assisted the Surgeons, and promoted the cause and interest of Surgery out of the common fund of the Barbers and Surgeons.

Part of the Will of Robert Ferbras, Citizen and Surgeon, dated 2nd December, 1470,120was read, whereby it appeared that several estates formerly belonging to the said Company, were given to the Barbers before their union with the Surgeons in Henry VIII’s time. And a declaration of Bryan Sandford, dated 8th March, 1490, was read, whereby it appeared that the site of the Hall was purchased by the Barbers before the said Union.

The Committee of the House of Commons reported that they had recommended the parties to settle the dispute as to the division of the property between them, and that thereupon the Surgeons had proposed that they should have given up to them Dr. Gale’s Annuity of £16 per annum and Alderman Arris’ gift of £510; also that for about three years until the Surgeons could provide themselves with suitable premises, they should have the use of the Hall, Theatre, &c., at a nominal rent of one guinea per annum.

The Barbers agreed to give up Gale’s and Arris’ gifts, but proposed that the Surgeons should take a lease for such days in the year as they commonly used the premises, at £80 per annum, and pay the Barbers £100 towards the expenses to which they had been put by this suit in the Parliament.

In the result the Committee reported:—(a) That the Surgeons had made good the allegations of their petition. (b) That the proposed separation was desirable. (c) That the propositions of the Surgeons touching the division of the property were reasonable.

Subsequently the Bill passed both Houses and received the Royal Assent, the quaint union being dissolved 25th June, 1745.

By this Act (18 Geo. II) the Surgeons were erected into a separate Corporation, and the Barbers were re-incorporated under the style of “The Master, Governors and Commonalty of the Mystery of Barbers of London.” So much of this Act as relates to the Barbers will be found in theAppendix F.

The first Court of Assistants of “The Barbers’ Company” was held on the 25th June, 1745, at 10 a.m., and there werepresent:—

Mr.Jonathan MedleyMaster.Mr.Humphry NegusSecond Governor.Mr.William Parker.Assistants.Mr.Samuel Rutter.Mr.John Barnwell.Mr.Robert Scrooby.Mr.John Truelove.Mr.Richard Swithin.Mr.William Haddon.Mr.Edward Colebeck.Mr.John Negus.Mr.Togarmah Jones.Mr.Edward Boxley.Mr.John Gurney.

The Act of Separation being read, and the Oaths as formerly required to be taken by Freemen, Master, Warden, Assistant, Clerk, and Beadle being also read and considered, the Court settled and formulated the various Oaths, and the same are entered in the Minutes.

The Election of nine fit and able persons to be Assistants was then proceeded with, and Mr. William Jackson, Mr. John Bearblock, Mr. Willm.Roberts, Mr. Thomas Cotton, Mr. John Whiting, Mr. Richard Lookes, James Theobald, Esqre., Peter Theobald, Esqre., and Mr. John Pepys, were unanimously elected.

Mr. Edward Boxley and Mr. Samuel Rutter were chosen third and fourth Governors or Wardens.

Thanks were voted to Mr. Jonathan Medley and Mr. Humphry Negus “for their great care in defending and preserving the Rights Priviledges and property of this Company on their Separation from the Surgeons.”

Thanks were also voted to Mr. John Paterson “for his great care and diligence in executing the orders and directions of the Master and Governor about the defence and preservation of the rights priviledges and property of the Company” and to further mark their sense of the same, the Court unanimously elected Mr. Paterson as Clerk.

The two Beadles, Henry Gretton and William Littlebury were re-elected.

It was ordered that all Charters, Books, Plate and goods belonging to the Company, then in the custody of Mr. Joseph Wheeler (the late Clerk) should be delivered to Mr. Paterson, who was to make and sign an Inventory of the same, and also to examine Mr. Wheeler’s accounts, and report thereon to the Court.

The Common Seal was directed to be altered by omitting the wordsEt Chirurgorumand by addingAnnoMDCCXLV.

A Committee was appointed to peruse the By-Laws of the late United Company, and to report as to which of them required amendment or were fit to be repealed or added to.

8th August, 1751. Mr. John Brooks attended and produced a Deed to which he requested the subscription of the Court; this deed recited that by an Act of Parliament passed in the 10th year of Queen Anne, it was enacted that a duty of 2d.per lb. should be laid upon all starch imported, and of 1d.per lb. upon all starch made in Great Britain, that no perfumer, barber, or seller of hair-powder should mix any powder of alabaster, plaster of Paris, whiting, lime, etc. (sweet scents excepted), with any starch to be made use of for making hair-powder, under pain of forfeiting the hair-powder and £50,and that any person who should expose the same for sale should forfeit it and £20. Also that by further Acts additional duties were laid upon starch. And by an Act passed in the 4th year of George II the penalties were somewhat mitigated. “And whereas the said laws with respect to hair-powder have by experience been found not to answer the end proposed by the Legislature, the sum arising by the said duties upon starch and hair-powder having gradually lessened, whilst the fair traders have been great sufferers by the practice of those who by the greatness of the duty have attempted to make vend or use the said prohibited articles. And whereas the trade or business of making vending or dressing of Perukes or other Ornaments of hair for the head and also of cutting and dressing the hair of the head being considered as distinct from the business of Barbers is under no regulation whatever,” etc., the parties whom Mr. Brooks represented (and whose names were signed to the deed) had, therefore, agreed to join in an application to Parliament for reducing the duties on hair-powder, as also for incorporating all persons carrying on the trade of Barbers and Peruke-makers within the Bills of Mortality, into one joint Corporation or Body politick, and for restraining persons from exercising those trades who had not served seven years’ apprenticeship.

It was stated that subscriptions towards defraying the costs of the proposed Bill had been paid to Messrs. Gosling & Bennett, Bankers in Fleet Street, that John Paterson, Esq., Clerk of the Company, was Solicitor for the Bill, and Mr. John Brooks was Secretary of the Petitioners.

The Court, having considered the application, decided to contribute Twenty Guineas, but the matter seems to have been in abeyance for eighteen months, as the petition to the Houseof Commons was not sealed by the Company until the 7th January, 1753.

13th January, 1753. The petition was this day presented and is recorded in the Journals of the House; it states, among other things, that the Company “are in danger of being unable to support themselves and that the petitioners who exercise the art of Peruke making in the liberties and neighbourhood of the said City are not a body corporate, nor under any order or regulation; for want whereof great frauds are practised in the said manufacture to the discouragement of the fair trader, and manifest injury of the consumer, And therefore praying the House that leave may be given for the bringing in a Bill for incorporating the Peruke makers as well within as without the liberties of the City of London, and within such distance thereof as the House shall think fit, with the said petitioners”—the Barbers’ Company. This petition was referred to a Committee, but no report of that Committee is entered in the Journals.

4th December, 1764. The Peruke makers turned up again in 1764, for we find in the Minutes that certain of them attended with the draft of a petition to the King, to which they asked the assent of the Court. This petition which strangely commenced “We the Company of Barbersand Peruke makers,” stated that the suppliants laid before his Majesty the distresses into which the Peruke makers had fallen by reason of the change of fashion, and thus appeals to the King, “Where can we look for relief but there only where it is to be found, for as the Fashion your Majesty approves will very justly be a pattern to your subjects, We most humbly hope not to be too bold in wishing Perukes may soon be as much in fashion as the wearing of hair is at present, which will increase the Revenue, give happiness to the indigent and distressed Peruke makers, and increase the manygreat unmerited Favours, We as a Company have received from Royal Hands!”

16th January, 1765. The Court took this ridiculous petition into consideration, and of course refused to adopt it, informing the suppliants that they were concerned to observe the decay in their trade, as it was connected by usage with that of Barbery, but as the Charters of the Company did not extend to Peruke making, the Court could not with propriety address his Majesty on the subject.

THE COMMITTEE ROOM, BARBERS’ HALL.

MORE PARTICULARLY RELATING TO THE

INTERNAL HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.

29th August, 1550.Memorandumthe xxixthday of Auguste in the house belonging to the sayd Company it was condescended and fully agreed by the aforesayed Mrand Wardeins MrGeen Thomas Johnson Thomas Stocdall and Mathew Johnson wtthassent of thassistance being there present that is to say MrKyrkeˀ (Kyrkeby)121MrVycary122MrBancks123MrByrde124MrYonge125MrHenderbe126RobertPostell127Willm Tyllˀ (Tylley)128PeterDayseman129RobertWaterforde130RichardBowll131HenryPemberton132RobertSprignell133RobertBrownell134JohnSmythe135Willm̄Otherborne136and Austeyn Clarck.137An order taken concerninge Thomas Knot.ThatThomas Knot shalbe dischardged and not called to no manner of office unto such tyme that it shall please the mrsto agree for Another order. And also that he shall not paie no maner of scott lot nor subsedye nor any other chardge concerning the saied Crafte but shalbe dischardged of and from the same Ecept onelie his quarterage and except that which he shall gyve & paye of his owne fre will and gentelnes.An order for the elecc̃on of the Maister.Alsooyt was ordered and agreed the sayd daye by the hole assistaunce that the maister shall put in iiijorinto his bill for his electyon and so the same byll to goo through the house and every man to prycke as his mynde doth serve him wthout any telling and when every man hathe pricked about the house thenthe byll to be brought to the MrAnd he that hath the moste pricks to have the roome of Mrthe yeare ensuynge. The names of the ellecyon for the Mrwas MrGeen Richard Ferres Robert Postell and Willm̄ Tylle.An order for the eleccyon of the upper wardein.Alsoofor the elleccyon of the upper wardein he shall put iiijornames into his Byll and so to goo through the house like as the MrByll hath dooen. The names for the elleccyon for upper wardein was Thomas Johnson, Richard (The remainder of this line is torn away in original).An order for the Elecc̃on of the Second Wardein.Alsoofor the Elleccyon of the Seconde Wardein he shall put in iiijornames in his byll and so to goo through the house like as is before mencyoned. The names for the Elleccyon was Thomas Stocdall, John Atkinson, John Smyth and Thomas Knot.For the Eleccyon of the youngest Wardein.Alsoofor the Elleccyon of the youngest wardein he shall put iiijorinto his Byll and so to goo through the house like as before. The names for the Elleccyon are Mathew Johnson, John Tholmoode, Richard Elliot and John Shryffe.

An order taken concerninge Thomas Knot.

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

An order for the elecc̃on of the Maister.

Alsooyt was ordered and agreed the sayd daye by the hole assistaunce that the maister shall put in iiijorinto his bill for his electyon and so the same byll to goo through the house and every man to prycke as his mynde doth serve him wthout any telling and when every man hathe pricked about the house thenthe byll to be brought to the MrAnd he that hath the moste pricks to have the roome of Mrthe yeare ensuynge. The names of the ellecyon for the Mrwas MrGeen Richard Ferres Robert Postell and Willm̄ Tylle.

An order for the eleccyon of the upper wardein.

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

An order for the Elecc̃on of the Second Wardein.

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

For the Eleccyon of the youngest Wardein.

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

10th Sept., 1551. It was orderedthat—

An order that the Seconde Wardein shall receyve all fynes quartrage and other casualtyes.The second Wardein shall receyve all maner of Receite as fynes quartrag for prentises, for fremen and all other casualtyes whatsoevryt be. And he to paye also all maner of wage, And the Bedyll to have a booke of all suche receitte and dischardge as the seconde wardein hathe for his dischardge.Also yt ys agreed that the younger wardein shall receyve nothing but onely the Rents of the Londes, and to see reparac͠ons dooen where as nede shall requyer and that he shall takeAppulton138wthhim when he goeth to receyve the rentes of the Londes so that bothe there books may agree.

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

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

Also yt ys agreed that the younger wardein shall receyve nothing but onely the Rents of the Londes, and to see reparac͠ons dooen where as nede shall requyer and that he shall takeAppulton138wthhim when he goeth to receyve the rentes of the Londes so that bothe there books may agree.

4th Nov., 1551. It wasagreed—

That there shalbe allowed in goyng and searching of their Londes vjsviijd.

Ordered—

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

17th Nov., 1551. It wasordered—

That the Kings maiestyes Barbor or Barbors to his highness parson And also his matsSurgeon or Surgeons shall sytt next to the Last Mrupon the benche where as the Mrsnowe usually doo sytt and alsoo shall goo next to the Mrsin all goyngs and syttings.

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

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

The Court fixed the wages of these men asfollows—

The best jorneyman that is a forrein shall have for a weke xijd.the second xd.and the thurde as the sayd Mrs.shall thinke meate & convenyente.

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

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

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

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

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

20th September, 1553. The Masters agreed with RichardDrewe—

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

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

There shalbe a solempemasse139or other dyvyne servyce sayd and songe that the Mrs.be choessen and the hole lyverye to be therat in their best clothing and to meete at the hall at or before the hower of ix of the clocke and he that fayleth his hower to paye xijdfor his fyne wtout any redempcyon or gayne sayeing. The sayedmasse140to be at the chardgs of the Companye.

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

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

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

coronac͠on tyme or at other greate tryumphes when any other greate man cometh in or when the kinge or quene comen through the Cytie.III. That whenever the Shreif be chosein or the Mayor or the burgesses of the parlyamẽt or upon the kings or queenes comĩg into the Cytie or any other greate man comyth in or upon any other greate truymphe whereapon comaundement ys geven by the Mayor of London to the sayed Company of the Clothinge of Barbors and Surgeons to geve their attendaunce Then the hole Company of the Clothinge to meete at our owne hall of Barbors and Surgeons in our owne lyverye all to gether fyrste, and afterwards to gooe out of the hall two and two together as of olde tyme yt hathe been used, and when the Mayor goeth topoules141then the Mrand governors to gooe throughe out Wood streate to poules wththe rest of the Company of the Clothinge. And that Mrand governors that dothe not this shall forfaycte for a ffyne to the hall vjlixiijsiiijdAnd they of the Clothing that dothe not come to the hall firste but will meete us at the place where we shalbe appointed to stande and to remayn and dothe not kepe his hower shall loose for a ffyne in the hall at every tyme so offending iijsiiijdProvyded alwayes yf the Mayor gooe not to poules at the Mayors ffeaste Alhollande daye xp̃emas daye twelves daye and Candlemas daye In what streets we doo gooe throughe yt be not throughe Wood streate yt shall not be prejudycyall to the master and governors of the Company for the tyme being.

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

III. That whenever the Shreif be chosein or the Mayor or the burgesses of the parlyamẽt or upon the kings or queenes comĩg into the Cytie or any other greate man comyth in or upon any other greate truymphe whereapon comaundement ys geven by the Mayor of London to the sayed Company of the Clothinge of Barbors and Surgeons to geve their attendaunce Then the hole Company of the Clothinge to meete at our owne hall of Barbors and Surgeons in our owne lyverye all to gether fyrste, and afterwards to gooe out of the hall two and two together as of olde tyme yt hathe been used, and when the Mayor goeth topoules141then the Mrand governors to gooe throughe out Wood streate to poules wththe rest of the Company of the Clothinge. And that Mrand governors that dothe not this shall forfaycte for a ffyne to the hall vjlixiijsiiijdAnd they of the Clothing that dothe not come to the hall firste but will meete us at the place where we shalbe appointed to stande and to remayn and dothe not kepe his hower shall loose for a ffyne in the hall at every tyme so offending iijsiiijdProvyded alwayes yf the Mayor gooe not to poules at the Mayors ffeaste Alhollande daye xp̃emas daye twelves daye and Candlemas daye In what streets we doo gooe throughe yt be not throughe Wood streate yt shall not be prejudycyall to the master and governors of the Company for the tyme being.

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

8th October, 1555. Further ordinances were framed, vizt:—

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

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

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

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

IV. This relates to the Clerk (seeClerk).

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

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

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

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

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

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

daunce or use anye other kynde of games els whereby the sealinge or other things being broken in the hall or kitchen shall redowne to the losse of the Company Yf therefore the sayed Mrand governors for the tyme being doo let out the hall to any bodye to thentent aforesayde wtout the consent of the hole howse to be called for the same they should forfeit and pay etc.IV. The ffourthe Artycle is that if any of the Lyverye or of the yomanrye come to sesse any man being a jornye man to serve him as the order is that he takethIdfor a yere or ijdfor ij yere That his Mrshall not put him awaye at his pleasure as many now a dayes do, but he shall complayne to the Mrand Governors for the tyme of the demeaner usuage and evell behaveor of the sayed Journyman for noen kepinge of his Mrshowse all the weke daye by reason wherof he dothe lose his customˀs or that he goeth out at his pleasure and come in at his will againe wtout asking of any leave of his Mror mysteris wchpertayneth not to a servaunte for to doo for theyse consyderac͠ons and other the mrmaye complayne. The Jornyman lykewise may complayne of his Mryf that he doo not paye him his wages and to have his meate and dryncke as Jornymen shoulde have according to the agremẽt of bothe the partyes as the Mrand the Jornyman shalbe at a pointe when he cometh to sesse any Jornymen because that if the Jornyman doo not his dewtye that he may be punysshed and put in prison to thentent that Jornymen may be kept in good order otherwise then they be nowe. And that the Mrand govˀnors for the tyme being shall declare to the Jornyman what is his dewty to his Mrwhen he dothe come to be seste to thentent that he shall knowe his dewtye to his Mrand if he doo not the same then he knoweth the pryce. And agayne to declare to the Jornyman what his Mrshall doo to him, as to paye his wages mete and dryncke and other things that a Jornyman oughte to have. Yf any of the Clothinge or of the yomanrye put awaye his Jornyman before his yere or yeres come out and not declaring the matter to the Mrand governors [he] shall forfaycte at every tyme so doinge for a ffyne to the hall vjsviiijd.And that all ffremen being Journymen may be preferred and taken, being a workman before any fforyner duynge his dewty to his Mras is aforesayed because we are bounde to preferre the ffremen wchbeare scot and lot to the Cytye and company wchthe Jornymen doo not being forryners but come out of the contrye to learne there scyence here and so after warde goo away agayne wchis not to the welth of the Companye.

IV. The ffourthe Artycle is that if any of the Lyverye or of the yomanrye come to sesse any man being a jornye man to serve him as the order is that he takethIdfor a yere or ijdfor ij yere That his Mrshall not put him awaye at his pleasure as many now a dayes do, but he shall complayne to the Mrand Governors for the tyme of the demeaner usuage and evell behaveor of the sayed Journyman for noen kepinge of his Mrshowse all the weke daye by reason wherof he dothe lose his customˀs or that he goeth out at his pleasure and come in at his will againe wtout asking of any leave of his Mror mysteris wchpertayneth not to a servaunte for to doo for theyse consyderac͠ons and other the mrmaye complayne. The Jornyman lykewise may complayne of his Mryf that he doo not paye him his wages and to have his meate and dryncke as Jornymen shoulde have according to the agremẽt of bothe the partyes as the Mrand the Jornyman shalbe at a pointe when he cometh to sesse any Jornymen because that if the Jornyman doo not his dewtye that he may be punysshed and put in prison to thentent that Jornymen may be kept in good order otherwise then they be nowe. And that the Mrand govˀnors for the tyme being shall declare to the Jornyman what is his dewty to his Mrwhen he dothe come to be seste to thentent that he shall knowe his dewtye to his Mrand if he doo not the same then he knoweth the pryce. And agayne to declare to the Jornyman what his Mrshall doo to him, as to paye his wages mete and dryncke and other things that a Jornyman oughte to have. Yf any of the Clothinge or of the yomanrye put awaye his Jornyman before his yere or yeres come out and not declaring the matter to the Mrand governors [he] shall forfaycte at every tyme so doinge for a ffyne to the hall vjsviiijd.And that all ffremen being Journymen may be preferred and taken, being a workman before any fforyner duynge his dewty to his Mras is aforesayed because we are bounde to preferre the ffremen wchbeare scot and lot to the Cytye and company wchthe Jornymen doo not being forryners but come out of the contrye to learne there scyence here and so after warde goo away agayne wchis not to the welth of the Companye.

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

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

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

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

XII.The TwelveArticle is that if Olyver Wilson dothe hereafter speake evill of the Mrand governors and thassistaunce of the clothinge or of any of the yomanrye as heretofore he hathe dooen wchby profe hathe been tryed and therfore hathe been punnished in pryson, yf ever hereafter he dothe the like he to be expelled.

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

5th March, 1556. William Goodwin, Merchant Taylor, leased to the Company for 99 years “all the houses next the hall wththe house of the prevy wtin the hall for vjlivjsviijd” per annum, the Company to keep the premises in repair.

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

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

22nd July, 1556. An order wasmade:—

That there shalbe a painter belonge to the hall, and he to have a penc͠on yerely of vjsviijdby the yere to be payed at fower tymes of the yere and for the same he shall make cleane all the paintinge wtin the hall bothe above and benethe as the Tables in the hall and other things and in the gardein every qr̃ter of a yere if it so neede: and to amend faults where there ys anye at his owne proper costs and chardgs as is afore declared.

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

a Toothe drawer shall paye no quartryge to the hawle nor hange oute any signe or clothe wthteethe as she hearetofore hath don.12th October, 1557. John West was discharged out of this howse bycawse he wold not abyde yeorder of yeMr& govˀnors and one Asheton had lycence to arest hym.

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

12th October, 1557. John West was discharged out of this howse bycawse he wold not abyde yeorder of yeMr& govˀnors and one Asheton had lycence to arest hym.

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

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

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

16th November, 1557. Heare was before the Mrand Govˀnors Rychard Lynley and he had Lycẽce to sett up hys shoppe and one Johan Coale of the Cytie of LondonCytizen and Clothwoorcker Deposed that the sayd Rychard ys worthe and valued of hys proper owne vjlixiijsiiijd.

23rd November, 1557. Licence was granted to WilliamThomlyn—

To drawe teethe and to make cleane teethe and no more and he ys so admytted a brother into thys howse but not yet sworne and he hathe payde xsand rest other ten shyllings he wyll brynge in as sowne as he can.11th January, 1558. The same daye Tyndall yeArmorer is dysmyst & shall have no more his fee oute of this howse bycawse he gave none attendañce whan orsoldyers wer sett oute tocalyce143& John gamlyn is admytted armorer & he to have yesame fee yttyndall had ytis to saye by the yere xs.19th April, 1558. My lady Aylyff gave a fyne table cloth of damaske worcke to srv̈e for the uppermost table in the hawle the wchof her jentyllness she gave frely unto this hawle.

11th January, 1558. The same daye Tyndall yeArmorer is dysmyst & shall have no more his fee oute of this howse bycawse he gave none attendañce whan orsoldyers wer sett oute tocalyce143& John gamlyn is admytted armorer & he to have yesame fee yttyndall had ytis to saye by the yere xs.

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

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

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

1. An order to avoied grudg or displeasure for the elecc͠on.

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

2. An order that solempne service be saied one the day of Elecc͠on.Also yt is ordayned that the Mrand govˀnoures of the saied mystery for the tyme beinge yerelye uppon the daye of elecc͠on of the newe Mrand governoures shall cause Devine service solempnely to be kepte at the churche therefore to be appoynted.And that the whole company of the Clothinge or Lyverye of the said ffellowshippe shall pˀsonallye be present at the same yf there be no Lawfull and reasonable cause of Absence to be allowed of by the Mrand govenorsof the sayed mysterye uppon payne that whosoevˀ absenteth hym self shall for evˀy suche default paye xijd.The said service to be at the charges of the common Boxe.3. An order ffor the allowance of the Dynner one the daye of Elecc͠on.

2. An order that solempne service be saied one the day of Elecc͠on.

Also yt is ordayned that the Mrand govˀnoures of the saied mystery for the tyme beinge yerelye uppon the daye of elecc͠on of the newe Mrand governoures shall cause Devine service solempnely to be kepte at the churche therefore to be appoynted.And that the whole company of the Clothinge or Lyverye of the said ffellowshippe shall pˀsonallye be present at the same yf there be no Lawfull and reasonable cause of Absence to be allowed of by the Mrand govenorsof the sayed mysterye uppon payne that whosoevˀ absenteth hym self shall for evˀy suche default paye xijd.The said service to be at the charges of the common Boxe.

3. An order ffor the allowance of the Dynner one the daye of Elecc͠on.

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

4. An order that yeClothing shall bring home the Mr& govˀnors in their Lyvˀyes.Also yt is also ordayned ytuppon the day of the Elecc͠on of the newe Mrand governoures of the saied mysterye After that they shall be chosen and that suche of them as be present have taken their othe that then they and every off them shalbe had home unto their howses with the Lyvery or Clothinge and their hoodds uppon their shoulders accordinge unto an ould custome heretofore used.5. An order howe evˀy man shall behave hym self in the Court tyme.

4. An order that yeClothing shall bring home the Mr& govˀnors in their Lyvˀyes.

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

5. An order howe evˀy man shall behave hym self in the Court tyme.

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

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