FEASTS.

1540. In the bowl of the grace cup given by Henry VIII to the Barber-Surgeons, the arms of the Barbers impaling the Surgeons are cut, but this is merely the fancy of an engraver, and of later date than the cup.

10th July, 1561. In the Heralds’ College (I.C.B., No. 101, 20) is a grant of arms by William Harvey, Clarencieux King of Arms, to the Barber-Surgeons, in which he grants and assigns unto them for an “augmentac͠on to ther old and aunscint Armes (which is sables a chevrone between thre flumes argent) a chef paly argent & vert on a pale goles a lyon passant regardant gold betwene two spatters argent a roze gewles crowned golde & to ther creast upon the healme an opinacus golde standing upon a wreath argent and sables manteled gewles dubled argent.”

1565. This year, Harvey, Clarencieux, granted two supporters to the above arms, namely, “two lynxe in their proper Collor about there necks a crowne with a cheyne argent.”

1568. This year, Garter, Clarencieux, and Norroy, Kings of Arms, ratified and confirmed the above arms, crest, and supporters, with the following variations, the arms to be borne quarterly, “the ffyrst sables a cheveron bytwyne iij flewmes argent, the second quarter per pale argent and vert on a spatter of the fyrst a Dobelerose gules and argent crowned or, over all on a crosse gules a lyon passant Regardant or.”

12th June, 1569. The grant of Arms by Dethick, etc., is a beautifully artistic production, though, unfortunately, slightly damaged, and the seals are missing. In 1885 the Company had it reproduced in chromo-photography by Mr. William Griggs, whose work has been so skilfully executed that it is difficult to observe the least difference between the original and the copies.

With this grant is the first appearance of a motto “De præscientia Dei.” How this motto came to be chosen, or in what way it applies to the Barber-Surgeons, I am at a loss to point out. The following is the text of the grant.

Toall and singuler aswell Kinges herehaultes and Officers of Armes, as nobles gentlemen and others to whome these presentes shall come be seene heard, read or understand Sir Gilbert Dethicke Knight alias Garter principall Kinge of Armes, Robert Cooke Esquire alias Clarencieulx kinge of Armes of the South partes of Englande, and Willm̄ Flower Esquire alias Norroy kinge of Armes of the northe partes of Englande send greetinge in our lorde god everlastinge. For as much as aunciently from the beginninge the valiaunt and vertuouse actes of excellent personnes have ben com̃endid to the worlde and posterite with sondrey monumentes and remembrances of their good deseartes; Emongest the which the chiefest and most usuall hath ben the bearinge of signes and tokens in shildes called Armes, beinge none other thinges then evidences and demonstracions of prowesse and valoir diversly distributed accordinge to the qualytes and deseartes of the persons meritinge the same To thˀentent that such as have done com̃endable service to their prince or countrey either in warre or peace, or other wyse by laudable and couragiouse entreprices or proceedinge of eny person or persons in thˀaugmentacion of the Estate or com̄on wealth of their realme or countrey might thereby receyve due honor in their lyves, and also deryve the same succesively to their successors and posteritie for ever. And wheras in this Citie of London thˀexperience & practise of the science and facultie of Chirurgery is most requisite and daily to be exercysed & experimented for the preservacion of meny, & by thˀoccasion of the practise thereof meny expert persons be brought up & experimented to the relief, succour, & helpe of an infinitenomber of persons. And for as much as within this Citie of London ther were two severall c͠opanyes, thˀone by the name of Barbours Chirurgeons, and thˀother by the nameof Chirurgeons onely: the Barbours Chirurgeons being incorporate & yeother not, & bothe occupyenge yearte of Chirurgery wheruppon greate c͠otention did arise. And for ytit was most meete and necessary ytthe sayd two c͠opanyes shuld be united & made one hole body & so incorporated, to thˀentent that by their union & often assembly togither, thˀexercyse & knowledge of their science & mistery might appeere, as well in practise as in speculatiõ not onely to theim selfes, but to others under theim. So that it was thought most meete & c͠ovenient upon grave & greate c͠osideracion, to unyte & joyne yesayd two c͠opanyes in one: wchwas don as may appeere by an acte of parleament in an̄o xxxij of Henry theight wtthese wordes “Be it enactid by the Kinge our souvereigne lorde & the lordes spirituall & temporall & the com̃ons of yesame, that yesayde two severall & distinct companies, that is to say bothe yeBarbours Surgeons, & the Sourgeons & every parson of theim beinge a freman of either of yesayde c͠opanies after yecustome of the sayde citie of London, & their successors, from hencefoorthe immediatly be unyted & made one entier and whole body corporate, & one societie perpetual, which at all tymes heerafter shalbe called by yename of Maisters & Governours of yemistery & com̃unalty of Barbours & Surgeons of London for evermore, & by none other name.” In consideracion whereof & for that it doth appeere a thinge most requisite for the unitinge of these two c͠opanyes togither and for that thˀoccupation of the BarborsChirurgeons beinge incorporate hath since yetyme of Kinge Henry the sixt used & boren Armes ytis to say Sables a cheveron betweene thre Flewmes argent wchArmes wer unto theim assigned onely by the gifte & assignement of Clarencieulx Kinge of Armes, as by yepatent thereof doth & may more plainly appeere. And since yeunitinge of yesayde two c͠opanies these Armes of yesayd corporation of Barbours Chirurgeons hath ben used & none other, yet notwtstandinge yelate Kinge Henry thˀeight of famouse memory assigned & gave unto yecompany of yeChirurgeons onely, a Cognoysance, wchis 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. And for ytit pleased yesame Kinge Henry thˀeight, not onely to unite & incorporate these two c͠opanies togither by acte of parleament but also hath ratifyed & c͠ofirmed the same by his letters patentꝭ under the greate seale of Englande & so lately c͠ofirmed by yeQueenes Matiethat now is.281And wheras Thomas Galle in the 3 yere of the Queene’s Matiesreigne that now is beinge Maister, Alexander Mason John Standon Robert Mudesley governorsof yesame corporation mistery & comunaltie of Barbours & Chirurgeons being desirouse to have some signes & tokens addid & augmented to thˀold & auncient Armes of the Barbours Chirurgeons, not onely for a perpetuall memory as well of yefamouse prince Kinge Henry thˀeight their founder & patrone but also for a further declaration of yeunitinge of those two c͠opanies togither did instantly require the late Clarencieulx Hervy to consider yepremisses & to shew his endevor therein. Who finding their request just and lawfull did graunt & give unto them by his letters patentes under his hand & seale bearinge date the xthof July in the third yere of yereigne of the queenes Matiethat now is, an augmentacˀon in chief to their olde & auncient Armes wthheaulme & Creast to the same: which chief was paly argent & vert on a pale gules a lyon passant gardant golde betweene two spatters argent, on eche a double rose gules and argent crowned golde: and to their Creast on a torce silver and sables an Opinacus golde: Mantelled gules, doubled argent. And further in the tyme of Robert Balthrop Esquire serjeaunt of the Queenes MatiesChirurgeons then beinge Maister of the sayd mistery and comunalty of the Barbours & Chirurgeons and George Vaughan Richard Hughes & George Corron governours of the same corporation the sayd Clarencieulx Hervy did graunt unto the sayd corporation two supporters to those Armes before given them: which were two Linxe in their proper coulor, aboute their neckes a Crowne wta chayne argent pendant therat: As by the sayde letters patentes more plainly doth appeere.Yet notwithstandingefor as much as it doth plainly appeere unto us the sayd Garter Clarencieulx & Norroy Kinges of Armes, that the aforesayd Armes in some respectes wer not onely contrary to the wordes of the corporation of the sayd Barbours and Chirurgeons but that also in the same patent of Armes ther ar sondrey other thinges contrary and not agreinge with the auncient lawes & rules of Armes: We the sayd Kinges of Armes by power & authoritie to us com̃itted by Letters patent under the greate Seale of Englande, have confirmed given and graunted the foresayd Armes Creast and Supporters heertofore mentioned, to be boren in maner and fourme heerafter specified. That is to say: Quarterly the first sables a cheveron betweene three Flewmes argent: the seconde quarter per pale argent and vert on a Spatter of the first, a double Rose gules and argent crowned golde: the third quarter as the seconde and the fourth as the first: Over all on a Crosse gules a lyon passant gardant golde: And to their Creast upon the heaulme on a Torce argẽt and sables an Opinacus golde: Mantelled gules doubled argent: Supported with two Linxe in their proper coulor about their neckes a crowne with a chayne argent pendent therat: As plainly appeerith depicted in this margent.Which Armes CreastandSupportersand every parte and parcell thereof, we the sayd Kinges of Armes have confirmed ratified given and graunted and by these presentes do ratify confirme give and graunt unto RichardTholmwood Maister of the sayd mistery and com̃unatie Nicholas Archenbolde Thomas Burston and John Fielde Governors of the sayd Corporation mistery and com̃unaltie of Barbours and Chirurgeons and to their successors by the name of Maister and Gouvernours, and to the whole Assistantes Company and fellowshippe of the sayd Corporation mistery and com̃unaltie of Barbours and Chirurgeons within this Citie of London and to their successors for evermore: And they the same to have, hold, use beare enjoy and shew forthe in shylde, seale, banner or banner rolles, standard or standardes, penon or penons, pencell or pencelles or otherwise to their honors and worshippes at all tymes and for ever heerafter at their libertie and pleasure without the impediment let molestation or interruption of eny person or personnes,In witnesse wherofwe the sayd Garter Clarencieulx & Norroy Kinges of Armes have signed these presentes with our handes . . . . . unto our severall seales of Armes, the second day of June In the yere of the nativitie of our Lorde Jesus Christ A thousande five hundred sixty nyne And in the eleventh yere . . . . . of our most dread souvereigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god Queene of Englande Fraunce and Irelande defendor of the faithe &c.Gilbert Dethickeaɫs. garter principall Kinge of arms.Rob CookeAlias Clarencieulx Roy Darmes.pˀmoyWyllam ffloweralias Norrey Roy Darmes.Entred approved & allowed in the visitation made 1634Hen: St. GeorgeRichmond.

Gilbert Dethickeaɫs. garter principall Kinge of arms.Rob CookeAlias Clarencieulx Roy Darmes.pˀmoyWyllam ffloweralias Norrey Roy Darmes.

Entred approved & allowed in the visitation made 1634

Hen: St. GeorgeRichmond.

It will be observed that this grant recites that it plainly appeared that the grant of 10th July, 1561, was [a.] contrary to the words of the Corporation (i.e., Incorporation) of the said Barbers and Surgeons, and [b.] contrary to and not agreeing with the ancient laws and rules of arms.

With regard to the former assertion [a.] I take it that the grant being made to the “Master and Governors of the Corporation Mystery and Commonalty of Barbers and Surgeons” andnotto the “Masters and Governors of the Mystery and Commonalty of Barbers and Surgeons of London” as they are styled in the Act 32 Hen. VIII, offended the precise Heralds of 1569, and that it was indeed a technical defect and contrary to the exact words of the incorporation.

As to the second point [b.] there cannot be any doubt but that Hervey committed a violation of one of the fundamental and most ancient laws of heraldry, viz., that colour must not be on colour (nor metal on metal). He gave the Company on their old sable field, a chief with gules and vert thereon! This greatly shocked old Garter, Clarencieux, and Norroy, and enabled them, whilst recording the blunder of one of their predecessors, to extract a good fee from the Barber-Surgeons for a new grant.

Thereis a wide-spread impression that the Livery Guilds exist principally for the purpose of feasting, and there are unscrupulous persons who do not hesitate to affirm that the Courts of the Companies act as fraudulent trustees, and are consenting parties to the malversation of trust and charity property, eating up money which it is audaciously pretended belongs to the “people of London.”

These statements have been assiduously put forth by a certain class of politicians whose acquaintance with the true details of the case must be absolutely nil, and who it is but reasonable to suppose, are willing to assume that the gentlemen who manage the affairs of the Companies are in the habit of acting as their traducers would do, had they but the opportunity.

To any one conversant with the history and management of the Livery Guilds, these assertions are known to be false. Here and there, as in every concern in life, improprieties and errors in judgment may have occurred, but it is confidently asserted, and capable of proof, that no charitable or trust funds suffer fromfeasting; indeed, on the contrary, the practice has obtained for centuries, with but few exceptions, for the members of the guilds to themselves supply the funds which are spent upon their entertainment, and for the surplus accumulations of these funds to be appliedto the augmentation of charities and trusts. It has certainly been so in the Barber-Surgeons’ Company, and for a long period the calls upon the Livery for feasting purposes (when the custom was to nominate Stewards in rotation) were a severe strain upon the members, and occasioned great irritation and ill-feeling.

The earliest practice in the Companies would appear to be that the Livery and their wives attending the feasts, paid a stipulated sum per head, and we know this by our records to have been so in our Company long before the time of Richard II. This custom was altered in later times, and we find that certain appointed entertainments were given on fixed days, to which all members were invited, and which were paid for by fines laid down upon admission to the freedom, and further fines on going on to the Livery and Court. In addition to this, each Liveryman had, in his turn, to serve “the office of Steward,” that is, to join with four or five others in providing the costs of certain dinners.282

The fees on admission into the Companies are greatly in excess of the ancient ones, and it is mainly from this source of revenue that the expenses of the feasts are now defrayed. It is so in the Barbers’ Company, but, if at any time these funds have temporarily been found insufficient for the purpose, they have been supplemented from a property, which is in no sense a Charity Estate, or subject to any trust whatsoever.

There have been and are, good men of business on the Courts, and by prudent investments of surplus funds derived from fees, fines, etc., a property has been created, which is exclusively their very own to deal with as they please. We have, amongst many others, the opinion of Lord Chancellor Selborne very decisively to this effect, and also one, which by the traducers of the Companies ought to be respected, for it is that of Sir Horace Davey, Q.C., who was consulted by the Livery Companies’ Commission—a Commission notoriously hostile to the guilds. Sir H. Davey stated that they would “not be justified in recommending that the corporate property of the Companies should be taken from them by the State.” He further reported that, such an act “would be an act ofconfiscation, and would not unreasonably shake the confidence of the owners of property in the security of the rights of property. It must be remembered that the Estates of these Companies have been recognised, and held by the Courts of Law, to be as much their property with a full right of disposition, as the property of individuals.” Truly, the Commissioners must have said to their legal adviser as Balak of old said to Baalam, “I took thee to curse mine enemies, and behold thou hast blessed them altogether!”

It is a pleasing characteristic of all true Englishmen that they love to meet together around a festive board; while their hospitality in inviting their friends, or the eminent and great in all sections of society to partake with them has happily not gone out of fashion, and, spite of the sour critics of the guilds, we fervently trust that it never may.

1388. In the return to a writ, 12th Richard II, the Masters of the Barbers certified, amongst other matters, that it was their practice “once a year to assemble to feast,” and that they had an ordinance by which none of the brotherhood were to pay more than 14d.each towards the feast.

10th May, 1435. Among the Ordinances of the Surgeons was one that each member was to “paie ʒeerli to the dyner of the craft that is to seie oonys aʒeer on the dai of Seint luke ech man lich mich whethir he be pˀsent or absent,”i.e., once a year on St. Luke’s day each man was to pay like much whether present or absent.

28th September, 1503. It was ordained that every member attending the dinner the day on which the Wardens were presented to the Lord Mayor was to pay 20d., and if he brought his wife with him, then 2s.

The Barber-Surgeons from the earliest times appear to have entertained the ladies at certain feasts, and their unique toast “The Good Wives, Merry Maids and Buxom Widows of the Worshipful Company of Barbers” is traditionally said to have had its origin in Elizabeth’s time.

14th May, 1530. The following is amongst the ordinances signed by Sir Thomas More at thisdate—

And where of oldeCustume yerely upon the Sondaye next ensuyng the ffeaste of Seynt Bartholomew theappostell283a dyner is kept and provyded for theym of the lyvery of the said Company in their Comen halle called Barbors haleAnd onthe daye of saynt Cosme &Damian284yf it be not on the saterday a dynˀ for them of the same compani owt of the lyvereyIt isordeyned and enacted that evˀy man that hathe been upper maister or upper Govˀnor of the said Company shall paye at and for the same dyner xijdfor hymselff and viijdfor his wyffe yff she come. And evˀy other man beying of the lyverey of the same Company shall paye in likewyse for hym selffe viijdand for his wyffe yff she come iiijd.Provided alwaye that the maisters or Govˀnors of the said Company for the tyme beyng shall paye nothing for their wyffꝭ comyng to the dyner for that yere fforasmoche as their Wyffꝭ must of necessitte be theire to helpe that evˀy thyng theire be sett in ordre. And that evˀy man of the said Company beyng owt of the lyverey shall pay at and for his dyner on the said morowe viijdand for his wyffe yff she come iiijd.

8th July, 1552. The earliest entry in the Court Minutes on this subject is a doleful one, for it was ordered “That there shalbe no dynner kept this yere.”

19th September, 1552. William Bette was appointed “Cooke for the Hall,” and Steven Reede the “Butler.” John Edwards (a Freeman) was to supply the flowers on the feast days.

28th July, 1555. It was ordered that the Masters should have a yearly allowance of £7 for the Election dinner, and that none should be at the dinner but Liverymen.

22nd July, 1556. This allowance was increased to £13 6s.8d.

20th February, 1567. Henry Smith, yeoman to Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was admitted to the freedom, and because he had been frankly and freely admitted to the freedom of the City at the suit of the Duke of Norfolk, the Marquess of Northampton and the Earl of Leicester, he paid nothing but 3s.4d., and 4d.for entering hisname—

but the same daye the saide Henry Smythe gave the Mr& govˀnorrsand assystentˀ a dynar at his owne pˀpr coste & charges franckely and gratefully and also he hath forder more pˀmysed and graunted to geve oneboock285of season to serve at the dynar upon the daye of the Electyon.28th July, 1593. No greate dyner was agreed upon but a smale repast wththe allowance of xlsand nether wemen nor children to come to orhall upon the daie of the newe ellec̃ion.

28th July, 1593. No greate dyner was agreed upon but a smale repast wththe allowance of xlsand nether wemen nor children to come to orhall upon the daie of the newe ellec̃ion.

25th August, 1600. There having been abuses at the feasts, an order was made for their reformation whichstated—

that the bodye of this Company hath susteyned much disparagement by reason that some of the livery and others noe white at all respectinge the worshipp of this Company have not onely by themselves but alsoe by their servants and apprenticesdisfurnished the tables att ffeastes whereat they have sitten to pleasure their private frendes contrary to all modestie and good government. Doe therefore order for reformac͠on thereof by the aucthoritye aforesaid That noe pˀson of the Lyvery of this Companye beinge not of the Assistaunce of the same, shall not att any tyme hereafter suffer any of his children frendes servants or apprentices to staye or attende uppon him or his wiefe att any ffeaste to be kepte in the saide Comon Hall [under a penalty of 6s. 8d.].

An order was also made that no Assistant should have more than one servant or apprentice to attend upon him and his wife at any feast.

21st January, 1601. Whereas by the death of Robert Gray late Cooke to this Company the house was unfurnished of a Cooke to serve the said mistery And therefore divers Cookes became this daie shewters to this Courte for the place of the said Robert Gray beinge then voyd, yet notwithstandinge forasmuch as Margaret Grey wiefe to the said Robert Grey became an humble Suter to the said Courte for the same place, it was ordered by the whole consente of this Courte That the said Margeret Grey be admitted Cooke to this Company duringe the tyme she shall well and honestlie and sufficientlie behave her selfe therin And she to receave such fee and salary therefore as at any tyme heretofore hath beene graunted to the said Robert Grey Provided allwaies that she finde all vessells belongeinge to a Cooke And that she execute the said place by a sufficient deputy beinge such a pˀsonn as the Mrsof this Company for the tyme beinge shall like well of and shall thinke fitt.

Margery, however, does not seem to have “honestlie and sufficientlie behaved her selfe,” for as appears by anentry—

6th May, 1602. This daye Margery Grey late wyef to Robert Grey was dismissed from being any more Coocke to this Company for speciall causes to the Mrsbest knowen.

The Plague was raging severely in London in 1603, and the following precept was addressed to the Company, who however seem to have disregarded it, as the Election and Audit dinners were held this year. It is only fair, however, to state that the Court disbursed considerable sums of money amongst the poor stricken people.

13th April, 1603.By the Maior.

To The Mrand Wardensof the Company ofBarbor Surgeons.WhereasI and my Brethẽn thˀaldrẽn duely consideringe wthour seṽe had, the present infecc͠on of this Cittie liberties and Suburbs & the greate multitud of poore people wchby reason of the said infecc͠on have theire howsees shut upp and restrayned as well from goeinge abroad as theire daylie trads and labors wherewththeie were accustomed to mayntaine themselves theire wieves and families and doe at this pˀsent by reason thereof endure greate wante and extremities Have thought fitt that all publique feastinge and com̃en dinners at every the severill Halles and Comˀn metings of corporac͠on and Companies wthin this Cittie shall duringe the tyme of gods visitac͠on amog̃e us be wholely forborne and left of. And that one third parte of the chardge and expenses intended to be bestowed and spent uppon the said feastinges and dinners shalbe whoelie bestowed and geven for and towardes the reliefe of the most miserable poore and needie pˀsons whose howse it shall please almighty god to visit Theis therefore in all xp̃ian Charitie shalbe to praie and desire you ytyou take pˀnte order that from hencefort & duringe this pˀnte infecc͠on you wholely forbeare to keape any Comẽn feastinge or dinners at youre Hall orells wheare for the like purposes And that you take pnˀte order wththe Wardens of youre Companye and all such other of youre Company as should be at any chardge or yeald any contraᵬn286to any Comẽn feastes and Dinners for youre Companie duringe the same tyme to paie and contrabute one thirde parte thereof in readie money to some one honest and discrete person of your Companie whom you shall appoynte to receave the said some of money and to paie it ovˀ to one Robert fflecton Grocˀ noiãted and appoynted by mee & my Brethẽn the aldrẽn to be receaved from the Companies of such somes of money. All wchsomes of money shalbe from tyme to tyme wholelie and truelie distributed by order of mee and my Bretheren the aldrẽn amongst the most nedie and poore infected pˀsonsYeovenat Guildhall this thirteenth daie of Aprill 1603.Sebrightt.6th January, 1609. This daye it is ordered that none of the officers wyves shall at any tyme hereafter followe the Mrsto places where they dyne wthout the Mrsconsentꝭ uppon payne of the Mrsdispleasures.

To The Mrand Wardensof the Company ofBarbor Surgeons.

WhereasI and my Brethẽn thˀaldrẽn duely consideringe wthour seṽe had, the present infecc͠on of this Cittie liberties and Suburbs & the greate multitud of poore people wchby reason of the said infecc͠on have theire howsees shut upp and restrayned as well from goeinge abroad as theire daylie trads and labors wherewththeie were accustomed to mayntaine themselves theire wieves and families and doe at this pˀsent by reason thereof endure greate wante and extremities Have thought fitt that all publique feastinge and com̃en dinners at every the severill Halles and Comˀn metings of corporac͠on and Companies wthin this Cittie shall duringe the tyme of gods visitac͠on amog̃e us be wholely forborne and left of. And that one third parte of the chardge and expenses intended to be bestowed and spent uppon the said feastinges and dinners shalbe whoelie bestowed and geven for and towardes the reliefe of the most miserable poore and needie pˀsons whose howse it shall please almighty god to visit Theis therefore in all xp̃ian Charitie shalbe to praie and desire you ytyou take pˀnte order that from hencefort & duringe this pˀnte infecc͠on you wholely forbeare to keape any Comẽn feastinge or dinners at youre Hall orells wheare for the like purposes And that you take pnˀte order wththe Wardens of youre Companye and all such other of youre Company as should be at any chardge or yeald any contraᵬn286to any Comẽn feastes and Dinners for youre Companie duringe the same tyme to paie and contrabute one thirde parte thereof in readie money to some one honest and discrete person of your Companie whom you shall appoynte to receave the said some of money and to paie it ovˀ to one Robert fflecton Grocˀ noiãted and appoynted by mee & my Brethẽn the aldrẽn to be receaved from the Companies of such somes of money. All wchsomes of money shalbe from tyme to tyme wholelie and truelie distributed by order of mee and my Bretheren the aldrẽn amongst the most nedie and poore infected pˀsonsYeovenat Guildhall this thirteenth daie of Aprill 1603.

Sebrightt.

6th January, 1609. This daye it is ordered that none of the officers wyves shall at any tyme hereafter followe the Mrsto places where they dyne wthout the Mrsconsentꝭ uppon payne of the Mrsdispleasures.

1609. The dinners were usually held on Election and Audit days, on Lord Mayor’s day, and after all public dissections, besides Committee dinners (which usually were at taverns), and this year it was ordered that a dinner was to be held on “Gunpowder Day.”

21st August, 1609. This day it was ordered that from henceforth all such as are of the Livery should give towardꝭ the charge of the musicke on the Election day vjda peice which they then begun and confirmed.

The reason of the next order was, that in consequence of the poverty of the Company at this time, the usual allowance of £8 made by the Court towards the Mayor’s feast, could not be granted.

2nd October, 1610. At this Court Richard Cade & Richard Coopˀ whoe are appoynted for Stewardꝭ of the Mayors ffeast are contented at theire owne chardgꝭ to provide and make the same ffeast as fully as formˀly ythath been, only this their provision for their quantitie of their messes are not to be soe many for that noe wyves nor guestꝭ are to be bydden or brought to the same ffeast.18th September, 1611. Att this Court Sebright the Cook is dismissed from his place of beinge Cook to this howse as well for that he did dresse their last dynner very badlie as for his ill usage in speeches towardꝭ the maisters wyves and for dyvˀse other abuses by him heretofore committed.2nd July, 1612. At this Court our Mr& MrWarden Johnson moving this Court that the Barbors as well as the Surgeons might be bedden to the dynnˀs that are keept at the examinac͠on of surgeons whereupon it was at this Court ordered & agreed that as many of the Auntient Mrs& govˀnorsbeing barborsshould & shalbe bidde unto every such dynner as there shalbe Surgeons beinge examiners at evˀy such dynner.

18th September, 1611. Att this Court Sebright the Cook is dismissed from his place of beinge Cook to this howse as well for that he did dresse their last dynner very badlie as for his ill usage in speeches towardꝭ the maisters wyves and for dyvˀse other abuses by him heretofore committed.

2nd July, 1612. At this Court our Mr& MrWarden Johnson moving this Court that the Barbors as well as the Surgeons might be bedden to the dynnˀs that are keept at the examinac͠on of surgeons whereupon it was at this Court ordered & agreed that as many of the Auntient Mrs& govˀnorsbeing barborsshould & shalbe bidde unto every such dynner as there shalbe Surgeons beinge examiners at evˀy such dynner.

21st January, 1613. It was ordered that the Master and Wardens, with four of the Ancient Masters, should for the “worship & credytt of this Company,” yearly go and visit the Lord Mayor at dinner, and that 20s.each should be allowed them for their “charges” of the same. This allowance of 20s.each was probably given to some officer of the Lord Mayor to secure his favour towards the Company.

6th February, 1613. An order was made that at the dinner after any private anatomy, any of the Livery, either Barbers or Surgeons, might come thereto on payment of 12d.each.

16th September, 1613. This daie it is thought fitt & ordered that the widdowes of this company wchdoe paie their quarterage shalbe bidden to the ffeastꝭ in the hall.14th October, 1613. Att this Court it is ordered that such widdowes as have been masters wyves and doe keepe shoppes or bynd appnˀtices shall paye their quarteradge but for such as doe neither keepe shoppes nor bynd appnˀticꝭ they shall not paye any quarteradge And yet notwthstandinge they shalbe bydden to the feastꝭ yerelie.24th May, 1614. Whereas this Company hath receaved a preceptt from the lord Mayor of this citty forbidding thereby all superfluitie & excesse of Dyet at the ffeastꝭ of this company and thereby injoyning that such feastꝭ as accustomably have been made & provided by this Company shalbe hereafter keept more sparingly & frugally then in former tymes they have, Wherefore it is ordered that there shalbe keept & made on the ellection daie this yere ensuing a smale ellection dynner according to the tenor of the said precept.

16th September, 1613. This daie it is thought fitt & ordered that the widdowes of this company wchdoe paie their quarterage shalbe bidden to the ffeastꝭ in the hall.

14th October, 1613. Att this Court it is ordered that such widdowes as have been masters wyves and doe keepe shoppes or bynd appnˀtices shall paye their quarteradge but for such as doe neither keepe shoppes nor bynd appnˀticꝭ they shall not paye any quarteradge And yet notwthstandinge they shalbe bydden to the feastꝭ yerelie.

24th May, 1614. Whereas this Company hath receaved a preceptt from the lord Mayor of this citty forbidding thereby all superfluitie & excesse of Dyet at the ffeastꝭ of this company and thereby injoyning that such feastꝭ as accustomably have been made & provided by this Company shalbe hereafter keept more sparingly & frugally then in former tymes they have, Wherefore it is ordered that there shalbe keept & made on the ellection daie this yere ensuing a smale ellection dynner according to the tenor of the said precept.

25th August, 1614. The above precept soon being forgotten it was this dayordered—

that there shalbe kept an Auditt dynner in such manner & forme as formerlie in other yeares have byn accustomed. And such allowance as formerlie hath byn allowde is to be paid by the howse.10th July, 1615. At this Court it is ordered that the Cooke shalbe removed & displaced from his place of beinge Cooke of this Companie not onely for that he hath abused and wronged manie who have byn Mrs& Stewardꝭ of the feastꝭ in unsemelie wordꝭ but for a generall dislike taken against him by this howse & for not pˀforminge his office in such sorte as is right he shold & ought to doe.

that there shalbe kept an Auditt dynner in such manner & forme as formerlie in other yeares have byn accustomed. And such allowance as formerlie hath byn allowde is to be paid by the howse.

10th July, 1615. At this Court it is ordered that the Cooke shalbe removed & displaced from his place of beinge Cooke of this Companie not onely for that he hath abused and wronged manie who have byn Mrs& Stewardꝭ of the feastꝭ in unsemelie wordꝭ but for a generall dislike taken against him by this howse & for not pˀforminge his office in such sorte as is right he shold & ought to doe.

1624. The funds being very low this year the Court held no election dinner, but regaled themselves with cakes and wine, and the following order was made for theYeomanry:—

2nd September, 1624. This Court being moved whether the yeomanry of yisCompa. should hould any election dinner or noe. It is for the reason then shewne expressely ordered with a generall consent that the yeomanry shall onely keepe their Election as this Court lately did onely with Cakes and wyne and neither feast musick or sermon to be had at that time.20th July, 1625. This daye the letter directed to this Companye from my lord Maiorof London in effect tending the prohibiting of publicke feastingꝭ in our Hall and the contributeing of those moneys that should be saved thereby the one halfe to be paid unto the chamber of London and the other halfe to the poore of our Companie, so hereupon it is ordered by this Courte ytTen poundꝭ shalbe distributed to the pooreof this Companie at the discretion of the present Mrs& noe money at all to be paid into the Chamber of London.10th July, 1628. This daye our Mrpropounding to this Court whether there should be a greate Election dinner or a small dinner or onely Cakes and wine upon the next Election daye for choise of new Mrs, whereupon by most voyces it was ordered that there should be a greate Election dinner held this yeare and the allowance of xxlitowardꝭ that charge to be defrayed.28th January, 1631. This Court being informed of Swinnertons abusive and naughtie pewter from tyme to tyme brought to serve this Hall at feastꝭ doe dismisse him from serving that place any longer.20th September, 1632. It is ordered by this Court that the Twoe Governorsthat are Surgians shalbe at the charge and give the venison that shalbe used at theirsolepñe287feasts and those twoe GovernorsSurgians and the other twoe GovernorsBarbars to paye joynetly & sevˀally share and share like amongst them 4 the charge for fees and fetching the venison soe to be brought to orHall.8th March, 1637. Whereas the Lord Windsor & SrTho. Bludder brothers of this Company were invited to dine here when MrDie made his dinner that the fare was enlarged. It is ordered that that addic͠on of fare amounting to 50sshalbe allowed out of the stock.6th April, 1638. Whereas the Companie intendeth to invite the Lords of yeprivye Counsell & other Lords & pˀsons of state at the dedicac͠on of the Theater & first anatomicall publiqeopac͠ons288there It is ordered by this Court & theis pˀsons following were appointed to give their attendance in the Hall upper pˀlors & Theater at the enterteynment of the lords on mondaye next viztEdward CharleyEdward ffleeteare appointed & have promised to gownes to carry up the Lords diett & attend them at dinner.Henry EatonHen: WatesonEdward ArrisHen: BooneThomas AllenJohn DorrellLawrence LoweJohn LufkinThomas TurnerJohn PerkinsMrWateson to be Gentleman Sewer.Thomas Browne to be Husher of the Hall.John Perkins to be Groome of the Lords Chamber.John ffoster to be Groome of the Hall.Nathan: ffoster beadle to be attendant at the outer streete gate with a white staffe in his hand.Also MrJoseph Coopˀ the Princes Cooke is desired to pˀvide messe of meate for the Lordꝭ diett in yegreate pˀlor.

20th July, 1625. This daye the letter directed to this Companye from my lord Maiorof London in effect tending the prohibiting of publicke feastingꝭ in our Hall and the contributeing of those moneys that should be saved thereby the one halfe to be paid unto the chamber of London and the other halfe to the poore of our Companie, so hereupon it is ordered by this Courte ytTen poundꝭ shalbe distributed to the pooreof this Companie at the discretion of the present Mrs& noe money at all to be paid into the Chamber of London.

10th July, 1628. This daye our Mrpropounding to this Court whether there should be a greate Election dinner or a small dinner or onely Cakes and wine upon the next Election daye for choise of new Mrs, whereupon by most voyces it was ordered that there should be a greate Election dinner held this yeare and the allowance of xxlitowardꝭ that charge to be defrayed.

28th January, 1631. This Court being informed of Swinnertons abusive and naughtie pewter from tyme to tyme brought to serve this Hall at feastꝭ doe dismisse him from serving that place any longer.

20th September, 1632. It is ordered by this Court that the Twoe Governorsthat are Surgians shalbe at the charge and give the venison that shalbe used at theirsolepñe287feasts and those twoe GovernorsSurgians and the other twoe GovernorsBarbars to paye joynetly & sevˀally share and share like amongst them 4 the charge for fees and fetching the venison soe to be brought to orHall.

8th March, 1637. Whereas the Lord Windsor & SrTho. Bludder brothers of this Company were invited to dine here when MrDie made his dinner that the fare was enlarged. It is ordered that that addic͠on of fare amounting to 50sshalbe allowed out of the stock.

6th April, 1638. Whereas the Companie intendeth to invite the Lords of yeprivye Counsell & other Lords & pˀsons of state at the dedicac͠on of the Theater & first anatomicall publiqeopac͠ons288there It is ordered by this Court & theis pˀsons following were appointed to give their attendance in the Hall upper pˀlors & Theater at the enterteynment of the lords on mondaye next vizt

Edward CharleyEdward ffleeteare appointed & have promised to gownes to carry up the Lords diett & attend them at dinner.Henry EatonHen: WatesonEdward ArrisHen: BooneThomas AllenJohn DorrellLawrence LoweJohn LufkinThomas TurnerJohn Perkins

MrWateson to be Gentleman Sewer.Thomas Browne to be Husher of the Hall.John Perkins to be Groome of the Lords Chamber.John ffoster to be Groome of the Hall.

Nathan: ffoster beadle to be attendant at the outer streete gate with a white staffe in his hand.

Also MrJoseph Coopˀ the Princes Cooke is desired to pˀvide messe of meate for the Lordꝭ diett in yegreate pˀlor.

The following expenses of this Entertainment are extracted from the Great Audit Book, the first item being probably a Committee dinner to settle details with Mr. Cooper, the King’s Cook.

1638. Paid by consent for a Dinner at the Dragon in Cheape 6 Aprill for the Companie and the princes Cookeijilijsiiijd

The Entertainment and Dyninge of the Lords of the Councell inour great Parlour at the publique Anatomye.

paid to the Butler for Lynnen and plate & Attendauc̃evlipaid to the Pewterer for hire of Pewter thenvliGiven to MrCooper the Princes Cooke that dressed the Lords dynnervlipaid to two Upholsters for the hier of stooles and chairexlspaid to the Vinctner for wine thenviijliiijspaid to the princes Cooke for soe much disbursed by him for the Lords diett as to the Butcher Poulterer hearbewoomen fruiterer Grocer fishmonger and Under Cookes as by bill appeareth the som̃e oflviijliviijspaid to Stacke for a bushell of flower xjsvjdand 2 dozen of stale bread ijsxiijsvjdpaid for faggottꝭ and Charcoales as by billxxvjsvjdpaid for stronge beare and six shillings beere by bill xxxvsand for carryinge in jsiiijdxxxvjsiiijdpaid for hire of Venice glasses and pottꝭ &c. and for those pottꝭ and glasses that were broakenxxxiiijspaid for 4liof double refined sugarviijsiiijdpaid for 3 dossen of french breadiijspaid to the Waterman and Porter that brought the beere in Bottles from the Lord Chamberlainesvspaid for the hier of two Close stoolesvjsviijdpaid to the porter that brought a dozen of silver dishes from the Lord of Hollandsxviijdpaid to Tryman Payne his Scullery manijsvjdpaid to John Bludder of the Kings Wardrobe for bringinge and hanginge the great Parlour wthTapestryxxsTo John Bare my Lord Chamberlaynes PantrymanxsAnd to one of his Scullery menxsAnd to the Lady of Devonshires man that brought the silver dishesvsPaid for bread when the Lords dined therexijsSumm̃.lxxxxiijlivsiiijd

20th June, 1638. Upon the complaint of the losse of a silver spoone the last dinner in the Hall and diver other times napkins & pewter dishes this Court doth order that when dinner goes in, the outer Wickett doore shalbe alwayes locked & the key thereof brought in and layed by orMrfor the time being till dinner be ended & the plate naperye & dishes gathered up & soe discharged.

The next entry would seem to indicate that some previous gift for the purchase of books had unhappily been diverted into a wrong channel.

2nd March, 1640. £6 given by Mistress Napkin & Mistriss Eaton is absolutely ordered to buy bookes & not disbursed or dispended in Drinking.

The following circumstance is significant, as exactly one hundred years later the separation which Mr. Foster desired, and for which he got into trouble, became an accomplished fact.

6th November, 1645. Mr. Ralph Foster was complained of for refusing to make his dinner to the Court on his election as an Assistant, and he thereupon uttered certain speeches “tending to the separation of the Barbers from the Surgeons,” for which he was reprimanded, whereupon he promised to make his dinner and to say no more about disunion.

23rd October, 1649. Upon reading the precept requiring the Livery to attend the Lord Mayor Elect to Westminster in their Barge, it was ordered that the Livery should be warned to performthat service in accordance with old custom, and “that there be a ffeast at the Hall on that day for the said Livery, But in respect of the hardnes and troubles of the times this Court doth consent that there be noe second course and noe Woeman at the same ffeast.”

Among the Company’s archives are four books containing many details of the feasts held between the years 1676 and 1790. They appear to have been kept by the various cooks, probably under the direction of the Clerk, and the following gleanings from them will be found to be replete with interest.

The first entry is asfollows—

July ye4th1676 for barber sirgons hall Cortt diner.

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