THE DUKE OF MONMOUTH, K.G.

25th June, 1631. This daie orMrsignifieing to the Court the affectionatenes of the right honoblethe Lord Thomas Windsor Knight of the noble order of the bath and Barron Windsor of Bradenham, wchthis Court Loveingly and gratefullie embraceing doe graunt his Lopsrequest and thereupon the said Lord was here in Court admitted and sworne free brother of this Corporac͠on. Alsoe the said Thomas Lord Windsor was by orMrreceived into the Clothing or livery of this Companie and had a livery hood layed upon his lopsshoulder.

Lord Windsor at one time resided in Monkwell Street, close to the Hall; he was chosen a Knight of the Bath 1610, at the creation of Henry, Prince of Wales. He was subsequently Rear-Admiral of the Fleet sent by James I to bring Prince Charles out of Spain, and on that occasion entertained on board ship the Grandees of the Court of Spain with princely magnificence. His Lordship married Lady Katherine Somerset daughter of Edward, fourth Earl of Worcester, K.G., but dying without issue on the 6th June, 1642, he was succeeded by his nephew Thomas Windsor-Hickman, the son of his elder sister Elizabeth.

James Scott, the natural son of Charles II, was born 9th April, 1649, and created Duke of Monmouth in 1663. The same year, on the 7th May, he was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons, in company with Alexander Lord Leven, Richard Hopton, and Thomas Rosse, Esquires.

The history of this unfortunate man is well known, and culminated in his being beheaded on the 15th July, 1685.

This nobleman was the grandson of the celebrated General Sir Alexander Leslie, First Earl of Leven, whom he succeeded in 1662. On the 7th May, 1663, he was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons, in company with the Duke of Monmouth.

He married Margaret, daughter of Sir William Howard, and sister of the Earl of Carlisle, but died without issue male, in 1663. His kinsman George, fourth Lord Melville, was a staunch adherent of the Duke of Monmouth, and involved in the rebellion, but was lucky enough to escape into Holland; he was, however, attainted and his estates forfeited in 1685, but coming back to England with William III his estates and dignity were restored to him.

Sir John Aylefwas an eminent Surgeon and probably born about 1490. Diligent search has been made for his parentage, but without success. In his will he refers to seven “poor” people “being of my kynn dwelling in Grenewiche,” and from the fact that he had a grant of arms instead of inheriting a paternal coat, as also the silence of his immediate descendants when registering the pedigrees at the Heralds’ Visitations (who must have known but did not care to register Sir John’s father), it may be assumed that he was of humble origin.

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He was admitted to the freedom of the Barbers prior to 1522 and served the office of Warden 1530, 1532 and 1535, being chosen Master 1538. At this time he was Surgeon to Henry VIII and hadcured him of a fistula, for which the king granted him the manor of Gryttenham in Wiltshire, part of the lands of the Abbey of Malmesbury. Henry also bequeathed by his will 100 marks to Aylef.

Mr. Aylef, being elected on 1st August, 1548, served the office of Sheriff 1548–9, and in Wriothesley’s Chronicle under date 1549 weread—

The third daie of March being Shrove Sondaie MrHenry Amcottes Lord Maior of London was presented to the Kinges Maiestie at his pallace at Westminster. And after the oration made by MrRecorder to his Maiestie and aunswere again by my Lord Chauncelor unto the maior and aldermen, the Kinges Maiestie made my Lord Maior, Knight, and MrWilliam Locke, Alderman, and MrJohn Ayliffe, barbar surgeon, sheriffes of London for this yeare, were made knightes also in the Chambre of Presens, the Kinges Maiestie standing under his cloath of estate.

SIR JOHN AYLEFFrom the original painting byHolbein,at Barber’s Hall.

SIR JOHN AYLEF

From the original painting byHolbein,at Barber’s Hall.

Two days afterwards Sir John had a grant of arms from Sir Thomas Hawley, Clarencieux, and shortly after was elected Alderman of Dowgate Ward. He seems to have relinquished his profession of a Surgeon and to have become a Merchant, holding the important office of Master of Blackwell Hall, one of the greatest commercial centres of the period, and residing at the Hall, in the parish of St. Michael Bassishaw.

On the 28th May, 1550, he was chosen the first Alderman of the newly-created ward of Bridge Without, some interesting particulars of which may be seen in Stow’s Survey (ed. 1633, p. 446); while in Wriothesley’s Chronicle, under date 1550, we alsoread—

Memorandum. Wednesday in the Whitson weeke, at a Court of the Aldermen kept in the Guyldhall, Sir John Aliffe, Knight, and master of Blackwell Hall, was sworne an alderman of the Bridg ward without, and to have the jurisdiction of the Borough of Southwark, and 2 deputies to be appointed there to assist him, which was the first alderman that ever was there, which was done by the advise of my Lord Mayor and thˀ Aldermen, for the better order to be kept there, and for the more quietnes of the Mayors hereafter to come, and the good order of the Kinges subjectes there, accordingeto the lawes of the City; and the Fryday after he rode with my Lord Mayor all the precint of Southwarke, my Lord Mayor havinge a certeine nomber of the honest persons of the borough at the bridg-house, to whom he shewed theyr alderman, and appointed deputies under him, and so hereafter to see a good order to be kept in the Borough, as in other wardes of the citye of London.

Sir John subsequently removed to his old ward of Dowgate (and continued Alderman there till his death, his successor being chosen 12th November, 1556). After his election as Alderman he was translated to the Grocers’ Company, of which ancient guild he was crowned Upper Warden, 9th June, 1556, in view of his election as Lord Mayor for which he stood next in nomination, and to which office, had he lived but a few weeks longer, he would in all probability have been chosen. He was married to Isabel Buckell of Warwickshire, and by her had four children, John, Erkynwald, Mary and Alice. His son John and great grandson George, were both knighted. His widow, Dame Isabel, had a grant of arms by Thomas Hawley (3 & 4 Ph. & M.) ar. a fesse vaire or and az. betw. three doves ppr. bearing in their beaks a branch gu. Sir John Aylef’s funeral is thus recorded in Machyn’s Diary,1556—

The xx of October was bered ser John Olyff knyght and altherman, and sum-tym he wassurgantt314unto kyng Henry the viijth, and after he was shreyff of London; and he had levyd tylle the next yere he had byn mayre, for he tornyd from the Surgens unto the Grosers; and bered at sant Myghelles in Bassynghall, with a harold of armes bayryng ys cott armur, and with a standard and a pennon of armes, and iiij baners of emages, and ij grett whytt branchys, and iiij grett tapurs and . . . . . dosen of torchys; and mony powre men had gownes; and with a elmett, targat, and sword; and the crest a crowne and aholyfftre315standyng with-in the crowne.

For the inscription on Sir John Aylef’s tomb, which formerly stood in St. Michael’s Bassishaw,seepage89.

Sir John Aylef’s will, dated 26th September, 1556, was proved 24th December, 1556. He was, he says,

At this present somewhat sicke in bodye;—ffirst and principally I give and com̃end my soule unto Almightie god and to my Saviorand Redemer Jesus Christ his onely begotten sonne by and throughe the merittꝭ of whose bytter passion I truste to have Remission of my synnes and to the holie goste three parsons and one god and to all the holye & blessed companye of heaven, and my bodye to be buried in holie grave in suche decent order as to the goode discretion of my Executors hereafter named shalbe thought mete and convenient for myne Estate and degree withoute pompe or glorie.

To the parson of St. Michael Bassishaw for tithes and oblations forgotten 20s.To every priest singing in that church 10s.To the clerk of the same church 5s.To the sexton 3s.4d.To the repair and maintenance of that church £5. To the parson of Pricklewell, Essex, for tithes and oblations forgotten, 20s.To the reparation of that church £4. To the chapel of Bridewell in London £5, and one vestment for a priest to say mass there when the chapel should be made ready. His goods and chattels in London he directs to be divided into three parts, whereof one-third to his wife, one-third to his daughters Marie and Alice and the other third to his executors to the performance of the will. Having already given his sons John and Erkynwald £300 apiece, he gives £100 more to each. To Elizabeth Harvard £10. To Robert Buckle (his wife’s brother) £10, and to each of his children 40s.To William Symson, his servant, £10. To John More, his servant, £10. To John Etonfelde £5. To Gyles Strowden, his clerk, £3. To Christopher Vaughan, his clerk, £2. To Thornton, his clerk, £2. To Bromefelde, his clerk, £2. To Millecent, “my Wyfes kinswoman servant in my howse,” £20. To “Joane her sister my maide,” £20. To every one of his servants in London and the country 20s.To Thomas Eson, if he remain in Lady Aylef’s service, £5. To George Vaughan,316—

My boke of Guydo and all my Instrumentꝭ Boxes and other that dothe in any wise belonge to Surgerie. To Mr. Vykarie £5. Item I bequethe to the company of Grocers for a repaste tenne poundꝭ. Item to their clerke xxs.Item to their bedell xxs.Item I give to the companye of barbors for a repaste at my buryall fyve poundꝭ and to the beddell of the same company of barbors tenne shillings Item I give to the governors of the hospitalls belonginge to the citie of London to make them a dynner at my buryall fyve poundes and to every of the beddles of the said hospitallꝭ one blacke Coote and iijsiiijdin money.

To the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge £10 each, “to be distributed to the comfort of the poore Scolers wthin the said univˀsites.” To poor householders in St. Michael Bassishaw “where I dwell” £4, and to those of St. Alban, Wood Street, £2. “Item to the pore householders in the parishe where the barbors hall dothe stande,” xxs. To poor householders in St. Michael, Queenhithe £2. To the poor prisoners in Newgate 40s., in the two Counters 40s., in Ludgate 40s., in the Marshalsea 20s., in the King’s Bench 20s., and in the Gatehouse at Westminster 10s.“Item to every of the sixe Lazar howses abowte London xs.” To the poor in Bethlem 20s.To the poor in the hospitals of the City £100 (over and above £100 he had already given). To five poor men and two poor women being “of my kynn dwelling in Grenewiche in Kent to eiche of them xlsand a gowne of suche Clothe to eiche of theym as shalbe given to the poore at my buryall And my mynde and will ys that yf any other of the poore of my kynn shall wthin one yeare and a daye next after my decease come to myne Executours approvinge them selfes sufficiently to be of my kynne & blinde That then every of them shall have xxs.” To his wife Isabel, the lease of his farm at Pricklewell with all the stock there “except my Ryding geldingꝭ,” also the lease of his woods there, on certain conditions. To his son Erkynwald the lease of his farm of Fambridge, in Essex, with remainder to Erkynwald’s son William, and after him to Martha (William’s sister), and in the event of all of themdying without issue to Christ’s Hospital, Bridewell, and St. Thomas’ Hospital. Testator recites that Henry VIII granted to him and his wife Isabel and their heirs the manor of “Greteman” (Gryttenham), Wilts, and that he was seised in fee of the parsonage of Wakeringe (near Rochford, Essex), and of a marsh called Alforde Nash, in the parish of Estwood (near Rochford). All of this property he bequeaths, after the death of Lady Isabel to his son John, with remainder to Erkynwald, then to Marie and Alice, and in the event of all them dying without issue to the three hospitals aforesaid. To the poor of the parish of Bassingham (eight miles S. W. of Lincoln) £20 for coals. (Query: Was Sir John born here?) To three score maids marriages in London £20. To Elizabeth Glasier 40s.Residue to the Lady Isabel.Executors, John Southcott (Under Sheriff of London), Richard Grafton, Grocer, and Lady Isabel Aylef. To Southcott and Grafton £20 each.Overseers, Sir Rowland Hill,317Laurence Withers, and John Machell,318Aldermen, and to each of them a black gown and £10, also a black gown to each of their wives.

Sir John Aylef’s name has been spelt in many ways, Aylif, Ailiff, Alif, Olyff, Ailyffe, etc.; in his will it is spelt Aliff. But this family must not be confounded with that of John Oliphe, Alderman and Sheriff 1569, buried at St. Laurence Pountney, 4th July, 1577; although Wilson, in his History of that parish, at p. 232, mistakes John the son of that Alderman for John the son of our Alderman.

For some notices of the AylefsseeAubrey’s collections for Wilts, and Marshall’s Visitation of Wilts.

The pedigree is compiled principally from Harl. MSS. 897, 1165 and 1443.

THOMAS VICARYFrom the original painting byHolbein,at Barber’s Hall.

THOMAS VICARY

From the original painting byHolbein,at Barber’s Hall.

Thomas Vicary was probably born between 1490 and 1500, and is stated in Manningham’s Diary to have been “at first a meane practiser in Maidstone untill the King advanced him for curing his sore legge.” In 1525 he was third Warden of the Barbers’ Company, and in 1528 Upper Warden and one of the Surgeons of Henry VIII with £20 a year. In 1530 he was Master of the Company and appointed Serjeant-Surgeon, which latter office he held until his death. In 1539 Henry granted him a beneficial lease for 21 years of the Rectory and tithes of the dissolved Abbey of Boxley in Kent. In 1541 Vicary was chosen Master of the Barber-Surgeons, to which office he was again elected in 1546, 1548, and 1557 having thus held the chief place in the Company no less than five times—an honour to which no other member has ever attained. In the Holbein picture Vicary is represented as receiving the Charter from the King. In 1542 he and his son William were appointed by the King Bailiffs of the Manor of Boxley, and five years later he married his second wife, Alice Bucke. In 1548 Vicary was appointed a Governor of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, and soon afterwards became the Resident Surgical Governor there; in June, 1552, he was made “one of the assistants of this house (St. Bartholomew’s) for the terme of his lyffe.” In 1548 he published his celebrated book “The Anatomie of the bodie of man,” no copy of the first edition of which is now known to be extant. On the 27th January, 1561, Vicary made his will, which was proved in London 7th April, 1562. The will, which is set out in full in Dr. Furnivall’s book, is too long to give herein extenso, but the following extracts will be found of interest.

Item I will that the masters of the livery of my Companie be at my buriall, and they to have xlsfor theire dinners, to be delivered to the wardens at theire commyng to my buriall. And to Johnson the Clarke of the Company, vjsviijdAnd in considerac͠on of my evell and necligẽt service done to god and to his poore members, the poore of this hospitall of St. Barthelmewes where I now dwell, in recompence whereof, and for the discharge of my concience, I give and bequeath to thuse of the saide poore, tenne poundes in monney. Item I give and bequeath xlsin monney to and amongest fortie poore householders of the saide pˀish of little sainte Barthelmewes, that is to saye, to every householder xijd.Also I give and bequeathe lsin monney to thospitler, matron, stuarde, Cooke, and porter offecer of the saide hospitall, that is to saye, to every of them xs. . . . To Thomas Skair, my apprentis, vjsviijd. . . I give and bequeath to RoberteBaltropp320my best gowne garded with velvet, furred and faced with Sables, my Cote of braunched velvete, and asering321of silver, parcell gilte. Also I give and bequeath to ThomasBayly322my gowne of browne blue lyned and faced with blacke budge,323my cassocke of blacke satten fured and garded with velvet, my best plaister box, garnisshed with silver, mysalvitory324of silver, and a sering321of silver, with all other instrumentꝭ of silver. Item I bequeathe to RobertMuddesley325my best single gowne faced with blacke satten. To George Vaughan,326my doblet of crimson satten . . . Also I give and bequeath unto the hawle of my company one booke calledGuido327and ij billes ij bowes ij shefes of Arrowes ij bracers ij shoting gloves ij Sculles one hand gune and one Jack Item I give and bequeath to masterSkynner328one half hacke one Jack and one murren And to Henry Picton my sˀvnte aforesaide one booke called Johˀes Vigo.329All the residue of my bookes stuff and instrumentꝭ appertaining to surgery I give and bequeath unto the same Henry Picton and Richard Vener equally betwen them to be devided.

The remainder of his property was bequeathed to his nephews Thomas and Stephen (sons of his late brother William Vicary, of Boxley), and to his widow Alice.

But little is known of Richard Ferris, though he was doubtless a man of repute, as Gale speaks approvingly of him, and he held the office of Serjeant-Surgeon in Queen Elizabeth’s time; his portrait is preserved by Holbein in our great picture, and Henry VIII, by his will, bequeathed him 100 marks. He was twice Master of the Barber-Surgeons, viz., in 1551 and 1562.

His will, dated 17th March, 1566, was proved on the 22nd April, 1566, wherein he describes himself as “Richard Ferres Serjant Surgion unto the quenes majestie, sick of bodie.” He gives to “Em,” his wife, his house, field, and orchard at Paddington for her life, with remainder to his daughter Thomazine, and to her also the lease of the house where he then dwelt in St. Giles, Cripplegate. In the event of their deaths without issue, the property to be sold and distributed amongst the poor in the discretion of his overseer, JohnField330and Dr. Gregorie Wisdom, except 40s.to his cousin Johanne Sympson. To his daughter Thomazine his “Courte bedd and bedstede,” also a feather bed and bedstead furnished, half a garnish of pewter vessels, &c., and £30 which was owing to him by Dr. Cunningham (Reader at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall).

Item I give and bequeth unto the Companie of Barborsand Sˀgions twentie Shillings in monney a grete Pandack and an other booke called a verroyce. To John ffelde my late srˀvaunt all my other bookes bothe of Surgerie and others excepet ffoure of theim wchI give unto John Griffine my Apprentice. Also I give and bequeth unto the said John ffeld all my Sˀgerie stuff and all my Instrumẽtes both of silver and other and also my gowne furred wthffox wchI comonlie Ride in. Item I will and bequeth unto ThomasBaylie331one Booke called Peter de argilate and the Staff wchhe gave me.

The residue to his wife, and she appointed executrix with John Field overseer.

Much time has been spent in the endeavour to ascertain John Pen’s parentage, but without success. Among the Domestic State Papers, Henry VIII, Vol. I (No. 4064) is the grant of a corrody or sustentation from the Monastery of Abbotsbury to Robert Pen “one of the Gentlemen of the Chapel” and to John Pen, his son, for life. The date of this document is 9th March, 1514, and as John Pen was a retainer of the King’s, which this grant would also seem to imply, and had a son whom he named Robert, there is the possibility that this Robert Pen, the Gentleman of the Chapel, was his father.

John Pen was admitted to the freedom of the Barbers in 1527, and his birth may probably be put at 1500–1505. He was by profession a barber, and evidently a friend of King Henry VIII, who advanced him from Groom of the Privy Chamber to the honorable position of King’s Barber, an office which was only bestowed upon the most trusty and confidential of the King’s attendants; the life of the sovereign being in his barber’s hands. (Seepp. 90 and 91.)

Pen served the office of Master in 1539, and his portrait is in the Holbein picture. He married, about 1530, Lucy, daughter and heiress of Edmond Chevall of Sissivernes, in Codicote, Herts, and by her he had a good estate. In 1545 Henry granted him the manor of Codicote and the demesne lands of the late dissolved Abbey of St. Alban’s for £826 9s.41⁄2d., to hold by the forty-fifth part of a knight’s fee. The King also bequeathed him 100 marks by his will. By an Inquisition taken at West Barnet 18th October, 5 & 6Ph. & M., it was found that John Pen died 21st August, 1558, and that Thomas, his son and heir, was then of the age of 25 years and 9 months. John Pen’s Will, dated 15th August, 1558, was proved by his widow on the 6th May, 1559. Coleman in his list of Wills of the Pen family states that a second grant of Probate was taken of this Will by Gyles Pen on 10th October, 1560, but this is absolutely incorrect; on this date the Will of one Gyles Peny of Halstocke in Dorsetshire was proved, and Mr. Coleman has confounded this in a remarkable way with John Pen’s Will, with which it has no connection whatever. That Pen was not, or did not know that he was, a connection of the Pens of Bucks, is most likely, as he obtained a grant of arms for himself, in which the combs on either side of the lion of England are typical of his office of King’s Barber. These arms were 1st& 4thAr. on a fesse gu. betw. three peacocks az. a lyon pass. guar. or betw. two combs of the first (Pen) 2d& 3rdOr three horses’ heads couped sa. bridled ar. (Cheval).

The following is the text of hiswill:—

In the name of god amenThe xvthday of August Annis vtoet vjtoRegꝭ et Regine I John Penne Esquyre being sicke in body but whole and pˀfitt in mynde make this my Testament conteynyng therin my last will in manˀ and fourme following that is to saye ffirst my soule I bequeth almightie god &c. and my body to be buryed in the church of Codynte &c. Item I bequeth to the high Alter of Codynte &c. xxdItem to the high Alter of Welwyn xxdItem my will and pleasure is That all wills and declaracons therof heretofore mayde by me at any tyme heretofore to be voyed and of none effecte and that this my last will and Testament be takyn reputed to be my last will and none other Item I give to evˀy of my doughters Elen Elizabeth and Dorothye fortie poundes in money to be paied at their marriage daye or when they shall come to thˀage of xvjthyeres. Yf any of theis iij childern dep̃te this world before their mˀriage or xvjthyeres of age That then the survivors to have the ptꝭ of theym that ar depˀted to god. The saied legacꝭ of my saied childern to be levyed out of the manˀ of Sycesvrñs wththappurtenncꝭ Item I give to Robert Penne his wif two kyne. Item my wyll and pleasure is and also I give to Robert Pen my soune and to his heires my myll of Codynte payng yerely toWillm̃ my sonne twentie shillingꝭ during his naturall lif. The Resydewe of my goodes my debtes and legacꝭ paid I give to Lucy my wif whom I make my sole executrix. Witnesses by me John Pen by me michaell hogkyn.

He was admitted to the freedom in 1523, and was Surgeon to Edward VI; his portrait is in the Holbein picture. He died in the early part of 1550, and his will dated 15th February, 1549–50, was proved 6th May, 1550. In it he describes himself as “One of the Surgions to the Kingꝭ Matie” and directs that his body shall be buried in the Church of St. Stephen, Coleman Street, near where his children are buried. He leaves one-third of his goods, &c., to his executors for the purposes of his will, one-third to Margaret his wife, and one-third to Elizabeth his daughter on her twenty-first birthday or marriage. To the poor of Swyneshed, Lincolnshire, £5. Six “sermons” to be made for him at St. Stephen’s. For poor maids marriages £4. To Bartholomew’s Hospital 40s.To George Brykesworth of Glastonbury, Surgeon, his best lute, and to Elizabeth Alcocke (testator’s daughter) his virginalls. To Richard Sygans, his servant “a sleveles jacket of cloth browne blewe a woorsted doblett a pair of hosen. A payre of bootꝭ and a paire of spurres.” To Ann his maidservant a bedstead, a mattress and a coverlet. “I bequeth to Robert Balthorpe late my apprentice my booke called Guido in Englysshe.” To ElizthSmith a bedstead and mattress. To his two god-daughters, the children of Robert Wilson and John Stocks, to each a pewter dish and saucer.

I bequeth to JohnMason332late my apprentice my bookꝭ called Lanfrank, Johẽs Arden and an other olde booke wta bare woodden covˀ in Englysshe and the practise of ypocratꝭ. To my wifes father Thomas Turnor my newe coloured gowne garded wtvelvett and faced wtfoynes and my best rydinge cote garded wtvelvett and my dublett of redde taffeta Also I bequeth to the eldest sonne of my father in lawe my foxe furred gowneand a dublett wtblewe taffeta sleves and my black mournynge cote. Itm̃ I bequeth to Robr̃t Balthrope some tyme my apprentice my Russett woorsted gowne faced wtcalabrerand garded wtvelvett.

He bequeaths his great house and premises called “ffreshe wharff” in St. Botolph’s Billingsgate, of the annual value of £24 to his daughter Elizabeth, but in the event of her decease before she came of age this wharf to be sold and divided in certain proportions between Bartholomew’s Hospital, Thomas Turner, his father-in-law, Thomas and Richard Turner his sons, the poore of Coleman Street, poor maids’ marriages, and the mending of highways.

He bequeaths some pastures and meadows at Enfield to his wife. He directs his parsonage of Kirkbye, Lincolnshire, with all the tithes and profits to be sold, and 100 marks to be given to Roger Alcocke, his brother’s son, 20 marks to his godson Nicholas Spencer, and the residue to be devoted to works of charity in the discretion of his executors. Thomas Archer, gentleman, and Randolph Atkinson, Merchant Taylor, are appointed Executors, and John Wysdome, painter staynor, and John Shireff, Barber-Surgeon, overseers.

Robert Balthropwas born in 1522, and about the year 1538 apprenticed to Nicholas Alcock (Surgeon to King Edward VI). He was admitted to the freedom 3rd March, 1545, and to the Livery 20th October, 1552. He served the office of Warden in 1560 and 1564, and was Master of the Company in 1565 and again in 1573. About the year 1562 he was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon to Queen Elizabeth and held that office until his death (9th December, 1591).

He is buried in the church of St. Bartholomew the Less, where there is (behind the organ) on the south wall of the church, a handsome monument to his memory with thisinscription—

Here Robert Balthrope lyes intombd, to Elizabeth our Queene,Who Sergeant of the Surgeons sworne neere thrtye yeeres hathe beene.He died at syxtie nine of yeeres December’s ninthe the dayeThe yeere of Grace eight hundred twice deductinge nine a wayeLet heere his rotten bones repose, till angells trompet sounde,To warne the worlde of present chaunge, and raise the deade from grounde.VIVIT POST FUNERA VIRTUS.

Here Robert Balthrope lyes intombd, to Elizabeth our Queene,

Who Sergeant of the Surgeons sworne neere thrtye yeeres hathe beene.

He died at syxtie nine of yeeres December’s ninthe the daye

The yeere of Grace eight hundred twice deductinge nine a waye

Let heere his rotten bones repose, till angells trompet sounde,

To warne the worlde of present chaunge, and raise the deade from grounde.

VIVIT POST FUNERA VIRTUS.

Balthrop’s will was made about a fortnight before his death (27th November), and therein he directs his body to be buried in St. Bartholomew’s the Less, in which parish he then resided. He seems to have amassed a considerable estate and to have made a rather lengthy will, but as a great deal of it is of much interest, especially his inventory of surgical instruments and books, no apology is needed for quoting largely from it.

I do give and bequeathe my sowle to the holy and blessed Trinitie the ffather the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one God allmightie hoping and stedfastly beleevinge to be forgiven and pardoned of all my sinnes and to enjoye the everlastinge and unspeakable felicities of heaven through the merrittꝭ and passion of my only redeemer and saviour Jesus Christ to whome be given all glorie honor and praise nowe and for ever Amen.

To poor people in the discretion of his executrix £10. To John Mason,333Chirurgian, dwelling in Long Lane 40s., and a few other small legacies. “To my servauntes,” John Deighton, Richard Neill, John Edwards and William Taylor 40s.each. To each of his wife’s maids 20s.

Also I give to the Company and bequeath to the company of the Barbors and Chirurgions of the Cittie of London for their use in their hall one bell [? beer] bowle with a cover beinge both of silver and gilte weighinge thirty ounces half an ownce and half a quarter of an ownce. Also I give to the Mrand Governours of the said Company to make them and the rest of the Cloathinge a Dynner in theire hall after my buryall ffyvepoundes. Also I give and bequeath to the poore people of the said Company fyve poundes. . . Also I bequeath to my mothrMrisLove my golde ringe which hath in it a stone called a Turkey. . . Also I bequeath to my feloweGoodorus334one of my Launcettꝭ that is sett in golde and enamyled Also I bequeth to my feloweBaker335her maiesties Chirurgion my Syringe of silver gilted and three pypes of silver gilted belonginge to the same.

To Mr. Bennett, one of the Queen’s footmen, “my Brooch of golde compassed aboute with ragg Rubies.” Upon payment of £10, John Gryffyn,336surgeon, was to have the lease of his house. To testator’s nephew, William Balthrop £50 “and my greate Ringe of golde with my seale of Armes.” To his Nephew Richard Balthrop at the end of his apprenticeship £50 “and my lesser Ringe of golde with my seale of Armes.” And to these nephews his lands and tenements at East Greenwich. To John Gryffyn

My fyne clothe gowne welted with velvett and faced with Damaske. . . . To John Deighton my servaunte my blacke cloth cloake layed with lace and faced with velvett my blacke satten Dublett and my rounde velvett hose. To Richard Neel my servaunt a cloak, doublett and hose. To John Edwards my servaunt my white canvas Dublett that is at the parke with my Rownde velvett hose and my pheasaunt colored cloake with the sleeves and cape faced with russett velvett. Also I give and bequeath to my servauntꝭ that nowe are with me and have bene my servauntes in tyme past which do practize and exercise the art of Chirurgery such thingꝭ of mine belonginge and appertayninge to chirurgerie as are by me given and appointed to them in the Schedule hereunto annexed.

To Dorothy, his wife, he gave all the residue of his lands, houses, buildings, goods, chattels, plate, chains of gold, jewels, ready money, &c., and appointed her executrix. Probate was granted 16th December, 1591.

SCHEDULE.Item I give and bequeathe to my servaunt John Deighton my newe and last made Chirurgery chest which is for my owne use with all that is therein except golde and silver Also I bequeath to him my plaster boxe of leather which hath the lock hinges and barrs over yt of Copper gilted and the cysars and all the silver instrumentes therein. AlsoI give unto him my rownde silver salvatory and one catheter of silver and annother of leade with the case wherein they are Also I give unto him a case with silver Instrumentes therein that ys to saye a silver splatter a chockbarr of silver for the uvula a silver Syringe parcell gilted Also I give unto him my silver precipitate box all wchthingꝭ are in the aforesaid chest. Also I bequeath unto him all my bookes of Phisicke and chirurgery with two Dixionaries which are in my study in my house at Manfeilde parke in the parishe of Taplowe. I also bequeath unto him my Englishe bible which is at the Courte. I give and bequeath to LewesRogers337somtyme my servaunte my greater surgery Chest which is in my Chamber here at London with all that is therein except golde and silver. Also I give unto him my plaster box which my wife hath in the Countrie with all the instrumentes therein belonginge to the same Also I give unto him a Catheter of silver which is in the Chest that I have apointed to John Deighton my servaunte Also I give unto him these bookes followinge Guydoes Chirurgery in ffrench, Bartholomeus De proprietatibus rerum, Vidus Vidius Interpres, Valescus his practise, Albucasis Discorides, Cornelius Celsus, Johannes Mesue, Marcus Catenarcus, Guydoe in latin, Leonardus ffuschius, Gyrolanus in ffrench and Quintus Curtius in Englishe. Also I give and bequeath to my servaunt John Edwards my least Chirurgery Chest which is at the Court for the Dayly use of my servauntes with all that therein is, my plaster box of leather with yegilted locke and hinges of silver with all the instrumentes therein to the same belonginge and these English bookes, Gemimes Anathomy, Guido and Leonard ffuschius both in written hand, John Vigo, Eliot’s Dictionarie which I have lent to my felowe Goodorus, Turners herball and my byble which is at my howse in Manfeilde parke. Also I give unto him a pewter Syringe with three pypes of silver belonginge to the same. Also I give unto John Griffin somtymes my servaunt my silver salvatory percell guilted which is in the Chest that I have appointed to my servaunte Lewes Also I bequeath to Anthony Gariswall somtyme my servaunte one bigge latin booke wherein are bounde togeather the Chirurgeries of Guido, Brumis, Theodoricus Lanfrancke and Alberti Palus Also I give and bequeath unto the companie of the Barbors and Chirurgeons of the Cittie of London the Chirurgery of that most excellent writer John Tagaultius the lattin booke and also the English translation that I have made thereof And also the Chirurgerie of the expert and perfect practitioner Ambrose Parey both which workes I have written into Englishe for the love that I owe unto my bretheren practisinge Chirurgerie and not understandinge the latin Tounge and given them into the Hall for theire Dayly use and Readinge both in lattin and Englishe and Desiringe that they may be kept faire and cleane for my sake which wish them all prosperous and good successe in theire workes andendevours whatsoever they take in hande to the glory of God and the advauncemente of the Arte. Also I give unto my servaunt John Edwards my Case with all the Instrumentes therein which is in my Chest which I have appointed for Deighton. Also I give unto my servaunte John Deighton my bagge with the case and all the Instrumentes and other thingꝭ that are therein which lyeth for my Daily use in my Chest wherein I put my lynnen at the Courte. ffinally my will is that myne Executrix shall give to the use of the two hospitalls Sainte Bartholomewes and Saint Thomas for the sicke and sore people there all other such medicines bookes Instrumentꝭ bottles boxes and pottꝭ and such like thingꝭ belonginge to Chirurgery as are not in this Schedule bequeathed and given and such as she will reserve for her owne use, and to give to the poore for Christes sake. In Witnesse whereof I have also Subscribed this Schedule and put to my seale the Daie and yere first above written.Per meRobertum Balthropp.

SCHEDULE.

Item I give and bequeathe to my servaunt John Deighton my newe and last made Chirurgery chest which is for my owne use with all that is therein except golde and silver Also I bequeath to him my plaster boxe of leather which hath the lock hinges and barrs over yt of Copper gilted and the cysars and all the silver instrumentes therein. AlsoI give unto him my rownde silver salvatory and one catheter of silver and annother of leade with the case wherein they are Also I give unto him a case with silver Instrumentes therein that ys to saye a silver splatter a chockbarr of silver for the uvula a silver Syringe parcell gilted Also I give unto him my silver precipitate box all wchthingꝭ are in the aforesaid chest. Also I bequeath unto him all my bookes of Phisicke and chirurgery with two Dixionaries which are in my study in my house at Manfeilde parke in the parishe of Taplowe. I also bequeath unto him my Englishe bible which is at the Courte. I give and bequeath to LewesRogers337somtyme my servaunte my greater surgery Chest which is in my Chamber here at London with all that is therein except golde and silver. Also I give unto him my plaster box which my wife hath in the Countrie with all the instrumentes therein belonginge to the same Also I give unto him a Catheter of silver which is in the Chest that I have apointed to John Deighton my servaunte Also I give unto him these bookes followinge Guydoes Chirurgery in ffrench, Bartholomeus De proprietatibus rerum, Vidus Vidius Interpres, Valescus his practise, Albucasis Discorides, Cornelius Celsus, Johannes Mesue, Marcus Catenarcus, Guydoe in latin, Leonardus ffuschius, Gyrolanus in ffrench and Quintus Curtius in Englishe. Also I give and bequeath to my servaunt John Edwards my least Chirurgery Chest which is at the Court for the Dayly use of my servauntes with all that therein is, my plaster box of leather with yegilted locke and hinges of silver with all the instrumentes therein to the same belonginge and these English bookes, Gemimes Anathomy, Guido and Leonard ffuschius both in written hand, John Vigo, Eliot’s Dictionarie which I have lent to my felowe Goodorus, Turners herball and my byble which is at my howse in Manfeilde parke. Also I give unto him a pewter Syringe with three pypes of silver belonginge to the same. Also I give unto John Griffin somtymes my servaunt my silver salvatory percell guilted which is in the Chest that I have appointed to my servaunte Lewes Also I bequeath to Anthony Gariswall somtyme my servaunte one bigge latin booke wherein are bounde togeather the Chirurgeries of Guido, Brumis, Theodoricus Lanfrancke and Alberti Palus Also I give and bequeath unto the companie of the Barbors and Chirurgeons of the Cittie of London the Chirurgery of that most excellent writer John Tagaultius the lattin booke and also the English translation that I have made thereof And also the Chirurgerie of the expert and perfect practitioner Ambrose Parey both which workes I have written into Englishe for the love that I owe unto my bretheren practisinge Chirurgerie and not understandinge the latin Tounge and given them into the Hall for theire Dayly use and Readinge both in lattin and Englishe and Desiringe that they may be kept faire and cleane for my sake which wish them all prosperous and good successe in theire workes andendevours whatsoever they take in hande to the glory of God and the advauncemente of the Arte. Also I give unto my servaunt John Edwards my Case with all the Instrumentes therein which is in my Chest which I have appointed for Deighton. Also I give unto my servaunte John Deighton my bagge with the case and all the Instrumentes and other thingꝭ that are therein which lyeth for my Daily use in my Chest wherein I put my lynnen at the Courte. ffinally my will is that myne Executrix shall give to the use of the two hospitalls Sainte Bartholomewes and Saint Thomas for the sicke and sore people there all other such medicines bookes Instrumentꝭ bottles boxes and pottꝭ and such like thingꝭ belonginge to Chirurgery as are not in this Schedule bequeathed and given and such as she will reserve for her owne use, and to give to the poore for Christes sake. In Witnesse whereof I have also Subscribed this Schedule and put to my seale the Daie and yere first above written.

Per meRobertum Balthropp.

Arms. Ar. on a chev. sa. five fleur de lys of the first. (The shield on Balthrop’s monument is quarterly 1stand 4thas above, 2dand 3rda bend betw. two Eagles displayed.)

Peter Probywas born at Chester, and was the son of Randolph Proby, afterwards of Brampton, Hunts, by his wife, a Miss Bernard. He was admitted to our freedom in 1579, made a Liveryman 1st July, 1596, an Assistant 6th July, 1609, and served the office of Master 1615. He was Sheriff of London 1614, Alderman of the Ward of Queenhithe, and Lord Mayor in 1622.

19th August, 1605. This day MrPeter Proby a very lovinge member of this company did out of his love and affection to this house of his owne voluntarie good will give unto this company a very fayre large and serviceable standinge Cup of silver and double gilte wayghinge xxx ouncꝭ & a penny waight with a cover unto it whereupon are his armes placed And hath this supˀscription ingraven upon it [Thiscup is given to this hall by Peter Proby gentleman free of the same, A servant to Queene Elizabeth and to Kinge James And for both keepˀ of the Recordes in the Tower of London. Postmrfor the service of Ireland. And for speciall Service a pentioner for leife. Who was twice of the high courte of Parliament] which cup was kindlie accepted by this Court, And in gratificac͠on thereof It is by this Court ordred that the said Peter Proby shalbe exempted and discharged from all offices within this Company except the office of Mror Governorof this companie. And from all other attendaunces for the sˀrvice or affaires of the said Company And when it shall please him to come to the hall he is to be kindlie and freindlie intertayned. finis coronabit opus.

24th May, 1614. It was agreed that Mr. Alderman Proby should, if he desired it, “have the use of this house together with the plate and other necessaries for to keep his Shrievalty,” and if he desired to keep his Shrievalty elsewhere he was to be allowed to borrow the plate for a year; and on the 1st July it was agreed that £40 should be given to him towards the “bewtifying of his howse.”

25th August, 1614. Fifteen Members of the Court of Assistants were nominated to attend Mr. Sheriff Proby on Michaelmas eve and the next day, and all charges and expenses which they might incur were to be borne by the Company.

In 1616, Sir Peter who had previously been appointed Governor of the colony of Ulster by special commission from the King and the City of London, repaired thither, attended by divers of the most eminent citizens, to regulate certain affairs belonging to the plantation, taking with him two rich swords of state as a present from the City, to be carried before the Mayors of Londonderry and Coleraine, the former having been some time before erected into a city and the latter into a Mayor-town.

8th June, 1622. At a Court held this day Alderman Proby was ordered to be translated to the Grocers’ Company, in view of his coming election as Lord Mayor.

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