WILLIAM CLOWES.

20th September, 1622. At this Court it is agreed that there shalbe hiered on the Lord Maiorsday a Noyse of Trumpettꝭ at the Charge of the howse.At this Court it is agreed that MrAlderman Probie shall have our plate & hangeingꝭ for this yeare of his Maioralty.

20th September, 1622. At this Court it is agreed that there shalbe hiered on the Lord Maiorsday a Noyse of Trumpettꝭ at the Charge of the howse.

At this Court it is agreed that MrAlderman Probie shall have our plate & hangeingꝭ for this yeare of his Maioralty.

Sir Peter’s eldest son, Heneage, was knighted; he was Sheriff of Bucks, and M.P. for Amersham. His second son, Henry, was Common Serjeant of London. Sir Peter was the ancestor of several members of Parliament as also of the Marquess of Rockingham and the Earl of Carysfort. His grandson Peter Proby, who married Grace, daughter of Sir Richard Ford, was chosen a Liveryman of the Company 10th March, 1659.

Sir Peter Proby’s will (undated) was proved 21st March, 1625, andcommences—

I Peter Proby Knight and Alderman of London calling to minde the transitory estate of all flesh and more perticulerly the great age wchthrough gods especiall goodnes I have attayned, as alsoe the weake estate of my body broken of late wthmany sicknesses and infirmities wchstill hanging one mee as be many monitorsunto me to pˀvide for my approachinge change and settlinge of that poore state wherewthit hath pleased god to blesse mee.

He gives to his wife Dame Elizabeth Proby (of whom he speaks in terms of the greatest affection) his manor of Allington,aliasAylton, Hunts, for 40 years, if she shall so long live, with remainder to his son Heneage, also to his wife his mansion and manor house of Caddington, Herts, with the demesne lands of that manor and the tithes thereof, also all his lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Luton and Dunstable with remainder to his son Henry, also to his wife his house in St. Swithin’s Lane, London. To his son Henry the manor of Yaxley, Hunts, with the tolls of the fair and markets there, which he had by virtue of a lease from Queen Elizabeth. To his son, the Rev. Edmund Proby, D.D., £1,000. To his son George £1,000. Tohis son Emanuel £500 (he having already had £500). His daughter, Walsingham having been provided for on her marriage, was to have £20.

To my kinde and loveinge soune in lawe William Downhall esquire £20. Item I give and bequeath unto my lovinge friends the MrWardens and company of Barber surgions the some of twenty pounds.

Also £30 to the Grocers’ Company and £6 6s.8d.to Bridewell Hospital. To the poor of Aylton 12d.weekly for 5 years. To the poor of Yaxley 6d.weekly for 5 years.

And as for that yerely penc͠on ytI have given for ever in the parish I was borne in in the Citty of Chester I require my executor to see and make inquiry of the pˀformance thereof (accordinge to a brason table in the Church therefore) the wchfor many yeres past I have knowne well performed and soe I hope wilbe for ever.

His sons, Heneage and Henry, and son-in-law, William Downhall, were appointed Executors.

Sir Peter Proby’s arms were, erm. on a fesse gu. a lyon pass. or. a crescent for difference.

William Cloweswas the son of Thomas Clowes, originally of Kingsbury, Warwickshire, and afterwards of London. He was born about 1540, and studied surgery under Mr. George Keble, who was not free of our Company, but of whom Clowes more than once speaks in terms of highest praise. He tells us that in 1563 he served as a Surgeon in the army under the Earl of Warwick at Havre, and after this campaign he was for some time in the Navy, in both which appointments he undoubtedly gained great experience. In 1569 he no doubt settled in London, ason the 8th of November in that year he was admitted to the freedom by translation, and he soon secured a large practice, though it was not until the 18th July, 1588, that he was made an Assistant of the Court.

The records do not display Mr. Clowes’ character in the most favourable light, as the following extracts willshow:—

6th October, 1573. Here was one & complayned [against] Willm̄ Clowes for takynge his money and he not cured.7th February, 1575. Here came one Willm̄ Goodnep and complayned of Willm̄ Clowes for not curing his wief de morbo gallico and yt was awarded that the saide Clowes sholde either geve the saide Goodnep xxsorells cure his saide wief wchClowes agreed to pay the xxsand so they were agreed and eche of them made acquittance to other.28th February, 1576. Here was a complainte against Willm̄ Clowes by one Goodenge for that the saide Clowes had not onlie misused the saide Goodinge in speche but also most of the masters of the Company wthscoffing wordes and jestes, and they all forgave him here openlye in the Corte and so the stryfe was ended upon condˀ that he sholde nevrso misuse him self agayne and bonds was caused to be made to that effect.25th March, 1577. Here at this Corte was a greate contension and stryffe spoken of and ended betwene George Baker and Willm̄ Clowes for that they bothe contrary to order and the good and holsome rules of this howse misused eche other and fought in the ffelds togethers. But the MrWardens and assistance wishing that they might be and continewe loving brothers pˀdoned this greate offence in hope of amendement.

6th October, 1573. Here was one & complayned [against] Willm̄ Clowes for takynge his money and he not cured.

7th February, 1575. Here came one Willm̄ Goodnep and complayned of Willm̄ Clowes for not curing his wief de morbo gallico and yt was awarded that the saide Clowes sholde either geve the saide Goodnep xxsorells cure his saide wief wchClowes agreed to pay the xxsand so they were agreed and eche of them made acquittance to other.

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

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

The George Baker with whom Clowes fought, was afterwards Serjeant-Surgeon and Master of the Company in 1597. In 1575 Mr. Clowes was appointed one of the surgeons of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and later on he was surgeon to Christ’s Hospital; he was also surgeon to Queen Elizabeth and James I. His first book, “De morbo Gallico,” was published in 1579. In 1585 he went as surgeon of the forces in the expedition to the Low Countries under the Earlof Leicester. In his book, “Proved Practise,” he tells a great deal of this expedition and says that many of the surgeons were most unskilful and “slew more than the enemy did,” though he and his friend Serjeant-Surgeon Gooderus (Master 1594) did not lose a case. Mr. Clowes had the honour of serving in the fleet which defeated the Spanish Armada, and in 1594 was Warden of the Barber-Surgeons, the last Court which he attended was on the 9th February, 1596. After a successful practice he retired to a country house at Plaistow, in Essex, and died in 1604. Dr. Norman Moore says that his books “are the best surgical writings of the Elizabethan age; they are all in English, and his style is very easy and forcible, sometimes a little prolix but never obscure.”

He was the son of William Clowes, Barber-Surgeon; born about 1582, he was apprenticed to his father and admitted to our freedom 22nd January, 1605, and on 13th December, 1615, called to the Livery; he was then surgeon to the Prince of Wales, and had a dispensation from the Court of the Company to attend the lectures and Hall only on such occasions as should be convenient to him. On the accession of Charles I he was made Serjeant-Surgeon to the King. In 1626 he was Master of the Company, and again in 1638. A characteristic letter of Serjeant Clowes and some particulars as to his election as Master in 1626 may be seen on pp. 248–250. On 30th October, 1648, his decease was reported to the Court.

By his will, dated 28th March, 1630, he bequeathed his property freehold and copyhold, to his wife Sara, his son James, and his daughters Ann and Sara.

Arms. Az. on a chev. engr. betw. three unicorns’ heads, era or. as many crescents gu.

Geoffrey Clowes==of Tutbury,StaffordshireNicholas Clowes,==of Kingsbury,WarwickshireThomas Clowes==Emma d. ofof Kingsburyand LondonJohn Beauchamp.1st. ........ d. of==William Clowes==and. Katherine Smith,Godwin of Kentof London, Surgeon toQueen Elizabeth andJames I, d. 1604.granddrof Sir Hen. Wallop of Hampshire.William Clowes==Sara.Richard ClowesSerjeant-Surgeon to Charles I. d. 1648.James Clowes.Ann.Sara.Henry Clowes==Susan, d. ofCatherine m. Richd.Pile of Hampshire.Maryd. unm.of Cornhill, admittedto Freedom ofBarber-Surgeons16 Jan., 1627, viz., 1633.Richard, Cutler of London.Richard Clowes.æt. 3, in 1633.Thomas Clowes.Susan.

Thomas Thorney, born in 1542 or 1543, was apprenticed to William Bovey (Master 1581) a surgeon in large practice. He was made free 8th April, 1573, and elected an Assistant 19th June, 1595; he served as Warden in 1598 and 1600 and was twice Master of the Company, viz., in 1602 and 1606, he was also a Common Councilman. Mr. Thorney acquired considerable property in Holborn and the country, but dying on 4th June, 1614, without issue, made his nephew Peter (son of his then deceased brother Walter) his heir. He was a considerable benefactor to the Parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, where there is a monumental tablet to his memory. His Will dated 25th May, 1612, was proved on the day of his death, and among other bequests to St. Andrew’s Holborn, he left £10 to theChurchwardens—

to make a Dynner or supper therwith and to make merrie therewith with my good neighboures for my sake and to encrease neighbourelie love amongest them And the Churchwardens to bid the parson and Minister to be with them. Item I give to the Company of Barbar Surgions twoe spowte pottꝭ of silver and guilt one all guilteand the other parcell guilte to the valewe of twentie poundes and the Thorne bushe to be graven on either of them and the Barber Surgeons armes and my name at lardge and some wordes to shewe that they were of my guifte Item I give likewise to the Company of Barbor surgions of London that shall followe me at my ffunerall fyve poundꝭ to make a Dynner with and to be merrye for my sake and to the entent to encrease brotherlie love amongest them The said ffyve poundes to be paied to the Master and Wardens when they come to fetch my bodye to the churche.

To his wife Annie he gave his dwelling house in Holborn, and another newly built house there, also one on the street side next the Bars, and the third part of all his other lands for her life and all his goods and movables. To Richard Cade “my auncient and honest servaunte” and to Jane his wife 40s.each for rings. To his nephew, Peter Thorney, his houses in Fetter Lane, the Bell Inn at Acton, a dwelling house at Acton, and the King’s Head in Holborn near the Bars, with a proviso that should Peter die without heirs the Bell at Acton was to pass to the Barber-Surgeons.

Peter Thorneywas apprenticed to his uncle Thomas Thorney and admitted to the freedom 14th July, 1603. He seems to have got into good practice and was one of the Army Surgeons. He was appointed Surgeon-General of the Army going to the relief of Rochelle, and made his will a few days afterwards (25th July, 1628) with a presentiment of his death, which was soon realised, as probate was granted on the 24th November following. Hesays—

I com̃end my bodie to bee buried where it shall please god or my freindes, if I come not home from the Sea this voiage I intended for the releife of Rochell, but if it shall please god that I die in England if it maiebee possible I would bee buried in StAndrews Church as neare to my Unckle MrThomas Thorney as maie bee.

Among other bequests he gives five marks to such of the livery of the Company as shall follow him to the Church; he makes his sonThomas (then under age) his heir generally and provides for his wife Ann and daughter Elizabeth; he leaves to George Peren, Barber-Surgeon, his “yearball knowne by the name of Gerardꝭ yearball.”338

But if it shall please god soe that both my children shall die without issue Then my will is that yeBell in Acton shall remaine for evˀ to the Company of the berber surgeons of London according as my unckle MrThomas Thorney hath hertofore bequeathed it.Item I give to Edward Griffith which was my Servant all my manuscriptꝭ belonginge to surgerie and all my instrumentꝭ belonging to Surgery except my plaster box and salvatory and instruments in the boxe and my silver seringe, and likewise unto the said Edward all my medicines whatsoever I give him wthmy bookes of Surgery whatsoever in my Studdie.

Item I give to Edward Griffith which was my Servant all my manuscriptꝭ belonginge to surgerie and all my instrumentꝭ belonging to Surgery except my plaster box and salvatory and instruments in the boxe and my silver seringe, and likewise unto the said Edward all my medicines whatsoever I give him wthmy bookes of Surgery whatsoever in my Studdie.

John Gerardwas born in 1545 at Nantwich in Cheshire, his parentage is unknown, though by his coat of arms he appears to have descended from the Gerards of Ince in Lancashire. In 1562 he was apprenticed to Alexander Mason, a Surgeon in extensive practice, who was Warden in 1556 and 1561 and Master in 1567 and 1573 (Mr. Mason died 3rd April, 1574). Gerard was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons 9th December, 1569. There is no record of his admission to the Livery, though in consequence of his professional attainments and his presumable friendship with his master who made him free, he doubtless had the clothing at the same time. The only note we have of Gerard, before he comes on the Court, is one in which he appears before the Masters as defendant in a case of alleged slander on the wife of a brother freeman.

21st February, 1578. Here was a complainte against Jo: Jerrard for saying that Richard James his wief had the ffrenche pocks, and he made answere and saide he wolde justifie the same, and he was dismist to the Comon Lawe.

Gerard was elected a Member of the Court of Assistants on the 19th June, 1595. For some long time previous he must have been engaged in the preparation of his great work “The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes,” a folio of some 1,400 pages, embellished with about 1,800 illustrations of plants,339and published in 1597, which, whilst it was by far the best and most exhaustive work of its kind at that period, has ever since been considered a standard book of reference; a good copy being now worth 8 to 10 guineas. At this period he was living “at my house in Holburne, within the suburbs of London,” probably near Fetter Lane, where he had a large garden of herbs.

The style of Gerard’s writing was very quaint, and abounds with quiet humour; he scouted monkish tales and old wives’ fables concerning the miraculous properties of plants, etc., honestly endeavouring to present facts to his readers; yet even he has not hesitated to record as true, and gravely set forth, some fabulous stories, as, for example, in speaking of Barnacles on p. 1391, hesays—

There is a small Ilande in Lancashire called the Pile of Foulders, wherein are found the broken peeces of old and brused ships . . . wheron is found a certaine spume or froth, that in time breedeth unto certaine shels, in shape like those of the muskle, . . . wherein is conteined a thing in forme like a lace of silke finely woven, as it were togither, of a whitish colour; one end whereof is fastned unto the inside of the shell; . . . the other end is made fast unto the belly of a rude masse or lumpe, which in time commeth to the shape & forme of a Bird: when it is perfectly formed, the shel gapeth open, & the first thing that appeereth is the foresaid lace or string; next come the legs of the Birde hanging out; and as it groweth greater, it openeth the shell by degrees, till at length it is all come foorth, and hangeth onely by the bill; in short space after it commeth to full maturitie, and falleth into the sea, where it gathereth feathers, and groweth to a foule, bigger then a Mallard, and lesser than a Goose; having blacke legs and bill or beake, and feathers blacke and white, spotted in such maner as is our Magge-Pie, called in some places a Pie-Annet, which the people of Lancashire call by no other name than a tree goose; which place aforesaide, and all those parts adjoining, do so much abound therewith, that one of the best is bought for three pence: for the truth heerof, if any doubt, may it please them to repaire unto me, and I shall satisfie them by the testimonie of good witnesses.

The woodcut illustrations with which the book abounds are designed in a good artistic style, being frequently consulted and adapted nowadays by artists engaged in floral design. In 1596, Gerard seems to have propounded a scheme for the Company to keep a garden for the cultivation and study of medicinal plants, and some land belonging to the Company in East Smithfield was suggested for this purpose, but not being thought a suitable spot, certain members of the Court offered to contribute towards the purchase of a garden elsewhere; in June, 1597, the subject was under consideration, and again in November, 1602; but whether anything further was done in the matter does not appear. The minutes in our books relating to this business, are asfollows—

26th March, 1596. A motion was also made concerninge the Demisinge of certen garden grounds at East Smithfield for the wchMrffettyplace, MrLacock and John Gerard were sevˀall Sutors. Yt was agreed that the same should be let for yerely rent at the pleasures of the masters or governors and none of the said sutors obteyned any graunte. But for as muche as John Gerard’s request was to have yt to make a garden of yt for the ffurtherance of learning in the knowledge and practiqe of the nature and skill of herbes, wchwas thought not a place ffytt for that pˀpose, but that a more convenient place should be sought owte and dyvers of the Companie did offer to be contributors for the buying of the same, and Mrffetiplace and MrLacock are to be spoken wthall and thus to be satisfied.16th June, 1597. At the request of MrPeck340and MrGerat yt was agreed at this Corte that those whose names are here after menc͠oned should survey a peece of ground ffyt to make a Garden for to plant all kinde of herbes in routes plantes and suche like as to the saide MrGerat being a skilfull Herbalist should thinck meete for the worshipp of this societie, and to relate their opinions and acc͠ons therein to this howse and societiefor the further pˀceding therein, viztMrJohnIsard341MrLewesAtmer342MrCox MrWood343MrSprignell344MrBorne345JeamesBates346MrThomasWaren347MrBovy348MrByrd349MrGale350MrLaycock351MrJoMartin352or any viij. x. or the most pˀte of them.2nd November, 1602. This daye it is ordered that the Committes for MrGerrard’s garden shall this aftrnoone meet at the hall to consider of the report for a Garden for the said MrGerrard.

16th June, 1597. At the request of MrPeck340and MrGerat yt was agreed at this Corte that those whose names are here after menc͠oned should survey a peece of ground ffyt to make a Garden for to plant all kinde of herbes in routes plantes and suche like as to the saide MrGerat being a skilfull Herbalist should thinck meete for the worshipp of this societie, and to relate their opinions and acc͠ons therein to this howse and societiefor the further pˀceding therein, viztMrJohnIsard341MrLewesAtmer342MrCox MrWood343MrSprignell344MrBorne345JeamesBates346MrThomasWaren347MrBovy348MrByrd349MrGale350MrLaycock351MrJoMartin352or any viij. x. or the most pˀte of them.

2nd November, 1602. This daye it is ordered that the Committes for MrGerrard’s garden shall this aftrnoone meet at the hall to consider of the report for a Garden for the said MrGerrard.

In August, 1597, John Gerard was chosen Junior Warden (George Baker, the Queen’s Serjeant-Surgeon being at the same time elected Master), and in January following he was appointed one of the Examiners of Surgeons. In 1604, there had been controversies between Gerard and Christopher Frederick (Master 1609), which on the 12th June were referred to a Committee of the Court for settlement. “And if they no ende can make they are to make report at the next Court of their pˀcedinges therein.”

26th September, 1605. This day MrJerrard was discharged of the office of second Warden and upper governorof this Company uppon his suite & entreatie for certayne considerac͠ons. And is fyned for the said places at xliwhich he is pˀntlie to pay to the pˀnte Mrsor governours And is hereafter to take his place as though he had served the place of upper Governorany thinge to the contrarie notwithstandinge.

7th November, 1605. The above order was rescinded, but shortly afterwards Mr. Gerard brought £10 into Court, and left it with the Wardens, when it was ordered that the matter should be further considered, and in the result the fine was accepted.

21st October, 1606. This daie John Gerrard was fyned at vjsviijdfor abuseing MrPeck and it is ordered that from henceforth they shall be freinds, and all Controversyes betweene them are to cease.

20th July, 1607. Mr. Gerard was again appointed an Examiner of Surgeons, and 17th August following elected Master.

Queen Elizabeth is reported to have entertained a high opinion of Mr. Gerard’s attainments, and he was also patronised by herMinister, William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, whose garden he superintended for twenty years. In the dedication of his Herbal to Lord Burleigh, in speaking of the “care and studie” of herbs, hesays—

Under your Lordship I have served, and that way imployed my principall studie, and almost all my time now by the space of twenty yeeres. To the large and singular furniture of this noble Iland, I have added from forren places all the varietie of herbes and flowers that I might any way obtaine, I have laboured with the soile to make it fit for the plants, and with the plants to make them to delight in the soile, that so they might live and prosper under our climate, as in their native and proper countrie: what my successe hath beene, and what my furniture is, I leave to the report of them that have seene your Lordships gardens, and the little plot of my speciall care and husbandrie.

Among the numerous epistles, etc., laudatory of Gerard, prefixed to the Herbal are some exceedingly quaint verses dedicated by “ThomasThorney353Master in Chirurgerie, to his learned friend and loving brother in Art, M. John Gerard.” There is also an epistle by “George Baker, one of hir Maiesties chiefe Chirurgions in ordinarie, and M. of the Chirurgions of the Citie of London.” Besides his garden in Holborn, Gerard seems also to have had one in the Strand by Somerset House, and to have held the appointment of “Herbarist” to James I, for among the Domestic State papers at the Record Office, is a grant dated 10th October, 1603, by Anne, Queen of James I to Sir Robert Cecil, Lord Cecil of Essingdon, of the Keepership of Somerset House with all the orchards, walks, gardens, &c., thereto belonging “except and alwaies reserved to John Gerrard of London Surgeon and herbarist to his Matieall that garden plott or peece of ground wthall and singular pˀfittꝭ comodities and other the app̃tencꝭ therewthgraunted and demised unto him by one lease given under orhand and seale at”354. . .

In 1639 the Company purchased a copy of Gerard’s work for the Library. “Paid for MrJohn Gerrardꝭ herball for the library for Claspes & settinge on the chaine . . . . . xxvsvjd.”

John Gerard died in February, 1612, and was buried at St. Andrew’s, Holborn, on the 18th of that month. There is a fine portrait of Gerard facing page 1 of the Herbal, in which he is represented holding a potato plant in his hand; below are the arms of the Barber-Surgeons and his own coat, viz., quarterly 1st and 4th ar. a lyon rampant erm. crowned or, a crescent for difference (Gerard), 2nd and 3rd ar. three torteaux in bend between two bendlets sa. (Ince). Crest, A lyon’s jamb era. inverted holding a hawk’s lure. Motto, D’assenti buone.

The best account of Gerard may be seen in a privately-printed “Catalogue of Plants cultivated in the Garden of John Gerard and a life of the Author,” by Benjamin D. Jackson, F.L.S. London, 1876.

SirThomaswas the son of Sir Thomas Bludder, of Flanchford, in the parish of Reigate (who died 1st November, 1618). He was knighted at Whitehall, 22nd April, 1618, and married three times, his third wife being Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Brett, of Rotherby, Lancashire.

9th August, 1621. At this Court upon the request of Sir Thomas Bludder Knyght who was desierous to be made a freman of this Company It was ordered he shold be made free & so tooke his oath accordingly.

Sir Thomas, who was a Justice of the Peace for Surrey, represented Reigate in the several Parliaments of 21 James I, and 1, 3 and 16 Charles I. He was a Royalist and imprisoned for his adherence to that cause, and died on 29th September, 1655.

A pedigree of the Bludders will be found in Aubrey’s Antiquities of Surrey, IV, 210.

Arms. Gu. a dexter arm embowed or, the hand ppr.

Martin Brownewas born about 1590, probably in Lincolnshire; he was apprenticed to Thomas Clemence, a surgeon free of the Company, and on 13th July, 1613, was admitted to the freedom. He seems to have had an extensive practice, and in 1648 was living in Creed Lane. There are numerous references to him in our Minutes, from which may be gathered that he was a man of great experience, and well able to hold his own in some cases where his professional skill had been called in question by jealous brethren of the craft. He served as Warden in 1640 and 1645, and was Master in 1653, when he presented the Company with a loving cup (seep. 502). He died 16th April, 1655, and in his will dated 20th August, 1654, and proved 24th April, 1655, he describes himself as of the parish of St. Gregory, “full of yeares,” and requests to be buried in his parish church near his dead children “which was partly under my owne pewe where now of late I satt.” To the poor of that parish he leaves £10. To the poor of East Tilbury 40s.To the poor of Louth, in Lincolnshire, £10. To his cousin Richard Mason, of Leeyborne, Lincolnshire, £5, and to his son, Richard Mason, testator’s apprentice, £5 and his case of silver instruments, “with fower books of phisick and of Chirurgery namelie Ambrose Parrey and Rondeletius and Aqua Sendens his mannualloperations and Tangaltius and others Authers all bound up in one volumne.” He gives several legacies of money to cousins, nieces, servants, and apprentices, makes his wife Margaret his executrix, and leaves all his lands and houses in the counties of Essex and Lincoln and the City of London to her for life, with remainder to his only child Rebecca, the wife of Humphry Winch, Esquire. “To my cousen Henery Barker all my Instruments of yron for Chirurgerie excepte my Lancetts and incision knives. I likewise give [him] theise bookes namely the workes of Hypocrates, Galen, Celsus, Paulus Agenta, ffernebens Senertus his Chirurgery.”

Arms (as engraved on the loving cup). Quarterly, 1st and 4th three mullets, 2nd and 3rd a hunting horn stringed between three escallops.

Few names are held in greater veneration at Barbers’ Hall than that of Edward Arris. His father, Jasper Arris, was apprenticed to Thomas Burston or Burstowe, a Surgeon and Master of the Company in 1576. Jasper Arris (probably born 1560–2), was admitted to the freedom, 3rd April, 1583, chosen a Liveryman, 22nd January, 1606, an Assistant, 3rd August, 1614, served as Warden in the years 1617 and 1622, and was reported on 8th January, 1623, as then recently deceased. There are few notices of Jasper in our books, and one of them on 21st October, 1606, is perhaps not much to his credit, as it records his fine for working on the Sabbath day; from which we may gather that he was one of those who,contrary to the Ordinances and the Statute, worked both as a Barber and Surgeon,—a practice often winked at by the Governors. His son Edward, was born in London in 1591, and was admitted to the freedom by patrimony on 21st January, 1617, having learnt his art with his father; he was admitted to the Livery 9th October, 1627, and on 30th April, 1629, granted his diploma to practise Surgery. In 1632, he was chosen Steward, and the next year Master of the Anatomy. On the 23rd April, 1640, he was elected an Assistant and served the office of Warden in 1642. On 10th February, 1648, he was appointed one of the Examiners of Surgeons, and elected Master of the Company 1651. On 3rd July, 1663, Mr. Arris was nominated by the Court of Aldermen, Alderman of the Ward of Bridge Without (locoRichard Evans) and was sworn in on the 28th July following, but this civic office was probably an uncongenial one to him, for he very shortly afterwards applied to be discharged from it, and thereupon paid a fine of £300 to the City.

In 1645 Mr. Arris founded an Anatomy Lecture, and with a characteristic modesty endeavoured to conceal the founder’s name, though his intention in this respect was necessarily frustrated when the deed of settlement had to be drawn. This, the Arrisian Lecture, still survives at the Royal College of Surgeons. (Particulars of the foundation will be found on pp. 368, 369.) In 1649, when our plate was sold, Mr. Arris re-purchased King Henry VIII’s cup, and “freely gave it againe to this Company,” for which all Barber-Surgeons and Barbers have ever after been profoundly grateful to him. He also, in 1651, gave us four silver cups. Mr. Arris’ granddaughter, Henrietta Maria Langford, seems to have got into straitened circumstances, as on 5th August, 1718, we read “It is ordered that Henrietta Maria Langford daughter of Robert Arris son of Alderman Arris Members of this Company, shall be made free without charge, inGratitude to the Memory of Alderman Arris, in order that she may be admitted one of the Company’s Pentioners.”

The Alderman died 28th May, 1676, at the good old age of eighty-five and is buried in St. Sepulchre’s Church, where there is a quaint tablet with thisinscription—

Edward Arris Esqr. gave tothe Company of Chirurgeons 30lfor an Anatomy Lecture & tothe Hospital of St. Bartholomew24l both yeerly for everto Christ’s Church Hospital100l & 50l towards rebuildingof this Church and severallarge gifts to the poor of thisparish wherein he was born.And all these in his life timeHee deceased the 28th of May1676 aged 85& lyeth buriedby his wife.Near this place lyeth inter’dthe body of Mary Arris yewife of Edward Arris Esqr.& sometime Alderman of thisCity. They were married 60years and had issue 23 Childrewhereof only Thomas Arris(Dr. in Physick fellow of theCollege in London Justiceof ye peace in the County ofHartford and a member ofthe Honble.house of Commons) hersurvived. Shee died yeijthof Decr.1674 aged 76 years.

Near this place lyeth inter’dthe body of Mary Arris yewife of Edward Arris Esqr.& sometime Alderman of thisCity. They were married 60years and had issue 23 Childrewhereof only Thomas Arris(Dr. in Physick fellow of theCollege in London Justiceof ye peace in the County ofHartford and a member ofthe Honble.house of Commons) hersurvived. Shee died yeijthof Decr.1674 aged 76 years.

By his Will, dated 20th May, 1676, he directs his body to be buried in the grave of his father, mother and wife in St. Sepulchre’s, and he bequeathed his property to his then only surviving son Thomas Arris, M.D., M.P., and his children, and to the children of his deceased son Robert. He gave five legacies of £400 each and some smaller ones amongst his grandchildren and an annuity of £30 a year to his grandson Robert. He also bequeathed messuages, lands, &c., at Hatfield, two messuages in Well Yard, St. Bartholomew’s the Less, a messuage near Pye Corner, ten acres of Copyhold land in the manor of Bedwell near Hatfield and four freehold houses in the parish of St. Paul, Covent Garden, to his son and grandchildren. “I give Ten shillings a peece to soe many Antient men as I shall be yeares old att the tyme of my death to mourne in decent Gownes att my Burial whereof Tenn to be of the parish of Little St. BartholomewsTenn of the Company of Barber Chirurgeons and the rest of the Parish of St. Sepulchres.” He also left £8 to the poor of St. Sepulchre’s to be given to 160 poor at his burial; £5 to the poor of St. Bartholomew the Less; £5 to Christ’s Hospital among 100 children to attend his burial; 20s.each to the two Beadles of the Barber-Surgeons, and 5s.each to the four Beadles of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital; also £5 to Dr. Bell to preach a sermon at his burial.

Arms. Ar. on a cross gu. five fleur de lys or.

Jasper Arris==of St. Sepulchre’s, London, died 1622–3.Alderman Edward Arris==Mary . . . .b. 1591. d. 28 May, 1676.b. 1598 d. 11 Dec., 1674.Robert Arris, Surgeon==Elizabeth d. ofThomas Arris==Olivia . . . .and 21 other childrenadtto Freedom 21 Jan., 1651.; died before 17 April, 1662.Henry Boone.of St. Alban’sHerts,M.D., M.P.Edward Arris apprenticed to Thos. Ryton Surgeon 3 Sep.,1674.Henrietta Maria admitted to Freedom 5 Aug., 1718.== . . . . .Langford.SusanEdward Arris apptdto Thomas Hobbs, Surgeon, 13 Feb., 1677. admitted to Freedom 4 March, 1684.Thomas.Robert.Jasper.Elizabeth.Mary.Agnes.Margaret.

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