TMM 'M'K§>T©MY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TWELVE GREAT LIVERY COMPANIES 
 
 OF 
 
 LONDON; 
 
 PRtNCIPALLY COMPILED FROM THEIR GRANTS AND RECORDS. 
 
 WITH 
 
 AN HISTORICAL ESSAY, 
 
 AND 
 
 ACCOUNTS OF EACH COMPANY, 
 
 ITS ORIGIN, CONSTITUTION, GOVERNMENT, DRESS, CUSTOMS, HALLS, AND TRUST ESTATES 
 AND CHARITIES; 
 
 INCLUDING NOTICES AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF 
 
 METROPOLITAN TRADE AND COMMERCE, 
 
 A3 ORIGINALLY CONCENTRATED IN THOSE SOCIETIES ; 
 
 AND OF THE LANGUAGE, MANNERS, AND EXPENSES OF ANCIENT TIMES; 
 
 WITH 
 
 ATTESTED COPIES AND TRANSLATIONS OF THE COMPANIES' CHARTERS. 
 
 BY WILLIAM HERBERT, 
 
 LIBRARIAN TO THE CORPORATION OF LONDON. 
 
 VOL. 1. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR; 
 AND TO BE HAD OF HIM, AT THE LIBRARY, GUILDHALL, 
 AND OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS. 
 MDCCCXXXVII. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/historyoftwelveg01herb 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The present "Commission for Inquiring into Municipal Cor- 
 porations/' must render any work important which can throw 
 additional light on that inquiry. The publication now offered 
 to the public professes to treat of one great branch of these 
 Corporations, and which is intended to be subjected to the 
 proposed investigation, — namely, the ancient trading Corpora- 
 tions, called Livery Companies ; or rather, it purposes to give 
 the History of that portion of them usually denominated the 
 " Twelve Great Livery Companies of London," which will be 
 found, in principle, to include all the rest. 
 
 To the reader unacquainted with this subject, — and it is 
 perhaps the least known of any connected with our localities, 
 it may be observed, that the Livery Companies hold a high 
 rank in City history. Their wealth, — the important trusts 
 reposed in them, — the noble charities they support, and their 
 connexion with the civic constitution of the Metropolis, 
 make them not only of primary consequence to every Livery- 
 man and Freeman, but, when it is considered that they had 
 the earliest share in laying the foundation of British com- 
 
IV. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 merce, — that all trade originally concentrated in their fra- 
 ternities, — that their Records are, for the most part, of re- 
 mote antiquity, and afford pictures of the Government, Reli- 
 gion, Customs, Habits, and Expenses of former times, it will 
 be seen that few subjects are more important in a national 
 point of view, or admit of more entertaining illustration. 
 
 The production of a work of this nature, however desirable, 
 has been hitherto delayed by the difficulty of procuring access 
 to the Charters and other Documents which could alone ren- 
 der it worthy of encouragement. Most of these are either 
 locked up in the Companies' archives, or only to be obtained 
 by expensive searches at the Inrolment offices ; and all the 
 information the public have on the subject consists of the 
 slight and inaccurate notices of Stow, and his copyists, which 
 are not available for any useful purpose. 
 
 The present undertaking, in attempting to supply the defi- 
 ciency by the production of a standard work on this very 
 interesting part of the trading institutions of this great com- 
 mercial country, must not be taken as a mere hasty com- 
 pilation, now got up to serve temporary purposes. It aspires 
 to a higher character. Four years ago, before any Municipal 
 Inquiry was thought of, the applications to the author, in his 
 official capacity of Librarian to the Corporation of London, 
 for information as to th^ Charters of the Companies, and the 
 impossibility of getting them any where but at the Record 
 Offices, or from the heads of those Companies, induced him to 
 issue a Prospectus for publishing the whole of the Compa- 
 nies* Charters, with Translations, and other particulars. On 
 entering upon the subject, he soon found it one deserving of a 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 V. 
 
 much more ample account than he had intended to give it. Not 
 only did the history of these Companies, as just stated, offer 
 a mass of the most important information as to the trading 
 interests of the country, and on other great points, but it was 
 found to combine matter of the most entertaining kind. The 
 ancient Charters themselves, though usually conceived to be 
 the reverse of entertaining, disclosed many curious facts illus- 
 trative of the simplicity of early times, and of the rise and 
 infant state of commerce, and its various regulations. Many of 
 the Companies favoured the author with the inspection of their 
 books, some of them detailing as far back as the reign of Ed- 
 ward III. the manner in which they first formed themselves 
 into societies, — the places they met at before they built halls, — 
 the curious custom that obtained amongst them of admitting 
 sisters, or females, as associates in their Fraternities, — their 
 feasts, — set mode of dress, or wearing a Livery, from which 
 they derive their name, — their religious ceremonies,— pageants, 
 — and numerous other amusing particulars. The City Re- 
 cords, and the Collections in the Corporation Library, also 
 presented stores untouched, or scattered through so many 
 scarce and expensive books and tracts, as to be little known. 
 With these, and many other sources of information, which 
 could not have been easily commanded by a writer otherwise 
 situated, he commenced his task, and has continued it to pub- 
 lication. All attempts, however, to bring the volume within 
 four or five hundred pages, as it was thought might be done, 
 when the author announced the terms of publication, have 
 been found impracticable ; and though every attention has 
 been paid to condensation of style, to the adoption of what is 
 called " tahle-xoorkj^ in the Reports of the Companies' Cha- 
 
VI. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 rities, and the smallest type, v^^hich was suitable to such a 
 subject, been used in the printing ; the whole, it is now found, 
 cannot be completed in less than 750 or 800 closely printed 
 pages. 
 
 It has been owing to these considerations that the work, 
 instead of being ready in a few months, as was advertised, 
 has occupied four years. The same reasons also, coupled 
 with the impracticability of having been yet able to meet the 
 public for some months, and the anxiety for information, induced 
 by the pending Inquiry, make the author vary in another par- 
 ticular from his original announcement, — namely, in divi- 
 ding the work into Two Half-Volumes, instead of 
 waiting to publish the whole in One Thick Volume, (as 
 proposed,) and to immediately issue the first Half- Volume, 
 so as to meet the Inquiry into the state of the Companies. 
 He proposes, in this, to answer a doubly-useful purpose ; 
 it will afford the pubHc some information on the subject, be- 
 fore it comes on for Parliamentary discussion, and will give 
 the work the advantage of having incorporated in it all that 
 may transpire by that means. It will only be necessary to 
 add, as a conclusion to the explanation already given of the 
 nature of the ensuing History, that it will embody a mass 
 of the most valuable information, from the City Records at 
 the Town Clerk's Office, (which have been obligingly thrown 
 open to the author on this occasion,) from the Records of the 
 Companies, from official instruments at the Government 
 offices, and from a condensation of all the printed accounts 
 to be found on this subject, in the Library of the Corpora- 
 tion of London, at Guildhall. The Companies' Charters will 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 vii. 
 
 also be included ; to procure which, the editor pledges him- 
 self that the Rolls Chapel, where they are enrolled, has been 
 thoroughly searched, and that every Charter of every Com- 
 pany has been carefully examined by himself. From the en- 
 tire series, exceeding one hundred and twenty Grants or Con- 
 firmations, attested copies have been made for this work of all 
 such as are in any way connected with the history or consti- 
 tution of the Companies, which will be correctly printed, with 
 translations, in double columns. 
 
 How far a book compiled with care and ability from 
 such sources merits public attention, as well as that of the 
 Companies, may be estimated from the fact, that the major 
 part of those Companies can only give the Commissioners very 
 limited information, — because they do not possess it them- 
 selves. The Fire of London, and other accidents, have left 
 few of them any records beyond the reign of Elizabeth ; and 
 the more ancient part of their history, and the most elucida- 
 tory, as well as entertaining, is to be sought for only from 
 the sources enumerated. Whether the Commission will take 
 that trouble, (and it must be incomplete without,) the author 
 presumes not to say. At all events, should it be done, the 
 present work, besides containing the result, will also contain 
 abundance of facts and particulars, which, as being totally ex- 
 traneous to the pending Inquiry, will be only to be found in 
 the present volume. 
 
 The facts and particulars alluded to, will consist, in conjunc- 
 tion with the Accounts of the Companies, — and, under separate 
 arrangements, of— their Origin and History, — Constitution 
 
Vlll. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 and Government, — Dress and Observances, — Halls and 
 Buildings, — their Trust Estates, Bequests and Charities ; 
 and will embrace Historical Notices of the Trade or Mi/s- 
 tery of each Company, the state of its Livery, and the 
 amount of the Livery Fines from the reign of Henry 
 VIIL WITH THE Names and Residences of all the 
 PRESENT Courts and Liveries; grants of Arms; accounts 
 of the Pageants of the Companies ; the Biography of emi- 
 nent Members, &c.; and will be preceded by an Introduc- 
 tory Historical Essay, giving an account of the early 
 state of the Metropolitan Gilds, which will also contain infor- 
 mation connected with the whole of the Minor Companies. 
 
 The embellishments will consist of armorial bearings, views 
 of the Companies' Halls before the Fire, and other curious 
 subjects. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT 
 
 (TO THE SECOND VOLUME). 
 
 After a lapse of three years from the pubUcation of the First 
 Volume, the Author has the pleasure to present his Subscribers and 
 the Pubhc with a second volume, completing his work. He has 
 little to add to what was then observed, as to the mterest and 
 entertainment attached to this subject: the Public, who have the 
 former part, will be the best judges. He wishes, however, to say 
 a few words in explanation of the delay which has occurred, and 
 of some further deviations from his original Prospectus, which will 
 be found in the present volume. For the delay he trusts he shall 
 satisfactorily account, when he states the nature of the task he has 
 had to perform. It has not consisted merely in collecting and 
 having to make into a book a large quantity of varied materials, 
 which a history like the present must always (more than almost 
 any other) require, — but in the peculiar difficulties attendant on it. 
 He has had to pay scores of visits to inspect and copy from the 
 Companies' records, without which little information worthy 
 notice could have been obtained. The labour in this case of 
 turning over ponderous volumes of manuscripts, to select here and 
 there such scattered notices as were applicable, — like Gratiano's 
 reasons, resembling two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of 
 
 b 
 
vi. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 chafF, — the labour of doing this alone can scarcely be conceived. 
 Some idea may perhaps be formed from the fact that the books of 
 the Goldsmiths, one out of twelve of those companies, amount to 
 more than twenty such volumes, and extend through an interval 
 of upwards of five centuries. The earlier part of these are written 
 in Norman French, abbreviated Law-Latin, and obsolete English, 
 often difficult to decipher, from the effects of damp, bad writing, 
 and technicalities of language relating to the company's trade. 
 The books of the other companies partake of the same difficulties, 
 though in a less degree. In addition to their books, he has, 
 in several instances, had to examine loose records, for ordinances, 
 wills, and similar documents: in some of them to abstract 
 numerous title-deeds, to deduce the descents of their halls. Such 
 has been the case with Fishmongers' hally — the descent of which 
 will be found traced back (from the company's deeds) from John 
 Lovekyn, stock-fishmonger and lord mayor in the reign of 
 Edward IIL; and the names given of the various tenants who 
 occupied the site at different periods. When to this labour, the 
 Reader adds the time otherwise taken up, to arrange, classify, 
 and enliven by literary illustration, the mass of materials so 
 selected ; to search for and translate charters ; to abridge and 
 put into tables the long reports on the company's charities; and, 
 lastly, to prepare the whole for press, and to watch and correct 
 that press in its progress (all which the Author has done unaided,) 
 — he is sure he need make no further apology on the score of 
 delay. The deviations or variations from the original Prospectus 
 are as follows : 
 
 The History of the Companies, as now completed, will, instead 
 of " Two Half Volumes, or One Thick Volume," form Two Whole 
 Volumes, of between 500 and 600 pages each. With them are 
 given new Title-pages. The former Title, from the abundance of 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 Vll. 
 
 additional curious matter incorporated in the present volume, did 
 not sufficiently express its contents; — the customs of the com- 
 panies, teeming with vivid pictures of by-gone times and manners, 
 and their payments for pageantries, buildings, livery cloths, feasts, 
 journeys on business or pleasure; law-charges, and on various 
 other accounts, by preserving the contemporary prices of materials, 
 labour, manufactures, and provisions, — give the work an addi- 
 tional and separate character. Even the v/ording of the entries 
 which record these particulars, are themselves specimens, — and, in 
 the instances of quarrels between masters and apprentices, dis- 
 putes of members, awards, and punishments for misbehaviour, bad 
 working, and other cases, novel and unique specimens, — of the 
 colloquial Enghsh of the day. This is, in a degree, expressed by 
 the new Title-pages. For these additional advantages, and the 
 great increase of labour and expense they have occasioned, no 
 extra charge is made; the work remains at its original price. 
 
 The modern lists of livery, etc. are discontinued in the Second 
 Volume. The great length to which they extend in some of the 
 companies, must have made them supersede more useful matter ; 
 they, besides, become obsolete in a few years. An engraved 
 Frontispiece, and vignette Title-page, as also lists of Subscribers, 
 (as promised,) could not have been given, after the great addition 
 of size in the work, without further delay, and raising its price, 
 — things the Author has been particularly anxious to avoid. 
 A second, or fly title-page, however, as also a Table of the 
 Companies' Charters, is given in lieu of them ; together with some 
 additional views of their halls, — as in the case of the Drapers, 
 Fishmongers, and Vintners. The Preface (or Advertisement), 
 Table of Contents, and Index, will be found in their proper 
 places. 
 
Vlll. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 To the Companies, for permission to inspect and copy from 
 their records, and particularly to the Worshipful Companies of 
 Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, and Ironmongers, who, in 
 addition to such permission have liberally contributed pecuniary 
 aid, by subscriptions, gifts, or otherwise, — the Author begs leave 
 to return his grateful acknowledgments. He feels bound to do 
 the same to Mr. Robert Franks, who, besides lending him his 
 attested copy of the Merchant Tailors' Charters to print from, 
 (and which he should otherwise have had to pay for copying at 
 the Rolls Chapel,) has furnished him with the greater part of the 
 very curious matter which forms the history of that company, and 
 every other way in his power assisted his enquiries. His thanks 
 are also due to the Town Clerk of London, for the use of the 
 City Records; as well as to several others, whose names, to avoid 
 too much lengthening this Address, he is obliged to forbear 
 mentioning. 
 
CONTENTS, VOL. 1. 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Division into Two Periods, viz, 
 
 FROM THE ANGLO-SAXONS TO THE REFOHMATION, FROM THE REFORMATION TO 
 
 THE REVOLUTION, 
 
 From the Anglo-Saxo7is to the Reformation. 
 
 Origin of the Livery Companies from the early associations, termed 
 *^ Gilds;" explanation of the term gild [guild or geld], by Johnson, 
 Spelman, &c. ; various senses in vi^hich it w^as formerly understood ; divi- 
 sion of gilds into ecclesiastical and secular, 1. Secular gilds at first named 
 Merchant Gilds, afterwards Gilds-Merchant, and why, existed among the 
 classical ancients and resembled ours, as corroborated by Fitzstephen, 
 Gervase of Canterbury, and other ancient writers, 2-3. Anglo-Saxon 
 Gilds, at first political and originated from the Saxon law or custom of 
 Frankpledge, [account of that term,] 3-4. Further, of Anglo-Saxon Gilds; 
 those of London, mentioned in the Judica Civitatis Londoniae of Athelstan, 
 and other Anglo-Saxon laws, political, and how constituted, 4-5. Accounts 
 of the only three known Anglo-Saxon Metropolitan Trade Gilds, viz. the 
 Knighten-gild, or Gild of Portsoken, 5-10. Gilda Theutonicorum, or Gild 
 of the Steel-yard Merchants, 10-15, and Gilda Sellariorum, or Gild of 
 Sadlers, 16-17. Anglo-Norman Gilds, Gilda Tellariorum, or Gild of 
 Woollen-cloth Weavers, 17-21. Foreign Gilds, viz^ French, of St. 
 lliquer, &c. 21-2. Italian^ Ars Mercantia Pannorum, and Universitas 
 Merciariorum, at Rome, 22. Scotch Gilds, account of, 22-3. English 
 Gilds, common in the reign of Henry IT., 23-4. List of London adulte- 
 rine or unlicensed Gilds in the same reign, 24. Merchant Gilds, or 
 " Houses," formed by king John. 24-5. Confirmed by Henry III., together 
 
X. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 with the London Gilds of Cappers, parish-clerks, and burrillers, 25. Further 
 as to the Burrillers' Gild, 26-7.] Gild of Bakers, 27. Great affray 
 between the Tailors' and Goldsmiths' Gilds in 1226, 25. Gilds first termed 
 ^' Trades and Mysteries'' in the reign of Edward II., 27. First known 
 charters of, granted to the Fishmongers and Linen- Armourers by Edward 
 1., 26. Confirmation by the latter king of the weavers, and mention of the 
 Goldsmiths, ibid. City's jurisdiction over the gilds existed before Edward 
 IL, 27 (and riote). 
 
 Livery Companies, [Trade-Gilds,] so called from assuming a distinctive 
 dress or livery, 28. Generally chartered by Edward III., which king to 
 honour them becomes himself a member of the Tailors or Linen-Armourers, 
 29. The Grocers [grossers or engrossers,] complained of, for endeavouring 
 to monopolize all trade from the other companies, and regulations in conse- 
 quence, 29-30. Presents of money made by the London Companies to 
 Edward III., towards carrying on his wars in France, and observations on, 
 31-3. Companies usurp from the citizens the sole election of city officers 
 and members of parliament, 32. Number of members sent to common 
 council by the companies in 50 Edward III. Oath of wardens of crafts the 
 same year, 35. *' Thirteen'^ of the mysteries mentioned as possessing exclu- 
 sive privileges, a wrestling between the crafts at Blackheath, &c. ib., thought 
 to have given rise to the Twelve Great Companies. Richard II. compels 
 the companies to enrol their charters, 36. Further as to the rise of the " Great 
 Companies," and proofs of their subsequent superiority, 37 {note). Return 
 Brembre mayor two consecutive years, and measures taken in consequence, 
 38-9. 
 
 Ancient state of the Companies, viz. as to their charters, 40-2; refoundation, 
 etc. 43-5; government and officers, 45-55 ; subjection to city control, 55- 
 8 [also 47 and 105,] liveries, 58-66. Observances, viz. elections, &c. 67-9. 
 Funerals and bequests of plate, 70-1 ; State palls or herse-cloths, including 
 accounts of those, as the Sadlers, Stationers, Fishmongers, &c. 71-3; accounts 
 of distinguished funerals attended by the companies, 74-5, Election feasts 
 and ceremonials, general observations on, 75-6 ; Feasts and bills of fare of 
 the Brewers' Company in 1419 and 1425, and remarks on, 77-83; sisters 
 of, 83-4 ; crowning the wardens and other ceremonies, 84-5 ; Halls, general 
 remarks on, 85-9; triumphs and pageants, 89-99; inaugurations of mayors, 
 99-100 ; precedency of the companies, 100-3. 
 
 From Henry IV. to Henry VIII. — Increase of the companies, statute of 
 liveries, &c. 103-4 j absolute. control of the mayor, 104-5; begin to keep 
 their records in English, 105-6 ; companies" records enrolled, vote at 
 elections, 107; their by-laws regulated, 109-10; Stovv's quaint notices as 
 to the rise of various of the minor companies, 110-11 ; effects of the compa- 
 nies' monopoly, 111-12. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XI. 
 
 From the Reformnfinn to the lievolution. 
 Effects of the Reformation on the companies ; returns as to their suppressed 
 chantries, with tables of their rents and expenditure, 113-17 ; exactions on 
 the companies, 119-20; Lord Mayor's precepts to, on monopoUes, patents, 
 &c. 120-160; concealments, 158-61; seditious publications, sumptuary 
 regulations, &c. 162-7; government interferes with their concerns, 167-74 ; 
 rage for new incorporations in Elizabeth's reign ; forced loans on the com- 
 panies; soldiers quartered on, 176-82; celebrate the Restoration, 183; act for 
 regulating the companies, 2 Charles II. ibid.; effects of the fire of London, 
 185-6; companies' old constitution altered, are prescribed new oaths, and 
 make new ordinances, 187-92 ; altered state of the company's ceremonies 
 as respected their officers, elections, mnyoralty processions. Midsummer 
 watch and its pageants, Lord mayors' shows, &c. 193, 212 ; quo warranto 
 against the companies, and its consequences, 212-19 ; their charters restored, 
 219-20; account of their Irish estates, 220-4. 
 
 SEPARATE HISTORIES OF THE COMPANIES. 
 Mercers, 225-96. 
 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 225-9 ; Origin and History, 230- 
 42 ; Constitution and Government, 242-53; Dress and Observances, 253- 
 61; Hall and Buildings, 261-9; Trust-Estates and Charities, 270-93; 
 Charters, 294-6.* 
 
 Grocers, 297-388. 
 
 Viz. General Summary, from the Histories of London, 297-301 ; Origin and 
 History, 302-20; Constitution and Government, 320-33; Dress and 
 Observances, 334-40; Hall and Buildings, 340-7; Trust-Estates and 
 Charities, 348-65; Charters, 366-88. 
 
 Drapers, 389-498, 
 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 389-93 ; Origin and History, 393- 
 417; Constitution and Government, 417-40; Dress and Observances, 
 440-61 ; Hall and Buildings, 462-78 ; Trust- Estates and Charities, 479; 
 Charters, 480-98. 
 
 * See Index for more ample particulars, under the various heads, Mercers' Com- 
 pany, Grocers' Company, <fec. 
 
CONTENTS, VOL. II. 
 
 SEPARATE HISTORIES OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 Fishmongers, 1-120. 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 1-7 ; Origin and History, 8-19; 
 Constitution and Government, 19-43; Dress and Observances, 43-51; 
 Hall and Buildings, 51-76; Trust-Estates and Charities, 76-115; Char- 
 ters, 116-20. 
 
 Goldsmiths, 121-268. 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 121-5 ; Origin and History, 125-54 ; 
 Constitution and Government, 155-204 ; Dress and Observances, 204-21 ; 
 Hall and Buildings, 222-48; Trust-Estates and Charities, 248-86; 
 Charters, 287-98. 
 
 Skinners, 299-382, 
 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 299-303 ; Origin and History, 303- 
 8; Constitution and Government, 308-19; Dress and Observances, 
 319-27; Hall and Buildings, 327-9; Trust-Estates and Charities, 330- 
 73 ; Charters, 374-82. 
 
 Merchant Tailors, 383-529. 
 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 303-8 ; Origin and History, 308- 
 412; Constitution and Government, 412-31; Dress and Observances, 
 432-63 ; Hall and Buildings, 463-84 ; Trust-Estates and Charities, 485- 
 519; Charters, 520-9. 
 
 Haberdashers, 531-53. 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 531-3 ; Origin and History, 533-6; 
 Constitution and Government, 536-40; Dress and Observances, 541-2; 
 Hall and Buildings, 542 ; Trust-Estates and Charities, 543-53. 
 
 Salters, 555-65. 
 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 555-7 ; Origin and History, 557-8 ; 
 Constitution and Government, 559 ; Dress and Observances, 559-60 ; 
 Hall and Buildings, 560-3 ; Trust Estates and Charities, 564-5. 
 
 Ironmongers, 567-624. 
 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 567-9 ; Origin and History, 569-79 ; 
 Constitution and Government, 579-87 ; Dress and Observances, 587-97; 
 Hall and Buildings, 597-610; Trust-Estates and Charities, 610-22; Char- 
 ters, 623-4. 
 
 Vintners, 625-42. 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 625-7; Origin and History, 627-31 ; 
 Constitution and Government, 632 ; Dress and Observances, 633 ; Hall 
 and Buildings, 633-5 ; Trust-Estates and Charities, 635-42. 
 
 Clothworkers, 643-64. 
 Viz. Summary from various authorities, 643-4 ; Origin and History, 644-9 ; 
 Constitution and Government, 649-658 ; Dress and Observances, 658-61 ; 
 Hall and Buildings, 661-2; Trust-Estates, 663-4. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TWELVE GREAT LIVERY COMPANIES 
 OF LONDON. 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 partook much of the nature of monastic institutions. 
 
 Secular Gilds — to the history of which the present work 
 will be confined — appear to have included the entire aggregate 
 of a town, and were at first named Gilda Mercatoriaj mer- 
 chant-gilds ; but afterwards, when the respective craftsmen, arti- 
 sans, and dealers, obtained charters for managing their several 
 canings,they were termed Gilda Mercatorum, gilds-merchants; 
 merchant denoting, originally, all kinds of dealers and traders. 
 
 The name gild, guild, or geld, primarily meaning a pay- 
 ment, (from the Saxon jilban, to pay,) was variously applied 
 in old times. It signified a tax, or tribute, as, in Domesday 
 book, the burgh of Totenais, it is said, " did not geld, but 
 when Exeter gelded, and then it paid twelve pence for geld."t 
 It meant an amerciament, composition, or mulct, as did the 
 
 HE Livery Companies of London 
 derive their origin from the early 
 associations termed Gilds, and were 
 either ecclesiastical or secular. Ec- 
 clesiastical Gilds were for devotion 
 and alms-deeds ; " Secular Gilds were 
 for trade and alms-deed."* Both, in 
 ancient times, were distinguished by 
 various religious observances, and 
 
 • Firma Burgi, p. 24. 
 
 t Ibid. 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 word gildahle, the liability to such gild or payment * It 
 also signified an enfranchised district or soke, as in the case 
 of the wards of London, which were anciently called gilds ;f 
 and it moreover signified the free customs and privileges of a 
 gild or soke; its most usual acceptation, however, in later 
 days, was to denote an associated body or brotherhood, whe- 
 ther a town or a minor incorporation, because every member 
 was gildar, that is, to pay something towards the charge and 
 support of such body; hence gilds are explained by Johnson 
 to be 
 
 " Fraternities originally contributing sums towards a com- 
 mon stock, gilbj-cipe, a corporation. The word is found in 
 various tongues: old French, gilde, societe, Lacombe; Teut. 
 gildcj societas contributionum, Kelian; Icel. gilde, convivium, 
 symposium, serenius, a society, a fraternity or company com- 
 bined together, by orders and laws made among themselves, 
 by their prince's license. Hence the common word guildhall 
 proceeds, being a fraternity or commonalty of men gathered 
 together into one combination, supporting their common 
 charge by mutual contribution." — Cowel.J 
 
 Gilds, though not so named, are found among the classical 
 ancients, and implied with them, as with us, societies which 
 contributed certain sums for common uses. Their artificers 
 and traders were also formed into companies, like those of 
 later times, and occupied particular streets, to which they 
 gave name.§ The latter custom only began to be disconti- 
 nued in London in the reign of Richard IL, and is distinctly 
 
 * " By the discretion of the sheriffs and bailiff, and other ministers and places 
 gildable." — Spelman, Adm. Jnr. 
 
 t " The city, whilst it maintained the same legal polity and constitution 
 which distinguished a county under the Saxon government, was a concentration 
 of leet jurisdictions, each comprising a ward, or, as the division was then named, 
 a gild." — Commentaries on London, 8vo. 1830. The "Enquiry' into the Elec- 
 tive Franchise," 8vo. 1822, adds, " Each ward ranking as a hundred in the 
 division of counties, and comprising an indefinite number of inhabitants or frank- 
 pledges, was under the jurisdiction of an alderman, having an authority similar 
 to that of the hundredor in ordinary districts." 
 
 X Gildam, otherwise Geltum, Geldum, and Geldus, (from whence also Gilda, 
 Gildonia, Gildones, Con-gildones, &c.) are all derived from the Saxon Gildam and 
 Geldam, whence, as has been seen, Gildare is in Domesday book synonymous with 
 Solvere, Redere, to pay, to render. And in Prasfat. S. Aluradi, Godgildam, in like 
 manner, meant offerings to God, as did Deofulgild, offerings to the Devil. Geld, 
 as meaning public taxes, was by the Anglo-Normans changed into Taxum, Talla- 
 gium, and Quinto-deciman (taxes, tallages, and fifteenths). Gildam, meaning a 
 mulct or fine to the king, with its numerous combinations, occurs in the laws of 
 Ethelbert, Athelstan, and other Saxon princes. — Spelman. 
 
 § Encyclop. of Antiquities, (v. Guilds,) which quotes various authorities. 
 
ANGLO-SAXON GILDS. 
 
 3 
 
 noticed by Fitzstephen two centuries earlier, as of classic 
 growth : 
 
 " This city, even as Rome, is divided into wards, and all 
 the sellers of wares, all the workmen for hire, are distin- 
 guished every morning in their places as well as streets."* 
 
 Gervase of Canterbury, near the same time, speaks of both 
 French and English, skilled in stone and wood work, travel- 
 ling in gilds or societies, for the purpose of building : our 
 kings impressed their workmen from such, when wanted. -j- 
 
 ANGLO-SAXON GILDS. 
 
 Gilds, in England, were at first political, and one of the 
 grand elementary parts of our constitution. They originated 
 from the Saxon custom of frankpledge, (thought by Minsheu 
 to have been borrowed from the Lombards, j) and were esta- 
 blished here before the Anglo-Saxons abandoned their employ 
 as husbandmen in detached habitations or farms, to form 
 municipal governments in towns and cities. Antiquaries state 
 them to have originated in a Saxon law, by which it being 
 ordained — 
 
 " That every freeman of fourteen years old should find 
 sureties to keep the peace, or be committed, certain neigh- 
 bours, consisting of ten families, entered into an association, 
 and became bound to each other to produce him who com- 
 mitted an offence, or to make satisfaction to the injured 
 party. § That they might the better do this, they raised a 
 sum of money amongst themselves, which they put into a 
 common stock; and when one of the pledges had committed 
 an offence, and was fled, then the other nine made satisfaction 
 out of this stock, by payment of money according to the 
 
 * Fitzstephen's Descriptio Nobilissima Civit. Lond. — Strype's Stow, ii.p. 4. . 
 t Encyclop. of Antiquities. 
 
 X " That this discipline (i. e. of frankpledge) isborrowed of us from the Roman 
 emperors, or rather Lombards, appeareth out of 2 F. 53. et ibi Hotom : cum ibid, 
 adduct : what articles were wont to be inquired of in this court, read in Home's 
 Mirrour of Justices, lib. i.e. de la veue des franc pleges. What these articles 
 were in ancient time, seeFleta, lib. ii.c. 52.''— Minsheu, v. Frati/cpledge . 
 
 § De friborgis Praeterea est quasdam summa et maxima securitas per quam 
 omnes statu firmissimo sustinentur, videlicet, ut unusquisque stabilat se sub 
 fidejussionis securitate quam Angli vocant pjieobojijep, soli tamen Ebora- 
 censes dicunt eandem icien manna tala, quod sonnat Latine, decent homi- 
 nem niimerum. Haec securitas hoc modo fiebat scilicet, quodde omnibus villis 
 totius regni sub decennali fide jussione debebant esse universi : Ita quod si unus 
 ex decem forisfecerit, novem ad rectum eum haberent ; &c. Leges Edovardi 
 Regis. JVilkins's Fo, 1721, p. 201-2. 
 
 B 2 
 
4 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 offence. In the meantime, that they might the better identify 
 each other, as well as ascertain whether any man was 
 absent upon unlawful business, they assembled at stated 
 periods at a common table, where they ate and drank toge- 
 ther. This sort of assembly was in the seventh century called 
 the Geheorscipej^ at which time Ina made a law to prevent 
 turbulent proceedings at such kind of meetings." It is fur- 
 ther added, that because this association of pledges con- 
 sisted of ten families, it was called a Decennary or Tithitig, 
 and subsequently, as being composed of such frankpledges, 
 a Fribourg^ or Frithgild.''f 
 
 To the Frithgild, with its social feastings, succeeded the 
 gilds devoted to religious or trading purposes, and which 
 copied, as it will be seen, not only their convivialities, but 
 other of their customs. Lambard says " there is nothing of 
 certainty to be found of the origin of these later gilds, since 
 they were in use long before any formal hcense was granted 
 for such meetings." We find, however, ecclesiastical gilds 
 mentioned in the Capitula of Carloman, and of our Anglo- 
 Saxon synods, and that both clergymen and laity were mem- 
 bers of such fraternities ; little doubt, therefore, can exist but 
 that they took rise with an improved state of society, and its 
 first assembling in towns. The ecclesiastical laws of Athel- 
 stan speak of these gilds giving pledges, and hint at other of 
 their regulations: "We have charged all that are admitted 
 into our gildship by pledges given, that if any one happen to 
 die, every brother of the gild give a loaf "J 
 
 Secular gilds must have been of equal ancientry. The 
 Frith gilds of the Londoners are mentioned both in Judica 
 
 • Johnson's Canons, Laws of Ina, who, in a note, explains Gebeorscipe to 
 mean a meeting of freemen, gebur, in Saxon, signifying a common man. Mr. 
 Taylor, with more probability, conjectures Geborscipe or Beorscipe tomesinconvi- 
 vhon, si/77?posium, (see ante 2) ah-dxiqnei ; literally, beership, beer-drinking. These 
 banquets are described by Tacitus to have been customary among the Gothic tribes. 
 It was at such age-beership that the poet Caedmon was called upon to sing, when 
 the harp was handed round to each of the company In turns. — Bede, iv. 24. (See 
 Elect. Fran. 6.) 
 
 t " Frith gildi(7n, Collegium, Sodalitium, ex Saxon pfiib, pax, and jilban, 
 solvere: quod qui ejusmodi societates, ineunt, collatitiam stipem in commune ad 
 sua negotia conferant. Vide Prsefat. ad Leges Adelstani." — Bu Cange. Minsheu 
 explains Freoborgh, alias Frithborgh, (Fride burgum,) to come of two Saxon words, 
 Free, liber ingenuus, and Borgh, fideiussor, or of Frid, i. pax, and Borga, i. 
 sponsor, a surety for the peace or good behaviour; and otherwise called, after the 
 French, frankpledge, the one being in use in the Saxon times, the other since the 
 Conquest. 
 
 X Johnson's Canons. 
 
THE ENGLISH KN IG H T EN-G 1 L D. 
 
 5 
 
 Civitatis Londo?iia,* and in other Anglo-Saxon laws ; ancT 
 of those appropriated to trade, though not here distinctly- 
 named, Madox thinks the age so remote, as not only to have 
 given origin to the practice of gildating whole towns, but 
 even to the Saxon name and office of alderman. " Alder- 
 man," he says, " was a name for a chief governor of a secular 
 gild, and in time it became also a name for a chief officer in a 
 gildated city or town;" and he quotes, in illustration, the 
 circumstance of the prior of Holy Trinity, Aldgate, becoming 
 an alderman of London, in consequence of the grant to that 
 priory of the ' English Knighten gild,' as will be presently 
 shown.f 
 
 Of the government of the Anglo-Saxon trade gilds but little 
 is known. They seem to have consisted of a triple estate, or 
 head council, and associates. The favorite number of the 
 council, with its principal, was thirteen, in imitation of Christ 
 and his apostles. Du Cange mentions one society (probably 
 a rehgious one) which consisted of twelve men, and only one 
 woman, who represented the Virgin Mary. Sometimes the 
 members resided together in one building in a collegiate 
 fashion."§ 
 
 We meet with accounts of only the following Anglo-Saxon 
 gilds : 
 
 THE CNUGHTS, OR ANGLISCHE CNUIGHTEN GILD. 
 
 Stow mentions this gild in his " Survey of London," under 
 the name of Knighten-gild ; and from the information he 
 affords, and that of others, it was evidently a Secular gild, 
 similar to what have been noticed. The fraternity (or rather 
 its principals) consisted of thirteen persons ; they had a dis- 
 trict, soke, or territorial gild, and enjoyed " customs," which 
 must have included ordinances for their government. Stow 
 assigns the origin of Portsoken Ward to this gild : — 
 
 • Compiled by King Athelstan, and in which is the following strongly confir- 
 matory passage, "Tertio, utcomputemus semper decern homines, et senior conservit 
 novem ad singula ilia oflficia qujE omnes nos ediximus; et postea tota illorum 
 societas unum e societate hominem constituat, qui x illos homines commoiieat ad 
 omne nostrum commune commodum observandum ; et undecim illi conservent socl- 
 etatis suae pecuniam, et sciant quid mittant, cum aliquid solvendum est, et quid 
 deinde recipiant, si pecunia nobis oriatur ex communi nostra edictione : Sciant 
 etiam, quod quaelibit executio illorum quae nos omnes ediximus, proveniat ad 
 omnium nostrum commodum per trigenta denarios, vel per animam unum, tfec." — 
 Wilkins's Saxon Laws, 66. 
 
 t Firma Burgi, p. 30. § Du Cange, v. (Jilda. 
 
6 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 This Portsoken, which soundeth as much as the franchise 
 at the Gate, was sometime a Guilde, and had this beginning, 
 as I have reade. In the daies of king Edgar, more than 600 
 yeeres since, there were thirteene knights, or soldiers, well 
 beloved of the king and the realme, (for service by them done,) 
 which requested to have a certaine portion of land on the east 
 part of the citie, left desolate and forsoken by the inhabitants, 
 by reason of too much servitude. They besought the king to 
 have this land, with the liberty of a Guilde for ever : the king 
 granted to their request with conditions following ; that is to 
 say, that each of them should victoriously accomplish three 
 combates, one above ground, one under ground, and the 
 thirde in the water ; and after this, at a certaine day, in East 
 Smithfeldj they should run with speares against all commers, 
 all which was gloriously performed : and the same day the 
 king named it Knighten Guilde, and so bounded it from Eald- 
 gate to the place where now are towardes the East," &c.^' 
 
 Edward the Confessor granted a written charter, the first 
 that ever was given to a fraternity of the sort, to this Cnuigh- 
 ton gild.f And in a confirmation of the same by William 
 Rufus, addressed to "the men of the knytte gilda," is re- 
 
 * Survaie of London, 1598, p. 85. 
 
 t The knightes had as then none other charter, by all the daies of Edgar. 
 Etheldred and Cnutus, vntil the time of Edward the Confessor, when the heires 
 of these knightes humblie besoughte to conforme their liberties; wherennto he 
 graciously granting, gave them a deed thereof, as appeareth in the booke of the 
 late house of the holie Trinity, written in the Saxon letter and tongue.'' — Ibid. 
 ride, cngmued initial. 
 
THE 
 
 ENGLISH KNIGHTEN-GILD. 
 
 7 
 
 markably exemplified the threefold sense stated to have 
 anciently attached to the term gild, viz. of a fraternity, a soke, 
 and the privileges of a soke ; it confirms " the gild that be- 
 longed to them, — and the land appertaining thereunto, with 
 — all customs, as they had before enjoyed."* 
 
 Onfomiding Trinity Priory, by Queen Maud, in 1115, the 
 fraternity of the Knytte Gilda, or Anglische Cnighten gild, as 
 the name was then changed to, (and whom Stow next desig- 
 nates as " certaine burgesses of London, of the progeny of these 
 noble knightes,") gave to that convent " all the lands (district) 
 and the soke (franchise,) called in English Knighten gild, 
 but reserved the gilbjfcijie:, or right to be a trade corpora- 
 tion ; which, it is remarkable, is not assigned either by this 
 grant or its confirmations, by Henry I. or other sovereigns ;t 
 and, in consequence, the prior of Holy Trinity became the ter- 
 ritorial lord, or alderman, of Portsoken ward. He rendered 
 " an account to the crown of the taillage imposed upon the 
 men of that ward, in the 6th of Edward II.," as the other al- 
 dermen of London did for their respective wards ; like them 
 held courts of wardmote ; and was seen by Stow, riding in 
 procession with the mayor and his brethren the aldermen, 
 " only distinguished from them by the colour of his gown, 
 they wearing scarlet, and he, as an ecclesiastic, purple.^'X 
 
 Madox, for the above reasons determines the Knighten 
 gild to have been what he calls "burgensic and secular," 
 as well as from its name, which he thinks Stow mistook 
 the meaning of. " Cneuglits,'' (as he proves in a quotation 
 from Alfred,^) signifying, not soldiers, but young men, i. e. 
 young men of the gild ; but more particularly from Stow's 
 own designation of their descendants as " burgesses of Lon- 
 don," and the improbability, so being a gild, that themselves 
 were ecclesiastical, from their giving away all their land to a 
 
 * Strype's Stow, i. p. 349. 
 
 t Henry Ist's confirmation only specifies the soke of the Anglische Cniht- 
 gild, and the land pertaining thereto, as the men of the same had granted: 
 Strype's Stow, i. p. 349; Madox (Firma Burgi, p. 23) adds, this gild might 
 be called English, because it was of English or Anglo-Saxon original. It was 
 endowed with lands and adorned with privileges ; the lands and privileges belong- 
 ing to it were afterwards given and granted by the men of the gild to the canons 
 of the Holy Trinity, London. Andso the Englisc Cnihtene-gild (or gild of young 
 men) expired, or was dissolved." 
 
 X Firma Burgi, p. 30. 
 
 § " Cnihtas and geonge-men." Bedae Hist. p. 208, in Notis. Chi. Wheeloci 
 Firma Burgi, p. 24. 
 
8 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 convent. It may be added, that they at first held their gild 
 or ward in fee, as all the aldermanries were held long 
 afterwards ; and above all, that the prior of Trinity became 
 by its transfer an alderman; a circumstance Madox could 
 account for only by " the prior " having stood in the place of 
 alderman of the Cnighten guild, and becoming by that means 
 an alderman of the merchant gild of the city."* 
 
 The feats of martial skill recorded to have been performed 
 on this occasion, might be thought to partake too much of a 
 military character for traders ; but it will be seen that they 
 were by no means such as were unlikely to have been pre- 
 scribed, though to citizens, (asking the favor these did,) in a 
 romantic age, and by a chivalrous monarch like Edgar : and 
 that such was the fact, is in a great measure proved by our 
 finding that similar exercises are stated in ancient times, to 
 have been almost peculiar to the youth of London, leaving 
 little doubt, therefore, that the knighten gild consisted of the 
 expert juniors of pre-existing minor fraternities; or, perhaps, 
 a union of as many Frith-gilds, as in this case were sufficient 
 to constitute a new city-ward. 
 
 Of the nature of the first kind of combat, that " under- 
 ground," we have not seen any account ; that " above," or on 
 the ground, seems to have meant the just or foot combat, 
 as distinguished from that on horseback. This is described 
 by antiquaries to have been usually with the sword or battle- 
 axe, the combatants being generally separated by a barrier 
 of wood breast high : we find also matches of this kind, of — 
 three courses with the lance ; three strokes with the battle- 
 axe; and three thrusts with the dagger. 
 
 Water combats were boat-justs, or tiltings, on the water, 
 (of which a representation will be found in Strutt's Sports and 
 Pastimes, p. 132.) The conqueror was he who could parry 
 the baton of his antagonist with his shield, and whilst himself 
 remained firm could overthrow the latter into the water. 
 This was peculiarly a sport of the London youth, and remained 
 so till Stovv's time, who says, " I have seen in the summer 
 season upon the river Thames, some row in wherries, with 
 staves in their hand flat at the fore end, running one against 
 another, and, for the most part, one or both of them were 
 
 • Firma Burgi, p. 30. 
 
KNIGHTEN GILD — 
 
 COMBATS. 
 
 9 
 
 overthrown and well ducked."* Strutt imagines this game 
 to have given origin to rowing matches. 
 
 " Running with speares against all commers," was the 
 common mode of speaking of the tournament. Justs and 
 tournaments differed. Tournaments consisted of parties of 
 knights engaged at the same time. The just was a trial of 
 strength with two persons only. Tournaments are thought 
 to be derived from the Ludus TrojanuSy or Troy games of the 
 Roman youths, mentioned by Virgil and Justinian, amongst 
 whom parties in divisions of tioelve, tilted with spears on 
 horseback, similarly to what Fitzstephen describes as being 
 commonly practised in his day by the young Londoners.f 
 Strutt supposes most of the above games to have been of 
 Norman introduction, but Stow's positive mention of them 
 on this occasion proves their origin to have been much earlier. 
 It may be added, that, if this account of the latter historian 
 is correct, these " cnihtas" had no trifling task to perform ; 
 in fact, a most wonderful one ! No less than that each of 
 
 * Survaie, p. 68. 
 
 t Virgil's description of this pastime makes it nothing more than the species of 
 evolution on horseback of the London youth, which is mentioned by Fitzstephen. 
 We quote Trapp's translation : 
 
 Epittyden from far, 
 Loud with a shout and with his sounding lash, 
 The signal gave : they equally divide, 
 The three commanders open their brigades 
 In separate bodies ; straight recall'd they wheel 
 Their course, and onward bear their hostile darts, 
 Then different traverses on various grounds. 
 And different counter traverses they form ; 
 Orbs within orbs alternately involve 
 And raise th' effigy of a fight in arms : 
 Now shew their backs in flight — now furious turn 
 Their darts ; — now all in peace together ride. 
 
 Trapp's Virgil. 
 
 In like manner Fitzstephen, describing the London youth in the reign of Henry 
 II., says, " Every Sunday in Lent, after dinner, a company of young men ride out 
 on horses which are fit for war, and principal runners. Every one among them is 
 taught to run the rounds with his horse." 
 
 " The citizen's sons issue out through the gates by troops, furnished with lances 
 and warlike shields: the younger sort have their pikes not headed with iron, 
 where they make a representation of battle, and exercise a skirmish. There 
 resort to this exercise many courtiers, when the king lies near hand, and young 
 striplings out of the families of barons and great persons, which have not yet 
 attained to the warlike girdle to train and skirmish. Hope of victory inflames 
 every one. The neighing and fierce horses bestir their joints and chew their 
 bridles, and cannot endure to stand still : at last they begin their race, and then 
 the young men divide their troops ; some labour to outstrip their leaders, and 
 cannot reach them ; others fling down their fellows and get beyond them." — 
 Appendi^x to Strtjpe's Sfowy ii. p. 684. 
 
IP 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 thirteen persons should singly overcome his antagonist in 
 three separate trials of skill ; or that the whole should be suc- 
 cessively victorious thirty-nine times ; and then that they 
 should l3e equally fortunate in tourneying " with all comers 
 in East Smithfield." So gallant an achievement not only 
 well merited Stowe's encomium of gloriously performed" 
 but the valuable reward of the monarch. 
 
 GILDA THEUTONICORUM. 
 
 The steel-yard merchants of London were a decided trade- 
 gild, and of still earlier age than the knighten-gild. They 
 were a branch, or rather gave existence to the famous Han- 
 seatic League, which was a commercial confederacy first 
 formed on the east shores of the Baltic in the eighth century, 
 to protect their trade from the piratical incursions of the Nor- 
 mans, and who thence derived their name of Easterlings. 
 Pennant styles the Easterlings our " masters in the art of 
 commerce." They are known to have been settled here before 
 the year 967 ; for a regulation of king Etheldred's, of that 
 date, which is quoted by Anderson, declares that " the 
 emperor's men, or Easterlings, coming with their ships to 
 Belingsgate, shall be accounted worthy of good laws." They 
 were not to forestall the markets from the burghers of London; 
 and were to pay toll at Christmas, two grey cloths and one 
 brown one, with ten pounds of pepper, five pair of gloves, two 
 vessels of vinegar, and as many at Easter. 
 
 A long account of this Easterling gild of London is in 
 Stow,f accompanied by a chronological account of their 
 charters and privileges. Werdenhagen, in his History of the 
 Hanseatic League, enters, however, far more minutely into the 
 concerns of this fraternity : they had a council of twelve, 
 with an alderman, like other Anglo-Saxon gilds, and lived 
 together in a strictly collegiate fashion. The particulars of 
 their residence, mode of government, and other detail, is given 
 in an abridged account from Werdenhagen,^ which we sub- 
 join, and which is very curious : 
 
 * Pennant (from Anderson's Hist, of Commerce), 
 t Strype's Stow, pp. 1754, 1520 etseq. 
 
 t The whole confederacy constituting the German or Hanseatic League, was 
 very extensive. The Easterlings were the most famous branch, and were settled 
 in London. The societies abroad were divided into four classes, each having a 
 presiding city ; and the grand separations vs'ere into east and west. The first had 
 
GILDA THEUTONICORUM, OR STEEL-YARD. 
 
 11 
 
 " Their principal factory in London was in Downgard 
 (Dowgate) ward, Thames street, on the right bank of the river, 
 provided with handsome spacious quays, and in every respect 
 adapted for its purpose. Their ancient house there was 
 called the German Gild-Hall (Gilhalda Teutonicorum.)^^ As 
 their business became at this period more extensive, they 
 required a greater quantity of warehouse room, a greater 
 
 Cologne for its capital ; the other branches were formed by the union of Lubec, 
 Wismar, Rostock, Strals, and Grypeswald, Anclam, Stetin, Colberg, Stolpe, 
 Dantzic, Elbing, and Koningsberg. — (Origines Hambergensis, lib. ii. 64.) 
 
 The term Hanse (Latin, Hansa,) is explained by the German historian, Lam- 
 beccius, to be synonymous with gild, and it appears to have been commonly so un- 
 derstood in England in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. King John's charter 
 to Dunwich, 1199, uses the same term: ''We grant them a hanse," i. e. the 
 liberty to be a merchant gild ; and Henry III., in his second charter to the steel- 
 yard merchants, 1250, has the expression, — quod habeant hansam suam.'^ 
 The circumstance of two monarchs introducing this term into their grants, 
 Anderson observes, proves it to have been generally known in England at that 
 time for a society or corporation. 
 
 Numerous other gilds, similar to that of the Easterlings, though of more cir- 
 cumscribed power and jurisdiction, once existed and still exist under certain 
 changes, in the Netherlands ; that of Brussels will suffice as a specimen of their 
 nature. This city, amongst others in that neighbourhood, had obtained trade 
 privileges in the midst of the remains of feudal tyranny, long before England had 
 become the seat of manufacturing industry. Its municipal body was constituted 
 in great part like the Hanse, having its eschevins (sheriffs,) and other heads, com- 
 posed of persons of rank, and its commonalty, or municipal body, formed of the 
 
 trades." Every trade had its dean, standing in place of what, in other instances, 
 (and particularly in this account,) is termed the alderman." These various trades, 
 or, as they call them, " nations,'' assemble at the town hall at the sound of a bell; 
 and any one admitted a citizen, and wishing to carry on trade, must still be first 
 admitted into the community of the business, or art, which he wishes to follow, in 
 the same manner as was formerly done in the case of the Livery Companies. 
 
 * The citizens of Cologne, who were merchants and members of the Anseatic 
 corporation of London, paid Hen. III. thirty marks to have seizen of their Guild- 
 hall in London. — Stnjpe's Stow. 
 
12 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 number of dwellings for their increased resident agents, or 
 for the Germans who travelled to and from the house. In 
 the sixteenth year of Richard II. they hired a large building 
 adjacent to the other, which was likewise provided with a 
 spacious quay on the Thames. As the proprietor (R. Lyons) 
 was killed in a quarrel in the establishment, the Company 
 then probably acquired it as their own property. The part 
 of the town hereabouts, or the street, was called Windgoose, 
 and the Germans constructed Windgoose-alley, a little narrow 
 street, in order to bring the two houses into closer connexion 
 with one another. Subsequently they acquired another house, 
 similar and adjacent to their former possessions ; this, which 
 belonged to John Rainwell, was called the Steel-house, or 
 Steel-yard, and full and free possession of this and the other 
 houses was secured to them by Edward the Fourth, in the 
 Treaty of Utrecht. From this time the factory bore the name 
 of the Steel-yard,* as it seems ; whereas, before, it was 
 only spoken of as the German Guild-Hall. These buildings, 
 or at least the old Guildhall, were provided with walls and 
 three gates, the middle one of which, the larger and stronger, 
 was rarely opened. The frequent riotings of the London mob, 
 which was jealous of the Hanses, and their occasional rob- 
 beries and attacks, rendered securities of this kind particularly 
 necessary.f 
 
 • Lambeccius explains the name Steel-yard (or as he calls it Stealhof) to be 
 only a contraction of Stapelhoff, softened into Stafelhoff, and synonymous with 
 the English word Staple, which is in the civil law Latin style of Edward III. 
 termed Stabile empvriimi, a fixed port depot, or general mart for importing mer- 
 chandize ; steel being only one of the numerous articles these merchants dealt in. 
 And indeed, the quay is known to have been most noted for the landing, besides of 
 wheat, r) e, and other grain ; cables, masts, flax, hemp, linen cloth, wainscot, and 
 other merchandize. 
 
 Stow's description of the hall or house of these Hanse-merchants above men- 
 tioned is, that " it was large, built of stone, with three arched gates towards the 
 street ; the middlemost whereof is far bigger than the other, is seldom opened, 
 and the other two are now" (159S) mured up : the same is now called the Old 
 Vi\!i\\.''—Strype, 1,521. 
 
 t In views of London, before the fire, we have various representations of the 
 then appearance of the Thames front of the Steel-yard. Those by Hollar are the 
 most correct, and have furnished the preceding vignette. It appears to have been 
 fenced in, on its central part, chiefly by a breast-high stone wall, which was the 
 width of the open part of the yard, and was originally flanked by large piles of 
 masonry, (as shewn in earlier views,) but which in Hollar's time were lowered to 
 sheds ■* or foundations, that barely exhibited a Gothic gateway and remains of 
 Tudor-fashioned windows. From the above runs, on each side, long uniform 
 ranges of storehouses, reaching from the river front to the back of the land front 
 in Thames street. A high octagonal-shaped tower shoots up like a Turkish 
 minaret, from the midst of the open area, and probably contained the bell regu- 
 lating the time of the fraternity's various duties, or it might be the " manscop" 
 
GILDA THEUTONICORUM, OR STEEL-YARD. 13 
 
 Within this structure, partitioned into separate cells, the 
 residents Hved under strict regulations. They had a common 
 table, and were probably then, as well as subsequently, divi- 
 ded into companies : each having its master and associates. 
 The institution was celibatarian, all were obliged to remain 
 single. Any one who married an English woman, or con- 
 cubined with one, lost his hansej and became disqualified 
 from the Burgorship of any town connected with it. For 
 the sake of good order, no one was allowed even to have a 
 housekeeper; not even a bedmaker was admitted, under a 
 penalty, and on a repetition of the offence, under liability to 
 loss of trading privileges. As it was necessary for them to 
 become more united, and able to resist the attacks of the 
 frantic London mob, none of the residents, or at least none 
 who belonged to the Council of Commerce, were allowed to 
 sleep out of the Steel-yard; each was obliged, rather, on the 
 contrary, to pass the night on the manscop. No less strict 
 was the prohibition against communicating to the English, or 
 people out of the house, any thing which passed on the 
 establishment; or any resolution of the Council of Commerce 
 or its assemblies. 
 
 The direction of the factory was vested in an alderman and 
 two deputies or co-assessors, with nine councilmen, which 
 composed together the Chamber of Commerce.* Those 
 persons assembled every Wednesday, in summer at seven, in 
 winter at eight in the morning, in the Merchant's Hall, to 
 deliberate on the general affairs, and to decide between con- 
 tending parties. The residents here were also classed in 
 
 mentioned, in the next page, from which they kept watch. Two landing-places 
 are shewn in the view, one of which consists of a bridge of three arches, and 
 is of considerable elegance. 
 
 • In the year 1282, (in a controversy between the Corporation of London and 
 the Hanse, about the latter's non-performance of their engagement to keep 
 Bishopsgate in repair) Gerard Morbod is described to be their alderman ; besides 
 whom are mentioned as principals with him, Ralph de Cussarde, a citizen of 
 
 Colen ; Ludero de Desevar, a burgess of Trevar ; John , a burgess of 
 
 Trivia; John de Dele, a merchant of Munster; Bartram, of Hamburgh; Goda- 
 stoke, of Hundondale, a burgess of Ircan, <fec. On their coming to an arrange- 
 ment with the city, the latter, amongst other things, granted that " they should 
 have their alderman as they had been accustomed, provided always that he 
 were of the city, and presented to the mayor and aldermen of London, so often as 
 he should be chosen, and should take an oath before them to maintain justice in 
 the courts of the fraternity, and to behave themselves in their office according to 
 law, and as it stood with the customs of the city." Shype's Stow, i. p. 520. 
 The conspicuous part the Steel-yard merchants bore in the City Pageants, will be 
 seen under that head. 
 
14 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 three divisions : Cologne, Geldern, and the towns on the 
 other side of the Rhine composed one ; the commonalties of 
 Westphalia, of Berg, and in general of the Netherlands, and 
 of the Lower Rhine, and the Saxon and the Wends, com- 
 posed the second; and lastly, the Prussian, Lithuanian, and 
 Scandinavian towns, composed the third. 
 
 On new-year's eve, all who had a voice in these three 
 bodies assembled together. The Cologne apartment elected 
 four out of the Westphahan, the Westphalia^ the same num- 
 ber out of the Prussian, and the Prussian likewise out of the 
 Cologne department. But if it happened that in any one of 
 these divisions none could be elected fit for the business, the 
 presiding alderman had the prerogative of filling up the requi- 
 site number of twelve, by nominating others out of the re- 
 maining two departments. The new alderman was then 
 chosen out of this body, by ballot and the majority. The two 
 divisions, out of which he had not been elected, stood forward, 
 and nominated in the afore-described manner, one co-assessor 
 each out of the other. The three officers elect then took the 
 following oath : " We promise and swear to keep and main- 
 tain the rights and privileges of the merchants in England, and 
 all laws and ordinances, to the best of our abilities ; and to 
 deal justly towards every one, be he rich or poor, in all affairs 
 of commerce, without malice. So help us God and all his 
 saints.'' 
 
 The oath being taken, the alderman going out of office 
 delivered the key to the newly-elected one, and the latter and 
 his two co-assessors swore in the nine men. On the same 
 day the four persons who had the care of the keys were 
 named. Any one who had been an alderman was ineligible 
 to this office for the two following years, yet he might the 
 very next year, be a co-assessor, or one of the nine. 
 
 Fourteen days after new year a second great meeting was 
 held, when the privileges, and Statute Book or Merchants' 
 Law, were read over.^' 
 
 * " Law-merchant is become a part of the laws of this realm ; for if there be 
 two joint merchants of wares, and one of them dies, his executors shall have the 
 money, which is not so in the case of others not merchants. Anno 13 Edward I. 
 Stat. 3, and 27 Edward III. c. 8." — Cowel. The Statute-merchant was passed 
 1 1 Edward I., for recovering more easily and effectually the debts due to merchants ; 
 and in his 2d year there was a Statute-merchant at Winchester for enabling 
 
GILDA THEUTONICORUM, OR STEEL-YARD. 
 
 15 
 
 If an alderman was prevented by illness from performing 
 his duties, he appointed another in his stead out of the 
 remaining eleven who had been sworn in. If he had to 
 travel out of the city of London, either on his own affairs or 
 those of the general body of merchants within the kingdom, 
 his two co-assessors or assistants took his place, or he ap- 
 pointed one in his stead. But if he travelled beyond sea, 
 the commonalty of merchants was convened, and a stadt- 
 holder was elected in his place till he returned. When one 
 of the assessors, or one of the nine, travelled beyond the sea, 
 the others elected another in his stead out of the traders till 
 the number was again complete. He who, on being elected 
 to any of the above-named situations, refused to accept them, 
 was obliged to pay a fine of forty shillings sterling ; and if^ 
 on his second election, he again refused to take office, he was 
 deprived of the merchant privileges. If it was determined 
 for any one to take a journey beyond sea or elsewhere, in the 
 name of the treasurer, and he refused to do it without having 
 any sufficient excuse to plead, he was subject to the fine of 
 a hundred shillings, and for a second refusal, he lost his 
 privileges of merchantry. 
 
 If any one spoke slanderously of an alderman on account of 
 his official decisions, or on account of any thing whatever 
 which appertained to the common interests, he was subjected 
 to a fine of forty shillings. In like manner, he who had pro- 
 nounced the slander apologized while the alderman was 
 sitting and held his morning office. But if any one refused 
 to obey his commands, which were delivered in assembly, 
 according to the merchant-law, on the first, second, or third 
 time, the refractory person was fined in the highest penalty. 
 If the alderman by virtue of the law, commanded any one not 
 to depart from London, without his and the Company's per- 
 mission, and notwithstanding this command he did it, the 
 president might arrest him by a serjeant and bring him back, 
 and keep him a prisoner till he had satisfied the law.""^ 
 
 merchants, as well in fairs and markets as in houses and cities, effectually to 
 recover their debts. Gerard Malynes has written a voluminous work, published 
 1623, entitled " Lex Mercatoria,^^ and in which will be found an ample account 
 of the Law-merchant. 
 
 * Anderson, (Hist. Commerce, 8vo. Dublin, i. p. 299,) winding up his account 
 of these merchants, says, " Thus we have endeavoured with all possible concise- 
 nev«5s to explain the original of this once most eminent mercantile confederacy, 
 
16 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 GILDA SELLARIORUM. 
 
 The very ancient gild of Sadlers seems to have been of 
 nearly coeval date with the preceding, though the earliest 
 mention of it indicates its officers and constitution to have 
 been then Norman. 
 
 By a convention between this fraternity and the neighbour- 
 ing canons of St. Martin's-le-Grand, (which Madox thinks at 
 least as old as Henry 11. or one of the two monarchs his 
 sons,) the Sadlers are stated to have been long admitted into 
 brotherhood and partnership of masses, orisons, and other 
 good deeds with the canons. The convention is addressed by 
 the latter, to their friends and con-fratres, the alderman^ 
 chaplaiuj four eschevinSy^ and elders of the said Gild of 
 Sadlers, to whom (greeting) it makes known, both for that and 
 future times, that according to ancient statutes, existing between 
 their church and the community of Sadlers, the latter were 
 to be held as brethren and partakers of all benefits with the 
 church of St. Martin, both by night and by day, in masses, 
 psalms, prayers, and watches; moreover that it had been 
 granted to the gild, that they should be all separately prayed 
 for by name, on the Ehdomada (or day preceding the Resur- 
 rection,) in two masses, one whereof should be for the living, 
 and the other for the deceased brothers of the said gild : and 
 that it had been further granted, that for the latter the bell of 
 St. Martin's church should be tolled, and procession made 
 with burial freely and honourably. Also that the canons of 
 St. Martin's were to be ready to assist and be of the council 
 of their house, as well as to be their brethren and co-adjutors, 
 
 which is not to be paralleled in either ancient or modern story, and of its ancient 
 privileges in England.'^ 
 
 Strype's Stow, and Pennant's Account of London, contain various additional 
 particulars of the Steel-yard and its merchants : after being plundered by the Lon- 
 don mob, in 1493, as noticed in the former work, and its privileges long excit- 
 ing great umbrage in the London merchants, it seems to have dwindled, till, 
 after various attempts at resuscitation, it was finally dissolved in 1552. It is pre- 
 viously said to have exported 40,000 pieces of cloth annually, whilst all the Eng- 
 lish merchants together only exported 11,000 pieces. Pennant speaking of the 
 present Steel-yard says, at this time (1790) it is the great repository of the 
 imported iron, which furnishes our metropolis with that necessary material. The 
 quantity of bars that fills the yards and warehouses of this quarter, strikes with 
 astonishment the most indifferent beholder. Next to the waterside, are two 
 Eagles with imperial crowns round their necks placed on two columns." P. .309. 
 
 • EscHEViNis, EscHEViNus, consul, magistratus, Galb. Eschevin, memorantur 
 passim. Vide Consultores et Scabini. — Du Cange, v. 
 
ANGLO-NORMAN GILDS. 
 
 17 
 
 And furthermore it makes known, that according ta antient 
 statutes recorded in chapter of the gild, the latter, on the 
 feast of St. Martin, were accustomed to be present with wax 
 tapers, and to offer their alms in the church of the blessed 
 Martin. Moreover, it is said that they might at pleasure 
 avail themselves of divers and many other benefits of the 
 said church of St. Martin. Lastly, that it was an antient 
 custom, as of record made in their chapter of the time of the 
 lord Ernaldus, their alderman, on account of the receiving 
 and tolling of the knell of each deceased brother of the gild 
 at St. Martin's church, to pay for the same eight-pence."* 
 
 The mention, immediately after the Conquest, of " antient 
 statutes'' then existing between so remote a Saxon founda- 
 tion as St. Martin's-le-Grand College, and the Sadlers ; toge- 
 ther with the old custom said to be recorded in the latter's 
 chapter of the time of their alderman, Ernaldus, (also a Saxon 
 name,) relative to the payment at the funerals of the brethren, 
 — leaves little doubt of the Sadlers being a veritable Anglo- 
 Saxon gild ; and, consequently, the oldest on record of all the 
 present Livery Companies. 
 
 ANGLO-NORMAN GILDS. 
 
 GILDA TELLARIORUM. 
 
 Strictly speaking, we have an account of only one gild of 
 this era, namely, that of the Tellarij or Woollen Cloth Weavers, 
 though there must, as it will be seen, have been many other 
 trading gilds then in London. The mention of these Tellarij 
 in the Placita de Quo Warra?ito, 14 Edward IL, (in which 
 pleas is also recited the charter given them by Henry IL, and 
 printed in the Firma Burgi,) affords a curious picture of the 
 nature and constitution of the metropolitan gilds of that 
 time. The tenor of the record and process had upon the above 
 quo warranto, and which was brought against the Tellarij 
 of the London gild before Hervicus de Staunton, and his 
 companions, justices itinerant at the Tower of London, 
 succeeded a writ containing the donations and confirma- 
 tions made to them. The charter alluded to confirms to 
 the said Weavers' gild all the liberties and customs whiclj 
 
 * Firma Burgi, p. 27. 
 
 C 
 
18 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 they had enjoyed in the reign of Henry I. It also esta- 
 blishes the fact of some of the gilds having been chartered long 
 before Edward I. and having possessed immunities immediately 
 after the Conquest, which can only be supposed, from the way 
 they are spoken of, to have been acquired from long previous 
 usage. The gilds, it is plain from the practice of this one, 
 then held meetings, elected annual officers, kept courts, made 
 by-laws, and governed their several trades with almost ab- 
 solute sway. 
 
 The weavers were required to show by what authority they 
 at this time claimed to have their gild in the city, and by virtue 
 of the same gild to have the right of yearly electing from 
 amongst themselves bailiffs and ministers ; and the same so 
 elected to take and swear in, faithfully to execute their offices, 
 before the Mayor of London ? By what right also they claimed 
 to hold their courts from week to week, of all that pertained to 
 their gild, and that none should intermeddle with their minis- 
 ters in London, Southwark, or the parts adjacent, unless by 
 their own permission, or that it were done by one of the gild ; 
 and that persons of the same gild should not be impleaded by 
 others, of matters concerning the mystery, except in the 
 courts of the gild, or be elsewhere accused and answered? 
 Why none might have working implements in their possession, 
 unless the same were testified to be good and honest, and that 
 all of the mystery should be forced to contribute to the king's 
 ferme ? Why no stranger was to be admitted as a manufac- 
 turer amongst them, without producing letters testimonial of 
 good conduct, and the reasons of his coming ? Why the work- 
 ing implements of such of the mystery as were in arrears for 
 their fermes, might be distrained by the bailiffs of the gild, 
 to the amount it was computed they owed, and such dis- 
 tresses sold to pay the same? Why any member who under 
 false pretences, or of malice, withheld the goods of another, 
 should be dismissed the gild, and on nonpayment of his share 
 of the king's ferme, his working tools, to the amount, should 
 be sold, or detained in the custody of the bailiffs; and also, 
 that any member offending against the liberties of the gild, 
 should be adjudged, in like manner, to have his working im- 
 plements seized and disposed of ; or why, by the ordinances, 
 he should be otherwise punished, according to the discretion 
 
GILDA TELLARIOHIJM. 
 
 19 
 
 of twenty-four of the gild.''^ It was further demanded why, 
 if any one manufactured cloth of Candlewyk street, he ought 
 to be overlooked by the bailiffs of the gild, whether or not 
 his work was bad and to the damage of the people ; and if 
 so, that it should be proved before the mayor of London, and 
 the offender fined in half a mark; and moreover, that such 
 workmen should be brought before the bailiffs of the gild, 
 according to the constitutions, and whatever cloth or piece of 
 cloth should be found of Spanish, mixed with English, wool, 
 contrary to proper usage, might be adjudged to be burned ? 
 Also if any withheld from another of the gild his proper 
 wages, and would not pay him, the gild had power by their 
 bailiff to distrain, or have the complaint answered in their own 
 court, and therein redressed? Why those of the gild might 
 sell without control in London all things belonging to the mys- 
 tery ? And lastly, v^hy none were allowed to work between 
 Christmas and the Purification, or at night by candlehght, at 
 other times proscribed ? 
 
 To this, the weavers pleaded their charter from Edward L, 
 reciting by inspeximus, and confirming the charter and grant 
 of Henry L and Henry IL in the following words : 
 
 "Edwardus Dei Gratia, &c. To all bailiffs and all his 
 faithful, greeting. We have inspected the charter of the Lord 
 Henry, of good memory, our progenitor, late king of Eng- 
 land, made to the weavers of London, in these words : 
 
 " Henry, &c. King of England, Duke of Normandy and 
 Aquitain, and Earl of Anjou. To all bishops, justices, sheriffs, 
 ministers, and all other his faithful, greeting. Know ye me 
 
 * Madox, speaking of the custom of common payments or dues being raised by 
 common contribution in all the trade fraternities, illustrates his remarks by quo- 
 ting the above case of the Tellarij, and adds some further particulars. His state- 
 ment is, that "in the 25th year of King Edward III., Nicholas de Worstede, a 
 weaver of the gild of the Tellers or Tellarij Londoniae, came into the Court of 
 Exchequer, and on behalf of the king and of the men of the said gild, com- 
 plained of Giles, Spolmakere, and five others, for working in the craft or mes- 
 tiere of weavery within the city of London and Southwark, they not being mem- 
 bers of the said gild." When in an Iter holden at the Tower of London, it was 
 found by verdict, amongst other things, that if any man of the Gild of Weavers 
 was in arere for his share of their yearly ferm at the time, (or for any time,) he 
 was wont to be distrained by his looyne by the bailifts of the gild, until he paid his 
 affeceant portion of the ferm due from the gild. And that if it was found amongst 
 them, that any weaver eloigned any goods of another weaver falsely and mali- 
 ciously, provided he did not steal them, thenceforth such person was to be dis- 
 missed from the gild, and his looyne, which he worked upon, was to remain in the 
 gild towards paying the king's ferm. Firma Burgi, 283-4. 
 
 c2 
 
20 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 to have granted to the weavers of London, to have their gild 
 in London, with all liberties and customs which they had in 
 the time of Henry, my grandfathevj and in such sort that 
 none, unless by their leave, or that it be done by one of the 
 gild, shall intermeddle with their ministers, within the city, 
 or South wark, or other places of London adjacent, otherwise 
 than as was accustomed in the time of Henry, my grand- 
 father. For which reason I will and strictly command, that 
 wheresoever they may they shall lawfully manufacture, and 
 shall have every thing as aforesaid in the same sort, well and 
 peaceably, and honorably, and entirely, as at any time they 
 might in the time of Henry, my grandfather, and more fully 
 and entirely have had the same, on condition that they there- 
 fore render to me every year two marks of gold at the feast 
 of Michaelmas. And I hereby prohibit any one from molest- 
 ing them, under the penalty of ten pounds. Dated at Winton. 
 Time of Henry IL 
 
 " Now we the aforesaid have ratified and approved, and for 
 us and our heirs, as much as in us is, have accepted and 
 allowed, and do hereby confirm, as by the said charters is 
 reasonably testified. Dated at London, April 8, 27 Edw. L" 
 
 To the above, Geoffrey Lescross, who followed for the king, 
 replied. Issue was joined. The jurors gave along and dis- 
 creet verdict. Juratores, scilicet Rogerusle Palmere, and eleven 
 others, dicunt super sacramentum suum quod, — That the Tel- 
 lers had their gild, and held their court every three weeks ; and 
 quod nullus se intromisit de coram misterio, ("probably," 
 says Madox, "it should have been written ministerio, for that 
 is the word used in their old charter,) either in London, 
 South wark, &c. and the jury further found that within thirty 
 years then last past, (when such part of their constitutions 
 were made,) there were in the cloth business above 280 hurril- 
 lersj^ or, according to Madox, ustilamenta ; that that number 
 
 * In a petition of the London Weavers to the Commons, 1406, (7-8 Henry 
 IV.) and which is printed amongst the Petitiones in Parliamento, they state to the 
 effect above mentioned, viz. That the most noble King Henry, son of the Em- 
 press, the progenitor of the king that then was, by his letters patent, (which were 
 afterwards confirmed by other the king's most noble progenitors, kings of Eng- 
 land,) granted to his faithful lieges, the (then) weavers of the said city and their 
 successors, "that they should have a gylde," and that none should have power to 
 intermeddle with their mystery in London, Southwark, or the parts adjoining 
 London, who were not of the "said gylde;'' rendering therefore .to the king 
 and his successors, kings of England, yearly, two marks of gold, (equal to 20 
 
FOREIGN GILDS — FRENCH. 21 
 
 were now reduced to 80, and of them the greater part were 
 managed by the weavers to their own profit, and to the com- 
 mon hurt of the people. Also, in respect to offenders against 
 the liberties of the gild, it was answered, That the weavers had, 
 by their own newly-made ordinances, which were, ad damp- 
 num et dispendium populi, assumed to punish such persons 
 by a verdict of 24 of the gild ; that their withholding wages^ 
 enforcing payment by distress of their bailiff', and determining 
 claims of debt in their own courts, were customs which origi- 
 nated after the granting of their charter ; their bailiffs having no 
 power lawfully to distrain in such cases, or hold any pleadings 
 whatever, except before the mayor and sheriffs of London.* 
 
 FOREIGN GILDS. 
 
 FRENCH GILDS. 
 
 It did not appear to Madoxf that there were any brother- 
 hoods of merchants or tradesmen in France contemporaneous 
 with those mentioned, although that country has been gene- 
 rally thought to have given rise to this species of fraternity ; 
 nor were many of those which were subsequently established 
 known by the name of gilds, notwithstanding that the name 
 guild or gueude, he observes, occurred there. In the town of 
 Montreul, in Picardy, it is added, there was an ^nciexii gueude, 
 consisting of several merchants, the confreres of which 
 claimed divers exemptions and immunities, the town and the 
 gild seeming to have been consociated. 
 
 One of the most ancient of the French gilds is stated to 
 have been that of St. Riquer, in Ponthieu, incorporated by 
 Louis VI. in 1126; and the chief points constitutiiig that 
 and similar communities then in France, were "a mayor, 
 
 marks 10s. in silver:) by force of which letters patent and confirmations, they 
 and their predecessors had used to have bailiffs and a commonalty, together with 
 the governance and correction of their said mystery, within the city and places 
 aforesaid. But that in the time of King Edward III. it was granted to the 
 foreign weavers, that they should "be exempt from the ?aid g5'lde,'^ and should 
 not pay anything towards the said ferme of two marks ; and that such aliens were 
 enabled by this means to supplant and withdraw the profits from the said myster}-, 
 whilst the petitioners alone bore the charges. And they therefore pray that such 
 foreign w^eavers may be obliged, in all thhigs, to be of their gild, and to contribuie 
 their proportions as they did. The substance of the same statement is repeated, 
 2 Henry V., (as see vol. v. p. 50, of the said petitions, &c.) 
 
 * Placita de Quo Warranto, 465. f Firma Burgi, p. 31 . 
 
22 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 (standing in place of alderman of the German and English 
 gilds,) eschevins, like the Sadlers' gild, and a common coun- 
 cil ; or a faternity, a belfry, and a bell to convene them toge- 
 ther, and a common seal and jurisdiction."^ They were soon 
 afterwards much increased (probably adopting new customs) 
 by Louis VII. and other French kings ; as a check, it is 
 thought, to the insolence of their overgrown vassals, the 
 dukes, counts, &c., and to protect such subjects as held of 
 the latter from their extravagant power : and king John of 
 England, who created so many corporations in the next cen- 
 tury, probably did it from the like policy, of interposing a 
 middle, or trading class, between himself and his factious 
 barons. 
 
 ITALIAN GILDS. 
 
 In Italy, Madox states, a mestiere, or company of citizens 
 and tradesmen, was sometime styled an ars, or universitas. 
 In Rome, in the fifteenth century, there was the ars mercan- 
 ticd parmoriimj and other artes. The Company of Mercers of 
 Rome were styled Universitas Merciariorum. In France 
 also a company was usually called an art, mestier, or com- 
 munite.f 
 
 SCOTCH GILDS. 
 
 In Scotland there were formerly many gilds, of the nature 
 called secular, or mercantile, though none of them are to be 
 traced beyond the Conquest. The " Statutes, Gild(B/' or Rules 
 of the Scottish Gilds, in Skene, on the " Regiam Magistatem,'^ 
 relate to trade and the burgensic life. The men of a gild 
 were commonly called fratres and confratres ; and the gild, 
 and the town or burgh where the gild was, as in France, 
 seem to have been generally in some sort united or con- 
 sociated.J 
 
 The laws and customs of the Scottish burghs {Leges Bur- 
 gorum) were published by King David I. about 1126, and 
 were formed in imitation of those of foreign countries, as 
 transmitted to him from learned agents, whom he had sent 
 thither for that purpose. This king's chamberlain is said to 
 
 * Firm.'i Burgi, p. 32. 
 
 t Ibid. 
 
 + Ibid. p. 31. 
 
SCOTCH AND ENGLISH GILDS. 
 
 23 
 
 have made an annual circuit through all the burghs of Scot- 
 land, to punish crimes and take an account of each gild, (as 
 at this day the burghers are called there,) by themselves, and 
 of the other inhabitants by themselves. These Leges Bur- 
 gorum direct, amongst other things, that all housekeepers 
 shall find in their town " one man to watch, and knock at 
 their doors with a staff."* 
 
 In the reign of the next king, William the Lyon, it was 
 enacted that the merchants of the kingdom should have their 
 merchant gilds, with freedom from tolls, as in his father's 
 reign; which merchant gilds, Anderson says, means only 
 ordinary traders and retailers, and such as frequented fairs 
 and markets ; and the same were then so named all over 
 Europe, as in the northern parts of this island. Thus, in a 
 plea between the abbot of Westminster and the tradesmen 
 that resorted to his fair there, (30 Edw. I.) they are often 
 called mercatores or merchants.^ Even every inland burgh 
 that had a charter had a gilda mercatoria, and their ordinary 
 tradesmen were styled mercatores. Yet, in such burghs, he 
 adds, every inhabitant was not a burgess in regard to the 
 freedom of tolls, and other matters, but only such as were of 
 the gilda mercatoria, or of the freedom, and who contributed 
 to the common charges of the burgh, as at present. J 
 
 ENGLISH GILDS. 
 
 Granville speaks of gilds in the reign of Henry IL as 
 common institutions. § In the same reign, the History of 
 
 * Firma Burgi, p. 31. 
 
 t In the middle ages, the business of tradesmen was principally transacted at 
 fairs and markets. In the public processions of the city of London, we find every 
 trade dressed alike ; and tradesmen not knowing how to read and write, mer- 
 chants used to form companies of comedians, learned interludes, and played on 
 festivals, and at weddings in private houses. — Fosbr. Encyclop. of Antiq. i. p. 468 : 
 which quotes Enc. Plut. Dec. Orat. 14. Freig. in Cicer. Orat. xi. 37. Petron. 
 i. 232-4, et Nodot. 112. Paris iii. Scriptores 2615. Froissart ix. 53. Strutt's 
 Horda. ii. 97. 
 
 X Gild, in the royal boroughs of Scotland, is still used for a company of mer- 
 chants, or tradesmen, who are freemen of the borough ; and each of these has 
 a deu7i of gild, who is the next magistrate below the bailitl". He judges of con- 
 troversies among men concerning trade ; disputes between the inhabitants con- 
 cerning buildings, lights, water-courses, and other nuisances ; calls courts, at 
 which his brethren of the gild are bound to attend ; manages the common stock 
 of the gild ; and amerces and collects fines, &c. 
 
 § "If a native (servus) quit for one year and a day, to dwell in any privileged 
 town, so as to become one of the same community {scilicet gyldum), he shall be 
 
24 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 the Exchequer, gives a list of eighteen of the London 
 gilds which were amerced as adulterine, or setup without the 
 king's licence. This affords another proof of the gilds being 
 numerous at this time; for we can only suppose a part of them 
 to have subjected themselves to this penalty. These gilds so 
 amerced are described in various ways ; sometimes by the name 
 of their alderman, sometimes by their trade, and, in other 
 instances, from their patron saint, or locality. Thus we have, 
 amongst others — 
 
 "The gild whereof Odo Vigil is alderman ; the gild whereof 
 Hugh Leo is alderman ; the gild of which Gosceline is alder- 
 man ; the Goldsm^iths' gild, Ralph Flael, alderman ; the 
 Butchers' gild, William la Feite, alderman ; the Pepperers' 
 gild, of which Edward was alderman ; the Travellers' gild, 
 of which Warner le Tourner is alderman ; the gild of St. 
 Laurence, of which Ralph de la Barre is alderman ; the gild 
 of Haliwell, whereof Henry, the son of Godrum, is alderman ; 
 and four gilds de Ponte, or of the Bridge, Thomas Coke, 
 alderman."* 
 
 King John formed various gildae mercatoriae, or merchant 
 gilds, as noticed with respect to Dunwich, York, and others, 
 in explaining the term hanse; but as respected gilds merchant, 
 his reign only furnishes us with notice of the Weavers' gild 
 being raised from eighteen to twenty marks yearly rent. For 
 this he is said to have granted them a charter of confirmation, 
 (though no document of the kind appears to have been pro- 
 duced in the Quo Warranto proceedings just mentioned.) A 
 notice of this rent is found in the fourth charter of that king, 
 granted to the city in his first year, and which is cited at 
 large in the Inspeximus of Charles ILf It grants, at the 
 request of the mayor and citizens of London, " that the gild 
 
 received as a citizen, and liberated from his villeinage." — Glan. 5 lib. cap. 5. 
 " Gildarum nomine continentur non solum rainores fraternitates et sodalitia, sed 
 ipsa etiam civitatum communitates. — Spelm. 
 
 * Admerciamenta de Gildis Adulterinis in Civitate; Gilda unde Odo Vigil est 
 aldermamus ; Gilda unde Hugo Leo est aldermamus ; Gilda unde Goscelinus est 
 aldermamus ; Gilda Aurifabrorum unde Radulphus Flael est aldermamus; Gilda 
 Bocheriorum unde Willielmus Lafeite est aldermamus ; Gilda Piperariorum unde 
 Edw ardus e,st alderm;tnuis ; Gilda Perigrinorum unde Warnerius le Turner est 
 aldermamus; Gilda de Sancto Lazaro unde Radulphus le Barre est aldermamus ; 
 Gilda tie Hallivvell unde Menricus filius Godrum est aldermamus; Gilda de Ponte 
 unde Thomas Cocus est aldermanuis." — Hist. Exch. pp. 390-391 
 
 t Royal Chart, of Confirmation of Charles H. to the city of London. 8vo. 
 1680. 
 
ENGLISH GILDS. 
 
 26 
 
 of weavers shall not from henceforth be in the city of Lon- 
 don, neither shall be at all maintained and it is there said, 
 that as that gild had been accustomed to pay the king 18 
 marks per annum, the citizens (not the weavers, as in Strype) 
 "should pay 20 marks in money for a gift" instead. It is most 
 likely that, jealousy of the weavers being allowed by Henry 
 II. to exercise their privileges in the city in the unlimited 
 manner we have seen, and without the latter having any right 
 to intermeddle with, or control them, occasioned the citizens 
 to apply for this grant. 
 
 The reign of Henry III. was marked by an odd occurrence 
 connected with the companies, which shows how powerful 
 they had now become, though they had not as yet acquired 
 any share in the city government. In 1226, so great a quar- 
 rel arose between the goldsmiths and tailors, that each 
 party, with their friends, met on an appointed night to the 
 number of five hundred men, completely armed, and pro- 
 ceeded to decide their difference by blows. Many were killed 
 and wounded on each side ; nor could they be parted till the 
 sheriffs, with the city posse comitatis, came and apprehended 
 the ringleaders, thirteen of whom were condemned and exe- 
 cuted.^ 
 
 This prince confirmed his father's permission to hold hanses, 
 or gilds, to Dunwich and other towns; he also chartered the 
 cappers and parish-clerks, and made regulations respecting 
 the gild of burillers.f 
 
 But little progress was made in mercantile affairs during 
 the martial reign of Edward I.; and, excepting the domestic 
 trade gilds, all commerce nearly was in the hands of the steel- 
 yard merchants. This is not to be wondered at, considering 
 that the roads then were chiefly the old British trackways, 
 favourable to depredation, and forming an effectual bar to 
 internal communication. J 
 
 » Northouck, 56. 
 
 t Strype quotes, from the letters patent on this subject, the following : " Rex 
 concessit hominibus London quod non vexantur propter Burillos, vel pannos 
 Burillatos : quamvis non sint in latitudine duarum ulvarum infra listus, secundum 
 constitutionum prius factam de pannorum latitudine. 
 
 X The Act 12 Edward I. c. 5. in directing the enlargement of them, affords a 
 sufficient picture of what must have been then the confined state of trade. It 
 directs that : 
 
 " Those ways should be enlarged where bushes, woods, or dykes stood, where 
 men might lurk, so that there be neither dyke, tree, nor bush, within 20 feet on 
 
26 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The customs and tolls of this period corroborate the same 
 fact. Anderson, under the year 1268, reckons the sum paid 
 to the crown for half a year on all foreign merchandizes, to 
 have been only £75 6s. lOd.j and the tolls of the flesh, fish 
 and corn markets, and also at the city gates, and at Smith- 
 field, to have been only £269 65. 4:^d. for the same period; 
 making a total of £364 13s, 2iJ.,in present money £1093 195., 
 or, on an average, only £2187 19s. 3d. yearly, paid to the crown 
 from the Londoners for custom, tolls, &c. of modern money. 
 — Hist, Commerce. 
 
 The fishmongers and linen armourers, however, obtained 
 charters from Edward I., as did the weavers a confirmation of 
 their early grants. In the statute 28 Edward I. the wardens 
 of the craft of goldsmiths are also mentioned. 
 
 In the settlement of some disputes which the burillers had 
 with the weavers, in the 27th of the above prince, we obtain 
 a further insight into the then nature of the gilds. The pro- 
 ceedings state them to have chosen " two bailiffs from amongst 
 themselves to hold courts, and that they had presented the 
 same to Elias Russell, the mayor, who were by the same 
 mayor accepted and sworn, and if any matters could not be 
 settled by the bailiffs, they were to be brought before the 
 mayor, and ended by him." 
 
 The following year, a second dispute happening between the 
 same parties, the weavers, with their two baihffs, appeared be- 
 fore the same mayor, to answer the burillers " upon certain 
 articles, points, and establishments, in time whereof there 
 was no memory," and which the weavers and others had 
 infringed, as well as other of the burillers' ordinances. The 
 matter was referred to the arbitration of three of the burillers' 
 gild, with their alderman,^ and a proportion of the weavers' 
 
 each side of those roads, great trees excepted.'' If the lord of the soil neglected 
 to comply with the Act, and robberies ensued, he was to be answerable for the 
 felony. The king's demesne lands and roads were subjected to the same regula- 
 tion, and no part of them was to be less than twentj^ feet from the highways. 
 
 * The alderman of the burillers here mentioned must have been nearly the 
 last head of a trade gild who then retained that title, as all the wards had had 
 their respective aldermen sometime before, and who at first had not only a pro- 
 prietary title to their soke or ward, but such wards changed name as they changed. 
 In the Hundred Rolls, 1 Edw. I, is a list of these aldermen proprietors, or rather of 
 the wards named from them, as their owners, viz. " Warda Will. Hadestock ; 
 warda Walter le Poter ; warda de Peter Anger ; warda Robert! de Meldeburn, de 
 Colemannostr. ; warda Joh'is de Blakesburn ; warda Wolmer de Essex'; 
 warda Joh'is Horn, &c. This right of proprietary of the alderman to his soke 
 
ENGLISH GILDS. 
 
 27 
 
 gild. These agreed on certain ordinances still on record, the 
 principal of which was " that no cloth should be allowed of 
 Spanish mixed with English wool," as before prohibited under 
 their ancient regulations. Stow further tells us, in illustra- 
 tion of the government of the gilds at this time, that in the 
 30th of Edward I. the bakers were allowed to hold four hall- 
 motes a year, to determine of offences committed in their bu- 
 siness, and were restricted to selling bread in the market, 
 which then was kept on the site of Bread street, and gave 
 name to Bread street ward.* 
 
 The above proceedings prove the city's jurisdiction over the 
 companies to have existed before the latter were admitted to 
 any exclusive monopoly of municipal rights; though such 
 monopoly soon followed: for with Edward II. Mr. Nortonf 
 observes, " we discern the first authentic mention of the mer- 
 cantile nature of the civic constitution of London, and of the 
 mercantile qualification requisite in the candidates for admis- 
 sion to the freedom of the city. By one of a number of arti- 
 cles of regulation, ordained by the citizens for their internal 
 government, which articles were confirmed by the king, and 
 incorporated into a charter, it was provided that no person, 
 whether an inhabitant of the city or otherwise, should be ad- 
 mitted into the civic freedom, unless he was a member of one 
 of the Trades or Mysteries, or unless with the full consent of 
 the whole community convened ; only that apprentices might 
 still be admitted according to the established form. Before 
 this, no mention occurs of any mercantile qualification to en- 
 title the householder to his admission to the corporation." 
 
 or ward in London, if it were ever more than partial, was certainly of short dura- 
 tion, as we find it wrested from them in the succeeding reign of Edward II. ; the 
 citizens being then declared to have the power of annually electing the aldermen 
 who was to preside over them. Mr, Norton (Comment, on Lond. 122,) thinks " it 
 probably arose with the introduction of the feudal system, and expired with the 
 grant of those exemptions from it secured to the citizens by their early charters, 
 — the establishment of a community, and the election of their own magistrates.'' 
 He adds, " but that these sokes did actually belong to the aldermen or barons as 
 heritable property, is too clear to admit of a doubt." Farringdon ward, the alder- 
 manry of which was bought by WiUiam Faryngdon, goldsmith, (1279,) remained 
 in that citizen's family upwards of 80 years. It was held by the tenure of pre- 
 senting a gilljUower at Easter, which was then a flower of great rarity. See 
 Forma Burgi, 14. Strype's Stow, Hundred Rolls, &c. 
 
 * Strype's Stow, 11. 
 
 t Commentaries on Lond. 120. 
 
28 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 LIVERY COMPANIES. 
 
 The reign of Edward III., the great dawn of the fine arts 
 and of commerce, gave birth to an entire re-constitution of 
 the trading fraternities, which from now generally assuming 
 a distinctive dress or livery, came to be called Livery Com- 
 panies, and under which title we shall henceforth continue 
 their history. The alterations under this reconstitution 
 were numerous. Amongst the principal may be reckoned their 
 change of name, from gilds, to crafts and mysteries ; and the 
 substituting, for the old title of alderman, that of master or 
 warden; the name alderman, (though in use with the buril- 
 lers so late as 28 Edward I. being now restricted to the head 
 of the city ward.)^ A more important change for the interest 
 of the companies was their being at this time first generally 
 chartered, or having those privileges confirmed by letters 
 patent, which they had before only exercised through suffer- 
 ance and the payment of their fermes.f 
 
 The chartering of the gilds by Edward III. was not that 
 monarch's only favour to them. Having found that these fra- 
 ternities were the main spring of the trade of his kingdom, 
 
 •Lib. Horn. fol. 278. Madox (Firma Burgi, 24,) quotes a much later in 
 stance in which a fraternity or gild to the honour of St. George the Martyr was 
 founded at Norwich, consisting of an alderma?i, masters, brothers, and sisters ; 
 
 and which," he says, being found by Henry V. to have been for more than 
 thirty years an orderly virtuous society," was confirmed by that prince, who 
 allowed them to continue to chose such alderman, and two masters yearly, as 
 they had done theretofore. The Commentaries of London, p. 436, speaking 
 further as to this subject, say "there is no trace when the name of alderman was 
 first applied to the president of the London wards or gilds ; the probability is it 
 was introduced after the Conquest. The denomination w^as common in the Saxon 
 times to various judicial dignities and ofiices, from the highest to the lowest rank, 
 hut there is no record of it as applied to the heads of particular districts in Lon- 
 don during that period ; and there is reason to believe that the appellation was not 
 used in that sense until the reign of Henry IL, when they are first mentioned as 
 presiding OYer gilds, some of which were territorial and others mercantile. 
 In the reign of Henry HL aldermanries had become a common term for a civic 
 district comprised within a leet jurisdiction, as well in London as in other cities." 
 See ante. 
 
 t Aggregate bodies were deemed to have perpetual succession without being 
 incorporated, (Firma Burgi, p. 3,) and see 10 Rep. 30, 1 Roll., also 513, where 
 it is further said that " the king's granting to a set of men to have Gildam Mer- 
 catoriam, a mercantile assembly or meeting, is sufficient to establish and incorpo- 
 rate them." Exclusively of this right, however, the incorporations of Edward III. 
 were only partial, and comprehended but few of the privileges which the compa- 
 nies obtiiined from succeeding monarchs. They had no grant at this time of a com- 
 mon seal, nor, generally, liberty to accept or buy lands ; to sue and be sued ; or to 
 enjoy various other liberties necessary to establish them full incorporations as at 
 present. 
 
LIVERY COMPANIES. 
 
 29 
 
 and having thus given them stability, he determined also to 
 raise them in public estimation. As this could not be better 
 \ done than by setting an example which would be followed by 
 his courtiers, he became himself a brother of one of these 
 societies. The Linen-armourers, now Merchant-tailors, were 
 then great importers of woollen cloth, which the king sought 
 to make the staple manufacture of England, and were the first 
 company who had the honour to boast a sovereign amongst 
 their members, in the person of this monarch. Richard II. 
 afterwards became a brother of the same company ; and the 
 great, both clergy and laity, as well as principal citizens, daz- 
 zled with the splendor of such associates, hastened in both 
 reigns to be enrolled as tradesmen in the fraternities. The 
 skinners, the mercers, and the merchant-tailors, exhibit 
 most princes and nobility in their lists near this time ; other 
 companies had a greater proportion of city dignitaries; the 
 grocers, towards the close of Edward III.'s reign, enume- 
 rated no less than sixteen aldermen amongst their members.^ 
 
 The pubhc records afford us the earliest notice of the com- 
 panies on their being chartered. By a petition from the 
 Commons in Parliament, printed amongst their Rolls,f we 
 learn that, before the 36th of Edward III., certain wholesale 
 merchants had formed themselves into a gild, which had be- 
 come so great and monopolous, as to threaten ruin to the 
 numerous other fraternities that had now sprung up. This 
 gild, or company, was no other than the grocers', just men- 
 tioned, now the second of the great companies, and the 
 etymon of whose name we find explained by this document. 
 The petition complains 
 
 "That great mischiefs had newly arisen, as well to the 
 king as to the great men and commons, from the merchants 
 called grocers (grossers), who engrossed all manner of mer- 
 chandize vendible, and who suddenly raised the prices of such 
 merchandize within the realm ; putting to sale by covin, and 
 by ordinances made amongst themselves, in their own society, 
 
 * The merchant-tailors' printed list of eminent members enumerates only 
 two earls and one bishop in the reign of Edward III. ; but in the reign of Richard 
 II. they had no less than four royal dukes, ten earls, ten barons, and five bishops, 
 members. The skinners boast an almost equally splendid list of names, near 
 the same period, as see under those Companies. 
 
 t Rot. Pari. 11, 278. 
 
30 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 which they call the fraternity and gild of merchants (fra- 
 fnite et gilde merchant), such merchandizes as were most 
 dear, and keeping in store the others until times of dearth and 
 scarcity."* 
 
 The remedy suggested by the petitioners, Anderson ob- 
 serves, would be thought " a very unreasonable one in our 
 day." It is, *Hhat merchants shall deal in or use but one kind 
 or sort of merchandize ;" and that " every merchant hereafter 
 shall choose which kind of wares or merchandize he will deal 
 in, and shall deal in no other. "f 
 
 The Act 37 Edward III. c. v., which passed in consequence 
 of this petition, (and which was, as far as related to merchants, 
 repealed the next year,) ordains 
 
 "That all artificers and people of mysteries shall each 
 choose his own mystery before the next Candlemas ; and that 
 having so chosen it, he shall henceforth use no other : and 
 that justices shall be assigned to inquire by process of Oyer 
 and Terminer, and to punish trespassers by six months* im- 
 prisonment, or other penalty, according to the offence." 
 Women artificers, who seem to have been numerous at this 
 period, — and amongst whom are mentioned ''brewers, ba- 
 kers, braceresses, textoresses, fileresses, and veveresses, as 
 well of silk as of other materials," are exempted from the 
 operation of the Act.J 
 
 The next year we find amongst the city records the names, 
 and other particulars, of all, or most of the companies then in 
 existence. The document which furnishes this information 
 is an account, in Latin, of sums received by John Caunte- 
 brigg, the city chamberlain, from those companies, as gifts 
 to the king, towards carrying on his French wars, and throws 
 much additional light on the state and nature of the metro- 
 
 * Rot. Pari. ii. 279. 
 
 + Hist, of Commerce, 1, 459. 
 
 X *^ This Act, as it related to ' men of mysteries,' was so strictly enforced after- 
 wards, that, in 1385, Brembre, the mayor, is stated to have disfranchised severa 
 freemen for following trades to which they had not been brought up, as John 
 Lynne and Nicholas Merchant, for that being free of the haberdashers, they oc- 
 cupied merceries ; and Geofry Presbury, for that he knew the said Nicholas Mer- 
 chant to have so occupied mercerj', and procured him to be made free of the 
 haberdashers ; William Southbrook, free of the weavers, for that he occupied 
 drapery, or the selling of cloth ; and Richard Skinner, for using drapery, he being 
 a tailor ; and along with the latter, six other tailors are named, who were at this 
 time deprived of their freedom, for merely concealing their knowledge of the cir- 
 cumstance. — Northonck. 
 
LIVERY COMPANIES. 
 
 31 
 
 politan trade fraternities at this early period. It is dated 
 1355, (37 Edward III.) and enumerates the names and sums 
 paid by thirty-two different companies. We observe in it 
 two or three instances in which trades of the same denomina- 
 tion were then split into different fraternities, on account of 
 their localities, and which paid separately as such. Thus we 
 have the " tanners without Newgate," and the " tanners 
 without Cripplegate," the "grossers," (simply,) and the "gros- 
 sers in the Ropery," the two (companies) of the " cappers," 
 and no less than three sets of butchers, distinguished by the 
 different quarters they inhabited, (as was originally the case 
 with the fresh, salt, and stock fishmongers,) viz. the " butchers 
 of St. Nicholas," or of what is now called Newgate-market ; 
 the " butchers of the Stocks," or those who had retired from 
 the ancient shambles at Eastcheap to the new market on the 
 site of the present Mansion-house; and the butchers of West- 
 chepe," or Cheapside. The sums subscribed by the different 
 fraternities afford also an excellent criterion for judging of 
 their comparative wealth and consequence at this period. 
 
 The order and names of the companies, and the sums paid 
 by them, are (in English) as follows : 
 
 " Memorandum. That John de Cauntebrigg, Chamber- 
 lain, has received from divers Mysteries, for an offering 
 to be presented to the lord the King of England, 
 namely, in his 37th year. 
 
 "The Brasiers, 10 marks, (£3. 135. 4d.) ; Sporiers, 40^. ; the 
 Tanners without Newgate, 40s.; the Butchers of St. Nicholas, 
 9/. ; the Batchers of the Stocks, 17/. ; the Grossers, 26/. 6s. Sd, : 
 the Poulterers, 10 marks ; the Curriers, 5 marks; the Butchers 
 of West-cheap, 8/. ; the Bowyers, 60s. ; the Ironmongers, 6/. 
 I85. 4d ; the Chandlers, 8/.; the Pewterers, IOO5. ; the Tai- 
 lors, 20/. : the Wax-chandlers, 405. ; the Tanners without 
 Cripplegate, 3l5. ; the Pouchmakers, 5 marks; the two Cap- 
 pers, 135. 4:d.; the Vintners, 33/. 65. Sd.; the Skinners, 40/. 
 the Leatherdressers, 10 marks; the Brewers, 14/. 65. 8c?.; 
 the Salters C5. ; the Cutlers, 4/. ; the Fishmongers, 40/. ; the 
 Mercers, 41/.; the Girdlers, 6/. 135. 4d.; the Grossers in the 
 RoparT/, cs. ; the Glovers, 205. ; the Armorers, 6O5. ; the Gold- 
 
32 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 smiths, 20/. ; the Drapers, 40/.. Sum total, 428/. 9s. 4d. 
 Besides which there were 
 
 " Presents sent to the lord the king to France, in further 
 payment, during his 38th year. 
 
 In the first place, received of the Drapers, 10 marks ; also 
 of the Fishmongers, 10 marks; of the Mercers, 10 marks; 
 of the Grossers, 4/. 6s. Sd. The sum from these first parcels, 
 24/. 6s. 8d. In the whole, 452/. 16s."=^ 
 
 " In 49 Edward III. an enactment passed the whole assem- 
 bled commonalty of the city, by which the right of election of 
 all city dignitaries and officers, including members of Parlia- 
 ment, was transferred from the ward representatives to the trad- 
 ing companies ; a few members of which were directed to be 
 selected by the masters or wardens to come to the Guildhall for 
 election purposes ; and in them it has continued to the present 
 time ; only that, by a subsequent Act of Common Council, it 
 was opened to all the liverymen of companies generally ; and 
 that right, which indeed, without such sanction had no legal 
 authority, was finally confirmed to such liverymen as being 
 freemen of the Corporation of London, by stat. 11 Geo. t. 
 
 • " M*? qd Joh'es de Caimtebrigg, Camer' recepto de div'sis Mesteris per uno 
 extremno miss d'no Regi Angl' videlt anno xxxvij°. 
 
 c. 18.'^t^ 
 
 Brasiers, x m'rcs. 
 Sporiers, xl*. 
 
 Tanners ex Newgate, xls. 
 Carnificites Sci Nichi, ixL 
 Carnific' de les Stockkes, vjl. 
 Grossers, xxvj/. vj^. viijd. 
 Poletar', x m'rcs. 
 Courreds, v m'rcs. 
 Carnific' destchep, viij/. 
 Bowyers, Ix*. 
 
 Ironmong's, vij/. xviij*. iiij</. 
 Candelar', viij/. 
 Peutres, cs. 
 Cissor', xx/. 
 Wexchaundelers, xls. 
 Tanners ext' Crepelgate, xxxj* 
 Pouchemakers, v m'rcs. 
 Duobz Capper, xiij*. injd. 
 Vinetar', xxxiij/. vj*. viijrf. 
 Pellipar', xll. 
 AUucar', x m'rcs. 
 
 Braciatoes, xiiij/. vj*. viijd. 
 
 Sellar', c*. 
 
 Cuttellar', iiij . 
 
 Piscen', xll. 
 
 M'ceris, xll. 
 
 Zonar', vj^. xij*. nijtl. 
 
 Grossers in Rop'ie, cs. 
 
 Glov'es, xxs. 
 
 Armurary's, Ix*. 
 
 Aurifabr', xxl. 
 
 Drap's, xll. 
 
 S'm ccccxxviijA ix*. iiij</. 
 
 Exhemin miss' d'no Regi Ffranc in p'te 
 
 solucois' anno xxxviij. 
 In p'mis rec' de Drap's, x m'rcs. 
 Ibn de Piscenar, x m'rcs. 
 De Mercers, x m'rcs. 
 De Grocere, iiij/. vj. viij. 
 S'm istius p'm p'celt, xxiij/. vi*. viijd. 
 S'm to' cccclij/. xvj*. 
 
 t Commentaries on Lond. The Livery's exclusive right of returning mem- 
 bers to Parliament is taken away, after a certain period, by the late Reform Act ; 
 
LIST OF COMPANIES 50 EDW, 111. 
 
 33 
 
 By a list, in Norman French, of the " number of persons 
 chosen by the several mysteries to be the Common Council'^ 
 the next year (50 Edw. III.) it appears the companifes send- 
 ing members in pursuance of this ordinance were increased 
 from 32 to 48. This list (which is also amongst the City 
 Records) names every company, with its proportion of mem- 
 bers, and furnishes on other accounts matter of curious obser- 
 vation. The whole 48 companies returned exactly 148 mem- 
 bers, or about an average of 3 each.''^ Of these the principal 
 ones sent 6, the secondary 4, and the small companies 2. 
 Few traces are to be observed of the present order of prece- 
 dency. The Grocers stand first, next the Mercers, and then 
 the Drapers, Fishmongers, and Goldsmiths; the Vintners 
 follow sixth instead of eleventh, the Tailors (now Merchant 
 Tailors) seventh, the Skinners twenty-first. Haberdashers 
 twenty-fifth, Sadlers twenty-seventh, and the Ironmongers 
 thirty-fifth. There were then no Clothworkers. Each of the 
 first eight companies named returned 6 members ; the Salters 
 and Ironmongers 4 each ; the Haberdashers and the Hur- 
 rers only 2 ; the Smiths, since ranked as a minor com- 
 pany, send 6 members ; the eleven companies of Sadlers, 
 Webbers or Weavers, Tapicers, Chandlers, Fullers, Braziers, 
 Girdlers, Stainers, Masons, Shoemakers, and Butchers, 
 each 4 ; and the remaining twenty-four companies 2 mem- 
 bers each. Several companies are named in this catalogue 
 whom Stow states to have been of much later foundation ; 
 and some of them here rank separately, which were after- 
 wards merged in others; as the Hurrers in the Haberdashers ; 
 the Stainers in the Painters, under the name of " Painter- 
 Stainers;" and the Freemasons in the Masons. A few, as 
 the Fletchers, the Cappers, the Horners, and Spurriers, are 
 extinct; the Barbers (subsequently Barber-Surgeons) are now 
 separated from the latter, and in abeyance. 
 
 Act ; which restores the elective franchise to the freemen of London, and further 
 extends it to the inhabitant householders. 
 
 * This great number gave them an influence, the result of which may be seen 
 in the following entries of the same records : " A meeting of Common Council, 
 with the wardens of divers mysteries present," Jor. 7, fo. 6; Jor. 8 to 11 fo. 99. 
 "The like; and the constables of the wards present." Jor. 7, 8, fo. 4, 171, and 
 Jor. 9, 10, fo. 81, 2, 84, 7, et seq. The Common Council and wardens of mys- 
 teries summoned on extraordinary occasions," Rep. 12, fo. 401 . " A congrega- 
 tion of the Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, and wardens of companies, held 
 to receive an express from the king, touching the Coins," Jor. 16, fo. 118. 
 
 D 
 
34 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Number of persons chosen by the several Mysteries to be 
 of the Common Council, 50 Edward II I.^ 
 
 Grossers. . 
 
 . 6 
 
 Hab'rdash' 
 
 2 
 
 Mercers? 
 
 . 6 
 
 Brasiers 
 
 2 
 
 Drapf 
 
 . 6 
 
 Salt^s 
 
 4 
 
 PessonTsi . 
 
 . 6 
 
 Capellar'^o 
 Peutr's" 
 
 2 
 
 OrfevV 
 
 . 6 
 
 2 
 
 Vynt^s 
 
 . 6 
 
 Brewers (ales) . 
 
 2 
 
 Taillo^s 
 
 . 6 
 
 TT r 12 
 
 HurrTs 
 
 2 
 
 Sellar'3 
 
 . 4 
 
 Fabrym>3 
 
 6 
 
 Webber's . 
 
 . 4 
 
 HornTs 
 
 2 
 
 Tapicers" . 
 
 . 4 
 
 Masons 
 
 4 
 
 LeatherselPs 
 
 . 2 
 
 Ir'mongTs . 
 
 4 
 
 FoundoTs . 
 
 . 2 
 
 Allucar"* 
 
 4 
 
 loignoTs 
 
 . 2 
 
 Armureiz . 
 
 2 
 
 Chaundel's 
 
 . 4 
 
 Boch'rs 
 
 4 
 
 Fullo'r • 
 
 A 
 
 4: 
 
 
 0 
 
 Curreo^'s 
 
 . 2 
 
 Sporiers'^ 
 
 2 
 
 Freemasons 
 
 . 2 
 
 Plom^s 
 
 2 
 
 BracTss 
 
 . 5 
 
 Wax Chaundel's 
 
 2 
 
 Fleech's 
 
 . 2 
 
 Tonsores" 
 
 2 
 
 Bakers 
 
 . 2 
 
 Peynt^es 
 
 2 
 
 Pellrss 
 
 . 6 
 
 TannTs 
 
 2 
 
 Zona'r"' 
 
 . 4 
 
 Pouche makers. 
 
 2 
 
 Tinctores^ 
 
 . 4 
 
 Wodmog? 
 
 2 ^ 
 
 Burrillo? 9 
 
 . 2 
 
 Pynn'^s 
 
 2 
 
 The above list of fraternities, or gilds, is accompanied by 
 the following form of oath, which was required to be taken, 
 
 * City Records, lib. Ix. fol. 46. 
 
 * Fishmongers. '° Cappers. 
 
 ^ Goldsmiths. Pewterers. 
 3 Saddlers. Hatters. 
 
 * Tapestry Weavers. Smiths. 
 
 ^ Brewers. Leather Dressers. 
 
 ^ Skinners. Cutlers. 
 
 ' Girdlers. Spurriers 
 
 ^ Stainers. i7 Barbitonsores, or Barbers. 
 
 3 Cloth Measurers. Woodsawyers (mongers.) 
 
WARDENS OF COMPANIES OATH. 
 
 35 
 
 before admission to office, by all the wardens, or other prin- 
 cipals. 
 
 Oath of the Wardens of Crafts, 
 
 " Ye shall swere that ye shall wele and treuly ov'see the 
 Craft of (company's name,) whereof ye be chosen Wardeyns 
 for the yeere. And all the goode reules and ordyn'nces of 
 the same Craft that been approved here be the Court, 
 and noon other, ye shal kepe and doo to be kept. And all 
 the defautes that ye fynde in the same Craft ydon to the 
 Chambleyn of y*' Citee for the tyme beyng, ye shall wele and 
 treuly p'sente. Sparyng noo man for favour, ne grevyng noo 
 p'sone for hate. Extorcion ne wrong, under colour of your 
 office ye shall non doo, nethir to noo thing that shalbe 
 ayenst the state, peas, and profite of oure sovereyn Lord the 
 King, or to the Citee, ye shall not consente, but for the 
 tyme that ye shall be in office, in all things that shalbe long- 
 yng unto the same craft after the lawes and ffranchises of 
 the seide Citee welle and laufully ye shal have you. Sohelpe 
 you God and all seyntes, &c." 
 
 In the same year an ordinance was passed by the mayor, 
 aldermen, and six, four, and two of the Common Council, 
 out of thirteen of the above mysteries, (which alone were 
 allowed this privilege,) respecting the removal of any alderman 
 or common councilman for misconduct. 
 
 The "Chronicle of London,"^ under the year 1375, men- 
 tions the following occurrence connected with the companies. 
 It seems, that the like sort of contention for superiority 
 which had existed in the reign of Henry III. had now 
 separated them into direct opposite parties. The writer does 
 not accompany his notice with any explanation as to the 
 precise ground of quarrel. 
 
 "This yere at Awrestlynge (wrestling) John Northwold, 
 mercer, was sclayn at the black heth, where thorough aroos 
 a gret discencion and debate among the craftes of London." 
 
 * 4to. London, 1827, printed from an original ms. at the British Museum, 
 and which contains much curious information relative to the early history of the 
 metropolis, not elsewhere to be met with. 
 
 d2 
 
36 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The reign of Richard II. was remarkable, amongst other 
 events, for first compelling the inrolment of the companies' 
 charters. By letters mandatory of his twelfth year, he 
 enjoined the mayor of London to make proclamation — That 
 all and singular masters and wardens of gilds and fraternities 
 within the city of London and suburbs of the same, should 
 deliver in to the king and council, in the Chancery, a full, 
 distinct, and proper account in writing, of the manner and 
 nature of their several foundations, their beginning and con- 
 tinuance ; together with the rules of such fraternities ; the 
 manner and kind of oath to be taken by the community, or 
 assembly of brothers and sisters, and others, and all other 
 particulars appertaining to such gilds; as likewise respecting 
 their liberties, privileges, statutes, ordinances, usages, and 
 customs. Moreover, an account of all lands, tenements, 
 rents, and possessions, whether mortgaged or not mortgaged; 
 and of all goods and chattels whatsoever belonging to the 
 said gilds, in whosesoever hands they might be holden for 
 the use of such gilds; and to return with the answers to 
 these queries the true yearly value of the same ; and what- 
 soever in any manner or form concerned all and singular 
 the premises, together with all other articles and circum- 
 stances whatsoever, touching or concerning the same; under 
 penalty on neglect, to forfeit for ever such lands and other 
 things to the king and his successors : also that the said 
 masters and wardens should have before the king and his 
 council at the same time whatsoever charters and letters 
 patents they possessed, from any grants of the king or his 
 predecessors to the said gilds and fraternities ; under further 
 penalty of having all such grants and all privileges contained 
 in them revoked and annulled."^' 
 
 It is about this period, or rather the close of the last reign, 
 that we begin to discern a separation of the wealthier from 
 
 * City Records. — The Tower Records, as well as those of the City, have 
 been diligently searched for the returns made inconsequence of this proclamation, 
 but none are to be found, except those which relate to the ecclesiastical gilds. 
 The returns from the Trade Companies, which must have thrown wonderful light 
 on their nature, property, management, and other particulars required to be set 
 forth as above, are now missing; though such must undoubtedly have been made, 
 and may yet remain amongst the mass of unsorted records of the Court of 
 Chancery. 
 
SEPARATION OF THE GREAT COMPANIES. 
 
 37 
 
 the mure indigent companies; or of such as in the preceding hst 
 sent most members to Common Comicil, and paid the highest 
 fermes: namely, the tailors, vintners, skinners, fishmongers, 
 mercers, grocers, goldsmiths, drapers, and such others as 
 may be presumed to have constituted the thirteen mj/steries, 
 or the " each sufficient mystery," just mentioned, and whose 
 history we have to record under the name of "The Great 
 Companies."^ Their order of precedency, as we have ob- 
 served, seems to have been then unsettled, and, it will be seen. 
 
 • A petition from John Cavendish, amongst the printed petitions to Parliament, 
 4 Henry IV. (1402,) states the following to have been these commoners, or of 
 the Common Council, and deputies from the companies mentioned below. They 
 are all part of what afterwards formed tlie " Twelve," and are here placed in the 
 same order as in the petition. The names of those left blank were probably 
 eft'aced on the roll. 
 
 John Moore, 
 John Lane, 
 William Chicheley, 
 Robert Wydrington, 
 Stephen Thorpe, 
 John Lincoln, 
 Thomas Drake, 
 Robert Polhill, 
 Roger Wrangford, 
 William Norton, 
 
 I Mercers. 
 I Grocers. 
 
 S 
 
 Nicholas Turke, 
 Samuell Hoddesdon, 
 John Proffite, 
 Robert Mersket, 
 John Julyan, 
 Thomas Craste, 
 John Crewk, 
 Thomas Libsey, 
 Robert Brenwod, 
 William Estace, 
 Richard Towner, 
 
 ^Fishmongers. 
 
 I Ironmongers. 
 ^ Taillours. 
 
 ^ Salters. 
 
 Drapers. 
 Rot. Pari. V. 11 . 
 
 As to other points proving their superiority, and which will sufficiently appear 
 as we proceed, it may be observed, that from the Twelve Companies the 
 lord mayor was exclusively chosen for centuries afterwards. None of the lists of 
 lord mayors, in our Histories of London, afford a single instance to the contrary, 
 from Fitz-Alwin to Sir Robert Wilmot. The wardens of those great companies 
 were the only ones allowed to attend the lord mayor as chief-butler at corona- 
 tions. The "Twelve" alone, (with the single exception of the armourers,) 
 had the honour of enrolling the sovereign amongst their members, and generally 
 of entertaining foreign princes and ambassadors ; they took precedence in all civic 
 triumphs ; they occupied the chief standings in all state processions through the 
 city ; they alone of the companies contributed to repair the city walls ; and lastly, 
 (not to mention various other proofs which might be adduced,) they were the 
 companies who were always most largely assessed in all levies for the government 
 or the City. The common opinion, therefore, that the lord mayor must be a 
 member of one of these companies, is indisputably founded on long prescriptive 
 right and usage. It was in 1742, that Sir Robert Wilmot, just mentioned, was 
 sworn in lord mayor, notwithstanding that he was not so qualified ; and that upon 
 the advice of counsel, who said there was no law for it. His lordship was of the 
 Coopers' Company, and would have been translated to the clothworkers', (which 
 is one of the Twelve,) but his admission being carried only by a small majority, 
 and they, at the same time, refusing him their hall, he resolved to give them no 
 further trouble. It is now understood, that being free of one of the Twelve 
 Companies is only necessary to qualify the lord mayor for president of the Irish 
 Society. The lord mayor, it should be observed, if not free of the Twelve, thus 
 loses a privilege always appertaining of right to his office, that of the president- 
 ship mentioned." (Vide Northonck, p. 348.) 
 
 It is but candid, in concluding this long note, to remark that, notwithstanding 
 
38 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 continued so for several ages afterwards; but we find the 
 companies named thenceforward always dignified by some 
 epithet implying superiority, wherever they are mentioned: 
 as "the substantial companies; the principal crafts; the 
 chief mysteries ; the wealthier and superior companies ; the 
 most worshipfull felowshippes/' and other similar titles ; and, 
 though apparently of less public importance in the earlier 
 stages of society than the weavers, sadlers, bakers, and other 
 gilds already noticed, they will be found to have comprised, 
 at this time, the chief commercial staple and manufacturing 
 interests of the kingdom, besides including the most eminent 
 of the citizens amongst their members. 
 
 A striking instance of the influence which these great 
 companies soon obtained in the government of the city, 
 appeared in their compelling, in 1385, the return for two 
 succeeding years of Sir Nicholas Brembre as mayor of 
 London, in opposition to the whole of the freemen. This 
 curious piece of civic history is only to be found in the 
 Chronicle of London, just quoted, and which expressly states 
 his elevation to have been effected "be strong hand of 
 certayne craftes of London." The "certayne craftes" here 
 mentioned evidently allude to the same portion of the com- 
 panies we are speaking about; and as Brembre was a member 
 of the grocers, then placed the first in rank of these great 
 companies, we may well conceive this forced election to have 
 been mainly indebted to their instrumentality. In describing 
 Brembre's return the second year, the writer more particularly 
 explains the sort of coercion made use of by the companies 
 on this occasion : 
 
 "Also this yere, Nicholl Brembre was chosen maire 
 agene, be the said craftes and by men of the contre at 
 
 the ancient rank of the Twelve Companies, many of the others are, on various 
 accounts, of equal or superior importance. The weavers and saddlers claim a 
 more remote antiquity; the stationers, besides their Rowing wealth and extensive 
 concerns, rank higher as a rich, commercial, and working company. The dyers 
 once took precedence of the clothworkers. The brewers are distinguished for 
 their ancient and very curious records ; and yield on that point, perhaps, only to the 
 leathersellers, who, at their elegant modern hall, in St. Helen's place, have some 
 matchless charters, as regards embellishment, and the most ornamentally written 
 wardens' accounts" of any we have yet inspected. Various others might be 
 included in this list as equally worthy observation. 
 
INFLUENCE ELECTIONS ARE KECULATED. 39 
 
 Harowe, and the contre there aboughte, and not be fre eleccion 
 of the Citee of London, as it owith to be: and the oolde halle 
 was stuffed with men of armes overe even, be ordinaunce and 
 assente of ST Nicholl Brembre, for to chose hym maire on the 
 morowe : and so he was," 
 
 This usurpation of the rights of the freemen formed after- 
 wards the subject of a special petition to the king in council 
 from "the folke of the Mercerye of London;" which is 
 printed amongst the "Petitiones in Parliamento," 10 Richard 
 II., 1386. It complains that " amongst many other wronges, 
 subtiles, and open oppressions ydone to hem by longe tyme 
 passed," and notwithstanding that "the eleccion of mair- 
 alte was to be to the fre men of the citee, bi gode and paisa- 
 ble avys of the wysest and trewest, at o'day in the yere 
 frelich,'' the said " Nicol Brembre, wyth his upberers," had 
 "through debate and stronger partye," and, amongst other 
 means, by carrying " grete quantite of armure to the Guylde- 
 hall," to overawe the citizens, procured his own election ; 
 and, they add, if they of the Mercery, or any other crafts, 
 complained, "they were anon apeched for arrysers ageins the 
 pees."* 
 
 At a numerous common-hall held afterwards, it was re- 
 monstrated "that for want of sufficient persons chosen, 
 divers things were passed in Common Council more by clamour 
 than by reason." And it was in consequence ordained, 
 "that the aldermen should thenceforward cause to be chosen 
 four from each of their wards for common council men." This 
 choice of common councilmen, as it is stated in the Liber 
 Albus, "had been aforetime in certain mysteries or crafts, 
 some of which chose six, others four, and others only two.^' 
 
 A second important regulation, emanating from the 
 same remonstrance, was the limiting the number of alder- 
 men among the companies' members. Brembre's company 
 of the grocers, which it has been seen had sixteen alder- 
 men at one time, gave it a preponderance, which easily 
 accounts for that ambitious citizen seizing the mayoralty for 
 two consecutive years. The act of Common Council which 
 passed, prohibited any company from having more than six 
 aldermen. 
 
 * Rot, Pail. 11. 
 
40 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The period we have now arrived at being that in which the 
 companies may be said to have become fully established, it 
 becomes proper for a moment to suspend our narrative, in 
 order to afford the reader a general view of their economy at 
 this time, and during some of the succeeding reigns. To 
 render the subject more elucidatory, our notices shall be 
 arranged under the heads into which the subject naturally 
 divides itself, viz. Their Charters; Refoundation of their 
 Societies; Government and Officers ; Subjection to City Control; 
 Liveries ; Observances ; Halls ; and State and Civic Triumphs 
 and Pageants. The whole of this portion of the history of 
 the companies is extremely curious. 
 
 ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 Charters. — The charters of Edward III. are the earliest ones 
 enrolled, though instances exist of much older grants ; as in the 
 case of the weavers. His first charters were granted to the 
 goldsmiths, linen armourers, and skinners, whose former gild 
 licences he confirmed by letters patent, with new privileges, 
 in the 1st year of his reign. In his 27th, 28th, and 37th year, 
 he similarly confirmed the grocers', fishmongers', drapers', 
 salters', and vintners'. All the charters of the above, and of 
 other sovereigns to the different companies, are enrolled at 
 the Tower of London, previously to the reign of Richard III., 
 and most of them are subsequently recited in inspeximuses 
 deposited at the Rolls Chapel. 
 
 The charters of Edward III. and of his grandson Richard, 
 distinctly point out the reasons of re-constituting the trading 
 fraternities, as well as the principles on which they had been 
 primarily established. We learn from them, that the whole 
 of these societies were, at first, associations of persons actually, 
 and not nominally, professing the trades from which they 
 took denomination ; and that, existing on a principle of gene- 
 ral subscription, they not only possessed an equal share in 
 all rights which themselves had not chosen to delegate, but 
 that all of them when " full brothers," equally participated in 
 whatever advantages accrued to such societies, whether of pro- 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 41 
 
 perty or privileges : all in necessity could claim to be relieved, 
 in proportion to the fraternity's funds ; and in cases of insol- 
 vency at death, the funerals of poor members v^^ere, by their 
 ordinances, to be equally respected with, those of the rich. 
 Finally, elections of officers were bj/ and from the assembled 
 commonalty. 
 
 The charters furnish, moreover, abundant information on 
 other points, — as the sort of authority on w^hich the gilds 
 existed before such grants were made ; their then number 
 and denomination of officers ; and the way in which they 
 regulated and governed themselves : and, above all, they afford 
 hints, which are not otherwise to be obtained, of the nature of 
 the domestic trade and commerce of the metropolis at the time. 
 They grant nearly the same species of privileges to all the 
 companies, whose object, though from the first evidently 
 monopolous, is represented, in their petitions for such char- 
 ters, to be " for the greater good and profit of the people." 
 They pray in them for the exclusion of strangers from the city, 
 on account of what they term "their irregularies and de- 
 fects," which are stated to be productive of great inconveni- 
 ence, and "to the disgrace of the honest men of the said 
 mysteriesJ'^ 
 
 The societies chartered are mostly stated to be of great an- 
 tiquity, or to have existed " from time whereof there is no 
 memory." The privileges granted, (taking the merchant 
 tailor's charter for an instance,) are, as to general meetings, 
 " that they may have and hold their gild once a year," and 
 may, in the same, " settle and govern their mysteries." As to 
 election of officers, that they may choose from among them- 
 selves, "honest, lawful, and sufficient men," best skilled 
 therein, " to inquire of the concerns of their trades, and^ as 
 the goldsmith's charter expresses it, " correct and amend the 
 same by the more honest and sufficient men of the said-myste- 
 ries." As to acquiring property, the charters grant permission 
 to the fraternities to " purchase tenements and rents of small 
 annual value, for relieving their poor and infirm, and for main- 
 taining a chaplain and a chantry. They also confirm the ancient 
 right of search through their respective trades, in order that 
 each of them may detect dishonest practices in his own craft, 
 and punish offenders, subject to the cognizance, or, as it is 
 
42 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 termed, "view of the mayor/' In other charters of this 
 monarch, both to the greater and lesser companies, their form 
 of constitution is more particularly defined. The charter to 
 the tapicers, in 1364, grants that company liberty to elect 
 yearly, on Michaelmas-day, four lawful and discreet men, 
 who shall be notified to the mayor, to oversee by themselves or 
 by their deputies the state of their mystery."^ 
 
 The patents of Richard II. to the great companies con- 
 sisted of confirmations, by inspeximusj of the charters of 
 Edward III., to the goldsmiths, fishmongers, skinners, and 
 linen armourers or tailors: he gave, in his 27th year, their 
 first charter of incorporation to the mercers, and also char- 
 tered the leathersellers, saddlers, weavers, parish clerks, 
 and other minor companies. 
 
 The inspeximuses of this monarch ratify such "good 
 customs" of the several gilds as had been " omitted, or not 
 expressed," in the patents of King Edward; and allow the 
 members to have, hold, and exercise their gild or fraternity 
 of themselves, and of such other persons as they may be 
 willing to admit into their said fraternity." 
 
 They also, like the charters of that king, in general, par- 
 tially incorporate the companies; permitting that "the men 
 of the gild or craft" so incorporated, may, from henceforth, 
 be a perpetual community or society of themselves ; and may 
 yearly elect from amongst them, at pleasure, (de seipsis quo- 
 ciens eis placu'it,) "a certain number of wardens," for the 
 better keeping and regulation, (vel opus fu'it p' gub' nacone 
 custod' et regimine,) of the said fraternity for ever, or, " the 
 said craft and community, and every member thereof," as the 
 goldsmith's charter (1 Edward III.) more fully expresses it. 
 In a few instances there is added the power to make ordi- 
 nances amongst themselves, "for the better government of 
 their fraternities, and, as shall seem to themselves, most ne- 
 cessary and fitting." 
 
 Re-Foundation, <3fc. — An interesting picture of the mode of 
 the Trades assembling, and re-founding their societies, (for the 
 greater part of them, as we have shewn, existed in some 
 form long before they were chartered,) is to be found in the 
 
 * Foeticra, iii. p. 136. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 43 
 
 finely preserved records of the company of grocers, already 
 alluded to^. The books of that company commence in the 
 early part of the reign of Edward III., and, besides the in- 
 formation they afford as to this particular point, they contain 
 the best, if not only account to be met with, of the nature of 
 these associations at the remote period spoken of, under the 
 various heads or divisions we propose to consider them. They 
 abound, also, in conjunction with the books of other com- 
 panies, from which we shall extract, with original illustrations 
 of their own particular concerns, as well as throw many 
 important lights on British history and commerce in general. 
 
 The grocers' first proceedings, on founding their society, 
 exactly resembled those adopted in establishing our common 
 benefit clubs. "Twenty-two persons, carrying on the busi- 
 ness of Pepperers, in Soper's lane, Cheapside, agree to meet 
 together, to a dinner, at the Abbot of Bury's, St. Mary Axe, 
 and commit the particulars of their formation into a trading 
 society to writing. They elect, after dinner, two persons of 
 the company so assembled, Roger Osekyn, and Lawrence de 
 Haliwell, as their first governors or wardens, appointing, at 
 the same time, in conformity with the pious custom of the 
 age, a priest or chaplain to celebrate divine offices for their 
 souls. The details of this meeting and the ordinances which 
 emanated from it, which were subsequently transcribed into 
 the first volume of the minutes of the company, are set forth 
 partly in Norman French, and partly in old English, as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 " En le homf de Dieu & de son douche Mere & de sanct 
 Antonin & de touz saintz, le viceseme jour de Maij, en Tan 
 de grace mil. cccxlv, & del trez noble roi Edward apres le 
 Conquest xix. une frat' nite fuist fonduz des campaignons 
 Peveres de Soperes-lane, p^: amr & unite de plus avoir main- 
 tener & intrester ensem? De quel fraternite sommes comen- 
 seurs fundeurs & doneurs de conserver la dite fraternite. 
 Wi\V? de Grantham," and twenty-one following names; after 
 this it is added : 
 
 • As contained in Mr. Heath's (unpublished) work, entitled, *' Some Account o£ 
 the Grocers' Company," 8vo., 1830, and to which highly curious volume, we here 
 beg leave to acknowledge our obligations for many of the most valuable notices 
 which we are able to present to the reader. 
 
44 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 " Alle these xxij persones before wretyd, were founders of 
 owre fraternite, and the same daie, before wretyn, they were 
 accorded to be togydre at a denner in the abbot's place of 
 Bery, the xij dale of Juyn, in the yere of owre Lord Jhu' 
 m"^ cccxlv., and in the xix yere of kyng Edward the thredde, 
 as it apperyth behynde in the same book in the iiij. lefF: and 
 at the sayd denner were chosyn ij the freste wardynes that 
 ever were of owre fraternyte." 
 
 Towards the above feast or " mangerie," as it is quaintly 
 termed in the books, every member then paid twelve pence, 
 and twenty-three pence more was to be disbursed by the 
 wardens. It was agreed, at the same time, that such feast 
 should be called their "First Assembly," and that the 
 whole brotherhood should adopt a Livery y for which every 
 one was to pay his share, " even on the day of the feast.'* 
 By common assent, it was further ordained, that the priest 
 should begin his duty by singing and praying on the festival 
 of St. John, or Midsummer-day, then next ensuing, for the 
 same brotherhood, and for all christian people, and, for such 
 priest's maintenance, every one was to pay at the rate of one 
 penny a week, his wages in advance of the ensuing year, 
 amounting to four shillings and four pence each member's 
 share; which was done, and the receipt thereof acknowledged 
 by the wardens. Then follow the names of eighteen persons 
 of the company, who are credited among the entries for four 
 shillings and four pence each, making £3 I85. towards the sum 
 of <£4 155. 4c?., the priest's year's wages, as aforesaid, at the 
 rate of one penny a week each, from the twenty-two members. 
 
 A memorandum attached to the account, orders, que le 
 prestre commenceroyt de chanter le iij jour de Julij 'en I'an 
 avant diet & receveroit cheskun semaigne 15?'* 
 
 Such is the way in which the Grocers laid the foundation 
 of their fraternity, and it may, no doubt, be taken, with some 
 little variation, as a specimen of the mode of foundation of all 
 the other fraternities near this time. 
 
 The progress of the above company's stock or funds, as re- 
 corded in the entries of subsequent meetings, is not the least 
 amusing part of their early proceedings. In 1346 their cash 
 
 • Some Account ol the Grocers?' Company, p. 46. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 45 
 
 only amounted to £6 I65. "in silver and gold;" the next 
 year it was £14 7s. 9Jc?., "in gold;" in 1348, it was 
 £22 55. 9t/. ; and in 1349, £31 195. 7^^. Their increase in 
 wealth afterwards kept pace with the enlargement of the 
 company's trade and dealings, which, at this early period, ex- 
 tended to great part of the globe; and the particulars of 
 which are detailed in their book of " Wardens Accounts." 
 
 The government, dress, and observances of the above, and 
 other contemporary companies, form an equally amusing part 
 of their ancient history. 
 
 Government and Officers. — Their government was by bye- 
 laws or ordinances, framed by common assent amongst them- 
 selves, as has been stated, and which were anciently called 
 " PoiNTz." They chiefly regarded the qualifications of mem- 
 bers; keeping of their trade secrets; the regulation of appren- 
 ticeships, and of the company's peculiar concerns; the do- 
 mestic management of the fraternity, and of its funds; and the 
 uniting together of it in brotherly love and affection. To these 
 may be added, as forming a prominent feature in all the 
 ancient communities, the regulation of their religious and other 
 ceremonies. 
 
 The grocers' first ordinances, in 1346, required that each 
 new member " should be of good condicion, and of the craft, 
 and that he should pay 13s. Ad, entrance, or the value 
 thereof." 
 
 The preserving of their trade secrets was a primary ordi- 
 nation of all the fraternities, and continued their leading law 
 as long as they remained actual "working companies," 
 whence arose the names of "mysteries," and "crafts," by 
 which they were for so many ages, and are still occasionally 
 designated.* 
 
 • Madox, Firma Burgi, 32, 3, says, In England men have been told, that 
 in regard there is some mystery in every trade, therefore a trade is called a 
 mystery.'^ That writer, however, rejects the idea of there being any affinity be- 
 tween the secrets of the trades and the term mystery, in the common acceptation 
 of the latter: and derives the custom of calling the companies, "mysteries,'' 
 from the French; who, he says, using the word 'mestierey^ for a craft, art, or 
 employment, the name came to be used here in a similar sense. In a Venetian 
 statute, from which he quotes by way of illustration, (dated 1519,) mention is 
 made of the crafts or trades in their city, by the name of misteri. The term 
 mystery, we see was applied to the trade gilds by the charters of Edward III. and 
 it certainly continued so for ages afterwards. 
 
 Tom Browne very facetiously jokes on this word, iri a letter which he purports 
 to have been sent from an old vintner in the city, to a new one set up in Covent- 
 
46 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The grocers' ordinances of 1463 contained a special article 
 against " discovering the secrets of the craft;" and the six- 
 teenth article of the merchant tailors' ordinances, 1613, 
 expressly ordains, as to the same subject, that " no person of 
 the fraternity shall discover or disclose any of the lawfull 
 secrecies concerning the feates of merchandizing in their owne 
 occupation, or any secrett counsell of the said fraternitie, 
 which ought of reason and conscience to be secretlie kept, 
 without anie utterance thereof to anie other person of another 
 misterie." 
 
 The regulation of apprenticeships formed a second grand 
 article in the early ordinances of all the companies.^ No 
 man was to be admitted into the livery of the grocers, " who 
 had not served the term of his apprenticeship; and then it 
 was to be by advice of the wardens and fellowship, who were 
 to ascertain that he was of good name, a freeman of no other 
 craft, and exempted therefrom; he was to pay for his ad- 
 mission, at least 5s. Apprentices who were approved of were 
 to pay 35. 4d. entrance, and to be made free at the company's 
 place, or at the " Yelde-Halle.'^ Turnover-apprentices, in 
 case of death, or failure of a former master, were to be allowed 
 the remainder of their term. Masters were to pay 20s. to 
 the common box, on taking an apprentice. And " no member 
 was to keep in his shop an apprentice or journeyman who 
 had not served his time to the craft." They had absolute 
 jurisdiction over their respective trades ; and in pursuance of 
 
 garden. "The trade of a vintner," he assures him, " is a perfect mystery for 
 that is the term, he observes, " which the law bestows on it,'^ and adds, "now 
 as all in the world are wholly supported by hard and unintelligible terms, you 
 must take care, in this spirit of mystery, to christen your wines by some hard 
 names, the farther fetched the better." 
 
 * " Many were the bye-laws and regulations by which these interests were 
 secured, but none were .so decisively effectual as those by which long apprentice- 
 ships were ordained. The scion thus grafted upon the stock of monojjoly was, 
 like the parent plant itself, originally of foreign growth ; but very soon became, 
 in most mercantile corporations in England, the only branch which produced the 
 fruit of civic freedom. It is remarkable, however, that although service by 
 apprenticeship became by degrees the more regular and usual path to enfranchise- 
 ment in London, this burthensome progress was never universally established 
 amongst the trading companies, or as of absolute necessity in the civic corporation 
 Itself. Any inhabitant, or even stranger might, and may still be admitted a 
 member of man}', if not most of the companies, and also to the freedom of the 
 City, by virtue of his title by birth or patrimony ; or by right become a candidate 
 for admission, either by donation, or by a pecuniary payment usually exacted on 
 such occasions. In the latter case he became free by what is called redemption, 
 an expression implying the purchased acquisition of the more authentic title." 
 — Commentaries on London, p. 138. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 47 
 
 the right of search, before mentioned, the principals of each 
 company were accustomed, somewhat in the manner of a 
 jury, to take regular rounds. The ordinances of the grocers 
 (who for several ages had the oversight of drugs, amongst 
 numerous other articles,) enjoin their wardens "to go and 
 assayen weights, powders, confeccions, plasters, oyntments, 
 and all other thynges belonging to the same crafte," and to 
 notice every shop where they found defects, in order that 
 they might be redressed. In like manner we find the gold- 
 smiths had the assay of metals; the fishmongers, the 
 oversight and rejection of fish brought to London, w^hich they 
 disliked; the vintners*, the tasting and gauging of wines, and 
 so of others. 
 
 The merchant tailors' records, at a later date, state that 
 company to have possessed not only the right of trade search, 
 but that they kept "a silver yard," for the admeasurement of 
 cloth, which is said to have weighed thirty-six ounces, and to 
 have had the company's arms engraven on it. With this stand- 
 ard they forages attended West Smithfield duringBartholomew 
 fair, at the time when cloth formed the great article of com- 
 merce of the part of it, still called, from that circumstance, 
 " Cloth fair." This custom appears from an entry in the com- 
 pany's court books, under the year 1567, w^hen it was directed 
 "that fit persons shall be appointed on the vigil of the eve of 
 St. Bartholomew, to see that a proper yard measure be used." 
 And, in 1566, we find one Pullen to have been committed by 
 the court to prison, " for using an unlawful yard, which was 
 found in his shop at the time of the search." Their records 
 further mention, under the year 1612, that it was the custom 
 to have a dinner at Merchant Tailors' Hall, "for the search 
 on St. Bartholomew's eve." All these searches were, how- 
 ever, subjected to the control of the City, and were not to be 
 in violation of any of its privileges. 
 
 * In an argument of the corporation of London, against the granting of fresh 
 privileges to the Tallow Chandlers' company, as to their right of trade search, it 
 was averred, "That the maior and aldermen of the city, and all other, the chief 
 governors thereof, and their predecessors, always, time out of mind, had, and used 
 to have, the view, search, and direction of all mysteries and crafts within the city, 
 for and concerning all manner of deceits and defaults in all things touching their 
 mysteries, which was to be proved, as w-ell by the daily usage as also by a great 
 number of records and precedents of the said city. And, besides the general usage 
 
48 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Similar examples of punishment to those of the merchant 
 tailors, for frauds met with on these occasions, are frequent 
 in the books of the grocers',(i) and most of the companies who 
 possess these old records, and some of them are very amusing. 
 The books of the Brewers' Company, 1421, contain a long and 
 curious story of the perverseness of one William Payne, at the 
 sign of the Swan, by St. Anthony's Hospital, Threadneedle 
 street, which originated in his refusal to contribute a barrel of 
 ahy to be sent to the king (Henry V.), whilst he was in 
 France. " For this affair he was fined 3s. Ad., for a swan for 
 the master's breakfast; and refusing to pay, was imprisoned: 
 afterwards contemptuously resolving not to wear the com- 
 pany's livery," he was brought before the mayor, and even- 
 tually conformed; but, it is added, "was very long before he 
 could be humbled and brought to good behaviour." 
 
 Another story, in which a swan was also the fine, occurs 
 ^oon after, in the same books. It details the ill treatment of 
 Simon Potkin, of the Key^ at Aldgate, who had paid 20c?. to 
 a friend to procure a certificate of the " oppressive acts," as 
 they are styled, of the famous Sir Richard Whittington, then 
 lord mayor, and who appears to have been particularly severe 
 with the retailers of ale ; this Potkin, on being fined by the 
 chamberlain for bad measure, excused himself by saying that 
 " he had given money to the masters [of the Brewers,] that he 
 might sell at his own will." For this slander he is stated to 
 have got into great trouble with his company, and to have 
 been only finally pardoned, on paying 35. Ad., for a swan, to 
 be eaten by the masters; but, out of which, it is added, "he 
 was allowed his own share." 
 
 Other of the company's Points regarded their domestic con- 
 
 and custom, there were special grants and charters made to the city, touching the 
 particular things then in question." Strype's Stow, 1720, ii., p. 211. 
 
 (') The two following entries are specimens. '^1456: A Fyne of John 
 Ayshfelde.^^ "M™ That John Ayshfelde hath put him to rewle for ofFens don 
 in makynge of untrewe powder gynger, cynamon, and saunders, for which offens 
 doon, the wardeyns and the feliship associed be fully accorded that he shalle maak 
 a fyne of vi*. viij<f ; and in case so be y^* he be fownde in suche another tres- 
 passe, that then he to be rewled by the avyse of the wardeynes and the felischipe 
 associed; what they wil do ther in hye and lowe." And (same date) "y^ Fyne,'' 
 wherein ^'Jo/m Freyach" did " put him to rewle for ofFens doon in rydynge 
 into countre with wares unsolde ; for which ofFens doon y^ wardeynes and the 
 felischipe associed" fully concluded that he should pay a fine of 3s. Ad. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 49 
 
 duct and arrangements, most of them were admirably calcu- 
 lated for the good government and guardianship of their fra- 
 ternities, and some of them were excellent. Amongst the 
 early ordinances of the grocers were these: 
 
 "That no man of the fraternite take his neyghbor's house 
 y* is of the same fraternite, or enhaunce the rent against the 
 wille of the forsaid neyghbor. Who that is fownde in the 
 defawlt shall paye att the tyme x.^ y.* is to wetyn v.^ to the fra- 
 ternite, and v-^ to hym y* is thus put owt of his howse." Va- 
 rious instances of the enforcement of this article are preserved 
 in the minutes.''^ 
 
 Perjury, or an oath taken by a member "for his declaracion 
 in the pysence of the wardeyns and the felischip associed 
 upon a boke, contrary e to the trewth, and a reasonable use 
 made thereupon," was deservedly held to be a high crime in 
 this company; and was " to be punished by the wardens and 
 society with suche correction, as that other men of the felhship 
 might be warned thereby;" and, by a later ordinance as to 
 this point, it was agreed " that such an one shall be put out 
 of the feliship for euhxiore with* any redempcion." 
 
 The charitable feeling of the grocers for unfortunate mem- 
 bers was highly praiseworthy. Any such becoming poor from 
 " adventures on the sea, or by the advanced price of merchan- 
 dize, or by borrowing and pledging, or by any other mis- 
 fortunes," might, by ordination of the wardens and company, 
 "be assisted out of the common money, according to his 
 situation, (if he could not do without,) when they were able 
 to maintain him or them by the said money." To afford 
 
 * The following is one of the most curious specimens : — Fyne of Richard Haale 
 andThomas Hove. That the vxij day of March, an*? Ivj was Richard Haale and 
 Thomas Hovebefoore the wardeynes of y*; feleshepe associed, and there examined 
 for offences doon in enhaunsynge and willynge to putte Edmond Tervyle out of his 
 howse. And the said Richard and Thomas ther opynly confessed themselfes and 
 weren founded defectyf, for which offens don contraye to the good old ordinaunce 
 wi'etyn ; the wardeyns and the feleshepe associed, have fully concluded that the 
 sayd Richard and Thomas shall brynge in xf sterlynges, accordynge to y^ afore 
 said ordinaunce. At which fyne-makynge was pr'sente my maystre, John Walden, 
 alderman ; Rob* Carstange, and Edward Warmygnton, wardeynes ; John 
 Maidens, John Blaunch, Henre Haale, Will'um Edwards, George Erland, and 
 John Alyn. And the v. daye of Apryll next followynge was fully concluded by 
 the wardeynes and the feleshepe associed, that Edmund Tervyle shulde have de- 
 ly vered to hym by the sayd wardeynes sterlynges of the sayd xf , and the 
 wardeynes to kepe the othjT vf sterlynges, accordynge to ther olde ordinaunce v." 
 The ordinance alluded to is the one just given. — Some account of the Grocers' 
 Company, p. 323. 
 
 E 
 
50 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 afterwards a settled asylum for distress, this, and all the com- 
 panies, early built dwellings next their halls. Hence we 
 trace the various almshouses of the companies, which, though 
 afterwards generally removed, owing to the increased value of 
 their original situations, have, in our own day, been erected 
 on other and more pleasant sites in a superior style, and still 
 form some of the noblest and most gratifying charities around 
 London. 
 
 The settlement of disputes, as well as claims of debt, were 
 judiciously provided for, unless in extreme cases, without re- 
 sorting to the modern evil of law. The authority of the master 
 and wardens was on this, as indeed all other points, all but 
 absolute. 
 
 "If any debate is between any of the fraternite, for mis- 
 governaunce of wordes, or askyng of dette, or any other 
 thynges," say the grocers' ordinances (1463), "then anon 
 the party playntiff shall come to the master and tell his 
 grievaunce, and the master shall make an ende thereof." If 
 any member had " a dispute on any other matter wrongfully," 
 he was, in like manner, to go with the person whom he dif- 
 fered with "to the master, to have the matter redressed to 
 the best advantage that could be to save his honour:" and if 
 no penalty should be imposed on the defendant, the expenses 
 of apphcation were to fall on the party complaining. 
 
 If it was found impracticable to compromise such disputes, 
 then, and not till then, by leave of the master, the parties 
 might " go to the lawe." The grocers' books record no in- 
 stances of this folly amongst their members; but, in the 
 minutes of other companies, and particularly those of the 
 merchant tailors, there are several. Thus, 1568, there is 
 "licence granted, in the latter, to one Elston, a member, to 
 arrest Brackshaw;" and in the same year leave is farther 
 granted by the master "to Edward Baker, to take the lawe 
 of J. Garrett." 
 
 Speaking disrespectfully in presence of the court; striking 
 each other, or calling names ; offending against the sumptuary 
 laws in dress ; employing non-freemen (called " foreigners,") 
 to work for them ; as well as frauds connected with the 
 management of their trades, were afterwards punished with 
 the same rigour by all the other fraternities. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 51 
 
 Of Officers. — The alderman, it has been shewn, was the 
 chief, whilst the trade fraternities were called gilds. Eschevins, 
 elders, and other names, succeeded, and were in some instances 
 contemporaneous. The merchant tailors were unique in 
 styling their principal " pilgrim," on account of his tra- 
 velling for them. BaiUffs, masters, wardens, purveyors, 
 and other names, became usual designations when they were 
 chartered. From Richard II • to Henry VIL their chief 
 officers are styled wardens of the craft " wardens of 
 the said mystery ;" "masters" or "wardens," of such gild as 
 they presided over; " wardens and purveyors;" "guardians 
 or wardens;" "bailiffs," and "custodes or keepers." 
 
 The duties attached to these stations are specified in the 
 earliest regulations, and fines were imposed for refusing to 
 accept the situations themselves, or neglecting the duties of 
 them after being elected. 
 
 The wardens of the grocers', who on being duly chosen 
 should refuse to serve, were to pay within eight days ensuing 
 10 marks, for the salary of the priest for one year, and " to 
 be put out of the brotherhood for alle dayes ;" but " forasmoche 
 as it was laboureuse to hem that ben wardeyns for the yere," 
 the fraternity, in consideration thereof, and " of the costs of the 
 forseid wardeyns," agreed that "he that had ben onys 
 wardeyn" should not be again until " vii yere after should be 
 complete and fulfilled." On accepting the office they were 
 to take on them the following charges, namely, 
 
 "To convene four meetings in the year, principally, to 
 treat of the common business of the mystery ; such meetings 
 to take place in the months of May, August, November, and 
 February; to perform the articles agreed on, and to well and 
 loyally keep all the ordinances then made, or thereafter to be 
 made, " for the com'on good, and by the com'on assente of 
 the said fraternite." They were prohibited, in order not to 
 endanger the "com'on good," to " adventure ou' the see," 
 " neyther to land the com'on goods but at their own aventure." 
 " The com'on seale of the felliship" was not to be given out 
 by him, "for no nianer, matter, nor cause," but by the 
 advice of " the wardeyns and the associat', or moost of 
 theym." They were besides to promise, " bona fide, accord- 
 ing to the utmost of their power, without having regard 
 
 e 2 
 
52 
 
 IIISTOKICAL ESSAY. 
 
 to any single profit or favor of any person, to render a true 
 and faithful account of all their receipts, to the new masters, 
 in the presence of auditors chosen for that purpose." 
 
 "A Bedel," "towarne and summon the felliship, as often 
 as bidden by the wardeyns," was engaged as early as the year 
 1348, to whom for his trouble was assigned, "his clothyngof 
 the livery," and four pence per week. The first person 
 named to this office was a John Leanter, and on his being 
 superannuated, in 1359, he was allowed a retiring pension of 
 sixpence per week. In subsequent ordinances of the company 
 it was agreed " that the bedel should be payed v markes a 
 yere and a gowne," when they gave a new livery, and " meate 
 and drink with the wardeyns for the time being." Besides 
 summoning the fellowship, it was the beadle's duty, after 
 the old custom, to head the company's processions, mounted 
 on horseback, in a crimson livery, and followed by minstrels; 
 he also performed journeys of business as the company's 
 agent, and was, on many other accounts, an important per- 
 sonage on the establishment. 
 
 A Priest or chaplain, to pray for the welfare of the society 
 and its concerns, was considered an indispensable part of all 
 the fraternities, secular and religious. The grocers, we have 
 seen, made choice of one at their first meeting; and, by an 
 article in their second ordinance, every member was enjoined 
 " to pay vi^^ to the wardeyns for finding such priestis wagis, 
 and for relieving the almsmen of the felliship." 
 
 The office of Clerk, now the most important one the com- 
 panies have at their disposal, does not appear to have been 
 regularly instituted among the grocers till 1460, though the 
 excellent way in which their books were kept from their first 
 meeting implies the engagement of some person long be- 
 fore, as a substitute for that officer. His yearly salary was 
 £6 13s. 4:d. In several of the other companies the clerk is 
 distinctly mentioned at a much earlier period. The brewers' 
 records notice the death of their clerk, "John Morey," in 
 1418; and soon after state, that " William Porlond was taken 
 to the same office, to be clerk of the said brewers. They 
 resided with their families (if any) at the hall: for an entry in 
 the same book of the following year, states the masters to 
 have "licensed and granted to the said Wilham Porlond, 
 common clerk of the craft aforesaid, and to his wife, Dionizia, 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 53 
 
 and to his children and servants, free and quiet dwelling in 
 the hall of the company, commonly called ' Brewers' Hall ;' 
 with the use of the chamber, and of the utensils and neces- 
 saries belonging to the said hall." It was the duty of the 
 clerk, amongst his other important functions, to be the dis- 
 creet depositary of the company's secrets. All transactions 
 and securities connected with their property and privileges 
 were conducted by, and intrusted to him. He was keeper 
 of the company's common seal, the guardian of the muniment- 
 room, and the officer by, or under whose direction, all 
 their books and records were kept and registered. Modern 
 times have added many other duties to the clerk's place, 
 which make it one now of high trust and emolument. 
 
 Cook, is an officer not expressly mentioned in the grocers' 
 early books ; but as our ancestors, like ourselves, seem to 
 have considered that no important work could be prosperously 
 undertaken without a good dinner, (and this dinner, anciently, 
 was always prepared at the hall,) no doubt can exist but 
 that this " indispensable corporate officer" was one of the 
 first that was appointed. We might enlarge on this subject 
 by recalling to memory what has just been stated, that the 
 grocers, when they first met to form a fraternity, began with 
 their pic-nic at the abbot of Bury's, and continued a like 
 sort of entertainment through all their meetings; but we 
 shall reserve a fuller discussion of the subject for its proper 
 place, the description of the halls and festivities of the 
 companies. 
 
 Assistants, are to be traced in the councils of twelve of 
 the Saxon gilds, and in the eschevins and elders of those of 
 the Norman era. The first hint of them in the Livery Com- 
 panies occurs in the records of the grocers, under the year 
 1379, when six persons of that company were chosen to aid 
 the wardens in the discharge of their duties: they were to 
 be elected annually, and to forfeit 12 J. every time they failed 
 in their attendance. The resolution for their appointment is 
 thus worded in the original entry:. 
 
 " At yf furst congregacyon of y^ wardeyns there shall be 
 chosin six of yf companie to be helpyng and counsellynge 
 of yf same wardeyns for the yeere foUowinge." 
 
 The substitute for these assistants in 1346 was four 
 
54 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 persons (William Grantham, William de Hanapested, Thomas 
 Freland, and John de Bromford), who are stated " to have 
 been chosen by all the company to superintend the accounts 
 and delivery of the wardens." In 1349, the number of these 
 auditors appears to have been reduced to two; the retiring- 
 wardens' accounts of that year being stated to be rendered to 
 John de Gonwardby and Robert de Hatfelde, as " auditors 
 of the accounts." 
 
 Something like a court, it is probable, soon followed the 
 appointment of the first-mentioned six assistants or coun- 
 sellors; for, in after-entries of the reign of Edward III. their 
 successors are denominated "the feliship associed." Mr. 
 Heath has also engraved a curious antique memorial, yet 
 remaining with the company, evidently an appurtenance of 
 these early courts ; and which seems to have been a substitute 
 for the bell and hammer of modern courts or committees. 
 It is a little carved figure of St. Anthony, holding a small 
 bell, which the master or chairman struck, when he wished 
 to gain the attention of the meetings. A particular account 
 of this interesting relic will be given hereafter. 
 
 The brewers' books, in 1420, mention in decided terms the 
 establishment in that company of what may be considered a 
 court of assistants, though not so named, and specify its 
 duties. The entry which records the occurrence states a 
 " resolution made by Thomas Greene, master, and the three 
 wardens, ^ and others,^ that they and their successors should 
 meet a ' brewereshalle,' there to hold their communication, 
 on what necessities of the same craft were to be enquired of, 
 sought into, and executed by them, as they should see most 
 expedient for its honor and prosperity." Their meetings 
 were to be held every Monday, except when changed to other 
 days on account of festivals. This company's affairs had 
 evidently been conducted previously by general assemblies of 
 the companies, with the masters; for the year before (1419) 
 the clerk is said to have been elected by the master and 
 wardens, " with the counsell and unanimous consent of the 
 brewers' craft." 
 
 The books of the merchant tailors, in noticing this sort 
 of court, make the first mention we have met with of 
 Assistants, by name, in 1512; when "the common clerk of 
 
ANCIENT STATK OK THE COMPANIES. 
 
 55 
 
 the company," (Henry Maynard,) is said, in an entry 
 amongst their minutes, to have " transacted certain affairs of 
 the company, at the commandment and request of the master 
 and wardens, with the advice of the more part of the most 
 substanciall and discreet persons, assistants and counsellors 
 of the said fraternity." In the reign of Elizabeth, mention 
 is made in the same company's records of " promiscuous 
 courts of assistants," and " ordering courts of masters and 
 wardens," together in succession. The merchant tailors 
 also constituted what they called " wardens substitutes," 
 which were a sort of court of sixteen persons, " to aid and 
 assist in such matters as the court of assistants should direct." 
 Dr. Wilson's list, in his History of Merchant-tailors' School, 
 of the latter courts, when Sir William White, (the Oxford 
 founder,) and other eminent men, were on them, shews their 
 members to have been numerous at this time. 
 
 Subjection to City Control. — The subjection of the com- 
 panies to the mayor has been shewn by their charters, 
 and by the oath "of the wardens of crafts," already copied. 
 It had, however, been acknowledged before the existence 
 of either of those authorities, by the appeal of the 
 weavers and burillers to Elias Russel, in the reign of 
 Edward I. It was also admitted, by the weavers being 
 exempted from such control by the grant of Henry II.,; 
 and by King John's revoking that grant, on being promised 
 an additional ferme by the city. Common sense would indeed 
 prove that a sort of visiting jurisdiction over the trade 
 societies of the metropolis must, from their foundation, have 
 existed, as a matter of necessity, in the civic authorities. * 
 We shall only stop at present to give a few specimens of the 
 
 * The brewers acknowledge this subjection in a very humble petition, dated 
 1435, in which they address the chief city magistrate as their "right worshipfuil 
 and gracious lord and sovereign, the maior of London." In after ages the 
 mayor, (virtute officii,) is styled " master of all the companies," (City Records, 
 Rep. 29, fo. 182.) In a contest respecting the rights of a minor company in the 
 reign of Elizabeth, they similarly speak of him, as " the warden of all the 
 companies." The return to a habeas corpus in 1616 sets out the precise 
 jurisdiction of the court of aldermen over the companies. ( Jor. City Records, Adams, 
 No. 40, fo. 375.) Ever since alderman Plumber's case, in 1775, who was master 
 of the Goldsmiths' Company, and refused to attend a common hall, on the precept 
 of the mayor (Beckford), to present to the crown a petition for redress of griev- 
 ances, (and which refusal was sanctioned by the Court of King's Bench,) several 
 companies have uniformly declined to attend common halls, unless for election 
 purposes. — Vide Commentaries on London. 
 
56 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 City's exercise of this power, and chiefly with a view to amuse- 
 ment. It will be seen from them, that the mayor could fine 
 and imprison the wardens of companies at his pleasure ; and 
 that it was common to make presents, or, what modern times 
 would call, give bribes, in order to obtain favour during his 
 year of mayoralty. The instances we shall quote are from 
 the records just referred to of the brewers'. They are curious 
 for giving the character of each mayor, accordingly as he 
 proved favourable or unfavourable to the craft. 
 
 The first entry we meet with is in 1422, and respects an 
 information against the company for selHng dear ale. The 
 complainant in this case was no less a personage than the 
 renowned Sir Richard Whittington. The substance of it, 
 translated from the original, in Norman French, follows: 
 
 " On Thursday, July 30, 1422, Robert Chichele, the mayor, 
 sent for the masters and twelve of the most worthy of our 
 company to appear at the Guildhall ; to whom John Fray, the 
 recorder, objected a breach of government, for which 20/. 
 should be forfeited for selling dear ale. After much dispute 
 about the price and quality of malt, wherein ' Whityngtone,' 
 the late mayor, declared ^ that the brewers had ridden into 
 the country and forestalled the malt, to raise its price,' they 
 were convicted in the penalty of 20/. ; which objecting to, 
 the masters were ordered to be kept in prison in the cham- 
 berlain's custody, until they should pay it, or find security for 
 the payment thereof." 
 
 Whittington having obtained his conviction, and the mayor 
 and court of aldermen " gone homeward to their meat," the 
 masters (who, the record proceeds to state, remained in cus- 
 tody,) " asked the chamberlain and clerk what they should 
 do? who bade them go home, and promised that no harm 
 should come to them ,• for all this proceeding had been done 
 but to please Richard Whityngtone, for he was the cause of 
 all the foresaid judgement." 
 
 The same year furnishes an example of the city's control 
 in what may be termed the impressment of the companies 
 into the public service. It states that in 
 
 " 1422, Parliament having enacted that all the weirs or 
 ' rydells,' in the Thames between Staines and Gravesend, and 
 Qiiecnsborough, should be destroyed, the mayor and common 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 57 
 
 council ordained that two men from each of the twenty-six 
 crafts should go out with the mayor for this business. With 
 the brewers were joined six other crafts, viz. the girdlers, 
 fletchers, salters, barbers, dyers, and tallow-chandlers, 
 who were all to go in one harge. The fletchers excusing 
 themselves as being too busy on account of preparing * artil- 
 lery' for the king, (who was then in France,) were permitted 
 to find substitutes, and make payment. 
 
 " Thomas Grene and Robert Swannefeld were chosen on 
 this occasion to go up to Kingston on the part of the brewers, 
 who spent 13s. ; and Robert Carpenter and John Mason 
 to go to Gravesend, who spent 205. ; each having a reward 
 of 6s. 8J. They moreover paid to the chamberlain 56s. for 
 three workmen for twenty-eight days, and by order of the 
 mayor levied the amount on the craft for this purpose ; but 
 which (it is added) was with difficulty collected." 
 
 The system of bribery is entertainingly illustrated by the 
 following entries : 
 
 1422-3. " A note (in Latin) that WilUam Walderne (mayor 
 that year) behaved well to the company, until two or three 
 weeks before his retirement from office ;" when, beginning to 
 annoy them, they " assuaged his displeasure" by presenting 
 to him " a boar, price 20s. ; and an ox, price 175." 
 
 Whittington himself is stated to have received a douceur 
 through his servant, in an item of expenditure in the warden's 
 accounts afterwards ; which debits the company 11. 3s. 4c?. 
 "for ij pipes of red wyne to Richard Whetyngton's butler." 
 In a succeeding mayoralty another sum of i3/. 6s. is 
 charged " for gyfts to the lord maior." Other entries record 
 the receiving of presents of different kinds, both by the chief 
 magistrate and his officers ; or speak of such gifts as custo- 
 mary compliments to obtain favour. Thus we find in 
 
 1423, an entry of " money given to divers Serjeants of the 
 maior, for to be good friends to our craft," or, as it is after- 
 wards worded, " for their labour to the profit of the craft." 
 Mention is also made of 16/. " given to a tasker of the kings, 
 to suffer our carpenters still in our work ;" (who were arti- 
 sans employed at this time in the repairs of the company's 
 hall, and were liable to be impressed for the king's works.) 
 
 1424. "A record in praise of John Michelle." — He was mayor 
 
58 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 this year ; and, though a receiver of presents, like his prede- 
 cessors, is eulogised, because " he was a good man, and meek 
 and soft to speak with. When he was sworn into office, the 
 brewers gave to him an ox that cost 2l5. 2c?. and a boar, price 
 3O5. Id. ; so that he did no harm to the brewers, and advised 
 them to make good ale, that he might not have any complaint 
 against them." 
 
 The preceding year, 1423, affords an example of a mayor 
 who would 7iot take a bribe. The entry is in these words : 
 
 " William Crowmere, mayor this year, was a good man, 
 and well pleased all the citizens, especially the brewers ; 
 when the masters offered gifts to him he thanked them, but 
 would not receive awj/." 
 
 A long notice in Latin describes the character and beha- 
 viour to the company of Robert Chichely, mayor in 1423, 
 who, it is said, always treated the brewers well, and early 
 exhorted them to due diligence in their craft, and to prevent 
 transgressors." It concludes with mentioning a regulation 
 made by him as to the beer trade of the time, not exactly 
 applying to our present subject, but curious. It was — 
 
 " That retailers of ale should sell the same in their houses 
 in pots of ^peutre/ sealed and open ; and that whoever car- 
 ried ale to the buyer should hold the pot in one hand and a 
 cup in the other ; and that all who had pots unsealed should 
 be fined." 
 
 Liveries, — Liveries are not mentioned to have been worn by 
 any of the companies before the reign of Edward I., as observed 
 in the case of the sadlers,* and then they emanated from them- 
 selves. Stow had not read "of any licences procured by them to 
 wear liveries but at their governor's discretion to appoint, and 
 as discretion asked, sometimes in triumphant manner, some- 
 times in more mourning wise ; and such liveries," he adds, 
 " they took upon them as well before as since they were by 
 licence associated into such brotherhoods." He instances, 
 of the former kind, a procession of the citizens in 1329, on 
 Edward the First's marriage, at Canterbury, with his second 
 queen, Margaret, when the fraternities rode, to the number of 
 six hundred, in one livery of red and white, with the connu- 
 
 * Strype's Stow, 1754, 11, p. 246. 
 
ANCIENT STATE Ob' THE COMPANIES. 
 
 59 
 
 zajices of their mysteries embroidered on their sleeves."* 
 They are also described by Matthew Paris to have worn a 
 costume at the marriage of Henry III. ; but their dress on 
 these occasions could not be denominated a livery in the 
 modern sense of the term, as the crafts were all dressed alike. 
 Of their afterwards assuming a mourning dress, Stow instances 
 the case of Henry the Seventh's funeral, when the corpora- 
 tion of London, with all the livery companies, met the king's 
 body in St. George's Fields dressed in black.-f 
 
 The grocers' resolutions, as we have seen, prescribe the 
 wearing of a livery to that company, at their first meeting in 
 1345; and from their ordinances in 1348, which are, perhaps, 
 the earliest known in which the fashion of it is particularized, 
 we find that the common habit consisted of an upper and an 
 under garment, called a " coat and surcote the cloak or 
 gown, and the hood, being reserved for ceremonials, and com- 
 pleting what was termed " the full suit'^ There seems also 
 to have been an undress, or part dress, called " the hooding ;" 
 perhaps allowed to freemen, who were not esteemed " full 
 brothers," like the livery. In the fishmongers' gild of St. 
 Peter, some years later,J it is ordained that 
 
 " Ones in eu^y yere ayens the fest of Seint Peter and Poule, 
 the same fratrnite, that is to seye, eu^y p'son thereof, shall 
 have the lyu^e, be it hole clothing or elles hodyng atte ordi- 
 nuince of the wardeyns for the tyme beyng, and that eu'y 
 p'son kepe his clothyng and lyu^'e to (two) yere durynge, 
 withouten geoyng it away to prentys, or to any other man or 
 woman that is nought of the same frat^nite."§ 
 
 * Strype's Stow, 1247. 
 t Ibid. 
 
 + Lib. S. Petri, MS. Guildhall Library. 
 
 § Stow notices the hood (which was evidently copied from the monk's cowl) 
 as an indispensable appendage to the ancient civic liveries. The coverture of 
 men's heads in these times, he says, was hoods ; for neither cap nor hat is spoken 
 of, except in the case of John Wells, mayor ; and he refers to the liveries of 
 Thomas of Lancaster, in the reign of Edward IL, who allowed to every garment 
 of his liveries fur, to fur their hoods ; and to the pictures of aldermen in the reign 
 of Henry VL and Edward IV., who, with their scarlet gowns " on their backs, 
 wore hoods on their heads." He mentions also a representation of the mayor in 
 stained glass remaining in the guildhall cLapel, sitting " in a habit party-coloured, 
 and an hood on his head, the common-clerk and others bareheaded, with their 
 hoods on their shoulders and therefore he took it that square caps, as then 
 worn, had their rise not earlier than Henry VH. Sir John White, amongst the 
 "young aldermen" the author sneers at, as the first, he says, that wore the flat 
 round cap, and left that example to his followers. He speaks also of the Spanish 
 
60 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 To be admitted on the livery of a company was technically 
 called " having the clothing." The grocers' fraternity were 
 to be " clothed once a year in a suit of livery ; and if they 
 desire more, the same to be by assente, whether as coats or 
 surcotes the purchase of this dress was to be made by the 
 wardens, who were to receive a deposit of one penny from 
 each person ordering it, forty pence more when the livery was 
 bought, and the balance when it was delivered to the wearer. 
 It was to be worn by all the fraternity, and was to last for 
 two years. By a subsequent order, stating that some per- 
 sons of the mystery had liveries made by such as were not of 
 the fraternity. The fraternity's livery was to be worn by none 
 but members, and was to be bought against Saint Anthony's 
 day, in the month of May, when the whole brotherhood, 
 but not strangers, were to be clothed in a full suit.* 
 
 Liveries, in the manner of the fraternities, becoming some 
 years afterwards a general and dangerous party badge, it was 
 ordained by Act 20 Pdch. II. s. 1, "that no varlets called 
 yeomen, nor none others of less estate than esquire, shall use 
 nor bear no badge or livery, called livery of company, (ne porte 
 null signe ne livTee appelle livTee de compaignie,) of any lord 
 within the realm, unless he be menial, or familiar, oi continual 
 officer of his said lord." And it was further ordained, by 
 statute of 26 Rich. II., 
 
 felt hats, in his time beginning to supersede even the round cap itself ; but 
 adds, " in London, amongst the graver sort, I mean the livery of companies, re- 
 maineth a memory of the hoods of old time worn by their predecessors." He 
 continues : " these hoods were worn, the roundlet upon their heads, the skirts to 
 hang behind in their necks to keep them warm, the tippet to be on the shoulder, 
 or to wind about their necks, &c." (Strype, ii. p. 248.) The hood was 
 not confined to the livery companies. Alerks, bishop of Carlisle in the reign 
 of Richard II., is represented with that article of dress. It is plenteous in old 
 monumental representations of citizens. The judge's coif and the monk's cowl 
 were a species of hood. In more modern days, it existed in the red cloaks with 
 which the farmers' wives went to market. It is now almost wholly superseded by 
 the cape and the tippet. 
 
 * The permission to wear the livery was afterwards extended to honorarj^ mem- 
 bers. In 143.5, a receipt of 20/. is acknowledged from " Sir Henry Bamfiete, for 
 his entry into the clothynge and brotherhood," {Account of Grocers' Coynpany, 
 p. 47.) This custom, by which the crafts broke their own laws, in admitting 
 strangers to understand their " mysteries," had become common in other compa- 
 nies before this date. The brewers' books have a " Mem'dum : That Cornelius 
 Gheene, a Dutchman, was admitted a freeman of the Brewers' Company, in the 
 mayoralty of Drugo BarentjTi, and was afterwards levied in the wars of King 
 Henry V. as one of the king's esquires ; and that, on his return from France, 
 wishing to renew his connection with the company, he was admitted on paying 
 his arrears of JO.v., and 2*. for two years to come." 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 61 
 
 "That no spiritual or temporal lord, or others of less estate, 
 or of whatsoever condition he might be, should give livery of 
 cloth, either to the familiars of his household, his relations or 
 kin, his stewards, council, or to the bailiffs of his manors : 
 and also, that no livery should be given under colour of a gild 
 or fraternity, or of any other association, whether of gentry, 
 or servants, or of the commonalty ; but that the whole should 
 be aboHshed within ten months next after the parliament then 
 sitting : and further, that any taking Hvery contrary to that 
 ordination, might be imprisoned without redemption : that the 
 gild and fraternities offending, should lose their franchises, 
 and those having no franchises, should forfeit 100/. to the 
 king.^'^ 
 
 It was in consequence of these statutes, as we shall see, 
 that the companies were thenceforward obliged to have the 
 king's licence to wear liveries : the nature of them seems to 
 have been left to their own fancy. 
 
 All the companies continued to vary in the colour of this 
 habit, until it became settled, about the beginning of the 
 seventeenth century ; but they appear, notwithstanding their 
 difference as to colours, to have all dressed, as to fashion, 
 nearly uniform as now. 
 
 In the grocers' books, under the year 1414, that company 
 are stated to have worn "scarlet and green." In 1418, "scar- 
 let and black." At the commencement of Henry the Sixth's 
 reign the colours had changed to "murrey and plunket;" the 
 former described to be "a darkly-red," and the latter "a kind 
 of blue." The grocers' colours are afterwards mentioned to 
 be "murrey and plunket celestyne," the latter, a sky-coloured 
 blue, 322 yards of which cloth (of the two colours) are 
 stated to have cost 102Z. lis. dd. In 1450 this company had a 
 little varied the above colours ; their blue gowns being ordered 
 to be thenceforth of " vyolette in grayne," and " for hodyes, 
 parted with crymsyn." Their beadle's under dress, in the reign 
 
 • " Assigning liveries to dependants and followers had been common from the 
 Conquest, viz. for the king's judges, ministers, servants and others. (Fide Hist. 
 Exch. 1, -pp. 204, 220.j The nobility and others used to clothe their followers, 
 about the reign of Richard II. for the purpose of maintaining their state and 
 quarrels ; when they began to be denounced under the name of * Mamtainers.' 
 The adoption of liveries by the companies was probably in imitation. When 
 they had got into established use, we find the aldermen assuming the power of 
 granting and regulating them ; and they subsequently required that the companies 
 should attend in that garb at all solemnities." — Comment, on London. 
 
62 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 of Henry IV., is said to have been of " grene cloth;" 3 yards 
 of which, in 1401, cost 75. as by the following entry : 
 
 " Paie a le Bedyl Rob! Storoi po'. son vesture encoutre no- 
 vele, po\ iij. verges d^p. verd. vijs." 
 
 " Sanguine," or " cloth of blood-colour," (also a species 
 of red,) ^' parted with rayes," or striped cloth, and combined 
 with green, were leading colours in other companies. The 
 wardens' accounts of the brewers contain in 5 Henry V. 
 entries of the purchase of "fine green cloth and cours-cloth," 
 (drap. verd fyn and cours-cloth,) of divers drapers for that 
 company's livery ; with " cloths of ray, Savy-brown, and 
 cloth de colore,"* the cost of which amounted in the whole 
 to 185/. 4s. lOd. The latter colours are stated to have been 
 bought for gowns and for " chaperons ;t the green and cours- 
 cloth" were probably for vestments. A list accompanying 
 these entries records the names of members to whom the 
 livery was granted, with the quantities, kinds, and cost of 
 the cloth delivered to each person, and its appropriation, 
 whether for gowns or chaperons. In a similar list which 
 follows, are contained the names of females entitled to the 
 company's livery, amounting to thirty-nine in number, and 
 who are credited for payment of their quarterage-money. 
 They seem to have been divided into the three classes of 
 maids, wives, and widows; some of the names being set down 
 without any addition, others as the wives of persons men- 
 tioned ; and others again with the title of widow, or " jadys 
 la feme de" Richard, John, &c. In some cases the husband 
 pays " po^ luy and sa feme," in which case the quarterage 
 is 2s. f in all other instances the amount in this company is 
 \2d.X 
 
 • Or of " one colour," perhaps as distinguished from the rayed or striped cloth. 
 The entrj' enumerates the drapers from whom the cloth is bought, with the names 
 and price. As, Of William Weston of London, two whole cloths of livery, 
 each piece containing 32 yards, \6s. ; John Ringrove, tailleur, citezen de Loun- 
 dres, one piece of green of 7 yards length, 30^, ; William Ferriers, one piece 
 of green, of 30 yards, 7/. lOs. ; and of Robert Tatersale, draper, of London, 
 a piece of green cloth, 24 yards long, 4/. I6s. ; also John Griffith, of whom 
 were bought 16 cloths of ray ; and several other persons. 
 
 t A species of hat or hood, given at this time with liveries, and of which 
 further mention will be made as we proceed. 
 
 X "Ceux sount lez Nomes de ceaux qui sount Freres <fe Soeurs de n're 
 fratr nite tfe ount payez leur Qua^ trages <fe valorem drap' de n're Liv^ e en ceste 
 an." The names credited include, under the following forms of entry, " Alice 
 Hore, xijd.', Anneys Gratten, xijrf. ; Constance Hossard, x\]d. ; Dioneys 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 63 
 
 In the 9th of Henry V. and during the mayoralty of 
 William Cambrigge, there are again entries of the purchase 
 of " rayes of cloth and blood-colour, for the clothing of the 
 brethren and sisters of the fraternity of brewers' craft," 
 amounting to 99/. I65. 2id, They also repeat the notices of 
 those who had " chaperons of the hvery,'' as well as advert 
 to the custom of the company having " a dinner the first 
 day that we did cut our cloth of livery." 
 
 An interesting specimen of the "full clothing/' or livery, 
 near the time we are speaking of, will be seen in the accom- 
 panying engraving of 
 
 HENRY VI. DELIVERING THE LEATHERSELLERS' CHARTER, A.D. 1444, 
 
 It is composed of beautiful illuminations, forming the 
 initial letter and part of an ornamented border of the charter, 
 and affords a fine idea of the royal costume of the period, as 
 well as of the livery then worn by the companies. 
 
 The young king appears on the throne under a " State," 
 habited in a crimson vest, and robe of azure blue, furred with 
 ermine; and he wears a high tapering single-bowed crown, 
 
 Bershope, xijr/. ; Constance Carron, xijd. ; Kaf; ne Roche, x\jd. ; Margarete 
 Cadynghouse, xijd. ; Julyan Hardersete, widowe, x\jd. ; Joh'ne la feme de 
 John Harolde, wolmong^ xijd. ; la feme jadys de Mest^ William Cooke, xijd. ; 
 Johane jadys la feme de Piers, Worke, xijd. ; Richarde Frenys, luy & sa 
 feme, ij*. ; Richard Terell, poT luy <fe sa feme ijs. ; AndT Brett, po": luy 
 & sa feme, ijs." &c. 
 
64 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 like that now appropriated to the princes of Wales : the 
 throne has a scarlet drapery, and rests on a black and yellow 
 checquered pavement; the back ground is composed of 
 crimson hangings elegantly figured. The livery wear a dress 
 of two colours, red and blue, or the murrey and plunket just 
 mentioned, "parted," or divided into equal halves, according 
 to the peculiar fashion of the period;^ it is furred at the 
 bottom, skirts, and round the collar, and closed at the waist 
 by a light-coloured girdle, possibly of the sort described in 
 the statue of 15 Richard II., c. 11, as " the girdles garnished 
 with white metal, of old time used." The figures have their 
 hair cropped, somewhat in the monkish style, and wear 
 scarlet pantaloons piqued at the toes. 
 
 The next engraving represents the livery dress two centuries 
 later; and, though not exactly in place here as to date, is 
 given for the sake of comparison. It is from illuminations in 
 the border of a second charter granted to this company by 
 James I. The dress at this period strongly assimilated with 
 that now in use ; the difference principally consisting in the 
 liverymen wearing caps and hoods, and having a long furred 
 lappet pendant from the gown-sleeves. The hoods are parted, 
 red and black, like those of the graduates in our Universities; 
 
 * Party-coloured gowns were not confined to the Livery Companies at this 
 date. Strj'pe had read that "in ancient times, the officers of this city wore 
 gowns of party colours, namely, the right side of one colour and the left side of 
 another ; as, for example, he adds, "I read in books of accounts in Guildhall, 
 that in the 19th year of Henry VI. there was bought for an officer's gown two 
 yards of cloth, viz. coloured mustard villars, (a colour now out of use,) and two 
 yards of cloth coloured blew^, price 2s. the yard, in all 8*. More paid to John 
 Pope, draper, for tw^o gown cloths, eight yards of two colours, eux umbo deux de 
 rouge, or red; medley hrime porre (or purple) colour, price, the yard, 2*. 
 These gowns were for Piers Rider and John Buckle, clerks of the chamber." 
 
 The same waiter states that, subsequently it became a custom for the mayor 
 and the sherifls to give liveries. That the clerks of companies returned to the 
 former the names of members who wished for the mayor's livery ; each whereof 
 had to send 20i\ at least, in a purse, with his name, as a benevolence or part pay- 
 ment, and for which the mayor returned him four yards of cloth for a gown, " of 
 the mayor's livery." The cloth was rayed, or striped across, like the above 
 worn by the brewers; and the gowns were called ^^ray govms.'' On Sir 
 William Bailey becoming mayor, in 1516, he requested liberty to give cloth of 
 only one colour for these gowns, and the matter being debated in the common 
 council, a member answered, (according to Stow,) and said, "yea, it might be 
 permitted," and no man said nay, and so it passed." Sir William Lodge, 
 when mayor, discontinued the use of cloth for gowns, and gave satin to make 
 doublets instead ; which latter, our author quaintly adds, " was at length turned 
 into a silver spoon., and so it holdeth." 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE (jOMPANlES. 65 
 
 the gowns are black, &c., trimmed with "budge," or 
 " foins." 
 
 LIVERYMEN IN THE REIGN OF JAMES I. 
 
 The colours of the hoods, between the above periods, are 
 particularized in the books of the merchant tailors', of the 
 date 1568-9, about which period this part of the dress appears 
 to have been quite arbitrary, varying from scarlet, with 
 "puke," or "between black and russet," to "crimson and 
 puke," and then again to " scarlet and crimson." The 
 entries also state this company to have had a superior and 
 inferior livery: 
 
 " 1568. Agreed by the court that there shall not at any time 
 hereafter be more livery members of the mystery that shall 
 be of the livery of this mystery, who shall wear any other 
 colours in their hoods at any times, but only scarlet and puke ; 
 and those colours to stand both for the best, and second 
 liveries; and any hood or hoods made of the colours of crimson 
 and puke, shall not hereafter be worn by any of the livery." 
 This order is afterwards followed by another, to bring to the 
 hall "the hoods of the livery that are scarlet and crimson/' 
 in lieu of others to be given them, and for which there should 
 be paid "what the wardens should judge reasonable." 
 
 Such were the common liveries of the companies at the 
 dates mentioned. On occasions of shew and triumph, and 
 particularly when in compliment to royalty, changes were 
 made in order to render them more splendid ; as " blew 
 
 F 
 
66 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 gowns, with red hoods;" "brown-blew, with broaderyd 
 sleevys and " red, with hoods red and white." To this selec- 
 tion of vivid colours, the shewy effect of which can be easily 
 imagined, there were likewise added the glittering ornament 
 of the company's "trade conuzances," which were always 
 " embroidered" on some conspicuous part of the dress. 
 
 Observances. — The " observances" of the companies, in 
 which we include all matters of ceremonial, cost, and custom, 
 at their elections, funerals, and attendances on state and 
 civic trium})hs, form a part of their history especially cal- 
 culated to please the general reader. They afford illustrations 
 of the manners, expenses, dress and state of society in former 
 times, which interest and inform us by comparison; while at 
 the same time they delight the imagination by the novel and 
 romantically coloured effect of the scenes they present. We 
 relish Lydgate's minutely faithful descriptions of the shews 
 and processions of "the Trades," notwithstanding the un- 
 couthness of his poetry, and like to hear him 
 
 " Tellen alle the circumstauncys 
 Of every thyng shewed in sentencs, 
 Noble devj'ses, diverse ordinauncys, 
 Conveid be scriptiu'e with ful gret excellence ; 
 When all the peple glad of look and cher, 
 Ythemkyd God with alle there hertys entier, 
 To se there kyng repair to there citee, 
 Middes meir, citezeins, and al the comonte." 
 
 What confers an additional interest on the shows of this 
 period is, that almost all the ceremonies of the companies, 
 and indeed, every public act, was then more or less mixed up 
 with the cathohc religion ; a religion which, uniting with it 
 a peculiar splendor of worship, shed over them a lustre, 
 which we find but faintly reflected, on its disuse. In fact, 
 the companies, as already observed^ were themselves at first 
 half-ecclesiastical bodies, and therefore naturally partook in 
 these respects of the order from which they sprung.^^ 
 
 * This demi-religious character evidenced itself in the mode of their foun- 
 dation ; in their choosing patron saints and chaplains ; founding altars to such 
 saints in the churches they held the advowson of, and in various other ways : 
 none of the trades assembled to form fraternities, without ranging themselves 
 under the banner of some saint; and, if possible, they chose a saint who either 
 bore a relation to their trade, or to some other analogous circumstance. The 
 fishmongers adopted St, Peter, and met, as we have seen, at St. Peter's church j 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 67 
 
 Elections more particularly displayed this ecclesiastical 
 part of their character. Having purchased their livery cloth, 
 cut it up to the jollity of a good dinner, and distributed and 
 had it made up, the fraternity, en masses on the morning of the 
 patron saint's day, appeared at the hall in their new^ suits. 
 But little refreshment, if any, was allowed; a strict attendance 
 on religious duties uniformly preceding the indulgence of 
 festivity. They then proceeded to church. We have no 
 accounts of these processions being distinguished for splendor 
 in early times. They were certainly plainer than afterwards, 
 and derived their imposing effect chiefly, perhaps, from the 
 freshness of the company's new dresses, a trade-banner 
 or two, and their being headed by their domestic priest and 
 beadle. The grocers, in 1346, are merely said to have 
 agreed by " com'on assente, yat everie man of the brotherh^ , 
 hee being yn the cytie the daie of St. Antonyne, yn the monyth 
 of Maye, shall comen to the cherche of Seint Antonyne 
 aforesaid, yf they bee in London, for to here the high masse, 
 and there to abyde from the begynnyne unto the endyng of 
 the masse, and eche of them shall offre a peny in the wor- 
 shype of God, his blessed moder Marye, Seint Antonyne, and 
 all seyntes." 
 
 the drapers chose the Virgin Mary, mother of the " Holy Lamb," or fleece, as 
 the emblem of that trade, and appropriately assembled, in like manner, at St. Mary 
 Bethlem church, Bishopsgate; the goldsmiths' patron was St. Dunstan, re- 
 puted to have been a brother artisan ; the merchant tailors', another branch 
 of the draping business, marked their connexion with it by selecting St. John 
 Baptist, who was the harbinger of the Holy Lamb so adopted by the drapers, 
 and which, as being anciently cloth-dealers, still constitutes the crest of that 
 society. In other cases, the companies denominated themselves fraternities of 
 the particular saint in whose church or chapel they assembled, and had their altar. 
 Thus, the grocers called themselves "the fraternity of St. Anthony," because 
 they had their altar in St. Anthony's church ; the vintners, " the fraternity of 
 St. Martin," from the like connexion with St. Martin's Vintry church ; and the 
 skinners, and the salters, both societies of Corpus Christi, from meeting, the 
 one at the altar of that name in St. Laurence Poultry church ; and the other at 
 Corpus Christi chapel, in All Saints, Bread-street. The similarity of their dress 
 to the monastic orders has been already adverted to. Like them, too, they pro- 
 fessed their societies to be founded in honour of particular patrons, conjointly with 
 the Deity or the Virgin, and for the promotion of pietj', — or " in the honf" of God, 
 his meek mother (douche mere,) and of Seynt Antonyne and Alle Seynts," as the 
 grocers profess in their ordinances of 1345 ; and to which their second ordinances 
 (1379) add, " for advancing the hono^ of God and his holy chirche, and enlarging 
 the hour of charity." Numerous other proofs of religious character might be 
 adduced, were it necessary. Indeed, it has been truly observed, that " the main- 
 tenance of their ' arts and mysteries' during several ages, was blended with so 
 many customs and observances, that it was not till the times subsequently to the 
 Reformation that the fraternities could be regarded as strictly secular." 
 
68 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The fishmongers, in 1426, had an ordinance to the same 
 purport; but it only directs that every year, on the festival 
 of St. Peter, " alle the brethren and sustern of the same 
 fratfnite shall come in their nevs^e lyv^e to the chirche of 
 Seint Peter, and there here a solemyne masse in the v^orship 
 of God and Seint Peter, and offir atte offering tyme of the 
 same masse what at is her devocion." 
 
 At later periods, however, the fraternities made procession 
 to their respective churches in great form. They were then 
 accompanied by the rehgious orders in their rich costumes, 
 bearing wax torches and singing, and frequently attended by 
 the lord mayor and great civic authorities in state. The 
 skinners' fraternity of Corpus Christi are so described by 
 Stow to have made their procession on Corpus Christi day; 
 having " borne before them," he tells us, " more than two 
 hundred torches of wax, costly garnished, burning bright,'' 
 (or painted and gilded with various devices, as was then the 
 fashion;) "and above two hundred clerks and priests in 
 surplices and copes, singing : after which came the sheriffs' 
 servants, the clerks of the compters, chaplains to the sheriffs, 
 the mayor's Serjeants, counsell of the city, the mayor and 
 aldermen in scarlet, and then the skinners, in their best 
 liveries." Their return, of course, brought their great guests 
 home to dinner, where old English hospitality was displayed 
 in all its magnificence and profusion, as will be presently 
 described.^ 
 
 The further religious part of the ceremonies pertaining to 
 elections were not furnished till the following Sunday. They 
 then went again in procession to church, to hear a mass 
 
 • A temporary revival of these imposing shews took place in Mary's days, 
 previously to their final discontinuance. Fabian, writing of that reign, in his 
 Chronicle, says : 
 
 " The xiij daie of Maie was mondai in whitsun weke, and then came the 
 procession of St. Peter in Cornhill, with divers other parishes, and the maier 
 and aldermen, fishmongers and goldsmiths, vnto Powles, after the old customey 
 and other processions all the three dales, as they were wont to do." (p. 74.) 
 
 At the beginning of the same reign an entry in the grocers' books, (which 
 company had, with others, before discontinued the catholic ceremonies,) notices 
 that company's readoption of them in the following terms : 
 
 "Senday, June 8, 1556 — My maistres the aldermen, the wardeyns, and the 
 hole leverie, assembled at their comon house, called * Grocers' Havll,' and from 
 thens they went to their churche, called St. Stevens, Walbroke, (St. Anthony's 
 church having been destroyed with the hospital,) where they heard dirge songe; 
 and that being ended, they returned to their sayde havll, where they drank accord- 
 ing to their olde custome.'' 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 69 
 
 of requiem solemnized for their deceased members, and 
 made similar offerings. The Bead Roll, on these occasions 
 was called over; and, on the solemn injunction to pray for 
 the souls of the departed, " and all cresten," the company 
 repeated their orisons. The priest then said a general 
 prayer for the whole surviving part of the fraternity, naming 
 each individual separately by name. They then returned 
 to their hall, paid their quarterage and balances of livery 
 money, which latter were always to be settled on that day, 
 and credited in the warden's books, and enjoyed them- 
 selves at a comfortable but minor sort of dinner, for which 
 they had paid in advance at the time of their other payments; 
 or, as it is stated in the old quaint language of the fish- 
 mongers' statutes, from which we partly glean these parti- 
 culars. " On the Sunday next after the aforesaid festival of 
 St. Peter and St. Paul, afore mete tyme they shall been all 
 pTsent in the same chirche in their lyv'^e aforesaid, ther to 
 here a solempne masse of requiem for all the soules of the 
 same frat^nite, and for all chrisfn soules, and atte whiche 
 masse the preest of the same fratfnite openly in the pulpit 
 shal reherce and recomende to all good prayers hy name all 
 brethern and sistern quyke and deed of the forseid frat'nite, 
 and all cristen ; and in this same sonday shall all this frafnite 
 have and hold a fest or a semble, as the wardeynes for the 
 tyme beying willen ordeyne; and that evfy ps'one atte that 
 same tyme shall paie for her leyv.'^e als it comyth to and here 
 quartrage also if he owe ony atte that tyme, and for the fest 
 also." 
 
 The other services peculiar to the occasion (and which 
 were to take place after the offertory and mass of requiem), 
 consisted of the psalm " Deus misreatur n're," with a special 
 orison, "Deus qui caritatis, or a memorye for the quyke;" 
 and, after the psalms, " De profundis," and " Deus venire 
 largitor," also, "for the dede."^ 
 
 • The priest's routine of duties on other days furnished full employment, and 
 may amuse the reader : 
 
 He was to be charged to " seye his masse ev "^e day but resonable cause it 
 lette, with a special orison ' Deus qui caritutis,' or a memorje for the quyke, 
 and on other ' Deus venire largitor,' for the dede, outake (except) hie and so- 
 lempne festes in the whych he be spared but of his devocion ; and also to say ev>e 
 day feriall in the same chirch, after noow, placebo and the dirige, with ix lessons ; 
 and the same speciall orison abovesayd, for the same deede brethern and sistern, 
 
70 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Funerals formed a subject of equally strict religious 
 observance. It was one of the articles of compact between 
 the canons of St. Martin le Grand and the saddlers, in the 
 Saxon times, that the latter should be all separately prayed 
 for when dead ; and that for every deceased member St. Mar- 
 tin's bell should be tolled, "and procession made with burial 
 freely and honourably." This brotherly custom continued 
 in full force on re-founding the companies. The grocers 
 engaged their mortuary priest at their first dinner; and it 
 was again an express point, in their new ordinances of 1463, 
 " That at the death of a member of the brotherhood in Lon- 
 don, the warden for the year should order the beadle to 
 warn the brothers to go to the dirge, and on the morrow to 
 the masse, under pain of viiis." In the same manner was 
 the point to be kept if any of the fraternity died out of Lon- 
 don, and his brother members should happen to be on the 
 spot. And further, if any one oi the fraternity should die, 
 and it should fortune that he did not leave sufficient to bury 
 him, "then it to be done of the common goods, for the honor 
 of the society." They add: "And when any one of the 
 fraternity makes his will, he may, according to his circum- 
 stances and free will, devise what he chuses to the common 
 box, for the better supporting of the fraternity and their 
 alms." 
 
 Bequests at death from the more wealthy members were 
 frequent. The grocers' records furnish early and curious 
 instances ; a few specimens of which we copy, for the amuse- 
 ment of the reader. Besides possessing the charm of anti- 
 quity, the entries have the additional piquancy peculiar to 
 the catholic era, of mostly concluding with a prayer for the 
 deceased, ejaculated with all the simplicity and fervour of 
 such memorials at the time : 
 
 with the comendacion suying, (ensuing,) and every monday and friday, feriali, a 
 masse of requie', or a memorie for all the soules of the forseyde brethern and 
 sistern, and for all cristen soules ; and evf y monday, wedenesday and fryday, 
 vii. psalms penetenciall, and Letanie, with prayers and orysons that longen 
 thereto, for the lyves and the soules aforeseyde, save only when theis psalms and 
 Litanie been sayde in other divine service of the day.^' In addition to this 
 routine of duties, the same priest was to be " able of cunnyng, that is to say, 
 of redyng and syngyng, and of covenable undirstandyng, and honest of con- 
 v'sacion." 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMl'ANIES. 71 
 
 1464 Rece'd of the executors of Alderman Marro we . . £215 0 0 
 
 1471 Rece'd to the wele of the feliship, in redy mony, from 
 
 the ex'tors of Sir Thomas Alleyne, grocer .... 40 0 0 
 
 1472 Rece'd of my master Sir Will'm Taillo'" at the berying of 
 
 his son John TailloV — IhU have mere i/ on his soul ! 
 
 a reward to the feUship for their attendance . . 0 40 f 0 
 
 1473 Rece'd from my master Sir Will'm Taillo*" atte th' 
 
 infmentof mi lady his wyff'e — Ihu be m^'cyfuUvnto her 
 
 sowle! — for a reward to the pore men of the felischip 0 20f 0 
 
 1477 Rece'd of the bequest of milady Alleyn— Ihu be m^'cy- 
 
 fu 11 vn to her sowle! 0 40'. o 
 
 1478 Rece'd from the ex'tors of Sir John Crosbye .... 297 10 0 
 1484 Rece'd from the ex'tors of my lady Marrowe .... 200 0 0 
 1511 Rece'd of the bequest of Mr. Alderman Kebell . . . 700 0 0 
 1511 Rece'd of Sir John Patriche, knt 563 6 8 
 
 Similar entries are common in the books of other compa- 
 nies. In 1512, we find it recorded in the warden's accomits 
 of the merchant tailors, that 
 
 " Dame Jenyns, wife of Sir Stephen Jennings, for the 
 good zeal she had to the company of merchant tailors, gave 
 them a cloth of St. John, richly embroidered, set upon blue 
 velvet, with a white rose over the head of St. John : the sides 
 of green velvet, broidered with fleur de lys of Venice gold, 
 entere tenore, for the service of the altar in their chapel." 
 Many other instances might be given. 
 
 That no due token of respect might be wanting in cele- 
 brating the funerals of deceased members, indeed, that they 
 might be buried with a degree of grandeur worthy the con- 
 sequence of the fraternities they belonged to, almost the 
 whole of these fraternities appear to have kept a state pall, 
 or, as it was called, " Herse-cloth." The Sadlers' Company 
 still have such a pall. It is of crimson velvet. The centre 
 is of yellow silk, forming an elegant sprig pattern. On one 
 side of the pall there is embroidered in raised work of gold 
 thread, in the old English character, the words, " In te Do- 
 mine, Speravi;'' and on the other side, worked in like manner, 
 the words, " Ne me confande in (RternamJ" The head and foot 
 of the pall have embroidered on them the arms of the com- 
 pany, and four kneeling angels surrounding the letters I.H.S. 
 encircled by a glory : the whole is bordered with a broad 
 gold fringe.* 
 
 * First noticed byThos. Adderley,esq. in Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 83, p. .32. 
 
72 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The well-known printer, John Cawood, left such a pall to 
 the Stationers' Company, in 1572. It is described in his will 
 as " a herse clothe, of clothe of gold, pouderyd with blew 
 velvet, and border'd abought with blacke velvet, embroidered 
 and steyned with blew, yellow, red, and green." Cawood 
 died in 1572.^ 
 
 The merchant tailors' records mention that company pos- 
 sessing three different state palls in 1562, namely, " the state 
 cloth of black velvet, broidered with gold ; the burial cloth of 
 black velvet, being in two parts, and embroidered with gold ;" 
 and " one large cloth, embroidered with the company's arms, 
 being in three several pieces." The most interesting relic of 
 the kind now known is the state pall of the fishmongers, yet 
 kept at that company's hall ; which, as of still greater anti- 
 quity, and affording a competent idea of the magnificent palls 
 of the catholic times, will be found described below.-f- 
 
 * Gent. Mag. vol. Ixxxiii. p. 32. 
 
 t The fishmongers' pall, commonly but erroneously described as "Walworth's 
 pall," is in three pieces, like the last-mentioned pall of the merchant tailors, 
 and exactly resembles in shape the one of the saddlers', just described, namely, that 
 of a cross. It consists of a centre slip, about twelve feet long and two feet and a 
 half wide ; and two shorter sides, each eight feet eleven inches long, by one foot 
 four inches wide, and, when laid over a corpse, must have totally enveloped the 
 coffin, but without corner-folds, like our modern palls. 
 
 In the style of ornament, workmanship, and materials, this is one of the most 
 superb works of its kind of ancient art ; and in this country, as a remain of the 
 old catholic faith, has probably no parallel. 
 
 The pattern of the central part is a sprig or running flower, the latter of which 
 is composed of gold network bordered with red, and the whole whereof reposes on 
 a smooth solid ground of cloth of gold. The end-pieces and side-borders to this 
 middle slip are worked in different pictures and representations. 
 
 The end-pieces consist of a very rich and massy wrought picture, in gold and 
 silk, of the patron, St. Peter, in pontificalibus. He is seated on a superb throne, 
 his head crowned with the papal tiara. One hand holds the keys, the other is in 
 the posture of giving the benediction. On each side of the saint is a kneeling 
 angel, censing him with one hand, and holding a sort of golden vase with the 
 other. Each of these end-pieces is perfectly similar ; and the materials, which are 
 beautifully worked, are of gold and silk. The angel's wings, according to the old 
 custom in such representations, are composed of peacock's feathers in all their 
 natural vivid colours ; the outer robes are gold, raised with crimson ; their under 
 vests white, shaded with sky-blue ; the faces are finely worked in satin after 
 nature, and they have long yellow hair. St. Peter's vest, or under-robe, is crim- 
 son raised with gold ; the inside of the hanging sleeves of his outer-robe, or coat, 
 azure powdered with gold stars 5 a golden nimbus, or rather glorj-, encircles his 
 head ; and in his lap is placed an open book, having the following inscription in 
 old English black letter on a silver ground, 
 
 "Credo in Deo patru' in Omnipoten's Creat%" 
 
 at the one end-piece, and at the other, similarly, 
 
 "Credo I De'u Patriu' omnia." 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 73 
 
 Besides being buried, on ordinary occasions, with the state 
 pall, and a respectable attendance of the brotherhood, mem- 
 bers of superior rank were generally accompanied to inter- 
 ment by the lord mayor and civic authorities, besides a vast 
 number of other persons. Many ancient wills abound with 
 directions for conducting these last sombre ceremonies. The 
 merchant tailors' records state it to have been an ancient cus- 
 tom of their society "to attend the funerals of worshipful 
 brethren, and on the day of their interment to partake of a 
 dinner at the hall, at whicli a commendable grace was said 
 for the good brother deceased." To provide these funeral 
 dinners sums were usually left by the deceased, or sent after 
 death by the relatives to their halls. The warden's accounts 
 of the company we are speaking of abound with entries of 
 
 The pictures of the side-pieces are divided into three compartments. The centre is 
 Christ delivering the keys to Peter ; the latter of whom is kneeling, and habited as 
 in the end-pieces, but with only a glory encircling the head, and no crown, (he 
 not being crowned Prince of the Apostles.) The Saviour is habited agreeably to 
 the usual representations of him, as regards costume. His robe is crimson raised 
 with gold, the inner vesture purple, and very rich ; around the head is a superb cir- 
 cular glory, jewelled and coronetted. He graciously stoops to deliver the two golden 
 keys of heaven and hell with one hand, while with the other he poises the golden 
 mound of sovereignty, surmounted with the cross. A label, proceeding from the 
 mouth, has inscribed, in the black letter, and on a silver ground, as before, 
 
 " Tibi Dabo Claves Regum Ceolo'm." 
 
 Both figures stand in a beautiful arched recess, within Gothic pinnacled buildings 
 and ornaments. On each side of this middle picture (which is the same on both 
 sides) the decorations are made up of the fishmongers' arms, richly and properly 
 emblazoned. The supporters, merman and mermaid, are worked in their natural 
 colours ; the merman wears gold armour, the mermaid's body is of white silk 
 thread beautifully worked, her long tresses of golden thread ; a superb jewel 
 hangs by a gold chain from her neck. Her mirror reflects a head like that of 
 Christ or St. Peter. 
 
 The entire pall has a fringe two inches deep, of gold and purple silk threads, 
 and is lined inside with black silk. The weight of the whole, owing to the quan- 
 tity of gold and silver worked into it, is very considerable, and it is in the finest 
 preservation. 
 
 Adverting to the age of this interesting relic, which we have already noticed as 
 wrongly designated Walworth's Pall,'' our own opinion would be, that it was 
 about the reign of Henry VH. or Henry VHL, but rather the latter, and that it 
 was the last catholic pall used by the company ; which faith soon after being dis- 
 used, accounts for its little wear and extreme freshness. The other evidences 
 which fix it to this period, and are more in the nature of proofs, are the arms and 
 the crown forming part of the crest. Strype states the fishmongers' arms, on the 
 union of the companies, in 1536, to have "been more fully granted," that is, the 
 stock-fishmongers' and salt- fishmongers' arms were united in one shield, which 
 is the case here. The supporters are not said to have been added at this time, 
 but it is hinted at by what follows, viz. " The antient arms and crest were ratified 
 and confirmed, with the grant of their supporters, by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux, 
 anno 1575." The crown of the crest is the bowed or arched crown, and of that 
 fashion worn by the princes mentioned. All these reasons concur to fix the age 
 of this pall somewhere about the date mentioned. 
 
74 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 monies so received during the reigns of Elizabeth and James, 
 varying in amount, but generally not less than 20/. 
 
 Sir Thomas Roe, merchant tailor and mayor in 1569, is 
 stated, in the account of his funeral (1570,) in Lysons's Envi- 
 rons of London, to have left 66/. \3s. Ad. for this purpose ; in 
 consequence of which, and of the high rank he held in the 
 company, the whole livery w^ere ordered to muster at Mer- 
 chant Tailors' Hall on the day he was to be buried, at six 
 o'clock in the morning, to proceed thence in a body to Sir 
 Thomas's house at Shaklewell, where the corpse lay in state, 
 and so to church. The interment, which took place at Hack- 
 ney, was very grand, being accompanied, in addition to nu- 
 merous other mourners, by the lord mayor and aldermen, all 
 of whom, on their return back, were entertained at Shaklewell 
 to dinner. 
 
 In the Leathersellers' Company's ordinances, (time of James 
 I.) it is ordered that a piece of plate of 3/. value, or the 
 amount in money, shall be given by the friends of deceased 
 members for the attendance of the livery ; when it is added, 
 "the master and wardens shall attend in state." 
 
 In many cases, anciently, great personages, unconnected 
 with trade, were honorary members of companies, as already 
 noticed. In such cases, their companies were accustomed to pay 
 them these honours of burial gratuitously. The great Sir Philip 
 Sidney, who was publicly buried at St. Paul's cathedral in 
 1587, was a brother of the grocers' company, and was attended 
 by that livery in all their formalities, who were preceded by 
 the lord mayor, aldermen and sheriffs, "rydinge in purple." 
 The number of the grocers' livery amounted to 1 20, and are 
 represented, in a print of the procession by De Brie, walking 
 in pairs, " in their proper gownes, with rufts and bonnets, and 
 scrips or small bags (hoods) over their left shoulders, and 
 some with gloves in their hands, turning and conversing with 
 each other."^ 
 
 A like honour, as to the mayor and liveries' attendance, was 
 paid to the remains of Sir Thomas Lovell, (of Shakspeare 
 memory,) who was buried 1524, with all the imposing catho- 
 lic ceremonies of the time at Holywell nunnery, Shoreditch ; 
 
 • Nichols' Progresses ol Queen Elizabeth, 13, pp. 19 — 26. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 75 
 
 and who, probably, (for we cannot vouch for the fact,) 
 was also an honorary member of one of the companies. On 
 the corpse reaching that monastery from Enfield, "the gen- 
 tilmen of the inns of court, (Sir Thomas built Lincoln's-inn 
 fine gateway,) with certeyn crafts of London,'^ are stated to 
 have been waiting to receive it on each side of the convent 
 gate, accompanied by "the maior and all the aldermen of 
 London, who stode at the gatt;" and on the body being 
 placed under the herse, or magnificent canopy, common at 
 such burials, and during the singing of the dirge, " wyche was 
 solempmly done by all the clerks of London," the mayor and 
 aldermen encircled the rails, and repeated the " De Profun- 
 dis." The mourners, during these services, were suffered to 
 want nothing in the way of entertainment. The libations in 
 particular were most copious ; for, during the dirge, it is 
 stated, " there was a drynkynge in all the cloisters, the nones 
 hall, and parlors of the said place," and " every where ells, 
 for as many as would come, as well the crafts of Londoriy as 
 gentilmen of the inns of court." 
 
 A more cheerful part of the company's observances was 
 their 
 
 Election Feasts and Ceremonials. — The earliest ac- 
 count we have of these is in the grocers' records, so often 
 alluded to. One of that company's first ordinances was, that 
 "on St. Anthony's day, or on any day within the octave 
 thereof, that should be assigned by the wardens, all those 
 who were in London should assemble together in ' a house, 
 and commune and dine together, and be served according to 
 the ordinances of the wardens." Those of the livery who at- 
 tended were to pay 3s. Qd., and those who did not 25. 6c?.; 
 which sums were to go towards the joint expense of the dinner, 
 and the maintenance of the priest: persons not on the livery, 
 " and who kept shops," were only to pay \2d. By after-ordi- 
 nances, " every man being a brother of the felliship, and in the 
 clothyng of the same," that did not come " unto the dynner 
 or soper that should be made for the eleccion of the war- 
 deyns yearly," was to forfeit 5s. " to the use and behoof of 
 the feUiship." 
 
 The simphcity of the election-feasts at this time is indicated 
 
76 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 by their being kept at any temporary place the fraternity 
 could procure. Their excess of greatness was about the reign 
 of Henry IV., when the companies had erected halls, and 
 when, besides the mayor, aldermen, and other city dignitaries, 
 the first nobility, and even princes, sought to partake of their 
 hospitahties. Then the mighty " baron'^ made the table 
 groan, towering over the lighter viands; " frumentie with 
 venyson,'' brawn, fat swan, boar, congor, " sea-hog,'' and 
 such other delicacies as were stored above " the salt/'"^ whilst 
 " sotilties" of the company's trade or patron saint, " mar- 
 velouslie cunnyng ywrought/' recalled the origin of the frater- 
 nity: and, amidst the election ceremonies that succeeded, the 
 " bretheren and susterne" were cheered with " voyds of spice 
 brede ypocras and comfits," to the renewed " noise," (music) 
 of the minstrels, or " waits," or the higher merriment of the 
 London clerks " playing some holy play." 
 
 That the above picture is not one of mere fancy, is to be 
 seen in all the early accounts of expenses of the companies. 
 The brewers' records, already adverted to, afford several 
 curious specimens of election-dinners, as well as of minor 
 entertainments, as far back as the reigns of Henry V. and 
 Henry VI., which may be called the very heart of the season 
 of good living we are treating of.f In the earliest of these, 
 
 * The salt, or salt-cellar, was a magnificent piece of plate, forming, in the mid- 
 dle ages, a division between the upper and lower part of the table. Mr. Fosbrook 
 believes one, representing the White Tower, in the Tower of London, and of silver 
 gilt, to belong to the Mercers' Company. Such a one is certainly amongst the 
 coronation plate at the Tower of London, and is said to have been made a present 
 to king Charles L when prince of Wales. To be seated above the salt was a 
 mark of honour ; and our ancestors seem often to have placed persons below it, in 
 order to mortify them. 
 
 t The following are notices of some of them, exclusively of what are mentioned 
 above : 
 
 "7 Har. VL The expenses of a irea^as^ on the day of account of the masters." 
 The entertainment, on this occasion, consisted of two courses; viz. first course, 
 
 grewel ferse a la pottage and pestell de porke, ove vertawes:'' second course, 
 
 capons and lambes rosted, and doucettes for the bake meat." 
 
 Same year. -An account of the offence taken by Richard Whityngton, mayor, 
 against the Brewers' Company," for their having had " fat swans (Cignos pinguis) 
 at their feast on the morrow of St. Martin." 
 
 " 1 Hen. VL (Janry.) The ordinance of a dinner," with the costs thereon, 
 made on the day of the Conversion of St. Paul; William Walderne, mayor. It 
 cost 1135. \ ld. 
 
 " 8 Hen. V- A record that in consequence of the grievances and great charges 
 imposed on the brewers by * Richard Whytingdon,' all the year of his mayoralty, 
 the brewers declined making feasts or breakfasts, or to provide for their yearly 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 77 
 
 1419, (7 Henry V.) we have the following, as the three 
 courses of the election-dinner. 
 
 First Course. — Brawn with mustard ; cabbages to the pottage ; swan 
 standard ; capons roasted ; great custards. 
 
 Second Course. — Venison in broth, with white mottrews ; cony standard ; 
 partridges, with cocks roasted ; leche lumbard, doucetts with little parneux. 
 
 Third Course. — Pears in syrop; great birds with little ones together; fritters, 
 payn pufF, with a cold bake meat.* 
 
 The various articles purchased towards this dinner, and 
 their several prices, were as under : 
 
 Expenses of a Dinner of the Brewers* Company. 
 5 September, 1419, 7 Henry V. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 First, for 2 necks of mutton, 3 breasts, 12 marrowbones, with por- 
 
 terage of a quarter of coals . . . . . .25 
 
 Item. Divers spicery .... 24 
 
 For 6 swans 15 0 Porterage of water by the 
 
 12 conies 3 0 water-bearers .... 04 
 
 200 eggs .... 161 pottel of fresh grease . 0 8 
 
 2 gallons of frumenty . 0 4 4 dozen pigeons .... 44 
 
 2 gallons of cream . . 0 8 100 pears 0 7 
 
 Hire of 2 dozen of earthen 1 1 gallons of red wine . . 9 2 
 
 pots ... 04 For 4 gallons of milk ..04 
 
 Hire of 2 dozen of white White bread ....20 
 
 cups 14 Trencher bread ... 0 3 
 
 1 quart of honey, with a Payn -cakes .... 0 6 
 
 new pot .... 04 Half a bushel of flour . 0 7 
 
 1 kilderkin of good ale 2 4 
 
 livery." That his successor (William Cambrigge, mayor,) " treated the company 
 well, and gave them good advice, which they were pleased with." 
 
 10 Hen. V. Bill of fare for a dinner made by the masters on their account day, 
 with a list of persons invited, and a notej that the clerk collected 20d. in the hall ; 
 part of which was given to a " harper-minstrel." 
 
 9 Hen. V. " The ordinances of a dinner, called amongst us ' the Fest.' This is 
 a large bill of fare, in Norman French. Sum 18/. 15*. 5qd. 
 
 • In the original Norman French, " Ordinaire de la Feste. 
 Prem^'^- Course. Seconds Course. 
 
 Brawne ove le mustnrde Venyson en broth ove 
 
 Caboches a la potage Blanche mortrewes 
 
 Swan standard Cony standard 
 
 Capons rostez Pr triches ove cokkes rostez 
 
 Grande costardes. Leche lombard 
 
 Dow^ttes ove pettiz parneux. 
 Trois"^^ Course. 
 Poires en cerop 
 Gantz birdes ove 
 
 pettiz ensemble 
 Fretours — payne putF ove 
 un cold bakemete." 
 
78 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 s. d. s. d. 
 
 Item. Given to the minstrels 1 4 For 1 quart of vinegar ..01 
 To John Harely, cook, Packthread .... 0 1 
 
 for him and his ser- Hire of 2 dozen of pew- 
 
 vants 3 4 ter vessels .... 1 2 
 
 To William Devenysshe, Salt 0 1 
 
 panter 0 6 Washing of the napery 0 4 
 
 Total £2 15 3» 
 
 Besides " brawn, swan, venison, frumenty," and other 
 articles introduced in our imaginary picture of an ancient 
 election-feast, and which the preceding bill of fare proves to 
 have been customary dishes, we find, in subsequent entertain- 
 ments of this company, mention of the porpoise, and of the 
 congor, in the fish course ; of the baron, or " ribbes of beef," 
 as it is teraied, amongst the meats; and of innumerably more 
 " delicacies" of other kinds than are hinted at, amongst their 
 poultry, spicery, and in their deserts; not to mention the 
 supernumerary " entremets," which were then common, and 
 consisted of dehcious little dainties to keep the appetite in 
 play between the courses. Indeed, from the accounts of 
 the feasts in this and other companies, and especially on 
 extraordinary occasions, it would be easy to select all the 
 by-gone luxuries enumerated in the household ordinances of 
 our early sovereigns and nobility, not excepting even the 
 specifications of royal cookery, in the " Form of Cury" itself. 
 
 We will only notice, in illustration of these remarks, the 
 provisions for another and grander dinner of the Brewers' 
 Company near this time. The numerous items, with their 
 
 * Emptiones po' ij nekkes de moton, iij brestes, xij maribones, ove porfage 
 dune qua^l: de coles ij*. virf. 
 
 Itm po' vj swannes, xv*. Itm po' j potell de fresch grees, viijd. 
 
 Itm po' xij coneyes, iij*. iiij dos» pygeons, iij*. iiijc?. 
 
 Itm po' ijc egges, j. vjrf. c de poires, \\]d. 
 
 Itm po' ij gallons de furmente, iiijrf. xj galons de vj n rouge, ix ijrf. 
 
 Itm po' ij galons de creem, \n]d. Donez a lez minstrales, j ivd. 
 
 Itm po' iiij galons milke, m]d. A John Hardy, cook, pr luy et sez 
 
 Itm po' payne blank, ij*. vientz, iij*. ivrf. 
 
 Itm po' trencher brede, iijrf. Done a William Devenysshe, panf. y]d. 
 
 Itm po' mayn cakes, \]d. Itm po' j quarte de vj negre. 
 
 Itm po' dj bushell de flo'' vijd. Ttm po' pakthrede, ^d. 
 
 Itm po' j kilderkyn de bon ale, ij*. ijrf. Itm po' lallowance de ij dos° ds peautre 
 
 Itm po' lallowance de ij dosn de earthen vessll, j i^d. 
 
 potes, myl. Itm po' j qu^rt he hony ove j pot 
 Itm po' ij dosen cuppes blankz j m]d. nouel, iiij</. 
 
 Itm po' sucere, ij iiij</. Itm po' salt, j^/. 
 
 Itm po' porfage de wate'" a lez water Itm po' la laundre de naperjs, iiijaf. 
 
 berers, iiijrf. Sum ij/. xv*. iijrf. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 79 
 
 cost, and of which we shall only select the prominent articles, 
 are arranged in departments, as Pannery, Buttery, Poultry, 
 Butchery, and others. 
 
 Provisions for an Election Feast of the Brewers, a.d. 1425. 
 
 FISH. 
 
 d. s. d. 
 
 " Porpeys" x For 5 Pykes 6 8 
 
 Oysters and muscles ... 6 — Lampreys 68 
 
 Salmon and herring, with fresh — Turbot 3 4 
 
 ling 15 — Eels 2 4 
 
 A salmon 21 — 800 herrings .... 10 6 
 
 For codling's head .... 8 
 
 PANNERY. 
 
 This department enumerates the sorts of bread mentioned in the former 
 feast, with the addition of " wassel, cocket," and the " panis melliti," or 
 spice-bread. 
 
 BUTTERY. 
 
 " A hogshede of red Gascony wyne'' .... \ms. iiijc?. 
 
 A kilderkin of penny ale 12rf. 
 
 The other ales mentioned are the same as in the former feast. 
 
 
 £ s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 21 swans, at 3s. 9rf. 
 Scalding . . . . 
 
 3 18 
 
 9 
 
 48 partridges, at 4d. each 
 
 16 
 
 0 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 2 woodcocks, at 4d. 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 2 geese, at 8c?. . . 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 12^ doz. smaller birds, at 6c?. 
 
 
 
 40 capons, at 6c?. . . 
 Porterage . . . 
 
 20 
 
 0 
 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 2 
 
 3 doz. plovers, at 3s. . . 
 
 9 
 
 0 
 
 40 conies, as M. . . 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 18 doz. larks, at 4c^. . . 
 6 doz. little birds, at l^d. . 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 9 
 
 ^ BUTCHERY. 
 
 In the " Bochery,'' we find, amongst other meats, mention of " ij. joynts 
 of beef," with "certeyn ribbes,'' and "viij. fillets of veil," besides "j. sur- 
 loyn of befe;'' the whole amounting to 18s. 10c?. The prominent item in 
 this department is 
 
 "For ij. bores achete de Joh'ne Bray, bocher, xs." 
 
 The remaining items include "40 marrow-bones with marrow, 5s.; 2 rounds 
 of beef, and 2 fillets of pork, 10s. ; 5 pieces of "suet of Chepe cestasavoir, 
 neate's tullough, xvijc?." and 3 gallons and a half of "fi:esch grese," at 16c?. 
 per gallon. For the 
 
 SPICERY 
 
 and kitchen there were collected, amongst other articles, 9^lb. of " poudre 
 de pepir, iijs. ; ij/6. de sugre blanch, ijs. together with saffron, ginger, cloves, 
 mace, honey, figs, almonds, dates, " reysons de Corince, cynamon, nottemeg, 
 flower de Ryse, and Sanders and also costards, wardens, and other 
 sorts of firuit ; oatmeal, vinegar, verjuice, onions and garlick ; twelve gallons 
 of cream, and eight gallons of milk. Most of which articles, it will be seen, 
 were used in making preparations of pastry, and in seasoning the various 
 dishes. 
 
 The auxiliaries of tables, crockery, and pewter ware, rushes 
 for the floor, napery or table linen, and costs of conveyance, 
 
80 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 are not the least interesting of the entries on this occasion, 
 both as elucidating old customs, and for their odd mixture 
 of French and English. We copy them literally as written : 
 
 " j . laborer p'. p T terage des ta- p T terage de mesmes vessell iiijc?. 
 
 bles and tressells . . iiijd. For iiij. borden of rushes yn 
 
 Une carte p*: vessalx p"", la ke- thalle iiijc?. 
 
 chyn, cesta savoir, pottes, It'm iiij. birdens de russhes 
 
 pannes.spittes,rakkes Scrollers vjc?. ove la cartage .... iiij(/. 
 
 It'm. A. William atte lee pean- P*". la lavendrye de lez bort- 
 
 trer p'". lallowance de xviij. clothes \]d. 
 
 dos. de peautre vessell . xs. P^ cartage de donge . . . iiijrf. 
 
 For dressing, the cook received 23s. ; six tumbroches," at 3d. a piece, 
 Is, 6d. And the like sum of 3^?. a piece was given to four assistants, who 
 were borrowed from a tavern on " Fysche-strete end." The fuel for firing 
 consisted of 100 faggots, which, including carriage, cost 4s. 4c?., and 4 quarters 
 of " see cole," at 8d. per quarter. For the musicals and theatricals was paid 
 51. 10s. as per the following, entry : " A lez players et ij. harpers, et as dautres 
 minstralx Kyngeston & Gromles, cs. xc?i." 
 
 The whole cost of the feast was 38Z. 45. 2c?., a very large 
 sum, considering that money was then of five times its pre- 
 sent value, and which sufficiently testifies its magnitude and 
 importance. 
 
 Many curious hints may be gathered from these accounts, 
 as to the style of living, food, and cookery of former times ; 
 not to mention the general information they contain on other 
 points : 
 
 The companies, it appears, from their wealth and abundant 
 entertainments, had in these early days become sources of 
 attraction to those who loved the good things of life. We do 
 not indeed find sovereigns feasting with them, as afterwards, 
 but their entertainments were graced by the company of the 
 nobility and upper clergy. At the first dinner noticed, this 
 company are said to have had the prior and the provincial of 
 the Austin friars amongst their guests ; and at the above one, 
 the neighbouring prior of Elsing Spital, Henry Somere, baron of 
 the Exchequer, and his " six attendants," and the two alder- 
 men, Gedney and Estfelde. Their other feasts, as was the 
 case with the rest of the companies, were similarly, or rather, 
 more splendidly attended. 
 
 The kinds and prices of the food provided, its mode of 
 dressing, serving at table, and other particulars, contain much 
 worthy of remark. Many articles then esteemed luxuries 
 would now be styled " gross feeding.'* In regard to poultry. 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 81 
 
 it is proved, by instances in the Archteologia, that our ances- 
 tors absolutely ate carrion ; even " fat swan/' that ancient 
 civic dainty, for which the citizens had their annual " swan 
 hoppings;" or cygnet, another article of request formerly, 
 would now not be thought any thing of ; though the for- 
 mer, it is said, may be fed in a certain way, to make it 
 very tolerable. Porpoise, from the French porc-poisson, 
 sea-hog, (the animal uniting the warm blood of the hog 
 with the cold flesh of the fish,) has been discarded from 
 the table for centuries. It is however mentioned, toge- 
 ther with " congers, porpusses, and seals," amongst the din- 
 ner fish on fish-days, in the ordinances for the royal household 
 at Eltham palace, in 1526 ; and in another account, in the 
 Archaeologia, relative to the same subject, it is ordered, res- 
 pecting the size of the porpoise, that when it is too big for 
 a horse-load, a further allowance shall be made to the pur- 
 veyor for carriage : lampreys are now esteemed unwholesome. 
 In return for these repulsive articles, the " made dishes" at 
 these dinners were several of them absolutely epicurean, and 
 afford no contemptible specimens of ancient cookery. We 
 may instance their " Leche-Lombard," mortrewes, doucettes 
 with little parneux, fritters, payn puff*, and others ; a slight 
 account of which will be sufficient to give us an idea of these 
 old-fashioned dainties. 
 
 Leche Lombard, the principal dish in the first course of the 
 brewers' feast in 1422, we are told by Randle Holme, was " a 
 kind of jelly, made of cream, isinglas, sugar, and almonds, 
 with other compounds;" but in the recipe for this article in 
 the Form of Cury, p. 36, No. 65, it is composed of "pork 
 pounded in a mortar with eggs, raisins, dates, sugar, salt, 
 pepper, spices, milk of almonds, and red wine; the whole 
 boiled in a bladder." The addition to the name of this 
 leche, of Lumbard, identifies it as a native of Lombardy, 
 in contradistinction to the sorts named damask, Floren- 
 tine, comfort, baked, partrich, &c. all of which were dif- 
 ferently prepared. " Mottrews" (white) was a rich stew or 
 soup, commonly made of pork and poultry, pounded in 
 a mortar and strained ; whence the word is written, by 
 Skynner and Tyrrwhit, mortress or mortreuse, as expres- 
 sive of that preparation. The mortrews, white or black, is^ 
 
82 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 ordered in the Form of Cury, p. 29, No. 46, to be com- 
 pounded with blanched ahnonds and the milk and white 
 flour of rice. Doucettes with little parneux, fritters, and 
 payne-pufF, formed side-dishes and garnish to these larger 
 articles. The first were little sweetmeats and confections, and 
 small rich preparations of bread, like pastry, for garnish ; as 
 were likewise fritters, still in general use, and derived from 
 the French Jriture, a frying. The " frytours of pasternake,'' 
 or pastry, are, in the Form of Cury, those made of apples; be- 
 sides which, there were " frytours of meylke, and frytours of 
 erbes (herbs.) Payn puff is explained by Phillips to be 
 " a certain mess proper for side-dishes," so called, as being 
 made of bread stuffed with several sorts of forces and ragouts. 
 In the Form of Cury, p. 89, No. 196, it is directed to be 
 made of marrow, yolkes of eggs, dates minced, raisins, and 
 salt, in a delicate paste, moulded of an orbicular form. 
 
 These explanations give us the reason of several latter 
 purchases we read of here for the kitchen, as the " forty mar- 
 rowbones with marrow;" the fillets of pork and veal; the 
 " neats-tallow," or veal suet, called also suet of Cheap; the 
 varieties of their spice; their almonds, flour of rice, eggs, 
 honey, sugar, and particularly of the large quantities of 
 cream and milk which were provided. 
 
 A few further notices will be necessary to complete our 
 ideas as to the cookery and mode of setting out the hall, as 
 recorded in these entries. 
 
 Melted fat, or lard, appears to have been used in most 
 cases where we now use butter. They received it in a liquid 
 state, by the " potel," or gallon, and called it " fresh grease." 
 Three gallons of this hquid we have seen was bought at the 
 above dinner, at sixpence per gallon. In the preceding ac- 
 count of a breakfast of the wardens, there is mention of " one 
 disch of botor." It must, however, have been a great dainty, 
 as it did not supercede " kychin gresse," or dripping, for 
 breakfast, till between the reigns of Edward VI. and Eliza- 
 beth. Honey, in like manner, supplied the use of sugar in 
 the middle ages, which latter was a great rarity. Furmenty, 
 the furmentaria of Du Cange, was a favorite dish with our 
 ancestors, and was made by boiling wheat in milk. In 
 setting out the hall, we find it was the custom for the 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 83 
 
 principal dish of the first course to consist of some animal, 
 to which the addition standard" was applied, meaning that 
 it was set upright. " Cony standard," noticed at the first 
 dinner, was a large roasted rabbit set upright; and, in other 
 feasts, mention is made of swan standard." 
 
 " Aromatizing" (as Wiseman terms it, in his Surgery,) the 
 hall with the precious Indian wood called " mnders,^' was a 
 piece of voluptuousness which we may infer was prac- 
 tised on these occasions, from the mention made of that 
 article in the preceding list of spiceries. It is an article also 
 which we find enumerated, in conjunction with " Brasil 
 wood," amongst the imports of the Grocers' Company, in 
 1454. Both notices shew it to have been used for similar 
 purposes of fumigation at these dates, and we may well con- 
 ceive how much it must have enlivened the enjoyments 
 of the table in such large parties. 
 
 Amidst so many attractions which these ancient feasts held 
 out, it was not one of the least to have the company of females 
 at them. This curious, we had almost said indecorous cus- 
 tom, but which must at the same time have greatly heightened 
 the hilarity, occurred in consequence of the companies con- 
 sisting, as we have seen, of brothers and sisters ; and which 
 practice they seem, on their reconstitution, to have borrowed 
 from the religious gilds. Not only did widows, wives, 
 and single women, who were members, join the joyous 
 throng, but, from the grocers' ordinances of 1348, we find 
 the " bretherne" could introduce their fair acquaintance, on 
 paying for their admission ; and that not, as in modern times, 
 to gaze in galleries, the mere spectators of good living, but 
 as participants. There is an amusing simplicity in the ordi- 
 nances alluded to of the grocers on these points: they en- 
 join, that every one of the fraternity, from thenceforward, 
 having a wife or companion, (compagnon,) shall come to 
 the feast, and bring with him a damsel, if he pleases, (ameyne 
 avec luy une demoiselle si luy plest;) if they cannot come, 
 from the reasons hereafter named, that is to say, sick, or big 
 with child, and near delivery, (malade, ou grosse danfant et 
 pres sa deliverance,) they are then, and not otherwise, to be 
 excused. Every man, it is added, shall pay for his wife 20c?. 
 
 g2 
 
84 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 or man and wife 5s.; that is to say, 20c?. for the man, 20d, 
 for his companion, and 20c?. " for the priest." Women, not 
 members, but who should afterwards marry members, were to 
 be entered, and looked upon " as of the fraternite for ever, and 
 be assisted and made one of us." If left a widow, such 
 female member was to come to the annual dinner, and to pay, 
 if able, 40c?., but, in case she married again to one who was 
 not of the fraternity she was to be expelled, and so to remain 
 during such marriage; " nor none of us ought to meddle or in- 
 terfere in any thing with her on account of the fraternity, so 
 long as she remains married." The admissions of different 
 companies, of course, varied with circumstances: the bro- 
 thers of the Brewers' Company were to pay 12c?., the sisters 
 8c?., and a brother and his wife 20c?.,- whilst, among the fish- 
 mongers, the members were to pay towards the feast, on 
 their quitting church, " evyry man xijc?., and for his wife 
 viiji^.," and each "for his gest in the same manere at the as- 
 semble, as the wardeyns shall reasonabilly ordeynne and, it 
 is added, " evl:y body that omyteth to come to the forseide fest 
 or assemble, and is absent, shall pay redely as othir of here 
 condicion that be p^^sent; and atte same fest or assemble 
 ev^ry yere shall be ordeyned and chose iiij other sufficient 
 persones of the same frat'nite to govTne and rule in gode 
 manrer moste p^fitable to the encrece and worshipp of the 
 same fratmite." 
 
 The Election Ceremonies took place after the feast, and dif- 
 fered in different companies, but seem all to have embraced 
 one idea — that of crowning the newly-elected principals. The 
 wardens of the grocers, which company's description of them 
 is the earliest we have met with, were to " come with garlondes 
 on their hedes," after the feast or " mangerie" was finished, 
 and the fraternity were to chuse as wardens for the year en- 
 suing " them upon whom the forseid garlandes shuUen be 
 so sett ;" and to them was to be delivered all money, papers, 
 and other things, which belonged to the fraternity, under a 
 penalty of 10/. If it pleased the masters to choose one of 
 the company not then present, the garland or chaplet was to 
 be sent by the beadle to his house; and if he was in town, he 
 was to accept the office without any refusal. If out of town, 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 85 
 
 he was to accept it on his first return. Refusal of office was 
 followed by fine or expulsion. A sum of twenty pence is 
 debited in their warden's accounts of 1401, for "the ij cha- 
 pellettes pof couron! les novels mestres/' and j6.s. for re- 
 freshment, which seems to have accompanied the making 
 of the choice, viz. "un payn, vyn, envystre, blandret, and 
 fromage.'' Similar ceremonies, it will be seen, were afterwards 
 practised by other companies, and still continue with trifling 
 alterations. 
 
 It was when the election ceremonies had terminated, and 
 the " loving cup" (as is still the custom,) had gone round, 
 that we may conceive the minstrels and players to have com- 
 menced their part of the entertainment. Both, but particu- 
 larly the former, are mentioned in the records of different 
 companies as the constant accompaniments of their feasts or 
 processions. The minstrels, which were of various kinds, in- 
 cluded in their entries harpers, who played and sang in the 
 intervals of the others sounding their cornets, shalms, flutes, 
 horns, and pipes. The payment, in the instance quoted, to 
 the London clerks for their " play/' confirms other accounts 
 as to ecclesiastics being the first actors of the middle ages. 
 The small number of four- mentioned may seem puzzling, 
 unless for interludes, like Kirkman's Drolls; but the only 
 other sort of dramas then in fashion, often consisted of 
 single subjects, and made but one performance ; and this 
 taste continued till long after the establishment of regular 
 theatres. An original licence from the master of the revels, 
 in 1662, which is in the Guildhall library, authorizes " George 
 Bailey, musitioner, and eight servants, his company, to play 
 for one year a play called ' Noah's Flood.' These eight per- 
 sons were just sufficient to personate the patriarch and his 
 family. 
 
 It will be proper, as a conclusion to the account of the 
 companies' observances, to say something of the halls, in 
 which they principally took place. 
 
 Halls. — Though the remaining gothic halls of our ancient 
 palaces and mansions generally resemble those of the compa- 
 nies which existed at the times we are speaking of, yet the latter 
 had peculiarities which merit a separate mention. They dif- 
 fered also from the companies' present halls, and particularly 
 
HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 as regarded their appendant buildings, ornaments, and fur^ 
 niture.^ 
 
 The hall then was an immense room, giving name as now 
 to a whole collection of contingent buildings, which the fra- 
 ternity themselves generally and more appropriately termed 
 their " house." It mostly had an open timber roof, for 
 the fishmongers' suspended the leading articles of their 
 pageants from it, as was probably the custom with other 
 companies. A lantern or lover in the centre, and elevated 
 gothic windows on the sides, "richly dight" with the arms of 
 benefactors, threw the dimmed sunbeams on a glare of gor- 
 geous tapestry, filling the space between the windows and 
 floor, and which, in the Merchant Tailors' Hall, contained 
 the history of their patron, St. John the Baptist. The floor, 
 as we have seen, was only strewed with rushes ; the tables, 
 boards placed on tressels, excepting perhaps the great cross 
 table on the haut pas, for superior guests. Pewter vessels, 
 though hired at the brewers' dinners, were chiefly for the use 
 of the kitchen; for the tables of the other companies were, 
 according to their inventories, resplendent with donations of 
 plate. All the halls were traversed by the " reredos," or 
 grand screen. (The merchant tailors had a large " silver 
 ymage of St. John, in a tabernacle," on the top of theirs,) 
 hiding the entrances to the buttery, larder, kitchen, and 
 offices. " The minstrailes" were placed somewhere aloft ; and 
 there were temporary platforms or stages for the players. 
 
 Other passages branched to the wine and ale cellars, and to 
 the chambers, among which latter, one was always reserved 
 for "the batchelors."t Annexed to the buttery, but at a 
 
 * Guildhalls, or places of trade meeting, were, amonstthe Anglo-Saxons, only 
 of secondary antiquity. The Romans, perhaps all commercial nations, (judging 
 from their utility,) had these " Guildhalls." The first of the kind mentioned is 
 the " Balentorien^^ of Pliny, built of wood only, at Cyzicus, without iron, that one 
 part might be repaired without damage to the other. It is also the gild-halla of 
 the Anglo-Saxons, and signified too, the place where wares were exposed to sale \ 
 for the general assembly of the citizens was in the market-place, as the Roman, 
 near the forum ; in all the towns of the middle ages, Philip Augustus, in 1183, 
 made two great houses, called halas, in which, in time of rain, all the merchants 
 might see their goods kept clean, and in the night preserved from thieves; and so 
 cloth was sold in the 1 3th century. Our Blackwell Hall, near Guildhall, was pre- 
 cisely of the same kind. In 1.58H, Alderman John Ilaughton built the town-hall 
 upon the bridge at Stamford. — " Enc)clop. of Antiquities," which quotes Du 
 Cange, Walton's Anglo Sac', and other authorities. 
 
 t The nature of this branch of the members of the old companies will be ex- 
 plained hereafter. 
 
A N t" 1 K N T S r A r H OF T H K CO M P A NIKS. 87 
 
 greater distance, were the bakehouse and brewhouse; the 
 kitchen passage, which lay on a gradual descent, was guarded 
 from hungry intruders by a spiked hatch: the kitchen itself 
 was stored with the " spittes, rakkes, and rollers," just 
 mentioned; and all the other massy and capacious culinary 
 implements and utensils which characterized these esta- 
 blishments in the rude days of England's stout yeomary.^^ 
 The city Guildhall, on the lord mayor's day, now affords the 
 best idea of the company's ancient halls and feasts, though 
 certainly on a scale of greater magnitude and splendor. 
 
 We shall mention a few. other particulars in further ex- 
 planation of the company's ancient halls, their dates of 
 building, and general economy, as a conclusion to the subject 
 we are now treating of; giving more copious accounts of 
 them separately in the history of the companies themselves. 
 
 The earliest mention of the companies possessing halls is 
 about the time of their being first chartered, under Edward III. 
 Some, however, had halls or places of meeting long before, as 
 the merchant tailors, who had a hall at the back of the Red 
 Lion, in Basing lane, before they bought their one in Thread- 
 needle street, of Edmund Crepin, (an. 1331.) The weavers', 
 bakers', butchers', and other ancient gilds, must also have had 
 halls in very remote times. The sadiers, it has been seen, had 
 theirs next the site of St. Martin's-le-grand college, as now. 
 These, and other meeting places, particularly of the minor 
 companies, were probably at first but mean buildings, judging 
 from Stow's description of the original Guildhall in Alder- 
 
 * An account of repairs done in the reign of Henry VI. to Brewers' Hall, 
 which was a large structure on the present site, mentions other places and appen- 
 dages ; as "the tenement by the great gate," afterwards converted into this 
 company's almshouses. "The stained hallyngs," or hall tapestry, to which we 
 have adverted; "the tresaunce," sometimes also called " the cloister," between 
 the great kitchen and the hall ; an " almarie cupboard," or depositary for the 
 company's alms, (apparently broken provisions, as it was situated in the great 
 kitchen;) "a bey windowe," like "one in Cornehill;" and the "panteys, 
 (pantries,) on the side of the halle." 
 
 The bay window is said to have been " painted," or filled with stained glass, 
 and the hall paved ; charges for " grounselyng of the halle," and " for parcels of 
 dawbynge upon the said bay windowe," forming part of the entries. The 
 materials used in the repairs included "timber, nails, garnettes, lathes, boardes, 
 legges, estrischeboardes, locks, keys, clekkets, and latches ; lead to cover he bay 
 window, and glass and ironwork for the same, (171 ft. at 8d., 61. ]4s.) Also, 
 as indicative of the good living, "the bynnes in the pantry; hopes (hoops) for 
 divers fattes (vats) and tubs together with a " store, little cellar, and a counter 
 in the hall." 
 
88 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 manbury, which he tells us was little better than a cottage. 
 The grocers did not build their hall till 1427, having pre- 
 viously met at various great mansions, as was the case with 
 the skinners, salters, and others of the twelve companies, 
 before the founding of halls on their present sites: the fish- 
 mongers are noticed at a very early period as having no less 
 than six different halls. 
 
 One of the first of these buildings, which apparently cor- 
 responded with the increased consequence of the newly- 
 chartered companies, was the Goldsmiths' Hall, which must 
 also have ranked with the earliest in point of age, as their 
 fraternity had an assay office in the reign of Edward I. 
 In this, Bartholomew Read, goldsmith, and lord mayor in 
 1502, is stated to have held a feast of such magnitude, that 
 Stow treats Grafton's account of it as fabulous, observing, 
 that Westminster-hall itself would scarcely have sufficed. 
 
 Most of the halls which existed before or near the Re- 
 formation, seem to have been foraied from the deserted man- 
 sions of the great, and subsequently from religious buildings, 
 and they in consequence possessed, in many instances, 
 gardens. Drapers' Hall was the mansion of Lord Cromw ell, 
 and still retains its fine gardens. Salters' Hall was a town 
 seat of the Earls of Oxford, and had a garden attached, said 
 to have been the place where Empson and Dudley used to 
 meet in Henry VIJ.'s reign, and part of which forms the fore- 
 court of their present hall. The grocers built on the site of 
 the Lords Fitzwalter's town mansion, and had a fine garden, 
 part of which is also still preserved. The minor companies, 
 in several instances, bought and converted the halls of the 
 dissolved religious houses into trade halls : as the leather- 
 sellers, who fitted up the fine hall of the nuns of St. Helen's; 
 the pinners, who occupied the Austin Friars' hall, afterv/ards 
 called "Pinners-hall meeting-house;" the barber-surgeons, 
 who built on part of the site of the hermitage of St. James in 
 the Wall, and others. 
 
 The greatness or convenience of most of the twelve com- 
 panies' halls not only adapted them to the immediate uses 
 they were built for, but enabled them to give grand feasts to 
 various monarch s, who honoured them, with their suites, by 
 enrolling themselves members. In the interregnum they 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 89 
 
 were the meeting places of the various government commis- 
 sioners, and occasionally superseded the senate-house as an 
 arena of politics. By the parliamentary commanders they 
 were converted into barracks, by the puritanical clergy into 
 preaching places, and by succeeding lord mayors they were 
 afterwards used as temporary mansion-houses. 
 
 Besides the appendant buildings to the hall, or grand 
 apartment, it should be mentioned, that in Elizabeth's and 
 the Stuarts' reigns, every hall was obliged also to have a 
 granary and an armoury, and that, under the ancient regime, 
 the companies' almshouses for decayed members always, 
 where there was room, adjoined the hall, that the almsmen 
 might be ready to join in processions and pageants. Their 
 furniture has been mostly described : an amusing peculiarity 
 attending their donations of plate should, however, have 
 been mentioned. It was that of attaching an ejaculatory 
 prayer for the donors, to the entry of their names and gifts, 
 similar to what has been observed in the case of bequests, 
 and which belonged only to the catholic period. A specimen 
 of these entries, from the grocers' books, is given below.^ 
 
 Triumphs and Pageants. — Matthew Paris describes two 
 royal triumphs made by the citizens in 1236 and 1252, to 
 celebrate the marriage of Henry III., and of that sovereign's 
 daughter; but, though much splendor was displayed on both 
 occasions, no shews took place connected with the " Trades," 
 and our object is only to notice such. 
 
 The earliest exhibition of the kind that seems directly to 
 apply occurred in 1298, on the return of Edward I. from his 
 victory over the Scots, when we are told by Stow that 
 " every citizen, according to their severall trades, made their 
 several shew, but specially the fishmongers', which, in a 
 solempne procession, passed through the citie, having amongst 
 
 * 1466. <'A standing cuppe of sylver with a cover, weying xxiv ounces 
 troy, given by Thomas Swetenham, grocer. Ih'u be mercyfull unto his soul!" 
 
 1467. " Of the gyfte of John Godyn, grocer. (Ih'u have mercy on his 
 soule ! ) A stondinge cuppe, the cover of sylver, and alle gylte with roses and 
 sonnes" (suns,) ''weighinge xxxj ounces." 
 
 1467. " Of the gyfte of Sir John Howard, knyghte, a standing cuppe and 
 cover of sylver, and alle gylte, weying xvj ownces and half troye weighte. God 
 send him long life and welfare." 
 
 Drinking cups, gallon pots, basons and ewers, large silver salvers, goblets, and 
 salts, constitute the articles usually given, and which are said to be of " sylver, 
 sylver guylte, parcel gylte, or sylver white." 
 
90 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 other pageants and shews foure sturgeons gilt carried on 
 foure horses ; then foure salmons of silver on foure horses ; 
 and after them sixe and fortie armed knightes riding on 
 horses, made like sluces of the sea; * and then one representing 
 St. Magnus, (because it was on St. Magnus day,) with a 
 thousand horsemen,'* &c. 
 
 The next account in which we read of the companies being 
 introduced was the coronation procession of Henry IV. in 
 1399, when Froissart states Cheapside to have had seven 
 fountains running with red and white wine. The new king 
 was escorted by prodigious numbers of gentlemen, with their 
 servants in liveries and hoods; and the different companies of 
 London, led by their wardens, were clothed in their proper 
 liveries, and bore banners of their trades. 
 
 The common name these triumphs were then called by was 
 "ridings.'' Chaucer, in describing an idle city apprentice, 
 makes their frequent occurrence in Cheapside a great cause 
 of drawing him from his work : 
 
 " When there any ridings were in Chepe,t 
 Out of the shoppe thider wold he lepe ; 
 And till that he had all the sight ysein, 
 And danced wel, he would not come again." 
 
 Processioning on horseback to meet and escort distinguished 
 personages on these occasions, was expressed by the singular, 
 and seemingly hostile phrase of " riding against them, (Nor- 
 man French, pour chevaucher.'^) Thus the Chonicle of Lon- 
 don tells us, under the year 1446, 
 
 " This yeare came quene Margaret into England, with grete 
 roialte of the kyng's cost, and was receyved at London the 
 xxviii day of May in the moost goodly wise, with alle the 
 citizeins on horsebak riding ayenst hir to the Black-heth, 
 in blew gownes and rede hodes ; and in the cite in diverse 
 places goodly sights ayenst hir comyng."J 
 
 • What Strype here calls "sluices" should be " luces,'' a fish introduced in 
 the fishmongers' arms. 
 
 t The Chepe continued for many centuries the name of the principal thorough- 
 fare of the metropolis. Cheapside, originally applied to the houses on the side of 
 the Chepe (or market) is, as the name of the whole street, comparatively modern. 
 -Note to Nichols' " Pageants." 
 
 \ The custom of the companies joining the mayor and sheriffs in procession, 
 either to meet the sovereigns on their public entry into the city, or on Lord 
 Mayor's-day, is detailed in an ordinance of the grocers, termed " An Acte of 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 91 
 
 Or, as Fabian, who describes the dress of the Uvery : 
 
 " She was met with the mayre, aldermen, and sherifes of 
 the cytee, and the craftes of the same, in browne blewe with 
 browderyd slevys ; that is to meane, everye mysterye or crafte 
 wyth conysaunce of his mysterye, and rede hodes upon eyther 
 of their heddes ; and so the same day brought her into Lon- 
 don, where for her were ordayned sumptuouse and costely 
 pagentes, and resemblance of dyuerse old hystoryes, to the 
 great comforte of her and such as came with her.* 
 
 When Joan, queen of Henry IV., made her approach to- 
 wards London in 1401, she was welcomed by the companies 
 in a similar manner. The grocers' books record an allow- 
 ance of 6s. 8d. to Robert Sterns, their beadle, to ride into 
 Suffolk to furnish minstrels. He engaged six of them, namely, 
 "Panel mynstrale et ses rampagnons," who had 41. for 
 riding with the company to Blackheath, and 2s. for their 
 dinner and wine. That their appearance might correspond 
 with the magnificence of the ceremony, IO5. 2d. was paid to 
 provide them with new caps and hoods : in the entry, "po" 
 loT chaprons and po^ lo^ fessures." Antiquaries describe the 
 rest of the minstrel's dress to have consisted of showy vest- 
 ments, with gold and silver chains, and that they rode on 
 richly harnessed horses. The other items of expense con- 
 nected with this part of the company's show, were 13s. 4c?. 
 " to the said minstrels on the morrow when the queen passed 
 through Cheapside to Westminster ; for wine for them while 
 there, 18c?. and for a horse for the beadle, 12c?.'' 
 
 On Henry the Fifth's arrival at Dover from France, in 
 1415, the mayor, alderman, and " craftsmen," rode to Black- 
 heath to meet the king on his road from Eltham, with his 
 prisoners, when their dress is said to have been " red with 
 hoods red and white." Hall writes with rapture of the splen- 
 dor of the show : " Here I might declare unto you, if I would 
 
 Merci/ment," that is, of amercing or fining. It ordains, "that whoever shall 
 omit to come in due time, when warned by the beadle, to the court quarter-day, 
 " to ryding against y^ king, queene, or other lords, with the maire, sheriff*, or 
 going on p'cession with the maire, as common course is, at Cristmasse and other 
 tymes, congregacion or any other thynges, that they be warned to pay the penalty 
 or amercement to the beadle,^' or if they omitted till the master came, they were 
 to pay the double. The mulct being, * for the kyng, queene, or maire's ridyng, 
 fine iijs. iiijrf.' and on other occasions, 12d. or 2*." 
 
 • Stow refers us to certain verses made upon these pageants by Lydgate. 
 
92 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 be tedious and prolixe, how the mayre of London and the 
 senate, apparelled in orie't-grayned skarlet ; how iij.c. com- 
 moners clad in beautiful murrey, well mounted and george- 
 ously horsed, with rich collars and greete chaynes, met the 
 king at Blackheathe, rejoicing at his victorious returne." 
 
 And Lydgate (who, less afraid of prolixity) describes the 
 whole with his usual minuteness. 
 
 " The majY of London was redy bown, 
 With alle the craftes of that cite, 
 j4ll clothyd in red throughout the town, 
 A semely sight it was to se : 
 To the Blak-heth thanne rod he, 
 And spredde the way on every syde ; 
 xx*i M. men myght well see, 
 Our comely kyng for to abyde." 
 
 And he then details the whole ceremony in verses, which, not 
 directly applying, we omit. 
 
 The preparations of the Brewers' Company to celebrate the 
 second arrival of the same monarch from France, seven years 
 afterwards, with some general particulars of the procession, 
 are given in the following notice from that company's books : 
 
 " On Thursday, 13 February, 1422, the king came from 
 France to London, and W. Cambrigge, the mayor, rode with 
 all the commonalty of the city to meet him \ who were all 
 commanded to be clad alike, in white gowns with red capes. 
 The brewers ordered that ail householders of their company, 
 and all the ' breweresmen' of 405. a year, should provide 
 clothes for themselves, under fine of 20s. ; but many neglected, 
 and yet were let off easily. William, the (company's) clerk, 
 had a gown given to him by the masters. The queen like- 
 wise came on Friday the 21st, and was received in like 
 manner." 
 
 The arrival of King Henry VI. at Dover, on his return from 
 being crowned King of France, in 1432, and his subsequent 
 reception by the civic authorities, afforded great opportunity 
 of display to the companies. Stow says " the mayor and 
 aldermen rode against him on horseback ,• the aldermen in 
 gowns of scarlet with sanguine hoods, the mayor in crimson 
 velvet, with a great velvet hat furred, a girdle of gold about 
 his middle, and a jewel of gold about his neck, trailing down 
 behind him; and that he was followed by his three hunts- 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 93 
 
 men on great coursers, in entire suits of red, all spangled with 
 silver. The whole commonalty of the city, who seem mostly 
 to have been liverymen, brought up the rear, clothed in white 
 gowns and scarlet hoods, with divers conuzances embroidered 
 on their sieves.'' 
 
 Lydgate, who has commemorated the ceremony in a long 
 poem, describes " all the craftes rydyng ayens the kyng all 
 in white; and supposes they adopted it as expressing the 
 purity of their loyalty : 
 
 " There clothyng was of colour full covenable ; 
 — The noble mair clad in red velvet, 
 The shrieves, the aldermen, full notable, 
 In furryd clokes, the colour of scarlett ; 
 In stately wyse whanne they were met, 
 Ich one were wel horsyd, and made no delay, 
 But with there maire rood forth on there way. 
 
 The citezens ich on of the citee. 
 
 In their entent that they were pure and clene ; 
 
 Ches them of whit a ful faire lyvere, 
 
 In evry craft, as it was wel sene ; 
 
 To shewe the trowthe that they dede mene, 
 
 Toward the kjug hadde mad them feithfuUy 
 
 In sundry devyses embrowdyd richely." 
 
 "The Merchants Strangers," consisting of the "Geneweys, 
 Florentines, (Genoese and Venetians,) and also the Easter- 
 lings y (all of which nations had then residences in the city,) 
 were dressed in their country fashion, or, as it is stated, " clad 
 in there manere," and attended by Serjeants and other officers, 
 " statly horsyd, "passed through the suburbs, riding after the 
 mayor. At Blackheath (the general place of rendezvous on 
 these occasions,) the whole arranged themselves in two ranks, 
 leaving 
 
 " A strete between ech party lik a wall ; 
 AUe clad in whit, and the most principalle 
 Afore in red,'' 
 
 In allusion to the name and profession of the mayor, (John 
 Wells, grocer,) a pageant, conceived with much taste, and the 
 first attempt at scenic display we read of, was placed against 
 the Great Conduit between Grocers' and Mercers' Halls, re- 
 presenting a grove of such foreign fruits as were peculiar to 
 the trade of a grocer, and in the midst of it three Wells; 
 whose waters, at the king's presence, seemed miraculously, 
 like those at Cana, changed to wine. 
 
94 
 
 HISTORICAL RSSAY. 
 
 This grove, it is probable, resembled an island, as was 
 afterwards customary in this company's shews, and is said 
 to have exhibited 
 
 Oranges, almondys, and the pomegranade, 
 Lymons, dates, there colours fre^h and glade, 
 Pypyns, quynces, chandrellys to disport. 
 And the pom cedre, corageous to recomfort : 
 Eke othere fruites, whiche that more comown be, 
 Quenyngges, peches, costardes, and wardens. 
 And othere manye ful faire and freshe to se. 
 
 The pome water, and the gentil ricardouns, 
 And agaynes hertes for mutegacions 
 Damasyns, whiche with there tast delight, 
 Ful gret plente bothe of blak and white." 
 
 At the wells — serving the wine — were stationed the car- 
 dinal virtues. Faith, Hope, and Charity, or, as they are called, 
 " Mercy, Grace, and Pity." The patriarchs Enoch and 
 Elias 
 
 " full circumspect and wys 
 Ther did apere like folkys faire 
 The kyng presenting ther gji'tes full notable." 
 
 In other words, they were placed in this situation to compli- 
 ment the king, and present him with some of the fruit ; for 
 it is difficult to conceive for what other purpose these scrip- 
 tural personages could have been introduced j and this the 
 poet makes them do in the following lines : 
 
 " That God conferme his state ay to be stable, 
 Thus old Ennock, the processe gan welle telle, 
 And praid for the kyng as he rood be the wellCy 
 After Elias, with his lokkes hore. 
 Well devoutly seyde, lokyng on the kyng, 
 ' God conserve the, and kepe the evermore, 
 And make hym blessyd in erthe here levj^ng, 
 And preserve hym in al manere thyng. 
 And special among kynges alle, 
 In enemyes handes that he nevere falle." 
 
 Edward IV. on his entering the city to be crowned at West- 
 minster, June, 1451, was received on his way by " the mayre 
 and his brethrin, all in scarlet, with iiij.c. commoners, well 
 horsid and cladde in grene, and so avauning theimeself passed 
 the bridge, and through the cite they rode streight on to the 
 Toure of London.'' 
 
ANCIKNT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 95 
 
 20th Nov., 1 Ric. III. — The comaion council ordered a num- 
 ber of persons from each company (in all 406 persons) to ride 
 in murrey-coloured coats to meet that king, on his entering 
 the city to his coronation. 
 
 After the victory of Bosworth, Henry VII., on approaching 
 the city, the 28th of August, 1485, v^^as met at Shoreditch 
 by the mayor and his brethren, in scarlet, with other wor- 
 shipful citizens, clothed in violet ; and so with great pomp 
 and triumph, says Falconer, he rode to the city, and made 
 his offerings of the standards he had taken at St. Paul's. 
 
 On the same monarch's conceding the favour of a corona- 
 tion to his queen, Elizabeth, Nov. 1 487, " at her coming forth 
 from Grenewich by water, there was attending upon her there 
 the maior, shrifes, and aldermen of the citie, and divers and 
 many worshipfull comoners, chosen out of every crafte, in 
 their liverays, in barges freshely furnished with banners and 
 stremers of silke, rechely beaton with the armes and bagges 
 of their craftes ; and in especiall a barge called the bache- 
 ler's barge, garnished and appareleed, passing all other, 
 wherein was ordeyned a great redde dragon spowting flames 
 of fyer into the Thames ; and many other gentlemanlie 
 pagiaunts, well and curiosly devised, to do her highness sporte 
 and pleasoure with." 
 
 On her procession the next day from the Tower to West- 
 minster, all the streets she passed through were " cleene 
 dressed and besene with clothes of tapestrie and arras ; and 
 some streets, as Chepe, hanged with ryche clothe of golde, 
 velvet and silke ; and along the streats, from the Towre to 
 Powles, stode in order all the crafts of London in their live- 
 ries ; and in divers places of the citie were ordeyned singing 
 children, some arrayed like angelles, and other like virgins, 
 to sing sweete songes as her grace passed by." 
 
 On the arrival of the Princess Katherine from Spain to 
 marry Prince Arthur, 6 Henry VII. "the mayor, aldermen, 
 sheryvys, w*. other of the cons^vators, counsellours, and ayders 
 of the cytie of London, so ordrely w*. good polesye had 
 p^vyd the said cytie that the felawsclippes of evy crafte 
 shuld, all things leved aparte, in the sev'all liverys and bodys 
 of their names, be plsent at the comyng of this most excel- 
 lent princess. And for the seid great nombre of crafts were 
 
96 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 barrys made on evTry sid of the wey fro' the myddyl of 
 Gracechurch's strete unto the entryng of the church yard of 
 Powle's, that they might from the comers and com'on people 
 have ther space and ease, and also be scene." 
 
 In "the Banketts and Disguysyngs," which took place 
 before Westminster hall, in honour of the marriage, the prin- 
 cipals of the companies, together with the lord mayor, were 
 honoured by being seated next the king and queen. 
 
 " In the northe sid, annemtest the stage of the king's, 
 there was another stage, cov^ed w* red say, for the mayor 
 of London, the shervys, aldermen, and w':shipfull of the 
 crafts." 
 
 On the court removing afterwards to Richmond, amongst 
 " a great and goodly nombre of barges, for the moost p'tie 
 of evry lord in England," " either fastened up, or " roweing 
 and skym'yng in the riv' and Thamys," was " first, for the 
 cittie of London, the mayer's barge, the sherevys' barge and 
 aldremen dyvTrs bargs; and then the crafts of the el/tie^ 
 having their standards and stremers, w* ther conizances right 
 weel dekkyd, and replenyshid w* w!shipfull company of the 
 citizens." 
 
 When, in 1509, Henry VIII. married the above Catherine 
 of Spain, (his brother's widow,) Hall informs us that the 
 ^' streates where his grace should passe were hanged with 
 tapesterie and clothe of arras, and the greate parte of the 
 southe side of Chepe with clothe of gold, and some parte of 
 Cornehill also ; and the streates railed and barred on the one 
 side from over against Bred streate in Chepeside, where 
 every occupation rode in their liveries in ordre, beginning with 
 base and meane occupations, and so ascending to the wor- 
 shipfull craftes. Highest, and lastly, stode the maior, with 
 the aldermen ; the goldsmithe's stalles unto the ende of the 
 Olde Chaunge beeing replenished with virgins in white with 
 braunches of white waxe." 
 
 Lady Ann Boleyn, the second queen of this monarch, was 
 crowned the 1st of June, 1533 ; and her procession through 
 the city was enlivened, as usual, by marvailous cunnyng 
 pageantes," in which Apollo with the Muses, and St. Anne 
 with her children, had each a conspicuous place. The three 
 Graces also took their stand in Cornlrill, and the Cardinal 
 
ANCIENT STVTE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 97 
 
 Virtues in Fleet-street. Nor is this all: a fountain of Helicon, 
 with courteous inconsistency, ran Rhenish wine, and its 
 rival, the conduit in Cheap, foamed forth claret."*" The parts 
 of the royal procession more particularly connected with the 
 observances of the companies are thus described in the 
 account in Nichols' Progresses : 
 
 The king having directed the mayor to honour the 
 queen's coronation procession from Greenwich to the Tower, 
 and from thence to Westminster, " a common council was 
 called, and commandement given to the haherdashersj of 
 which craft the maior was, to prepare a barge for the bachelors, 
 with a maste and foyste garnished with banners," which was 
 done; all the other crafts had, in the like manner, their 
 barges, with their accustomed banners, their sides decked 
 with targets, and "such seemly banners and bannerets as 
 they had in their halls, or could get to furnish the said barges; 
 and every barge had a minstrel." The lord mayor had in his 
 barge shalines, shagebushes, and divers other instruments 
 of musick, that played continually. The number of the 
 company's barges amounted to 50 ; the lord mayor's barge 
 preceded, following "a foyste for a wafter full of ordinance, 
 in which foyste was a great red dragon, continually mooving 
 and casting wild fire ;" and round about, " terrible, monstrous, 
 and wild men also casting fire, and making a hideous noise." 
 Among the ornaments were numerous flags and banners of 
 the haberdashers and merchant adventurers. The Haber- 
 dashers' Company followed next their member, (the mayor,) 
 then the mercers, then the grocers, and so every company in 
 the order of precedence, as it then stood. In returning with 
 the queen from Greenwich the order was reversed ; the mean- 
 est craft going first, and so ascending to the uppermost craft 
 in order, and the mayor last." At the beheading of this un- 
 fortunate victim of tyranny, only three years afterwards, on 
 the Tower-green, the mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs, " and 
 certaine of the principall companies of the cittie," are de- 
 scribed as being amongst the mournful spectators of one, 
 whose elevation they had so recently been taught to reve- 
 rence and honour. 
 
 Royal Funerals have been noticed as forming also a spe- 
 
 • Taylor's Glory of Regality^ 8vo. 1820. 
 
 II 
 
98 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 cies of state solemnity, at which the attendance of the compa- 
 nies was generally required. 
 
 On the death of Henry V. (Aug. 31, 1422,) the sheriffs 
 elect, Eastfelde and Tattersalle, were ordered not to ride on 
 horse to take their charge at Westminster, as had been ac- 
 customed, but to go in barges, with their companies, which 
 were the mercers' and the drapers', which they did. The 
 drapers are described, on this occasion, to have " been 
 hooded in white, and needle pointed/^ nnd the sheriffs' sergeants 
 to have been " gowned in the same." The mercers' wore 
 " their own clothing.'^ 
 
 The brewers' records give the following interesting account 
 of the king's funeral. " William Walderne was chosen mayor 
 on St. Edmund's day, when it was ordered that the aldermen 
 and crafts should go to Westminster with him, to take his 
 charge, in barges, without minstrels.'^ Every householder 
 was charged to provide a black or russet gown and a black 
 hood ; and, after the charge, to be present at the king's fu- 
 neral. Certain of the crafts were ordered to find 200 torches 
 for the funeral. The brewers provided eight torches on this 
 occasion, weighing 1381b. of wax, price 51s. 9c?. The cham-^ 
 berlain gave white gowns to the torch-bearers, and the 
 brewers paid to each 3c?. a day for two days. 
 
 The royal corpse was brought to London on Thursday, 
 Nov. 5, and was met at St. George's bar, in Southwark, by 
 the mayor, sherifTs, and citizens, on foot; the brewers stood 
 at St. Margaret's (Southwark) church-yard, until the funeral 
 piocession had gone by, preceded by the torch-bearers, and 
 then followed to St. Paul's, where a dirge was performed. On 
 the next day, several masses were sung by many bishops and 
 others, who, after eating, preceded the corpse to Westminster, 
 with the mayor and civic authorities. The torches were held at 
 the gate of the abbey until all had entered ; and, when 
 brought back, weighed 1121b., and were sold for 28s. ^' Every 
 householder from the church of St. Magnus to Temple-bar 
 
 * Subsequent entries contain an account of " parcels sold of divers goods, with 
 torches made for th' intirment of King Henry V.," and among which are enu- 
 merated " tile and tile-sherds," the costages of a barge to go to Westminster 
 with the mayor 6s. Sd., and 2*. for the man's food." 
 
ANCIENT STATE OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 99 
 
 had a servant holding a torch at his door while the proces- 
 sion passed. The burial was solemnized on Saturday, Nov. 7, 
 when there were offered at the high altar, four steeds royally 
 trapped, with a knight, full and whole armed with the king's 
 coat armour, and a crown upon his head, sitting on one of the 
 steeds. After mass 200 cloths of gold were offered. 
 
 At the burial of Ehzabeth of York, queen to Henry 
 Seventh, 1503, amongst "the honest persons, citizens of 
 London, on horseback," we find the aldermen of London, 
 and of the foreign gilds, "the Esterlings, the French 
 men before them, the Portingalls before them, the Venetians 
 before them, the Janavys (Genoese) before them," and "the 
 Lewknors before them;" and " all the surplus of the citizens 
 of London that rode not in black stood along from ^ Fanchers' 
 (Fenchurch) to the end of Cheap." Besides these " were 
 ordeyned divers torch-bearers of certain crafts of London^ 
 which torch-bearers had gownes and hoods of white woUen- 
 cloth." 
 
 The order for the liveries of the twelve companies to wear 
 mourning on the occasion, with a particular description of such 
 mourning, is preserved amongst the City records. It directs, 
 
 " That the most worshipfull fealowships shall stand in 
 Chepe" as follows : viz. the goldsmiths, grocers, drapers, 
 fishmongers, tailors, skynners, haberdashers, salters, and 
 ironmongers. Some from most of the minor crafts were also 
 appointed. They were to be dressed " in cloth gowns of 
 black to the calf of the legge, and narrow tippets of black 
 cloth about their neckes." The ten first crafts are the only 
 ones mentioned, and in the above order. 
 
 The Early Inaugurations of the Mayors seem 
 chiefly to have consisted of the " ridings," accompanied by 
 minstrels, the beadle of the new mayor's company on horse- 
 back, and the attendance of his brother aldermen, and the 
 city authorities. 
 
 At the " chevauche" of John Walcote, grocer and mayor 
 1401, that company's books state 405. to have been paid, 
 for six minstrels, Hd. for their chaprons and fessures, 21c?. 
 for their dinner and wine by the way, and 4:d. for a horse 
 for the beadle. 
 
 The procession of the sheriffs to be sworn into ofHce at 
 
 H 2 
 
100 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Westminster, near the same period, was, in a similar manner, 
 accompanied by minstrels, who were paid on these occa- 
 sions by the respective companies of which the new sheriffs 
 were members, and which also found the entertainment for 
 them, together with banners, the hire of barges to go by 
 water, and other expenses. The sum paid by the grocers 
 for seven minstrels " pd". chevaucher,'' or to ride with their she- 
 riffs, Chicheley and Marlowe, in 1401, was 465. 8J.; for cloth 
 for their chaperons and fessures, 8s. lOtZ.; for their dinner 
 and wine, 16^.; and for the " bedel's horse," 13c?, 
 
 In the reign of Henry VI. the wardens of this company 
 acknowledge a receipt of 56/. 195. 9c?. from certain persons of 
 the craft, for the providing of the clothing of Roger Ottely, 
 chosen mayor. And the same year, their accounts mention the 
 company's hiring of barges, to attend the sheriffs' shew^ by 
 water.* In 1436, they have entries of payments " for myn- 
 stralls and there hodys (hoods,) the iQxm fessures or scullcaps 
 being here disused, for amendyng of banners and hire of 
 barges, with Thomas Catworth and Robert Clapton, chosyn 
 shyerieves, going be water to Westmynster, 4/. 65. 4c?." On 
 their sheriff Otteley subsequently becoming mayor, there is 
 paid " be Thomas Cattworth, for xx clothes of lynesy, ayenst 
 the ryding of Robert Otteley, mayor, xL v'\s. Item, sheryng of 
 the same xx5., wages for mynstalls, \l. xiijs. viiic?., hodys are 
 makyng xiijs. xc?.," and " a hors for Dal ton (beadle) vi^/." 
 
 The Precedency of the companies wasapointof etiquette 
 scrupulously adhered to in all the pageantries we have been 
 describing, and was regulated by the mayor and aldermen; 
 
 * This shews that the companies had barges for water processions half a cen- 
 turj- before Stow mentions their first supposed introduction by Norman, lord mayor 
 in 1450 ; and of whom that wTiter says, " this John Norman was the first mayor 
 that was rowed by water to Westminster to take his oath, for before that time 
 they rode on horseback. He caused a barge to be made at his own charge, and 
 every company had several barges, well decked and trimmed, to pass along with 
 him ; for joy whereof, the watermen made a song in his praise, beginning, " Row 
 thy boaty Norman." Str5pe's Stow, 17.54, xi. p. 224. This might be thought 
 to mean that the companies on this occasion first had their own boats made ; but 
 such does not appear to have been the fact, for the grocers' barge, as above, was 
 only hired. It was not till 1617 that "that Company, thinking it beneath their 
 dignity to appear in a barge not their own," agreed on the minutes " to con- 
 tracte and agree with such persons as they should think meet to erect, edify, and 
 build a faire barge, for the use of this company ; and that they should take care 
 for the provision of a houge and place for the safe keeping of the said barge." — 
 Acc. of the (irocers' Comp. p. 332. 
 
A NCI K NT STATE OF THK (OMPAMKS. lOl 
 
 but seems, at this time and long afterwards, to have been 
 reduced to no fixed principle. The contention between the 
 goldsmiths and tailors has been noticed in p. 25. ; an early 
 regulation had followed it to prevent disputes, ordering that 
 the mayor's company should always precede ; and in some 
 cases, as between the tailors and skinners, and the fishmon- 
 gers and skinners, the aldermen had hit on the happy expe- 
 dient of giving alternate precedence to the disputants. Thus, 
 10 April, 1 Richard III. we find "an award made by the 
 court of aldermen in a difference between the companies of 
 skinners and tailors, respecting their precedency in proces- 
 sions, when it was determined that they shall take precedency 
 of each other alternately every year." Some other regula- 
 tions were also at the same time adopted. No mention, how- 
 ever, occurs of an attempt permanently to settle the question 
 till 4 Henry VIII, when a court, summoned for the purpose, 
 agreed, " that all man^ of felawshippes shall keep the order 
 of goyng in p'cession, and standyng as it was ordeyned in 
 Mr. Shaa'daies." And this order, or some other, it is stated, 
 the next year, (5 Henry VIII.) "was sette, ordeyn*^ and 
 agreed." The note below contains various instances of the 
 manner in which the company's precedency had previously 
 varied.^ 
 
 * Cit>' Records, Rep. 2, fo. 134, 14. 
 
 In the list of companies and tiieir members who were to attend on the entry 
 of the queen to her coronation, 5 Edw. IV. the twelve first named are the 
 mercers, 24 ; drapers, 24 ; grocers, 24 ; fishmongers, 20 ; goldsmiths, 20 ; vint- 
 ners, 12 ; skinners, 16 ; tailors, 24 ; ironmongers, 10 ; salters, 8 ; haberdashers, 
 12 ; girdlers, 6 ; and the 27th, the shermen, 6. 
 
 In the orders for setting out the watch made on the vigil of St. Peter and St. 
 Paul the Apostle, vj. Edw. IV. of 26 companies who are named, the first twelve 
 are as follows ! 
 
 Drapers xi. Skynn'*- xx. Halierdash"- xxx. 
 
 Mercers xl. Tailo"- 1. Diers x. 
 
 Grocers xl. Vyntn>"s- xij. The shermen are > 
 
 Fishmong"- xl. Salt'^- xx. placed 19 > 
 
 Goldsmiths xl. Ironmong"- x. 
 
 20 Nov. 1 Rich. III., the Common Council direct a certain number of persons 
 from each company (in all 406 persons) to ride in murrey-coloured coats, as al- 
 ready noticed, to meet the king on his entering the City. The thirteen first- 
 named companies are as follow : 
 
 Haberdashers xxviii. Goldsmythes xxiiij. Taillors xxx. 
 
 Merc"- xxx. Skynn"- xxiiij. Ironmong"- x. 
 
 Drap"- xxx. Salf^^. x. Scriven'*- iiij. 
 
 GroC^^- xxx. Vyntn"' viij. Dyers x. 
 
 Fishmong"' xxx. 
 
 I 
 
102 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 FROM HENRY IV. TO HENRY Vlll. 
 
 We resume our narration with Henry IV. From this prince 
 originated the letters patent, making the companies bodies cor- 
 porate and politic, under a certain definite style or form, with 
 perpetual succession, and a common seal; the power of being 
 able in law to purchase and take lands in fee-simple, given^ 
 
 28 July, 3 Rich. III., order for a marching watch, and the number of men to 
 be furnished by each company. The thirteen first are as follows : 
 
 Groc"- xj^=^- SkjTin'"^- Ix. Ironmong^s- xl. 
 
 Mercers cc. Salt"- xx. Haberdash"- iiij. 
 
 Drapers cc. Vyntn"- iiij=^*iiij. Serpen''^- xx. 
 
 Fishmong"- vj*^- Taillors cc. Diers Ixiij. 
 
 Goldsmythes c. 
 
 31 August, 1 Henry VIT. The Common Council ordered the companies ^to 
 ride on the king entering the city, to the number of 435, in the following order ; 
 (irocers 30 Goldsmiths 24 Ironmong''^- 10 
 
 Mercers 30 Skinners 20 Scriven"- 4 
 
 Drapers 30 Haberdash'-s- 20 Dyers 10 
 
 Fishm'-s- 30 Salters 10 Sheremen 8 
 
 Tailors 30 
 
 9 Oct. 3 Henry VH. (1487.) The Common Council directed a certain num- 
 ber of the companies (in all 434) to ride in the following order, towards the king 
 on his coming to the city from Kenilworth : 
 
 Ironmong^s- ] q 
 
 Scriveners 4 
 Dyers 10 
 Sheremen 8 
 
 24 June, Henr>' VHI. (1509.) " Hereafter apperith the order of crafts howe 
 they shall stand when the kyng and the quejTi'^ (Hen. VIII. and Queen Cathe- 
 rine,) " shall passe by towards their coronacions : 
 
 1. Taillors 7. Skynners 12. Stockfishmon&". 
 
 2. Mercers 8. Ironmongers. Diers 
 
 3. Grocers 9. Mercht. Haberdash"- 14. Brewers 
 
 4. Drapers 10. Salters 15. Bakers 
 
 5. Fishmong"- H. Vintners 16. Shermen. 
 
 6. Goldsmyths 
 
 An. " 1483. List of the companies having liveries, with the numbers (in all 
 1458) ^'in temp. Joh'is Shaa, milit.^' (Vide above). 
 
 Mercers 66 Taillors 84 Salters 30 
 
 Grocers 84 Skinners 54 Vyntners 26 
 
 Drapers 80 Ironmong^'s- 25 Dyers 19 
 
 Fishmong"- 76 Haberdash"" 41 Shermen 51 
 
 Goldsmti>s- 51 
 
 The next instances are of a miscellaneous complexion, but elucidate the same 
 subject of the precedence of the companies. The first contains their contribu- 
 tions towards completing Guildhall, The second relates to the establishment of 
 a charity of the Twelve Companies. 
 
 An. 1483, S'- John Shaa, mayor. An accomit of *' the sums of money granted 
 
 Mercers 
 
 30 
 
 Goldsm^iis. 
 
 24 
 
 Grocers 
 
 30 
 
 Skinners 
 
 20 
 
 Drapers 
 
 30 
 
 Haberdash'^^' 
 
 20 
 
 Fishm^^- 
 
 30 
 
 Salters 
 
 10 
 
 Taillors 
 
 30 
 
 Vyntners 
 
 8 
 
INCREASE OF THE COMPANIES — LIVERIES. 103 
 
 devised, or assigned; the capability, under their usual de- 
 signations, to plead and be impleaded; "to make good and 
 reasonable bye-laws and ordinances;" to have and hold lands 
 by whatsoever name the same might be bequeathed or con- 
 veyed to them; together with the right of search through 
 their several trades, punishment of offenders in them, and 
 various other privileges. This king also confirmed the mer- 
 cers, skinners, goldsmiths, and tailors. 
 
 The act 1 Hen. IV. c. 7, forbidding the giving of liveries 
 by any but the king, or those he might license, and which 
 was confirmed and explained by other acts of the 2d, 7th, 
 and 13th of the same monarch, prohibits all persons, congre- 
 gations, or companies, from wearing liveries of cloth or hats, 
 contrary to the statute of hats (Lestatut' de livre des cha- 
 pfons) of Richard IL and which states such liveries to have 
 been given for maintenance of quarrels and other confedera- 
 cies; but exempts from its operation " the gilds and fraterni- 
 ties, and also the people of mysteries of cities and boroughs 
 within the realm, that be founded or ordained to good intent 
 and purpose."^ 
 
 The great increase of the trade companies at this time, and 
 w^hich prompted the above and other regulations, appeals 
 from a prior statute (11 Richard II. c. 11,) implying that the 
 business of husbandry was neglected in consequence. It 
 ordains " that as well artificers as people of mystery [men of 
 craft] and of which craft or mystery a man hath no great 
 need, in harvest-time shall be compelled to serve in harvest, 
 to cut, gather, and bring in the corn." The female artificeis 
 
 by severall fealosliips of this cite towards the beldyng of houses of office at the 
 Gyldhall." 
 
 £ s. d. £ s. d. 
 
 Goldsmti's. 20 13 4 Mercers 40 0 0 Grocers 
 Fishmong"- Skinners Drapers / each 
 
 Vintners Stockfishm^s- Hab'dash"- >- £5 
 
 Dyers 5 0 0 Scrivn"- 3 6 8 Salters 
 
 Brewers 10 0 Shermen 10 0 0 Ironmong" 
 
 Pewterers £2 0 0 
 5 Edw. VI. (April.) The Haberdash's- Company offered to give £5 yearly 
 towards finding of a poor scholar at the University, " so that the rest of the truelve 
 Most PVorshypfnl Company es of the citie do the like." The merchant tailors 
 agreed the same day, and subsequently all the rest. 
 
 * This statute of livery of hats compelled companies to attend to give liveries of 
 cloth or hats. By the same also, lords, knights and esquires, as well as gentlemen 
 under certain circumstances, were compelled to give their livery of cloth or hats, 
 " de doner leur liv'ee de vesture ou de chapo^ns." 
 
104 
 
 ULSTOHRAL ESSAY. 
 
 who have been noticed under the reign of Edward III. had 
 equally increased with the men, and engrossed many of the 
 trades connected with the dress of their sex. For carrying 
 on these they had their peculiar districts, the Bond-streets 
 and Cranborn-alleys of antiquity, and similarly associated in 
 gilds. The " silk women of London" were probably one of 
 the most consequential of these societies, and will be found 
 noticed in the account of the Mercers' Company. 
 
 In the 5th of Henry IV., the absolute control the mayor 
 had acquired over the companies was remarkably exem- 
 plified in some proceedings which took place on a dispute be- 
 tween the goldsmiths and cutlers ; when the former, having pe- 
 titioned the king to confirm their right of search, granted by 
 Edw. III. and which they extended to the oversight of the 
 cutlers, the latter, in a counter-petition, denied such right of 
 oversight of cutlers' work to reside any where but with the 
 four wardens " de artifice de cotellerie,'' Both these pe- 
 titions being considered by parliament, it was directed that a 
 writ should be sent to the mayor of London, and that he 
 should be empowered, by authority of parliament, to summon 
 the folks of both the goldsmiths' and cutlers' mysteries, who 
 should produce their ancient evidences and usages on both 
 sides before him; and which said mayor should, if need- 
 ful, certify the result without delay, to the king in coun- 
 cil, in order that the king, on deliberation, and with the 
 advice of the lords spiritual and temporal, might act as the 
 case should require. 
 
 The writs to the mayor on this occasion, as well on behalf 
 of the goldsmiths as the cutlers, command, — that in conse- 
 quence of certain petitions which had been presented to the 
 king, in his present parliament, by the goldsmiths and the 
 cutlers, and which petitions were inclosed, he should, on 
 reading the same, do what was right on the behalf of each, 
 and make return thereof, under his seal, to the king in his then 
 parliament, who would determine thereupon. 
 
 The return of the mayor specified " that by virtue of two 
 writs of the lord the king, directed to him, William Ascham, 
 mayor of London, he had inspected the inclosed petitions of 
 the goldsmiths and cutlers, and had caused to appear before 
 him, at the guildhall of the said city, as well the sufiicient 
 
STYLE OF THE COMPANIES^ BOOKS ALTERED. 105 
 
 men of the said mysteries, as several other good and sufficient 
 aged men of each ward of the city, and had had exhibited to 
 him, by the said goldsmiths and cutlers, their charters, inrol- 
 ments, and evidences, as well written as not written, con- 
 cerning the rules, usage, assaying, and government of the 
 said mysteries; and by which it appeared to him, the mayor, 
 that the cutlers had of old times occupied their works of gold 
 and silver within the city, as the change of times and fashion 
 demanded; and that the wardens of the mystery of gold- 
 smiths, for the time being, subject to the oversight of the 
 mayor and aldermen of the same city, had from old times 
 been accustomed to have the assay of the gold and silver 
 work of the said cutlers within the city of London.* 
 
 Henry V. is not mentioned to have incorporated any company 
 except the above one, the cutlers; though, from the many now 
 extinct companies we read of in his reign, it seems probable 
 that he must have incorporated and confirmed several which we 
 are not acquainted with.f An important improvement in the 
 keeping of the companies' books is ascribed to this king. The 
 account is in an entry, in Latin, amongst the brewers' records, 
 of which the following is a translation. We should previously 
 remark, that all the old court books, and others of the early 
 fraternities, are in Norman French, sometimes intermixed with 
 abbreviated Latin, or the old English of Chaucer's day. This 
 will have been observed in the extracts we have made. The dis- 
 continuance of these languages, unless for legal instruments, 
 is evinced by the grocers' and other companies having their 
 ordinances translated, and adopting English in keeping their 
 books about this time; but the cause has been left for the 
 above-mentioned curious records to develope. 
 
 * Petitions in Pari, vol 2. 
 
 t The brewers' records have two lists about this time, one headed The titles 
 of divers crafts of old accustomed and long continuing, this 9th year of Henry V." 
 (1422:) the other, "The names of divers crafts and fraternities that did hire our 
 hall during two years (1422-3), with the sums of money which they did pay." 
 After naming the Twelve Companies in the following order, — mercers, grocers, 
 drapers, fishmongers, goldsmiths, vintners, skinners, tailors, saddlers, fer- 
 rones, [ironmongers,] girdlers, allutarij, hab'dashers, — they enumerate most of 
 the minor ones given in the preceding lists of 38 and 50 Edw. III. 5 together with 
 the following additibnal companies ; the galoch-makers, linen-weavers, paynters, 
 cementari), sheremen, hatters, coffres, pointmakers, leatherdyers, bellmakers, 
 chariotmakers, brochemakers, carvers, bookbinders, textwriters, chapemakers, net 
 makers, and masterclerks. 
 
106 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 " Whereas our mother tongue, to wit, the English tongue, 
 hath in modern days began to be honourably enlarged and 
 adorned; for that our most excellent lord king Henry the 
 Fifth hath, in his letters missive, and divers affairs touching 
 his own person, more willingly chosen to declare the secrets 
 of his will; and for the better understanding of his people, 
 hath, with a diligent mind, procured the common idiom (set- 
 ting aside others) to be commended by the exercise of writing; 
 and there are many of our craft of brewers who have the 
 knowledge of writing and reading in the said English idiom, 
 but in others, to wit, the Latin and French, before these times 
 used, they do not in anywise understand ; for which causes, 
 with many others, it being considered how that the greater 
 part of the lords and trusty commons have begun to make 
 their matters to be noted down in our mother tongue, so we 
 also in our craft, following in some manner their steps, have 
 decreed in future to commit to memory the needful things 
 which concern us, as appeareth in the following:" 
 
 The entries then proceed to notice, in English, other of 
 what they call " the extraordinary and arbitrary proceedings 
 of Richard Whittington against the Brewers' Company," in 
 addition to those already detailed, and the succeeding en- 
 tries are chiefly found in English. 
 
 Henry VI. confirmed almost the whole of the twelve com- 
 panies, besides chartering or confirming many of the lesser 
 ones; viz. the dyers, brewers, armourers, girdlers, cord- 
 wainers, and the masons. His confirmations of the great 
 companies, included the mercers, grocers, drapers, fishmon- 
 gers, merchant tailors, salters, haberdashers, and the vint- 
 ners. The following important legal regulation took place in 
 the 15th of this reign : 
 
 The commons petitioned the king, " that whereas the masters, 
 wardens, and commonalty of several gilds, fraternities, and 
 other companies incorporate in various parts of the kingdom, 
 frequently, under colour of rule and government, and other 
 terms, in general words to them granted and confirmed by 
 charters and letters patent of the progenitors of our lord the 
 king, made amongst themselves several disloyal and little rea- 
 sonable ordinances, as well as corrected offences, whereof the 
 cognizance and punishment solely appertained to the king, 
 
companies' records INROLLED VOTE AT ELECTIONS. 107 
 
 the lords of liberties, and other persons, and by which the 
 said lord the king and others were disinherited of their fran- 
 chises and profits, confederating things for their own single 
 profit, and to the common damage of the people." 
 That he would ordain, 
 
 "That the masters, wardens, and commonalty of each such in- 
 corporated gild, fraternity, or company, should, between then 
 and the ensuing Michaelmas-day, bring and cause to be re- 
 gistered of record, before the justices of the peace, or go- 
 vernors of cities, burghs, and towns, in which such gilds are 
 situated, all their letters patent and charters ,* and that they 
 should not make or use any ordinance in disparity or dimi- 
 nution of the franchises of the king or others, or against the 
 common profit of the people, nor allow any other ordinances 
 without their being first approved and inrolled before such 
 justices; and that the same should be by them afterwards 
 revoked and recalled, if not found to be wholly loyal and rea- 
 sonable ; and this under penalty of losing and forfeiting the 
 power and effect of all articles comprised in their said letters 
 patent and charters, which allowed them to make amongst 
 themselves such ordinances ; and moreover of forfeiting to the 
 king the sum of 10/. for every ordinance made contrary, as 
 often as they should be convicted thereof by due process." The 
 statute 15 Henry IV. c. 6, 7, grants this petition in pre- 
 cisely the same words.^ 
 
 Edward IV. confirmed the drapers, goldsmiths, merchant 
 tailors, salters, ironmongers, and clothworkers ; and of minor 
 companies, the pewterers, barber-surgeons, tallow-chandlers, 
 and cooks. 
 
 The reign of this prince was remarkable for the further 
 enlargement of the power of the companies, by associating 
 the liverymen at large of the trading companies with the 
 electors at common hall. In his seventh year it was enacted 
 by the Common Council, " that the election of mayor and 
 sheriffs should be in the Common Council, together with the 
 masters and wardens of each mystery. The number of voters, 
 however, appearing by this regulation to be too much nar- 
 rowed, it was at last established by act of Common Council, of 
 15th of Edward IV., that the master and wardens should 
 
 • Rol. Pari. iv. p. 507. 
 
10^^ HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 associate with themselves the honest men of their mysteries, 
 and to come in their best Hveries to the elections of the mayor 
 and sheriffs : and moreover, that none but themselves and 
 the members of Common Comicil should be present." These 
 City elections were finally regulated as above by the act 2. 
 George I. 
 
 The statute of the 8th of this king, c. 11. against the 
 old grievance of promiscuously giving liveries, again ex- 
 cepts from its operation "gilds, fraternities, or mysteries cor- 
 porate." These frequent prohibitions on the same subject 
 would seem strange to modern readers, if the reason had not 
 been just explained. The evil of these party distinctions had 
 reached its height in the preceding war between the " Roses,'' 
 and again called forth legislative enactments on Edward's 
 becoming secured on the throne. Henry VII., who resorted 
 to the same measure at the beginning of his reign, finally 
 destroyed the practice by the heavy fine he is known to have 
 inflicted on his father-in-law. Lord Stanley. 
 
 At the coronation of Richard III. the example first occurs 
 of the heads of the great livery companies being chosen by 
 the Common Council to attend the mayor of London to West 
 minster as cup-bearer. The persons so chosen were the un 
 der-written, viz. 
 
 Henry Cole, goldsmith John Tate, mercer 
 
 WiUiam Sandes, grocer WiUiam Sparke, clothworker 
 
 John Swann, cissor Thomas Ostriche, haberdasher 
 
 Wilham Mariner, Salter Richard Knight, fishmonger 
 
 John Pasmer, pellipar Thomas Bretayn, ironmonger 
 
 Roger (blank of two names here.) 
 
 who went in great state ; and their claim in this particular 
 was formally allowed, and still remains on record at the Town 
 Clerk's Office.* 
 
 In this same reign the twelve companies also gave a proof 
 of their civic importance and liberality, by contributing, with 
 the mayor, Ralph Josceline, towards the repair of the city 
 walls, each company taking his respective portion. The 
 skinners made that part thereof on the east, between Aldgate 
 and Bevis Marks, towards Bishopsgate, and had their arms 
 put up there in three places. The mayor, with his company 
 of drapers, made all that part betwixt Bishopsgate and All- 
 
 ♦ Lib. L. fol. ]9l.a. and b. 
 
COMPANIES REGULATED THEIR BYE-LAWS. 109 
 
 hallows church. From All-hallows towards the postern of 
 Moorgate, Crosby's executors (the grocers) were the builders, 
 and placed the said Crosby's arms there, where they remained 
 till the late destruction of that part of the wall. The remain- 
 der of the wall, from Crosby's portion as far as to Cripplegate 
 postern, was made by other companies. The goldsmiths re- 
 paired from Cripplegate towards Aldersgate, and there their 
 work ceased. 
 
 The reigns of Henry VII. and Henry VIII. form an impor- 
 tant era in the history of the companies. From their first 
 general incorporation by Edward III., these societies had 
 been gradually augmenting in numbers, and, by engrossing 
 the trade of the kingdom, and constituting the bulk of the 
 Common Council, they had acquired such wealth and conse- 
 quence as to attract the especial attention of government. 
 The policy ascribed to Louis VII. of France, and to King 
 John, of interposing the commercial class between the nobi- 
 lity and their vassals, eminently applied to Henry VII., who, 
 wishing to establish a throne which had been so frequently 
 shaken in the contests to which we have alluded, found in 
 the companies a powder made for the purpose. He began, like 
 Edward III., by conferring the highest distinction he could 
 on them ; and to that end, not only became a brother of the 
 same fraternity, the Tailors' Company, but delivered them a 
 new charter from the throne, himself habited in the com- 
 pany's livery, made of velvet and other rich materials ; and in 
 the same dress presided afterwards as their master. 
 
 Besides re-incorporating the tailors, Henry VII. granted 
 confirmations to most of the other companies, (including the 
 goldsmiths, fishmongers, and haberdashers,) and first incor- 
 porated the poulterers, coopers, and scriveners. His greatest 
 boon was to the commonalty of the companies, and is thus 
 noticed by Anderson :^ 
 
 " In 1504, the bye-laws made by corporations, or fellow- 
 ships of crafts, gilds, and fraternities, were found to be many 
 ways against the king's prerogative, the common law of Eng- 
 land, and the liberty of the subject, 'being (says Lord Bacon) 
 
 • Hist. Commerce, 8vo. 11. p. 14. See also Rot. Pari. iv. p. 607. 
 
110 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 fraternities in evil.' Wherefore an act of parliament this 
 year (19 Henry VII. c. 7.) restrains the masters or wardens 
 of such fraternities from making any new bye-laws or ordi- 
 nances concerning the prices of wares and other things, for 
 their own singular profit, until first examined and approved 
 of by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, or King's Jus- 
 tices, on pain of forfeiting 40/. for every offence."^ 
 
 Heniy VIII. incorporated the innholders, and some other 
 minor companies, and re-incorporated the fishmongers on the 
 union of the two trades of stock-fishmongers and salt-fish- 
 mongers. He also first incorporated the barber-surgeons, to 
 whom, like his father, he delivered their charter on the throne, 
 as represented in Holbein's fine painting in their hall. 
 
 Stow's quaint notices of the rise of several of the minor 
 companies, about, or a little before this reign, is amusing, 
 and exactly corresponds with what has been stated, namely, 
 that these fraternities sprung from the congregating together 
 of men of the same calling, for trade and social purposes. 
 
 Thus, speaking of the pewterers, he says, " These were a 
 company or meeting of friendly and neighbourly men in the 
 time of Edward IV., and became, in the 13th of that king, 
 incorporated." Of the tallow-chandlers, that they "were a 
 society of great antiquity, living in good formality among 
 men, and loving agreement with themselves, and so came to 
 be incorporated in the reign of Edward IV." That the 
 masons, otherwise termed " free-masons," " were a society of 
 ancient standing and good reckoning, by means of affable 
 and kind meetings divers times, and as a loving brotherhood 
 should use to do, did frequent their mutual assemblies in the 
 time of King Henry IV., in the 12th year of whose most graci- 
 ous reign they w^ere incorporated." And in finishing with a no- 
 tice of the innholders, incorporated as above, he adds of them, 
 that " having been a community or society of honest friendly 
 
 • The preamble, as in PjTison's Statutes, states, nearly as in p. 106., for that, 
 the mayster wardens and people of guyldes, fraternj-tees, and of other companies 
 corporate, dwellinge in dpers partjes of the realme, often tymes by colour of 
 rule and governuance to them granted and confirmed by charters and letters pa- 
 tentes of dyvers kynges, made amonge themselfe many unlawful! and unreasona- 
 ble ordj-naunces." * ♦ * • * And over that, it is enacted " that none of the same 
 bodyes corporate take upon them to make any actes or ordjTiances."— Sta- 
 tutes, 19 Henr>- VII. cap. 7. 
 
EFFECTS OF THE COMPANIES' MONOPOLY. Ill 
 
 men, by their often meeting and conversing together, as in 
 those days it was a matter much observed, they came to be 
 incorporated in the 6th year of King Henry VIII." 
 
 Various circumstances seem to have impeded the charter- 
 ing of more new companies in this reign, notwithstanding 
 their flourishing state. Northouck (p. 113) ascribes the causes 
 of the frequent riots against foreigners, and particularly of 
 that in the 6th Henry VIII., known by the name of " Evil 
 May-day," to the trading corporations having now ceased to 
 be useful by having answered the first object of their crea- 
 tion. " Their exclusive privileges," says that writer, " had 
 sheltered and protected citizens against the feudal claims ; 
 but that tyranny was now no more, and the limitations of 
 these seminaries of traders began, under the increase of traffic, 
 to operate to their disadvantage. Strangers, shut out of cor- 
 porations, settled round the walls ; hence the trades without, 
 being clear from municipal restrictions and burdens, grew 
 formidable to the trade carried on within. This now began 
 to be the case with London; foreigners to their jurisdiction, 
 whether natives or not, were always regarded with a zealous 
 antipathy, and were frequently the sufferers by such tumul- 
 tuous violence as on the above occasion." 
 
 Several resolutions subsequently passed, the most particu- 
 lar of which was an enactment of the Star-chamber, " that all 
 strangers be contributors, as the king's natural born subjects 
 were and that they should come to the mayor of London 
 to take the oaths to be true to the king and his heirs : and of 
 this enactment sundry exemplifications were made, and sent 
 to the several companies in 1525. 
 
 In the 15th and 16th of Henry VIII. (c. 11,) a statute ope- 
 rating on the like principle was passed, restraining aliens in 
 regard to the numbers they should take of apprentices and 
 journeymen, and which grants power to the corporations of 
 handicrafts to examine and stamp the former's work. This 
 act is curious for particularizing the then extent of the su- 
 burbs of London, over which the jurisdiction of the wardens 
 of the companies was authorized. Their limits of exami- 
 nation reached two miles from the city, viz. within the 
 town of Westminster, the parishes of St. Martin's in the 
 Fields, our Lady of the Strand, St. Clement's Danes without 
 
112 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Temple-bar, St. Giles's in the Fields, St. Andrew, Holborn, 
 the town and borough of South wark, Shoreditch, Whitecha- 
 pel parish, St. John of Jerusalem, Clerkenwell ; Clerkenwell 
 parish, St. Botolph without Aldgate, St. Katherine's near the 
 Tower of London, and Bermondsey.* Henry VIII. also, 
 the more firmly to establish the companies, permitted them to 
 receive from the heralds grants of arms. Some, however, as 
 the drapers and linen armourers, received grants at much 
 earlier dates. 
 
 In 1544, the citizens, members of the twelve companies, 
 gave a specimen of the great opulence to which they had 
 arisen, by lending King Henry VIII. 21,263Z. 6s. 8d. on lands 
 mortgaged to them towards his wars in Scotland. 
 
 This seems to have been nearly the first instance of loan, on 
 an application from the crown for pecuniary assistance ; and it 
 is worth remark, as it will be seen, in pursuing the company's 
 history, to what a ruinous extent the precedent was after- 
 wards carried. Earlier instances occur of their contributing 
 towards state triumphs ; but, with the exception of paying 
 their rents or fermes, and occasional fees on the renewal of 
 patents, we only meet with a single entry of the company's 
 furnishing money towards warlike operations. It was on 
 occasion of the attempt of the Duke of Burgundy against 
 Calais, (then in the possession of the English,) in the reign 
 of Henry VI. , when the warden's accounts of the grocers (as 
 one of the contributing companies) record a payment of 
 13/. I5. 8d. for "ij. speres and iiij bowes, sent by the company 
 of grocers, for the sauf kepyng of Caleys against the seige 
 of the fals Duke of Burgoyne."t 
 
 • Northouck, p, 117. 
 
 t And the following similar entry of money received from the members towards 
 the same object : " Also rec^ of certeyn p'sones of the craft for waiges of ij speres 
 and iiij bowes, sowldiers, for the sauf keeping of Caleys agenst the seege of the 
 fals pretending Duke of Burgoyne." — Grocers^ Books. 
 
I' ROM TflE 
 
 REFORMATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 
 
 HE effects of the Reformation were 
 severely felt by the Livery Com- 
 panies. It had been customary, in 
 making gifts and devises to these 
 societies in the Catholic times, to 
 charge such gifts with annual pay- 
 ments, for supporting chantries for 
 the souls of the respective donors ; 
 and, as scarcely an atom of property 
 left without being so restricted, at a period when the 
 supposed efficacy of these religious establishments formed 
 part of the national belief, almost the whole of the Companies* 
 Trust Estates became liable, at the Reformation, to change 
 masters with the change of religion. 
 
 The act of ParUament of Henry VIII.* entitled "an acte 
 for dissolucion of colleges, ch^untries, and free chapelles, at 
 the king's majestie's pleasure," had given the whole of these 
 colleges and chantries, and their estates, to that king and his 
 successors ; but they do not appear to have been wholly taken 
 possession of by the crown until the next reign, when a new 
 act,t entitled " an acte whereby certaine ch^untries, colleges, 
 free chapells, and the possessions of the same be given to 
 the king's ma*!'", vested all such as had not been before seized 
 on, (and which included " all payments by corporations, 
 misteryes or craftes, for priests' obits and lamps,") in the 
 the king ; to whom they were thenceforth to be paid by the 
 companies.^ 
 
 * Act 37 Henry VIII. c. iv. 
 t Act 1 BHward VI. c. xiv. 
 
 I The act: " consyderitig that a greate pte of superstition and errour in 
 Christian religion hath byn brought into the myndes and estimacoiis of men, bv 
 
114 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 " This," says Strype, " was a great blow to the corpora- 
 tions of London ; nor was there any other way for them but 
 to purchase and buy off these rent-charges, and get as good 
 pennyworths as they could of the king ; and this they did in 
 the 3d of Edward VI. by selling other of their lands to 
 enable them to make these purchases. This cost the com- 
 panies 18,700/., which possessions, when they had thus 
 cleared again, they employed to good uses, according to 
 the first intent of them, abating the superstition.^ 
 
 The " certificates" returned by the respective companies to 
 the king's commissioners on this occasion were all of a 
 similar nature, as will be seen under their proper heads.f 
 They were principally in answer to the following ques- 
 tions, and afford a very particular and important statement 
 of the company's trust-property at this time : 
 
 1. Whether or not they had any peculiar brotherhood or 
 guild within their corporation? — 2. Whether they had any 
 college, chantry, chapel, fraternity, brotherhood or guild, 
 within the same? — What number of stipendiary priests they 
 paid from bequests of estates, and what were the amount 
 of such stipends? — Who were the donors, and what were 
 the particulars of the estates left, with their yearly value, 
 and the payments and deductions to be made from them ? 
 3. Whether they possessed any, and what jewels, goods, orna- 
 
 thc devising and pbantasinge vaine op}Tiions of purgatorye and masses satisfac- 
 torye, to be done for them which be departed ; the which doctrine and vaine 
 opynion by nothing more is mayntayneet and upholden than by the abuse of 
 treatfills, chauntries, and other provysions made for the contj'nuance of the 
 saide blyndnesse and ignoraunce and that the converting of the same to 
 good and godlie uses, as the erecting of grammar schools, augmenting the 
 universities, and better provision of the poor, cannot be better done than by the 
 king, with the advice of his council; and calling to mind the act 37 Henry VIII- 
 It ordains as above, and enumerates (as particularly included in the act) " all 
 manner of corporations, gilds, fraternities, companies, and fellowships of mys- 
 teries or crafts." 
 
 • Strype's Stow, 11, p. 336. 
 
 t As — " Societas sive corporatio aurifahrorum Londoniae praedictae, ^c. They 
 render ayi account of divers sruns for stipends of chantry, priests, ^c." The like 
 account is rendered by the eleven other great companies, amongst a variety of 
 others, in the following order : Corporatio societatis AeXessalters. Corporatio socie- 
 tatis pelliiiariorum vocatorura skynners. Corporatio societatis de lez vynteners. 
 C()r[)oralio societatis viercororum. Corporatio societatis de lez fisshemongers. 
 Corporatio societatis mercatorum scissorum. Corporatio societatis pannariorum 
 London ifip [vocatorum] the drapers. Corporatio societatis de lez iremongers. 
 Corporatio de lez haberdashers. Corporatio societatis de lez clothworkers : as, 
 vide Compotus Ministrorum Regis, 5 Edw. VI. in Londonia, in archivo curiae 
 augmentationum. 
 
companies' returns at thr suppression. 115 
 
 ments, chattels, and other things appertaining to any chantry 
 or stipendiary priests ; and if so, to return all the particulars 
 concerning them. And lastly, whether they had any other 
 yearly profits or advantages, (exclusively of those above 
 mentioned,) which to their knowledge the king ought to 
 have under the operation of the act. 
 
 To ensure correct returns to the above queries, the com- 
 missioners were empowered to survey all such mysteries, 
 crafts, and corporations, and to inspect all evidences, compo- 
 sitions, books of accompts, and other writings, which they 
 might possess.* 
 
 The companies paid the chantry rents so given to Edward 
 VI. until the third year of his reign, when the king requiring 
 them to purchase them, they sold other of their estates, 
 under circumstances which will be presently detailed. The 
 particulars of the sales and purchases on this occasion will 
 be found in the note.f 
 
 * The following is a specimen of the returns : 
 
 "The cytye of London and county of Middlesex. The corporacions and 
 companies within the citie of London. The company of the suiters c Thomas 
 Beaumonde gave unto the master and brethren of the same companye, to find a 
 prest to singe within the churche of Allhallowes, Bread-stret, as much landes 
 as amount unto xvij/. xvijs. myl. ; whereof to Sir John Cornysshe prest lor 
 his stipende by yere, x\s. \\\\d. ; to the king for quit rent, xiiij*. y'nxd. ; 
 spent vppon an obite there, Ixs. ixr/. ; spent uppon leights there, xx*. [together^ 
 xii/. vii^. id^ And then remayneth clere cx*. iid." After which follow accounts 
 of other endowments for chantries given to the same company. 
 
 The hke gifts and foundations mutatis mutandis are severally placed under 
 the heads {inter alia) of the eleven great companies following : skymiers, 
 vinteners, mercers, fysshemongers, iremongers, merchaunt taylors, grocers, 
 clothe-workers, haberdasshers, goldesmythes, and drapers. 
 
 t Strype's Stow, 11, p. 336. 
 A particular Note of suche Charitable good uses as are performed by the Twelve 
 Great Companies of London, out of suche rents as they purchased of King 
 
 Edward VI. 
 
 MERCERS — (No return.) 
 
 GROCERS. 
 
 They purchased of the king in rente 86 8 00 
 
 They sould tenements to buy the same per annum 65 02 01 
 
 Fai/ments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 30 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 15 06 08 
 
 Towards the maintenance of a schole 10 00 00 
 
 In almes to poore men and women 50 00 00 
 
 Sum of the yerelie payments 105 06 08 
 
 DRAPERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente per annum 55 07 00 
 
 They sould tenements to buy the same joer flwwMm 40 16 08 
 
 I 2 
 
116 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Edward VI. followed up the seizure of the chantry estates 
 by a measure of emancipation calculated to promote the ge- 
 neral interests of trade, but which inflicted another blow on 
 the companies. By a clause in the same act, of the 2d and 3d 
 of his reign, all manner of workmen connected in the build- 
 ing of houses and other edifices were licensed to exercise their 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 18 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions 15 00 00 
 
 In almes to poore men and women 50 00 00 
 
 Sum of the yerelie payments 83 00 00 
 
 GOLDSMITHS. 
 
 They purchased of the Vxwg in rent per annum 106 16 09 
 
 They sould tenements to buy the same per awwMW 105 12 00 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions yerely to poore decaied brethren .30 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 20 13 04 
 
 To the maintenance of two scholes 20 00 00 
 
 To almes to poore men and women 80 00 00 
 
 Sum of the yerelie payments 150 13 04 
 
 FISHMONGERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente per annum 95 01 04 
 
 They soulde tenements to buy the same per annum 113 09 04 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rentes purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren , 25 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 30 00 00 
 
 To the maintenance of a schole 30 00 00 
 
 In almes to the poore of their companie 22 10 08 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie pajnnents of the rentes purchased 107 10 08 
 
 SKYNNERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente per annum 46 03 07 
 
 They soulde tenements to buye the same per annum 47 08 06 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rentes purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 25 13 04 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 13 06 08 
 
 To the maintenance of a schole 33 06 08 
 
 To the almesmen 6 13 08 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie payments 79 00 00 
 
 MERCHANT-TAILERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente per annum 98 11 05 
 
 They soulde tenements to buy the same per annum 124 01 08 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rentes purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 58 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 18 00 00 
 
 One grammar schole 10 00 00 
 
 To ther almesmen 42 00 00 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie payments 128 00 00 
 
RENTS AND EXPENDITURE OF THE COMPANIES. 117 
 
 occupations in cities and towns corporate, though they were 
 not free of such corporations. This makes it evident, as 
 Northouck observes, " that inconvenience began to be felt 
 from the exclusive privileges of corporations, and which now 
 demanded some relaxation.'* The city afterwards got this 
 
 HABERDASHERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente ;?(?r a/iwwm 40 10 02 
 
 They soulde tenements to buy the same rente per annum 25 10 00 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 23 00 08 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 16 13 04 
 
 In ahnes to poore men and women 20 00 00 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie payments 60 00 00 
 
 SALTERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente per annum 48 09 09 
 
 They sould tenements to buy the same per annum 47 10 08 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 10 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 10 00 00 
 
 In almes to ther poore brethren 37 06 08 
 
 Sums of ther yerelie payments 57 06 08 
 
 IRONMONGERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente joer annum 12 05 00 
 
 They soulde tenements to buy the same per annum 08 00 00 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 07 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 13 06 08 
 
 To ther almesmen 10 00 00 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie payments 30 06 08 
 
 VINTNERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rente per annum 18 06 08 
 
 They sould tenements to purchase the same per annum 06 00 00 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to decaied brethren 10 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to scollers 13 06 08 
 
 To ther almesmen 15 00 00 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie payments 38 06 08 
 
 CLOTHWORKERS. 
 
 They purchased of the kinge in rent per annum 20 05 02 
 
 They sould tenements to buy the same 18 03 04 
 
 Payments yerelie out of the Rents purchased. 
 
 In pensions to poore decaied brethren 15 00 00 
 
 In exhibitions to schollers 13 06 08 
 
 To ther almesmen, 18 07 06 
 
 To the maintenance of a schole 20 00 00 
 
 Sum of ther yerelie payments 66 14 02 
 
 Memorandum. — That the annual value of all the rents purcha.sed in the 
 patents of King Edward VI. (and for the which after the rate of 20 years' pur- 
 rbase was paid, amounting to 18,714 18 f,) was 734 11 5.|. 
 
118 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 act repealed, on the plea of the costs and charges craftsmen 
 were liable to for the national as well as corporation taxes, 
 and the great danger of " the decaie of cunning,'^ by driving 
 away freemen, if foreigners were admitted amongst them ; but 
 these very reasons against admitting cheaper workmen into 
 corporations afford strong proof that their restrictions and 
 privileges had a tendency to check their trade, and throw it 
 into the hands of unprivileged manufacturers.^ 
 
 The act of parliament, 1 Mary, was of a less liberal charac- 
 ter: it prohibited the linendrapers, woollendrapers, haber- 
 dashers, grocers, and mercers, who lived in the open coun- 
 try, and were not free of any city, borough, or corporation 
 town, from vending their wares in such, or any where else, 
 except in open fairs, and by retail. 
 
 Philip and Mary reincorporated the stationers, accompany- 
 ing their charter with a number of new regulations for 
 the book trade, most of which were calculated to fetter the 
 liberty of the press in matters of religion. The first legal ap- 
 pointment of a court of assistants which occurs in any of the 
 companies was made to the stationers at this time, and the 
 members of it nominated in this incorporation charter. The 
 election of masters and wardens was, however, still vested in 
 the old master, wardens, and commonalty.f Philip and 
 Mary confirmed many of the other companies. The custom 
 of forced loans, which was afterwards carried to a most op- 
 pressive extent, was resumed by Queen Mary, in 1557. It had 
 been begun by Henry VIII., who in 1545 compelled the 
 twelve companies to advance him £21,263 65. 8c?. upon a 
 mortgage of crown lands, towards the charges of his war with 
 Scotland. After that, he determined to raise a further sum 
 by a benevolence, and sent commissioners into the city to 
 assess the Londoners. J The sum required on this occasion by 
 
 * See ante, p. 111. 
 
 t Charters and Grants of the Stationers' Company, 8vo. London, 1741. 
 
 X Alderman Richard Read not only objected to this arbitrary measure, but })osi- 
 tively relused to pay the sum demanded of him; for which Henry, whose tyran- 
 nical spirit would endure no opposition, eru'olled him as a foot soldier, and sent 
 iuni to Scoflaiu! with the army, where, after great hardships, he was taken pri- 
 soner, and obhi-ed to i)ay a considerable sum for his ransom. — Nort/iouck's Lon- 
 don, 121. 
 
EXACTIONS ON THE COMPANIES — PRECEPTS. 119 
 
 Mary was £20,000, which was in hke manner lent by the 
 city companies, at 12 percent., secured on certain of the crown 
 lands. In the July of the same year there occurs the first com- 
 pulsory levy of soldiers on them. The form of precept sent by the 
 mayor in consequence to the grocers, commands " the war- 
 dens to provide 60 good sadd and hable men to be sould- 
 gears, whereof 2 to be horsemen, well horsed and armyd ; 20 
 of them to be harquebuziers or archers, 20 to bear pykes, and 
 18 to be bill-men, all well harnyshed and weponed, mete and 
 convenient, accordynge to the appoynment of our sovereigne 
 lorde and ladye the king's and queene's majestic; as well 
 for the suretie and safeguarde of their highnesse's chamber 
 and citie of London, as the resistance of such militious 
 attempts as may happen to be made against them by foreigne 
 enemie."^' 
 
 The next year, (1558,) Maitland states that £200,000 was 
 raised in the city, by way of loan, at 12 per cent., to carry on 
 the French war, and to which all the companies were com- 
 pelled otherwise largely to contribute. The grocers' books 
 state the sum to be raised by the twelve companies to have been 
 £65,000, and that their proportion was £7,055; the six three- 
 fourths of which were supplied from amongst the members by 
 individual contribution.^ 
 
 From this period the extracting of money from the trading 
 corporations became a regular source of supply to government, 
 and was prosecuted during Elizabeth's and the succeding 
 reigns with a greediness and injustice that scarcely left those 
 societies time to breathe. Contributions towards setting the 
 poor to work; towards erecting the Royal Exchange; towards 
 cleansing the city ditch; and towards projects of discovering 
 new countries; money for furnishing military and naval 
 armaments; for men, arms, and ammunition, to protect the 
 city; for state and city pageants and attendances; for pro- 
 vision of coal and corn; compulsory loans for government 
 and for the prince ; state lotteries, monopolous patents, " con- 
 cealments," seditious publications and practices, sumptuary 
 
 * Account of the Gioceis' CompdJi), p. lU. 
 t Ibid. 
 
120 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 regulations, and twenty other sponging expedients, were 
 amongst the more prominent of the engines by which that 
 "mother of her people," EUzabeth, and afterwards, James 
 and Charles, contrived to screw from the companies their 
 wealth. " Specie in their hands," as Malcolm observes, " had 
 the faculty of attracting clouds of precepts ; and, whatever 
 the companies were compelled to lavish, the crown was ready 
 to receive."^ 
 
 Precepts from the lord mayor, in consequence of govern- 
 ment or other demands, were the same to all the companies; 
 the proportion of articles varied according to the state of each. 
 Thus, an outline of the public history of every company in 
 London may be obtained from the court-books of one or two : 
 in their private arrangements each had its peculiarities. We 
 shall select instances from the Companies' books, and from 
 the City records, of the issue of precepts on all the preceding 
 subjects, and in the order mentioned, giving, in general, only 
 their substance; but in cases, when particularly interesting, 
 the precept itself. They embraced, however, numerous sub- 
 jects, which our want of space will not permit us to notice. 
 
 LORD mayors' precepts TO THE COMPANIES. 
 
 Setting the Poor to Work: 1566. — "A'sessment agreed upon 
 in this hall (the ironmongers), the 17th of September, for and 
 touching the sum of xlli, demaunded and tasked of this com- 
 pany, towards setting at worke of the worke-folkes in Bryd- 
 well; whereof xx/i. was assessed and tasked by the four 
 'sessors thereof, to be particularly gathered of this company." 
 
 * Lond. Redivivum. The precepts mentioned were a species of writ, of com- 
 paratively late growth, which were directed to the masters and wardens by the 
 mayor, in consequence of mandates or orders from the prince or privy council. 
 They en joined them to call their companies together, to confer on the demand 
 made, and to yield immediiite compliance, as they would answer the contrary, &c. 
 as in the king's writ. If the companies objected, they made return of their objec- 
 tion, whether on the score of being overrated, want of sufficient security, or other- 
 wise : the general plea, however, was inability. In cases of positive refusal, which 
 rarely took place, the <« king of the city" could, " sovereign-like," compel by fine 
 and imprisonment. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES — VARIOUS. 121 
 
 Erecting the Royal Exchange: 1565. — The sum of 75/. 
 levied as the ironmongers' proportion " towards building the 
 bourse'^ (Royal Exchange.) 
 
 Cleansing the City Ditch: 1569. — " Precept issued by the 
 lord mayor, assessing the ironmongers' company xxU, to- 
 wards cleansing the city ditch, between the Postern and 
 Aldgate.'^ 
 
 Projects of Discovery : 1573. — A collection made on the 
 Ironmongers' Company " for the voyage pretended (intended) 
 to Rochelle.'' The sum amounted to 200/., which was de- 
 livered to the bishop of London, who promised that certain 
 merchants of the city should be bound for its repayment. 
 
 A second application for a similar purpose, but more pro- 
 perly belonging to the next reign, shews that a desire to get 
 rid of surplus population is not peculiar to our own times. 
 An entry in the merchant-tailors' books, (March, 1609,) states 
 a precept to have been received from the lord mayor, " touch- 
 ing this company making some adventure to Virginia.* It 
 states the necessity of getting rid of a swarm of unhappy in- 
 mates who inhabit the city of London, a continual cause of 
 dearth and famine, and the very continual cause of all the 
 plagues that happen in this kingdom; and that they should 
 make contribution to entice them to go to it. The adventure 
 was not to be less than 12/. 10s. 
 
 As an inducement, or "to entice," (as it is here said,) per- 
 sons to emigrate. 
 
 They were to be promised "meat, drink, and clothing, with 
 a house and garden for the maintenance of a family, and a 
 portion of land likewise for them and their posterity of 100 
 acres each." 
 
 " Every man that hath a trade," it is added, " or is able to 
 endure day-labour, as much for his wife, as much for his 
 children, that were of years to do service, besides further 
 rewards, according to merit." 
 
 Adventurers of 50/. or more were to receive their respective 
 proportions, according to other adventures. The merchant- 
 tailors agreed to embark 200/. on this scheme; 100/. thereof 
 to be advanced from the stock of the house, and the remainder 
 
 * So called by Sir Waltci Raleigh, in honour of the virgin queen, Elizabeth. 
 
122 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 by a joint subscription of the company. Besides this sum, 
 individuals of the company advanced 587/. 13s. Ad. on their 
 own risk. 
 
 The Virginia scheme was succeeded some months after- 
 wards by one relative to Ireland, and from which the whole 
 of the companies, as well as the city, acquired what are called 
 the " Irish Estates — the particulars we shall reserve for a 
 distinct account. 
 
 Military and Naval Armaments. — The grocers have a pre- 
 cept, dated 1562, which orders them to get ready xxxv. good 
 apte and talle personnes to be souldgears, xxiv. of whom to 
 be armed with corslettes, and weaponed with pykes or bills.'' 
 At the same date, nineteen soldiers are ordered to be pro- 
 vided by the Ironmongers' Company, as their proportion of 
 the same levy. 
 
 1566. (July.) — On the 8th of this month the queen issued 
 her letters to the lord mayor, commanding him to equip one 
 hundred men for her service in Ireland. His lordship ordered 
 the ironmongers to provide three of the number, whose 
 armour and weapons were to be 41. 17 s. rod value, and their 
 clothing of " Hampshire watched karsey" (watchet blue) 
 " guarded with yellow woollen cloth." They were to assemble 
 on the 27th of July at the Artillery Ground. 
 
 1569. — A precept in the grocers' books orders that that 
 company do provide " 60 men of honeste behavioure to serve 
 the queen, each to be well and sufficiently furnyshed with a 
 jerkyn and a pair of galley slopps of erode clothe, calyver 
 matches with flaskes, a mirror, a sword, and a dagger ; and 
 every of them to be paid 8d, for presse-money, to march 
 against the rebels in the nothe." At the same date the Iron- 
 mongers' Company are ordered to furnish 28 soldiers towards 
 the same expedition. 
 
 1577. — A precept from the mayor orders the company 
 to provide " 100 able men, apprentices, journeymen, or others 
 free of the city ; of agility and honest behavT, between the 
 ages of 19 and 40, to be trained for harquebussetts ; every 
 one of them having a murryan, a sworde, and a dagger, and 
 a caliver, with sufficient furniture for the same ; and one half 
 pounde of powder, besides toche powder." Twenty-five of 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COM P A N I ES— A R M A M ENTS. 123 
 
 the number were to be householders, free of the company, and 
 were to muster in their doublets, hose, and jerkins, in thir- 
 teen days. 
 
 The instructions for training these men are curious : first, 
 the man to be taught how to handle and carry his piece, 
 flaske, and touche-box ; and the weight of powder and shot 
 necessary for the gun, which seems to imply that the soldier 
 in those days was permitted to make his cartridges and 
 bullets. 
 
 " Then to teach how, in handsome manner, he shall charge 
 his piece, and after how to lay it to his cheek ; then how to 
 shoot his piece at random ; and finally, how to fire at a mark 
 at the greatest possible distance. Then to fire and load 
 quick, on a march or in a skirmish. 
 
 "20 bullets for the caliver of the Tower is just a pound 
 weight ; and one pound of powder will make 25 shot, allow- 
 ing j weight of powder to every bullet ; and the overplus, 
 after the rate, is 5 shot more, which is for touch powder."^ 
 2001b. of gunpowder were provided for these men, at lOd. 
 per pound. 
 
 1579. — 3000 men were provided by the city of London, 
 according to orders from the lords of the queen's council, for 
 defence of the realm. The ironmongers' proportion amounted 
 to 73 with calivers and shot, and 38 with corslets, fully fur- 
 nished with pikes, swords, and daggers. The merchant 
 tailors had to find 200 men similarly equipped ; ten of whom 
 were to be between 19 and 40 years of age, and fifty to be 
 freemen and householders of the company ; they were to be 
 ready in fourteen days. The court of the company were to 
 
 * Malcolm (by whom the above was copied from the ironmongers' books) 
 attaches the following remarks : " I cannot help contemplating the genius of 
 modern times, which has so greatly simplified the noble art of man-killing. Now 
 the soldier carries his cartridges in the most convenient manner, tears oil" the paper, 
 and pours into the pan of his piece as much as is suflicient for communication 
 with the barrel, puts the remainder into his gun, with a bullet appended to it, 
 wedges it tight with his ramrod, and by the easy operation of pulling his fore finger 
 towards him, throws latent fire (produced by collision of flint and steel) into the 
 receptacle of powder ; and thus he loads and fires many times in a minute. See 
 opposed to him the soldier of Queen Bess, with his load of murryan, calivers, 
 swords, and daggers, lighted match, and touch-powder. Surely they must have 
 been momentarily in danger of exploding their powder, and ec^ually in danger of 
 losing or extinguisliiiig their matches; besides, they were deficient in evolutions; 
 for we find no instructions for advancing, retreating, and forming into columns, 
 divisions, and squares."— Lond. Red. 11, 57. 
 
124 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 furnish 120 of these soldiers with arms and accoutrements, 
 and the livery to furnish 80 of them. 
 
 For Naval Armaments the companies possessed the dan- 
 gerous power of impressment of their members. In 1578, 
 the grocers had a precept "to provide xv. .men for her 
 majesty's shippes." The notice of it in their books is accom- 
 panied by an entry of payment to the city chamberlain of 
 8/. 195. ^d. " for XV. blew cotes, made for the xv. men which were 
 pressed by this companie to serve in the queene^s majesties 
 shippes.'' The ironmongers' books state that company to 
 have received an order, at the same date, for their " viii. men 
 to hold themselves in a readinesse to embark on board the 
 vessels appointed." 
 
 In 1588, the threatened danger of the Spanish Armada de- 
 servedly claimed all the energies of the companies, in common 
 with the country, and the call on them seems to have been 
 responded to with the greatest alacrity. The government 
 demanded 10,000 men of the city, which the aldermen raised 
 by impressment in their wards, and the particulars of which 
 will be found in Maitland.^ The number furnished by the 
 companies, was in proportion ; the grocers sent 500 men, the 
 other companies according to their rank. In the same way 
 38 ships were supplied. 
 
 The Armada having been happily defeated, the government 
 resolved on increasing the naval force of the country, in order 
 to act against the Spaniards on their own coasts. In 1591, 
 letters were in consequence received by the lord mayor from 
 the lord treasurer and lord high admiral, " written at the re- 
 queste of the queene's most excellent majestic, that six shippes 
 of war and one pynasse should be furnyshed and set forth by 
 the cittie for her majestie's service; and that vij™/. should 
 be levied out of the halls of the citie, by an equal and indif- 
 ferent assessmente." This armament the mayor estimated at 
 7,400/., and it was raised as directed. The ironmongers' 
 books state their proportion to have been 344/., the grocers 
 622/. Is. \0d. Five years afterwards, (1596,) a further sum 
 of 3500/. was required to be lent by the city, towards provi- 
 ding twelve ships and one thousand men. The companies 
 
 • Hist. London, i. p. 273. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES ARMAMENTS. 125 
 
 were again called on ; and the money, we may presume, 
 chiefly paid by them, as we again find the ironmongers re- 
 ceipted for 172/., the merchant tailors 290/., the grocers 
 526/., and the other companies such different large sums as 
 must have nearly made up the amount. The precept issued 
 on the occasion states the assessment to be made " for setting 
 forth of the shippes and pynasses latelie furnyshed by the 
 cittie, under the Right Honourable the Earl of Essex and the 
 Lord Admiral, to annoye the King of Spaine." In January 
 1603, a similar call was made to fit out two ships and a pin- 
 nace, for the suppressing of the Dunkirkers." 
 
 It would be needless to multiply examples on this head. 
 King Charles made his last attempt to levy that odious im- 
 post "ship-money" in 1639. The system of individual appli- 
 cation we have been elucidating had long before given dis- 
 taste. On the 8th of April, a letter, addressed to the wardens 
 of the grocers, was received from the lord mayor, "for the 
 loane of 100/. from this company for six months, towards the 
 setting forth and furnishing of a shipp." The proposal, or 
 rather the order, was as unpalatable to the court of assistants 
 as to the rest of the nation, and consequently, after the sub- 
 ject had been gravely debated and considered, it was resolved, 
 " that forasmuch as it appears that this company is much 
 indebted, and hath yearly payd the shipp-money, and hath 
 heretofore lent several sums of money to this city for the like 
 occasions, which are not yet repayd, and for diverse other 
 things, it is resolved and agreed by this court not to lend the 
 said money required by the said letter, unlesse sufficient secu- 
 rity be given for repayment thereof at the end of six months."^ 
 The end of this arbitrary mode of levying money without 
 consent of parliament is well known. 
 
 Protection of the City. — Men, arms, and ammunition, had 
 been customarily provided by the companies, in conjunction 
 with the city, during times of danger ; but we do not find them 
 enjoined to keep up a separate and regular standing force be- 
 fore 1572. In that year, the mayor, by the queen's express 
 command, sent precepts summoning the masters and assist- 
 ants of the several companies to meet in their halls for that pur- 
 
 • Account of the Grocers' Company, p. 103. 
 
126 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 pose. They selected from amongst themselves "3000 of the most 
 sizeable and active young men/' part of whom were appointed 
 musketeers, and the rest pikemen. The whole were regularly 
 drilled till they were certified to be proficient, when they had 
 the honor to be reviewed by the queen in person in Green- 
 wich Park. The establishment, before noticed, of an armoury 
 amongst the companies, is not precisely dated in any of their 
 books, but existed in 1555. From this period till the Resto- 
 ration, all of them employed an armourer, and made regular 
 returns to the precepts sent them of the arms and ammunition 
 in their possession. The following are instances: 
 
 1574. (June 7.) The lord mayor, in pursuance of an or- 
 der received from the queen's council, signified to the Grocers' 
 Company " that certaine provisions of gunpowder should be 
 made, to remain within the citie, as well for the better defence 
 thereof in times of peryl and danger, as for present service of 
 the same, if need required ; that this and the other companies 
 should, after the ratable and proportionable allotment, pro- 
 vide their shares thereof; the same to be kept in their own 
 halls or other convenient places. They were to provide 14 
 fyrkins of the gunpowder called corne powder, every fyrkin 
 to containe 60 pounds nett at the least, and soe much more 
 as should be thought good by them." 
 
 1586. (Oct. 8.) The master and wardens of the merchant 
 tailors are threatened with imprisonment by the mayor, for 
 not making their provision of gunpowder. 
 
 1589. The queen in council ordered that London should 
 furnish 20 lasts of gunpowder, to be ready for emergencies. 
 The proportion required by the mayor's precept to be kept by 
 the ironmongers on this occasion was 19201b. 
 
 1638. Order was given for all the companies to be prepared 
 with their proportions of ammunition. The precept to the 
 merchant tailors directs that company to prepare 40 barrels 
 of powder, and match and bullets answerable to the use of 
 the city; and that the. powder shall be placed in some remote 
 situation, from the danger of fire. In their return to Sir 
 Henry Garvay, mayor, they state having made the required 
 provision, in obedience to his lordship's order; and that they 
 had deposited the gunpowder in their garden, as the most 
 convenient place they could find. They also state that they 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES PAGEANTS. 127 
 
 have provided 3cwt of match and bullets, proportionate to the 
 powder. In 1638 they state that they have in their armoury 
 40 square muskets and rests, 12 round muskets, 40 muskets 
 with hand pieces, 40 corslets with hand pieces, 70 pikes, 133 
 swords, and 28 halberds. 
 
 In 1642, the same company received a precept on the 
 like business, and by which they were enjoined to certify im- 
 mediately " what quantity of arms and ammunition, matches, 
 powder, and shot, and the particular sorts thereof, they had 
 ready for the defence and safety of the city. The return was 
 that they had 153 swords, 60 hand pieces for musquets, 52 
 musquets, 70 pikes, 50 corslets, 40 musquet rests, 32 halberds 
 and black bills, 300cwt. of musquet bullets, SOOcwt. of match, 
 and 40 barrels of gunpowder. Repetitions of the like precepts 
 and returns are found throughout the civil wars and inter- 
 regnum. 
 
 State PageantSj 8^c, — The reign of Elizabeth was the age of 
 show. Accounts of levies on the companies for pageants, May- 
 games, masques, and mummeries, occupy a large portion of their 
 books throughout the whole of it. The services required of them 
 on these occasions, (and which must have put them to great 
 expense,) will be explained by the following extracts: 
 
 1559. The ironmongers sent " men in armour to the May- 
 game that went before the queen's majeste to Greenwich;" 
 and in April following, their court ordered, in pursuance of a 
 second precept from the mayor, that " 28 hanssom men, well 
 and hansomely arrayed, and 10 whifFelers,* to go with them 
 to feaching the queene's majeste," should be furnished with 
 two new streamers of silk, a great flag, and 12 small banners.f 
 In the July of the same year the queen was pleased to divert 
 herself with another royal pageant at Greenwich. The twelve 
 principal trade corporations of London sent out the same 
 number of companies, consisting together of 1400 men, to be 
 mustered in Greenwich Park before the queen; 800 whereof 
 were pikemen in bright armour, 400 harquebussiers in coats 
 of mail and helmets, and 200 halberdiers in German rivets. 
 These troops were attended by 28 whifflers, richly dressed, and 
 led by the twelve principal wardens of the aforesaid corporations, 
 
 • Fifers. f Londinium Redivivum, ii. 42. 
 
128 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 well mounted and dressed in black velvet, with six ensigns 
 in white satin, faced with black sarsnet, and rich scarfs. The 
 grocers' contribution to this brilliant pageant is noticed as 
 follows, in a precept from the lord mayor, which orders " 190 
 personnes, apte and picked men ; whereof 60 to be with caly- 
 vers, flashes, touche boxes, morions, swordes, and daggers, for 
 a shewe at Greenwich."* 
 
 1571. The merchant tailors sent 187 men in miUtary cos- 
 tume, as their proportion towards another splendid "Maying." 
 The next year, (1572,) a precept was received by them for 
 the like purpose, requiring the company to furnish " 188 men 
 of the mystery;'' 94 of whom were to be provided "with 
 corslets and pikes, 36 with corslets and halberds, and 58 with 
 kali vers and morryens, for a shew." The ironmongers, on 
 the same occasion, had to provide "12 callyvars, 30 morrys 
 pikes, and 15 halberds;" in other words, 57 men with those 
 weapons. These kind of exhibitions, but too much alike to 
 need more examples, were repeated yearly. 
 
 The Pageants of James and Charles consisted chiefly of 
 processions and attendances of the companies and corporations 
 of London, to receive royal and distinguished personages on 
 their state passage through the city. The first was on James's 
 entry from Scotland, January 10, 1603, when great prepara- 
 tions were ordered to be made by the companies for the king 
 and queen's royal passage to Westminster, on the succeeding 
 9th of April. The sum of £234 was assessed on the merchant 
 tailors, as their proportion of £2500, which the city was to 
 raise on this occasion, or, as it is expressed, " for the expence 
 of receiving the king's ma*'^ on his arrivall from Scotland, 
 towards his coronation." The precept directs that the citizens 
 should ride in murry gowns. 
 
 1617. (Jan. 3.) A precept was issued to the same company 
 to receive the Russian ambassador. It orders that " ten per- 
 sons of the chief and best of your company do presently fur- 
 nish themselves to be present upon warning, to meet and 
 attend my brethren the alde'^men at Guildhall, at such a time 
 as shall hereafter be made known, in velvett coats, with 
 chaines of gold, well mounted on horseback, in comely and 
 
 * Account of the Grocers' Company, p. 64. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES — PAGEANTS. 129 
 
 decent order, to accompany and ride with the alde'men to the 
 Tower wharf, for the more graceful entertainment of the said 
 ambassador." And hereof they were to be very careful to be 
 forthwith well furnished, in regard that the time of the land- 
 ing of the said ambassador was uncertain. Another precept, 
 directed to the merchant tailors the same year, orders them 
 to attend the king on his coming to town from Gray's-inn- 
 fields to Whitehall. By a subsequent precept, it was ordered 
 that the aldermen and members of companies should meet 
 the king on horseback. 
 
 Sometimes the processions reached a great way. We find 
 the lord mayor and aldermen in scarlet attend on one occa- 
 sion to meet Henry Prince of Wales, when the commons, 
 in their liveries, stood from Bishopsgate-street to St. Paul's. 
 
 Before the reign of Charles I. the companies always stood; 
 for which purpose we find directions in the precepts for their 
 providing " railsJ' The procession of Edward VI. to his coro- 
 nation shows them so standing, (as will be .perceived in the 
 initial vignette, at p. 113.) In Le Serre's large print repre- 
 senting the passage through Cheapside of Mary de Medicis, 
 16th November, 1639, attended by Charles and his court, we 
 have a lively picture of one of these grand pageants when it 
 had become the fashion for the companies to be seated. The 
 annexed copy of part of this print, &c. shews the ceremonial, 
 and all the accompanying paraphernalia. 
 
 K 
 
130 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The account describes the " great street of London," (Cheap- 
 side,) to have had all its length "benches with backs, and 
 enriched with ballusters three feet high, all covered over 
 equally with blue cloth," in which, and the continuation of 
 the same standings, (said to have extended a league in 
 length,") ''all the companies or fraternities of the different 
 trades, in all amounting to fifty, appeared in citizens' gowns, 
 with trimmings of martin skin, sitting on the benches, every 
 company having its banner of arms, in order that they might 
 be distinguished one from the other." The other particulars 
 of tlie pageant will be found minutely detailed in the author.'^ 
 The dressing up of the various streets, we may stop to remark, 
 are described to have been with " woven tapistry ; that with 
 Flemish or embroidery, this with Chinese, and the other with 
 Indian drapery." The street of the drapers, (Mercery, in 
 Cheap,) and through which the procession is here represented 
 as passing, was remarkable for being " hung on both sides 
 with scarlet." 
 
 Provision of Coals and Corn. — Coals, as an article legally 
 ordained to be provided by the companies, are not mentioned 
 till the plague year (1665,) when we find the following notice 
 of them, and of the custom in Northouck if 
 
 " For a constant supply of sea coal for the use of the poor 
 in times, of scarcity, and to defeat the combinations of coal- 
 dealers, the several City companies under mentioned were or- 
 dered to purchase and lay up yearly, between Lady-day and 
 Michaelmas, the following quantities of coals ; which, in dear 
 times, were to be vended in such manner, and at such prices, 
 as the lord mayor and court of aldermen should by written 
 precept direct, so that the coals should not be sold to loss : 
 
 "Mercers, 488; grocers, 675; drapers, 562; fishmongers, 
 465; goldsmiths, 525; skinners, 315; merch^ tayl" 750; 
 haberdashers, 578; salters, 360; ironmongers, 255; vint- 
 ners, 375; clothworkers, 412; dyers, 105; brewers, 104; 
 leathersellers, 210; pewterers, 52; cutlers, 75; cooks, 30; 
 coopers, 52 ; tylers and bricklayers, 19 ; bowyers, 3 ; fletchers, 
 3; blacksmiths, 15; apothecaries, 45 ; joyners, 23; weavers, 
 27; woolmen, 3 ; woodmongers, 60; white bakers, 45; wax 
 chandlers, 19; tallow chandlers, 97; armourers, 19; girdlers, 
 
 * Le Serre, Entre Royalle de la Regne Mere, &c.. fo. 1639. 
 t Hist. Lond. 222. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES COALS. 
 
 131 
 
 105 ; butchers, 22 ; sadlers, 90 ; carpenters, 38 ; cordwainers, 
 60; barber-surgeons, 60; paper-stainers, 12 ; curriers, 11; 
 masons, 12 ; plumbers, 19 ; innholders, 45 ; founders, 7 ; 
 poulterers, 12; scriveners, 60 ; pewterers, 7; plasterers, 8; 
 brown bakers, 12; stationers, 75; embroiderers, 30; uphold- 
 ers, 9; musicians, 6; turners, 13; basket-makers, 6; gla- 
 ziers, 6 chaldrons."* 
 
 Notwithstanding that the above ordinance would seem 
 to imply the existence of a previous custom of their being 
 provided by the companies, coals are not noticed as an article 
 of gift by any of them before the 26 Henry VI. (1448.) At 
 this date, the fishmongers were bound, under the will of Henry 
 Jordeyn, to buy and distribute yearly to the poor 138 quarters 
 of coals, at Sd. per quarter, or to give money after that rate in 
 lieu of them.f We also find no mention of the chaldron (of 
 which the quarter or vat is the fourth part) till the statute 
 9 Henry V. c. 10, when the article is first called sea coal, 
 ("chaldre de carbon maritisme,") both of which are evidences 
 that they were only then getting known. Coals were, how- 
 ever, certainly used in the royal household in 1321, and are 
 mentioned in charters of King John, Henry III. Edward I. 
 Edward III. and Richard II. before which periods they had 
 become articles of coramerce.J In the reigns subsequently to 
 
 • And on which our author makes this comment : " Such magazines of coals 
 opened in November or December, as the season dictated, and sold in small quan- 
 tities, not exceeding a sack of three bushels, would prove a much more prudent as- 
 sistance to poor working families in hard weather, than double the money distri- 
 buted gratuitously. How this laudable regulation sunk into disuse does not appear ; 
 but, as the city halls are dispersed in various parts of the town, the scheme was ex- 
 cellent, and it is to be lamented that the corporation should forget it, and leave 
 attempts of this nature to private undertakers. 
 
 The same act prohibits all retail dealers in coals from meeting the vessels, or by 
 their agents contracting for coals, before the ships were arrived in the port of Lon- 
 don, on penalty of 5s. for every chaldron of coals so forestalled, or bought by pre- 
 contract. 
 
 t See account of Fishmongers' Company, art. Trust Estates. 
 
 I Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the only place mentioned in any of the above charters 
 as then furnishing coals ; the discovery of other coal districts being subsequent. 
 Their nature seems, from the mode in which they are spoken of, to have been but 
 little understood at first. Henrj' III. licenses the " men of Newcastle to dig coals 
 and stones in the common soil of that town and the charters 2 Edward II. and 
 30 Edward III. that they may " dig for coal-slate and coal," at the same place. 
 In 1512, (80 years after their first fnention as the subject of charitable donation,) 
 historians state the very best coals to have been 5s. a chaldron, and an inferior sort 
 4*. dd. They are mentioned about the same time to have been hawked about the 
 streets in sacks, and so continued till late in the reign of Charles II. ; one of Lar- 
 ron's London cries of that date being "Qui veut de Charbon!" which a man 
 is carrjing in a sack on his back, with a measure in his hand- 
 
 K 2 
 
132 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Henry VI. many companies had estates left them charged 
 with the purchasing and distribution of coals to the poor, like 
 the fishmongers, under the different names of " great coals," 
 and " horse coals the providing of charcoal, however, in 
 these times, was most usual. There seems to have been no 
 obligation imposed on the companies in any of the above 
 instances to provide coals for public supply and sale, far- 
 ther than was connected with the particular description of 
 poor they had to relieve, under the trusts of their several wills. 
 
 Corn was accustomed to be provided by the City and com- 
 panies against times of scarcity for more than two centuries, 
 and occasioned during that time such an abundant issue of 
 the sort of orders we are describing, (partly to enforce the 
 raising of means for purchasing it, or to regulate the 
 keeping and distribution of it when bought,) that " corn pre- 
 cepts" were more voluminous than those on any other subject : 
 in fact, a nucleus in that "cloud of precepts," to repeat a 
 term already used, which overshadowed the prosperity of the 
 companies during the whole of their operation. 
 
 To afford a distinct idea of this custom, which is important 
 on various accounts, as shewing the vast difference in the growth 
 and quantity of the article in ancient and modern times, as 
 having been lately the subject of inquiry and information 
 against some of the companies, and as a custom which it has 
 been thought might have been continued to the present time 
 with good effect, — we shall give its history at some length. 
 
 The origin of the corn custom is involved in obscurity. No 
 condition of providing corn is imposed by any of the city char- 
 ters; and though, in the numerous metropolitan dearths 
 recorded in history, many of the mayors must no doubt have 
 extended their care to the perishing objects around them, not 
 any instance of very early occurrence is recorded. Sir Stephen 
 Brown, in 1438, is the first mayor who is mentioned as making 
 this provision; and he is eulogized for it by both Stow and 
 Fuller. The latter's words are "that, during a great dearth 
 in his mayoralty, he charitably relieved the wants of the poor 
 citizens, by sending ships at his own expence to Dantzic, 
 which returned laden with rye, and which seasonable supply 
 soon sunk grain to reasonable rates ;" and he adds, " he is be- 
 held as one of the first merchants who, during a want of corn. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES CORN CUSTOM. 133 
 
 shewed the Londoners the way to the barn-door, I mean 
 Spurmland, prompted by charity (not covetousness) to this 
 adventure." 
 
 It was near the same period that Stow mentions the erec- 
 tion of a public granary at Leadenhall, by Sir Simon Eyre, 
 who was lord mayor in 1435, and which a succeeding mayor, 
 Roger Achilly, in 1502, found so ill supplied, that there was 
 not in that " and all the city garners" 100 quarters of grain, 
 and, in consequence of which, " he immediately made a great 
 provision of wheat." 
 
 Before 1520, a regular custom had obtained of the City pro- 
 viding corn. The expense at this time seems to have been 
 kept up by loans and contributions from the mayor and 
 aldermen, and sometimes from the citizens. The earliest 
 entry as to it in the City Records is in 1521,(Milbourn, mayor,) 
 w^hen it was resolved, that " the chamberlain should become 
 bound to persons lending money for provisions of corne 
 for the city." And in another entry, the same year, the 
 bridge-masters are ordered to make the purchases of wheat 
 necessary. 
 
 The first notice of the companies being compelled to assist 
 in this provision is in the mayoralty of Sir Christopher Yer- 
 ford, 1521,* when an act of common council passed "for 
 £1000, to be borrowed on account of the great derth and scar- 
 city of whete which had then lately been, and was more lyke 
 t'ensue, yf good and politique pfvision were not shortly made 
 and hade." It was in consequence agreed " that in all goodly 
 hast the said sum should be levyed and payed by the feli- 
 shippes of sondry misteres and crafts of this citie, by way of a 
 prest and lone;'' and that the lord mayor and aldermen should 
 " at their discretions" appoint what sum should be levied of 
 each company. And it was further agreed, that in making 
 such payment, "evfy p.'^ticuler p'son of the seid fehship 
 should be assessed by the wardens" thereof. " The said 
 somes of money so lent to be repayed by thees words yere and 
 yere. 
 
 "Memorand'. That now my lord mayor and aldermen 
 
 * 25 Sept. 12 Henry Vllf., Yerfoid, mayor; Jor. 12. fo. 74, lib. N. fo. 142. 
 
134 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 have named and appoynted the days of payme* as ys speci- 
 fyed in the sevTall pfcepts directed to th6 wardens. 
 
 " It'm. They have devysed that the briggemaster shall be 
 bound for the said money/' 
 
 The above act was followed by a precept, apparently the first 
 on this subject, issued the 12th of the succeeding month of 
 October, which repeated part of the act, and promised payment 
 to the companies "in ij yeres folowyng; that ys to say, the 
 first pay me.* to be made on the feast of All Sajnt that shal be 
 in the yere of o!" Lord M.v.'^xxj.; and the second payme* 
 on the feast of All Seynts then next folowyng." The bridge- 
 masters, before payment by the companies, were to make to 
 each of them " sufficient wryttyng for the sure repayme* of 
 the same." 
 
 No further mention is found till 1543, (Bowyer, mayor,) 
 when corn is stated to have been provided again by the 
 court of aldermen, and ordered to be laid up in the Bridge- 
 house. 
 
 In the same mayoralty also there recur entries of monies 
 lent by the companies " for the city's store of corne as sub- 
 sequently, in the mayoralties of Garrard, 1555, Hewett, 1559, 
 Lodge, 1562, Harper, 1561, Mallory, 1564.* 
 
 In 1545 (Warren, mayor,) there was a great arrival of 
 foreign wheat, and the companies were again called on to 
 assist in purchasing it. These importations, so seldom neces- 
 sary in the present day, show the then scanty growth of 
 corn in England. The Common Council agreed "that my 
 lorde mayer," should immediately " call the wardeyns of all 
 the substancyall companyes before hym, and move theym for 
 the lone of some money to pay for the wheate that is nowe 
 come from beyonde the sea." '1 he companies promptly obeyed, 
 and supplied the next day the respective quotas they were 
 
 * But, for provision of bread, and an orderly supply of the City with corn ap:ainst 
 dear years, "the magistrates," says Strype, " were especially concerned that care 
 might be taken for the poorer and laborious sort, which were the greater num- 
 ber and, to give a proof of this commendable care, he informs us that, in 1586, 
 a scarce year for corn, the county magistrates preventing its being brought to 
 London, the mayor and aldermen jointly applied to the government for redress, 
 through the City's professed great patron, Lord Treasurer Burleigh. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES — CORN CUSTOM. 135 
 
 rated at.*" This importation not being thought sufficient, the 
 mayor further " moved" the same court " touching certeyn 
 wheate" that one Wodhouse (apparently a home grower) 
 was " myndyd to send to this cytie," as stated in his letters 
 addressed "to my lorde mayer, late dysceased, yf he myght 
 be assyrteyned of the pr'^ce (price) thereof and the court 
 agreeing that the lord mayor should offer him 145. per quarter 
 for as much " good and swete wheate" as he would supply, 
 a second application was made to certain of the Twelve Com- 
 panies, the particulars whereof are detailed in the following 
 entry : 
 
 " It'm : At this court, the wardeyns of the m^cers, groc's, dra- 
 pes, fiyshemongrs, goldsmythes, skynn];s, m|"chaunt tayllo^s, 
 and habydashers, aperyed, and were sev>lly moved by this 
 court to prepare in a redynes off and from their companyes 
 all suche sumes of money as is wythin p'ticularly expressed 
 and rated by the same court to be paid on Tuysday and 
 Wednysday next comyng, to suche p^'son and p^'sones as this 
 court shall then appoint." The wardens of which companies 
 appeared accordingly, and promised " to do theyr endevo's ;" 
 the "resydew of the wardeyns of crafts" (who are afterwards 
 particularised) were to be sent to on the same afternoon to 
 " my lorde mayers house," in order to receive a similar charge 
 for the remaining eight of the great companies to prepare 
 their assessments also, of "certeyn brewers wheate to the 
 m'^chants of the styllyard." The chamberlain was to be 
 bound " for the sure payment of all the same sumes agayn 
 
 * The list hereunder contains the names and sums of the companies who sub- 
 scribed on this occasion ; and from which we also learn what were then reckoned 
 the " substantial companies," and their comparative wealth : 
 Mercers, cl. Leathersellers, xW. 
 
 Grocers, cl. Talough-chaundelers, xx/. 
 
 Drapers, cl. Cutlers, x^. 
 
 Fyshemongrs- c. markes. Peauterers, xxx/. 
 
 Goldsmythes, c. markes. 
 Skynn"- c. markes. 
 M^'chauntayllo'^s. 
 
 HabMashers, c. markes. 
 Salters, 1/, 
 Ironmongrs. xl/. 
 Vynten»'8- x\l. 
 Cloth workers, c. markes. 
 Dyers, xxl/. 
 Brewers, xl/. 
 
 Sadlers, xxx/. 
 Barbom-s, xx/. 
 Gyrdelers, xx/. 
 Coryours, xx/. 
 Corden"- xx/. 
 Inholders, xx/. 
 Armourers, x/. 
 Colkyers, x/. 
 Fletchers, x/. 
 Cowpers, xx/. 
 
136' 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 at the ensuing Michaelmas," and the wheat purchased was 
 ordered to be stored up in the Bridge-house, " for the p'^vy- 
 sion of this cytie/' 
 
 June 9, 1546. The wardens of the grocers, mercers, drapers, 
 fishmongers, goldsmiths, skinners, merchant tailors, salters, 
 haberdashers, armorers, and clothworkers, are stated to have 
 agreed that their respective fellowships should provide the 
 like sums of money towards the importation of foreign wheat 
 then made, as they had severally done the preceding year on 
 the like occasion, and a similar engagement was entered into 
 by the wardens of several other companies a few days after- 
 wards. The chamberlain was to be bound for repayment as 
 before. 
 
 29th May, 1547. Precepts were ordered to be issued to cer- 
 tain of the chief companies named, for the loan of money for 
 the importation of foreign wheat and rye of that year; the 
 like order was repeated in 1550, "to wyll them to pay their 
 money sev^ally lotted upon theym for the like purpose, in 
 1551 ; and a third time, in the March of 1552 ; on which last 
 occasion the report states that the wardens of all the compa- 
 nies then enumerated (and which includes the greater part of 
 them) "dyd lovyngly grante assente and agree to dysburse 
 and laye oute by the way of lone for the provysion and bye- 
 ing of certayne wheate in Fraunce, to and for the cyties use," 
 all the several sums attached to their names. The next month 
 (2d June, Gerrard, mayor,) it was agreed that " my lorde 
 niayer assistyd with some of my ma" th' aldermen," calling 
 the wardens " of all the companies and fealoshippes of this 
 cytie" before them, should " advise theym to call theyre 
 sev'all companies together," and " to move them" to make 
 some provision of the rye which was then " at the water 
 syde to be boughte;" so that every one of them might 
 " have somewhat in store," whereby they might " escheue 
 such damages as might insue by the lacke thereof." 
 
 In 1559, the companies again received precepts " to dis- 
 burse and lay out by waye of a lone for a season" their pro- 
 portions of money for several thousand quarters of wheat, to 
 be delivered " to WiUiam Dodlier, the comptroller of the 
 chamber," The next year (1560, Chester, mayor,) similar 
 application was again made for money, " to be gathered by 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES CORN CUSTOM. 137 
 
 the companies for a provision of corn for the City, on account 
 of the great scarcity and want there was, and was hkely still 
 more to be, on account of the abundance of rain and unsea- 
 sonable weather.'^ The requisition (which seems now for 
 the first time to have assumed a commanding, instead of sup- 
 plicatory tone,) is given below, and will afford a perfect idea 
 of the nature of these documents.* This precept does not 
 seem to have been very readily obeyed, as another, issued soon 
 afterwards, and addressed to the drapers, alludes to that com- 
 pany's neglect of it, and stating that the same necessity for 
 corn still continued, " strightly commands them immediately 
 to collect and pay over 300/. being the amount they had 
 therein been assessed at." 
 
 The peremptory manner in which these loans were de- 
 manded, or the inconvenience the companies found themselves 
 put to in making them, caused an application from the mer- 
 cers the following year, 1561, for the return of their "money 
 formerly lent.'' It was answered by another precept, requir- 
 ing and commanding them, as they " thought longe for the 
 same,'^ that they should call together those of their company 
 who had " disbursed anye money for the saide use," and de- 
 
 * By the Maior : Forasmuche as we at this present beinge verye careful! and 
 myndefuU according to o^ dewtie to provide for the comon weale comodytie and 
 profytt of this o'"- sovereigne ladye the quenes highness's cytie and chamber of Lon- 
 don, and of all the cytisens and inhabitants of the same, and consideringe also, 
 and muche fearinge the greate and excessyve prices of wheate and all other kinds 
 and sorts of corn and grayne mete and necessarye for man's sustenance, and 
 also the greate scarcytie and want of the same that nowe are and very shortlie is 
 like to ensue, by reason of the greate excessive and aboundaunce of rayne and 
 other unseasonable weather that y\ hathe pleased Almightie God of late to send 
 w*^ in this real me, yf some good remedye provision and staye be not the soner pro- 
 vided for the same, have thought good and expedyentfor th' eschewinge and avoyd- 
 inge of such p^'ills and inconvenyences as might ensue by the same occasyons, to take 
 uppe and make w*^- all convenynt spede of the companyes and fellowshippes of the 
 said cytie a very good and substanciall masse and sume of money to provide and 
 buye corne w*^- all beyonde the sea as on this side, for the use and comon provi- 
 sion of the said cytie, towards the payment and makinge uppe of whiche masse 
 and sume of money, we have assessed and taxed yo''- companye at the sume of 
 (c^i ) whiche sume of (c^i ) we straytelie charge and comaunde you that ye imedi- 
 atelie upon the recepte thereof, (for the matter is of great importance, and re- 
 qujTeth muche hast) callinge yor- companye together, at yo*"- comon hall, do 
 furthw^h- assesse, taxe, gather, and levye of the wealthie and abel p^sones of the 
 same companie the said sume of (c^'-) in such sorte that ye faill not to paye the 
 same and every prcell thereof to William Dommes, comptroller of the chamber of 
 the said cytie, at the Guildhall of the same cytie, on this side the xij*^- day of this 
 present Julye. Fayle not hereof as ye tender the comon wealthe of the said cytie 
 and also yo' - owne private healthe, and as you will answer for the contrarye at yo'- 
 p-'ill. Geven at the Guildhall aforesaid, the of Julye, 1560.— Blakewell. 
 
138 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 clare to them that they should have if they would '^wheate 
 out of the Bridge-house for their money, at 23s. the quarter. 
 If they refused to take wheat, the wardens were to " move 
 and plisuade them gentlye to forbeare their seide money untyl 
 suche tyme as the cityes corne in the Bridge-house might be 
 convenientlye sold and uttered." 
 
 In the October of 1562, February 156f, and February 
 156^, all the companies received the like sort of precept. 
 
 From 156f (or rather 1520) to 157f, the precepts enforce 
 a variety of regulations, which were made from time to time, 
 for the better providing, managing, and distributing of the 
 cityes store of grain. 
 
 The Providing of occasional supplies, through loans from 
 the mayor, aldermen, and casual lenders, on bond from the 
 bridge-master or chamberlain, was in 1559 and 1565, altered 
 to a more settled system, by the aldermen engaging, at the 
 former date, to advance a fixed sum of 10/. each, in part of 
 a permanent fund, and by the Common Council passing an 
 act in 1565, for the mayor and aldermen to buy corn and 
 grain regularly every year when cheap, and to store it up till 
 it became dear. " That the lord mayer and the aldermen of 
 this cytie for the tyme beyinge shall alwayes from henceforth 
 yerely p^vide and bye for the cityes pl^vision use and store, a 
 great and substancyall masse and quantyty of wheate, at 
 such tyme of the yere as the same wheat may be had and 
 bought for X or x\]s. a quarter, and that they the sayd lord 
 mayer and ald^"men shall make yerely the like pVision of rye 
 and barlye, at such tyme of the yere as the same shal be most 
 plenty full and best, chepe w^^out eny mann^" of disputacon, 
 contraryetye of opynyons of the sayd lord mayer and ald^men 
 for the tyme beyeing, or eny other contradiccon or delay."* 
 
 Before, and subsequent to the above act, though the com- 
 panies were only required to lend money on security, they 
 could be coerced for refusal. In 1520, the Common Council 
 being informed that " divers pTticuler p^sones of the mistere 
 of tylers had refused to pay their assessments," it was ordered 
 that the lord mayor should " from tyme to tyme, at the sug- 
 gestion, request, and enformation of the wardens of the said 
 
 * 2.5 Sept. 1,56.5, Rep. 1.5, fo. 472. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES CORN CUSTOM. 139 
 
 tylers, comyt to warde" all so refusing, " for their disobe- 
 dience, there to remain till they had paid."*= 
 
 The bridgemaster was the first person appointed to buy 
 corn, and he was to keep it stored up at the Bridge-house.f 
 In 1544, the providing of it was intrusted to the lord mayor 
 and sheriffs, who were commissioned by common council to 
 purchase 6000 or 8000 quarters of wheat, at the best prices 
 they could get it for ; and who, having contracted with Henry 
 Saxy and two merchants of the Steelyard for 8000 quarters, 
 report " that they had bought 3000 quarters, nearly 2000 
 of one Matthieu Mayor, merchant, of the Stylyard, at 145. 
 the quarter, to be delivered immediately after the next mid- 
 lent, God wyllyng, so that the wynde and wether wyll so 
 serve," and the remaining 1000 quarters at 12s. 8 J. of one 
 William Watson, merchant, to be delivered by him imme- 
 diately after the next Easter, " yf he be not lett or dysturbed 
 by the kyng of DenmJ'ks power." The same mayor (Bowyer,) 
 on another occasion, on reporting an advantageous bargain he 
 had made with these Steelyard-merchants, informs the Com- 
 mon Council of having previously entertained them at his 
 house to dinner. In 1545, the next lord mayor (Sir Martin 
 Bowes) was empowered again to treat with " certaine mer- 
 chants of the Steelyard for buying wheate at 18s. and 20s. 
 the quarter," and certifies his having concluded with the afore- 
 mentioned Saxy for 2000 quarters upon those terms. 
 
 In dearths of foreign grain, the City borrowed from the 
 court. Various instances occur in 1544, and the beginning 
 of the following year. The first was in January, when the 
 lord mayor wrote to the " lords of the kynges counsayl, on 
 account of the great scarcytye," for the loan of 1000 quarters 
 of wheat " for vytallyng the citye," and that the same in com- 
 
 * 10 Jan. 12 Henry VIII. (Brugge) Rep. 5, fo. 161. 
 
 + Corn was first landed at the port of Billingate, then at Queenhythe, in order 
 that the queen might receive her custom. The only markets at this time were 
 Cornhill, and St. Michael-le-Quarn parish : (the bakers, to be near the latter mar- 
 ket, settled in Bread-street ward.) The corn which came up the Lea was baked 
 at Stratford. The after-markets were Leadenhall, Newgate market, Queenhythe, 
 Graschurch, and Southwark. Of granaries, the first mentioned is Leadenhall, 
 next the Bridge-house, (first only appropriated to the City, and then divided into 
 12 parts for the companies,) next Bridewell, then Christchurch, and then the 
 companies' own halls. 
 
140 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 ing thither might " not be stayed by his graces pi'veyors."* 
 The council offered the quantity for three months. The lord 
 mayor, and aldermen Dorn, Hill, Warren, Forman, Laxton, 
 and Bowes, were ordered to wait on them and arrange terms. 
 They were also instructed, if the lords would grant them fur- 
 ther licence, to " conclude with Hen' Bourman, of Har- 
 wiche, to make such p'^vision of wheate,'' as they could " for 
 the citye, in the counties of Norf> and Suff ; and lykewyse 
 with one Burfeld, dwellyng upon London-bridge ; and some 
 other sad, honest, and discrete p^sons, for the lyke pWision 
 to be made in other plac^ of the realme where they shall 
 thynke best." The wardens of the bakers were also " admo- 
 nished to make diligent labour and meanes for some compe- 
 tent provision of wheate," and subsequently delivered in an 
 account " of all the corn and meal in store or bargaine'' 
 provided by them and the Stratford bakers. f These pro- 
 ceedings show a great want of system, and afford proof that 
 the incompetent growth of English wheat still continued. The 
 whole year passed in similar applications to the king's council, 
 sometimes requesting that the royal purveyors might not be 
 allowed to seize the corn coming to the City, and at other times 
 to borrow part of what they had collected for the king's 
 household. On one of these latter applications the request 
 is said to have been " lovingly grantyd my lord, St. John, 
 observing "that there were mm. q'ters of the kynges wheat 
 comyng very shortly, whereof the citye should not fayle to 
 have p'te." It was the next year all returned, and the court 
 themselves became borrowers. 
 
 The Management and Distribution of this commodity, 
 like its Providing, involved a number of regulations. The 
 principal ones during the years 1545 and 1546 were, that the 
 lord mayor should stay all wheat in the Bridge-house for the 
 only use of the City, and that the bridgemaster should see to 
 its safe keeping and management whilst there. " Straight 
 
 * 4 Jan., 35 Hen. VIII. Rep. Bowyer, No. 11, fo. 19. 
 t 19 June, 1544, Rep. ll,fo. 81. 
 
 These bakers, just mentioned, who chiefly supplied the city with bread, brought 
 it to market in long carts, standing to sell it in Cheapside, and other public places. 
 It was better weight than the same loaves of the London bakers. Many regula- 
 tions respecting the Stratford bakers are to be seen in Stow, who states them 
 to have left serving the City about 1568. 
 
PRECEPTS TO COMPANIES CORN CUSTOM. 141 
 
 commandment" was to be given to the bakers not to buy or 
 take up any meal, when they needed to sell, " but of the 
 City's wheat at the Bridge-house;" and in their so taking of it 
 up, the price and quantity they should have were to be regu- 
 lated by the lord mayor. This was that the corporation, 
 in plentiful seasons, might be able to sell off their stock to 
 advantage ; in scarce ones, we find the quantity restricted both 
 with the bakers and brewers; and that the Steelyard mer- 
 chants could not sell to either without the City's licence. It 
 was an order of Common Council to the lord mayor in 1546, 
 in his contracting with them for the corn for that year, 
 that " Henry Hoke, bruer, shall have but cc. q^ters of the 
 wheate to be bought of them, albeyt that they have solde hym 
 more as they sey." From 1546 to 1576, the substance of the 
 different orders, arranged in order of time, was: 1546. That 
 the chamberlain demand of the companies their assessments 
 towards paying the Steelyard-merchants, and give the com- 
 panies' bonds. Same date. Two aldermen weekly to purvey, 
 to see that the markets are well provided. 1547. Corn sold 
 out of the Bridge-house be measured by one of the City corn- 
 meters. 1559. That the City's store be ground and sold to 
 the citizens. 1565. That the bridgemasters put to sale in 
 the markets, every market-day, 4 quarters of the City's wheat 
 meal at 3s. a bushel, and 4 bushels of meglin wheat at 2s. 6d. 
 and that the companies send two members each to the mar- 
 kets, by turns, to see to such sale. 1572. That a sample of 
 all corn brought by water by the river Lea, be brought for 
 inspection to the lord mayor before sale, that the corn-meters 
 measure it, and the porters take it up. 1573. That the lord 
 mayor view the granaries weekly by himself or deputy ; and 
 that he and the aldermen order no corn at any time, forming 
 part of the City provision, " to be solde better cheap" than the 
 same should cost, with all losses and charges thereon, nor 
 above 2d, or 4c?. per bushel under the then market price, 
 unless with the companies' consent, and taking an equal 
 quantity of each. 
 
 The buying of corn from the Steelyard-merchants, and that 
 principally through loans from the companies, continued till 
 the dissolution of that confederacy in 1558. From that 
 period the City chiefly became their own importers and pur- 
 
142 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 veyors, paying through the like assistance of the companies, 
 and from casual contributions. The companies appear to 
 have received back part of their loans in the meantime, and 
 had ceased to be clamorous. In 1573 the Common Council 
 having ordered a new and large loan to be raised on the 
 companies "by indifferent taxation," towards the purchase 
 of wheat, 2000 marks were applied for from them, and that 
 sum afterwards raised, the same year, to 2000/. The precepts 
 issued on the occasion state the great scarcity there was of 
 wheat and other grain, the expediency of preventing " ex- 
 tremities," on account of it, and several other reasons ; and 
 finally, hold out a threat of the queen's displeasure on non- 
 compliance.^ A remonstrance, and apphcation from the 
 companies for their former lendings, followed. The City re- 
 sponded, and pleaded, amongst other reasons of non-payment, 
 their total inability, arising from the bad nature of a quantity 
 of the wheat they had before purchased, and the consequent 
 loss they had sustained ; and they called on the companies to 
 consider and see in what way, by participation, they could 
 alleviate it. The overture commenced in the form of a pre- 
 
 • "BytheMaior: Forasmnche as all conion polecye requyreth the preven- 
 c'on of extremyties, and consideringe as you knowe the urgent and present neces 
 sitie, and the lacke of provision of wheate and other grayne for furniture of this 
 so great and populous citie, of the want whereof the queene's ma^'^- and her most 
 honorable consell are not ignorant ; but havinge sp'cial care and regard to the 
 same, are not a lytle offended and displeased, with some grefe that there bene 
 no better p'vision heretofore made, and that presentlie the cittie shoulde be no 
 better stored, by reson wherof the prices of come and grayne is now muche dearer 
 in this cittie than in any other parte of this realme ; have not only at sundrye 
 times and gentle meanes, but also w***- some terror, as welle in the Starre-cham- 
 ber as in other places afore the counsell, given as admonicion that the same her 
 jnatie's. cittie and chamber may not be unfurnished for lacke of good p'vision. 
 And we, as our duties is, havinge great care and especial consideracion of the 
 same, and p'cevinge by order of the harvest past, and the unkynd season of the 
 yeare, sith that the prices of come is verrye likelye to encrease and be advanced to a 
 greater and higher price than yet is, have thought good and verrye necessarye for the 
 avoyding of greater inconvenyences, to make immediate p'vision of a great masse 
 and quantity of wheate and other grayne, as well w*Mn the realme as beyond the 
 seas for the provision aforesaid, w<=^- cannot be done w^^out a great some of 
 money presentlie to be defrayed, w*=^- is not to be levyed but by the good asses- 
 tens of you and others ; good coustomers and cittezens of this cittie, have there- 
 fore assessed your company some of , which is agreed upon by acte of 
 
 co'en counsell, w"^'^- some of we do not only require you, but also threaghthe, 
 
 charge, and comande you, immediatlie upon the recept hereof, calling your com- 
 panye together in your comon hall, you do forthw^^- tax, levy, and gather of the 
 welthiest and most able persones of the same the some aforesaid, in such wise 
 that you fayle not "to pay the same, and ev'rie p'cell thereof, to the hands of George 
 Helton, of the cittie of London, w*^- all expedicion, and w^^'out repayment thereof 
 unto you. Fayle not hereof as you tender the mytigac'on of our sovereigne ladye 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES CORN CUSTOM. 143 
 
 cept, in answer to the companies' application, to the follow- 
 ing effect : That 
 
 "Where' there was a some of money lent by them and 
 other worshipful! companyes of this cytty, for provision to be 
 made for come in Danske (Dantzic) and other countreys 
 beyond the sea, and also the most apt places w^.^in this realme, 
 for the cyttie's urgent necessities in the tearme of dearth, now 
 ij. years past, w*'.^ corn so provided muche of yt by reason of 
 the so unseasonable harvest, contrary windes, fowle weather, 
 and long lying in the way from beyond the sea, had become 
 musty and not wholesome, and a good quantity lost and meet 
 to no use, as did appear by 200 quarters and upwards re- 
 maining in the Bridge-house, by reason whereof there was 
 lost 2100/. or thereabout ; and because the loss was so great, 
 it was thought good not only to make the companies privy 
 thereunto, but also to pray them forthwith to confer how the 
 same might best be borne, and to report their opinion 
 thereon." 
 
 The precept was accompanied by a repetition of the state- 
 ment in what were called " articles" submitted to the com- 
 panies' further consideration ; and in which it was proposed 
 to them to accept repayment of their debts in wheat, 2000 
 quarters of which, of good quality, from Sussex, was stated 
 to be then in the Bridge-house, together with 2000 and odd 
 quarters of other wheat grain remaining there of the last 
 
 the queen^s majestie's displeasure alreadye conceived and do tender the com'on 
 wealeof this cittie, together w**'- yourpryvate condytte, and as you will answer for 
 the contrary e. 
 
 The names of the companies, with the sums they were assessed and paid, were 
 as follows : 
 
 Mercers 500 00 00 
 
 Grocers 500 00 00 
 
 Drap'-s 378 00 00 
 
 Fishmongers 250 00 00 
 
 Goldsmyths 375 00 00 
 
 Skynners 200 00 00 
 
 Merchant t«- 427 00 00 
 
 Haberdashers 378 00 00 
 
 Salters 187 00 00 
 
 Ironmongers 187 00 00 
 
 Vynteners 187 00 00 
 
 Cloth workers 273 00 00 
 
 Dyers 62 00 00 
 
 Leathersellers 162 00 00 
 
 Cordwaners 62 00 00 
 
 Inholders 37 10 00 
 
 Armourers 12 10 00 
 
 Brwyers 7 5 00 
 
 Fletchers 6 5 00 
 
 Cowp«- 62 10 00 
 
 Carpenters 37 10 00 
 
 Plom"«- 12 10 00 
 
 Paynters 12 10 00 
 
 Butchers 25 10 00 
 
 Poulters 12 10 00 
 
 Cookes 37 10 00 
 
 Tylours 17 10 00 
 
 Masons 62 10 00 
 
144 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 year's provision. " If the worshippfuU companyes thought 
 meet to have the same dehvered to them" on the above ac- 
 count, (" the losse fyrst borne/') it was asked whether they 
 would chuse it to be placed under their own custody, for the 
 city store, or that it should remain at the Bridge-house for 
 that purpose, subject to their own control, but in the keep- 
 ing of the City. 
 
 The answer of the companies, and investigation of the City 
 corn-accounts in consequence, occupied nearly a twelvemonth, 
 during which the corporation were obliged to raise money 
 other ways.* In the December of 1577 a conference was 
 opened on the subject " whether stores of corn for the future 
 should be provided and kept by the companies, or by the City 
 upon loans from the companies, by orders of the court of 
 aldermen On the City's part, the necessity of some accom- 
 modation from the companies was urged, on the plea of the 
 queen's council's having insisted, that there should be always 
 a stock of at least 5000 quarters of wheat kept in the city 
 against emergencies. The companies wanting the return 
 of their loans under the loss stated, and part of the wheat 
 being about to be sold, and its produce paid to them in part, 
 it was inquired whether they would, under such circum- 
 stances, require their money, or have it again laid out to 
 buy the City grain. If they insisted on its return, then it 
 was said they must themselves lay it out in grain, to be 
 kept for the same purposes, and under the same conditions 
 as if the City purchased with the company's money. 
 
 Placed in this dilemma, the companies begged, in a mild 
 answer, " to have the returne of their money without loss, 
 according to promise ; which being done, they would think 
 it their duty to satisfy the queen's most honourable coun- 
 
 • " One of them was by the appropriation to this purpose of 300/. part of a 
 fine due to the corporation from Sir Thomas Lodge, for a lease of his house 
 belonging to them ; and the other, the like appropriation of 1000/. part of the 
 Orphen Money. The act of Common Council empowering the latter is dated 14th 
 Nov. 15T7, and ordains that " the some of 1000/. of Orphenage Monye shall with 
 convenient speed be provyded, to be employed for and towardes the provision of 
 come for the use of the Cyttye, and also the some of ccxlv/. in money remayninge 
 due to be payde by Mr. Chamberlain, of this cyttie, for the accompte of come, and 
 the fynes of such p'sons w'^^- were lately electyd sheryflfs of the same cyttye, all 
 w"=ii- saide somes aftbresaid to be forthw*^- payde unto Mr. Bates, one of the 
 bridge-masters, to be by hym ymployed for the p 'vision of corne for the use of the 
 same cyttye for this yere nexte ensuinge." — Lib. b. fo. 186. 
 
PREC EPTS TO THE COMPANIES — (OHN CUSTOM. 145 
 
 cils good pleasure." They also admitted that there was a 
 necessity for the city always having 5000 quarters of grain; 
 but the providing thereof, whether it should be by the lord 
 mayor and aldermen, or by the several companies, they 
 omitted to answer till the pleasure of the Common Council 
 should be further known." 
 
 The result of subsequent negotiations on this business was, 
 that the companies agreed, in October, 1578, to fix themselves 
 with the providing of quotas of corn according to what they 
 should be assessed, and the city agreed to let them have rooms 
 in the Bridge-house, for storing it up, subject to the oversight 
 and regulations of the lord mayor and aldermen. The accom- 
 panying vignette represents these Rooms, and the appurtenant 
 mills and erections belonging to the City, as they appeared 
 near the time.^ It is copied (by permission) from a plate of 
 them in the " Chronicles of London Bridge," the original of 
 which is an ancient and highly curious drawing, now in the 
 Pepysian library at Cambridge. 
 
 count of fitting up this corn depot, " were divided into xij. 
 
 * The regulation, just noticed, of delivering out the city corn ground, com- 
 pelled the erection at the Bridge-house of millsy as well as granaries. The> lutd 
 also ove)is, making the whole v/hat might he called a complete metropolitan flour 
 factory and baking-house. Strype's account is, that at " the Bridge-house were 
 granaries for corn, as well as ovens, to bake bread for the poor in times of scar- 
 city." Of the ovens (which were ten in number,) he adds, six were very 
 large ; the others were only half the size. Sir John Throston, kn»- x-ometime an 
 embroiderer, then goldsmith, and one of the sheriffs in 1516, left 200/. towards 
 building these ovens." 
 
 L 
 
146 
 
 HIS'IOKICAL ESSAY. 
 
 equall parts, and tlie same by indifferent lots," appropriated 
 to the Twelve Companies, "to every of them an equal part 
 For the bestowing and keeping of the said corn," and it was 
 to be provided by rateable proportions between them. The 
 coQipanies had possession given them on the ensuing 4th of 
 November; and on the 6th were enjoined by precept to pur- 
 chase their next year's stock, which was to average altoge- 
 ther 5000 quarters, at 20s. per quarter. 
 
 All contention between the City and the companies being 
 for a time settled by this arrangement, we meet with few notices, 
 except as to regulations, till 1596."^ In that year, the great 
 
 * The principal regulations made from time to time for the companies' manage- 
 ment of their corn, consist of those which succeeded the arrangement in 1578, 
 for them to find their own corn, and store it at the Bridge-house ; and of the 
 regulations to which they were subjected from 159t> to 1666, during which inter- 
 val they kept it in granaries at their halls. The regulations for making the pro- 
 vision, when it was found by the City, have already been detailed. 
 
 1. By orders, 1578, 1586, 1589,and 1624, and during the mayoralties of Ram- 
 sey, Barne, Hart, Spencer, and Goare, the companies were allotted to advance 
 and pay for corn purchased for the City's store, and to take the corn. By the first 
 regulation, 1578, \vhen they had spent 20 years of their stock, they were to re- 
 cruit the same again within 30 days ; and by another, the same year, the Court of 
 Aldermen were not to order it to be sold cheaper than it cost, without the consent 
 of the companies, or of the Common Council. (Jor. Ramsey, 438-9.) 
 
 2. 1579, (Woodrq/fe, M.) The companies were required to carry into the 
 markets of South wark 15 qrs. of meal per week, till all their old corn was sold 
 at the market price ; and each company was to depute two of its members to 
 that, or other markets to which it might be sent, to superintend the sale. (Jor. 
 Woodrofte, 83. Rep. do. 4.) Wnen their old corn was sold off, the stock was 
 to be renewed with wheat of that year's growth. 
 
 3. 1.580, (Branch, M.) The companies commanded, on account of thedear- 
 ness of wheat, to take into Queenhithe market, every Monday, Wednesday, and 
 Friday, 8 qrs. " well ground," and to retail it at 3*. per bushel, " and not more, at 
 their peril." 
 
 4. 1581, (Harvie, M.) Every company to appoint one buyer, and no more, 
 to buy their complement of corn, and to have such complement stored up, and 
 certify the same under the corn meter's hand monthly to the corn committees, 
 and which committees (composed of their own members and members of the cor- 
 poration,) to have complete control over them. 
 
 5. 1590, {Allot, M.) The companies ordered to provide this year 10,000 
 qrs. (Rep. Allot, 230,) and again 8,000 qrs. (Jor. Allot, 52.) 
 
 6. 1596, {Skinner, S^c. M") Determined, that upon great quantities of 
 corn being imported, the companies' halls shall be used for stowage thereof. 
 N.B. On this act of Common Council being passed, the companies removed 
 their corn from the Bridge-house, and thenceforward stored it up in their own 
 granaries. (Jor. Skinner, 172 ; Rep. Rowe, 258.) 
 
 From J 596 — 
 
 7. 1596-7, {Billingsby, M.) The companies compelled to take the City's 
 corn for their stores. (Jor. Billinp«by, 228, 238,) and to provide sacks to carry it 
 to the mills, and to the markets. (Rep. BiUingsby, 26.) 
 
 8. 1597, (Saltons/all, M.) Companies refusing to make their provisions to 
 be committed. (Rep. Saltonstall, 158.) Wardens committed accordingly hi 
 1632. (Rep. Raynton, 37-45.) 
 
 9. 1600, {Ryder, M.) Order for no chandler or other to harbour in his house 
 
PRKCEPrS lO THF, COMPANIES TORN CUSTOM. 147 
 
 alteration took place, of the companies building granaries at 
 their oivn halls, (see note.) Tliis removal seems to have been 
 hastened by an attempt of the government, two years before, 
 to obtain the granaries and ovens from them. The circum- 
 stance is related by Strype, v^ho informs us, that the year 
 1594 being a year of dearth, and there being abundance of 
 wheat and I'ye landed from abroad. Sir John Spencer, then 
 lord mayor, procured an order from the queen's council to 
 compel the companies to buy the same, to store up at the 
 Bridge-house. Before they could do so, they learnt that Sir 
 John Hawkins had appUed for both granaries and ovens for 
 the use of the navy. The lord mayor with difficulty got 
 excused from giving them up, by stating, that if the Bridge- 
 house granaries were taken from the companies, " they would 
 neglect making their provision, and plead want of room in 
 excuse." The companies eventually lodged corn there again ; 
 but they took what had happened as a sign of insecurity, and 
 having obtained the consent of the Common Council, laid 
 in their next stocks of grain on their own premises. 
 
 The companies' records preserve some curious specimens of 
 the working of this custom in the reigns of the Stuarts. 
 The wardens made their provisions from time to time, as we 
 see, but often through compulsion ; and at length sent refu- 
 sals, which either obliged the mayor to modify the demand, 
 
 any corn but for his own spendinsf, except merchants importing it. (Jor. Ryder, 
 220.) 
 
 10. 1606-7, (Horue, 8)-o. M''?) Foreign corn for the companies' stores to be 
 bought by a committee. (Rep, Rowe, 222.) Another committee appointed to 
 see that they have their full stores. ( Rep. Watts, 241.) 
 
 11. 1612, (Swtmerton, M.) Bakers and chandlers not to buy corn to furnish 
 the companies. (Rep. Swimerton, 167.) 
 
 12. 1615, 1616, 1617, and 1619, (Jolles, Lemon, BoUes, Cockaine, M\^) A 
 member of the companies committed, for refusing to pay corn-money. (Rep. 
 Jolles, .367.) Companies to serve the markets with corn themselves, and not by 
 others. (Rep. Lemon, 160.) Companies corn to be sold Ad. under the market. 
 (Rep. Bolles, .381.) A special order for the lord mayor to license the transpor- 
 tation of defective corn. (Rep. Cockaine, .514.) 
 
 13. 1630, {Duel/, M.) Order that companies unprovided of corn shall pay 
 Zs. for every bushel of their proportion to the poor. (Rep. Ducy, 260.) 
 
 14. 1631, (W/iitmore, M.) The companies are commanded to buy wheat and 
 rye from abroad, and refuse. 
 
 15. 1644, {^fVooUaston, M.) Companies to provide their stores and one 
 quarts- more, and particular members of companies to be persuaded to provide corn 
 for themselves. (Rep. Woollaston, 126. ) 
 
 N.B. The regulations and precepts which follow from this time being so 
 nearly similar, we forbear to quote more examples. 
 
 l2 
 
148 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 or abandon it altogether. As the thing progressed, real 
 utility and charity began to be lost sight of : the wants of the 
 poor were but partly consulted in the measure. Applications 
 were made to borrow their stores from quarters which should 
 have been above it, and attempts tried by the same parties to 
 force the companies into sales for mere private advantage. 
 The history of the grocers gives two remarkable illustrations, 
 with which, and a few observations added, we shall close the 
 subject. The first of them affords a curious instance of royal 
 poverty and meanness : it is preserved in the following letter, 
 sent on the 1st of October, 1622, to the wardens of the Gro- 
 cers, from the Duke of Lenox, lord high steward, and other 
 great officers of the king's household : 
 
 " To our lovinge Friends the Wardens and Assistants of 
 the Company/ of Grocers of the City of London, 
 
 " After our hearty commendations : Whereas by the neglect 
 of his Majes*'"^ purveyors, his house is att this tyme altogea- 
 ther unfurnished with wheate, by means whereof there is a 
 present want of 100 quarters of wheate for the service of his 
 household, we doe therefore pray and desire you, that out of 
 your stock his Majes*'^ may be supplied with 30 or 40 quar- 
 ters of your best and sweatest wheate, untill his owne provi- 
 sion may be brought in, the which we doe faithfully promise 
 shall be payd unto you agayn in November next att the fur- 
 thest ; and because itt is intended that by the exchange 
 thereof you shall have noe losse, we have therefore commit- 
 ted the care thereof to Mr. Harvye, one t)f his Majes*'^^ offi- 
 cers of the green clothe, who shall see the same duelye an- 
 sweared and brought into your granarie by the tyme ap- 
 poynted ; and soe not doubtynge of your willinge performance 
 uppon soe present and needefuU occasion, wee bidd you hear- 
 tilie farewell. 
 
 " Your loving Friends, 
 
 "Lenox. 
 
 "Thomas Edmond. 
 " Whitehall; the 27th of September, 1622." "John Sucklinge." 
 
 This curious document, it is observed, although signed by 
 three of the greatest men in the state, failed of producing its 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE CO M P A N I ES— CO R N CUSTOM. 149 
 
 full effect. The growing discontent we have described caused 
 great hesitation on the part of the members to accede to the 
 demand : after debating the matter, however, the officer men- 
 tioned in the letter, and who was in attendance, promised 
 " soe to mediate that ten quarters should be taken in satis- 
 faction of the whole demande," and accordingly that quan- 
 tity was ordered to be lent to his Majesty. Whether it was 
 ever repaid does not appear. The second instance con- 
 sisted of an equally mean attempt, some years afterwards, in 
 which the Court attempted the character of factors. The lord 
 mayor, in 1631, wrote to inform the companies that "divers 
 merchants trading to the East countries had of late brought 
 into the kingdome great quantities of corne (being rye) which 
 for quality was as ^ood or better than the growth of this 
 kingdome, though they had no vend for it that, on the sug- 
 gestion of the lords of the Privy Council, they were con- 
 tented to sell it at 8d. per bushel less than it cost them ; and 
 that the said lords, as well for their relief as for the encou- 
 ragement of future speculators, had recommended the lord 
 mayor and aldermen to press the companies to buy it at the 
 prices offered, blaming him for not having compelled them so 
 to do. The lord mayor's letter proceeds therefore to com- 
 mand them, in conformity with this recommendation, to repair 
 to Mr. Alderman Clitheroe, governor of the Eastland Company, 
 to purchase 500 quarters of the said rye at 65. 6d. a bushel, 
 " beinge one half of this companies proportion, at the rate of 
 10,000 quarters, which they were bound to have in store, ac- 
 cordinge to antient custome, and that they should lay up the 
 same in the companies granarie, in readinesse for supplying 
 the citie markets as occasion may require." The grocers' 
 court, " after a grave, mature, and deliberate debate," ordered 
 that answer should be returned with all humble respect, pray- 
 ing to be excused for the following reasons, viz. that the act 
 of Common Council, ordering the companies to provide corn, 
 expressed only wheat, and not rye. That they had so fur- 
 nished the markets hitherto, at a loss of at least £400. and 
 had yet 400 quarters in store, which supply they conceived 
 would be sufficient to last them till the harvest, when they 
 hoped to obtain a fresh store upon better terms than those 
 offered. They, in addition, stated their expectation of receiv- 
 
150 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 ing 200 quarters on contract ; that they had foiind, notwith- 
 standing dearths, the poor would not eat barley or rye, either 
 alone, or even if mixed with two thirds wheat, so that 500 
 quarters of rye would require 1800 quarters of wheat to mix 
 with it ; that what they had so mixed formerly remained on 
 their hands. And they lastly contended, " that there had 
 been no public contract made for any corn with the merchants 
 mentioned, and they conceived therefore that they had only 
 bought it in hope of profit, for which purpose they landed 
 some part of it upon the coast ; and divers other merchants, 
 both Dutch and English, had likewise brought in great quan- 
 tities, which they offered to sell at 5s. the bushel, which was 
 the cause of the said loss^ it being a thing usually incident 
 to merchants to receive loss by overloading a market with 
 any commodity." This remonstrance quashed the attempt. 
 On a different occasion (1642,) the companies answered 
 with the greatest readiness a call on their charity made 
 by the distressed Protestants of Londonderry ; and this 
 company, in particular, gave them 100 quarters of their corn. 
 After the Restoration, in 1660, a sum of £12,000 was levied 
 by Common Council on the City Companies, " to be laid out 
 in corne as a present to the king's majestic." The propor- 
 tion of the grocers was £1080, which they freely gave, " as an 
 acte of honor and respect from the cittie, and which may in 
 due time conduce to the singular advantage and benefit of the 
 companie." 
 
 The continuance of the corn custom is to be traced down 
 to the fire of London, when the companies' mills and grana- 
 ries being destroyed, the provision ceased, and it was not after- 
 wards renewed. The money for it was levied by a personal 
 contribution from their members, and two of them were from 
 time to time appointed by the court of assistants, under the 
 name of ^' corn renters," to collect it.^ 
 
 * We have given a lengthened account of the corn custom, as the most impor- 
 tant ol" any that the city and companies were anciently concerned with, and as par- 
 ticnhirly illustrative of the system of precept, whilst it was in use. Whether this 
 provision was ever beneficial to the extent which has been fancied, or at least, 
 whether its revival in the present day would be attended with the advantage some 
 writers have suggested, is very doubtful. The necessity at first originated in cir- 
 cumstances which no longer exist. It might be provident of the rich, and useful 
 to the poor, to lay up stores of wheat for sale in times when there were frequent 
 dearths, owing to the land being chiefly pasture, when the Steelyard merchants 
 were the only importers oi foreign wheat, and the king's purveyors seized the best 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES LOANS. 
 
 151 
 
 Compulsory Loans. — One of the earliest specimens of Eliza- 
 beth's forced loans occurs in the grocers' books, under the 
 year 1562, and shews the meanness that sovereign could 
 occasionally descend to, in borrowing sums of the most trivial 
 consequence. It states that 
 
 " The queene sent letters of Privy Seal to the companie 
 for a hundreth pondes to be paid to her grace's use, by way 
 of lone for a certeyn time mentioned in the same letters ; to 
 be certeynly repaid againe/' 
 
 This seems sufficiently intrusive ; but its effrontery was far 
 exceeded in 1575, in an instance quoted by Malcolm from 
 the ironmongers' books. It affords a still finer specimen of 
 " the good old times," as they have been called, of that queen, 
 and occasions the above writer, in noticing it, to remark that 
 "no minister during the eighteenth century could have been 
 found to authorize, or lord mayor to execute, such a precept 
 as the ensuing, directed to this company. 
 
 "Theis are to will and com'aunde youe that forth w*''' youe 
 prepare in a redynes the sume of Ix/. of the stocke of youre 
 halle, (and if you have not so moche in store) then you must 
 borrow the same at ynterest, at tW only costs a)id lossis of you'', 
 hall,) to be lent to the queen's ma*'^' for 1 whole yeare, not 
 in any wise cawsyng any brother of yo!' companye to bear any 
 p'ticular charge or losse towards the same, but onlye of the 
 rents and stocke of yoJ" said hall, w*"^' som'e of Ix/. you shall 
 paye uppon Twysdaye next comynge, in the mornyng, at Mr. 
 
 of what was grown at home. In moxe plentiful times, however, and with the faci- 
 lities afforded by commerce and extended agricultural pursuits, the practice evi- 
 dently tended to monopoly. The companies were always to buy when cheaj), 
 and sell when dear, but were never to lose. Query: were the)' not, from their 
 wealth, often put into a situation to gain ? Individually speaking, also, many of 
 tlie regulations^ must have been an intolerable burden to them. Compelling them 
 to take the City's surplus corn, — and that they might do so, forbidding bakers or 
 chandlers to furnish them, as well as forcing them when they were allowed to 
 import, to do it only through City committees, besides other similar orders, 
 must strike the reader as both monopolous and oppressive, in looking through 
 the preceding list of "Regulations." Other of these regulations must have been 
 detrimental to the public ; in particular, the order that no chandler or other (mer- 
 chant importers excepted) should keep corn but for their own consumption, which 
 was leaving the public no channel of purchase but the ones mentioned. On the 
 whole, the ancient providing and selUng of corn by the City and companies, baking 
 it into bread, attending the markets to see to its sale, andlaeing annoyed by having 
 bargains attempted to be forced on them by the courtiers, or compelled to lend to 
 their order, where there was no likelihood of return, not to mention other evils ; — 
 and, after all, where the advantage to the public was so questionable ; seem to 
 make this anything but a custom which it would be desirable to revive. 
 
152 
 
 HISTORICAL i:SSAY. 
 
 Stanley's howse in Aldersgate street ; and thear you shall 
 receive an aquyttaunce for the same in forme appoynted. 
 Fayle youe not herof as youe will awnser for the contrarye at 
 your p.yle. Yeovyn at the Gwyldhall of London, the xxvii of 
 August, 1575."— Sebrighte.^' 
 
 " It will hardly be credited/' remarks Malcolm upon this, 
 "that men should have been so blindly bigotted, at any period 
 of our history, to the then form of goverment, as to have 
 made no effort to amend such sort of proceedings as those 
 of compelling loans in one half year, and in the next com- 
 pelling the lenders to borrow. These precepts, and other 
 resources," he continues, "produced queen Elizabeth 140,000/. 
 apparently more than she at that time knew what to do with ; 
 however, herself or her ministers found an expedient, which 
 was to force the citizens to receive it for a year or more, at 
 seven per cent, in sums of from 500/. to 50/. each person, on 
 pledges of gold or silver plate, or other ample security."'!' 
 
 A second instance of this princess's loans, but certainly 
 more excusable, as being for public purposes, was in 1579, 
 when she demanded a loan of 20,000/. from the city of Lon- 
 don, upon her bond for six months, towards the defence of 
 the country, and suppressing the Irish rebellion. It was 
 readily granted, and without interest; and all the several com- 
 panies contributed according to their means. 
 
 State Lotteries. — In 1567 the queen borrowed a hint from 
 some of the continental governments, and had recourse to the 
 expedient of a lottery, the first ever known in England. 
 The mode she adopted, in the then absence of modern puffing, 
 was that of personal application. A notice in the grocers' 
 records, Nov. 1567, sets forth that the lord mayor had sent a 
 precept to the wardens, to acquaint them that he had re- 
 ceived from the lords of the queen's privy council, in her 
 grace's name, a letter " in comendacion of the lotterie lately 
 pubhshed by her highness, which, for the furtherance of the 
 
 * The merchcint tailors' books of the same date record the receipt of a 
 similar precept, with the amount of their subscription, in the following entry : 
 
 "1575. The sum of 133/. 6s. Hd. borrowed for the queen on a precept from 
 the mayor for that purpose." It states it to be lent from the rents and stock of the 
 company, and not from the brotherhood." The like precepts travelled the round 
 of tile other companies. 
 
 + Loud. Rediviviim, 11,50. 
 
PRECEPTS TO THE COMPANIES — LOTTERIES. 153 
 
 same, did require that the wardens should call all the coni- 
 panie together, and exhorte the same to adventure some rea- 
 sonable sum toward the preferment of the same lotterie/* 
 
 The contents of this letter being considered, every one of 
 the company present promised "to put in somewhat as to 
 themselves should prove good." It was also resolved that the 
 wardens should, of the goods of the house, "adventure and 
 put into the said lotterie the some of xxL which is for xxxx. 
 lotterie shares and the court to be a sufficient warrant for 
 the same. 
 
 The companies appear to have adopted mottos on this occa- 
 sion as a distinction ; that of the grocers was 
 
 " For the Grocers' Hawll 
 A lott greate or small." 
 
 It was likewise thought good that the master and wardens 
 should cause the whole livery to assemble, " to the end the 
 like exhortation should be made to them." 
 
 The payment of the prizes in this lottery, even when gained, 
 are stated to have been very tardy, and, in various cases, it 
 is doubtful whether they were paid at all. 
 
 In 1585 the queen had recourse to another lottery, for 
 armour, of the tricks respecting which a still finer picture is 
 given in the merchant tailors' records. On this occasion, to 
 induce the lord mayor and City to be active in forwarding the 
 business, a letter was addressed to them by lord chancellor 
 Bromley and others of the privy council, directing the lord 
 mayor to issue precepts to the companies, to persuade their 
 respective members to make adventure. Its purport was — 
 
 That since the publication of the proceedings respecting 
 the lottery the coming in of adventures v^^as very slack, by 
 reason of the hard opinion and distrust conceived of the last 
 lotteries, and from the length of time set down for that in 
 hand. And having her majesty's grant of the lottery, which 
 was intended specially to benefit Mr. John Calthorpe, who 
 had so well deserved in bringing the same into the realm, 
 the council had reduced the time of the execution of the said 
 lottery to the 8th of March then next ensuing, at which time 
 " there should be a true delivery of the prizes to the winners.'^ 
 They add, " we mean to appoint twenty persons to see that 
 
154 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 no man shall be defrauded of such part or parts of the armour 
 as may fall to his lot by the said lottery." It concludes : 
 
 " And in order to speed the execution of it we hope, on 
 the receipt hereof, you will call the aldermen your brethren 
 together, and persuade every man to adventure, and to deal 
 with the masters and wardens of all the companies to make 
 adventures. And for so doing, there shall be bestowed on the 
 lord mayor, as her majesty's gift, in respect of the forward 
 service of the said lottery, one basin and ewer of 100/. and 
 to each of the sheriffs one basin and ewer of 100 marks, to 
 remain to the use of the lord maior and sheriffs and their 
 successors for ever." 
 
 Soon after we find the livery of the merchant tailors called 
 together, and " recommended to try their fortune in the said 
 lottery." 
 
 So loth, however, do both the principals and livery of that 
 company appear to have been to make their fortunes by the 
 means pointed out, that there is the following sarcastic motto 
 entered in the company's books, as the one adopted by them 
 on this occasion : 
 
 " One hyrde in the hande is worth two in the wood, 
 If we get the great lot, it will do us good.'' 
 
 James, in 1612, tried another lottery of plate, towards the 
 plantation of Virginia, in which all the companies adven- 
 tured, and in which the grocers are stated to have been so 
 fortunate as to have won a silver gilt salt and cover, worth 
 13/. 10.5. for only a venture of 62/. 5s. and a fee of 19s. Qd, 
 delivery. 
 
 Monopolous Patents. — The granting of patents for monopo- 
 lies, and for the oversight and control of different trades, 
 was another arbitrary and impolitic measure of Elizabeth, and 
 which not only injured the companies, but the public. This 
 mode of obtaining revenue was adopted when the system of 
 forced loans and levies had been pushed as far as it would 
 go. Strype, in his edition of Stow, records some entertain- 
 ing instances. The first was an attempt to get the control 
 of the Brewers' Company, whose records we have so largely 
 borrowed from. With the usual pretence of benefiting the 
 pubhc, and filling the queen's purse, a Sir Thomas Georges, 
 
PATENTS AGAINST THE COMPANIES. 
 
 155 
 
 he states, in the year 1580, "sued to have the office of gauger 
 of beer, namely, the gauging and filling of every barrel, with 
 the fee of a penny on the whole barrel, and a halfpenny on the 
 half-barrel." To obtain his suit, he charged the brewers 
 with defrauding the public, by false measure and undersized 
 casks, to the amount of 30,000/. a year. This he engaged to 
 save, besides putting 200/. a year rent in the queen's pocket, 
 " and an increase in her customs of 700/. or 800/. more." The 
 brewers, in a well drawn up answer, pointed out the delusive 
 nature of the scheme, proving that the projector would him- 
 self get 10,000/. a year by it, and the queen nothing. The 
 consequence was, to use the historian's words, " this business 
 of having a surveyor for beer stuck still."* In 1590, Edward 
 Darcy, a courtier, sued, and obtained from the queen a similar 
 patent against the Leathersellers' Company, empowering him to 
 search and seal all the leather throughout England : and, our 
 author says, " found it a very gainful business to him ; for on 
 the skins he sealed he sometimes received the tenth part, 
 the ninth part, the seventh, the sixth, the fourth, and some- 
 times, and often, the third part of the value of the commo- 
 dity." The profits of this projector lasted little more than a 
 twelvemonth; for in 1592, the whole swarm of tradesmen con- 
 nected with the article, leathersellers, fellmongers, glovers, 
 point-makers, purse-makers, saddlers, girdlers, coffer-makers, 
 budget-makers, stationers, white-tawyers, jerkin-makers, lea- 
 ther-dyers, and others, rose up with one accord to resist the 
 innovation, and were found so formidable, from their num- 
 bers and clamor, that the privilege, to avoid a tumult, was, 
 after much contention, revoked. Strype praises the firmness 
 of this company's wardens, in concluding his account, who 
 being imprisoned for their unyielding conduct during the con- 
 test, defended themselves by pleading " that at their first 
 incorporation into this noble city, they were charged with a 
 precise oath to be obesiant and obedient unto the mayor and 
 ministers of the city, the franchises and customs thereof to 
 maintain, and this city to keep harmless in that that in them 
 was. ^ Judge,' they said to the aldermen who were sent to 
 them to mediate, ' if to admit Mr. Darcy's ministers to 
 
 * Strype's Stow, 11, 289. Ibid. 293. 
 
156 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 search and seal, is not to run into the horrible sin of perjury, 
 which the queen could never abide, nor ever yet left unpu- 
 nished V Thus stout and hardy were these leathersellers." 
 
 Another attempt to obtain one of these excise patents 
 against the Pewterers' Company was made some years after- 
 wards by the Earl of Oxford ; "whereby," says Strype, " he 
 would have undone the pewterers, their wives, and families." 
 The privy council, however, had begun to find out about this 
 time that there was a general exclamation and discontent 
 against these " patents of privilege," as they were called. The 
 attorney-general being advised with on the occasion, " whether 
 such patent might stand with the laws and statutes of the 
 realm or not," negatived the application ; and in this case 
 the queen acted generously, for she conferred the privilege 
 asked for by the earl on the company itself."^ Numerous 
 similar instances might be adduced. The next, quoted from 
 the account of the Grocers' Company,f is a fine specimen of 
 the absurdity and intolerance of the practice. "In 1575, a 
 precept was read to the court [of assistants] by the wardens, of 
 a licence granted by the queen's majesty to one Acerbo Devi- 
 telto, an Italian, that he only should bring into this realm 
 ' comon and sallet oyle, and to sell the same to any person 
 he will, foreign or freeman, and at his owne beame which 
 being thought prejudicial to the freemen of the city, a peti- 
 tion to the mayor and aldermen on the subject was ordered 
 to be drawn up." Patents received their death-blow from 
 the parliament in 1641, when two patentees. Alderman Abell 
 and Richard Kilvert, were severely fined for having obtained 
 from Charles I. an exclusive patent for wine. J A very scarce 
 
 * strype 's Stow, 11, 294. 
 
 t Grocers' Comp. p. 70. The author adds the following quotation in a note : 
 A' She (Elizabeth) granted her servants and courtiers patents for nionopohes ; and 
 those patents they sold to others, who were thereby enabled to raise commodities 
 to what price they pleased j and who put invincible restraints upon all commerce, 
 industry, and emulation in the arts. It is astonishing to consider the numbers 
 and importance of those commodities which were thus assigned over to patentees : 
 currants, salt, iron, powder, cards, calf-skins, felts, leather, ox-shin bones, 
 train oil, lists of cloth, <fec. &c., these are but a part of the commodities which 
 had been appropriated to monopolists. When this list was read in the house, a 
 member cried, "Zs not bread in the number f " '•^ Bread !" said every one with asto- 
 nishment. " Yes, I assure youy^ replied he, ^\ if affairs go on at this rate, we 
 shall have bread reduced to a monopoly before the next parliament. — Hume's 
 Hist, of England, v. 5. 
 
 \ The " Perfect Dinrnell'' of 5th Feb. 1641, thus notices the transaction : " A 
 bill was brought into the House of Commons concerning the wine business, by 
 
PATENTS AGAINST THE COMPANIES. 
 
 157 
 
 and satirical contemporaneous tract on the subject, gives, in a 
 supposed dialogue between the two parties, a ludicrous expo- 
 sure of this business of patent-hunting. 
 
 Abell and Kilvert, who in the tract are called "the two 
 maine projectors for wine/' accidentally meet, and the latter 
 claiming acquaintance with the alderman, as one at whose 
 house he had often been a guest " when he kept the Ship 
 Tavern, behind Old Fish-street/' Abell answers, that he did 
 indeed get a good estate there by retailing wines, but chiefly 
 through finding hidden treasure in digging a vault near his 
 cellar ; or, as he terms it, " the Cardinal's Cellar," and without 
 which, he adds, " I had never came to wear this gold chaine, 
 with my thumbes under my girdle.'' " But now, Mr. Kil- 
 vert, (after having talk't sometime on indifferent subjects,) 
 I know you to be a most politicke projector; money is the 
 matter we ayme at, and profit the thing only that we pursue. 
 We know what may be done. Now me thinkes it fit that we 
 fixe upon some project to be done, and presently to have it 
 put in practice." He proceeds — 
 
 Abell. — Those patents for caske,and for tobacco, 3.nd for cards and with 
 divers others, have already past the seale. What new reach have you now by 
 which to enrich us ? 
 
 Kilv. — Give me leave a little to recollect myself, hum, hum — let me see, 
 mercers, goldsmiths, drapers, grocers ; you are a vintner, M. Alderman, what 
 think you of a monopoly or patent for wines, and for dressing meat ? 
 
 Abell. — I doe approve of the project exceedingly. But first tell me one 
 thing, Master Kilvert, are you a freeman of our City ? 
 
 Kilv. — No indeed, sir, but for some reasons best reserved to myself. I 
 would I were. 
 
 Abell. — Let me alone to procure that. 
 
 Kilv. — And then let me alone to extract money out of your City, and draw 
 it into our owne purses. 
 
 Abell. — Buy then your freedome of the City. Then you have yourchoyce 
 to be of what company you most fancy, which I could wish to be of the 
 vintners ; of which society I am none of the meanest members. That done, 
 I will bring you to be one of our livery, and in a short time to be made one 
 of the assistance ; onely you must be sworne to secrecy, and not to disclose 
 any mystery belonging to our trade, that may be talk't on at table. 
 
 which it appeared that Alderman Abell and Mr. Kilvert had in their hands which 
 they deceived the king of, 57,000^. upon the wine licence; the Vintners of Lon- 
 don, 66,000/. ; the wine merchants of Bristol, 1051/. ; all of which monies were 
 ordered to be immediately raised on their lands and estates, and to be employed 
 to the public use." 
 
158 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Kilvert joyfully agrees to this, and renews the discourse as 
 to the wine patent ; about which, on asking the alderman's 
 opinion, the latter rejoins, 
 
 Abell. — Then now, Master Kilvert, with the project upon which we may 
 ground the begging of this patent. 
 
 Kilvert's answer contains a fine piece of satire on the mode 
 in which such patents were first obtained. 
 
 Kilv. — Marry, thus ; we must first pretend both in the merchant and vintner 
 some gross abuses, and these no meane ones either. And that the merchant 
 shall pay to the king forty shillings for every tun ere he shall vent it to the 
 vintner ; in lieu of which, that the vintner may be no looser, he shall rayse 
 the price also of his wines : upon all French wines a penny in the quart ; upon 
 all Spanish wines two-pence the quart; it is no matter how the subject suffers, 
 so we get and gaine by it. Now to cover this our craft, (I will not say coin- 
 age,) because all things of the like nature carry a pretence for the king's profit, 
 so we will allow him a competent proportion of forty thousand pounds per 
 annum ; when, the power of the patent being punctually executed, will yield 
 double at least, if not treble that sume, and returne it into the coffers of the 
 undertakers. 
 
 Abell. — Mr. Kilvert, I honour thee before all the feasts in our hall. Nay, we 
 are free vintners and brothers of the guild, and are for the most part true Tro- 
 jans, and know where to find the best butts of wine in the cellar, and will 
 pierce them for thee ; it shall be pure wine from the grape, not mixt and com- 
 pounded, but real and brisk. You thinke there are no brewers but such as 
 brew ale and beere ; I tell you we do brew and cunger in our sellers, as much 
 as any brewer of their ale. Yea, and without fire too ; but so much for that. 
 Methinkes I see myselfe in Cheapside upon an horse richly caparisoned, and 
 my two shrieves to attend me ; and me thinkes thee in thy caroch, drawn by 
 four horses, when I shall call to thee, and say, ' friend Kilvert, give me thy hand.' 
 
 Kilv. — ^To which I shall answer, * God bless your honour, my good lord 
 maior.' 
 
 " Concealments f'' as they were called, (another branch of the 
 tree of extortion,) were omissions charged to have been wilfully 
 and fraudulently made by the companies, in returning the 
 value of their chantry estates in the reign of Edward VI. 
 This complaint, which had been started at that time, and after- 
 wards abandoned, was revived in 1 582,* and afforded another 
 
 * An attempt had been made to establish a similar sort of inquisition, as early 
 as 1566, when precepts were sent to the companies to make out certificates for the 
 queen, of the value of their lands and goods. The merchant tailors, on this 
 occasion, return their estimate at only 204^. ]5s. 4c?., notwithstandmg that a like 
 estimate had been just before returned, extending their value to 304/. '7s., but out 
 of which were various outgoings. Their plate, jew^els, and goods, they state not 
 
concealments" liY 1HE COMPANIES. 
 
 159 
 
 excuse for patents and patentees. Sir Edward Stafford, one 
 of Elizabeth's courtiers, and others, having obtained the 
 queen's patent on this behalf; "and being assisted," says 
 Strype, (from whom we copy the succeedin-g account,) " by 
 certain prying fellows, who hoped thereby to make some 
 gain to themselves, the companies were again put to great 
 trouble, and their lands and tenements made liable to be for- 
 feited and taken away from them, by reason of such patents ; 
 what was discovered becoming the property of these paten- 
 tees, commonly called concealers, and the queen having some 
 small part in fee-farm." 
 
 " Thus, in the year above named, two of these concealers, 
 named Adams and Woodshaw, discovered that, in the com- 
 panies' contracting with Edward VI. they had not made a full 
 disclosure, but retained some of these chantry lands, paying 
 nothing for them. As, for example, the grocers purchased to 
 the amount of £67 I5. %d. yearly, for £1341 ISs. 4c?., and 
 afterwards built the Weigh-house, which cost them 1100/.; 
 but the informers found out that the chantry lands they pos- 
 sessed had been actually worth £147 4s. ^d,, and they ac- 
 cordingly obtained for themselves the balance of £80 85. 
 reserving to the queen a fee-farm of £4 10s. per annum." 
 
 " In like manner the skinners bought of the king chantry- 
 rents to the annual amount of 30/. 16s. Qd., for which they 
 paid 613/. 10s., whereas there was now discovered to be 
 lands of that nature in their possession to the yearly value of 
 101/. 8s. M. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 The Salters bought rents per annum . . . 33 18 3 
 
 For which they paid to the king .... 688 5 0 
 Their lands now discovered to be per annum . . 82 1 8 
 
 The Vintners bought, as before, per annum . . 9 15 0 
 
 For which they paid . . . . . 195 6 8 
 
 Their lands now discovered to be per annum . . 30 0 0 
 
 Besides their hall, and 14 almshouses, passed to the patentees as con- 
 cealed. 
 
 The Drapers bought rents per annum . . 37 5 10 
 
 For which they paid ... . 746 13 4 
 
 Their lands now discovered to be per annum . . 110 7 0 
 
 to have exceeded in clear value 66/. 13^. 4d. ; and as a set-oflf, plead the com- 
 pany to have been indebted in the sum of 33T/. Qd. There was no doubt some 
 concealment in these returns, but properly, for it was fully justified by the arbi* 
 trary nature of the procedure. 
 
160 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 " And so of various others of the Twelve Companies ; all of 
 which premises so concealed the queen passed to the said 
 Adams and Woodshaw. 
 
 So that the total amount of such lands so passed was per £ s, d. 
 annum ...... 838 4 6 
 
 Rents out of the same bought by the king of the companies 
 
 per annum ...... 312 16 3 
 
 Sum paid the king for the same .... 5640 0 8 
 
 To the queen, for all the same lands by the patentees, in fee- 
 farm, per annum . . . . . 22 12 4 
 
 " Note, (says our authority,) that the value of the said lands was here set 
 down as they were charitably let by the companies, which was one great por- 
 tion of their good deeds, but would be much more by improvement. Also 
 the whole yearly value aforesaid, and the whole yearly value of all the rest of 
 their lands, the companies showed that they did bestow upon the poor, and 
 upon scholars, and other public good uses ; without employing any one penny 
 thereof in their dinners, or other like charges, but the same were wholly borne 
 of their quarterage, and the wardens charge out of their own purses, as appear- 
 eth by this one example of the grocers here following : 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 The whole rents of the Grocers, per annum . . 216 14 04 
 
 WHEREOF, 
 
 To the poor weekly, by divers wills, and otherwise, in alms, 
 
 To the schoolmaster, usher, and almsmen at Oundle, and 
 
 To poor scholars in the Universities . . . 165 16 00 
 
 To fees and pensions of poor servants of the companies, 
 
 whereof they live . . . . . 46 00 00 
 
 Preparations of the school, almhouses, and other premises 40 00 00 
 
 Sum . 251 16 00 
 
 Besides setting forth, entertaining and training of soldiers, provision of 
 armour always in store, and 400 quarters of wheat ever aforehand ; wherein 
 the poorer sort bear no burden ; and so in hke sorf and proportion is to be 
 said of all the rest of the companies. 
 
 Note also, that the said companies are set by their lands, in subsidy, 638/. 
 and so do pay at every whole subsidy 128/. 10s.; which, accounting every 
 fourth year to pay a subsidy, amounteth yearly, communibus anus, to 31/. 7s. 
 And so, if the companies lose their lands, the queen, it was argued, would 
 lose more in subsidy than the whole that the patentees did give her for the 
 lands. 
 
 Item. — If the land be taken away, and so the purchase of the rents void, 
 if her Majesty in equity should repay the sums that the king received for the 
 rents, it would amount to 5640/. 8c?." 
 
 In fine, there was no way for the companies to enjoy these 
 concealed, but now discovered lands, unless they would lay 
 down money, and buy them of the patentees. Nor could the 
 patentees be contented to have them valued according to the 
 
PRECEPTS TO COMPANIES "CONCEALMENTS." 161 
 
 old rents they went at, and as let by the companies, but accor- 
 ding to what they might be rented for at that present ; and 
 so set the value at 20 years' purchase." 
 
 " Several of the companies contended, it seems, with these 
 concealers; and it being doubtful whether some of the estates 
 came under the statute for chantries, the matter was referred 
 to the Lords Chief Justices, Sir Christopher Wray and Sir 
 Edmund Anderson, who adjudged, that although messuages 
 were demised to corporations of mysteries in London, yet, 
 being appointed to chantries, obits, &c. they were given to 
 the king by the statute 1 Edw. VL, and that the queen was in 
 consequence entitled to the premises in controversy. Others 
 the judges left doubtful, as they found them, and some they 
 cleared."^ 
 
 Four concealments were discovered in the Drapers' Com- 
 pany. For which, see under that head.f 
 
 * Strype's Stow, ii. 340. 
 
 + The plea put in by the City on the above occasion throws considerable addi- 
 tional light on this business, and is otherwise curious : 
 
 1. In the firste yeare of Kinge Ed- 
 ward the VI*^- chauntries, colledges,and 
 divers lands, tenements, &c. employed 
 in superstitious uses, were given to the 
 kinge, his heirs and successors. 
 
 2. In the same statute are divers 
 clauses, lymittinge in what cases the 
 kinge should have all or part, or rente, 
 or the land itself. 
 
 3. Among others there is a clause 
 to this effect : That all profites em- 
 ploied by corporations of misteries to 
 such superstitious uses, should be to the 
 kinge as rentes-charge, whereunto all 
 those and other the landes of such cor- 
 porations should be liable. 
 
 4. Hereupon the lawe was then 
 taken and put in use, that in such cases 
 where landes were geven to such cor- 
 porations with lymittinge of proffitesto 
 be so superstitiously emploied, the king 
 should not have the landes, but the prof- 
 fites so emploied, as rentes-charge. 
 
 5. Upon this statute, commissions 
 were directed for London, to certein 
 persons of the king's counsell learned, 
 and other greate learned men in lawe, 
 and suche as were of parliament, and 
 prevye to the makynge of the lawe, and 
 so beste understandinge the true mean- 
 inge of the statute. 
 
 6. These commissioners came to the 
 Halles of LondoUf and there had all 
 
 the evidences of the companies laide 
 before them, that they mighte, accord- 
 inge to theire understandinge, sett 
 downe the rightes of the kinge. 
 
 7. They, accordinge to the said ex- 
 position, did sett downe and certifie 
 those profittes to bee the kinge 's, as 
 rentes-charge, and did not entitle the 
 kinge to the landes themselves. 
 
 8. The certificates were so accepted 
 and allowed in the kinge 's courts, no 
 doubte, with the advise of the kinge's 
 officers and judges and counsel learned. 
 
 9. These rents were accordingly 
 paid to the kinge by the space of cer- 
 ten yeres, without question. 
 
 10. Afterward the kinge, in the thirde 
 yere of his raigne, having occasion to 
 levie a great masse of money, did re- 
 quire the companies to purchase those 
 rentes, which they were lothe to doe, 
 but beinge urged by their dutie of love 
 and service to the kinge. 
 
 11. The companies accordingly pur- 
 chased those rents, for which they paied 
 to the kinge allmost xix thousand 
 pounds. 
 
 12. For the raisinge of this somme 
 of 18,700/. they were enforced to sell 
 divers of the said landes and tenements 
 to paye for the reste. 
 
 13. The kinge, most gratiouslye 
 meaninge that both the companies am' 
 
 M 
 
162 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Seditious publications and practices occasioned frequent 
 appeals from Elizabeth to the loyalty of her citizens. The 
 lord mayor regularly received command, when danger was ap- 
 prehended from this source, to call on the companies ; and his 
 precepts, invoking their aid, were accompanied in some in- 
 stances by the most soothing explanations. The wardens of 
 the grocers received such a precept in 1571 ; and, in making 
 " an exhortation to the generaltie of the companie" thereon, 
 prefaced it by informing them " of the greate zeal and love of 
 the queene's majestic towards her good cytezens of this citie of 
 London ; who with her owne mouthe declared the same to 
 the lords of her highness' privie counseyll, willing them to 
 declare the same unto the lord maior, the aldermen, and comon- 
 ers of the said Cytie, viz. that her grace doth hope that the 
 good cytezens doe well like her grace's government.^' The con- 
 spiracy is then described, which this year consisted of the 
 Duke of Norfolk's plot for liberating and proclaiming Mary 
 Queen of Scots, and on which charge that nobleman, and ulti- 
 
 the said purchasers should retayne 
 bothe the said landes, and enjoy their 
 said rentes, accordinge to their bar- 
 gaynes, did, in the fifth yere of his 
 raigne, in a session of the sanfie parlia- 
 ment, passe an acte of parliament for 
 their assurance against reversions, re- 
 mainders, and other incumbrances. 
 
 14. In the preamble of the said acte 
 is recited, howe the kinge was by the 
 said statute, in the firste yere of his 
 raign, intituled to the said proffittes, 
 as rentes-charge, and not to the landes 
 in the handes of the laye corporations. 
 
 15. So, by the judgement of the 
 kinge, his nobles, judges, counscill 
 learned, and whole court of parliamente 
 in the said session, who had bene also 
 of the former session, and beste under- 
 standinge their owne meaninge, it was 
 confessed and recited, that the kinge in 
 this case had the rentes, and not the 
 landes. 
 
 . 16. In the bodie of the said acte is 
 expressly sett downe, that the said com- 
 panies and corporacions shall quietly 
 cnjoye and holde both the said rentes, 
 manors, lands, tenements, and heredi- 
 taments. 
 
 17. According to this exposition, 
 they have ever since quietly enjoyed 
 the same. 
 
 18. They have made sondrye sales, 
 grauntes, and leases of their said lands, 
 as their grauntees have likewise done ; 
 upon which grauntes are sondrye war- 
 rantises, bondes, and covenants. 
 
 19. Many of the said leases have be- 
 come portions of widowes and orphanes. 
 
 20. Many have bestowed great build- 
 ings upon the same, to the beautifying 
 of her majestie's Citie. 
 
 21 . Many, but especiallie poore men, 
 have their habitations and onely set- 
 tlings of their livinge in the premises. 
 
 22. The arrearages of the profits are 
 very greate sommes. 
 
 23. The companies having purchased 
 the said rents, thoughe they mighte 
 have turned them wholly to their owne 
 profite, have emploied the same to 
 publike uses, viz. reliefe of poore 
 persons, of almes, exhibitions of 
 schoUers in the universities, provisions 
 of grayne an^ armour, setting forth 
 and entertainments of souldiers, and 
 other service of their soveraigns, from 
 time to time. 
 
 24. Nowe of late there hath been 
 founde out a newe opynion upon the 
 said statute, contrary to the aforesaid 
 exposition and understanding thereof ; 
 and it is suggested that the kinge is 
 entitled to the said landes, and not to 
 
PRECEPTS TO COMPANIES SEDITIOUS PI BLK AllONS. 163 
 
 mately the unfortunate princess herself, suffered death. The 
 most curious part of the above communication consisted of the 
 artful manner in which the queen contrived to mix up her own 
 danger with the citizens' safety. She joins the intention of 
 the conspirators " to subvert her grace's government" with 
 the " utter destruction of this noble cytie," the " spoyle of 
 which," it is affirmed, they had promised to their adherents, 
 *'as the reward of *^the devylishe enterpryse.""^' 
 
 The pubhcation of Stubb's book (1579,) against what he 
 supposed a contemplated marriage between Elizabeth and the 
 Duke of Anjou, produced another issue of similar precepts, 
 but, as the danger was less, of a more authoritative complexion. 
 The wardens of the same company, in this case, were " to give 
 warning, that they should be verye carefuU in performinge all 
 things that are contayned in her ma*'?^ proclamacion latelie 
 set owte, which doth contayne the forbyddinge of the hav- 
 
 the proffites ; and so the said compa- 
 nies have neither lande nor rente, not- 
 withstanding their purchases honafide^ 
 and by the judgement of the kinge, his 
 counsell learned and parliaments. 
 
 25. Upon this suggestion, informa- 
 tions of intrusion are brought against 
 all the said companies for concealed 
 landes. 
 
 26. Yf the saide informations should 
 prevaile, and the saide newe opynion be 
 holden for lawe, infinite inconveniences 
 would ensue, viz. 
 
 27. The companies being bona fidei 
 possessores, and having truly purchased 
 for greate sommes, at the king's re- 
 quest, should be defrauded of their law- 
 full bargaines, 
 
 28. The arrearages should be to them 
 a greater burden than they are able to 
 susteyne. 
 
 29. The warrantizes, covenants, 
 bondes, and forfeitures, are an infinite 
 somme, and a most unspeakable con- 
 fusion. 
 
 30. The charge of their building 
 should be wholly lost. 
 
 31. Multitudes of widowes and poore 
 orphans should be thrust out of their 
 portions, and utterly undone. 
 
 32. The testaments and laste wills 
 of many persons should be utterly de- 
 feated. 
 
 33. Infinite numbers of poore inha- 
 bitants should in an instant be expelled 
 from their dwellings. 
 
 34. Marvellous nombers of poore, 
 susteined by those revenues of compa- 
 nies, should be put from their reliefe, 
 and cast to misery, and will burden 
 the state more than London shall be 
 able to susteyne. 
 
 35. Many poore schollers must lose 
 their exhibitions. 
 
 36. The companies shall not be able 
 to furnish her majestie's service from 
 time to time as they have done, and 
 desire to doe ; much lesse to maintayne 
 the good continuaynce of her Citie to 
 her majestie's honoure. 
 
 37. Finally, the confusion and tumb- 
 ling up of the whole state and order of 
 this citie would be uncredible. 
 
 38. Her majestie should hereof, by 
 the said suggesters, receyve little or 
 nothinge, and in no waye comparable 
 to the losse that her highnes may sus- 
 teyne in her Citie's dissabilitie." 
 
 The City concluded this plea, by begging that the queen M^ould allow the same 
 true interpretations of the statutes whereby they had hitherto enjoyed their lands ; 
 that she would command the suits, informations, and molestations against them- 
 
 * Acc. of the Grocers' Comp. 75-6. 
 
 M 2 
 
164 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 inge, readinge, or keepinge of any of the seditious libells that 
 have of late byne exposed abrode against the Duke of An- 
 joye, and his ambassadors, and to the disturbinge and trou- 
 blinge of the queen's m*'^^ subjectes, about alter acion of 
 religion,^' The members of the grocers all promised compli- 
 ance, but were so slow of performance, that 'two other pre- 
 cepts, to the same effect, it is said, were issued before the 
 books were brought in/'*' The Ironmongers' Company are 
 stated by Malcolm to have adopted the following ingenious 
 method to obtain the seditious works possessed by that com- 
 pany, without obliging themselves to know, and consequently 
 punish, delinquents. " A secret place" was made in the court 
 room, to which every man present was compelled to ascend, 
 put in his hand, and then return ; " which was to the end 
 that such persons of the company as had any of the same 
 seditious books, should there let them fall; and, being but one 
 man at one time, there was none to accuse him that had any 
 book." The sagacious contriver of this scheme seems to have 
 forgot that every man in the company was at liberty to leave 
 his books at home. We are not informed whether any were 
 found in the " secret place.^f 
 
 The apprehension of the threatened Spanish armada occa- 
 sioned the strongest measure of this kind which we find in the 
 companies' records. It was a General Declaration, set on foot 
 by the Earl of Leicester^ in November, 1584, and engrossed 
 on several rolls of parchment, and which was signed by the corn- 
 selves and the companies to cease ; and lastly, that she would, by a new act of 
 parliament, ratify their possessions in plain and express form. The queen, in 
 answer, referred both patentees and companies to the arbitration of the lords of 
 her council ; and, after much discussion, the rents in Adams' and Woodshaw's 
 patent were obliged to be compounded for, which was done in the year 1587, 
 and amounted to 2211. \&s. \0d. The mercers' rents, which they had before 
 compounded for to the queen, amounted to 196/. 15*. 3(/. ; and there remained, 
 Strype adds, much more to be compounded for. 
 
 Nothing perhaps displays greater injustice than the whole of these transac- 
 tions relative to the chantry estates, and which is so admirably exposed in 
 this plea. It should be stated, as a conclusion to this nefarious business, that, 
 notwithstanding all the grievances thus inflicted by Elizabeth's patentees, and 
 that composition was made to them, the companies were not allowed to rest : the 
 subject was again renewed in the reign of James, and only terminated after some 
 more sacrifices to that monarch, who, then by proclamation, and subsequently 
 by act of parliament of his 21st year, renounced all claim for himself and his 
 successors for ever. 
 
 * Acc. of the Grocers' Comp. 75-6. 
 
 t Lond. Red. 11— 62. 
 
PRECEPTS TO COMPANIES SUMPTUARY REGULATIONS. 165 
 
 panies, in common with the rest of the queen's subjects. The 
 " Instrument of Association," as it was called, commences by 
 telling them that "Allmightie God hath ordayned kinges, 
 queenes, and princes, to have dominion and rule over their 
 subjects, and to preserve them in the profession and obliga 
 tion of the true Christian religion, accordinge to his holie 
 word and commandment, and in like sorte that all subjects 
 should love, feare, and obey theire soveraigne princes, beinge 
 kinges or queenes." It next proceeds to state the advantages 
 the queen's subjects have enjoyed in having " soe gracious a 
 ladye as their soveraigne Elizabeth to reign over them so 
 many a yeere, with greate felicite, and to their inestimable 
 comforte," and it finishes by recording the companies' solemn 
 engagement. What could they less ? — to defend her with 
 their " lives, landes, and goodes." The company witness it 
 by annexing their names and seals. 
 
 Sumptuary Regulations were carried to a ridiculous excess 
 at this time. The " snip, and nip, and cut, and slish, and 
 slash," as Petruchio calls the ornamentals of dress, were not 
 to be profaned by vulgar wear. We now smile at the 
 "wenches" being restricted to have their "gownes, kirtles, 
 waistcoats and petticoats unmingled with silk," and the 
 apprentices doff'd in the length of their " ruff bands," 
 or obliged to wear the collars of their doublets without 
 "piccadilly or other support;" but the circumstance of these 
 trifles being regulated by precept shows the abundant use 
 of the document in this reign. There is also something 
 amusing in comparing the views and feelings of two centuries 
 and a half ago with our own, even on this insignificant point. 
 Perhaps no monarch ever showed a greater anxiety that the 
 subject should dress plain, or was fonder of finery herself, 
 than Elizabeth. This not only appears from her numerous 
 proclamations on the subject, but from the precepts which 
 she caused to be sent to the companies. The oddest method 
 adopted to carry the royal orders into effect, as between the 
 pubhc and the companies, was one which Malcolm found in 
 the books of the ironmongers. Two members of that company 
 were, in 1579, " chosen to attend, with two men free of the 
 grocers, at Bishopsgate, from 7 o'clock in the morning till 
 6 in the afternoon," who were to examine the habits of all 
 
166 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 persons passing through the gate. Another absurd and formal 
 instance of the queen's attention even to the caps of her sub- 
 jects, appeared in a solemn precept from the mayor, com- 
 manding and admonishing the companies, under a denuncia- 
 tion of inflicting "the penalty on all offenders without any 
 favour," that wore them otherwise than according to the 
 fashion prescribed.'^ 
 
 James exceeded Elizabeth in his love for these minutiae. 
 "The abuse growing by excesse and strange fashions of appa- 
 rell, used by manye apprentises, and by the inordinate pryde 
 of mayde servauntes and women servauntes, in their excesse 
 of apparell and follye in varietie of newe fashions," caused 
 that decorous monarch such uneasiness, about the year 1611, 
 that the mayor, by his orders, sent precepts to the wardens of 
 companies, enjoining them to convene, and to harangue their 
 several fraternities on this heinous sin. " Mr. Warden Bur- 
 rell," on reading the precept to the Grocers' Company, made 
 sundrye godly and charitable exhortacions to each, to see 
 reformacion made in his owne familye accordinge to the mean- 
 inge of the same and the Common Council afterwards em- 
 bodied certain regulations into an act, in which every item of 
 apparel to be worn both by apprentices and maid servants, 
 with the kind of material composing it, or "the stufFe, 
 fashion, and goodne^se," are detailed with the minuteness of a 
 taylor or dress-maker. Apprentices were to wear no " hat''^ 
 the facing whereof should exceed three inches in breadth in 
 the head ; or which, with the band and trimming, should cost 
 above 5s. ; the band was to be destitute of lace, made of linen 
 not exceeding 5s. the ell, and to have no other work or orna- 
 ment than a plain hem and one stitch ; and, if the apprentice 
 should wear a ruff-band, it was not to exceed three inches in 
 height before it was gathered and set into the stock, nor more 
 than two inches in depth before the setting into the same stock. 
 The collar of the doublet was to have neither " poynt, well 
 (whale) bone, or plaits/' but to be made close and comely, and, 
 as well as the breeches, was to be made only of "cloth, kersey, 
 fustian, sackcloth, canvasse, English leather, or English 
 stuffe," and of not more than 2s. Qd. the yard ; his stockings 
 
 • Lond. Red. ii. 63. 
 
GOVERN MKNT INTERFERENCE WITH COMPANIES. 167 
 
 were to be of woollen, yarn, or kersey; he was not to 
 wear " Spanish shoes with polonia heels," or have his hair 
 with any " tufte or lock, but cut short in decent and comely 
 manner." The London servant girl was, it' possible, more 
 restricted. She was to wear no " lawn, kambrick, tiffany, 
 velvet lawns, or white wires" on the head, or about "the ker- 
 chief, koyfe, crest cloth, or shadow," but only linen, and that 
 not to exceed 5s. the ell. Her ruff was on no account to be of 
 more than four yards in length before the gathering or set- 
 ting of it in, or of greater depth than three inches ; nor was 
 she to "wear ?inj fardingal at all, great or little ; nor any body 
 or sleeves of wire, whalebone, or other stiffing (stiffening) saving- 
 canvass or buckram only."^ 
 
 Government interference with the affairs of the companies 
 partook of the nature of precepts, and a few examples of it will 
 properly conclude their history. Besides the arbitrary opera- 
 tion of precepts, both Elizabeth and her immediate successors 
 made it a business of their reigns to obtain the choice of officers, 
 and the control of the property, of these rich bodies. Elizabeth 
 first began in 1565 with an attempt to direct the disposal of 
 some premises of the Ironmongers' Company; the applica- 
 tion, however, only being made through her minister, did not 
 in this instance succeed. The letter of Lord Burleigh and 
 Sir William Cecil to the company, is given entire in the note, 
 as a curious specimen of these sort of applications.f The 
 next attempt was to thrust in a court candidate for the clerk- 
 ship of the merchant tailors. The letters and proceedings on 
 the occasion are minuted in the companies' books under the 
 
 * Grocers' Comp. p. 88. 
 
 t " After our hartie commendac'ons : whereas, we are gyven to understande, 
 by Clement Cornewall, a member of y": company, that about eight yeres nowe 
 paste, at a courte holden in y\ hall, before the then m'", wardens, and assistants of 
 the same company, for dyverse good and reasonable causes the same moving, 
 there was graunte made of a lease unto the said Clement of the houses wherein 
 he dwelled and had contynued by the space of fifty yeres paste, scituate in the 
 Olde Jury of London ; and of a corner house, and two tenements adjoining, apper- 
 tayning to yo^ said company, for the terme of fifty yeres. Sithe w<=^- tyme, by 
 reason of certen title as well thereunto as of other of y^ landes p'tended, ye have 
 caused the said houses, amongst others, to be conveyed to thre p'sons of y\ said 
 company, who of late have charged the company of the p'misses graunted to the 
 said Clement, not only to his great trouble and vexac'on of mynde, being a very 
 aged man, and greatly charged w*^- many young children, and therefore the lesse 
 able to travayle therein ; but also to his great hindrance and losse, for that he 
 alledgeth he hath bestowed diverse so'mes of mony thereujion at sondry tymes. 
 These are therefore to desire and pray you to permytte the said Clement and his 
 
168 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 year 1571. The latter state letters to have been received from 
 the following eminent persons, on behalf of the candidates 
 whose names are attached. 
 
 The 1st letter : From the Earl of Leicester ^ In favour of 
 and the Earl of Sussex 5 Henry Evans. 
 
 2d do. From the Earl of Bedford ? In favour of 
 
 and Sir Henry Sidney > James Chillester. 
 
 3d do. From Mr. Serj. Man wood, in favour of Mr. Wood. 
 
 And also other letters from different distinguished persons, in 
 favour of nine more candidates. 
 
 Finding themselves thus circumstanced, and fearing to offend , 
 the assistants displayed much tact, Dudley, Earl of Leicester, 
 one of the interceders, was known to be a formidable man, and 
 to rule the queen, and it was their interest to oblige him. They 
 caused answers to be returned to all the applicants that the 
 election was postponed, directly appointed Evans, and noti- 
 fied to the Earl of Sussex, as the sentiment and decision of 
 the company, " that a clerk was elected before the receipt of 
 the letter in behalf of Evans ; that the list of the candidates 
 previously to the election had been reduced to two, and that 
 Evans was one of those two, and was the successful one." 
 
 In 1574, a further correspondence took place between Lord 
 Burleigh and the merchant tailors, on a similar business. The 
 company owned the ancient mansion of Sir John Percival, in 
 Lombard street, and in which that eminent citizen, Sir Tho- 
 mas Offley, and Sir William Harper, (who were all merchant 
 tailors and lord mayors, between 1498 and 1561,) had kept 
 their mayoralties. This mansion, which was commonly called 
 " the great house in Lombard-street," continued to be inha- 
 bited by Lady Harper after her husband's death, whose lease, 
 at the above date, was near expiring. It shows the control 
 exercised by government over the companies at this time; that 
 persons wanting favors of them scarcely ever applied in such 
 cases direct to the companies ; but, if they had court influence, 
 
 assignes to injoye the p'misses according to the grant to him thereof made, and 
 the rather at this our request. In doing whereof you shall gyve us cause to 
 doe you the like pleasure, if occasion shall serve. And thus fare you heartily 
 well. From the Courte." 
 
 The Court of the Ironmongers evaded this request by saying, as the point in 
 question hud been referred to the three persons mentioned, they had not therein 
 to dcale." — Lond. Red. ii. 62. 
 
GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH COMPANIES. 169 
 
 instructed some great person to interfere for them. Lady Harper 
 procured Lord Burleigh to write, in order to obtain low terms 
 for her on this occasion. The company offered her a new lease 
 for 21 years at an additional rent of only 10/., but the lady 
 wanted it at less. Lord Burleigh wrote again, and was again 
 humbly replied to by the company. They determined, after 
 further negociation, not to sacrifice their premises, finding 
 their tenant would come to no terms, and attempted to eject 
 her. Matters were coming to extremity, but were prevented 
 by the lord mayor fHawes,) who, having learnt from court 
 that such a contempt of the lord treasurer's authority 
 might be attended with serious consequences, wrote himself, 
 to advise the wardens to compromise. They gave Lady Har- 
 per 661. I3s. 4d, to quit possession, and afterwards let the 
 house to Richard Offley, son of Sir Thomas, for the 21 years, 
 at 13/. 6s. a year more rent, and 410/. fine. These premises were 
 long esteemed the most valuable part of this companies' estates. 
 
 In both the above instances the queen's name was not 
 used. In 1579, the ironmongers have a letter written by 
 Elizabeth herself, recommending, or rather commanding, the 
 grant of a new lease of some of that company's premises to a 
 WiUiam Sparke. It scarcely need be added, that the com- 
 pany yielded immediate compliance In the merchant tailors' 
 books repeated entries occur of the like meddling with the 
 affairs of that company during the remainder of this reign. 
 As 1589 : when we find mention of " Sir Francis Walsing- 
 ham's letter for the reversion of the clerkship of the company 
 in favour of Henry Foster;" 1593, of a precept to that com- 
 pany, " to certify their yearly expence at their quarter dinner, 
 to the end that the same might be employed towards the 
 relief of those who were infected with the plague in 1594, 
 of " a letter from Lord Morley, on behalf of his chaplain, 
 Mr. Parker, that he might succeed to the living of St. Mar- 
 tin Outwich and in 1602, of " a letter from her majesty, 
 directed to the lord mayor and to this company, in favor of 
 Mr. Thomas Lovell's having their house in Fenchurch street," 
 (and of which a lease was granted to him in consequence.) 
 
 The same company's books, in the reigns of James and 
 Charles, afford still stronger instances of the like unconstitu- 
 tional interference. 
 
170 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 In 1612, a letter is stated to have been read from "the 
 Lady Ehzabeth, the king's daughter, recommending one John 
 Ward to the cook's place, if it should become vacant, by the 
 death or resignation of John Beaumont, the present holder." 
 And, a few days after, another from Prince Henry^ 
 "in behalf of Arthur Ingram, esq." This gentleman wished 
 an extension of term of his house in Fenchurch street for 
 35 years, so as to make a 60 years' lease. The court granted 
 the request on account of the prince being free of the com- 
 pany, but conditionally that Ingram should pay the old rent 
 of 25/. together with a fine of 600/. by instalments of 10/. a 
 year, and that as long as he lived he should present the 
 master for the time, annually, with a brace of bucks, to keep 
 the election-feast with. 
 
 In 1622 an attempt was made, and directly from the 
 crown, to get the reversion of the clerkship of the company. 
 The King, Prince Henry, the Princess Elizabeth, and the 
 great George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, all condescended 
 to become suitors on this occasion. The correspondence 
 which took place affords a fine picture of court intrigue, and 
 of the admirable management of the company to defeat it, 
 and will be found in the note.* 
 
 * The first letter was recieved from Sir George Calwert, (dated Whitehall, 3d 
 of March, 1621,) and recommends, on behalf of his majesty, one Lawrence 
 Lowndes. It concludes — 
 
 " Nevertheless his majestic would have you to understand, that what is said of 
 you herein is not to make this a prudical (precedent) for others, but merely out 
 of his princely grace unto the party in particular." 
 
 A verbal answer was returned to Sir George Calvert, by the master and war- 
 dens, stating ''that by their duties they could not repeal former orders for the 
 restraint of any reversion for the clerk's place of this society." And the question 
 was afterwards put to hands, whether that order should be repealed or not ; but 
 " all held up for further confirmation." 
 
 (May 16.) A second letter was sent from Sir George Calvert as follows: 
 
 " After our hearty commendations : It is not long since that his majesty, out of 
 n gracious respect, was pleased to recommend one L. Lownes to your society as 
 a p'son fit to do you service in the office of chief clerk of your hall. And I was 
 com'anded to let you know with what earnestness his ma*^^- desired the furtherance 
 and promotion of the said L. Lownes, esteeming him worthy of your choice, and 
 promising par'larly to requite yo\ acceptance of him when occasion sho"? be 
 offered, with this proviso, that it ought to be no precedent for others to expect the 
 like hereafter. But as it seems the letter which his majestic did expressly charge 
 me to write unto you carr^ no weight w*^- some of yo^ company, and, tho' you 
 shewed no cause to except ag'st him, yet you returned a plain refusal both to him 
 and his majestie's recommend? ; in this behalf I am therefore to give you notice 
 what little satisfac'on his ma*i«- hath therein received, and how ill you were 
 advised to pronounce a denial ag't him. 
 
 " No doubt divers of yo"; company exceeding well knowing the reasonableness 
 
GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH COMPANIES. 171 
 
 The other companies were annoyed with precisely similar 
 apphcations at this time, which it appears travelled the 
 whole round of these fraternities. In December, 1622, the 
 grocers had no less than six suitors for their vacant cook's 
 place : all well recommended. The lord mayor commended 
 his cook to their court as being very sufficient in his profes- 
 sion, of an honest and civil behaviour, " and requested for 
 his sake they would take consideration of his suite." He 
 was opposed by the cook of Sir Humphrey Handford, knt., one 
 of the sheriffs, who procured the same Sir George Calvert, by 
 his majesty s command, to write in his behalf, recommending 
 him as "singularly skilful in his profession also as known 
 to the late Queen Anne [of Denmark,] and as having been for 
 sometime, in consequence, in his majesty's own service. The 
 only two candidates permitted to go to the ballot were the 
 above ; and the election was conducted with all the zeal and 
 manoeuvres which would have lately attended that of a mem- 
 ber of parliament. 
 
 of his majestie's commands, were contented to give way unto it, which hath caused 
 his mat'e- to be the more sensible of the backwardness of the rest in particular. 
 
 " These are therefore in his ma^y^- name, to will that you take it once more 
 into considerac'on, and notwithstanding your order, (which you make and may 
 revoke at yo^ pleasure,) that you do confer the said place upon him when it shall 
 fall next in yo^ disposing, either by death or otherwise ; and in the interim, that 
 you grant him a reversion thereof, wherein he may be sufficiently enabled to be 
 the next successor therein 5 and in so doing you will express yo^ dutiful readi- 
 ness to give his majestie all content. And as his majestie will have the greater 
 cause to take notice of your affection towards him, and will not be wanting to 
 gratify you in particular when you shall have trial of his princely favour, so like- 
 wise, on the contrary, his ma*i''- cannot best take it in all part to be neglected and 
 denied in a business of so small moment. 
 
 *' And so I rest yo^ very loving friend, 
 
 " George Calvert." 
 
 In consequence of the above letter, a court was specially summoned on the 
 24th of the same month, when it was agreed to go to the ballotting ^o.r, notwith- 
 standing their former determination on the subject. 
 
 Mr. George Wynne, a member, and brother-in-law to Sir George Calvert, was 
 afterwards requested by the court to see Sir George, and persuade him to inter- 
 cede with his majesty that they may not be further pressed for the grant of rever- 
 sion of their clerk^s place ; and the matter seems to have lain for a time in 
 abeyance. 
 
 In the September of 1 624, Sir Edward Conway, another oflficer of the royal 
 household, revived it, by sending two letters, recommending Lowndes afresh to 
 their notice. The first contains the following passage : 
 
 His majestie was then informed that you made the principal difficulty by rea- 
 son that the place was then possessed, but had a dutifuU inclination to satisfy his 
 majestie when it should fall into yo*" gift. His ma*^«- keeping the same mind of 
 Lowndes as to his fitness, continues his gracious recommendation of him, not in- 
 tending to entrenche upon yo*^ liberties, or dare it to example, hut will take it thank- 
 fully, and acknowledge it in all yor occasions, if you satisfy him in this his request." 
 
172 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Charles principally confined himself to an interference with 
 the companies' property and church patronage. A letter from 
 him to the grocers, in 1636, announces his having conferred 
 the vicarage of Plymouth on Dr. Wilson, who was incumbent 
 of their church of St. Stephen's, Walbroke, and is accom- 
 panied by a request for them to keep their vacant living open 
 for a successor to be named by the king. The company de- 
 termined there should be no nomination till the rectory be- 
 came void. The king afterwards notified the appoint- 
 ment of Dr. Howell as one of his own chaplains; but finding, 
 on enquiry, that the doctor would not promise to reside on his 
 London living, if elected, except during the winter, they put 
 a second candidate in nomination with him. The company, 
 after much intriguing on the part of the crown, and as deter- 
 mined a vindication of their rights, on behalf of themselves, 
 chose their own candidate, Mr. Saxby. The king expressed 
 himself much displeased, and Mr. Saxby, hearing of it, ten- 
 dered his resignation. This was accepted by the grocers, 
 
 In the second the writer says : " You state that it was contrary to the rules of 
 your livery to grant a reversion of the place ; but when it fell void you would sub- 
 mit it to his majesty'* good pleasure ; his ynajesty being now informed that your 
 present clerk is dropping ill, and not likely to recover, has desired me to say that 
 he expects you will keep yourself free from promise for any other, and that your 
 livery give his ma^i*'- a due account, according to yo'' promise, when the place shall 
 fall void. I make this addition of my own, to let you know that Mr. Lowndes has 
 some good friends near the king, that will be ready to acquaint his majestie with 
 any favor that shall be done him, and will not conceal or pass over any neglect, but 
 use enforcement on either hand, as there shall be cause. And I will join with them 
 to his majestie that may be for your advantage, and procure his good acceptance.'^ 
 
 The poor clerk appears to have died whilst the contention was going on for his 
 place, and must have been scarce cold (for it was only two days afterwards) when the 
 following letter was received from the Duke of Buckingham : 
 
 " 14th Sept. 1624 : Whereas your clerk islatelie dead, I have thoughtfit to recom- 
 mend one L. Lowndes, who is free of your company, &c. Dated Haveringham.'' 
 
 The above letters were read ; and, to give them greater effect, a Mr Cawdell or 
 Caldwell, a gentleman-usher of the Prince of Wales, was introduced to the court, 
 to make liis highness desire also that they should choose Lowndes for their chief 
 clerk. Mr. Caldwell was requested to withdraw for a short time, whilst the com- 
 pany considered ivhat they should say ; and they having debated the matter, Mr. 
 Caldwell was called in, and received for answer: The court did with all due defe- 
 rence receive the prince's highness' message, and did propose to take such care in 
 their proceedings as would be pleasing to his highness. "And immediately on 
 his departure, a member of the court was named to wait on Sir Edward Con- 
 way, secretary of state, with the petition of the company to his majesty * that 
 they might have their former privilege of election of clerk to themselves.' " 
 
 In this petition (which purported to be that of the master warden and assistants, ) 
 they acknowledge the receipt of two letters in behalf of Laurence Lownes, for the 
 
GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH COMPANIES. 173 
 
 with the grant to him of a " benevolence of 20/. and the 
 place being thus again vacant, they admitted the royal candi- 
 nate, Dr. Howell; — at the same time, declaring such admission 
 to have been by the free and unanimous consent of the whole 
 court. " We may fairly say,'' adds the authority from which 
 we quote our account,* " that the whole of this transaction 
 affords a striking specimen of the unconstitutional exercise of 
 power in the crown at this period." 
 
 The merchant tailors finally extinguished the arbitrary cus- 
 tom of royal interference,by an order, dated February 12, 1650, 
 to the effect that, their court finding how various persons, 
 when suitors for alms or situations which fall vacant, are in 
 the habit of procuring eminent men to interfere in their be- 
 half, by speaking, by recommendatory letters, and by other 
 means, which were formally disallowed, and always disliked 
 by this court, as tending to prejudice and forestall their own 
 free election of such as themselves might wish to serve ; do 
 resolve, that whatsoever person shall in future become a suitor 
 for an almshouse, place, or pension, and shall procure any 
 
 clerkship, and then proceed to state, " that by ancient charters from several kings, 
 and which had been confirmed by his present majesty, sundry grants and privileges 
 were allowed to them, and amongst the rest to chuse their own ofiicers. That of 
 all their officers the place of chief clerk to them was the one of greatest conse- 
 quence, on account of the great information he was enabled to give as to their vari- 
 ous gifts and charities and they conclude, " we do therefore pray that his majes- 
 tie will be pleased to grant us the same indulgence of free elections to ourselves as 
 heretofore." Sir Edward Conway was pleased to move his majestic" on the sub- 
 ject of this petition, and who returned the following answer : 
 
 " Whitehall, Sept. 24, 1624. 
 
 **His majestic believing the m*"- and ward^^s. of the Merch*- Taylors Company, that 
 they made no larger answer to the former letters than they here specify, and that 
 they will permit Lownes in case of an election, contents himself with their answer, 
 and will not break through their privileges. " E. Conway." 
 
 Sir Edward undertook moreover " to satisfy the prince's highness and the Duke 
 of Buckingham in the said matter of Lownes." 
 
 And now came on the election. 
 
 It was commenced by a second letter from the prince, brought by Mr. Caldwell> 
 in behalf of the favorite Lowndes, in part of which is introduced these words : 
 
 " And now his highness being informed you are to proceed to election, hath 
 sent me again, to let you understand, that he can receive no answer from you to 
 his content but the choice of Mr. Lownes, a brother to his highness's servant, and 
 whom he hath recommended to you for his sake." 
 
 It would be too long to give the whole of this correspondence. The issue was, 
 that the company, with every pretence of paying the utmost deference to the king's 
 recommendation, contrived so to manage that they put in their own candidate. 
 * Account of Grocers' Comp. 100—102. 
 
174 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 person to apply to the court for such, or that shall bring any 
 nobleman's letters in the like behalf, otherwise than as certi- 
 ficates of good behaviour, such person, in every such case, 
 shall be held to be incapable of whatever favour he may 
 apply for." 
 
 The history of Elizabeth's reign, as connected with the 
 companies, is nearly all comprised in the preceding ample 
 account of the precepts which emanated from her government. 
 Strype mentions an endeavour being made, in 1575, to obtain 
 an act of parliament, that no person should exercise any 
 other trade than what he was apprenticed to. " The bill," he 
 says, " was drawn up, and entitled ' A bill prohibiting the 
 exercise of any art or mystery saving to such as have been 
 apprentice to the same or to prohibit that any person of 
 one art or mystery shall intermeddle with the art or mystery 
 of others. It set forth how in the 37th of King Edward III. 
 it was enacted, that artificers and men of mysteries should 
 hold themselves to one mystery, and that none should use 
 the mystery or trade of others, but that which he had chosen. 
 And in the parhament holden in the fifth year of Queen 
 Elizabeth, it was enacted that, after the first of May then 
 next ensuing, it should not be lawful for any other than such 
 as did then lawfully use or exercise any art, mystery, or 
 manual occupation, except he was brought up therein seven 
 years ; nor to set any person at work in such mystery, except 
 he should have been an apprentice, as aforesaid. 
 
 The rage for incorporation, in consequence of the monopoly 
 
 * Strj'pe's Stow, ii. p. 339. — " The city offered to the lord treasurer a paper, 
 shewing, that it appeared by ancient records that several companies in London 
 were incorporated, as well for the good government of their companies, and to 
 see that true and perfect wares were made and sold in the realm, as to punish the 
 disordered persons, and banish the deceitful and corrupt wares ; at which time 
 every several company might occupy no other trade but that whereunto the person 
 was an apprentice ; which order kept the foreign commodities at far lower prices 
 than at the present they were, and yet the stuff and wares better made than now 
 they were : that ignorance was a great occasion of making and maintaining evil 
 and corrupt wares, and also of enhancing and raising up the prices of foreign 
 commodities ; that if every man occupied his own trade, those abuses might 
 easily be espied, and ordered, either by the governor of the corporations, or by 
 some other device made by her majesty and the honourable council : that there 
 were in London, of several companies, far greater numbers that retailed silks 
 than there were free of the mercers; and therefore no good order could be kept." 
 And they repeat the circumstance, already noticed, of Brembre having disfran- 
 chised and fined several persons for changing their mysteries, in the reign of 
 Richard IL— Ibid. 339. 
 
NEW INCORPORATIONS OF COMPANIES. 175 
 
 here endeavoured to be perpetrated, is satirically remarked 
 on by the same author, in speaking afterwards of the separa- 
 tion of the bowyers from the fletchers. Bows and arrows 
 were both manufactured by one company at a time when they 
 were actually in great use ; but, in the reign of Elizabeth, 
 when they had become almost wholly superseded by mus- 
 quetry, these manufacturers got themselves formed into two 
 corporations : " notwithstanding that I see small reason," says 
 he, " of sundering bows from arrows, or arrows from bows ; 
 yet, because they have divided themselves into two several 
 companies, let the fault be on their own heads, for as I find 
 them, so I leave them."^ A more ludicrous proof of the mo- 
 nopolous principle upon which these incorporations were then 
 sought, is given in the instance of the painters' stainers. 
 This company, under its original name of Painters, has been 
 noticed amongst those which existed in the reign of Edward 
 III. From this time, till 1575, it continued, as the above 
 writer tells us, " a brotherhood and a company, but no incor- 
 poration ; paying scot and lot, and all kinds of charges in 
 the queen's affairs, and otherwise, as in time of war ; charged 
 with the setting forth of 12 soldiers, and all their furniture, 
 yet having neither lands, revenues, nor any riches to discharge 
 the same; but only levied among the brethren of the com- 
 pany, every man according to his ability."f 
 
 The fraternity, under these circumstances, petitioned to be 
 incorporated, which was only just; but the cloven foot was 
 shewn, in a prohibition which they wished to get embodied 
 in their charter. It was, that they might have power to re- 
 strain " all persons from painting pictures of the queen, noble- 
 men, and others, as well as all other manner of paintings,'' 
 unless such persons had served a seven years' apprenticeship 
 to their company; and for the absurd reason, that such works 
 "shewed fair to the sight, but were not substantially wrought." 
 Ehzabeth, who possessed the portraits of Sir Antonio Moore, 
 Hilliard, and other high names, it can hardly be conceived, 
 would have done other than laugh at this petition ; but it 
 seems not to have been presented ; for, upon asking the ad- 
 
 * Strype's Stow, ii. 217. 
 t Ibid. ii. 301. 
 
176 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 vice of the lord mayor and aldermen, they honestly answered, 
 " that they had no judgment or skill in the science to discern 
 such fraudulent workmanship from what was substantial and 
 good;" which caused the prohibition to be omitted. One 
 cannot help reflecting, that had Vandyke lived in this age of 
 absurd restriction, his "fair-looking works," for want of 
 being '^substantially wrought," might never have delighted 
 posterity ! 
 
 The Stuart reigns have been in part anticipated by the pre- 
 ceding mention of them, but were, in other respects, produc- 
 tive of important alterations. James incorporated no less 
 than fifteen new companies,^' notwithstanding the strongly 
 expressed opinion of the public against creating more of these 
 monopolies. He also effected great changes in many of the 
 old ones, by tranferring the elective franchise from the " com- 
 munitas" to the courts of the companies he chartered, as will 
 be presently shown, thereby rendering the latter, which had 
 previously only existed by prescription and sufferance, legal 
 and perpetual. 
 
 The reign of Charles, and the Civil wars, are well known for 
 their disastrous effects. No part of the nation felt these evils 
 more than the livery companies. During an interval of 26 
 years, commencing with the troubles of that monarch, in 1640, 
 till the fire of London, in 1666, which was the consummation 
 of their miseries, the history of these societies is one of into- 
 lerable exaction, spoliation, and calamity. Charles's first de- 
 mand on the City was in 1640, and for the sum of 20,000/. on 
 account of the danger he found himself ia from disputes with 
 his parliament, and the discontents manifested by the Scots.f 
 
 * Viz. curriers, plumbers, founders, fruiterers, scriveners, brown-bakers, wool- 
 mongers, turners, apothecaries, silk-throwers, felt-makers, shipwrights, bowyers, 
 and tobacco-pipe makers. 
 
 t The letter from the king and his peers, (according to a copy preserved amongst 
 the merchant tailors' records,) was dated from York, and under the great seal. It 
 .states, in substance, that it is the king's intention to hold a parliament at West- 
 minster on the 3d of the following November. It speaks of the discontents of his 
 people, and also of a vmion with Scotland, which it is said would be the means of 
 defending the kingdom from all invasions and spoils of the enemy : that the lords 
 appointed by his majesty were to meet those of Scotland on the then Tuesday 
 next, at Ripon, to take in account the state of Newcastle. Other points noticed 
 are, the miserable condition of Northumberland and Durham, and the safety of the 
 great county of York ; the necessity that the king should not disband his forces, but 
 keep them together, in hopes of the treaty mentioned. The king commends to his 
 parliament a firm peace or just war ; certifies that his treasure is exhausted, and 
 
FORCED LOANS OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 177 
 
 The companies were severally assessed by precept to contri- 
 bute to this amount, and paid their respective quotas ; but not 
 w^ithout strong opposition from some of them. The ironmon- 
 gers, in particular, had several meetings of their court upon 
 it, and resolutely refused to contribute towards more than 
 50,000/. of the sum.*' In 1641, (July 16,) a fresh precept 
 commanded the names of all persons to be returned who had 
 been masters or wardens, or who had fined for those offices; 
 and of the livery, yeomanry, and freemen of each company ; 
 as also all who had fined for aldermen or sheriffs, and the resi- 
 dences of the whole. All these persons were summoned to 
 attend their different companies on the 21st of the same 
 month, to pay the monies they were assessed at each, accord- 
 ing to act of parliament : they appear to have done it very 
 unwillingly, for we find them hastened by another precept, 
 dated the 24th. It states that 40,000Z. must be paid by the 
 next Wednesday at farthest, " for the most important affaires 
 of this kingdome," and orders that the former precept should 
 be duly executed, and the money forthwith paid to the com- 
 missioners. The proportion collected on this occasion from 
 the ironmongers was from 10/. to 151, each, on those who had 
 
 that be is in consequence unprovided for so long a time as till the parliament can 
 meet and settle on some course to be taken ; that the English forces ought not be 
 disbanded until those of Scotland were so ; that it is necessary for his majesty to be 
 supplied with 200,000/. as well for continuing his forces together as dismissing 
 them, least on their return his majesty's subjects might feel those sundry inconve- 
 niences that soldiers sent away unsatisfied are apt to occasion. The letter con- 
 cludes : " We are persuaded that the Citj' of London is able to grant this sum to 
 his majesty, and that all hearts are united and adds, " these arguments we doubt 
 not you will seriously consider, and our affectionate request is, that you be not fail- 
 ing at this time to his majesty ; and for this purpose we have deputed Lords Henry 
 Earl of Manchester, lord privy seal; William Earl of Pembroke and Montgo- 
 mery, lord chamberlain of his majesty's household ; John Earl of Clare, Ed- 
 ward Viscount Campden, Thomas Lord Coventry, George Lord Goring, &c. the 
 members of this great council, who will enter into security with the officers of his 
 juaties. revenue for the repayment of the money lent, and offer to join in their own 
 personal security in addition ; they foreseeing that the disbanding of his majesty's 
 army may be the absolute loss of all those adjoining counties, and endanger the 
 whole kingdom ; the only means to prevent which will be a loan from the City of 
 the aforesaid sum of 200,000/. Then follows a long list of names signing the let- 
 ter, all of them peers. 
 
 * The precept sent to the companies on the occasion, as copied in their books, 
 is as follows : ''Your companye's proportion of money allotted to be lent (amongst 
 other the companyes of this Cittie,) unto his ma^'e- is the some of 2000/. and if you 
 be not already satisfied herein concerning the security oflered for repayment thereof, 
 or any other matter concerning this business, you may be pleased forthwith to re- 
 paire unto me, and you shall receive further satisfaction. — Henry Garwaie, 
 mayor." 
 
 N 
 
178 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 fined for master; 61. ISs. Ad. on the office of warden ; from 
 each hveryman 5/., and from each freeman 3/, 
 
 1642, (June 7th.) ParHament sent a message to the City, 
 thanking the citizens for their former loans, and asking a fur- 
 ther supply of 100,000/. for one year, at 8/. per cent, and the 
 interest to be regularly paid into the chamber of the City. 
 The professed motive for this loan was the relief and preserva- 
 tion of Ireland; its covert one, to strengthen parliament 
 against the king. The message was taken into consideration 
 at a common-hall convened for the purpose at Guildhall, which 
 voted the sum most freely and with great alacrity ; " and pre- 
 cepts were again addressed to the companies." The merchant 
 tailors were assessed at 5,000/. and the grocers at the enor- 
 mous sum of 9000/. : the latter company raised the money on 
 their seal, by individual loans from the members. The iron- 
 mongers on this occasion paid their share (3,400/.) by abso- 
 lute compulsion, having previously disputed the right of a 
 common-hall to bind the companies. 
 
 In 1643, the whole of the companies' halls were com- 
 pelled to make periodical payments in aid of the parliamen- 
 tary struggle against the king : the ironmongers' hall was as- 
 sessed, on the occasion, at 9/. 10s. per week for four months, 
 and those of the other companies according to their several pro- 
 portions. In August, the same year, there was a fresh demand 
 on the City (founded on the danger of the approach of the royal 
 army towards London,) for a loan of 50,000/. which parliament 
 wished to borrow at 8/. per cent. The precept sent to the iron- 
 mongers claimed 1700/. as their share of the assessment. These 
 repeated demands astounded the whole of the companies. The 
 one last named, " upon reading the letter, tooke into their 
 serious consideracion the contents thereof, and withall their 
 owne sadd condicion, having formerly lent to divers lords and 
 to the parliament, for rehef of Ireland, the some of 5100/. 
 for w*'? they pay interest, whereby they are disabled and im- 
 poverished, soe that they cannot finde any meanes to satisfy 
 his lo^p'^- desire." The grocers were equally dispirited on 
 receipt of the demand made against them, and "entering 
 into a sad and serious consideration of the miserable distrac- 
 tions and calamities of this kingdom, threatning the ruin 
 thereof by sickness and famine, the certain attendants of an 
 
FORCED LOANS OF THE COiMPANlES. 179 
 
 unnatural and bloody warre, which nowe reigneth in this 
 kingdome," and resolved to discard all conviviality, ordered 
 that their election for the year should be omitted. 
 
 To furnish the loans thus arbitrarily and rapidly levied on 
 them, the individuals of the companies had at this time not 
 only impoverished themselves, but all the fraternities were ob- 
 liged to sell or pawn their plate. What was more distress- 
 ing, no returns, as promised, could be gotten either from the 
 king or parliament, both parties being equally faithless, or 
 equally incapable. In several cases, none of the members 
 would attend summonses, knowing they were only to obtain 
 money. The fellowship of these societies, which had formerly 
 been highly paid for as a privilege, became a curse : men 
 sought to detach themselves from them, and the heads of 
 companies found it impossible to assemble a court without 
 heavy fines on absenteeism. On one of these occasions, the 
 Ironmongers' Company, who seem to have stood out against 
 these exactions more pertinaciously than the rest, after having 
 made several evasions, were summoned by the parliamentary 
 committee to haberdashers' hall, (where that body then met,) 
 when they were informed ' that their situation was not singular, 
 for other companies, equally deranged in their affairs, had paid 
 the sums levied on them.' Upon this, their court resolved 
 to borrow 400/. and endeavour to evade paying the remain- 
 der: but in vain; for the commissioners told them, at the 
 next meeting, " that the money was to preserve their liber- 
 ties, their lives, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which was 
 more deare than all the rest." After this solemn information, 
 the assistants attempted to borrow 1300/., ^ but no man 
 belonging to the hall would lend, pleading their individual 
 weighty taxes as an excuse and the company were finally 
 obliged to sell all their plate. 
 
 Not contented with extracting their money from the com- 
 panies, we find these same commissioners, or another set 
 similarly appointed, and of kindred feelings, dismanthng their 
 halls. Those decorations of a religious nature which had been 
 spared at the Reformation, and amidst all the spoliations of 
 Ehzabeth's reign, came now to be looked upon as superstitious. 
 An entry in the merchant tailors' court books, dated July 3, 
 1643, states complaint to have been made, "that in the com- 
 
 N 2 
 
180 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 panies' hangings for the hall there are offensive and super- 
 stitious pictures." These pictures, or hangings, have been 
 noticed as representing the history of St. John Baptist. The 
 court directed the master and vv^ardens to "view the same, 
 and take order for reform, if there was any excess but they 
 either would not see, or were loth to alter ; for another order 
 occurs nearly a twelvemonth afterwards, as "to defacing 
 some of the superstitious pictures in the hangings in the 
 upper end of the hall, and such other things as concern the 
 same." They are eventually noticed as being "defaced." 
 
 It would be too much lengthening this part of our account 
 to go further into the exactions and oppressions inflicted on 
 the companies, during the Civil wars and Interregnum. We 
 shall fill up the interval between the time we are speaking of, 
 and the Restoration, with some slight notices only, from the 
 excellently preserved records of the merchant tailors, and in 
 the miscellaneous way and language we have received our 
 extracts. They will afford to the intelligent reader, in many 
 respects, a better key to the government proceedings of this 
 day than more prolix details. 
 
 " 1645 (March 11.) Ordered that the sum of 40Z., assessed 
 upon this company by virtue of an ordinance of parliament 
 of the 20th of February, 1644, towards maintaining the Scot- 
 tish forces under the earl of Leven, be paid, being for four 
 months, ending 11th of July last." 
 
 At the same court, it " was moved on the part of the stew- 
 ards who provided the thanksgiving dinner, for the taking of 
 Chester, and other victories of the parliament forces, to be 
 allowed towards the said dinner the accustomed charge ap- 
 pointed to former stewards." The court agreed that 3/. 6s. 8fi. 
 should be allowed, "and to be always allowed in future." 
 
 " 1647. The companies' debt, for money borrowed by go- 
 vernment, is stated at this date to amount to 24,731/. 8s. 2d., 
 or with interest, to the sum of 26,488/. 3s. Ad. From this they 
 afterwards received in payment 1756/. 15s. 2c?., leaving a 
 balance due to them on the 25th of March this same year, 
 of 24,731/. 8s. 2d. as above." 
 
 The determination to take away the king's life, after his 
 various imprisonments, having rendered it necessary to fill 
 the metropolis with troops, the halls cf the companies, in 
 
SOLDIERS QUARTERED ON THE COMPANIES. 181 
 
 common with the churches, and all other places, were turned 
 into barracks. This company, who, it will be seen, possessed 
 a pecuhar interest on the occasion, had petitioned general 
 Fairfax to be freed from this nuisance ; and we find the cir- 
 cumstances connected with it thus noticed : 
 
 "1648 (January 2.) This day was read a warrant under 
 the hand and seal of General Fairfax, for the freeing of the 
 house from being soldiers quarters, now stationed in and 
 near the city." The general's warrant is curious: "Whereas 
 inconvenience has been represented to me to fall out in case 
 any soldiers are quartered at Merchant Tailors' Hall, and there 
 being very many poor belonging to that company, these are 
 to require you, on sight thereof, to forbeare to quarter either 
 horse or foot in the said hall ; and hereof you are to be ob- 
 servant, as you will answer for the contrary. Given under 
 my hand and seal, in Queen street, the 28th Decembf 1648, 
 Tho. Fairfax." Directed " To the Quarter-master, Centi- 
 nels, and other officers whom it may concern." This favour 
 (we believe nearly unique) so delighted the company, that an 
 assembly of the members was purposely called to consider 
 " of some gratification to Mr. Grosvener, the quarter-master- 
 general being a member of this company (and the individual 
 who procured the above protection,) when it was ordered 
 " that 20/. should be given to him for his respect to the com- 
 pany, and IO5. to the man who brought the protection." 
 
 1650 (August 25.) It was ordered, "that the new arms 
 for this State and Commonw ealth of England and Ireland 
 be provided by this court against the next lord mayor's day, 
 as the City and other companies have done."^ 
 
 * The above resolution was the consequence of the following precept, which 
 had been previously sent to the merchant tailors and the other companies : 
 
 " Council of State : Information having been directed to me on the 3d instant, 
 that in several churches, common halls of companies, and other public places, 
 there still remain the arms and pictures of the late king, and which have been 
 ordered to be taken away, I am directed to give order that the same be forthwith 
 destroyed, as per the following : * These, in the names of the Keepers of the 
 Liberties of England, by authority of Parliament, are to require the churchwar- 
 dens of the several parishes, and masters and wardens and other oflficers of the 
 city, to cause the said pictures and arms to be removed and destroyed, and to send 
 forth a certificate thereof.' Tho. Andrews, Mayor." The certificate of destruc- 
 tion, returned by the company to the said mayor, Thomas Andrews, was in these 
 words : " in obedience to your precept 11 th instant, we, the masters, &c. subscribed, 
 do certify that we have caused to be taken down and destroyed the arms and 
 pictures of the late king, which did remain in the common hall or other public 
 places of our house. John Stone, Master." 
 
182 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Subsequently to the annihilation of the royal authority, or 
 between that and the Protectorate, the city became the grand 
 focus of the parhamentary government, as is abundantly tes- 
 tified by the numerous tracts and other records of the period. 
 Guildhall was a second House of Commons, an auxiliary 
 senate, and the companies* halls the meeting-places of those 
 branches of it denominated committees. All the Mercuries^^ 
 or newspapers of the day abound with notices of the occupa- 
 tion of the companies' premises by these committees. Gold- 
 smiths' hall was their bank, haberdashers' hall their court 
 for adjustment of claims, clothworkers' hall for sequestration^ 
 and all the other halls of the great companies were offices 
 for the transaction of other government business. Weavers' 
 hall might properly be denominated their Exchequer. From 
 this place parliament was accustomed to issue bills, about and 
 before 1652, in the nature of our exchequer bills, and which 
 were commonly known under the name of" weavers' hall bills." 
 
 The newspaper entitled " Severall Proceedings in Parlia- 
 ment," under the date 16 Dec. 1652, speaks of reports being- 
 made to the House touching these weavers' hall hills, when it 
 was determined to have an act for regulating their dates of pay- 
 ment. A few days afterwards the form of this act is printed, 
 from which it appears that 400,000/. was secured to several 
 advancers by ordinance of parliament, in 1647, to be repaid 
 out of the Grand Excise ; and when measures were also taken 
 for repaying the sum with 8Z. per cent, interest. Mr. Heath, 
 in his excellent Account of the Grocers' Company, to which 
 we have been so much indebted, adds, from the records of that 
 influential fraternity, the following notices under this par- 
 ticular year, and which most importantly connect themselves 
 with the history and constitution of the companies at the 
 period we are speaking of. 
 
 "1652. A special committee, entitled Uhe Committee of 
 Corporations,' was appointed by the parliament." It is not 
 easy to determine with precision the object of this appoint- 
 ment, but it appears they were instructed to ascertain the 
 validity of the charters of the different corporate bodies ex- 
 isting ; as we find that, Dec. 1, that year, the grocers' charter 
 was called for by them. The wardens were directed by the 
 court to proceed with caution, to take the original and a copy 
 
THE companies' CHARTERS — RESTORATION. 183 
 
 with them, and to endeavour to leave the latter, but not the 
 original!, unless peremptorily required." A proposal for con- 
 firming and renewing the charter appears to have followed 
 this interview ; for, on the 15th of the same month, it was 
 ordered that ' the business concerning the renewing of this 
 company's charter be left entirely to the discretion of the 
 wardens, to propound such alterations and additions therein 
 for the future privilege and advantage of this company, if 
 they shall see occasion.' Cromwell, who assumed the pro- 
 tectorate in 1653, is stated to have granted the company 
 (grocers) the charter by which they were empowered to make 
 bye-laws for their own government ; and amongst other privi- 
 leges, it conferred upon them the power of levying a fine of 
 30/. on a member at his admission. 
 
 The companies took a conspicuous part in the rejoicings 
 and festivities to celebrate the Restoration. The grand dis- 
 play made by the city on the coronation procession of the 
 exiled monarch, and in which these societies so importantly 
 contributed to the splendour of the scene, will be found mi- 
 nutely described in Ogilvy's ^' Arches of Triumph." All the 
 trade societies which could afford it, on this glad event, be- 
 spoke the favour of the monarch by rich gifts, and, where 
 less able, by aff'ectionate congratulations. The king conde- 
 scended to visit several of their halls, and feast with them ; 
 and that he might not be behindhand with his predecessors, 
 Edward III. and Henry VII., he enrolled himself a brother 
 of the Grocers' Company, in conjunction with the Duke of 
 York. We shall see that this loyalty was thrown away. 
 Charles was scarcely established on the throne, when he 
 cast the same longing eyes at the wealth of the companies, 
 (fleeced although they had been,) which produced so much 
 unconstitutional interference in his sire and grandsire, James 
 and Charles. Nor did he rest till, more successful than they, 
 he brought the whole of them under complete subjection to 
 the crown, through the operation of the quo-warranto. His 
 first attempt was by passing an act, in his second year, " for 
 well-governing and regulating corporations," and under pre- 
 tence of which all freedom of action was soon destroyed. The 
 grocers' books contain the following entry, as to its effects; and 
 similar ones are to be found in those of the other companies. 
 
184 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 "Agreed that Mr. John Owen, one of the late wardens of the 
 company of grocers, Sir Stephen White, Richard Waring, 
 esq., Thomas Gowar, esq., and Matthew Sheppard, esq., late 
 assistants of the said company, being lately displaced by the 
 said company of and from the said places, and all other 
 places of trust or other employments relating to or concerning 
 the government of the city of London, shall not henceforth 
 sit in the said court of assistants in any affairs of the said 
 company for time to come ; and the master and wardens of 
 this company are to see this order accordingly performed." 
 These persons had in some way rendered themselves inimical 
 to the crown, and, being members of the company, they were 
 thus obliged to expel them. 
 
 The London Gazette of November 18, 1665, has the fol- 
 lowing notice of a fine new ship, which the corporation and 
 companies, notwithstanding these infringements of their 
 liberties, built and furnished, for the purpose of presenting 
 to government. " This Saturday my lord major and the rest 
 of the remanent aldermen went to Deptford to see their new 
 ship the 'Loyal London,' and in what fitness she is; their 
 care having been to provide and pay money from time to time 
 to satisfie her workmen, and found her so forward, that she 
 seems only to want anchors and some of her last furniture." 
 A scheme for compelling each of the great companies to fit 
 out a vessel, not for war, like this, but trading, had been many 
 years before suggested to the government, but did not take 
 effect. An account of it will be found in the note.^ 
 
 The Fire of London, which took place the following 
 
 * One Thomas Barnaby, merchant, in King Edward Vlth's days, urged to some 
 great lord of the court the vast usefulness of shipping to this island, of which at 
 that time there was a great deficiency. And, for the promoting of shipping, he 
 advised this way — that every company of the City should provide and send out one 
 ship at least, laden with the commodities proper to their own trade or manufac- 
 ture, which might considerably advance navigation in this realm, and the riches 
 also of such society. " There be, said he, so many rich halls, that may spend 
 800/., some 600/., some less, and some more, yearly. And great revenues come 
 to them yearly for quarterages and forfeits, which rise to no small sum ; and no- 
 thing done withal, but making great feasts every month or six weeks at their halls, 
 and causing victuals to be dear ; but it might be turned to a more honourable use ; 
 also, it would be a great maintaining to the king's subjects, for every craft to 
 have a ship to carry their merchandizes to and fro, to the great advancement of 
 the king's honour, and to their own commodities. And, if chance should fall, 
 which God forbid, that a ship should be lost, the halls might easily bear the smarts 
 thereof."— Str}i)e's Stow, 11, 292. 
 
EFFECTS OF THE FIRE OF LONDON. 
 
 185 
 
 year, appears to have particularly directed its fury against the 
 halls of the companies, which, it must be admitted, were favo- 
 rably situated for the purpose, being mostly in the very heart 
 of the City. Those of the leathersellers, pinners, and a few 
 others, without the range of the conflagration, escaped, but 
 all the rest, constituting the most numerous and elegant class 
 of public buildings then in the metropolis, perished. All the 
 books of all the companies abound with details of this cala- 
 mity. It melted their plate, burnt their records, and laid their 
 City premises, from which they chiefly drew their income, in 
 ashes ; and, to crown their calamities, they found themselves 
 overwhelmed with a load of debt, (the consequence of the 
 compulsory loans they had been subjected to,) and which 
 they had now no means left of paying. 
 
 The merchant tailors' books point out the course pursued 
 by that and most of the other companies under this infliction. 
 The first object was to secure their melted plate, of which the 
 greater societies had possessed vast quantities ; and next, to 
 take an account of their losses and capabilities. As early as 
 the 20th of September, (1666,) only seventeen days after the 
 commencement of the fire, it was ordered, at a court of that 
 company, specially summoned for the occasion, that "the 
 master and wardens, Messrs. Newel, Church, Mellish, Wallis, 
 and White, or any three of them, do view the company's plate 
 that is melted in the late dreadful fire, and do treat with Mr. 
 Taylor, at the Tower, or any other person, about the refining 
 of the same to the best advantage. They at the same time 
 took into consideration the loss they had sustained by the 
 fire; and ordered, "on account of the company's house being 
 burned," that all persons who received 6s. Sd. and 25. 6d. 
 quarterly, and were chosen by the wardens' substitutes, and 
 paid from the stock of the society, should be no longer paid 
 their pensions, except those that were in great want." The 
 grocers, on the 9th of November, the same year, received the 
 particulars from their wardens " of the company's plate melted 
 in the hall, in the late violent and destructive fire, and of the 
 melted parcels taken up and put together, with the company's 
 urgent occasions for a supply of money ;" when it was ordered 
 "that the same plate (amounting to 2001b. weight of metal) 
 should be sold and disposed of to the best advantage and 
 
186 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 benefit of the company." They had also a schedule of the 
 company's houses and rents, as they existed before the fire, 
 read to them ; and " in regard of the shortness of the days, 
 the distance of divers persons abodes, and the danger and 
 troublesomeness of going in the dark amongst the ruins, not 
 then allowing them time for debate and determination," agreed 
 to meet weekly. Both companies seem to have possessed an 
 equal desire to re-erect their destroyed premises. The com- 
 mittee of the grocers, for this purpose, continued their sittings 
 till the November of 1667, passing that interval in " consider- 
 ing the interests of the company's tenants, and their applica- 
 tions for new leases." The merchant tailors, in like manner, 
 ordered their committees " to agree with the company's 
 tenants whose houses were burned, either by addition of years 
 or otherwise, as they should think fit, for rebuilding their 
 several houses, and to continue a committee to meet weekly 
 on the same day and hour, for better dispatch ; and what such 
 committee should do the court would approve of." 
 
 By the like sort of extraordinary exertion, by subscriptions 
 and collections amongst themselves, and by the donations of 
 their wealthier members, some of them to great amount, the 
 whole of the companies, notwithstanding this accumulation 
 of misfortunes, had their halls rebuilt in two or three years, 
 and, generally, in a superior manner to what they were before ; 
 their houses and premises also, by granting advantageous 
 leases to the tenants, in conformity with the resolutions men- 
 tioned, arose every where again with the new metropolis. As 
 early as 1670, we find the old order of things quite restored, 
 and the companies started on a new course of prosperity. — In 
 the pursuit of this we shall awhile leave them, to continue our 
 review of their general state, under the altered circumstances 
 in which time had now placed them. 
 
 The manners of the companies, it scarcely need be observed, 
 must have much changed during the lapse of nearly two cen- 
 turies. By the new charters of James, the ancient mode of 
 election by the commonalty was superseded ; and in all in- 
 stances where such charters were obtained, the courts were 
 thenceforward made self-elective. They ordain that, out of 
 those fraternities, there shall be constituted a certain number 
 of persons, to be named assistants^ who shall be aiding and 
 
companies' old constitution altered. 187 
 
 assisting to the master and wardens, and that the master and 
 wardens, or any two of them, shall have power when they 
 please to call a court of the same master, wardens, and assist- 
 ants, to the number of twelve or more, (including such master 
 and wardens,) who shall govern and make ordinances for the 
 company." The persons composing the first courts are named 
 and constituted for life, unless on reasonable cause shown to 
 the contraiy, and are empowered, they and their successors 
 (exclusively), to elect and nominate for ever afterwards all 
 future masters and wardens from amongst themselves; no 
 person being allowed to be on the court who had not pre- 
 viously served master or warden. =^ Elections from this 
 time have in all these newly-chartered companies been pri- 
 vately made a short time before the feast, the new master and 
 wardens being only introduced and proclaimed at the general 
 assembly as the principals chosen for the ensuing year. This 
 first election is called the private election." In Slack v. the 
 Drapers' Company, (8vo. London, 1804,) Mr. Smith, the 
 clerk, states " the master and wardens of that company to 
 have been from time to time annually elected and chosen on 
 the first Monday in August, by the master, wardens, and court 
 of assistants, by and under the authority of a charter granted 
 to the company by King James I. ; that the court held in 
 pursuance thereof for choosing master and wardens had 
 alw^ays been called, in common parlance, the ^private election;^ 
 that on the Thursday subsequently to the first Monday in 
 every August an entertainment was made, the summoning of 
 members to which is matter of courtesy and not of right ; that 
 it was usual after dinner on the day of the entertainment, with 
 
 * The charters embodying the constitution of the companies were regularly 
 confirmed every new reign until after Elizabeth, by what are termed InspeximuseSy 
 or fresh charters, professing to have seen those which had preceded. They recite 
 the back charters as far as to the original grant, which they give at length, no- 
 ticing all the way such additional privileges as have been conferred by succeeding 
 monarchs, and then ratify and confirm, if unobjectionable, the whole of them. 
 Almost all the companies' charters were so confirmed by Elizabeth, who was the 
 last sovereign to whom these original grants were presented for that purpose. 
 James I. granted a series of entire new charters to nine out of the Twelve Com- 
 panies, viz. the grocers, drapers, fishmongers, skinners, haberdashers, salters, iron- 
 mongers, vintners, and clothworkers, (exclusively of those which he granted to 
 the minor companies.) The merchant tailors, who had been re-incorporated by 
 Henry VII. ; and the mercers and goldsmiths, who seem to have preferred their 
 ancient incorporations, never applied for these new grants, or do not now possess 
 them. 
 
188 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 certain ceremonies of honor to the person elected, for the 
 clerk of the said company publicly to notify and declare aloud 
 to the persons then assembled at the said entertainment the 
 name of the person who had on the preceding Monday been 
 elected master, and the names of the persons who had on the 
 preceding Monday been elected wardens for the year ensuing, 
 and that the said entertainment was, in common parlance, 
 called the Election Dinner, but that no election or choice 
 whatever had been made on that day."* 
 
 With the charters of King James a new form of oath was in- 
 troduced, and which was administered to both freemen and 
 liverymen. It was in substance, as to freemen, to be true to the 
 king and to the company, to obey the summons of the master 
 and wardens, to be obedient to the same at all times, unless 
 there was reasonable excuse to the contrary, to keep the 
 lawful secrets of the mystery, "not to conceal frorayne [non 
 freemen] usinge the fraternity's handycraft or merchandize, 
 nor to cover any such under their own franchise;" and to 
 take no such foreigner, or other than of the mystery, 
 journeyman, or who had not served seven years' apprentice- 
 ship within the city. The liverymen, exclusively of the 
 above, were sworn to be good and true brothers of the frater- 
 nity whereof they were then admitted ^wZ/ brothers; "to 
 come to quarter-days and other assemblies for the worship 
 and profit of the fraternity when thereunto lawfully named ; 
 not to withdraw themselves, being in good health and within 
 the city, from the feast kept yearly at the common hall of 
 the fraternity in order to avoid the charge of becoming 
 master ; to preserve a moral and seemly conduct ; and finally, 
 to obey the lawful acts and ordinances of the fraternity." 
 
 The old ordinances were remodelled^ to suit the genius 
 
 * The custom of Private Election, or as it was called " Secret Election," is men- 
 tioned in the merchant tailors' books as early as 1569, as having taken place before 
 the general meeting. It is said at this time to have taken place at the nomina- 
 tion of the master and wardens, and that afterwards "the same was solemnly put 
 in execution before certain eminent persons. In the instance quoted those per- 
 sons M^ere the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Roe, knight, lord maior ; the High 
 and Mighty Prince Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Arundell, Duke of Leinster, 
 and other great personages." 
 
 t The merchant tailors' records mention that company's ordinances to have 
 been laid before the Lord Chancellor on the 23d of January, 1612; and 
 that their clerk informed the court that it was the advice of the city recorder 
 " he should be presented with some remembrance for the better finishing of that 
 
THE COMPANIES PRESCRIBE NEW OATHS. 189 
 
 of the charters, being in most respects an echo of the oaths, 
 and it is but fair to say that they were certainly ameliorated. 
 Most of their milder provisions, however, would be thought 
 despotical in the present age : they perpetuate their several 
 monopolies with the most jealous care, particularly as to the 
 exclusion of " foreigners," and all who had not served appren- 
 ticeships to the mystery, and their right of trade-search, in or- 
 der to detect such, in case of their finding them so employed ; 
 they enforce a peculiar style of dress in their members, exact 
 the strictest obedience to the masters, enjoin attendance on 
 pageants, and payment of dues, under the heaviest penalties, 
 and generally inculcate the most slavish subjection. The 
 ordinances of the merchant tailors, which we shall quote in 
 illustration, commence with declaring — 
 
 That every brother, on being duly summoned, shall be 
 present with the master and wardens, " in his whole liverie or 
 otherwise, at such place, times, and hower assigned reason- 
 able, bee it for any noble triumph, for the kinge's highness, 
 his noble yssue, or other great estates, concerning the honour 
 of the kinge and this his realm, or els his own quarter daye's 
 assembly, or anye reasonable cause excusing such brother 
 only in case he had " byn maior, alderman, or sheriff of the 
 cittie of London." They continue the absurd sumptuary 
 regulations we have been describing : — After observing, 
 as to this point, that "where many young men, household- 
 ers, and many other covenant servauntes, having little 
 substance or none, usinge the handycrafts of taylore," did 
 " take vppon them to weare costlie apparell and garmentes of 
 the newest fashion, and of such stuff as exceedeth theire de- 
 grees to weare or use," they ordain that "none under the 
 obeysance of the master and wardens, and sworne vnto all 
 the good and lawfull rules and ordynaunces of the fraternity," 
 shall thenceforth take on him " to vse or weare anie costlie 
 arraye garmentes and apparell," other than what shall " bee 
 decent and fitt for his degree and callinge, and such as a 
 cittizen and merchantman ought to have," and as to which the 
 judgment of the master was to be the law.^ 
 
 business." The court, it is added, agreed thereon " to attend the recorder to 
 intreat him to move his lordship in their suit, and at the same time to present 
 him withten double sufferants (sovereigns) in gold." 
 • This company's books contain numerous entertaining entries of fines for 
 
190 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 Disrespect to the court, as the first sign of insubordination, 
 was severely punished : " Any person of the mystery pre- 
 sumptuouslie, obstinatelye, rudely, and without reverence," 
 speaking " unseemlie wordes," rebuking and reviling another, 
 or otherwise misbehaving himself against any person of that, 
 or any other mystery, in any matter before the master and 
 wardens, " whether it were within the common hall, or with- 
 out in anie other place in open audience within the precincts 
 of the cittie," was to be fined according to the nature of the 
 oflTence and the ability of the party. ^ 
 
 Every man of the company w^as ordained in future to bear 
 charge in " all manner cessings (assessments), prests, costs, 
 contributions, impositions, and all other charges appertain- 
 
 breach of the sumptuary regulations. 1574. We find " Robert Maltby com- 
 mitted to prison " for that he came to this house (hall) in a cloke of pep- 
 adore, a pair of hose lined with taffity, and a shirt edged witli silver, con- 
 trary to the ordinances.^' Near the same date, Thomas Elliott, another member, 
 is enjoined " to pay to this house a fine for wearing a cloke in this house con- 
 trary to the ordinances." And it was at the same time ordered, in conformity 
 with such ordinances, " as to those who should consider themselves in their 
 apparell and array,'' that a fine should be inflicted on any person, a member of 
 the company, who should wear any dress or apparell which should be above his 
 station in life." In 1575, one Swaynson is warned in like manner respecting 
 his dress, " he having on apparell not fit for his abilities to wear and is ordered 
 to be fined if he does not reform. 
 
 * This and the succeeding articles of the ordinances are all elucidated by en- 
 tries, showing in like manner their operation. In 1586, John Swinnerton (after- 
 wards Sir John Swinnerton, and lord mayor,) is said to have been committed, by 
 order of the court, for " impertinence" to them, and is only liberated on making 
 submission. A similar punishment was inflicted for insulting or striking each 
 other, and especially when aggravated by happening in the presence of the court. 
 In 1562 is a long account of the trouble brought on one William Kimpton, a 
 member, for having, contrary to the ordinances, and in the presence of the 
 master and wardens, called Stephen Misney, " a brother of this mystery, a 
 crafty boy.'' For this misdemeanor Kimpton was sentenced to pay a fine of 405., 
 which not being prepared with, he is stated to have left in pawne with the said 
 master a ring of gold for payment. In consequence of coming forward with 
 this pledge and making submission, his fine is afterwards mitigated to half. 
 Similar pledges seem to have been frequent in case of fines. The next year, 
 (1563) William Hector is credited in the accounts for having also "delivered in 
 pledge for his fine of 405. a ring of gold, for calling Thomas Wylford " a prating 
 boy.'' In 1568 we find one Miles Gilbert committed to prison, for that he, in 
 the presence of the master and wardens, openly in the street, struck and drew 
 blood of Lwys Lloyd, a brother of this mystery, contrary to the ordinances. 
 The year 1581 contains a long account of the offence and punishment of a 
 member named Offley, "for making rash and unseemly speeches, and striking 
 Mr. Phillips in the face, a grave father, and late a member of this house." In 
 a similar case in 1583, the court, besides fining the aggressor 205. , obliged him 
 to write the plaintifl' the following apology : " I know I have offended you, and 
 not used myself well towards you in speaking such evil words against you, I am 
 sorry for them from the bottom of my heart, and do ask you heartily forgiveness 
 for the same. I pray you forgive me, for they were uttered by me in color, both 
 rudely, rashly, and unadvisedly. I pray that we may be friends, and so con- 
 tinue." 
 
NEW ORDINANCES OF THE COMPANIES. 
 
 191 
 
 ing to the worshipp, benefitt, or creditt of the same mis- 
 terie." 
 
 Refusal to bear and keep the office and room of master, 
 after being indifferentlie named and elected by the master 
 and wardens," with the advice and consent of the assistants, 
 late masters, " agreeably to the ould auncient rules and 
 laudable customs aforetyme used and the person so elected 
 wilfully refusing complience, was subjected to a fine of 
 100/. for the use of the fraternity, " without anie redemption, 
 and never afterwards to be admitted into the said room, rea- 
 sonable cause excepted." Minor penalties were inflicted for 
 refusing to serve the office of warden.=^ 
 
 The minor points in the new ordinances chiefly respected 
 the regulation of apprentices and servants, and are similar in 
 effect to the very ancient ordinances already given, but some- 
 what altered in circumstances and language with the change 
 of times. No person of the mystery was to hire himself to a per- 
 son of another mystery where greater wages were offered, " all 
 fraude, guile, and male engyne sett aside." No member was 
 to take a covenant servant, either born in the city or of an- 
 other mystery, to inform and learn him the " handycraft or 
 occupation of this mystery," nor " by collor or covin to receive 
 reward for instructions secretly given for that purpose, unless 
 such learner should be bound and inrolled as an apprentice. 
 No member was to suffer his appentice or servant " to buy 
 and sell to his own use, or that of persons of other myste- 
 ries such practice, it is said, having brought masters " to 
 an after deale and sore damage." Controversies between 
 the livery and their apprentices were to be settled in the old 
 way, before the master at the common hall. The original and 
 dangerous power of distress for nonpayment of dues (exer- 
 cised by the weavers' gild near the Conquest) was retained. 
 "If anie member," says the article as to this point, "of his 
 
 * 1613. One Robinson is fined for not serving renter- warden. This cause 
 was brought before the lord mayor by summons, "when his lords'p in a mild 
 speech informed the defendant, that if mildness of persuasion would not do, justice 
 must follow. He then required him to enter into a recognizance in 100/., and 
 on refusal committed him to Newgate till he complied. On the following 3d of 
 November the Merchant Tailors' court again appointed Robinson to the same 
 office, who still refused to either pay or serve ; but ultimately being persuaded by 
 his friends, he consented to pay a fine of 601. by two instalments within the year, 
 which the court agreed to accept. 
 
192 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 froward disposition or otherwise refuse to pay quarterage^ 
 penalties, arrearages, or other amerciaments, the master and 
 wardens, with their officers, shall have power at lawful times 
 to enter such member's shop, and distrain for the same." The 
 proceeds in this case were to be applied to the use of the 
 fellowship, twelve days being allowed for redeeming such dis- 
 tress before sale, and, if sold, the surplus to be returned to the 
 party. 
 
 Officers continued nearly stationary both in name and em- 
 ployment. The clergyman of the company seems to have been 
 the only one whose duties were materially changed by the Re- 
 formation; when the daily singing of mass, and services for the 
 dead, gave way to rehgious celebrations suited to the genius 
 of Protestantism. He prayed on pubhc days for the prospe- 
 rity of the fraternity. An entry in the merchant tailors' books, 
 under the year 1645, states the names of the livery to have 
 been then called over, according to ancient custom, after 
 which " in reverend manner prayer was made by the chap- 
 lain, and, some of the ordinances of the hall being openly 
 read, preparation was made for dinner." The custom in this 
 company of the chaplain saying " a commendable grace" for 
 deceased brothers, has been mentioned under the head " Fune- 
 rals." He, besides, preached before the companies at their seve- 
 ral churches, where they had a portion of the church reserved, 
 as we particularly find to be the case with the merchant 
 tailors, who, at their church of St. Martin Outwich, had a galle- 
 ry expressly erected for themselves, and besides accommodated 
 their friends, the Skinners' Company, with sittings in the 
 church. In like manner, the fishmongers had an aisle set apart 
 for them in the church of St. Michael, Crooked lane. Besides 
 these duties, we find mention made, in 1566, of " common 
 prayer on court-days, according to the laudable custom of this 
 land."=^ 
 
 * The prayer used on those occasions, which is long, but a very good one, is 
 recorded in the company's book, under the year 1566, and concludes in the fol- 
 lowing excellent manner : " Good Lord, keep this noble city of London, and de- 
 fend it from grievous plagues and contagious sickness, that we may often in bro- 
 therly and true love assemble and meet together to thy glory and our mutual com- 
 fort in Christ Jesus ; and, merciful Father, bless this society and brotherhood, and 
 be present with us in all our assemblies and councils, that we may use them to thy 
 glory and the discharge of our duties. Bless and direct by thy Holy Spirit all 
 our actions and endeavours, and give us grace faithfully and honestly to discharge 
 
ALTEllED STATE OF THE COMPAiNlEs' CEREMONIES. 193 
 
 In matters of ceremonial, or, what we have termed the ob- 
 servances of the companies, time had made great alterations 
 at the period we have arrived at. Elections, during the whole 
 of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, were preceded by 
 the religious rite of going to the company's church, as in the 
 Catholic era, but a sermon substituted for mass. The gro- 
 cers, immediately that the accession of Elizabeth had changed 
 the old faith, proceeded, previously to their election, to their 
 church of St. Stephen, Coleman street, " to heare divine ser- 
 vice," and attended there the following day at a solemne 
 sermon," after which they took the sacrament. The feast 
 had increased in splendor, and improved in the delicacy of its 
 food, but had lost other attractions.^' Sisters disappeared as 
 members of the fraternities early in the seventeenth century. 
 We find them noticed in the drapers' charter, in the 5th of 
 James I., but no mention of them is made in the reign of 
 Charles I. In other respects various changes had also taken 
 place : the sideboards were richer in plate ; organs had suc- 
 ceeded shalmes and shugbusses in the concert, and boys re- 
 citing Latin verses, the song of the " Minstrel," and the 
 Clarke's play;" sovereigns honored the board, and both them- 
 selves and heirs condescended to be elected members. The 
 
 the trust i*eposed in us, as well for our good friends and brethren deceased, as any 
 other way belonging to us, to the glory of thy holy name, and peaceful comforts 
 of our own souls, and good example and incitement of others." 
 
 • The custom of selecting two or three individuals from the livery to act as 
 stewards, for providing the dinners and superintending the general arrangements, 
 prevailed from the first establishment of the Grocers' Company (and no doubt with 
 others,) till within the last century ; but at the time we are speaking of the arrange- 
 ments required a special superintendance. In the seventeenth century the account 
 of the Grocers' Company states the ofQce with that society to have been one of 
 considerable responsibility and some expense, as, it is said, appears from a fine being 
 levied on any individual wishing to be excused from serving : the amount, it con- 
 tinues, was varied from 10 to 30/. according to circumstances. The stewards were 
 held responsible for the fitness as well as the sufficiency of the provisions, as is ma- 
 nifest from a complaint inserted in the journals against Messrs. Randal, Parris, 
 and Hammerston, stewards, for a dinner given on the 5th of November. A com- 
 plaint was made of the "scantiness of the provisions, unfitting wine, and disre- 
 spectful carriage, unbecoming the due observance and entertainment of the com- 
 pany ;'' a vote of censure was passed by the company; and a fine ordered, the 
 amount of which was to be fixed by the master and wardens. A few days alter- 
 wards, one of the stewards, Mr. Parris, "appeared in court to excuse himself from 
 any share in the late miscarriage,'^ and, after pleading inexperience in such matters, 
 charged the fault of the wine upon the abuse of the vintner whom Mr. Ham- 
 merston had enriployed. The plea was of no avail ; and, as the whole o the 
 arrangements appear to have given general dissatisfaction, he was mulcted, as well 
 as his colleagues." 
 
 O 
 
194 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 elections of James I. as a cloth worker, and bis son Prince 
 Henry, as a merchant tailor, are instances; as are subse- 
 quently those of Charles II. and WilUam III. as grocers. The 
 election ceremony itself, which has been already described, 
 had httle varied. A few miscellaneous specimens of it in later 
 times are given below from the merchant tailors' records, 
 and from those of the ironmongers and skinners. The cere- 
 monies in all the other companies were nearly similar.* 
 
 The style of the companies' pageants had began to vary 
 considerably from the ancient usage about the beginning of the 
 
 * In 1562, the dinner of the Batchelors' Company is said to have been "rab- 
 bits stewed, geese roasted, fresh sturgeon, and custard." 
 
 1565. Tile new warden is stated to be sworn in, in the absence of the master 
 elect, and the master elect to be confirmed by tlie old master delivering the 
 garland and cup of ipocras solemnly at the election time to the lord mayor (who 
 was present at the ceremony,) for and in the name of the new master. 
 
 1573. A fuller description is given of the manner in which the election of 
 master and wardens was conducted. First, four persons are named for wardens. 
 Then they chose fourth warden ; the third next, (who are called * renter- 
 wardens,^) and then the court proceeds to elect first and second wardens. 
 
 The election is said to have been made by the clerk, first beginning with the 
 youngest assistant, and so up to the old master. " Then they go to the youngest 
 warden, and so to the rest, and after the wardens to the youngest and last master, 
 and so upwards till they come to the master elect; the clerk reading the names, 
 and every one making his mark or tick against the one he wishes to be master. In 
 case of an equal number of ticks, the master pricks again. The master is elected 
 in a similar manner to the wardens ; and if there be but two named for the election 
 as master, and that the new master is chosen only by the tick of the old master and 
 wardens, all others being put aside," there is added in a n. b. "This is called 
 the Secret Election, and is generally made in the Great Parlofir." 
 
 The publication of the secret election is said to have been made afterwards in 
 the hall, where a grand entertainment was given to the fraternity. " After dinner 
 they pay their ' brotherhood money' to the master, and then every one drinketh a 
 cup of ipocras, and departeth." 
 
 1585 (June 25. ) The election of master and wardens this year was ordered to 
 be kept in the Batchelors' Chamber, on the 12th of July, with a sermon at church, 
 and the same election to be made with spiced bread, wine, beer and ale, with one 
 or two gallons of ypocras. They to be chosen with their garlands, according to the 
 old custom, after their return from church. The whole expense was to be at the 
 charge of the company. 
 
 1605. The allowance for the election dinner was raised from 80/. to 100/. "on 
 condition of the new master keeping his three quarter-days, and also his election 
 day. And at quarter-days to invite the wives of aldermen of the company, the old 
 masters, and the present master's and wardens' wives." 
 
 Malcolm transcribed from the Ironmongers' records, of 1565, the following long 
 miimte of the electing master and wardens of that company. First, it is agreed 
 at this court, that the two wardens, at the dinner (at such time as the master shall 
 be sworn in,) shall rise to go out, and then shall come in with the garland for the 
 master only, in the chief warden's hands, with the minstrels before them and the 
 beadle, and, making their obeisance to the master, shall deliver him the same gar- 
 land ; and there shall remain, and attend the master, till the master hath as- 
 sayed the garland upon the heads of such of the most worshipful as he shall think 
 meet. And then the master to receive it again, and set it on his own head. 
 And then the wardens to depart, the garlajid remaining still on the old master's 
 
ELECTIONS — LORD MAYORs' PROCESSIONS. 
 
 195 
 
 reign of Queen Elizabeth,* and continued altering and improv- 
 ing in splendor until the fire of London, at which period, and 
 for a few years afterwards, they had reached their acme. 
 However childish, and in a few instances ridiculous, some of 
 them may seem in the present intellectual age, which threa- 
 tens to bring us all to the plainness of Quakers, it will be 
 seen in others that occasionally much taste and ingenuity were 
 exercised ; and that in almost all, particularly the latter spec- 
 tacles, an excess of magnificence was displayed, which, if sights 
 had not gone quite out of fashion with us, would draw crowds 
 
 head. And immediately the wardens to come in again, with the beadle and 
 minstrels before them, either of them having his garland upon his head, and 
 one to bear a cup before the chief warden, and to go once about the house; and, 
 after obeisance made, the chief warden to take tlie cup, and deliver it to the old 
 master. And then the master to take off the garland from his head, and set it 
 on the new master's head. And then the master to take the cup and drink to 
 the new master ; and, after that, the warden (after due reverence) to depart to 
 assay their garlands, as they shall think meet ; and then to go out, and to come in 
 again, with the minstrels and beadle before them, with their garlands on their 
 heads, and either of them having his cup brought before him, and to go twice 
 about the house ; and then the chief old warden to go and set the garland upon 
 the new chief warden's head; and to take his cup, and drink to him, and so to 
 deliver the same cup to him. And likewise the younger warden to set his gar- 
 land upon the other new warden's head, <fec." 
 
 " The garlands," he says, " are like the heraldic wreath, except that they are 
 made of red velvet, and have pieces of silver fastened on them, engraved with the 
 company's arms." He adds, This day of ceremony, and the dinner accompa- 
 nying it, was altered at the above date, from the Sunday after Trinity Sunday to 
 the Monday following, when the householders were to attend at the hall in their 
 best liveries, to go in procession to church, there to ofter at the altar." 
 
 With the Skinners' Company caps of maintenance are used instead of MTeaths 
 or garlands ; which are " assayed upon the heads of the most worshipfull" of the 
 company assembled, and being, after several similar ceremonies of going round, 
 <fec. found only to fit those who are agreed on for the new master and wardens, 
 the latter are drank to, and receive the compliments and acclamations of all present. 
 The drinking cups used on this occasion by the master and two wardens are con- 
 cealed in three large silver cocks or birds, which are introduced, previously to the 
 ceremony, with great form ; and being unscrewed, are found to be filled with wine : 
 the procession includes a certain number of blue-coat boys, the company's 
 almsmen, livery, trumpeters, &c. all of whom are clothed in their best dresses. 
 
 * Sir John Shaa, in 1501, was the first mayor who caused the aldermen to 
 accompany him on horseback to the water side, to take barge for Westminster. 
 The manner is afterwards detailed in " the Order observed by the lord maior, 
 aldermen, and sheriti's," for wearing their Apparel, (fee. printed by Day, in 1.568. 
 From this it appears, that the, aldermen and sheritts, after riding to Guildhall in 
 their scarlet gowns furred, to meet the new lord mayor, proceeded in the same 
 manner to the Vine Tree, to take barge to Westminster; and that, having performed 
 the usual ceremonies there, they returned by land to Guildhall to dinner, the 
 mayor and aldermen on horseback, and the City companies (all of whom accom- 
 panied them,) on foot. The show is more particularly described in Smith's 
 "Briefte Description of the Royall Citie of London," 157.5. It states the lord 
 mayor's barge to have been garnished with the City arms, and to have been accom- 
 panied by one of the queen's ship-boats, " trimmed up and rigged like a ship of 
 war, with divers pieces of ordinance, standards, pennons, and targets of the pro- 
 per arms of the said mayor, of his company, and of the merchant-adventurers, or 
 
 o 2 
 
196 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 even nov/, aye, and crowned heads among them too, as they 
 once did. We need only mention, as an instance, the " Maiden 
 Chariot," as it was called, which formed part of the pageant 
 of the Mercers' Company. This splendid piece of machinery, 
 Elhanah Settle tells us, was twenty-two feet high, entirely 
 covered with silver embossed work, carried upwards of twenty 
 superbly dressed characters, and was drawn by nine white 
 Flanders horses, three abreast, in rich trappings of silver 
 and white feathers, each mounted by an allegorical person- 
 age, and the whole accompanied by more than one hun- 
 dred attendants. 
 
 The setting out of what was called " the Midsummer 
 watch," we should have noticed earlier, as properly belonging 
 to the more ancient class of the companies' shows already 
 mentioned, but shall describe it here. This was, as we have 
 seen, "in the Order of the companies for the Marching Watch/' 
 a ceremony of established use in the 6th of Edward IV.,^ and 
 similar directions appear to have been regularly given every 
 succeeding reign. Stow gives a splendid account of this 
 pageant in the reign of Henry VIII., which monarch came 
 purposely with his queen into the City to view it. We shall 
 
 of the staple, or of the company of the new trades that before the mayor there 
 sailed the barge of his own company's livery, then the bachelors' barge, and then 
 the barges of all the other companies in their order ; that they retm'Jied by water as 
 far as Paul's wharf, where they landed, and the mayor and aldermen again mounted 
 their horses, and other parts of the show joining, the whole proceeded in great 
 pomp to Guildhall. The order of the procession at this date, and its nature, is 
 described thus : 1st, two great standards of the City's and lord mayor's companies' 
 arms; 2d, two drums and a flute ; then a city ensign, and then 70 or 80 poor men 
 in pairs, in blue gowns, with red sleeves and caps, each one bearing a pike and a 
 target, with the arms of the former chief city magistrates of the mayor's company; 
 :kl, two banners of the royal arms and the mayor's, followed by a set of hautboys 
 playing, and then whifflers or young freemen of the company, in velvet coats and 
 gold chains, and bearing white staves. These preceded the Jirsf and only pageant 
 t'hown at this date, which was called " The Pageant of Tkiumph," and was 
 always allegorical of the office of magistracy. The succeeding part of the procession, 
 which was very long and splendid, consisted (in order) of trumpeters, with the 
 major's banners, whifflers as before, the bachelors in pairs in long gowns and 
 crimson satin hoods, to the amount of 60 or 100, trumpeters, city drum and fife, 
 ensign of the mayor's company, city waits in blue gowns, red sleeves and caps, 
 and with silver collars ; the livery of the lord mayor's company in long gowns, with 
 their hoods parted black and red, over their left shoulders, sherilis, mayors, and 
 city officers, sword bearer, wearing the cap of maintenance and holding the pearl 
 sword, and mace-bearer by his side with the gilt mace ; the mayor, in scarlet, hood 
 of black velvet, and collar of SS ; old lord mayor, similarly dressed, but with gold 
 ehain only, aldermen (including recorder) in scarlet, those who had been mayors 
 having gold chains and black velvet tippets; last, the two sherifls, in their black 
 scarlet gowns aiid gold chains. 
 * See ante, p. 101. 
 
MIDSUMMER WATCH AND ITS PAGEA^TS. 
 
 197 
 
 not again repeat his account, which has been often copied, 
 but merely observe, that the Marching Watch was a grand 
 sort of annual military muster of the citizens, embodying all 
 the companies, for the purpose of forming a regular guard for 
 the City during the ensuing year. The emulation for mag- 
 nificence on this occasion created an expense so great and 
 detrimental that Henry VIII. prohibited the show, and con- 
 fined the citizens to the merely serviceable and efficient 
 object of the assembhng. It was afterwards revived on a 
 more economical plan, and continued under the name of the 
 " Standing Watch," till the force was finally superseded by 
 the City Trained Bands, now the Artillery Company. 
 
 To furnish machinery for this and other pageants which 
 were anciently exhibited on similar occasions, artificers were 
 regularly kept by the City at Leadenhall, the place from which 
 they always set out. The like custom was also common in 
 other places, many of the accounts of whose pageants are pre- 
 served. Some of these provincial spectacles certainly appear 
 to have been poor enough, but the contemporary ones in the 
 metropolis we may suppose were more splendid.^ 
 
 Strutt (Sports and Pastimes,) quotes from' the Harl. mss. 
 various particulars relative to setting out the Midsummer 
 Watch at Chester in 1564, when a municipal ordinance there 
 ordained that the pageant, " according to ancient custome," 
 should consist of " four giants, one unicorn, one dromedary, 
 one luce (lucern,) one camel, one ass, one dragon, six hobby- 
 horses, and sixteen naked boys.'' And on a revival of the 
 custom, at the restoration of Charles II., he notices a curi- 
 ous calculation of costs for getting up the like pageant (all 
 the things for which were obliged to be new made, " by rea- 
 son the ould modells were all broken The materials and 
 workmanship of four great giants, ' all to be new made, and 
 as neere as might be like as they were before,' the computist 
 states, at the least, would cost five pounds a giant ; and four 
 men to carry them, two shillings and sixpence each. The 
 materials for the composition of these monsters are afterwards 
 
 * The London companies also contributed their several articles of pageantry 
 characteristic of their several trades. The grocers' records notice a payment, 
 in 1505, " for serteyn costes and charges don vpon a pageant for the maire at 
 Midsomer," meaning for this " watch." 
 
198 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 stated to be " hoops of various magnitudes, deal boards, nails, 
 pasteboards, scaleboard, paper of various sorts, w^ith buckrum, 
 size, cloth, and old sheets for their bodies, sleeves, and 
 shirts, vi hich were to be coloured ; also tinselle, tinfoil, gold 
 and silver leaf, and colours of various kinds, with glue and 
 paste in abundance." These materials are all well known for 
 similar constructions by the " property-makers" of our great 
 theatres, but who, infinitely excelhng in skill and cost, pro- 
 duce, in the grander stage pageants, machinery and figures to 
 which it is probable the above were the mere shadow of a 
 shade. One article in the bill of charge of this Chester shew 
 is noticed as remarkable for its ludicrousness ; it is for 
 arsnick to put into the paste to save the giants from being 
 eaten by the rats." 
 
 Exclusively of the several companies' proportion of men 
 for the watch, on its revival in Elizabeth's reign, we learn, 
 from precepts and entries in their records and those of the 
 City, that each had to furnish a certain quantity of arms, and 
 also bearers of lights, as substitutes for the lantern after- 
 wards adopted by our watchmen, and which were called 
 "cresset lights." In 1567, the merchant tailors' books state 
 that company to have provided " at the muster and show, on 
 Midsummer eve, 12 persons with comely cressets, with good 
 sufficient lights for the same, 2 cresset-bearers, 1 bag-bearer, 
 to bear cresset lights, with straw hats upon their heads having 
 the company's arms, on the assembling at Leadenhall." And 
 in 1585 they were again called upon by precept to furnish 
 the like number.^ These cresset lights are mentioned by an 
 early dramatic writer ; also quoted by Strutt, as general ac- 
 companiments of public rejoicings : 
 
 " Let nothing that's magnifical, 
 Or that may tend to London's graceful state, 
 Be unperformed, as showes and solemne feastes, 
 IVatehcs in armour, triumphs, cresset Izgkfs, 
 Bonefires, belles, and peals of ordinaunce. 
 And pleasure. See that plaies be published, 
 Mai-games and maslces, with mirthe and minstralsie, 
 Pageants and school- feastes, beares and puppet-plaies." 
 
 * Form of precept for the standing watch. " There shall be a standing 
 watch in the city on the eve of St. John the Baptist. And these are to command 
 you for that service, that you have 12 cresset- bearers, and a convenient number 
 of bag-bearers, with sufficient lights for that night ; every one of them having a 
 
LORD mayors' shows. 
 
 199 
 
 The Lo7yI Mayor's ShoiOy as exhibited with all the increased 
 splendor we have alluded to, was the king of City sights. — 
 To the simple procession of minstrels, whom we have seen 
 with the companies' beadle on horseback, first succeeded 
 spectacles on the water, chiefly in the nature of sham fights, 
 with a few allegorical characters on land, who sang or recited 
 complimentary verses. Malcolm, from the ironmongers 
 records, describes nearly the earliest of these improved 
 pageants, and which took place at the inauguration of Sir 
 William Draper, ironmonger, in 1566. It was arranged and 
 written by J. Tailer, of Westminster, and was without any 
 scenic representation ; but there was, he says, " a foist or 
 barge, with 10 pair of oars and masts;* whether,'^ he con- 
 tinues, " they were furnished with sails for the flags, does not 
 appear." However, the queen's arms flowed from the main- 
 top, and a flag of " the red crosse" from the fore-top ; to each 
 of which were added long pendants ; and ^^two auncients for 
 the pope (poop) or baste." The last-mentioned flags were 
 not displayed, as at present, from fixed staflTs, but held by 
 men termed 'auncient bearers for the foiste.' This vessel 
 had her master and gunner, ' and squibs sufficient for the 
 tyme, with all things well paynted and trymmed accordingly, 
 with 20 pavases,' and 2 half-barrels of gunpowder on board ; 
 so that, with her guns and squibs, she must have made a most 
 formidable man of war.f 
 
 In 1568, on Sir Thomas Roe, merchant tailor, being elected 
 mayor, the company (as was the custom) vote him 40/. from 
 
 straw hat, with creset lights ; together with some officers of your compan}-, to go 
 to Cree Church by 7 at night on the said eve, there to stand," cfec. — Cifi/ Recorda. 
 
 * A ''foyst" was a galley or small vessel, with fireworks, usually exhibited on 
 lord mayor's day on the water. Foist, a barge or pinnace, from juste, ^ Dutch 
 and French : 
 
 " Yet one day in the year, for sweet 'tis voic'd. 
 And that is when it is the lord mayor's foist." 
 
 B. Jon. Epig: 134. On the Famous Foyage, p. 267. 
 These are things that will not strike their topsails, and to a foist.— Philaster, 
 V. p. 165. 
 
 * So called in Vischer's View of London, where it is shewn ; and also in vari- 
 ous other old Thames views. 
 
 t Londinium Redivivum, ii. p. 43-7. In the Grocers' Pageant, at Sir John 
 Frederick's inauguration, 1661, there was a large ship or vessel, "rigged and 
 manned," which at its head had Galatea, a sea nymph, drawn in a sea-chariot by 
 dolphins, and who was accompanied by syrens, tritons, sea-lions, (fee. These, at the 
 lord mayor's going by water, saluted him on the river, near the Temple, and were, 
 against his return, "conveyed through Paul's Church-yard into Cheapside, where 
 they made a stand near St. Lawrence lane." 
 
200 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 their treasury. The master and three wardens are appointed 
 to attend him, and also other of the company, to see the 
 tables at Guildhall, for the feast, properly arranged and co- 
 vered. Sixteen of "the Batchelors' Company" are ordered 
 also to attend there, to carry up the service to table, and others 
 to be in waiting for different purposes. 
 
 The pageant, in appropriate honour of the company's patron 
 saint, John Baptist, consisted of an allegorical representation 
 of the saint, and other similar personages, amongst whom 
 were four boys, who spoke complimentary speeches, allusive to 
 the name of the mayor. Saint John's speech begins : 
 
 St. John. — " I am that Voyce in Wilderness, w'ich ones the Jewes 
 did calle.'* 
 
 1st Boy. — "Behold the Roe, the swift in chace.'' 
 
 Sir V/alstan Dixie, skinner, and mayor, (1581,) is the first 
 whose printed pageant is noticed by Strype. It displayed a 
 slender allusion to the company he belonged to, in having the 
 procession headed by a character representing "a Moor," who 
 was mounted on a "lucern." 
 
 The other allegorical personages (as was usual for some- 
 time afterwards,) consisted chiefly of children and females, 
 and represented London, the Thames, the Country, the Soldier, 
 Sailor, Nymphs, &c., as also. Magnanimity, Loyalty, and other 
 virtues, all of which latter were, of course, ascribed to the 
 new lord mayor. 
 
 Sir Thomas Middleton, grocer, and mayor in 1613, was 
 nearly the first who attempted an emblematical and scenic 
 representation of his company, in a water spectacle, consisting 
 (in imitation of the pageant mentioned to have been exhibited 
 by Sir John Wells to Henry VL^) of "five islands, artfully 
 garnished with all manner of Indian fruit trees, drugges, spi- 
 ceries, and the like ; the middle island having a faire castle 
 especially beautified :" the latter probably allusive to the 
 newly-established East India Company's forts, and whose ad- 
 ventures had contributed so much to enlarge the sphere of the 
 grocers' trade. 
 
 The lord mayors' shows from the above period until 1708, 
 when this species of pageantry was finally discontinued, derived 
 their principal splendor from the great Livery Companies, and 
 
 * See ante, pp. 93-4. 
 
LORD MAYORS SHOWS. 
 
 201 
 
 assumed a style at once characteristic and dramatic. Poets 
 were engaged to compose what were called " projects," that is, 
 arrangements of scenes, with characters, song, and dialogue, 
 descriptive of the company of the lord mayor elect. These 
 compositions, after receiving the aid of the painter, mecha- 
 nist, and dress-maker, were exhibited on moveable stages, (for- 
 mer exhibitions having been stationary,) and the printed ac- 
 counts of them now form that rare species of tract denominated 
 ''Lord Mayors' Pageants." The company to which the new 
 lord mayor belonged always furnished at its own cost the 
 whole of the scenic representations, with the actors, and 
 which were what might be termed " the lions of the show." 
 The music to the processions consisted of the king's trum- 
 peters and the City Waits; on the water it was chiefly "drumes 
 and pfiffes." The companies' almsmen " in gownes, coats, and 
 cappes," bore the banners and streamers, accompanied by 
 their own beadles, and " the beadles of the four hospitals," 
 who wore " long cappes with ribbons ;" whifflers, in velvet 
 coats and gold chains, marched with white staves ; marshal- 
 men, porters to carry or move the pageants, javelinmen, "au- 
 neyent bearers," and " trishers with long swordes," or combat- 
 ants for the foiste, constituted the bulk of the menials in the 
 processions ; the batchelors, liverymen, new and old lord 
 mayors, aldermen, the sheriffs and members of the corpora- 
 tion of London, with the city officers, and visitors of rank, 
 composed the more splendid part of the cavalcade. 
 
 The foiste and its attendant galley, with the companies' 
 state barges, were the great attractions on the water, unless 
 where they were eclipsed by aquatic pageants like Middle- 
 ton's. To give effect to this part of the show, small guns 
 called "peales," or "chambers," kept firing salutes from the 
 shore, while on board the most tremendous cannonading was 
 kept up, and characters drest like wild men threw abroad 
 squibs and crackers. The foiste and galley in 1617, when 
 alderman Bolles, another member of the Grocers' Company, 
 was made mayor, with the men, powder, shot, and other ne- 
 cessaries, are said, in the account of expenses, to have cost 
 32L 1 05. ; the " foreman or grene man" had a benevolence of 
 IO5. over his agreement ; " six score chambers," and twice 
 firing them off, cost 311. and 26/. lis. was paid for thirty-two 
 of the king's trumpeters, with a boy to sound in the ship. 
 
202 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 and which are said to have been present in this part of the 
 show " in the accustomed manner." 
 
 In the same account of expenses we have several other 
 curious hints as to the shows of the period, and the manner 
 of getting them up and managing them. 
 
 The companies appear to have furnished themselves with 
 a regular series of requisites for their pageants, towards the 
 latter end of Elizabeth's reign. The larger articles, as just 
 mentioned, were hung up in the roofs of their halls for fresh 
 occasions ; the smaller ones were stored in what was called 
 "the Pageant Chamber." In the show of Sir John Lemon, 
 fishmonger, and mayor, 1616, the cumbrous machines, as it will 
 be seen, were suspended in Fishmongers' Hall, while we find 
 the grocers, as above, paying 11 5. " to the workmen for setting 
 up the beastes [that drew the pageant] in the Pageant Cham- 
 ber, over the entry into the hall." The merchant tailors men- 
 tion, in their long list of paraphernalia, in the reign of James, 
 banners and streamers of the king's arm-s, of the City, of " the 
 companies' antient arms," (possibly when they were linen 
 armourers,) of " the late queen's arms," and of the compa- 
 nies' then arms, together with the arms of Sir Robert Lew- 
 isham, and Sir Leonard Halliday, lord mayors of the com- 
 pany ; also, " one large streamer of the companies' arms, on 
 a green ground ; two on a blue ground, two long streamers 
 with a green ground, one with a red ground, and one with a 
 yellow ground one " antient merchant tailors' arms," 50 
 trumpet banners, and " pavises and pennons," with the king's, 
 the city's, and Sir Leonard Halliday 's arms, and " 100 small 
 scutcheons, with various arms painted and gilded upon them." 
 
 The repairing or new making of these articles was done 
 at Leadenhall, where the whole were made ready. The 
 grocers, whose show on the above occasion included pageants 
 of " a chariott, island, castle^ and shipp," are said to have 
 forwarded some of their articles there from their own hall, 
 and others from Gresham house, and to have paid 3s. 3c?. 
 for " forty-nine dozen of large staff torches, ten and a half 
 dozen of small ones, and five and a half dozen of links, 
 to light the pageant and other shewes," [which had been 
 so repaired,] " from Leadenhall, over night, to Carter-lane, and 
 other appointed places." A dinner was prepared on Lord 
 Mayor's Day for the numerous children characters at Black- 
 
LORD mayors' shows — GREEN MEN, &C. 203 
 
 well-hall, and the porters there paid " for watching the pa- 
 geant and shewes," whilst they ate it. To allow the pageants 
 to pass through Cheapside the larger signs were removed, and 
 the posts at St. Paul's taken up, that they might enter the 
 churchyard ; as we find by payments for " setting up the signs 
 again," and for "taking upp of the spurres at St. Panic's, and 
 for setting them againe, and for paving and gravell." 
 
 The most curious part of the land procession, at lord mayor's 
 show, near this time, was the sort of character called above 
 "firemen or grene men," and in the coronation pageant of 
 Ann Boleyn, "monstrous and terrible wild meny These 
 were fellows habited like savages in hairy dresses, partly co- 
 vered with green leaves, who marched before the procession, 
 flourishing large clubs to keep off the mob, and who were 
 assisted by others, whimsically attired, and disguised with 
 droll masks, having large staves or clubs, headed with cases 
 of crackers. A print in Strutt's Sports and Pastimes contains 
 representations of a green man, (" or wodehouse," as he is 
 sometimes called,) from Bates' Book of Fireworks, published 
 in 1 635, and of the wild men, which we copy in the succeed- 
 ing vignette — as clearing the way for an approaching pageant. 
 
 Four of these characters were the usual number employed ; but 
 in the mercers' mayoralty procession, (1681,) no less than 
 20 wild and green men are said to have preceded the grand 
 " Maiden Chariot." 
 
204 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 The most classically arranged pageants consisted of five prin- 
 cipal pieces, or machines, viz. : 1. A triumphal temple, with ap- 
 propriate characters, flanked by persons riding on the animals, 
 which formed the company's supporters, who bore shields or 
 banners of their arras ; or perhaps, of a triumphal chariot, as 
 above, drawn by the like animals, their supporters, carrying 
 either the company's patron saint, or an allegorical personage 
 representing London, as the seat of sovereignty, in either case 
 with numerous proper attendants. 2. A throne or scene, with 
 allegorical personages, alluding to the British monarchy and 
 kingdoms, comprising poetical characters complimentary 
 of the reigning monarch's virtues. 3. An allegorical re- 
 presentation of the origin of the company's trade, or of their 
 patron saint, 4. The principal pageant, called "The Pageant 
 of Trade," " The Factory of Commerce," or more frequently 
 *'The Company's Pageant," (from its being a direct emblema- 
 tical representation of the company's trade in all its various 
 branches :) and 5, a scene allusive to the benefits or riches 
 procured by such trade, under the name of " The Palace of 
 Pleasure," or of "Riches," " The Arbour of Delights," and 
 other names. There were frequent variations from this ar- 
 rangement both as to the order and number of scenes, but 
 the above seems to have been the style of those best con- 
 ducted. 
 
 "The Trade Pageants," which were principal objects, were 
 some of them very ingenious. We shall only notice a few of 
 them in this place, reserving the rest for the separate accounts 
 of the Companies. 
 
 The Ironmongers, in 1629, at the swearing-in of their 
 mayor, exhibited, as their trade pageant, a representa- 
 tion of "Lemnion's Forge, with Vulcan, the smith of Lem- 
 nos, at work, surrounded by his servants, in black hair, 
 waistcoats, and leather aprons, A fire blazed in the furnace, 
 lightnings flashed, thunders rolled; and at intervals harsh 
 music and songs sounded praises to iron, the anvil, and the 
 hammer." In 1685, at the inauguration of Sir Robert 
 Jeffreys, ironmonger, the same company's emblem was a 
 pageant, representing "Mount Etna, with Vulcan and the 
 Cyclops at work, within a cavern at the base ; some at the 
 forge, and others digging metals and minerals. Apollo de- 
 
LORD mayors' shows. 
 
 205 
 
 scended with Cupids, and entertained them with music: 
 Vulcan also made his speech to the lord mayor." This latter 
 triumph was particularly grand throughout, on account of 
 the king and queen honouring the city with their presence on 
 the occasion, and cost 473/. Os. Ad. 
 
 In 1 67 1 , Sir George Waterman, Skinner, had amongst the 
 pageants of his show (in allusion to that particular company,) 
 one which represented " a wilderness, consisting of variety 
 of trees, bushes, shrubs, brambles, thickets, inhabited and 
 haunted by divers wild beasts, and birds of various kinds 
 and colours. In the front of this scene were two negro hoys, 
 properly habited, and mounted upon two panthers, bearing 
 the banners of the lord mayor and the company's arms. In 
 the rear of these, and in tlie same pageant, was erected a 
 stately structure, formed in the figure of a pyramid, with four 
 triumphal arches. In the front arch, Orpheus, habited in a 
 silk robe, striped, stood playing on his lyre; on each side of 
 whom was a satyr, properly habited, and which, together 
 with the wild beasts, were continually moving, dancing, 
 curvetting, and tumbling, to the music of another satyr, who 
 was playing on a hautboy. Amongst these objects, an active 
 bear took hold of a rope (which was pendant from another 
 very high rope extended across the street,) with his teeth and 
 paws, and shewed off sundry tricks." Sir Thomas Pilkington, 
 of the same company, mayor in 1689, varied this scene of a 
 wilderness, called "The Company's Pageant," by introducing, 
 in addition to the wild beasts of the former show, " wolves, 
 bears, panthers, leopards, sables, and beavers, together with 
 dogs, catSf foxes, and rabbits, and which latter, the account 
 says, tost up now and then into a balcony, full oft upon the 
 company's heads, and being by them tost again into ihe 
 crowd, afforded great diversion.^' 
 
 The Drapers, at Sir Robert Clayton's show, in 1679, besides 
 introducing characters in their trade pageant drest as the 
 twelve months of the year, and numerous other allegorical 
 personages, richly and appropriately dressed, displayed in 
 front of a moving stage or scene, as emblematical of that 
 mystery, a golden ram, "backed, "says the description, " by a 
 pretty rider, being a beautiful boy, with such features of face, 
 curiosity of complexion, and symmetry of limbs, that he 
 
206 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 would have been an excellent original to draw an angel by, 
 and might have prevailed with Medea as far as Jason did, 
 when he obtained the golden fleece at Colchis." A shep- 
 herdess, of princely rank, superbly habited, and "bearing 
 in one hand a golden crook, and in the other the city 
 banner, made an appropriate speech to his lordship. The 
 concluding pageant, still more in character, exhibited a 
 landscape of Salisbury Plain, " where rustic shepherds and 
 shepherdesses were feeding and folding their flocks ; and for 
 the future exaltation of the drapers' delight, here were several 
 trades met together, all pertinent for making of cloth : as 
 carders, spinners, dyers, woolcombers, shearers, dressers, 
 fullers, weavers, which were set without order, because the 
 excellence of this scene did consist in confusion. Although 
 their number and weight were too cumbersome and ponderous 
 for all of them to work, according to their distinct arts and 
 mysteries, yet they were here met in their persons to rejoyce 
 and express their frolicks in dancing, jumping, tumbhng, 
 piping, and singing; and all such jovial actions and move- 
 ments of agility as might express their joy and exultation in 
 their compliments to the new lord mayor, and their service to 
 the Drapers' Company.'* 
 
 Sir John Levett, haberdasher, and mayor, 1699, had> 
 amongst other pageants, " a stately chariot all enriched with 
 embossed work of silver, driven upon four golden Catherine- 
 wheels, in which was seated St. Catherine, the original 
 patroness of the Honourable Company of Haberdashers, the 
 chariot drawn by two large Indian goats, argent, being the 
 supporters of the company;" and who was attended by various 
 other appropriate personages. It was succeeded by a scenic 
 exhibition called " The Factory of Commerce^" consisting of 
 a very large stage, on which "were planted, almost all round, 
 several shops, viz. milliners, hosiers, hatters, cappers, and 
 other branches of the haberdashery trade. Commerce sat in 
 the rear of this scene on a rich throne, and who descended as 
 the lord mayor passed by, and made his speech. " During 
 the movement of this pageant, several papers of tobacco were 
 given amongst the people." 
 
 The Cloth workers, in 1694, after an allegorical representa- 
 tion of London, exhibited the garden of the Hesperides, with 
 
LORD mayors' shows. 
 
 207 
 
 Jason and his golden fleece.* Then the chariot of Apollo, of 
 magnificent appointments, drawn by two golden griffins, (the 
 company's supporters,) mounted by " triumphant figures,'* 
 Apollo himself, allegorically connected with the company, 
 as the shepherd of King Admetus, rode in the chariot, and, 
 whilst addressing the lord mayor, " a rich figure of a rising 
 sun, above 10 foot diameter, not seen before — and whose 
 beames cherish both sheep and shepherd — appeared above 
 his head out of the back of the chariot, with all his beams 
 displayed in gold." " The Trade Pageant" expressed " the 
 whole art and mystery of the clothworkers, by all manner of 
 persons actually concerned in all branches of the trade, as card- 
 ing, combing, spinning, rolling, shearing of wool, &c. The chief 
 figure was Jack of Newbury, the famous Berkshire clothier, 
 in his proper habit, on a rich seat erected for him." The 
 golden ram, the company's crest, adorned the front of this 
 pageant, which is described as a very large one, being filled 
 " with several persons in rural and pastoral habits, dancing 
 and rejoicing, with their pipes and other country music 
 suitable to their characters, and also to the solemn joys of 
 the day." 
 
 The Vintners, at Sir Samuel Dashwood's inauguration, 
 ] 702, displayed a highly classical arrangement, in honour of 
 that elevated member of their company. On his lordship's 
 return from being sworn-in, he was saluted by the Artillery 
 Company, before whom stepped the vintners' patron saint, 
 St. Martin, "on a stately white steed richly plumed and 
 caparisoned himself splendidly armed cap a pie, having "a 
 large mantle or scarf of scarlet ; who, followed by several 
 cripples and beggars supplicating for his charity, attended by 
 20 satyrs dancing before him with tambors, 2 persons in rich 
 liveries, walking by his horseside, 10 halbeteers, with rural 
 
 * He had a dragon emblazoned on a large shield, which animal he was sup- 
 posed to have just conquered to obtain the golden fleece. "This pageant," says 
 the programme, "is entirely applicable to the honourable clothworkers, the 
 fleece being a golden one, morally so represented by virtue of the riches arising 
 from the manufacture of the fleece. The dragon, being a watchful creature, 
 intimates the caution, industry, and vigilance, that ought to secure support and 
 preserve trade ; whilst Jason, that gave the dragon a sleeping potion, and so carried 
 away the golden fleece, was in reality an industrious merchant, that equipped his 
 ship, the Argonaut, and by traffic and commerce carried off tbe golden fleece, viz. 
 the trade of the world." Jason, in the pageant, was attended by three other cha- 
 racters, representing Commerce, Navigation, and Industry. 
 
208 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 music before them, and 10 old Roman lictors, in silver head- 
 pieces, with axes and fasces, all march before the company to 
 St. Paul's Church-yard, and there making a stand, to prevent 
 the cries of the mendicants, the saint severs his scarf with his 
 sword, and delivers to them a part." A Vineyard, Triumph of 
 Bacchus, and other appropriate subjects, concluded this 
 pageant, which, the author tells the company, in his address, 
 (speaking of the ancient splendor and magnificence which 
 formerly shined forth on this solemn City festival, now almost 
 dropt into oblivion,) — had " taken its second resurrection 
 amongst them." 
 
 In a prior show of the Goldsmiths, the trade pageant was 
 a scenic exhibition called " The Goldsmith's Laboratory^'' 
 and is described as representing " A large and spatious work- 
 shop, of several artificers, distinct in their proper apartments, 
 for the several operators in the mystery of the goldsmiths, 
 containing forges, anvils, hammers, and other instruments of 
 art, &c." In the midst, on a rich golden chair, sat St. Dun- 
 stan, the ancient patron and guardian of the company, in pon- 
 tificalibus, in one hand a golden crosier, in the other his 
 goldsmith's tongs, with the devil beneath his feet. A large 
 goldsmith's forge faced the saint's throne, with fire, crucibles, 
 &c. and a boy blowing the bellows. The representation of 
 a goldsmith's shop full of plate, and artificers at work in the 
 various departments, with the assay-master making an assay, 
 and workmen hammering a massy piece of plate, in time with 
 the accompanying music, &c. filled up this pageant, which 
 was drawn by six horses, and »umerously attended. A second 
 pageant, allusive to the trade, followed, drawn by six white 
 horses, with Astrea, the goddess of justice, holding in her 
 right hand a touchstone, (the emblem of the assay or touch,) 
 and in her left a golden balance with silver scales. 
 
 The extraordinary splendor of the triumphal chariot in the 
 Mercers' processions has been noticed, and will be found fur- 
 ther described, with the whole ceremony of their show, in the 
 account of that company. This seems to have been the most 
 splendid piece of pageantry possessed by any of the compa- 
 nies. 
 
 A curious relic of the old shows is kept by the Fish- 
 mongers' Company, whose magnificent funeral pall has been 
 
LORD mayors' shows. 
 
 209 
 
 described.''^ It is the original drawing for the mayoralty pro- 
 cession of their member, Sir John Lemon, in 1616, and which, 
 from containing allusions in it to the story of Walworth and 
 Wat Tyler, has been called, in most modern accounts of Lon- 
 don, "the procession of Sir William Walworth, in 1380."f 
 The representation occupies a roll of strong paper several feet 
 in length, filled with characters and objects six or seven 
 inches high, well drawn, and all properly coloured, emblazoned, 
 and gilt. The pageants have inscriptions over them in the 
 handwriting of the time, from which we learn, as already 
 stated, that it was the custom to suspend them from the rocf 
 of the hall when done with, against other solemnities. 
 
 1. The first, or 'Trade Pageant,* consists of an an- 
 tique galley, or, as it is termed, " Fisshing Busse," orna- 
 mented with carvings of fishes, and other appropriate devices, 
 which the printed pageant names " The Fishmongers' Espe- 
 ranza, or Hope of London," and which you may fancy, says 
 the author, to be that wherein St. Peter received his call from 
 the Saviour ; the company's crest, (two arms supporting an 
 imperial crown,) adorns the head, and the golden keys in 
 saltier, the stern. Three fishermen are on board, one of whom 
 is casting his net, while the others exultingly hold up live fish, 
 which they are said to have " bestowed bountifully amongst 
 the people." 
 
 Inscription. — " This busse served on land ; and so did all the rest of these 
 shews following/* 
 
 2. A large dolphin, argent, naiant, crowned, said to have 
 
 * Several of the companies still possess remains of their old shows, in particular 
 the grocers. The scenes were painted like those of the theatres, in distemper, 
 and the animals or " beasts, which drew the pageants," were fabricated so like what 
 are used there, that there seems little doubt that the latter specimens, at least, 
 were the work of theatrical artists. Those who had no pageants (which were 
 confined to the Twelve,) have many of them other articles which were used in their 
 processions. We saw in the old pageant chamber at Brewers' Hall the fittings-up of 
 their state barge, with various other articles ; and in a corner of the room stood 
 silk banners and streamers, covered with dust, and dropping from their staves, — 
 a melancholy memento of former splendor. 
 
 t The printed pageant was composed by Anthony Munday, and is called 
 Chrysanaleia, the Golden Fishing, or Honour of Fishmongers,'' and which is 
 thus noticed by Strype, (ii. p. 269.) ^' When Sir John Lemon, of this company, 
 was mayor, (1616,) among the several triumphant shows that adorned the day of 
 his entrance into his office, there rode several men in armour, one whereof had the 
 head of Wat Tyler upon his spear erected. There was then also a pageant re-, 
 presenting Walworth lying dead on his monument; and an angel, the genius of 
 London, making him arise ; who forthwith sat up, and standing, made a speech 
 to the mayor passing by." The same spectacle in part was exhibited at the inau- 
 guration of Sir Thomas Abney, fishmonger, and mayor in 1700. 
 
 P 
 
210 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 been in compliment to the armorial bearings of the new mayor, 
 but more properly forming part of the Fishmongers' arms. 
 " Arion, a famous musitian and poet, rideth on his backe." 
 
 3. The emperor of Morocco ; or, as he is called, " King of the 
 Moors," in full royal costume, crown, robes, sceptre, &c. 
 " gallantly mounted on a golden leopard, and hurling gold and 
 silver everywhere about him." Before, on either side, and 
 behind him, " roc?e" (but here are walking) six Moors, look- 
 ing like American Indians, and described as " tributary kings ;" 
 they carry "ingots of gold and silver, and each one a dart," 
 allusive to the ancient union between the goldsmiths and the 
 fishmongers ; or, as in the printed pageant, "shewing thereby 
 that the fishmongers are not unmindful of their combined 
 brethren the goldsmiths." 
 
 Inscription. — ^' Note, That all the Moores pictured on foote, ridd on 
 horsebacke about the kinge. This remaneth for an ornament in Fish- 
 mongers^ Hall.'* 
 
 4. A large spreading tree, laden with golden fruit, described 
 to be a lemon tree/' and alluding to Sir John Lemon, the 
 new mayor. It grows from an enclosure of earth, having, 
 " near the stock or root," a pelican, feeding her young with 
 her blood, which poetic legend says she did for twelve months ; 
 and by which the compiler of the pageant intended to show 
 the cherishing love borne towards the citizens, or which ought 
 to be borne towards them, by their chief magistrate. Beneath sit 
 children, dressed as the Jive senses, and picturing, according to 
 the author's conceit, the "flower, fruit, rind, pith, and juice" 
 of the lemon. The pageant is preceded by a winged royal 
 figure, with a sword, riding on a white horse, exquisitely ca- 
 parisoned ; next to whom follow eight figures in the armour 
 of Ehzabeth's time, three of them bearing the following 
 banners: 1, The City arms ; 2, The fishmongers' ; 3, Blank 
 banners, perhaps for the lord mayor's arms ? 4, Two trum- 
 peters, on horseback ; and 5, Four walking figures. 
 
 Inscription over the Tree.—'' This remaineth in Fishmongers' Hall for an 
 ornament." At the bottom : « Memorandum— at the foote of the tree satt five 
 children resembling the five senses.'' 
 
 5. The often-mentioned commemoration of Walworth's 
 killing Wat Tyler. 
 
LORD mayors' shows. 
 
 211 
 
 It consists of: 1, A man in armour, on a white horse, bear- 
 ing Wat Tyler's head on a spear ; followed, 2, by a man in 
 armour with a truncheon ; 3, Two men in armour, riding 
 abreast, with truncheons ; and, 4, Two ditto ditto. 
 
 6. The company's supporters : A merman and a mermaid, 
 in full heraldic costume, with gold chains, riding on the waves 
 of the sea. 
 
 Inscription above. — " There were two maremen and two maremaids, which 
 were afore the pageant chariotwise, which remain in the hall for an orna- 
 ment." 
 
 7. A grand triumphal car ; or, as the printed pageant calls 
 it, "Fishmongers' Pageant Chariot," with 13 allego- 
 rical male and female characters. It rises somewhat pyra- 
 midically : the upper part or summit consists of a throne, and 
 on which sits the same sort of winged and crowned figure as 
 appeared before on horseback. The canopy over the throne 
 terminates in the fishmongers' crest. Before the throne (but 
 lower) sits a kingly figure, crowned with the Imperial English 
 crown, in golden armour, over which is a crimson ermined 
 robe. He holds a naked sword, and is intended to represent 
 Richard II. whose life Walworth preserved ; the winged figure 
 above being his guardian angel, who, on this occasion so re- 
 markably interposed for the king's safety, n.b. The sup- 
 porters and chariot both move on large pedestals, which up- 
 hold a representation of sea waves. There is the following 
 inscription over this pageant : 
 
 " This the company had for part of their showe, which was 
 very acceptable for the showe, having many children therein 
 to beautify the same, so that it was not fit for any ornament 
 for the hall afterwards. Therefore henceforth, if the house 
 will have a pageant to beautify their hall, they must appoint 
 fewer children therein, and more beautify and set forth the 
 same in workmanshipp." The numerous children here 
 alluded to appear seated on seats above each other, and are 
 said to represent royal Virtues. The whole of them are most 
 splendidly dressed. 
 
 8. The last pageant, called the " Fishmongers' Bower," 
 resembles a splendid arched recess, having double columns, 
 adorned with the shields of arms of former lord mayors of 
 this company : (those of the fishmongers surmounting or 
 crowning the top of the bower.) A figure is rising up within 
 
 p 2 
 
212 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 the arcli, intended to represent Sir William Walworth. Above 
 the pageant is written : 
 
 " This was a tombe or monument placed in Paules Church 
 yard, whereon lay Sir William Walworth, who risse from the 
 same, and made a speech to the lord maior, and so ridd on 
 horsebacke for that day." Whether this was intended to 
 bear any resemblance to Walworth's tomb, in St. Michael's 
 (Crooked-lane) church, does not appear; but as this " bower,'' 
 as it is called, looks much like the arched and columned mo- 
 numents of Elizabeth's day, in whose reign Walworth's 
 second monument was put up, it is not improbable. Walworth 
 himself, who, as we see, was personated by a living character, 
 is dressed in the erroneous costume of James I.'s reign, hav- 
 ing a splendid purple robe furred with ermine, a hat and fea- 
 ther, &c. ; five armed men follow, supposed to be the five 
 eminent citizens who were knighted with Walworth in the field. 
 
 The Merchant Tailors' pageant at the inauguration of their 
 member, Sir William Ashurst, as mayor, in 1693, consisted of 
 five devices, according to the following entry in the company's 
 books: "Oct. 10, 1693 — Mr. Holmes, to prepare and make 
 ready five pageants for the entertainment of the lord mayor 
 elect, on the day of his being sworn into office, such as he 
 had particularly described to a committee of the court, viz. 
 the shipy the Arcadian plain, the temple, the chariot, and the 
 lamh ; for the making of which the court agree to pay 200/, 
 If the cost should exceed 200/. the court will go as far as 20/. 
 more." It will be seen that these pageants, like all the pre- 
 ceding, were strictly emblematical of the merchant tailors' 
 trade ; the last, or lamb, being that company's crest. 
 
 The well known business of the quo warranto, or inquiry 
 into the validity of the City charter, the result of which ren- 
 dered the king not only master of London, but of all the 
 corporations in England, took place in 1684, and was the last 
 public event of consequence connected with the history of the 
 Livery Companies. Though ostensibly directed against the 
 corporation of London, of which those bodies were only a 
 branch, the mastership of the companies, there seems no 
 doubt, was deemed a most important object of the measure. 
 Charles II., like his father and grandfather, having early 
 evinced a desire to resume the system of interference with 
 their government and property, which we have been describ- 
 
QUO WARRANTO, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 213 
 
 ing, as is to be proved by abundant entries in the different 
 companies' books.* 
 
 Previously to the charter of the City being declared forfeited, 
 which it most arbitrarily and illegally was, in the Trinity Term 
 of the above year,t several of the companies, terrified by the 
 proceedings against London, the tendency of which were too 
 evident to be mistaken, had surrendered their charters ; but 
 after this judgment almost all the corporations did so. The 
 "Account of the Grocers' Company" states their "wardens 
 to have acquainted the court, on the 28^^ of March, 1684, 
 'that they had received his majesty's writ in the nature of a 
 quo luarranto, returnable the first day of the term;' and they 
 stated further, that the same had been served on the other 
 chief companies. The first step resolved upon was the 
 election of a committee to conduct the proceedings on the 
 part of the company ; and the chief persons who composed it 
 were the lord mayor, the earl of Berkeley, who had served the 
 office of master the year preceding, Sir William Hooker, Sir 
 John Cutler, and others. A deputation, attended by the 
 clerk, waited on Secretary Jenkins, on the of April, 
 'in order to be informed what might be acceptable to his 
 
 * The Merchant Tailors' Company received, in 16T8, the following polite man- 
 date from Lord Coventry, addressed ''to the master, wardens, and assistants.'' 
 
 " Worthy Sirs : His majesty being informed that John Milner, late clerk of 
 your company, is (for reasons best known to yourselves) laid aside, and a new 
 clerk ordered to be chosen, hath commanded me, in his name, to recommend unto 
 you Mr. Richard Forster, as a person very well qualified for that employment, not 
 only in regard of his education in the university and practice of the laws, but also 
 of his integrity and diligence 5 which good qualities and endowment, as they have 
 moved his majesty to order this recommendation, so I hope they will serve suffi- 
 cient also to prevail upon you for choosing and admitting him into your service in 
 the vacant place he now desireth. This is what I have in command from his 
 majesty ; to which I shall only add from myself, that I am, sirs, your very faith- 
 ful humble servant, 
 
 " Whitehall ; July 26, 16T8. " H. Coventry." 
 
 t The plea upon which the above inquiry was instituted was the pretended 
 malversations of the city of London, but the real object was the establishment of 
 arbitrary power. This it was thought might be affected by taking away the city 
 charter, which would give the king's ministers an opportunity of packing a Com- 
 mon Hall, and at the same time open a way to do the like with the House of 
 Commons, about four fifths of whom were burgesses and barons of the Cinque 
 ports ; for who would dare to contest their charters if the city of London could 
 not by law hold hers ? The two absurd and ridiculous charges brought against 
 the citizens were, ] st. Their raising money by way of toll in the several city 
 markets, (though they were fully empowered by their charters to do so) ; and 
 2d. for delivering a petition to the king for redress of grievances, which was 
 deemed libellous. These two points being set forth in the pleadings as grounds 
 for forfeiting a charter, and it being adjudged on trial that the city of London had 
 so forfeited its charter, the liberties of the city were seized into the king's hands. 
 
214 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 majesty, as expected to be done by this company, in obedience 
 to the said writ, to the end the committee might so report to 
 the court, that the company might without delay act as 
 became loyal subjects and prudent members, having also 
 regard to the trusts in them reposed V They received for 
 answer, from the secretary, that his majesty designed not to 
 intermeddle or take away the rights, property, or privileges of 
 any company, nor to destroy or injure the antient usages or 
 franchises of their corporations, ' but onl?/ a regulation of the 
 governing part, so as his ma*.^ might for the future have in 
 himself a moving power of any officer therein for mismanage- 
 ment, in the same way and method that they themselves now 
 used, and claymed to have by power derivable from the 
 crown,' or, in other words, that they should be incapable of 
 exercising that free control over their own affairs which all 
 their charters, even that granted by Cromwell, had so 
 solemnly conferred upon them. Resistance was considered 
 fruitless, and therefore, in order to derive all possible advan- 
 tage from their ready submission, the clerk was ordered to 
 prepare an instrument of surrender to piass the common seal, 
 and to accompany it by a petition to his majesty, 'in order to 
 obviate his further displeasure in prosecution of the said writ, 
 and to obtain his grace in favor of the antient charters, 
 rights, and privileges of this company/ In pursuance of an 
 order of the court, the wardens " were directed to consult 
 Mr. Holt, the counsel, respecting the same writing or instru- 
 ment;" and the substance of whose opinion was, that the 
 same did not amount to a surrender of their charter of 
 incorporation, or extinguish any other franchise than that of 
 electing their own officers, or wardens, assistants, and clerks, 
 which it vested in the crown. All these circumstances, it is 
 said, being debated, and the Grocers' court understanding 
 that the other companies were forwarding the business of 
 their surrenders, they resolved on compliance. 
 
 The like sort of proceedings took place in most of the com- 
 panies. In that of the Merchant Tailors', the assistants, after 
 due consultation, subscribed the following form of surrender 
 of their offices : 
 
 "We, the assistants of the Merchant Tailors, London, 
 whose names are hereunto subscribed, do give up and sur- 
 render our several and respective places as assistants or 
 
QUO WARRANTO, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 215 
 
 counsellors of the said company, and all our several and re- 
 spective titles or interests therein, either in law or equity, unto 
 Thomas Wardell, esq., master; Mr. G. Torriano, Mr. R''- 
 Taylor, Mr. Benj"" Spicer, and Mr. R**' Cawthorne, now 
 wardens of the Merchant Tailors of the fraternity of St. 
 John Baptist, in the city of London, this IP^" April, 1684, in 
 the 36*^" year of our sovereign lord Charles, &c." 
 
 The surrender of their charters was in most of the companies 
 preceded by a petition, stating their having been chartered and 
 incorporated by former royal grants, which conferred on them 
 divers immunities, privileges, and franchises. That his sacred 
 majesty having ''in his princely wisdom" thought proper to 
 issue a quo warranto against them, they had reason to fear 
 they had highly offended him, and they therefore earnestly 
 begged his pardon for what was past, and "to accept their 
 humble submission to his goodwill and pleasure, and that he 
 would be graciously pleased to continue their former charters, 
 with such regulations for their future government as he should 
 please." 
 
 The form of the instrument of surrender of the charters, 
 seems to have been alike in all the companies. It will be 
 found copied, as in the merchant tailors' books, below.* The 
 surrenders and petitions were presented to the king at 
 Windsor, who returned a nearly similar answer to each. The 
 grocers' records thus state their interview and its result : 
 
 "The wardens reported on the 9th of May, (1684,) that, 
 pursuant to the order of the assembly, on the 12th of April 
 last, they, with Sir James Edwards, Sir John Moore, and 
 divers other members, attended his majesty at Windsor, on 
 Sunday last. That his majesty being informed that a depu- 
 
 * " To all to whom these presents shall come : The master and wardens of the 
 fraternity of S* John Baptist, in the City of London, send greeting: know ye 
 that we, considering how much it imports the government of our company to have 
 men of known loyaltj- and approved integrity, to bear offices of magistracy and 
 places of trust, the said master and wardens, by and with the advice and consent 
 of the majority of the assistants of the said company, have granted, surrendered, 
 and yielded up, and by these presents do grant, surrender, and yield up unto his 
 most gracious majesty Charles the Second, by the grace of God of England, 
 Scotland, France, and Ireland, king, &c., his heirs and successors, all and singular, 
 the powers, franchises, liberties, privileges, and authorities, whatsoever, granted 
 to or to be used or exercised by the said master and wardens, and assistants, by 
 virtue of any right, title, or interest vested in them by any charters, letters patent, 
 custom, or prescription in force of or concerning the electing, nominating, insti- 
 tuting, bringing, or appointing of any person or persons into or for the several 
 offices of master, wardens, assistants, or clerk. And do hereby humbly beseech 
 
216 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 tation of the grocers was in attendance, came forth, and with 
 a very kind aspect received them ; where Sir James Edwards, 
 at the request of the rest of the members, presented the pe- 
 tition and instrument, and declared to his majesty, in the 
 presence of the lord keeper, lord chief justice, and many of 
 the nobility, that his loyal subjects the grocers (the company 
 his majesty had been graciously pleased to mark with a double 
 stroke of his favor, in condescending so low as to become a 
 member of their fraternity,) had no sooner read the writ of 
 quo icarrantOj but they called their assistants and consulted, 
 and soon resolved upon their duty ; and, summoning their 
 commonalty together, they had unanimously (not one dis- 
 senting member) agreed that a short humble address, which, 
 together with the instrument under their common seal, in the 
 name of the whole company of grocers, they humbly presented 
 at his majesty's feet j and so on his knee presented them, 
 which his majesty most graciously received, declaring to them 
 he was a member of their company, and that they might 
 assure themselves of all kindness and favor he could, accord- 
 ing to the laws, bestow upon them. And so his majesty went 
 to chapel, dismissing the whole assembly without hearing 
 other persons, and committed the company's petition to the 
 care of Sir Lionel Jenkins, with particular command to take 
 care of his company ; and that Sir Lionel Jenkins has since 
 got the same referred, and declared himself very zealous and 
 affectionate to serve this company to the utmost in his power; 
 that all care and diligence have since been used to search 
 records and make preparation that the company may have 
 a confirmation of their charter to the best benefit and ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 The Merchant Tailors' new charter was received and pub- 
 lished on the 6th of January, 1684; and, in obedience to the 
 directions accompanying it, the new master and wardens took 
 their several and respective oaths, that is to say, " the oaths 
 of allegiance and supremacy, and the oath prescribed and 
 
 his majesty to accept of this their surrender, and do, with all submission to his 
 majesty's good pleasure, implore his grace and favor to regrant, by the said master, 
 wardens, and assistants, a charter wherein the naming and choosing of the said 
 oflicers and the said liberties and franchises, or so many of them and in such 
 manner as his majesty in his great wisdom shall judge most conducive for the 
 government of the said company, and with and under such resenations, restric- 
 tions, and qualifications as his majesty shall please to appoint. In witness, <fec.'* 
 
QUO WARRANTO, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 217 
 
 mentioned in an act of Parliament made for the good govern- 
 ment and regulation of corporations in the 13th year of his 
 now majesty's reign, together with the several oaths of mas- 
 ter and wardens for the due execution of their offices respec- 
 tively, and also subscribed to the declaration prescribed and 
 mentioned in the act aforesaid, before Peter Paravicini, alder- 
 man of London, and Sir William Dodson, knight, as by his 
 said majesty's letters patent were directed." And the said 
 Peter Paravicini, alderman of London, and Sir William Dod- 
 son, knight, Daniel Baker, George Wallis, &c. (naming the 
 rest of the Merchant Tailors' court,) took the oaths of alle- 
 giance, and of supremacy, the oath prescribed in the afore- 
 said act of parliament, together with the oaths of the assistants, 
 for the due execution of their offices, as did the company's 
 clerk, John Milner. 
 
 The above did not complete the measure of the company's 
 servility. An entry in their books immediately afterwards 
 states "That upon consideration of his majesty's gracious 
 charter, it was thought fit and unanimously voted that the 
 whole of the court should wait upon his majesty with an 
 humble address in writing, to give his said majesty thanks 
 for his gracious charter granted to this company ; and also 
 to wait on the illustrious Prince James, Duke of York." The 
 communication of the king's answer is thus noticed : This 
 day the Right Hon. Sir George Jeffreys, knight and baronet, 
 lord chief justice of England, did this court the great honor 
 to declare that his most sacred majesty did with pleasure 
 accept of this court's unanimous thanks to his sacred majesty 
 for his most gracious charter given and granted to them, and 
 would excuse the court's attendance and waiting on his said 
 majesty, because it would (being the first example and pre- 
 cedent) be a charge upon the several and respective corpora- 
 tions in England to do the same, or words to that effect ; 
 and therefore his majesty would be pleased to excuse the 
 court's attendance thereon. Whereupon, and after that the 
 said lord chief justice had been waited upon by the whole 
 court to the hall gate, the said court immediately sate ; and, 
 considering the great and extraordinary honor his lordship 
 had been pleased to confer on the court that day, it was 
 thought fit, and so ordered that a present in plate be forth- 
 with presented to the said lord chief justice from this court 
 
218 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 to the value of 100/., to be raised by 50s. apiece of every 
 assistant of this society, and that G. Torriano, esq., master- 
 warden of this society, be treasurer for the same." 
 
 Charles's new charters to the companies, granted after the quo 
 luarranto, commence with a recital of the instrument of surren- 
 der of the wardens and assistants, and proceed to state that his 
 majesty is graciously pleased to grant them another charter, 
 under such restrictions as he shall think fit. He incorporates 
 them by their ancient name ; to have perpetual succession ; 
 and to have power, yearly, to choose wardens, with the pro- 
 viso that they must hold communion with the church of 
 England, that they shall have received the holy sacrament 
 according to the form prescribed by the church within six 
 months before, and that after their election they shall, before 
 they act, take the several oaths, and subscribe the declara 
 tion appointed by act of parliament. The wardens' and 
 clerks' names are, by a special clause, to be first presented to 
 the king, and if ap])roved, under the sign manual or privy 
 signet, they may proceed to take the oaths ; if, on the con- 
 trary, they are rejected, the courts of assistants are to elect 
 others, and so on, from time to time, until his majesty is 
 satisfied : any election made contrary to this clause to be null 
 and void. The king reserves to himself the power of remov- 
 ing, by an order of privy council, any warden, assistant, or 
 clerk. The said wardens and commonalty are to be subject 
 to the lord mayor and court of aldermen, (who were them- 
 selves to be appointed by the crown,) and who were to ap- 
 prove of all persons admitted to the clothing or livery. Some 
 apparent privileges are added in return for this sacrifice, but 
 all liberty of will and action is effectually destroyed ; the 
 companies are allowed only to exist during the royal plea- 
 sure; "and, as if in bitter irony of the rest, the several 
 instruments close with a confirmation of all charters, grants, 
 usages, and privileges, in and by all things; so that the 
 companies shall not be troubled or molested by the king, his 
 heirs or successors, or any of their ministers, for or by reason 
 of any abuse or misusage for the past." 
 
 James II. 's first act, on his succeeding his brother, Febru- 
 ary 6, 1685, was an attempt to influence the companies' 
 selection of voters. He directed the lord mayor to issue pre- 
 cepts requiring them to return " such loyal and worthy mem- 
 
COMPANIES CHARTERS RESTORED. 
 
 219 
 
 bers as might be judged worthy and Jit to be, by the lord 
 mayor and court of aldermen, approved of as liverymen to elect 
 members to serve for the city of London at the approaching par- 
 liament." What rendered this more glaringly corrupt was, 
 that most of the independent aldermen had been previously 
 put out of their places, and compliant tools appointed by the 
 crov^^n in their room. The merchant tailors, as if in approval 
 of these measures, are stated in their books to have made 
 application, near this very time, to the lord mayor to put up 
 the king's statue in the Royal Exchange.* 
 
 The news of the coming of the Prince of Orange, in 1688, 
 forced from James II. an act of restitution, or rather an hasty 
 order in council, preparatory to the passing of such an act, 
 by vv^hich all restrictions consequent upon the judgment on 
 the quo warranto were repealed. On the 7th of October, a 
 special court of lord mayor and aldermen vv^as held, pursuant 
 to the grants for restoring the City charter, (and which pre- 
 ceded this restitution of the companies,) when an order 
 was made for restoring the liverymen of the several compa- 
 nies of the City to the state they had been in before such 
 judgment, and which order the masters, wardens, and assist- 
 ants, of the several incorporations, were forthwith to put in 
 execution, as were their several clerks to enter the same in 
 their respective books.-f- The abdication of James confirmed 
 this emancipation. The security of the City of London, 
 and its immunities and privileges, being considered on this 
 joyful event essential to the national welfare, the statute 
 
 * In the Merchant Tailors' books we find the following further particulars 
 connected with the after stages of the quo vmrranto. 
 
 Sept. 25, 1687. A precept from the mayor states, that *'by the late charters 
 granted to the several companies of London, it was ordered that his majesty, his 
 heirs and successors, might by order in council, from time to time, displace and 
 remove the master, wardens, and assistants of the several companies, or any of 
 them, and thereupon the place or places of such person or persons so removed 
 shall be void and enumerates the names of persons who were then to form 
 vacancies. And on the 3d of October a second precept, in consequence of a 
 royal mandate from Windsor, notifies the re-admission of the same members 
 so ordered to resign, with a renewal of the company's charter, which was issued 
 to their court on the 11th of October, 168T. They thus announce the grant of 
 their new charter : 
 
 " Nov. 22, 1687. This court having now received letters patent from his 
 majesty, under the great seal of England, relating to the companies of this city, 
 and the choice, admission, and confirmation of their masters, wardens, assistants, 
 and liverymen, doth order that all the clerks of the several companies of this city do 
 forthwith repair to the town clerk, and take out a copy of the said letters 
 patent, to be communicated to and observed by their respective companies, and 
 entered in their company's books.'' 
 
 t Maitland, 1, p. 485-6. 
 
220 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 2 William and Mary passed, which not only reversed the quo 
 warranto against the City, but enacted, as to associated bodies 
 generally, " That all and every of the several companies and 
 corporations of the said city (London,) shall henceforth stand, 
 and be incorporated in such manner and names, and in such 
 sort and manner, as they respectively were at the time of the 
 said judgment given, and every of them are hereby restored 
 to all and every the lands, tenements, hereditaments, rights, 
 titles, estates, liberties, powers, privileges, precedencies and 
 immunities, which they lawfully had and enjoyed at the time 
 of giving of the said judgment. And that as well all surrenders, 
 as charters, letters patent, and grants for new incorporating 
 any of the said companies, or touching or concerning any of 
 their liberties, privileges, or franchises, made or granted by the 
 said late King James, or by the said King Charles II. since 
 the giving of the said judgment, shall be void, and are hereby 
 declared null and void, to all intents and purposes what- 
 soever."* 
 
 Tranquillity and confidence having been restored after the 
 accession of William and Mary, and the privileges and rights 
 of corporate bodies firmly established by parliament, the 
 affairs of the livery companies began to improve. During the 
 interval between that period and the present time, various 
 minor events and changes have occurred in their separate his- 
 tories and government, but nothing suflSciently affecting the 
 whole to demand the continuation of this essay. We shall 
 therefore here conclude with a few words relative to what are 
 called the Companies' 
 
 IRISH ESTATES. 
 
 In the reign of Elizabeth a rebellion having broken out in 
 the province of Ulster, in the north of Ireland, that province 
 was in a great manner depopulated and laid waste. Upon 
 the suppressing of this rebellion great part of the province 
 
 * This act, it should be observed, though it abrogated all charters of James's 
 which were inimical to the companies, or confirmatory of Charles II. 's new char- 
 ters, after the quo-warranto, allowed those restored by James, by his intended 
 act of restitution, or order, in privy council, (and which, in fact, only reinstated the 
 companies as they were before the quo-warranto,) to remain in force, and they are 
 accordingly still acted upon, and in force. William and Mary, in a few instances, 
 granted new charters, not altering the former constitution of the companies, but 
 extending their jurisdiction and right of oversight, as in the case of the Grocers. 
 See account of their company. 
 
COMPANIES* IRISH ESTATES. 
 
 221 
 
 became vested in the crown by forfeiture ; and, in order to 
 re-settle the same, and to establish a colony of Protestants 
 there, particularly in the county of Derry, James I., in 1609,^' 
 made proposals to the mayor and commonalty of London, of 
 such forfeited lands, upon condition of their new planting 
 and peopling the same. 
 
 The proceedings for the purchase commenced by the 
 mayor's sending precepts to the companies, dated July 1, 
 1609, and which were accompanied by a copy of certain 
 "motives and reasons,'' to induce the citizens of London 
 
 " TO UNDERTAKE IN A PLANTATION IN THE NORTH PARTS 
 
 OF Ireland," together with a printed book, containing a col- 
 lection of such orders and conditions as were to be observed 
 by the undertakers, upon the distribution and plantation of 
 the escheated lands in Ulster, " lately received by his lord- 
 ship [the mayor,] from the lords of his majesty's most 
 honourable privy council, and to the said precept annexed. "f 
 The "Motives and Reasons" are long, but very curious. 
 The spots pointed out as fittest for the City of London to 
 plant are stated to be " the late desolated cittie of the Derrie," 
 situated on the river of Loughfoyle, which was navigable with 
 good vessels above the Derry, and the land " at or neare the 
 castle of Coleraine," situate on the river of the Ban, but navi- 
 gable with small vessels only, "by reason of the bar a little 
 above Coleraine." The nature of both these places, (but par- 
 ticularly the Derry,) is stated to be such as, with small ex- 
 
 * This year (1609) seems to have been the age for colonizing. The merchant 
 tailors, on the 7th of preceding month of March, received their precept for the 
 settlement of Virginia. Vide a/i^^, p. J2J. 
 
 t The precept was as follows : 
 
 " To the Master and Wardens of the Companie of 
 
 Whereas, I have latelie received from the lords of his majesties most honour- 
 able privie counsell, a project for a plantation in Ireland, the coppie whereof 
 together with a printed booke you shall receive hereunto annexed, with intimation 
 of his majesties most gracious favour and love to the Cittie of London, to grant 
 unto us the first oft'er of soe worth ie an accion, which is likelie to prove pleasinge 
 to Almightie God, hd^^^- to the Cittie, and profitable to the undertakers. Theis 
 are therefore to will and require you prsentlie to assemble togeather a competent 
 number of foure men of most judgment and experience, to joyne with like num- 
 ber of foure men of evie other of the companies of this Cittie amongst themselves, 
 to consider of and sett downe in writinge such reasons, orders, demands, and 
 other circumstances as are fit to be remembered, required, or reformed, in the 
 undertakinge of so worthie and so ho^^*^- an oc'cion, and certify me in writinge, 
 before the fiveth daye of this instant Julie, the names of such foure of yor. com- 
 panie as you shall soe nominate and appoynt, wherein you are not to fayle in 
 any wyse. From Guildhall, this first daye of Julie, 1609. 
 
 " SEBRrOHT." 
 
222 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 pense and industry, might be made by land almost impreg- 
 nable, and consequently afford perfect security to their inha- 
 bitants. To these towns the king, it is said, would grant cor- 
 porations, and also the whole territory betwixt the holders, 
 measuring 21 miles in length, and including the sea on the 
 north, the Ban on the east, and the river Derry or Loughfoyle 
 on the west; and out of which 1000 acres or more might be 
 allotted to each of the towns for their commons, rent free, 
 whilst the rest could be planted " with such undertakers," 
 (or settlers,) as the City of London should think proper. 
 
 The "land, sea, and river commodities," of the part 
 of Ireland so to be conveyed, are then pointed out ; the lajid 
 is described as well watered, having plenty of fuel, and store of 
 all things necessary for food, not only for home consumption, 
 but exportation ; the soil fertile for tillage ; adapted for the 
 breed of English sheep, and growth in many places of mad- 
 der, hops, and wood; and affording also abundantly fells of 
 all sorts, red deer, foxes, sheep, lambs, rabbits, martins, squir- 
 rels, &c. ; hemp and flax, it is added, grow there more na- 
 turally than elsewhere ; the materials for building, both of 
 houses and ships, are further said to be abundant, there being 
 for the former, timber, stone, lime, slate, and shingle, with pro- 
 per soil for brick and tile ; and for ships every thing in the 
 greatest plenty excepting tar ; also other sorts of wood for 
 different services, as pipe staves, hoopen staves, chess board 
 staves, wainscot, soap, and dying ashes, glass and iron works, 
 iron and copper being there plentyfully founde." The sea 
 and rivers are mentioned as offering equal advantages, and the 
 document finishes by pointing out " the profit that London 
 shall receive hy this plantation J' 
 
 The king's proposals having been received, the mayor and 
 citizens immediately thereon erected a company, consisting of 
 a governor, deputy governor, and 24 assistants, (since called 
 the Irish Society to treat with the crown concerning the new 
 plantation. And the city having resolved to accept the king's 
 proposal, and having raised by contribution among its prin- 
 cipal companies 60,000/. for that purchase, James, by his 
 letters patent, dated March 29, in his 11th year, incorporated 
 such society by the name of " the Governor and Assistants of 
 the new Plantation in Ulster, within the realm of Ireland 
 and granted to them and their successors (upon condition of 
 
companies' IRISH ESTATES. 
 
 223 
 
 their building the town, settling the lands, and doing other 
 services,) various cities, manors, tow^ns, villages, castles, lands, 
 and hereditaments, in the said province of Ulster ; with power 
 to create manors, of any quantities of lands not exceeding 
 1000 acres, of such tenants as were in the letters patent 
 limited ; and to limit to the said several manors so many 
 acres of land, distinct and severed for demesne lands, as 
 should seem necessary and convenient to the society. And a 
 new county was thereby erected, which, uniting the old name 
 of Derry with its new masters', the Corporation and Com- 
 panies of London, is now called London-Derri/,'' 
 
 The new settlement having been thus finished, the towns 
 built, and the lands settled, the whole was mapped and 
 divided by the Irish Society, as nearly as could be, into 
 twelve equal parts ; and the Twelve Companies, who had 
 equally contributed to the raising of the 60,000/. mentioned 
 drew lots for their several shares,* which on receiving, they 
 each named from themselves, their armorial bearings, or other 
 circumstances. Thus the Drapers have their "manor of 
 Drapers the Ironmongers the " manor of Lizard," (lizards 
 being that company's supporters) ,* the salters their "manor 
 of Sal," &c. 
 
 The Irish Society continued to act under the charter of 
 James until the reign of Charles I., when it was revoked and 
 declared void by a sentence of the court of Star Chamber, 
 and the crown resumed the lands as forfeited, on pretence 
 that the covenants of the original grants were not performed : 
 But Charles II., in the fourteenth year of his reign, granted a 
 new charter, confirming the previous one of James, and re- 
 storing to the City and Twelve Companies all their former 
 privileges and estates ; and it is under this charter that the 
 Irish Society continues to act as a corporation. They are in- 
 vested by the crown with the most ample authority to enforce 
 their own regulations for the general objects of the plantation; 
 and, notwithstanding the division of the estates amongst the 
 Twelve chief Companies, such estates are considered to be 
 still under the paramount jurisdiction of the Irish Society, 
 and are liable to contributions, if necessary, in common with 
 the indivisible estates in the society's hands, towards the 
 
 * Concise View of the Irish Society. 
 
224 
 
 HISTORICAL ESSAY. 
 
 general fund for maintaining public works and edifices ; support- 
 ing the civil government of the city of Derry and town of Cole- 
 raine ; repairing Protestant churches and chapels ; establish- 
 ing schools throughout the plantation ; and, generally, for the 
 execution of such measures as tend to promote and improve 
 the civil and religious interests of the tenantry.""^ 
 
 Most of those companies which retain their Irish estates 
 have brought them, by cultivation and liberal treatment of 
 their tenants, into a flourishing condition. Some of them print 
 annual reports of their state, for the use of their members of 
 deputations, previously sent to Ireland for that purpose. The 
 
 Reports of Deputations" of the Drapers' Company, from 
 1817 to 1820, and again in 1827, form a very elegant and in- 
 teresting work, illustrated with a plan, and various pleasing 
 views of their lands and buildings. These reports afford a 
 most gratifying account of the great improvements which have 
 been effected, the additional happiness and comfort thereby 
 conferred on their tenantry, and the general high state of 
 prosperity of their property there. Other companies, it 
 appears, tread in the same laudable steps ; so that the terri- 
 tory of the Irish Society, and of the Livery Companies of 
 London, promises to become, ultimately, the best built and 
 most cultivated portion of Ireland. 
 
 * The " Concise View of the Irish Society," contains the following notices 
 relative to the companies' portions of the Irish estate : 
 
 In 1676, the freeholds held by the following- companies, and the sums they paid 
 as original reserved rents, or acknowledgments of the seignioral right of the Irish 
 Society, were : 
 
 The Grocers having 32 freeholds, paid £2\ 6 8 
 Skinners 26 .. IT 6 8 
 
 Haberdashers 18 .. 12 0 0 
 
 Ironmongers 17 .. 11 6 8 
 
 Mercers 1 .. 0 13 4 
 
 1730. The Goldsmiths' Company obtained the consent of the Irish Society to 
 join with them in making a title to the earl of Shelburne, with whom the company 
 had contracted to sell their manor of Goldsmiths' Hall for 14,100/. 
 
 1737. The Vintners' Company applied to the same society to assist them in 
 making a conveyance to a purchaser of their proportion. 
 
 In 1741, the Haberdashers' Company are mentioned to have sold their propor- 
 tion of Irish estates. 
 
 The merchant tailors' records state that company to have sold their Irish estates 
 in 1727 to William Richardson, esq. for 20/. Qs. Od., reserving a rent charge of 
 150/. per annum, n.b. The Irish Society manages the whole of the estates of 
 the twelve companies for them. 
 
; GREAT LIVERY COMPANIES OF LONDON. 
 
MERCERS' COMPANY. 
 
 SUMMARY FROM VARIOUS AUTHORITIES. 
 
 u #Xhe Mercers were enabled to purchase lands to the value 
 of 20/. per annum the 17th of King Richard II., anno do- 
 mini 1393."f 
 
 " This company was incorporated by letters patent of 
 the 17th of Richard II., 1393, by the name of the Wardens 
 and Company of the Mystery of the Mercers of the City 
 of London, with a licence to purchase in mortmain an estate 
 of twenty pounds per annum. The fraternity is governed by 
 a prime, and three other wardens, and forty assistants, with 
 two hundred and thirty-two liverymen. The company pay in 
 charitable benefactions above three thousand pounds per 
 annum.";}; 
 
 "They consist of 4 wardens, about 40 (but uncertain) assist- 
 
 * We begin the account of the Mer- are correct, and where they are errone- 
 
 cers' Company (as of all the rest,) with ous, as well as supplying their deficien- 
 
 the general historical summary in our cies ; and we shall then proceed to tiie 
 
 three best histories of London, — Strype's regular history of each company, under 
 
 Stow, 1754, Maitland, 1772, and the its proper heads and classes. 
 
 New View of London, 1708, pointing t Strype's Stow, 11, p 258. 
 
 out where the statements in those works I Maitland 's, 1 1 , 1232. 
 
 Q 
 
226 
 
 MEIICEIIS' COMPANY. 
 
 ants, and 283 on the livery, for which the fine is 53s. 4d. This 
 is the first of all the 12 companies, taking place of all others, 
 and are very numerous and rich ; they take no quarterage of 
 those made free thereof ; and public feasts are at the charge 
 of the whole society. I do not find that they are limited to 
 any number of apprentices. Their arms are gules, a demy- 
 virgin, with her hair dishevelled, crowned, issuing out and 
 within an orle of clouds, all proper. This company is patro- 
 nised by the blessed Virgin, and of it there have been several 
 kings, princes, and nobility, and 98 lord mayors."* Hall, 
 Cheapside. 
 
 The Mercers were only partially incorporated in 17th Richard IT. 
 like the other fraternities which have been mentioned, having nei- 
 ther liberty generally to purchase and hold lands, accept gifts, to 
 plead and be impleaded, or to have a common seal. Neither were 
 they entitled, as above, " The Wardens and Company of the Mys- 
 tery of Mercers of the City of London," but " The Commonalty 
 of Mercers of London," or rather, in the original language of 
 their charter, " Homines de Misterise Mercerse Civitatis Lon- 
 don."! In the 20th of Richard II. (there having been wardens 
 previously appointed in pursuance of the powers given them by 
 their incorporation charter,) the company were confirmed with 
 additional privileges,! and 22 Richard II. are stated to have been 
 possessed of " three messuages and shops in the parish of St. 
 Martin, Outwich," towards the maintenance of their poor members, 
 and the support of their chantry.^ The Mercers were again con- 
 firmed by inspeximus, 12 Henry IV., addressed to, and at the peti- 
 tion of, their three wardens, John Coventry, John Carpenter, and 
 William Grove, who were also the executors of Sir Richard Whit- 
 tington.|| In 3 Henry VI. under the denomination of " the Mer- 
 cers of London," the king confirms by inspeximus all their pre- 
 vious grants; and, at the request of the same John Coventry, John 
 Carpenter, and William Grove, " grants to the Mercers to have a 
 chaplain and a brotherhood, for the relief of such of their com- 
 pany as shall come to decay " from misfortunes of the sea. "IF Philip 
 and Mary, in their 4th year, by letters patent, addressed to Roger 
 
 * New View, ii. 611. § Strype, 1, 557. 
 
 t Secunda Pat. de anno 17 Richard || Pat. de anno 12° regis Henrici 
 
 II. p. 4. IV. 24. 
 
 t Tt^rtia et ultima Pat. de anno 20° *f[ Primo Pat. de anno 3° regis 
 
 ugis Richard II. (301.) Ilenrici VI. a Tergo, 18. 
 
GENERAL SUMMARY. 
 
 227 
 
 Martyn, alderman and master, and William Compton, Richard 
 Carroll, Lionel Ducket, wardens ; Elizabeth, in her 2d year, by 
 other letters patent, addressed to Sir Thomas Gresham, Thomas 
 Heton, and Antonio Hickerman, wardens;* and finally, James I. in 
 the eleventh year of his reign, recite and confirm the whole of their 
 predecessors' charters, but without any extension of privileges. 
 On surrendering the above charters and confirmations, in common 
 with the other companies, under the operation of the quo-warranto, 
 24 Charles II., the Mercers received, like them, an entire new 
 charter, granting them a court of assistants, and subjecting them 
 to many other new regulations, which were then imposed, and 
 Avhich charter was confirmed 1 James II. The history of the char- 
 ters of both these monarchs has been given. 
 
 " The List of Freemen Householders of the Mercers' 
 Company," about the year 1537, as preserved in an original docu- 
 ment at the Chapter House, Westminster, only enumerates the fol- 
 lowing 53 persons. The names in capitals were persons of par- 
 ticular celebrity : 
 George Medley. 
 Thomas Burnell. 
 Robert Palmer. 
 Will'm Locke. 
 Will'm Gresham. 
 Will'm Pomeley. 
 John Porter. 
 Will'm Colsell. 
 Robert Chersey. 
 Richard Jervis. 
 Walter Marshe. 
 Robert Codnam. 
 Rowland IIyll. 
 Humphrey Packington. 
 John Ffaire. 
 Edward Burbage. 
 John Garway. 
 Bartholome Brown. 
 
 Thomas Ffuller. 
 John Coke (y** elder.) 
 Andrewe Ffuller. 
 Will'm Coke (y« young') 
 George Robynson. 
 Edward .Waters. 
 John Cortes. 
 Will'm Woodroffe. 
 Richard Wilson. 
 John Colet. 
 Edward Grene. 
 George Ellyott. 
 John Goudge. 
 Will'm Series. 
 Will'm Broke. 
 Roger Starkey. 
 Will'm Castelyii. 
 Rowland Shakerley. 
 In 1701, the return sworn to before the mayor, by John Essing- 
 ton, the company's clerk, states the livery of the Mercers to have 
 amounted to 285. J At the poll for electing members of parlia- 
 Prima pars confirmacon de anno mysterj-es of London. The severall 
 
 John Boys. 
 John Harte. 
 Vyncent Randell. 
 Will'm Lambaud, 
 John Maynard. 
 John Aleyn. 
 Roger Challener. 
 Robert Merydeth. 
 Will'm Hardyng. 
 Thomas Legh. 
 Will'm Rede. 
 Will'm Mounslowe. 
 Cristofer Meryng. 
 Cristofer Aleyn. 
 Richard Etton. 
 John Skynner. 
 John Browne. t 
 
 R. Re. Elizabeth' secundo. 
 
 t Communicated by John Caley, esq. 
 of the Ausjmentation Office, for Allen's 
 History of London, 1828, and is thus 
 headed, "Touchinge the p^^liament. 
 The companies of all the craftes or 
 
 companyes of all the mysteryes, craftes, 
 and occupacions, w^Hn the Citie of 
 London, wth the names of evry freeman, 
 beyinf? householders w'Mn the same." 
 X List of Liverymen in 1701. 4to. 
 
228 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 ment for the City, in April, 1722, the number of the same livery 
 who voted was sworn to amount to 202.* In the " New and 
 Complete Survey of London," 1742, it is stated at 232. f In the 
 List of Liverymen of London," 1796, only 76 of the Mercers* 
 livery voted. 
 
 From the above, it appears that the freemen, householders, or 
 livery of this company, in the reign of Henry VIII. amounted to 
 only 53 persons ; that in 1701 it had almost quadrupled ; and that 
 in 1722, judging from the number who then voted, it had become 
 reduced considerably more than one third ; that in 1742 it had 
 again arrived within 3 of its number at the beginning of the last 
 century; and that it continued varying till its close : no criterion 
 is to be formed from the voters in 1791. The number of the Mer- 
 cers' livery this present year, (1833,) only amounts in the whole to 
 120, whereof there are 1 master, 3 wardens, and 31 on the court 
 of assistants, whose names and residences are given below. § The 
 
 * Poll of Liverymen who voted, X List of the Livery of London who 
 &c. 1722, 8vo. voted. 8vo. 1796. 
 
 t 11, p. 1026. 
 
 § A List of the Master, Wardens, Court of Assistants, and Generality of the 
 fForshipful Company of Mercers, London. 
 
 Master. 
 
 John Roberts Delafosse, esq., 22, Fen- 
 
 church street. 
 
 Wardens. 
 
 John Day, esq., 3, Water lane, Tower 
 street. 
 
 Adolphus Pugh Johnson, esq. Lloyd's 
 
 Coffee-house. 
 James Lester King, esq. 19, Stepney 
 
 green, 
 
 Assistaiits. 
 Barnard, Robert Markland, esq. abroad. 
 Barnes, James, Mercers' Hall. 
 Bicknell, Peter, esq. 38, Bloomsbury- 
 
 square. 
 Bicknell, George, ibid. 
 Bicknell, Robert, ibid. 
 Buxton, Charles, esq. Weymouth. 
 Clark, Nathaniel, esq., 72, Gracechurch 
 
 street. 
 
 Colling^^'Ood, George Lewis Newnham, 
 esq. 
 
 Green, Edmund Francis, esq., 31, 
 Mornington crescent, Hampstead 
 road. 
 
 Green, Charles, esq. 7, Nottingham 
 
 terrace, New road. 
 Hill, General Lord, Horse Guards. 
 
 Holmes, William Henry, esq., Ireland. 
 Johnson, Charles Frederick, esq. 88, 
 
 Piccadilly. 
 Johnson, Octavius Errington, esq. ibid. 
 Newnham, Nathaniel, esq. 49, Upper 
 
 Guildford street. 
 Osborne, Thomas, esq. 36, Leicester 
 square. 
 
 Palmer, Archdale, esq. 22, Fenchurch 
 street. 
 
 Palmer, George, esq. Nazing, near 
 Waltham Cross, and King's Arms 
 yard. 
 
 Palmer, John Horseley, esq. ibid. 
 Parker, Joseph, esq. 
 Porter, Thomas Chinnall, esq. Fulham. 
 Pooley, Joseph Thomas, esq. 1 , Church 
 
 passage, Clement's lane. 
 Poviell, Baden, esq. 18, St. Helen's 
 
 place, Bisbopsgate street. 
 Sutton, Robert, esq. 7, Castle alley. 
 
 Royal Exchange. 
 Sutton, Robert, jun. esq. ibid. 
 Totton, Stevens Dinely, esq. 
 Ward, William Edward, esq. 131, 
 
 Sloane street, Chelsea. 
 Watney, Daniel, esq. Wandsworth, 
 
 Surry. 
 
 Watney, Thomas, esq. Wimbledon, 
 Surry. 
 
GENERAL SUMMARY. 
 
 229 
 
 livery fine, which in 1708 is stated to have been 535. 4c?. is said 
 to be still the same. 
 
 There are no names of sovereigns preserved in printed accounts, 
 who have been members of the Mercers, except of Richard II., nor 
 indeed of many of the nobility, though several of that rank, it will 
 be seen, have sprung from eminent members. The catalogue in 
 Strype's Stow, (1754,) only enumerates 52 mayors who were mer- 
 cers, from 1214 to 1701, contrary to the statement of the New 
 View of London, which reckons 98 up to 1708, only seven years 
 later. Strype's list, however, though nearer the truth, is evidently 
 incomplete, as he mentions several extra names, in speaking of 
 the interments of eminent mercers, in his notices of different 
 churches. 
 
 Wilson, Lestock Peach, esq. King's 
 Arms yard. 
 
 Generality. 
 Aston, George, 7, Dorset place (North) 
 
 Clnphiim road. 
 Barker, Thomas, 6, Kirby street. Hat- 
 to n-^-arden. 
 Barnard, Rev. Markland, London Col- 
 
 ney, near St. Albans. 
 Barnes, William, Mercers' Hall. 
 Barnes, Thomas, Hornsey. 
 Barnes, Charles, 22, Tokenhouse yard. 
 Barnes, Henry Eugene, Highgate road. 
 Barnes, Edward, 22, Tokenhouse yard. 
 Bishop, Matthew Thomas James, 14, 
 
 High Holborn. 
 Bishop, Thomas, ibid. 
 Bishop, Francis Henry, 326, High 
 
 Holborn. 
 Blaksley, Joseph Williams. 
 Booth, Charles, at Mr. Collyer's, 
 
 T, Arbour street. Arbour square. 
 
 Commercial road. 
 Britton, James. 
 
 Chambers, Edmund, 33, Great Pulteney 
 
 street. Golden square. 
 Collyer, Benjamin. 
 
 Coliyer, Nathaniel, 13, John street. 
 
 White-horse lane. Stepney. 
 Collyer, Joseph, 7, Arbour street. 
 
 Arbour square. Commercial road. 
 Collyer, WilUam, 65, St. Mary Axe. 
 Cowland, Joseph, Yorkshire Grey, 
 
 Stratford. 
 
 Foster, William, 5, Ironmonger lane. 
 Foster, William Joseph, ibid. 
 Giles, Joseph, Bow, Middlesex. 
 Green, Charles, jun. 22, Tokenhouse 
 yard. 
 
 Harding, John, 3, Long lane, Smithfield. 
 
 Helm, John Thomas, 6, Brick lane, 
 Whitechapel. 
 
 Heslop, Thomas, 2, Brunswick place, 
 Stoke Newington. 
 
 Holden, Edward Toomes, 19, Chapel- 
 street, Holywell Mount. 
 
 Hodson, Edward, 1, Bishopsgate street. 
 
 Hodson, George, alDroad. 
 
 Howard, Matthew, esq. 29, Throg- 
 morton street. 
 
 Joyce, Francis, Examiner's Office, East 
 India House. 
 
 King, Richard Rogers, 6, Ironmonger 
 lane. 
 
 King, Henry William. 
 
 Knight, Henry. 
 
 Knight, Edward, abroad. 
 
 Lane, William Henry, Mercers' Hall, 
 Cheapside. 
 
 Lane, Thomas, esq. abroad. 
 
 Lane, the Rev. Charlton, 2, Eltham 
 place, Kennington. 
 
 Lane, Charles Thomas, esq. 10, Serle 
 street, Lincoln's Inn. 
 
 Lock, Michael, Brompton, near Cha- 
 tham. 
 
 Mann, Thomas, 15, Queen street. King 
 street, Hackney road. 
 
 Marsham, William, abroad. 
 
 May, James, Bethnal green. 
 
 Newnham, Rev. Francis. 
 
 Newnham, Henry, esq. 46, Wigmore 
 street. Cavendish square. 
 
 Newnham, William, esq. abroad. 
 
 Nicholson, Richard, Hextable Farm, 
 near Foot's Cray, Kent. 
 
 Osborne, Frederick, esq. 2, Church- 
 yard court, Temple. 
 
 Osborne, Charles VVilliam, esq. abroad. 
 
230 
 
 MERCERS COMPAMy. 
 
 Mercer, in ancient times, was the name for a dealer in small 
 wares, and not, as afterwards, a vender of silks. Merceries then 
 comprehended all things sold retail by the little balance, or 
 small scales, (in contradistinction to things sold by the beam, or 
 in gross,) and included not only toys, together with haberdash- 
 ery, and various other articles connected with dress, but also spices 
 and drugs ; in short, what at present constitutes the stock of a 
 general country shopkeeper. The Mercers, in these periods of 
 simplicity, chiefly kept the fairs and markets ; for we learn that, in 
 1290, mercers who attended the French fairs for trading, in some 
 instances, sat on the ground to sell their wares, and only paid a 
 halfpenny toll ; whilst others, who elevated their goods on stalls, 
 paid a penny. The laws of William King of Scotland ordered 
 them to have weights and scales for their merceries.* Childebert, 
 king of France, about 705-6, enumerates merceries amongst other 
 merchandizes subject to pay custom ; and the merchandizes called 
 " merceries" are again mentioned in the Charta Mercatoria of 
 Edward I. (1302,) and in various subsequent authorities, in all in- 
 stances meaning nearly the same aspedlery. 
 
 * Du Cange, in v. 
 
 Palmer, Rev. William Jocelyn, King's- 
 
 arms yard. 
 Palmer, George, jun. esq. King's Arms 
 
 yard. 
 
 Palmer, Francis, esq. ibid. 
 
 Palmer, Edward Howley, esq. ibid. 
 
 Palmer, William, Oxford. 
 
 Palmer, AVilliam, esq. o, Essex court, 
 Temple. 
 
 Palmer, Sir Ralph, abroad. 
 
 Parker, Joseph, jun. 
 
 Parker, Rev. Samuel, Stockport, Che- 
 shire. 
 
 Parker, Thomas, Bocking, Essex. 
 Parker, Nathaniel, Reden Hall, near 
 
 Harlston, Norfolk. 
 Paterson, John, 68, Old Broad street. 
 Pharazyn, Charles Johnson, Lloyd's 
 
 Coilee-house. 
 Plater, James, 61, Compton street, 
 
 Clerkenwell. 
 Powell, Rev. Baden, IS, St. Helen's 
 
 place, Bishopsgate street. 
 Powell, Charles, esq. ibid. 
 Powell, Henry, esq. ibid. 
 Rake, Thomas, Bank of England. 
 Robins, Joshua, Bow, Middlesex. 
 Rol)son, John Chamberlain, abroad. 
 Kolf, John Girdleston, 10, Annett's 
 
 crescent. Lower road, Islington. 
 
 Ship way, John, 1, York street, Kings- 
 land road. 
 
 Shuttleworth, John, 3, Chapel court, 
 Poultrj'. 
 
 Smith, Rev. John, Trinity Hospital, 
 Greenwich, 
 
 Smith, William, Trinity Hospital. 
 
 Smith, William, Blue Anchor, Bark- 
 ing, Essex. 
 
 Sparrick, Thomas. 
 
 Stodhart, Samuel Lake, abroad. 
 
 Sutton, James, esq. 7, Castle alley. 
 Royal Exchange. 
 
 Sutton, Rev. John, ibid. 
 
 Sutton, George Frederick Prince, esq. 
 6, Basinghall street. 
 
 Totton, Rev. William Jurin, Debden 
 Parsonage, near Safl'ron Walden, 
 Essex. 
 
 Totton, Rev. AVilliam Church, Dean's 
 
 yard, AVestminster. 
 Vines, Richard Grendey, 14, Temple 
 
 street. Hackney road. 
 AA'atney, John, esq. Clapham road. 
 A\''atney, James, esq. AVandsworth, 
 
 Surry. 
 
 AVathen, Halbert, esq. 22, Fenchurch 
 street. 
 
 AV'illiams, Thomas Frederick, 12, Ho- 
 mer street, Lambeth. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 231 
 
 " The chapman of such merceric.''—GowER, Conf.Am. b. 2.* 
 
 The silk trade, f which in later ages formed the main feature of 
 the mercers' business, is stated, in the act 33 Henry VI. c. 5, to 
 have been carried on by " the silkwomen and throwsteres of Lon- 
 don," and who, in petitioning for that act, pray, that the Lorn, 
 bards and other strangers may be hindered from importing wrought 
 silk into the realm, contrary to custom, and to the ruin of the mys- 
 tery and occupation of silk-making, and other virtuous female oc- 
 cupations. Other acts to prevent the importation of the foreign 
 silk manufacture were passed, at the like petition of the men and 
 women of the mystery and workmanship of silk," in anno 1 and 
 22 of Edward IV., 1 Richard IIL, and 1 and 19 of Henry VU. 
 That there was a considerable silk trade during all the above 
 reigns, however, is not to be doubted, though it was for ages so 
 confined that it by no means formed a leading article of the mer- 
 cer's trade. Cotton's Remains, instances silk as one of the ''luxu- 
 rious articles, the immeasurable use whereof grew here about 
 1573;" its consumption subsequently was abundantly increased, 
 notwithstanding the sumptuary statutes of Elizabeth; for Camden, 
 in his history of that princess, published soon afterwards, says, 
 *' the people, or richer sort, wear silks glittering with gold and silver, 
 either embroidered or laced." In the reign of James I., Sir Bap- 
 tist Hicks, and others, raised themselves to high rank and affluence 
 as retail silk-mercers. 
 
 The antiquity of the Mercers as a metropolitan gild may be 
 traced as far back at least as to 1172, the society being a few 
 
 * The petition of the Commons, as dini, in his account of the Netherlands, 
 
 to merchant-strangers, 2 Rich. H., speaking- under the year 1560, similarly 
 
 both mentions mercers attending fairs, explains merceries at that late period, 
 
 and the sort of articles they dealt in. He says, " To Naples and Antwerp 
 
 It prays, That all the merchant- they sent Netherland and English cloths 
 
 strangers, at whatsoever city, burgh, and stuffs in abundance, tajtestry, linen, 
 
 sea-port, fair, market, &c. they may in vast quantities, and several sorts of 
 
 stay with their merceries {bona et mer- merceries, as well of metals as of other 
 
 c/mow/rt,) may be under the king's pro- materials." This description of mer- 
 
 tection ; and that as well such mer- ceries, Anderson observes, as well jis 
 
 chants alien, as denizen, and who dealt another, where he says, ' merceries, as 
 
 in corn, fish, and other victuals, as well w^ell of silk as of other materials," 
 
 as in all mannfer of spices, fruits, and " seems to include toys, as well as 
 
 furs, or little merceries, may, at Lon- what we now call haberdashery ware." 
 
 don, and at all fairs and markets, buy f " Silk was used for many ages wilh- 
 
 and sell in gross, or in parcels, of whom out its origin and nature being known, 
 
 they please, and when they please," Two monks first imported the eggs of 
 
 The same petition, in another part, the silk-worm in the reign of Justinian, 
 
 specifies "napery, linen, canvass, and and thus developed the secret. It was 
 
 other gross merceries, together with all of rare use among the Anglo-Saxons ■ 
 
 mcmner of gross merchandizes not ex- but got into more general use alter the 
 
 pressed. Rot. Pari. iii. 47. Guiccar- Conquest." — Enoyclop. of Antif/. inv. 
 
232 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 years afterwards named as patrons of one of the great London 
 charities. Its remote origin is also to be inferred from Robert 
 Searle, mercer, being mayor as early as 1214. The first positive 
 mention of them, however, as such, is not till 1296, when the 
 company of Merchant Adventurers are stated to have arisen out 
 of " the Guild of Mercers of the City of London," being a sort of 
 English merchants, who first began to attempt the establishment 
 of a woollen manufacture in England towards the close of king 
 Edward the First's reign, when they obtained privileges from John 
 Duke of Brabant, and stapled themselves at Antwerp, joining in 
 society with them all the other English merchants resorting thither. 
 
 This is the account," says Anderson, " which the Merchant Ad- 
 venturers give of their origin, in 1638, to the grand Committee for 
 trade of the House of Commons, on their defence against the 
 accusations of the separate traders, then called by that company 
 * interlopers.' "* The calendars of the Inquisitions ad quod Dam- 
 num, 14 E<'iward II. (1321,) again mention the Fraternity of 
 Mercers as possessing a rent-charge in St. Mary Colechurch 
 parish, which will be presently noticed. In 1406, the branch of 
 this trade styled Merchant Adventurers in their charter, granted 
 by Henry IV., are called the " Brothers of St. Thomas a Becket;" 
 a prelate, it will be seen, whose family was particularly connected 
 with the early history of the Mercers, and which circumstance car- 
 ries their origin, as one of the trading gilds, nearly as far back as 
 the Conquest. 
 
 The Mercers' first station, in the reign of Henry II., was in that 
 part of the Warda Fori, or Chepe, where Mercers' Hall now 
 stands, and in the above Colechurch parish ; but they removed 
 soon afterwards higher up on the south side of Cheapside, between 
 Bow church and Friday street, to which they gave the name of the 
 Mercery. On this spot, adjoined by a large meadow on their 
 south, called " Crownsild," with the old Cheapside cross in the 
 midst of the high street, or market, and surrounded by the gold- 
 smiths, bakers, butchers, pepperers, and other trades, the spot 
 must have exactly resembled the country fairs they had been origi- 
 nally accustomed to frequent : here, at the beginning of their 
 settlement, they sold the merceries, or mixed wares, which have 
 been described, at little stalls or standings. " For I read," says 
 Stow, speaking about the year 1296, " of no houses otherwise on 
 that side of the street, but of divers sheds, from Sopars lane to the 
 
 * History of Commerce, i. p. 231, 6 vols. 8vo. Dublin, 1790 j and see also 
 Journals of the Commons, a.d. J 638. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 233 
 
 Standard. Among others, I read of three shops or sheds by Sopars 
 lane, pertaining to the priory of the Holy Trinity, without Aid- 
 gate ; one was let for 285., another for 205., and the third for II5. 
 a year. Moreover, that Richard Goodchepe, mercer, and Mar- 
 gery his wife, (which Richard was son of Jordan Goodchepe,) did 
 let to John Darlings the younger, mercer, their shed or chambers 
 in Westcheap, in the parish of St. Mary de Arches, for 35. 4g?." 
 
 The mercers may be presumed to have most importantly ex- 
 tended their commerce before the reign of Edward III. from the 
 contention which had then grown up between them and the Lom- 
 bard merchants. An instance of this animosity occurred in 1351, 
 when a violent assault was committed on Francicso Bochel and 
 other Lombards by the mercers of the Old Jury. The king issued 
 his warrant on this occasion to the mayor (John Lovekym), com- 
 manding him to hold an inquest, and in the mean time to seize 
 and imprison the offenders in the Tower. In the return the jurors 
 state the outrage to have happened on the Midsummer-day of that 
 year, when they found that " one Henry Forester, mercer, Thomas 
 de Waldon, mercer, and Thomas Meleward, mercers, had, in the 
 Old Jury, in the ward of Coleman strate, with force and arms, and 
 of their malice aforethought," violently assaulted Francisco Bochel 
 and Reynard Flanny, Lombards, against the king's peace ; and 
 that one Richard Phelip, mercer, was abetting and assisting : and 
 conclude that they had been unable to find any just cause for such 
 outrage.* 
 
 The Sumptuary Act, 37 Edward III., proves the Mercers 
 to have sold in that reign woollen cloth, but no silks. It ordains 
 that clothiers shall make suitable quantities of cloth of the various 
 prices which are specified ; and that mercers and shopkeepers in 
 towns and cities shall keep due sortment thereof, so that the 
 laws be duly observed." 
 
 In the reign of Henry VI. the Mercers had become extensive 
 dealers in silks and velvets, and had resigned their trade in the 
 smaller articles of dress to the haberdashers, who appear, from the 
 description in London Lickpenny, to have kept market in the 
 adjoining stalls or standings : 
 
 Then to the Chepe I began me drawne, 
 
 into gan 
 Where mutch people I sawe for to stand ; 
 
 I satve stand moche people 
 One ofred me velvett, sylke, and lawne, 
 bad come nere and by fine cloth of 
 
 * City Records, lib. viii. 79. 
 
234 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 An other he taketh me by the haunde. 
 
 Paris thred, cotton, and umple ; 
 
 Here is Parys thread, the fynest in the launde." 
 I seyd there upon I could no skyle. 
 
 It is difficult to say whether the Mercers had at this time become 
 themselves importers of the silks they sold, whether they were 
 brought over by the Lombard merchants, or whether they were 
 fabricated by the London silkw^omen ; but it is certain that, for a 
 considerable time before, the Mercers' Company, in consequence of 
 the adoption of a distinct line of traffic by those called Merchant 
 Adventurers, had become a mixed body of merchants and shop- 
 keepers. This is alluded to in their incorporation charter, which 
 states, the impoverishment of several men of the mystery often 
 by misfortunes of the sea," and the wish of the fraternity to make 
 some provision for such, to be the reason of the king's grant ; and 
 the fact further appears in their many eminent members before 
 and after that period, who, though called mercers, are well known 
 to have been merchants.^ First in rank of these, if not priority 
 of date, was VVhittington, whose romantic legend, notwithstand- 
 ing what has been said of him in our Historical Essay, will always 
 continue to delight and stimulate the youthful fancies of every 
 rising generation, and whose cat, (whether, according to the face- 
 tious Foote, the name of the coal craft, with which he traded, or an 
 actual animal of that species,) added to his own enterprising 
 mind, raised him, according to his epitaph, to be the " Flos mer- 
 c itorum,'' or flower of his brother merchants. Nor was the illus- 
 trious Gresham behind him, except in order of time. Indeed, it 
 is evident, from various circumstances, that the gilds of both Mer- 
 cers and Grocers were in very early times gilds of merchants, which, 
 though having an admixture of shopkeepers amongst them, always 
 kept up the consequence of the former character, as ihey both do 
 
 * Lady Camden, widow of Sir Bap- 
 tist Hicks, in her bequest to the Mer- 
 cers, in 1642, not only makes a direct 
 distinction between the co)n?nercial and 
 iradi/ii^ parts of the company, or the 
 merchants and shopkeepers, but appa- 
 rently between those amongst the latter, 
 who still sold silks in the Mercery, or 
 were dealers in them elsewhere. Her 
 intent was to assist young freemen, 
 beginning business as shopkeepers, with 
 the gratuitous loan of 1000/., exclu- 
 sively of the livery, which we are left 
 to infer consisted only of the merchants 
 and greater sort not needing such as- 
 
 sistance ; and she therefore provides, 
 that " shopkeepers of the Mercery shall 
 be preferred, and next silkmen ; all 
 being of the company of Mercers, and 
 not of the liuery of the same company." 
 As both freemen and liverymen must 
 have been equally " of the company," 
 the meaning herew^as evidently to sepa- 
 rate the mercer or silkman, from the 
 merchant, both of which, we shall see, 
 w'ere sometimes combined in the same 
 member, and sometimes distinct. — Fide 
 note at j). 240 ; and see also, under 
 this Compariy, Art. " Money Lega- 
 cies.^'' 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 235 
 
 in a considerable degree at present; and it might have been 
 owing to this circumstance that those two companies first took 
 precedence of the rest. 
 
 The importance of the Mercers at the death of Whittington was 
 evenced by their being left trustees, in 1421, of the college and 
 almshouses founded by him on College-hill. The original ordi- 
 nances of this chariry, with a curious illustration of Whittington 
 dying, constitute part of the company's remaining documents, and 
 contain portraits of the first three wardens, Coventry, Grove, and 
 Carpenter. 
 
 In 1411, the three succeeding wardens, Spileman, Marchford, 
 and Whatile, had a grant from Henry IV. of premises in Cheap- 
 side, described as " one new soldam, shed, or building, with shop, 
 cellars, and edifices appertaining ; and the building called ' Crown- 
 sild,' situate in the Mercery in Westcheap, London." They were 
 to be holden in burgage, as all the city of London is, and were 
 worth 11. \3s. Ad. annually, as was found by inquisition before 
 Knowles, the mayor. This soldam was a large stone gallery, or 
 royal standing, next Bow Church, which was built by Edward III. 
 for viewing tournaments and other spectacles, for which Cheapside 
 was so famous anciently, and which is amply noticed by Stow. 
 The same wardens subsequently assigned the above premises to 
 Sir William Waldron, mercer, mayor in 1412, and in 1423. 
 
 Lib. K. p. 206,* amongst the City records, has, about this time, 
 a petition from the Mercers to the corporation of London, to be 
 exempt from serving on juries. 
 
 In 1513 the Mercers were licensed to receive lands to the value 
 of 20Z. a year from dame Joan Bradbury, widow of Thomas 
 Bradbury, mercer, and late lord mayor of London, for the main- 
 tenance of certain superstitious uses specified, and the performance 
 of works of charity, as will be found under its proper head. The 
 remarkable circumstance which justifies a particular mention of 
 the occurrence here, is, that the land purchased on this occasion 
 was no other than that now immensely valuable tract which is 
 covered by New Bond street and its neighbourhood, and then 
 called "Conduit Mead;" a property, which had this company 
 retained, it would more than quadrupled the value of all their 
 present estates. 
 
 In pursuance of the king's grant on this occasion, and of other 
 letters patent of his 6th year, the bishop of Norwich and others, 
 
 • Pu. 23r.'— 233? Jor. H, iol. 106. 
 
236 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 by deed dated in 1517, granted to the Mercers' Company " 29 acres 
 of land, with the appurtenances, in the parish of St. Marylebone; 
 and 20 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, and 60 acres of pasture, 
 in the town of Westminster, and in the parishes of St. Giles's and 
 St. Martin in the Fields, to the annual value of 13/. 6s. Sd., in 
 part satisfaction of the said 20Z. a year." In what manner," 
 say the Reports on the Public Charities, *' this property was dealt 
 with, after the suppression of the superstitious uses charged upon 
 it, is involved in much obscurity, and does not seem material on 
 the present occasion to be ascertained. There remain of it at 
 present in the company's possession about eight acres and a half, 
 forming the north side of Long Acre, and the adjacent streets.* 
 What follows will explain the obscurity complained of: 
 In 1522 the Mercers borrowed 400Z. of the Charter-house mo- 
 nastery, Smithfield, for which they agreed to pay an annuity of 
 13Z. 6s. 8d. to that convent. The Mercers were to pay this fee- 
 farm rent by equal quarterly portions in St. Thomas of Aeon's 
 church. The agreement, with an after transfer of the above- 
 mentioned land, are preserved in the act 28 Henry VIII. c. 44. 
 The agreement states that — 
 
 " Where afore tyme John Kyme, citezen and alderman of the 
 citie of London, Symon Ryse, John ClyfFord, and John Yellyn, 
 wardens of the mystery or crafte of m'^ cers, in the said citie, and 
 the co'ialty of the same mystery by their deede sealed wyth theyre 
 co'en scale, beryng date the tenthe daye of Apryll, in the xiij^^ 
 yere of our most dread sov^' ayn lord kyng Henry the viij*^ 
 with theyre co'en assent and wyll, for the some of iiij'^''- sf iyng, to 
 them by Will'm Tymbygh, pryour of the howse of the Salutricon 
 of the mother of God, of th' order of Charter-house, nygh London, 
 to them aforehande payd, gave and granted to the said prioire 
 and to the cov'ent of the same house, a certeyn annuyte or yerly 
 rent of xiij. vi'- viij'^- To be payd at the aulter of Seynt Thomas 
 the martyr, in the northe parte of the body of the chyrche of Seynt 
 Thomas the martyr, in London, called Seynt Thomas of Aeon." 
 And that it had been " enacted by aucthoryte of this present 
 
 * Mercer street, one of these, still and for which the warden and com- 
 
 commemorates the Mercers' property pany then paid to the crown 13*. 4(1. 
 
 on thid spot. This, with other adjoin- per annum. " Mercer street" itself is 
 
 infT places, anciently parcel of Elm said, in the same Survey, to have then 
 
 Clover, Long Acre, are described in had on its west side ten tenements, 
 
 the Parliamentar>' Survey, (1650,) at worth 250/. per annum, and large 
 
 the Augmentation office, as having con- gardens reaching down to Cock and 
 
 stituted "part of the possessions of Pye ditch, which formerly encircled 
 
 Charles Stuart, late king of England," tbe site of the Seven Dials. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 237 
 
 Parlyment, that the kyng owr sou'^eyn lorde, his heires and suc- 
 cessours, shulde have, holde, and enjoye one meadowe, called 
 CoNDUYTE Mede, and Ivj acres of lande in the paryshe of Seynt 
 Martyn, nyghe Charyng Crosse, whyche the seyde wardeyns and 
 co'raltye of the said mystery or crafte of mercers now beying, 
 late had to them and theyr successors." 
 
 In exchange, or *' recompence," as it is termed, for this most 
 valuable estate, a country manor, named Hasyllyngfeld, was 
 assured by the act of parliament to the company, and by them 
 again conveyed and assured to the Charterhouse, as a security 
 for the fee-farm rent mentioned. 
 
 In 1561 we find the Mercers to have been an actual trading 
 company, and, conformably to what is at present understood by 
 the name, dealers in silk. A notice from the Grocers' minutes, 
 under this year, informs us, that the wardens of the Mercers' 
 were summoned before the Queen's council " for uttering and 
 selling velvetts, sattens, and damaskes,'' at the great prices they 
 did,, considering that her Majesty had brought her base coin to 
 as fine a coin as ever was in England; which baseness of coin 
 had thentofore been theirs, and others' excuse, for the high prices 
 of all manner of wares ; and that the nobility perceived no amend- 
 ment of the prices of the said sorts of silks, to the great offence of 
 her grace." The Mercers' Company properly answered, that they 
 had no authority over those who sold silks, unless they were 
 members of their own company, and that retail dealers of other 
 companies were much more faulty ; in proof thereof, they requested 
 their honours to send for the Grocers, and take them to task, pro- 
 raising for themselves " to make such reform as would give 
 satisfaction." 
 
 Stow writes of them, after this time, as consisting " much of 
 such as sold rich silks brought from Italy, who lived chiefly in 
 Cheapside, St. Lawrence Jewry, and the Old Jewry ;" adding, in 
 another part of his survey, " these mercers are generally mer- 
 chants." 
 
 In 1698, the Mercers' Company engaged in a scheme which 
 nearly annihilated the whole of their funds. It was that of grant- 
 ing annuities at 301. per cent, to widows of clergymen, according 
 to sums paid by their husbands. This plan was suggested to the 
 company by Dr. Asheton,* as a means which would enable them 
 
 * Rector of Beckingham, Kent. Ac- to subscribe 100/.; married men, under 
 cording to this scheme, married men of forty, any sum not exceeding 500/. ; 
 the age of thirtj', or under, were allowed under sixty, any sum not exceeding 
 
238 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 to pay a load of debt with which they were then encumbered. 
 Considerable sums were subscribed on these terms, but the an- 
 nuity was found too large; it was afterwards gradually lowered to 
 18/. per cent., but still without the company being able to sustain 
 the charge. In 1745 they were obliged to stop, and after several 
 ineffectual struggles, to apply for the aid of Parliament. On the 
 16th of February, 1747, a petition from " the Wardens and 
 Commonalty of the Mystery of Mercers," was read in the House 
 of Commons,* which stated — 
 
 " That the company had lent to King Charles the First, and to 
 the Parliament and City of London, in the troublesome times of 
 that reign, several sums amounting to 10,000/. and upwards; 
 that they were the devisees, under Sir Thomas Gresham's will, 
 jointly with the City of London, of several estates for maintaining 
 the Gresham lectures, and performing several charities. That on 
 the destruction of the Royal Exchange by the fire of London, 
 King Charles II. being desirous that it should be rebuilt in a more 
 magnificent manner, they had contributed, jointly with the City of 
 London, in purchasing ground for its greater commodiousness, and 
 the rebuilding thereof; whereby, and by the money so as aforesaid 
 lent, they had expended several sums which had been left them 
 for charitable purposes, and had also incurred a large debt." 
 
 They then give an account of Dr. Asheton's annuity scheme, 
 and state as the result, "that Michaelmas, 1745, they found 
 themselves indebted to the said charities, and to their other 
 creditors, in 100,000/. and upwards. That the annuities they 
 were then liable to pay amounted to 7,620/. per annum; and 
 that the subscribers for annuities in expectancy amounted to 
 10,000/. a year more; while, to answer these claims, the whole of 
 their then income only amounted to 4,100/. per annum. 
 
 This petition having being referred to a committee, their report 
 thereon was brought up to the House on the 8th of the following 
 March : it stated, amongst other curious particulars of the Mercers' 
 history, that — 
 
 " Having examined the matter, according to proofs produced to 
 them, (the Committee,)! they had found the 10,000/. in question 
 
 300/. ; their widows, as above, to receive * Journals of the House of Com- 
 
 305. per cent., unless the person sub- mons, vol. 2.5. 
 
 scribing should have committed suicide, t The vouchers mentioned to have 
 
 have been killed in a duel, or executed ; been shown to the Committee on this 
 
 in which cases the subscription money occasion were, "The Second Warden's 
 
 was returned. Seafaring persons were Fair Book, for the year ending 1641 ; 
 
 not allowed to subscribe. the like, for the years 1066, 1667, 
 
ORIGIN ANM) HISTORY. 
 
 239 
 
 to liave been lent at five different sums, at five diilerent times, 
 viz. 3030/. lent to King Charles I. in the year 1640; 6,500Z. lent 
 to the Parliament in 1642; 88/. on account of arms delivered 
 from the company's armoury to the Parliament in the same year; 
 71/. 135. 4c?. on account of a similar delivery of arms to the City; 
 and the further sum of 3,200/. lent to the City in the same 
 year. 
 
 The above sums, it appears, were lent compulsorily, on letters 
 from the lord mayor, backed, in the one instance, by the king and 
 a majority of his peers; and, in the other, enforced by Parlia- 
 ment through the means of the City; and which latter had been 
 obliged itself, by precept, to become also a borrower of the com- 
 panies, in order to satisfy the rapacity of the parties who alternately 
 swayed the government. 
 
 In consequence of these proceedings, the company was enabled, 
 by Act of Parliament, 4 George III., to issue new bonds, and to 
 pay them off by a lottery, drawn in their own hall ; and by this 
 means its affairs have been long retrieved ; and it is at present one 
 of the most flourishing in London.* 
 
 About the beginning of the eighteenth century, the alterations in 
 the Mercery, and the part removal of the mercers from it, which 
 took place soon after the fire of London, are thus noticed by 
 Strype. 
 
 Beyond the Great Conduit, on the south side of Chepe, are 
 now fine and large houses, for the most part inhabited by mercers, 
 up to the corner of Cordwainer street, which, however, in former 
 times, were but sheds or shops, with terraces over them, as of late 
 some remained at Sopar lane end, where a woman sold roots and 
 herbs. But these sheds or shops, by encroachments on the high 
 street, are now largely built on both sides, outwards, and also 
 upwards towards heaven, four or five stories high."t 
 
 1684, and 1713-14." " An Inventory 
 of such Arms of the Company for the 
 service of the City, 5th May, 1643." 
 "The Gresham Repertory." "An 
 ancient Book, called Evidences of 
 Dean Colet's Lands," supposed in his 
 own handwriting ; " Dean Colet's Will, 
 1511." " The Will Book," an ancient 
 book of copies of instruments, about 
 the reign of Henry VIII. " Antient 
 tenm-es of the Colet Estates," mostly 
 dated in 1575 and 1577, with a plan of 
 the Stepney property, made 1615. 
 
 The Act mentioned (4 George 
 III.) states that the Mercers had there- 
 
 fore paid 548/. 1*. on account of their 
 trust charities, and that 3000/, a year 
 had been granted them towards liquida- 
 ting their own embarrassments, for a 
 term of thirty-five years, from the duties 
 on coals, by two Acts of Parliament of 
 the 21st of Geo. II. 
 
 t Strype's Stow, 1, p. 556. How 
 thickly the mercers must have congre- 
 gated in ancient times in and about the 
 Mercery, will be seen below, from the 
 notices of their residence and burial in 
 St. Mary-le-Bow, and the adjoining 
 parishes : 
 
 In Boio church was buried, 1425, Sir 
 
240 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 Taubman, in his pageant of London's Jubilee," 1686, 
 attempts, ingeniously enough, in his address to the Mercers, to 
 account for their ranking as the Jirst company, and that they 
 adopted, as such, the virgin for their conuzance. 
 
 *' As London has the precedency of all other cities in England, 
 so have you the priority of all the companies of London, being the 
 first that was founded a society in the reign of King Richard the 
 Second. 'Twas then as an emblem of antiquity, having obtained 
 the rnaidenhead of all charters and corporations, you were en- 
 dowed with that honourable hieroglyphic of primitive innocence, 
 the Virgin, for your coat; to whose magnificent state, in your 
 Triumphal Chariot, you have this year so highly contributed." 
 
 Unfortunately the poet's compliment, like most similar ebullitions 
 of fancy, wants authority. The Mercers, we have seen, were not 
 the first incorporated company, though they are at present first in 
 rank; for the goldsmiths, merchant tailors, and skinners, were as 
 fully incorporated long before them. Elkanah Settle, on the in- 
 auguration as mayor of Sir William Gore, in 1701, more authenti- 
 cally comments on the company's ancient union of mercer and 
 merchant. 
 
 " As you precede the whole city in honour, so you lead in mag- 
 nificence, the expense and glory of one single virgin chariot, of 
 the Honourable Company of Mercers, far exceeding the whole 
 
 John Coventry, just named; Nicholas 
 Alwhie, mercer, and mayor, 1499 ; 
 John Dunne, mercer, and a parish- 
 ioner, who left two houses in Bow lane 
 for the maintaining of Bow bell ; John 
 Howe, mercer, 1478, and John Baldry, 
 mercer, who each gave money towards 
 the erection of Bow steeple ; also An- 
 drew Fuller, mercer, who is mentioned 
 as being one of the churchwardens of 
 Bow church, on its being finished, in 
 1516. Of later distinguished residents 
 here, notices will be found under the 
 head " Eminent Members." In St. 
 Pancras church, Sopar lane, fnow 
 Bow lane,) were buried the following 
 mercers, viz. John Barnes, mayor, 
 1370; John Stockton, mayor, 1470; 
 John Dunne, (see above,) and Robert 
 Pakenton, mercer, whom Stow men- 
 tions to have been maliciously shut, 
 " as he was going from his house in 
 Cheap, to hear morrow-mass in St. Tho- 
 mas church of Aeons, anno 1536. 
 
 Farther oil", but still connected with 
 this neighbourhood, we meet with the 
 residences or burials of these ancient 
 
 mercers of eminence, viz. : In St. An- 
 t holmes church, Watling street, Alder- 
 man Dauntsey, mercer, and alderman 
 of the staple, 1542. (This last entry 
 singularly corroborates the connexion 
 between the mercers and the merchant 
 adventurers, already noticed, as does 
 the next, their union of mercer and 
 merchant.) "Sir Roger Martin, mer- 
 cer and merchant,'^ 1573; William 
 Essex, mercer, is mentioned as hold- 
 ing tenements in Goose lane, adjoin- 
 ing St. Antholin's church, as early as 
 26th of Edward III. ; Sir Harry Colet, 
 mercer, and mayor, and father of the 
 celebrated Dean Colet, although buried 
 at Stepney, resided here, and had the 
 effigies of himself and family in St. 
 Antholin's church. Finally, in St. 
 Sythes, or Benet Sherhog, (anciently 
 situated in St. Sythes lane, adjacent,) 
 there were monuments (or John Frirgh, 
 mercer, 1394 ; Henry Frowick, mercer, 
 mayor, 1435; and Sir Ralph Warren, 
 mercer, mayor in 1553, (who was a 
 remote progenitor of Oliver Cromwell.) 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 241 
 
 charge and grandeur of any common entertainment from other 
 foundations, on the like public occasion. But this costly piece of 
 state, so peculiarly your own, is in a high manner owing to the 
 generous veins that chiefly compose your society ; a society that 
 more prides itself in desert than crowds, whilst, with a particular 
 caution, rarely practised in any city roofs but your own, you care- 
 fully avoid the miscellaneous conflux of all manner of professions 
 that generally form the other companies, and more honourably 
 keep up the quality of your members to their title ; whilst the 
 Mercer and Merchant, those most eminent figures in com- 
 merce and trade, make up the chief body of your constitution." 
 He adds, The short triumph of a day is, however, the least of 
 your honour. You have raised yourselves more lasting monu- 
 ments to aggrandize the renown of the Mercers; witness not only 
 your several foundations of charily, but of literature too. The 
 famous school of St. PauVs is a pile that sufliciently records your 
 praise. Nor does that magnificent nursery of infant students 
 alone resound your fame. A Mercer's Chapel is a generous 
 Alma Mater, even to that riper race of learned heads, viz. in 
 those numerous Ecclesiastical Donations, all in your own dis- 
 posal; that even piety and religion come suppliants to your gates; 
 whilst no less than the Church itself stands a debtor to your 
 bounty and patronage." 
 
 It has been noticed, as a curious singularity, that in the Mer- 
 cers' Company there is scarcely a single mercer at the pi esent day. 
 Their mercantile character they still keep up, many of them being 
 eminent merchants, as they were anciently ; and perhaps this may 
 account for the fact of there having been so many lord mayors of 
 this company. Strype, as an instance, speaks of " that renowned 
 merchant. Sir Thomas Gresham, who built the Royal Exchange, 
 and founded the lecture at Gresham College," and was at the same 
 time a member of the Mercers ; adding, " and none, successively 
 for many years, have been masters of the company but knights, 
 aldermen, or sheriffs, (or such as have fined for the latter offices,) 
 or having some other honourable qualification." 
 
 Campbell, (London Tradesman, 1757,) speaking of the modern 
 silkmercer, says, He is the twin brother of the draper, only the 
 wooUendraper deals chiefly with the men, and is the graver 
 animal of the two; and the mercer traffics most with the ladies : 
 the latter dealing in silks, velvets, brocades, and an innumerable 
 train of expensive articles for the ornament of the fair sex. Their 
 business requires a great capital to make a figure." 
 
 R 
 
242 
 
 MERCEKS COMPANY. 
 
 Taylor, the water-poet, (juotes the follovving list of stuffs in 
 which mercers dealt a century earlier : 
 
 Alass I what would our silk mercers be, 
 
 What would they do, sweet Hempseed I but for thee? 
 
 Rash, Trifeled, ParopfP, andNovato, 
 
 Shagoe, Filzetta, Damaske, and Mochado." 
 
 The Constitution of the Mercers' Company, as granted by 
 their early charters, was the same as that of the other ancient gilds 
 already noticed, viz. perpetuity as a corporate body, with the over- 
 sight and government thereof, (implying the right of trade search 
 and making of ordinances,) and annual election of their principals 
 and officers, agreeably to the original fundamental principle of all 
 the fraternities, by and from the assembled community," or in 
 the words of their incorporation charter : — 
 
 That they from thenceforth might have a perpetual community 
 of themselves, and that the same community every year might have 
 power to elect and make four wardens from the men of the same com- 
 munity,*' (etq[uo]d eadem co[mmun]itas sing[u]lis annis elig[e]re 
 possent et fac[e]re Quatuor Custodes de Ho[m]i[ni]b[u]z d'car 
 co[mmun]itatis et mistere,)" to oversee, regulate, and govern the 
 community and mystery aforesaid, and all the men, state^ and 
 affairs thereof for ever. 
 
 To these were added, by the above, and the subsequent charters 
 we have enumerated, liberty to possess estates to a limited amount 
 for charitable purposes; to establish a chaplain and a chantry ; to 
 have a common seal, " for the sealing and use of the business 
 of the said community; that they might be persons able in law to 
 implead and be impleaded, and various minor privileges. 
 
 The charter 33 Charles II., and which we shall abridge merely as 
 a specimen of this, and the other companies' grants on this occa- 
 sion, the same (as has been fully explained,) having now no validity, 
 states the surrendering up by the company of all their powers^ 
 franchises, liberties, privileges, and authorities to the king, toge- 
 ther with their power of appointment and election to the separate 
 offices of master, wardens, assistants, and clerk of the said incor- 
 poration, and the acceptance by the crown of the same; and, in 
 consideration of such surrender^ grants That all and every the 
 freemen of the mystery of Mercers of London'^ shall thencefor- 
 Avard for ever be a body corporate and politic^ by the name of 
 * Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of the Mystery of 
 Mercers of the City of London,' with perpetual succession,, 
 
CONSTITUTION AND (I O V i: H N M F, N T. 
 
 and shall under such name be capable of possessing estates of 
 whatsoever kind, in fee, perpetuity, term of years, or otherwise, as 
 well as goods, chattels, and credits of every species, and sliall be 
 empowered to alienate and assign the same away, and to do all 
 necessary acts for the purpose; and that by their said corporate 
 name they may sue and be sued, answer and be answered, defend 
 and be defended, in all courts and before any the king's judges or 
 other persons whatsoever in all actions, &c." 
 
 It grants them permission to have a common seal, and to remake 
 and alter the same at their pleasure; and fnrth r grants, that 
 thenceforth there may and shall be yearly, four of the company 
 elected and nominated in manner thereafter mentioned, one of 
 whom shall be, and shall be called ma iter of the company, and 
 the other three wardens, and likewise that there shall be tTdrty or 
 more of the company, in form thenafter mentioned, constituted and 
 appointed, and who shall be and be called assistantSy to aid r.iid 
 assist the master and wardens in all things touching the mystery ; 
 and that for the better management of such matters, concerni ig- 
 the mystery, the company may have and hold a certain h.ill or 
 council-house, in the city or liberties ; and that the said master 
 and wardens, or any two of them for the time being, may iirs cfK n 
 as to them shall seem fit, call together and hold v.iihin tuch li.i'.l 
 or house, a court or convocation of the said master, v/arc!ens, and 
 assistants to the number of twelve or more, of whom the master 
 and wardens, or a separate deputation of them shall be four, v»ho 
 shall be able to make statutes and ordinances to the best of their 
 judgments, for the good government and rule of the rest of the com- 
 pany; and it further 
 
 Grants that the master, wardens, and assistants, to the luinibar 
 of twelve, of which the master and wardens as aforesaid shall be 
 four, on public summons by them made of the coi .pair. , shall 
 have full power from time to time to make such statutes and ordi- 
 nances in writing as to them, twelve or more of them, v/hereof the 
 master, &c. to be four, shall to the best of their judgment secnj 
 fit, for the good government, direction, and correction of the co.ii- 
 pany, and of all persons free thereof, and using and exercising the 
 mystery, and also for directing in what manner the master, war- 
 dens, and fellowship, and of every freeman using and exercising 
 the mystery, shall in their offices and mysteries, behave themselves 
 for the public good and benefit of the same, and of all things tlic ie- 
 unto appertaining; and that such court of twelve, <fvc. may 
 often as need shall be make such laws, &c. as aforesaid. 
 
 a 2 
 
244 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 For the due observation of the same laws, it empowers the said 
 court of twelve to inflict such punishments, pains, and penalties, by 
 fines and amerciaments on delinquents, as such court shall think 
 fit, and also to recover the same by action, distress, or in any other 
 way, for the use of the company, in any of the king's courts, and 
 without composition to him or his successors. 
 
 It ordains that every clerk of the company aforesaid to be named 
 and elected, shall before his admission to office be presented to 
 the king for his approbation, and that on approval by him, he shall, 
 on taking the oaths, as then fixed upon, be admitted ; but that on 
 the king's refusal of him such election shall be void, and in such 
 case the master, wardens, and assistants for the time being, or 
 the major part of them, shall proceed to a new election, and tlie 
 person who shall be chosen shall in like manner be presented 
 and approved of before he shall be admitted. And it also 
 
 Provides that all elections of any other master, wardens, assist- 
 ants, and clerk of the company, which shall be made contrary to 
 the aforesaid directions and restrictions, shall be void ; and more- 
 over, that the king by an order in council shall have power to dis- 
 place any master, wardens, or court, when such place or offices 
 shall be considered vacant, and new persons elected, who shall 
 take the oaths provided as before mentioned ; and 
 
 Wills that the company shall be obedient to the lord mayor and 
 court of aldermen ; that no person frequenting conventicles or not 
 a member of the Church of England, be admitted to the livery; 
 and that all persons admitted on the livery shall be approved by the 
 lord mayor, and take and subscribe the oaths of supremacy and 
 allegiance; and that no assistant then on the court shall remain with- 
 out a new election. And lastly, confirms all former grants and privi- 
 leges, and permits them to hold land to the clear yearly value of 
 200/. per annum. 
 
 The Government of the Mercers' Company is administered by the 
 usual description of principals, assisted by similar officers, as are 
 common to most of the other trading societi'js, but the number 
 and nature of such principals, as well as the style of the company 
 itself, have differed from time to time. In their incorporation 
 charter we find the fraternity addressed as " the Men of the Mys- 
 tery of Mercery of the City of London." In the subsequent will 
 of Whittington, (1421,) the principals are designated "Keepers 
 of the Commonalty of the Craft of Mercerie in the City of Lon- 
 don ;" Henry the Vl.'ths confirmatory charter is simply addressed 
 
 to the Mercers of London ;" Dean Colet's will, in 1511, to " the 
 
CONSTITUTION 
 
 AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 245 
 
 Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Mercerie of the City 
 of London." In the year 1522, Conduit-mead is conveyed to the 
 Charter-house by " the Wardens of the Mystery and Crafte of 
 Mercers in the Citie of London and com'alty of the same Mystery," 
 with " theyr co'en assent and wyll.'' In 1537, we find the list of 
 livery given at the beginning of this article, (as similarly in the 
 other companies,) styled " the Freemen Householders" of the Com- 
 pany. Alderman Dauntsey's will, 1242, bequeaths " to the War- 
 dens and Fellowship of the Mercers of the City of London;" and 
 Gresham's, in 1575, to " the Wardens and Commonalty of the 
 Mystery of Mercers of London." Banks, in his charity, given 
 1619, directs the profits of certain premises to be assigned to the 
 renter-warden of the company of Mercers for the time being, and 
 that the wardens and commonalty should perform the trusts therein 
 mentioned; and similarly, Fishborne's will, in 1625, but which 
 mentions the husband warden ;" the charter of Charles IL, just 
 quoted, is directed to the " Master, Wardens, and Generality of 
 the Company." Their first charter we have seen was addressed 
 to them by the Latin designation of " Homines Mister ce Mercer cb, 
 London.'" The present list of the company designates those not 
 on the court as " the Generality of the Mercers." 
 
 Four wardens, as govenors, are allowed by their incorporation 
 charter. Three only, petition for the confirmation of Henry IV. 
 Four wardens, the first being an alderman of London, are again 
 mentioned in 1522. The charter of Charles II. allows the court 
 to elect four wardens, one of whom shall be called master; and 
 allows thirty or more assistants. In the New View, 1708, the com- 
 pany is stated to be governed by four wardens, and about forty 
 (but uncertain) assistants; Maitland, 1777, by "a prime, and 
 three other wardens, and forty assistants." The present govern- 
 ment, as we have seen, is vested in a master, three wardens, and a 
 court of assistants. The duties, mode of election, and other regu- 
 lations connected with the principals and officers of the Mercers' 
 Company, assimilate so nearly to those which have been already 
 described in our prefatory essay, and which will be found repeated, 
 in substance, in the instance of other companies, that we for- 
 bear to enlarge on them here. Their principal meetings are, in 
 fact, to inspect the various matters connected with their estates, 
 and the distribution of their numerous charities ; — taking appren- 
 tices, admission of freemen, and other routine business, usual with 
 the rest of the companies, only applies in a very minor degree to 
 the mercers, which continues, in all respects, what it has been 
 just described, a select Company. 
 
246 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 LORD MAYORS OF THE MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Tlie masters, wardens, and other principals of the Mercers' Com- 
 pany, who arrived at the dignity of lord mayor, according to 
 Strype's list, were as follows : 
 
 Date. Name. 
 1214^ 
 
 1217 I 
 
 1218 I 
 
 "12 19 Miobert Seade. 
 
 1220 
 
 1221 { 
 
 1222-^ 
 
 lot^ i Simon Francis.' 
 
 IdOD > 
 
 lo5o ^ ^Ydam Francis. 
 1354 S 
 
 . ; John liarnes. 
 13^2 S 
 
 1373 John Piel. 
 
 Adam Staple. 
 Henry Frowicke. 
 Sir John Frowicke. 
 
 Residence. 
 
 Bishopsgate 
 street. 
 
 Old Jewry. 
 
 Buried. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
 St. Helen's, Bishopsgate street. 
 St. Pancras, Sopar lane. 
 
 Sir Rich. Whittington. Tower Royal. College-hill. 
 
 1377 
 1394 
 1395 
 1398 
 1407 
 1420 
 1402 
 1400 
 1413 
 142 
 
 1415 Sir Thomas Falconer. 
 1425 Sir John Coventrie. 
 
 St. Benet Sherhog. 
 
 Sir John Chadworth.^ 
 Sir John Woodcock.^ 
 
 ^ i Sir William Waldron.'* 
 
 Mercery, West 
 Cheap. 
 
 St. Mildred's, Bread street. 
 St. Alban's, Wood street. 
 
 St. Mary-le-bow. 
 
 ' Simon Francis must have posses^^ed 
 great wealth ; for, by iiiqiii.-itioii 32 
 Edward 111., lie was found to have died 
 .seized (among other estates) of, in 
 London and Middlesex, the manor of 
 Norlhul, Northal, Blenchappleton ma- 
 nor, (hy iMinciiig lane, now called 
 Blind Chapel court,) Hertford court, 
 the manor (d I)()rnc^ Acton, Fulham 
 manor, liar we (Harrow), Harwe 
 manor, Fychislye (Fincbley), Stan- 
 more manor, and Risseley. 
 
 The conduit upon Cornhill was 
 during bis mayoralty made into the 
 prison called the Tun. 
 
 3 This mayor caused all the wears in 
 the Thames, from Staines to the Med- 
 way, to be destroyed, and the trinks to 
 be burnt. 
 
 * Son of Geoflery Walderne, of Wal- 
 derne, in Sussex. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 247 
 
 Date. Name. Residence. 
 
 1438 ] Aldermanbury. 
 
 1445 I ^^'^ Jlenry Frowicke.^ ^ 
 1437 Sir John Tresbut. 
 
 1446 Sir Robert Large 
 
 1447 Sir John Olney.* 
 1450 Sir Thomas Charlton - 
 1453 Sir Geoffry Fielding.6 )> Unknown. 
 1453 Sir Geoffry Bullen ' 
 1455 Sir William Marrowe.s 
 1462 Sir Henry Wyche 
 1466 SirRalphe Varney.'o 
 1471 Sir John Stockton.i' 
 1474 Sir John Tate. 
 1479 Sir Richard Gardiner.^^^ 
 1481 Sir John Browne.'^ 
 
 1496 \ ^^^"'^ ^""^^^'^ 
 1489 Sir Robert Tate.' 
 1491 Sir John Matthewe.'s 
 1491 Sir Hugh Clopton.>7 Lothbury. 
 
 1497 Sir William Purchase.'^ Lawrence lane. 
 John Tate the younger.'^ 
 
 1500 ^lir Nicholas Alwyn. 2^ Mercery, 
 
 Buried. 
 St. Mary, Aldermanbury. 
 
 St. Sithe's by Bucklersbury. 
 St. Thomas's Aeon. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
 St. Pancras, Sopar lane. 
 
 St. Ma. Magd. Milk st. (1497.) 
 
 Stepney. 
 
 Allhallows, Barking. 
 St. Martin Ongars. 
 St. Marg. Lothbury. 
 St. Lawrence Jewry. 
 
 St. Mary-le-bow. 
 
 ' Son of William Eastfield, of Tickel, 
 in Yorkshire. 
 
 ^ Son to Henry Frowicke, of Mid- 
 dlesex. 
 
 3 Son of Sir Thomas Large, mercer, 
 born in London. 
 
 * Son of John Olney, of Coventry. 
 
 * Son to Thomas Charlton, of Dun- 
 stable, Bedfordshire. 
 
 ^ Son to William Fielding, of Lut- 
 terworth, Leicestershire. 
 
 Son to Geoffry BuUen, of Salle, 
 in Norfolk. 
 
 ^ Sir William Marrowe, though said 
 here to have been a mercer, was indis- 
 putably a grocer, as will be hereafter 
 seen. 
 
 s Son of Richard Wyche, of Wic 
 Mulban, Cheshire. 
 
 '° Son of Ralph Verney, born in 
 London. 
 
 '1 Son to Richard Stockton, of Bra- 
 toft, Lincolnshire. He was one of the 
 twelve aldermen who were knighted for 
 opposing the bastard Falconbridge. 
 
 Son of John Gardiner, of Essing, 
 in Suffolk. 
 
 *3 Otherwise called John de Werks, 
 son to John Browne, of Okeham, hi 
 Rutlandshire. 
 
 1* Son to Robert Colet, of Wendo- 
 ver, Bucks, and father to Dean Colet. 
 The new cross In West Cheap was 
 beautifully rebuilt by him. 
 
 *5 Son to Thomas Tate, of Coventry, 
 and brother of Robert, mayor, 1489. 
 
 IS First a linen draper, but translated 
 to the mercers. He was son to Thomas 
 Matthewe, of Sherrington, Bucks. 
 
 '7 He built the bridge at Stratford, as 
 see p. 252, 
 
 Son to John Purchase, of Gamel- 
 ingley, Cambridgeshire. In his mayor- 
 alty all the gardens in Moorfields were 
 made plain. 
 
 Son of John Tate, born in Lon- 
 don. In his mayoralty, the appoint- 
 ment of Serjeants, yeomen, clerks, and 
 secondary to the sheriffs of London, 
 took place. 
 
 ^'^ Son to Rich. Alwin, of Spalding, in 
 Lincolnshire. He gave twelve pence a 
 piece to 3000 poor people in London, 
 and the like to the poor of Spalding. 
 
248 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 Date. 
 1507 ] 
 1513 1 
 1508 
 1509 
 
 1513 
 
 1520 
 1523 
 1526 
 1536 
 1527 
 1530 
 1537 
 1544 
 1538 
 1540 
 1542 
 1548 
 1550 
 1559 
 1565 
 
 1568 
 1572 
 
 Name. 
 
 Sir Richard Haddon.» 
 
 Sir William Browne.'^ 
 Thomas Bradbury (in 
 
 part.)^' 
 Sir William Browne, 
 
 (in part.)'' 
 Sir John Tate, (served 
 
 out the year.)^ 
 Sir James Yarford.^ 
 Sir Thomas Baldry.' 
 
 I Sir John Allen.® 
 
 Sir Thomas Seimour.* 
 Sir Ralph Dodmer.^o 
 
 I Sir Ralph Warren.' i 
 
 Sir Richard Gresham.'^ 
 Sir William Mollis.'^ 
 Sir Michael Dormer.*"* 
 Sir John Gresham.'^ 
 Sir Rowland HilL'^ 
 Sir Thomas Leigh.*'^ 
 Sir Richard Mallery.' 
 
 Sir Roger Martin, 
 Sir William AUen.^" 
 
 Residence. 
 
 Golden Key, 
 
 Mercery. 
 Sopar lane. 
 Bishops. Ch. 
 then St. Paul's. 
 
 Buried. 
 
 St. Olave, Hart street. 
 
 St. Ma. Aldermanbury (1 508.) 
 St. Stephen, Coleman street 
 (1509.) 
 
 ^Unknown. 
 
 St. Mich. Bassishaw (1527.) 
 St. Thomas of Aeon. 
 
 Mercers' Chapel. 
 
 St. Leon., Shoreditch (1535.) 
 St. Stephen, Walbrook. 
 
 St. Sythe's, Watling street. 
 
 St. Lawrence, Jewry. 
 
 St. Helen, Bishopsgate street. 
 
 St. Lawrence Jewry (1542.) 
 
 Basinghall Chapel (1556.) 
 
 St. Stephen, Walbrook (15 61.) 
 
 Mercers' Chapel. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 St. Antholin's,Wat.st. (1573.) 
 St. Botolph,Bishopsgate street. 
 
 ^ Son to William Haddon, citizen 
 and mercer, of London, 
 
 2 Son to John Browne, citizen and 
 mercer, of London. 
 
 3 Son to William Bradbury, of 
 Broughton, Herts. 
 
 * Son to John Browne, described 
 above. 
 
 5 See account of him, p. 252. 
 
 6 Son to William Yarford, of Kid- 
 welly, in Wales. 
 
 ' Son to Richard Baldry, of Stone 
 market, Suffolk. 
 
 8 Son to Richard Allen, of Thach- 
 stead, Essex. 
 
 ^ Son to John Seimour, of London, 
 fishmonger, and grandson of Robert 
 Seymom-. 
 
 Son to Henry Dodmer, of Pick- 
 ering Leigh, Yorkshire: was translated 
 Irom the brewers to the mercers. 
 
 " Son to Thomas Warren Fuller, 
 
 and grandson of William Warren, of 
 Tevring, Essex. 
 
 Son to John Gresham, of Holt, in 
 Norfolk. 
 
 12 Son to Matthew Hollis, citizen 
 and baker, of London. 
 
 14 Son to Geoffery Dormer, of Tame, 
 in Oxfordshire. 
 
 1^ Son to John Gresham, of Holt, 
 Norfolk, and brother of Sir Richard 
 Gresham. 
 
 16 Son to Thomas Hill, of Hodnet, 
 in Shropshire. 
 
 •■^ Son to Roger Leigh, of Welling- 
 ton, in Shropshire. 
 
 18 Son to Anthony Mallery, of Pap- 
 worth, Cambridgeshire. 
 
 19 Son to Lawrence Martin, of Mil- 
 ford, Suffolk. 
 
 20 Son to William Allen, citizen and 
 poulterer, of London, and grandson to 
 Richard Allen, of Hendon, Herts. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 249 
 
 Date, 
 
 1573 
 1604 
 1607 
 1645 
 1656 
 1671 
 1687 
 1688 
 1694 
 1697 
 1701 
 
 Name. 
 Sir Lionel Ducket. 
 Sir Thomas Benet.» 
 Sir Henry Roe.2 
 Sir Thomas Atkins.^ 
 Sir John Dethicke.* 
 Sir Richard Ford.^ 
 Sir John Peake.^ 
 Sir John Chapman^ 
 Sir Thomas Lane.^ 
 Sir Edward Clarke.^ 
 Sir William Gore.'° 
 
 Residence, 
 St. Peter, Wood street. 
 
 > Unknown. 
 
 Buried. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
 EMINENT HONORARY MEMBERS. 
 
 King Richard the Second, a Free Brother. 
 Queen Elizabeth, a Free Sister. 
 
 Accounts state that there have been several kings and princes 
 members of this society," but they do not particularize more than 
 the above two sovereigns; nor have the company themselves 
 knowledge of any other. 
 
 NOBILITY SPRUNG FROM MERCERS. 
 
 1. Sir Adam Frauncis, (1354 :) his daughter and heiress married John 
 Lord Montacue, earl of Salisbury, mother to Thomas Montacue, the last earl 
 of that name. 
 
 2. Sir John Coventry, (1425,) son of William Coventry, of the city of 
 Coventry; ancestor of the present earl of Coventry. 
 
 3. Sir GeofFery Bullen was grandfather of Thomas earl of Wiltshire, father 
 to Anne Bullen, and grandfather to Queen Elizabeth. The highest genealo- 
 gical honour the city ever possessed. 
 
 ^ Son to Thomas Benet, of Wal- 
 lingford, Berks. 
 
 2 Son to Sir Thomas Roe, citizen 
 and merchant tailor, of London. 
 
 3 Son of John Atkins, of King's 
 Lynn, Norfolk. 
 
 4 Son of John Dethicke, of West 
 Newton, and grandson of Edward 
 Dethicke, of Middleton, Norfolk. 
 
 5 Of the West Country. He was 
 sometime of Exeter. 
 
 6 Son ahd heir of Sir William 
 Teake. 
 
 Son of John Chapman, grocer, of 
 Milk street, and grandson to Chapman, 
 of Bridgnorth, Salop. 
 
 ^ Said in the catalogue of mayors 
 to have been a clothworker, and was 
 so, from the account of his pageant, as 
 see Nichols' Pageants, p. 118. 
 
 ^ Son of — Clarke, of Lincoln, 
 apprentice to his uncle, George Clarke, 
 Esq., mercer, in Cheapside. 
 
 10 Son of William Gore, of Sandy 
 Chapel, Surrey, attorney- at- law. 
 
250 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 4. Sir William Hollis was ancestor of the earls of Clare, afterwards the 
 ducal family of Newcastle. 
 
 5. Sir Michael Dormer, (1542,) produced the future lords Dormer. 
 
 6. Sir Thomas Baldry, (1523:) his daughter mamed the lord Rich, who 
 was ancestor of the lords Kensington, and whose progenitor was Richard 
 Rich, mercer. 
 
 7. Sir Thomas Seimour, (1527:) from him sprung the Seymours, dukes of 
 Somerset. 
 
 8. Sir Baptist Hicks. He was ancestor of the viscounts Camden. 
 
 9. Sir Rowland Hill gave origin to the respectable family of baronets of 
 the same name, which was raised to the peerage in the person of the present 
 lord Hill. 
 
 N.B. Lord Hill is at present a brother of the Mercers' Company. See list 
 of the Livery. 
 
 10. James Butler, ancestor of the earls of Ormond. (reg. Hen. VI.) 
 
 11. Sir GeofFery Fielding, (1452,) was privy counsellor to Henry VI. and 
 Edward IV., and ancestor of the earls of Denbigh. 
 
 The following biographical notices are chiefly from Strype's 
 Stow: 
 
 CHARITABLE AND HONOURABLE ACTS OF MERCERS, 
 
 William Elsinge, Mercer, was the founder, in 1332, of Elsinge 
 spital within Cripplegate, for one hundred poor blind men, and 
 became the first prior of his own foundation. "Richard Whittington, 
 (1421,) began the library of the Grey Friars, in London, to the 
 charge of 400/. His executors, with his goods, built and founded 
 Whittington College, for the poor, with almshouses "for thirteen 
 poor men, and divinity lectures to be read there for ever. They 
 repaired St. Bartholomew's Hospital in Smithfield; they partly bore 
 the charges of the paving and glazing of the Guildhall ; they also 
 bore half the charges of building the library there ; and they built 
 the west gate of London, of old time called Newgate." 
 
 John Stockton, (1471,) mayor, and eleven of the aldermen of 
 London, with the recorder, were all made knights in the field by 
 Edward IV. for their good service done to him in resisting the 
 bastard Falconbridge. 
 
 Dame Joan Bradbury's gift of Conduit mead has been men- 
 tioned; and her bequests to support other charities will be found 
 in the Report of the commissioners on public charities : they 
 extend to several parishes. 
 
 William Elkin, mercer and alderman, (1593,) gave to Christ's 
 Hospital in London, and for charitable uses, the sum of 800/., 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 251 
 
 besides leaving sums for relieving prisoners; and 601. to the 
 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. 
 
 William Walthall, mercer and alderman, gave to the hospitals 
 of London 200/. To poor scholars in Cambridge 91. yearly. To 
 relieve prisoners in and about London 135/. And lOZ.. yearly to 
 Christ's Hospital. Besides his charities to his own Company, and 
 for which, see under that head. 
 
 Simon de Frauncis, (1343,) lent the sum of 800/. to King 
 Edward IIL towards the carrying on of his French wars. 
 
 1544, (36 Henry VOL) amongst the eminent citizens of the 
 twelve companies who lent that King money upon lands mortgaged 
 to them, we find the following names (and sums) of the Mercers'. 
 
 Sir Ralph Warren, mayor .... £500 
 
 Sir Rowland Hill 300 
 
 And the three Greshams between them . . 1,673 6 8. viz. 
 Sir Richard Gresham .... 500 
 
 Sir John Gresham 800 
 
 William Gresham, mercer .... 40 
 
 Strype mentions, amongst the eminent mercers living in the 
 Mercery, Cheapside, about the time of Hen, VIH. one John Hare, 
 who, he says, dwelt at the sign of the Crown, adding, " perhaps 
 the same Crown of which we have that pretty odd story in our 
 chronicles. He was of an ancient family in Suffolk, who left a 
 fair estate behind him to his children, that were divers, besides his 
 charitable legacies." He died anno 1561. " His 4*^- son, to 
 whom he left great wealth, continued his father's trade at this 
 same sign of the Crown. Here his father owned a great mansion 
 place, as his will describes it, with gardens, orchards, lawns, 
 lands and tenements, in the parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate; ano- 
 ther tenement in More-lane, in the same parish, with a yard, 
 tenter yards," &c. And, amongst other liberalities, he left to the 
 Mercers 12/. a year ' for a banquet.' He is also said to have be- 
 queathed 35 rings of fine gold, weighing near | of an ounce each, 
 to various friends, amongst whom was Sir Thomas Gresham and 
 wife. Alderman Leigh, Alderman Jackman, Alderman Martin, &c. 
 " All this I have extracted from Mr. Hare's last will," says the 
 writer quoted, to shew the wealth accruing to the citizens in 
 former times by their trades and diligence therein ; and likewise 
 their charities and generosities." — Strype i. p. 555. 
 
 Sir Baptist Hicks, just mentioned, was a great mercer in Cheap- 
 
262 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 side at the accession of James I., and made a vast fortune by sup- 
 plying the court with silks and rich mercery wares, " when that 
 monarch and his bare Scotch nobility and gentry came in." " He 
 was first knighted, afterwards created Viscount Camden. It is said 
 he left his daughters a hundred thousand pounds a piece. He built a 
 large house in St. John's street, for the Justices of Middlesex to 
 hold their sessions, which, till its demolition, on the erection of the 
 new sessions house, on Clerkenwell Green, retained the name of 
 Hicks' s Hall." Strype says that he was one of the first citizens 
 that after knighthood kept their shops, and being charged with it 
 by some of the aldermen, he gave this answer, first, " that his 
 servants kept the shop, though he had a regard to the special 
 credit thereof, and that he did not live altogether upon the in- 
 terest, as most of the aldermen did, laying aside their trade after 
 knighthood." 
 
 John Barnes, mayor, (1371,) gave a chest with 3 locks, and 
 1000 marks therein, to be lent to young men upon sufficient 
 pawn ; and for the use tiiereof to say De Profundis, or Pater 
 Noster, and no more. He was also a great builder of St. Thomas 
 the Apostle parish church. 
 
 Thomas Falconer, mayor, (1414,) lent Henry V., towards his 
 French wars, 10,000 marks on jewels. Moreover, he made the 
 postern called Moorgate, and did many other things for the good 
 of the City. 
 
 1438, William Eastfield conveyed water to the conduit in Fleet- 
 street, to Aldermanbury, and to Cripplegate ; conveyed by will 
 sweet water from Tyburn, with a fair conduit at Aldermanbury 
 to receive it; he made also the standard in Fleet-street, by Shoe- 
 lane end ; and further conveyed water to Cripplegate. 
 
 Robert Large, mayor, (1440,) left to his parish church of St. 
 Clave, Southwark, 200/.; to St. Margaret, Lothbury, 251. ; to 
 the poor 201.; to London bridge, 100 marks; towards arching 
 over the water course at Walbrook, 200 marks ; to poor maids' 
 marriages 100 marks; to poor householders 100/. 
 
 Edward Rich, sheriff, (1442,) founded almshouses at Hoddesdon, 
 in Herts. 
 
 GeoflTry Bullen, mayor, (1458,) by will left liberally to the pri- 
 sons, hospitals, and lazar houses; besides lOOOZ. to poor house- 
 holders in London, and 200Z. to poor householders in Norfolk. 
 
 Hugh Clopton, mayor, (1492,) built the great stone arched 
 bridge at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, and did many other 
 things of great charity. See Stow's Summary. 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 253 
 
 John Tate, brewer, then a mercer, (1514,) caused his brewery 
 of the Swan, next St. Anthony, Threadneedle-street, to be de- 
 molished, in order to enlarge that church, then new built, and in 
 great part at his charge. This was a goodly foundation, with 
 almshouses and a free school. 
 
 Sir John Allen, privy-counsellor to Henry VIII., buried at 
 Mercers* chapel, and the founder thereof, left a rich collar to the 
 City, to be worn by the mayor, and which was first worn by Sir 
 William Laxton. He gave 500 marks to be a stock for sea coal, 
 his rents from lands purchased by the king to the poor of the city 
 wards in perpetuity, besides numerous legacies to different public 
 charities. 
 
 Sir Rowland Hill, mayor, 1550, made several causeways for 
 horse and foot. He built four different bridges, two of which 
 were stone bridges of eighteen arches. He founded a free school 
 at Drayton, in Shropshire, and gave 500L to Christ's Hospital, 
 
 Sir John Gresham founded a free school at Holt, in Norfolk ; 
 gave 10/. each to the 26 wards of London; gowns to 120 poor 
 men and women, each containing three yards of broad cloth, of 
 8c?. or 9c?. a yard; and to maids married, and London hospitals, 
 above 200/. 
 
 The celebrated Sir Thomas Gresham, his son, is well known for 
 his magnificent foundation of the Royal Exchange and Gresham 
 College, of which latter the lectures are still kept up, besides 
 almshouses for the poor, and numerous other charities. 
 
 Alderman John Haydon, (1583,) left great sums for charities, 
 of which an enumeration will be found in Strype. 
 
 The Dress, or Livery of the Mercers (which, it has been stated, 
 had, in common with that of other companies, become fixed about 
 the reign of Charles I.) varied in some slight particulars from the 
 rest : it seems to show their connexion with the silk trade. In the 
 printed pageants of all the companies, except the Mercers, the 
 masters and wardens are described as leading their several proces- 
 sions in gowns fac'd with Joins, with their hoods;" and were 
 succeeded by the livery, in gowns " fac'd with budge, with their 
 hoods." In the procession of the Mercers^ however, we find the 
 livery, instead of budge, wearing their gowns " fac'd with satin. 
 Taubman's " London Yearly Jubilee," at the inauguration as 
 mayor of Sir John Peake, mercer, 1686, thus gives the order of 
 their " morning procession," which is said to have usually set 
 out from Mercers' Hall about eight o'clock," 
 
254 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 mercers' mayoralty procession. 
 
 I. The master, wardens, and assistants, in their gowns fac'd with foins, in 
 their hoods. 
 
 II. The livery, in their gowns fac'd with satin, in their hoods. 
 
 III. Threescore poor men, (the company's almsmen,) in gowns and caps, 
 march in the front, each of them employed in bearing a banner. 
 
 IV. Fifty gentlemen ushers, in velvet coats, follow next, each of them a 
 chain of gold about his shoulders, and in his right hand a white staff. 
 
 V. A splendid train of bachelors, invested in gowns and scarlet sa^m hoods^ 
 (who in this company are observed to be most numerous and rich.) 
 
 VI. The rest of the bachelors. 
 
 VII. Twelve more gentlemen, for bearing banners and colours, some in 
 plush coats, and some in buff, with scarfs about their shoulders of the com- 
 pany's colours. 
 
 VIII. Tliirty-six trumpets. The sergeant-trumpet with a srarf of his lord- 
 ship's colours about his waist, and a leadmg-staflT in his hand. 
 
 IX. Fourteen drums. The drum-major with a crimson scarf about his. 
 waist, his leading-staff in his hand, and three fifes, with banners. 
 
 X. Divers drums and fifes, with scarfs of the colours of the company. 
 
 XI. The two city marshals on horseback, and six scarfs to attend them_, 
 with scarfs and colours of the company. 
 
 XII. The six foot marshals. 
 
 XIII. The master of defence, with scarf and colours, having six persons 
 of the same noble science to attend him. 
 
 XIV. Divers of the company's pensioners, invested with red gowns, white 
 staves, and flat white caps ; each of tham carrying a javelin in one hand, and 
 a target in the other, whereon is painted the arms of the first founder, and the 
 benefactors of the company. 
 
 XV. As an addition to this solemnity, a considerable number of the gentle- 
 men of the Artillery Company do put themselves in the habit of granadiers, 
 in buff, with crimson velvet caps lined with rich furs, to march before the 
 Artillery Company, which was that^day led by Sir John Moore. 
 
 The whole procession being placed in order, marched, and waited 
 at Grocers' Hall*^till the old lord mayor and sheriffs, with the 
 aldermen, mounted their steeds ; they then marched to Guildhall, 
 where the lord mayor elect and his retinue swelled the procession 
 
 * Grocers' Hall, either on account " Selected citizens i' the morning all 
 
 of its size or convenient situation, was At seven o'clock do meet at Grocers'' 
 long the usual place of rendezvous on Hall. 
 Lord Mayor's Day, as described by 
 
 Jordan in these lines, which occur in Grocers' Hall was used annually for 
 
 all his pageants : the feast from 1682 till 1695^ with a 
 
DRESS AND ORSERVANCES. 
 
 255 
 
 and thence taking their way to Three-cranes wharf, the whole 
 body, together with the other companies, took barge. Having 
 gone through the ceremonies at Westminster, they landed on their 
 way back at Black Friars, where they were welcomed on shore 
 with three volHes " from the famous Artillery Company, all adorned 
 in their martial ornaments, in buff" and shining headpieces, whereof 
 many were massy silver." 
 
 The Pageants met them in St. Paul's Church-yard on this occa- 
 sion. The first was evidently allusive to the company in their 
 character of merchants. It was a rock of coral with sea -weeds, 
 with Neptune, mounted on a dolphin at the summit, on a throne 
 of mother of pearl, and properly accompanied by tritons, mer- 
 maids, and other marine attendants. 
 
 The principal object was the triumphal chariot, already noticed, 
 which is said to have been of extraordinary splendor and magnifi- 
 cence, and was usually called " The Maiden Chariot." This seems 
 to have been long before adopted by the Mercers as the distin- 
 guishing emblem of this company and its arms. Strype thus 
 mentions the custom : 
 
 " When any one of this company is chosen mayor, or makes 
 one of the triumph of the day wherein he goes to Westminster to 
 be sworn, a most beautiful virgin is carried through the streets in 
 a chariot, with all the glory and majesty possible, with her hair 
 all dishevelled about her shoulders, to represent the maidenhead 
 which the company give for their arms. And this lady is plenti- 
 fully gratified for her pains, besides the gift of all the rich attire 
 she wears." 
 
 In the above show of 1686, and again at the inauguration of Sir 
 William Gore, in 1701, there was such a chariot. In 1686 it is 
 thus described : 
 
 The third and last pageant, which, for magnificence of the 
 structure, the elegance of the contrivance, and costliness of the 
 work, has hardly ever yet been paralleled, is an imperial triumphal 
 chariot of Roman form, elegantly adorned with variety of paint- 
 ings commixed with richest metals, beautified and embellished with 
 several embellishments of gold and silver, illustrated with divers 
 inestimable and various-coloured jewels of dazzling splendor,, 
 adorned and replenished with several lively figures bearing the 
 
 few exceptions, when the king came in which, and two following years, and' 
 
 or was expected. In 1695, and two perhaps more, Drapers' Hall was 
 
 following years, Skinners' Hall was adopted." — Note to Nichols' List of 
 
 employed. Then Guildhall till 1703 j Lord Mayors' Pageants^, p. 144. 
 
256 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 banners of the kings, the lord mayors, and companies, with the 
 arms of the memorable King Richard the Second, the first and 
 principal founder of this most antient society. On a lofty ascent 
 of which, exalted upon an imperial throne, sits a majestic person 
 in great state, representing a Virgin, which is the arms of the 
 right worshipful the Company of Mercers, hieroglifically attired in 
 a robe or vestment of white satin, richly adorned with precious 
 stones, fringed and embroidered with gold, signifying the graceful 
 blushes of virginity ; on her head, a long dishevell'd hair of flaxen 
 colour, deck'd with pearles and precious gems, on which is a coro- 
 net of gold beset with emeralds, diamonds, saphires, and other 
 precious Jewells of inestimable value. Her buskins gold, laced with 
 scarlet ribons, adorned with pearles and other costly jewels. In 
 one hand she holdeth a sceptre ; in the other, a shield, with the 
 arms of the right honourable the Company of Mercers." 
 
 Fame, perched on a golden canopy above, and blowing her 
 trumpet ; with Vigilance, Wisdom, Chastity, Prudence, Justice, 
 Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Hope, Charity, Loyalty, the Nine 
 Muses, all richly and appropriately dressed, and with their proper 
 emblems, completed the attendants of the Virgin, in her chariot ; 
 whilst " 8 pages of honour, in cloth of silver, trunk breeches, silk 
 hose, and roses in their shoes, with crimson velvet caps and white 
 feathers," walked on foot. Triumphj as the charioteer, wore a 
 scarlet robe trimmed with silver, a mantle of gold, and a gold 
 laurel crown and helmet, bearing a sword and royal banner, and 
 on whose side were placed trumpets and kettle-drums. 
 
 The above immense and splendid machine and retinue, ithis been 
 stated, were drawn by " nine tuhite Flanders horses, three abreast, in 
 rich trappings of silver and white feathers ;" each horse being mounted 
 " by a person of different name and country, properly apparelled, 
 alluding to the support of the Virgin or Mystery of the company ;" 
 as Victory, Fame, and Loyalty, on the first three ; Europe be- 
 tween Peace and Plenty, on the second ; and Africa, Asia, and 
 America, (emblematical of the company's merchandize and deal- 
 ings with all parts of the world,) on the third. The foot attendants 
 on the chariot were, " 8 grooms, and 40 Roman lictors in crimson 
 habits, with masked fasces of silver, on each shoulder a lion's head, 
 and equipt with swords, targets, and banners; and before the 
 whole marched 20 servants, with the company's trophies, clearing 
 the way ;" who were preceded by twenty savages, or green men,'' 
 throwing squibs and fireworks to keep off the crowd ; together with 
 an infinite number of workmen, wheelwrights and carpenters. 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 257 
 
 whose business it was to be ready to repair any part of the ma- 
 chinery that might break or get out of order. 
 
 The Maiden Chariot," in 1704, (Sir William Gore, mercer, 
 mayor,) we have described from Elkanah Settle's account of the pa- 
 geant to have been " 22 foot high; the whole chariot and also the 
 wheels entirely of embossed work, all of silver; the canopy being 
 most sumptuously enriched with angels, cherubim, &c." The 
 female representing the Virgin is said to have been " a young 
 beautiful gentlewoman of good parentage, religious education, 
 and unblemisht reputation, selected and chosen by a committee 
 for the occasion. Her habit is made of rich white satin adorned 
 with fringes of gold, and enriched with lockets of diamonds, and 
 all manner of jewels. On her head (her hair dishevelled) she 
 wears a spiral coronet of gold richly set with jewels, and from 
 her shoulders hangs a long robe of the richest crimson velvet 
 lined with white satin." In all other respects the attendants on 
 this occasion were similar, and indeed seem to have been copied 
 from the above.* 
 
 An intermediate pageant of an allegorical nature, equally 
 splendid, but too long to be described, was introduced on both 
 the above occasions; representing in the first instance an elaborate 
 architectural scene of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, 
 with Monarchy, Principality, Nobility, Honour, Obedience, Mars, 
 Minerva, and other characters, all richly and appropriately dressed ; 
 
 * Four of the Mercers' pageants only have been printed. The titles, &c. are 
 below : 
 
 C Charity Triumphant, or the Virgin"^ 
 I Shew; exhibited on the 29th of October, | 
 1655-6.— John j 1655, being the Lord Mayor's Day.'' In the British 
 Dethiclce, mayor. ) (Two wood ornaments.) " London, f Museum. 
 printed for Nathaniel Brooks, at the \ 
 \^Angel in Cornhill. 1655, 4to. pp. 8." J 
 
 *' This is not, however, a description of the shew, as the title may infer, but a 
 letter to the lord mayor, and a poem on the pageants, this year again produced. 
 It is probable that the author was ambitious of the post of City poet, (to which 
 he did not succeed.) In his preface he very rationally says, < I cannot here set 
 forth the reason of the late extinguishing these civic sights, and supressing the 
 genius of our metropolis, which for these planetary pageants and pr^torian pomps 
 was as famous and renowned in foreign nations as for their [its] faith, wealth, 
 and valour; the ingenie, artifices, mjsteries, shews, festivals, ceremonies, and 
 habits of the state, being amongst the decora, and inseparable ornaments of it. 
 Take away the fasces, and the consuls are no more feared, but scorned ; let fall 
 the noble sword of the city in any place, and you are sure the mayor has there no 
 privilege, no distinguishing of societies and fraternities; no caps ('as in dales of 
 old), no prentices ; no truncks, no citizens ; no robes, no judges ; no maces, no 
 magistrates ; and as for aniversary shews, and harmlesse and merry recreations, 
 without a moderate permission of them, very little content to the multitude. 
 Right Honourable — I therefore, being the son of a citizen, congratulate this 
 
258 
 
 MERCERS COJVIPANY. 
 
 and at Gore's inauguration displaying the inside of the Temple 
 of Mercury, with hieroglyphics of the Four Elements, &c. The 
 address of Mercury to the mayor, in the last pageant, has some 
 interesting lines, as they corroborate the fact which has been ad- 
 vanced of mercer and merchant being anciently synonymous terms: 
 
 I the wing'd Mercury, renown'd so high, 
 Of wit and arts the long fam'd Deity, 
 Call'd to your lordship my just rights to pay, 
 Must bear a part in this triumphant day, 
 The Mercer and the Merc/iant, each a name 
 That justly fills my loudest trump of fame ! 
 
 " The stately barges echoing with flutes and trumpets, adorned 
 with streamers, flags, and banners of the respective Companies," 
 it is added, in the account of Peake's pageant, " is not the least 
 addition to the lustre of this day ; besides being saluted by their 
 Majesties from Whitehall, both going and coming, with several 
 shots and salutations from the pleasure-boats and barges, who for 
 that purpose are plying all along the Thames." 
 
 return of the city gallantry and manifestation of their several splendours in your 
 majority to your honoured self ; it being most proper that the lost beauty and 
 magnificence of the place should be restored by one, if I mistake not, a brother of 
 prhtie company, and therefore most fit to lead, &c." 
 
 ^ London's Yearly Jubilee ; performed on Friday, October^ 
 j3 I xxix. 1686, for the entertainment of the Right Honourable 
 -g g Sir John Peake, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of Lon- 
 *^ Jg> don : with a description of the several Pageants, Speeches, ^ . 
 ^ g J and Songs, made proper for the occasion ; all set forthe ^ 
 I oT I at the proper costs and charges of the Right Worshipful the ^ 
 
 Company of Mercers, composed by M. Taubman. ^ Londi- ^ j 
 ^ ^ niiim Regni formata Coltmina.' Printed and published by 
 authority. London, printed for H. Playford, near the Tem- 
 *^ple Church, 1686, 4to." 
 C r "London's Anniversary' Festival; performed on Monday,^ 
 J ^ Oct. 29, 1688, for the entertainment of the Right Hon. Sir | o S"^. 
 I O ~ j John Chapman, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London, [J^ 
 oc c being their great Year of Jubilee: with a Panegeric upon the t M ^ 
 «c = restoring of their Charter, and a Sonnet provided for the enter- g O 
 "*-5 S *^tainment of the King. By. M. Taubman. 4to." M 
 ^ The Triumphs of London ; for the Inauguration of the^ 
 Right Honourable Sir WilUam Gore, Knight, Lord Mayor] 
 o of the City of London : containing a description of the >. 
 ^ w Pageant, together with the Public Speeches, and the whole | g 
 ^ I <( Solemnity of the Day. Performed on Wednesday, the 29th y ^ 
 ^ -M I of October, ITOl ; all set forth at the proper costs and j *^ 
 ^ charges of the Honourable Company of the Mercers. Pub- .ti 
 lished by authority, London, printed for John Nutt, near ^ 
 ^Stationers' Hall, 1701." 
 
 * "Notwithstanding the sonnet for the King's entertainment, mentioned in the 
 above title, it does not appear that he was actually expected at the City table. 
 He stood, as the royal family were accustomed, on the leads of Whitehall, to see 
 the civic barges pass."— London Gazette, Nov. 1. See " Nichols' Pageants." 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 259 
 
 The Company's Song," as it is entitled, addressed to the 
 lord mayor after the dinner, (which was at Grocers' Hall,) has 
 again several allusions to the company's history and armorial 
 bearings : 
 
 Advance the Virgin^ lead the van, 
 
 Of all that are in London free 
 The Mercer is the foremost man 
 That founded a society. 
 Cho. — Of all the trades that London grace 
 We are the first in time and place. 
 
 When Nature in perfection was, 
 
 And virgin beauty in her prime. 
 The Mercer gave the nymph a gloss. 
 
 And made e'en beauty more sublime. 
 Cho. — In this above our brethren blest. 
 
 The Virgin's since our Coal and CresL 
 
 Let others boast of Lions bold, 
 
 The Camel, Leopard, and the Bear, 
 That Tygers fierce their arms uphold, 
 
 And ravenous wolves their scutcheons rear, 
 Cho. — To us our Virgin Innocence 
 
 Is both supporter and defence. 
 
 Then let a loyal peal go round. 
 
 There's none dare claim priority ; 
 To Caesar's health each glass be crown 'd. 
 Whose predecessors made us free. 
 Cho. — Of all the trades that London grace. 
 Ours first in dignity and place." 
 
 , To conclude the account of the entertainment, besides the lord 
 mayor having his own table, there was, we are told, ^' a separate 
 table prepared for the Virgin, who dined with all the grandeur 
 of the royal character she represented, attended by her ladies, 
 pages, and all the rest of her retinue, who wait at her table." 
 
 Strype, speaking of the election dinner, says, " a very splendid 
 feast" accompanied the election of master of the company, at 
 which persons of the court and of the best quality were present; 
 and, after the feast was over, the new master was conducted in 
 state by the company to his own house, where they were treated 
 again. In the year 1577, in the month of July, on a Monday, 
 was the Mercers' feast, when Sir Lionel Ducket, who had been 
 lord mayor in 1572, was chosen master. There were then pre- 
 sent, among others, the master of the rolls, Sir Thomas Gresham. 
 
200 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 Sir William Dansel, Mr. Sackford, (of the privy chamber,) and the 
 Recorder Fleetwood. Dinner being done, as the order was, they 
 brought the master home to his house." Strype adds, that the 
 Recorder Fleetwood wrote a full account of the ceremonies, on 
 this occasion, in a letter to the lord treasurer. 
 
 The customary devotions of the new lord mayor, at St. Thomas 
 of Aeon church, in the Catholic times, identify themselves, in point 
 of locality, with the Mercers' Company, and are to be ranked 
 amongst that company's observances. Strype has described these 
 from an ancient ms. he met with on the subject. The new lord 
 mayor, it states, after dinner" on his inauguration day, (the cere- 
 mony would have suited much better before dinner in modern days,) 
 " was wont to go from his house to the church of St. Thomas of 
 Aeon, those of his livery going before him; and the aldermen in 
 like manner being there met together, they came to the church of 
 St. Paul ; whither, when they were come, namely, in the middle 
 place between the body of the church, between two little doors, 
 they were wont to pray for the soul of the bishop of London, Wil- 
 liam Norman, who was a great benefactor to the City in obtaining 
 the confirmation of their liberties from William the Conqueror ;* 
 a priest saying the office De Profundis, (called a Dirge,) and 
 from thence they passed to the churchyard, where Thomas a 
 Becket's parents were buried, and there, near their tomb, they 
 said also, for all the faithful deceased, De Profundis again. The 
 City procession thence returned through Cheapside market, some- 
 times with wax candles burning, (if it was late,) ' to the said 
 church Sanctse Thomse,' and there the mayor and aldermen offered 
 single pence; which being done every one went to his house." 
 
 On All Saints days, and various other festivals, the mayor, with 
 his family, attended at this same church of St. Thomas, and the 
 aldermen also; and those that were of "the livery of the mayor, 
 with the honest men of the mysteries," in their several habits or 
 
 * Tfce services of Bishop William Their grateful memory for to shew 
 
 were commemorated in an inscription, Which they the reverend ashes owe 
 and some Latin lines on a tablet, fixed Of Bishop Norman here intum'd, 
 near the prelate's tomb, in the old St. By whom this city hath assum'd 
 
 Paul's, and to which the lord mayor, Large privileges. Those obtained 
 
 Edward Barkham, (1623,) added the By him when Conquerour William 
 following, allusive to the ancient cus- reign'd. 
 
 torn described : This being by Barkham's thankfull 
 " Walkers whosoere you be, "^'"^^ renew'd, 
 
 If it prove you chance to see ^all it the monument of Gratitude." 
 Upon a solemne ' Scarlet day,' Dugdale's St. PauVs, (1653,) p. 5L 
 
 The City Senate pass this way, 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 261 
 
 suits, from which they went to Paul's, to hear vespers. On the 
 feast of Innocents they heard vespers at St. Thomas's, and on the 
 morrow mass and vespers. 
 
 Mercers' Hall and Buildings occupy the site of the ancient 
 hospital of St. Thomas of Aeon, thought to have been the place of 
 the Mercers' first settlement in London. Here, about the present 
 entrance to the hall from Cheapside, stood the house of Gilbert 
 Becket, citizen, mercer, and portreve of London, father to Becket, 
 archbishop of Canterbury, whose wife Matilda, '*the fair Saracen," 
 according to legend, had released Gilbert Becket when made a 
 captive in the crusades, and being herself taken captive by Love, 
 followed him to London. He rewarded her affection and constancy 
 by making her his wife, and she afterwards became the mother of 
 the haughty prelate, who, from the supposed birth-place of his mo- 
 ther, was sometimes called St. Thomas of Aeon or Acres, (the an- 
 cient Ptolemais.) Twenty years after the archbishop's murder, 
 Agnes, his sister, who was married to Thomas Fitz Theobald de 
 Helles, in conjunction with her husband, built a chapel and an 
 hospital in the rule of Saynt Austyn," on the spot where her bro- 
 ther was born; and such was the respect of his sanctity, that, with- 
 out waiting for his canonization, the foundation was dedicated " to 
 the worshippe of God Almighty and the blessed Virgin Mary, and 
 of the said glorious marter." De Helles and his wife gave to the 
 master and brethren " alie the lande with the appurtenances, that 
 sometime was Gilbert Bekkettes, father of the said Thomas the 
 marter, and where he was born ; which landes be yn the parishe of 
 St. Mary of Colechurche, yn London, yn free, pure, and perpe- 
 tuall almes for evermore," and constituted the mercers' fraternity 
 patrons. Henry HL, in his 52d year, made a further grant to the 
 master and brethren, who appear to have been twelve in number 
 of the messes (messuages) and the place with the appurtenants 
 yn the cite aforesaid, being bitweane the chirche of St. Olave and 
 the place where St. Thomas was born, for ynlarging of their said 
 ground."* The subsequent fate of this establishment connects its 
 history more nearly with that of the Mercers' Company. In 
 
 * This ground appears to have been smith held, with two store-house?, 
 
 seized by the king from an unfortunate which belonged to Moses, the Jew of 
 
 Jew named Benomye Mittam, andis de- Canterbury, in the parish of St. Olave, 
 
 scribed as fifteen iron ells and a half and which were of the fee of Arnold le 
 
 in the front of Ironmonger-lane, in the Rom, and was of the king's escheats." 
 
 parish of St. Martin, which were the Strype, I, p. 510. See also Parton'a 
 
 said Benomye's of the fee of the hos- Account of St. Giles's Hospital, 
 pital of St. Giles, and which Adam the 
 
262 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 1444, having through various causes become greatly impoverished, 
 the master, John Niel or Neel, and his brethren, on their petition, 
 (from which we have just quoted,) were made a body corporate by 
 parliament, with power to receive o:ifts, &c. and were also released 
 from pensions and corrodies. " The brotherhood again prospered, 
 and, unlike too many institutions of the same kind, did good to the 
 community, with the numerous bounties of which they became the 
 stewards." In 1456, we find this same John Niel was one of four 
 benevolent clergymen of the city of London v/ho petitioned par- 
 liament for power for each to found a grammar-school, to teach 
 all that will come." The petitioners complain of teaching being a 
 monopoly ; and add a shrewd remark, of very general application, 
 
 For where there is a great number of learners and few teachers," 
 say they, " and all the learners are compelled to go to the few 
 teachers, and to none others, the masters wax rich in money, and 
 the learners poor in learning, as experience openly sheweth, against 
 all virtue and order of public weal." The prayer of the petition 
 having been regularly granted, the grammar school was founded 
 accordingly, and is the same now continued under the name of 
 Mercers' School.* 
 
 In 1472, James earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, in consequence 
 of a licence from the Commons, — for that in reverence of Christ 
 and of his blessed mother, and in worship of St. Thomas a Becket, 
 from whose blood the said earl was descended, and for the venera- 
 tion that his father had of the place where that saint was born, and 
 that his mother was buried within the church of St. Thomas of 
 Aeon," did grant to the master of the hospital and his successors 
 
 the manor and advowson of Hakkoite, and a croft called Little 
 Mill Mam, in the county of Bucks," on condition of their providing 
 and maintaining for ever two priests, to pray daily for the king, 
 queen, and himself, and after their death for their souls, and for 
 those of the earl's father, mother, lady dame Johan Beauchamp, 
 late lady of Bergavenny, his grandmother, all his ancestors, and 
 all Christian people. f 
 
 On the general suppression of monastic institutions, 33 Henry 
 VIII. the king granted to the Mercers' Company, in consideration 
 of 969Z. 175. Qd. the church of the college of Aeon, the parsonages 
 
 * In the Parliament Rolls, 1, p. 289, produced their evidences of foundation, 
 
 a second petition to parliament of the &c. on this occasion, and in which will 
 
 masters, &c. of St. Thomas of Aeon, be fomid several other particulars of 
 
 respecting a disputed claim to the cus- their early history, 
 tody of this same hospital by the con • t Strype's Stow, 
 vent of Atherug. The brothers of Aeon 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 2G3 
 
 of St. Mary Colecliurch, and sundry premises there, as well as in 
 the parishes of St. Olave, in the Old Jewry; St. Stephen, Walbroke; 
 St. Martin, Ironmonger-lane ; and St. Stephen, Coleman-street, 
 late parcel of the college of St. Thomas of Aeon. The Valor £c- 
 clesiasticus (previously taken) states ^'the site of the said house 
 of St. Thomas, the court yards, gardens, and divers houses within 
 the precinct of the said house, to be then reserved in the prior's 
 hands."* The precinct here mentioned comprehended all the 
 space now enclosed by Ironmonger-lane and the Old Jewry, west 
 and east ; and by Cheapside and St. Olave's alley, south and 
 north; having at the south-east point, or corner of the Old Jewry, 
 the fabric of St. Mary Colecliurch, and in the centre more 
 westward, the great gate-house of the hospital and Mercers' 
 Hall ; immediately behind which buildings was the hospital church 
 of St. Thomas, and again at' the back of that the hospital, court 
 yard, cloisters, and gardens, just mentioned. Frederick-place is 
 built on a piece of ground, part of the glebe of St. Olave's, and 
 which was devised to Sir John Frederick by Dr. Hibbert, the 
 rector, in 1671. 
 
 St. Thomas's church, the principal feature in this pile, was a 
 large structure, which, from the entries of burials and other 
 authorities, we learn, had a nave, choir, and side aisles. The aulter 
 of Seynt Thomas the martyr, in the north parte of the body of the 
 chyrche," is mentioned in the preceding grant to the Charter 
 house; and, from the number of eminent persons interred in the 
 church itself, it must anciently have been rich in monuments. 
 The description of the other buildings mentioned is contained in 
 the accounts given of the appropriation of the site, subsequently 
 to the Suppression. 
 
 After the Mercers had bought the hospital and its church, which 
 they effected chiefly by means of Sir Richard Gresham, "the 
 latter was again set open," Stow tells us, on the eve of St. 
 Michael." He adds, '*It is now called Mercers' Chappell, and 
 therein is kept a free grammar schoole, as of old time had been 
 accustomed, and had been commanded by parliament." This 
 
 * The company's charters expressly pital of St. Thomas of Aeon, upon part 
 
 state, underthe head ' Mercers' School,' of which stand the present hall, c/iapel, 
 
 that wardens, by letters patent, dated 21 and other buildings of the said company 
 
 April, an. regni 33, (1542,) " do grant aforesaid,'' and in an indenture of the 
 
 to the Mercers' Company, in consider- same date they covenant with the king 
 
 ation of 969^. lis. 6d., certain premises to find and perpetually maintain Mer- 
 
 in the city of London, which had be- cers' school, &c. 
 longed to the dissolved house or hos- 
 
264 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 name of Mercers' Chapel, which was applied after the above 
 opening to the whole hospital, properly applied before that event 
 to the building only next described by Weaver, and which was 
 erected by Sir John Allen, mercer, and mayor, 1521. 
 
 " Before the hospital, towards the street, was a fayre and 
 beautiful chappell arched over with stone, which stood before the 
 great aide chappell, (St. Thomas's church,) and over which was the 
 Mercers' Hall, a most curious piece of work." Aggas's Plan of 
 London (circa 1560) has a rude sketch of this *'most curious piece 
 of work," together with the great conduit in Cheapside, which stood 
 slantwise in the street immediately below it. These objects are 
 copied in the lower part of the succeeding plate. The upper view, 
 is an attempt to give a more perfect representation of these ob- 
 jects, by combining Aggas with other authorities, so as to afford 
 a more correct idea of what must have been the appearance of 
 this particular spot at the date mentioned. 
 
 Sir John Allen was first interred in this his own chapel ; but his 
 tomb, after the mercers' purchase, was removed into the hospital 
 church, which latter they did not destroy ; and the other funeral 
 memorials, in Allen's chapel, (of which Weaver has preserved some 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 265 
 
 inscriptions,) being defaced, it was divided into shops,* and 
 letten out for rent by his successors the Mercers." 
 
 It appears, from the above notices, that the mercers, before the 
 Suppression, only occupied a depth from Cheapside equal to the 
 present houses ; or, what will more precisely mark the space, they 
 only had from the street to the back of the present ambulatory, 
 the modern Mercers' Chapel standing exactly on the site of part of 
 the hospital church. The other buildings they possessed in the 
 hospital times ran in a line with their hall and chapel, and could 
 only have been trifling, as the hospital gate house, and St. Mary 
 Colechurch, filled up much of the length. f On making their 
 purchase, they converted ''the courtyards, gardens, and divers 
 houses within the precinct," into the different offices and apart- 
 ments required to be attached to their elevated hall, letting out 
 the crypt or chapel, and retaining the latter for use; and which so 
 continued till destroyed by the fire of London. 
 
 The hospital gate, where the present Cheapside entrance is, had 
 the image of St. Thomas a Becket standing over it, as late as 
 Elizabeth's reign; when, Stow says, " somebody threw it down 
 and broke it, and set a writing on the church door, reflecting on 
 those that placed it there." 
 
 St. Mary Colechurch, "of one Cole that built it," stood *'on a 
 vault aboveground, so that men were forced to ascend up there- 
 unto by certain steps." It is particularly described in a petition 
 of the mercers, printed in the Journals of the House of Commons, 
 who had designed to have removed and built their grammar 
 school over it. The document, which has been before quoted by 
 Malcolm, merits repetition, from the information it conveys as to 
 this and other particulars connected with the company. 
 
 " Whereas, the wardens and commonalty of the mystery of 
 Mercers of the City of London, at the time of the late fire (of 
 London) were seized in fee of the rectory and parish church, 
 impropriate of St. Mary Colechurch, the said church being an 
 upper room, about 10 feet higher than the street, and lying over 
 
 • Guy, founder of the hospital bear- 
 ing his name, was apprenticed to a 
 bookseller who occupied one of these 
 shops ; and himself, several years after 
 the fire of London, rented the shop 
 which was built on its site, where he 
 carried on the same trade. 
 
 t These are probably the same as 
 are hinted at in the Valor Ecclesias- 
 ticus, which mentions "a rent of 135. 
 
 Ad. from St. Thomas's hospital, pay- 
 able to the Chamber of London, for 
 tenements then held and occupied by 
 the mercers.'' The Inquis. ad quod 
 Damnuta, 14 Edward IL, as before 
 stated, also mentions the "Frafernitas 
 Mercer' to have had a rent of 4*. Sd. 
 issuing from the White Harte, in Cole- 
 church parish." 
 
266 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 certain rooms and arched vaults and cellars of the said wardens 
 and commonalty, upon the site of which church they have designed 
 to 'build a free school and other buildings, conformable to the 
 rules of the former act, and to remove the dead bodies and bones 
 of such as have been buried upon the arches, and to cause them 
 to be decently reposed within the body of their chapel called 
 Mercers' Chapel, &c.'' This St. Mary Colechurch was united to 
 St. Mildred, Poultry, after the above fire, and the mercers still 
 present alternately with the crown. St. Mary Colechurch is men- 
 tioned in the "Valor," to have had also its altar of St. Thomas. 
 
 Many persons of repute and eminence were buried in St. 
 Thomas's church, of whom several of the monuments remained 
 when Stow wrote; though more, he observes, had been defaced. 
 Among them were the following ten mercers: Sir John Trusbut, 
 1437 ; William Brown, mayor, 1513 ; Sir Thomas Baldry, mayor, 
 1523; Sir William Locke, sheriff, 1548; Sir John Allen, mayor, 
 1525; Sir Humphry Baskerville, sheriff, 1561; Sir John Locke, 
 1519; John Hare, 1564; Richard Bacon, 1598. To which we 
 may add, from Strype's catalogue, as buried at St. Thomas's, but 
 not here termed mercers * Sir Henry Frowick, mayor, 1436, and 
 again, 1443; Sir Rowland Hill, mayor, 1550; and Sir William 
 Allen, mayor, 1572. Of the rest ten were grocers, whose neigh- 
 bourhood of Bucklersbury seems to have rendered them very 
 partial to interment here. Of other companies, eight were 
 goldsmiths, five drapers, and two merchants. From these may be 
 distinguished, as persons mentioned in history, Sir Edward Shaw, 
 goldsmith to Richard III., and mayor, 1482; Henry Frowick, 
 whose ancestors, in the reign of Edward I., were proprietors of 
 the City ward, then called Wardo Henr. de Frowick T Sir John 
 Allen, the founder of Mercers' Hall Company, (removed here as 
 before stated) ; John Butler, earl of Ormond, and his countess, 
 reg. Hen. VI.; John Butler, earl of Ormond, 1518; Stephen 
 
 • The evidence of the mercers' resi- 
 dence in later times hereabouts is 
 found in their interment at different 
 neighbouring churches. In St. 
 Lawrence, Jewry, occur entries of 
 Richard Rich, mercer; Geoffry Builoin, 
 mercer, mayor, 1457 ; Roger Thorney, 
 mercer ; Sir Richard Gresham, mayor, 
 1548, and his family ; John Marshal, 
 civis et mercerus, 1498 ; Dame Alice 
 Hitchen, daughter of Thoma;^ Hitchen, 
 citizen and mercer of London, who left 
 
 a weekly gift of bread in the company's 
 trust. At St. Olave's, Jewry, John 
 Organ, mercer, sheriff", 1385 ; William 
 Kirkbie, mercer, 1465 ; Robert Large, 
 mercer, mayor, 1440 ; Edmund Burley, 
 mercer, 1583 ; Edward Bonas, of Lon- 
 don, mercer, and his wife, daughter of 
 Henry Isham, mercer. In St. Margaret, 
 Lothbury, besides several mercers, 
 Anselni Beckct had a chantry, proba- 
 bly a descendant of the saint's family. 
 
HALL AND BUILOINGS. 
 
 267 
 
 Cavendish, draper, mayor, 1362; and several of his descendants, 
 ancestor of the ducal families of Cavendish and Devonshire. 
 
 Stow informs us that Henry VIII., previously to the Suppression, 
 had granted to St. Thomas of Aeon, on account of their wanting 
 room in the hospital, permission to make a gallery " of convenient 
 height and breadth, from their house across the Old Jewry, into a 
 garden and buildings which the master had then lately purchased, 
 and which Sir Robert Clayton afterwards built his house on, 
 adjoining Grocers' Hall. They were to make this gallery of such 
 height from the ground as " not to annoy man, horse, nor cart ; 
 and to make a window on each side of the said gallery, and 
 therein, yearly, in the winter, to have a sufficient light for the 
 comfort of those that passed by." 1536, Henry VIII. and his 
 queen, Jane Seymour, stood in the Mercers' Hall, " then new built, 
 and saw the marching watch of the city most bravely set out, by 
 its founder, Sir John Allen, at that time mayor, and one of his 
 privy council." 
 
 In the time of James I., Mercers' Chapel became a popular place 
 of resort, from the attractive preaching of the learned Italian arch- 
 bishop of Spalatro, who had become a convert to Protestantism, 
 and who, in 1617, had for his auditors the archbishop of Canter- 
 
268 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 bury, the lord chancellor, earl of Arundel and Pembroke, the 
 Lords Zouch and Compton, and other noble and distinguished 
 persons. And the chapel continued for many years afterwards to 
 be used for Italian sermons, which were preached to English 
 merchants who had resided abroad, and who partly defrayed the 
 expense of the establishment. 
 
 Mercers' Hall, or Chapel, with the company's adjoining houses, 
 as they appeared when first built, after the fire of London, are 
 copied in the preceding page, from a contemporary print. 
 
 The chapel front now only remains unaltered ; the whole interior 
 is the same. The chapel has a large ambulatory before it, sup- 
 ported by columns ; and from which is the ascent by a large stone 
 staircase to the hall and court rooms. The ambulatory contains a 
 full length recumbent figure of Richard Fishborne, mercer, dressed 
 in a furred gown and ruff; he died, 1623, and, being a great 
 benefactor to the place, received the honor of this monument. The 
 street doorway, or chief entrance, only exhibits at present the 
 central part of the front erected after the fire, which had corre- 
 spondent houses on each side, giving it much greater breadth and 
 effect. Old views represent the lower part of them as shops 
 unsashed, which was a general custom at this time, and display 
 the trades of a goldsmith, a mercer, and a bookseller. Carter 
 (Gent. Mag.) extravagantly praises the ornaments of this front, 
 while by others they are censured, as absurd and trifling. It has 
 a large doorcase, enriched with two genii above, in the act of 
 mantling the virgin's head, the company's cognomen displayed 
 upon the keystone of the arch. Above is a cornice with brackets 
 sustaining a small gallery, from which on each side arise Doric 
 pilasters, supporting an entablature of the same order; between the 
 intercolumns and the central window are the figures of Faith and 
 Hope, in niches, between whom, in a third niche of the entablature, 
 is Charity sitting with her three children. The upper story has 
 circular windows, and other enrichments. 
 
 The entrance most used is in Ironmonger lane, where is a small 
 court with offices, apparently the site of the ancient cloister, and 
 which leads to the principal building. The hall itself is elevated as 
 anciently, and supported by Doric columns, the space below being 
 open on one side, and forming an extensive piazza, at the extre- 
 mity whereof is the chapel, which is neatly pewed and wainscotted, 
 and paved with black and white marble. A high flight of stairs 
 leads from the piazza to the hall^ which is a very lofty apartment, 
 handsomely wainscotted and ornamented with Ionic pilasters, and 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 269 
 
 various carvings in compartments. The paintings in it have been 
 often described.* 
 
 In the hall, besides the transaction of the company's business, 
 the Gresham committees are held, which consist of four aldermen, 
 including the lord mayor jaro tempore, and eight of the City corpo- 
 ration ; with whom are associated a select number of the assistants 
 of the Mercers. In it also the British Fishery Society, and 
 other corporate bodies, were formerly accustomed to hold their 
 meetings.! 
 
 • They consist of Sir Thomas 
 Gresham, (an original); a fanciful 
 portrait of Sir Richard VVhittington ; 
 Count Tekeli ; Count Pennington ; 
 Dean Colet ; G. Forster, esq.; Dr. 
 Sleath, late of St. Paul's School : the 
 latter five are originals. Ducarel, 
 in his MS., also notices the following 
 portraits here : 
 
 Thomas Papillion, esq., (see Anec- 
 dotes of Bowyer, p. 101,) son of David 
 Papillion, of Lubnam, county of Leices- 
 ter. According to the company's 
 books, he was apprenticed November 2, 
 16.38 ; admitted to the freedom, Sep- 
 tember 4, 1644 ; and was master of the 
 company, September 5, 1698. He left 
 1000^. to the company, to relieve any 
 of his family that might in future come 
 to want. 
 
 Rowland Wynne , esq. He was son 
 of Edward Wynne, and, according to the 
 same book, was apprenticed, December 
 24, 1624 ; admitted to the freedom, 
 February 15, 1632 ; elected master of 
 the company, September 7, 1675. He 
 gave 400/. towards wainscotting the 
 hall after the fire of London. 
 
 + There were in the ancient hall 
 arms of the following members of this 
 company, viz. 
 
 Mayors. 
 
 " Adam Francis; Simon Francis; John 
 Barnes ; John Piel ; Adam Staple ; 
 Sir John French ; Sir Richard Whit- 
 tington ; Sir John Chadworth ; Sir 
 John Woodcoke, 1405; Sir William 
 Waldron, 1412; Sir Thomas Falconer, 
 1414; Sir John Coventry, 1425; Sir 
 William Eastfield, 1429; Sir John 
 Swinnerton ; Sir Henry Frowick, 
 1435 ; Sir Robert Large, 1439; Sir 
 John Olney, 1446 ; .^ir Thomas Chal- 
 ton, 1449 ; Sir Godfry Fildinge, 1452 ; 
 Sir Geoffry Bolergne, 1457 ; Sir Hugh 
 Witche, 1461; Sir Ralph Varney; 
 Sir John Stockton, 1470 ; Sir John 
 
 Tate, 1473; Sir Richard Gardner, 1478; 
 Sir John Burom, 1480 ; Sir Henry 
 Colet, 1486; Sir Robert Tate, 1488; 
 Sir John Matthew Hatherly, 1490; 
 Sir Hugh Clopton, 1491 ; John Tate, 
 jun., 1496 ; Sir William Purchass, 
 1497 ; Sir Nicholas Alwin, 1499 ; Sir 
 Richard Haddon, 1506; Sir William 
 Brown, 1507 ; Thomas Bradbury, 
 1509 ; Sir William Browne, 1513 ; Sir 
 John Yarford, 1519 ; Sir Thomas 
 Baldrey, 1523 ; Sir John Allen, 1525 ; 
 Sir Thomas Seimour Seamer, 1536 ; Sir 
 Ralph Dodmer, 1529; Sir Ralph Warren, 
 1586; Sir Richard Gresham, 1547; Sir 
 William HoUis, 1539; Sir Michael 
 Dormer, 1542 ; Sir John Gresham, 
 1547 ; Sir Rowland Hill, 1549; Sir 
 Thomas Leighe, 1553 ; Sir Richard 
 Mallery, 1564; Sir Roger Martin, 
 1567 ; Sir William Allen, 1571; Sir 
 Lionel Ducket, 1572 ; Sir Thomas 
 Bennet, 1604 ; Sir Henry Roe, 1608. 
 Sheriff's. 
 
 John Organ, 1336, buried at St. 
 Olave's, Old Jewry ; Stephen Spelman, 
 chamberlain and sheriff, 1405, at St. 
 Michael'le-Querm ; Robert Marshall, 
 1440, at St. Lawrence Jewry; Rich 
 Rich Sells, at St. Lawrence Jewry ; 
 William Cantelow, 1449, at St. Maud- 
 lin's, in Milk street; John Middleton, 
 1451, at Aldermanbury church ; Richard 
 Lawson, 1477, at St. Maudlin's, Milk 
 street; William Daney, 1531, at St. 
 Antholin's ; Richard Renoldes, 1535; 
 Thomas Kitson, 1534; Nicholas Leva- 
 son, 1535; Sir Andrew Undershaft. 
 And in Mercers' Chapel, and different 
 churches : Sir William Locke, and 
 Humphry Bushewill, 1562 ; Thomas 
 Elking, 1587; William Walthall, 1607- 
 1608; Christopher Havers, 1504; John 
 Haydon, lo82 ; and "Magister Thomas 
 Atkins, Senator in Amplissima Merce- 
 ror' Societate Custos primarius, 
 1638.".-//«W. MS.S. 4 M. Ca. 
 
270 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 LIVINGS, SCHOLASTIC APPOINTMENTS, SCHOOLS AND ALMSHOUSES, 
 WITHIN THE PATRONAGE OR SUPERINTENDANCE, AND OF THE 
 PENSIONS, GIFTS, &C., (OTHERWISE CALLED MONEY-LEGACY 
 CHARITIES,) THROUGH VARIOUS BENEFACTORS, AT THE DISPOSAL 
 OF THE COMPANY OF MERCERS, WITH THE COMMISSIONERS* 
 ACCOUNT OF CHARITIES FOR THEIR ENDOWMENT AND SUP- 
 PORT. 
 
 LIVINGS. 
 
 Whittington. — ^The Master, or Tutor," of Whittington Col- 
 lege, at Highgate. 
 CoLET.— The High Master of St. Paul's School. 
 The Sur Master of do. 
 
 The Under Master, or " Antient Chaplain," of do. 
 The Assistant Master of do. 
 Mercers. — The Classical Master of Mercers' School on College 
 Hill. 
 The Assistant do. 
 The Writing Master of do. 
 The Assistant do. 
 
 The Lent Preacher at Mercers' Chapel, Cheapside. 
 The Preacher of various occasional Sermons and Lec- 
 tures. 
 
 Gresham. — The Seven Lecturers (jointly with the city) at the 
 Gresham Lectures, Royal Exchange. 
 
 Northampton. — The Warden, 22 Almsmen, Officers and Ser- 
 vants, of Trinity Hospital, at Greenwich. 
 
 Benet. — The Rectory of Rirton, Lincolnshire, and the Advowson 
 and Patronage of the Vicarage. 
 
 FisHBOURNE. — A Lectureship at St. Bartholomew, Threadneedle 
 Street. 
 
 Lectureship at Hexham, in Northumberland. 
 
 Rectory of Canwich, Lincolnshire, and Appointment of 
 the Vicar. 
 
 Rectory of Repham, do. 
 
 Lectureship at Berwick-upon-Tweed. 
 Viscountess Campden. — The Lectureship of Grantham, Lincoln- 
 shire. 
 
 Do. of Wakefield, Yorkshire. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 271 
 
 The following account of the Mercers' Trust Estates and Chari- 
 ties is given in Strype's Stow, vol. ii. p. 173, (ed. 1754,) from the 
 account furnished by the Company's Clerk for that work, in 1720. 
 It will be observed that it contains several names not in the Com- 
 missioners' Report. 
 
 '*SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CHARITABLE DONATIONS BELONGING TO THE COMPANY 
 OF MERCERS OF THE CITY OF LONDON, WITH THE NAMES OF THL;IR BENE- 
 FACTORS. 
 
 Their Scliools, Hospitals, 
 Lectures, and Exhibi- 
 tions. 
 
 By whom founded c 
 maintained. 
 
 Benefactors' Names, 
 
 The School by St. 
 Paul's, London. 
 
 Mercers' Chapel School. 
 At Horsham, in Sussex. 
 At Lavington, in Wilts. 
 
 Dr. I. Colet, some 
 time dean of St. 
 Paul's, London. 
 
 Immemorial. 
 
 Mr. Richard Collier. 
 
 Alderm. Dauntesey. 
 
 HOSPITALS. 
 
 Whittington College. 
 
 Lavington, in Wilts. 
 At Stepney, in Middle- 
 sex. 
 
 Trinity Hospital, in 
 Greenwich. 
 
 Trustees of Sir R, 
 
 Whittington. 
 Alderm. Dauntesey. 
 Lady Mico. 
 
 Henry E. of North- 
 ampton. 
 
 LECTURES. 
 
 In Crooked Lane, one. 
 
 At St. Antholin's, two. 
 
 At St. Bartholomew's, 
 behind the Exchange, 
 two. 
 
 At Grantham, Lincoln- 
 shire. 
 
 At Wakefield, York- 
 shire. 
 
 At Huntingdon. 
 
 At Mercers'Chapel, Sun- 
 days Afternoon, from 
 Advent to Easter. 
 
 At Gresham College. 
 
 At St. Michael Royal. 
 
 At the Chapel, two An- 
 niversary Sermons, on 
 the 30 of Jan. and 29 
 of May. 
 
 A contribution to- 
 wards the Lecture 
 there, by Mr. Hil- 
 son. 
 
 Alderm. Perry and 
 
 Lady Martin. 
 Mr. Fishbourn and 
 
 Alderman Perry. 
 
 Lady Campden. 
 Mr. Ric. Fishbourn. 
 
 Sir Thom. Gresham. 
 
 Alderm. Hey don to- 
 ward the Lecture 
 there. 
 
 Mr. Birkenhead. 
 
 Sir Ralph Warren. 
 
 Dame Eliz. Martin. 
 
 t The Lady North. 
 
 Mrs. Catharine Clark. 
 
 t Sir Henry Rowe. 
 
 t Mrs. M. Robinson. 
 
 t Aid. Dauntesey. 
 
 Mr. Nich. Stratham. 
 
 Sir Mich. Dormer. 
 
 Mr. John Marsh. 
 
 Alderm. Baskerfield. 
 
 Mr. David Ap PoweL 
 
 Mrs. Alice Blundel. 
 
 Sir Thomas Leigh. 
 
 Mr. Peter Symonds. 
 
 Sir Roger iVIarfini 
 
 Sir Thomas Ritet. 
 
 t Alderman Heydon. 
 
 Mr. R,obert Hilsou. 
 
 Mr. Culverwell. 
 
 Sir Lionel Ducket. 
 
 Sir Will. Damsel. 
 
 Alderman Elkin. 
 
 Mrs. Martha Barrett. 
 
 t Mr. Edw. Barkley. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Birkbeck. 
 
 Mr. Richard Barnes. 
 
 Mr. Sharles. 
 
 Mr. Barthol. Barnes. 
 
 t Alderm. Walthal. 
 
 Mrs. Frances Clark. 
 
 Mr. Will. Quarles. 
 
 Alderman HoUiday. 
 
 t Mr. R. Fishbourn : 
 this man gave to the 
 value of 10,000/., and 
 very largely towards 
 the buying-in Impro- 
 priations. 
 
 Mr. John Banks. 
 
 Mr. William Ferrar. 
 
 Alderman Pool. 
 
 Mr. Ralph Stint. 
 
 Mr. Giles Martin. 
 
 Mr. Robert Gibson. 
 
 Mr. John Ducket. 
 
 Alderman Perry. 
 
 Mr. Sam. Goldsmith. 
 
 Mr. Edward Cropley. 
 
 t Dame Elizabeth, 
 Viscountess Dow- 
 ager Campden : this 
 lady gave 3000/. to- 
 wards buying-in Im- 
 propriations, besides 
 other gifts. 
 
 Alderman Sleigh. 
 
 t Mrs. Ann Ducket, 
 
 t Mr. Samuel Mico. 
 
 t Mr. Thomas Rich. 
 
 t Dame Marg. Hunger- 
 ford. 
 
 t Mrs. Jane Savage. 
 
 Mr. Pet. Birkenhead. 
 
 t Tho. Langham, esq. 
 
 t Sir Edw. D.Boveries. 
 
 t Mr. Richard Collier. 
 
 t Sir Rich. Whitting- 
 ton, founder of Whit- 
 tington College. 
 
 t Sir John Allen. 
 
 Lady Bradbury. 
 
 t Dame Isr. Gresham. 
 
 t Alder. Chertesey. 
 
 t Mr. Brown. 
 
 t Sir Thom. Bennet. 
 
 t Mr. Francis Flyer. 
 
 Mr. Bird. 
 
 t Lord Campden. 
 
 t Lady Jane Mico. 
 
 t Dr. John Colet. 
 
 j Hen. E. of Northamp- 
 ton. 
 
 t Sir Tho. Gresham. 
 t Tho. Papillion, esq. 
 
 who gave 1000/. 
 Mr. Richard Laken. 
 Mr. John Abbot. 
 Mr. Robert Weston. 
 Mr. John Millet. 
 
272 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Their Schools, Hospitals, 
 Lectures, and Exhibi- 
 tions. 
 
 By whom founded or 
 maintained. 
 
 Benefactors' Names. 
 
 EXHIB 
 
 Four Exhibitions of 61. 
 135. Ad. per annum, for 
 Scholars of any Uni- 
 versity or College. 
 
 Four of 61. 5s. each per 
 annum, for Scholars of 
 Trinity College, Cam- 
 bridge. 
 
 Four more, of 10/. each 
 per annum, for Scho- 
 lars of Trinity College, 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Ten or more Exhibi- 
 tions besides, of 10/. 
 per annum each, for 
 Scholars of any Col- 
 leges in Cambridge or 
 Oxford. 
 
 TIONS. 
 
 Lady Northampton. 
 
 Mrs. Robinson. 
 
 Lord Campden. 
 
 Company of Mer- 
 cers. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Raynold. Mr. John Taylor. 
 Sir Richard Haddon. Mr. John Fuller. 
 Mr. Will. Widdowson. Mrs. Mary Sharles. 
 Mr. Richard Fielding. Mr. John Newman. 
 Sir James Yarford. Mrs. M. Williams. 
 Mr. Rowland Hill. Mr. Nath. Bishop. 
 Mr. John Royson. Mr. Richard Bridges. 
 Mr. Will. Bottery. Mr. John Green. 
 
 N. B. Those that have this mark (t) before 
 their names were the greatest benefactors. 
 
 The yearly disbursements of this Company in Charities amount to 3,000/. or thereabout. 
 
 From EssiNGTON, Esq., Clerk of this Company." 
 
 *' Since this scheme, Mr. Crump, belonging to the said Secretary, communicated to me 
 the account following, viz. of two later benefactions entrusted with this company. 
 
 "Poor men and women to be discharged out of the prisons of Ludgate, Wood-street 
 Compter, and the Poultry Compter, by Mr. John Rand's gift, of the moiety of three 
 freehold messuages or tenements in Tower street, not exceeding 40s. to each prisoner, 
 so far as the nett profits of the said houses shall extend ; deducting 41. per annum for 
 the master and three wardens, for their trouble in attending to see the charity 
 honestly distributed as per his will, dated 27 Aug. 1706. 
 
 " Mr. John Kellesby's will, dated 4 Aug. 1709, wherein he gives to the worshipful 
 Company of Mercers 120/., to be paid them after his wife's death ; devising that the 
 interest or profits thereof may be annexed to, and go towards the augmentation of the 
 salary belonging to the Master of Mercers' Chapel school for eyer."~Strype, 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Colet's. — In St. Paul's Church-yard, London. For 153 boys,* 
 " of every nation, country, and class." The admission 
 in the Company, and obtainable through the surveyor 
 accomptant, (always the master of the Mercers,) who 
 is the officer delegated by the court of assistants to 
 nominate during his year of office. Scholars are admitted 
 at fifteen^ but eligible at any age. The time of super- 
 annuation nineteen years of age. If not entered before 
 ten, ineligible to the exhibitions attached to the school. 
 The education is entirely classical. 
 
 • Alluding to the number of fishes taken by St. Peter: John xxi. 2. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 273 
 
 FOUNDATION AND ENDOWMENT. 
 
 This school was founded by Dr. John Colet, (son of Sir Henry Colet, 
 mercer, and lord mayor,) dean of St. Paul's, in the beginning of the reign 
 of Henry VIII. 
 
 From an ancient writing of the founder's, in the company's possession? 
 it appears that the original school and school-house, at the east end of St. 
 Paul's church-yard, was begun in 1508, and finished in 1512. In 1511, the 
 dean, by virtue of letters patent, granted to tlie Mercers' Company certain 
 estates in Buckinghamshire, to the annual value of 53/., in trust, to continue 
 the said school for ever, " for the instructing of boys in good manners and lite- 
 rature, and for the sustentation of one master and one usher, or of two ushers 
 of the same, and of the necessary things to be done, according to the ordi- 
 nance of him the said Jolm Colet, his heirs or executors thereafter to be made." 
 
 The lands conveyed by this grant, as therein set forth, consisted of 1965 
 acres of arable, pasture, and meadow land, and 30 acres of woodland, the 
 annual value whereof (according to the Mercers' books,) was then 55/. 
 14s. lO^d. This may be considered as the original endowment of the 
 school, and constituted for several years its only revenue. A rent-charge 
 of 8/. added by the dean, and some other benefactions which will be enu- 
 merated, were not received till some years after his death. 
 
 The old book of evidences contains a surrender of Dean Colet, and 
 Christiana Colet, widow, his mother, to the lord of Stebonheth or Stepney 
 manor, of tenements and pieces of land therein particularly described, (com- 
 prising amongst the rest "six messuages or cottages, with their gardens, 
 situate in the south part of Aldegate-street,") and amounting in the whole to 
 17 cottages or tenements, and 75 acres of land, to the use of the Company 
 for continuing of the said school, &c., (pursuing the same form as a grant 
 of lands in Bucks.) To this the wardens were admitted, and the copyhold 
 afterwards enfranchised by the conveyance of the fee simple by the lord of 
 the manor to trustees, and by them to the Company. 
 
 Subsequently, viz. in 1517, the dean granted estates in Cambridge- 
 shire, and in and near Colchester, Essex, for maintaining a chantry of 
 one chaplain, in a certain chapel at the south end of his school ; and by 
 his will, dated January, 1514, he further gave the Company: l. A 
 messuage, with shops, cellars, and appurtenances, in Sopar-lane; and two 
 tenements appertaining to the parish churches of St. Mary Colechurch and St. 
 Mary-le-Bow. 2. Two messuages in the parish of St. Magnus, London-bridge. 
 3. His grammar-school and chapel founded with the same, and the master's 
 house in St. Paul's church-yard. 4. His grammar -house, lately called 
 " Paules School," and four shops under it. 5. Two messuages in the Old 
 Change, London. 6. And six tenements in the parish of St. George, 
 Pudding-lane, Billingsgate: all for continuing the same school. 
 
 The Appendix to Knight's Life of Dean Colet, (8vo. 1724,) has, follow- 
 ing a copy of the school statutes, an account " of the landes of the Scole," 
 containing a summary of the above grants, and which states the yearly 
 value of the whole to be 122/. 4s. 7^d. This appears as the last title of the 
 statutes; and he there declares the "sett patrones and defenders, go- 
 
 T 
 
274 
 
 AIKRCERS' COMPANY. 
 
 vernours and rulers of that same schoole," to be " the tnost honeftt avd 
 faithful fellowshipe of the Mercers of London." To the whole is added 
 the signature of the dean, "Johannes Colet, fundator novjE scole rcanu 
 mea propria;" and which account is, in a note, said to have been delivered 
 by the dean to " Mr. William Lilie, (who was the first schoolmaster,) on 
 the 18th of June, 1518." The Company did not come into possession of 
 Mie whole of the dean's endowment till 1524, (five years after his death,) 
 at which time it produced altogether a revenue of 122/. Os. 11c?., an amount 
 agreeing within a few shillings with the above estimate in Knight's Life. 
 
 PRESENT STATE OF THE PROPERTY. 
 
 The Commissioners state themselves to have encountered much difficulty 
 in identifying the present school estates with the descriptions in Dean Colet's 
 grants ; and which they account for, in part, from the great change which 
 time has produced in the names of several of the places, and the alterations 
 arising from Enclosure Acts, and other causes; which, they say, in some 
 cases makes the total number of acres specified fall short, and in others 
 exceed the original amount. From terriers of the whole property, in the years 
 (1575 and 1576,) and in which the contents of the different parcels of land 
 vary so greatly from the specifications in the original grants as to warrant 
 the conclusion, that the quantities enumerated must have been considered 
 as "covering quantities;'' — great differences were found as to these contents 
 of the estates, and their present actual extent. Instancing this in some of 
 the Buckinghamshire estates, (and for which they endeavour to account in 
 the manner just noticed,) they observe: "Still it seems somewhat diffi- 
 cult to account, from these causes only, for such large defalcations as have 
 taken place, in some instances ; for example, in Aston Clinton," an estate 
 they have before described, " where it amounts to one third of the 
 whole number of acres.'' The whole rent of the Buckingham estates they 
 state at 1,746/. 13s. 5d. per annum. 
 
 The Cambridgeshire estates consist of a farm at Barton, let for 135/. 
 per annum ; and in Essex, of another farm at Colchester, let for 46/. 
 
 The estate at Stepney the Commissioners state as one " which has 
 undergone such great alterations by the numerous streets and buildings 
 which have been erected on it, that it seemed hopeless to endeavour to 
 identify the parcels with the original grant, or the early terriers. "The 
 Company, however, (they add,) produced to us an ancient plan of the 
 property, dated 1615; and also a modern one, taken in 1803, which, 
 on comparison, were found to coincide, with some small variations, 
 occasioned chiefly by the Commercial road having been carried through 
 the property, and for which the Company received 4,551/. 2s. 6d., (with 
 some interest due :) 3,390/. 8s. Sd. part of this sum was applied for redeem- 
 ing the land-tax of one of the Buckinghamshire estates, and the remainder 
 for that of Stepney. The whole rental of the Stepney property is (1820) 
 1,494/. Is. l\d. per annum, and is expected, when the leases fall in, to 
 realize a greatly increased income. 
 
 There are six houses in Whitechapel belonging to the school, which 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 275 
 
 are described, in the terrier of 1577, as " five houses in Whitechapel," seemincc 
 to answer to the "certain lands without Aldgate," mentioned in the com- 
 pany's account of the school estates in 1521, and enumerated in Knight's 
 Life, as " holdes without Aldgate," contained in the surrender of the copyhold 
 property at Stepney; if so, they may be considered as forming part of the 
 Stepney estate, making its present amount 1,874/. Is. 11c?. There is also a 
 house at Stepney, thus mentioned in the founder's statutes: "The hyghe 
 maister shall have the tenement in Stebunheth now in the hands of 
 Christopher Myddleton, to resort unto, which tenement the Mercers shall 
 mayntain and repayre." This house is described as being now divided 
 into two tenements, and under let; one at 25/. and the other at 20/. rent. 
 The lessees have laid out considerable sums on the premises, which are 
 supposed now to be worth 100/. a year. No allowance is made to the 
 master during the continuance of the term, and the rent reserved being pay- 
 able to him, it does not appear in the Mercers' rental. 
 
 THE PROPERTY IN LONDON. 
 
 The whole of the tenements given by Colet's will having been burnt 
 down in the fire of London, no means, it is stated, exist of identifying 
 the property; but the Mercers' Company are in possession of premises, 
 as part of the school estate, which answer in locality : 
 
 1. There are five houses in Queen-street, and one in Well-court, which 
 are considered to include the original property in Sopar-lane. 2. A piece 
 of land, the corner of St. Paul's Church-yard and Watling-street, let to the 
 corporation of London on a building lease, and another piece of land 
 adjoining, on which stands a charity-school, supposed to be the site of 
 the grammar-house, called " Paules Scole," with four shops under it, and 
 two tenements in Old Change. 3. Three houses, one in Pudding-lane. 
 4. A piece of ground on Fish-street Hill, let to the Fisiimongers' Company- 
 en a building lease, answering to the tenements in the parish of St. Magnus, 
 London Bridge. 5. The present school premises, consisting of a school- 
 room, and residences for the high master, sur-master, and usher, stand at 
 that part of the Church-yard which is described as the site of the old school- 
 house and chapel. The chapel has not been rebuilt. 
 
 Considerable purchases were made under an Act of Parliament of 58 
 Geo. III., of the corporation of London and of the bishop of London, for 
 enlarging the school premises; and the school house, &c. has since been 
 elegantly rebuilt of stone, forming, with the masters' houses, the present 
 grand pile of building. The total rental of the London estates (the 
 above new purchases, and three houses in the Old Change, excepted,) is 429/. 
 
 PROPERTY IN HERTS. 
 
 6. A rent-charge of 8/. per annum on lands in Hertfordshire. 
 
 The above comprehends the whole real property of the school under 
 Dean Colet's foundation; but the Company possess besides, funded 
 property in trust for the school as follows, viz. 2,244/. 3s. 4d.j 3 per 
 cent, consols, purchased with 1,728/. compensation from the Regent's 
 Canal Company for land at Limehouse; and 23,467/. IQs. lOr/., 3 per 
 
 T 2 
 
276 
 
 Mr:RCElls' COMPANY. 
 
 cent, reduced annuities, the produce of the parliamentary grant of 3000Z. 
 per annum for 35 years out of the coal duty, during their embarrassments 
 in 1745, as akeady mentioned. 
 
 The present annual income of the school, derived from the several sources 
 mentioned, under Dean Colet's foundation, is as follows : 
 
 Rents in Buckinghamshire, (including the annuity £ s. d. 
 
 of 122/. 2s. 8d. and the redeemed land-tax) . 1,858 16 10^ 
 Rents in Cambridgeshire . . . . 135 0 0 
 Ditto in Essex . . . . 146 0 0 
 Ditto at Stepney, (including the redeemed land- 
 tax, and the houses in Whitechapel) . . . 1,874 1 11 
 
 Rents in London 429 0 0 
 
 Rent charge in Ilertford shire .... 800 
 
 Dividend on 2,244/. 3s. Id., 3 per cent, consols . 67 6 6 
 
 Do. on 23,487/. 19s. lOd., 3 per cent, reduced . 704 12 0 
 
 5,222 17 3i 
 
 To this should be added the periodical fines of 
 300/. and 315/. paid every 21 years by the 
 Marquis of Buckingham, under the act for 
 exchanging the lands in Wotton and Ham, 
 which, if spread over the whole period, 
 would produce annually .... 29 5 8 
 
 Making the whole income .... 5,252 2 lli 
 
 The addition of the improved rents, already reserved on the property at 
 Stepney, amounting to 418/. 10s. and which will shortly become payable, will 
 raise this income to 5,670/. 1 5s. 6d. On the other hand, some deduction should 
 perhaps be made, on account of a farm at Luggershall, which seems to be 
 somewhat overlet, and from the rent of which an abatement was made last 
 year of 48/. 
 
 In addition to the munificent endowment of Dean Colet, the school enjoys a 
 valuable benefaction for the establishment of exhibitions at the university of 
 Cambridge. (See " Exhibitions.") 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 By the founder's statutes, the children at their admission are to be able to 
 say the Catechism, and to read and write " competently." They were to be 
 taught good literature, both Latin and Greek, " and good autors, such as have 
 the verry Romayne eloquence joyned with wisdom, specially Cristen autors, 
 that wrote theire wisdom with clean and chaste Laten, either in verse or ia 
 prose the founder's intent being " by this scole specially to encrease know- 
 ledge and worshippinge of God and our Lord Christ Jesu, and good Cristen 
 life and manners in the children." The education given agreeably to these 
 instructions has been noticed. The present teachers consist, according to the 
 founder's will, of a high master, whose salary is 618/. per annum, together 
 with a spacious house; a sur-master with 307/. per annum; an under-master 
 or ancient chaplain, whose salary is 227/. per annum, and an assistant 
 master with a salary of 257/. The last master only has no house. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AM) CHARITIES. 
 
 277 
 
 llemarking on the description of children to be admitted, agreeably to the 
 founder's instructions, the commissioners are of opinion that it was his in- 
 tention by no means to confine its benefits to the rich, but rather that it should 
 be open to rich and poor. 
 
 They add, after stating the particulars as to the salaries and duties of the 
 teachers as above, and the general management and regulation of the school 
 and its property, a table of the year's expenditure preceding their Report, which 
 amounted altogether to 6078/. 3s. O^d., a sum, it will be seen, considerably 
 exceeding the income, but which is said to be principally owing to items 
 marked as extra charges in the margin of the account; and they add — 
 
 "Tlie large amounts which at different intervals have been expended in 
 repairs, seems to preclude the possibility of ascertaining any constant aver- 
 ages of income and expenditure. In 1782, 1783, and 1784, the sum paid 
 for repairs (and which applied generally to a repair of the school and 
 masters' houses,) amounted in the whole to 10,646/. 9.s. 
 
 A few of the articles in the annuaf account alluded to are said to require 
 some especial notice. They instance, in particular, an annuity of 1000/. 
 given to the then late high master. Dr. Roberts, (a greater stipend than was 
 paid him whilst employed as teacher,) but they account for it by reason partly 
 of his losing his residence, his great age of 80, and the Company's gratitude 
 for his services of nearly half a century. 
 
 Another item they remark on is, " Courts and Committees, 287/. 14s." and 
 which they explain by stating, that when the Company's courts of assistants 
 or committees, appointed by them, are summoned, it is customary to com- 
 pliment each member who attends with a gratuity of one guinea, and 
 which custom also prevails with courts and committees held for the ordinary 
 business of the Company. As an excuse, many of the members are said 
 to come from the country, and others to quit their business, whose loss of 
 time is not compensated by the pay they receive. Though, as the commis- 
 sioners remark, " this payment certainly appears, at least with respect to the 
 latter class of persons, to militate against the rule that a trustee is not entitled 
 to charge for his time and labour; and it is obvious, that if it amounts to 
 more than a mere indemnity, it must have a tendency to produce an un- 
 necessary multiplication of courts and committees." A similar notice is taken 
 of the sum of 229/. 9s. expended at what is called the "Apposition dinner," 
 and which is contrasted with the economical provision on this occasion by 
 the founder, viz. of "an assembly and a litell dinner, ordayned by the sur- 
 veyor, not exceedynge the pryce of fower nobles." A charge of 222/. 8s. for 
 gold medals, (each of which is of 20/. value,) they remark, is annually ex- 
 pended for gifts to the accountant-surveyor on quitting office, though " it 
 is one which it would be difficult to justify on any ground of expe- 
 diency." 
 
 Complimenting the general management of the school funds, as the com- 
 missioners do in conclusion, notwithstanding these exceptions, they add, that 
 it is obvious " that the present large and improving revenue, under a some- 
 what more economical system, would be adequate to the production of a far 
 more extensive benefit than the mere instruction in classical learning of 
 
278 
 
 MERC Ell b' COMPANY. 
 
 153 scholars." The remedy they recommend to the anxious attention of the 
 Company.* 
 
 Mercers'. — On College hill, London. For seventy scholars, with- 
 out restriction of age or place. Patrons, the Company, 
 who commit the superintendence and right of nomination 
 to the master and wardens for the time being, who assign 
 it in turn. They are admitted at any age, and receive 
 a classical education, together with English, writing, 
 arithmetic, merchants' accounts, and the useful appen- 
 dages of geography and history. 
 
 The Mercers' School, though but little known or celebrated, is one of 
 the very oldest seminaries of education in London, as has been partly shewn, 
 in giving an account of the Companies' Hall. That it was coeval with 
 the foundation of St. Thomas of Aeon, and only revived on the petition of 
 Peele, in 1447, there exists little doubt. The mention then made of it is, how- 
 ever, the first on record. It was at this time probably kept at the hospital, 
 but had been afterwards removed ; for Stow, speaking of the Crownsild 
 next the Merceiy in Cheapside, says, that the Mercers' school adjoined that 
 building, " being kept in a house for that purpose, prepared in the church- 
 yard; and which, being decayed, was sold for rent in the reign of Henry 
 VIII." The continuation of the school, on the suppression of St. 
 Thomas of Aeon, (with whose fate it seems to have been all along connect- 
 ed,) was owing to Henry VIII. By copies of instruments shewn to the 
 commissioners by the Company's clerk; that monarch, in his thirty-third 
 year, granted to the Mercers' Company the site of their hall, as already 
 described; and, by an indenture of the same date, between the king and 
 the company, which recited the said grant, the company, amongst other 
 things, covenanted, at their own proper costs and charges, "to find and 
 keep a free grammar school within the said city of London perpetually, 
 and to find a sufficient master to teach twenty-five children and scholars in 
 the same school, freely for ever." From this time the school assumed the 
 rank of a free school ; and, under the care of the company, who permitted the 
 master to receive private scholars, it vied with the greatest schools in London, 
 as also in the disputations of its scholars on festival-days. 
 
 It was kept at this time, and until the fire of London, at St. Mary, Cole- 
 church, next the Mercers' chapel ; the company allowing the parson of that 
 
 * Numerous additional particulars 
 respecting St. Paul's school, and of all 
 the free grammar schools under the 
 control of this and the other London 
 Companies, will be found in Carlisle's 
 *' Endowed Grammar Schools." The 
 list of eminent scholars of St. Paul's 
 school, there enumerated, includes the 
 uistinguished names of Sir Anthony 
 Denny, privy counsellor to HenryVIII.; 
 Sir William Paget, holding the same 
 
 office to that monarch, and also to the 
 three succeeding sovereigns ; Sir Edward 
 North, afterwards lord North; John 
 Leland, the antiquary ; John Milton, 
 Sir Charles Scarborough the physician, 
 Samuel Pepys, secretary of the admi- 
 ralty to Charles II. ; Benjamin Calamy, 
 D.D., the great duke of Marlborough, 
 in Queen Anne's reign, several bi- 
 shops, Spencer Compton, speaker of 
 the House of Commons, <fec. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHAHITIES. 
 
 279 
 
 church, who was the master, an annual salary, and a house, with the school 
 and play-ground. Subsequently to that event, as we have seen, there was 
 some discussion with Parliament on rebuilding the Mercers' school on the 
 former site of St. Mary, Colechurch. That site, however, was ultimately 
 rejected, and by the Rebuilding Act, 22 Charles II., (1670,) it was ex- 
 pressly provided, that there should be a plot of ground, on the western side 
 of the Old Jewry, "set apart and assigned for the site upon which Mer- 
 cers' Chapel Grammar School should be built." Persons who re- 
 member the building, describe it whilst here, as an old-fashioned house for 
 the master's residence, with projecting upper stories, a low spacious build- 
 ing by the side of it for the school-room, and an area behind it for a play- 
 ground; the whole being situate on the west side of the Old Jewry, about 
 forty yards from Cheapside. 
 
 The great value of ground on the above spot, and a desire to widen, as 
 at present, the entrance to the Old Jewry, occasioned the temporary re- 
 moval of the Mercers' school, in 1787, to No. 13, Budge row, about thirty 
 yards from Dowgate hill, (a house of the Company's, which was afterwards 
 burnt down.) In 1804 it was again temporarily removed to No. 20, Red 
 Lion court, Watling street; and from thence, in 1808, to its present situa- 
 tion, on College hill. The latter premises were hired by the company, at 
 the rent of 120/., and the average expense of the school was 677/. Is. Id. 
 The salary of the master is 200/., and 50/. gratuity, with a house to live in, 
 rent and tax free. Writing, arithmetic, and merchants' accounts, were added 
 to the Greek and Latin classics, in 1804; and a writing master was en- 
 gaged, who has a salary of 120/., and a gratuity of 20/., but no house. There 
 are two exhibitions belonging to the school: for which, see "Exhibitions." 
 
 The present Mercers' school, which is but lately finished, is a very elegant 
 stone structure, adjoining St. Michael, College hill church, on the site of 
 Whittington's alms-houses, which had been removed to Highgate to make 
 room for it. 
 
 Collyer's. — At Horsham, in Sussex. For sixty boys of the parish 
 of Horsham. "The poorest to be chosen, but none of 
 Horsham to be refused likely to learn." Elected by the 
 vicar, the churchwardens, and two school-wardens. The 
 Mercers' Company trustees and payees. They remain 
 at school from eight to fourteen, and are taught Latin, 
 reading, writing, and English grammar. 
 
 The free school at Horsham was founded in 15.32, by Richard Collyer, 
 citizen and mercer, of London, who, for establishing it, bequeathed pre- 
 mises at Horsham, and in Queen street, Cheapside, London, to the 
 wardens and commonalty of the mystery of Mercers of the city of Lon- 
 don, as trustees of the same. The objects of this foundation were, that 
 there should be sixty free scholars, with a master at 10/. a year salary, 
 and an usher at ten marks. These yearly salaries were to be paid by the 
 wardens of the Mercers' Company, who, together with the " fellowship of 
 
 / 
 
280 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 the mystery of ^Mercers, were to have for the performance of the same a 
 house, called the 'Key/ with the appurtenances, part of the Queen street 
 estate, to be made sure to the said fellowship, and their successors, for ever- 
 more, "they paying that aforesaid is recited." And the wardens were "to 
 have out of the same, 20s. yearly for their pains, and more to be taken out 
 of the same when it should be needful, to see to such reparations as should 
 be meet to be done for the maintenance of the same school-house." The 
 present rental of the endowment is upwards of 400/. per annum, exclusively 
 of two yearly payments of 10/. and 10 marks, charged upon three several 
 messuages, (formerly the one house, called " The Key,") with the 
 appurtenances, in Cheapside. There are no statutes nor ordinances but 
 what are expressed in the will of the founder. 
 
 When the present master succeeded, in 1806, '' the?^e was not a hoy upon 
 this foundation " and the master's salary was only 30/. per annum, and 
 the usher's 20/. Ever since his accession the original intention of the 
 Founder has been carried into full effect. He has, at this time, and 
 always has had since. Sixty boys, in regular attendance, and not one 
 private hoy in the school." 
 
 The Eton Latin grammar is used, and the Eton plan of education is 
 pursued; besides which, the children are taught writing, &c., as has been 
 noticed; and they are all strictly brought up to the Established church. 
 The Greek language is not taught to the free boys. 
 
 The present head-master's salary is 110/. per annum, but no other emo- 
 luments of any kind. This gentleman takes pupils, but never more than two at 
 once, whom he fits for the Universities. The usher's salary is 73/. 6s. Qd., 
 being the original proportion of two thirds. There are no church preferments. 
 
 Dauntsey's. — At West Lavington, Wilts. For all boys of West 
 Lavington, (at present amounting to, from sixty to one 
 hundred,) who are admitted on application to the master, 
 without any special appointment. They are taught the 
 Church catechism, reading, writing, arithmetic, gram- 
 mar, and the classics, when required. There are no 
 boarders. 
 
 This school was founded in 1542, by Alderman William Dauntsey, to- 
 gether with a set of almshouses, (which will be presently described,) who ap- 
 pointed a schoolmaster to teach grammar, at a salary of 10/., as sole master 
 thereof, and bequeathed to the company all his estates in the city of Lon- 
 don, (except the house himself inhabited,) to perform the trusts of his 
 will, as contained in indentures to be made between them and his brother, 
 Ambrose Dauntsey, and in which it was conditioned, amongst other things, 
 that they should pay the said schoolmaster's salary of 10/. and the allow- 
 ances of the almspeople. The school and other buildings were erected pre- 
 viously to 1553, and were taken possession of by the Mercers, together 
 with the estates in London, tlie company having duly executed the inden- 
 tures alluded to. The London property, on first coming into the company's 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 281 
 
 possession, as appears from their books, consisted of the following premises, 
 producing the annexed rents : 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Houses in Gracechurch street . . . .18 0 8 
 
 Ditto in St. Peter's Yard, Church Alley . . 2 16 4 
 
 Ditto in OfFele Alley . . . . . 9 17 4 
 
 Ditto in St. Antholin's parish . . . 10 3 4 
 
 Ditto in St. Thomas Apostle . . . . 6 10 8 
 
 47 8 4 
 
 The premises now possessed by the company under this devise, and for 
 support of the almshouses, are as follows, viz. four houses, being Nos. 3, 4, 5, 
 and 6, Gracechurch-street, and five houses in Corbet Court, (supposed to be 
 those formerly described as being in OfFele Alley,) being Nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5, 
 and another, not numbered, in the occupation of William Rawson ; a house, 
 the sign of the Wheatsheaf, in St. Peter's Alley, Cornhill ; part of a house in 
 Queen street, Cheapside, the corner of Watling street, in the occupation of 
 George Miller, the remainder of which belongs to Christ's Hospital; two houses, 
 being Nos. 42, and 43, in Watling-street, (which two houses, with that in 
 Queen street, are supposed to be those described as being in St. Antholin's 
 parish,) and three houses, being Nos. 19, 20, and 21, and five others, not 
 numbered, on lease to John Walters, in Maidenhead-court, in the parish of 
 Little St. Thomas, Apostle. The rent received from the whole of these houses 
 amounts now to 1,060/. per annum. 
 
 The original allowance of 10/. a year to the schoolmaster was continued 
 till 1598, when it was raised to 15/. In 1611, and from that till 1635, the 
 whole sum paid to the charity was 38/. 13s. 4c/.; a decree in chancery being 
 then obtained by the heirs of the founder, the company was enjoined 
 to pay thenceforth for school and almshouses 60/. yearly, together with 100/. 
 for repairing the school, &c. In 1801 the income of the charity was raised 
 (including the 60/.) to 135/.; and in 1803, when the rental had increased to 
 600/. per annum, the master's stipend was augmented to 110/., and the alms- 
 folks' yearly allowances to 110/. 19s'. 9c?.; — the master has also a school-room 
 and apartments. No scholars have applied for, or received classical education, 
 except the children of the master, (who is a clergyman.) The ducal family 
 of Marlborough appoint the schoolmaster as owners of West Lavington 
 manor, but the commissioners think under a questionable right. The present 
 expenditure of West Lavington Charity is as follows : 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Master's salary . . . . . 110 0 0 
 
 Seven almspeople, at 5s. per week each ^ 109 13 4 
 Ditto 13s. ^d. per quarter ^ 
 
 Balance 16 8 
 
 221 0 0 
 
 Exclusive of repairs of master's house, almshouses, parochial charges, and 
 other expenses. 
 
282 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 EXHIBITIONS ; OR, TEMPORARY PENSIONS TO POOR SCHOLARS AT THE 
 UNIVERSITIES OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Camden's. — Five of 100/. and five of 70Z. per annum each, to 
 scholars of St. Paul's School ; appointed by the court 
 of wardens and trustees of St. Paul's School, to Trinity 
 College, Cambridge. ' 
 
 Mercers'. — At present about twenty of 50/. a year each, to ditto ; 
 
 appointed at a general court to any college of either 
 University. They are never given to the same boys who 
 have the Camden exhibitions. 
 
 Perry and Sykes'. — An indefinite number of scholarships or 
 exhibitions for Paulines, (scholars of St. Paul's School, 
 usually so denominated,) at Trinity and St. John's Col- 
 lege, Cambridge. 
 
 Mercers'. — Two of 50/. each, (unlimited as to college or univer- 
 sity,) for any scholars of Mercers' School whom the 
 schoolmaster reports to be duly qualified ; appointed by 
 the court. 
 
 Robinson's. — Four of 24/. each per annum, to collegians entered 
 
 in either of the colleges at Cambridge ; appointed by 
 
 the general court. 
 North's. — Four of 20/. each per annum, to four students of either 
 
 University who shall be entered in one of the colleges ; 
 
 appointed by the court of assistants. 
 N.B. The above exhibitions are for seven years, and the stipends 
 are paid at Mercers' Hall. 
 
 ALMSHOUSES. 
 
 Whittington's. — At Upper Holloway, Middlesex, for the main- 
 tenance of 29 poor single freemen of the company, or 
 with their wives, not to be less than fifty-five years of 
 age; together with 30 out-pensioners, not under 30, 
 who receive 30/. per annum ; and for the maintenance 
 and education of sons of freemen or liverymen, who are 
 taught writing, arithmetic, merchants' accounts, gram- 
 mar, geography, and the elements of practical mathe- 
 matics. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 283 
 
 Founded by will of Sir Richard Whittington, knight, citizen, and alderman, 
 in 1421, who left for their support his dwelling-house in St. Michael, Pater- 
 noster parish, and all his lands and tenements in London, subject to 
 debts and other charities mentioned. In the ancient body of ordinances 
 remaining with the company, and made by the executors, amongst other 
 particular directions for conducting this charity, is one, ordaining that the 
 mayor of London that then was, and all his successors, should be overseers, and 
 the keepers of the commonalty of the craft of Mercerie of London, and their 
 successors, shall be conservators of the aforesaid almshouses. They vest 
 the power of appointing a tutor of the almsmen to the conservators, with a 
 reversion of the appointment to the mayor as overseer, if the office should 
 not be filled up in 20 days, and to him all appeals from the almspeople 
 were to be made, " and to none other person." The commissioners state 
 this charity to possess considerable property under the management of the 
 Mercers, but add, " considering that by foregoing ordinances the lord mayor of 
 London for the time being was appointed by the founder special visitor, 
 (although it does not appear that such visitorial power has in fact ever been 
 exercised,) we conceive ourselves precluded from any further examination into 
 the concerns of this charity." They decline, on the same ground, entering into 
 the consideration of separate bequests to it. 
 
 Dauntsey's. — At West Lavington, Wilts. ; for five poor aged 
 men and women, aged inhabitants there, or from the 
 adjoining parishes, (and for the education of 34 boys, as 
 just mentioned.) They are appointed by the ducal 
 family of Marlborough. 
 
 These almshouses (which have been already noticed in the account of 
 West Lavington school,) are directed in Alderman Dauntsey's will (1542) 
 to consist of " seven chambers, for the habitation of five aged and impotent 
 men, and two honest aged poor women, to be called the headmen and 
 beadwomen of West Lavington ;" who were every quarter to receive 
 10s. 10c?. each. In 1801, the company added a gratuity of 45Z. to the 
 almspeople; and in 1803, on the rental of the estates having increased, 
 as just observed, to 600/., increased the yearly allowance to 110/. 19s. 9c?. 
 The sum paid by the schoolmaster of the school, in payments of 5s. 
 a week each, and 13s. 4c?. quarterly, making together 109/. 13s. \d., as 
 just mentioned; the yearly balance of 1/. 6s. 8c/. is laid by for the pur- 
 chase of great coats and cloaks. The almshouses were rebuilt in 1810, 
 and the buildings now appropriated to the charity are the almshouse, 
 consisting of a sitting room, bedchamber, and buttery, for each of the seven 
 inhabitants; and one common apartment for brewing, baking, and washing ; 
 together with a schoolroom and apartments for the master, separate from the 
 almshouse. The almspeople are old persons selected from among the poor of 
 West Lavington, which parish is always able to furnish a sufficient number. 
 
284 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 Mico's ; including Mrs. Fermour's Charity. — At Stepney, Mid- 
 dlesex ; for 10 poor widows of freemen of London, fifty 
 years of age and upwards ; who have 301. per annum 
 each. Also a School for 20 children, at Fairford, Glou- 
 cester, Avhich is discontinued. The almspeople are elected 
 by the company at a general court. 
 
 These almshouses were founded pursuant to the will of Dame Jane Mico, 
 widow of Sir Samuel Mico, knight, 1670, who left 1500/. for that purpose, 
 with directions, after erecting the same, to purchase land with the remainder 
 of the sum for endowing them. 
 
 On proceedings had in Chancery respecting this legacy, after Lady Mico's 
 death, an order was made (October 14, 1680) that the executors should assign 
 their interest and trust to the Mercers, (the property then amounting to 
 2220/.) together with the patronage, subject to the trusts of the will, and which 
 company accordingly became possessed thereof in 1682. 
 
 The almshouses, built in 1691, cost 780/. 5s. 9c?., which was deducted 
 from 2980/. 5s. 9d., the amount the original legacy had been then increased 
 to by new interest on it, when 2200/. was allowed to remain in the com- 
 pany's hands, at 4 per cent, by their order in Chancery. The interest, amount- 
 ing to 88/., was to be applied as follows : 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 To ten poor widows 8/. per annum each, by monthly 
 
 payments . . . . . 80 0 0 
 
 llent of the ground on which the almshouses stand 15 0 
 
 Clerk of the company . . . .200 
 
 Repairs and other charges . . . 4 15 0 
 
 88 0 0 
 
 A sum of 1548/. had become in arrear to ihis charity during the com- 
 pany's embarrassments, from their having made certain deductions for rent 
 and repairs of the almshouses; the remainder was invested, and, with various 
 accumulations of interest,* the wliole income was then found to amount to 
 144/. 7s. 5d. To this was added certain proceeds from an additional legacy 
 of 1000/., left, in 1704, by the Hon. Elizabeth Fermour, which makes the 
 present annual income of the almshouse people 210/. 2s. 2c?. 
 
 The almshouses (which are opposite Stepney church-yard,) consist of ten 
 dwellings, each having a kitchen, and bedroom over it, and a small garden, 
 and are kept in repair by the Company. 
 
 Besides the yearly annuities of 30/. each, the widows are attended in sick- 
 ness by an apothecary, who has a regular salary for the purpose ; and six 
 guineas is allowed towards the funerals of those who die. 
 
 Owing to repairs and various expenses, the commissioners state the annual 
 expenditure of this charity to exceed the present income ; and the same being 
 paid out of the company's funds, they forbear to go into the accounts of 
 former occasional excess of income. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 285 
 
 Northampton's. — Called Trinity Hospital, at Greenwich, Kent; 
 
 for the support of a warden and 20 poor men, to be 
 inhabitants of Greenwich, and Rutesham, in Norfolk, with 
 certain officers. The whole establishment appointable 
 and removable by the Mercers. The elections are in the 
 wardens and company, or a committee of twelve, (whereof 
 the two senior wardens and six of the assistants consti- 
 tute eight.) 
 
 Trinity Hospital was founded in 1615 by Henry Howard earl of 
 Northampton, who began the erection of it in his lifetime, three years earlier. 
 The king's letters patent, which were obtained shortly after his death, con- 
 stitute it an hospital for ever, to be called " the Hospital of the holy and 
 undivided Trinity in East- Greenwich." The nomination of the poor and 
 officers, and their removal for reasonable causes, were vested in the wardens 
 and commonalty of the Mercers, or any twelve or more of them, eight of which 
 twelve should consist of the two senior wardens and six of the assistants. 
 And the warden and poor men were at the same time incorporated, with 
 power to take lands, have a common seal, and to make ordinances for their 
 government and the management of their revenues. The two senior wardens 
 and six of the assistants of the Mercers are perpetual visitors of Trinity Col- 
 lege, and hold yearly a court on the Monday after Trinity Monday, for 
 examining the hospital minutes, enforcing the observance of the statutes, 
 auditing the warden's accounts, surveying the state of the revenues, and other 
 necessary business of the charity. The minor government, including the 
 purveyorship and stewardship, are vested by the company in the warden 
 of the hospital. 
 
 The Mercers superintend the management of the hospital property, and 
 regulate the allowances to be made to the almspeople and officers, but no 
 part of the income ever passes through their hands ; all transactions respecting 
 it are in the corporate name of the hospital ; the leases and other instruments 
 are prepared by the company's clerk, under an express direction contained 
 in the ordinances, and are sealed by the warden of the hospital with the 
 common seal, of which he has the custody ; and the rents are received and the 
 disbursements made by him ; he also retains all balances, and keeps the 
 accounts, only depositing a copy with the company. 
 
 The above circumstances of the Mercers being special visitors, &c., the 
 commissioners considered precluded them from further investigation into the 
 concerns of this noble charity. 
 
286 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 PENSIONS, GIFTS, LOANS, &C.; OTHERWISE CALLED 
 "money legacy CHARITIES."* 
 
 Dono7-'s'name. 
 
 Alderman Dauntsey . 
 For coals to St. Lawrence 
 parish 
 St. Antholin's 
 Nicholas Statham 
 To pay to St. Bartholo- 
 mew's Hospital 
 
 John Marsh 
 To pay to Uxbridge 
 Marshalsea prison 
 King's bench prison 
 Ludgate 
 Newgate 
 
 Wood street compter 
 Poultry compter . 
 St. Lawrence parish 
 The wardens of the 
 company 25. 6rf. each 
 beadle 3s. 4d. . 
 
 Alderman Baskerfield . 
 For coals to Whittington's 
 almspeople 
 St. Lawrence, Jewry 
 Milk street parish 
 St. Michael, Eassi 
 
 shaw 
 St. Peter, Cheap . 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 2 10 0 
 2 10 0 
 
 5 6 8 
 
 1 0 0 
 
 1 0 0 
 
 0 5 0 
 
 0 10 0 
 
 0 5 0 
 
 0 5 0 
 
 0 15 0 
 
 2 10 0 
 
 2 10 0 
 
 1 5 0 
 
 2 10 0 
 I 5 0 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 To be len t to four poor free- 
 men. The interest to be four 
 loads of coals, yearly, to the 
 poor of the parishes named. 
 
 For pensions to any hospi- 
 tal the king would license. 
 Has been always paid as 
 mentioned. 
 
 The sum of 15s. is yearly 
 laid out in coals for the 
 poor, as originally directed 
 by the donor. The remain- 
 ing interest (which, by in- 
 vestments of stock, is now 
 much increased,) is distri- 
 buted as follows. 
 
 To Uxbridge . ^8 12 5 
 Gifts to the prisons nam- 
 ed, (combined with bene- 
 factions of Sir Roger Mar- 
 tin and Frances Clarke, men- 
 tioned below,) viz. 
 
 To Ludgate £1 7 1 
 Newgate . 1 10 2 
 Giltspur street or 
 
 Wood street .17 1 
 Poultry compter 7 8 9 
 King's bench . 0 12 6 
 Marshalsea . . 0 13 1 
 N.B. Ludgate, Newgate, 
 and the two compters, now 
 paid at Whitecross street. 
 
 To be lent to four free- 
 men for seven years. In- 
 terest : each borrower two 
 cartloads of charcoal, the 
 eight loads containing 110 
 sacks, to be distributed to 
 the poor mentioned. The 
 company now allow 1?. 5s. 
 for a load of coals, amount- 
 ing to 51. per cent. 
 
 * Money legacies were bequests in money, 
 not chargeable on any species of property, 
 but left in cash, or in the funds. They were 
 given for various purposes;— as to provide 
 coals, bread, for loans, pensions, to support 
 sermons and lectures, and exhibitions for 
 scholars at the Universities, (as already men- 
 tioned,) and to apprentice young freemen. 
 
 &c. The money legacies of the Mercers, (in- 
 cluding those left for every purpose,) were 
 returned by the company, in their Report to 
 the House of Commons, in 1745, to amount 
 to 21,099^. 5s. 9d., out of which the company 
 paid annually 573^. 17s. 4d. — Journals of the 
 House of Commons, vol. xxv. (George II.) 
 1745-50, pp. 455 to 579. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 287 
 
 Brought forward 
 David Appoivell 
 For coals to St. Lawrence 
 parish 
 
 Alice Blundell . 
 For bread to St. Lawrence 
 parish 
 Sir Thomas Leigh 
 To pay towards repairs of 
 Mercers' Chapel 
 Peter Symonds . 
 To pay to Allhallows, 
 Lombard street 
 Winchester poor . 
 For bread to be distri- 
 buted at Mercers' Hall, 
 and several prisons . 
 To the clerk of the com- 
 pany 
 
 Sir Thomas Rivett 
 For bread to St. Marga- 
 ret's, Lothbury 
 Chippenham, Cam- 
 bridgeshire 
 
 £ $. d- 
 933 6 8 
 100 0 0 
 
 Carried forward 1733 6 
 
 £ s. d. 
 31 10 0 
 
 3 2 8 
 
 4 2 0 
 
 2 10 0 
 
 3 4 0 
 
 2 12 0 
 2 12 0 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 To be lent to two free- 
 men. Interest: four suf- 
 ficient cartloads of great 
 coal."* 
 
 To be lent to two freemen, 
 who were each to pay 13d. 
 weekly in bread. 
 
 No bread has been distri- 
 buted in Mercers' Chapel for 
 many years, and the accu- 
 mulation, from 1763 to 1818 
 having been invested in 
 stock, now produces a year- 
 ly dividend of 3/. lOs. The 
 commissioners recommend 
 its readoption. The annuity 
 of 41. lOs. to Winchester, 
 they also state to have been 
 long discontinued, but that 
 the company are ready to 
 pay it on proper authority. 
 
 To be lent in equal sums 
 to four freemen, who were 
 to pay the interest in bread, 
 as named. This is now 
 found by the parishes, who 
 receive 61. 13s. 7d. for that 
 purpose. 
 
 * The interest of Appowell's bequest forms 
 part of a fund, composed of this, and other 
 gifts vested in the company, for distributing 
 coals to St. Lawrence, Jewry, (now united 
 with St. Mary Magdalen,) given by the above 
 Alderman Dauntsey, Sir John Allen, 1521, 
 (not mentioned here,) John Marsh, and 
 Alderman Baskerfield; to which are added 
 the dividends of 2G7/. 3s. old South Sea 
 annuities of the combined arrears; and also on 
 those of Alice Blundell, and Lionell Ducket, 
 (afterwards named,) making the following 
 total: 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Appowell's benefaction ..500 
 Alderman Dauntsey ... 2 10 0 
 
 Sir John Allen 0 9 0 
 
 Marsh's 0 15 0 
 
 Baskerfield's 3 15 0 
 
 Dividend on arrears ... 8 0 3 
 
 20 9 3 
 
 This fund is annually applied in a distri- 
 bution of coals among the poor of the above 
 parishes. A list is made out by the church- 
 
 wardens of the persons who are to receive 
 them, and who are supplied accordingly; and 
 the coals provided for the purpose are paid 
 for by the company. 
 
 The reports of the commissioners on the 
 Public charities, in noticing these, and the 
 other money legacies of the Mercers, add the 
 following preliminary observations : " It will 
 be seen that many of the charities consist of 
 sums of money given to the company 
 in trust, to lend them in different propor- 
 tions, to young men of the company, on good 
 security, for limited periods, and at certain 
 specified rates of interest; and to apply the 
 interest so paid to various charitable uses. It 
 appears that of late years these loans have 
 been very rarely made, from want of applica- 
 tions for such assistance. The company are, 
 however, ready to advance the loans on 
 proper application being made for them, and, 
 in the mean time, they pay the interest, 
 directed to be reserved, to the purposes speci- 
 fied by the respective donors. This state- 
 ment may be considered as applicable to all 
 cases of this description which occur with 
 the other companies." 
 
288 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 TiutG of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Commissioners* Remarks on 
 
 Bequest. 
 
 Donor's name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 Paid. 
 
 
 Application. 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 *. 
 
 d. 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d 
 
 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 1733 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 61 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 
 1573, 
 
 Sir Ropier Martin . . 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent to two free- 
 
 Sep. 8. 
 
 To pay to Ludgate . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 men, at 4?. per cent, and the 
 
 
 Newgate 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 interest paid as stated. 
 
 
 Wood street compter . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Martin's benefaction is now 
 
 
 Poultry compter . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 combined with a similar one 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of Frances Clerke, mention- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ed afterwards, and arrears of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 John Marsh's benefaction. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 above mentioned. (See 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 " Frances Clerke.") 
 
 1579, 
 
 Alderman Heydon 
 
 300 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent to six freemen. 
 
 March 11. 
 
 For coals, &c. to St. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at 31. Qs. 8d. per cent, and 
 
 
 Michael, Paternoster 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the interest to be distributed 
 
 
 Royal 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 partly in coals, bread, and 
 
 
 Whittington's almspeo- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 money, to the poor men- 
 
 
 ple 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 tioned. Now paid wholly 
 
 
 Woodbury, Devonshire. 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 in money. 
 
 1579, 
 
 Alderman Heydon 
 
 300 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent to six young 
 
 March 11. 
 
 To pay to St. Martin, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 freemen, at the above rate 
 
 
 Vintry 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 of interest, and the annual 
 
 
 St. Michael, Paternoster 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 amount of 10/. to be paid as 
 
 
 Royal 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 stated. 
 
 
 St. James's, Garlick-hill. 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 St. Thomas Apostle 
 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 1582, 
 
 Robert Hilson . 
 
 266 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 The interest left in part 
 
 March 15. 
 
 To pay to St. Michael, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to buy the boys of Christ's 
 
 
 Crooked lane . 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 Hospital black caps, and the 
 
 
 Christ's Hospital . 
 
 
 
 
 10 14 
 
 8 
 
 remainder to St. Michael's, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 for bread. 
 
 1585, 
 
 Six Lionel DucJcett 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent to four free- 
 
 March 21. 
 
 To pay to Milk street 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 men, at four per cent. Al, 9s. 
 
 
 parish 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 is now paid to St. Lawrence, 
 
 
 St. Lawrence parish 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 Jewry ; and the remainder 
 
 
 St. Peter's, Cheap 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 as accounted for under Ap- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 powell's gift. 
 
 1582, 
 
 Sir William Damsell . 
 
 240 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 Left to distribute 51. year- 
 
 June 1. 
 
 To pay to poor widows 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ly to the poor, the remain- 
 
 
 of the company, each 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ing interest to the company. 
 
 
 21. m. . 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 51. yearly is now divided 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 between two poor widows 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of the company, if they con- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 duct themselves properly. 
 
 1592, 
 
 Alderman Elkin 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 (See account of Whitting- 
 
 Aug. 22. 
 
 To pay to Whittington's 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ton College.) 
 
 1584, 
 
 almspeople 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 
 Martha Barrett . 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 3/. Qs. 8d. is paid as directed. 
 
 Sep. 25. 
 
 To pay to St. Michael 
 
 
 
 
 0 16 
 
 8 
 
 The commissioners state 
 
 
 Royal 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 16 
 
 8 
 
 that only two appointments 
 
 
 ot. Martm Vintry 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 
 were made of exhibitioners 
 
 
 St. Sepulchre's . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to Magdalen College sub- 
 
 
 To a student in Magdalen 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 sequently to 1763, viz. one 
 
 
 College, Oxford 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 between 1765 and I771, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the other in 1818, which 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 still continues, but the ac- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cumulations during the va- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cancy have been invested. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and 17/. per annum is at pre- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 sent paid to the exhibitioner. 
 
 1 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 3640 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 127 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 

 TRUST-ESTATES 
 
 AND CHARITIES. 289 
 
 Date of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 
 Bequest. 
 
 Donot's Name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 Paid. 
 
 Application. 
 
 
 
 
 
 d. 
 
 £ t. 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 1601 
 
 EdivaTcl Bevtcley . • 
 
 666 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 (See Journals House of 
 
 Dec. 2. 
 
 To pay to Whittington's 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Commons.") 
 
 
 almspeople • . 
 
 
 
 
 10 8 
 
 0 
 
 
 1600, 
 
 GewgeBetkbetk . . 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 10 
 
 0 
 
 (See *' Cropley s Gift. ) 
 
 Oct. 26. 
 
 x 0 be distributed to tne 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 poor of the company 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in coals «^ • . 
 
 
 
 
 2 10 
 
 0 
 
 
 7 Feb., 
 
 Richavd Barnes , . 
 
 133 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 33<. 69. Qd. was added to 
 
 39 Eliz. 
 
 To pay to St. Giles, Crip- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 this gift in 1607, by the 
 
 
 plegate . 
 
 
 
 
 2 19 
 
 8 
 
 donor's son and executor. 
 
 
 Whittington's almspeo- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to make up the legacy 200 
 
 
 ple .... 
 
 
 
 
 2 12 
 
 0 
 
 marks. And there is now 
 
 
 Renter-warden of the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 added a yearly sum of \l. 
 
 
 company ... 
 
 
 
 
 0 5 
 
 0 
 
 \{]s. 9d. arising from an in- 
 
 
 Clerk of the company . 
 
 
 
 
 0 3 
 
 4 
 
 vestment of arrears, which 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 is also paid in augmentation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of the charity. 
 
 1579, 
 
 Alderman Hey don 
 
 400 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 To be lent to eight free- 
 
 March 11. 
 
 To pay to St. Michael 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 men *• of the company trad- 
 
 
 Royal Lecturer • 
 
 
 
 
 13 6 
 
 8 
 
 ing over the seas," at 31. 6s. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8d. per cent, and the in- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 terest to be paid as stated. 
 
 1602, 
 
 ar 0 omew ^' "f'^ • • 
 
 300 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 To be lent to six freemen. 
 
 March 1. 
 
 Xo pay to Christ s Hos- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at 3/. 6s. 8d. per cent. The 
 
 
 pital 
 
 
 
 
 10 0 
 
 0 
 
 10/. interest to be paid to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Christ's Hospital on Good 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1608, 
 
 Alderman Walthall • • 
 
 500 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 To be lent to ten freemen. 
 
 July 16. 
 
 To pay to Christ s Hos- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 " Invaders to London^*' at 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 0 
 
 0 
 
 per cent. The lOZ. interest 
 
 
 Poor scholars . . 
 
 
 
 
 9 0 
 
 0 
 
 is yearly paid to Christ's 
 
 
 Master and wardens of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hospital. The exhibition 
 
 
 the company • • 
 
 
 
 
 1 0 
 
 0 
 
 money will be seen account- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ed for under that head. 
 
 Date 
 
 rrances ClevJc ... 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 To be applied, according 
 
 unknown. 
 
 To pay to the Poultry 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to the donor's directions. 
 
 
 compter ... 
 
 
 
 
 10 0 
 
 0 
 
 " towards liberating prison- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ers fyom ♦ the hole in the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Poultry compter. (See*'Sir 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Roger Martin's gift, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 John Marsh.") 
 
 1630, 
 
 John Banks ... 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 May 20. 
 
 To pay to St. Michael 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bassishaw parish . 
 
 
 
 
 2 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 Ditt 
 1 0. 
 
 John Banks ... 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 To be lent to freemen at 
 
 
 For maintenance of ser- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 per cent. The interest to 
 
 
 mons 
 
 
 
 
 6 0 
 
 0 
 
 be carried to the account of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 his rents at Holloway. The 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 interest of this 200/. has not 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 been accounted for by the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 company to this charity. 
 
 Undated. 
 
 William Ferrers 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 To be lent to three young 
 
 
 To pay to Christ's Hos- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 freemen of the company, in 
 
 
 pital 
 
 
 
 
 6 0 
 
 0 
 
 sums of 100 marks each, at 
 
 
 To the house and ren- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3/. 8s. 6f/. per cent, and the 
 
 
 ter-wardens 
 
 
 
 
 0 10 
 
 0 
 
 interest paid as is stated. 
 
 
 The clerk . 
 
 
 
 
 4 3 
 
 4 
 
 
 u 
 
290 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Date of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 
 Bequest. 
 
 Donor's Name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 Paid. 
 
 
 Application, 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 
 d. 
 
 £ 
 
 
 d. 
 
 
 1630, 
 
 GUP'S Martin 
 
 375 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To buy land worth 51 a 
 
 August 1. 
 
 To pay to Yarcomb, D'^- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 year ; the interest to this 
 
 
 von 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 parish to bind out appren- 
 
 
 Mamhead, do. 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 tices, relief of the poor, &c. 
 No land was purchased, but 
 the parish receives 8Z. Is. ^d. 
 yearly; the additional 3/. 
 \s. 7rf. being a dividend on 
 an investment of arrears. 
 
 1637, 
 
 Robert Gibson , 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent at 51. per cent. 
 
 May 1. 
 
 To pay to Kirkheaton and 
 Huddersfield, York- 
 shire 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 the poor of those parishes. 
 From an investment of ar- 
 rears \l. 12.?., making toge- 
 ther 4/. 12.;., which the 
 minister of those parishes 
 now draws for annually. 
 
 1630, 
 
 Alderman Perry . 
 
 270 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To buy lands, &c., to the 
 
 April 20. 
 
 To pay to St. Bartholo- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 value of 131. per annum, to 
 
 
 mew Lecturer . 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 maintain a lecture or ser- 
 
 
 Do. clerk and sexton 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 mon, as stated. No lands 
 were bought, but the in- 
 terest is paid for supporting 
 a sermon, &c., which is 
 preached monthly. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Alderman Perry 
 
 To pay to St. Antholin's 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent to two free- 
 men at 3 per cent, the in- 
 
 
 lecturers 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 terest to the six lecturers 
 of the morning lectures 
 there. 
 
 1647, 
 
 Samuel Goldsmith 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 (See " Journals House 
 
 Feb. 4. 
 
 To pay Whittington's 
 almspeople 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 
 of Commons.") 
 
 1647, 
 
 Edward Cropley . 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 To be lent to 4 freemen 
 
 March 6. 
 
 To the poor of the com- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at 2 per cent, the Al. int. 
 
 
 pany 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 to be paid as stated. (See 
 " Bouverie.") 
 
 Undated. 
 
 Lady Viscountess Campden, 
 For the purchase of im- 
 propriations 
 
 3100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 This legacy was received 
 in 1650, and in 1652 the 
 mercers founded the two 
 
 
 Paid Grantham lecturer . 
 
 
 
 
 75 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 lectureships stated at 75/. 
 
 
 Wakefield lecturer 
 
 
 
 
 75 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 per ann. each. No impro- 
 priations for their endow- 
 ment have been bought (on 
 account, it is said, of no- 
 thing eligible offering,) but 
 in 1804, 93H. 5s. savings 
 were added as an arrear to 
 the bequest; and lOOL is 
 now paid to each lecturer. 
 The company state them- 
 selves ready to make the 
 purchases directed when- 
 ever they can be effected 
 with advantage. 
 
TRUST- ESTATES AND CHAR 
 
 ITIES. 
 
 291 
 
 Date of ; 
 Bequest. | 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 Ann Duckett 
 To pay to six poor wi- 
 dows of St. Giles, 
 Cripplegate 
 Four poor widows of 
 the company 
 To the wardens 
 Beadle 
 
 Thomas Rich 
 To pay to the clerk and 
 register of the com- 
 pany 
 To the beadle 
 Peter Birkenhead 
 For two sermons yearly 
 (Jan. 30 and May 29) 
 To the clerk 
 Beadle and chapel-keeper 
 
 Tliomas Langham, esq. 
 To pay to the poor of 
 Clapham . 
 Sir Edward De.sbouverie 
 To pay to the poor of the 
 Company. 
 Tiiomas Papillion, esq. 
 To pay such relief to any 
 person or persons li- 
 neally descended from 
 him as shall be in 
 want, as the company 
 find convenient. 
 John Allen 
 To pay to St. Nicholas 
 Aeon 
 Milk street parish 
 St. Benet Fink 
 Whittington s almspeo- 
 ple . . . . 
 
 4 0 0 
 0 10 0 
 0 3 4 
 
 I 3 4 
 0 10 0 
 
 4 0 0 
 0 10 0 
 0 6 8 
 
 100/. to be lent gratis 
 to freemen for 5 years. 
 The 400/. to be lent to 
 ditto at 2;. I3s. 4rf. per cent., 
 and the 10/. 13.v. 4d. per 
 annum to be distributed as 
 stated. The three wi- 
 dows' freemen now receive 
 1/. )As. 2d. each for a di- 
 vidend of 3;. ll,v. lid.. Old 
 South Sea annuities; and 
 those of the parish II. 2s. 
 each dividend on 04/. 2s. Ad., 
 both being investments of 
 arrears, and making the whole 
 sum now paid annually by 
 the Company on account of 
 these bequests 16/. 19s. 8d. 
 
 These sermons are preach- 
 ed in Mercers' Chapel every 
 year on stated days, by 
 preachers appointed by the 
 master of the company, who 
 receive 21. for each sermon. 
 
 This 11/. together with 
 61. 13s. 7d. the interest of 
 226/. 2.?. 2d. arrears in- 
 vested, are yearly paid as 
 stated. 
 
 This name is not found 
 in the commissioners' re- 
 Ports ; but is mentioned, 
 with the legacy, in the Jour- 
 nals of the House of Com- 
 mons. 
 
 Sir John Allen (the donor 
 here mentioned, and of 
 whom an account has al- 
 ready been given,) left the 
 sum stated in 1521, in part 
 for superstitious uses, and 
 for pensions to Whitting- 
 ton's almspeople. The 
 27.?. per annum to the three 
 parishes was to be expended 
 in three loads of coals, if 
 to be bought for that sum, 
 otherwise to be paid in 
 money.— (See "Appowell.") 
 
 u 2 
 
292 
 
 MERCERS* COMPANY. 
 
 Donor's Name. 
 
 Daniel Westhall . 
 
 To maintain two sermons 
 in the Christmas 
 holiday 
 
 Lady Jane Mica . 
 
 To pay ten poor wi- 
 dows of London 101. 
 per ann. each 
 
 The clerk of the com- 
 pany . . . . 
 
 Ground-rent, repairs, and 
 other charges . 
 Francis Flayer's gift of 
 
 For the maintenance of 
 71. I6s. per annum to 
 the poor of Brent 
 Pelham, Herts, which 
 at 30 years' purchase 
 amounts to 
 Ladt/ Bradbury. 
 
 To pay to St. Stephen, 
 Coleman street, is- 
 suing out of lands 
 in Westminster, &c. 
 which the company 
 have not received in 
 the memory of any 
 man living 
 
 Various Gifts from different 
 of the above donors, to 
 the master surveyor, 
 warden, house-warden, 
 renter-warden, clerk and 
 beadle, are reckoned to 
 amount to in the whole 
 
 Total 
 
 GRATUIOUS LOANS. 
 
 Sir Michael Doi-mer at 201. 
 per annum, for every 501. 
 to the clerk of the com- 
 pany . . . . 
 
 Mr. Culverwell . 
 For a young man trading 
 to Flanders gi-atis. 
 
 Margaret Sharles 
 To be lent to five young 
 men gratis. 
 
 Mary Robinson . 
 To be lent to four do. do. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 200 0 0 
 50 0 0 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 Left to pay 40s. for two 
 sermons yearly in Mercers' 
 Chapel, and to give 5s. 
 each to 12 poor freemen of 
 the company. 
 
 (See Lady Mico's Alms- 
 houses.") 
 
 The sum of 71- 16s. to- 
 gether with Al. Us. lOd. the 
 dividends on arrears in- 
 vested, making together 
 121. 10s. lOd., are now an- 
 nually paid to the vicar of 
 Brent Pelham. 
 
 The bequest of lady 
 Bradbury consisted of 149 
 acres of land in Marylebone 
 parish, Westminster, St. 
 Giles, and St. Martin's 
 in the Fields; and has 
 been noticed, p. 236. The 
 company retain about 8§ 
 acres, forming the north 
 side of Long Acre and the 
 adjacent streets. 
 
 Not mentioned in the 
 commissioners' reports. 
 
 Do. do. 
 Do do. 
 
 Do. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 293 
 
 Date of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cotnmissioner^ Remarks on 
 
 Bequest. 
 
 Donor's name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 Paid. 
 
 
 Application. 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 
 d. 
 
 £ s. 
 
 
 
 1592, 
 
 William Quarles 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Not mentioned in the 
 
 Aug. 4. 
 
 To be lent to two young 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 commissioners' reports. 
 
 
 men, ditto. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1623, 
 
 Alderman Holiday 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 Dec. 16. 
 
 For two young men. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1625, 
 
 Richard Fishhorne 
 
 1000 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Carried to the stock of the 
 
 Mar. 30. 
 
 For five young men. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 company. 
 
 No date. 
 
 Alderman Poole 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Not mentioned in the 
 
 
 Two young men for four 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 commissioners* reports. 
 
 
 years. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 John Duckett . 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 
 Whereof 100 to one young 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 man, and the other 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to two, ditto. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No date. 
 
 Lady Viscountess Dowager 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carried to the stock of 
 
 
 Campden 
 
 1000 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 the company. 
 
 
 For eight young men. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 gratis, for four years. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Not mentioned in the 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 Alderman Edmund Sleigh . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 For one young man, do. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 commissioners' reports. 
 
 1665, 
 
 Sir Samuel Mico 
 
 500 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 Sept. 25. 
 
 For five young men for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 three years. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No date. 
 
 Lady Viscountess Campden. 
 
 300 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 
 In regard of the com- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 pany's acceptance of the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 trusts of her will. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Will not 
 
 Ralph Stint 
 
 400 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 registered 
 
 To be let out at 5 per cent. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to such of the company's 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 livery that attend yearly. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 as a benevolence to the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lord mayor and sheriffs . 
 
 
 
 
 20 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 4450 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 20 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Brought from fol. 292 . 
 
 16649 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 553 10 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Total of money legacies 
 
 
 
 
 573 17 
 
 
 
 
 and annual payments 
 
 21099 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 
 Add for Sir Thomas Leigh, at p. 287, 100/. Error at p. 287, of 3/. 4s. instead 
 of 3i-. 4d. : deduct 3/. 0*. Sd. 
 
 **A11 the money legacies under the control of the Mercers' 
 Company (which in lapse of time and change of circumstance had 
 fallen into disuse,) have lately been the subject of a suit in chan- 
 cery. A new scheme has been submitted to, and approved by 
 that court ; and the money is now lent to liverymen or freemen 
 of the company, in sums of lOOZ. and not exceeding 5001. for a 
 term, without interest, upon approved security." — Note by George 
 Bicknell, esq. (late Master, 1832.) 
 
294 
 
 MERCERS COMPANY. 
 
 FOR THE MEN OF THE MYSTERY OF MERCERY OF 
 LONDON. 
 
 Regina om'ibS ad quos 
 Prima p'sentes L're p'vene'int 
 pars Con- salt'm. Inspeximus Car- 
 firmac'on' tam & L'ras Patentes Dni 
 de Anno P. & Dne M. sororis n're 
 R. Re. p'charissime nup' Regis & 
 Elizabeth^ Regine AngP de confir- 
 secundo. macoe fact' in hec verba. 
 
 Philippus & Maria Dei gra' 
 Rex & Regina Angl' Hispaniar' Franc' 
 utriusq' Sicilie Jerl'ni & Hib'n Fidei 
 Defensores Archiduces Austrie Duces 
 Burgundie Mediolani & Brabancie Co- 
 mites Haspurgi Flandrie & Tirolis. 
 Om'ib3 ad quos p'sentesL're p'ven'int 
 sal'tm Inspeximus Cartam <fe L'ras 
 Patentes Dni H. quondam regis Angl' 
 p'genitoris iiri d'ce Regine fact' in hec 
 verba Henr' Dei Gra' Rex Angl' & 
 Franc' & Diis Hib'n Om'ib3 ad quos 
 p'sentes L're p'ven'int salt'm Sciatis 
 q'd cum Dns Ric'us quondam Rex 
 Angl' Secundus post conquestum p'ge- 
 nitor n'r t'ciodecimo die Januarij anno 
 regni sui decimo septimo consideracoem 
 h'ens q'd plures hoies de Mistera Mer- 
 cerie Civitatis London sepius p' infor- 
 tuniu' maris & alia infortunia casualia 
 ad tantum deveniebant paup'tatem & 
 innopiam q'd parum vel nichil h'ebant 
 unde vivere valebant nisi de elemosina 
 alioru' X'pi fideliu eis condulenciu' tfe 
 subvenienciu' intuitu charitatis eoq' 
 p'textu' tunc hoies p^d'ce Mistere Civi- 
 tatis pM'cevoluntatem h'eant & p'posi- 
 tum ordinandi aliquam certitudinemt'm 
 p' sustentacoe taliu' pauperum q'm 
 unius Capellani divina p' statu, d'ci n'p 
 Regis & hoib3 Mistere prdce imp'pm 
 celebrat*'- p' l'ras suas Patentes de gra' 
 sua sp'iali & p' quodam fine sibi soluto 
 ^n Hanap'io suo infalia concessisset & 
 Mcentiam dedisset p' se & hered' suis 
 q.'iantu' in ip'o fuithoib3 Mistere p'd'ce 
 in civitatep'd ca q'd ip'i extunc unam 
 
 The Queen : To all to whom these 
 present Letters shall come Greeting. 
 We have inspected the Charter and 
 Letters patent of Confirmation of the 
 lord Philip and the lady Mary, our 
 most dear sister, king and queen of 
 England, made in these words : Philip 
 and Mary by the Grace of God king and 
 queen of England, Spain, France, and 
 both the Sicilies, Jerusalem and Ire- 
 land, Defenders of the Faith, <fec. To 
 all to whom these present Letters shall 
 come greeting : We have inspected the 
 Charter and Letters patent of the lord 
 Henry, late king of England, our pro- 
 genitor in the said kingdom, made in 
 these words: Henry, by the Grace of 
 God, king of England and France and 
 lord of Ireland, To all to whom these 
 present Letters shall come greeting: 
 Know ye that whereas the lord Richard, 
 late king of England, the Second after 
 the Conquest, our progenitor, the thir- 
 teenth day of January, in the seven- 
 teenth year of his reign, in consi- 
 deration had that several men of the 
 mystery of Mercery of the City of 
 London, often by misfortunes of the 
 sea and other unfortunate casualties, 
 had become so impoverished and des- 
 titute, that they had little or nothing 
 in consequence to subsist on unless 
 from the alms and other assistance of 
 the faithful in Christ, bestowed and 
 accruing to them in the way of charity ; 
 and by reason whereof the men of the 
 Mystery aforesaid in the City aforesaid, 
 being voluntarily desirous to have and 
 form some establishment, as well for 
 the perpetual sustentation of such poor 
 as of a chaplain to celebrate divine 
 offices for the state of the said late 
 king, and of the men of the Mystery 
 aforesaid — By his Letters patent of his 
 special grace, and for a certain fine 
 paid into his Hanaper, did, amongst 
 other things, grant and give license 
 for himself and his heirs as much as in 
 him was to the men of the Mystery 
 aforesaid in the City aforesaid, that 
 they from thenceforth might have a 
 perpetual Community of themselves, 
 and that the same Community every 
 
(11 All TKRS. 
 
 295 
 
 Comunitatem p'petuam de se ip'is 
 h'erent <fe q'd eadem Coitas sing'lis 
 annis elig'e possint & fac'e quatuor 
 Custodes de IIoib3 d'car' Coitatis & 
 Mij^tere ad sup'vidend' regend' & gub'- 
 nand' Misteram & Coitatem p^d'as ac 
 om'es Hoies p'sonas <fe negocia ear'dem 
 imp'pm p'ut in L'ris p'dcis plenius 
 continet^ Nos p^'missa consideraiites 
 concessionem & licenciam p'dcas ratas 
 h'entes & gratas eas p' nob' <fe hered' 
 n'ris quantum in nob' est de gr'a n'ra 
 sp'iali & de avisamento & assensu con- 
 silij n'ri ad supplicacoem huniilem 
 dil'cor' nob' Joh'is Coventre Joh'is 
 Carpent"^ & Willi' Grove executor' 
 Testamenti Ri'ci Whityngton nup' civis 
 <fe M^'ceri London Acceptam^ appro- 
 bam^ & confirmams Et ult'ius de ub'iori 
 Gr'a n'ra speciali & de avisamento & 
 assensu p^'d'cis ad h'moi supplicacoem 
 d'cor' executor' concessim^ q'd Custodes 
 & Coitas Mistere prd'ce & successores sui 
 imp'p'm h'eant unu' coe sigillum p' ne- 
 gocijs d'ce Coitatis sigilland' deservitur' 
 imp'p'm Et q'd sint p'sone habiles in 
 lege ad impl'itand' & impl'itari in qui- 
 buscunq' cur cum p'sonis quibuscunq' 
 In cujus rei testimoniu' has I'ras n'ras 
 fieri fecim^ patentes T. me ip'o apud 
 Westm' quartodecimo die Februarij 
 Anno Regni n'ri t'rcio Nos autem car- 
 tam & I'ras p'd'cas ac oia & sing'la in 
 eisdem content' rata h'entes & grata ea 
 p' nob' heredibo & succ' n'ris prd'ce 
 Regine quantum in nob' est Acceptam® 
 & approbams ac dil'cis nob' Rog'o 
 Martjn Aldermanno Civitat' n're Lon- 
 don' Will" Compton Ric'o Carrell & 
 Lionello Duckett nunc Gardianis sive 
 CustodibS Mistere p'd'ce & successo- 
 rib3 suis Ratificam^ & Confirmam^ p'ut 
 carta cfe I're pM'ce r'onabilif testant' 
 In cujus rei testimoniu' has I'ras n'ras 
 fieri fecimg patentes T, nob' ip'is apud 
 Westm' quintodecimo die Julij annis 
 R. n. quarto & sexto Nos autem car- 
 tam & I'ras p'd'cas ac om'ia & singula 
 in eisdem contenta rata h'entes & grata 
 ea p' nob 'hered' & succ' n'ris quantum 
 in nob' est acceptam* & approbam^ ac 
 
 year might have power to elect and 
 make four Wardens from the men of 
 the said Community and Mjstery, to 
 oversee, regulate, and govern tlie Com- 
 munity and JNIystery aforesaid ; and all 
 the men, state, and affairs, of the same 
 for ever, as in the said Letters is more 
 fully contained. Now we, in consi- 
 deration of the premises, the Grant, 
 and Licence aforesaid, have ratified 
 and granted, and the same for us 
 and our heirs, as much as in us 
 is of our special grace, and with the 
 advice and assent of our Council, at 
 the humble supplication of our beloved 
 John Coventry," John Carpenter, and 
 William Grove, executors of the Tes- 
 tament of Richard Whytington, late 
 citizen and mercer of London, do 
 accept, approve, and confirm ; and more- 
 over of the abundance of our special 
 grace, with the advice and assent 
 aforesaid, and at the humble suppli- 
 cation of the said Executors, we have 
 granted that the Wardens and Com- 
 monalty of the Mystery aforesaid, and 
 {heir successors, may for ever have a 
 common seal for the sealing and use 
 of the business of the said Commonalty, 
 and that they may be persons able in 
 law to implead and be impleaded, in 
 •whatsoever court and before what- 
 soever persons. In witness whereof 
 we have caused these our Letters to be 
 made patents. Witness the King at 
 Westminster, February 14th, and in the 
 third year of his reign. Now We the 
 Charter and Letters aforesaid, and all 
 and singular in them contained, have 
 ratified and granted; and for us, our 
 heirs and successors, we the said 
 Queen as much as in us is do accept 
 and approve ; and to our beloved Roger 
 Mart3n, alderman of our City of 
 London; William Compton, Richard 
 Carrell, and Lionel Ducket, now 
 wardens or keepers of the said Mystery, 
 and their successors, do ratify and con- 
 firm as the said Charter and Letters 
 reasonably testify. In witness whereof 
 we have caused these our Letters to be 
 made patents. Witness ourselves at 
 Westminster, 15th July, and in the 
 4th and 6th of our reign. Now 
 we the same Charter and Letters 
 aforesaid and all and singular therein 
 contained have ratified and granted, 
 and for us our heirs and successors as 
 much as in us is do accept and ap- 
 prove ; and to our beloved Humphrey 
 
296 
 
 mercers' company. 
 
 dil'cis nob' Humfr'o Baskerfelde Al- 
 dermanno Civitatis n're London Thoma 
 Gresham militi Thoma Heton & Anto- 
 nio Hickeman nunc Gardianis she 
 Custodib3 Mistere p'd'ce <fe eor' succ' 
 Ratificams <fe Confirmam^ p'ut Carta <fe 
 Pre p'd'ce r'onabilif testanf In cujus 
 rei, &c. T. R. apud Westm' xxo die 
 Junij Anno r. sui sc'do. 
 
 P' octo libris solut' in Hanap'io. 
 
 Baskerfelde, alderman of our City of 
 London, Thomas Gresham, knight, 
 Thomas Heton and Antonio Hickerman, 
 now wardens or keepers of the said 
 Mystery, and their successors, do ratify 
 and confirm as the said Charter and 
 Letters reasonably testify. In witness 
 whereof, &c. Witness the Queen at 
 Westminster the 20th day of June, in 
 the second year of her reign. 
 
 For SI. paid into the Hanaper. 
 
GROCERS' COMPANY/ 
 
 GENERAL SUMMARY FROM THE HISTORIES OF LONDON. 
 
 " The Company of Grocers, in elder time called Pepperers, 
 were first incorporated by the name of Grocers, in the thir- 
 tieth year of King Edward the Thirdy anno dom. 1345; the 
 arms and supporters granted by Thomas Benolt, Clarencieux, 
 in the time of King Henry the Eighth, (viz. anno 1531 ;) 
 helm and crest afterwards granted, and the same aims and 
 supporters confirmed by William Hervey, Clarencieux, under 
 the seal of his office, and the seal of his arms, anno 1562, 
 4 reg, Elizab.y and approved in a visitation anno 1634/'f 
 
 " This Fraternity, antiently denominated Pepperers, having 
 changed their name to that of Grocers, were under that deno- 
 mination incorporated by letters patent of Edward tlie Third, 
 anno 1345, by the name of the Wardens and Commonalty of 
 
 * So much use has been made of the bodying such additional matter as we 
 
 " Account of the Grocers' Company," have been able to obtain, and avoiding 
 
 in our introductory Essay, as well in as much as possible what has been al- 
 
 regard to its valuable historical infer- ready said, will here be necessary, 
 
 mation and constitution as on other f Strype's Stow, ii. p. 202. 
 points, that only a slight account, em- 
 
298 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 the Mystery of Grocers of the City of London, which was con- 
 firmed by Henry the Sixth, anno 1429. This Company con- 
 sists of a prime and three other wardens, fifty-two assistants, 
 and one hundred and twenty-seven liverymen, whose fine 
 upon admission is twenty pounds. They have a great estate ; 
 out of which is yearly paid tathe poor about seven hundred 
 pounds."^' " Their arms are, argent a chevron, gules, between 
 six cloved in chief and three in base, sable ; crest, a helmet 
 and torse, a loaded camel trippant proper, bridled of the 
 second ; supporters, two griffins per fess gules and or ; motto, 
 ' God grant the Grace.' This Company furnished one hundred 
 lord mayors, and is further dignified by enrolling amongst 
 its honorary members five kings, several princes, eight dukes, 
 three earls, and twenty lords, together with numerous dis- 
 tinguished statesmen, naval and military officers, &c."*f' Their 
 patron is St. Anthony. — Hall: Grocers' Alley, Poultry. 
 
 There is no patent of incorporation of the Grocers' Company to 
 be found in the calendars of the Patent Rolls at the Tower, or in 
 the indexes to those deposited at the Rolls Chapel, before 7 Henry 
 VI., nor even a licence for holding such a gild, the term grocer 
 being at first unknown. It is certain, however, that the founders of 
 that company, under the name of Pepperers, met as a fraternity 
 in 1345. 
 
 The charter 7 Henry VI. incorporates " the freemen of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the city of London" by the name of " Custodem 
 Co'itates Mistere Grocerie, London," allowing them to elect annu - 
 ally three wardens. | In 8 Henry VI. they were confirmed with 
 additional privileges, by letters addressed " To the Wardens of 
 the Mystery of Grocers of the City of London. "§ By a charter 
 26 Henry VI., the king constitutes William Westmale, Richard 
 Hakedy, and Thomas Gibbs, wardens, garbellors of spices on 
 behalf of the fraternity, with ample jurisdiction and control, and 
 the examination of drugs. 1| Philip and Mary, in their 4th and 5th 
 years, recite by inspeximus, and confirm the charter 7 Henry VI. 
 
 * Maitland, p. 1232. ac libbert' pro ciistod. Mzsterie Groce- 
 
 t New View of London, ii. p. 607. rze civibus Lond.^' 
 
 X Primo Pat. de anno reg. Hen. VI. || Tertia Pat. de anno 26. Hen. VI. 
 
 7nio. m. 10. 24, " Incorporatio Gro- m. 15, n. 6. AmpV libertat confir- 
 
 cerior^ Lond. ac eorum libertat.'^ mat. custod. Misterie Grocerie^ Lon- 
 
 § Tertia Pat. de anno Reg. Hen. r/ow." 
 VI. 8vo. m. 9. n. 6. " Incorporatio 
 
GENERAL SUMMARY. 
 
 299 
 
 to Sir John Lyon, knight, alderman, Edward Fouler and Peter 
 Bristowe, wardens ;* as does Elizabeth, by inspeximus directed 
 
 p.'Hoib3 Mistere Grocerie, London," and addressed to the then 
 wardens, Thomas Lodge, alderman, Edward Jackeman and John 
 Ryvers.f James L in his second year, granted the company an 
 entire new charter, extending tjieir oversight and control, and 
 allowing them to elect assistants. This was merged in a new char- 
 ter of Charles L, by which he reincorporated the company, making 
 them a body politic and corporate, under the denomination of 
 " the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers of the 
 City of London," and which allowed them annually to elect four war- 
 dens, with assistants, (not to exceed thirteen in the whole,) and to 
 hold courts of the same.^: The charter of 3 March, 4 Jac. IL^ con- 
 firmed the charter of 36 Car. IL with additions, and was followed 
 by a second charter of James IL, dated November 2d the same 
 year, which confirmed the Grocers' first incorporation of 7 Henry 
 VI., together with the charter 15 Charles L, and all liberties which 
 they had enjoyed before the (afterwards revoked) grant of 36 
 Charles II. 1| Finally, William and Mary, in the second year of 
 their reign, besides placing the company in possession of all the 
 privileges they had enjoyed before the'Quo Warranto, (in common 
 with the rest of the companies,) embodied with them, as part of 
 the same corporation of grocers, the confectioners, druggists, to-^ 
 bacconists, tobacco-cutters, and sugar-refiners, and extended the 
 grocers' right of trade-search over the whole, to the City and its 
 liberties and suburbs within the circuit of three miles. IT 
 
 The names of the company of Grocers, from the record in the 
 Chapter-house, consisted of the following fifty-nine persons : 
 
 Mr. Laxton. Mr. Bodley. Mr. Pynchester. 
 
 Mr. Alenv. Mr. Crimson. Mr. Mery. 
 
 Mr. Prest. Mr. Lane. Mr. Bodnam. 
 
 Mr. Gybson. Mr. Sumner. Mr. Myller. 
 
 Mr. Fermor. Mr. Osborne. Mr. Bowyer. 
 
 Mr. dull. Mr. Posyer. Mr. Woodcock. 
 
 • Prima pars confirmac'on de anno 1| Undecima pars Paten, de anno R. 
 
 R. Re. Elizabeth' secundo. Re. Jacobi Secundi, quarto. " De 
 
 f Ibid. Cart. Custod. et Cioi'tat. Mister' Gro- 
 
 l Quarfa pars Paten de anno RR. cer', London, sibi et success." 
 
 Caroli qninto-decimo. "D. Con. sibi 1[ Quarta pars Paten.de anno secundo 
 
 et successbS, Mister' Grocer', Lon- Guliel. et Marie Secundo. " De Cart, 
 
 don." Custod. de Grocer. London, sibiet suc- 
 
 § Tertia pars Paten, de anno R. Re. cessoribus." 
 Jacobi Secundi quarto. "D. Cone. 
 Grocer. London, Concess." 
 
300 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Mr. Wheeler. 
 Mr. Wolley. 
 Mr. Wendon. 
 Mr. Deane. 
 Mr. Morys. 
 Mr. Chertsey. 
 William Huxley. 
 Ambrose Barker. 
 Will'm Toker. 
 Henry Home 
 Robert Wolworth. 
 Philip Yorke. 
 Will'm Buller. 
 John Lyon. 
 
 Richard Cull. 
 John Dunstall. 
 Edward Preste. 
 Henry Barnys. 
 William Mathew. 
 James Apott. 
 Nich'us Tycheborne. 
 Robert Fabyane. 
 George Betynson. 
 Thomas Alsopp. 
 Edward Moreton. 
 Will'm Pratt. 
 Will'm Wyott. 
 Thomas Ponslowe. 
 
 John Gore. 
 John Saunders. 
 Edmond Cockerell. 
 Robert Colte. 
 Will'm Lyvers. 
 Will'm Rawlyns. 
 Henry Cholmley. 
 John Malyn. 
 William Rest. 
 George Ly til cote. 
 Arthur Devonshire. 
 Thomas Cunstable. 
 Will'm Pegham. 
 
 By the sworn return of William Ravenhill, clerk of the Grocers' 
 in 1700, the livery then amounted to 277. At the poll, 1722, 151 
 voted. The " New and Complete Survey," 1742, states the livery 
 to amount to 280. In the list of liverymen, 1796, the number 
 who voted was 150. The Grocers' livery,* as in their list for 1831, 
 
 * List of the Livery of the Grocers^ Company. 
 
 Abbinett, John, jun., Mark lane, wine 
 
 merchant. 
 A male, H. L., Doctors' Commons. 
 Andrews, Thomas, Soho square. 
 Annand, William, Pinner's court. Broad 
 
 street. 
 
 Ansted, John, Mincing lane, broker. 
 Ansted, William, Warren street, Fitz- 
 
 roy square. 
 Bagster, Samuel, Paternoster row, 
 
 bookseller. 
 Bailey, Thomas, 14, Castle street, 
 
 Finsbury. 
 Barron, Charles, Giltspur street. 
 Barrow, Charles, 28, Pall Mall. 
 Baxter, T., Dalston terrace. 
 Baxter, H. 
 
 Baxter, Charles, 23, Mincing lane. 
 
 Best, R. Jun., Greenwich. 
 
 Bicknell, Henry, 76, Great Surrey 
 
 street. 
 BiggerstafF, R. 
 
 Birch, William, Charlotte row. 
 Bishop, James, Finsbury, distiller. 
 Blackburn, William, Mr. Twining's, 
 Strand. 
 
 Boddy, John, 3, Brunswick place, 
 
 Camberwell road. 
 Box, George, Great Knight-rider street. 
 Bridgeman, William. 
 
 Bridgeman, John. 
 
 Bridges, Thomas, 35, St. Swithin's 
 
 lane. 
 Browne, J. H. 
 
 Browne, H. N., Betts street, Ratcliffe, 
 
 sugar refiner. 
 Brooke, L. B., 11, Paper buildings. 
 
 Temple. 
 
 Browning, Henry, 37, Mark lane. 
 Bullen, Bank of England, 
 Bunkin, John. 
 
 Burgon, John, Bucklersbury. 
 Champion, William, Upper Thames 
 
 street, grocer. 
 Champion, Thomas, 28, Lower Gros- 
 
 venor street. 
 Chaplin, John. 
 
 Cheveley, Thomas, 92, Royal Ex- 
 change. 
 
 Churchyard, Thomas, Wilson street, 
 
 Finsbury square, druggist. 
 Collison, Francis. 
 
 Cooper, John, esq., Osborn street, 
 Whitechapel, sugar refiner. 
 
 Cotton, Francis, Shoreditch, silver- 
 smith. 
 
 Coxhead, S. Bridge road, Lambeth, 
 oilman. 
 
 Dawson, Charles, Boswell court, Carey 
 street. 
 
GENERAL SUMMARY. 
 
 301 
 
 consisted of 186, four whereof were master and wardens, and 35 
 on the court of assistants. The present livery fine is 21/. 
 
 Strype's catalogue only enumerates sixty-four lord mayors 
 Pepperers or Grocers, from 1231 to 1710. 
 
 Davis, Edward, 9, Philpot lane. 
 Day, William, Gracechurch street, oil- 
 man. 
 
 Day, Thomas, Gracechurch street, oil- 
 man. 
 
 Dodd, William, 14, Judd place, East. 
 DoUond, G. H. St. Paul's Church-yard. 
 Draper, Richard, 34, Dowgate hill. 
 Edridge, Joseph, Tottenham. 
 Ellis, W., 88, Tower street. 
 Eyles, Edward, Ludgate hill. 
 Eyles, R. W., Lavender Sweep, Clap- 
 ham. 
 
 Fan house, James, Mincing lane^broker. 
 Fielder, Thomas, Down place, Kent 
 road. 
 
 Fincham, Charles, Charing Cross, 
 grocer. 
 
 Folgham, Thomas, Mr. Hudson's, 
 
 Cheapside. 
 Frampton, Thomas D., Leadenhall 
 
 street. 
 
 Frampton, William, jun., Leadenhall 
 street. 
 
 Funge, John, Garraway's CoflFee house. 
 
 FyfTo, E. C, Garlick hill. 
 
 Gadbury, George, 12, Greenman row, 
 Bethnal green. 
 
 Garrard, Thomas, Ratcliffe Highway. 
 
 Garrard, R., 31, Pan ton street, silver- 
 smith. 
 
 Gilbert, W. D., Leadenhall street. 
 
 Gilbert, T., Leadenhall street, optician. 
 
 Goodhart, Jos. Henry, Surrey place, 
 Old Kent road. 
 
 Goodhart, Jacob, E., 4, Ratcliffe high- 
 way. 
 
 Goodhart, John, Lamb's Conduit street, 
 grocer. 
 
 Goodhart, Jacob, Tooting, Surrey. 
 Goodhart, Emanuel, Langley, Becken- 
 ham. 
 
 Gore, A., Mount street, Lambeth. 
 Gosling, William, Great St. Helens, 
 surveyor. 
 
 Gower, A. L., 31, Finsbury square. 
 Grace, Henry, Old street, colourman. 
 Green, Henry, 5, Gracechurch street. 
 Griffin, John, Southampton street, 
 
 Covent Garden. 
 Groves, R, J., Mincing lane. 
 Hale, Harrj-. 
 
 Hale, Charles, Poultry, oilman. 
 
 Hancock, John, Bread street bill, 
 grocer. 
 
 Hankey, W. A., 14, Mincing lane, 
 broker. 
 
 Harlston, S. P., 11, Paper buildings. 
 Temple. 
 
 Hayward, James, Barnes, Surrey, 
 
 druggist. 
 Heath, J. B., Old Jewry. 
 Hedley, J. H., Mincing lane. 
 Hill, Henry, 15, Vauxhall terrace. 
 Hill, John Wilks, Cooper's row. Great 
 
 Tower hill, surgeon. 
 Hill, Joshua Charles, 2, Sloane street. 
 Hill, Thomas, 1, Paragon row, Kent 
 
 road. 
 
 Hill, William, 71, Borough, salter. 
 
 Hill, W., jun., 71, Borough, oilman. 
 
 Hillhouse, Richard, Great Russell 
 street, Bloomsbury, grocer. 
 
 Hodgson, John, Church lane. White- 
 chapel. 
 
 Hodgson, Thomas, Church lane. White- 
 chapel, sugar refiner. 
 H olden, Robert. 
 
 Hooper, W. C, 26, Old Change. 
 Hooper, S. F., Great Eastcheap. 
 Hope, S. F., Gracechurch street, oil- 
 man. 
 
 Hopkins, William, esq. 
 Hopkins, Charles, Stratford, Essex. 
 Hughs, Hugh, W., Ditchling, Sussex. 
 Inglis, James, 55, Old Broad .street, 
 
 merchant. 
 Jackson, Henry, 16, Bayham street, 
 
 Camden Town. 
 Judkin, T. S., Clarendon square, 
 
 Somer's Town. 
 King, F. B., Lower road, Islington. 
 Ladbroke, Henry, esq.. Bank buildings. 
 Ladbroke, Felix, esq., ibid. 
 Lambert, D., Abchurch lane. 
 Lawrence, W., Goodman's fields, sugar 
 
 refiner. 
 Lawrence, R. H., ibid. 
 Layton, A., Lime street, broker. 
 Layton, James, jun., 31, Old Jewry. 
 Lloyd, D., Rood lane, grocer. 
 Lomas, H. L., Stock Exchange. 
 Louchman, Joseph, 14, Aldermanbury. 
 Lushington, William. 
 Lushington, John, esq. 
 M'Adams, John, Strand, silversmith. 
 
302 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 The original founders of the Grocers' Company, it has been 
 stated, were at first known by the name of Pepperers, pepper being 
 the principal article in which the fraternity then dealt. This com- 
 modity, the being licensed to deal in which is still obliged to be 
 
 M'Andrei, Robert, Lower Thames 
 street, orange merchant. 
 
 Marriner, James, 93, Cheapside. 
 
 Matson, G., Martin's lane, Cannon st. 
 
 Matthei, William, Friday street. 
 
 Mawley, Charles, 1, Doughty street. 
 
 Mitchell, Alexander. 
 
 Morrison, W. N., Great Surrey street, 
 silversmith. 
 
 Nairne, Charles, Walcot terrace, Lam- 
 beth. 
 
 Nairne, George, Stock Exchange. 
 Nettleship, Thomas, Grocers' Hall. 
 Nettleship, Samuel, Sunning hill,Berks. 
 Newsom, W.,279, High street, South- 
 wark. 
 
 Nottidge, F. H. Russell street, Blooms- 
 bury. 
 
 Paine, Cornelius, Mincing lane, broker. 
 Palmer, J. H., Walworth. 
 Papsworth, John, Tottenham Court 
 
 road, grocer. 
 Pinkey, H. K., 7, Idol lane. 
 Pott, William, Bridge st. Southwark. 
 Pott. Arthur, ibid. 
 
 Pott, Charles, Bridge st. Southwark. 
 Potts, Richard, Lloyd's Coffee house. 
 Priestley, Thomas Pewson, 10, Coburn 
 
 street. Mile End. 
 Pugh, C, Cannon street, grocer. 
 Pugh, David, Welch Pool. 
 Rankin, G. N., Basinghall street. 
 Richards, R., 23, Rood lane. 
 Ripley, James, Mill place. Commercial 
 
 road. 
 
 Rippon, C. N., 3, St. Mary at hill. 
 Risdon, J. jun.. Stock Exchange. 
 Roebuck, George, St. Mary at hill, 
 
 grocer. 
 Ryder, Thomas. 
 
 Savage, W. H., Great Queen street, 
 Lincoln's Inn fields, coachmaker. 
 
 Savage, W. W., ibid. 
 
 Sbarpe, R. S., Fenchurch street, 
 grocer. 
 
 Sbarpe, Thomas, ibid. 
 
 Shaw, Benjamin, Cornhill. 
 
 Shaw, Samuel, ibid. 
 
 Shillito, John, 145, Upper Thames st. 
 Smart, George Thomas, 91, Great 
 
 Portland street. 
 Stedman, C. H., 9, Throgmorton 
 
 street. 
 
 Stedman, F., South Sea House. 
 Steinmitz, C, Ratcliffe Cross. 
 Steinmitz, T., ibid. 
 Steinmitz, W., Ibid. 
 Stuart, Henry, Foregate, Worcester. 
 Suckling, Colonel William, Windsor, 
 Berks. 
 
 Tabrum, Robert, East street, Col- 
 chester. 
 Taddy, Charles. 
 
 Thompson, William James, Dunster 
 
 court, Mincing lane. 
 Townsend, E., jun., 47, Lime street, 
 
 broker. 
 
 Tucker, G. C, Russell court, Drury 
 
 lane, bookseller. 
 Vanhouse, James, Mincing lane, 
 
 broker. 
 Vanhouse, William, ibid. 
 Vanhouse, James, jun., ibid. 
 Vanhouse, Charles, Copthall court, 
 
 broker. 
 
 Wade, J., Leadenhall street, carver and 
 gilder. 
 
 Warner, Redston, Rood lane. 
 Warner, Robert, Warnford court, 
 
 Throgmorton street. 
 Warner, Charles, Everton, Liverpool. 
 Warner, George, Rood lane. 
 Warner, Henry, ibid. 
 Warner, C. P., 28, Cornhill. 
 Warren, Thomas, Commercial Sale 
 
 Rooms. 
 Warren, James, ibid. 
 Ward, Samuel, Piccadilly, tobacconist. 
 Watts, John. 
 
 Welch, George, Portsmouth. 
 Wichart, D., 59, Lemon street, sugar 
 refiner. 
 
 Williams, William, Great St. Helens. 
 Yallop, Thomas, Old street road, colour 
 
 manufacturer. 
 Yates, Edward John. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 303 
 
 specially inscribed over the doors of modern grocers, was equally 
 esteemed an import of importance in the culinary preparations of 
 the Romans. It is so noticed in the reign of Augustus : 
 
 Mercibus hie Italis mutat, sub sola recenti, 
 Rugusum Piper et pellentis granei Cymini. 
 
 Per sins, Sat. 5. 
 
 ''With merchandizes this with care doth run, 
 Unto the East under the rising sun. 
 To fetch rough Pepper and pale Cummin seeds. 
 For Roman wares." 
 
 Hence Ravenhill, the historian of the Grocers' Company,* con- 
 cludes that this trade was not unknown at Rome ; and, though his 
 opinion has been treated as visionary, we must certainly admit 
 that if the Romans were importers of pepper, they must have had 
 retailers of it, or pepperers. In respect to the sale of drugs, which 
 we have seen early formed another main branch of the grocers' 
 trade, f they more nearly resembled the Roman medicament arii: 
 dealers in the various other articles, formerly termed groceries, are 
 also to be traced amongst the classical ancients. 
 
 The Pepperers are first mentioned as a fraternity amongst the 
 amerced gilds of Henry II., but probably existed as a gild long 
 before. The " Gilda de Pipariorum" paid on this occasion 
 sixteen marks. Half a century later we find the Pepperers filling 
 the first civic offices, and that they were mostly of Italian descent. 
 Andrew de Bokerell, pepperer, and mayor from 1231 to 1237, was 
 of the Eocherelli family, noticed in the preceding account of the 
 Mercers' Company, as was Sir John de Gisors, pepperer, and 
 mayor 1310, a member of the Gisorio, also of Italian origin; both 
 are mentioned with the Basings, and other Lombards, in the 
 Hundred Rolls and Inquisitions in the reign of Edward. | The 
 statutes and ordinances of the Pepperers, made in the reign 
 
 * Ravenhill's Short Account of the 
 Company of Grocers, 4to. 1689. 
 
 t Hist. Essay, pp. 478-9. 
 
 I In 1283, the first mention occurs 
 of legal encouragement given by act of 
 ParUament to foreign merchants, then 
 called "Merchants' Strangers, ' who, 
 excepting always those at the Steel- 
 j ard, till now met with many discou- 
 ragements from the jealousy borne to- 
 wards foreigners by the English, so 
 
 little was the true interest of the public 
 then understood. These merchants 
 were chiefly Lombards, and other 
 merchants of Italy, viz. of Genoa, 
 Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Venice, 
 who then supplied all the rest of 
 Christendom, westward, with Indian 
 and Arabian spices and drugs, as well 
 as with their own fine manufactures of 
 silks and stuffs, and with the wines 
 and fruits of Italy. The Italian mer- 
 
304 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 of Edward II. were amongst the City Records, under the title 
 ** Ordinatio Piperorum de Sopers lane." They were written in 
 Norman French, and began thus : 
 
 " Ces sount les Pointz que les bons genz de Sopere lane del 
 Mestier des Peveres," &c. By the assent of Sir Stephen de 
 Abyndone, mayor of London ; John de Gisors, Nicholas de 
 Farindone, John de Wengrave, Robert de Kelsby, William de 
 Leyre, and others, made for the common benefit of the whole 
 people of the land," 
 
 That the Grocers were only a separation from the parent society 
 of Pepperers, and which latter long afterwards formed a distinct and 
 independent body, is evident from what has been said, and from 
 the preamble to their " Pointz," at their first assembly in ] 345, 
 when they commenced their fraternity under that designation only : 
 
 " En le honeur de Dieu," &c. " une Frafnite fuist funduz der 
 compaignons Peveres de Soperes lane." 
 
 Why they acquired the name of grocers has been variously 
 accounted for. Pennant absurdly ascribes it to their having dealt 
 in grossi or figs; but this, as only one, and an almost unmention- 
 able commodity with the early members of the trade, could hardly 
 have given them their name. Ravenhill's explanation is more correct, 
 that the word grocer was a term at first distinguishing merchants 
 of this society in opposition to inferior traders ; for that they usually 
 sold in gross quantities by great weights,"* and it was on this account 
 that they are supposed afterwards to have obtained the custody of 
 the King's Beam. He adds, in some of our old books, the 
 word signifies merchants that in their merchandizing dealt for the 
 whole of any kind. But, in after times, the word grocery became 
 so extensive, that it can now be hardly restrained to certain kinds 
 of merchandizes they have formerly dealt in ; for they have been 
 
 chants, styled Lombards, who resort- 
 ed to England, became likewise great 
 lenders of money, both to the king and 
 nobles : and though, from narrow views, 
 opposed by the people, furnished its 
 best sinews to trade, as do now their 
 successors on the same spot of resi- 
 dence, — the bankers of Lombard-street. 
 The king, on being petitioned by the 
 Londoners to expel these merchants, 
 refused, which occasioned the frequent 
 conflicts we have noticed. Anderson's 
 History of Commerce," which 
 chiefly furnishes the preceding infor- 
 
 mation, has the following passage on 
 the subject : " We shall only remark, 
 that many have blamed the City of 
 London for so often and violently op- 
 posing foreigners, since, though it may 
 suit with the narrow system of their 
 freedoms and respective companies, 
 such opposition has been by many 
 judged detrimental to the general 
 commerce of the kingdom." V. i. 
 317-18. 
 
 * Ravenhill's Short Account of the 
 Grocers' Company. 
 
ORIGIN AND m STORY. 
 
 305 
 
 the most universal merchants that traded abroad, and what they 
 brought home many artists of this society found out ways after- 
 wards to change and alter the species, by mixture, confections, 
 and compositions of simple ingredients; by which means many and 
 various ways of dealing and trading passed under the denomina- 
 tion of groceries: and, indeed, this city and nation do in a great 
 measure owe the improvement of navigation to merchants origi- 
 nally exercising their mystery, as trading into all foreign parts 
 from whence we have received either spices, drugs, fruits, 
 gums, or other rich aromatic commodities." How completely 
 supported the above explanation is by the act of 37 Edward 
 III., must appear from again quoting the preamble of that act: 
 **That those merchants called ' grossiers' had, by covin, and 
 by orders made amongst themselves in their fraternities or gilds, 
 engrossed all sorts of wares, whereby they suddenly raise the 
 prices of them, and that they had laid up other merchandizes 
 until they had become dear." And, in like manner, Skinner: 
 
 Grocers, in libro statutorum significat mercatons qui aliquid 
 merceriis genus totum coemant."* Ravenhill's opinion, in con- 
 tinuation : that the Levant and other Merchant Companies 
 sprung out of this," as we know to be the case witli the East India 
 Company, (the importers of the greatest of all modern groceries, 
 tea.^ is easily to be proved ; nor will his assertions be found less 
 true as to other points, from our succeeding notices. 
 
 The first meetings and proceedings of the branch fraternity of 
 Pepperers or Grocers, their electing of wardens, framing ordi- 
 nances, appointm'ent of a chaplain, receipt of gifts for their altar, 
 adoption of a livery, and progressive improvement in funds, have 
 been noticed. f It began, as there stated, with only twenty-one 
 persons : 
 
 William de Grantham. Nicholas Corp. Johan la Messe. 
 
 John de Stanope. Roger Osekyn. John Goriwardby. 
 
 WiU'm de Hanapestede Will'm Brian. Remon de Gurdens. 
 
 Will'm de Cotoun. Johan de la More. Peres Van. 
 
 Laurence de Halliwelle. Thomas Freland. Vivian Roger. 
 
 John de Brounsford. Roger Carpentier. GeofFery de Haiwelle. 
 
 Richard le Zonge. Richard deTotyngton. 
 
 Robert de Hatfelde. 
 
 The conditions on which themselves as well as future members 
 could claim admission, and with which they commence their laws, 
 
 * Etymologicum Linguae Anglica, t Hist. Essay, pp. 4.3 — 45. 
 in V. 
 
306 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 sufficiently corroborate the fact of their being the heads or mer- 
 cantile part of the pepperers' gild, and that they now met for the 
 purpose of forming a separate and great commercial society, in- 
 tended to embrace other objects besides their original trade in 
 spices ; — they were, as already stated, to be " persons of good con- 
 dition, pepperers of Sopar's lane, and spicerers of the ward of 
 Cheap, or people of that mystery, wheresoever they resided."* 
 
 Their subsequent proceedings for more than a century, as given 
 in Mr. Heath's Account, may be thus shortly summed up : 
 
 In 1346 they admitted nine new members, chose four auditors 
 from their body, and made additional regulations, imposing penal- 
 ties for breach of the ordinances, and neglects in the purchasing 
 and wearing of their liveries. In 1347 six more members joined : 
 the fraternity changed their place and time of annual meeting, 
 assembling at the Abbot of St. Edmund's, instead of Bury, and in 
 June instead of May. In 1348, the general assembly met at 
 Ringed Hall, Thames street, and on a Sunday. New " points" were 
 agreed on at this meeting connected with the election of wardens 
 and the engagement and pay of a beadle ; fresh regulations were 
 prescribed also as to masters and apprentices of the company ; 
 and, as to wardens, a special ordinance was passed, which proves 
 the asserted union of merchant and trader at this time in the mem- 
 bers : " no wardens," it was ordered, should thenceforward 
 adventure over the seas, neither lend any goods of the fraternity 
 but at their own hazard." The most curious " point" was the 
 one relating to the admission of sisters as members, who are men- 
 tioned for the first time this year. The year 1349 was only dis- 
 tinguished from former meetings by the reception of thirteen new 
 brothers into the fraternity. 
 
 The continuation of the company's history, as preserved in their 
 records, is for several years after the above date chiefly interest- 
 ing as affording pictures of the early manners and customs of 
 these fraternities, ample specimens of which have been already 
 quoted. From 1350 to 1375, the society's meetings continued to 
 be held regularly, sometimes at one great mansion and sometimes 
 at another; and it kept increasing in wealth and numbers. As 
 early as 1373, only twenty-eight years after their foundation, the 
 first complement of twenty-one members was raised to 124, and 
 included some of the most distinguished names in civic history. 
 City wealth and City honours went hand in hand ; — becoming mer- 
 
 * Acc. of Grocers' Comp. i: 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 307 
 
 chants of the first class : indeed, exclusively monopolizing one 
 great branch of the infant commerce of the country. We need not 
 be astonished at the fact which has been stated, that no less than 
 sixteen members of this company were aldermen in 1383. The 
 names of these aldermen, with those of other eminent citizens ad- 
 mitted previously, will be seen below.* Four of them were lord 
 mayors between 1346 and 1392, namely, Sir Andrew Aubrey, 
 Sir John Hadderly, (or Hadley,) Sir William Standon, and 
 Pennant's ^' stout mayor," Sir Nicholas Brembre, already men- 
 tioned. Nicholas Chaucer, whose name appears amongst these 
 early admissions, was remarkable for being related to the great 
 father of English poetry, GeofFery Chaucer; and Churchman, for 
 having obtained for the Grocers the joint custody, with the City, of 
 what was called the ''King's Beam," and for being the original 
 founder of the custom-house. f 
 
 Sir Nicholas Brembre. 
 Sir John Haddeley. 
 John Warde. 
 William Barrett. 
 Adam Caryl. 
 Adam Chaungeor. 
 
 * Aldermen in 1383: 
 John Hoo. 
 Hugh Falstolfe." 
 Geffrey Cremylford. 
 William Badby. 
 Sir William Standon. 
 
 Members admitted in ] 
 Thomas Aubrey. 
 Thomas Dolseley. 
 Sir A ndrew Avvbrey. 
 
 346 were : 
 
 John Salusbury. 
 Thomas Salusbury. 
 William Brokesborne. 
 
 In 1347 : 
 James de Stanope. 
 Sir Will'm. de Thorneye. 
 
 And in 1349: 
 Wilcot Canstone. 
 Richard Grace. 
 Jenkyn Gadfrey. 
 Phelypot Farnham. 
 
 Sir John de Grantham. 
 Nicholas Chaucer. 
 
 WilliamHanapstede,jun. 
 John Weston. 
 John Zonge. 
 John Flan. 
 
 Sir John de Londres, a parson of St. Anthony. 
 
 Richard Aylesbury. 
 John Ferneux. 
 William Evesham. 
 Richard Prestor. 
 John Churchman. 
 
 Sir John Hammond, 
 Simon Dolseley. 
 
 William Krecherche, 
 John de Evonefeld. 
 
 Thomekyn Grantham. 
 John Oterle. 
 Simon Stapilforde. 
 Wilcot Cosyn. 
 
 t Stow's statement is, that he, 
 (Churchman,) 6 Richard H., "for the 
 quiet of merchants," (or to prevent dis- 
 putes about weight,) built a certain house 
 on a key, called Woolwharf, "to serve 
 for troynage or weighing of wools in 
 the port of London and which troy- 
 nage had been before at Woolchurch 
 Hawe." Churchman received a grant 
 from the king that "the said troynage 
 should be held and kept in the same 
 
 house, with easements there for the 
 same beames and weights, and a con- 
 venient place for the customers, comp- 
 trollers, clerks, and other officers of the 
 said troynage." This establishment in- 
 volving great personal labour and re- 
 sponsibility, Churchman is supposed to 
 have transi'erred his right, for a con- 
 sideration, to the society of which he 
 had become a member. 
 
 X 2 
 
308 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 The first time we meet with the name ^' grocers," is in the just- 
 quoted petition of the Commons in 1361; and the way it is there 
 mentioned, — ^' those merchants called grocers," — sufficiently shews 
 that the title was new: as does the charge against them, of being 
 
 engrossers of all sorts of wares;" that they had then began to step 
 out of their original trade of pepperers or spicers, to become general 
 dealers-; and which change being found an evil, they are accord- 
 ingly complained of. The company do not themselves adopt 
 the name, however, till 1376, when in new ordinances then 
 made, they style the fraternity " the Grocers of London." 
 Whether they had been reluctant, as considering the term one 
 of reproach, or that they now conceived it characteristic of 
 the greatness of their dealings, does not appear, but either, 
 or both ways, the circumstance corroborates Ravenhill's expla- 
 nation of the name grocer. Stow's statement agrees with this 
 conjecture. He says, ''by the assent of Stephen de Abunden 
 (who was mayor in the 8th of Edward II.) the pepperers in Soper's 
 lane were admitted to sell all such spices, and other wares, as 
 grocers now sell, retuinirig the old name of pepperers of Sopers 
 lane; till at length, in the reign of Henry VI., the said Soper's 
 lane was inhabited by cordwainers and curriers ; after that the 
 grocers had seated themselves in a more open street, to wit, in 
 Bucklers bury, where they still remain." And in another place, 
 in his edition of 1599, he addgp " the pepperers and grocers of 
 Soper's lane are now in Bucklers berie.* 
 
 The Grocers, soon after Churchman's grant, appear to have 
 removed the Beam from the custom-house to Bucklersbury, to 
 which place they must have gone before the time that Stow men- 
 tions, for, in 1398, a note in the company's books, which details the 
 weights attached to the establishment, states them to have been 
 deposited " in domo com. nra. m. Gro. in Bokerlesbury ;" i. e. 
 " in the house of our community of the mystery of Grocers in 
 Bucklersbury." 
 
 In 1450, the Grocers obtained the important privilege of sharing 
 
 * Strype's Stow, i., .5 49. " Soper lane lane. Latimer's Sermons mention Soper 
 
 was converted after the fire of 1666 lane as having been a receptacle for the 
 
 into Queen street, a continuation of sale of pies. " Thou must at Easter 
 
 King street, which, leading from Guild- receive the god of Antichrist, and thou 
 
 hall, intersects Cheapside; but the must buy and pay for it, as men 
 
 chu«ch of St. Pancras was situated in sometimes bought pies in Soper's 
 
 Pancras lane, anciently called Needler's lane." 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 309 
 
 llie oftice of gaibeller of spices, with the city.* This occupation, we 
 are to suppose, was not so amply secured to them before, though 
 they certainly exercised it as early as the reign of Richard II., as 
 appears from a document among the City records, prescribing 
 the regulations they were to observe, but of which we omit to 
 notice more than the title, as of no general interest. f 
 
 This garbelling was originally confined to pepper and other 
 spices, and was deemed necessary to prevent their being adul- 
 terated, for which purpose a chief garbeller Was appointed, and 
 sworn to execute his office faithfully and impartially. The frater- 
 nity appear to have obtained this latter privilege in consequence 
 of a petition presented by them to the corporation of London, 
 conjointly with " Aftgelo Ciba, Reginald Grillo, Tobias Lomellino, 
 Branca Doria, and other Genoese, Florentine, Lucca, and Lom- 
 bardy merchants, complaining of the unjust mode of garbelling 
 spices and other sotill wares ; whereupon it was ordered, that any 
 merchant who should for. the future sell spices or other mer- 
 chandize belonging to garbellage, without its being first cleansed 
 by a garbeller, chosen, accepted, and sworn for that purpose, 
 should forfeit the goods. The Grocers' company (as best under- 
 standing these commodities,) were requested to recommend some 
 member of their own body to the court of aldermen to fill this 
 office, which they accordingly did, and Thomas Half mark was 
 chosen and sworn garbeller of spices and sotill iv are.'' X 
 
 The wonderful increase in the company's trade and importance 
 
 • In 1522, Henry VIII. granted a 
 patent to Sir William Sidney, consti- 
 tuting him keeper of the Great Beam, 
 against the privileges of the City, but in 
 1.530 he revoked his grant, ajid restored 
 the office by charter in full right to the 
 corporation of London, who still have 
 their weights at the VVeigh-house, in 
 Little Eastcheap, and the porters at- 
 tending which are, from their con- 
 nexion with such weights and beams, 
 or machinery, which is there called 
 "tackle,^^ denominated "tackle-por- 
 ters," in contradistinction to the other 
 class called ticket-porters. 
 
 t Articuli tangentes Mistere, Gros- 
 sar et Garbelt'. 10 Oct. 17 Ric. II. 6 b. 
 284 li. 
 
 X Account of Grocers^ Company. 
 Cowel says, " The garbellor of spices 
 is an officer of great antiquity in the 
 city of London, who is empowered to 
 enter any shop or warehouse, to view 
 
 and search drugs, &c. and to garble and 
 cleanse them." 
 
 The rare tract on this subject, en- 
 titled "A Profitable and Necessarie Dis- 
 course for the Meeting with the bcid 
 GarbeUingof Spices used in these Daies, 
 &c." 4to. London, 1591, affords many 
 curious hints relative to the above part 
 of the Grocers' profession at that 
 time. 
 
 It is addressed from Grocers' Uall, 
 London, to 8ir William Webb, (ihen 
 mayor,) and Iiis brethren the aklerinrn, 
 and complains that the representatiun 
 of " sundrye of the retayling grocers 
 of London to the cheefe officers, the 
 gardians, and to the first meiine of that 
 society (the grocers) against the fact of 
 bad garbelling of spices, betweene them 
 and the merchantes,'' had, <Mn lieu of 
 reformation, taught manye indigneties, 
 and wrought -som indignation, towards 
 the complainants and it makes this 
 
310 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 in consequence of their possessing the above privileges, is evidenced 
 by abundance of entries in their books. 
 
 From a tariff of charges at the company's weigh-house, 1453, 
 we find nearly forty articles enumerated, of which the grocers then 
 had the weight and oversight, and most, if not all, of which them- 
 selves imported and dealt in, viz. pepper, saffron, cloves (clowes,) 
 mace (mac), greynes, cynamon, gynger (by the case or bale,) 
 long pepper, flowre of alman, currants (reysens of Corent,) 
 gynger (y^ barel y^ c.) tyn (the peece,) led (the fodder,) galyn- 
 gale (y^ bale y^ c.) druggs (any weight,) woad (y^ balet,) mader, 
 alum, foyle or rooch, (y^ bale,) horns (yorns, y** tunne,) cotton, 
 (Cyprus or Brasselon, y^ c.) ryse, cummin and annys, soope, 
 almands, wex, dates, sannders and Brazil (woods,) argent vyflP (y* 
 
 appeal in consequence, to a control- 
 ling power, threatening, if it should 
 there fail, to follow the advice of the 
 poet Mtiseeus — 
 
 * It is good sometime to sound in open 
 street 
 
 The wicked works which men do think 
 to hide 
 
 or, meaning, as the petitioners explain, 
 " that by publishing some small pam- 
 phlet touching the same, suche good 
 maj e ensue, — either the workemanne to 
 grow betterr, or the buier to be more 
 wise in the office of garbelling." 
 
 The reader is, in a subsequent address 
 to him, told that this bad garbelling of 
 spices had then existed " many years, 
 more than some scores past." 
 
 A detailed account of the science of 
 garbelling follows. The necessity of 
 cleansing and purifying of spices, it is 
 stated, was debated in the reign of 
 Henry VI., when the office of garbel- 
 ling was given to the lord mayor and 
 corporation of London by that king ; 
 but with an understanding, it is added, 
 that as well tlie merchant owners of 
 such spices, as the City grocers retail- 
 ing the same, should be advised with, 
 in making the proper regulations for 
 conducting of the art : and it notices, as 
 the first api)ointed garbellers, the above 
 
 Richard Hackdie and Willi ayn Ami- 
 sell.^' Nutmegs, mace and cinnamon, 
 ginger, gauls, rice and currants, cloves, 
 grains, wormseed, aniseed, cummin- 
 seed, dates, senna, and other things, are 
 spoken of as having been in that reign 
 garbellable. 
 
 The tricks of the garbellers, their un- 
 just and partial practices, and other 
 things only interesting to the trade, are 
 then pointed out. 
 
 Finally, it is recommended that all 
 spices to be garbelled shall be weighed 
 and put in bags by the owners, marked 
 and sealed, and be conveyed to Guild- 
 hall, there to remaiji in sure keeping 
 under the keys of the said garbeller, 
 and the comptroller of the chamber of 
 London, under whose direction they 
 shall be dealt with according as they 
 turn out, good or bad, &c. according to 
 an act of common council of the reign 
 of Henry VIII., and nho that the ori- 
 ginal and fair method of garbelling shall 
 be restored. 
 
 The privilege of garbelling granted 
 by Henry was afterwards confirmed, 
 with a few alterations, in the grants of 
 Charles I., Charles II., James II., and 
 William and Mary. The office of gar- 
 beller, however, not suiting the more 
 enlightened views of trade of these lat- 
 ter periods, fell into disuetude ; and the 
 last mention of it in the company's 
 books is in July, 1687, when a " Mr. 
 Stuart, the Citi/ garbeller, offered to 
 purchase the company's right in the 
 garbelling of spices, and other garbel- 
 lable merchandize. The court, finding 
 that, from long disuse, their privilege of 
 appointment to that office was weak- 
 ened, they accepted a small fine of 601. 
 from Mr. Stuart, for the office for life, 
 and twenty shillings per annum."— Mr. 
 Heath's Account of the Grocers' Com- 
 pany, p. 61. 
 
OTIIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 311 
 
 bolyon,) vermelion, verdygres, saltpetre, brymston, reed copper, 
 flex (y*' c.) 
 
 On the weighing of these articles the company received fees of 
 from one penny to twenty pence, according to the nature, weight, 
 or mode of package ; whether by the bale, cask, barrel, butt, or 
 tun; the case, hundred, draught, &c. And it is added, at the 
 foot of the list, " al maner other merchandizes y* comyth to y*" 
 beam, and is not comprehended in this wrytinge, to pay for the 
 bales of evfy xx^''*- Id. 
 
 The grant of the garbellorship extended the company's control 
 to such a variety of articles, exclusively of the above, that nothing 
 perhaps can afford a better idea of the greatness of their concerns, 
 than the enumeration in these two documents. It specifies rhu- 
 barb, scammony, spikenard, turpentine, senna, dates, rosin, treacle, 
 electuaries, syrups, waters, oils, ointments, plasters, powders, and 
 all conserves and confections, as gum, succades, cardamoms, and 
 all sorts of merchandizes, spices and drugs, in anywise belonging 
 to medicines;* and whatsoever shall by sufficient officers, skilled 
 in the premises of this kind, whom we are pleased to depute and 
 appoint, duly and justly to supervise,- garbel, search, examine, and 
 prove. To fill the office of garbellers for all these numerous 
 wares, the patent constitutes and appoints William Westmale, 
 Richard Hackedy, and Thomas Gibbes, " wardens of the mystery 
 of grocers in the City of London," &c. who are empowered to 
 garbel all the above spices and merchandizes, in whatsoever hands 
 they can find them, " as well in the towns of Southampton and 
 Sandwich, as all other places within, the kingdom, as well within 
 liberties as without our city aforesaid [of London] only excepted." 
 
 The company's commerce extending to oil, as above, is illus- 
 trated by a curious entry, which states 44s. to have been paid for 
 " costs, freight, carriage, wharfage, and piling up of ij shippes of 
 tua-loil (whale-oil) containing xlviii'^, iii. v. oyll, given to the fel- 
 lowship by Alderman Knolley's son," which shews that the Green- 
 land fishery was then well known, and traded to by the grocers. 
 There are also numerous other entries in the wardens' accounts 
 near this date, further illustrative of the company's commerce. 
 Amongst others, various notices prove them to have added the 
 wool trade to their many other dealings, and that to such extent, 
 
 * The Roman Medicamentarii , who called also pepperers, in the fifteentli 
 have been mentioned, nearly resembled century, hawks. Beckm. ii. 135; Pas- 
 them ; they sold drugs, and our grocers, ton Letters, ii. 1 10. 
 
312 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 that Sir John Crosby, warden in 1483, is styled in his \vill 
 " grocer and woolman." 
 
 The year 1427 was remarkable for the company's founding their 
 hall, and that of 1429 for their receiving their first patent of 
 confirmation. 
 
 In 1463 the original ordinances of the company, which were 
 partly in Latin and partly in Norman French, and which had been 
 translated during the mastership of Robert Chichely in 1418, 
 were renewed or recopied,* and additions made to them suitable to 
 the increasing consequence of the company. The notice is to the 
 following effect : 
 
 In the tyme of William Marowe, alderman, and alsoe of John 
 Crosbie and William Browne, wardeyns, namelie, of y*"' Mysterie 
 or Brotherhode of Groceres of the Cittie of London, elected y*"* 
 29th daie of y** moneth of Auguste, in y''- yeere of oure Lorde 
 1463, and in the 3^- yeere of king Edward IV. this boke was 
 renewed." 
 
 For a considerable time after these new arrangements there 
 is no mention of any occurrence worth noticing. " Their stock," 
 Mr. Heath observes, *' was delivered from year to year to the 
 newly-elected wardens by their predecessors, and the details 
 may be found in the voluminous and monotonous entries of 
 wardens' accounts." These entries are in general confined to the 
 registering of apprentices and freemen, the election of wardens, 
 and to the particulars of their receipt and expenditure. Some of 
 the more interesting of them follow. 
 
 In 1401 is specified, amongst other curious disbursements: 
 *' Sir Roger, the chaplain, his yearly salary from Easter to Easter, 
 6Z. 13s. 4d. Rent for the fraternity's house in Bucklersbury for 
 one year, from Midsummer day, 3 Henry IV., to the like day 
 the following year, 33s. 4d.f A year's salary to Robert Sterne, 
 the beadle, 58s. 4d. ; besides 7s, for three yards " of greene cloth 
 for his vesture." The priest's yearly charge for bread and wine, 
 and candle, for singing mass, was 2s. The expenses at the election 
 of masters for the same year, including the whole sum of pro- 
 visions, {les achates,) and other costs, was 22/. 4s. 3d. The 
 wardens' accounts for one year in the reign of Henry VI. (1435,) 
 mention John Wells as the presiding alderman of the company, 
 and Thomas Catsworth and John Godyn, wardens ; and contain 
 
 • See Historical Essay, p. 10.5. 
 
 t Tiais seems to have been near the time of their removal to JJucklesbury. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 313 
 
 several items which afford interesting illustrations of the times, as 
 well as of the particular concerns of the company. 
 
 The balance of the company's stock at this time, as transferred 
 from the old to the new wardens, was only 241. 4s. Towards their 
 alms and buildings, charities, and for the erection of their new hall, 
 (from the executors of two deceased members,) 51. each ; and from 
 the executors of a brother and sister, (John Dekene, grocer, and 
 his wyffe,) towards the same objects, 13/. 6s. Sd.^ From Thomas, 
 the son of Alderman Thomas Knolleys, the company received for 
 making their wall (welle,) and the foundation of the hall kitchen, 
 61. 13s. 4d. The garbeller's receipts, for. two years, was 4/. An 
 assignment to pay tlie debt of the company (probably on account 
 of building their hall,) amounted to IIZ. 135. 4d. They farther 
 received of money granted be certeyn persones of the crafte to 
 the purchasyng a piece of the voyde ground, sum tym the Lord 
 Fitzwalter's halle," 32/. 175. 4c?. From John Chichely, chamber- 
 lain of London, and for "the half deal of 20 m. of a tine of 
 green ginger (33,) made to the chamber, 61. 135. 4d. Lydgate 
 speaks of the grocers as having become retail spice-dealers in 
 the reign of Henry VI., and that they kept their standings in 
 Chepe : 
 
 " One bade me come nere and buy some spyce, 
 Peper and sayforne they gan me bed, 
 But for want of money I might not spede." 
 
 The events connected with the history of the grocers, subse- 
 quently to the date we are speaking of, were nearly such as have 
 been described to have been common to all the companies ; and 
 which w^e shall consequently omit to mention, both here and else- 
 where, unless in cases where they may exhibit some new features. 
 All the companies, as we have seen, adopted the use of the English 
 language in their books and ordinances near the reign of Henry 
 V. ; became subject to the same parliamentary enactments for 
 regulating their government, laws, and liveries, in the reigns of his 
 three successors, Henry VI., VII., and VIII.; yielded the like 
 obedience to the mayor and aldermen for some ages afterwards, in 
 all matters respecting precedency, state, and civic processions ; 
 in the registration of their charters and orders, and in the arbitra- 
 tion of disputes amongst each other. The effects of the suppression 
 of colleges, in the reign of Edward VI., operated equally in 
 stripping this, as the other fraternities, of much of their best pro- 
 perty ; and in the religious changes which succeeded, the grocers 
 exhibited the like supple compliance as did the other companies. 
 
314 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 with the " powers that be," Finally, in every thing connected 
 with the issue of precepts, on all subjects and occasions; in the 
 restraints imposed on them by the arbitrary interference of the 
 crown; in the exactions to which they were subjected, by both 
 parties, in consequence of the Civil wars ; in the deprivations of the 
 Quo Warranto, and in the destructive consequences of the fire of 
 London ; the history of the company we are speaking of, like that 
 of the others, whose records are preserved, may, with small vari- 
 ation, be taken as a pattern of the whole. Some of these small 
 variations or peculiarities, attaching particularly to the Grocers' 
 company, follow, chiefly extracted from Mr. Heath's Account. 
 
 In 1605, (August,) a notice on the above company's journals 
 declares " that the new charter was read to the company in 
 English by the clerk, when the whole of them with one voyce 
 and free consent gave greate approbation and allowance thereof : 
 and returned Mr. Tipper, a member of the court, thanks for his 
 great pains and talent in the business." A gratuity was ordered to 
 Mr. Tipper's clerk, and a remuneration of 8Z. 8s. to Joyce Knight, 
 " paynter stayner, for lymning, guildinge, and flourishing the 
 company's charter with the king's and prince's armes, and with 
 divers of the assistants, their armes, besides an allowance of 85. 
 for two skins of vellum." 
 
 "(1616.) — ^The office of clerk to the company becoming vacant, 
 the court, for the first time, elected an attorney to the place, who 
 gave security in 500/., and was to hold the situation as he should 
 well and truly behave himself in the execution thereof." 
 
 1643. — Amongst other exactions common to the companies, the 
 grocers paid 30f. per week to parliament, towards the support of 
 their troops. Also 6Z., as their proportion, " for the cost of 
 chains and engines, made and employed about the city for de- 
 fence thereof;" and 8/. for the relief of wounded soldiers. How 
 faith was observed towards them for this, and other pecuniary 
 sacrifices, during these times, appears from some proceedings of 
 the company, the next year, (1643,) when " several persons, mem- 
 bers of this company, applied to the court for repayment of their 
 portions of 9,000," [before stated to have been] "advanced for the 
 benefit and relief of Ireland ;" whereupon the wardens being 
 ordered to take up enough to pay them under the seal of the com- 
 pany, " at as easy a rate of interest as they can," and the money 
 so procured being found insufficient to satisfy the above and other 
 claims, their court was obliged to direct " that part of the com- 
 pany's plate, not exceeding the value of one thousand pounds, 
 
OlllGIN AND HISTORY. 315 
 
 shall be taken out of the treasurie, and sold to the best advantage 
 for payment of debts, and other necessary charges and affairs of 
 this company." And they agreed, that when the troubles of this 
 kingdom shall be composed, and this company's stock returned, 
 the sayd plate should be repayed and made good, to remain a me- 
 morial in this hall, according to the gift and intent of the donors." 
 The " troubles" mentioned also caused the lord mayor to send 
 letters to all the companies to lend their arms, a copy of which, 
 as sent to the grocers, will be seen below.* 
 
 The above was followed by another drain on the company's 
 resources of 4,500/. in consequence of the mayor's precept, stating 
 that 50,OOOZ. was to be raised by the companies "for defence 
 of the city in these dangerous times, as the parliament forces are 
 approaching." This obliged the wardens, besides attempting a 
 fresh loan on the company's seal, to sell all this company's 
 plate, (save the value of 300/. for necessary use and service,) and 
 of which a register was ordered to be kept, and of the donors' 
 names, so that " the same might be replaced upon the peace of 
 this country being restored." These repeated sales, Mr. Heath 
 observes, " must give the reader some idea of the large stock of 
 plate possessed by this company in ancient times. "f The next 
 entry displays a specimen of further exactions on this company, 
 which is amusing from its singularity.. 
 
 In 1645, the Committee of Safety, who in the June of that year 
 sat at Haberdashers' Hall, sent for the wardens of the grocers, and 
 informed them that they had learned the company were indebted 
 in the sum of 500/. on bond, to one Richard Greenough, who, as 
 they alleged, " was found to be a delinquent to the Parliament,'' 
 and they therefore demanded a speedy payment of the same to 
 them. The wardens, who were startled at the novelty of the pro- 
 position, requested time to advise with the court, and they finding 
 
 * " To his loving friends the master Hunt, and Cap"- Thomson, or any two 
 
 andwardensof the Company of Grocers, of them, are appoynted by common 
 
 after my hearty commendations, ac- council to joyne with such as you shall 
 
 cording to an act of common council, assigne for the valuing of the said armes, 
 
 this day holden, for the better forming to receive the same by inventory, for 
 
 a safety of this cittie, in this time of the purpose aforesaid ; and therefore, 
 
 eminent danger, I am to desire you in regard of the present want and ne- 
 
 forthwith to send, for the arming of cessity of the said armes, I pray you to 
 
 auxiliary forces raysed for the cittie, expedite the business, and cause the 
 
 all the arms of your compant/, whizh, said armes to be forthwith delivered 
 
 by promised engagement of the com- unto the aforesaid parties. This, not 
 
 mon council, shall safely, in the same doubting of your conformity and rea- 
 
 condition, be restored unto you, or diness herein : I rest, your loving friend, 
 
 others of the same goodness, and the Isaac Pennington, Mayor.'' 
 
 full value thereof in money ; and Cap"- f See afite (Hist. Essay,) pp. 37,38. 
 Hooker, Cap"> Fran. Rowe, Cap**- 
 
316 
 
 grocers' COMl^ANY. 
 
 it of no use lo contend, were again obliged to borrow the amount 
 on the company's seal, and to " restore the bond." 
 
 The grocers' contribution towards the magnificent exhibition 
 which the City made on the coronation of Charles II. amounted 
 to 540Z. ; and on the previous entrance of his Majesty into London, 
 on the 29th of May, 1660, they provided, as their portion of the 
 pageant, " thirty persons as riders, and each a man in livery to 
 attend him." 
 
 On the 2d of October, 1661, Sir John Frederick being elected 
 mayor, and not being a member of one of the great companies, is 
 said, in the grocers' journals, to have " moved the court, through 
 Sir Thomas AUeyn, to be received into this society upon his trans- 
 lation from the Barber-Chirurgeons, whereof he is a member ; and 
 from which, by the rules and customs of the City, he must remo^'e 
 into one of the Twelve Great Companies, and that his lordship had 
 expressed his friendly affection to this company upon the occasion 
 of the motion. It was thereupon agreed that the said Sir John 
 Frederick should be so admitted a member of the company, and of 
 this court, and " that some public shew of solemnity and triumph, 
 by pageantry, bachelors, gownsmen, and other ornaments, bee 
 provided at the charge of the company, to be in readiness against 
 the day of his lordship." This solemnity will be found described 
 amongst the grocers' pageants, hereafter. The above entry possesses 
 a degree of interest, as proving that the custom of translation in 
 similar circumstances continued in full vigour, at least as late as 
 1661, and it corroborates what we have elsewhere advanced.* 
 
 • (See p. 37 of Hist. Essay.)— The 
 following are some additional notices 
 which have been met M ith on this point 
 amongst the City Records, and with 
 which we shall dismiss the subject. 
 So imperative was it that the lord 
 mayor should be a member of one of 
 the twelve companies, that aldermen 
 who were of minor companies, were to 
 change from those companies when 
 they came to be lord mayor, or before. 
 Lib. H. fo. 314, Rep. 13, fo. 244, 247, 
 6, 9; Rep. 24, fo. 306 5 Rep. 67, 
 fo. 312; Rep. 74, fo. 302; Rep. 81, 
 fo. 327 ; Rep. 84, fo. 236. They were 
 in such cases enjoined to translate 
 themselves, Rep. 1, fo. 187 ; and such 
 great company as they made choice 
 of could be obliged to admit them. 
 Instance: An alderman being next to 
 the mayoralty, and declaring his pur- 
 pose to take the company of Drapers, 
 and that company refusing, they were 
 enjoined to receive him; Rep. 35, 
 fo. 211, 220, 230. Where an alder- 
 
 man belonging to a minor company, 
 and standing next for the mayoralty, 
 refused to go to the large companies, 
 the court could commit. Mr. Curtis 
 standing in this situation, and refusing 
 to be translated from the Pewterers, 
 of which he was a member, was fined 
 1 00 marks and committed to Newgate ; 
 and none of the pewterers permitted to 
 speak to him during his imprisonment : 
 Rep. 13, fo. 244, 2^6, 7, and 8. Nor 
 were any allowed to move from a lower 
 to a higher company, even of the 
 Twelve, without leave. Thus we find 
 an alderman not permitted of his own 
 will to translate from the Ironmongers 
 to the Grocers; Jor. 9, fo. 56. Ex- 
 amples of aldermen translating from 
 inferior to superior companies, with 
 leave, are found in Rep. 13, 25, or 26, 
 fo. 429 ; Rep. 36, fo. 188; Rep. 40, 
 fo. 79. In a controversy between two 
 companies, the aldermen withdrew: 
 Rep. 12, fo. 38. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 317 
 
 In 1664, the Physicians having obtained a charter of incorpo- 
 ration, which seemed likely to abridge the sphere of the company's 
 medical control, the following notice appears on the books: 
 " Divers members of this company trading in drugs made 
 request and suit for the countenance and protection of the court 
 in the freedom of their trade, against the invasion of the College 
 of Physicians, who, having lately obtained from his Majesty a 
 patent, with new and strange power of privilege and search, 
 seizure, fine, and imprisonment, are attempting the passing of a 
 bill in Parliament for the ratification of the same; which, if 
 effected, will be an insupportable inconvenience and prejudice." 
 They prayed the aid of the court, which was granted, and a com- 
 mittee appointed to consult and instruct counsel to defend them 
 before the committee in Parliament; it was likewise ordered that 
 the charges incurred by the druggists, for the defence of their 
 right against the physicians, should be defrayed by the Grocers' 
 Company. The " plague year," 1665, produced an order of the 
 Grocers' court, " that the election-feast is to be forborne this year, 
 upon serious consideration of the sadness of the times, and encrease 
 of this sore visitation in the city." 
 
 The fire of London, besides greatly damaging the Grocers' Hall, 
 and having consumed also the whole of the company's property, 
 excepting a few small tenements in Grub-street, the court of 
 assistants assembled on this occasion at the Turret House, *'in the 
 garden," the only place the fire had spared, and a committee was 
 appointed to take into serious consideration their affairs, whose first 
 measure was to suspend the payment of interest on the com- 
 pany's debts for the present," any attempt to levy a personal con- 
 tribution at this moment being considered superfluous; and a sche- 
 dule of the houses and rents belonging to the company, as they 
 existed before the fire, was ordered to be prepared, together with 
 a note of4he terms and periods of expiration of the leases. 
 
 In answer to applications of the company's tenants for new 
 leases, the committee recommended a petition to Parliament "for 
 an act to empower the raising of 20,000Z. upon the members of 
 the company, for payment of debts, as the readiest and surest way 
 for effecting the same." In the meanwhile, to sustain the com- 
 pany's credit, the silver in the hall, which had been melted by the 
 fire, was sold, as has been stated, to meet present wants; an ad- 
 dition of 94 members was made to the livery; and in December, 
 1668, they were enabled by this means to discharge one-sixth 
 part of their debts. The company, in their petition to Parliament, 
 
318 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 state much other interesting historical matter relative to their 
 difficulties.* 
 
 The petition to Parliament given in the note failed, and for a 
 considerable time the efforts of this company to re-erect their hall, 
 and meet other difficulties, seem to have been almost unparalleled. 
 A motion for a dinner, in order to gain a better attendance and 
 appearance of the livery, and which was to be succeeded by a sub- 
 scription amongst themselves, was carried ; but the object being 
 known, it drew few attendants. A common ball of the company 
 was afterwards called, and books opened to receive the issues of a 
 general assessment on the members, to amount to the specified 
 sum of 20,000Z. but the individual distress inflicted by the cala- 
 mity which had] taken place absorbed all ideas of that of the com- 
 pany, and they could only raise 6000/." Some of the members, 
 seeing the increasing clamour of the creditors, went so far as to 
 petition Parliament for sale of the company's hall, lands, and 
 estate, for satisfying of the debts owing," to counteract which the 
 
 * Tt states, that they, "the petitioners, 
 being an antient corporation, have in se- 
 veral ages, by the charity of well disposed 
 persons, been intrusted with divers lands, 
 rents, and gifts, and by means thereof, 
 are charged with the maintenance of, 
 and contribution to, several hospitals, 
 almshouses, schools, provision for mi- 
 nisters, exhibitions to poor scholars in 
 the imiversities, and other good and cha- 
 ritable uses. 
 
 "That in the year 1642, when the 
 kingdom of Ireland was greatly dis- 
 tressed by the rebellion newly risen 
 there, this company, having then a con- 
 siderable estate, wliich is since impaired 
 by the late fire, did, upon the credit of 
 their common seal, borrow and advance 
 the sum of 9000/. for the relief and de- 
 fence of that part of his Majesty's king- 
 dom, and have been constrained to borrow 
 of others, and to pay in, the said whole 
 9000/. principal, with the great inte- 
 rest thereof, till since the late fire, and 
 are in debt for the interest since then, 
 being in all about 27 years, being reim- 
 bursed no more than 645/. whereby the 
 said company is become greatly in- 
 debted to several widows, orphans, and 
 other persons, divers of which will be 
 inevitably ruined, if the company be not 
 enabled to satisfy them. 
 
 **That the petitioners' estate consist- 
 ing principally in houses destroyed by 
 the late dreadful fire, and they being 
 
 now in no capacity to raise money, 
 either by making or enlarging of leases, 
 or by any other way, and the now re- 
 maining part of their estate not being 
 sufficient to defray the ordinary charges 
 of the said company, as by their books 
 doth appear, they are disabled, as a cor- 
 poration, to satisfy their debts and trusts 
 upon them, which they are obliged to. 
 That at the time of the advancing of the 
 said sum of 9000/., it was agreed by 
 the assistants, livery, and commonalty 
 of the said company, then assembled at 
 a general meeting at Grocers' Hall, that 
 if any damage or loss should happen to 
 the company by reason of the said ad- 
 vantage, that every brother of the com- 
 pany, of ability, should contribute to- 
 wards satisfaction thereof, such rateable 
 share as, by the wardens and assistants 
 of the said company for the time being, 
 should be assessed. 
 
 " May it please therefore this honor- 
 able house to give leave for a bill to be 
 brought in, whereby power may be 
 given for and towards satisfaction of the 
 debts of the said company, to raise the 
 sum of 20,000/. by an equal assessment 
 upon the several members of the said 
 company, of ability, under such course 
 for appeals and other provision for their 
 just proceedings, as in your wisdoms 
 shall seem meet. And your petitioners , 
 &c." 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 319 
 
 court published what was termed " the Company's Vindicatiou," 
 and circulated 1000 copies of it; while, in a memorial to the court 
 of aldermen, they solicited assistance, on the just plea that the 
 company's distress arose in part from the loans made to the City, 
 but from which they obtained no relief. Their hall was subse- 
 quently seized, attachments laid on the rent due by the company's 
 tenants, and the dissolution of the society seemed inevitable, when 
 it was saved by the liberality of several of the principal members. 
 Other means were raised by calling a considerable number of the 
 freemen on the livery, and by adding in the course of two months 
 no less than eighty-one new members to the court of assistants ; 
 so that, before the Revolution of 1688, the Grocers, like the rest of 
 the companies, had restored their hall, as well as subdued 
 the greater part of their embarrassments. One of the most bril- 
 liant epochs in their annals at this time was, the enrolment amongst 
 their members of King William III., who accepted the office of 
 their sovereign master, 22d October, 1689. The details of the pro- 
 ceedings on this occasion, as translated from the Latin, contain the 
 following curious summary of the company's history : 
 
 " Grocers' Hall was once the mansion-house of the Lord Fitz- 
 walter, a peer of this realm, of whom the company purchased the 
 same in the reign of King Henry VI. being situate in the centre of 
 the city of London, and having a fair open garden behind for air 
 and diversion ; and before it, within the gate, a large court-yard 
 for the reception of coaches, as the aldermen and sheriffs attend 
 the lord mayor on public affairs, especially from Guildhall, and 
 the sessions at the Old Bailey ; or, as the nobility and other per- 
 sons of quality, shall either pay their visits, or be thither invited 
 by his lordship. For these reasons, the company of grocers, after 
 the late dreadful fire, rebuilt and enlarged it with all offices and 
 accommodations, far beyond any other place that ever was, or now 
 is, for the most commodious seat of the chief magistrate, as he is, 
 for the time being, his Majesty's representative in this famous city, 
 at the expense of many thousand pounds, as designing it for en- 
 couragement of their members, and conveniency of the citizens 
 resorting thither, as to the fountain of justice, from all parts of 
 the City ; as it may also redound to the honour of the kingdom, 
 being conspicuous (in their transient view) to ambassadors and 
 foreigners, as well as natives of his Majesty's dominions, passing 
 and repassing through this city. 
 
 "And as this society may boast of its antiquity, deriving its origi- 
 nal from merchants in Rome, trading in spices to the eastern parts, 
 
320 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 who from Rome transplanted themselves to this City, with the 
 conquest of this island, and first gave wings to navigation here, 
 from whence this island hath, been able to give law by sea to all 
 the world ; so that it, above all other companies in London, 
 abounded in wealthy members, trading both at home and abroad ; 
 from whence have sprung many honourable families, being incor- 
 porate by the name of Four Wardens, as superintendants, without 
 a master, and so most capable of adoption by a crowned head, as 
 King Charles II., of blessed memory, having been their last sove- 
 reign master ; and, as other companies have done, in memory of 
 the king from whom they have received the like honour, so this 
 company hath set up his late Majesty's statue in the Royal Ex- 
 change, and recorded his sacred name here in their register, that 
 so the generations to come may know how far they are debtors to 
 his memory for the foundation he laid, whereon his royal succes- 
 sors might build, to carry on and complete their happiness, in 
 restoring and settling so pious a nursery of charities, and fruitful 
 seminary of eminent merchants and good citizens. — God save 
 THE King and Queen." 
 
 The original constitution of the Grocers' Company is con- 
 tained in the charter of 7 Henry VI., (confirmed by Queens Mary 
 and Elizabeth,) and anciently termed their " great patent,"* and 
 in an extension of the same great patent by the first named 
 monarch, granted the following year.f Their constitution, as 
 afterwards altered, is to be found in the charters 2 James I. and 
 15 Charles I., and the confirmation of the latter by the Charter 
 of Restitution, (Nov. 15,) 4 James II. The separate grants of 
 Trade Privileges were made by the letters patent, 26 Henry VI., 
 and confirmed by Henry VIII.; another confirmation was embo- 
 died in the charter of restitution of James II.; in a charter of the 
 9th of March, 4 James 11. ; and in the confirmations and enlarge- 
 ments by charter of William and Mary, 9 Anne, and 12 George I. 
 
 The charter 7 Henry VI., (and of which the one, 8 Henry VI. 
 is chiefly a recital,) grants to the freemen of the Mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London : — That they may be in deed and 
 name one body and one perpetual commonalty; and that the 
 same commonalty every year may elect and make from among 
 
 • The particulars of the fine and Alsoe for drawinge of y^- saide 
 
 costs of obtaining this patent, are thus patentee and costys, 125. 
 
 detailed in the Company's books, viz. f "Incorporation and Liberties for 
 
 1429.— "To ye- chauncellor, for a the Wardens of tbe Mystery of Grocers 
 
 fyne to y*- king, 50/. Alsoe for ye- of the City of London." Vide Cal. 
 
 seale of owre greate pateMee, U. f)s. Rot. Patentium in Turre, Lond'. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 321 
 
 themselves three wardens, to oversee, rule, and govern the mystery 
 and community aforesaid, and all the men and affairs of the same 
 for ever; and that the same wardens and community may have 
 perpetual succession and a common seal for the service of the 
 affairs of the said community, and that they and their successors 
 for ever may be persons able and capable in law to purchase and 
 to possess in fee and perpetuity lands, tenements, rents, and other 
 possessions whatsoever ; and that they, by the name of the wardens 
 and commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers of London, may be able 
 to implead and be impleaded, before whatsoever judges, in what- 
 soever courts and actions ; and further, that the wardens and 
 community of the said mystery may be able to purchase lands, 
 tenements, and rents, within the city of London and the suburbs 
 of the same; and to hold such lands, &c. from the king, to the 
 value of twenty marks a year, to have and to hold to them and 
 their successors for ever, in aid of sustaining the poor men of the 
 said community; together with a chaplain to celebrate divine 
 offices for ever for the king's estate whilst he lived, and for his 
 soul when dead ; and moreover, the state and souls of all men of 
 the said mystery and commonalty, and of all the faithful deceased, 
 according to the ordination of them, the said wardens and com- 
 munity in that behalf to be made, the statute of mortmain, &c. 
 notwithstanding.* 
 
 The charter 15 Charles L (which embodies that of 2 James L) 
 grants that all and singular the freemen of the Mystery of 
 Grocers and their successors for ever, as well for the better order, 
 government, and rule of the men of the said mystery, as for the use, 
 advantage, and relief of the good and the correction of the evil 
 amongst them, shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name of 
 the wardens and commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London, and so declares them to be, with perpetual succession, 
 the power to enjoy estates and privileges of whatsoever kind ; and 
 that they may assign or otherwise dispose of such estates; that they 
 may plead and be impleaded ; may have a common seal for their 
 affairs and negotiations, and be able to break, change, and alter 
 the same. It grants that the said wardens and commonalty, as 
 Well then as for ever, may elect four of the commonalty of the 
 said myis^ry in form thereinafter mentioned, who shall be and 
 be called wardeiia of the said mystery; and also in like manner that 
 there shall be elected certain of the said commonalty, who shall be 
 
 • Patent 26. Henry VI. " Ample the Mystery of Grocers of Lon- 
 Liberties confirmed to the Wardens of don." 
 
 Y 
 
322 
 
 GROCERS COMPA^JY. 
 
 and be called assistants, and who from time to time shall be assistant 
 and helping to the said wardens in matters and affairs of and con- 
 cerning the said mystery ; and that the said wardens may have and 
 keep their certain hall or council in the said city or liberties ; and 
 that the same wardens or any two of them, when and as often as shall 
 be convenient and necessary, may convene and hold therein their 
 certain court or convocation of the said wardens and assistants, to 
 the number of thirteen persons or more, of whom two should be 
 wardens of the mystery ; and that in such court the same wardens 
 and assistants may treat, confer, consult, counsel, and decree 
 as to the statutes, articles, and ordinances, touching and con- 
 cerning the said wardens and commonalty, and the good rule, 
 state, and government of the same, according to their sound 
 discretions. It further grants to the said wardens and common- 
 alty, that the said wardens and assistants, on public notice to the 
 company, shall have from time to time full power and autho- 
 rity to make and ordain such reasonable statutes and ordi- 
 nances in writing, as shall in the wise discretion of such wardens 
 and assistants seem good, wholesome, useful, honest, and neces- 
 sary, for the good rule and government of the wardens and com- 
 monalty of the said mystery, and all others free of the said mys- 
 tery, or having or bearing offices in the same for the public good 
 and common utility of them, the said wardens and commonalty, 
 and of all things in anywise concerning the said mystery ; and 
 that such wardens and assistants, in consequence of such laws 
 and ordinances so to be established, may inflict such pains, pu- 
 nishment, and penalties, by imprisonment of the body, or hy fines 
 and amerciaments thereupon, and upon all delinquents against the 
 said ordinance, as shall to them seem necessary the better to compel 
 the observance thereof. That such fines and amerciaments to be 
 so levied, shall be to the use of the wardens and commonalty of the 
 said mystery, and grants that all such ordinances shall be observed 
 under the pains prescribed by them, so that the same ordinances 
 be reasonable, and not contrary or repugnant to the laws of 
 England. And the king, for the better execution of his will and 
 errant by his said charter, nominates and directs that four persons 
 therein named shall continue as wardens until a certain t^<iy 
 specified, when four others shall be elected in their ste^d, in form 
 prescribed by the ordinances and by the said patent; and no- 
 minates in like manner sixty-three persons therein named, free- 
 men of the mystery, (and whereof two were aldermen,) to be the 
 then assistants, and to continue in their office during life, un- 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 323 
 
 less removed for bad government, or other reasonable and sufficient 
 cause to be proved against them : grants the wardens and com- 
 monalty that the said wardens and the said assistants, to the 
 number of thirteen or more, may have power yearly, on the 14th 
 of July, or within eight days after, to elect and nominate four of 
 the freemen of the said commonalty, who shall be wardens for one 
 year, and who afterwards shall be succeeded by four other wardens, 
 to be elected in like manner: ordains that the said wardens and 
 commonalty and their successors, who may so chance to be 
 wardens, may at any time within a year after serving office be 
 removed, as well for bad government as other reasonable cause, 
 and similarly the assistants of the said mystery for the time 
 being, and that they may elect others in their stead, as before 
 ordained, who before admission shall take the oath, which 
 the wardens of the mystery are empowered to give, well and 
 faithfully to execute their office, to keep the secrets of the court, 
 and to do justice in all things, as well respecting apprentices as 
 other freemen of the mystery: grants to the said wardens and 
 commonalty, that the said wardens and assistants may levy rea- 
 sonable taxes and money from members towards arms, corn, and 
 other grain and provision for the public service; and also reason- 
 able sums for admission into the livery for the better support from 
 time to time of the society ; and that for the better ordering of the 
 mystery, the wardens and commonalty shall have jurisdiction 
 over the trade in the City and suburbs, for three miles round, with 
 power to punish delinquents, and various other privileges relative 
 to the same; for the enjoyment whereof to them, all mayors, &c. 
 are enjoined to be helping and assisting. Confirms all former 
 grants and privileges, and enjoins that they shall not be troubled 
 to answer for any supposed usurpations, or other thing, by writ of 
 quo warranto or otherwise : — proviso, that nothing granted by this 
 charter shall tend to the injury of the society of apothecaries of 
 London. 
 
 The Act of Restitution, (2d Nov.) 4 James II. confirms the charter 
 of the 26th Henry VI., by which the garbellorship was conferred on 
 the company, and also the above charter of the 15th of Charles I., 
 together with all liberties, customs, jurisdictions, estates and 
 property which they had at any time theretofore possessed, by 
 virtue of any charter or charters granted prior to the charter of 
 Charles II., (18th December, 1684,) and restores the company to 
 the precise state they were in before the judgment on the quo 
 
324 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 warranto. The charter, (March 9,) 4 James II., as well as great 
 part of the succeeding charter of that king, (just mentioned,) and 
 also the charters 2 William and Mary, and 12 George I., relate 
 to the trade privileges of the company, and declare the species of 
 trade which in former charters was expressed under the deno- 
 mination of grocery, to include under those patents druggists, 
 tobacconists, and tobacco-cutters and they incorporate such 
 trades as part of the body corporate and politic of the Grocers' 
 Company, 
 
 The ORDINANCES, GOVERNMENT, and OFFICERS of this Company 
 have been so largely treated of in our preceding pages, that little 
 remains here to be added beyond a few miscellanous remarks. 
 
 The company's earliest ordinances (1325,) only recognise them as 
 pepperers, and exclude all persons as members who are not of good 
 condition, and of that craft, though the injunction they contain 
 to relieve such of the fraternity as " should become poor by ad- 
 ventures on the sea, or by the advanced price of merchandizes," 
 show them to have been merchants. Their new ordinances of 1376, 
 (which first mention them as the Grocers of London,") are the 
 foundation of their present ordinances. An article in the previous 
 bye-laws of 1348 prohibits the wardens from adventuring *'over 
 the seas," or landing any of the " goods of the fraternity, but at 
 their 026;^ hazard," and also from " giving out the common seal of 
 the fellowship;" both proving them to have been, at that date, 
 trading on their common stock, as a merchant body, like the 
 East India, or any other modern company. 
 
 The following variations are to be traced from history, old wills, 
 and other sources, relative to the style of this society, and the 
 names and number of its officers at different periods, as in the 
 case of the Mercers. 
 
 The original ordinances of 1345 vest the government of the 
 fraternity in two wardens or purveyors. In the new made or- 
 dinances of 1376 the annual dinner is ordered to be provided "by 
 the two masters for the time being; after which," it is added, 
 
 the company are to chuse their three wardens;'' and they are 
 also by their incorporation charter limited to the latter number 
 and denomination. The charter 15 Charles I., first allows them 
 to elect four wardens; and, in the company's proceedings on 
 electing William III, master, in 1689, they state themselves to 
 have been " incorporated by the name of four wardens, as 
 superintendants, without a master, as more capable of adoption 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 325 
 
 by a crowned head." In ancient entries in their books, the 
 principals of the society are variously styled; as, 1427, "John 
 de Wellys, alderman, governor; John Melbourne, John Olyve, 
 maisters." 1468 : " Sir Georg^e Yonge, alderman and upper 
 master; William Cardmaker, John Stokes, wardens: afterwards 
 the head is called prime warden," " upper master," " master 
 and warden." The like variation in describing the principals of 
 the company occurs in old wills. Thus, 1514, Alderman Kebei 
 places the nomination of the poor freemen on whom he settles 
 pensions in the wardens and associates of the Mystery of 
 Grocers." 1529: Sir William Butler makes his devise "to the 
 wardens or keepers of the commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers." 
 1581 : Emma Backhouse puts the nomination of certain students 
 to be educated, pursuant to her will, at Cambridge, in " the 
 master, wardens, and commonalty of Grocers." Peter Blundell, 
 1599, devises to " the wardens and commonalty." 
 
 From 1465 to 1496 the prime master or upper warden was 
 always an alderman, agreeably to very ancient custom, and 
 amongst them the greater part were knighted. 
 
 The wardens, according to the ancient ordinances, as we have seen, 
 were always elected by general assent, as indeed all the oflficers ; 
 and, from the proceedings in 1345, and afterwards, it appears, 
 that of the twenty-two members first composing the fraternity, 
 nearly the whole took their turn as wardens. Thus, on the 
 second assembly, (May 12, 1346,) after the feast, Roger 
 Osekyn and Lawrence de Halewelle chose John de Stanop and 
 Robert de Hatfeld, the next rotatory members, wardens for the 
 year ensuing, in manner ordained by their " points." Stanop and 
 Hatfelde, the following year, chose Nicholas Corp and John 
 Gonewardby, the two next on the list of twenty-two ; Corp and 
 Gonewardby, the next two rotatory members, chose Carpenter and 
 de Hanapestede, who in like manner chose de Grantham and 
 Nicholas Chaucer, and so on. 
 
 Assistants (with the grocers, as with other companies,) naturally 
 grew out of the increase of the society, being originally, as we 
 have seen, merely auditors or overseers, for the benefit of the 
 whole. The clerk might at first be more properly termed the 
 fraternity's book-keeper, as he had none of the modern duties of 
 a solicitor to perform, and, in fact, only seems to have had to 
 make entries of the proceedings which took place, or keep the 
 
 * Hist. Essaj', p, 4o. 
 
326 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 Court-books. In the points made 1348, it is ordered that the 
 particulars of apprentices taken by members of the fraternity 
 shall be first entered on common paper," and at the end of the 
 year the list of names" was to be delivered to the new wardens. 
 Neither of these early clerks, if any, are named, nor is there any 
 specific mention of such till 1460, when a solicitor was first chosen 
 to that office, at the salary which has been stated. 
 
 In pursuance of the charter 26 Henry VI., which extended the 
 company's control and oversight to druggists, apothecaries, and 
 confectioners, as well as to their own particular trade, the wardens 
 or their deputies could, like modern excisemen, not only enter 
 their shops and impose fines for deceits, but they always seized 
 the spurious article.* 
 
 * In 1561 the books state that 
 "bags and remnantes of certeyne evil 
 and naynte pepper'' were ordered to 
 be conveyed oversea to be sold, but the 
 dust of the " evil pepper, syrnamed 
 ginger," was to be burned. Thus it 
 appears that the company, although they 
 had "a reverend care of the health of 
 their fellow-citizens, did not scruple, 
 on occasion, to poison their continental 
 neighbours." In 1562 the court made 
 an order that " grocerie wares should 
 not be sold in the streates, figges onlie 
 excepted;" and that the apothecaries, 
 freemen of the company, should not 
 use or exercise any drugs, simple or 
 compound; ''or any other kynde or 
 sortes of poticarie wares but such as 
 shall be pure and perfyt good." In 1571, 
 Rauf King, a brother of the company, 
 "and certain others, makers of com- 
 fytes^ were charged before the wardeyns 
 for their misdemeanours in minglinge 
 stfirche with the sugar, and such other 
 thinges as be not tolerated nor suttred ; 
 and the said King having now in his 
 place a goode quantitie of comfytes 
 made with corse stutte, and mingled as 
 aforesaid with starch and such like;" 
 it was ordered that the comfits should 
 be put into a tub of water, and so con- 
 sumed and poured out ; and "thateverie 
 of the comt'ytt makers shall be made to 
 enter into bondes in 20/. that they shall 
 not hereafter make any biskitts but with 
 clere suger ojilie, nor make any comfytts 
 that shall be wrought upon seeds or any 
 other thinges but with clere suger 
 onlie." 
 
 Other entries exhibit the still more 
 arbitrary power which the liverj', by 
 
 their ordinances, anciently vested in 
 their officers in regard to this trade- 
 oversight. It not only extended to 
 seizure, but to imprisonment of the 
 person in the common prisons. On the 
 7th of February, 1616, we find that 
 Michael Eason, having been convicted 
 before the court, he being an apothe- 
 cary, and brother of the company, of sel- 
 ling "divers sortes of defective apo- 
 thecaries wares, which, on triall, were 
 found to be defective, corrupt, and un- 
 wholsome for man's body;" and it 
 being further proved "that he had 
 soald and uttered the like wares to Mr. 
 Lownes, the prince, his highnesses 
 apothecarie, and others; and he also 
 being found very unfitt in making of 
 compositions and confections, and in- 
 sufficient and unskilful! to deale therein, 
 he was by the court, in consideration 
 of the great damage and danger which 
 might happen to the companie by per- 
 mitting such enormities, committed to 
 the Poultrie compter " There are 
 repeated instances of the company's 
 proceeding to these extremities, not 
 only in cases similar to those quoted, 
 but also in those of the nonpayment of 
 livery and other fines. In October, 
 1668, one Rellers was committed to 
 Newgate for refusing, after being sum- 
 moned before the lord mayor, to pay his 
 livery fine of 30/. This power of im- 
 prisonment, we have seen, was regularly 
 confirmed by the charter 15 Charles I. 
 
 The most extraordinary of the ancient 
 enactments, and arbitrary' in the highest 
 degree, though made, like the rest, 
 " by comon assente," was of a similar 
 nature with that claimed by the weavers' 
 
CONSTITUTION AND (JOVKRNMENT. 
 
 327 
 
 LORD MAYORS OF THE GROCERs' COMPANY. 
 
 The principals of the Grocers' Company who attained to the 
 rank of lord mayor were as follows. 
 
 Of the Fraternity of Pepperers, before their separation and assuming the 
 name of Grocers, the following served this office : 
 
 Date. Name. Resideui 
 
 1231 
 1232 
 1233 
 
 1234 )=■ Andrew Bokerel. Unknown 
 1235 
 1236 
 1237 
 1245-, 
 1246 I 
 1250 
 1259 
 1311 
 1312 
 1313-' 
 1279 
 
 Sir John Gisors, Knt. Gerrard's Hall, 
 Basing lane. 
 
 Alan de la Zouch. Unknown. 
 
 1272 Sir Henry Frowicke,' 
 (in part.) 
 
 Buried. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
 Christ's Church, New- 
 gate street, (in the 
 Lady Chapel.) 
 
 Ashby de la Zoucli, 
 Leicestershire. 
 
 gild, in temp. Edward I., viz. the power 
 of distraining on defaulters, and which 
 was in the former case declared to be 
 illegal. 
 
 "It was ordained the said 21st of 
 May, 1366, by common assent, that the 
 wardens for the time being, and those 
 who should afterwards be, in aid and 
 maintenance of the fraternity, should 
 have power to distrain, and the distress 
 so taken to retain and keep during the 
 time of their wardenship, without any 
 other manner of officer ; those who 
 should act contrary to any of the or- 
 dinances, or should refuse to pay what 
 should be imposed on them by the re- 
 solutions of the wardens, for their op- 
 position or other defaults, according to 
 their deserts. This power was sealed 
 by all that were of the fraternity, to be 
 kept in the hands of the wardens from 
 
 year to year, to maintain them, and to 
 take and retain the said distress, until 
 satisfaction made by the points, firm 
 and established, to be kept for ever. And 
 on the same day it was agreed, that 
 whoever should be of the fraternity 
 thereafter, should seal the same power 
 in manner as others had done before; 
 and from year to year, on the day of 
 the assembly, it should be read before the 
 whole company, after the other points." 
 Account of the Grocers^ Company^ 
 p. 51-2. 
 
 ' Frowike was custos of the City for 
 part of this year. He gave name to 
 one of the City wards, (supposed Crip- 
 plegate,) which has been already no- 
 ticed under the name of "Warda de 
 Henr^ Frowike.^' He was one of the 
 three citizens who founded London 
 College, near Guildhall. 
 
328 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Date. 
 
 1319^ 
 
 1321 ' 
 
 1322 
 
 1324 
 
 1325 
 
 1327>' 
 
 1329 
 
 1329 ^ 
 
 1340 > 
 
 1351 J 
 
 Na??ie. 
 
 Hammond Chickwell.' 
 
 Sir John de Grantham. 
 
 Residence. 
 
 Sir Andrew Aubrey, (the last of 
 the Pepperers.)^ 
 
 Buried. 
 
 In St. Paul's Cathe- 
 dral, (next the 
 choir.) 
 
 OF THE FRATERNITY OF GROCERS. 
 
 Simon Dolseley. 
 John Notie. 
 John Warde. 
 
 =• Sir Nicholas Brembre. Bread street ward. 
 
 1360 
 1363 
 1375 
 1377 
 
 13831 
 13841 
 1385 
 1378 
 
 ]3^3|SirJohn Hadley.'' 
 
 1389 
 1392 
 
 1392 ^ g.^ William Standon. 
 1407 5 
 1399 
 1410 
 
 J^J? J Sir Robert Chichele. 
 1421 > 
 
 1418 Sir William Sevenoke. 
 1420 William Cambridge. 
 1431 Sir John de Welles. 
 
 Sir John Philpot. 
 I Sir J 
 
 I Sir WiUiam Vinor. 
 
 I Sir 
 
 I Sir Thomas KnoUes. 
 
 Philpot lane. 
 
 Watling street. 
 
 Garlick Hythe. 
 
 Ludgate. 
 
 Watling street. 
 
 Christ's Church, New- 
 gate street. 
 
 Ditto. 
 
 * Stapleton, bishop of Exeter, was 
 beheaded by his orders, for demanding 
 the keys of the city gates for Edward 
 II. ; and Chickwell, who kept the city 
 for the queen and prince Edward, had 
 their thanks. 
 
 2 Andrew Aubrey. In a quarrel be- 
 tween the Fishmongers and Skinners, 
 during his mayoralty, this mayor was 
 assaulted and struck, for which two 
 persons were beheaded by his orders 
 in Cheapside. 
 
 St. Antholin's, Wat- 
 ling street. 
 
 St. James's Church, 
 
 Garlick Hythe. 
 St. Martin, Ludgate. 
 
 St. Antholin's, Wat- 
 ling street. 
 
 3 He made a bye-law against usury, 
 then termed sc/iefes." In 1390, it 
 was one of the subjects of petition of 
 the citizens to Richard II. that " the 
 order made by John Notte, late mayor, 
 might be executed throughout the 
 realm." 
 
 * Farringdon ward was divided into 
 two {within and without) during Had- 
 ley's mayoralty. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 329 
 
 Date. Name. 
 1434 Sir Roger Otteley.' 
 1438 ) ^. ^ ^ „ 
 1448 S Stephen Brown. 
 
 1443 Thomas Catworth. 
 1450 Nicholas Wyfold. 
 1455 Sir William Marowe.^ 
 
 1456 
 1460 
 1466 
 1468 
 1471 
 
 1484 I 
 
 1504 
 1510 
 
 Sir Thomas Cannyng. 
 Sir Richard Lee. 
 Sir John Young.3 
 Sir William Taylor. 
 Sir William Edwards.'' 
 Sir Thomas HiU.s 
 John Warde. 
 Sir John Wyngar. 
 Sir Henry Keble. 
 
 1515 Sir William Butler 
 
 1516 Sir John Rest. 
 
 1531 Sir Nicholas Lambert. 
 
 1544 Sir William Laxton. 
 
 1554 
 1562 
 1563 
 1573 
 1577 
 1589 
 1598 
 
 Sir John Lyon. 
 Sir Thomas Lodge. 
 Sir John White.^ 
 Sir John Rivers. 
 Sir Thomas Ramsey. 
 Sir John Hart. 
 Sir Stephen Soane. 
 
 1608 Sir Humphrey Weld. 
 
 1613 Sir Thomas Middleton . 
 
 1617 Sir John Bolles. 
 
 1622 Sir Peter Proby. 
 
 Residence, 
 
 Bisliopsgate street. 
 
 Buried. 
 
 St. Botolph, Bishops- 
 gate. 
 
 St. Mary, Aldermary 
 church-yard. 
 
 St. Mary, Aldermary 
 Church. 
 
 St. Anthony's Church, 
 Threadneedle street. 
 
 Little Thorlow, Suf- Little Thorlow, Suf- 
 
 folk. folk. 
 Weld (Wild) street, 
 
 Line. -inn fields. 
 
 ^ A great frost of fourteen weeks' 
 duration occurred in Sir Roger Otte- 
 ley's mayoralty. 
 
 ^ He bequeathed 215/. to the Gro- 
 cers' Company, to have masses said for 
 his father, mother, and two wives, 
 in Bishopsgate church, for thirty 
 years. 
 
 3 Sir John Young was knighted in 
 the field, with Sir John Crosby and 
 others, for repulsing the bastard Fal- 
 conbridge, in his attack upon the City. 
 
 ■* The water conduit in Alderman- 
 bury, and the Standard in Fleet street, 
 were finished in his mayoralty. 
 
 ^ This was the year of the sweating 
 sickness in London. There were three 
 lord mayors and three sheriffs this year, 
 and two of each died of the disease : 
 Warde, who succeeded as mayor, was 
 the survivor. 
 
 ^ There was a great plague in Lon- 
 don during the mayoralty of Sir John 
 White. 
 
330 
 
 GROCERS COMPAJSY. 
 
 Date. Name. 
 
 1 641 Sir Edmund Wright.' 
 
 1648 Sir John Warner. 
 
 1650 Sir Thomas Foote. 
 
 1652 John Kendricke. 
 
 1660 Sir Thomas Alleyne. 
 
 1662 Sir John Frederick.^ 
 
 1673 Sir Robert Hanson. 
 
 1674 Sir William Hooker. 
 1679 Sir James Edwards. 
 1682 Sir John Moore. 
 
 1684 Sir Henry Tulse.^ 
 
 1693 Sir John Fleete. 
 
 1696 Sir John Houblon. 
 
 'Residence, 
 
 Frederick's place, 
 Old Jewry. 
 
 Buried. 
 
 Threadneedle street, 
 (on the site of the 
 Bank.) 
 
 St. Dunstan's, East, 
 Thames street. 
 
 St. Christopher's, 
 Bank. 
 
 1710 Sir Samuel Garrard.* 
 
 1729 Sir Robert Bay lis. 
 
 1730 Sir Richard Brocas. 
 
 1731 Sir Humphrey Parsons. 
 1738 Sir John Barnard. 
 1748 Sir Robert Ladbrok.^ 
 1757 Marsh Dickenson. 
 
 Lombard street. 
 
 NOBILITY SPRUNG FROM GROCERS. 
 
 Sir Alan de la Zouch, citizen and pepperer, and lord mayor in 1267-8, 
 was the son of Baron de la Zouch, mayor in 1229 ; and, though not mentioned 
 as the ancestor of any nobility descended from his stock, attained himself 
 high honours under Henry III., who constituted him warden of all the king's 
 forests south of Trent, and a justice itinerant for the counties of Southampton, 
 Bucks, and Northampton. 
 
 * Sir Edward Wright was constituted 
 mayor in place of Sir William Acton, 
 who had been previously elected, but 
 was discharged by the House of Com- 
 mons. 
 
 2 Sir John Frederick. See note, re- 
 lative to his translation from the Bar- 
 ber-surgeons to the Grocers, (Hist. 
 Essay, p. 37.) 
 
 3 Strype lauds this mayor for refus- 
 ing a fee of 1000 guineas to procure an 
 applicant the lease of the City's duties 
 of scavage, package, postage, &c. 
 (worth 400/. per annum,) and after- 
 wards improving the said duties to 
 
 1200/. per annum, for the benefit of the 
 corporation. 
 
 ■* It is observable that three of this 
 name and family have been mayors in 
 three queen's reigns, Mary, Elizabeth, 
 and Queen Anne. 
 
 5 The dreadful fire at Change-alley, 
 Cornhill, broke outduring his mayoralty, 
 (causing a loss of 100 houses, and 
 200,000/. worth of property ;) and Mait- 
 land comphments Sir Robert's effective 
 exertions in arresting its progress. The 
 historian considers this to have been 
 the greatest City conflagration since 
 1666. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 331 
 
 Sir Thomas Knolles, grocer, and mayor ia 1399 and 1400, was ancestor of 
 Lord Knolles, (1603,) who was created first Viscount Wallingford and Earl of 
 Banbury, 1626. 
 
 Sir Thomas Chichele, a warden of the Grocers' company, though not giving 
 birth to any of noble blood, was as highly distinguished by his relationship 
 to Archbishop Chichele. 
 
 Sir Peter Proby, grocer, and mayor in 1622, gave rise to the Barons 
 Carysfoot. 
 
 EMINENT MEMBERS. 
 
 The "New View of London" states the Grocers' Company to 
 have been dignified by having " five kings, several princes, eight 
 dukes, three earls, and also twenty lords of it:" of these five 
 kings we have only been able to ascertain the names of two, viz. 
 Charles II., master of the company in 1660; and William III., 
 who accepted the like office in 1689. Among the princes and 
 nobility, the most distinguished during the later periods of the Gro- 
 cers' history was the Duke of York, afterwards James II., George 
 Monk Duke of Albemarle ; Heneage Finch, first Earl of Not- 
 tingham; George Earl of Berkeley, (ob. 1688;) John Sheffield 
 Duke of Buckingham, (master whilst Earl of Mulgrave, in 
 1684;) Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, (master in 1691.) 
 To whom are to be added, the celebrated Sir Philip Sidney, and 
 other eminent characters, who, though not of the nobility, were 
 much more distinguished. In the wardens' list of their honorary 
 members they inscribe (of nobility) the names of the truly great 
 William Pitt Earl of Chatham; Charles Pratt, first Earl Camden, 
 (presented with the freedom in 1660 ;) the late Prince of Brunswick 
 Lunenburg; his Royal Highness Edward Duke of York, brother 
 to George III. ; his Royal Highness the late Duke of Gloucester ; 
 the Earl of Liverpool, (presented with the freedom in 1814;) the 
 late Earl of Londonderry, (presented with the freedom at the 
 same time with the above ;) Lord Goderich, and Lord Chief Justice 
 Tenterden; Charles Marquis of Cornwallis, (elected 1792:) and 
 of lesser rank, the Honorable Thomas Coventry, brother to 
 William, fifth Earl of Coventry, (master in 1740;) the Right 
 Honorable Arthur Onslow, Speaker of the House of Commons, 
 (presented with the freedom in 1761;) the Right Honorable 
 Bilson Legge, fourth son of William, the first Earl of Dartmouth, 
 (presented with the freedom in 1767;) Sir John Philips, bart. 
 (ob. 1764;) George Cooke, esq. m.p. for Middlesex, (1761 ;) the 
 late Right Hon. William Pitt ; Major-general Sir William 
 
332 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Meadows, k.b., (1792;) the Hon. William Knox, d.d.. Bishop of 
 Derry; the late Right Hon. George Canning", and the Right Hon. 
 Lieut.-gen. Sir George Murray, k.b. (1829.) 
 
 HONOURABLE AND CHARITABLE ACTS OF GROCERS. 
 
 Sir John Philpot, (1378,) fitted out a fleet at his own expense 
 to repress the piracies of a freebooter named John Mercer, a 
 Scot, who was in consequence taken, with 15 Spanish ships, which 
 he commanded, and all their rich plunder. He afterwards con- 
 veyed an English army into Britanny, with ships of his own hiring, 
 and released more than 1000 victualling-ships of the enemy. 
 Fuller, for this, and other patriotic acts, styles him, whilst living, 
 " the scourge of the Scots, the fright of the French, the delight of 
 the Commons, the darling of the merchants, and the hatred of some 
 envious lords, but who was at his death lamented, and afterwards 
 beloved of all, when his memory was restored to its due esteem." 
 He was born in Kent, and lord mayor as just described. 
 
 John Churchman, sheriff in 1385, was the founder of the Custom 
 House, as already mentioned, and first' procured for the Grocers' 
 Company the custody of the king's beam. 
 
 Sir Thomas KnoUes, (mayor in 1399 and 1410,) re-edified at his 
 own cost the church of St. Antholin's, Watling-street, and was 
 a benefactor to the poor of the Grocers' Company. 
 
 Sir Robert Chichele, (mayor in 1411-12,) contributed largely 
 towards rebuilding Romford chapel (by Hornchurch.) In 1428, 
 he gave the ground (208J feet long by 66 broad,) for building the 
 church, and making the cemetery of St. Stephen, Walbrook, and 
 bore afterwards the chief charges of the building. His descend- 
 ant. Sir Thomas Chichele, (also a grocer, and mayor in the reign 
 of Charles II.) was the principal contributor to the rebuilding of 
 the same church after the fire of London. 
 
 Sir William Sevenoke was the well-known founder of the col- 
 lege and school of Sevenoke, Kent, where tradition states him to 
 have been found a deserted infant, and, in gratitude for the foster- 
 ing care he received, (which eventually raised him to great wealth, 
 and the honour of the mayoralty,) to have established that noble 
 charity. 
 
 Sir John de Welles, (mayor in 1431,) built the " Standard in 
 Chepe greatly contributed towards the building of the Guildhall 
 chapel, and entirely erected at his own expense the south aisle of 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 333 
 
 the choir of St. Antholin's (Watling-street) church. He also 
 left a sum of money to substantially repair the then ^' miry way 
 (now the Strand) leading from London to Westminster." 
 
 Sir Stephen Browne, (mayor, 1438.) His liberal conduct, in im- 
 porting corn from Dantzic during one of the great metropolitan 
 dearths, has been stated at p. 132, (Hist. Essay.) 
 
 Sir John Crosby, (grocer, and sheriff in 1483.) It is enough to 
 mention " Crosby-house, Bishopsgate-street," as a proof of his 
 great wealth and consequence. Sir John was a warden, and one 
 of the great benefactors to the Grocers' Company. He gave 500 
 marks towards the repair of his parish-church of St. Helen; and 
 towards the repair of Han worth church, Middlesex, also of Bishops- 
 gate, London Wall, London and Rochester bridges, different large 
 sums. His bequests and donations at his death partook of the 
 same noble character. His beautiful altar-tomb, with alabaster 
 effigies of himself and wife, still exist in St. Helen's church, 
 Bishopsgate-street, at a small distance from the remains of his 
 noble mansion of Crosby-house. 
 
 Sir Henry Keble, (mayor, 1510,) was six times master of the 
 Grocers' Company, and gave lOOOZ. towards rebuilding his parish- 
 church of St. Antholin's, Budge-row, (Watling-street.) His be- 
 quests to his company will be found under the head " Trust- Estates 
 and Charities." 
 
 Sir William Laxton, (mayor in 1544.) He was founder of that 
 noble charity, Oundle school, in Northamptonshire. (For which 
 see as above.) 
 
 Lawrence ShirefF, a member of the Grocers' Company, and 
 warden in 1566, was founder of the celebrated Rugby Free Gram- 
 mar School, one of the noblest and best endowed institutions 
 of the kind in England. 
 
 Sir John Cutler, several times master-warden of the Grocers' 
 Company, and one of their best benefactors, having rebuilt much 
 of their hall at his own cost, was the founder of a Mechanic Lec- 
 ture at Gresham College, with a salary of 501. a year, which was 
 settled on Mr. Hooke, geometry professor there. He rebuilt the 
 north gallery of St. Margaret's church, Westminster, for the be- 
 nefit of the poor, was a benefactor to the College of Physicians, 
 and left many munificent legacies and gifts at his death. 
 
334 
 
 CROCERS' COMPANY. 
 
 DRESS AND OBSERVANCES.* 
 
 " London Triumphs, or the Account of the Grocers' Pageants at 
 the Inauguration of Sir John Frederick, 1661," gives the follow- 
 ing as the dressed procession of this company : 
 
 1. The master, warden, and assistants, in their gowns fac'd with foyns, 
 with their hoods. 
 
 2. The livery, in their gowns fac'd with budge, and their hoods. 
 
 There have been no less than eleven of the Grocers' pageants printed, viz. 
 
 ^ The Triumphs of Truth ; a solemnity unparralled^ 
 for cost, art and magnificence, at the confirmation and 
 establishment of that worthy and true nobly-minded 
 gentleman, Sir Thomas Middleton, Knight, in the ho- 
 nourable office of his Maiestie's Lieutenant, the Lord 
 Mayor of the thrice famous Citty of London ; taking 
 beginning at his lordship's going, and proceeding after 
 his returne from receiving the Oath of Maioralty at West- 
 minster, on the morrow next after Simon and Judes day, 
 October 29, 1613. All the Shows, Pageants, Chariots, 
 Morning, Noon, and Night Triumphs, directed, written, 
 and redeemed into forme from the ignorance of some 
 former times, and their common writer. By Thomas 
 Middleton. London : printed by Nicholas Okes, dwel- 
 ling at the signe of the Hand, near Holbourne ISridge. 
 
 1613. 
 
 J 
 
 The Triumphs of Honour and Industry ; a solemnity, 
 performed through the City at the confirmation and 
 establishment of the Right Honorable George BoUes 
 in the office of his Majestys Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor 
 S) <( of the famous City of London ; taking beginning at his 
 lordship's ^oing, and proceeding after his returne from 
 receiving the Oath of Mayoralty at Westminster, on the 
 morrow next after Simon and Jude's day, October 29. 
 London, printed Nicholas Okes. 1617. 4to. 
 
 m ^ London Triumphs ; celebrated October 29, 1659, in->| 
 I ^ I honour of the much- honoured Thomas Allen, Lord « « 
 ^ ^ 5? J ■'^^^yor of the said City ^ presented and personated by an I o 
 « ^ ^, European, an Egyptian, and a Persian, and done at the { ^ 
 cost and charges of the ever-to-be-honoured Company of S 
 ^ LGrocers. By J. Tatham. 4to. J 
 
 In the British Museum is to be found The Citie's New Poet's Mock Show, 
 1659." This is in one folio page on a broadside, and is to be found in the fif- 
 teenth volume of the collection (in 24 vols.) of that description of publication 
 which was presented to the National Library by King George the Third. It is a 
 ballad of one hundred and forty-four lines, in triplets, and ridiculing the last Lord 
 Mayor's Show. It is signed M. T. (probably Matthew Taubman, afterwards City 
 Poet.) In the " Rosary of Rarities in a Garden of Poetry," by Thomas Jordan, 
 (afterwards City Poet,) 8vo. no date, but printed about 1662, is "A Comical 
 iEntertainment made for Sir Thomas Allen, Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen, in 
 1659." — Nichols^ Pageants, 
 
DRF.SS AND (> BS i: R V A N C KS. 
 
 335 
 
 3. The batchellours, part thereof in gowns fac'd with budge, and both of 
 them with damask hoods. 
 
 4. Fifty gentlemen ushers, in plush coats, each of them a gold chain about 
 his shoulder, and a white staff in his hand. 
 
 r London's Triumphs; presented in several delightfuP 
 I scenes, both on the water and hind, and celebrated in 
 honour to the deservedly honored Sir John Frederick, 
 I Knight and Baronet, Lord Mayor of the City of London, 
 J at tiie costs and charges of the worshipful Company of Y 
 Grocers. John Tatham : (arms of the Grocers' Com- j 
 pany.) London: printed by Thomas Mabb, living on 
 Paids ffltarf, next doore to the signe of the Ship, i 
 1661. 4to. pp. 28. J 
 
 §M S 
 o ^ 3 
 
 h3 
 
 Evelyn, (the author of Sylva,) was a spectator of this Water Triumph, being 
 the first solemnity of this nature after twenty yeares,'^ (since 1641.) The pro- 
 cession was witnessed in Cheapside by the king. His majesty had condescended 
 to become one of the Grocers' company, (as already mentioned,) being the first 
 monarch, W. Tatham says, who had " ever set such an estimation upon them." 
 
 London Triumphant, or the City in Jollity and Splen-, 
 I dour ; expressed in various pageants, shapes, scenes, 
 I speeches, and songs, invented and performed for con- 
 gratulation and delight of the well-deserving governor 
 Sir Robert Hanson, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of 
 J London, at the cost and charges of the worshipful Com- y 
 pany of Grocers, his Majesty gracing the triumph with 
 his royal presence. Written by Tho. Jordan : (three 
 wood-cuts, viz. Grocers' arms, City arms, Grocers' arms.) 
 London: printed by W. G. for Nath. Brook and John 
 Playford. 1672. ■> 
 
 ^ London in its Splendour ; consisting of Triumphing 
 Pageants, whereon are represented many persons richly 
 arrayed, properly habited, and significant to the design ; 
 with several speeches, and a song suitable to the solem- 
 nity : all prepared for the honour of the prudent magis- 
 52 S trate, Sir William Hooker, Knight, Lord Mayor of the 
 2 s I City of London, at the peculiar expences of the worship- 
 ^ ful Company of Grocers. As also a description of his 
 ^ I Majesty's Royal Entertainment at Guildhall by the city 
 35 j in a plentiful Feast and a glorious Banquet. Written by 
 *^Thomas Jordan. 4to. 
 
 <"S>0 
 
 J 
 
 The Triumphs of London; performed on Tuesdaj',- 
 October xxix. 1678, for the entertainment of the right 
 honorable and truly noble pattern of prudence and loy- 
 alty Sir James Edwards, Knight, Lord Mayor of the 
 City of London ; containing a true description of the 
 several Pageants, with the speeches spoken on each 
 Pageant, together with songs sung on this solemnity ; all 
 set forth at the proper costs and charges of the worshipful 
 Company of Grocers. Designed and composed by Tho- 
 mas Jordan, Gent. 
 
 Quando magis licuit spectaro Triumphos ? 
 
 London : printed for John Playford, at the Temple 
 Church. 1678. 
 
 0) j3 3 
 
336 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 5. Twelve otlier gentlemen for carrying banners and colours, nine of them 
 in plush coats, each of them a crimson scarf about his shoulders. The ban- 
 ners borne by them consisted of, viz. King Charles II., the Duke of York, and 
 Monk Duke of Albemarle, all at this time members ; St. George's, the Lord 
 Mayor's, Sir John Frederick's, Sir Thomas Foote's, Sir Thomas Allen's, Sir 
 William Wilde's, recorder, the City's, the Grocers', and four others. The " set 
 out,'' or order of marshalling the procession, is given as follows : 
 Foot marshal, 
 
 with a crimson scarf about his shoulders, followed by his 
 six attendants, 
 without scarfs. 
 
 • London's Joy, or the Lord Mayor's Show, triumph-- 
 antly exhibited in various representations, scenes, and 
 splendid ornaments, with diverse pertinent figures and 
 movements, performed on Saturday, October xxix. 1682, 
 at the inauguration of the Right Honorable Sir John 
 Moore, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London ; 
 with the several speeches and songs which were spoken 
 on the Pageant in Cheapside, and sung in Guildhall 
 during dinner : all the charges and expenses of the in- 
 dustrious designs being the sole undertaking of the wor- 
 shipful Company of Grocers. Designed and composed 
 by Thomas Jordan, Gent. 
 
 Omne tulit puretum qui miscuit utile dulci. 
 Lotidon: printed for John and Henry Playfordy 168 L 
 4to. pp. 16. 
 
 . o 
 
 •7^ 
 
 CO <o 
 
 O o 
 
 The Triumphs of London ; performed on Monday,. 
 October xxix, 1683, for the entertainment of the right 
 honorable and truly noble pattern of prudence and loy- 
 alty Sir Henry Tulse, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City 
 of London; containing a description of the whole solem- 
 nity, with two new songs set to music, (Grocers' arms. 
 City arms. Grocers' arms.) London : printed for Jo/m 
 and Henri/ Playford. 1683. 
 
 . The Triumphs of London ; performed on Saturday,^ 
 October 29, 1692, for the entertainment of the Right 
 Honourable Sir John Fleet, Knight, Lord Mayor of the 
 City of London ; containing a true description of the 
 several pageants, Mith the speeches spoken on each pa- 
 geant ; all set forth at the proper costs and charges of 
 the worshipful Company of Grocers : together with an r 
 exact relation of the most splendid entertainment pre- 
 pared for the reception of their sacred Majesties. By E. S. I 
 Published by authority. London : printed by James \ 
 Orme ; and are to be sold by Randal Taylor^ near Sta- I 
 tinners' Hall. 1692. J 
 
 The Triumphs of London ; performed on Tuesday,, 
 October 29, 1695, for the entertainment of the Right 
 Honourable Sir John Houblon, Knight, Lord Mayor of 
 the City of London ; containing a true description of the 
 several Pageants, with the speeches spoken on each 
 Pageant: all prepared at the costs and charges of the 
 worshipful Company of Grocers. To which is added, a 
 new song on his Majesty's return. By Elkanah Settle. 
 *^4to. 
 
 -3 >> 
 
 < c 
 
DRESS AND ORSERVANCES. 
 
 337 
 
 Master of defence, 
 with a crimson scarf about his shoulders. 
 Ten attendants 
 without scarfs. 
 The Company's ensigns. 
 Four drums and a fife. 
 Ninety poor pensioners, 
 in red gowns, flat caps, and white sleeves, each a javelin in one hand, a target 
 of arms in the other. 
 Six drums and a fife. 
 Forty-five pensioners or porters, 
 in red coats and coped caps, 
 carrying banners, standards, and streamers. 
 Six trumpets. 
 The Griffin and Camel 
 (being the Company's crest and supporters.) 
 Six gentlemen ushers, 
 in plush coats, with gold chains, and each a white staff. 
 The budge batchellors, 
 in gowns faced with budge and damask hoods, &c. 
 Six trumpets. 
 Two gentlemen banner-bearers, 
 in plush coats, with crimson shoulder-scarfs, bearing 
 the City's and Recorder's (Sir William Wilde) arms. 
 Eight gentlemen ushers, as before. 
 The foynes batchellors, 
 in gowns faced with foynes and damask hoods. 
 The king's drum major, 
 with a crimson scarf about his waist, and bearing his staff. 
 Fourteen of the king's drums and fifes, 
 with banners. 
 Two gentlemen ushers, as before, 
 with banners of Sir Thomas Foote's, and Sir Thomas Allen's arms. 
 Two gentlemen ushers, as before. 
 The livery, 
 
 in their gowns faced with budge, and their hoods. 
 Eight trumpets, 
 of the Duke of York and Duke of Albermarle. 
 Two gentlemen ushers, as before, 
 with the Lord Mayor's and duke of Albermarle's banners. 
 Twelve gentlemen ushers, as before. 
 The court of assistants, 
 in gowns faced with foynes and their hoods. 
 Serjeant trumpet, 
 in a shoulder-scarf of the Lord Mayor's colours and crimson mixed. 
 Sixteen trumpets and kettle-drums. 
 Three gentlemen ushers, 
 with the King's, Duke of York's, and St. (ieorge's banners. 
 
 z 
 
338 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 Fourteen gentlemen ushers. 
 Four pages, 
 (in plush coats,) 
 
 Itcaring trunclieons and targets, with the arms of the master and war<lens. 
 The master and wardens, 
 in their gowns faced with foynes, with their hoods * 
 
 The Device," byTatham, presented, amongst other pageants, 
 the Temple of Janus, flank'd by two griffins, and on those grif- 
 fins sat two persons, each bearing a banner in one hand, in the 
 other a shield ; opposite Bow church his lordship was entertained 
 with '^ascean of drollery," in which were ^Imendaws," (Ame- 
 ricans,) " some of them pruning, others gathering, others planting 
 several sorts of grocery; others disporting and throwing their fruit 
 about, to show the abundance or profit of labour ; others making 
 music (after their labour) on the tongs and other antique instru- 
 wentsJ" 
 
 Of this Island, or Grocers' Trade pageant, mentioned in Middle 
 ton's procession, we learn additional particulars, as well as of other 
 of their pageants, at the installation as mayor of Sir George Bollcs, 
 grocer, 1617. 
 
 On that occasion there was collected from the company for their 
 share of the pageant 884Z. 12s. Q>d. 
 
 The paraphernalia of the show were got up by Thomas Middle 
 ton, poet, and a relation to the previous lord mayor Middleton, 
 who received " For the ordering, overseeing, and writyng of the 
 whole devyse, for the making of the " Pageant of Nations,'' the 
 Island, the Indian Chariot, the Castle of Fame, trymming the 
 Shipp, with all the severall beastes which drew them ; and for all 
 the carpenter's work, paynting, guylding, and garnyshing of them, 
 with all other things necessary for the apparelling and finding of 
 all the personages in the said showe, and for all the porterage and 
 
 * The following notice shows some 
 vjiviiilion in the livery of the company 
 from the above. 1562 : At the inaugu- 
 ration of Sir Thomas Lodge, it was or- 
 dered that the batchelors have foins 
 and budge in their gowns, and not to 
 have any guards of velvet, but only 
 welts, nor to use any unreasonable ruils 
 in their shirts, but only black and white ; 
 their doublets to be of black satin, and 
 1heir coats or jackets of satin or da- 
 mask, and of no other colour; and the 
 
 "wardeyns to weare russet satten in 
 their doubletts. The wardeyns of the 
 grocers, and the wardeyns of the bat- 
 chellors to cess, (assess) both the 
 livery of the batchellors, and all the 
 companie of the yeomanry, for the fur- 
 niture of the poor mens gownes, 
 the pageant the first, and other great 
 charges that must be done when 
 my lord mayor elect shall go to West- 
 minster, as to them shall be thought 
 meet." 
 
DTIESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 339 
 
 carryage, both by land and by water; for paynting' a banner of 
 the lord mayor's amies ; and also in full for the green-men^ dyvclls, 
 and fyer works, with all charges thereunto belonginge, according 
 to his agreement, the some of 282/. 6s.'' 
 
 The nature of these pageants is not explained, but the island 
 was evidently of the kind already mentioned, abounding in fruits, 
 spice, and other groceries, and the others strictly in character, as 
 we find amongst the expenses 51. Is. 8c?. for 50 sugar-loaves, 
 361bs. of nutmeggs, 241b. of dates, and 141b. of ginger, which 
 were throwen about the streetes by those which sate on the gryffins 
 and camels.'' The " shipp" or foist, and its expense, has been men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Twenty-eight almsmen wore azure-coloured gowns, with sieves of 
 crimson mechados, and which latter material was used to face the 
 beadles, streamers, and banner-bearers' coats. The beadles of the 
 four royal hospitals wore blue coats with long caps and ribbons. 
 
 Sixteen poor men bore banners and streamers. 
 
 A fee of 125. was paid to Mr. Harman, the Guildhall-keeper, 
 for hanging the Guildhall with " Mercers' hangings ;" and, amongst 
 other expenses incurred, are the costs for 24 dozen of white staves 
 for the whifflers, the marshals and their men, a payment for the 
 porters "which carried the pageant," and also payments for 124 
 javelins, which were hired for the javelin-men. 
 
 The ancient banner was new gilt and the staff coloured. 
 
 Eight drums and four fifes, including their attendance, and for 
 furnishing themselves with black hats, white doublets, black hose, 
 and white stockings, and scarfs of the company's colours, 12/. II5. 
 
 The company printed 500 books of their pageant, which were 
 published by Nicholas Oaks, stationer. Blackwell-hall was hired 
 for the children in the pageant who were dined there, and the 
 porters of the hall were paid for watching the pageant and shows 
 whilst they were at dinner. 
 
 The city marshal and his men attended, and were paid. 
 
 The custom as to feasting at these and other festivals was to 
 elect two or three individuals from the company as stewards, who 
 had a number of assistants appointed : — at the feast of the lord 
 mayor, 1562, (who was a grocer,) twelve of the livery were ap- 
 pointed to be waiters at the feast, whereof 'Uhree were to welcome 
 guests, and two to stand at the dressers and see meat served in, 
 two to receive in victuals, two to provide plate for the same 
 feast, two to see the company served, and one to see the hall gar- 
 nished, and the tables set in order." 
 
 z2 
 
340 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 CHANTRIES. 
 
 £ .9. d. 
 
 Sancti Anthonij — Cantaria in ecc'lia paroch.' predVa 
 
 ex fandacone artis le grocers, per annu' clare valet vii — — 
 a? inde . . . . • — xiiij — 
 
 The furniture of the altar of the above chantry, and the engag;e- 
 ment of a chantry-priest, it has been seen, were principal objects 
 with the grocers at their first foundation. The priest's wages, ori- 
 ginally fixed at Al. \5s. Ad. a year, was increased subsequently, 
 and with the expenses of worship are regularly entered in the 
 wardens' accounts. The annual payment in 1401 to the priest 
 " po^ payn, vyn and chaundell, pof chaimter messe," was 25. 
 
 The plate and vestments, as early as 1346, consisted of " a chalice 
 with the cover, made of silver, which weighed 12 ounces gold- 
 smiths' weight, and an holy vestment for the priest, an alb, manuple, 
 stole, and chesible, a corpus, and a little missal. These in 
 1349 were increased by *' a chalyce, weighing 15 ounces troye w* 
 and a gode missale which costen 3Z. 65. 8c?." The list, including 
 this and other articles delivered by the wardens in 1398 to " the 
 priest," will be seen below.* Their second chantry, in St. Ste- 
 phen's, Walbrook, is similarly described and rated in the Valor 
 Ecclesiasticus. The company finally got rid of their church orna- 
 ments, and with them of all traces of the Catholic religion, in 1563, 
 by ordering sale to be made of all the vestyments, copes, albes, 
 and other ornaments belonginge to churche stufFe, now remaininge 
 in this house (hall) for the most commoditie." 
 
 HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 The Grocers' fraternity met at five several places previously to 
 building a hall. The first was the town mansion of the abbot of 
 Bury, in St, Mary Axe, now Bevis Marks. Here they held their 
 
 • Furnitnre and Ornaynents belonging to the Altar of the Grocers, in 
 Saint Anthony^s C/nirch. 
 
 1349. A chalyce weigh? 15 ownces altare; 1 crucyfix and 
 
 troie ; a gode myssale 2 images ; 1 vestyment with 
 
 which costen 3/. 6^. 8^/., given a corpus of redele bawdkyn 
 
 by Sir Synion de Wy, parson for a preste ; 1 vestyment of 
 
 of Barnes. white for a preste, 2 whyte 
 
 1308. One missale; 1 gr? portarie; curtens for y^. chappel, 1 long 
 
 1 chalyce sylvergylte; 1 other whyte curten, with crosses 
 
 sylver chalyce, parcell gylte ; for the same ; 2 old presteses 
 
 1 p^ of viales of sylver; 1 p"; vestyments, 2 altare towelles, 
 
 ditto of tinne (stannoo) 2 surplices. 
 
 1 latyn candelstyke; 2 large The above are enumerated as being 
 
 chests with 4 boltes of yron, delivered to the priest, Sir John Whyta- 
 
 1 rydolle of red bawdkyn, by, by the wardens, Robert Pap and Henry 
 
 with crosses to hang before Halton. — Accountof Grocers' ('ompany. 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 341 
 
 meetings in 1345, 1346. In 1347 they met at *'the abbot's place 
 of St. Edmund." In 1348 they met at "the house of one Fulg- 
 ham, called the Ryngdehall," near Garlick-hythe, where, and at 
 the hotel of the abbot of St. Cross, they continued till 1383. 
 Tliey then took up their temporary residence in Bucklersbury, 
 at a place called the Cornet's Tower, which had been used by 
 Edward III. at the beginning of his reign, as his exchange of 
 money and exchequer. 
 
 In 1411 they purchased of the lord Fitzwalter the chapel of the 
 Fratres du Sac, in the Old Jewry, which had originally been a 
 Jewish synagogue; and having some years afterwards made further 
 purchase of that nobleman's town mansion, which adjoined the said 
 chapel, raised money for building their hall on its present site. 
 The 8th of May, 1427, say their records, was the furste stoon 
 leyd of the Grocers' place in Conyhoope lane, in the warde of 
 Chepe, there being present our worshipful Alderman Thomas 
 Knolles, William Cambridge, John de Wellys, Rogere Oteley, and 
 many others; and fro' the seide viij. day of May to the v. day of 
 Juyn next following was maade the foundement of the west gably- 
 hende of the hall." The cost of doing this, with the ground, 
 amounted to 290/. 15s. 3c?., which, as well as the money for con- 
 tinuing the building, was raised by a subscription of sixty-three 
 persons named. The work must have proceeded most rapidly, for 
 June 5, the next year, (1428,) an entry states, " alle the founde- 
 ment of the hall" to have been " fully made, except the founde- 
 ment of the west gabill ende, alle the dores in the halle fully 
 maad, set up and iclosed, the walle atte seid west gabilhende 
 maade x. fote in heyghte above the watir table." The gable end wall 
 was also raised, and the wall north of the parlour carried to its full 
 length, " with the dore into the parlore and ij. wyndowes into the 
 chapele ; also the foundement of the boterye and pantrye was 
 take and maad ;" and the same year " was beginne and full 
 maade the foundement of the parlore and chamber, with the vawte, 
 chemeneys, and previes, and the seide parlore and the tresance 
 lattised, glazed, selyd, with other necessaries as it aperith." The 
 entire completion of this work was celebrated by a dinner, Febru- 
 ary 5, 1428, which cost 51. 6s. 8d., and is said to have been ''the 
 fyrste dynner imade in the parlore to our aldermen and other 
 many worthe men of the fellishipp." 
 
 From the above entry we find the old Grocers' Hall to have re- 
 tained the friary " chapele^' and to have possessed as subor- 
 dinate buildings, a buttery, pantry, vault or cellar, parlour and 
 chamber. In addition to these, after accounts mention a kitchen, 
 
342 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 tower or turret, a clerk's residence ar^d offices, a garden, and a 
 set of almshouses in the front yard, for the company's almsmen 
 and women. 
 
 Many of the items of expense of completing these buildings 
 afford curious illustrations of the great difference between the prices 
 of ancient and modern times. 
 
 ''For chalk, stoon, and cartage, lyme, and sand, and loom," 
 the cost was only 4H. 25. 7|c?. The other materials consisted of 
 "tymber with the coste and cariage," 48/. 5s. 6(/. ; and un- 
 wroughte Stapylton stone, reidy hewe for the same for wyndowes, 
 wyndow jambes, and sills, Crestable mesth in stoon, hewn for the 
 sowth side of the halle, ashler, coyne, skew ragge, chalke, flintyles 
 and estriche boarde," 32Z. 2s. 11c?. The " mason's weages, with 
 maistre mason's rewarde," was 51. 9s. 2d. Carpenter's weages, 
 with the maistre carpenter's rewarde," 8s. A^d. The -price of 
 " makyng of the celour, the batements, and kervyng of the keyys 
 in the parlore and treasure withouten, and in the baye wyndowe of 
 the chambre, with werie boards and lattices in the seyde parlore 
 and chambre," was lOZ. 8s. %d. The " dmvbers' or white- 
 washers did all their work for 21. 18s. 3d. 
 
 Though so far finished as to be habitable, the hall and its appen- 
 dages, it appears, were little more than shells at this period ; for it 
 was not till 1594 that the wardens were ordered " to confere with 
 a joynere of abilitie and skilfuU workmen how the hall might 
 be wainscotted, upon the view and sight of convenient patterns." 
 The business was afterwards done by a Mr. Stickells, who " was 
 to oversee the worke at the weages of 20c?. a daie, his two chiefe 
 workmen 18c?., and the rest I6d. a daie, and two boys 8.^/. a daie." 
 
 In 1607 it was recorded that the offere of Sir Stephen Soame 
 to new ceil the hall, though it should cost him 500/., is thankfullie 
 and lovynglie accepted by the courte and companie," and 20/. 
 was ordered to be contributed towards it by the wardens. The 
 great parlour was not boarded till 1631, before which the floor 
 had been strewed with rushes, according to the old English fashion, 
 already noticed. On the second of September in that year, the 
 court, takyng into consideracyon the inconveniencie and noy- 
 someness of the rushes in the parlore, especially in the summer 
 time, and alsoe how subject they were to the great danger of fyre 
 in the wyntere," had the same boarded, and furnished with three 
 dozen of chairs, " beinge of the best Raushe (Russia) leathere." 
 
 Its furniture, at the above early dates, was of the same rude 
 character which has been described, the tables being merely 
 boards on stands; for an entry of January 1583 states (and it 
 
HALL AND BUlLDlNdS. 
 
 shews the simplicity of the times), that the two long tables 
 in the parlour, with the tressels and tablecloth belonging to them, 
 were lent to the chancellor, at his request, for the celebration ot 
 the marriage of his daughter." This tablecloth it is probable was 
 the same mentioned in an entry of 1575, when the court, beinge 
 put in remembrance by the wardens of the lacke of napery that 
 is in this house," directed the wardens to provide '* one tablecloth 
 of damaske, and two tablecloths of diapere, together with nape- 
 kins, as they should thinke needefull." In point of plate the 
 company made ample amends for other deficiencies, as will be 
 seen in the list below. Tt must have been most splendid and 
 valuable.* 
 
 The company's armoury is not mentioned before 1558, whei^ 
 their records state " that 12c?. a day shall be allowed to John 
 Edwin, the armourer, for every daie's worke which he shall doe in 
 byrnyshing and dressing of alle the harnesse then remaining in 
 the house, over and above the 135. 4i., his yearly salary." 
 
 The garden is mentioned at the first building of the hall in 
 1427, when sums amounting to nearly 12Z. are stated to have been 
 laid out on it. They prove, with other evidence, that it must have 
 been an extremely pleasant retreat^ considering its situation in the 
 heart of the town, for we also learn that it had vines spreading 
 up before the parlour-windows, and in other parts was defended 
 by new rayling." It had also an arbour ; and in 1433, (on pur- 
 chasing for 31/. 175. 8<i. the remaynder of the voide grounde 
 sumtyme the lord Fitzwalter's halle,") this rural appendage was 
 so far enlarged as ultimately to become a place of recreation for 
 the neighbouring inhabitants, as well as the citizens generally ; 
 several petitions from whom to the company, for this liberty, are 
 recorded. It is described as containing "alleys, hedge-rows, and 
 a bowling alley, with an antient tower of stone and brick at the 
 
 * It consisted, exclusively of what is 
 mentioned in p. 89, Hist. Essay, and 
 afterwards much accumulated,of ij .galon 
 pottivS chared and half gylte, weyen xvj. 
 marks and iij. ounces of troye weyghte, 
 the gift of Thomas Huskins, grocer, in 
 1465; (same date,) ij. basens and ij. 
 ewers of sylver parcell gylte, with foldis 
 in the printis, and the basens weyinge 
 viij.lbs. of troye weight safe half an 
 ounce, and the ewers weyinge xliij. 
 ownces, \\h\c\\^. Nicholas Wi//ord,gvo- 
 cer and alderman, gaff unto this frater- 
 nite; a houdynge cappe, cover of syl- 
 ver, ij cell gilte, weyinge of troye 
 vvejght xxxj. ownces, and iij grs. of 
 
 an ownce, which Robert Garstang, 
 grocer, gaff unto this fraternite ; a 
 stondynge cuppe, cover of sylver, and 
 alle gilte, pownsed, weyinge of troye 
 weyght xxxj. ownces and a half, which 
 Margeri Burton, late wedow, and a 
 sister of this felliship, gaff unto this 
 fraternite." There were, besides the 
 above, four other large standing cups 
 and covers, the gifts of different per- 
 sons, all of them of great weight, 
 and two "chased and alle gilte," toge- 
 ther with " two nutts, garnyshed with 
 sylver gylte," six goblets, weighing 
 ] 10 ounces, a silver salt, of nine ounces, 
 (fee. — Acc.of Grocers - Compamj, p. '62 1 , 
 
344 
 
 grocers' COMPA^Y. 
 
 north-west corner," called the turret ; which, if part of the lord 
 Fitzwalter's mansion, as is probable, must have been nearly one of 
 the oldest buildings within the city walls. The garden remained 
 unchanged till the construction of a new hall, in 1798, when it was 
 contracted by the increased size of the buildings ; and was again 
 nearly severed in half, in 1802, for enlarging Prince's-street. For 
 this latter slice, just mentioned to have cost the grocers 3H. 
 175. Sd. in 1433, the company is stated to have received for it 
 from the Bank of England more than 20,000/., a most astonishing 
 instance of the immense rise in the value of property on this spot ! 
 
 Frequent entries occur of the letting of Grocers' Hall for festi- 
 vals and other purposes, which embody interesting portions of its 
 history, as well as acquaint us with the style of its ancient fittings- 
 up and furniture: 
 
 In 1564, *' Mr. Mallorie, sonne to the lord mayor, and others, 
 praied the wardens to have the use of common hall, parlore, and 
 kitchen of Grocers' Hall, on Friday, 9 Febuarye, to make a supper 
 to divers gentlemen of Gray's Inne, for the great amitie between 
 them and the Middle Temple gentlemen ;" which was agreed to, 
 the same not to be taken as a precedent. In the course of time 
 abuses appear to have arisen in this system of letting, for, a.d. 
 1610, it was ordered that for the future the company's hall shall 
 not be let or made use of by strangers for burials, county feasts, 
 and the like, without leave of the wardens." And in 1678, the 
 company's officers making complaint that they were excluded, on 
 the hall being let to strangers " for dinners, funerals, county 
 feasts, or weddings," it was forbid to be let unless they were 
 employed. 
 
 The chief use* made of Grocers' Hall, was before and during the 
 
 • The " Continuation of the True 
 Dinrnall of Passages in Parliament,^' 
 for January, 1716, says, ' ' All the votes 
 at the committee in Grocers' Hall, 
 which were after voted in the hovise, 
 were drawn into several declarations 
 at Grocers' Hall. Those that con- 
 cerned the House of Commons alone 
 were voted, and ordered to be printed ; 
 those that concerned the Lords and 
 Commons, as the providing a guard for 
 the parliament ; and that, for declaring 
 those enemies to the Commonwealth 
 that have endeavoured or advised aught 
 that should put a dissention betwixt the 
 king and parliament, if they come not 
 in and yield themselves ; there are sent 
 unto the lords to joyne ; and so to be 
 printed by order of both houses.'' 
 
 At the same date it announces " that 
 the Parliamentary committee is to meet 
 at Grocers^ Hall, at 8 o'clock the next 
 morning, " to treat of the safety of the 
 kingdomes of England and Ireland," 
 (from whence their summons issued,) 
 " and to give them a large power. And 
 that the Irish committee shall sit there 
 also if the lords think fit. To which 
 the lords agreed, and made the same 
 adjournment and committee." The 
 next day, (18th January,) "the house 
 of peers and the commons house met 
 in a committee at Grocers' Hall," in 
 further prosecution of this business. 
 The same committee sat there again 
 on the Monday and Saturday following, 
 with the like intent; on Friday, Jan. 
 21, again ; and on Saturday 22, at the 
 
UALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 345 
 
 Interregnum. In 1641, the '* Grand Committee of Safety" re- 
 moved its sittings from Guildhall here, and continued them at 
 intervals for several years afterwards. In 1648, they were obli- 
 ged to get rid of an intended intrusion of the Parliament troops, 
 under Fairfax, by a similar petition to that of the Merchant 
 Tailors.* The next year (1649) a grand entertainment was made 
 by the grocers' at their hall to Cromwell and Fairfax, when the 
 latter was presented by the company with a bason and ewer of 
 gold, and Cromwell with three hundred pounds-worth of plate, 
 and two hundred pieces of gold. An account of the feasting and 
 ceremonies is given in a highly caustic and happily satirical con- 
 temporaneous tract, reprinted in Lord Somer's tracts. f They 
 afterwards entertained Cromwell, as lord protector, in a still 
 superior style ; and finally, at the Restoration, General Monk, 
 
 same place, both houses met to treat 
 of an intended voyage to Argier, (Al- 
 giei's,) to select able ministers for set- 
 tling the church government, and to 
 allow a relaxation in the use of the 
 common prayer. 
 
 1644, March 8, " the committee of 
 the house of commons met at Grocers' 
 Hall, according to a former order, and 
 made some progress in providing of 
 monies for the army, and to that end 
 elected a sub-committee to make pro- 
 positions to the City concerning the 
 same." — Perfect Diurnal/. 
 
 * See Historical Essay, p. ]81. 
 
 t The Perfect Diurnall for June 7, 
 1649, gives a particular account also of 
 this entertainment, and aflbrds at the 
 same time a good idea of the party con- 
 stituting the then parliament. " This 
 day, according to an invitation from the 
 lord mayor and City of London, the 
 speaker of the house of commons, 
 with the representative members now 
 sitting in parliament. His Excellency 
 and the officers of the army now in 
 town above the degree of lieutenant, 
 the lord president and counsel of state, 
 (after hearing two sermons at Christ's 
 church, preached by the reverend 
 divines, Mr. Goodwin and Dr. Owen,) 
 went to Grocers' Hall, the place ap- 
 pointed for their entertainment, where 
 a sumptuous feast was prepared for 
 them. Mr. Speaker, the lord general, 
 the lord president, earl of Pembroke, 
 earl of Salisbury, lieutenant general 
 Cromwell, and other members of the 
 parliament and council of state, sate at 
 the upper hoard ; the other members of 
 the house at two tables on each side of 
 
 the hall. Major-general Lambert, and 
 some other officers of the army, sate 
 at a table in the middle of tke hall. 
 The lords cheefe justices and lords 
 cheefe baron, and other judges of both 
 benches, dined in a spacious room over 
 the farlouTy and the lord mayor, alder- 
 men, and some councillmen, at another 
 table in the same roome. Other offi- 
 cers of the army, some gentlemen and 
 attendants to Mr. Speaker, earl of Pem- 
 broke, the lords general, &c. sate in the 
 parlour. The entertainment was very 
 free aiid cheerfull. Welcome,'' in capi- 
 tall letters, written in a banneret upon 
 most of the dishes, were in very greate 
 number. No drinking of healths nor 
 other uncivill concomitants, formerly 
 of such great meetings, nor any other 
 musick hni of the drum and trumpet. 
 A feast indeed of Christians and cheett- 
 taines, whereas others were rather of 
 Chretiens and cormorants. And what 
 is to be remembered, the poore were 
 not forgotten at this feast ; for, besides 
 the overplus of victualls left at dinner 
 sent to severall prisons in London, 401i. 
 were given and distributed amongst the 
 poore of the severall parishes in and 
 about London." The same paper of 
 the next day adds, that " Sir John 
 VVoollaston, and other aldermen, and 
 some of the common council of the 
 said cit}', came to his excellency the lord 
 general Fairfax, at his house in Queen- 
 street, and in the name of the City pre- 
 sented him with a large and weighty 
 bason and ewer of beaten gold, and sent 
 to the general Cromwell a great pre- 
 sent of plate, value 30011. and 200 
 pieces in gold." 
 
346 
 
 grocers' COMPAISY. 
 
 when they expended two hundred and fifteen pounds on the feast, 
 and enrolled him, as we have seen, a brother of the company. 
 
 The London Gazette of May 14, 1666, states the Prize Office" 
 to be at Grocers' Hall, and announces the sale there of 150 tuns 
 of French wine.* 
 
 The fire of London, some of whose effects in melting their 
 plate, and committing other ravages, have been stated, only de- 
 stroyed the roof and woodwork of Grocers' Hall, for, on collecting 
 their first subscription of 700/. from the members, and to which 
 they added the produce of the melted silver, it was found that 
 the walls of the old hall had resisted the fire, and were sound, 
 and it was determined to new roof them, and proceed with 
 the funds in hand." The work languished, however, for many 
 months, and would probably have been wholly suspended but for 
 the liberality of Sir John Cutler. This gentleman, whose generous 
 deeds prove him to have been the reverse of the miser described 
 by Pope, rebuilt the parlour and dining-room, in 1668-9, and was 
 gratified by a strong vote of thanks," and the resolution of the 
 court, 'Hhat his statue and picture should be placed in the hall, 
 as memorials of the company's esteem and gratitude." The first 
 meeting and festival held in the hall after the fire were on lord 
 mayor's day this year. The hall is stated, two years afterwards, to 
 have been granted to the parishioners of St. Mildred's as a chapel, 
 till their own church could be rebuilt. The "turret" or tower, in 
 the garden, it should be observed, had also escaped the fire, and 
 with it all the company's ancient records of which it was the manu- 
 script room. The building was fitted-up for the clerk's residence, 
 and a meeting-place for the court. A court-room for the latter pur- 
 pose is mentioned as part of the hall buildings, near the above date, 
 when complaint being made of the unseemliness and disturbance 
 of taking tobacco and having drink and pipes in the court-room 
 during courts sitting," it was agreed that thenceforward, "for the 
 better order, decorum, and gravity to be observed, and readier 
 dispatch and minding of debates and business of the court, and 
 avoiding this occasion of offence and disgust," that " there should 
 be no taking of tobacco or drinking used or permitted in the 
 court-room during the sitting of the court, under a fine of 5/.;" 
 and if any person have "a desire to refresh himself by a pipe of 
 tobacco or cup of drink, at a convenient time or interval of serious 
 
 * " Gazette, May 14, KiGo : Prize tun^ of French wine. The ijarticalar- 
 OlTice, May 12. At Grocers^ Hall are will appear by a bill upon (he Ex- 
 to be set to sale the 17th inst. IJO change." 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 347 
 
 business," he was to withdraw into some retiring room more suit- 
 able and fit for the purpose." 
 
 The hall, which in 1681 is spoken of as being in ruins," 
 probably from its not having been suitably repaired in the first 
 instance, was in that year renovated at an expense of 5001., by 
 Sir John Moore, a rival benefactor with Sir John Cutler, 
 in order, it is said, that others by his example might "con- 
 tribute their assistance to re-edify and augment it, so as to make 
 it the most commodious seat for the chief magistrate of the city , 
 or a mansion house ^ as well as with a view to other benefits;" and a 
 model for one " such additional building as might make the hall 
 commodious, both for ornament and use," being adopted, Sir 
 John Frederick, and other eminent members, became also liberal 
 contributors, and the whole was completely repaired and beau- 
 tified. Moore was the first who kept his mayoralty in the new 
 hall, and he paid the company a net rent of 200L for it. It con- 
 tinued to be let for the same object for many years; till, in 1735 
 as the company's circumstances had much improved, the hall was 
 forbid to let it thenceforward, but to a mayor attached to the 
 company. In 1694 it was let to the Bank of England, who held 
 their courts there till the building of the Bank, in 1734. 
 
 The company's present hall was built in 1802, but so insecurely, 
 that in 1827 a thorough repair was obliged to be commenced; 
 since which, the whole interior has been beautified, the statue of 
 Sir John Cutler renovated and removed from its weather-beaten 
 situation in the garden, and the arms put up of all the eminent 
 and illustrious members of the company, through the intervention 
 and exertions of the late respected master, J. B. Heath, esq.* 
 
 * The HarL Manuscripts mention 
 the following to have been the old arms 
 remaining in Grocers' Hall before 1666. 
 (S. stands for sherifi", and M. for 
 mayor.) 
 
 "These arms following are CoUers 
 about the hall, in the Grossers' Hall, 
 taken anno 1683. Andrew Bockerell, 
 m. seven years, 1272. Sir John Gisors, 
 1241, ra. 1246. Rhaphe Ashure, 
 s. 1243, m. 1244, Laraunce Frowick, 
 s. 1449, m. 12.51. Henry Frowick, 
 twice m. ; s. 1215. Hamond Chickwell, 
 s. 1313. John Grantham, s. 1322, 
 
 m. 1329. Andrew Auberie, s. 1331, 
 m. 1339. — Dolsbie, John Nott, 
 John Ward, J. Philpot, N. Brembre, 
 W. Hadley, VV. Barrett, Adam Carkitt, 
 aldermen. J. Langer, 1383. Thomas 
 Hoo, 1383. Godfrey Greenford, 1383. 
 William Budbey, 1383. Richard 
 Alesbury, 1383. JohnFumeux, 1383. 
 William Evesham, 1383. Richard 
 Preston, 1383. John Churcham or 
 Churchman, 1585. SirW. Sandon, alder- 
 man 1386, m. 1400. Richard Venor, 
 alderman 1389. SirWm. ditto, m. 1390. 
 Sir Hugh Fastalfe, alderman 1387." 
 
348 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES 
 
 WITHIN THE PATRONAGE OR SUP ERINTEN DAN CE, AND OF THE 
 PENSIONS, GIFTS, &C., THROUGH VARIOUS BENEFACTORS, AT 
 THE DISPOSAL OF THE COMPANY OF GROCERS; WITH THE COM- 
 MISSIONERS* ACCOUNT OF CHARITIES FOR THEIR ENDOWMENT 
 AND SUPPORT. 
 
 SCHOLASTIC APPOINTMENTS. 
 
 Laxton. — The master of the free grammar school of Oundle. The 
 usher of do. 
 
 Walwyn. — The master of the free school at Colwall, in Here- 
 fordshire. 
 
 Box. — The master of the free grammar school of Witney, Orford- 
 shire. 
 The usher of do. 
 
 LIVINGS. 
 
 Knolles. — The third presentation to the rectory of St. Mary le 
 Bow, Cheapside. 
 
 MiDDLETON. — The rectory of Austell, in the county of Corn- 
 wall. 
 
 Slaney. — The rectory of Norhill, in Bedfordshire. 
 
 The rectory and patronage of the vicarage of Bucknall, 
 in Shropshire. 
 
 The rectory and patronage of the vicarage of Ugbo- 
 rough, in Devonshire. 
 Churchman — The rectory of St. Stephen's, Walbrook. 
 
 The alternate presentation to the rectory of St. Mil- 
 dred's, Poultry. 
 
 The following is the account of the Grocers' Trust Estates and 
 Charities, as given in Strype's Stow, from the Table furnished by 
 the company's clerk for that work, before 1720. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 349 
 
 ' GIFTR AND CHARITIES ENTRUSTED WITH THK WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OK 
 GROCERS, OF LONDON. 
 
 Their Free Schools, Alms- 
 houses, Exhibitions, and 
 Advotvsons. 
 
 By whom founded o 
 maintained. 
 
 Benefactors' Namei. 
 
 FREE SCHOOLS. 
 
 One at Oundle, in 
 
 Northamptonshire. 
 Another at Colwall, in 
 
 Herefordshire. 
 Another at TopclifFe, in 
 
 Yorkshire. 
 Another at Witney, in 
 
 Oxfordshire. 
 
 ALMSHOUSES. 
 
 An almshouse at Oun- | Sir William Laxton, 
 die, in Northampton- knight, 
 shire. 
 
 Another at Lulling- Sir John Peachy, 
 stone, in Kent. 
 
 For four scholars in 
 Jesus College, Oxon. 
 
 For four scholars in 
 each university. 
 
 Sir William Laxton, 
 
 knight. 
 Mr. Humphrey Wal- 
 
 wyn. 
 
 Mr. William Robin- 
 son. 
 
 Mr. Henry Box. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Robinson. 
 
 Mrs. Emma Bachus. 
 
 ADVOWSONS. 
 
 One at Northill, in Bed- 
 fordshire. 
 
 Another at Allhallows 
 Steyning, in Mark 
 lane, London. 
 
 Another advowson of 
 St. Stephen's, Wal- 
 brook, London. 
 
 These two livings 
 were purchased by 
 the company, pur- 
 suant to the will 
 of the Lady Mar- 
 garet Slaney, de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Sir Henry Keble, 
 knight. 
 
 ^ Sir Henry Keble. 
 t Sir William Butler, 
 t John Maldon. 
 t Thomas Gore, 
 t Thomas Billesden. 
 t Sir William Laxton. 
 t John Wardal. 
 t Thomas Kolles. 
 + Emme Bachus. 
 t Sir Thomas Middle- 
 ton. 
 
 t William Robinson, 
 t Elizabeth Barrel, 
 t Peter Blomdel. 
 t Sir John Hart, 
 t Lady Catharine, Vis- 
 countess Cornay. 
 t Gilbert Keate. 
 William Robinson. 
 Alderman Saunders, 
 t Francis Tirrel. 
 t Edmund Turvill. 
 John Hey don. 
 Robert Lambert. 
 Nicholas Stiles, 
 t Sir John Peachye. 
 Richard Hayle. 
 Thomas Wheatley. 
 t Mary Robinson, 
 t Lady Margaret Slaney. 
 Henry Anderson. 
 John Newman. 
 Sir John Lyon. 
 
 Edmund Elmer. 
 Thomas Farmer. 
 Lettice Deane. 
 Richard Lambert, 
 t Humphrey Walwyn. 
 t Lady Anne Middleton. 
 Edward Jakeman 
 Catherine Hall. 
 Roger Knott. 
 John Haydon. 
 Sir Thomas Ramsey. 
 Peter Houghton. 
 Thomas Ridge. 
 John Grove. 
 William Pennefather. 
 John Dawkins. 
 Robert Brooke. 
 John Holman. 
 Mary Robinson. 
 Richard Hall. 
 Thomas Westraw. 
 Robert Bowyer. 
 John Hudson. 
 Sir Robert Napper. 
 William Pennyfather. 
 Thomas Moulston. 
 Stephen Abberley. 
 John Mevill. 
 Thomas Gamull. 
 Constantine Wright- 
 man. 
 
 Sir Edward Wright. 
 Thomas Freeman. 
 
 N. B. Those persons whose names have a 
 dagger before them gave 500/. or more. 
 
 The sum of all the charitable donations yearly expended by this Company amounteth to 
 700?. or thereabout. 
 
 Drawn by Mr. Ravenhill, Clerk of this Company."* 
 
 * In 1686 proceedings were had, 
 under a commission of charitable uses, 
 respecting the charities under the ma- 
 nagemment of the Grocers' Company, 
 which it will be expedient to notice 
 previously to entering on the statement 
 of their several charities. 
 
 By an inquisition, taken under the 
 
 commission, on the 27th of August, 
 1686, it was found that the Grocers' 
 Company were entitled to divers estates, 
 therein enumerated, derived from diffe- 
 rent benefactors, and charged with va- 
 rious charitable uses, (which will be 
 adverted to in the following statement ;) 
 and also to certain other estates in Eng- 
 
350 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Laxton's — At Oundle, Noithamptoiishire. For all boys of Oiin- 
 dle who will come thither to learn." The admission 
 in the company, and obtained through application to 
 the court. 
 
 Scholars are admitted as soon as they can begin the 
 Latin accidence, 
 
 PARTICULARS. 
 
 This school was founded by Sir William Laxton, who by a codicil to his 
 will, dated 27th July, 1556, directed it to be called "The Free School of Sir 
 
 land and Ireland, not so charged, viz. 
 ill Ireland, to the manor of Grocers, 
 near Londonderry, to an equal share 
 with the other eleven chief companies 
 of London, In certain lands and tene- 
 ments purchased in the name of the 
 Vintners' Company; and to their pro- 
 portion of the Royal Fishery of the 
 kingdom of Ireland, held by the City 
 of London; and in England, to two 
 tenements in the parish of St. Michael, 
 Queen-street, London, by the devise of 
 Elizabeth Burrell ; to two tenements 
 in the parish of Shoreditch, by grant 
 from Sir John Hart ; and to a messuage 
 in Botolph-lane, London, by the de- 
 vise of John Maiden ; the rents of all 
 which estates then produced an annual 
 sura of 879/. 105. ; and that the said 
 company had also received divers lega- 
 cies and gifts in money, amounting to 
 6784/. in trust to make thereout cer- 
 tain annual payments to charitable uses 
 (therein enumerated, and which will 
 be also detailed in the following 
 statement;) which several charges on 
 the estates, and the money charities, 
 amounted to the sum of 538/. 17^. Sd. 
 It was also found that there were arrears 
 due from the said company upon divers 
 of the said charities, to the amount of 
 2.3 1 6/. 1 45. And further, that the com- 
 pany had received from various bene- 
 factors, therein mentioned, divers sums 
 of money, amounting in the whole to 
 4620/. to be lent out in different por- 
 tions, on security, to poor members of 
 the company, to set up in their trades. 
 And it was farther found, that the said 
 estates were charged by the company, 
 over and above the yearly charities, for 
 security of n sum of 4,500/. taken up 
 
 by them at interest, for the purposes 
 therein mentioned. 
 
 By a decree of the commissio7iers , 
 founded on this inquisition, and dated 
 3d of September, 1686, after reciting, 
 amongst other things, that the company 
 having several other great debts upon 
 them besides the arrears of the said 
 charities , and their estate, consisting 
 almost wholly of houses in London, 
 having been consumed in the late dread- 
 ful fire in that city, and other accidents 
 having befallen them, to the almost 
 utter impoverishment of the said com- 
 pany, had prayed that considerable time 
 might be given them for the satisfying 
 of the said arrears ;— it was, with the 
 consent of the company, ordered and 
 decreed, that all and every parcel of 
 the said real estate of the said company, 
 in the said inqusition mentioned, should 
 from thenceforth for ever stand and be 
 charged with all and singular the grow- 
 ing charitable uses (and other uses) in 
 the said inquisition mentioned, and 
 with the arrears of the said charities ; 
 and that the said company should, on 
 or before the 29th of November then 
 next, convey all the aforesaid estates 
 to twelve trustees, and their heirs, 
 therein named, who should receive the 
 rents and profits thereof, and should 
 pay the said yearly growing payments 
 to the several charitable uses in the 
 inquisition mentioned ; and in case the 
 rents, fines, or other profits of the es- 
 tates, should at any time exceed the 
 said payments, that the overplus should 
 be applied proportionably in payment 
 of the arrears of the said annual chari- 
 ties ; and when such arrears should be 
 paid off, that such overplus should be 
 
TTIUST-EST V TKS AND CH ARITIES. 
 
 351 
 
 V\'illiam laxton, knight, and alderman of L,ondon :" appoinling- it to be kept 
 m a house called *'The Guild or Fraternity House of Oundle," and which 
 was to be employed as the school-house, and for an habitation of certain 
 almsmen, (of whom a separate account will be found presently.) To maintain 
 these establishments, the testator devised and gave all his messuages, lands, 
 tenements, rents, and hereditaments, in the parish of St. Swithin, London 
 Stone, and in Sherborne-lane, Nicholas-lane, Abchurch-lane, Candlewick- 
 street, and Eastcheap, or elsewhere in the city of London, which he purchased 
 of Edward ^Veldon, to the Grocers' company, upon trust; first, that they 
 should make suit to obtain the said guild -house from the king and queen, 
 and apply it to the purposes mentioned ; and then, that the said company 
 should provide "an honest, virtuous, and learned schoolmaster, being a 
 master of arts, to teach grammar freely within the said school-house to all 
 such as shall come thither to learn ; and shall provide an honest learned per- 
 son to be usher, to teach the scholars under the said master." For their ser- 
 vices the company were to pay the schoolmaster 18/. per annum, and to the 
 usher 6l. 1 3s. 4d. And he directed that the said school (with the admission) 
 should be called " The Free Grammar School of Sir William Laxton, knight," 
 and the schoolmaster, usher, and headman, called " The Schoolmaster, Usher, 
 and Beadman of Sir William Laxton." And, for want of convenient time 
 further to explain the erection aforesaid, he directed that all other things touch - 
 
 paid to the said company, to be disposed 
 of according to intent of the donors of 
 the said gifts of money, to be lent to 
 members of the company ; and that 
 when all such charities were fulfilled, 
 the residue should be paid to the said 
 company for their own use. And it 
 was ordered, that when any four or more 
 of the said trustees should die or re- 
 move, the company should choose as 
 many others in their room, not being 
 members of the company, so as to 
 complete the number of twelve, to be 
 trustees as aforesaid for ever. 
 
 The conveyance to trustees was made 
 according to the direction of the decree ; 
 but the company have long res'imed 
 the management of their estates and 
 the administration of their charities, 
 regulating themselves therein by the 
 binding of the decree. 
 
 The company are now in possession 
 of all the real property mentioned in 
 the inquisition, except a small piece of 
 ground forming part of the garden of 
 Grocers^ Hall, which was some years 
 ago sold, under the provisions of an 
 act of Parliament, to the company of 
 the Bank of England, for the purposes 
 of enlarging the bank and the street 
 adjoining thereto,called Prince's-street, 
 
 and a house in Steyning-lane, given by 
 Mrs. Backhouse, as will be noticed in 
 the account of her gift. The annual 
 revenue received from these estates, 
 which has been greatly improved since 
 the taking of the inquisition, far exceed 
 the amount of the sum annually payable 
 under the several charities. 
 
 These facts," the commissioners 
 add, " having been proved to our satis- 
 faction, and each charity being now, 
 by the operation of the decree, secured, 
 not merely on the property originally 
 given for its maintenance, but on all 
 the estates of the company, we shall 
 not think it necessary, in the following- 
 account of the several charities, to enter 
 into any detail of the present condition 
 of the respective premises originally 
 appropriated to each, except in those 
 instances where the whole produce of 
 such premises, and not merely fixed 
 payments out of them, is dedicated by 
 the donor to the purposes of the cha- 
 rity. 
 
 <^ We shall however, in such case, 
 notice the finding of the inquisition 
 with respect to it, in order to mark 
 such variations from the original foun- 
 dation as stand upon the authority of 
 the inquisition and decree." 
 
352 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 ing the erection and continuance of the said school should be considered and 
 done as by the good discretion of his executrix and the overseers of his 
 will should be thought convenient. 
 
 APPLICATIOM, 
 
 In the inquisition the property derived from Sir William I.axton is stated 
 to have consisted of eleven messna^es in Candlewick-fitreet, two in Abchnrch- 
 lane, one in Nicholas-lane, one in Eastcheap, one in Sherborne-lane, four in 
 St. Swithin's-lane. and five in Bush-lane, London, and to have yielded alto- 
 gether an income of 170/. 13s. 4c?. 
 
 The founder's school-house and premises at Oundlehave been considerably 
 enlarged by purchases made of late years by the Grocers' company, to the 
 amount of 1500/., for additional buildings, and for a play-ground for the 
 boys of the school. Improvements have been made in the schoolmaster's 
 house, for the purpose of enabling him to take boarders. The sums expended 
 in repairs and improvements since 1809 amount to more than 1200/., exclu- 
 sively of an annual sum of 5/. allowed for incidental repairs. It appears, 
 from the before-mentioned decree, that at the date of it the company had 
 augmented the schoolmaster's salary to 30/., and the usher's to 10/. ; the 
 annual sums paid in respect to the school bemg : 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 To the schoolmaster, as the stipend for himself and his 
 
 usher . . . . . . 40 0 0 
 
 An additional gratuity . . . . 60 0 0 
 
 100 0 6 
 
 The schoolmaster is a clergyman and master of arts, and is appointed by 
 the company, who leave the nomination of the usher to him. The number of 
 free scholars in May 1821 was eight, admitted from the town of Oundle. No 
 application for the admission of any boy appears to have been refused. They 
 receive a classical education, n.b. A deputation of the Grocers' company 
 occasionally visit this establishment.* 
 
 • Lurchyn's Gift. — All the pro- 
 perty which the company now have in 
 Cannon-street, (formerly Candlewick, 
 or Canwick-street,) is stated in the in- 
 quisition to be derived from the above- 
 mentioned gift of Sir William Laxton ; 
 but in an index to the company's old 
 book of wills, which index appears to 
 have been made in 1762, it is stated 
 that two of the tenements in Canwick- 
 street, described as the gift of Sir Wil- 
 liam Laxton, were given by John 
 Lurchyn. 
 
 The will of John Lurchj-n is dated 
 the 5th of July, 1459, by which he gave 
 his two great tenements, situate in 
 Canwick-street, in the parish of St. 
 Mary Bothaves, " for the relief, aid, 
 and support of the poor almspeople of 
 the Grocers' company forever." The 
 whole of the premises in Cannon-street 
 were destroyed by the fire of London. 
 The gift of John Lurchyn is not men- 
 tioned in the decree, and no specific 
 distribution is now made in respect 
 of it. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 353 
 
 Walwyn's. — At Colwall, in Herefordshire. For all poor children 
 of Colwall parish, and seven children of the parish of 
 Little Malvern, in Worcestershire, nominated by the 
 company. The education is English, consisting of read- 
 ing and writing, and the scholars receive religious in- 
 struction from the master, who is a clergyman ; but no 
 classical instruction is now given. The Grocers' Com- 
 pany are visitors. 
 
 PARTICULARS. 
 
 Humphrey Walwyn, the founder of this school, by his will, dated the 6tli 
 of December, 1612, left the sum of 600/. to be bestowed in buying houses 
 in the city of London, the rent of which he appointed to be paid as follows : 
 To the company of Grocers 51. yearly, and two of the wardens, with the 
 clerk and some one learned man, to be chosen by them once in three years, 
 to visit and examine the scholars at the school, which by his will he appointed 
 to be erected at Colwall, in Herefordshire ; to the parish of St. Martin Ongars, 
 5/. ; and the remainder of the rents of the houses to be purchased he gave for 
 the support of this school, directing that the poor children of Colwall, and 
 seven children of Little Malvern, of the poorest in that parisli, should be 
 taught freely, without payment of anything for their schooling ; and also, 
 that those in the parish of Colwall who were able to pay should not pay above 
 10s. for their schooling in a year. He also directed that the Grocers should 
 choose, the schoolmaster, and should have care that he be honest, learned, 
 godly, and fit every way for instructing youth in learning, and in the fear of 
 God ; that the schoolmaster should observe that there be prayers in the school 
 twice a day at least ; and that the company should have power to remove 
 him, in case of neglect of duty. And he willed that the schoolmaster should 
 have the value of the houses and tenements which should be bought, the value 
 of 10/. before mentioned being first deducted; and that the said schoolmaster 
 should be a preacher, and should make four sermons every year, one every 
 quarter ; and one every year at Little Malvern, wherein he should repeat in 
 brief the sum of his will concerning the school, and the order he took therein 
 for teaching all the children, as before mentioned. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It does not appear that any houses were bought with the money bequeathed 
 by Humphrey Walwyn ; but, by the inquisition, the sum of 30/. a year, to 
 be paid to the school at Colwall, is mentioned to have been charged upon 
 eight houses, in the parishes of St. Michael and St. Peter, Cornhill, devised 
 to the company by John Billesdon; and it appears, from the books of the 
 company, that this charge had originally been made by the consent of Hum- 
 phrey Walwyn's executors. 
 
 The sum of 30/. a year is paid to the schoolmaster as his salary, and the 
 company have made liberal additions to this in favour of the present master, 
 
 A a 
 
354 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 as an encouragement and remuneration for his exertions to benefit the 
 school. Some mismanagement of the establishment appears to have taken 
 place in the time of the preceding master, whose ill state of health occasioned 
 him to remove, first to Gloucester, and afterwards to London, leaving another 
 person in charge of it. The company sent down a deputatioji^lo inquire into 
 the state of it ; and at last induced the master to resign, on giving him an 
 allowance of 50/. a year. 
 
 The school-house, which is inhabited by the master, was rebuilt by the com- 
 pany in 1795, and is kept in repair by them at considerable expense. It does 
 not appear when, or by whom, the original building was erected. 
 
 There are, at present, 52 free boys in the school, all of them from the parish 
 of Colwall, except one, which is from Little ^Malvern. The reason why there are 
 no more from the latter place, which is entitled to send seven scholars,was stated 
 to the commissioners to be, that there was but this one boy born of Protestant 
 parents in that parish. A deputation of the company occasionally visit the 
 school. The schoolmaster of Colwall school, in addition to his 30/. receives 
 an annuity of 5/. 65. Qd. from the crown out of the land revenues. 
 
 Box's. — At Witney, in Oxfordshire, for 30 boys, natives of Wit- 
 * ney, who are admitted at six years of age, and may con- 
 tinue during the pleasure of their parents. The master 
 has the power of appointment. The education is clas- 
 sical, together with the English language and writing. 
 
 PARTICULARS. 
 
 Witney Grammar School was founded by Henry Box, Esq. citizen and 
 grocer, of London, in 1663, and a native of Witney, and who endowed it with 
 a rent-charge of 60 guineas, issuing out of his estates at Longwork, in Berk- 
 shire. He ordained that the teachers should consist of a master and usher, 
 the master to be a graduate of oue of the Universities, and a master of arts, 
 and that the usher should be also a graduate. The application for admission is 
 made to the master, by certifying, " boy born in Witney," and paying 2s. 6d. 
 as an admission-fee. The Eton Latin and Greek grammars are chiefly used. 
 There are no exhibitions or scholarships belonging to the school. Tlie mas- 
 ter's salar)' is 3'J/. per annum, with the school-house and garden, for which he 
 pays parochial rates; these amounted, in 1816, to 20/., leaving the master a 
 salary of only 10/. Parlour boarders are taken at 30 guineas per annum. 
 
 Tlie usher's salary was 15/. but the office, jNlr. Carlisle says, has long been 
 vacant,'' and the governors retain the salary There is a writing-master, with 
 a stipend of 10/. a year, and 2s. 6f/. a quarter for each fi:ee boy. The four war- 
 dens of the Grocers' Company are governors. The visitors are the provost 
 and two senior fellows of Oriel College, Oxford. 
 
 * Endowed Grammar Schools, 11. p. 320. 
 
TRUST-ESTATRS AND CHARITIES. 
 
 355 
 
 EXHIBITIONS OR TEMPORARY PENSIONS TO POOR SCHOLARS AT THE 
 UNIVERSITIES OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Backhouses. — Two of 51. per annum each, for poor scholars, 
 (her own kin, where eligible, to be preferred,) appointed 
 by the master, wardens, and company, to one of the 
 Colleges in Cambridge. 
 
 Robinson's. — Four of 7Z. IO5. per annum each, to be given to 
 poor scholars of Jesus College, Oxford, nominated by 
 the company.* 
 
 ALMSHOUSES. 
 
 Laxton's. — For seven poor men of Oundle, each of whom has 
 55. per week, with an allowance for clothing, fuel, and 
 medicines. The appointment is in the company, the 
 consent of the vicar and churchwardens thereof being 
 first obtained. 
 
 This charity has been noticed in the account of Oundle school. The testa- 
 tor directed by his will that there should be, as part of the foundation of his 
 Free Grammar School at Oundle, " seven poor men perpetually found, each of 
 them to have weekly 9d. towards their maintenance, together with a conve- 
 nient lodginj^ and house-room'' in the guild or fraternity-house, in which his 
 grammar school was to be kept. The annual sums now paid in respect of 
 
 * In the be fore- mentioned inquisi- 
 tion, Emma Backhouse's endowment 
 was found to have consisted of two 
 houses in Wood-street, London, and a 
 house in Staying-lane, in the occupation 
 of the Haberdashers' Company, be- 
 queathed in 1587. This property was 
 charged with the yearly payment of 251. 
 to four scholars at Oxford, whom the 
 assistants agreed should be all of Jesus 
 College; and also with 10/. a year to 
 two scholars at Cambridge. But, on 
 further investigation, it seems the four 
 Jesus College scholarships were de- 
 rived from a legacy of 500/., given by 
 Mary Robinson, and said to have been 
 charged upon houses in Wood-street, 
 by order of the court of assistants, re- 
 ducing, by this means, Mrs. Back- 
 house's establishment to two Cambridge 
 scholars only : the commissioners state 
 themselves to have been unable to find 
 the reason for this reduction. 
 
 Mrs. Robinson's donation, it will be 
 seen, was'' a money legacy" of 500/., 
 given in 1617, with which land was to 
 
 be bought to produce 25/. yearly, and 
 that produce was to be given *'to four 
 poor scholars of Jesus College, Ox- 
 lord,'' at the nomination of the com- 
 pany. No land, however, appears to 
 have been bought, and the commissi- 
 oners refer to Mrs. Backhouse's gift, to 
 explain the manner in which 25/. per 
 annum, in respect of Mrs. Robin- 
 son's gift, was charged upon the pro- 
 perty given byMrs. Emma Backhouse." 
 The premises bequeathed by Mrs. 
 Backhouse for her scholarships now con- 
 sist of warehouses, &c. being No. 104, 
 in Wood-street, let in three divisions, 
 to Mr. Green, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. 
 Hunter, at net rents amounting to 
 133/. \ls. Qd. The house in Staying- 
 lane only produces 20/. a year, being 
 considered as a fee-farm rent, from the 
 Haberdashers' Company, (or 10/. de- 
 ducting the land-tax.) This estate for 
 many years previously to 1805 produced 
 only 51/. 146'. "Id. per annum. Vide 
 Commissioners' Reports, and Endowed 
 Charities of London, 234. 
 
 A a2 
 
356 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 these almshouses are : "To the seven almsmen, and the woman who attends 
 them, 5s. each per week, making 104/. ; for clothing for the almsmen, 30/.; 
 for medicines for ditto, 15/. ; for fuel for ditto, 10/., and for incidental repairs 
 5/. ; making a total of 109/. per annum. The sums for the almspeople and 
 incidental repairs is said, at the time of the commissioners making their 
 reports, to have been paid to William Walcott, Esq., a resident at Oundle, 
 and who kindly undertook to superintend the establishment. The almsmen 
 are poor, and generally old men, of the parish of Oundle, appointed by the 
 company upon recommendations transmitted by Mr. Walcott. 
 
 BEQUESTS AND GIFTS OF ESTATES FOR DIFFERENT 
 PURPOSES. 
 
 Donor's name, and object 
 of the gift. 
 
 Estates, and where 
 situate. 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 Alderman Thomas Kmlles. 
 Gave to the Grocers' 
 company, "for a pure 
 and perpetual alms, 
 for the support and 
 relief of the said com- 
 pany. 
 
 Alderman Sir Henry Kebt/ll. 
 Devised by will to the 
 company to pay 6d. 
 weekly to each of 
 seven poor members 
 of the company. The 
 appointment in "the 
 wardens and associ- 
 ates." They were to 
 be such as had been 
 "leaseholders, or oc- 
 cupiers of the same 
 mystery, and had 
 fallen to decay and 
 poverty." 
 
 Alderman Sir Wm. Butler. 
 To pay 40s. yearly, to re- 
 pair the highways of 
 Biddenham, Bedford- 
 shire ; to pay 20*. 
 yearly to the poor 
 there ; and to pay 12*. 
 yearly for charcoal, 
 to be given on All 
 Saints' Day to the 
 poor of St. Mildred, 
 Poultry, London. 
 
 " A messuage, si- 
 tuate in the parish 
 of St. Antholin's, in 
 London." 
 
 Two houses " in 
 the parish of our 
 Lady, in Bow, in 
 the ward of Cheap ; 
 two ditto, with a 
 garden and appurte- 
 nances, in Broad 
 court, Lothbury; 
 that great messuage, 
 with the garden and 
 appurtenances, in 
 the parish of St. Pe- 
 ter le Poor ; and a 
 piece of ground, 
 with stables and 
 other houses there- 
 on, in St. Olave, Old 
 Jewry. 
 
 A house called the 
 Basket, in Thames 
 street; two messu- 
 ages, five cottages, 
 a garden, and a shed; 
 three shops in Tower 
 street, St. Dunstan, 
 east; and a quit-rent 
 of 5,-^. from St. 
 Bride, Fleet street. 
 
 This messuage is now a 
 warehouse, near St. Antho- 
 lin's church. Budge row, 
 built in pursuance of a 71 
 years' lease from 1774, and 
 brings in a rent of 33?., 
 which is not specifically ap- 
 plied, but comprised in a 
 general distribution to the 
 company's poor. 
 
 The inquisition states 
 these premises to have con- 
 sisted of Sir Robert Clay- 
 ton's mansion, in the Old 
 Jewry; " a messuage, then 
 called Grocers' Hall, near 
 the Poultry, occupied by 
 Sir Robert Jeffrey, lord 
 mayor ; the hall-wall, de- 
 mised for AOs. per annum ; 
 and a messuage, (then seve- 
 ral messuages,) in St. Peter 
 le Poor, charged with the 
 yearly payment of 9/. 2*. to 
 seven widows of decayed 
 members of the company. 
 
 9/. 2*. is paid yearly in 
 respect of the above gifts, 
 about Christmas, to poor 
 members or their widows, 
 in sums of 26s. each, being 
 at the rate of Gd. per week. 
 
 The inquisition describes 
 these premises as two mes- 
 suages in Mincing lane, one 
 messuage in Thames street, 
 another messuage in Bowyer 
 row, a quit-rent of 12s. 
 from three houses in Fleet 
 street, and 20s. quit-rent 
 from three shops on Lud- 
 gate hill. The sums of 21. 
 and 1?. are annually given 
 to St. Mildred, Poultry. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 357 
 
 Date oj Donor's name, and object 
 Bequests. of th e ^ft. 
 
 Estates, and where 
 situate. 
 
 Com7nissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 Dame Anne Middleton. 
 To the Grocers' company, 
 in trust, to distribute 
 as under: 
 
 £ i. (I. 
 
 Towards relief of 
 prisoners in Lon- 
 don about Christ- 
 mas, sums not 
 exceeding 40.v. 
 each, or 31. if 
 known by the war- 
 dens to be special 
 objects . . . . 40 0 0 
 
 To Christ's Hospi- 
 tal, for the chil- 
 dren 10 0 0 
 
 To the poor of 
 Westham parish, 
 Essex ; for ap- 
 prenticing one 
 boy, 31. ; and to 
 divide amongst 20 
 of the poorest 
 people there, to 
 each 2s. on Christ- 
 mas eve . . . 5 0 0 
 
 To ten poor minis- 
 ters' widows, 40*. 
 each 20 0 0 
 
 To ten poor aged 
 men and women, 
 at Christmas . . 10 0 0 
 
 To the company 
 for their pains . 2 0 0 
 
 To the clerk ..200 
 
 To the seven almo- 
 ners of the com- 
 pany, 10s. each . 3 10 0 
 
 5/. each for life to 
 
 two persons named 
 in her will . . . 10 0 0 
 
 104 100 
 
 The rectory and 
 tithes of Fordam, 
 in Montgomery- 
 shire, and a fee-farm 
 rent of 271. per an- 
 num from the rec- 
 tory of Austell, in 
 Cornwall ; both be- 
 ing then of the year- 
 ly value of 105/. 
 
 N.R. By a codicil 
 to her will, testatrix 
 declared that, in 
 consequence of For- 
 dam having no en- 
 dowed rectory or 
 vicarage for pay- 
 ment of the officia- 
 ting minister, there 
 should be 301. paid 
 him yearly, for ever, 
 out of the property 
 conveyed to the 
 company, and which 
 her executors might 
 deduct from such 
 charitable bequests 
 as might seem most 
 convenient. But if 
 Parliament should 
 afterwards endow 
 such parish of For- 
 dam, the said an- 
 nuity of 30/. to cease. 
 By the foremention- 
 ed decree it appears 
 that these charges 
 were confirmed, (in- 
 cluding the 30/. per 
 annum,) and reduc- 
 ing the prisoners' 
 allowance from 40/. 
 to 10/., probably 
 with the consent of 
 the testatrix's execu- 
 tor. 
 
 The surplus profits to be 
 given to such aged poor 
 the company should think 
 fit. 
 
 The Grocers hold this 
 property, and have leased 
 the tithes of Fordam for 
 twenty-one years from 1802, 
 at 2/3/. per annum, which 
 the commissioners thought 
 to be their full value. 
 
 This rent, with the an- 
 nuity of 27/. a year from 
 the rectory of Austell, 
 made up an annual pay- 
 ment of 300/. ; out of which 
 was paid: 
 
 £ s.d. 
 
 To the minister of 
 Fordam . . . . 30 0 0 
 
 To release debtors 
 from the prisons 
 in London . . . 10 0 0 
 
 N.B. The wardens 
 give this relief as 
 they think pro- 
 per, on recom- 
 mendations from 
 the keepers. 
 
 To Christ's Hospi- 
 tal 10 0 0 
 
 To Westham ..500 
 
 To ten clergymen 
 of the Church of 
 England's widows, 
 41. each, instead 
 of the 40s. Direct- 
 ed. In all . . . 40 0 0 
 
 The petitioners are 
 selected by the 
 court of assist- 
 ants, who appoint 
 from a number 
 usually amount- 
 ing to twenty ; 
 the successful ten 
 receivingas above, 
 and the unsuccess- 
 ful (or second 
 class) 40s. 
 
 To twenty poor 
 men and women 
 of the company, 
 10s. each . . . 10 0 0 
 
 105 0 0 
 
 N.B. The residue of this 
 gift is not specifically dis- 
 tributed, but carried to the 
 company's account. 
 
358 
 
 GROCERS* COMPANY. 
 
 Date of 
 Bequest. 
 
 Aug. 2!). 
 
 Donor's name, and object 
 of the gift. 
 
 Estates, and tvhere 
 situate. 
 
 John Wardall. 
 To pay to St. Botolph, 
 Billingsgate, 41., to 
 provide " a good and 
 sufficient iron and 
 glass lantern, with a 
 candle, for the direc- 
 tion of passengers to 
 go with more security 
 to and from the water 
 side, all night long. 
 To be fixed at the 
 N.E, corner of St. 
 Botolph's church, 
 from Bartholomew- 
 day to Lady-day, and 
 11. to the sexton, to 
 take care of the said 
 lantern. Also to pay 
 to the parish of East 
 Greenwich, Kent, 61. 
 10s. yearly, in bread. 
 The surplus, (if any,) 
 equally amongst the 
 company's poor alms- 
 men at Christmas 
 eve. 
 
 Sir Thomas Middleton. Two tenements. 
 
 To pay the sum of V- to ; situate near Bay- 
 
 A tenement known 
 by the name of the 
 White Bear, at Wal- 
 broke, London. 
 
 N.B. — By a codicil 
 to his will, testator, 
 reciting that he had 
 given the aforesaid 
 tenement, then in 
 lease at 16/ , which, 
 if it were out of 
 lease, was worth a 
 greater sum, orders 
 the rent to be raised 
 at the expiration of 
 the lease, "to the 
 best value," and that 
 the whole thereof 
 shall be applied to 
 the use and profit of 
 the said almsmen of 
 the Grocers' com- 
 pany. 
 
 Commissionei's' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 1661, 
 Aug. 9. 
 
 the poor of the Gro- 
 cers' company. 
 
 William Robinson, (of St. 
 Dunstan's East,) 
 To the company, after 
 his wife's decease, to 
 raise certain sums, 
 amounting to 55;. per 
 annum, for the main- 
 tenance of the school 
 of Penrith, in Cum- 
 berland, and other 
 charitable purposes in 
 that parish. And like- 
 wise to pay yearly 
 To Christ's Hos- 
 pital 
 
 To St. Bartholo- 
 mew's Hospital . 
 To St. Thomas's 
 Hospital, (South- 
 wark) . . . , 
 To Bridewell . . 
 The remainder to the Gro- 
 cers' company 
 
 nard's Castle, Lon- 
 don. 
 
 5 0 0 
 
 5 0 0 
 
 5 0 0 
 0 0 
 
 All his lands, te- 
 nements, and here 
 ditaments, with the 
 a^urtenances, situ 
 ate in Grub-street, 
 London. 
 
 The tenement at Wal- 
 broke, formerly the White 
 Bear, is now a public-house, 
 known by the sign of the 
 Black Bull, let to John 
 Brown, for 21 years, from 
 Lady-day, 1814, at the rent 
 of 65L \{)s, per annum, sub- 
 ject to a deduction of &. 
 2s. for land-tax and insu- 
 rance. 
 
 41. is annually paid to St. 
 Botolph, Billinsgate, and iil. 
 lOs. to East Greenwich. The 
 only additional sum charged 
 by the decree is M., which 
 is specifically given away to 
 two poor freemen of the 
 company at IO5. each. But 
 the commissioners consider 
 the residue amounting to 
 45/. 4*. as forming part of 
 the company's general dis- 
 tributions to the poor, here- 
 after mentioned. 
 
 The sum of 7^- is now paid 
 by the company, under the 
 name of Richard Phillips's 
 gift. Supposed to be so called 
 from its having been incor- 
 rectly entered by the com- 
 pany's clerk. 
 
 The different annuities 
 are paid to the respective 
 hospitals. 
 
 The premiums given by 
 Mr. Robinson are not par- 
 ticularized in the inquisi- 
 tion, but are described only 
 as «' several messuages and 
 tenements, situate in Grub- 
 street, producing the clear 
 yearly rent of 75/. 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHAUlTlliS. 
 
 369 
 
 pensions, gifts, loans, &c.; otherwise called 
 "money legacy charities." 
 
 Date of 
 Bequest. 
 
 Donor's name. 
 
 Sir John Peche. 
 To pay to priests and the 
 poor at his obit . 
 The rector of LuUing- 
 stone 
 
 Peche's three almsmen 
 at ditto 
 
 Newgate, Ludgate, and 
 the Malshalsea pri- 
 sons, 55. each 
 
 Henry Cloker . . , 
 To pay to the master and 
 wardens of the Gro- 
 cers* company to see 
 to the trusts of his 
 will . . . 
 Gibson's almshouses at 
 Ratclyffe . 
 
 • school at ditto . 
 
 Peter BlundcU. 
 To buy landed property 
 or rents, and from 
 the issues pay to the 
 poor of Bedlam, in 
 London," yearly 
 The surplus to the 
 company's wardens for 
 their pains. 
 Dame Margaret Slaney 
 To pay 21. yearly to the 
 poor of West Wick- 
 ham, Kent, to ap- 
 prentice their children 
 John Ch-ove 
 To pay yearly in equal 
 portions amongst the 
 company's almsfolks 
 at Grocers' hall 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application, 
 
 Sir Thomas Dyke, of 
 Lullingstone castle, receives 
 from the company in respect 
 of this gift, on account of 
 poor, II. 6s. 8d.; rector of 
 Lullingstone, 21. I3s. 4d. ; 
 for the three almsmen, 
 51. 4s. ; and for the prisons 
 named 15s. The company 
 were, besides, to repair the 
 almshouses, but there are 
 none now existing; the 
 6s. 8d. deficit in the IZ. lOv. 
 mentioned, is thought to 
 have been for priests, «8£C. 
 at the obit. 
 
 Two pounds yearly is 
 paid by the Coopers' com- 
 pany, who are charged with 
 this gift, the whole of which 
 is paid over to the school- 
 master of Gibson's school, 
 who gives a receipt. 
 
 j The sum of 40*. is paid 
 j yearly to the receiver of 
 
 Bethlem hospital by the 
 
 company. 
 
 i The company pay 3/. 
 j yearly to the churchwardens 
 ' of West Wickham. 
 
 Six pounds is specifically 
 ; distributed to poor freemen 
 i and their widows, who re- 
 ceive the same during life. 
 1 N.B. Before the great fire, 
 ; the Grocers had seven alms 
 j folks, living as stated ; but 
 i have had none there since. 
 
360 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 Date of 
 Bequest, 
 
 July 14. 
 
 Donor^s name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 Jan. 20. 
 
 Mar. 29. 
 
 William Robinson 
 
 To buy landed property 
 in London or else- 
 where, and to pay 
 from the issues yearly 
 toward maintaining a 
 school at TopclifFe, 
 Yorkshire . 
 The surplus to be given 
 to the company's poor 
 freemen. 
 William Pennefather . 
 To buy land worth 
 111. 13s. 4c?. a year, 
 in order to distribute 
 equally (by 5 nobles 
 a piece) amongst the 
 company's seven alms- 
 folks in their alms- 
 houses at Grocers' 
 hall .... 
 I he surplus to be em- 
 ployed at the com- 
 pany's discretion. 
 Catharine Viscountess Conway 
 To pay yearly to Acton 
 parish from theprofits, 
 for providing 20 aged, 
 lame, or sick poor, 
 every Sunday with a 
 2d. loaf each, and 
 also to appropriate 
 12rf. weekly for the 
 teaching of six 
 poor children resident 
 there 
 
 She appointed Mary 
 Harrison and Mrs. 
 Hooker, her execu- 
 trixes, and left all 
 the rest of her money 
 and debts to the com- 
 pany, subject to the 
 future directions of 
 her will. 
 By a codicil to her will 
 afterwards she left 
 To pay to the minis- 
 ters and church- 
 wardens of Acton, 
 to be distributed 
 by them amongst 
 the poor of the 
 said parish, who 
 should be most 
 aged, lame, or im- 
 potent; 5^. there- 
 of at Whitsuntide, 
 and 51. at Christ- 
 mas . . . 10 0 0 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application. 
 
 No landed property ap- 
 pears to have been bought 
 as directed by the donor, 
 and the only sum paid (as 
 charged by the aforemen- 
 tioned decree on the com- 
 pany's lands,) is the 16Z. to 
 the schoolmaster of Top- 
 cliffe. 
 
 It does not appear how 
 this donation was laid out, 
 but by the chancery decree, 
 the company are charged 
 with the yearly payment of 
 11/. 13s. 4rf,, and it is distri- 
 buted to seven freemen and 
 their widows, who receive 
 the same during life. 
 
 It appears, from the com- 
 pany's books, that Mary 
 Harrison, the executrix, 
 gave 3/. in addition to the 
 200/. mentioned in Lady 
 Conway's will, in respect 
 of which, the company were 
 to pay 8s. per annum in 
 addition to the 10/. men- 
 tioned in the will. It fur- 
 ther appears by a memo- 
 randum in these books, 
 that, of the 400Z. menti- 
 oned in the codicil to Lady 
 Conway's will, the com- 
 pany received no more than 
 41?. 13s. 4d. 
 
 The suras charged upon 
 the company's estate by 
 the decree, in respect of 
 these gifts, amount to 
 72;. 9s. M.; of this sum 
 22/. 9s. 8d. is paid to the 
 churchwardens of Acton 
 parish, being made up of 
 the 10/. mentioned in the 
 will; the 10/. mentioned in 
 the codicil ; the interest of 
 the above-mentioned sum ' 
 
 { of 41/. 13s. 4d.; and 8s. the 
 interest of 8/. given by 
 
 1 Mary Harrison. 
 
TKUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 361 
 
 Date of I 
 Bequest. \ 
 
 Donor's Name, 
 
 To the ministers and 
 churchwardens of 
 St. Dunstan in the 
 East, to be distri- 
 buted in like man- 
 ner . ♦ 
 
 To the ministers 
 and churchwar- 
 dens of Lodding- 
 ton, in the county 
 of Warwick, to be 
 distributed in like 
 manner 
 
 For the freeing and 
 releasing of two 
 poor persons, free- 
 men of the city, 
 lying for debt in 
 Ludgate prison 
 
 For releasing two 
 prisoners, one in 
 the Poultry compt- 
 er and one in 
 Wood-street comp- 
 ter .. . 
 
 To five poor wi- 
 dows of freemen of 
 the said company 
 20s. each 
 
 To the governors of 
 
 Christ's Hospital, 
 
 for them to place 
 
 out four poor chil- 
 dren of freemen of 
 
 the city, from the 
 
 said hospital . 
 And also the further 
 sum of ... 
 
 To pay certain annuities 
 for the lives of persons 
 in her will mentioned, 
 amounting in the 
 whole to . 
 And after their deaths, 
 the same to be 
 paid to Acton 
 parish, to apprentice 
 poor fatherless or 
 other distressed chil- 
 dren, and the residue 
 of her monies and 
 debts she left to the 
 company, in trust, 
 after the death of her 
 niece, to pay 5 per 
 cent, interest for every 
 100/. to Acton parish, 
 for the like purpose as 
 the above 20/. 
 
 Commissionej-s' Remarks o 
 Application. 
 
 The other payments to 
 the different parishes, and 
 to Christ's Hospital, are 
 made according to the di- 
 rections of the codicil. The 
 10/. to St. Dunstan in the 
 East parish is regularly paid 
 by the Grocers' company. 
 
 The sums for releasing 
 debtors are paid by the 
 court of wardens of the 
 company, upon petitions 
 from the above-mentioned 
 prisons, in the same manner 
 as is pursued with Lady 
 Middleton's gift, (presently 
 mentioned,) for the same 
 purposes ; but the sum paid 
 for the release of each, in- 
 stead of 21. 10s. has been 
 confined to 21., which has 
 enabled tiie company to 
 apply the fund to the an- 
 nual release of five prisoners 
 instead of four. 
 
362 
 
 GROCERS* COMPANY. 
 
 Gabriel Keate 
 To lend 100/. gratis to two 
 young freemen of the 
 company, and 50/. to 
 remain as a stock for 
 the company's poor 
 for ever. And out of i 
 the profits of the I 
 other 600;. to pay { 
 yearly to the parish ; 
 of Bishop's-stone, | 
 Wilts, for four aged j 
 parishioners during i 
 life . . . ' 
 
 To St. Hearne parish, 
 near Truro, Cornwall, 
 yearly, to be distri- 
 buted in like manner 
 between two poor 
 aged parishioners 
 Edmond Turville 
 
 To be lent gratis to two 
 young freemen of the 
 company on good se- 
 curity. — Also . 
 To pay yearly to St. 
 Dunstan East parish, 
 to 13 of the poorest 
 parishioners, every 
 . Sunday, a twopenny 
 loaf each, and 2d. in 
 money . 
 
 To the parish of Kyrew- 
 yard, Worcestershire, 
 amongst the poorest 
 parishioners yearly . 
 
 To Allhallows Bark- 
 ing parish, London, 
 amongst the poorest 
 parishioners ditto 
 
 To the parson of St. Ste- 
 phen,Walbroke, for a 
 preparation sermon 
 6very Friday month, 
 before communion . 
 
 Amongst the poorest mem- 
 bers of the company, 
 every Michaelmas . 
 
 To the poor of St. Olave, 
 Southwark, yearly . 
 
 To the poor of St. Leo- 
 nard, Shoreditch, do. 
 Humphrey Walwyn. 
 
 To pay to St. Martin On- 
 gars, on Midsummer- i 
 day, for sea coals, for j 
 poor parishioners . j 
 
 To a preacher, to preach ! 
 at the same parish ' 
 church, on the 5th of > 
 November . . : 
 
 The sums of 16/. and Ql. 
 are yearly paid to each of 
 the parishes mentioned in 
 the will. No specific sum 
 is distributed by the com- 
 pany in respect of 50/. left 
 for the company's poor, but 
 the interest of this sum may 
 be considered as forming a 
 part of the general distri- 
 butions of the company 
 before noticed. 
 
 The company acknow- 
 ledge to have received 1000/. 
 from Frances Turville, wi- 
 dow of the said Edmond 
 Turville, pursuant to his 
 will, and a further sum of 
 100^. given to the company 
 by the said Frances, as a re- 
 I corapense for their trouble, 
 I the interest whereof was to 
 ' be divided between the four 
 0 0 wardens and the clerk. 
 
 j The payment of 11/. to 
 j St. Dunstan East, and the 
 j other sums given by the will 
 0 0 ' are paid to the respective 
 j parishes therein mentioned, 
 but the yearly sum of 10/. 
 I for the preparation sermon 
 0 0 j at St. Stephen's, is not 
 i charged on the company's 
 estates by the decree, and is 
 not now paid. *♦ We are 
 not enabled to state the rea- 
 0 0 son of this omission." 
 
 The yearly sum of 7^- is 
 distributed in different sums 
 '• by the wardens, to poor 
 freemen and their widows, 
 %vhom they select for the 
 purpose. 
 
 This 5/. a year, (which 
 was directed to be paid out 
 of houses directed to be 
 bought by the donor's will,) 
 is stated in the inquisition 
 to be charged on houses in 
 St. Michael's and St. Peter's, 
 Cornhill, parishes, and is 
 paid as directed. See " Col- 
 well's school." 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 363 
 
 Date of 
 Bequest. 
 
 Donoi-'s Name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 
 .£ 
 
 *■ 
 
 d. 
 
 — — — Sciundevs • . 
 
 210 
 
 
 
 To pay yearly for appren- 
 
 
 
 
 ticing a boy of the pa- 
 
 
 
 
 rish of Upton War- 
 
 
 
 
 ren, Worcestershire ; 
 
 
 
 
 or, if not performed, 
 
 
 
 
 to go to Christ's Hos- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 To the company's clerk, 
 
 
 
 
 per annum . • 
 
 
 
 
 Alderman Robert Lambert . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 To be distributed after 21 
 
 
 
 
 years, amongst the 
 
 
 
 
 poor inhabiting in the 
 
 
 
 
 25 wards of London, 
 
 
 
 
 at the company's dis- 
 
 
 
 
 cretion. 
 
 
 
 
 Nicholas Stiles, 
 
 
 
 
 By will also gave, upon 
 
 
 
 
 the same trusts as 
 
 
 
 
 his master. Alderman 
 
 
 
 
 Lambert 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Richard Hale 
 To be lent to two young 
 freemen of the com- 
 pany, on security; and 
 for buying 400 Kent- 
 ish or Essex faggots, 
 against winter, for 
 the poor of St. Dun- 
 stan East, (and chiefly 
 in Harp Alley and 
 Lilly Alley,) and the 
 poor of St. Mildred, 
 Poultry, parish. 
 Francis Tirrell . 
 As a stock in Grocers' 
 hall to provide 40 
 chaldrons of sea coals 
 yearly with the in- 
 crease thereof, 26 of 
 them to be distributed 
 at Christmas to the 
 poor of St. Giles's, 
 Cripplegate, St. Se- 
 pulchre's Without 
 Newgate, St. Olave, 
 Southwark, St. Mary 
 Magdalen's, Bermond- 
 sey, and St. Botolph, 
 Aldgate, viz. to Ber- 
 mondsey six, and to 
 the other parishes five 
 chaldrons each. The 
 overplus to the poor 
 of the Grocers' com- 
 pany 
 
 10 0 0 
 0 10 0 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 Application, 
 
 No application has been 
 made for several years for 
 this charity. The last pay- 
 ment on the company's 
 books was in 1794. The 
 annual 10^. has not been 
 carried to a separate ac- 
 count. The commissioners 
 think the arrears under the 
 will claimable by Christ's 
 Hospital. 
 
 The yearly sum of 12/. 
 is charged by the decree to 
 be paid in respect of these 
 gifts, which is distributed 
 the 1st Thursday in January 
 amongst the poor of each 
 City ward in rotation, com- 
 prising 5 wards each year, 
 taken alphabetically, and 4 
 poor persons from each 
 receive 12s. a piece, by 
 tickets from the aldermen. 
 The company decline any 
 interference. 
 
 A yearly sum of 11. 4s. 
 is charged by the decree to 
 be paid for faggots to the 
 poor of St. Mildred, Poultry, 
 and is now paid to the same. 
 Nothing is charged in the ■ 
 decree as payable to St. 
 Dunstan's, nor is anything 
 paid to that parish ; why, 
 does not appear. The alleys 
 called Harp Alley, and Lilly 
 Alley, no longer exist. 
 
 By the decree the sums 
 charged as payable by the 
 company, in respect to this 
 gift, are, to Bermondsey 
 parish 61., and to St. Giles, 
 Cripplegate, St. Sepulchre, 
 St. Olave, Southwark, and 
 St. Botolph, Aldgate, 5/. 
 each, and these sums are 
 paid to the churchwardens. 
 
 No specific distribution 
 takes place to the company's 
 poor, '* but it may be con- 
 sidered that they are enti- 
 tled, at least, to 71. 6s. 8d., 
 (the difference between the 
 261. charged, and 33/. 6s. 8d. 
 the full interest at 6 per 
 cent, on the 1000 marks 
 given ty Tirrel.) 
 
364 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION TO THE POOR OF THE COMPANY. 
 
 The sums which, under the foregoing benefactions, are appropriated to 
 general distribution among the poor of the company are as follows : 
 
 £ s. (I. 
 
 From Knolles' gift . . . . . 33 0 0 
 
 Lady Middleton's , . . 191 0 0 
 
 Wardall's . . . . . 45 4 0 
 
 Keates's . . . . 2 10 0 
 
 Tirrell's . . . .768 
 
 279 0 8 
 
 To which should be added the rent of the houses given by Larchyn, if it 
 were possible to ascertain what part, if any, of the property now possessed by 
 the company in Cannon-street, was derived from his benefaction. 
 
 A sum of 300^. is annually distributed among the poor of the company 
 about Christmas. Distributions of bread and provisions are also made to 
 them three times in the year ; and, throughout the year, special applications 
 for relief are received by the company from their poor members, and such 
 pecuniary assistance is afforded them as, upon investigation, may appear pro- 
 per. " It seems fair to conclude," the commissioners add, " that these various 
 distributions would cover any addition that ought to be made to the above 
 fund in respect of Larchyn's benefaction." 
 
 Date of 
 Bequest. 
 
 
 
 
 Commissioners' Remarks on 
 
 Donor's name. 
 
 Sum given. 
 
 Paid. 
 
 Application. 
 
 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 No date. 
 
 John Kirby 
 To be lent " to four 
 young men, retailers 
 of the company," for 
 two years, they send- 
 ing to Grocers' hall 
 each year 30 sacks of 
 coals, to be given 
 amongst the poor 
 thereabouts, the Poul- 
 try compter to have 
 6 sacks. 
 
 200 0 0 
 
 
 " Nothing more is known 
 of this benefaction. It is 
 not mentioned in the inqui- 
 sition or decree, and no loan 
 of money or distribution of 
 coals now takes place, as 
 directed by the donor." 
 
 GIFTS FOR LOANS. 
 
 " The following sums are found by the inquisition to have been given to 
 the Grocers' Company, to be lent on security to poor members of the com- 
 pany, in different proportions, to set them up in their trades. It is now many 
 years since such loans have been made, or applied for." 
 
TRUST-ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 365 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 Lady Slaney . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Robert Brooke 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Edmond Turville . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Mary Robinson 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Henry Anderson 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 George Holman 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 John Norman . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Ditto 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Gilbert Keate . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Richard Hale . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Thomas Wheatley 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Thomas Westran 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Sir John Lyon 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Robert Bowyer 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Edward Elmer . 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 John Hodgson 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Thomas Farmer 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Sir Richard Napper . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Lettice Dean . 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 William Pennefather 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Richard Lambert 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Tliomas Moulston . 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Ditto 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Stephen Abberley 
 
 250 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Edward Jakeman 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 John Merill . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Katherine Hawes 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Thomas Gannell 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Roger Knott . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Constance Wrightman 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 John Ileydon . 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Sir Samuel Wright 
 
 50 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Sir Thomas Ramsey 
 
 200 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Thomas Freeman 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Peter Haiighton 
 
 400 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thomas Rudge 
 
 100 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Sum total 
 
 4,670 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 Thomas Hawkins 
 
 20 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 
 
 
 
366 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 CHARTERS.* 
 
 Regina om'ib3 ad quos, 
 P' HoibZ &c. salt'm Iiispeximu^ 
 Mistere L'ras Patentes Dni P. & 
 * • * • Diie M. nup' Regis cfe Re- 
 ocerie Lon- gine AngP de confirmacoe 
 donde * * f'c'as in hec verba: Philip - 
 fimiacoe, pus & Maria Dei Gra' Rex 
 & Regina AngP Hispa- 
 niar' Franc' utriusq' Sicilie Jerl'm & 
 Hib'n Fidei Defensores Archiduces 
 Austrie Duces Burgundie Mediolani & 
 Brabancie Comites Haspurgi Flandrie 
 & Tirolis Om'ibS ad quos p'sentes L're 
 p'ven'int saPtm Inspeximu^ L'ras Pa- 
 tentes Dili H. nup' Regis Angl. Sexti 
 p'genitoris liri f'c'as in hec verba Henr' 
 Dei Gra' Rex AngP & Franc' & Dils 
 Hib'n Om'ib3 ad quos p'sentes L're 
 p'ven'int salt'm Sciatis q'd de Gra' iira 
 sp'iali tfe de avisamento & assensu 
 Concilij nri Concessim^ diPc'is nob' 
 Liberis Homib3 Mistere Grocerie Civi- 
 tatis lire London q'd Mistera prdca 
 t% om'es ho ies ejusdem de cet'o sint in 
 re t% no'ie unu' Corpus & una Co'itas 
 p'petua. Et q'd eadem Co'itas sing'Iis 
 annis elig^'e possittfe fac'e de se ipsa 
 tres Custodes ad sup'vidend' regend' 
 tfe gub'nand Misteram & Co'itatem 
 pMcas & om'es ho'ies & negocia ear'- 
 deni imp'p'm. Et q'd ijdem Custodes <fe 
 Coitas h'eant successionem p'petuam 
 tfe c'oe sigillum p' negocijs d'ce Co'itatis 
 srvitur. Et q'd i'pi & successores sui im- 
 p'pm sint p'sone habiles ife capaces in 
 lege ad p'quirend' & possidend' inFeodo 
 & p'petuitate T'ras Ten' Reddit & 
 alias possessiones quascunq'. Et q'd i'pi 
 p' nomen custodum Coitatis Mistere 
 Grocerie, London, impl'itare possint & 
 impl'itari coram quibuscunq' Judicib3 
 in cur& accoib3 quibuscunq' Et ult'ius 
 
 The Queen: To all to whom, &c. 
 Greeting. We have inspected the letters 
 patent of confirmation of the lord Philip 
 and the lady Mary, late king and queen of 
 England, made in these words : Philip 
 and Mary, by the grace of God king 
 and queen of England, France, the 
 two Sicilies, Jerusalem and Ireland, 
 Defenders of the Faith, Archdukes of 
 Austria, Dukes of Burgundy, &c. 
 To all to w^hom these present letters 
 shall come greeting : We have inspected 
 the letters patent of the lord Henry the 
 Sixth, late king of England, our pro- 
 genitor, made in these words: Henry, 
 by the grace of God, king of England 
 and France, and lord of Ireland, To all 
 to whom these present letters shall 
 come greeting: Know ye that we of 
 our special grace, and with the advice 
 and assent of out Council, have granted 
 to our beloved the Freemen of the 
 Mystery of Grocery of our City of 
 London, That the aforesaid mystery 
 and all the men of the same from 
 henceforth, may be in deed and name 
 one perpetual body and community, and 
 that the same community may have 
 power every year to elect and make 
 from themselves three wardens, to 
 oversee, rule, and govern the mystery 
 and community aforesaid, and all the 
 men and affairs of the same for ever. 
 And that the same wardens and com- 
 munity may have perpetual succession 
 and a common seal for the use of the 
 affairs of the said community. And 
 that they and their successors for ever 
 may be persons able and capable in law 
 to purchase and possess in fee and 
 perpetuity, lands, tenements, rents, and 
 other possessions whatsoever. And 
 that by the name of Wardens and 
 Commonalty of the Mystery of Grocery 
 of London, they may have power to 
 implead and be im[)leaded before what- 
 soever justices and in all courts and 
 actions whatsoever. And moreover, 
 of the abundance of our grace and 
 with tiie advice and assent of our 
 Council, we do grant that the Wardens 
 
 * Prima pars Confirmac on de anno Re. Elizabeth secundo. 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 367 
 
 de u'blori Gra' n'ra <fe de avlsamento & 
 assensu Concilij n'i concessims q'd 
 Custodes cfe Coitas d'ce Mistere T'. as 
 Ten' <fe Reddit infra civitatem, London, 
 & suburbia ejusdenique de nob' tenent' 
 ad valorem viginti marcar' p' annu ad- 
 quirere possint H'end' & tenend' sibi & 
 succ' suis imp'pm in auxilia sustenta- 
 co'is t'm pauperum horn' d'ce Coitatis 
 q'm unius Capellani Divina cotidie p' 
 statu n'ri dum vix'im* ac ai'a nr'a cum 
 migraverim* necnonp' statu & animab3 
 o'im ho'im dicar' Mistere & Coitatis ac 
 o'im fideliu' defunctor' juxta ordina- 
 c'oem ip'or' Custod'm & Coitatis in hac 
 parte faciend' celebraturi imp'p'm sta- 
 tute de T'ris & Ten' ad manu-mortuam 
 non ponend' edit' seu eo q'd T're Ten' 
 & Redditus sic adquirend' iu de nob' te- 
 neant in lib'um Burgagi sicut' tota 
 Civitas London non obstant'. Dum ta- 
 men p' Inquisic'oes inde capiend' & in 
 Cancellar' n'ra rite retornand'comp'tum 
 sit q'd id fieri possit absq' damno vel 
 p'judicio' n'ri vel hered' n'ror' aut alior' 
 quorcunq'. In cujus rei testimoniu' has 
 I'ras n'ras fieri fecim^ Patentes T. me 
 ip'o apud Westm' sextodecimo die Fe- 
 bruarij Anno Regni n'ri Septimo' Nos 
 autem cartas <fe I'ras p'd'cas ac oia & 
 sing'la in eisdem contenta ratah'entes 
 & grata ea p' nob' hered' &succesorib3 
 n'rm prd'ce Regine quantum in nob' 
 est acceptam* & approbams ac eo Joh'i 
 Lyon, militi, Aldermanno Civitatis n're 
 London, Edwardo Fouler cfe Petro Bris- 
 towe custodib3 nunc Mistere Grocerie 
 p'd'ce & successorih3 suis Ratificam^ 
 <fe Confirmani® p'ut carta & Pre prd'ce 
 r'onabilit^ testant' In cujus rei testi- 
 moniu' has I'ras n'ras fieri fecim® pa- 
 tentes T. nob' ip'is apud Westm' vice- 
 simo primo die Junij annis R. n. quarto 
 & quinto Nos autera cartas & I'ras 
 p'd'cas ac o'ia & singula in eisdem con- 
 tenta rata h'entes & grata ea p' nob' 
 hered' & succ' n'ris quantum in nob' 
 est acceptams & approbam^ ac ea dil'cis 
 nob' Thome Lodge Aldermanno Civi- 
 tatis n're London Edwardo Jackeman 
 tfe Joh'i Rj-vers nunc cu3todib3 Mistere 
 
 and Commonalty of the said Mystery 
 may have power to purchase lands, 
 tenements, and rents, within the City 
 of London, and the suburbs of the 
 same, and to hold the same from us 
 to the value of twenty marks. To 
 have and to hold to them and their 
 successors for ever, in aid of sustaining 
 as well the poor men of the said com- 
 monalty, as of a chaplain to celebrate 
 divine services daily for ever for our estate 
 whilst we live, and for our soul when 
 we go hence ; and also for the state 
 and souls of all the men of the said 
 Mystery and Community, and for all 
 the faithful deceased according to the 
 ordination of them, the said Wardens 
 and Commonalty to be made in this 
 behalf, the statute of mortmain, or 
 that the lands, tenements, and rents 
 so to be acquired, be not held of us in 
 free burgage, as all the City of London 
 is notwithstanding 5 provided neverthe- 
 less that inquisition thereof be taken 
 and account duly returned to us in our 
 Chancery, that the same will not be 
 to the damage of us or our heirs, or 
 of other persons whatsoever. In wit- 
 ness whereof we have caused these 
 our letters to be made patents. Wit- 
 ness myself at Westminster, the 16th 
 day of February, in the 7th year of 
 our reign. Now we the said Queen, 
 ratifying and allowing the aforesaid 
 Charters and Letters patent, and all 
 and singular in them contained, do for 
 us and our successors as nmch as in us 
 is accept and approve, and the same 
 do ratify and confirm unto John Lyon, 
 knight, alderman of our City of 
 London; Edward Fowler and Peter 
 Bristowe, now Wardens of the Mystery 
 of Grocery aforesaid, as by the charters 
 and letters aforesaid are reasonably 
 testified. In witness whereof we have 
 caused these our Letters to be made 
 patents. Witness ourselves at West- 
 minster, the 21st day of June, in the 
 4th and 5th year of our reigns. Now 
 we ratifying and allowing the charters 
 and letters aforesaid, and all and sin- 
 gular in them contained, do for us 
 and our heirs and successors, as much 
 as in us is accept and approve, and 
 the same to our beloved Thomas Lodge, 
 alderman of our City of London; 
 Edward Jackeman and John Ryvers, 
 now Wardens of the Mystery of 
 Grocery aforesaid, and their suc- 
 cessors, do ratify and confirm as the 
 charters and letters aforesaid do rea- 
 
368 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 (Jiocerie p'd'ce cfe successorib3 suis 
 Ratificams et Confirmam* p'ut cavte cfe 
 litere p'd'ce in se r'onabilit' testant' In 
 cujus rei &c. T. R. apud Westm' xixo 
 die Junij Anno Regni sui sc'do. 
 P' decern lib'ris solut' in Hanap'io, 
 
 sonably testify. Witness the Queen, 
 at Westminster, the 19th day of June, 
 in the second year of her reign. 
 
 For lU/. paid into the Hanaper. 
 
 Quartapars Pa- Rex om'ib3 ad quos 
 ten' de Anno &c. salt'm. Sciatis q'd 
 R. Caroli' Nos ad humilem Pe- 
 quintodecimo. tic'oem dil'cor' & fide- 
 D. Con'' sibi 6f liu' subditor' n'ror' cus- 
 s?(ccessonb5 p' tod' & Coitatis Mister' 
 Mister' Gro- Grocer' Civitatis Lon- 
 cers London, don de gra' n'ra spi'ali 
 ac ex c'ta sciencia & 
 mero mota n'ris Volum^ Ordinavim® 
 Declaravims. p' p'sentes p' nob' 
 heredib3 & successorib3 n'ris Voluras 
 Ordinam^ & Concedims q'd om'es & 
 singulis libi holes Mister' Grocer' Civi- 
 tatis London & successores sui de cet'o 
 imp'p'm p' meliori ordine gub'nacoe & 
 regimine hoi'um Mister' Grocer' Civi- 
 tatis London ac p' utilitate com'odo & 
 relevamine honor c% p'bor ac formidine 
 & correccoe malor' dolosor' sint & im- 
 probor' sint & erunt vigore p'sencui' 
 uuu' Corpus Corporatum <fe Politicum 
 in re f'co <fe no'i'e p' no'en Custod' tfe 
 com'unitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis 
 London & eos p' no'en Custod' & 
 Com'unitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis 
 London unu' Corpus Corporatum & 
 politic' in re f'co & no'io realit' & ad 
 plenum p' nobis heredib3 <fe successo- 
 rib3 n'ris erigim^ facim^ ordinam^ con- 
 stituim^ & declarams p' p'sentes et q'd 
 p' idem no'en.h'eant successionem p'pe- 
 tuam et q'd i'pi & sue' sui p' no'en Cus- 
 tod' & Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis 
 London suit & erunt p'petui futur' tem- 
 porib3 p'sone habiles & in Lege capa- 
 ces ad habend' p'quirend' recipiend' 
 Maneria Mesuagin Terr' Tenemen' 
 Lib'tat Privileg' Tranches' Jurisdiccoes 
 & Hereditamen' quecunq' cujuscunq' 
 fuer' gener' natur' vel' spi'ci sibi & 
 successorib3 suis in Feod' & p'petuitat' 
 sive p' p'mino vit' vitar' anni vel' annor' 
 aut ab' quocunq' modo Ac etiam Bona 
 & Catalla & quiscunq' alias res cujus- 
 cunq' no'is nature qualitatis vel spi'ei 
 
 The King : To all to whom, <fec. 
 Know ye that we at the humble pe- 
 tition of our beloved and faithful sub- 
 jects, the wardens and commonalty of 
 the Mystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London, of our special grace, and 
 of our certain knowledge and mere 
 motion, have willed, ordained, de- 
 clared and granted, and by these pre- 
 sents for us and our successors, do will, 
 ordain, declare and grant, that all and 
 singular the freemen of the mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London and 
 their successors, from henceforth for 
 ever, for the better ordering, govern- 
 ment, and rule of the men of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London, and for the utility, advantage, 
 and relief of the good and honest, 
 and the terror and correction of the 
 evil, wicked, and dishonest, may be 
 and shall be by force of these presents, 
 one body corporate and politic, in deed, 
 act, and name, by the name of the 
 Wardens and Commonaltj^ of the Mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London, 
 and them by the name of Wardens 
 and Commonalty of the Mystery of 
 Grocers of the Citj' of London, one 
 body politic and corporate, in deed, 
 fact, and name, really and fully for us 
 and our successors we do erect, make, 
 ordain, constitute and declare by these 
 presents, and that by the same name 
 they may have perpetual succession. 
 And that they and their successors by 
 the name of Wardens and Commonalty 
 of the IMystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London, may and shall be for ever 
 hereafter persons able and capable in 
 law to have, purchase, and receive 
 manors, messuages, lands, tenements, 
 liberties, privileges, franchises, juris- 
 dictions, and hereditaments whatsoever, 
 and of whatsoever kind, nature, or sort, 
 they may be to them and their sue- 
 
ni ARTKRS. 
 
 369 
 
 fuerint. Necnon ad dand' concedend' 
 \limittend' alienaud' assignand' <fe dis- 
 j)onend' Maner' Terr' Tenemen' & He- 
 reditamen' cfe ad o'ia cfe singula alia f'ca 
 <fe res I'aciend' <fe exequend' p' no'en 
 pM'cm. Et q'd p' idem no'en Custod' 
 & Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis Lon- 
 don placitare & implacitare respondere 
 <fe responderi defendere <fe defendi 
 valeant & possint in quibuscunq' Cur' 
 PUiceis <fe Locis & coram quibuscunq' 
 Judicih3 cfe Justiciar' ac al' p^'sonis <te 
 Officiar n'ris heredum tfe succ' n'ror' in 
 oib3 »fe singulis accoib3 Plitis Sectis 
 Querel' Causis Mater* & Demand' qui- 
 buscunq' cujuscunq' sint & erunt ge- 
 neris qualitat' sive spi'ei eisdem modo & 
 forma put aliqui alij Ligei n'ri hujus 
 regni n'ri Anglie p'"sone liabiles & in 
 lege capaces sive aliquod' aliud Corpus 
 Corporatum & Politicu' infra Regnu' 
 n'rm Anglie h'ere p'quirere recipe pos- 
 sidere gaudere retinere dare concedere' 
 dimittere alienare assignare <fe disponere 
 p'litare & imp'litari respondere & res- 
 ponderi defendere <fe defendi facere 
 p»'mittere cfeexequi possint & valeant. Et 
 q'd ijdem Custod' & Coitas Mister' Gro- 
 cer' Civitatis London p^'dict' imp'p'm 
 h'eant C'oe Sigill' p' causis & negotijs 
 suis & successor' suor' quor'cunq' agend' 
 deservitur.' Et q'd bene liceat eisdem 
 Custod' & Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civi- 
 tatis London & successorib3 suis Sigill' 
 ilhid ad Libt'm suu' de tempore in tern- 
 pus frangere mutare & de novo facere 
 p'ut eis melius fieri & fore videbit', Et 
 ULT'ius volum^ ac p' p^'sentes p' nob' he- 
 redit3 & successorib' n'ris concedim' 
 p'-fat Custod' & Coital' Mister' Grocer' 
 Civitatis London <fe successoribS suis 
 q'd de cet'o imp'p'm p'petius futur' tem- 
 porib3 sint & erunt quatuor de Coitat' 
 Mister' prdict' in forma in hijsp^sentibS 
 menc'onat' eligend'tfe noi'and' qui erunt 
 <fe noi'abunt' Custodes Mister' p^"dict 
 Aceciam q'd similit' sint & erunt qui- 
 dam de Coitat' pM'ca informa inferius 
 in hijs prsentib3 menc'onat eligend' qui 
 erunt & noi'abunt assistentes prdict 
 Mister' Grocer' Civitatis London & de 
 tempore in tempus erunt assisten^ & 
 auxiliantes eisdem Custod' p*" tempore 
 existen' in causis mater' & negocijs 
 aict' Custod' & Coitat' tangen' sive 
 concernen'. Et q'd bene liceat et lice- 
 bit eisdem Custod' Mister' Grocer' Ci- 
 vitatis London pMict & successorib5 
 suis h'ere retinere & appunctuare 
 quandam Aulam sive Doum' Concilia- 
 ram infra Civitatem n'ram London 
 
 cessors in fee and perpetuity, or for 
 term of life or lives, year or )e!)rs, or 
 otherwise in any manner M batsoever ; 
 and also goods and chattels, and other 
 things of whatsoever name, nature, 
 quality or sorts they may be. Also to 
 give, grant, admit, alienate, assign, 
 and dispose of their manors, lands, 
 tenements, and hereditaments; and to 
 do and execute all and singular other 
 acts and things by the name aforesaid. 
 And that by the same name of Wardens 
 and Commonalty of the Mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London, they 
 shall and may be able to plead and be 
 impleaded, answer and be answered, 
 defend and be defended, in whatsoever 
 courts and places, and before what- 
 soever judges and justices, and all 
 other persons and officers of us our 
 heirs and successors, in all and sin- 
 gular actions, pleas, suits, quarrels, 
 causes, and demands whatsoever, and 
 of whatsoever kind, quality, or sort 
 they may be, in the same manner and 
 form as any other our leige people of 
 this our kingdom of England, persons 
 able and capable in the law, or any 
 other body corporate and politic within 
 our kingdom of England, can and may 
 be able to have, purchase, receive, 
 possess, keep, retain, give, grant, ad- 
 mit, alienate, assign, and dispose of; 
 plead and be impleaded, answer and be 
 answered, defend and be defended, do 
 permit and execute. And that the 
 same wardens and commonalty of the 
 mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London aforesaid, for ever shall have a 
 common seal to serve for their causes 
 and business, and of their successors 
 whatsoever to be done; and that it 
 shall and may be lawful for the same 
 master and wardens of the mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London and 
 their successors, the same seal for the 
 time being, at their pleasure to break, 
 change, and make anew as to them 
 shall seem meet. And further we will, 
 and by these presents do grant for us 
 and our successors, to the aforesaid 
 wardens and commonalty of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London 
 and their successors, that from hence- 
 forth, for ever at all times hereafter, 
 there may and shall be fo7ir of the 
 commonalty of the mystery aforesaid, 
 in form in these presents mentioned, 
 elected and nominated, and who shall 
 be and shall be named vmrdeiis of the 
 mystery aforesaid ; and also that in like 
 B b 
 
370 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 p'"dict aut Lib'^tatejusdem. Q'dq' Ijdeni 
 Custod' vel aliqui duo' eor' p' tempore 
 existen' quoties eis opportunu' & ne- 
 cessarin' iore videbit' convocare <te teiie- 
 re infra eandem Domum sive Aulam 
 quandam Curiam sive coiivocaco'em de 
 eisdem custod' cfe assistentes ad nume- 
 rum tresdecim p'sonar' vel pluriu' (quor' 
 duos Custod' Mister' pMict p*" tempore 
 existen' duos esse volum^) possint & 
 valeaut p'^petuis luturis temporib3 . Q'd 
 q' in eadem curia sive convocacoe 
 ijdem custodes <fe assistentes ad numeru' 
 tresdecem vel plurin' (quor' duos Cus- 
 tod' Mistei-' p^dict p^ tempore existen' 
 duos esse volum**) tractare conferre 
 consultare consulere <fe descernere de 
 statutis articulis cfe ordinacoibS p^dict' 
 Custod' <fe Coitatem & bonu' regimen 
 slatum <fe gub'naco'em eord' tangen' 
 <fe conc'"nen' possint & valeant juxta eor' 
 sanas discreco'es. Et ult'ius volum^ ac 
 p*" prsentes p^nob' beredib3 cfesuccesso- 
 ribz n'ris concedim^ p'fat' Custodib3 
 & Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis Lon- 
 don <fe successoribS suis. Q'd custod' 
 <fe assisten' Mister' p'dict' p'" tempore 
 existen' ad numerum tresdecem vel plu- 
 riu' (quor' duos custodes p^ tempore 
 existen' duos esse volum^ sup' summo- 
 nico'em publicam inde fiend' ad boc 
 congi-egat' b'eant & b'ebunt plenam po- 
 testatem <k authoritatem condendi con- 
 stituendi ordinandi & faciendi de tem- 
 pore in tempus leges statut' ordinaccies 
 decret' & constitucoes ro'nabilia in 
 script' quecunq' que eis tresdecem vel 
 plur' eor' (quor' duos costod' p^ tempore 
 existen' duos esse volum^) bona salubria 
 utilia honesta 6i necessaria juxta eor' 
 sanas discrecoes fore videbunt' p^ bono 
 regimine & gub'uacoe custod' cfe coitat' 
 mister' pMict & o'ium aliar' pi"sonar' 
 existen' liber' p'^dict' Mister' Grocer' pr 
 tempore existen' ac p*" declaracoe quo 
 modo & ordine ijdem custod' & coitas 
 ac omnes & singuli p'"son' existen' liber' 
 JNIister' Grocer' in exercitio occu- 
 pacoe Offic' & Mister' p^'dict se b'ebunt 
 geren' & utent' p'^ ult'iori bono publico 
 & coi utilitate eord' custod' <fe coitat' 
 ac alijs reb5 & causis quibuscunq' mis- 
 ter' p'"dict tangen' sive quotiuomodo 
 concrnen.' Q'dq' ijdem custod' & assis- 
 ten' mister' p^dict p^ tempore existen' ad 
 numerum tresdecem' vel pluriu' quos' 
 duo.^ custodes mister' p^'dict' p"" tempore 
 existen' duos esse volum*) quotiescunq' 
 h'moi leges jura statuta institucones 
 ordinacoes <fe constitucoes in forma 
 prdict' fecerint condid'int ordiuav'int 
 
 manner there may and shall be certain 
 of the commonaltj- aforesaid in form 
 hereunder in these presents mentioned 
 elected, who shall be and shall be 
 named assistants oiVai" said mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London, and 
 from time to time they shall be assist- 
 ing and aiding to the same wardens 
 for the time being, in the causes, bu- 
 siness, matters and things touching or 
 concerning the said wardens and com- 
 monalty. And that it may and shall 
 be lawful for the same wardens of the 
 mystery of Grocers of the Citj- of 
 London aforesaid and their successors, 
 to have, retain, and appoint a certain 
 hall or council house within our Cit)" of 
 London aforesaid, or the Liberties of 
 the same ; and that the same wardens, 
 or any two of them, for the time being, 
 as often as to them it may seem 
 to be convenient and necessary, shall 
 and may be able to call together, and 
 hold within the same house or hall a 
 certain court or convocation of the 
 same wardens and assistants, to the 
 number of thirteen persons or more, 
 (of whom two of the wardens of the 
 mysterj- aforesaid for the time being, 
 we will to be two at all times here- 
 after.) And that in the same court or 
 convocation of the same wardens and 
 assistants, to the number of thirteen or 
 more, (of whom two of the wardens 
 of the mysteiT aforesaid for the time 
 being, we will to be two at all times 
 hereafter) shall an J maybe able,to treat, 
 consult, ad\ise and decree concerning 
 the statutes, articles and ordinances 
 touching and concerning the aforesaid 
 wardens and commonalty, and the good 
 rule, state, and goveriunent of the 
 same, according to their sound dis- 
 cretions. And further, we will and by 
 these presents for us, our heirs and 
 successors, do grant to the aforesaid 
 warde)is and commonalty of the mj sterj- 
 of Grocers of the City of London, and 
 their successors, that the said wardens 
 and assistants of the myster}- of grocers 
 for the time being, to the number of 
 thirteen or more, (of whom two of the 
 wardens of the mystery aforesaid for 
 the time being, we will to be two at 
 all times hereafter,) upon public sum- 
 mons thereof to be made thereto as- 
 sembled, may and shall have full power 
 and authority to frame, constitute, or- 
 dain, and make from time to time all 
 such reasonable laws, statutes, ordi- 
 nances, decrees, and constitutions iu 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 371 
 
 vel stabiliv'int h'moi <fe tales p'enas 
 p'unicoes & penalitates pr imprisona- 
 meiit' corporis vel pr fines & amercia- 
 men' vel eor' utrumc}' erga <fe sup' om- 
 nes delinquentes cont' h'moi leges jura 
 statut' iiisticucoes ordinancoes <fe coii- 
 stitucoes sive eor' aliquod' vel aliqu' 
 qual' <fe que eisdeni custod' & assisten' 
 mister' p'"dict' pr tempore existen' ad 
 numer' tresdecem vel plaiiu' (quor' duos 
 custod' mister' p^dict' p'' tempore exis- 
 ten' duos esse volam^) necessar' opor- 
 tun' <fe requisit' p»' observacoe ea'd' 
 legu' ordinac'on' & constituc'on' me- 
 lius fore videbit' facere limitare <fe p''vi- 
 dere possint. Ac q'd ijdem custod' <fe 
 coitas mister' p'dict' & succ' sui eadem 
 fines et amerciamen' h'ere & levare 
 possint & valeant ad usum p'fat' custod' 
 & coitat' cfe successor' suor' absq' impe- 
 dimen' u'ri heredum vel successor' n'ror' 
 aut alicujus vel aliquos' ofiiciarior' vel 
 ministror' & absq' aliquo comp'o nob' 
 heredibS vel successoribo n'ris inde red- 
 dend'. Que omnia & singula jura ordi- 
 nac'oes leges statut' & constituc'oes sic 
 ut p^'fert' f 'lend' observari voluma sub pe- 
 nis in eisdem continend.' Itatamen q'd 
 leges statut' ordinacoes constitucoes im- 
 prisonamen' fines & amerciamen' h'moi 
 sint ro'nabil' & non sint contrar' nec re- 
 pugnan' legibS statut' constitucoib3 
 sive jur' regni n'ri Anglie. Et p' meliori 
 execucoe voluntatis & concessionis n're 
 in hac parte assignavims no'iavim^ crea- 
 vim^ constituis& fecim^ acp*" p*"sentes p*" 
 nob hered' <fe success' n'ris assignam* 
 noi'ams cream^ constituim^ & facim^ 
 dil'cosnob' Erasmum Greenway, Edr'm 
 Ticher,Rob'tum Edwards, &Ed'm Hale, 
 custod' mister' pMict continuand' in eo- 
 dem officio a' dat' p'senciu' usq' decimu' 
 quartum diem Julij p''' sequen' post 
 dat' pi-sencui' & exinde quousq' quatuor 
 alij ad offic' custod mister' p'dict' debito 
 modo' electi & p'fect' fuerintjuxta ordi- 
 nacoes & p'visiones inferius in hijs 
 p'sentib3 express' & declarat' si ijdem 
 Erasmus Greenway, Edr'm Ticher, 
 Rob'tum Edwards, & Ed'us Hale, vel 
 eor' aliquis tam diuvixer'. Et assigna- 
 vims noi'avim^ creavim^ constituim^ & 
 fecim^ ac p"" p'sentes p*" nob' heredib3 & 
 successoribS n'ris assignam^ noi'am^ 
 cream* constituims & facim^ dil'cos nob' 
 Ed'm Wright, Ar' Thomam Soam, Ar' 
 Aldermanos Civitatis London, & Hen' 
 Parkehurst, Rob'tum Mildmay, Will'm 
 Gilley, Ed'm Tarvile, Georgiu' Scott, 
 Rob'tum Walthewe, Stephanu' Streete, 
 Nathaniel Deardas, Thomam Nicholls, 
 
 writing whatsoever, which to them, 
 thirteen or more of them, (of whom two 
 of the wardens of the mystery aforesaid 
 for the time being, we will to be two 
 at all times hereafter,) shall seem to be 
 good, wholesome, useful, honest, and 
 necessary, accordmg to their sound 
 discretions, for the good rule and go- 
 vernment of the wardens and com- 
 monalty of the m3 stery aforesaid, and 
 of all other persons being free of the 
 aforesaid mystery of grocers, or exer- 
 cising and using the aforesaid mystery, 
 and shall behave, bear,and use themselves 
 for the further public good and common 
 utility of the same wardens and com- 
 monalty, and other things and causes 
 whatsoever, touching or in any wise 
 concerning the mystery aforesaid. And 
 that the same wardens and assistants 
 of the mystery aforesaid for the time 
 being, to the number of thirteen or 
 more, (of whom two of the wardens of 
 the mystery ^aforesaid for the time 
 being, we will to be two,) so often as 
 they shall make, frame, ordain, ov 
 establish such laws, oaths, statutes, 
 institutions, ordinances and constitu- 
 tions, in form aforesaid, shall and may 
 be able to make, limit and provide such, 
 and so many pains, punishments, and 
 penalties by corporal imprisonment, or 
 by fines and amerciaments, or by either 
 of them, against and upon all delin- 
 quents, against such laws, oaths, 
 statutes, institutions, ordinances or con- 
 stitutions, or any or either of them, 
 and which to the same wardens and 
 assistants of the mystery aforesaid for 
 the time being, to the number of thir- 
 teen or more, (of whom two of the 
 wardens of the mystery aforesaid for 
 the time being, we will to be two,) 
 shall seem to be most necessary, proper, 
 and requisite for the observance of the 
 same laws, ordinances, and constitu- 
 tions. And that the same wardens and 
 commonalty of the mystery aforesaid, 
 and their successors, shall and may be 
 able to have and levy the same fines 
 and amerciaments to the use of the 
 said wardens and commonalty, and their 
 successors, without the hindrance of 
 us, our heirs or successors, or of any 
 or either of the officers or ministers of 
 us, our hen's or successors, and without 
 any account thereof to be rendered to 
 us, our heirs, or successors. All and 
 singular which rights, ordinances, laws, 
 statutes, and constitutions, so as afore- 
 said to be made, we will to be ob- 
 Bb2 
 
372 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 Ric'm Moorer, Will'm Bateman, Tbo- 
 mam Morris, Simon Gearing, Erasmu' 
 Greenway, Joh'em Gearing, Ric'm 
 Wright, Joh'em Wrightman, Ric'm 
 Piggott, Ruben Bourne, Nathaniel 
 Wright, Humfridum Atkins, Thomam 
 Tbomlinson, Thomam Freeman, Joh'em 
 Ball, Joh'em Wardall, Georgiu' Strowd, 
 Thomam Sone, Rob'tum Grymes, Ed- 
 'm Tither, Joh'em Langham, Rob'tum 
 Edwards, Thomam Northey, Ed'm 
 Hale, Ric'm Walcott, Daniel Harvey, 
 Joh'em Banister, Georgiu' Bromley, 
 Roger' Gierke, Affabell Fairclougb, 
 Jasper Draper, Joh'em Pemberton, 
 Ric'm Middleton, Georgiu' Clerk, Ric'm 
 Addams, Michael Nicholson, Joh'em 
 Harrison, Ric'm Harris, Henr' Box, 
 <fe Will'm Allen, cives & lib'os homi- 
 nes mister' p'dict' fore & esse modernos 
 assistentes ejusdem Mister' Grocer' Ci- 
 vltatis London continuand' in eisdem 
 officijs durantibS vitis suis n'ralib3 res- 
 pective nisi interim p' male gubernac'oe 
 seu male se gerend' in ea parte aut pr 
 aliqua alia causa ro'nabil' amoti fuer' 
 aut eor' aliqui vel aliquis amotus erit 
 vel amoti erunt. Et ULT'iusvolum^. Ac 
 pr p'sentes pr nob' heredib3 & successo- 
 rib3 n'ris concedim^ p^fat' Custod' & 
 Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis Lon- 
 don & successorib3 suis q'd custod' & 
 assistentes mister' p^'dict' p^ tempore 
 existen' adnumerum tresdecem vel plu- 
 riu' de tempore in tempus p^petuis futu- 
 ris temporib3 p'tatem & authoritatera 
 h'eant & h'ebunt an'uatim & quol't anno 
 imp'p'm in & sup' decimu' quartum 
 diem Julij vel infra octo dies ante d'cra 
 decimu quartum diem Julij vel infr' 
 octo dies p'x' post d'cm decimu' quartu 
 diem Julij eligend' & no'iand'. Et q'd 
 eligere & no'iare possint de lib'is homi- 
 nib3 Coitat^' p'dict' qui erunt Custod* 
 Mister' Grocer' Civitatis London p' uno 
 anno integro tunc p'x' sequen' & deinde 
 quousq' quatuor alij li'bi ho'ies mister' 
 pMict' elccti autp'fecti fuerint juxta or- 
 dinacoes & p^'visiones in hijs p^sentib3 
 express' & menco'nat.' Et tnsup' vo- 
 lume Ac p*" p^'sentes p"" nob' iieredib3 & 
 
 served under the pains in the same to 
 be contained. So nevertheless that 
 such laws, statutes, constitutions, im- 
 prisonments, fines, and amerciaments 
 shall be reasonable, and shall not be 
 contrary nor repugnant to the laws, 
 statutes, customs, or rights of our 
 kingdom of England ; and for the 
 better execution of our will and grant 
 in this behalf, we have assigned, no- 
 minated, created, constituted and made, 
 and by these presents for us, our heirs 
 and successors do assign, nominate, 
 create, constitute, and make our be- 
 loved Erasmus Greenway, Edrick 
 Ticher, Robert Edwards, and Edmond 
 Hale, wardens of the mystery afore- 
 said, to be continued in the same office 
 from the date of these presents, until 
 the 14th day of July next following 
 the date of these presents, and 
 from thence until four others shall 
 be in due manner elected, preferred, 
 and sworn according to the ordinances 
 and provisions hereunder in these 
 presents, expressed and declared, if 
 the same Erasmus Greenway, Edric 
 Ticker, Robert Edwards, and Edward 
 Hale, shall so long live. And we have 
 assigned, nominated^ created, consti- 
 tuted, and made and by these presents 
 for us, our heirs and successors, do 
 assign, nominate, create, constitute, 
 and make our beloved EdmundWright, 
 esq., Thomas Soam, esq., alderman of 
 the City of London ; and Henry Parke- 
 hurst, Robert Mildmay, William Gilley, 
 Edmund Tarvile, George Scott, Robert 
 Walthew, Stephen Streete, Nathaniel 
 Deards, Thomas Nicholls, Richard 
 Moorer, William Bateman, Thomas 
 Morris, Simon Gearing, Erasmus 
 Greenway, John Gearing, Richard 
 Wright, John Wightman, Richard 
 Jiggott, Ruben Bourne, Nathaniel 
 Wright, Humphrey Atkins, Thomas 
 Thomlinson, Thomas Freeman, John 
 Ball, John Wardall, George Strowd, 
 Thomas Sone, Robert Grymes, Ed- 
 ward Tither, John Langhams, Robert 
 Edwards, Thomas Northey, Edward 
 Hall, Richard Walcott, Daniel Harvey, 
 John Banister, George Bromley, 
 Roger Gierke, Aflabell Fairclougb, 
 Jasper Draper, John Pemberton, 
 Richard Middleton, George Clerk, 
 Richard Addams, Michael Nicholson, 
 John Harrison, Richard Harris, Henry 
 Box, and William Allen, citizens and 
 freemen of the aforesaid mystery, to be 
 the first and present assistants of the 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 373 
 
 successorib3 n'ris concedim^ p>fat' Cus- 
 tod' <k Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis 
 London p'^dict' & successoribS suis q'd 
 si contigerit custod' mister' pMict aut 
 eor' aliquem vel aliquos aliquo tempore 
 infra unu' annu' post q'm ad ofiic' cus- 
 tod' mister' p^'dict' sic ut p'fert' elect' & 
 p'fect' fuerint aut eor' aliquis vel aliqui 
 p^'fect' fuerit vel fuerint obire aut' al 
 offic' ill' amoved. Quosquidem custod' 
 & eor' queml't p' mala gubernacoe aut 
 p'' aliqua causa rac'onabli p"" aliquos cus- 
 tod" non delinquentes vel oflendentes & 
 assisten' mister' pMict' p, tempore exis- 
 ten' ad numerum tresdecem vel pluriu' 
 de tempore in tempus amobil' esse vo- 
 lume q'd tunc & toties bene liceat <fe 
 licebit tant' & tot' eord' custod' & as- 
 sisten' qui adhtunc sup' vixerint <fe re- 
 manseriiit ad numerum tresdecem aut 
 pluriu' ad libitum suu' unu' al' vel plur' 
 al' in custod' vel custod' mister' prdict' 
 eligere & p'ficere sed'm ordinacoem & 
 p'visionem in hijs prsentib3 declarat' 
 exequen;d' & exercend' p'"dict' offic' cus- 
 tod' mister' pi"dict' usq' ad decimu' 
 quartum diem Julij tunc pV sequen' 
 vel infra octo dies ante decimu' quar- 
 tum diem Julij vel infra octo dies p^'x' 
 post dc'm decimu' quartum diem Julij 
 & exinde quousq' quatuor alij li'bi ho- 
 mines mister' p^'dict' in offic' custod' 
 mister' p""dict' elect' cfe nominat' erunt 
 juxta ordinacoes & p>visiones in hijs 
 p'sentib3 declarat' & express' & sic 
 toties quoties casus sic acciderit. Et 
 ult'ius volum^. Ac prprsentesp' nob' 
 hered' & successorib3 n'ris concedinis 
 prfat' custod' & coitat p'dict' & succes- 
 sorib3 suis q'd quandocunq' contigerit 
 aliquem vel aliquos assisten' mister' 
 p'^dict' pr tempore existen' obire aut ab 
 offic' ill' amoveri (quos quidem assis- 
 tentes mister' p'"dict' & eor' queml't p' 
 male se' gerend' in ea parte aut p^ ali- 
 qua alia causa rac'onabil' de tempore in 
 tempus pr custod' cfe assistentes ad nu- 
 merum tresdecem vel plurin' mister' 
 p'dict' amrobil'&amrobilem esse volums) 
 q'd tunc <fe toties bene liceat & licebit 
 p'fat' custod' cfe assisten' ad numerum 
 
 same mystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London, and to be continued in the 
 same offices during their natural and 
 respective lives; unless in the mean 
 time for bad government or misbehaving 
 themselves in that belmlf, or for any or 
 other reasonable cause Ihey, or any, 
 either of them shall be removed. And 
 further, we will and by these presents, 
 for us, our heirs and sMccessors, do 
 grant to the said wardens and commo- 
 nalty of the Mystery of Grocers of the 
 City of London, and their successors, 
 that the wardens and assistants of the 
 mystery aforesaid for the time beinu, 
 to the number of thirteen or more, Irom 
 time to time, and at all times here- 
 after, may and shall have power and 
 authority yearly, and every year for 
 ever, in and upon the 14th day of 
 July, or within eight days before the said 
 14th day of July, or within eight days 
 next after the said 14th day of July, to 
 elect and nominate, and that they 
 shall and may be able to elect and 
 nominate from the freemen of the com- 
 monalty aforesaid who shall be wardens 
 of the Mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London, for one whole year thence next 
 ensuing; and from thence until four 
 other freemen of the mystery aforesaid 
 may be elected or preferred,according to 
 the ordinances and provisions in these 
 presents expressed and mentioned. 
 And moreover, we will and by these 
 presents for us, our heirs and succes- 
 sors, do grant to the said wardens and 
 commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London aforesaid and 
 their successors, that if it shall happen 
 the wardens of the mystery aforesaid, 
 or any or either of them at any time 
 within one year next after they shall 
 be preferred or elected to the office of 
 wardens of the mystery aforesaid^ shall 
 die or be removed from the same 
 offices, (which same wardens and each 
 of them for bad government, or for any 
 other reasonable cause from time to 
 time, we will to be removable by the 
 remainder of the wardens not delin- 
 quents or offending ; and the assistants 
 of the mystery aforesaid for the time 
 being, to the number of thirteen or 
 more) that then and so often it shall 
 and may be lawful for such and so 
 many wardens and assistants who shall 
 then survive, or remain to the number 
 of thirteen or more, at their pleasure, 
 to elect and prefer one or more other 
 warden or wardens of the mysteiy 
 
374 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 tresdecem vel plur mister' p'dict' qui 
 adtunc remanserint vel sup'-vixerint ad 
 libitum suu' de tempore in tempus uira' 
 alia' vel plur' alios de coitat' mister' 
 p^dict' in locum vel locos ipi'us assis- 
 teiitis vel ip'or' assistenciu' sic mori vel 
 amoveri contingen' vel contingent eli- 
 gere & nominare. Q'dq' ille sive illi 
 postquam sic ut p'fert' elect' & nomi- 
 nat' fuerit vel electi & no'iati fuerint 
 antequam ad execucoem p''dict' offic' 
 assisten' vel assistent' mister' p'dict' ad- 
 mittant' sive eor' aliquis admittat' sa- 
 cra merit' corporate coram custod' mis- 
 ter' p^dict' p^' tempore existen' vel duob3 
 vel plurib3 eor' ad offic' ill' recte bene 
 lidelit' & honeste exequend' & ad ea 
 omnia secreta tenend' que in cur' assis- 
 ten' in p,.encia ipi'us vel ipor' erint 
 com'unicat' vel collat' p^stabit & pres- 
 tabunt <fe sic toties quoties casus sic 
 acciderit. Et q*d custod' mister' p^dict' 
 vel eor' duo vel plures p^ tempore 
 existen' h'eant & h'ebunt plenam potes- 
 tatem & authoritatem ad t'dend' & mi- 
 nistrand' sacramen' corporal' tam oib3 
 officiar' mister' p^dict' p^ debita execu- 
 coe officior' suor' recte bene & fidelit' 
 in oib3 sep'al' offic' suo tangen' sive 
 conc'''nen' quam oib3 apprenticijs & al' 
 lib'is hoib3 coitat' prdict' p'ut antehac 
 usitatem fuit. Ac insup' volum^ ac p' 
 p'sentes p' nob' heredib3 & successo- 
 rib3 n'ris concedim^ p^fat' custod' & 
 coitat' <fe successorib3 suis. Q'd ijdem 
 custod' & assisten' mister' pidict'p'' tem- 
 pore existen' ad numerum tresdecim vel 
 plurin' (quor' duos custodes mister' 
 p'dict' p^ tempore existen' duos esse 
 volum^) ro'nabiles taxacoes & denar' 
 sum'as de tempore in tempus sup' quod- 
 libet memb' & quel^' membrl't mister' 
 p'dict' p*" tempore existen' ad & v'sus 
 armor' frument' veP aP gran' prvisiones 
 ac al' usus publicos li'ttime assidere 
 imponere & levare valeant & possint. 
 Q'dq' prdict' custod' & assisten' ut 
 p'lert' p*" tempore existen' p"" meliore 
 suppcn'tacoe societat' p'dict' de tempore 
 in tempus ron'abil' denar' sum' p'recep- 
 c"on & admission' aliquor' vel allcnjus 
 
 aforesaid, according to the ordinances 
 and provisions in these presents, de- 
 clared to execute and exercise the said 
 office of warden of the said mystery, 
 until the 14th day of July then next 
 following, or within eight days before, 
 or eight days after the said 14th day of 
 July, and from thence until four other 
 freemen of the aforesaid mystery shall 
 be elected and nominated according to 
 the ordinances and provisions in these 
 presents declared and expressed, and 
 so as often as such case shall happen. 
 And further, we will and by these 
 presents, for us, our heirs and succes- 
 sors, do grant that the aforesaid war- 
 dens and commonalty aforesaid and 
 their successors, whensoever any or 
 either of the assistants of the mystery 
 aforesaid for the time being shall 
 happen to die, or be removed from 
 office, (which assistants of the afore- 
 said mystery and each of them for bad 
 conduct in this respect, or for any other 
 reasonable cause from time to time, we 
 will to be removed and removable by 
 the wardens and assistants of the 
 mystery aforesaid, to the number of 
 thirteen or more,) that then and so 
 often it shall and may be lawful for 
 the said wardens and assistants of the 
 mystery aforesaid, to the number of 
 thirteen or more, who shall then survive 
 or remain, at their pleasure from time 
 to time, whenever it shall so happen 
 to elect and nominate one other or 
 others of the commonalty of the mys- 
 tery aforesaid, in the place or places 
 of the same assistant or assistants so 
 dying or being removed 5 and that he or 
 they after they shall be so preferred, 
 elected and nominated, shall before he 
 or they, or any or either of them shall 
 be admitted to execute the said office 
 or offices of assistant or assistants of 
 the mystery aforesaid, take their 
 corporal oath before the wardens of 
 the mystery aforesaid for the time 
 being, or two or more of them, well, 
 uprightfully, faithfully, and honestly to 
 execute the same office, and to keep 
 all the secrets which in the Court of 
 Assistants in the presence of him or 
 them may be communicated or con- 
 ferred on, and so when and as often 
 as it shall so happen. And that 
 the wardens of the mystery afore- 
 said, or any two or more of them 
 for the time being, may and shall 
 have full power and authority to 
 tender and administer corporal oaths 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 375 
 
 vnembr' vel membror' in lib'atur' «fe 
 vestitum Anglice the Livery and cloa- 
 thing vel alia oificia & loca ejusilem 
 societatis recipere tfe pvcipere vuleant 
 & possint cfe boc absq' impeticoe nioles- 
 tacoe vel impedimento n'ri heredum vel 
 successor' nror' quor' cunq' aliquo actu 
 statuto ordinacoe p^visione vel restricoe 
 in contrar' inde in aliquo non obstan'. 
 Et ult'ius de ub'iori gra' n'ras pi'ali ac 
 ex c'ta scienc' & mero motu n'ris p^ me- 
 liore regimine & gub'nacoe o'im p'so- 
 nar' qui modo exercent ant imposterum 
 exercebunt mister' grocer' p^dict' infra 
 d'cam Civitatem London seu suburbia 
 ejusdem seu infra tria milliaria ejusdem 
 civitatis dedim^ & concessim^. Ac pr 
 p*'sentes p'^ nob' heredibS <fe successo- 
 rib3 n'ris dam^ & concedims pi'fat' cus- 
 tod' & coitat' mister' grocer' civitatis 
 London & successorib' suis. Q'd pMict' 
 custod' mister' p^dict' & successores sui 
 p'' tempore existen' vel eor' duo vel plur' 
 prpetuis futur' temporibz imp'p'm h'eant 
 & h'ebuut sup'vision' scrutin' correc- 
 cDem & gub'nacoem oi'm & singlar' 
 prsonar' Mister' Grocer' infra civitatem 
 n'ram London & suburbia ejusdem & 
 infra tria milliaria ejusdem civitatis & 
 infra o'es lib'tates franchesias jurisdic- 
 coes & loca tam exempt' q'm non 
 exempt' scituat' jacen' & existen' infra 
 d'com Civitatem London seu infra tria 
 milliaria ejusdem civitatis seu infra ali- 
 quem locum locor' p^'dict' occupan' exer- 
 cen' sive uten'. Et potestatem & autho- 
 ritatem ad e'os delinquentes in fals' in- 
 debit' seu insufficien' occupac'on' sive 
 execuc'on' mister' sive art' prdict' gro- 
 cer' pumiend' jaxtaeor' sanas discrec'oes 
 & ordinac'oes p"" ip'os & successorib' 
 suos sic ut p^fert' faciend' volentes & 
 pr p'sentes p'' nob' heredib' & successo- 
 rib' n'ris firmit' injungend' p'cipien' <fe 
 mandari' oib' & singulis Majorib' Jus- 
 ticiar' B alii vis Custabular & oib' al' 
 officiar' mister' subditis n'ris quibus- 
 cunq' q'd sint auxiliantes assistentes & 
 confortan' p^'fat' Custod' & Assisten' 
 Mister' Grocer' Civitatis London p^'dict' 
 <fe eor' c\ult ad faciend' habend' gau- 
 
 to all the olficers of the mystery afore- 
 said for the lUie execution of their 
 office.'^, right!}, well, and faithfully, in 
 all their separate offices, touching or 
 concerning as well all apprentices, and 
 all other freemen of the commonalty 
 aforesaid, as heretofore hath beeii used. 
 And moreover we will and by these 
 presents for us, our heirs and suc- 
 cessors, do grant unto the said wardens 
 and commonalty and their successors. 
 That the same wardens and assistants 
 of the mystery aforesaid, for the time 
 being, to the number of thirteen or 
 more, (of whom we will that two shall 
 be wardens, for the time being, of the 
 aforesaid mystery,) shall and may be 
 able to assess, impose, and levy, from 
 time to time, reasonable taxes and sums 
 of money on all and every member and 
 members of the mystery aforesaid, for 
 the time being ; for, and towards pro- 
 vision of arms, corn, and grain, and 
 other public usesj and that the afore- 
 said wardens and assistants, as before 
 mentioned, shall and may be able, from 
 time to time, to receive and perceive for 
 and towards the better support of the 
 society aforesaid, reasonable sums for 
 the reception and admission of any and 
 every member or members for the free- 
 dom and vesture, (in English livery and 
 clothing,) or other offices or places of 
 the same society, without hindrance, 
 molestation, or impediment of us, our 
 heirs, or successors, whatsoever, any 
 act, statute, ordinance, provision, or re- 
 striction, to the contrary thereof, in any- 
 wise notwithstanding. And further, of 
 the abundance of our special grace, and 
 from our certain knowledge and mere 
 motion for the better rule and govern- 
 ment of all persons now exercising, or 
 who hereafter shall exercise the Mys- 
 tery of Grocers, aforesaid, within the 
 said City of London, or the suburbs of 
 the same, or within three miles of the 
 same City, w'e have given and granted, 
 and by these presents, for us, our heirs 
 and successors, do give and grant unto 
 the said wardens and commonalty of 
 the Mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London, and their successors, that the 
 said wardens of the mystery aforesaid, 
 and their successors, for the time being, 
 or two or more of them, for the time 
 being, at all times hereafter, may and 
 shall have the oversight, scrutiny, cor- 
 rection and government of all and sin- 
 gular persons of the said Mystery of 
 Grocers, or occupying, exercising, or 
 
376 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY, 
 
 dend' <fe exequend' ea omnia & singula 
 J)'' nos p'fat' custodz & coitat' mister' 
 psdict' & successorib' suis \f I'ras n'ras 
 paten' p'^concess' & q'mlt sive aliquam 
 inde part' & p'^cell'. Et ult'ius de ube- 
 rior' gra' n'ra spi'ali ac ex c'ta scienc' 
 & mero niotu n'ris pr nob' heredib' & 
 successorib' n'ris concedim* <fe confir- 
 mamus pifat' Custod' <fe Coitat' Mister 
 Grocer' Civitatis London & successo- 
 rib' suis O'es & o'i^l' lib^'tat' Franches, 
 Exempcoes Consuetudines Privileg' p'fic' 
 Tm'unitates Quietancias <fe Jurisdicoes 
 Maner' Messuag' Terr' Tenemen' & 
 Hereditamen' Bona ife Catall' que Cus- 
 tod' Mister' prdict' seu Custod' & Coi- 
 tas Mister' Grocer' London seu eor' 
 aliqui modo h'abent tenent gaudent & 
 utant' aut h'ere tenere uti & gandere 
 debent aut eor' aliquis vel aliqui vel 
 pMecessores sui p' quecunq' no'ia sive p' 
 quodcunq' no'en vel p' quamcunq' incor- 
 poracoem vel p'textu cujuscunq' incor- 
 poracois antehac h'uerunt usi vel gavisi 
 fuerunt aut h'ere tanere uti vel gaudere 
 debuerunt' h'uit tenuit usus vel gavisus 
 fuit debuit aut debuerunt ro'ne vel 
 p^textu aliquar' chartar' aut I'rar' paten' 
 pr aliquem pigenitor' vel antecessor' 
 n'ror' nup' regum' vel reginar' anglie 
 quomodo antehac fact' confirmat' vel 
 concess' seu quocunq' alio legali 
 p'scripcoe usu' seu consuetudine aut 
 aliquo alio legali modo jure seu titulo 
 antehac habit' & usutat' licet eadem & 
 eor' aliquod vel aliqu' forisfact' aut 
 dep'dit' sunt vel fuerunt. Habend' 
 tenend' & gaudend' eisdem custod' & 
 coitat' mister' pMict' & successorib' 
 suis imp'p'm. Reddendo inde nob' 
 heredib' tfe successorib' n'ris taP hu- 
 m'oi & consimiP Reddit' Firm' Dena- 
 nor' Sum'as ife Demand' que p'inde 
 nob' antehac reddere seu solvere con- 
 sueverunt aut de jure debuerunt. Vo- 
 lentes & pr prsentes p' nob' heredib' & 
 successorib' n'ris conceden' p'fat' Cus- 
 tod' & Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis 
 TA)ndon & successorib' suis q'd h'eant 
 teneant utant' & gaudeant ac h'ere te- 
 nere uti gaudere valeant tfe possint 
 
 us^iig the same, within our City of Lon- 
 don, and the suburbs of the same, and 
 within three miles of the same City, 
 and within the liberties, franchises, ju- 
 risdictions, and places, as well exempt 
 as not exempt, lying and being within 
 the said City of London, or within three 
 miles of the same city, or within any 
 the place or places aforesaid, and power 
 and authority to punish all offences, in 
 falsely, unduly, or insufficiently occu- 
 pying or executing the mystery or art 
 of grocery, aforesaid, according to their 
 sound discretions and the ordinances of 
 them and their successors, so as before 
 mentioned, to be made. Willing, and by 
 these presents, for us, and our heirs, and 
 successors, firmly enjoining, ordering, 
 and commanding all and singular, may- 
 ors, justices, bailiffs and constables, 
 officers of the mystery, and all other 
 our subjects whatsoever, that they be 
 aiding, assisting, and comforting to the 
 said Wardens and Assistants of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of the City of Lon- 
 don aforesaid, and each of them in the 
 making, having, keeping, and executing 
 of all and singular by us to the said War- 
 dens and Commonalty of the Mystery 
 aforesaid, and their successors, granted 
 by these our letters patent, and every part 
 and parcel thereof whatsoever. And 
 further of the abundance of our special 
 grace, and from our certain knowledge 
 and mere motion, we have granted and 
 confirmed, for us, our heirs, and succes- 
 sors, unto the said Wardens and Com- 
 monalty of the Mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London, and their 
 successors, all and all manner of 
 liberties, franchises, exemptions, cus- 
 toms, privileges, profits, immunities, 
 acquittances and jurisdictions, manors, 
 messuages, lands, tenements, and here- 
 ditaments, goods and chattels, which 
 the wardens of the mystery aforesaid, 
 or the Wardens and Commonalty of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of London, or any 
 of them, now have, hold, enjoy, and 
 use, or ought to have, hold, use, and en- 
 joy, or which they, or any of them, or 
 any of their predecessors, by whatsoever 
 name or names, or by whatsoever in- 
 corporation, or by pretext of any in- 
 corporation, heretofore had, used, or 
 enjoyed, or ought to have, hold, use, 
 or enjoy, or ought to have had, held, 
 used, or enjoyed, by reason or pretext 
 of any charters or letters patent, by any 
 of our progenitors or ancestors, late 
 Kings or Queens of England, in any- 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 377 
 
 inip'p'm o'es lib'tates lib'us consuetii- 
 ilines privilei*' p'fic & quietanc' p'"ciict' 
 sed'm tenorem bar' I'rar' n'rar' paten' 
 sine occasione n'ra heredum vel succes- 
 sor' n'ror' quor' cunq'. Nonentes q'd 
 ijdem Custodes & Coitas ro'ne pfmis- 
 sor' sive eor' alicujus p' nos heredes vel 
 successores n'ros Justiciar' Vicecom' 
 Escaetores aut alios Balli'os vel Minis- 
 tros n'ros heredum vel successor' n'ror' 
 quor'cunq' inde occasionent' moles- 
 tent' vexent' seu g'vent' occasionet' mo- 
 lestet' vexet' seu in aliquo p'^turbet'. Vo- 
 lentes & pr nob' heredib' & successo- 
 rib' n'ris firmit' JNIandantes & pJ'cipien- 
 tes tam Thesaurar' Cancellar' & Baro- 
 nibus n'r' s'ccij n'ri heredum & succes- 
 sor' n'ror' ac o'ib' & singulis alijs. Jus- 
 ticiar' n'ris ac heredum & successor' 
 n'ror' q'm. Attornat' n'r' General' p'' 
 tempore existen' cfe eor' cuilt & o'ib' 
 ab' Officiar' & Ministris n'ris heredum 
 cfe successor' n'ror' quibuscunq' q'd nec 
 i'pi nec eor' aliquis sive aliqui aliquod 
 B're sive sum'onicoem de Quo Warranto 
 seu aliquod aliud B're vel pi cess' n'r' 
 quecunq' v'sus pMict' Custod' & Coitat' 
 Mister' Grocer' Civitatis London vel 
 eor' aliquem vel aliquos p' aliquib' reb' 
 causis vel mater' otfens' clameo aut 
 usurpacoe aut eor' aliquo p'" ip'os aut 
 cor' aliquos clamat' attempt' usitat' ha- 
 bit' seu usurpat' ante diem confeccois 
 p^'senciu' p^'sequant' continuant' aut 
 p'sequi aut continuari faciant aut caus- 
 abunt seu eor' aliquis faciet & causabit. 
 Volentes etiam q'd p^dict' Custod' <fe 
 Coitas Mister' Grocer' Civitatis Lon- 
 don vel eor' aliqui p"* aliquem vel ali- 
 quos Justiciar' Officiar' vel Minister' 
 pMict' in aut pr debit' usu' clam' vel' 
 abusu aliquar' Lib'tat' Franches' <fe Ju- 
 risdiccon' infra Civitatem n'ram Lon- 
 don p'dict' Lib'tates Suburbia & p^cinct' 
 ejusdem ante diem confecconis har' 
 I'rar' n'rar' paten' nimina molestent 
 aut impediant' aut ad ea vel eor' aliquod 
 respondere compellant. Volum^ etiam' 
 ac p^ prsentes concedim^ p'fat' Custod' 
 & Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitatis 
 London q'd h'eant cfe h'ebunt has I'ras 
 
 wise heretofore made, confirmed, or 
 granted, or by whatsoever other lawful 
 prescription, usage, custom, or by any 
 other lawful manner, right, or title 
 heretofore, had or used, although the 
 same, or any, or either of them may be 
 forfeited or lost. To have, hold, and 
 enjoy to them the said Wardens and 
 Commonalty of the Mystery aforesaid, 
 and their successors for ever. Render- 
 ing therefore to us, our heirs and suc- 
 cessors, the like, such, and the same 
 rents, farms, sums of money, and de- 
 mands, as for the same 1o us hath here- 
 tofore been accustomed, or of right 
 ought to be rendered or paid. Willing, 
 and by these presents for us, our heirs 
 and successors, granting to the afore- 
 said Wardens and Commonalty of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of the City of Lon- 
 don, and their successors, that they 
 shall have, hold, use, and enjoy, and 
 that they shall and may be able to have, 
 hold, use and enjoy for ever, all liber- 
 ties, free customs, privileges, profits, 
 and acquittances aforesaid, according to 
 the tenor of these our letters patent, 
 without the hindrance of us, our heirs, 
 or successors, whomsoever. Being un- 
 willing that the same Wardens and 
 Commonalty by reason of the premises 
 or any of them should be therefore 
 hindered, molested, vexed, or aggrieved, 
 or in any ways disturbed by us, or by 
 the justices, sheriffs, escheators, or 
 other bailiffs of us, our heirs, or succes- 
 sors, whomsoever. Willing also, and for 
 us, our heirs, and successors, firmly or- 
 dering and commanding, as well our 
 treasurer, chancellor, and barons of the 
 Exchequer, of us, our heirs and suc- 
 cessors, as all and singular other the 
 justices of us, and our heirs and suc- 
 cessors, or our attorney and solicitor- 
 general, for the time being, and every 
 of them, and all other officers and mi- 
 nisters of us, our heirs and successors, 
 whomsoever, that neither they nor any 
 or either of them shall prosecute or 
 continue, or make, or cause to be pro- 
 secuted or continued any writ or sum- 
 mons of quo-warranto or any other our 
 writ or process whatsoever against the 
 said Wardens and Commonalty of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of the City of Lon- 
 don, or any or either of them, for any 
 things, causes, or matters, offence, or 
 occupation, or any of them, claimed, 
 attempted, used, had or usurped, before 
 the day of making these presents. Wil- 
 ling also that the said Wardens and 
 
378 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 n'ras Paten' sub Magno Sigillo n'ro 
 Anglie debito modo fact' & sigillat' 
 ubsq' fine seu feodo magno vel parvo 
 nob' in Haniperio n'ro seu alibi ad usum 
 n'rm pnnde quoquomodo reddend' sol- 
 vend' seu faciend'. Ac deniq' volura^. 
 Ac p"" p''sentes intenco'em n'ram rega- 
 lem declarams. Q'd he I're paten' vel 
 aliquod in eisdem content' nulla tenus 
 extendent vel extendere reputant' ad 
 infringend' quasdam L'ras Paten' Incor- 
 porac' ois Mag'ro Custod' & Societat' 
 Art' <fe Mister' Pharmacopa' Civitatis 
 London p^' p'charrissimu' nup' Pre'm 
 n'rm nup' fact' aliquo in I'ris p^sentib' 
 in contrar' inde non obstan'. Eo q'd 
 expressa menc'o &c. In cujus rei <fec. 
 T. R. apud Westm' decimo quinto die 
 Aprilis. 
 
 P' B're de Privato Sigillo. 
 
 Commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London, or any or either 
 of them shall not in anywise be mo- 
 lested or impeded by any or either of 
 our justices, officers or ministers afore- 
 said, in or for the due use, claim or 
 abuse of any liberties, franchises, and 
 jurisdictions, within our City of Lon- 
 don aforesaid, the liberties, suburbs, 
 and precincts of the same, before the 
 day of the making of these our letters 
 patent or be compelled to answer to 
 them or any of them. We will also, 
 and by these presents do grant unto the 
 Wardens and Commonaltj^, &c. that 
 they may and shall have these our let- 
 ters patent in due manner, made to 
 them under our great seal of England, 
 without fine in the hanaper, <fec. And 
 lastly, we will, cfec. that these letters 
 patent, or any thing in them contained, 
 shall not extend to nullify or be taken 
 to extend to the infringement of any 
 letters patent of incorporation to the 
 Master, Wardens, and Society of the 
 Art and Mysterj of Apothecaries of 
 the City of London, of late made by 
 our most dear father, any thing in these 
 presents contained to the contrary 
 thereof, in anywise notwithstanding. 
 In witness, &c. Witness the King at 
 Westminster, the 15th day of April. 
 
 By Writ of Privy Seal. 
 
 Undecima pars Rex, &c. om'ib- ad 
 Paten' deAnno quos &c. salt'm. Scia- 
 R. Re. Jacobi tis q'd Nos. ad humi- 
 secundi quarto, lem Petic'onem dil'cor' 
 n Cny.v r,,^ ^ subdit' n'ror 
 
 rodz ^ CoH^f Custod' & Coitat' Mis- 
 Mister^ Gro-^^J P^^H 
 cer^ London'','^ London.de gra 
 
 sibi^success\'''^ 1?'-^^ 
 
 ^ scientia ife mero motu 
 
 n'ris Concessims Restituims Ratifica- 
 vims & Confirmavims. Et pr p*"sentes 
 p' nob' hered' & successor ib' n'ris Con- 
 cedims Restituims Ratificams & Con- 
 firmam" pffat' Custod' & Coitat' Mys- 
 ter' Grocer' Civitat' London & success' 
 suis oium' & singul' Jurisdicc'on' Po- 
 testat' Lib 'tat' Privileg' <fe Profic' in 
 vel p' chartam sive l'ras paten' Henrici 
 Sexti quondam Regis Angl' Anteces- 
 sor' n'ri quibusdam Willo' Westnale 
 Ri'co Hakedy & Thome Gibbs adtunc 
 
 ET, ^, ^ The King, &c. : To 
 Eleventh part ^i^o whom, &c. Greet- 
 of Fatents m . ^ . 
 
 the fifth year ^"^""^ ^'^ 
 
 me 0m y em humble peti- 
 
 ofKmg James ^.^^ beloved and 
 
 f Charted to f^^t^f^l ^^j^^^ 
 
 fv, S A Wardens and Common- 
 
 the Wardens ^ 
 
 and Common- ^ r r^ / 
 
 altyof theMys- °f ^^^^ ° 
 
 terv of Grocers London, of our special 
 
 of London, to f"^ ^''f """^ 
 
 them and their ^^^^^^am knowledge and 
 mere motion have 
 
 successors. 
 
 granted, restored, rati- 
 fied and confirmed, and by these pre- 
 sents for us, our heirs and successors, 
 do grant, restore, ratify, and confirm 
 unto the aforesaid Wardens and Com- 
 monalty of the Mystery of Grocers of 
 the City of London, and their succes- 
 sors, all and singular jurisdictions, 
 powers, liberties, privileges and profits 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 379 
 
 Custod' Myster' Grocer' Civitat' Lon- 
 don & successorib' suis Custod' Myster' 
 p'd' imp'p'm concess' geren' dat' octavo 
 die JMartij anno Regni ejusdem Regis 
 Henrici vicesimo sexto ac in vel p"" 
 chart' sive I'ras paten' p'charissimi Pa- 
 tris n'ri Caroli Primi nup' Regis Angl' 
 &c. Custod' & Coitat' Myster' Grocer' 
 Civitat' London & successorib' suis 
 concess' geren' dat' decimo quinto die 
 April' anno regni sui quintodecimo. 
 Acetiam Oium' & om'iod' lib'tat' Tran- 
 ches' exempco'n' consuetudin' privi- 
 leg' profic' im'unitat' quietanc' & juris- 
 dicc'on' maner' messuag' terr' & here- 
 ditamen' bona & catalhi que custod' 
 m)'ster' p'd' seu Custod' & Coitas Mys- 
 ter' Grocer' Civitat' London seu eor' 
 aliqui modo habent tenent gaudentcfe 
 utunt' aut h'ere tenere uti & gaudere 
 debent aut eor' aliquis vel aliqui vel 
 pidecessor' sui p»' quecunq' no'ia vel 
 Pr quod cujiq' no'en vel p' quecunq' in- 
 corporac'oem vel p^textu cujuscunq' 
 Incorporac'onis ante decimu' octavum 
 diem Decembr' qui fuit anno D'ni 
 Millesimo sexcentesimo octogesimo 
 quarto I'itime h'uer' usi vel gavis' fuer' 
 aut h'ere tenere uti vel gaudere debuer' 
 h'uit tenuit usus vel gavis' fuit debuit 
 aut debuer' rac'one vel p^textu aliquar' 
 chart' aut I'rar' paten' p' aliquem p'ge- 
 nitor' vel antecessor' n'ror' nup' Regu' 
 vel Reginar' Angl' quoquo modo ante 
 p'd'cm decimu' octavum diem Decembr' 
 anno D'ni Millesimo sexcentesimo oc- 
 togesimo quarto p^'d' fact' confirmat' vel 
 concess' seu quocunq' aP legal' modo 
 prscripc'one usu seu consuetudin' aut 
 aliquo al' legal' modo jure vel titulo 
 ante pi'd'cm decimu' octavum diem De- 
 cembr' in anno millesimo sexcentesimo 
 octogesimo quarto pM' habit' & usitat' 
 licet eadem vel eor' aliqu' rac'one Non 
 usus vel abusus aut alit'cunq' sursum- 
 reddit' forisfact' aut dep'dit' sunt vel 
 fuer'. Habend' tenend' & guadend' 
 ijsdem Custod' & Coitat' Mister' Gro- 
 cer' Civitat' London & successorib' 
 suis imp'p'm Reddend' inde nob' & 
 successorib' n'ris taP ejmmodi 8)- co?i- 
 siC Reddit' Firm' Denar' sum'as <fe 
 demand' que p'inde nob' antehac red- 
 dere seu solvere consuever' aut de jure 
 debuer' Volen' & pf prsentes p"" nob' 
 hered' <fe successorib' n'ris conceden' 
 p'fat' Custod' & Coitat' Myster' Gro- 
 cer' Civitat' London <fe successorib' 
 suis q'd h'eant teneant utant' & gau- 
 deant & h'ere tenere uti & gaudere va- 
 leant' & possint imp'p'm omniu' lib'tat' 
 
 in or by the Charter or Letters patent 
 of Henry the Sixth, late king of Eng- 
 land, our ancestor, granted unto a cer- 
 tain William Westmale, Richard Ha- 
 kedy and Thomas Gibbs, then Wardens 
 of the Mystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London, and to their successors. 
 Wardens of the said Mystery for ever, 
 bearing date the 8th day of March, in 
 the 2bth year of the reign of the same 
 King Henry VL ; and in or by the 
 Charter or Letters patent of our most 
 dear father Charles I., late king of Eng- 
 land, &c. granted to the Wardens and 
 Commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London, and their suc- 
 cessors, bearing date the 15th day of 
 April, in the 15th j'ear of his reign, 
 and also all and all manner of liberties, 
 franchises, exemptions, customs, privi- 
 leges, profits, immunities, acquittances, 
 and jurisdictions, manors, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, and hereditaments, 
 goods and chattels, which the Wardens 
 of the Mystery aforesaid, or the War- 
 dens and Commonalty of the Mystery 
 of Grocers of the City of London, or 
 any of them, now have, hold, enjoy, and 
 use, or ought to have, hold, use and 
 enjoy, or which any of them or any of 
 their predecessors, by whatsoever name 
 or names, or by any incorporation or 
 pretext of any incorporation before the 
 18th of December, 1684, had used or 
 enjoyed, or which they ought to have, 
 ho'd, use, or enjoy, or ought to have 
 had, used, or enjoyed, or ought, by rea- 
 son or pretext of any Charters or Let- 
 ters patent by any of our progenitors or 
 ancestors, late kings or queens of Eng- 
 land now or before the 1 8th day of De- 
 cember, 1684, aforesaid, made, con- 
 firmed or granted, or by whatsoever 
 other lawful prescription, use, or cus- 
 tom, or which, by any other lawful 
 manner, right or title, before the said 
 18th day oif December, 1684, they had 
 and were allowed to use, or any of them, 
 although the same by reason of non- 
 use or abuse are or may be forfeitured 
 or lost. To have, hold and enjoy, to 
 the same Wardens and Commonalty of 
 the Mystery of Grocejrs of the City of 
 London, and their successors, for ever. 
 Rendering therefore to us and our suc- 
 cessors, the like, such, and the same 
 rents, fermes, sums of money and de- 
 mands, as for the same hath heretofore 
 been accustomed or of right ought to 
 be rendered or paid. Willing, and by 
 these presents for us, our heirs and sue- 
 
380 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 lib'as consuetudin' privileg' profic' cfe 
 quietanc' pid' scd'm tenorem har' I'rar 
 n'rar' paten' sive occac'one n'ri hered' 
 vel successor' n'ror' quoscunq.' Cumq' 
 Confecc'onar' Dragiste ( Anglice Drug- 
 gists) Nicotian' Venditor ( Anglice To- 
 bacconists) & Nicotian' Sector' (An- 
 glice tobacco- cutters) p»" lib'os ho'ies 
 societat' sive IMyster' Grocer' Civitat' 
 London p^d' olim & nup'ime educat' 
 fuer' ac eor' artes sive myster' de Gro- 
 c'ia estamat' & reputat' fuer' & sic ad- 
 huc existunt nec aliqua distincta Cor- 
 poraco' eordem infra Civitat' n'ra Lon- 
 don admodum existit. Sciatis ult'ius 
 q'd Nos p' melior' regimine tfe gub'na- 
 c'one o'ium pi'sonar' Art' sive Myster 
 pM' sive aliqu' eor' infra Civitat' Lon- 
 don suburb' p'cinct' sive lib'tat' ejusdem 
 vel infra tria milliar' circum Civitat' 
 p'^d' ex'cen' vel imposter' ex'citur' de 
 gra' n'ra spi'ali ac ex c^'ta scientia & 
 niero motu n'ris Voluims Ordinavim 
 Declaravim^ & Concessims. Ac p' 
 prsentes pr nob' hered' cfe successorib' 
 n'ris Volum^ Ordinam^ Declaram^ <fe 
 Concedim^ p'd'cis Custod' cfe Coitat' 
 Mister' Grocer' Civitat' London Q'd 
 om'es cfe oi'mod' prsona cfe p'^sone Mys- 
 ter' sive Art* Grocer' Art' sive Myster' 
 Confecc'onar' Dragiste Nicotian' Ven- 
 ditor' cfe Nicotian' Sector' de cfe in Civi- 
 tat' p^'d'ca p^cinct' sive lib'tat' ejusdem 
 vel infra tria milliar' circa Civitat' pM' 
 vel Art' p^d'cas sive aliqu' ear' infra Loc' 
 p'd'cos sive aliqu' eor' ex'cen' vel im- 
 poster' ex'citur' de cet'o imp'p'm sint 
 cfe erunt vigore p^sentiu' pars corporis 
 politic' pM'cor' Custod' cfe Coitat' Mys- 
 ter' Grocer' Civitat' London cfe sint cfe 
 erunt p^'petuis futur' temporib' annexat' 
 Corpori Politic' p'd'co Custod' cfe Coitat' 
 Myster' Grocer' Civitat' London Q'd'q' 
 Custod' cfe Co'itas Myster' Grocer' Ci- 
 vitatis London. Qdq' Custod' et 
 Coi'tas Myster' Grocer' Civitat' Lon- 
 don. Ac om'es cfe oi'mod' p^'sona 
 vel p'sone Myster' sive Art' Grocer' 
 cfe Myster' sive Arf Confecc'onar' 
 Dragiste Nicotian' Venditor' cfe Nico- 
 tian' Sector' de cfe in Civitat' pM'casu- 
 burbijs p'^cinct' sive lib'tat' ejusdem vel 
 infra tria milliar' circum Civitat' p^d' vel 
 art' p^d'cas sive aliq'm ear' infra loc' 
 p'"d'cas sive aliquem eor' ex'cen' vel im- 
 poster' ex'citur' de cet'o imp'p'm sint cfe 
 erunt vigore p'senciu' unu' corpus cor- 
 porat' cfe politic' in re f'co cfe no'ie p^' 
 no'en Custod' cfe (!oitat' Myster' Grocer' 
 Civitat' LoJidon. F^t eas unu' corpus 
 forporat' cfe politic' in re f'co cfe no'ie 
 
 cessors, granting to the aforesaid W^ar- 
 dens and Commonalty of the JNIystery 
 of Grocers of the City of London, and 
 their successors, that they may have, 
 hold, use and enjoy, and shall and may 
 be able to have, hold, use and enjoy for 
 ever, all liberties, free customs, privi- 
 leges,profits and acquittances aforesaid, 
 according to the tenor of these our Let- 
 ters patent, without hindrance of us, 
 our heirs or successors whomsoever. 
 And whereas confectioners, druggists, 
 tobacconists and tobacco-cutters, by tbe 
 freemen of the Society or Mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London afore- 
 said, both now and of late were educa- 
 ted, and their arts esteemed and reputed 
 to be of the mystery of grocery, and 
 so have hitherto continued, neither has 
 any distinct incorporation of the same 
 existed. Know ye further, that we, 
 for the better rule and government of 
 all persons of the arts or mysteries 
 aforesaid, or any of them within the 
 City of London and tbe suburbs, 
 precincts, and liberties of the same, or 
 within three miles around the same 
 city, of our special grace, and of our 
 certain knowledge and mere motion, 
 have willed, ordained, declared and 
 granted, and by these presents for us, 
 our heirs and successors, do will, or- 
 dain, declare and grant to the said 
 wardens and commonalty of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London ; 
 that all and all manner of person and 
 persons of the mystery or art of 
 grocery, or of the arts or mysteries of 
 a confectioner, druggist, tobacconist, 
 and tobacco-cutter, of and in Ihe city 
 aforesaid, and the precincts and liberties 
 of the same, or within three miles 
 around the said city, exercising the arts 
 aforesaid, or any of them, within the 
 places aforesaid, or any of them, or 
 who shall hereafter exercise the same, 
 may and shall be henceforth and for 
 ever by force of these presents, part of 
 the body politic of the said wardens 
 and commonalty of the mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London; and 
 may and shall be for ever hereafter 
 annexed to the body politic of the said 
 wardens and commonalty of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London. 
 And that the said wardens and com- 
 monalty of the mystery of Grocers of 
 the City of London, and all and all 
 manner of person and persons of the 
 mystery or art of grocery, and of the 
 mysteries or arts of a confectioner. 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 381 
 
 realit' & ad i)lenum p' nob' hered' dr 
 successorib' n'ris erigim* facim' ordi- 
 nam* constituim* & declaram^ p'' p'sen- 
 tes p' idem no'en. Et q'd h'eant sueces- 
 sionem p'petuam. Et ult'ius de gra' ii'ra 
 spi'ali ac ex Cta scientia & mero niotu 
 n'ris volum*. Ac p'' p''sentes condecitns 
 p^'fat' Custod' & Coitat' Myster' Grocer' 
 Civitat' London & successorib' suis Q'd 
 i'pi & successores sui imp'p'm h'eant tfe 
 recipiant h'ere & recip'e valeant & 
 possint de om'ib' et oni'iod' p^^sona et 
 p'sonis Myster' Grocer' p'^d' in aliqua 
 specier' inde pM' quocunq' modo uten' 
 vel ex'cen' vel qui imposter' sic utent 
 vel usi fie'int' vel ex'cebunt infra Civi- 
 tat' loc' vel p''cinct' p'"d' Et q'd quel't 
 tal' p^'son' (licet i'pe vel i'pi non sit nec 
 sint liber seu li'bi de aliqua sociatat' in- 
 fra civitat' p''d') solv'int ac solvere de- 
 beant p^fat' guardian' et Coitat' Socie- 
 tat' Myster' Grocer' p'd' tanf et tal' 
 denar' summ' annuatim p' equal' quar- 
 t'ial' soluc'on' (Anglice Quarteridge,) 
 qual' et quant' solubiP sint & erint ac 
 solvi debent vel debet eisdem Guardian' 
 et Societat' p^ lib'os Ho'ies p'd' Socie- 
 tat' Myster' Grocer' p^'d' p*^ tempore exis- 
 ten' vigore vel colore alicujus chart' or- 
 dinac'on' vel usus jam concess' fact' et 
 usitat' vel imposter' concedend' vel 
 faciend' p*" melior' Regimine Supporta- 
 c'one et Regulac'one ejusdem Myster' 
 Grocer' et p^son' idem Myster' uten' et 
 ex'cen' infra loc' etp^cinct' pM' Et ul- 
 t'ius de gra' n'ra spi'ali ac ex C'ta scien- 
 tia et mero motu n'ris volum^. Ac p' 
 p'sentes p"" nob' hered' et successorib' 
 n'ris concedim^ p^'fat' Custod' et Coitat' 
 IVIyster' Grocer' Civitat' London' et suc- 
 cessorib' suis q'd i'pi et successores sui 
 imp'p'm h'eant tot' tal' eadem et ejus- 
 modi lib'tat' privileg' potestat' autho- 
 ritat' jurisdicc'on' et franches' p"" gub'- 
 nac'oe et regimine societat' pM' et o'ium 
 p^'sonar' infra Civitat' London suburb' 
 p'cinct' seu lib'tat' ejusdem vel infra 
 tria milliar' circum civitat' pM' ex'cen- 
 vel ex'citur' Myster' Grocer' vel Art, 
 sive Myster' Confeco'onar' Dragiste 
 Nicotian' Venditor' et Nicotian' Sector' 
 
 ilrnggist, tobacconist, and tobacco- 
 cutter, of and in the city aforesaid, or 
 the suburbs, precincts, or liberties of 
 the same, or within three miles of the 
 city aforesaid, exercising, or who shall 
 hereafter exercise the arts aforesaid, or 
 any of them within the places afore- 
 said, or any of them, may and shall be 
 by force of these presents one body 
 l)olitic and corporate, in deed, fact, and 
 name, by the name of the Wardens and 
 Commonalty of the Mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London, and them one 
 body politic and corporate, really and 
 fully for us, our heirs and successors, 
 we do erect, make, ordain, constitute, 
 and declare by these presents, and that 
 by the same name they may have per- 
 petual succession. And further, of 
 our special grace, and from our certain 
 knowledge and mere motion, we will 
 and by these presents do grant unto 
 the said wardens and commonalty of 
 the mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London and their successors, that they 
 and their successors may and shall for 
 ever hereafter have and receive, and 
 shall and may be able to have and 
 receive from all and all manner of 
 person and persons of the mystery of 
 grocery aforesaid, in any sort or man- 
 ner whatsoever, using or exercising, or 
 who henceforwards may or shall ex- 
 ercise or use the same within the city, 
 places, or precincts aforesaid, and that 
 it shall be lawful for such persons (he 
 or they not being free, or freemen of 
 any other society within the city afore- 
 said,) to pay, and they shall have 
 power to pay to the said wardens and 
 commonalty of the Society of the 
 Mystery of Grocers aforesaid, so much 
 and such annual sums of money by 
 equal quarterly payments, in English 
 {quarteridge,) in kind and amount, as 
 may and shall be payable, and ought 
 to be paid to the same wardens and 
 society by the freemen of the aforesaid 
 Society of the Mystery of Grocers 
 aforesaid for the time being, by force 
 or color of an}- charter, ordinance, or 
 usage, now granted, made, used, or 
 henceforth to be granted, made, or 
 used, for the better rule, support, and 
 regulation of the same Mystery of 
 Grocers, and the persons using and 
 exercising the same mystery within 
 the places and precincts aforesaid. And 
 further, of our special grace, and from 
 our certain knowledge and mere mo- 
 tion we will, and by these presents for 
 
382 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 ad om'es eff'cus quoscunq' quot' qual' 
 quant' et que Custod' et Coitaf Mys- 
 ster' Grocer' Civitat' London h'uer ga- 
 vis' fuer' aut pbtuer' rac'one vel p^tex- 
 tu aliquar' Chartar' aut L'rar' Paten' p^ 
 aiiquem Progenitor' vel Antecessor' 
 n'ror' nup' Regum vel Reginar' Angb 
 quoquo modo ante pM'cm decimu» octa- 
 vum diem Decemb"^' in anno millesimo 
 sexcentesimo octogesimo quarto p^'d' 
 fact' confirmat' vel concess' seu qua- 
 cunq' al' legal' p^scripc'oe usu seu con- 
 suetudine aut aliquo al' legal' modo 
 jure seu titulo ante pJ'd'cm decimu' oc- 
 tavum diem Decembr' in anno p'd'co 
 habit' et usitat'. Ex ult'ius pr meliorire- 
 gimine et gub'nac'one o'ium prsonar' 
 qui modo ex'cent vel imposter' ex'ce- 
 buntMyster' Grocer' prd' sub quacunq' 
 deno'iac'one sup'dict' infra d'cam Civi- 
 tat' n'ram London suburb' lib'tat' sive 
 p'^cinct' ejusdem vel infra tria milliar' 
 circura Civitat' p^d' dedim^ et conces- 
 sim^. Ac pr prsentes p'" nob' hered' et 
 successorib' n'ris dam^ et concedims 
 prfat' Custod' et Coitaf Myster' Gro- 
 cer' Civitat' London et successorib' 
 suis Q'd custod' Myster' p^d' et suc- 
 cessores sui p*" tempore existen' pr se 
 vel pr sufBcien' deputat' suos in et p'' 
 cur' assistentium myster' pM'ci p tem- 
 pore existen' approband' et appunctu- 
 and' prpetuis futur' temporib' h'eant et 
 h'ebunt sup'visionem scrutin' correc- 
 c'onem et gub'nac'oem o'ium et singul' 
 prsonar' Myster' Confecc'onar' Dra- 
 giste Nicotian' Venditor' et Nicotian' 
 Sector' infra Civitat' n'ram London su- 
 burb' ejusdem et infra tria milliar' cir- 
 cum Civitat' p^d' Et infra om'es lib'- 
 tat' franches' jurisdicc'on' et loc' tam 
 exempt' q'm non exempt' scituat' ja- 
 cen' et existen' infra d'cam Civitat' 
 London et infra tria milliar' circum Ci- 
 vitat' prd' seu infra aiiquem loc' p^'d'- 
 cor' (in aliqua specie sive aUquib' 
 specieb' p"d' occupau' ex'cen' siye uteur) 
 Et potestat' et authoritat' ad om'es 
 delinquen' in falsa inde'ba seu insuf- 
 ficieu' occupac'one sive execuc'one 
 
 us and our successors, do grant unto 
 tbe said wardens and commonalty of 
 the mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London and their successors, that they 
 and their successors for ever may have 
 all such and the same kind of liberties, 
 privileges, powers, authorities, jurisdic- 
 tions, and franchises, for the government 
 and rule of the aforesaid society, and 
 of all persons within the City of 
 London and the suburbs, precincts or 
 liberties of the same, or within three 
 miles around the city aforesaid, exer- 
 cising or who shall hereafter exercise the 
 mystery of grocery, or the art or mys- 
 tery of confectioner, tobacconist, or 
 tobacco -cutter, to all purposes what- 
 soever, so many and of such kind and 
 quality as the wardens and commo- 
 nalty of the mj stery of Grocery of the 
 Cit>- of London have had, enjoyed, or 
 been possessed of, or which they ought 
 by reason or means of any charters and 
 letters patents by any of our proge- 
 nitors or ancestors, late kings or 
 queens of England, in any manner be- 
 fore the said J8th of December, 1684, 
 made, confirmed or granted, or by 
 whatever other legal or prescriptive 
 use, custom, or any other legal means, 
 right or title, before the said 18th of 
 December 1684, to have had and used. 
 And further, for the better rule and 
 government of all persons who now 
 exercise or hereafter shall exercise the 
 mystery of grocery aforesaid, under 
 whichsoever of the above mentioned 
 denominations within our said City of 
 London or the suburbs, liberties, or 
 precincts of the same, or within three 
 miles circuit of the said city, we have 
 given and granted, and by these presents 
 for us, our heirs and successors, do 
 give and grant to the said vrardens and 
 commonalty of the mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London and their suc- 
 cessors, that the wardens of the said 
 mystery for the time being by them- 
 selves, or by their sufficient deputies, 
 to be approved of by the Court of 
 Assistants of the said mysterj' for the 
 time being, may for ever and at all 
 times hereafter have the oversight, 
 scrutiny, correction, and government 
 of all and singular persons of the mj s- 
 teries of confectioners, druggists, to- 
 bacconists, and tobacco-cutters, within 
 the City of London and the suburbs of 
 the same ; and within three miles 
 circuit of the said cit}', and within all 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 383 
 
 JMyster' sive Art' pid' Grocer' et al' 
 An' sive Myster' pj-d' puniend' juxta 
 eor' sanas discrecc'ones et ordioac'ones 
 p*" ip'os et successores suos sic (ut 
 p^'fert') faciend' Volen' et p'sentesp' 
 nob' hered' et successorib' n'ris firmit' 
 injungend' prcipien' etmandan' om'ib' 
 et singulis Major' Justiciar' Ballivis 
 Constabular' et om'ib' al' Officiar' Mi- 
 nistris et subdit' n'ris quib'cunq' Q'd 
 sint auxilian' assisten' et conforten' 
 p''fat' Custod' et Assisten' Myster' Gro- 
 cer' Civitat' London pM' Deputat' ac 
 Ministris suis et eor' cui'lt' ad faciend' 
 habend' gaudend' et exequend' ea om'ia 
 et singula p'nos pJ'fat' Custod' et Coitat' 
 Myster' pM' et successorib' suis p^ I'ras 
 n'ras paten' p'concess* et quam'lt seu 
 aliquam inde partem et parcell'. Et ul- 
 t'ius de gra' n'ra spi'ali ac ex c^ta scien- 
 cia et mero motu n'ris Dedim^ et Con- 
 cessim^. Ac p^' p^seutes p*" nob' hered' et 
 successorib' n'ris Dam^ et Concedimg 
 p^'fat' Custod' et Coitat' Myster' Grocer' 
 Civitat' London et successorib' suis Q'd 
 om'es et singul' p^'sona et p^'sone modo 
 ex'cen' sive uten' aut qui imposter' utent' 
 vel ex'cebunt Myster' Grocer' vel Art* 
 sive Myster' Confecc'onar' D ragist' Ni- 
 cotian' Venditor' et Nicotian' Sector' 
 infra Civitat' n"^' London suburb' pi'cinct' 
 sive lib'tat' ejusdem vel infra tria mil- 
 liar' circa Civitat' et Lib'tat' p^d' (qui ad 
 p^'sens non sint Liber' vel Libi' de ali- 
 qua al' Societaf vel Myster' infra Civi- 
 tat' pM' de hac Societaf sive Myster' 
 Grocer* Civitat' London de cet'o libi' 
 fact* sint et erunt Et q'd imposter' 
 om'es et singul' Apprenticoes suos ad 
 Aulam Membrisq' hujus Societaf obli- 
 gabunf seu obligari causabunt et ip'os 
 de eadem Societaf Lib'os facient aut 
 
 liberties, franchises, jurisdictions, and 
 places, as well exempt as not exempt, 
 situate, lying, and being within the 
 said City of London, or within three 
 miles around the aforesaid city, or 
 within any of the places aforesaid, or 
 occupying, exercising, or using the like 
 trades, in whatsoever other places and 
 streets ; and that they shall have power 
 and authority to punish all oflenders for 
 deceits and incompetent occupation or 
 execution of the mystery or art of 
 grocery aforesaid, and the other arts 
 or mysteries aforesaid, according to 
 their sound discretions and the or- 
 dinances so tp be made as aforesaid by 
 them and their successors. And we 
 will and for us our heirs and succes- 
 sors, do firmly enjoin, decree, and 
 commend by these presents, all and 
 singular, mayors, justices, bailiffs, con- 
 stalales, and all other our officers, mi- 
 nisters, and subjects whatsoever, that 
 they be aiding, assisting, and comfort- 
 ing to the said wardens and assistants 
 of the mystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London aforesaid, and their de- 
 puties and ministers, and others in the 
 performing, assisting, keeping, and 
 execution of all and singular by us our 
 letters patent, granted as aforesaid to 
 the said wardens and commonalty of 
 the mystery aforesaid and their suc- 
 cessors, and every part and parcel 
 thereof whatsoever. And further, of 
 our special grace, and from our certain 
 knowledge and mere motion, we have 
 given and granted, and by these pre- 
 sents for us, our heirs and successors, 
 do give and grant unto the said 
 wardens and commonalty of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London 
 and their successors, that all and sin- 
 gular person and persons now exer- 
 cising or using, or which shall in future 
 use or exercise the mystery of grocery 
 or the arts or mysteries of confecti- 
 oners, druggists, tobacconists, or to- 
 bacco-cutters, within our City of 
 London or the suburbs, precincts, or 
 liberties of the same, or within three 
 miles around the city and liberties 
 aforesaid, and who at this time may 
 not be free or freemen of any other 
 society or mystery within the city 
 aforesaid, that they may and shall be 
 from henceforth made freemen of this 
 society or mystery of Grocer)' of the 
 
384 
 
 GROCERS COMPANY. 
 
 fieri causabunt. Et q'd ip'i vel aliquis 
 eor' non foret vel forent alit' incorpo- 
 rati vel incorporatus. In cujus rei, &c. 
 T. R. apud' Westm' decimo quintodie 
 Novembr'. 
 
 P' ip'm Regem. 
 
 City of London, and that hereafter all 
 and singular their apprentices shall be, 
 and shall by such members be com- 
 pelled, to be made freemen at the hall 
 of the same society, and that in future 
 neither they or any of them shall 
 otherwise be incorporated or a cor- 
 poration. In testimony, &c. Witness 
 the King at Westminster the 27th of 
 November, (1688.) 
 
 r« T) Rex omnibus ad 
 
 1 enia pars fa- . ^^^^.^ 
 
 ten de Anno ^. ~ r 
 
 sim» Frater et prede- 
 cessor noster Carolus 
 
 R. R. Jacobi 
 
 Secundi quarto, gecundus nuper Rex 
 
 D Cone Gro- ^ et pr I'ras suas 
 cer London ^^^^^^^ 
 
 Concess . -n * i- e i» 
 
 Sigillo Anglie confect' 
 
 et geren'dat' apud Westm' decimo nono 
 die Decembris anno Regni sui trices- 
 simo sexto pro meliori gubernac'one et 
 regimine o'ium personam' qui tunc 
 exercebunt vel imposter' exercebunt 
 Mister' Grocer' vel Artem sive Mister' 
 Confecc'onaru'Dragiste Anglice Drug- 
 gists Nicotian' Venditor' Anglice To- 
 bacconists et Nicotian' Sector' An- 
 glice Tobacco-cutters infra Civitat' 
 London suburbia precinct' sive libertat' 
 ejusdem vel infra tria milliar' circa Ci- 
 vitat' pi'dict' concessit Custodib' et 
 Com'unitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitat' 
 London et successoribus suis diversas 
 Jurisdicc'on' Potestat' Lib'tat' et Privi- 
 legia in eisdem I'ris patentibus expressis 
 Sciatis modo quod Nos ad humil' Peti- 
 co'em Custod' et Coitat' Mister' p^dict' 
 et pro melior' regimine et gubernac'oe 
 o'ium Personam' Artes sive Misteria 
 prdict' sive aliqua eorum infra loca 
 p'^dict' vel aliquod eoru' exercent vel im- 
 posteru' exercitur' ac pro milior' execu- 
 c'one Potestatu' per' pMictas I'ras Pa- 
 tentes p'dict' nuper Regis pMict' Cus- 
 todibus et Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Ci- 
 vitat' London p^'dict' concess' de gra' 
 nostra spi'ali ac ex certa scientia et me- 
 ro motu nostris Volumus Ordinavim^ 
 Declaravim^ et Concessimus. Ac pr 
 prsentes pr nobis hered' et successo- 
 ribus nostris volumus ordinam decla- 
 
 rru- 1 t- The King: To all 
 
 Third part of ^ ^^^^^^^ 
 
 Patents in the ' , i +u 
 
 . f our most dear brother 
 mm year oi predecessor Charles 
 
 § the Second, late King of 
 
 the Second, of t i ^ i u- 
 n Charter England, &c. by his 
 a i^iiarier betters patent, under 
 fhTorocls thegreat'sealof Eng- 
 f grocers ^^^^ bearing 
 
 of London, ^^^^ Westminster, 
 the 19th day of December, in the 36th 
 year of his reign, for the better govern- 
 ment and rule of all persons who then 
 exercised, or who should thenceforth 
 exercise the Mystery of Grocery, or the 
 Arts or Mysteries of Confectioners, 
 Druggists, Tobacconists, and Tobacco- 
 cutters, within the City of London, the 
 suburbs, precincts, or liberties of the 
 same, or within three miles around the 
 City aforesaid, did grant to the War- 
 dens and Commonalty of the Mystery 
 of Grocers of the City of London, and 
 their successors, divers jurisdictions, 
 powers, liberties and privileges in the 
 same Letters patent expressed. Now, 
 know ye that we, at the humble petition 
 of the Wardens and Commonalty of 
 the Mystery aforesaid, for the better 
 rule and government of all persons 
 exercising, or who shall henceforth 
 exercise the Arts or JMysteries aforesaid, 
 or any of them within the places afore - 
 said, and for the better execution of the 
 powers granted by the said Letters pa- 
 tent of the said late king to the war- 
 dens and commonalty of the mystery 
 of Grocers of the City of London 
 aforesaid, of our special grace, and 
 from our certain knowledge and mere 
 motion, have willed, ordained, de- 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 385 
 
 rams et Concedinis p'dict' Custodibusel 
 Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitat' London 
 quod omnes et omni mode persona et 
 Persone Mister' sive Artis Grocer' Artis 
 sive Mister' Coufecc'onar' Dragiste 
 Nicotian* Venditor' vel Nicotian' Sec- 
 tor' de et in Civitat' p'dict' suburbia 
 p'cinct' sive libertat' ejusdem vel infra 
 tria milliar' circa Civitat' p'dict' vel artes 
 p'dict' sive aliquam eora' infra locas 
 p'dict' sive aliquem eoru' exercent vel 
 imposteru' exercitur' decetero imp'pe- 
 tuu' sint et erunt vigore p'sentiu' par- 
 tem corporis politici p'dict' Custod' et 
 Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Civitat' London 
 et suit et erunt perpetuis futuris tem- 
 porib' annexat' Corpori Politico p'dict' 
 Custod' et Coitat' Mister' Grocer' Ci- 
 vitat' London. Quodq' Custodes et Coi- 
 tat' Mister' Grocer' Civitat' London et 
 omnes et omnimode p'sona et p'sone 
 Mister' sive Artis Grocer' et Mister' 
 sive Artis Coufecc'onar' Dragiste Ni- 
 cotian' Venditor' et Nicotian' Sector' 
 de et in Civitat' p'dict' suburbia pre- 
 cinct' sive libertat' ejusdem vel infra 
 milliar' circu' civitat' p'dict' vel artes 
 p'dict' sive aliqua earu' infra locos 
 p'dict' sive aliqua eoru' exercen' vel 
 imposteru' exercitur' de cetero imper- 
 petuu' sint et erunt vigore p'sentiu' 
 unu' Corpus Corporat' et Politicu' in 
 re facto et nomine per nomen Custod' 
 et Coi'tat' Mister' Grocer' Civitat 
 London' et unu' Corpus Corporat' et 
 Politicu' in re facto et no'ine realitur 
 et ad plenu' pro nobis hered' et succes- 
 sorib' nostris erigimus facimus ordina- 
 mus constituims et declaram^ per p'- 
 sentes quod p' idem nomen habeantsuc- 
 cessionem perpetuam. Et ulterius ex 
 gra' nostra spi'ali ac ex certa scientia et 
 mero motunostris dedim^ et concessim^. 
 Ac per p'sentes pro nobis heredibus et 
 successor' nostra damns et concedimus 
 p'fat' Custod' et Coitat' Mister' Gro- 
 cer' Civitat' London et successoribus 
 suis quod omnes et singul' persona et 
 persone modo exercent sive utent' aut 
 que imposteru' utentur vel exercebunt 
 Mister' Grocer' vel Art' sive Mister' 
 Coufecc'onar' Dragiste Nicotian' Ven- 
 ditor' et Nicotian' Sector' infra Civitat' 
 nostra London suburbia p'cinct' sivr 
 libertat' ejusdem vel infra tria milliar' 
 circa Civitat' p'dict' qui non sint 
 liber et liberi de aliqua al' Societat' 
 vel Mister' infra Civitat' p'dict' de bac 
 Societat' sive Mister' Grocer' Civitat' 
 London de cetero liberi fact' sint et 
 erunt. Et quod imposteru' omnes et 
 singulos apprentic' suos ad aulam mem- 
 
 clared and granted, and by these pre- 
 sents for us, our heirs and successors, 
 do will, ordain, declare and grant to 
 the said wardens and commonalty of 
 the mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London, that all and all manner of 
 person and persons exercising, or who 
 shall hereafter exercise the mystery or 
 art of grocery, or the arts or mysteries 
 of a confectioner, druggist, tobacco- 
 nist, or tobacco-cutter, of and in the 
 city aforesaid, the suburbs, precincts, 
 or liberties of the same, or within 
 three miles around the aforesaid city, 
 or the arts aloresaid, or any of them, 
 within the places aforesaid ; or any of 
 them from henceforth for ever, may 
 and shall be by force of these presents 
 part of the body politic of the said 
 wardens and commonalty of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London, 
 and may and shall be for ever hereafter 
 annexed to the body politic of the said 
 wardens and commonalty of the mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the city of London, 
 and that the wardens and commonalty 
 of the mystery of Grocers of the City 
 of London, and all and all manner of 
 person and persons exercising, or who 
 shall hereafter exercise the mystery or 
 art of grocery, or the arts of a con- 
 fectioner, druggist, tobacconist, and 
 tobacco- cutter, of and in the city afore- 
 said, the suburbs, precincts, or liberties 
 of the same, or within three miles 
 around the said city, or the arts afore- 
 said, or any of them within the places 
 aforesaid, may and shall be from hence- 
 forth for ever by force of these pre- 
 sents one body politic and corporate, 
 in deed, fact, and name, by the name 
 of the Wardens and Commonalty of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of the City of 
 London, and them one body politic 
 and corporate, in deed, fact, and name, 
 really and fully for us, our heirs, and 
 successors, we do by these presents, 
 erect, ordain, constitute, and declare, 
 and that by the same name they may 
 have perpetual succession. And lastly 
 of our special grace, and from our cer- 
 tain knowledge and mere motion, we 
 have given and granted, and by these 
 presents, for us, our heirs, and succes- 
 sors, do give and grant iinto the afore- 
 said wardens and commonalty, (fee, and 
 their successors, that all and singular 
 person and persons exercising or using, 
 or who shall hereafter exercise, &c. the 
 mystery of Grocery, or the arts or mys- 
 teries of a Confectioner, Druggist, To- 
 bacco-seller, or Tobacco-cutter, within 
 
386 
 
 GROCRRS' COMPANY. 
 
 brisque hujus societat' obligabunt vel 
 obligari causabunt. Et ip'os de eadem 
 societat' liberos facient' et fieri causa- 
 bunt. Et ip'os do eadem societat' obliga- 
 bunt. Et quod ipsi vel aliquis eorum 
 non foret' vel forent aliter incorporati 
 vel incorporatus. In cujus rei, &c. 
 Teste Rege apud Westm' nono die 
 Martij. 
 
 P' B're de Privato Sigillo. 
 
 the City of London, the suburbs, pre- 
 cincts, or liberties of the same, or with- 
 in three miles, <fec. who may not be 
 free of any other society or mystery 
 within the city aforesaid, that they may 
 and shall from henceforth be and be 
 made free of this society or mystery of 
 Grocery, &c. And that hereafter all 
 and singular their apprentices shall be 
 bound at the hall of the members of 
 this society, and be and be made free of 
 the same society, and that neither they 
 or any of them siaall be otherwise incor- 
 porate or a corporation. Dated at West- 
 minster, 1 9th March. 
 
 By Writ of Privy Seal, &c. 
 
 Quarta pars Pa- Rex at Regina etc' 
 ten' de Anno om'ibz ad quos &c. 
 Wnor ^ IVne salt'm. Sciatis q'd 
 GuV et Marie Nos ad humilem 
 secundo. Peticionu' Custodu' 
 
 D' Carf Custod' etCoitat' Mister'Gro- 
 ^'C. Grocer' Lon- cer' Civitat' London 
 don sibi ^ sue- & pro bono regimine 
 cessoribz. Societat' ill' de gra' 
 
 n'ra spi'ali ac ex ce^'ta 
 scientia <fe mero motu n'ris Voluims, 
 Ordnavim", Declaravim^ & Concessim*. 
 Ac pr p'sentes pro nob' & successoribz 
 n'ris Volum^ Ordinam% Declaram% & 
 Concedims, p'" d'cis Custodibz & Coitat' 
 Mister' Grocer' Civitat' London. Q'd 
 om'es & om'imod' prsona & prsone 
 qui Mister' sive Art' Grocer' & sepal' 
 Art' sive Myster' Confec'onar' Dragiste 
 ( A nglice Druggists) Nicotian' Venditor' 
 Anglice Tobacconists) Nicotian'Sector' 
 (Anglice Tobacco -cutters) & Purgator' 
 Sacchari (Anglice Sugar-bakers or 
 refiners of Sugar) in Civitat' p'd'ca 
 suburb' prcinct sive Lib'tat' ejusdem vel 
 infra tria miliar' circa eandem Civitat' 
 modo ex^'cent vel imposter' exrcebunt 
 de cet'o imprptuu' sint & erunt vigore 
 pi-senciu', pars corporis corporal' <fe 
 politic' p>d'corn» Custodu'tfeCoitat' Mys- 
 ter' Grocer' Civitat' London & sint & 
 ei unt prpetuis futur' temporibz annexat 
 Corpori, Corporat' & Politic, prd'com 
 Custodu' & Coitat' Myster' Grocer' 
 Civitat' Loudon. Q'dq' Custodes & 
 Coi'tas Myster' Grocer' Civitat' Lon- 
 don &o'mes & oi'mod' pe'sona&p'sone 
 qui Myster' sive Art' Grocer' & sepal' 
 Myster' sive Art' Confec'onar' Dragiste 
 Nicotian' Venditor' Nicotian' Sector' 
 
 Fourth part of The Kino and Queen: 
 Patents of the To all to whom, &c. 
 second year of Greeting : Know ye 
 King William that we, at the humble 
 and Queen petition of the Wardens 
 Mary, of a and Commonalty of the 
 Charter to the Mystery of Grocers of 
 Wardens, SfC. the City of London, and 
 of the Grocers for the good rule of 
 of Londoti, to their society, of our spe- 
 them and their cial grace, <fec. have 
 successors. willed, ordained, declar- 
 ed and granted, and by 
 these presents for us and our siiccessors, 
 do will, ordain, &c. to the said war- 
 dens and commonalty, <fec. That all 
 and all manner of person and persons 
 who now exercise or hereafter shall 
 exercise the mystery or art of grocery 
 and the separate arts or mysteries of a 
 confectioner, druggist, tobacconist, to- 
 bacco-cutter, sugar-baker, or sugar 
 refiner, in the city aforesaid, the su- 
 burbs, precincts, or liberties of the 
 same, or within three miles, (fee. that 
 from henceforth for ever they may and 
 shall be by force of these presents part 
 of the body corporate and politic of the 
 said Wardens and Commonalty of the 
 Mystery of Grocers of the City of Lon- 
 don, and may and shall be for ever here- 
 after annexed to the body corporate and 
 politic of the said Wardens and Com- 
 monalty, &c. and that the Wardens 
 and Commonalty of the Mystery of 
 Grocers of the City of London, and all 
 and all manner of person and persons 
 now exercising, &c. the mystery or 
 art of grocery, or the separate mys- 
 teries or arts of a conl'ectioner, drug- 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 387 
 
 & Purgator' Sacchari de <fe in Civitat*, 
 prd'ca suburb' p'cinct' sive Lib'tat' ejus- 
 dem vel infra tria milliar' circa Civitat' 
 prd' sive aliq' eor™ tnodo ex'cent vel 
 imposter™ excbunt de cet'o imp'p'm 
 sint & erunt vigore prsenciu' unu* 
 corpus corporat' & politic' in re f'co<fe 
 no'ie pr no'en Custodu' & Coitat' Mys- 
 ter' Grocer' Civitat' London. Et eos 
 Pr no'en ill' unu' corpus corporat' & 
 politic' in re f'co <fe no'ie realit' & 
 ad plenu' pro nob' <fe successorib' n'ris 
 erigitn* facim^ ordinama constituim* & 
 confirmam»p'"prsentes. Et q'd p' idem 
 no'en h'eant succession em p''petuam. 
 Ac pli'tare tfe pli'tari respondere & res- 
 ponderi defendere & defendi possint & 
 valeant tarn in om'ibusCur' & Locis q'm 
 in Om'ibus acconibz p'litis causis & 
 mat'ijs qnib'cunq'. Et ult'ius ex gra' 
 n'ra spi'ali ac ex certa scientia & mero 
 motu n'ris Dedini^ & Concessim^. Ac 
 p"" p^'sentes pro nob' & successoribz n'ris 
 Dam» (fe Concedim^ prfat' Custodibz & 
 Coitat' Myster' Grocer' Civitat' London 
 & successoribz suis Q'd om'es & singul' 
 p'^sona (fe p'sone modo ex''cenr sive uten' 
 aut qui imposterm utent"" vel exrcebunt 
 Mister' Grocer' vel Art' sive Myster' 
 Confecc'onar' Dragiste Nicotian' Ven- 
 ditor' Nicotian' Sector' & Purgator' 
 Sacchari sen eor' aliqu' infra Civitat' 
 n'ram London suburb' p>cinct vel lib'tat' 
 ejusdem vel infra tria milliar' circa 
 Civitat' p^'d' (qui ad p^'sens non sunt 
 vel est Libi' vel Liber' de aliqua al' 
 Societat' vel Mister' infra Civitat' p'^d'; 
 de hac Societat' sive Myster' Grocer' 
 Civitat' London de cet'o Lib'os fact' 
 esse possint & valeant. Ex ult'ius de 
 ubi'orig'ra n'ra spi'ali ac ex c'ta scientia 
 & mero motu n'ris Volum^ ac p*" p^sentes 
 pro nob'cfe successoribz n'ris Concedim* 
 p^'fat' Custodib' & Coitat' Myster' Gro- 
 cer' Civitat' London & successoribz suis 
 Q'd i'pi & successores sui impp'm h'eant 
 teneant cfe gaudeant & h'ere tenere & 
 gaudere valeant & possint tot' taut' tal' 
 eadem cfe hui'noi lib'tat' privileg' po- 
 testat' jurisdicc'on & franches' quot' 
 quan't qua!' & que Custodes & Coitas' 
 Myster' Grocer' Civitat' London ad 
 aliquod tempus ante vicesimu' diem 
 Martij jam ult'p^'et'ith'uerunt tenuerunt 
 ex'cuerunt seu gavis' fuerunt aut h'ere 
 tenere* ex'cere vel gaudere debuerunt 
 seu potuerunt rac'one vel prtextu ali- 
 quar'™.Chartar'n»L'rar'™pateu' sive con- 
 cession' predecessor'" n'ror'™ seu eor"" 
 aliquor'ni vel alicujus aut aliquo ai' 
 legal' modo jure seu titulo Non noi'and' 
 
 gist, tobacconist, tobacco-cutter, and 
 sugar-refiner, of and in the city afore- 
 said, the suburbs, precincts, or liber- 
 ties of the same, or within three miles, 
 cfec. from henceforth for ever, may and 
 shall be by force of these presents one 
 body corporate and politic, in deed, fact, 
 and name, by the name of Wardens and 
 Commanalty of the Mystery of Grocers 
 of the City of London, and them by 
 the same name one body corporate and 
 politic, in deed, fact, and name, really 
 and fully for us, our heirs and succes- 
 sors, we have erected, made, ordained, 
 constituted and confirmed by these pre- 
 sents, and that by the same name they 
 shall have perpetual succession, and shall 
 and may be able to plead and be im- 
 pleaded, answer and be answered, defend 
 and be defended, as well in all courts 
 and places, as in all actions, pleas, 
 causes, and matters whatsoever. And 
 further, of our special grace, cfec. we 
 have given and granted, and by these 
 presents, for us, our heirs and succes- 
 sors, do give and grant to the aforesaid 
 Wardens and Commonalty of the Mys- 
 tery of Grocers of the City of London, 
 and their successors, that all and sin- 
 gular person and persons now exercising 
 or using, or who hereafter shall exer- 
 cise or use the mystery of grocers, or 
 the arts or mysteries of a confectioner, 
 druggist, tobacconist, tobacco-cutter, 
 and sugar-refiner, or any of them, 
 within our city of London, the suburbs, 
 precincts, or liberties of the same, or 
 within three miles, cfec. (who at present 
 are not free or freemen of any other 
 society or mystery within the city 
 aforesaid,) that they from henceforth 
 shall and may be able to be made 
 freemen of the same society or mystery 
 of Grocers of the city of London. 
 And further, of the abundance of our 
 special grace, cfec. we will, and by these 
 presents for us and our successors, have 
 granted unto the Wardens and Com- 
 monalty of the Mystery of Grocers of 
 the City of London, and their succes- 
 sors, That they and their successors for 
 ever may have, hold, and enjoy, and 
 shall and may be able to have, hold, 
 and enjoy, all, so many, such, the like, 
 and the same liberties, franchises, pow- 
 ers, jurisdictions, and franchises, as the 
 Wardens and Commonalty of the Mys- 
 tery of Grocers, cfec. at any time before 
 the 26th day of March, now last past, 
 had, held, exercised, or enjoyed, or 
 ought to have had, held, exercised, or 
 C C 2 
 
388 
 
 grocers' company. 
 
 vel recitand' aliqu' Chart' L'ras paten' 
 Dona give Concession' antehac Cus- 
 todib'<fe Coitat' Myster' Grocer' Civitat' 
 London p>" aliquem vel aliquos prede- 
 cessor'm n'ror"» dat' sive concess aut 
 aliqua al' omissione re causa vel mafia 
 quacunq' in contriu' non obstan'. In 
 cujus rei &c. T. R Rege & Regina 
 apud Westm' septimo die July. 
 
 P'B're de Private Sigillo. 
 
 enjoyed by reason or pretext of any char- 
 ters, letters patent, or grants of our pre- 
 decessors, or any or either of them, 
 or by any other legal means, right, 
 or title, non-mention or recital of 
 any charters, letters patent, gifts, or 
 grants, to the Wardens and Com- 
 monalty of the Mystery of Grocers of 
 the City of London, by any or either 
 of our predecessors, before this time 
 given or granted, or any other omission, 
 thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, to 
 the contrary thereof notwithstanding. 
 In witness whereof, &c. Witness the 
 King and Queen at Westminster, July 
 the Tth. 
 
 By Writ of Privy Seal, &c. 
 
DRAPERS' COMPANY. 
 
 SUMMARY FROM VARIOUS AUTHORITIES. 
 
 "The Company of Drapers were incorporated in the seven- 
 teenth year of King Henry VI., anno domini 1439. The arms 
 first granted by Garter King of Arms, crest and supporters 
 by William Harvey, Clarencieux, anno domini 1561. The 
 Drapers* patent for their arms, given them by Sir William 
 Bruges, Garter King of Arms, bore date anno 1439, 'the 
 seventeenth year of the thrice Christian king Henry VI.' 
 as he is termed there. In a visitation book of the office of 
 heralds, it appears that the Drapers' coat of arms vv^as con- 
 firmed by William Harvey, Clarencieux; and after by Sir 
 William Segar, Knight Garter, and so entered anno 1634: 
 John Tayler, master."* 
 
 " This society v^^as incorporated by letters patent of Henry 
 VI., anno 1439, by the title of Master, Wardens, Brethren, and 
 Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the 
 Virgin, of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London. 
 This fraternity is governed by a master, four wardens, and 
 
 * Strype's Stow, 1], p. 265. 
 
390 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 thirty assistants, and the number of members upon the livery- 
 are 140, who, when admitted, pay a fine of 25/. They pay 
 to charitable uses about 4000/. per annum. ""^ 
 
 "There are 178 on the livery, and their livery fine is now 
 25/., (but has been more ;) they are the third of the twelve, 
 of which the lord mayor is free of one, and there have been 
 119 years' mayors of this fraternity, the first mayor being 
 Henry Fitz-Alwyn, a person noble by birth. Their armorial 
 ensigns are 3 clouds radiated proper, each adorned with a 
 treble crown, or. The crest on a helmet and torse ; a ram 
 lodged at the second, attired as the third. Supporters, two 
 lions, as the last, peletee. Motto : " Unto God only be honour 
 and glory."f Their patroness is the Virgin Mary. — Hall, 
 Throgmorton street. 
 
 The Drapers have the honour to reckon the founders of several 
 noble families amongst their members, and more lord mayors than 
 any of the other companies. The number of the latter is, how- 
 ever, much smaller than in the last-stated account, even allowing, 
 as was the fact, some of them to have served office more than 
 once, Strype is nearer the truth. He enumerates fifty-three 
 mayors, from 1331 to 1714, omitting Fitz-Alwyn (included above,) 
 and who, having served twenty-three consecutive years, as also 
 two of the others, ten years between them, makes there to have 
 been eighty-seven years " mayors of this fraternity," instead 
 of "119." 
 
 This company possess seven original charters, dated as under, 
 all of them with the great seal attached, finely written, and in 
 excellent preservation, viz. 
 
 1. A charter dated 38 Edward III., in French, addressed " pro 
 lez Drapiers, London," and which was granted to them that they 
 might enforce the ordinances of the Statutum StapulcEy or statute 
 regulating the sale of cloths. It has a perfect and beautiful im- 
 
 • Maitland, ii. p. 1233. 
 
 t New View, ii. 602. Strype sub- 
 sequently describes the Drapers' arms 
 as somewhat differing in a patent he 
 had seen in the possession of Peter le 
 Neve, Norroy King of Arms at the 
 Herald's College, viz. that they were 
 thus blazoned, "Troys Royes de So- 
 leil issuantz hors de troys nues de flambe 
 coronez de troys Corons Imperials Dore, 
 assisser sus une escue d'azure." 
 
 The drapers' list of livery states their 
 modern arms to be thus emblazoned, viz. 
 Azure : Three clouds radiated proper, 
 each adorned with a triple crown, or. 
 Supporters, two lions, or; pelletted. 
 Crest. On a wreath, a ram couchant, 
 or ; armed sables, on a mount, vert. 
 Motto : " Unto God only be honour 
 and glory." 
 
GENERAL SUMMARY. 
 
 391 
 
 pression of the king's great seal in green wax. The privileges 
 conferred by this charter, are of the same kind as those granted to 
 the other gilds before they were more fully incorporated.* 2. The 
 charter, 17 Henry VI. : It is addressed to the " Men of the Mys- 
 tery of Drapers of London," and allows them to erect themselves 
 into " one gild or fraternity, by the name of the Fraternity of 
 the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Drapers of London," with full 
 corporate privileges. f 3. An insperimus charter, 6 Edward IV., 
 addressed to Henry Waver, jun., master; and Thomas Eure, 
 Thomas Salle, John Beckford, and William White, wardens, con- 
 firming the above incorporation of Henry VI,, and granting very 
 extensive additional privileges. | 4. An insperimus charter, 4 and 
 5 Philip and Mary, addressed to Richard Champion, master, 
 and alderman of London ; and Richard Poynter, John Stocker, 
 John Dynmoke, and John Branche, wardens ; and which recites 
 and confirms the charters of Henry VI. and Edward IV. 5. A 
 similar charter, 2 Elizabeth, addressed to " the Men of the Mys- 
 tery of Drapers of London." 6. An entirely new charter, 4 James 
 I., granted at the petition of the " Freemen of the Mystery of 
 Drapers of the City of London," by which that king erected a 
 court of assistants, and wholly reincorporated the company, by 
 the title of the Master and Wardens and Brothers and Sisters 
 of the Gild or Fraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Mys- 
 tery of Drapers of the City of London;" and a confirmation of 
 the latter charter, dated 9 James I., which latter is now professed 
 
 to be THE ACTING CHARTER OF THE COMPANY. 
 
 • Secunda pat' de anno 38° Edwardi 
 3'" m. 15. " jlmpl(£ lihetV pro lez 
 Drapiers, London.^' This charter is 
 again in part recited in a mandate to 
 the mayor and sheriffs of London, also 
 in French, dated 15 July in the same 
 year (ut vide Claus : 38° Edwardi 3'^ii 
 m. 12, et Rymeri Fced'iii. pars ii. 742.) 
 
 t Prima pat' de an' ]7o Henrici vi*' 
 m. 15. Incorporatio Pannariorum 
 London," 
 
 X Secunda pat' de anno 6° Edwardi 
 iv*^- m. 17. *' Ampla confirmatio li- 
 bertatuni pro Pannarius London' vide 
 17 pat' Henrici vi*'. ac amplior con- 
 cess." 
 
 N.B. — There is a second charter, 19° 
 Edwardi Quarti, m. 28, revoking the 
 incorporation of the sheermen with the 
 drapers, which will be further noticed 
 hereafter. 
 
2 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 " List r)/* Freemen Householders of the Drapers' Company m 1.537," 
 Jro7n the Record in the Chapterhouse* 
 
 Peter Starkie. John Eliot. Will'm Mason. 
 
 VVill'm Brothers. Richard TulL Tliomas Skrevyn. 
 
 Will'm Dolphin. Will'm Kent. Anthony Cave. 
 
 Rohert Warner. John Astne. Thomas Bough. 
 
 John Clerk. Anthony Fabian. Richard Felct. 
 
 John Kedermyster. George Bruges. John Kidman. 
 
 Will'm Chamberlayn. John Dudley. Giles Bruges. 
 
 Thomas Spencer. Robert Jenyns. Edmond Pirre. 
 
 Will'm Prudde. Alisander Perpoynt. Thomas Lyncoln. 
 
 Thomas Wattes. Edward Dee. John Lowen. 
 
 Robert Lawrance. Will'm Chester. Launcelot Alford. 
 
 Robert Bruanche. Nicholas Chester. Will'm Chevall. 
 
 Richard Warner. Will'm Bowyer. Robt. Knyght. 
 
 Robert Alford. Thomas Petite. Roger Whaplod. 
 
 Will'm Page. John Lydeot. Will'm Watson. 
 
 Thomas Dudley. Will'm Prat. Richard Poynter. 
 
 Will'm Burnynghill. Henry Dolphin. Thomas Fyske. 
 
 Thomas Pickner. Edward Hedyngton. Robert Sounyng. 
 
 Thomas Blower. Anthony Eliot. Henry Richard. 
 
 Cuthbert Bechar. John Lamberd. George Richardson. 
 
 John Blakeslay. John Chaundeler. Robert Harrys. 
 
 Thomas Grafton. John Swan, Thomas Warner. 
 
 Thomas Baste. Cristofer Ranwike. Edmond Astne. 
 
 Thomas Perpoynt. Thomas Bower. John Trott. 
 
 Robert White. Lawrence Sollie. Robert Hardye.'' 
 
 Peter Honybourne. John Broke. 
 
 In 1700 the return sworn to before the mayor by Robert Sterry, 
 then the Company's clerk, states the livery of the Drapers to have 
 amounted to 1 80. At the poll for electing members of Parliament 
 for the city in April, 1722, the number of the same livery who 
 voted was sworn to amount to 153. In the New and Complete 
 Survey," 1742, it is stated at 140. In the list of liverymen of 
 London, 1796, there were 130 of the Drapers' livery voted. From 
 the above, it appears that the livery of this company, which in 
 1700 had been 180, became somewhat reduced in 1722, if we may 
 judge from the then number of voters, but continued to average 
 from 150 to 180 till nearly the close of the last century. The 
 number of the Drapers' livery this present year 1835, amounts 
 on the whole to 344, (being an increase of 97 since 1830, when it 
 
 * Freemen householders (of whom 
 lists have been given in the preceding 
 accounts of the Mercers' Company and 
 Grocers' Company) are by some au- 
 thorities, described to have formerly 
 been a middle rank of members be- 
 tween the livery and the yeomanry, 
 
 and not the Uvery themselves. There 
 is a doubt, however, whether it was 
 always so understood. For in the 
 present instance, several names in the 
 above list were on the court of the 
 Drapers' Company in 1537, as will be 
 seen in proceeding with its history. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 393 
 
 was only 247,) whereof there are one master and four wardens, 
 and 38 on the court as assistants, the names, residences, dates 
 of election, and times of serving offices of the said court, will 
 be seen below.* The livery fine is now raised to 351. 
 
 Draper originally meant a maker, and not, as at present, a dealer 
 in cloth, the name being derived from the French drapperie, which 
 signified clothwork, as, ^' to drape," did the manufacturing of 
 cloth, t 
 
 *A List of the Master and Wardens, and Court of Assistants, of the Worshipful 
 Company of Drapers. 
 
 Admitted , 
 on Lively. Mastsr. 
 
 1800 John Clarke, esq. Brentford. 
 
 Wardens. 
 
 1801 John Potter, esq. Ponder's End. 
 1801 Charles Wrench, esq. Faversham. 
 
 1804 William James Pistor, esq. Tanffeld court, Temple. 
 
 1805 Thomas Starling Benson, esq. New Broad street. 
 
 Assistants. 
 
 [M. stands for Master ; M.W. Master Warden ; R.W. Renter Warden ; J.W. Junior 
 Warden ; f. denotes fining for those Offices.^] 
 Admitted ^ Time of 
 
 on Livery. Serving. 
 
 1804. John Thomas Thorp, esq. 1802. Josh. Smith SimmonsSmitb, 
 
 and alderman, Aldgate. f.M. 1817 esq. Sackville street ...J.W. 1826 
 
 1775. Samuel Lawford, esq. Clap- • ... Samuel Goldney, esq. Sloane 
 
 ham common M. 1809 street R.W. 1827 
 
 1790. Samuel Weddell, esq. Jewry 1803. John Nicholson, esq. Corn- 
 street M. 1820 (fe 1823 hill R.W. 1829 
 
 1791. John Booth, esq. Red Lion ... Kilpin Warner, esq. Camber- 
 square M. 1821 well R.W. 1830 
 
 1790. William Hales, esq. Cam- ... Joseph Williams, esq. Jewry 
 
 berwell M. 1822 street J.W. 1830 
 
 1796. George Booth, esq. Buck- ... Alexander Simpson, esq. 
 lersbury M. 1825 Highbury Park R.W. 1831 
 
 1797. John Panon, esq. Hamp- ... Thomas Soley, esq. Vernon 
 stead M. 1829 place J.W. 1831 
 
 ... John Jones, esq. West Smith- 1802. Thomas Walker, esq. Wan- 
 field M. 1830 stead R.W. 1832 
 
 ... Jacob George Wrench, esq. 1803. Thomas Dickenson, esq. 
 Grove hill, Camberwell...M. 1831 Hornsey lane, Highgatfe.J.W. 1832 
 
 1800. James Bridger, esq. Chig- 1804. Robt. Browne, esq. Church 
 well M. 1832 street, Hackney R.W. 1833 
 
 ... Benjamin Paddon, esq. Glou- ... John Bunton, esq. Denmark 
 
 cester terrace, Chelsea ...M. 1834 hill, Camberwell J.W. 1833 
 
 1801. Charles Fourdrinier, esq. 1803. John Marche, esq., Cal- 
 Lower Tooting J.W. 1824 thorpe street R.W. 1834 
 
 1802. James Newman, esq. Dal- 1804. George Trower, esq. Rus- 
 ston J.W. 1835 sell square J.W. 18.34 
 
 ... John Deshons, esq. Thread- 
 needle street R.W. 1826 
 
 Chaplain. 
 
 Rev. Thomas Robert Wrench, m.a. Sloane street. 
 
 t " He made statutes for the main- " This Act did not prescribe prices, 
 tenance of drapery, and the keeping of that the clothier might drape accord- 
 vrools within the realm." — Bacon. ingly as he could aftbrd." — Ibid. 
 
394 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 In Rastall's Collection of Statutes, 1574, the whole of the acts 
 relative to the making of cloth are accordingly arranged under the 
 head Drapery." The ancient Latin name Pannarii, given to 
 this trade, had the same meaning. In English they were indis- 
 criminately called drapers and clothiers ; the former term seeming 
 to have been applied to those who made and sold cloth in and 
 near London, and the latter to those who brought it for sale from 
 the country. Stow appears to make this distinction, in speaking of 
 Cloth Fair, by Smithfield, where, he says, " the clothiers of Eng- 
 land, and drapers of London, kept their booths and standings." 
 John Winchcomb, of Berkshire, the famous Jack of Newbury, who 
 is known in the reign of Henry VIII. to have arrived at such great 
 wealth and distinction as a clothier, was descended from a rich 
 draper of the same name, in Candlewick street, who will be pre- 
 sently noticed, and was also a wholesale manufacturer and seller 
 of cloth. 
 
 Opinions are various as to the antiquity of the cloth manu- 
 facture in England. Pennant and others, who only trace it to 
 Edward III., are decidedly in error. Woollen cloth of some sort 
 or other was always made in this nation, ever since the Romans 
 taught the Britons to wear cloth instead of skins. (If indeed 
 the latter were not previously familiar with its use.) The Saxons, 
 also had the art of cloth-making, though they used it sparingly ; 
 and all that was made in these times was probably a very coarse 
 sort for domestic wear. The grower of wool contented himself 
 with selling the raw material at his own door, or at the next town, 
 which travelled to the Netherlands, and returned back manufac- 
 tured into a fine cloth, that could only be purchased by the great. 
 Etheldred, in 967, we have seen, exacted from the Easterlings, of 
 the Steel-yard, as part of their toll at Billingsgate, a quantity of 
 this cloth. The only factors in these early days were a sort of 
 middle-men, who rose between the grower and the foreign cloth- 
 makers, and who, from their being established for the sale of 
 their wools in some certain city, commodious for intercourse, were 
 called staplers.^ De Witt, in his '*True Interest of Holland," 
 
 * Hist. Essay, p. 10. skins, lead and tin. The former so- 
 
 t Gerard Mai} nes (Lex Mercatoria,) ciety was put under sundry regulations 
 
 says the Merchants of the Staple, de- for the benefit of the public ; and was 
 
 rived from these staplers, were the first the means of bringina^ in considerable 
 
 and most ancient commercial society in wealth, as well before as after the 
 
 England, and were so named from their making of woollen cloth here, and it 
 
 exposing lor sale the staple wares of the was privileged in many succeeding 
 
 kingdom long before the Mercliant- reigns, viz. 5 Henry IN., 12 Edward 
 
 Adventurers existed ; and which staple H., 14 Richard II., 11 Henry IV., and 
 
 wares were tlien only the rough mate- 1 Henry V. — j^fiderson's Commerce, 
 
 rials for manufacture, viz. wool and 8vo. p. 302. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 395 
 
 says, that before the removal of the cloth trade to England, the 
 Netherlanders could deal well enough with the English, they 
 being only shepherds and merchants." 
 
 The establishment of the Weavers' gild, by Henry I. within forty 
 years of the Conquest, is proof that a considerable cloth manufac- 
 ture in London, as well as in other parts of Englau'd, where similar 
 gilds were formed, must have existed at that time; the history 
 of Orkney moreover informs us, that not many years afterwards, 
 two merchant ships of England bound for Dublin with English 
 cloths, and other goods of value were taken near that port by an 
 Orkney pirate, named Swein, who, on his return home, covered 
 his sails with scarlet cloths ; and therefore called that his " Scar- 
 let Cruise." As the fraternities of weavers appear to have been 
 only makers of cloth, and must have had persons to sell for them, 
 the drapers, (who, as their employers, and dealers in the article 
 came afterwards to stand in place of these manufacturers,) there 
 seems little doubt, had then their origin. These dealers are men- 
 tioned in the reign of Henry H., as settled at Bedford, Beverley, 
 and other towns of Yorkshire, Norwich, Huntingdon, Nor- 
 thampton, Gloucester, Nottingham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lin- 
 coln, Stamford, Grimsby, Burton, St. Albans, Baldock, Berk- 
 hampsted, and Chesterfield ; and paid fines to the king, that they 
 might freely buy and sell dyed cloths : From some of the licences 
 containing a permission to sell cloths of any breadths, it is to be 
 inferred that the cloths sold by such woollen drapers, were the 
 fine coloured cloths made in Flanders, and that of the same manu- 
 facture were the red, scarlet, and green cloths, which are found 
 enumerated amongst the articles in the wardrobe of king Henry IL 
 Woollen cloth is mentioned in the Magna Charta, which, under 
 the head "weights and measures," specifically ordains that there 
 shall be only one breadth of dyed cloth, Russets and Haberjects, 
 throughout England." English cloths, made of Spanish wool are 
 also previously named, in an ordinance of Henry H. '* Cloth of 
 Candlewick street," was common in the reign of Edward L as has 
 been already shown.* 
 
 In the " Wardrobe Accounts of Edward L" a variety of cloths 
 and stuffs are enumerated which must have been sold by the dra- 
 pers. They include pannis radiatus, rayed or striped cloth ; de 
 bluetto, blue cloth ; de colore, of one colour ; ad aurum, cloth of 
 gold; lanutus, with the wool on, and others; and in the allow- 
 ance for pontage duties to London bridge, a.d. 1305, there is 
 
 • Hist. Essay, p. 19. 
 
396 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 mentioned, serge stuff, ^rey cloth, and dyed cloth, gold cloth, and 
 cloths worked with gold, fustian, woven cloth, (coming from parts 
 beyond seas,) Flanders cloth, bound and embroidered; Estaford, 
 a species of cloth made at Seaford ; barrel or coarse cloth (com- 
 ing from Normandy,) monks cloth, black and white, English dyed 
 cloth, and russet, including scarlet, thin or summer cloth, coming 
 from Stamford or Northampton, and other places in England.* 
 
 The reign of Edward III. gives an ascertained origin to the Eng- 
 lish cloth manufacture. That monarch, observing a continued de- 
 crease of woollen weavers in his own dominions, on account of the 
 encouragement given to foreigners, prohibited, by statute of his 
 11th year, the exportation of English wool, and all importations 
 of cloth from abroad. He released the native clothmaker at the 
 same time from the restriction in Magna Charta, by which it was 
 ordained that home-made cloth should be two yards wide within 
 the lists ; and he invited artists from the Netherlands to settle 
 here, by a promise of all needful liberties in order that they might 
 improve his own subjects. 
 
 The next year (1330,) official notice occurs in the Fsederaf of 
 the effects of this invitation, being a letter of protection to John 
 Kemp, of Flanders, a woollen weaver, then coming to England to 
 exercise his art, ^nd, as the protection expresses it, " to teach it to 
 such of our people as shall be inclined to learn ic." The king by 
 this document takes Kemp, and all his servants, apprentices, goods, 
 and chattels, into his royal protection, and promises the same like- 
 wise to all others of his occupation, as also to all dyers and fullers 
 who shall settle in England. Seventy families of Walloons arrived 
 and stationed themselves the same year in the ward of Candlewick. 
 They consisted of Flemings and Brabanters, who had their sepa- 
 rate meeting-places, the one in St. Lawrence Poulteney church- 
 
 * We are told, that as early as the 
 reign of Edward I. the Netherlanders 
 had the most flourishing cloth manu- 
 facture in Europe ; but having no wool 
 of their own, either in quantity or qua- 
 lity, they were obliged to receive their 
 principal supply from England. There 
 is every reason to believe that they had 
 our woollen sent over to them in the 
 10th century, though there are no re- 
 cords of it; but in the 11th and 12th 
 centuries, we certainly know they were 
 supplied from England with that ar- 
 ticle, and in the 13th century, we find 
 a sort of corporation, established for 
 the business of collecting our wool in 
 the inland counties, and bringing it to 
 
 the most convenient sea-ports, for its 
 paying the king's custom or subsidy, 
 previously to its exportation to the Ne- 
 therlands. With this plain commerce 
 England supphed all her wants from 
 foreign parts, and our merchants brought 
 over a considerable balance of gold and 
 silver. This may be seen in the pro- 
 gress of the trade, even before Edward 
 III. had erected a woollen manufacture 
 in England ; and the fact aflbrds a de- 
 monstration of the benefits of our com- 
 merce at that time, as well as of our 
 national frugality, in the then little 
 consumption of foreign wares and lux- 
 urious dainties, 
 t Vol. IV. p. 496. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 397 
 
 yard, and the other in the churchyard of St. Mary Somerset ; and 
 who, Stowe adds, ''were weavers of drapery, tapery, and napery;" 
 in other words, consisted of woollen-weavers, and linen-weavers.* 
 
 In 1361, the English cloth manufacture having arrived, as we 
 may suppose, at full perfection, the king removed the wool staple 
 from Calais, where it had been kept before, and ordained that the 
 staples for wool should be held at nine different towns in England, 
 each of which was placed under the government of a mayor and 
 two constables, and had an assigned jurisdiction. The principal 
 staple was at Westminster, and comprised a district extending from 
 Temple Bar to Tothill Fields. The proceedings of these markets 
 were regulated by the law-merchant ; and the chief matters taken 
 cognizance of were the five staple commodities of the kingdom, 
 wool, woolfells, leather, lead, and tin. 
 
 In 1378 Richard II. removed the wool staple from Westminster 
 to Staples Inn, Holborn, which appears to have received its name 
 from that circumstance; and in 1397 a regular weekly market was 
 established for the sale of country cloths at Blackwell Hall, London. 
 The city and the London drapers are said on this occasion to have 
 made an attempt to prevent the wholesale as well as retail sale of 
 cloths by strangers, and to have caused the passing of the statute 
 7 Henry IV. (cap. 9, Sec. 112,) whereby country clothiers were al- 
 lowed to sell their wares in gross in the city, notwithstanding any 
 franchises of London : — We notice its preamble, as containing some 
 historical information ; it states, that it had been shewn to parliament 
 " how in old time it was used and accustomed, that as well the cloth- 
 makers and drapers of whatsoever place of the realm, repairing and 
 having recourse to the city of London, as other merchants with mer- 
 chandize exercising, repairing, and having recourse to the said 
 city, might buy and sell by gross, as well with aliens as denizens, of 
 the cloths and other merchandizes aforesaid, at their will and plea- 
 sure, paying in this behalf only the customs and other devoirs 
 thereof reasonably due, and that they never in all the said time were 
 disturbed, or in any way hindred to sell and buy in gross with mer- 
 
 * Anderson accounts for the Nether- 
 landers so readily accepting the king's 
 invitation (after having mentioned that 
 for 400 years the cloth manufacture 
 had continued increasing with them, 
 and was taken off by France, Germany, 
 and England,) by stating, that the first 
 blow at its prosperity was an abuse 
 which had crept into it in consequence 
 of the halls or companies of three Ne- 
 therland cities having made restrictive 
 
 laws, under pretence of preventing de- 
 ceits, but which were intended to con- 
 fine the manufacture to themselves. 
 This circumstance forcing much of the 
 weaving trade from those companies to 
 the villages, and the example being fol - 
 lowed in other parts of the country, they 
 occasioned such riots as forced the great 
 olfeiiders to fly, and contributed to es- 
 tablish the art of drapery in England. 
 
398 
 
 DBAPERS' COMPANY. 
 
 chants, alien or denizen, of such cloths and merchandizes, but only 
 as to retail." And it declares the cause of passing the Act to be to 
 restore full freedom as formerly. 
 
 Three years afterwards we find the Flemish linen manufacturers 
 settled here, claiming the like exoneration from payment to the 
 London Weaver's gild as had been granted by Edward III. to the 
 woollen cloth makers; but that the claim was disallowed by a 
 formal decision of the court of exchequer. This affords a proof not 
 only of the jealousy with which the English looked on such grants, 
 but that their own advancement in cloth-making had rendered it 
 at this early date a matter of little consequence to keep terms with 
 them: and that having answered the purpose for which they were 
 invited over, these foreign workmen were obliged now to merge their 
 privileges in the general laws which governed the London associ- 
 ated cloth manufacturers, and other gilds of native tradesmen. 
 
 A notice in Lord Herbert's History of Henry VHL, under the 
 year 1528, shews that our cloth trade to the Netherlands was then 
 one of the most important branches of commerce we possessed. 
 A war being likely at this time to break out between England and 
 the Emperor, our merchants trading to that part foreseeing the con- 
 sequences, " refused to buy those cloths which were brought to 
 Blackwell Hall, London ; whereupon the clothiers, spinners, and 
 carders, in many shires of England, began to mutiny ; for appeasing 
 whereof the Cardinal (Wolsey) commanded our merchants to take 
 off those cloths at a reasonable price from the poor men's hands, 
 threatening otherwise, that the king himself should buy them, 
 and sell them to strangers ; but the sullen merchants, little moved 
 herewith, said they had no reason to buy commodities they knew 
 not how to vend; therefore, whatever was proposed for staples at 
 Calais, at i\.bbeville," (the English staple being then at Antwerp,) 
 
 our merchants did not, or at least would not, understand it." 
 
 The year 1567 was remarkable for the introduction of a new 
 species of cloth manufacture, that is to say, the making of 
 bayes, serges, and other slight woollen goods. It began at Norwich, 
 and acquired the name of the new Drapery ^ as being introduced 
 so much later into England than the old drapery of broad-cloth, 
 kersies, &c. Strype* gives a particular description of this new 
 manufacture; but its history not applying to our purpose, it will 
 be sufficient here to merely notice it. 
 
 In 1593 the proclamation of Elizabeth, inconsequence of the 
 plague then raging, prohibits the keeping of Bartholomew Fair,! 
 
 * Strype's Stow, II. p. 265-6. 
 
 t Faedera, XVI., p. 213. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 399 
 
 and affords us an idea of the nature of the part appropriated at 
 that period as the Cloth Fair, then the great metropolitan mart 
 for woollen cloth, now dwindled down to a few small draper's 
 shops, which still remain to commemorate the spot. It orders, on 
 account of its "being wont to be a general resort of all kinds of 
 people, out of every part of the realm to the said fair," that there 
 shall not be any manner of market kept in the usual place of 
 Smithfield, for any wares, or stalls, or booths for merchandize, but 
 in the open place of Smithfield, and there for the sale of horses and 
 cattle only: and of stall wares, as butter, cheese, and suchlike, in 
 gross, and not by retail, and for two days only; and for the vent 
 of woollen cloth and linen cloth, to be sold in gross, and not by 
 retail : The same to be all brought within the close-yard of St. Bar- 
 tholomew, where shops are there continued, and have gates to shut 
 the same place in the night time. The sale of leather to be kept 
 on the outside of the ring of Smithfield, as hath been accustomed." 
 
 The Drapers' Company are distinctly stated in the introduction 
 to their ordinances of 6 Henry IV. to have been founded in the 
 year 1332; that is, they were then chartered in common with the 
 other great companies. As a society they existed much earlier, 
 though not noticed by Madox amongst his adulterine gilds in the 
 reign of Henry II., or in his accounts of those who afterwards paid 
 their fermes into the Exchequer. For Fitz-Alwin, the first mayor 
 (as will be seen) left to them, as a company, all his lands 
 in St. Mary Bothawe, as early as Henry I. Tolason and Hardell, 
 also, who were mayors in 1252 and 1253, arid both drapers, there 
 is little doubt were members; and the fact of the drapers being thus 
 early associated is further corroborated by the way in which they are 
 mentioned in the pleadings respecting the Abbot's fair, of West- 
 minster, in 30 Edward I. : — Whether they were only considered as 
 cloth-sellers in those early times, or as manufacturers, (in conjunc- 
 tion with the weavers, burillers, tenterers, and particularly the 
 sheer-men, from whom they were afterwards separated,) does not 
 appear. 
 
 In ] 363 we find the drapers' gild contributing the large sum of 
 50 marks towards the king's French wars. 
 
 In 1364 they received their first regular charter of incorporation, 
 as already noticed ; and the sheriffs of London were commanded 
 to proclaim the substance of the same, together with the ordinance 
 of parliament, which gave rise to it. The preamble of this pro- 
 clamation, in stating the reason for granting the said charter, fur- 
 nishes us with some further particulars of the company's history at 
 this time: "It had been shewn to the king in council," it says, 
 
400 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 that persons of divers mysteries in the city of London, intermixed 
 themselves with the mystery of drapery, and practised divers deceits 
 and frauds in their use of the said mystery, to the great damage 
 of the king and his people, and contrary to the said ordinance — It 
 in consequence orders and grants that none do use the mystery of 
 drapery in the city of London, or suburbs of the same, who have not 
 been apprenticed to the said mystery, or in other way obtained the 
 consent of the said mystery. And that each of the mysteries of tent- 
 erers, tellers, and fullers, confine themselves to their own mysteries, 
 and in no manner intermix themselves, or interfere with the making, 
 buying, or selling, of any manner of cloth or drapery, on pain of 
 imprisonment, and the loss of all cloth so by them made, bought, 
 or sold, or its value, to the king's use. Further, that none having 
 cloth to sell in the city or suburbs, do sell it in the way of free 
 drapers of the said mystery of drapery, either by wholesale as 
 owners, or otherwise; and that the same be allowed to be bought 
 only in gross by the said dealers, and not by retail." 
 
 The king reserves from these restrictions his beloved in God, 
 the prior of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield, and other lords who 
 have fairs in the said suburbs, by grant of the king's predecessors 
 or himself; continuing to them their fairs, franchises, and free cus- 
 toms which they have been accustomed to in their said fairs, from 
 the time of such grants ; and orders that they shall in no wise be 
 damaged or prejudiced under colour of the ordinance mentioned. 
 He also reserves to the merchants-vintners, of Gascony, the fran- 
 chises which he had granted to them, and wills them in all points 
 to remain in force, as more fully contained in his letters patent to 
 the said drapers.* The ordinance of parliament referred to, con- 
 fines all makers of cloth within the realm, as well men as women, 
 to make their cloths, as to price, according to that ordinance, and 
 enacts, that "all drapers shall buy and purvey their sorts accord- 
 ing to the same price: So that a great plenty of such cloths be 
 made and set to sale in city, borough, and merchant town: and 
 that the said clothworkers and drapers be constrained so to do by 
 any manner way that best shall seem to the king and his council." 
 
 The number of members sent by the drapers to the common 
 council, in 50 Edward IIL, and the order of Sir Nicholas Brembre, 
 mayor, in 1 385, separating drapery from tailory, and the weaving 
 business, as well as other notices indicative of the highly-flourish- 
 ing state of the trade, prove that the company must at this period 
 have taken a foremost station amongst the other great livery com- 
 
 * Clause 38 Edw. 111., m 12 d. in Turr. Lond. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 401 
 
 panies. Indeed, such was the consequence which this national 
 manufacture had arisen to a few years later, that in 1406-7, the 
 House of Commons, in a petition to Henry IV., complained of the 
 Statute of Liveries of Edward III. being principally infringed by 
 the confederacy "of the multitude of the company of the livery of 
 the Drapers, ['de la multitude de eux de Compaigny de la Liverie 
 de Draps.']"* 
 
 The ancient members of this trade lived chiefly in and about 
 Cornhill, and by the name of the " Fraternity of the Drapers of 
 Cornhill," had their gild in St. Mary Bethlem-hospital Church, 
 Bishopsgate. They also then held their annual feast on the puri- 
 fication of that saint. The introduction of the Dutch and Flemish 
 weavers occasioned the settlement afterwards of many of the drapers 
 in Candlewick ward, and, ultimately, the building of the first 
 Drapers' Hall in St. Swithin's lane, which was the situation it ori- 
 ginally stood in ; they, however, were not confined to this spot, 
 for, besides that several of them lingered about Cornhill, they oc- 
 cupied much of Birchin lane, and extended thence, more or less, 
 all the way to Stocks market. In the reign of Henry V., the 
 drapers having mostly removed from Cornhill, Stow says, you had 
 as the principal dwellers there, " fripperers, or upholders, that sold 
 old apparel and household stuff." The countryman in London, 
 Lickpenny, finds the hood hung up for sale in Cornhill which he 
 had been robbed of in Westminster Hall ; so that it had now 
 become a sort of Monmouth street; the same countryman also 
 furnishes an additional evidence of the drapers having then removed 
 to Candlewick ward. 
 
 Then went T forth by London stone ; 
 
 Throughout all Camvyke street, 
 
 Drapers, much cloth me o tiered, anone.''t 
 
 * Parliament Rolls, 2, p. 300. 
 
 t The evidences of the draper's for- 
 mer residence on the spots described, 
 are found in abundance in the ancient 
 notices of interments in St. Peter's and 
 St. Michael's, Cornhill; in the churches 
 of St. Mary Abchurch, St. Mary Bot- 
 haw, and St. Swithin, Cannon-street, 
 and in the church of St. Mary Woolnoth. 
 In the latter, and connected with the 
 woolmarket or Haw, chantries were 
 founded by Thomas Nocket, "Civis et 
 Pannarius," 1396, and by Simon Eyre, 
 draper, and the founder of Leadenhall, 
 in 1449 ; and here, and in the other 
 churches mentioned, interments of more 
 than twenty eminent drapers are regis- 
 
 tered. Of the very ancient ones where 
 Latin is used, the style is universally 
 Pannarius. Thus, under St. Peter and 
 St. Michael, we find Henry Palmer, 
 Cives et Pannarius Lend., K^20; Jo- 
 hannes Boys, Nuper civis et Pannarius 
 Lond., 1430, besides the names of those 
 eminent drapers, aid. Kobert Clopton, 
 1462; Thomas Pend, 1499 ; Lancelot 
 Thompson, 1602; Thomas Lyffin, a 
 great benefactor to Thoyden Gernon 
 church, Essex, 1482; Robert Drope, 
 mayor, in 1476; Thomas Rathband, 
 1499; John Maidenhead, L024 ; alder- 
 man Robert Fabian, author of the 
 Chronicle, <fec. In St. Mary Abchurch, 
 Simon de Winchcomb, ancestor of the 
 
 D d 
 
402 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 The grant of arms to the company in 1439, as already mentioned, 
 forms an important epoch in their history. It was a mark of dis- 
 tinction conferred on few of the companies at that period, and, 
 consequently, forms a standard, from which we may judge of the 
 rank and advancement of this of the drapers. 
 
 This curious document appears the only one of its kind of so 
 early a date; the Herald's College possessing none of the arms of 
 the London Livery companies, and the present grant (which is now 
 at the British Museum) if it ever belonged to the college, having 
 been preserved by accident. It contains, exclusively of the grant- 
 ing part, various historical notices and allusions, illustrative of the 
 company, and particularly of the leading points in their charter of 
 Henry VI., which had been only a short time before granted to 
 them, and which it is evident, from the terms made use of, was the 
 cause of their receiving this grant of arms.* 
 
 The books of the company are preserved till within a few years 
 of the above date, and continue its history for upwards of two cen- 
 
 John de Winchcomb, surnamed Jack 
 of Newbury, who founded a chantry 
 there in 1390 ; Robert Banburgh, a 
 great benefactor to the church, 1437 ; 
 Sir John Branch, mayor, 1580. In St. 
 Swithin's, Sir John Hend, mayor, 1404; 
 John Butler, sheriff, 1420; William 
 White, sheriff, 1482; and in St. Mary 
 Bothaw, the famous first mayor of 
 London, Fitz-Alwin, of whom a more 
 particular account will be found here- 
 after. 
 
 * It purports to be made by Sir 
 William Bruges, Garter king of Arms, 
 in the 17th year of the reign of Henry 
 VI., and states, That it having pleased 
 his sovereign, the most high, powerful, 
 and excellent prince and most Christian 
 King Henry the Sixth of that name, 
 of his abundant grace, to grant by Let- 
 ters Patents to his humble and loyal 
 leiges the Folk of the Mystery of Free 
 Drapers of his most noble, famous, and 
 renowned City of London the liberty to 
 be a corporation (reciting the particulars 
 as in the king's charter mentioned), 
 and that the said mystery wishing to 
 augment their honours as much as pos- 
 sible, had requested him, the said Gar- 
 ter, to devise an ensign in form of 
 blazon, from which they might have 
 made a Common Seal peculiar to them- 
 selves, to serve for the business of the 
 said mystery, and which should belong 
 o])\y lo themselves, — he the said Garter 
 
 king of Arms, seeing the great honour 
 done them by the noble favor and grant 
 aforesaid, and also in compliment of 
 the honourable man, John Gedney, the 
 first master, elected at the commence- 
 ment of the aforesaid corporation of the 
 good, fit, deliberation, and to the entire 
 contentment of the said company, in- 
 corporated as the said Mystery of Dra- 
 pers; and also in compliment as well 
 to the four wardens, John Wotton, 
 John Darby, Robert Bertyn, and Tho- 
 mas Cook, as to the other notables of 
 the said fraternity and company, — had 
 devised for them an Ensign in form of 
 blazon, to remain to the said notables 
 of the mystery for a perpetual remem- 
 brance, that is to say, In honour of the 
 most glorious virgin and mother, whose 
 resplendent rays obscured the sun, he 
 had devised for their blazon. Three sun- 
 beams issuing from three clouds of 
 flame, crowned wath three imperial 
 crowns ol gold, on a field of azure, and 
 as appeared painted in the demonstrances 
 of the said blazon placed in painting 
 and other proper colours in the margin 
 of such his grant. And that for truly 
 emblazoning the said arms, it behoved 
 they should be borne as described ; and 
 such blazon he the said Garter king 
 of Arms certified to be borne by none 
 other whatsoever in the isle of Great 
 Britain. Sealed with the said Garter's 
 seal of office. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 403 
 
 turies. Those of most interest are the warden's accounts, which 
 consist of several folios, and, besides being registers of money 
 transactions, are also a species of court minutes, or records of oc- 
 currences abounding with entries, elucidatory of the companies' 
 domestic government, trading concerns, dress, observances, trust 
 charities, and various other subjects.* 
 
 The warden's accounts are divided into Receipts and Expences. 
 The receipts are preceded by the names of the master and wardens, 
 year of the king's reign in which they serve office, name or title of 
 the company, and mention of the interval occupied. f They con- 
 sist of apprentice fees, in this company called " Spoon Silver," of 
 receipts for admissions of new members, and for fines and quarter- 
 ages. The expences include (amongst numerous other items) the 
 annual charges for minstrels and drinking, in accompanying the 
 new sheriffs by water to Westminster, and on attending the lord 
 mayor's show; potacions at our Lady Fair in Southwark" in 
 making the company's trade search; costs of the Election Feast, 
 and other entertainments; salaries of officers; pensions of poor; 
 payments for obits and chantries, and miscellaneous expences; 
 together with such charges as were common to all the companies, 
 when called upon by the state or the city for public purposes, as 
 to ride in processions, or assist with men or money on government 
 
 * The first book, which is a very 
 large folio, fairly written, begins in the 
 time of Sir Thomas Stalbroke, master ; 
 John Stokker, William Bulstrode, Ed- 
 ward Pigou, and William Capell, war- 
 dens, 1475 (15 Edward IV.), and ends 
 1508 (22 Henry VII, )GeorgeMonnoux, 
 alderman, then master. Only 175 pages 
 out of 500 or 600 are written on. The 
 second book does not begin till six or 
 seven years after the ending of the first, 
 as stated in a fly-leaf, " Liber Septimus 
 hie incipit, 1514-15;" John Mylborn, 
 alderman and lord mayor, being then 
 master. We may suppose that there 
 were five other volumes of accounts, 
 Cthese being the sixth and seventh,) 
 of earlier date, and which are now 
 lost. For the company are said in other 
 of their records to have first made ordi- 
 nances in 1332. 
 
 t These headings are always in Latin, 
 and those to the warden's entries in 
 English, as [1481. In tempore Thome 
 Stalbroke, militi, magister artis Pan- 
 narior'; Johannis Finkell, Johannes 
 Tutfyn, Willi' Isac et Ricardi Butte, 
 gardianor' anno xxj. Regis Ed' iiij*' , 
 
 a festo Assumpt' bte Marie Virginis an" 
 vt sup vsq' ad idem festu' tu'c p""^ sequent 
 scil't in an° Dn'i 1482, et an" Reg^ 
 pr del xxij.]" After which, [This is 
 the accompt of John Fynkell, John 
 Tutfyn, William Isac, and Richard 
 Butte, wardens of the Crafte of Drapers 
 of London, begyning at the feste of th' 
 Assumption oF oar Lady, in the xxj. 
 yere of the same king, which is by an 
 hole yere, that is to say, of all their 
 Receipts and Payments, by reason of 
 their office by alle the same 3 ere."] 
 The same wardens, as well as subse- 
 quent ones, before they give any items 
 of either Receipt or Expenditure, ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of Stock from 
 the old wardens, as declaratory of the 
 company's increasing wealth, in this 
 form, " Fyrst the seyde wardens chargen 
 them to have ressceyved of Mighell 
 Harryes, John Hawkyn, Ric' Hawkyn, 
 and Thomas Wyntham, their prede- 
 cessors, wardens for the year laste paste, 
 of the foote of their accompte, sm^ 
 Ixxx^^- xj^- vjdi ," when follows the list 
 of items in manner described above. 
 
 D d 2 
 
404 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 emergences. The whole of these entries are more or less interest- 
 ing, as exhibiting the advancement of the company, or displaying 
 traits of character, and pictures of by-gone manners and ages, at 
 the same time that they elucidate the progress of our language by 
 abundant specimens (not elsewhere to be met with) of the collo- 
 quial and familiar English of the day. 
 
 The state and increase of the company are shewn by the entries 
 of the few first years: — In 1476 the apprentices admitted amount 
 to twenty-three, and the fee to 3s. 4cL each. The quarterage from 
 seventy-one members is 3^. 11 5., and only I6s. is collected from 
 fifty-one of the fraternity towards the minstrels. The rest of the 
 receipts consist of small sums for fines, redemptions, admissions to 
 the livery, and on other accounts: the whole year's expences 
 (consisting of twenty-one items) amount but to 34Z. Is. Ic?. The 
 cash in hand, or what is said to **reste to the crafte," is (according 
 to a custom observed every year) stated to have been put *'into 
 the great box the day of bringing in the same account, being the 
 12th of March, 17 of King Edward IV:"— Five years after- 
 wards, [1481,] the apprentice fees rise from 3s. 4c/. to 13s. 4d. 
 each: the amount from twenty-four of them being 161., and the 
 admission fee on the livery (before 2s.) in some instances as high 
 as 41. 6s. Sd. In 1498 the apprentices are thirty-five, one of 
 whom pays 20s. In succeeding years there is a like progressive 
 advancement. 
 
 The first entry of a strictly historical nature is in 1476, when it 
 is said " the crafte was cessid for xl persones to ride to meet with 
 the king at his comyng fro' beyond the see." This ceremony took 
 place on the return of Edward IV. from France, and cost the com- 
 pany 20Z. The most interesting of the other entries of a similar 
 kind, as far as our limits permit us to copy them, shall be given 
 chronologically. 
 
 1483 (August .5.) The livery attended a civic procession to wel- 
 come the unfortunate Edward V. on his being brought to town by 
 the dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham. The young prince was 
 parsimoniously honored, for the company only sent six persons, 
 who are debited in different sums from 12c?. to 6s. Sd. under the 
 name of "Riding money for Prince Edward." In the following 
 November (1483) twenty-two persons of the livery receive the like 
 " riding money," for attending the coronation procession of his 
 uncle Richard III., or, as the entry states it, "the comyng in of 
 the king upon Seint Katerynes day." On this occasion the 
 usurper was met by four-hundred and six members of the livery 
 
OllIGIN AND HISTORY, 
 
 405 
 
 companies "riding in nurrey-coloured coats," including the above 
 deputation from this company. The drapers' records preserve notices 
 of three other public transactions in which they were engaged jointly 
 with the other companies during this reign, all of them happening 
 in 1484 and 1485. 
 
 The first was a grand military muster of the citizens on the rising 
 of the "Kentish men," after the coronation of Richard and his 
 queen, Ann Nevil, and towards which the mercers', tailors', and 
 drapers' companies furnished two hundred men each. The second 
 was on occasion of the " coming of the Northern men into the city," 
 a few months afterwards, when another grand muster was made, 
 which met in Finsbury fields. A particular account of the dress 
 and mode of arming will be seen under the head "Goldsmiths' 
 Company."* The last is a meager notice of 9s. having been paid 
 "for bote hire to Westmynstre to the buryng of Quene Anne;" 
 who finished her short and unhappy reign on the 16th of March, 
 1485, after having been queen little more than a twelvemonth. 
 
 1485. (1 Henry VII.) Entry of 21. " for bote hire to Westmynstre 
 in the p'le'ent (parliament) tyme, and to put up o*" Bill for a re- 
 formacion of cloth making." Pippins are first mentioned in this 
 entry as an article of refreshment, and are introduced amongst the 
 items of most of the feasts afterwards. There is charged " for 
 pippyns put into the barge, 11* ob. ; for ij. rybbes of beef, xiij* ; 
 and for a bottell of wyne, vij* ob." 
 
 1487 (November). On Henry's triumphal entry into London, 
 after his victory over " the Northern rebels," and on the coronation 
 of his queen Elizabeth, the 15th of the same month, the companies 
 were summoned, as usual, to add to the splendor. The drapers' 
 books have entries on both these occasions. The first is in the fol- 
 lowing quaint terms: 
 
 " Remembraunce, that the craft was cessed for xxx persones to 
 ride to sette in the kinge ; whiche cessing draweth to the somme of 
 j-yii. yjs. jjd.. thereof we receyved but the somme of xij''- ix^- ij*^" 
 
 The second is respecting the queen's coming by water from 
 Greenwich to her coronation at Westminster, and which has been 
 already described. f 
 
 1491. "The aldermen of the taylo's were treated with brede and 
 wine at Drapers' halle." The occasion is not mentioned; but it 
 appears, from after entries, to have related to the settlement of 
 
 * The draper's wardens' accounts candyll, when a watche was kept in the 
 debit on the occasion a sum of vi«- for time of King Ric' III^^ yere.'' 
 t Hist. Essay, 95. 
 
406 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 differences between them in managing the cloth trade, and which 
 both having an equal interest in, was frequently, it will be seen, a 
 subject of dispute. 
 
 1493. This year was a general numbering of the company. It 
 was found to amount in the whole to 289, viz.: *'0f the craft of 
 Drapers in the clothing" or livery, 114, including the master and 
 four wardens; "of the Broderhode oute of the clothing," or freemen, 
 1 15; and " of the Bachelors' Company," 60. The list of livery of 
 the craft in the clothing," comprises several names afterwards 
 eminent in civic history. The master and wardens were all alder- 
 men, and on the court; and amonst the livery were alderman 
 Fabian, Roger Achilly, mayor, 1511; Sir William Capell, Sir 
 George Milborne, alderman Monnoux, Richard Shore, sheriff, &c. 
 The Bachelors' company" had four wardens, who are named, but 
 no names are given of the other members. 
 
 The same year one of those riots which have been stated to have 
 so often occurred anciently, from the hatred of the London mob to 
 foreigners, took place at the Steel-yard, in Thames street, then the 
 great mart (amongst other imports) for Flemish cloth. The drapers 
 who dealt largely with Flanders for this article, were foremost in 
 contributing to restore peace ; and they afterwards, as we are in- 
 formed by a subsequent entry, sent a force to guard the depot from 
 fresh attacks : it states II5. 9d. to have been expended "for cres- 
 set-staffs and banners, and bread, ale and candell, in keeping xvij. 
 days watch after the riot at the Steel-yard." A particular and en- 
 tertaining account of this outrage, from Grafton's Chronicle, will 
 be found in the note.* 
 
 * The kinjy [Henry VII.] to revenge 
 himself on the Flemings for counte- 
 nancing Perkin Warbeck, had forbidden 
 trading to Flanders. The merchants 
 were greatly displeased, and particularly 
 as the Esterlings of the Steel-yard still 
 retained their liberty of importing clotb, 
 as before. By reason hereof, says tbe 
 historian, "the maisters beyng destitute 
 of sale and traffique, neyther reteyned 
 so many couenaunt seruants and ap- 
 prentices as they were before accus- 
 tomed, and in especiall, mercers, ha- 
 berdashers, and clothworkers, nor yet 
 gaue to their seruauntes so great stipend 
 and salarie as before that restraynt they 
 vsed to do. For this cause the sayde 
 seruauntes entendyng to worke their 
 malice on the Easterlyngs, tbe Tuesday 
 before Saint Edwardes day, came to the 
 Milliard, in London, and began to rifle 
 
 and spoyle such Chambers and Ware- 
 houses as they could get into ; so that 
 the Easterlynges had much ado to with- 
 stand and repulse them out of their 
 gates. And when their gates were shut 
 and made fast, the multitude rushed and 
 beate at the gates with clubbes and 
 leauers to have entred, but the Easter- 
 lynges, by the helpe of Carpenters and 
 Smythes, which came to their ayde by 
 water, out of the Borough of South- 
 warke, had so strongly shored and for- 
 tefyed themselves, that they could not 
 preuail. The maior of London, heeryng 
 of this ryot, assembled the magistrates 
 and oflTicers of the citj^e together, and 
 so, beyng furnished both with men and 
 weapon, set forward to the Stiliard. 
 Assone as the commyng of the maior 
 was declared and knowen to the riotous 
 persons, they fled away lyke a flock of 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 407 
 
 The next three entries appear to refer entirely to matters con- 
 nected with drapery : 
 
 1495. '* P''- ij^ for the makyng of a Bill to the King for cloth- 
 makyng. 
 
 1496. For a potacion for the heads of the M'"- Taylo^^ when 
 they met to grayn cloths. 
 
 For a barge two times to the Shene (Richmond) to speak w*.'' the 
 king for reformacon of our Act to be made for woollen cloth, which 
 cost us and the Taylors in vytels, supplicacon, and learned counsel], 
 311. j^jjjs. iiijd " (Same year) " For brede and ale when the felysship 
 mustered at Drap^ Hall for Blak heth felde." 
 
 This last meeting was preparatory to the king's battle with the 
 Cornish insurgents under Joseph the farrier, and Flammock the 
 lawyer, on Blackheath, over whom he obtained a complete victory. 
 
 Same year; the company expended 41. for "a riding to the 
 king to Woodstock ; at which place all the companies were also 
 oblige to attend by my lord the mayrs commandment." The 
 drapers were accompanied by Mr. Recorder, Mr. Fabian," and 
 other eminent persons. 
 
 1498. A payment of 85. is entered, for going to Westminster 
 *'to speke w*^ my lord Cardynall (Morton) for brokage and scavage 
 att the mayrs commandment." 
 
 On the marriage of Prince Arthur, with Katherine of Spain, in 
 1499, and the death of that prince a few months afterwards, the 
 company have entries of the following payments. 
 
 " For a XX. and dj. (thirty) men ayens the comyng of the king's 
 daughter of Spayn for this place, iij^ " 
 
 " To Crosby, carpenf. for the fraym in Chepe, where we stod 
 at the comyng in of the p^'nces Dame Kateryn oute of Spayn, in 
 ou' liv'^ey, xxx^ ." 
 
 1500. *'For our standing in Powlys in ou'' Ladye Chapell at the 
 masse of Requiem of P''nce Arthure, iiij*^ ." 
 
 1502. The like sum paid for the same standing "at the Dirige 
 and mass for queue Elizabeth" (of York.) 
 
 sheepe ; howbeit he apprehended diuers the same. Whereof, some that were 
 of the malefactors, and committed them the Chieftaynes and beginners of this 
 to seuerall prisons. And vpon the in- mischeuous riot, were sent to the 
 quirie before the kinges commissioners, Tower, and there long continued. But 
 there were found guiltie above Ixxx in conclusion, because none of their 
 seruauntes and apprentices (and not one maysters were founde trespassers of 
 householder) which were confederate this naughtie act, the king of hys good- 
 together to make this attempt, and nesse pardoned their offence, and re- 
 sworne in no wyse to discouer or reuele stored them to their libertie." 
 
408 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 Same year, the company were '^cessid xxxij^ and again 3'- 4** 
 " towards building of the new Kechyn at Guildhall." 
 
 In the above year and the next (1503), the tailors, haberdashers, 
 and dyers seem to have had a great difference respecting the dying 
 of cloths. The drapers and tailors prepared for law, but were pre- 
 vented by the intervention of the mayor and aldermen, who being in 
 these times general arbitrators between the companies, happily 
 settled this as well as many other of their quarrels. 
 
 The entries notice the treaty to have began at first amicably, a 
 payment of 45. being booked " for potac'ons at div" tymes had 
 w*^ the taylo'^% haberdashers, and dyers, for dying w*Mn this cite.'* 
 It is soon followed, however, by a resolution to "retayn counsel 
 against the tailo''\" Both these occurrences take place in 1502. 
 
 In 1503 ''the drapers and tailo" agree to refer all differences 
 between their fellowships to the lord mayor and aldermen:" — 
 They were terminated soon afterwards by a regular legal con- 
 vention between the parties, the record of which is amongst the 
 City Archives.* 
 
 1509. On the death of Henry VII. the wardens, in their accounts, 
 claim credit for 114s. *' for xij. torches for the beryall of King 
 Henry the VI P*" weying ccxx^**- and 1 quarf , whereof was wasted 
 xxxij^^-, at iiij^ le lb., and xij*^ for making of eu'y torche." 
 
 1514 — 15 (25 August.) It was represented to the court of the 
 company, including amongst others Sir George Monnoux, lord 
 mayor; alderman Sir Lawrence Aylmer, and aldermen Brugge 
 and Milborn, that Sir William Capell had " sent in a bill of 
 divers parcels of land and other things, which he was minded to 
 give to the fraternite, for them to cause certain services to be 
 done for his soul for ever, and wishing to know what ready money 
 they would demand therefore, in case they refused such land?" 
 The court, on debate, answered, " that they would accept the trust 
 offered for 1000 marks immediate payment, and 14/. yearly, and 
 would add any other services he might wish farther at that rate."t 
 
 * It purports to be "an agreement the other part, on the oath established 
 made between the craft of dyers of the and confirmed by the mayor and alder- 
 one part, and the fellowships of drapers, men, by the consent and agreement of 
 tailors, and merchant haberdashers of all the said parties." 
 
 + The parcels of land and other things" offered, were : — 
 
 In Holborn of the yearly value The hous in Watlyng strete 
 
 of liijs- iiijd- iiijii. xiija- iiij«i- 
 
 I'he bakehouse in Trinity lane The houses in Bassishawe 
 
 iiijii. vjs- viijd- yt- a cordwain'' holdeth 
 
 The houses in Seynt Kateryn xxx"- viij^ 
 
 Colman p'sslie xxvjs- The houses in Houndis diche 
 
 The hous in Canwyke strete iiij''- 
 xvjii. viijs- 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 409 
 
 Several discussions took place on this business, after which, 
 with some alterations of their first proposals, the company under- 
 took the trust. Two of the altered conditions on which they 
 accepted it were curious : one was, 
 
 That the chantry priest to be provided should, when required, 
 " wait on the company at divine service for the worship of the 
 same." — The other, that the clerk, beadle, and alms folk dwell- 
 ing near to Drapers' Hall, should have their several portions of 
 the coals to be laid in, as in other wills." The company, on con- 
 senting to the bargain, also threw out the following hint : — 
 
 Moreover, we trust to have a speciall and a kynd brotherly 
 tokyn of remembraunce of plate — as basins, potts, cuppisj or 
 other thing of pleasure, for a dayly memory whan yt shal be sene, 
 to th' intent that his soule may be ther after remembred and 
 prayed for ; whiche we submyt vnto that honourable lady his wif 
 and to his worshipful executors." 
 
 Sir William's death immediately followed the settlement of the 
 negotiation ; for we find it stated in a subsequent entry of the 
 same year, that, in pursuance of the agreement that Sir William 
 Capell's obit should be kept in the priory church of St. Bartho- 
 lomew the Great, Smithfield," — the whole Company of Drapers 
 assembled at their hall to receive the prior of that convent, there 
 being also present, the lord mayor, recorder, and several of the 
 council. 
 
 ''The p'^or of Seynt Barth'ew's" was introduced, "when Mr. 
 Recorder and Mr. Pollet in the name of Sir William Capell, knight, 
 agreed," — to give the company 600/. in ready money to purchase 
 15Z. 7c?. yearly land. That after Sir William and Lady Capell's 
 death, the company should nominate the priest and almsmen 
 which should be founded with a portion of the said 15/. Id., and 
 at certain times the priest should attend on the company " to the 
 worship of the same." And it was further agreed on behalf of 
 
 The payments and services expected by Sir William Capell, for this property, 
 were : — 
 
 To a preeste yerely viji>- vj^- vij^- 
 To a poor man wekely xij^- 
 To the maior of London vj^- viij^- 
 To the sheriffs viij^- 
 To the master of the drapers 
 
 iiijs- 
 
 To the four wardens of the dra- 
 pers xiij«- iiij'^- 
 
 To the p'son, preestis, and 
 clerks of the churche for 
 ringing and potac'ons iij=- iilj'* 
 
 For his obite yerely xx«- 
 — potac'ons for the drapers vj^- viij*^- 
 To the clerk of drapers xij**- 
 To the bedell of drapers viij^ 
 For ye lode of colys, to be dis- 
 tributed in Saynt Bartholo- 
 mew p'sshe xx"^ 
 Sin* xiij*'- xij*'' 
 
DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 the company, that the clerk, beadle, and almsmen dwelling within 
 the Drapers^ Hall, should have their several portions of the said 
 two loads of coals to be given away at the said obit. 
 
 1518. The almost exclusive limitation of the drapers' trade to 
 the city, at this date, is shown by an answer of the company to a 
 precept, commanding them to certify the names of freemen dra- 
 pers, dwelling in Westminster, Southwark, and parts around 
 London.* The whole number of names returned amounts but to 
 seven, viz. in Westminster two, in Shoreditch one, and without 
 Temple Bar four. 
 
 N.B. From the last date, bonds, bills, obligations and other 
 forms of money securities, between individual members of the 
 company, are regularly entered under each year's wardenship, 
 and occupy much of the second book of wardens' accounts. In 
 most instances, the parties subscribe their name or marks ; both 
 of which are generally wretched scrawls, and show the low state 
 of education at this period. The most respectable citizens only 
 make their mark. 
 
 1521. The drapers took the lead in settling the terms and 
 amount of a contribution, which the government required from 
 the great companies, towards the furnishing of ships of discovery 
 to be placed under the command of the celebrated Sebastian 
 Cabot. The wardens of ** diva's of the auncyant felishippes," 
 assembled on this occasion " at Frers Austyns," or Austin Friars, 
 and adopted the substance of this companies' answer as their own. 
 In it the drapers tell the king's council, that they have no autho- 
 rity to bind their whole company to any such charge ; and ac- 
 quaint them, as to the state of their trade ; — that their company 
 consisted but " of fewe adventurers, saving only into Flanders, 
 whereunto required noe grete shipps," yet, if it pleased the king 
 to cause to be manned, rigged, apparelled, and victualled," 
 such a ship as their company should think convenient, they, the 
 wardens, would apply themselves to labo'\ their said co'pany to 
 freight and lade the same, to the best of their power, having such 
 
 * " To the wardens of the Craft of feld, Seynt John strete, Fynesbery lord- 
 Drapers — By the maior : — We charge ship,in White-chapell p'rsshe, inShore- 
 and command you that shortly vpon diche, and in all the suburbs bitwene 
 the sight of this p^sent p^cept, ye cer- those places ; and in the burgh of Suth- 
 tifie vnto the Chambr of London the werk: And that in nowyse ye fayle 
 names of all those p'sones being free not hereof, but that ye have here this 
 of yo*" felishipp, co'tinually dwelling p^'cept, and the names as aforesaid of 
 and abyding in the town of Westnr, suche p'sones by the last day of the 
 and from thens to the gate of Temple moneth of February," 
 Bar, w'^in this cite ; Seynt Gyles in the 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 411 
 
 a reasonable price of the freight, as other shipps had in usage and 
 lading." 
 
 From what is further said, it appears, that the intended voyage 
 was to Newfoundland ; which had been first discovered in 1491, 
 by John Cabot, [Sebastian's father,] with five ships furnished in 
 like manner as these were proposed to be, by king Henry VII. 
 and the London merchants. This second voyage to the same 
 place, under the auspices of Henry VIII. is not mentioned by 
 Cabot's biographers, and the omission gives to the entry here 
 considerable interest.* The manner and language in which the 
 fact is told are also amusing: 
 
 Their doubts of the success of the enterprise are strongly ex- 
 pressed : — If," they observe, ''their soereign lord, the king's 
 highnes, the cardinall's g'^ace, and the king's most honorable 
 counsl were duly and substantially informed, with such perf^ 
 knowledge as might be had by credible report of masters and 
 mariners, naturally born w*Mn this realm of England, having expe- 
 rience in and about the forsaid land ; as well as knowledge of the 
 land, the due courses of the seey, thitherward and homeward, of 
 the havens, roads, ports, creeks, dangers, and shoals there were 
 on the coast, then there would be less jeopardy in the adventure ; 
 notwithstanding that the place is further off than most English 
 mariners can tell." As it was, they considered it " a sore ad- 
 venture to jepard- V shipps w* men and goods vnto the said island, 
 upon the singular trust of one man, called," as they understood, 
 " Sehastyan, who," as they had heard say, " was never in that 
 land himself, and made report of many things, only as he had 
 heard his father and other men speke in times past." They use 
 many other ingenious arguments, and are only awed into sub- 
 mission at last (as are the other companies) by a message *' fro' 
 my lord Cardynall," that the king would have the premises 
 performed, and would have no nay therein." 
 
 • During a period of twenty years, 
 subsequent to the return of Cabot and 
 his father in 1497, there is said to be a 
 chasm in the history of Sebastian's 
 transactions. In 1517, he had formed 
 an intimate connexion with Sir Tho- 
 mas Pert, then vice-admiral of Eng- 
 land, and had obtained by his interest 
 with Henry VIII. a good ship for pro- 
 secuting his discoveries. The voyage 
 he made in it was not successful ; and, 
 after returning to England, and re- 
 maining for a short time, he removed 
 to Spain. Here he is thought to have 
 staid till 1524, when he sailed on an 
 
 expedition to the Moluccas, or spice 
 islands. It appears, however, from the 
 above statement of the draper's books, 
 that he was in the interval provided by 
 England with the ships mentioned, 
 and probably made another voyage to 
 Newfoundland with them, of which we 
 have no account. The objection, which 
 it will be seen the companies made to 
 the scheme on the score of uncertainty, 
 was possibly in consequence of the ill 
 success of his former voyage, in the 
 ship furnished him through the means 
 of Sir Thomas Spert. 
 
412 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 Same year (June 30,) is an account of Sir John Brugge, a 
 member of the drapers, and at this time lord mayor, attending by 
 invitation, the Serjeant's Feast, at Ely-house, Holborn. He was 
 accompanied by the aldermen, some in scarlet, and some in silk 
 gowns, and by the masters of eight of the crafts in their best livery 
 gowns and hoods, viz. the drapers, mercers, grocers, fishmongers, 
 goldsmiths, skinners, merchant-tailors, and haberdashers. The 
 may bare the estate in the hall at the high boord" — the master 
 of the Rolls began the second boord — the warden of Drapers the 
 third, and the rest of the Crafts sat in the hall. " To shew what 
 the Fare was," the writer of the entry says, " is but losse of tym. 
 I suppose that the worshipfull citezens were never wors s^'ved. — 
 Flura continent': in alia papiro." 
 
 The power of Cardinal Wolsey, who was at this time in the 
 height of his favor with Henry VHI., appears in the familiar 
 association of "my lord Cardinall's grace," with the king's 
 highnes" in the above extract as to Cabot, and we find his name 
 mentioned in the like humble manner in two other entries of 
 this year. In the first, a sum of 22/. 155. is stated to have been 
 paid " for 32 yards of crimson satten for my lord Cardinall," and 
 in the latter, 20 marks is given him " as a pleasure," so it is 
 termed, " for his services with the king." Both presents it 
 appears were made to him on account of his procuring at this 
 time additional privileges for the company, in their management of 
 the Blackwell-hall trade : in 1 526, there occurs a third entry which 
 exhibits a still stronger proof of co-government, of the " Ego et 
 Rex" of this proud ecclesiastic : The king's name is, however, put 
 first : It records a ''commandement geven by the mayr as to cloths ;" 
 and which the company are enjoined in the conclusion of, to 
 obey, as they entend to doo the king and my lord Cardinall 
 pleasure, and eschew the contrary." The occasion of this precept, 
 as already stated,* was the refusal of the merchants to buy up 
 the English cloths at Blackwell-hall, during an apprehended war 
 between this country and the Emperor, because " they saw no 
 reason to buy commodities they knew not how to vend." Warn- 
 ing is therefore stated to have been thus given to the fellowship of 
 Drapers, that ev'^y yomen to his power should by woollen clothes 
 of cloth-makers to putt them in good comfort, and not other- 
 wise," under the penalty mentioned.! (It is not said whether 
 they complied.) 
 
 * See ante, p. 398. of Blackwell-hall is stated in an entry 
 
 t The modeol" appointing the keeper of the same date. The old keeper be- 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 413 
 
 1527. The companies' attention appears to have been consi- 
 derably occupied in disputes with the Crutched Friars ; — Sir John 
 Milborn several times master of the drapers, and mayor of London 
 in 1521, had purchased ground of these religious next their 
 church, and had built thirteen alms-houses on it for decayed 
 drapers, of which he left the company trustees. There was to be 
 an anniversary obit kept for him in the said church, and the thir- 
 teen almsmen or *' bedemen," as they are called in Sir John's 
 will, were also daily to say prayers at his tomb there : — ^The dis- 
 putes seem to have been about the boundaries of the ground pur- 
 chased, and the due performances of the religious services. There 
 are two or three entries on the subject, from which, combined 
 with the account of this convent in Stow, we learn that the city 
 had near this time granted the friars an additional piece of ground 
 to enlarge their church, and which abutting on Milborn's charity, 
 caused this contention. The friars, in the first instance, had got 
 the lord mayor to write to the companies to assist them in their 
 building; but, whether the taste for monasteries was declining, or 
 that the drapers were out of temper about their ground, their 
 feeling on the occasion, as intimated by the following entry, seems 
 to have been very cold. 
 
 1521 (October,) " A mocyon was made to styr mennys devo- 
 cious for the Crossed Friars, according to the tenor of the present 
 commission,'^ [the lord mayor's letter] " what yt avayled sens 
 [since] God knoweth : — q' tunc 7iich{lL" 
 
 The other entries, — which are of transactions seeming to have 
 originated in consequence, — respect a survey of the companies' 
 almshouses, and some investigation made by them, as trustees, 
 concerning the keeping by the friars, of the religious observances 
 for Sir John Milborn. Both these occurrences took place at the 
 first date, [1519.] The last entry respects an encroachment made 
 
 ing dead, Sirs John Brugge, George 
 Milbourne, William Bayley, John Sule 
 and others, assembled at the Hall. 
 (It should be observed, that the com- 
 pany had the appointment to this place 
 by patent, through Sir John Styles' 
 " interest with the king and the lord 
 Cardinall and to whom, on the Com- 
 pany's giving him 20L, he had pro- 
 mised he would make a good report of 
 them.) The choice fell on a Mr. 
 Starkey, and the following was the 
 ceremony of his installation : — He was 
 taken to the mayor's Court at Guild- 
 
 hall to be accepted, being accompanied 
 there by the above Sir John Brugge, 
 <fec., and twelve sureties, " afV an 
 oldc custo)ii then "the maior and 
 aldrmen aff a pawse takyn, went down 
 to the grete gate of Blackwell-hall, and 
 comandyd my lady Fenkyll to send him 
 the kees ; which to doo w'th assent of 
 our mastr and wardan's she was con- 
 tent. And then the mair toke the 
 kees to the Cham'lyn, and comandyd 
 hym to open the door : and there win 
 the same hall, the mastr put Mr. Star- 
 key in full possession of that office." 
 
414 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 by " Mr. Wyett," and took place after the suppression of the 
 friary. In the entry of 1529, it is stated, that a " reporte of 
 Mr. Ward" was made of the viewing of the houses, granted to 
 the Crossed Friars of London," — when the company agreed, 
 " that if the p'"or and convent of the said freres at any time here- 
 after be negligent, and do not obsyrve and kepe the will of Sir 
 John Milborn, knight, alderman and draper of London, that this 
 house do take upon them to obsyrve and kepe the said wyll 
 the latter entry, recording a resolution of the company to proceed 
 against " Mr. Wyett, for breaking the wall at the Crossed Friars, 
 in case he make not a good answere," is only worthy notice from 
 the celebrity of the person complained of. It was Sir Thomas 
 Wyatt, the elder, an early refiner of our English poetry, in con- 
 nexion with the earl of Surry, and whom the Athense Ononiensis 
 styles, " the delight of the muses, and of mankind." This gen- 
 tleman was the grantee from Henry VIII., of the Crutched Friars, 
 and had built a mansion on part of the site, afterwards Lumley 
 House, and subsequently rebuilt as the Navy Office.* The break 
 in the wall mentioned, and a new brick wall built in consequence, 
 appear in Virtue's Plan of the Tower Liberties, after a drawing of 
 the reign of Elizabeth. 
 
 1538. The Suppression of Monasteries is first hinted at in an 
 entry of this year, which states it to have been agreed, as touch- 
 ing the purchasing of Suppressed lands, that this house shall not 
 be hasty, for doubts that may be thought to depend upon the 
 same, for holding of the kyng, as by knight's-service or such 
 other like, until it be discussed by learned counsell." And the 
 next year it is further agreed, that all the obytts which were 
 kept at Frere Austyns, shall be kept at Swithins." 
 
 An entry of a few days later, notices an application of the 
 king's commissioners for a " Return of the Company's Chan- 
 tries," at the same friary, as follows : — 
 
 1539. *' The chanselo'' of the augmenta'con hathe sent dyv'^s & 
 sundry times to M"^ wardens for suche money as they were charged 
 w*^all for obytts kept at Frere Augustynes, as it were for quyt- 
 rents. Mr. Broke hathe promysed that he wol be redy at al 
 tymes to go w*^ the M'' & wardens to make answer to the said 
 chanselo""." The company celebrated service for four of their 
 deceased members here, whose names will be found in their list 
 of obits. 
 
 * Athenae Onon. i. 58, Strype, Pennant, &c. 
 
ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 
 
 415 
 
 1545. The company completed the purchase from king Henry 
 VIII., of their present hall (or rather site,) which had come to 
 the crown by the attainder of Cromwell, earl of Essex, and had 
 been his residence. The particulars will be found under the head 
 
 Hall and Buildings." 
 
 Same year. They were required to give in a general account of 
 their chantries, and hold a special meeting for the purpose, as per 
 the following entry. 
 
 « ]y[d. -pj^g ]y[^y Qalley's obit, here assembled the 
 
 Ryght worshipfull Sir Will*m Rose, knight, our mast% Mr. 
 Lowen, Mr. Chevale, and Mr. Petyt, wardens, and of the Coun- 
 sell, Mr. Brothers, Mr. Warner, Mr, Clerk, and Mr. Blower, 
 before whom the Masf and M"" wardens caused the Commis° to 
 be read, w'ch was sent by the king's Commis*^* to the said 
 Masf and ward°% to make answer to them by a certain day con- 
 cerning how many chantryes and stipendiary priests do belong to 
 ou' company, and what lands and possessions they have w*^ divers 
 o*" articles, as appeareth in the said Commiss°. And after, the 
 said articles and answ'" were openly read before the said Assis- 
 tents, whe'w**", and withall o' things done in and about the same, 
 the said assistents were well content, and gave their consents to 
 the same." 
 
 The Commissioners wishing afterwards to have a fuller answer 
 from the company, the court had another meeting, and heard 
 read, and approved of new answers being sent. 
 
 Heads of an agreement with the king's counsel for the pur- 
 chase of the companies' rents, was subsequently prepared, as also 
 an account of the obits and chantries they were left to maintain, 
 the latter of which will be seen under the head Observances." 
 The company also consented to the sale of part of their plate. 
 They were preparing for other alterations, but appear to have 
 escaped with their brother crafts, from the king's increasing ill 
 health and other causes ; nor do we find further mention in their 
 books of this subject, or indeed any other of particular note 
 during the short remainder of Henry VIII. 's reign. 
 
 1551. The statute for dissolving colleges, chantries, and free 
 chapels, 37 Henry VIII., having been revived by a new statute, 
 1 Edward VI., as already mentioned, the following entries occur 
 on the subject under their respective dates : 
 
 1551,(14 March.) "Mr. Chester declared how M^^ Ward^" had 
 been before Sir Walter Mildmay, knight, and others, of the king's 
 ma*'" commissioners ; and the said comm" agreed with them, and 
 
416 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 allowed them out of the total sum towards the clerk, beadle, and 
 the poor, vij"- by the year, before entred in their book, and also 
 paid. And further agreed w*^ them for y^ obitts which should be 
 kept but for certain years, viz. for Henry Eburton and Jobs* 
 Toll"", w'ch amounted both yerely to xvj^- ij*^-. Also, that they 
 should pay for them, but after eight years p'^chase, w'ch amounted 
 to xvj''- ix^- iiij*^". And the residue in perpetuity, w'ch amounteth 
 to liij."- v^- xii*^- by the year, to pay thereof after xxj years pur- 
 chase ; w'ch amounteth the purchase thereof, to the sum of 
 1065^'- 16*- 8^-. So the sum total for the whole purchase to be 
 paid by this house (with that before p*^ to the king's ma*^ for the 
 chantries and obitts) amounteth to the sum of 1402Z. 6s., besides 
 the abatement for the officers and poor.'' 
 
 The company having agreed to the above terms, completed their 
 purchase, in common with the rest of the companies, through the 
 agency of the city trustees, alderman Turke, Mr. Blackwell, &c. 
 in the course of the year, and entred on the particulars of purchase, 
 as below : 
 
 1552. O*" boke of p^'chase of o'' Obytts and Ch'^untry lands 
 bought. This day our book of purchase made out by Mr. Blackwell, 
 Town Clerk, drawen out of the king's majesties' patent, made to 
 Mr. Turke, alderman, and the said Mr. William Blackwell, of and 
 for the behoof of all such companies of this city of London as pur- 
 chased of the king's majesty their Obits and Chantry lands, was 
 brought in by Mr. Alderman Leigh. We paid for the writing and 
 engrossing thereof, unto the said Mr. Blackwell, the sum of 30^-, 
 but in the which book is left out the Obit of Henry Eburton, which 
 this house also purchased ; unto the which Obit was claim made 
 by a patent, w'ch was answered as appeareth, Fo." (Vide above.) 
 
 1552. Notice is taken of a remarkable order of government res- 
 pecting the coinage, in the following terms: 
 
 "A proclamation made that the shilling shall go for vj**-, the 
 grote for ij*^-, the half-grote for j^-; the peny for an half-peny, 
 and the half-peny for a farthing." 
 
 The death of Edward VL, and temporary elevation of Lady 
 Jane Grey to the crown are thus shortly noticed under the year: 
 
 1553. "Rex Edwardus Sextus moriebat', and queue Jane was 
 p'clamed thorow the Cittie." 
 
 Elkanah Settle, in the preface to his Triumphs of London, or 
 pageant for Sir Thomas Stamp of this company, and lord mayor in 
 1691, thus compliments the company: 
 
 '* I dare not pretend in so narrow a paper to recount the anti- 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 417 
 
 quity and splendor of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. It is 
 enough to say that the honour of your corporation extends as far 
 as trade can reach, or canvass wings can carry it; and from this little 
 island visits only those nations of the world that there is sea to 
 travel to. As for your first original, Drapery is unquestionably so 
 ancient as to have the honour of being the immediate successor of 
 the Fig-leaves. And though we are not certain that our great 
 First Father began it within his fair Eden, yet we are assured that 
 Eve's spinstry and Adams spade set to work together. And as 
 to any poetrical harangue to the Drapers' encomium, let it suffice 
 that whilst there are Verdant Plains and Bleating Flocks, those 
 innocent panagerists will do you more justice, and speak much 
 better than any weak flourishes from the pen of," &c. 
 
 The CONSTITUTION of this company is contained in the charters 
 which have been noticed. The first, 38 Edward III., allows them 
 as Free Drapers of the City of London," to elect yearly four 
 persons of their own mystery, who shall be sworn twice a year 
 before the mayor, to oversee that no default or deceit is practised 
 in the manufactures of the said mystery, and to rule and govern 
 the said Mystery of Drapery in the said city, for the common profit 
 of the people, and the due punishment of those in whom defauUs 
 shall be found, according to the advice and discretion of the said 
 four persons, by the assistance of the mayor and sheriffs, if need 
 be, which mayor and sheriffs the charter ordains shall be overseers 
 [intendants] of the said four persons, when it shall be required of 
 them. And it empowers the said four persons who shall be so 
 elected and sworn, to administer oaths to all who shall be admitted 
 into the said Mystery of Drapery in the said city, that the exercise, 
 and whatsoever appertains to the said mystery, may be carried on 
 well and lawfully, and without fraud, covin, or crafty practices. 
 
 The charter, 17 Henry VI., empowers the drapers within the said 
 city " one gild or fraternity in honor of the blessed virgin Mary 
 from among the men of the said mystery, to found, erect, and es- 
 tablish, and to hold and enjoy the same to them and their per- 
 petual successors for all times to come;" and that they may in- 
 crease and augment the same at pleasure. It appoints a master, 
 in addition to the former number of wardens, allowing " the men 
 of the same fraternity to elect yearly from among themselves one 
 master and four wardens, who at the time of their election shall 
 be drapers and freemen of the city aforesaid, to support as well the 
 burthen of the business of the said fraternity, as to overlook and 
 
 E e 
 
418 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 govern the same and all the men and affairs thereof for ever." 
 And it constitutes the said master and wardens, and brothers and 
 sisters of the said fraternity, in deed and name one body, and one 
 perpetual community, with perpetual succession, and a common 
 seal; grants them legal capabihty to purchase in fee and per- 
 petuity lands, tenements, rents, and other possessions whatsoever, 
 and from whomsoever persons ; and that they and their successors, 
 by the name of ^'Master and Wardens of the Gild or Fraternity 
 of the blessed Mary of Drapers of London ; may plead and be 
 impleaded before whomsoever judges in court, and in whatsoever 
 actions." 
 
 The charter 6 Edward IV. recites and confirms, by Inspeximus, 
 the charter 17 Henry VI., empowering the company further to 
 claim, hold, and dispose of lands, tenements, rents, and other 
 possessions whatsoever, to the value of 20Z. per annum, to hold 
 of the king in chief, or of other persons, or in any otherwise what- 
 soever; for which the company engage, in return, to establish and 
 maintain two chaplains, to pray for the good estate of the said 
 King Edward, and of Elizabeth, his queen, for. the wholesome go- 
 vernment of the said Fraternity of Drapers, and the brothers and 
 sisters thereof, whilst living, and for their souls when dead ; as 
 also for the souls of the king's late father, Richard duke of York ; 
 Edmund earl of Rutland, brother to the said king Edward; the 
 earl of Salisbury, the king's kinsman; and Sir John Neville, knt., 
 son to the said earl. 
 
 The charters of Philip and Mary, and queen Elizabeth, are 
 Inspeximuses, which merely recite and confirm the charters 17 
 Henry VI. and 6 Edward IV., but make no additions. 
 
 The charter 4 James I. ordains, that all and singular the freemen 
 of the Mystery of Drapers of London shall be one body corporate 
 and politic in deed, fact, and name, by the name of "The Master 
 and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Gild or Fraternity 
 of the blessed Virgin Mary of the Mystery of Drapers of the City 
 of London." That they shall have perpetual succession, liberty 
 to hold lands, &c., to sue and be sued, and to have a common seal, 
 as also a common hall and council house. It allows the said mas- 
 ter and wardens, brothers and sisters, and their successors, to elect 
 yearly five of the said fraternity, in manner in the said charter men- 
 tioned, one whereof so chosen shall be, and shall be named the 
 master of the said fraternity, and the other four be and be named 
 wardens. It appoints and names a court of thirty-one assistants, 
 to be from time to time aiding and assisting to the master and 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERxNMRNT. 
 
 419 
 
 wardens for the time being', in all causes, matters, business, and 
 things touching the said master and wardens and fraternity ; and 
 appoints Robert Thomas, a freeman of the said fraternity to be the 
 first master under the said charter, and four other persons named 
 to be wardens, who are to continue in their offices till the first 
 Monday in the month of August, then next following, and thence- 
 forward until there shall be a new election, according to the ordi- 
 nances and provisions of the said charter. The master, wardens, 
 and assistants, to the number of twelve or more (all of whom then 
 and for ever afterwards are to be only such as have previously 
 served master or warden) are empowered yearly, on the first Mon- 
 day in August, to elect one freeman of the company to be master 
 for one whole year then next following, and four other freemen to 
 be the wardens for the same term. The said master and wardens 
 so elected, or two of them, are empowered to call courts of the 
 said master, wardens, and assistants, to the number of twelve or 
 more (of which twelve the said master and wardens are always to 
 be reckoned five) to consult and advise about the affairs of the 
 fraternity and mystery, and the good rule, state, and government 
 of the same, and to make reasonable by-laws and ordinances in 
 writing, according to their discretion, for the correction of the 
 master and wardens, and brothers and sisters of the said fraternity, 
 and of all other persons being free of the Mystery of Drapers of 
 London ; and may direct in what manner they shall behave and 
 manage for the greater good of the whole, and have power to 
 enjoin and enforce pains and penalties for breech thereof. The 
 master and wardens are to be sworn previously to admission, to 
 well and faithfully execute their offices agreeably to the form of 
 oath made in the 1st year of Elizabeth. The past master and 
 wardens are immediately, on quitting office, to be on the court, 
 and they and the other assistants to continue for life, without 
 reasonable cause to the contrary. The master and wardens are to 
 have power to administer oaths to all the fraternities' officers, 
 apprentices, and members, to faithfully discharge their duties, as 
 thentofore accustomed, — to have power to purchase, to them and 
 their successors for ever, manors, lands, tenements, rents, tithes, 
 and hereditaments to the yearly value of 200/., and to grant, sell, 
 or alien the same, — to have right of search in all shops, cellars, 
 booths, or other places where cloths are sold, or the art of drapery 
 exercised, and — to have liberty to measure by a sealed standard^ 
 according to the statute, all yards, ells, godes, and other measures 
 whatever, for measuring cloth ; to seize and carry away those that 
 
 E e 2 
 
4-20 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 are defective ; and also to levy besides, by distress, certain fines, 
 named, and to distribute the same to the poor of the fraternity. 
 The charter confirms all former grants and privileges. To hold, etc. 
 rendering to the crown, as had been accustomed. 
 
 The government of the company, pursuant to the above 
 charter of James I., is vested in a master, four wardens, and a 
 court of assistants, subject to the same charter, and to their ordi- 
 nances.* The master, wardens, and assistants are called the 
 
 court;" the other members, the "commonalty." The two, con- 
 stitute the " body corporate," or company. They are variously 
 styled in their charters and records: before Henry VI., " Les 
 Drapiers de London ; Hommes de Mestier de Draparie ; Les 
 Hommes enfranchiez en la Mestier de Draperie de London ; and 
 Majistror' et gardianor' Pamnarior afterwards, '*The Freemen 
 of the Mystery of Drapers, and the Master, Wardens, Brethren and 
 Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the blessed Virgin Mary of the 
 Mystery of Drapers of the City of London." Their modern style 
 is, "The Worshipful Company of Drapers of the City of London." 
 
 The drapers have four sets of ordinances, respectively, dated 
 6 Henry IV., 19 Henry VII., 35 Henry VIII., and 5 James I. 
 The first set are the groundwork of all the rest. They consist of 
 fifty-one points or articles, stated, in a memorandum attached^ (of 
 the date 1503,) to have been published "in the reign of Henry IV., 
 in the mayoralty of John Hend, a.d. 1405, and 120 years past 
 since we first enjoyed Blakewell Hall," and are preceded by 
 the following curious prologue : 
 
 * Assistants are not mentioned by 
 name, till the 6 Edward VI., but existed 
 long before, under the denomination of 
 the ''Counsell of the Craft." The 
 company also appointed, at the same 
 time, yearly auditors. Both will be found 
 mentioned in the following (amongst 
 numerous other) entries. 
 
 148 J. "For a galon of Osey, y* 
 tyme being here Maisf Drope, Mr. 
 Stalbroke, SyrWill^m Stockker, maist'"; 
 S"" John Stokke*", my maisters the war- 
 dens, and y« Councell of the craft." 
 
 1486. " For a potell of Claret wyne, 
 and for a potell white wine, fetched at 
 John Gylles, for my maisters, th' alder- 
 men, and for the Councell of the craft." 
 
 1497. A fine of 40a'. returned to Sir 
 William Capell, "by assent of the 
 Councell.''' 
 
 1514-15. Twenty-Jive persons, whose 
 names are enumerated, are said to have 
 been "affermed by Maisf John Mylborn, 
 alderman, maior, and maister, and the 
 iiij. wardens," to be " of the Counsell 
 of this hous," and who paid, collec- 
 tively, for their lees on the occasion, 
 25/. 
 
 1516. " The p^'sons of the CounseW 
 are enumerated, and with four " bachil- 
 loures" are said to form the court this 
 year. 
 
 Entries of the accounts being audited 
 by "three Auditors" occur in 1491 and 
 afterwards. 
 
 1521-79. The Council for the year 
 are named by the master and wardens. 
 They consist of 26, and the "iiij. mas- 
 ters, Bachillers," making 30, or with 
 the master and 4 wardens, 35. 
 
CONSTITUTION AN 13 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 421 
 
 " In the worship of God and of his Blessed Moder, and of all 
 the holy Company of Hevyn. For to abate rancor, and more 
 hyghtly to encrease Charitie, and to maynteyne love — All the 
 worshipful Felishipp of the Drapers of y^ Cite of London, gadered 
 and assembled in John Hende's hall, in Seynt Swythynes lane, 
 of London, the xj. day of Juyn, the zer of Grace, m.cccc. and v., 
 and in the reyne of Kyng Henry the Fourthe/ aftyr y^ conquest the 
 Syxt, in the tyme of John Gedney, John Fenyll, Walter Frebarne, 
 and William Forster, maysters and wardens of the same Felishipp, 
 to oversye the poyntes and articles ordeyned of old tyme of ther 
 Fraternite, which began in the zer of Grace, M.cccxxxij [an" 
 vj^" E. T^'cij.] ; and with good deliberacon avy sed on hem, — So yat 
 those thei thought resonabil and profitable thei confermed : The 
 whiche poy'tes, with othir, ben wretyn in this booke. Praying all 
 the' yat aftyr yem schall come in the forseid Felishepp, the same 
 poyntes and articles to examine; and yf th'yther thinke by her 
 wyttes y* any poynt may be amended the same to do there by her 
 good diligens, by anedytinge [incorporating] of the olde wyth 
 puttyng to of newe, such as they schall thinke to encrese worshypp 
 to God and profyht to all the forseyd Felysshyppe." 
 
 The " Points" or articles relate, as in the case of the Grocers' 
 and other Companies already spoken of, — to their Government, 
 or to their Dress and Observances, — and include under both 
 divisions similar regulations and customs, but somewhat varied, 
 from difference of trade and other circumstances. We shall notice 
 the principal of them (introducing appropriate examples of their 
 operation) under the heads, ^'Choosing of officers; Apprenticeships ; 
 Admissions 0^ members; Business negotiations ; Keeping the secrets 
 of the craft ; Relief of decayed brethren ; Penalties for defaults ; 
 Matters of domestic management ; Dress, or livery ; Election 
 ceremonies ; Funerals and obits, and State and Civic triumphs.'' 
 The minor points are in part enumerated in the note (*). 
 
 * They are headed : — " That no 
 brother take no seruaunt, hous, ne 
 shoppe fro' his brother any brother 
 finding himself grieved, to complain 
 first to the wardens ; " where the 
 mayster and the app^'tice mowe not 
 accorde to bring every appi"ntice 
 before the master to be enrolled ; 
 
 to p^'sent before y^ ward^^^ every ap- 
 p^tice aft^ his fme to be enrolled ; that 
 the ward°^ evv /.ere yeve up the ac- 
 counts ; for the salarye of the bedil ; 
 that no wardens do wryte in y*" book 
 
 but ordinances ; that evy ward" do rede 
 this book afore all y« company ; that 
 no ward"8 bere out nor deliu^ no bookes 
 of ordina'coes ; no persons to be admitted 
 into the hall at y^ Feast; if any bargain 
 or buy of another, to pay at quarter- 
 day ; no brother to be broker between 
 friend and friend, etc. 
 
 The book in which these, and the 
 ordinances, 19 Henry VII., are written, 
 is a thin folio of vellum, containing 
 sixty leaves, or one hundred and twenty 
 pages, in which are various other inter - 
 
422 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 Choosing of Oncers. — The regulations as to this point, intitled, 
 " For to chuse newe wardens," are evidently of a subsequent 
 date to the rest of these ordinances, both from their being written 
 in a later hand, and from their referring to Henry VI. ; they also 
 mention a master y which was an officer not appointed, as we have 
 seen, till the charter of the 17th of that king's reign. The pro- 
 bability is, — that when the custom of swearing in the company's 
 four wardens before the mayor and sheriffs, pursuant to Edward 
 III.'s charter, ceased — on their being incorporated by Henry VI., — 
 this new mode of election was adopted and inserted by general 
 consent into the old code of ordinances. They ordain, 
 
 That, after the yearly dinner or feast, the master and four 
 wardens shall be elected for the year following, of all the city, 
 as well one place as another," and in this manner: The wardens 
 for the time being shall call together eight persons, at the least, 
 
 of the counsell of the felyshipp" four days before the feast, " to 
 apointe by ther avyse the wardeins for the zer following." The 
 said eight persons shall be sworn to keep secret, and not discover 
 any of those that shall be chosen, till that they are openly 
 chosen in the hall, under a penalty of 40s. "with-oute foryevenes." 
 By a further ordination of the whole fellowship, August 7, 
 33 Henry VI., the wardens for the year following are to stand in 
 full power, and to receive the office, with all charges pertaining to 
 the same, the day that they are so openly chosen. Delivery is to 
 be made by the old wardens of all things that have accrued to 
 the craft during their wardenship. Refusal to serve when chosen, 
 is subjected to a fine of 10/.* 
 
 esting memoranda, several of them al- 
 ready noticed, besides the ordinances, 
 and some of which are in English, some 
 in Latin, and others in French. The 
 oldest ordinances are elegantly written, 
 the headings being in red and blue ink, 
 and the initials gilt and illuminated, 
 and are stated to have been copied 
 herein, " in tempore Job 'is Walsh'^m, 
 magistri artis Pannarior' Barthomei 
 •Tames, Thome Welles, Joh'is Pake et 
 Willi"» Bro'grene gardianor', xix°. die 
 mensis Februarij, anno regni reg^ 
 Edwardi Quarti primo. 
 
 * The following are instances of the 
 exercise of this power of choice by the 
 members mentioned. 
 
 4 Edward VI. 2d August. 
 
 *' This day were nominat** by the s'' 
 
 Assistance, Mr. Lambard, ald"^ to be 
 ou^" masfr for this next y»' ensuing, and 
 Mr. Tull for the first m*" wardn, Mr. 
 Fabien for the 2^ m*" ward'i; And then 
 they pricked betw' Ric Cole, Ric 
 Champyon, Ric Askewe, and Heny 
 Leigh, w'ch of them sho^ be the o»" two 
 mast*" ward"s ; and Mr. Heny Leigh 
 had the most pricks, whom they then 
 no'iatyd for the thyrde m*" warden ; 
 and Mr. Ric Champyon had the most 
 prycks likewise, next hym, whom they 
 no'iatyd to be the fourth m*" wardeyn." 
 
 1 Mary, 5th August. — " Assembled 
 the Right Worsh^i Mr. Ald^ Lambard, 
 ou"" mast'', Mr. Burye, Mr. Richards, 
 Mr. Gardyner, and Mr. Cooke, 
 wardeyns ; and of the assistants, Mr. 
 Sadler, Mr. Wa'ner, Mr. Lowen, Mr. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 423 
 
 Apprenticeships were subjected to various regulations, which 
 are detailed and illustrated in different orders and entries. 
 
 Every apprentice, after binding, was to be brought before the 
 master of the company to be enrolled ; and he then paid his 
 apprentice fee, the receipts from which, we have seen, formed one 
 of the early sources of the company's income, under the name of 
 " Spoon Silver." The apprentice was again to be presented to 
 the wardens aff his f^me" for his freedom. 
 
 In cases of disagreement between the master and the apprentice, 
 or, as the point expresses it, where the "meyster and his app^'ntice 
 mowe not accorde," the wardens (as nov/ the chamberlain of 
 London) were arbitrators. 
 
 Females, members of the company, carried on the business of 
 drapery, and took apprentices, like the men. Every brother or 
 sister of the felowship taking an apprentice," says an order of 1503, 
 "shall present him to the wardens, and shall pay 13s. 4c?." 
 (instead of 3s. 4c?. the ancient fee.)* 
 
 When out of his time, no apprentice might hire himself to any 
 other than a draper, in case he offered him a reasonable salary. 
 If he could get no service with such, he was to apply to the 
 wardens to procure him a situation ; and, it was only when the 
 wardens declared themselves incapable of so doing, that the 
 apprentice was allowed " to seek a master in another trade." 
 
 The mode of correcting faulty apprentices was sometimes 
 singular. A specimen will be found in the note.f 
 
 Tull, Mr. Fabyan, Mr. Pettytt, Mr. 
 Poyntis, Mr. Leigh, Mr. Champyon, 
 Mr. Calthorpe, and Mr. Stocker. 
 
 " By whome was the secrete iio'ina- 
 'ion of the m^^ wardeyns for the 
 next yere ensuying." The manner of 
 the said election is thus described in the 
 following page : 
 
 " This daye the electyon by the said 
 Assistants was done secretely, as fol- 
 owith : and they no'inated Mr. A\(\P^ 
 Chester, for to be ou»" masf for the 
 next yere ensuynge; R*^ Shyvall for the 
 first m'" wardeyn, Mr. Watson for the 
 seconde, Mr. Myne^s for the thirde, and 
 Mr. John Nash for the fourthe 
 wardeyn. God send them all thereof 
 joye." Fol. 543-4. 
 
 * Amongst the ordinances, 1505, is 
 recognized the right of sisters, freed in 
 the fellowship, to take apprentices, and 
 the fee to the warden specified. The 
 
 ordinances protect them, also, from 
 arrest in their business, by other mem- 
 bers, without leave given. A notice 
 of a meeting of the whole company, in 
 1540, to reform their ordinances, men- 
 tions the object in so doing to be "to 
 avoid rancour, malice, and evil extre- 
 mities, and to unite and knit together 
 brother and sister, in perfect love and 
 charity." 
 
 Sisters, when they were buried, had 
 (as will be seen) the use of the best 
 pall, and were followed by the frater- 
 nity to the grave with every respectful 
 ceremony, equally as the men. 
 
 t " The punishment of the house 
 put in execution. 
 
 "The viij daye of Maye the said m>" 
 wardeins being credibly enfourmed, 
 and having substantyall profFe, that one 
 John Rolls, th apprent'^^'of John Hends, 
 drap"", had greuously mysvsed hy'"self 
 
424 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 Admissions of Members : — New members were of the crafte," 
 ov admitted by redemption." The former have been noticed. 
 Drapers, by trade, paid at the date of the early entries a fee of 40s. ; 
 
 1481. ^' Payd by a p'sone for his freedom w'ch came into the 
 crafte by redemption, xP." 
 
 When admitted as mere honorary members, the fee was 40s. 
 and some present ; 
 
 1521 (August.) Admitted and sworn by redemption, Will^m 
 Owen, gent', of the Myddle Temple. He paid xl% and granted 
 the wardens a buck, and was excused from all general summonses." 
 
 Same year, " Ric' Pawlet, of Wells, in Somersetshire, admitted 
 and sworn by redemption." He paid the like fees, and was 
 allowed the same exemption. 
 
 Sir William Paulet, of the Marquis of Winchester's family, and 
 seemingly related to the above, had been previously admitted, 
 though not mentioned in the entries, for we meet with a notice, at the 
 last date, of the companies' selling to "Sir Will^'m Paulet di [half] 
 yard skarlet, for a hood." 
 
 The Quaterage paid by freemen of the company, in 1481, was 
 one shilling each : 
 
 1481. " Rec*^ from the following p'sones, out of the liu''y for 
 q'^terage, xxvi*." 
 
 The names are given, and amount to twenty-six. 
 Business negotiations^ concerned the companies at large, as well 
 as individual members ; selling and buying of cloth, excluding 
 non-freemen from the trade, and making apprenticeships to it only 
 obtainable through means of the company's clerk ; enforcing fees 
 
 w*^ a mayd s^'iiant of hys seyd mast*", 
 called JNIargaret Byllyngton, vpon Pas- 
 syon Sonday last past, his seid masf 
 taking them in y^ seid vnthryfty man'' 
 in naked bed, wtbin hys seid hous ; and 
 sens that same tj me the said John Rolls, 
 not regardyng the shame of the worlde 
 nor dredyng God, but gevyng ve'^yyll 
 ensample to other young men app^'ntic* 
 of the same crafte, and univrsally to all 
 th' app^'ntic^ and s'vants of the Cetye, 
 hath often and openly made his avaunte 
 and boste of hys sad vnthryfty demeano"" 
 among mens s^'vants of our Compayne." 
 
 For these enormities the punishment 
 is thus stated : 
 
 The wardens considering of his of- 
 fence, and its evil example to others, 
 "caused,'^ it is said, " to be made two 
 liorters frocks, like porters of crafts, 
 and two hoods of the same canvas, 
 
 made aff vizor- fashion, with a space 
 for the mouth and for the eyes lefte 
 open, onely ; wherein the next court 
 day, within the parlour, two tall men, 
 having the said frocks upon them, be- 
 caus they should not be known, came in 
 with two peneyworth of burchen rods, 
 and there, in presence of the said 
 master and wardens, w* owten any 
 words spekyng, they pulled olF the 
 doublet and shirt of the said John 
 Rolls, and ther vpon hym, (beyng 
 naked) they spent all y^ seid rodds, for 
 hys said vnthryfty demeano'". To th' 
 entent that all other apprentices that 
 heard thereof should take ensample by 
 him, and that such as he had made his 
 avaunt unto, of his said unthrifty deeds, 
 should be afraid to fall to like unthrifti- 
 ness, for fear of the like, or worse 
 punishment." 
 
CONST'TUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 425 
 
 from the dependent branches of the manufacture, awards, and 
 merchandizing at fairs, come under this head. 
 
 The indiscriminate sale of cloth, with other wares, in the reign 
 of Edward III., and which is assigned as the reason of that king 
 granting the drapers their charter, resembled the practice still 
 observable in rude parts of the country. Not a shop, it is said, 
 could be seen in which drapery of some sort was not, more or less, 
 displayed in the windows, mixed up with chandlery and different 
 goods. The tenterers, tisters, and fullers, had become cloth- 
 makers, instead of industriously following their own branches of 
 the trade, which they would only exercise by being paid excessive 
 prices ; cloth was, in consequence, abundantly, but badly, manu- 
 factured, and persons, ignorant of the merchandize, were tempted 
 to become sellers ; deceits were caused in the stuff, as well as the 
 dying of it, half grain being sold for scarlet, and other frauds used, 
 — and whereby great injury accrued to the king's people who were 
 purchasers. 
 
 To entirely confine their trade to themselves was the policy of the 
 gilds in these times, and it was adopted by the drapers. They 
 obtained for this purpose, as has been shewn, the sole right of 
 selling cloth atBlackwell hall, as early as the reign of Richard II.; 
 and they afterwards petitioned the city, that " in execuc'on and by 
 v'tue and auctorite of the liberties and franchises, by the noble kyngs 
 of England to them by fore this tyme graunted and conferned," 
 no merchant, stranger from the liberty of the city, might buy or 
 sell any merchandize of drapery within the city liberty, with any 
 other merchant stranger, under pain of forfeiting such merchan- 
 dize ; the fourth part of the same forfeiture to go to the drapers' 
 craft, for the trouble of seizure, and the rest to remain to the 
 chamber of Guildhall. They established also warehouses at other 
 places, as we learn by an ordinance of 20 Henry VIII., which directs 
 that the youngest warden shall " continually keep the key of our 
 store-house." The situation of this storehouse is not named in 
 the entry, but it appears to have been at Drapers' hall. 
 
 Buying of cloth by strangers, was guarded against by an ordi- 
 nance, in 5 Edward IV,, forbidding ** any broder of this felyshipp 
 to enfowrm any strainger of the feitz of draperie;" and which 
 states it to have been 
 
 Accorded by all the aldermen of this fraternite and felisshippe, 
 and by the hole body of the same felisshippe, that no member shall 
 take with him, at any time, any person who is not of his own 
 felisshippe, to ride or go to any place, in town or out of town, 
 where cloth may be bought by any draper of this fraternite ; or 
 
426 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 afford the agent of any other company, any maner knowlache of 
 any bargain-making*, or of knowlache of cloth or of prys [price], 
 or of any point belonging unto draperie." 
 
 Non-freemen were excluded from the trade, and it was a fineable 
 offence in members who employed them. A still higher offence was, 
 any member assuming the functions of the clerk, and particularly 
 in matters of apprenticeships: 
 
 In 1533, Thomas Benett, a member, being convicted of this 
 double crime, viz. of keeping forens in his house, and setting 
 them aworke, contrary to the good ordinances of this house ; and 
 also that he had made a p"" of Indentures for one of his apprent% 
 called Roger Beston, instead of apply^ to this house, contrary to 
 ano"" of its good ordin^ was ordered " to bring a gage" or security 
 to the ward"* of lOZ. value; and being ^' rebell and disobedient 
 thereto," he was by the lord mayor imprisoned. After he had been 
 confined a day and a night, he " made humble mediac'on," and 
 was again allowed to appear before the wardens, with plate to the 
 required value. Having, in addition, " behaved very humbly and 
 penitently," he was told to pay IO5. as a fine, and take his plate; 
 but perceiving his gain lay in submission, he is stated to have 
 accepted their kindness with so many thanks, " that m'' the Wardens 
 gave him again his gage of plate, and only made him pay iij' iiij*^." 
 
 The tenterers, fullers, and other subordinate branches of the 
 trade, were compelled to pay the drapers tribute. An ordinance, 
 20 Henry VH., obliges all fullers, sheermen, knitters, and 
 makers of garments^ viz. " of gownes, doublets, jacketts, kyrtylls, 
 petticoats, and such like, commonly called * knytters of gar- 
 ments,' " to pay 2s, a year to Drapers' hall, for each of their 
 apprentices. 
 
 Awards, as in the other companies, were uniformly made by the 
 master and wardens, formerly assented to by the parties, and 
 entered and signed by the latter in the company's books : an 
 example will be found in the note.* 
 
 * Form of an award of the master 
 wardens and court. 
 
 " The following is the award ordi- 
 na'ce and jugement of us, the Mast^" 
 Wardens and Counsell of Drap» of 
 London, arbitratours, indifferently 
 chosen, between Richard Whitehed, of 
 London, Drap^", of that one p'tie, and 
 Hugh Neylton, of London, Drap"", of 
 that other p'tie, of and for all causei?, 
 
 etc. as by their sevall obligac'ons more 
 playnly appareth yeuen forth in mann"" 
 and fui'me folowyng that is to wete. 
 
 "Furst, we award that the saidp'ties 
 from hens forth, lovynly and brotherly, 
 shall behave theirself either vnto other 
 as wele in worde as in dede, according 
 to the good ordre of this place. 
 
 "Furthermore, we award that the said 
 Hugh shall delyV^ or caus to be delyVed 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 427 
 
 Merchandizing at fairs, already noticed as a primeval custom 
 of the trade gilds, peculiarly applied to the great staple commo- 
 dity of cloth. The drapers have a special ordinance in 6 Henry 
 IV., about visiting the fairs of Westminster, St. Bartholomew, 
 Smithfield, and Southwark ; which forbids members, under a 
 penalty of 10/., from being found with goods at either of the above 
 places "over the franchise;" which was thirty days for West- 
 minster, and three each for St. Barthomew's and Southwark. 
 
 At the two latter fairs, this company, jointly with the merchant 
 tailors', held their annual trade search, cloth being at both fairs 
 the great commodity sold, and the whole of which was subjected to 
 the admeasurement of these companies.* They had, for the latter 
 purpose, the " Drapers' Ell," stated to have been granted to them 
 by Edward TIL It is variously denominated in their books, as 
 "the Yard," " the Company's Standard," and other names, and 
 the " new trymmyug" of it occurs as an annual item of expence, 
 as well as occasionally the cost of " a new bag for the Company's 
 Standard." The searchers always had a treat on these occasions, 
 though certainly what would now be thought a humble one. 
 " Brede, wyne, and pers" (pears), constitute this entertainment, 
 " at the searche of our Lady Feyre in Southwarke," in 1485; 
 amounting that year to I5d. half-penny; in 1496, I6d. is 
 charged for potacions at Southwark, at our Lady Fayr ;" and in 
 1514, the sum of 11. 2s., — the last payment being said to be " for 
 a potacion at Robert Lazenby's, aff ou'' serche at St. Barth'ws 
 even." Both these fairs, like that of Westminster, belonged, in 
 the Catholic times, to the heads of religious houses : Westminster 
 to its abbot, and St. Bartholomew and Southwark (or St. Mary 
 Overy, as it is oftener called) to the priors of those monasteries. 
 
 Keeping the secrets of the craft, was provided for by an ordi- 
 nance, entitled " None to betray lytel thyngs said in consell to 
 other of the craft ne no brother, to enfourm any stranger." The 
 examples of its enforcement are similar to those already noticed. 
 
 vnto the said Ric Whitehed, on this 
 prsent day of making hereof, the same 
 fether bed and holster that is exposed 
 in the Bill of Demand of the said Ric 
 Whitehed, or ells therefore we award 
 that the said Hugh shall pay, or doo to 
 be paid, on the forsaid day, vnto the 
 said Ric Whitehed, in redy money, 
 xiij*. iiijd. 
 
 " Also, we award that whatsoev can 
 be p^ved lawfully hereaft', that the said 
 
 Hugh hath in any mann*' wye receyed 
 any goods due to the said Richard, other 
 than he hath knowledged to us, that 
 then we award that the said Hugh 
 shall immediately after knowledge 
 thereof had, restore and repay ou^ y* 
 p'cell so proved, the premises notwith- 
 standing. In Wytness," &c. Dated 
 28 Nov., 7 Henry VHI. 
 
 * Vide Hist. Essay, 4t. 
 
428 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 Relief of decayed brethren^ or, as the ordinance is headed, to 
 those fallen in poverty," was provided for by an article which 
 states, that any brother having been in full livery one year, and 
 being of good name, who should fall into poverty or sickness, 
 should, by the whole body, be admitted to alms. If he had never 
 served warden, he was to be allowed four marks a year, to 
 be paid quarterly ; if otherwise, he was to have full 14c?. per 
 week from the box, " till the tyme that wyll encrese them odir 
 wyse." 
 
 The following addition is made to this article, in 1503, at which 
 time the company had built almshouses : 
 
 '^Provided always that the poor so admitted shall dwell within 
 the place, and use him always as an almonesman, and that such 
 stuff as he shall bring in w*'' him and leve after his death, shall 
 rest in the house for his successor, after the discretion of this place, 
 except he have wife or child, in which case, they to receive his 
 goods, and to immediately avoid the place." 
 
 A remarkable instance of claiming the company's relief, occurs 
 in the case of Sir Laurence Aylmer, in 1526. This unfortunate 
 member of the Drapers, after having been two or three times 
 master, having served sheriff in 1501, and lord mayor of London 
 in 1507-8, is stated, in an entry of the above date, to have fallen 
 into total decay, and to have applied for the alms of the company. 
 They do not appear, on this melancholy reverse, to have acted by 
 so old and honored a brother with the liberality or courtesy of 
 modern times. The allowance granted to him was a paltry 
 pittance, even considering the difference in the value of money, 
 and it was coupled, as will be seen by the following entry, with a 
 condition harsh and ungracious. 
 
 "Geven to Sir Lawrans Aylm% towards his releeve, ij^ and iiij"^. 
 of the charite of this hous, vnto suche tyme as God shall other wyse 
 p'vide for hym. The first day of payment shall be Saterday, the 
 xxiiij. day of October next ensuing. And furthermore, it is agreed 
 that if the said Sir Lawrans, at any tyme hereaff, be not co'tent 
 w*" the foreseid charite, or make any sute for any more, that then 
 the foreseid g'^nt vtterly to be voyd and of none effect." 
 
 Installing a poor member into one of the company's almshouses, 
 is, at this time, called giving a charity," or " giving the charite 
 of the house." One Richard Cloos," is stated, in a succeeding 
 entry of his being made an almsman, to have been "elected to the 
 cherite of this place, as an almsman, from ou"^ lady day, the 
 annunciation last." 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 429 
 
 Penalties for defaults in trade were various, as shewn by the 
 following entries : 
 
 " 1498 : Rec' of Ric Ely for guyving vnto a stranger fals 
 mesure, and so p'^vyd (proved) to make him amende, xij*^. Of 
 Ric Rysse for keping of a shop hauyng a taylo"^ p'^tyner (partner) 
 hym, and he havyng his app^'ntice w*'' the said taylo' con- 
 trary to the ordinanc^ of this place vij.^ viij/" 
 
 When of a heinous kind, and particularly for continued rebellion 
 to the masters, the penalty extended to expulsion. The article on 
 this subject, in the first ordinances, states — That any person of the 
 fraternity, who was of misruled or evil fame, should be summoned 
 before the wardens, and corrected as seemed good to their dis- 
 cretions. If he " rebelled, and would not obey their correction," 
 the wardens were then to call " the counsell of the mystery," and 
 they were to correct him after their discretions. If he would not 
 obey " their rule and correction," they were to present him before 
 the mayor as " a rebell; — " and by a revision or re-enacting of 
 this point, after the company's incorporation, 17 Henry VI., it is 
 further stated to have been 
 
 " Fully condescended and accorded the first day of June, in 
 the yere of the regne of King Henry the VI.*^% the xxxiij*^., by my 
 Maister Norman, and all the worshipfull Felishippe of Drapers of 
 London ; that from this day forward, thez persones," any felon or 
 convict, ('* aniez felaron and avictgitt of pettis,") " shall not be 
 somoned nor called to this frafnite and felishippe atte no tyme, 
 nor to have no livere therof, nether to paye any quarterage, nor 
 noon other dutes that longith thereto ; and the said persones to 
 be vtterly disharged and putt oute off this frafnite and felis- 
 chippe." 
 
 Matters of domestic management included the reading of the 
 ordinances on " Election Day," and was anciently succeeded by 
 the delivery (before the assistants,) of the cash and plate to the 
 new wardens; as by the following entry, 
 
 1516, *'This day in p'^sence of all the whole fellows^, as moste 
 in nombre, the ordinances were openly read ; the money and 
 plate were openly before the councell seen and delyu''ed to the 
 wardeins, by the book, and were so forthwith put in to the closet 
 and box, the keys remaining with the mast% Mr. Milborn, alder- 
 man." 
 
 Misbehaviour was punished with great impartiality : 
 In 1498 a receipt of 40s. is acknowledged amongst the warden's 
 accounts, from " Sir Will'^m Capell, knyght, for his misbehavyo"^ 
 
430 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 ayens Mr. Shipworth, (one of the wardens,) which was jugyd by 
 the moste p'tie of all the counsell, as in the book of notices of 
 Remembranc' aperyth." The fine was subsequently returned by 
 general consent, on account of some service rendered by Sir 
 William to the company; and in 1517, an ordinance passed in 
 consequence of the occurrence, that any alderman of the com- 
 pany being disobedient to the master and wardens, should for 
 every offence forfeit 10/.* 
 
 Sometimes credit was given for these fines. Under the head 
 Dettours to the crafte," in 1482, William Spark, it is said, 
 " owith for a fyn for vngodly language, spoken to Richard 
 Stakeley agen the good and worshypfuU rule and ordinance of 
 this place." 
 
 Pledging was customary in this, as well as the other companies. 
 In 1528, Thomas Pykkes is said to have brought into this house 
 (as a pledge for xij" , and for the rest [remainder] of an obligation 
 of xxvj^' iiij**^?) a stands nutt and cover, all sylv'^ and p'cell gylt." 
 
 Before going to law, all the companies had to ask permission 
 of their wardens. It has been seen to have been so with the 
 Grocers' Company ;t but an ordinance of the drapers, made in 
 1514, goes further. It enacts that " no p'^ticular licence shall be 
 granted by the master or wardens vnto any persone of the said 
 fraternite, to arrest any of them the other, but onely on a court 
 day, and by their hole assents ; except the p'tie be fugityve, and 
 will not come and obey the master and wardens." The form of 
 licence for this purpose, as given in a subsequent entry, states 
 that " vpon c'^tain informacons made to Mast"^ Gyles Elandye and 
 Mr. Richard Fyeld, wardens, by William Chest vppon Robert 
 Harris, the said m'' wardens do lycence the sayd Will^'m Chest to 
 arest the sayd Robert Harr^;" but, it is added, "the said Robert 
 not with standyng the sayd WilPm, and acknowledging the dette," 
 he was afterwards only ordered to stond and abyde the awarde 
 of nV wardens." 
 
 Of the other points enumerated,! and more particularly relating 
 to the companies' domestic management, several, as — that no 
 
 * Disobedience was differently pu- and said ' To loose body and goods, his 
 nished in the case of inferior members, soull and his lyf, that he would neu^ ask 
 In 1518 the master and wardens ordered forgyvenes,' And so he departed from 
 that " Thomas Huntingfield should the said mast' and wardens.'' He con- 
 ask mast*" Campion's forgeveness for tinned obstinate, but being prohibited 
 such vngoodly words and misdemeano'^s from wearing the company's livery, soon 
 as he had vttered openly in the street afterwards submitted, 
 against the said maist' Campion, whiche t Hist. Essay, oO. 
 to do the said Thomas denied extremely, I See wi^, 421, (note). 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 431 
 
 brother take no servant, hous, ne shoppe fro' his brother; any 
 brother finding himself grieved, to complain first to the wardens ; 
 that the ward°^ eu^'y zere do make up the accounts; as to the 
 salarye of the bedil; that no warden do wryte in the book of ordi- 
 nances; that no ward'' bere out nor deliv*^ no bookes of ordinan- 
 ces; that no broker be broker between friend and friend, etc.:" — 
 the greater part were common to all the companies, and have 
 been already noticed in speaking of them. 
 
 The following additional particulars, chiefly relative to the 
 modern Constitution and Government of the Drapers' Company, 
 were stated to the Commissioners of Municipal Enquiry by 
 Edward Lawford, Esq., the Clerk of the Company, November 7, 
 1834.* 
 
 The Company : — The proper style of the Company was The 
 Master, Wardens, and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fra- 
 ternity of the blessed Virgin Mary of the Mystery of Drapers of 
 the City of London." They possessed a livery by prescription, 
 the members of which were not limited. There were many females 
 free of the company ; they invariably came on the list for the 
 purpose of participating in the charities of the company ; forty- 
 two females had been so admitted since 1800, who participated 
 equally in the benevolent charity of the company, and in those 
 charities the company held in trust. They had a right to be 
 admitted to certain almshouses, of which they, as free-women of 
 the company, were trustees. Females were admitted to the 
 freedom by right of patrimony; a majority of the females admitted 
 to the freedom partake of the charities of the company. 
 
 Elections : — Mr. Lawford on this subject said, — That in May, 
 1810, an application was made to the Court of King's Bench for 
 a quo warranto, calling upon the Court of Assistants to shew 
 cause by what authority they exercised the office. The object 
 was, no doubt, to throw open the right of franchise. The rule 
 was granted; but, on the party showing cause, it was discharged, 
 with costs. The party who applied for the rule was Mr. Slack. 
 In practice a system of rotation was adhered to, but the elections 
 were by ballot. Before 1810 the election of master and upper 
 warden was by show of hands, and the other officers by ballot. 
 At an early period the election took place, as the ancient records 
 express it, by loving consent." Religion was not a bar to elec- 
 
 • Vide Times, Nov. 8, 1834. 
 
432 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 tion upon the court. He had never heard the question raised. 
 Respectability of character was alone enquired into, and religion 
 and politics were wholly left out of consideration. There were no 
 Roman Catholics on the court. There had never been a tacit un- 
 derstanding that Dissenters should be passed over. Neither the 
 master nor wardens give security to the company. 
 
 He was able to state how many members of the court were 
 connected by relationship, business, or marriage. No members 
 of the court were in partnership with each other. There were two 
 brothers on the court, as well as two others connected by marriage. 
 
 In answer to a question from a liveryman, — " If that was all the 
 family connexions on the court?" — Mr. Lawford said, " He was 
 anxious to give very full information upon all questions, and he 
 had answered the point." 
 
 Another liveryman said "he had made out a statement shewing 
 that twenty-four members of the court had either sons, brothers, 
 or other relatives on the livery." 
 
 Mr. Lawford replied that " the livery being gained by patri- 
 mony, this of necessity must be the case." 
 
 In regard to the instances of parties being passed over who, 
 by seniority, were entitled to be on the court, — Mr. Lawford 
 could state there were about thirty-two liverymen who, by se- 
 niority, were entitled to be on the court, and passed over. Of 
 these three were clergyman, eleven bankrupts, or had not paid 
 20s. in the pound, seven lived at too great a distance from town, 
 and the remaining eleven were passed over without any particular 
 reason being assigned. 
 
 The liveryman who last spoke said *'he was one of the eleven 
 who had been passed over without any particular cause being as- 
 signed. For upwards of thirty years he had been on the livery, 
 and he certainly had looked forward to the period of being elected 
 on the court; and he felt much disappointed that he had been 
 passed over." 
 
 Commissioner (Sir Francis Palgrave,) said the elections were 
 conducted by the ballot, and therefore it was impossible to tell 
 what was the cause of rejection. 
 
 As to the office of clerk, Mr. Lawford stated that he gave secu- 
 rity himself to the extent of 5000^., and two sureties to the amount 
 of 2500/. each. There was no competition for the office on his 
 election. His predecessor succeeded his father in the year 1797. 
 
 Sir Francis Palgrave asked whether a composition with creditors 
 would be considered a sufficient cause of removal from the court ? 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 433 
 
 Mr. Lawford said he considered it would ; but in that case re- 
 signation would voluntarily take place. According to the bye- 
 laws passed in 1707, an insolvent who had not paid 205. in the 
 pound could not be eligible to remain on the court : with respect 
 to the exclusion from the court, he wished to state that it extended 
 over a period of from twenty-five to thirty years. The freedom of 
 the company was obtained by patrimony, servitude, redemption, 
 and gift. Every child of a freeman, male and female, was entitled 
 by patrimony to the freedom. There was no instance of any person 
 on the court receiving a pension. 
 
 Mr. Town Clerk of London asked if Mr. Lawford was aware of 
 an order issued by the Court of Aldermen in 1733, directing the 
 master and wardens of the city companies to return to the corpo- 
 ration the names of such persons as had been admitted into the 
 different companies ? Mr. Lawford replied he was not aware of 
 the existence of any such document. 
 
 In answer to questions as to what period the Drapers' Com- 
 pany ceased to have any control over the trade of drapers? what 
 was its age ? and when its former exercise of the right of trade 
 search had ceased ? 
 
 Mr. Lawford said the company's control over the drapers' trade 
 must have ceased gradually. He should suppose that the com- 
 pany possessed control over the trade subsequently to the reign of 
 Queen Anne: the records, however, were principally destroyed 
 by the fire of London. 
 
 Mr. Town Clerk said there was an old order of the Court of 
 Aldermen directing a search for unfair drapers' goods at Bartho- 
 lomew Fair. The control of the drapers was diminished by the 
 powers exercised by the Clothworkers', the Mercers', and the 
 Merchant Tailors' Companies. 
 
 As to the company's age, Mr, Lawford said it must have existed 
 in the reign of Richard I. 
 
 Mr. Town Clerk. " It existed then as a brotherhood." 
 
 Mr. Lawford. " The first Lord Mayor was a draper, and he 
 held that oflftce during his life." 
 
 Mr. Town Clerk observed there could be no doubt but that 
 the weavers and drapers were amongst the earliest companies on 
 record. 
 
 Mr. Lawford, in continuation, said, 
 
 **The freemen of the company became liverymen by order of the 
 court of assistants. Respectability and competency were required, 
 and their being reputed worth lOOOZ., after payments of just debts, 
 
 F f 
 
434 
 
 DRAPERS COMPAiNY. 
 
 was considered a necessary qualification. The parties being pawn- 
 brokers was originally a disqualification. The livery might be lost, 
 but, where the cases had occurred, it was in consequence of ap- 
 plication being made to have the livery fine returned. The number 
 of the livery was according to the accommodation the hall would 
 afford for the feasts. This was originally the case; but in 1802 
 it was resolved to allow persons to take up their livery on condition 
 that they signed a disclaimer foregoing the right to be invited to 
 the dinners. The hall would hold about 160; and that was the 
 reason why the disclaimer not to expect to be called to dinner, 
 on the part of freemen admitted to the livery, was required. 
 
 The master presided at all meetings of the court, both for busi- 
 ness and conviviality. The clerk of the company was the treasurer, 
 and the renter-warden had no business with the accounts. A 
 poor-roll had been established, which was always kept full, sixty 
 poor freemen being upon it, to whom lOl. was given a year. The 
 master and wardens gave quarterly sums of money to about fifty 
 or sixty other poor persons ; this was called the company's bounty. 
 In cases where members of the court fell into decay, they received, 
 upon application, pensions during the court's pleasure. One 
 person, recently deceased, received 2001. per annum ; but he had 
 been a person in high repute, and the city, when he fell into decay, 
 gave him back his sheriffs' fine. 
 
 Mr. Town Clerk agreed in the propriety of the latter case. 
 
 Mr. Lawford said the highest pension now paid to decayed 
 members of the court was 1501. The pension was never granted 
 until full inquiry had been made. The court would certainly 
 annul the pension if the party afterwards become wealthy. The 
 attendance-fee given to members of the court was two guineas 
 each. The charter and bye-laws were not accessible to the livery 
 at large ; and no application had been made in his time for the 
 purpose of looking into the accounts of the company ; he was, 
 however, authorized to state that at the company's hall the com- 
 missioners might examine all the company's accounts. 
 
 Sir F. Palgrave said that Mr. Drinkwater had undertaken the 
 financial department, and would make an appointment with the 
 company for the inspection of the accounts. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 435 
 
 LORD MAYORS OF THE DRAPERS* COMPANY.^ 
 
 l>ate. Name. 
 
 1190. Henry Fitz-Alwin. 
 
 1252. John Tolason.2 
 1253 ■) 
 
 to ^Richard Hardell.^ 
 1258. > 
 
 1330-1-3-6. Sir John Pulteney, 
 
 or Pountney.'' 
 1333. John Preston. 
 1362. Steph. Candish, or Pot- 
 ton.5 
 
 1367. James Andrew.^ 
 1382, > John de Northampton, or 
 1383.5 Comberton,M.p. 1378.7 
 1392 S 
 
 and ^John Hynd, or Hend.^ 
 J 405. 3 
 
 1402. John Walcote. 
 
 1418 C^^*^ William Cromer, or 
 
 1423'i Cronmar, m. p. 1406 
 
 X and 1417.^ 
 1415, i ... Nicholas Wotton,M,p. 
 1430. S 1414, 1419, 1421.10 
 1427, ) ... John Gidney, or 
 1447. 5 Godney, m.p. HM." 
 
 Residence. 
 
 By London Stone. 
 
 Laurence Pultney 
 lane. 
 
 St. Swithin's lane, 
 Cannon street. 
 
 St. Swithin's lane ; 
 also in Crutched 
 Friars. 
 
 Threadneedle-street 
 parish. 
 
 1433. 
 
 .. John Brockle, or 
 Brockley, m.p. 
 
 Buried. 
 
 St. Mary Bothawe, 
 or Holy Trinity, 
 Aldgate. 
 
 St. Laurence Pultney 
 college. 
 
 St. Thomas of Aeon. 
 
 St. Alphage, near 
 Cripplegate. 
 
 St. Swithin's, London 
 Stone. 
 
 St. Martin Ongar's, 
 Cannon, or Candle- 
 wick street. 
 
 St. Christopher s, 
 church, Thread- 
 needle-street 
 
 ^ Amongst the lord mayors of this 
 company before 1714, eight have been 
 the heads of noble families ; seven have 
 held the mayoralty for successive years, 
 (including Fitz-AIwin, as above); 
 forty-three have been knights or baro- 
 nets; fifteen have represented the city 
 in parliament, (some of them for seve- 
 ral sessions) ; and seven have been 
 founders of churches and public build- 
 ings, or otherwise of distinguished ce- 
 lebrity. — N.B. Those mayors to whose 
 names m.p. is affixed, represented the 
 city in parliament. 
 
 2 The liberties of the city were 
 seized, and the above mayor changed, 
 because he looked not to the assize of 
 bread. 
 
 3 Mayor from 1253 to 1258. He 
 served sheriff with John Tolason in 
 1249. 
 
 ^ He founded St. Laurence Pultney 
 College, then Candlewick street. 
 
 5 His family continued 200 or 300 
 years afterwards in Suffolk. 
 
 ^ Of whom the Andrews of Chevel- 
 ton, in Northamptonshire, are descen- 
 ded. 
 
 Stow in one place terms him Skin- 
 ner.'' He was, in consequence of al- 
 leged malversations and quarrels with 
 the fishmongers, committed to gaol, 
 and had his effects confiscated. 
 
 ^ Founder of the church of St. 
 Swithin, London stone. 
 
 9 Son of John Cromar, of Aldenham, 
 Herts., and ancestor of Sir James 
 Cromar, of Tunstall, Kent. 
 
 1" Son of Thomas Wotton, of Lon- 
 don, gent. Of him the lords Wotton 
 are descended. 
 
 " Son of William Gidney, of St. Ives, 
 in Cambridgeshire. He was the first 
 master under Henry the VL's patent. 
 He did penance for marrying a widow 
 professed. — See Strype's Stow, under 
 head St. Christopher,Bread-streetward. 
 
 12 Son to William Brockale, of New- 
 port Pagnel, Bucks. 
 
 Ff 2 
 
436 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 Date. Name. 
 
 1441. Robert Clopton.» 
 
 1445. Sir Simon Eyre.^ 
 1453. ... John Norman, knt., 
 M.p. 1448 and 1449.^ 
 
 1459' ] " TJiomas Scott, knt." 
 
 1463. ... Thomas Cooke, K.B.^ 
 
 1464, i ... Ralph Joceline, k.b. 
 1476. 5 M.p. 1461.6 
 
 1474. ... Robert D rope.? 
 1479. ... Barthol. James.^ 
 1482. ...William Harriot, M.p. 
 
 1483 and 1511.9 
 1485. ... William Stocker.i" 
 1489. ... William White, m.p. 
 
 1489." 
 
 1503, ) ... William Capell, m.p. 
 
 1509. 5 1492.12 
 
 1511. ... Roger A chilly. >3 
 
 ... George Mounoux, 
 
 m.p. 1523. 
 ... John Brugges.'* 
 
 1514. 
 1520. 
 
 1521. ... John Milborne.'s 
 
 Lombard street. 
 
 Cornbill. 
 
 St. Dunstan's hill. 
 
 Cannon street. 
 
 Capell court, Bartho- 
 lomew lane 
 Cornbill Ward. 
 
 Crooked lane. Old 
 
 Fish street. 
 The same. 
 
 1524. ... William Bailey.^s 
 
 1528. ... John Rudstone.'' Cornbill. 
 
 1533. .. Christopher Askew, 
 
 St. Mary Woolnoth, 
 Lombard street. 
 
 The same. 
 
 Allballows, Honey 
 lane. 
 
 Austin Friars. 
 
 St. Swithin's, London 
 
 Stone. 
 St.Michaers,Cornhill 
 
 St. Dunstan's, east. 
 
 St. Swithin's, London 
 
 Stone. 
 St. Bartholomew's, 
 
 Royal Exchange. 
 St. Christopher le 
 
 Stocks. 
 Chureh of Waltham- 
 
 stow. 
 
 St. Nicholas Aeon, 
 Lombard street. 
 
 Church of the Crutch- 
 ed Friars ; after- 
 wards St. Edmund, 
 Lombard street. 
 
 Whittington College 
 Church. 
 
 St. Michael's, Corn- 
 hill. 
 
 St. John Evangelist, 
 Friday street. 
 
 ^ Son of Thomas Clopton, of Clop- 
 ton, in Cambridgeshire. 
 
 2 Son of William Eyre, of Brandon, 
 Suffolk, and founder of Leadenhall. 
 
 2 Son of William Norman, of Ban- 
 bury, Oxfordshire. 
 
 * Son of Robert Scott, of Dorney, 
 Bucks. 
 
 ^ From him descended (says Strype,) 
 Sir Anthony Cooke, of Gidea hall, 
 Essex. 
 
 6 Son to Geffrey Joceline, of Saw- 
 bridgeworth, in Hertfordshire, knight 
 of the Bath, and also in the field. From 
 him descended the Jocelines, of Joce- 
 lin hall, Essex. The city walls were 
 repaired in his mayoralty. 
 
 7 Son to John Drope, of St. Edes, 
 in Huntingdonshire. 
 
 ^ Son to Edward James, of London, 
 upholder ; made knight in the field by 
 Edward IV. 
 
 9 Son to John Harriot, of Seegrave, 
 Leicestershire. 
 
 '° He died in his mayoralty, as did 
 also Sir Thomas Hill, whom he prece- 
 ded, leaving the year to be served out 
 by John Ward. 
 
 » Son to William White, of Tick- 
 hill, in the county of York. 
 
 12 Son of John Capell, of Stoke 
 Neyland, Suffolk. Knighted by Henry 
 VII. He first caused a cage to be set 
 up in every ward for the punishment of 
 vagabonds. 
 
 *3 Son of Thomas Achilly, of Stan- 
 wardine, Shropshire. 
 
 Son to Thomas Bruges, of Dym- 
 mocke, in Gloucestershire. 
 
 '5 Son to John Milborne, of Long 
 Melford, Suffolk. 
 
 16 Son to John Bailey, of Thacksted, 
 Essex. 
 
 '7 Son to Robt. Rudstone, of Hatton, 
 Yorkshire. 
 
 18 Son to John Askew, or Ascough, 
 of Edmonton, Middlesex. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 
 
 437 
 
 Date. 
 
 1540. 
 
 15U. 
 1560. 
 
 1565. 
 1578. 
 
 1580. 
 1585. 
 
 1588. 
 
 1614. 
 
 1615. 
 1621. 
 
 1623. 
 
 1625. 
 
 1626. 
 1639. 
 1640. 
 1646. 
 
 1655. 
 
 1670. 
 
 1676. 
 
 Sir William Roche, m.p. 
 
 1523, 1537.' 
 ... William Bowyer, 
 
 M.p. 1542.2 
 ... William Chester, m.p. 
 
 1562.3 
 ... Richard Champion.* 
 ... Richard Pipe.* 
 
 ... John Branche.6 
 ... Thomas Pullison.' 
 
 ... Martin Calthorpe.^ 
 
 ... Thomas Hayes, or 
 
 Hawes.^ 
 ... John Jolles.'° 
 ... Edward Barker." 
 
 ... Martin Lumley.»=» 
 
 ... Allan Cotton." 
 
 ... Cuthbert Hacket.'* 
 ... Maurice Abbot.'^ 
 ... Henry Garway.'^ 
 ... Thomas Adams, M.p. 
 
 1654 and 1656.»7 
 ... Christopher Pack, 
 
 M.p. 1656. '8 
 ... Samuel Starling Dra- 
 per.'^ 
 ... Joseph Sheldon.20 
 
 Lombard street. 
 
 Aldermary church- 
 yard ; afterwards 
 Waldingwell's, Not- 
 tinghamshire. 
 
 Nicholas lane, Can- 
 non street. 
 
 Budge row. Cannon 
 street, and the Con- 
 duit at Dowgate. 
 
 St. Peter^'srCornhill. 
 
 St. Edmund's, Lom- 
 bard street. 
 
 St. Dunstan's, east. 
 
 Waldingwell's, Not- 
 tinghamshire. 
 
 St. Mary Abchurch. 
 
 St. Peter le Poor, 
 
 Bread street. 
 St. Mary's, Alder- 
 
 manbury. 
 
 Southacre church, 
 Norfolk. 
 
 St. Helen's, Bishops- 
 gate 
 
 St. Martin's Ongar, 
 
 Cannon street. 
 St. Martin's, Vintry. 
 
 AUhallows, Stayning. 
 
 ' Son to John Roche, of Wixley, 
 Yorkshire. 
 
 2 Died in his mayoralty. Sir Ralph 
 Warren, mercer, served out his year. 
 
 3 Son to John Chester, citizen and 
 draper of London. 
 
 * Son to Richard Champion, of 
 Godalming, Surry. 
 
 ^ Son to Rich. Pipe, of Wolver- 
 hampton, Staffordshire. 
 
 ^ Son to John Branche, citizen 
 and draper of London, who was son to 
 J. Branche, of Laynham, W. Suffolk. 
 
 ' He resigned his gown soon after 
 his mayoralty, and was alive in 1605. 
 
 ® Son to Martin Calthorpe, citizen 
 and draper of London. 
 
 * Son to Thomas Hayes, of the city 
 of Westminster. 
 
 Son to Thomas Jolles, of Strat- 
 ford le Bow, Middlesex. 
 
 " Son of Edw. Barker, of South- 
 acre, Norfolk. 
 
 '2 Son of James Lumley, of London. 
 '3 Son to Ralph Cotton, of Whit- 
 church, Salop. 
 
 '* Son of Thomas Aket or Hacket, 
 and grandson of Thomas Aket or 
 Hacket, of Dartford, Kent. 
 
 Fifth son of Sir Maurice Abbot, 
 of Guildford, Surrey. 
 
 Son of Sir William Garway, of 
 London, knight, and grandson of John 
 Garway, of London, esq. 
 
 Knight and bart. of Weme, Salop. 
 *8 Son of Christopher Pack, of Finch- 
 ley, Middlesex, merchant of London. 
 
 Said to have been the son of Sam. 
 Starling of Stoppesley, Luton, Bed- 
 fordshire. 
 
 Son of Ralph Sheldon of Stanton, 
 in Elvaston, Derbyshire ; and grandson 
 of Roger Sheldon, of the same place. 
 
438 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 D.-ite. Name. Residence. Buried. 
 
 1677. Sir Thomas Davies.' 
 
 1680. ... Robert Clayton, M.r. Austin Friars, and Great church of A m- 
 1678-89-95, 1700-1, Old Jury. sterdam. 
 1715.2 
 
 1685. ... James Smith.^ 
 
 1692. ... Thomas Stampe.* 
 
 1714. ... Samuel Stanier.^ St. Mary Axe. 
 
 The earls of Bath, Essex, the barons Wotton, and the dukes of 
 Chandos, are among the noble families which derive their descent 
 from members of the Drapers* Company. Those of lesser, but 
 honourable rank, the founders of public buildings, and donors of 
 charities, are numerous : the following are slight notices of the 
 principal of them : 
 
 NOBILITY SPRUNG FROM DRAPERS. 
 
 Sir John de Pultney, noticed by our historians for his piety^ 
 wisdom, large possessions, and magnificent style of living, was 
 four times lord mayor of London in the reign of Edward III., and 
 ancestor of the Pulteneys, earls of Bath. The title was first con- 
 ferred on the celebrated Mr. Pultney, till then the great opponent 
 of Sir Robert Walpole's administration. The rich Sir William 
 Pulteney, who died some years since, was of the same family. 
 Sir John de Pultney was the founder of Laurence Pultney College, 
 by Thames street, which he amply endowed, and near which was his 
 dwelling. He was of a respectable family, settled at Onisterton, 
 in Leicestershire, and died in 1350. 
 
 Sir William Capell, sheriff of London in 1489, and lord mayor 
 in 1503, was several times master of this company, and gave origin 
 to the noble family of the same name, created earls of Essex on the 
 extinction of the Devereux line. His ancestors had long been 
 lords of the manor of Capell, in Stoke Neyland, Suffolk ; and he 
 appears, unlike many of the great citizens near his own times and 
 since, to have come to town wealthy and highly connected. He 
 died, and was buried as above. 
 
 The Brydges', (originally written Brugges,) dukes of Chandos, 
 are descended from Sir John Brugge or Brugges, mayor in 1520, 
 His ancestor Sir John Brydges, or Bruge, distinguished himself at 
 
 • Son of John Davis of London, sill^man ; and of Upton, in Westham, 
 draper. Essex. 
 
 2 Alias Cleeton, son of Cleeton, * Son of Richard Stampe, of Read- 
 
 of Bulwick, Northamptonshire. ing, Berkshire. 
 
 * Son of Robert Smith, of London, ^ gon of James Stanier, Italian mer- 
 
 chant, living in St. Mary Axe, London. 
 
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT. 439 
 
 the battle of Agincourt in 1415; and was younger brother of Sir 
 Tliomas Bruge, who married the heiress of Berkeley by the heiress 
 of Chandos. The family of the lord mayor was of Flemish origin, 
 and as old as the Conquest. 
 
 From Sir Nicholas Wotton, lord mayor in 1415, is descended, 
 says Strype, the lord Wotton. 
 
 Of drapers of lesser, but honorable rank, enumerated in the 
 preceding list as lord mayors of London, were 
 
 Henry Fitz-Alwin, draper, the son of Leofstane, goldsmith 
 and provost of London, in the reign of Henry I. He was ap- 
 pointed mayor, 1 Richard L, and continued, as we have seen, 
 until the 15th of John, a period of twenty-four years. His order 
 for settling laws and regulations for buildings, party-walls, digging- 
 wells, etc. in the city, subject to the arbitration of twelve alder- 
 men, and which order is said to have been made by "the advice 
 of the discreeter men of the said city," is an instance of wise legis- 
 lation. This eminent Citizen affords a strong proof of the high 
 antiquity of the Drapers' Company, as well as its rank at so early 
 a period.* 
 
 Sir Maurice Abbot (1639), fifth son of Sir Maurice Abbot of 
 Guildford, whose two brothers were George Abbot, archbishop of 
 Canterbury, and Robert Abbot, bishop of Salisbury. 
 
 Sir Thomas Adam, bart. (1646), founder of the free school at 
 Weme, in Shropshire, and of an Arabic Lecture at Cambridge. 
 And 
 
 Sir Thomas Cooke, k.b., and ancestor of the Cookes of Gidea 
 hall, Essex, whose grandson Anthony was one of the preceptors 
 of Edward VL— The 
 
 * Munday (Edition of Stow's Survaie, 
 1614,) says "Fitz-Alwin's house then 
 remained in St. Mary Bothaw parish, 
 divided into two or three tenements, 
 and states it as presumptive evidence of 
 his burial in St. Mary Bothaw church ; 
 — moreover, that his arms were in the 
 glass windows, and on his gravestone, 
 and that the said two or three tenements 
 into which his residence were converted, 
 were his gift to the company, who paid 
 a quit-rent in his name for them yerely 
 for ever." Strype defends Stow's asser- 
 tion, that Fitz-Alwin was buried at 
 Holy Trinity Priory, Aldgate, observ- 
 ing that Stow migiit be presumed to 
 have seen his monument there before 
 
 the " Dissolution.'' Stow, however, 
 does not say so himself, and besides 
 that he might be, and often is, mis- 
 taken ; what Stow saw might have 
 been a cenotaph, or chantry chapel, of 
 Fitz- Alwin's foundation. At all events, 
 the late possession of this property by 
 the Drapers' Company, of the descent 
 of which to them tliey have very ancient 
 records, — added to tradition, in their 
 having preserved Fitz-Alwin's picture, 
 and other circumstances which will be 
 found in our ensuing account of Dra- 
 pers' hall, — furnish stronger evidence 
 than supposition, or even Stow's asser- 
 tion, coupled as it is with these contra- 
 dictions;. 
 
440 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 CHARITABLE ACTS BY DRAPERS 
 
 include the names of — 
 
 John Hend, mayor 1405, and the refounder of St. Swithin's 
 church, London stone. Sir Simon Eyre, (1446), founder of 
 Leadenhall, and a donor in addition of 5000 marks, for relief of 
 the poor. George Monnoux, (1515): he re-edified the decayed 
 parish church of Walthamstow, Essex ; founded a free-school and 
 almshouses there for thirteen poor, and was at the expense of 
 making a timber bridge or causey near the same place, over the 
 river Lea. Sir John Milborn (1522), founder of the almshouses 
 at Crutched friars. Alderman William Lambert, founder of the 
 college for the poor named after Queen Elizabeth, at East Green- 
 wich. Sir Richard Champion (1565), who increased Sir John 
 Milborn's charity at Crutched friars. Sir Robert Clayton (1680), 
 who built the third square of St. Thomas's hospital, part of 
 Christ's hospital, and was otherwise a most liberal benefactor to 
 the poor, etc. 
 
 DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 The Dress or livery of this company varied more than that of 
 any other. By an ordinance of 1405, the whole fraternity, as 
 they might agree, were to be clothed in a suit and livery every 
 year, or second year. If it was all of one colour, they were to 
 have such hoods as should be assygned be the hooll felys- 
 chippe but if the dress was " party," (parted or divided into 
 two colours,)* they were then to have noon hodys." Members 
 were not to pute nor yeve the' away" until six years afterwards. 
 That is to say : if they had livery every year they were to keep it 
 two years, and if every second year, four years. 
 
 The ordinance directs that the whole fellowship be consulted in 
 the choice of colour. The wardens, when they had agreed, were 
 to *^ purvey," or buy ; and when bought, the cloth was to be 
 valued by eight persons. Or, according to a later ordinance, 
 " the whole counsell" were to nominate the eight valuers, and 
 those valuers to put their seals to the cloth, and, at the same time, 
 affix the price to each piece. If any member choose to provide 
 his own cloth, he was to pay to the wardens 85. on every yard, 
 " grained or not grained." A later ordinance allows the 
 
 * Vide Hist. Essay, 64. 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 441 
 
 livery to be given away every fourth year, implying that the 
 company then had it new only once in two years. The colours 
 seem to have been changed at almost every election. In 1483, 
 " violet in grayne cloth" is mentioned for the gown, and creme- 
 sin in grayne" for the hood ; in 1495 half murrey and half violet 
 for both gowns and hoods; and 1498 murrey for the gown, and 
 blue and crimson for the hood. Entering into the murrey- 
 clothing," and into the "blue lyv'ey, with hoods half cremysyn," 
 is mentioned the same year; and also, a few years afterwards, "the 
 bachillors' clothing ;" they wearing in this, as all the companies, 
 a distinct dress.* By a resolution of 1503 the livery is ordered 
 to be violet and scarlet. In 1516 the company agree " for refor- 
 mac'on of ou"" new liv^'ey hereaft" to be gevyn, that it shall be 
 made of sadd blue and cremesyn." These colours in 1520 are 
 changed to " violet for gowns, and violet and scarlet for hoods ;" 
 and afterwards in different years to puke (puce) and scarlet, brown 
 blue, and scarlet, and various other colours, until a uniform livery 
 was adopted, as described in the reign of James I.f 
 
 The Observances of the company chiefly consisted of their 
 election ceremonies; celebration of funerals; obits of deceased 
 members and benefactors ; and attendance and pageantries at 
 state and civic triumphs. 
 
 As to Elections, it was ordained that every year on Lady-day 
 " the whole body of the felyschip in their newest liv^'ry" should go 
 to Bow church, (afterwards changed to St. Michael's, Cornhill.) 
 There they were to hear the Lady mass, " abide till it was done,'* 
 offer a silver penny on the altar, and attend again in like manner 
 at *' Even song'^ to hear the dirge for deceased members. They 
 were to repeat their attendance on the following day to hear the 
 mass of requiem, and were to offer another silver penny ; and on 
 the same day, or another day, as the wardens might assign, were 
 to walk two and two in their livery to the plac^ "ordained for the 
 feast." Every member, whether present or absent, was to pay 
 " his aferent portion towards the feast ;" being 2s. " the year 
 they had clothing," and 3s. when they had none. Every brother 
 was likewise then to pay his year's quarterage, which amounted 
 to 7c?. 
 
 The ceremonies at the election, in 1522, (and which occupied 
 three days,) as also the dinner on the occasion, are thus described, — 
 
 * Vide Hist. Essay, 95, 99. 
 
 t Ibid. 65. 
 
442 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 we modernize, unless occasionally, the old language and ortho- 
 graphy, on account of the length of the extract. 
 
 "Saturd^, on the feast of the Assumpt'' of ou"^ Lady, aft' even song, 
 was the no'ination [nomination] of the newe ward"% w*^ potacion 
 in the parlo'^ afterw'^% according to the old custom. And on the 
 Sunday, afV the solempne masse of our Lady," here dined in 
 the parlour, at the sideboard, the master " et ux' dna' Milb°," 
 [Milborn,] the four wardens and their wives, our two chaplains, 
 and Richardson and his wife, Sm^ iij. mees large," [the whole 3 
 large masses.] The fare for the Sunday dinner, besides a cold 
 sirloin of beef that had served for breakfast, consisted of " 4 p'' 
 of capons, 2 swans, 2 geese, 2 pikes, half a buck, bak'd, and 
 5 pasties ; and, for a reward, 5 conies, 18 pigeons, 2 tarts, and, 
 afterwards, pears and filberds." The guests are said to have 
 " washed after dinner, standing." The account proceeds : 
 
 " On monday, aff" masse of Requiem, done at St. Michael's, 
 all our aldermen (in skarlet,) and all of the master's livery came 
 to the Drapers' Hall ; and all that had been ward""" sat at the 
 high table, beneath the alderm"" in the said hall ; and all the rest 
 of the said livery sat at the side table, next the cupboard on the 
 north side; and at the other side table in the hall sat our two chap- 
 lains, and no more at that table. 
 
 At the high board was set two salts, gilt, with one cover, and 
 two salts, parcel gilt, of our old store ; spice bread was placed 
 upon the same table before they sat down. At the side tables, 
 they had ' ayle and clared wyn in ashen cuppys ;' but the high 
 board was served with silver. 
 
 At the said high board, were salvers of bread, pears, and 
 filberds, placed upon the tables before they sat down ; as also 
 green pots of ale and wine, with ashen cups, set before them at 
 every mess ; but they had gilt cups for red wine and Ipocras." 
 
 The particulars of the dinner are next given, which we omit 
 here, (from there being an account of similar ones described under 
 the head Hall and Buildings,") and proceed with the elec- 
 tion ceremony. 
 
 Then they were all served with wafers and ipocras ; and that 
 done, the masters went among them and gathered their quar- 
 terage. 
 
 " Then the old master rose and went into the parlour, having 
 a garland on his head, and his cup-bearer before him, and so 
 went straight to the upper end of the high board, without any 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 443 
 
 minstrels, ' and then chewsed Mr. Rudston/ being then sheriff, 
 for our master, and sat down again. 
 
 "Then the masters went into the parlour, and took their gar- 
 lands and their four cup-bearers before them, without minstrels, 
 and then crossed the great parlour entering the hall ; and so they 
 went about till they came before the upper end of the high board, 
 and there the chief warden delivered his garland to Sir Lawrence 
 Aylmer, as eldest alderman, because Mr. Brewer was absent. 
 
 Then the other three wardens went about till they came again 
 before the high board, and there the second warden delivered his 
 garland to Sir Lawrence Aylmer, aforesaid, in the absence of Mr. 
 Dolphin. Then one of the two other wardens went about till he 
 came to the middle of the side table next the cupboard, and there 
 the said master warden proffered the garland to three or four 
 persons, at his pleasure, and after that he went up to the high 
 board, and delivered his garland unto the aforesaid Sir Lawrence 
 Aylmer, for Mr. Southwood, he being absent. 
 
 " Then the youngest warden went about till he came to the 
 lower end of the said side-table next the cupboard ; and there, and 
 in the midst, and at the uppermost end of the said table, he prof- 
 fered his garland to divers persons after his pleasure ; and at the 
 last he delivered his garland unto Mr. John Parnell, there sitting 
 at the said side-table, and then all the company rose, and went 
 first to the master, and after to such wardens as pleased them, and 
 so from warden to warden, after their minds. 
 
 " ' Then the old masters bachilors* presented a bill of eight 
 names unto the old wardens, for the election of four new masters 
 bachilors; and out of the said eight, by the assent of the foresaid 
 old wardens and the old masters bachilors, were named and chosen, 
 etc. new masters bachilors, without any garlands, minstrels, or 
 other business : — And then all the bachilors sat down at the said 
 side-tables, and next the cupboard, where they had spiced bread, 
 pears and filberds, wine and ale, ' and Jit Jinis.^* 
 
 " Then at supper, the old wardens, their wives, the officers, and 
 the wardens' servants, sat at the side-table in the hall, next the 
 cupboard, and had ^ swannys puddings,' 1 neck of mutton in pike 
 
 ♦ The affidavit of Mr. Smith, the master, wardens, and court of assist- 
 company's clerk, in the case Slack v. ants, by and under the authority of 
 the Drapers' Company, 8vo. 1810, their acting Charter, by James I. That 
 states, (as to the present mode of the Court then held for choosing master 
 electing,) that the master and wardens and wardens had always beeji called, in 
 of the company have been annually common parlance, ^Uhe private elec- 
 elected and chosen, from time to time, tio)i." And that, on the Thursday sub- 
 on the first Monday in August, by the sequent to the first Monday in evevy 
 
444 drapers' company. 
 
 broth, 2 shoulders of mutton roast, 4 conies, 8 chickens, 6 
 pidgeons, and cold meat, plenty, and so departed. 
 
 " Tuesday here dined in the parlour, at the side table, the old 
 master, * et D'na' (and lady). Sir John Brugg, the parson of St. 
 Michael's, 'Mr. Barton, jun'",' Mr. Roche, the 4 old wardens, with 
 their wives, cu' ux'"%'] Mr. Rycroft, our 2 chapl''% Rich'^son, and 
 ux"", with three mess large. The fare for the dinn'', besides as is 
 afore wrytten, having on the Sunday beef for breakfast, was first, — 
 4 capons, boiled, 3 swans and 1 goose, 3 pikes, 12 pastys of veni- 
 son, of Mr. Rycroft's bucks, 8 conies, 12 pidgeons, 6 quails, and 
 3 tarts ; and then wafers and ipocras. No supper this night, but 
 fragments amongst the servants and others." 
 
 Specimens of the manner of conducting funerals and obits in 
 the company will be found in the following extracts : 
 
 Funeral of Mrs. Peke — August 14, 1518, buried this day, 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Peke, widow ; and, by the advice of Mr. 
 Skerrington, there was named, to bere her from the Crayne in 
 the vintre unto Seynt Michaell's church, Mr. Cornhill, Mr. 
 Burton, Mr. Carter, Mr. Rudston, Mr. Garerd, alias Brereter, 
 Mr. Brothers, and Mr. Perpoint; and upon the morrow, after 
 sermon and mass of requiem, there dined at Mr. Skerrington's, 
 all our aldermen ; and, of the company, twelve persons, and our 
 two chaplains and the clerk. She had ou"" best beryall clothe,* and 
 eu'^y of the vj. berers had a sylu"" spoone for his labo^" The next 
 year, the following account is given of the keeping of Sir John 
 Fenkylls' obit. 
 
 " 1519. Receyued of my Lady, for Sir John Fynkell's obyte, 
 xiij^ iiij^., whereof spent, for spice bred, xvj^. ; and for spyces for 
 the same bred, etc. xiiij^; It'" for manchetts, j*^. ; It'"" for ale, 
 xiiij'^.; It"^ for chees, viij*^. ; It'"' for strawberys, xvj*^.; It'™ for ij" 
 sug% x^. ; It'™ for red wyn and clared wyn, ij'.; It'™ to y^ wardens, 
 
 August, an entertainment is made, the that the said entertainment was, in 
 
 being summoned to which, is matter of common parlance, called " the elec- 
 
 courtesy, and not of right. That it tion dinner." But that no election or 
 
 was usual, after dinner, on the day of choice whatever was made on that day. 
 the entertainment, with certain cere- • It was very rich, and was the gift 
 
 monies of honor to the person elected, of Sir John Milborn and his lady, us 
 
 that the clerk of the said company per the following entry : 
 should publicly notify and declare aloud 1518, (July 21.) Aid. John Milborn 
 
 to the persons then assembled at the and his lady, " late the wife and ex'trix 
 
 said entertainment, the name of the of John Chester, whilst he lived, drap' 
 
 person, who had, on the preceding of London," gave *' a Beryall-cloth, of 
 
 Monday, been elected master; and the the value of 1<= marks, for the wele of 
 
 names of the persons chosen on the the soul of the John Chester in espe- 
 
 preceding Monday, who had been elect- ciall, and all other his good friends in 
 
 <^d wardens for the year ensuing ; and gen'all." 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 445 
 
 being there p^'sent eu''y of them, xx^ ; S'm*, iij". iiij*^. ; It'™ for 
 ofF'ring money to the half of the liu'y being tliere, (for the other 
 half was not werned, ou' custom was suche then,) xvj^. ; It'™ the 
 ij. wardens that were absent had nothing; Sm* in all, xiiij^ iiij*^." 
 
 The account of expences at the interment of Sir Roger Achilley, 
 lord mayor, in 1513, aiFords a further idea of the nature of a res- 
 pectable civic funeral in the catholic times. 
 
 "To Steph'' Ward, wax chandler, for 24 torches, of 24^'' a 
 piece; 4 tapers, of 14^'' a p'ce; and 2 branches of white wax, 
 goodly made, together w*^ iiij""* myghty highe standard candy 1- 
 steks, clene gylt, 54^ 4'*." 
 
 For breaking of the ground for to come to the tomb in St. 
 Christoph" church, 6^ 8*^. For the greatest bell, for 6 hours of 
 the aftern" of his burial, 3*. 4"^. The clerk, for ringing, tolling, 
 and peals, 2^ For 24 torch bear", w*^ their own black gowns and 
 hoods, 10^ For railing of the pews, stuff and nails at the 
 carpent", 5^ 4**. To the priest and cl'ks, for dirge and mass, 
 6^ 8*^. For 2 child'' that bore the 2 branches of white wax in 
 their hands, standing at dirge and mass by the heerce, and G 
 o*" child", and the sexton in surplices, helping at the dirge, mass, 
 and trentall within the same ch. 20^^. To 3 priests saying masses 
 of requiem, both days at my lady's commandment, 12'^. To poor 
 people in alms, aff the high mass was done, 12^ For potacion 
 money to the masf of the clerks, to drink at large and not at 
 home, 2^ For potacion money to the m' of the c^k. preests," [of 
 Leadenhall,] to drink at large, and not at the place, 3^ 4'*.^ 
 
 To celebrate the obsequies of the above and other deceased 
 members, as also to perform the religious services proper to the 
 company, they kept (as described) two priests. They also 
 maintained altars and lights in various churches, as will be 
 seen from the succeeding notices of them, and the list ap- 
 pended of the different obits observed by the company. The 
 
 • The funeral of Sir William Roche, surplesys syngyng. Then a standard 
 
 mayor in 1523, appears, from the fol- of his crest, w'ch was the Red Roo- 
 
 lowing account of it, to have been of a buck's hedd, wth gylt homes, havyng 
 
 more splendid description :— also ij. wynges, the one of gold, the 
 
 " The right worshipfull Sir Will^m other verde. Thereafter certayne 
 
 Roche, knight and alderman, decessyd, morners, then a pyncon of his armys, 
 
 betwene ix. and x. of the clock, before and his cote armor, borne by the 
 
 none. On whose soule Jhu' have herald, w'ch armys was a cheker of 
 
 mercye. Amen. He was buryed the warren of sylver and azure, a bull 
 
 xv**» daye of this instant, moneth of passant goules, w*'* homes of sylu"", 
 
 September, at after-none, in this ajid iij. roches also sylu'', being all 
 
 w>'se." sett in a felde of gold. Then the 
 
 "First, ij branchys of whyte wax were corps borne next after the cote armure, 
 
 borne before the priests and clerks in by certayne clerks, and iiij, of the 
 
446 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 priests are thus provided for by the company's ordinances of 6 
 Henry IV. 
 
 " For the Jindyng off oure Pry sty s: — First, they hau^ ordeyned 
 that ij. prestes be fou'de and meinteyned to singe for all the 
 frafnite, both y^ quike and the dede ; which prestes schul synge 
 in the churche of Seint Myghell, in Cornehill,* and be paid there 
 salarye of y^ rentes longyng to y^ forseyd feloschip, wher of the 
 dedes and the grauntes be and shull be in the kepyng of the 
 wardeins of the seyd felyscheppe for the tyme beyng, and thos 
 dedys and grauntes the wardeins ev'^y zer schull shewe openly to 
 all the companye, an' it so lyke the felyshippe to be don." 
 
 The yearly salary of each of these two priests, in the reign of 
 Edward IV., appears to have been 61. 135. Ad.\ for, in 1486, 
 335. Ad. is paid for the " Christmas quarterage of S"" Alisander 
 Swale, preeste," and I85. 4c?. to John Buchenam, preeste, for 
 ix. weeks." An entry in 1495, also states 405. to have been 
 paid by the company, "for our ij. chapeleyns, for viij. yards of 
 mu'^ray in grayn," [a dark red cloth,] after the old custom," 
 and which must have been to make them gowns. *^ Robert 
 Drope, preest," is paid 135. 4c?. in 1501, for writing " certeyn 
 evidences of the Gote, in Chepe ;" a public-house belonging to 
 the company. 
 
 assystans of the drapers, viz. Mr. 
 Warner, Mr. Blow'', Mr. Spencer, and 
 Mr. Tull, who went in their liu^'y and 
 bodes, about the said corps. Then 
 followyd Mr. John Roche, his sone, 
 the corse, as chief morner, alone ; and 
 after hym, ij. copies of morners noore. 
 Then the svvorde-berer and my lord 
 maire, in black. Then the aldermen 
 and sheriffs, after theim, and the hole 
 lyuory of this felowshippe, in order. 
 Then the ladys and gentjiwomen, as 
 the aldermen's wyfes, and others, w'ch, 
 after dirige, cam home to his house 
 and dranke, where they had spice brede 
 and comfetts, wyne, ale, and here." 
 
 "On the morrow, the mourners went 
 again in order to the church, where 
 they had a collacion made by Sir 
 Stephen. After which collacion the 
 herald appointed the chief mourners, in 
 order to offer up the target, sword, and 
 helmet, to the priest ; and after they 
 offered in order, and also my lord 
 mayor, the aldermen, the livery, and 
 others, which offering went to the 
 poor ; then the whole communion was 
 ministred, after which done, the herald, 
 
 again going before, there followed him, 
 the banner-bearers, and offered the 
 banners also ; and then, in order, again 
 the mourners, my lord mayor, and 
 others, returned to the house of the 
 said Mr. Roche, where they dined, all, 
 save the livery of this fellowship, which 
 dined in the Drapers' hall, by reason, 
 he had given them towards the same, 
 6/. 13*. 4d., which was bestowed by 
 John Quarls and William Berwyck, 
 stewards for the same, the 16th day of 
 September, in eight mess of meat, as 
 follows : 
 
 "1st, Brawn and mustard, boiled 
 capon, swan roast, capon and custard. 
 The second course, pidgeons and tarts, 
 bread, wine, ale and beer. And my 
 Lady Roche, of her ^gentylnes,' sent 
 them, moreov*", four gallons of French 
 wine, and also a box of wafers, and a 
 pottell of ipocras. For whose soul let 
 us pray, and all Christian souls. 
 Amen." 
 
 * In a marginal note, and seemingly 
 of greater antiquity, " chirche of oure 
 Lady, of the Bowe in West Chepe of 
 London, as it hath been alway." 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 447 
 
 The churcli tlie drapers are stated to have occupied for their 
 religious observances (before the making of the above ordinances,) 
 was that of St. Mary Bethlem, Bishopsgate street, (or Bethlem 
 Hospital,) where they founded a fraternity, early in the reign of 
 Edward III., and framed statutes for its government. Its nature 
 is explained in the following preamble to them : 
 
 " To the honor of our Lord Jhu Crist, and his swete moder, 
 Seint Marie, our Ladie of Bethlem, in which most holie place, our 
 seid Lord Jhu' Crist was chosen to be born in hys salvacion of al 
 his people, in which place of Bethlem the starre appeared to the 
 shepherds, and gave and shewed lyght to the Kyngys of Coleyne, 
 who offered in the same place of Bethlem, three gyftes, golde, 
 myrrhe, and insense ; one fraternite is begone for the same 
 honour, in amendment of their lives, by the assent of the Fryar, 
 Willyam Titte, Fryar of the Hospital of our Ladie of Bethlem, and 
 for other good people, Drapers of Cornhill, and other good men 
 and women, which will be broders and sisters, and maintain the 
 same fraternite, for the term of their lives, and the points that 
 follow." They were to pay 29s. entrance, every year afterwards 
 2s., and every quarter Qd* 
 
 The company's altar and light, in St. Mary Woolnoth church, 
 must have been nearly contemporary, as the finding of such light 
 forms a regulation of the ordinances 6 Henry IV., as follows: 
 
 ** For the manteyninge of oure lyght : — Also ordeyned hyt ys 
 that th^re schull be v. tapers of wax, of resonable wheight, sette in 
 a candelstyke of laton, as ordeyned of olde tyme at Wol-chyrche, 
 in the worschipp of th' assumpcyon of oure Lady, and th^y to 
 brenne at due tymes, as the custume ys ; the which lyght schull 
 be well and honestly ordeyned and mainteyned." 
 
 St. Michael's, Cornhill, St. Thomas of Aeon, Austin Friars, 
 and the priory of St. Bartholomew, all appear, from the following 
 entries, to have been likewise places at which the company main- 
 tained priests and altars. At St. Thomas of Aeon they inform us 
 the company had a chapel. 
 
 " 1482. To the clerk of Seynt Mighell's, for a reward of oure 
 Lady masse, viij"*. 
 
 " 1486. To the clerk of Seint Myghell's, for the keeping of our 
 Lady masse, and for the dirge and masse of requiem, and for 
 ryngyng, x\\ iiij^ 
 
 " 1496. Drinking-money for the clerk of Seynt Myghell's, and 
 for ringing, i\ viij*^. 
 
 * Strype's Stow, 1, 460. 
 
448 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 " 1503. For ou*" Chapell in Seynt Thomas of Aeon, in the 
 Cristemas tyme, iij**." 
 
 This was for the company's offering. The next two entries are 
 of rent. 
 
 1506. To the m'" of Seynt Thomas, Aeon, for ou'' ehapell for 
 a year, iiij^ 
 
 1520. To the m'^ of Seynt Thomas of Akers, for ou' chapell, 
 
 iiij-." 
 
 For the company's " standing in our Lady Chapell at Poulis," 
 which they had in common with the other companies, (and which 
 standing was, by an order of the court of aldermen, to be next to 
 the goldsmiths, and adjoining the virgin's shrine,) they also have 
 entries of payments, as well as to the "iij. prechours at Seint 
 Mary Spyttyll, to pray for Mr. Chester's souU ;" and to the 
 Austin Friars, for obits for several of their member. An account 
 of the latter will be seen in the company's list of obits, and in the 
 following entries : 
 
 " 1507-8. Paid to the priour and Freres Austyns, for Ric' 
 Norman's obytt, — 
 
 1520. Agreed, that the priour of the Freeres Augustyns shall 
 be communed with, for to alter the compensation lately made 
 between hym and his convent and Mr. Galby, for the continuance 
 of Mr. Galby's obit, and for the penalty." 
 
 Sir William Capell's "years mind, with masse on the morrowe," 
 was kept by the company at the priory of St. Bartholomew, 
 this same year, " when there dined with them, amongst others, 
 the lord mayor and two sheriffs, all the aldermen who were 
 of the Drapers' company, Mr. Recorder and his lady, and the 
 lady Achilly. The prior of Austyn Friars preached the sermon." 
 
 The custom, in keeping the above, and most other of the 
 drapers' obits, was, for those who attended, to have bread and ale 
 in the church where the service took place ; in some instances, 
 however, they adjourned to the nearest public-house. Here the 
 expence was astonishingly small. At Sir William Heriott's anni- 
 versary, (Lo. ma. 1481,) the entry of charge "for brede and ale at 
 the Swanne, in Vanchurch [Fenchurch] strete, at the even song," 
 only amounts to four-pence ! 
 
 We subjoin a list of the company's obits, and shall do so in 
 other cases where we meet with them. They are records which, 
 though seemingly dull, preserve the memory of many persons 
 and charities which would otherwise be unknown, and are also 
 interesting memorials of extinct customs. 
 
DRKSS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 449 
 
 ' OBITTS AND ANN! V'^SARIES YERLYE TO BE KEPT 
 BY THE DRAPERS OF LONDON."* 
 
 mien 
 established. 
 
 Robert Morley. 
 
 Sir Jn.Rudstone, 
 draper, and lord 
 mayor, 1528. 
 
 John Mayden- 
 hedd. 
 
 Sir William 
 Capell, lord ma. 
 1503. 
 
 Where, when, and 
 how kept. 
 
 St. Michael, 
 cornhill. 
 Day after the election 
 feast. 
 With mass of re- 
 quiem. By the four 
 new wardens in their 
 second liveries. 
 
 St. Michael, 
 
 cornhill. 
 20th of August. 
 
 St. Michael, 
 
 CoRNHILL, 
 
 On the 3d of September. 
 
 Obit with mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 St. Bartholomew 
 THE Little. 
 5t7i of November. 
 By Sir Wm. Paulet, 
 or at his assignment. 
 Obit and mass on the 
 morrow. 
 
 Sum or 
 Estate left. 
 
 To pay or find. 
 
 Each warden Id- at 
 the company's charge, 
 to find an obit for thirty 
 years. 
 
 To the master of the 
 Drapers, 3s. 4d. ; each 
 warden, 20d. ; the clerk, 
 12d.; the renter, 12d. ; 
 beadle, 12rf. ; for pota- 
 tions at Drapers' hall, 
 lOd. ; in alms, — . 
 
 To each warden, 20d.; 
 the clerk, 12rf. ; beadle, 
 4d.; and potation for the 
 company at Drapers' 
 hall. Obit to continue 
 thirty-one years from 3d 
 of September, 1524. 
 
 To the master, 4s, 
 every warden, 3s. 4d. 
 clerk, 12d.; beadle, 8d. 
 the mayor, 6s. 8d. ; each 
 sherifiF, 3s. 4d. [To be 
 warned to attend by Sir 
 Wm.Paulet's chaplains.] 
 Potation at Drapers' 
 hall, 6s. 8d. 
 
 Lady Capell. 
 
 St. Bartholomew 
 THE Little. 
 Ath of September. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. Kept by 
 the church-wardens, 
 master, and four war- 
 dens; without pota- 
 tion. 
 
 Master of the drapers, 
 (if present,) 3*. Ad. ; 
 clerk of the drapers, 8d. 
 
 * The company, under the year 1542, 
 have a list of plate, thus headed. — "Plate 
 lent out for Obytts and other Recreations, 
 by the old wardens and the Audyto's, ac- 
 cording to the consent and agreement of the 
 Assystans, the x. day of Decembr, an", 
 xxxiij. H, VIII." 
 
 List of Plate. 
 " A standyng gilt cupp wtJ» a cover, wth 
 iij. schochyns in the topp. A standyng gylt 
 
 cupp wtli a cover, wth a George at the topp. 
 A standyng gylt cupp wth a cover, wtb Mr. 
 Richard Fink on the topp ; iij. of the new 
 gilt goblets wth a cover, and wt'i the Drapes' 
 Armys on the topp ; vi. of the p'cell gilt 
 goblets wth ij. covers, and wth the Drap's' 
 armys in the topp; iij. gilt salts wthout 
 covers, wth the Draprs' armys in the topp ; 
 xij. gilt ale potts w^h covers, with the Drap's' 
 armys in the topp; iij. doss" of syluer 
 spoonys, called steppys." 
 
 G g- 
 
450 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 When 
 established. 
 
 John Wilkynsoii. 
 
 Where, when, and 
 how kept. 
 
 Sum or 
 Estate left. 
 
 St. Mary, 
 Abchurch. 
 24,th of September. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 To pay or find. 
 
 Master, 3s. 4d. ; war- 
 dens, 20d. ; (junior war- 
 dens to see 26*. 8d. spent 
 about the obit) ; clerk, 
 Sd.; beadle, Sd. No 
 potation. 
 
 Sir John Brugge, 
 lord mayor, 1520. 
 
 St. Nicholas Acon. 
 
 Uth of October. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. Kept by 
 his executors, with the 
 master, two wardens, 
 (at least), and seven- 
 teen members, in the 
 second livery. 
 
 The master (if pre- 
 sent), 20d.; wardens, 
 20d.; clerk, 12d.; beadle, 
 4d.; every bedeman, Id. 
 potation in Drapers' 
 hall, 6s. Sd. Obit to 
 continue thirty years 
 from 14th of October, 
 1534. 
 
 Richard 
 Norman. 
 
 Austin Friars. 
 
 20th of October. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 To the master (if pre- 
 sent), 65. 8d. ; wardens, 
 5s. each. The craft to 
 drink with the friars, 
 and the friars to have 
 26s. 8d. 
 
 Sir William Whittington 
 Bayley, lord ma. Collegr. 
 1524. 2d of November. 
 
 Obit on Allowen- 
 day, and mass on the 
 morrow. 
 
 To the master (if pre- 
 sent), 6s. 8d.', the war- 
 dens (if present), 3s. 4d. 
 each. No potation. 
 
 Maude Wylde, 
 and Nicholas, 
 her husband. 
 
 Austin Friars. 
 6th of November. 
 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow (only with 
 the four wardens and 
 their chaplains.) 
 
 To the four wardens, 
 lOd. each. No potation. 
 
 Alice 
 Hungerford. 
 
 St. Michael's, 
 cornhill. 
 
 I8th of November. 
 Obit and mass o: 
 the morrow. 
 
 To the master, 3s. 4d.; 
 to the four wardens, 17s. 
 Sd. ; to the clerk, 12d. 
 No potation. 
 
 Will. Crowner, St. Martin Ongahs. 
 
 lord mayor in Uth of January. 
 
 1413 and 1423. Kept by the church- 
 
 wardens. Obit and 
 mass on the morrow. 
 
 To every warden (if 
 present), 2M. "or els 
 not." " They shall 
 drynke in the churche. 
 He was twyse mayor of 
 London." 
 
 Robert Drope, 
 lord mayor, 1474, 
 
 et Johan, Vis- 
 countess Lisle, 
 uxor suae." 
 
 St. Michael, 
 
 cornhill. 
 21s* of January. 
 Kept by the church- 
 wardens. Obit and 
 mass on the morrow. 
 
 To every warden (if 
 present), 20d. "ox ells 
 not." "The crafte 
 drink at the Draprshall, 
 bye the provision of the 
 same church- wardens." 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 451 
 
 Wheti 
 established. 
 
 William 
 Wangtyngfelds. 
 
 William Whyte, 
 sheriff, 1482. 
 
 Sir Jn. Milborne, 
 lord mayor, 1521. 
 
 William Galley. 
 
 Where, when, and 
 how kept. 
 
 St. Michael, 
 
 cornhill. 
 2Ath of January . 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. Kept by 
 the church - wardens, 
 with the drapers' four 
 wardens, and their 
 chaplains. 
 
 St. SwiTHiN, 
 Cannon street. 
 'Jth of February. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 Crutched Friars. 
 Wi of April. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. Kept by 
 the lord may., sheriffs, 
 recorder, chamberlain, 
 and sword-bearer(who 
 are to be warned there- 
 to by the company's 
 clerk and beadle). 
 
 Sum or 
 Estate left. 
 
 Austin Friars. 
 
 2\th of April. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow, and three 
 additional obits, with 
 mass of requiem, on 
 the three other quar- 
 ter-days. The anni- 
 versary obit to be at- 
 tended by the twelve 
 sisters of Elg.Spittall. 
 
 To pay or find. 
 
 To the wardens (if 
 present), 20d. each, "ells 
 not." " They shall 
 drynk wth the church- 
 wardens at their assigne- 
 ment in the same 
 p'isshe." 
 
 To the master (being 
 present), 35. 4d.; wardens 
 (ditto), 20d. each; clerk, 
 8d.; beadle, 4rf. The 
 rest in alms, to the 
 parishioners of St. 
 Swithen. No potation. 
 
 To the master (if pre- 
 sent), 4s.; wardens (do.), 
 20d.; clerk, 8d.; beadle, 
 4rf.; bedemen. Id. each. 
 
 Potacion in our hall 
 of xviijd." The friars 
 to pay all charges of the 
 obit ; the renter of the 
 drapers to pay the mas- 
 ter of the company, 6s. 
 8d. ; the four wardens, 
 3s. id. each ; the clerk, 
 4s. ; beadle, 2s. ; and 
 renter, 5s. for seeing 
 that the twelve bedes- 
 men in Milborn's alms- 
 houses are punctually 
 paid 2s. 6d., each, 
 monthly, to pray for Sir 
 John's soul ; and Ad. to 
 the mass priest. 
 
 To every warden pre- 
 sent, \5d.; to the clerk, 
 8d.', and I2d. more for 
 seeing to the keeping of 
 three additional obits 
 and masses of requiem ; 
 to the beadle, Ad. ; to 
 the twelve sisters of 
 Elsing Spitall, 4s. ; and 
 12rf. for their potation. 
 The wardens and other 
 of the company present 
 "to drynk there wth 
 the Freres." 
 
 St. Michael's, 
 cornhill. 
 7th of May. 
 To be continued for 
 fifty years from the 
 4th of May, 1517; the 
 service to consist of 
 the obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 To every warden pre- 
 sent, 20d.; the clerk, 12d.; 
 beadle. Ad. ; the renter, 
 4s. ; every past warden 
 attending. Ad.; and every 
 liveryman, 2d. So that 
 20s. be distributed in all. 
 No potation. 
 
 G - 2 
 
452 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 fVhen 
 established. 
 
 By whom . 
 
 John Chest, 
 Cit. and draper. 
 
 Where, when, and 
 how kept. 
 
 St.Thomas op Acon. 
 2Gth of May. 
 (Three days before, 
 or three after, at the 
 Lady Milborne's as- 
 signment, during her 
 life.) Obit and mass 
 on the morrow. 
 
 Sum or 
 Estate left. 
 
 To pay or find. 
 
 The youngest warden 
 present, 12rf. ; the clerk, 
 Ad. *< Noe potacion. 
 This appeareth by 
 wrytings sealed wA the 
 chapiter's seal of Seynt 
 Thomas aforesaid." 
 
 Henry Eberton. 
 
 Alice Herlewyn. 
 
 [St. Mary,] 
 Abchurch. 
 lAth of June. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 St. Christopher's. 
 
 22d of June. 
 (Or one or two days 
 after, as it shall please 
 the wardens, "because 
 of Midsomr.") Obit 
 and mass on the mor- 
 row. 
 
 To every warden pre- 
 sent, 20d.; the clerk, 8d.; 
 the beadle, 4d. ♦* The 
 crafte drynk at the 
 Draps hall." 
 
 To every warden pre- 
 sent, 20d.; the clerk, Sd.; 
 the beadle, 4d. ** To 
 our almesmen, Ix. q'rs. 
 of coles in wynter." 
 The craft onely drynk 
 at Draps hall." 
 
 Hugh Umpton. 
 
 Thomas Wells. 
 
 St. Lawrence, 
 pulteney. 
 5th of July. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 " St. Edmond's," 
 [the King.] 
 3lst of July. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. (To be 
 kept by the church- 
 wardens.) 
 
 To the master, being 
 present, 25.; and to each 
 of the wardens, 12d.; to 
 every past warden, 4d. ; 
 to every liveryman pre- 
 sent, 2d. ; to the clerk, 
 12d. ; the porter, I2d. ; 
 and the beadle, Sd. No 
 potation. 
 
 To every warden pre- 
 sent, 8d.; to the clerk, 
 20d. ; to the almsmen, 
 20d. ; to the beadle, 8d. 
 ** The crafte drynketh 
 in the same prisshe." 
 
 Elizabeth Peke. 
 
 William Dixon. 
 
 St. Michael's, 
 cornhill. 
 7th of August. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 St. Michael's, 
 cornhill. 
 8th of August. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 To the master, if pre- 
 sent, 16d. ; to each war- 
 den, also there, 8d. ; to 
 the clerk, 8d. ; and to 
 the beadle, 8d. " The 
 craft drynketh at the 
 Draper's hall." 
 
 To the master, if pre- 
 sent, 3s. 4d.; " eVye 
 warden being ther hathe 
 xxd. the clerk, 8d.; 
 the beadle, id. " The 
 craft drynks at Drapes 
 hall." 
 
 Richard Shore, 
 sheriff, 1506. 
 
 [St, Mary,] 
 wolchurche." 
 10^7i of August. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 To each warden pre- 
 sent, 20d. ; to the clerk, 
 8d. : and the beadle, 4rf. 
 «• The craft drynks at 
 their hall." 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 453 
 
 fV/ien 
 
 established. 
 
 John Norman, 
 lord mayor, 1453. 
 
 Where, ivhen, and 
 how kept. 
 
 Alhallows, 
 Honey lane. 
 Uth of August. 
 Obit and mass on 
 the morrow. 
 
 Sam Of 
 Estate left. 
 
 To pay or find. 
 To the master, if pre- 
 sent, 3*. 4rf.; to each 
 warden there, 30d. ; to 
 the clerk, 8d. ; and the 
 beadle. Ad. No pota- 
 tion. 
 
 State and civic triumphs occurred both by land and by water, 
 and always required the attendance of the companies. 
 
 The earliest notice in the draper's books of a lord mayor of the 
 company making his inaugural procession by water to West- 
 minster, is in 1481. As Norman's barge was not then thirty 
 years old,* it is not improbable that it might be used on this 
 occasion. If so, we learn from the same and other entries that it 
 was then customarily covered on civic triumphs with blue cloth 
 (plunket), and on royal ones with red (murrey). f The entry of 
 1481, states there to have been paid 
 
 ''To the mynstrellis for the mayre, Sir Will^m Heriot, knight, 
 to Westm'", l^ iij*^. and 
 
 " For a rewarde to the bargemen for going to Westminst'' with 
 the sheriffs to accompany the mayor aforesayd, ij^ iiij*^." 
 
 The sheriffs (according to succeeding entries,) were generally 
 accompanied in their water processions by minstrels or trumpets, 
 with crimson or red hats, and headed by their marshal, in the 
 company's barge, decorated with banners, pennons, and streamers 
 fringed with silk, and '' beaten with gold as in the following 
 instances : 
 
 1486, " Paid to nine mynstrels and their marshall, lxvj^ viij*^. ; 
 and for xij. crimson hats for the mynstrells and for the marshall 
 waiting with the sheriff maisf Fynkell, vj^ viij*^. ; iij". xiij\ viij**." 
 
 1488, " For vij. trumpets at the sheriff's going by water." 
 And again : " For x. red hats for the trumpets, a small banner 
 
 * See as to Norman and his barge, 
 Hist. Essay, 100 (Note), 
 
 t 1599, "If. a plunket short cloth 
 to cover the barge.'' It is said to have 
 measured twenty-four yards. "ij. 
 brod clothes of the same plunket," and 
 described to have been of the like 
 length, are mentioned in an entry of 
 1496; coupled with a charge of 30^. 
 " for our barge for my lord the mayor 
 and both the sheriffs, and drinking 
 money to the botemen from West- 
 minster." 
 
 In 1487, on Elizabeth, queen of 
 
 Henry VII., coming from Greenwich 
 to her coronation at Westminster, the 
 entries make a charge of 2d. *<for 
 bering of ij. red cloths fro' Blakewell 
 hall to Byllynsgate j'' and of Ad. 'Ho 
 a taylor for sewing togedre the same 
 cloths to cover y« barge." The other 
 charges on the occasion are 
 
 "For a kylderkyn of ale into the 
 barge at the settyng of the queue fro' 
 Grenewich to her coronation, iijs. l^i. 
 
 " For a litter in the barge to Grene- 
 wich the same tyme, ij^. 
 
454 
 
 DRAPERS COMPAiNY. 
 
 cloth, xj. yards of tartern for a new banner, and for ij. steres- 
 men, xxvj^. For painting and beting of the said banners and 
 streamers, and silk fringe, xP. ; and to a taylo'^ for cutting and 
 sewing of the said two pennons and banners, x^, besides iij. yerds 
 of rede buckram for the sockets." 
 
 In 1502 there is mentioned "Bulloyn sarcenett for ij. streamers 
 and j. band, and beating the same with gold;" and again, in a second 
 entry of the same year, "buckram for the sockets, and xiij. 
 trumpet baners." 
 
 " Norman's barge" (if the one here alluded to,) seems to have 
 been decayed in 1533. For in the October of that year the 
 company is said to have agreed with Mr. Edmund Wade, the 
 bargeman of the archbishop of Canterbury : 
 
 " For his grete barge, at such tyme as we shall have nede to 
 occupy it, either with the mayer or sh^'eves, or for any other 
 busines, he to have for himself and xxviij. oars furnished, and 
 cysshons for the said barge, at every voyage wher we shall have 
 nede thereof w*^ ou' compaignie in the lyvery, the sum of xxx^." 
 
 And a few years afterwards, on the expected marriage of the 
 king with Ann of Cleves, we find the company, by the following 
 entry, hiring one of the royal barges : 
 
 " Agreed w*^ Carf", master of the king's barge Greyhound, to 
 js'^ve (serve) the feliship at the comyng in of the Lady of Cleve- 
 land, for the sum of liiij*. iiij^." 
 
 They further agreed at the same time, touching the mocion 
 made by the mayer to have seven of the company to ryde in 
 velvet cotes to receive the queue, to do in that matf as oder 
 worshipful feliships dothe, — the mercers onely except." 
 
 Land processions were usually confined to the annual civic 
 fetes of the Midsummer Watch and Lord Mayor's Show. 
 
 The Midsummer Watch and its paraphernalia, are noticed 
 in 1520, in an agreement made by the wardens with William 
 Whyting, " payntour steyno"^," in which he contracts to make 
 substantially, surely, and p^'fitely, xij. newe bann'"etts of doble 
 blue sarsynet in oyle, and eu'^y bann^'ett to contain in length, 
 besides the fringe, iij. yards and a q'^ter and j. nail, and in bredth, 
 or deepness, iij. q" of a y*, besides the buckram and fringe, — and 
 he to make them in fyne gold for the sum of 41. I65." 
 
 He was also to be paid 16s. " for mending of the clouds, incar- 
 nations, sylu'yng, p"" folyng, and newe steyning of xxiiij. old 
 bann'^etts of th' Assumpcion and the Draper's armes ;" 20s. "for 
 doing the like with a bann'" of ou' Lady, and iij. stWs (streamers) 
 
 \ 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 455 
 
 of Drap" armes, to be workmanly don in ev'y thing ;" and 20s. 
 more " for a long' stream'' of tli' Assumpcion, a bann'^ of th' 
 Assump'', and a bann'" of Drapers' armes, well don." 
 
 1521. The company resolve that there shall be *^no Mydsomn'" 
 pageant becaus there was so many pageants redy standyng for the 
 emperors (Charles V.) commg into London ;" and afterwards 
 " that for divers considerations," they will '* surcease the said 
 pageants, and find xxx. men in harness instead." They however, 
 previously to the day of the spectacle, abandon both resolutions, 
 an entry of subsequent date informing us that the court and the 
 batchelors had agreed — 
 
 To " renew all the old pageants for the house ; including 
 our newe pageant of the Goldyn Flees for the mayr against 
 mydsom"" ; also the gyant, Lord Moryspyks, and a morys daunce, 
 as was used the last year." 
 
 From a long bill of expenses which follows, it appears that this 
 Lord Moryspyks, or Marlingspikes," as he is afterwards called, 
 was an allegorical personage, similar to those which have been 
 noticed in our account of these spectacles,* as was also ^'the king 
 of the Moors," and other characters whose dresses are charged 
 for ; the items enumerate — 
 
 " Yellow cotton towards the dresses of the archers, minstrels," 
 and other attendants ; ^' gunpowder (24 pounds) ; matches for 
 the gunners ; a demi-launce, that the king of the Moors pavillion 
 was borne upon over his head ; a child with harness attending ; 
 payment of 5s. to John Wakelyn, for playing the king of the 
 Moors, (the company finding him his apparell, his stage, and his 
 wyld fire,) and sums for the said king's girdle, his garland or 
 turban of white feathers and black satin, sylver paper for his 
 shoes, etc." 
 
 The following year, the king of Denmark being here, it was 
 agreed that Mr. Rudstone, the sheriff, should have two pageants 
 at Midsummer, namely, one of the Assumption, and one of St. 
 Ursula, "but to be no precedent hereafter;" and in consequence 
 we find afterwards an ample account of the expense of the said 
 two pageants. Both were evidently peculiar to this company, 
 and furnish us with a competent idea of their nature : 
 
 Andrew Wryght " for garnyshing and newe repay ring of th' 
 Assumpcion, and also for making a new pageant of St. Ursula," 
 received 22s. Sd. ; and Thomas Bonyfount, joiner, " for mending. 
 
 « Hist. Essay, 196, 98. 
 
456 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 of the Assumpcion, and for hym and his man to keep the watches 
 both nyghts," 25. Ad. 
 
 These sums speak little for the renewal of this show, which 
 must have been miserably poor, even if half the articles were stock 
 property. But these mummeries were evidently fast getting out 
 of fashion. Most of the charges indicate, by their smallness, the 
 deteriorated quality of the spectacle : 
 
 " Child's eldest daughter for Saynt Ursula, and the vj. virgens 
 jjyj. |3Q|-jjg ny gilts," together with the " xiiij. porters that bare 
 th' Assompcion," and who gave the same attendance, were the 
 whole of them only paid 6s. Sd. ; two harpers and two inters, in 
 albes, with wings and crowns, had but 5s. 4c?. ; four children in 
 surplices, singing, the still smaller proportion of Ad. each. The 
 company's " half part for a tuberer, and a rebek," was 2d. ; eight 
 torch bearers " abowte the Assumpc° and Saynt Vrsula bothe 
 nyghts," were paid 5s. 4d.; and Mr. Whyte, for the hire of ij. 
 pauls (palls), richely sett w*'' perle and stone, for ou'' Lady, th' 
 Assumpcyon, and Saynt Vrsula," was contented with a remunera- 
 tion of 45. 
 
 The pageants, properly so called, or emblematical representa- 
 tion of both saints, must literally have exhibited 
 
 " The pasteboard triumph and the cavalcade," 
 
 to judge from the following items : 
 
 " For ij. yerds of yelu cords to make fast th' Assumpcion, xvj^. 
 For iij. bells for the Assumpcion, vj*^. ; sope, j*^. ; and for 
 cord, ij**. ob', ix*^. 
 
 For nalys and traslies (tressels), v''. ob' ; for pins, j^., and 
 poynts, iij*^. ; xv*^. 
 
 " For wyre, j*^. ; for lacyng sylk for th' Assumpcion, j**. ; and 
 for ij. stays of iron for th' Assompc"", vj**. ; and for ale and bred 
 for the workmen first and last, x*^. ; xviij*^. 
 
 " For j. nell (ell) of tape, yelu, for Saynt Vrsula, ij^. 
 
 " For ij. yelu hatts, price xx"^. ; and in money for bothe 
 nyghts, iiij^ 
 
 " For ij. yelu hatts for other ij. mynstrells, xx^. 
 
 " For taking down and settyng vp of the ij. pageants, xvj**." 
 
 The lights were the most expensive articles : " Will^m Wake- 
 feld for xij. staf torches," weighing IS^ lb., received at the rate 
 of 9c?. per lb. — 305. 4d. : he was to liave besides, '* all that was 
 left unspended of the wax." 
 
 The bill concludes with the two following ludicrous items : 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 457 
 
 " For mending of the apparell of all the virgens, ij^. 
 
 " For a fyn smok of Gally's daughter, that was hurt by the 
 cresset lyght, viij"^." 
 
 1523-4. We meet this year with another long list of payments 
 for the Midsummer Watch, but in which the pageantry is made 
 subservient to the more solid entertainment of feasting. They 
 include, amongst other eatables, 700 pears, two bushels of 
 filberts, 25. Id., ten great dishes of" Southren butter," and other 
 articles of food. " The hire of the gyant of Barking, for both the 
 nights," forms an item of the spectacle. 
 
 Lord Mayor's Show is not mentioned by name, but besides 
 the procession, there was very early a scenic spectacle, as we learn 
 from an entry in 1516, in which the sum of \3l. 4s. Id. is said to 
 have been paid towards " Sir Laurens Aylmer's Pageant," there 
 does not, however, follow any account of what it consisted. 
 
 At the election as mayor of Sir William Roche, in 1540, and 
 which is stated to have been "with the gretyst and fayrest election 
 amongst the co'es (commons) that hathe byn sene ;" there assem- 
 bled the next day at Drapers' hall the whole court, with twenty 
 of the livery, and the batchelors, and they agreed to have fifty 
 (afterwards augmented to sixty) of the said bachelors at his inaugu- 
 ration, in a new livery ; namely, puke gowns, and scarlet hoods, 
 and also to have a pageant. This pageant afterwards appears to 
 have been that of the Assumption, of which we have just spoken. 
 Whether it was precisely the same as at the Midsummer Watch, 
 we are left to guess. 
 
 The pageant of the Assumption, it is said, was borne before the 
 new lord mayor from the Tower to Guildhall. Twenty-four men 
 all dressed alike, in the morning bore " t'yatts (targets) and 
 javelins," and in the evening staff-torches " from Polls to the 
 mey'^s place ;" four persons were appointed " to ou'^see the trym- 
 myng of my lord may's place vnto the feast day ;" and eight 
 others to attend at the " Yeld halle" seven or eight days before 
 the feast, to see and provide " tables, tressells, stools, cushions, 
 carpetts, banners, hangyngs," and other necessaries. It is pro- 
 bable that Sir Laurence Aylmer's pageant and others only con- 
 sisted, like his, of the proper pageant of the company. 
 
 The procession of the Drapers' Company, on the mayoralty of 
 their distinguished member Sir Robert Clayton, in 1679, as well 
 as those of the Mercers and Grocers, already given, are patterns 
 of the processions which succeeded the more romantic ones of the 
 Catholic times. It is poetically described in Jordan's " London 
 
458 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 in Luster," which we copy below.* An account of the pageant 
 itself has been g-iven in our Historical Essay. f 
 
 The procession all ready, as described, and consisting as there, — 
 of the master, four wardens, twenty-six assistants, between one and 
 two hundred liverymen, sixty of the Batchelors' Company, sixty 
 gentlemen ushers, thirty-six colour and banner-bearers, thirty-six 
 trumpeters and their Serjeant, eleven drums and fifes and their 
 major, the two city marshals, the foot marshal, and six atten- 
 dants, " the fence-master, and divers with drawn broad bright 
 swords," the company's pensioners, with gowns and caps, (bearing 
 banners and standards,) besides one hundred poor (in azure gowns 
 and caps, and with javelins and targets bearing the arms of bene- 
 factors), making a line of above five hundred persons, — are said 
 to have been marshalled into six divisions, two and two ; the last 
 division 
 
 " Being gentlemen at equal distance, 
 That usher in the grave Court of Assistants — 
 
 And following whom, but divided by certain pages and atten- 
 dants, 
 
 " The master and the wardens bring up all, 
 And thus equipp'd, th' whole march from Drapers' Hall 
 To my lord^s house, where the aldermen and he 
 Take horse, and rank according to degree : 
 Which being done, the body all in state 
 Move tow'rds Guildhall.^'' 
 
 * " Li proper habits, orderly array' d, 
 
 The Movements of the Morning are displayed. 
 Selected Citizens i' th' Morning all, 
 At Seven a Clock, do meet at Drapers' Hall. 
 The Master, Wardens, and Assistants joyn 
 For the first rank, in their Gowns fac'd with Foyn. 
 The second Order do, in merry moods, 
 March in Gowns fac'd with Budge and Livery Hoods. 
 In Gowns and Scarlet Hoods thirdly appears 
 A youthful number of Foj-ns Batchellors' : 
 Forty Budge Batchellors the Triumph crowns, 
 Gravely attir'd in Scarlet Hoods and Gowns. 
 Gentlemen-Ushers which \vhite Staves do hold 
 Sixty; in Velvet Coats and Chains of Gold. 
 Next, thirty more in Plush and Buff there are. 
 That several colors wear, and Banners bear. 
 The Serjeant-Trumpet thirty-six more brings, — 
 (Twenty the Duke of York's, sixteen the King's.) 
 The Serjeant wears two Scarfs, whose Colours be 
 One the Lord Mayor's, t' other's the Company. 
 The King's Drum-Major foUow'd by four more 
 Of the Knig's Drums and Fifes, make LoxDo^ roar." 
 t Hist. Essay, 205. 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 459 
 
 The old and new lord mayors here unite, and the procession 
 being increased by the city cavalcade, the whole march through 
 King street and Queen street to Three Crane s wharf, — take 
 barge, (leaving part of the procession to await their return,) and 
 joined by the other companies' barges, — 
 
 all haste 
 
 To IVestminster, — in the way there being plac'd 
 A pleasure boat, that hath great guns on board, 
 And with two broadsides doth salute my lord.''* 
 
 The landing is at Palace stairs, — 
 
 " where orderly all 
 Do make a lane to pass him to the Hall" 
 
 The taking of the customary oaths, 
 
 And other ceremonials said and done 
 
 In order to his confirmation, — 
 
 Sealing of writs in court, and such like things 
 
 As shew his pow'r abstracted from the kings," — ■ 
 
 Are all described as assimilating with modern usage, — 
 
 " Till he comes 
 To Black Friars' stairs, — where guns and thund'ring drums 
 Proclaim his landing, and when set on shore, 
 Salute his lordship with three vollies more." 
 
 The drapers have thirteen pageants in print, including this of 
 Sir Robert Clayton, a list of which follows : 
 
 List of the Drapers' printed Pageants.-^ 
 
 c <i3 r "The Devise of the Pageant, borne before the Right Hon. 
 
 I Martyn Calthorpe, Lorde Maior of the Citie of London, 29 ^ ^ 
 5^ ^ ^ Oct. 1588. This was licenced to be printed by Richard o* ^ 
 s- "3 I Jones, [Ames's Typographical Antiquities, by Herbert, p. ( o § 
 w O 1^1054.]" J ^ 
 
 « r ""^^^ Triumphs of Old Drapery,J or the Rich Clothing of 
 
 ^ g England ; at the charge of the Right Worshipfull the Company ^ 3 
 
 ^ S ^ of Drapers, at the Installation of Sir Thomas Hayes. By A. / g 
 
 H W ^ Munday," 4to. J " 
 
 * The City Foiste. Vide Hist. 
 Essay, 202. 
 
 f We borrow the following account 
 from Nicholas Pageants, adding a few 
 notices of our own, and shall do so in 
 the case of the other companies. 
 
 I This, and the following titles of 
 
 "Old Drapery," and "Antient Drapery," 
 seem to have been adopted to distin- 
 guish this manufacture from what was 
 called the "New Drapery," introduced 
 in Elizabeth's reign, and consisting of 
 mixed cloth of woollen and linen. See 
 ante, p. 398. 
 
460 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 = 2 ^ 
 
 c ^ o 
 1 *H bc:S 
 
 -a 
 
 f " Metropolis Coronata ; the Triumphs of Antient Dra-^ 
 pery, or Rich Clothing of England, in a second yeere's 
 performance ; in honour of the advancement of Sir John 
 Jolles, Knight, to the high office of Lord Maior of London, 
 and taking his oath for the same authoritie, on Monday, 
 being the 30th day of October, 1615 : performed in heartie )> 
 affection to him, and at the bountifuU charges of his worthie 
 brethren, the truly honourable Society of Drapers ; the first 
 that received such dignitie in this Citie. Devised and writ- 
 _ ten by A. M. [Anthony Munday], citizen and Draper of _ 
 ^ London. Printed at London, by George Pursloe, 1615," 4to.^ 
 
 The Sun in Aries; a noble Solemnity, performed through-^ 
 out the City, at the sole cost and charges of the honourable ' 
 and antient Fraternity of Drapers, at the confirmation and 
 establishment of their most worthy brother, the Right Honour- 
 able Edward Barkham, in the high office of his Majesty's 
 Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor of the famous City of London, 
 taking beginning at his Lordship's going, and perfecting itself 
 after his return from receiving the oath of Maioralty at West- 
 minster, on the morrow after Simon and June's day, being the S, 
 29 of October, 1621. By Thomas Middleton, gent. At ^ 
 London, printed by Est. AUde, for A. G. 1621." 
 
 ^ " The Triumphs of Integrity; a noble Solemnity, performed>> o 
 through the City, at the sole cost and charges of the Honor- 
 able Fraternity of Drapers, at the confirmation and establish- 
 ment of their most worthy Brother, the Right Honorable Sir 
 Martin Lumley, in the high office of his Maiesties Lieutenant, 
 Lord Maior, and Chancellor of the famous City of London. 
 Taking beginning at his Lordship's going and perfecting itselfe 
 after his returne from receiving the Oath of Maioralty at 
 Westminster, on the morrow alter Simon and Jude's day, 
 being the 29 of October, 1623. By Thomas Middleton, gent. 
 London, printed by Nicholas Okes, dwelling in Foster lane. 
 
 1623," 4to. 
 
 ^ " The Triumph of Health and Prospe- Late in the collection 
 1626. rity, at the Inauguration of the most worthy | of Richard Heber; copies 
 Cuthbert j brother, the Right Hon. Cuthbert Hasket, 'are also now in the col- 
 Hasket. j Draper. Composed by Thomas Middleton, Hection of Tho. Whitby, 
 
 Draper. Printed by Nicholas Okes, 
 Foster lane, 1626, 4to." 
 
 esq., and Edw, Tyrrell, 
 esq. City Remembrancer. 
 
 , "Porta Pietatis; or the Port or Harbour of Piety: exprest>) 
 -g { in sundrie Triumphes, Pageants, and Showes, at the initiation 
 <; of the Right Hon. Sir Maurice Abbot, Knight, into the 
 « g J Mayoralty of the famous and farre-renowned City, London. 
 CO g All the charge and expence of the laborious projects, both by 
 ^ 5 water and land, being the sole undertaking of the Right 
 ^ Worshipful Company of Drapers. By Thomas Heywood, 
 K "^^to." 
 
 " Lcndini Status Pacatus, or London's Peaceable Estate 
 exprest in sundry Triumphs, Pageants, and Showes, at the 
 initiation of the Right Honourable Henry Garway into the 
 ^ . Majoralty of the famous and farre-famed City London. All 
 « the charge and expence of the laborious projects, both by 
 a> water and land, being the sole undertakings of the Right 
 Worshipful Society of Drapers. Written by Thomas Hey- 
 "53 ^wood, 4to." 
 
 03 ^ 
 
 ^ X5 O 
 
DRESS AND OBSERVANCES. 
 
 461 
 
 2 J 
 
 J 
 
 tions, 1 ^ ^ . 
 sr 30, I £- ^ 
 
 Hon. ya 2 2 
 
 idon : I -2 § 
 
 ^ '* The Triumphs of London, performed on Friday, Octob. 29, . 
 
 ' 1675, for the Entertainment of the Right Honourable and 
 truly noble pattern of Prudence and Loyalty, Sir Joseph 
 Sheldon, knt., Lord Mat/or of the City of London : containinp; 
 a true Description of the several Pageants, with the several 
 songs sung at the Solemnity. All set forth at the proper costs ' ' 
 and charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. De ' 
 signed and composed by T/w. Jordan, gent. London : printed 
 by J. Macock, for Jo/m Playford, and are sold at his shop, 
 
 '-near the Temple Churchy 1675." 
 
 f " London's Triumphs, express'd in sundry Representations,^ 
 I Pageants, and Shows. Performed on Monday, October 30, 
 <f 1676, at the Inauguration and Instalment of the Right Hon 
 Sir Thos. Davies, draper. Lord Mayor of the City of London 
 ^containing, &c. By Thomas Jordan," 4to. j 
 
 " London in Luster : projecting many bright Beams of^ 
 Triumph, disposed into several Representations of Scenes and 
 Pageants. Performed with great splendor on Wednesday, 
 October xxix., 1679, at the Initiation and Instalment of the 
 Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton, knight, Lord Mayor of 
 <( the City of London. Dignified with divers delightful varieties j> 
 of Presenters, with Speeches, Songs, and Actions, properly 
 and punctually described. All set forth at the proper cost and 
 charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. Devised and 
 composed by Tho. Jordan, gent. 
 
 — Pictoribus atque Poetis, &c.' Hor. (Drapers' Arms.)" 
 
 " London's Royal Triumph for the City's Loyal Magistrate ^ 
 in an exact description of several Scenes and Pageants, adorned 
 with many magnificent representations. Performed on Wed- 
 nesday, Oct. xxix., 1684, at the Instalment and Inauguration 
 of the Right Hon. Sir James Smith, knt.. Lord Mayor of the ^ 
 City of London. Illustrated with divers delightful objects of ^ 
 
 o 
 
 Gallantry and Jollity, Speeches, and Songs, single and in parts. 
 Set forth at the proper costs and charges of the Worshipful 
 Company of Drapers. Devised and composed by Thomas 
 Jordan, gent. 
 
 " ' Quendo magis dignor licuit spectare Triumphos ?' 
 ' " Printed and sold by John and Henry Playford, 1684, 4to." 
 
 f "The Triumphs of London; performed on Thursday,^ 
 " Octob. 29, 1691, for the Entertainment of the Right " 
 Honourable Sir Thomas Stamp, knt., Lord Mayor of the 
 City of London : containing a true Description of the several 
 <| Pageants, with the Speeches spoken on each Pageant. All 
 set forth at the proper costs and charges of the Worshipful 
 Company of Drapers. By E. S. (Elkanah Settle.) London : 
 printed by Alex. Milbourn for Abel Roper, at the Mitre, 
 ^near Temple Bar, 1691. 
 
 ra O OJ 
 
 •3 13 5 5 
 
 5 — « o 
 ? H 
 
 :t; t3 rj 
 
 The last public procession of the Drapers' Company is noticed 
 in the Gentlemen's Magazine for 1751, when they are stated to 
 have " heard a sermon at St. Peter's, Cornhill, to which the 
 master, wardens, and court of assistants walked in procession 
 from their hall ; a number of their poor carrying a pair of shoes 
 and stockings, and a suit of clothes, being an annual legacy to 
 the poor of that company." 
 
462 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 The drapers appear, from their records, to have had a hall in 
 St. Swithin's lane, Cannon street, long before the one in Throg- 
 morton street ; and to have removed to the former on their quit- 
 ting Cornhill, where it is probable they held their first meetings. 
 The St. Swithin's lane hall is referred to, though without mention- 
 ing its situation, in the Inquisitions post mortem, 24 Henry VI., 
 at which time John Southcott was found to have died, seised of a 
 rent charge of 205., issuing from Drapers' halle, London and 
 it is again referred to in 1479, when Edward IV., after inviting 
 the mayor, aldermen, and chief citizens to a grand hunt on 
 Waltham forest, and entertaining them in a stately arbour erected 
 for the occasion, is said, — " in order not to forget the city ladies, 
 but to preserve his good understanding with them also," — to have 
 sent them a present of two harts, six bucks, and a ton of wine ; 
 with which royal donation the lady mayoress (wife of Sir Bartho- 
 lomew James, draper,) entertained the aldermen's ladies and others 
 at Drapers' hall, A third mention of Drapers' hall in the Valor 
 Ecclesiasticus, 37 Henry VIII., (and where the college of Sudbury, 
 in Suffolk, is said to have possessed a rent charge of 23s. 4c?. 
 " issuing de aule de drapers,") must, from its date, refer to the 
 company's present hall, or the one which stood on its site. 
 
 The notice of " John H end's hall in Swythyn's lane," (then 
 the company's,) as the place where they settled their ordinances 
 in 1405, is the first information we have of a hall on this spot. 
 In the wardens' account afterwards, it is repeatedly mentioned; 
 and, from various notices we find there, relative to the repairing 
 and fitting of it up, as well as from subsequent accounts of the 
 company's feasts, inventories of table linen and furniture, and 
 other authorities, — we are enabled to form a tolerable idea of the 
 magnitude and appendages of this early hall of the drapers. 
 
 The first notices are in 1479 and 1488, and only regard certain 
 tithe payments to the parson of St. Swithin, for what is termed 
 " our place," and for " the pale (inclosure)."* In after entries it 
 is more fully mentioned, and from them we learn that besides 
 other erections, it comprised a refectory, or dining hall, a " great 
 chamber," or livery room, parlours, one of them of superior 
 
 * 1479, " Paid to the p^son of St. 
 Swythin for our place for a year, vjs. 
 viijd.'' 
 
 1488, " To the person of St, Swy- 
 
 thyn's, and to the wardeins of the same 
 chirche for the pale, by commande- 
 ment of the counsell of the crafte, vj», 
 viiijd." 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 463 
 
 dimensions, a kitchin, a store-house,* and a ^* scalding yard." 
 The roofs of all tlie buildings were leaded, and were approached 
 from a door, for the purpose of keeping them and the gutters 
 clean. 
 
 In an account of repairs done to the same hall in 1482, there 
 occurs an entry of "viij^.," paid as a " rewarde to a carpenter 
 that came out of Essex to see the halle and with this carpenter, 
 whose name and residence is afterwards mentioned, the company's 
 legal adviser, in 1483, attempted to make a contract for its 
 repairs ; the sum of iij^" being debited amongst the expendi- 
 tures of that year for "a potell of wyne at Drapers' hall for the 
 councell of the crafte and for William Dady, of Colchester." No 
 work appears to have been performed in consequence, except 
 fixing, in 1484, "ij. haspes and ij. stapels with pynnes of iron, for 
 the dore going into the leads," which has just been mentioned; 
 and the business seems to have lain dormant till 1487, when 
 another carpenter, named *' Banastre," received 34/. 8s. Ad. for 
 work done, *' as appeared by the parcelles upon his indenture," 
 and who, not being able to complete his contract for that sum, 
 received some further gratuitous payments, as noticed in the fol- 
 lowing entries : 
 
 1487. " More y* was allowed to hym (Banastre) by the councell 
 of the crafte vppon a bille of certeyn parcells that he brought in 
 by agreement, xP. iiij*^." 
 
 And again afterwards : — 
 
 " More to the said Richard Banastre for to fynysh the werke, 
 by cause he coulde not, nor had not where w^^'all to bye such 
 stufFe as he lacked, nor to paie his men their wages. For he said 
 * he was vndon by the bargayn.' For the which we were fayn to 
 ley oute, vj^'. xiij*. iiij^." 
 
 The repairs were began the same year, as we find from payments 
 to " a dauber and his laborer;" and for loam, sand, nails, quarter 
 board, planche boord, hert lathe, sappe lathe, okyn quarter," 
 (brought by water from Kingston,) besides " 22 load of gravel, 
 and a load of flint ;" and also from a further enumeration the 
 next year, as in the note.f 
 
 * For cloth, see ante, 425. slaterman, viij^. ; a bushel of tile, pris 
 
 t 1488, "Cost don for the repara- vjd. ; iiij. lodis of slate, at Ix^. a load; 
 
 cion of Draps Hall: oake board for transomes and planche 
 
 " William Roydon, tyler, which board for the gutters, — ; for a day's 
 
 beganne upon the hall upon Thursday, work of a workman and ij. laborers, 
 
 the xj. day of Juyn, to him and his j^. vj<*. ; the same for ij. daubers and ij. 
 
 laborers, ij^. viij'^. To Bottyng, the laborers, ij^. vj"^. To Pegur for iiij. 
 
464 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 Subsequent entries acquaint us with various other rooms and 
 appendages. They mention, in particular, " a hammer to knock 
 upon the table," implying that there was a court-room.* They 
 also describe the hall to have had an elevated floor or haut pus at 
 its extremity for the " high table. "f In addition to the apart- 
 ments just enumerated, these latter entries also name " the great 
 parlour,"! " the ladies' chamber," the " chekker chamber," a 
 buttery, pantry, and other places; and several of which will be 
 found again mentioned in speaking of the company's feasts. The 
 parlours are stated to have been ornamented with hangings, as were 
 also, on festive occasions, the hall and chambers. We find, in 
 particular, the following entry as to this custom in 1491, where, 
 amongst other payments, are enumerated, — 
 
 "To a tapsterman" (tapestry man), "that amended the liayiging 
 of the parlours at sundry times, xx^ viij*^'. For cord and washing 
 of the old lining of the hanging of the parlours, ix*. ; for ix. ells 
 of cloth for new lining of the said hangings, ij^. ;" and " ij"". to a 
 labourer for sweeping, cleaning, and hanging of the hall and 
 chambers against the feast day." 
 
 Another parlour is mentioned, in 1495, to have been painted 
 green. For this there was a new chimney built afterwards, of 
 such increased dimensions as to require additional ground to be 
 taken in. Charges for logs, billets, coals, and for andirons" to 
 burn the former on, occur among the entries respecting it, as also 
 bellows, and a fire-shovel weighing ten pounds. It seems to have 
 been a sort of waiting room, there being a sum of 2d. charged for 
 "a wryting book for the notic^ in the parlo'"." Cushions are 
 enumerated amongst the furniture of the other parlours, and also 
 tressels for them and the chamber. 
 
 The elevated part of the hall, for superior guests, was hung 
 with " blue buckram," and had nine forms surrounding the high 
 table, besides a cupboard or beaufet. The chekker chamber was 
 laid with mats, a luxury which the hall had not at this date, it being 
 only strewed with rushes. The kitchin must have been very large, 
 
 dayes for his labors to renew and here the kechyn, and mendyng of fawtes, 
 
 alle the slate oute of the kechyn and xij"^." 
 
 skalding yerd clere into the storehous, * " For a hammer to knock vppon 
 
 and makyng clene of the kechyn and the table, vj^. viij^.'^ 
 
 of the halle, and of alle the place t 1505, Agreed to "seale" (ceil) 
 
 abowte, xx*^. To maistr Crowther for " as well the hye pausse as both the 
 
 xxij. barrys for the glasse wyndows, sides. For mending the high table \x\ 
 
 and for mendyng of the old barrys, the hall, xv^." 
 
 iijs. viij"^. For makyng the reredos \n % 1493, "A new key for the great 
 
 parlour.'^ 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 465 
 
 for it had three fire-places. A piece " of void ground," or yard, 
 is mentioned to have lain beside it. The entries from which the 
 preceding information is furnished will be seen in the notes.* 
 
 The use and appropriation of several of the preceding rooms 
 are found in the accounts of the company's feasts. 
 
 Entertainments, when on a great scale, took place in the hall. 
 We no where meet with the dimensions of this grand apartment, 
 but know it must have deserved that name from the size and 
 number of its tables, and the guests who dined at them : exclu- 
 sively of the high or cross table on the haut pas, there are a middle 
 and side tables, mentioned to have been in the centre of the hall, 
 and below them a table for the batchelors. From the inventories 
 of "napery," or table-linen, we are enabled to judge of the length 
 of these tables, and consequently of the size of the apartment 
 which must have been required to contain them. They enumerate 
 in 15 Henry VII. : 
 
 For the high table, " A fyne old long tabill cloth, damask 
 worke, w**" roses of draught worke, containing viij. ells in length, 
 and ij. ells and iij. q^'ters broad. 
 
 ij. diap"" table clothes, x. ells and dj. a piece for the ij. side- 
 tables in the hall. 
 
 iij. yerds of the same diap' for a cupborde cloth for the hall, 
 of the gift of Mr. Langreche and 
 
 " ij. table cloths of crest cloth, containing viij. ells and dj." 
 
 The court and livery near this date amounted to one hundred 
 and fourteen, the batchelors to sixty,! and the guests invited were 
 seldom less than sixty or seventy more. So that we may calcu- 
 late the hall would dine between two and three hundred persons. 
 
 The ladies' chamber and the chekker chamber were the other 
 principal entertaining rooms, though the parlours also were occa- 
 sionally, as at present, used for that purpose. 
 
 * 1499, mats for the chekker 
 chamber. Mending ij. lockes of the 
 buttery and pantrye dores, iiijd.^' 
 
 1495, "For painting of the parlour 
 grene.^^ 
 
 1497, " A load of loggs., a load of 
 bylletts, and v. qrters colys for the hole 
 yere for the p'lour, vjs. viij^. 
 
 " A pair of andirons for the chimney 
 in the p^Iour, viij^/' 
 
 1499, *'A payr of hellus iov the 
 p^lour. 
 
 " A fyre sho^le for the p^'lour, wey- 
 ing x^j., atij*i. the xx^. 
 
 A wryting hook for the notic^ in 
 the p^lour, ijd. 
 
 "Mending of vj. cushions in the 
 p'^lours. 
 
 " iiij. newe tressels for the p^'lour 
 and the chambr, xx<ii. 
 
 " A curtyng of blue buckram for the 
 halpas, xxij. and q'^tr yerds, at vjd. a 
 yerd, and for tenter-hooks and sowing, 
 xiijs. viijd." 
 
 1495, " For watching xxvj. nyghts 
 in the Draps hall whilst the chymney 
 was in makyng, and for bread, ale, 
 cheese, and candyll." 
 
 t Seeaw^e, 406. 
 
 Hh 
 
466 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 The ladies' chamber (an apartment which the company still 
 retain, and under the same denomination,) was a splendid room, 
 solely appropriated to the use of the sisters of the fraternity ; and 
 in which they occasionally had separate dinners, instead of mixing 
 with the company in the hall. The married ladies only, and those 
 of the highest class, are mentioned as its guests : the " chekker 
 chamber" is described to have been " for maydens." Both de- 
 scriptions of females, however, more usually partook of the hospi- 
 talities of the hall with the brothers." 
 
 When the ladies dined in their chamber, they were treated with 
 high distinction. They sat at the upper, or the side tables, accord- 
 ing to their rank ; and the length of those tables shows they must 
 have been capable of accommodating a great many guests, — 
 " towels," or table-cloths, " for the side tables in the ladies* 
 chamber," being mentioned " 8 yards long." The fare was the 
 same as at the court- table. It included at the election feast in 
 1.515, brawn and mustard, capon boiled, swan roasted, pyke, 
 venison, baked and roast; jellies, pastry, quails, sturgeon, 
 salmon, and wafers and ipocras, which were served up in five 
 ^' messes," or courses. The " second ladies' table" was served 
 with four courses ; and a like number of courses was provided 
 
 in the chekker chamber for the maydens." Amongst the ladies 
 present on this occasion, amounting to thirty-four in number, 
 were the lady mayoress, ladies Capell, Harriot, Aylmer, Achilly, 
 Monnoux, and Fenkyl, the sheriffs' ladies, the lady warden- 
 esses," etc. 
 
 The style of the company's entertainments generally, and the 
 other particulars we have mentioned, will be best understood by 
 describing one of their ancient feasts. In this article the drapers 
 appear to have been peculiarly splendid, and to have outvied the 
 other companies, none of whom we have found to equal them in 
 expense. What gives the festivities of this company an unique 
 zest, however, is the visitors at them ; and which then included a 
 now extinct race. We here suddenly find ourselves in company 
 with abbots, priors, and other heads of monastic establishments, 
 and become so familiarized with the abbot of Tower hill, the prior 
 of St. Mary Ovary, Christ church, St. Bartholomew's, the pro- 
 vincial and the prior of " Freres Austyn's,'* the masters of St. 
 Thomas Aeons and St. Laurence Pulteney, and othuiS of the 
 metropolitan conventual clergy, most of whom we find amongst 
 tlieir constant yearly visitors, — that we almost fancy ourselves 
 living in their times, and of their acquaintance. We shall select 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 467 
 
 a specimen or two from several which we have copied, (but of 
 which we can only notice these,) — beginning first with the order 
 of the company's sitting, and an account of their plate, that the 
 reader may judge of the splendor, as well as abundance of their 
 table : 
 
 The sisters, it has been stated, always formed part of the usual 
 guests ; — so also did the wives of members, whether enrolled 
 amongst them or not. The point in the ordinances, 6 Henry IV., 
 as to paying quarterage, states that any brother, " althouz he 
 be wedyd, he schall paye for him and for hys wyfe but vij^ 
 the same ordinances also enjoin, amongst other regulations, that 
 the wardens for the year shall only be allowed 205. for rushes, 
 
 mynstrels, players, and other petty costys;" and that if the 
 lord mayor attended the dinner, and was a member of the com- 
 pany, they should be allowed 40s. for his mess. The regulations 
 for the table are contained in a separate article, entitled A 
 rule ordeyned for the syttyng in y" halle," and which acquaints 
 us with several other curious particulars. It states — 
 
 That from this day forwarde, at eu^'y gen'all feeste or dynner 
 of the forseid fraternite, all thos that have ben maysto^'s and 
 wardens schall sytte att mete at the + tabyll nexte the cupboard 
 in y® drapers' hall ; and none others, unless be y^ avys and y^ 
 assignment of the meysf and ward"* for the time beyng, to sytte 
 att y* hygh table, upon payne of ij^ No brother of the frafnite 
 to presume to sytte at any table in the halle tyll the mayr and 
 the states have wasshed and be sett att the hygh table, on pevne 
 of iij*. iiij*^. Also ordeyned it ys and provyded, that at the tabill 
 next the parlor dore, schall be sett ij. or iij. mess w*'' suche as 
 hath ben maysters and wardens, for strangers, att y^ dyscressions 
 of y^ wardens for y^ tyme beyinge." 
 
 Persons of high rank, when invited, were personally waited on 
 by the heads of the company. We find an instance in 1496, 
 when the accounts charge " iiij**. for bote hire to desyre my lorde 
 tresorer to our feste," who at that time was William Paulet, first 
 marquis of Winchester. The most usual of the great guests at 
 their entertainments, however, were the dignified and conventual 
 clergy mentioned, as will be seen by a slight notice of strangers, 
 etc. present in different years. 
 
 At the election feast in 1519, there were amongst the guests, — 
 " my lord bishop" (of Carlisle) ; " the m' of Saynt Thom* of 
 Akers ; the p'^or of Crychurch (Holy Trinity, Aldgate) ; the p'^or 
 
 H h 2 
 
468 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 of Saynt Barth'ews ; the p'or of Saynt Mary Overys ; Sir Ric* 
 Brooke, juge and knyght ; the m'' of Saynt Laur*'^" (Pultney) ; 
 
 the p'^vyncyall of freres Aus"^ ; the p'or of the same place ; the 
 p'son of Saynt Mighels ; the sheriffs," etc. 
 
 In 1521 the order of sitting in the hall was thus : 
 " The prior of Christ church, chief. 
 
 "Sir John Milborn at his left — My Lady Fenkyll at his right. 
 " My Lady Milborn and my Lady Bayley chief before." 
 At the first side-table in the hall, 
 Mr. Sadler began the bench, and 
 " Mr. Bowyer before him on the forme, and so down, 
 " Men of the bench, and women before them: 
 Masf Dele and Masf Praed began 
 " The other side-table in the hall^'' etc., — 
 and the account then proceeds to describe the sittings of the 
 rest ; but which we omit, as well as the list and prices of provi- 
 sions, fuller accounts of a similar nature following below : 
 
 1514-15. The Midsummer feast cost 64Z. 8s. 2c?. The items 
 provided, included 100 J load of faggots, and a load of talwood," 
 price Is. 8d. ; a barrelled sturgeon, containing 22 jowls, besides 
 rounds and middles, 405. ; 3 boars, 34s. ; Hall, the poulterer was 
 paid "in arrest (part) for his pultrye," 4/., and 6L was paid him 
 afterwards. A load of" coles," containing 31 qrs., cost Is. 4d. ; 
 24 doz. quails, 41. 10s. ; 45 pike, 3/. ; 2 sacks of meal, 8s. lOd. ; 
 1 hhd. of red wine, 1 hhd. of claret, a hhd. of white wine, and 
 porterage, 10/. 5s. 6d. ; 21 gallons of muscadel, for ipocras, 
 1/. 16s. 8c?. Lady Capell sent the company a fine buck, and 5 
 other bucks were received from different persons named, all of 
 whom received rewards or compliments in return. The water 
 bailiff's servant was paid 6d., " for his diligence abought the 
 samons." Of ale there was drank 13 J barrels, besides 3 kilder- 
 kins " of single bere." For cooking this great feast, the com- 
 pany's cook was allowed II. 13s. 4d., exclusively of sums paid 
 to the "turn broches," and other menials of the kitchen ; 3c?. was 
 paid for "a potell of sweete wyn for the singers ; and 30c?. for the 
 priests and clerks of St. Michael's, " for the solempne masse" on 
 the preceding Sunday ; 2c?. is charged " for mending of the gar- 
 layids appertaining to the masters, and also to the batchelors." 
 And, lastly, and which forms one of the most interesting of these 
 items, as deciding the fact of there having then existed regular 
 independent companies of actors, is the following item : 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 469 
 
 **To Joh^n Slye and his company, for ij. plays, on Monday and 
 Tewsday," (including " Robert Willi'^ms, the Harp, and Henry 
 Colet, the Lut, iiij^"* 
 
 1515-16. The account of the election feast is still more 
 ample and curious. It commences by stating the company, 
 on 21st of July, to have agreed '^w*'' Tho' Hall, poulf, to find 
 us for our feast in mann'^ following," and that there was " ther 
 vppon yeuen hym in arrest, j"^'." 
 
 His list specifies, amongst other things, 8 swans, and 
 
 Heron's fesannt or bittern." The tallow-chandler was con- 
 tracted with for mustard, red and white vinegar, verjuice, oat- 
 meal, candle, fine salt, packthread, lathes, jelly-pots and pans, 
 brooms, and other articles;" most of which now appertain to 
 distinct trades. The baker was to find trencher bred, spice 
 brede, chete brede, half-peny bred, manchets, and bustard 
 flour." James Williamson was agreed with for " allowance 
 water, and for his wif to kepe the scolery, and to fynd clewts 
 (napkins) to wipe the vessel themself." William Crown, the 
 principal cook, engaged to find " all other und' cooks and 
 torn-broches, and to have for his wag% xxx^, and we to fynd 
 erbys and water, and a scolyon to wash the vessell ; and we must 
 fynd ij. ells of fyn cloth to the cook for his gely clothes." The 
 
 mylk wif provided ''xl. gallon curds, at 1"*^^ ob., iiij. gallons 
 milk at iiij^. ; iij. potels whete, at iij^. ; and j. potell creme, for 
 pudding, at j*^.;" and the "er6e wyf — sel'^ey roots, at vj*^. ;" besides 
 which she received for " fcnel and p'^cely (parsley), iij"*. ; rosemary 
 and tyme, iiij^. ; and onyons, iij**." 
 
 The regular bill of fare for all the " boards" is given. The 
 high board, and " lady's chief borde," have been just described : 
 the provisions for the livery tables included " 4 sirloins of beef 
 throughout the ox," each whereof cost 4 marks ; 6 sheep, at 
 2s. 4d. each ; and a calf, or " veal," as it is called, at 35. Sd. ; 
 being at the rate of three half-pence per lb. 
 
 The arrangement of the tables, the names of the guests invited, 
 and the list of plate, napery, and other things used, occupy 
 four folio pages. 
 
 • An earlier entry, however, is one in closing their accounts, ask allowance 
 
 of the preceding year (1520;, in which of vjs. viijd. for the mayre's mes!<e, 
 
 13s. is charged as the payment " to mynstrailles, and players but they 
 
 Glee and his compa?i7/, for ij. playes, are not mentioned as companies under 
 
 for Monday and Tuesday." Players, a particular management before 1520 
 
 as we have just seen, are mentioned in and 1521. 
 6 Henry IV. In 1481 also the wardens, 
 
470 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 The tables were thus arranged : 
 
 First, the chief table in the hall, 6 messes ; the two side tables, 
 20 messes ; the chief table in the ladies' chamber, 5 messes ; the 
 second table in the ladies' chamber, 4 messes ; the chequer- 
 chamber for maydens, 4 messes ;" the master and wardens, a 
 mess ; the clerk and his household, a mess ; the players and 
 mynstrails, ij. messes." The poor almsmen "severally their 
 rewards." 
 
 The guests of eminence, with strangers, consisted of 78 per- 
 sons : 44 men, and 34 women. Amongst them were :— 
 
 Sir William Butler, lord mayor. 
 Sir Thomas Neville, knight; Mr. Westby, one of the barons 
 of the exchequer ; Sir Richard Haddon, knight ; Sir Stephen 
 Germayne, knight ; Sir Lawrence Aylmer, knight ; Sir Robert 
 Dymock, knight; Mr. Cholmley, lieutenant of the Tower." 
 Aldermen : Achilly and Monnoux ; Sir Gyles Capell ; Messrs. 
 Brugge, Milborn, Yarford, Baldry, and Allen (all of them after- 
 wards lord mayors) ; the sheriffs of London and Middlesex ; the 
 city chamberlain ; the recorder; the common serjeant; the town 
 clerk (" Mr. Pavys"). And of ecclesiastics, the lord bishop of 
 Carlisle; " my lord of St. John's ;" " the master of St. Thomas 
 Aeons;" the priors of Christ church, Merton, and St. Mary 
 Overy; the master of St. Laurence Pountney. Ladies: "my lady 
 Mayoress, d'na Capell, cu' filiabz, my lady Hariott, my lady 
 Aylmer, my lady Achilly, my lady Monnoux, my lady Fenkyll," 
 Mesdames Brugge, Milborn, the two sheriffs' ladies, " the ward- 
 enesses," and, not to be forgotten, the well-known antiquary, 
 " Mr. Leland." 
 
 The plate delivered in for the tables, by Mr. Grenaway and Mr. 
 Swythen, included 
 
 "2 pots, gilt; 2 pots, parcel gilt; 16 standing cups with covers, 
 gilt ; 6 basins ; 6 ewers ; 4 principal salts, gilt, one with a cover ; 
 6 other salts, parcel gilt ; 1 doz" and a half of gilt spoons ; 1 
 doz'' of white do., with gilt knobs; 16 doz"* and a half of spoons, 
 white; 18 bowls, and 3 ewers, gilt; a chaste (chased) bowl, gilt; 
 a nutt with a cover, gilt; a standing gilt cup with a cover, 
 (broken) ; a little pigot with a cover ; and a standing cup and 
 cover, gilt, from Mr. Swillyngton." 
 
 Drapers' Hall in Throgmorton street was purchased after a 
 lengthened negotiation, of Henry VIII., in 1541, to whom 
 it had become forfeited by the attainder of Cromwell, earl of 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 471 
 
 Essex, and who had previously resided there.* It is thus des- 
 cribed at the time of the purchase : 
 
 "The Lord Cromwell's House, 
 " Contayneih the rowmes folloicyng ; 
 
 Imprimis: A fayre grete gate ; a fayre ijardj paved; a fayre low 
 gallery, on the north side of the yard ; a grete wyndyng steyr, with 
 bay glass windows leading into the hall. It'™, over that steyr fayre 
 leads. It'™, a fayre hall, w*^ ij bay wyndowes and clere stories, 
 w*^ a buttery e, a pantry e, and a seller for wyne, ale, and bere to 
 the same. It'™, a dark chamber, w*^ lattes wyndowes over the 
 said butterye and pantrye to look down into the hall. It'™, a 
 fayre grete p'lo'' (parlour), with bay glass windowes, and a fayre 
 chimney. It'™, a butterye with a clere story belonging to the 
 same, and a jewell hous w*^in the said butterye. It'™, a fayre 
 kitchyn w*^ ij grete chymnies, dressing boards, a grete cestern of 
 led, w*^ conduite water coming ther unto, and ij clere stories. 
 It'™, a pastry-hous, w'^ iij fayre ovens, mouldyng boards and 
 shelves, and a clere story. It'™, a scullery hous, w*^ a chymney 
 and a clere story. It'™, ij larder houses, w*'' clere stories. It'™, a 
 cole hous. It'™, a wyndeing sters, from the kytchyn into the hall, 
 and over the same fayre leads. It'™, on the est syde of the greate 
 gate, ij low chambers, the one w*'' a chymney and an office to 
 wayte in, and iij clere stories, the other w*^ a clere storye under 
 the pantrye. It'™, in the ij"^ story, a fayre cha'^ber for the ladies, 
 seeled and matted, w*^ a chymney. It'™, in the iij*^ story, iij lytle 
 
 * Stow, describing the Augustine 
 Friar's ctiurch adjoining, states there 
 to have been built at its west end, 
 ''many feyre houses, namely, in Throg- 
 morton streete ;" and, among the rest, 
 *'one very large and spacious," builded, 
 he says, " in place of olde and small 
 tenements hy Thomas Cronnvell, maister 
 of the kinge's jewell house, after that 
 maister of the rolls, then Lord Cromwell, 
 knight. Lord Privie Seale, Vicker 
 Generall, Earle of Essex, high Cham- 
 berlaine of England, &c. and he then 
 tells the following story respecting it : 
 
 "This house being finished, and 
 having some reasonable plot of ground 
 left for a garden, bee caused the pales 
 of the gardens adjoining to the north 
 parte thereof, on a sodaine to bee taken 
 downe, 22 foote to be measured forth 
 right into the north of every man's 
 ground, a line there to bee drawne, a 
 
 trench to be cast, a foundation laid? 
 and a high bricke wall to be builded. 
 My father had a garden there, and an 
 house standing close to his south pale ; 
 this house they loosed from the ground, 
 and bare vpon rollers into my father's 
 garden, 22 foot, ere my father heard 
 thereof, no warning was given him, 
 nor other answere when hee spoke to 
 the surveyors of that worke, but that 
 their mayster, Sir Thomas, commanded 
 them so to doe ; no man durst go to 
 argue the matter, but each man lost his 
 land, and my father payde his whole 
 rent, whiche was vjs. viijd. the yeare, 
 for that halfe which was left. Thus 
 much of mine owne knowledge have I 
 thought good to note, that the sodaine 
 rising of some men, causeth them to 
 forget themselves." — Survaie of London 
 (1698), 181. 
 
472 
 
 DBAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 chambers f ^N^^ bay wyndowes, and one chymney. It'™, a garret 
 over them. It'"*, under the grete stayr, a lytle dark roome. 
 It'"", under the greate p'lo'" (parlour), a fayre cellar, paved for 
 wyne or ayle. It'"", the great garden and an enirye therto." 
 
 From the above description v^'e may form a tolerable idea of the 
 interior of Cromwell's house at its purchase by the drapers. Of 
 the outside, we have no memorial but the rude delineation of 
 Ralph Aggas, which we give below, together with an attempt to 
 shew from it, what would probably have been the appearance of 
 that, and of the contiguous buildings if better drawn. 
 
 ANCIENT DRAPERS' HALL. 
 
 The company bought, as appurtenances to Cromwell's mansion, 
 " the cistern, conduit water, silyngs, portals, cupboards, presses, 
 tables, tressells, formes, benches, shelves, testers, bread-bins, 
 awlmers, locks, keys, and glass windowes, together with the bars 
 and chains of iron for the gates, doors, and wicketts." 
 
 There was granted also, in addition to the conduit, the 
 old way, through which men, hors, wayn, and cart, dyd free 
 passe and repasse to and fro', and iij or iiij tenements set and 
 
HALL AND BDILDINGS. 
 
 473 
 
 beyng against the west p'te (part) of the chiirch-yarde of the 
 late dyssolved monastry of the Augustynes, before that the said 
 ten'" were closed into the said place, or the street-door thereof 
 stopped upp. To the ende and intent that nether the comodytye 
 of the sayd waf should be plucked or stopped away, nor that the 
 said lane or way should be other wyse dybarred or alteryd than 
 in tymes past, but to remayne, so that the inhabitants that might 
 dwell in the sayd ten*^ should at all tymes lawfully have free 
 passe and repasse, for man, hors, weyne, and cart, through the 
 seyd way or lane."* 
 
 The company took possession of their new hall, 19 July, 1541, 
 and kept their first court, 7th August, as per the following entries : 
 
 19th July, 1541 {M Henry VIII.), *' Mr. Roche, Mr. Blower, 
 and Mr. Chest, took possession of our great place, by the late 
 dissolved monastry of Frere Augustynes, in the presence of Sir 
 Edward North, then treasurer of the king's honourable court of 
 augmentations, for, and in the name of the m' wardens and 
 brethern and sustern of the gild or fraternytie of o"" blessed lady 
 of drapers of London." 
 
 " The Jirst assembly at our new hall.'* 
 
 7th August (same year), " After even song, the livery, by the 
 consent of the m' wardens and the counsell, assembled at the late 
 earl of Essex's place, and from thence went to Mr. Rochard's obit 
 and mass, and kept their potacion at the said place ; and on the 
 10th day of the same month, the said wardens began to keep their 
 first court day at the said place." 
 
 Drapers' garden, as it existed near the time of this purchase, 
 is mentioned in several subsequent entries. The reader, acquainted 
 with the beautiful way in which this fine plot is now kept, will 
 
 • Stow describes the way or lane Friar's church, straight north, and open- 
 here mentioned, and its history, in the ed somewhat west from Allhallowes 
 following terms : church, against London wall, towards 
 
 Then east from the Currier's row, Moregate, which foote way had gates 
 is a long and high wall of stone, in- at either end, locked vp every night, 
 closing the north side of a large garden but now the same way being taken into 
 adjoyning to as large an house, builded those gardens, the gates are closed vp 
 in the reign of king Henrie the eight, with stone, whereby the people are 
 and of Edward the sixt, by Sir fFm. forced to go about by Saint Peter's 
 Powlet, Lord Treasurer of England : church, and the east end of the said 
 Through this garden, which of olde time Fryer's churche, and all the saide great 
 consisted of diverse parts, now vnited, place and garden of Sir William Powlet 
 was sometimes a faire foote way, lead- to London wall, and so to Moregate." — 
 ing to the west end of the Augustine (Survaie of London, 177.) 
 
 N.B. The above "faire foote way" was afterwards opened, and forms the present 
 passage leading from the east end of Throgmorton street, through Austin 
 Friars, to Great Winchester street, — but there is no longer "free passe and 
 repasse for hors, weyne, and cart," as before Stow's mention. 
 
474 
 
 DRAPERS* COMPANY. 
 
 smile to find orders at the above date, against drying " linen and 
 woollen cloths'' in it, (unless by the heads of the company, who 
 being then working drapers had that liberty.) It must certainly 
 have been a most elegible spot for the purpose, if we recollect 
 that the country then lay open in its rear, nearly all the way to 
 Hampstead and Highgate. 
 
 This garden appears to have first become an object of espe- 
 cial notice with the company, about ten years after their purchase ; 
 for in 1551, (April 4,) the gardener, Robert Ratford, having com- 
 plained, 
 
 " That by drying of naperye clothes in the Drap"^^ garden, the 
 knotts and borders of erbys (herbs) therein were destroyed the 
 court made an order. 
 
 " That henceforth no mann"" of person shall drye nor bleach 
 their naperye in the sayde gardeyne, to whom soev"" they belonge, 
 except such naperye as app^'tains to the fellows^" 
 
 The abating of this nuisance, and the peculiarly fine situation of 
 this promenade, then affording uninterrupted views, as just stated, 
 of the outstretched landscape on the north, seem to have soon 
 made it a favourite with the neighbourhood. Early in the Sep- 
 tember following, the privy council request permission " for a key 
 to ou'' grete garden dore," to be allowed to my lord ambassador 
 from France," and who then occupied " my Lady Roche's house, 
 in Austyn Friars," which the company agreed to, on condition of 
 his steward being at the expense of having such key made. Other 
 persons, near the same time, offer to pay a rent for the like privi- 
 lege. — "John Cease, cloth-worker, is charged £3 a year "to be 
 admitted to ou'" garden." 
 
 15 September, four additional keys are ordered to be made to 
 the garden middle door, and the " three keys of the garden doors 
 and of the gallery door to be tied together, and the gardiner to 
 leave them at the clerk's house ; to the intent that the assistants 
 may be let in at all times, whensoeu' the gardin"" is absent ; and 
 he, at his departure, to shut all the dores, and leave again the 
 keys at the clerk's house." 
 
 A few of the additional orders will give us a sufficient idea of 
 the ancient state of the Drapers' garden. The following occur, 
 25 November, 1552 : 
 
 1. "That no man drye any lynnen or woir save onelye as 
 hathe byn wardeyns." 
 
 2. " The gardyner to have a byll of all such p'"sons as hathe 
 byn m"^ wardeyns, for hym to knowe one from another." 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 475 
 
 3. " The gardyner to suffer no stranngers to bowle, in case 
 there be any of the company dysposed to bowle in tlie place : 
 neither to take erbys nor fruite." 
 
 4. " The gardyner to geve attention on holly (holy) days, for 
 suche as corny th of the company to the gardyne." 
 
 5. " That no keys be suffryd to the gardeyn dore but suche as 
 shalle be admytted by the m'" and wardeyns and assistents ; but 
 the ald^'men to have keys.'' 
 
 6. The m'' and wardeyns to have the fruite, flowers, and erbes, 
 for their yere." 
 
 The fire of London stopped at Drapers' hall, to the northwards, 
 but was nearly as disastrous in its effects as to those in the heart 
 of the city. On their court assembling, 10 September, 1666, to 
 consult on what was to be done, they find 
 
 " That the hall, parlour, and other buildings belonging there- 
 unto, wherein was the clerk's habitation, was all consumed to 
 ashes by the late lamentable and dismal fire : that the service of 
 the company required the clerk to inhabit in or near the garden, 
 where their writings and concerns were, and their business must then 
 be transacted ; and they, in consequence, agree that the house 
 in the garden, now much prejudiced and defaced, being partly 
 pulled down for prevention of taking fire, shall be forthwith re- 
 paired, and then bee for the habitation of the said clerk vntil the 
 company can more conveniently accommodate him in that kind ; 
 and that a house in Beech lane, now empty, which went at £9 per 
 annum, shall be for the dwelling house of Mr. Miners, the beadle, 
 who, till the fire, dwelt in the said garden house." 
 
 A committee was afterwards formed, to meet weekly, to take 
 order for repairing the garden-house, securing the garden, and 
 the bricks and materials left where the hall stood. Sums were 
 also ordered to be paid as rewards to the beadle, and others, who 
 had been active in saving the company's property from the fire, 
 by removing it from the hall to the garden, and watching it ther 
 for seaven days and nights." 
 
 On the 25th of the ensuing October, the court learning that 
 the renter warden was deficient in £446 of the company's money, 
 which he had left in a till or cupboard in the book-house or 
 treasury, and which had fallen into the fire " when the hall was 
 burned ;" and that part had been found, but so defaced as not to 
 be current, and the rest supposed to lay " melted in the rubbish, 
 and, as it was feared, the greater part of it likely to be lost," — ex- 
 onerated him from the repayment thereof, and ordered that what 
 
476 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 part might be recovered should be refined by a silversmith. They, 
 at the same meeting, further ordered that the company's plate, 
 which had been put " into a mouth or well of the common sewer 
 in the garden for its preservation," should be forthwith taken up 
 and secured. 
 
 At their next assembly, the court ordered all their charities to 
 be paid, notwithstanding the fire. 
 
 Sir Robert Clayton (then "Mr. Rob*. Clayton, gent.") and Mr. 
 Morris, having afterwards offered the court the use of *' a large 
 room on the second floor of their house in Austin Friars, abutting 
 eastward upon our garden, as also to take charge of our trunks 
 and plate," on condition that they were allowed to make a door- 
 way into the said company's garden, and to walk therein "during 
 pleasure ;" the court accepted their offer. 
 
 The model for a new hall was submitted to the court, on the 
 1st of November, 1667, by Mr. Jarman, (the architect of 
 Fishmongers' Hall,) and which embraced a dining hall, to be 
 erected above-stairs, " and where our late hall stood, with en- 
 largement in length and breadth, w*^ a parlour adjoyning, and 
 other convenient rooms and accommodations :" and the same 
 being approved of, workmen were immediately ordered to be em- 
 ployed, and the building was completed shortly afterwards. It 
 had a very narrow escape in 1774 from a fire, which broke out in 
 the vaults beneath the hall, (let out as a store-cellar,) and des- 
 troyed a considerable part of the building, together with a number 
 of houses on the west side of Austin Friars. 
 
 The present Drapers' hall is Mr. Jarman's structure, but 
 altered, and partly rebuilt, on account of this second calamity. 
 It principally consists of a spacious quadrangle, surrounded by a 
 fine piazza or ambulatory of arches, supported by columns, with 
 rich ornaments in the angles. The garden spoken of, greatly im- 
 proves the hall, which, from this appendage, and its own elegance, 
 might be readily supposed the mansion of a person of high rank. 
 
 The buildings of the interior are of fine red brick, but the front 
 and entrance, in Throgmorton street, are of a yellow sort : both 
 interior and exterior are highly enriched with stone ornaments. 
 Over the gateway is a large sculpture of the Drapers' arms, a 
 cornice and freze, the latter displaying lions' heads, rams' heads, 
 etc. in small circles, and various other architectural decorations. 
 This front was rebuilt after the fire of 1774. 
 
 The hall, properly so called, occupies the eastern side of the 
 quadrangle, the ascent being by a noble stone staircase, coved, 
 
HALL AND BUILDINGS. 
 
 477 
 
 highly embellished by stucco work, gilding', etc. and, in a niche, by 
 a well executed white marble bust of his late majesty. The stately 
 skreen of this magnificent apartment is curiously decorated with 
 carved pillars, pilasters, arches, etc. The ceiling is divided into 
 numerous compartments, chiefly circular, displaying, in the 
 centre, Phgeton in his car, and round him the signs of the zodiac, 
 and various other enrichments. In the wainscotting is a neat 
 recess with shelves, whereon the company's plate, which, both for 
 quality and workmanship, is of great value, is displayed at their 
 feasts. Above the skreen, at the end opposite the master's chair, 
 is a portrait of Lord Nelson, by Sir William Beechy, for which the 
 company paid 400 guineas, together with the curious portrait 
 of Fitz Alwin, already mentioned. The latter is a half-length, 
 and well known by the prints from it, which, however, omit the 
 inscription, detailing the circumstance of his having been the 
 first lord mayor of London, the great number of years he held 
 office, and other particulars. In denominating this portrait 
 curious, we give as high praise as can be afforded it. Oil painting 
 (according to Lord Orford's researches,) was totally unknown in 
 England in Fitz Alwin's time, and this is an oil painting ; the 
 style of dress, and its execution as a work of art, are also too 
 modern. Possibly it might have been copied from some more 
 ancient authority. 
 
 In the gallery, between the hall and the livery room, are full- 
 length portraits of the English sovereigns, from William III. to 
 George III., together with a full-length of the late king, 
 George IV., by Lawrence, and the celebrated picture of Mary, 
 Queen of Scots, and her son James I., by Zuchero. The portrait 
 of the latter king is a fine specimen of the master, and said to 
 have cost the company between £600 and £700. It has a fault, 
 however, observable in other portraits of this monarch, that of 
 the likeness being extraordinarily flattered. If it was not un- 
 courteous so to say, we should call it George IV., with the face of 
 the Prince of Wales. Respecting the portrait of Mary and her son, 
 there has been much discussion. Its genuineness has been doubted, 
 from the circumstance of James having been only a twelvemonth 
 old when this picture is thought to have been painted, and his being 
 here represented of the age of four or five; but the anachronism 
 might have arisen from the whole being a composition of the artist, 
 executed not from the life, but from other authorities furnished to 
 him. It was cleaned and copied by Spiridione Roma, for 
 Boydell's print, who took off a mask of dirt from it, and is cer- 
 
478 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 tainly a very interesting picture. This room is also wainscotted, 
 and fitted up with great elegance. 
 
 The court-room adjoins the hall, and forms the north side of 
 the quadrangle. It is wainscotted, and elegantly fitted up 
 like the last. The fire-place is very handsome; and has over 
 the centre a small oblong compartment in white marble, with a 
 representation of the company receiving their charter. The ceiling 
 is stuccoed, somewhat similarly to the hall, with various subjects 
 allusive to the drapers' trade, and to the heraldic bearings of the 
 company. Both the (dining) hall and this apartment were also 
 rebuilt after the fire in 1774. 
 
 The gallery leads to the ladies' chamber and livery-room. In 
 the former, balls, etc. are occasionally held, and this also is a very 
 elegant room. The livery-room is a fine lofty apartment, and 
 next in size to the hall. Here are portraits of Sir Joseph Sheldon, 
 lord mayor 1677, by Gerard Soest ; and a three-quarter length of 
 Sir Robert Clayton, by Kneller, 1680, seated in a chair, a great 
 benefactor to Christ's hospital, and to that of St. Thomas, in South- 
 wark; and two benefactors, — Sir William Boreman, an officer of the 
 Board of Green Cloth in the reigns of Charles I. and Charles II., 
 who endowed a free-school at Greenwich ; and Henry Dixon, of 
 Enfield, who left land in that parish for apprenticing boys of the 
 same parish, and giving a sum to such as were bound to freemen 
 of London at the end of their apprenticeship. Here is also a fine 
 portrait of Mr. Smith, late clerk of the company ; (three-quarters) 
 a smaller portrait of Thomas Bagshew, who died in 1794, having 
 been beadle to the company forty years, and who, for his long 
 and faithful services, is stated to be thus honoured. The windows 
 of the livery-room overlook the private garden, in the midst of 
 which is a small basin of water, with a fountain and statue. The 
 large garden which adjoins to this is constantly opened to the 
 public from morning till night, excepting Saturdays, Sundays, 
 and the company's festival days. This is a pleasant and exten- 
 sive plot of ground, neatly laid out with gravelled walks, a 
 grass-plot, flowering shrubs, lime trees, pavilions, &c. Beneath 
 the ladies' chamber is the record-room, which is constructed of 
 stone and iron, and made fire-proof, for the more effectually 
 securing of the company's archives, books, plate, etc. 
 
TRUST ESTATES AND CHARITIES. 
 
 479 
 
 ' GIFTS AND CHARITIES INTRUSTED WITH THE WORSHIPFUL 
 COMPANY OF DRAPERS OF LONDON.* 
 
 Free Schools, Almshouses, 
 Hospitals, Lectures, Sfc. 
 
 By whom founded, en- 
 dowed, or augmented. 
 
 Benefactors' Names. 
 
 Free Schools. 
 
 A school at Barton under 
 Need wood, in Staflford- 
 shire. 
 
 Another at Stratford le 
 Bow. 
 
 Another atWorsborough, 
 
 in Yorkshire. 
 At Kirkham one, and at 
 
 Goosnargh another ; 
 
 both in Lancashire. 
 Another at Greenwich. 
 
 ALMSHOUSES. 
 
 One at Tower hilL 
 
 Another at Beach lane 
 Another at Greenwich. 
 
 Another at Stratford le 
 Bow. 
 
 Another at Shoreditch. 
 Another at St. George's 
 
 Fields. 
 Another at St. Mary, 
 
 Newington. 
 Another at Mile-end. 
 
 One at Wockingham, 
 alias Okingham, in 
 Berks. 
 
 Lectures. 
 
 One at St. Michael's, 
 Cornhill, on Sunday 
 mornings. 
 
 Another at St. Christo- 
 pher's, behind the Ex- 
 change. 
 
 An Arabic lecture, at 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Exhibitions. 
 
 One for a scholar, at 
 
 Cambridge. 
 Another for a scholar, at 
 
 Oxford. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Russel, 
 anno 1596. 
 
 Sir John JoUs, anno 
 1620. 
 
 Mr. John Rayney, 
 
 anno 1631. 
 Mr. Henry Colbron, 
 
 anno 1673. 
 
 Sir Will. Boreman, 
 anno 1673. 
 
 Sir John Milbourn, 
 
 anno 1522. 
 Lady Ascue. 
 W. Lambard, esq. 
 
 anno 1597. 
 Sir John Jolls, anno 
 
 1620. 
 
 Mr, John Walter, 
 1650. 
 
 Mr. John Powel, anno 
 
 Mr. John Lucas, anno 
 1665. 
 
 Mr. John Rainey, 
 anno 1631. 
 
 Mr. Kendrick, anno 
 1627. 
 
 Sir Thomas Adams, 
 anno 1666. 
 
 Lady Branch. 
 Sir Ric. Champion. 
 Lady Champion. 
 Humphrey Chaffin. 
 And. Chamberlain. 
 Richard Champion. 
 Sir James Dean. 
 Sir Rich. Goddard. 
 ♦William Lambard, 
 
 esq. 
 
 Osborne. 
 
 William Parker. 
 Catherine Prat. 
 John Quarles. 
 Thomas Russel. 
 John Skeete. 
 Henry Smith. 
 John Sandbrooke. 
 Cleophas Smith. 
 John Sanderson. 
 John Tatton. 
 Wm.Thoroughgood 
 *Sir Tho. Adams. 
 Giles Blomer. 
 Owen Clonn. 
 Francis Clark. 
 Sir Alan Cotton. 
 William Cotton. 
 Roger Cotton. 
 Sir George Garret. 
 Alderman John 
 
 Heydon. 
 Martin Hall. 
 Henry Jay. 
 Sir Edw. Barkham. 
 
 Ralph Kemp. 
 Hugh Johnson. 
 *Sir John Jolls. 
 Lady Mary Ramsey. 
 Ralph Rookby. 
 Agnes Smith. 
 Lancelot Thompson 
 Nicholas Wheeler. 
 Robert Wilson. 
 Robert Winch. 
 *S ir John Milbourne. 
 Lady Baily. 
 
 Stoker. 
 
 *Lady Ascue. 
 Peter Bludel. 
 Henry Butler. 
 William Cawley. 
 *Thomas Howel. 
 *Wjlliam Dumer. 
 
 * Robert Buck. 
 ♦John Rainy. 
 *John Kendrick. 
 *Sir Tho. Cullum. 
 •Christopher Clark. 
 
 * Henry Colbron, 
 *John Pounell, 
 
 • Hubbens, 
 
 alias Weaver. 
 *John Walter. 
 *John Lucas. 
 *Sir Wm. Boreman. 
 
 *Theophilus Ryley. 
 *John Edmondson. 
 *Henry Dixon. 
 
 Those marked with the ( * ) before their 
 names gave upwards of jE500. 
 
 The Sum of all the Charitable Donations expended yearly by this Company 
 amounteth to about ^2000. 
 Drawn by Mr. Peter Sterry, late clerk of the above-mentioned Company." 
 
 * From Strype's Stow, (1720) 11-58. 
 
480 
 
 CHARTERS. 
 
 A. D. 1364, Le Roi,aumeiretviscontz 
 an. 38 Edw. de Loundres, Saluz, come, 
 III., claus. entre autres choses ordei- 
 38 Edw.lII. nez au notre darrein par- 
 iii. 12 ch. in lement, si estoit pur cer- 
 Turr. Lond. teines causes purposees au 
 mesme le parlement or- 
 deine, que nul marchant Engleis ne 
 use merces ne merchandie par lui, ne 
 par autre, par nul manere de covine, 
 forsque un soulement quele il vorroit 
 esclire devant la feste de la Chandeleure 
 darrein passe, come en les dites ordi- 
 nances est contenez plus au plein:* 
 
 Et ja soit monstre a nous et a notre 
 conseil, que gentz de diverses mestieres 
 de la citee de Londres se mellent de 
 Mestrer de Draperte, et font diverses 
 deceites et fraudes en Pusage de celle 
 mestier, a grant damage de nous et de 
 notre poeple, et encontre I'ordenance 
 avant dit : 
 
 Nous, voillantz les dites ordinances 
 estre gardez et meintenuz en touz 
 pointz, si avons par assent des grantz, 
 et autres de notre conseil, ordene et 
 grante que nully ne use le mestier dra- 
 perie en la citee de Londres, n'en les 
 suburbs dicelle, s'il n'eist este appren- 
 tice en ycelle mestier, ou par autre due 
 manere receu par commune assent de 
 meisme le mestier ; et que chescun des 
 mestiers des teinturers, tistors, et ful- 
 lers, se teigne a son mestier propre, et 
 de rien ne se melle de fesure, achate, 
 on de vente, de nuUe manere de drap' 
 ne de draperie, sur peine d'emprison- 
 ment, et de perdre tout le drap' issint 
 par eux fait, achate ou vendue, ou la 
 value devers nous: 
 
 Et que nul que eit drap' a vendre en 
 la dit cite, ou en les suburbs, ne les 
 vende forsque as drapers enfranchiez 
 en la dite mestier de draperie, s'il ne 
 soit en gros as seigneurs, et autres du 
 commune, qi les voillent achater pur 
 lour oeps demesne, et nemie a rataille, 
 sur meisme la peine : 
 
 Et que les drapers enfrauncbiez en 
 la mestier de draperie en la dite cite. 
 
 The King, to the mayor and sheriffs 
 of London, greeting: Whereas, amongst 
 other things ordained in our last par- 
 liament, it was for certain causes pro- 
 posed, and in the same parliament or- 
 dained, that no English merchant should 
 use merceries or merchandizes by him- 
 self or another by any manner of covine, 
 unless one only, and which he should 
 choose before the feast of Candlemas 
 last past, as in the said ordinances is 
 more fully contained.* 
 
 And whereas it has been shown to 
 us and to our council, that people of 
 divers mysteries of the city of London 
 intermix themselves with the Mystery 
 of Drapery, and cause divers deceits 
 and fraudes in the use of the same 
 mystery, — to the great damage of us 
 and of our people, and contrary to the 
 ordinances aforesaid. 
 
 We, willing the said ordinances should 
 be kept and maintained in all points, 
 accordingly have, by the assent of the 
 great and others of our council, or- 
 dained and granted, that none shall use 
 the Mystery of Drapery in the city of 
 London, nor in the suburbs of the 
 same, unless be has been apprenticed 
 in the same mystery, or in other due 
 manner been admitted by the common 
 assent of the same mystery. And that 
 each of the mysteries of tenterers, tis- 
 ters, and fullers, keep himself to his 
 own m3stery, and in no way meddle 
 with the making, buying, or selling of 
 any manner with cloth or drapery, on 
 pain of imprisonment and loss of all the 
 cloth so by them made, bought, or sold, 
 or the value thereof to us. 
 
 And that none who has cloth to sell 
 in the said city, or in the suburbs, do 
 sell the same unless to drapers enfran- 
 chised in the said mystery of drapery, 
 or that it be in gross to the lords and 
 others of the commons, who will buy 
 the same for themselves or servants by 
 retail, under the same penalty. 
 
 And that the drapers enfranchised in 
 the mystery of drapery in the said city. 
 
 • The fuller explanation referred to, of this charter, is omitted here, having 
 already been given, from the original charter in possession of the company. The 
 copy of it, as above, is from the recital in the mandate, commanding the publica- 
 tion of it by the sheriffs of London. See ante, pp. 390-1, 399, 400, 425. 
 
I 
 
 C 11 A I 
 
 puissent escliie cbescun an qatre de 
 lour mestier propre, que soient jurrez 
 deux foitz par an, en presence du maire, 
 de surveer que nul delaute ne deceit 
 soit useene fait en les mestiers avant- 
 ditz ; et de reuler et governez le dit 
 mestier de draperie en nieisme le cite, 
 au commune profit du poeple, et de 
 due punissement ent fait de ceux, en 
 queux defaute sera trove, solone I'avis 
 et discretion des dites quatre persones, 
 et par I'eide du mair et de viscontz quant 
 il enbusoignera ; les queux mair et 
 viscontz nous volons q'ils soient enten- 
 dantz as ditz quatre persones, quant ils 
 .serront par eux a ce requis ; 
 
 Et volons auxint et donons poiar as 
 ditz quatre persones, qi serront esluz 
 et jurez de prendre serement de touz 
 ceux, qi serront receux au dit mestier 
 de draperie en mesme la citee, de user 
 et faire ce q'appartient a mesme la 
 mestier, obien et loialment.sanz fraude, 
 mal engyn, ou subtil compassement faire 
 encontre les pointz et ordenances avant- 
 ditz : 
 
 Sauvez touz jours a notre cher en 
 DiEU le priour de Seint Barthelemeu 
 in Smythfeld', et autres seigneurs q'ont 
 feires en les etitz suburbes, par grantes 
 de noz progeni tours et de nous, lour 
 feires, franchises et franches custumes, 
 queux ils ont et useez en lour dites 
 feires, du temps des dites grantes, encea 
 as queux par colour de ceste notre ordi- 
 nance et grant nous ne volons damage, 
 ne prejudice estre fait en aucune ma- 
 nere ; et sauvez les franchises par nous 
 grantez as marchantz vyneters d'Engle- 
 terre et de Gascoigne, queux nous volons 
 demorez en lour force en touz pointz, si 
 come en noz lettres patentes as ditz 
 drapers ent faitz, est contenuz plus au 
 plein : 
 
 Purquoi vous mandons, et fermement 
 enjoignantz, que maintenant a vofes 
 costes, vos facez crier et publier en les 
 dites citee et suburbes, et lieux ou vous 
 virez q'il soit affaire, toutes les dites 
 choses issint par nous grantez, et ferme- 
 ment garder et tenir, en la forme sus- 
 dite : 
 
 Et ce ne lassez en nulle manere. 
 Done a Westm' le xiv. jour de Juyl. 
 
 MKHS. 481 
 
 may elect each year four of their own 
 mystery, who may be sworn twice a 
 year in the presence of the mayor, to 
 oversee that no default or deceit be 
 used or committed in the mystery afore- 
 said ; and to rule and govern the said 
 mystery of drapery in the same city, to 
 the common profit of the people, and 
 that due punishment be done on them 
 in whom del'aults shall be found, accord- 
 ing to the advice and discretion of the 
 said four persons, by tlie aid of the 
 mayor and sheriff's when need is; the 
 which mayor and sheriffs we will shall 
 be intendants to the said four persons, 
 when they shall be required by them. 
 
 And we also will and give power to 
 the said four persons who may be 
 elected and sworn, to take an oath of 
 all those who shall be received into the 
 said mystery of drapery in the same 
 city, to use and do whatever appertains 
 to the same mystery well and lawfully, 
 without fraud, evil design, or subtle 
 management against the points and or- 
 dinances aforesaid. 
 
 Saving always to our beloved in God 
 the prior of St. Bartholomew, in Smith- 
 field, and other lords who have fairs in 
 the said suburbs by grant of our pro- 
 genitors, their fairs, franchises, and 
 free-customs, which they have exer- 
 cised in their said fairs, from the time 
 of the said grants, so that no damage 
 or prejudice shall be done to them in 
 any way under colour of this our ordi- 
 nance and grant ; and saving the fran- 
 chises by us granted to the merchants, 
 vintners of England and Gascoigny, 
 which we will shall remain in force in 
 all points in manner as in ou»- letters 
 patent to the said drapers is more fully 
 contained. 
 
 Wherefore we command and firmly 
 enjoin you forthwith that at your peril 
 you cause to be proclaimed and pub- 
 lished in the said city and suburbs, and 
 all places where it should be done, that 
 all the said things so by us granted may 
 be firmly held and kept in form afore- 
 said. 
 
 And hereof in no manner fail. 
 Given at Westminster the 14th day 
 of July. 
 
482 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 PrimaparsCou- Regina : Om'ibz ad 
 firmac'one de quos, <fec. Salt'm. In- 
 Anno R. Re- spexims L'ras Patentes 
 Elizabeth se- D'nor""> Phi' <fe Marie 
 cundo. nupr Reg'^ & Regine 
 
 * * * firma'coe Angl' de Confirmac'oe 
 p^^o UoHhz fact' in hec verba 
 ***Parmarior"^ Philippus & Maria Dei 
 London. Gra' Rex & Regina 
 
 AngP Hispaniar'^ni 
 Franc' Utriusq' Sicilie Jer'lm <fe Hib'nie 
 Fidei Defensores Archiduces Austrie 
 Duces Burgundie Mediolani & Bra- 
 bancie Comites Haspurgi Flandrie & 
 Tirolis. Om'ibz ad quos p^'sentes L're 
 p'vennnt. Salt'm Inspexims L'ras Pa- 
 tentes D'ni Edwardi nup^- Regis AngP 
 Quarti p^ogenitoris nr'i de Confirmac'oe 
 f'cas in hec verba Edwardus Dei Gra' 
 Rex Angl' & Franc' & D'ns Hib'nie. 
 Om'ibz ad quos p^^sentes L're p'ven^int. 
 Salt'm, Inspexim L'ras Patentes H. 
 Sexti nup^ de f'co & non de jure Regis 
 Angl' f'c'as in hec verba Henr' Dei 
 Gra' Rex Angl' & Francie <fe D'ns 
 Hib'nie Om'ibz ad quos p^sentes L're 
 p'ven^nt Salt'm Sciatis q'd de Gra' n'ra 
 sp'ial^ & caritatis intuitu ac ob sp'lalem 
 devoc'o'em quam ad gloriosam Dei geni- 
 tricem & Virginem Mariam n're mentis 
 intuitu gerims & h'ems Concessim^ p'"" 
 nob' hered' & successoribz n'ris quantum 
 in nob' est dil'c'is ligeis n'ris hominibz 
 Mistere Pannarior™ infra Civitatem 
 n'ram London q'd ip'i in Civitate pJ'd'ca 
 unam Gildam sive Fraternitatem in Ho- 
 nore B'e Marie Virginis de Ho'ibz Mis- 
 tere p^'dc'e & alijs unire fundare creare 
 erigere & stabilire & Gildam siveqz Fraf- 
 nitatem illam sic unitam fundat' creatam 
 erectam & stabilitam h'ere&tenere ean- 
 demq' gandere possint sibi successoribz 
 suis p^petuis futuris temporibz duratur'. 
 Et q'd ip'i eandem Gildam sive Frafnit' 
 angere & augmentare valcant quociens 
 <fe quando eis videbif necessarium & 
 oportum. Et q'd Ho'ies Gilde sive 
 Frat^'nitatis illius quol't anno eligere & 
 face possint de seip'is unu' Magr'm & 
 quatuor Custodes qui tempore elecco'is 
 eor"™ fu'int Pannarij & lib'i Ho'ies 
 Civitatis p'dc'e ad supportand' onera 
 negocior^™ tam Misteram p'dc'ara q'm 
 Gildam sive Frat'nitat' illam tangen' <fe 
 conc^nen' necnon ad supportand' re- 
 gend & gub'nand' easdem Misteram 
 Gildam & Frat'nitatem <fe om'es ho'ies 
 & negocia eor"™ d'c'm imp^p'm. Et q'd 
 d'c'i Mag'r' cfe Custodes ac Fratres & 
 Sorores Gilde sive Fraf'nitatis p'dc'e 
 
 First part of The Queen : To all 
 Confirmations to whom, &c. Greet- 
 of the second ing. We have seen 
 year of the the Letters patent of 
 reign of Queen confirmation of the 
 Elizabeth. lords Philip and Mary, 
 [Con]firmation late King and Queen 
 fur the men of of England, made in 
 the Mystery {of these words : Philip 
 the] Drapers of and Mary, by the grace 
 London. of God, King and 
 
 Queen of England, 
 Spain, France, both the Sicilies, Jeru- 
 salem, and Ireland, defenders of the 
 faith, &c. : To all to whom these 
 present Letters may come. Greeting. 
 We have seen the Letters patent of 
 confirmation of the lord Edward, late 
 King of England, the Fourth, our pro- 
 genitor, made in these words : Edward, 
 by the grace of God, King of England 
 and France, and lord of Ireland : To all 
 to whom these present Letters may 
 come. Greeting. We have seen the 
 Letters patent of Henry the Sixth, late, 
 in fact, and not of right. King of 
 England, made in these words : Henry, 
 by the grace of God, King of England 
 and France, and lord of Ireland : To 
 all to whom these present Letters may 
 come, Greeting. Know ye that of our 
 special grace and charitable intent, and 
 on account of the especial devotion 
 which we bear in mind, and have to 
 the glorious mother of God and Virgin 
 Mary, have granted for us, our heirs, 
 and successors, as much as in us lies 
 to our well beloved liegemen of the 
 Mystery of Drapers within our City of 
 London, that they, in the City afore- 
 said, one gild or fraternity, in honour of 
 the blessed Virgin Mary, from among 
 the men of the Myster}-, aforesaid, and 
 others, may unite, found, create, erect, 
 and establish, and such gild or frater- 
 nity so united, founded, created, erect- 
 ed, and established, may have and hold, 
 and the same enjoy, to them and their 
 perpetual successors, to remain to all 
 future times. And that they, the same 
 gild or fraternity, may be enabled to 
 increase and augment, so often, and 
 when to them it shall seem necessary 
 and fit. And that the men of such gild 
 or fraternity, in every year, may elect 
 and make, from among themselves, one 
 master and four wardens, who, at the 
 time of their election, shall be Drapers 
 and freemen of the city aforesaid, to 
 support the burthen of business, as well 
 
CIl AIITEUS. 
 
 483 
 
 sint in re tfe no'ie unu' Corpus <fe una 
 Com'unitas pfpetiia he'antqz succes- 
 sio!iem prpetuam <fe Co'e Sigillum p™ 
 negocijs tarn Mistere p'^dce q'm Gilde 
 & Frafnitat' p'-dcar'^ s'vif. ^ Et q'd 
 ip'i & successores sui imp'"p'm sint 
 p'sone habiles & capaces in Lege ad 
 p'"quirend' in feodo (fe p^'petuitate T'ias 
 Ten' Reddit' & alias Possessiones 
 quascunq' de quibuscunq' prsonis. Et 
 q'd ijdem Mag'r' & Custodes & eor"*" 
 successores imp^'p'm p'' nomen Mag'ri 
 <fe Custodum Gilde sive Frat^'nitatis Be' 
 Marie Pannarior'" London pPitare 
 possint <fe impli'tari coram quibuscunq' 
 Judicibz in Cur' & accor'bz quibuscunq' 
 In cujus rei testimoniu' has t'ras n'ras 
 fieri tecim^ Patentes T' me ip'o apud 
 Werwik Tricesimo die Novembr' anno 
 r' n'i decimo septimo Jamq' ex parte 
 dil'cor™ ligeor"" nror™ Henr' Waver 
 militio nu'c Mag'ri & Thome Eure 
 Thome Salle Johi's Brokeford & Willi' 
 White nunc Custodum Gilde sive Fra- 
 trnitatis pMc'e nob' est humilit' suppli- 
 cat' ut cum ip'i p''° exhibic'oe & sus- 
 tentac'oe duor" Capellanor™ p'"" bono 
 statu n'ro ac p^'dilectissime Consortis 
 n're Elizabeth' Regine AngP & sano 
 regimine Gilde sive Frat'-nitatis p^'dc'e 
 ac p*'o bono & salubri sanitate Fr'm & 
 Soror™ ejusdem dum vixe^'ims necnon 
 p'^" animabz n'ris cum ab hac luce 
 niigi^nvim* & p'" animabz illustrissimi 
 Principis Ric'i nup*" Ducis Ebor*" P'ris 
 n'ri Edmundi nup*" Comitis Rotel' fr'is 
 n'ri ac nup"' carissimi Consanguinei 
 n'ri Ricardi nup"^ Comitis Sar"™ <fe 
 nup*" dilc'i & fidelis Consanguinei n'ri 
 Thome Nevill Militis fil' ejusdem Co- 
 mitis Sar". Aceciam p'^'' a'i'abz Fr'm & 
 Soror™ Gilde sive frafnitate illius de- 
 functor" exoratur' & divina celebrat' 
 T'^re Ten' & Reddit' ac alias posses- 
 siones in forma subsequenti he'nd lic- 
 encia n'ra mediante p^ quirere aftectent 
 & disponant'" Velim^ sibi in hac parte 
 munificenciam n'ram Regiam gr'ose 
 exhibere Nos hujusmodi sanam affec- 
 co'em <fe piam disposico'em merito con- 
 teraplantes cupientesq' hujusmodi lau- 
 dabile p'^positum multum & speram^ 
 Deo gratum quantum ad nos attinet 
 felicif p'omoveri de Gra' n'ra sp'iali 
 
 the mystery aforesaid as such gild or 
 fraternity touching and concerning, as 
 also to support, rule, and govern the 
 same mystery, gild, and fraternity, and 
 all the men and their business for ever. 
 And that the said master and wardens, 
 as w^ell as brothers and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, may be in 
 matter and name one body, and one 
 perpetual community, and may have a 
 perpetual succession, and a common 
 seal for the business, as well of the 
 mystery aforesaid, as of the gild and fra- 
 ternity aforesaid, to serve. And that 
 they and their successors, for ever, may 
 be fit persons, and capable in law to 
 purchase in fee and perpetuity, lands, 
 tenements, rents, and other possessions 
 whatsoever, and from whomsoever per- 
 sons. And that the same master and 
 wardens and their successors, for ever, 
 by the name of the master and wardens 
 of the gild or fraternity of the blessed 
 Mary, of the Drapers of London, may 
 plead and be impleaded before whom- 
 soever judges in court, and in whatso- 
 ever actions. In witness, &c. Witness, 
 the King, at Warwick, 30th day of 
 November, and in the 17th year of his 
 reign. And whereas, on the part of 
 our beloved Henry Waver, knight, now- 
 master, and Thomas Eure, Thomas 
 Salle, John Brokeford, and William 
 White, now wardens of the gild or fra- 
 ternity aforesaid, it has been humbly 
 supplicated of us, — that forasmuch as 
 they are desirous to provide for the ex- 
 hibition and sustentation of two chap- 
 lains, to pray and celebrate divine offices 
 for the good estate of us and of our 
 dearest consort Elizabeth, Queen of 
 England, and for the wholesome 
 government of the gild or fraternity 
 aforesaid, and the good and perfect 
 health of the brothers and sisters whilst 
 they live ; also for our souls when we 
 depart hence, and for the souls of the 
 most illustrious prince Richard, late 
 duke of York, our father. Edmund, 
 late earl of Rutland, our brother, our 
 late dear kinsman, Richard, earl of 
 Salisbury, our late beloved and faithful 
 kinsman, Thomas Neville, knight, (son 
 of the said Richard, earl of Salisbury) ; 
 also for the souls of all the brothers 
 and sisters of their gild or fraternity, 
 deceased, — they may have our licence in 
 form hereunder, to purchase, acquire, 
 and dispose of lands, tenements, rents, 
 and other possessions : We graciously 
 willing to shew them our princely favor 
 
 I i 2 
 
484 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 I'ras pMc'as ac o'mia<fe singula ineisdem 
 contenta rata h'entes & grata ea p'"" 
 nob' & hered' n'ris quantum in nob' est 
 Acceptam^ approbams & ratificam^ ac 
 eisdem nunc Mag'ro & Custodibz & 
 successoribz suis tenore p^senciu' Con- 
 cedim* & Confirmam^ p'ut L're pMc'e 
 r'onabilit' testant'. Et ulfuis de ubiori 
 Gra' n'ra Concessim^ ife Licenciam 
 Dedim* & p*" prsentes Concedim* & 
 Licenciam Dam^ p*° nob' & hered' 
 n'ris quantum in nob' est p'fatis nunc 
 Mag'ro & Custodibz q'd ip'i & succes- 
 sores sui TTas Ten' & Reddit' ac alias 
 Possessiones quascunq' cum p^tin' ad 
 valore viginti librar™ p^ annu' licet de 
 Dob' in Capite seu alit^" & seu de alijs 
 p^'sonis quibuscunq' p"" q'dcunq' S^'viciu' 
 teneanf ad quibuscunq' sive a quacunq' 
 p'^sona hujusmodi T'^'re Ten' & Reddit' 
 ac alias possessiones cum p^'tin' eis dare 
 & concedere Volentibz seu Volente ad- 
 quirere & recipe possint H'end' & 
 tenend' eisdem nunc Mag'ro & Custodibz 
 et successoribz suis pMc'is imp^p'm. Et 
 eisdem p'^sonis sive p'^sone Q'd ip'e vel 
 ip'a hujusmodi T''ras & Ten' & Reddit' 
 ac alias Possessiones cum p^'tin' ac dc'm 
 annuu' valorem p^fatis nunc Mag'ro & 
 Custodibz & successoribz suis dare 
 possint vel possit ac concedere & assig- 
 nare H'end' & tenend' sibi ut p^'dc'm 
 est impip'm tenore p^'senciu' similit»' 
 licenciam Dedims sp'alem t'm in exhi- 
 bico'em & sustentaco'em Capellanor™ 
 pM'cor™ sicut pMc'm est exo'ratr & 
 divina celebrat' imp^'p'm q'm alior™ 
 onmm Gilde sive Frat^nitati p'dc'e in- 
 cumbenciu' absq' impetic'oe vel impedi- 
 mento n'ri vel hered' n'ror*^ Justic' 
 Escaetor*" Vic' Balivor™ seu alior™ 
 Ministror™ n'ror™ vel hered' n'or"* 
 quor™cunq' & absq' aliquo Br'i de Ad 
 quod dampnu' sive aliquo alio Mandate 
 n'ro vel hered' n'ror™ in hac parte im- 
 petrand' seu p^sequend' & absq' aliqua 
 Inquisic'one inde virtute B'ris sive 
 Mandati hujusmodi capiend' ac absq' 
 aliquo Fine seu Feodo p*"" p^sentibz ad 
 opus n'rm quovismodo petend' solvend' 
 seu capiend' Statute de T'ris 6c Ten' ad 
 
 In this behalf, and to reward their loyal 
 and pious disposition, at the same time, 
 that we greatly desire, if happily we 
 may, to advance as much as to us per- 
 tains, their laudable, and, we hope, to 
 God acceptable intent; of our especial 
 grace, the letters aforesaid, and all and 
 singular in them contained, have rati- 
 fied and granted, and for us and our 
 heirs, as much as in us lies, do accept, 
 approve and ratify, and to the same, now 
 master and wardens, and their succes- 
 sors, the tenor of their presents do grant 
 and confirm, as in the Letters aforesaid, 
 is reasonably testified. And, more- 
 over, of the abundance of our grace, 
 we have granted and given licence, and 
 by there presents do grant and give 
 licence, for us and our heirs, as much 
 as in us lies, unto the aforesaid master 
 and wardens, that they and their suc- 
 cessors may be able to acquire and re- 
 ceive lands, tenements, rents, and other 
 possessions whatsoever, with their ap- 
 purtenances, to the value of tiventy 
 pounds per annum, to be holden of us 
 in chief or otherwise, or of other per- 
 sons whomsoever, by whatsoever ser- 
 vices, and also from whatsoever persons 
 that may be willing to give and grant to 
 them lands, tenements, rents, and 
 other possessions, with their appurte- 
 nances. To have and to hold to the 
 same, now master and wardens, and 
 their successors aforesaid, forever; and 
 that such person or persons, him or 
 them, may be in like manner enabled 
 to grant and assign lands, tenements, 
 rents, and other possessions, with their 
 appurtenances, to the aforesaid, now 
 master and wardens, and their succes- 
 sors, to the same annual value. To 
 have and to hold to them, as aforesaid, 
 for ever, according to the tenor of these 
 presents. And we, in like manner, do 
 give our especial licence, as well in ex- 
 hibition and maintenance of the chap- 
 lains aforesaid, so praying and celebrat- 
 ing divine offices, as aforesaid, for ever, 
 as in aid of the other burthens and in- 
 cumbrances of the gild or fraternity 
 aforesaid, that the same shall be so 
 held, without let or impediment of us, 
 or our heirs, or the judges, escheators, 
 sheriffs, bailitts, or other of the minis- 
 ters of us or our heirs whomsoever, and 
 without any writ of ad quod damnum, or 
 other mandate of us or our heirs in this 
 behalf to be sued or prosecuted, and 
 without any inquisition thereof, by 
 virtue of any writ or mandate in such 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 485 
 
 Mnnu' Mortua' non ponend' edit' uut 
 aliquo alio Statuto Actu sive Qrdina- 
 c'oe inconfriu' fact' sive ordinat' non 
 obstan' In cujus rei Testimoniu' has 
 I'las n'ras fieri fecims Patentes T' me 
 ip'o apud Westm' vicesinio sexto die 
 July anno n'ri sexto Nos autem Cartns 
 & Literas p^'dca's ac o'ia & singula in 
 eisdem contenta rata h'entes & grata ea 
 p""" nob' & hered' n'ris d'ce Regine 
 quantum in nob' est Acceptams & ap- 
 probam^ ac ea Ric'o Champion nunc 
 Mag'ro ac Aldermanno Civitatis n're 
 London necnon Ric'o Poynter Johi 
 Stocker Johi Dymmoke & Johi 
 Branche Custodibz Mistere Parmarior™ 
 pMc'e successoribz suis tenore prsenciu' 
 Ratificam^ & Confirmam^ p'out Carte 
 & L're pMc'e r'onabilif in se testanf 
 In cujus rei Testimoniu' has L'ras n'ras 
 fieri lecim^ Patentes T.' nob' ip'is apud 
 Westm' decimo octavo die Junij Annis 
 r' nM quarto & quinto Nos autem Cartas 
 & L'ras pnic'as ac o'ia & singula in 
 eisdem contenta rata h'entes & grata ea 
 p""** nob' hered' & successoribz n'ris 
 quantum in nob' est Acceptam^ & ap- 
 probam^ ac dil'cis nob' nunc Mag'ro & 
 Custodibz Mistere Parmarior"* pMict' 
 & successoribz suis tenore p^'senciu' 
 Ratificam^ & Confirmam^ pro^t Carte 
 & L're p'dc'e r'onabilit' in se testanf. 
 In cujus rei &c. T. R. apud Westm' xij 
 die aprilis anno Sc'do. 
 
 P"^" octo libris solut' in Hannap'"io. 
 
 manner to be taken, and without any 
 fine or fee by present to our use, in 
 any manner to be exacted, paid, or 
 taken, the statute of Mortmain, or 
 any other statute, act, or ordinance, 
 made or ordained to the contrary 
 thereof, notwithstanding. In witness, 
 &c. Witness the King at Westminster, 
 the 22d day of July, in the 6th year of 
 his reign. Now we, the Charter and 
 Letters aforesaid, and all and singular 
 in them contained, have ratified and 
 granted, and for us and the heirs of us, 
 the said Queen, as much as in us lies, 
 do accept and approve, and the same 
 Richard Champion, master, and alder- 
 man of our City of London ; also to 
 Richard Poynter, John Stocker, John 
 Dymoke, and John Branch, wardens 
 of the Mistery of Drapers aforesaid, 
 and their successors, the tenor of these 
 presents do ratify and confirm, as in the 
 Charter and Letter aforesaid, is reason- 
 ably witnessed. In witness, &c. 
 Witness the Queen at Westminster, 
 the 18th day of June, in the 4th and 
 5th year of her reign. Now we, the 
 Charter and Letters aforesaid, and all 
 and singular in them contained, have 
 ratified and granted, and for us, our 
 heirs and successors, as much as in us 
 lies, have accepted and approved, and to 
 our beloved, the now masters and 
 wardens of the Mystery of Drapers 
 aforesaid, and their successors, the 
 tenor of there presents have ratified 
 and confirmed as in the Charter and 
 Letters aforesaid, is reasonably testified. 
 In witness, &c. Witness the Queen at 
 Westminster, the ISth day of April, in 
 the 2d year of her reign. 
 
 For £8 paid into the Hanaper. 
 
 Quinta pars Pa- Rex: Om'ibz ad Fifth part of 
 
 ten' de anno R. quos &c. Salt'm Scia- Patents of the 
 
 R*. Jacobi tis Q'd Nos ad humi- fourth year of 
 
 quarto. lem petic'o'em Liber' the reign of 
 
 D' Con' sibi 8f Ho'iu' Mister' Pan- King James. 
 
 Siicc^ p''" Pan- nar' Civitat' London Of a Grant to 
 
 nar' Civitaf De gra' n'ra sp'ali ac them and their 
 
 London. ex c'ta sciencia & successors for 
 
 mero motu n'ris Vo- the Drapers of 
 
 lum^ Ordinavim* Declaravim^ <fe Con- the City of 
 
 cessim" Ac p' P>"sentes p^" nob' here- London. 
 dibz' <fe successoribz' n'ris Volum^ Or- 
 
 dinan* Declaram* & Concedim* Q'd dared, and gr 
 
 The Kino : To all 
 to whom, &c. Greet- 
 ing : Know ye that 
 We, at the humble 
 petition of the freemen 
 of the Mystery of Dra- 
 pers of the City of 
 London, of our espe- 
 cial grace, and of our 
 certain knowledge and 
 mere motion, have 
 willed, ordained, de- 
 anted ; and by these 
 
486 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 Orii'es & singuli Lib'i Ho'ies Mister' 
 I'annar' Civitat, London' p^"" tempore 
 existen' de ceter' imp'^p'm p''" melior' 
 Ordine gub'nac'oe & regimine Ho'iu' 
 Mister' Parmarior™ Civitat' London ac 
 p^" utilitate com'odo & relevaraine Bo- 
 nor™ & pi'obor™ ac formidine & cor- 
 recco'e Malor"> Dolosor™ & Improbor™ 
 sint & erunt vigore P'^senciu' unu' Cor- 
 pus Corporatum & Politicum in re f'co 
 & no'ie p'" nomen Mag'ri & Custod' 
 ac Fratrnm <fe Sororum Gild' sive Fra- 
 t^nitat' B'e Marie Virginis de Mister' 
 Pannar' Civitat' London' & eos p'' 
 nomen Magist' & Custod' ac Fratrum 
 & Sororum Gild' sive Frafnitat' B'e 
 Marie Virginis de Mister' Parmar' Ci- 
 vitat' London' unu' Corpus Corporat' 
 & Politicum in re f'co & no'ie realit^ 
 & ad plenu' p""" nob' heredibz & succes- 
 soritz n'ris erigim^ facim^ Ordinam^ 
 constitiums <k declarams pr Prsentes Et 
 q'd p"^ idem nomen he'ant successionem 
 pi'petuam Et q'd ip'i »fe successores sui 
 pr nomen Magist'r & Custod' ac Fra- 
 trum & Soror"^ Gild' sive Frat^nitat' 
 B'e Marie Virginis de Mister' Pannar' 
 Civitat' London' sint & erunt p^petuis 
 fuluris tempor' p^son' habil' & in Lege 
 capac' ad h'endum gaudendum prqui- 
 rend' recipiend' & p^cipiend' MaUria 
 Mesuag' Terr' Ten' Lib'tat' Privileg' 
 Franches' Jurisdicc'on'tfe Hereditamen' 
 quecunq' cujuscunq' fuerint gen'^is na- 
 ture vel speciei sibi <fe successoribz suis 
 in Feod' & p^'petuitat' sive p""" f^mino 
 anni vel annor™ aut alif quocunq' modo 
 Aceciara Bona CatallaJur' Credit' ac 
 quascunq' aP res cujuscunq' n'ois na- 
 tur' qualitat' vel speciei fuerint Necnon 
 ad dand' concedend' admittend' alien- 
 and' assignand' <fe disponend' Maner' 
 Mesuag' Terr' Ten' & Hereditamen' 
 & Bona & Catalla sua & ad o'ia & sin- 
 gula al' fact' & res faciend' & exe- 
 quend' p'" nomen p^'dict' & q'd p»' idem 
 nomen Mag'ri <fe Custod' ac Fratr' & 
 Soror' Gild' sive Frat^'nitat' B'e Marie 
 Virginis de Mister' Pannar' Civitat' 
 London' pl'itare «fe impli' tari respon- 
 dere & responderi defendere & defendi 
 valeant & possint in quibuscunq' Cur' 
 Placis & Locis ac corum quibuscunq' 
 Judicibz & Justiciar' ac al' p^son' <fe 
 Officiar' n'ris heredum & successor™ 
 uror™ in om'ibz & singulis Acc'oibz 
 Pl'itis Sect' Querelis Causis Mat'^ijs & 
 Demaund' quibuscunq' cujuscunq' sint 
 aut erunt gen'^is qualitat' nature sive 
 speciei adeo lib'e <fe plene & in tam 
 amplis & beneficial' modo & forma 
 
 presents for us, our heirs, and succes- 
 sors, do will, ordain, declare, and grant, 
 that all and singular the freemen of the 
 Mystery of Drapers of the City of 
 London, for the time being, from 
 henceforth for ever, for the better 
 order, government, and rule of the men 
 of the Mystery of Drapers of the City 
 of London, and for the utility, advan- 
 tage, and relief of the good and honest, 
 and the terror and correction of the 
 evil, wicked, and dishonest, may, and 
 shall be, by force of these presents, one 
 body corporate and politic, in deed, fact, 
 and name, by the name of the master 
 and wardens and brethren and sisters 
 of the gild or fraternity of the blessed 
 Virgin Mary of the Mystery of Dra- 
 pers of the City of London ; and them 
 by the name of the master and wardens 
 and brethren and sisters of the gild or 
 fraternity of the blessed Virgin Mary 
 of the Mystery of Drapers of the City 
 of London, one body, corporate and 
 politic, in deed, fact, and name, really 
 and fully, for us, our heirs and succes- 
 sors, we do erect, make, ordain, consti- 
 tute, and declare, by these presents ; 
 and that by the same name they shall 
 have perpetual succession. And that 
 they and their successors, by the name 
 of master and wardens and brethren and 
 sisters of the gild or fraternity of the 
 blessed Virgin Mary of the Mystery of 
 Drapers of the City of London, may 
 and shall be, for ever hereafter, persons 
 able and capable in the law to have, 
 enjoy, purchase, receive and perceive 
 manors, messuages, lands, tenements, 
 liberties, privileges, franchises, juris- 
 dictions, and hereditaments whatsoever, 
 of whatsoever kind, nature, or sort they 
 may be, to them and their successors, 
 in fee and perpetuity, or for term of 
 year or years, or otherwise in any man- 
 ner whatsoever. And also goods, chat- 
 tels, rights, credits, and other things 
 whatsoever, of whatsoever name, nature, 
 quality, or sort they may be. And also 
 to give, grant, admit, alien, assign, and 
 dispose of their manors, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, and hereditaments, 
 and goods and chattels, and to do and 
 execute all and singular other deeds 
 and things by the name aforesaid. And 
 that by the same name of master and 
 wardens and brethren and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity of the blessed Virgin 
 Mary of the Mystery of Drapers of the 
 City of London, they shall and may be 
 able to plead and be impleaded, answer 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 487 
 
 p'^^'ut aliqui alii Ligei n'ri hujus Regni 
 n'li Anglie p'sone hi'les & in Lege Ca- 
 paces slve aliquod al' Corpus Corporat' 
 & Politicum infra Regni n'ris Anglie 
 respective he're p^'quirere recipere i)o,s- 
 sidere gaudere retinere dare concedere 
 diniittere alienare assignare & disponere 
 pli'tare & impli'tari respondere & re- 
 sponderi defendere &c defendi fac'"e 
 p''mitt'"e & exequi possint & valeant 
 Et q'd ijdem Mag'r' & Custodes ac 
 Fratre.s & Sorores Gilde sive Frafnitat' 
 B'e Marie Virginis de Mist'^a Pannar' 
 Civitat' London' p'dict' & successores 
 sui imp^p'm he'ant Co'e Sigill' p*"" 
 Causis Matnjs & Negocijs suis & suc- 
 cessor™ suor™ quibuscunq' agend' de- 
 servitur'. Et q'd bene liceat & licebit 
 eisdem Mag'ro & Ciistod' & fratribz & 
 Soror' Gild' sive Frafnitat' B'e Marie 
 Virginis de Mister' Pannar' Civitat' 
 London' p^dict' & successoribz suis Si- 
 gillu' suu' pro tempore existen' ad libi- 
 tum suu' de tempore in tempus frang'e 
 mutare & de novo face p™'ut eis me- 
 lius fieri & fore videbif. Et ultnus 
 Volums & p'^ P^'sentes Concedim^ p'" 
 nob' heredibz & successoribz n'ris 
 p''fat' Magistr' & Custod' ac Fratribz 
 & Soror' Gilde sive Frat^'nitat' B'e 
 Marie Virginis de Mister' Pannar' Civi- 
 tat' London' & successoribz suis Q'd de 
 ceter' imp^'p'm p^petuis futur' temporibz 
 sint & erunt quotannis quinq' de Gilda 
 sive Frafnitat' Mister' p^dict' in forma 
 in hijs P'sentibz menc'onat' eligend' 6c 
 no'iand' quor™ unus erit & no'i'abit 
 Mag'r' Gilde sive Frat^^nitat' Mister' 
 p^dict' & reliqui quatuor erunt & no'i'a- 
 bunt' Custodes Gilde sive Frafnitat' 
 Mister' p^'dict Aceciam q'd similit*' sint 
 &c erunt de Gild' sive Frafnitat' p^'dict 
 in forma inferius menc'onat' consti- 
 tuend' & appunctuand' qui erunt &c 
 no'i'abunt' Assisten' Gild' sive Frat^'ni- 
 tat' p'dict Mister' Pannar' Civitatis 
 London & de tempore in tempus erunt 
 assisten' & auxilian' eisdem Magistr' & 
 Custod' p*"" tempore existen' in Causis 
 Mafijs Negocijs & Rebz' quibuscunq' 
 diet' Mag'ro & Custod' ac Gild' sive 
 Frat^nitat' vel Mister' p^'dict tangen' 
 sive conciien'. Et q'd bene liceat & 
 licebit eisdem Magistr' & Custod' & 
 Fratr' & Soror' Gild' sive Frafnitat' 
 B'e Marie Virginis de Mister' Pannar' 
 Civitat' London' p^'dict' &c successoribz' 
 suis h'ere retinere & appunctuare quan- 
 dam Aulam sive Dom' Consiliar' infra 
 Civitat' London p'dict' aut Lib'tatis 
 ejusdem. Q'dq' ijdem Mag'r' & Custod' 
 
 and be answered, defend and be defended, 
 in whatsoever courts and places, and 
 before whatsoever judges and justices, 
 and other persons and officers of us, 
 our heirs, and successors, in all and sin- 
 gular actions, pleas, suits, plaints, 
 causes, matters, and demands whatso- 
 ever, of whatsoever kind, quality, na- 
 ture, or sort they may be, as freely and 
 fully, and in as ample and beneficial a 
 manner and form as any other our liege 
 people of this our kingdom of England, 
 persons able and capable in the law, or 
 any other body, corporate and politic, 
 within our kingdom of England, res- 
 pectively, can and may be able to have, 
 purchase, receive, possess, enjoy, retain, 
 give, grant, demise, alien, assign, and 
 dispose of, plead and be impleaded, 
 answer and be answered, defend and be 
 defended, do, permit, and execute. 
 And that the same master and wardens 
 and brethren and sisters of the gild or 
 fraternity of the blessed Virgin Mary 
 of the Mystery of Drapers of the City 
 of London aforesaid, and their succes- 
 sors for ever, shall have a common seal, 
 to serve for their causes, matters, and 
 business, and of their successors what- 
 soever to be done. And that it shall 
 and may be lawful for the same master 
 and wardens and brethren and sisters 
 of the gild or fraternity of the blessed 
 Virgin Mary of the Mystery of Drapers 
 of the City of London aforesaid, and 
 their successors, the same seal for the 
 time being, at their pleasure, from time 
 to cime, to break, change, and make 
 anew, as to them shall seem meet. 
 And further, we will, and by these 
 presents grant, for us, our heirs and 
 successors, to the aforesaid master and 
 wardens, and brethren and sisters of 
 the gild or fraternity of the blessed 
 Virgin Mary of the Mystery of Drapers 
 of the City of London, and their suc- 
 cessors, that from henceforth, for ever, 
 at all times hereafter, there may and 
 shall be every year, five of the gild or 
 fraternity of the mystery aforesaid, in 
 form in these presents mentioned, to be 
 elected and nominated, one of whom 
 shall be, and shall be named master of 
 the gild or fraternity of the mystery 
 aforesaid, and the remaining four shall 
 be, and be named wardens of the gild 
 or fraternity of the mystery aforesaid. 
 And also, that, in like manner, there 
 may and shall be of the gild or fraternity 
 aforesaid, in form hereunder mentioned, 
 to be constituted and appointed, who 
 
488 
 
 drapers' company. 
 
 vel caliqul duo eor™ p'" tempore existeii' 
 qiiocies eis opportunu' & necessariu' 
 lore videbit^ convocare & tenere inl'ra 
 eandeni Domu' sive Aulam quandani 
 Cur' sive Convocaco'em de eisdeni 
 Mag'r' & Custod' &c Assisten' ad n'me- 
 rum duodecim' vel plurimu' illor™ 
 qaor™ prfat' Maqjistr' &c Custod' aut 
 e.or™ sepal' & sufficien' Deputat' quinq' 
 esse Volume possint 61. valeant p'petuis 
 luturis temporib'z Q'dq' in eadem Cur' 
 sive Convocaco'e ijdem Mag'r' & Cus- 
 tod' & Assisten' ad numerum duodecim' 
 vel plurium' (quor™ p^fat' Mag'r &l Cus- 
 tod' Frat'nitat' vel Mister' p^'dict' p""" 
 tempore existen' sive eor*" sufficien' &: 
 sep'al' Deputat' quinq' esse Volums) 
 tractare conferre consultare consulere 
 &c dec'nere de Statut' Articulis Ordi- 
 naco'ibz Mat'ijs & Rebz quibuscunq' 
 p'd' Mag'r' Custod' ac Fratres & Soror' 
 (iild' sive Frat^nitat' p'dict' ac bon' re- 
 gimen stat' & gub'naco'em eor™ dem 
 tangen' & conc'^nen' possint & valeant 
 juxta eor™ sanas discreco'es. Et ult'ius 
 Voluni* Ac p"" P'sentes p'" nob' here- 
 dibz &c successoribz n'ris Concedims 
 p>fat' Mag'r' &c Custod' ac Fratribz &c 
 ^^oror' Gild' sive Frat'nitat' B'e Marie 
 Virginis de Mister' Pannar' Civitat' 
 London & successoribz suis Q'd Mag'r' 
 & Custod' & Assisten' Mister' pMict' 
 p*"" tempore existen' ad numerum duo- 
 decim vel plurimu' (quor"* p'fat' Mag'r' 
 tk Custod' p'" tempore existen' sive 
 eor™ sufficien' & sep'al' Deputat' quinq' 
 esse volum^) sup' sum'onico'em Public' 
 inde fiend' ad hoc congregat' he'ant &c 
 he'nt plenam potestatem i'acultatem & 
 auctoritatem coiidend' constituend' or- 
 dinand' & faciend' de tempore in tempus 
 Leges Statut' Ordinaco'es Decreta & 
 Constituco'es ranabil' in Script' que- 
 cunq' que eis duodecim vel pluribz 
 eor™ quor"* p'"fat' Mag'r' & Custod' p''° 
 tempore existen' sive eor'" sufficien' &c 
 septal' Deputat' p'° tempore existen' 
 quinq' esse volum^ bona salubr' utilia 
 honesta &c necessar' juxta eor™ sanas 
 discreco'es fore videbunt' p'" bono regi- 
 mine direcco'e gub'naco'e & correcco'e 
 Mag'r' &c Custod' ac Fratrum & soror"" 
 Gild' sive Frafnitat' p'^dict' & o'im 
 alior™ p'^sonar™ existen' Liber' p'dict' 
 Mister' Pannar' Civitat' London' p'° 
 tempore existen' aut diet' Mister' ex- 
 ercen' & uten' ac p""" Declaraco'e &c 
 direcco'e quo modo &c ordine ijdem 
 ]\lag'r' & Custod' ac Fratr' &c v'^oror' 
 Ac Om'es ^S: singule p^sone existen' 
 Liber' diet' Mister' Pannar' aut diet' 
 
 shall be, and be named assistants of th« 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, of the 
 Mystery of Drapers of the City of 
 London, and, from time to time, they 
 shall be assisting and aiding to the same 
 master and wardens for the time being, 
 in the causes, matters, business, and 
 things whatsoever, touching or con- 
 cerning the said masters and wardens 
 of the gild or fraternity, or mystery, 
 aforesaid. And that it shall and may 
 be lawful for the same master and 
 wardens and brethren and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity of the blessed Virgin 
 Mary of the Mystery of Drapers of the 
 City of London aforesaid, and their suc- 
 cessors, to have, retain, and appoint a 
 certain hall or council house, within 
 the City of London aforesaid, or the 
 liberties thereof. And that the same 
 master and wardens, or any two of them 
 for the time being, as often as to them 
 it shall seem to be convenient and neces- 
 sary, shall, and may be able to call 
 together and hold within the same 
 house or hall, a certain court or con- 
 vocation of the same master and wardens 
 and assistants, to the number of twelve, 
 or more of them, of whom the afore- 
 said master and wardens, or their seve- 
 ral and sufficient deputies, we will to 
 be five at all times hereafter. And 
 that in the same court or convocation 
 of the same master and wardens and 
 assistants, to the number of twelve or 
 more, (of whom the aforesaid master 
 and wardens of the fraternity or mystery 
 aforesaid, for the time being, or their 
 sufficient and several deputies, we will 
 to be five,) shall and may be able to 
 treat, confer, consort, advise, and de- 
 cree, concerning the statutes, articles, 
 ordinances, matters, and things whatso- 
 ever, touching and concerning the said 
 master, wardens, brethren, and sisters 
 of the gild or fraternity aforesaid, and 
 the good rule, state, and government of 
 the same, according to their sound dis- 
 cretions. And further, we will, and by 
 these jjresents, for us, our heirs, and suc- 
 cessors, grant to the aforesaid master 
 and wardens and brethren and sisters 
 of the arild or fraternity of the blessed 
 Virgin Mary of the Mystery of Drapers 
 of the City of London, and their suc- 
 cessors, that the master, wardens, and 
 assistants of the Mystery aforesaid, for 
 the time being, to the number of twelve 
 or more (of whom the aforesaid mastiM- 
 and wardens, for the time being, 01* 
 their sufficient and several deputies, we 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 489 
 
 Mister' exercen' & occupuc' in Offic' & 
 Mister' siiis sese h'eant gerent & utent' 
 ulfiori bono publico &c Co'i utilitate 
 e;ii'" dem Mag'r' Custod' ac Fratr' &i 
 Soror' Gild' sive Frufnitat' p'dict ac 
 al' rebz &c causis quibuscunq' Mister' 
 p'dict' tangen' sive quoquo modo con- 
 C^nen' Q'dq' ijdem Mag'r' &c Custod' 
 6c Assisten' Mister' pMict' p'" tempore 
 existen' ad numerum duodecitn vel plu- 
 rimu' (quor'° p'fat' Mag'r' & Custod' 
 p""" tempore existen' sive eor™ suificien' 
 & sep'al' Deputat' quinq' esse volum^ 
 quociescunq' hujusmodi Leges Jur' 
 Slatut' Instituco'es Ordinaco'es & Con- 
 stituco'es in forma p^d'ca fec''int ordi- 
 tiavintcondiderint vel stabilio'int hujus- 
 modi & tales Penas Punico'es &c Pena- 
 litat' p' 'Imprlsonament' Corporal' vel 
 p'" Fines & Am^'ciament' vel p^ eor™ 
 utrumq' erga &c sup"" om'es Delinquen' 
 conf" hujusmodi Leges Jur' Statut' In- 
 i-tituco'es Ordinaco'es &c Constituco'es 
 sive eor™ aliquod vel aliqua qual' &c que 
 eisdem Magistr' &l Custod' & Assisten' 
 Fraternitat' sive Mist'ij pMict' p*" tem- 
 pore existen' ad numerum duodecim 
 aut plurimu' quor"^ p^fat' Mag'r' & 
 Custod' p''° tempore existen' sive eor'" 
 sufficien' & septal' in hac parte deputat' 
 quinq' esse Volum^ necessar' opportimu' 
 ik requisit' p*" observaco'e ear™ dc'm Leg' 
 Ordinac' & Constituc' melius fore vide- 
 bit' fac'"e limitare & p'^videre possint. Ac 
 q'd ijdem Magistr' & Custod' Mister' 
 P'dict' &c successores sui eadem Fines 
 &; Am^'ciament'" p'" Acco'nem vel Acco'es 
 districco'em vel districco'es vel alio quo- 
 canq' modo legitimo h'ere & levare 
 possint &c valeant ad usum p»fat' Mag'r' 
 & Custod' ac fnit'r' & soror' Gild' sive 
 Fratrnitat' p'dict' & successor™ suor™ 
 absq' impediment' u'r' heredum vel suc- 
 cessor™ n'ror™ aut alicujus vel aliquor™ 
 Officiar' vel Ministr' n'r' heredum vel 
 successor™ n'ror™& absq'aliquo Compo' 
 nob' hered' vel successoribz n'ris inde 
 reddend' Que Om'ia &c singula Jur' 
 Ordinac' Leges Statut' & Constituco'es 
 sic ut p^'fert' fiend' observari volum^ sub 
 penes in eisdem continend' Ita taraen 
 q'd Leges Statut' Ordinac' Constituc' 
 Imprisonament' Fines &c Amerciament' 
 hujusmodi sint r'onabil' &c non sint 
 contrar' nec repugnan' Legibz Statut' 
 Consuetud' sive Jur' Regni n'ri Angl' 
 Et p""" melior' execuc' voluntat' & Con- 
 cession' n'r' in hac parte Assignavim^ 
 No'iavims Creavim^ Constituim^ & 
 Fecim^ Ac p'^ P'^sentes p'" nob' heredibz 
 iSi successoribz n'ris Assignam* No'iam" 
 
 will to be five,) upon public summons 
 thereof to be made to those assembled, 
 may and shall have full power, faculty, 
 and authority to frame, constitute, or- 
 dain, and make, from time to time, 
 reasonable laws, statutes, ordinances, 
 decrees, and constitutions, in writing 
 whatsoever, which to them twelve, or 
 more of them, (of whom the aforesaid 
 master and wardens, for the time being, 
 or their suflficient and several deputies, 
 for the time being, we will to be five,) 
 shall seem to be good, wholesome, 
 useful, honest, and necessary, according 
 to their sound discretions, for the good 
 rule, direction, government, and cor- 
 rection of the master and wardens and 
 brethren and sisters of the gild or fra- 
 ternity aforesaid, and of all other persons 
 being free of the aforesaid Mystery of 
 Drapers of the City of London, for the 
 time being, or exercising and using the 
 said mystery, and for declaring and 
 directing in what manner and order the 
 same master and wardens and brethren 
 and sisters, and all and singular persons 
 being free of the said mystery of Dra- 
 pers, or exercising or using the said 
 mystery, shall behave, bear, and use 
 themselves in their offices and mystery, 
 for the further public good and common 
 utility of the same master, wardens, and 
 brethren and sisters of the gild or fra- 
 ternity aforesaid, and other things and 
 causes whatsoever, touching or in any- 
 wise concerning the mystery aforesaid. 
 And that the same master and wardens 
 and assistants of the mystery aforesaid, 
 for the time being, to the number of 
 twelve or more, (of whom the aforesaid 
 master and wardens for the time being, 
 or their sufficient and several deputies, 
 we will to be five,) as often as they 
 shall make laws, rights, statutes, insti- 
 tutions, ordinances, and constitutions 
 in form aforesaid, shall and may be 
 able to make, limit, and provide such 
 and so many pains, punishments, and 
 penalties, by corporal imprisonment, or 
 by fines and amerciaments, or by either 
 of them, against and tipon all delin- 
 quents against such laws, rights, sta- 
 tutes, institutions, ordinances, and con- 
 stitutions, or any or either of them, as 
 and which to the same master and 
 wardens and assistants of the fraternity 
 or mystery aforesaid, for the time being, 
 to the number of twelve or more, (of 
 whom the aforesaid master and wardens 
 for the time being, or their sufficient 
 and several deputies in that behalf, wft 
 
490 
 
 DRAPERS COiMPANY. 
 
 cream* Constituim* & facim^ dilect' 
 nob' Rob'tum Thomas Liber* Horn' 
 Mister' pMict' fore & esse primu' & 
 modernu' Mag'r'm Frafnitat' & Mister' 
 p'dict' & Henr' Wollaston, Clementem 
 Bucke, Job 'em Combe, & Job 'em 
 Skeete fore & esse quatuor prim' & 
 modern' Custodes Fratmitat' & Mister' 
 p'^dict' continuand' in eisdem Offic' a 
 dat' P^senciu' usq' primu' diem Lune 
 qui p™x' acciderit sive contig'it in Mense 
 Augusti p^^'x' sequen' post dat' Prsenciu' 
 & abuide quousq' unus al' Mag'r' & 
 quatuor al' Custod' ad Offic' p^'dict' 
 debito modo elect' p^'fect' & jurat' fuer' 
 juxta Ordinac' & pi^ision inferius in 
 hijs P^sentibz express' & declarat' si 
 ijdem Rob'tus Thomas, Henr' Wollas- 
 ton, Clemens Bucke, Joh'es Combe, & 
 Joh'es Skeete tam diu vixerint Et As- 
 signavim^ no'iavim^ creavim^ consti- 
 tuim^ & fecim^ Ac p'^ P^'sentes p^'^nob' 
 heredibz & successoribz n'ris Assignam^ 
 no'iam^ cream« constituim^ & facim^ 
 dil'cos nob' Thomam Pullison, Militem, 
 Thomam Hayes, Militem, Jacobum 
 Dedere,Militem,Joh'emJolls, Militem, 
 WilPm Garwaye, Henr' Butler, Will'm 
 Chester, Joh'em Hall, Edmundum 
 Moore, Arthurum Hewit, Joh'em 
 Langley, WilPm Cotton, Georgia' 
 CuUimere, Thomam Archdale, Joh'em 
 HoUinshodde, Edwardum Leaming, 
 Thomam Cliffe, Will'm Meggs, Joh'em 
 Quarles Antoniu' Blunt, Ric'm Osborne, 
 Franciscum Barneham, Thomam 
 Wright, & Thomam Garwaye, Cives 
 & Lib'os Ho'i'es Mister' p^'dict' fore & 
 esse primos & modernos Assisten' ejus- 
 dem Frafnitat' & Mister' Pannar' Civi- 
 tat' London continuand' in eisdem Offic' 
 duran' vit' suis natural' nisi int^im p^" 
 mala Gub'nac' seu male se geren' in 
 eadem parte aut p^ aliqua alia causa 
 ro'nabil' amoti' fuerint aut eor™ aliqui 
 vel aliquis amotus erit vel amoti erunt. 
 Et ult'ius Volum* Ac p'' Prsentes p^** 
 nob' heredibz & successoribz n'ris Con- 
 cedim^ p^'fat' Mag'r' & Custod' ac 
 F'ribz & sororibz Gild' sive Frat^'nitat' 
 p»'dict' et successoribz suis q'd Mag'r' 
 Custod' & Assisten' Gild' sive Frafni- 
 tat' prdict' p'"" tempore existen' ad nu- 
 merum duodecim vel plurimu' si tot' 
 convenient' congregari possint (quor" 
 om'es eos qui ante illud tempus non 
 fuerunt Mag'r' aut Custod' aut aliquis 
 Custod' Gild' sive Frat^nitat' prdict' 
 nuUos esse volum^ de tempore in tem- 
 pus p'^petuis futur' temporibz potestat' 
 & auctoritat' h'eant & h'ebunt au'uatim 
 
 will to be five,) shall seem to be most 
 necessary, proper, and requisite for 
 the observance of the same laws, ordi- 
 nances, and constitutions. And that 
 the same master and wardens of the 
 mystery aforesaid, and their successors, 
 shall and may be able to have and levy 
 the same fines and amerciaments by 
 action or actions, distress or distresses, 
 or any other lawful method whatsoever, 
 to the use of the aforesaid master and 
 wardens and brethren and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid and their 
 successors, without the hinderance of 
 us, our heirs, or successors, or of any 
 or either of the officers or ministers of 
 us, our heirs, or successors, and with- 
 out any account thereof to be rendered 
 to us, our heirs, or successors. All 
 and singular which rights, ordinances, 
 laws, statutes, and constitutions, so as 
 aforesaid to be made, we will to be 
 observed, under the pains in the same 
 to be contained, so, nevertheless, that 
 such laws, statutes, ordinances, consti- 
 tutions, imprisonments, fines, and amer- 
 ciaments shall be reasonable, and shall 
 not be contrary or repugnant to the 
 laws, statutes, customs, or rights of our 
 kingdom of England. And for the 
 better execution of our will and grant 
 in this behalf, we have assigned, nomi- 
 nated, created, constituted, and made, 
 and by these presents for us, our heirs, 
 and successors, do assign, nominate, 
 create, constitute, and make our be- 
 loved Robert Thomas, a freeman of the 
 mystery aforesaid, to be the first and 
 present master of the fraternity and 
 mystery aforesaid, and Henry Wollas- 
 ton, Clement Bucke, John Combe, 
 and John Skeete, to be the four first 
 and present wardens of the fraternity 
 and mystery aforesaid, to be continued 
 in the same offices from the date of these 
 presents until the first Monday which 
 shall next happen in the month of 
 August next ensuing after the date of 
 these presents, and from thence until 
 one other master and four other wardens 
 shall be in due manner elected, pre- 
 ferred, and sworn, according to the 
 ordinances and provisions hereunder in 
 these presents expressed and declared, 
 if the same Robert Thomas, Henry 
 Wollaston, Clement Bucke, John 
 Combe, and John Skeete, shall so 
 long live. And we have assigned, 
 nominated, created, constituted, and 
 made, and by these presents for us, our 
 heirs, and successors, do assign, nomi- 
 
Cli A RTERS. 
 
 491 
 
 & quol'tanno in & sup*" primu' Diem 
 Lune qui accidit & contingit in mense 
 Augusti eligend' & no'iand' & q'd elig''e 
 & no'iare possint & valeant unu' 
 Lib'um Horn' Frat^'nitat' p^'dict' qui 
 erit & no'iabit' Magistr' Frat'nitat' sive 
 Mister' pMict' p*"" uno annointegro tunc 
 p'^x' sequen' & deinde quousq' unus 
 alius ad Offic' Magistr' Gild' sive Fra- 
 f^nitat' p'^dict' debito modo electus no'- 
 iatus p'"fectus & juratus fuerit. Et q'd 
 similit' in eodem primo die qui an'uatim 
 & quol't anno accidet sive continget in 
 mense Augusti elig''e & no'iare possint 
 &c valeant quatuor Lib'os Ho'ies Gild' 
 sive Frafnitat' pMict' qui erunt & 
 no'rabunt Custod' Gild sive Frat'nitat' 
 p'^dict' uno anno integro tunc p^x' 
 sequen' & deinde quousq' quatuor 
 alij Custod' Gild' sive Fraf^nitat' 
 prdict' elect' no'iat' p'fect' & jurat' 
 fuerint juxta Ordinac' & pJ'vision' in 
 hijs P''sentibz express' & menc'onat'. 
 Et ult'^ius Volum^ & p^ P^'sentes p'' nob' 
 beredibz & successoribz n'ris Conce- 
 dim^ & Ordinam" q'd quil't p^'sona & 
 p''sone que aliquo tempore deinceps ad 
 Of&c' sive Officia Mag'ri sive Custod' 
 Gild' sive Frat'nitat' pi"dict' aut eor™ 
 aliquod vel aliqua sep^'al' & respective 
 elect' no'iat' & p^fect' erit aut elect' 
 no'iat' & p'"fect' erunt anteq'm ad exe- 
 cuco'em Oflficij sive Officior™ Mag'ri 
 sive Custod' Gild' sive Frat^nitat' p^'dict' 
 aut eor™ aliquor"* vel alicujus admittant' 
 aut eor™ aliquis admittat' Sacrament' 
 Corporal' sep^'al' 6c respective capiet &c 
 p^'stabitac Sacrament' Corporal' sep''alit' 
 & respective capient &; p'stabunt sup*' 
 Sc'a Dei Evangelia infra unu' mensem 
 post elecco'em & no'i'aco'em prdict' 
 coram ultimo Mag'ro & ultimis Custod' 
 Predecessor suis aut aliquib'z duob'z 
 aut plurib'z eor™ de Offic' ill' sep^'aP & 
 respective bene & fidelit' faciend' juxta 
 formam Sacrament' in eo casu antehac 
 usitat' & consuet' ac s'c'd'm formam 
 Sacr'm in quodam Act' Parliament 
 anno regni Dne' Elizabeth imp' Regine 
 Anglie primo fact'. Et q'd im'ediate 
 post Sacr'm sive Sacr'a sic p''stit' Offic' 
 
 nate, create, constitute, and make our 
 beloved Thomas PuUison, knight; 
 Thomas Hayes, knight; James De- 
 dere, knight; John Jolls, knight; 
 William Garwaye, Henry Butler, Wil- 
 liam Chester, John Hall, Edmund 
 Moore, Arthur Hewit, John Langley, 
 William Cotton, George CuUimere, 
 Thomas Archdale, John Hollinshodde, 
 Edward Learning, Thomas Cliffe, Wil- 
 liam Meggs, John Quarles, Anthony 
 Blunt, Richard Osborne, Francis Barne- 
 ham, Thomas Wright, and Thomas 
 Garwaye, citizens and freemen of the 
 mystery aforesaid, to be the first and 
 present assistants of the same fraternity 
 and mystery of Drapers of the City of 
 London, to be continued in the same 
 offices during their natural lives, unless 
 in the meantime, for bad government 
 or misbehaving themselves in that 
 behalf, or for any other reasonable 
 cause, they, or any or either of them, 
 shall be removed. And further, we 
 will, and by these presents, for us, our 
 heirs, and successors, grant to the afore- 
 said master and wardens and brethren 
 and sisters of the gild or fraternity 
 aforesaid, and their successors, that 
 the master, wardens, and assistants of 
 the gild or fraternity aforesaid, for the 
 time being, to the number of twelve or 
 more, if they shall be able conveniently 
 to assemble so many, (of whom all 
 those who before that time have not 
 been master or warden or one of the 
 wardens of the gild or fraternity afore- 
 said, we will shall be no part,) from 
 time to time, at all times hereafter, 
 may and shall have pcrwer and authority 
 yearly, and every year, in and upon the 
 first Monday which shall happen in the 
 month of August, to elect and nomi- 
 nate, and that they shall and may be 
 able to elect and nominate one free- 
 man of the fraternity aforesaid, who 
 shall be, and be named, master of the 
 fraternity or mystery aforesaid, for one 
 whole year then next ensuing, and from 
 thence, until one other shall be in due 
 manner elected, nominated, preferred, 
 and sworn to the office of master of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid. And that 
 in like manner, on the same first Monday 
 which yearly and every year shall happen 
 in the month of August, they shall and 
 may be able to elect and nominate four 
 freemen of the gild or fraternity afore- 
 said, who shall be, and be named, war- 
 dens of the gild or fraternity aforesaid 
 for one whole year then next ensuing, 
 
492 
 
 DRAPERS COMPANY. 
 
 sive Officia Mag'ri & Custod' Gilde sive 
 Frafnitat' p^'dict' aut eor™ alicujus vel 
 aliquor™ sep'^al' & respective exequi & 
 ex'cere possint & valeant & eor™ quilt 
 respective possit & valeat. Et insup 
 V^olums Ac p^ P^'sentes p''" nob' here- 
 dib'z& successorib'z n'risConcedim* p^'fat 
 Mag'r Custod' ac Fratrib'z & Sororib'z 
 Gilde sive Frafnitat' p^'dict' & succes- 
 sorib'z suis Q'd si contig'"it pTat Mag'r'm 
 & Custodes aut eor™aliquem vel aliquos 
 p''° tempore existen' aliquo tempore infra 
 unu' an'u' postquam ad Offic' sive 
 Locum Mag'r' vel Custod' Frafnitat' 
 sive Gild' pMict' sic ut p'^ferL' elect' & 
 p''fect'fuerint aut eor" aliquis vel aliqui 
 fuerit vel fuerint obire aut ab Offic' sive 
 Locis illis amoveri (quos quidem Ma- 
 g'r'm & Custodes & eor™ queml't p""" 
 mala Gub'nac' aut p™ aliqua alia ron'a- 
 bili causa p*" reliquos Custod' non de- 
 linquen' vel ofFenden' & assisten' Fra- 
 fnitat' sive Gilde pMict' p*"" tempore 
 existen' ad numerum duodecim vel 
 plurimu' de tempore in tempus amobiles 
 esse volum® q'd tunc & tocies bene 
 liceat & licebit tantis & tot eor™ dc'm 
 Mag'r' Custod' & Assisten' sive Cus- 
 tod' & Assisten' qui adhunc sup*'- 
 x'^mt vel remanserint ad numerum 
 duodecim vel plurimu' ad libitum suu' 
 unu' aliu' Mag'r'm vel unu' al' Custod' 
 vel plur' ab' Custod' eligre & p^ficere 
 s'c'd'm Ordinaco'es & pMsiones in hijs 
 pj'sentib'z declarat' ad exequend' &c 
 ex'"cend' p^dict' Offic' & Offic' Mag'ri 
 sive Custod' p""" residuo unius anni a die 
 elecco'is & p^fecco'is hujusmodi Mag'ri 
 sive Custod' sic obcuu' velamot' plenar' 
 complend' & exinde quousq' unus alius 
 Magist' & quatuor alij Custodes Lib'i 
 Ho'ies Frafnitat' sive Gilde p''dict' in 
 Offic' Mag'r' & Custod' Frat^'nitat' sive 
 Gild' p^^dict* elect' 6c no'i'at' erunt juxta 
 Ordinaco'es & p'visiones in hijs P'sen- 
 tib'z declarat' & express'. Et q'd qui- 
 lib't p'sona & p'^sone sic in Offic' Mag'ri 
 ;;ive Custod' Gild' sive Frafnitat' p^dict' 
 post mortem sive amoco'em alicujus 
 Mag'ri vel alicujus Custod' aut' aliquor' 
 Custod' Gilde sive Fraf^nitat' p^^dict' sic 
 
 and from thence until four other war- 
 dens of the gild or fraternity aforesaid 
 shall be elected, nominated, preferred, 
 and sworn, according to the ordinances 
 and provisions in these presents ex- 
 pressed and mentioned. And further, 
 we will, and by these presents, for us, 
 our heirs and successors, grant and 
 ordain that every person and persons, 
 who at any time hereafter shall be 
 elected, nominated, and preferred to the 
 office or offices of master or wardens of 
 the gild or fraternity aforesaid, or any 
 or either of them severally and respec- 
 tively, before they or either of them 
 shall be admitted to the execution of 
 the office or offices of master or warden 
 of the gild or fraternity aforesaid, or any 
 or either of them shall severally and re- 
 spectively take their corporal oath upon 
 the holy gospel of God, within one 
 month after the election and nomination 
 aforesaid, before the last master, and 
 last wardens, their predecessors, or any 
 two or more of them, well and faith- 
 fully to execute the same offices, seve- 
 rally and respectively, according to the 
 form of the oath in that behalf here- 
 tofore used and accustomed, and accord- 
 ing to the form of the oath in a certain 
 Act of Parliament, made in the first 
 year of the reign of the Lady Elizabeth, 
 late Queen of England. And that im- 
 mediately after the oath or oaths being 
 so taken, they, and each of them re- 
 spectively, shall and may be able to 
 execute and exercise the office, or 
 offices, of master and wardens of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, or any or 
 either of them, severally and respec- 
 tively. And, moreover, we will, and 
 by these presents for us, our heirs and 
 successors, grant to the aforesaid mas- 
 ter, wardens, and brethren and sisters 
 of the gild or fraternity aforesaid, and 
 their successors, that if it shall happen 
 the aforesaid master and wardens, or 
 any or either of them, for the time 
 being, at any time within one year 
 after they or any or either of them 
 shall be elected and preferred to the 
 office or place of master or wardens of 
 the fraternity or gild aforesaid, so as 
 aforesaid shall die, or be removed from 
 the same offices or places, (which same 
 master and wardens, and each of them, 
 for bad government, or for any other 
 reasonable cause, from time to time, 
 we will to be removable by the re- 
 mainder of the wardens, not offending, 
 and the assistants of the fraternity or 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 493 
 
 lit p'fert' no'i'atus & electus iio*i';iti 
 electi Officiu' & Officia ill' Mag'r 6c 
 Custod' Gilde sive Frat'iiitat' p'dict' ad 
 quod vel que sic ut p'"fert' no'i'ati & 
 electi fuerint li'be & licite exequi vale- 
 ant & possint valeat & possit Sacr'is 
 Corporal' in forma p'dict'prius p^'stand' 
 & sic tocies quocies talis casus accid'^it* 
 Et ulfius Volume Ac p*^ P^sentes p""" 
 nob' heredib'z & successorib'z n'ris 
 Concedim* & Ordinavims Q'd Mag'r 
 Custodes Gilde sive Frafnitat' p^'dict' 
 p*"" tempore existen' & eor' quil't 
 successores sui im'ediate postq'm ab' 
 Offic' Mag'r sive Custod' Gilde sive 
 Frafnitat' p»dict' recesserint aut eor' 
 aliquis recesserit sint & eor™ quil't sit 
 Assisten' & Assistens Gilde sive Fra- 
 fnitat' pidict' & in eodem Offic' Assis- 
 ten' vel Assisten' Gilde sive Frat^nitat' 
 p^'dict' remanebunt & remanebit duran' 
 vit' suis natural' & duran' vit' natural' 
 eor™ cujusl't Nisi intiim p*" aliqua causa 
 r'onabili ad Offic' ill' amot' fuerint vel 
 eor™ aliquis amotus fuerit. Et ult'ius 
 Volum' Ac p'" P^sentes p' ° nob' heredib'z 
 & successorib'z n'ris Concedim^ p'fat' 
 Mag'r & Custod' ac Fratrib'z & Soro- 
 rib'z Gilde sive Frafnitat' pidict' p'^" 
 tempore existen' q'd pidict' Mag'r & 
 Custod' Gild' sive Frat^nitat' p'dict' p^° 
 tempore existen' he'ant & h'ebunt ple- 
 nam potestat' & auctoritatem ad t'dend' 
 & ministrand' Sacrament' Corporal, 
 om'ib'z Officiarijs & Ministris Fraf^ni- 
 tat' sive Mister' p''dict' p''" debit' ex- 
 ecuco'e Offic' suor'm recte bene & 
 fidelit' in omib'z septal' reb'z Offic' sua 
 tangen' sive concrnen'. Et q'd Custod' 
 Gild' sive Frafnitat' aut Mister' p^^dict' 
 vel aliqui duo eor™ p''° tempore existen' 
 he'ant & h'ebunt plenam potestatem & 
 auctoritatem ad t'dend' & ministrand' 
 Sa'cr' Corporal' om'ib'z Apprentic & 
 alijs Ho'ib'z fiend' liber' Gilde sive Fra- 
 t'"nitat' aut Mister' p^^dict' p^ut antehac 
 usitat' sive consuet' fuit. Et ult'ius 
 Velum" Ac p*" Prsentes p''° nob' heredib'z 
 & successorib'z n'ris Concedim^ & 
 Licenciam Special' lib'aruq' plen' & 
 licitara facultatem auctoritatem & po- 
 
 gild aforesaid, for the time being, to 
 the number of twelve or more,) tliat 
 then, and so often it shall and may bo 
 lawful for such and so many of tlie 
 same master, wardens, and assistants, 
 or of the wardens and assistants who 
 shall then survive or remain, to the 
 number of twelve or more, at their 
 pleasure, to elect and prefer one other 
 master, or one or more other warden 
 or wardens, according to the ordinances 
 and provisions in these presents de- 
 clared, to execute and exercise the 
 aforesaid office and offices of master or 
 warden for the residue of one year from 
 that day of the election and preferment 
 of such master or wardens in the place 
 of such master or wardens so dying, or 
 being removed, fully to be completed, 
 and from thence until one other master 
 and four other wardens, freemen of the 
 fraternity or gild aforesaid, shall be 
 elected and nominated into the offices 
 of master and wardens of the fraternity 
 or gild aforesaid, according to the ordi- 
 nances and provisions in these presents 
 declared and expressed. And that 
 every person and persons so nominated 
 and elected into the office of master or 
 wardens of the gild or fraternity afore- 
 said, after the death or removal of any 
 master, or of any or either of the wardens 
 of the gild or fraternity aforesaid, so as 
 aforesaid, shall and may be able freely 
 and lawfully to execute the same office 
 and offices of master and wardens of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, to which 
 they shall be so, as aforesaid, nominat- 
 ed and elected, having first taken their 
 corporal oaths in form aforesaid, and so 
 as often as such case shall happen. And 
 further, we will, and by these presents, 
 for us, our heirs and successors, grant 
 and ordain, that the master and wardens 
 of the gild or fraternity aforesaid, for 
 the time being, and every of them and 
 their successors, immediately after they, 
 or either of them, shall recede from the 
 office of master or wardens of the gild 
 or fraternity aforesaid, shall be assis- 
 tants and assistant of the gild or frater- 
 nity aforesaid, and in the same office of 
 assistants or assistant of the gild or 
 fraternity aforesaid, shall remain during 
 their natural lives, and during the natu- 
 ral life of each of them, unless, in the 
 mean time, for any reasonable cause, 
 they, or either of them, shall be re- 
 moved from the office. And further, 
 we will, and by these presents, for us, 
 our heirs and successors, grant to the 
 
494 drapers' company. 
 
 testatem Dam" prfat' Mag'r' & Custod' 
 ac Fratrib'z & Sororib'z Gilde sive Fra- 
 t'nitat' B'e Marie Virginis de Mister' 
 Pannarior' Civitat' London & succes- 
 sorib'z suis imp'p'm h'end' possidend' 
 recipiend' tfe p'quirend' eis & successo- 
 rib'z suis imp^'p'm Maner' Messuagia 
 Terr' Ten' Prat' Pasc' Pastur' Boscos 
 Subbosc' R'c'orias Decimas Reddit' 
 ReVco'es & al' Hereditamen' quecunq' 
 Infra Regnu' n'r'm Anglie sive alibi 
 infra Dn'ia n'ra tam de nob' heredib'z 
 & successorib'z n'ris q'm de aliqua alia 
 p^sona sive aliquib'z alijs p^sonis qui- 
 buscunq' que de nob' heredib'z vel suc- 
 cessorib'z n'ris non tenent"^ im'ediate in 
 Capite nec p^ S^vic' Militare dum'odo 
 eadem Man^'ia Mesuag' Terr' Ten' & 
 al' Hereditamen' sic p*" ip'os h'end' reci- 
 piend' & prquirend' non excedant in 
 toto clarum annu' valor' ducent' libr' 
 pr annu' ult' om'ia ou^a & repris' Sta- 
 tut' de T^'ris & Ten' ad manu' mortuam 
 non ponend' aut aliquo alio Statute 
 Actu Ordinaco'e vel pr°visione antehac 
 h'it fact' ordinat' sive cons' aut aliqua 
 alia re causa vel maf'ia quacunq' incon- 
 triu' inde in aliquo non obstan'. Dam' 
 eciam & p*" P'^sentes p^" nob' heredib'z 
 & successorib'z n'ris Concedim^ cui- 
 cunq' Subdit' & quibuscunq' Subditis 
 n'ris heredum & successor'n'ror'™ Licen- 
 clam Sp'ial' liba'mq' & licitam potesta- 
 tem facultatem & auctoritatem q'd ip'i 
 vel eor'™ aliquis vel aliqui aliqua Maner' 
 Messuagia Ten' Prat' Pasc' Pastur' 
 Bosc' Subbosc' R'corias Decimas Re- 
 v''co'es Reddit' S^'vic' & al' Heredita- 
 men' quecunq' que non tenent' de nob' 
 heredib'z vel successorib'z n'ris im'e- 
 diate in Capite vel p'' servic' Militar' 
 p^'fat' Mag'ro & Custod' ac Fratrib'z 
 & Sororib'z Gilde sive Frafnitat' B'e 
 Marie Virginis de Mister' Pannar' Ci- 
 vitat' London & successorib'z suis dare 
 concedere vendere legare vel alienate 
 possint & valeant Ita q'd om'ia pMict* 
 Maner' Messuag' Terr' Ten' Prat' Pasc' 
 Pastur'Bosc' Subbosc' R'corias Decimas 
 ReVco'es Reddit' S^vic' & al' Heredita- 
 tem' sic ut p^'fert' eisdem Mag'r & Custod' 
 
 aforesaid master and wardens, and 
 brethren and sisters, of the gild or fra- 
 ternity, for the time being, that the 
 aforesaid master and wardens of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, for the time 
 being, may and shall have full power 
 and authority to give and administer 
 corporal oaths to all officers and 
 ministers of the fraternity or mystery 
 aforesaid, for the due execution of 
 their offices rightly, well, and faith- 
 fully, in all things touching or concern- 
 ing their several offices. And that the 
 wardens of the gild or fraternity or 
 mystery aforesaid, or any two of them, 
 for the time being, may and shall have 
 full power and authority to give and 
 administer corporal oaths to all appren- 
 tices, and other men, to be made free 
 of the gild or fraternity or mystery 
 aforesaid, as heretofore hath been used 
 or accustomed. And further, we will, 
 and by these presents, for us, our heirs, 
 and successors, grant and give special 
 and free licence, and full and lawful 
 faculty, authority, and power, to the 
 aforesaid master and wardens, and 
 brethren and sisters of the gild or fra- 
 ternity of the blessed Virgin Mary of 
 the Mystery of Drapers of the City of 
 London, and their successors for ever, 
 to have, possess, receive, and purchase, 
 to them and their successors for ever, 
 manors, messuages, lands, tenements, 
 meadows, feedings, pastures, woods, 
 underwoods, rectories, tythes, rents, re- 
 versions, and other hereditaments what- 
 soever, within our kingdom of England, 
 or elsewhere within our dominions, as 
 well of us, our heirs, and successors, as 
 of any other person or persons whom- 
 soever, which are not holden immedi- 
 ately of us, our heirs, and successors, 
 in chief, nor by knight's service, 
 provided the same manors, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, and other heredita- 
 ments, so by them to be had, received, 
 and purchased, shall not exceed in the 
 whole the clear annual value of two 
 hundred pounds, by the year, beyond all 
 charges and reprises : the statute con- 
 cerning lands and tenements not to be 
 put in mortmain, or any other statute, 
 act, ordinance, or provision, heretofore 
 had, made, ordained, or provided, or any 
 other thing, cause, or matter, whatso- 
 ever, to the contrary thereof, in any- 
 wise notwithstanding. We give also, 
 and by these presents, for us, our heirs, 
 and successors, grant to all the subject 
 and subjects of us, our heirs, and sue- 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 495 
 
 ac Fratrib'z & Sororib'z Gild' sive Fra- 
 fnitat' pMict' & successorib'z suis 
 vigore P^senciu' dand' concedend' le- 
 gand' & alicuand' non excedant in tot' 
 clarun annuu' valorem ducentar' librar' 
 p*" ann' ult om'ia On*"a & Repris' Statut* 
 de T>^ris & Ten' ad manu' mortuam non 
 ponend' aut aliquo alio Statuto Acta 
 Ordinaco'e sive Provisione aut qua- 
 cunq' alia re causa vel materia quacunq' 
 antehac h'it fact' edit* ordinat' sive 
 p'vis' in contr'u' inde in aliquo non ob- 
 stan. Et ult'ius de ubi'ori gr'a n'ra 
 spa'li ac ex Cta sciencia & mero motu 
 n'ris p'"" meliori regimine & gub'naco'e 
 oi'm p^'sonar' Mister Pannar' modo 
 exercen' vel imposter' ex^citur' infra 
 Civitat' London' prdict' sen suburbia 
 ejusdem Dedim^ & Concessim^ Ac p*" 
 P'^sentes p'° nob' heredib'z & successo- 
 rib'z n'ris Dams & Concedim^ p^'fat' 
 Mag'ro & Custod' ac Fratrib'z & Soro- 
 rib'z Gild' sive Frat^nitat' pMict' q'd 
 pMict' Mag'r' & Custod' & successores 
 sui p""" tempore existen' p^petius tempo- 
 rib'z futur' h'eant & h'ebunt plenam 
 auctoritatem & potestatem in tal' ac 
 tam convenien' temporib'z qual' ip'i 
 viderint expedire & quemadmodum tem- 
 porib'z retroactis usitat' extitit intridi & 
 ingrediendi in Om'es Domos Shopas 
 Cellar Tentoria Anglice Boothes ac 
 alia Loca Pannis servand' aut exponend' 
 modo aut imposter' usitat' aut appunc- 
 tuat' cujusl't pi-sone & quar™q'lt prso- 
 nar'™ tam Liber' ejusdem Frafnitat'q'in 
 Liber' alfius cujusl't Societat' aut eciam 
 Forinsec' uten' Arte sive Mister' Pan- 
 nar' infra Civitat' London aut Lib'tat' 
 ejusdem ad p'scrutand' vidend' & men- 
 surand' p^ Standard' sigillat' s'c'd'm for- 
 raam Statut' in hujusmodi casu edit' 
 & p'-vis' om'es tales Virgas Anglice 
 Yardes Ulnas Anglice Elles Godas 
 Anglice Godes as alias Mensuras quas- 
 cunq' quibuscunq' sive p' quas aliquis 
 Pannus sive aliqua Panni Species Ven- 
 dic'oi exposit aut exponend' est aut erit 
 mensurand' ac ad auferend' & aspor- 
 tand* Om'es Virgas Ulnas Godas ac 
 alias Mensuras quascunq' longiores aut 
 
 cessors, especial licence, and free and 
 lawful power, faculty, and authority, 
 that they, or any, or either of them, 
 shall and may be able to give, grant, 
 sell, leave, or alien, any manors, mes- 
 suages, lands, tenements, meadows, 
 feedings, pastures, woods, underwoods, 
 rectories, tythes, reversions, rents, ser- 
 vices, and other hereditaments whatso- 
 ever, which are not holden of us, our 
 heirs, or successors, immediately, in 
 chief, or by knight's service, to the 
 aforesaid master and wardens, and 
 brethren and sisters of the gild or fra- 
 ternity of the blessed Virgin Mary of 
 the Mystery of Drapers of the City of 
 London, and their successors, so that 
 all the aforesaid manors, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, 
 pastures, woods, underwoods, rectories, 
 tythes, reversions, rents, services, and 
 other hereditaments, so as aforesaid, to 
 the same master aud wardens, and 
 brethren and sisters of the gild or fra- 
 ternity aforesaid, and their successors, 
 by force of these presents, to be given, 
 granted, devised, and aliened, shall not 
 exceed, in the whole, the clear annual 
 value of two hundred pounds, by the year, 
 beyond all charges and reprises : the 
 statute concerning lands and tenements 
 not to be put in mortmain, or any other 
 statute, act, ordinance, or provision, or 
 any other thing, cause, or matter what- 
 soever, theretofore had, made, enacted, 
 ordained, or provided to the contrary 
 thereof in anywise, notwithstanding. 
 And moreover, of our further especial 
 grace, and of our certain knowledge and 
 mere motion, for the better rule and 
 government of all present, now exercis- 
 ing, or hereafter to exercise the Mystery 
 of Drapers within the City of London 
 aforesaid, or the suburbs of the same, 
 we have given and gi-anted, and by these 
 presents, for us, our heirs, and succes- 
 sors, do give and grant to the aforesaid 
 master and wardens, and brethren and 
 sisters of the gild or fraternity afore- 
 said, that the aforesaid master and 
 wardens, and their successors, for the 
 time being, at all times hereafter, may 
 and shall have full authority and power, 
 at such and as convenient times as to 
 them seem expedient, and in such man- 
 ner as in times past hath been used, to 
 enter into all houses, shops, cellars, 
 booths, and other places, now, or 
 hereafter used, or appointed, for the 
 keeping or exposing of cloths of every 
 person and persons, as well free of the 
 
496 drapers' company. 
 
 breviores q'ni esse deberent aut aliquo 
 modo fals' aut decept' aut non sigillat' 
 sed'm formam Statuti p^'dict & ad im- 
 ponend' un' finem de sex solid' & octo 
 denar' supr quaml't p'"sonam olfeiiden' 
 in utend' aut sen^and' ad utend' aliq'm 
 talem Virgam Ulnam Godam aut men- 
 suram longiorem breviorem falsam de- 
 ceptivam aut non sigillat' diet' fin' de 
 sex solid' & octo denar' levand' & p^'ci- 
 piend' p"" viam districc'ois & distribuend' 
 ad usum Paup^'um Gild' sive Frafnitat' 
 p''dict. Et ulfius de abundancior, g'ra 
 n'ra speciali ac ex c'ta scientia & mero 
 motu n'ris Concessim^ &c Confirmavim^ 
 Ac p^ P^'sentes p'"" nob' heredibz & suc- 
 cessoribz n'ris Concedim^ & Confirmam* 
 p^'fat' Mag'ro & Custod' ac Fratribz & 
 Sororibz Gild' sive Frafnitat' B'e Marie 
 Virginis de Mister' Pannar' Civitat' Lon- 
 don' & successoribz suis Om'es & o'imod' 
 Lib'tat' Franches' Exempco'es Consue- 
 tud' Privilegia p^'fic' Immunitat' Quiet' & 
 Jurisdiceo'es Maner' Mesuag' Terr' Ten' 
 & Hereditamen' Bona & Catall' que Ma- 
 g'r' & Custod' ac Fratres & Soror' Gilde 
 sive Frafnitat' B'e Marie Virginis de 
 Mister' Pannar' Civitat' London' seu 
 Mag'r' & Custod' ac Fratres & Sorores 
 Gilde sive Fraf'nitat' in Honore B'e 
 Marie Virginis de Ho'ib'z Mister' Pan- 
 nar' infra Civitat' London seu eor™ 
 aliqui de Jure Hereditario modo legit- 
 time h'ent tenent gaudent & utunt' aut 
 h'ere tenere uti *fe gaudere debent aut 
 eor™ aliquis vel aliqui vel Predecessor' 
 sui p^ quodcunq' nomen vel p'" quecunq' 
 no'ia vel p'" quamcunq' Incorporaco'em 
 vel p^textu cujuscunq' Incorporaco'is 
 antehac licite h'uerunt usi vel gavisi 
 fuerunt aut h'ere tenere uti vel gaudere 
 debuerunt h'uit tenuit usus vel gavis' 
 fuit debuit aut debuerunt de Jure Here- 
 ditario r'one vel p^textu aliquar™ Char- 
 tar™ aut L'rar™ Paten' p^ aliquem Pro- 
 genitor™ vel Antecessor™ n'ror™ nup^ 
 Regum vel Reginar™ Angl' quoquo 
 modo antehac fact' confirmat' vel con- 
 cess' vel quacunq' alia legali p"scipc'o'e 
 usu consuetud' aut aliquo alio legali 
 modo jure seu titulo antehac h'it & 
 
 same fraternity as free of any other 
 societ}', or also foreigners using the art 
 or mystery of drapers, within the City 
 of London, or the liberties of the same, 
 to search, view, and measure, by a 
 sealed standard, according to the form 
 of the statute in such case enacted and 
 provided, all yards, ells, godes, and 
 other measures whatsoever, by which, 
 any cloth, or any sort of cloth, exposed 
 to sale, is, or shall be measured, and 
 to take and carry away all yards, ells, 
 godes, and other measures whatsoever, 
 longer or shorter than they ought to 
 be, or in any manner false, or decep- 
 tive, or not sealed according to the form 
 of the statute aforesaid, and to impose 
 a fine of 6s. Sd. upon everj' person of- 
 fending, in using, or keeping for use, 
 any such yard, ell, gode, or measure, 
 longer, shorter, false, deceptive, or not 
 sealed, the said fine of Us. Sd.Jo he 
 levied and received by way of distress, 
 and to be distributed to the use of the 
 poor of the gild or fraternity aforesaid. 
 And further, of our more abundant and 
 especial grace, and of our certain 
 knowledge and mere motion, we have 
 granted and confirmed, and by these pre- 
 sents, for us, our heirs and successors, 
 do grant and confirm to the aforesaid 
 master and wardens and brethren and 
 sisters of the gild or fraternity of the 
 blessed Virgin Mary of the Mystery of 
 Drapers of the city of London, and 
 their successors, all and all manner of 
 liberties, franchises, exemptions, cus- 
 toms, privileges, profits, immunities, 
 acquittances, and jurisdictions, manors, 
 messuages, lands, tenements, and here- 
 ditaments, goods, and chattels, which 
 the master and wardens and brethren 
 and sisters of the gild or fraternity of 
 the blessed Virgin Mary of the Mystery 
 of Drapers of the City of London, or 
 the master and wardens and brethren 
 and sisters of the gild or fraternity in 
 honour of the blessed Virgin Mary of 
 the men of the Mystery of Drapers 
 within the City of London, or either of 
 them, of hereditary right, now lawfully 
 have, hold, enjoy and use, or which they, 
 or any or either of them, or any of their 
 predecessors, ought to have, hold, use, 
 and enjoy, by whatsoever name and 
 names, or by whatsoever incorporation, 
 or by pretext of any incorporation here- 
 tofore, lawfully have or hath, had, held, 
 used, or enjoyed, or ought to have, 
 hold, use, or enjoy, of hereditary right, 
 or by reason or pretext of any Charters 
 
CHARTERS. 
 
 497 
 
 usitat' licet eadem aut eor™ allquod vel 
 aliqua r'one non us' vel abus' forisfact' 
 aut dep^'dn sint vel fuerint H'endum 
 tenend' & gaudend' Ijsdem Mag'ro & 
 Custod' ac Fratrib'z & Sororib'z Gilde 
 sive Frat nitat' B'e Marie Virginis de 
 Mister' Pannar' Civitat' London & suc- 
 cessorib'z suis imp'p'm Reddendo inde 
 nob' heredib'z & successorib'z n'ris tal' 
 hujusmodi & consimil' Reddit' Firm' 
 Reddit' Denar' Sum'as A Demaund' 
 que p'inde nob' antehac reddere seu 
 solvere consuever' aut de Jure debue- 
 runt. Volentes & p*"" Prsentes p^ nob' 
 heredib'z <fe successorib'z n'ris Conce- 
 den' pri'at' Mag'ro & Custod' ac Fra- 
 trib'z & Sororib'z Gild' sive Frat nita 
 prdicl' & successorib'z suis q'd h'ean' 
 teneant utaut' & gaudeant ac h'ert 
 tenere uti gaudere valeant & possine 
 imp'p'm Om'es Lib'tat' lib'as Consue- 
 tud' Privilegia prfic* &. Quietanc' p'^dict' 
 scd'm tenorem bar™ L'rar^n'rar™ Paten' 
 sine Acc'oe n'r' heredum vel successor™ 
 n'ror"' quor™cunq' Nolentes q'd ijdem 
 Mag'r' & Custod' ac Fratres & Sorores 
 Gilde sive Frat^'nitat' p^dict' r'one Prmis- 
 sor™ seu eor"^ alicujus p"" nos vel here- 
 des aut successores n'ros vel p"^ Justic' 
 Vicecount Escaetor' aut alios Ballivos 
 aut Ministres n'ros heredum vel succes- 
 sor™ n'ror™ quor™cunq' inde occ'onent' 
 molestent vexent' seu gravent' occ'onet' 
 molestet' vexet' seu in aliquo prturbet'. 
 Volentes eciam & p'"" nob' heredib'z & 
 successorib'z n'ris firmit' mandan' & 
 P^'cipien' t'm Thesaurar' Cancellar' & 
 Baron' n'ris Scc'ij n'ri heredum & suc- 
 cessor™ n'ror™ ac Om'ib'z & singulis 
 alijs Justiciar' n'ris ac heredum & suc- 
 cessor™ n'ror™ q'm Attornat' & Solici- 
 lator' n'r' Gen^'al' p'"" tempore existen' 
 & eor™ cuil't & om'ib'z alijs Officiar' & 
 Ministris n'ris heredum <fe successor™ 
 n'ror™ quibuscunq' q'd nec i'pi nec eor™ 
 aliquis sive aliqui aliquod B're de Sum'" 
 onic'oe sive de Qiao Warrant' sive ali- 
 quod aliud B're vel Process' n'r' que- 
 cunq' Vsus p^d'cm Mag'r'm &l Custod 
 ac Fratres & Sorores Gilde sive Fratmi 
 tat' prdict' vel eor™ aliquem vel aliquos 
 
 or Letters patent, by any of our pro- 
 genitors or ancestors, late kings and 
 queens of England, in any wise hereto- 
 fore made, confirmed, and granted, or by 
 whatsoever lawful prescription, usage, 
 custom, or by any other lawful manner, 
 right, or title, heretofore had or used, 
 although the same, or either of them, 
 by reason of non-use or abuse, are or 
 may be forfeited or lost. To have, 
 hold, and enjoy to the same master and 
 wardens and brethren and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity of the blessed Virgin 
 Mary of the Mystery of Drapers of the 
 City of London, and their successors 
 for ever ; rendering, therefore, to us, 
 our heirs and successors, the like, such, 
 and the same rents, fee-farm rents, sums 
 of money, and demands, as for the same 
 to us hath heretofore been accustomed, 
 or of right ought to be rendered or paid. 
 Willing, and by these presents, for us, 
 our heirs and successors, granting to 
 the aforesaid master and wardens or 
 brethren and sisters of the gild or fra- 
 ternity aforesaid, and their successors, 
 that they shall have, hold, use, and 
 enjoy, and shall and may be able to 
 have, hold, use, and enjoy for ever, all 
 the liberties, free customs, privileges, 
 profits, and acquittances aforesaid, ac- 
 cording to the tenor of these our Letters 
 patent, without the hindrance of us, 
 our heirs or successors, whomsoever, 
 being unwilling that the same master 
 and wardens and brethren and sisters of 
 the gild or fraternity aforesaid, by reason 
 of the premises, or any of them, should 
 be therefore hindered, molested, vexed, 
 or aggrieved, or in any wise disturbed 
 by us, or our heirs or successors, or by 
 the justices, sheriffs, escheators, or 
 other bailiffs or ministers of us, our 
 heirs or successors whomsoever. Wil- 
 ling also, and for us, our heirs and suc- 
 cessors, firmly ordering and command- 
 ing, as well our treasurer, chancellor, 
 and barons of the Exchequer, of us, 
 our heirs and successors, and all and 
 singular other the justices of us, and of 
 our heirs and successors, as our attor- 
 ney and solicitor general for the time 
 being, and every of them, and all others 
 the officers and ministers of us, our 
 heirs and successors whomsoever, that 
 neither they, or either of them, shall 
 prosecute, or continue or make, or cause 
 to be prosecuted or continued, any writ 
 of summons, of quo warranto, or any 
 other our writ or process whatsoever, 
 against the aforesaid master and war- 
 K k 
 
498 
 
 DRAPERS COxMPANY. 
 
 p' aliquib'z reb'z causis vel mater' Offens' 
 clam' aut usurpac'oe aut eor'" aliquo 
 P'"miss' vel eor"* aliquod concnen' pr 
 ip'os aut eor°» aliquos clamat' attempt 
 usitat' h'it' seu usurpat' ante diem Con- 
 fecc'ois P'"sencm' p'sequant* contingent 
 aut p'sequi continuar' fac' aut'causabunt 
 seu eor"* aliquis fac' aut causabit. Vo- 
 lentes ulfius q'd p^'dict' Mag'r' & Cus- 
 tod' ac Fratres & Soror' Gilde sive Fra- 
 fnitat' p^dict' vel eor"^ aliqui p^ aliquem 
 vel aliquos Justiciar' Officiar' vel Minis- 
 tr' n'r' pMict' in aut p"" debit' usu' cla- 
 men' vel abus' aliquor'^ Lib'tat' Franches' 
 aut Jurisdicc'on infra Civitat' London 
 prdict Lib'tat' Suburb* <fe P'^cinct' ejus- 
 dem ante diem Confecc'ois har°i L'rar' 
 n'rar™ Paten' minime molestent'" aut im- 
 pedianf aut ad ea vel eox"^ aliquod re- 
 spondere compellant^. Volum^ eciam 
 &c. absq' fine in Hanap'io, &c. Et q'd 
 express' menc'o, &c. In cujus rei, &c. 
 T. R. apud Westm' xix. die Januarij. 
 P"" B're de Private Sigillo, &c. 
 
 dens and brethren and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, or any or 
 either of them, for any things, causes, 
 or matters, offence, claim, or usurpa- 
 tion, or any of them, concerning the 
 premises or any of them, by them or 
 any of them, claimed, attempted, used, 
 had, or usurped, before the day of the 
 making of these presents. Willing 
 further, that the aforesaid master and 
 wardens and brethren and sisters of the 
 gild or fraternity aforesaid, or any of 
 them, shall not in any wise be molested 
 or impeded by any or either of our jus- 
 tices, officers, or ministers aforesaid, 
 in, or for the due use, claim, or abuse, 
 of any liberties, franchises, or jurisdic- 
 tions within the City of London afore- 
 said, the liberties, suburbs, and precincts 
 of the same, before the day of the making 
 of these our Letters patent, or be com- 
 pelled to answer them or any of them. 
 We will also, <fec. without fine in the 
 Haniper, &c. although express mention, 
 &c. In witness whereof, <fec. Witness 
 the King at Westminster, the nineteenth 
 day of January. 
 
 By Writ of Privy Seal, &c. 
 
 END OF VOL. I 
 
 Printed by J. and C. Adlard, 
 Bartholomew Close.