Chapter XII: THE TWELVE Article is that if Olyver Wilson dothe hereafter (5)

7th October, 1572. Wyllet is again complained of for going to law with another member of the Company without license from the Masters, to which he pleaded that under a statute 19 Henry VII, cap. viii, he could lawfully do so. The result of this contention is not expressly stated, though there is not the least doubt but that Wyllet revisited the Compter, and ultimately withdrew his suit.

5th March, 1573. It was ordered--

That where there hath ben an order that the whole bodye of the
yeomanrye of this mysterie were compelled under a certeine fyne
and penaltye to meet theire wardens at a certeine place by them
appointed beinge by the beadle warned, to go to offre at the weddings
of their brethren at all times when any of them weare married w{ch}
was to their great trouble, and divers inconvenyences grewe thereoff
as absence from sˀrvice and sermons one sonday mornyngs and other
unmeate and inconvenient meetinges in steed therof. Wherefore, the
said order was declared henceforth to be void.

6th October, 1573. Here was a controvˀsy betweene the wardens of the
yeomanrye that were the last yere and the Audyto{rs} of yeomanryes
accomptes for that the Audytoures would not allowe that w{ch} was
required by the said late wardens for bread and dryncke at theyre
ellecc͠on Daye, the som̃e was xxvij{s} and order was taken that they
should be allowed xvj{s} and they to beare the reste on theire owne
chargeis and so to be ffrendꝭ and Lovers w{th} quietnes.

6th June, 1577. Here also the wardens of the yeomanry were comaunded
for good and urgent Cawse to bring in there graunt from the maisters
of there yomanry against the next Co{r}te Daie for that they did take
more Quarteridge then by the Lawe they might do and also contrary
to there saide graunte and in breche of the same they went after a
sort in searche to see what serˀvnts some ffremen of the Companie had
w{ch} they ought not to do, and so yt was for that tyme let passe
w{th} warning to do so no more and also for that they did not yerelie
shewe there accompt w{ch} now they did and henceforth will according
to there dutie.

9th October, 1579. At this Co{r}te also the Wardens of the Yeomanry
brought in their accompte before the saide masters and yt was agreed
upon good considerac͠ons for that manye of the said yeomanrye did
ympoverishe them selves by makinge of qr̃ter Dyners and suche
unnecessary metinges that from henceforthe their shalbe no more
quarter Dyners be kept in o{r} Hall by the saide yeomanrye or any of
them but shall do as heretofore hathe ben accustomed to be don.

1587. The Yeomanry seem to have again incurred the displeasure of the Masters, who thereupon summoned them to appear and shew cause why their grant should not be annulled, whereupon they came on the 27th July and--

gave their ffree and full consentꝭ that yf they have broken any pt̃e
of their graunte to them heretofore made they will surrender upp
their yeomanry.

10th August, 1587. The privilege of collecting quarterage was taken away from the Yeomanry.

Also whereas there hathe ben a Rule graunted to the yeomanrie
that they maie send pˀsons to ward for disobedyence and to take
ffynes yt ys fullie agreed the same Rule shalbe void But yf anie
varyance happen to be, the same shall be declared to the masters or
governo{rs} for Reformac͠on And further that the said yeomanrie shall
take none into their Assystance w{th}oute the consent of o{r} saide
masters or governo{rs} and their successo{rs.}

7th September, 1587. M{r} Henry Rankin M{r} of o{r} Companie made a
motyon whether he sholde swere the yeomanry or not and yf they should
be sworne what othe he should geve them. And yt was agreed by the
saide Corte That the Masters or Governo{rs} may take the pˀsentment
of them but not swere them. And further yf the yeomanry do request
to be sworne they must be answered w{th} the wordꝭ of their pattent
w{ch} ys onlie to pˀsent them. And further touching the collecc͠on
of their quartridge yt must stand as yt dothe untill further
consultac͠on be had therein and yf they have any request to make or
ought to saie they must bring the same in writinge into this Corte.

29th May, 1600. This daie the wardens of the yomanrye made requeste
to the Maisters that they woulde be pleased to redeliver unto them
their booke of orders which remayneth in their Custodie, whereuppon
it is not thoughte fitt by the Courte that the yeomanrie have the
Custodie of the said booke, but that the Clarke of this Companye
keepe the same And that he shewe the same booke to the yeomanrye when
they have occasion to use it.

About two years previously the Court had endeavoured to put down the Yeomanry and had curtailed many of their privileges; the exact nature of the disagreement is not stated, but it doubtless arose from the Yeomanry “takeinge to much uppon themsyllfs.”

17th January, 1604. At this Courte it is ordered That the Ould
Wardens of the Yomanrye doe bringe in such money as is behind by
theire Audite beinge eight pounds twelve shillings and eight pence
ORELLS to be committed to the Compter.

28th February, 1605. It was ordered that a Yeomanry of this Company should be established, though there is no entry of its extinguishment. Rules and ordinances were to be made by the Court, and twenty-four persons were to be nominated by the “present wardens of the said Yeomanry” to serve as a Court of Assistants for the Yeomanry, with a power of veto reserved to the Masters.

16th April, 1605. A Committee sat to consider the patent to be granted to the Yeomanry.

2nd May, 1605. This daye the M{r} and M{r} Warden Mapes and M{r}
Thorney delivˀed to the Wardens of the yomanry viz. Robert Jenninges
and Richard Alderson and also to Robert Wood and Edward Goodale the
yomanryes boxe and money their Corrector their twoe standinge Cuppes
& Covers and their cases and all such oth{r} thinges as they had of
the yomanryes, but onely their patent w{ch} is to be renued & twoe of
their keyes were delivˀed to the sayd Robert Wood and Edward Goodale
by them to be kept.

24th May, 1605. This daye the ordynancꝭ of the yomanry were ratiefied
& confirmed by this Court. Also the quarterages of the yomanry was
this daye demised unto the wardens of the yomanry from the xvj{th}
of September next ensuinge for the terme of ... at the yerely rent
of 8{li} to be paid by quarterly payments w{ch} demyse was passed by
wrytinge indented as by the same more at lardge may appeare.

At the end of the Minute Book, 1598-1607, is a copy of a part of this indenture.

26th November, 1607. It was ordered:--

That the wardens of the yomanry shall take for the use of their
funerall clothe at eˀvy funerall wherein it is used ij{s} vj{d} And
the bedell for his attendaunce xij{d} provided notw{th}standinge
that if such deceased pˀson shall owe unto the yomanry arrerages of
quarterage that the wardens of the sayd yomanry shall not lend their
said funerall cloth before such arrerages be first paid.

10th August, 1609. It was ordered that the Yeomandry shall hold their
great generall dinner albeit they made request to the Contrary.

The next extracts record the last events in the chequered existence of the Yeomanry.

17th November, 1635. According to a former order of Court the
Wardeins of the yeomanrye did this daye deliver up unto the Maisters
their Accompt and the xvij{li} v{s} viij{d} in money upon the foote
of that Accompt Also they delivered up to this Court their plate
bookꝭ and goodꝭ with the Inventarye and that being delivered & donn
Richard Lamb and Thomas Duppa twoe of the yeomanrye Wardeins threwe
downe their keyes on the table in a scornefull manner and badd y{e}
M{rs} take all.

3rd December, 1635. This daye upon mature deliberac͠on had as alsoe
upon just groundꝭ and causes showed to this Court of the greate
burthen of this Companie in the continuall charge of the keepeing
of a yeomanrye And it being propounded to this Court whether the
Wardeins and Assistants of the yeomanrye should continew the holding
of the yeomanrye yea or noe It was by most voyces fully concluded and
ordered that they shall continew noe longer their governem{t} And
they the Wardeins & Assistantꝭ of the yeomanrye & their governem{t}
are by this Court dissolved.

THE CLERK.

The office of Clerk of the Company is doubtless as ancient as the Company itself, although there is no mention of one prior to the year 1530[185]; but as there were always registers to be kept, fees to receive, apprentices to bind, and the multifarious business of a Livery Guild to conduct and record, we conclude that the office has existed from the earliest period.

[185] In the ordinances of Sir Thos. More.

The Clerk in Queen Mary’s time seems to have combined the occupation of gardener with that of his office, and for this he had but a small fee in addition to his stipend. Later on the Clerks appear to have devised fees for every conceivable kind of business which could possibly be transacted at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, and in the 17th and 18th centuries the income derived from this source alone must have been very considerable.

The Company has been served by good, bad and indifferent Clerks; we prefer to dwell only on the former and record the names among others, of Francis Rowdon, Charles Bernard and John Paterson as being worthy to be held in goodly remembrance. The books of the Company abound in testimony to their ability as well as to the fidelity and zeal which they displayed in the execution of their office.

1st October, 1555. The first Clerk of whom there is any record is Thomas Apulton (or Apleton), who, being Beadle, was promoted to that office.

As will be seen elsewhere, the Company had a fair garden in Monkwell Street, and the following interesting minute connects it with the Clerk:--

8th October, 1555. The Clercke of our Companye shall have for waxe
pennes and ynke and for trymynge of the gardeyn yerelye vj{s}
viij{d.} Yf the gardeyn be not well trymmed and made clene weded and
swept at all tymes when the M{r} and Governors of the clothing or
any of Thassistaunce of the same shall see yt and thereupon fynde
faulte then the saide Clercke shall paye a ffyne to the hall because
the said gardein ys not made cleane swept and wedyd as the M{r} and
Governors of the Clothinge and thassistaunce of the same shall think
meete and convenyent.

5th March, 1556. It was ordered that if--

The Clercke of the Company doo evile mysuse any of the Clothinge or
of the yomanry w{th} unsemely words & dewe proofe therof had and
proved he shalbe dismyssed clere from the having of the Office of
clercke.

27th August, 1557. John Johnson was elected and sworn Clerk “for so longe time as he shal behave hymsyllfe well and honestlye in the saide office.” The salary was fixed at £4 per annum, with 6_s._ 8_d._ extra for paper, ink and keeping the garden, and “for wasshinge of the lynen of the howse iij{s} iiij{d.}”

It would appear that one Wilson had some time previously been Clerk, for arrangements were made by which Wilson’s widow was not to be put out of her house, and it was also settled that if Johnson died before his wife, his widow should in like manner have the house after his decease. The rent of this house, which was attached to the Hall was 10_s._ per annum, and paid by the Clerk to the Renter Warden.

Johnson probably continued Clerk till about 1570, as the books are kept in the same handwriting until then.

Thomas Garter succeeded Johnson, but on 14th January, 1572, he was dismissed from his office for a “certain lewde facte by him committed,” and William Field was elected and sworn in in his place. Field wrote an exceedingly neat and precise hand.

20th March, 1572. It was ordered that in future the Clerk of the Company should always be chosen from among the freemen.

15th March, 1575. William Eden elected Clerk vice Field.

14th November, 1577. Eden was ordered to receive £6 per annum “benevolence” over and above his salary of £4, in consideration of the “smalenes of his lyvinge.”

10th December, 1596. Eden was indebted to the Company £10, “yet in regard of the hardnes of the tyme and his greate charge he shalbe forborne this yere.” At the same Court, gifts were made to the Beadle and Porter on account of the hardness of the times.

16th June, 1597. Eden’s troubles had not forsaken him for we read under this date--

There was geven unto Willm̃ Eden Clark of the Companie in regard of
his greate charge and the scarsytie of the tyme the some of v{li}
and for the x{li} w{ch} he oweth he ys to pay the same as god shall
inable him.

2nd November, 1597. Francis Rowdon elected Clerk vice Eden. Rowdon appears to have been a most methodical man and kept the books with scrupulous neatness and care; his writing is a very fine specimen of the Court hand of the period, and the best in the Company’s books for many years.

1599. The Clerk’s Salary was raised to £6 per annum.

1600. To £8 per annum, and in

1603 To £10 per annum.

26th November, 1607. This daye ffrancꝭ Rowdon Clark to this Company
pˀsented his petic͠on to this Court by w{ch} hee prayed ratificac͠on
of certen fees belonginge to his place and office in this Company as
hereof doe insue.

FFIRST hee prayed to have xl{s.} for the drawinge registringe of the
M{rs} accompt so that it be regestered w{th}in twoe moneths aft{r}
the awdit.

ALSO hee prayed to have x{s.} for evˀy alienac͠on of every lease of
any of the Companyes landes or tenemtꝭ for wrytinge thereof.

ALSO to have for the drawinge & ingroseinge of every lease xx{s.}

ALSO to have xij{d.} for evˀy othe ministered by any of the M{rs} to
any of the yomanry of this Company.

ALSO to have xij{d.} for evˀy one that is made free by service
and sixe shillingꝭ & sixe pence of every man that is made free by
redempc͠on or translac͠on.

ALSO vj{s.} viij{d.} for enteringe of every Anathomy accompt.

ALSO to have iiij{d.} for every Acquittance that hee shall make for
the wardens of the yomanry for the forme of theyre quarterage And
xij{d.} of them for the Coppie of every order w{ch} concerneth the
governem{t} of the yomanry.

ALSO that hee may have of evˀy freeman for his letter of admittance
or tollerac͠on under the seale of the house vj{s.} viiij{d.} And of
evˀy forren for the lyke x{s.} And of evˀy alien xiij{s.} iiij{d.}

ALSO for pennes Inck & papˀ and for the wardens bookes pˀ an. x{s.}

ALSO for every bill of complaynt iiij{d.}

ALSO for enteringe of evˀry order betwixt pˀtie & pˀtie for the
endinge of any Controversie xij{d.}

ALSO for makeinge cleane the hall against evˀy feaste iiij{s.} And
such a dishe of meate as the M{rs} of evˀy such feast shall think
fit.

ALSO for evˀy searche for the name of evˀy freman or appˀntice
iiij{d.}

ALSO for evˀy pˀson that is taken into the livˀy iij{s.} iiij{d.}

ALSO for evˀy pˀson that is taken into the Assistantꝭ iiij{s.}
iiij{d.}

ALL w{ch} ordinancꝭ and allowances were ratiefied & confirmed by this
Court.

6th July, 1609. Uppon the humble suite & petic͠on of ffrancꝭ Rowdon
Clarke to this Company It is this daye ordered by this Courte that
w{th}in one moneth next ensuinge hee shall noĩat to the pˀnt M{rs} a
sufficient Clarke to whom hee is desyreous to surrender his place and
office of Clark to this Company And his suite shalbe graunted unto
him if such pˀson so to be pˀnted unto this Court shalbe lyked and
allowed.

26th July, 1609. Rowdon presented Richard Ratsdale, Scrivener, for the office of Clerk, about whose sufficiency and ability enquiries were ordered to be made, but they were not satisfactory, for, on the 10th August, William Syddon was elected Clerk vice Rowdon.

The same day it was ordered that Rowdon was to continue in the Livery and to have the use of the Hall and his house until Michaelmas, also that Syddon was to be translated from the Cutlers’ Company.

Syddon’s records of the Company’s business were very meagre and a great contrast to those of the former Clerk.

7th October, 1625. Syddon surrendered his clerkship to Richard Turner (a son of Cressens Turner, Clerk in the Lord Mayor’s Court), who was admitted and sworn. Turner died in 1643, and by his will left some property to the Company to be annually distributed in charity amongst freemen of the Barber-Surgeons, and this became the source of a protracted litigation between his widow and the Company. On the 17th November, 1643, she filed a bill against the Company, which they defended, and succeeded in retaining the greater portion of the bequest. The accounts appear to have been very intricate and involved, remaining unsettled for many years. The Court, however, distributed the whole of the bequest in accordance with the will, as long as the estate (which was leasehold) held out.

16th June, 1628. It is ordered by this Court and our M{r} gave order
to the Clarke that he should henceforward have a stoole and sitt at
the end of the table w{th} his bookes and register as the clarkes of
other Companies doe.

2nd October, 1643. Robert Rawlins elected Clerk vice Turner.

30th June, 1648. The Court granted Rawlins £30 in consideration of his great pains about the Company’s business, and ordered that his salary should be raised from £10 to £30 per annum.

23rd February, 1658. Richard Reynell elected Clerk vice Rawlins (resigned).

21st July, 1685. Joseph Masters elected Clerk.

17th September, 1685. Charles Hargrave elected “Deputy Clerk.” The business of the Company had of late years increased enormously in consequence of the examinations of and Certificates to Navy Surgeons, examinations held for superannuation of wounded or infirm soldiers and sailors, and other matters connected with the Navy office, all of which entailed vast labour on the Clerk.

28th November, 1688. Charles Hargrave elected Clerk vice Masters.

20th November, 1707. Charles Bernard elected Clerk vice Hargrave.

Hargrave had kept the books in a slovenly manner, and appears to have been both a dishonest servant as well as an improvident man.

11th December, 1707. It was reported to the Court that Hargrave’s Estate was indebted to the Company £320 8_s._ 6_d._, moneys which he had received and not accounted for.

8th July, 1708. Mrs. Sarah Hargrave (his Widow) presented a petition for relief, stating that she was in poor circumstances, with six children unprovided for, whereupon the Court, notwithstanding her late husband’s delinquencies, very generously ordered her a gratuity of £12 10_s._ 0_d._

Charles Bernard was a relative of, and Executor to Charles Bernard, Serjeant-Surgeon to Queen Anne and Master in 1703. It is delightful to observe the methodical and careful manner in which Bernard began, and all through his life kept the books and accounts; he wrote a large and elegant hand, though somewhat encumbered with flourishes, and his signature is a characteristic one.

7th September, 1708. Hargrave’s son was in the Compter, and the Clerk was directed to see and talk with him about the Company’s papers in his custody, and if he would give them up the Clerk was to make him a present of three guineas.

The Court frequently relieved Mrs. Hargrave, and in December, 1709, gave her £15.

Among the official list of Clerk’s fees at this period were the following:--

For the use of the Hall for ffuneralls, Country ffeasts
or weddings 1 0 0

ffor the ffunerall of every Liveryman, the best hood or 0 7 0

17th July, 1718. The Court as a particular reward to Charles Bernard
their Clerk for abstracting and peruseing the Company’s title to
the Estate in East Smithfield and for his care in passing the fine
thereof whereby the Company saved a sume of money and for his
extraordinary trouble in attending the Lords of the Admiralty and
prosecuteing several persons for takeing the dead bodys from the
place of Execuc͠on Did and do hereby give him the sum̄e of fourscore
pounds who accepted the same as a most bountifull Instance of the
kindness of this Court to him with a full resoluc͠on on his part to
acquitt himself by all imaginable and constant returns of duty and
gratitude.

Mr. Charles Bernard, who had been a most zealous Clerk and high in the esteem of the Court, died somewhere between the 5th and 20th February, 1740.

25th March, 1740. Joseph Wheeler, son of John Wheeler, Barber-Surgeon, elected Clerk, vice Bernard. Wheeler wrote a fine bold and flowing hand; and the books were well kept, but he was evidently not so able a man as Mr. Bernard.

4th July, 1740. Joseph Wheeler provided two sureties who entered into a bond for £3,000, to ensure his fidelity in the execution of his office.

17th January, 1743. The Commissioners of the Navy having complained that sufficient regard had not been paid to former letters of theirs respecting Surgeons’ Mates, and it appearing that the Clerk had withheld the said letters from the Court, it was ordered that he should be suspended forthwith, with which the Commissioners were acquainted and also that the Court had resolved not to take off such suspension but by the consent and desire of the Commissioners.

31st January, 1743. The Commissioners of the Navy having signified their desire that the Clerk should be restored to his office, he was called into Court, severely reprimanded, reinstated in his position, and cautioned as to his future conduct.

Mr. Wheeler continued Clerk until the separation of the Surgeons from the Barbers in 1745, when neither body retained his services, and it appearing that moneys were due from him to the Company, application was made to his sureties.

25th June, 1745. John Paterson was chosen Clerk to the Barbers’ Company at the first Court held after the separation, and entered into a Bond with two sureties in a sum of £2,000.

19th February, 1746. Mr. Paterson having brought in an account of his Costs in the matter of the separation of the Surgeons amounting to £167 13_s._ 2_d._, and also an account of voluntary contributions by members of the Company towards defraying the same amounting to £168 10_s._ 6_d._, he begged the Court to accept of his past services as a return for the honour done him in his election, and the Court were pleased to accept of the compliment, but having a high sense of the services rendered by Mr. Paterson, they directed the sum of £80 to be laid out in plate and presented to him “to remain in his family as a memorial of his merit and of their gratitude.”

5th March, 1765. Mr. Paterson requested permission to resign his office, which the Court accepted with great reluctance, and passed a complimentary resolution in his favour.

Richard Beale, who had been Mr. Paterson’s clerk and was highly recommended by him, was elected Clerk.

8th August, 1765. Mr. Paterson was unanimously elected an Assistant.

Mr. Beale bequeathed £500 to the Company in reversion on the death of Mrs. Ann Woodhouse.

22nd April, 1766. James Marye elected Clerk vice Beale (deceased).

22nd April, 1766. John Paterson Esquire being withdrawn a Motion was
made and the question being put That a piece of plate of the value of
Fifty Pounds or thereabouts be presented to the said M{r} Paterson
as a mark of the high esteem and value this Court entertains of his
merit and abilities and to shew their gratitude to him for his long
and faithful services during the course of twenty years and in return
for his readiness on every occasion to assist this Court with his
advice and council, the same was carried in the Affirmative, NEMINE
CONTRADICENTE.

By the Accounts for this year it appears that a Silver Tureen, Dish and Ladle were purchased for £65 16_s._ 0_d._, and this was no doubt the gift to Mr. Paterson.

20th August, 1767. The Court being informed that Mr. Paterson intended to stand for the City at the next General Election, it was ordered that he should have the use of the Company’s Hall for his meetings.

An excellent mezzotint portrait of Mr. Paterson, with some eulogistic lines below, is preserved at Barbers’ Hall.

In 1754 Mr. Paterson presented to the Company the valuable portrait of the Duchess of Richmond, painted by Sir Peter Lely, and which still adorns the Court Room.

Mr. Paterson was a member of the Common Council, and sometime Chairman of the Bridge House Estates Committee, he was also M.P. for Ludgershall, Wilts. He was ever faithful to this Company, serving it with distinguished ability, and seems to have been greatly respected and esteemed.

1st June, 1790. William Wood elected Clerk vice Marye.

Mr. Wood presented the Company with a handsome Silver Tea Urn.

13th August, 1795. Edward Grose Smith (Mr. Wood’s partner) elected Clerk vice Wood, resigned.

5th March, 1822. Henley Smith (son of E. G. Smith) elected Clerk vice Smith, resigned.

5th February, 1861. Mr. Henley Smith resigned and was elected an Assistant (Master in 1864).

7th May, 1861. Henley Grose Smith (son of Henley Smith) elected Clerk vice Smith, resigned. Mr. Henley Grose Smith was elected an Assistant 1877.

THE BEADLE.

There is no certainty as to the first institution of this office, though it is probably not so old as that of the Clerk, who in ancient times, summoned the Livery, collected the quarterage and performed various duties which we afterwards find assigned to the Beadle, and we may conclude that in those days he was little more than a Caretaker or “Porter”; indeed, this is the more likely as the latter designation is frequently applied to the Under Beadle in the Records.

As the business and numbers of the Company increased, several minor functions of the Clerk were delegated to the Porter or Beadle, who had distinctive duties assigned to him varying with the age in which he lived; among these may be enumerated, sweeping the garden, collecting quarterage, cleaning the Hall, whipping naughty apprentices, summoning freemen, etc., bringing home dead bodies from Tyburn, keeping lists of journeymen, pressing Surgeons and Barbers for sea service, assisting the Masters on search days, hunting up and laying informations against non freemen practising Barbery and Surgery, marshalling and heading processions, both at the Hall and in the City pageants, guarding the Parlour door, and other offices too numerous to particularise, though there were but few of them which did not yield a fee, and indeed our Beadle could hardly have lived without fees, for his official salary in Edward VI’s time was but £4 per annum, which, notwithstanding the greater value of money then, could scarcely be considered a fat living.

With one exception, the office has been (and properly so) held by freemen, and in the appointment of the Court. In 1626, however, the Lord Keeper sent a letter “recommending” (_i.e._, commanding) the Company to elect one Gorton, a servant of his, to the place, and Gorton was accordingly chosen. The interference of the King and his great officers in the patronage and appointments vested in the City guilds was carried to great lengths with some of the Companies, and there are amusing accounts extant of the astuteness with which this meddling was sometimes met (_vide_ Herbert’s Livery Companies). Our Company, with the solitary exception above referred to, appears to have been happily free from this species of intervention.

Early in the 17th century there were two Beadles of the Clothing, the Under Beadle being often styled the Porter, but about the middle of the 18th century, and since then, one Beadle has sufficed.

The Beadle has always had his “house” at the Hall, and used formerly to pay a small quit rent for it. On the dismission of a Beadle for misconduct, a difficulty was sometimes experienced in regaining possession of this house, and various shifts were resorted to; even the Beadles’ Widows now and then refused to turn out, and the “benevolences” meted out to them were possibly sometimes in the nature of bribes to induce them to go.

Besides the Beadles of the Clothing, there was a Beadle of the Yeomanry, whose duties were analogous to those of his more exalted brethren, and into whose office he frequently stepped when there was a vacancy.

The Beadles for many years had a most disagreeable duty to perform, namely, the procuring and bringing home from Tyburn the dead bodies of malefactors. By the Act 32 Hen. VIII, the Company were empowered to have yearly the bodies of four executed felons for “anatomies,” and the practice was for the Beadles to attend at the gallows and select such bodies as they pleased. Their opponents were generally the hangman, who himself trafficked in these uncanny goods, the relatives of the criminal, and the populace who were incited by the relatives to resist the Beadles. Many were the unseemly fights which took place over these bodies, and oftentimes when the Beadles had secured a “subject” and were driving off with it in a coach, they were attacked and beaten, and the body rescued from them. The hangman appears to have been entitled to the dead man’s clothes, for on more than one occasion the Company gave him compensation for them, they having been torn to pieces in the brutal struggle for possession. Moreover the Company had often to satisfy the Coachmen for personal injuries and for damages to their coaches, as well as to give special gratuities to their Beadles by way of solatium for the beatings which they underwent. Frequent prosecutions and convictions followed the interference with the Company’s Officers at these times, and even the Sheriff’s Officers were on one occasion dismissed by the City for having sided against the Beadles.

The hangman came to the Hall regularly for his Christmas Box and gave a receipt for the same, sometimes affixing the title “Executioner” after his signature. Many curious particulars relating to the above will be found elsewhere. (_Vide_ Wardens’ Accounts, Surgery, etc.)

The Beadle is elected annually by the Court, and resides at the Hall. The two Silver maces pertaining to his office are as handsome and massive as any in the City and are always carried before the Master on Court days.

14th May, 1530. The earliest reference to the Beadle in our Records is to be found in the Ordinances signed by Sir Thomas More, where it is directed that the Members shall take their seniority “according to the trew entrance therof in the Bedyllꝭ Rolle.”

6th November, 1550. Richard Wilson was Beadle at this time.

6th July, 1552. Thomas Appulton, Beadle, vice Wilson deceased.

19th September, 1552. It was agreed that Appulton “shall have his messe of meate on the feaste dayes.”

4th May, 1574. Here was the Wardens of the yeomanry and brought
Anthony Hall in to the Courte to be admytted Beadle of the yeomanrye
and he was sworne and admytted and fathe(r) Roger(s) put to his
penc͠on and to geve attendaunce but as he is able.

22nd July, 1577. Richard Rogers, the old Beadle of the Yeomanry, was ordered a gift of 20_s._ and a yearly pension of 20_s._

23rd July, 1582. Robert Norton, Yeomanry Beadle, was authorised to take 2_d._ of every freeman on his admission, and his yearly salary of 8_s._ was raised to 26_s._ 8_d._

14th August, 1587. Robert Norton was Livery Beadle.

10th December, 1596. James Hewes (Hughes) was Livery Beadle.

16th June, 1597. John Smith, Livery Beadle.

15th August, 1603. Edward Evans, Livery Beadle.

15th August, 1603. Kellam Clifton appointed Porter or Under Beadle.

21st July, 1608. Edward Blayny, Beadle, was dismissed for behaving himself “very dishonestly.”

14th August, 1617. Kellam Clifton elected Beadle and Edward Presson, Porter.

2nd December, 1617. Clifton was suspended for misbehaviour, but subsequently reinstated.

9th July, 1618. William Chapman elected Porter.

19th February, 1621. Clifton, again misbehaving himself, was dismissed.

14th June, 1621. Humphry Mumford elected Beadle.

3rd July, 1621. Chapman, the Porter, dismissed for using “lewd speeches,” but on his humble submission and craving pardon on his knees, he was reinstated, 10th July, 1621.

20th August, 1621. The Company could not get Clifton out of his house, so they gave him 20_s._ and a pension of 40_s._ per annum during good behaviour and the pleasure of the Court. Possibly the “pleasure of the Court” did not extend beyond one year.

15th February, 1626. Edward Gorton (recommended by the Lord Keeper) elected Beadle in place of Mumford.

10th July, 1628. This daye this Court takeing notice of an order
made the 3 of Julye, 1621, by w{ch} order Chapman our Porter for his
dissolute and deboist carriage was ip̃o facto then by that order
dismissed of his said place and likewise of an order made in the
beginning of oure M{rs} tyme for the dismissing of the said Chapman
for his misbehavior and upon the generall complaint made unto this
Court against the said Chapman for the most parte being drunck
misbehaveing himselfe towardꝭ the M{rs} and carrieing himselfe soe
basely & quarrelsome to the brethren of this Companie and neglecting
his duety to this house. It is thereupon ordered that he shall stand
dismissed from his said place unlesse at the next Court of Assistantꝭ
it doe appeare that he hath left his former carriage of being often
drunck & deboistnes.

3rd February, 1634. Gorton requested to be discharged of his office of Beadle in respect of his age and feebleness, and Nathaniel Foster was elected in his place.

25th January, 1637. Chapman, “Under Beadle,” resigned, and was assigned a pension of £4 per annum during pleasure.

25th January, 1637. Edmond Johnson “who writeth very well” was elected Under Beadle.

6th March, 1639. Foster, for his “sawcey carriage unto this Companie” and general neglect of duty, was dismissed.

1659. Francis Johnson was Beadle with a salary of £10, and Peter Smith, Porter, with a salary of £8.

1662. Peter Smith was Beadle, and Thomas Veere, Porter.

23rd June, 1692. Ordered that William Cave be admitted to assist Peter Smith and Jonas Wills the Beadles.

19th July, 1694. Peter Smith was dead; he had been a very zealous servant of the Company. On the first floor landing at the Hall is a pretty piece of heraldic glass in the window with his name and the date 1671. Jonas Wills elected Beadle.

16th August, 1694. William Cave elected Beadle vice Wills deceased.

8th July, 1708. William Cave and Thomas Repton were Beadles.

6th July, 1710. Repton’s widow had £3 given her to bury her late husband.

20th February, 1711. Mr. Gratian Bale (son of Nathan Bale, Citizen and Grocer) who was apprenticed 22nd June, 1669 to Robert Andrewes (Surgeon), and afterwards became an Examiner in Surgery, and Master in 1709, petitioned the Court to be relieved of the office of an Assistant on the ground that he had fallen into decayed circumstances and could not possibly support that dignity, and on his resignation being accepted, the Court proceeded to the election of a Beadle in the room of Thomas Repton deceased, whereupon Mr. Bale was elected--

And in regard that the s{d} M{r} Bale had been Ma{r} of This Company
This Court doth hereby give him leave (asking the consent of the
Governo{rs} for the time being) to depute some other person to walke
before the Company in his stead with the Beadles staffe & gowne upon
the Lord Mayors & Elecc͠on days.

18th May, 1714. Mr. Bale having become too infirm to execute his office, the Court, in consideration of his past services, appointed William Hardy, Barber, his assistant, at a salary of £10 per annum.

31st July, 1716. William Cave died of a “high fever.”

16th August, 1716. William Watkins and William Hardy elected Beadles, on condition of paying Mr. Bale £10 per annum, which the Court supplemented with another £10.

10th July, 1717. Richard Collins elected Beadle vice Hardy, deceased.

18th August, 1720. It was ordered that in future no man could be qualified to be put in nomination for the office of Beadle if above 40 years of age--

in order that the business may from thenceforward be discharged and
dispatched with propˀ vigour and dexterity and to the honour and
profitt of the Company.

13th April, 1721. Watkins being so indisposed as not to be able to perform his duties, Charles Window (who looked after the dead bodies at Tyburn) was ordered to officiate for him. Watkins shortly after lost his speech and got into Ludgate prison, where he had a weekly allowance from the Company--he seems to have remained in prison till his death, 3rd August, 1724.

7th October, 1722. Henry Gretton elected Beadle vice Watkins.

6th November, 1724. Matthew Morris elected Beadle vice Collins, resigned.

30th October, 1732. William Littlebury elected Beadle vice Morris, deceased.

5th June, 1764. John Wells elected Beadle vice Littlebury, resigned on pension.

3rd April, 1787. William Smith elected Beadle vice Wells, deceased.

4th March, 1788. Joseph Wells (son of John Wells) elected Beadle vice Smith, deceased.

6th February, 1798. Jacob Bonwick elected Beadle vice Wells, deceased.

1st March, 1814. William Barnes elected Beadle vice Bonwick.

11th August, 1831. Samuel Borrett elected Beadle vice Barnes (who retired on a pension of £50 per annum).

11th August, 1864. John Heaps (Master in 1855) elected Beadle vice Borrett (who retired on a pension of £50 per annum).

1st July, 1879. Edward Lawless elected Beadle vice Heaps (who retired on a pension of £52 per annum).

SURGERY.

1551. ~Memorandum~ the xxviij{th} daye of Aprill in the v{th} yere of
the reigne of King Edwarde the sixte yt was condescended and agreed
by M{r} Bancke and Edward Hewit before M{r} Geen with his Wardeins
That John Chambr̃ shall performe his bargayne w{th} Willm̄ Drew for
the healing of his mayde for the mony receyved of him aforehand
which is xiij{s} iiij{d.} And further yt is agreed that James Wood
shall repay to the said Drewe the mony receyved of him which is
xiij{s} iiij{d.} Also the sayd John Chambr̃ shall agre w{th} the sayd
James Wood for his labor and content him for his payne according to
conscience.

19th September, 1552. ALSOO it ys ordered and agreed that the serṽnts
of Straungers that occupye Surgery shall paye x{d} the quarter w{ch}
is iij{s} iiij{d} by yere.

5th March, 1555. Among the Articles ordained on this day are the following:--

That there shalbe chosein viij examyners wherof iiij to be alwayes
present to examyn all such as experte in Surgery, the M{r} and
governors being present Wherupon the sayed examyners may sett their
hands w{th} the consent of the M{r} and govˀnors hearing the mater.
And that the sayed examyners shall not examyn nor geve Lrẽs of
lycence but that the M{r} and govˀnors shalbe prevy therof. And that
there maye be a booke made wherine every mans name that have Lycence
to occupye Surgery being approved, to be enrolled and what ys the
grace that ys to him or them appointed. And if they take upon them to
doo otherwise than there grace ys geven them, the blame to redowne to
him or them that so doo and not to the examyners nor to the m{r} and
govˀnors, and that there maye be alwayes at every courte day twoo at
the leaste of the sayed examyners during a moneth: and so afterward
monethelye two of them to be there whose chaunce the monethe shall
fall too yf there besynes be not the greater because the m{r} and
govˀnors shoulde not be to seke if anye bodye shoulde be examyned
there. And for defaulte of noen being there having no reasonnable
excuse, to lose to the hall ij{s} if he doo not send worde or com̃e
himself being in the Cytie of London, or desyen a nother examyner
to be there for him when his course ys at every Courte daye because
we shoulde not be w{t}out them who cañ answer the matter towching
Surgery.

That they whiche be appointed for the Anathomye for the yere next
following and must sarve the Docter and be about the bodye he shall
se and provyde that there be every yere, a matte about the harthe
in the hall that M{r} Docter made not to take colde upon his feate,
nor other gentelmen that do com̃e and marke the Anathomye to learne
knowledge And further that there be ij fyne white rodds appointed
for the Docter to touche the body where it shall please him and a
waxe candell to loke into the bodye and that there be alwayes for
the Docter two aprons to be from the sholder downewarde and two peyr
of Sleaves for his hole arme w{t} tapes for chaunge for the sayed
doctor and not to occupye one Aporne and one payer of Sleves every
daye w{ch} ys unseamly. And the M{rs} of the Anathomye y{t} be about
the bodye to have lyke aprons and sleves every daye bothe white and
cleane. Yf y{t} the M{r} of the Anathomye y{t} be about the Docter
doo not see theise things ordered and that their knyves probes and
other instrumẽts be fayer and cleane accordinglye w{th} Aprons and
sleves, if they doo lacke any of the said things afore rehersed he
shall forfayte for a fyne to the hall xl{s.}

22nd July, 1556. It was ordained among other articles--

[Sidenote:
An Article that evˀye
Barbor Surgeon occupˀing
Surgery shall take no
mañ’ of prentice but
suche as hathe some
knowledge in the
Latten tonge.]

That from the feaste of Saint Michaell tharchaungell next comynge
no barbor Surgeon that dothe occupye the mystery of Surgery in the
Clothinge or out of the Clothing shall take or have any prentys but
that he cañ skyll of the Laten tonge and understand the same and cañ
wryte and reade suffycientlye and yf they or any of them doo take any
that cañ not doo the same they that offende shall paye to the hall
for a ffyne xl{s.}

[Sidenote:
An Article that all
prentizes that here
after shalbe made
ffree and do entend
to occupye Surgery
shalbe examyned and
to passe his ffirste
prefermẽt of grace.]

That prentisses that shalbe made ffree after michelmas next comynge
that doo occupy the mystery of Surgery and all other men that doo
desyer to occupy the same and to be a brother w{th} us, to be
examyned and to passe according to the order of this house as a
prefermẽt of a grace to him geven as the order hereafter followeth as
he shalbe demaunded and apposoe.

[Sidenote:
An Article howe the
sayed prentizes
shalbe examyned.]

That after michelmas next comyng all pˀntyces when they are made
ffree must (be) demaunded by the M{r} and govˀnors and the iiij
examyners what he intendeth to doo after he is made free, whether he
will occupye the mystery of Surgery or no w{t}in the Cytie of London.
Yf he saye ye Then to be examyned what he can doo towards yt, howe he
knoweth what ys Surgery and also what an Anatomye ys and howe manye
perts it ys, of what the iiij{or} Elements and the xij signes be
w{ch} ys the fyrste pert of examynac͠on for a prentyce & for other
that wilbe brother with us as the examyners shall see cause, for
having of their preferment of their first grace to them to be geven.

[Sidenote: An Article
that upon his examy’on
of Surgery the said
prentis shall have his
preferme’t of grace
and if he or they can
reade to bring in
qr’terly an epistle.]

That when he hathe aunswered to the firste article preyving that he
hathe some Learninge or practyse Then to have his firste preferment
of grace to occupye Surgery by the space of so many yeres or tyme
as the M{r} and govˀnors and the examyners shall thinke meete, and
as his Industrye shall seme to receyve the grace of god and by his
dilligent travell to studye in the same and for an homage thereof if
he be learned or can wryte to bringe in an Epistell evˀy half yere
and to reade it himselfe openly at the day of Lecture before the hole
house that they may see his furtheraunce how he hathe profyted in his
dilligent Labor and studye, and the unlearned that can not wryte nor
reade to be examyned half yerelye what they can doo in the practyse
because they be unlettered by the m{r} and govˀnors and the Examyners
how they have taken payens in their studye to practyse because they
be unlettered for the Savegarde of the kg̃ and queenes mãt{s} people.

[Sidenote:
An Article that any man
desyring to have his
prefermẽt of grace shall
paye to the Clarcke for
y{e} wryting therof viij{d.}]

That any man occupyinge the mystery of Surgery being made free and
desiereth to have his firste preferment of grace shall paye to the
Clercke of the Companye for the wrytinge Inrolling fynding waxe to
seale it and for the having of the Seale viij{d.}

[Sidenote:
An Article that no man
occup’ing Surgery shall
sewe for the Busshopes
seale before he be
admitted a M{r} of
Surgery by the M{r}
and govˀnors & the
iiij Examyners.]

That no man of the Companye after the feaste of Saint Michell
Tharchaungell next comyng shall call for the Busshopes seale which ys
the confyrmac͠on of a Surgeon untill suche tyme as he hathe passed
his fyrste preferment of grace & the Seconde admyssion to be admitted
to be a Surgeon and a Maister of Anathomye, and to paye for the
having of the Seconde admyssyon a spone of an ounce of Silver and
his name to be wrytten upon it to the hall, and the Clercke of the
Company for the wryting and findinge waxe and enrolling of yt in the
boke viij{d.} and if the pˀson doo not this passe orderly he to paye
for a ffyne to the hall xl{s.}

~The order~ of the ffyrste preferment of grace of the admissyon of
practycyoners that have been prentizes and be made ffree what
they shall have fyrste towards their preferment.

[Sidenote:
The order of the first
prefermẽt of grace of
practicioñs and
prentices.]

~Fforasmoche~ as yt is expedyent that no man occupye the worthye
Scyence of Surgerye but suche as shalbe thoughte apte and industrˀ to
execute the same truelye and accordinglye as well for the comodytie
and proffyt of the comen welthe as also for the avoyding of the
Inconveniences and Slaunder that otherwise mighte happen by the
rasshenes and unconning of suche lewde persons as taketh upon them
to exercyse Surgery being neither expert nor of us admytted to the
same. And forasmoche as it is not possyble that any shall attayne
to the same w{t}out instrucc͠ons firste learned of conninge and
well exercysed men of that facultie: being broughte up therin as a
practycyoner or otherwise under some well scylled M{r} for certayne
yeres: in whiche tyme he mighte applye his mynde to learne perfectly
the rules and speculatyve pert therof. The maister and govˀnors of
the Barbors and Surgeons of London w{th} the foure Examyners and the
rest of the hole assistaunce have thoughte it good after suche tyme
and terme of yeres expired every suche prentis or otherwise Servaunt
being made ffre of the sayed Companye and ffellowship shall also have
a tyme appointed by us and the reste of the Companye to practise and
to put in use suche knowledge as he hathe that we in tyme afterwarde
havinge intelligence of his connynge and well dooyngs may constitute
him a maister of Surgery if his deserving so requier. WHERFORE we
the sayed Maisters and governors and the iiij{or} examyners w{th}
the rest of the hole assistaunce here at this instante doo admitt
A. B. as a practycyoner: who hath served as a prentis with R. G.
maister aucthorisshed of this Company the space of yeares and now
being a freeman of this Companye to practise Surgery in all placˀs
according to his knowledge for the space of yeares as a tryall
and a proofe of his knowledge may be had. In Witnesse wherof of the
premisses we have caused this Lrẽ to be sealed w{t} our seale of our
hall touching the firste admissyon of his fyrste prefermẽt of grace
the xxiiij{th} day of Julye Anno dñi 1556.

~The Order~ of the firste preferm̄et of their grace that be Lay
bretherne that occupye the Scyence of Surgery w{th} us and
also for them that be not a brother w{th} us and dothe desyre
to be (of) us for their fyrste admissyon of practycyoners.

[Sidenote:
The order of the firste
prefermẽt of grace for
Laye Bretherne.]

“~Fforasmoche~ as yt is moste expedyent that no man occupie,” etc.,
etc. This licence is similar to the last one excepting that it
provides that the person admitted being made a brother, though no
free man, should have a time given to him in which to practise the
art of Surgery on approval.

~The Order~ of the Admissyon of Maisters of Surgery and of the
Anatamye to be confyrmed for ever before they have the Seale
of the Busshop w{ch} maketh up the hole confyrmac͠on of a
master of Surgery & of Anathomye.

[Sidenote:
The order of the
admissyon of a
M{r} of Surgerye.]

~We~ Thomas Knot M{r} Thomas Gayle John Smythe and Thomˀs ffishe
Governors Thomas Vycary George Hollande George Geen and Richard
fferes M{rs} and examyners of the Company of Barbours and Surgeons of
London w{th} the rest of the whole assistaunce of the same Companye
To all men to whome this wryting shall come greting. ~We~ certifye
youe by this Lrẽ that whereas o{r} welbeloved in Christe T. A. ys
not onely a man of honest fame and good behaveor but is also expert
connynge and well exercysed in the arte of Surgery as his well
defycell[186] cures and prosperous successe w{ch} can not be dooen
w{t}out maturate judgement and Learninge dothe make thereof moste
certayne trueth and be assure witnes. ffurther more we are assured by
the experyence we have of the man that he is not onely substancyally
well exercysed in the curing of infyrmities belonging to Surgery
of the p̃ts of mans bodye comonly called the Anathomye: Wherfore
we aswell in the behalf equyte reason and conscyence as also for
the preferm̃et of Learning knowledge and experyence doo thinke yt
meete convenyent and reasonnable to constitute the same T. A. bothe
A Maister of Surgery and also of the Anathomye and willeth him so
to be taken for ever hereafter and to have auctorytie to exercyse &
occupye as well the one as the other wheresoever he shall come w{t}in
this Realme or ellswhere of the premisses ~In~ Witnes wherof we have
caused this Lrẽ to be sealed w{t} the great comon seale of our Hall
the xxiij{th} daye of July A{o} dñi 1556.

[186] Difficult.

27th August, 1557. The same daye It Wase ffurder ordered and agreed
that all men of the saide Companye and fellowshypp usinge the mystere
and crafte of Surgerye maye take unto hys or y{r} Apprentice anye
person or persons althoweth[187] he or they be not lerned in the
Latin Tonge, anye Acte here to fore made to the contrarye not with
standinge.

[187] Although.

The same day it was ordered that the two Masters of Anatomy should have the keys and custody of the “Lyberary and of the Instr̃ments” therein, and that the Wardens of the Yeomanry were to keep the Instruments clean.

Attendance by the members on the Surgical side was compulsory at the Anatomy lectures, and 27th August, 1557, is an order of Court that Robert Mudsley (Master in 1572 and 1580) “hath lycence to be absent from all lecture dayes w{th}oute paymẽte any fyne for by cawse he hath gyven over the exercysynge of the arte of Surgery and doth occupy only a sylk shoppe and shave.”

A little later on, William Cawsey had licence to be absent from the lectures on payment of a yearly fine of 3_s._ 4_d._, and there are scores of similar exemptions in the books.

1st March, 1558. Jasper the Cutter for the Stoane had Lycence by the
M{r} and govˀnors that he shall worcke and set forth his sygne and
he payde for hys fyne x{s} and yf that he do not go ovˀ in to his
owne cuntrye before whytsontide nexte after folowyng he hath promysed
that he wylbe a brother of this howse but as yet he ys not admytted a
brother.

25th October, 1558. There was before the Court one Leonardo Rodergo--

Surgeon & deuchem̃a whome pˀsumptinglye & arogantly stood and bragged
w{th} a letter to be in the name of Kyng Phillippe lycencing hym to
occupye surgery w{t}in all y{e} Kyngs & quenes domynions & when yt
was seene y{r}to was nether seale nor the kyngs hande, but a sorte of
Spanyards hands & names whome he sayde afterwards yt one of them was
y{e} kyngs secretary & thother of his Councell.