Chapter XII: THE TWELVE Article is that if Olyver Wilson dothe hereafter (6)

Dr. J. J. Howard had in his collection the following document, which, as he says, affords good evidence of the low condition of Surgical practice in the metropolis at the accession of Elizabeth.

~Elizabeth~ by the grace of God Queen of England Fraunce and
Irelonde Defender of the faith etc. TO ALL Mayours Sheriffs
Baylliffs Constables and all other our Offycers Mynisters and
Subjects thees our Lettres hearinge or seinge and to every of
them greetinge.

~We~ lett you wete that for certeyn consideracions us movinge we
have by theise presents auctorised and lycensed our Trustie and
Wellbeloved Servaunte ~Thomas Uncarn~ Sergeant of our Surgions and
the Wardens of the Fellowshipp of the said Surgions within our Cytie
of London that now be or hereafter shalbe, that they by themselfs
or their assigne bearer hereof shal and may from hensforth take and
reteyne at our wages as well within the Cytie of London as elsewhere
within any other Cytie Towne Boroughe or other place within this
our Realme as well franchised and privileged as not franchised nor
privileged suche and as many Surgions as they shall thinke mete and
able from time to time to doe unto us servyce in the scyence of
Surgerie at any season hereafter as well by sea as lande and further
that the Sergeant and Wardeyns aforesaide shal or maye take of suche
as be not able to serve suche instruments and other stuff of Surgerie
as they shal thinke mete to sarve agreinge and payinge therfor to all
suche of whom any suche instruments or stuff shal be taken. ~Wherfore
We~ woll and comaunde you and eṽy of you that unto our saide Sergiant
and the Wardeyns aforesaid and their assigne bearer hereof in the due
execucion of this our aucthoritie and lycense ye be aydinge helpinge
and assistinge as oft as the case shal require without any your
denyall lett or contradycion as ye and eṽy of you tender our pleasure
and woll avoide the contrary at your peril ~In~ Witness whereof We
have caused theis our Lettres of Commissyon to be sealed with our
Greate Seale. Wytness ourself at Westmynstre the day of December
the seconde yere of our Reigne.

1st October, 1566, is an entry of the translation from the Woodmongers’ Company of William Slade, who was stated to be “a Surgeon & learned yt w{th} Ric. Venar & John Hall at Maydstone.” This John Hall was a famous Surgeon in his day and wrote “An Historiall Expostulation Against the beastlye Abusers, bothe of Chyrurgerie and Physyke,” which has been reprinted with several valuable notes by the Percy Society (Vol. XI) accompanied with John Hall’s portrait.

14th January, 1567. M{r} Doctor Julyo made request y{t} he myghte
have the work of the anathomy these iiij{or} or fyve yeres so y{t}
the coledge of the phicysions sholde not put hym from us & also y{t}
he myghte have pˀvat anathomyes at his demaunde in this howse.

16th January, 1567. It was agreed that Dr. Julius Borgarneins (“Dr. Julyo”) should “make and worke ow{r} anathomyes and skellytons” for the space of five years.

18th March, 1567. Thomas Wells, Merchant Taylor, complained against Nicholas Wyborde for “not curynge his mans hed y{t} he tooke in hande.”

The following order for the erection of raised seats for the members attending the Anatomy lectures, and for a screen to temporarily hide the body, indicates the growing interest taken by the Company in the furtherance of technical education; and from the reference to _the_ skeleton, for which a case was directed to be made, it is highly probable that this was the only specimen which the Company in those days possessed!

1st February, 1568. Also yt ys ordayned and agreed by this Courte
That there shalbe buyldyngꝭ don and made aboute the hall for Seates
for the Companye that com̃eth unto every publyque anathomy, ffor by
cawse that every pˀsone comyng to se the same maye have good pˀspect
over the same and that one sholde not cover the syght thereof one
frome another as here to fore the Company have much cõplayned on the
same. And also foder more yt is agreed that the olde standyng w{ch}
did sˀve for the company of the clothing at coronacions or any noble
pere his com̃yng throughe the cytie oute of any fforeyns Cõntrey or
lande, for bycawse yt is broken and spoyled and olde shall all be put
to the makyng of the saide seates or for sparyng of the charge for
new Tymber. And also That whan yt shall happen any greate pere of
any fforren Lande upon tryumphe to com̃e as aforsaid and the Company
beynge then com̃anded to theyre standyng for to receyve any noble
man for the hono{r} of the prince kynge or quene of this Realme of
England and the cytie of London, That then as now and now as then
also the M{r} and govˀno{rs} for the tyme beyng shall buylde & make
a new Substanciall and Com̃ly fayer standyng To serve in lyke and
ample maner. And also ther shalbe pyllers and Rodꝭ of Iron made to
beare and drawe Courteynes upon & aboute the frame where w{th}in the
Anathomy doth lye and is wrought upon, for bycawse that no pˀsone or
pˀsones shall beholde the desections or incysyngꝭ of the body, but
that all maye be made cleane and covered w{th} fayer clothes untyll
the Docter shall com and take his place to reade and declare upon the
partes desected. And also yet forder more also, That there shalbe a
case of weynscot made w{th} paynters worke y{r} upon as semely as
maye be don ffor the skellyton to stande in and that for the Worshyp
of the Company--and all these to be made wrought and don at the
charges of the mistery and Com̃on boxe of the hall.

16th March, 1568. Here was Edward Park for y{t} he hath wretten
upon his Surgeons signe the skoller of S{t} Thomas of Wallingforde
and the said Edward Parke is comaunded by the aucthorytie of this
worsshyphfull Courte That he the said Edward Parke shall w{th} all
expedicion put oute of his said Signe the said wrytinge & to sett his
signe as other Surgeons do w{t}out any superscryption yt upon and not
ells otherwyse as he wyll answere to the contrarye.

13th July, 1568. In this Courte John ffrende is comytted to warde for
a pacient dyeing under his hands and not presented.

19th April, 1569. Here was the wyfe of Richard Selbye of London
Ironmonger playntyf agaynst William Wyse for that he cured not her
housbonds leg as he promysed he wolde have don, and yt is ordered
that Wylliam Wyse shall repaye agayne of the money w{ch} he receyved
in parte of the bargayne made be twene them and then was in the
pˀsents of this Courte payde unto Agnes the wyf of the above said
Richard Selby vj{s} viij{d} and so William Wyse is clerely dyscharged
of pacyent & all.

1570. This year it was deemed advisable to increase the number of the Examiners in Surgery from five to seven, and these were Mr. Serjeant Balthrop, Mr. Alexander Mason, Mr. Thomas Baylie, Mr. Robert Mudesley, Mr. John Field, Mr. John Yates, and Mr. William Bovie.

5th April, 1570. It was agreed that in consequence of the great charges with which the Company was always burdened in time of wars, in setting forth sufficient surgeons and their men with unguents, balms, etc., as also common soldiers, that a petition should be sent to the Queen for redress in the matter of providing soldiers.

11th April, 1570. Here was one playntyf agaynst W{m} Beton
for a bubo & W{m} Beton wyll heale hym yf he wylbe ruled by him.

28th April, 1570. In this Courte W{m} Gyllam is charged to cure
Elizabeth Hyns of carmebrontyasis & once a day Gyllam shall pˀseve
her untyll she be hole and then she shall paye the said Gillam in the
pˀsents of this Courte in redy money vj{s.} viij{d.}

11th November, 1572. Here was one Steven Robinson to complaine
againste Edward Parke for arestinge hym for the curinge of hym for
v yeres seence. (_Which means that Parke had sued Robinson for a
surgeon’s bill five years old, without leave of the Court._)

12th February, 1573. Here was John ffrend and was comaunded to lay
downe his fyne for not pˀntinge M{r} Watson of the Towre w{ch} dyed
of Gangrena in his fote and he p{d} xv{s.}

This non-presentation of patients in danger of death, was a common offence, and Mr. Frend had been previously convicted of it (13th July, 1568), on which occasion he was committed to prison.

31st March, 1573. Here was Edwarde Saunders warned because he wold
not paye the Anathomytꝭ ther dutye and also that he had let one
bloude at Blackwall and that he dyed, his arme fallynge to Gangrena
and made no pˀsentac͠on therof also that he w{th}eld certeyne things
of Whittingtons widdowe and he was willed to be here the next Courte
daye.

21st April, 1573. Here was one to complaine one[188] John Burges for
not delinge well w{th} hym in his cure concernynge a sore arme and he
is to be warned the next court.

[188] On, _i.e._, of.

28th April, 1573. Here was John Burgis and witnessed that the said
pacient would not be ordered as was necessary and therefore he
forsoke to deale w{th} hym.

21st May, 1573. Here was John Deane and appoynted to brynge in his
fyne x{li} for havinge an Anathomye in his howse contrary to an order
in that behalf between this and mydsomer next.

21st July, 1573. “Here was one Robert Grottell a straunger and cutter for the Stone, admitted a brother and paid iiij{li}” and bound to pay the remainder of his fine for admission at the rate of 10_s._ per quarter.

30th July, 1573. Here was one John Gardener a healer of the rupture
and Stone and was examyned and had his Lr̃e of Admyttaunce and paid.

15th September, 1573. Here was one Alexander Capes a carpenter
and required that he might have some helpe concernyng his griefs
consyderinge that he had ben in thands of John ffrend Willm̃ Wise &
Richard Storye and had geven them mony for to be cured and was not,
wherefor order was taken that they should deale further w{th} him for
his health.

11th May, 1574. Here was James Marcadye and required to have Lycens
of absens one[189] Lecture dayes and it was graunted hym savinge that
he muste pay for his lycens xx{d} the quarter.

[189] On.

Surgeons were continually being called before the Court for “evil dealing” with their patients, and for not performing cures for which they had received the money beforehand. The Court generally endeavoured to effect a friendly relationship between the parties, though in cases which were considered as clearly proved against the Surgeon, he was either fined or imprisoned, or else ordered to make suitable compensation to the patient.

7th September, 1574. Here was John Griffen complayned uppon William
Pownsabe for gevinge him a powder w{ch} lossed all the teeth in his
head, w{ch} John Griffen had the dissease w{ch} we call Demorbo
gallico.

2nd February, 1575. Wm. Pownsabe was ordered to confess his fault for his “unskilfull dealinges” with John Griffen and to pay him 5_s._ as compensation.

13th March, 1576. Here was a complainte determyned upon w{ch} was
made against Tho: Hodes and for that he was provde ignorant he is
bounde in xl{li} never to medle in any matter of Sˀgery.

3rd April, 1576. Here was a complainte against Willm̃ More by one
Henry Dobbyns for that he did not cure his sonne but made the same
worse.

10th May, 1576. William More was ordered, on account of his ignorance, to meddle no more in Surgery.

2nd October, 1576. Here was likewyse a complaint by one Tho: Adams
against John Pˀadice[190] for that the saide John had receyved
certen monie in hand and a gowne in pawne for a remainder to cure
the daughter of the saide Tho: whiche daughter died and the pore man
made request for the gowne agayne and so the M{r} and governo{rs}
abovesaide awarded that the saide Jo: Pˀadice sholde redelivˀ the
gowne the next tuesdaie and that the saide Tho: Adams sholde geve
unto the saide Jo: Pˀadyce towardꝭ his bote hier spent in going to
the made at Putney v{s.}

[190] Paradice.

8th October, 1577. Here was a complainte made by one M{rs.} Riche
against Robt. Bewsy for that he had her husbonde to cure who died
and the said Bewsye said and repoˀted that she was an evell liver
and that he died of a botch called Bubo veneria and taken of her,
w{ch} he denied, but beinge proved she put the matter wholie to this
woˀshipfull howse who did award that he sholde in the pˀsence of her
nighbors who were here present in the pˀlor upon his knees aske her
forgevenes, w{ch} he did and so the matter was finally ended.

7th February, 1578. Here was a complainte against Willm̃ Knightly for
Cuttinge of the yearde of his pacient but yt was pˀved by one M{r}
Grene that the member was mortefied and so there was little to be
saide against him.

24th February, 1578. Here was a Complaint against Willm̃ Clowes[191]
by Richard Carrington for that the saide Willm̃ Clowes as he saide
had abused him in wordes in the hall and here they did shake handes
and were made frends, for that the said Clowes had been sent to ward
before by the saide Richard Carrington being one of the wardens of
the yeomanry.

[191] An eminent Surgeon and Warden in 1594.

18th March, 1578. At this Coˀte Hewe Placket was rebuked for takeing
upon him to heale a pacient who ys deade and comaundement geven that
he shall medle no more in surgerie.

20th March, 1578. It was ordered:--

That yf any man of this misterie shall at any tyme hereafter make any
booke or bookes of Surgerie the same shall not be published unles the
same booke or bookes be first presented unto the masters governors
and examenors of this Companie for the tyme beinge upon payne of
x{li.}

The following order was doubtless directed against a prevalent mania for relics of notorious criminals.

17th July, 1578. That no pˀson or pˀsons of this Companie do presume
at anie tyme or tymes hereafter of Anathomies to take and carrie
awaie or cause to be taken or carried awaie any pˀte of the skynn of
anie bodie whiche shall at anie tyme hereafter happen to be wrought
upon w{th}in the hall of the misterie and the same tann or cause to
be tanned like lether upon the payne of v{li.}

7th December, 1581. It ys agreed that there shalbe a Bill put into
the pˀliament house for easinge the Companie of the charge of
sendinge souldiers to the wars and also for suppressinge of lewd
dealers in surgerye.

18th July, 1583. The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen having recommended that persons using Barbery should not practise Surgery, the Master and Governors went to Guildhall, and there promised the Court of Aldermen that they would compel all their free Barbers to enter into bonds not to “medle or deale w{th} any sick of the plauge or infected cum morbo gallico,” and accordingly the Barbers entered into bonds to that effect.

In Stow’s Annales, ed. 1592, p. 1261, is the following remarkable account of a “subject” coming to life again at our hall.

1587. The 20 of Februarie, a strange thing happened a man hanged for
felonie at Saint Thomas Wateringes, being begged by the Chirurgions
of London, to have made of him an Anatomie, after hee was dead to
all mens thinking, cut downe, stripped of his apparell, laide naked
in a chest, throwne into a carre, and so brought from the place
of execution through the Borough of Southwarke over the bridge,
and through the Citie of London to the Chirurgions Hall nere unto
Cripelgate: The chest being there opened, and the weather extreeme
cold hee was found to be alive, and lived till the three and twentie
of Februarie, and then died.

It was doubtless the above circumstance, to which reference is made in the next minute; it would seem that the body had been begged by some surgeons and taken to the hall to be dissected there, it being unlawful to dissect elsewhere, and that on the resuscitation of the unhappy man, the Company had been put to some expenses whereupon they made an order to provide for any similar case in the future. This body would be what is often referred to in the Books as a “private anatomy,” in opposition to the four “public” bodies of felons to which the Company were annually entitled.

13th July, 1587. Iˀtm yt ys agreed That yf any bodie w{ch} shall at
anie tyme hereafter happen to be brought to o{r} Hall for the intent
to be wrought uppon by Thanatomistes of o{r} Companie shall revyve
or come to lyfe agayne as of late hathe ben seene The charges aboute
the same bodie so revivinge shalbe borne levied and susteyned by such
pˀson or pˀsons who shall so happen to bringe home the Bodie. And
further shall abide suche order or ffyne as this Howse shall Awarde.

7th December, 1598. This daye commaundm{t} cam from the lordes of her
ma{ts} most ho: privie councell for to presse a sufficient Surgeon
for her ma{ts} sˀvice in Ireland under the conduct of Captayne Winsor.

12th December, 1598. John Cumberland was pressed for the above service and delivered into his Captain’s charge, and four or five other Surgeons were also pressed and handed over _nolens volens_. One of these, Dominick Lomeline (or Lumley, Master in 1629), is recorded on the 16th January following as having “confessed voluntarelye before the Masters that to be dischardged of his presse for Ireland it stud him in Twenty Nobles of which the Captayne had in monye three poundes.”

6th February, 1599. This daie one Richard Hallydaie marriner made his
complainte of Raphe Rowley for settinge forthe an insufficient man
not approved to serve as a surgeon at sea in the Sheepe called the
Costely of London by whose unskylfullnes hee was dismembred of his
arme and is in greate dainger of liefe.

Ralph Rowley had been pressed for a Sea Surgeon, and this complaint would be against him for the incompetency of some substitute, whom he had no doubt paid to take his place.

27th March, 1599. It is ordered that an Informac͠on be exhibited
againste the Sexton of White Chappell for Surgerye.

6th August, 1599. This daie the Maister of the Company made his
petic͠on to the lorde Bishopp of London that noe person shoulde be
admitted to practize Surgerie but suche person as shoulde have the
seale of this house to testefie his examinac͠on before the Maisters
&c. which was graunted And order sett downe for the same.

23rd October, 1599. Pascall Lane hath Thursdaie comme a moneth to be
examined and in the meane tyme not to hange out banners and not to
cutt unles he acquainte the m{rs} therewithall.

27th November, 1599. This daie Richard Cadwalder hath undertaken
that Roberte Thompson nowe shewed[192] in the Exchequer for useinge
surgerie withoute a signe[193] shall uppon his retorne be examined
concerninge his skille in Surgerye and shall paie suche chardges as
shalbe due to this howse.

[192] Sued.
[193] Outside his house.

10th June, 1600. This daye Olivˀ Peacock brought in his fine for not
pˀsentinge his Cure[194] being nowe dead and it was mittigated to
five shillinges And it is farthˀr ordered that he practize surgery no
more.

[194] _i.e._, His patient.

3rd July, 1600. This daye Andrew Mathew Edward Peck Robert Steward
and Owine Jones free brothˀrs of this mistery were at their sevˀall
instancˀs examined & approved concerninge their skill in the arte of
Surgery and had their severall letters of grace und{r} the seale of
the sayd mistery by Richard Wood Willm̄ Martin Thomas Thorney & John
Peck examiners appoynted in the pˀsence of the M{rs} of this Company.

8th July, 1600. This daye warrant came to the M{rs} for the
pˀsinge[195] of a Surgeon for Captayne Thomas Minn bearinge date the
sixth daye of this instant moneth.

[195] Pressing.

15th July, 1600. This daye Raphe Barrett & Robert Thompson forren
Surgeons[196] made theyr request to the M{rs} that they might be
examyned on thursdaye next Whereuppon it was ordered that the
Examyners should be warned to be at the hall at the sayd tyme.

[196] _i.e._, Surgeons not free of the Company.

29th July, 1600. This daye it is ordered that John Mowle shalbe
warned to be before the M{rs} the next Court for usinge Surgery
beinge but a barber.

8th September, 1600. ~Octavo~ die Septembris Anno dñi 1600 Annoque
Elizabeth Quadragesimo secundo.

~Whereas~ at a Courte holden the Maisters or Governors and Assistants
of this Companye the Nynteenth daie of Maye laste paste It was
amongest other thinges ordered condiscended and agreed by consente
of a full courte of the said Assistance That the request and moc͠on
of ffrancis Rowdon Clarke to this Companye shoulde be referred to
the Considerac͠on of the Auditors of the Maisters Accompts And what
they shall doe in the premisses should be lawfull and effectuall
to all intentes and purposes ~Wee~ Thomas Byrd John Leycocke Lewis
Atmer Robert Johnson Richard Mapes Thomas Goodale Thomas Martyn and
Joseph ffenton beinge chosen Auditors for the Maisters accomptes for
the yeare paste havinge taken due considerac͠on of the premisses and
findinge that the accomplisheinge of the said requeste maye muche
proffitt the bodye of this Companye in the banisheinge of lewde and
unskylfull practic͠oners in the arte of Surgerie ~Doe~ therefore
by the Aucthority to us geeven order in manner and forme hereafter
ensuinge viz{t} ffirste wee order that there be presentlie paide unto
the saide Clarke the somme of xx{li.} of lawfull money of England
out of the stocke of this howse the same to be repaide to this howse
by v{li} pˀ Ann. Alsoe wee doe further order that uppon payment of
the said xx{li} to the said Clarke aforesaid the said Clarke shall
termelie prosecute a competent number of the said practic͠oners in
Surgerie and shall not delaie any suite he shall undertake but shall
prosecute the same with effecte unles there be any misprison in the
same And if there be any misprison then to acquainte the Maisters
for the tyme beinge with the same misprison. Alsoe wee doe order
that the said Clarke shall porsecute such pˀsons as the Maisters of
this Companye shall from tyme to tyme geeve order for. Alsoe wee
doe further order that the said Clarke shall not compounde or agree
with any he shall have to doe by waie of informac͠on before he hath
acquainted the Maisters therewithall and hath obtayned their consents
thereunto And whatsoever he shall receave uppon any Composic͠on over
and besides such Costes and chardges as he shall expend in and aboute
suche suite he shall well and trulye contente and paie unto the said
Maisters or Governors for the tyme beinge. Provided alwaies that he
ffirste acquainte the Maisters or Governors of this Company for the
tyme beinge therewith And deliver unto them a reasonable and true
bill of his Costes and Chardges disbursed as aforesaid And that he
seale and deliver as his deed one wrytinge obligatorie wherein he
shall become bounden to the Maisters or Governors of this Companye
with Condic͠on theruppon indorced contayninge the Articles above
specified In Witnes whereof wee the said Auditors hereunto put o{r}
severall handes. Yoven the daie and yeare ffirste above written.

22nd October, 1600. Robert Swayne was this daye examined by M{r}
Thorney M{r} Willm̄ Martin M{r} Wood & M{r} Atmer and not founde
sufficient but is nevertheles tolerated to come to o{r} Lectures
& Annathomies And is to paye for the same xx{s} yerely by 5{s}
quarterly till hee be founde more sufficient.

5th May, 1601. This daie a complainte was made againste Martyn Pelham
by a patient he had in cure of his arme for not fynisheinge the said
cure w{ch} cure was accomplished by Thomas Watson whereuppon it is
ordered that the said Pelham be warned to appeare uppon the next
courte daye.

6th August, 1601. This daye Will{m} Pilkinton uppon his examinac͠on
was tolerated to practize Surgery for five yeres next ensuinge
Provided that hee paie quarterly to this howse ij{s} vj{d} and that
hee the said Pilkinton doe joyne w{th} him in evˀy cure he shall have
in dang{r} of death or mayne some expert surgeon of this Company.

10th November, 1601. This daye John Russell of Canterbury Surgeon was
examined and was admitted & approved.

24th November, 1601. ~Whereas~ James Van Otten and Nycholas Bowlden
are this daye become humble suiters to this Company to be tollerated
& pˀmitted to practize as Surgeons w{th}in this Cytie of London for
and durynge the space of Three moneths next ensuinge onely for the
couchinge of the catarack cuttinge for the rupture stone and wenne It
is uppon consideracc͠on of their sevˀall suites ordered by consent
of this Courte That hee the said James Vanotten shalbe pˀmitted to
practize for the couchinge of the catarack cuttinge for the rupture
stone and wenne for the space of three monethes next ensuinge
w{th}out contradicc͠on or denyall of the M{rs} or Governors of this
Company And that hee the said Nycholas Bowlden shalbe assistant unto
the said James Vanotten in such cures as hee shalbe as aforesaid
possessed of duringe the tyme & space aforesaid. PROVIDED allwayes
and it is nevertheles pˀmised & undertaken by the said James &
Nycholas that hee the said Nycholas shall paye unto the M{rs} or
Governors of this Company to the use of the poore of the same every
moneth monethly duringe the said space of three moneths the somme of
ij{s} vj{d} And that the said James Vanotten shall paye to the said
M{rs} or Governors to the use of the poore of the said Company for
every moneth monethly of the said three monethes in w{ch} the said
James shall practize or continue in London or the libertyes suburbes
or one myle compase of the said Cyty after the fower & twentyth daye
of decemb{r} next ensuinge xx{s} of lawful money of England. And
provided that neyth{r} they nor eyth{r} of them shall pˀsume to hange
oute any banners or signe of Surgery in any place oth{r} then where
they shall lye and make theyre abode w{th}in the tyme aforesaid
or practize in any oth{r} poynte of Surgery then before is spec̃ˀd
w{th}out furth{r} lycence of the M{rs} or Governors of this Company
for the tyme beinge first had & obteyned. ffor pˀformance whereof
they the said James & Nycholas by bond are become bounden to M{r}
Warden ffrederick in the somme of x{li} of lawful money of England.
In Witnes whereof they have hereunto put their sevˀall names. Yoven
the daye & yere above wrytten

JACOBUS VAN OTTEN
NICHOLAS BODEN.

2nd March, 1602. Havard is to pave to Nicholas Kellawaye v{s.} the
nexte Courte daye for a launset w{th} silver scales w{ch} he borrowed
of the said Nicholas Kellawaye.

20th April, 1602. This daye one Edward Stutfeyld a practic͠oner
in bone settinge appeared before the M{rs} of this Company uppon
warninge to him geven by the beadell of this Company And at his
humble suite he was lycenced to practize in bone settinge onely
Provided hee paye to the M{rs} of this Company to the use of the
poore of the same x{s} for every quarter of yere that hee shall
practize as aforesaid.

20th April, 1602. This daye one John ffoster a poore and unskylfull
man of this Company made his appearance before the M{rs} of this
Company and was examined concerninge his skyll in the arte of Surgery
and was found altogeth{r} unskilfull in all the partes therefore
Whereuppon it is ordered that M{r} Wilbraham Coroner to this Cytie
be warned to be here w{th} the Coroners Inquest on Thursdaye next by
tenne of the clock in the forenoone to be satisfied by their owne
hereinge of the unskilfullness of the said ffoster.

22nd June, 1602. This daye Garrett Key a Strang{r} appeared before
the M{rs} of this Company and in respect hee hath undertaken the cure
of his patient one ffeake a Gowldesmythe beinge in danger of death
w{th}out makinge pˀsentac͠on thereof to the M{rs} of this Company Did
voluntaryly geve to the said M{rs} to the use of the poore of the
same Company iij{li} And thereuppon they have acquited him all former
offences done to this Company.

11th October, 1602. This daye Gabriell Hunt Practic͠oner in Surgery
was Committed to the Compter for practizeinge of Surgery beinge not
approved nor admitted accordinge to the Statute.

3rd April, 1604. Under this date is an award made by the Court in an action remitted to the Masters by the Lord Mayor, wherein Walter Barton Barber-Surgeon, was plaintiff, and Thomas Sheeres Imbroiderer, Defendant. It appeared that Barton had cured Sheeres and his servant, Eustace Skelton, and had been at great charges in prosecuting Sheeres for his fees. The Court ordered the Defendant to pay Barton £4 within 14 days.

5th June, 1604. This daye M{r} ffenton pˀsented to this Courte
500 bookes of Horatius Moras tables translated into Englishe and
delivˀed them to the M{rs} of this Company in the name & behalf of
M{r} Deputie Caldwell[197] who freely gave them to this Company to
be distributed amongest the pˀfessors of Chirurgery freemen of this
Company.

[197] For a very interesting account of Morus’ Tables and of Mr.
Deputy Caldwell see Mr. D’Arcy Power’s Memorials, p. 184.

28th February, 1605. This daye it is ordered that there shalbe a
letter pˀntly drawne by the advice of the M{rs} of this Company and
sent to the Colledge of Phisic͠ons by the Clark of this Company
wherein there shalbe desyred if they please a Conferrence betwixt
some of theire College and some of the auncientꝭ of this Company in
some indifferent place of meetinge to conferre concerninge theire
greevancꝭ.

18th March, 1605. This daye uppon the request of M{r} Serjeant
Prymerose & M{r} Neste Smyth the kynges Surgeons by their Letter It
was ordered that Cezar Scultinge Duchman theyre servant should be
examyned and approved concerninge his skill in Surgery on thursdaye
next And beinge found skilfull that hee mighte have letters of
admittance from this Company gratis.

21st March, 1605. “Zeger Schultynchs,” the Dutchman above mentioned, was examined and had his diploma gratis, but was ordered to pay 2_s._ quarterage and 2_s._ for absence from lectures.

30th April, 1605. This daye M{r} ffenton complayned of Robert Morrey
for supplantinge him of div{s} cures And for slanderinge him in his
pˀfession And also for his evell practize And was for his said abuses
fyned at v{li} w{ch} hee is to bringe in at the next Court orels to
be committed to the Compter.

7th May, 1605. Morrey being contumacious, was by the Court committed to prison.

28th May, 1605. This daye Willm̃ Corbet appeared before the M{rs} of
this Company and was dismissed from the exercyze of Surgery for his
evill practize.

This daye Willm̃ Corbet was bounde to the M{rs} in x{li} not to
practize Surgery or w{th}in one myles compasse w{th}out the M{rs}
lycence.

25th June, 1605. This daye Abraham Renex is fined at x{s} for his
absens from lectures And is to pay x{s} pˀ an. for his lycence of
absens hereaft{r}.

3rd September, 1605. This day Pascal Lane a practicioner in the
art of Surgery was by our M{rs} order comitted to the Compter for
cuttinge of one Thom̃s Thorntons child for the stone who dyed
pnˀtlie under his handꝭ by his neckligence & ignoraunce where he is
to continue till he hath payed the fine of xl{s} for not makeinge
pˀntac͠on[198] to the M{rs} of the cure accordinge to the orders of
the Company.

[198] Presentation.

12th September, 1605. In the controvˀsie betwixt Thomas Thornton and
Pascall Lane ãls[199] Lyne It is ordered by consent of both pˀties
That the said Pascall Lane shall pˀntlie pay to the said Thornton
xx{s} which he pˀntlie did And he hath delivˀed a ring to o{r} M{rs}
w{th} condic͠on to pay to the said Thornton xx{s} more this night
And all controvˀsies betwixt them are to cease and determine from
henceforth.

[199] Alias.

26th November, 1605. This day Henry Goodwyn a Sorcerer was by the
M{rs} forbidden to practize any more in the arte of Surgery.

1st July, 1606. This day Stephen Abraham a Barbor was fined for
not makeing pˀentac͠on of his cure in daunger of death and it was
forgeven him.

14th July, 1606. The funds of the Company were, at this period, very low, Mr. Pecke offering to lend £50 and Mr. Fenton £100, without interest, and the following entry would indicate that the expenses attendant upon the Anatomy demonstrations were a burden.

This day for the avoydinge of charges it is ordered by this Courte
that no publique Anothomy shalbe holden in the Comon hall of this
mistery for the space of theis three yeares now next ensuinge. Yett
notw{th}standinge it is ordered by this Courte y{t} the M{rs} &
Stewardꝭ of the Anothomy for the yeare next ensuinge shall continue
M{rs} & Stewardꝭ the said space And shall once in evˀie yeare at
such tymes as the M{rs} of this Company shall thinck fitt dissect
a private Anothomy in the Comon hall of the said mistery for their
better experience and cunninge.

14th July, 1606. ~Also~ it is further ordered & decreed by this
Courte fforasmuch as dive{rs} pˀsons ffremen of this Company who
have very litle or no skill at all in the Arte of Surgery doe
neverthelesse make a publique pˀfession of the said Arte And thereby
comitt many erro{rs} to the great dispaˀgm{t} of the worthie and
experienced professo{rs} thereof and to the hurte of div{rs} of his
Ma{t}ꝭ lovinge subjectꝭ That from henceforth no man be admitted to
have his name entered downe for a Surgeon into the lecture bill
except by the consent of the m{rs} or governours of the said mistery
& Coiãltie for the tyme beinge And that it shalbe lawful for the
pˀnte M{rs} or governours to dismisse out of the lecture bill the
names of such pˀsones as they shall thincke fitt to be put out, which
pˀsons so dismissed and put out shall live out of the protexion
of this Company for & in respect of their practize in the Arte of
Surgery untill they shall by them be thought fitt to practice in
that Arte & admitted into such bill uppon their humble suite. But if
any disobedient obstinate or stubborne pˀson shall notw{th}standinge
his such dismission practice in the said arte Then it is further
ordred by this Courte that suite in law shalbe pˀsecuted against
such obstinate pˀsons at the charge of this Company for such their
unlawfull practice in Surgery.

7th October, 1606. This daie Willm̃ ffoster was fyned at xx{s} for
his evell practize upon his patient being a servaunt of my Lord grace
of Cant. and is to bring in the same fyne at the next Court.

This daie it is ordered that Richard Holden be warned to the next
Court for not reeding his lecture.

24th October, 1606. This daie Clement White appeared before this
Court upon Complaynt for settinge his servaunte to sea before he was
examyned & his chest vewed by the M{rs} And for that he knew not the
orders of this Company he is forgyven his offence for this tyme.

2nd December, 1606. This daie John Anslow was comitted to the Compter
for defraudinge of Willm̃ ffoster of his patient And is to pay
ffoster for his paynes in that cure.

9th July, 1607. This daye Roger Jenkins[200] heretofore examined
& appˀved in the Arte of Surgery was pˀsented before the Deane of
Pawles. And his letters of Admittance from the said Deane.

[200] Warden in 1608.

Also Abraham Allen[201] was lykewyse admitted by the said Deane.

[201] Warden in 1611.

20th July, 1607. Mr. Thomas Thorney (Master 1602), Mr. Richard Mapes (M. 1612), Mr. Richard Wood (M. 1591), Mr. Serjeant Gudderus (M. 1594), Mr. Willm̃ Gayle (M. 1595), Mr. George Baker (M. 1597 and Serjeant Surgeon), Mr. John Peck (M. 1605), Mr. Christopher Frederick (M. 1609 and Serjeant Surgeon), Mr. John Gerrard (the celebrated Herbalist, M. 1607), and Mr. Joseph Fenton (M. 1624), were appointed Examiners of Surgeons, and amongst other articles it was ordained:--

That none of the said examiners shall pˀsent any pˀson useinge
surgery to the Bishop of London or to the Deane of Pawles to the
intent to get or pˀcure such Surgeon Lycence or admission to practize
Surgery unlesse such Surgeon at such tyme shall have his letter of
admittance from this Company under the Common scale of the same
testifieinge his admission to practize surgery.

7th July, 1608. This daye Mathias Jenkinson was examyned concerninge
his skyll in the arte of Surgery And was lycenced to cut for the
hernia or Rupture to couch the Catrac to cut for the wry neck & the
hare lip Provided that hee call the pˀsent M{rs} of this Company to
every such Cure or such of the Assistantꝭ as are examined & approved
as the said M{rs} in such case shall appoynt And is to enter into
bond in xl{li} for pˀformance hereof And paid to the pˀsent M{rs}
xl{s} And is to paye xl{s} more at midsomer next.

20th June, 1609. This daye Mathias Jenkinson is dischardged from his
practize in Surgery for that hee hath not observed the articles of
his Tollerac͠on and for his evell & unskilfull practize.

27th February, 1610. Whereas one William Wright was a suiter to this
Courte that he might be examined & admitted to practice Surgery. Now
forasmuch as it appeareth he is one of a contentious & troublesome
speritt & of a bad & scandalous disposition who hath not onlie
heretofore dive{rs} tymes byn fined for usinge slanderous & evill
speeches against dive{rs} that have byn M{rs} & governours of
this Company but also sundrie tymes heretofore & now daylie useth
slaunderous wordꝭ & speeches w{th} many wicked cursingꝭ & revilingꝭ
against M{r} Mapes in the hearinge of dive{rs} of the neighbou{rs} of
the said Wright where he dwelleth, which beinge by this Court dulie
examined is found that the same slaunde{rs} & revilingꝭ doe proceed
out of his wicked mynd w{th}out any just cause given Wherefore it
is by this Courte ordered and fullie decreed That the said Wright
shall not at any tyme hereafter be examined or approved for his skill
of Surgerie untill he shall & doe before 4 or 5 of the neighbou{rs}
of the said Wrighte to whom he hath thus abused M{r} Mapes and in
his & their presence openlie confesse & acknowledge that he the
said Wrighte hath wronged and abused the said M{r} Mapes And shall
then and there before them submitt himself & be sorrie for all such
wrongꝭ & wicked Cursingꝭ as he hath reported or spoken with promise
hereafter never by wordꝭ or deedꝭ to wronge him or any other of this
Courte or any other of the Assistantꝭ of this Company.

27th February, 1610. At this Courte was John Cotton of Radcliffe
a professor of Surgery comited to the Compter for not makinge
presentac͠on of his Cure w{ch} dyed under his hand & also for his
evill practice w{ch} he used to his Cure as it did appeare beinge
examined thereuppon And further he is forbidden to practice Surgery
any more untill that he be examined.

2nd October, 1610. At this Court it is ordered that Richard Baynes
and Xpõfer Browne shalbe comitted to the Compter for that they did
not come and make answer to this Court of the Complayntꝭ w{ch} are
made against them by their sevˀall patientꝭ they being therefore
warned at sevˀall Court dayes.

9th October, 1610. At this Court was one wyddowe Bryers comitted to
the Compter for practising Surgery contrary to the Statutꝭ of this
Realme.

About this period are several instances of Surgeons being fined for going to sea without licence, and for not having their sea chests examined, _e.g._:

6th November, 1610. Att this Court Gyles fflemmynge did promyse that
on Tewsdaye come ffortnight he woulde bring in his ffyne of x{li}
for going to Sea w{th}out lycence of this howse, whereupon the Court
was contented to proceed noe further against him in respect of such
abuses as he hath offred.

22nd January, 1611. James Blackborne applied to be admitted a brother to practise Surgery and promising to pay £10 for his admission and to make the examiners a dinner, a day was appointed for his examination.

31st January, 1611. This daie James Blackborne was examined
touchinge his skill in the generatyve ptꝭ of women; and bringinge
of women to bedd in their dangerous and difficult Labors: And he
the said Blackborne was found fitt and allowed to practize (in that
Chirurgicall pˀte of Surgery touching the generatyve ptꝭ of women &
bringinge them to bedd in their dangerous & difficult Labours) by
letters under the seale of the howse beinge the date above wrytten
And was att this Court sworne and admitted a fforayne brother; and in
considerac͠on thereof he paid to the pˀnte M{rs} att this Court x{li.}

The Barber-Surgeons had claimed the exclusive right of embalming dead bodies, but how they fared in their contention with the Wax Chandlers (referred to in the next extract) does not appear.

26th October, 1612. This daie it is ordered that at the chardgꝭ
of the howse the pˀnte Masters w{th} the Clark shall seeke in the
Rowles for the charter of the wax chaundlers and to tak a coppie of
that pˀte of the charter touchinge the libertie gyven unto them for
the imbaulmynge of dead bodyes And as they shall finde the same soe
to take the advice of my lord cheife Justice about the same at the
chardgꝭ of the howse.

3rd November, 1612. This daie the Company receavinge a letter from
the lordꝭ of his Ma{t}ꝭ most honˀable privye Councell wherein
they intreated the Company to give leave unto one Bartholomew
Vanderlatch a stranger to take in hand one Melser Gisberd whoe had an
ympedym{t} in his eye, whereupon this Court was pleased that the said
Vanderlatch should take in hand to cure the said Gisberd w{th}out
disturbance of this howse.

17th November, 1612. Att this Court Richard ffynche dwelling at
Pyckle herring is forbidden to practise bonesetting or any other
matter touching surgery at any time hereafter.

7th December, 1613. This daie John Antonio an Italian being an
Imposter practizing in surgery is forbidden by this Court to deale
any more in Surgery.

3rd March, 1614. This daie M{r} Robert Allott docto{r} in Phissick &
one of the fellowes of S{t} Johnes Colledge in Cambridge was admitted
a brother of this Company and hade the letters of this howse under
the seale thereof graunted unto him.

15th March, 1614. This daie it is ordered that Thomas Gillam shall
at the next court of assistauntꝭ bring in his fyne of v{li} for
discecting of an Anothomy out of this hall.

12th April, 1614. This daie it is ordered that Thomas Collyns shall
bring in his fyne of 10{li} for going to sea not having his Chest
vewed.

27th May, 1616. At this Court is gyven unto M{r} Docter Crooke the
some of 5{li} for that he did dedicate a booke unto this Companie &
gave one of them unto this howse.

15th August, 1616. John Walgrave came before the Court upon Summons, and being questioned--

if he practized Surgery he peremptorily replied he did & gott his
lyveinge by the same and was an auntienter Surgeon then themselves
Then he was demaunded by what authoritie he did practice Surgery to
w{ch} he aunswered he had sufficient authoritie for he was allowed by
the Archbusshop of Canterburie and the Busshop of London Then M{r}
ffenton demaundinge of him in what busshops tymes he was so admitted,
after manie insolent & menasinge speches & unsemely behaviors he
aunswered he was admitted by Busshop Whiteguift. Then was demaunded
of him by what Busshop of London he was admitted to w{ch} he very
insolent replied that he scorned to tell them or to be examined by
anie of them all, vauntinge further that he was a better gentleman
than anie of them all To w{ch} M{r} ffenton aunswered that if he did
so he did it unlawfully & he aunswered that he cared not, for he
had practized these 30 yeares & wold still practice the same. And
M{r} ffenton told him that though he had practized so long yet that
made it not lawfull except he had byn examined & approved according
unto the lawes of the land To w{ch} Walgrave beinge in great passion
w{th} menaceinge & threatninge behavio{r} replied unto M{r} ffenton
& the rest, you lye & I tell you agayne you lye And so w{th} proud
menacinge & insolent behavio{r} w{th} many insolent unsemely &
irreverent speches to all that satt at that tyme in the Court he most
unmanerly & w{th}out regard of anie that sat their depˀted.

In all probability it was ascertained that Walgrave had the Bishop’s licence or else some powerful friends, as no further notice seems to have been taken of his contempt, though the records abundantly show that the Court was never slow to visit condign punishment on far lesser offenders than this man.

15th July, 1624. Whereas informac͠on is given to this Court that of
late Docto{r} Grints servingman John Eethell lett a maide blood, her
arme mortified and the maid thereupon died, it is ordered by this
Court that there shalbe counsell taken thereon, and a suite comenced
agˀt him at the Costs of this house.

7th December, 1624. This daye John Baptista Succa a mountibancke and
an Italian borne had order to forbeare his practise here in London.

6th November, 1627. This daye was presented to this Courte by Humfrey
Bromley a letter from the Lord Maio{r} of this Cittie of London the
teno{r} whereof is as followeth

~To~ the M{r} and Wardeins of the Companie of Barbar Surgions
~Whereas~ S{r} Henry Herbert Knight M{r} of the Revells hath
authorised the bearer hereof Humfrey Bromley to shew a Child
presented to be naturallie borne haveing Twoe heades ffower Armes
and three leggꝭ w{ch} I suppose not to be borne of any woeman or to
be the perfect substance of a child in respect whereof I forbeare
to pˀmitt the said Humfrey Bromely to make shewe thereof within
the libˀties of this Cittye untill such tyme as I maye be truely
satisfied from you whether the same child be of the substance as is
pretended Therefore I desire you that upon advised view of the said
Child you truly certifie mee in writing under yo{r} handꝭ whether
the same be really a child as is presented to thend I maye not
unadvisedly suffer his Ma{t}ꝭ subjectꝭ to be deceyved thereby. This
second of November Anno Dni. 1627.

HUGH HAMERSLEY _Maio{r.}_

Whereupon the vew of the supposed body as aforesaid it is ordered
that this answere be returned to the Lord Maio{r} as followeth viz:

~Right~ Hono{ble} According unto yo{r} Lõps reference unto us
directed dated the second of November 1627 ~Wee~ have taken a
deliberate vewe of the supposed monstrous birth presented unto us to
be vewed as from your hono{r} by one Humfrey Bromley And although
wee cannot possitively affirme it proceeded not from a woeman Yet
under favor, wee conceive and soe deliver our opinions that the said
supposed monstrous shape hath beene, either by Arte soe composed
and put together from unnaturall and untimely birthes of Children
or from other Animalls, as Apes, Munckeys or the like w{ch} have a
greate resemblance of Manns bodye, in many of their partes and soe
by the cunninge subtiletye of the composer made into a monster,
thereby to delude the worlde and haveing a Bodye of Antiquitie cannot
safely receive a flatt and manifest contradiction; And wee are
induced the rather to suspect it for that the producer thereof hath
noe testimonye from any learned or judicious men; neither from any
Magistrates of the partes where it is pretended to have bene borne,
w{ch} such offendors use aboundantly to be furnished withall. And in
conclusion compareing his printed demonstrac͠on of his monster, with
the Author he siteth, and others that have written of such and the
like monsters, Wee finde a greate deale of Addition and a manifest
disagreem{t} w{ch} is a playne badge of fixion and falsehoode. All
w{ch} our opinions wee humbly submitt to yo{r} hono{rs} grave wisdome
to be further considered of.

20th November, 1627. Item this daye M{r} Warden Woodall M{r} Peter
Thorney M{r} George Perrine and M{r} Thomas Gilham are appointed
by our M{rs} commandꝭ to goe to Portsmouth for the cureing of the
wounded souldiers that come from the Isle of Rea in ffrance which are
nowe remayneing wounded and sicke at Portsmouth upon the letter of
the Lord Conwaye signifieing his Ma{t}ꝭ pleasuer therefore.

8th July, 1628. This daye M{r} Peter Thorney is by this Court desired
to goe Surgion generall for the Armye that goes by Land.

23rd January, 1629. Mr. Peter Thorney having died in the King’s Service on the coast of France, John Heydon was chosen an Assistant in his place. Peter Thorney is mentioned on the monument to his Uncle, Thomas Thorney (Master, 1602, 1606), in St. Andrew’s, Holborn. (_See_ Biographical Notices.)

19th April, 1630. This daye the Examiners mett here in Court upon
the recomendac͠on of the lordꝭ of the privey Councell signified by
S{r} John Cooke secretary of state for the approveing of one Dupont
a french man to practise for the cure of the pox. Whereupon the said
Dupont being examined was found altogether insufficient.

20th April, 1630. This daye Edward ffleete paid in xx{s} for his fine
for not reading lecture according to his turne.

20th October, 1631. This Court takeing notice of the lack of a
Private dissection Roome for anatomicall imployementꝭ and that
hitherto those bodies have beene a greate annoyance to the tables
dresser boardes and utensills in o{r} upper Kitchin by reason of the
blood filth and entrailes of those Anathomyes and for the better
accomodateing of those anatomicall affaires and preserveing the
Kitchin to its owne propˀ use, Doe nowe order that there shalbe a
faire convenient roome built over the greate staire case next the
back yard to be imployed onely for discection of private Anathomyes
to the value of xl{li.}

28th December, 1632. On the death of Dr. Gwyn, in December, 1627, it had been arranged that in future the Surgeons of the Company should read the Anatomical lectures in turn, weekly; but great difficulty having been experienced in carrying out this regulation, the Court now reverted to the former practice of employing a Professor, and appointed Dr. Alexander Reade at a salary of £20 per annum.

23rd March, 1635. Alsoe this Court takeing notice that in theis
latter yeares there hath bene a generall remissnes in the greater
pˀt of the Surgians of this Companie in their not appearance and
personall attendance in their Seates on the Scaffoldings at the Six
lecture tymes at the publique Anatomye, and the disorderlynes of
those Surgians y{t} doe appeare for wanting their outward ornament
commixing themselves confusedly amongst the Comon people then pˀnte,
whereby the hono{r} and worthynes of this Companie on the Surgians
pˀte hath bene much eclipsed. ffor redresse of w{ch} enormious
exorbitance and for the better grace and Worˀp̃ of this Companie.
It is now decreed that for ever hereafter at the tymes of publiq̃e
Lecture readings on the Sceletons or Anatomies in this Comon Hall
this ensueing order for the greater decencye & more Worˀp̃ of this
Companie shall from tyme to tyme hereafter yearely be observed and
put in due execution, viz{t.,} That every Surgian either of the
Assistants or of the Liverye shall appeare in his gowne in the
forenone and afternoone of one daye at the least of the 3 dayes
lectures at every publiq̃e discection And that every Surgian of
the Wardeins and of the Assistants of the yeomanrye shall likewise
appeare in his gowne in the forenone and afternoone of one daye at
the least of the three dayes lectures at every publiq̃e Anatomye, and
everye one of those Surgians dureing the tyme of such lecture shall
sitt decently in such place in the Scaffoldings as is appropriated
to every of them in their degrees and Rancks as aunciently hath bene
accustomed upon payne that every Surgian that shall not accordingly
appeare shall forfeite and paye to the use of the Companie the some
of Twoe shillings and Six pence, or appeareing shall not weare his
gowne all the tyme of such readeing for one daye at the least the
som̃e of Twelve pence, And that every pˀson of the Coiãltie or
fforreine brothers professeing Surgerye shall likewise appeare in
the forenone and afternone of one daye at the least of the 3 dayes
lectures at the publiq̃e Anatomye and not appeareing shall forfeite
Twelve pence without redempc͠on of all or any pˀte of any of the
fines aforesaid.