Chapter XII: THE TWELVE Article is that if Olyver Wilson dothe hereafter (1)

speake evill of the M{r} and governors and thassistaunce of the
clothinge or of any of the yomanrye as heretofore he hathe dooen
w{ch} by profe hathe been tryed and therfore hathe been punnished in
pryson, yf ever hereafter he dothe the like he to be expelled.

NOTE.--In all cases penalties or punishments were specified for breach of the foregoing ordinances.

5th March, 1556. William Goodwin, Merchant Taylor, leased to the Company for 99 years “all the houses next the hall w{th} the house of the prevy w{t}in the hall for vj{li} vj{s} viij{d}” per annum, the Company to keep the premises in repair.

27th June, 1556. Arnold Tymes, “beare brewer,” had a lease of a “gardein lying in easte Smithefelde” for 40 years, paying 12_d._ for an earnest penny, and to pay at the sealing of the lease £4, and at the Audit day other £4.

9th July, 1556. John More, Cordwainer, and Richard Wiston, had leases of houses in St. John’s, Walbrook, for 30 years from Midsummer, and about this period there are several other notices of leases for 30 years having been granted of property in East Smithfield, Holborn Bridge, and Mugwell Street.

22nd July, 1556. An order was made:--

That there shalbe a painter belonge to the hall, and he to have a
penc͠on yerely of vj{s} viij{d} by the yere to be payed at fower
tymes of the yere and for the same he shall make cleane all the
paintinge w{t}in the hall bothe above and benethe as the Tables in
the hall and other things and in the gardein every qr̃ter of a yere
if it so neede: and to amend faults where there ys anye at his owne
proper costs and chardgs as is afore declared.

26th August, 1557. It was ordered that Mrs. Dawson, the Widow of one Bryckett--

a Toothe drawer shall paye no quartryge to the hawle nor hange oute
any signe or clothe w{th} teethe as she hearetofore hath don.

12th October, 1557. John West was discharged out of this howse
bycawse he wold not abyde y{e} order of y{e} M{r} & govˀnors and one
Asheton had lycence to arest hym.

Various entries occur about this period of freemen being brought before the Court and punished for using “obrobrious wordes.”

9th November, 1557. It was ordered that Robert Postell (Warden 1544) should have a “yerely anewitie oute of thys howse” of 40{s.}

A freeman before “setting up shop” was required to procure the testimony of one or more citizens that he was worth 10 marks, and to obtain a licence from the Court; there are numerous examples in point, _e.g._:--

16th November, 1557. Heare was before the M{r} and Govˀnors Rychard
Lynley and he had Lycẽce to sett up hys shoppe and one Johan Coale
of the Cytie of London Cytizen and Clothwoorcker Deposed that the
sayd Rychard ys worthe and valued of hys proper owne vj{li} xiij{s}
iiij{d.}

23rd November, 1557. Licence was granted to William Thomlyn--

To drawe teethe and to make cleane teethe and no more and he ys so
admytted a brother into thys howse but not yet sworne and he hathe
payde x{s} and rest other ten shyllings he wyll brynge in as sowne as
he can.

11th January, 1558. The same daye Tyndall y{e} Armorer is dysmyst &
shall have no more his fee oute of this howse bycawse he gave none
attendañce whan o{r} soldyers wer sett oute to calyce[143] & John
gamlyn is admytted armorer & he to have y{e} same fee y{t} tyndall
had y{t} is to saye by the yere x{s.}

[143] Calais.

19th April, 1558. My lady Aylyff gave a fyne table cloth of damaske
worcke to srv̈e for the uppermost table in the hawle the w{ch} of her
jentyllness she gave frely unto this hawle.

22nd November, 1558. An order was made against John John that he should pay 6_s._ to William Bourne for “ij Barbores potts” which he had lost.

1566. The second volume of Court Minutes contains a long list of “Lawes Actes and Ordenances” enacted by the Court in 1566, but as many of these are not of sufficient interest to warrant transcribing, the headings of such will only be given here

1. An order to avoied grudg or displeasure for the elecc͠on.

This was that no one was to “fynd fault” with the election of Master or Governors if the persons so elected should at any time be chosen out of their turn.

2. An order that solempne service be saied one the day of Elecc͠on.

Also yt is ordayned that the M{r} and govˀnoures of the saied
mystery for the tyme beinge yerelye uppon the daye of elecc͠on of
the newe M{r} and governoures shall cause Devine service solempnely
to be kepte at the churche therefore to be appoynted. And that the
whole company of the Clothinge or Lyverye of the said ffellowshippe
shall pˀsonallye be present at the same yf there be no Lawfull
and reasonable cause of Absence to be allowed of by the M{r} and
goveno{rs} of the sayed mysterye uppon payne that whosoevˀ absenteth
hym self shall for evˀy suche default paye xij{d.} The said service
to be at the charges of the common Boxe.

3. An order ffor the allowance of the Dynner one the daye of Elecc͠on.

This directed that £13 6_s._ 8_d._ should be allowed yearly towards the Election Dinner out of the common box.

4. An order that y{e} Clothing shall bring home the M{r} & govˀnors
in their Lyvˀyes.

Also yt is also ordayned y{t} uppon the day of the Elecc͠on of the
newe M{r} and governoures of the saied mysterye After that they shall
be chosen and that suche of them as be present have taken their othe
that then they and every off them shalbe had home unto their howses
with the Lyvery or Clothinge and their hoodds uppon their shoulders
accordinge unto an ould custome heretofore used.

5. An order howe evˀy man shall behave hym self in the Court tyme.

This relates to the order in which the members of the Court shall speak upon any debated point; the Master to speak first, the Upper Governor next, and so on down to the Junior Assistant, and, in the event of the Court being equally divided, the Master to have the casting vote.

6. An order that evˀye one of thassistaunce shall come to all courts
of Assist{s.}

7. An ordre against the Lettinge out of the Hall.

The Hall was not to be used or let out for “weddings sportes or games therein or playes or dauncinge or for any other like entente,” but by permission of the Court.

8. An ordre that y{e} M{r} and upper governor shall quarterlye take
accompte of the youngre govˀno{r.}

9. An order that y{e} younger govˀn{r} shall quartˀly make an
accompte to the M{r} & upp{r} govˀnor.

10. An order concernynge the younger govˀnor his receipts & payments
and to see all repac͠ons[144] done.

[144] Reparations (of the Company’s houses).

11. An order concerninge the Secound govˀnors receiptes and payments.

12. An ordre concernynge y{e} examynac͠on of such as shall be
admytted Surgeons.

No one was to be examined for admission to practise Surgery but in the Common Hall, and in the presence of at least three Examiners and one or more of the Masters or Governors.

13. An order that everie man of the said company shall abide the
ordre and award made by the M{r} and governors.

14. An order that no pacient be brought unto the hall one y{e} Court
dayes.

15. An order for chosenge M{rs} and Stewards of thannothomye.

There shall be chosen yerelye for ever two Masters and twoe Stewardes
for the Anathomyes and that those twoe whiche were Stewardes the one
yere shalbe Masters of The Anathomies the nexte yere ensewinge To
thende that thereby yt maybe bettˀ knowne howe to wourke and make the
same.

16. An order concerninge the Anathomyes.

This provided that all anatomies, whether public or private should be made at the Hall and “that all private Anathomyes shall reverently from hensforth be buryed as publick Anathomyes ar for the worshippe of the said mysterye, any skelliton to be made onelye excepted.”

17. An order that none supplant or take anothers cure from him one
paine of v{li.}

18. An order that none take any apprˀntice for Surgerie but that he
can write & reade.

19. An order how many sˀvnts evˀy man may kepe.

No liveryman was to keep more than four apprentices or servants working in his art, and no freeman more than three.

20. An order that none use eny mann{r} of Barbory on Sundayes.

Yt is ordayned that none of the said mysterye usinge any manˀ of
Barberye . . . . . . shall uppon any sondaye shave wasshe poule or
trymme any manne or w{th} any Instrum{t} to make cleane teeth either
w{th}in his howsse or in any other place elles where privelye or
appartlye uppon payne of forfeture of xl{s.}

21. An order that none doe make any shewe of Barborye one Sonndais or
other holy days.

This provides that Barbers shall not “hange upp set or put out any bason or basons pott or potts uppon his poule Racke shoppe windowes or otherwise” on Sundays or holy days, and is the earliest mention of the “Barbers’ pole” in our Books.

22. An order that assistaunts maye be made nevˀ beinge any Governor.

23. An order that none being out of thassistants com̃ into the pˀlor
except he be called.

24. An order that no courte of Assistaunce be houlden one the
tuesdayes.

Tuesdays were set apart for Lectures and for the ordinary or Monthly Courts; no reason is given why Courts of Assistants should not be held on the Tuesdays.

25. An order for the pˀsentac͠on of apprentices before they be bounde.

Every apprentice was to be presented to the Court that they might “uppon the sight of him allowe hymme to be cleane in pˀson and Lymme and meete for the excersycinge of the same mysterye.”

26. An order that none put away his appˀntice before the cause be
knowne before y{e} M{r} & govˀnors.

27. An order that none lett any bloud stand to the annoyaunce of the
people.

“Barbours excercyseinge fleabothomye or bloud lettinge” were not to show blood in vessels in their windows.

28. An order that all pˀsentac͠ons in Surgery shalbe pˀsented to the
M{r} w{th} his governoures for the tyme beinge.

This order provided that any Surgeon having a patient in peril of “mayme” or death, was to “present” or make known the case to the Governors within three days, and the Court would then appoint certain expert Surgeons to see the patient and assist in the cure. There are scores of entries in the books of Surgeons being fined for not “presenting” patients.

29. An order that none take any pˀsentac͠ons but y{e} M{r} &
govˀnoures for the tyme beinge.

30. An order that the M{r} and governoures and their deputies shall
goe to the poore as well as to the rich.

Any Master or Governor being sent for to see a sick or hurt person and refusing to go without payment, was to forfeit 20{s.}

31. An order for puttinge the rules in execuc͠on.

32. An order for multipliinge speche in the corte tyme.

This was an early form of _closure_ directed against such members of the Court as were given to an over-indulgence in oratory.

33. A rule for order in goinge.

Every member of the Company was to take his place according to precedence, at burials, anniversaries, Courts, etc.:--

And if anie of them of any scrypulosytie frowardnes follye or
pusyllanimity refuse to take his owne romme or place accordinge to
the order in good obedyent manner he was to be fined 12{d.}

34. An order for the view.

This relates to the yearly inspection of the Company’s property.

4th March, 1566. In Thys Courte Willm̄ Gyllam was discharged and
released oute of warde and hath p̃d his arerages and he hathe
confessied y{t} Richard Bromehed doth shave the vycar of Stepney in
his howse every sondaye.

4th July, 1566. It was ordained that if any of the Court hereafter might “happen to lyght or fall into povertie or dekaye” that he should have a pension out of the Common box. One who had served as Master was to have per ann. £4; an Upper Governor £3; Second Governor £2; Younger Governor £1; and an Assistant 13_s._ 4_d._

It was also ordained that Thomas Hall should have an exhibition of 40_s._ per annum--

towardes hys studye in the unyvercytie for Surgery anexynge physycke
thereunto, and thereby hereafter to pˀphet his other brethren beynge
of this sayde mystery and comynaltie usynge and ocupyenge the sayde
syence & arte w{th}in the cytie of London by Readynge lectures unto
them in y{e} Comon Hall and other wyse by his councell conynge and
knowlege in the same science & arte of Surgery.

It was also ordained that whenever the Lord Mayor should invite the Masters and Governors to dine with him, that--

then and there after the same dynner ys don The M{r} or govˀnors
shall make his oracyon or request in the behalf of the sayde Company
as to hys wysdome yt shall seme best in most descrytest maner and
shall then geve and delyver unto the sayde Lorde maior of lawful mony
in golde l{s} and in orther corrant mony iij{s} iiij{d} that is foure
marks by waye as a good wyll of the same Company.

ALSO IT YS ORDAYNED That god callyng oute or frome this Trancytory
vale or worlde any of this saide Company decessed and beynge w{th}in
the clothing or lyvery of the same, his best hood shalbe layed upon
the hearse and unto the churche and y{r} upon yt shall so remayne
untyll the takynge of[145] of the said herce clothe w{ch} is used at
the goynge forth of the M{r} govˀnors & company of the clothinge oute
of the churche & the corps goynge to be buryed. And then and y{r} the
clarke of the saide Company shall take the same hood and [it] shalbe
his pˀper owne of dewtie. (_In default the widow or executor was to
pay 6s. 8d._)

[145] Off.

The Beadle was directed to look after, and to help in removing back to the Hall, the standings, banners, carpets, etc., after they had been used on any public occasion, and a small yearly fee was to be allowed him for this service.

3rd November, 1566. Edward Parke, referred to in the next minute, was constantly getting into trouble, and sometimes into the Compter:--

Here was Thomas Lambkyn & John Merryt wytnesses against Edward Parke
for y{t} he saide he wolde not com̃e to the Courte beynge warned &
y{t} yf the M{r} com̃ytted hym to warde he wolde brynge the M{r}
before the lorde cheefe Justice And yt is ordered y{t} the saide
Parke shall [be] & is upon his humble submyssion remytted.

16th Jan., 1567. The old vellum book of ordinances, etc., containing portions of the four Gospels in Latin, and still in our possession is probably the book referred to in the minute of this date, which states that Willm̄ Grene had “taken an othe upon the blacke booke that serveth in this howse for the same purpose.”

13th Nov., 1567. Yt ys ordayned that Wyllyam Bull Chrystofor
Swalldell William Crowe Wyllyam Grene Henry Rankyn and Leonard Coxe
is elected to be of the clothyng and Lyvery and that theyre hoods
shalbe by the M{r} for the tyme beyng put upon theyre shoulders
w{th}in the pˀlor one Chrystmas day next ensuyng before the company
go to pawles to weyghte on the lorde mayor, unto the olde usuage in
that behalf provyded accordyngly.

27th Jan., 1568. In this court Rich Hughes is graunted to have the
hall to kepe a maryage in upon Sonday c͠o[146] a sevenighte.

[146] Come.

Again this year a licence for a similar purpose was granted to Francis Partridge, and there are other instances.

18th May, 1568. In this Courte here was Phillip Jorden for trymynge
on the Sondayes & for now he is forgeven beynge the fyrst tyme.

13th Oct., 1568. Here was W{m} fferrat for Trymyng upon the Sonday
but he wyll do yt no more here after.

About this period there were numerous cases of Sunday trading before the Court, and in many instances the offenders were fined or imprisoned.

9th Nov., 1568. In thys Courte here was Rich Roberts and he is
comanded that he shall agree w{th} this mystery as a brother or ells
he to shutte up his shoppe and ocupye no more but as a servant upon
the penallties of the statute.

10th March, 1569. It was ordered:--

That Richard Wysto for his mysdemeanor and unquyet behaveor and beyng
a troublesom pˀson, so that the courte of assystents canne neyther
thincke well or good on hym, therupon and therfore he the saide
Richard Wysto is relynquyshed depryved and dysmyst of his office
and yong{r} govˀnorshyp and also fourth of assystents of the saide
mystery.

Wysto appears from time to time to have given the Court trouble, his offence on this particular occasion being that he had ordered his apprentice to let a man blood in the Compter contrary to the order of the Aldermen. Wysto was contumacious for a long period, but seems on 17th July, 1572, to have made humble submission and apology, whereupon an order was made “That none do stirre upp any talke consr̃ninge the deprivac͠on or submyssion of Ric. Wistowe”; he was subsequently re-admitted on to the Court and served Master 1586, but the animus against him revived, and on 7th November, 1587, certain parties were before the Court for reviling him on the old score, and were duly threatened and admonished as to their future behaviour.

22nd November, 1569. Here was Phillip Jordan for trymming upon the
sabboth daye and he once agayne is warned upon the penalltie of the
acte that he do y{t} hence forwardes no more (see 18th May, 1568).

10th October, 1570. Margaret y{t} was M{r} Vaughan[147] his mayde is
graunted to kepe one Sonday her wedyng in the hall & no more.

[147] George Vaughan, Master 1569.

1568 to 1570. There are several entries in the books of members of the Court being removed for misbehaviour.

27th January, 1571. It was ordered that--

a newe Bayle be made to thentent them of the clothing of this
mysterie maie decentlie stand to attend all soch tymes as it shall
please the Queenes ma{tie} to come through the citie of London.

The Bayle was a movable stand or platform; there are various notices as to the one previously in use, having been out of repair. It was taken out on all great days of processions or triumphs and on Christmas day when the “lorde maior went to Poules,” and numerous references are also made to the Company’s banners which accompanied it.

19th January, 1573. Here was Willm̄ Carrington for havinge iiij
servaunts one Christmas even and ordre was taken that he should laye
downe his ffyne.

15th March, 1573. Here was a question moved concerninge takynge in
certeyne into the Assystaunce But the howsse would not consent to the
takinge in of any more for that there were alredye xxviij pˀsones.

Here was a question moved concernynge the takinge in of certayne
pˀsons into the clothinge but the house did not think good to take in
anye for that the nomber is alredy fyftye.

26th May, 1573. Here was John Johnsonne and brought in his fyne for
kepinge a foryner uncest xx{d.}

There are frequent entries of freemen being fined for not “cessing” foreigners and journeymen, and for teaching foreigners their “science.”

It would seem from the following precise minute that commitments to prison were made by the Court direct, and not always upon Warrants obtained from the Lord Mayor or a Justice.

15th March, 1575. Here was one Mˀkes [Markes] servñte w{th} M{r}
Tholmwood sometyme, sent to the Compter by Willm̄ Eden Clark to this
misterye for not pˀforming an Awarde made betwene the saide M{r}
Tholmwood and the saide Mˀkes and divers others stubborne and lewde
behavio{rs.} The comitte{mt} made by the saide M{r} and Wardens.

22nd March, 1575. Here was John Clark sessed w{th} Edward Park for
two yeres to begin at the ffeast of Thannuncˀ of o{r} Ladye next
viz{t.} the first yeare xxij{s} and a payre of hose, the seconde yere
xxvj{s} viij{d} a payre of hose and a Capp.

15th May, 1575. Here was a pˀsept sent by my Lo{r}de maior straitly
charging and commandinge the companye in her Majesties name that they
take immediate order that theyr sˀvaunts and app̃ntices nor any of
them in any wyse or sorte do mysuse annye s̃vyng man page or lackey
or anye other pˀson that shal goo throwe the streets of this Cittee,
nor shall attempt anything to the breach of her Ma{ties} peace
either in wordes acts countenaunce or otherwise at their uttmost
pˀyll, whereupon all the whole Companye were sent for and had that
Comaundement.

1577. Thomas Hall (see 4th July, 1566) was appointed an Examiner in Surgery and to dissect the anatomies for ten years.

There are several instances of exhibitions to sons of freemen (generally 40_s._ a year), to enable them to study at Oxford and Cambridge, and these entries extend over a great many years.

22nd Oct., 1577. Here was M{r} Skarlet the Quenes Bargeman and he
pˀmised the Companie that they shoulde have a barge called the
Greyhounde belonging to the maydes of honor for lij{s} iiij{d} yf my
Lorde maior do go unto westmˀ.

This sum would not of course include the Bargemaster’s or his men’s fees for their services, or the providing banners, accessories or attendants, all of which were paid for by the Company in addition.

23rd July, 1582. At this Coˀte John Yates Thomas Lamkin and Edward
Parke were dismist from their places and owte of thassistance for
revelinge of secrets contrarie to a rule in that case pˀvided.

6th March, 1583. Yt was agreed that whereas a demaunde was made
by the L. Maio{r} and Co{r}te of Aldermẽ unto o{r} Companie for a
contribution of certein monie for certeine Landes we hold as the
saide Corte gave in Certificate of John Johnsons guifte for thuse of
an obit. The answere was made by the consent of the said Masters that
this house will joyne w{th} other Companies in the charge accordinge
to their porc͠ons.

21st Nov., 1583. Mr. Banester, a liveryman, being indebted to the Company £5, gave a “watche or clock” and it was ordered that his debt should be cancelled in consideration of this gift.

The following minute refers to the obit for John Johnson (_vide_ 6th March, 1583) the property having been declared to be held for superstitious uses, the Company purchased their right to retain its possession for £13 6_s._ 8_d._

5th July, 1585. At this Co{r}te yt was agreed That whereas a Teñte in
Tower streate belonginge to this house ys founde [to] be concealled
Landes. That the pattenist should have for agreament to have o{r}
Teñte surelie the som̃e of xx{tie} markes.

The next is a curious instance of an ancient tenure.

29th Sept., 1586. A lease for 21 years of a house in East Smithfield was granted to Humphry Rowland at £6 per annum, and the said Humphry was to--

deliv{r} and geve unto the saide masters and to suche as shall come
w{th} them to viewe the said Teñte yerely the nombre of xviij shoing
hornes franck and ffree.

14th Aug., 1587. It was also condiscended and agreed That the newe
masters or governo{rs} of this o{r} Company shall eṽy yeare on the
daie of o{r} Ellecc͠on of them be brought home to their howses with
the Levery or some p̃te of them as heretofore hathe ben accustomed
eṽy one wearinge his hood in decent order.

6th July, 1592. Certein newe silver booles are to be bought for those
pˀcell gilt booles w{ch} were the guifte of M{r} Vaughan.

9th February, 1596. It was agreed for “the taking in of the water w{ch} cometh from the Themes by pipes into this howse.” Heretofore the water had been supplied from a well, and later on by a leaden “pomp.”

1596. In this year a curious episode occurred, which showed that the Court were not unwilling to shield their freemen when offending, if the party taking action against the offender did not belong to the Company. Four freemen (one being an Assistant) had been “put into” the Court of Exchequer by “one Holmes an Informer for using both Barbery and Chirurgery against the Statute,” and the Court, without troubling to enquire if the offence had been committed or not, ordered that £10 should be lent the parties to assist them in defending the suit. At the next Court the matter was much debated as to whether the Barber-Surgeons should go on with their defence or make terms with the informer, and the parties themselves were consulted, whereupon it was finally decided “among themselves to agree w{th} the said Informer w{ch} they related to the whole Corte, whereupon the Corte rose and the said pˀties made their owne agreement privately w{th} the saied Informer to their best likinge.”

10th December, 1596. Mr. Storer came to the Court and agreed with the Company, by indenture, in consideration of £5 per annum for seven years, to relieve the Company from all charges in respect of the provision of grain for serving the market during that period.

9th June, 1597. This daie one septer or mace and twoe pictures
latelye and verye loveingelye given to this Companye by William
Martyn[148] of the Clothinge in token of his love to this house was
presented to this Courte and verye gratefullye accepted.

[148] Master 1606.

This daie one cupp made of an Ostridge Egge or shell and sett in
silver and guilte given by the laste will and testamente of M{r}
Thomas Bankes divers tymes M{r} of this Companye was likewise
presented to this Courte and verye gratefullye accepted.

15th Jany., 1598. This daie William Clare one of the Lorde Maiors
serjeantes at mace is chosen officer of this house and where his fee
to fore was but vj{s} viij{d} per Anñ it is nowe by this Courte uppon
good consideration augmented to x{s} pˀ Anñ and John Smith in his
absence is appointed deputye.

The duty of this officer was to attend the Courts of Assistants and to arrest and convey to the Compter such persons as were committed.

30th Jan., 1598. Nicholas Kellaway, in consideration of his years, was excused serving the offices of Steward and Master of the Anatomy and “freelye gave one standinge cup double guilte w{ch} was kindely accepted.”

14th Aug., 1598. There is under this date an interesting account of the Election of Master and Wardens; twelve Electors from among the Livery were appointed:--

Which electors after they had their chardge given them by the
Maisters or Governors of this Companye and their severall billes
for the elecc͠on delivered unto them after longe and deliberate
considerac͠on had, did electe for the Maister John Leycocke and for
the upper Governor John Burgis and for the seconde Governor John
Pecke and for the yongeste Governor Roberte Johnson Which saide John
Leycocke beinge not then presente the garlande accordinge to the
manner and custome of this house was by the Maister for the yeare
paste placed uppon the heade of Mr. Docter Browne as deputye for the
saide John Leycocke, after which another garlande was likewise placed
uppon the heede of the saide John Burgis by the upper governor And
a like garlande tendered to the saide John Pecke which he utterlye
refused and for the same was fined at ffortye shillinges which fine
he paid accordinglye likewise a nother garlande was placed by the
yongeste Governor uppon the heade of the said Roberte Johnson and
by him gratefullye accepted And the saide Maister Burgis and M{r.}
Johnson were sworne standinge for the due execuc͠on of their offices.

1598. In the Minute Book commencing 1598 there are scores of cases of Barbers being fined for working on Sundays; the informant was generally the Beadle, and it is amusing to note how frequently a delinquent, after purging himself by a fine, voluntarily took to the office of Informer against his brother Barbers.

Many Barbers and Surgeons were fined for presuming to “sett up shoppe” without licence, here is an instance:--

28th November, 1598. This daye George Collimer appeared before the
M{rs} of this Companye and had daye till the next court to bringe in
his fine for openinge his shop w{th}out licence.

11th December, 1598. This daye Thomas Powell appeared before the
M{rs} for workinge on the saboth daye and puteth him self uppon his
tryall, wherefore he is comaunded to attend here the next Court And
in the meane tyme for his unrevˀent behaviour towards the M{r} is
comitted to the Compt{r.}

15th January, 1599. Where divers grudges and manye greate
inconveniencies have happened amongest suche as have benne familiar
frendes and brothers of this Societye by the unadvised rashnes of
some of the Assistance of this Companie whoe have disclosed and
revealed suche secretes as have bene advisedlye and discretlye for
the benefit of the said Companye spoken in the courte tyme Contrarye
to the solempne othes of suche assistanˀ to the greate dishoner of
god and scandall to the said Companye, ffor reformac͠on whereof it
is ordered by consente of a full Courte of Assistance That if at any
tyme hereafter any of the Assistance of this ffelowship shall utter
or reveale to any other pˀson beinge not Assistante any secretes
uttered and spoken at any courte which oughte not to be uttered or
revealed And also if any Elector of the M{r} or Governors for the
tyme beinge shall at any tyme hereafter utter or reveale any speches
concerninge the election to any person which oughte not to knowe the
same suche person soe offendinge and due proffe thereof made, beinge
of the Assistance shalbe dismissed oute of his place and livery, and
beinge onlye of the livery shalbe dismissed oute of the liverye.

Where this house hath a barrel of Gunpowder It is ordered that the
same be soulde to the beste benifitt of this house.

30th January, 1599. This daie Edward Downes was comitted to the
Compter for calleinge villayne before the maisters of the Companye.

6th February, 1599. It is ordered that John Mullines shalbe comitted
to the Compter for his disobedience in not payeinge his debte to this
house.

17th April, 1599. This daie Michaell Bullocke complayneth of William
Webbe forren brother for workeinge with Henrye Needeham beinge not
ceassed with him and for grindeinge of rasares[149] And Needeham is
to be warned to the nexte Courte.

[149] Razors.

8th May, 1599. Marmaduke Jefferson hath till the nexte Courte to
bring in his fine for hangeinge oute his basones on maye daie.

5th July, 1599. Richard Sprignall, to be excused serving the office of Master, presented a--

drinckeinge cupp made of a nutte and garnished with silver and guilte
which was thankfullye accepted.

17th July, 1599. This daie William Lacye is Comitted to the Compter
for his contemptious behaviour towardes the Maisters of the Companye
and for workinge in the trade of barberie beinge noe freeman.

24th July, 1599. This daie Richard Samborne complayned of one Phillip
Winter for settinge upp a shoppe in paules church yarde beinge not
free. It is ordered that the saide Winter shalbe comitted to prison
untill he be free, or bounde before my lorde Maior to departe the
Citye.

This daie Gabriell Hunte appeared before the Maisters and was
comitted to prison for workeinge on the sabouth daies.

30th July, 1599. This daie Thomas Hobbes hath lycence of the Maisters
to sue Thomas Watson at the Comon lawe for not accomptinge with him
for iij{li.} due in the tyme of his apprentishipp.

13th August, 1599. It was further ordered that because this tyme is
troblesom and to avoyde the evill speches of men, that there shoulde
go home with the Maister but eighte of the liverye and with the rest
of the Governors sixe a peece and that withoute their hoodes.

29th May, 1600. It was ordered that two streamers and two banners should be purchased to garnish the Company’s barge.

3rd July, 1600. This daye Anthony Millington Esquier Executor to the
laste Will and Testament of Elizabeth Scoloker deceased payd unto the
M{rs} viz., M{r} Wood M{r} Dardes & M{r} Martin a legacy of tenne
poundes by the sayd Elizabeth bequeathed to this Company whereuppon
it is ordered that there be a Cup made w{th} the same money And that
her name be ingraven uppon it as a thinge geven by her.

11th Aug., 1600. Whereas Thomas Cole a verye disobedient and pervers
brother of this Companye did verye disobedientlie and perversely
behave himselfe towardes the Maisters or Governors in the presents
of the Assistants and liverye there assembled And alsoe for that
hee refused to paie the musicions iiij{d} according to order It is
ordered by the consent of a full Courte of Assistants and of the
reste of the assemblie that he be dismissed oute of the liverye of
this Companye And not to be warned to any assemblies or meetinges in
other sorte then one[150] of the yeomanrie till it shall please a
Courte of Assistants at the like tyme to restore him to his former
place, yet he is to paye his quarterage dulye.

[150] Than as one.

Thomas Cole reformed his ways, and was subsequently re-admitted to the Livery.

4th Nov., 1600. This daye it is ordered that Wheelis dwellinge in
Longe Lane take downe his basons and make no shewe towardes the
streete uppon payne to be comitted to the Compter.

22nd Apl., 1601. This daye where this howse alloweth but v{s} to
the parson of St. Olaves for his sermon on the Election daye It is
ordered by this Court that the same be augmented to x{s.}

5th May, 1601. This daie Henry Eaton uppon warninge appeared before
the maisters or Governors for keepinge a forren Jorneyman whereuppon
it was ordered that the said Eaton shoulde put a waie the said
fforren before the next courte daye.

30th June, 1601. Noah Bayley, a Surgeon, who for two or three years past had continually been complained of for various offences, and disagreements with patients and apprentices, came at last to grief, for having--

not onely abused M{r} Warden Thorney w{th} reprochefull & slanderous
speeches but also M{r} Mapes and M{r} ffenton twoe of the assistants
of this Company making mowes[151] and mockinge them as they sate
in the Courte in contempt of the said Court it was ordered that
hee therefore shalbe comitted to the Compter uppon the Lo: Maiors
commaundement for example of oth{rs.}

[151] Mouths.

22nd September, 1601. This daye Richard Higgins was committed to the
Compter by the M{rs} uppon the Lo: Maiors commaundm{t} for refuseinge
to paye his fine for his absence from the hall at the daye of
gen{r}all Rules.

This day Thomas Allen[152] was fined for his absence from the said
rules.

[152] First Master of Dulwich College.

6th October, 1601. This daye it was ordered that Will{m} Braye for
certayne speeches & for his misbehaviour towards M{r} Warden Atmer
should be pˀsently comitted to the Compter, of w{ch} imprisonm{t} at
his humble suite and uppon his submission to the said M{r} Atm{r} hee
was dischardged of his said imprisonm{t.}

10th October, 1601. This daye Will{m} Deepeinge Owin Jones and Edward
Waterhowse were appoynted for three of the wiflers for the yere
ensuinge.

A committee was ordered to meet at “Mˀcers Chappell by sixe of the Clock in the morninge to viewe the repac͠ons of the howses belonginge to this Company.” How many members of the Court would _now_ attend at 6 a.m. in chill October?

27th October, 1601. This daye it is ordered that the M{rs} of this
Company & also M{r} Bird M{r} Wood M{r} John Izard Thomas Thorney
William Martin & John Gerrard[153] be warned to meete on ffrydaye
next by sixe of the clock in the morninge to goe on serch accordinge
to custome.

[153] The celebrated herbalist.

23rd February, 1602. This daye it is ordered that Richard Jackson a
brother of this Company shall be committed to the Compt{r} for not
appearinge before the M{rs} uppon warninge to answer the complaint of
Edward Bird his apprentice.

22nd March, 1602. This daye it is ordered that John Rea Strang{r}
shall be committed to the Compter for settinge out his billes[154]
uppon the gates & oth{r} places in the Cytie contrary to his
tollerac͠on.

[154] Probably quack doctor’s advertisements.

30th March, 1602. This daye it is ordered that M{r} Warden ffrederick
M{r} Thorney M{r} Will{m} Martin M{r} John Peck M{r} Gerrard[153] &
M{r} ffenton shall meate on ffrydaye next by eyghte of the clock in
the morninge at Lyon Key to goe from thence to my Lord Admirall[155]
to complayne against Robert Derham for his contempt in refusinge her
Mat{s} imprest.

[155] The Earl of Nottingham, at Greenwich.

13th April, 1602. This daye Robert Durham (Derham) appeared before
the M{rs} of this Company of his owne voluntary And it was by this
Courte ordered that for his sevˀall contempts of this Company aswel
in their serch as in their prest hee should bee committed to the
Compt{r} uppon the Lord Maiors Commaundem{t} whereuppon hee was sent
to the Compter But at the speciall instance and request of one M{r}
Meredith and M{r} Morgan twoe of the said Derhams ffrendes hee was
sent for back agayne and uppon his humble submission & intreaty hee
was dischardged of his imprisonment And thereuppon did promise to be
obedient to this Company at all tymes hereaft{r.}

24th November, 1602. This daye it is ordered by the M{rs} or
Governors of this Company that Robert Redhead one of the Lord Maiors
officers shalbe officer to this Company as aft{r} the decease of
Will{m} Clare And to have such fee for the same as the said Willm̄
Clare held the same And also hee is to be confirmed in the same place
by the next court of Assistance.

20th March, 1604. This daye it is ordered that on thursdaye next
the M{rs} of this Company shall attend the Lord Maior to knowe his
pleasure concerninge their places of standinges.

The Masters on this occasion procured an order of the Court of Aldermen ranking the Company as sixteenth in order of precedence, and this is set forth in the Minute Book as follows:--

17th April, 1604. ~A Copie~ of an order of Courte set downe the
daye and yere hereaft{r} expressed concerninge the place of this
Company in all assemblies of the Companyes of this Cytie.

* * * * *

~Martis~ decimo septimo die Aprilis 1604 Annoqʒ regni Dñi nr̃i Jacobi
Regis Anglie &c sc̃do.

BENNET } Soane Garrard Lee Hollydaye Wattes Rowe Craven Anderson
MAIOR } Swynerton Hayes ac Romney uñ vĩc &c.

~Where~ it appeareth to this Court aswell by the humble supplicac͠on
of the Maisters or Govˀnors of the Mistery & Coiãltye of Barbors and
Chirurgeons of this Cytie as by an ord{r} taken by the same Courte
the fowerth daye of ffebruary in the tyme of the Maioraltie of S{r}
Stephen Peacock knighte and in the fower and twenteth yere of the
reigne of the Late Kinge of famous memory Kinge Henry the eight That
the M{rs} or Governors of the said mistery & Coiãlty of Barbors
& Chirurgeons & their pˀdecessors in the order of their goinges
standinges rydinges sittinges & oth{r} assemblies of the livˀyes
of the sevˀall Companyes of this ho: Cytie have bene alwayes tyme
oute of mynde reputed taken & placed as the seaventeneth Company
amongest oth{rs} the sevˀall Companyes of this Cytie next & imediatly
from & aft{r} the Company of Mercers Grocers Drapˀs ffishemongers
Goldsmythes Skinners Marchaunttaylors Haberdashers Salters Iremongers
Vinteners Stockfishmongers Clothworkers Brewers Lethersellers and
Pewterers And forasmuch as it doth likewise appeare to this Co{r}te
that sythens the makeinge and establisheinge of the said order the
said M{rs} or Governo{rs} of the said Mistery and Coiãltie of Barbors
and Surgeons have enjoyed the Benifit of the said order and borne
all chardges taxes and contribuc͠ons whatsoevˀ imposed on them from
tyme to tyme w{th} credytt to the good likinge of the Magistrats
and Governors of this Cyttie as well as other Companies of like
sorte and State have done And yett notw{th}standing of late at the
Royall passages of the Kinge and Queenes most exelent Ma{ties} and
the prince of wales attended by the Nobilitie and gentry of the land
through this Cyttie on the fifteenth daie of March last when through
ignorance theie were misplaced by the Comittie appoynted by this
Cyttie for the mannaginge of those affaires. It is therefore this
daie upon due considerac͠on had of the pˀmisses, and for that the
said Company of Stockfyshmongers have bene since the tyme of the said
order wholelie dissolved and abrogated and noe Company or Corporac͠on
remayninge w{th}in this Cyttie of that name, ordered and decreed
that the said M{rs} or Governors of the said Misterie and Coiãltie
of Barbors and Surgeons shalbe from henceforth reputed taken and
placed as the syxeteenth Companie w{th}in this Cyttie in all theire
goeings rydinges sytteinges standeinges and assemblies whatsoever,
any misplaceinge of them on the said fifteeẽth daie of March last to
the contrary notw{th}standinge.

SEBRIGHT.

22nd May, 1604. This daie it is ordered that from henceforth the
Clark of this Companie shall against evˀy Courte daie bestowe iiij{d}
in hearbes and flowers.

12th June, 1604. This daye Will{m} Wrighte a very disobedyent
Broth{r} of this Company was accordinge to the Rules of this howse
fined at vj{s} viij{d} for callinge the officers of this howse knaves
and for other his lewde & disobedient behaviour and is to bringe it
into this Court on tewsedaye next.

8th November, 1604. Mr. Thomas Goodall and Mr. Kellaway were each fined 10_s._ “for not riedinge w{th} the M{rs} when the kinge came through the city” (probably in March last).

5th February, 1605. This daye Marcus Davie appeared before the
M{rs} and was rebuked for shewinge the Copie of õr Chr̃e[156] to a
Scrivener.

[156] Charter.

28th February, 1605. This daye it is ordered that the numb{r} of 16
pˀsons of the Assistance of this Company shalbe accompted a full
Court of Assistance.

It was also ordered that a “fayre parchem{t} booke” be bought for engrossing therein the Charters of the Company; this book is still in our possession.

28th February, 1605. This daye M{r} Warden ffrederick made request to
have a Deputie to supplie his place and office of upper warden and
to sit in his place till his retorne from Spayne whith{r} the saide
M{r} ffrederick is bounde And alsoe to kepe his keyes whereuppon it
was ordered that he should make choyce of any sufficient man of the
Assistantꝭ to keepe his keyes in his absens if hee pleased. But it
was denyed that any should sit in his place as deputy.

Christopher Frederick was Serjeant-Surgeon to the King, and father of Sir John Frederick, Lord Mayor in 1661. He was of alien birth and did not work harmoniously with the Court of Assistants. In _Repertory_ xxvii. fo. 117 (at Guildhall), is an order of the Court of Aldermen that Sir Thomas Garrard and four other Aldermen were to call the Master and Wardens and Mr. Frederick before them and to end their controversies (which, however, they did not succeed in doing).

21st March, 1605. Mr. Frederick brought a letter to the Court from the Earl of Nottingham, saying it was the King’s pleasure that Mr. Frederick should appoint a deputy to act as Warden in his place, whilst he was away with the King in Spain, but the Court adhered to its decision of 28th February.

This daye M{r} Warden ffrederick pˀsented to this Court a letter
wrytten to the M{rs} or Governors & Assistants of this Company the
contents thereof hereafter ensueth, viz{t.}:

Aft{r} my very hearty commendac͠ons I have thoughte good to signifie
unto you his Ma{ties} pleasure That I should have to attend me in
this my ambassage into Spayne Mr. Xpõfer ffrederick one of the nowe
Governors of yo{r} Company w{ch} by reason of the place hee bereth
amongest you can hardely be spared nevertheles because the necessytie
of the service urgeth the same It is thought fit by his Ma{tie} that
hee shall noĩat and appoynt such a sufficient man to execute his
place in his absens as formˀly hath borne that office, wherefore I
doubt not but you will admitt and allowe of such a one as for that
purpose hee shall noĩat to sit in his absens as his deputy who shalbe
answerable for all matt{s} as if M{r} ffrederick were there himself
So to continue eyth{r} untill the tyme of the yere that you make
choyce of some other pˀsone fit for the same or M{r} ffrederickꝭ
retorne oute of Spayne w{ch} shall first happen, of whose ready care
to satisfie the Kinges expectac͠on and my desyre I dowbte not And
evenso I bid you righte hartely farewell. ffrom Arnedell howse the
ix{th} of March 1604.[157]

[157] 160-4/5.

Yo{r} very lovinge frend

Notingham[158]

I do praye you that Will{m} Martin be
excepted[159] in his place till M{r}
ffrederickꝭ retorne Notingham

[158] Lord High Admiral.
[159] Accepted.

26th March, 1605. This daye M{r} James Hodson one of the tenaunts of
this Company accordinge to an order of a Court of Assisstance payd to
the M{rs} his fyne of L{li} for his lease And had lycence graunted
unto him to demyse the tenement w{ch} hee holdeth of this Company or
any pt̃e thereof And did pˀmise to geve unto this howse one hogshead
of clarret wyne when it should for the use of this howse be called
for & demaunded.

9th April, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Humfrey Gorston bringe
in his fyne at the next Courte for teachinge of a forren his Art.

16th April, 1605. This daye Stephen Abraham was commaunded [to] geve
over his keepinge a barbors shop in Phillip Lane untill hee shalbe
made free of this Company uppon payne of imprisonment.

23rd April, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Stephen Abraham be
committed to the Compter for contempt of the M{rs} order heretofore
set downe.

Abraham must have instantly obeyed the order, and shut up his shop in Phillip Lane, and directly afterwards have opened another in Finch Lane, for we read:--

30th April, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Stephen Abraham shall
take downe his basons and geve over his shop in ffynch Lane and shall
continue w{th} his mr̃is mr̃is Smyth orels to be committed to prison.

24th May, 1605. fforasmuch as Mathew Peele a broth{r} of this Company
hath delt underhand w{th} the tenante in possession of the howse
where in one Edward Sares lately dwelt at Dowgate, makinge the tenant
to beleeve that hee the sayd Mathew Peele had a lease graunted unto
him from this howse of the same and pˀffered to sell the same to the
said tenaunt where there is no such thinge to him graunted. It is
therefore ordered that an order made the xviij{th} of March whereby
it was determyned that the sayd Mathew Peele should have the first
pˀffer of the next tenem{t} that should fall voyde of this Company
better cheape by x{li} then any oth{r} pˀson shalbe voyde & of none
effect to all intents & constructions.

11th June, 1605. This daye it is ordered that Willm̄ Wrighte shalbe
committed to the Compter for abuseinge the late M{rs} of this Company.

25th June, 1605. This daye John Crispe dwellinge in St. Martins
Barbor is dischardged from kepeinge a shop.

12th September, 1605. This day it was agreed that the pˀnte M{rs}
shall pˀceed to build againe the wall latelie taken downe betwixt
o{r} yard and the Bulwark w{th} Brick only And the same to be
correspondent to the reste of the bricke wall of the said yard In
which wall they are to cause to be made and placed such and so many
convenient wyndowes w{th} lettice and casementꝭ as they shall thincke
fitt. And it is further agreed by the consent of the Court that they
shall proceed w{th} the worcke now in hand for the erectinge of a
steyre and steyrecase to be made to passe through the pˀlor into the
said Bullwarke or garden plott And the same to be finished and done
in such mannˀ and forme as the said M{rs} shall thincke fitt And also
shall repaire and amend the defectꝭ of the wainscott in the said
pˀlor where need shall require. And that such chardges shalbe borne
by this house as shalbe in that behalf disburssed.

26th September, 1605. This day M{r} Nicholas Collins is chosen to be
of Councell w{th} this Company and is to have a fee of xl{s} pˀ añn.
and is to continue in the same place so longe as it shall please the
Assistantꝭ of the same Company.

1st October, 1605. This day William Gravenor was fined for hanginge
out of his basons on Bartholomew day And also Humphry Gorston.

This day there was redd to this Court a lrẽ directed from Doctor
Browne to the said court importinge that Christopher ffredricke was
as forward in his advice as in his Assistaunce in the cuttinge of
S{r} Anthony Cooke as M{r} ffenton was.

About the year 1605 the Court were at law with Mr. Frederick as appears by the Wardens’ accounts, though there is no reference to the subject of the dispute in the Minutes, beyond the above reference to a surgical operation performed on Sir A. Cooke, and the controversy about the Deputy Warden when Mr. Frederick went to Spain. Mr. Frederick was alien born, and the following order, without doubt, had a reference to this circumstance:--

10th October, 1605. This day it is ordered that from henceforth no
Alien or stranger borne out of his Matꝭ dominions shall hereafter be
capable or eligible to beare or take upon him any place or places or
office of a M{r} or Governour of this Company And that an ordinaunce
shalbe pˀntlie drawne to such purpose if by o{r} Councell wee shalbe
advised so to doe.

The above order was rescinded 21st July, 1608.

8th October, 1605. This day Thomas Emerie William ffarris John Heydon
John Burrowes Roger Brecknocke John Hullins Wyddow Turner widdow
Eaton John Phillipps and Robert Samme were fined for workinge upon
last Saboth.

10th October, 1605. This day it is ordered by this Courte that
the reparac͠ons of the Citties wall next to the Bullwark shalbe
accomplished and done according as the pˀnte M{rs} or Governo{rs} of
this Company shall thincke fitt And all charges therein disburssed
shalbe borne by this house.

7th November, 1605. It is also ordered that the pˀnte M{rs} or
Governors of this Company shall if they cann bargaine w{th} the Ladie
Windsor for the glasse in the wyndowes of the Bulwark And for such
other thingꝭ as are by her Ladishipp to be sold and to give such
Composition for the same as they in their discretions shall thincke
fitt.

This day it is ordered that the youngest Governo{r} Rento{r} doe
cause all needful and necessarie repˀac͠ons to be done upon such
tenemtꝭ as ought to be repaired by this Company And also shall cause
the privit hedge in the garden next the Bullwark to be taken up and
the ground to be leveled and another hedge to be planted and sett all
alonge from the further end of o{r} new bricke wall to the furthest
corner of that garden.

19th November, 1605. This day it is ordered that the M{rs} of this
Company togeather w{th} M{r} Bird M{r} Wood M{r} John Martin and M{r}
Mapes are to goe in search on satterday and upon munday next And they
are to meete in Powles.[160]

[160] St. Paul s.

28th Nov., 1605. This day it is ordeyned that o{r} M{r} shall
compound with some Baker to pˀvide for this Company 50 quarte{rs} of
good wheate at such yearelie rate and for such tyme as they can agree
And he to be Baker to the house so longe as he behave himself well.

One Will{m.} Clifton was on 17th December following appointed Baker, and agreed to find 50 quarters of wheat for £5 per annum.

28th January, 1606. This day John ffoxe a forren Barbor appeared
before the M{rs} and was by them forbidden to keepe shopp in London
any more for Barbinge or Surgery, And he pˀmissed that he would not.

16th June, 1606. In the controvˀsie betwixt Thomas Orton & ffrauncꝭ
Holland It is ordered that the said Orton proceed not in suite of law
against the said Holland otherwise then by takeinge the peace of him
till the next Court Att w{ch} tyme the said Holland is comaunded by
this Court to bringe in his fine of xl{s} for strikinge of him the
said Orton. And the said Orton is to geve his attendaunce at that
Courte.