Chapter XX: Appendix: H

UNDERTAKING OF THE ARMOURERS’ COMPANY OF LONDON TO MAKE CERTAIN ARMOURS EVERY SIX MONTHS AND THE PRICES OF THE SAME

From records of the Company dated 17th March, 1618

The Privy Council on the 15th of March, 1618, made inquiry:--

“Who be the ingrossers of Plate to make Armor in London, and secondly what is the reason of the scarcity of Armor, and how it may be remedied?”

The Company agreed to the following answer being sent:--

“That concerning the first we know no ingrossers of such Plate and we have called to our Hall all the workmen of Armor in London and we find them very few, for that in regard of the long peace which, God be thanked, we have had, they have settled themselves to other trades, not having imployment for making of Armor, nor the means to utter the same if they should make it, for the remedy of which scarcity, if it please the Privy Council to take order that the Armorers’ work to be by them made in London, may be taken and paid for at every six months’ end. They will undertake, if continually employed, to use their best means for provision of stuff to make armor in every six months to furnish One hundred Lance Armor, Two hundred Light Horsemen’s Armor, and Two hundred Footmen’s Armor at such rates and prices as followeth.”

The Lance Armor, containing Breast, Back, Gorget, Close Head piece,
Poulderons and vambraces, Gushes, and one Gauntlett, to colored
Russet, at the price of £4 0 0

The Light Horseman’s Armor being Breast, Back, Gorgett a barred
Head piece, Pouldrons, and an Elbowe Gauntlett, to be Russet, at
the price of £2 10 0

The Footman’s Armor, containing Breast, Back, Gorgett, head
piece, and laces, with iron joints, to be colored russet, at the
price of £1 10 0