Part 36

The Great Book of Wardens’ Accounts has unfortunately been kept in a damp place, and the earlier portion of it is severely damaged. The cover still indicates the elaboration of the bookbinder’s art, being stamped in patterns with the portcullis fleur de lys and Tudor rose; opposite what is left of the first page is a magnificently painted achievement of the Company’s arms on vellum, but this unhappily, is damaged.

The first page has rotted almost entirely away, leaving only the upper left hand corner, on which there is an initial letter T illuminated in the highest style of art, though this is also seriously damaged.

The accounts commence with those for the year 1603, the first few pages are worn away, pages 7 to 36 are but slightly damaged, whilst the remainder of this huge book is quite perfect and abounds with quaint and artistic initial letters.

The following is the reduced initial letter for the year 1610-11.

1603. The Wardens account for quarterage received by them amounting to £4 17_s._ 6_d._, this quarterage was 2_s._ for each freeman, though some did not pay, and others had only paid 6_d._ or 1_s._

£5 was received for the admission of six foreign brethren.

Twenty-five freemen were admitted, who paid 3_s._ 4_d._ each on presentation.

Eighty-nine apprentices were bound, each paying 2_s._ 6_d._

The receipts for the rents from the Company’s tenants follow, viz.:--

£ _s._ _d._ Holborn Bridge (14 tenements) 29 4 0 Conyhope Lane (Grocers’ Hall Court) 8 0 0 Walbrook (2 tenants) 15 0 0 Tower Street 5 0 0 Mugwell Street (4 tenants) 11 13 4 East Smithfield (13 tenants) 28 14 0 Swanne Alley (5 tenants) 17 6 8 Old Bailey 1 0 0 -------------- £115 18 0 ==============

The following is a verbatim copy of the remainder of this year’s accounts, and will serve as a fair specimen for the other years.

1603.--The said Accomptants doe aske allowance for moneys by them defrayed w{th}in the tyme of this pˀsent accompt by the handes of M{r} Edward Rodes Second Governor afores{d} for ordenary as [well as] extraordinary Expences as hereafter ensueth viz{t.}--

~Ordinarie~ expenses.

~Inprimis~ payd for the Awdit dinner vj{li} Itm̃ paid to the Butler for his fee then iij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Cock for dressinge of nyne messe of meate then ix{s} Itm̃ paid to the Laundres then v{s} Itm̃ paid to the Porter for his attendance xij{d} Itm̃ paid for the view dinner xl{s} Itm̃ paid to the Carpinter & Bricklayer then[232] iij{s} Itm̃ paid to the Stewardꝭ of the Maior’s feast vj{li} Itm̃ paid to the Cock for dressinge of 14 messes of meate then xviij{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Butler then v{s} Itm̃ paid to the Laundresse then v{s} Itm̃ paid for the hyre of o’ Bardge iij{li} Itm̃ paid to the Clark & Sexton of the Churche of Garlick Hythe when the Company toke barge xij{d} Itm̃ paid for rushes & small cord iij{s} Itm̃ paid to the Croner[233] for his fee vj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ geven to the Bardgemen in reward ij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ paid for the Companyes seats in Powles[234] v{s} Itm̃ paid to the Lo: Maiors officer for his fee x{s} Itm̃ paid to ffrancꝭ Rowdon[235] for his fee pˀ Ann x{li} Itm̃ paid to the Porter for his fee pˀ Ann xxvj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid him more in augmentac͠on of his fee xl{s} Itm̃ paid to John a Lee for his yerely penc͠on lxij{s} Itm̃ paid to the pˀson[236] of S{t} Olaves pˀ Ann vj viij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Clarke of that Churche xvj{d} Itm̃ paid to the Scaveng{r} per ann iiij{s} Itm̃ paid to o{r} Clarke for lanthorne Lyghte[237] ij{s} Itm̃ paid to the Stewards of the Anathom iiij{li} Itm̃ paid to the Clarke for white brushes & broomes ij{s} Itm̃ paid for a Loade of greate Coales xxv{s} Itm̃ for a thowsand of Billettꝭ xv{s} Itm̃ paid for small coles xij{d} Itm̃ paid for an hundreth of ffagottꝭ vij{s} Itm̃ spent uppon o{r} tenantꝭ in potac͠on[238] ij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ distributed in Almes accordinge to the last will & testament of M{r} fferebras vj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ more distributed in augmentac͠on of the same almes xiij iiij Itm̃ allowed to the M{rs} for the distributinge thereof vj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ allowed to the M{rs} for gatheringe of the rentꝭ xiiij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Clark for pennes Inke & papˀ vj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ layd oute for herbes & flowers on the Election daye iij{s} Itm̃ paid to the Bedell for his yerely fee xl{s} Itm̃ geven to the Porter for his Attendance on the Election daye xij{d} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Hilles[239] for his yerely fee xl Itm̃ paid to the Collectors for subsidye lij{s} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Stower for pˀvision of corne[240] v{li} Itm̃ paid to the poore of St. Olaves xvij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to the preach{r} for his sermon on the daye of Election x{s} Itm̃ distributed in money bred & byfe[241] accordinge to M{r} Bankes last Will & testam xix{s} Itm̃ for washinge of some linnen w{ch} was used on the daye of Election xviij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Clark for registringe of this Accompt xx{s}

~Some totall~ of the } Ordenary expencꝭ is } Lxj{li} xiiij{s}

[232] The Company’s Carpenter and Bricklayer always accompanied the Masters on view days, to advise as to the state of repair of the property. [233] Coroner. [234] St. Paul’s. [235] The Company’s Clerk. [236] Parson. [237] The Clerk provided the Lantern over the Entrance in Monkwell Street, in accordance with the ancient City custom of lighting the streets. [238] Potation, _i.e._, drinking. [239] The Company’s standing Counsel. [240] The Company compounded with Mr. Stower at £5 per annum to provide the corn required by the City. [241] Beef.

~Extraordinarie~ Expencꝭ

~Inprimis~ paid for the use of sixe garnishe and twoe dozen of pewter at the Awdit Dinner vij{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid for makinge cleane of the Hall then j{s} Itm̃ geven by Consent to Erasmus Haunce a poore Strang{r} v{s} Itm̃ paid to the Paynter for the Coockꝭ apron[242] xiij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Clark for Drawinge & engroseinge of the Indentures of Covenaunt betwixt the Carpnt{r} & o{r} M{rs} concerninge o{r} Buyldinge in Easte Smith feild x{s} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Justice Wooddes Clark for the Recognizance & for o{r} lycence to buyld iij{s} ij{d} Itm̃ paid M{r} Wood for his Advice then x{s} Itm̃ spent at the hartes horne uppon some of the committees when o{r} M{r} & they toke advise concerninge M{r} ffyneingꝭ conveyancꝭ iij{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Hilles for his advise then x{s} Itm̃ geven to the Lord Maior’s officer for his Attendance at the Awdit iij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ geven to Symon Parkinson in benevolence by consent ij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ geven in benevolence to Mark Criffeyld vj{d} Itm̃ paid for the wiflers staves[243] xvj{d} Itm̃ paid for cakes at the Maiors feaste iij{s} Itm̃ paid for Clarret wyne then iiij{s} Itm̃ paid for a Gallond of Muskadell iiij{s} Itm̃ paid for half a dozen of Rolles vj{d} Itm̃ paid for 2{li} suger & for Cloves then ij{s} x{d} Itm̃ geven to the music͠ons in reward then ij{s} Itm̃ geven to M{r} Petersons folkes then ij{s} Itm̃ geven to the Bardgemen in reward ij{s} Itm̃ geven to good wief Lee in benevolence iij{s} Itm̃ geven to twelve torcheberers when the Maior went to meete the Queene’s Ma{tie} xiij{s} Itm̃ paid for 3 dozen of torches then and a greate Lynke xxxvij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to a poore man that helped to carry the staffe torches xij{d} Itm̃ geven to the beadell for his paynes xij{d} Itm̃ spent on a supper uppon those that went to meete her Ma{tie} beinge of o{r} Assistantꝭ xlviij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ geven to the maydes that dressed o{r} supper then & to a poore man ij{s} Itm̃ paid M{r} Hillˀ for his oppinion and paine taken aboute o{r} ordinancꝭ xx{s} Itm̃ spent on some of the Assistance then that went w{th} the M{rs} ij{s} Itm̃ geven to Harbert[244] in benevolence xij{d} Itm̃ geven to Jõ Smyth in benevolence then xij{d} Itm̃ geven them in benevolence at anoth{r} tyme ij{s} Itm̃ geven to Tho. Tholmwood in benevolence by ord{r} x{s} Itm̃ spent uppon the Committees when they mett about the ordinancꝭ vj{s} ix{d} Itm̃ spent the same nyghte at the bores head at supper when wee delivˀed o{r} petic͠on to the queene x{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ spent the 13{th} of Decemb{r} at the bell at Westm{r} at dinn{r} when the M{rs} went to delivˀ the petic͠on to the queene xvj{s} vj{d} Itm̃ geven in benevolence to wydowe Barbor xviij{d} Itm̃ to wydowe Norton xij{d} Itm̃ to widowe Grew xij{d} Itm̃ to wydowe Powell xij{d} Itm̃ to good wief Harris xij{d} Itm̃ to John a Lee xij{d} Itm̃ to Markes Cristofeyld xij{d} Itm̃ to John Smythe xij{d} Itm̃ to Robert Harberte xviij{d} Itm̃ to Markꝭ Cristefeyld vj{d} Itm̃ to him at anoth{r} tyme vj{d} Itm̃ to wydow Barbor vj{d} Itm̃ geven to oth{r} poore at the hall xiiij{d} Itm̃ geven more to wydow Barbo{r} xij{d} Itm̃ geven more to wydow Norton xij{d} Itm̃ geven more to John Smyth and Harbert by consent before Easter vj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ geven more to wydowe Norton at anoth{r} tyme iij{s} Itm̃ geven more to Markꝭ Christofeyld vj{d} Itm̃ geven to wydowe Smythe xij{d} Itm̃ geven more in benevolence to John a Lee v{s} Itm̃ geven to Robert Harbert in benevolence xij{d} Itm̃ geven to goodwyfe Norton in benevolence xij{d} Itm̃ geven to wydowe Barber in benevolence xij{d} Itm̃ geven to John a Lees wief in benevolence xij{d} Itm̃ geven more to Markes Crisfeyld in benevolence xij{d} Itm̃ more geven to him at anoth{r} tyme vj{d} Itm̃ more to him at anoth{r} tyme xij{d} Itm̃ more geven to John a Lee in benevolence ij{s} Itm̃ geven to John Smyth in his sicknes & towards his funerall xx{s} Itm̃ geven Harbert in his sicknes & towardꝭ his funerall x{s} Itm̃ geven to Harbertꝭ wyef in her sicknes & towardꝭ her funerall[245] vj{s} Itm̃ geven to Harbertꝭ Children in the tyme of their sicknes x{s} Itm̃ geven to a poore man at the Hall in benevolence vj{d} Itm̃ geven to M{r} Johnson for fayre wrytinge of the petic͠on to the Queene ij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ spent when the M{rs} went to Courte aboute the Companyes busines the xviij{th} of November v{s} Itm̃ geven then to a poore man iij{d} Itm̃ paid for o{r} Seates in Powles churchyard on the queenes daye ij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ geven to the keeper of the Exchange for pullinge downe of Mountebankꝭ billes[246] xij{d} Itm̃ to M{r} Wilbraham M{r} of the Requestes for settinge downe the Queenes answere to o{r} petic͠on v{li} Itm̃ geven in gratificac͠on to his Clark x{s} Itm̃ geven to M{r} Hilles for his advise uppon the same petic͠on x{s} Itm̃ spent uppon some of the Company that went w{th} the M{rs} then xiiij{d} Itm̃ spent uppon M{r} Peck M{r} ffenton and oth{rs} w{ch} went to acquaint the Lo: Keper w{th} her Ma{ties} answere to the said petic͠on ix{s} vj{d} Itm̃ paid to the Collect{rs} of the fiftenes iiij{s} Itm̃ paid for ingroseinge of the breviat for the Lords ij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ paid to the Counsellors man for his paines ij{s} vj{d} Itm̃ paid towardꝭ the Butlers fee for the Anathomy iij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid for 2 bottelles of sack that the M{rs} sent for on the Maiors daye iij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Collectors for 4{or} fifteenes for cleansinge of the towne dyche xvj{s} Itm̃ paid to the Collecto{rs} of the kinges subsidie xvij{s} iiij{d} Itm̃ spent by consent uppon a supper uppon those that rode to meete the kinge iiij{li} j{s} xj{d} Itm̃ geven to the twelve wifelers then xij{s} Itm̃ spent in pˀsecuc͠on of Rea the mountiebank before the Lo: Maior iiij{s} Itm̃ paid for a copie of the Kinges Commission and of Chauncery for the hearinge of petic͠ons pˀferred to his Ma{tie} [247] Itm̃ spent in wyne and cakes on the Election daye xl{s} Itm̃ for makinge cleane of the Hall then ij{s} Itm̃ spent uppon a supper on the Election daye of the Assistants by consent xliij{s} Item̃ geven to wydowe Barbor in benevolence and for washinge & makinge cleane of the Lybrarye v{s} vj{d}

~Some of the~ ex̃tordinary } expencꝭ amounteth in the } wholl to the somme of } xxxvij{li} xviij{s} iiij{d}

~Some totall~ as well of the ordenary } as extraordinary expences Layd oute } by the handes of M{r} Edward Rodes } amounteth in the wholl to the somme of} Lxxxxix{li} xij{s} iiij{d}

[242] The Cook’s apron was probably embellished with the Company’s arms or crest. [243] The wands or staffs carried by the whifflers who headed the processions on pageant days, etc. [244] The Beadle. [245] There was a great plague in the City this year--Harbert was the Company’s Beadle. [246] Quack doctor’s advertisements. [247] The amount torn out in original.

~The said Accountants~ doe aske allowance for money disbursed by the handes of the said M{r} Thomas Martin yongest Governor w{th}in the tyme of this pˀsent Accompt for rentꝭ and Repac͠ons[248] as hereaft{r} ensueth viz{t}

[248] Reparations.

~Paiments~ for Chiefe Rentꝭ and Annuities viz{t}

~Inprimis~ paid to the M{rs} of S{t} Kathiñes viij{d} and for the Acquittance iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Cannon for a quit rent for o{r} land at Hoborne Bridge v{s} Itm̃ for the Acquittance iiij{d} Itm̃ paid to the Renter of the Bridge howse iiij{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Parvis for o{r} water pˀ ann xxvj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid to M{r} ffyneinge for his Rente vj{li} vj{s} viij{d} Itm̃ paid to M{r} Mapes for his Annuitie x{li}

~Some~ of the Cheefe Rentꝭ } and Annuities paid out is } xviij{li} iiij{s} iiij{d}

~Laid owte~ for new buyldinges Repac͠ons and oth{r} expencꝭ as followeth viz{t}