Part 48

Item I will that the masters of the livery of my Companie be at my buriall, and they to have xl{s} for theire dinners, to be delivered to the wardens at theire commyng to my buriall. And to Johnson the Clarke of the Company, vj{s} viij{d} And in considerac͠on of my evell and necligẽt service done to god and to his poore members, the poore of this hospitall of St. Barthelmewes where I now dwell, in recompence whereof, and for the discharge of my concience, I give and bequeath to thuse of the saide poore, tenne poundes in monney. Item I give and bequeath xl{s} in monney to and amongest fortie poore householders of the saide pˀish of little sainte Barthelmewes, that is to saye, to every householder xij{d.} Also I give and bequeathe l{s} in monney to thospitler, matron, stuarde, Cooke, and porter offecer of the saide hospitall, that is to saye, to every of them x{s} . . . . To Thomas Skair, my apprentis, vj{s} viij{d} . . . I give and bequeath to Roberte Baltropp[320] my best gowne garded with velvet, furred and faced with Sables, my Cote of braunched velvete, and a sering[321] of silver, parcell gilte. Also I give and bequeath to Thomas Bayly[322] my gowne of browne blue lyned and faced with blacke budge,[323] my cassocke of blacke satten fured and garded with velvet, my best plaister box, garnisshed with silver, my salvitory[324] of silver, and a sering[321] of silver, with all other instrumentꝭ of silver. Item I bequeathe to Robert Muddesley[325] my best single gowne faced with blacke satten. To George Vaughan,[326] my doblet of crimson satten . . . Also I give and bequeath unto the hawle of my company one booke called Guido[327] and ij billes ij bowes ij shefes of Arrowes ij bracers ij shoting gloves ij Sculles one hand gune and one Jack Item I give and bequeath to master Skynner[328] one half hacke one Jack and one murren And to Henry Picton my sˀvnte aforesaide one booke called Johˀes Vigo.[329] All the residue of my bookes stuff and instrumentꝭ appertaining to surgery I give and bequeath unto the same Henry Picton and Richard Vener equally betwen them to be devided.

[320] Master 1565 and 1573, Serjeant-Surgeon. [321] Syringe. [322] Warden 1559. [323] Lambskin with the wool dressed outwards. [324] A kind of plaster box or small repository. [325] Master 1572 and 1580. [326] Master 1569. [327] Guido de Cauliaco, one of the principal Surgery text books of the time. [328] Warden 1548. [329] A well-known surgical work.

The remainder of his property was bequeathed to his nephews Thomas and Stephen (sons of his late brother William Vicary, of Boxley), and to his widow Alice.

RICHARD FERRIS, SERJEANT-SURGEON.

But little is known of Richard Ferris, though he was doubtless a man of repute, as Gale speaks approvingly of him, and he held the office of Serjeant-Surgeon in Queen Elizabeth’s time; his portrait is preserved by Holbein in our great picture, and Henry VIII, by his will, bequeathed him 100 marks. He was twice Master of the Barber-Surgeons, viz., in 1551 and 1562.

His will, dated 17th March, 1566, was proved on the 22nd April, 1566, wherein he describes himself as “Richard Ferres Serjant Surgion unto the quenes majestie, sick of bodie.” He gives to “Em,” his wife, his house, field, and orchard at Paddington for her life, with remainder to his daughter Thomazine, and to her also the lease of the house where he then dwelt in St. Giles, Cripplegate. In the event of their deaths without issue, the property to be sold and distributed amongst the poor in the discretion of his overseer, John Field[330] and Dr. Gregorie Wisdom, except 40_s._ to his cousin Johanne Sympson. To his daughter Thomazine his “Courte bedd and bedstede,” also a feather bed and bedstead furnished, half a garnish of pewter vessels, &c., and £30 which was owing to him by Dr. Cunningham (Reader at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall).

[330] Master 1577.

Item I give and bequeth unto the Companie of Barbo{rs} and Sˀgions twentie Shillings in monney a grete Pandack and an other booke called a verroyce. To John ffelde my late srˀvaunt all my other bookes bothe of Surgerie and others excepet ffoure of theim w{ch} I give unto John Griffine my Apprentice. Also I give and bequeth unto the said John ffeld all my Sˀgerie stuff and all my Instrumẽtes both of silver and other and also my gowne furred w{th} ffox w{ch} I comonlie Ride in. Item I will and bequeth unto Thomas Baylie[331] one Booke called Peter de argilate and the Staff w{ch} he gave me.

[331] Warden 1559.

The residue to his wife, and she appointed executrix with John Field overseer.

JOHN PEN.

Much time has been spent in the endeavour to ascertain John Pen’s parentage, but without success. Among the Domestic State Papers, Henry VIII, Vol. I (No. 4064) is the grant of a corrody or sustentation from the Monastery of Abbotsbury to Robert Pen “one of the Gentlemen of the Chapel” and to John Pen, his son, for life. The date of this document is 9th March, 1514, and as John Pen was a retainer of the King’s, which this grant would also seem to imply, and had a son whom he named Robert, there is the possibility that this Robert Pen, the Gentleman of the Chapel, was his father.

John Pen was admitted to the freedom of the Barbers in 1527, and his birth may probably be put at 1500-1505. He was by profession a barber, and evidently a friend of King Henry VIII, who advanced him from Groom of the Privy Chamber to the honorable position of King’s Barber, an office which was only bestowed upon the most trusty and confidential of the King’s attendants; the life of the sovereign being in his barber’s hands. (_See_ pp. 90 and 91.)

Pen served the office of Master in 1539, and his portrait is in the Holbein picture. He married, about 1530, Lucy, daughter and heiress of Edmond Chevall of Sissivernes, in Codicote, Herts, and by her he had a good estate. In 1545 Henry granted him the manor of Codicote and the demesne lands of the late dissolved Abbey of St. Alban’s for £826 9_s._ 4-1/2_d._, to hold by the forty-fifth part of a knight’s fee. The King also bequeathed him 100 marks by his will. By an Inquisition taken at West Barnet 18th October, 5 & 6 Ph. & M., it was found that John Pen died 21st August, 1558, and that Thomas, his son and heir, was then of the age of 25 years and 9 months. John Pen’s Will, dated 15th August, 1558, was proved by his widow on the 6th May, 1559. Coleman in his list of Wills of the Pen family states that a second grant of Probate was taken of this Will by Gyles Pen on 10th October, 1560, but this is absolutely incorrect; on this date the Will of one Gyles Peny of Halstocke in Dorsetshire was proved, and Mr. Coleman has confounded this in a remarkable way with John Pen’s Will, with which it has no connection whatever. That Pen was not, or did not know that he was, a connection of the Pens of Bucks, is most likely, as he obtained a grant of arms for himself, in which the combs on either side of the lion of England are typical of his office of King’s Barber. These arms were 1{st} & 4{th} Ar. on a fesse gu. betw. three peacocks az. a lyon pass. guar. or betw. two combs of the first (Pen) 2{d} & 3{rd} Or three horses’ heads couped sa. bridled ar. (Cheval).

The following is the text of his will:--

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN The xv{th} day of August Annis v{to} et vj{to} Regꝭ et Regine I John Penne Esquyre being sicke in body but whole and pˀfitt in mynde make this my Testament conteynyng therin my last will in manˀ and fourme following that is to saye ffirst my soule I bequeth almightie god &c and my body to be buryed in the church of Codynte &c Item I bequeth to the high Alter of Codynte &c xx{d} Item to the high Alter of Welwyn xx{d} Item my will and pleasure is That all wills and declaracons therof heretofore mayde by me at any tyme heretofore to be voyed and of none effecte and that this my last will and Testament be takyn reputed to be my last will and none other Item I give to evˀy of my doughters Elen Elizabeth and Dorothye fortie poundes in money to be paied at their marriage daye or when they shall come to thˀage of xvj{th} yeres. Yf any of theis iij childern dep̃te this world before their mˀriage or xvj{th} yeres of age That then the survivors to have the ptꝭ of theym that ar depˀted to god. The saied legacꝭ of my saied childern to be levyed out of the manˀ of Sycesvrñs w{th} thappurtenncꝭ Item I give to Robert Penne his wif two kyne. Item my wyll and pleasure is and also I give to Robert Pen my soune and to his heires my myll of Codynte payng yerely to Willm̃ my sonne twentie shillingꝭ during his naturall lif. The Resydewe of my goodes my debtes and legacꝭ paid I give to Lucy my wif whom I make my sole executrix. Witnesses by me John Pen by me michaell hogkyn.

NICHOLAS ALCOCKE.

He was admitted to the freedom in 1523, and was Surgeon to Edward VI; his portrait is in the Holbein picture. He died in the early part of 1550, and his will dated 15th February, 1549-50, was proved 6th May, 1550. In it he describes himself as “One of the Surgions to the Kingꝭ Ma{tie}” and directs that his body shall be buried in the Church of St. Stephen, Coleman Street, near where his children are buried. He leaves one-third of his goods, &c., to his executors for the purposes of his will, one-third to Margaret his wife, and one-third to Elizabeth his daughter on her twenty-first birthday or marriage. To the poor of Swyneshed, Lincolnshire, £5. Six “sermons” to be made for him at St. Stephen’s. For poor maids marriages £4. To Bartholomew’s Hospital 40_s._ To George Brykesworth of Glastonbury, Surgeon, his best lute, and to Elizabeth Alcocke (testator’s daughter) his virginalls. To Richard Sygans, his servant “a sleveles jacket of cloth browne blewe a woorsted doblett a pair of hosen. A payre of bootꝭ and a paire of spurres.” To Ann his maidservant a bedstead, a mattress and a coverlet. “I bequeth to Robert Balthorpe late my apprentice my booke called Guido in Englysshe.” To Eliz{th} Smith a bedstead and mattress. To his two god-daughters, the children of Robert Wilson and John Stocks, to each a pewter dish and saucer.

I bequeth to John Mason[332] late my apprentice my bookꝭ called Lanfrank, Johẽs Arden and an other olde booke w{t} a bare woodden covˀ in Englysshe and the practise of ypocratꝭ. To my wifes father Thomas Turnor my newe coloured gowne garded w{t} velvett and faced w{t} foynes and my best rydinge cote garded w{t} velvett and my dublett of redde taffeta Also I bequeth to the eldest sonne of my father in lawe my foxe furred gowne and a dublett w{t} blewe taffeta sleves and my black mournynge cote. Itm̃ I bequeth to Robr̃t Balthrope some tyme my apprentice my Russett woorsted gowne faced w{t} calabre{r} and garded w{t} velvett.

[332] Warden 1575.

He bequeaths his great house and premises called “ffreshe wharff” in St. Botolph’s Billingsgate, of the annual value of £24 to his daughter Elizabeth, but in the event of her decease before she came of age this wharf to be sold and divided in certain proportions between Bartholomew’s Hospital, Thomas Turner, his father-in-law, Thomas and Richard Turner his sons, the poore of Coleman Street, poor maids’ marriages, and the mending of highways.

He bequeaths some pastures and meadows at Enfield to his wife. He directs his parsonage of Kirkbye, Lincolnshire, with all the tithes and profits to be sold, and 100 marks to be given to Roger Alcocke, his brother’s son, 20 marks to his godson Nicholas Spencer, and the residue to be devoted to works of charity in the discretion of his executors. Thomas Archer, gentleman, and Randolph Atkinson, Merchant Taylor, are appointed Executors, and John Wysdome, painter staynor, and John Shireff, Barber-Surgeon, overseers.

ROBERT BALTHROP, SERJEANT-SURGEON.

ROBERT BALTHROP was born in 1522, and about the year 1538 apprenticed to Nicholas Alcock (Surgeon to King Edward VI). He was admitted to the freedom 3rd March, 1545, and to the Livery 20th October, 1552. He served the office of Warden in 1560 and 1564, and was Master of the Company in 1565 and again in 1573. About the year 1562 he was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon to Queen Elizabeth and held that office until his death (9th December, 1591).

He is buried in the church of St. Bartholomew the Less, where there is (behind the organ) on the south wall of the church, a handsome monument to his memory with this inscription--

Here Robert Balthrope lyes intombd, to Elizabeth our Queene, Who Sergeant of the Surgeons sworne neere thrtye yeeres hathe beene. He died at syxtie nine of yeeres December’s ninthe the daye The yeere of Grace eight hundred twice deductinge nine a waye Let heere his rotten bones repose, till angells trompet sounde, To warne the worlde of present chaunge, and raise the deade from grounde. VIVIT POST FUNERA VIRTUS.

Balthrop’s will was made about a fortnight before his death (27th November), and therein he directs his body to be buried in St. Bartholomew’s the Less, in which parish he then resided. He seems to have amassed a considerable estate and to have made a rather lengthy will, but as a great deal of it is of much interest, especially his inventory of surgical instruments and books, no apology is needed for quoting largely from it.

I do give and bequeathe my sowle to the holy and blessed Trinitie the ffather the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one God allmightie hoping and stedfastly beleevinge to be forgiven and pardoned of all my sinnes and to enjoye the everlastinge and unspeakable felicities of heaven through the merrittꝭ and passion of my only redeemer and saviour Jesus Christ to whome be given all glorie honor and praise nowe and for ever Amen.

To poor people in the discretion of his executrix £10. To John Mason,[333] Chirurgian, dwelling in Long Lane 40_s._, and a few other small legacies. “To my servauntes,” John Deighton, Richard Neill, John Edwards and William Taylor 40_s._ each. To each of his wife’s maids 20_s._

[333] Warden in 1575, his fellow apprentice with Nich. Alcock.

Also I give to the Company and bequeath to the company of the Barbors and Chirurgions of the Cittie of London for their use in their hall one bell [? beer] bowle with a cover beinge both of silver and gilte weighinge thirty ounces half an ownce and half a quarter of an ownce. Also I give to the M{r} and Governours of the said Company to make them and the rest of the Cloathinge a Dynner in theire hall after my buryall ffyve poundes. Also I give and bequeath to the poore people of the said Company fyve poundes. . . Also I bequeath to my moth{r} M{ris} Love my golde ringe which hath in it a stone called a Turkey. . . Also I bequeath to my felowe Goodorus[334] one of my Launcettꝭ that is sett in golde and enamyled Also I bequeth to my felowe Baker[335] her maiesties Chirurgion my Syringe of silver gilted and three pypes of silver gilted belonginge to the same.

[334] Serjeant-Surgeon and Master 1594. [335] Master 1597.

To Mr. Bennett, one of the Queen’s footmen, “my Brooch of golde compassed aboute with ragg Rubies.” Upon payment of £10, John Gryffyn,[336] surgeon, was to have the lease of his house. To testator’s nephew, William Balthrop £50 “and my greate Ringe of golde with my seale of Armes.” To his Nephew Richard Balthrop at the end of his apprenticeship £50 “and my lesser Ringe of golde with my seale of Armes.” And to these nephews his lands and tenements at East Greenwich. To John Gryffyn

[336] Surgeon to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, 1586-1593.

My fyne clothe gowne welted with velvett and faced with Damaske. . . . To John Deighton my servaunte my blacke cloth cloake layed with lace and faced with velvett my blacke satten Dublett and my rounde velvett hose. To Richard Neel my servaunt a cloak, doublett and hose. To John Edwards my servaunt my white canvas Dublett that is at the parke with my Rownde velvett hose and my pheasaunt colored cloake with the sleeves and cape faced with russett velvett. Also I give and bequeath to my servauntꝭ that nowe are with me and have bene my servauntes in tyme past which do practize and exercise the art of Chirurgery such thingꝭ of mine belonginge and appertayninge to chirurgerie as are by me given and appointed to them in the Schedule hereunto annexed.

To Dorothy, his wife, he gave all the residue of his lands, houses, buildings, goods, chattels, plate, chains of gold, jewels, ready money, &c., and appointed her executrix. Probate was granted 16th December, 1591.

SCHEDULE.

Item I give and bequeathe to my servaunt John Deighton my newe and last made Chirurgery chest which is for my owne use with all that is therein except golde and silver Also I bequeath to him my plaster boxe of leather which hath the lock hinges and barrs over yt of Copper gilted and the cysars and all the silver instrumentes therein. Also I give unto him my rownde silver salvatory and one catheter of silver and annother of leade with the case wherein they are Also I give unto him a case with silver Instrumentes therein that ys to saye a silver splatter a chockbarr of silver for the uvula a silver Syringe parcell gilted Also I give unto him my silver precipitate box all w{ch} thingꝭ are in the aforesaid chest. Also I bequeath unto him all my bookes of Phisicke and chirurgery with two Dixionaries which are in my study in my house at Manfeilde parke in the parishe of Taplowe. I also bequeath unto him my Englishe bible which is at the Courte. I give and bequeath to Lewes Rogers[337] somtyme my servaunte my greater surgery Chest which is in my Chamber here at London with all that is therein except golde and silver. Also I give unto him my plaster box which my wife hath in the Countrie with all the instrumentes therein belonginge to the same Also I give unto him a Catheter of silver which is in the Chest that I have apointed to John Deighton my servaunte Also I give unto him these bookes followinge Guydoes Chirurgery in ffrench, Bartholomeus De proprietatibus rerum, Vidus Vidius Interpres, Valescus his practise, Albucasis Discorides, Cornelius Celsus, Johannes Mesue, Marcus Catenarcus, Guydoe in latin, Leonardus ffuschius, Gyrolanus in ffrench and Quintus Curtius in Englishe. Also I give and bequeath to my servaunt John Edwards my least Chirurgery Chest which is at the Court for the Dayly use of my servauntes with all that therein is, my plaster box of leather with y{e} gilted locke and hinges of silver with all the instrumentes therein to the same belonginge and these English bookes, Gemimes Anathomy, Guido and Leonard ffuschius both in written hand, John Vigo, Eliot’s Dictionarie which I have lent to my felowe Goodorus, Turners herball and my byble which is at my howse in Manfeilde parke. Also I give unto him a pewter Syringe with three pypes of silver belonginge to the same. Also I give unto John Griffin somtymes my servaunt my silver salvatory percell guilted which is in the Chest that I have appointed to my servaunte Lewes Also I bequeath to Anthony Gariswall somtyme my servaunte one bigge latin booke wherein are bounde togeather the Chirurgeries of Guido, Brumis, Theodoricus Lanfrancke and Alberti Palus Also I give and bequeath unto the companie of the Barbors and Chirurgeons of the Cittie of London the Chirurgery of that most excellent writer John Tagaultius the lattin booke and also the English translation that I have made thereof And also the Chirurgerie of the expert and perfect practitioner Ambrose Parey both which workes I have written into Englishe for the love that I owe unto my bretheren practisinge Chirurgerie and not understandinge the latin Tounge and given them into the Hall for theire Dayly use and Readinge both in lattin and Englishe and Desiringe that they may be kept faire and cleane for my sake which wish them all prosperous and good successe in theire workes and endevours whatsoever they take in hande to the glory of God and the advauncemente of the Arte. Also I give unto my servaunt John Edwards my Case with all the Instrumentes therein which is in my Chest which I have appointed for Deighton. Also I give unto my servaunte John Deighton my bagge with the case and all the Instrumentes and other thingꝭ that are therein which lyeth for my Daily use in my Chest wherein I put my lynnen at the Courte. ffinally my will is that myne Executrix shall give to the use of the two hospitalls Sainte Bartholomewes and Saint Thomas for the sicke and sore people there all other such medicines bookes Instrumentꝭ bottles boxes and pottꝭ and such like thingꝭ belonginge to Chirurgery as are not in this Schedule bequeathed and given and such as she will reserve for her owne use, and to give to the poore for Christes sake. In Witnesse whereof I have also Subscribed this Schedule and put to my seale the Daie and yere first above written.

[337] Warden 1615, 16, and 17 (died in 1617).

Per me ROBERTUM BALTHROPP.

Arms. Ar. on a chev. sa. five fleur de lys of the first. (The shield on Balthrop’s monument is quarterly 1{st} and 4{th} as above, 2{d} and 3{rd} a bend betw. two Eagles displayed.)

SIR PETER PROBY.

PETER PROBY was born at Chester, and was the son of Randolph Proby, afterwards of Brampton, Hunts, by his wife, a Miss Bernard. He was admitted to our freedom in 1579, made a Liveryman 1st July, 1596, an Assistant 6th July, 1609, and served the office of Master 1615. He was Sheriff of London 1614, Alderman of the Ward of Queenhithe, and Lord Mayor in 1622.

19th August, 1605. This day M{r} Peter Proby a very lovinge member of this company did out of his love and affection to this house of his owne voluntarie good will give unto this company a very fayre large and serviceable standinge Cup of silver and double gilte wayghinge xxx ouncꝭ & a penny waight with a cover unto it whereupon are his armes placed And hath this supˀscription ingraven upon it [This cup is given to this hall by Peter Proby gentleman free of the same, A servant to Queene Elizabeth and to Kinge James And for both keepˀ of the Recordes in the Tower of London. Postm{r} for the service of Ireland. And for speciall Service a pentioner for leife. Who was twice of the high courte of Parliament] which cup was kindlie accepted by this Court, And in gratificac͠on thereof It is by this Court ordred that the said Peter Proby shalbe exempted and discharged from all offices within this Company except the office of M{r} or Governo{r} of this companie. And from all other attendaunces for the sˀrvice or affaires of the said Company And when it shall please him to come to the hall he is to be kindlie and freindlie intertayned. finis coronabit opus.

24th May, 1614. It was agreed that Mr. Alderman Proby should, if he desired it, “have the use of this house together with the plate and other necessaries for to keep his Shrievalty,” and if he desired to keep his Shrievalty elsewhere he was to be allowed to borrow the plate for a year; and on the 1st July it was agreed that £40 should be given to him towards the “bewtifying of his howse.”

25th August, 1614. Fifteen Members of the Court of Assistants were nominated to attend Mr. Sheriff Proby on Michaelmas eve and the next day, and all charges and expenses which they might incur were to be borne by the Company.