Part 49

In 1616, Sir Peter who had previously been appointed Governor of the colony of Ulster by special commission from the King and the City of London, repaired thither, attended by divers of the most eminent citizens, to regulate certain affairs belonging to the plantation, taking with him two rich swords of state as a present from the City, to be carried before the Mayors of Londonderry and Coleraine, the former having been some time before erected into a city and the latter into a Mayor-town.

8th June, 1622. At a Court held this day Alderman Proby was ordered to be translated to the Grocers’ Company, in view of his coming election as Lord Mayor.

20th September, 1622. At this Court it is agreed that there shalbe hiered on the Lord Maior{s} day a Noyse of Trumpettꝭ at the Charge of the howse.

At this Court it is agreed that M{r} Alderman Probie shall have our plate & hangeingꝭ for this yeare of his Maioralty.

Sir Peter’s eldest son, Heneage, was knighted; he was Sheriff of Bucks, and M.P. for Amersham. His second son, Henry, was Common Serjeant of London. Sir Peter was the ancestor of several members of Parliament as also of the Marquess of Rockingham and the Earl of Carysfort. His grandson Peter Proby, who married Grace, daughter of Sir Richard Ford, was chosen a Liveryman of the Company 10th March, 1659.

Sir Peter Proby’s will (undated) was proved 21st March, 1625, and commences--

I Peter Proby Knight and Alderman of London calling to minde the transitory estate of all flesh and more perticulerly the great age w{ch} through gods especiall goodnes I have attayned, as alsoe the weake estate of my body broken of late w{th} many sicknesses and infirmities w{ch} still hanging one mee as be many monito{rs} unto me to pˀvide for my approachinge change and settlinge of that poore state wherew{th} it hath pleased god to blesse mee.

He gives to his wife Dame Elizabeth Proby (of whom he speaks in terms of the greatest affection) his manor of Allington, _alias_ Aylton, Hunts, for 40 years, if she shall so long live, with remainder to his son Heneage, also to his wife his mansion and manor house of Caddington, Herts, with the demesne lands of that manor and the tithes thereof, also all his lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Luton and Dunstable with remainder to his son Henry, also to his wife his house in St. Swithin’s Lane, London. To his son Henry the manor of Yaxley, Hunts, with the tolls of the fair and markets there, which he had by virtue of a lease from Queen Elizabeth. To his son, the Rev. Edmund Proby, D.D., £1,000. To his son George £1,000. To his son Emanuel £500 (he having already had £500). His daughter, Walsingham having been provided for on her marriage, was to have £20.

To my kinde and loveinge soune in lawe William Downhall esquire £20. Item I give and bequeath unto my lovinge friends the M{r} Wardens and company of Barber surgions the some of twenty pounds.

Also £30 to the Grocers’ Company and £6 6_s._ 8_d._ to Bridewell Hospital. To the poor of Aylton 12_d._ weekly for 5 years. To the poor of Yaxley 6_d._ weekly for 5 years.

And as for that yerely penc͠on y{t} I have given for ever in the parish I was borne in in the Citty of Chester I require my executor to see and make inquiry of the pˀformance thereof (accordinge to a brason table in the Church therefore) the w{ch} for many yeres past I have knowne well performed and soe I hope wilbe for ever.

His sons, Heneage and Henry, and son-in-law, William Downhall, were appointed Executors.

Sir Peter Proby’s arms were, erm. on a fesse gu. a lyon pass. or. a crescent for difference.

WILLIAM CLOWES.

WILLIAM CLOWES was the son of Thomas Clowes, originally of Kingsbury, Warwickshire, and afterwards of London. He was born about 1540, and studied surgery under Mr. George Keble, who was not free of our Company, but of whom Clowes more than once speaks in terms of highest praise. He tells us that in 1563 he served as a Surgeon in the army under the Earl of Warwick at Havre, and after this campaign he was for some time in the Navy, in both which appointments he undoubtedly gained great experience. In 1569 he no doubt settled in London, as on the 8th of November in that year he was admitted to the freedom by translation, and he soon secured a large practice, though it was not until the 18th July, 1588, that he was made an Assistant of the Court.

The records do not display Mr. Clowes’ character in the most favourable light, as the following extracts will show:--

6th October, 1573. Here was one & complayned [against] Willm̄ Clowes for takynge his money and he not cured.

7th February, 1575. Here came one Willm̄ Goodnep and complayned of Willm̄ Clowes for not curing his wief de morbo gallico and yt was awarded that the saide Clowes sholde either geve the saide Goodnep xx{s} orells cure his saide wief w{ch} Clowes agreed to pay the xx{s} and so they were agreed and eche of them made acquittance to other.

28th February, 1576. Here was a complainte against Willm̄ Clowes by one Goodenge for that the saide Clowes had not onlie misused the saide Goodinge in speche but also most of the masters of the Company w{th} scoffing wordes and jestes, and they all forgave him here openlye in the Co{r}te and so the stryfe was ended upon condˀ that he sholde nev{r} so misuse him self agayne and bonds was caused to be made to that effect.

25th March, 1577. Here at this Corte was a greate contension and stryffe spoken of and ended betwene George Baker and Willm̄ Clowes for that they bothe contrary to order and the good and holsome rules of this howse misused eche other and fought in the ffelds togethers. But the M{r} Wardens and assistance wishing that they might be and continewe loving brothers pˀdoned this greate offence in hope of amendement.

The George Baker with whom Clowes fought, was afterwards Serjeant-Surgeon and Master of the Company in 1597. In 1575 Mr. Clowes was appointed one of the surgeons of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and later on he was surgeon to Christ’s Hospital; he was also surgeon to Queen Elizabeth and James I. His first book, “De morbo Gallico,” was published in 1579. In 1585 he went as surgeon of the forces in the expedition to the Low Countries under the Earl of Leicester. In his book, “Proved Practise,” he tells a great deal of this expedition and says that many of the surgeons were most unskilful and “slew more than the enemy did,” though he and his friend Serjeant-Surgeon Gooderus (Master 1594) did not lose a case. Mr. Clowes had the honour of serving in the fleet which defeated the Spanish Armada, and in 1594 was Warden of the Barber-Surgeons, the last Court which he attended was on the 9th February, 1596. After a successful practice he retired to a country house at Plaistow, in Essex, and died in 1604. Dr. Norman Moore says that his books “are the best surgical writings of the Elizabethan age; they are all in English, and his style is very easy and forcible, sometimes a little prolix but never obscure.”

WILLIAM CLOWES, JUN., SERJEANT-SURGEON.

He was the son of William Clowes, Barber-Surgeon; born about 1582, he was apprenticed to his father and admitted to our freedom 22nd January, 1605, and on 13th December, 1615, called to the Livery; he was then surgeon to the Prince of Wales, and had a dispensation from the Court of the Company to attend the lectures and Hall only on such occasions as should be convenient to him. On the accession of Charles I he was made Serjeant-Surgeon to the King. In 1626 he was Master of the Company, and again in 1638. A characteristic letter of Serjeant Clowes and some particulars as to his election as Master in 1626 may be seen on pp. 248-250. On 30th October, 1648, his decease was reported to the Court.

By his will, dated 28th March, 1630, he bequeathed his property freehold and copyhold, to his wife Sara, his son James, and his daughters Ann and Sara.

Arms. Az. on a chev. engr. betw. three unicorns’ heads, era or. as many crescents gu.

GEOFFREY CLOWES = of Tutbury, Staffordshire | | +------------+ | Nicholas Clowes, = of Kingsbury, Warwickshire | | +------------+ | Thomas Clowes = Emma d. of of Kingsbury and | John Beauchamp. London | | +------------+ | 1st. ...... d. of = William Clowes of = and. Katherine Smith, Godwin of Kent | London, Surgeon to | grandd{r} of Sir Hen. | Queen Elizabeth and | Wallop of Hampshire. | James I, d. 1604. | | | +---------------+------+ | | | | William Clowes = Sara. Richard Clowes | Serjeant-Surgeon | | to Charles I. | +------------------+---------+----------+ d. 1648. | | | | | Henry Clowes = Susan, d. Catherine Mary | of Cornhill, | of Richard, m. Rich{d.} d. unm. | admitted to | Cutler of Pile of | Freedom of | London. Hampshire. | Barber-Surgeons| | 16 Jan., 1627, | | viz., 1633. | | | +--------------+----+ +--------------+--------------+ | | | | | | James Clowes. Ann. Sara. Richard Clowes. Thomas Clowes. Susan. æt. 3, in 1633.

THOMAS THORNEY.

THOMAS THORNEY, born in 1542 or 1543, was apprenticed to William Bovey (Master 1581) a surgeon in large practice. He was made free 8th April, 1573, and elected an Assistant 19th June, 1595; he served as Warden in 1598 and 1600 and was twice Master of the Company, viz., in 1602 and 1606, he was also a Common Councilman. Mr. Thorney acquired considerable property in Holborn and the country, but dying on 4th June, 1614, without issue, made his nephew Peter (son of his then deceased brother Walter) his heir. He was a considerable benefactor to the Parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, where there is a monumental tablet to his memory. His Will dated 25th May, 1612, was proved on the day of his death, and among other bequests to St. Andrew’s Holborn, he left £10 to the Churchwardens--

to make a Dynner or supper therwith and to make merrie therewith with my good neighboures for my sake and to encrease neighbourelie love amongest them And the Churchwardens to bid the parson and Minister to be with them. Item I give to the Company of Barbar Surgions twoe spowte pottꝭ of silver and guilt one all guilte and the other parcell guilte to the valewe of twentie poundes and the Thorne bushe to be graven on either of them and the Barber Surgeons armes and my name at lardge and some wordes to shewe that they were of my guifte Item I give likewise to the Company of Barbor surgions of London that shall followe me at my ffunerall fyve poundꝭ to make a Dynner with and to be merrye for my sake and to the entent to encrease brotherlie love amongest them The said ffyve poundes to be paied to the Master and Wardens when they come to fetch my bodye to the churche.

To his wife Annie he gave his dwelling house in Holborn, and another newly built house there, also one on the street side next the Bars, and the third part of all his other lands for her life and all his goods and movables. To Richard Cade “my auncient and honest servaunte” and to Jane his wife 40_s._ each for rings. To his nephew, Peter Thorney, his houses in Fetter Lane, the Bell Inn at Acton, a dwelling house at Acton, and the King’s Head in Holborn near the Bars, with a proviso that should Peter die without heirs the Bell at Acton was to pass to the Barber-Surgeons.

PETER THORNEY.

PETER THORNEY was apprenticed to his uncle Thomas Thorney and admitted to the freedom 14th July, 1603. He seems to have got into good practice and was one of the Army Surgeons. He was appointed Surgeon-General of the Army going to the relief of Rochelle, and made his will a few days afterwards (25th July, 1628) with a presentiment of his death, which was soon realised, as probate was granted on the 24th November following. He says--

I com̃end my bodie to bee buried where it shall please god or my freindes, if I come not home from the Sea this voiage I intended for the releife of Rochell, but if it shall please god that I die in England if it maiebee possible I would bee buried in S{t} Andrews Church as neare to my Unckle M{r} Thomas Thorney as maie bee.

Among other bequests he gives five marks to such of the livery of the Company as shall follow him to the Church; he makes his son Thomas (then under age) his heir generally and provides for his wife Ann and daughter Elizabeth; he leaves to George Peren, Barber-Surgeon, his “yearball knowne by the name of Gerardꝭ yearball.”[338]

[338] Gerard’s Herball.

But if it shall please god soe that both my children shall die without issue Then my will is that y{e} Bell in Acton shall remaine for evˀ to the Company of the berber surgeons of London according as my unckle M{r} Thomas Thorney hath hertofore bequeathed it.

Item I give to Edward Griffith which was my Servant all my manuscriptꝭ belonginge to surgerie and all my instrumentꝭ belonging to Surgery except my plaster box and salvatory and instruments in the boxe and my silver seringe, and likewise unto the said Edward all my medicines whatsoever I give him w{th} my bookes of Surgery whatsoever in my Studdie.

JOHN GERARD.

JOHN GERARD was born in 1545 at Nantwich in Cheshire, his parentage is unknown, though by his coat of arms he appears to have descended from the Gerards of Ince in Lancashire. In 1562 he was apprenticed to Alexander Mason, a Surgeon in extensive practice, who was Warden in 1556 and 1561 and Master in 1567 and 1573 (Mr. Mason died 3rd April, 1574). Gerard was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons 9th December, 1569. There is no record of his admission to the Livery, though in consequence of his professional attainments and his presumable friendship with his master who made him free, he doubtless had the clothing at the same time. The only note we have of Gerard, before he comes on the Court, is one in which he appears before the Masters as defendant in a case of alleged slander on the wife of a brother freeman.

21st February, 1578. Here was a complainte against Jo: Jerrard for saying that Richard James his wief had the ffrenche pocks, and he made answere and saide he wolde justifie the same, and he was dismist to the Comon Lawe.

Gerard was elected a Member of the Court of Assistants on the 19th June, 1595. For some long time previous he must have been engaged in the preparation of his great work “_The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes_,” a folio of some 1,400 pages, embellished with about 1,800 illustrations of plants,[339] and published in 1597, which, whilst it was by far the best and most exhaustive work of its kind at that period, has ever since been considered a standard book of reference; a good copy being now worth 8 to 10 guineas. At this period he was living “at my house in Holburne, within the suburbs of London,” probably near Fetter Lane, where he had a large garden of herbs.

[339] The woodcuts for these illustrations were procured from Frankfort, and originally executed for the German Herbal of Tabernæmontanus.

The style of Gerard’s writing was very quaint, and abounds with quiet humour; he scouted monkish tales and old wives’ fables concerning the miraculous properties of plants, etc., honestly endeavouring to present facts to his readers; yet even he has not hesitated to record as true, and gravely set forth, some fabulous stories, as, for example, in speaking of Barnacles on p. 1391, he says--

There is a small Ilande in Lancashire called the Pile of Foulders, wherein are found the broken peeces of old and brused ships . . . wheron is found a certaine spume or froth, that in time breedeth unto certaine shels, in shape like those of the muskle, . . . wherein is conteined a thing in forme like a lace of silke finely woven, as it were togither, of a whitish colour; one end whereof is fastned unto the inside of the shell; . . . the other end is made fast unto the belly of a rude masse or lumpe, which in time commeth to the shape & forme of a Bird: when it is perfectly formed, the shel gapeth open, & the first thing that appeereth is the foresaid lace or string; next come the legs of the Birde hanging out; and as it groweth greater, it openeth the shell by degrees, till at length it is all come foorth, and hangeth onely by the bill; in short space after it commeth to full maturitie, and falleth into the sea, where it gathereth feathers, and groweth to a foule, bigger then a Mallard, and lesser than a Goose; having blacke legs and bill or beake, and feathers blacke and white, spotted in such maner as is our Magge-Pie, called in some places a Pie-Annet, which the people of Lancashire call by no other name than a tree goose; which place aforesaide, and all those parts adjoining, do so much abound therewith, that one of the best is bought for three pence: for the truth heerof, if any doubt, may it please them to repaire unto me, and I shall satisfie them by the testimonie of good witnesses.

The woodcut illustrations with which the book abounds are designed in a good artistic style, being frequently consulted and adapted nowadays by artists engaged in floral design. In 1596, Gerard seems to have propounded a scheme for the Company to keep a garden for the cultivation and study of medicinal plants, and some land belonging to the Company in East Smithfield was suggested for this purpose, but not being thought a suitable spot, certain members of the Court offered to contribute towards the purchase of a garden elsewhere; in June, 1597, the subject was under consideration, and again in November, 1602; but whether anything further was done in the matter does not appear. The minutes in our books relating to this business, are as follows--

26th March, 1596. A motion was also made concerninge the Demisinge of certen garden grounds at East Smithfield for the w{ch} M{r} ffettyplace, M{r} Lacock and John Gerard were sevˀall Sutors. Yt was agreed that the same should be let for yerely rent at the pleasures of the masters or governors and none of the said sutors obteyned any graunte. But for as muche as John Gerard’s request was to have yt to make a garden of yt for the ffurtherance of learning in the knowledge and practiqe of the nature and skill of herbes, w{ch} was thought not a place ffytt for that pˀpose, but that a more convenient place should be sought owte and dyvers of the Companie did offer to be contributors for the buying of the same, and M{r} ffetiplace and M{r} Lacock are to be spoken w{th}all and thus to be satisfied.

16th June, 1597. At the request of M{r} Peck[340] and M{r} Gerat yt was agreed at this Corte that those whose names are here after menc͠oned should survey a peece of ground ffyt to make a Garden for to plant all kinde of herbes in routes plantes and suche like as to the saide M{r} Gerat being a skilfull Herbalist should thinck meete for the wo{r}shipp of this societie, and to relate their opinions and acc͠ons therein to this howse and societie for the further pˀceding therein, viz{t} M{r} John Isard[341] M{r} Lewes Atmer[342] M{r} Cox M{r} Wood[343] M{r} Sprignell[344] M{r} Borne[345] Jeames Bates[346] M{r} Thomas Waren[347] M{r} Bovy[348] M{r} Byrd[349] M{r} Gale[350] M{r} Laycock[351] M{r} Jo Martin[352] or any viij. x. or the most pˀte of them.

[340] John Peck, Master 1605 and 1610. [341] Warden 1590, 1593, 1596. [342] W. 1601. [343] Master 1591. [344] W. 1584, 1587, 1591. [345] M. 1600. [346] W. 1591, 1595, 1597. [347] W. 1596. [348] M. 1617. [349] M. 1590. [350] M. 1595. [351] M. 1598, 1604. [352] M. 1601.

2nd November, 1602. This daye it is ordered that the Committes for M{r} Gerrard’s garden shall this aft{r} noone meet at the hall to consider of the report for a Garden for the said M{r} Gerrard.

In August, 1597, John Gerard was chosen Junior Warden (George Baker, the Queen’s Serjeant-Surgeon being at the same time elected Master), and in January following he was appointed one of the Examiners of Surgeons. In 1604, there had been controversies between Gerard and Christopher Frederick (Master 1609), which on the 12th June were referred to a Committee of the Court for settlement. “And if they no ende can make they are to make report at the next Court of their pˀcedinges therein.”

26th September, 1605. This day M{r} Jerrard was discharged of the office of second Warden and upper governo{r} of this Company uppon his suite & entreatie for certayne considerac͠ons. And is fyned for the said places at x{li} which he is pˀntlie to pay to the pˀnte M{rs} or governours And is hereafter to take his place as though he had served the place of upper Governo{r} any thinge to the contrarie notwithstandinge.

7th November, 1605. The above order was rescinded, but shortly afterwards Mr. Gerard brought £10 into Court, and left it with the Wardens, when it was ordered that the matter should be further considered, and in the result the fine was accepted.

21st October, 1606. This daie John Gerrard was fyned at vj{s} viij{d} for abuseing M{r} Peck and it is ordered that from henceforth they shall be freinds, and all Controversyes betweene them are to cease.

20th July, 1607. Mr. Gerard was again appointed an Examiner of Surgeons, and 17th August following elected Master.

Queen Elizabeth is reported to have entertained a high opinion of Mr. Gerard’s attainments, and he was also patronised by her Minister, William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, whose garden he superintended for twenty years. In the dedication of his Herbal to Lord Burleigh, in speaking of the “care and studie” of herbs, he says--

Under your Lordship I have served, and that way imployed my principall studie, and almost all my time now by the space of twenty yeeres. To the large and singular furniture of this noble Iland, I have added from forren places all the varietie of herbes and flowers that I might any way obtaine, I have laboured with the soile to make it fit for the plants, and with the plants to make them to delight in the soile, that so they might live and prosper under our climate, as in their native and proper countrie: what my successe hath beene, and what my furniture is, I leave to the report of them that have seene your Lordships gardens, and the little plot of my speciall care and husbandrie.