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 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA, 
 
Coopers Companj)> ilonlion. 
 
 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA, 
 
 CHARTERS, DOCUMENTS, AND 
 EXTRACTS, 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE RECORDS OF THE CORPORATION 
 
 AND 
 
 THE BOOKS OF THE COMPANY. 
 
 1396 1848 . 
 
 LONDON 
 
 1848 . 
 
Printed by Arthur Taylor, 39, Coleman Street, 
 Printer to the Honourable City of London. 
 
33S'.&> 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 
 THE WARDENS, COURT OF ASSISTANTS, AND LIVERY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF COOPERS 
 
 LONDON 
 
 BY THEIR OBLIGED FRIEND AND BROTHER 
 
 JAMES F. FIRTH. 
 
 (jUILOilAI-L, 
 
 June, 1848. 
 
 51054J 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2017 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates 
 
 https://archive.org/details/historicalmemoraOOcoop 
 
COOPERS COMPANY. 
 
 It is difficult to assign a correct date to the origin of the 
 mistery or fellowship of Coopers : there is, however, no 
 doubt but that at a very early period the occupiers of trades 
 generally united themselves, according to their respective 
 callings, into associations for their protection and support ; 
 and that in course of time they became incorporated into 
 gilds or fraternities, in many instances originally by the au- 
 thority of the City of London, in others by grants and char- 
 ters from the crown. 
 
 It is evident from the following memoranda that the Coo- 
 pers were one of the early misteries of the City of London. 
 
 In 1396, the "" good men of the mistery of Coopers” ap- 
 plied to the mayor and aldermen of London for an ordinance 
 restraining those of the mistery from making vessels for beer 
 or other liquors out of oil or soap tuns. 
 
 In 1409, they made a further application to the mayor and 
 aldermen ; upon which it was ordained that no one of the 
 mistery of Coopers, living within the liberty of the city, 
 should make any wooden vessels in which any liquor ought 
 to be put, unless of pure and entire wood. 
 
 In 1420, an ordinance was made requiring each Cooper 
 to have his own mark or sign, made of iron, to mark all the 
 barrels or kilderkins he made, a copy of which mark or figure 
 was to be entered of record at the Guildhall. 
 
 In 1422, their wardens were sworn into office before the 
 mayor and aldermen. 
 
 In 1428, the “ wardens and good men of the mistery” pre- 
 sented a petition to the mayor, aldermen, and commons for a 
 further ordinance for the regulation of the trade ; which was 
 agreed to and passed. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 In 1440, they applied for further powers for the regulation 
 of the trade and punishment of offenders ; which was in like 
 manner complied with. 
 
 In 1457, the mayor and aldermen ordered defective casks 
 to be burnt ; and passed an ordinance that all vessels of un- 
 clean and sappy timber, or lacking their just measure, should 
 be burnt. 
 
 In 1488, the wardens and other good men of the mistery 
 applied to the mayor and aldermen for extended rules and 
 orders for the better government of the trade and the regu- 
 lation of their members ; which were confirmed and granted. 
 
 And in 1 50 1 , by charter of King Henry VII. dated the 29th 
 of April in the I6th year of his reign, under writ of privy 
 seal and by the authority of Parliament, the Company was 
 incorporated a fraternity or gild for ever ; the charter de- 
 scribing them at that time as Citizens and Coopers of the 
 art and mistery of Coopers of the City of London.’" 
 
 By this charter the master, wardens, and commonalty of 
 the freemen were yearly, on Sunday next before Pentecost, 
 to elect and make from amongst themselves one master and 
 two wardens or keepers, to superintend, rule, and govern the 
 mistery and commonalty. It also gave them power to make 
 laws and statutes for the scrutiny, correction, and governance 
 of all freemen of the city using the trade, as well as for amend- 
 ing defects, so as to be of the greatest use to the common 
 people. 
 
 In a subsequent charter of the 30th August, 1662, 13th of 
 Charles II., being the governing charter, the above is recited, 
 and all the powers and privileges therein contained are rati- 
 fied and confirmed, save and except such parts as were then 
 otherwise granted, altered, added, or supplied ; and by this 
 the election for master and wardens is appointed to take place 
 yearly on the Monday next before the Feast of Pentecost. 
 
 As the documents on which the foregoing statement is 
 founded supply some curious information, they will now be 
 given at length in their original form. 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 I. 6 April, 1396, 19 Rich. 11. Ordinance by the Mayor and 
 
 Aldermen. 
 
 Ordinacio facta pro Coupers, qils de dit mister’ ne 
 facent vesselx dez tonelx doyle, sope, & autres 
 choses. 
 
 Sexto die Aprilis anno regni regis Ricardi secundi decimo 
 nono ; probi hoies mister’ de Coupers, London, porrexerunt 
 Maiori & Aldermannis quandam billam tenorem infrascrip -< 
 turn continentem. 
 
 A tres honurables & sages seignurs Maire Recordour & 
 Aldermans de la Citee de Londres supplient tres humble- 
 ment les bones gentz del mistier des Coupers de Londres, qe 
 come diverses persones du dit mistier achatent tonelx doyle 
 sope bareir & tonelx, pur wood des queux ils fount barell’ 
 pur cervoise & autres licours, les queux sount de tiel odour 
 q; le cervoise ou licour mys dedeins est perduz & corrupt, as 
 guntz damages auxi bien de braceours come autres comuners 
 du d’ce citee & tres gunt esclaundre des bones gentz du dit 
 mistier : Et auxi facent tonelx vates kemelynes & autres 
 vesseux appurtenantz a braceours de meresme qest faux & 
 deceyvable, par queux sovent les braceours sount descieux & 
 ount gunt perde & damage, et sovent ount pleynes en le court 
 de viscountz v’s gentz du dite mistier, a gunt desclaundre de 
 mesme mistier ; et ascuns du dite mistier qant ils sount trovez 
 en defaute ne voilent estre justifieez, mes usent faire ves- 
 seux de tiel faux meresme de jour en autre a gunt disceit & 
 damage del coe poeple : Qe plese as voz treshonurables & 
 tressages sies de gunter as gardeyns du dite mistier & lour 
 successours qils puissent visiter les shoppes & mesons des 
 gentz du dite mistier & surveier lo^ meresme & vesselx, qils 
 soient bones & covenables, & ceux qe sount faux & descey- 
 vablement faite amesner a Guyhall pur profit del chambre 
 & la estre condempneez : et q; celuy q; soit trove en defaute 
 qil paie al primer defaute vjs viij<l, ceste assavoir la moite al 
 chambre & laulre moyte au dite mistier : et al seconde defaute 
 xiijs iiij<i en la fourme avantd’ce : et al tierce defaute xx^ en 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 la fourme avantd’ce & son corps puniz en prison pur certeins 
 iours come par voz honurables discrecions voilietz ordeigner, 
 par cause de tielx desceitz eschuer, pur Dieu & en oevre de 
 charitee, et q; les rebelx du dite mistier soient punys come 
 autres rebelx dautres mistiers de la d’ce citee, solonc une 
 ordinaunce ent faite & enroulleez en le livre de G. foill’ 
 Supplicantes eisdern quatenus contenta in eadem, pro coi 
 proficuo & honore tarn dicte civitatis qm mister’ predict’ 
 adquirendis qm pro dampnis & gravamibus eisdern de facili 
 accidendis evitandis, in recordo perpetuo iubere dignarentur 
 inserenda. Qua billa coram dictis maiore & aldermannis 
 hie lecta & per ipsos plenius intellecta, ex eorum unanimo 
 assensu eadem billa jussa fuit hie intrari. 
 
 E libro H. fo. 302 b. 
 
 IT. 19 July, 1409, 10 Hen. IV. Ordinance for the mistery 
 of Coopers. 
 
 Ordinatio misterij de Coupers. 
 
 Decimo nono die Julij, anno regni regis Henrici quart! 
 post conquestum decimo ; venerunt hie in camera Guyhaldoe 
 civitatis Londoniensis, coram Drugone Barantyn, majore, 
 Johanne Preston, recordatore, et Willielmo Staundon, 
 Willielmo Walderne, Roberto Chichele, Willielmo Crowmer, 
 Stephano Speleman, Henrico Halton, Henrico Pountfreyt, 
 et Willielmo Chichile, aldermannis ; ac Willielmo Norton et 
 Thoma Duke, vicecomitib^ ejusdera civitatis ; probi homines 
 misterij de Coupers dictee civitatis, et porrexerunt eisdern 
 majori recordatori et vicecomitib^ quandam billam, verba 
 subsequentia continentem. 
 
 A les treshonurables tresgraciouses et tressages seigneurs 
 Maire et Aldermans de lonurable Citee de Loundres, supplie 
 treshumblement a vos gracieuses seignuries lez maistres et 
 gardeynes del mistier du Couperes du dite citee, et les 
 bonus gentz de mesme la mistier plusours autres : Que 
 come ils ount trove un graunde defaute en lour dit mistier, 
 et ils voillent voluntiers que le poet estre amende al profit 
 de la com une poeple ; que plese a voz tres gracieuses 
 seignuries de grauntier a les maistres et gardeyns et a toutz 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 autres de lour dit mistier, que cest poynt necessarie et bo- 
 soignable a la comune poeple desouth escript purra estre 
 enrolle entre les autres de lour ordeignances du dit mistier 
 enrollez en la chambre del Guyhalle de Loundres ; cest a dire, 
 Que nulle homme ne persone du dit mistier, desorenavant, 
 mye face nulle vessel de faux sappe, ne parcelle de faux 
 sappe ne mette poynt a nulle vessell : et quiconque du dite 
 mistier, auxi sovent come il est trove et prove defectif dicelle 
 poynt par lez ditz maistres et gardeynes et lour successours, 
 courge en la peyne ; quele peyne vous plese au present or- 
 deigner remedie, en oevre de charitee. 
 
 Qua quidem billa coram dictis majore recordatore alder- 
 mannis et vicecomitib^ lecta, et per eosdem plenius intel- 
 lecta ; quia videtur eisdem, quod petitio in dicta billa con- 
 tenta est ration! consona, et comodum reipuplicae ; ordinave- 
 runt decreverunt et sententiaverunt, quod nullus de misterio 
 de Coupers, infra libertatem civitatis preedictse commorans, 
 de cetero faciat vel fieri faciat aliqua vasa lignea, in quibus 
 aliquis liquor poni debeat, nisi de puro ligno et integro absque 
 aliquo sappe in eisdem existente ; sub forisfactura, prima vice, 
 vasorum prsedictorum, et vjs viij^ inter cameram et artem 
 preedictam equaliter participandorum : secunda vice, sub 
 forisfactura vasorum preedictorum, et xiijs iiijd solvendorum 
 equaliter cameree et arti praedictis : tertia vice, sub forisfactura 
 vasorum praedictorum, et xx^, inter cameram praedictam et 
 dictam artem de Coupers equaliter, sine redemptione, sol- 
 vendorum, etc. E libro I. fo. 82 b. 
 
 III. 1420, 7 Hen. V. Ordinance for marking barrels. 
 
 Ordenaunce fait sur les Coupers, pour mercher des 
 Barelx et Kilderkins ; et certein peyne sur ce. 
 
 Come en temps de William Staundon, mair, Ian noefisme 
 le roy Henry quart, ordeignez feust et establiez, qe nul bra- 
 ceour ne braceresse vendroit cervoise en groos a nully par 
 barel ne kilderkyn, sinon qe tielx barelx et kilderkyns ser- 
 roient primierement merchez en la Guyhalle par les deputees 
 del chamberleyn, ove tiel signe et merche qe chacun personne 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 purroit overtement savoir et cognoistre combien (ie« galons 
 les ditz barelx et kilderkyns conteignoient, sur certein peine 
 ent ordeigne, sicome en le Ixvj^ic foille diceste livre plenie- 
 ment appiert ; la quele ordeignaunce ad este longement mys 
 au mort et en discontinuance, parount le comune people ad 
 sustenu graunde damage et perde : Sur quoy, le vint et 
 septisme jour de Januer, Ian du regne le roy Henry quynt 
 puis le conquest septisme, Richard Whityngton ore mair et 
 audermans, vuillantz lefFect du dite ordeignaunce resusciter 
 et enforcer, ount ordeignez et establitz, Qe chescun Couper 
 qe demurra maintenaunt, ou enapres demurrera, deins la 
 liberte de Londres, sur peine de dys livres appaiers al 
 chaumbre, eyt de soun propre une merche ou signe de ferre, 
 dount le similitude et figure soit entre de record ici en la 
 court, pour mercher et signer toutz les barelx et kilderkyns 
 qil face mesmes, ou soit requis de merchier des autres : 
 purveu toutz foitz qe nul Coupere mette soun dite merclie 
 a nully barell, sil ne soit de xxx. galons entiers ; ne a nully 
 kilderkyn, sil ne soit de xv. galons ; sur peine de paier al oeps 
 de comunalte, a chescun foitz et pour chescun vessell qil 
 merche au contrarie, xl^. Et qe chescun brewer encourge 
 mesme la peyne de xK appaiers en la dite manier, pour 
 chescun foitz qil vende servoise a nully par ascun barel ou 
 kilderkyn qe nest merche par le Coupere en le manier suisdite. 
 Item, qe nul Coupere desdie ne denye a nul brewer ne autre 
 pour assaier mesurer et merchier ascuns barelx et kilder- 
 kyns quant il est duement requys, preignant raisonablement 
 pour son labour, sur peine de paier xl^ a chescun foitz qil est 
 convict de lencontre. Par force de quel ordeignaunce dedeins 
 xiiij. jours apres les Coupers demurrauntz deins la franchise 
 de la dite Cite de Loundres presenteront a la court lour 
 merches faitz de ferre, pour y estre entrez de record solonc 
 le tenure du dit ordeignaunce. Les noums de queux Coupers, 
 ensemble ove les similitudes et fourmes de les merches, cy 
 ensuyent. 
 
 E libro I. fo. 245 b. 
 

 COOPERS MARKS. AD. 1420. 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 IV. 13 Oct., 1428, 7 Hen. VI. Ordinance for the Coopers. 
 
 Ordinacio de Coupers. 
 
 Fait a remembrer, qe le xiij. jour doctobre el fest del 
 translacioun du Seint Edward, Ian du regne le roy Henry 
 sisme puis le conquest septisme ; les gardeins et bons gentz 
 de la mestiere de Coupers de Loundres exhiberont et pre- 
 senteront ycy devant les mair aldermans et comunes en 
 leur comune conseil, pur la eleccion du novel mair affair 
 solonc la custume du dit cite assemblez, un bille et peticion, 
 demonstrantz par ycelle, Qe come, pur le bien et comune 
 proffit du people, ordeigne fuist en temps de Drew Barantyn, 
 nadgares mair du mesme la cite, qe null persone du dit mis- 
 tier, delors enavaunt, ferroit ne faire ferroit null vesseall, en 
 quele ascun liqour serroit mys, de sappe, ne ne metteroit null 
 parcell de faulx sappe a null vesseal ; mais qe toutz les ves- 
 sealx qe gentz du dit mistier ferroient serroient de bon sain 
 et pure merisme, saunz sappe ; sur peyne de forfaiture des 
 vessealx au contraire faitz, et vjs viij^ appaiers et departirs 
 perentre le chambre, al oeps de cominalte, et la dit mistier, 
 au primer foitz : et la forfaiture des tielx vessealx et xiij& iiijd 
 a secunde foitz : et la forfaiture des vessealx et xx^ au tiers 
 foitz, appaiers et departirs perentre la chambre et mistier 
 avauntditz ; sicome en la dit ordenaunce entres de record en 
 le liver deJ. le foille quatrevintisme et secound, pluis au plein 
 appiert : La, par colour et occasion qe les ditz ordenaunces 
 et peine sextendent tauntsoulement as gentz du dit mistier 
 de Coupers, plusours autres, franks et foreins qe sount du dit 
 mistier, sount a vendre de jour en aultre graund coop et multi- 
 tude des barelx kilderkins et aultres vessealx defaux sappe, au 
 graund deceit et damage du comune poeple, et expressement 
 contre lefFect du dit ordenaunce : et sur ceo prierount les ditz 
 Coupers as ditz mair aldremans et comunes, de grauntier et 
 ordeigner par auctorite de lavauntdit comune counseill, qe 
 chescun personne forein ou frank de qiconque mistier qil soit 
 garde et observe mesme lordenaunce, en toutz pointz, sur peril 
 et peine avaunditz. Sur quoy les ditz mair et audremans, al 
 instance et par consentement des ditz comunes, ordeigne- 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 ront et establieront, Qe null persone frank ne forein, dcsor- 
 enavaunt, face ne faire face ne vende, dedeins la fraunchise 
 du dit cite, null vesseal, en quele ascun liqour serra mys, de 
 faux sappe, ne ne mette null parcell de faux sappe a null tiel 
 vesseal ; mais qe toutz les vessealx qe ascun persone, frank 
 ou forein, ensy ferra soit de bon sain et pure merisme ; sur 
 peyne de forfaiture des vessealx au contrarie faitz, et vjs viijti 
 appaiers perentre le chambre, al oeps de cominalte, et la dit 
 mistier : al secunde foitz, de forfaiture des tiels vessealx, et 
 xiijs iiijd : et al tierce foitz, de forfaiture des vessealx, et xxs, 
 appaiers saunz redempcioun, et departies perentre la chambre 
 et mistier avauntditz egalement, etc. 
 
 E libro K. fo. 60. 
 
 V. 6 May, 1440, 18 Hen. VI. Further Ordinance. 
 
 Came to the chamber of the Guildhall, London, before 
 Robert Large the mayor, and the aldermen, the good men of 
 the mistery of Coopers, London, and presented them the fol- 
 lowing Bill or Supplication : 
 
 Unto the right worthy and worshipfull Mair and 
 Aldermen of the Citee of London. 
 
 Besechyn mekely the goodmen of the craft of Coupers, 
 that in asmoche as in the tyme of Will’m Staundon mair 
 of the seid cite was ordeyned made and establized that no 
 brewer nor hukster shuld selle ale be grete, that is to sey be 
 barell nor kilderkyn, but yef they wer marked with a marke 
 ordeigned and entrid in the Chambre of London, witnessyng 
 that alle suche vessels beryng suche maner markes shuld be 
 plenure and full mesure, that is to say, the barell conteynyng 
 XXX. galons, and the kilderkyn conteynyng xv. galons, uppon 
 peyn to the bruer to pay to the Chambre of London at euery 
 suche defaute xB. 
 
 Fertherraore, Richard Whityngton, mair of the seyd citee, 
 and aldremen at that tyme beyng, willyng the gode affec- 
 con and ordynhces to be fulfilled for the worschep of the 
 citee and the avayle of the comyn people, have ordeigned 
 that no Couper withyn the Cite of London nor the liberte 
 thereof be so hardy to occupie the craft of Coupers, but 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 yef he haue a marke forged in iren to his owne propre vse, to 
 marke the vessels that he maketh ; in peyn to pay to the 
 Chambre of London the which vesselz he hath in charge, 
 that is to sey, barrell and kilderkyns. 
 
 For the which peyn aforseid, the Coupers of London your 
 seid besechers, standyng in grete dowte of mysusyng of these 
 markes, besechyn graunt of this petition, that no Couper of the 
 Cite of London, nor the lib’te thereof, marke no man^ vessell 
 with other mannys markes than his owne marke to hym ap- 
 propred, nor put his marke to no barrell nor kilderkyn but 
 that he hym self justly maketh, or in his house is maked ; be 
 the which marke and vessell the seyde Couper shall abyde 
 and answer at all perels, on the peyn to pay at euery such de- 
 faute on hym provyd that he the contrary dothe xiijs and iv^, 
 to be departid betwene the Chambre of London and the crafte 
 aforsaid, evynly be the handys of the chambleyn of this cite. 
 
 Also, the seid Coupers besechyn to be graunted that whan 
 ony Couper of the citee aforseid dieth or passeth away, 
 that his executours or assignes brynge in or do bryng, to the 
 charnb’layn of this citee for the tyme beyng, the same iren 
 marke the which he hath vsed in his lif in his warde, to be 
 keped for dowte of alienynge of the seyde marke in to the 
 handes of evyldoers or counterfetors, be the which the com- 
 mon people myght be dyscevyd and the craft reproued to grete 
 hurt and damage, on the peyn to pay at euery tyme in whome 
 suche defaute is found xs, to be departed betwene the cham- 
 bre and the crafte in fourme aforsayde. 
 
 Also, the seide Coupers besechen that ordenhce might be 
 made that no man, fre nor foreyne, ymagyne nor falsly coun- 
 trefete the markes of Coupers, the which thei haue in grete 
 charge, and ar entrid in the Yeldhalle, nor vnder the colour 
 of theym here no by marke be the which the common people 
 might be disceuyd and the craft gretely hurt ; but that euery 
 Couper wel and pesabily his marke jeioyse and occupie vnto 
 the same entent that the seid markes wer ordeigned. 
 
 Ferthermore, inasmoche as the citee hath be sclaundred 
 and the crafte of Coupers gretly hindred be fals and un- 
 kennyng werkmen ; the seid Coupers besechen of a convabill 
 remedy, that no Couper be so hardy to occupie nor set on 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 werk foreyn nor straunger vnto the tyme that the seid foreyn 
 or straunger be browght befor the mair and aldremen be the 
 wardeyns of the seid crafte for that tyme beyng, ther to be 
 examyned and prevyd whether he be abyl werkman to serve 
 this citee wel and trewly or naught, in peyn to hym to pay 
 that the contrary doyth, at euery suche defaute on hym 
 proved, vjs viijd, to be departed betwene the chaumb'leyn of 
 London and the craft aforsaide, euynly, by the hand of the 
 chamb’leyn aboueseyd. 
 
 Also that no Couper within this citee make eny barell for 
 swete wynys but hit be of the quantite of xviij. galons and an 
 half, vppon peyn of vf viij<l for euery barell made lesse, to be 
 departed be the hand of the chamberlayn in the forme aboue- 
 seid. And that euery Couper from this day forward, what 
 tyme he entreth his marke in the meires court, be stretly 
 sworn to obserue alle the seyd ordennahcs. 
 
 Which bill being read before the said mayor and aldermen, 
 and fully understanded ; and because it seemed to them that 
 all the articles therein contained are consonant to reason, 
 and for the public advantage and honour ; they ordained and 
 decreed by unanimous assent that the same should be entered 
 of record, and be observed in all future times, reserving to 
 -themselves power to add, amend, and correct the said ordi- 
 nances, as times and circumstances might require. 
 
 E libro K. fo. 185 b. 
 
 VI. 24-25 November, 1457, 36 Hen. VI. Judgment by the 
 Mayor and Aldermen for burning defective casks ; and 
 further ordinance on that subject. 
 
 Judicium combustionis diversorum verthkyns. 
 Memorandum, quod die Mercurij xxiiijt® die Novembris, 
 anno regni regis Henrici sexti post conquestum tricesimo 
 sexto ; venerunt hie in curia domini regis in camera Guy- 
 haldse Londoniensis, magistri sive custodes ac plures alij 
 probi homines misterae de Coupers civitatis prsedictae, coram 
 Galfrido Boleyn, majore, et aldermannis ejusdem civitatis. 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 graviter conquerentes, quod, ubi per quandam ordinacionem, 
 tempore Drugonis Barantyne nuper majoris civitatis illius, 
 in dicta camera Guyhaldae factam et irrotulatam, inter alia, 
 ordinatus sit. Quod nullus, infra libertatem civitatis prae- 
 dictae commorans, faceret vel fieri faceret aliqua vasa lignea, 
 in quibus aliquis liquor poni deberet, nisi de puro ligno ac 
 integro, et absque aliquo sappe in eisdem existente : et quod 
 quodlibet barellum esse deberet et contineret, de plena et 
 justa mensura, xxx^a lagenas ; quodlibet kilderkyn, xv. lage- 
 nas ; et quodlibet ferthkyn, vij. lagenas et dimidiam. Ibi 
 quidam Stephanus Wolf et Johannes Bromer, cives et pis- 
 cenarij dictse civitatis, fieri fecerunt in eMem civitate circiter 
 quater viginti et sex vasa vocata ferthkyns, de ligno non puro 
 nec integro, sed in medio serrata, ac eciam plena de sappe ; 
 videlicet, dictus Stephanus xlvj. ferthkyns, et dictus Johan- 
 nes xl. ferthkyns, quorum plura deficiunt de justa mensura 
 dimidiam lagenam ad minus, expresse contra ordinacionem 
 prsedictam, ac in decepcionem et defraudacionem populi 
 domini regis. Et super hoc prseceptum fuit, per dictum 
 majorem et aldermannos, Thomse Dounham, servienti dicti 
 majoris ad clavam, ut arrestaret omnia vasa prsedicta, et ea 
 adduceret hue ad Guyhaldam, ut super prsemissis, deliberate 
 consilio, quid fuerit faciendum consultius exequatur. Et 
 super hoc, die Jovis, xxv. die Novembris tunc proxime se- 
 quenti, quia visum est preefatis majori et aldermannis quod 
 vasa preedicta, per standardum domini regis hie mensurata, 
 deficiunt de justa mensura, ut prsedicitur ; et quia vasa pree- 
 dicta facta fuerunt non de ligno puro nec integro, sed in medio 
 serrata ac plena de sappe, contra ordinacionem prsedictam ; 
 ideb consideratum fuit, per dictos majorem et aldermannos, 
 quod vasa prsedicta comburantur, etc. 
 
 Proclamaco pro vasis, videlicet barellis & aliis hujus- 
 modi, non factis de ligno puro & integro, &c. 
 
 Forasmuche as amonge many other goode and notable 
 provisions and ordenaunces made and approued within this 
 Citee of London, for the wele and comon goode of the same, 
 it is conteyned that no maner persone within the liberte 
 therof shuld make, neither doo to make, any treen vessell in 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 the whiche ony licour shuld be put, but if it were of dene 
 and pure tymbre, hole withouten any sap in the same beyng ; 
 and that every barell shuld conteyne of pleyn mcsure xxx. 
 galons atte lest ; every kilderkyn xv. galons ; every ferthkyn 
 vij. galons and di’ ; and every barell for swete wyne xviij. 
 galons and di’ ; upon peyne of forfaiture of every suche vessel 
 founden of lesse mesure or otherwise then aforsaid and other 
 greuous punysshements thereuppon ordeyned : and that no 
 brewer, ne other persone vsing the crafte of brewyng within 
 the saide citee, selle none ale in grose to any persone, by ony 
 barell kilderkyn or ferthkyn, withoute that suche barell kil- 
 derkyn or ferthkyn be first marked with Coupers marke, so 
 that it may be therby knowen to be of juste mesure as is 
 abouesaid, upon peyne of forfaiture of the saide vessels, and 
 other punysshements theruppon hadde and ordeyned. 
 
 And for eschewing and voiding of the grevous harme and 
 grete deceit that nowe of late dales hath growen vnto the co- 
 mons of this citee by diuerse persones hauyng no consideracon 
 vnto the saide ordenaunce, whiche for theire singuler proffite 
 and advantage vsen to make vntrue barels kilderkyns ferth- 
 kyns and wynebarels of sappie and vnclene tymbre, and of 
 lesse mesures then is aforsaide : Therfore the mair and thal- 
 dermen of this saide citee, havyng more special zele and 
 tendre afFeccion, as them oweth, vnto the goode conservacon 
 and avauncement of the comon wele and proffit of the people, 
 then to any singuler avantaige ; willyng eke that no man 
 shuld excuse hym herafter by waye of ignoraunce of the goode 
 ordenaunces and provisions forsaide, haue doon to publissh 
 and proclame them heer at this tyme to the notice and 
 knowliche of all maner people, charging and comaunding 
 straitely that no maner persone within the liberte of this saide 
 citee from hensforth take vpon hym to make, neither to do 
 make, or vse, any suche vessels as barels kilderkyns verth- 
 kyns or wynebarels within the saide citee, but if they be 
 according vnto thordenaunce forsaide ; that is to sey, euery 
 barell of xxx^i galons, every kilderkyn xv. galons, every 
 ferthkyn vij. galons and di’, and every wynebarell of xviii. 
 galons and di’, and that of dene and pure tymbre withoute 
 sap, vpon peyne of forfaiteur of all suche vessels founden vnto 
 
( 17 ) 
 
 the contrarie, and other greuous punisshementes, according 
 vnto thordenaunce forsaid. 
 
 Execuco ludicij predicti. 
 
 And also, it is ordeyned and adiuged by the saide mair 
 and aldermen that all suche vessels as nowe of late haue be 
 duely presented afore the same mair and aldermen to haue 
 be made of vncleen and sappy tymbre, and lakking of their 
 juste mesure, contrarie to the saide ordenaunce, and in grete 
 deceit of the king’s people, here at this place shall be dampned 
 and brent, after the force and equite of the saide ordenaunce, 
 so that therby all other may take a warnesse of making of any 
 suche vntrew and vncleen vessels herafter. 
 
 E libro K. fo. 301. 
 
 VII. 16 April, 1488, 3 Hen. VII. Further Ordinances, by 
 
 the Mayor and Aldermen. 
 
 Memorandum, quod xvj. die Aprilis, anno regni regis 
 Henrici septimi post conquestum tercio, gardiani & alii probi 
 homines mistere de Cowpers London, venerunthic in curiam 
 dicti dhi regis in camera Guyhald civitatis London, coram 
 Will’mo Horne milite maiore, & aldr’is eiusdem civitatis, & 
 porrexerunt eisdem maiori & aldr’is quandam billam sive 
 supplicacoem cuius tenor sequitur in hec verba, Ss. 
 
 To the right honourable lord the Maire and the right 
 worshipfull sovraignes th’ Aldermen of the citee of London, 
 humbly besechen your good lordeship and maistershippes 
 the wardeyns and all the good folkes of the crafte of Cowpers 
 of the said citee : That where grete deceit and untrowthe 
 dayly been used within this citee, by the meanes of makyng 
 of barells kilderkyns firkyns and other vessells wherein 
 licor shalbe put, of sappy and grene tymber, for lacke of 
 serche and correccion theruppon to be hadde and done, the 
 which vessells so made, after they have been any while 
 occupied, of necessite must shrynke, wherethrugh the same 
 vessells, at the laste weryng of theym, lacke of their true and 
 juste measure that they ought to conteyne, that is to say, 
 somme of theym iiij. galons, somme iij. galons, somme ij. 
 galons, somme more, somme lesse : Also many persones 
 
 c 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 of tlie said craftc daily sette awerke divers and many foreyne 
 and other straungiers in the same occupacion of Cowpcrs in 
 no wyse therein expert ne connyng, and so therby moche 
 people of the saide crafte, which have been apprentishode 
 the same crafte before, for lacke of occupacion become 
 idoll and goo aboute wandryng within this citee werkeles 
 as vagabunds ; and over this, many persones of the saide 
 crafte use daily to teche young people of whome they have no 
 bonde, as by way of apprentishode or oderwyse, certeyn feets 
 and poynts of the said crafte, the which younge people so 
 taught willethan in no wyse after they have taken suche lern- 
 yng be bounde apprentice, but with that Title connyng that 
 they have so taken go in to the cuntreie and there worke as 
 well werks unlawfull as of unseasonable tymber, to the grete 
 deceipt of the king’s liege people : Moreover grete variauncs 
 stryves and gruggs daily growen within the fealiship of the 
 saide crafte, at their quarter daies and other tymes whan they 
 make any assembles for quarterage to be hadde and gadred of 
 theym, for the sustentacion of the charges of the same crafte, 
 like as it is used in other craftes within the saide citee, because 
 that as yet there was never any certen somme assessed, what 
 every freeman of the said citee shuld pay for his said quarter- 
 age ; the which foresaid charges of the saide crafte, of con- 
 gruence and raison, must be borne and levied of and by the 
 hoole body of the same fealiship : Pleas it therefore your said 
 good lordship and mastershippes, eschewing and avoydying of 
 thenconveniencs above rehersed, and of divers other incon- 
 veniences and enormities daily fallyng in the said fealiship, 
 to grant unto your said besecher certeyn articles hereafter 
 folowyng, and by your authoritees to be enacted and esta- 
 blisshed, and afore you in this honourable court to be entered 
 of record, forever to be observed and kept. And your said 
 besechers shall day pray for your prosperous astats. 
 
 First, that certeyn ordenhes may be put in execucion which 
 afore this were made for the prosperite of the king’s liege peo- 
 ple and honest of the said crafte of Cowpers, for vessells in 
 the which any liquor shuld be put, to be made of pure and 
 dene timber, lyke as in the booke of H, the leef cceij. in the 
 time of John Fressh, sumtyme maire of this citee of London ; 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 and in the booke of I, the leef in the tyme of Drue 
 
 Barantyn, sumtyme also mair of the said citee ; and also in 
 the booke of K, the leef cccj. in the tyme of Geffrey Boleyn, 
 late mair of the same citee, more playnly it may appere. And 
 that also another ordenhce may be put in execucion, which 
 was made by auctoritee of Coe Counceill in the tyme of 
 Henry Barton, sometyme mair of the saide citee, that the or- 
 dennces afore that made for vessells to be made of pure and 
 dene tymber shuld aswell foratche to the fremen occupying 
 the crafte of Cowps and to foreyns as to the fremen of the 
 fealiship of Cowpers, lyke as in the said booke of K, the leef 
 lx. more at large is conteyned ; and more over, that an or- 
 denhce may be put in execucon which was made aswell for 
 marking of vessells, and every Cowper to have a marke of his 
 owne, as for the measure of vessells, aswell for swete wynes 
 as other' vessels, what they shuld conteyn, lyke as in the 
 foresaide booke of J, the leef ccxlv. in the tyme of Richard 
 Whityngton, sumtyme mair of the said citee, and in the saide 
 booke of K, the leef ciiij^v. in the tyme of Robert Large, 
 sumtime also maire of London, it is conteyned more at large. 
 And also that all other ordenhces conchyng the saide crafte 
 of Cowpers entered in any of the said bookes, or in any other 
 booke or books remaynyng in the Yeldhall of recorde, and 
 not repeled, may from hensforth be put in execucion, ac- 
 cording to the tenors and effects of the same, and be and 
 stande of lyke strenght and effect as they were and stode at 
 the tyme of making of the same. 
 
 Also, that no persone of the said crafte of Cowpers, nor any 
 other persones occupying the same craft within the said citee 
 or lib’ties thereof, hereafter make or do to be made any vessell 
 for sope, but if the barell conteign and holde xxx. galons, the 
 halfe barell and firkyn after the same rate ; nor any vessell 
 for here, but if it kepe holde and conteyne the true and full, 
 measure of olde tyme accustumed, that is to say, the barell 
 xxxvi. galons, the kilderkyn xviij. galons, and the firkyn ix. ga- 
 lons at the leste ; and that every suche vessell be marked with 
 a Cowper’s marke entered in the chambre of theldhall of this 
 citee of record, upon payne of forfeiture of all suche vessells 
 founde contrarie to the said assise made, or not marked in 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 the maner aforesaid ; and to forfait and pay for every vessell 
 so made contrarie to the said assise, or not marked, iijs iiij‘*, 
 according to an Acte made late by authoritee of Comune 
 Counceill, and in the booke of K, the lefe cclxix. entered of 
 record. 
 
 Also, that the wardeyns of the said crafte of Cowpers for 
 the tyme beyng, -with an officer of this citee to them by the 
 chambleyn of the same citee for the tyme beyng to be assigned, 
 may have the serche and oversight, as often as to them shalbe 
 thought expedient and nedefull, in all places within the said 
 citee and libertie of the same, as well of all man^ barells for 
 swete wyne as of all other barells kilderkyns and firkyns for 
 ale here and sope, that be marked or unmarked, to thentent 
 that all suche barells kilderkyns and firkyns as they fynde 
 hereafter marked and have been occupied, or els not marked 
 and have been occupied, and not made of dene and pure 
 tymber, nor keepyng the measure in thordennces above re- 
 hersed expressed, may be seased and brought unto theldhall 
 of this citee, there to be jugged according to the olde custume 
 of this citee ; and over that, thowner of every suche vessell 
 to forfait and pay for every suche vessell so by him occupied 
 xls. And suche of the said vessells as they find unmarked and 
 made of good and seasonable tymber, and keepyng the just 
 and true measure in the above rehersed ordennees expressed, 
 the same wardeyns than to rnarke with one of their markes ; 
 and the officer to them assigned to marke also the same ves- 
 sell with a marke to him by the chambleyn of the said citee 
 for the tyme beyng to be delivered ; the owners of the same 
 vessells to pay for every barell so by them marked q’, for 
 every kilderkyn q’, for every firkyn q’. And if any persone 
 enfranchised within the saide citee or libertie thereof refuse 
 for to pay for the marking of the said vessells according to the 
 rate abovesaid, that then the same persone pay and forfeit 
 at every tyme that he refuseth so to doo xx^. 
 
 Also, that no persone of the saide crafte of Cowpers, nor 
 any other persone of what crafte condicon or degree he be, 
 occupying the same crafte within the saide citee or lib’tieof the 
 same, take uppon him hereafter to set any foreyn or straun- 
 gier awerke in thoccupacion of Cowpers within the same citee 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 or lib'tie therof, afore that the same persone or straungier be 
 admitted by thewardeyns of the said crafte for the tyme being 
 to be of habilitie and connyng to exercise and use the same 
 crafte ; any act or ordennce afore this to the contrarie made 
 not admitted. And that the same foreyn or straungier so 
 admitted pay at his entryng and settyng awerk of and in the 
 same crafte iijs iiijd. And that every suche foreyn or straun- 
 gier hereafter so to be set awerk be under the due correccion 
 of the said wardeyns for the tyme beyng, and duely sworn to 
 keepe and observe all the good rules and ordennces of the 
 same crafte, entred afore you in the aforesaid chambre of the 
 Yeldhall of record, upon payn to forfeit and pay at every tyme 
 that any suche persone, as it is above rehersed, setteth any 
 foreyn or straungier awerk contrarie to this Acte xiijs iiijd. 
 
 Also, that no man^ persone of the said crafte of Cowpers 
 in any wyse hereafter enforme or teche any mani” persone the 
 same crafte, or any part or poynt of the same crafte, without 
 that they be bounde apphtice to the said crafte, or else be free 
 of the same, upon [pain] to pay at every tyme that he do the 
 contrarie to this Acte xiijs iiijd. 
 
 Also, that every persone enfraunchised in the said crafte 
 of Cowpers pay or do to be paied yeerely unto the wardeyns 
 of the said crafte for the tyme beyng, for their quarterage, iijs 
 iiijd towards the chargs and costs of the same crafte, yeerely 
 to be supported and maynteyned, without any other thinge 
 payng for their dyner or supper yeerely for theym ordeyned : 
 and that the saide quarterags be levied and gadred quarterly 
 amongst the fealiship of the saide crafte by the wardeyns of 
 the same crafte for the tyme beyng, that is to say, the fests 
 of Mychelmas, Cristmas, Ester, and Midsomer, by even por- 
 cions, within a moneth than next followyng after any of the 
 saide fests. And if any persone of the saide crafte duely re- 
 quired by the wardeyns of the saide crafte for the tyme beyng, 
 at any feste of the saide festes, or within a moneth imme- 
 diatly following any suche feste, to pay his saide quarterage, 
 wilnot pay his saide quarterage but that to doo denyeth, than 
 every suche persone so denying and not payng the saide 
 quarterage forfait and make a fyne of vjs viijd as often as he 
 so dothe. 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 Also, that no persone of the saide crafte of Cowpers here- 
 after presume to take uppon him to come to my lord the 
 maires fests, or to my maisters the shereffcs festes, or any 
 other festes or dyners within the said citee, where any grete 
 assemble of people shalbe, without the same persone be 
 specially desired and beden, orells by the wardeyns of the said 
 crafte for the tyme beyng assigned thereunto, uppon payne to 
 forfait and pay at every tyme that any suche persone cometh 
 to any suche festes or dyners contrarie to this Acte vf viij^. 
 
 Also, that every persone of the saide crafte of Cowpers be 
 redy at almanr somons and warnyngs of the wardeyns of the 
 same crafte for the tyme beyng, or of their deputie in their 
 name, for thonour of the said citee, and goode rule and guyd- 
 yng of the same crafte. And if any persone of the same crafte 
 absent hym self, and come not at suche summons and warn- 
 yngs, and thereof be duely convict, without a reasonable ex- 
 cuse, pay at every suche tyme viij^l. 
 
 Also, that if any persone of the saide crafte hereafter wilbe 
 so mysadvised to rebuke or revile any of the wardeyns of the 
 said crafte for the tyme beyng, or any other persone of the 
 same crafte, with unfyttyng langagle or wordes in open au- 
 dience of people or ells where, that than the same persone so 
 doyng forfait and pay as often he so dothe vjs viij<i. 
 
 Also, that no persone of the saide crafte of Cowpers here- 
 after take any appntice to be bounde unto hym afore he have 
 shewed and presented the same appntice unto the wardeyns 
 of the said crafte for the tyme beyng, to thentent that the same 
 wardeyns by examinacion may understand that the same ap- 
 phtice be free born of true kynrede, and right and dene of 
 lymmes, uppon payne of xxs, as often as any persone of the 
 said crafte dothe the contrarie hereof. And that every persone 
 so presenting any suche appntice unto the said wardeyns 
 shall pay to thuse of the fealiship of the saide crafte for every 
 such appntice xx^. 
 
 Also, that no persone of the saide crafte of Cowpers here- 
 after present any appntice to the chambleyn of this citee for 
 the tyme beyng, or his deputie, to be made freman of the 
 same citee, but if the wardeyns of the said crafte for the tyme 
 beyng be present at the same presentacion, or oone of the same 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 wardeynsatthe leste,the same oone wardeyn callyng unto hym 
 an other persone of the same crafte that hathe been wardeyn 
 afore, to the entent that the same wardeyns may enforme the 
 saide chambleyn or his deputie whether the saide apphtice be 
 of good disposicon, and have truely served out his termes with 
 his maistr or not, uppon payne of xls as often as any persone 
 dothe the contr’y of this Acte : Provided alway, that if the 
 said wardeyns, or oon of theym callyng to hym suche a nother 
 persone as is above rehersed, at the desire of the maister of 
 any suche apphtice, be not redy to come to suche presenta- 
 tion, but wilfully absenteth theym self or wilnot come, that 
 then it shalbe iefull to the same maister to present his saide 
 apphtice to the saide chambleyn or his deputie, without the 
 presence of his said wardeyns. 
 
 That oon half aswell of all the saide fynes forfeitures and 
 penalties as of the auntagies of markyng the saide vessells by 
 the said wardeyns as is abovesaid to be marked, to be applied 
 to thuse of the chambre of this citee, and that other half to 
 be applied to thuse of the saide crafte of Cowpers. 
 
 Qua quidem billa sive supplicacone lecta & per dcos maio- 
 rem et ald’ros plenius intellecta, videt^ eisdem maiori et 
 aldr’is quod articuli in dicta billa sive supplicacoe content! 
 sunt boni et honesti ac raconi consoh, unanimi assensu et 
 voluntate ordinaverunt et decreverunt quod articuli predict! 
 hie intrentr de recordo, modo et forma quib? petunt^ futuris 
 temporibus observand’. E libro L. fo. 249. 
 
 VIII. 29 April, 1501, 16 Hen. VII. Charter of Incor- 
 poration. 
 
 Henricus Dei gratia rex Anglie et Francie et dominus 
 Hibernie, omnibus ad quos presentes Ire nostre pervenerint 
 salutem. Sciatis quod nos, de gracia nostra special! ac ex certa 
 sciencia et mero motu hris concessimus et licenciam dedimus, 
 ac per presentes concedimus et licenciam damns pro nobis 
 et heredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, dilectis ligeis nos- 
 tris Johanni Harvy, Thome Elynor, Rico Cok, Waltero Cok, 
 Hugoni Crompe, Roberto Thurgood, Will’o Baron, et Will’o 
 
# 
 
 ( 24 ) 
 
 Cok, civibus et Cowpers artis sive mistere de Cowpers civi- 
 tatis nostre London, quod ipsi seu eorum al' mi vel aliquis, ad 
 laudem gloriam et honorem Dei ac gloriosissime Marie Vir- 
 ginis naatris eius, quandam fraternitatem sive gildam per- 
 petuam de uno magistro et duobus custodibus comunitatis 
 liberorum hominum mistere de Cowpers civitatis nostre pre- 
 dicte et suburbiorum eiusdem nunc commorancium et exnunc 
 commoratur', ac de fratribus et sororibus liberis personis eius- 
 dem mistere, ac aliis qui eorum devocoe de eadem fraternitate 
 sive gilda esse voluerint, facere creare erigere fundare et sta- 
 bilire possint seu possit. Et quod idem magister duo guar- 
 diani sive custodes et comunitas, post huiusmodi ereccionem 
 creacionem fundacionem et stabilicionem perpetuis futuris 
 temporibus duratur’, sit unum corpus in se, et una comunitas 
 corporata in re et nomine : et quod sint persone habiles et 
 capaces in lege, per nomen et sub nomine magistri gardiano- 
 rum sive custod’ comunitatis liberorum hominum mistere de 
 Cowpers London et suburbiorum eiusdem civitatis, ad perqui- 
 rend* possidend’ et recipiend’ in feodo et perpetuitate terras 
 tenementa redditus reversiones et alias possessiones quas- 
 cumque que de nobis non tenentur in capite, de quacumq; 
 persona sive quibuscumq; personis ea eis dare legare vendere 
 seu assignare volenti seu volentibus : Habendum et tenendum 
 eisdem magistro gardianis sive custodibus comunitatis pre- 
 dicte et successoribus suis imperpetuum, in auxilium susten- 
 tacionis pauperum hominum et mulierum mistere comunita- 
 tis et fraternitatis sive gilde predicte, ad orandum pro salubri 
 statu nostro et Dhe Elizabeth regine consortis nostre dum 
 vkerimus, et animabus nostris cum ab hac luce migraveri- 
 mus, necnon pro salubri statu principis et aliorum liberorum 
 nostrorum dum vixerint, et pro eorum animabus cum ab hac 
 luce migraverint sive substracti fuerint, imperpetuum, absq; 
 impeticione vel impedimento nostri vel heredum nostrorum 
 aut aliquorum officiariorum sive ministrorum nostrorum vel 
 dictorum heredum nostrorum, sive aliorum quorumcumque, 
 statuto de tends et tenements ad manum mortuam non 
 ponendis, seu aliquo alio statuto sive ordinacione, in contra- 
 rium fact’ sive edit' aut fiend’ non obstante. Et quod ijdem 
 magister gardiani sive custodes et comunitas civitatis predicte 
 
( 25 ) 
 
 habeant successionem perpetuam ac comune sigillum pro 
 factis et negociispUcte mistere et fraternitatis sive gilde pre- 
 dicte imperpetuum deservitur’ sigillandum. Et quod ijdem 
 magister gardiani sive custodes et comunitas ac successores 
 sui, per nomen magistri gardianorum custodum et comunita- 
 tis liberorum hominum mistere de Cowpers predicte civitatis 
 London ac suburbiorum eiusdem civitatis, placitare possint 
 et implacitari ac prosequi, in quibuscumque curiis et locis, 
 coram quibuscumque justiciariis seu judicibus, tarn ecclesias- 
 ticis quam secularibus, in quibuscumque accionibus sectis pla- 
 citis querelis et demandis cuiuscumq; generis condicionis seu 
 nature fuerint,acrespondere et responderi valeant et defendere 
 in eisdem sub nomine predicto. Et quod huiusmodi magis- 
 ter gardiani sive custodes et comunitas liberorum hominum 
 mistere predicte, post huiusmodi ereccionem creacionem fun- 
 dacionem et stabilicionem, singulis annis, in die Dominica 
 proximo ante festum Pentecostes, eligere et facere possint de 
 seipsis unum magistrum et duos gardianos sive custodes, ad 
 supervidend’ regend’ et gubernand’ misteram et comunitatem 
 predictas. Et quod huiusmodi magister et duo gardiani sive 
 custodes, sic electi, post huiusmodi eleccionem sint magister 
 gardiani sive custodes fraternitatis sive gilde predicte, et 
 habeant potestatem et auctoritatem ad supervidend" regend" 
 et gubernand’ misteram et comunitates predictas, quousque 
 nova eleccio de uno magistro et duobus gardianis sive custo- 
 dibus per magistrum et gardianos sive custodes et comu- 
 nitatem fraternitatis sive gilde predicte, seu maioris partis 
 eorumdem facta fuerit. Et ulterius, de uberiori gracia nostra 
 concessimus pro nobis et heredibus nostris, quantum in nobis 
 est, prefatis magistro et gardianis sive custodibus comunitatis 
 predicte et eorum successoribus, quod ijdem magister et 
 gardiani sive custodes et comunitas qui pro tempore fuerint 
 congregaciones licitas et honestas ac racionabiles leges statuta 
 et ordinaciones pro salubri regimine et gubernacione predicte 
 mistere, secundum necessitatis exigenciam, quociens et quan- 
 do opus fuerit, facere valeant licite et impune : dummodo leges 
 statuta ordinaciones ilia contra leges et consuetudines regni 
 nostri Anglie seu civitatis nostre predicte nullo modo existant. 
 Preterea volumus et concedimus pro nobis et heredibus 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 nostris, quantum in nobis est, quod predicti magister ct gar- 
 diani sive custodes dicte comunitatis pro tempore existentes 
 et eorum successores imperpetuum habeant scrutinium cor- 
 reccionem et gubernacionem omnium et singulorum libe- 
 rorum hominum dicte civitatis utencium dicta mistera de 
 Cowpers in eadem civitate, ac aliorum quorumcumq; libero- 
 rum vel forincecorum dicta mistera de Cowpers aliquo modo 
 frequentancium et utencium infra eandem civitatem ac liber- 
 tates et suburbia eiusdem, et punicionem omnium eorundem, 
 tarn liberorum quam forincecorum, ut premittitur specifica- 
 torum, pro delictis suis in non perfecte exequendo faciendo et 
 utendo mistera predicta per supervisum magistri predicti qui 
 pro tempore fuerit, vel alicuius quern loco suo ad hoc deputa- 
 verit, per probiores et magis sufficientes homines de mistera 
 predicta, defectusque in eadem mistera si qui inventi fuerint 
 corrigere et emendare possint juxta discreciones suas, prout 
 ad maiorem utilitatem comunitatis populi nostri viderit faci- 
 endum. Et quod nullus cuiuscumque artis sive mistere fuerit 
 infra libertatem civitatis predicte artem de Cowpers usus 
 fuerit infra eandem civitatem nisi sit de libertate civitatis 
 illius. In cujus rei testimonium has litteras nostras fieri 
 fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium, 
 vicesimo nono die Aprilis anno regni nostri sextodecimo. 
 
 ^ Per bre de privato sigillo et de data predicta, auctoritate 
 Parliamenti. Oldom. 
 
 IX. 30 August, 1662, 13 Car. II. The Governing Charter 
 of the Coopers Company. 
 
 Charles the Second by the grace of God king of England, 
 Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the Faith, ^c., to 
 all to whom these presents shall come greeting : Whereas we 
 have seen certain letters patents of Henry the seventh, hereto- 
 fore king of England, made in these words : [See No. VIII.] 
 Now know yee that the said recited letters pattents and 
 all and every the powers priviledges and other things therein 
 contained, saveing and excepting so much and such parts 
 thereof as in and by these presents are or shall be otherwise 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 granted altered added or supplyed, Wee,at the humble petition 
 of the said master wardens and keepers of the cominalty of 
 the mistery of Cowpers London, of our especiall grace certain 
 knowledge and mere motion, have ratifyed confirmed, and 
 by these presents for us our heires and successors, as much 
 as in us is, do ratify, and confirme : and moreover, any thing 
 before in the said recited letters pattent to the contrary not- 
 withstanding, for the better order rule and government of the 
 said master wardens or keepers of the cominalty aforesaid. 
 Wee of our more especiall grace certaine knowledge and mere 
 motion do, for us our heires and successors, will ordaine con- 
 stitute declare and grant by these presents that John Price 
 the now master of the said cominaltie, George Moore and 
 Thomas Boyleston the now wardens of the said cominalty, 
 whome by theise presents wee do confirme to bee the present 
 master and wardens of the said cominaltie, and Thomas Gill, 
 Richard Milles, William Giles, Nathaniell Lucas, Richard 
 Young, Henry Partridge, Henry Haycock, and all others now 
 professing or useing the said art or mistery of Cowpers and 
 that are now freemen or free persons of the said society or 
 corporation within the cittyes of London and Westminster 
 or either of them and the libertyes and suburbs of the same, 
 and within twoe miles compasse of the same, and that all 
 others that now doe or shall hereafter exercise the said art or 
 mistery of Cowpers within the places aforesaid or any of them, 
 or which shall be freemen or free persons of the same com- 
 pany or society, shall be from henceforth one body corporate 
 by the name of the Master Wardens or Keepers of the Comi- 
 nalty of freemen of the mistery of Cowpers London and of the 
 suburbs of the same citty : and, for the better executeing of 
 this our grant on that behalfe, we have thought fitt that there 
 shall or may be at all times hereafter seventeen assistants of 
 the said company besides the master and wardens for the time 
 being, and to that intent and purpose we have assigned named 
 constituted made and appointed, and by these presents, for 
 us our heires and successors, do assigne name constitute make 
 and appoint, Thomas Gill, Richard Milles, William Coult- 
 man, Nathaniel Lucas, Richard Young, Henry Haycock, 
 Arthur Bray, Abraham Rowe, Thomas Rawlinson, William 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 Willes, William Chisworth, Symon Driver, Edward Palmer, 
 Richard Emmes, Thomas Carter, Thomas Mason, and Wil- 
 liam Cooper to be the first and present assistants of the said 
 Company of Cowpers of London, and to continue in the said 
 office of assistants during their naturall lives or otherwise as 
 is hereinafter limitted and expressed, they before they be ad- 
 mitted to the exercise of the said office of assistants takeing 
 their corporall oathes before the master and wardens of the 
 said cominalty for the time being, or any two of them, for 
 the due and faithfull execution of the said places of assistants : 
 which said master and wardens for the time being, or any two 
 of them, we do hereby authorise to administer the said oathes 
 accordingly. 
 
 And we will and by these presents, for us our heires and suc- 
 cessors, do grante unto the said master wardens or keepers of 
 the cominalty aforesaid and their successors, that the master 
 wardens assistants and livery of the said society for the time 
 being, or the greater parte of them for that purpose assembled, 
 from time to time for ever hereafter, shall have full power and 
 authority, yearly and every yeare, on the Monday next before 
 the feast of Pentecost otherwise called Whitsontide, to no- 
 minate and choose one of the wardens or assistants for the 
 time being to be master of the said company for one whole 
 yeare, to commence imediately after the time that such mas- 
 ter so chosen shall take his oath as hereinafter is expressed ; 
 and that he which shall be so named and chosen unto the said 
 office of master of the said company, before he be admitted to 
 execute his said office, shall, on the first Tuesday in the month 
 of June or within eighteen dayes then next after, yearly, take 
 his corporall oath before the master wardens and assistants 
 of the said company for the time being or the greater part of 
 them (to whome we give power by these presents to admi- 
 nister the said oath), well and truely to execute the said office 
 of master of the said company in all things belonging to the 
 said office ; and that such person, after the said oath so as 
 aforesaid to be taken, shall have and exercise the said office 
 of master for one whole yeare then next ensuing, and from 
 h ence untill another be chosen master and sworne to the said 
 office in forme aforesaid and according to the true meaning of 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 these presents : and likewise that at the same time of electing 
 of the said master as aforesaid, they the said master wardens 
 assistants and livery, or the greater part of them so assembled, 
 may also name and choose two persons out of the then pre- 
 sent wardens assistants or livery of the said company, which 
 shall be wardens of the said company for one whole yeare, to 
 commence imediately after the time that such two wardens 
 so chosen shall take their respective oaths as hereinafter fol- 
 loweth ; and that they which shall be so named and chosen 
 unto the said offices of wardens of the said company, before 
 they or either of them be admitted to execute their said offices, 
 shall, on the first Tuesday in June or within eighteen dayes 
 then next after, yearly, take their respective corporall oaths 
 before the master wardens and assistants of the said company 
 or the greater part of them for the time being (to whome we 
 give power by these presents to administer an oath or oaths), 
 well and truely to execute the said office of wardens in and 
 by all things touching and concerning the said office, and after 
 such oathes so as aforesaid taken, such two persons so sworne 
 shall and may execute their said office of wardens for one 
 whole yeare next ensuing the time of takeing of such oath or 
 oathes, and from thence untill two others be chosen wardens 
 and sworne unto the said office of wardens of the said company, 
 of the persons and in manner and forme in these presents 
 expressed and declared, and according to the true meaning of 
 these presents. 
 
 And further by these presents, for us our heires and suc- 
 cessors, we will and grante unto the said master wardens or 
 keepers of the cominalty aforesaid and their successors, that 
 if the master and wardens so elected and chosen as aforesaid 
 or any of them shall refuse to serve or hold such place or 
 places aforesaid whereunto they or any of them shall be 
 elected, or if it shall happen the master and wardens of the 
 said company for the time being or any of them, at any time 
 within one yeare after that they or any of them shall be so 
 chosen and sworne in his or their respective office or offices, 
 to die or to be removed from his or their said office or offices 
 (which said master and wardens for just and reasonable cause 
 we will shall be from time to time removeable by the master 
 
( 30 ) 
 
 v/ardens and assistants of the said society, or the greater part 
 of them, for the time being), that then and so often in every 
 of the cases aforesaid it shall be lawfull to and for the master 
 wardens and assistants of the said company for the time 
 being or the greater part of them, being assembled together, at 
 their wills and pleasures, in convenient time and times after, 
 to choose elect and sweare one or more other or others of 
 the said wardens assistants or livery for the time being re- 
 spectively to be master warden or wardens of the said com- 
 pany, according to the orders and provisions before in these 
 presents expressed and declared, to execute and exercise the 
 office of master or of warden or wardens of the said company 
 untill some other person or persons be chosen and sworne 
 master or warden or wardens respectively, according to the 
 true meaning of these presents, he or they first taking his or 
 their corporall oath or oathes in forme as aforesaid, and so 
 this to be done as often as the case shall require. 
 
 And likewise we will and by these presents, for us our heires 
 and successors, do grante unto the said master wardens or 
 keepers of the cominalty aforesaid and their successors, that 
 whensoever it shall happen any of the assistants of the said 
 company for the time being to die or be removed from his or 
 their office or offices (which assistants and every or any of 
 them we will shall be removable and be removed by the greater 
 part of the master wardens and assistants for the time being 
 for evill government misbehaviour or for any other just and 
 reasonable cause), that then and so often it shall and may be 
 lawfull to and for the said master and wardens and so many 
 of the said assistants for the time being which shall then sur- 
 vive and remaine, or the greater part of them, at their will and 
 pleasure, in convenient time and times afterwards, from time 
 to time to name and choose one other or more of the said 
 livery of the said company for the time being to be an assis- 
 tant or assistants of the said company in his or their place or 
 stead which shall so happen to dye or be removed as afore- 
 said ; and that he or they so named and chosen an assistant 
 or assistants, before he or they or any of them be admitted to 
 the execution of the said office of assistant or assistants, shall 
 in convenient time after such choice take his and their cor- 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 porall oath and oatlies before the master wardens and assis- 
 tants of the said company, or the greater part of them, for the 
 time being (to whome by these presents we give power to ad- 
 minister the said oath and oathes), well and truely to execute 
 the said office or offices, and so this to be done as often as 
 the case shall require. 
 
 And also we do grante, for us our heires and successors, by 
 these presents unto the said master wardens or keepers of the 
 cominaltie aforesaid that the master and wardens of the said 
 society for the time being, at any time or times before the said 
 Thomas Gill and other the persons before in these presents 
 within named assigned and appointed assistants or to be as- 
 sistants as aforesaid have duely taken their oathes as assistants 
 according to the true meaning of these presents, and after such 
 oathes so taken by the said Thomas Gill and other the persons 
 aforesaid named with him to be assistants of the said company 
 the master wardens and assistants of the said company for the 
 time being or the greater parte of them, at any time or times 
 respectively, shall or may have full power and authority by 
 virtue of these presents to make ordaine constitute appoint and 
 set downe such reasonable orders and ordinances in writeing 
 as to them the said master and wardens for the time being, 
 before the said Thomas Gill and other the persons aforesaid 
 beforenamed to be assistants with him shall have taken their 
 oathes as aforesaid, and, after such oathes so taken, as to them 
 the said master wardens or assistants or the greater part of 
 them for the time being shall seeme meet and necessary, ac- 
 cording to their good discretion respectively, as well for and 
 concerning the oaths that shall be administred to the master 
 wardens assistants and freemen of the said company and the 
 necessary officers of and concerning the same, and also for 
 the good order rule and government of the master wardens 
 assistants and cominalty aforesaid and all other members of 
 the said society or thereunto belonging, in and touching all 
 necessary matters and things concerning the same : and that 
 whensoever the said master and wardens for the time being, 
 before the said Thomas Gill and others herein named with 
 him assistants or to be assistants shall have taken their oathes 
 as aforesaid, and, after such oathes so taken, the master war- 
 
( 32 ) 
 
 dens and assistants for the time being or the greater part of 
 them, shall make ordaine and establish such orders acts and 
 ordinances as aforesaid, they respectively shall have power 
 therein to provide and limitt such reasonable pains penaltycs 
 and punishments, either by fines or amerciaments or by any 
 other lawfull wayes or meanes whatsoever, upon all offenders 
 breakers neglecters or not observers of the same or any of 
 them, as to them the master and wardens for the time being, 
 or, after such oathes taken by the persons hereinbefore named 
 for assistants as aforesaid, the master wardens or assistants 
 of the said company or the major part of them for the time 
 being respectively are to be assembled, shall think fitt neces- 
 sary and convenient : and that thereupon, or at any time after, 
 the said master wardens or keepers of the cominalty of the 
 freemen of the mistery of Cowpers London and of the suburbs 
 of the same citty aforesaid, or such of them whome it doth 
 concerne, shall or may by virtue hereof have levy recover and 
 take the said fines and amerciaments, by actions of debt or by 
 distress of the goods and chattells of such offender or offen- 
 ders, according to the laws and statutes of this realme, and the 
 same fines and amerciaments so levied and taken shall and 
 may reteine convert and enjoy to and for the common use be- 
 nefitt and supportation of the said cominalty ; all which acts 
 orders and ordinances so as aforesaid to be made we will shall 
 be observed and kept under the paines and penaltyes therein 
 to be contained, so as always such orders ordinances fines 
 and amerciaments be reasonable and not repugnant or con- 
 trary to the lawes and statutes of this our realme of England, 
 nor contrary to the due custome of our citty of London. 
 
 And moreover we do by these presents, for us our heires and 
 successors, grante unto the said master wardens and keepers 
 and their successors that the master wardens and assistants 
 for the time being shall and may, from time to time and at all 
 times hereafter, fully freely and absolutely do performe and 
 execute, as well within the said citty and the libertyes and 
 suburbs thereof and also within two miles compass of the 
 same libertyes or suburbs, all and every the grants powers 
 libertyes and privileges in and by the said recited letters pat- 
 tents given and granted or mentioned to be given and granted 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 and every of them, any thing in the said former letters pat- 
 tents contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And we do 
 further will, and by these presents, for us our heires and succes- 
 sors, streightly charge and command all and singular mayors 
 sherifFes justices of the peace constables bailifFes headboroughs 
 and other the officers and ministers of us our heires and suc- 
 cessors whatsoever whome it may concerne, in all and every 
 place and places whatsoever, as well priviledged as not privi- 
 ledged, within our said cittys of London and Westminster 
 and their suburbs and libertyes, and within two miles com- 
 pass of the same, that they and every of them at all and every 
 time and times hereafter, and from time to time, upon rea- 
 sonable request to them to be made in that behalf, to be 
 furthering helping aiding and assisting to the said master war- 
 dens and assistants of the said company for the time being 
 and every of them, for the doeing executing and performeing 
 of all and singular the premisses, according to the tenor and 
 efFect of these presents. 
 
 And our further will and pleasure is, and we do by these 
 our letters pattents limit and appoint, that the place where the 
 said master wardens and assistants and cominaltie shall as- 
 semble together, and hold the courts for the corporation and 
 make such elections as aforesaid, shall be their common hall, 
 commonly called Cowpers Hall, scituate in the parish of Saint 
 Michael Bassishaw in our citty of London, or in such other 
 place or places as the said company or society for the time 
 being shall have their common hall or meeting place for 
 manageing their public business and occasions. 
 
 And lastly, our will and pleasure is that all and every the 
 new additions and alterations in these our letters pattents 
 made, varying and difFering from any the matters and things 
 in the said former recited letters pattents incerted or con- 
 tained, shall stand and be good and efFectuall, the said former 
 letters pattents or any clause matter or thing therein con- 
 tained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. 
 In witness whereof, ^c. Witness ourselfe at Westminster, 
 the thirtieth day of August in the thirteenth year of our 
 reign. 
 
 By writ of privy seal. Howard. 
 
 D 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 X. 27th September, 1509, 1 Hen. VIII. Grant of Arms. 
 
 To ALL present and to come whiche thies present Ir’es 
 shall see or here, Thomas Wrythe or Wryothesley, otherwise 
 Gartier, kyng of armes of Englishmen, and Roger Machado, 
 otherwise callid Richmount Clarenceau, pryncipall herauld 
 and kyng of armes of all the south parties of this realme of 
 England, send due and humble recommendacion and gretyng, 
 as it apperteyneth, in our Lord Gode everlastyng. Equytie 
 woll and reason ordeyneth that vertuouse men and of honest 
 occupacion bee by their merits remunered and rewarded in 
 this worlde, and to be of perpetuall memory for their good 
 and vertuouse name and fame, and theire successours aftir 
 theym for evermore : Be it knowen, that we the said Gartier 
 kyng of armes of Englishmen and Richmount Clarenceau 
 kyng of armes of the south parties of England, consideryng 
 the honest demeanour and governaunce of the felawship of 
 Coopers of the citie of London have ben of olde tyme of good 
 name and vertuous fame, soo that the said felawship hath 
 deserved and is right worthy, by the vertue of the honest dis- 
 posicion of the same, to have signes and tokens of armes to 
 theymself, to be shewyed or borne convenyently in the lawde 
 and praysyng of all the said felawship : And soo nowe of late 
 the maisters and wardeyns of the same felawship at this tyme 
 beyng, that is to witte, John Harvy and Thomas Elynor, 
 maisters, John Balgy and William Bendley, wardeyns, have 
 requyred and desyred us the said kings of armes to geve unto 
 the said felawship armes under the seales of oure armes, and 
 therfore, in remembraunce and consideracion of the vertuous 
 and honest disposition of the said felawship, by the auctoritie 
 and power of oure office annexed and attributted, we the said 
 Gartier kyng of armes of Englishmen and Richmount Claren- 
 ceau kyng of armes of the south parties of England have 
 geven ordeyned and assigned unto and for the same felawship 
 of Coopers the blason of armes hereafter folowyng ; that is to 
 sey, Gowlys and sable, geronney of eight peeces, a cheveron 
 betwene three aneletts golde, on the cheveron a royne betwixt 
 twoo brode axes azur ; a chief vert, on the chief three lylyes 
 
- 
 
 -i • % 
 
 a 
 
 :■* 
 
 ■-6 
 
 1 ,5 ^ 
 
 4 
 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 silver, as more playnely it apperith in the margen here above 
 depicte. To have and to holde to the said maisters wardeyns 
 and hole felawship for the tyme beyng the saide armes, and 
 theym to use att theire pleasur for evermore. In wittnesse 
 wherof, we the said kyngs of armes have signed thies present 
 letters with oure handes and sett therunto the scales of oure 
 armes. Yoven at London the xxvijth day of the moneth of 
 September, the yere of oure Lord God a thousand fyve hun- 
 dreth and nynne, and the first yere of the reigne of oure moost 
 dred and redoubted sovereigne kyng Henry the eight. 
 
 On the Fold. 
 
 I Thomas Bonolt, alias Clarencieux, king at armes of the 
 south east and west partyes of this realme of England, by the 
 power and octorite to my gyven by the kings most royall 
 majeste Henry the viijth^ by exprest wordes in his letters 
 patents under his great seall, confferme and ratefie the armes 
 in the margin herein depict befFore grauntyd be my predis- 
 sesour, Clarencieux king at armes. In wytnes therof I have 
 signed this patent with my hand the xijth day of October, the 
 xxijd yere of oure sovvorain lord Henry the viijth. 
 
 Per me, Clarencieux king at armes. 
 
 XL Acts of Parliament affecting the Company. 
 
 By the Act of Parliament of the 23d Henry VIIL, cap. 4, 
 intituled ‘"An Act concerning new making of barrels kilder- 
 kins and other vessels'’ the wardens of the Coopers Company 
 were authorized, and had full power and authority at all times 
 thereafter when they should think convenient and expedient, 
 (taking with them an officer of the mayor) to search view and 
 gauge all manner of barrels kilderkins firkins and other ves- 
 sels to be made or occupied for ale beer or sope to be put to 
 sale within the city of London and suburbs of the same, and 
 within two miles compass without the suburbs ; to view and 
 see that such barrels, ^c., as well within the liberties as with- 
 out, were made and marked well and sufficiently, and con- 
 tained their true contents rules and measures ; and to mark 
 those so viewed and gauged, and containing their true con- 
 tents, with the sign and token of St. Anthony's cross. 
 
( 36 ) 
 
 It also gave them power to seize and retain all defective 
 vessels, and cause them to be amended or burnt. 
 
 By a subsequent Act, 31 Elizabeth, cap. 8, for the true 
 gauging of vessels brought from beyond the seas, converted 
 by brewers for the utterance and sale of ale and beer, brewers 
 were prohibited from selling or putting to sale any beer or 
 ale in any such vessels within the limits before mentioned, 
 before the same should be lawfully gauged and marked by the 
 master and wardens of the Coopers Company, or their de- 
 puty or deputies. The amounts to be taken by them for such 
 gauging were settled, and powers given them to go to brewers' 
 houses, within those limits, when required to gauge and mark 
 their casks, ^c., under a penalty of 20^. for each default. 
 
 The powers and provisions of the Act of Henry VIII. hav- 
 ing been found insufficient, the Company applied to Parlia- 
 ment in the year 1763, for an Act giving them extended 
 powers. The Bill passed the House of Commons, and was 
 read a first time in the House of Lords, and ordered to be 
 printed ; but Parliament being prorogued on the 19th of April 
 in that year, the bill was lost, and the Company did not think 
 fit to renew their application. 
 
 In the latter part of the reign of king Charles II., whilst 
 the city’s liberties were seized under the judgment of the 
 Quo warranto, all the antient charters of the companies 
 were surrendered and new charters granted, which were set 
 aside upon the reversal of the Quo warranto, by the Act of 
 the 2d William and Mary, cap. 8, entitled '‘An Act for 
 reversing the judgment in a Quo warranto against the city of 
 London, and for restoring the city of London to its ancient 
 rights and privileges,” and this company have ever since been 
 acting under their charters of the l6th of Henry VH. and 
 13th of Charles H. before recited. 
 
 The following are the w'ords of the statute above referred 
 to : 
 
 Sec. 4. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that 
 all charters letters patents and grants for incorporating the 
 citizens and commonalty of the said city or any of them, and 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 all charters grants letters patents and commissions touching 
 or concerning any of their liberties or franchises, or the liber- 
 ties privileges franchises immunities lands tenements and 
 hereditaments rights titles or estates of the mayor and com- 
 monalty and citizens of the city of London, made or granted 
 to any person or persons whatsoever by the late king Charles 
 the Second, since the said judgment given, or by the late king 
 James the Second, be and are hereby declared and adjudged 
 null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever. 
 
 Sec. 14. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 that all and every of the several companies and corporations 
 of the said city shall from henceforth stand and be incor- 
 porated by such name and names, and in such sort and man- 
 ner, as they respectively were at the time of the said judgment 
 given ; and every of them are hereby restored to all and every 
 the lands tenements hereditaments rights titles estates liber- 
 ties powers privileges precedencies and immunities which 
 they lawfully had and enjoyed at the time of giving the said 
 judgment ; and that as well all surrenders as charters letters 
 patent and grants for new incorporating any of the said com- 
 panies, as touching or concerning any of their liberties pri- 
 vileges or franchises, made or granted by the said late king 
 James, or by the said king Charles the Second, since the giving 
 of the said judgment, shall be void, and are hereby declared 
 null and void to all intents and purposes whatsoever : Pro- 
 vided nevertheless, that no person or persons shall be in any 
 wise prosecuted sued impeached or molested for any cause or 
 thing by him or them lawfully acted or done in pursuance of 
 any such charters letters patent or grants. 
 
 It has not been ascertained when the Company was con- 
 stituted a livery ; but in 1502, immediately subsequent to 
 the charter of Henry VII., the number of its livery was 
 seventeen, and they ranked as the thirty-seventh out of fifty 
 livery companies then existing. The following document 
 shows the entire number of livery at that time in each of the 
 companies. 
 
( 38 ) 
 
 XII. 1502, 17 Hen. VII. Livery Companies. 
 
 Nomina Artium civitatis que habent Liberaturam ; 
 et quot sunt in numero cujuslibet Artis, tempore 
 Maioris Jobannis Sbaa, militis. 
 
 Mercers 
 
 Ixvj 
 
 Barbours 
 
 - 
 
 xxxviij 
 
 Grocers 
 
 Ixxxiiij 
 
 Gloverspures - 
 
 - 
 
 xxiij 
 
 Drapers 
 
 Ixxx 
 
 Peyntours 
 
 - 
 
 xviij 
 
 Fishmongers - 
 
 Ixxvj 
 
 Curriours 
 
 - 
 
 xvj 
 
 Goldsmytbes - 
 
 ij 
 
 Girdelers 
 
 - 
 
 xxj 
 
 Mercbunt Taillours 
 
 Ixxxiiij 
 
 Wex Cbundelers 
 
 - 
 
 xvij 
 
 Skynners 
 
 liiij 
 
 Tylers - 
 
 - 
 
 xxij 
 
 Iremongers - 
 
 XXV 
 
 Plomers 
 
 - 
 
 xij 
 
 Hab’dassbers - 
 
 xlj 
 
 Armorers 
 
 - 
 
 XX 
 
 Salters - - - 
 
 XXX 
 
 Founders 
 
 - 
 
 xxij 
 
 Vynters 
 
 xxvj 
 
 Inholders 
 
 - 
 
 xvj 
 
 Dyers • 
 
 xix 
 
 Coupers 
 
 - 
 
 xvij 
 
 Huresbatt Mercbunts 
 
 ; xl 
 
 Blaksmythes 
 
 - 
 
 xvj 
 
 Bruers 
 
 xlv 
 
 Joynours 
 
 - 
 
 xiiij 
 
 Bakers 
 
 xvj 
 
 Bladesmythes 
 
 - 
 
 xij 
 
 Sbermen 
 
 .,lj 
 
 Wyresellers - 
 
 - 
 
 xij 
 
 Fullers 
 
 xxxiiij 
 
 Wevers 
 
 - 
 
 xxx 
 
 Letbersellers - 
 
 xxxiij 
 
 Masons 
 
 - 
 
 xj 
 
 Bocbers 
 
 xxvj 
 
 Bowyers 
 
 - 
 
 x 
 
 Sadlers 
 
 xxxiij 
 
 Flechers 
 
 - 
 
 xj 
 
 Carpenters 
 
 XXX 
 
 Pulters 
 
 - 
 
 X 
 
 Talugbcbundelers - 
 
 xxxvj 
 
 Wolmen 
 
 - 
 
 viij 
 
 Cutlers 
 
 xxiiij 
 
 Steynours 
 
 - 
 
 vj 
 
 Peauterers 
 
 xxv 
 
 Sporiours 
 
 - 
 
 
 Cordwaners - 
 
 xxvj 
 
 Felmongers - 
 
 - 
 
 ij 
 
 Sma N crafts : 
 
 Summa totalis, M iiiiC Iviij. 
 
 Jor. X. 379 b. 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 GENERAL HISTORY. 
 
 Previous to the charter of Henry VII., the Company was 
 governed by two wardens ; and so far back as the 10th of 
 Henry V. John Fryth and Thomas Alfrend were sworn into 
 that office before the mayor and aldermen. A correct view of 
 the duties of the wardens will be found in the oath of office. 
 
 Ye shall sweare that ye shall well and truly oversee 
 the crafte of N., whereof ye be chosen wardens for the 
 yere, and all the good rules and ordynaunces of the same 
 crafte that beene approved heere by this courte, and 
 none other, ye shall keepe and doe to be kept. And all 
 the defaulte that ye shall fynde in the same crafte done, 
 to the chamberleyne of the citty of London for the tyme 
 being ye shall well and truly present, sparing noe man 
 for favoure, ne greeving no person for hate. Extortion ne 
 wrong vnder color of your office ye shall none doe, nei- 
 ther to any thing that shalbe against the state peace and 
 profitt of our soveraigne lord the king or of this citty 
 ye shall not consent ; but, for the tyme that ye shalbe in 
 office, in all things that shalbe belonging vnto the same 
 craft, after the lawes and franchises of this citty, well and 
 lawfully ye shall behave you. As God helpe you.” 
 
 The Company’s records commence 1439, 18 Henry VI., 
 and the following entries have been either abstracted or 
 translated from them. 
 
 1439. These are the names of the brethren of the frater- 
 nity of the art of Coopers, in the eighteenth year of the reign 
 of king Henry VI. after the conquest ; and at the same time 
 John Browne and William Dovninge were the wardens of the 
 art aforesaid. 
 
 John Browne 
 William Dovninge 
 John Golenge 
 John Longe 
 
 William Touris 
 Thomas Pope 
 William Fraunceys 
 Henry Langschote 
 
 William Canute 
 Thomas Alfrend 
 Ralph Roberd 
 Richard Wilkyn 
 
( 40 ) 
 
 John Trendeler 
 Roger Eston 
 Walter Taylour 
 Thomas Rolfe 
 Robert Feryn 
 John Hewet 
 Thomas Wellis 
 William Danfers 
 Thomas Dunnyng 
 John Dunstapull 
 
 John Beeche 
 Thomas Pleistowe 
 William Wright 
 John Waryn 
 John Norys 
 Robert Hynton 
 Richard Partrich 
 Reignold Martyn 
 John Scherman 
 
 Thomas Valle 
 Symond at the Welle 
 Richard Mosiche 
 Richard Spemon 
 William Bottirfeld 
 Thomas Grawnger 
 John Upstret 
 Simon Whithede 
 Thomas Halwicke. 
 
 In all forty, who severally paid quarterage. 
 And in the time of the said John Browne and William 
 
 Dovnyng, to wit in the year aforesaid, these following were 
 sworn to our constitutions, to wit Thomas Pleistowe, Richard 
 Pleistowe, and William Danfers, and each of them paid for 
 himself, for his entry, 3s. 4d. 
 
 Item, the same year William Boterfeldand Thomas Wellis 
 were delinquent against the tenor of the art of Coopers, and 
 especially because they disturbed the lawful council of the 
 art aforesaid, so that each of them made a fine, and Thomas 
 Wellis paid 3s. Ad., and William Boterfield for his part, 2s. 
 
 1440. The number of the brethren was forty-three. Re- 
 ginald Martyn was sworn to the constitutions, and paid for 
 his entry 35. Ad. And the same year John Trendeler, one of 
 the wardens, died, and gave to the support of the fraternity 
 founded in the church of St. Paul 205. sterling. 
 
 Forty-three members paid quarterage. 
 
 1441. J ohn Scott was received into the fraternity and paid 
 for his admission 35. 4c?. 
 
 The same year John Scherman, a member, died, and gave 
 to the support of the fraternity one gown striped with silver ; 
 and John Dunstapull was fined 6c?. for not coming to Scher- 
 man’s dirige. 
 
 The same year John Merlyn was sworn to the constitutions, 
 and paid for his entry 3s. Ad. ; and he made fine to the Com- 
 pany for his entry by redemption, for which he paid 205. 
 
 Forty members paid quarterage. 
 
 1442. Forty-six members paid quarterage. 
 
( 41 ) 
 
 1443. A member fined Sd. and 20c?. for defective casks ; 
 and another IO5. for certain defaults, and particularly for vili- 
 fying his wardens, against the form and tenor of the city. 
 
 In the same year, an award was made by four members 
 against five others, who were brought before the mayor of 
 London for certain defaults, and particularly for fighting 
 violently in the presence of their wardens, for which they 
 had been respectively fined; and three of them being rebel- 
 lious, the wardens prosecuted them before the mayor, who 
 adjudged them to prison unless they paid their fines, and so 
 they paid them. 
 
 Other members were also fined for defects in workman- 
 ship ; one of whom, because he would not come to St. Paul's 
 church at the instance and command of his masters, was ad- 
 judged at three pounds of wax, for which he paid 12c?. 
 
 Thomas Plaistowe, for marking nine foreign kilderkins 
 with his iron mark, against the form and statutes of the city 
 of London, paid to the chamberlain 6s, Sd., of which the 
 Company had towards the sustentation of their art 35. 4d. 
 
 Richard Wrenne, for certain defaults, and particularly for 
 abusing his wardens and calling them extortioners, was fined 
 65. Sd., and ordered to go on his knees upon the ground and 
 humbly beg remission of his wardens and all his brethren. 
 
 Fifty-one members paid quarterage. 
 
 1444. Several members were amerced for defective work- 
 manship ; one for fraudulently receiving an apprentice ; and 
 another for defective marking. 
 
 Fifty-one members paid quarterage. 
 
 1445. John Longe son of John Longe, and Henry Longe 
 son of John Longe, admitted into the fraternity, and each 
 paid for the same 35. 4c?. 
 
 Two members, for occupying foreigners against the form of 
 the art, paid, by judgment of the chamberlain, 6s. Sd. each, 
 of which the Company had 35. Ad. each. 
 
 Thomas Alfrend, a member, died, and gave 135. 4c?. to the 
 use of the art. 
 
 Forty-eight members paid quarterage. 
 
( 42 ) 
 
 1446. Thomas Sawnder, a brewer, paid the chamberlain 
 for defect 65. 8d., of which the Company had ‘Ss. 4d. 
 
 Forty-nine members paid quarterage. 
 
 1448. Richard Samborne admitted into the fraternity by 
 redemption, paying 26^. Sd. 
 
 This year forty-nine members paid quarterage. 
 
 1451. An entry is made of one chest with two keys, being 
 delivered to the new wardens. 
 
 Forty-five members paid quarterage. 
 
 1452. Forty-six members paid quarterage. 
 
 1453. Forty-seven members paid quarterage. 
 
 1454. Forty nine members paid quarterage. 
 
 John Golonge, a member, died, and left towards the use of 
 the Company 65. 8d. 
 
 1455. Fifty members paid quarterage. 
 
 The wardens delivered over to their successors one chest 
 with two keys, one box with a key, a harness girdle, and a 
 board cloth, with gold and silver amounting to 16/. 135. 4d. 
 
 1456. Forty-seven members paid quarterage. 
 
 Hewet Robert, for trespasses against his wardens, awarded 
 to kneel meekly upon his one knee and ask remission of the 
 wardens of all trespasses against them, and to pay three 
 pounds of wax and a capon of the price of eightpence, be- 
 seeching the said wardens of their good masterships and 
 friendship. 
 
 "This ys the award made by John Broune, Thomas Pope, 
 and Robert Ferryn, arbitratorz indifferently chosen, be twene 
 John Noreys and Richard Hardegode, wardeyns of the crafte 
 of Cowpers of London, and William Swyft, Cowper, in the 
 fest of Seynt George the Martier, in the xxxv^h yere of kyng 
 Herry the vjte. 
 
 "Fyrst, we awarde that for the grete obstynacye and dys- 
 hobedyence of the seyde William agayns his seyde wardeyns, 
 that the seyde William shall lowly aske for yevenes of his 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 seid wardeynes of all suche forfetez as he hath done theym : 
 and beseche theym of theyre gode maystyrshippez : and also 
 aske forgevenes of all the bretheryn of the seyd craft that he 
 hath offended vnto. And that he shall on his one kne, but 
 yif the wardeyns wyll yeve hym grace. 
 
 And also, we awarde that he shall for soche offencez by 
 hym byfore doh, pay to the brotherhed of the same craft the 
 valough of ijli wex, to the sustentacion of the lyght by fore 
 oure lady of the Newerk at Powles : and that to be paide 
 forthwith in redy money in hand. Also, we awarde that the , 
 same William shall, be twene this and Whitsonday next, 
 brynge yn all maner of money by hym beyng be hynde dew 
 vnpayde vnto the seyde wardeyns, as well for quarterage 
 to the bretherhode as for entryng, or for any othir thyng, 
 whatso evir hit be. Also, we awarde that the seyde William 
 henzforthwarde shall not enprocour no mannez customer of 
 the same craft for to serve hym, and for to take hit owte in 
 ale, of lesse that he know verely that the man that hath servyd 
 hym be fore be full contendid and agreid, and this vpon payne 
 of xls, to be paide as ofte as he so doth or forfetez or brekys 
 ony of the articulez conteyned in this oure awarde. The ton 
 half therof to be payde into the chambre of London, and the 
 tothir half to the seid bretherhode of Cowpers. In wyttenes 
 of which, we the seyde John Browne, Thomas Pope, Robert 
 Ferryn, arbitratorz, have sette vnto oure sealys : and that the 
 seyde William shall paye iiijd for the awarde wrytyng." 
 
 1457. Fifty-one members paid quarterage. 
 
 “ This ys the awarde made by Rychard Partrich and John 
 Englyssh, arbitratorz indifferently chosen, by twene the fe- 
 loughship wardeyns and the hole feloughship on the oh partie, 
 and Richard Barton, Cowper, on the tothir partie, the Sonday 
 next by fore Seynt Thomas day the Appostill by fore Criste- 
 masse, the yere of kyng Henry the Sext xxxvjto. 
 
 Fyrst, we awarde for dyuers causes and offencez done by 
 the seid Richard Barton, Cowper, shall pay or do pay on to 
 the wardeyns for that tyme beyng for his entres iijs iiijd. Item, 
 for his quarterage, as the cause will requere. Item, that he 
 shall pay vnto the felouship for his offencez done ijs. Item, 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 zifF eny cleyme or tytill be hadde by eny meane for eny cause 
 be fore this tyme, and in especiall for sealyng of Spaynards 
 durre, that than hit shall stonde and abyde on to the pro- 
 pre costes of the seid Richard Barton, for as moche that the 
 seid Richard knowlechid and openly seid in Thomas Poopes 
 hows that the seale was takyn of by hym all redy. In witnes 
 of the which awarde we the seyd wardeyns put vnto oure 
 seales, and for more credence wytnessen John Broh, Thomas 
 Pope, Walter Taylor, William Baker, John Hayward, John 
 Plomer, Herry Longe, and many othir, ^c. And he pay the 
 clerk ijd.’* 
 
 1458. Fifty members paid quarterage. 
 
 Christopher Lute, for making a mashfat defective, and 
 removing it away against the commandment of the wardens, 
 fined 35. Ad. to the use of the craft. 
 
 William Anncell, because he was obstinate to the wardens 
 and his craft, was adjudged by the chamberlain to pay a fine 
 of 45., whereof 25. to the city and 25. to the craft. 
 
 1459. Fifty-five members paid quarterage. 
 
 John Long sen., and John Hayward, two members, died 
 this year, each of whom gave to the support of the fraternity 
 
 05. Sd. 
 
 1460. Fifty-five members paid quarterage, of whom the 
 widow of John Long, sen., and the widow of Simon Whit- 
 hede were two. 
 
 1464. Henry Long and Thomas Rolfe died this year, to- 
 wards each of whose interments the wardens paid 2s. M. 
 
 A general scrutiny was made this year by the wardens, 
 between the Coopers and Fishmongers ; when sixty barrels, 
 kilderkins, and firkins for herrings were burnt in the presence 
 of the mayor, at the Standard in Cheap. 
 
 1473. Up to this time the fine for entrance into the fel- 
 lowship appears to have been 35. Ad . ; but in this year two 
 members paid 135. Ad. each, and five, 35. Ad. each. 
 
( 45 ) 
 
 1491. The first entry of apprentices appears this year, 
 twelve in number, paying Is. 8d. each. 
 
 Also the first entry of foremen and journeymen. 
 
 1495. The first entry in the Company's books of a mark. 
 
 1501. The Company this year obtained their charter of 
 incorporation, which is dated 16 Henry VII., A.D, 1501. 
 
 1 502. The entry of the account of this year is thus headed : 
 Thes be the namys off the brethern off the fraternyte 
 
 off the crafft off Cowpers off the sety off London, the xvij^h 
 yerre off the reyn off kyng Harre the vij^h, then beyng meyer 
 off London Sir John Shawe, knyght. Sir Larans Aylmer and 
 Harre Hed, sheryffs ; Hew Crompe, master off the seyd craft, 
 Wylliam Barne and Thomas Blake, wardens, et A.D. 1502." 
 
 1509. The Coopers, in consequence of the following pre- 
 cept from the lord mayor, attended in their rank and station 
 as one of the livery companies at the procession of the funeral 
 of Henry VII., from Richmond, through the city, to West- 
 minster abbey, where he was buried ; and supplied their pro- 
 portion of the number of torches burnt, and of poor men, 
 cloathed in white gowns and white hoods, to bear the same. 
 
 Upon this occasion, ten of the principal city companies 
 were required, in addition to their quota of poor men, to pre- 
 pare a certain number of their fellowship to attend, cloathed 
 in black gowns and tippets, on horseback. The numbers of 
 each varied from one to twelve ; the Coopers proportion was 
 two. 
 
 ** By the Mayor. 
 
 To the fellowship of 
 
 We charge and command you that ye prepare of your 
 
 fellowship persons honestly clothed in black gowns 
 
 to the calf of the leg, with narrow tippets, on horseback, 
 against the receiving of the corpse of the right noble and 
 excellent prince king Henry VI L, late king of England, 
 
 into this city ; and in like manner ye prepare poor 
 
 men to be cloathed in white gowns and hoods, with 
 
torches, and every of them to have a pair of beads in his 
 hand, to stand and garnish in such places as by the sur- 
 veyors therefore assigned shall be appointed, upon Mon- 
 day and Tuesday next coming, by nine of the clock in 
 the morning. Given at the Guildhall, the first day of 
 May in the first year of the reign of king Henry VIII." 
 This ceremony is considered sufficiently interesting to be 
 inserted at full length. 
 
 The manner and the order, made by the Lords, of going from 
 Richmond to Westminster with the king’s corpse. 
 
 The procession upon the right hand, the horsemen upon 
 the left hand, the long torches to go betwixt them both, single. 
 
 First, the King’s Messengers to ride foremost with their boxes 
 
 Next unto them, the Trumpets 
 
 Next unto them, the still Minstrels 
 
 Next unto them, the Lukeners 
 
 Next unto them, the Florentines 
 
 Next unto them, the Januais 
 
 The Venetians 
 
 The Portuguese 
 
 The Spaniards 
 
 The Frenchmen 
 
 The Esterlings 
 
 The Gentlemen Ushers 
 
 The King’s Chaplains having no dignity 
 
 The Esquires for the Body 
 
 The King’s Standard, home by a noble knight mourner, upon a 
 courser trapped, with two heralds of arms before him 
 The Knights 
 
 The Aldermen of London 
 The great Chaplains of dignity 
 The Knights of the Garter being no lords 
 The two Chief Judges and Master of the Rolls 
 Then all the Lords in order, after their estate. 
 
 Behind the procession 
 
 The Chancellor of England 
 The Treasurer of England 
 The Constable 
 The Marshal 
 
 The great Chamberlain of England 
 The Admiral of England 
 The King’s Chamberlain 
 The Steward of the Household 
 The Treasurer of the Household 
 The Comptroller of the Household. 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 Next after the corpse, nine honourable Lords mourners. 
 Next after them, nine Henxmen upon nine coursers. 
 
 Next after them, the Master of the Horses, leading the 
 Horse of Estate trapped with the arms of England and France, 
 which shall be offered. 
 
 Next after him, certain Esquires for the Body, men of 
 honour and gentlemen ushers, to see the good order of them 
 that shall follow. 
 
 Next after them, the worshipful and honest persons of the 
 city, not being aldermen, in black. 
 
 Next unto them, all gentlemen and servants belonging to 
 lords, knights, esquires, and servants of them. 
 
 Item, that all the cross streets by the way whereas the 
 corpse shall pass, from London Bridge up to Gracechurch 
 Street, so into Cornhill and Cheapside, as shall be thought 
 needful, to be bailled or railed substantially, and certain per- 
 sons appointed to keep the same. 
 
 The manner and order taken and determined by the Mayor 
 and Aldermen of London for receiving the corpse of the 
 most noble and excellent prince king Henry VII., which 
 deceased at Richmond the 21st day of April, into the liber- 
 ty of the said city, the 9th day of May, and so to be con- 
 veyed through the city to Westminster. 
 
 First, it is ordered that the mayor and aldermen with one 
 hundred and four persons, all in black cloathing, of the wor- 
 shipful commoners of the city, and all on horseback, shall 
 meet with the said corpse at St. George’s Bar, of the com- 
 panies following : 
 
 Merchant Tailors 
 
 - 
 
 12 
 
 Mercers - 
 
 - 
 
 12 
 
 Grocers 
 
 - 
 
 12 
 
 Drapers 
 
 - 
 
 12 
 
 Fishmongers 
 
 - 
 
 12 
 
 Goldsmiths 
 
 - 
 
 12 
 
 Skinners 
 
 . 
 
 8 
 
 Merchant Haberdashers 
 
 - 12 
 
 Ironmongers 
 
 - 
 
 6 
 
 Salters 
 
 - 
 
 6 
 
 Total 
 
 
 
 
( 48 ) 
 
 The residue of the aforesaid fellowships, with all other com- 
 panies of livery, shall stand in places ordered, as hereafter 
 shall follow, with their torches appointed, beginning at St. 
 Magnus church, and so forth unto Paul’s in this manner wise. 
 
 It is agreed that every company shall stand in like manner 
 as they used to go in procession, the lowest craft to begin 
 at the said church of St. Magnus, and to be set in order in 
 this manner upward until they come to the corner of Grace- 
 church street, which is ordered for strangers. 
 
 At St. Magnus corner to begin in this manner : 
 
 Plaisterers 
 
 Tylers 
 
 Spurriers 
 
 Wax Chandlers 
 
 W oolmen 
 
 Girdlers 
 
 Pulters 
 
 Curriers 
 
 Fletchers 
 
 Painters 
 
 Bowyers 
 
 Barbers 
 
 Masons 
 
 Cordwainers 
 
 Weavers 
 
 Pewterers 
 
 Wire Sellers 
 
 Cutlers 
 
 Bladesmiths 
 
 Tallow Chandlers 
 
 Joiners 
 
 Carpenters 
 
 Blacksmiths 
 
 Saddlers 
 
 Coopers 
 
 Butchers 
 
 Innholders 
 
 Leathersellers 
 
 F ounders 
 
 Fullers 
 
 Armourers 
 
 Sheremen 
 
 Plumbers 
 
 Bakers 
 
 Brewers 
 
 Dyers 
 
 Stockfishmongers 
 
 Vintners 
 
 Salters 
 
 Haberdashers 
 
 Ironmongers 
 
 Skinners 
 
 Goldsmiths 
 
 Fishmongers 
 
 Drapers 
 
 Grocers 
 
 Mercers 
 
 Merchant Taylors. 
 
 And to the crafts afore rehersed shall be appointed three 
 hundred new torches and three hundred poor men to bear 
 them ; every of the same torch-bearers to be cloathed in white 
 gowns and white hoods ; beside all the torches of the inha- 
 bitants and churches. 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 Also strangers been appointed amongst themselves to give 
 attendance at the king’s burial. 
 
 Esterlings on 1 ^ ^ , 
 
 horseback J many torches. 
 
 Frenchmen 4, 10, and so many torches. 
 
 Spaniards 6, 10, and 10 torches. 
 
 Venetians 8, 10, 10 
 
 Janues 8, 10, and so many torches. 
 
 Florentynes 6, 10, and 10 torches. 
 
 Lukeners 2, 6, and 6 torches. 
 
 Also, it is agreed that Gracechurch street, from Lombard 
 street end upward to Leadenhall, shall be garnished with 
 strangers, as far as their number shall conveniently supply, 
 and from thenceforth through Cornhill to Paul’s ward, the 
 lowest crafts unbestowed there to begin, and so always or- 
 dered that the most w^orshipful crafts shall stand next unto 
 Paul’s. And that the bridgemasters with the bailiff of South- 
 wark shall see these companies thus to be ordered as is afore 
 expressed, by the authority of the mayor and his brethren ; the 
 under chamberlain with twelve serjeants and twelve yeomen 
 of the sheriffs to go with them to help to order the fellowships 
 aforesaid. 
 
 And upon the morrow after, in like manner to be ordered 
 from Paul’s to Temple Bar, the lowest crafts to begin at 
 Paul’s and the most worshipful crafts to be next to Temple 
 Bar ; by like officers and like overseers as is afore rehersed. 
 
 And upon the next day then following, the mayor and al- 
 dermen, with all such persons as afore been appointed to ride 
 in black, shall go by water in barges to Westminster, there to 
 be present at mass and offering. 
 
 The mayor with his mace in his hand offered next after the 
 lord chamberlain ; the aldermen, barons, and presenting ba- 
 rons estate which hath been mayors offered next to the knights 
 of the Garter and before all knights for the body ; next after 
 the knights, all the aldermen that have not been mayors. 
 
 1516, January 31. The court of Aldermen passed an ordi- 
 nance for the regulation of the crafts and misteries of the 
 city in all processions, goings, standings, and ridings on the 
 
 E 
 
1 
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 public business and causes of the city, in which tlie Coopers 
 had their station assigned ; and a space of six yards was al- 
 lotted to them for their standing in Cheapside at the coro- 
 nation of Henry VIII. 
 
 1528, August 18. By an entry in the Company's books 
 it appears that several members gave up to the Company all 
 the monies that were due to them ; and on the same day the 
 craft was out of debt with every man of the occupation. 
 
 1531. The mayor’s feasts were in former times attended 
 by the wardens and a given number of each mistery, who had 
 messes allotted them according to their number. In the year 
 1531 sixty companies had places provided for them at the 
 feast at Guildhall. The Coopers were then represented by 
 four members (one mess being provided for them), for each 
 of whom the Company paid '26s. 8d. 
 
 In the mayoralty of Sir Ralph Dodmer, Mercer, the court 
 was hung with rich cloth of Arras and divers other cloths ; the 
 place where the Mayor's court was kept boarded, and a table 
 provided, at which the lords and peers of the realm hereafter 
 named dined ; and at two other side-tables, between the Or- 
 phans’ court and the Mayor’s court, knights, baronets, and 
 ' other gentlemen dined. The noblemen present were 
 
 Sir Thomas More, knt., Lorde Chanceler of Englande. 
 
 Sir Thomas Howarde, knt., Duke of Norfolk andTresourer 
 of Englonde. 
 
 Sir Charles Brandon, knt., Duke of Suffolk, Marshall of 
 Englonde. 
 
 Sir Thomas Grey, knt.. Marques Dorset. 
 
 Sir Henry Courteney, knt.. Marques of Excester. 
 
 Sir John Veer, knt., Erie of Oxenford, and High Cham- 
 berlen of Englonde. 
 
 Sir George Talbott, knt., Erie of Shrewisbury and Lord 
 Steward of Englond. 
 
 Sir Henry Somersett, knt., Lorde Herbert and Erie of 
 Worcester. 
 
 Sir Thomas Manors, knt., Lorde Roos and Erie of Rut- 
 lande. 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 Cutberd Dunstall, Busshopp of London and Lorde Privie 
 Seale. 
 
 Sir Robert RadclyfF, knt., Vicount Fitzwater. 
 
 Sir Thomas Bullayn, knt., Vicount Rocheforde. 
 
 Sir George Nevell, knt., Lorde Burgenny. 
 
 - Sir William Dacres, knt., Lorde Dacres of the Northe. 
 
 Sir John Towchett, knt., Lorde Awdeley. 
 
 Sir Willie Blount, knt., Lorde Mount Joy and theQuene's 
 Chamberleyn. 
 
 Sir Thomas West, knt., Lorde Lawar. 
 
 Sir William Sandes, knt., Lorde Sandes and the King’s 
 Chamberleyn. 
 
 Sir Thomas Berkeley, knt., Lorde Berkeley. 
 
 Sir Edwarde Grey, knt., Lorde Powes.” 
 
 1537, Jan. 21. The Company passed the following order 
 respecting apprentices : Be it enacted. That no manner of 
 person of the occupation of Coopers, being enfranchised in 
 the city of London, from henceforth shall take or have any 
 more apprentices (being a householder and out of the cloath- 
 ing) than one lad, during his years of apprenticeship. And 
 that no manner of man, being in the livery or cloathing of the 
 same occupation, and he never was upper warden, to have but 
 only two apprentices during the years of the same apprentices, 
 except he die or run away. And also, that every person be- 
 ing of the said occupation, and hath been upper warden and 
 master, shall have no more apprentices but three at once, 
 during the years of the same apprentices. And that every man 
 of the same occupation doing contrary, or offending in this 
 statute and ordinance, shall forfeit at every time, and pay to 
 the use of the said occupation, to the common bo^i, bl., or 
 more or less, as it shall be urged by the master and wardens 
 and their assistants for the time being.” 
 
 The above was fully agreed and determined by the assent 
 of the master and wardens, and by the agreement and full 
 consent of all the whole Company in the livery or cloathing 
 of the said occupation of Coopers, at a general court then 
 holden, eighteen members being present. 
 
( 52 ) 
 
 In 1540 the following regulation was adopted at a court 
 holden by the master and wardens, being condescended and 
 fully agreed by the whole Company there present. That for 
 evermore there shall be allowed to the upper warden, for the 
 dinner by him made for the Company of the cloathing that 
 doth wait upon the lord mayor to Westminster, or to any 
 other place assigned where he shall take his oath, the sum of 
 285 . Q>d, sterling, nother penny more nor less for ever. 
 
 1547. An order was made that every young man, after his 
 ability, should either bring in or give to the craft, beyond cus- 
 tomary charges, a noble, or a silver spoon of the price of 
 65. This was carried out for many years on all occasions 
 of presenting or binding apprentices, and admissions to the 
 freedom. The Company in consequence became possessed 
 of a considerable number and variety of spoons, which were 
 sold and disposed of from time to time to meet their exigen- 
 cies, not one now remaining with them. 
 
 The following, amongst a variety of others, is adduced as 
 an instance in illustration of the foregoing statement : 
 
 1589. Received for twenty-seven gilt spoons, weighing 
 50J oz., at 55. Ad, the ounce, which spoons were sold by con- 
 sent of court, 13/. 95. ; more for nine white silver spoons, 
 weighing 10| oz., at 45. 8c?. per ounce, 21. II 5 .; and paid 
 to the goldsmith for weighing the spoons 6c?. 
 
 1596, June 22. The accounts of the master and wardens 
 being delivered to certain persons for audit, under an order 
 of court of this day, the auditors found divers defects in them ; 
 whereupon the master and wardens, calling to them fourteen 
 of the antients of the Company according to an order, for 
 goods misspent in the time of the upper warden’s office, fined 
 him, of favour, 5/. 
 
 1603, Feb. 21. The court passed the following order : 
 
 “ Forasmuch as notice hath been already given by precept 
 directed to the master and wardens of this Companye, from 
 the right honourable the lord mayor of this cittye, that the 
 
( 53 ) 
 
 King’s most excellent majesty doth purpose to ryde from the 
 Tower of London through this cittye in state, which he for- 
 bare at His Majesty’s coronation, in respect of God’s visita- 
 tion then in this cittye ; and therefore the several companies 
 of this cittye, in places in the streets appointed, are to sett up 
 the rails or standings belonging unto them, together with 
 their banners and other ornaments, within which rails them- 
 selves are to stand, against His Majesty’s ryding by, for the 
 better creditt of this cittye : It is therefore this day ordered 
 and agreed, that a newe banner with the King’s Majesty’s 
 armes shall be forthwith newe made for this Company (against 
 His Majesty’s ryding through this cittye as aforesaid) at the 
 charges of this Company. Whereupon George Knight, painter 
 steyner in Fenchurch street, being called into this court, hath 
 undertaken, for the sum of Al. 135. Ad., to make the same 
 well and workmanlye, that no man can mend it, and to painte 
 the staff belonging to it and all other stafFes belonging to 
 the banners of this Company. And further, for the sum of 
 55. more to fringe the same. All which shall be readye and 
 workmanlye performed and delivered unto this Company, soe 
 finished, at the least one week before anye occasion to use 
 the same.” 
 
 1609--1612. The several companies being assessed for the 
 establishment of the Plantation in Ireland (Irish Society), 
 the Coopers took measures for raising their portion from 
 and amongst their members ; and in 1609 received 60/. 55. 
 from them, and paid to the chamberlain 50/. for their first 
 and second quota or instalment ; and in the following year 
 they collected from their members 24/. 55., and paid 90/. 
 towards the plantation ; but in the year 1612, feeling them- 
 selves unable to continue the further advances then required, 
 they certified the same to the court of Aldermen, and also 
 that they were willing to lose all such monies as they had 
 formerly contributed, and to pass over their right to such as 
 would undertake the payment for them and free them of all 
 future payments for the said plantation. The court of Aider- 
 men upon this agreed that the chamberlain should disburse 
 the assessments on the Coopers, and also the Brownbakers 
 
( 54 ) 
 
 Company, and tlie city receive all the benefit and profit then 
 due and thereafter growing due to those companies from the 
 plantation. Under this arrangement the city receives the 
 Coopers Company’s proportion, through the Ironmongers 
 Company, with whom they were associated. 
 
 1632, January 29. The Company being assessed at 7/. 
 towards the payment of 1000/. to the king for the murder of 
 Dr. Lambe in the city, and no man attached for the same, 
 that being their rateable portion, the younger warden, for his 
 love to the Company, and for easing the members from any 
 assessment for the same, agreed to pay the said 11 ., so that 
 he be no more chosen younger warden. 
 
 1636, June 16. Twenty shillings given for setting up the 
 Company’s arms in the glass window of the parish church of 
 St. Alban, Wood street. 
 
 1638, May 24. Given to William Clutton, a captive, 40^. 
 
 November 12. Received of Thomas Bretton, for a fine 
 
 for several gross abuses against the whole court of the Com- 
 pany in very reproachful words ; as also for an affront offered 
 to us before Sir Richard Fenn, knt., lord mayor of London, 
 in this hall, only, in favour, 50^. 
 
 1639, March 12. Richard Mills, under warden, being 
 negligent and remiss in attendance in the execution of his 
 office, fined 20/. 
 
 1643, August 22. The Company’s plate, w^orth between 
 150/. and 200/., ordered to be sold towards defraying the 
 Company’s proportion of 350/., part of 50,000/. to be raised 
 by the companies. 
 
 1649, January 24. Twenty dozen of spoons, weighing 
 349^ oz., ordered to be sold towards the expense of enlarg- 
 ing the court parlour ; there then remained four dozen and 
 four spoons in the warden’s custody, besides the spoons re- 
 ceived that year. 
 
( 55 ) 
 
 1652, May 6. On numbering the spoons received in the 
 time of the master that year, they were found to be twenty- 
 three, which were delivered to the warden, together with a 
 beer barrel. 
 
 1653, June 9. The order of 1649 for enlarging the court 
 parlour being read, a committee was appointed, with power 
 to carry the same into effect at the costs of the Company. 
 
 The monthly courts were appointed to be held on the first 
 Tuesday instead of the first Thursday. 
 
 June 23. The parlour of the hall contracted for, to be en- 
 larged. 
 
 October 4. The arms of the Company, and of several mem- 
 bers, to be artificially drawn and coloured in glass, and put 
 up in the windows of the court parlour. 
 
 1 654, October 10. It was agreed that consideration should 
 be had as to altering the election day from the Sabbath, as 
 formerly, to some other day. 
 
 1656, May 18. Election day : two parties being elected 
 wardens, and declining to serve but agreeing to fine, two 
 others were immediately chosen in their stead. 
 
 1657, January 12. One third of the livery yearly to at- 
 tend the master and wardens on lord mayor’s day. 
 
 1658, April 20. Consideration being had for the alteration 
 of election day from the Sabbath to the following Monday, 
 and the manner of observance of the same, it was ordered 
 that the choice be made in the hall about nine o’clock, at 
 which time all the livery are to be summoned ; and after such 
 choice the livery should go from thence, in their gowns and 
 hoods, to the parish church, to hear a sermon, and return 
 again to the hall, where a dinner (not in the way of a feast) 
 is to be provided, the same to be in lieu of the potation or 
 drinking with cakes, formerly used ; and the master and war- 
 dens then chosen should each pay 405. towards the charges 
 of the dinner, and be excused from giving entertainments to 
 
( 56 ) 
 
 the livery at their own houses, on their return from the hall, 
 as formerly. 
 
 1659, October 13. The livery fine was fixed at 15/. 
 
 1660, July 17. The Brasil staff was ordered to be fitted 
 with a silver top and the Company’s arms, and a cloth gown 
 to be provided for the beadle, to be worn and carried by 
 him at such times as the livery appear at public meetings ; 
 and each liveryman to pay 2s. 6c/. towards the charges of the 
 same. 
 
 January 17. A committee was appointed for enlarging 
 the charter and ordinances of the Company, and to report to 
 a general court of the livery. 
 
 1661 , April 1 1 . The committee reported on the foregoing 
 reference ; and a petition to His Majesty for renewing the 
 charter was read and approved. 
 
 1662, June 3. The new charter was brought into court by 
 the clerk, and twelve assistants named therein were sworn 
 into office. 
 
 1663, October 6. The names of the members who sub- 
 scribed towards the charges of the Company’s barge, with the 
 amount from each, were ordered to be entered. 154/. 10s. 
 was the total sum received. 
 
 February 9. An abstract of the Company’s ordinances 
 was ordered to be put up in the hall, that the commonalty 
 might have knowledge of the same. 
 
 In 1664, an ordinance was made that the seals for sealing 
 of casks should only remain in the custody of the wardens or 
 their deputies. 
 
 On a precept from the lord mayor, for voluntary subscrip- 
 tions towards building a ship or frigate for His Majesty’s 
 service, the master, wardens, and assistants subscribed, and 
 ordered the livery and other members to be specially sum- 
 moned to appear for that purpose ; in consequence of which. 
 
( 57 ) 
 
 most of the livery attended at a court with their subscriptions, 
 but the commonalty, not attending, were ordered to be sum- 
 moned again, when several attended and subscribed. 
 
 Forty-eight liverymen were present at the election of mas- 
 ter and w'ardens this year. 
 
 November 17. Upon occasion of a special court of assis- 
 tants to consult for raising and paying to the chamberlain of 
 London this Company's proportion of 1000/. towards a loan 
 of 100,000/. unto His Majesty, upon a letter sent from the 
 right honourable the lord mayor, it was resolved that the 
 Company shall and will provide, and have in readiness in 
 some short time, the sum of 600/., to be carried into the 
 Chamber of London as the whole of their portion which they 
 can well raise. And in order thereto, it was voted and ordered 
 that 200/. thereof be had out of the stock of this Company, 
 and by the sale of several dozens of spoons and five silver 
 wine-cups. And the remainder of the said 600/. be borrowed 
 of such of the assistants and others that will lend the same 
 upon security thereof, with interest to be given them respec- 
 tively under the corporation seal. Whereupon there was sold 
 251 spoons and four wine-cups, weighing 316 ounces and 18 
 pennyweights, at 5s. 2^d. per ounce, for 97/. 15s. 2d. ; and 
 eight dozen and seven spoons and one wine-cup, which ac- 
 cording to the weight thereof amounted to 44/. 19s. Id. And 
 warden Driver received for all the said spoons, being twenty- 
 nine dozen spoons (two dozen whereof were silver gilt), and 
 for the said five wine cups, 142/. 14s. 3d., to which sum he 
 is to add so much money belonging to the Company as to 
 make up the full sum of 200/., as is above ordered. 
 
 November 24. Eight of the court, and the clerk, lent 50/. 
 each to the Company towards the same. 
 
 Tuesday the 4th September, 1666, was appointed to be a 
 monthly court ; but, in respect of the dreadful devouring fire 
 in the city, and near unto the hall, the same was deferred ; 
 and the two wardens took care for removing and preserving 
 the writings, plate, linen, pewter, and what other goods could 
 be saved in that time of amazement and distraction, the clerk 
 assisting in collecting and conveying away the register-books 
 
( 58 ) 
 
 and other writings and papers belonging to the Company. 
 The expense attendant upon their removal amounted to 
 5/. I9s. 2d. 
 
 Tuesday, September 11, 1666. At a court held at the 
 Queen’s Head, Bishopsgate street. Inasmuch as the late sad 
 and wasting fire in London hath consumed (amongst multi- 
 tudes of other fair houses) the common hall of this Com- 
 pany, it is unanimously voted and ordered by the persons now 
 present, that the writings, plate, books, linen, and other goods 
 which were lately removed thence and preserved from the 
 flames be speedily conveyed unto and kept in the house and 
 custody of Mr. Morris, the upper warden, till further order. 
 
 October. In consequence of the loss the Company had 
 sustained in their London rents for their houses, burnt at the 
 Fire, the quarterly payments to the London pensioners were 
 suspended ; and the Company’s plate, except special gifts, 
 ordered to be sold towards the discharge of their debt. It 
 produced 195/. I Os. 
 
 November 6. The court ordered the ground where the late 
 hall stood to be cleared, in order to its rebuilding. 
 
 The Company’s meetings were held at Bricklayers’ hall. 
 
 The Company this year paid 70/. for their proportion to- 
 wards the expense of building the ship “ London.” 
 
 On the 5th March, 1666, the court resolved to forbear 
 subscriptions from the members of the Company, towards 
 their necessary charges, till subscriptions were taken from 
 them for rebuilding the common hall. 
 
 1667, July 4. An order was passed that the plate and 
 writings, ^c., be continued in the custody of Mr. Morris, then 
 master, till the new wardens demand the same. 
 
 167L June 6. An order was passed for fining every livery- 
 man not attending an election day 25. 6d., unless absent by 
 leave or showing a reasonable excuse. 
 
 July 1 1. A member was removed from being an assistant, 
 in respect of his continual residence in the country, and his 
 unserviceablcness to the Company. 
 
( 59 ) 
 
 October 11. An order was passed for all the livery to 
 meet at the hall on lord mayor's day, by seven o'clock in the 
 morning, when eight trumpeters were to be provided, the 
 court resolving to have no other music ; and the erecting of 
 standings in the streets, with banners and ornaments, was 
 ordered to be forborne, the Company only attending (in the 
 memory of man) in their barge on the water on that day. 
 
 December 19. An order was passed for discontinuing the 
 sermon under Mr. Cloker's will till St. Michael’s church 
 was rebuilt ; but the other requirements under the will were 
 directed to be performed. 
 
 1672, April 2. It was agreed that the hall should be 
 used as a meeting-place on Sundays for public worship, ac- 
 cording to the king’s proclamation, on condition it was not 
 let for less than 40/. ‘per annum. 
 
 April 12. An order was passed, that on letting or using 
 the hall for the entertainment of persons at weddings, fune- 
 rals, or such like assemblies, 40^. should be reserved for the 
 use of the Company’s poor, beside what the clerk and beadle 
 might receive, except where it immediately concerned any 
 of the livery. 
 
 August 6. The kitchen chimney ordered to be mended, 
 and the cellar under the little parlour paved. 
 
 September 3. The New-River water ordered to be taken 
 in for the use of the house, and 4/. assessed upon a member 
 refusing to subscribe towards the new building. 
 
 September 10. A vote was passed for suspending the 
 calling of any person to be upon the livery this year. 
 
 October 8. An order was passed for the Company’s own 
 barge only to be used on lord mayor’s day ; and that such of 
 the livery as could not be received on board were to be enter- 
 tained at a victualling-house on Three-Cranes wharf, till the 
 return of the barge from Westminster, and then to follow in 
 order with the rest to Coopers Hall. 
 
 The following is the order for disposing of 160 dozen of 
 cakes and 18 gallons of wine provided for the occasion; viz., 
 90 dozen cakes and 10 gallons of wine on hoard the barge; 
 60 dozen cakes and 8 gallons of wine at the victualling-house. 
 
( 60 ) 
 
 and the remaining 10 dozen of cakes sent to the hall for tlie 
 stewards and others there ; each person to have 8 cakes de- 
 livered him, and to every number of four a bottle of wine. 
 
 January 16. An order was passed, as the number of livery 
 had much increased, that one fourth part, and no more, at- 
 tend the master and wardens on lord mayor's day. 
 
 March 4. The pictures formerly hanging up in the old hall, 
 which were preserved from the fire, ordered to be cleaned, 
 framed, and hung up. 
 
 1673, April 24. At the election of a clerk, the king's let- 
 ter on behalf of one of the candidates, and the lord mayor's 
 on behalf of another, were read, and ordered to be kept. 
 
 June 3. The cellar under the hall parlour was agreed to 
 be let for 5Z. per annum. 
 
 March 10. Seven liverymen were fined 405. each for not 
 dining on lord mayor’s day. 
 
 At election day, 1st June, 1674, great offence was taken 
 at the livery not appearing in their gowns. 
 
 1674, December 1. The court refused to pay tithes to 
 the parson of Bassishaw, for uncharitable words spoken by 
 him. 
 
 February 17. An order was passed that 205. only be re- 
 ceived for the use of the Company for every wedding or burial 
 out of the hall. 
 
 The long gallery at the hall, with the entrance through the 
 back door, agreed to be let to the incumbent of Bassishaw 
 parish, for the parishioners to meet on Sundays and other 
 public days for worship, at a rent of 20/. per annum. 
 
 1675, May 12. An order was passed that three persons 
 be continued in future to be put in nomination for master. 
 
 September 5. George Jefferies, esquire, common serjeant, 
 chosen standing counsel to the Company. 
 
 1676, September 5. Agreed that Mr. Stump, sheriff 
 elect, should have the conveniences of the Company's hall 
 on all occasions during his shrievalty. 
 
( 61 ) 
 
 1682, October 31. Order that no stranger sit at the first 
 or upper table in the hall, on lord mayor’s day, with the 
 master, wardens, and assistants, and their wives. 
 
 February 6. An assistant put out and removed from his 
 place for uselessness and unserviceableness therein, he not 
 having appeared on any summons, nor given any attendance 
 on the duty of his place, for above a year past. 
 
 1684. A fine of 2s. was imposed upon every member not 
 attending the court at the time when summoned, or depart- 
 ing therefrom without leave. 
 
 1687. The Company had a bargemaster, mate, and four- 
 teen watermen. 
 
 1717. The London pensioners were ordered to be thirty ; 
 and in 1727 their allowances were advanced to 405. yearly. 
 
 1738. Five were added to their number. 
 
 1741. Five more were added. 
 
 1743. Up to this time, according to the custom and 
 usage of the city of London, no gentleman served the office 
 of lord mayor unless he was a member of one of the twelve 
 principal companies ; and those who did not belong to one of 
 the twelve was translated from his original company to such 
 of them as he pleased previous to taking office, as was the case 
 in 1557, when Sir Thomas Curteis was translated from the 
 Pewterers to the Fishmongers ; 1578, Sir Richard Pipe, from 
 the Leathersellers to the Drapers; and 1598, Sir Stephen 
 Soame, from the Girdlers to the Grocers. This year, how- 
 ever, Robert Willimott, esq., alderman of the ward of Lime 
 street, and a member of the Company, who served sheriff in 
 the year 1741, being elected lord mayor, broke through this 
 practice for the first time, and declined being translated to 
 any other. 
 
 The Company are now in possession of a waiter presented 
 by him, with the following inscription engraven thereon : 
 
( 62 ) 
 
 ROBERT WILLIMOTT, Esa., 
 
 “Alderman op the Ward of Lime Street, 
 
 “ At the unanimous request of the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants 
 of The Worshipfull Company of Coopers, did without tlie least hesitation 
 promise that he would not, in conformity to the practice of others, translate him- 
 self from them to any one of the twelve first companies when he should be elected 
 Lord Mayor of the City of London : and having accordingly remained one of their 
 body at the time of his being sworn into that high office, which was on the 28th 
 of October, 1742, the Company, conscious of the honour resulting to them from 
 this compliance, of being the only company (except the twelve first) that ever 
 had a lord mayor one of their number, made all the acknowledgments in their 
 power to his lordship for it ; they appeared in a grand and splendid manner on 
 the Lord Mayor’s day, both by land and water; unanimously elected him their 
 Master, May 16, 1743 ; and would not pennit him to pay the usual fines for any 
 of the offices he had not passed through. Ilis lordship, to shew his gratefull sense 
 of these their repeated favours, prayed and prevailed with the Wardens and Court 
 of Assistants, to accept this and one other silver waiter like it, to be added to the 
 Company’s plate.” 
 
 1762. Ten additional pensioners appointed. 
 
 1775. The sealing of casks was ordered to be dropped, 
 unless the Brewers Company would undertake to pay the 
 expenses. 
 
 1814. The corporation of London gave a grand enter- 
 tainment at Guildhall to H.R.H. the Prince Regent and his 
 illustrious guests the Emperor of Russia and the King of 
 Prussia; upon this occasion the Company granted the loan of 
 their plate with the use of their hall, and the dinner served 
 upon the royal table was cooked in their kitchen. 
 
 1824. Previous to this time, the elections for master 
 and wardens for several years were little attended to by the 
 livery, although duly summoned, and scarcely any interest 
 taken in those elections ; but public attention having been 
 drawn to proceedings instituted against the Company in the 
 court of Chancery for improperly administering the charity at 
 Egham, in which a decree had been obtained against them, 
 and a desire having been manifested on the part of some 
 members of the livery to obtain information as to the mode 
 of conducting the Company’s affairs and the administration 
 of its funds and finances, Mr. Abraham Algar, a freeman and 
 
( 63 ) 
 
 liveryman of several years standing, who had paid his fine 
 for steward, was put in nomination for under warden, in ad- 
 dition to two gentlemen nominated by the court for that 
 office ; and on the election day this year, Mr, Algar was chosen 
 by a considerable majority, and subsequently admitted and 
 sw'orn into office, the court having previously taken the opi- 
 nion of counsel as to the right of the livery to nominate. On 
 the following and two successive years he was in like manner 
 nominated and chosen upper warden ; and another member 
 of the livery nominated and chosen under warden; and from 
 that time to the present, the wardens have been elected out 
 of the livery, whereby that body is fairly represented in the 
 court, and have the means of knowing how the Company's 
 affairs are conducted. The accounts are also annually re- 
 ported to the common hall or livery on election day ; and it 
 is highly satisfactory to be enabled to state that the utmost 
 good will exists between all the members of the community. 
 
 The wardens, at the expiration of their office, return to 
 their standing in the livery. In the year 1828 a poll took 
 place for the election of under warden, and was continued 
 for three days. 
 
 In 1827, a society of members of the livery was instituted, 
 who meet yearly, and contribute their good offices towards 
 the advancement and prosperity of the Company. 
 
 In 1834, a Commission was established to enquire into 
 municipal corporations in England and Wales. Their inquiry 
 into the corporation of London occupied a considerable pe- 
 riod, and when their labours on that head were concluded 
 they proceeded with the companies. The Coopers Company 
 came under their revision on the 18th November in that year, 
 when the court and several of the livery attended and were 
 heard fully on the management of the Company's affairs ; 
 and the commissioners say in their Report, We are in- 
 formed that much good has been effected by the restoration 
 of the rights of the livery, and that the election of the annual 
 wardens to the permanent court has been productive of ge- 
 neral benefit to the Company.” 
 
( 64 ) 
 
 The legislature having passed an Act authorizing the ad- 
 mission of members into corporations, upon the parties taking 
 the oath of office agreeably to the forms of their own reli- 
 gion, many members of the Hebrew nation who were anxi- 
 ous to become freemen of London availed themselves of the 
 opportunity thus afforded of so doing, and amongst others 
 Mr. David Salomons was an early applicant. He was admitted 
 a freeman and liveryman of the Company on the fifth day 
 of July, 1831 ; and having, in the year 183,5, been elected 
 sheriff of London and Middlesex, was attended and supported 
 during the year of office with every mark of respect by his 
 Company, and chosen a member of the court of assistants. 
 He served the office of master in the year 1841 ; and shortly 
 after his election as alderman of the ward of Cordwainer, in 
 December, 1847, he was entertained by the court in com- 
 memoration of the event. They were favoured upon that oc- 
 casion with the presence of the right honourable John Kin- 
 nersley Hooper, lord mayor, John Masterman, esq. M.P., 
 John Johnson, esq. and Thomas Farncomb, esq. aldermen; 
 Sir Felix Booth, hart. ; Henry Alworth Merewether, D.C.L., 
 serjeant-at-law, town clerk ; David Williams Wire, esq., one 
 of the under-sheriffs ; Philip Salomons, esq., Aaron Asher 
 Goldsmid, esq., Philip Joseph Salomons, esq., Simon Samuel, 
 esq. ; the deputy and common council of the ward of Cord- 
 wainer; J. B. Bunning, esq., architect to the corporation, 
 and several distinguished persons, when a confident hope was 
 expressed that, as the Company had been the first to break 
 through the custom of the lord mayor being translated to one 
 of the twelve companies, so they also, at no distant period,' 
 would be the first to have one of their members, in the per- 
 son of Mr. Alderman Salomons, a gentleman of the Hebrew 
 nation, filling the dignified and important station of lord 
 mayor of this great city. 
 
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( 65 ) 
 
 ACCOUNTS. 
 
 The Company possess a series of accounts extending as 
 far back as 1440. The nature of these is shown by the state- 
 ment for one whole year, vi 2 . 1523; and extracts, both of 
 receipts and payments, from 1528 to 1608, are arranged 
 under the following heads, in illustration of the usages and 
 customs of the times, and of the prices of articles supplied, 
 viz. Entertainments — Donations — Fines — Funerals — Law 
 and Parliamentary charges — Miscellaneous expenditure — 
 Pageants — Royal Aids, and provision of soldiers. 
 
 Thys ys the accomptts of John Fynkyll master, and 
 Thomas Londysche and [John] Baslaye wardens, of the fe- 
 lowshipe and craft of Cowpers, as well of all ther recaytts 
 for the space of a holle yere as of ther payments within the 
 tyme of the same yere ; made and yeldyd upe to the newe 
 master and wardens, in the presens of all the felowshipe of 
 the same crafte at that tyme beyng ther, the third day of July 
 in the 15th yere of the rigne of king Henry the viij., anno 
 M. ccccc xxiij. 
 
 Fyrst, the same Londysche chargith 
 hym selfFe with the recaytts com- 
 yng to hys hands for quarterages, 
 in the tyme of hys wardenship, in 
 the 15th yere of king Henry the 
 viijth, as yt apperith by hys parti- 
 culars boks of names of the brether 
 and systers .. 3/f. Il6\ 2d. 
 
 Received also of John Baslaye, war- 
 den with hym, of the monye grow- 
 yng in hys hands by longyng to the 
 Compeneye and crafte . . 205. 
 
 Received more of Tolyn suche monye 
 as was in hys hands perteyneng to 
 the craft 
 
 F 
 
 205 . 
 
3 li. 0.9. 8t/. 
 
 ( 66 ) 
 
 1523. 
 
 Received of William Kent of Red- 
 yng, monye of the craft's 
 Received of the goodman Charley, 
 toward the supartacion of the sute 
 Received more of William Mentos 
 a compte 
 
 Received of the gyft of sertyn of the 
 Compenye as yt apperith be a 
 boke 
 
 Received more of John Baslay, war- 
 den 
 
 Summa totalis of all recepts 29 /i. 
 
 8/e. 
 
 Ali. 16s. \0d. 
 
 Hi. Is. 8d. 
 
 17s. 4d. 
 19s. 8d. 
 
 Payments and dischargys by Thomas Lcndysche, in the 
 15th yere of the rigne of king Henry the viijth: 
 
 Paid for the heyer of hall the 27th day of 
 
 Juyn . . . . 6s. 8d. 
 
 Paid to Master Norwyche, the last day 
 
 of Juyne, at the bare . . 3s. 4d. 
 
 Paid the same day to Master Meycotts 4s. 
 
 Paid the same day to atorny .. 12d. 
 
 Paid the same day to Master Petytt \2d. 
 
 Paid for iij. botells of muscadell that was 
 gevyn to my Lord Fenyes, to Meycotts, 
 and to Lucas . . . . 2s. 8d. 
 
 Paid for the setling of the Venyre facias 8d. 
 
 Paid for the alowance of the wryt to the 
 secundary of the Counter . . 10s. 
 
 Paid more, the secund tyme, for selyng 
 
 the wryt . . . . 8d. 
 
 Paid for the alowans of that wryt and to 
 
 the serjiant . . . . 5s. 4d. 
 
 Paid, the 9th day of July, to Master Nor- 
 wyche . . . . 6s. 8d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Master Lucas 4d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, at the Yeld Halle, for 
 
 ale and brede . . . . \2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, at the Borys Hede 
 in Est Chep, for soper 
 
 16s. 2d. 
 
( 67 ) 
 
 1523. Paid, the I8th day of July, to Master 
 
 Meycotts for dyverse wryttyngs . . 3\s. 
 
 Paid, the 22d day of July, for bott heyer 
 
 to Lambith . . , . 4d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to the somnar at Powlls 1 2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Mr. Chamlaye 20^?. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Chamlaye, the 25th day of 
 
 Julij . . . . 20d. 
 
 Paid, the 28th day of Julij, to the somnar I2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, for ij. botells of wynne 
 that Mast. Chauncellar and Mr. Cham- 
 laye had . . . . 3s. 2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, for makyng of two 
 
 by 11s . . . . 16c?. 
 
 Paid, the 29th day of Julij, to Mr.Chamlay 20c?. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Belamy . . 12c?. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Barnewell . . 12c?. 
 
 Paid, the fyrst day of August, to Mr. 
 
 Chamlay . . . . 20c?. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Bellamy . . 20d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Barnewell . . I2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to the somnar of 
 
 Poulls . . . . 12c?. 
 
 Paid, the 5th day of August, to Belamy 20c?. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to ij. somnars . . I2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Edmaye . . 6s. 8c?. 
 
 Paid, the 8th day of August, to Mr. 
 
 Chamlaye for ij. bylls of Acts . . 2s. 
 
 Paid for the makyng of two bylls, at West- 
 
 myster, to the Parlamet . . \Qd. 
 
 Paid, the 10th day of August, to Mast. 
 
 Woodall’s clarke . . 12c?. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to the frears . . 4c?. 
 
 Paid, the 11th day of Aug., to Mr. Carket \2d. 
 
 Paid, the same day, to Edmaye . . iQd. 
 
 Paid to Master Meycotts, for making up 
 of the boks, as more playnly doth ap- 
 pere by a byll .. 31s. 
 
 Summa .. Hi. I6s. \0d. 
 
1523. 
 
 ( 68 ) 
 
 John Bakers obyt kept : 
 
 Paid to the prests ovyr nyght for brede 
 and drynke 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to the ij, prests for dyrge and masse 
 
 
 \6d. 
 
 Paid to the ij. darks 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid for the ryngyng of the bells 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid for ij. tapers and ij. canstycks . . 
 
 
 \4d. 
 
 Paid to pore people 
 
 2s. 
 
 
 Paid to the ij. Wardens and to the Mr. 
 
 3s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Robert Brewern 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to xviij. of the Compeny 
 
 6s. 
 
 
 Paid for bred and drynke and the repast 
 at the Dager 
 
 5s. 
 
 Id. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Carket and to Edmaye 
 
 2s. 
 
 
 Summa . . 23s. 7</. 
 
 Mihelmas Terme : 
 
 Paid to J^hn Moore, for wryttyng the 
 Acte of Parlamet 
 
 
 \2d. 
 
 Paid to Olyver Southwell 
 
 
 20J. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Meycotts 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Pettyte 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Chamlaye 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to a nother tornye 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid to Master Halus 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Norwyche 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Norwyche clarke 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Spylman 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to his clarke 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Norwyche 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Spylman 
 
 3s, 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Master Pettyte 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid for the drynkeng whan my lord the 
 Mayer toke hys oth, for the craft 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Norwyches clarke for wrytyng 
 of iij. bokes to delyver to the iij. jugys 
 
 6s. 
 
 
 Paid for iij. botells of muscadyll, conteyn- 
 eng ij. galons and a potell 
 
 3s. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid for a galon and a potell muscadell 
 for my Lord Fehyes 
 
 2s. 
 
 4d. 
 
( 69 ') 
 
 1523. Paid to Mast. Norwyche the morow after 
 
 Saynt Kateryns day 
 
 65. 
 
 8<f. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus 
 
 Paid to Mast. Carkyt for bylls of the costs 
 
 35 . 
 
 Ad. 
 
 of the protestacion to shew to the jugis 
 Paid for iij. botells of muscadell for the 
 
 
 u. 
 
 iij. jugys 
 
 Paid, the last day of the terme, to Master 
 
 25 . 
 
 
 Spylman 
 
 Paid for xxj. galons and a quart of musca- 
 
 35 . 
 
 Ad. 
 
 dell of Candy, pryce galon 16 ^?. 
 
 275 . 
 
 
 Paid for the barell 
 
 
 l&d. 
 
 Paid to Carkett, the 11th day of Janyver 
 Summa .. 4 /z. 195,8 c?. 
 
 Chrystmas Terme : 
 
 
 12(f. 
 
 Paid to Olyver Sothwell 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Meycotts 
 
 35 . 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus 
 
 35 . 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Spylman 
 
 Paid for a botell of muscadell for Lord 
 
 65. 
 
 8(f. 
 
 ChefFe Barron 
 
 
 \0d. 
 
 Paid for a nother botell for Mr. Conysbe 
 
 
 10<f. 
 
 Paid for a nother botell for Carket . . 
 
 Summa . . 175 . 6c?. 
 
 The begynyng of the fyrst Assyse in 
 
 
 10<f. 
 
 London : 
 
 
 
 Paid to Belamye 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Halus at ij. tymes 
 
 65. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Hayes 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid to Horneclyff, sergiant 
 
 
 8d. 
 
 Payd to Mast. Pavyar 
 
 25 . 
 
 
 Paid to Mr. Hayes agayne 
 
 
 8d. 
 
 Paid to Nocolson . . 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus clarke for the wrytt- 
 
 
 Ad. 
 
 yng of the letter of attornaye 
 
 
 8d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Person, clarke of the assyse 
 
 25 . 
 
 2d. 
 
 Paid to Carket 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 Paid to Edmaye . . 
 
 
 12d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Hayes 
 
 
 20d. 
 
( 70 ) 
 
 Paid to Pavyer 
 
 2s. 
 
 
 Paid to Mr. Chamlaye 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid to Person, clarke of the sysse, a gayn 
 
 2s. 
 
 
 Paid to Mr. Hayes 
 
 
 Hd. 
 
 Paid to Thomas Hayes 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Pavior 
 
 2s. 
 
 
 Paid to Pachet the sergyunt 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Grege the sergiant 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid whan the clarke of the assyse toke 
 
 the vewe of the Swane 
 
 35. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid Grygs, sergiant, for hys fee 
 
 25. 
 
 
 Paid for ij. botells of Wynne, gevyn at ij. 
 
 tymes to Person 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid for a botell of wynne, for Mast. Halus 
 
 
 \0d. 
 
 Paid to the clarke of assyse and to a 
 
 sergiant, for a brekefast 
 
 
 lOd. 
 
 Paid to Person, in the Counter halle, Wil- 
 iam Heth beyng present, for warnyng 
 the sherryfFs, and the copy of the byll 
 
 in 
 
 65 . 
 
 8 d. 
 
 Ester Terme : 
 
 Paid to Oly ver Sowethwell, for hys fee 
 
 
 20 d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Meycotts, for in grosyng of 
 
 the boks 
 
 35. 
 
 8 d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Chamlaye 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Pettyte 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Norwyche 
 
 65 . 
 
 8d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Spylman 
 
 65 . 
 
 8d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Maycotts, for his fee . . 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Summa .. 4li. I 85 . 2d. 
 
 The day of Assyse at the Yelde Halle 
 
 
 and the pletynge : 
 
 Paid to Mr. Person 
 
 45. 
 
 
 Paid to Thomas Hayes 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid for the copyes of ij. pleys at ij. tymes 
 
 85 . 
 
 
 Paid to Person, for hys payne takyng 
 
 45. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus 
 
 105. 
 
 
 Paid to the sergiant and hys yeman 
 
 95. 
 
 4d. 
 
( 71 ) 
 
 1623. Paid to Master Chamlaye .. f3s. Sd. 
 
 Paid for a galon of Wynne . . 12^?. 
 
 Paid to Master Spylman, for penyng and 
 ovir seyng of the pleys, and for hys 
 
 labor taking over to the Yelde Halle 
 
 21s. 
 
 
 Paid to Master Norwyche, for hys penyng 
 
 
 
 and ovir seyng of the pleys 
 
 I6s. 
 
 ^d. 
 
 Paid to Master Halus 
 
 8s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid for ij. coppyes 
 
 
 6d. 
 
 Paid to Olyver Sowithwell 
 
 4s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to the good wyff Yatts at the Yelde 
 
 
 
 Halle gatte, for denar 
 
 14s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid for ij. great lynggs 
 
 3s. 
 
 6d. 
 
 Summa .. bli. 14s. Od. 
 
 At the seconde Assyse at the same terme 
 of Ester, in London, theyse payments 
 and expenses followyng ; 
 
 Paid to Master Halus 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Master Chamley 
 
 3s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to Master Pettyte 
 
 3s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to Master Maycotts 
 
 3s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to Oliver Sowethwell 
 
 3s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to Person 
 
 3s. 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid to the sergiant and hys yeman 
 
 8s. 
 
 
 Paid to Hayes 
 
 
 20d. 
 
 Paid to Belamye 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 Paid for the grene clothe 
 
 
 Ad. 
 
 Paid for the talys of namys 
 
 2s. 
 
 
 Paid to Heldman, for the long rolle 
 
 10s. 
 
 
 Paid, for the copy of the warant, to Person 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 Paid for plays 
 
 
 ISd. 
 
 Denar : 
 
 Paid for ij. pyks .. 
 
 8s. 
 
 
 Paid for blovit fysche 
 
 
 14rf. 
 
 Paid to the wylF at the Sarsons Hedde 
 
 18s. 
 
 
 Summa .. 3li. I6s. Od. 
 
 At the day of the Alexion : 
 
 Paid by John Basley, warden 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid by Thomas Londysche, warden 
 
 17^. 
 
 3d. 
 
( 72 ) 
 
 Paid to Person, for the pleys wrytyng 
 
 Paid to Mr. Spylman, for ovir seyng and 
 
 bs. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 penyng the same 
 
 65. 
 
 8d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Norwyche 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Master Halus 
 
 Paid to Mr. Spylman, for ovir seyng and 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 penyng a gaine 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to Master Norwiche 
 
 105. 
 
 
 Paid to Mr. Halus, for the same besynes 
 
 135. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Pettyte, for the same 
 
 Paid to the clarke of the assese for sett- 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 yng oute the copys fro Mr. office 
 
 Paid to Mr. Norwyche clarke, for wrytt- 
 
 6s. 
 
 Sd. 
 
 yng of the same copys 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus clarke, for wrytyng 
 
 
 12d. 
 
 of the same 
 
 Paid for Mr. Halus, bott hyer from 
 
 
 I6d. 
 
 Sowithwarke to the Tempill 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mast. Halus servant 
 
 Paid, at the delyverance of the coppis to the 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 jugs, on the Thurseday next folowyng 
 
 4s. 
 
 
 Paid for fetchyng out of a copy of the same 
 Paid to John Moore, for suplicacions to 
 
 
 6d. 
 
 my Lord Cardnall and to the Mayer 
 Summa .. bli. 13</. 
 
 35. 
 
 
 Paid to William Heth with in the tyme 
 of the same accompts : 
 
 
 Fyrst, payd to hym towards hys exspencs 
 Paid, the 24th day of September, to hym. 
 
 
 12d. 
 
 of hys wags 
 
 105. 
 
 
 Paid to hym of hys wags 
 
 
 14d. 
 
 Paid for William Heth to Mast. Holte 
 
 65 . 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to John Holte for William Heth 
 
 65 . 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to hym 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to hym at a nother tyme 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
 Paid to hym for a prest of Barkyng 
 
 Paid more to hym, for goyng to Barkyng 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 to Master Norwyche 
 
 Summa . . 305. M. 
 
 
 Sd. 
 
1523. 
 
 ( 73 ) 
 
 For the thyrd Assyse kept at the Yelde 
 Halle for the examyning of the pleys : 
 
 Paid to Master Spylman 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Master Norwyche 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to Mr. Petty te for ij. days goyng 
 
 Paid to Mr. Pakington, for the copy of 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 the last plee 
 
 35. 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid to hys clarke 
 
 
 4d. 
 
 Paid, to Person, for goyng to the Tempyll 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 Paid for a new wryt, to Mast. Meycotts 
 Paid, the 11th day of Juyn, for all chargs 
 of lernyd men at the assyse, and for the 
 exspencs at the howse for meit and 
 
 
 I4d. 
 
 drynke . . . . 3li. 
 
 Sonday, the 12th day of Juyn after : 
 Paid, at Poulls, to Mr. Meycotts, for the 
 
 145. 
 
 
 Venyre facias wryttyng 
 
 Paid to Mr. Chamlay, for ovirseyng the 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 wryt . . . . 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 Paid for the inqweryng of the Acts 
 
 Paid, the 15th day of Juyn, to Mast. Ka- 
 ret, for the examyneng of John BakePs 
 
 
 I2d. 
 
 wylle, and settyng to hys symanuell 
 
 35. 
 
 
 Summa .. 4/i. lbs. \0d. 
 
 The summa totalis of all your pay- 
 ments a lowyd by the holle court 37 li. 
 
 The holle sum of your recaypts ys 
 
 but . . . . 29 li. 195. Sd. 
 
 So ys the craft at that accompt clerly 
 
 in Thomas Londysche dett . . 7 li. Os. 4d. 
 
 “ Also yt ys to be remberd that here in ys now of hys ex- 
 spencs for thys ij. yere, whiche he trustith to your cursye.'' 
 
( 74 ) 
 
 EXTRACTS. 
 
 Dinners and Entertainments. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1528. Paid for the Company's dinner, 29th Oct. 13 4 
 
 Paid in the Vintry when the Joiners were 
 
 met at the Three Cranes . . 14 
 
 1529. Paid for two ribs of beef for the Company at 
 
 the hall . . . . 10 
 
 Paid for the repast at the hall when the 
 
 Mayor went to Westminster . . 13 4 
 
 Paid for four bundles of rushes the day the 
 
 Mayor went to Westminster . . 0 8 
 
 Paid for barge hire the same day . . 6 8 
 
 Paid for wine and ale on the election day 1 4 
 
 1530. Paid for faggots and peat at the hall, to warm 
 
 the Company . . . . 0 10 
 
 Paid to the wax-chandler for six pounds of 
 
 new wax put to our old tapers . . 3 6 
 
 Paid for a pipe -of Gascony wine . . 18 
 
 1532. Paid for hire of the barge at the ordination, 
 
 for the Company . . 9 11 
 
 Paid for barge hire when the Lord Mayor 
 
 went to Westminster . . 6 8 
 
 Paid for rushes for the barge . . 0 2 
 
 Paid for as much brown, blue, and crimson 
 
 cloth for scantlins for our livery 2 0 
 
 Paid at the Guildhall gate, on Monday next 
 after the election day at the Saracen’s 
 Head, for a repast for the Company 6 8 
 
 The rest that was spent was paid out of the 
 gift-money that John Cloker gave to drink 
 for his wife. 
 
 Election day : 
 
 Paid to Master Wood for certain monies that 
 
 he paid to Master Wylies, which was 10 0 
 
 Paid for a kilderkin of ale . . 2 0 
 
 Paid for bread . . . . 0 4 
 
( 75 ) 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1532. Paid for wine . . . . 0 8 
 
 Note at the audit. Master Cloker, then being 
 elect, sat in the seat for chief master for the 
 year following. 
 
 1538. Paid for the scantlins of the new cloth for 
 
 the livery . . . . 0 8 
 
 The like . . . . 10 
 
 Paid for dinner, when my Lord Mayor took 
 his oath at Westminster, at the Greyhound 
 in Fleet street . . . . 18 4 
 
 Paid on the election day, for a kilderkin of ale 1 10 
 
 Paid for bread the same day . . 0 7 
 
 Paid for beer . . . . 0 4 
 
 Paid for a gallon and a pottle of bastard I 8 
 
 Paid for a gallon of Gascony wine . . 0 8 
 
 Paid, against the election day, for rushes for 
 
 the hall . . . . 0 6 
 
 Paid for flowers, bowys, and geneper . . 0 9 
 
 1539. Paid at the repast for the Company : 
 
 For three necks of mutton . . 0 10 
 
 For a salmon . . . . 2 8 
 
 For six rabbits . . . . 14 
 
 For three geese . . . . 2 8 
 
 For bread and ale . . . . 3 0 
 
 To the cook for her labour . . 0 4 
 
 To the turn-broche . . 0 2 
 
 For peas . . . . 0 4 
 
 For pepper and vinegar . . 0 2 
 
 For butter . . . . 0 2 
 
 For washing of the cloths . . 0 4 
 
 For wine . . . . 18 
 
 Paid for standing of the vessel at Charing 
 
 Cross . . . . 0 5 
 
 1546. Paid for rushes and flowers, against Allhal- 
 
 lows tide . . . . 0 4 
 
 Paid for rushes and flowers and rosemary, 
 
 against Christmas . . . . 0 4 
 
 1547. Received against the great dinner day of the 
 
 Company, from sundry members 8 2 2 
 
1547. 
 
 ( 76 ) 
 
 £ 5. d. 
 
 For a dinner at Ratcliff : 
 
 Two capons and four geese 
 One dozen rabbits 
 
 For a rib of beef and a breast of veal 
 Payments against the general dinner : 
 
 For one dozen and half capons 
 
 For eight pigs 
 
 For two gallons of butter 
 
 For a barrel of good ale 
 
 For a thousand billets 
 
 For a kilderkin of ale 
 
 For twelve sacks of coals 
 
 For one hundred faggots 
 
 For twelve long marrow-bones 
 
 For a whole mutton 
 
 For a surloin of beef 
 
 For 20lbs. suet, at 2d. the lb. 
 
 For prycks 
 
 For twelve capons, at \0d. apiece 
 
 For four fat capons, at 20d. apiece 
 
 For four hundred eggs 
 
 For a dozen geese 
 
 For two wooden ladles 
 
 For going over the water to Master Basley 
 
 For four dozen rabbits . . 1 
 
 For twenty pikes . . 1 
 
 For two geese 
 
 For four pigs 
 
 For six geese 
 
 For 15 gallons 3 quarts of claret wine 
 For 4 bushels of flour, at \bd. a bushel 
 For ten dozen of white bread 
 For six gallons of cream boiling 
 For two capons . . 
 
 For a half peck of flour 
 
 For two geese 
 
 For three rabbits . . 
 
 For four capons . . 
 
 For a surloin of beef 
 
 6 8 
 2 8 
 2 8 
 
 15 0 
 
 5 4 
 
 4 8 
 3 8 
 
 6 8 
 1 10 
 
 5 0 
 
 3 4 
 2 0 
 
 4 8 
 1 10 
 3 4 
 0 1 
 
 10 0 
 
 6 8 
 8 0 
 
 16 0 
 0 1 
 0 1 
 2 0 
 6 8 
 2 0 
 
 2 4 
 6 6 
 
 10 6 
 
 5 0 
 10 0 
 
 9 0 
 
 3 6 
 
 0 3 
 2 4 
 0 10 
 5 4 
 
 1 4 
 
1547. 
 
 For a firkin stand of good ale . . 1 
 
 For 3lbs. of pepper . . 7 
 
 For Jib. of cloves and mace in powder 5 
 For whole mace, an ounce . . 0 
 
 For an ounce of saffron . . 2 
 
 For currants, 61bs. . . 2 
 
 For 4lbs. dates . . . . 1 
 
 For 13lbs. prunes . . 1 
 
 For sugar, 13lbs., at lOc?. a lb. . . 10 
 
 For Jib. of cinnamon . . 2 
 
 Ginger, |lb., powder . . 0 
 
 For carraways, lib. . . 1 
 
 For 9lbs. prunes . . . . 1 
 
 For a quart of rose-water . . 1 
 
 For pepper and allspice . . 1 
 
 Sugar, 41b., at 10c?. . . 3 
 
 To the minstrels . . 2 
 
 To the cook and his man . . 11 
 
 To the three spit-turners . . 1 
 
 To two women that washed the vessels 1 
 
 To the butler . . . . 3 
 
 To the two porters that kept the gate 1 
 
 To the scullion, for four days . . 1 
 
 For a gallon of malmsey . . 1 
 
 For a gallon of muscadine . . 2 
 
 For a shield of brawn and two roads 8 
 
 For ten gallons wine . . 6 
 
 For 14lbs. of suet . . 2 
 
 For 8lbs. of suet . . . . 1 
 
 For Jib. of pepper . . 1 
 
 d. 
 
 0 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 li 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 0 
 
 Total . . £14 4 8J 
 
 Received first, for a precedent, according to 
 the Act, that every young man after he is 
 able shall bring and give to the craft a no- 
 ble, or a silver spoon the price of 65. 8c?. 
 
 First received of Thomas Wheeler, for the 
 fulfilling of the said Act, according to the 
 same good order 
 
 6 8 
 
1547. Further payments in respect of the great 
 dinner : 
 
 For three barrels and one kilderkin beer. 
 
 at 3^. 8d. per barrel . . 12 10 
 
 For carriage of the same beer . . 0 2 
 
 For a lock and keys a bolt and a staple 1 2 
 
 For a great plank board . . 4 0 
 
 For bread and ale in the Pyckemongars 
 
 garden . . . . 0 2 
 
 For six dozen trenchers and one dozen 
 
 cups . . . . 16 
 
 For carriage of the same plank board 0 4 
 
 For one hundred board . . 3 0 
 
 For nails . . . . 0 8 
 
 For eight stauncheons . . 0 4 
 
 For taps . . .01 
 
 For three empty hogsheads . . 14 
 
 For three capons, at 9d. apiece . . 2 3 
 
 For candle . . . . 0 2 
 
 For a gallon of vinegar . . 10 
 
 For verges . . . . 0 4 
 
 For salt . . . . 0 8 
 
 For two strainers . . . . 0 6 
 
 For strewing herbs and rosemary . . 0 6 
 
 For a gallon of claret wine . . 0 8 
 
 For strewing herbs and rosemary . . 0 6 
 
 For flowers . . . . 0 8 
 
 For four dozen trenchers, and for taps 1 0 
 
 For a pail of yeast . , . . 0 8 
 
 For four burdens of rushes . . 0 8 
 
 For a pound candle for the carpenter 0 2 
 
 For hinges and hooks, and a bolt, and for 
 
 workmanship of the hatch . . 2 6 
 
 For parsley and thyme . . 0 8 
 
 For yeast . . . . 0 4 
 
 For the carriage of two runlets from Mr. 
 
 Charley’s . . . . 0 2 
 
 For bringing of a barrel from the Three 
 
 Cranes . . . . 0 2 
 
( 79 ) 
 
 1547. 
 
 1583. 
 
 1589. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 For paper . . . . 0 2 
 
 For a quart of white wine and a quart of 
 
 vinegar . . . . 0 4 
 
 For butter . . . . 0 8 
 
 For mustard . . . . 0 2 
 
 For yeast . . . . 0 4 
 
 For white salt . . . . 0 2 
 
 For a dozen of white cups . . 0 6 
 
 For setting up the shelves . . 0 4 
 
 For a pint of white wine . . 0 1 
 
 For a pottle of the same wine . . 0 4 
 
 To a woman that was in the kitchen 0 8 
 
 For the hire of twelve garnish of pewter 
 
 vessels . . . . 9 0 
 
 For bread and drink taken out of the house 1 0 
 
 To Byrde the cook, for carriage home of 
 
 his stuff . . . . 0 8 
 
 For 133 tankards water . . 3 8 
 
 For geneper . . . . 0 2 
 
 For perfumes . . . . 0 6 
 
 For sturgeon . . 15 0 
 
 For pork . . . . 14 
 
 For a stand of good ale . . 110 
 
 For two geese . . . . 2 0 
 
 For three rabbits . . . . 0 10 
 
 Note. The number of the whole Company this year 
 was 152. 
 
 Paid for a dinner and a supper for certain 
 of the Company and their v/ives, at Step- 
 
 ney 
 
 .. 1 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 Charges of the dinner on the 28th October, 
 
 
 
 when the Mayor took his oath 
 For beer, ale, and bread 
 
 
 14 
 
 0 
 
 For beef and mutton 
 
 
 16 
 
 7 
 
 The grocer, for spices 
 
 . • 
 
 19 
 
 7 
 
 The poulter, for capons, geese. 
 
 and eggs 1 
 
 16 
 
 0 
 
 For wine 
 
 . . 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 For butter, wardeins, cream. 
 
 flour, and 
 
 
 
 rose-water 
 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
1589. 
 
 £ d. 
 4 0 
 
 ( 80 ) 
 
 Paid the butler 
 Paid the dish-washer, water-bearer, and 
 
 porter . . . . 2 8 
 
 Paid for strewing herbs, verges, vinegar, 
 candles, links, taps, barberries, paper, 
 and strainer . . . . 4 7 
 
 Paid to the pewterer . . 3 0 
 
 Paid to the cook . . . . 10 0 
 
 £7 1 0 
 
 Charges on election day, 31st May : 
 
 The preacher, for a sermon . . 5 0 
 
 The clerk of the church . . 3 4 
 
 Strewing herbs . . . . 3 8 
 
 For spice-cakes . . . . 5 0 
 
 For wine . . . . 6 4 
 
 For beer and ale . . . . 18 
 
 For rushes . . . . 13 
 
 £16 3 
 
 1592. Charges of a view for all the livery and 
 
 all their wives, that there was no dinner 
 kept at the hall on Simon and Jude’s 
 day, as it was forbidden by the Mayor, 
 in respect of the sickness . . 3 17 5 
 
 1595. Paid for dinner at the hall, for Company, 
 
 when the Lord Mayor took his oath 12 12 9 
 
 Donations. 
 
 1532. For a pipe of Gascony wine that the 
 
 Speaker of Parliament had . . 3 6 8 
 
 1533. Paid to Master Wood for half a butt of 
 
 malmsey, which was given to my Lord 
 Chancellor . . . . 2 3 4 
 
 Paid to Master Wood for twenty gallons 
 and three quarts of muscadin, given to 
 my Lord Chancellor, at 20c?. a gallon 
 Paid him for the barrel 
 
 1 5 8 
 
 1 0 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 81 ) 
 
 1535. Paid to Master Cloker, for a hogshead of 
 
 wine that was given to my Lord Chan- 
 cellor . . . . 13 4 
 
 Paid for carriage of a hogshead of wine to 
 
 the Lord Chancellor . . 0 2 
 
 1536. Paid to Mr. Wood, for a hogshead of wine, 
 
 given to my Lord Mayor . . 10 0 
 
 1542. Paid, the 16th day of November, for a 
 butt of malmsey, given to my Lord 
 Chancellor . . . . 4 13 4 
 
 And to the porters, for lading and bringing 
 
 the same to my lord . . 0 8 
 
 Paid for a runlet of malmsey, given to the 
 Speaker of Parliament, fourteen gallons, 
 at lOd. the gallon . . 12 10 
 
 Paid for the carriage of a butt of malmsey 
 
 to the Lord Chancellor . . 0 8 
 
 1546. Paid for a hogshead of wine to my Lord 
 
 Mayor . . 110 0 
 
 Paid for carriage of the same . . 0 6 
 
 1553. Received of monies gathered of the Com- 
 pany, given to the Queen . . 7 8 8 
 
 The like, received of the Dutchmen 2 0 0 
 
 Sixteen men of the clothing, and thirty- 
 nine out of it, gave sums varying from 
 6s. 8d. to 6d., towards the charges of the 
 harness-men . . . . 4 10 6 
 
 Paid to the Chamberlain of London for the 
 
 Queen's use . . . . 4 0 0 
 
 1556. Paid for a hogshead of wine given to Sir 
 
 Thomas Offley, lord mayor, for his fa- 
 vour to be showed towards our Com- 
 pany . . . . 2 5 0 
 
 1557. Received of seven young men taken into 
 
 the livery, for their samples, after 2^. 
 the sample . . . . 14 0 
 
 Monies received of members towards the 
 loan of 50/. to the Queen, to be paid 
 again by the house . . 14 6 8 
 
 G 
 
T 
 
 1561. 
 
 1564. 
 
 1566. 
 
 1568. 
 
 1570. 
 
 1571. 
 
 1572. 
 
 ( 82 ) 
 
 Paid for twenty gallons of sack, given to 
 my Lord Chief Justice of England, at 
 20c?. the gallon (by consent) 
 
 Paid, as in reward given, to Sir Richard 
 Malorye, knight, lord mayor, for this 
 Company, towards his charges 
 
 For a runlet of sack given to Mr. Speaker 
 of the Parliament house, in reward 
 
 For two hogsheads of wine given to the 
 Lord Mayor 
 
 Given to my Lord Catlyn, a bottle of 
 malmsey containing one and a half gal- 
 lon, at 16J. a gallon, 2s . ; for a runlet of 
 malmsey containing fifty-two gallons, 
 at 14c?. the gallon, given to my Lord 
 Chief Justice, 3/. Os. ^d . ; for a runlet of 
 Rhenish wine of twenty-two gallons, at 
 18c?. the gallon, also given to my Lord 
 Chief Justice, 33s. ; for two bottles of 
 wine given to the Lord Chief Justice, 
 2s. 8c?. ; given to the Lord Catlyn, two 
 gallons of wine, one of Orleaunce and 
 the other of old claret wine, 2s. 8c?. ; 
 and for one and a half gallon of French 
 wine, given in reward to the two Chief 
 Justices, 2s. . . 
 
 Paid more for wines given to the two Lord 
 Chief Justices 
 
 Paid for ten gallons of muscadine given 
 to Justice Southcott 
 
 Paid for a runlet, seven and a quarter gal- 
 lons, of sack, given to Mr. Recorder 
 
 Paid to Sir Rowland Hayward, lord mayor, 
 pursuant to order of court 
 
 Paid for a runlet of muscadell of six gal- 
 lons, at 4s. per gallon, which was sent 
 to Sir Rowland Haywarde (lord mayor), 
 of good will 
 
 Paid to my Lord Mayor, in good will 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1 13 4 
 
 2 0 0 
 
 1 1 10 
 5 15 0 
 
 5 3 0 
 
 16 0 
 1 1 0 
 15 2 
 
 3 0.0 
 
 1 4 0 
 
 3 0 0 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 83 ) 
 
 1574. . Paid for a loaf of fine sugar, that weighed 81b. 
 
 lOoz., that was given to Mr. Sebastian 10 
 
 1575. Paid for a runlet of sack of seven gallons 
 
 three quarts, which was given to Mr. 
 Heysham, my Lord Mayor’s clerk 15 
 
 Paid for two barrels of olives given to Mr. 
 
 Norton . . . . 6 
 
 1576. Paid to Sir John Langley, lord mayor, at 
 
 Christmas, as the gift of this house 3 0 
 
 1581. Paid for a hogshead of wine given to the 
 
 Goldsmiths Company . . 3 15 
 
 1582. Paid at the Lord Mayor his table by the 
 
 Master’s commandment; Mr. Molde, 
 
 Mr. Mere, Mr. Swayne being there 
 present at the same dinner . . 10 0 
 
 1584. Given to the Lord Mayor, by consent 6 0 
 Paid for engraving the arms of the house 
 into five spoons given by the said Lord 
 Mayor . . . . 1 
 
 1587. Paid when we were at my Lord Mayor’s 
 
 dinner . . . . 6 0 
 
 1588. Paid for two runlets of sack, containing 
 
 twelve gallons, at 3^. Ad,, given to Mr. 
 Recorder and Sir George Barne 2 0 
 
 1589. For a runlet of sack, six gallons, given to 
 
 Mr. Recorder . . . . 19 
 
 1590. Paid for so much given to my Lord Mayor 
 
 at a dinner by the Master and Wardens 4 0 
 
 1592. Paid for a tierce of wine for Mr. Attorney 4 13 
 Paid for a runlet of sack, ten gallons three 
 
 quarts, given to Justice Yonge . . 18 
 
 1596. Lent to the city for Her Majesty’s service 40 0 
 
 1603. Paid for a runlet of Rhenish wine given to 
 
 one of the Parliament house . . 13 
 
 1604. Paid to Sir Thomas Lowe, knight. King’s 
 
 treasurer, for the loan-money to the King 60 0 
 
 1605. Paid for procuring the privy (seal) for the 
 
 60/, lent last year 
 
 Note. This money was repaid to the 
 Company, 1606, by the King. 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 10 0 
 
£ . 9 . cl 
 
 ( 84 ) 
 
 1G05. Given to the Lord Mayor when UieMaster, 
 
 Wardens, and Mr. Swayne went to him 
 to dinner, being 265 . Sd. each . . 5 G 8 
 
 1GG7. The Court presented a hogshead of wine 
 to the Lord Mayor (Bolton) in thankful- 
 ness for his favour to the Company in 
 their opposition in Parliament to the 
 Vintners, for restraint in buying and 
 selling wine in gross. 
 
 Fines. 
 
 1540. Received: 
 
 Of John Herth, for four evil-made tank- 
 ards and other defaults . . 2 9 
 
 Of Thomas Hynde, for words that he 
 
 spake in my Lord Chancellor’s house 1 0 
 
 Of Mr. Olyver, for keeping of certain 
 of the Company drinking, so that the 
 barge went from shore or they came 1 4 
 
 Of Robert Swayne, for evil language 
 
 given to his master Trerys . . 6 8 
 
 Of Lawrence Edwards, for taking of his 
 apprentice again after he was assigned 
 by the Wardens to another man - 6 8 
 
 1544. Received of Richard Bartlat, for his dis- 
 
 obedience of the Master and Wardens 1 0 
 
 For certain words of reproach indecently 
 
 spoken by the Master of the craft 10 0 
 
 1545. Received from five members for fines, for 
 
 indecent words spoken on election day 13 4 
 
 1546. Olyver Whithed for altering wines 10 0 
 
 Richard Smith, to have another apprentice 
 
 contrary to the Act . . 3 4 
 
 John Rede, the like . . 3 4 
 
 John Thurston, the like . . 3 4 
 
 Of Richard Smith, for the forfeit of nine 
 naughty kilderkins, and for his disobe- 
 
 dience . . . . 110 0 
 
1546. 
 
 ( 85 ) 
 
 Of Stephen Herth, for falling out with 
 Thomas Blecke 
 
 Of Thomas Blecke, for the same matter, 
 because they both unbrotherly openly in 
 the street rebuked each of them other 
 1547. Fines of three young men of the clothing, 
 for opening their shops contrary to the 
 Act 
 
 Of seventeen others, out of the clothing, 
 for the like 
 
 Of four others, for the like 
 
 1551. Richard Bawland, for breaking his oath 
 
 1552. Received fine of Jasper Cromewell, for 
 
 working in the strangers' cellars in the 
 night, in and about wines, to the slander 
 of the Company 
 
 1564. Received of two members, for not coming 
 to the election of sheriff 
 
 Funerals, 
 
 1535. Paid towards the burying of John Ed- 
 wards 
 
 1537. Paid towards John Comson's burial, be- 
 cause we had no torches nor tapers 
 1539. Paid and spent upon the Company, at the 
 burying of John Cloker : 
 
 For bread 
 For ale and beer 
 
 For five quarts and a pint malmsey 
 For seven pottles Gaskoyn wine . . 
 For fire 
 For sugar 
 
 For a pottle of Gaskoyn wine 
 For apples 
 
 For four capons and two geese 
 For rabbits 
 For brawn 
 
 s. d. 
 2 8 
 
 1 4 
 
 13 4 
 
 1 8 4 
 
 6 8 
 3 4 
 
 1 0 0 
 1 4 
 
 5 0 
 3 4 
 
 0 8 
 1 0 
 
 1 4 
 
 2 4 
 0 7 
 0 6 
 
 0 4 
 0 1 
 6 8 
 
 1 8 
 
 3 4 
 
( 86 ) 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1539. For veal .. .. 10 
 
 For fire, and for dressing of the meat 1 2 
 
 For more wood for fire in the parlour 0 2 
 
 More for sugar . . . . 0 2 
 
 For four quarts of Gaskoyn wine . . 0 8 
 
 1540. Received of sundry persons for and at 
 
 burials, which should have been spent 
 upon the Company, and not spent : 
 
 Of Master Marefeld, at the burial of his 
 
 wife . . . . G 8 
 
 Of Master Hassyll, at the burial of his 
 
 wife . . . . 6 8 
 
 Of Mrs. Basley, for her husband . . 6 8 
 
 Of Master Tyrrys, for the burial of his 
 
 wife . . . . 6 8 
 
 Of Robert Swayne, for the burial of his 
 
 wife . . . . 6 8 
 
 1545. Received of Master Olyver Whithed, at 
 
 the burial of his wife . . 5 0 
 
 Of Mr. Johnson for Master Wood, at his 
 
 burial . . . . 10 0 
 
 1549. Paid amongst the Company, after Master 
 
 Cloker’s burial . . 2 6 
 
 r553. Received of Mrs. Swayne, at the burial of 
 
 her husband .. .. 10 0 
 
 Received of Mr. Cloker, his gift at the 
 
 burying of his mother . . 13 4 
 
 1563. Amount of benevolences given by mem- 
 bers, for and towards the making of a 
 new hearse-cloth .. 11 6 8 
 
 Costs and charges paid for the same as 
 under : 
 
 2 lb. of gold and silver, at 54^. the lb. 5 8 0 
 
 2 lb. of Venice gold and silver . . 5 8 0 
 
 9 oz. of gold and silver . . 2 0 0 
 
 1 oz. silver . . . . 5 2 
 
 1 lb. Venice gold . . 2 14 0 
 
 \ lb. silver . . . . 1110 
 
 2 oz. of gold and silver . . 10 8 
 
1563. 4 oz. gold .. .. 3 0 
 
 Yellow and white silk, 4oz. . . 6 10 
 
 Silks of divers colours . . 13 8 
 
 1 oz. black ferret silk . . 0 10 
 
 2 oz. yellow silk . . 3 4 
 
 1 oz. bridge silk . . 16 
 
 1 oz. ferret silk . . . . 0 10 
 
 2 oz. yellow and white silk . . 3 4 
 
 1 oz. white silk . . 18 
 
 14 oz. purple silk . . 18 0 
 
 4 oz. black silk . . . . 0 9 
 
 4 oz. yellow silk . . 0 10 
 
 Red silk . . . . 0 4 
 
 1 oz. yellow silk . . 110 
 
 4 oz. black silk . . . . 0 9 
 
 For purple and yellow silk . . 0 8 
 
 1 oz. yellow silk . . 18 
 
 54 yds. purple velvet at 26^. %d, the 
 
 yard . . . . 7 6 8 
 
 For pearls . . . . 16 0 
 
 2 oz. of purple .. .. 12 0 
 
 For working the 14 oz. of purple silk in 
 
 fringes . . . . 6 0 
 
 For white thread, and for thread in co- 
 lours . . . . 4 11 
 
 For I and 4 oz. of fringe that was lack- 
 ing . . . . 19 
 
 For yellow cotton made fit for the cloth 
 
 to keep it from fretting . . 3 6 
 
 For canvas . . . . 5 0 
 
 For a quartern of yellow kersey . . 0 7 
 
 For paper. Ad . ; flour, 2d . ; saffron, \d . ; 
 wax. Id . ; for saffron and searing can- 
 dle, 2d . ; meal or flour, 2d. ; for sear- 
 ing candle, \d. ; ink, \d . ; glue, \d . ; 
 for a carrier, \2d . ; for bread to make 
 clean the work, Oc?. ; for meal, \d . ; 
 for a piece of buckram, 45. 8^/. ; for 
 bread to make clean the work, Qd. 8 
 
 0 
 
1563. 
 
 £ a. d. 
 
 ( 88 ) 
 
 For candles spent in the night-time 
 
 about the making of the said cloth 9 
 
 Paid to the broderers, for their work- 
 manship done in the making of the 
 said hearse-cloth in great, with 205. 
 in reward, by consent of the court ; 
 
 in the whole . . . . 24 1 0 
 
 And for their bedding by all the time of 
 
 their work, the time of seven months 4 
 Paid the painter for drawing the crest 
 
 and arms for the new hearse-cloth 3 
 
 1564. Burial-money, the gift of Thomas Blake, 
 
 late one of the ancients . . 10 
 
 1565. Received at the burial of three parties, 
 
 being bequests towards repasts for the 
 livery . . . . 2 13 
 
 1579. Received of Mrs. Byrde, for a dinner for 
 the Company, at the burial of her hus- 
 band . . . . 2 0 
 
 Paid for the dinner . . 2 4 
 
 1586. Received of Mrs. Meare, widow, executrix 
 of the last will and testament of John 
 Meare, Cooper, deceased, which he 
 willed and bequeathed to and amongst 
 the brotherhood of the Company to be 
 spent . . . . 2 0 
 
 Law and Parliamentary Charges. 
 
 1528. Paid for my (John Willis) costs and charges 
 
 spent in the law against Philip Cowper 
 for executing mine office according to 
 mine oath . . . . 4 0 
 
 1529. Paid for my (John Basley) costs and other 
 
 charges for the suit, spent in this term 
 and at the Parliament . . 3 0 
 
 1531. Paid to Master Dansyll, serjeant of the 
 coif, for his fee to be a counsel against 
 the four alyant Coopers in the Checker 3 
 
 0 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
( 89 ) 
 
 1531. Paid, the 2d day of May, for the Dutch 
 coopers' breakfast that came into the 
 Checker to witness against their coun- 
 trymen coopers, of their setting up of 
 house and shop 
 
 Paid to our attorney in the Checker, for 
 his writings and fee 
 
 Paid to the Speaker of Parliament’s clerk, 
 for his pains taking 
 
 Paid for a little barrel of muscadine, of 
 three gallons and a pottle, given to 
 Master North, clerk of the Parliament, 
 dwelling in Wood street 
 
 Paid for the King’s seal set upon the Act 
 of Parliament granted unto us to search 
 with 
 
 1537. Paid for the entrance of a plaint against 
 Edward Been, serving man, for horse and 
 harness, a bow, and sheaf of arrows 
 
 To the Serjeant for his fees to arrest him 
 1539. Paid to Thorughgood, serjeant, when he 
 should a had John Whythed to the 
 Compter for his disobedience 
 1541. Paid to the scrivener at Gracechurch, for 
 writing the bill to the Mayor (and for a 
 copy), against the beer brewers 
 
 Paid to Master Ruscheton for his fee, to 
 be a counsel with us against the beer 
 brewers 
 
 Paid for a copy of the beer brewers’ com- 
 plaint against the craft 
 
 Paid to Master Ruscheton’s clerk, for his 
 reading of the copy and for reading of 
 our answer 
 
 Paid, on Shrove Tuesday, to Master 
 Ruscheton, in the presence of Master 
 Charley and Master Mynton 
 , Paid for another copy of the answer, new 
 written again 
 
 £ 5. d. 
 
 184 
 6 8 
 1 6 8 
 
 2 10 
 
 7 6 
 
 0 2 
 0 8 
 
 0 8 
 
 2 8 
 
 6 8 
 0 4 
 
 0 4 
 
 3 4 
 3 4 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 90 ) 
 
 1541. Paid to Master Ruscheton, for the draft of 
 
 the bill in to the Parliament house 
 Paid to John Moor, our clerk, by the hands 
 of Master Trerys, for certain writing to 
 the Parliament house 
 
 1542. Paid to the Speaker of the Parliament 
 
 house, by the hands of Peter Curantts, 
 the sum of . . 
 
 Paid to the serjeant’s servant of the Com- 
 mons House, for a reward 
 Paid, at the King’s Head in Fleet street, 
 for a breakfast for certain of the Com- 
 pany 
 
 Paid for a weker bottle given to the ser- 
 jeant 
 
 Receipts, as well of the Englishmen as of 
 the strangers Dutchmen, towards the 
 charges of the suit in the Parliament ; 
 First, received of Master Charley 
 Of Master Tyrrys 
 Of Master Byrde 
 Of John Johnson 
 Of Robert Swayne 
 Of Master Hasyll 
 Of the Dutchmen 
 
 Paid towards the charges in the Parlia- 
 ment house : 
 
 To Master Atkyns, for his council upon 
 the recognizance wherein all the craft 
 stands bounden to serve the beer 
 brewers with vessels 
 Paid more to the same Mr. Atkyns, 
 for drawing a bill to the Parliament 
 house 
 
 Paid to Master Raynesford, keeper of 
 the Lords House 
 
 Paid to Peter Corant, and John Whyt- 
 lied, and William Whytte, towards 
 the suit in the Parliament house 
 
 3 4 
 
 5 0 
 
 3 6 8 
 
 0 8 
 
 1 0 
 0 2 
 
 10 0 
 13 4 
 
 4 8 
 3 4 
 
 5 0 
 1 0 
 8 8 
 
 3 4 
 
 5 0 
 3 9 
 
 0 0 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 91 ) 
 
 1 542. Paid to the serjeant-at-arms that awaits 
 
 on Master Speaker of the Parlia- 
 ment house 
 
 Paid to Master Recorder to be a coun- 
 sel with us in Parliament house 
 Paid to the serjeant that kept the 
 door 
 
 Paid to the keeper of the Lord Cham- 
 berlain's door 
 
 Paid to Mr. Urmyston’s clerk, for the 
 reading of the Act to us 
 Paid to the serjeant again 
 
 1543. Law charges : 
 
 Payments in defence of Anthony Lowe 
 Payments for suing out of the Act 
 
 1544. Paid and given, in a reward, to the ser- 
 
 jeant of the Commons House in the 
 Parliament 
 
 1547. Paid for boat-hire to Westminster and 
 back again, when Mr. Heath and Mr. 
 Gryffin, the Warden, went to Parlia- 
 ment 
 
 1561. Paid for a copy out of the Rolls for the 
 
 Vintners' licence to retail wines 
 
 1562. Paid, in July, to Master Slywright, for 
 
 drawing our license to sell wine, to be 
 signed by the Queen’s majesty 
 Costs and charges in and about the repeal- 
 ing of the statute concerning the prices 
 of vessels 
 
 Paid, as in reward, to the Speaker, one 
 runlet with ten gallons of sack, I65. Qd., 
 and for a quartern of pippins and a 
 basket, 25. 
 
 1563. Law charges in proceedings against stran- 
 
 gers 
 
 1565. Costs in law against a brewer at St. Giles 
 in the Fields, for resisting the Master 
 and Wardens at their search 
 
 1 0 0 
 
 10 0 
 
 0 8 
 
 0 4 
 
 0 4 
 5 0 
 
 2 114 
 19 10 
 
 3 4 
 
 0 6 
 0 6 
 
 10 0 
 
 6 10 6 
 
 18 10 
 4 17 3 
 
 6 18 10 
 
s. d. 
 
 1566. 
 
 1567. 
 
 1568. 
 1573. 
 
 1588. 
 
 1592. 
 
 1592. 
 
 1597. 
 
 ( 92 ) 
 
 Received of the freemen of tlie commo- 
 nalty, 41. 2s. lOd . ; and of tlie Dutch- 
 men householders at Tower hill and in 
 Southwark, 8/., towards obtaining the 
 repealing of the Act made for the prices 
 of vessels at the last Parliament . . 12 2 10 
 
 Charges for repealing former statutes con- 
 cerning beer, ale, and soap vessels 20 2 7 
 
 Costs in law, against Dutchmen and 
 others, for denying to seal their round 
 bouge barrels . . . . 18 3 4 
 
 Costs and charges at law against offen- 
 ders .. .. 53 13 74 
 
 Law charges . . . . 16 18 6 
 
 Paid for law charges, in suits against 
 
 foreigners . . . . 22 10 1 
 
 Expenses in obtaining the Act of Parlia- 
 ment for gauging foreign vessels 30 13 2 
 
 Paid to one of the Lord Mayor’s clerks, to 
 solicit our cause before the court of 
 Aldermen, about marking the true con- 
 tents of hogsheads . . 3 4 
 
 Paid for a bill preferred to Parliament 
 against the Brewers, for keeping above 
 two Coopers in their houses, against 
 the statute 23 Hen. VIII. . . 5 4 2 
 
 The like for a bill in Parliament respect- 
 ing bringing in of clapboards and re- 
 straining of foreign casks .. 6 12 1 
 
 Collected of the Company, by way of 
 goodwill, towards the suits in Parlia- 
 ment . . . . 16 3 0 
 
 Paid for a runlet of sack given to Mr. 
 
 Wilbraham . . . . 115 4 
 
 Paid at the Parliament house about pass- 
 ing two bills ; one which did pass, but 
 afterwardsputback, including 1/. 13^.46?. 
 ipocrass for the Lords . . 47 
 
 6 7 
 
( 93 ) 
 
 d. 
 
 £ 
 
 Miscellaneous. 
 
 1529. Paid to a serjeant for arresting the brewer 
 in Aldersgate street that caused his 
 vessel to be cut less 
 
 1536. Paid for two sheaf of arrows 
 
 Paid for two burdens of rushes 
 Paid to Master Willes, by the consent of 
 the Company, to have the common seal 
 delivered in to the craft 
 Paid the King’s silver, according to the 
 assessing 
 
 1539. Paid to the bayley at the Tower hill, when 
 we went to search how many of the 
 Dutchmen were made free denizens 
 
 1544. Receipts for scantlin money of the young 
 
 men taken into the livery, ten at I 5 , Ad. 
 each 
 
 Receipts of all the sessing money gathered 
 of all the Company, as well English as 
 Dutchmen strangers . . 23 
 
 The like for the gathering of the young 
 men . . . . 14 
 
 1545. Scantlin money received from four mem- 
 
 bers on their first coming in the livery, 
 
 1 Qd. each 
 
 1549. Paid to the clerk of Mr. Treasurer of the 
 Augmentation, for the preachers of the 
 King’s majesty . . . . 19 
 
 1552. Paid on Friday the 17th of March, at the 
 possession taking of Old Wool Key, to 
 twelve young children, being witnesses 
 Receipts of the clothing for the poor 2 
 
 Ditto of householders out of the clothing, 
 for ditto . . . . 1 
 
 Ditto of the Dutchmen, for ditto . . 1 
 
 Paid to Bartholomew’s hospital, for one 
 whole year, towards the poor . . 4 
 
 1 0 
 6 8 
 
 0 4 
 
 10 0 
 3 0 
 
 1 0 
 
 13 4 
 
 16 8 
 
 7 0 
 
 5 4 
 
 0 0 
 
 1 0 
 2 8 
 
 5 0 
 
 8 8 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
1552. 
 
 1557. 
 
 1558. 
 
 1560. 
 
 1562. 
 
 1564. 
 
 1565. 
 
 1566. 
 
 ( 94 ) ^ 
 
 Paid at Guildhall, for the charge of enrolh 
 ing the deed, and of Mr. Charley's will 3 
 Costs and charges in the renewing of the 
 corporation . , . . 6 
 
 Received of the late Queen’s majesty, and 
 for the bargain and sale of Old Wool 
 Key with the appurtenances . . 400 
 
 Costs and charges in and about the pur- 
 chasing of a tenement in St. Michael 
 Crooked lane . . . . 62 
 
 The expenses for and concerning the re- 
 novation of our Ordinances this year 9 
 Paid this year for scantlin cloth of pewke 
 and scarlet, given to the nine persons 
 that came this year into the livery, for 
 samples 
 
 Paid for three vizors, provided for the 
 punishment of naughty apprentices, 35., 
 and for three whip -stocks with whip- 
 cord, Q>d. 
 
 Received at two searches made amongst 
 the beer and ale brewers within the 
 City and without ; viz., Westminster, 
 
 St. Giles's, Islington, Stratford, and 
 Ratcliff, and among the brethren of the 
 fellowship, for and towards the charges 
 of the dinners of the Master, Wardens, 
 and their associates, and for the officers’ 
 duties and other payments, viz., in four 
 days in August, 485. 2d., and three days 
 in April, 425. Id. . . 4 
 
 The following members contributed to- 
 wards the charge of providing the site 
 for the Royal Exchange : 
 
 Mr. John Heath ..500 
 
 Mr. Stephen Heath . . 1 10 0 
 
 Mr. Wilsone . . 10 0 
 
 Mr. Edmond Birde . . 10 0 
 
 5 . d. 
 0 0 
 17 8 
 
 0 0 
 
 2 10 
 17 11 
 
 4 6 
 
 3 6 
 
 10 9 
 
 8 10 0 
 
1569. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 ( 95 ) 
 
 Paid sundry members the rest and re- 
 mainder of monies put into the lot- 
 tery . . . . 8 
 
 1570. Paid for an Act of Common Council made 
 against the setting awork of foreigners 
 Paid for nine gallons one quart sack, 
 
 1 5s. 5d., a gallon of Rhenish wine, 2^., 
 and a runlet, \2d. 
 
 1574. Money received of the fellowship, for the 
 
 provision of gunpowder . . 12 
 
 Paid for 180 lbs. of gunpowder . . 10 
 
 1578. Paid for a vizor 
 Paid for rods 
 
 Paid two men that whipped the two that 
 did offend 
 
 1580. Received for press-money for seven fo- 
 reigners and Flemings which Mr. Mere 
 pressed in his wardenship to the Queen's 
 work on Tower hill 
 
 Received for certain parcels of plate by 
 this Company sold, appertaining to the 
 house . . , . 5 
 
 1587. Paid to the Chamberlain, by virtue of a 
 precept from my Lord Mayor to the 
 Company, for lands concealed from His 
 Majesty . . . . 5 
 
 1590. Paid to Mr. Chester, deputy to Mr. Cla- 
 
 renceux King of Arms, for registering 
 the Company's arms 
 
 1591. Paid for a chain for the Bible 
 
 1592. Paid for a new Bible and a new Service- 
 
 book for the chapel . . 1 
 
 1593. Paid to a painter, for painting the Com- 
 
 pany’s arms in books given by Master 
 Swaine 
 
 2 0 
 0 2 
 
 18 5 
 
 10 0 
 13 6 
 2 0 
 0 2 
 
 1 0 
 
 7 0 
 
 2 6 
 
 2 6 
 
 10 0 
 0 6 
 
 2 4 
 
 12 0 
 
< “ ' £ W, 
 
 Pa(/ea7its. 
 
 1529. Paid for 16 yds. of white cotton for Mid- 
 summer, for the watch, with making 10 0 
 
 1533. Paid to the goodman Hall, carpenter, for 
 the scaffold whereon the clothing stood 
 at the ordination of the Queen 0 1 1 
 
 Paid for meat and drink spent in the 
 barge when we went to fetch the Queen 
 at Greenwich, to the Tower . . 13 
 
 1539. Paid for 20 yards of white cotton, at Id. 
 
 a yard . . . . 118 
 
 Paid for scouring of the harness, and for 
 
 canvas, for making and sewing of it 110 
 
 Paid for the making of the four coats 2 0 
 
 Paid for three sheaf of arrows . . 7 6 
 
 Paid to old Asplyn for lend of his harness 1 2 
 
 Paid for new feathering of eighteen shafts 
 
 and six arrows . . . . 13 
 
 Paid for two pair of splints . . 3 10 
 
 Paid for four bows . . . . 6 9 
 
 Paid for red cloth for the crosses and 
 
 arms . . . . 10 
 
 Paid for bow-strings . . 0 4 
 
 Paid for the scouring of Asplyn’s harness 0 4 
 
 Paid for faggot, drink, and bread . . 0 5 
 
 Paid to a man that was admitted to shoot 0 8 
 
 Paid for fire, bread, and drink . . 0 3 
 
 Paid for a gorget to Mr. Clarke . . 0 10 
 
 Paid for four shooting-gloves . . 14 
 
 Paid for four brassers . . 0 6 
 
 Paid for buckles, nails, leathers, and for 
 
 canvas for the saletts . . 4 0 
 
 Paid for three dozen of arming-points 0 9 
 
 Paid to the armourer for new scouring 
 
 of the harness . . . . 4 0 
 
 Paid to the fletcher for setting on heads 
 
 on the arrows . . . . 0 
 
 6 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 97 ) 
 
 1539. Paid for two bills making, for the chang- 
 
 ing of bows to morris-pikes . . 0 3 
 
 Paid for four white caps . . 2 0 
 
 Paid for another bow . . 18 
 
 Paid for breakfast for the four men . . 0 9 
 
 Paid to the four men for prest-money 2 8 
 
 Paid for eight cresset-staves . . 0 8 
 
 Paid to John Dyar, to shave the same 0 8 
 
 Paid for eight new cressets . . 16 10 
 
 Paid for a harness, splints, and a salett 13 8 
 
 1540. Paid, against the receiving of my Lady 
 
 Ann, to John Creke carpenter, for four- 
 teen scutcheons working, and for set- 
 ting on the leathers . . 7 2 
 
 For mending of the two blue cloths that 
 hung about the barge, which was rent 
 at her coming into Greenwich . . 2 0 
 
 Paid to Master Alysander, painter, for 
 
 the painting of the fourteen targets 14 0 
 
 And given to his servant to drink . . 0 4 
 
 Paid to him that played on the instru- 
 ment in the barge . . 3 4 
 
 The charges of bread, meat, and drink for 
 the Company in the barge : 
 
 To the goodwife Swayne, for half a 
 
 dozen bread . . . . 0 6 
 
 More to her, for a gallon and a pottle of 
 
 beer, and for a gallon of good ale 0 4 
 
 For a jolle of fresh salmon, and a jolle 
 
 of salt salmon, and for two gurnards 2 10 
 At the grocer’s, for cloves, mace, and 
 
 1 lb. of small raisins . . 14 
 
 For 3 lbs. of great raisins, and for 2 lbs. 
 
 of prunes . . . . 0 6 
 
 For eight white cups, to drink in the barge 0 4 
 
 For 14 lbs. of shafte eels . . 19 
 
 To the cook for the baking of the pies 1 0 
 
 Paid for ten badges for the cresset-bearers 
 
 and bag-bearers . . 18 
 
 H 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 98 ) 
 
 1547. Payments against Midsummer night, to- 
 wards the cresset-lights : 
 
 For 16 yards of white cotton, for four 
 
 coats, at 7 c?. a yard . . 9 4 
 
 For J red cloth, for crosses with the 
 
 arms of the city . . 10 
 
 For making of the same coats . . 2 0 
 
 For 10 stone of cresset-lights, at Sd. 
 
 a stone . . . . 2 8 
 
 For eight straw hats . . 0 8 
 
 For badges to set on them . . 18 
 
 For ells of canvas | broad, for a bag to 
 
 bear the cresset-lights in . . 0 6 
 
 For new feathering and dressing of two 
 
 sheaf of arrows . . 10 
 
 To Master Williamson, for one sheaf of 
 
 arrows . . . . 18 
 
 To eight cresset-bearers and two bag- 
 bearers, for their wages for both the 
 nights . . . . 10 0 
 
 For bread, ale, and beer for them, for 
 
 both nights . . . . 0 8 
 
 To the clerk for his attendance, for both 
 
 nights . . . . 0 8 
 
 For four shooting-gloves and four 
 
 brassers . . . . 18 
 
 To the armourer, for scouring all the 
 
 harness . . . . 3 4 
 
 1 556. Paid in prest to six men, 6s . ; for two bows, 
 
 5s . ; for three bills, 45. Id. ; and for a 
 sheaf of arrows, 25. .. 17 1 
 
 1558. Paid, when Queen Elizabeth came to take 
 
 possession of the Tower, for the loan of 
 a broad cloth for our standing, 2d. ; for 
 the carriage of our standing from the 
 hall and home again, l5. ; to the carpen- 
 ter for setting up and taking down and 
 mending our frame, 35. ; for nails, 4c?. ; 
 and for the beadle's dinner, 6d. . . 5 0 
 
( 99 ) ^ 
 
 1558. Paid in January when theQueen came from 
 
 Westminster to the Tower by water 2 
 
 Paid, 14th January, when the Queen came 
 from the Tower to her coronation, for 
 setting up our standing, 2s. ; for cord for 
 the banner-staves, 2d. ; for carriage and 
 recarriage of our standing, I6d. ; for silk 
 for mending our streamers, 4d. ; for car- 
 riage and recarriage of a broad cloth, 46?. ; 
 for dinner for me and the beadle, 1^. 
 
 1 559. Costs and charges of 1 6 men to muster be- 
 
 fore the Queen's majesty at Greenwich, 
 with the rest of the companies appointed 
 for the city, in the month of July 4 
 
 1564. Costs and charges for two new streamers 
 and a banner : 
 
 For crimson sarsnet 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 6 ells green sarsnet 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 0 
 
 2 ells black taffeta 
 
 
 14 
 
 0 
 
 21 J oz. silk fringe 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 0 
 
 3 yds. buckram 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 The painter, for his workman- 
 
 
 
 
 ship . . 
 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 
 For two poles for the ban- 
 
 
 
 
 ner-staves 
 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 The joiner, for making them 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 The turner, for staves to roll 
 
 
 
 
 the banners on 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 For three poles to hang the 
 
 
 
 
 banners upon 
 
 
 0 
 
 9 
 
 For making them 
 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 
 For iron to hang the ban- 
 
 
 
 
 ners upon 
 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 1570. Paid for our standing when the Queen’s 
 majesty went to Sir Thomas Gresham’s 
 house ; that is to say, for the cloth, 25. ; 
 to the carpenter, 35. 4d. ; for 2 quar- 
 
 5 . d. 
 1 6 
 
 5 2 
 
 6 9 
 
 1 10 
 
 9 5 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 100 ) 
 
 ters, 18t/. ; for 200 nails, \2d. ; for five 
 white staves for the whifflcrs, 10c?.; for 
 drink for the beadle, 4c?. ; and for four 
 deal boards, 3s. 4c?. . . 12 10 
 
 1571. Received of certain strangers, and others 
 of the fellowship, for and towards the 
 charges in mustering thirty-four sol- 
 diers, set out by the Company to make 
 a show before the Queen's majesty at 
 Greenwich, on May-day . . 18 4 
 
 Paid, for furnishing the said soldiers, for 
 calivers, flasks, touchboxes, gunpowder, 
 meat, drink, and other necessaries 19 2 4 
 
 Paid for cruell for the flasks and touch- 
 
 boxes for the calivers . . 8 8 
 
 1584. Charges laid out, for training up and mus- 
 tering of fifty men before the Queen’s 
 majesty at Greenwich : 
 
 For gunpowder .. .. 4 14 10 
 
 Match . . . . 12 0 
 
 Silk ribbon for their head-pieces 16 4 
 
 Victuals for the soldiers before they 
 
 went to Greenwich .. 1 17 11 
 
 For drinking for the Wardens and Com- 
 pany, at sundry times when they went 
 into the fields with the soldiers 17 11 
 
 For a dinner for the Wardens at Green- 
 wich . . . . 18 0 
 
 For a boat to carry down their match, 
 
 powder, and victuals . . 2 0 
 
 For a dinner for certain of the Com- 
 pany, the captain, and his officers 2 4 5 
 
 To the captain for his wages . . 5 6 7 
 
 For training up twenty-five of the same 
 soldiers, being shot, the first day, at 
 6c?. the man .. .. 12 6 
 
 Paid the second day, for training up 
 twenty-five shot and twenty-six pikes 
 and halberts . . . . 15 0 
 
( 10 . ) ^ 
 
 1584. Paid the third day, for the like . . 1 
 
 Paid the l7th and 18 th of May, to the 
 soldiers for their wages . . 2 
 
 Paid for trimming up the calivers and 
 corslets . . . . 2 
 
 Paid for an Act of Common Council 
 Paid to the Lord Mayor's officer . . 
 
 Paid to Mr. Smith, for a recognizance 
 Paid for ten torches and ten links 
 1588. Paid for white staves, when the Queen 
 came to Paul’s cross 
 
 Paid for three deal boards for our standing, 
 when the Queen came to Paul’s cross, 
 and for nails 
 
 For hire of a blue cloth, and carriage 
 For a link and three staff- torches 
 For packthread 
 
 For carriage of our standing from Ludgate 
 to our hall 
 
 Monies received of members, for gilding 
 Her Majesty’s arms in the hall, and for 
 making our own ensign . . 11 
 
 Sundry payments to goldsmith, for graving 
 the rod of iron for guaging, and other 
 matters connected therewith. 
 
 Payments for painting the Queen’s arms 
 and for a new ensign : 
 
 To the painter, for painting the Queen's 
 arms in the hall, and the Company’s 
 arms in the ensign . . 4 
 
 For a curtain-rod, for the arms in our 
 hall 
 
 To the painter, more, for painting the 
 arms in our hall 
 
 For 13 ells of silk, to make the ensign, 
 at 8s. 2t?. the ell . . 5 
 
 For making the ensign 
 For a staff for the ensign 
 To him that bought the silk 
 
 s. d. 
 
 5 6 
 
 3 0 
 
 10 0 
 
 6 8 
 2 0 
 2 0 
 
 13 4 
 
 4 0 
 
 7 10 
 2 6 
 3 4 
 0 1 
 
 0 8 
 
 8 2 
 
 10 0 
 0 7 
 6 8 
 
 7 2 
 
 8 0 
 2 0 
 0 6 
 
1588. 
 
 1591. 
 
 1602. 
 
 1603. 
 
 1605. 
 
 1606. 
 
 1607. 
 
 ( 102 ) 
 
 For fustian for the same ensign . . 
 
 For an iron to hang the same ensign 
 upon 
 
 Paid for our forms at Paul’s cross on the 
 coronation day . . 
 
 Received of divers of the Company, as 
 money collected for and towards the 
 King’s coronation 
 Paid towards the King’s coronation 
 Paid the Chamberlain, for the monies as- 
 sessed on the Company towards the 
 pageants and other shows, against the 
 King’s riding through London, 15th 
 
 23 
 
 17 
 
 s. d. 
 1 10 
 
 1 3 
 
 1 0 
 
 16 1 
 10 0 
 
 March 
 
 5 
 
 16 
 
 8 
 
 Two further payments of 565. each . . 
 
 5 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 Paid for new banners, ^c. 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 Paid for lengthening the new rails or 
 
 
 
 
 standings in Fleet street 
 
 7 
 
 13 
 
 0 
 
 Ten white staves for the whifflers 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 Ribbons for them . . 
 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 Paid for a dinner for the Company that 
 
 
 
 
 day 
 
 3 
 
 13 
 
 0 
 
 Paid for forms at Paul’s, on the coronation 
 
 
 
 
 day 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Paid for a new banner 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 Paid the assessment for shows, against 
 His Majesty and the king of Denmark 
 riding through the city, 21st July 7 0 0 
 
 Charges about the standing, including 
 
 3/. 95. Id. for a dinner . . 5 16 10 
 
 Paid, 24th March, being the beginning of 
 His Majesty’s reign, when we came 
 from Paul’s cross, for dinner at the 
 Boar’s Head in Old Fish street . . 2 5 11 
 
 Paid for forms at Paul's cross, three times, 
 
 95. ; and for forms in Paul’s church, 
 
 2s.e>d. .. .. 11 6 
 
 Paid, the 5th day of November, being the 
 King’s day for the Parliament cause, for 
 
d. 
 
 ( 103 ) 
 
 a dinner at the Queen's Arms in St. 
 Martin's 
 
 1609. Paid, 31st May, for barge-hire, to attend 
 the Prince to Whitehall from Chelsea, 
 against his creating Prince of Wales 
 Bread, beer, and cakes 
 For wine in the barge, 8^. 6c?. ; for supper, 
 ll. Os, %d. 
 
 £ 
 
 1 2 0 
 
 2 5 0 
 
 4 11 
 
 1 9 2 
 
 Royal Aids, Provision of Soldiers, ^c. 
 
 1537. The Company being called upon to pro- 
 vide and set forth four men towards the 
 King's wars in the north country, paid 
 the following charges in respect thereof : 
 For four pair of Almayne rivets, with 
 saletts, gorgets, and splints 
 For 20 yards of white cotton, for coats 
 for our men, at a yard 
 For the making of the said coats, to the 
 tailor 
 
 For two black bills 
 For four bows . . 
 
 To Edward Bayne and to Hary Barret, 
 for prest-money 
 
 For two dozen of long arming-points 
 For four horses for them 
 More for one saddle, and for mending 
 of 3 saddles, and for bridles and girths 
 Paid to Edward Bayne and Hary Barret, 
 for their boots and spurs, and jerkins 
 of russet cotton 
 
 Paid to John Low and to John But- 
 ler, for their prest-money 
 Paid more, for two swords for them 
 Paid to them for their boots and spurs 
 Paid for shoeing and for nailing of the 
 four horses 
 
 40 0 
 
 11 8 
 
 2 0 
 2 6 
 
 4 0 
 
 5 0 
 0 8 
 
 3 118 
 
 13 4 
 
 8 4 
 
 2 0 
 3 4 
 6 8 
 
 0 12 
 
( 104 ) 
 
 1537. For bow-strings 
 
 For two shooting-gloves and for two 
 brasers 
 
 A dozen of arming-points 
 Paid to the said four men, for their con- 
 duct-money . . 
 
 For the meat of the four horses for a 
 day and a night 
 Paid more for horse-meat 
 Paid more to the said four men, for their 
 own meat and for their horses’ meat 
 for a night 
 
 Paid and allowed for two daggers for the 
 four men 
 
 Paid to John Moor and to John Dyar, 
 for their labour for seven days, run- 
 ning and going about at the Wardens’ 
 commandment 
 
 Paid to three of the same men, for their 
 horses and their harness, by the com- 
 mandment of the Mayor 
 
 Sum . . 10/. 8s. Id. 
 
 Mem. Be it known that the same three 
 horses was kept so long at livery that 
 their meat came to the sum of 15s. Id. ; 
 so were they fain to let them have two 
 of the horses for their meat, and besides 
 that paid the sum of 
 And the third horse was sold to a hoope- 
 man for the sum of as much as is writ- 
 ten before in the receipts ; and the 
 fourth horse, and the harness for Ed- 
 ward Bayne’s own body, the said Edward 
 ran quite away with. 
 
 0 2 
 
 0 G 
 0 4 
 
 20 0 
 
 2 3 
 0 16 
 
 3 4 
 
 4 8 
 
 3 4 
 
 30 0 
 
 15 1 
 
 ] 542. The following charges were paid in setting 
 forth two men, notwithstanding one was 
 after clearly put out and discharged by 
 my lord the Mayor and by the captain : 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 105 ) 
 
 1542. First, paid for two swords and for two 
 
 daggers . . . . 52 
 
 For two sword-girdles . . 0 8 
 
 For two white caps for them . . 0 10 
 
 For one dozen of arming-points . . 0 2 
 
 For 3J yards of plain white, for two 
 
 coats, at 20c?. a yard . . 5 4^ 
 
 For 2| yards of white fustian, for an 
 
 arming-doublet, at 8d. a yard . . 1 1C 
 
 For an ell of canvas for the same doublet 0 6 
 
 For two black bills to Sir Richard 
 
 Gressam . . . . 3 0 
 
 For 3 yards of white kersey, that made 
 our man a coat, because the tother 
 coats’ cloth the Mayor nor the cap- 
 tain would not allow, at I6c?. a yard 4 0 
 
 Paid for a pair of white upper slippers 1 8 
 
 Paid and given to our said man, in a 
 rev/ard, for the honesty of the occu- 
 pation, to drink by the way . . 10 
 
 For 6 yards of white cotton, for to make 
 another white coat, against Midsum- 
 mer . . . . 3 0 
 
 Paid to the tailor, for the making of two 
 
 coats of plain cloth . . 10 
 
 For red cloth for the crosses set on all 
 
 the coats . . . . 0 10 
 
 For the making of the kersey coat 0 8 
 
 For the making of the arming-doublet 1 0 
 
 Paid to the armourer, for this year’s 
 
 making clean the harness . . 2 0 
 
 For two coats making, against Mid- 
 summer . . . . 10 
 
 1544, Receipts of money of the Company, as- 
 sessed the 28th day of May, for setting 
 out of six men for the King’s majesty’s 
 wars ; thirty-three members, in sums 
 from 135. 4c?. to l5. 8c?. . . 11 12 8 
 
£ s. d. 
 
 ( 106 ) 
 
 1544. Payments for the setting forth of six men, 
 soldiers, to the King's majesty's wars, 
 that is to say, two bow-men and four 
 bill-men : 
 
 For 18 yards of blue Hampshire kersey, 
 put three yards in a coat, at 2\d. a 
 yard . . . . 1116 
 
 For 3 yds. of yellow kersey, for guard- 
 ing the six coats, at 20^?. a yard 5 0 
 
 For 3 yards of red and white kersey, 
 and for 1 yard of black kersey, for the 
 sleeves checkers, at 18«?. the yard 6 0 
 
 For making the six coats, at 20d, the 
 
 piece . . . . 10 0 
 
 For 15 yards of white Holmes fustian, 
 
 at Sd. the yard .. 10 0 
 
 For 12 yards of white cotton, to line the 
 
 doublets, at the yard . . 6 0 
 
 For 3 ells of canvas, at Ad. the ell, for 
 
 the doublets . . 10 
 
 For making of the six doublets, at 10^?. 
 
 the piece . . . . 5 0 
 
 For six pair of hosen, at As. Sd. the pair 18 0 
 
 For their six hats, at \2d. apiece 6 0 
 
 For six badges, painted for their hats, at 
 
 Ad. apiece . . . . 2 0 
 
 For six swords, at 25. 2d. apiece, for the 
 
 soldiers . . . . 13 0 
 
 For five daggers, at 14 J. apiece . . 7 0 
 
 For four black bills, at \Ad. apiece 4 8 
 
 For six sword-girdles . . 12 
 
 For a bow and a sheaf of arrows . . 3 4 
 
 For another sheaf of new arrows . . 2 8 
 
 For arming-points for the soldiers 1 6 
 
 For bow-strings, at two sundry times 0 2 
 
 Paid to the armourer for mending the 
 harness, and for leathers and new 
 buckets, and other to them . . 3 8 
 
 For three new skolls, at I6c?, apiece 4 0 
 
£ 5. d. 
 
 ( 107 ) 
 
 1544. For three pair of Almayne rivets, new 
 
 bought, at 105. the pair 
 Paid to the six men, at divers times, at 
 Mr. Chamberlain’s commandment, 
 at 20^;?. a man 
 
 Paid for the dinners of the said six men, 
 at two sundry times 
 
 Received of Master Chamberlain of Lon- 
 don, for the six coats of the six men 
 that we sent forth to do the King’s 
 business and commandment 
 
 1545. Receipts of the Dutchmen, towards the 
 
 harness buying and finding forth the 
 six soldiers 
 
 Paid further charges respecting setting 
 forth the six soldiers 
 
 Paid the third time, of and for setting 
 forth of two men 
 
 Payments for the second time, towards 
 setting forth the six soldiers 
 The like, second time, for setting forth of 
 other six men, soldiers 
 
 1557. Monies received of divers of the Compa- 
 ny, as a loan to and for the provision 
 of harness for soldiers 
 And 
 
 Costs and charges on the provision of har- 
 ness and other necessaries for war, and 
 for setting out six soldiers 
 For furnishing and setting out of twelve 
 soldiers, the 7th August 
 For furnishing and making forth six more, 
 the 5th January 
 For furnishing twelve more 
 For furnishing six more 
 Necessaries for the said soldiers, as for 
 stores 
 
 1559. Costs and charges in the making forth of 
 two soldiers to the sea. May 1560 
 
 10 0 
 
 6 0 
 3 0 
 
 1 3 0 
 
 1 18 4 
 
 6 9 9i 
 18 7 
 
 1 12 7 
 1 14 6i 
 
 9 13 4 
 19 8 
 
 3 12 11 
 
 7 12 0 
 
 1 11 0 
 9 14 8 
 1 19 4 
 
 3 118 
 
 1 2 2 
 
£ s, d. 
 
 ( 108 ) 
 
 1562. Costs and charges for the preparation and 
 setting forth of eight soldiers to New- 
 haven, whereof four were corslets with 
 pikes — two, corslets with bills — and 
 two, arquebusiers or archers . . 22 10 4 
 
 1564. Paid expenses on the preparation of five 
 
 soldiers to Newhaven . . 9 4 7 
 
 1566. Received from the late Lord Mayor, for 
 and towards the charges in making the 
 
 soldiers this Company, upon warrant, 
 made and found to go to Ireland . . 4 0 
 
 Charges and provision for and setting out 
 
 a soldier to go to Ireland . . 2 6 5 
 
 1569. Paid charges for setting out twelve sol- 
 diers . . . . 34 10 1 1 
 
 Monies received of and among the Com- 
 pany, to and for the charges in setting 
 out twelve soldiers into the north 13 11 6 
 
 1577. Received of divers of the Company, to- 
 wards furnishing twenty-five soldiers 9 0 0 
 
 Paid for the said soldiers . . 9 18 0^ 
 
 1579. Collected amongst the Company, for set- 
 ting forth five soldiers . . 4 5 7 
 
 The like, for provision of furniture for the 
 
 soldiers . . . . 2 7 6 
 
 1 580. Various amounts were received from mem- 
 bers towards setting out thirty-eight 
 soldiers that went to the Queen's ships, 
 and divers payments made respecting 
 them. 
 
 1585. Paid for the wages of eight soldiers for 
 
 seventeen days, at 8d, the day . . 4 10 8 
 
 For powder, match, bullets, moulds, rib- 
 
 bons, and purses .. 17 0 
 
 For eight coats for them . . 2 0 0 
 
 For conduct-money, hose, and shoes, by 
 
 commandment of the captain . . 14 6 
 
 For l |Tb. powder .. 16 
 
 For a new Spanish head-piece for Pytts 3 4 
 
£ 
 
 ( 109 ) 
 
 1585. Paid to Pytts, for his wages for three days, 
 
 conduct-money, and for a ribbon, and 
 waiting of the captain 
 
 1586. Paid for 262 lbs. of gunpowder, at \0d. 
 
 per lb., by virtue of a precept from the 
 Lord Mayor . . ..11 
 
 Paid to the Chamberlain of London for 
 and towards transporting two hundred 
 soldiers to the Low Countries, by virtue 
 of a like precept . . . . 2 
 
 Paid for apparelling four soldiers, and other 
 charges . . . . 3 
 
 1587. Received for three barrels of gunpowder, 
 
 sold to the Mynion, one of the ships 
 set forth by the City . . 9 
 
 Paid, by virtue of a precept from my Lord 
 Mayor, towards setting out twenty sail 
 of ships . . . . 1 
 
 Paid towards training 1000 soldiers 
 
 1591. Received of the Company, lent for set- 
 ting out ships .. ..41 
 
 Paid them for the same . . 41 
 
 Paid to Mr. Garrett, for provision of ships 47 
 
 1598. Paid to the Chamberlain for so much 
 assessed on the Company by the Lord 
 Mayor, towards setting out great horse 
 to Ireland . . . . 3 
 
 Paid to Alderman Thwaites, by virtue of 
 a precept from the Lord Mayor, for 
 money lent the Queen . . 80 
 
 This was repaid in 1599. 
 
 Paid to Alderman Saltonstall, monies dis- 
 bursed by him for interest of 60/. for 
 six months lent to the Queen 
 
 4 6 
 
 3 8 
 
 9 4 
 8 4 
 
 15 0 
 
 10 0 
 7 6 
 
 18 4 
 18 4 
 0 0 
 
 0 0 
 
 0 0 
 
 3 
 
 0 0 
 
BY-LAWS. 
 
 By-laws for the regulation of the Company were made, 
 and allowed, agreeably to the provisions of the Act of Par- 
 liament of the 19th Henry VII. cap. 7, since the charter of 
 incorporation ; viz. 
 
 By William Archbishop of Canterbury, lord chancellor, 
 Thomas Earl of Surrey, lord treasurer. Sir John Fyneux, 
 chief justice of the king’s bench, and Sir Robert Rede, chief 
 justice of the common bench; 14th May, 22 Henry VII., 
 1507. 
 
 By Sir Nicholas Bacon, knt., lord keeper of the great seal, 
 William Marquess of Winchester, lord treasurer. Sir Robert 
 Catlyn, knt., chief justice, and Sir James Dyer, knt., chief 
 justice of the common bench ; 10th June, 3 Eliz., 1561. 
 
 By Edward Earl of Clarendon, lord chancellor. Sir Robert 
 Foster, knt., chief justice, and Sir Orlando Bridgeman, knt. 
 and bart., chief justice of the common bench ; 8th May, 
 14 Chas. II., 1663. 
 
 By Philip Lord Hardwick, lord chancellor. Sir William 
 Lee, knt., chief justice of the king’s bench, and Sir John 
 Willes, knt., chief justice of the common pleas ; 3d June, 
 14 Geo. IL, 1741. 
 
 Which latter are the existing by-laws for the regulation 
 and government of the Company. 
 
( HI ) 
 
 CHARITIES. 
 
 The Company have the management and control of the 
 following charities : 
 
 First, a School and Almshouses at Ratcliff, founded by 
 Nicholas Gibson, citizen and grocer, sheriff A.D. 1538, who 
 by his will, dated 23d September, 1540, left to his wife Avice 
 all his property, on condition she should assure the same for 
 their maintenance and support for ever. She subsequently 
 married Sir Anthony Knyvett, and made a surrender of the 
 property to the Company in 1552, pursuant to the terms of 
 Mr. Gibson's will. 
 
 The original institution, in addition to the school, was for 
 the maintenance of fourteen poor distressed persons, men 
 and women, according to the discretion of the Company ; of 
 whom seven were to be inhabitants of the parish of Stepney, 
 and the remaining seven of the mistery of Coopers or their 
 wives. This charity was increased and extended by the be- 
 nefactions of Henry Cloker, 1573 ; Toby Wood, 1611 ; and 
 Henry Strode, 1703. The inmates consist of eight widows 
 of Stepney, eight widows of freemen, and six poor men, mem- 
 bers of the Company. They are elected by the court upon 
 vacancies occurring by death or otherwise. 
 
 Each man, besides the advantages of a residence, now 
 receives a pension of 2\l. yearly, and each woman of 18/. 
 The original pensions were 65. 8 per quarter. They are all 
 allowed coals. A surgeon is provided, and a nurse kept to 
 attend those who may be sick. They are required to be 
 sixty years of age at the time of admission. 
 
 There is a chapel attached to this establishment, and a 
 clergyman of the Church of England appointed for the per- 
 formance of Divine service. 
 
 The school is sufficiently capacious for one hundred boys. 
 The children are admitted by the court, upon application of the 
 parents, and are selected from inhabitants of Satcliff and the 
 parish of Stepney. This school, originally a grammar school. 
 
( 112 ) 
 
 will be materially extended and improved, and restored to 
 its original institution in a period of about three years from 
 the present time, the Company then coming into possession 
 of a considerable increase of revenue to enable them to do so, 
 and measures are now in progress towards effecting this ob- 
 ject. The education at present determined upon to be given, 
 commencing Midsummer 1848, consists of reading, writing, 
 arithmetic, book-keeping, the English grammar, geography, 
 and composition. 
 
 The buildings are situate in School-house lane, Ratcliff ; 
 and were wholly rebuilt in the year 1795, after the great fire. 
 A full-length portrait of Lady Knyvett, Mr. Gibson’s widow, 
 is placed in the chapel, which, from the Company’s records 
 in the year 1567, appears to have cost 2/. Ss. 4d. 
 
 The Company attend annually on New-year’s day at St. 
 Magnus church, London Bridge, to hear a sermon, and per- 
 form the covenants and conditions in Mr. Cloker’s will, the 
 same being then publicly read. 
 
 Second. A School and Almshouses at Egham, founded 
 by Henry Strode, esquire, A.D. 1703, for the benefit of the 
 parishioners of Egham. 
 
 This establishment consists of a chapel, school, and twelve 
 almshouses, which were rebuilt in the year 1828, after an 
 appropriate design by George Smith, esq., F.S.A., Fellow of 
 the Royal Institute of British Architects, a member of the 
 Company. The school is adapted for the accommodation of 
 upwards of one hundred children, and is under the able ma- 
 nagement of the Rev. George Adolphus Hopkins. He is also 
 chaplain to the establishment, and superintends the pension- 
 ers. Their allowance is 6s. per week each, with coals and 
 clothing, and the benefit of medical attendance. 
 
 The accounts of the revenue of this charity are deposited 
 with the master, yearly, for the information of the inhabitants 
 of the parish. 
 
 In addition to the above, the Company possesses a free- 
 hold estate at Woodham Mortimer, Essex, left by the late 
 William Alexander, esq., in the year 1725, comprising a 
 
1 
 
 
 
!/1 ' -i I I )M I I 1 r A L OtTLIbh WuOI'HlAlvl MuKTllVltK. 
 
( 113 ) 
 
 residence in the Elizabethan style, with commodious barns 
 and outbuildings, and 308 acres, chiefly of arable land. 
 
 Under this bequest forty persons, either freemen or livery- 
 men or their widows, receive an allowance of bl. each yearly, 
 and are required to attend the court in the month of July, 
 who elect in all cases of vacancies. 
 
 It appearing that no testimonial had been adopted to re- 
 cord this benevolent gift, the Company, in the year 1826, 
 directed a monumental obelisk, from a design by Mr. Smith, 
 to be erected for that purpose, at the entrance of the ave- 
 nue facing the residence and adjoining the high road from 
 Chelmsford to Maldon, with the following inscription : 
 
 IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE 
 OF THE MUNIFICENT BEQUEST BY 
 
 WILLIAM ALEXANDER, Esq., 
 
 OF HIS ESTATE AT WOODHAM MORTIMER 
 IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, 
 
 FOR THE BENEFIT, BEHOOF, AND ADVANTAGE 
 OF THE POOR OF THE COMPANY OF COOPERS, LONDON, 
 FOR EVER,” 
 
 THE MASTER, WARDENS, AND COURT OF ASSISTANTS 
 OF THE COMPANY 
 
 HAVE ERECTED THIS MEMORIAL, 
 
 NOT ONLY AS A TRIBUTE 
 OF THEIR RESPECT AND ADMIRATION 
 BUT ALSO WITH A VIEW 
 OF PUBLICLY HANDING DOWN TO FUTURE AGES 
 SO SPLENDID AN ACT OF 
 DISINTERESTED GENEROSITY. 
 
 M.DCCC.XXV. 
 
 Robert Carter, Esq., Master. 1 
 
 Abraham Algar, Esq., Senior Warden. > 1825, 26, 27 . 
 
 Jame.s Francis Firth, Esq., Junior Warden. ) 
 
 In Woodham Mortimer church, which adjoins the resi- 
 dence, a fine-toned organ, well adapted to the size of the 
 edifice, was handsomely presented to the parish in the year 
 1842, by Mr. James Boyer, the clerk of the Company. 
 
 I 
 
( 114 ) 
 
 One hundred pounds •per annum, with the accumulations 
 of interest thereon, has been invested since the year 1844, 
 under an order of court, to be applied either towards the 
 erection of almshouses, an addition to the pensions at pre- 
 sent allowed, or an increase in the number of pensioners, as 
 may be ultimately determined upon. 
 
 EXHIBITIONS. 
 
 These were of rare occurrence ; none appearing to have 
 been founded by grant or will, but made and discontinued 
 by the Company at their pleasure. The first appears in 1575, 
 when 21. was granted by the court, and a like sum continued 
 in the years 1585, 1586, and 1587. 
 
 In 1590, 2l. 3s. 6d. was contributed by the livery towards 
 5/., given in that year to a scholar at Cambridge, towards his 
 charges in becoming Master of Arts ; and further allowances 
 of 2l. yearly were made, 1591 and 1595. 
 
 In 1630, an exhibition of 4/. yearly, payable quarterly, was 
 granted during pleasure. 
 
 In 1663, a similar exhibition was granted, and another in 
 1664, since which time no further grants have been made by 
 the Company. 
 
( 115 j 
 
 FREEDOM AND FREEMEN. 
 
 In 1541, the members composing the Company were. 
 
 Of the clothing 
 
 25 
 
 Out of it 
 
 86 
 
 Dutchmen 
 
 13—124 
 
 1547, they were 
 
 
 Of the clothing 
 
 31 
 
 Young men on ditto 
 
 9 
 
 Householders out of the livery 
 
 43 
 
 English freemen, journeymen 
 
 21 
 
 Ditto, new made brethren 
 
 11 
 
 Foreigners, free journeymen 
 
 9 
 
 Dutchmen, householders 
 
 45 
 
 Free denizens, journeymen 
 
 13 
 
 New come-in Dutchmen, journeymen 
 
 12 
 
 194 
 
 In 1553, they had increased to 267. 
 
 The present number of freemen is estimated to exceed 
 one thousand. 
 
 The amounts paid respectively for quarterage were. 
 
 Householders 
 
 \0d. per quarter, 
 
 Free journeymen 
 
 Sd. 
 
 ,, 
 
 Dutchmen, householders 
 
 \0d. 
 
 ,, 
 
 Their journeymen 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 The present sum payable is 3^. Ad. per annum. 
 
 The ancient fine for admission to the free- 
 dom, not by redemption, was 
 
 35. Ad. 
 
 For entrance of apprentices 
 
 
 l5. 86?. 
 
 For entrance of marks 
 
 
 Is. Ad. 
 
 The present fees and charges are. 
 
 For admission to the freedom by 
 servitude or patrimony 
 
 
 165. 
 
 For admission by redemption 
 
 15/. 
 
 135. 6d. 
 
( 116 ) 
 
 For binding apprentices, where tlie 
 premium is under 30/. 
 
 3/. 12.S. 
 
 When 30/. and upwards, exclusive 
 of stamps 
 
 3/. Os. G</. 
 1/. 17s. 6</. 
 
 Turnovers, including 1/. stamp-duty 
 
 In 1545, 1/. 6s. 8d. was received from a person for his 
 entrance, to be accepted a brother ; and in 1560, 40s. from 
 another, for his admission as a redemptioner, beyond his 
 oath-money of 3s. 4d. 
 
 Few translations appear to have taken place. In 1545, one 
 occurred from the Skinners to the Coopers ; one, in the next 
 year, from the Coopers to the Goldsmiths ; another, in 1559, 
 from the Coopers to the Clothworkers ; and in 1581, three 
 from the Goldsmiths to the Coopers. 
 
 The following oath is taken by each freeman upon his ad- 
 mission : 
 
 You do sincerely promise and swear, that you will be 
 faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen 
 Victoria. You shall, in all honest and lawful matters, 
 be obedient to the Master and Wardens of the Fellow- 
 ship of Coopers within the city of London for the time 
 being, and obedient and ready to come to the lawful 
 warnings given to you, on behalf of the said Master and 
 Wardens (except you have a reasonable excuse), without 
 feigning or delays. And you shall observe and keep, 
 and to the best of your power cause to be observed and 
 kept, all lawful ordinances and statutes made for the 
 good rule and politic guiding of the same fellowship. 
 You shall also keep all the lawful secrets of the same 
 fellowship, and all such lawful things as by way of coun- 
 cil in communication, at any day of assembly amongst 
 the said fellowship, shall be holden by the said Master 
 and Wardens and Fellowship, and not disclose the same 
 to any person of the same fellowship, and especially to 
 any such person whom the same matter doth or in any 
 wise may touch. So help you God. 
 
( 117 ) 
 
 HALL. 
 
 The Hall is situate in Basinghall street ; and was erected 
 in the year 1543, on the site of premises there, given to the 
 Company by John Baker, citizen and Cooper, who, by his 
 will dated 13th April, 1490, left to the wardens and fellow- 
 ship of his craft of Coopers and their successors, when they 
 should become incorporated, all his lands and tenements with 
 their appurtenances in the parish of St. Michael Bassishaw, 
 for evermore, upon condition of their keeping his Obit in the 
 church of St. Michael Bassishaw, about the season of the 
 year in which he should happen to die, with Placebo and Di- 
 rige and mass of Requiem, they coming with the fellow^ship 
 of the whole clothing, in one livery, to his said dirige and 
 mass of requiem ; and after all charges and expenses borne in 
 respect thereof, in the manner and intent therein prescribed, 
 to put the residue of the rents arising from the said lands and 
 tenements into the common box of the craft, to be converted 
 towards the supportation of their other charges. 
 
 The Company appears to have regularly kept the Obit 
 from 1528 to 1547, and made the following prescribed yearly 
 
 payments : s. d. 
 
 To the parish priest of St. Michael Bassishaw 8 
 
 Ditto for mass and dirige . . 6 
 
 To four other priests there . . 14 
 
 To the clerk there . . . . 8 
 
 To the sexton . . . . 4 
 
 To the clerk, for the bells . . 8 
 
 To the ringers, for drink . . 2 
 
 Towards a repast for the Company . . 5 0 
 
 To nineteen of the same Company . . 6 4 
 
 To the three wardens, 20d. apiece . . 5 0 
 
 For thirty-six sacks of coals, given to poor peo- 
 ple, at A\d, a sack . . ..136 
 
 For eleven sacks of coals, at bd. a sack 4 7 
 
 In alms to poor people, to pray for the soul 1 3 
 
 Total . . 405. 
 
( 118 ) 
 
 By the Act of Parliament for Chantries Collegiate, 1 
 Edw. VI. cap. 12, it was enacted that the king should, from 
 Easter then next ensuing, have and enjoy all the monies, 
 profits, and emoluments, arising from wills or otherwise, 
 theretofore paid by any corporations, guilds, companies, mis- 
 teries, or crafts, towards or about the finding or maintenance 
 of any priest or priests of an anniversary or obit, to him his 
 heirs and successors for ever, as a rent-charge. 
 
 The same king, by a charter dated the 14th of July in the 
 fourth year of his reign, for a large consideration regranted 
 all such monies to the corporation and the several city com- 
 panies as he had acquired under the above Act. The words 
 of this charter, so far as the same relates to the Coopers Com- 
 pany, are as follow : Ac totuni ilium redditum nostrum, 
 annuitatem, et annualem summam novem-decem solidorum 
 per annum, exeuntem de uno messuagio et tenemento vocato 
 Le Swanne, magistri gardianorum et communitatis mistere 
 de Cowpers civitatis London, situat’ et existen’ in Bassynges- 
 hawe London, infra parochiam Sancti Michaelis ibidem ; 
 quam quidem annualem summam, redditum, aut annuitatem 
 iidem magister gardiani et communitas nuper solverunt et 
 annuatim solvere consueverunt ad perpetuam sustentacionem 
 anniversarii Johannis Baker, in ecclesia Sancti Michaelis in 
 Bassingeshawe London observand’.” 
 
 The costs of the Company in purchasing this charge 
 amounted to 1/. 65. Od., and for clearing and discharging the 
 hall and fellowship from all arrears concerning the obit, to 
 11 165. 10^^. 
 
 The property acquired under Mr. Baker's will appears to 
 have been let on lease, as, at a court holden the 9th day of 
 October in the 35th year of Henry VIIL, John Charley, 
 then being master of the occupation of Coopers, John Heithe, 
 upper-warden, and William Basley, under-warden of the said 
 occupation, Roger Terrys, Thomas a Woode, Thomas Tot- 
 tyngton, Olyver Whythed, Richard Byrde, John Batte, John 
 Gryffyn, William Whyte, Peter Curryn, and John Amyas, 
 took upon them, in the name of all the whole clothing, and 
 through the common assent of all the yeomanry of house- 
 holders of the said occupation, to grant for them and their 
 
( 119 ) 
 
 successors, master, wardens, and clothing, and all other per- 
 sons householders, a certain lease of the tenement with the 
 two cottages thereunto adjoining, with all the appurtenances 
 belonging to them, late called the Swan, in Bassingshaw, to 
 Gye a Wood, Mercer, and to his heirs, for as many years as 
 in the said lease is specified, as by the said lease more at 
 large it shall appear. 
 
 Every man*s hand set to the same lease above named, over 
 and beside their common seal. 
 
 The Company did not possess a hall till towards the close 
 of the reign of Henry VIII. ; many payments being made for 
 the hire of proper premises for their meetings, commencing 
 from the year 1523, when 6s. Sd. was the first amount paid ; 
 but in 1543 the subject of building a hall engrossed the at- 
 tention of the fellowship ; and on the 9th of October in that 
 year they accorded, agreed, and fully condescended. That 
 whatsoever John Heith and William Basley, wardens, should 
 do for the performance of their new building, as touching any 
 manner of bargain made or to be made with Thomas Sherrys, 
 carpenter, Walter Cowper, bricklayer and tiler, and also with 
 John Pye, joiner, and with John Car, plaisterer, or with any 
 other, for any manner of stuff, as lead, smith's work, and for 
 nails of all sorts, and whatsoever other thing or things they 
 should do, that all the whole Company should abide their 
 bargains and doings, and perform the same, high and low, 
 without any contradiction or gainsaying. 
 
 It further appears from the minutes, that John Heith, 
 upper-warden, was the first provoker and founder of the 
 craft's new common hall, and of the new building of it out 
 of the ground ; whereunto he freely gave all the principal 
 timber that went to the same hall, the parlour, buttery, and 
 pantry, with the kitchen and all other necessary places be- 
 longing to the same hall ; and moreover he gave, and well 
 and truly paid, from the 21st day of August until Christmas 
 evening next following, towards and for the payments of the 
 workmen that builded the same hall and other the premises 
 thereto belonging, 2s. Sd. every week, over and besides sun- 
 dry other gifts which he gave clearly to the said hall and 
 
( 120 ) 
 
 house, praying to God to send many more such benefactors 
 to the said craft. 
 
 The following inscription was placed on the building : 
 “Thys Halle byldyd in the tyme of John Charley, Master, 
 John Heithe, Upper Wardyn, and William Basley, Under 
 Wardyn." 
 
 The building was evidently constructed of timber, and the 
 following payments were made for it in the years 1544 and 
 
 1545 : 
 
 £ 
 
 Thomas Sherrys, carpenter . . 12 
 
 Walter Cowper, bricklayer . . 19 
 
 John Car and his fellow plaisterers . . 15 
 
 For the carriage of all the timber, and other 
 charges . . . , 47 
 
 John Pye, joiner .. ..9 
 
 Nedham, for boards and deals . . 1 
 
 Charley, for timber . . . . 1 
 
 Isookeson, for timber . . 4 
 
 Peter Brasses wife, for paving-tiles . . 3 
 
 Richard Carpenter, smith (in part) . . 3 
 
 The upholsterer, for two pieces of green 
 serge, and for the sewing of it . . 2 
 
 To Master Heithe, painter (in part) . . 2 
 
 Raynold Danyell, plumber (in part) . . 4 
 
 John Smallfotte, ironmonger, for nails 3 
 
 For certain stuff, men’s wages, carriage, ^c, 26 
 
 Note. In the above was included \s. Q>d. 
 for six pair of gloves for the carpenters. 
 Raynold Danyell, plumber (in full) 4 
 
 Walter Cowper, bricklayer (the like) . . 2 
 
 Richard Carpenter, smith (the like) . . 2 
 
 Richard Pye, joiner (the like) . . 1 
 
 Mr. Heith, painter (the like) . . 4 
 
 s. d. 
 13 4 
 
 15 0 
 
 0 0 
 
 8 4 
 
 7 0 
 19 8 
 0 0 
 10 0 
 5 0 
 
 0 0 
 
 12 0 
 0 0 
 0 0 
 0 24 
 3 8 
 
 0 0 
 0 0 
 0 0 
 0 0 
 0 0 
 
 In 1547, the completion of the building was celebrated 
 by a feast, the following payments having been made. It ap- 
 
( 121 ) 
 
 pears that Mr. Heithe gave the venison towards the supper 
 in the hall.’' 
 
 s. d. 
 
 For bringing the venison from Master Heithe’s 
 
 with a porter . . . . 0 4 
 
 1 lb. of pepper .. .. 2 10^ 
 
 For salt . . . . 0 2 
 
 For a barrel of ale . . . . 4 4 
 
 For beer, double and single . . 0 7 
 
 For three dozen of bread . . 3 6 
 
 For flour for the venison . . 3 6 
 
 For twelve shoulders of mutton . . 5 8 
 
 For 6 lb. of suet . . . . 0 9 
 
 For one dozen and a half of coneys . . 4 10 
 
 For cucumbers, radish roots, rosemary, and 
 
 parsley . . . . 0 4 
 
 For butter . . . . 16 
 
 For two legs of mutton . . 0 10 
 
 For two quarters of coals . . 10 
 
 For half a bundle of faggots . . 1 10 
 
 For vinegar . . . . 0 2 
 
 For perry . . . . Oil 
 
 For five marche paynes . . 7 6 
 
 For rushes and sweet herbs that strewed the 
 
 house . . ' . . 0 4 
 
 For trenchers and white cups . . 10 
 
 To the minstrels, in reward . . 10 
 
 For candle . . . . 0 2 
 
 For water . . . . 0 3 
 
 To the turn-broches and labourers in the kitchen 0 8 
 
 To the cook, for his labour . . 3 4 
 
 For wine . . . . 14 6 
 
 To the two porters, for fetching of regalls from 
 
 Mr. Charley’s and Master Heithe’s, to and fro 1 0 
 
 To the pewterer, for the hire of a garnish and 
 
 a hundred of pewter vessels . . 10 
 
 In 1589 an addition was made to the building, when 
 SI. 125. bd. was paid in charges for the little parlour ; and 
 
( 122 ) 
 
 in the next year the following amounts were paid, in respect 
 of the new cellar and house. 
 
 £ 5. d. 
 
 Carpenter 
 
 
 49 
 
 2 6 
 
 Bricklayer 
 
 
 5 
 
 0 4 
 
 Plaisterer 
 
 
 18 
 
 2 4 
 
 Bricklayer 
 
 
 31 
 
 4 8 
 
 Plumber 
 
 
 14 
 
 4 10 
 
 Smith 
 
 
 9 
 
 5 11 
 
 i. The hall was destroyed in 
 
 the Fire of 
 
 London, the 
 
 Company's plate and records being previously removed to a 
 place of safety by the wardens, and in the month of November 
 following the site was ordered to be cleared for rebuilding. 
 
 In September, 1668, several models or draughts for re- 
 building the hall were presented to the court, but were not 
 then considered, there being no decision by the court of 
 judicature on the Company's petition touching the ground 
 contiguous to the site of the old hall. Subsequently 50/. 
 was decreed to be paid by the Company, in recompense for 
 the additional ground taken ; and a draught or model of the 
 hall having been produced and explained, was unanimously 
 approved by the court, who resolved it should be observed 
 in the intended work, and presented Mr. Wildgoose, for his 
 pains and skill in surveying the ground and contriving the 
 model, five pieces in gold. Eleven members subscribed 5/. 
 each towards the new building. 
 
 On the 9th of February following, Mr. Woodhouse, the 
 carpenter for building the common hall (that day begun), 
 desired the Company to provide their own timber, promising 
 his best skill and assistance, without any benefit to himself, 
 to which the court assented ; and also agreed, the more ef- 
 fectually to promote the building, and to prevent deceit and 
 idleness of workmen and labourers, that a person should be 
 appointed to attend daily to superintend them. 
 
 The master and wardens for the time being, or any two, 
 taking to their assistance any three or more of the assistants 
 whom they should think meet, were appointed a committee 
 
c 
 
 ( 123 ) 
 
 to consider of, order, and appoint concerning the effectual 
 carrying on the building of the Company's common hall 
 with its appurtenances, and all things relating to that affair, 
 as well for issuing out and payment of monies as otherwise. 
 
 In January, 1669> directions were given, in respect of the 
 shortness of the days, that the work at the hall be forborne 
 till the 1st of March; and on that day the first court was held 
 there since its rebuilding, when a day was fixed to consider 
 and conclude about wainscotting the hall. At the same court 
 the assistants proceeded in voluntary subscriptions towards 
 the charges of finishing it, as an example and encouragement 
 to the livery and commonalty ; their contributions, at 10/. 
 each, amounted to 130/. 
 
 At a court held on the 21st of April, 1670, the list of the 
 voluntary subscriptions of the court being read to the livery, 
 they were desired to add their subscriptions for the further- 
 ance of the work ; and days having been fixed for meetings to 
 receive the subscriptions of the livery, a sum of 185/. 10^. 
 was contributed by them. 
 
 Subscriptions towards rebuilding the hall were continued 
 to be received till the year 1678, and a case occurred of 2/. 
 being assessed upon a member for refusing to subscribe. 
 
 The payments amounted as under : « , 
 
 X/ s. cl. 
 
 1668 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 1078 
 
 17 
 
 5 
 
 1669 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 2029 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 1670 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 1082 
 
 2 
 
 0 
 
 1671 
 
 . . 
 
 . , 
 
 998 
 
 15 
 
 0 
 
 The rooms over the great parlour, with convenient cel- 
 larage, were assigned to the clerk ; and, in consideration of 
 these, 20/. per annum, part of his salary, was taken off. This 
 was the first instance in which a residence was allowed to 
 the clerk. 
 
 1671. Mr. Mason, the master, presented the king’s arms, 
 carved in wood, which was placed at the upper end of the 
 hall, between the two great windows. 
 
( 124 ) 
 
 Inventory of the Company’s Property, 1570. 
 
 A wafer, with a band and a bosse of silver gilt. 
 
 Three garlands, to choose Master and Wardens, with red 
 ribbon. 
 
 A bearing-cloth of blue velvet, embroidered with gold and 
 silver and set with pearls, and yellow cloth to lie between it. 
 
 A box or case to lay the same bearing-cloth in. 
 
 Two tables, with the pictures of Sir Anthony Knyvett and 
 Dame Avyce his wife. 
 
 Three calivers and four flasks and touch-boxes. 
 
 Six black morions. 
 
 Seven Almain rivets complete, lacking two saletts, and one 
 odd pair of splints. 
 
 Ten corslets complete. 
 
 One bill, two swords, and six daggers. 
 
 Two sheaf of arrows, one sheaf fourteen arrows, and one 
 empty case. 
 
 Seven jacks, new and old. 
 
 Two pair of mail sleeves, and one old pair of plate. 
 
 Three pikes and two armings of fustian, fringed. 
 
 Two vizards with three whips. 
 
 Two bows, a drum and two sticks. 
 
 Harness and other necessaries for war, in the little parlour ; 
 
 VIZ. 
 
 Thirteen corslets 
 Nineteen calivers 
 Nineteen flax and touchboxes 
 Seventeen morions 
 Thirty-two swords 
 Twenty-nine daggers 
 Thirty-one girdles 
 Thirteen leathers for the shot 
 Fifteen pikes. 
 
 Whereof there is 9 swords 
 and daggers delivered, 2 
 corslets, 7 calivers with flax 
 and touchbox, 9 sword-gir- 
 dles, 9 swords, 9 daggers, 
 7 leathers ; all which were 
 delivered for Her Majesty’s 
 service into Flanders. 
 
( 125 ) 
 
 LIVERY. 
 
 1725. During the proceedings in Parliament, upon the 
 petition of many citizens for obtaining the Act of the 1 1th of 
 George I. cap. 18, For regulating elections within the city 
 of London, and for preserving the peace, good order, and 
 government of the said city,” which was strenuously opposed 
 by the corporation in both houses of the legislature, the 
 House of Commons required all the companies to make re- 
 turns of the grants or constitutions of their respective liveries, 
 and of the numbers of their members at that time ; in conse- 
 quence of which order the clerk of the Coopers Company 
 made the following returns to that House. 
 
 “ In obedience to an order of this Honourable House, I do 
 hereby humbly certify that I do not find any particular grant 
 or constitution by which the Company of Coopers was made 
 a livery company, save that it appears to me that the same 
 must have been a livery company time out of mind, their 
 by-laws, confirmed in the 22d Henry VIL, taking notice of 
 their clothing at that time, and which by-laws concerning 
 the livery have, from time to time ever since, been continued 
 and conformed to and practised by them, and that without 
 any limitation of numbers, and have been at all times in all 
 elections allowed as such. J. Hammond, Cl. 
 
 " Societal del Cowpers.” 
 
 " In obedience to an order of this Honourable House I do 
 humbly certify that the number of the liverymen of the Com- 
 pany of Coopers is 203 ; but the charter and grants by which 
 they were constituted having always been locked up in the 
 treasury -room of the said Company, I humbly beg leave of 
 this Honourable House to pray a short stay to call a court of 
 assistants, in order to perfect the return required to be made 
 by their precept. J. Hammond, Cl. 
 
 " Societal del Coopers.” 
 
( 126 ) 
 
 The following is an abstract of the Companies' returns of 
 the number of their liveries in the years 1699 and 1724. 
 
 In 
 
 the year 1699. 
 
 1724. 
 
 Apothecaries 
 
 . . 
 
 130 
 
 140 
 
 Armourers and Braziers 
 
 58 
 
 81 
 
 Bakers 
 
 . . 
 
 146 
 
 189 
 
 / 
 
 Barber-Surgeons 
 
 195 
 
 299 
 
 Blacksmiths 
 
 
 204 
 
 225 
 
 Bowyers 
 
 
 32 
 
 31 
 
 Brewers 
 
 
 — 
 
 103 
 
 Broderers 
 
 
 135 
 
 116 
 
 Butchers 
 
 
 218 
 
 230 
 
 Carpenters 
 
 
 98 
 
 102 
 
 Coachmakers 
 
 
 54 
 
 111 
 
 Cooks 
 
 
 82 
 
 78 
 
 Coopers 
 
 
 126 
 
 203 
 
 Cordwainers 
 
 
 100 
 
 102 
 
 Curriers 
 
 
 104 
 
 no 
 
 Cutlers 
 
 
 no 
 
 125 
 
 Clothworkers 
 
 
 159 
 
 149 
 
 Dyers 
 
 
 200 
 
 202 
 
 Distillers 
 
 
 108 
 
 121 
 
 Drapers 
 
 
 198 
 
 202 
 
 Farriers 
 
 
 — 
 
 76 
 
 Fletchers 
 
 
 20 
 
 28 
 
 Founders 
 
 
 90 
 
 136 
 
 Framework-knitters 
 
 — 
 
 58 
 
 Fruiterers 
 
 
 37 
 
 57 
 
 Fishmongers 
 
 
 231 
 
 166 
 
 Girdlers 
 
 
 85 
 
 85 
 
 Glaziers 
 
 
 76 
 
 100 
 
 Glass-sellers 
 
 
 — 
 
 40 
 
 Grocers 
 
 
 — 
 
 175 
 
 Glovers 
 
 
 120 
 
 128 
 
 Goldsmiths 
 
 
 330 
 
 244 
 
 Haberdashers 
 
 
 355 
 
 271 
 
 Innholders 
 
 
 120 
 
 150 
 
 139 Barbers 
 
 47 No trades. 
 
( 
 
 127 ) 
 
 Joiners 
 
 190 
 
 286 
 
 Ironmongers 
 
 100 
 
 109 
 
 Leathersellers 
 
 169 
 
 185 
 
 Loriners 
 
 — 
 
 79 
 
 Masons 
 
 — 
 
 63 
 
 Musicians 
 
 17 
 
 30 
 
 Merchant Taylors 
 
 600 
 
 473 
 
 Mercers 
 
 272 
 
 228 
 
 Needlemakers 
 
 — 
 
 44 
 
 Painter-stainers . . 
 
 159 
 
 141 
 
 Pattenmakers 
 
 — 
 
 35 
 
 Pewterers 
 
 108 
 
 91 
 
 Plaisterers 
 
 87 
 
 70 
 
 Plumbers 
 
 54 
 
 65 
 
 Poulters 
 
 — 
 
 127 
 
 Saddlers 
 
 69 
 
 74 
 
 Scrivenors 
 
 45 
 
 37 
 
 Stationers 
 
 226 
 
 214 
 
 Skinners 
 
 180 
 
 192 
 
 Salters 
 
 150 
 
 206 
 
 Turners 
 
 112 
 
 127 
 
 Tallow-chandlers 
 
 153 
 
 178 
 
 Tilers and Bricklayers 
 
 73 
 
 99 
 
 Upholders 
 
 121 
 
 144 
 
 Vintners 
 
 249 
 
 219 
 
 Wax-chandlers . . 
 
 71 
 
 101 
 
 Weavers 
 
 180 
 
 263 
 
 The present number of the livery of the Coopers Company 
 is 318 ; and the charges for admission are, when the freedom 
 is obtained by servitude or patrimony, 2‘2Z. 3^. Qd. ; by re- 
 demption, 28/. 1^. 6d. 
 
( 128 ) 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 Master, — The Master is elected by the Livery in com- 
 mon hall assembled, on the Monday before Whitsuntide 
 yearly. 
 
 The fine for not serving the entire office is 20/. ; and in 
 cases of vacancies by death or removal, and the party elected 
 in the room of the master so dying or removing refusing to 
 serve, 15/. 
 
 In all cases of the party not serving, or of the master dy- 
 ing in the course of the year, the vacancy is filled up by the 
 Court of Assistants. 
 
 Wardens. — The Upper and Under warden are also elected 
 by the Livery on the Monday before Whitsuntide. 
 
 The fine for not serving the office of upper-warden is 12/., 
 and of under-warden 6/. 
 
 The Master and Wardens are required to be sworn into 
 office on the first Tuesday in the month of June, or within 
 eighteen days after. 
 
 The Renter-warden is chosen by the Court of Assistants 
 yearly, and the fine for not serving this office is 12/. 
 
 Oath to be administered to the Master and Wardens on 
 taking office. 
 
 Ye shall swear to be true and faithful to our Sovereign 
 Lady the Queen and to her heirs and successors kings 
 and queens of Great Britain : and you [and every of you] 
 well and truly shall do your endeavour to execute, and 
 as much as in you is cause to be executed, indifferently 
 and justly, all the good ordinances and laudable acts 
 made for the conservation of the said Fellowship of 
 Coopers, without sparing or favouring any person, for 
 affection, reward, dread, or fear of any person, as long 
 as you shall be and continue in the office of Master [or 
 Wardens] ; and of all and every such sum or sums of 
 
( 129 ) 
 
 money as by reason of your office of Master [or War- 
 dens] shall come to your hands, [or to the hands of any 
 of you] by means of fines, forfeitures, amerciaments, 
 or penalties, you shall give a true and plain account at 
 such time and to such persons as by your ordinances be 
 assigned to take the same accounts of you [and every of 
 you.] You shall not for malice or hate amerce any per- 
 son of the same Fellowship in any more or larger sum 
 than according to your ordinances or after the quality 
 or quantity of his or her trespass or default. 
 
 So help you God. 
 
 Assistants. — The Court elect the Assistants from out of 
 the Livery, regard being had to the person chosen having 
 rendered the suit and service required by the Company's 
 ordinances. 
 
 The fine for admission is 26/. ds., and for not serving the 
 office 5/. 
 
 Oath on taking the office of Assistant. 
 
 You shall be true and faithful to our Sovereign Lady 
 the Queen and to her heirs and successors kings and 
 queens of Great Britain : and you and every of you shall, 
 after the best manner you can, justly and indifferently 
 execute or cause to be executed your office and place of 
 an Assistant to the Master and Wardens of this Com- 
 pany ; and all the good rules, orders, and ordinances of 
 the Company, without sparing any person or persons for 
 favour, affection, reward, or promise of reward, during 
 the time you shall execute and continue in the place 
 or office of an Assistant, according to the best of your 
 understanding and ability you sh^ll truly and faithfully 
 endeavour to observe and keep, and as much as in you 
 lieth cause to be observed and kept. All the lawful coun- 
 sels, consultations, and orders of this Company meet 
 to be concealed, you shall, so long as you continue an 
 Assistant of this Society, keep, without disclosing the 
 same or any part thereof to any person or persons, to 
 the hurt or damage of this Society. 
 
 So help you God. 
 
 K 
 
( 130 ) 
 
 The present Court consists of 
 Master. 
 
 Mr. James Francis Firth. 
 
 Wardens. 
 
 Mr. Michael Drew. 
 
 Mr. William Holloway. 
 
 Renter-Warden. 
 
 Mr. William Wild. 
 
 Assistants. 
 
 Sir Felix Booth, hart. 
 
 Mr. John Gillyatt Booth. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Parrey. 
 
 Mr. George Allen Aylwin. 
 
 Mr. William Pugh. 
 
 Mr. Richard Eykyn. 
 
 David Salomons, esq. and alderman. 
 
 Mr. George Davis. 
 
 Mr. George Smith. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Allen Shuter. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Johnson. 
 
 Mr. Robert Carter. 
 
 The Rev. John Frederick Ben well. 
 
 Mr. Edward Woodbridge. 
 
 Mr. William Henry Lewer. 
 
 Mr. John Parr. 
 
 Stewards. — Three are chosen annually by the Court, who 
 are excused serving upon payment of a fine of 201. each. 
 
 The fine, although fixed by the by-laws, is not enforced, 
 the payment being voluntary. 
 
 Clerk. — This office was formerly executed by one person; 
 but in 1840 the duties were divided, when the Court ap- 
 pointed Mr. James Boyer, Clerk- Accountant, and Mr. 
 Archibald Weir, Clerk-Solicitor. 
 
 Beadle. — Is also in the appointment of the Court, and 
 is held by Mr. George Keene. 
 
List of Masters and Wardens since 1823. 
 
 Masters. 
 
 1824. J. C. Parker 
 
 1825. Robert Carter 
 
 1826. Robert Carter 
 
 1827. Robert Carter 
 
 1828. J. C. Parker 
 
 1829. John Sewell 
 
 1830. W. H. Betts 
 
 1831. Felix Booth 
 
 1832. Thomas Coding 
 
 1833. J. Saunders 
 
 1834. Rich. Dowding 
 
 1835. Rich. Dowding 
 
 1836. Benj. Parrey 
 
 1837. G. A. Aylwin 
 
 1838. Charles Rich 
 
 1839. William Pugh 
 
 1840. Richard Eykyn 
 
 1841. D. Salomons 
 
 Wardens. 
 
 Richard Day 
 Abraham Algar 
 r Abraham Algar 
 1 James F. Firth 
 f Abraham Algar 
 I James F. Firth 
 r Abraham Algar 
 [James F. Firth 
 f James F. Firth 
 1 Thomas Ashton 
 f Thomas Ashton 
 IT. A. Shuter 
 T. A. Shuter 
 W. Chippindale 
 f W. Chippindale 
 L Robert Charles 
 r Robert Charles 
 I Francis Deacon 
 r Francis Deacon 
 1 Jeremiah Carter 
 Jeremiah Carter 
 W. Woodbridge 
 W. Woodbridge 
 J. R. Wilkinson 
 r J. R. Wilkinson 
 1 J. B. Gordon 
 r J. B. Gordon 
 W. H. Frisby 
 L William Pugh 
 r William Wild 
 1 Henry Cap el 
 Henry Capel 
 Benjamin Field 
 Henry Capel 
 Benjamin Field 
 r Benjamin Field 
 [John Lascelles 
 
 Renter Wardens. 
 
 I Robert Carter 
 I John Mansir 
 I John Sewell 
 I David Green 
 } W. H. Betts 
 j Felix Booth 
 I Thos. Coding 
 I John Saunders 
 I Rich. Dowding 
 I William Booth 
 I John G. Booth 
 I Benj. Parrey 
 I G. A. Aylwin 
 
 ^Charles Rich 
 
 I William Pugh 
 I D. Salomons 
 
 I George Davis 
 
 1 John Bressy and 
 J George Smith 
 
Masters. 
 
 Wardens. 
 
 Renter Wardens. 
 
 1842. Willia. Pugh {S-ChlS 
 
 1843. George Smith { PerrJ"'’" 
 
 1844. George Smith {w^’H^Le^cr 
 
 1845. G. Chadwin and f W. H. Lewer 
 Rich. Dowding 1 G. J. Cliadwin 
 
 loi/- A Cl 4 . r G. J. Cliadwin 
 
 1846. T. A. Shuter | 
 
 1847. James F. Firth ( Michael Drew 
 
 I W. Holloway 
 
 1848. James F. Firth { 
 
 I Michael Drew 
 
 I T. A. Shuter 
 I Geo. Chadwin 
 I James F. Firth 
 I Robert Carter 
 I J. F. Eenwell 
 I E. Woodbridge 
 j William Wild. 
 
 The parties in election for master, upper-warden, and 
 under-warden are nominated by the Court and Livery, and 
 chosen in common hall. The renter-warden is elected by 
 the Court. 
 
 ADDITIONS. 
 
 1692. October 18. Sir John Fleet, Lord Mayor elect, 
 translated from the Coopers to the Grocers Company. Sir 
 John Fleet served the office of Master of the Coopers Com- 
 pany A.D. 1689. — See 1743, page 61. 
 
 1687. October 4. Two women pensioners added to the 
 almshouses at Ratcliffe ; one to be of the parish of Stepney, 
 and the other a widow of a member of the Company. — See 
 Charities, page 111. 
 
( 133 ) 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Extract from The Times Newspaper of Thursday the 2>d of Febru- 
 ary y 1848. 
 
 On Tuesday the Master and Wardens and Court of Assistants of the Coopers 
 Company gave a splendid entertainment at the London Tavern, as a compliment 
 to their brother, Mr. David Salomons, upon his recent election and admission to 
 the office of alderman of the City of London, Mr. Salomons being the first of the 
 Jewish nation admitted to that situation. 
 
 Mr. Firth, the master of the company, presided, and was supported by the Lord 
 Mayor and Mr. John Masterman, M.P. Amongst the numerous company were 
 Aldermen Johnson and Farncomb, Sir Felix Booth, bart., Mr. P. J. Salomons, 
 Mr. A. A. Goldsmid, Mr. P. Salomons, Mr. S. Samuel, Serjeant Merewether (the 
 town clerk), Under-sheriff Wire, Mr. Bunning, the City of London Architect, and 
 the Common Council of the ward of Cordwainer, of which Mr. D. Salomons is 
 alderman. 
 
 The Master, in proposing the health of the Lord Mayor, begged to convey to 
 his lordship the high sense the company entertained for his presence upon the oc- 
 casion, and for the ability, zeal, and integrity which had marked his lordship’s 
 course in the discharge of the arduous and important duties of his lordship’s sta- 
 tion in a manner so highly satisfactory to his fellow-citizens, and so honourable to 
 himself. 
 
 The Lord Mayor, in highly flattering terms, returned his acknowledgments for 
 the attention he had received from the Company, and expressed his anxiety so to 
 acquit himself in the performance of the duties of his office as to entitle himself to 
 the esteem and approbation of the corporation of London, and all the rest of his 
 fellow-citizens. (Cheers.) 
 
 The Master proposed the health of Mr. David Salomons, and begged to convey 
 to that gentleman the congratulations of his brethren upon his recent election as 
 an alderman and magistrate of the city. The Coopers Company was, he said, one 
 of the first of the companies of the City of London which received into their com- 
 munity members of the Hebrew faith. Mr. Salomons availed himself of the pri- 
 vilege in the year 1831, when he became a freeman and liveryman of the Company. 
 Upon his elevation to the high office of sheriff he was immediately admitted an 
 Assistant, and in the year 1841, upon the joint nominations of the Court and the 
 great body of the livery, he was unanimously elected their Master. The Company 
 was justly proud in ranking amongst its members so distinguished and honou- 
 rable a gentleman, zealous in all good works of beneficence and charity ; and it 
 yielded to none in the delight and gratification it had witnessed upon his honou- 
 rable career and recent elevation. (Cheers.) It was impossible that more ample 
 justice could be done to the Alderman’s merits than by making him speak for him- 
 self in the terms of his communication upon the foundation of a fellowship of 50/. 
 per annurriy for the benefit of the scholars educated in the City of London School, 
 to the following effect : “ 1 have been long impressed with the desire to manifest to 
 my fellow-citizens, by a lasting testimonial, my grateful recollection of the honour 
 
( 134 ) 
 
 they conferred on me, when, under new and peculiar clrciimstnuccB, tliey elected me 
 high sheriff of their ancient city. The enlightened principle of religious toleration, 
 assisted by the livery upon that occasion, has since been gaining strength, until it 
 received in Parliament an express and extended legislative sanction. It is to the 
 diffusion of education that the preparation of the public mind for this peaceful 
 triumph is to be ascribed, and I can conceive no better mode of perpetuating my 
 grateful acknowledgments for so great a blessing than by contributing to further 
 the cause which, under the guidance of the Almighty Disposer of events, has led 
 to this great result.” The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. 
 
 Mr. Salomons returned thanks for the honour, and assured the company that he 
 felt most grateful for the kindness he had experienced from those by whom he was 
 surrounded. He had, by the advancing liberality of the times, obtained another 
 step in civic dignity, and he trusted that his fellow-citizens would have no cause 
 to regret their selection of him to fill the office of one of their magistrates. (Cheers.) 
 It was with the greatest pride he saw religious prejudices fast disappearing from 
 amongst all classes of the people, and he trusted that a glorious proof would soon 
 be given of the strongly expressed opinion that intolerance was at its last gasp. 
 (Loud cheers.) 
 
 The Lord Mayor, in proposing the health of the Master, said that whatever 
 claims the Company might have upon that gentleman, he (the Lord Mayor) felt 
 that the corporation of London, under whom Mr. Firth had officially served for 
 many years, were highly indebted to the zeal, energy, attention, and integrity of 
 the chairman. 
 
 The Master returned thanks. He took occasion to allude to the fact that in the 
 year 1743 Alderman Willimott, then a member of the Coopers Company and Lord 
 Majmr, was the first who broke through the custom that every gentleman filling 
 that high station should be a member of one of the twelve principal companies of 
 the city, and retire from his own if he happened to belong to one of the inferior 
 companies. The Company would now feel pride in the well-grounded assurance 
 that it would be the first company that would have a gentleman of the Hebrew 
 nation filling the high and important station of Lord Mayor. (Cheers.) 
 
 The following toasts were drunk and responded to : “ Mr. Masterman, and the 
 representatives of the city in Parliament,” “ The Aldermen,” “ The Town Clerk,” 
 “ Under-Sheriff Wire, and the visitors who had honoured the Company with their 
 presence.” 
 
 The company enjoyed all the good things to a late hour. 
 
 At a Court held at Coopers Hall, on the 7th of JMarch, 1848, the 
 Master laid before the Court a letter from Mr. Alderman Salomons, 
 which was read and ordered to be entered upon the Minutes as 
 follows : 
 
 3, Great Cumberland street. 
 
 My dear Master, 14th February, 1848. 
 
 I find it impossible to express to you and to the Court of the Coopers 
 Company all I feel for their honourable notice of me on so many occasions, and par- 
 ticularly for the distinction conferred on me in their having provided the recent 
 splendid entertainment, to which so many distinguished citizens were invited, 
 with many friends and connexions of my own, to celebrate my admission as a 
 member of the Court of Aldermen. 
 
( 135 ) 
 
 As Master of the Company, I beg of you to convey my heartfelt thanks to the 
 members of the Court for this most flattering and distinguished mark of their 
 friendship and esteem. I was truly delighted to see myself surrounded by so many 
 good and worthy men. I know and feel that few can hope, much less expect, to 
 receive so great a compliment ; and I shall ever reflect with pride and with pleasure 
 on this most gratifying instance of the Court’s favour and approbation. 
 
 Nor can I omit ofiering to you my especial thanks for your very flattering notice 
 of me when proposing my health. As the chairman, you had altogether a very 
 arduous duty to perform ; and, except that you were too kind to me, you admi- 
 rably supported the honour of our Company, 
 
 Pray assure my colleagues in the Court that, appreciating, as I do most highly, 
 their individual friendship and their aggregate good wishes, I will endeavour, in 
 the new career opened to me, to merit their good opinion by zealously discharging 
 my public duties, and by availing myself of every fitting occasion to prove myself, 
 in all respects, a good and useful citizen. 
 
 Believe me, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 James F. Firth, Esq. David Salomons, 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Introductory Remarks page 5 
 
 Ordinances, 1396 7 
 
 1409 8 
 
 1420 9 
 
 1428 11 
 
 1440 12 
 
 1457 14 
 
 1488 17 
 
 Charter op Incorporation (Henry VII.) 23 
 
 Governing Charter (Charles II,) 26 
 
 Grant op Arms 34 
 
 Acts op Parliament affecting the Company 35 
 
 Livery Companies 38 
 
 General History 39 
 
 Accounts ; 
 
 Dinners and Entertainments 74 
 
 Donations 80 
 
 Fines 84 
 
 Funerals 85 
 
 Law and Parliamentary Charges 88 
 
 Miscellaneous 93 
 
 Pageants 96 
 
 Royal Aids, 103 
 
 By Laws 110 
 
 Charities Ill 
 
 Exhibitions 114 
 
 Freedom and Freemen 115 
 
 Hall 117 
 
 Livery 125 
 
 Ofpicers 128 
 
 Appendix 133 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Coopers Marks to face page 1 0 
 
 Company’s Arms 34 
 
 Fac-simile Heading of Account 65 
 
 Obelisk, Woodham Mortimer 113 
 
 Taylor, Printer, 3!), Coleman Street. 
 

V