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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

THE WARDENS, COURT OF ASSISTANTS, AND LIVERY

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

( 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.

( 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 • %

:■*

■-6

1 ,5 ^

( 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 -

Girdelers

xxj

Mercbunt Taillours

Ixxxiiij

Wex Cbundelers

xvij

Skynners

liiij

Tylers -

xxij

Iremongers -

XXV

Plomers

xij

Hab’dassbers -

xlj

Armorers

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

Bocbers

xxvj

Bowyers

Sadlers

xxxiij

Flechers

Carpenters

XXX

Pulters

Talugbcbundelers -

xxxvj

Wolmen

viij

Cutlers

xxiiij

Steynours

Peauterers

xxv

Sporiours

Cordwaners -

xxvj

Felmongers -

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

Mercers -

Grocers

Drapers

Fishmongers

Goldsmiths

Skinners

Merchant Haberdashers

- 12

Ironmongers

Salters

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

( 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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F AC:S 1 M ILE, OF HEADING OF ACCOUNT 1575_G.

( 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

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

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

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

4
10

6
10

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

Charges of the dinner on the 28th October,

when the Mayor took his oath
For beer, ale, and bread

For beef and mutton

The grocer, for spices

. •

The poulter, for capons, geese.

and eggs 1

For wine

. .

For butter, wardeins, cream.

flour, and

rose-water

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

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.

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

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

( 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.

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 )

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

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

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

£ 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

£ 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

6 ells green sarsnet

2 ells black taffeta

21 J oz. silk fringe

3 yds. buckram

The painter, for his workman-

ship . .

For two poles for the ban-

ner-staves

The joiner, for making them

The turner, for staves to roll

the banners on

For three poles to hang the

banners upon

For making them

For iron to hang the ban-

ners upon

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

s. d.
1 10

1 3

1 0

16 1
10 0

March

Two further payments of 565. each . .

Paid for new banners, ^c.

Paid for lengthening the new rails or

standings in Fleet street

Ten white staves for the whifflers

Ribbons for them . .

Paid for a dinner for the Company that

day

Paid for forms at Paul’s, on the coronation

day

Paid for a new banner

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

( 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

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 ' -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.

( 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

Out of it

Dutchmen

13—124

1547, they were

Of the clothing

Young men on ditto

Householders out of the livery

English freemen, journeymen

Ditto, new made brethren

Foreigners, free journeymen

Dutchmen, householders

Free denizens, journeymen

New come-in Dutchmen, journeymen

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

2 6

Bricklayer

0 4

Plaisterer

2 4

Bricklayer

4 8

Plumber

4 10

Smith

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

( 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

1669

. .

2029

1670

. .

1082

1671

. .

. ,

998

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.

the year 1699.

1724.

Apothecaries

. .

130

140

Armourers and Braziers

Bakers

. .

146

189

Barber-Surgeons

195

299

Blacksmiths

204

225

Bowyers

Brewers

—

103

Broderers

135

116

Butchers

218

230

Carpenters

102

Coachmakers

111

Cooks

Coopers

126

203

Cordwainers

100

102

Curriers

104

Cutlers

125

Clothworkers

159

149

Dyers

200

202

Distillers

108

121

Drapers

198

202

Farriers

—

Fletchers

Founders

136

Framework-knitters

—

Fruiterers

Fishmongers

231

166

Girdlers

Glaziers

100

Glass-sellers

—

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

—

Masons

—

Musicians

Merchant Taylors

600

473

Mercers

272

228

Needlemakers

—

Painter-stainers . .

159

141

Pattenmakers

—

Pewterers

108

Plaisterers

Plumbers

Poulters

—

127

Saddlers

Scrivenors

Stationers

226

214

Skinners

180

192

Salters

150

206

Turners

112

127

Tallow-chandlers

153

178

Tilers and Bricklayers

Upholders

121

144

Vintners

249

219

Wax-chandlers . .

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.

( 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.